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### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Liz Jones . PUBLISHED: . 18:32 EST, 27 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:56 EST, 30 October 2013 . The most closely guarded, high-stakes secret in British retail — what on earth Marks & Spencer has come up with for its Christmas TV ad campaign — can today be revealed. But can it top last year’s offering, which starred a dancing Seb White, the little boy with Down’s Syndrome, without being naff or cheesy? Will it shift those all-important Christmas party dresses, cashmere sweaters and mince pies? Has it any chance of beating the annual offering from its nemesis, John Lewis? In the M&S Christmas advert, model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, in a check Collection sweater under a Collection coat, gives chase to her runaway dog . Oops! Falling down a rabbit hole, she loses her clothes. Luckily, Rosie is in her own label for Autograph silk and lace undies . And can it redeem the brand after the humourless ‘leading ladies’ autumn campaign, which saw the likes of artist Tracey Emin and pop starlet Ellie Goulding in the brand’s finest? Well, I have had a sneak preview of the advert, leaked to the Daily Mail from an insider on the set, and the answer to all of these questions appears to be: Yes. The ad will be unveiled to the Press in a gala screening tomorrow night (yes, Christmas ads are now that important), and will be screened on prime-time ITV on November 6. It has an all-British cast, including M&S golden girl Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and male model of the moment David Gandy, alongside Oscar-winning actress Helena Bonham Carter, in her first ever appearance for the brand. Welcome to the Mad Hatter's tea party, hosted by model David Gandy in Autograph menswear . Helena Bonham Carter's Wizard of Oz is in a black Per Una coat with faux fur collar . This time, I think M&S has done its homework, and pulled off quite a coup: while Bonham Carter is known for her rather eccentric style of bird’s-nest hair and socks worn with flip-flops, of late she has become something of a fashion icon. Post The King’s Speech, her wonderful portrayal on TV of Liz Taylor, and an appearance on the July cover of British Vogue, she has matured into not only a red carpet ambassador for British fashion, favouring Vivienne Westwood above all others, but a curvy, creamy, increasingly classic beauty. Bonham Carter is certainly a vast improvement on the iconic British women chosen for the autumn campaign — a motley crew of athletes, artists, actors and authors in a shoot by legendary U.S. photographer Annie Leibovitz that was too glossy and too unattainable, with no fun or mischief at all. Here, Helena makes a hilarious appearance in a fairytale that, although only two minutes long, cost many millions to produce. At the end of the ad, back in the real world, Helena reunites Rosie with her dog . The story — directed by Swedish music video maestro Johan Renck, who has made shorts for Madonna, Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams — has a cinematic soundtrack. The narrative is as follows: Rosie, gorgeous pillow-lipped creature that she is, clad in checked sweater, cream coat and black skinny jeans, emerges from her house in a very Victorian, deserted London with her West Highland terrier (Oh my God, he’s gorgeous! So much so that the store will be selling stuffed toys which look like the actor dog, Ralph). The dog then runs away, and disappears down a rabbit hole. Rosie sets off in hot pursuit (who knew she could squeeze down a tiny hole with those extravagant breasts?). And, losing her clothes on the way to reveal her underwear (boys: there are two shots of Rosie wearing very little indeed — she has never looked more beautiful), she enters a magical world of Alice In Wonderland, where the tea party is hosted by male model Gandy, clad in immaculate British-manufactured menswear. Rosie magically transforms into Red Riding Hood (sporting a gorgeous Autograph red coat), then is transported on a magic carpet straight out of the Arabian Knights, and becomes Dorothy, all pigtails and cream cocktail dress, to enter the land of The Wizard Of Oz. Off duty: Helena Bonham Carter, pictured left with her CBE medal, and out and about in north London is known for a more eccentric style . Which is where a giant Bonham Carter . comes in, as the wizard, which suits her down to the ground. ‘Love those . red shoes!’ she booms, in that famous, cut-glass voice. Finally, Rosie (who knew she could act!) re-emerges into the real world to find that Helena, immaculate in a faux fur-trimmed black coat, has not only rescued her dog (Phew! Remember, an abused dog, shivering outside in a snow-covered kennel, didn’t work terribly well for John Lewis), but admires Rosie’s outfit as well. The product placement — dresses, dresses and more dresses — is perfect, and there is nothing cheesy about the production, apart from the Cheddar truckles at the tea party. It’s fun, and, given the chemistry between Rosie and Gandy, super sexy. Rosie is a reliable cash cow (excuse the term) for Marks, with her own-label lingerie selling more than any other brand in the store’s history. And the chiselled features of David Gandy will keep mums, who will be the ones lugging those Magic and Sparkle carrier bags home, very happy indeed. Wonderful: After her portrayal on TV of Liz Taylor, and an appearance on the July cover of British Vogue, Helena has matured into a red carpet ambassador for British fashion . Regal: Helena Bonham Carter, who won an Oscar for her performance in The King's Speech, is a classy, unexpected ingredient in the advert, writes Liz Jones . And Helena Bonham Carter? Teamed cleverly with Rosie, she’s a classy, unexpected ingredient in a perfect mix that will appeal to Everywoman, being neither too frumpy, nor too unattainable. She’s a busy, likeable North London mum in her late 40s who hasn’t decamped to Beverly Hills or opted for cosmetic surgery, and proves that, with M&S’s help, she scrubs up extremely well, giving us ordinary mortals big buckets of hope. The bigwigs at Marks’ HQ in Paddington — CEO Marc Bolland, head of fashion Belinda Earl et al — are trembling in their shoes, anxious not only about how the ad will play to the Press on Tuesday night, but also what on earth John Lewis has up its merino wool sleeve. From my sneak preview, the ad is a triumph. But will other viewers agree? For M&S’s vocal shareholders, this cannot just be a vanity project, an escape for a few moments into fantasy. It has to make those cash registers burst into song. ### SUMMARY:

Cast includes Helena Bonham Carter and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley . Advert inspired by Alice In Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz . Commercial will be screened on prime-time ITV on November 6 .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Ray Massey . PUBLISHED: . 19:20 EST, 19 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:18 EST, 19 October 2013 . Hurt: Kiera Morgan (pictured with husband Charles Morgan) posted angry messages on Twitter . The glamorous actress wife at the centre of the Morgan sports-car family feud has launched an angry tirade against the  ‘greed and ego’ of her husband’s relatives and former boardroom  colleagues. She said the legendary English car-maker in rural Malvern, Worcestershire had ‘sold its soul’ and that their treatment of her husband – including the removal of his beloved Morgan  company car -  had left their seven year-old daughter ‘crying.’ The outpouring came as Charles Morgan himself spoke emotionally on Friday of how his ousting from the company that has borne his family’s name for three generations was ‘extremely personally distressing’ on the tenth anniversary of his father Peter’s death. Meanwhile, his wife Kiera posted angry messages on Twitter about the family feud at the heart of the split, saying ‘greed and ego got the better of them.’ She tweeted of her husband’s ousting: ’It’s cruel &indecent. It's changed my view on families. Without Charles it's merely another lost business that sold its soul’. ’In this case the greed and the ego got better of them. It's as simple as that. There is no other justification to their actions. On the loss of the family Morgan, she added that  her seven year-old daughter was ‘crying’ and ‘scared’ about how she would get to school because ‘they are taking away daddy’s car’. She added: ’Today is the 10 year anniversary of Peter Morgan's death. I hope he can see the tears of his grandchildren and the unnecessary pain.’ Father of five Mr  Morgan, 62, a former ITN cameraman, married his current wife Kiera  – named in ‘Who’s Who’ as Kira Kopylova with whom he has a son and a daughter – in 2003. He has  one son and two daughters from a previous marriage. The Morgan firm was founded more than a century ago in 1910 by Mr Morgan’s grandfather Henry Morgan, his father Peter, and himself. Distressing: Charles Morgan said: 'Being asked to leave the company that bears my name is also extremely personally distressing.' Seven months ago Mr Morgan stepped down as managing director but retained  the post of ‘ambassador’ for the firm – until Morgan and its new MD Steve Morris announced this week he would no longer have a role in the running of the company. Mr Morgan said: ‘I have been asked to leave the Morgan Motor Company by the board. It is a sad decision that I am appealing. I remain a major shareholder in Morgan.’ He insisted: ‘I’d like to be clear that I am not a tycoon but a family man – I inherited a company not wealth –  and unexpectedly leaving its employment will be a hardship for myself and my family. ‘Being asked to leave the company that bears my name is also extremely personally distressing. That is made more painful as today marks 10 years since my father, Peter Morgan, died and I feel him in spirit with me in this dispute.’ He insisted: ’My primary concern is completely for the company I have spent 30 years helping to build, and specifically for Morgan’s employees, who I hold in the highest regard. I want nothing but success for Morgan Motor Company in the future and remain committed to this goal.’ Charles Morgan and his wife Kiera Morgan pictured driving a Morgan sport car during the opening of China's first Morgan sport cars showroom in Shanghai. On the loss of the family Morgan, Mrs Morgan said her seven year-old daughter was 'crying' and 'scared' about how she would get to school because 'they are taking away daddy's car' He expressed his gratitude ‘for the expressions of support received on twitter and elsewhere, particularly from the employees of Morgan.’ He said he was proud that  company’s annual production volumes are ‘double what they were at the start of my tenure’ adding: ‘Morgan remains a small but successful family firm.’ He added he would be ‘making no further statements for the time being’. However, Mr Morgan had hinted to a conference of business leaders on Thursday that a bitter family feud lies behind his dramatic exit in a boardroom coup. He regaled his audience of business chiefs with tales of his jet-set life with his glamorous young Eastern European actress wife Kiera, his driving adventures with her across America in the Gumball3000 rally, and his business deals in China to boost exports. Describing the car-firm’s founding he said: ’One hundred and four years later I represent the third generation of Morgan family’ marking a line that goes back almost as far as the dawn of the  motor industry. But he said: ’I no longer have an executive role.’ Tweets: Mrs Morgan posted a series of tweets lambasting her husband's relatives and board members . Statement: Charles Morgan posted his account on Twitter . He then set out how the family-run firm is divided among its members: ‘I have a 30 per cent shareholding. I’m also  one of the beneficiaries of a trust whose two trustees share 48 per cent of the company. ‘At this stage this is all I am prepared to discuss’. He also set out his own vision for Morgan, hinting again that these may have been areas of tension within the company. At the end of his speech, Mr Morgan was spirited out the back of the building – the Central Hall in London’s Westminster - where he was photographed getting on his bike having been told in so many words by his board:  ‘on your bike.’ Mr Morgan says he is appealing against the decision by Morgan Motor Company, which said he would no longer be a part of the managing team or the board of directors at Morgan Technologies, a subsidiary. Blog: Charles Morgan confirmed he was asked to leave his family business . Some of the 400 workforce at the Malvern factory took to Twitter to express their support. One tweeted: ‘We can't believe the company is not being run by a Morgan family member . ‘It's probably not best to name individuals on this account but the general feel around the factory is we would like Charles Morgan back’. Another supporter tweeted: ‘Can't see how the current management team can be better placed than Charles Morgan  to lead the organisation.’ Charles Morgan replied: ‘Thanks from the depth of my heart. You are the lifeblood of the company and must be treated with the respect that you deserve.’ ‘Every one of you make Morgan a great company and great cars, never forget that.’ The Morgan company said in a statement: ‘Further to decisions taken in January of this year, Morgan Technologies is now in a position to announce that Charles Morgan is no longer part of the management team or board of directors of the company.’ Setting out reasons for his enforced departure, the firm said: ‘The Morgan family recognises the management contribution that Charles has made to the family business as strategy director, and confirm that he remains a shareholder. ‘However, to ensure continuing success, Morgan must look to strengthen and review its strategies, and acknowledge that our management team are better placed to steer the company in the future.’ Mr Morgan joined the firm in 1985, working next to his father Peter who retired in 1999. Morgan is on course to sell a record-breaking 1,200 cars this year. ### SUMMARY:

Kiera Morgan said the legendary English car maker had 'sold its soul' Charles Morgan said the situation was 'extremely distressing' on the tenth anniversary of father's death . Some of the 400 workforce at the Malvern factory took to Twitter to express their support .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Emma Lowe . PUBLISHED: . 17:56 EST, 24 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:36 EST, 25 November 2013 . In the jungle she claimed she was once a spotty, overweight teenager ridiculed for not being the pin up she is today. But on Sunday former class mates of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star Amy Willerton told how they had no memory of her being anything other than ‘stunning’ in the old school days. The Miss Universe Great Britain model – who reduced fellow contestant Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington to tears with her bikini clad confidence last week – told the nation how her 15-year-old self was teased for wearing glasses and suffering from chronic acne. Scroll down for video . My 'insecure spotty teenage years': Miss Universe Britain model and I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here star Amy Willerton said she was once an overweight teenager who was bullied . However, school friends of the 21-year-old claimed they failed to recall Miss Willerton’s ugly duckling past deeming her ‘very attractive’ and ‘thin’– with one former pupil from Bristol’s Cottam School, claiming a photograph of her looking anything less would not exist. The model who once claimed she only blossomed at the age 18 when she lost a lot of weight does not appear to be suffering from low self esteem as she smiled for the camera a year earlier when crowned Miss Bristol. 'Stunning' in the old days: Former class mates of Miss Willerton said they remember the model as 'very attractive' and 'thin' Reduced to tears: Fellow contestant Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington was reduced to tears by Miss Willerton's bikini clad confidence . Yesterday early portraits revealed how teen-queen Miss Willerton simply masked her poor skin with make-up as she confidently entered the city’s beauty competition. Now it would appear the young star hopes to ensure her survival in the ITV jungle by seeking the sympathy vote with tales of playground bullying. Despite claiming she was once much larger and covered in spots Miss Willerton, then 17, still had confidence to put herself forward for, and win, a series of local beauty pageants, including Miss Bath and Miss Bristol. Wearing her finalist sash and a white dress, Miss Willerton, wore immaculate hair, no spectacles and little foundation make-up to cover her skin’s unpleasant blemishes. Bizarrely at the time, the ‘teased’ Miss Bristol winner told how she has been bullied at school for her . ‘unfortunate’ looks but had been undeterred when putting herself up . against her peers. Speaking . at the finals in 2010, she said: ‘When I was younger I was really shy . with braces and glasses, and I got bullied at school. Bullied at school: Despite claiming she was once much larger and covered in spots Miss Willerton, then 17, still had confidence to put herself forward for, and win, a series of local beauty pageants, including Miss Bath and Miss Bristol . ‘Then . I had the braces taken off and stopped wearing glasses and people . started treating me differently. I even had some people ask me if I had . joined the school, even though I had been there for years. ‘Back then I was a lot bigger – I lost a lot of weight when I was 18.’ Miss . Willerton sparked debate on Thursday last week when gold medallist . Rebecca Adlington, 24, had to be comforted by her fellow female . contestants after the sight of Amy Willerton in a bikini became too much . for her to bear – later breaking down in tears. The . four-medal winner, said admitted: ‘It’s making me very, very insecure . that I have to look a certain way. For me, I was an athlete. ‘I wasn’t trying to be a model, but pretty much every single week on Twitter I get somebody commenting on the way I look.’ Attempting to comfort her, Miss Willerton claimed she too had experienced unkind remarks as a young girl, adding: ‘People say nasty things and you have to drive your inner confidence. ‘Tell that to the 15-year-old covered in acne and braces and glasses. I’ve been there.’ But yesterday classmates were unable to recall the playground insults stating she always had a nice figure and was viewed by her peers as ‘a good looking girl’. Blossomed at 18: Miss Willerton said she lost a lot of weight when she was 18 but did not appear to be suffering low self esteem as she smiled for a camera a year earlier when she was crowned Miss Bristol . Andreas Mavrides, 21, who was in her . form group throughout Cotham School in Bristol, said: ‘I remember her at . school she was always pretty stunning to be honest. I remember she was . really smart, she was never in my sets because she was brainier than me . but she was in my tutor group through the whole of school. ‘She . was never considered not attractive, I mean she had a boyfriend . throughout most of school, they were quite a good looking couple. ‘I . remember she was always very quiet and a nice girl. I remember she had . braces at one point but she was always stunning it wasn’t like it made . her ugly. ‘I remember her winning Miss Bristol and telling my dad she was in my class at school. I don’t remember her glasses. I wouldn’t say anyone was ever cruel. Another class mate claimed the star was exaggerating her weight problem, claiming she was ‘always thin’ and ‘fancied by the boys’. She said: ‘I think you will struggle to find a bad photograph of Amy I went to secondary school with her and she always good looking – all the boys liked her. ‘I never remember her being overweight she was always thin. If she was bigger than she is now she wasn’t much bigger. Stunning: Former class mate Andreas Mavrides said Miss Willerton 'was never considered not attractive' ‘She was always smart, I think she may have has bad skin but she was never a not attractive.’ However a close friend, who wished not to be named, admitted she remembered the star struggling with poor skin in her teens. Before entering the reality show jungle it was revealed the beauty queen has been nervous of appearing without make-up on the ITV1 prime time show. Miss Willerton, who was still suffering with her skin in the early days of her pageant career, branded it was something of a ‘personal challenge’ after she suffered from chronic acne in her late teens. Prior to starting her jungle experience it was reported the model underwent a series of skin peels, vitamin injections and micro-needling treatments to combat a possible outbreak of acne during her time in the camp. Model Miss Willerton planned to attend Cardiff University after achieving a string of A’s at A level at Redland Green School, Bristol, but instead chose to pursue her pageant career after being crowned Miss Bristol in 2010. The reality star, who was crowned Miss Universe Great Britain in June, won the reality show Signed By Katie Price in 2011 but turned down the contract with the glamour model’s management company. She entered the Miss Universe contest in Moscow last month, despite not winning she was the first UK contestant in 30 years to reach the top ten. ### SUMMARY:

Miss Willerton claimed she was bullied for wearing glasses and suffering from chronic acne . Former class mate Andreas Mavrides claims she was attractive at school . Miss Willerton said she lost a lot of weight when she was 18-years-old .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Sam Webb . PUBLISHED: . 20:46 EST, 30 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:48 EST, 2 December 2013 . The ex-girlfriend of Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins claims the paedophile rock musician had fantasies about kidnapping and murdering a baby. Joanne Mjadzelics, 38, claims Watkins' sick behaviour would have eventually degenerated into even more extreme crimes if he had not been caught. Watkins was described as a 'determined and committed paedophile' after he admitted attempting to rape a fan's 11-month-old baby son along with 10 other child sex offences on Tuesday. Horror: Joanne Majic, the ex-girlfriend of Ian Watkins, said he had fantasies about kidnapping and murdering a baby . Miss Mjadzelics had a two year on-off relationship with the rock star from 2006 and as time went on, Watkins revealed his sordid fantasies. In August 2008, after receiving emails from the singer describing sex with an 11-year-old girl and suggestive photographs of a three-year-old, she went to police. She told the Sunday People: 'I’m absolutely sure Ian wouldn’t have stopped at abuse. 'He wanted to rape and kill children. He wanted to rape newborns. 'He even wanted to get me pregnant so he could rape our baby.' The singer, a former boyfriend of BBC presenter Fearne Cotton and model Alexa Chung, also admitted to her he used his Lostprophets fame to turn young girls into ‘Superfans’ willing to allow him to abuse their children. Former lover: Miss Mjadzelics had a two year on-off relationship with the rock star from 2006 and as time went on, Watkins revealed his sordid fantasies . The former lead singer with multi-million selling band Lostprophets made a series of admissions in a last-minute change of plea ahead of what would have been his trial at Cardiff Crown Court . Miss Mjadzelics also says she warned police about the singer's depraved nature four years ago after he told her he wanted to have sex with a child, but says they refused to investigate it. She was persuaded to give up as Watkins was alerted about her claims and she was threatened with harassment charges. But a year later he was bombarding her with more sick fantasies, revealed he was now addicted to heroin and had raped a five-year-old girl. At that point, she started to gather a file of evidence that eventually led to Watkins' conviction. Miss Mjadzelics claimed besotted female fans of the paedophile are hiding the true . extent of his offending because they secretly offered their children for . abuse. Her claims come as another of Watkins' former lovers, Lostprophets fan Krysta Boyle, reveals he gushed over her tiny frame. Ms Boyle, from Orange County in . California, was 19 years old, 4'11", and wore child-size clothing when . she met the singer in Hawaii. She told The Sun on Sunday: 'Looking . back, it was obvious something was wrong with him from the moment we . met. But I was a young impressionable fan. 'I remember him commenting a lot on my body and small frame.' She added that he tried to film their sexual encounters and once choked her during sex. Today his ex-bandmates insisted they did not know about the abuse. Speaking for the first time since Watkins' last-minute change of plea on Tuesday ahead of what would have been his trial at Cardiff Crown Court, they released a statement to fans revealing they were 'heartbroken, angry and disgusted'. They said: 'Many of you understandably want to know if we knew what Ian was doing. To be clear: We did not. 'We knew that Ian was a difficult . character. Our personal relationships with him had deteriorated in . recent years to a point that working together was a constant, miserable . challenge. 'But despite his battles with drugs, his egotistic behaviour and the . resulting fractures and frustrations within our band, we never imagined . him capable of behaviour of the type he has now admitted.' The Independent Police Complaints . Commission (IPCC) is investigating claims that South Wales Police failed . to act quickly enough having allegedly been told Watkins was planning . to abuse children as early as 2008. They . have now launched a second investigation over the handling of a . complaint made against Watkins to South Yorkshire Police in 2012. Watkins . was arrested late last year after South Wales Police raided his home on . a drugs tip and stumbled upon hard drives containing images, videos and . conversations about him attacking children. From . early 2010 horrified fans who had become friends with Watkins went . online to beg for help after discovering vile images on his computer. In one post, written before his arrest, a fan wrote: ‘His on-off girlfriend reported him to police twice for being a paedophile. ‘He . sent pornographic pictures of a little girl to a few girls telling them . it was a five-year-old girl he’d raped. He also watches child porn . constantly. Sick sick man.’ Watkins allegedly boasted to obsessed female fans that he had HIV and was on a mission to pass it on to children. Watkins, 38, is due to be sentenced next month after . he admitted to a string of horrific child sex offences including . attempting to rape a fan's 11-month-old baby boy . The comments will only add to the growing . fear that Watkins's guilty pleas offer only a glimpse of the true . extent of his drug-fuelled debauchery. The 36-year-old, from Pontypridd, South . Wales, plotted the shocking abuse with the two mothers of the babies in a . series of text and internet messages. The baby's mother, Woman A, admits aiding and abetting the attempted rapes on her son. She also admits sexually touching the child and taking photographs, before sending them to Watkins. Watkins also admitted conspiring to rape and sexually touch the daughter of the second fan. He admits aiding and abetting Woman B to touch her daughter while he watched on Skype. An . earlier court hearing was told police had 72 pages of conversations . between the pair online talking about their sexual relationship. Woman B mentioned she had a daughter of a young age and Watkins said: 'Bring her along as well.' She said she was getting the child ready for their meeting together - and 'what they all will do together' when they meet up. She . admits sexual assault after touching the child, she also admits taking . an indecent photograph of the child before distributing them. Anyone who has been affected by the Watkins case, or other cases of child abuse, is urged to contact South Wales Police on 029 20634184 or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000. ### SUMMARY:

Paedophile would have moved on to murder, claims former lover . Joanne Mjadzelics says he wanted to get her pregnant and abuse the child . 'He wanted to rape and kill children', said the 38-year-old former banker . Went to police when he sent her a photo of a three-year-old with cocaine . Another ex, 4'11" Krysta Boyle, said he told her: 'I love your small body' Former bandmates today said they were 'heartbroken, angry, disgusted'

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Victoria Woollaston . Flowers in bloom are one of the great joys of spring, but when viewed under a colour scanning electron microscope (SEM), they reveal an even greater surreal, alien-like beauty. From rose petals to arnica stigmas, and hibiscus stamens to pollen grains, a German photographer has captured the images with the help of a biologist from the German microscopy team at Eye of Science. The process of preparing the flowers to be photographed takes days of meticulous drying and coating in order to capture the beauty without the samples disintegrating. The images, including this shot of a rose petal, were taken by photographer Oliver Meckes and biologist Nicole Ottawa. The pair took the shots using a colour scanning electron microscope. Roses are ancient symbols of love. It is national flower of England, as well as the provincial flower of Alberta, Canada. In the 15th century, Henry VII introduced the Tudor rose - a red rose for the House of Lancaster and a white rose for the House of York - after civil wars that became known as the War of the Roses . ‘Flowers are beautiful in "normal'" view, but when you look closer, some parts get very bizarre and unexpected structures appear - flowers within flowers, worlds within worlds,’ Meckes said. For a decade the pair, based in Reutlingen in the south of Germany, worked with an SEM they saved from the scrapheap, but for the last five years they have used a £250,000 FEI Quanta Series Field Emission SEM. The breathtaking shots show that these floral displays did not evolve to please our human senses, but instead serve the single purpose of attracting insects that will help pollinate the plant and allow it to reproduce. To prepare the specimens, Meckes and Ottawa took small pieces of each flower petal or leaf and put them through a dehydration process, before immersing them in 100 per cent alcohol. Meckes and Ottawa took small pieces of the flower petal or leaves and put them through a dehydration process, before immersing them in 100 per cent alcohol. This image shows the surface of a rapeseed flower petal that resembles the scaly skin of a lizard or snake. Rapeseed is a member of the same family as the mustard and cabbage family, Brassicaceae. Its oil was produced in the 19th century as lubricant for steam engines and, more recently, is used as diesel biofuel . The stigma of an arnica flower is pictured left, which reveals the top part of the female reproductive structure, known as the carpel. It resembles a spiky tongue. The anther of a flower of the small-leaved lime is pictured right. The anther is the part of the flower that collects the pollen from the stamen that produces it . Four lilac flower pollen grains pictured on a petal of the purple plant. The grains resemble a human brain and vary significantly to the bright red grains photgraphed on the coltsfoot, and the spiky grey grains of the arnica plant also captured by the Eye of Science microscopy team . Later, the alcohol was replaced with carbon dioxide in a pressure chamber to carry out what the team called the ‘critical-point’ step of the drying process. This meticulous method has been designed to maintain the appearance of the the sensitive and delicately thin surface of each plant - without which, the cells would collapse and the flowers would disintegrate. After being mounted on an aluminium platelet, each specimen was then coated in gold before being photographed. In one image, a close up shot of a rose petal resembles rows of raspberries, while the surface of a rapeseed flower looks like the scaly skin of a lizard or snake. This image shows pollen grains, shown in grey, on the yellow stigma of the arnica flower. Arnica is also known by the names Mountain Tobacco. The flowers contain a toxin called helenalin, which can be poisonous if ingested in large amounts and has been known to cause gastroenteritis. Touching the plant can also cause skin irritation. Its name is believed to come from the Greek arna, which means lamb because of the plants soft, hairy leaves . This shot taken of a rapeseed leaf, with the light hitting the specimen from behind, makes it appear like a section of coral deep under the sea. After being submerged in alcohol, the liquid was replaced with carbon dioxide in a pressure chamber to carry out the final step of the drying process. This meticulous process has been designed to maintain the appearance of the sensitive and delicately thin surface of each plant - without which, the cells would collapse . After being mounted on an aluminium platelet, each specimen was then coated in gold before being photographed. The left-hand image shows the bright red pollen of the coltsfoot flower, and resembles cod roe. The hibiscus flower is renowned for its bright red and pink petal, but its stamens, pictured right, look almost dull in comparison. Tiny, spiky pollen grains are attached to the curved tips. The surface resembles the skin of an elephant . Another shot taken of a rapeseed leaf, with the light hitting the specimen from behind, makes it appear like a section of coral deep under the sea. In two of the images, Meckes and Ottawa capture pollen grains sat on the petals of arnica and lilac flowers. The arnica image resembles bacteria and its grey pollen grains look menacing with their sharp edges. By contrast, the pollen of the lilac is yellow and round and resembles the human brain. The stigma of the same arnica specimen in a separate image looks like a spiky tongue. Small yellow grains of pollen are scattered on the petal hairs of a marigold. The golden colour of the marigold gives the rubber gloves of the same colour its name. Potted marigold florets are edible and used to add colour to salads, or as a garnish. The flowers were used in ancient Greek, Roman, Middle Eastern and Indian cultures as a medicinal herb as well as a dye for fabrics, foods and cosmetics . The image on the left shows the floret of a chamomile flower, while the right-hand image is of a valerian flower which resembles the face of a bug. The Valerian root is often used to treat anxiety and sleeping disorders. It was used in ancient Greece and Rome,  and Hippocrates is thought to have been the first to link it to relieving insomnia. It is native to Europe and parts of Asia . By stark contrast, the pollen of the coltsfoot flower is shown as bright red, and resembles cod roe. The pair have previously used their SEM to take artistic images of bacteria, parasites, and butterflies to herbs, water bears, plant poisons and silverfish. ‘Working in the microscopic dimensions has completely changed our view of the world,’ Meckes said. ### SUMMARY:

Images were taken by Eye of Science microscopy photographer Oliver Meckes and biologist Nicole Ottawa . The pair took the shots using a high-resolution colour scanning electron microscope (SEM) They began by dehydrating small pieces of the plants before immersing them in 100% alcohol . Later, the alcohol was replaced with carbon dioxide in a pressure chamber to complete the drying process . Technique keeps the appearance of the sensitive surface of the plant intact, without which the cells would collapse . After being mounted on an aluminium platelet, each specimen was coated in gold and photographed .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . The top civil servant at the Home Office today came under pressure over 114 missing files related to allegations of child abuse over three decades. Mark Sedwill revealed he has not even asked to see a list detailing what the documents related to, as he told MPs he presumed they had all been destroyed and not to 'assume there's anything sinister' at work. The home affairs select committee said a trawl of files last year was 'not satisfactory' and it was 'odd' that a report he commissioned had not been read by Home Secretary Theresa May. Scroll down for video . Home Office permanent secretary Mark Sedwill told the home affairs committee that he did not inform Mrs May that his department had lost 114 files . Mr Sedwill came under pressure for not even having looked at the list of 114 files which have gone missing . MPs have condemned the loss of the documents on an 'industrial scale'. Today the committee demanded to know why Mr Sedwill did not have the details of the names and serial numbers of the files which were missing. He has refused to name the 'mystery man' he asked to trawl the Home Office library, but insists he relied on their 'judgement'. At the weekend Mr Sedwill revealed that a review carried out last year of 746,000 Home Office files covering 1979 to 1999 had identified ‘573 relevant files which had been retained’. But he admitted that another 114 ‘potentially relevant files’ had been destroyed, missing or not found. However, today Mr Sedwill said he did not know if the serial numbers of the missing files had been studied, to see if those adjacent in the records were also missing or if only those linked to child abuse allegations had been 'deliberately removed'. Tory MP Nicola Blackwood said if there are no other cross-references to the missing files it would be 'somewhat sinister'. Alarmingly, last year's trawl of files had unearthed 13 items of alleged child abuse, of which four had never been passed to the police. Four of the cases involved members of staff at the Home Office who have been prosecuted and sacked in connection with 'pornographic images', Mr Sedwill revealed. It follows the revelation that in 1983 Tory MP Geoffrey Dickens handed a dossier detailing allegations of abuse to the then-home secretary, Leon Brittan. But the Home Office now says it cannot find the file. The handling of files at the Home Office has fuelled claims of an Establishment cover-up. Labour MP Keith Vaz called Mr Sedwill to give evidence to the home affairs committee after revealing the loss of the files . The Home Office has been given until noon on Friday to release details of the missing files to MPs. Appearing before the home affairs select committee today, Mr Sedwill was challenged about his decision to commission an internal review last year of the way the Home Office dealt with allegations of abuse. Last year's review concluded the Home Office had behaved properly, but growing questions about a cover-up has triggered a fresh review. Committee chairman Keith Vaz said: 'There is a feeling in the committee that the first review was not satisfactory.' He said there remains several issues which 'still need to be chased up'. Mr Vaz demanded to know if Mr Sedwill had told Mrs May last year that his department could not find dozens of files. 'You didn't tell her then that 114 files had gone missing?' Mr Vaz asked. Mr Sedwill replied: 'I don't recall doing so. I shared with the Home Secretary the executive summary and broad conclusions. I told her what we were doing with the material. 'But it would not be appropriate for her or indeed for anyone other than a small number of people not least sensitive personal information within the report. 'Indeed I did not see all of the accompanying material myself.' He added: 'I am concerned frankly about the 114. I am concerned about all the material that we cannot find. 'Most of these files were probably destroyed, because the kind of topics that they covered would have been subject to the normal file destruction procedures that were in place at that time. 'They cannot be confirmed to be destroyed because there is not a proper log of what was destroyed and what wasn't.' But Mr Vaz said: 'This is an odd report that you have commissioned that the Home Secretary did not want to read.' Later Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said:'There are clearly big questions for the Home Secretary to answer on how seriously the 2013 review into historic allegations of child abuse was taken. 'Neither she nor her senior official appear to have been briefed on its contents, nor are they aware of the details of the 114 files that went missing. 'This evidence also shows that Theresa May's decision to instigate only a review of a review into the Home Office handling is simply not adequate. 'Given the seriousness of the allegations and the weaknesses of the 2013 investigation she must now widen the remit of this latest review into the Home Office to ensure it has full investigative powers and has a free rein to look more widely into the way things were handled in the Home Office Whitehall and Westminster - regardless of how long ago these are said to have taken place.' Home Secretary Theresa May has asked Peter Wanless, the chief executive of the NSPCC, to lead a review into the Home Office handling of historic allegations of child abuse . A dossier of allegations of abuse was first passed to then-Home Secretary Leon Brittan (left, leaving his home in London today) by Tory MP Geoffrey Dickens in 1983, but it has been lost or destroyed . Mrs May has asked Peter Wanless, the chief executive of the NSPCC, to lead a review into the Home Office handling of historic allegations of child abuse. Mr Wanless will also examine an internal review into claims the Home Office funded the Paedophile Information Exchange, a paedophile campaign group that was disbanded in 1984.  His report is expected to take eight to 10 weeks. Mrs May said she was confident that the work commissioned by Mr Sedwill was 'carried out in good faith', but added that with 'allegations as serious as these the public need to have complete confidence in the integrity of the investigation's findings'. Last year's investigation found 13 items of information in Home Office files about alleged child abuse dating back to the period 1979-99, and passed police details of four of the items about which they were not already aware. But Mrs May told MPs that, while records of a number of letters from Mr Dickens were found, there was no sign of a 'Dickens dossier'. The investigation found that 114 potentially relevant files were not available, and were presumed 'destroyed, missing or not found', although the independent investigator made clear that he found no evidence to suggest that the files had been removed or destroyed 'inappropriately'. Mr Wanless is also to examine that finding that public funds totalling almost £500,000 were given to two organisations with links to the notorious Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE). The Voluntary Services Unit (VSU) provided £65,750 to the Albany Trust between 1974 and 1980 and £410,500 to the Princedale Trust between 1974 and 1984. ### SUMMARY:

Mark Sedwill grilled by MPs about Home Office handling of 30 years of files . Government says 114 secret files on paedophile cases have gone missing . Permanent secretary admits he has not studied the list of missing files . Four former Home Office staff prosecuted and sacked over porn images . Labour MP Keith Vaz says first trawl of records was 'not satisfactory' Four new cases of alleged child abuse are to be investigated by the police .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Helen Nicholson . As the Ebola outbreak worsens in West Africa, America’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned U.S. travellers to avoid non-essential trips to Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The advice was a Level 3 travel warning, which is the strongest that can be issued. It comes as the first Ebola victim to be brought to the United States from Africa arrived in the country yesterday. An ambulance arrives with Ebola victim Dr Kent Brantly, pictured right, to Emory University Hospital, in Atlanta . Dr Kent Brantly working at an Ebola treatment clinic in Foya, Liberia. Brantly and Nancy Writebol contracted the disease while working there. He arrived back in the U.S. on Saturday for treatment . Along with advising passengers not to travel to affected countries, CDC . said it was assisting with active screening and education efforts in . West Africa to prevent infected travellers from boarding planes. If . an infected passenger does make it on to the flight, CDC said it had . protocols in place to protect against further spread of the disease, . including monitoring suspected infections during a 21-day ‘fever watch’ and then isolating anyone who develops the disease in quarantine. CDC . Director Tom Frieden said: ‘This is the biggest and most complex Ebola . outbreak in history. Far too many lives have been lost already. ‘It will take many months, and it won’t be easy, but Ebola can be stopped. We know what needs to be done. ‘CDC is surging our response, sending 50 additional disease control experts to the region in the next 30 days.’ Landed: An airplane carrying American doctor Kent Brantly who has the Ebola virus, arrives at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia, on August 2, 2014 . Dr Tom Frieden, the director of the Centers for Disease Control, appeared on CNN today to re-assure the American public that they were not at risk from an Ebola outbreak . Dr. Kent Brantly, a missionary working in Liberia, was identified as the first American to be diagnosed with Ebola, which kills up to 80 per cent of those it infects. He was safely escorted into a specialized isolation unit at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, where doctors said they were confident the deadly virus won't escape. Nancy Writebol, 60, an educator turned missionary from Charlotte, North Carolina, was the second American to contract the disease in Liberia, and is expected to arrive in Atlanta tomorrow. Fears that the outbreak in Africa could spread in the U.S. has generated considerable anxiety among some Americans, but infectious disease experts said the public faces zero risk. CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden told The Associated Press that the centre had received "nasty emails" and at least 100 calls from people saying: 'How dare you bring Ebola into the country!?' ‘I hope that our understandable fear of the unfamiliar does not trump our compassion when ill Americans return to the U.S. for care,’ Dr Frieden said. He added: 'Ebola is a huge risk in Africa. It's not going to be a huge risk in the U.S.' The virus, which has gripped both Sierra Leone and Liberia (pictured) has also spread to neighbouring Guinea . Emirates has suspended flights to Conakry after there was an outbreak of Ebola in Guinea . The UK Government has not advised against travel to West Africa but said it was closely . monitoring the spread of the virus and was taking "precautionary . measures". It . claimed that Ebola was "not an issue that affects the UK directly" and said that the risk of the disease spreading in the UK was low thanks to the work of . experienced scientists and doctors at the Royal Free Infectious Disease . Unit, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the London School of . Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Despite . fears over flights still operating into and out of West Africa - often . with direct routes to London - the Foreign Office claims Border Staff . have been trained to recognise symptoms. A . statement from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) read: 'Border . Force has been working closely with Public Health England and other . agencies to ensure staff are prepared to deal with the threat of the . Ebola virus. 'As . part of this planning, guidance has been issued to front line staff on . how to identify and safely deal with suspected cases of Ebola that makes . clear what steps need to be taken should a passenger arrive at the . border unwell. 'If . a person is identified at the border as being a potential carrier of . Ebola they will be immediately referred by a Border Force officer to a . specialist medical care provider and reported to the Public Health . England.' Guinea's capital Conakry will not be serviced by Emirates flights until further notice . British Airways has confirmed it will continue to run its route to Liberia and Sierra Leone . Last week, Emirates announced that it had suspended flights to Guinea over fears of spreading the Ebola virus. The . Dubai-based carrier is the first major international airline to cancel . flights due to the epidemic which has taken hold in West Africa. However, . British Airways continues to operate its flight from Liberia to London . Heathrow, which also stops at Lungi International Airport in Sierra . Leone. Emirates confirmed the decision to suspend flights to Conakry came after there was an outbreak of the virus in Guinea. The . suspension of the route follows a similar decision by Pan-African . airlines Arik and ASKY, which have stopped flying to Liberia and Sierra . Leone. The current . Ebola outbreak is the first documented outbreak in West Africa, and  the largest ever recorded since the virus was first . detected in 1976, with more than 1,200 cases so far. It far exceeds the next largest outbreak, involving 425 cases. Around 60 per cent of cases so far have been fatal and more than 700 people have died since the start of February. Public Health England (PHE) advises that the risk to tourists, visitors or expatriate residents in affected areas is considered very low as long as they take the correct precautions. The highest risks of infection are associated with caring for infected patients, particularly in hospital settings, unprotected exposure to contaminated bodily fluids, and unsafe medical procedures, including exposure to contaminated medical devices, such as needles and syringes. It is recommended that travellers: . The first stage of the illness is characterised by fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, a rash and diarrhea. The . second is haemorrhagic fever in which patients endure . difficulty breathing and swallowing and agonising bleeding inside their . body. Blood pours out of their ears and nose and turns their eyes . from white to red. Generally patients who . enter the second stage do not survive. There is no proven cure for the virus, . which kills an estimated 60 per cent to 80 per cent of the people it . infects, but American doctors in Africa say the mortality rate would be . much lower in a functioning health care system. They have also been using experimental treatments, including the transfusion of blood that includes antibodies. ### SUMMARY:

Advice was a Level 3 travel warning, the strongest that can be issued . Fear that outbreak that has killed 700 people could spread in U.S. Expert said Ebola was ‘not going to be a huge risk in the U.S.' UK border staff have been trained to recognise symptoms of virus . Emirates has suspended flights to Guinea over Ebola fears .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Sophie Jane Evans for MailOnline . It has homed a Hollywood star, an embezzler and one of the world's most corrupt officials. But now, this sprawling seven-bedroom mansion in California has sold for just $5million. The 19,500-square-foot property - the largest home in Marin County, just outside San Francisco - was put on sale after the U.S. Government seized it following a checkered past. Built in 1991, its previous residents include designer and embezzler George Michael Shipsey, former Ukrainian Prime Minister and fraudster Pavlo Lazarenko, and actor Eddie Murphy. Scroll down for video . Sale: This sprawling seven-bedroom mansion in Marin County, California, has sold for just $5million. It was put on sale after the U.S. Government seized it following a checkered past, including an elicit teen house party . Ex-residents: Built in 1991, its previous residents include designer and embezzler George Michael Shipsey, former Ukrainian Prime Minister and fraudster Pavlo Lazarenko (left), and Hollywood actor Eddie Murphy (right) It was also at the centre of a police inquiry in 2012 after more than 100 teenagers broke into the mansion and held a party, during which a Pablo Picasso lithograph worth $30,000 was stolen. Originally, the Government asked for $6.45million for the mansion, but its required repairs were estimated to cost $1million. The buyer, who remains unnamed, ended up forking out $5.05million. Sitting on a 17-acre lot, the stunning mansion features a media room, a 200-foot-long ballroom and bar, a game room, nine full baths and two half baths, according toSFGate. It also includes a gym, a library, four swimming pools with a waterfall, a pool house, a tennis court, a children's playground and a separate au-pair suite. Stunning: Originally, the Government asked for $6.45million for the mansion, but its required repairs were estimated to cost $1million. The buyer, who remains unnamed, ended up forking out $5.05million . Four pools: Sitting on a 17-acre lot, the mansion features a media room, a 200-foot-long ballroom and bar, a game room, nine full baths and two half baths. It also includes a gym and four swimming pools with a waterfall . Imprisoned: While living at the mansion, Lazarenko (pictured) was convicted of fraud, money laundering and trafficking in stolen goods, which saw him embezzle around $200million from the Government of Ukraine . Meanwhile, the owner can park their array of luxury vehicles in the four-car garage, as well as enjoying the use of a helicopter landing pad. After building the mansion, Shipsey lived in it for six years before being convicted of embezzling nearly $1million from union pensions in 1997. Following his departure, Lazarenko - who has been ranked the 'eighth-most corrupt official in the world' by an international watchdog group - moved into the property. 1991 - Designer George Michael Shipsey lives in the mansion for six years, before being convicted of embezzling nearly $1million from union pensions in 1997. 1997 - Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko moves into the property. 2006 - Lazarenko is handed a nine-year prison sentence for charges of fraud, money laundering and trafficking in stolen goods. The mansion is seized by the U.S. Government. 2006-onwards - Mansion is rented out to numerous tenants, including Hollywood actor Eddie Murphy. 2012 - The property hits the headlines again after a rare Pablo Picasso lithograph is stolen, along with laptops, candlesticks and leather jackets, during an elicit teen party. September 2014 - The U.S. Government sells the mansion to an unnamed buyer for just $5.05million. While there, he was convicted of fraud, money laundering and trafficking in stolen goods, which saw him embezzle around $200million from the Government of Ukraine, according to the United Nations. He was handed an amended nine-year prison sentence in August 2006 and the property was seized by the U.S. Government. In subsequent years, the mansion was rented by a number of tenants, including Murphy, who stayed there while shooting a movie. In 2012, the property hit the headlines again after the Picasso lithograph was stolen, along with laptops, candlesticks and leather jackets, during the elicit teen party on May 27. Incredibly, two weeks later, the artwork was found propped up against a fence by hiker Greg Atamaniuk, who was walking half a mile from the mansion and instantly recognised the print. At the time, Mr Atamaniuk, who then called the police, told the Marin Independent Journal: 'It's something that you don't find usually on your morning hikes.' Novato police Sgt. Eric Riddell added: 'It appears the unknown suspect(s), placed the painting there and intended it to be found.' The 1957 artwork, which is entitled Femme au Chignon and depicts a woman with her hair pulled into a bun, was reported missing by a caretaker on May 28, the day after the teens broke in for the party. The lithograph was one of 50 prints sharing the title Femme au Chignon, or woman with bun. During the break in, the teenagers entered the house and managed to get away before officers could arrest anyone, Novato police Sgt. Eric Riddell said. Stolen: In 2012, the mansion hit the headlines again after this Pablo Picasso lithograph (right) was stolen during the teen party. The artwork was later found propped up against a fence by hiker Greg Atamaniuk (left) Site: This map shows how where the Picasso was stolen (Obertz Lane) and where it was found (Ignacio Blvd) A caretaker, who has not been identified, notified police officers after he found the teens drinking in the property. Three teens returned a day later and, once again, escaped before authorities arrived. They had gotten in and basically ransacked multiple rooms in the house,' Riddell told the newspaper. The county of Marin later filed claims on the property to collect $2.1 million in back taxes and late payment fines. ### SUMMARY:

Huge seven-bedroom property, in Marin County, has four swimming pools . Also features helicopter landing pad, tennis court and separate au-pair suite . Built in 1991, first owned by designer and embezzler George Michael Shipsey . After his conviction, ex-Ukrainian Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko moved in . While there, Lazarenko convicted of fraud, money laundering and trafficking . Mansion seized by U.S. Government and later rented out to Eddie Murphy . In 2012, it hit headlines after more than 100 teenagers broke in and partied . During incident, $30,000 Picasso lithograph was stolen, but later recovered . New owner, who remains unnamed, paid just $5.05million for the property .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Insider insists bank bosses must have known about Libor fixing in 2008 . Hearing: Former chief executive Bob Diamond left Barclays over the matter, before appearing before MPs this week . A former senior employee of Barclays has spoken out about a 'culture of fear' that existed at the bank - and alleged that it is 'impossible' that bosses did not know about the interest rate rigging taking place on their watch. The banker claims disgraced ex-chief executive Bob Diamond would have been aware that his traders were involved in Libor fiddling in 2008. Mr Diamond maintains that he knew nothing about the rate fixing and told MPs this week that he only heard about it last month. Today's revelations follow demands from furious shareholders that the bank strips its former boss of his entitlement to an £18million bonus, while the Serious Fraud Office yesterday confirmed it is pursuing criminal investigations into the industry-wide conspiracy. The banker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Independent that Barclays executives must have been told about irregularities in Libor - a key lending rate - because staff knew they would be sacked if they did not report any such concerns to their managers. This goes against Mr Diamond's insistence that signs of distorted Libor figures were not reported up. During Mr Diamond's reign, the banker said, Barclays was run through management by intimidation, and some employees felt it necessary to work 15-hour days due to a brutal appraisals system that left them in constant fear for their jobs. The insider account laid blame on the former chief, saying: 'Bob Diamond was the CEO and his policies come down through the executive committee, and then MDs and directors push that down through the firm. All of this stuff ultimately comes from the top.' This climate of fear and fierce competition was encouraged by directors, the former employee claimed, and those who complained or appeared to crack under the pressure would be 'demoralised' and slowly 'managed out' of the company. The unnamed insider also raised the question of whether MPs could have been more rigorous in their questioning of Mr Diamond when he appeared before a Treasury Select Committee on Wednesday. A Barclays spokesman responded by pointing out that Rich Ricci, head of the investment banking division, had led a probe into rate-rigging and passed on his findings to the board. Meanwhile, the SFO's own inquiry has been launched after it was put off last year because of lack of funding; its budget has been cut by 38 per cent over five years. It has been sharing information with the Financial Services Authority from its investigation into Barclays and other banks thought to be caught up in rate-rigging. Leading City investors say Mr Diamond, who quit this week over the scandal, should not receive a penny. Under fire: Barclays former chairman Marcus Agius (right) with former CEO Bob Diamond (centre), and former chief executive John Varley (left) Joanne Segars, chief executive of the . National Association of Pension Funds – one of the most powerful . shareholder groups in the country – said: ‘Shareholders, including . pension funds, have been negatively affected by their investments in . Barclays. ‘This whole . issue has been deeply damaging and raises questions about previous pay . which now need answers. Any severance payments to top staff must be kept . to a contractual minimum.’ Mr . Diamond has pocketed more than £120million from Barclays since 2007, . while pension savers and shareholders – including 719,000 small private . investors – have seen the value of their holdings plunge. Barclays . is under pressure to claw back the potential £18million payout to Mr . Diamond, who quit on Wednesday after the bank was fined £290million . because corrupt traders had made huge profits by secretly manipulating . Libor figures. As the SFO prepares its . investigation, Labour leader Ed Miliband continued to push for an . independent inquiry into the banking scandal despite MPs rejecting the . demands. The Labour . leader said that while the party would cooperate with a parliamentary . investigation, its remit was too "narrow" and a judge-led probe was . still needed. Mr . Miliband also defended the conduct of Ed Balls after the shadow . chancellor engaged in a bitter war of words with his opposite number . George Osborne in the Commons. It . followed an interview with the Spectator where Mr Osborne said former . prime minister Gordon Brown's inner circle had 'questions to answer' over apparent pressure on Barclays to post lower Libor rates during the . credit crunch. Backing: Ed Miliband (left) has defended Ed Balls (right) after he engaged in a bitter war of words with his opposite number George Osborne in the Commons . Bank of England deputy governor Paul . Tucker and Barclays chairman Marcus Agius, who announced his intention . to resign after a replacement for Mr Diamond is found, will give . evidence on the rate-rigging scandal to the Treasury Select Committee . next week. Mr Tucker . was dragged into the affair by Mr Diamond, who revealed a record of a . conversation they had in October 2008 in which the deputy governor . relayed concerns in Whitehall about Barclays' high Libor rates. The American banker said Mr Tucker . was trying to warn him that "there are ministers in Whitehall who are . hearing that Barclays is always high, that could lead to the impression . that you are not funding yourself". Barclays . was dealt another blow yesterday as agencies Moody's and Standard & . Poor's downgraded their outlook for the bank's credit rating in the . wake of Mr Diamond's departure. The agencies said the departure of Mr . Diamond, as well as Mr Agius and chief operating officer Jerry del . Missier, could lead to the break-up of its powerhouse investment arm. Appearing before the Treasury Select Committee earlier this week, Mr Diamond was savaged by some MPs. Labour . MP John Mann said Mr Diamond had been either ‘complicit in what was . going on, or grossly negligent, or grossly incompetent’. But . the former boss said he had been ‘physically ill’ when he learned of . the behaviour of traders who rigged the Libor rates, had known nothing . about it before last month, and did not feel personally to blame. Mr . Diamond said emails showing that traders fiddling the rates had told . each other ‘this is for you big boy’ and promised bottles of Bollinger . champagne had been ‘reprehensible’. But . he suggested other banks had been manipulating their rates while . Barclays was telling the truth at the height of the financial crisis. Barclays . has been fined £290million by regulators after its traders were . revealed to have spent years fiddling the rate, based on individual . banks’ own declarations of what they were paying to borrow. Mr . Diamond faced the most intense questioning from MPs over a key phone . conversation he had with the deputy governor of the Bank of England Paul . Tucker in 2008. He refused . to speculate about the identity of ‘senior Whitehall figures’ he said Mr . Tucker told him had been concerned about Barclays’ Libor rate. However, . he did suggest that Baroness Vadera, a Cabinet Office minister who was a . senior economic adviser to Gordon Brown, had been heavily involved in . discussions with the banks at the time. ### SUMMARY:

Insider insists bank bosses must have known about Libor fixing in 2008 . Revelation comes as Serious Fraud Office launches long-awaited criminal investigation .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: They are perennial Premier League title contenders, always there or thereabouts when the medals are handed out in May. But Chelsea and Manchester City have also established themselves as the pre-eminent forces in youth football, from the Under-21 standard that is one step away from the first team right down to the Under 11s just starting out. Both clubs have invested millions of pounds into their academies as they aim to create a conveyor belt of talent good enough to play for their first team and they are starting to see a return. VIDEO Scroll down to watch some of Manchester City and Chelsea's young stars in action . Youth football rivalry: Chelsea and Manchester City are increasingly going head-to-head at all age levels. Here, Chelsea's John Swift (right) tries to fend off City's Seko Fofana in the Under 21 Premier League semi-final . Bright young thing: Lewis Baker celebrates his winner for Chelsea as they beat Manchester United 2-1 in the final of last season's Under 21 Premier League at Old Trafford . Rising star: City's Marcos Lopes, pictured here in the UEFA Youth League match with Bayern Munich in which he scored three times in a 6-0 win, has been loaned out to Ligue 1 side Lille to gain experience . At Chelsea, owner Roman Abramovich has put in at least £100m to make the club's training facility at Cobham world class, while City will later this year open a £150m academy a stone's throw from the Etihad Stadium. A look at the various competitions in the age groups from 21 downwards show Chelsea and City are increasingly going head-to-head in the latter stages. Chelsea won the Under 21 Premier League last season by beating Manchester United 2-1 in the final at Old Trafford, but they had defeated City on penalties in the semi-final after a goalless draw. Charly Musonda and Lewis Baker, two of Chelsea's most exciting young prospects, were on target to deliver the trophy to Stamford Bridge. Indeed, Jose Mourinho said recently that if Baker and other club prodigies Izzy Brown and Dominic Solanke don't go on to represent England, he will be to blame. Investment: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has spent over £100m to transform their Cobham base into a world class academy but will be hoping more players can graduate into the first team . Millions: Sheik Mansour (right) has overseen a £150m investment in City's new academy near the Etihad . Blame me! Jose Mourinho has promised to guide young talents Lewis Baker, Izzy Brown and Dominic Solanke to England contention . City reached the final of the inaugural Under 21 Premier League Cup but lost out 4-3 on aggregate to Reading over two legs. They had looked good to lift the trophy after two goals from Devante Cole and another from Marcos Lopes gave them a 3-2 advantage at home but Reading won the second leg 2-0 and turned the tie around. In the first season of the Under 19 UEFA Youth League, both teams registered some impressive results as they progressed to the quarter-finals. City's 6-0 rout of Bayern Munich in the group phase sent shockwaves across the continent - there were five English names on their teamsheet, though Portuguese star Marcos Lopes stole the show with a hat-trick. Mentor: City's EDS coach Patrick Vieira with striker Devante Cole, a talented English striker who is tipped for a big future for club and country . Tipped for stardom: Chelsea forward Dominic Solanke is on the verge of breaking into the first team squad . Under 21 Premier League - Chelsea . FA Youth Cup - Chelsea . Under 16 International Tournament - Chelsea . Under 14 Premier League - Man City . Under 13 International Tournament - Chelsea . Under 11 National champions - Man City . Chelsea achieved a 100 per cent record in the group and then thrashed AC Milan 4-1, with Baker scoring a wondergoal, before they bowed out to Schalke. With the frontiers of youth football expanding beyond these shores, both City and Chelsea will be targeting European success in the season to come. This will only intensify with the introduction of a continental competition for Under 21 teams in 2014-2015 with both taking part. In the FA Youth Cup, an Under 18 competition, Chelsea stormed to their fourth final in five seasons and won their third competition in that time as they beat local rivals Fulham in a classic two-legged final. Fulham won the first leg 3-2 at Craven Cottage and led by the same scoreline at Stamford Bridge before a rousing Chelsea fightback, capped by two Solanke goals, earned them the Cup. Thrilling win: Ruben Loftus-Cheek lifts the FA Youth Cup after Chelsea beat Fulham 6-5 on aggregate in the final . While Chelsea dominated in the Cup, City came close in the Premier League at Under 18 level. After topping the Northern Section, they saw off West Ham before losing 1-0 to Everton in the final at Goodison Park. Their dominance is even more pronounced beneath Under 18 level. In the Under 16 age bracket, the Premier League stages tournaments and festivals instead of a league format in order to allow players to make the transition to full-size 11 vs 11 matches. At the last Premier League International Tournament, held back in October, Chelsea triumphed after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in the final at Warwick University. The game was notable for an audacious 40-yard free-kick by Chelsea's Mukhtar Ali that soared over the Real goalkeeper's head. Moving younger still and guess which two teams contested the final of the Premier League at Under 14 level? An eight-team finals tournament was held at the London Soccerdome and City recovered from 2-0 down to beat Chelsea and retain the crown at that age group. And it was the same story at the recent Under 13 International Tournament, also held at Warwick. The Premier League invited Porto, Paris Saint-Germain and PSV Eindhoven to take on the leading nine English clubs and Chelsea and City emerged from the pack to contest the final. After a 1-1 draw, Chelsea won 6-5 in a penalty shoot-out that were to sudden death. With City also the reigning champions at Under 11 level, it demonstrates that Chelsea and their Manchester rivals are taking a firm stranglehold on youth competition at all ages. The positive rewards of their academy investment are starting to filter through an age range of over 10 years from Under 21s to Under 11s and it is up to others to play catch-up. However, it will be argued that until both of these club's first teams are full of academy graduates, the investment is not reaping its full reward. ### SUMMARY:

Chelsea and Manchester City are increasingly going head-to-head in youth football competitions from Under 21 standard downwards . Both clubs have spent over £100m developing their academies . Chelsea are the reigning Under 21 Premier League champions and last season won the FA Youth Cup for third time in five seasons . They are also the current Premier League winners at Under 16 and Under 13 level after tournament successes . City were beaten by Chelsea in semi-finals of Under 21 Premier League . They were also runners-up in Under 21 Cup and Under 18 league . Both are among favourites to win UEFA Youth League this season .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: FIFA are diseased and corrupt. These monsters always get away with it... The FIFA World Cup corruption saga took another twist on Tuesday night when football’s world governing body lodged a criminal complaint in Switzerland over the misconduct of certain unnamed individuals. It follows the recommendation of ethics judge Hans-Joachim Eckert to FIFA president Sepp Blatter that the shadowy international transfer of assets to Switzerland in isolated cases was serious enough to be reported to the Office of the Attorney General in Bern. The decision by Eckert, chairman of FIFA’s ethics adjudicatory chamber, comes less than a week after his summary of colleague Michael Garcia’s investigation into the 2018 and 2022 bidding processes, which took nearly two years, was widely discredited as a ‘whitewash’. FIFA president Sepp Blatter announces Qatar as the hosts for the 2022 World Cup in December 2010 . Michael Garcia (left) and Hans-Joachim Eckhart have been tarnished by FIFA's probe into the World Cup vote . The report was also disowned by Garcia, who is taking his case of misrepresentation to the FIFA appeals committee. Eckert’s conclusions ridiculously apportioned a lot of the blame to England’s doomed 2018 bid that gleaned only two votes. But there was no suggestion even in his skewed findings that England’s bid team had illegally transferred assets into Switzerland. Michael Garcia (left), former US Attorney for New York and Hans-Joachim Eckert (right), the German judge . Football's world governing body has come under enormous scrutiny after its handling of the World Cup vote . And although FIFA would not speculate, the only conclusion to be drawn is that the criminal complaints allegedly involve FIFA’s two former executive committee rogues - Jack Warner and Mohamed Bin Hammam. Both are outside football’s jurisdiction with Warner, almost omnipresent in incidents of World Cup bid-related corruption, having resigned all his positions in the game and Bin Hammam having been banned for life after his cash-for-votes attempt to bribe his way to the FIFA presidency. Eckert also reiterated, to FIFA’s website, that Russia and Qatar are clear to host the next two World Cups, adding ‘there was insufficient clear evidence of illegal or irregular conduct that would call into question the integrity of the award process’. Blatter has served four terms as FIFA president and is set to stand for a fifth next year . The Al-Rayyan Stadium which will be built for the 2022 World Cup in the state of Qatar . Sepp Blatter (right) hands the World Cup to Qatar's Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani . David Beckham, Lord Coe and Andy Anson look dejected as England miss out on hosting the 2018 World Cup . David Beckham (left) and Prince William look distressed after England's World Cup 2018 bid fails . An artist's impression of the Doha Port Stadium, which will host several World Cup matche . Locals celebrate in Doha after the announcement that Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup . David Beckham shakes hands with Blatter and hands over England's ill-fated World Cup 2018 bid book . The fall-out has been extensive since FIFA on Thursday published a report investigating the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Here are the events since the release of a 42-page report by German judge Hans-Joachim Eckert, chairman of the adjudicatory chamber of FIFA's independent ethics committee, in his ruling on Michael Garcia's investigation. NOVEMBER 12, 2014 . FIFA announces the initial findings of the investigation into the bidding process for the next two World Cups will be published on Thursday morning, with England expected to come in for some criticism for the attempt to woo former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner. NOVEMBER 13 . England are indeed condemned for rules violations in their bid for the 2018 tournament, but Russia and Qatar are effectively confirmed as hosts for 2018 and 2022 respectively, the report stating any rule breaches by them were 'of very limited scope'. The Football Association rejects 'any criticism' of England's bid, with a spokesman saying: 'We conducted a transparent bid and, as the report demonstrates with its reference to the England bid team's 'full and valuable co-operation', willingly complied with the investigation.' FIFA's chief ethics investigator Garcia announces he will appeal against the findings, saying the report contains 'numerous materially incomplete and erroneous representations of the facts and conclusions' in his original report. NOVEMBER 14 . Eckert admits his 'surprise' at Garcia's plans to appeal and adds: 'I will talk to Garcia but until then I will make no more statements.' Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore claims it is 'grossly unfair' for England to have borne the brunt of criticism and adds: 'The Garcia report should be out there in full.' American FIFA member Sunil Gulati and FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb from the Cayman Islands issue a joint statement also calling for Garcia's report to be published in full. FIFA confirms receipt of Garcia's intention to appeal. NOVEMBER 16 . Former sports minister Sir Hugh Robertson claims FIFA ran a 'Wild West' bidding process for the two tournaments which encouraged would-be hosts to enter into inappropriate behaviour. NOVEMBER 17 . Football Association chairman Greg Dyke writes to FIFA executive committee members calling for 'urgent action' to ensure Garcia's report is published in full, claiming public confidence in FIFA has hit a new low and that there is 'compelling evidence' of wrongdoing. Phaedra Almajid and Bonita Mersiades, members of the Qatar and Australia 2022 bid teams respectively and key whistleblowers in the original corruption allegations, register separate complaints against Eckert claiming his report breached promises of confidentiality. Almajid's statement labels Eckert's report 'a crude, cynical and fundamentally erroneous description of me and the information and materials I provided the investigation'. Former Football Association chairman David Bernstein urges European nations to boycott the 2018 World Cup unless FIFA undergoes serious reform - including Sepp Blatter not standing for re-election as president. NOVEMBER 18 . FIFA lodges a criminal complaint with the Swiss attorney general over 'possible misconduct' by individuals in connection with the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. The move follows a recommendation by FIFA's ethics judge Eckert as part of his findings into the Garcia investigation on World Cup bidding. FIFA president Blatter has insisted however that the lodging of the criminal complaint does not affect Eckert's statement last week that the investigation into the bidding process for the two World Cups is concluded. VIDEO Dyke urges FIFA to publish report . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. ### SUMMARY:

FIFA has lodged a criminal complaint with the Swiss attorney general . Complaint regards 'possible misconduct of persons in connection with the awarding of the hosting rights of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups' Sepp Blatter filed complaint on behalf of ethics judge Joachim Eckert . Blatter said: 'If we had anything to hide, we would hardly be taking this matter to the Office of the Attorney General (of Switzerland' Eckert claims 'there is insufficient incriminating evidence' to question Russia and Qatar as World Cup hosts, however .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: A newborn baby may have accidentally suffocated after she was crammed into a single bed with her parents while they slept after drinking vodka and smoking cannabis. Alesha Roberts was 16 days old when she died after her mother Letisha, 22, lay her between herself and her boyfriend for a cuddle. Alesha was found unresponsive in the bed at 4am and died, despite efforts to save her. Letisha Roberts with her daughter Alesha, who died after spending a night in bed with her parents . Letisha Roberts pictured leaving the inquest into her daughter's death at Blackpool Coroners' Court . Police investigating the incident charged Ms Roberts with causing Alesha's death by 'overlaying' and child neglect but the allegations were dropped after medical reports differed over whether or not the baby died of suffocation. The hearing was told Ms Roberts - who has since given birth to another daughter - had been given 'safe sleeping' advice for a baby by a midwife yet she was not 'fully conscious' of the risk factors of drug use, drink and smoking in front of the child. The tragedy occurred in November 2012 after Ms Roberts from Old Swan, Liverpool, took Alesha to visit Alesha's Iraqi father at his one bedroom flat in Blackpool. The father, named only at the hearing as 'Ahmed', had moved to the seaside resort to find work but has since returned to his native country. Ms Roberts intended staying for two days after Alesha's birth on October 30. The inquest heard how the baby would normally sleep in her own cot at home but had to sleep in a car seat whilst at the flat. On November 15, the couple spent the afternoon in Blackpool before returning to the flat at around 5pm ordering a takeaway, consuming vodka and smoking cannabis and cigarettes whilst Alesha fell asleep in the car seat. Ms Roberts told the hearing: 'I had never smoked cannabis before that night. He smoked it from time to time but he would always go outside. I said I wanted to go, but he said: "no stay". 'I said "what are we going to do" and he said we'd get a drink from over the road. We had a drink and then had a takeaway.' Letisha (pictured) awoke about 4am to find her daughter unresponsive and quickly called emergency services . She said the vodka was diluted with orangeade and she insisted she was not drunk, while she said she had no more than two puffs on the cannabis joint. 'I just had a little bit. I did one or two (puffs) and that was it. It was only one or two.' Alesha woke around 2am needing to feed and Ahmed passed the little girl to Ms Roberts who then breast fed the baby in bed whilst he fell asleep. Ms Roberts told the inquest that she had lay the baby between them both in the single bed in order to 'cuddle'. 'As soon as you feed her she was happy,' she added. 'We were all having a little cuddle. I wouldn't say it was a conscious effort to keep us all together. It was a single bed. I think Ahmed woke up before me, it seems to black out. 'He said something was wrong with the baby. I would say she was on her back not wedged. She had a little sick, I went to wipe it off and I jumped. It clicked. I rang the ambulance straight away. We were doing CPR, blowing in her mouth.' Alesha was pronounced dead at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Blackpool. Both parents were later arrested and interviewed under caution but Ahmed was later released on the basis that he had fallen asleep and was not to know that the baby had been placed between them. The former home of Alesha's father, where she died while her parents slept . Blood samples were taken from both and despite no alcohol being found because of the time lapse since consumption, drugs were found. Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Baxter said: 'Letisha had been told about co-sleeping, and on top of that our evidence shows that drink has been taken and that drugs have been taken. There's an unsafe sleeping environment in a single bed between two people - potential overlaying. 'The CPS took the decision to charge Letisha and a decision was taken not to charge Ahmed on the basis that although Ahmed had got the baby out of the car seat and handed to Letisha to feed, he fell asleep and wouldn't know the baby was left in bed.' Ms Roberts was due to face trial at Preston Crown Court in March until a doctor produced a report which said it could not necessarily be concluded that overlaying, or suffocating by lying on top of the child, was the cause of Alesha's death. A post mortem examination showed no injuries were sustained to the baby and a medical cause of death was given as unascertained. The court heard that the baby's death could have been attributed to 'overlaying' by one of her parents but other factors could have increased the baby's risk of Sudden Infant Death (SID), including the parents' alcohol and drug use, smoking and a hot room. Pathologist Dr Gauri Batra of the Manchester Children's Hospital said the fact Alesha slept in the car seat was not 'the best position' but accepted that it hadn't been a routine. She added: 'In my opinion co-sleeping and alcohol consumption, drug use, smoking - not necessarily around the baby, but parental smoking even in a well ventilated room, smoking by parents during pregnancy or after, is a risk factor. The room being too warm and co-sleeping in a small space is another risk factor for SID.' The inquest heard that Alesha, who was born slightly premature at 36 weeks and with a low birth weight of 5lb 4oz, had been developing well. Midwife Joan Cottington said that she had discussed 'safe sleeping' with Ms Roberts and that she was given a pack as well as discussions about the dangers of co-sleeping. The midwife had visited her Liverpool home on November 6 and 11 and upon both visits there had been 'no concerns'. Letisha, pictured right and left with her daughter Alesha, who died after sleeping in a bed between her mother and father . She added: 'Throughout my time with Letisha she was always very good at communicating. I was aware that she was visiting Blackpool to see her partner, I was surprised that Letisha had placed her in bed with her. Letisha was always very compliant.' Assistant coroner for Blackpool Mr Derek Baker returned a narrative conclusion saying there would always be 'unanswered questions' and added: 'What I don't know is whether it was a natural cause of death and what the effects of sleeping with parents was. The sleeping environment in my opinion put her at greater risk of cot death or overlaying. 'I'm satisfied that Letisha you were anxious to do your best for Alesha and you did co-operate with the midwife. I don't believe you were fully conscious of the risk factors. I can't say whether the outcome would have been different if Alesha hadn't shared the bed. 'This may have been overlaying, it may not. It may be cot death. All the answers will never become apparent in this case. The sleeping environment may have contributed but the extent of the contribution, if any, is unclear.' ### SUMMARY:

Newborn baby found dead after sleeping in bed between mother and father . Parents had been drinking vodka and smoking cannabis that evening . Inquest heard baby's mother charged with causing her death by overlaying . But charges dropped after new reports showed cause of death was unclear . It remains unknown if baby suffocated or died from Sudden Infant Death .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: It has been billed as high-minded prosecution to uphold the strict rules of Shariah law. But MailOnline can reveal that the real reasons why a pregnant woman in Sudan has been sentenced to death for being a Christian are all too human. Jealousy and greed drove Meriam Ibrahim’s own family to file a lawsuit against her alleging apostasy and adultery which led to the criminal charges she now faces, it is claimed. Scroll down for video . Hang: . Meriam, a eight-months-pregnant doctor, was sentenced to death last . week for marrying Daniel. Authorities rule she is Muslim because her . father - who abandoned her when he was six, worshiped Islam, even though . she was brought up by her Christian mother . Her half brother and half sister - who had not seen her for decades - tracked her down so they could get rid of her and take over her successful general store, Meriam’s lawyers alleged. The legal team for Meriam, whose husband is an American citizen, are being paid for by Justice Centre Sudan, a US-based non-profit that campaigns for human rights in the African country. A spokesman for the organization said: ‘We believe the family filed the lawsuit because they want to gain control of the business. ‘If Meriam stays in jail she could lose everything and they could be the ones to benefit.’ Heartbreaking: This image captures the first time Daniel Wani was allowed to see Martin and Meriam a few weeks ago. He has hardly been allowed to see her . The spokeswoman added that if Meriam is forced to leave Sudan then her half brother and half sister may well take over the business as well. It is not clear if, under Sudanese law, such a scheme would work as intended, or if a business owner would be allowed to sell it on. But it gives a disturbing new insight into the reasons why an eight-months pregnant woman has been thrown in a prison cell in shackles with her 20-month old boy whilst expecting her second child - and become the center of an international outcry. The heartbreaking situation was illustrated by exclusive pictures obtained by MailOnline which showed Meriam’s husband Daniel, who is in a wheelchair, holding Martin under the close watch of prison guards with rifles slung over their shoulders. Rotten . care: Martin is given a drink by prison guards. Daniel is not allowed . to take custody of Martin because the authorities have ruled that the . toddler is Muslim . Desperate: Daniel and Martin sit with their lawyer, Mr Mohand, during a visit. Daniel is wheelchair bound as he suffers from muscular dystrophy . He had flown in from his home in Manchester, New Hampshire in a desperate bid to free his wife and son from their terrible fate. Meriam, 27, was thrown in jail in September and earlier this month was sentenced to death for adultery for marrying Daniel, a Christian who has US citizenship. The visit to the Khartoum prison was was the first time that Daniel was able to see his wife since she was imprisoned in September. Judges in the city have sentenced Mariam to death and 100 lashes as the Sudanese court refuses to recognize her 2011 marriage to Daniel because her father was a Muslim. The Justice Centre Sudan spokeswoman said: ‘When Meriam’s father left her mother when she was six he went to another part of Sudan and had another family. ‘Meriam did not know about this. She did not even know her father had died until many years after the event. Nor did she know he was a Muslim. ‘Meriam’s mother died in 2012 and by then she had still not heard from her half brothers and sisters. ‘There were years and years that went by when that side of the family did not want a relationship with her. Adultery: . Meriam has also been sentenced to 100 lashes because the court did not . recognize her marriage to Christian Daniel Wani, a naturalized U.S. citizen, who lives in Manchester, New Hampshire . Outrage: More than 50 protesters gathered outside the Sudanese court last week where Meriam was sentenced . ‘Recently Meriam has been running a successful business in Khartoum. It’s a general store in a shopping mall and she has been selling some Ethiopian items as her mother was from there. ‘They’ve been doing really well and the business was growing and Daniel has been helping her out. ‘Her half brother and half sister must have heard about this and worked out she was a relative of theirs because of her name. ‘The first thing Meriam knew about them was when her half brother and half sister filed the lawsuit. ‘She was arrested from her home and thrown in jail with no warning.’ This comes as John Kerry faced renewed calls to act on behalf of the American citizen whose heavily pregnant wife, son and unborn child are locked up in jail in Sudan - as MailOnline reveals the family’s emotional reunion behind bars. Cruel: . Martin, above, is pictured biting his lip unaware of the terrible fate . his mother, Meriam, faces after being sentenced to hang for refusing to . consider herself a Christian. His family claim he is American because . his father has been granted U.S. citizenship . Love: . Meriam and Daniel met and married in Khartoum. He was planning to bring . her back to their modest home in Manchester, NH, last year but the . paperwork was held up and she was arrested . Two senators have sent the Secretary of State a second letter demanding that more be done to help Daniel Wani and Meriam Ibrahim, who is awaiting a death sentence for marrying her Christian husband. New Hampshire's Senator Kelly Ayotte and fellow Republican Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri said they are concerned that the government is wasting time with bureaucracy. In their letter to Kerry they said that the holdup was ‘preventing needed high-level engagement’ and that he had to intervene personally. The senators had already written a first letter but have grown frustrated and demanded Kerry do something again. Meanwhile in exclusive pictures obtained by MailOnline, Daniel, who is in a wheelchair, can be seen holding Martin under the close watch of prison guards with rifles slung over their shoulders after he flew from Manchester, New Hampshire in a desperate bid to free the 20-months-old and his wife from their terrible fate. Meriam - who is eight-months pregnant - was thrown in jail in September and earlier this month was sentenced to death for adultery for marrying Daniel, who has US citizenship. The heartbreaking visit to the Khartoum prison was was the first time that Daniel was able to see his wife since she was imprisoned in September. ### SUMMARY:

The family of Meriam Ibrahim schemed to get her put in prison for apostasy and adultery claim the pregnant mother's lawyers . Her half-brother and half-sister wanted to steal her successful general store . Meriam Ibrahim , 27, sentenced to death last week for refusing to renounce her Christian faith in front of Sudanese court which considers her a Muslim . A doctor and owner of shopping mall, she was also charged with adultery for marrying Christian Daniel Wani and sentenced to 100 lashes . Meriam - who is eight months pregnant - is being held with her 20-month-old son, Martin, in a women's jail in Khartoum . Daniel flew to Sudan and this week saw her and Martin first time since she was thrown in jail in September . Daniel, a biochemist, was born in war-torn Sudan but fled to the U.S. in 1998. He settled in Manchester, New Hampshire with his brother Gabriel . Daniel says Martin is a U.S. citizen, but State Department would not confirm the boy's legal status .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Harry Kane and Charlie Austin both earned themselves a place inside this week's EA Sports' Player Performance Index (PPI) chart despite both of their respective sides losing, while Saido Berahino was again impressive for West Brom as he scored a crucial winner against Hull. Here, EA Sports crunch the numbers to reveal the 10 best Premier League performers from the weekend. Chelsea striker Diego Costa makes the top three but who is this week's No 1? Laurent Koscielny wheels away in celebration after his early goal gave Arsenal a 1-0 lead against Stoke . 10. Laurent Koscielny, Arsenal (PPI score: 32.0) The French defender was in impressive form for Arsenal on Sunday as they secured a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Stoke. He gave Arsene Wenger's side the lead after just six minutes at the Emirates, heading home emphatically from close range after a superb assist by Alexis Sanchez. As well as this the 29-year-old made a number of key interceptions and clearances (both three), while averaging a 92.5% pass completion rate over the course of the 90 minutes. The EA Sports PPI is the official player rating index of the Premier League. It measures a player's contribution to the success of his team. The intention is to remove any opinion bias and only work with proven statistical measurements which become more accurate as the season progresses. So, what are the six indices? 1. Winning performance . 2. Player's performance per match . 3. Appearances . 4. Goals scored . 5. Assists . 6. Clean sheets . 9. Charlie Austin, QPR (PPI score: 33.1) Austin was again on target for Harry Redknapp's men on Saturday - coolly dispatching a first-half penalty against his former side Burnley - although it was all in vain as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against their relegation rivals. The 25-year-old put in another tireless display, completing 18 out of the 21 passes he made (85.7% completion rate), while also making two clearances and one interception for his side. 8. Paul Konchesky, Leicester (PPI score: 33.5) The experienced defender was sent off in the corresponding fixture against Aston Villa earlier in the season, but the 33-year-old was the difference this time around curling in a wonderful effort - his first for the club - to secure the Foxes a hard-earned win against Paul Lambert's side. Charlie Austin celebrates converting his first-half penalty against his former side Burnley on Saturday . Paul Konchesky (left) drilled his shot home with aplomb from the edge of the box to earn Leicester victory . 7. Oscar, Chelsea (PPI score: 34.7) The Brazilian playmaker was on target for the first time since November for Jose Mourinho's men on Saturday, scoring the opener as they edged past a battling Newcastle side. The 23-year-old successfully completed 30 out of 39 passes in the opposition's half, again impressing as Chelsea went two points clear at the top of the Premier League. 6. Harry Kane, Tottenham (PPI score: 36.9) Tottenham's talisman notched his 18th goal of the season at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening, as he yet again displayed his predatory instincts in front of goal. Despite giving the visitors the lead the north Londoners eventually fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat, although through no fault of Kane, who again impressed in a lone role upfront. Oscar celebrates giving Chelsea the lead in their Premier League game against Newcastle United on Saturday . Harry Kane was again on target for Tottenham giving the north London side the lead at Selhurst Park . 5. Saido Berahino, West Bromwich Albion (PPI score: 37.1) The England Under 21 international continues to produce the goods for Tony Pulis' side - most recently scoring the all-important winner against fellow strugglers Hull City on Saturday. Berahino played the full 90 minutes, proving to be a real livewire throughout, completing 21 out of the 24 passes he attempted in Hull's half. The 21-year-old has 14 goals in 25 appearances for the Baggies so far this season. 4. Jason Puncheon, Crystal Palace (PPI score: 39.9) After being out-of-sorts earlier in the season, the Palace winger now seems to have picked up some form. The 28-year-old scored just his second goal of the season against Mauricio Pochettino's side - earning his side a precious three points in the process. Puncheon impressed throughout the match, completing 31 out of the 34 passes he attempted on the night (91.2% average), proving to be a real menance to the Spurs defence. 3. Dwight Gayle, Crystal Palace (PPI score: 41.8) Ever since he was recalled to the Palace starting line-up, Gayle has proved to be a real attacking threat for the south London outfit - scoring twice in as many games. The 24-year-old kept his composure when it mattered most, converting a crucial second-half spot-kick for the hosts to level proceedings, scoring his fourth Premier League goal of the season as a result. As well as being a threat to the opposition, he also carried out his defensive duties efficiently, making two clearance and one interception. Saido Berahino (left) celebrates after scoring the winner for West Brom against Hull on Saturday . Jason Puncheon scored the winner late on for Crystal Palace to see off Tottenham on Saturday . Dwight Gayle celebrates  scoring Crystal Palace's equaliser against the north London side at Selhurst Park . 2. Diego Costa, Chelsea (PPI score: 46.1) The 26-year-old yet again showed his class on Saturday, with his swivel and shot putting the game out of Newcastle's reach at Stamford Bridge. The former Atletico Madrid striker now has 16 goals in all competitions for club and country so far this season - including four in his last seven games for Jose Mourinho's side. 1. Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal (PPI score: 66.2) By some clear distance the former Barcelona forward is EA Sports' No 1 player this week. The Chile striker was unsurprisingly the Gunners' stand-out performer in Sunday's win against Stoke with yet another scintillating display. The 26-year-old continued his brilliant run of form against the Potters with a goal and assist during the opening half at the Emirates. Diego Costa points to the sky after scoring Chelsea's second goal of the afternoon against Newcastle . Alexis Sanchez continued his run of brilliant form with an assist and a goal for Arsenal during the first 45 minutes in Sunday's win over Stoke . Data courtesy of the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, the Official Player Rating index of the Barclays Premier League . ### SUMMARY:

EA Sports crunch the numbers to reveal Player Performance Index chart . Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez comes out on top . Two Crystal Palace players make the top 10 after superb win over Spurs . Chelsea duo Diego Costa and Oscar make the cut after scoring in the Blues' 2-0 win against Newcastle . Harry Kane and Charlie Austin also feature on the list despite both Tottenham and QPR losing at the weekend .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: With his wealth, glamorous lifestyle and friends in high places, Jonathan Price probably seemed too good to be true. Unfortunately for the women who fell for his charms, that’s exactly  what he was. The serial conman posed as a rich ‘sugar daddy’ to trap a string of professional women and fleece them for tens of thousands of pounds. The penniless 41-year-old told his targets he was a multi-millionaire and even bragged of being friends with billionaire Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky. 'Callous' behaviour: Jonathan Price (left and right) told his unsuspecting victims he was a multi-millionaire with offshore accounts and was suffering from terminal cancer, Teesside Crown Court was told . He also claimed to have served in the SAS and the Parachute Regiment and boasted of owning speedboats, luxury cars and overseas property. He used a dating website called sugardaddies.com to meet women, who were taken in by his apparently glamorous lifestyle and became his girlfriends. He now faces jail after pleading guilty to fraud totalling £180,000 – leaving three women and their parents without their life savings. Price, from Darlington, told his unsuspecting targets that he had vast sums of money in offshore accounts and was suffering from terminal cancer. The conman then wined and dined each girlfriend using the cash he got from his other victims. He even proposed to one, booking a £96,000 wedding at an exclusive hotel. Online: The conman met a string of women on sugardaddies.com (homepage pictured) then tricked them into parting with tens of thousands of pounds . So convincing was he that his victims persuaded their elderly parents to help him out when he claimed to have encountered cash flow problems, believing he was more than capable of paying back their loans. Teesside Crown Court heard that Price was really a penniless ‘serial’ fraudster who left a trail of victims traumatised and facing financial ruin. He has served four prison sentences and collected seven previous convictions for dishonesty from across the UK over the past two decades. Legal documents describe him as  ‘callous’ and say ‘deception is so deeply ingrained in his mind’ that he was planning his next con while still in jail for the last. Judge Michael Taylor said during the hearing: ‘He is as dishonest as the day is long. He is a conman first and foremost. ‘If he is hoping to pull the  wool over my eyes, he’s in the wrong courtroom.’ Victim: Davina Ward, left, who was told that Price, right, had a fortune in offshore accounts . Price’s barrister, Peter Sabiston, added: ‘He is unsure because of the lies he has told what is true and what is fantasy. He does seem to lead a life of fantasy.’ When online, Price pretended to be looking for the love of his life and ironically wrote that he needed a woman who was ‘honest and trustworthy’. His victims included Davina Ward, 32, who runs a florist business in Bournemouth, and Sarah Giles, 39, who worked as a manager at a gun retailer in London. His third victim, a high-flying executive in her 30s who cannot be named, became his wife and was pregnant with his child when he was arrested last May. Price produced fake bank account paperwork to convince his victims he had fortunes tucked away, providing sham security for loans he would ask them for. Each time his web of deceit appeared to be unravelling, he would disappear, claiming to be unwell or saying he had been involved in an accident. On one occasion after going missing, he posed as an old army mate and sent emails to one of the women saying Price was gravely ill with a brain tumour. 'Acquaintances': Jonathan Price boasted of being a friend of Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky (pictured), an exiled critic of president Vladmir Putin, who was found dead last weekend . Abroad: One woman was spun what came to be a familiar yarn that Price was obscenely wealthy with funds in an offshore account in the Cayman Islands (file picture), but did not have long to live . Luxury living: While in the capital, Price was seeing a woman, having lunch in Harrods (pictured) in Knightsbridge, central London, and telling her tall tales about his vast wealth . During his three-year campaign of deceit, he claimed to live in Sandbanks in Dorset, which contains some of the most expensive houses in Britain, and made an offer on a £5million property. He also boasted of being a friend of Boris Berezovsky, the exiled critic of president Vladmir Putin. Mr Berezovsky was found dead at the weekend. Price extracted money from his girlfriends and their families by claiming to be having trouble freeing some of his fortune from overseas accounts. When he met Miss Ward in 2007, he claimed to have funds in an offshore account in the Cayman Islands, but said he did not have long to live. He claimed he was using money from Miss Ward and her parents for trips to London for medical treatment. On wheels: Price ran up huge debts on a woman's credit cards - hiring a Land Rover Discovery (file picture) and driving it to Monaco, and asking his lover to fly out to see him . The sugardaddies.com website used by Jonathan Price is just one of a growing number of novelty internet dating agencies. It aims to attract young women in search of a wealthy older man, promising: ‘You are one step away from finding your dream Sugar Daddy.’ It targets ‘aspiring models, actresses and businesswomen’ who are ‘struggling in the early part of their career’. The blurb reads: ‘Would you like to have a man be a provider for you? Do you just love to be taken care of and treated like a princess?’ It promises to connect these hopeful women to men who have ‘attained substantial success’ and are willing to ‘share the finer things in life’. Men and women signing up are asked to give only their email address and personal details such as height and hobbies. But as with other dating websites, there is little way of checking that people really are who they say they are. But while in the capital, he was seeing Miss Giles, having lunch in Harrods and telling her the same tall tales about his vast wealth. After ending his relationship with Miss Ward, he continued to see Miss Giles, racking up huge debts on her credit cards. He even hired a Land Rover Discovery and drove it to Monaco, asking his lover to fly out to see him. She declared herself bankrupt and was living like a pauper when he began seeing the third woman, who he then proposed to. He went shopping on Bond Street for an engagement ring and booked a £96,000 wedding at the exclusive Rockliffe Hall, near Darlington. In the end, he cancelled the couple’s extravagant wedding, leading his fiancee to believe it was because of his ill health, and they were married at Harrogate Register Office with just four guests. Again, Price began to ‘borrow’ money from the woman and her family, but was arrested when her parents became suspicious. He now awaits sentence for the fraud, the victims of which also included estate agents, car and boat dealers and a businessman. ### SUMMARY:

Jonathan Price told his unsuspecting victims he was a multi-millionaire . Also claimed he was suffering from cancer, Teesside Crown Court hears . Lied that he served in the SAS, had property overseas and owned boats . Described as 'callous' man with 'deception deeply engrained in his mind'

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: War hero: Whilst standing guard one night in May 1918, Johnson left four Germans dead and injured at least 20 others, who retreated, saving his regiment . Nearly 100 years after he single-handedly fought off a German attack and saved a comrade from capture despite suffering serious wounds, Sgt. Henry Johnson is a step closer to getting a posthumous Medal of Honor. In an unprecedented move, congress is looking at changing a law that would allow a black World War I soldier from upstate New York who saved a comrade while fighting off a German attack in France, to be honored. A number of congressmen including Chuck Hagel, the secretary of defense, has sent Congress a letter saying Sgt. Henry Johnson should receive the nation's highest military decoration for bravery in combat. The railroad porter from Albany was serving in the all-black 369th Infantry Regiment when he killed or wounded several enemy soldiers while saving a fellow soldier from capture. The president gets the final word on the medal request, which also requires passage of special legislation in Congress because Johnson's actions were more than five years ago. The current legislation specifies that heroic actions have to have taken place within five years to be considered. His men: Johnson (back row, 2nd from right) was a solider in an all-black outfit, the 369th Infantry Regiment, a New York National Guard unit based in Manhattan and known as the Harlem Hell-fighters . The stuff of legend: He almost single- highhandedly fought off his attackers armed only with a rifle and a knife, using the rifle as a club once it had run out of bullets . Remembered: Henry Johnson is displayed in the Arbor Hill neighborhood in Albany, New York. The secretary of defense has recommended awarding a posthumous Medal of Honor to the black soldier from upstate New York who saved a comrade while fighting off a German attack in France during World War I . 'Johnson should have received this recognition 95 years ago, and providing an exemption for him now is the right thing to do,' said Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat. If approved, Johnson would become the 89th black soldier to receive the Medal of Honor and just the second for heroism during World War I, according to the Mount Pleasant, South Carolina-based Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Better late thn never: It has been argued that Johnson should receive the Medal Of Honor - the nation's highest military decoration for bravery in combat . Johnson, a Virginia-born rail station porter in Albany, enlisted in the 369th Infantry Regiment, a New York National Guard unit based in Manhattan that became known as the 'Harlem Hellfighters.' With U.S. armed forces segregated at the time, the 369th was assigned to serve under French command when Johnson's outfit arrived on the front lines in early 1918. Around midnight on May 15, 1918, he and another soldier, Needham Roberts of Trenton, New Jersey, were standing guard when their position was attacked by about two dozen Germans. Both Americans were wounded, but despite his injuries the 5ft 4in Johnson fought off the attack, using his knife and rifle to kill or wound several of the enemy who were trying to drag Roberts away. Johnson's actions caused the other Germans to retreat. His actions earned him one of France's highest military medals, but historians believe rampant Jim Crow-era racism at a time when the services were segregated kept Johnson from receiving American military honors. Indeed, accounts of his actions were published in newspapers back home in Albany, as well as in Chicago and New York City. Former President Theodore Roosevelt, in a book he wrote about World War I, listed Johnson among the bravest Americans to serve in the conflict. 'Everybody knew who Henry Johnson was,' said Jack McEneny, a retired state lawmaker and Albany historian who has been advocating Johnson's case for 40 years. 'He was a major source of pride and a realization for the black community and the white community of the value of African-Americans to the loyalty of this country.' Never forget: A statue of Henry Johnson in Washington Park in Albany, New York. It has been argued that Johnson be awarded the Medal Of Honor nearly 100 years after he single-handedly fought off a German attack . Racist past: Johnson’s legacy went unrecognized because of segregation within the armed forces at the time . After the war, Johnson moved back to Albany, where he resumed working as a porter. Plagued by his wartime injuries, he died a destitute alcoholic at age 32 at a veterans hospital Illinois in 1929. He was believed to have been buried in a pauper's grave, but his final resting place was found in Arlington National Cemetery in 2002. In 2003, Johnson was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second-highest military honor. Previous attempts to get the Medal of Honor awarded to Johnson were rejected by Pentagon officials citing insufficient contemporary military documentation of his heroics, but in 2011, Schumer's staff found such records. Local tributes: Sgt. Henry Johnson was part of the 369th Regiment, or Harlem Hellfighters - one of the most successful units in the war . Deserving of more: For his heroics, Johnson was awarded one of the French government’s highest honors, the Croix de Guerre. The still heavily segregated U.S., however, gave Johnson only a chauffeured car in New York’s victory parade in 1919 and no awards or military benefits . The U.S. Army reports from May 1918 described how Johnson fought off an enemy attack despite being wounded and outnumbered. Schumer included those documents in Johnson's Medal of Honor application. In 1991, Army Cpl. Freddie Stowers of Sandy Springs, South Carolina, became the first black soldier honored with the Medal of Honor from World War I after two congressmen resurrected his case for the nation's highest military decoration for bravery in combat. The seven black service members awarded the medal for heroics during World War II weren't honored until 1997, after historians and the defense department determined they had wrongly been denied. Johnson's story is already well-known in Albany, where there are two memorials in his honor and a street and a charter school bear his name. This year's awarding of the Medal of Honor to 24 ethnic or minority American soldiers from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars has given hope to McEneny and other advocates that Johnson will finally receive the same recognition. 'Every time another hero is honored belatedly or rediscovered long after the fact, if you're in Albany, it just gnaws at you,' the former legislator said. 'That's great, but what about Henry Johnson?' ### SUMMARY:

Sgt. Henry Johnson was part of the 369th Regiment, or Harlem Hellfighters - one of the most successful units in the war . Johnson’s story became legendary when Germans raided his camp, leaving him with more than 20 gunshot wounds. He almost single-highhandedly fought off his attackers armed only with a rifle and a knife, using the rifle as a club once it had run out of bullets . Johnson left four Germans dead and injured at least 20 others, who retreated . Johnson’s legacy went unrecognized because of segregation within the armed forces at the time . The nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor, is reserved for soldiers who exhibit extreme valor in wartime efforts . The award can usually only be given up to five years after the event, but it's hoped the law will be changed in his honor .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: The 'confessed killer' of the murdered Miss Honduras beauty queen smiled chillingly into the camera on his way to the cells last night, as his victims' grieving mother warned that the suspect's family will try to buy his freedom. Teresa Muñoz told MailOnline she feared that Plutarco Antonio Ruiz, detained for the murders of Maria Jose and Sofia Alvarado, will never be brought to justice in a country where corruption is rampant. The bodies of the two sisters were found buried in a river bank near the spa where they had disappeared a week earlier. Police believe Sofia's boyfriend Ruiz shot her in the head in a jealous rage, before shooting Maria Jose twice in the back. They say he has confessed to the deaths. Scroll down for video . Plutarco Antonio Ruiz grins chillingly into the camera while being led to jail as he is detained for the murders of Miss Honduras beauty queen Maria Jose, 19, and her sister Sofia Alvarado, 23 . Elizabeth Alvarado (left), is escorted to testify before a judge for her possible involvement as an accomplice to the killing of the two sisters which Ruiz (right) confessed to on Tuesday . Mrs Munoz, who buried her two children near their hometown of Santa Barbara yesterday, warned that bribes for suspects are common as police sent four suspects to jail. Suspected accomplice Aris Maldonado was arrested on Tuesday alongside 32-year-old Ruiz, while spa owner Ventura Diaz and his wife Elizabeth Alvarado were arrested the next day for allegedly burying the bodies. Despite being under investigation, after his arrest Maldonado managed to post a message on Facebook protesting his innocence. It stated: 'Thanks to the people who are with me at this difficult and unjust moment in my life. Tabloid newspapers invent everything but I have faith in God and know everything will turn out okay.' The sisters' heartbroken mother Teresa Muñoz showed MailOnline childhood photos of her daughter Maria Jose, pictured above . Mrs Munoz (right) told MailOnline she feared her daughters' killer will never be brought to justice in a country where corruption is rampant . Clasping two family albums, Mrs Munoz sat with friends as she showed MailOnline childhood photos of the sisters and talked about her daughters. She said that someone had told her one of her daughters would become a model, she would have guessed Sofia because her elder daughter was always more of an extrovert while Maria Jose was more timid. But she believes that Maria Jose's status as a model and beauty queen is the only reason the deaths are being taken seriously. 'I believe that if my daughter had not been a representative of her country, her death wouldn't have brought any justice,' she said. The bodies were recovered after being found buried near a river bank close the spa where they disappeared . Jose Luis Mejia, director of the Technological University campus in Santa Barbara, where Maria studied, agreed that the deaths would not have become a national outrage if it had not been for the model's standing. 'If she had been any other girl, if she hadn't been Miss Honduras, this would have been one more crime amid the impunity of Honduras,' he said. 'They would have said what they always do: that this was the settling of accounts between drug traffickers, and they wouldn't even have bothered to investigate.' San Pedro Sula, just over 30 miles from Santa Barbara where the girls were murdered, is the murder capital of the world with more than 1,200 killings a year among its nearly one million inhabitants. Mrs Munoz said that someone had told her one of her daughters would become a model, she would have guessed Sofia because her elder daughter was always more of an extrovert while Maria Jose was more timid . Mrs Munoz tried to smile as she spoke about her two daughters,  Maria Jose (left) and Sofia (right) before warning of her fears that their killer might never be brought to justice if his family try to buy his freedom . The youngest of three sisters, Alvarado began competing in beauty pageants at age 13. She won Miss Northwest Honduras, Miss Teen Honduras and, finally, Miss Honduras, the stepping stone to the Miss World pageant. After each competition, she would come back to Santa Barbara and share the details of her experiences with friends . 'Her successes were our successes,' said schoolmate Ludin Reyes. 'We were friends and fans.' While Alvarado pursued her dream, and her oldest sister married and moved away. She was a teacher until the school where she worked closed, and in love with a married man who left his wife to be with her, before he was murdered in October 2013. Beauty queen Maria Jose Alvarado, 19, was due to compete in this year's Miss World competition in London . Pageant queen: Sofia, pictured left, invited her younger sister Maria Jose, right, to the party where she was shot dead. The youngest of three sisters, Maria began competing in beauty pageants at age 13. She won Miss Northwest Honduras, Miss Teen Honduras and, finally, Miss Honduras, the stepping stone to the Miss World pageant . Sofia's new boyfriend Ruiz was known about town as a man to be feared from a family deeply involved in drug trafficking, officials say. Although he had no police record, he was seen as someone who could offer protection or eliminate enemies. 'This is a drug trafficking corridor,' said Lt. Col Ramon Castillo, an army officer in charge of security in Santa Barbara. 'David Ruiz, Plutarco's brother was 'the bull' and when he was killed in February, Plutarco took his place. ... Plutarco is a violent person with a bad character and he solves everything with a pistol in his hand.' Police say Ruiz shot Sofia because she was dancing with another man. After a fierce argument, he pulled out a pistol and fired at Sofia first, then Maria as she tried to flee. Aris Maldonado (left) and Ventura Diaz (right) escorted to testify before a judge over their alleged involvement in the deaths of Maria Jose and Sofia Alvarado . General Ramon Sabillon, the National Police director, said Ruiz had confessed to the killings on Tuesday and led authorities to the bodies in a mountainous area in Santa Barbara. It is a mystery to Maria's friends why she went with her sister to the rundown 'spa,' or riverfront restaurant, that was believed to be a place that Ruiz used to conduct illegal business. But Alvarado looked up to her big sister and, after baking a cake together, apparently wanted to join Sofia to celebrate Ruiz's birthday on November 13. The day after the party, Ruiz told the sisters's family the women had left the with someone else, and he invited them for lunch. Later, he even went with them to file a missing persons report with police. Maria's body, wrapped in brown plastic, was loaded into the back of a pickup truck just hours before she was to have boarded a flight to London to compete in the Miss World pageant. A winner will be crowned on December 14. ### SUMMARY:

Plutarco Antonio Ruiz is detained for killing Maria Jose and Sofia Alvarado . Girls' mother Teresa Muñoz fears the killer will not be brought to justice . Police believe Sofia's boyfriend Ruiz shot the sisters dead in a jealous rage . Their bodies were found near a riverside spa where Ruiz had held a party . Suspected accomplice Aris Maldonado arrested but protests his innocence . Spa owner Ventura Diaz and his wife Elizabeth Alvarado were also arrested .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Native Americans are descended from Clovis man and may have originally travelled from Asia by way of a land bridge that disappeared long ago, it has been revealed. The DNA of a baby boy who was buried in Montana 12,600 years ago has given scientists new insights into the ancient roots of today's American Indians and other native peoples of the Americas. It is  the oldest genome ever recovered from the New World, and artifacts found with the body show the boy was part of the Clovis culture, which existed in North America from about 13,000 years ago to about 12,600 years ago and is named for an archaeological site near Clovis, N.M. A nearly-complete projectile point, top, a mid-stage point made of translucent quartz and an end-beveled rod of bone from a Clovis-era burial site found in 1968 in western Montana. Scientists have recovered and analyzed the DNA of an infant who died more than 12,000 years ago and was buried at the site where these artifacts were found, and have linked him to modern day Native Americans. Clovis man lived in America about 13,000 years ago where they hunted mammoth, mastodons and giant bison with big spears. The Clovis people were not the first humans in America, but they represent the first humans with a wide expansion on the North American continent – until the culture mysteriously disappeared only a few hundred years after its origin. Centuries of cold, nicknamed the 'Big Freeze,' are believed to have wiped out the Clovis, as well as most of the large mammals in North America . The boy's genome showed his people were direct ancestors of many of today's native peoples in the Americas, researchers said. The so-called Anzick skeleton was found with about 125 artifacts, including Clovis fluted spear points and tools made from antlers, and covered in red ochre, a type of mineral. 'It is almost like finding the 'missing link' to the common ancestor of the Native Americans,' said  Eske Willerslev of the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, who led the study. The Clovis boy's family is the direct ancestor to roughly estimated 80% of all present day Native Americans. 'Although the Clovis culture disappeared its people are living today. 'Put simply it is a sensation that we succeeded in finding an approximately 12,600 year old boy whose closest relatives can be regarded as the direct ancestor to so many people.' 'This also means that Clovis did not descend from Europeans, Asians or Melanesians, a theory that a number of scientists have advocated. 'They were Native Americans – and the Native American ancestors were the first people in America. This is now a fact.' The boy was more closely related to those in Central and South America than to those in Canada. The reason for that difference isn't clear, scientists said. The researchers said they had no Native American DNA from the United States available for comparison, but that they assume the results would be same, with some Native Americans being direct descendants and others also closely related. The DNA also indicates the boy's ancestors came from Asia, supporting the standard idea of ancient migration to the Americas by way of a land bridge that disappeared long ago. The burial site, northeast of Livingston, Mont., is the only burial known from the Clovis culture. The boy was between 1 year and 18 months old when he died of an unknown cause. He was buried with 125 artifacts, including spear points and elk antler tools. Some were evidently ritual objects or heirlooms. The burial site, marked by a pole at center left, where the remains of a boy from the only known burial site of the Clovis culture was found in western Montana. The artifacts and the skeleton were covered with powdered red ochre, a natural pigment, indicating a burial ceremony. The skeleton was discovered in 1968 next to a rock cliff, but it is only in recent years that scientists have been able to recover and analyze complete genomes from such ancient samples. The first humans came from Siberia via the so-called Beringia Land Bridge, which during the latest ice age connected Siberia with North America and did not bring the Clovis culture with them. The Clovis culture arose after they arrived in America and the boy from Anzick was more a descendant of the first immigrants. The team found that Native American ancestors coming in from Siberia split into two groups. One group is ancestors to the Native Americans presently living in Canada and the other one – which is represented by the Clovis boy – is the ancestor to virtually all Native Americans in South America and Mexico. The DNA analysis was reported online Wednesday in the journal Nature by scientists including Eske Willerslev of the University of Copenhagen in Denmark , Michael Waters of Texas A&M University and Shane Doyle of Montana State University in Bozeman. The burial site lies on the property of the parents of another author, Sarah Anzick of Livingston. It is known as the Anzick site. The end of a beveled rod of bone and an incompleted projectile point from the Clovis-era burial site . Doyle, a member of the Crow tribe, said the indication of such ancient roots for American Indians fits with what many tribal people already believed. He also said the boy's remains may be reburied at the site by late spring or early summer. 'This discovery by Eske and his team proves something that tribal people have never doubted - we've been here since time immemorial and all the ancient artifacts located within our homelands are remnants from our direct ancestors. 'But the discovery is only part of the importance of this study. 'The other part being Eske and his team's respectful commitment to interacting face to face with tribal communities and listening to Native American leaders, which has lead directly to the reburial of this little boy.' In a telephone conference with reporters, the researchers said that once they discovered the link between the boy and today's Native Americans, they sought out American Indian groups to discuss the results. Now an international team headed by Danish researcher Eske Willerslev has mapped his genome thereby reviving the scientific debate about the colonization of the Americas. Roughly estimated some 80% of all present-day Native American populations on the two American continents are direct descendants of the Clovis boy's family. The remaining 20% are more closely related with the Clovis family than any other people on Earth, says Lundbeck Professor Eske Willerslev from the Centre for GeoGenetics at the Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen. A nearly-complete projectile point, top, two mid-stage points and an "end-beveled" rod of bone from the Clovis-era burial site found in 1968 in western Montana. Willerslev, an expert in deciphering ancient DNA, called for scientists to work closely with native peoples on such research. 'Then who were the first immigrants? 'We don't know. Yet. 'Maybe a Native American, maybe an ancestor related to the Mal'ta boy from Siberia and another one who was East Asian. 'We don't know. But our results eliminate all other theories about the origins of the first people in America. 'The first people in America were the direct ancestors of Native Americans," says Professor Willerslev . The results are 'going to raise a whole host of new ideas and hypotheses' about the early colonization of the Americas, said Dennis O'Rourke, an ancient DNA expert at the University of Utah who wasn't involved in the work. ### SUMMARY:

Clovis culture existed in North America from about 13,000 years ago to about 12,600 years ago . Find is the oldest genome ever recovered from the New World . Proves modern Native Americans are related to the first humans to arrive .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: The search for Madeleine McCann has taken police to all corners of the globe. But now they are going back to where the tragic case began to excavate key sites in the Algarve holiday resort where she vanished seven years ago. The Met Police have been granted permission by Portuguese authorities to dig up land in Praia da Luz and they said the searches will begin within weeks. Aerial view: Specialist officers are also expected to examine three other sites in Praia da Luz after permission to dig was granted by Portuguese authorities, seven years after Maddie went missing from the area aged three . Madeleine, who would be ten on 12 May, was three when she vanished from her holiday flat on 3 May 2007 . There are serious concerns, however, . that their efforts could be blocked at any point by the Portuguese . authorities, amid continuing tensions between the forces. The . crucial development in the multi-million pound inquiry comes as sources . said it has been a ‘hugely emotional time’ for the McCanns. The seventh anniversary of Maddie’s disappearance on May 3, 2007, fell on Saturday. While . her parents, Gerry and Kate, both 45, have been briefed on the plans, . they are not travelling to the resort while work is carried out. The . cold case review into the three-year-old’s disappearance, known as . Operation Grange, has seen a team of detectives painstakingly search . through every document collected throughout the inquiry. Search site: The waste ground in Praia da Luz, Portugal, where Scotland Yard officers will join local police officers in digging as part of the investigation . Abroad: Specialist search teams will start by scouring sites across Praia da Luz - including this waste ground near the Ocean Club apartment complex . The digs are not thought to necessarily be in connection with a search for the youngster's body or remains . This land that was not fenced at the time of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is contiguous to the path where witnesses saw a man passing with a child in pyjamas in her arms the night of the disappearance . According . to local reports, one of the key search areas is a patch of wasteland . about the size of three football pitches, across the road from Ocean . Club where the McCanns were staying, as well as the tapas bar where they . were dining when Maddie disappeared. The . area, which is beside a school and has become overgrown with bushes and . strewn with rocks, used to be an open expanse but is now fenced off. In . the picture above, it is marked search area one. The . McCanns prayed for Maddie’s safe return in the nearby Church of Nossa . Senhora da Luz (Our Lady of the Light). At the time the roads . surrounding the 16th century church were being renovated, with huge . potholes sealed over just days after Maddie vanished. This will also be a . key site for excavation and is marked in the picture above as search . area two. A sign at the church yesterday informed worshippers of planned ‘maintenance works’ to the church and the surrounding area. According . to Portuguese daily Jornal de Noticias, officers will excavate a third . location closer to the beach (marked in the picture above as search area . three), as well as two patches of land in the countryside surrounding . Praia da Luz. Detectives are expected to use radar equipment to examine . the sites. The tools can detect changes in magnetic fields caused when . earth is disturbed and changes to wet soil caused by burial of a body. It is thought that mechanical diggers and other earth-moving equipment . will be brought in. Resort: Police are digging near the Ocean Club holiday apartments in the resort of Praia da Luz in Portugal, from where Madeleine McCann, then three, went missing in May 2007 . Dig: Detectives were also said to be excavating part of the beach in the area (pictured shortly after Madeleine's disappearance) Madeleine's parents Gerry, 45, and Kate McCann, 46, attended an open-air prayer service on Saturday . Metropolitan Police’s Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowler has blamed the Portuguese authorities for the lack of information being made public by Operation Grange. In an open letter dated today, the senior police officer said that despite pleas for the media to be briefed on ongoing developments in the search for Madeline McCann, Portugal’s Policia Judiciara have threatened to stop work if information is passed on. Revealing the ongoing tension between British and Portuguese police, Assistant Commissioner Rowley said he had explained to his opposite number in the Policia Judiciara that it is the Met’s preferred practice to make public as much information and context as possible, providing it does not compromise the investigation. He revealed that the reply from the Portuguese police was that they do not brief the media on an ongoing investigation, accompanied by a threat that if any information were to emerge, the work undertaken by Portugal on behalf of Scotland Yard would ‘cease until that problem dissipates’. ‘It is important you understand this and appreciate the position in which I find myself. We will not be able to provide any information concerning the activity because ultimately it could mean the work stops,’ Assistant Commissioner Rowley said. ‘We respect the Portuguese position as we would expect them to respect our position if we were carrying out work on their behalf in the UK,’ he added. Aerial . photographs are set to be taken to assess the area, while officers will . look for disturbances among rocks, any signs of excess soil and changes . in vegetation. The searches will be conducted by Portuguese police, with British detectives on site alongside them. Yesterday, . Met Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said there was a constant . threat that their Portuguese colleagues could halt the work. In . an open letter to the media, he added: ‘This case has for some time . been moving towards increased action in Portugal. 'Whilst the process is . more bureaucratic and slower than we would wish, I now believe that . activity will occur in forthcoming weeks. ‘The . most important task for me is to build momentum and protect our . investigation, given the many lines of inquiry that we see are necessary . in order that we can do everything possible to solve the case. 'We do . not want to undermine our prospects of providing Mr and Mrs McCann with . answers.’ On Saturday, prayers were said for Maddie at her parents’ local church in Rothley, Leicestershire, to mark the anniversary. Mr . McCann said: ‘The Met are going back out to Portugal very soon. 'They . are chipping away and there is new evidence. 'We are going to continue . hoping we get a  happy outcome.’ Madeleine’s . 11th birthday is next Monday. The attorney general’s office in Portugal . confirmed that the Met Police have made five requests for help with . their investigation since August 2012, most recently this March. Police . have to write formally to the Portuguese judiciary every time they want . to act on information they believe needs to be investigated. A spokesman said the contents of the requests are confidential. Last . night, a source said that a few Scotland Yard officers are ‘discreetly’ on the ground in Praia da Luz, with a full team flying over in a few . days. Portuguese police initially searched the resort, but the Met will look for anything they might have missed . Map: British police are expected to excavate two sites near the Ocean Club and one near Praia Da Luz beach . ### SUMMARY:

Portuguese authorities have approved Scotland Yard's plans to excavate . Investigators will now begin by digging waste ground at Praia da Luz resort . The dig site is just a short walk from the Ocean Club apartment complex . Despite huge interest in case, Portuguese police are demanding secrecy . They have threatened to halt their search if media is given information .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: British Gas is paying staff bonuses to inflate customers’ bills by up to 60 per cent, a whistleblower has claimed. The former employee said he felt ‘disgusted’ by the policy, which encouraged staff to target charities and small businesses and sell them the most expensive deals possible. Employees were told they could triple their £14,600 salary through commission if they sold the highest-priced tariffs to enough customers. Churches and charities – including the Scouts – were among those targeted by the policy, the whistleblower said, with some organisations ending up £2,000 a year worse off. British Gas is paying staff bonuses to inflate customers' bills by up to 60 per cent, a whistleblower has claimed . Last night, energy regulator Ofgem said it would examine the evidence uncovered by the Mail and take ‘firm action’ if it found British Gas had not been ‘honest and transparent’ with its customers. The former sales worker, who asked not to be named, said he witnessed sales agents on a ‘regular basis’ signing up churches and charities to long-term contracts at the maximum price in order to earn a higher salary. Smaller businesses and charities tended to fall for the tactic because they had fewer resources to research the best deal, he said. The whistleblower, who worked for British Gas between 2010 and 2013, said its policies had been engineered to ‘rip off’ customers – and he believed the practice was continuing today. His revelations come just days after the company was fined £5.6 million for blocking business customers from switching suppliers. ‘People were desperate to make the salaries they had been promised, so everyone inflated the prices,’ he said. ‘Scouts was a favourite one; churches, charities, small businesses, where people would just go for the maximum 5p notch-up,’ he added. By switching to the most expensive deal, a company’s bill could increase by more than £2,000 a year. ‘For a small business, that kind of price increase could be enough to finish you off,’ he said. A sales representative would normally make between £4 and £37 in commission per deal if they managed to persuade existing customers to renew contracts or add more properties to their accounts. But if they managed to move the customer to a more expensive deal – known as ‘notching up’ – they could earn more than £400 a time. The ex-sales agent said most employees felt guilty notching up bills, but others thrived on it – and made up to £80,000 a year. ‘Some people were quite proud about notching up the unit rates,’ he said. ‘I felt guilty. I didn’t do it that often. But there were plenty of people there who had no guilt whatsoever. ‘They were doing it for the big bucks because they were greedy.’ The former employee said the words ‘Volume to value’ were painted on the walls of the company’s call centre in Leicester to encourage staff to target customers worth more to the business – in other words paying more, or higher, bills – rather than seeking a greater number of customers. The whistleblower’s own method of ‘cheating the system’ was to notch up customers who had empty buildings. These customers wanted the cheapest standing charge and weren’t affected by notched-up unit rates because they used very little energy. He said: ‘That meant I got the commission, but the customer didn’t actually pay more. ‘The company had a lot of people off with stress on the sales floor, and it was partly linked to sales targets but partly linked to what you had to do to make your money.’ The whistleblower said the former managing director of British Gas, Phil Bentley, was made aware of the practice by staff. But he suggested customers would eventually benefit from rip-off deals because their rates were fixed and energy prices would get even higher still over time. Clients who contacted British Gas to . renew contracts or add properties to their accounts were called ‘hot . leads’ and passed on to the sales department. Customers often called . the company when their contracts were rolled over. If customers failed . to notice their tariff was due to expire, they would automatically be . put on to a much higher rate. This meant call centre staff were able to . offer them rates a fraction lower than the  rollover rate but still up . to 60 per cent higher than the best deal. British Gas stopped the . practice of automatic rollovers in July last year. For selling energy . to customers at the base rate, which was 8p in 2010 and rose to 13p by . 2013, sales agents would earn between £4 and £37 per deal. For inflating . the prices by up to a maximum of 5p per unit of energy, they earned . between £93 and £403 per deal. But customers could lose thousands. A . low user using 6,000Kw a year would have paid £480 at the base rate in . 2010. With a 5p notch-up, this would increase to £780 a year. The bill . for a medium user (18,000Kw a year) would have risen from £1,440 to . £2,340, and a high user using 45,000Kw a year would have been billed . £5,850, instead of £3,600 at the base rate. No action has been taken to change the commission structures. ‘Over . three years I flagged it up ten times,’ he said. ‘I just gave up in the . end – I didn’t get anywhere. I felt I was in a precarious position . anyway. Everyone there was made to feel they should be grateful for . their jobs.’ A not-for-profit tariff existed for charities, but according to the ex-sales agent this rate was ‘never’ used because staff members did not know what commission they would get and the tariff was actually worse value than the standard rate. In October, British Gas announced it was increasing prices for domestic customers, with a dual-fuel bill going up by 9.2 per cent. The increase put the average annual household bill up by £123. A spokesman for Ofgem said: ‘There are strict rules in place which require suppliers to take all reasonable steps to ensure information provided is complete and accurate, understandable and not misleading, and that sales activities are conducted in a fair, honest, transparent and professional manner. ‘We welcome the information the Daily Mail has given us. We would encourage anyone with information that an energy company is not complying with Ofgem rules to provide us with this.’ British Gas Business managing director Stephen Beynon, said: ‘We strongly refute any suggestion that business contracts have been negotiated inappropriately. This is a highly regulated market, and every part of the sales negotiation process is closely monitored. ‘Sales agents do receive commission, but we are reducing its importance. We’re leading the way in addressing the variability in price that customers face in this market, and we’ll continue to do so.’ He added: ‘We take very seriously any concerns raised by employees or customers, and our processes, as well as sales agents’ terms, are regularly reviewed to ensure they are fair and appropriate.’ ### SUMMARY:

Whistleblower revealed staff are encouraged to sell most expensive deals . Employees told they can triple £14,600 salary through commission . Churches and charities including the Scouts among those targeted . Some organisations have ended up £2,000 a year worse off as a result . Words 'volume to value' written on walls of company's call centre . Energy regulator Ofgem vowed to take 'firm action' if it finds British Gas has not been 'honest and transparent' with customers . British Gas say they 'strongly refute' any inappropriate negotiations .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Vernon Kay looks ahead to the Chicago Bears’ visit to the San Francisco 49ers, which will be shown live on Channel 4 on Sunday night. The 49ers began their season with a 28-17 victory at the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday, but the Bears suffered a 23-20 defeat by the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. It is always difficult for a team in the NFL to start positively when they’ve got a new head coach. The Chicago Bears, since losing Lovie Smith, have had a massive transition. Last year was a difficult year because of people’s thoughts towards Jay Cutler. I think he’s the key to this team and it’s about how consistent he can be and whether he has got the weapons to be successful. I like Cutler but, from an outside perspective, I think he needs that extra level of leadership - something like an Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady gives a team. If you look at Peyton Manning, he is the leader of the Denver Broncos, and once you’ve got a quarterback who can establish leadership then it makes it easier for the offense. I don’t think Cutler has that presence or persona. He can throw the ball, but if he wants to be a dominant force then he needs to be a bigger leader. Vernon Davis catches a touchdown pass during the San Francisco 49ers' 28-27 win over Dallas Cowboys . Colin Kaepernick, pictured handing off to Frank Gore, provides a threat with both his arm and legs . If you look at the 49ers, in my eyes Colin Kaepernick is not the best quarterback in the league. But San Francisco have given him probably the best set of options. He has got good receivers in Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree – regardless of what Richard Sherman says. He’s also got a decent tight end in Vernon Davis and a good running game led by Frank Gore. Also, with Kaepernick’s ability to run the ball as well, the defense has to draw up another play in the book to stop that. Not all quarterbacks like to move outside the pocket and run the ball. The Chicago Bears suffered a 23-20 defeat by the Buffalo Bills in their opening game of the season . Jay Cutler came under fire last season but has retained his place as the starting quarterback for the Bears . Miami at Buffalo, 6pm . Detroit at Carolina, 6pm . Atlanta at Cincinnati, 6pm . New Orleans at Cleveland, 6pm . New England at Minnesota, 6pm . Arizona at New York Giants, 6pm . Dallas at Tennessee, 6pm . Jacksonville at Washington, 6pm . Seattle at San Diego, 9.05pm . St Louis at Tampa Bay, 9.05pm . Kansas City at Denver, 9.25pm . New York Jets at Green Bay, 9.25pm . Houston at Oakland, 9.25pm . Chicago at San Francisco, 1.30am . If the Bears are playing the New England Patriots and Brady, it will be a completely different game. All the defense has to do is make sure they are where they need to be to catch the ball. But with the 49ers, not only have they got to be wary of the running game and the passing game, they’ve also got to realise that they have to contain Kaepernick because he is a weapon. In the San Francisco defense, Justin Smith is awesome – I wish he played for the London Warriors. I can’t believe how powerful he is. I watched the game against the Cowboys on Sunday and he is just something else. With the Cowboys, three of their last four first-round draft picks have all been offensive linemen, so we are not talking about dodgy offensive linemen. But Smith literally ripped them apart and is quite a dominant force. It’s difficult in transition and the 49ers have a couple of rookies in their defense. Rumour has it that Jim Harbaugh has lost the locker room, but when you have the reputation that the 49ers have, it is hard to let go of. They have still got Patrick Willis in there who is an amazing linebacker and can lead the troops as well. I have no doubt that San Francisco will make the play-offs. San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Justin Smith sacks Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo . I thought the Bears where unlucky to lose to Buffalo in week one. But the thing with week one is that a lot of teams hold things back in pre-season and don’t show their hand. If you look at the way the Detroit Lions came out on Monday against the New York Giants, they were just phenomenal. They have got a new offense in store and their offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi used to be the quarterback coach for the New Orleans Saints. They are literally running the Saints offense and it works for the artillery that the Lions have. Obviously, with Calvin ‘Megatron’ Johnson, you can just throw the ball anywhere and he will go and get it, but they’ve got Reggie Bush to run the ball and they’ve got numerous tight ends that they’ve brought in to mirror the Saints offense. It works for their quarterback Matthew Stafford and he had a great game. They just destroyed the Giants defense on Monday. Calvin Johnson celebrates a touchdown during the Detroit Lions' thumping win over the New York Giants . On the flip side, Eli Manning has won the Super Bowl twice with the Giants. But, if you talk about offensive weapons, slowly over the last couple of seasons they have taken away the team around him. He’s playing with a handful of rookie running backs and has got a new set of receivers. He has got a completely new offense and he struggled. I think the Bears will have it tough in their division. That NFC North is the toughest division in the league with the Lions, Packers and Vikings. It is ridiculous. Now that the Vikings have settled on a quarterback and are taking the ball away from Adrian Peterson, that they have got confidence in the troops they’ve got around Matt Cassel. They’ve given Cassel confidence and let him play his game instead of undermining him by giving the ball to Peterson all the time. Now they’re willing to throw the ball, it makes defenses think: ‘Adrian might not get the ball, so we’ll have to go cover two instead of cover four.’ San Francisco will play their first competitive game at their brand new Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara . Sunday night’s game will be the first at San Francisco’s brand new Levi’s Stadium. I’ve not been yet - I’ll probably be there for Super Bowl 50 - but by all accounts it is absolutely stunning. I have a friend who has been there who said it is amazing. I just hope it starts to build a reputation like Candlestick Park did because I remember watching American football late at night during the 1980s on Channel 4. They were those muddy games where the 49ers were playing the Giants or the Cowboys. Old school fans will miss those muddy shirts in the play-offs. Vernon Kay presents NFL: The American Football Show, Mondays at 11pm on Channel 4. This Sunday night Channel 4 will broadcast live coverage of the San Francisco 49ers vs the Chicago Bears. ### SUMMARY:

Chicago Bears visit the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday late game . San Francisco won their opening game of the season at Dallas Cowboys . Chicago beaten by Buffalo Bills 23-20 at Soldier Field during week one . Jay Cutler has to show more leadership to be one of the best quarterbacks . Colin Kaepernick's dual threat causes defenses all kinds of problems . The 49ers defense is in transition, but Justin Smith is amazing .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Forecasters have issued an ice warning for Britain's roads as an Arctic blast is set to send temperatures plummeting and up to four inches of snow in parts of Scotland this weekend. The blast will sweep in from northern Europe late on Sunday but Scotland's mountains, upland areas of northern England and the Welsh mountains will bear the brunt of the weather, which could last well into next week. A yellow 'be aware' Met Office warning for ice for the southwest of England and Wales is currently in place, advising road users that showers will continue to affect the area tonight, with further warnings issued for snow in Scotland on Sunday. Blizzards and icy roads will make driving conditions treacherous in snow-hit areas with widespread frost expected as temperatures continue to plummet as low as -5 in rural areas tomorrow. Scroll down for video . Scotland and northern England will bear the brunt of the bad weather. Pictured, a black Shetland pony gallops across a snow-covered field at Inchbae in Invernesshire, Scotland, today . Several centimetres of snow are expected to hit the Scottish mountains, and this morning, the skies were cloudy as the sun rose over the Cairngorm Mountains in the eastern Highlands of Scotland . Ice weather warnings have been issued for Scotland and Northern Ireland on Friday (left) while weather warnings of snow have been put in place for western Scotland on Sunday (centre) and Monday (right). The Met Office has warned of travel disruption for commuters on Monday . As road temperatures continue to fall, ice may form where surfaces are left wet or damp. It warned: 'Icy stretches may form on untreated surfaces on Friday evening and overnight into Saturday morning. The public should be aware of the potential for difficult driving conditions.' Cold air will move across the UK on Sunday, with frequent showers expected in parts of west Scotland in particular, said the Met Office. Snowy showers will fall above 200m with a mixture of hail and sleet as well at lower levels. Above 400m, Scotland's mountainous areas could see more than four inches of snow. Today, the first snow of the season fell over the the northern mountain ranges of the Lake District and in the Highlands of Scotland. The snow descended upon the peaks of Helvellyn, Belncathra and Skiddaw this morning, heralding the start of winter weeks after the first dustings . usually appear. This year's mild winter has delayed snow fall by around a month, with temperatures only just cold enough to allow it to stick. A Met office spokesperson said: 'Temperatures plummeted to around one degrees Celsius in Keswick, Cumbria, last night which is cold enough to see . snow. 'The temperature drops by one degree for every 100 metres of altitude, so it will have been even colder at the top of the mountains. 'This is the first snow of the season. We normally see sleet and snow in November, but not this year.' In Scotland, scrapers and ploughs came out as heavy snow this morning blanketed Inchbae in Invernesshire. Heavy snowfall blanketed the Highlands of Scotland this morning. Pictured, traffic on the A885 Inverness to Ullapool . Sandy Grant clears snow from his car in Inchbae in Scotland, which saw heavy snow this morning . A snowplough on the A835 at Aultguish grits the road surface after a period of heavy snowfall in Scotland this morning . Blizzards and icy roads will make driving conditions treacherous in snow-hit areas, especially northern England and Scotland. Pictured, a snowplough on the A835 at Aultguish . Rachel Vince, senior forecaster at MeteoGroup, said: 'Scotland and Northern Ireland will see a mixture of sunshine and showers tomorrow. 'These showers do look like becoming hail and sleet showers in places, with snow in the mountains.' The Met Office currently has a weather warning for ice in place for Scotland and Northern Ireland for tomorrow morning. Further weather warnings of snow are in place for western Scotland for Sunday and Monday. Mark Wilson, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said travellers should be careful of ice tomorrow morning, with a night of rain and clear skies potentially leading to dangerous driving conditions. He said tomorrow would be largely cloudy across the UK, although some sunny spells could be expected. Temperatures are expected to drop again tomorrow night, with the mercury plummeting to as low as -5C in some rural parts. Sprinkles of snow can be seen on this black Shetland pony in a field blanketed with snow in Inchbae, Scotland . Pictured today, the first snow of winter in England fell across the Lake District, near Keswick, during heavy showers this afternoon . Gloomy skies cover the Lake District, near Keswick, after the first signs of snow appeared over the mountains this afternoon . Temperatures are expected to drop again tomorrow night, but clear skies were pictured above a mountain range in the Lake District today . Hikers brace the weather in the Lake District, near Keswick, which saw snow fall during a heavy shower this afternoon . Walkers in the Lake District wander the heights of the Cumbrian fells today as the first snowfalls in England grace the peaks in North West England . A gritter spreads road salt on the A66 underneath a snow-capped Blencathra following the first sprinkling of snow today . A mixture of sunshine and showers are expected over the weekend. Pictured, the sunrise at the Wimbleball Lake in Somerset today . Forecasters warned a bitter Arctic blast will sweep in from northern Europe late on Sunday. Pictured, Lake Wimbleball in Somerset today . The Met Office warned travellers to be careful of ice tomorrow morning, with a night of rain and clear skies potentially leading to dangerous driving conditions. Pictured, clear blue and purple skies in Somerset's Wimbleball Lake today . Mr Wilson said the forecast for Saturday looked slightly better, with largely dry, sunny spells and a slight increase in temperatures. However, another band of rain is set to sweep across the country on Saturday night and temperatures are again set to plummet to below zero. He said the colder temperatures and increased rainfall meant there was a 'more significant possibility' of snow falling on Sunday night. He said accumulations of snowfall were predicted to be between 10cm and 20cm in western Scotland, over high ground, while up to 10cm could fall across the rest of Britain. Ms Vince agreed there could be a possibility of snow on Sunday and added: 'The Scottish mountains could see several centimetres (of snow) by the end of the weekend.' The Met Office's weather warnings in place for tomorrow, Sunday and Monday warn of 'widespread icy patches' and the risk of ice on untreated surfaces following overnight rain. Forecasters warned of travel disruption due to the adverse weather conditions and added: 'Accumulating snow may lead to travel disruption through the region. 'The public should be aware of the potential for disruption to travel on Sunday and into Monday morning.' The sun begins its descent this afternoon, pictured in Potterton, Aberdeenshire behind a row of leafless tress on another cold but sunny day in the north of Scotland . ### SUMMARY:

Snow forecast for Scottish mountains tomorrow, with parts of England potentially seeing snow by end of weekend . Temperatures set to drop to -4C in some parts of the country tonight, and as low as -5C in rural parts tomorrow . Ice weather warnings in place for tonight and snow warnings issued by Met Office for Scotland on Sunday . First snow of winter fell over Inchbae in Scotland this morning and over the northern mountain ranges of the Lake District, near Keswick, this afternoon .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Michelle Obama, her daughters and her mother plan a week-long solo visit to China this month that includes meetings with China's first lady and high school and university students - and that will likely cost U.S. taxpayers millions of dollars. President Obama and his family have come under heavy scrutiny for the unprecedented high travel costs during his time in office - and a week-long trip to China for four members of the First Family, members of the Secret Service and other members of the White House staff will likely cost several millions of dollars. The president's pricey travels have become so controversial that Judicial Watch was forced to sue the Secret Service and Defense Department to get them to turn over records on the amount of taxpayer money used to fly the First Family all over the world - in many cases for vacations or fundraisers - over the last two years of his administration. Far East: Michelle Obama and her daughters Sasha (left) and Malia (center) will travel to China this month . What the records show was startling. According to Judicial Watch, it cost more than $11 million for the president and his wife to travel to Africa to attend Nelson Mandela's funeral in December of last year. According to the New York Daily News, the Obamas were only in Africa for 'less than 13 hours.' But that trip was nothing compared to a 2013 visit the Obamas made to the Dark Continent, which reportedly cost tax payer more than $100 million. On the 2013 trip, some of the reported expenditures include the stationing of a Navy aircraft carrier off the coast of Africa equipped with a fully staffed medical trauma center, military cargo planes to fly a fleet of 56 support vehicles to transport the Obamas - complete with 14 limousines and three trucks carrying bulletproof glass to cover the windows of the hotels where the Obamas were to stay - and fighter jets that flew in shifts to provide coverage over the president's airspace for the entire trip. In June, the first lady went to Ireland for a two-day trip. The cost to taxpayers: $5 million. Michelle Obama reportedly stayed at a $3,300-per-night hotel in Dublin, and needed to book 30 rooms at the posh Shelbourne Hotel for her staff and security detail. Expensive: Travel expenses for the First Family have cost U.S. taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars over the last two years alone . For two vacations the Obamas took in 2013 - one to Hawaii and one to Martha's Vineyard - records show that it cost taxpayers a whopping $7,396,531 in flight expenses alone. That figure also includes travel expenses for the president's trip to California to file the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. During an August trip to California, during which Obama attended a party held by Democratic fundraiser Jeffrey Katzenberg and again appeared on the Tonight Show, taxpayers paid more than $2 million in travel expenses for the president and his security detail. The president will not be joining his family on what will be the first lady's first visit to the Asian economic powerhouse. In an announcement Monday on the White House blog, the first lady says a China visit is important because it is the most populous country in the world, with more than 1.3 billion people, and is an important world actor. Mrs. Obama will travel from March 19-26, spending several days in the capital of Beijing before stops in the central city of Xian and the southwestern city of Chengdu, the White House said. Her schedule includes a meeting with Peng Liyuan, the wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Tonight: Taxpayers footed the more than $2 million bill so Obama could appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno . Mrs. Obama missed meeting China's first lady last June when the newly installed Xi, accompanied by his wife, traveled to Southern California for a summit with President Barack Obama. The presidential-level meetings were around the time of Sasha Obama's 12th birthday, and the White House said Mrs. Obama stayed in Washington with family. She wrote a letter to Peng Liyuan welcoming her to the U.S. and expressing hope that they would meet soon in China, the White House said. In China, Mrs. Obama will focus on the power and importance of education, including in her own life, during visits to a high school and a university in Beijing, and a high school in Chengdu. She recently began an effort to encourage America's young people, including some of the most economically disadvantaged, to pursue a college education. On past trips outside the U.S., she also has made the same point to students from the host country. Mrs. Obama grew up in a poor Chicago family, but earned degrees from two of America's best universities. Africa: It cost taxpayers $11 million when the Obamas went to Africa for Nelson Mandela's funeral. They were there for 13 hours . In China, she will be accompanied by daughters, Malia and Sasha, and her mother, Marian Robinson, who lives at the White House. President Obama will not be on the trip; he is scheduled to depart the U.S. later that week for stops in the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Saudi Arabia. Mrs. Obama is encouraging American students to follow her trip on social media and the White House website, where she will post a daily travel blog. In preparation for the trip, she scheduled a visit Tuesday to a Washington charter elementary school with a Chinese-immersion, international baccalaureate program. In her blog post, the first lady said countries today are no longer isolated and face many of the same challenges, whether it is to provide students with a good education, combat hunger, poverty and disease or address threats like climate change. 'These issues affect every last one of us, so it's critically important that young people like you learn about what's going on not just here in America, but around the world,' Mrs. Obama said. 'Because when it comes to the challenges we face, soon, all of you will be leading the way.' 'That's why everywhere I go, whether it's here in the U.S. or abroad, I meet with young people to hear about your challenges, hopes and dreams — and that's what I'll be doing in China as well,' she said. 'I'll be focusing on the power and importance of education, both in my own life and in the lives of young people in both of our countries.' History: First families going back to Richard Nixon have visited China on diplomatic trips, including the family of Bill Clinton, seen here . Among recent first ladies, Laura Bush traveled to China with President George W. Bush, and Beijing was the place where Hillary Rodham Clinton made her now famous declaration at a United Nations women's conference in 1995 that 'women's rights are human rights.' Mrs. Obama's trip will be a highly visible endeavor, but the fact that she's taking the rest of her family suggests 'she's not going in search of a crusade of one sort or another,' said Jonathan D. Pollack, a senior fellow in the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington. 'The clear intent here is not to touch any particular hot buttons.' Mrs. Obama's previous solo travels outside the U.S. as first lady were to Mexico in 2010, and Botswana and South Africa in 2011. ### SUMMARY:

The trip will likely cost taxpayers several millions of dollars . The Obamas' trip to Africa for Nelson Mandela's funeral cost taxpayers $11 million while the president was only in the country for 13 hours . A 2013 trip to Africa for the president cost taxpayers more than $100 million .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: It seems that Sony will be releasing their film The Interview after all. After announcing they would not distribute the film following the reluctance of many theaters to run the picture in the aftermath of a terrorist threat from hacking organization Guardians of Peace, Sony has now decided to allow the film to play in selected theaters and on video on demand on Christmas. The studio released a statement on Tuesday confirming the news, and James Franco shared his joy on Instagram, thanking President Obama before taking some time to mock him after flubbing his name during a news conference last week. Scroll down for videos . In theaters: Sony has announced they will release their film The Interview on Christmas day . Not happy: It is believed that North Korea was attempting to stop the release of the film as it depicts the assassination of Kim Jong-un . Excitement: Seth Rogen shared how happy he was on Twitter Tuesday afternoon . Celebration: James Franco got in on the fun too, sharing a picture of him and Seth . '"The Interview" starring Seth Rogen and James Flacco saved by President Obacco! I MEAN PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!!! Sorry!!!' wrote Franco on his Instagram. This after President Obama called the actor James Flacco last week while calling Sony's decision to not release the film a 'mistake.' It would seem that he had confused the Hollywood heartthrob with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco found the entire incident hysterical, writing soon after on Twitter; 'Welcome to the family, brother. @JamesFrancoTV.' ‘The president applauds Sony's decision to authorize screenings of the film,’ the White House said in a statement to the Huffington Post. ‘As the President made clear, we are a country that believes in free speech, and the right of artistic expression. The decision made by Sony and participating theaters allows people to make their own choices about the film, and we welcome that outcome.’ 'We're excited our movie will be in a number of theaters on Christmas Day,' said Sony CEO Michael Lynton. 'I want to thank our talent on The Interview and our employees, who have worked tirelessly through the many challenges we have all faced over the last month.' He then added, 'While we hope this is only the first step of the film’s release, we are proud to make it available to the public and to have stood up to those who attempted to suppress free speech. Seth Rogen also shared his excitement on Twitter, writing; 'The people have spoken! Freedom has prevailed! Sony didn't give up! The Interview will be shown at theaters willing to play it on Xmas day!' 'VICTORY!!!!!!! The PEOPLE and THE PRESIDENT have spoken!!! SONY to release THE INTERVIEW in theaters on XMAS DAY!' said James Franco on Instagram. 'Breaking news: Sony has authorized screenings of THE INTERVIEW on Christmas Day. We are making shows available within the hour. #Victory,' tweeted Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League, on Tuesday. The Alamo has theaters in California, Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Texas, and Virginia. The Plaza Atlanta also tweeted, writing; 'Breaking Plaza News:The Interview will open Exclusive on 12/25 . The Plaza will be one of the few theaters in the nation to open the film.' Sony had been widely criticized following their decision last week to shelf the movie, despite the fact that the film cost $42million to make and tens of millions to market. Almost immediately, many in Hollywood voiced their concern, with writer Aaron Sorkin saying how upset he was that 'the U.S. succumbed to an unprecedented attack on our most cherished, bedrock principle of free speech by a group of North Korean terrorists,' and director Judd Apatow explaining the many problems this means for films moving forward. George Clooney also weighed in, saying; 'We cannot be told we can't see something by Kim Jong-un, of all f***ing people.' Supreme leader: Kim Jong-un (above) has denied that North Korea has anything to do with the hacking or threats of terrorism . Get your tickets: the Plaza Atlanta (above) is one of the theaters that will be playing The Interview . Coming soon: Posters advertising The Interview outside Alamo Drafthouse in Texas (above) Regal, AMC, Cinemark, Cineplex and Carmike, who between them operate more than half of the country's 40,000 cinemas, had announced last Wednesday that they wouldn't be showing the movie. In a statement, Regal said it was delaying any showings of The Interview because of 'the ambiguous nature of any real or perceived security threats.' The statement from Regal's vice president of marketing and communications also pointed the finger of blame at Sony and its 'wavering support' for the movie. Sony had previously told exhibitors that the company understood if they pulled the film in light of the threats. -The Plaza Atlanta (Atlanta, Georgia) -Alamo Drafthouse (Texas, Colorado, Virginia and New York) -State Theater (Ann Arbor, Michigan) -Southside Works Cinema (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) -Hollywood Boulevard Cinemas of Woodridge (Chicago, Illinois) 'Due to the wavering support of the film The Interview by Sony Pictures, as well as the ambiguous nature of any real or perceived security threats, Regal Entertainment Group has decided to delay the opening of the film in our theaters,' said Regal's Russ Nunley. Cineplex, which also has more than a 75 percent market share in Canada with 161 theaters and 1,639 screens, also released a statement on Wednesday. As for international distribution, Sony had no comment on the planned February 6 release of the film in the UK. The film will also open in Lebanon and Iraq on Christmas. Deadline reports that the studio had decided against releasing the film in Asia months ago. Celebrate: James Franco shared his joy on Instagram (above) Overseas: A rep for Sony had no comment on the film's panned February 6 release in the UK . Global markets: The Interview is also set to open in Lebanon and Iraq on Christmas . Government officials have now revealed that North Korea was behind the hack on the movie studio, upset that they were set to release the film, which depicts the assassination of the leader. North Korea has denied any involvement. It is not yet known what other theaters may play the picture. The fallout from the Sony Pictures Entertainment hack that began five weeks ago exploded last week after the Guardians of Peace escalated their attack beyond corporate espionage and threatened moviegoers with violence reminiscent of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The seriousness of the threat made last Tuesday is still unclear. The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday there was 'no credible intelligence to indicate an active plot against movie theaters,' but noted it was still analyzing messages from the group. ### SUMMARY:

Sony will release their film The Interview in selected theaters on Christmas day and on video on demand . This just one week after they decided not to distribute the film following the reluctance of theaters to play the film in the aftermath of terrorist threats . Government officials have now revealed that North Korea was behind the hack and threats . They had hoped to stop the distribution of the Kim Jong-un assassination film . James Franco shared his joy on Instagram, thanking President Obama and then mocking him for flubbing his name at a news conference last week . President Obama 'applauds' Sony's decision according to a White House spokesperson .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Professor Rosemarie Morgan, of Yale University, has joined the campaign to oppose a housing development in a Dorset hamlet where Thomas Hardy was inspired to pen his famous works . The fight to save a village where Thomas Hardy was inspired to write some of his most famous works has stretched across the world, to America. Yale University has now joined the campaign to protect the village of Lower Bockhampton in Dorset after campaigners, including Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, said it would be 'obliterated' if a new housing development were to go ahead. An application by an agricultural college to build 70 homes at the tiny village where Hardy went to school has been fiercely opposed by fans of the writer who said the extra houses would triple the size of the hamlet and ruin its tranquil setting. Now 3,000 miles away, Professor Rosemarie Morgan, has launched an official objection to the development. Hardy went to school in Lower Bockhampton, near Dorchester, and penned Far From the Madding Crowd at his parents' cottage nearby. The village, which has just 28 houses, also provided the inspiration for two of his greatest works; 'Under the Greenwood Tree' and 'Tess of the D'urbervilles.' As well as Lord Fellowes and Yale, The National Trust, English Heritage, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the Ramblers' Association the Open Spaces Society and a member of the public called Shakespeare are fighting the plans. Prof Morgan, who has taught at Yale for 20 years and is the president of the Thomas Hardy Association, said: 'The size, scale and intrusive nature of the proposed development would adversely affect the serene, rustic character of the high value landscape. 'Such heritage assets once destroyed would be destroyed forever. 'The setting of the hamlet, to which thousands of visitors are drawn every year - many in homage to Thomas Hardy's country - would cease to be a global attraction; indeed its loss would be mourned by millions.' Hardy was born in Higher Bockhampton  in 1840 and grew up in his parents' thatched cottage. He  walked a mile every day to go to school at Lower Bockhampton, which the author called Melstock, and has just 28 properties. In 'Under the Greenwood Tree', the new school mistress, Fancy Day, arrives in 'Melstock' and attracts a number of suiters to the school house where she lives, including the local vicar. The old school house is now a private residence but the original bell that would have signaled to Hardy the start of the school day remains in the porch. Hardy walked to Lower Bockhampton in Dorset every day, taking inspiration to write Tess of the D'ubervilles . Lower Bockhampton is also the place where Hardy first encountered an 18-year-old milkmaid who he based the main character in 'Tess of the D'urbervilles' on. Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes lives in the neighbouring village of West Stafford and is president of the Hardy society. He said the development would be like an 'atomic bomb' for residents and the countryside and rolling hills needed to be preserved as they were key to Hardy's inspiration. He said: 'Following the examples of Haworth or Chawton where students of the Brontes or Austen may still see and understand the places that inspired their work. Julian Fellowes, pictured on a bridge in the hamlet, said he believes it will be obliterated by the development . Hardy was inspired by the sights, buildings and people he saw in Lower Bockhampton to pen his novels . Campaigners have opposed the planning application since it was submitted by an agricultural college . 'The truth is that Dorset, unlike most counties, boasts a writer of global significance in Hardy and it is our responsibility to protect and preserve the environment that gave birth to his works for students all over the planet to come and see for themselves.' He added: 'It would be quite impossible to drop seventy houses on to this little community without destroying it utterly.' Kingston Maurward agricultural college, which owns two parcels of land either side of Lower Bockhampton, submitted the planning application. It said developing the land is the only way they can raise funds to expand and develop. The plans involve building 70 properties on land between Lower Bockhampton and Higher Bockhampton . Kingston Maurward agricultural college said it needs to build the properties so it can expand and develop . Principal Clare Davison said: 'We want to provide additional state of the art agri-tech facilities and expand our Higher Education offer enabling more students to study degree programmes on their doorstep. 'The capital released from the sale of land will enable the college to embark on a programme of redevelopment and will have a positive impact on meeting local housing needs.' The plans to change the use of the two sites and build the 70 homes will be considered by West Dorset District Council in the near future. Born in 1840, Thomas Hardy is now one of the most celebrated novelists and poets in English history - not least because of his descriptions of rural Dorset life. He immortalised the county where he grew up as 'Wessex', setting all of his major novels in the somewhat idealised, fictionalised world. To him as to many Romantic and Victorian authors, the countryside represented a more pristine life than the grunting machinery which heralded the Industrial Revolution, but also one more closely entwined with mankind's animalistic desires. Celebrated: Thomas Hardy created a pastoral picture of the rural England in which he grew up . Wessex was first used in Far From the Madding Crowd, which told the story of an independent-minded young woman who refuses to marry humble shepherd Gabriel Oak. The girl, Bathsheba Everdene, comes into money and moves away - but is forced to seek Gabriel's help when her sheep begin dying. A long and complex friendship follows, and slowly Bathsheba realises the friendship of her youth - not the temptations of the wider world - is the key to her happiness. Gabriel asks her to marry him a second time and she accepts. Wessex was also used in Hardy's 1892 masterwork Tess of the d'Urbervilles - whose original subtitle was A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented. She is the daughter of a poor family which is corrupted at the beginning of the novel by a rumour that she is descended from nobility. But when she goes to meet the libertine Alec D'Urberville, instead of inheriting his family's estate she starts working on it - before being raped by Alec in a symbolic, and real, loss of innocence. As her life unravels it does so in that same country setting, and after she finally stabs Alec to death it is to Stonehenge that she walks to await her fate. Wessex itself was named after the Medieval English kingdom which took in much of the south west, but its borders were not the same and changed from novel to novel. In reality it was a poor area which changed little in hundreds of years and was blighted by a devastating death rate in sickness and childbirth' Hardy turned away from novels in the 1890s after Tess of the D'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure received mixed reviews, and began writing poetry instead. He died in 1928 and his ashes were interred in Poets' Corner at Westminster Abbey. ### SUMMARY:

Agricultural college lodged plans for 70 homes at Lower Bockhampton . Dorset hamlet is where Hardy went to school and inspired famous works . It has already been opposed by Julian Fellowes and The National Trust . An English professor at Yale University has now joined opposition to plans . Campaigners say development will obliterate village and destroy history .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Previously unseen photographs revealing the extent of the neglect suffered by a baby orangutan before his rescue have been released as donations to pay for his care hit £50,000. Little Budi was caged in a chicken coop and fed only condensed milk for most of his short life but is now on the road to recovery thanks to a British animal welfare charity. New video footage and photographs taken at a rescue centre in Borneo reveal the staggering improvement in his health - from a 10-month-old ape too weak to move, to sitting up and eating from a spoon. Scroll down for video . Rescue: Budi the orangutan was found lying on his back in a wire chicken coop without the strength to sit up . Tragic: This photo, taken at the time of his rescue, shows the 10-month-old with a thin blanket in his cage for comfort . Transformation: The change in Budi in a few short weeks is remarkable. Here he is pictured exercising at the rescue centre in Borneo . Before Budi was rescued, his owner hadn't given him a single mouthful of solid food for fear it would be bad for him. Her ignorance and neglect were killing him slowly and painfully, but she eventually told authorities she wished to hand him over. He was rescued in Indonesia by International Animal Rescue and cried like a human baby during the journey to his new home in Borneo. His little body was bloated with fluid from severe malnutrition and his limbs were swollen and bent. But the future is now looking bright for Budi thanks to the people caring for him at the rescue centre and MailOnline readers who have helped raised £50,000 in a few short weeks. A new video shows him eating pureed food from a spoon, which vet Christine Nelson describes as 'remarkable'. 'When Budi first arrived he didn’t even have the muscle strength to open his own mouth,' she said. 'The vets would have to press the sides of his mouth gently so it would open wide enough for them to get the food into him.' Slurp! When Budi was found, he was too weak to open his mouth to eat, but he now eagerly licks pureed food from a spoon . Rest: After such an ordeal, Budi is making the most of having a comfortable pillow to get some well-deserved sleep . He is still not able to eat solid food because he hasn't learned how to chew, but can sit up on his own - quite a change from the ape found lying on his back on the floor of his wire cage unable to move. The plight of the orangutan in Indonesia has reached a critical stage, with the survival of the species under serious threat. Animals are suffering and dying because of the destruction of the rainforest - primarily for palm oil production. International Animal Rescue is working in West Kalimantan, Borneo to rescue and care for baby orangutans that have been taken from their mothers to be illegally sold as pets, and adults that have spent their entire lives in captivity, chained up or imprisoned in tiny cages. The team also goes to the aid of orangutans stranded when their forest home is destroyed and relocates these vulnerable animals to safe areas of protected forest. Alan Knight OBE, the Sussex-based charity's chief executive, said: 'Budi has won the hearts of people across the world and we’re overwhelmed and delighted by the generosity the public has shown in supporting his treatment and care. 'It’s an absolute joy to see the transformation in him and know that he is no longer in pain. 'It’s a great testimony to the skill and dedication of our team that Budi is progressing so well. And clearly he is a little fighter with a strong will to survive. 'Thanks to everyone who is helping to pay for his treatment and care, he has the best possible chance of a full recovery. 'We really hope people will continue to follow and support his journey back to full health. 'He still has a long road ahead of him and will be at our centre for several years to come, so we need all the help we can get with his rehabilitation in the hope that one day he will be fit to return to the forest and fend for himself.' The charity estimates it will cost about £5,000 a year to care for the little orangutan and he is likely to need six or seven years of rehabilitation before he can even be considered for release into the wild. If Budi doesn't regain the strength he will need to fend for himself in the forest, International Animal Rescue will have to cover the cost of caring for him in their sanctuary for the rest of his life. Severe malnutrition: Budi's little body was bloated with fluid and his limbs were swollen and bent when he was rescued from his cruel owner . Lis Key, from International Animal Rescue, said: 'When MailOnline reported the story of Budi the baby orangutan on January 22, it triggered a huge wave of response from the public and media across the world. Singer/songwriter Sia tweeted her support for Budi . 'Budi has appeared on websites, blogs and TV in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and America.' Fearne Cotton, Joss Stone and Ricky Gervais have tweeted their support for the orangutan. The latest celebrity to give her backing to the fundraising campaign is singer and songwriter Sia Furler, who currently has two songs in the Official UK Top 40 Singles Chart. Although Budi is on the road to recovery, his moving story is far from unique. Mr Knight explained: 'Including Budi, we now have 84 orangutans in our rescue centre in Borneo and every one of them has a story that would make you weep. 'We’re always in need of money to pay for their care and rehabilitation. International Animal Rescue, based in Uckfield, East Sussex saves animals, big and small, from suffering around the world. Work includes freeing and caring for dancing bears in India, rescuing primates from captivity in Indonesia, and sterilising and vaccinating stray dogs and cats in developing countries. Wherever possible, the charity returns rescued animals to their natural environment but it also provides a permanent home for those that can no longer survive in the wild. International Animal Rescue works to educate the public in the compassionate and humane treatment of all animals. Sound scientific evidence forms the basis of its decision-making and determines the course of its rescue operations. It also works with other like-minded organisations and government departments to strengthen legislation to protect animals from cruelty and neglect. 'We’re hoping that public interest and concern for Budi will make people want to find out more about our rescue and rehabilitation project as a whole and help us care for these tragic victims of relentless deforestation and the illegal trade in primates.' To donate £10 towards the cost of Budi's care, please text BUDI10 £10 to 70070. Recovery: Budi tries new foods but hasn't learned how to chew. He enjoys sucking the juice from slices of fruit . Strength: The tiny orangutan didn't have the muscle strength to open his mouth when he was first rescued from a life of neglect . ### SUMMARY:

Previously unseen photos reveal extent of the neglect suffered by Budi . Orangutan was left fighting for his life after being kept in a chicken coop . Budi's owner fed him only condensed milk when he was kept as her pet . Donations for his care hits £50,000 after MailOnline publicised his story . New video clip and photos reveal staggering improvement in his health . It's hoped that one day he will return to the forest and fend for himself .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, Washington (CNN) -- Taking a road trip by yourself can be good for the soul. The freedom and beauty of the open road on a recent trip in the Pacific Northwest and California brought me back to what is really important in life. Vistas along the California coast near Mendocino can be breathtaking. My road trip started in Seattle, Washington, and ended two weeks later in Sacramento, California, covering 2,277 miles with a stunning backdrop of natural beauty along the way. Living in the moment and charting my own course gave me a sense of self empowerment that extends to my path in life and what I want out of it. For those who wish to set out on their own solo road trip, I recommend research and planning -- while still leaving time to be spontaneous. Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park . As I drove into the Hoh Rain Forest in Washington's Olympic National Park, the only words I could muster were Holy ... Wow! The greenness of it all and the smell of fresh air stimulated a part of my brain that hadn't been stimulated in years, if ever. Here I was in the good, old U.S. of A., driving through a rain forest. Having just left Seattle, where my trip started, this was the first leg of my self-proclaimed big adventure. From the start, Olympic National Park was always a must-see. See map of my road trip » . I mean, who knew you could hike through rain forests, climb glaciers, walk beaches or hit up mineral hot springs all in one place? The Hoh Rain Forest offered enchanting hikes, with plenty of trails to choose from. Huge ferns, endless amounts of beautiful moss, and trees -- some 500 years old -- made up much of the landscape. On my second day, as the rain started to come down hard, I decided to squeeze in a late afternoon visit to Ruby Beach, about 45 minutes east of Hoh. There's something special about walking a beach in a virtual downpour: You've pretty much got it all to yourself. See photos from my trip » . Sol Duc Hot Springs . After two days in the rain, accidentally stepping on a couple of mammoth-sized banana slugs outside my tent, and looking a bit like Chewbacca, I decided to treat myself to the popular Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, about 30 minutes north of the Hoh Rain Forest in Port Angeles, Washington. Named by American Indians, Sol Duc, which means sparkling water, is also thought to have healing values, something I was in desperate need of by this point. Three pools are heated by the nearby hot springs and there's one freshwater pool if you need to cool off. I threw on my suit, quickly showered and then headed straight for the hot spring. Aaaaaah, this was perfect. The pools were crowded and the smell of the minerals in the water was obvious. With a backdrop of tree-lined hills, it's easy to sit, relax and soothe your bones for hours. Oregon Caves . Oregon is a beautiful state from top to bottom. It seems to have it all, the ocean, rivers, cool towns and caves! Oregon Caves National Monument is located outside Junction Caves, Oregon. To get to the cave's entrance you have to drive 20 miles along a very windy -- but beautiful -- two-lane road, deep in the Siskiyous Mountains. I arrived just in time for the last tour which ran about 90 minutes. Bring a jacket since the temperature inside the cave is around 44 degrees (7 degrees Celsius) year-round. Our group had just started the tour when one woman traveling with her daughter announced she couldn't do it. She wasn't comfortable walking within confined spaces. Our guide was very helpful and mentioned to all of us this was the right time to speak up if you didn't think you could do the tour. Moments later our group, minus two, made its way through the inside of the mountain. This place rocked -- literally and figuratively. In 1907, poet Joaquin Miller coined the cave's nickname, "The Marble Halls of Oregon." You'll hear a lot of stories on the tour; from its discovery in 1874 by Elijah Davidson, whose dog chased a bear into the cave, to a couple who got married inside the cave, complete with cavemen outfits and fur. Our guide, Rachel De Nardis, called the cave intimate and personable. Steve Thede, chief of interpretations, says the Oregon Caves offer an opportunity to connect with the inside of Earth. Besides, he adds, this is something you'll remember 10 years from now. The drive to the caves is a little bit off the beaten path, but it's well worth the side trip. Mendocino, California . My day in Mendocino County was completely unplanned. I had a full day between planned stops on my route, so I headed to Mendocino because it's known for its scenery and its art community. Everyone talks about the gorgeous coastline in Northern California, so I thought, we'll see if they're right. The vistas along the way were stunning. It took me longer than I had estimated because it's so easy to constantly stop and snap pictures. Eventually I arrived in Mendocino, found a great spot on some rocks by the Pacific and ate lunch. Eating an avocado sandwich as waves crashed against the rocks was an inspiring moment. How often do you get to find those kinds of spots, I asked myself. Another traveler's gem I found in Mendocino would be of interest to gardening gurus -- or those who just like flowers. The Mendocino County Botanical Garden showcases beautiful gardens and a gift shop. Big Trees of Calaveras County, California . The Big Trees of Calaveras County is home to the giant Sequoias. Located about four miles east of Arnold, California, the trees in the park are the biggest in the world. As soon as I began my stroll in the North Grove portion of the park, I was overtaken by the sheer massiveness, power and age of these trees. Some trees in the park are believed to be up to 2,000 years old. The largest tree in the park is about 25 feet in diameter and 250 feet tall. Pick up the guided tour sheet for 50 cents. It gives you perspective and stories behind the trees. Big Trees State Park is inside the Stanislaus National Forest, a huge forest spanning from just south of Lake Tahoe to the southern reach of Yosemite National Park. I stayed with a friend who lives in an A-frame home along the west boundary of the forest -- a neighborhood which is pretty unusual. Imagine driving out of your neighborhood and, instead of passing houses, you're driving by mammoth trees and clear blue running rivers. Who has that? To me, to live in the heart of Mother Earth like my friend does would be a privilege. Overall, I surprised myself during this solo adventure. I learned that during a trip alone, you find yourself doing things that you didn't plan on -- that you wouldn't put down on paper beforehand. A lot of people are afraid to be by themselves -- to travel by themselves. Some people don't even like to eat by themselves. This trip showed me that going solo can be a valuable experience. It forces you to appreciate yourself, and realize that you are often times your own best company. ### SUMMARY:

Olympic National Park has rain forests, glaciers, beaches, mineral hot springs . Oregon cave stories include dog chasing bear and a "caveman" wedding . Stunning seaside lunch in Mendocino, California, with amazing scenery . Among giant Sequoias, strolling among 2,000-year-old trees overtakes author .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Washington (CNN) -- Health care reform backers won a key victory Saturday night as the Senate voted to move ahead with a floor debate on a sweeping $848 billion bill. The 60-39 vote to prevent a Republican filibuster against the start of debate on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's legislation broke down along strict party lines. All 58 Senate Democrats -- along with independent Sens. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Bernie Sanders of Vermont -- supported bringing the measure to the floor. Thirty-nine of the 40 Senate Republicans opposed the motion. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, didn't vote. "Tonight's historic vote brings us one step closer to ending insurance company abuses, reining in spiraling health care costs, providing stability and security to those with health insurance and extending quality health coverage to those who lack it," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement. The polarized vote set the table for a holiday season now virtually certain to be marked by acrimonious deliberations on President Obama's top domestic priority. Top Senate Democrats, who are trying to pass a bill before the end of the year, spent much of the day tarring their Republican colleagues as defenders of a broken status quo benefitting rich insurance companies at the expense of ordinary American families. Republicans, in turn, slammed Democrats for pushing a bill that conservatives insist will force millions of Americans to drop insurance plans they like while boosting premiums, raising taxes and leading to government rationing of care. Read the health care bill (PDF) "Today we [decide] whether to even discuss one of the greatest issues of our generation," Reid, a Nevada Democrat, said shortly before the vote. "Whether this nation will finally guarantee its people the right to live free from fear of illness and death, which can be prevented by decent health care for all." The Republicans "are frightening people," said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. "Now is not the time to go wobbly in the knees. Now is the time to stand strong ... and move this country forward." "This bill... is a massive monument to bureaucracy and spending," replied Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky. It "imposes punishing taxes on almost everyone. ... A vote in favor of proceeding to this bill is a vote in favor of adding to the tax burden of the American people in the midst of double digit unemployment." The bill "does worse than nothing," said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. It "threatens the economic recovery. ... Changes to the health care system must be responsible and not break the backs of the taxpayers." The procedural vote represented another milestone in what has become an epic battle over the future of America's health care system. The House of Representatives narrowly passed a more than $1 trillion bill this month. If the Senate also manages to pass a bill, a congressional conference committee will then need to merge the House and Senate proposals into a consensus version requiring final approval from each chamber before moving to Obama's desk to be signed into law. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has projected that Reid's 2,074-page bill would extend health insurance coverage to 31 million additional Americans. The agency estimates that the proposal would reduce the federal deficit by $130 billion over the next 10 years, through 2019. Any effect on the deficit in the following decade would be "subject to substantial uncertainty," but probably would result in "small reductions in federal budget deficits," according to budget office analysts. A minimum of 60 votes is required to break a filibuster in the 100-member Senate. The outcome of the Senate vote was unclear before Saturday afternoon, when Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Arkansas, announced her intention to back a floor debate on the measure. Lincoln, a key moderate probably facing a tough re-election campaign in 2010, said the issue deserved further debate and consideration. She made clear, however, that she opposes several aspects of Reid's bill, including a controversial government-run public option. "Although I don't agree with everything in this bill, I believe it is important to begin debate," Lincoln said. "The issue is very complex. There is no easy fix." Republicans wasted no time tearing into Lincoln's vote, issuing a news release while she was still announcing her decision, proclaiming that she had caved to "pressure from the left wing of her party." "There's no doubt that this vote will be a critical issue for Sen. Lincoln as she embarks on her uphill re-election bid," said Amber Wilkerson Marchand, a GOP spokeswoman. "The people of Arkansas will have an opportunity to hold her accountable when they cast their ballots next November." Two other Democratic moderates whose support was considered to be in doubt -- Nebraska's Ben Nelson and Louisiana's Mary Landrieu -- also announced their decision to back a full debate shortly before the vote. Reid's bill, projected to ensure coverage for 94 percent of Americans, includes a range of tax increases and new fees. The Medicare payroll tax on individuals earning $200,000 a year and couples earning $250,000 a year would increase by half a percentage point, from the current 1.45 percent to 1.95 percent. In addition, insurers providing costly health coverage -- known as Cadillac plans -- would face a 40 percent tax on policies worth more than $8,500 for individuals and $23,000 for families. The bill also includes a 5 percent tax on the cost of elective cosmetic surgery, as well as new fees for insurers and pharmaceutical manufacturers. The total projected revenue raised by all the taxes and fees would exceed $200 billion. The bill would require individuals to buy health insurance, with a fine for non-compliance of $95 in the first year that would escalate to $750 by 2016. Unlike the plan recently passed by the House, the Senate bill does not mandate that all employers offer health care. Businesses with more than 50 workers, where at least one employee qualifies for government subsidies, would face a penalty of $750 for every full-time employee if it does not offer health care coverage. Reid's bill also would expand government-run Medicaid coverage for the poor to everyone making less than 133 percent of the national poverty level. Democratic leaders in both chambers have been wrestling with the most contentious issues, including abortion and immigration, as well as how to pay for reform. The House bill has more restrictive abortion language and includes a 5.4 percent income tax surcharge on individuals making more than $500,000 and couples earning more than $1 million. Both bills include a government-run public option, but the Senate version allows states to opt out before the national program would go into effect in 2014. The two bills are virtually identical on a broad range of changes, including creating health insurance exchanges, expanding Medicaid, subsidizing insurance for low- and some middle-income families, and capping out-of-pocket medical expenses while preventing insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. Insurers under both plans would be barred from charging higher premiums based on a person's gender or medical history. ### SUMMARY:

"Tonight's historic vote brings us one step closer," White House press secretary says . All 58 Democrats, two independents clinch vote . Democrats rip into Republicans as defenders of status quo . GOP decries "massive monument to bureaucracy and spending"

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: (Mashable) -- Beginning today, Starbucks customers who use the free Wi-Fi at more than 6,800 U.S. company-operated stores will be greeted with the Starbucks Digital Network (SDN) -- an exclusive content network curated by the company and designed to enhance the customer's in-store experience. Starbucks has been teasing SDN for months, but now that the network is about to go live we have a much clearer idea about the type of content provided and the purpose behind the digital endeavor. Starbucks's Vice President of Digital Ventures Adam Brotman sat down with Mashable in advance of the October 20 launch day for a complete tour. "The vision," he says, "is for Starbucks Digital Network to be a digital version of the community cork board that's in all of our stores." We've known for some time that SDN would offer unfettered access to The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and USA Today, but that's just scratching the surface. Starbucks has manufactured a rich experience around each of its six channels: News, Entertainment, Wellness, Business and Careers, My Neighborhood and the customer-personalized Starbucks channel. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of each channel: . News: This section of SDN is comprised of Starbucks media partners offering premium or exclusive content to customers. The New York Times has opened up access to its Reader 2.0 subscription-based service for free, all content from the The Wall Street Journal is available minus the paywall and the exact replica of the USA Today newspaper is accessible to users on the network. Newly signed content partner GOOD is providing early access to its infographics, so Starbucks customers can view them before anyone else. Entertainment: Starbucks has populated the entertainment portion of its network with music, apps and books from Apple's iTunes, full access to a selection of books picked by Starbucks and provided by the Bookish Reading Club (via an HTML5 reader), business e-books courtesy of New Word City, a kid-rich experience powered by Nick Jr. Boost and handpicked documentary films provided by SnagFilms. Wellness: Health and fitness publisher Rodale is the primary content provider for this SDN channel. Customers have access to specialized content -- not available to anyone other than Starbucks customers -- from Men's Health, Women's Health, Runner's World, Bicycling, Prevention, Organic Gardening and Eat This, Not That!, along with a custom built "Map my Ride, Map my Run" application. Business and Careers: Professional social networking site LinkedIn is making exclusive video and blog content available to WiFi users in this channel. The network also provides LinkedIn job search and suggestions, and offers users a 30-day free trial for the premium account. My Neighborhood: Starbucks is adamant about creating a localized experience to connect customers with the community around the store. The company delivers on this objective by serving up content to users based on the exact whereabouts of the store where the user is accessing the free Wi-Fi. Community fare includes local news from Patch, and a look at nearby DonorsChoose.org classroom projects that could benefit from small contributions. Foursquare users can check in via the web from Starbucks stores, and Zagat makes available full ratings for restaurants in the surrounding area for free. Starbucks: This channel provides a personalized customer experience for Starbucks account/card management, and also amasses all of Starbucks social (Twitter/Facebook/MyStarbucksIdea) and digital properties under one umbrella. We may be kicking a gift horse in the mouth, but one thing that struck us about SDN is that there's almost too much content to go around. In some aspects the experience seems saturated and overwhelming, so customer's may not know where to start and partners providing premium content may find some of it gets overlooked. We broached the subject with Brotman who explained that Starbucks will be tracking user activity via web analytics to get a sense of what users respond to. The network is designed to feel fresh each time you come back and the three promo tiles on the home page rotate to engineer more than 40 unique experiences. It's a priority for Starbucks to ensure that customers have easy access to content, and "that all the content partners are feeling like they have an equal shot," Brotman says. A premium mobile experience . SDN certainly packs in a variety of content that makes for interesting material to explore on a laptop, but the network was also designed with the mobile user in mind. Users accessing the network via mobile devices and tablets will benefit from the HTML5 smartphone-optimized network. SDN for mobile is also touchscreen-friendly, offering a hands-on, swipe-able experience. More than 50% of users logging on to the free Wi-Fi are doing so from mobile devices, so the company was motivated by usage behaviors to build a mobile web experience just as good, if not better than, the standard web experience. Content was also designed to be "snackable," so the mobile user can get value even while waiting in line, says Brotman. Where Yahoo fits in . While SDN is cloaked in the Starbucks brand name, Yahoo actually plays a pivotal role in the behind-the-scenes network experience. Yahoo is the coffee retailer's technology partner on the initiative, so it not only developed the site at Starbucks's behest, but it's hosting the network, powering the search experience and providing content as well. Yahoo will also serve as a promotional partner for SDN, and market SDN on its site in the form of banner ads. The two partners hooked up after Starbucks approached Yahoo about the initiative. "They're so strong in the three areas we knew we needed help with -- technology, content and search," says Brotman, "so we came to them ... and they were eager." "They seemed excited by the local and unique nature of the Starbucks Digital Network," explains Brotman on why Yahoo was eager to work with the trendy coffee retailer. The bottom line is choice . One would assume, correctly so, that Starbucks has not gone to trouble of providing free Wi-Fi and a premium digital network without thinking about how it could profit by these pricey additions. If we didn't know better, we'd presume that Starbucks was charging its partners for placement. Instead, as we've disclosed before, there's no money changing hands -- unless SDN users make purchases from partners, in which case there is a revenue share. What it comes down is a matter of choice. Coffee and tea drinkers have a myriad of options, so for Starbucks it's about motivating the customer to choose its stores, and its digital network content partners by association. SDN is designed with two key objectives in mind, says Brotman: enhancing the customer's experience and better engaging customers while they're in the store. "Tens of millions of customers are coming in to our stores and logging in to our WiFI on a monthly basis anyways. They're coming in because we provide this great experience -- good music overhead, quality food and coffee and the opportunity to connect with your friends or the baristas ... What we hope is that this is a nice complement to that experience." The engagement piece is centered around what Starbucks can do with location, and perhaps reveals a bit more about Yahoo's motivation to participate. "We're really excited about the fact that we can leverage the location-based nature of the site to connect our customers with the communities around the stores," he says. © 2010 MASHABLE.com. All rights reserved. ### SUMMARY:

Starbucks has manufactured a rich experience around six channels . Channels include news, entertainment, wellness, business and careers, my neighborhood . Yahoo plays a pivotal role in the behind-the-scenes network experience .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- Government ministers from the United States, Japan and South Korea will sit down in Washington early next month to grapple with the tensions in the Koreas, South Korea's Foreign Affairs Ministry said Tuesday. The ministry did not provide further details about the date of the meeting, but it comes as China continues to call for an emergency meeting of the six major powers involved in talks about the Korean peninsula. This diplomatic activity reflects efforts to lower anxieties in the Koreas, which have been at a boiling point since November 23. That day, four people died and 18 others were injured in a North Korean artillery barrage that targeted Yeonpyeong Island in South Korea's part of the Yellow Sea. The war of words got louder when South Korea and the United States launched joint anti-submarine military exercises in the Yellow Sea on Monday, a move that drew North Korean ire. Being North Korea's largest trading partner and strongest ally, China has been urged by the international community to confront the crisis. It has been meeting with both North and South Korea, and it has engaged in diplomacy over the matter. On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said China has "a duty and an obligation to press upon the North Koreans that their belligerent behavior has to come to an end." Asked whether the United States believes China has done enough in that regard, Gibbs said: "I don't know that I'm going to get into grading them, as much as I'm going to say that there's an obligation there, and we expect them to live up to that obligation." A top Chinese envoy met with South Korea's president on Sunday, and a top North Korean official arrived in Beijing, China, on Tuesday, the first visit to China by a North Korean official since last week's shelling of Yeonpyeong Island. CNN affiliate YTN reported that Choe Tae Bok, chairman of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, is on a five-day visit to China. And over the weekend, China called for an emergency meeting of the six major powers that have been involved in talks about North Korea's nuclear program to discuss the latest crisis. The six are China, Russia, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, and the United States. Hong Lei, a spokesman for China's Foreign Affairs Ministry, said Tuesday that such talks would be an important step in easing tensions. "We made the proposal to ease the situation and to provide a platform for parties to have dialogue. ...To do this at an early date is in the common interest of all parties," he said. But right now, the idea is up in the air. South Korea said Sunday that it did not think the time was right for a resumption of the six-party talks but said it would "bear in mind" the Chinese proposal. In Washington, a State Department official said that the United States is consulting with its allies but that resumed six-party talks "cannot substitute for action by North Korea to comply with its obligations." The Japanese government said one of its envoys is in Beijing for discussions on the crisis. Amid the international attempts to avert warfare, the strident and saber-rattling rhetoric between the Koreas remained the region's background noise. North Korea warned Tuesday that the continuing military drills by the United States and South Korea could lead to "all-out war any time." The firmly worded message was published by North Korea's state-run KCNA news service. "If the U.S. and the South Korean war-like forces fire even a shell into the inviolable land and territorial waters of the DPRK, they will have to pay dearly for this," the news service report said. The DPRK is the acronym for North Korea's formal name: the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. This comes after South Korean President Lee Myung-bak warned Monday that North Korea would face severe consequences if it launched another military attack across its southern border. "If the North commits any additional provocations against the South, we will make sure that it pays a dear price without fail," Lee said in a nationally televised address. North Korea stepped up its threats recently on its southern rival, as well as the United States, warning that military activities must not infringe on what the communist nation considers its territory. The crisis is top priority for Seoul. On Tuesday, the South Korean Yonhap news agency reported that Lee upbraided Cabinet members "for not having the right sense of crisis at a time when South Korea's national security is at stake." "We should recognize that [South Korea] is confronting the world's most belligerent group," Lee was quoted as saying. Citing the country's Defense Ministry on Tuesday, Yonhap also reported that South Korea's military "plans to toughen its rules of engagement with North Korea in a way that gives its troops greater leeway to determine the intensity of a counterattack by the level of damage and threats received." And, a government official quoted by Yonhap said that owners of homes destroyed in the strike on Yeonpyeong Island will get more compensation than the standard amount paid by the government in the case of natural disasters. "Due to the special circumstances of this matter, the amount of compensation will be more generous than usual," said an official of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security. The official said that the amount will be determined after discussions with the Finance Ministry. The agency said officials determined that "29 houses were completely wrecked, five destroyed partly and 80 others damaged slightly from artillery rounds." As for the Yellow Sea exercises, Seoul and Washington had postponed the exercises this month because of a tropical storm. The drills, which are to run through Friday, are "designed to send a clear message of deterrence to North Korea," U.S. Forces Korea have said. U.S. officials have said the exercises off the western coast of the Korean peninsula are in response to North Korea's sinking of a South Korean warship in March. In May, a report from South Korea blamed the North for sinking the Cheonan warship with a torpedo, killing 46 sailors. North Korea denies sinking the ship and says South Korea and the United States are using it as a pretext to conduct the war games. North Korea's nuclear program as well as its military have long caused jitters in the region, especially during times of crisis. The country claimed Tuesday that it has "thousands of centrifuges" working to create nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, but international powers are concerned about how the country's military would use such technology. "The construction of [a] light water reactor is brisk in the DPRK and a modern factory for uranium enrichment equipped with thousands of centrifuges is operating to supply fuel to them. The development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes to meet the need for electricity will be stepped up in the future," the KCNA news service reported. The North Korean news service report seemed to confirm parts of a statement made last week by Siegfried Hecker, a Stanford University scientist. In early November at the invitation of the government, the U.S. scientist said, he visited a North Korean nuclear facility, which included 2,000 centrifuges, that was producing low-enriched uranium. Hecker said he was told that facility was configured to produce low-enriched uranium, but Hecker wrote that it could "be readily converted to produce highly-enriched uranium (HEU) bomb fuel." ### SUMMARY:

NEW: White House spokesman says China has an obligation to rein in North Korea . Government ministers from South Korea and Japan will attend the December meeting . China has also proposed resumed six-party talks . North Korea says current military drills could lead to "all-out war any time"

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- President Barack Obama marked the first anniversary of the death of terror mastermind Osama bin Laden with an unannounced visit to Afghanistan, signing a long-awaited strategic partnership agreement meant to set the conditions of an American withdrawal from the war-torn nation. The president reiterated that U.S. forces will not remain "a single day longer" than necessary, that he remains committed to pulling 23,000 troops out of the country by September and that he will stick to a 2014 deadline to fully withdraw from Afghanistan. "We will not build permanent bases in this country, nor will we be patrolling its cities and mountains," the president said during a nationally televised speech to the U.S. people from Bagram Air Base early on Wednesday (Tuesday evening in the United States). "That will be the job of the Afghan people." An undetermined number of U.S. forces will remain in country past 2014 working as military advisers and counterterrorism forces, but officials have yet to decide for how long. The trip comes as Obama's election campaign gears up and just weeks ahead of a NATO summit in Chicago, where the details of the transition and future commitments to the region are expected to be discussed. Speaking to reporters from Turkey after the trip to Afghanistan, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Michigan, and member Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, pointed to a series of lightening-rod issues expected to be addressed at the summit. They include hot topics such as Taliban and Haqqani safe havens in Pakistan, Afghan economic dependency on international spending and the grittier details of senior leadership positions within the nation's armed forces. "One thing we're going to see if there can be an early retirement of the officer corps to make room for the younger class (of Pashtuns from the country's restive southern and eastern provinces)," said Levin, noting those groups are underrepresented. "That's something that's going to be discussed in Chicago, a retirement incentive," he said, a subtle nod to lingering questions over the army's current legitimacy in traditional Taliban strongholds. Going back to the Vietnam War era, American television networks have covered presidents speaking to military personnel or alongside foreign leaders overseas. But Obama's speech was the first televised address to the nation delivered from a war zone on foreign soil, according to White House spokesman Josh Earnest. The president's trip was his third since taking office and comes amid heightened tensions between the Obama and Karzai governments after a string of incidents involving U.S. personnel. Among them include an American service member charged with killing of 16 Afghan civilians, Quran burnings at a U.S. military base and the release of photographs of Americans posing with the remains of dead militants. Read extensive excerpts of the speech . Meanwhile, two U.S. service members were killed and two were wounded in an explosion targeting their vehicle in Wardak province, officials said. About two hours after Obama left the country, a powerful explosion rocked the capital. Authorities later reported that it was a suicide car bomb that detonated outside the gates of Green Village, a compound that houses contractors and aid workers. The attack left at least seven people and wounded 17 others, including schoolchildren, officials said. "This is another desperate attack by the Taliban," said NATO spokesman Gen. Carsten Jacobson. "Another attack by the insurgency that resulted in the deaths of innocent Afghan civilians, with most of that being children from a nearby school." The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said that the "indiscriminate and illegal attacks are unacceptable and that those responsible are fully accountable for the deaths and injuries of civilians." In an e-mail, the Taliban denied there were civilian casualties and said it planned the attack after word circulated that the American president was going to be in Afghanistan, marking the start of their so-called spring offensive. Obama also spoke of a "negotiated peace" and said his administration has been in direct talks with the Taliban. In March, the Afghan Taliban suspended the development of a diplomatic office in Qatar designed to allow them to hold talks with the United States, following public anger over the killing of the 16 civilians. "We've made it clear that they can be a part of this future if they break with al Qaeda, renounce violence and abide by Afghan laws," Obama said Wednesday. See reactions to Obama's surprise trip . Addressing Afghan concerns that America will abandon the country once its troops leave, Obama noted, "With this agreement, I am confident that the Afghan people will understand that the United States will stand by them." He later added that the U.S. "did not come here to claim resources or to claim territory. We came here with a very clear mission to destroy al Qaeda." Karzai offered his thanks to the American people for helping Afghanistan, and the presidents shook hands after signing the Strategic Partnership Agreement in the atrium of the King's Residence, part of the Presidential Palace in Kabul. "This agreement will close the season of the past 10 years and is going to open an equal relationship season," Karzai added. "With the signing of this agreement, we are starting a phase between two sovereign and independent countries that will be based on mutual respect, mutual commitments and mutual friendship." The security risks in Afghanistan seemed particularly pronounced given the secretive nature and timing of the trip. Obama landed in Afghanistan in the cover of darkness, and the signing ceremony occurred in the early morning hours. Presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney said, "I am pleased that President Obama has returned to Afghanistan." "Our troops and the American people deserve to hear from our president about what is at stake in this war," he said. "Success in Afghanistan is vital to our nation's security." More than 130,000 troops from 50 countries serve in Afghanistan. The United States is the largest contributor, providing some 90,000 troops, followed by the United Kingdom (9,500), Germany (4,800) and France (3,600). But war that began with widespread approval in 2001 is now increasingly unpopular in Europe and the United States. The latest CNN/ORC International poll in late March show 55% of respondents would like to see the U.S. remove all its forces before 2014. More than 2,700 troops from the United States and its partners have died in the conflict. The majority of them American. Last week, Afghan National Security Adviser Rangin Daftar Spanta and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker initialed the text that outlined the kind of relationship the two countries want in the decade following the NATO withdrawal. The deal had been long expected after Washington and Kabul found compromises over the thorny issues of "night raids" by U.S. forces on Afghan homes and the transfer of U.S. detainees to Afghan custody. It seeks to create an enduring partnership that prevents the Taliban from waiting out a U.S. withdrawal to try to regain power, the senior administration officials have said. CNN's David Ariosto, Tom Cohen, Barbara Starr, Keating Holland, Nick Paton Walsh and journalist Masoud Popalzai contributed to this report. ### SUMMARY:

NEW: Sen. Carl Levin says hot topic issues to be discussed at NATO summit . Car bomb in Kabul kills at least 7 people, wounds 17 after the visit . Two American service members killed, two others injured in Wardak province blast . Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai sign an agreement on future cooperation .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: (CNN) -- The premise of social discovery seems simple: Uncover the people and events around you, in real time, based on user interests and/or locations. But many worry today's social apps define privacy in very different and sometimes concerning terms. In 2012, Instagram revamped its privacy policy to much protest, and Path settled a case with the FTC over its personal information collection practices. As more of these social discovery applications emerge, two concepts remain key: user discretion and transparency. SEE ALSO: 10 Free iPhone Apps You'll Use Every Day . On the other hand, some users subsets are growing into the new social media landscape, when it comes to privacy. According to "Teens, Social Media and Privacy," a report issued last month by Pew Internet, teens are sharing more information about themselves on social media sites than they have in the past, but they're also taking a variety steps to manage the privacy of that information. The report indicates that 91% have posted a photo of themselves (compared to 79% in 2006); 20% share their cellphone numbers (compared to 2% in 2006), and 16% automatically include location in their posts (very rarely an option at all in 2006). Only 9% say they are very concerned about third parties accessing their data. For one, social media user Jordan Kaneshiro of Honolulu, Hawaii is wary of all things location-based. "It's one thing to throw a quick status on Facebook or update at the end of the day, but constant updates on where you are or where someone else is doesn't really add value to my life," he says. "The only good use case is if I'm out and about and have nothing better to do. [I] find out someone I know is close, so we can hang out." We gleaned some insight from developers behind three very different location-based discovery apps — Imo.im, Highlight and Banjo --- along with their users, to find out whether the value of sharing outweighs the apps' "TMI" factors. We asked how they aim to make privacy settings more transparent than in years past. Imo.im — a communication tool to call, message and create chat groups with existing friends — recently launched a new broadcasts channel, where users connect with like-minded people and groups. The app targets specific users based on their locations, interests and in-app interactions. Imo.im CEO Ralph Harik says user transparency was key in developing a trustworthy and safe resource, where users would be comfortable sharing with one another. "Often with new technology, there is a bit of hesitation from users who don't understand how to use it, and what is and isn't okay," he tells Mashable. "Since we started developing the Imo network, we've focused on creating policies that are transparent to our users, as well as building out a user support and safety team." On Imo, users can block messages from certain people and hide their availability from people not in their contacts. They also have the option to turn broadcasts off and on. In response to users still wary about exposing too much information or sharing with people they don't know, Harik says they can access people they may not be able to otherwise. "Broadcasts are quite a mixed bag. Because they're public and anyone can post them, it's not uncommon to see some very strange people talking about very strange things," "Broadcasts are quite a mixed bag. Because they're public and anyone can post them, it's not uncommon to see some very strange people talking about very strange things," says Imo user Dan Hlavenka of Elmhurst, Ill. "However, the vast majority of posts I've seen have been really cool. Usually, I'll see people sharing interesting recipes or cool new music, or debating political issues." To reduce unwanted conversations, Imo broadcasts utilize "communication points," which help users avoid unwanted attention. If a user doesn't have you in his or her contact list, it will cost you points to message them. Earn points by inputting data about yourself, linking social media accounts and inviting others to join the network. "I'm more than happy to share plenty of details about myself," Hlavenka says. "But when comes to personally identifying information, I'm a lot more wary." Social discovery app Highlight alerts you when other users or friends are nearby. By giving you the ability to see exactly where they are via map, you also have access to their names, photos, mutual friends, social networks and interests in common. "The premise sounds really cool: sifting through the people around you to help leverage social networks. But I find it creepy," says Highlight user Katherine Stewart of Richmond, Va. "I think it would be cool in a city like New York or Chicago. In Richmond, there weren't very many users, so you would see the same people every day pop up." While Highlight founder and CEO Paul Davison sees the app as a "bird's eye view of the world," he says it is going to take awhile to figure out social norms as more products use new technology for sharing. "Any time a new piece of technology comes out, it has never been an option before, so it might be uncomfortable at first," Davison says. "But over time, the social benefits outweigh the cost of privacy ... Look what happened with Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Foursquare." In turn, he says, users can manage their privacy settings by limiting their profiles to who can find you, and where, even electing "hiding spots" that let them go "off the grid." "The service is entirely opt-in; everyone has chosen to do it," Davison says. Combining location and social updates, Banjo delivers publicly available posts from social networks — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Foursquare, LinkedIn and Google+ — from any location in the world, whether from your friends and common connections, or the general public. Users can find posts from specific locations by entering a keyword, something Banjo founder and CEO Damien Patton calls a "there" instead of "here" experience. A recent app update added channels (sports, music, news, etc.), which allow people to observe live events around the world. Or if you missed it, go back in time and see everything that was posted for the event. An additional Banjo feature alerts users when friends from their social networks are nearby, an in-app commodity that, according to Patton, everyone should be doing. He wouldn't categorize Banjo in the "social discovery" realm, though, because it's more location-focused, something he says you can't really talk about without mentioning privacy. "You have to give the user full control of how they adjust their privacy," he says. "We check the privacy settings you have on every social network connected, so that posts are shared with the intended audience only ... Banjo never shows your location unless you want it to." He explains that a user's location is determined by his vicinity or region, not his exact position, and that users have control and power over how much they want to share. "As long as my location is never more accurate than the name of the city I'm in, I don't find it creepy at all," says Hlavenka. "I don't particularly care that a lot of the people I talk to are relative strangers. As long as they've got something interesting to say, I'm happy to listen." Are you satisfied with the privacy options on your favorite social networks? Do social discovery apps get a pass due to their very nature? Share your opinions on social media privacy in the comments below. This article originally appeared on Mashable. © 2013 MASHABLE.com. All rights reserved. ### SUMMARY:

Many worry new apps define privacy too loosely . Studies show people are sharing more on social media . Social app creators say people are always wary of new technology . Combining location and social posts can give away life info .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: (CNN) -- The circus has come to town and the villagers are in a frenzy. The light fantastic opening, the displays of super-human strength, the heroes born under the united roar of the crowd. Who can deny the intoxicating beat of the Olympic drum? Well, quite a few actually. Was it really wise spending $14 billion in these times of austerity? Surely it was heavy-handed to install missiles on residents' rooftops? The recruitment shambles involving security company G4S suggested embarrassing unpreparedness? Yet it seems from the moment Danny Boyle took us on a whimsical journey through British history in the opening ceremony, that cynicism has melted away. Opposing voices, which a year ago appeared the norm, are now labeled killjoys and whingers. Even London Mayor Boris Johnson told them to "put a sock in it" and support the greatest sporting show on earth. But those skeptical voices continue to murmur, with not everyone falling under the Olympic spell. This charming man . "Has England ever been so foul with patriotism?" former Smiths front man Morrissey asked during the Games. The flags draped over the shoulders of sobbing medalists were nothing short of "blustering jingoism" in the British rocker's eyes. Those moments that had us gathered in fervor around the water cooler -- Michael Phelps' record medal haul, Usain Bolt's historic 100m and 200m runs, gold after gold for Team GB -- were positively perverse, according to the 1980s rock icon. "It is lethal to witness. As London is suddenly promoted as a super-wealth brand, the England outside London shivers beneath cutbacks, tight circumstances and economic disasters," he said. "Meanwhile the British media present 24-hour coverage of the "dazzling royals", laughing as they lavishly spend, as if such coverage is certain to make British society feel fully whole." The other Olympics . Part of the reasoning behind the Olympic torch route was to make Britons feel part of the Games. But as it made its way from Athens to the stadium in Stratford, another very different flame was winding across London. The Counter Olympics Torch, passed on from protesters at the Vancouver Winter Games, arrived at Leyton Marsh in Hackney to a small gathering of demonstrators. The homemade cone bore the banner "End Poverty" and represented "hope for all those for whom the Olympics has become a symbol of repression, eviction, greed and arrogance," according to organizers The Counter Olympic Network. This was not the flame accompanied by David Beckham on a speed boat and sprinted into the roaring Olympic Stadium before a television audience of 900 million. "I'm sure there will be a lot of euphoria during the Games. But when the TV isn't showing images of people winning medals it will be a very different story." Julian Cheyne, spokesman for The Counter Olympics Network told CNN. "It claims to deliver lots of things such as tourists, inspiring people to take up sport, regenerating east London. But that's not the case. "People have lost their homes, others have gone to jail, local businesses aren't going to get anything out of this." Cheyne has reason to be angry. In 2007 he was moved out of his home on the Clays Lane Estate in Newham, east London, to make way for the site of the Olympics. A tenant for 16 years, Julian now lives in social housing in neighboring borough Tower Hamlets. "Some people didn't mind moving. But I'd been living there since 1991. I was happy there," he said. Jailhouse rock . Now the impressive Olympic Park is finally built, it is easy to forget what was on the site before. But the compulsory use of land has been a sore point for some east Londoners. In April protesters camped for four weeks outside the building site of a temporary basketball court in nearby Leyton Marshes, Hackney. The demonstration finally ended in a standoff with police, with four of the protesters arrested and jailed for five days. One of them, 29-year-old Simon Moore, was handed an Anti Social Behavior Order (ASBO) and ordered to not to go within 100m of any Olympic venue or activity. "The local people weren't consulted about a site that's very important to them," said Moore. "People walk their dogs there, run there, picnic there. It was almost like the Olympic juggernaut created this thing that just had to be done at any cost." Despite his anger, Moore makes an important distinction between the athletes competing and the management of the Olympics. "There are moments I've been caught up in the atmosphere. But let's have an Olympics that respects the community and leaves a lasting legacy. Let's have an equitable Games that's more than just a television experience," he added. Brand London 2012 . It is a sentiment shared by former Olympics sustainability commissioner, Meredith Alexander, who quit her role earlier this year after Dow Chemicals was awarded a major sponsorship deal -- including a fabric wrap around the stadium. Campaigners argue Dow holds responsibility for the 1984 Bhopal disaster in India, in which at least 15,000 people died in a gas leak -- a claim which the company denies. Dow bought Union Carbide -- the company which ran the pesticide plant -- 16 years after the disaster and argues it has no responsibility for Bhopal. But for Meredith, the evidence was too damming to ignore. "I think the Olympics belong to all of us -- it's supposed to be about celebrating our common humanity. But when you look at the sponsors, I find it impossible to see how the International Olympic Committee can square that with the ethics of these companies," she said. Shot down . Away from the Park, Chris Nineham's looks out his kitchen window in east London to see anti-terrorist missiles perched on neighbors' rooftops. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Olympic skepticism is still rife for people living beneath these constant reminders of diabolical terror. "The way the media is presenting the Olympics as a success just isn't reflective," said Nineham, spokesman for Stop the Olympic Missiles. "When they change the concierge they consult you. But when they place weapons of mass destruction on top of your house there's zero consultation." Boom times? Before the Games started, Londoners had been told to prepare back-up plans for getting into work, lest they be swallowed by the swarms of tourists clogging peak-hour Tubes. Likewise, businesses were assured of a recession-busting boom. But the capital has been eerily quiet as Londoners fled on holiday and tourists appeared to side-step the Olympic town. There will be a slight boost from the Games -- the economy is expected to grow by 0.6% immediately afterwards -- but the glow will fade. "Once the games are over, the problems facing the UK economy will still be there," said Howard Archer, IHS Global Insight's chief UK and European economist. He predicted ticket sales and a spurt in temporary work would help nudge the economy, but "GDP is likely to be only flat at best overall in 2012," added Archer. And the economy could even take an extra hit from everyone watching the Olympics on TV instead of working, he warned. Well, not quite everyone. ### SUMMARY:

As London 2012 comes to a close, not everyone has fallen under the Olympic spell . Singer Morrissey criticized the "blustering jingoism" of Games . East London residents moved from their homes, others gone to jail . Promise of economic boom largely unfulfilled .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Boston (CNN) -- A federal jury on Tuesday heard the voice of reputed Boston mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger in conversations recorded during visits by his family members since his incarceration in 2011. Bulger, who had only been heard uttering choice expletives and inappropriate laughter during trial so far, can be heard imitating a machine gun while describing the death of a Dorchester bartender, who he is charged with killing along with 18 others. "Bull Dog's was uh -- Eddie Connors ... the guy in the phone booth ... pa pa pa pa pow," Bulger says, laughing with his niece and nephew, the son and daughter of his brother William Bulger, who was president of the Massachusetts State Senate for 17 years. Prosecutors allege Bulger killed Connors in a phone booth in 1975 for running his mouth about Bulger and his "Winter Hill Gang" killing another Charlestown gangster. Whitey Bulger: Fast Facts . Karen Smith, who testified earlier about the last time she saw Connors, her father -- who she said used to come home for dinner and put her and her brother to bed every night -- was sobbing in her seat in the courtroom when the audio was played. Bulger did not implicate himself as the killer in the partially transcribed phone conversation of a visit on October 13, 2012. He said, "They threw my name in the mix," likely referring to others placing the blame on him. "As usual," his nephew responded. "But that is what happened," Bulger said to his niece and nephew. In another audio recording, Bulger described a run-in with potential robbers at the liquor store he and his partners allegedly used as an "office." "So I picked up a shotgun and I'm aimin' it at them and the guy looked up and oh...," Bulger said to his brother John Bulger. "And I put one in the chamber like, ptwwww -- and he looked up and I'm aimin' and he says to the other guy, he says, 'Hey, (Bulger laughs) a bag of peanuts please.' " "We were lucky they didn't try to do nothing," Bulger told his brother during this December 11, 2012, visit. Bulger described as a 'hands-on killer' The prosecution has been trying to prove Bulger is guilty of 19 murder charges, as well as extortion, racketeering and money laundering. Bulger, 83, has pleaded not guilty. The trial entered its 15th day Tuesday, and will resume Monday after a long holiday weekend. The prosecution has called more than 30 witnesses and could call as many as 80 before the defense is given an opportunity to make its case. Judge Denise Casper advised jurors on Tuesday that court is likely to go into September. William "Billy" Shea was also called to the stand. Shea said he sold drugs for Bulger and gave him a "chop," or piece of the profit, during the reign of Bulger's South Boston empire, which prosecutor's say lasted nearly 20 years. Shea also described how he and Bulger cultivated a friendship and a business together, often pointing to "Jim," and referring to him during his storytelling, as if they were telling it together. Why we can't get enough of the gangster life . At one point, Shea was asked to describe how much money he was making at the height of his drug selling, when he was paying Bulger a cut of $4,000 a week. "It was brisk, a good weekly take. I would say plus 100-thousand or more every week. I'm thinking Jim's looking at me saying this son of a bitch got that much money and I only got that end ... I don't know!" Bulger laughed, as did the courtroom. Shea said he sold "gangster" weed and later partnered with Joseph Tower to sell cocaine. The jury, and the courtroom, appeared captivated by his storytelling. When Shea was asked to identify Bulger, he pointed at him and said, "He is that young fella right there," and Bulger returned his old friend's smile. Shea, like the other associates, painted Bulger as their insurance, the "protection" they needed to do business and not be bothered. Both Tower and Shea have testified that Bulger helped them when they most needed it. Tower said Bulger saved his brother's life. Tower said Tuesday, "Bulger was well known and well feared -- If you were with Mr. Bulger you could operate, you didn't need the police." Both Shea and Tower are testifying under immunity agreements with the federal government. Shea told the jury that Bulger got upset with him when Shea indicated he wanted to leave the business. When Shea said he began reconciling with his old friend, it was as if no one was in the courtroom but the two of them. "It was the first time you ever threatened me. I am sure you remember it. I do. You said, 'You remember what happened to Bucky Barrett?' I understood it to be what it meant. Bucky Barrett is someone who is missing. I took it as a threat," Shea said to Bulger, who was sitting no more than five feet in front of him. Bulger is charged with the murder of Arthur "Bucky" Barrett after allegedly shaking him down for money after a bank robbery. Then it seemed Shea remembered he was in court and said, "It changed my perception of Jim just like that. I am looking at a guy who I thought I knew for many years, and he is saying you will do what I say or I'll whack you, basically." Shea said shortly after that, Bulger and his associates picked Shea up and took him to the South Boston projects, where Bulger led him into a cellar to "frighten me or whack me." Shea said Bulger just wanted to talk about "trust." Shea said he had his back to the concrete on the lookout for the associates, who he thought were going to come down the steps to the cellar and "make" him. Shea said Bulger was also questioning him about "skimming" the drugs to set up a side business, but Shea said he "hadn't seen the product in years," adding "that's what Jim taught me, to always have buffers." Shea said about Bulger, "I have always feared him a little bit because I know he's smart and clever. I am thinking if he makes a move..." and then Shea looked at Bulger. "You make a move, you are going with me, Jim. That's what was going through my head." Shea said Bulger didn't want any loose ends, and Shea assured him he didn't rat out Bulger when he was arrested in 1983 on drug trafficking charges, and he wasn't going to do it once he backed out of the business. The men finished their conversation and Bulger offered Shea a ride home, but Shea opted to walk, he said. Shea was with his 4-year-old son when he bumped into Bulger on a snowy night a month later. Shea said Bulger immediately told him, "Bill, we are just here by chance," in an effort to ease his nerves. Shea said he hadn't seen Bulger since then until Tuesday. ### SUMMARY:

Recordings of James "Whitey" Bulger's jail visits are played in court . Bulger talks about one shooting of which he is accused, but doesn't incriminate himself . Witness who says he paid Bulger a cut of drug sales captivates courtroom with testimony .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Canton, Ohio (CNN) -- As the snow started falling, I drove to Giant Eagle to pick up some groceries. With a storm on the way, I needed to stock up on supplies in case we got snowed in. I pulled into the parking lot of the store and found a spot right in front of the entrance. I sat there for a few minutes, collecting what I needed to take in. As I reached over to the passenger seat to grab my wallet, I glanced over at the car next to me through the passenger window and saw three people who were loading their groceries into their car. I also saw a large man standing there, reaching over the hood of their car. He was wiping the snow and ice off the car's windshield with his bare hands. The owner of the vehicle looked at him with an icy stare that seemed to say, "How dare you touch my car." She seemed disgusted just breathing the same air as the man cleaning her windshield. Instead of asking him to stop or giving him a few dollars, she quickly climbed into her car and gunned the car forward so fast the man was knocked back. A few seconds later, the man got up, walked to my car and knocked on my window. I hadn't even processed what I had just witnessed. Now he was coming over to me and I had no idea what to say. "Please, not now, I just want to get what I need and get home," I thought to myself. Where I live, it's common for people to approach you for money. I took a deep breath and started to open the door. The man opened it the rest of the way, being careful not to hit the car next to me. This man stood well over 6 feet and wore sweatpants, a light flannel shirt and boots that were left untied. It was roughly 20 degrees outside and he was clearly not dressed for the cold. In a rather abrupt voice, he broke the silence by asking, "Can I have your change?" I scooped up the change I had in the car and gave him everything I had, which was only $2.37. After handing him the money, I explained that I didn't have any more. "I'm cold and hungry. Can you take me to the shelter?" he asked. I noticed his hands. They were at his side but his fingers moved silently up and down, as though he was playing an invisible piano. He spoke with great difficulty -- in a stilted, mechanical fashion and his face showed no emotion. I never felt threatened, although he stood in my personal space about 1 or 2 feet in front of me. He would occasionally look in my direction, but never at me. Although he stood so close, he avoided eye contact. "Can you drive me to the shelter? Because it's warm there and they have food," he asked me again. "I'm homeless and very hungry," he said. "I'm not lying to you. If I lie to you then you might not help me." I really didn't know what to say, because I wasn't comfortable driving him anywhere. Then he asked me to buy him some food and gloves. I thought about what to say. I knew he would have a hard time understanding: I don't have any money. My family is struggling to survive each day. I was trying to figure out how to explain to him that I couldn't help, but I was at a loss for words. Then something happened that shook me to the core and completely broke my heart. As I was trying to tell him no, he looked me in the eyes. All of a sudden, I was looking at my oldest son. My wife and I have three boys with autism; the oldest is 12. Looking at the bare-handed man was like looking through some special window at my oldest son, 20 or 30 years from now. It was like being run over by a freight train. I was washed by a wave of clarity and my eyes and heart were now open to what was happening in front of me. Suddenly I was transformed from a person trying to avoid the whole situation into a parent, filled with compassion and understanding. He again asked me to buy him food because he was hungry and gloves because his hands were cold. Something about him was so familiar. Yes, I would buy him some food. I would never deny any of my children food if they were hungry. He smiled in my direction and took my hand without looking at me and led me into the store. His hands were cold, hardened and chapped. I noticed the looks people gave me as I walked with the bare-handed man into the grocery store. His clothes were old, beaten up and had a foul odor. He asked me to buy him a gift card so he could buy food later, when he would be hungry again. So we walked over to the rack and he picked out a Giant Eagle gift card. I put $25 on the gift card. I gave him $25 in cash and asked him to please buy some gloves and a bus ride to the shelter. He asked for the receipt so "When the police stop me, I can prove I didn't steal this." He told me again that he wasn't lying. I told him I knew he wasn't. He turned to walk away, stopped and looked in my direction as if to say "Thank you," but didn't. What he did said more than a simple thank you. He showed me his eyes again for a brief moment before he turned around and left. I was beside myself with grief. How could someone I didn't know have such a profound effect on me? It took everything I had not to burst into tears. I just couldn't shake just how much the bare-handed man reminded me of my oldest son. Their eyes, mannerisms and even the way they speak were so similar. My son struggles with boundaries and personal space simply because he doesn't understand, not because he wants to be invasive. All I could think was, "How does this happen?" I was smacked in the face with reality. Related story: Parents of autistic children who "take nothing for granted" Someday I won't be here to take care of my children. What if this happens to them? What if they are the ones wiping off a windshield with their bare hands and almost being run over by someone who doesn't care? I can't let that happen. I won't let that happen. Since that cold February day in 2011, I have met the bare-handed man on a few more occasions. Along the way, I learned that his name is Tim and that he remembers me. Tim has shown me just how much work still needs to be done. I would like to think that my experience that day -- the way people treated Tim in that frozen parking lot -- was an isolated incident. Sadly, I know it's not. Things like this happen all the time. To this writer and father of three beautiful boys on the autism spectrum, this is simply unacceptable. We need to do what we can to help the world better understand both children and adults with autism. I'm terrified of what the future might hold for my children. I have witnessed how cruel and unforgiving the world can be to people who are perceived as different. It is an ugly reality but one I'm working to help change. Please help spread autism awareness, even if it's one person at a time. Remember that the autistic children of today will be the autistic adults of tomorrow. These people need and deserve our compassion, understanding and respect. Let's help to ensure that what happened to my friend Tim in the parking lot of the Giant Eagle doesn't have to happen to anyone else, ever again. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Rob Gorski. ### SUMMARY:

Rob Gorski is father to three sons with autism and blogs at "Lost and Tired" Gorski encounters a homeless man brushing ice and snow off his windshield . Homeless man reminds Gorksi of what could happen to his children .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The House of Representatives on Tuesday formally admonished Republican Rep. Joe Wilson for shouting "you lie" during President Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress last week. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-South Carolina, shouts "You lie!" during President Obama's speech Wednesday night. The House passed a resolution of disapproval on a 240-179 vote that was mostly along party lines, reflecting the Democratic majority in the chamber. Twelve Democrats voted "no," while seven Republicans voted for the measure. Five representatives, all Democrats, voted "present." According to the Office of the House Historian, it was the first time in its 220-year history that the House has disciplined a member for speaking out during a presidential speech in the chamber to a joint session of Congress. During debate on the resolution, Wilson called the measure a waste of time and failed to apologize to the chamber, as demanded by House Democrats. "When we are done here today, we will not have taken any further steps toward helping" the nation deal with urgent challenges, said Wilson, of South Carolina. "It is time that we move forward and get back to work for the American people." Watch House members debate the resolution » . He and other Republicans noted that Wilson apologized to Obama immediately after the speech, and that the president accepted it. Asked after the vote if he apologized privately to House leaders such as Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Wilson told journalists it wasn't necessary. "In my view, by apologizing to the president, the most important person in the history of the world, that applied to everyone," Wilson said. However, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, said Wilson's refusal to apologize to the House for his disrespectful behavior to the chamber required admonishment. The issue, he said, "is whether we are able to proceed with a degree of civility and decorum" that Congress requires. The House resolution was the mildest form of discipline the chamber can exercise for misconduct on the House floor. "Whereas the conduct of the Representative from South Carolina was a breach of decorum and degraded the proceedings of the joint session, to the discredit of the House: Now, therefore, be it resolved that the House of Representatives disapproves of the behavior of the Representative from South Carolina, Mr. Wilson, during the joint session of Congress held on Sept. 9, 2009," said a text of the resolution posted earlier on Hoyer's legislative Web site. Before debate on the measure began, one Democrat said the disrespect shown Obama by Wilson never would have happened to a white president. "It only happened when this country elected a president of color," said Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia. Another noted the heckling of the president in the House was unprecedented, and the chamber needed to enforce discipline in order to maintain civility. Watch Johnson comment on why he supports the resolution » . "No president has been subjected to that type of treatment on the floor of the House of Representatives, and if we go down that road, then it's the law of the jungle, and I think that's just wrong," said Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia. However, House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio called the resolution "piling on." In the debate, Boehner and other Republicans acknowledged the mistake by Wilson while citing his military career and how his four children also served in the military. They noted that he already had apologized to Obama and accused Democrats of a partisan stunt intended to deflect attention from what they called increasingly unpopular health care legislation. Watch Boehner talk about health care, support Wilson's apology » . "The American people want less politics and more jobs," said Rep. Mike Pence, R-Indiana. In closing the debate, Democratic Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, the House Majority whip, noted that all Americans, especially schoolchildren, learn about civics and government by observing the House. Clyburn, a former schoolteacher, said failing to enforce House rules against Wilson's outburst would send the wrong message. The House Democratic leadership agreed to move forward with the vote after meeting to discuss the issue Monday evening, according to two Democratic leadership aides. Kristie Greco, a spokeswoman for Clyburn, said the discussion at Monday's meeting was about "how this speaks to the breach of decorum alone, and not addressing the issue sets a precedent for bad behavior." "We're not the British Parliament for a reason," Greco added. Watch combative politicians in other countries » . Wilson on Sunday described his loud retort to Obama's statement that illegal immigrants would not be covered under the Democrats' health care bill as "a town hall moment." But he made it clear he would not apologize on the House floor. "I called immediately, I did apologize, but I believe one apology is sufficient," he said. Last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the episode "unfortunate" and told reporters at her weekly news conference, "It's time for us to talk about health care and not Mr. Wilson." But when Pelosi met with Democratic leaders later that day, her colleagues argued that unless Wilson apologized on his own, they would want a formal vote on a resolution of disapproval, according to several Democratic sources. On Tuesday, Pelosi refused to comment on the resolution to reporters outside the weekly Democratic caucus meeting, saying that journalists should be focusing on the health care reform issue. Other Democrats offered their thoughts. Johnson said Wilson's comment amounted to a "wink" of approval to right-wing extremists who have brought highly charged language and imagery -- such as posters depicting Obama with a Hitler mustache or as an African witch doctor -- to the health care debate. "He [Wilson] did not help the cause of diversity and tolerance with his remarks," Johnson said. "If I were a betting man, I would say that it instigated more racist sentiment feeling that it's OK -- you don't have to bury it now." Johnson added that failing to rebuke Wilson would bring increased racism in the public discussion on health care, saying: "You can bring it out and talk about it fully, and so I guess we will probably have folks putting on white hoods and white uniforms again riding through the countryside intimidating people." "That's the logical conclusion if this kind of attitude is not rebuked, and Congressman Wilson represents it," Johnson said. "He is the face of it, and that's why I support the resolution." To Rep. Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania, a member of the moderate Blue Dog Democratic coalition, the issue was simple: "He has not apologized to the House for the embarrassment he brought" to the chamber, Altmire said. Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee of California, a leading member of the Congressional Black Caucus, said Wilson's violation of House rules was "egregious enough that it warrants an apology on the floor." Without that, the resolution of disapproval is called for, she said. On the Republican side, Rep. Steve King of Iowa began circulating a letter among House Republicans last weekend urging Wilson not to apologize on the House floor. The letter stated, "We urge that you hold your ground against those who seek partisan advantage and reject all demands for additional redress. When the president of the United States accepts an apology, no observer has an additional claim." CNN's Deirdre Walsh and Lisa Desjardins contributed to this report. ### SUMMARY:

NEW: 240-179 vote on formal admonishment passes mostly along party lines . 12 Democrats voted "no," and 5 voted "present"; 7 Republicans voted for measure . South Carolina rep called debate over resolution of disapproval a waste of time . Republicans accuse Dems of partisanship; Wilson says one apology is enough .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: (CNN) -- The guns of August 1914 unleashed a debate that is still with us: Can the laws of war actually impose limits on how war is carried out? Germany invaded Belgium, violating that nation's neutrality -- which was guaranteed by treaties stretching back to the 19th century. This act horrified the world -- as would the civilian occupation policies that marked German rule in Belgium, Northern France, and elsewhere during the long years of trench warfare. The question of how much international law should be respected during wartime has resurfaced repeatedly through the 20th century -- in America, it has come up frequently since 9/11, especially surrounding the "torture debate." Indeed the revelations that American soldiers in Iraq brutalized detainees at Abu Ghraib prison marked a turning point in how Americans regarded the morality of "our" war, and on one level this was nothing new: atrocity has repeatedly stunned Americans throughout their history, and they have sometimes mobilized against it. Opinion: How a century-old war affects you . Yet on another level, the years since Abu Ghraib have marked a radical new stage, because of how central law has been to our debates about war: The American government tried to deny that treaties prohibiting torture (from the 1949 Geneva Conventions onward) applied to the global war on terror, but it failed. In fact, over the 20th century, the world took real strides towards the goal of "humanizing war," though perhaps only because the century also made war itself so much worse. But there is another story about World War I and the legal consequences it set off that is less familiar and more disquieting. It is about a legacy we have lost, rather than one we have realized: that of aiming, through the laws of war, to bring war itself to an end. Opinion: Should nations pay the price for their leaders' misdeeds? World War I, as Paul Fussell famously argued, discredited what Wilfred Owen in a classic poem called "the old lie": that it is sweet and honorable to die for one's country. But what it has meant to shift allegiances from nation to "humanity" has changed drastically over the 20th century among those flirting with wider and cosmopolitan sensibilities. Namely, the highest goal shifted from the abolition to the humanization of war. When World War I ended, the German Kaiser was very nearly criminally tried. It was only his flight to the Netherlands that made him inaccessible to justice. But it was his aggression, rather than his army's atrocity, that mattered most. There is even evidence that after World War I the phrase "crimes against humanity" -- which now refers to abuses against civilians -- often meant warmongering itself. Opinion: The mighty women of World War I . In other words, the law would criminalize war, rather than merely make it cleaner. The Nuremberg trials after World War II maintained this focus, attending most to the Nazis' aggressive crimes against peace -- bringing war to the world like the Kaiser had before them -- than atrocities in general or crimes against humanity in particular. By contrast, our post-9/11 debates around the laws of war have rarely centered on the moral validity or legal propriety of war itself . Rather, from the torture revealed at Abu Ghraib, to drones, and now surveillance, the concern of the mainstream of the American public has centered on how far the executive may go in the pursuit of victory. If law matters, it is to keep the war "humane," rather than to keep it from happening in the first place. Opinion: How World War I gave us 'cooties' Many survivors of World War I would have viewed this as a drastic constriction of their aspirations and a failure of their aims. Even if it is justifiable, the narrowing of our concerns must be explained. For Americans, it may have been Vietnam that caused the transformation. That era saw a massive spike in antiwar consciousness, and Americans joined the world in worrying that the country was now forsaking the very legacy of the laws of war it had helped build. But after that generation's Abu Ghraib -- the My Lai massacre, whose revelation in army photographer Ron Haeberle's images was once equally famous -- a consensus slowly built. What people arguing about war could agree on was that it was immoral and illegal to fight it so brutally. The goal of criminalizing aggression lost traction, and focus on atrocity took its place. Opinion: The 'bionic men' of World War I . In the years after Vietnam, more and more people signed on to this view. Barbara Keys shows it was after and in response to Vietnam that Americans joined the international human rights movement, which sponsored a Campaign against Torture, which in turn led to a treaty outlawing the practice, setting up the possibility for our torture debate. Many of the statutes that most constrain the executive in the way it fights, such as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, were passed in this atmosphere. (Congress also passed laws trying to keep presidents from unilateral military action, especially the War Powers Resolution, but recent history shows it to be a dead letter.) I find the Vietnam-era debate to be an illuminating point of comparison with our time. If we are honest, we will see that atrocities after America's 1965 escalation in Vietnam then dwarfed atrocities now. It hardly makes whatever violations we have committed excusable, of course, to say so. How WWI gave us drones . The other day, President Barack Obama acknowledged that "the CIA tortured some folks" after 9/11, but the full documentation has remained a political football and neither Democrats nor Republicans want accountability for crimes. But we should not let our justified outrage over these facts distract from the truth that America's post-9/11 military has fought some of the cleanest wars ever. In particular, compared with the crimes of prisoner detention and aerial targeting in Vietnam (and torture too), America's recent misdeeds have been minor. One big reason is the U.S. military's own response to Vietnam: After decades of benign neglect or outright disregard, it started to treat the laws of war as real constraints on how it fights. Opinion: When chemical weapons killed 90,000 . Consider the decision to target enemies to make sure only combatants rather than civilians are in our crosshairs: Vietnam was more like World War I, with lawyers nowhere to be found, and civilians dying in massive numbers. Today military and other government lawyers play a central role, as the recent controversy over the legal authorization of the drone strike on Anwar al-Awlaki attests. The long trajectory from World War I has produced a paradoxical situation: We now have real, though insufficient, constraints on war's brutality, and more public discourse than ever about it. But we lack much concern about the goal of eliminating war itself. One legacy of the horrified response to modern war remains alive and well, but the other is forgotten. The "war to end all wars," as World War I has long been known, doesn't deserve that name yet. Photo blog: WWI: The Golden Age of postcards . ### SUMMARY:

Samuel Moyn: WWI launched debate: can laws of war impose limits how war carried out? After WWI, aim was to end war, but in 100 years, aim shifted to making it more 'humane,' he says . Moyn: Focus now not to end nations' aggression, but to stop atrocity. Vietnam a low point . Since 9/11, our wars much cleaner, lawful; but WWI idea of 'war to end wars' failed, he says .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: (CNN) -- If kings and queens are able to savor the best things in life, why shouldn't they get to retire, too? It's not traditional, and it kind of goes against one of the biggest perks of being a king or queen -- a secure job for life. But it happens, as the world saw Monday. King Juan Carlos I of Spain became the latest royal to say he's stepping down. It's "time to hand over to a new generation," the 76-year-old announced in a televised address, declaring that he's leaving the job he's had for nearly four decades. His son, Crown Prince Felipe, 46, will take over. The Spanish King is one of several monarchs to step down in recent years. Queen B takes her leave . In January 2013, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands passed the crown to her son Prince Willem-Alexander. He was 46 at the time. Queen Beatrix had been ruling for more than three decades. Much beloved by the Dutch people, she tried to assure them that her retirement didn't mean she was taking off for Florida and forsaking their love. "This doesn't mean that I'm taking leave from you," she told a throng of admirers in Dam Square outside the palace in Amsterdam. Her abdication was a move marked by tradition in the Netherlands -- knowing that it's best to go out while on top, historians say. Queen Beatrix was the third successive Dutch monarch to abdicate, following her grandmother and her mother. "Beatrix's abdication wasn't controversial," explained royal commentator and historian Richard Fitzwilliams. "The people were happy with that and no one thought less of the monarchy." A father to son handoff in Belgium . In July 2013, King Albert II of Belgium gave up his kingship, reportedly over concerns that he was too old to carry out his duties. Those duties include "suggesting, advising, warning and encouraging" lawmakers in the country, according to Belgium's government website. King Albert was 79 when he retired. He had ruled for 20 years. His son, a 53-year-old trained fighter pilot who became King Philippe, took over. The country had been in turmoil at the time, torn between the North and South where residents spoke different languages. A pope quits (and makes history) Europe must have been especially lovely in 2013, because even the Pope didn't want to keep working. An unprecedented "I quit" came in February when the Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI -- Germany's Joseph Ratzinger -- was leaving the papacy. His "advanced age" was the reason he wanted out, the Vatican said. The then-85-year-old had led the Catholic church since 2005. He became the first pope in nearly 600 years to leave the post. So what do monarchs -- and one pope -- do when they retire? Benedict's retirement hasn't been all that different from anyone else's. Archbishop Georg Ganswein told Reuters that Benedict has been doing a lot of reading, reflecting and praying. He's taking walks in the Vatican gardens, playing the piano and receiving guests at a monastery. He's mostly a homebody, making only a few public appearances, such as the canonization ceremonies for Popes John XXIII and John Paul II in April. A change of the guard in Qatar . Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, abdicated and transferred power to his son in 2013. Sheikh Hamad, who gained power in 1995 after overthrowing his father, sent out a public message to announce his plans. "I declare that I will hand over the reins of power to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and I am fully certain that he is up to the responsibility, deserving the confidence, capable of shouldering the responsibility and fulfilling the mission," according to the Independent. Sheikh Hamad's decision to cede power willingly was a first in the modern history of the region. The norm is for Gulf leaders to rule for decades until their death or until circumstances conspire to overthrow them, such as the Arab Spring uprisings that toppled leaders in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. His son, Sheikh Tamim, became the youngest monarch in the region at the age of 33. Spanish selfies and change . In Spain on Monday after the King announced his departure, tourists took selfies in front of the royal palace in Madrid. Some gazed through the gates. "Change is good, new blood could be good, why not?" said Spaniard Natividad Andres. "Everything is so unpredictable, you think about politicians that offer you one thing and give you another and things continue to work." Lola Garcia told Reuters that she worried about what the abdication indicated. "It's a shame. I'm really sorry," she said. "I don't know what's going to become of Spain and I don't like what I see coming." On Monday, the King noted in his speech that Spain had been suffering financially. "The long, deep economic crisis we are going through has left a lot of scars socially, but it has also pointed toward a future of hope," he said. Royal watcher Fitzwilliams called King Juan Carlos' abdication a "real tragedy." "He wanted to go down in history as the king who was a symbol of national unity for a very disparate Spain," Fitzwilliams said. "Spaniards -- many of them older -- are great admirers of him." There was still a "tremendous amount of good will" toward the King, he said, despite scandals that had lately rocked his rule. King Juan Carlos' popularity took a hit in 2012 when he fell and broke his hip while on a trip in Botswana, and Spanish news outlets began running a photo from the trip that showed him next to an elephant he had shot. The image appalled many Spaniards. Fitzwilliams recalled Monday, however, that the King had, in his long rule, managed to bring together fractious political groups in Spain and stop a right-wing military coup in 1981. "He's done the country enormous service," Fitzwilliams said. Could a British royal be next? The news of King Juan Carlos' abdication didn't shock British author and historian Kate Williams. "We've seen this in Belgium and the Netherlands," she said. "I think it's often thought that rule should go to someone who is young and vibrant and fun. But you will never see it in the United Kingdom. Never." Queen Elizabeth II has said that she believes the job of ruling Britain was given to her by God, and only God can take it away, Williams said. The queen staying in her job is critical to a cohesive sense of culture in Britain, she said. But it's happened before in the U.K. There's no way Queen Elizabeth doesn't consider the shock waves sent through British society when King Edward VIII abdicated in 1936. That "haunts" the palace still, Fitzwilliams said. King Edward caused a huge stir when he declared that he wanted to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson, an act that broke the rules of the Church of England. He gave up the throne and became the Duke of Windsor. Together, the couple toured Germany. It was reported that the former king had Nazi sympathies. He lived out the rest of his life in France. The episode is considered, Fitzwilliams said, a shame on the legacy of the British monarchy. ### SUMMARY:

Netherlands, Belgium and Qatar all had monarchs step down in 2013 . King Juan Carlos I of Spain announced Monday he would abdicate . Royal watcher says there's no chance Queen Elizabeth would give up throne .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: (CNN) -- If you're looking for a harbinger of the zombie apocalypse, look no further than all those people on the street pecking at their tiny, handheld windows into a private world. So say a good portion of the commenters reacting to a semi-satirical article by comedian-columnist Dean Obeidallah, who noted the difficulty he had spending a day without a cell phone. It had become something bordering an addiction, he said, or at least a strong habit. Some readers were taken aback. "The boy needs to get a life," said commenter realworldaddict, who also wrote, "Hint to him and all the rest of the people walking around like zombies watching for messages on their cellphones: Wake up and pay attention to the world around you. Nobody is trying to contact you 24/7, and did you really want to know that one of your 568 'friends' on Facebook just got a new goldfish?" Perhaps we're all shambling through daily life. When ObewanSnow mentioned a desire to keep a cell phone because it serves as a "safety crutch," the discussion turned to self-sufficiency and even dystopian scenarios. "When the apocalypse hits in December, you will be one of the first ones to go," replied a commenter. "You have become too reliant on technology. You are afraid of breaking down and not having AAA to save you. You better toughen up and learn to work on your own car, or you will perish very quickly." Maybe they're taking a page from Stephen King's novel, "Cell," in which the protagonist, Clayton Riddell, doesn't turn into a zombie because he doesn't own a cell phone. The story is about an event called "The Pulse" that turns cell phone users into vicious, mindless beings. The ill effects of omnipresent communication are a common motif in science fiction. Despite the anxiety, mobile devices are big business. Apple has recently sold millions of its iPhone 5 devices, and there are many people who believe that smartphones and tablets can almost give us superhuman abilities. But their omnipresence in daily life has not been without controversy, raising concerns that our lives will be forever changed by this technology -- and not in a good way. Commenter Mug Costanza called getting rid of his cell phone after the contract expired "one of the most liberating experiences I've ever had," and said he's beginning to notice the walking dead all around him. "Now it seems really weird to me when I am in a doctor's office or subway and I see 95% of the people around me glued to their phones, clicking away like zombies," he said. "My favorite is when you go out with a group of friends and everybody at the table is just playing with their phones instead enjoying themselves with real live people." Indeed, dozens of commenters asserted that they don't own a mobile phone, or have stopped using them. Some say the tight economy has given them extra incentive. That's the case with commenter wordswords, who says that in real life, he is the patriarch of the Words family of Cape Coral, Florida. He and his wife have six children, and that means a lot of phone bills if each family member has their own phone. "I gave up my cell phone about two years ago," Words commented. "I made a commitment to saving money and our family went back to a single land line. Since then I estimate we've saved around $4,000. And we haven't lost or damaged a phone since!" After the economy went downhill, the family had lost income and needed to cut down their bills. Words said getting rid of eight cell phones "cold turkey," a phrase often used in connection with addiction, has been a worthwhile decision. "The kids all hate me, but they enjoy the roof over their heads and the food on their table," Words said. "My two eldest have jobs and did get their own, but hey, as long as they're paying for it themselves, I'm all for it." Since they are a large family, the Words upgraded to two phone lines to ease the strain. The family still keeps their disconnected smartphones to use with Wi-Fi connections while traveling on vacations, which Words said is a luxury they now can afford. There are other benefits, too. "The constant 'ding' of texting is gone, so we communicate with words and in person like a family should, instead of with words on a phone," he said. "We love it. Others don't understand us, but that's all right." Expense was a great motivator for aspiring musician and aspiring writer Ben Joynes, 31, of San Francisco, California, who decided that he had to focus on what was really important in life. "Do the math. I simply cannot afford a cell phone contract, and it does not give me functionality that I absolutely need in my life in order to stay reasonably connected with people or be functional," Joynes said. "My little brother who lives out of state has one, and I've tooled around with it extensively. I think they are amazing pieces of technology, and I can see how they enhance people's lives. They are 'Star Trek' technology -- literally -- today and in the palm of your hand. I just can't afford one, and prefer to do my computing on a PC." Going without a cell phone can even be a game or a goal. Commenter Bill Murray said he is trying to see how long he can go without having a cell phone. He has never had one, and compares the challenge of stopping the use of such devices to "an addict going through heroin withdrawal." He loves technology, but doesn't want a cell phone. Instead he uses Vonage, a service that allows people to make phone calls over a data connection. "As I fast approach my 50th birthday, I am starting to feel like I am one of the lucky ones for not having 'plugged' into the network," he wrote. "Like a smoker shortly after they quit, I can actually smell and taste the things that others cannot enjoy. Don't get me wrong. I'm a technology lover and it has been a genuine struggle not to give in to the temptation that these amazing devices create. However, just like when I did quit smoking, I think I'll just focus on going one more day 'without' to see if I can curb the craving." Still, he doesn't think this will last forever. "Eventually, however, I realize that society will evolve to a point where I likely won't have a choice but to adapt to the technology. But, until then, I'll see just how long I can survive without this little mechanical addiction." Another reader, Dawn Lynn Harvard, said she hates being tethered to a phone all day, and only keeps a phone for emergency cases. "I haven't bought a phone in 30 years," she said. "I got a new hand-held 15 years ago free from Verizon. I recharge it once a year, whether it needs it or not. I pay $13 per month." Talking to "real living people" and enjoying the scenery of life is the real benefit to her. She doesn't understand what is so important that it requires being on the phone while doing other things. Sometimes, it's hard to tell if people are mentally present or not. "When I was young, if you saw someone walking down the street talking to themselves you crossed over assuming they were crazy," she said. "Sometimes I think they still are." What do you think? Share your views in the comments area below. View photos of zombies on CNN iReport . ### SUMMARY:

Columnist Dean Obeidallah got huge reaction to column about going without his cell phone . Many readers say it's easy to go without their phones for a few hours . Some have gotten rid of their mobile devices and cell service .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: If Cuban intelligence didn't do it, then Sen. Robert Menendez's legal team has a list of other theories about who was behind a prostitution smear that surfaced in 2012 as the powerful senator ran for re-election. An April letter to the Justice Department lists a litany of possible conspiracies -- in addition to the Cuban spy caper -- behind the mysterious tip that alleged the New Jersey Democrat was a sex tourist who flew to the Dominican Republic to meet underage prostitutes. The letter from Menendez attorney Stephen Ryan to the Justice Department's public integrity section asks the department to investigate possible "criminal activity intended" to unseat him "and to prevent him from becoming chairman" of the Foreign Relations Committee." Public integrity prosecutors are leading a corruption probe of whether Menendez violated the law in advocating for campaign donors. Ryan declined to make his letter public. But CNN reviewed a copy of it and verified its contents with three sources who have seen it. Cuban intelligence . The letter begins by raising the allegation, sourced to an unnamed "senior government official," that Cuban intelligence agents may have been behind the smear campaign. But Ryan's letter also suggests the possibility of a conspiracy either -- knowingly or unknowingly -- between Cuban intelligence and Republican enemies of the senator. Among the other theories: That a former U.S. ambassador with a beef against Menendez was the tipster who called himself "Peter Williams" and who shopped the prostitution story to news outlets in Washington, a government watchdog group and to the FBI. New Jersey politics . Another more complicated theory offered in the letter, citing an unnamed witness: That GOP operative Roger Stone offered the story to the conservative news outlet Newsmax, which refused to publish it. The same witness allegedly claimed that Stone had a goal in mind -- to ensure Gov. Chris Christie could appoint Menendez's interim successor in the event he had to resign. "Chris Christie is my ultimate client," the letter says the witness quoted Stone as saying. Ryan suggests ties to other New Jersey political figures who would want to help sink Menendez's campaign and notes: "Governor Christie's connection to the fraud can be explained from a motive standpoint." The letter makes no allegation that the governor was part of or even knew of the smear campaign. Stone denied the allegations in a telephone interview with CNN and called them "patently false." U.S. officials familiar with the matter told CNN earlier this week that the government was aware of the Cuban espionage allegations and had found no evidence to support it. The Cuban government-run website also dismissed any ties to Cuba. Corruption probe . The FBI's foray into the prostitution allegations dovetailed with a federal investigation focused on a Menendez donor in Florida, who for years has fought allegations that he overbilled Medicare. Investigators soon began looking into Menendez's relationship with the donor. Menendez's legal team believes the false prostitution story taints the entire investigation of the senator and wants it looked into further to see where it came from. "This entire matter began with a campaign of lies to smear Senator Menendez to affect his election and the chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and those lies included a fraud against the government," Ryan said in a statement. "The Justice Department has the responsibility to investigate who committed that crime, so when I have received from credible sources information that merited further review, I have sent it to them. We don't know who was responsible for the smear against Senator Menendez, but it is my hope that the Justice Department will demonstrate some urgency in getting to the bottom of it. "Whoever perpetuated this fraud against the government to smear a United States Senator and potentially influence U.S. policy should be held accountable to the full extent of the law," he added. Menendez weighs in . Menendez told CNN earlier this week that the Cuban intelligence involvement was plausible. "Well, let's put it this way, for 22 years, between the House and the Senate, I have had a firm position in opposition to the Cuban regime that violates the human rights - the democracy of the people of Cuba," he said. "I have been outspoken in that regard. And I wouldn't be surprised that the regime would do anything it can to stop me from being in a position that ultimately would impede their hopes of being able to get a different relationship with the United States based upon their interests, but not the interests of the Cuban people," he added. Important development . Additional content from the lawyer's letter matters because it casts new light on the Menendez legal team's efforts to force the government to reexamine the beginnings of their ongoing probe of the senator. The variety of theories offered -- and lack of proof to back them up -- doesn't indicate Menendez's legal team knows what gave rise to the prostitution story. Another letter Ryan sent to prosecutors in January didn't mention the theories. The April letter came at a time when the Menendez probe was intensifying, with investigators using a grand jury to issue subpoenas, according to people familiar with the probe. Any possible charges aren't imminent, according to these people. Should charges ever be brought against Menendez, Ryan's letter offers a glimpse of at least part of the defense team's possible strategy. By raising questions about the beginnings of the FBI probe, the defense could attempt to put the government's own investigation on trial. The letter also shows how a well-funded defense can try to complicate criminal investigations. It's common for FBI investigations to begin with dead ends before finding a viable prosecutable crime. But most defendants don't have money to pay for lawyers who can expose those dead ends, and try to make them a liability for prosecutors. The tipster, media coverage . The episode began in April 2012 when a tipster calling himself "Peter Williams" emailed the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a watchdog group, offering to supply evidence that Menendez was involved with underage prostitutes. CREW shared the information with the FBI. An FBI agent in Miami exchanged emails with the purported tipster, but the tipster appeared evasive in emails and would never agree to meet or talk with the FBI agent. After months of investigating, the FBI decided there wasn't any merit to the allegation. Reporters at several news organizations in Washington also looked into the allegations, also after receiving emails from a purported tipster, but didn't publish a story. Then in November 2013, the Daily Caller, a conservative website, ran with the story. By early 2013 the story began falling apart, and the alleged prostitutes who had claimed to be involved recanted their story. Menendez, who is of Cuban descent, won reelection and is now chairman of the Foreign Relations panel, which has given him a perch from which to thwart any Obama administration plans to relax economic sanctions to improve ties with the island's communist regime. For good measure, Ryan offers one more suggestion to the Justice Department: that a combination of Cuban intelligence tricksters and U.S. political enemies were behind the smear. He writes: "We encourage the department to show some sense of outrage that a foreign intelligence agency operated by a government that has every reason to harm Senator Menendez to the U.S. has combined with dirty tricks political operatives to successfully use the Department to accomplish its goals." ### SUMMARY:

First on CNN: Possible conspiracies listed in letter to Justice Department . Sen. Robert Menendez was accused of cavorting with prostitutes in the Dominican Republic . The alleges surfaced as he ran for re-election, but later discredited by the FBI . However, federal authorities have launched a federal corruption investigation .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Cesar Chavez is something of a national icon. His face is on a U.S. postage stamp. Countless statues, murals, libraries, schools, parks and streets are named after him -- he even has his own national monument. He was on the cover of Time magazine in 1969. A naval ship was named after him. The man even has his own Google Doodle and Apple ad. Yet his footprint in American history is widely unknown and that's exactly the reason why actor-turned-director Diego Luna decided to produce a movie about his life. "I was really surprised that there wasn't already a film out about Chavez's life, so that's why I spent the past four years making this and hope the country will join me in celebrating his life and work," Diego Luna said during Tuesday's screening of "Cesar Chavez: An American Hero" in New York. The movie opens nationwide on Friday. After seeing farm workers harvesting the country's food unable to afford feeding their own families -- let alone the deplorable working conditions they faced -- Chavez decided to act. He and Dolores Huerta co-founded what's now known as the United Farm Workers. They became the first to successfully organize farm workers while being completely committed to nonviolence. Without Chavez, California's farm workers wouldn't have fair wages, lunch breaks and access to toilets or clean water in the fields. Not to mention public awareness about the dangers of pesticides to farm workers and helping outlaw the short-handled hoe. Despite widespread knowledge of its dangers, this tool damaged farm workers' backs. His civil rights activism has been compared to that of Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. Difficult conditions in America's fields . But as the film successfully highlights Chavez's accomplishments, viewers will also be confronted with an uncomfortable truth about who picks their food and under what conditions. Unfortunately, Chavez's successes don't cross state lines. States such as New York, where farm workers face long hours without any overtime pay or a day of rest, are of concern for human rights activist Kerry Kennedy, president of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. The Kennedys have been supporters of the UFW since Sen. Robert Kennedy broke bread with Chavez during the last day of his fast against violence in 1968. "New York is 37 years behind California. Farm workers here can be fired if they tried collective bargaining," Kennedy said after the "Cesar Chavez" screening. "We need a Cesar Chavez." Opinion: Why I didn't eat for 22 days . California is still the only state where farm workers have the right to organize. Kennedy is urging the passing of the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act, which would give farm workers the right to one day of rest each week, time-and-a-half pay for work past an eight-hour day, as well as unemployment, workers' compensation and disability insurance. It's not just New York. Farm workers across the country face hardship. In Michigan's blueberry fields, there's a great deal of child labor, Rodriguez said. "Because they're paid by piece-rate, it puts a lot of stress on all family members to chip in. Plus, families work under one Social Security number because about 80% of the farm worker population is undocumented," Rodriguez added. That's why the UFW and major grower associations worked closely with the Senate's immigration reform bill to include special provisions that would give farm workers legal status if they continued to work in agriculture. "Farm workers shouldn't struggle so much to feed their own families, and we can be part of that change," Luna said. A national holiday in honor Chavez? To help facilitate that change, Luna and the film's cast -- Michael Peña as Chavez, America Ferrera as his wife, Helen, and Rosario Dawson as labor leader Dolores Huerta -- have been trekking all over the country promoting the film and a petition to make Chavez's birthday on March 31 a national holiday. "We aren't pushing Cesar Chavez Day just to give people a day off. It's to give people a 'day on' because we have a responsibility to provide service to our communities," United Farm Workers president Arturo Rodriguez told CNN. In 2008, President Barack Obama showed his support for the national holiday and even borrowed the United Farm Workers famous chant "Si Se Puede!' -- coined by Dolores Huerta -- during his first presidential campaign. Obama endorsed it again in 2012, when he created a national monument to honor Chavez, but the resolution still has to be passed by Congress to be recognized as a national holiday. Right now, Cesar Chavez Day is recognized only in California, Texas and Colorado. Huerta, 83, is still going strong in her activism and has also helped promote the film. She said she wishes the film could have included more history, but she knows it's impossible. "There were so many important lessons in the film. All the sacrifices Cesar and his wife, Helen, had to make and the obstacles we had to face against the police and judges. We even had people that were killed in the movement but we were still able to organize," Huerta said. Actor Tony Plana, who attending the New York screening, knew the late Chavez and credited him with the launch of his acting career. Plana, known for his role as the father on ABC's "Ugly Betty" TV series, said his first acting gig was in the UFW's theatrical troupe educating and helping raising farm workers' awareness about their work conditions. "I've waited more than 35 years for this film to be made, and I can't tell you how honored I am to finally see it happen," Plana told CNN. Cesar Chavez an inspiration to Obama campaign . It's not that there wasn't interest in making the biopic before: Hollywood studios and directors have approached the Chavez family in the past, but the family kept turning them down, mainly for two reasons. "Well, first Cesar didn't want to spend the time making the film because there was so much work to do, and he was hesitant on being singled out because there were so many others that contributed to the UFW's success," said Rodriguez. It wasn't until Luna came around and asked the Chavez family how they felt the movie should be made that the green light was given. But when it came time to getting the funding to produce the film, Hollywood was not willing. "Hopefully this film will send a message to Hollywood that our [Latino] stories need to be portrayed in cinema," Luna added. "Latinos go to the movies more than anyone else, but we're the least represented on screen. It doesn't make any sense," Dawson told CNN. In 2012, Hispanics represented 18% of the movie-going population but accounted for 25% of all movies seen, according to Nielsen National Research Group. "I hope young people use the power of social media to help spread the word about social change," Dawson said. "There is power in being a consumer and boycotting. If we want more as a community, we need to speak up." ### SUMMARY:

Cesar Chavez's life not widely known, but actor-director Diego Luna hopes to change that . Kennedy: "New York is 37 years behind California. We need a Cesar Chavez." Film depicts Chavez and UFW's success, but there is still more work to be done . Luna: "Farm workers shouldn't struggle so much to feed their own families"

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: A number of the world's leading airlines on Tuesday suspended flights to Israel's main airport after a rocket fired from Gaza struck about a mile from its runways. The Federal Aviation Administration ordered U.S. airlines to stop flying to or from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport for at least 24 hours, and the European Aviation Safety Agency issued a warning to its airlines to stop its flights. The action came just days after Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot out of the sky over eastern Ukraine, where government troops have been battling Russian-backed separatists. The flight suspensions to Israel were the latest development in the 15-day-old conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza, with neither side showing any sign of backing down. At least 41 rockets were fired from Gaza toward Israel on Tuesday, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The FAA ordered Delta Air Lines, US Airways and United Airlines to suspend their flights to Tel Aviv. "The notice was issued in response to a rocket strike which landed approximately one mile" from the airport Tuesday morning, the FAA said. "...The FAA will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation. Updated instructions will be provided to U.S. airlines as soon as conditions permit, but no later than 24 hours" from when the suspension was ordered. A number of European airlines as well as Turkish Airlines suspended flights after an advisory issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency. EASA "strongly recommends airspace users to refrain from operating to and from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport," according to the advisory. As of Tuesday evening, the Israel Airport Authority was showing a number of flight cancellations, but British Airways and a handful of smaller airlines still appeared to be operating flights. Operations at the airport in Tel Aviv continued Tuesday after the FAA issued its order, according to CNN's Atika Shubert, who was reporting from Ben Gurion Airport. Shubert said she saw a rocket being intercepted near the airport. "This is the environment that the planes are flying in and out of," she said. The Israel Airport Authority said the U.S. companies made the decisions on their own, and it urged them to reconsider, saying the airport was safe. "There is no reason that American carriers should stop flying to Israel and thus give a prize to terror," it said. But aviation security consultant Jeff Price called the decision by airlines to halt flights to Tel Aviv's airport for the moment "a prudent measure" that was likely influenced by the shooting down of the Malaysia Airlines jetliner over Ukraine. "The airline must protect their passengers and their asset (the airplane) from death, damage and destruction, so they aren't going to fly into a location that they believe to be unsafe," Price said. "This is the same situation that airlines encounter during natural disasters like hurricanes, where the airlines move their aircraft out of harm's way until the storm has passed. This is a storm of a different kind, and I think because of MH17 people are more sensitive to their commercial flight flying over an area where military ordnance is being hurled around." Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, the parent company of US Airways, both suspended service to Ben Gurion Airport before the FAA notice was issued. The Lufthansa Group has suspended flights to Israel for the next 36 hours, including Lufthansa's Austrian Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines flights, according to a Lufthansa official. Dutch flag carrier KLM has canceled a flight to Israel that was due to depart Tuesday evening. The company said it is still looking into whether future flights will be canceled. The airport is the premier gateway between Israel and the rest of the world. "Perhaps no other airport in the world has been the focus of so many terror threats for so long. But Ben Gurion Airport has a remarkable safety record. It is one of the most secure airports in the world," said CNN anchor John Vause, who previously spent three years as a Jerusalem-based correspondent. "Israel has invested a lot to keep the airport safe, and many within Israel will be extremely concerned if it is now within reach of Hamas rockets," Vause said. Vause was on Delta Air Lines Flight 468, which was en route Tuesday from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Tel Aviv when it was diverted to Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport. It's very unusual for the FAA to prohibit U.S. carriers from flying to a particular airport, said Mary Schiavo, a former U.S. Department of Transportation inspector general, via e-mail. "The FAA does not like to restrict flight operations," Schiavo said via e-mail. "In the past when the FAA has done it there have been diplomatic consequences." The Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 tragedy last week likely affected the decision, she said. Aviation security expert Richard Bloom agreed that MH17 played a part in the decision to restrict flights. "Another part of it is the actual war going between Hamas and Israel. Hamas has displayed some surprises -- how many missiles they have and how far they can go. That explains why a number of (airlines) are getting out," said Bloom, director of terrorism, intelligence and security studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. "It's extremely, extremely difficult to protect a commercial aircraft," he said. Travel agents are scrambling to inform and rebook travelers. "We are in touch with all our clients, and we're obviously helping to move them to another airline," said Iris Hami, owner of Gil Travel in Philadelphia. Hami said her agency is working closely with Israel's El Al Airlines. El Al continued to operate its regular schedule Tuesday, including up to five flights a day from the U.S., according to the airline. Hami said she's rebooking to an El Al flight a group of more than 100 travelers that was scheduled to fly US Airways to Israel Tuesday night. The flight suspensions come a day after the U.S. State Department asked Americans to consider deferring nonessential travel to Israel and the West Bank. Monday's travel warning reaffirmed existing guidance against any travel to Gaza, which the State Department said "is under the control of Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization." The department urged U.S. citizens already in Gaza to depart immediately. Other governments are cautioning their citizens against some or all travel to the region. The United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Monday issued an advisory against all travel to Gaza and noted areas of possible violence in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. In an alert issued Sunday, Canada advised its citizens to use a "high degree of caution" while traveling in Israel. The government advises against travel to Gaza and areas bordering Gaza, Syria and Egypt. Last year, Israel received a record 3.5 million visitors, according to the country's Central Bureau of Statistics. Before the recent violence, the bureau reported a record 1.4 million visitors for the first half of 2014, but the escalating violence is likely to put a damper on the numbers. Visitors to Israel should familiarize themselves with the nearest bomb shelters in case of attack and should avoid areas of Israel near Gaza because of the possibility of attacks from Gaza "with little or no warning," the U.S. State Department advisory says. Travelers reassess plans amid Mideast conflict . ### SUMMARY:

The FAA is monitoring the situation and will issue updated instructions . CNN reporter watches rocket intercepted near Ben Gurion Airport . FAA prohibits U.S. flights to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv . European Aviation Safety Agency recommends avoiding Ben Gurion .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: One of the odder, funnier moments of "Mad Men" came recently when two head honchos, Lane Pryce and Pete Campbell, duked it out in a conference room. The fight lasted only moments, but according to Vincent Kartheiser, who plays Campbell, it was one of those rare moments that creator Matthew Weiner had a vision that aligned with what fans had clamored for over the years. Kartheiser's portrayal of the young go-getter is an excellent study in how to make an audience despise a character. He's slimy and cruel and will step right over you, sometimes even on you, just to climb the corporate ladder. And while it's easy to cast Campbell as one of "Mad Men"s villains, still, there's something sympathetic and likeable about him underneath it all. CNN spoke with Kartheiser about staging fights and social change on "Mad Men" and why there's a little Pete Campbell in all of us. CNN: This recent episode featured a fist fight between Pete and Lane. Does a small part of you wish he knocked Lane out? Kartheiser: Well, no, not really. The reason is, I stopped wishing for things with my character because I'm very aware that (creator) Matt Weiner has a plan for how this story should go. I trust him like I've never trusted any writer or creator that I've worked with. He knows what the audience wants and he rarely gives it to them. But in a rare case, the audience wanted this, very badly, for many a year. It's one of the few times that Matt's plans happened to coincide with what the general population of "Mad Men" wanted. So I'm kinda glad to give the people a little something that they've been longing for. To be honest, I take a hit much better than I give one. CNN: When you get a script with Pete in a fight, what's your reaction? Do you research how a guy in the '60s would fight. Kartheiser: Most fights that I saw growing up in high school and most fights I've seen as an adult at bars are pretty stupid. They look ridiculous and rarely do they look two guys who know what they're doing. So, I didn't do any research. We have a team of people who are very good at researching that stuff. We showed up a week before the fight and had stunt coordinators and had been schooled in the research of the era and what Matt wanted. I've done a lot of shows where there's fighting and often times the stunt coordinators can get carried away, throwing in fancy moves and special punches. I love Matt because he comes in and says "No, that's not real, that would never happen. Take three punches out and make it real." I think most people who have seen a fight in real life would be like "Yep, that's about right: Two guys who should never be throwing down are taking crazy swings at each other and one guy gets plunked in the nose and that's game." CNN: Punches aside, one of the interesting aspects that we're still seeing evolve with this show is Pete Campbell's relationship with Don Draper. In a recent episode he was so giddy that his boss was coming to his house. You never see him that happy. Kartheiser: Well, it's a rite of passage. Don is finally accepting him as a friend, as an equal! Making the trek out to Cos Cob on the weekend, it seems like he's going out his way for Pete. And Pete really seems like he needs that kind of attention. John Slattery said, "In this scene, you're basically like 'Aw, shucks, boss. You came on down to Cos Cob.' That whole idea of "Aw, shucks," it really helped me in that scene in hitting the right tone. CNN: The show over the years and certainly now hints at these socio-political changes that are happening outside of the office and might be trickling in now. Is that a big thing for this season? Kartheiser: The times are a-changing and in the first few episodes we've seen it make its way into Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. Times have been changing for the last few years. There's been riots and integration and things have been changing but it hasn't affected the lives of these people as profoundly as we maybe the history books would want you to believe. Let's take something huge, like the war in Iraq. It's huge and in 30 years we'll look back and think that everybody's life was inundated with this war but for most of the people I know, including myself, it had very little effect on us. It has an effect, but we can't quite see it yet. It's the same with the 1960s, and we look back and say: "Oh, there were these great changes, everyone must've felt it." It takes a while for these things to take effect in the exclusive, upper- and middle-class office buildings. We're just starting to see it now. It's '66 and it's starting to hit home. CNN: The show has a handful of directors that are used frequently. Are there stylistic differences that each have that you're seeing shape different aspects of your performance? Kartheiser: Every director brings a little taste of themselves. At the end of the day, Matthew Weiner has final cut. At the end of the day, Matthew Weiner will re-shoot a scene if it doesn't fit into the look of the show. That's wonderful. Everyone has stylistic differences and he wants them to express those things, but he wants to make sure that there's a consistency to the look of the show, to the tone of the show. That being said, I absolutely love John Slattery as a director. He loves the art form of it. CNN: Do you relate to Pete at all at this stage in the show in any way? Kartheiser: All sorts of times. Something that Matt does wonderfully, is that he writes for his actors. He says: "What do these people deal with in real life?" Pete feels emasculated, he feels a bit insecure about his place among the men of the world. ... He doesn't have that machismo or the elegance of the men that surround him. I think I can relate to some of those things and some of the way Pete hates himself and worries that the world hates him for those things too. Now, granted, I'm not trying to say I'm Pete Campbell. Those issues reside in me as deeply as they do as him. But I have understood those through my life. I think most people can. I think if people took a fearless look at themselves, they'd see a lot more Pete Campbell than they'd want to believe. CNN: There's a great line in this Slate interview where you said people are always asking you about highbrow stuff, but sometimes you're just a lowbrow dude. I picture you sitting around listening to Katy Perry and enjoying whoopee cushions. Kartheiser: (Laughs) No, I don't think I'm a lowbrow dude, feeding off Top 40 and watching Fox News all afternoon. I enjoy reading literature and learning about the world. This show deals with some complex issues -- every episode contains a theme and they come from the minds of some really intelligent people. I'm just saying I don't know if I'm the best person to answer those types of questions. As much as I don't think I'm an idiot, those ideas are very profound. ### SUMMARY:

Vincent Kartheiser plays Pete Campbell, a young go-getter on "Mad Men" Campbell is slimy and cruel and will step right over you to climb the corporate ladder . Kartheiser: "I can relate to ... some of the way Pete hates himself"

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Rob Preece . PUBLISHED: . 14:05 EST, 2 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 20:11 EST, 2 November 2012 . Two thieves were jailed today for stealing from an unconscious teenager moments after he fell from a second floor window. Leanne Ryan, 30, and Thomas Knight, 45, took a wallet and an iPhone when they rifled through Daniel Courchee's pockets while he lay on the pavement suffering from multiple fractures to his head, face, pelvis, leg and wrist. They were each jailed for two years by a judge sitting at Liverpool Crown Court, who said they had committed a 'cruel, callous, despicable crime'. 'Despicable': Leanne Ryan (left) and Thomas Knight (right) stole a wallet and an iPhone from teenager Daniel Courchee while he lay unconscious after falling from a second floor window . The court heard that Mr Courchee, 19, fell from a window ledge of Knight's flat in Liverpool city centre on July 6 this year. CCTV footage played at the hearing showed the teenager's fall. Knight and Ryan, who had been a guest at the flat, could then be seen coming out to the scene and crouching over him. Ryan took the items and handed them to Knight, which meant emergency services were unable to identify Mr Courchee when they arrived to treat him. The teenager was taken to hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for life-threatening injuries. The court heard that it was unclear why he had fallen, but injuries to his neck were consistent with knife wounds. Plunge: The block of flats on London Road in Liverpool city centre, where teenager Daniel Courchee suffered multiple injuries in a fall . Knight, who had 90 previous connections, was arrested along with Ryan and three others on suspicion of attempted murder. All five were later charged with conspiracy to rob, but Knight and Ryan pleaded guilty to a less serious offence of theft. Charges were dropped against the other three defendants. Judge Thomas Teague QC said that Mr Courchee, from Warrington, had had 'his young life wrecked by these events'. The teenager had been due to start a degree course at the University of Liverpool this autumn. The judge told the thieves: 'Shortly . after 4am Mr Courchee fell from the window of the flat to the pavement . outside sustaining dreadful injuries. Remarks: Judge James Teague QC said it was a 'cruel, callous and despicable crime' 'As . I speak he has no recollection of what caused him to fall and the other . occupants of the flat have chosen not to reveal what happened. 'I . sentence you on the basis that you played no part in causing him to . fall from that window......What you did was bad enough because you went . outside to the street where he lay gravely injured and after making only . the most perfunctory attempts to summon help you went through his . clothing and stole his wallet and phone. 'It was a cruel, callous and despicable crime in which you both played an equal part. 'One result was the removal of the only means of identification carried by your victim which meant the police and medical authorities were unable to notify his family. 'His relatives suffered hours of agony and distress and were unable to make contact and having no idea what had happened.' The judge added that, but for the thieves' actions, Mr Courchee's family could have been at his bedside. 'His family may have had the comfort of knowing where he was and that he was in capable hands,' the judge said. 'You caused untold anguish to his family by removing any means of identifying him and that makes it a particularly serious offence.' Neville Biddle, prosecuting, told the . court that Mr Courchee went out on July 5 with two friends and they . spent the evening socialising at various bars in the city centre. He became separated from his friends and when one rang him at 2.24am he said he was with a woman near Lime Street. When contacted again 15 minutes later, he said he was at 'some girl’s house'. CCTV . footage later revealed he had gone into the block of flats with a woman . called Carla Shaw at 2.25am. He fell out of the window at 4.06am. Knight and Ryan appeared within . minutes and, after crouching over his body, Ryan was seen to pass the . victim’s wallet and iPhone to Knight. After . checking through the wallet, Knight went back into the flat with the . items. He disposed of the wallet in a bin area shortly afterwards. 'You caused untold anguish to his family by removing any means of identifying him and that makes it a particularly serious offence.' - Judge Thomas Teague QC . Mr Biddle said that a passer-by who saw Knight standing near Mr Courchee had described the thief as seeming 'not bothered'. Knight later suggested to police that Mr Courchee had jumped from the window of his own accord. While Mr Courchee's family were reporting him missing, police were urging the defendants to tell them who the injured man was. Officers found the teenager's wallet in the bin area and the iPhone hidden in the flat. Rowena . Goode, defending Ryan, told the court that a situation had developed . between the victim and one of the men present - not Knight - and the . teenager had ended up on the window ledge. 'Knight has described to police how . Leanne Ryan had attempted to get hold of Daniel Courchee and bring him . back into the flat and was unfortunately not successful and shortly . after he fell from the window,' Ms Goode said. Raymond . Herman, for Knight, said that his client had been a heroin user but had . kept out of trouble since his last prison sentence in 2009. He . told the hearing that Knight went outside after Mr Courchee fell to see . what had happened and had gone over the road to a cafe to ask for the . emergency services to be called. 'What . happened thereafter was truly appalling,' the barrister continued, 'but . he did not initiate the decision to take the wallet and phone.' Justice: Ryan, 30, and Knight, 45, were each given two-year jail sentences by a judge sitting at Liverpool Crown Court (pictured) In a statement after the sentencing hearing, Mr Courchee's parents Roger and Carol said: 'Daniel was a normal fun loving 19-year-old when this incident occurred and is a very much-loved member of a close family. 'He was looking forward to going to Liverpool University to study biological sciences prior to this incident. 'At the time Daniel was robbed he was in a critical condition on the ground and the people that carried out the theft would have known this. 'At a time when everybody deserves all the help and support possible these individuals were driven by their own greed. 'They would have realised Daniel was seriously injured and needed urgent medical attention. Their act of theft was callous.' The parents said that Mr Courchee had suffered 'life-changing injuries' and now required help to do things that many take for granted. 'His treatment is ongoing and the full extent of his injuries will not be known for sometime,' they said. 'We acknowledge the sentencing today but no sentence will be long enough for these people.' They thanked family, friends, medical staff and police for their support. ### SUMMARY:

Leanne Ryan, 30, and Thomas Knight, 45, were each jailed for two years . They rifled through the pockets of 19-year-old Daniel Courchee . Mr Courchee was unconscious after falling from Knight's flat in Liverpool . He suffered multiple fractures to his head, face, pelvis, leg and wrist .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Tom Gardner . PUBLISHED: . 06:05 EST, 21 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:30 EST, 21 June 2013 . The third biggest National Lottery jackpot ever is up for grabs tonight with a truly life changing £141million prize. A single EuroMillions lottery ticketholder winning that amount could splash out immediately on a Learjet 85 to take them and seven friends anywhere they liked - in fact, they could buy a dozen, organiser Camelot has said. That person would become the 572nd richest in the country, according to the Sunday Times Rich List. Living the high life: Anyone scooping tonight's £141m National Lottery jackpot could afford to lead a jet set lifestyle and have money to spare . They would also become the UK’s third biggest National Lottery jackpot winner to date. Top of the National Lottery Rich List are Colin and Chris Weir who banked a £161 million EuroMillions jackpot in July 2011. They are Europe’s biggest lottery winners. In second place are Gillian and Adrian Bayford, from Haverhill in Suffolk, who won more than £148 million in August last year. If piled high in £50 notes then the jackpot would reach 1,017ft into the sky - the same height as the tallest building in Western Europe, The Shard. All smiles: The couple said they struggled to fully appreciate the moment they realised they had won the jackpot as their young son had just woken-up and was crying but eventually the life-changing news sank in . Celebration: Adrian Bayford, 41, and wife Gillian, 40, were the sole winners of a £148.6 million jackpot . The sky's the limit: The Bayford's are Britain's second biggest Lottery winners ever after scooping an eye-watering £148m jackpot . Cheers: Colin Weir and Chris Weir, from Largs in Ayrshire, celebrate after they scooped £161 million in a EuroMillions draw . If laid end to end, the notes would take you 13,670 miles, from London to Hawaii and almost all the way back. The £141million jackpot would truly be a life-changing amount of money. But what exactly could someone who scooped the third biggest National Lottery prize ever buy with their new-found wealth? If no-one matches all five main numbers and two Lucky Star numbers to win the jackpot, then it will roll over to Tuesday’s draw. The . jackpot can grow to a maximum of 190 million euros - depending on the . exchange rate at the time this would be around £162 million. Any prize money which would have . boosted the jackpot above 190 million euros is passed down to the next . prize-winning level, boosting the prizes to those winners. A National Lottery spokesman said: . 'All of us would secretly love to jet off to somewhere hot at the drop . of a hat, and with this EuroMillions jackpot in the bank you could. 'We . have our fingers crossed that another UK ticketholder will win big and . we encourage all players to get their tickets early. 'EuroMillions, which is drawn every . Tuesday and Friday, helps to contribute to the £35 million generated for . National Lottery Good Causes each week.' Current predictions suggest the cap . is most likely to be reached in next Friday’s draw, if no one wins the . jackpot between now and then. Lucky: A lottery syndicate of bus drivers from Corby, Northamptonshire celebrate after winning £38 million . Life-changing: . Lottery winners Matt Topham and Cassey Carrington, 22, celebrate after . winning £45,169,170.50 on EuroMillions jackpot in February this year . Once the jackpot has reached the 190 million euro cap, it can roll over only once before it must be won. If the jackpot is not won in the first EuroMillions draw when the cap is reached, it will stay at 190 million euros for the next draw. If there are no jackpot winners in that next draw, the whole jackpot amount - the 190 million euros plus any prize money that would have boosted the jackpot over this amount - is passed down to the next prize-winning level. Stays for the super-rich: You could treat . yourself and 27 guests to a 13-year stay on Sir Richard Branson's . exclusive resort Necker Island which can be hired for $54,500 per night . for up to 28 guests sharing 14 rooms - eight rooms in the Great House . and six Bali Houses dotted around the island, left. Or For a more . concrete investment . you could buy a single luxury apartment, reserved for the super-rich at . one of London's top addresses, One . Hyde Park, right. In the vicinity of Sloane Street and Harrods it . boasts an . asking price upwards of £6,000 per square foot and one of the penthouses . has reportedly been sold for £135 million . Motorhead: If cars are your thing then you could splash out on 575 brand new Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupes - which retail for £288,518 or 295 Ferrari F70s priced at £561,545 . Left: If luxury travel is more to your taste, . you could clock-up 3,613 private jet flights around the world with . National Geographic's 24-day trip to destinations including Machu . Picchu, Tibet and Marrakech. Right: You could book 664 exclusive charters of the Orient express for . you and 120 guests on the La Dolce Vita tour which includes an overnight . journey from London to Florence before arriving at the Orient-Express . hotel Villa San Michele, the host will receive a diamond train bracelet . and pair of gold and diamond cufflinks . Left: Jewellery loving ladies could treat . themselves to 392 Tiffany fancy yellow diamond rings - a new one for . each day of the year - priced at $675,000 (£423,169) it is made from . platinum with 18k gold and a yellow diamond cut with round brilliant . diamonds. Right: The £166m could get you 176 of the Patek Philippe Sky . Moon Tourbillon 5002 P models one of the most expensive watches in the . world priced at  $1.5 million. It is constructed from 686 parts and . comes with a sapphire crystal and a black crocodile leather band. Food for thought:  You could consume 4,150,000 boxes of milk . and pink Marc de Champagne truffles from chocolate manufacturers to . The Queen Charbonnel et Walker (left, washed down by 1,660,002 bottles of Dom . Perignon Champagne, right. Boudoir: . You could book a 102-year occupation of the . Prince of Wales suite at the Ritz. At £4,435 per night it includes its . own hallway and cloakroom, two bedrooms, a dining room, a drawing room, a . butler's kitchen and two marble bathrooms with a bath-controlled TV . ### SUMMARY:

Third biggest National Lottery jackpot ever is up for grabs tonight . Winner could stack £50 notes to the same height as The Shard .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Rachel Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 07:02 EST, 25 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:00 EST, 25 July 2013 . Increasing numbers of 'wild swimmers' are suffering stomach upsets and ear complaints after bathing in rivers, lakes and gravel pits during the recent hot weather, according to new research. Double the number of enthusiastic open water swimmers have contacted pharmacies compared to last year for health advice after swimming in open water. Complaints include abrasions to hands and feet caused by stony riverbeds and rock pools and 'swimmers itch' - an itchy rash caused by certain parasites that normally live in freshwater snails. Wild swimming - swimming in open water such as the sea, a river or gravel pits - is becoming increasingly popular. Experts say that the trend, combined with the hot weather is responsible for an increase in people developing infections . ChemistDirect pharmacist Omar El-Gohary said: 'Many stomach upsets are caused by swallowing dirty water, so we advise swimmers to avoid this and to always wash their hands and shower afterwards.' It is also important not to eat anything until you are sure your hands are clean. This advice is backed up by a report published by Public Health England in May this year, following an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness amongst participants in a sponsored swim in the Thames last year. Over 1,000 people took part in the Hampton Court swim and 338 reported symptoms of nausea, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting. The report revealed that this is likely to have been a result of swallowing river water and inadequate hygiene precautions when handling wetsuits. Experts have advised people to keep the amount of water consumed during a swim to be kept to a minimum . Waterborne diseases are far from uncommon in Britain – in 2010 Olympic Gold medal-winning rower Andy Holmes last year of water-borne Weil’s disease. Whether due to sewage or infections spread by wildlife, open water can easily become contaminated. Seawater usually provides fewer problems because water cannot stagnate and its saltiness prevents bacteria proliferation. Freshwater swimming is more risky. Dr Yvonne Doyle, regional director for PHE London, said: 'Open water swimming is growing in popularity in the UK. 'Many people may already be aware that swimming in natural rivers and lakes, which may not be designated bathing waters, carries a risk of picking up infections.' Sponsored open water swims and triathlons have seen a surge in popularity. The Great North Swim started in 2008 with 3,000 participants and now has more than 10,000 are taking the plunge every year. The boom in wild swimming has also seen greater numbers of people getting blocked ears and temporary hearing problems, according to Dr Simon Gane of the Clear Ear Clinic, which specialises in earwax removal. This is due to earwax absorbing water, which causes it to expand, blocking the ear canal. Experts say there are many health benefits to wild swimming which include boosting cardiovascular health, improving the immune system and giving swimmers a natural high thanks to endorphins triggered by the cold water. Nasa studies have also shown that over a 12-week period, repeated cold swimming leads to substantial bodily changes known as ‘cold adaptation’. This results in reducing blood pressure, cholesterol and fat disposition, inhibiting blood clotting and increasing fertility and libido in both men and women. This is echoed by advice from pharmacists, who say wild swimming can be great fun, but sensible precautions should be taken. El-Gohary added: 'Swimmers with cuts are advised not to swim outdoors to avoid the risk of infection. They should also ensure that they don’t get too cold, and always have warm clothes to put on afterwards.' Wild swimmers are also advised to consult the Environment Agency’s website to check the water quality of their local bathing spot before taking the plunge. SWIMMER'S ITCH . Swimmer’s itch is a short-term, uncomfortable but harmless immune reaction to a flatworm parasite called schistosomatidae. Symptoms, which include itchy, raised papules, which commonly occur within hours of infection and do not generally last more than a week. These parasites use both freshwater snails and vertebrates as hosts in their parasitic life cycles. WEIL’S DISEASE . Leptospirosis or Weil's disease is a bacterial infection spread by animal urine. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, severe headaches, muscle pain, fatigue and, without treatment, fatal organ failure. According to the Health Protection Agency, 58 Britons contracted it in 2009, and eight people have died from Weil's in the past 13 years. Fishermen, canoeists and jet-skiers are the usual victims because they often cut themselves in the water. Experts advise wearing sandals to avoid cuts and scratches and, if you already have a wound, keeping out of the water. Never swim in an urban area unless you know it is monitored for safety and never swim in flood water. CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS . Cryptospiridiosis (parasite pictured) can cause vomitting and stomach rashes . Cryptosporidiosis is caused by a parasite called Cryptosporidium (Crypto), which targets the small intestine. It is most common in children aged from one to five, but can affect anyone  -  about 5,500 Britons are infected with the parasite each year. Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration, severe headache and sometimes a rash around the stomach. Untreated, Crypto can be fatal in the very young or old but those with a healthy immune system normally recover within a month. It is common in streams where cows or sheep may have urinated. E.COLINormally associated with food poisoning, E.coli bacteria can also be picked up from streams and rivers containing sewage. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhoea and can be fatal in the very young and old but is easily treated with antibiotics and healthy adults will usually recover quickly. SWIMMER'S EAR . Otitis externa is a common infection that affects the ear canal and is known as swimmer's ear because regular swimmers are five times more likely to develop the infection. Small scratches, cuts or blemishes leave the ear vulnerable to bacteria that are plentiful in water, which causes the ear to become inflamed and itchy. In severe cases the ear will excrete discharge, causing temporary deafness. ALGAE . In warm weather blue-green bacteria called cyanobacteria can cover the surface of slow-moving water. Algae rarely kills but can trigger itchy rashes, stomach upsets and, in severe cases, allergic reactions that cause difficulty breathing. ### SUMMARY:

Research by ChemistDirect has revealed that number of people seeking medical advice for swimming-related illness has rocketed over three weeks . Complaints include hand and leg abrasions and 'swimmer's itch', a rash caused by certain parasites that live in freshwater snails . Experts have advised to keep the water away from the mouth and to clean yourself thoroughly after taking a dip - especially if in freshwater .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Ray Massey . PUBLISHED: . 12:34 EST, 18 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:35 EST, 18 July 2013 . Network Rail bosses are on track for nearly £5million of 'double your money' bonuses after a controversial new incentive scheme was nodded through at the company's annual meeting . It means the top five rail directors are set to share in total pay-outs worth more than £11million - comprising basic salary, annual bonuses and long-term bonuses - for just three years' work. This is despite Network Rail missing all of its passenger train punctuality targets in 2012-13 and being warned by watchdogs that it is steaming towards a £75million fine by Spring next year over fears it will miss future targets for long distance services. Pay day: Network Rail bosses are in line for millions of pounds in extra bonuses by 2015 under a deal agreed today . Angry critics and unions condemned the bonuses as 'rewards for failure' and 'a gravy train', branding the five top directors of the taxpayer-funded track operator 'fat controllers' presiding over crowded trains, late-running services and inflation-busting fares. The five directors' income is made up of three distinct pots - their annual salaries, their annual bonuses, and a 'long term incentive' payment paid at the end of three years and worth a maximum of a full-year's salary. The total potential bonuses might have been closer to £6million, but the directors were docked up to £1million from their annual bonuses last year because they failed to hit some targets. The new long term bonus element- worth £2million alone - was rubber-stamped at Network Rail's annual general meeting in Cardiff. It was voted on by Network Rail's 44 'members' - the company's equivalent to shareholders - whose job is to hold the board to account. However, as a company limited by guarantee, Network Rail's members do not have any financial interest in the company. It means that over three years: . The annual bonuses pays bosses up to 60per cent of their salary provided they meet targets on punctuality as well as train company and passenger satisfaction. But with these targets missed last year, executives received just 17 per cent rather than the maximum 60 per cent of salary. The Transport Salaried Staffs Association's (TSSA) described the bonus vote as 'rewarding failure' amid concerns about service punctuality, rising train fares and a number of rail-related deaths. Cash: Network Rail chief executive David Higgins (left) is on track for £3.1million over three years while Simon Kirby, managing director of infrastructure projects, could receive £1.9million . TSSA's general secretary Manuel Cortes said the union was 'bitterly disappointed' by the plan: 'Once again public members of Network Rail have put the interests of bosses ahead of passengers. These bosses will be on board a very lucrative gravy train while the poor passengers pay through the nose with annual above-inflation fare rises.' But Network Rail defended the bonuses and said they would only be achieved - in part or in full - if 'tough' targets were met. Last year, following political pressure, bosses waived a bonus package and instead allocated their windfall to a safety improvement programme - which has seen Network Rail placed in the spotlight following a series of high profile incidents. Earlier this year, Network Rail was handed a £450,000 fine for failing to ensure the safety of 52-year-old Jane Harding killed who was killed when her car was hit by a train at a level crossing in Herefordshire, in January 2010. Network Rail 's Australian-born chief executive Mr Higgins told members at its annual meeting that 750 crossings had been closed noting: 'In my opinion the only good level crossing is a closed one.' Mr Higgins also conceded that more could have been done to prevent the death of 26-year-old rail worker Scott Dobson, who died after being hit by a train near Lincoln last December. TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes condemned the 'unfair' long-term bonus scheme . Before the vote TSSA union general secretary Manuel Cortes wrote to the voting members urging them to reject the 'generous' but 'unfair' long-term bonus scheme. He told them: 'Long term and annual bonuses could produce total bonus payments of £5.8million in the three years ending in April 2015. That huge amount would be on top of an annual salary bill of some £6million for the same period for the same five executives, giving potential total earnings of over £11 million between the period 2012 and 2015.' He noted: 'We regard those sort of payments at a tax payer funded infrastructure firm as wholly wrong, especially in view of the executives missed punctuality targets and safety record in recent years.' Network Rail said the long term bonus is 'to recognise outstanding and exceptional performance over the three years to 2015.' It said any future awards will be measured against train performance, savings made for the taxpayer and the successful delivery of congestion easing projects. Network Rail chairman Richard Parry-Jones, who does not receive any bonuses said: 'Network Rail executives are rewarded only when exceptional performance exceeds tough targets, which have been approved by our members through an open and transparent process. 'If targets are not met, or safety comprised, no bonuses are made.' He insisted the firm had made exceptional progress over the past 12 months with passenger numbers rising to 1.5 billion and £4.4billion worth of improvement on 'Victorian' rail network. The long-term bonus plan targets include: taxpayer savings (50% of total), train performance and punctuality (25% of total), and its management of capital projects (25% of total). Network Rail said: 'Under the scheme, pay-outs would commence at 25% of annual salary if performance was deemed to have exceeded expectations using the above measures.' ### SUMMARY:

Controversial new incentive scheme for five top executives . Over three years they could receive £11million in pay and bonuses . Last year the firm missed all of its punctuality targets . Company faces £75million by spring 2014 for late long distance trains . Chief executive David Higgins who has a basic salary of £577,000, a long term bonus worth the same again, and potential annual bonuses of £790,490 is on track for £3.1million . Group finance director Patrick Butcher with a basic salary of £394,000, a long term bonus worth same again, and annual bonuses worth £539,780, is on track for £2.1million. Managing director network operations Robin Gisby with a basic salary of £371,000, a long term bonus worth same again, and potential annual bonuses worth £508,270 is on track for £1.9million. Managing director infrastructure projects Simon Kirby also with a basic salary of £371,000, a long term bonus worth same again, and annual bonuses worth £508,270, is also on track for £1.9million. Group strategy director Paul Plummer with a basic salary of £348,000, a long term bonus of the same again, and annual bonuses worth £476,760, is on track for £1,868,760.

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Associated Press . and Meghan Keneally . A snowstorm is tearing across the shores of the Northeast and left more than a thousand people on the islands off the coast of Massachusetts without power. Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard were among the worst hit, with winds of up to 80 miles per hour whipping up to 10 inches of snow across the largely deserted streets. Some meteorologists feared that what started as a late-season snow storm could accelerate into a Category 3 hurricane. Rude awakening: Wind-driven waves crash on a sea wall in Scituate, Massachusetts on Wednesday morning . Whiteout: The island of Nantucket was hit with up to ten inches of snow and winds that reached up to 70 miles per hour on Wednesday . It has been dubbed a 'bombogenesis', a term meant to imply the storm will have the wrath of both a bomb and cyclonegenesis, or the beginning of a cyclone. This category of storm draws its power from picking up speed while over water. Less snow was expected farther to the north and east in Massachusetts, with the Boston area getting just an inch or two. Schools . across Cape Cod closed amid the 'white out' conditions, while ferry and . flight service to the islands were cancelled as early as Tuesday night . ahead of the Wednesday morning storm. Out at sea: The storm, dubbed a 'bombogenesis' did not hit major cities because it's center was so far out in the Atlantic (pictured) but islands off the coast of Massachusetts were right in the line of fire . Dramatic jump: Ferries from the mainland were cancelled starting late Tuesday and the service disruption continued through Wednesday as water levels continued to rise . View from above: The storm is believed to have picked up much of its strength from the winds over the ocean . On Maine's eastern tip, Hancock and Washington counties could get 8 to 16 inches of snow. Governor Paul LePage ordered state offices in both counties closed Wednesday morning as flurries started falling. Blizzard warnings were in effect in both Maine and Massachusetts. The Red Cross has opened a warming station at Nantucket High School. The National Weather Service also warned of coastal flooding and significant beach erosion along the Massachusetts coast and wind gusts causing scattered power outages in eastern Maine. The government agency's Boston office reported that waves in Nantucket exceeded 8 feet by 8am in the morning and continued to rise. Steering clear: The town's historic Main Street was deserted except for Department of Public Works vehicles . Not spring yet: The late-season storm covered Nantucket with snow and forced residents to 'hole up' White out: This Nantucket resident ignores the warnings from government agencies to stay inside . National Grid, the local power provider, reported that 1,566 customers in Nantucket had lost power by 7.30am. An update just before 10am reported that Boston Harbor recorded waves of more than 12 feet as a result of the wind. Local blogger Holly Finigan told MailOnline that she was 'holed up' in her home on the island's eastern coast, and the beachfront town was now being pummeled by water. 'There are insane winds. There's still a lot of snow but it's kind of drifting because of the winds,' the Nantucket BlACKbook author told MailOnline Wednesday morning. 'There's easily zero visibility.' Bracing for the storm: Towns like Scituate on the mainland coast of Massachusetts were hit mostly with strong winds and water from the sea that was brought up due to the wind . Securing the ships: Marina employees in Chatham check on the boats that they had been tasked with caring for over the winter as the storm was expected to carry through Wednesday . Sailor's fear: Boats were docked in Hyannis harbor on Wednesday in preparation for the storm . Make way: A snow plow goes down Main Street in Hyannis as authorities warned residents to avoid going outdoors . Jason Graziadei reported . that earlier reports of 70 mile per hour winds had been blown away by . 10am with new figures that put the number closer to 83 miles per hour in . some of the more deserted areas of the island near Monomoy. Those . dangerous conditions extended into the mainland, as the National . Weather Service- Boston urged all residents to stay inside and avoid any . travel due to the blizzard warning. The storm comes days after the official end of one of the snowiest winters on record. It began heading up the Interstate 95 corridor on Tuesday, dropping snowflakes onto Washington, D.C.'s budding cherry trees and dusting government buildings in northern Virginia. Almost 4 inches of snow was reported at Washington's Dulles International Airport and 1.7 inches at Reagan National Airport. Keeping covered: A woman in New Bedford, Massachusetts hides her face as she ventures outdoors . Ghost town: The port town of Hyannis was completely empty as all ferries running to and from Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket have been suspended due to the storm . Deceptive: The stretches at the coastline did not appear to be drowned in snow but that was because the bustling winds in those areas stopped the snow from collecting . As . the storm moved north, it dropped about 6 inches of snow in southern . Delaware's Sussex County and blanketed parts of southern New Jersey, . where six and a half inches of snow was reported in Cape May, five and a . half inches in Middle Township and 4 inches at Atlantic City . International Airport. Taunton, . Massachusetts-based meteorologist Matt Doody was unfazed by the . prospect of more snow during a seemingly relentless season. 'Here in New England, we're generally used to dealing with weather like this,' he said early Wednesday. Although . spring began a week ago, it's not unusual to have storms so late in the . year, said weather service spokesman Bill Simpson. Frozen: Nantucket writer Holly Finigan was nearly blown away when she went up to Sankaty Lighthouse which overlooks the island's eastern shores . Snowed in: A square in the town of Sconset, which is largely made up of beach houses, shows the depth of snow . Far cry from it's name: Windows on Beach Street in the Nantucket town of Sconset are completely covered with snow as winds in the area climbed above 80 miles per hour . The Boston area got more than 2 inches of snow in an April storm last year and was blanketed with almost 2 feet the same month in 1997. 'I can't wait for it to warm up,' 20-year-old Dajuan Davis of Boston, a massage school student bundled up in a heavy jacket, said Tuesday. 'I'm from North Carolina. I'm not used to this cold weather.' Where the snow falls and how much will depend on the storm's track. But wind and temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees below normal were expected to cover the Mid-Atlantic states and New England as the storm traveled from southern Virginia to Maine. ### SUMMARY:

Blizzard hit the coast of Massachusetts early Wednesday and conditions carried up to Maine . Being called a 'bombogenesis' as in a mix of the early stages of a cyclone mixed with a 'snow' bomb . Islands off Cape Cod among the worst-hit with winds of up to 80 miles per hour recorded in Nantucket . Combination of snow and strong winds caused 'white out' Wave heights of 12.5 feet recorded in Boston Harbor Wednesday . Could graduate to a category 3 hurricane given the strength of the wind .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Lizzie Edmonds . A teenager was late for her own 18th birthday party after a trainee hairdresser spent six hours giving her a 'terrible' and 'lopsided' style. Paige Kearns from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, paid £85 for a shampoo and a blonde dip dye to look her best for the 1960s themed party. Unbeknown to her, the job was given to a trainee stylist. Having arrived at Decisions salon in Basford just after 3pm, she finally left six hours later - with what she describes as 'lopsided' dyed hair. The waitress eventually arrived at her party at 9.30pm - over two-and-a-half hours late. By the time she arrived, her relatives from Wales were leaving to go home. Paige Kearns, pictured on her 18th birthday, right, arrived late to her own party because a trainee hairstylist took six hours to give her a 'lopsided' dip dye, left . The teen says because of the disastrous trip to the hairdressers she 'didn't enjoy her party at all' - which took place on March 15, cost £600 and had taken months to organise. Miss Kearns says the style . has gained her a lot of unwanted attention - with people mocking her . hair in the street. She says she has tried to get a full refund from the salon - who, she claims, have only offered her £40. Now, she is pursuing legal action after the salon 'refused to take any blame' for the style. She said: 'I couldn't believe what they had done - people were laughing at me in the street. 'I was left looking like an Afghan hound dog, it was so humiliating. Your 18th birthday is supposed to be special but it turned into a nightmare for me. 'I thought the hair cut was going to be done by 6pm but I was concerned when the hairdresser asked how to mix the colours. 'It looked like she was just mixing . some paint but I was too shy and scared to say anything - I had no idea . she wasn't qualified to do it. 'I . am known for my long hair and now it is ruined. The colour has gone all . orange and the dip dye is much higher than I wanted and not even . straight. The waitress posted this picture of the style on Facebook shortly after her birthday on March 15. She says she has been mocked in the street for the dip dye which 'makes her look like an Afghan hound' The teen is now taking the salon to court, saying they only offered her a £40 refund and 'refused to take any of the blame' for the style . 'I will have to have about five inches cut off and that will be the shortest I have ever had it. 'I have taken a lot of photos because we are taking the salon to court because they have only agreed to give £40 back. 'The salon manager is refusing to take any blame so it is going all the way to court now.' At the time, the teen took to Facebook to complain about her hairstyle, posting: 'Wow! thank you Decisions hairdressing for producing this three gradient hair colour! 'Putting a level 1 trainee on my hair and I really enjoyed sitting there for 6 hours to miss my own 18th birthday party that cost £600! 'Well done ladies! you really know . about customer service! especially missing the cut, and not even . shampooing my hair! amazing result. Lets put a level 1 on wedding hair! that sounds like an amazing idea doesn’t it!' In . another angry post she added: 'Majorly gutted the hairdressers pretty . much ruined my evening of being 2 hours late to my 18th, nevertheless . was an amazing night thank you to everyone who came and got me drinks, . cards and presents and to my dad who paid for it all, especially my . beatles cake!' Many of Miss Kearns' friends took to Facebook in support. Leanne . Boden - who paid for the teen's hairdo said: 'The . hairdresser said it was nice before we left, she even took herself a tip . and took £90 of my pre-paid money instead of £85... do u think i have . bn robbed?' The salon in Basford, Stoke-on-Trent. Salon manager Candice Lindsay says the stylist behind the look has apologised and the family have been offered a partial refund . 'I . paid £18 for mine aswell, 6 hours later it had all fallen down so i did . it myself but i don’t mind, they had created such a homely atmosphere, . they had even placed a couple of their hyperactive children in the salon . to run around moaning n messing with everything including the foils in . paige’s hair... i felt right at home. 'She . was just learning her level two, but was totally unsupervised, she . asked for help several times but was refused it as she “had to do it . some time."' The stylist behind the 'terrible' cut, Sarah-Jane Mascia, has said she is 'upset' the teen didn't like her hair and that she wasn't qualified to do the style . Olivia . Edge said: 'They shouldn’t have put a level 1 on your hair not even . meant to do anything on level one other than the basic hairdressing . stuff. 'Cutting and . colouring is level 2 this is absolutely disgusting that a professional . hairdressers would even do this to someones hair. If this was me id be . demanding every little bit off my money back. Vikki Loraso said: 'Go back and demand your money back that is appalling paige!' Amy . Statham said: 'God I did a better job doing this myself! Make sure they . pay paige! Disgusting. Luckily on the picture I saw of you you still . looked lovely.' Ritta Baker said: 'Oh dear. Wouldn’t have had that prob if u came to my salon xxx.' The stylist behind the 'terrible' cut was Sarah-Jane Mascia, 29, who responded to the criticism by saying: 'I’m studying for my level two qualification and this was level three work. It’s almost like running before you can walk. 'I was upset because I did my best and I know it wasn’t good enough but someone else should have taken over. 'When I looked at the hair I thought the colour was fine. It was the dip dye that looked bad because it had been rushed. I feel let down and everyone at college knows it was me who did the girl’s hair.' Salon manager Candice Lindsay, 27, said: 'I was not in the salon at the time. The junior stylist was very upset after the family complained as she knew she had made a mistake and she apologised. I offered the family a partial refund, which they refused.' ### SUMMARY:

Paige Kearns booked shampoo and blonde dip dye for 18th birthday party . Was given a trainee stylist at Decisions salon in Basford, Stoke-on-Trent . Stylist: 'Didn't shampoo her hair and gave her lopsided dye' she says . Teen left salon six hours later - turning up to party over two hours late . 'I’ve had abuse from girls in street telling me how bad it looks,' she says . Teen is taking the salon to court after they 'wouldn't offer full refund' Trainee behind the style says she wasn't qualified to do the style .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Simon Tomlinson . A young mother today demanded an apology from retail giant Sports Direct after she was ordered to leave one of their stores because she was breastfeeding. Wioletta Komar claims she was left in tears outside the shop in Nottingham city centre while trying to feed her three-month-old son in the rain. The 25-year-old had been sitting on a bench inside the store waiting for her father Edward Morawiec, 63, who was trying on a T-shirts. But she claims a member of staff suddenly marched over and told her that breastfeeding mothers were not welcome because of 'company policy'. 'Very upset': Wioletta Komar with her children - two-year-old Wictor (left) and five-month-old Daniel, whom she was trying to breastfeed in a Sports Direct store when she was ordered to leave by a member of staff . Demanding . an apology: Mrs Komar says she was sitting on a bench inside the store . feeding Daniel (pictured) when an employee told her to leave because it . was 'against company policy' The sales assistant then told her that . the store had no facilities for her and suggested she should go to . McDonald's which had a baby and mother room. Other . customers then took pity on the mother-of-two and helped her to push . her buggy outside so she could continue feeding Daniel. Mrs . Komar said she had contacted the company five times since the incident . on January 25 but had received no response to her complaint. She said: 'My son started crying, so I wanted to feed him. I sat on the bench near the shoe rack. 'The . store assistant approached me and said, "I'm sorry but you will have to . go out. You can't feed here. That is our company policy". 'I would like the staff to be trained better and I would like them to say why it happened. I would like them to apologise. 'Made to feel like a criminal': The 25-year-old was told the store had no facilities for her and suggested she should go to nearby McDonald's which had a baby and mother room . 'It made me feel very upset - I was . shaking and I didn't know what to do. I knew that I was allowed to be . there, but what could I do? 'It's very shocking. Of course it's knocked my confidence. You don't expect it, never.' The . Polish-born mother lives in Boston, Lincolnshire, with her husband . Zbigniew, 33, and their sons Wictor, two, and Daniel, who is now . five-months-old. She had . travelled to Nottingham for a weekend shopping with Daniel and her . father Edward as a Christmas present from her husband. She added: 'I was meant to be enjoying a weekend shopping and we were staying in the Hilton. 'But I obviously didn't enjoy myself and it was ruined. 'I have phoned them (Sports Direct) myself three times to chase the progress of it and was told that it is in process. In my opinion they don't treat it seriously. Scene: Mrs Komar claims she was left in tears outside the Sports Direct shop in Nottingham city centre (above) while trying to feed her son in the rain . 'Midwives and doctors say that it (breastfeeding) is best for the child but I feel so upset and frustrated about what has happened. 'I can't understand why a baby has to be punished for being hungry and why I need to feel like a criminal when I just want to feed my baby son.' Mrs Komar has also received support from other mothers including Laura Whatton - who was ejected from the John Carroll Leisure Centre in Nottingham in 2009. Mrs Whatton, who received an apology, said: 'I'm not surprised really. 'Everyone is prudish toward it, even though it's the most natural thing in the world.' Patti Rundall, policy director for Baby Milk Action, added: 'All mothers have a legally-protected right to breastfeed in public. 'It is important, it's their right and we will do what we can to support them.' The Equality Act 2010 states that it is discrimination to treat a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding. The act protects women who want to do so in shops or other public places. Sports Direct declined to comment. Wioletta Komar's experience is the latest in a number of incidents where mothers have been told to stop breastfeeding in public. In March, Heather Vaughan, 29, told how she was reduced to tears when staff at a naval museum ordered her to stop feeding her baby in its creche, telling her 'we don’t do that here'. The mother-of-two said she felt victimised and humiliated at the museum in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Bosses apologised, saying it had simply been an 'error of judgment'. 'Error of judgment': Heather Vaughan was told to stop breastfeeding in the creche of a naval museum . Last October, a midwife spoke out after she was told to stop breastfeeding in a public swimming pool because the lifeguard thought it was 'offensive'. Sophie Howes was sat on the steps of the learner pool with her eight-month-old daughter Connie at a leisure centre in Ashford, Kent, when she was ordered to move. The manager of the centre claims that CCTV footage shows Ms Howes breastfeeding Connie while the baby's head was level with the water in the pool. Sophie Howes (pictured, left, with her daughter Connie) and Michelle Garner (right, with baby Lois) were reprimanded in a swimming pool and a Morrisons supermarket respectively for breastfeeding . But the mother said: 'It is irrelevant whether I was in the water or not because that is not what the staff member said to me to begin with. 'She didn't mention health and safety issues, she just said one of her colleagues had been offended by me breastfeeding.' Also in that month, supermarket giant Morrisons was forced to apologise to a mother after asking her to breastfeed her baby in the disabled toilets, which she described as 'grubby and dirty'. Michelle Garner, 31, was stunned when staff at her local store in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts., told her she should feed her six-week-old daughter Lois in the supermarket washroom. 'Just meeting baby's needs': Emily Slough was horrified when a stranger took a picture of her breastfeeding her daughter Matilda on the steps of a restaurant (right) and uploaded it to Facebook calling her a 'tramp' In another case, a mother was forced to hit back at her critics after a picture of her breastfeeding in public was posted online calling her a 'tramp'. Emily Slough, 27, was horrified when a stranger took a picture of her breastfeeding her daughter Matilda on the steps of a restaurant and uploaded it to Facebook. Her story caused a storm online and she was even branded a 'peasant' by an 'etiquette expert' on a local radio show. She hit back at critics, saying: 'I was showing a lot less flesh than a lot of people do - I wasn't sitting there with my breast out. 'Breastfeeding mums aren't doing it to antagonise people or gain attention - they are doing it to meet their babies' needs.' ### SUMMARY:

Wioletta Komar, 25, claims she was forced to breastfeed baby in the rain . She said: 'It's shocking. I can't understand why I need to feel like a criminal' Claims she has contacted firm five times since January with no response . Equality Act: Discrimination to treat woman unfavourably for breastfeeding .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Darren Boyle . As thousands of veterans remember the sacrifice of their fallen comrades who gave their lives during the opening days of Operation Overlord, life at many of the locations that saw the heaviest fighting continues as normal. In a fitting tribute to the fight against Nazi tyranny, young children are enjoying the freedom secured by those brave men and women on those dark days 70 years ago as the allies struggled for a foot-hold on mainland Europe. By the end of the first day, in the region of 160,00 allied troops had made it ashore along a 50 mile stretch of the Normandy coastline at a cost of 4,000 lives. Scroll down for video . US Army Rangers marching to their landing craft on June 5, 1944 in Weymouth, Dorset on their way to capture a coastal defence battery protecting Omaha Beach . The barbed wire has long since been removed from the Dorset holiday town of Weymouth, which one of the launchpads for the invasion of Europe . In the middle of the chaos of Omaha beach, US troops struggle ashore after their landing craft is sunk by murderous German fire from the cliffs above . Today, tourists enjoy the sunshine on the beach near Colleville sur Mer although a bucket and spade has replaced the M1 Garand rifle as the tool of choice . Omaha Beach, which was protected by overhanging cliffs had some of the most intense fighting of D-Day. Yesterday President Barack Obama visited the area as a 'powerful manifestation of America's commitment to human freedom'. President Obama said that 'by daybreak, blood soaked the water' and 'thousands of rounds bit into flesh and sand'. He also spent time at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial where almost 10,000 white marble tombstones overlook the battle site. After the success of the initial assault, US troops flooded Omaha to reinforce the beach head and break out into the French countryside before a counter attack . Today the only threat of counter-attack comes during a game of beach football on the sands where the second front in Europe against Adolf Hitler was opened . At the time of D-Day, supreme commander of the Allied invasion forces was smoking four packets of camel cigarettes a day. During the preparations for the invasion, cartographers printed 17 million maps. The invasion was a logistical nightmare, with industry spending months preparing seven million jerry cans to carry fuel as troops advanced from the beach head. Special tanks were deployed on D-Day to destroy some of the four million mines which had been deployed to kill and maim soldiers and disable armour. Elements of the US 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division are dug in behind a concrete wall on Utah beach preparing to advance towards La Madeleine . Over the past 70 years the concrete wall has crumbled allowing easier access for families going home after an enjoyable day in the surf . US paratroops who dropped into Normandy carried almost 55 kg of equipment, including two morphine syringes, 'one for pain, two for eternity'. They also carried 24 sheets of toilet paper in their emergency ration packs, as well as four chocolate bars and some tobacco. In the aftermath of D-Day a lone soldier stands guard beside the remains of US fighter aircraft which has crash landed on Juno Beach during the assault . Two rubbish bins mark the spot where a US fighter aircraft crashed on D-Day, while changing huts have replaced the broken ammunition crates strewn across the sand . On Juno Beach, British and Canadian reinforcements are faced with wading past the bodies of hundreds of dead soldiers, killed during the opening attacks. Soldiers are warned they must clear the beach without stopping, leaving behind injured comrades because of the intense fire from the defending Germans. US troops march up a hill overlooking Omaha Beach passing concrete bunker which had been earlier raking machine gun fire across the first troops to hit the sand . The concrete bunker remains as a reminder of the occupation while visitors to the beach today arrive in family saloons rather than amphibious tanks and landing craft . By the end of D-Day, the allies had landed 156,000 troops in Normandy suffering 10,000 casualties. Of the casualties, an estimated 4,000 lost their lives. Within five days, almost 330,000 troops had crossed the English Channel supported by 54,186 vehicles carrying 104,428 tonnes of supplies. 158640 . 101611 . 136255 . 316071 . 112199 . 101890 . 71080 . 89769 . 118887 . 199321 . 96160 . 149374 . 108205 . 60233 . 46040 . 171040 . 123833 . US Army troops use a heavily fortified German bunker that they have just captured, overlooking Omaha beach as signal post . A plaque on the front of the bunker remembers the events of 70 years ago outside Saint Laurent sur Mer as tourists walk past the immaculately tended grouds . To assist the invasion, French railway workers sabotaged 37 lines leading to the area to prevent the Germans from moving large numbers of troops into Normandy. Among the best trained troops on D-Day were two British commando brigades who were used on Sword, Juno and Gold beaches. Many of them had been subjected to live fire training exercises and harsh conditions in the Scottish highlands. As the allies made their way inland they were met by thousands of German troops willing to surrender, many held in temporary camps such as the one in Nonant-le-Pen . Today there is little sign of the Nonant-le-Pin internment camp which has been returned to farmland . Former German soldier Paul Golz was captured by American troops three days after D-Day. He was manning a machine gun near Sainte-Mere-Eglise when an American tank appeared when he surrendered. He was moved to a British ship where he ate for the first time in several days. 'I told myself, man I want another meal - and I queued for a third time and ate for the third time,' he remembered. 'Then a British officer shouted - "what the hell is going on here? We only have 800 POWs on board but 3,000 eat?"' Farmyard animals didn't escape the carnage after these four cows in Les Dunes De Varreville were killed by an artillery burst which showered them in shrapnel . Farmer Raymond Bertot was 19 when US troops took a rest in his farmyard which is only a short distance from Utah beach . The body of a German soldier lies in the main square of Place Du Marche after it was captured by US troops who landed in Omaha beach . Today, there is no sign of the damage caused by heavy shelling during D-Day although the buildings were rebuilt with a few subtle differences . However, in the weeks following D-Day French towns such as Caen suffered extensive damage as German defenders attempted to prevent the march on Berlin . Today, the Rue Saint-Pierre has been rebuilt and is enjoyed by shoppers and tourists . ### SUMMARY:

One photographer armed with a handful of D-Day photographs went out to find the original locations . Then, using the exact spot used 70 years ago, a new photograph of the same scene was taken . From troops loading in Weymouth, Dorset, to the aftermath of the battle for Caen there is a striking similarity .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Stephen Wright . British police are to hunt for the ‘Mr Bigs’ running Romanian gangs that are now behind more than 90 per cent of cashpoint thefts in this country, the Mail can reveal. Officers will work with their Romanian counterparts to target the gangsters orchestrating the crimes which are netting an estimated £40 million a year. New figures reveal a sharp rise in the crimes by Romanian gangs and there are fears this will rise further with a new wave of immigrants expected to arrive in the UK from January. British police are working with Romanian officials to track down the masterminds behind £40million worth of cashpoint fraud per year in the UK (file picture) In the first six months of this year, fraud from ‘skimmed’ or ‘cloned’ cards rose 15 per cent to £23.2 million, compared to £20.2 million the same period in 2012. UK cash machine fraud also rose by 11 per cent (corr) to £16.2 million in the first half of 2013, compared to £14.6 million in the first six months of 2012. Earlier this year it emerged that the number of thefts related to ATMs has trebled. There were some 7,572 cash machine card thefts in the first four months of the year, up from 2,553 during the same period in 2012. Police intelligence suggests 92 per cent are linked to Romanian immigrants already in the UK. The losses suffered as a result of ATM thefts run into many millions of pounds, sources said. The Mail can reveal a major operation involving British and Romanian police is under way to identify the gangs behind the crime wave. UK detectives believe several ‘top level’ gangsters, based in Romania, are orchestrating the misery being inflicted on UK card users. Techniques such as skimming involve putting a reader over the card slot then collecting data as the card enters the machine . Senior Home Office figures are said to be ‘nervous’ about the crime surge. Detectives fear some criminals will be among the Romanians who will be entitled to settle in the UK when border controls are dropped in the New Year. They will join scores of Romanian thieves and fraudsters already established here and who now, according to well-placed sources, dominate certain categories of card crime. A spokesman for the Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit at City of London Police told the Mail yesterday that the £23.2million losses in counterfeit fraud includes all fraud perpetrated as a result of UK cards being copied. Much of this fraud takes place in countries outside the UK that have not fully implemented chip and PIN, he said. The £16.2million lost through UK cash machine fraud is where the compromised card is used at a UK cash machine irrespective of how the card is compromised and so includes use of lost/stolen cards, counterfeit cards and cards ‘intercepted in transit’, he added. The spokesman added: ‘Overall levels of card fraud have dropped by 29% since a peak in 2008. With the introduction of enhanced security features, such as Chip & PIN, criminals have resorted to deception thefts. 'These basic techniques include shoulder-surfing and distraction thefts at ATMs - resulting in an increase in incidents at cash machines - which our unit is tackling head on.’ Asked to comment on reports that Romanian criminals are responsible for more than 90 per cent of ATM thefts, he said: ‘That figure relates to police intelligence from 2010, however the Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit remains focussed on the involvement of Romanian criminal gangs in ATM crime, amongst other threats to the payment industry from organised crime.’ The latest annual figures show that, in 2012, the top five countries for fraudulent activity on UK issued cards were USA (£23.4m), France (£7.9m), Luxembourg (£6.9m), Italy (£5.4m) and Ireland (£5.2m). The DCPCU spokesman said officers are currently working on an 18 month project which is funded in the main by the European Commission and will be focusing on Romanian organised criminality targeting the UK payments industry. ‘For operational reasons there are no further details we can release at this time,’ he said. The Mail has learned that officers have identified a number of ‘Mr Bigs’ in the Romanian city of Bacau. A source said: ‘They are very clever criminals who have made vast sums of money out of card crime in the UK, but who are difficult to pin down.’ Gang members working for the crime barons will typically crowd customers withdrawing cash to read their four-digit PIN, then distract them to steal the card. In some cases they install a simple metal sleeve in the slot which means the card is not returned to the user. Someone reads the PIN over the victim’s shoulder and then, when they have moved away, retrieves the card. Once the thieves have the card and PIN they can go on a shopping spree or use a hole in the wall machine to empty their victim’s account. Another technique, shoulder surfing, involves distracting a user while another person takes their details (posed by models) Last month Scotland Yard revealed that policemen from Romania and Poland are being drafted in to help British forces combat an Eastern European crime wave. Met chiefs have recruited the officers, who have flown to the capital for a two-year ‘tour of duty’ to help identify and deport overseas offenders. The special squad, comprising eight detectives from Romania and three officers from Poland, will join the Met on raids, interviews and working in custody suites to crosscheck records with their own police database. The unprecedented move comes after it emerged last year that 28 per cent of the 300,000 suspects the Metropolitan Police arrests each year were foreign nationals, with Poles and Romanians at the top of the list. More than 27,000 Romanian citizens have been held for serious offences in London in the past five years, including ten for murder, 142 for rape and 666 for other sex offences. The number of Romanians arrested is second only to that of Poles, 34,905 of whom have been detained since 2008, including 84 for murder. Police hope that the new unit will disrupt major organised criminal networks including the fraud gangs originating from Bacau. Last month it was revealed that fraud losses on UK credit and debit cards have risen by 17pc in a year as criminals, struggling against improving technology, turn to new forms of “low-tech” scams. Some £216.1 million worth of card frauds were committed in the first six months of this year, according to Financial Fraud Action UK, which prevents crime on behalf of the financial services industry. The total cost of fraud on debit and credit cards leapt 14 per cent last year, by £47 million to £388 million. Fraud is expected to top £400 million this year. In 2008 Romanian fraudster Adu Bunu, was jailed for five years after he was convicted of cloning more than 2,000 cards, which allowed him to steal up to £1.1million. Police found photographs that showed his young son rolling around in a mountain of stolen cash. ### SUMMARY:

British and Romanian police are working to bring down cashpoint fraud . Around £40million worth is though to be committed per year in the UK . Around 90 per cent of it is organised by Romanian gangs according to police figures .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Katy Winter . and Naomi Greenaway . Eat your heart out Demi Moore, Madonna and J Lo, there's a new cougar in town - and she's out done all of you by dating a man 60 years her junior. And what's more, as these pictures show, he's not bad looking either. Ninety-one-year-old great-granny Marjorie McCool has been dating 31-year-old Kyle Jones for five years. And in case you're wondering, the couple, who appeared on ITV's This Morning, have a rampant sex life, and a good one at that.Scroll down for video . Kyle Jones, 31, with Marjorie McCool, 91, who appeared on This Morning via satellite from Pennsylvania . 'The sex is great!' Kyle told Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby as the presenters visibly struggled to keep a straight face. When the hosts tried to unpick Kyle's attraction for his great-granny girlfriend, Kyle from Florida, explained, 'Everyone has their thing that they like. It's hard to explain what visually attracts me to Marjorie, but I like the platinum hair, I like the skin, I like the features.' 'If wanted cheerleaders, I would have cheerleaders – you have to go for what you’re attracted to. But the attraction is definitely physical,' he added. If you're wondering, as host Schofield did, whether Marjorie is up to the task of satisfying a young healthy red blooded male, fear not. 'Sweety, I can put my leg up on his shoulder. I’m not kidding. I have pictures to prove it,' she confirmed. ‘I get good loving and lots of attention,’ she added, but admitted at first she was surprised by his attention. ‘I’ve often dated younger men but not that much younger,' she said via satellite from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, where the 91-year-old lives. Kyle and Marjorie stroll along arm-in-arm in Pittsburgh . Even though the pair get it on regularly, their relationship isn't exclusive. 'I don’t really mind, I did at first but I got over it,' said Marjorie of their arrangement. 'I’m the oldest and feel privileged. It’s odd for a woman this age to have such a younger guy and it’s thrilling.' Kyle said, ‘We have a very physical relationship. We talk on the phone every now and then, but it’s very sexual. We’ve been out a couple of times but generally it’s very physical.' When Philip asked bluntly whether they just meet up to have sex, Kyle replied, ‘It sounds so dirty when you put it that way. But that’s accurate.' One downside for Kyle is that the families are often suspicious. But the couple confirm Marjorie has no money and deny he has any financial motivation. Kyle Jones, 31, says he has never dated a woman his own age, shares a tender kiss with Marjorie McCool, 91 at a local park . 'Often their kids don’t like me and we can’t change that,' he said. 'I often get accused of being some kind of vulture. People think it's linked to inheritance, but not at all.' The other issue Kyle faces, is that his lady lovers are often nearing the end of their lives. 'When I went back to Florida, three of the . women I had been seeing there were no longer with us,' he said. 'I don’t believe in karma . but I could walk outside and get hit by a car so generally it's not something I think about. 'I’ve never wanted kids. I’m not against the idea of being with one women but I haven’t found someone who’s stopped me in my tracks. But that doesn't prevent Kyle from taking his granny girlfriends home to meet his mum. ‘Mums OK with it,' he said. 'At first she thought it was phase, but however many years later she now thinks, "That’s just Kyle".' Kyle, who says says that he always been attracted to older women, has even taken girlfriend Marjorie McCool, 91 (L) home to meet his mother Ceceila Jones (R) Kyle, who's previously appeared on TV across the pond said, 'Everyone's brain is wired differently, some guys prefer blondes, some brunettes, some like other guys - I like old ladies.' The call centre worker was just 18 when he first acted on his attraction for older women and began a sexual relationship with a 50-year-old. Now Kyle uses dating websites to find women as well as chatting them up in his daily life. He said: 'Most of the time, the average age I go for is between 60 and 80. 'Whenever I'm trying to speak to an older woman, the first reaction I get is 'you're way too young'. 'I find persistence is good so I tell them it'll be fun.' As well as Marjorie, 91, (left) Kyle is currently dating, Anna Reimol, 67, (right) and another three older women . Despite a 60 year age gap, the couple say they have an excellent and active sex life . In 2009 he met great-grandmother Marge - short for Marjorie - in the bookstore where she was working and asked for her number. Marge, who had been single for 37 years since splitting with the father of her six children, agreed to go on a date. She said: 'In the beginning I got jealous of his other women but he keeps coming back to me and tells me I'm the best. 'The physical side of our relationship is wonderful. I amaze myself, he amazes me. There's nothing better. Kyle mother Ceceila, (R) says she has realised that her sons preference for older women like Marjorie (L) is more than a phase . 'I wear sexy outfits to bed. I try to keep my bra on though because I don't have much left. 'My family consists mostly of boys, and they don't really care - what I do is my business. 'Their ages are 71, 63, 61, 52 and 50. 'When people see us out together they probably think that he's my son, or maybe even a grandson. I have grandsons older.' And while many of the women he dates can't believe such a young man would find them attractive, Kyle is adamant he does. He said: 'Often, the things women are so self-conscious about is what I'm into. I like the neck lines and wrinkles. 'Women worry about their boobs sagging but I think the natural hang looks great. I'm really not a fan of plastic surgery. 'I don't like to say gray, I'm a fan of platinum hair. I prefer it natural.' Kyle's mother, Ceceila Jones Clark, 50, said: 'I think a lot of children have crushes on their teachers, so it didn't strike me as strange. 'I really wasn't sure if that was something that he was going to stay with or if it was just a cougar phase some young men go through. 'However, later when I saw the kind of women he was spending time with I knew it wasn't a phase.' ### SUMMARY:

Kyle Jones and Marjorie McCool appeared on This Morning to talk about their five-year relationship . Kyle had first sexual experience with a 50-year-old aged 18 . Claims he has always been attracted to older women . Currently dating five women aged over 60, including Marjorie, 91 . Says they have an active and satisfying sex life . Often takes girlfriends home to meet his mother, 51 .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Stephen Wright . A poignant letter written by a dying woman to her two daughters explaining why she had left half her estate to her toyboy lover was revealed yesterday. Elizabeth Walker reminded  the pair they had previously received ‘substantial sums’ and that she had given up an inheritance from her own mother, urging her to leave her estate to them instead. She also begged her daughters to ‘understand and respect my decisions’ and hailed her younger lover  as a ‘faithful partner’ who ‘will need this support’. Jennifer Rowan (left) and Alison Walker (right) argue that her mother was irrational when she changed the will shortly before her death. Today a letter from their mother was revealed explaining her decision . Heartbreaking explanation: Sisters Alison and Jennifer had fought to keep the letter secret, but today it was revealed to the High Court . IT analyst Michael Badmin, 35, is . fighting Alison ‘Ally’ Walker, 31, and Jennifer Rowan, 32, for a share . of their mother’s £1.2 million farm set in 90 acres in Garlinge Green, . near Canterbury, Kent. Mrs . Walker died aged 53 in February 2010 from a brain tumour, barely a month . after creating her will, which left half of her estate to Mr Badmin, . with the other half split between her daughters. The . daughters claim their mother was in a ‘delusional and irrational’ state . when she signed the will and have asked a judge to tear it up. Mr . Badmin, from Sittingbourne, Kent, insists he should receive the money. He was in his early 20s when he met Mrs Walker and their relationship . ‘began in earnest’ over Christmas 2005, the High Court in London was . told. The couple kept their relationship quiet until Mrs Walker . separated from her husband John, a property developer now aged 67. She . was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2009, apparently cutting her . daughters out of their expected inheritance just months later. In . her letter to her family, explaining her decision to give a huge chunk . of her fortune to her lover, Mrs Walker said she hoped the ‘division’ of . her estate was ‘adequate’, as ‘I want you all to be content’. ‘I . wanted to provide a benefit that would not only support Michael, but . one which would then go to help my family, so I hope you all understand . and feel that this is reasonable,’ she wrote. ‘I . feel I have done my best to provide for Ally and Jenny throughout my . life, and that you have both received substantial sums in terms of . inheritance over the years, which has given you both a good start to . your adult lives. I forwent my inheritance from my mother, requesting . her to leave it to both [of] you instead of taking it myself – so I hope . you appreciate that I have tried to do my best for you as I care for . you very much. ‘Your father . has not helped throughout the divorce process and sadly decided not to . agree to what I feel I should have been entitled to by law, using my low . life expectancy against me over the course of the mediation process. ‘It . was hard for him to come to an agreement, which I feel he should have . made more effort to come to under the circumstances, especially given my . prognosis. ‘As you know I . have decided to split my remaining estate between you all, giving 25 per . cent to Jenny, 25 per cent to Ally, with Michael receiving 50 per cent . as he has been my faithful partner for several years and I feel he will . need this support.’ Mrs Walker also said she had cut her husband John out of her will, because of his ‘obstructiveness’ in finalising their divorce. She . went on: ‘For Jenny and Ally, I feel your father should be able to help . you as the divorce settlement looks ultimately to be in his favour and . that I have given you the best I could in terms of bringing you up and . being a mother. I have always tried to give you both the best of . everything I have been able to, and I will always love you and your . children dearly.’ Miss . Walker and Mrs Rowan claim their mother ‘failed utterly to engage in the . process’ of making a will and relied on Mr Badmin to help draft it. Deputy High Court Judge Nicholas Strauss QC released the letter written by Mrs Walker, despite her daughters’ objections. The dispute centres on Mrs Walker’s mental capacity at the time the will was created. The case continues. Dear All, . As you will know I have left you all a division of my estate. I hope you feel that it is adequate given the circumstances as I want you all to be content. As you will now know, Michael has a lifetime interest in any property that I own, which will then pass on to Jenny and Ally. I would like to ask that [daughters] Jenny and Ally both make a Will to ensure that this may pass on to Phoebe and Owen, so that they may one day benefit from this, as is my intention. I wanted to provide a benefit that would not only support Michael, but one which would then go to help my family, so I hope you all understand and feel that this is reasonable. I feel I have done my best to provide for Ally and Jenny throughout my life, and that you have both received substantial sums in terms of inheritance over the years, which has given you both a good start to your adult lives. I forwent my inheritance from my Mother, requesting her to leave it to both [of] you instead of taking it myself - so I hope you appreciate that I have tried to do my best for you as I care for you very much. Your father has not helped throughout the divorce process and sadly decided not to agree to what I feel I should have been entitled to by law, using my low life expectancy against me over the course of the mediation process. It was hard for him to come to an agreement, which I feel he should have made more effort to come to under the circumstances, especially give my prognosis. As you know I have decided to split my remaining estate between you all, giving 25% to Jenny, 25% to Ally, with Michael receiving 50% as he has been my faithful partner for several years and I feel he will need this support. Due to John’s obstructiveness in finalising the divorce, we were unsure as to how much money would be left after our pressing expenses and the care I most likely will require throughout my illness. I hope there is enough to to help you in some way. John was uninterested in any of the above which saddened me greatly and I only hope he someday realises his unsympathetic view to my situation. John Vincent Walker has been excluded from my Will for this reason. Considering the possible future and writing this Will has been very hard for me, but the most important thing is that I wish the best for you all and my grandchildren in the future. I do hope you all understand and respect my decisions. For Jenny and Ally, I feel your father should be able to help you as the divorce settlement looks ultimately to be in his favour and that I have given you the best I could in terms of bringing you up and being a mother. I have always tried to give you both the best of everything I have been able to, and I will always love you and your children dearly. I love you all, . Best wishes, . Mum/Liz . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. ### SUMMARY:

Elizabeth Walker died in 2010 aged 53 after suffering from a brain tumour . Left half her £1.2million farm to daughters and other half to younger lover . Daughters Alison Walker and Jennifer Rowan argue will should be torn up . Claim she was 'delusional' when she included Michael Badmin in her will . Today letter was revealed to High Court from mother explaining decision . In it she says she gave daughters 'substantial sums over the years'

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Her own mother bucked the royal trend for traditional baby names when she opted for Zara. So it is not surprising that new mum Zara Phillips decided against going with family favourites such as Elizabeth or Anne. Yesterday the Queen’s grand-daughter and her husband, former England rugby captain Mike Tindall, announced they had named their daughter Mia Grace (pronounced My-ya) for no other reason than ‘they both liked the name’. Scroll down for video . Proud: Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall have named their baby daughter Mia Grace . And they are not the only ones. Mia shot into the chart of the country’s most popular baby names at number seven last year, with 3,524 new Mias in the country. In marked difference from last week’s formal Buckingham Palace announcement of her birth, the news was announced by Tindall on Twitter. He posted: ‘For everyone who has asked what our daughter’s name, it’s Mia Grace Tindall.’ Zara’s spokesman, Susan MacMahon, told the Mail: ‘There is no family connection, no relation with the name, it’s just pure coincidence. They both just really liked the names, particularly Mia.’ Announcement: Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips have revealed that the name of their daughter is Mia Grace . Modern: The baby's name was revealed by the proud father via Twitter today . Bookmakers William Hill dropped its . odds on the name from 16/1 to 5/1 after a surge of bets in the  minutes . before the announcement. ‘There was a late surge of betting for “Mia”, . with one punter wanting £300 on the name,’ spokesman  Jon Ivan-Duke . said. ‘Normally the money . that comes  in on royal baby names tends to be quite small. Ten or . twenty pounds . .. a little here, a little there. So when someone . attempts to put a relatively large amount on all of a sudden,  it tends . to arouse our suspicions. ‘We . decided not to take the bet and do a little checking to see if the . information was out there, and as we were checking the information came . in.’ Mia is of both . Italian and Latin origin and means ‘mine’. In  Danish, it means . ‘beloved’. Grace is a more traditional name, which has long been used to represent the concept of divine grace. In a royal context, it was made famous . by Princess Grace of Monaco, the Hollywood actress who married Prince . Rainier and was considered a global icon of style and glamour. Birth: Zara, pictured shortly before the birth of Mia, left hospital just six hours after the baby was born . Zara gave birth last week to the 7lb 12oz girl, who is 16th in line to the throne and is the Queen's fourth great-grandchild. Tindall . also took to Twitter after the birth to describe his joy at becoming a . father for the first time, saying it was 'definitely the best day of my . life'. However, the couple predicted they . would take some time to come up with a name because they had chosen not . to be told the sex of their child in advance. Zara, . a silver medal-winning Olympian who is one of Britain's leading . equestrian riders, gave birth to her first child at Gloucestershire . Royal Hospital with her husband at her side. She . is the daughter of Princess Anne, but does not hold a royal title after . her mother decided not to pass on her status to her children. Mia Grace will also not hold any royal or aristocratic title. When Zara herself was born, her name was likewise a break from tradition as it had no precedent in the royal family. Grandmother: Princess Anne last week at the Gatcombe Park estate, where her grandchild is believed to be . staying with Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall . A new arrival: Zara's brother Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn were seen leaving the estate after welcoming Mia into the world . With . a wide circle of friends and family that includes an eclectic mix of . royalty, rugby players and racing folk, there’s no shortage of . candidates for the role of Mia's godparent. The Duke and . Duchess of Cambridge are both possible options as is Prince Harry, . because Zara is known to be close to her cousins and is godmother to . Prince George. Another . royal who could be asked is Zara’s brother Peter Phillips or his wife . Autumn Kelly, and other Windsors such as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie . are also in the frame. Zara’s . best friend, racehorse trainer, Dolly Maude, is a likely choice - Zara . is already godmother to her seven-year-old son Ted Maude. Ms . Maude was also a maid of honour at Zara’s 2011 wedding to Mike Tindall, . where she shared the honours with Stephanie Phillips, Zara’s . 15-year-old half-sister and another potential godparent. The use of Twitter to announce the . name of the baby stands in stark contrast to how the birth of her second . cousin Prince George was revealed to the world. When . the son of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge was born last . year, the official announcement of the birth came on an easel placed . outside Buckingham Palace. Zara . has said that she plans to return to riding as soon as possible . following Mia's birth - just like Anne, who did not allow becoming a . mother to interrupt her sporting career. In . an early sign of her no-nonsense approach to motherhood, Zara left . hospital last week after just six hours and returned to the Gatcombe . Park estate in Gloucestershire, where she was joined by Anne and by her . brother Peter. The early betting was on a more . traditional name for the new royal baby with Charlotte, Victoria, Anne . and Elizabeth among the front runners. But bookmakers William Hill said Mia entered the betting yesterday afternoon at odds of 16-1 and finished as the 5-1 favourite. Spokesman . Rupert Adams said: 'It looks like a few people managed to get Mia . correct and we have now lost for the second time running. 'We might have to close that betting early for the next royal baby - be it William or Harry.' Home: The latest addition to the royal family will grow up on Anne's Gatcombe Park estate near Minchinhampton . Rider: Zara plans to resume her career as a top horsewoman following the birth of her daughter . The baby girl follows Zara's brother Peter Phillips' two children and Prince George to become the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's fourth great grandchild. Peter Phillips' daughters Savannah and Isla Phillips were also born at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in Gloucester. Zara and Mr Tindall moved back to Anne's Gatcombe Park estate last January after selling their regency home in Cheltenham. Hospital: Mia Grace was born on January 17 at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital . The pair first met in a Sydney bar when Mr Tindall was in Australia for the 2003 Rugby World Cup. They married in July 2011 in a ceremony staged in Edinburgh and attended by the Queen and senior royals. Zara won a silver medal at London 2012 with eventing equestrian teammates William Fox-Pitt, Mary King, Tina Cook and Nicola Wilson, and is planning to take part in the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016. ### SUMMARY:

Rugby star Mike Tendall reveals the name of newborn girl via Twitter . Couple picked Mia because 'they both liked the name', says spokesman . Zara gave birth to Mia last week but spent just six hours in hospital . The baby is 16th in line to the throne but does not hold a royal title .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: On the shoreline of Hawaii's most famous beach, a decaying swimming pool attracts little attention from wandering tourists. A few glance curiously at the crumbling Waikiki Natatorium, a salt water pool built in 1927 as a memorial to the 10,000 soldiers from Hawaii who served in World War I. But the monument's walls are caked with salt and rust, and passers-by are quickly diverted by the lure of sand and waves. The faded structure has been closed to the public for decades, the object of seemingly endless debate over whether it should be demolished or restored to its former glory. The latest plan is to replace it with a beach, more practical for the state's lucrative tourism industry - and millions of dollars cheaper, according to state and local officials. They say a full restoration could cost nearly $70 million. Closed: The locked gates of the faded Waikiki Natatorium which has been closed to the public since 1979 . The corroding monument has challenged the community to maneuver a delicate question: How do we honor those who have served when memorials deteriorate and finances are tight? Similar debates have been playing out across the country. The National Trust for Historic Preservation waged a two-and-a-half-year fight to restore the aging Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC, when some people proposed replacing it. Far less disagreement surrounded a decision to update the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco after a powerful earthquake in 1989. In Greensboro, North Carolina residents have been grappling with what to do with the city's own decaying tribute to the soldiers of World War I. Former glory: The Greensboro World War Memorial Stadium in North Carolina hosted minor league baseball for decades and served as a location for notable sports films such as 'Leatherheads' but is now falling into disrepair . The Greensboro World War Memorial . Stadium hosted minor league baseball for decades and even served as a . location for notable sports films such as "Leatherheads" and "Bull . Durham." Yet, despite continued use by kids and college-level athletes, the structure is falling into disrepair. The historic pebbled facade is falling off, and some of the bleachers are blocked off because of crumbling concrete, said David Wharton, a Greensboro resident who is fighting as a member of his neighborhood association to restore the structure. It's been a losing battle. The city rejected two referendums to fund renovations and chose to build a new stadium for minor league baseball instead of fixing up the old one. As a classics professor at University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Wharton has a soft spot for historic places. But he recognizes there are many other priorities competing for the millions of dollars it would take to restore the stadium. A city group is exploring different ways to use the space, and preservation advocates hope the monument can be saved even if that means changing the stadium's purpose. For many residents, the structure's architectural and historic significance pales in comparison to more immediate needs. 'The war was a long time ago,' Wharton said. 'I don't think it's meaningful for most people.' Sometimes, communities decide that memorials aren't worth the price. Pre-loved: Despite continued use by kids and college-level athletes, officials opted not to renovate the World War Memorial Stadium in Greensboro, North Carolina and built a new stadium instead . In Michigan's upper peninsula, the Wakefield Memorial Building once stood as a grand structure overlooking a lake in Wakefield, an old mining town. The memorial, built in 1924 to commemorate the sacrifices of World War I soldiers, was expansive, including a banquet hall, meeting room and theater. By the 1950s, the community couldn't afford the upkeep of the building and sold it to a private owner. Over the years, there were attempts to renovate the structure. But it was deemed too expensive and by 2010, the building was demolished. John Siira, the city manager, said there are plans to build a new memorial at the site, including a City Hall and library. Demolished: Wakefield Memorial Building in Michigan, seen here in 2009, was built in 1924 to commemorate the sacrifices of WWI soldiers but proved too expensive to maintain and was torn down in 2010 . But the project is on hold, and Siira said he's not sure when construction will start or when the project will pick up again. The lot where the building used to stand is now an empty lawn. The snow melted just last week, remnants of a long winter. In Honolulu, the fight over the beachside memorial is far from over. Jason Woll, who manages the beaches and parks in Waikiki, says the salty air, crashing waves and decades-old construction material have contributed to the memorial's demise. 'Unfortunately this may have had its day in the sun,' Woll said. 'It's a World War I memorial but quite frankly, it looks like it's been through war.' Crumbling: Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell believes it's more respectful to the memory of soldiers who served in WWI to demolish the decaying Waikiki Natatorium than to let it crumble into the sea . Hawaii state and local officials recently announced a proposal to tear down the building and have started analyzing the plan - a process expected to take at least a year. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell says the demolition has been a long time coming. 'The greater disrespect is allowing the pool to continue to crumble and fall into the sea,' Caldwell said. Caldwell says the new beach would better serve local residents and plans to preserve the memorial's arch will honor the soldiers. Demolishing the structure for $18 million is much cheaper than the $69 million price tag attached to full renovation, he said. But an organization called Friends of the Natatorium says the city's cost analysis is wrong and renovation would in fact be cheaper than demolition. The group, led by former state lawmaker Peter Apo, wants a moratorium on any plans to destroy the memorial to give the group time to fund-raise for restoration . Danger: The once-great swimming pool was built as a World War I memorial, but is now infested with sharks as authorities argue over its future . Apo says because the building is on the National Register of Historic Places, a restoration campaign could attract . philanthropy from across the nation. But he acknowledges that it could . be hard to garner public support. World War I doesn't carry the same . significance in Hawaii as World War II, and many people like the idea of . a new beach. The site is such a safety hazard that public access has been blocked since 1979 - well past the pool's days of hosting legendary athletes like Olympic swimmer and surf icon Duke Kahanamoku. Crabs scuttle between 'Danger' signs lining the building's edges, and sharks swim in the pool, beneath the cracks of the crumbling floor. 'We're a nation of short memory,' Apo said. ### SUMMARY:

Hawaii's Waikiki Natatorium pool was built in 1927 as a memorial to the 10,000 Hawaiian soldiers who served in WWI . The gates have been closed to the public since 1979 . The state is considering replacing the pool with a beach but critics dismiss the idea as disrespectful to those who served . Many other structures dedicated to the memory of fallen soldiers across the country are falling into disrepair . Communities are grappling with the question of how to maintain war memorials on a tight budget .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Obese people will be paid to lose weight through schemes in the workplace, under radical plans unveiled today. Under the NHS-backed scheme, slimmers would be given rewards such as cash or shopping vouchers. Employers will also be urged to offer incentives to staff who shed pounds. Firms will be given some funding to set up slimming or exercise classes and also receive tax breaks from the Government. Critics argue that obese people should take responsibility for their own health. But Dr Sally Norton, an NHS consultant specialising in weight loss, says our busy lifestyles and constant temptation to eat fatty foods means this is simply unrealistic. Dr Norton - who works at Bristol Royal Infirmary and Southmead Hospital - argues we should give overweight people as much help as possible, to try and halt the obesity crisis. Here, she gives her view... Dr Sally Norton says our busy lifestyles and constant temptation to eat fatty foods means many people simply can't manage their weight . I am getting more and more cross. Every time I discuss weight loss and health issues, someone will say, in a rather accusatory tone, 'surely it is down to the individual to take responsibility for their own weight and well-being'. Perhaps, in an ideal world - but this is the real world and we need to face facts. How can we be stuck in a sedentary job, eating poor quality food, hunched over a computer, under stress from 9-5, five days a week, and expect to have the time or energy to work on our weight, health and fitness in the remaining hours? As an NHS weight loss surgeon, the person in front of me is seeking help. Should my response then be: 'Well, of course you do understand I can't help you - it was your personal choice, your weak will, your lack of ability to resist temptation. 'And now you are going to die early from a weight related disease. 'Oh, and by the way, there's a Caramel Latte for you as you leave the premises - in one of the many coffee shops springing up in hospitals - to help with the shock?' Of course not – because I don't believe that is true. Instead, I will provide weight loss surgery, where appropriate. But I think we should be insisting that employers, manufactures, retail outlets, governments and especially our hospitals are doing all they can to help us keep weight off in a healthy way. Two thirds of us are overweight or obese and we are making sure that our kids are following in our footsteps. The bottom line is, that however much we want to eat more healthily and take more exercise, we are surrounded by temptation wherever we turn. Portions are getting bigger and bigger. Manufacturers are busy dreaming up increasingly calorie-packed offerings that they market to us with well-researched psychological manipulation. We seem busier than ever, but in a sedentary way. We are often trapped in offices with limited opportunity for activity, and everything is geared towards convenience: drive-throughs, escalators, home deliveries, gadgets to reduce physical effort. So, yes, personal responsibility is important - but we need help. It is blindingly obvious that we can't beat this on our own. She argues many us are 'trapped in offices with limited opportunity for activity, and everything is geared towards convenience' - including fast food and moving as little as possible . We need manufacturers to do their bit by providing us with easy access to healthier food choices. We don't need tricks such as coercing us into buying double sized chocolate bars that we all know won't be shared - but instead will change our perception of a normal serving. We also need to make health and well-being part of our daily lives, and that, for many of us, involves the workplace. Simon Stevens has today suggested that companies should be encouraged to help us tackle our weight and health. Sugar-laden drinks are contributing to obesity . Dr Norton recently spoke out about the rise of coffee outlets in hospitals and says she no longer shakes the hands of her patients - more often than not because they arrive clutching a Costa take-out. In the place of these popular coffee shops and fast food outlets, she has called for restaurants and cafes championing local food producers and offering healthy and tasty snacks. 'We read every week, in The BMJ and other leading medical journals, of research detailing the perils of sugar and fizzy drinks,' she said. 'We frequently hear laments about the cost to the NHS of the epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes, which is threatening to engulf us. 'And yet, the NHS, which I understood to be an organisation that promotes and supports health (rather than just treating disease), is actually contributing to the problem. 'As a weight loss surgeon, I find it frustrating and, frankly, embarrassing to spend time in clinic, explaining to my patients how sugary drinks and snacks are one of the biggest drivers of obesity, when I know that just outside in our hospital foyer are not one, but two Costa coffee shops, as well as vending machines stocked full of coke and chocolate.' This has provoked all sorts of derisory comments about how we would be affronted to have our employers forcing us on to the scales every Monday for an office weigh-in. Of course, there are good and bad ways to do this, but the crux is that many of us spend a vast proportion of our lives at work. So if our work environment doesn't encourage us to be healthy then we just don't stand a chance. Simon Stevens says the NHS is in financial crisis - but can we expect individuals to take responsibility for their health? Well it hasn't worked so far. Simon Stevens is right. If we don't challenge the causes of illness then the NHS is at risk of becoming bankrupt. When providing a cure is financially not viable any more then the only choice is to identify the cause of the imbalance and tackle it at the roots. It was never enough to look for a cure for cancer – it was always the aim to stop smoking through education; through warning on packaging; through removing temptation. How is it any different for obesity? Simon Stevens is asking government to get involved – to offer corporate rewards for health in the workplace - and I agree. Let's make the most of this opportunity to improve our health, weight and well-being at our employer's expense – and we may even find work more enjoyable as a result. Any employer shuddering at the thought of introducing this initiative can take note of the boom in workplace wellness programmes in the U.S., where companies have seen the benefit of caring for their staff. UK employers lose over £20 billion a year due to absenteeism, but the costs of presenteeism - reduced productivity at work due to ill-health or poor fitness - may be three times higher. Being overweight or obese increases the number of sickness days taken by 50 per cent. This equates to around  £14 billion a year in lost revenue and may increase presenteeism rates 15-fold. As doctors, we need to give you the holistic care you expect to help you lead a longer, happier life but, at the same time, we must try to preserve the NHS from bankruptcy. ### SUMMARY:

Dr Sally Norton is an NHS consultant specialising in weight loss . Says rather than blame, overweight people need as much help as possible . Argues busy lifestyles and constant temptation to eat junk are the culprits . Says many of us have no time or energy to work on our weight, health and fitness in the remaining hours after finishing work . Backs new plans unveiled today for more weight loss schemes in workplace .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Now here’s a creepy bit of news: employers are thinking outside the box, going beyond offering staff the company car, bonus scheme, health insurance and workplace gym. The offer — don’t all rush now, girls! — is of a bout of invasive surgery and a cold-store for your hopes of a future family. Deep in Silicon Valley, where the best and worst ideas come from, we hear word that Facebook and Apple are offering female employees a hideous new perk. Scroll down for video . Companies are going beyond offering staff a company car and now keeping female employees eggs frozen . ‘Harvest’ your unused ova in your 20s or 30s, and delay motherhood until after your fastest-moving career years. The company will keep the eggs frozen for you and pay the $20,000-odd medical bill for hoicking them out and storing them. Then, later on, you can draw them out, like a pension, and have a go at getting pregnant. How’s that for a deal? Terrible, I’d say. Big, ruthless companies always did have a knack for sounding generous while snapping leg-irons on their employees. Even lavishly gilded handcuffs can be man-traps — or, in this case, woman-traps. It is not difficult to work out that the really cold thing in this equation is the heart of the corporate boss. It seems that women, the pesky critters, are now leaving high-tech companies at twice the rate of men. Presumably (though this may not have occurred to the management), this is because the intensity of the business is hostile to any kind of decent human family life. Women working for Facebook can receive £12,500 a time for freezing their eggs so they work longer . One spokesman for a company offering this new service says it ‘cares deeply about our employees and their families’ and simply desires to ‘empower women to do the best work of their lives’. Well, one might diffidently suggest that there are other ways in which you can do this empowering thing. Embrace flexibility, job-shares, distance-working, creches. Set up your own nursery and primary school on site — you’re certainly rich enough! Or just take a more benign attitude to women coming back after a five-year maternity break, and be sure to provide technical catch-up and mentoring during that break. These cutting-edge companies could pioneer fantastic ways of keeping mothers included in the workforce without ruining their lives or playing God with their biology and life plan. But no: with absurdly touching faith in a newish technology, they decide to set up an in-house cryopreservation and egg-storage programme, so they can keep every young woman’s nose to the grindstone, developing apps or networked solar-powered cyber-baseball-caps or whatever. And then, once the dear old thing is slowing down a bit, streaking past 40, creaking a little, running out of cool, young ideas — just hand over the freezer-bags and send her hobbling off down the mommy-track. The technology for bringing forth pregnancies from frozen female eggs is indeed remarkable. It was developed to help women with cancer, whose reproductive kit was about to be blasted by chemo and radiotherapy. That was a merciful idea, but even so it has never been a simple, pat answer. One gung-ho American doctor is quoted as saying it is a ‘tried and true’ method, and that wealthy parents sometimes pay for their ambitious daughters to have their eggs frozen for distant future use. The eggs will be put in deep freeze so women can continue their careers, according to the technology giants . But think about it: the process begins with an operation, and probably hormone treatment. And then, years later, it isn’t just a matter of getting these ancient eggs out and hatching a baby. It involves more hormones and in-vitro fertilisation, which itself has a limited success rate (ah, the years, the tears we have all seen friends enduring under this regime!). And using pre-frozen eggs has an even lower success rate, according to latest figures — barely 25 per cent, if you’re lucky. For any company to imply otherwise, when dealing with young, ambitious employees eager for promotion, is disingenuous. If not bordering on downright wicked. Imagine a talented employee in her late-20s, looking at men powering ahead through their fourth decade, working stupid hours, giving everything to the company. She wonders whether she has to make a choice between career advancement and having babies of her own. She’s in a quandary. Her boss is holding out tempting possibilities. And here’s a company leaflet with some doctor, high on technology, blithely suggesting that she can delay the baby thing for as long as she likes, and have it all. Might she be tempted? One spokesman for a company offering the new service says it ‘cares deeply about our employees and their families’ and simply desires to ‘empower women to do the best work of their lives’ Or, indeed, terrified. For — more sinisterly — who can guarantee that opting for the egg-freezing ‘perk’ will not become an unofficial prerequisite for a young woman who hopes for promotion? Will the firm’s Welfare Department keep the list of freezers secret from Human Resources? Or will there be an unspoken nod given to promotion of the egg-storer — ‘great girl, very dedicated’ — and an indifferent head-shake directed at those who are thought likely to get pregnant naturally? Naturally! Because it is a natural thing, an ancient thing, this desire to give birth at the moment when it feels emotionally and physically right, even if not professionally convenient. Of course, fertility technology — for those who truly need it — is marvellous, life-enhancing, blessed. But never forget what a lovely thing it is to produce a child as a result of making love, of a night with a trusted partner in the drowsy or passionate warmth of your own bed, at home. Who would choose, deliberately and in full health, to give this up in favour of operations, anxiety, dependence on white coats and sterile laboratories? To break, unnecessarily, the link with thousands of years of our foremothers who — in the privacy of their own love — made new life and then confided its beginnings to their men? Using pre-frozen eggs has a low success rate, according to latest figures — barely 25 per cent, if you’re lucky . So no, it’s not a perk. It’s creepy, and corporate, and dry-hearted, and impractical: a particular kind of silliness which, if I may be sexist for a moment, is quintessentially male. Schoolboy sci-fi stuff. It’s also another example of something familiar in less exotic places and trades: the attitude of big business that hey, even if these damn women insist on joining the party, even if you really do need their talents, they’ve gotta toe the line, fit the template. The little ladies, God bless ’em, must be ruthlessly fitted into a pattern and culture which has been set over decades by a workforce of males. And, what is more, those males are culturally unaccustomed to paying much attention to their children, or indeed to their own mental health and human values. Sunrise industries? Some hope. Sounds as though Apple and Facebook are embracing the old, musty principles of the dark ages. ### SUMMARY:

Employers in Silicon Valley are going beyond offering staff company car . Companies like Facebook and Apple now offering to freeze women's eggs . It will pay $20,000-odd medical bill for hoicking them out and storing them .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: The most shocking statistic in Lleyton Hewitt's long and distinguished career is that he is only 33 years old, because it's like he's been around forever. At just 15 years of age, Hewitt was the youngest qualifier in the history of the Australian Open in 1997. But as he prepares for his 50th match at the tournament, there are no shortage of young Australian players looking to take his place. 18 years ago his opponent was the world number 64 player Sergi Bruguera of Spain who beat the Australian in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. Bruguera has been retired for 13 years now and is currently the coach of France’s Richard Gasquet. Scroll down for video . Australia's Lleyton Hewitt plays a backhand return during the Australian Open in 1998. It was only his second appearance in the tournament . A teenage Hewitt takes time out at the Lipton Championships in Key Biscayne, Florida, in 1998 . Surfer dude: Hewitt goes for a run on the beach in Florida in 1998 . For most of his career Hewitt would make this sign after winning an important point during a match . Reflecting back on his debut, Hewitt said: ‘I wouldn’t have dreamt of that as my first one in ’97 as a 15-year-old, that’s for sure. I didn’t think I’d be playing anywhere near 30.’ Well he is. And after beating China’s Zhang Ze in the first round he‘ll now face Germany’s Benjamin Becker in the second round on Thursday. Just for some more context Hewitt is one of the last remaining players on tour to have played against Benjamin’s namesake Boris Becker. Hewitt was beaten in straight sets by Boris at Wimbledon in 1999. Today’s Australian stars are babes in the wood in comparison. But this year fellow Australians Nick Kyrgios, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Bernard Tomic, Marinko Matosevic, Sam Groth and James Duckworth all made it into the second round as well. A young Thanasi Kokkinakis can only dream of playing in the Australian Open at this age . Nick Kyrgios (left) shows that cheeky grin as a kid that he shows his opponents on court today . Kokkinakis was just nine months old when Hewitt played his first Australian Open match on January 13, 1997. Kyrgios was 21 months old, while Tomic was nearly five. Now that he's in the twilight of his career Hewitt knows it's time for them to step up. ‘I think for the most part those three guys - obviously Tomic, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis - they have big futures,’ he told Fox Sports. ‘All three guys like playing on the big stage, which is really important. ‘I’ve seen that in Davis Cup now. It doesn’t get much more pressure than playing Davis Cup, where you’re playing for your country and your team mates as well as yourself. ‘It hasn’t really surprised me the last couple of days. It’s great for Australian tennis... It’s starting to get back like the good old days.' A 16-year-old Hewitt celebrates winning a point at the 1998 Australian Open . Hewitt poses with the men's final winner Marat Safin of Russia after finishing runner-up in the 2005 Australian Open final . One of Hewitt's signature celebrations after getting one over his opponent . Hewitt hugs Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus after the Australian won in the fifth set in the third round of the Australian Open in 2008 . Fox Sports reported that since 1997 Hewitt has faced off against opponents from 23 countries at the Australian Open. In 1997 the Rod Laver Arena was still three years away from being renamed, while Hisense and Margaret Court Arenas didn’t even exist in their current form. The nearest he got to winning the competition was in 2005 when he was beaten by Russia’s Marat Safin 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the final. Since Hewitt made his Australian Open debut in 1997, the first iPhone was more than ten years away from going on sale, while Facebook and Twitter were not invented for another seven and nine years respectively. Hewitt's famed on-court ferocity is in contrast to his quiet demeanour off it however. But this did not stop him becoming one of Australia's most famous celebrity couples. In 2005 he tied the knot with Rebecca Cartwright who was famous for playing Hayley Smith Lawson on the soap opera Home and Away. Perfect couple: Hewitt and Rebecca 'Bec' Hewitt attend the Swisse marquee on Stakes Day at Flemington Racecourse in 2012. They married in 2005. Australian golfing great Greg Norman (background) celebrates with Hewitt's wife Bec during the 2005 Australian Open final against Marat Safin . Hewitt  chills out with his children Ava, Cruz, and Mia after winning his match against Juan Martín del Potro of Argentina in the AAMI Classic at Kooyong in 2013 . They relocated to the island of Nassau in February 2009 after purchasing a $3.8 million villa in the Old Fort Bay estate. The couple has three children together - Mila, eight, Cruz, five, and Ava, three - and now see their Caribbean haven as home, despite still owning some property in Australia. He is a devout Adelaide Crows fan and his sporting hero is Tyson Edwards of the Crows. The Tennis Australia website said that his good friends are golfers Greg Norman and Aaron Baddeley, and he even caddied for Greg Norman at Australian PGA event. Bec Hewitt looks on as her husband plays against Ze Zhang of China in the first round of the 2015 Australian Open In Melbourne on Tuesday night . The 33-year-old celebrates in familiar style after winning a point against Ze in their first round match on Tuesday night . The website also stated that Hewitt’s favourite band was Cold Chisel, so maybe he had an old head on young shoulders all along. But after beating China’s Zhang in the first round in Melbourne he told Channel 7 interviewer Jim Courier he still had no plans on retiring and taking a seat in the commentary box. Despite the Aussie young guns lining up to replace him, no one would bet against Hewitt making a 20th appearance at the Australian Open next year. Never a lost cause: In his heyday Hewitt was one of the game's most tenacious battlers . ### SUMMARY:

Hewitt was just 15 years old when he became the youngest qualifier in the history of the Australian Open in 1997 . The nearest the 33-year-old came to wining the tournament was when he was beaten in the 2005 final by Russia's Marat Safin 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 . After beating China’s Zhang Ze in the first round he‘ll now face Germany’s Benjamin Becker in the second round on Thursday . Australians Nick Kyrgios, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Bernard Tomic, Marinko Matosevic, Sam Groth and James Duckworth also qualified . ‘I think for the most part those three guys - obviously Tomic, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis - they have big futures,' says Hewitt .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Lionel Messi scored the winner as Barcelona came back twice against Villarreal to win a five-goal thriller at the Camp Nou on Sunday night. For a while it looked as if Real Madrid loanee Denis Cheryshev would derail Barca’s pursuit of the league leaders but, with a little help from Neymar - who also scored - and Luis Suarez - who made two of Barcelona’s three goals - Messi ensured the home side took all three points. Barcelona almost broke the deadlock on 12 minutes when Alves intelligently pulled the ball back for Suarez, who shot first time from the edge of the area only for Sergio Asenjo to fingertip it away for a corner. VIDEO Scroll down for Sportsmail's Big Match Stats: Barcelona 3-2 Villarreal . Lionel Messi (left) runs off in celebration after scoring Barcelona's third goal against Villarreal on Sunday night . Neymar (right) celebrates with team-mate Lionel Messi after equalising just before half-time for Barcelona against Villarreal on Sunday . Rafinha (centre) is congratulated by both Neymar (left) and Messi after scoring Barcelona's second equaliser . Villarreal winger Denis Cheryshev celebrates scoring his side's first goal at the Nou Camp on Sunday night . Villarreal players run to the corner and celebrate scoring their second goal at the Nou Camp on Sunday . BARCELONA (4-3-3): Bravo; Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Alves; Busquets (Mathieu 72), Iniesta, Rafinha (Rakitic 88); Suarez (Pedro 79), Messi, Neymar . Goals: Neymar (45), Rafinha (53), Messi (55) Booking: Rafinha . VILLARREAL (4-4-2): Asenjo; Gaspar, Musacchio, Ruiz, Costa; Pina (Trigueros 77), J Dos Santos (Gomez 85), Cheryshev, Soriano, Vietto, G Dos Santos (Uche 89) Goals: Cheryshev (30), Vietto (52) Bookings: Ruiz, Soriano, J Dos Santos . Cheryshev was already a threat, beating Alves down the Villarreal left only for Gerard Pique to block his cross. Villarreal were coming into the game on a run of 18 matches unbeaten and looked determined to not lose that record at the Camp Nou. For Barcelona, midfielder Rafinha - called up for Ivan Rakitic - had started the game brightly and when Victor Ruiz chopped him down Leo Messi had the chance to test Asenjo but his free-kick was headed out for a corner. Messi then so nearly found Andres Iniesta with a cross to the back post that the midfielder just failed to make contact with. Barca went close again and once more it was Suarez who was denied. Alves’ pass was laid off by Rafinha and the former Liverpool striker’s curling shot went just past Asenjo’s left-hand post. The lively Rafinha continued to pose a threat and, when he was chopped down by Bruno, the midfielder was booked. Barcleona had only conceded nine goals in the league but on the half-hour mark they let in No 10 and it was the Real Madrid loanee who got it. Cheryshev wants to go back to Madrid at the end of the season and he did his chances no harm diverting Mario’s shot past Claudio Bravo after Mascherano’s poor clearance had run straight to the full back. Villarreal, who will face Barcelona twice more in the Copa del Rey semi-finals in the coming weeks, increasingly looked to have the measure of their rivals. But just as it looked as if they would make it to half-time in front, Neymar struck with his 21st goal of the season. Messi played in Rafinha whose shot was parried for the Brazilian to convert the rebound. Cheryshev runs off with his arms aloft in celebration after giving Villarreal the lead after 30 minutes . Lionel Messi looks down to the ground in frustration after Barcelona concede a 30th-minute goal against Villarreal . Villarreal players runs to the corner and embrace one another after their opening goal at the Nou Camp . Luis Suarez (left) tries to take on Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo during the first half at the Nou Camp on Sunday . Suarez (left) tries to kick the ball over his own head as Villarreal's Mario Gaspar looks on . The tide however had not turned completely and with Villarreal playing the same swift counter-attacking football in the second half they were soon back in front. Pique hadn’t put a foot wrong all night but lost possession to Giovani dos Santos and he crossed for Luciano Vietto to score. It what was now developing into the one of the games of the season - and Barcelona’s response was almost immediate. Iniesta played Suarez in behind Mario and he crossed for Messi. When the Argentine’s effort was saved Rafinha converted the rebound. Two minutes later Barcelona were ahead and again Suarez was the provider, nudging the ball to Messi on the edge of the area for Barcelona’s top scorer to sweep the home side into the lead. It was his 342nd goal in his last 342 games for the club. Villarreal still wouldn’t lie down and Ruiz scrambled the ball in at the back post only for a linesman’s flag to cut short the visitors’ joy. Barcelona then thought they had won a penalty as Asenjo charged into Neymar as the Brazilian was through on goal. Perhaps judging that he had already gone to ground as he lunged to send the ball past the keeper, the referee did not point to the spot and Suarez just failed to head in at the back post as the attack continued with Neymar down. Now finally in front, Barcelona were not going to let it slip. With Manchester City on the horizon they have found a team spirit that has helped them beat Atletico Madrid twice since the turn of the year and now overcome their toughest test of the season so far at the Nou Camp. And, on top of all that, Messi’s looks back to his imperious best. Messi (left) and Villarreal's Cheryshev (right) compete for the ball during the league match at the Nou Camp . Neymar of Barcelona points to the sky in celebration of his first equaliser for Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Sunday . Barcelona players huddle around Neymar (third right) after the Brazilian scored their first equaliser on Sunday . Dario Vietto (right) places the ball into the net for Villarreal's second goal at Dani Alves of Barcelona (left) looks on . Rafinha (right) lifts the ball over the Villarreal goalkeeper to score Barcelona's second equaliser on Sunday night . Messi (left) is congratulated by his Barcelona team-mates after the Argentine scored his side's third goal . Barcelona boss Luis Enrique gestures to his players during the first half of the encounter at the Nou Camp . ### SUMMARY:

Denis Cheryshev gives visitors Villarreal the lead against the run of play by deflecting in a shot . Neymar equalises for Barcelona at the Nou Camp just before half-time to calm home crowd down . Dario Vietto put Villarreal ahead for the second time after 52 minutes at the Nou Camp on Sunday . Rafinha scored Barcelona's second equaliser just one minute later after Lionel Messi's header is blocked . Messi scored a brilliant third for Barcelona in the 56th minute at the Nou Camp in an end-to-end match .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Lee Tomlin would be the first to admit he has gone dangerously close to blowing his career. The Middlesbrough forward had a rather poor attitude and was kicked out of Leicester City — he was even sent out on loan by Rushden and Diamonds. ‘I was playing for Brackley Town with team-mates who were carpenters and police officers,’ he says. ‘At that stage I did think it was over.’ Lee Tomlin's career almost ended before it had began due to his bad attitude and taste for fast food . The talented forward turned his life around at Peterborough (left) and secured a move to Middlesbrough . He quit football after being released by Leicester, albeit only for a few months. And a minor brush with the law, for celebrating promotion with Peterborough a little too enthusiastically, did not enhance his chances of fulfilling his potential. Nor did a taste for fast food that saw him balloon in weight. Yet here he is in the hotel next to Middlesbrough’s training ground, slim and athletic and talking as candidly about his past as he does passionately about his future. Talking in a way that left me thinking he might be the hungriest footballer I’ve encountered. He seems driven by a fear, having already wasted opportunities, of not now making it big. When he came up against Manchester City in the FA Cup last month, his biggest game to date, he was awestruck at first. ‘I was looking at Silva and Aguero and thinking, “What’s someone like me doing on a pitch with players like that?” It was unbelievable. The 26-year-old is hungry to succeed after almost wasting his chance to make it in the big time . ‘While you’re on the pitch you have to concentrate on your job. I was marking James Milner but I kept finding myself watching David Silva. I was looking at his positioning and trying to learn what’s required to get to the top.’ He learned fast. The 26-year-old was the outstanding player in a match Boro won in style. His manager, Aitor Karanka, pulled him to one side at the end. ‘Now do you believe you can play at this level?’ he asked. Karanka considers Tomlin, a natural No 10 with two great feet and a burst of pace, as the finest player in the Championship, a view endorsed by the recent player-of-the-month award. But the journey to this point has been a difficult one. Tomlin's path from a tough Leicester estate to Championship star has been a difficult one . Liverpool offered him a trial 10 years ago, but he is still waiting to hear how he did. Some members of his extended family are Travellers but he grew up in a council house in a tough neighbourhood in Leicester. His parents split when he was two and he can’t recall meeting his father, who is now deceased. His mother re-married and Tomlin has a lot of time for the long-distance lorry driver who became his stepfather and supported them by doing night shifts. But he did struggle with authority figures in football. Tomlin was seven when he first started at Leicester and for two years his older brother would escort him to and from training. But from nine, with his brother drawn to the usual teenage distractions, Tomlin commuted alone. Tomlin talks to Sportsmail's Matt Lawton near Middlesbrough's training ground in Darlington . ‘It wasn’t the best part of town to grow up in,’ he says. ‘I’m not saying it was an excuse but you had to look after yourself. It wasn’t somewhere you’d necessarily want to bring your kids up. I struggled to take criticism from the coaches. I’d take it personally and answer back. ‘I didn’t like being told what to do. My attitude was poor. I never did anything terrible. I’ve always been someone who would be first in the training ground and last out but I’d mess around. ‘I wouldn’t work as hard as I needed to. Because of the ability I had I didn’t think I needed to. But by the time I was 15, Leicester — the club I’d always dreamed of playing for — had let me go.’ He ‘gave up football’ for a while after that. ‘But I then came to realise that football was the best chance I had. I wasn’t great at school!’ He phoned three clubs: Rushden and Diamonds, Northampton Town and Kettering Town. Rushden offered him a trial and at 16 he made his first-team debut, playing well enough to secure that week-long trial at Liverpool. Tomlin was awestruck at first while playing during Middlesbrough's win over Manchester City in the FA Cup . ‘They put me in digs and I did well in a reserve game against Birmingham,’ he says. ‘I remember being at Melwood and watching the first team train. Seeing players like Gerrard and thinking, “This is amazing”. But I went back to Rushden and never heard a thing.’ By the time he was 21 he secured a move to Peterborough and it was Darren Ferguson who finally started to get through to him. Particularly when it came to his diet. ‘He got me right head-wise,’ he says. The two remain friends even if Tomlin was unhappy when Ferguson refused to sell him to Celtic 18 months ago. ‘Celtic were bidding for me during a game and I thought I was about to join a club that had been drawn against Barcelona, AC Milan and Ajax in the Champions League,’ he says. ‘But he wouldn’t let me go because it was so late in the window, and I accused him of denying me the chance to provide for my family. I was sent off in three of the next four games!’ And now Tomlin is excited by the prospect of testing himself against star-studded Arsenal . He was sent off when Middlesbrough’s scouts went to watch him against Oldham but Karanka signed him and the Spaniard has also been a hugely positive influence. ‘People would see me and think I didn’t even look like a footballer in the past,’ he says. ‘But I’ve lost a stone and a half since I came to Boro. I’ve been doing things right for the last two years, eating right, working hard. I can still be a joker but I know when it’s time to work and when it’s time to have fun.’ He is focused on gaining promotion with a Boro side top of the Championship. Focused also on another chance to test himself against players he hopes to face regularly. It is Arsenal on Sunday in the FA Cup. ‘Sanchez, Cazorla and Ozil,’ he says with excitement. ‘They’re my kind of players.’ He performed to their level against City, nearly scoring what would have been a wonderful goal when a startling piece of skill was followed by a shot on the turn that rattled a post. ‘I thought, “That’s just my luck”,’ he says. ‘I was up against the best centre half in the world (Vincent Kompany) and it would’ve been great if that had gone in. ‘Arsenal is another chance to show what I can do.’ And another step, he hopes, towards becoming a Premier League player and the security he now seeks for his young family: his partner and their two young boys. ‘I want to be able to provide a better life for my family,’ he says. ‘And I want to get my mum out of that council house.’ ### SUMMARY:

Lee Tomlin was rejected as a teenager by Leicester City and Liverpool . The forward was even sent out on loan by Rushden and Diamonds . He revived his career with help of Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson . Tomlin was sent off when Middlesbrough scouts went to watch him . The 26-year-old is now considered the finest player in the Championship .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Google Street View is great for virtually visiting local landmarks and bustling cities, but the service really comes into its own when mapping the far-flung regions of the planet. And the latest of these distant locations to be added is Greenland. It is the first time Google has captured the island and highlights include the Illulissat icefjord, the region's capital Nuuk including statues in honour of missionary Hans Egede, and the 10th century Viking settlement of Erik the Red. Greenland is the 66th country to be added to Google's Street View mapping service and highlights include the Illulissat icefjord, on the west coast of Greenland. The Unesco World Heritage site is 155 miles (250km) north of the Arctic Circle and features the Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the few glaciers through which the Greenland ice cap reaches the sea (pictured) Greenland is the 66th country to be added to the service since it launched in 2007. 'Like the norseman of old, you can embark on a journey through Greenland, the world's largest island, with Street View in Google Maps,' said Alex Starns, Steet View technical program manager. 'Although known for its sparse population, Greenland is chock full of glorious natural wonders and historical sites.' Google has also captured Brattahlíð, also known as Brattahild - Erik the Red's estate in the Viking colony he established in south western Greenland at the end of the 10th century. A reconstruction of a chapel, said to be the earliest church in the New World, stands near the original site in the town of Qassiarsuk along with a replica of a Viking longhouse. The settlement's ruins are in the town itself. Erik the Red first settled on the southern coast of Greenland in 982 during a three-year exile from Iceland. However, these settlements disappeared towards the end of the 15th century and this was said to have been caused by the climate change and Inuit expansion. One of the images shows the Illulissat icefjord, on the west coast of Greenland. The Unesco World Heritage site is 155 miles (250km) north of the Arctic Circle and features the Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the few glaciers through which the Greenland ice cap reaches the sea. Another image shows a statue of missionary Hans Egede in the capital city of Nuuk. Mr Egede is said to have heard stories about Norse settlements that had been 'lost' on the island and asked Frederick IV of Denmark to search for the colony and establish a mission in the region in the early 18th century. As a result, he is often referred to as the Apostle of Greenland and is credited as founding Greenland's capital Godthåb, now known as Nuuk. The mapping service also lets armchair explorers visit the coastal region of Tasiilaq, and the Hotel Arctic. The hotel is situated on the coast of the Ilulissat Icefjord and is designed to resemble an Igloo. It is owned by Air Greenland and was built shortly after the airport opened in 1984 to accommodate passengers. It has Igloo cabins inspired by the classic Eskimo igloo in shape and design, and its on-site restaurant serves Greenlandic food such as musk-ox, reindeer, Greenland halibut, Arctic hare and wolffish. Google has also captured Brattahlíð, known as Brattahild - Erik the Red's estate in the Viking colony he established in south western Greenland at the end of the 10th century. A reconstruction of a chapel, said to be the earliest church in the New World, stands near the original site in the town of Qassiarsuk along with a replica of a Viking longhouse. The settlement's ruins are in the town itself. Google has also captured Brattahlíð, known as Brattahild - Erik the Red's estate in the Viking colony he established in south western Greenland at the end of the 10th century. A reconstruction of a chapel, said to be the earliest church in the New World, stands near the original site (pictured) in the town of Qassiarsuk along with a replica of a Viking longhouse. The settlement's ruins are in the town itself . Another image shows a statue of Hans Egede (pictured) in the capital Nuuk. Mr Egede is said to have heard stories about Norse settlements that had been 'lost' on the island and asked Frederick IV of Denmark to search for the colony and establish a mission in the region in the early 18th century. As a result he is often referred to as the Apostle of Greenland and is credited as founding Godthåb, now known as Nuuk . Erik the Red first settled on the southern coast of Greenland in 982 during a three-year exile from Iceland. However, these Viking settlements disappeared towards the end of the 15th century and this was said to have been caused by the climate change and Inuit expansion. 'Floating by Ilulissat, you can see why the breathtaking Ilulissat icefjord is the most popular tourist destination in Greenland. The stunning ice wall seems to defy gravity as it reaches up into the clear, blue sky,' continued Mr Starns. The mapping service also lets armchair explorers visit the Hotel Arctic. The hotel is situated on the coast of the Ilulissat Icefjord and is designed to resemble an Igloo. It has Igloo cabins (the view from a cabin is pictured) inspired by the classic Eskimo igloo in shape and design and its on-site restaurant serves Greenlandic food such as musk-ox, reindeer, Greenland halibut, Arctic hare and wolffish . 'Like the norseman of old, you can embark on a journey through Greenland, the world's largest island, with Street View in Google Maps,' said Alex Starns, Steet View technical program manager. The coastal region of Qoomua is pictured . 'Greenland's wonders don't end with ice. Journeying to Brattahlid, where Erik the Red established the first viking colony in the year 982, you can imagine the history before you as you look at the reconstruction of the New World's first church.' Another iconic place to visit is the abandoned Greenlandic Norse settlement, Hvalsey - home to Hvalsey Church. This is the best preserved Norse ruins in Greenland and the Church was the location of the last written record of the Greenlandic Norse in 1408. Visiting Nuutoqaq, the colonial harbour meaning 'the old town,' features vistas, fjords and monuments to local heroes. 'The iconic statue of Hans Egede, the Danish-Norwegian explorer who founded the nearby town of Nuuk, is a sight that's hard to miss,' added Mr Stands. 'And for those of you traveling in country today, you'll find that Greenland's streets and neighborhoods have also come to life on Street View in Google Maps. So if you're planning a weekend getaway, explore before you go!' ### SUMMARY:

Greenland is the 66th country to be added to Google's Street View mapping service since it launched in 2007 . Highlights include the Illulissat icefjord on the west coast of Greenland, and a statue of missionary Hans Egede . Google has also captured Brattahild - Erik the Red's estate in the Viking colony in south western Greenland . And armchair explorers can visit the coastal region of Tasiilaq, the Igloo-shaped Hotel Arctic, and Blomsterdalen .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Appearing on the cover of Newsweek, Barack Obama looks coy, half-smiling, half-surprised, gracefully clutching his suit jacket slung over his shoulder. It might appear to be some sort of watch advertisement were it not for Niall Ferguson's blazing headline 'Hit the Road, Barack: Why We Need a New President.' The article sizes him up on his economic and foreign relations accomplishments, as well as announces the rise of his apparent new nemesis: Paul Ryan. Hey Girl: Newsweek's cover might appear to be some sort of watch advertisement were it not for Niall Ferguson's blazing headline 'Hit the Road, Barack: Why We Need a New President' Niall Ferguson, a British professor of history at Harvard University, relies heavily on the idea of promises to lampoon Barack Obama into submission - a surprising argument for the historically liberal, and pro-Obama publication. It is urgent, he argues, to lose the rhetoric and spring for reform. 'I was a good loser four years ago,' he writes. As a 'full disclosure' adviser to John McCain, his sentiments are hardly surprising, but he does not rely on opinion to make his case. Drawing heavily on unemployment numbers, stagnant growth on the economy and expert dissatisfaction, he presents Mr Obama as a lame duck. 'It is five years since the financial crisis began, but the central problems—excessive financial concentration and excessive financial leverage—have not been addressed,' Mr Ferguson writes. But more than just his policies are the problem, Mr Ferguson says, it's his decision making abilities. Campaign: Campaign: The article reads like a report card for the current POTUS . Stop: Drawing heavily on unemployment numbers, stagnant growth on the economy and expert dissatisfaction, he presents Mr Obama as a lame duck . 'After the imperial presidency of the Bush era, there was something more like parliamentary government in the first two years of Obama’s administration,' Mr Ferguson writes. 'The president proposed; Congress disposed.' 'The voters now face a stark choice,' Mr Ferguson says. 'They can let Barack Obama’s rambling, solipsistic narrative continue until they find themselves living in some American version of Europe, with low growth, high unemployment, even higher debt—and real geopolitical decline.' The nail in the coffin will be Paul Ryan, Mr Ferguson argues. The two met in 2010 at a fundraising dinner. Competition: It is urgent, the writer argues, to lose the rhetoric and spring for reform . 'Ryan blew me away. I have wanted to see him in the White House ever since,' Mr Ferguson writes. While Mr Ryan possesses the charm that Mr Obama once mastered, Mitt Romney harnesses the private sector experience, and leadership, that Mr Obama has always lacked. 'Now Obama is going head-to-head with his nemesis: a politician who believes more in content than in form, more in reform than in rhetoric,' Mr Ferguson writes. His analysis is not without controversy, however, as New York Times columnist Paul Krugman has called him out on an error. Reception: The public reception of the cover has been hot and cold . No Thanks: Some readers announced their allegiance to Newsweek, while other readers pronouncing their disdain . Reverse: Still, other readers thought the controversial cover might be a boost for Barack . 'There are multiple errors and misrepresentations in Niall Ferguson’s cover story in Newsweek — I guess they don’t do fact-checking,' Mr Krugman writes on his blog. He refers to this passage of the piece: . 'The president pledged that health-care reform would not add a cent to the deficit. But the CBO and the Joint Committee on Taxation now estimate that the insurance-coverage provisions of the ACA will have a net cost of close to $1.2 trillion over the 2012–22 period.' And then declares: . 'Readers are no doubt meant to interpret this as saying that CBO found that the Act will increase the deficit. But anyone who actually read, or even skimmed, the CBO report (pdf) knows that it found that the ACA would reduce, not increase, the deficit — because the insurance subsidies were fully paid for.' He calls on Newsweek to correct the 'plain misrepresentation of the facts.' POLITICO called out editor Tina Brown for the gaffe. 'Tina Brown certainly swings for the fences,' they write. 'She just puts a little too much pine tar on the bat.' Spice: Since Tina Brown took the helm of the floundering publication, she has made it her mission to spice up the covers with controversial images of bondage or a heavily photoshopped Princess Diana . Since Mrs Brown took the helm of the floundering publication, she has made it her mission to spice up the covers with controversial images of bondage or a heavily Photoshopped Princess Diana. The public reception of this cover has been hot and cold, with some readers announcing their allegiance to Newsweek, while others pronouncing their disdain. The paper created the hashtag #HitTheRoadBarack to keep track of the discussion. 'I will never ever purchase another @Newsweek magazine #HitTheRoadBarack Thank You @nfergus #SubscriptionCanceled,' tweeted one reader. 'Chronic unemployment, stagnant economic growth, unsustainable deficits, no plan. Yes, it's time to #HitTheRoadBarack,' wrote another. Still, some readers thought the cover was just another attempt at stirring the pot - in the POTUS's favor. '#HitTheRoadBarack Not to burst anyone's bubble,' one reader wrote, 'but Newsweek might be trying the old reverse psychology. Trash Barry, to energize his base.' After all, it was not so long ago that the same magazine proclaimed Mitt Romney was 'too insecure' to be president. The now iconic image that graces this cover of Newsweek was taken by Associated Press photographer Carolyn Kaster. Taken . on August 12, the image is one in a series of nine of the President . walking on a lush green street with secret service trailing him close . behind. He seems at ease, happy, as if he is surrounded by good friends. The . captain reads: 'President Barack Obama speaks to media as he walks . through his Hyde Park neighborhood to a campaign event, Sunday, Aug. 12, . 2012, in Chicago.' This disarmed appearance is critical to the cover image, which almost comes off as a sneak attack on the POTUS. At least they had the dignity to remove the gum he was chewing. The . divorce between the president's light demeanor and the damning text . makes the cover - and the image - all the more interesting. Some . might recognize Mrs Kaster as the same photographer who snapped the . image of Barack Obama in Iowa's Bayliss Park last week. Speaking from a podium, he gestured his hands in such a way that he seems to be grasping the sun, or rather, a crystal ball. Vision: Some might recognize Mrs Kaster as the same photographer who snapped the image of Barack Obama in Iowa's Bayliss Park last week . ### SUMMARY:

British writer - who worked for John McCain in 2008 - bashes Barack Obama's years of 'failed' policy . Calls for new era of Romney/Ryan . Magazine courts controversy again, leaning right instead of left . Uses same photographer who snapped 'Wizard Obama' picture .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: It has been revealed that less than a week before Lamar Odom was arrested on suspicion of DUI he was involved in a three-car collision on the exact same freeway. The crash was not reported to authorities, however a journalist for the Los Angeles Times has claimed that his car was rear-ended by another vehicle hit by Odom's white Mercedes on Saturday. The LA Times claims the incident took place around 6pm and the journalist named Adolfo Flores alleges that Odom became reluctant to hand his insurance details over. t is the only the type of family drama that Kris Jenner wouldn't want broadcasted on Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Troubling times: Lamar Odom, pictured in March, was reportedly involved in a 'three-way car collision' on the same freeway less than a week before his DUI address . It is the latest twist in a worrying time for Khloe Kardashian's husband, who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in the early hours of Friday morning. To make matters worse, it has now . been revealed that Lamar was paid a visit by two drug counselors just . hours before he was charged with a DUI. TMZ reports . that the counselors - who work with the National Basketball Players . Association - contacted Lamar to offer help and he accepted. During . the visit to Lamar and Khloe's house, TMZ report that he was very . receptive with a source telling them 'it was very positive'. However, after the pair left, Lamar then got into his vehicle and never came home. The NBA star was later held at Van Nuys police station on $15,000 bail but was released from custody at 8.30am. He was pulled over just before 4am for driving too slow at 50mph on the 101 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley. Not again: Lamar, seen on Wednesday, was reportedly reluctant to hand over his insurance details to the driver . Trouble: Lamar Odom, seen making a stop at Taco Bell on Wednesday, was arrested for DUI in the early hours of Friday morning . Booking sheet: The NBA star is understood to have failed several field sobriety tests before refusing to submit to chemical testing . Odom did not immediately respond to police, passing three exits and driving erratically, TMZ reports. He failed numerous field sobriety checks but refused all chemical tests, according to police. eland Tang, the California Highway Patrol public information officer, told Radar Online: 'Lamar Odom was driving 50 mph on the 101 freeway. He was driving in a serpentine manner which is pretty bad. That is like when the officer does a freeway break. Across all the lanes of the freeway. I’m surprised he wasn’t rear ended.' After 'failing' field sobriety tests, he was taken into custody and Tang said: 'He did what no one should ever do, he refused the chemical tests. 'That means that his license is . revoked and Lamar could get the most powerful attorney in the world and . he is still not going to have a license for a year.' Impounded: Odom's car was brought to North Hollywood and held in the valley tow yard, pictured here on Friday . Van Nuys police station: Lamar was kept in custody for several hours before being released after posting $15,000 . Hiding his addiction: Lamar's brother-in-law, Rob Kardashian - pictured leaving the couple's house on Friday - is reported to have known about the NBA star's alleged drug use . Returning home: An assistant was seen driving Lamar's DUI vehicle back to his house in LA later on Friday . It follows weeks of troubling allegations about drug abuse and serious marriage issues with his wife of four years. Reports claim he has been battling an addiction to 'Oxycontin and crack cocaine' for two years. He has also been accused of cheating with two different women while on the road as a basketball player. Loyal wife Khloe, who was pictured . looking downcast as she arrived at a LA gym on Thursday, is apparently . desperate to 'save' her husband from his alleged drug problems and work . through their marital woes. Something the matter? It's virtually unheard of for Kris Jenner to keep a low profile, but it seems Lamar's troubles may be playing on the momager's mind as she was seen arriving in Burbank on Thursday . A source has said: 'She is in love and does not want a divorce.' Both have been pictured with their wedding rings on separate outings this week. The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star reportedly staged an . intervention earlier this month, but the meeting didn't go as planned and Lamar vanished, . but was later tracked down to a hotel in Los Angeles. He returned to his L.A. home on Monday after staying away for several days. Khloe . apparently kept the details of her marital problems a secret from most . members of family, and insiders say they were 'shocked' to learn of the . extent of the issues. (Sources tell Radar Khloe's brother Rob, who lives with the couple, has been aware of Lamar's alleged drug problems for over a year.) Showing the strain: Khloe Kardashian looked downcast as she arrived at the gym on Thursday . The 6-foot-10-inch forward has played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks. He broke into the NBA with the Clippers in 1999, playing for them for four seasons before spending the 2003-04 season with the Heat. He had his best years during his six seasons with the Lakers, beginning in 2004-05. The team won NBA championships in 2010 and 2011 and Odom won the NBA's sixth man award in 2011. After spending the 2012 season with the Dallas Mavericks, he returned to the Clippers last year. He became a free agent at the end of the season. His once glittering career now appears to be in tatters. Going through a tough time: Khloe and Lamar, pictured in May 2012, have been married since 2009 . 'Players are starting to return to their teams, and Lamar doesn't have a . team,' an NBA insider told People earlier this week. 'He's gone from making $8.5 . million last year to being out of work at this point.' 'There's an old saying in the NBA: . Are you more valuable than your problems? And it's just reached the . point with Lamar where he is not more valuable than his problems,' the . insider said . 'Up until about two years ago, Lamar . Odom was averaging about 15 points and eight rebounds a game and you . know what? You deal with his off-court problems for that. When Lamar . Odom averages four points a game, he's not worth the problems.' However the source added that Lamar . could still be in with a spot on the Los Angeles Lakers, although he . would probably have to take a significant pay cut. Fall from grace: Lamar's once hugely successful NBA career is now in tatters, with the Clippers deciding not to renew his contract following drug abuse allegations . ### SUMMARY:

LA Times reporter claims he was rear-ended by Odom's white Mercedes on Saturday . The NBA star was arrested on suspicion of DUI in the early hours of Thursday morning . TMZ report that Lamar was visited by two drug counselors hours before his arrest . According to the California Highway Patrol Officer he will lose his driver's license for a year .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Parents at a primary school have slammed a decision to take all fish off the menu and ban it from packed lunches - because one pupil is allergic. Robert Le Kyng Primary School in Swindon, Wiltshire, sent the letter explaining the new pupil suffers severe reactions to haddock and tuna and a blanket ban was needed to avoid any risks. The ban means fish and chips is now off the menu as well as all other dishes, such as fish finger sandwiches. Robert Le Kyng Primary School in Swindon, Wiltshire, sent the letter explaining the new pupil suffers severe reactions to haddock and tuna and a blanket ban was needed to avoid any risks . It also means that all children must refrain from having fish in their lunchboxes. Headteacher Susan Smith said the menu change was necessary to protect the unnamed girl at the school, but parents slammed the move as 'over the top'. In a letter sent to the school's 415 pupils, she said: 'This decision was not reached without seeking advice from the relevant medical professionals involved with this child. 'In this case, the child in question will be joining us full-time in September, but is coming in part-time until then as part of an extended induction. 'She has had severe reactions, not just to the smell of cooking fish, but also when her mother touched her after eating a tuna sandwich' Off the menu: Dishes like fish and chips will no longer be served and pupils cannot bring tuna sandwiches to school . She added: 'This is about the life-threatening nature of the reaction. 'The school nurse has said it is a balance between a dietary change and a life-threatening issue, and we have to protect the children under our care. 'That is why we have asked for lots more detail so we can make a more informed decision. 'We can't completely avoid the risk, and that is why we have done additional training, and we are constantly reviewing the situation. 'We appreciate this is quite a large response but at the moment it is necessary. She has had quite severe reactions, and has been in hospital as a result. 'The reactions so far have been to haddock, tuna and one other fish. It is very unusual. Annoyed: Adele Oliver, who has three children at the school, said her daughter will only eat tuna . Parents outside Robert Le Kyng primary school in Swindon yesterday slammed the ban on fish. Adele Oliver, who has three children at the school, said her daughter will only eat tuna and the headteacher has advised her to give dry bread instead. She said: 'My daughter eats tuna every day. That is all she eats. 'She likes chocolate spread but I'm not prepared to give her chocolate spread sandwiches every day because that isn't healthy. 'The headmistress has suggested that she just has bread and butter which I think is absolutely disgusting.' Adele added that her daughter has already been asked to eat her tuna sandwiches in isolation when the pupil with the allergy visited the school. She said: 'I work nights and I have to get up at lunchtime and bring her over a tuna sandwich and she has been put in a room by herself when I have given her tuna. 'We've had a meeting to discuss all these other things she's allergic to but in my eyes if her allergies are so severe she shouldn't be in a mainstream school. 'I know she has every right to be educated but if they are so severe she shouldn't be coming to a mainstream school. 'There are over 400 kids in that school and for one child everybody is going out a limb to do everything for her because it is life-threatening. 'It's like sod everyone else. To me, she (my daughter) is my priority - she has to eat every day. 'If she had a serious allergy where she had to eat fish every day, who are they going to make sit outside? 'I am being patient but when you are stressed everyday about what she is going to eat, that's what annoys me. This girl is only in two days a week anyway, she doesn't start in reception until September.' Kirsty Sage, 32, from Swindon, said for a lot of parents it will be difficult to find alternatives as children can be fussy eaters . Kirsty Sage, 32, whose six-year-old daughter attends the school, said: 'I really don't agree with the policy. 'My child is a very fussy eater and it can be difficult to get her to eat quite a few things. 'Luckily for me she will eat things other than fish but for a lot of parents it will be difficult to find alternatives. 'It seems out of order making everyone change their eating habits for the sake of one pupil.' But Maz Hyde, 26, said that she wasn't particularly bothered about the new policy. 'I can definitely see why they would do it but it seems like quite a dramatic step - it's a pretty big policy," she said. 'I'm not really that annoyed by it because luckily my son eats other things but it could make things difficult for other parents.' 'As a school with a Special Resource Provision for children with physical disability, we do have children with complex physical and medical needs in the school.' 'This means that sometimes there are minor adaptations that need to be made.' Mrs Smith added that she hoped after more tests by the girl's doctors, the school may be able to alter the ban to make it more specific. 'We do understand that this will have an impact on the choices and diet of some of the other children in our care and this decision was not taken lightly,' she said. 'We hope that over time, as the child has more medical investigations, they will be able to pinpoint the allergies accurately and we will be able to be more specific about what we need to avoid. 'I fully understand that it will have an impact on what can go in children's lunchboxes and if there were an alternative, I would not have taken such a drastic step.' Parent Lee East, who has a 10-year-old daughter at the school with a peanut allergy, thought the measures seemed harsh. He said: 'My daughter has her medication with her at school and with her friends they know she has an allergy and they are very careful around her. 'She doesn't want her friends to suffer because of her allergy. I don't see how this is grounds for banning it. 'If they are going to review it then that's fine. We have been through the same thing. 'My daughter has been into the hospital and had all the same challenges. It just seems that this is going over the top.' This common food allergy includes everything from snail, clams, mussels, oysters, crab, lobster, shrimp, prawn, cod and salmon. Typical . symptoms include nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, wheezing, . flushing, rashes and dramatic swelling of the airways. Some patients . even report that the smell of seafood during cooking causes a problem. In severe cases, food allergies can cause an anaphylactic reaction - when the body goes into shock. Sufferers . should avoid all seafood and locations where seafood is cooked as . sensitive patients may react to allergens present in the vapours of . cooking shellfish. Doctors may prescribe an EpiPen (a medical device . used to deliver a measured dose of epinephrine to combat anaphlyaxis). ### SUMMARY:

Primary school in Swindon says pupil's reaction could be 'life-threatening' Fish removed from school dinners and pupils cannot have it in lunchbox . One parent of a child with a peanut allergy said ban may be 'over the top'

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: This is the spectacular moment two Russian cosmonauts took the OIympic torch on its first historic spacewalk ahead of the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. Oleg Kotov and Sergei Ryazansky carried an unlit version of the feather-shaped symbol through the hatch of the International Space Station today. Live footage captured Mr Kotov proudly waving the torch in his gloved hand - while floating 260 miles above the Earth. Scroll down for video . Historic: Oleg Kotov proudly waves an unlit version of the Olympic torch outside the International Space Station . Stunning: He holds the feather-shaped symbol in his gloved hand while floating 260 miles above Earth . Mission: Sergei Ryazansky gives Mr Kolov instructions outside the space station. Their spacewalk was beamed live across Russia by state television . A 'beautiful' moment: The pair took turns to hold the red-and-grey torch, which was tethered tightly to their bulky spacesuits . The moment, captured on high-tech video and photo equipment, was beamed live across Russia by state television. Mr Kotov and Mr Ryazansky can be seen taking turns to hold the red-and-grey torch, which was tethered tightly to their bulky spacesuits. Their conversation mainly consists of complicated space jargon - with Mr Kotov . having previously warned that he did not intend to make a 'grand pronouncement' similar to the one Neil Armstrong delivered when . he took his first step on the Moon in 1969. Safety: The torch was required to remain unlit while inside the space station due to safety precautions. It was not able to emit flames in open space due to the lack of oxygen . Lift-off: A screen grab taken from a live feed provided by NASA which shows astronauts with the Olympic torch . However, Mr Sergei can be heard calling the historic moment 'beautiful'. Today was the first time the Olympic torch had been taken into open space - but it was not able to emit flames due to the lack of oxygen. Space officials had also stressed that safety precautions meant it had to remain unlit while inside the space station. Despite this, Russia had previously . contemplated sending the actual flame up to the station by encasing it . in a special lantern. However, senior . officials eventually decided that lighting a fire aboard a Soyuz rocket . filled with tonnes of explosive fuel was not a wise choice. A three-man crew took the Olympic symbol up to the space station on a rocket . On Thursday, a three-man crew . took the Olympic symbol up to the space station on a Russian . rocket in a $100billion project of 15 nations. An . onboard camera showed Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata pumping the air . with his fist as the Soyuz rocket lifted off from the Russian-rented . Baikonur Cosmodrome. After . a six-hour trip to the station, Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin . crawled through a hatch and handed the unlit torch to his beaming . countryman on board, Fyodor Yurchikhin. Wakata, Tyurin and Mastracchio sat . beneath a stuffed polar bear in a blue scarf, a mascot of the first . Olympics Russia has hosted since the Soviet era. The spacewalk is part of what will be the longest torch relay before a . Winter Olympics that President Vladimir Putin hopes will improve burnish . international image. Photographers capture the liftoff of the Soyuz-FG rocket booster with the Soyuz TMA-11M spaceship carrying new crew members to the International Space Station from the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan . On a mission: People take photographs of Russia's Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft carrying an international crew including Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin and U.S. astronaut Rick Mastracchio as well as the Olympic torch . Russia's Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft carrying an international crew and the Olympic torch blasts off . The . Olympic torch has gone on voyages aboard spacecraft twice before, in . 1996 and 2000, but it has never been taken into open space. 'This is a way to show the . world what Russia is made of,' Dmitry Kozak, the deputy prime minister . Putin put in charge of planning the Olympics. Inspired . by the Firebird of Russian folklore, the metre-long, red-and-silver . torch weighs almost 2 kilograms on Earth but it floated in zero gravity. As part of its 40,000-mile relay, the torch has travelled to the North Pole on an atomic-powered ice breaker. It . still has to go to the peak of Europe's highest mountain, Mount Elbrus, . and the depths of Siberia's Lake Baikal before reaching Sochi on the . Black Sea for the start of the Games on February 7. An astronaut waits for the Olympic torch after the rocket docks at the International Space Station . Made it! A crew member makes his way into the International Space Station carrying the Olympic torch . Special moment: The astronauts embrace as the Olympic torch is brought on board the International Space Station . After a six-hour trip to the station, Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin crawled through a hatch and handed the unlit torch to his beaming countryman on board, Fyodor Yurchikhin . The torch will return . to Earth on Monday, November 11, with Yurchikhin, European Space Agency . astronaut Luca Parmitano and U.S. astronaut Karen Nyberg. The US government recently advised people going to the Games to leave . their laptops and mobile phones at home over fears of spying, according . to research by journalists Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan. The . SORM surveillance system will allow the body to listen in on all . communications in and out of the Olympic venue at Sochi in February. It will allow security services to . bug the communications of anyone without having to show providers court . orders allowing the eavesdropping, the analysts said. The Olympic torch has gone on voyages aboard spacecraft twice before, in 1996 and 2000, but it has never been taken into open space . Russia . has pulled out all the stops to get the subtropic region ready for the . Games, spending more than $50 billion (37 billion euros) in state and . corporate money on infrastructure improvements. International Olympic Committee . president Thomas Bach insists the Olympic Charter will be respected at . the Sochi Winter Games despite Russia's new law on homosexuality. To the stars: The torch will return to Earth on Monday, November 11 . The move has been widely condemned and has led to calls for a boycott of next year's event. The issue caused controversy at August's athletics World Championships in Moscow. Russian . athlete Yelena Isinbayeva labelled Swedish high-jumper Emma . Green-Tregaro 'disrespectful to our country' for protesting against the . law by painting her nails in rainbow colours while United States runner . Nick Symmonds dedicated his world 800 metres silver medal to his gay and . lesbian friends. ### SUMMARY:

Oleg Kotov and Sergei Ryazansky carried unlit version of the torch . They proudly waved it outside the International Space Station, while floating 260 miles above the Earth . Moment was captured on high-tech video and photo equipment . On Thursday, three-man team brought torch to space station in a rocket . Torch has been on board spacecraft twice before, but it has never been taken into open space .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: A Maine judge has ordered nurse Kaci Hickox to stay at least three feet from other people after she repeatedly defied the state's quarantine for medical workers who have treated Ebola patients. Miss Hickox, who tested negative for the deadly virus earlier this week, went against the mandatory guidelines by going cycling with her partner Ted Wilbur and having a pizza delivered to their home. But now, the 33-year-old has been temporarily ordered to remain a certain distance from others, avoid public places and stay in her hometown of Fort Kent in a bid to lessen the risk to the public. Charles LaVerdiere, chief judge of the Maine District Court, instructed the nurse to submit to 'direct active monitoring' and 'not to be present in public places', except to receive necessary healthcare. Scroll down for video . Court order: A Maine judge has ordered nurse Kaci Hickox (pictured receiving a takeaway pizza with her partner, Ted Wilbur) to stay at least three feet from others after she repeatedly defied the state's quarantine . Defying the rules: Miss Hickox, who tested negative for the deadly virus earlier this week, went against the mandatory guidelines by going on a bike ride with Mr Wilbur. Above, the nurse is pictured during the ride . Defying the rules: The 33-year-old (pictured, left, during the bike ride and, right, in her nurse's attire,) has been temporarily ordered by the Maine judge to remain at least three feet from others and avoid public places . However, she is permitted to engage in 'non-congregate public activities', such as walking or jogging in a park, providing she maintains a three-foot distance from other people. It comes less than 24 hours after the Governor of Maine, Paul LePage, threatened to arrest Miss Hickox for defying her quarantine, saying: 'I don't want her within three feet of anyone.' The court order, which sees the state follow through with its threat to try to isolate the nurse for 21 days, Ebola's incubation period, was made on Thursday. It came in response to the state's request 'regarding the public health threat allegedly posed' by the nurse, said Judge LaVerdiere, but was issued only for 24 hours. Further action is due on Friday. It is believed that the three-foot distance from others is only applicable to Miss Hickox's public presence; so her interaction with Mr Wilbur inside their home will not be affected. Miss Hickox, who was pictured beaming alongside Mr Wilbur as they received the pepperoni and mushroom pizza at their home on Thursday, maintains the quarantine violates her human rights. Home: Miss Hickox must also stay in her hometown of Fort Kent. Above, Mr Wilbur at the couple's house . Keeping watch: Reporters and photographers are seen watching Miss Hickox's property on Friday morning . Police at the house: The court order, which sees the state follow through with its threat to try to isolate the nurse for 21 days, Ebola's incubation period, was made on Thursday. However, it only lasts 24 hours . Threat: It comes less than 24 hours after the Governor of Maine, Paul LePage (pictured), threatened to arrest the nurse for defying the quarantine, saying: 'I don't want her within three feet of anyone' She claims that she has no symptoms and poses no risk to the public after returning from treating critically ill Ebola patients in Sierra Leone, West Africa, a week ago. As she returned home from the one-hour bike ride on Thu, the nurse said: 'There is no court action against me. There is nothing to stop me from going for a bike ride in my home town.' Police remained outside Miss Hickox's home on Friday, where they are closely monitoring the nurse's movements. Fort Kent Police Chief Tom Pelletier went inside the house briefly on Friday morning and said afterward: 'We just had a good conversation.' He said he was not there to arrest or detain her. Bike ride: Miss Hickox maintains the 21-day quarantine violates her human rights.She says that she has no symptoms and poses no risk to the public after returning from treating Ebola patients in Sierra Leone . Greeting press: Fort Kent Police Chief Tom Pelletier went inside Miss Hickox's house briefly on Friday morning and said afterward: 'We just had a good conversation.' He said he was not there to arrest or detain her . The legal action is shaping up as the nation's biggest test case yet in the struggle to balance public health and fear of Ebola against personal freedom. Miss Hickox stepped into the media glare when she returned from treating Ebola patients in Sierra Leone to become subject to a mandatory quarantine in New Jersey. After being released from a hospital there, she returned to this small town, where she was placed under what Maine authorities called a voluntary quarantine. She said she is following the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation of daily monitoring for fever and other signs of the disease. High-profile: The legal action is shaping up as the nation's biggest test case yet in the struggle to balance public health and fear of Ebola against personal freedom. Above, Miss Hickox with her bike on Thursday . Interacting with the public: Miss Hickox speaks briefly with a reporter at her home (left) in Fort Kent, Maine, and beams as she receives the pepperoni and mushroom pizza (right) with Mr Wilbur on Thursday . 'I'm not willing to stand here and let my civil rights be violated when it's not science-based,' she said on Wednesday evening. Some states like Maine are going above and beyond the CDC guidelines to require quarantines. So is the U.S military. President Barack Obama, the nation's top infectious-disease expert and humanitarian groups have warned that overly restrictive measures could cripple the fight against the disease at its source. They claim such measures could discourage volunteers like Miss Hickox from going to West Africa, where the outbreak has sickened more than 13,000 people and killed nearly 5,000 of them. Giving interviews: Nurse Kaci Hickox (left) and her boyfriend Ted Wilbur speak to the media on Wednesday. MailOnline reporter Martin Gould (center) shook Miss Hickox's hand following the impromptu press conference . 'These kinds of restrictions could dissuade hundreds, if not thousands, of skilled volunteers from helping stop Ebola's spread, which is in the national interest of every one of our countries,' Samantha Power, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Thursday in Brussels. U.S. public concern about Ebola is high, even though only one person in the country is currently being treated for it, a New York doctor, Craig Spencer, who cared for patients in West Africa. Spencer, 33, was in serious but stable condition, New York's Bellevue Hospital said on Thursday. ### SUMMARY:

Kaci Hickox, 33, flew to Sierra Leone, West Africa, to treat Ebola patients . On her return, she was placed under mandatory quarantine, but defied it . She was captured going on bike ride and having pizza delivered to home . But now, nurses has been ordered to stay at least three feet from others . She must also avoid public places and stay in her hometown of Fort Kent . But, she can engage in 'non-congregate public activities', such as jogging . Comes less than 24 hours after the Governor of Maine threatened to arrest Miss Hickox, saying: 'I don't want her within three feet of anyone'

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Jamie Vardy's team won 5-3 on this day four years ago as well, but the circumstances could hardly be more contrasting. He was playing for FC Halifax Town at the time in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, the seventh tier of English football, and that night 658 hardy souls saw the Shaymen beat Vardy's former club, Stocksbridge Park Steels. Their Bracken Moor ground, with its weather-worn stands and grass bank behind one goal, is a million miles away from where Vardy is now, putting Manchester United to the sword in one of the most remarkable results in the Premier League era. Jamie Vardy played a role in all five of Leicester City's goals as they put Manchester United to the sword . Chris Smalling (foreground) and Marcos Rojo reflect as the goals roll in for Leicester . Tyler Blackett conceded a penalty and received a red card for this foul on Vardy . Blackett can't quite believe he's been sent off as Leicester piled on the misery at the King Power Stadium . Forget Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao, this was the Vardy show as he ran United's atrocious defence ragged, exposing the fundamental flaw in Louis Van Gaal's thrill-a-minute football masterplan. Vardy was irrepressible, playing a role in all five of Leicester's goals. He crossed for Leonardo Ulloa to head home the first and was fouled by Rafael Da Silva to win a penalty for the second. He inadvertently blocked a shot to tee up Esteban Cambiasso for their third, then broke clear to calmly roll home the fourth. Finally, all for good measure, he bamboozled Tyler Blackett to win a penalty for the fifth, the foul prompting referee Mark Clattenburg to send off the youngster. It was the final indignity on an afternoon in which United simply imploded. So it was Vardy, a man who was playing non-league football as recently as May 2012, who ruthlessly exposed United's glaring defensive failings. Proof, as if it were needed, that you should always expect the glorious unexpected in football. Vardy is bundled over by Rafael Da Silva, leading to a penalty and Leicester's second goal . Jonny Evans limped off injured, adding to Man United's crisis at the back . Louis van Gaal and Ryan Giggs (left) look miserable on the bench as the result gets worse . United's attacking football was magnificent - Di Maria was mesmerising, Falcao dangerous, Van Persie clinical - but they spent the second half at sixes and sevens in defence. In the end, those numbers could well have been Leicester's goal tally, perhaps even more. United weren't helped by Clattenburg's incorrect decision not to penalise Vardy for barging Rafael over in the lead-up to the first penalty, nor earlier on when Jonny Evans, arguably the one member of the back line who looks competent, succumbed to injury on the half-hour. He was replaced by Chris Smalling, himself returning from an injury lay-off. But most of Leicester's other profitable moments going forward were the result of a defensive horror show. Van Gaal spent £16m on Marcos Rojo and will be alarmed at how susceptible he looked. Vardy tied the Argentine in knots, notably when he skinned him to cross for Ulloa to get Leicester back in the game at 1-2. It also his poor pass in the 79th minute that enabled Ritchie De Laet, a United reject, to mug Juan Mata and play Vardy through for the fourth goal. Evans returned to watch the second half from the bench, wearing a protective boot . Chris Smalling struggles to get a grip of Vardy during the second-half . Rojo is meant to be more comfortable at left-back than in the middle but that wasn't apparent here. He looked totally stunned by the pace of Premier League football, an accident waiting to happen. Blackett is just 20 and has much to learn and with United's defensive injury problems continuing, he'll have to educate himself quickly. First though, he'll have to serve a suspension. He made one excellent last-ditch tackle to thwart Vardy when clean through but was reckless in bringing down the striker to concede a penalty and earn himself a red card. Blackett is still meek, he hasn't yet developed the command and authority needed to operate at centre-half and would have benefitted greatly from a few games alongside Nemanja Vidic or Rio Ferdinand. United were hasty in letting them go. The years of experience they could bring to the back line is painfully missing. Evans, who sat on the bench in a protective leg brace and left the King Power Stadium on crutches, is the closest United now have. It looks like he'll be absent for quite a few weeks. Wayne Rooney shouts at his defence as another Leicester goal goes in . Rooney (left), Blackett (centre) and Daley Blind after Leicester went into the lead at 4-3 . United could have done with the authority and experience of Rio Ferdinand, who went to QPR over the summer . They play West Ham next weekend but have tougher assignments against Everton, Chelsea and Manchester City on the horizon. The title contenders would have watched Vardy's performance with glee. If a newly-promoted team can rip United open at will, then they'll have a field day. Rafael, equally, looks a liability. He was out of position when Ulloa headed in and allowed himself to be pushed over by Vardy when trying to usher the ball out. His resultant foul on the Leicester man inside the box was beyond stupidity with Blackett covering. Daley Blind and Ander Herrera were exclusively concerned with pushing forward, they felt it wasn't their business to track back and provide cover. As a result, the space Leicester were able to exploit on the counter-attack was astonishing. This would never have happened under Sir Alex Ferguson and probably not even under David Moyes. This result has ruthlessly highlighted the flaw in Van Gaal's summer transfer policy. David de Gea looks astonished as Leonardo Ulloa heads the ball past him for Leicester's first goal . United were linked with Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels over the summer . Overloading the team with some of the world's best attacking talent is all well and good but defensively, United are still short of two world class defenders. They are imbalanced and how it showed. Luke Shaw has yet to figure and Rojo yet to impress. It certainly would have been handy to have a Mats Hummels or Thomas Vermaelen figure ready to step in but United went for style over substance. Captain Wayne Rooney spent much of the second half screaming at his defence. The fury and frustration in his eyes and voice clear for everyone to see. It could become a familiar sight this season at this rate. ### SUMMARY:

Jamie Vardy had a hand in all five goals as Leicester City came from 3-1 down to beat Manchester United 5-3 . He exposed a lacklustre United back line who looked out of their depth . Jonny Evans was forced off through injury in the first half . £16m signing Marcos Rojo struggled to contain Leicester's forward line . Tyler Blackett lacked authority and was sent off for fouling Vardy . Rafael da Silva also conceded a controversial penalty for fouling Vardy . The result exposed the imbalance in Louis van Gaal's team . United could have done with another world class defender or two but Van Gaal decided to sign mostly stylish attacking players .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By MICHAEL MOSLEY . He's the TV doctor famous for putting his body through some of the worst fad diets the industry has to offer, as well as creating a healthy regime of his own: the 5:2 diet. Now Michael Mosley has turned his attention to doctors of a different kind - the incredible men and women who put their lives on the line to rescue animals caught up in war and natural disasters. Among them are the crack team who descended on the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan to come to the aid of some of the millions of creatures displaced by the disaster. In this moving account, Dr Mosley reveals why their work is so important and explains why we shouldn't forget about the plight of animals - even in the midst of a human tragedy. Important work: Juan Carlos Murillo, the main vet, shows Michael Mosley how to hold a piglet . 'I am used to investigating the internal workings of the human body, but last year I found myself in the Philippines, where I spent my early childhood years. Here I learnt how to bottle-feed a fully grown male water buffalo and helped build typhoon-proof houses for litters of charming little piglets, complete with removable roofs and warm, springy floors made of special bio-degradable compost. It was like being James Herriot on an eco-friendly gap year. When Typhoon Haiyan hit this vast archipelago last year, winds of over 230 mph devastated the nation’s 7,000 islands, killing over 6,000 people in a few hours and leaving over four million more homeless. But this human tragedy was only part of the story. As the farmers suffered, millions of domestic animals were killed in the storms or died later from injuries, starvation, exposure or disease. Enter the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), an organisation dedicated to promoting animal welfare across the globe. Tragedy: When Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines on 8th November 2013, it killed more than 6,000 people . Aid: The typhoon also killed six million animals but vets such as Cinthya Diaz are there for those who survived . Important: Water buffaloes such as this one are a hugely important part of Filipino life . They have teams ready to come to the aid of animals caught up in natural catastrophes at four days’ notice. BBC Two asked me to join them. I’d done a series called Front Line Medicine about doctors treating British troops in Afghanistan. This was very different. I’d never been involved in veterinary work before, and that was part of the attraction. I was curious to see what vets have to do in these situations, as opposed to what medics do. I’d never thought about the scale of the problem. The figures were quite enormous, unimaginable in fact. Over six million animals died as a result of that typhoon. Some of the animals killed, maimed and at risk were pets, but far more were farm animals which provide the villagers with a vital source of income. In the Philippines that mainly means pigs, chickens and the gentle, peaceful water buffalo. If you lose a pig that may mean losing your child’s schooling for a year, not being able to pay for your daughter’s wedding or to get essential hospital treatment. It’s not that the farmers don’t care about their animals. They do. The pigs in particular are extremely intelligent creatures. They often seem to exhibit human-like emotions. They are extremely social, like to do things in groups and seem to look out for each other. After the typhoon, they were in big trouble. Their pens were destroyed, and if they weren’t killed, they were exposed to the searing daytime heat and night-time chill with no protection. On one farm my team visited hundreds of pigs had died, so Jennifer, the owner, agreed to let the team use the place to create an experimental type of pig-house, designed to be typhoon-proof, with a detachable roof and a brilliant self-cleaning compost floor. Watching this amazing, innovative construction take shape, was a bit like an episode of Grand Designs for livestock. Typhoon-proof: The vets create a sturdy new pig home on a farm where most of the animals were killed . Relief: Michael with Jennifer, the owner of a pig farm which lost hundreds of animals to the typhoon . The WSPA’s Director of Disaster Management is an adventurous 39-year-old Englishman, James Sawyer from Surrey, but the team were from many countries. Gerardo Huertas, is head of operations, a thoughtful intellectual type with 30 years experience in the field. Juan Carlos Murillo (‘JC’), the main vet, has a strong sense of a calling. The day-to-day logistics was in the hands of Cinthya Diaz, a bright, and unusual young woman who had started out working as a wedding planner and then got involved with rock music. She needed those complementary skills to get things done. I really liked their blend of different characteristics. They have a huge appetite for the work, in fact they are quite addicted to the adrenalin rush of going in and sorting things out. They had been everywhere and done everything. And they were prepared to drop everything and go anywhere at any time. They must have very understanding partners at home. What’s striking about Juan Carlos Murillo, this team’s vet, is the empathy he has for large creatures. He was trying to teach the local vets more humane ways of handling them. He is a real Dr Dolittle, demonstrating how you can calm a cow or water buffalo down and position it so that you can examine it. Job well done: After completing their work in the Philippines, the vets headed to Kenya and a drought . JC showed me how to get a buffalo to drink medicine by serving it in a lager bottle gently pushed into its mouth at the side of its tongue. The beast then rolled it around like Marlon Brando in ‘The Wild One’ rolling his cigarette from side to side, until the medicine had gone down. Other stand-out moments for me included watching the sperm being collected from a massive boar, enough to sire hundreds of piglets, and a disturbing visit to a farm where they raise fighting cocks. When they train them they put pads over their spurs, like boxers sparring, but when I saw the long, razor-sharp blades they use for real fights, I decided I had seen enough. In the end it became a hearts and minds campaign as the team devised sustainable, economic solutions to animal welfare problems and trained the locals in more effective ways of delivering life-saving treatment. You’d imagine they might suffer from ‘disaster fatigue’, but they’re surprisingly fresh-faced and enthusiastic about it all, happy to get up at 5.00am and work until a meeting at 10.00pm at night. And when they had finished in the Philippines, they had new, imminent disasters lined up to head off to next: a drought in Kenya and a possible volcanic eruption in Indonesia. Vets in the Disaster Zone, presented by Michael Mosley, tonight on BBC Two at 9pm . ### SUMMARY:

Emergency vets are funded by World Society for the Protection of Animals . Vet teams go to the site of disasters to help injured and displaced animals . Michael Mosley travelled to Philippines in aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan . Six million animals died in the disaster and many more were injured . Livestock particularly at risk, among them huge water buffalo and pigs . Pigs are an important part of the rural economy in the Philippines .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Nutcracking is on the verge of becoming a lost art as sales of pre-shelled nuts continue to rise . A digital ‘e-card’ isn’t a patch on a paper Christmas greeting. A Skype call with Santa is no replacement for sitting on his knee. And a packet of pre-shelled walnuts is no substitute for the joy of spraying bits of shell shrapnel across the living room as you smash them up. Nevertheless, nutcracking is on the verge of becoming a lost art. It seems we just can’t be bothered to break into the Christmas nuts ourselves. For example, while sales of pre-shelled nuts and fruit-and-nut mixtures at Asda are up by 60 per cent compared with a year ago, sales of whole nuts in shells are down. Iron lever nutcrackers date back to the 13th century. The first use of the term in the English language was in 1481, when the Petty Customs Account recorded a dozen nutcrackers being traded. The mothballing of the nut-cracker would not just be bad news for those who enjoy taking their frustration out on some macadamias as another family argument breaks out. And our festive decor would be poorer — an overflowing basket of nuts in their shells is a visual delight. The change depresses Marlena Spieler, writer of more than 70 cookbooks, who says: ‘I like the experience of nutcracking more than the eating. Even the flavour is different. They taste so fresh, unlike the way they taste already shelled. ‘And it’s good for kids to see where nuts actually come from — and that they don’t grow in plastic packets.’ Furthermore, a recent study found that snackers who eat nuts in shells consume fewer calories than those who opt for the pre-shelled variety. The simple trick works because the sight of the piles of discarded shells acts as a visual reminder of how much you have eaten and discourages you from over-indulging. So, for those keen to cling onto a British tradition, which are the nutcrackers worth shelling out for? If you want one in time for Christmas, make sure you order today (the last day for Royal Mail to deliver first class packages in time), or if you wait until next week, ensure your order is being delivered by courier. Alessi Scoiattolo nutcracker, £69, Alessi.com . SQUIRREL SHOWSTOPPER . Alessi Scoiattolo nutcracker . £69, Alessi.com . Alessi is loved by its customers for its sleek Italian design — but don’t expect it to come cheap. This £69 cracker, made of polished stainless steel, would be a beautiful addition to any mantelpiece as much as a functional kitchen utensil. You simply flick the tail forward for the little squirrel to tap open the nut with its paws, and the wooden base has holes of two sizes to accommodate smaller and larger nuts. The gizmo is solid and does crack the nuts, but it lacks the control that a hand-held nutcracker would give you and some nuts take several tries to break. In a nutshell: Style over substance, but such style . . . CONCENTRIC CRACKER . Bar Craft nutcracker . £11.99, Lakeland.co.uk . Bar Craft nutcracker, £11.99, Lakeland.co.uk, feels ultra-sturdy and you can also use it to unscrew plastic screw-top bottles . This workhorse of a nutcracker offers the kind of no-nonsense utility you’ve probably come to expect from Lakeland. Concentric rings inside the head accommodate any size or shape of nut — just drop it in and squeeze. Suck Robot nutcracker, £14, JohnLewis.co.uk. Pop nuts in the robot's stomach and turn the wind-up key . The zinc alloy ratchet feels ultra-sturdy and the sprung design means you don’t completely obliterate the nut (while the silicone grips go easy on your hands). And you can use it to unscrew plastic screw-top bottles, or bring it out on New Year’s Eve to help ease off the champagne corks. ROBO-SHELLER . Suck Robot nutcracker . £14, JohnLewis.co.uk . This brightly coloured little helper — made of beech wood — makes light work of cracking your snacks. All you need to do is pop the nut into the robot’s stomach and turn the yellow ‘wind-up’ key for it to penetrate the shell of the smallest hazelnut or the toughest walnut. The only robot that doesn’t even require a couple of AA batteries. And with its retro paint job, it will look lovely sitting on your kitchen shelf. ANTLERED APPARATUS . Reindeer nutcracker . £20, Furnish.co.uk . The most festive of the lot, this 15.5cm-tall reindeer device is made of aluminium and is available in red or white. This Reindeer nutcracker£20, from Furnish.co.uk, is the most festive of the lot . Santa’s favourite animals use their tails to crack your nuts, but equally make a great table decoration when not in use. Cast-iron nutcracker, £30, roullierwhite.com . CRACKING CAST-IRON . Cast-iron nutcracker . £30, roullierwhite.com . Even the toughest nut won’t get past this cast-iron contraption. It may look like a torture device, but its makers promise that it ‘allows a precise application of pressure to break the nut shell without damaging the nut inside’. Made of solid cast-iron, with a steel spindle, it is inspired by the classic design by Robert Welch, the acclaimed 20th century English designer and silversmith. NUTS ABOUT MAGGIE . Margaret Thatcher nutcracker . From 99p, eBay.co.uk . This novelty nutcracker may or may not be on the Christmas lists of die-hard fans of Mrs T, depending on how offbeat their sense of humour. Ironically, this version of the Iron Lady is actually made of plastic and as such feels fairly flimsy when dealing with hard nuts, and leaves you worrying that a leg might shatter at any moment. Best used for softer almonds, or enjoyed merely as a Christmas talking point. Margaret Thatcher nutcracker, from 99p, eBay.co.uk, is made of plastic so best used for softer almonds . ONE WITH A SPECIAL TWIST . Royal VKB Dutch nutcracker . £14.95, CulinaCookshop.co.uk . A nifty device by Dutch brand Royal VKB, it is the only nutcracker that can guarantee you won’t have any fragments of shell being fired off in all directions. The design concentrates your twisting power to crack the nut sealed inside a glass jar. Its lid can be used on both sides — the shallow side is for walnuts, while the tall one can reach down to crush hazelnuts. Royal VKB Dutch nutcracker, £14.95, CulinaCookshop.co.uk, cracks the nuts inside a sealed jar . ### SUMMARY:

Nutcracking is on the verge of becoming a lost art . Sales of nuts in fruit-and-nut mixtures are up, sales of whole nuts are down . So for those keen to cling onto a British tradition, which are the nutcrackers worth shelling out for?

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Security was dramatically stepped up for police officers and the Jewish community in Britain yesterday amid fears of a terror attack. Intelligence chiefs are worried that Islamist fanatics could try to copy the atrocities in France last week that cost 17 lives. Four Jewish people and three police officers were among the dead. Scroll down for video . Heavily armed police officers have been deployed in greater numbers because of the ISIS terror threat . Fears of similar carnage in the UK intensified on Thursday after commandos in Belgium killed Islamic State fanatics who wanted to behead a policeman or a judge. The plot held chilling echoes of the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby outside his barracks in Woolwich. In other developments: . The Duchess of Cambridge has reportedly been given enhanced security on a public appearance. Mark Rowley, the UK’s senior counter-terrorism officer, said: ‘The global picture of terrorist activity does give us heightened concern about the risk to the Jewish community.’ The Met assistant commissioner said the murders at a kosher supermarket in Paris, coupled with a rise in anti-semitic rhetoric from extremists, justified more patrols in areas with large Jewish populations, including London, Leeds and Manchester. Some 263,000 people in Britain describe themselves as Jewish. The country’s 70 Jewish schools have been put on high alert. The Community Security Trust, which advises Jewish institutions and groups on safety, said: ‘We spend an inordinate amount of money on security, particularly on our schools – as we should. Obviously there’s a change in the threat level because there could be people who might be perversely inspired by what they saw happen [in Paris].’ Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, pictured, confirmed that extra officers would be available to protect high-risk locations such as Jewish schools as well as potential threats against police . Mr Rowley added: ‘We are also considering what further measures we might put in place to enhance the security of police officers, given some of the deliberate targeting of the police we have seen in a number of countries across Europe and the world.’ He said the authorities were also looking at the safety of other minority communities. Speaking after talks with President Obama at the White House, Mr Cameron said: ‘It’s very important to learn the lessons from anything happening elsewhere in Europe. ‘Could that happen here? What steps should be taken? So the police have announced today that they’ll be stepping up patrols, particularly to protect the Jewish community. ‘We have to be incredibly vigilant and look at all of these risks, particularly risks to police officers themselves and take every action that we can.’ The Prime Minister used the talks to press for tougher action to require internet firms to join the fight against terror by alerting authorities to suspicious exchanges online. An official report last year concluded that Facebook failed to pass on information that could have prevented the murder of Fusilier Rigby and the site was a ‘safe haven for terrorists’. Investigators across Europe are working around the clock to target returning Islamic State fighters. The UK security services believe around 600 British Muslims have travelled to Syria and Iraq to join the so-called jihad, with around half now back home. Counter-terror chiefs fear they may carry out ‘lone wolf’ attacks. Professor Michael Clarke, director-general of the Royal United Services Institute, a defence think-tank, said the chance of marauding attacks by armed gunmen was ‘likely to increase’. Last year 3,934 potential extremists were referred to a Government deradicalisation programme and 777 were assessed as such a danger that they needed to take part. We can't monitor all 300 fanatics say deluged security chiefs . ANALYSIS BY JAMES SLACK . Top of the list of EU countries whose citizens have travelled to fight in Syria and Iraq stand France, Britain and Belgium. In the past week, two of those have witnessed terrifying scenes as jihadis swearing allegiance to Islamic State fought gun battles with the police. So is Britain next? According to the security services, 600 extremists have travelled from the UK to fight in Syria. This compares with around 700 from France and 400-plus from Belgium. Edward Snowden, pictured, inflicted huge damage on the capability of the security services to track fanatics . Of the 600 Britons, half are now back home. Thirty have been arrested and charged. It is not practically possible for MI5 to monitor the rest round-the-clock. More than 200 are known to be living in and around London. A surveillance operation of this level requires 30 officers per suspect, plus manpower to monitor their electronic communications. Such resources do not exist. David Cameron recently announced an extra £130million for the intelligence agencies, but it takes up to two years to train an MI5 agent. Case managers will have to make hugely difficult decisions over which to watch most closely. In the majority of cases, they will get the judgment right. At least four major plots have been foiled in the past year and since July 2005 there has been only one successful attack – the gruesome murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby. Inevitably, MI5, like its counterparts in France and elsewhere, will sometimes call it wrong. Fusilier Rigby’s killers had appeared repeatedly on the Security Service radar but weren’t considered a priority. So had the 7/7 bombers. And Mohammed Ahmed and Yusuf Sarwar, both 22 and serving 12 years in jail for terror offences, were arrested on their return to the UK from Syria only after Sarwar’s mother had reported them to the police. Terrorists are increasingly aware of how to avoid the attentions of the various international security services . The threat from the jihadis takes two forms. Some remain in contact with Islamic State and Al Qaeda leaders in Syria who are directing their attacks. These groups are believed to be planning ‘spectacular’ mass-casualty attacks, such as bringing down an airliner or a Mumbai-style bomb or gun attack. The second type of threat is far more crude and likely to be attempted by a lone individual or a pair who will have either returned from Syria or been inspired by jihadi propaganda. Attack methods could include a hit-and-run, the beheading of a ‘high-value’ target or a mass-stabbing. The Lee Rigby-style scenario is the one that security officials consider most likely. Already, one plot has been foiled and is before the courts. Such attacks are fiendishly hard to detect. Trying to buy explosives or an automatic rifle is likely to alert the security services. Grabbing a kitchen knife from a drawer will not. In these instances, the best hope of foiling such a plot is if the protagonists talk about their intentions online. However, in the wake of the Edward Snowden revelations, fanatics increasingly know how to avoid giving their secrets away on the internet. Indeed, it is hard to imagine a worse time for Snowden – now hiding in Russia – to inflict such huge damage on the capabilities of the security services. ### SUMMARY:

Jewish community buildings will receive extra police protection after Paris . Intelligence sources fear fanatics will launch their own UK terror attacks . The country's 70 Jewish schools have been placed on high alert . Britain's senior anti-terror police chief warned of increased risk of attack . David Cameron and Barack Obama pledged to stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism; . Intelligence sources said as many as 20 sleeper cells with 180 fanatics could be ready to strike in Europe; . Nearly 800 people have been put on a Home Office programme targeting potential extremists; .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: It's a scheme that saw Waitrose face a middle-class backlash over complaints that its stores were being invaded by less well-off shoppers. And now the retailer has decided to introduce a stricter policy on its free tea or coffee option for myWaitrose loyalty card holders when drinking at its in-store cafés, as a retail expert claimed it could cost as much as £150,000 a week to provide the perk. It has trialled a scheme at six stores in Bedford, Hitchin, Exeter, Weston-super-Mare, Nailsea and Chester whereby free drinks are only available at the café till to customers buying food as well. This could be anything from a cake to a sandwich or even a full meal - but at these stores you can still get a no-strings-attached free drink from the self-service machine. Changes: From February 9 all members will be asked to buy food if enjoying a free drink in a Waitrose café . And from February 9 cardholders will be asked to buy food if enjoying their drink at all of its cafés. The offer - introduced in 2011 - has allowed anybody with a card to pick up a free Americano, cappuccino, latte, tea, mocha or espresso every day - even if they do not spend anything in store. In some stores, including at Bloomsbury in central London, the free coffee cups are stored at the tills - although customers with a myWaitrose card do not have to make a purchase to receive one. Today The Times newspaper reported that customers do need a shopping receipt at the Bloomsbury store to get their free tea or coffee, but this was denied by Waitrose. The popularity of the myWaitrose card offer has made the retailer the second largest provider of coffee in the UK, with its stores shifting one million cups a week. Popular: The loyalty scheme has five million members, with Waitrose giving out an estimated one million free teas or coffees every week. Shoppers can also get a free newspaper when spending more than £5 . Phil Dorrell, director of the retail consultancy Retail Remedy, told MailOnline: ‘It was a very good commercial marketing ploy that has over the last few years become a little bit abused. ‘It costs them money to do it and they’ve got to ask themselves is it worth it? [Northern supermarket chain] Booths do exactly the same thing. Does it really benefit the actual Waitrose customer? ‘The execution of it at store level has been a little poor and allowed people to come in, get a free coffee and then not really shop - and a lot of these people would tend to do that on a frequent basis. ‘That was not the intent of the card. The intent was a thank you from Waitrose. I think Waitrose when they did it were under pressure from all the other supermarkets doing a price war. ‘They wanted to make a statement to their customers saying “we’re different too”. It’s just a sort of expression of the fact that they were different.’ The loyalty scheme has five million members, with Waitrose giving out an estimated one million free teas or coffees every week. Shoppers with the card can also get a free newspaper when spending more than £5. Mr Dorrell said he estimated that the ingredients of the tea or coffee available at Waitrose would come in at between 12p and 15p, meaning that it could be costing the supermarket as much as £150,000 a week to provide the perk. But he added: ‘Some of that will be extremely beneficial to them as they’re getting new customers, but we don’t how much of that is being abused. That’s the unknown quantity.' A statement on the Waitrose website said: ‘From February 9 we will be asking myWaitrose members who wish to enjoy their free tea or coffee in one of our cafés to also purchase a treat - such as a sandwich, cake, biscuit or piece of fruit. ‘This change will enable us to continue to offer our customers the enjoyable service they expect.’ Choices: The popularity of the myWaitrose card offer has made the retailer the second largest provider of coffee in the UK, with its stores shifting one million cups a week . Christmas rise: This graph published last week on the John Lewis Partnership website shows Waitrose's weekly sales figures up to week 25 (to January 17, 2015), compared to the same weeks in 2013-14 and 2012-13 . And a Waitrose spokesman told MailOnline today: ‘A complimentary tea or coffee while shopping with us is one of our ways of saying thank you to our customers. ‘Most people who have their myWaitrose free drink in the café understand that they should buy something from the café to have with their tea or coffee, and so we are simply confirming that. ‘MyWaitrose members who would like to drink their free tea or coffee in the café will also need to buy something, in the café such as a sandwich, cake or piece of fruit to go with their drink. Customers can still buy a drink in the café too. ‘Of course myWaitrose customers can still get their free hot drink from the self-serve machines whilst they are shopping with us.’ Last September Waitrose reported operating profit fell 9.4 per cent to £145million because of - among other factors - 'substantial' investment in stores, its website and the myWaitrose scheme. In December 2013 the Mail reported how regular Waitrose customers claimed the supermarket's offer of free cups of tea and coffee in all its stores was attracting the wrong type of clientele. Long-standing customers said at the time that the move was encouraging large numbers of myWaitrose cardholders who have no intention of shopping and merely get in the way. Waitrose boss Mark Price said he believed that shoppers want instant rewards, such as free coffee, rather than the 'meaningless' benefits offered by conventional supermarket loyalty cards. And in March 2014 the Mail told how a woman had to go to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton after drinking a free coffee from a Waitrose store that contained cleaning fluid. Paramedics were called to the branch of the supermarket in Lewes, East Sussex, and advised her to visit a burns unit, although she is thought to have attended a local A&E instead. Waitrose apologised for the 'unfortunate incident' and sent her a £25 voucher. A spokesman said: ‘We have confirmed that the cleaning fluid does not have any long term impact on health.' The next month MailOnline revealed how a second customer had fallen ill after drinking a free coffee from Waitrose that was contaminated with cleaning fluid. Father-of-two David Sack, 49, was in a rush when he grabbed a free cappuccino at the branch in West Byfleet, Surrey, but felt sick after drinking it. The supermarket chain apologised to Mr Sack, and offered him £25 compensation, but he returned the money because the amount was 'insulting' - and was then presented with £100. A spokesman for Waitrose said at the time: ‘Mr Sack should not have been able to pour a drink while the machine was being rinsed - and we have taken action to prevent it happening again.' ### SUMMARY:

Stricter policy on free tea or coffee policy for myWaitrose cardholders . Trialled scheme at six of its stores including Bedford, Exeter and Chester . Means free drinks are only available at café till to customers buying food . But shoppers can still get a no-strings-attached free drink from machine . From February 9 they will be asked to buy food with free drink at all cafés . Offer introduced in 2011 allows cardholders to pick up free drink each day .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: He wasn’t quite collecting signatures for the campaign to ‘Get Stuart Armstrong to Celtic’ but nor was Scott Brown of a mind to keep his bourgeoning respect for the player under a veil, either. The Dundee United midfielder, as Sportsmail revealed earlier this month, has an admirer in the shape of Celtic manager Ronny Deila. Recent personal checks by the Norwegian have confirmed a player blessed with pace, skill and bravery on the ball — everything he looks for in a midfielder, in fact. On Sunday at Tannadice, Armstrong’s credentials will be given another stern examination when Deila’s side look to extend their winning sequence in the Premiership to nine matches. Scott Brown feels the full force of a Stuart Armstrong tackle during a meeting last season . Whatever transpires, the contribution of the 22-year-old Invernessian could have significant ramifications for the transfer window which opens at the turn of the year. Certainly, if Deila seeks a second opinion from his skipper on Armstrong’s credentials before asking chief executive Peter Lawwell to pick up the phone, it would be a brave man to bet against the United star swelling the Scottish contingent at Lennoxtown in the near future. Asked if he felt Armstrong was good enough to cut it at Celtic, Brown replied: ‘I don’t see why not. I’ve seen his attributes when he’s been away with Scotland, too, and what he does. ‘He understands that you’ve got to show some respect but when he goes on the park he wants to win games as well. I love that about players. He works hard and wants to win games. You get disappointed if you don’t. He’s one of those lads. ‘It’s not really up to me who we sign but there are some great Scottish players out there. We signed Leigh (Griffiths) and Charlie (Mulgrew), while James (Forrest) has come through the youths as well. We are bringing in Scottish players as well.’ Armstrong is a player who can raise his game for the big occasion, and could cause Celtic problems . Pressed to expand upon what in particular impressed him about the man he will face on Sunday, Brown said: ‘He works hard and always wants the ball. That’s the main thing. Especially in Scotland, people can go hiding and don’t want it and don’t want to play in the big games. ‘He’s a big-game player and he always seems to do really well against us. He’s aggressive, strong and is direct as well. That’s what I like about him.’ Brown’s admiration stretches beyond just one individual at Tannadice. Almost two years since Jackie McNamara and Simon Donnelly left the Firhill dugout for Tayside, United fans have grown accustomed to a staple diet of entertaining, effective football. ‘Jackie and Simon have got them playing really good football,’ Brown added. ‘They get the ball down and try and play. ‘If you look around their squad they’ve got some great players — some talented young ones as well. ‘Armstrong is a great player, (Gary) Mackay-Steven and (Nadir) Ciftci up front as well. They always create chances, but it’s all about us on the day. If we turn up and play well, we should have too much for any team.’ United know to their cost that Brown is not merely mouthing off in that regard. Back in August, they descended on Celtic Park in optimistic mood but left humiliated after suffering a 6-1 drubbing. Just weeks into Deila’s regime, his Celtic players left the field to thunderous applause at half-time. Ronny Deila is an admirer of the Dundee United midfielder, and could try and sign him in January . Welcome though such an ovation was, the manager — in his heart of hearts — could have lived without it. Although he couldn’t admit it at the time, deep down he knew such an inspiring display was something of a freak occurrence. ‘Yeah, the worst thing of being a football manager is to let people down,’ he said of the indifferent games that followed. ‘That’s why it is so hard because you really want to make people happy. That’s the same for the players. ‘I wasn’t surprised that day. Dundee United attacked us and that opened up things for us. We also scored four goals from set-plays. I think if you go through goal chances we had eight and we scored six. So we were very effective. ‘The last four, five, six games we’ve had 10 to 15 chances in every game. So if you see behind the result, I think we’ve improved although we haven’t been so effective as we were in that United game. ‘In the transition we will go up and down. Now we have gone through six months with some good games and some bad games, but I’m very happy we are in all four tournaments now. We have gone through it in a good way and used the energy in the right way.’ Deila has had to learn quickly that quality time on the training ground with players is a luxury rarely afforded to Celtic managers. Celtic were superb as they thrashed Dundee United earlier in the season, and will hope for a repeat on Sunday . This week was the first since the campaign began that hadn’t been interrupted by a midweek match or international football. For a new manager striving to do things his way, such constant interruptions have been a source of deep frustration. ‘We need more of this,’ Deila stated. ‘It is hard to get the message across normally, so I have very much appreciated the opportunity this week. We’ve had three very good days on the training pitch and that’s been needed. ‘It is what the job is about for me. It’s getting there, but everything is a bit slower than what it would be if we would be able to train the team three days in a row every week, like I’m used to. ‘Here you have to do it in different ways. You have to use more video, more one-to-one talks and team talks. ‘But you also can’t do too much of that because you can tire the players out mentally. I think everybody’s understanding more where we want to go, how we want to play. ‘That excites me. I see so much potential.’ Brown (left) jokes with Anthony Stokes in training, as Celtic got a rare full week on the training pitches . It can safely be assumed that once the festive programme is completed at Kilmarnock on January 5, eight days at a winter training camp in Gran Canaria will be wisely spent. ‘It’s evolution, not revolution,’ Deila cautioned. ‘It’s not like I’m going to be able to show them in two training sessions everything in the world that I know and what I can do. ‘I believe you will (see the team improve), but it’s little by little. We’ll go more and more together. We’re working on the right things. There’s a good attitude in the group, a good mood. ‘That makes it also so much better.’ After Tannadice, Celtic entertain Ross County next Saturday before visits to Firhill and Rugby Park in the New Year. For Deila, who has spent the last few years holidaying in Brazil over Christmas, it’s a huge change. Not that he’d have it any other way, though. ‘Every game is like Christmas,’ he said. ‘Everything is new. My motivation is so high I just have to stagger myself so I don’t want too much. I am always holding back because you need to take it step by step and save your energy throughout the long season.’ ### SUMMARY:

Ronny Deila may try and sign Stuart Armstrong in January . Scott Brown has been impressed by Armstrong for club and country . Celtic face Armstrong's Dundee United side on Sunday .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: (CNN) -- People along the Texas coast were leaving home or planning to evacuate Thursday as Hurricane Ike churned toward them, slowly intensifying on its march west. Forecasters say the storm could slam into the Texas coast -- south of Galveston -- as a powerful Category 3 storm late Friday or early Saturday. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations were planned or underway in at least seven coastal counties. Aransas County, on the eastern coast of Texas, has ordered a mandatory evacuation of all nonessential government employees, becoming the latest county in the state to urge residents to flee. In Galveston, city officials ordered mandatory evacuations for part of the island town beginning at 7 a.m. Thursday. The rest of the town will be under a voluntary evacuation order. Only residents will be required to evacuate on the western end of the island. Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas defended that, saying current models call for Galveston to be hit with winds and rain only equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane. "We do not intend to evacuate Galveston Island," she said. "It's the last thing we want to do. Our job is to protect lives and property, [and] right now we feel that sheltering in place is the best action for our citizens to take." Farther up the Gulf Coast and closer to where the National Hurricane Center predicts a direct hit, Brazoria County ordered a mandatory evacuation to begin at 8 a.m. Thursday. Some other Texas localities have ordered mandatory evacuations, while others have left the decision to depart up to residents. As of 5 a.m. ET Thursday, the Category 2 storm -- with top sustained winds near 100 mph -- was about 620 miles east of Brownsville, Texas, and about 285 miles southeast of the Mississippi River, the hurricane center said. Track the storm » . Hurricane-force winds extended out up to 115 miles from the storm's center, and tropical storm-force winds extended out up to 255 miles forecasters reported. About 15,000 residents were leaving Galveston's Brazoria County Wednesday after a mandatory evacuation order was issued at 10 a.m. CT (11 a.m. ET) governing one ZIP code -- 77541 -- and residents throughout the county with special needs. Galveston City Manager Steve LeBlanc issued a warning to residents of the city's West End, citing forecasters' estimates that the area could get tides of 6 feet above normal if the storm arrives there. The West End is the area of Galveston most susceptible to flooding, LeBlanc said. Other Brazoria residents were being allowed to remain as of 6 p.m. ET. In Matagorda County, southwest of Galveston, officials ordered a mandatory evacuation for all areas except the cities of Bay City and Van Vleck. The evacuation must be completed by at 6 p.m. (7 p.m. ET) Thursday. Galveston is likely to experience a high tidal surge, officials said, urging people living in low-lying areas or mobile homes to get out soon. "One of the things that the public has to understand if they decide to stay, there will be a period of time during this storm when they will absolutely be on their own," Brazoria County Sheriff Charles Wagner said. "There will be no medical services; there will be no fire department; there will be no law enforcement, groceries, gasoline, drugs, electricity." The center issued a tropical storm warning from the Mississippi River's mouth to Cameron, Louisiana, and a hurricane watch from Cameron to Port Mansfield, Texas, about 60 miles south of Brownsville. Tropical storm warnings mean winds of 39 to 73 mph (63 to 118 kmh) are expected within a day, and a hurricane watch means winds of 74 and higher are expected within 36 hours. "Hurricane Ike is now in the Gulf of Mexico and making its approach toward our coast," Gov. Rick Perry said in a statement. "The next few days will be crucial for residents to follow the direction of local leaders and to take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their families." Perry put 7,500 National Guard members on standby this week, his office said, and issued a disaster declaration for 88 counties. About 1,350 buses, several ambulances and paramedic buses were available to support evacuations. The vehicles were positioned near Houston, Matagorda County, Nueces County and Victoria County, the governor's office said. President Bush declared an emergency in the state, making federal funds available for the state to prepare for the storm. Corpus Christi officials also began the evacuation process for residents with special needs, supplying buses to transport them out of town. Voluntary evacuations were issued in San Patricio and Victoria counties and parts of Jackson County, according to the governor's office. More than 1,300 inmates from the Texas Correctional Institutions Division's Stevenson Unit in Cuero were being evacuated to facilities in Beeville and Kenedy, Perry's office said, and 597 were transferred from the substance abuse Glossbrenner Unit in San Diego, in south Texas, to Dilley. Naval air stations in Texas also began to prepare for Hurricane Ike's expected arrival. Naval Air Station Kingsville was to begin moving about 50 aircraft to El Paso, San Antonio and Fort Worth on Wednesday afternoon, the public affairs office there said. Naval Air Station Corpus Christi will also move about 75 aircraft to other Texas locations, its public affairs office said. Evacuations appeared to have saved lives in Cuba when Ike slammed into the island. Four deaths were reported from the storm, according to the Cuban government. The Cuban Civil Defense brought buses or trucks to take people to shelters. See the damage from the storm » . Cuban state television reported that two people were killed when they tried to remove an antenna, The Associated Press said. One man died when a tree crashed into his home, and a woman died when her home's roof collapsed, according to the AP. The storm shredded hundreds of homes and caused some dilapidated buildings in Havana's older areas to collapse, the AP reported. Watch as winds and waves pound Cuba » . The United States, which provided $100,000 in emergency aid to communist-run Cuba through private aid agencies after Hurricane Gustav hit the island August 30, said Tuesday that it was considering additional emergency aid for Cuba because of Ike. Also, the United States said it will lift restrictions on cash and humanitarian assistance sent to Cuba for the next 90 days. The move will allow nongovernmental organizations to provide assistance and cash donations. The storm pounded Grand Turk Island in the Turks and Caicos chain, putting a strain on the British territory's tourism industry. Watch houses lie in heaps on Grand Turk » . Flooding and rains from Ike's outer bands have been blamed for 70 deaths in Haiti. Watch the devastating aftermath » . CNN's Mike Mount contributed to this report. Copyright 2008 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report. ### SUMMARY:

NEW: Ike could swell to Category 3 when it hits Texas coast Saturday . Mandatory evacuations ordered for residents with special needs in one county . Hurricane-spawned tornado causes damage in Key Largo, Florida . Texans in low-lying areas and mobiles homes urged to get out .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: (CNN) -- Tea Party favorites won two primary elections over more mainstream Republicans on Tuesday, demonstrating again the clout of the conservative political movement on the political right. Now the question is whether the right-wing candidates can also defeat Democratic rivals in November's congressional elections, when the stakes are higher and the full electorate is deciding. The results in Delaware and New York highlighted the last major day of primary voting before the upcoming election in just under seven weeks. Voting in seven states and the District of Columbia included embattled veteran U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel's victory in his New York Democratic primary despite allegations of ethics violations, and D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty's bid to hold off a major primary challenger. In addition, former Gov. Robert Ehrlich won the Republican gubernatorial primary in Maryland to set up a rematch against Martin O'Malley, the Democrat who ousted him in 2006. In Delaware, conservative political commentator Christine O'Donnell easily defeated nine-time U.S. Rep. Mike Castle in the Republican U.S. Senate primary, giving the Tea Party movement another major victory over a candidate backed by the national GOP. "We the people will have our voice heard in Washington, D.C., once again," a beaming O'Donnell told exuberant supporters at her victory party in Dover. O'Donnell won more than 53 percent of the vote in the bitter campaign that displayed internal Republican warfare between conservative Tea Party supporters and the more moderate party structures. Castle was backed by the national Republican Party, while O'Donnell received the endorsement of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as well as $150,000 in late funding from the Tea Party Express. O'Donnell, running as a Washington outsider, insisted the Republican establishment was trying to drive her out of the race and hand victory to Castle, whom she refers to as "the anointed one." In response, conservative stalwart Bill Kristol, who fears O'Donnell is incapable of winning the Senate seat in November, said: "I know Sarah Palin. I respect Sarah Palin. And with all due respect -- Christine O'Donnell is no Sarah Palin." In her victory speech, O'Donnell made a plea unity, saying: "If those same people who fought against me work just as hard for me, we will win." Later, she told CNN that she can win without the support of the national Republican Party. "They don't have a winning track record," O'Donnell said of the national party. "If they're too lazy to put in the effort that we need to win, then, so be it." The National Republican Senatorial Committee offered its congratulations to O'Donnell immediately after the result was determined. "We congratulate Christine O'Donnell for her nomination this evening after a hard-fought primary campaign in Delaware," said a statement by Rob Jesmer, the NRSC executive director. However, a top Republican official told CNN on Tuesday night that O'Donnell will have to show she can generate viable support before the national party will give her money. "It is now incumbent on Sarah Palin, (U.S. Sen.) Jim DeMint and the Tea Party Express to help support her," the official said on condition of not being identified by name. "They got her here. Now make it happen." O'Donnell will face Democrat Christopher Coons, the New Castle County Executive, in November for the seat formerly held by Vice President Joe Biden. In New York, conservative Carl Paladino defeated Rick Lazio in the Republican gubernatorial primary to set up a November showdown with Democrat Andrew Cuomo, the son of former Gov. Mario Cuomo. Paladino received Tea Party support in defeating Lazio, who also was supported by some conservative groups. The New York governor's post has proven hazardous in recent years. Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned amid a prostitution scandal, and his successor, David Paterson, decided against running for another term due to allegations of wrongdoing involving World Series tickets and a domestic abuse case involving an aide. In New Hampshire, conservative candidate Ovide Lamontagne saw an early lead vanish in his bid to upset former state Attorney General Kelly Ayotte, the candidate favored by establishment Republicans. The winner will run in November to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Judd Gregg. Ayotte gave up her state post to run for the Senate nomination with encouragement from national Republicans. Considered the favorite in the seven-candidate contest for months, Ayotte instead found herself with a razor-thin lead with Lamontagne, a Manchester attorney and the 1996 Republican nominee for governor, with 52 percent of the returns accounted, according to AP figures. Local Tea Party groups, the conservative New Hampshire Union Leader newspaper and DeMint, the influential conservative senator from South Carolina, all backed Lamontagne. Unlike O'Donnell in Delaware, though, Lamontagne didn't get Palin's endorsement. Instead, Palin backed Ayotte, calling her a "Granite Grizzly" and "the true conservative running for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire." However, Palin's endorsement and Ayotte's support from many national Republicans may have backfired in fiercely independent New Hampshire. Victories by O'Donnell and Paladino, and the possibility of a triumph by Lamontagne in New Hampshire, showed the strength of the Tea Party within the political right, after similar results ousted GOP incumbents or insiders in Idaho and Alaska. However, the Republican infighting also raised questions about GOP unity heading into November. Rangel, meanwhile, received help from former President Bill Clinton in defeating five challengers in the Democratic primary for the House seat he has held for 40 years. Despite allegations by the House ethics committee that Rangel committed financial wrongdoing and harmed the credibility of Congress, he raised more money than his opponents and easily won the vote in his Harlem district. The situation was reversed in Washington, where Fenty swept into office in 2006 promising to fix the District of Columbia's struggling schools. However, the AP figures showed he trailed City Council Chairman Vincent Gray with 28 percent of the votes counted, in part because of union opposition to his education reform efforts. "We've got an uphill battle because we made tough decisions," Fenty said before the vote. "We'll continue to make those tough decisions because they're right for the people. But we're not naive. We know this has cost us a little political popularity that we came into the polls with." The race is being closely watched far beyond the District of Columbia because the outcome could carry significant implications for the national debate over education reform. Fenty brought in Michelle Rhee as chancellor of D.C. Public Schools, and she has since become famous for changes that that have become a model of education reform advocated by the Obama administration. Rhee shut down two dozen schools, fired hundred of educators -- including more than 100 teachers this summer -- for poor performance, and overhauled the teacher evaluation system to include, for the first time, student performance as a measure of success. Local and national teachers unions have fought her efforts. CNN's Jessica Yellin, Paul Steinhauser, Mark Preston, Kate Bolduan, Kevin Bohn, Mary Snow and Tom Cohen contributed to this report. ### SUMMARY:

Victories by O'Donnell, Paladino raise questions over Republican unity . O'Donnell says she can win without support of national Republicans . Veteran Rangel wins primary despite allegations of ethics violations . Tuesday was the last major primary day before the November elections .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Los Angeles (CNN) -- Tipsters are coming forward with additional information regarding actress Natalie Wood's 1981 drowning death, after authorities announced two months ago they were reopening the case, a Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman said Wednesday. "After the presser, we got a number of calls, and those calls were intriguing, and we're chasing those down now," said spokesman Steve Whitmore. Meanwhile, investigators have yet to re-interview a key witness -- Dennis Davern, the captain of yacht owned by Wood and her then-husband, actor Robert Wagner. Davern offered a new account in November about how Wood's death was reported, saying that Wagner waited hours to call the Coast Guard after Wood went missing off Catalina Island, near the California coast, following an argument the couple had. Whitmore declined to reveal whether detectives plan to talk with Davern, saying he would "not get into the specifics" of the investigation. Investigators haven't re-interviewed Wagner either. Authorities have no plans to question the actor at this time, but "who knows where things may go from here tomorrow," Whitmore said. "The investigation is not closed. It's possible we could yield new information that changes this case," the sheriff's spokesman said. "There are leads we're following up on and have to close them out before we say anything definitive. Sure, there is possible new information that could come out that really changes everything." In November, homicide investigators decided to take a new look at one of Hollywood's most enduring mysteries after they were contacted by people who claimed they had additional information about the actress' drowning, the sheriff's department said. "This new information is substantial enough to make us want to take a new look at the case," Lt. John Corina said at the time. Corina declined to comment directly on statements made by Davern to some media outlets. When asked if the captain could face charges for possibly lying to authorities during the 1981 investigation, Corina responded: "That, I can't say. We'll probably end up talking to the captain sooner or later, and we'll assess what he has to say then and now." Authorities haven't gone into specifics about who they've interviewed, but did say when they reopened the case that Wagner wasn't a suspect. Wood drowned in the Pacific Ocean on November 29, 1981, off the isthmus of Catalina Island. She once said in a televised interview that her greatest fear was of dark seawater. Her body was found floating in the water about a mile away from the yacht, wearing a long nightgown, socks, and a down jacket, according to police reports. The autopsy report showed the actress had two dozen bruises on her body, including a facial abrasion on her left cheek and bruises on her arms. "My sister was not a swimmer and did not know how to swim, and she would never go to another boat or to shore dressed in a nightgown and socks," said Lana Wood, refering to theories that the actress voluntarily jumped from the boat. Although the county coroner's office ruled that Wood's death was an accident, others say the case hasn't made sense. In 2010, Lana Wood told CNN she believes a highly charged argument between her sister and Wagner on the yacht's back deck preceded Wood's drowning. She told CNN last year she does not suspect foul play. "I just want the truth to come out, the real story," she said. Davern, the former captain of the yacht Splendour, broke his long silence with a detailed account of that day in "Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour," a book he wrote with his friend Marti Rulli. It was published in September 2009. Davern has said he believes Wood's death was a direct result of a fight with Wagner. In a lengthy interview with CNN in 2010, Davern said he now believes the investigation of Wood's death was incompetent and suggested there was a cover-up. He said he regrets misleading investigators by keeping quiet at Wagner's request. Wood and Wagner married in 1957, divorced in 1962, then remarried in 1972. They often sailed their yacht off the coast of California and they invited Wood's "Brainstorm" co-star, Christopher Walken, to join them on a sail on Thanksgiving weekend in 1981. The Hollywood rumor mill was abuzz with speculation that Wagner was jealous over Walken, but authorities have said Walken witnessed only the events leading up to an argument between the couple. Wagner admitted his jealousy in his book "Pieces of My Heart," also published in September 2009. He acknowledged that there had been a fight with Wood, writing that he smashed a wine bottle on a table. After Wagner argued with Walken and broke the wine bottle, Wood left in disgust and went to her stateroom, Davern told CNN. Walken also retired to a guest room, Davern added, and Wagner followed his wife to their room. A few minutes later, Davern said, he could hear the couple fighting. Embarrassed, Davern said he turned up the volume on his stereo. At one point, Davern recalled, he glanced out of the pilot house window and saw both Wagner and Wood on the yacht's aft deck. "They'd moved their fight outside ... you could tell from their animated gestures they were still arguing," he said. A short time later, Wagner, appearing to be distraught, told Davern he couldn't find Wood. Davern searched the boat but couldn't find her. He noticed the rubber dinghy also was missing. Wagner shrugged and poured them both drinks, Davern said. He suggested his wife had probably gone off in a temper. Wagner's story, as told in his book, differs from Davern's. He maintains that after the argument with Walken, Wood went to her room and prepared for bed while he and Walken sat on the deck, cooling off. Wagner writes that he went to check on Wood, but she wasn't there. He maintains that he and Davern searched the boat and noticed the dinghy was missing. Wagner assumed his wife had gone ashore on her own, he wrote. He radioed the restaurant on shore where they'd had dinner and called the harbor master to see if anyone had seen Wood. The dinghy was found about a mile away from the yacht, and a mile from where Wood's body was found. Wood's first starring role was as a child in "Miracle on 34th Street" in 1947, and she played alongside some of Hollywood's top leading men -- James Dean in "Rebel Without a Cause" and Warren Beatty in "Splendor in the Grass." She was nominated for Oscars in both of those films, as well as for "Love With the Proper Stranger" (1963), according to IMDb. One of her more memorable roles was as Maria in "West Side Story." Wagner's striking good looks landed him roles in dozens of films in the 1950s and '60s before he hit it big in television. He starred in two popular series, "It Takes a Thief" (1968-70) and "Hart to Hart" (1979-84), and more recently as Number Two in the "Austin Powers" spy spoofs. ### SUMMARY:

NEW: Police receive "intriguing" information after recent press conference . NEW: Detectives have yet to interview the yacht captain . Wagner waited 4 hours to call the Coast Guard, yacht captain says . Natalie Wood drowned off Catalina Island near Los Angeles in 1981 .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Hong Kong (CNN) -- If there's one thing that would have struck a chord with seven million Hong Kongers this election season, it was U.S. President Barack Obama and his challenger Mitt Romney using China as a political punching bag during the recent televised debates. America blames China for many of its economic woes, while Hong Kong has a more complex relationship with the mainland, one that is rooted in historical, cultural and political differences. Beijing has long been accused by Washington of keeping its currency artificially low, giving Chinese exporters an advantage over their competitors. Last month, Romney accused China of manipulating its currency "for years and years," while taking American jobs. He even repeated his vow to declare Beijing a currency manipulator on his first day in office. China rejects this. A recent report from the state-run Xinhua agency warned that this mud-slinging, if converted into policy, would trigger a trade war "catastrophic enough to both sides and the already groaning global economy." This is a struggle that matters to Hong Kong, arguably Asia's leading financial center and a key bridge between China and the rest of the world. For one thing, Hong Kong's currency is pegged to its American counterpart, so when the greenback weakens, the Hong Kong dollar is affected. This can force the Hong Kong government to intervene, often by selling or purchasing the local currency. "Hong Kong is part of China so tensions between the two countries will obviously affect it," said Richard Hu, an associate professor and China specialist at The University of Hong Kong. "But there is particular concern about how Obama, or Romney if he's elected, handles the Chinese exchange rate issue because it will have a big impact here." Yet the U.S. election razzmatazz hasn't exactly caught on at a grassroots level here -- most people are more concerned about issues closer to home. Unlike 2008 when Obama claimed his first election win, coverage has generally been more muted and kept to the "World" section of local newspapers, with China's own leadership change more likely to dominate front pages. "People find America's election interesting, especially the debates between Obama and Romney, but they don't think too much about their policies because U.S. politics does not seem to bring much direct effect to our lives in Hong Kong," Vivian Kam, a local journalist, told CNN. "Some wouldn't even know who Mitt Romney is," opined Tip Wan Mon Leung, a local teacher. "Most Hong Kongers are not that political, though they do get angry about Chinese interference or expensive house prices." When the city was handed over to China by its former British colonial rulers in 1997, Hong Kong -- now a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China -- retained many of its characteristics under the principle of "one country, two systems": its own currency, an independent judiciary and a separate border requiring a visa to travel between the two territories. But 15 years on, many ordinary Hong Kongers have an uneasy relationship with Beijing, fearing a gradual loss of their civil liberties. They are fiercely proud of their Chinese heritage, but many would rather keep their mainland cousins at arm's length. Hong Kong celebrates China's National Day and Chinese sporting achievements, but its citizens reject Chinese attempts to influence the city's affairs, as recent demonstrations against plans to integrate "patriotic" Chinese history into local schools showed. In July, an estimated 90,000 people took to the streets to protest what critics described as an attempt to "brainwash" impressionable young minds with pro-mainland propaganda. For all intents and purposes, Hong Kong enjoys the same freedoms Americans enjoy: free speech, a free press and a rule of law compatible with most democracies. However, Hong Kongers cannot vote for their leaders in a U.S.-style election. The city's most senior politician -- known as the chief executive -- is "voted" in by an electoral college of 1,200 influential but unelected figures in Hong Kong, with Beijing's approval. Earlier this year, hundreds of thousands of protesters flooded Hong Kong's streets shortly after C.Y. Leung was sworn in as the latest chief executive during a ceremony with Chinese President Hu Jintao on the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to Chinese sovereignty. They were demanding a say in who runs the city. Significantly, the ceremony was conducted in Mandarin rather than the local Cantonese language, viewed by many as another example of Chinese encroachment. While China doesn't overtly decide who leads Hong Kong, it does have favored candidates and says the outcome should be "acceptable" to the city's people even though they have no say in the process. These simmering tensions regularly expose fault-lines at a grassroots level with growing resentment against the influx of mainland visitors. Of the 41.9 million visitors to Hong Kong in 2011, the majority -- more than 28 million -- hailed from mainland China, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Earlier this year, a full-page advertisement decrying a so-called invasion of "locusts" from across the border appeared in a local newspaper. The ad in the Apple Daily asked if Hong Kongers approved of spending HK$1,000,000 (US$128,925) every 18 minutes to take care of children borne by mainland parents and declared that "Hong Kong people have had enough!" It referred to the recent surge in the number of pregnant Chinese women crossing into Hong Kong to give birth, which has put a growing burden on the resources of local hospitals. In addition to the perception of better medical services, many mainland women choose to give birth in Hong Kong so their children have the right to stay here. But Hong Kongers also lay the blame for many of the city's problems with their own government. It is frequently accused of not doing enough to address rocketing property prices, a growing wealth gap and worsening pollution. "I feel terribly sad about the future of Hong Kong. Too many problems, too few right people to make the right decisions," added Leung, who teaches high-school students. The city's famed skyline projects an image of wealth and prosperity, yet more than one million Hong Kongers live in poverty, according to the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS). Hidden amid the city's multi-million dollar high-rise apartments and chic shopping malls are scores of tiny, unseen tenements -- some no bigger than cupboards -- that many people call home. At the other end of the scale, Hong Kong is also one of the world's richest cities, with the world's highest concentration of U.S. dollar billionaire households relative to its small size, according to a report this year by the Boston Consulting Group. Analysts estimate the government also sits on a cash pile of about US$80 billion. Yet Hong Kongers are choking on the city's success as the quality of the air at roadside level in Hong Kong deteriorates, often creating a haze that obscures one side of the city's Victoria Harbor from the other. According to research earlier this year from Hong Kong University, there are 3,200 avoidable deaths a year here due to air pollution -- more than three times higher than previous estimates. The battle for the White House will hardly go unnoticed here but it's just one strand in a China-dominated narrative. ### SUMMARY:

China has been a key issue in the U.S. election campaign for both candidates . U.S.-China relations important to Hong Kong, particularly in economic terms . Hong Kong has uneasy relationship with China despite considerable autonomy . Many Hong Kongers resent what they believe is Beijing's growing influence .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: (CNN) -- Brian Steel was taught from birth that he was "handicapped." Singled out in school by policies and his peers, he grew up feeling unfairly judged because of the way his body worked. Steel was diagnosed with congenital fiber-type disproportion when he was 4 months old. People with this rare condition, also called short fiber syndrome, typically experience muscle weakness, particularly in the shoulders, upper arms, hips and thighs, and may have breathing problems, according to the National Institutes of Health. The NIH estimates that about 25% of people born with the disorder die during early childhood. Tired of the way people made up their minds before getting to know him, Steel decided to photograph other people with disabilities and tell their stories. The result was a photo exhibit called "Impaired Perceptions" that premiered in Atlanta late last year. "We filter everything that we see through the lens of our perceptions, so it is not until we are able to step outside of our perceptions that we are able to determine what is real and what is not," the 33-year-old wrote. "The portraits are traditional, empowering and show each person's humanity." CNN asked Steel about his exhibit, the misperceptions he faces and how we can do more to accept others. The following is an edited version of that interview. CNN: How does this condition affect your daily life? Steel: It has made me physically weak, so it makes a lot of tasks more difficult. I can't lift or carry anything much over 5 pounds. I have a hard time getting out of low chairs because of my weak leg muscles. My weakened chest muscles have caused me to have sleep apnea and make me susceptible to pneumonia. Physically, it may have made me weak, but in other ways, it has made me stronger. It has made me more creative because I have had to find alternative ways to accomplish the same tasks that would otherwise come (easily) to my able-bodied counterparts. I have had short fiber from birth, so I haven't known any other reality. To me, it is just life, and I am very grateful for my life. Opinion: I'm a person, not a condition . CNN: What "impaired perceptions" did you face as a child? As an adult? Steel: As a child, I mainly remember being seen as different. People would often stare. I remember in my elementary music class, the teacher made us sit on the end separate from the able-bodied children, and we were not allowed to touch any of the instruments. Once I became fully integrated into the regular classroom, things were a lot better. The great thing about being a kid is that you are mostly around other kids, and children are generally very open about what they think and ask questions when they don't understand. I would have classmates ask me why I appeared different to them, and I would tell them about my condition. After I explained my condition, it was settled. As an adult, things are much more under the surface. Where children are young and trying to get a sense of their world, adults tend to think that they already have things figured out. Most grown people will not come out and ask me about my condition, so in order to make sense of me they have to either watch and gather information through observation or use their own preconceived notions. What I usually encounter from adults (is) people asking me who takes care of me or talking to me as though I were mentally challenged. It isn't too unusual for someone to be surprised that I can drive a car. I live a completely independent life. To be fair, people also tell me that I inspire them simply by living my everyday life, and that is a good feeling. Schools must provide sports for students with disabilities . CNN: What gave you the inspiration for this photo project? Steel: "Impaired Perceptions" started from something that had been welling up inside of me. Throughout my life, I have experienced many encounters where people doubted my intelligence and abilities because of my appearance. I was approaching the completion of my graduate education and preparing to enter the professional world. My concerns and frustrations regarding how I often felt perceived by strangers suddenly became more important to me. I began by writing phrases on my body that represented the misperceptions that I felt from others and photographing myself. (But) I didn't want the project to just be about my story, because I wanted the message to have a bigger impact. As I began interviewing different people with various physical impairments and hearing their stories, I realized that some individuals seemed to have more confidence and hope than others. I then became just as concerned with empowering others as I am with trying to change people's perceptions. People form a lot of their identity from how they feel perceived by others, and others often form their opinions ... from what that person thinks of him or herself. Therefore, the most effective way to eliminate negative perceptions of people with impairments is to empower them. Amazing success fueled by act of discrimination . CNN: What do you hope people take away from it? Steel: The overall message is that you cannot tell what a person is capable of or what their life is like simply by looking at them. That is true regardless of ability, race, religion or orientation. Some of the people I photographed and interviewed for this project appeared to be perfectly able-bodied but actually have impairments that limited them physically. They are misperceived in a manner that is almost opposite to my experience. They talked about how judged they often felt because people could not understand why they weren't doing certain things that required more physical effort. On the other hand, I met people who had experiences where people felt compelled to help them because they were in a wheelchair, but those individuals are fully capable and have accomplished more than a lot of their able-bodied peers. My point is not to say that one group is better than the other but rather that you simply can't know what someone is capable of without getting to know them. The other part of the message that I hope makes a big impact is that you shouldn't let anyone tell you what you are capable of. There are many different kinds of ability and strength. My prayer is that some people who may have given up and accepted a role that they did not choose will find hope and work towards a life that they want. CNN: What do you think we need to do as a society to better accept differences in others? Steel: The best way is simply to teach and encourage people to individualize. Simply learning about different conditions or religions is not enough to know all of the people that have those conditions and/or practice those religions. In my project, I included interviews along with the portraits so that the viewer could get a real sense of who they were. I recently curated "Inside the Outsider," a photography exhibition for Mason Murer Fine Art. The theme was about how we have all felt like an outsider in some way, and in that way, we are all the same. I think if we took that to heart, we would realize that there isn't anything that we are going through that no one else is and that no one is as different from us as we may think that they are. We have to teach ourselves to suspend our initial judgments and get to know a person before we form our opinion of them. What makes it difficult is that out of self-defense, we instinctively attempt to categorize people and things to avoid possible dangers. I am not suggesting that we ignore our gut feelings entirely but rather that we suspend our final judgments until we have more information. Deaf woman's eBay complaint highlights dispute over Web access for disabled . CNN's Elizabeth Johnson contributed to this report. ### SUMMARY:

Brian Steel's "Impaired Perceptions" photography exhibit showed in 2012 . Steel has severe muscle weakness from congenital fiber-type disproportion . You shouldn't let anyone tell you what you're capable of, Steel says .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Chicago (CNN) -- Blair Brettschneider didn't experience war or genocide as a young girl in suburban Michigan. She has never received a death threat, and she has never seen a family member murdered. But the 49 teenagers she helps every week have. Brettschneider, 24, runs GirlForward, a nonprofit that provides support to young female refugees who have been resettled in the Chicago area. "Mostly, they are just normal teenage girls. We talk about celebrities and movies and books," Brettschneider said. "But then at the same time, a lot of them have lost parents who've been killed. They've seen bombs in their city. They've lost people to disease and grown up in really dire conditions." And when they arrive in America, often from war-torn places such as Iraq, Ivory Coast and Myanmar, they face major challenges in building their new lives. "It's hard enough to be a teenage girl in the United States. ... It's even harder to be a refugee teenage girl," Brettschneider said. "Girls are, along with the rest of their family, learning the language, adjusting to a new culture, trying to get used to school. At the same time, they are usually in charge of taking care of their siblings or grandparents. They have to translate all the mail that comes, any bills, help go to doctors' appointments." GirlForward mentors these young refugees to help them adapt to their new surroundings, and it teaches them the skills they need to become successful, independent young women and productive members of society. All of the girls in the program are in the country legally, Brettschneider said. Most arrived with their families through the Office of Refugee Resettlement, a government agency that offers assistance to refugees of special humanitarian concern. Many of the families have fled religious or ethnic persecution, sometimes even torture. Brettschneider first saw how hard it is for young teenage refugees when she worked with Domi, a girl who came to the United States at 16. Because of war, Domi and her family fled the Democratic Republic of Congo when she was 3. She lived in a Tanzanian refugee camp along with her six siblings and her mother until they moved to America. But when Domi arrived, she didn't know the language, and she struggled to adjust to her new surroundings. "It was so cold. I didn't have a jacket," said Domi, now 20 and attending college. "I didn't speak English. I couldn't talk to other friends. ... I was sad, angry, freaked out." Domi desperately needed extra help in school, as well, and that's when she met Brettschneider, who was volunteering as a tutor with an organization called RefugeeOne. Brettschneider had been interested in helping refugees since she'd been involved with the Save Darfur movement in high school, and she started working with the group after college. But because of Domi's domestic responsibilities, it was hard to meet consistently. "She always got there really late and had to leave early to go home and cook dinner and take care of her younger siblings," Brettschneider said. "So I asked if I could start tutoring her at home." Brettschneider began making house calls to help Domi, even using her own money to take her out for fun. "We went to the Museum of Science and Industry, the Shedd Aquarium; she asked me if people eat the fish, which I will always remember," Brettschneider said. "Early on, she really hadn't been to many restaurants, and she was really nervous about it. ... We also went to the movies and to see (the musical) 'Hair' when it came to Chicago." As they spent more time together, Brettschneider realized that Domi had dreams and passions but no idea how to make them a reality. "Domi wanted to be a nurse, but (she) didn't know what that meant or how to get there," Brettschneider said. "There's just so much that you grow up with in the United States that you don't even think about having to learn, like, 'What is college? What is a community college? What is financial aid?' " Brettschneider realized there were so many other girls like Domi. So in 2011, she used a $2,000 gift from her grandparents to launch a support group for refugee teens. She started with about 10 people, and the group quickly grew into what GirlForward is today. The nonprofit offers educational programs and job training to the girls, as well as a summer camp with field trips and fun activities. Brettschneider often brings in guest speakers, such as nurses and financial advisers, who can bring practical knowledge to the girls. "We had people from a bank come and talk to girls about financial literacy," Brettschneider said. "This was informal, like what savings is and why it's important." It's programs like these, as well as Brettschneider's hands-on touch, that make her group appealing for families, many of whom are unaccustomed to promoting girls' education and independence. She even visits families at home to discuss the details of the group in person. "In the beginning, sometimes families are skeptical of what we're doing," Brettschneider said. "But we've seen parents really come on board and like that the girls are coming here, because they learn important things about safety and they make friends." Do you know a hero? Nominations are open for 2013 CNN Heroes . One of Brettschneider's early initiatives was to provide each girl with her own mentor to work with their individual needs. By October, she will have 20 pairs. These one-on-one relationships can be a valuable source of information and emotional support. "My mentor and I go to new places to learn about new cultures," said 15-year-old Sara, whose family fled Iraq. "She also helps me learn about transportation. We go do fun activities, but she also helps me when I have school projects." Sara said meeting the other girls has been incredibly helpful, too, because of the common bond they share. "We talk about new movies, shopping, stuff like that," she said. "But we also talk about some of the stuff we go through here every day, how we miss our home and what we would like to be in the future." The group's headquarters -- a cozy and colorful office space -- has become a place the girls can call home. "They often are sharing bedrooms with grandparents, younger siblings," Brettschneider said. "And this is a place where you can come and relax and read a book or use the computer and, you know, be around girls your own age." Brettschneider said it's inspiring to watch the girls learn and grow. Ultimately, she wants to help them enjoy their new lives and fulfill all of their dreams. "It is really important that the girls be able to go to college, but that's not just the one goal," she said. "It's also about making friends and learning how to adjust to a new city and doing all these other things. "What I see is what all of the girls can accomplish and everything that they can do -- and that's really why all of this exists." Want to get involved? Check out the GirlForward website and see how to help. ### SUMMARY:

Young refugees can find it difficult to adapt to their new life in the United States . Girls must often take care of their families while learning English, going to school . Blair Brettschneider, 24, has made it her mission to help them succeed . Do you know a hero? Nominations are open for 2013 CNN Heroes .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: (CNN) -- From time to time, in the years just after his television show was taken away from him, you might see him in the lobby of a Las Vegas hotel or casino. It was always a startling sight. Ed Sullivan, walking among the guests. In town for the weekend, more free hours on his hands than he would have liked, catching a few stage shows. It wasn't that he had quickly become anonymous -- far from it. That kind of fame doesn't fade, at least not for a long while. "The Ed Sullivan Show" was gone, but the man survived. It had to have been so odd for him. "Ed, we miss you!" a hotel guest might call out from across the lobby. Sullivan would smile. Great smile, by the way -- he was caricatured as being dour and stone-faced, but he had a smile that could light things up. So, with that smile and with a nod, he would acknowledge the person who had called to him. But it was a second set of people who caused a slightly different reaction from him. They couldn't have intended to be hurtful. "Ed Sullivan!" they might call. "We watch you every Sunday night at eight!" And there would be something in his eyes. A little clenching of the jaw. He was off the air, against his will, and they didn't even realize it. Today is the 50th anniversary of his greatest triumph. The first appearance of The Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on February 9, 1964, drew the largest audience for any program -- 73 million people -- in the history of television up to that time. In recent days there has been much discussion of, and reminiscing about, the four young musicians who stepped onto Sullivan's stage that night. Yet the fifth person on the stage was, in his own way, just as intriguing. He was a newspaper guy: a sportswriter, starting out, and eventually a Broadway columnist who, in the 1930s, could never seem to step out of the shadow of the most successful Broadway columnist, his rival -- it bordered on enmity -- Walter Winchell. Winchell, of the New York Mirror, had become, through his national Sunday night radio news-and-commentary program, the most talked-about and highly paid journalist in the United States. He was abrasive, imperious, ruthless in his wielding of power, and a dazzling, concise wordsmith between the dots of the items in his "Your Broadway and Mine" column. Sullivan's "Little Old New York" column in the Daily News was punchy and knowing, but he was never going to become as big as Winchell. Or so everyone thought. One evening in the late 1940s, Sullivan did his annual duty as master of ceremonies for something called the Harvest Moon Ball, a dance competition sponsored by the Daily News. Some executives at CBS, seeing him at the microphone, thought they might try him out as the host of a variety show on the new and untested medium of television. Radio was still king; there wasn't much risk in seeing what would work on TV. Opinion: Did Beatles push black music aside? And with that, everything was transformed. No one knew it at the time, but the dominance of newspapers, and of network radio, were about to end. Sullivan may have appeared stiff and lacking in personality on television, but his Sunday night program featured some of the biggest and best show-business acts in the world, and his lack of magnetism, strangely, worked in his favor. Two of the most oft-repeated quotes about him summed it up. From comedian Alan King, a frequent Sullivan show guest: "Ed does nothing, but he does it better than anyone else in television." From radio comedian and host Fred Allen: "Ed Sullivan will be around as long as someone else has talent." Sullivan, who would become wealthy and instantly recognizable from coast to coast as his program became a national viewing habit, could afford to laugh along. His show went on the air in 1948, and his success, as the enormous reach of television grew, left Winchell in the dust. On TV, Sullivan didn't have to shout; the fledgling medium did all the amplifying he needed. It was an era in which families still ate dinner together every Sunday night, and then gathered around the television set to watch a variety of acts that Sullivan had deemed appropriate for all age groups. Winchell couldn't compete; he might be able to give a plug in his column to the cast of "Guys and Dolls" or to the comedy duo of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, but Sullivan could put the cast and the comedians on TV screens in every city and town in America, allowing the entire country to see them. Even before February 9, 1964, his influence was being noted in remarkable ways. In the 1960 Broadway musical (later a hit movie) "Bye Bye Birdie," the show-stopping song was "Hymn for a Sunday Evening," in which a fictional small-town Ohio family, whose daughter supposedly was going to appear on his program, wore choir robes and, with religious ardor, sang in church-like tones: "Ed Sullivan, Ed Sullivan, we're gonna be on Ed Sullivan. ..." Penn Jillette: The Beatles, bootlegs and Vermeer . Not bad, for a guy in near-constant stomach pain whose day job remained pounding out newspaper columns. And then came the first appearance by The Beatles, which propelled both the young singers and their host to almost unfathomable heights of renown. Many people have likely forgotten that, in 1971, CBS, having detected a softening in Sullivan's ratings, and a decline in the nation's appetite for one-size-fits-all variety programs, canceled "The Ed Sullivan Show." How could this happen, a mere seven years after he delivered to the network the biggest television audience ever? There's not much room for sentiment in business. Seven-and-a-half years after Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs for the New York Yankees, the team traded him to the Boston Braves. Everything ends. Sullivan was still under contract to CBS for occasional specials, but it wasn't the same. He would die of esophageal cancer in 1974, at the age of 73. "We miss you, Ed!" the voices of the strangers would call to him, as if he was a family member, which, in a sense, he was. To encounter him on visits to Las Vegas in those years just after his show was taken away, to witness him not on a glass screen but out among the people who once faithfully watched him, was to consider the swiftness and inevitability of change. Less than a decade after that magical February night in 1964, Ed Sullivan the person was still around, but there was no longer any such thing as "The Ed Sullivan Show." Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were still around, but there was no longer any such thing as a band called The Beatles. Hymn for a Sunday evening, indeed. This one in particular. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Bob Greene. ### SUMMARY:

Bob Greene: 50 years ago TV host Ed Sullivan introduced The Beatles to U.S. on his show . Sullivan an unlikely impresario; he'd been Broadway columnist competing with Walter Winchell . Sullivan was stiff but had great guests, was hugely influential in American culture, says Greene . Greene: Less than decade after that 1964 show, Sullivan show and Beatles were over .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: San Diego (CNN) -- Mitt, we hardly knew ye. Or should I say, "primo!" As much as it embarrasses me to admit it, given some of his views and how he expresses them, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee and I could be distant cousins. Romney's father, George, was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and so was my grandfather, Roman. Que? You didn't know that Mitt Romney was half-Mexican? It's true. In fact, if he makes it to the White House, in addition to becoming the first Mormon in the Oval Office, he could also be the nation's first Hispanic president. Don't laugh. Technically, Romney is just as "Mexican" as former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who was born of a Mexican mother and American father. When Richardson ran for the White House in 2008, he was often touted by the media as someone who would become the nation's first Hispanic president. Yet, I would imagine that a lot of Americans aren't aware of this branch of the Romney family tree, and that's because it is not a detail that Romney usually talks about publicly -- and especially not on the campaign trail. That changed this week when Romney -- in talking about his father, a self-made man who worked his way up from nothing to become head of American Motors Corporation, governor of Michigan and a Republican presidential candidate in 1968 -- told a crowd at the Rochester Opera House in New Hampshire that his father was born in Mexico and came to the United States at 5. Romney's great-grandfather, Miles Park Romney, fled the United States and crossed into Mexico in 1885 to escape religious persecution. He helped build the Mormon enclave of Colonia Juarez in Chihuahua. Miles Park Romney never became a Mexican citizen, and neither did his son, Gaskell, or grandson, George. They were all denied Mexican citizenship because statutes on the books in Mexico denied that right to American settlers and their offspring. Speaking to the crowd in New Hampshire, Mitt Romney compared his father's story to those of countless other immigrants who have come to this country seeking economic opportunity. My grandfather, a Mexican citizen, also came to the United States legally as a child in the early 1900s with his family, trying to escape the chaos of the Mexican Revolution. It was during the same time that Romney's grandfather, Gaskell, returned to the United States with his family, also legally and presumably for the same reason . Now, hold on to your sombrero. I'm an American, born in the United States to parents who were born in the United States. In fact, three of my four grandparents were born in the United States. And yet, growing up, people in my hometown in Central California referred to me and other Mexican-Americans like me as "Mexican." That was the shorthand. But comparing bloodlines, you could say that Romney is more "Mexican" than I am. After all, Romney is just one generation removed from our ancestral homeland; I'm two. This is ironic given that I've spent the last 20 years criticizing politicians who twist the facts, propose simple solutions and pick on those who don't have a voice. And Romney has spent the last several months doing precisely that, just like he did during his failed 2008 presidential bid. He has used illegal immigration as a weapon against Republican opponents who propose reasonable solutions and in the process portrayed illegal immigrants, most of whom come from Mexico, as takers who come to the United States for free public benefits and ought not be rewarded with "amnesty." We can expect Romney to continue that theme over the next week as he campaigns in South Carolina, where Republican primary voters will cast ballots on January 21 and where illegal immigration is a bigger issue than in Iowa or New Hampshire. Lawmakers in the Palmetto State recently passed a tough Arizona-style immigration law that requires local and state police to determine the immigration status of anyone they suspect to be an illegal immigrant (read: Latinos). It's an approach that is wildly unpopular with Latinos and which has the blessing of most of the Republicans running for president, including Mitt Romney. And that's one reason why Romney, even if he is the GOP nominee for president, doesn't have much of a chance with Latino voters. Political experts say that a Republican would have to earn at least 30% of the Latino vote to win the White House. Given how he behaved in the primaries, Romney will be lucky to get 20%. In fact, a recent poll of Latino voters by the Pew Hispanic Center put the figure at 23%. While it found a high level of anger with President Barack Obama among Latinos over his aggressive deportation policies, the poll also found that -- in a Obama-Romney matchup -- the Democrat would easily beat the Republican, 68% to 23%. That's saying something given that, according to the survey, Obama's job approval rating with Latinos is just 49%. The takeaway: You want to make Obama more popular with Latinos? Easy. Pit him against Romney. Listen to Lionel Sosa, a San Antonio-based advertising executive and Republican strategist who has advised George W. Bush and John McCain. A few months ago, Sosa told The New York Times that Romney had blown his chance with Latinos. "(Romney) can make as many trips to Florida and New Mexico and Colorado and other swing states that have a large Latino population," said Sosa, "but he can write off the Latino vote." It was Romney who recently promised to veto the Dream Act if he's elected president and if Congress passes the bill. The legislation, which would allow undocumented students to stay in the country legally if they complete a college degree or join the military, is extremely popular with Latinos. It was Romney who first attacked Texas Gov. Rick Perry for signing a law that allows illegal immigrants who live in Texas to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. And it was Romney who later attacked former House Speaker Newt Gingrich for declaring that the GOP shouldn't support splitting up families and proposing a pathway for the undocumented to work legally in the United States. It was Romney who, in the debates, came across as naive by suggesting that the illegal immigration problem could be solved by simply putting more "boots on the ground" and as dishonest by not acknowledging the contributions that illegal immigrants make to the local, state and national economies. And it was Romney whose campaign put up, in New Hampshire, an offensive television ad that attacked Perry by linking him to Mexico and former Mexican President Vicente Fox, because Fox happened to agree with the Texas governor on letting illegal immigrants pay in-state tuition. So the candidate who winds up vilifying Mexico is the same one whose father was born in Mexico? Who can make sense of this? Listen up, Primo Mitt. You've made your bed. You're persona non grata with Latino voters, and it's your own fault. You can't win without them, but they can help make sure you lose. We don't care where your family's from. What matters is where your heart is. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Ruben Navarrette Jr. ### SUMMARY:

Mitt Romney told a crowd in New Hampshire of his father's Mexican roots . Ruben Navarrette says it's fair to say Romney could be first Hispanic president . Yet he says Romney won't get allegiance of Latino voters because of immigration stance . Poll of Latino voters shows President Obama would have huge edge over Romney .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: (CNN) -- October 16 marked Flea's 50th birthday, and the iconic bass player of the Red Hot Chili Peppers held an event celebrating both his life and his life's focus on giving back. An army of caterers scurried around his Los Angeles backyard Tuesday, preparing for a party that was a birthday bash as well as a fundraiser for the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, the nonprofit school Flea co-founded 11 years ago. Flea's days of rock star excess are clearly over -- unless you count the silent auction, where a Banksy drawing of a rat fetched $100,000 and a spirited bidding war erupted between actor Owen Wilson, musician Ben Harper and producer Rick Rubin over a crayon-colored cashmere blanket that ultimately sold for $2,250. Shortly before his guests arrived, Flea reflected on the first half-century of his life -- which has been just as colorful as the cashmere blanket that caused such a ruckus during the silent auction. With the Red Hot Chili Peppers, he's won seven Grammys, pioneered a bold style of rock infused with funk and rap, overcome drug dependency and earned induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On his own, Flea's found purpose and personal satisfaction in giving back. CNN: Happy Birthday, Flea! 50. How does it feel? Flea: Outstanding! I woke up this morning and I just felt so grateful for everything. Grateful to be alive, grateful to be exactly where I am. I give and receive love every day, (and) I feel creatively vibrant. I have some great friends; I feel like I'm capable of giving a lot to the world. And ultimately, that's what I really care about, is just giving. CNN: Tonight you're also holding a benefit for the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, which you co-founded 11 years ago. Flea: The Silverlake Conservatory is a nonprofit music school in Los Angeles where we teach music, mostly to kids, but to people of all ages -- people who are old, people with beards, all kinds of people. But we teach all the orchestral instruments, all the band instruments, group lessons, private lessons, orchestra, adult choir, children's choir, all kinds of music groups. And we're not about fame or celebrity or anything like that. We're academic, teaching theory and fundamentals of music and technique on a particular instrument. Unfortunately, the public school system has cut the funding to music programs, and there's a big void, so we're doing our best to fill it in our community. CNN: What made you decide to bring the annual fundraiser to your own home this year? Flea: Well, I've done it before, but this is a special night tonight. We've had incredible fine artists donate to our auction tonight -- Damien Hirst, Takashi Murakami, Banksy, Matt Monahan, Laura Schnitger, Barry McGee, Ed Ruscha. Some of the great people in the contemporary art world have come out to support our music education. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are playing tonight, Rancid is playing tonight, and it's all happening in my backyard, and it's my birthday. You know, 11 years ago we had the opening night for the school party and it was on my birthday. So it's always an incredible birthday to have. In a minute, I'm going to go shower, put on my suit, and it's on. CNN: When you woke up this morning, did you reflect back? Flea: Yeah, turning 50 is a little bit of a taking stock moment. I feel probably a little dumber. I don't think I'm as sharp as I was when I was younger, but I'm definitely wiser, and less likely to make gigantic blunders of an intellectual, spiritual, emotional or physical type. Less likely to do something dumb, but I'm not as quick. I feel a little bit wiser, but more than anything the passion for the things that I really care about like playing music, and being kind, and children, and the things I love -- sports, books, art -- my passion for all these things has deepened. It just feels like there's an infinite well of greatness to get into. I just feel like I go deeper and deeper into it. I feel like I have a profound spiritual life, as well. CNN: When you were young, did you ever think you would achieve the level of musical success that you've had? Flea: No. I've always kind of been an in-the-moment kind of person. I don't think that far in advance or have any idea what's around the next corner. And I never have. I just kind of try to make the best decisions as they come up. And as life has gone on, I really have faith in that philosophy a lot. I really have faith that each thing that comes up is a gift, and I'm grateful for the opportunity, whether it be a difficult thing or a fun thing. CNN: You've been in the Chili Peppers for more than half your life. Do you see yourself continuing with them for eternity? Flea: I love the Chili Peppers, and I would love to. If there's anything I know, it's every time you start making plans, you don't know what's going to come up next. Anything can happen. So I love being in the Chili Peppers and it's my home, and I've been doing it for more than half my life. Of course, during the course of doing it, there's been all kinds of ups and downs, and moments of extreme (positivity), floating on clouds of greatness, and times of just groveling, and misery, and uncertainty, and anger, and love and all those things. Like being in a family. I really can't predict. But I love being in it for now, and right now, about as far as I'm thinking is getting through this tour that we're doing, performing at the highest level possible, then hunkering down and writing another record. CNN: You also keep busy with side projects. You performed with Patti Smith a couple of days ago, then you have the Atoms for Peace project. Where is that going? Flea: Wherever it goes, it goes. I've been very fortunate to play with some great artists in my life, and Patti is one of them. I love her to death. I'd do anything for her. And if she says, "Flea, come play," I come. She's just the greatest. And my thing with Thom (Yorke from Radiohead), Atoms for Peace -- Thom, and Nigel (Godrich), and Mauro (Refosco) and Joey (Waronker) -- is just fun, and I'm grateful for that, as well. I love those guys. CNN: Looking back on your 50 years, is there anything you'd do differently? Flea: Nothing! CNN: It must be nice to wake up in the morning and think that. Flea: Yeah. Of course. I've made a billion mistakes, but I wouldn't have learned without making them. I needed to make errors, and misbehave, and be an insensitive, thoughtless person to work my hardest on becoming a kind, caring one. CNN: So when you blow out the candles on your birthday cake, what are you going to be wishing for? Flea: A Lakers world championship. ### SUMMARY:

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea turned 50 on Tuesday . His birthday party was also a fundraiser for the Silverlake Conservatory of Music . Flea: I woke up at 50 feeling grateful for everything . His birthday wish? "A Lakers world championship"

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: (CNN) -- At six foot five, with his shock of blonde hair shaved into a fat Mohawk and talking in a languid Georgian drawl, Omar Jarun looks like he was once part of an all-conquering college basketball team. But the 26-year-old American doesn't play basketball. Or at least not well. "I played recreational basketball for one season," he told CNN. "People told me I should try it because of my height. But I wasn't any good at it." Instead life had a different path for Jarun, one that would take him far from his native Peachtree City, Georgia. On Sunday he will line up as a defender for the Palestinian national soccer team as they take on Afghanistan in a match that, just one year on from the World Cup final in South Africa, represents one of the first steps towards qualification for the next tournament in Brazil in 2014. Besides being Palestine's first World Cup match on home soil, Sunday's encounter will have extra significance for Jarun. It will be the first time he has ever set foot in the West Bank and he plans to visit his ancestral town of Tulkarem. His team traveled for 24 hours to be able to play their first match against Afghanistan. The game was moved from Kabul to the tiny aluminum smelting town of Tursunzade in southern Tajikistan -- a few miles from the Uzbek and Afghan border -- for fear of violence in Afghanistan. Palestine won 2-0 and now have a good chance of qualifying for the second round where they would play Thailand. The return match, to be held Sunday in Ramallah, will also be a landmark: Palestine's first ever World Cup match on home soil. "My dad taught me to play the game. He would always take me and my brother out and we would always play around the back yard," Jarun says. "I kicked football in high school, and I was actually pretty good at it. They wanted me to pursue it in college but I didn't really want to. I wanted to play with a team, I really wanted to play soccer." Jarun's remarkable story began in Kuwait. Along with his sister, his American mother and Palestinian father, he fled the country in 1990 when Saddam Hussein's forces invaded the kingdom and sparked the first Gulf War. "I remember bombs going off. Missiles shooting off near the apartment. I remember grabbing my bear, me and my sister running to my dad's bedroom and saying: 'What's going on?'" he recalled. "The next morning my dad would come in shaking from the bombs going off. Because we are American, my mom managed to get the entire family in to the U.S. We left everything behind. My parents had nothing." Growing up, Jarun soon discovered his love for soccer, playing for AFC Lightning, the same youth team that nurtured U.S. internationals Clint Mathis and Ricardo Clark. His Arab heritage was seldom an issue, he says, but he noticed a change after 9/11. "By looking at me, I look like a white boy," he laughed. "You don't get judged immediately like my father does. Like an Arab. He gets judged right away. But you look at me and you don't think I'm Arab. "Before 9/11 there were no problems, really. I had always established myself as an American from the Middle East. After 9/11 it was very difficult. My dad would tell me: 'Be careful what you say.' I would get double, tripled-checked at the airport. You know it's for safety for the country, so I don't have many complaints about it." After stints playing for the Atlanta Silverbacks, Vancouver Whitecaps and then in the Polish league, Jarun returned to the U.S. and joined F.C. Tampa Bay in America's second tier league. But by now he had become an international footballer. A scout from the Palestinian Football Federation discovered him while on a tour looking for professional players from the Palestinian diaspora that might qualify to play for the national team. "At the time, when I thought of the national team I thought I could play for the U.S. national team at some point but I never really got the opportunity, so I took this one. I really had no idea I'd be in the Palestinian national team," he said. "I knew it wasn't going to be the best set-up, I knew it wouldn't be particularly professional. But I could do my part. I didn't know what I could do for the Palestinian people apart from play football. So when they told me I could play for the Palestinian national team I said yes." Many will be surprised that Palestine even has a national team. In 1998 FIFA, world football's governing body, recognized Palestine, making it one of the few international bodies to place it alongside other nation states. But following the outbreak of the second intifada in 2000, and the imposition of restrictions for residents of the West Bank by the Israelis, the local league was cancelled and national team players were prevented from traveling abroad to fulfil their fixtures. When qualification for the 2006 World Cup began, so many players were prevented from leaving Gaza and the West Bank that only nine could start against Uzbekistan in a match in Doha, Qatar. Today the team is a patchwork of bureaucracy. They fly on seven different sets of papers that make moving through every border, be it Jordanian, Israeli or Tajik, a tough task. One, Roberto Bishara, plays for Palestino in the Chilean first division, a team set up by Palestinian immigrants. Three others are Israeli Arabs who have played in Israel's first division while most of the rest play in Jordan or for teams in the newly professional West Bank Premier League. The coach, Mousa Bezaz and his assistant are French Algerian; eight players and the goalkeeper coach are from Gaza, which is controlled by the militant Palestinian movement Hamas and in many ways cut off from the outside world. Others have an East Jerusalem ID, a separate identity reserved for those Palestinians who live in the divided city or have family there. Gaza-born players who now play in the West Bank have recently been refused re-entry when trying to come home via Jordan. Arguably the team's best player, defender Abdel Latif Bahdari, was repeatedly refused permission to leave Gaza through Egypt due to a ban on visas for men aged between 18 and 40. By the time he finally got out it was too late for him to make the team. Jarun recalls first meeting his teammates. "Their first impressions were: 'Who the hell is this guy? How the hell is this guy Palestinian?' But they welcomed me in like I was one of the brothers. It wasn't like I was an outsider. No one was judging each other. "They could tell I had good intentions for the team. Being an American I can explain to people in America what was going on in their country." Jarun believes victory on Sunday will do far more than send Palestine into the next round. "I think the match is huge man. Sport brings countries together and I don't know a better way for the world to know about Palestine apart from this soccer team," he explained. "Coming from outside, I feel that this is such a big step for this country. We can show that the Palestinians are normal people." ### SUMMARY:

Palestine's soccer team plays Afghanistan in a World Cup qualifying match . Omar Jarun, one of Palestine's defenders, is an American-Arab who was brought up in Georgia . He is visiting his ancestral homeland for the first time . Palestine's national team is playing in the World Cup qualifiers for the first time .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: Washington (CNN) -- For the past year the FBI has been actively working a new lead in the unsolved case involving skyjacker D.B. Cooper. But the information concerns a new suspect who has been dead for more than a decade, an FBI spokesman told CNN on Monday. In November 1971, a man calling himself Dan Cooper hijacked a plane and succeeded in getting authorities to give him $200,000 and parachutes in return for letting passengers off the plane. The man then asked to be flown to Mexico but jumped out of the back of Northwest Orient Flight 305 somewhere between Seattle and Reno, Nevada. Authorities have never been able to prove whether the man survived or what his actual identity was. A retired law enforcement officer brought a tip to the FBI about a year ago, said Fred Gutt, a spokesman for the FBI's Seattle Field Office. The retired officer had a contact who thought he or she knew the skyjacker's identity but added the suspect was dead. But that didn't mark the end of the trail. "Family members of the deceased have cooperated with us and given us access to items which belonged to the deceased," Gutt said. The FBI's lab started looking for evidence that might prove the dead person was the man who skyjacked Flight 305. The FBI wanted to retrieve items with fingerprints belonging to the new suspect. Gutt said the FBI knows Cooper had handled certain papers, including his plane ticket, and touched plane seats, but many fingerprints were found on those items. Through the years the FBI managed to identify some fingerprints but not all of them. Gutt would not discuss the suspect's identity, the evidence retrieved or what the lab results were. But, Gutt said, "so far there's not a lot that's inconsistent" with the suspect matching D.B. Cooper. Gutt added the FBI has not been able to prove the person is the mysterious skyjacker and the law enforcement agency still does not know for certain whether Cooper survived his leap out of the plane almost four decades ago during bad weather. Although the FBI has been looking into the new lead for a year, it was first revealed during an interview with The Telegraph of London in advance of the 40th anniversary of the unsolved case this coming November. On the afternoon of November 24, 1971, Cooper -- the "D.B." apparently was a myth created by the press, according to the FBI -- approached the ticket counter of Northwest Orient airlines in Portland, Oregon, and used cash to buy a one-way ticket to Seattle. "Cooper was a quiet man who appeared to be in his mid-forties, wearing a business suit with a black tie and white shirt," the FBI said in a summary of the case on its website. "He ordered a drink -- bourbon and soda -- while the flight was waiting to take off." But later, he handed a flight attendant a note saying he had a bomb in his briefcase and asking her to sit beside him. She did as she was told, and the man opened a "cheap attache case" and showed her a mass of wires and red-colored sticks and demanded that she write down what he told her. She wrote a note demanding four parachutes and $200,000 in $20 bills and walked it up to the captain, the FBI said. When the flight landed in Seattle, the hijacker exchanged the flight's 36 passengers for the money and parachutes, the FBI said, keeping several crew members on board. The flight took off again after he ordered it to fly to Mexico City. But Cooper jumped out of the plane. "The pilots landed safely, but Cooper had disappeared into the night and his ultimate fate remains a mystery to this day," the FBI said. One clue came in 1980, when a young boy found a rotting package full of $20 bills -- $5,800 in all -- that matched the serial numbers of the ransom money. The FBI returned most of the bills to the boy, named Brian Ingram, and Ingram has since auctioned some of them, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported. The "D.B." stemmed from confusion in a United Press International newsroom, the Post-Intelligencer said. "We've run down thousands of leads and considered all sorts of scenarios," the FBI said in 2007. "And amateur sleuths have put forward plenty of their own theories. Yet the case remains unsolved. Would we still like to get our man? Absolutely." The FBI appealed for help from the public, releasing pictures of Cooper's black J.C. Penney tie -- which he removed before jumping and which later provided authorities with a DNA sample -- along with some of the found money. The agency reminded the public that Cooper was no expert skydiver. "We originally thought Cooper was an experienced jumper, perhaps even a paratrooper," said Special Agent Larry Carr in 2007. "We concluded after a few years this was simply not true. No experienced parachutist would have jumped in the pitch-black night, in the rain, with a 200-mile-an-hour wind in his face, wearing loafers and a trench coat. It was simply too risky. He also missed that his reserve chute was only for training and had been sewn shut -- something a skilled skydiver would have checked." Agents also believe Cooper had no help on the ground. If he had had an accomplice, he would have needed to coordinate closely with the flight crew and jump at just the right moment. "But Cooper simply said, 'Fly to Mexico,' and he had no idea where he was when he jumped," authorities said. "There was also no visibility of the ground due to cloud cover at 5,000 feet." Two flight attendants who were in contact with Cooper gave nearly identical descriptions of him, as did those who encountered him on the ground. He was said to be between 5 foot 10 and 6 feet tall, weighing 170 to 180 pounds with brown eyes. Carr said in 2007 he believed it was unlikely Cooper survived the jump. "Diving into the wilderness without a plan, without the right equipment, in such terrible conditions, he probably never even got his chute open," he said. By the five-year anniversary of the hijacking, the FBI said it had considered more than 800 suspects and eliminated all but two dozen from consideration. Several high-profile suspects have been ruled out over the years. Duane Weber, who claimed on his deathbed to be Cooper, was eliminated by DNA testing, the FBI said. Another man, Kenneth Christiansen, did not match the physical description and was a skilled paratrooper. A third, Richard McCoy, who died in 1974, also did not match the description and was at home the day after the hijacking having Thanksgiving dinner with his family in Utah -- "an unlikely scenario unless he had help," the agency said. Fred Gutt said while the FBI understands there is great public interest in this long-unsolved case "it's a fairly low-priority case for the FBI" as it pursues new investigations involving cases like missing children that have a current impact on public safety. Even so, Gutt said the FBI always follows up on any new tips on the case. On Sunday, another FBI spokesperson, Ayn Sandalo Dietrich, told CNN the information on the new suspect is not expected to be "a big break in the investigation." CNN's Stephanie Gallman contributed to this report. ### SUMMARY:

Family of new suspect offer access to dead man's belongings . A man calling himself Dan Cooper hijacked a plane in 1971 . He jumped from the plane carrying a parachute and pilfered money . Cooper has never been found and his fate is unknown .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: (CNN) -- The contents of your pocket gleam up at you from the Newport, Rhode Island sidewalk like a sarcastic wink. You sit on the curb, surrounded by police cars, cuffs slicing your wrists, passersby whispering. You've told the cops you're an FBI agent. You'd been debriefing your supervising officer two states away at the time they allege you committed the crime. They check your ID what seems like a hundred times. They even look at it upside-down. Yet here you are, still waiting on them to finish checking out your story. You are, of course, black. You've heard folks say, "If black folks would just take responsibility, stop blaming slavery, maybe they wouldn't be getting arrested and killed in the numbers they are." But how much more personal responsibility can you take? You grew up without a dad and still became an undercover FBI agent. After the above incident, M. Quentin Williams, author of the upcoming "A Survival Guide: How Not to Get Killed by the Police," went on to become a federal prosecutor, then in-house counsel for the NFL and NBA. How much more responsibility could Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. have taken -- beyond becoming one of the world's pre-eminent intellectuals -- that would have stopped officers arresting him at his own front door? How much more responsibility could President Barack Obama have taken -- beyond making history and achieving policy goals unrealized by his white predecessors -- that would stop some people from portraying him with a bone through his nose and calling him a terrorist? Where was St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch's personal responsibility to say, "call a prosecutor from the other side of the state to build the case against a local officer?" Where was the personal responsibility of Officer Daniel Pantaleo to stop choking Eric Garner when he kept saying he couldn't breathe? Why did he arrest him for the finable offense of selling loose cigarettes, or "loosies?" It's racism, whether we want to admit it as a society or not, that says: "It's legal to kill unarmed black men." The people marching aren't making it up. This is real. I know because I'm married to a black man. A man, who numerous times, has had an officer's gun on him, though he attended Harvard and has never been accused of committing a crime. The impunity with which officers (and even members of the neighborhood watch) can brutalize and kill black people reeks of the past. I can't sleep thinking my mixed-race girls will grow up in a society that values their lives less than mine. Still, I have friends and family who are officers. I see what they sacrifice to serve. I respect them and I need their protection. We have nowhere to go if each side paints the other with a broad and tainted brush. Dialogue is the only way forward. So I spoke to Williams, as well as to a white officer, Graham Campbell, a high school classmate of mine who became an NYPD officer in Harlem. Campbell vouches convincingly for the vast majority of officers: "In the Academy, my lieutenant said to us: 'Ten percent of you are born to be officers. For 80%, this is a job. Ten percent of you are criminals.' " Quentin Williams corroborates this: "Ninety-nine-point-nine percent of cops are good." He adds a caveat: "But there are bad cops, like in any other profession. You should be able to indict a bad officer. With video evidence, you (should) get an indictment probably 100% of the time." "I don't think he meant to kill Eric Garner," Campbell says. "Guys say they can't breathe all the time, especially if there's a crowd. It's a tactic." This difference in perception makes me curious: Is there racial tension within the police force itself? Campbell states, "There's no silent war between races on the job." Williams parses the matter: A few minority officers "might put their heads in the sand, but from my experience, a vast majority understand the issues very well" and they're very concerned. But minority officers have to approach these issues with "some sensitivity" for fear of being "accused of using the 'race card,' " he said. Campbell admits that occasionally, he would hear casual use of the word "animals." He elaborates: "No matter where you work, you're going to end up resenting that community because you play referee far more often than you end up playing police officer." He adds: "There are criminal cops. I wouldn't hesitate to report them: Cops who abuse, cops who steal and do drugs. But a cop who ends up spinning scenes up? I might not want him at my crime scene ... but I'm not going to ask him to be indicted." But isn't it criminal to lose control to the point of killing an unarmed citizen? Not indicting officers who kill the civilians they've vowed to protect sends a message that they're above the law they've sworn to enforce. To make matters worse, when black people protest injustice, they're further vilified. The night of McCulloch's announcement of the Grand Jury decision, Campbell posted on Facebook that Ferguson dispatch said a white male with a flag bandana had set fire to a police car. Meanwhile, on the news, all I saw were images of black kids walking up to convenience stores with uncertain intent. Campbell acknowledges that the white male could have set fires to frame black protestors. We'll never know. The point is, white people overwhelmingly get the benefit of the doubt from our society, while black people's benefit to society gets doubted. When pressed if he thinks profiling exists, Campbell replies, " If anything, it looks like white folks get the benefit of much more discretion. If you got locked up, you could have your parents call a high-powered attorney to get you out. ... Whereas if you're locked up in the bullpen with a public defender," it's a diferent story. A racial double standard exists in policing practices. According to ProPublica, black men are 21 times more likely to be killed by police than white men. White America must face how its own prejudices inform whom they perceive as criminals and whom as victims. Campbell nails the heart of where white and black America diverge: "In these discussions we don't have: 'If I stop a black guy on a drug block because I think he's buying, and he wasn't doing anything, it wounds his soul.' This is me doing my job. I don't think about the impact because it's not an impact I have to live with." Williams admits that a certain amount of profiling is part of any police work, but holds firm that law enforcement leadership must do more to create an environment of sensitivity to -- and accountability for -- injustice. Meanwhile, the wound to the man's soul, we ignore at our peril. It has a history. It has a future. African-American culture disproportionately constitutes the soul of America. In wounding the souls of black folk, we wound our own. If we don't acknowledge those wounds, and officially atone for the crimes that caused them, we'll keep killing for loosies and putting the victims on trial. Note: An earlier version of this article gave an incorrect location for the incident described in the first paragraph. Join us on Facebook.com/CNNOpinion. ### SUMMARY:

Lucia Brawley: The responsibility for ending killings by police is shared by many . She says black males, even FBI agents, are often the target of unfair police actions . Law enforcement must do more to remedy inequities and injustice, she says .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: (CNN)ISIS is under pressure in parts of Iraq and battling a variety of adversaries in Syria, but it's metastasizing at warp speed elsewhere, most dangerously in Egypt and Libya. It also has support in Yemen, Afghanistan and Pakistan. And the leader of the group ravaging northern Nigeria, Boko Haram, has expressed his admiration of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The savage killing of 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya -- all of them dressed in ISIS' trademark orange prison garb -- is another indication of ISIS' ability to take advantage of collapsed or collapsing states and of its growing presence in North Africa. Most significantly, the atrocity took place in Sirte, a long way from ISIS' first stronghold around Derna in the east of the country. ISIS' presence in Sirte, a town of 50,000, has been growing. The Egyptians were abducted in November, and more recently, the extremists strengthened their presence by taking over government buildings and a radio station. ISIS first announced itself in Libya in October. Amateur video showed a large crowd of militants in Derna affiliated with the Shura Council for the Youth of Islam chanting their allegiance to al-Baghdadi. Sources told CNN at the time that ISIS had up to 800 fighters in the area as well as training facilities in the nearby Green Mountains. They were bolstered by the return from Syria and Iraq of up to 300 Libyan jihadists. A short while later, al-Baghdadi recognized three Libyan "provinces": Barqa (in the east), Tripolitania (west) and Fezzan (south) as being part of the "caliphate." Since then, ISIS has stepped up its presence across Libya. Late last month, a suicide bombing and gun attack on a hotel in the capital, Tripoli, killed 10 people, including an American. The attack was swiftly claimed by Wilayat al-Tarabulus, ISIS' name for the province. Politicians in Tripoli disputed the claim. ISIS has also been active in southern Libya, attacking a Libyan army checkpoint in Sokhna in January and killing 16 people. While a growing presence, the Libyan affiliate is some ways from being able to mimic ISIS in Syria and Iraq, with its bureaucracy and governing structure. Geoff Porter of North Africa Risk Consulting says that "even in the jihadi stronghold of Derna, (ISIS) does not rule independent of a broader coalition of like-minded, but ultimately distinct groups." "While ISIS may prove to be an enduring terrorist threat in Libya, it is very unlikely to be able to develop to the point where it controls a meaningful amount of territory," Porter says. But as in Iraq and Syria, ISIS has launched an effective social media campaign in Libya. It has also made a concerted effort to attract seasoned fighters from other groups, such as Ansar al Sharia. ISIS Libyan affiliate has also started to exercise some forms of social control in areas where it is strong. "The group has publicized hisba activities such as burning cigarette cartons; destroying water pipes used for smoking; demolishing "polytheistic" statues and shrines," says Andrew Engel of the Washington Institute. Hours after the Egyptian air force carried out retaliatory airstrikes Monday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry warned that "leaving the situation as it is in Libya without a firm intervention to curtail these terrorist organizations would be a threat to international peace and security." The Italian government has suggested an international peacekeeping presence in Libya. Italy is acutely aware that it's the jumping-off point for a growing flow of migrants and a base camp for terrorism, just hours across the Mediterranean. Bernardino Leon, U.N. envoy to Libya, has floated the idea of international monitors when a peace agreement between rival factions is hammered out. But "when" seems a long way off, despite the beginning of talks between rival factions in Geneva. And U.S. and European officials fear that putting boots on the ground would be a bug light to ISIS supporters. In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Leon admitted that "terrorism is becoming a problem beyond the east [of Libya.] It is growing into the west and now the south, and from the west they might go to Tunisia and Algeria." Porter agrees there is a risk to Tunisia. There are hundreds of Tunisians among ISIS' ranks in Syria and Iraq, and the government is already battling a jihadist presence at home in the Chaambi Mountains. "Although Tunisian security services have improved their capabilities in the last 24 months, they fear that they would be overwhelmed by the emergence of a cross-border threat originating in Libya," Porter says. While Libya is ISIS' most notable franchise, jihadists in Egypt have made the vast Sinai desert almost ungovernable. Chief among them is ISIS' freshly minted Sinai Province, formerly called Ansar Beit al-Maqdis. Late in January, it killed at least 30 people in a series of co-ordinated attacks on security outposts, leading Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to shake up the military command in the Sinai. And just last week, it released a video showing the beheading of eight alleged spies. With Israel on one side and a military-dominated government in Cairo on the other, Sinai Province has powerful enemies close by. "That said," writes Aaron Zelin, a leading scholar of jihadist movements, "if the Egyptian government continues to operate in a brazen manner, militarily it will create new local recruits that could sustain the Islamic State in north Sinai." Less developed but worth monitoring are self-declared supporters of ISIS in Pakistan and Afghanistan, which the group now calls the province of Khorasan. One of them was a former Taliban commander, Mullah Abdul Rauf, who was killed a week ago in a drone strike in Helmand Province. He had split from the Taliban, and analysts are watching for further fragmentation of the group. Several commanders of the Pakistani Taliban also pledged to al-Baghdadi, but it's unclear yet whether their departure has more to do with the rifts that have torn the group apart in the last two years. The Long War Journal concluded that most of the new ISIS group were low- to mid-level militants -- a sign of "the competition between smaller and emerging militant groups in South Asia, some of which are seeking to align with the Islamic State brand." within the group. The most intriguing development in recent months has been the desire of the Nigerian group Boko Haram to fly the ISIS flag, literally and metaphorically. It has begun to hold territory and talk of its own Caliphate in northern Nigeria. Its propaganda machine has become much more ISIS-like. And it has incorporated the ISIS symbol into its own flag. It has also begun inflicting ever more gruesome punishments, including beheadings, on its victims. Boko Haram's leader, Abu Bakr Shekau, has expressed his admiration for ISIS and al-Baghdadi on more than one occasion -- but ISIS has not officially acknowledged any link between the two groups. For now at least, it is the long coast of Libya and its deep empty interior, its lack of government and many porous borders that seem the most promising territory for ISIS. ### SUMMARY:

Libya seems to be the most promising territory for ISIS to extend its reach . It has also influence in Egypt's increasingly ungovernable Sinai . From Nigeria and Pakistan, other groups seem to be forming various associations with ISIS .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Tamara Cohen . Last updated at 1:04 PM on 21st November 2011 . Dozens of flights were cancelled in central England today after a thick fog descended on much of the country. The Met Office issued a severe weather warning this morning for regions including London and the South-East, the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber and the east of England. And there are even reports that the UK could be facing snow later this week as the spell of unseasonably warm weather comes to an end. Tricky: As this photo shows, Heathrow Airport was shrouded in thick fog this morning . Grounded: Fog reduced visibility to dangerously low levels across much of Britain last night. Pictured here is a beach-front in Saltburn in Cleveland. Chaos: The cancellation of flights caused long queues at Heathrow's Terminal 5 early this morning . By 8.30am a total of 24 flights from Heathrow were already cancelled, according to a spokesman. The destinations affected included Manchester, Glasgow, Amsterdam, Brussels, Stockholm, Cologne and Nice. Ten flights due to depart from London . City had also been cancelled, with services to Dublin, Rotterdam and . Paris among those hit. London HeathrowCancelled: 24 departures, 39 arrivalsPassengers should contact their airline for details or call 0844 335 1801 . London CityCancelled: 18 departures, 13 arrivalsDiverted: 2 arrivalsPassengers should contact their airline for details or call 020 7646 0088 . London GatwickCancelled: 2 arrivalsAccepted diverted flights from other airports . Norwich InternationalCancelled: 2 arrivals, 2 departuresAll other flights subject to delays . Information accurate as of 12.30pm . One flight scheduled to depart Leeds . Bradford Airport earlier today has also been cancelled. The 6.20am KLM service had . been due to fly to Amsterdam, which has also been affected by fog. Hundreds of passengers had their journeys disrupted last night as fog grounded flights at London airports. At Heathrow, 132 flights, most of them short-haul, were cancelled and many others delayed. Officials warned that the poor visibility could continue for the first half of today. London City Airport said 44 flights . were suspended and dozens delayed or diverted due to the poor weather, . though all restrictions had been lifted by late last night. There were also severe delays at Gatwick, but officials said there were only a handful of cancellations. The severe weather warning issued by the Met Office for this morning was lifted around ten o'clock and is no longer in place. Yesterday saw winter finally start to . bite, but temperatures will remain mild until Thursday when frosts and . gale force winds of up to 60mph will set in, forecasters said. And snow will hit the UK by the end of the week, according to the Met Office, who forecast that the Scottish Highlands are likely to see snow on Thursday or Friday. Atmospheric: The City of London was clouded in fog this morning as flights across the country were cancelled . Chilly: A couple cycles through the sports fields of Dulwich College in south London yesterday . Grey day: A pedestrian emerges from the fog as he makes his way across Hammersmith Bridge in West London yesterday . Warning: A Met Office severe weather warning for much of England was issued this morning . Heavy fog delayed or cancelled around 58 inbound and 74 outbound flights at Heathrow, the worst affected airport. All stranded passengers had been re-booked and would be put up in hotel accommodation overnight if necessary, said a spokesman. Some domestic passengers were being taken to their destination by coach. The airport was still open, and most . flights did manage to take off and land, but air traffic controllers . were restricting numbers for safety reasons, she said. Clearing: Fog blows off the Houses of Parliament yesterday morning . Fog at the time: The capital's landmarks, including the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben rise out of the mist yesterday morning as the country woke to a chilly start to the day . No visibility: St Paul's Cathedral did a disappearing act as thick fog shrouded the capital. Many flights were grounded because of the bad weather . Dog in the fog: A man stops to address his dog on a walk through Victoria Park in Leicester yesterday . On the roads, visibility was said to be less than 100 yards in some areas. A man of 20 was killed after his car struck a garden wall in thick fog in Strood, Kent. Two passengers were treated for minor . injuries. The M25 was reduced to a 30mph zone as drivers struggled to . get home. The Met Office last night issued weather warnings for dense . fog for Yorkshire and Humberside,  the East and West Midlands,  the East . of England and the  South-East. The next two or three days will be mild, up at 12c or even 14c, though cloud and some blustery showers are expected. There was sunshine for many on . Saturday as temperatures hit 15.9c in Otterbourne, Hampshire – warmer . than June’s average peak temperatures of 15.4c. Five weeks from Christmas, pub beer . gardens had a busy weekend, shoppers in sunglasses hit high streets . wearing light jumpers,  walkers enjoyed picnics amid glorious autumnal . colours and families were even seen picking blackberries. The weekend probably marks the end of an extraordinary six weeks of above-average temperatures. From Thursday, they will dip to around . 8c (46f) across the country, and close to zero at night, although there . is no sign yet of the heavy snow experienced last winter. Met Office forecaster Steven Keates . said: ‘Towards the end of the week it will definitely feel colder, . particularly in the North. ‘Temperatures will be back to normal for this time of year.’ However forecasters said another freezing winter – which would be the third in a row – was unlikely. Making a splash: Youngster forget it's almost December as they frolic in the waves at Southsea, Portsmouth, yesterday . Misty-eyed: Big Ben is invisible from this view of central London looking beyond Lambeth Bridge . Meanwhile, a mallard at London Wetland Centre has hatched a clutch of 11 ducklings, about six months later than usual. The ducklings, which should have made . an appearance sometime between April and June, have been enjoying the . winter sunshine. amid temperatures as high as 16C in some places. The . latest that mallard ducklings would normally hatch is August, but that . tends to happen when a clutch has failed and the adults try for a second . brood. Nature's confused: This proud mallard has hatched 11 ducklings at London Wetland Centre six months later than normal thanks to the balmy conditions. The latest they would normally emerge is August . Fluffy newborns: All 11ducklings at the wetland centre keep close as they acclimatise to their new environment . Flying fun: Ducks and geese flourish at the National Trust's Dunham Massey estate in Altrincham, near Manchester . It wasn't bad for our other feathered friends either: Two parrots play together as they enjoyed some sunshine in Kensington, London . ### SUMMARY:

Met Office issues severe weather warning for much of England in the morning but lifts it by afternoon . At least 60 flights cancelled today at Heathrow .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Jill Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 06:38 EST, 20 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 17:04 EST, 20 April 2012 . Road to recovery: Lyam Baker, 15, has finally been diagnosed with Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome - a physical condition that causes sufferers to vomit several times a day . A teenager who used to vomit up to 15 times a day, spent six months on a psychiatric ward before her mother finally convinced doctors she had a physical condition, rather than a eating disorder. Lyam Baker, 15, shrank from a healthy size 12 to a size zero within months after developing Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome - a physical condition that causes sufferers to vomit several times a day. But medics believed the teen was purposely making herself sick - and held her on a mental health ward for months before her mother finally convinced them she was suffering from CVS. The condition caused Lyam, from Birmingham, West Midlands, to vomit up to 15 times a day - and at her worst, she weighed just six and a half stone. Her mum, Carol, a nurse, desperately tried to convince doctors that her daughter was not suffering from an eating disorder . But medics didn’t realise that Lyam was actually suffering from the rare condition, which started after she got scared on a school camping trip. Ms Baker said: 'Lyam’s illness very quickly took over our lives. 'Her vomiting cycles were furious and frequent and she spiralled downwards quickly, and her weight declined rapidly. 'She went from being a bright, bubbly . girl, to constantly being exhausted and a shell of her former self- it . is a very lonely illness. 'I . painfully watched my daughter withering away while the doctors kept . insisting she was doing this to herself - she said she wasn’t and I . believed her. 'I had to fight and fight to get the doctors to listen to me - I don’t want any other family to have to go through what I did.' Weight loss: Lyam, shrank from a size 12 to a size zero within months - she missed almost two years of school with sickness episodes, which can be triggered by feelings of stress or excitement, occurring on an almost weekly basis . Painful memories: Lyam's backbone protrudes in this photo taken when she was gravely ill - she is now slowly putting on weight and back at school . Onset: Lyam first developed the condition following a school camping trip when she was 13 - after worrying that teachers would leave the pupils alone . Lyam first developed the condition following a school camping trip when she was 13 - after worrying that teachers would leave the pupils alone. She got so stressed that she started . vomiting - and for the next 18 months, continued to suffer horrendous . vomiting episodes that could last for up to five days - where she would . be sick up to 80 times in a week. The . condition meant that bright Lyam missed almost two years of school with . sickness episodes, which can be triggered by feelings of stress or . excitement, occurring on an almost weekly basis. Ms Baker said: 'Every time Lyam had another episode, she would be admitted to hospital for a few days and then discharged. 'Everyone . kept telling me it was a psychiatric issue, but I could see that it . wasn’t. The consultant called in the mental health team and eventually . admitted her to a psychiatric unit. 'While Lyam was there, staff would take away her vomit bowl, and even hold her against the wall in a bid to break the cycle. 'There . had been a brief mention of CVS when Lyam first started being sick - . but doctors seemed to totally disregard it for months. 'I . was so worried they would never discover what was wrong with her, I . used to cry myself to sleep at night. I thought I was going to end up . planning her funeral.' CVS is characterised by recurrent, prolonged attacks of severe vomiting, nausea and lethargy, with no apparent cause. Vomiting persists at frequent intervals, 5-6 times per hour at the peak, for periods ranging from hours to10 days or more. It most commonly lasts for between 1 and 4 days and the sufferer is generally in good health between episodes. There is no diagnostic clinical or laboratory tests for CVS itself - it can be diagnosed when other condition have been eliminated. Who gets CVS?It is thought that anyone can potentially get CVS. Sufferers are more likely than average to have a family history of migraine, and/or travel sickness sometimes.What triggers a vomiting episode?For many with CVS there is nothing obvious that starts an attack, for others some specific 'triggers' can be identified which may initiate a CVS episode. Physical stress is one of the most common triggers. Going without food for too long and sleep deprivation can also act as physical triggers. When does it start?The onset of CVS can occur from infancy to adulthood. It most commonly develops between the age of 3-7 years and it can persist from months to decades. It affects males and females equally. Source: cvsa.com . It . was only after almost 12 months on the ward that specialists eventually . realised that there was something physically wrong with Lyam - and were . able to give her medication in a bid to control the vomiting. Ms Baker added: 'Lyam’s symptoms have subsided recently - she now hasn’t had an attack for a few months. 'She is slowly putting on weight again, and is able to go back to school. 'I am finally getting my daughter back. It’s very painful to talk about, but I need people to be more aware of CVS. 'We . don’t know exactly why her condition has improved suddenly, it could . just be a hormonal balance - but we’re hoping she won’t have to suffer . again. 'We need people, . and medical professionals especially, to be more aware of this . condition and hopefully sufferers will be able to be diagnosed more . easily. 'I don’t want any other family to go through what we have done.' Dr Robin Dover, from the Cyclical . Vomiting Syndrome Association, said: 'No-one really knows for sure what . causes CVS, although in the last couple of years, there has been . research carried out which suggests it may be caused by genetic changes . that can be inherited. 'It’s . difficult to say how many people suffer from the condition, because . diagnosis is so complicated and many people are never properly . diagnosed. 'However, . studies carried out in Australia and the UK suggest that somewhere . between 0.1  and two per cent of the population can be affected at some . point in their lives. 'There . are no tests to diagnose CVS, and therefore it is always a case of . eliminating every other possible cause of sickness before a diagnosis . can be made. 'Similar symptoms of vomiting can be caused by a range of problems from a brain tumour to kidney abnormalities. 'But . often the most hurtful thing that happens is that patients are told . that they have mental health issues - it can be torturous for the . sufferers and their families, and often ends up delaying a proper . diagnosis.' Brighter future: Lyam and her mother Carol: 'I am finally getting my daughter back. It's very painful to talk about, but I need people to be more aware of CVS,' said Lyam's mother . ### SUMMARY:

Lyam Baker, 15, suffers from Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome - a physical condition that causes sufferers to vomit several times a day . Rare condition started after she got scared on a school camping trip .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Anthony Bond and Martin Robinson . PUBLISHED: . 19:59 EST, 12 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 14:28 EST, 13 July 2012 . Violent clashes took place on the streets of Belfast last night following an Orange Order parade, leaving many police officers injured. The loyalist march through the . Ardoyne sectarian area was peaceful but trouble flared when there was a clash with rival Republicans and crowds of several hundred then confronted lines of riot police. Fireworks, petrol bombs, stones, . bricks and bottles were hurled at police lines and a burning silver BMW . driven at officers in the residential neighbourhood of red-brick . terraced houses. Guns were also fired by protesters with experts saying today that it is lucky nobody was killed when violence flared. More than 20 police officers were . injured but none are thought to be seriously hurt. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Stand-off: Police and rioters face eachother as another car is torched in no-man's-land in Belfast yesterday evening . Embattled: PSNI officers are hit with a petrol bomb thrown by Nationalist youths in Ardyone, Belfast, following the loyalist Orange Order parade . Danger: Onlookers escaped injury when a huge eleventh night bonfire at Sandy Row in Belfast, held as part of the annual Orange Order parades, unexpectedly toppled over and crashed to the ground . The chairman of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission today defended the decision to allow to rival parades to go ahead within two hours of each other in North Belfast which ended with serious public disorder and dissident republican gunmen opening fire on police. Politicians on all sides, including Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson, had criticised Parades Commission decisions which meant the Orangemen having to return early from the main Twelfth of July rally in the city - and allowing a parade by local residents to go ahead in the same place two hours later. Dissident republicans, many of them from outside the area, were among the crowds. The Commission was established to adjudicate on contentious marches, and even though there has been major trouble at this particular Catholic/Protestant flashpoint every year for over a decade, the chairman Peter Osborne said given the circumstances, the rulings were correct. He also hit out at people whom he claimed stood on the sidelines criticising their work. The language and comments in the days leading up to the parades had heightened tensions and were not helpful. Violence: This image shows the huge police presence during the disturbances . Worrying: Violent clashes took place on the streets of Belfast last night following an Orange Order parade which resulted in a number of police officers being left injured . Confrontation: The loyal order march through the Ardoyne sectarian interface was peaceful but trouble flared nearby with crowds of several hundred confronting lines of riot police . Mr Osborne told BBC Radio Ulster: 'It is complete and utter nonsense to blame the Parades Commission for the violence last night. There has been violence in this location for many, many years now. 'It is time for politicians to take ownership of contentious parades... that’s the way forward.' A republican march through the same area shortly afterwards prompted an exchange of missiles between loyalists and nationalists. Water cannon vehicles were used extensively and one non-lethal baton round fired. Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr said: 'Unfortunately, police are now dealing with significant disorder in the Brompton Park and Balhom Road area. Dangerous: A Nationalist youth launches a projectile at police in Ardoyne as Nationalist youths clash with police . Battle: A man is left half-naked man as he is wrestled to the ground and arrested by police . Caught: One of several men is arrested during disturbances and dragged to a police van . Trouble: Fireworks, petrol bombs, stones, bricks and bottles were hurled at police lines and a burning silver BMW was driven at officers . 'Water cannon has again been deployed and four officers have been injured. Their injuries are not believed to be life- threatening. 'I am urging all individuals and communities affected to respond to developing events in a calm and responsible manner. Violence has serious and unwanted consequences for us all and we will robustly investigate all incidents of disorder.' A token parade by around 15 Orangemen through Ardoyne passed in silence just before 4pm. A residents' protest supported by Sinn Fein was peaceful. Democratic Unionist MP Nigel Dodds said the second march by nationalists was linked to dissident republicans. He criticised the Parades Commission's decision to allow the republican parade. 'The Parades Commission pandered to this outfit. They are incapable of reaching a resolution because they only want violence, they don't want settlement, they just want to derail the peace process,' he said. Police appealed for calm in the area. Anger: A youth throws a brick over a burning car towards police officers . Difficult night: Water cannon vehicles were used extensively and one non-lethal baton round fired. In total, four police officers were left injured following the clashes . The Protestant Orange Order is marking the Twelfth of July culmination of its summer marching season, with many parades across the region. It celebrates the victory of Protestant King William over Catholic King James. It has traditionally polarised Catholics and Protestants but violence has been confined to isolated pockets. Ardoyne has been the scene for trouble on this date for many years and has become a byword for inter-communal strife on that date, despite most people from the area disagreeing with violence. There was also violence in Londonderry’s nationalist Bogside, where petrol bombs were thrown at police and a car set alight. In south and east Belfast there were five arrests for a variety of offences including disorderly behaviour. Tussle: Police officers can be seen grabbing hold of a rioter . Held: The man is detained by police officers . Fury: Masked youths can be seen throwing objects at the police as the water cannon tried to disperse them . Rest: Tired riot police sit and reflect on a night of violence that left 20 of their colleagues injured . There has been trouble annually at Ardoyne in recent years following Orange parades through the area. This year around 15 Orangemen with banners paraded in silence through the residential area of red brick terraced housing in a token demonstration. There was a separate parade by republicans as well as protests by nationalist residents and loyalists in the area. Six men, aged 34, 28, 21, 19, 19 and 18, are to to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court later today charged with various public disorder offences. They were arrested following trouble in the Broadway area of the city which erupted on Wednesday night and lasted until the early hours of Thursday. Another man, aged 23, will appear at the court on August 8 charged with assaulting and obstructing police. ### SUMMARY:

Trouble flared when . crowds of several hundred confronted lines of riot police following peaceful march . Fireworks, petrol bombs, stones, . bricks and bottles were hurled at police lines and a burning BMW . driven at officers . Water cannon vehicles were used by police and one non-lethal baton round fired . Guns were also fired in the streets by rioters . Mandarins forced to explain why rival marches and protests allowed to go ahead so close together . Incredible pictures show the violence and scale of disorder last night .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Andrew Levy . PUBLISHED: . 12:08 EST, 15 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 20:42 EST, 15 November 2012 . In Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan, four brothers fight in the Second World War – and only one comes out alive. But there is a British family that can go not only one, but five better. And in the case of the Windsor brothers, all nine lived to tell the tale. What's more, one of the siblings also fought in the First World War, along with two older brothers. Heroes: From left, (top row) Arthur, who was the father of researcher Bob, then Bill and Albert, (second row) Harry, Jim, Tom (third row) Dick, Sid and Wally . The record-breaking contribution by the Windsor family of North London to the battle against Hitler had been largely forgotten. It was only rediscovered by 68-year-old Bob Windsor as he researched his family tree. He knew that both his father Albert . and an uncle Wally served in the war but a visit to the 90-year-old . Wally revealed the true scale of the family's contribution. He discovered how Albert – 41 when he . enlisted – signed up at the same time as Jim, 37, Harry, 35, Bill, 33, . Arthur, 31, Tom, 30, Dick, 27, Sid, 23 and Wally, 18. Albert and three brothers served in . the Army while four served in the RAF, with Dick serving in the Royal . Navy. Mr Windsor made the discovery when he spotted a framed Guinness . World Records' certificate on the wall of his Uncle Wally's home. It acknowledged that Albert and eight younger brothers held the record for the most siblings to fight in the Second World War. Special legacy: Bob Windsor with the Guinness World Records certificate that his father and eight brothers received for their war effort . Mr Windsor said: 'It makes me . intensely proud. The fact is, this record is never going to be beaten. Big families are a thing of the past. 'It's a shame I never knew about the amazing story. My father and his brothers just grew apart over the years. Inspiring: The award that 68-year-old Mr Windsor spotted on the living room wall after he tracked down the last surviving brother, 90-year-old Wally . 'They never thought it was particularly exceptional that they had all fought in the war – they saw it as just doing their duty. 'They also never knew about the award. It was Wally's son who notified Guinness about the record.' He said he feared the worst as he delved into the family's past and and into why his father and uncles had all drifted apart. 'I was expecting to find some dark tale of murder or scandal but instead made this wonderful discovery,' he said. 'Every time I think about it, it just hits me how much of an amazing story this really is.' He said he had not managed to find out . all the details of the brothers' war service, but added: 'I do know . that Sid bumped into Wally while out in India. 'Apparently Sid tapped him on the . shoulder and said “All right mate, remember me?”.' Mr Windsor's . grandparents George and Martha had 13 sons and three daughters. The three eldest boys – George, . Charles and Albert – fought in the First World War. Charles was killed . in action on May 17, 1917, during the Arras offensive in northern France . and is buried there. His loss did not stop the younger boys . joining up in 1939 to fight in the next global conflict. The Windsors' stellar war effort was not restricted to the men at the front. George and tenth child Alfred could . not enlist, and were involved in munitions production. Another boy . Edward, died aged just seven in 1922. Bob, lives with his wife Meg, 66, in the village of Six Mile Bottom, Cambridgeshire. Comrades in arms: Brothers (from left) Jim, Harry, Bill, Arthur, Tom and Alf before the family drifted apart . Super siblings: From left, (back row) Albert, Bill, Arthur, Harry, (front row) Dick, Jim holding his sister Violet, Tom, and Alf holding sister May . Through the ages: From left, (back row) Jim, Albert, Bill, Arthur, (front row) Alf, George and Tom . An extract from The Buffalo Evening News from July 8, 1944, covering the tragedy of the Niland brothers . Steven Spielberg's 1998 epic Saving Private Ryan tells the story of a WWII mission in Normandy to find paratrooper James Ryan (played by Matt Damon) - the last surviving of four soldier brothers - and return him to his family. Although a work of fiction, the story was based on the Sole Survivor policy, introduced by the U.S. War Department in 1942. It was brought in to prevent an entire generation of serving relatives being wiped out - a decision taken following the tragedy of the five Sullivan brothers. When the USS Juneau was sunk in November, 1942, in the South Pacific, it led to the deaths of the five boys from Waterloo, Iowa. When they signed up, brothers George, 27, Francis, 26, Joseph 24, Madison, 23, and Albert, 20 had insisted that they not be separated. Tragically, following the torpedo attack, Francis, Joseph and Madison were instantly killed; Albert drowned a day later; while George lasted around four days on a life raft before disappearing. However, it is believed that Spielberg's main source of inspiration came from the case of the Niland family. Of the four brothers, just two survived the war - but it was believed at the time that only one, Frederick, had made it back alive. Sergeant Frederick 'Fritz' Niland was a member of the 101st Airborne's 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was dropped into Normandy on June 6, 1944, landed near Carentan, and made his way back to the rest of his unit. Tom Hanks (left) who leads the mission to find Ryan (Matt Damon, right) in Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan . His three siblings, however, were in other units: Technical Sergeant Robert Niland with the 82nd Airborne Division (505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Company D); Lieutenant Preston Niland with the 4th Infantry Division (22nd Infantry Regiment); and Technical Sergeant Edward Niland as a pilot in the Army Air Force. In Normandy, Robert was killed on D-Day; and Preston died near Utah beach. Edward, who had been shot down over Burma in May, 1944, was missing presumed dead. In keeping with Sole Survivor, Fritz was sent home to his family in New York. He would later learn that Edward had in fact spent a year in a Japanese PoW camp and was later rescued by the British. ### SUMMARY:

Bob Windsor, 68, found a Guinness World Record on the wall of the last remaining brother . Retired Mr Windsor had no idea of the nine siblings' amazing achievement . All the men survived the war, but drifted apart afterwards . The oldest son, George, had served in World War One and was too old to fight, but worked in munitions . Another son, Charles, had died in the First World War . The last brother, Alfred, worked in munitions joined the Home Guard . Two of their sisters helped with the war effort at home .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Anthony Bond and Anna Edwards . PUBLISHED: . 07:23 EST, 7 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:55 EST, 7 May 2013 . Heartbreaking: Four-year-old Surranna Stonestreet was crushed to death after a garden wall which was believed to have been partially demolished by her father fell on top of her . A four-year-old girl was crushed to death after a garden wall which was believed to have been partially demolished by her father fell on top of her. Surranna Stonestreet died under the weight of the falling debris just yards from where her father Karl was working at the family home in Bath. Despite paramedics carrying out emergency-life support on the youngster on scene, she died shortly after arrival at hospital. More than 100 people have now . paid tribute to Surranna who died following the tragic accident at the family . home in Haycombe Drive,  at 4pm on Friday. Surranna's . devastated mother Nicola paid tribute to her little daughter on a . Facebook page called 'Nicola & Surranna Stonestreet.' She wrote: 'R.I.P baby ur going to b soooo missed ur were my world. Now sleeping with the angels love u darling XXXX' A neighbour of Surranna confirmed the toddler's father Karl was . demolishing a breeze block wall in his garden when she died. The neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: 'Karl was out working in the garden, knocking down a wall. 'I don't know if it was a wall or maybe an old greenhouse foundations or something, but he was doing work. 'I went out about 4pm, and when I . came back a couple of hours later, the garden was filled with people - . they looked like police.' The neighbour added that since the accident she has seen Karl getting rid of the remains of the wall. She said: 'On Monday Karl and a . couple of others moved all the breeze blocks to a pile at the bottom of . the garden - I got the impression they just wanted rid of them.' Accident: Surranna died under the weight of the falling debris just yards from where her father Karl was working at the family home in Bath, pictured . Surranna lived with her parents and three brothers and sisters in a . semi-detached house in a quiet suburban estate - where their garden has a . trampoline and two garages. The neighbour said: 'She was a lovely . sweet girl, it was such a tragedy. She was a tiny, cute blonde girl . with big eyes and always smiling. 'Surranna and her sister used to ride their bikes down the path and crash into a fence, laughing and playing. 'I can't believe what happened - you read about it on the news but would never expect a tragedy like this to happen near you. 'It's such a shame, she seemed like such a lovely little girl.' Ken Marks, who lives opposite the Stonestreet family, was one of the first people on the scene after the accident. 'I heard bad screams from across the road and one of the neighbours went into the house and came running out and told me to go,' he said. 'I went into the house and saw the little girl on the hallway floor.' Mr Marks said that Mr Stonestreet was knocking down the wall, which is about 6ft high, because of concerns it was unsafe. Tragic: These concrete blocks are pictured in the back garden of the family home. Despite paramedics carrying out emergency life-saving work, Surranna died shortly after arrival at hospital . 'He was hitting it with a hammer as the wall was unsafe and the children had not been down there,' he said. 'He was demolishing the wall and only hit it two or three times and it came away in a sheet and then all the bricks came apart. 'I wouldn't like to guess how heavy it was but it must have been a few tonnes.' The South West Ambulance Service was called and operators gave instructions to carry out CPR until paramedics arrived. Surranna was then taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath. 'I just stood there trying to console Karl,' Mr Marks said. 'It seemed like ages before the ambulance arrived but it was only four or five minutes.' Mr Marks, who is a builder, said Mr and Mrs Stonestreet had three other children - two boys and a girl. He added: 'I cannot believe it. It was so traumatic - it was unbelievable. 'It's been a devastating weekend - not just for me and the people there - but the whole community. They have been utterly devastated by it. Tributes: Flowers have been left in the garden of the property where Surranna Stonestreet was killed by a falling wall . 'You don't expect things like this to happen like this on your doorstep. 'I have not been able to sleep all weekend. 'The parents are traumatised. They are talking a little but are still traumatised. 'Karl is absolutely devastated by it. 'Nicola and Karl are smashing people. They are a happy family and the kids are always happy - smashing kids.' An ambulance crew and paramedics arrived at the scene to find Surranna unconscious and not breathing. They carried out CPR but she had suffered a cardiac arrest and she was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath. Staff were standing by to receive her but she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Another neighbour said: 'It was a great tragedy, such a terrible shame. I . don't know how the family are coping, I don't know how I would cope. It . is such a shame.' The grieving parents were not at home this afternoon but . Nicola's mother Lorraine was there looking after the children. Horrific: The girl was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath following the accident but sadly later died . She was too upset to comment. Friend Rosemary Evans also paid tribute on . Facebook. She said: 'My words seem so empty at this time, Nicola, Karl . and family, I'm so sorry for your tragic loss. 'Your sweet girl can fly with the angels now and one day she will come to welcome you "home" to be with her. 'I hope and pray that your hearts will be filled with love and peace and memories of your precious Surranna, at this time.' John Oliver, spokesman for South West Ambulance Service, said a 999 call was received by the service at 3.39pm. 'The caller was reporting an incident involving a four-year-old girl. During the call it was reported that CPR was being carried out on the little girl by somebody at the scene. 'Early feedback was that the little girl had been crushed by a wall which had collapsed on her. 'Paramedics carried out advanced life-support on scene and this continued during the journey to hospital in Bath.' Detective Sergeant Peter Knight, from Bath police, said: 'This incident has now been investigated. It appears to have been a tragic incident with no suspicious circumstances.' A spokesman for Avon Coroner's Court said an inquest into the girl's death was likely to be opened later this week. A spokesman for Avon and Somerset . Constabulary said: 'We were called to an address in Haycombe Drive in . Bath around 4pm on Friday to reports of an injured child. 'The girl was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath.' ### SUMMARY:

Surranna Stonestreet died under the weight of the falling debris . It happened just yards from where her father was working . Her devastated mother said: 'Ur going to b soooo missed ur were my world' 'Smashing' family 'traumatised' by terrible accident . Whole community devastated by youngster's death .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Suzannah Hills . PUBLISHED: . 05:08 EST, 4 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:22 EST, 4 June 2013 . Wales may be known for daffodils and dragons, but one man looks set to change that after becoming a global leader in the manufacturing of digeridoos. Ray Brook, 62, lives on Anglesey, but his musical instruments have been sold internationally with orders even coming in from 21,000 miles away in Australia where they were invented. He now claims he is the world's most prolific manufacturer having single-handedly making more than 25,000 4ft digeridoos since first crafting one in the 1970s while living in New York. Working progress: Musician Ray Brook, 62, pictured in his workshop in Rhosneigr, Anglesey, Wales, where he makes his hand-crafted didgeridoos . Ray Brook spends hours making each didgeridoo out of bamboo before using a blow torch to decorate them . Many of his customers are based in Australia - 21,000 miles away from his home in Rhosneigr on the Island of Anglesey in North Wales, pictured . He also makes flutes from bamboo at his home workshop in Rhosneigr, Anglesey, and both instruments are selling across the globe, including down under. Mr Brook makes the instruments out of bamboo and uses a blow torch to decorate them. In the 1990s he was making up to 2,000 didgeridoos every year and still produces up to 1,000 every 12 months. Traditional didgeridoos from the northern parts of Australia are primarily made from the hollow branches of eucalyptus trees. But Mr Brook, a father-of-four, who lives in Rhosneigr in North Wales, says didgeridoos made out of bamboo are easier to play and produce a better sound. He said: 'I feel like the man who has sold sand to the Arabs and coals to Newcastle. usually sell them at craft fairs but sales of my stuff online have spread and to people from every corner of the world - including Australia who particularly like my flutes. Top quality: Ray Brook sells his instruments, which he makes in his workshop in Anglesey, North Wales, to countries all over the world - including Australia where they were first invented 1,500 years ago . New creation: Traditional didgeridoos from northern parts of Australia are made out of the branches of eucalyptus trees but Mr Brook says making them out of bamboo makes them easier to play and gives a better sound . 'It's incredible when you think I live in Wales. I don't know of anyone else making didgeridoos around here.' Born in the UK but raised in Canada, Mr Brooks played recorder, flute, saxophone and oboe as a child and started teaching himself to make wooden flutes as a teenager. 'I enjoyed making things and had some bamboo lying around, so a friend and I started making flutes by cutting up wood and using a hot screwdriver to make the holes.' Mr Brook first realised he could make a business of selling his creations after he moved to the United States. The father-of-four started making didgeridoos in the 70s as a hobby and it progressed from there into a business. Business: Ray Brook, pictured in his workshop with his didgeridoos and walking stick flutes, makes his instruments in batches of 30 and sell them for up to £45 each . Pieces of art: Ray Brook is considered to be the most prolific solo manufacturers of the instrument . He added: 'I enjoyed making things . and had some bamboo lying around, so a friend and I started making . flutes by cutting up wood and using a hot screwdriver to make the holes. 'I was living in New York and realised that you could sell anything if it was made to a good standard. 'So . I looked up some bamboo suppliers in the Yellow Pages and sold my . flutes in Central Park. They sold well despite not being in tune. 'I moved back to the UK and was selling them at craft fairs and festivals. They were very successful. Now I do shows around the country and they sell all around the world. 'Over the years I have sold thousands and thousands of didgeridoos and I've been making them for 24 years. There is probably not anyone in the world who has made more than me.' He sells the instruments for up to £45 each and makes them in batches of 30. Successful: Ray Brook started making the didgeridoos as a hobby before he realised he could turn his passion into a business . Carving out a reputation: Ray Brook, who lives in Rhosneigr on the Island of Anglesey in North Wales, has been making instruments including flutes and didgeridoos for over 30 years . Mr Brook said: 'As soon as I started . making them it took over my life. I had to learn how to make them in . tune, which took about three years. The thing about bamboo is that no . two pieces are the same, so you have to get to know the material to get . the tuning right. 'I . make my didgeridoos with bamboo, which is a lovely material; it's very . resonant and easier to play than a hardwood didgeridoo, which would be . made out of eucalyptus in Australia.' Versatile: Talented musician Ray Brook claims the didgeridoo is one of the easiest instruments to play . He has visited the instrument's native land and says his versions measure up to the originals. 'I have been to Australia and it's nice to know that mine compare to the indigenous didgeridoos. 'It's one of the easiest instruments to play. All you have to do is blow a raspberry down a tube. It sounds a bit rough at first but it doesn't take long to get better. 'It's the circular breathing which takes time and allows you to go without stopping. 'In the 1990s, it was a really big thing so a lot of people got on the bandwagon. People used to take them to festivals, but that fizzled out. 'I don't sell the volume that I used to, but I now sell them at craft fairs and to people from every corner of the world on my website. 'I used to say every home should have a didgeridoo. Now I say that every home should have three!' The didgeridoo was developed by Indigenous Australians of northern Australia around 1,500 years ago and still in widespread use today both in Australia and around the world. It is sometimes described as a natural wooden trumpet or 'drone pipe'. Musicologists classify it as a brass aerophone. Archaeological studies of rock art in Northern Australia suggest that the people of the Kakadu region of the Northern Territory have been using the didgeridoo for less than 1,000 years, based on the dating of paintings on cave walls. Playing a tune: Musician Ray Brook demonstrates how to play a didgeridoos in his Rhosneigr workshop . Retro: Ray Brook is pictured centre with long hair in the 1970s when he first started making and selling his wooden instruments on a market stall on Portobello Road in London . ### SUMMARY:

Ray Brook has turned Wales into a global market leader for didgeridoos . Musician has made more than 25,000 of the four-foot long instruments . Mr Brook sells his instruments to musicians around the world - including Australia where the didgeridoo was first invented 1,500 years ago .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Jenny Johnston . PUBLISHED: . 16:37 EST, 14 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:37 EST, 14 June 2013 . Even now, mere mention of the place evokes fear, horror, shame and anger. The workhouse was the institution you ended up in when things really couldn't get any worse. To enter one of the foreboding Victorian buildings - where even the architecture, it seems, was designed to intimidate - was the ultimate dread. Inmates (and what else to call them?) may have been fed and clothed, but the conditions were often barbaric and the fate of those who entered ultimately tragic. Uncovering secrets: Felicity Kendall looks at and old black and white photograph of her relatives . And a shocking number of our ancestors were among them. In the opening minutes of a new documentary, Secrets From The Workhouse, we learn that one in ten Britons has a family connection to these places. More than 500 were built in the 50 years following the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act, which made it compulsory for those seeking government relief from poverty to enter the workhouse. But the governments of the day didn't want to promote them as havens of shelter. Instead, they made them as terrifying as possible. Those entering had to relinquish all personal items - even clothes - and undertake backbreaking work such as breaking stones for ten hours a day, six days a week. Men were separated from their wives; children from their parents. Quite how many of us have the workhouse etched somewhere on the family tree is brought home by the range of celebrities taking part in this harrowing programme, tracing their own ancestors' steps into these hellholes. Actress Felicity Kendal clearly had no idea what skeletons lay in her family closet, and when she delves into the past of her great-grandmother, Mary Liddell, she discovers a woman who ended up, shamed and ostracised by society, in the workhouse - not once but twice. Endless toil: Women in the refectory of Saint Pancras workhouse, 1895 . Mary had married her husband John Liddell in 1880 and bore him nine children. Her tenth child, however, was the result of an illicit affair and - as was common at the time - Mary was cast out of the family home and ended up in a Cumbrian workhouse, where her son Albert, Felicity's great-uncle, was born. She was, it emerges, branded a woman of ill-repute and low morals. Pregnant adulterers like Mary were forced to wear special uniforms with yellow and black stripes, designed to shame. With mounting horror, Felicity discovers her great-grandmother bore not one but two illegitimate children - pretty much sealing her fate as a fallen woman. At one point, poring over the archives, she shakes her head in disbelief. 'This woman is extraordinary,' she says. She manages a smile - delivered along with an expletive - before concluding, 'She's a goer, isn't she?' Later, discovering that one child dies and another is taken into care, she makes a poignant pilgrimage to an unmarked grave. 'It's heartbreaking.' Novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford is similarly upset, her features becoming more and more pinched as she discovers exactly what her mother Freda would have gone through as a six-year-old child, brought to a workhouse by her own mother. Freda never told Barbara she'd been there. It was a secret too terrible to tell even her own family. The multi-millionaire novelist only made the discovery when her biographer went searching for historical records. 'When I found out I burst into tears,' she admits. 'My mother had been such a sweet person. I couldn't imagine her in a workhouse. It begged the question, “Why?”' By the end - discovering why her mother never mentioned any of this awful past - she is weeping openly. Then there's actor Brian Cox, whose great-grandfather ended up in the Scottish equivalent of the workhouse, the poorhouse. At one point Brian looks as if he might punch the poor archivist charged with breaking the news of how brutally his family was treated by the authorities. 'B******s!' he declares, as the full horror of his family history is laid bare. His great-grandfather Patrick McCann was an Irish immigrant who set up home in Glasgow with his wife in the late 1800s. They had eight children; five didn't survive their early years. Skeletons in the closet: Presenter Fern Britton discovers both her great-great-great-grandfather and his son died in the workhouse . Cox stands in front of the tenement where the family would have lived alongside 40 or 50 other people. So cramped were the conditions that each family had to share one bed. 'It just leaves you... it's really bad,' he says, his voice faltering. Brian's journey to discover what became of Patrick McCann makes for difficult viewing. 'Unbearable!' he says as the pieces are put together. Patrick first seeks sanctuary in a poorhouse in 1899 when his son Samuel falls ill with bronchitis, but the stay is only a short one. Records show he's back in 1901, desperately ill himself. He's discharged again, but is back almost every year thereafter. For 14 years he boomerangs in and out of the poorhouse, at one point - despite medical records showing he's a very ill man - being branded a 'malingerer', until in 1911 he's declared insane. 'There's this endless spiral into the abyss, until finally he goes nuts,' says Brian, incredulous. 'It was a harsh system, horrible. It's an absolute outrage what they did to these people.' Presenter Fern Britton discovers her great-great-great-grandfather, a man who went by the wonderful name of Friend Carter, managed to avoid the workhouse until he was 91 years of age. His son Jesse wasn't so lucky, however. In 1879 Jesse, then 23, fell ill and ended up in a workhouse in Kent. Jesse didn't survive, but what happened to his body reduces Fern to tears. If a family couldn't afford to pay for a burial, the authorities had the right to hold onto it for medical research. It would have caused the family great anguish, Fern learns, because of beliefs about the afterlife at the time. She is visibly distraught. 'I always thought of the Victorians as great philanthropists, God-fearing and kind. Yet if you were living in poverty at that time, you were penalised for it.' Friend Carter also died in the dreaded workhouse, but somehow the family managed to scrape together the money to take his body back home for burial - a happy ending, of sorts, for Fern, who greets the news with tears pouring down her cheeks. The grim days of the workhouse may now be consigned to history, but this show underlines how recent that history is - and how close in other ways too. 'One of my greatest fears has always been poverty,' Brian Cox admits. 'Now maybe I know why. You begin to realise it's in the DNA.' Secrets From The Workhouse will be on ITV on Tuesday 25 June at 9pm. ### SUMMARY:

Celebrities in the show trace their ancestors' lives in workhouses . Workhouses - meant to shelter the poor -  were actually terrifying hellholes . One in ten Britons has a connection to these places .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Daily Mail Reporter . UPDATED: . 11:34 EST, 14 November 2011 . The economic forecasts are gloomy and the threat of a double-dip recession looms large. Tomorrow the Bank of England will slash growth prospects to just 1 per cent down from 1.5 per cent just three months ago. It's not what a Chancellor toiling away for long hours at the helm of the economy needs to hear. Combined with the plethora of European summits it all appears to have left the more rotund than usual George Osborne with less time to go to the gym. George Osborne returns to Downing Street this morning after a brisk jog with what appears to be a more rotund than usual waistline . But this morning he stepped out into the morning gloom for a brisk morning jog in shorts and grey sweater. The . Chancellor is also aiming to get the economy moving at a faster pace . with a series of schemes for new toll roads, housing and power stations . to kickstart growth. Adding to his woes youth unemployment is expected to hit . one million for the first time since records began more than 20 years . ago and fresh details have emerged of Coalition infighting over their . plans to get the economy moving, with Business Secretary Vince Cable . ruling out Tory proposals to freeze benefits. The Treasury is desperate to get . money flowing into the economy now by bringing forward major building . projects that might not have got off the ground for several years. What a difference a year makes: George Osborne in October 2010 . Insiders stress that the Government will not change its deficit reduction plans, since that would be an admission they have resorted to Plan B. Instead, Mr Osborne is relying on money sitting idle in private sector pension funds and insurance schemes. Under the proposals, to be announced in the growth review on November 29, private investors will be asked to pay £50billion into infrastructure investment funds. In exchange for their cash now, . investors would get paid a dividend later in the form of tolls from new . roads, rental income from houses or a slice of energy bills. The . plans will flood the construction industry with cash and boost jobs but . are likely to hit consumers in the long-term in the form of higher . motoring and electricity costs. A No 10 source said: ‘Pension funds are sitting on large amounts of capital and are reluctant to put money in. ‘There’s very little public money . available so it makes sense to tap that money.’ Today Mr Osborne also insisted once again that the UK will not not bear the financial cost of bailing out the single currency. Writing in the Evening Standard, he said: 'The financial risks of standing behind the currency will ultimately be borne by eurozone citizens. The eurozone has the financial capacity to restore stability. They now need to deploy it without delay.' Mr Osborne also restated his opposition to a Financial Transaction Tax, warning that a levy on financial trading would be 'economic suicide' for Britain and Europe. The Chancellor said: 'Proposals for a Europe-only Financial Transactions Tax are a bullet aimed at the heart of London. The EU should be coming forward with new ideas to promote growth, not undermine it.' Despite 'grounds for optimism' following the formation of new governments in Greece and Italy, Mr Osborne warned that 'this remains the most dangerous moment for the world economy since Lehman Brothers went down in the autumn of 2008.' Once the immediate crisis is overcome, 'over time eurozone countries will have to pool more resources and share more control over each other's tax and spending decisions', said the Chancellor. 'Frankly, this is a big loss of national sovereignty for those countries. It is one of the reasons I have always opposed Britain joining the euro. But it is the only way to make a currency union work for the long term. 'Britain will not be part of this fiscal integration and this Government will make sure that our national interests and our voice in the EU are protected.' At odds: Nick Clegg, seen here with the Prime Minister, has blocked Tory-backed proposals to make it easier to sack people in order to lessen the burden on small businesses . Ed Balls said he welcomed the fund but added that one cannot have investment projects which don't affect borrowing . Mr Osborne has Lib Dem . support for his building projects, but friction remains at the top of the Coalition . about other plans. Nick Clegg has blocked Tory-backed proposals to make it easier to sack people in order to lessen the burden on small businesses. And Mr Cable yesterday ruled out plans floated by the Tories to freeze benefits, rather than uprate them in line with inflation. He said: ‘There is no doubt, of course they should be indexed and that’s fully understood.’ But the Business Secretary did back the £50billion growth plans. He said: ‘What we have to do is create a framework regulation so that private investors will have the confidence to invest in big projects and help get the British economy moving again.’ Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls welcomed plans for the fund. But he added: ‘You can’t have public investment projects which don’t affect borrowing, which somehow rely upon the private sector. There is no meat there.’ Mr Osborne said last night: ‘I fully accept we need to have more initiatives, more government plans to stimulate housing, to get homes being built, to help construction, help infrastructure, help small businesses get more credit. ‘We’re going to announce plans for all those things in the next few weeks.’ The taxman's relentless pursuit of those who owe money has seen a four-fold increase in the use of legal powers to seize the assets of late-paying companies. In the past two years, HM Revenue & Customs has used its ‘distraint’ powers to seize assets for auction on 7,004 businesses – up from 1,675 in 2009. In many cases the actions left company bosses with no choice but to shut up shop. Assets seized are often sold on at fire sale prices that fail to even cover the full amount of unpaid taxes and reduce the chances of other creditors being repaid. Tax experts believe the aggressive pursuit is down to huge pressure being piled on to HMRC, which is also facing staffing cuts. Stuart McNeill, partner at accountants McGrigors, said: ‘By barging in and selling the assets of a late-paying company without making a proper commercial assessment of the firm’s medium-term viability, HMRC risks sacrificing full payment in a few months’ time for far less cash upfront.’ Taxpayers are meant to be able to negotiate late payment of taxes through the Government’s ‘Time to Pay’ scheme. But since HMRC was stripped of its ‘preferred creditor’ status in 2003, the taxman is no longer first in line to recoup any money owed if a company goes bust. ‘If they don’t take an informed commercial view, they may be dealing the killer blow to some companies with a good chance of survival – and increasing the unemployment figures,’ said Mr McNeill. An HMRC spokesman said it uses its powers when ‘other avenues are exhausted’. ### SUMMARY:

Chancellor says eurozone must accept 'a big loss of national sovereignty' to stabilise its finances . Bank of England to slash growth prospects to just 1% this year, down from 1.5% just three months ago . Added blow for Chancellor with youth unemployment expected to hit record-high . £50billion fund from private investors to be spent on infrastructure .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 00:19 EST, 17 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 17:40 EST, 17 January 2013 . Detectives on Long Island, New York are investigating the mysterious death of a 4-year-old boy just one mile from the scene of the notorious Amityville Horror killings of 1974. Suffolk County police say Adonis Reed was found at a home on Ketcham Avenue at 4pm Wednesday and taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip where he was pronounced dead shortly before 6pm. The circumstances surrounding the death are still unclear. Police are looking for a man who called 911, but was not in the home at the time they arrived. Adonis Reed (pictured left and right with an unidentified relative) has been identified as the victim of a murder in the infamous town of Amityville, New York after he was discovered by emergency workers at his home . The home on Ketcham Avenue in Amityville, Long Island, where police were called to assist a four-year-old boy who later died and whose death is being treated as suspicious . A Suffolk County police officer andsearch dog look for evidence outside a home in Amityville, New York, today . When police arrived, they discovered a young boy lying unconscious on a . couch in the living room. No adults were present in the apartment. The child had visible signs of trauma. The Medical Examiner will determine his cause of death. The autopsy will be performed on Thursday, reports ABC. Investigators said Reed’s body was covered in bruises. The child was 'a victim of violence,' said Suffolk police Det. Lt. Jack Fitzpatrick, confirming there were visible signs of harm. He said the children was a student at a local school, which he would not identify, but they did not attend class Wednesday. Police units outside the home in Amityville where a four-year-old boy was found unconscious and later died from his injuries . The boy has a 6-year-old sister who apparently also lived in that home, but it's not clear where she is right now. An autopsy is planned for Thursday at the Suffolk County medical examiner's office. No further information was immediately available. Suffolk police said that they believe that 911 emergency call reporting the child was made from the home, but they declined to disclose any details for the caller. Det. Lt. Fitzpatrick said that the caller is incredibly important to their investigations and added that police were trying to contact family members and friends of the child's parents. The neighborhood is described as a quiet residential street made up of single-family homes. The 4-year-old was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, where the child was pronounced dead, police said . A map shows that the distance between the scene of Wednesday's tragic death and the infamous 1974 Amityville killings is approximately 1 mile . Amityville is best known as the setting . of the novel The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson, which was published in . 1977 and had been adapted into a series of films made between 1979 and . 2011. The book was based on a true story, in December 1975, George and Kathy Lutz and Kathy's three children moved into 112 Ocean Avenue, a large Dutch Colonial house in Amityville - which is 15 minutes walking distance away from the scene of yesterday's crime. Thirteen months before the Lutzes moved in, Ronald DeFeo, Jr. had shot and killed six members of his family at the house. After 28 days, the Lutzes left the house, claiming to have been terrorized by paranormal phenomena while living there. Amityville is best known as the setting of The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson, which was published in 1977 and then adapted into a series of films . In this Nov. 14, 1974 file photo, police and members of the Suffolk County Coroner's Office investigate the murder of six people found shot in Amityville, N.Y in the notorious DeFeo murders - which would later become part of The Amityville Horror novel series . The Amityville Horror: A True Story is a multi-million selling book by Jay Anson first published in September 1977.It is reported to be based on the real-life paranormal experiences of the Lutz family at 122 Ocean Avenue, a large Dutch Colonial house in the Long Island town of Amityville, New York.The story is supposedly about the horrifying events the Lutz family endured over a period of 28 days after moving into a home where Ronald DeFeo Jr. had shot and killed six members of his family inside the home 13 months prior to their purchase.In December, 1975, George and Kathleen Lutz bought the home one year and one month after the DeFeo murders for what they considered to be a bargain price of $80,000.They moved into the six bedroom home with their three children, Daniel, 9, Christopher, 7, and Melissa, 5 and their Malamute/Labrador cross called Harry.Because of the terrible past of the home, the Lutz's arranged for the home to be blessed and when the Catholic priest flicked holy water across the room, he heard a male voice deman that he 'get out'.After that and for the next 28 days, the Lutz's experienced many different and frightening episodes all linked to the paranormal.George would wake up around 3:15 every morning and would go out to check the boathouse. Later he would learn that this was the estimated time of the DeFeo killings.Kathy had vivid nightmares about the murders and discovered the order in which they occurred and the rooms where they took place.While tending to the fire, George and Kathy saw the image of a demon with half his head blown out. It was burned into the soot in the back of the fireplace.George would wake up to the sound of the front door slamming. He would race downstairs to find the dog sleeping soundly at the front door. Nobody else heard the sound although it was loud enough to wake the house.Kathy would feel a sensation as if 'being embraced' in a loving manner, by an unseen force.The book was written after Tam Mossman, an editor at the publishing house Prentice Hall, introduced George and Kathy Lutz to Jay Anson.However, soon after its publication, the Lutz's version of events came to be quesioned and speculation was rife that the entire novel was a work of fiction.George Lutz maintained that events in the book were 'mostly true' and denied any suggestion of dishonesty on his part. In June 1979, George and Kathy Lutz took a lie detector test relating to their experiences at the house, which they both passed.In May 2010, the house was placed on the market with an asking price of $1.15 million. In August 2010, the house was sold to a local resident for $950,000 . Video: 4-year-old Amityville boy's death ruled a homicide . ### SUMMARY:

Adonis Reed, a four-year-old boy found unconscious at home at 4 p.m. on Wednesday in the infamous Long Island town after an anonymous 911 call to police . No adults were at home when emergency services arrived . The boy was pronounced dead when he arrived at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Jessica Jerreat . PUBLISHED: . 12:37 EST, 20 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 00:58 EST, 21 July 2013 . One week after George Zimmerman was found not guilty in the death of teenager Trayvon Martin, people have started to gather for nationwide rallies to press for federal civil rights charges against the former neighborhood watch leader. Beyonce and Jay Z joined the Florida teenager's mother as she spoke to crowds in Manhattan alongside the Reverend Al Sharpton. The case has become a flashpoint in separate but converging national debates over self-defense laws, guns, and race relations. Scroll down for video . High profile: Trayvon's mother Sybrina Fulton, third from left, was joined by Beyonce, Jay Z and the Rev Al Sharpton . Star support: Beyonce and Jay Z join a Justice for Trayvon rally in New York . Connection: Celebrity couple Beyonce and Jay Z say as parents they can understand the pain of the verdict . The Rev Al Sharpton's National . Action Network organized Justice for Trayvon rallies and vigils outside . federal buildings from noon in at least 101 cities, from New York and . Los Angeles to Wichita in Kansas and Birmingham, Alabama. On Saturday morning he told supporters in Manhattan he wanted a rollback of stand-your-ground self-defense laws. 'We are trying to change laws so that this never, ever happens again,' he said. 'We have the strength to wipe our tears away. Last Saturday we cried. This Saturday we march.' Trayvon's mother, Sybrina Fulton, also spoke at the New York rally, telling the crowd: 'Today it was my son. Tomorrow it might be yours.' Emotional: Trayvon's mother Sybrina Fulton is joined by her son, Jahvaris, left, and the Rev Al Sharpton . Speech: Trayvon's father, Tracy Martin, tells crowds in Miami he will continue to fight for his son . Rally: Crowds gather outside the federal courthouse in Miami as part of a nationwide response to the verdict in the George Zimmerman case . She added: 'Of course we are hurting. Of course we are shocked and disappointed, but that just means we have to roll up our sleeves and continue to fight.' Ms Fulton, her son Jahvaris, and the Rev Al Sharpton joined the rally as it marched to One Police Plaza at noon, where they were joined by Jay Z and his wife Beyonce, according to the New York Post. Although they did not speak at the rally, the Rev Al Sharpton told the crowd: 'Jay Z told me, "I'm a father. Beyonce is a mother". We all feel the pain and apprehension - the laws must protect everybody, or it doesn't protect anybody.' He added: 'We do not come from hate, we come from love of children,' according to the Huffington Post. Beyonce had shown her support for the case last week, asking for a moment of silence at a concert after the not guilty verdict was recorded. While Trayvon's mother was in New York, the dead teenager's father took part in a Miami rally on Saturday morning, according to NBC News. Support: People march through Oakland, California, as part of the Justice for Trayvon rally . Verdict: George Zimmmerman, right, was found not guilty in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, left . Debate: The rallies, including this one in Los Angeles, were organized to call for civil liberty charges to be brought against Mr Zimmerman . Wide spread: Philadelphia residents took part in the day of action . Campaign: In Austin, Texas, crowds marched while carrying banners . United: In Salt Lake City residents gathered outside the Wallace Bennett Federal Building for the rally . Tracy Martin told supporters outside Miami's federal courthouse: 'I vowed to Trayvon, when he was lying in his casket, that I would use every ounce of energy in my body to seek justice for him.' He added: 'I will fight for Trayvon until the day I die. Not only will I fight for Trayvon, I will fight for your child as well.' The Rev Sharpton and other supporters want the Justice Department to pursue federal civil rights charges against Mr Zimmerman. He told the rally on Saturday: 'They will not say that was the young man killed in Sanford. They will say that was the young man who helped change the laws in the United States of America.' Former Governor Eliot Spitzer, who attended the New York rally, said: 'Regardless of how you view the legality of the verdict in isolation, justice here was denied. An innocent young man was shot and killed and that is a tragedy.' Protection: Eight-month-old Tyleigh Gould in Florida was one of many children taken to the rallies as parents voiced concern at the trial verdict . Presidential backing: At the New York rally a woman holds a sign of President Obama, who said he could have been like Trayvon Martin . Icon: Members of the crowd wore hoodies or held up packets of Skittles in reference to Trayvon being shot as he returned from buying the candy . National outcry: Rallies were due to be held in about 100 cities across the U.S. including Midland, Texas . Attorney General Eric Holder announced this week that the department would investigate whether the Hispanic neighborhood watch man could be charged under those federal civil rights laws, which would require evidence that he harbored racial animosity against Trayvon. Most legal experts said it would be a difficult charge to bring. Mr Holder added that the shooting demonstrated the need to re-examine stand-your-ground laws nationwide. The Rev Jeffrey Johnson told about 200 people in Indianapolis that the rally was about making life safer for young black men. Continuing protests: Posters announcing a future rally for Trayvon Martin in New York . United in cause: 8-year-old Anthony Simbler, left, and dentist Nicole Ray, right, wear similar suits that unite them in their cause for justice for Trayvon, though they protested today in separate cities (Simbler in Chicago and Ray in Miami) Father and son supporters: Ulysses Diaz, holds his son, Armani Hinton, as they listen to a speech at a rally in Las Vegas. The Rev Johnson said there were still endangered by racial profiling, and he compared Mr Zimmerman’s acquittal to that of four white officers in the beating of black motorist Rodney King in 1992, according to the Boston Globe. '‘The verdict freed George Zimmerman, but it condemned America more,' the pastor who is a member of the board of directors of the National Action Network, said. On Friday President Obama said it was still common for black men to ‘'be followed in a department store' while shopping or to walk down the street and 'hear the car doors lock'. He added that he had experienced both scenarios before he rose to social and political prominence. Network: The rally in Miami was one of many held on Saturday, to mark a week since the not guilty trial verdict . Change: The trial has led to calls for renewed debates on Florida's stand your ground law . Mass action: Large crowds gather in Atlanta, Georgia, at one of the Justice for Trayvon rallies . Protest: A young girl joins a protest outside a Philadelphia court house . ### SUMMARY:

Day of action calls for civil liberty charges to be made against Zimmerman . Tracy Martin tells Miami crowd 'I will never stop fighting for my son - and yours' Teenager's mother speaks alongside the Rev Al Sharpton in Manhattan .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Kieran Corcoran . PUBLISHED: . 16:21 EST, 16 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:19 EST, 17 September 2013 . In the world of cars it is – usually – the last word in understated elegance and class. But this Rolls-Royce Phantom, with its brash red and chrome paint job, seems rather to have missed the point. The garish car, which sports an Arabic number plate, was spotted last night in Kensington, west London – a traditional night-time haunt of the rich and famous. Not one for traditionalists: This bright red Rolls-Royce Phantom was spotted in upmarket Kensington, but the cars normally appear in reserved shades of black, silver, cream or deep blue . Garish: The car, which sports an Arabic number plate, was spotted in Kensington, west London - a traditional night-time haunt of the rich and famous . The car, which was parked up for the evening, featured blacked-out windows which made it impossible to make out any of the traditionally luxurious interior. Each car is built to the buyer’s specification, so its owner would have been able to request the garish paint job from the beginning. The Phantom is a classic choice of car for the very wealthy, and they are all assembled by hand at the Rolls-Royce factory in Goodwood, West Sussex. A-list celebrities David Beckham, Simon Cowell, Jennifer Lopez, Sylvester Stallone and Eddie Murphy have all been spotted riding in the car. It is also a favourite of the royal family and heads of state worldwide – an earlier version of the Phantom was presented to the Queen as a gift on her Silver Jubilee. However, the cars almost always appear in reserved shades of black, silver, cream or deep blue. The Phantom, a traditional symbol of wealth and sophistication, is usually seen in subtler colours (right) In marketing literature for the cars, Rolls-Royce invites potential buyers to: ‘discover the genuine authority and rare sense of scale and occasion’ the car offers. They cost around £250,000. But this over-the-top specimen is hardly an isolated site in London, increasingly the destination of choice for the monied Middle-Eastern elite looking for somewhere cooler than home. This summer an especially flashy menagerie of vehicles were seen on the streets of the capital – many parked illegally. High roller: The Kensington Phantom is not the only top of the range car spotted in London in a slightly unusual colour. This pale pink Roller has been spotted in Knightsbridge . This purple Lamborghini, pictured this summer outside the Dorchester Hotel in London, was another Arabic supercar set loose on the capital . But it was later seized by police because the driver did not have a licence or insurance documents . Ramadan racer: This Ferrari is bound to grab attention with its velvet-covered roof . The Metropolitan Police seized a £350,000 ‘glow-in-the-dark’ Lamborghini Aventador after its driver – believed to be a Qatari royal – was caught driving uninsured and without a licence. It was later displayed outside Scotland Yard, covered with police tape reading 'uninsured vehicle seized by police'. At the time a police spokesman said: 'We have had a few Porsches, BMW X5s, and a Ferrari – that one got crushed and in fact the vast majority of them are.' Police are known to have seized dozens of super cars across the capital over the last year on an array of charges including driving with invalid insurance and driving without proper registration plates. Last month, a £300,000 Lamborghini Aventador was pictured being towed away after the driver fell foul of the law - he was found to be driving without correct insurance. And a member of Qatar's Al-Thani dynasty has had two supercars towed away by police. The influx of foreign registered super cars to the UK was highlighted in a Channel 4 documentary earlier this year. Overstated: This £2 million Bugatti Veron car was flown over to London by rich Arabs last year who spend June in London shopping ahead of Ramadan last year . Life of luxury: This Lamborghini SV car spotted outside Harrods in Knightsbridge last year is one of a number of super cars imported by rich foreigners . Super rich: A row of expensive cars spotted outside The Dorchester hotel on Park Lane . Import: This Ferrari is spotted parked up in a wealthy part of London . Viewers saw residents of the upmarket . Knightsbridge area of London - home to Harrods - complain that their . lives were being made a misery by super rich Arab playboy racers . speeding around residential streets. One resident described those with some of the more garish vehicles as 'a manifestation of too muchness'. The . capital's most affluent areas are often awash with super cars during . the summer months, with the wealthy Arab elite escaping the searing heat . of their own countries and embarking on a six week tour of Europe's top . cities, including London. Many of them bring their cars with them during the tour, known as The Season. Flash! A bright pink Abu Dhabi-registered Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead . Unusual: An Iraqi-registered Mercedes G55 with an interesting paint-job makes its way through London . Conspicuous? A Saudi-registered Ferrari 599 sticks out like a sore thumb next to London's uniform black cabs and red double-decker buses . Last . summer, five rare vehicles thought to be worth around £5million were . spotted parked outside the Dorchester Hotel in Mayfair. It is believed that the cars all belonged to one Saudi businessman. The . fleet of incredible cars included two £1.5million Bugatti Veyrons, a . £1million Koenigsegg Agera, a Rolls-Royce Phantom and a mat black . Lamborghini Aventador. Costly: A £1 million Qatari registered Pagani Huayra and an orange Lamborghini . Speedster: A £1 million Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport . Take your pick: Two Qatar-registered Hamann-tuned BMWs with a Lamborghini Aventador sandwiched in the middle . A . Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe in pink and an all yellow Ferrari S99 . registered in Saudi have also been spotted cruising the capital's . streets. Perhaps one of the . most garish cars spotted in London this year was a Ferrari 599, parked . outside a designer store in Sloane Square. The . car is impressive enough - reaching top speeds of 205mph and 0 to 60mph . in 3.7 seconds - but this one was wrapped in black velvet. Parking ticket? The owner of this Kuwait-registered Ferrari 458 better hope that he doesn't get clocked by a traffic warden on those double yellow lines . A Bugatti Veyron pulls out into traffic in central London . Shame: A Dubai-registered Ferrari F430 is clamped . Clamped: A Saudi-registered Ferrari F430 has outstayed its welcome on one London street . ### SUMMARY:

Garish red and silver Rolls-Royce Phantom spotted in west London . The Phantom is loved by heads of state, royalty and A-list stars . But it usually comes in more reserved colours such as black or cream . Arabic-registered car resembles other playboy motors seen this summer .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Associated Press . and Ryan Gorman . PUBLISHED: . 19:14 EST, 24 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 00:01 EST, 3 March 2014 . The recent arrest of Sinaloa drug cartel kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman means the next man in line will be expected to stand up - and now he may have been identified. Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, 66, and from the same rural area of Mexico as El Chapo, is a close confidant of the jailed drug lord, and is considered to be the brains behind the operation. 'He is everything,' a US official told the Los Angeles Times. 'The brains. The logistics. Security. Everything.' Guzman was seen by officials as the muscle. The longer-term fate of a criminal ring . likened to an international corporation is anything but clear, as . authorities pursue other top leaders and weaker rivals dream of moving . in - but Zambada seems firmly in control, at least for now. Top dog: Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada is said to have taken over the Sinaloa drug cartel from Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman . Zambada is less flashy, according to a Times profile, but is still known to law enforcement - US officials have long offered a $5million reward for information leading to his capture. The rural farmer is well entrenched in the Sinaloa cartel, according to a 2010 profile in Proceso cited by the Times. He is respected by those both inside and outside of the organization - which is likely key to keeping it together. He and Guzman grew up together in rural Mexico and rose through the ranks of the cartel together, an official told the Times. Zambada told Proceso that he and El Chapo are 'compadres' who 'talk on the phone regularly,' the case for him being placed at the top even if he does  not want the title. 'Everything indicates that El Mayo Zambada will stay at the front of the organization. What's less clear is whether, with the detention of [El Chapo], his business model will come to an end,' an official told the Times. Zambada prefers to hold back on drug supplies instead of flooding the market, an easy way to drive up both demand and prices, as well as influence. El Mayo is also violent, but much less out in the open, according to the Times. He prefers to single out victims instead of leave the mass graves that have become a Sinaloa cartel hallmark in recent years. A DEA official who spoke on the condition . of anonymity to discuss specific details of Guzman's arrest in Mexico . said the agency doesn't anticipate that Guzman's absence will have an . immediate effect on cartel operations because it has evolved from a gang . into a worldwide organization. The operation did not touch the cartel's immense political power, nurtured through the bribery of corrupt officials, or its thriving money laundering operations. In this Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014 photo, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is escorted to a helicopter in handcuffs by Mexican navy marines at a navy hanger in Mexico City, Mexico. Guzman, the head of Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, was captured overnight in the beach resort town of Mazatlan. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) 'As long as these other structures remain in place, all things being equal, Sinaloa will be able to continue to operate if not as normal, at least as the most powerful criminal organization in Mexico,' said David Shirk, director of the University of San Diego's Justice in Mexico Project. Guzman, who made Forbes magazine's lists of billionaires and most powerful people, was first among equals with Zambada and Juan Jose Esparragoza, known as "El Azul," both of whom remain at large. Guzman worked closely with Zambada. Guillermo Valdes, former head of Mexico's top domestic intelligence agency, said the pair shared a clear vision, not only with respect to their adversaries but also with their business plan for trafficking cocaine, marijuana, heroin and methamphetamine in some 54 countries. In other recent takedowns of major cartels, the Mexican government had to hit more than one leader before the organizations were dismantled or scattered into smaller gangs. One by one, the Arellano Felix brothers in Tijuana were arrested or killed over the last decade, as were the Beltran Leyva brothers from 2008 to 2011. Though the Mexican marines killed Zeta leader Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano in October 2012, the power of the group did not diminish until the other leader, Miguel Angel Trevino Morales, was arrested last summer. Despite the continuity provided by having El Mayo at the top, some predict Sinaloa is about to suffer the same fate. U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, who chairs the House Committee on Homeland Security, said to expect more arrests because authorities penetrated the cartel's communications system in catching Guzman. 'Our ability to crack their code will not bode well for their future,' he said, comparing Guzman's capture to the 1993 killing of Pablo Escobar of Colombia's Medellin cartel, once a powerful criminal organization. Its demise helped grow cartels such as Sinaloa. When Escobar fell, "'he cartels started to unravel.' In fact, some fear Guzman's capture could spark more violence, though no Mexican cartels seem strong enough at the moment to make a major play. Long known to officials: El Mayo has operated out of the public spotlight, but has long been under scrutiny . Sinaloa's main rivals, the Zetas, have been substantially weakened, and other groups have become too local to rival Guzman's international reach. Since Guzman escaped from a Mexican prison in 2001, he grew his cartel to be one of the largest in the world, with tentacles extending from Argentina to Australia. Nobody outside the cartel leadership knows the extent of its power or business, but estimates are that Sinaloa handles 25 to 45 percent of all drugs entering the United States, with revenues around $3 billion a year. Last year, Forbes named Guzman the world's 67th most powerful person, between U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner and New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson. Sinaloa is believed to operate with an extended network of officials and lookouts on the payroll, especially in the western Mexico state for which the cartel is named. Both a state and federal police chief have been arrested for alleged ties to Sinaloa or its allies, only to later be released. When the Mexican marines mounted their offensive on Saturday, it was without alerting any local law enforcement. 'Local and state authorities are in the service of the Sinaloa cartel,' Valdez said. Even though the long-term fate of Sinaloa is unclear, everyone agrees on the bottom line: The drugs will still continue to flow, even with the takedown of other Mexican cartels. 'In drug trafficking, as long as there is demand, there will be a supply,' Valdes said. 'It's like energy. You can't create or destroy it. It only transforms.' ### SUMMARY:

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, 66, grew up with former Sinaloa boss Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman . He has been quoted in the past as saying they talked often . Zambada has long been considered the brains of the Sinaloa cartel, Guzman was viewed as the muscle .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 06:00 EST, 18 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:57 EST, 18 June 2013 . She is the ultimate natural beauty famed for her glowing skin and flawless complexion. And now, songstress Kimberley Walsh has revealed the secrets behind her radiant fresh-faced glow as she poses for a set of stunning never-seen-before photographs. Unlike most celebrities the 31-year-old has spoken out to tell women that they don’t need invasive treatments or an entourage of make-up artists to look flawless every day. Scroll down for video . Natural beauty: Famed for her glowing complexion, the Girls Aloud star reveals her beauty secret to MailOnline . Because despite having enough money to splurge on luxury goods and top-class make-up artists, Kimberley, who is famously very down-to-earth, admits she favours the basics. Speaking to MailOnline about her beauty secrets, she said: 'Covering over . the cracks with make-up and fake tan doesn’t always make us look or feel . better – I always feel more confident and beautiful by doing the body . basics before I step out. 'The . best beauty trick I have – and it’s not even a secret – is to stress . how important the basics are. 'Applying makeup around tired eyes, over . skin that has not been prepped and wearing beautiful shoes on unloved . feet will never make you feel good. Back to basics: Despite having enough money to splurge on luxury goods and top-class make-up artists, Kimberley favours the basics like E45 cream . 'It's the small things that have to . be done first, such as moisturising from top to toe, that make all the . difference. 'For me, making sure my skin is smooth and hair free, by . using products like E45 lotion, and regularly washing and cleansing my . face all make me feel confident in my skin. 'Whether I’m . make-up free or prepping for a shoot, I need the confidence that my skin . will be blemish free. Clearasil Daily Clear Vitamins & Extracts . Wash and Mask is great for everyday use – it smells nice, feels great on . my skin and is really pleasant to use. 'By doing the everyday beauty . basics every woman can feel great about themselves.' Secret weapon: To keep her skin blemish free, she relies on Clearasil Daily Clear Vitamins & Extracts Wash and Mask . With some of the busiest tootsies in . showbiz, Kimberley explained that taking good care of her feet is also essential: 'With all the dancing I do I need to pay even . more attention to my feet as they often take a battering! In fact, . Strictly Come Dancing did more damage to my feet than climbing Mount . Kilimanjaro! 'Now I rely on products like Scholl Express Pedi to help me . get my feet back to being touchable soft and smooth. 'With my job I’m . lucky that I get to wear beautiful shoes but it means my feet need to . look good too – a regular foot care routine is important for me as it’s . easy to forget about your feet, especially when they’re hidden away.' Get her glow: She explains she gets plenty of sleep, exercises regularly and has a good diet to maintain her glow . Revealing how she maintains her famed glow through her diet and lifestyle, despite having a seriously hectic work schedule, the star revealed: 'Glowing is straightforward. For me this starts by ensuring I get plenty of . sleep, exercise regularly and have a good diet. 'Taking care of yourself . is easy when you respect these three things.' She goes on to explain how she has been keeping in shape now that she's not dancing around on stage on Strictly Come Dancing. 'I . see my trainer 3 times a week and she works me really hard. I've never . been one to deny myself any foods - I train so I can eat what I want!,' she said. She may not be a size zero, but Kimberley definitely makes the most of her curvy assets and womanly figure and always looks great in figure-hugging dresses. 'You . have to work with what you've got and accentuate the best bits. 'I think . it's not always about keeping up with the new fashion trends as they . more often than not, don't suit all shapes, but rather finding a way of . making the new trends work for you,' she added. Kimberley's latest job sees her smouldering for the Ready to Glow campaign. A recent study by Ready to Glow found . that the average woman will spend more than £13,000 during her lifetime . on looking and feeling good. Researchers found the 'cost of . confidence' carries a hefty price tag, as women fork out £205.68 a year - . or £13,369.20 in their lifetime - on beauty products in order to feel . better about themselves. Around 86 per cent of women claim their confidence is greatly improved if they are well groomed from top to toe. And six in ten women have a strict beauty regime in place to ensure they leave the house feeling assured about their appearance. But the study also found that despite . the costly outlay, women only feel good about themselves for three . hours and 43 minutes a day. Speaking about her role, which aims to empower women to look and feel great by carrying out everyday beauty basics to achieve that radiant ‘glow', she said: 'I am proud to be part of Ready to Glow, like many woman I’ve had my own body hang-ups in the past but I’m passionate about helping or supporting other women to feel confident in their own skin and celebrating natural beauty.' But the talented star always has her eyes firmly set on the future. Speaking about her big plans, she said: 'I'm someone that loves to keep busy, and always love to have things in my diary! 'At the moment I'm busy working on my book which is due for release in the autumn. 'There are lot's of exciting things being discussed although as yet I'm not allowed to share them with you....Will tell all, as soon as I can!' Curve girl: Kimberley maintains her hourglass figure with regular work-out sessions with her personal trainer . Sore feet: 'Strictly Come Dancing did more damage to my feet than climbing Mount Kilimanjaro' said Kimberley . 1. A complement from a partner, friend or stranger2. Having perfectly styled hair / a new cut and colour3. Looking good in a photograph4. Having silky smooth legs / being hair free5. Waking from a good night's sleep6. Having a cuddle7. Being told 'I love you'8. Returning from a holiday and feeling great9. A smile from a stranger10. New underwear11. You get told you look young12. You are immaculately dressed13. You get asked where you bought something14. A child says you are pretty15. Waking up spot free16. Wearing an outfit which shows the favourite part of your body17. Getting your eyebrows plucked18. Being asked out on a date19. Fresh manicure20. A full face of make-up . ### SUMMARY:

Star swears by simple beauty regime of E45 cream and Clearasil face wipes . Works with trainer three times a week . Currently working on her upcoming book . Women will spend more than £13,000 during lifetime . on looking and feeling good .

### SUMMARIZE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: By . Damien Gayle . The death toll of the Nigeria's Islamist insurgency has risen to more than 200 in a single week after 48 people were killed in Boko Haram raids in the country's north-east. Militants stormed three villages near the town of Chibok, Borno State, where Boko Haram snatched nearly 300 girls from their boarding school dorm last month. Hours after a double car bombing killed at least 130 in a central Nigerian city, villagers were forced to bolt into the bush as their homes and possessions were burned and looted. Red cross officials inspect a tricycle at the site of Tuesday's car bomb explosion in Jos, central Nigeria . Rescue workers search for remains at the bomb site. The death toll of the Jos attacks stands at about 130 . People inspect the remains of a car used to carry the bomb. Five wounded victims died overnight . The bombs struck a crowded bus terminal and market, with the second going off half an hour after the first . The attacks came as 80 U.S. Air Force personnel arrived in Chad, which shares a part of its border with Borno state, on a mission to help track down the girls being held captive by Boko Haram. They are helping with intelligence by operating a Predator drone in missions over and around northern Nigeria, the U.S. said. About 40 of the personnel make up the launch and recovering teams for the drone and the other 40 are troops acting as the security force for the team, said Lieutenant Colonel Myles Caggins. Predators are the main type of unmanned aircraft used for drone strikes in Afghanistan and the Pakistani tribal areas, where they are armed with 100lb Hellfire missiles. Although the the U.S. has said that it is being used for reconnaissance, the deployment of such a fearsome weapon seems to mark an escalation in the campaign against Boko Haram. The deployment will be in addition to unarmed Global Hawks already being used in the search, said a senior U.S. official who preferred to remain anonymous. Death from above: A Predator drone of the kind that the U.S. has deployed to Chad to assist Nigerian forces in the continuing search for the nearly 300 schoolgirls snatched by Boko Haram militants last month . During the latest attack on three northeastern villages, which came overnight on Tuesday and early Wednesday, residents who fled to the bush watched while Boko Haram fighters set their thatched-roof mud homes ablaze. 'We saw our village go up in flames as we hid in the bush waiting for the dawn. We lost everything,' Apagu Maidaga of the village of Alagarno told The Associated Press by telephone. The nearby villages of Bulakurbe and Shawa also were attacked. Schools in Nigeria are shut today as teachers hold a day of protests calling for the release of the 276 schoolgirls still being held captive by Boko Haram. Michael Olukoya, president of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, told Nigeria's Premium Times that his members would not stop campaigning 'until our girls are brought back safe and alive and the perpetrators of the heinous crimes are brought to book.' Another union leader, Segun Raheem, said that teachers were also a target of Boko Haram - whose name roughly translates to 'Western education is sinful' - and that authorities must do more to protect them. 'The majority of them are scared. They don't even sleep at home. And when they go to school, it is with shock,' he told BBC News. 'We feel that enough security has not been put in place... and we call on the government... not to play politics with the lives of our children and the teachers.' Agony: Frankly Anderson, a victim of Tuesday's bomb attack, lies wounded at Jos University Teaching Hospital . Victim: Christiana Atongdagama, who lost a limb, receives treatment at Jos University Teaching Hospital . Pain: An unidentified victim sits on a bed with bloodied dressings at Jos University Teaching Hospital . In Jos, central Nigeria, the site of two powerful car bombings in a crowded bus terminal and market on Tuesday, rescue workers with body bags combed the rubble for more bodies. Scores of people gathered at mortuaries and hospitals to search for missing loved ones. Officials reported an additional 12 deaths from the blasts: seven mutilated bodies were recovered from the scene and five of the wounded died in the hospital. Most victims were women and children who worked in the market as vendors, said Mohammed Abdulsalam of the National Emergency Management Agency. 'We expect to find more bodies in the rubble,' he said. Jos was tense with fears that the attack could inflame religious rivalry in the city, which sits on a volatile fault line dividing Nigeria's Muslim north from its Christian south. Fighters: Members of a vigilante group composed of traditional hunters pose for a picture. About 100 traditional hunters from villages in Borno state have gathered in Maiduguri and volunteered to hunt for Boko Haram . Another hunter poses up: The local government gives the vigilantes two meals per day, they say . Looking smart: A vigilante commander. Vigilantes have had some success in the fight back against Boko Haram, with claims they killed dozens of militants and took more captive last week in an ambush . 'Allahu akhbar!' some young men yelled provocatively at an AP photographer near the scene, using the war cry of Islamic militants within earshot of soldiers at a checkpoint. Positive thinking: Brigadier General Olajide Laleye yesterday insisted that victory was close and dismissed reports of low morale among his men . Officials have suggested the extremists are feeding into tribal and religious tensions to spread the insurgency outside of their stronghold in Nigeria's north-east, which was part of an Islamic kingdom before colonisation. Security forces cordoned off the mounds of rubble, burned-out vehicles and obliterated buildings with the debris of panic scattered around — a sandal here, a hat there. Exploded mangoes and pineapples rotted in the sun, their sickly sweet smell mixing with the stench of rotting human flesh. Despite the spiralling bloodshed, Nigerian army spokesman Brigadier General Olajide Laleye yesterday insisted that victory was close. He dismissed reports of troops suffering from low morale and lack of basic equipment, including bullet-proof vests. 'I make bold to say that the Nigerian Army is steadily and surely reversing the ugly menace of terrorism and insurgency in the northeast part of this great nation,' he said at an army recruiting campaign. But extremist attacks have increased in frequency and deadliness, with more than 2,000 people killed so far this year, compared to an estimated 3,600 between 2010 and 2013. On Monday, a car bomb at a bus station killed 24 people in the Christian quarter of the northern Muslim city of Kano, where police later defused another massive car bomb. Two separate bomb blasts in April around another bus station, in the nation's capital of Abuja, killed more than 120 people and wounded more than 200. ### SUMMARY:

Militants stormed three villages near Chibok, where the girls where snatched . Most residents fled to the bush but 48 people are reported to be killed . Death toll from car bombings in Jos rises to 130 after more die from wounds . Comes as U.S. deploys armed drone to Chad to help in hunt for Boko Haram . Schools shut as Nigerian teachers stage protest calling for release of girls .