Datasets:

olanasir

/

cnn-daily-mail

like 0

017c7c4ac8bc2544c8616d741f19edacb033af2d

(CNN)Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has called for a "religious revolution," asking Muslim leaders to help in the fight against extremism. In a speech celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Muḥammad, which coincided with New Year's Day, he said they had no time to lose. "I say and repeat, again, that we are in need of a religious revolution. You imams are responsible before Allah. The entire world is waiting on you. The entire world is waiting for your word ... because the Islamic world is being torn, it is being destroyed, it is being lost. And it is being lost by our own hands," el-Sisi said. "We need a revolution of the self, a revolution of consciousness and ethics to rebuild the Egyptian person -- a person that our country will need in the near future," the President said. El-Sisi, himself a pious man, was elected in May after leaving the military to run for the office. A former defense minister, he led the ouster of Mohamed Morsy -- the Islamist who was Egypt's first democratically elected President -- and has long positioned himself as a more secular option, and defender against extremist views. "It's inconceivable that the thinking that we hold most sacred should cause the entire Islamic world to be a source of anxiety, danger, killing and destruction for the rest of the world. Impossible that this thinking -- and I am not saying the religion -- I am saying this thinking," el-Sisi said. He continued: "This is antagonizing the entire world. It's antagonizing the entire world! Does this mean that 1.6 billion people (Muslims) should want to kill the rest of the world's inhabitants -- that is 7 billion -- so that they themselves may live? Impossible!​" While el-Sisi's speech included some powerful language, H.A. Hellyer, a nonresident fellow at the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution and research associate at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, said the President has made similar statements in the past. "There is little to suggest (el-Sisi) is interested in some sort of Lutheran reformation of Islam. By all accounts, he's quite comfortable with the prevailing leadership of the Azhari establishment. "If anything, he wants to empower it further in order to push forward a counternarrative against radical Islamism. The real question is: How credible can such a state-empowered counternarrative be?" Hellyer said. On Tuesday, the President visited the main Coptic cathedral in Cairo to attend a Christmas mass and make a short speech. He is the first president to attend such a mass since the revolution. "We will build our country together. We will accommodate each other. We will love each other," el-Sisi said in that speech.

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi speaks to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muḥammad . "We need a revolution of the self, a revolution of consciousness," he says .

017d27d00eb43678c15cb4a8dd4723a035323219

The taboo that sometimes still surrounds the subject of breastfeeding in public can leave many new mums feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable. While there are many places that happily accept that a nursing mother needs to feed her child when out and about, plenty of new mums still feel judged when doing so in public. One woman who wants to help stamp out those feelings is fertility expert and author Emma Cannon, who has opened her doors to new mums who want a cuppa while feeding their child and perhaps a little advice too. Feeling comfortable: A new breastfeeding cafe will open in Chelsea, London and provide breastfeeding advice for new mums . Emma has launched a drop in 'cafe' service in London so these mums can receive midwifery help and breastfeeding advice in a welcoming atmosphere. Emma says, 'I breast fed both my children for over a year and personally I never experienced any problems and was never made to feel uncomfortable, but I do think it depends on the individual. 'Although I was always discrete I equally was more concerned with the needs of my babies than with other people's prejudice. But I do know that not everyone feels this way, which is why I want to help women it they want to breastfeed.' Breast is best: The breastfeeding cafe will help support mums and treat any underlying difficulties that they may have . The idea of the cafe is that new mums can share advice and tea as well as benefiting from qualified medical care. Emma added: 'If they don't feel like breastfeeding and they just want advice about feeding then that is ok too-we can support new mums in whatever way feels right to them. 'The purpose of the cafe is not to hide women away, it is to give them a place to get good advice'. Time for tea: Fertility expert and author Emma Cannon, pictured, has launched a drop in service where mums can feel relaxed and welcome . From September the cafe, which will cost £175 for a six month membership, will be able to support and help mums as well as treat the underlying reasons behind any difficulties experienced. Unlike many other breastfeeding facilities and courses out there, where the post-natal attention is mainly based on the baby, Emma says her clinic concentrates on the mother's needs and goes by the motto 'nourish the mother to nourish the child.' Emma says: 'At my clinic, the Fertility Rooms, from where I have launched the breastfeeding cafe, we take an integrated approach. 'That means women don't just get advice on traditional methods of breastfeeding, but they get advice on foods, which improve milk supplies. 'They can also benefit from acupuncture if need be to help with mastitis, lack of milk supplies and any other minor ailment. We teach women that by looking after themselves, they are able to look after their baby.' Feeling relaxed: The breastfeeding cafe also provides acupuncture, nutritional support and traditional remedies to help restore a mother's energy . Midwife Anna Cannon says: 'During the early days it can be overwhelming adjusting to motherhood and recovering from the birth. Sometimes the early challenges of breastfeeding and understanding your baby's feeding cues can be very confusing. 'We can advise on correct position and attachment, managing wind and colic, how to increase milk supply, feeding plans, prevention and treatment of sore nipples, mastitis or engorgement. 'We can also help with identification of tongue tie and referral for treatment and advice on conditions such as thrush if necessary'. Emma adds: 'I like nothing better than to see a mother feeding her baby when I know the difficult journey she went on to become a mother and how much she longed for that baby.' The Breastfeeding Cafe is held every Thursday from 10am-2pm in Chelsea, London.

Fertility expert and author Emma Cannon has launched a drop-in service . It will cost £175 for a six month membership to join the Breastfeeding Cafe . It provides support and help for mums and treats any underlying difficulties . Each session is in a welcoming group environment with other new mums .

017d63ab3cdd37ded241a3c355e9bb24fc4ba4e2

By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 08:42 EST, 29 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:57 EST, 29 April 2013 . A new report recounts in chilling detail how the Boston bombing suspects were hoping to add to their arsenal when they allegedly murdered young police officer Sean A. Collier with five gunshots. Collier, 27, was about to start a new job with the Somerville Police Department when he was killed. Friends and family described him as born to be a police officer. Police believe the Boston bombing suspects shot Sean Collier five times before attempting to steal his gun . The Boston Red Sox line up during a tribute to victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and its aftermath, as an image of Collier is displayed on the scoreboard . 'He came to see me a couple of months ago and he said, ‘Chief, I have . a chance to get on the Somerville Police,'' MIT Police Chief John . DiFava told the Boston Globe. 'I said, ‘Sean, you owe me nothing. You’ve done a fine job for . me. I would never stand in the way of someone trying to do better for . themselves.’' On the night Collier died, he was on duty near Kendall Square in Cambridge. DiFava had ordered extra campus security in the wake of the bombings. Collier joined the MIT force in early 2012 and was reaching the end of a 3 to 11:15 p.m. shift. By 9:30 p.m. he was on routine patrol, parked in the corner of Vassar and Main streets. Collier, who's lifelong dream was to be a cop, was set to join the Somerville Policed Department . Police still have questions about why the suspects were at MIT and what attracted them to attack Collier . The spot gave him a vantage point to . see where drivers might commonly make an illegal shortcut through campus . to avoid a red light. DiFava said he'd pulled his car next to Collier's to see how he was doing. 'Just making sure everybody behaves,' Collier replied. The two men talked for a few minutes before DiFava pulled away. Half an hour after the DiFava got home, the deputy chief called him. Robert Rogers, left, puts his hand on his stepbrother, Andrew Collier, after delivering the eulogy at a memorial service for Collier . Collier was appointed to the Somerville Police Department posthumously to honor his sacrifice . 'He said Sean Collier has been shot,' the DiFava remembered. 'From the time I saw him to the time he was dead, it was probably about an hour.' Since then, law enforcement has called what happened to Collier an assassination. Surveillance camera video shows the two suspects creeping up on Collier's squad car from behind. He was shot five time, police said. Two of those rounds were to the head. 'He didn't stand a chance,' DiFava said. Scroll down for video . Honor guard: Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officers march as they depart St Patrick's Church in Stoneham, Mass., following a funeral Mass for Collier . Guard of honor: Police officers line up outside St Patrick's Church in Stoneham prior to the funeral for Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Police Officer Sean Collier . Friends, family and law enforcement officials gather outside the Church for the funeral of Officer Sean Collier who was shot dead by the Boston Marathon bombing suspects . Grief: A mourner walks out of St Patrick's Church following Sean Collier's funeral in Stoneham, Massachusetts . The suspects allegedly tried to take Collier's gun but were unable to unlock it. 'The retention holster does its job well, so perhaps they didn’t get . the gun because of that holster,’' DiFava said. 'Maybe that’s . what thwarted them from getting the gun, because the gun was not removed . from the holster.' It's still uncertain why the Tsarnaevs were at MIT or what attracted them to Collier. Boston's Finest: Police officers march past St Patrick's Church following the funeral service of Sean Collier on Tuesday . B Strong: A woman wearing a Boston Marathon runner's jacket watches as police officers file into St Patrick's Church for the funeral of MIT police officer Sean Collier . 'We have all kinds of unanswered questions,' DiFava said. Last week, the city's Board of Alderman posthumously appointed Collier to the police force. Collier was laid to rest on Tuesday at . a private funeral Mass for Officer Collier held at St Patrick's Church . in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Heartbroken: Mourners leave the private service on Tuesday for Officer Collier . Shock: There were emotional scenes as mourners lined the streets outside St Patrick's Church as Sean Collier's coffin was removed . Comfort: Priests offer words to mourners on leaving the Church in Stoneham, a small town close to Boston . 'Our only solace is that Sean died . bravely doing what he committed his life to - serving and protecting . others,' his family said in a statement. He was a Wilmington native and a graduate of Salem State University. He is survived by his parents and five siblings. The young officer enjoyed climbing mountains, training young boxers and playing kickball on a team . called Kickhopopotamus - but most of all, he was dedicated to being a police officer. Support: Young men embrace following the 27-year-old's funeral after he was killed in the line of duty . Remembrance: A tribute honoring fallen Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer Sean Collier is seen on a window of a truck . Officer . Collier impressed students and his colleagues with his contagious . enthusiasm, be it offering students rides or volunteering for extra . duties. DiFava . said on days before the service: 'Just the other day - and I still have . it on my computer -  he asked me if I would have a problem if he . approached the homeless shelter to see if he could become a member of . the board of directors, so that he could work with those people down . there and try to mitigate problems before the problems develop. Chief DiFava added: 'The kid was the real deal.'

Sean Collier, 27, was found shot five times in his police cruiser . Police believe suspects may have been trying to steal his gun but were unable to remove it from the holster . MIT Police Chief described Officer Collier as 'the real deal'

017df5c4fe1e79eb26957ff6a8b4c1e41cd966ac

(CNN) -- Rail riders along the California coast and the Boston-Washington "Northeast Corridor" are set to reap much of the benefits from $2 billion that Florida policymakers had earlier rejected for high-speed rail development. The Obama administration on Monday announced the reallocated funding, part of its push to spur environmentally friendly transportation and modernize the nation's infrastructure that's supported partly by the 2009 economic stimulus package. Fifteen states and Amtrak will receive the money to back 22 high-speed intercity passenger rail projects. Among other things, the funds will be used to improve speed and service in the Northeast, add faster rail lines in the Midwest and help spur more efficient train service between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Nearly $300 million will be spent to reduce major delays for trains coming in and out of Manhattan -- the nation's busiest passenger rail junction. Within the next four years, high-speed rail advocate Petra Todorovich estimated trains between New York and Philadelphia will routinely move at 160 mph because of a host of upgrades aimed at improving "train speeds, capacity and reliability." While billed as new funding, the money actually is previously pledged funds being directed to new recipients. Soon after taking office, Florida Gov. Rick Scott cited expected cost overruns and long-term operating costs for his call to block federal funding for an 84-mile-long high-speed rail line that would link Tampa and Orlando. Days after the Florida Supreme Court issued a ruling that allowed the Republican government to reject the federal money, the U.S. Transportation Department opened up a process to solicit fresh bids from other states and entities. It is all part of the $53 billion that the White House has proposed spending over the next six years to promote high-speed rail -- an initiative facing a chilly reception in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. "President Obama and I made a commitment to improve and expand America's transportation system," Vice President Joe Biden said in a statement. These new investments "will continue our progress toward making this vision a reality." Biden, a regular Amtrak commuter between his home state of Delaware and Washington during his 36 years in the Senate, is known as a leading supporter of federally supported rail travel. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, on hand at New York's Penn Station for the announcement, insisted the funds will "help states across the country create jobs, spur economic development and boost manufacturing in their communities." Obama said in January's State of the Union address that he was setting a goal of giving 80% of Americans access to high-speed rail within 25 years. The stimulus act has provided about $10.1 billion toward Obama's goal so far, according to the Transportation Department. "By 2050, the United States will be home to 100 million additional people -- the equivalent of another California, Texas, New York and Florida combined," LaHood noted. "We simply cannot build enough highways and airports to accommodate this growth." Supporters insist the emphasis on faster rail transportation is a necessary investment in the country's economic competitiveness. Critics contend it's little more than a massive boondoggle that is contributing to skyrocketing federal deficits while providing few proven benefits over the long term. Scott's decision this winter to reject what eventually worked out to $2 billion in federal funding for the Orlando-to-Tampa plan surprised a number of observers. This came after the Obama administration pulled another $1.2 billion in funding from Ohio and Wisconsin after their newly elected GOP governors vowed to kill high-speed rail projects that were under way. LaHood portrayed those cases Monday as relatively rare exceptions, noting that the Transportation Department received $10 billion worth of requests for the $2 billion available. "Who says America does not have a pent-up demand?" he asked. Amtrak officials note that they set a new annual ridership record of more than 28 million passengers for the last fiscal year. Regardless, the new spending makes little sense at the current time, according to Sam Staley, an analyst at the Reason Foundation, a libertarian-oriented Los Angeles-based think tank. The administration "seems to be completely deaf to the real concerns about whether this is a well thought out program," Staley told CNN. "There are so many other transportation needs that are going unfunded, including just bring existing transit systems up to a good state of repair." "I don't see how anyone looking at the numbers can say that high-speed rail is going to be a primary driver of economic growth" in the regions targeted by the new money, Staley said. "What it will do is supplement the existing transportation network and serve a very targeted niche of that market. But it's not going to be a broad-based transportation solution." Todorovich, the director of the urban planning initiative America 2050, said she believed critics would continue to target the rail initiative because it is "one of Obama's signature initiatives." But she believes such efforts run counter to the needs and wants of policymakers and citizens nationwide who want such infrastructure projects to go forward -- even if that's not true in Florida. "(This) announcement helps to restore public confidence in the program, as we see that many states around the country are ready to put Florida's unwanted funding to use," she said. CNN's Alan Silverleib and Steve Kastenbaum contributed to this report .

NEW: Obama administration gives out $2 billion for high-speed rail projects . NEW: This comes after Florida authorities reject $2 billion for an Orlando-to-Tampa line . Obama wants 80% of Americans to have access to high-speed rail within 25 years . Critics contend the project is wasteful and will do little to boost economic competitiveness .

017dff6a538bc59f61682eca12104524a26a31ee

(CNN) -- Actor Michael Jai White thinks the negative connotation surrounding the term "blaxploitation film" is a bunch of jive. Michael Jai White stars in the new spoof "Black Dynamite." "The problem I have with the word is that it seems to encompass movies that don't fall under that category," White said. "As soon as you hear the title 'Shaft' people think 'blaxploitation' and that is absolutely unfair because that film was made before the term even existed." White, the star and co-writer of the new movie "Black Dynamite," would rather people focus on what he views as the positives of the genre of 1970s urban action films starring African-American actors. His new movie, which opened in limited release last weekend and will start going wider, follows the exploits of Black Dynamite, a former CIA agent who takes to the streets after his brother is killed by the mafia, orphanages are flooded with drugs and some bad malt liquor finds its way into the 'hood. It is both a spoof of, and homage to, the genre whose films like "Black Caesar," "The Mac," "Foxy Brown," and "Superfly" have developed a cult following over the years. "Black Dynamite" caught the eye of Sony Pictures at the Sundance Film Festival and the studio acquired the rights to distribute the film. A viral marketing campaign helped whip up anticipation for the movie, which also features former late-night talk show host Arsenio Hall and "In Living Color" cast member Tommy Davidson as pimps. Director Scott Sanders said he has always been fascinated by the fact that while blaxploitation really only grabbed hold of the industry for about five years during the early 1970s, it was so influential. "It was such an extreme genre with the look and the music and there were really no boundaries or rules," he said. "It's always been a fascination for me given how much it influenced hip-hop, black culture and culture as a whole, given the brevity." White, best known for his roles in the films "Spawn" and Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married," said he is a huge fan of blaxploitation films and views his movie as a loving send-up. While he is aware that some of the films were unintentionally funny with their low-budget gaffes -- such as the appearance of mic booms in some scenes -- and their stereotypes, White said the genre is a valued part of the movie industry's history. "These movies really saved Hollywood because the studio system was in trouble and they learned that they had a cash cow with these films," he said. "Later they exploited it by making any movie and throwing the term 'black' in front of it and that's what made it exploitive." They also gave African-American actors a chance to work and reflected a people's pride following the gains of the civil rights era. Laurence Washington, managing editor and co-publisher of Blackflix.com, said the movies helped young, black fans like him realize that "when we grow up we don't have to be train porters, busboys and waiters." The films instead portrayed handsome, brave and suave black heroes who always got the girl, Washington said. "When the blaxploitation films came out in the '70s, black audiences had never had action film heroes they could identify with," he said. "[The movies] also opened the door for today's black actors and directors to enter the mainstream." Darius James, author of "That's Blaxploitation!: Roots of the Baadasssss 'Tude (Rated X by an All-Whyte Jury)," said blaxploitation films were like any other film that appeal to a specific audience, such as the indie movies of Roger Corman and Russ Meyer. James said he grew up seeing civil rights workers beaten and hosed on television and the movies came out time when there was a sense of defiance and resistance against the marginalization of African-Americans. "These films, black exploitation films, reflected that spirit," James said. White said he wishes there were more action films starring black actors these days. The films of the past were fearless and about true emotion, he said. "The 'black is beautiful' movement had taken off and there was so much pride," White said. "When they called each other 'brother' they meant it." "The heroes were strong, sexy and they kicked ass." "I ask 'Where is that now?' I would like people to look at our film and say: 'Where are the black actors like that now?' " Jay Potts, the cartoonist behind World of Hurt -- which bills itself as "The Internet's #1 Blaxploitation Webcomic" -- said he hopes "Black Dynamite" furthers interest in the genre. And while "blaxploitation" is a convenient moniker to lump in films that may not have always had the best production value, Potts said they were a testament to an era. "The films came out at a time when black people were learning about themselves and flexing their creative muscles," Potts said. "To me, there was a lot of fun, had a lot of energy and while it always wasn't perfect by any means there was so much life in it that I hope people take another look."

"Black Dynamite" spoofs the blaxploitation genre . Film stars Michael Jai White, who says he is a fan of the movies . Director Scott Sanders says genre greatly influenced the culture . Author says films reflected a post civil rights era spirit .

017e28482bc531ed2ba2eebe7327e8b54bbbe91e

A soccer ball kicked into the crowd by Rod Stewart at his Las Vegas concert has bounced back at the singer in the form of a lawsuit. A 53-year-old Southern California man who says he has lingering injuries after his nose was broken by the ball has filed the suit. Mostafa Kashe's civil negligence complaint alleges that he didn't expect to be hit in the face by a ball kicked by the raspy-voiced British singer from the stage during a show at the Caesars Palace resort in October 2012. Scroll down for video . Soccer fan: Rod Stewart pictured performing at the Vina del Mar International Festival, Chile, this February - the lawsuit stems back to a ball incident at his Vegas concert in 2012 . Mostafa Kashe (pictured) filed the lawsuit . Representatives of Stewart, promoter AEG Live and Caesars Entertainment Corp. didn't immediately comment Wednesday on the lawsuit filed against them on Monday in Nevada's Clark County District Court. Michael Roth, of AEG Live, said his firm had not yet been served with the complaint. Kashe, an electrical engineer from Diamond Bar, California, seeks unspecified damages of at least $10,000 plus attorney fees. His attorney, Larry Weinsteen, said Kashe and his wife were big Stewart fans who traveled to Las Vegas primarily for the concert. The lawyer said his client was treated by a hotel medic and filed an injury report with Caesars before being left with 'substantial' injuries including an impaired sense of smell. Stewart is known for hits including 'Maggie May' and 'Tonight's the Night.' The 69-year-old London-born rocker also is a longtime soccer fan and club league player. He frequently kicks autographed balls into the audience at his shows. Family man: Rod pictured with his wife Penny Lancaster this week in Beverly Hills .

Mostafa Kashe, 53, claims he has lingering injuries from the 2012 incident . Kashe is seeking unspecified damages of at least $10K plus attorney fees . Rod Stewart frequently kicks autographed balls into the audience at his shows .

017e445ca3b43c00d7252a55bc39db7fcb5fcba2

By . Ruth Whitehead . PUBLISHED: . 09:57 EST, 17 March 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 06:57 EST, 18 March 2012 . A double-decker bus exploded into flames this morning on a residential street in South London this morning - but, amazingly, nobody was injured thanks to the driver's quick thinking. Passengers travelling on Pepys Road in Brockley told of the moment the driver said he saw a spark on the bus and ordered everyone off. Everyone on the bus escaped the terrifying incident unharmed, despite the fire also causing two cars parked nearby to burst into flames, according to one eye-witness. Burning bus: within minutes the double-decker goes up in flames - but incredibly, no one is injured . The bus was engulfed in flames on Pepys Road in Brockley, South East London . Emergency services were called and . firemen began trying to control the blaze. But as they got to work, one . of the bus tyres exploded on the other side of the road, setting a car . on fire. A spokeswoman for the Fire Brigade told Mail Online: 'The incident took place at 8.22am on Pepys Road, SE14 and a double-decker bus and a motor car were both damaged by a fire'. She said the fire service received 31 calls to the incident. A spokesman for the police added: 'All passengers were evacuated and there were no reports of any injuries.' He said the cause of the fire was still unknown but they were not treating it as suspicious, adding: 'Obviously the cause of the fire will be investigated.' Reverend Sheridan James of St Catherine's Church, whose vicarage was next to the site of the explosion, said she was eating breakfast when she heard a bus passing that sounded 'a bit noisy'. She told the Mail Online: 'Then it made a hissing sound and there was a loud bang.' Double whammy: as fireman control the fire on the bus, a tyre hits a nearby parked car, causing it to go up in flames as well. Incredibly, the church and other nearby buildings were undamaged . Revd James rushed out to see what was happening. 'Within minutes the bus was consumed in flames with black smoke coming from it,' she said. 'It looked like a bomb explosion.' When she saw the fire on the bus spread to two cars that were parked nearby, she quickly dressed in her clerical garb in case she was needed to offer any assistance. Incredibly, there were no fatalities and no injuries. 'About 30 to 50 people were gathered, a lot of them residents,' she said. 'They were initially very scared.' Narrow escape: Passengers said the driver spotted a fault and quickly ordered everyone off the bus . She said passengers believed the fire had been caused by an electrical fault on the bus, and paid tribute to the quick-thinking driver. 'People were saying the driver saw a spark. He got everybody off the bus and within minutes it was ablaze.' The incident could have been far worse, she added, given that the explosion happened in a built-up area, with a school situated opposite the vicarage and the church, and many over-hanging trees that could have caught fire. 'Really, given how awful it was, it's amazing there were no fatalities and no damage the buildings,' she said.

Quick-thinking driver evacuates bus after seeing a spark, say passengers . Explosion stunned residents in a leafy south London street this morning .

017f9c53df71949ad526c6b1639d8c8c6677622b

(CNN) -- As the United States weighs possible military strikes on Syria in response to a suspected chemical weapons attack, it has to consider a critical question: then what? A broad cross-section of experts on the region agree: A missile strike could worsen the war in Syria and usher in a host of new problems. "The key issue is not the tactics of the strikes, but the strategic aftermath," says Anthony Cordesman, a former Defense Department official now with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Read the U.S. government's assessment of Syria . Most experts believe a strike would target the Syrian regime's weapons arsenal -- not suspected sites of chemical weapons stockpiles. The latter would be "the worst possible option," and could spread chemicals downwind, says Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former commander of the British military's chemical defense regiment. U.S. officials have said strikes on command bunkers, airfields or the artillery batteries and rocket launchers used to fire chemical projectiles are among the possibilities being considered. CNN asked analysts to discuss what could follow. Al Qaeda, extremists emboldened? "A limited attack could suppress morale among regime forces and encourage defections and splits," says Jeffrey White of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. The opposition would be emboldened -- including the al Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front, analysts say. "Supporting the opposition at this point would be like French-kissing al Qaeda," says Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon official now with the American Enterprise Institute. "If the opposition wins, al Qaeda will win power." "There is a real risk that destabilizing the Assad regime could enable the jihadist and al Qaeda-affiliated rebel groups," agrees Erica Borghard, author of the policy analysis "Arms and Influence in Syria: The Pitfalls of Greater U.S. Involvement." "These groups are militarily more capable than the rebels currently receiving U.S. support. " It would be difficult for the United States to target al-Nusra infrastructure as part of a missile strike campaign because al-Nusra does not operate with clear "command-and-control assets" like the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Borghard says. What do Syria's neighbors think of potential Western strikes? Syria steps up attacks? Many analysts believe a U.S. attack would be aimed largely at making a statement that using chemical weapons in the Syrian civil war is unacceptable -- and that President Barack Obama is serious about his "red line." The attack would be unlikely to severely damage al-Assad, analysts say. But a limited attack brings its own dangers. "Doing something cosmetic would be worse than doing nothing at all," says Christopher Harmer, senior naval analyst at the Institute for the Study of War. It would send a message to al-Assad "that he has relative immunity from us, that he can continue to do whatever he wants short of massive chemical attacks on civilians," Harmer said in a CNN interview. Some other analysts fear al-Assad would respond with new chemical weapons attacks. "Damaging his air force and known military installations would force him to consider his more extreme options for regime survival," including chemical weapons to quell rebellions, says Ed Husain of the Council on Foreign Relations. "Syria is now a fight to the death for both sides." More than 100,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict -- the vast majority through conventional weapons, according to the United Nations. Rebels officials have said 1,300 people were killed in a recent chemical weapons attack; the United Nations has said hundreds, perhaps more than a thousand, were killed. 'Red line' debate: Are chemical weapons worse? The United States insists Syria was behind the attack, but "there is no absolute certainty," Husain notes in a CNN Opinion column. Syria insists it has not used chemical weapons, and blames rebels. If rebels did carry out the attack "to bait America into the conflict, then U.S. firepower would be futile," says Husain. "No amount of surgical strikes on government facilities will prevent non-state actors from further use of these weapons." Bombing raises suspicion of another chemical attack . Retaliation -- against Israel? It's unlikely Syria would attack U.S. assets, analysts say. "They could try to shoot down U.S. bombers, if they are used, but have little hope against cruise missiles," says Benjamin Friedman of the Cato Institute. "The regime's forces are tied down against rebels, and it lacks an air force or missiles that can hit any important U.S. targets with reliability." And if Syria did manage to hit a U.S. target, "it would only help shift U.S. opinion toward war and invite greater U.S. military involvement" -- the last thing the Syrian regime wants. "It's easier for Syria to target Israel, but Israel's retaliation would bring similarly dire consequences," Friedman says. "The nightmare scenario is that Assad will respond by launching chemical weapons into Israel or another neighbor," says Rubin, of the American Enterprise Institute. "After all, if he hasn't batted an eye at gassing sleeping Syrians, why worry about killing Turks, Jordanians, or Lebanese?" Israelis have lined up in recent days for gas masks. But a more likely scenario, says Friedman, is that Hezbollah would attack Israel. "The Lebanon-based terrorist militia might fire rockets into Israel, as they did in 2006, in response to an attack on their Syria patrons. That could draw the United States more deeply into the war. On the other hand, the memory of Israel's 2006 response might deter Hezbollah." International ramifications: Protests, unrest, attacks? A missile strike on Syria could lead to new violence in other parts of the Middle East and around the world, says Firas Abi Ali, head of Middle East and North Africa Country Risk and Forecasting at IHS. In Lebanon, Hezbollah supporters would be more likely to attack Sunnis "due to the increased perception that Sunni communities are supporting Western-Israeli targeting of Hezbollah and Syria," he says. In several Middle Eastern countries, protests could arise -- some of them potentially violent. In Jordan, Syria "would likely sponsor groups" to attack malls, hotels, and government targets, Abi Ali says. And there will be a "high risk" of attacks, sponsored by Iran, against Western assets around the world, from India to Thailand to Brazil, Abi Ali says. Russia would also likely take action against companies based in the United States and some other countries, he says. Who wants what? Syria becomes 'Obama's War'? The repercussions for the United States, in the eyes of the world, could be tremendous, analysts say. "By intervening, Syria may well prove to be Obama's war, bequeathed to a new president in 2016. Civilian casualties are inevitable. The images on our screens will not be Syrians using chemical weapons to kill each other, but American bombs creating carnage and killings in yet another Muslim country," says Husain of the Council on Foreign Relations. There would be "real and false claims of collateral damage and civilian deaths,"and at the United Nations, Syria would accuse the United States of "illegal aggression," adds Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "No amount of spin and victory claims can get around these issues. Nothing can stop critics from validly raising every past U.S. mistake in past interventions in the region and the world." "The worry here is that the U.S. could be drawn into even more extensive involvement in Syria," says author Borghard. "This could involve a number of things, including imposing a no-fly zone over Syrian airspace and/or more extensive arming and training of rebels... This would be a far more resource-intense operation than the 2011 NATO operation in Libya and would involve greater risks." Still, "Doing nothing is not an answer," says Cordesman. "... Simply standing by and letting Syria drift into armed, violent partition will threaten every U.S. interest in the region." At the least, there should be a new international humanitarian effort, increased support for moderate factions in the opposition and a willingness to say the "U.S. will consider collective action in terms of some no fly zone or use of airpower to both protect and empower the rebels if they can show they really have moderate leadership, can control the flow of arms and support, and will give full rights and protection to their Sunni opponents," he says. But in examining the possible repercussions of a missile strike, Rubin of the American Enterprise Institute says, "There is no scenario that will end violence and improve the situation. The time for preventive medicine was two years ago." "When one side finally wins, the United States will have to craft a strategy to address a whole new set of problems that such a victory will bring," he says. "Let's call where we are now Phase I of the Syrian civil war. We have yet to see Phase II and Phase III but they are coming." Syria crisis: Latest developments .

A missile strike could worsen the war and usher in new problems . "Supporting the opposition at this point would be like French-kissing al Qaeda," analyst says . Hezbollah could attack Israel in retaliation, analysts say . Iran could sponsor attacks against Western assets, analyst says .

017ff719d49d1a22576f86a6e9a2d31d45e51e28

Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko will miss Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifier away to Israel due to a calf injury and could be sidelined for up to three weeks, team doctor Reuf Karabeg said. 'It's a very serious injury and requires the kind of treatment whose time-frame unfortunately rules out a quick return,' Karabeg told the Bosnian football federation website on Monday. Dzeko said: 'I am extremely disappointed with the news that I will miss this match but I have faith in my team mates and believe that they have it in them to get a result.' Bosnia team doctor Reuf Karabeg said Edin Dzeko could be sidelined for up to three weeks with a calf injury . The Manchester City striker was replaced by midfielder Frank Lampard during their 2-2 draw at QPR . Dzeko's absence will be a bitter blow to injury-hit Bosnia's hopes of getting their Group B campaign on track after taking only two points from the opening three games. His strike partner Vedad Ibisevic was earlier ruled out as a long-term casualty while defender Avdija Vrsajevic and central midfielder Tino Sven Susic are also unlikely to recover in time for the clash in Haifa. Dzeko limped off the pitch four minutes after coming on as a substitute in Manchester City's 2-2 draw at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday and Bosnia coach Safet Susic said earlier on Monday his team had no chance of winning without their top scorer. 'If Dzeko can't play we will be resigned to playing for a draw against Israel because we have no hope of winning without him,' Susic told Bosnia's FENA news agency. The injury will come as a massive blow for the Bosnians, and manager Safet Susic expressed his worries . 'If that turns out to be the case, we will have to mount a sustained challenge after the winter break and win five of the remaining six games if we are to reach the finals in France.' The Bosnians, who made a group stage exit at the 2014 World Cup finals in June after reaching their first major tournament as an independent nation, drew against Wales and Belgium after suffering a shock home defeat by Cyprus in Euro 2016 qualifying. The poor run has piled the pressure on 59-year old Susic, who has faced a barrage of criticism for his team selection and tactics during the World Cup and at the start of their European Championship qualifiers. With both Dzeko and Ibisevic out, Susic will be forced to field a team with no natural strikers against Israel, meaning that wingers Edin Visca and Izet Hajrovic are likely to be deployed up front.

Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko is out for their Euro 2016 qualifier against Israel . Team doctor Reuf Karabeg said Dzeko's calf injury is 'very serious' Bosnia coach Safet Susic said his team had no chance of winning without their top scorer .

018053328ef15fe469f6b1a3f8491b06e7045cdd

(CNN) -- From victims of gunshot wounds and domestic violence to common road injuries, Trinite Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti is inundated with trauma cases daily. A mother and child in the recovery room of Trinite Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The stream of patients arriving at the free clinic run by international aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres is virtually uninterrupted. Some arrive in police ambulance or via the Haitian Red Cross; others are dropped off in wheelbarrows, according to Brian Phillip Moller, head of the 60-bed trauma center. Gunfire no longer fills the nights the way it did when he was last in Haiti in 2006, but the workload for aid workers hasn't diminished. Instead hospitals like Trinite are dealing with trauma cases the public health system is incapable of handling, Moller tells CNN. While the security situation in Haiti has improved during the last two years, the public health system remains in disarray, according to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders. The organization, which offers free care at three clinics in Port-au-Prince, says basic health services are practically non-existent in the capital city, the result of a public health system marred by mismanagement, strikes and shortages of medical personnel and supplies. "The Haitian system is at breakpoint," says Moller. The private health care sector has developed in recent years, but most in poverty-stricken Haiti cannot afford to pay the fees charged for services. MSF is urging the international community to increase pressure on Haiti to improve its health system. The call comes as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Haiti's Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis and representatives of donor countries are set to meet in Washington Tuesday to discuss international assistance for the country. With the public health system underfunded and understaffed, patients often have nowhere to turn but to free clinics. An obstetrics hospital run by MSF in Port-au-Prince manages 40 percent of the childbirth-related emergencies among poor women in the city. At Trinite, doctors treated nearly 18,000 trauma cases last year. The hospital's bed occupation rates are at 100 percent and at times staff have no choice but to refer patients to public health facilities that they know are inadequate. See photos of the health crisis in Haiti » . MSF France, which runs the Trinite trauma center, plans to withdraw from Port-au-Prince next year, which could make the situation for Haiti's poorest even more dire. Urban conflict has subsided, reducing the need for a war surgery hospital, Moller says. About one-third of the cases at the hospital are related to road vehicle accidents. The group's mission is to provide urgent care to crisis-hit areas, he says, not cope with everyday trauma. Although the security crisis has abated, violence, is still very much a part of life in Haiti's capital city and poses a major health care challenge. One in five cases admitted to the Trinite are violence related. "Access to adequate health care is a basic human right and it is definitely not being met here in Haiti. The issue needs to be addressed very quickly. People are dying needlessly and will continue to unless this issue is addressed," Moller says.

Medecins Sans Frontieres says public health system in Haiti failing patients . Free clinics offered by the aid organization being overwhelmed . Many in poverty-stricken nation lack access to basic health care . Public health system is underfunded and understaffed, group says .

0181125559f8871916bf04c5f7f15dc3e42e5da4

A bigamist married his second wife on the same beach in Mexico where he honeymooned with the first - who only found out about his latest wedding when she went on Facebook. Adrian Linham, 43, secretly dated Hayley Totterdell for three years while his loyal wife of seven years Liz, 37, thought their marriage was running smoothly. He spent a lot of time away from the couple's marital home near Bristol saying he was working in Bangor, north Wales for his job as a scuba diving instructor. But was actually splitting his time and living just 16 miles away with Hayley - who he then married in Riviera Maya, the same place he had honeymooned with his first wife. Hayley's family and friends were all blissfully unaware he was already married. Liz knew nothing about the ceremony until she received a letter from her mother-in-law saying she was sorry to see they had divorced and Adrian had remarried. Scroll down for video . Adrian Linham married wife Liz in Weston-Super-Mare in 2007 before the couple honeymooned in Mexico . But after several years of marriage, Linham met Hayley Totterdell, who he then married at the same resort he had visited with his previous wife six years earlier . Liz then went online and found dozens of pictures of her grinning husband embracing his new bride - on the same beach where they went on honeymoon. Scuba diving instructor Linham even had the same best man at both weddings. Linham has now been jailed for 18 weeks for bigamy - but new wife Hayley is sticking by her husband. Linham has two children from a previous partner and one with Liz, while Hayley has two children from a previous husband. Mother-of-one Liz said: 'I didn't think stuff like this happened in real life and I certainly didn't think it would ever happen to me. 'I genuinely didn't know what was going on. I never thought for a moment that he'd gone and married someone else. Liz has spoken of the extent of Linham's lies after he was jailed for bigamy this week . 'It has completely altered the way I look at everyone. I look at people now, who I have known and trusted for years, and think 'can I really trust you'?.' Liz and Adrian met at his brother's wedding in 2000 and became an item in July 2006 after he divorced his first wife. They got engaged in 2007 and married just months later at Rookery Manor in Somerset before jetting off to Riviera Maya in Mexico for their honeymoon. But throughout their relationship, Linham would stay at their marital home near Bristol less and less - sometimes coming home as little as once or twice a month. In spite of this Liz thought their marriage was still going strong and she gave up work to look after their daughter, now aged four. 'He would tell me he loved me every day and he'd say how he couldn't be without me,' she said. But she was shocked to discover that he had been leading a double life and had been seeing Hayley Totterdell for more than three years. Liz was aware of Hayley's existence but had been told she was merely the wife of Linham's psychiatrist. Hayley was blissfully unaware that Adrian was already married and only found out about his previous marriage when he was arrested. They are believed to have got engaged in August 2012 after he proposed on the same beach where he honeymooned with Liz. Then, in May 2014, Linham told Liz he was going away for a longer stretch in Bangor to oversee exams - but actually flew back to Mexico for his wedding to Hayley. None of Hayley's family knew he was already married and he is believed to have told best man Mark Stapleton that he had already divorced Liz. After the wedding Adrian returned to the UK and carried on living his double life as if nothing had changed. Liz only found out about the wedding three months later when she received a letter from Adrian's mum, who she had not spoken to for a while. 'I got a letter from his mum on 21 August 2014,' she said. 'It said that she was sorry to hear Adrian and I had gotten divorced and that she hoped I was dealing with it ok.' She then went on to say that she had been on Facebook and seen Linham's wedding pictures to Hayley and hoped that his new marriage hadn't affected me too much.' Linham is believed to have got engaged to Hayley in 2014, when he proposed on the same beach he and Liz had visited shortly after they were married in 2007 . Neither his not Hayley's family were aware of his secret wife at the ceremony at the same resort later that year . She added: 'It was such a huge shock to me, I went on to Facebook and found the pictures pretty much straight away. 'I didn't read the whole letter - I tore it up into tiny pieces and threw it away, I had just picked out certain parts of the letter. 'Those parts of the letter are still whirling around in my head, especially the bit about 'Mrs Hayley Linham' - she took his name.' Liz added: 'I called him to confront him but he yet again denied it - I just went into meltdown. 'He totally denied it and told me not to be so silly. But that was it - I haven't spoken to him since. 'It's just been like a total nightmare. I actually remember saying this is the kind of thing you'd read about in the newspapers and magazines.' Liz has since discovered the catalogue of lies which Adrian told her in order to conduct his secret double life. She recalled how she waited at home all day one Christmas Day for Adrian to return home only for him to arrive late in the evening. Linham told his wife he was away for work but was secreting living at his bride-to-be Hayley's house (pictured) - which is on the other side of Bristol from his marital home with Liz . It later transpired he had spent the day with Hayley before telling her his mum had died in order to duck out and return to his wife. He then returned home to Hayley, describing his mother's funeral in full detail - despite the fact she is still alive. In December 2013 Liz suffered a miscarriage at 7pm one evening but Adrian left her by 7am the next morning to go and see Hayley. The love rat also tricked Liz into redecorating Hayley's second home in Swanage, Dorset - asking her to paint the bedroom, and her children's bedrooms, convincing her it was his boss' home. Liz said: 'I'd always known about Hayley but the way he'd speak of her was just "oh she's loaded, her and her husband have got more money than sense so I do as many jobs as possible at their house to rinse them". 'He even took me to Hayley's second home in Swanage on two separate occasions, the first time I actually helped him set up for a party he was throwing for her and the second time I helped him redecorate. 'I painted her bedroom and both of her children's bedrooms as he told me it was his bosses house and we could stay there if we painted.' Liz had no idea her husband was seeing another woman and believed their marriage was still going strong . Linham had the same best man, Mark Stapleton, at both weddings, but Mr Stapleton is believed to have been completely unaware he had not divorced Liz . Liz was so furious she reported his actions to the police and he pleaded guilty to one count of bigamy at North Somerset Courthouse in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, yesterday. Chair of the bench, Peter Searle, sentenced Linham to 17 weeks in prison and ordered him to pay £1,000 compensation and put into place a restraining order. He told Linham, who has two children from a previous relationship: 'The length of deception is nothing short of incredible. You have shown no remorse and have humiliated your wife.' Sue Baker, defending, told the court he admitted bigamy when he was arrested and intended to get divorced from his first wife when he returned from the wedding 'but he was putting the cart before the horse'. Linham has now begun divorce proceedings, the court heard.

Two-timing husband lived double life with wife and girlfriend of three years . He then proposed to and married his new girlfriend in Riviera Maya, Mexico . Ceremony held on same beach he had honeymooned on with first wife . First wife found out when her mother-in-law wrote to her about 'divorce' She investigated and found husband's new wedding photos online . She has a child with bigamist, who has two from previous partner, while new wife also has two children from past marriage . Husband had same best man, who was unaware of scam, at both weddings . Bigamist is now jailed for 18 weeks - but new wife is standing by him .

0182d7d55cf31fcd4e358f6466036779baff0108

By . Ap . and Joshua Gardner . A tornado hit a small town in central South Dakota Wednesday night, damaging homes and businesses and injuring at least one person, according to the National Weather Service and a hospital spokeswoman. National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Heitkamp said law enforcement in Wessington Springs reported the tornado went right ‘through the heart of town.’ It hit just before 8 p.m. Lindsey Meyers, spokeswoman for Avera Health, which operates the hospital in the town of around 1,000 people, said one patient in good condition is being treated as a result of the tornado. Scroll down for video... Hell from above: A twister and what looks like . the beginnings of another appear over Alpena, South Dakota on Wednesday . before dusk. At least one person was injured when the storm blew through Wessington Springs . Terrifying: The Wessington storm was yet another nasty cyclonic occurrence this week as summer storm systems blew through the central states with a vengeance . Funnel: The terrifying funnel formation occurs over South Dakota where this storm would blow straight through a quiet town of 1,000 . 'We've heard people are trapped in their homes here in town. Search and rescue are out trying to help law enforcement,' JoAnn Hettinger with Avera Weskota Memorial Hospital, told CNN. According to Hettinger, the tornado struck right across the streat from the hospital. 'There is stuff and debris everywhere,' she said. Meyers said the hospital only has some broken windows and is operating on backup power. She said the hospital is fully staffed with EMTs, physicians and some advanced practitioners. Governor . Dennis Daugaard tweeted that he has deployed 100 South Dakota National . Guard soldiers and equipment to Wessington Springs and the Red Cross was . also on the way. Destroyed: A home stands amid the destruction wrought by the Wessington Springs twister around 8pm Wednesday . Despair: Kim Jorgenson pauses while salvaging belongings in her family's home near Humboldt, South Dakota . Starting over: Kelsey Jorgenson and her brother, Isaiah, try to salvage belongings in their family home near Humboldt, South Dakota following Wednesday's massive storm . Ripped down: A destroyed farm can be seen in Humboldt, where two residences were damaged . Heartbroken: Steve Bossman talks about damage at Turner County Dairy North near Humboldt . Daugaard told KELO-TV he was also headed to Wessington Springs. He said the tornado went through town from southwest to northeast and homes and businesses were destroyed. KELO-TV reported a car dealership was among the businesses destroyed. Jaime Hoefert, of Wessington Springs, told KELO-TV she saw the tornado move over hills and through the town. ‘We did see at least three homes destroyed with lots of structural damage around that area on the south side of town,’ Hoefert said. Multiple calls to the Jerauld County Sheriff's Office rang busy, and calls to the county emergency management office went unanswered. There to help: South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard speaks to emergency personnel just before midnight after a tornado tore through the area in Wessington Springs . Wreckage: Damaged vehicles can be seen at Springs Auto after a tornado tore through the area . Salvage: Emergency personnel check for damage and any victims of the tornado in Wessington Springs . Damaged buildings and debris are scattered across the prairie in Wessington Springs, which was hit by another serious twister in 2003 . Confirmed tornadoes also touched down nearby, outside the towns of Woonsocket and Alpena, Heitkamp said. Wessington Springs is about 125 miles northwest of Sioux Falls and has a population of about 1,000. The town was hit by another serious tornado in June 2003. The terrifying Dakota twister came just days after a twin tornadoes devasted a Nebraska town on Monday. Around three-fourths of Pilger, Nebraska was wiped from the face of the earth when the two tornadoes blew through the town of 350. Two people perished in that storm, including a 5-year-old child.

Wessington Springs saw homes and businesses blown away by an F-2 twister just before 8pm Wednesday as at least one person was injured . The town of around 1,000 people was hit by another serious tornado almost 11 years ago to the day in June 2013 . It was the second bout of serious twister damage in a week. On Monday, the tiny town of Pilger, Nebraska was all but destroyed by two F4 storms .

0182dab1e2c73e5f6c6dc16441f76752cb8f9fa3

George Osborne is on course to break his promise to cut borrowing as new figures show the deficit rose by £1.6 billion in September. Since April the Chancellor has borrowed more each month than the same time last year, with income and wealth taxes down. The Treasury had been expected to cut borrowing by 12 per cent in 2014-15, but experts said it was 'ever more unlikely' to meet to target. New figures from the Office for Budget Responsibility show borrowing has been higher each month since April than the same time last year . New data from the Office for National Statistics borrowing in September, excluding the effects of bank bail-outs, was £11.8 billion, £1.6 billion ahead of the same month in 2013. It means that halfway through the financial year, the Treasury looks well behind the target for a 12 per cent fall in the annual deficit expected by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). Total borrowing for April to September stands at £58 billion, 10 per cent higher than for the same period in 2013-14. Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist at IHS Global Insight, said: 'The Government's current fiscal problems largely reflect the fact that much weaker-than-expected earnings growth has limited income tax receipts, along with a large number of people now being in low-paid jobs or self-employed. The figures are a blow for Chancellor George Osborne who hopes to go into the next election claiming borrowing is down . 'The Chancellor is looking ever more unlikely to meet his fiscal targets for 2014-15.' Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Chris Leslie said: 'These figures are a serious blow to George Osborne. 'Not only is he set to break his promise to balance the books by next year, but borrowing in the first half of this year is now 10 per cent higher than the same period last year. 'As the OBR said last week, stagnating wages and too many people in low-paid jobs are leading to more borrowing.' Taxes on income and wealth for September of £13.1 billion were flat on the same month last year and just 0.6 per cent ahead for the year to date. Within this, revenues from income tax and capital gains tax rose 2.2 per cent for the month and 0.1 per cent for the year to date. OBR chairman Robert Chote has warned that the squeeze on pay growth is hitting the Government's revenues from income tax despite record numbers in work. Annual pay growth has been lagging behind inflation since 2008 and latest official figures showed it was just 0.7 per cent. Samuel Tombs of Capital Economics said: 'The continued run of poor UK public borrowing figures looks set to severely hamper the Chancellor's ability to announce giveaways to address his party's deficit in the national opinion polls before next year's general election.' The ONS figures suggested that the buoyant property market was continuing to have a positive effect on public finances. Stamp duty on land and property continued to boost the Government's coffers, rising to £1.1 billion for September, matching a high in July that was a seven-year record. Revenues from this were up £1.5 billion, or 34 per cent, to £5.9 billion for the April to September period. The Treasury hoped to cut borrowing to £86.6billion in 2014-15, something which now looks increasingly unlikely . Total receipts were 3.1 per cent ahead to £46 billion, though for the year to date they are 0.4 per cent behind at £287.1 billion. Spending for September rose by 3.7 per cent from £51.1 billion to £53 billion. Underlying public sector debt was £1.451 trillion, or 79.9 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), compared to 79.2 per cent last month and 77.9 per cent in September last year. A Treasury spokesman said: 'We have seen stronger growth in receipts this month, but as today's figures show, the impact of the great recession is still being felt in our economy and the public finances. 'At the same time, we have to recognise that the UK is not immune to the problems being experienced in Europe and other parts of the world economy.' TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: 'It's time for George Osborne to admit he got his strategy wrong. Today's figures show the deficit getting bigger as tax revenues dry up. 'The 90,000 people who marched through the streets of London on Saturday calling for a pay rise understand that it's not just British workers who need wages to go up, but that's what the Treasury and the economy needs too. 'Only a wages-led recovery can bring about the boost in demand that businesses need and the boost in revenue that the Government needs to cut the deficit and invest for the future.'

Borrowing in September was £1.6billion higher than same time last year . Total borrowing for April to September was £58 billion, up 10% on 2013 . Treasury had hoped to cut deficit by 12 per cent in this financial year .

018439cc4a72c711bef718b3820c2ac89e1b3c53

(CNN) -- A 24-year-old woman in a hospital bed fighting off flesh-eating bacteria has to be told repeatedly -- each time she wakes up -- what has happened, her parents told CNN on Monday. The medication Aimee Copeland is given leads her to forget each time she falls asleep. "It's scary to her," said her mother, Donna Copeland. She asks where she is and "doesn't understand." Yet Aimee Copeland -- who has lost a leg and part of her abdomen to the virulent bacteria and may lose more, including her fingers -- is keeping her spirits strong, her father said. Can I get this flesh-eating bacteria? "We really don't see the suffering side of it. We see the miraculous survival," Andy Copeland said. "I think that's the story that's inspired us, that's the story that's inspired, I think, the nation at this point." On Facebook, he wrote that doctors have used words like "astonishing," "confounding" and "mind-boggling" to describe the young woman's recovery. The master's student in psychology at the University of West Georgia was out with friends on May 1 near the Little Tallapoosa River, about 50 miles west of Atlanta, when she grabbed onto a homemade zip line. It snapped. The accident left her with a gash in her left calf that took 22 staples to close. Three days later, when the pain continued, a friend took her to an emergency room, where she was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis and flown to Augusta for surgery. She had contracted the flesh-devouring Aeromonas hydrophila. The bacterium is "remarkably common in the water and in the environment," according to Dr. Buddy Creech, an assistant professor of pediatric infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University. "When it gets into those deeper tissues, it has a remarkable ability to destroy the tissues that surround it in sort of this hunt for nutrition," he said. "When it does that, those tissues die, and you see the inflammation and the swelling and the destruction that can be very difficult to control." In most cases, people contract the bacteria by swallowing them, resulting in diarrhea. Aimee Copeland's case was much more rare. Her wound became infected, "and the infection (ran) wild," Creech said. A blog set up by the University of West Georgia psychology department said Aimee Copeland will suffer the loss of her fingers. "However, physicians have hope of bringing life back to the palms of her hands, which could allow her the muscle control to use helpful prosthetics. They are awaiting a safe time before embarking on surgery for this." Speaking to CNN on Monday, her father said doctors were assessing "day by day, or even hour by hour." Copeland has told his daughter that one day, the family will celebrate Aimee Day -- when she will be able to breathe on her own. "We're going to celebrate that day forever for the rest of your life," he told her. "It's the day that my daughter was delivered from this horrible, horrible disease." If there's anything to be learned, Andy Copeland said, it's not to use homemade zip lines. Aimee Copeland's parents say that when she wakes up, she expresses concern about finishing her thesis. In her studies, she has focused on eco-psychology -- the idea that harmonizing with nature can be a powerful tool in ensuring one's psychological health and vitality. CNN's Josh Levs, Greg Botelho and Brooke Baldwin contributed to this report.

The medication Aimee Copeland is given leads her to forget what has happened . She may lose her fingers . Doctors have already amputated one of her legs and part of her abdomen . Her father promises they will one day celebrate her ability to breathe on her own .

01847f247e49516a04d14e5aa7e1359485417bae

By . Sofia Zagzoule . For celebrities like Cara Delevingne, Simon Cowell and Rihanna a jet-set lifestyle can make it tough to stay fresh-faced. The latest fashionable answer? IV drips. Cara, Rihanna and Lily Allen have all posted photographs of themselves on IV drips when their non-stop schedules have left them rundown. Cara admitted she sought treatment to help with a cold and Lily conceded that her hectic travel schedule was catching up with her. Reviv IV vitamin drips will be available in the UK from September. Hydration treatments will be priced at £199 and Booster Shots £39 . But such quick fixes haven't been available to the rest of us, at least in the UK, until now. From September these boosts will be available up and down the country with Reviv offering IV Hydration treatments at £199 and Booster Shots for £39. The treatments aim to help you look and feel your best. They deliver vitamins and 'wellness' agents quickly and efficiently– claiming to give you 100% of the benefits compared to 55% you get from tablets. CEO Johnny Parvani says the treatments are filling a huge gap in the . market. ‘A lot of people don’t need to see a doctor but they are also . not feeling 100%. They'd normally go to a doctor or to buy painkillers . and medicines at a pharmacy. These treatments help them get back to . feeling their best again and cut out the middle man.’ Celebrity fans: Lily Allen posted this image of her having an IV drip on her Instagram account in May . Kelly Osbourne joined the celebrity trend in June . Rita Ora posted her IV drip picture just before filming her latest video in March (left) and Rhianna is a veteran to the trend posting her pic way back in June 2012 (right) Sarah Lomas Vice President of Operations at Reviv says getting one of . the shots in America changed her life and motivated her to set up the . business. ‘I just kept thinking, when can I get this again and how? I was travelling all the time and exhausted. My life changed that day.' On the menu for UK customers will be a choice of five IV . Hydration Wellness options and three booster shots. The Hydromax, favoured by athletes, delivers 2 to 4 litres of saline to aid peak hydration; Ultraviv, a recovery infusion to ward of pain and nausea – i.e a hangover or jet lag; Vitaglow an anti-ageing infusion and Royal Flush, a deluxe treatment combining Ultraviv and Megaboost. The shots are B-12, Glutathione and Slimboost, which claims to rev up the metabolism and aid weight loss of up to 4lb in a week . alongside healthy eating and exercise. There's a sense of excitement amongst my fellow guinea pigs (including Towie's Amy Childs) as we prepare for our IVs. We've heard whispers of the wondrous benefits – lose weight, boost immunity, cure a hangover, overcome jet lag. Some claim the drips have banished all illness for more than a year – others say friends got pregnant soon after having one. Writer Sophia Zagzoule tries the celebrity the Reviv IV drip for Femail. The drips work by delivering vitamins and 'wellness' agents quickly and efficiently . So I'm excited. Leading up to this I've worked and partied a little too hard. Unrelated, I've also been diagnosed with Costochondritis, a painful chest condition. London's in the grip of a sweltering, sleep-preventing heatwave. I'm probably even feeling a tiny bit like Rihanna, Miley and Lily do. On the table in front of me lie my potential saviours. A selection consisting of five IV Hydration Wellness options and three booster shots.  I'm advised to go for the Megaboost infusion that contains B vitamins, anti-ageing Glutathione and an energy booster. I'm nervous. I've never been on a drip before. Tellingly, I've told my mother nothing about this as it would only have worried her. But I'm reassured by Reviv's medical approach (they have four physicians on the board). These days in Las Vegas, ‘party buses' offer IVs to revellers in need of a quick fix. Reviv is nothing like this. I have a consultation with CEO Johnny Parvani who takes me through a detailed health check.I still feel slightly nauseous as my skin is pricked and then it's in. It's at this point I learn that I have small veins – so rather than taking 30 minutes for the goodness to filter into my blood stream (the average time), it takes an hour, pretty unusual. It feels cool – as in cold, not because I feel like Rihanna although that probably helps - because the fluid is below body temperature. I'd arrived with a headache, which disappears about half way through. When it ends I'm left feeling very clear-headed, the way you feel when you've put in brand new contact lenses with a new, sharper prescription. I feel, in essence, very alert. Fans at the launch talked about the IV drip's benefits lasting for days – weeks – months even. About it helping them stay healthy and ward off colds and flu. I'm hoping it will see me through another tough week of work, and perhaps I'll learn my lesson about partying too hard. Although miracles were never what Reviv promised. - Sofia Zagzoule .

IV treatments cost up to £199 a time and take 30 minutes . Instant Booster Shots cost start at £39 . Claim to boost immunity, cure hangovers, aid slimming and fight jet lag . Fans include Rhianna, Rita Ora and even Simon Cowell .

0184ba43125db06807a3e64b64d5dbff83277665

Robin Williams was sober but was struggling with depression, anxiety and the early stages of Parkinson's disease when he died, his widow said Thursday. The diagnosis of the progressive illness was "an additional fear and burden in his life," a person familiar with Williams' family told CNN on Thursday. Williams was found dead in his Northern California home Monday from what investigators suspect was a suicide by hanging. While fans and friends have looked for answers to why the 63-year-old comedy icon would take his own life, his wife, Susan Schneider, issued a written statement about Williams' health that he had kept a secret. "Since his passing, all of us who loved Robin have found some solace in the tremendous outpouring of affection and admiration for him from the millions of people whose lives he touched," Schneider said. "His greatest legacy, besides his three children, is the joy and happiness he offered to others, particularly to those fighting personal battles. "Robin's sobriety was intact and he was brave as he struggled with his own battles of depression, anxiety as well as early stages of Parkinson's disease, which he was not yet ready to share publicly. "It is our hope in the wake of Robin's tragic passing, that others will find the strength to seek the care and support they need to treat whatever battles they are facing so they may feel less afraid." Williams had been active as an actor in the last year of his life, performing in a CBS sitcom that was canceled this year and acting in four films that have yet to hit theaters. It is not clear whether the early-stage Parkinson's disease affected his ability to work. "Friends and family can usually detect changes in the Parkinson's patient including poor posture, loss of balance, and abnormal facial expressions," according to the National Parkinson Foundation. "During this initial phase of the disease, a patient usually experiences mild symptoms. These symptoms may inconvenience the day-to-day tasks the patient would otherwise complete with ease. Typically these symptoms will include the presence of tremors or experiencing shaking in one of the limbs." Parkinson's disease "causes certain brain cells to die," according to the website of the National Institutes of Health. It is more likely to affect men than women and most often develops after age 50. Williams used exercise and cycling to manage his stress and depression, and the prospect that the illness would prevent him from doing that was extremely upsetting, adding to the depression, the person familiar with his family said. What is Parkinson's disease? Fellow actor Michael J. Fox, who has Parkinson's and established the Michael J. Fox Foundation, said Thursday that he was unaware of his friend's condition. "Stunned to learn Robin had PD. Pretty sure his support for our Fdn predated his diagnosis. A true friend; I wish him peace," Fox tweeted. Investigators believe Williams used a belt to hang himself from a bedroom door sometime between late Sunday and when his personal assistant found him just before noon Monday, according to Marin County Assistant Deputy Chief Coroner Lt. Keith Boyd. Boyd would not confirm or deny whether Williams left behind a letter, saying that investigators would discuss "the note or a note" later. The coroner's investigation "revealed he had been seeking treatment for depression," Boyd said. He spent time in a treatment facility in July, a time when his wife and representative have said he was battling depression. Media reports at the time speculated that Williams had resumed drinking alcohol, but the statement from his wife appears to dispute those reports. Williams entered rehab because of drug and alcohol addiction at least twice previously. "Robin spent so much of his life helping others," his wife said. Whether he was entertaining millions on stage, film or television, our troops on the front lines, or comforting a sick child -- Robin wanted us to laugh and to feel less afraid." Complete coverage on Robin Williams . Robin Williams: Full of talent, full of demons, full of heart .

"A true friend; I wish him peace," tweets actor Michael J. Fox . The diagnosis was "an additional fear and burden in his life," a source says . Williams' widow says he was "not yet ready to share publicly" his diagnosis . Williams was found dead in his Northern California home Monday .

018501c9c6ed4c802553d3cf2c0a4aebf5040f96

By . Anna Edwards . and Meghan Keneally . and Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 06:16 EST, 7 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:42 EST, 7 January 2014 . Dennis Rodman has lashed out at a CNN anchor after being asked to explain his motivations for his second trip to North Korea. The former NBA star started screaming at New Day anchor Chris Cuomo after the host pressed him about whether or not he would advocate on behalf of imprisoned American Kenneth Bae. While he maintains that the trip is not a political one, Rodman went on to imply that Bae, a missionary, was at fault for his 15-year prison sentence even though the North Korean government has yet to announce the charges against him. Scroll down for video . Angry: Dennis Rodman started yelling during a CNN interview Tuesday morning when pressed about why he felt it was appropriate to go to North Korea in spite of the regime's dictatorship . Looking for answers: CNN anchor Chris Cuomo asked if Rodman was going to advocate on behalf of imprisoned missionary Kenneth Bae and the former basketball player snapped . 'The one thing about politics, Kenneth Bae did one thing. If you understand — if you understand what Kenneth Bae did. Do you understand what he did? In this country?' Rodman said to Cuomo. 'What did he do? You tell me,' Cuomo said. 'You tell me. You tell me. Why is he held captive?' Rodman said, growing visibly agitated. Cuomo and Rodman began speaking over each other and fellow basketball player Chris Smith tried to calm Rodman down but he waved him off, saying 'I would love to speak on this' before deflecting and focusing on the team of former NBA players who traveled to the rogue nation to participate in what they see as a diplomatic sports trip. At one point during the interview, Rodman yelled out at Cuomo, saying: 'I don't give a rats ass what you think!' Group effort: The whole team of nine Americans were seated for the CNN interview but only two spoke . Support: Rodman praised the players that joined him, calling them the 'sole survivors' after others dropped out . 'It's amazing how we strive on negativity. This guy this leader, do [sic] anyone know this guy is only 31 years old?' The eccentric Chicago Bulls star went from praising 'my friend' Kim Jong Un to praising the sacrifices that his fellow Americans have made by traveling with him- 'We've got ten guys here who left their families... do you understand that?' he said at one point. He started off by explaining that the trip is 'not a good idea, the one thing that we're doing- it's a great idea for the world- for the world. People always come down on things I do and it's weird, it's like "Wow, really?" You got Michael Jordan, you got LeBron James and they can do all the cool things in the world but me its like why North Korea?' After listing off some of his better-known former NBA stars that traveled with him, Rodman praised the men for being 'the last sole survivors' who agreed to go with him. 'I've had a lot of guys pull out,' he said. Dennis Rodman coaches from court side as North Korean and US basketball players practice in Pyongyang . A bottle of vodka with handmade illustrations of Rodman with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was presented to the flamboyant athlete . Dennis Rodman reaches to take a personalised bottle of vodka from his bodyguard. He sees the game as a 'birthday present' for Kim and his country . Former Knicks star Chris Smith was far calmer during his talking points, saying that the group just saw the trip as another opportunity to use basketball to connect people. 'We're apologetic. We did not know it was going to take this type of negative spin,' Smith said, though at another point he said that 'you'd have to live under a rock not to know the press that was coming'. Rodman's squad - featuring ex-All Stars Kenny Anderson, Cliff Robinson and Vin Baker - will play against a team of North Koreans on Wednesday, which is believed to be Kim's birthday. Upon their Monday arrival in Pyongyang, Rodman told The Associated Press he was glad to be in North Korea for the game, though he said he has gotten death threats for his repeated visits. He said proceeds from the game would go to a charity for the deaf in North Korea. Rodman, second right, walks with his arm around Sports Ministry Vice Minister Son Kwang Ho, third right, at the international airport in Pyongyang . U.S. basketball player Jerry Dupree, center, uses a mobile camera to take a photograph as he and fellow players including former NBA player Vin Baker, right, arrive at the international airport in Pyongyang, North Korea . Rodman, center, is surrounded by media as he arrives at the departure hall of Beijing International Capital Airport on Monday . ‘The marshal is actually trying to change this country in a great way,’ Rodman said of Kim, using the leader's official title. ‘I think that people thought that this was a joke, and Dennis Rodman is just doing this because fame and fortune.’ Instead, he said, he sees the game as a ‘birthday present’ for Kim and his country. ‘Just to even have us here, it's an awesome feeling. I want these guys here to show the world, and speak about North Korea in a great light,’ he said. ‘I hope people will have a different view about North Korea.’ NBA Commissioner David Stern issued a statement Monday night. ‘The NBA is not involved with Mr Rodman's North Korea trip and would not participate or support such a venture without the approval of the U.S. State Department,’ Stern said. ‘Although sports in many instances can be helpful in bridging cultural divides, this is not one of them.’ Rodman is the highest-profile American . to meet Kim since the leader inherited power after his father, Kim Jong . Il, died in late 2011. Dennis Rodman holds a cigar as he speaks to North Korean basketball players during a practice session in Pyongyang, North Korea . Dennis Rodman meets with former North Korean basketball player Ri Myung Hun, left, in Pyongyang, North Korea . Kim . Jong Un announced recently that he ordered the execution of his uncle . who previously served as his number two, but Rodman avoided answering . any questions about the execution when pressed by Cuomo. ‘It's . about trying to connect two countries together in the world, to let . people know that: Do you know what? Not every country in the world is . that bad, especially North Korea,’ Rodman told The Associated Press in . an interview outside his Beijing hotel before his flight to North Korea. ‘People say so many negative things about North Korea. And I want people in the world to see it's not that bad.' The . U.S. is at odds with North Korea over its nuclear weapons program, and . Rodman has been faulted for not talking about North Korea's human rights . record, described as one of the world's worst by activists, the U.S. State Department and North Korean defectors. The . defectors have repeatedly testified about the government's alleged use . of indiscriminate killings, rapes, beatings and prison camps holding as . many as 120,000 people deemed opponents of authoritarian leader Kim Jong . Un, the third generation of his family to rule. Hall of Fame athlete Rodman called Kim a 'friend for life' and is expected to play basketball for him as a birthday gift . Horseplay: Dennis Rodman on Kim Jong Un's steed last year . The U.S. players are to compete in an exhibition game against a North Korean team on Wednesday, Kim's birthday. ‘Somehow we have to get along, and no matter what disagreements or what discrepancy we have in life,’ Rodman said. ‘It's . like saying: Why do we have the Olympics? When everyone one comes . together in the Olympics, there's no problems. That's what I'm doing. That's all I'm doing.’ The fact that Rodman has developed a friendship with Kim Jong Un will seem surreal to many. A . picture surfaced on Monday of the former basketball player riding the . tyrant’s horse last summer, which makes the relationship seem even more . bizarre.

Dennis Rodman screamed at a CNN anchor during a Tuesday morning interview about his second trip to North Korea . Went on to imply that imprisoned American Kenneth Bae may be at fault for his 15-year sentence but did not say why; the missionary's charges have never been announced by North Korean authorities . Defectors have repeatedly testified . about North Korea's indiscriminate killings, rapes, . beatings and prison camps . Rodman brought nine former NBA stars with him during this trip to play in an exhibition game for 'my friend' Kim Jong Un on his birthday .

018544e74130a4d6da4f1a76583ee1a846e94fd3

Washington (CNN) -- Online travel company Orbitz was fined $50,000 Monday by the Department of Transportation for failing to properly disclose baggage fees on its website. In announcing the fine, the DOT said it had ordered Orbitz to immediately fix the problem to avoid further fines. The agency alleged that Orbitz failed to "clearly and prominently" inform travelers about potential baggage fees during the airline ticket purchasing process, and in doing so, violated a new rule intended to make airline fees more transparent. "The Department adopted its rules on baggage fees to ensure that consumers have complete and accurate information about how much they will have to pay when they book a flight, and we will continue to take enforcement action when carriers and ticket agents fail to comply with our rules," Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood said in a statement. While admitting that Orbitz did, in fact, post the fees online, Lahood and the DOT took issue with where the notice was placed. The agency alleged that customers were forced to scroll to the bottom of the web page to see the cost of checking their baggage. Tim Enstice, Orbitz communications manager, told CNN: "As the order acknowledges, we promptly corrected how we displayed airline baggage fee information to be consistent with DOT's preference. We are not aware of any consumer confusion, complaints or deception over this issue, but settled the case to avoid the costs of litigation." The rule went into place in January and mandates carriers and ticket agents disclose up-front any baggage fees passengers may have to pay in addition to the ticket price. In June, the DOT fined Mexican airline Volaris $130,000 for violating the same rule. Go to CNN.com's Travel page for tips and armchair getaways . Does Orbitz steer Mac users to pricier hotels? 10 of the world's top airport lounges . Potential FAA cuts could produce hassles for fliers .

The DOT fines Orbitz for failing to properly disclose baggage fees on its website . Customers had to scroll to the bottom of the page to find baggage fees, the DOT says . Orbitz says it has corrected its site "to be consistent with DOT's preference" "We are not aware of any consumer confusion, complaints or deception," Orbitz says .

01857dc92760b74c9ec601848dc79fb3e49a52d1

A wealthy and very brave Kurdish businessman is building his own to-scale replica of the White House just 62 miles from ISIS controlled territory. Worth upwards of $17 million, the approximation of 1600 Pennyslvania Avenue is the dream of Shihab N. Shihab, 58, who calls his would-be home, a bastion of 'beauty and simplicity' - although ISIS might call it 'target number one'. Currently taking shape in Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Iraqi region of Kurdistan, Shihab's White House is decked with 21-carat gold leaf on the banisters and Greek marble columns at the entrance. Good enough for Obama: The Kurdish businessman building his own version of the White House is spending upwards of $17 million on it . 'I get to keep my bedroom for the rest of my life while Obama has to vacate it when his term ends,' said Shihab, 58, to Bloomberg News last week. The home will be completed in four months and is taking shape in a part of Erbil that has been likened to Dubai for its booming real estate presence. A buyer offered to purchase the replica for $17 million, but Shihab refused. Undeterred by the barbaric fighting raging just one half hours drive away in ISIS controlled terriroty. 'It's not finished yet completely, there's no furniture and the interior construction still needs to be done,' said Tony Hozeph, a local property developer to ABC News. Not 1600 Pennyslvania Avenue: The acreage of the property is in Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan - one hour from ISIS controlled territory . So close: Erbil or Irbil is just one hour from ISIS controlled territory and has been saved from the barbaric Islamic State by US airstrikes . While security concerns remain, the intervention of the US Air Force seems to have deterred ISIS from be able to attack Kurdistan. Shihab meanwhile is confident his 3,000-square-meter, three story White House will be the toast of Erbil once it is finished. It has a 140-square-meter bedroom, five bathrooms and like the real White House its own private movie theater. However, there is one thing that the Kurdish White House will have that Obama does not. A Turkish bath.....'They don't have one in the White House,' said Shihab.

Kurdish businessman building his White House in capital, Erbil . The three-story home will be completed in four months . Is three stories high and is decked out in gold-leaf and marble fittings .

0185ee15bf61b29397e201a0be77faeb184fb230

Heartbroken: Danielle Deaver is fighting against the abortion law which left her no option but to give birth at 22 weeks to a baby girl who died just fifteen minutes later . Nebraska’s new abortion law forced one woman to give birth to her terminally ill, premature baby who she then helplessly held dying in her arms. Danielle Deaver gave birth to one pound, ten ounce Elizabeth last December and could do nothing but hold and comfort the baby with her husband, Robb, as the newborn struggled to breath and died fifteen agonizing minutes later. Deaver rushed to hospital when her . waters broke at only 22 weeks into the pregnancy but doctors told the couple that . their baby had almost no chance of surviving. They . explained that a lack of fluid would cause muscle tissues to shorten, . affecting the baby's developing lungs. They would likely never develop . beyond the 22-week point and the baby would not be able to breathe. With this heartbreaking information the couple decided to have an abortion to avoid the baby going through any pain. However a new law in Nebraska, the . only one of its kind in America, bars abortion at 20 weeks except in . specific situations when the mother’s life is in immediate danger. The . Deavers did not qualify and were not allowed to have an abortion. Instead they were sent home where they had to wait for ten days knowing . that when their baby arrived she had no chance of surviving. After . the days of waiting Deaver gave birth to Elizabeth and held her as she . struggled for breath and died fifteen minutes later. Now the couple, who had wanted a sibling for their son, are fighting against the law to try and prevent anyone going through the same ordeal. Agony: Banned from having an abortion the couple waited for ten agonizing days before Danielle could give birth to their baby who they already knew would not survive . The law, which took effect last October, is based on the disputed argument that a baby’s nerves are developed enough to feel pain at the 20 week stage. In a letter urging Governor Jan Brewer to veto the bill which which bans abortions after 20 weeks Danielle Deaver,34, of Grand Island, described the pain of waiting to give birth to a baby she knew would die. 'While we waited, we tried to pray, but we didn't know what to pray for.  So we spent our days and nights telling our daughter how much we loved her, how sorry we were, and how we wished we could do something different. 'There are no words for how awful the 10 days were from the moment my water broke to the day my daughter died. There are no words for the heart break that cut deeper every time she moved inside of me for those 10 days,' she wrote. Ruth Nash, 34, was pregnant with twins when her waters broke 18 weeks early. She was told her babies had a zero chance of survival and soon after lost her daughter Matilda. However, the mother from the Isle of Wight managed to delay giving birth to her son Stanley for three weeks by lying with her feet elevated in a hospital bed. Her precious son was born at just over 24weeks weighing a tiny 1lb - less than a bag of sugar. Surgeons performed several operations on Stanley including fixing a hole in his heart. Six months later, Stanley is healthy and showing no signs of his traumatic birth. The standard of viability, based on the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 landmark decision in Roe v. Wade, is generally considered to be between 22 and 24 weeks. 'The outcome of my pregnancy, that choice was made by God. I feel like how to handle the end of my pregnancy, that choice should have been mine, and it wasn't because of a law,' Deaver told The Register. And the couple believe that the new law doesn’t take into account individual circumstances like their own. Julie Schmit-Albin, who heads Nebraska Right to Life, believes the tragic outcome was still better than an abortion. 'We acknowledge the tragedy that occurs with a poor prenatal diagnosis for the baby. But isn't it more humane for the baby to die in a loving manner with comfort care and in the arms of her parents than by the intentional painful death through abortion?' Deaver believes that such a decision should belong to her and her husband. 'It was very frustrating and added to our grief because the waiting compounded everything,' she said.

Danielle Deaver, 34, wanted an abortion after doctors told her that her baby had no chance of surviving when her waters broke at 22 weeks . A new law in Nebraska which dictates that you cannot have an abortion after 20 weeks meant Deaver had no choice but to have her baby . With her husband, Robb, the couple waited ten days until she was able to give birth to baby Elizabeth . The couple cradled and comforted their baby for 15 minutes before she died .

0185f071f72ba052f1aee17764cfec1a9c23f7fc

By . Becky Evans . A passenger jet was forced to make an emergency landing after a mysterious mid-air collision with a 'foreign object' at 26,000ft severely dented its nose cone. The front of the Air China Boeing 757 had been pushed in and scratches and scraped paintwork  were clearly visible when it landed. The plane was climbing over China when a large bang was heard from the front of aircraft. Pictures of the Air China jet show the damage the mysterious mid-air collision caused to its nose cone after . The pilot said the aircraft was struggling to perform and he immediately called air traffic controllers, according to reports. He was then allowed him to return to the airport. Experts said investigations into the suspected crash have raised suspicions that the aircraft was hit by a 'foreign object'. However, they do not believe it was caused by a bird strike as no blood or feathers were visible on the dented nose cone. The damage was only spotted when the plane, which was travelling from Chengdu to Guangzhou, safely landed. The dented nose cone has caused speculation online that the aircraft hit a UFO as it flew over China . The pictures have prompted online speculation that it was caused by a UFO or a drone strike. Other theories posted on the Aviation Herald include pressure from rapidly heated and expanded air. Former government UFO investigator Nick Pope told The Sun that an examination of the nose cone should reveal what hit it. He said traces of whatever collided with the aircraft should be visible. However, he questioned whether the 'secretive' Chinese would reveal the cause. Mr Pope told The Sun: 'Cases like this show that whatever people believe about UFOs, there are serious air safety issues here. 'MoD and CAA files contain dozens of reports of near misses between UFOs and commercial aircraft. 'It's only a matter of time before there's a catastrophe.' The Air China Boeing 757 (similar to the one pictured) was forced to make an emergency landing . No one was hurt in the mysterious incident. Last week, it emerged that three passenger jet pilots saw UFOs . above Britain's Scientology headquarters on their approach to Gatwick . Airport. A report revealed that they each saw 'two flat, silver discs', with some flying within 100ft. Air traffic control then spotted six UFOs on their radars before they suddenly disappeared. The encounter, which was probed by the UK Airprox Board, happened on December 30 just before 9am over the Scientology headquarters in East Grinstead, Sussex.

The Air China Boeing 757 was forced to make emergency landing . It landed with a severely dented and scratched nose cone . Pilot heard a large bang and then the plane 'struggled to perform'

0186672dc20879426a9e5b75923550b2d20283b0

Experts have used a radical new satellites to capture unique psychedelic images of the ruptures in the Earth's crust caused by the Napa earthquake. Radar images from the UK's Sentinel-1A satellite have been used to map the biggest earthquake that has shaken northern California in 25 years. The images reveal the rupture is larger than previously thought. By processing two Sentinel-1A images, which were acquired on 7 August and 31 August 2014 over this wine-producing region, an interferogram was generated. The two round shapes around Napa valley, which are visible in the central part of the image, show how the ground moved during the quake. The satellite uses a technique called 'Synthetic aperture radar interferometry'. This uses two or more satellite radar images of the same area are combined to detect large-scale surface changes. Small changes on the ground modify the reflected radar signal and lead to rainbow-coloured fringes in the 'interferogram'. Each colour cycle corresponds to a deformation of 28 mm deformation. The maximum deformation is more than 10 cm, and an area of about 30x30 km was affected significantly. Yngvar Larsen from Norway's Northern Research Institute and Petar Marinkovic from PPO.labs in the Netherlands processed this new interferogram from two images: one that Sentinel-1A acquired on 7 August, the day the satellite reached its operational orbit, and another captured on 31 August. It clearly confirms that part of the West Napa Fault system was responsible for the 6.0 earthquake that rocked California's wine-producing region. However, the fault had not been identified as being particularly hazardous prior to the quake that hit on 24 August. Importantly, the extent of the ground deformation in the interferogram shows that the fault slip continues further north than the extent of the rupture mapped at the surface. Sharp lines in the interferogram show minor movements on other faults, such as the part of the West Napa Fault system that crosses Napa airport. The maximum deformation is more than 10 cm, and an area of about 30x30 km was affected significantly. Austin Elliott, a PhD student at the University of California Davis, is one of the team mapping the earthquake rupture on the ground. Researchers have also been on the ground to examine the damage to the local area . He said, 'The data from satellites are invaluable for completely identifying the surface break of the earthquake – deformation maps from satellite imagery guide us to places where rupture has not yet been mapped.' Tim Wright, from University of Leeds said, 'This successful demonstration of Sentinel-1A marks the beginning of a new era for our ability to map earthquakes from space. 'COMET scientists are building a system that will provide these results routinely for all continental earthquakes, as well as mapping the slow warping of the ground surface that leads to earthquakes.' Sentinel-1A passes over the same spot on the ground every 12 days. However, once its identical twin, Sentinel-1B, is launched in 2016, this will be cut to just six days, so that changes can be mapped even faster .

Confirms West Napa Fault system was responsible for the 6.0 earthquake . Reveals area of about 30x30 km was affected significantly . Fault slip continues further north than previously thought . system set to be used to monitor all future earthquakes .

0186a4e9ef5cd3d4b50d6592b85aaf3d769530dd

Graham Alexander led Fleetwood to a Sky Bet League Two play-off final at Wembley and then challenged them to make history by achieving their sixth promotion in 10 seasons. The Cod Army, reformed for the second time in 1997, beat York 1-0 on aggregate - following Friday night's 0-0 draw at Highbury - and now have the chance to enter uncharted waters by reaching the third tier of English football. That is where the likes of Preston, who Alexander played for over 350 times, and Sheffield United will be competing next season but the ambitious outfit from the north-west coast have the financial backing befitting a club at such a level. One more step: Graham Alexander has challenged his Fleetwood side to earn their sixth promotion in 10 seasons . Special day: Jon Parkin is congratulated by fans after helping Fleetwood to the League Two play-off final . After missing out on a top-three spot, Fleetwood now have the chance to join promoted sides Chesterfield, Scunthorpe and Rochdale in League One, a berth Alexander insists they deserve. 'I'm really happy - to get to Wembley is the next step that we wanted to take, it's not the goal, it's not the target, but it's the next step,' the former Scotland international said. 'York made it hard for us for at nil-nil. It was end-to-end and a proper play-off game and we're pleased we got there.' The hosts had to weather considerable storms to record their second straight clean sheet, meaning Matty Blair's goal four days ago in Yorkshire settled the semi-final over the two legs. Fleetwood's man of the match was central defender Nathan Pond, who is in his testimonial year and has been with the team for each of their previous five promotions. 'When it came down to the crunch the defenders and the goalkeeper were fantastic over the two legs, especially tonight,' added Alexander. 'It was one for men and that's what we saw out there.' Celebrations: Midfielder Matty Blair is mobbed by fans following Fleetwood's 0-0 draw at home to York . Alexander's side have been close to glory this season and not only narrowly missed out on automatic promotion, but also on a previous Wembley final when they were defeated by Chesterfield in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy area final. 'We deserve to put ourselves in the final because we were the fourth team in the league and highest placed in the play-offs,' argued Alexander. 'It doesn't give you anything but for us, finishing just behind the top three, we deserved it. We earned it over 180 minutes against York and now we've got a very tough game against whoever gets through to the final.' Burton and Southend are the other two sides in the semi-finals, with the former leading 1-0 from the first leg at home. The Minstermen failed to find the net in the tie's 180 minutes but their manager Nigel Worthington admitted his troops gave everything in an open contest. On the attack: Fleetwood Town's Josh Morris has a shot at goal during the goalless draw with York on Friday . 'I thought it was a tremendous effort from start to finish,' he said. 'The energy, commitment - they never stopped. That's the type of group we've had and as the manager of the football club I'm very proud of them. 'Not just tonight, they've done that all season. To come away to a very good side and put on a show like that you've got to be proud. Credit to them.' Although York failed to carve out any clear-cut chances they enjoyed large spells of possession and territorial advantage, yet came up short against a resolute home defence led by Pond. Worthington continued: 'There were many half chances tonight when the ball was in and around the box but it's just got to fall to you. Sometimes you've got to make that; that's about better finishing and being sharper. But Fleetwood are a good side and I wish them well in the final. 'It's disappointing at the moment but you've got to get over that, dust yourself down and get ready for the new season once we've had a holiday.'

Fleetwood reaching League Two play-off final after beating York on aggregate on Friday night . Manager Graham Alexander challenges Cod Army to earn sixth promotion in 10 seasons .

0186e9410d3bd12b8a41b61e8a59833924fed881

(CNN) -- Ferrari driver Felipe Massa will be in Brazil for his home Formula One grand prix on October 18 -- as a special guest to wave the chequered flag. Felipe Massa is still hopeful of competing in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November. Massa is currently on the road to recovery after requiring life-saving surgery towards the end of July following his accident in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix. After completing two days in the Ferrari simulator this week, the 28-year-old is scheduled to drive a 2007-spec car on Monday after undergoing a medical check-up in Paris on Friday, with governing body the FIA in attendance. Massa, who has not ruled out the prospect of driving in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 1, will then return to Brazil for the penultimate round on the calendar. Massa will become the third celebrity to wave the chequered flag at Interlagos in the past eight years, following in the footsteps of Pele and model Gisele Bundchen. Hopefully, Massa will at least have his eyes on the conclusion of what could be the title decider, unlike Pele, who famously failed to carry out his duty. The legendary footballer was looking the other way when Michael Schumacher beat his brother Ralf by half-a-second in 2002.

Felipe Massa will be in Brazil for home Formula One grand prix on October 18 . The Ferrari driver is a special guest to wave the chequered flag at Interlagos . Massa is recovering from surgery after accident in qualifying for Hungarian GP .

018777aa95cba1743c4287d32be913a1a4b903db

Reports of two asylum seeker boats on their way to Australian shores last week raised many questions about whether the claims were true, and if the vessels would be the first to reach Australian shores this year. People want answers about the fate of these boats off Christmas Island, and whether they have been intercepted, but Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has been trying, somewhat unsuccessfully, to keep a lid on the matter. Speaking to Sky News on Monday, Mr Morrison gave a convoluted and confusing response when asked about the boats - which could potentially be the first to make it to Christmas Island since December 19. Scroll down for video . Immigration Minister Scott Morrison is still refusing to confirm claims that two asylum seeker boats were intercepted off the cost of Christmas Island . 'Public curiosity is not the same as the public interest and the public interest here that I have to assess is what is in the national interest and what is in the national interest is that we maintain the integrity of an operation that is saving lives at sea and protecting the integrity of our borders,' Mr Morrison said - without taking a single breath. The immigration minister has repeatedly refused to confirm reports over the weekend that two boats were intercepted by Australian authorities off Christmas Island. One is reportedly carrying 153 Tamil asylum seekers, including about 30 children, many of them sick, while the second is said to have 50 people aboard. Refugee advocates said they had been in contact with some of those aboard, but had not heard from the Tamil asylum seekers since Saturday. There are reports that one boat carrying 153 Tamil refugees and another with 50 asylum seekers aboard hit trouble on their way to Australian shores . 'I'm fairly convinced the government will rendezvous to get the Sri Lankan navy to tow them back,' Refugee Action Coalition's Ian Rintoul told AAP. Mr Morrison will only confirm incidents that involve safety of life at sea, such as medical transfers, and has avoided answering any other enquiries. 'There have been no such incidents for me to report over the last few days,' he said. There are reports that one of the vessels may be travelling from India, but the ABC report that local authorities in India are not aware of any Australia-bound boats leaving their shores. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

Scott Morrison is yet to respond to claims two asylum seeker boats were on their way to Australian shores . Speaking to Sky News on Monday Mr Morrison gave a convoluted answer when asked about the vessels . One boat is reportedly carrying 153 Tamil asylum seekers, while another apparently has 50 aboard .

0188124e3cabfa6ac3abff173ffa58f90cc84191

(CNN) -- Images of repression and brutality against peaceful protesters demanding democracy and the elimination of corruption are not limited to Ukraine. In our hemisphere, Venezuelans are suffering at the hands of their own government. Violence and systematic human rights abuses have resulted in 41 dead, hundreds injured, and thousands detained. These rights violations in Venezuela were chronicled this month by Human Rights Watch in a 103-page report, entitled "Punished for Protesting: Rights Violations in Venezuela's Streets, Detention Centers, and Justice System." The study pulls back the veil of President Nicolas Maduro's administration and shows its willingness to go to dangerous extremes to silence political dissent. It depicts an unraveling situation in Venezuela far worse than suspected. The litany of rights violations is illustrated in graphic fashion: the unlawful use of force, violent mass arrests, crackdowns on free speech and press freedom, blanket denial of due process, and abuses in detention facilities, including electric shock torture. Employing tactics perfected by the Cuban regime, marauding Venezuelan security forces are shown teaming up with armed gangs known as colectivos to beat unarmed demonstrators, firing live ammunition and tear gas canisters indiscriminately into crowds. In one instance, according to the report, a member of the National Guard "stepped on (a young protester's) head and fired rubber bullets at point-blank range in his thigh. The shot struck a set of keys in his pocket, dispersing metal shards as well as rubber pellets into his leg." He was then taken to a military detention facility, denied medical treatment for hours, and lost so much blood that he was near death when finally permitted to see a doctor. While pro-democracy protesters are not fault-free in the use of violence, the primary responsibility for the horrifying, unjustified use of force rests with Maduro and his band of apparatchiks. Venezuela's alleged socialist paradise has morphed into a verifiable real-life nightmare. At a time when many countries in the Americas are experiencing an economic ascent underpinned by growing middle classes, every indicator reveals that Venezuela is regressing at an alarming rate. Frightening levels of criminal violence are coupled with economic freefall, punctuated by sky-high inflation and a scarcity of basic food items. In Venezuela today, the rule of law is abandoned, the judiciary is hollowed out, freedom of the press is nonexistent, and corruption runs rampant. Drug traffickers collude regularly with government officials and the free flow of narcotics out of the country poses a threat to hemispheric security, as well as to the United States. Last month, Maduro pleaded in The New York Times that "Venezuela needs peace and dialogue to move forward" -- but instead, he has delivered discord and suffering. With no alternative recourse against the crisis consuming their country, Venezuelan citizens young and old have been turning out in mass demonstrations since early February. Their courage has been met with repression, and the images flooding social media networks induce an outpouring of sympathy, mixed with terror and grief. Attempts by South American governments and the Vatican to mediate talks between the Venezuelan government and political opposition have collapsed and mass arrests continue. The Organization of American States must take a forceful position and demand respect for human rights and democratic inclusion in Venezuela. As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, playing the role of a bystander to this chaos is unacceptable. My response to Maduro-inspired mayhem is authoring bipartisan legislation imposing targeted sanctions on those individuals responsible for violating the rights of peaceful demonstrators. While designed to avoid hurting the Venezuelan people, these hard-hitting penalties include asset freezes and visa bans for high-ranking members of the Maduro administration who have terrorized large segments of the population with unflinching impunity. The legislation also authorizes $15 million to defend human rights, support democratic civil society, and strengthen the rule of law. The moment of action is upon us. On Tuesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will pass this legislation. As a nation of the Americas guided by principles of liberty and democracy, we are duty bound to respond when the light of freedom is threatened. #SOSVenezuela is a constant refrain on social media networks, galvanizing international attention to the deteriorating situation in Venezuela. The U.S. Congress hears your cries and stands in solidarity. Join us on Facebook.com/CNNOpinion.

Sen. Robert Menendez says violence against protesters has made Venezuela a nightmare . In Venezuela, the rule of law is abandoned and corruption runs rampant, he says . Menendez calls for sanctions on those responsible for violating the rights of demonstrators .

01882d6515873f5a991817406f04fa0583542f9b

By . Alex Greig . PUBLISHED: . 14:15 EST, 19 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 14:15 EST, 19 December 2013 . Three men have been charged for the November death of a 71-year-old Ann Arbor man one of them met through the gay hook-up app Grindr.Mark Paling, 19, Rikky Ranger, 20 and Richard Thompson, 19, two of whom identified themselves as homeless to police, were charged with the robbery and murder of David Edward Maurer, whose body was found in his apartment in a senior community a week after his death.Police initially believed the death was not suspicious until it was noted items were missing from the apartment. The suspects were tracked down via credit card transactions the three made using Maurer's cards. Write caption here . Credit card trail: Mark Paling (left), 19, and Ricky Ranger (right), 20, were discovered after using Mark Maurer's credit card . Police first responded to Maurer's apartment on December 1 when the manager of his apartment complex alerted them to a 'strong odor of decay,' said Detective William Stanford. MLive.com reports that the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner's Office estimated Maurer had been dead for more than a week and that Maurer's doctor signed his death certificate and noting that there was no sign of foul play. Police could not locate Maurer's cell phone or wallet, but the apartment block manager told police she had seen nothing suspicious in the building. Fatal hold: Richard Thompson, 19, held Mark Maurer in a headlock until he died . She called police 10 days later, however, when she had reviewed the complex's security footage. She noticed Maurer enter the complex with three young men on the evening of October 23. An hour and a half later, the three suspects are seen leaving the complex carrying 'what appears to be... some type of electronic notebook,' reports MLive.com. Detectives reviewed Maurer's credit card activity and discovered account activity on November 24 and 25, including charges for hotel stays, food and gas. Paling was identified in security footage as one of the three men entering Maurer's apartment complex. He already had an outstanding warrant for third-degree criminal sexual conduct. They tracked Paling and Ranger down to a house in Wayne belonging to a church caretaker who told police he took in homeless people. 'He stated he met Rikky Ranger on a website called Grinder [sic] and had made friends with him,' Stanford said. Once police had located the suspects, 'it was over rather quickly' Detective Lieutenant Robert Pfannes told MLive.com. The pair told police they had met Maurer on Grindr and 'gone out a couple of times,' but that they 'had never had sexual relations.' Together with Thompson, they decided to rob David Maurer and set up a meeting. At Maurer's Ann Arbor apartment, they smoked marijuana and drank alcohol and Thompson told police Maurer, Ranger and Paling became 'sexually active' together. At a certain point, they gave a signal to Thomson, who held Maurer in a headlock while the other two stole a .22 caliber revolver, a wallet, marijuana, cash and prescription drugs, two watches and a laptop. According to MLive.com, Thompson kept Maurer in the headlock for as long as it took the others to steal his possessions - between five or 10 minutes. Quiet community: The Lurie Terrace Senior Apartments where Maurer was found dead in his home . Thompson stated that he was concerned he had killed Maurer because his body 'went limp' very soon after he grabbed him in the choke hold. The three left the apartment, and Maurer was dropped face-down on his sofa, the same position in which his body was found more than a week later. According to MLive, tears streamed down Thompson's face as he was arraigned. The three were charged Sunday with murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit unarmed robbery, lacerny in a building and larcerny of a firearm and are being held in Washtenaw County Jail. Their next court appearance is scheduled for December 26. Police described Ranger and Paling as 'more transient than homeless,' and said Thompson lived with his father. Shelley Ripley, Maurer's neighbor, was shocked by the manner of his death. 'He was a gentleman and a gentle man,' she told MLive.com.

Rikky Ranger, 20, Mark Paling and Richard Thompson, both 19, have been charged with murder in the death of Mark Maurer, 71 . Ranger met Maurer through gay hook-up app Grindr . Police say they met several times before the three young men killed Maurer and robbed him in his home . Maurer was found dead more than a week later in his living room . Police tracked down the men through their use of Maurer's credit card for food, hotels and gas .

01886c549638375d76d0079488b1e5e6fba4d9eb

Kim Kardashian may be one of the most sought-after women in the world - but one man can't stay far enough away from the reality TV star. Retail assistant Mike Amess has an unusual phobia: he is absolutely petrified of the Kardashian family. He breaks out in a cold sweat whenever he sees or hears the famous family and says the sight of a semi-naked Kim even makes him vomit with disgust. Mike says that his phobia has got worse since Kim's fame skyrocketed and his fear now extends to the whole Kardashian family . Mike breaks out in a cold sweat whenever he sees or hears the famous family and says the sight of a semi-naked Kim even makes him vomit with disgust . The 24-year-old from Exeter explains, 'Just hearing the sound of the Kardashians' nasal voices or catching a glimpse of them on screen makes me feel nauseous and shaky. 'My hands get clammy, my breathing gets heavier and I start sweating. Sometimes, I get teary and want to retch.' Mike, who is gay, says his fear of the Kardashians started when he watched Kim's now notorious sex tape at the age of seventeen. Mike says, 'I was raised Catholic and growing up, I tried to repress my sexuality and deny that I was gay. 'Loads of the boys at school were going on about how good Kim Kardashian's sex tape was. I thought I'd give it a watch in the hope it would turn me on. 'I downloaded the video and watched it secretly in my bedroom. But the sight of Kim writhing around with her huge bum and the sound of her horrible high-pitched wailing repulsed me. 'I really wanted to be aroused by her so I kept watching it but she made me feel more and more upset. Mike's most recent ordeal saw him throw up after accidentally seeing Kanye West's music video, 'Bound 2' (pictured in the background), which features a topless Kim straddling the singer on a motorbike . 'By the end of the tape, I had burst into tears. The experience left me terrified and I never wanted to see Kim's face again. 'I have come to terms with my homosexuality now but my dread towards her has never left.' Mike says that his phobia has got worse since Kim's fame skyrocketed and his fear now extends to the whole Kardashian family. He explains, 'Kim and her sisters look and sound so similar - they're a mess. They make my stomach churn, I hate it. 'I dislike everything about them, especially their physical appearance. I don't understand how anyone could find them attractive. 'I can't stand their voices either. They're so whiny and shrill - it really gets under my skin.' The Kardashians' prominence in the media means that Mike's phobia blights his everyday life. Mike says his friends tease him about his reaction to the family and his fear has even cost him a relationship . 'It's impossible to get away from Kim, let alone her whole family. Every website or magazine you read has them plastered all over. 'I really enjoy reading the news but if I see Kim on the cover of a newspaper or a big picture of her across a website, I won't go near it. Mike has never sought medical help as he is embarrassed of his condition . 'It makes life really difficult. Sometimes, I miss out on a lot of important news or celebrity gossip because I have to avoid anything which features the Kardashians.' Mike's most recent ordeal saw him throw up after accidentally seeing Kanye West's racy music video, 'Bound 2', which features a topless Kim straddling the singer on a motorbike. He says, 'One day, I was lazing about on the sofa in front of the TV. I was skipping through music channels and that video came on. 'Seeing Kim naked, with her boobs bouncing about like that brought back memories of that horrendous sex tape. It was like reliving that incident all over again. 'Before I knew it, I was sweating like a pig and throwing up. When I hear 'Bound 2' on the radio now, I have to switch the station immediately.' Mike's fear of the Kardashians has also had disastrous effects on his love life and he was forced to break up with a former boyfriend because of it. Mike, who is now single, says, 'A lot of the gay community love the Kardashians so it makes dating tough sometimes. I've been romantically involved with several people who like them and each one of these relationships have ended badly. 'My last boyfriend watched all of their shows and kept up with the celeb gossip surrounding them. He thought the Kardashians were fascinating. 'At first, he found my fear funny and kind of cute. But over time, he wanted to talk about the Kardashians with me and of course, that's not something I was really up for doing. 'We had a big argument once when he demanded to watch the latest episode of 'Keeping up with the Kardashians' whilst I was with him. 'We had a blazing row in which he called my phobia immature and attention-seeking. I ended up storming out of his flat. 'In the end, it became difficult spending time with him and definitely played a role in our break-up.' Despite the daily afflictions of his phobia, Mike has never sought medical help as he is embarrassed of his condition. Mike often goes to extreme lengths to avoid the Kardashians and relies his friends to check magazines and newspapers before he reads them . He explains, 'I don't know how I could face a doctor about it. I can just see them laughing in my face the minute I told them about my fear of the Kardashians. It would be totally mortifying.' Mike often goes to extreme lengths to avoid the Kardashians and relies on the support of his friends. He says, 'I have to get my friends to go through a newspaper or magazine before I read it and rip out any pages which contain pictures of the Kardashians.' Mike says he is constantly mocked by his friends who think his phobia is amusing. He explains, 'Although my mates are supportive, they always make fun of my fear and play practical jokes on me. 'Once, my friend put a picture of Kim Kardashian on his bathroom door so I couldn't go to the loo all night. It was unbearable! 'Another time, one of my mates got drunk at a party and chased after me with a photo of Kim's 'Belfie' on his mobile phone. 'They find it hilarious but they don't realise how traumatic it is for me. I wish I wasn't scared of the Kardashians.' Dr Slaney, a Priory Group Consultant at Priory Hospital Woking, says: 'It is unusual for someone to have this type of phobia. 'The common phobias are social phobia, agoraphobia and fear of spiders, snakes or aircraft flights. 'It is possible to develop a phobia of almost anything. There does not necessarily have to be a well-defined traumatic experience as there has been in this case. 'Usually the main treatment is cognitive behavioural therapy. This helps the person unlearn the unhelpful thinking patterns which are causing them to get so anxious in the relevant situation. 'The patient can be shown practical ways of reducing anxiety when it starts to occur. Avoidance of the situation only makes matters worse and needs to be discouraged. 'It is important that things are done step by step. For example therapy here might start with seeing a picture of the celebrity briefly and learning how to limit the anxiety it causes. Watching a programme with the celebrity in it would be a task towards the end of therapy. 'We only have a snippet of information here. Depending on the full picture, it may be that an antidepressant is appropriate. Antidepressants are all anti-anxiety as well so you do not necessarily have to be clinically depressed to benefit from one. 'Usually discussing the origins of a phobia is not useful. It is a bit like coming upon a car crash and studying the skid marks rather than helping the injured driver. This particular case is unusual. It sounds as if the patient’s own sexuality may be an issue and it probably does need to be discussed.' For more information on phobias and treatments you can visit The Priory or the NHS pages .

Says fear started when he saw Kim's sex tape as an adolescent . Mike breaks out in a cold sweat whenever he sees or hears the family . When he saw Kim topless in 'Bound 2' video, he threw up . Phobia blights his everyday life and his friends often tease him about it . Has even cost him a relationship . Mike has never sought medical help as he is too embarrassed .

01898581a1e7b543016027b303aaf0c8d0a2cb27

By . Tom Mctague, Mail Online Deputy Political Editor . Almost 100 terror suspects linked to 295 murders were sent 'comfort letters' by the the Government reassuring them they were no longer wanted. Northern Ireland's police chief Drew Harris told MPs 95 suspects linked to 200 killings received the letters. But the Police Service of Northern Ireland later clarified the true number of unsolved killings was closer to 300. The revelation emerged during a Commons hearing today. One MP said the admission 'broke his heart'. John Downey (pictured) was suspected of the IRA Hyde Park bombing. The case against him was dropped after he produced a 'comfort letter' sent to him by the Government . Mr Harris was giving evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, which is holding an inquiry into the controversial on-the-run letters agreed between Sinn Fein and the last Labour government. Under the deal letters were sent to about 190 Republican terror suspects informing them they were no longer wanted by the authorities in the UK. The scheme was set up in the wake of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement - a cornerstone of the peace process. But its existence only emerged after the collapse of a case against a man accused of the IRA's Hyde Park bomb in 1982 - an attack that killed four soldiers. The prosecution of John Downey, 62, from Co Donegal, over the Hyde Park outrage was halted in February after a judge found he had been wrongly sent one of the letters, when in fact the Metropolitan Police were looking for him. Mr Downey denied involvement in the attack. The 1982 Hyde Park bomb attack on the Household Cavalry killed four soldiers and seven horses . When the 228 'comfort letters' first . emerged it sparked fury in Northern Ireland. There will be fears that . today's revelation could reignite the row. Mr Harris told MPs that some of the letters were sent to 'notorious' terrorists. He said: 'When you look through the 228 names, there are people in that who are notorious, without a doubt' He said 95 had been sent to murder investigation suspects. 'Ninety five of these individuals are linked in some way or other to 200 murder investigations,' he said. After Mr Harris finished giving his evidence his force issued a statement of clarification that those 200 incidents actually involved the murder of 295 people.' Northern . Ireland MP Ian Paisley responded angrily to the revelation. He said: 'I . must say, it breaks my heart today, as a citizen of Northern Ireland, . as a citizen of the United Kingdom, 95 people are holding letters . excusing the murder of 200 people. That breaks my heart.' Mr . Harris also revealed that five of the individuals who had received the . letters were under active police investigation on the back of new . evidence unearthed by Northern Ireland police's Historical Enquiries . Team. He said he did not know if the letters would scupper these probes. The Northern Ireland police chief said: 'I don't know whether they will be annulled or not.' Northern Ireland MP Ian Paisley Jnr reacted angrily to the revelation that 95 letters were sent to suspects wanted in 200 murder probes . Today's bombshell revelation came after the children of IRA murder victim Jean McConville vowed to continue fighting for justice as they gathered to mark what would have been her 80th birthday. Relatives planted a tree and released doves into the air during a poignant ceremony of music and prayer at a victims’ support centre in north Belfast. The event was held as police announced that a 56-year-old man had been re-arrested in connection with the notorious 1972 abduction and killing of the Belfast mother-of-ten. The suspect was originally detained by officers last month but the interview process was halted due to a medical issue arising. Seven people have been arrested and questioned in the last two months in connection with the murder - including Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams. Mr Adams, 65, was released on Sunday without charge after four days in police custody. A police file is to be passed to prosecutors to determine whether any charges will be pursued. Mr Adams vehemently denies any involvement in the crime. After the remembrance event at the Wave Trauma Centre, Mrs McConville’s son Michael said the last week had proved very stressful for the family. 'We know it’s going to be a long road to try and get justice for our mother, we know all these events when they take place we know we are going to go through a hard time,' said Mr McConville. 'We have been backed into a corner by the IRA and we are going to come out fighting and we want justice for our mother.' Mrs McConville, a 37-year-old widow, was dragged, screaming, away from her children in the Divis flats in west Belfast by a gang of up to 12 men and women after being wrongly accused of informing to the security forces. She was interrogated, shot in the back of the head and then secretly buried - becoming one of the 'Disappeared' victims of the Troubles. Her body was not found until 2003 on a beach in Co Louth, 50 miles from her home. Families of Disappeared victims whose remains have yet to be discovered joined members of the McConville family at today’s event.

Individuals got so-called 'comfort letters' from Government . Notes were sent to 'on the runs' as reassurance they were no longer wanted . Secret guarantees emerged after collapse of the Hyde Park bombing case . Revelation threatens to reignite Loyalist anger in Northern Ireland . Comes as family of IRA victim Jean McConville continue fight for justice .

0189c089ec3a8a3f055bb735986e7fb1902a05e7

By . Dan Bloom . PUBLISHED: . 06:35 EST, 29 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:02 EST, 29 November 2013 . A plumber has said he has been left unable to eat anything after he discovered a dead mouse inside a bag of frozen scampi. Mohammed Ali, 37, says all he has consumed is fruit juice after finding the dead rodent inside the packet of seafood from Tesco. He poured the contents into a deep fat fryer for an afternoon snack, but then a couple of minutes later he noticed something black in the hot oil. Gruesome tail: Mohammed Ali, 37, found a mouse in his deep-fried scampi - only after he had removed it from the deep fat fryer. Supermarket chain Tesco and West Lothian council have both launched an investigation . Floored: Mohammed Ali, a plumber from Stoneyburn, West Lothian, saw it as he sat down for his dinner . Mr Ali, from Stoneyburn, West Lothian, said he is still too sick to eat after finding the rodent on Wednesday and can only drink juice. 'I stuck my hand in the bag and and put it in - I was in a hurry,' he said. Two minutes later, he added: 'I saw something black was inside it. 'I thought "what the hell is that?" I fished it out and it was a mouse. I was shocked. 'I was upset and angry. I was looking forward to scampi and I love scampi.' The plumber has since been teased by his family. He said: 'I went to my brother’s party later that day and as soon as I got in my brother was going, ‘Squeak! Squeak!’”' Mr Ali bought the £3 pack of breaded fish from Tesco in Bathgate, West Lothian, on Wednesday. Unappetising: The rodent which Mr Ali accidentally deep-fried for dinner with a packet of breaded fish . After making the gruesome find he contacted Tesco and West Lothian Council, who are both investigating. Trading standards officers visited him yesterday. A council spokesman said: 'We have been contacted by a local resident regarding the alleged find of a mouse in a locally bought food product.' A Tesco spokesman added: 'We set ourselves very high standards for the safety and quality of our food. 'The product has not been returned to store by Mr Ali but we will be assisting the local authority with any investigation they may undertake.' If the probe supports Mr Ali's allegations, he will not have been the first to find a rodent in his food. In 2010 Stephen Forse, from Kidlington, Oxfordshire, was horrified to find a mouse baked into a Hovis Best of Both loaf which he had bought from Tesco. He made the gruesome discovery as he was preparing sandwiches for his children. The find led to producers Premier Foods being fined £5,500 and ordered to pay costs of more than £11,000.

Mohammed Ali, 37, was floored after putting Tesco scampi in deep-fat fryer . He was 'in a hurry' after buying the £3 packet from Bathgate, West Lothian . He complained to the supermarket chain and the council is investigating .

018a411afcc1986f4ea2c962015e6d6f0128b601

By . Sam Webb . PUBLISHED: . 15:46 EST, 13 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 04:07 EST, 14 February 2014 . These moments show an incompetent gunman being duped by a teenage college student - who used an old distraction trick from the Carry On movies to get away from him. Mugger Jason Dunne, 32, had been waving a pistol at the victim and said: 'Do you want to be shot,?' before demanding his mobile phone. But the quick thinking 18-year old reacted by suddenly pointing the other way, exclaiming: 'Wow - what's that over there?' - before he punched his distracted attacker in the face as he turned to look. Scroll down for video . Look over there: Mugger Jason Dunne turns and looks after the student claims something is happening behind him . Smack: The brave student lands a punch on Dunne while he is distracted . What just happened? As the dazed assailant looks on, the student makes his escape . Dunne was then left reeling under the shock of the blow, while the undergraduate fled the scene - with his phone still firmly in his pocket. To add insult to injury, Dunne was arrested moments later after security staff at Manchester University saw the entire episode on CCTV and alerted police. The footage emerged today as Dunne was jailed for five years after he admitted attempted robbery and having an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence. Duped: Jason Dunne, the bumbling gunman who was outsmarted by a teenage college student . One police source said later: 'It may have been the oldest tricks in the book but it certainly got the better of Dunne. 'It may seem like the stuff of Carry On movies but it must have terrifying for the student, He had great presence of mind to come up with a trick like that to get away from a man waving a gun at him.' Greater Manchester Police said the bungled mugging occurred at 4am on Novemvber 29 last year after Dunne, from Moss Side, was seen riding his bicycle near the university buildings on Oxford Road. His actions raised suspicions of security staff, who monitored his movements on CCTV. Dunne was seen to get off his bike, walk up to the 18-year old student and pull out a handgun from his pocket. As security guards called police and scrambled to the location, he demanded the victim hand over his mobile phone and even said to him: 'Do you want to be shot?' The victim fought back and during the struggle the victim ran off and Dunne was forced to retreat empty-handed. He was detained by security guards a short time later and subsequently arrested by police. The gun was found to be an imitation firearm. Today Det Ch Insp Colin Larkin, said: 'Dunne is a prolific and persistent offender who was in an area heavily populated with students in the early hours of the morning with the sole intention of committing a robbery. Dunne lurking on his bike. His behaviour raised the suspicions of security staff watching on CCTV . The incident was described as 'terrifying' for the student. It later emerged the gun was an imitation . Dunne walks across the road towards his intended victim, little aware that his attempted robbery is about to head south . Not going quietly: As the bungling thief turns to look at the imaginary scene, the teenager readies his blow . Dunne was jailed for five years after he admitted attempted robbery and having an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence . 'As the CCTV explicitly shows he was armed with a gun, a terrifying weapon that he used to threaten his victim. 'Security staff at the university saw events unfolding and saw that he was armed with a gun. Despite this they have bravely and without consideration for their own safety set out to detain this man, which they did successfully. 'They could have had no idea that the gun was in fact an imitation and this makes their actions all the more impressive and worthy of recognition. 'I must also credit responding officers who were in the area within minutes and the investigation team who, working with the CPS, have ensured a dangerous criminal is off our streets.' He was detained by security guards a short time later and subsequently arrested by police . The distraction technique was compared to a gag in one of the Carry On films, pictured .

Jason Dunne, 32, demanded his intended victim's mobile phone at gunpoint . But the wily 18-year-old pretended to see something behind his assailant . As Dunne turned, the student punches him and then runs off . The mugger was later detained by security staff and arrested .

018a8afb1be1b4ad751af352231a6b11e5af8eb9

By . Amanda Williams . Angry: Layla Daswani, 22, bought the £450 'Henry' gym bag - also owned by Harry Styles - from the Selfridges as a gift for her flatmate's 30th birthday . Selfridges refused to deliver a £450 Mulberry handbag to the £500,000 Brixton flat of one its customers because the area was 'too risky', a customer has claimed. Layla Daswani, 22, bought the £450 . ‘Henry’ gym bag - also owned by Harry Styles - from the  department . store as a gift for her flatmate’s 30th birthday. Miss Daswani, who works as a corporate finance consultant for an asset management company, said that she received an order confirmation on Monday for next day delivery. But 24 hours later she was told the . bag could not be delivered to her flat in an affluent area of Brixton, . south London, because she didn’t 'meet validation requirements'. Miss Daswani lives in a new multi-million pound Oval Quarters development, in a £500,000 two-bed apartment. But in a further email, Selfridges customer services told her she lived in a 'risky postcode'. She . said: 'I got an email through the next day from Selfridges saying "I’m . really sorry but you haven’t met our validation requirements". 'I . immediately rang my bank to see if there was a fault with the money . coming out but was told Selfridges had taken the cash without a problem . so I called customer services. 'At . first the guy I spoke to tried fobbing me off by telling me my CV2 . number was wrong but I work in  finance so I know they wouldn’t have . taken the money if that was true. 'It was getting ridiculous and I kept . arguing so the guy on the phone went to speak to a manager and came back . ten minutes later. 'I couldn’t believe it when he told me they couldn’t deliver to my address because I live in a risky postcode. 'It’s . absolutely ridiculous - I live in a brand new £500,000 flat in a swanky . apartment block in highest council tax bracket in London and can afford . to buy a Mulberry bag as a gift. 'I . have no issue parking my brand new Audi outside my brand new flat and . I’d happily walk around where I live with a Mulberry bag, I just can’t . get one delivered. 'When the . man then told me he lived in Brixton. I was like "are you having a . laugh? This is outrageous" - they’ll employ someone from Brixton but . won’t deliver there?' Luxury living: Selfridges have refused to deliver a £450 Mulberry handbag to the £500,000 Brixton flat of one its customers - because the area was 'too risky' Leila Daswani, 22, bought the £450 'Henry' gym bag - also owned by Harry Styles - from the department store as a gift for her flatmate's 30th birthday . Selfridges (pictured) said the bag could not be delivered to her flat because she didn't 'meet validation requirements'. But in a further email, Selfridges customer services told her she lived in a 'risky postcode' Miss Daswani has since spoken to the . chief operations manager at Selfridges, who she said admitted they were . 'completely in the wrong' after listening to a recording of the . conversation. She said: 'The . whole thing is crazy. If I’d gone into the store they wouldn’t care . about me buying it, so what difference does it make? 'I’d understand if it was a £400,000 necklace I was asking to get delivered to a prison but it isn’t. 'I . moved from Brighton and didn’t know much about London so now I’m . starting to question where I live in case it isn’t a safe area. 'It’s so annoying and now I wish I’d just gone into the store to save me from all this hassle.' Brixton since become a favourite for young families and professionals wanting to escape the inner city to an area of London with a multicultural, suburban feel . The area has become so desirable that residential property prices increased by 25 per cent in 2013 alone - with further increases predicted this year . Miss Daswani has since accepted an apology from Selfridges. A spokesman for the department store said today: 'We deliver everywhere within the UK and in over 60 countries around the world from China and Australia to South Korea and Vietnam. 'When there is disparity between delivery and billing addresses or the submission of incorrect transaction details, we are unable to proceed with the order and the customer is alerted there is an issue, which was the case on this occasion. 'Although there was never a question of not being able to deliver the order to Brixton, the initial telephone communication to the customer was open to misinterpretation, for which we apologise as the intention was not to offend. 'The matter was resolved quickly and the bag was delivered Wednesday morning.' Brixton has undoubtedly come a long way since the dark days of the Brixton riots when for three days, battle raged across the inner-city London borough of Lambeth. The area has since become a favourite for trendy families and young professionals wanting to escape the inner city to an area of London with a multicultural suburban feel. Ben Kaye, a senior commercial agent at London estate agent Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward said the area has become so desirable that residential . property prices increased by 25 per cent  in 2013 alone - with further increases . predicted this year. He said: 'In 2001, the Borough of Lambeth had 64,682 registered voters. In 2013 this figure had risen to 284,000 which in itself speaks volumes about the changes to the area and local demographic seen over the past decade. 'Having lived in Oval, south London during this time, I’ve been lucky enough to witness the differences personally, and yet still the regeneration continues. 'Whereas in previous years Brixton was considered less desirable and more gritty than other surrounding areas, all that has changed and there is now a definite ambience and soul that surrounds and fills the entire area, making it increasingly sought after. 'Banksy deemed it worthy enough of an artwork in 2003 and more recently photographic exhibitions and other cultural displays are regulars on the high street.'

Leila Daswani, 22, bought the 'Henry’ gym bag - also owned by Harry Styles . But 24 hours later she was told she didn't 'meet validation requirements' Then Selfridges customer services told her she lived in a 'risky postcode'

018b1c599d56aef2d715f197893d8e127b7ca187

"It's been seven years, and a lot has changed," Hillary Clinton said Sunday in her first visit to Iowa since the state dealt her presidential campaign a devastating body blow. But there was a moment in the afternoon when it seemed like not much had. Roughly 200 credentialed media were gathered in a far corner of the Indianola Balloon Field, the grassy expanse where Sen. Tom Harkin was convening his 37th and final Steak Fry, an annual fundraiser that doubles as a point of entry for ambitious Democrats curious about the Iowa caucuses. After a 90-minute wait, the press scrum -- scribblers and photographers alike -- were herded like cattle through a series of gates and escorted up to a hot smoking grill, waiting to capture the same image: a staged shot of Bill and Hillary Clinton, fresh out of their motorcade, ritualistically flipping steaks with Harkin. Hillary Clinton stumps for Iowa Democrats, and herself . The Clintons ignored the half-hearted shouted questions from reporters -- "Mr. President, do you eat meat?" -- with practiced ease. They were two football fields away from the nearest voter. Mechanical, distant, heavy-handed: The afternoon spectacle felt a lot like Hillary's 2008 caucus campaign, a succession of errors that crumbled under the weight of a feuding top-heavy staff and the candidate's inability to connect with her party's grassroots. And then the head fake -- and something different. After a few minutes, the Clintons walked into a nearby barn, out of view. Most of the media swarm gave up and hustled back to the main event, where nearly 7,000 Democrats were eating red meat and waiting patiently in the sunshine to hear from two of the most famous people in the world. A few dozen press were still milling about when the duo re-emerged. "There she is!" a television reporter screamed, clamoring for her cameraman. An early moment of engagement . There she was. Bill, too, walking along a fence and gabbing with a small army of political reporters, a chore that has never come easy for Hillary Clinton, and one she has assiduously avoided since leaving the State Department. It's hardly a shock that the voluble ex-President handled a rope line full of reporters with gusto. But the willingness of the more reticent Hillary Clinton to thrust herself into the gaping maw of the hungry press dragon signaled, perhaps, that she and her aides are eager for a fresh start in Iowa, and with the national media, if she runs for president once again. She kept both the state and the press at arm's length during her last campaign, with troublesome consequences. On Sunday, though, she gave it a go -- an early moment of engagement with the media and voters that revealed an understanding of past mistakes, but also the difficult road ahead if she takes the 2016 plunge. "Good to see you!" she told the assembled press, surely a half-truth. "My goodness! You guys having a good time? Good. We're having a good time today." Strutting back and forth, Clinton declared that it was "fabulous to be back" in the state. "I love Iowa," she said, smiling as if she were in on a joke. She entertained and swatted away a bombardment of questions, mostly of the unremarkable "will you run?" variety. "Does this whet your appetite for another campaign?" asked one reporter. "We're here to help Democrats," Clinton responded, offering requisite praise for Iowa's Democratic candidates, Senate hopeful Bruce Braley, gubernatorial challenger Jack Hatch and congressional candidate Staci Appel. This long-awaited interaction, so craved by the access-starved political press, was short-lived. Never quite at ease in these situations, Clinton milled about for five minutes or so, keeping a few feet between herself and the press, before walking back into the secure barn. The other Clinton -- now he likes to talk . Bill Clinton, meanwhile, was having at it, holding court with reporters for a good 20 minutes -- much of it with MSNBC host Ed Schultz -- while his wife, the presumed candidate-in-waiting, was nowhere in sight. Bill sidled up with Harkin and held forth with the press on all manner of topics: the '92 campaign, the prospect of being a grandparent, the scourge of outside money in political campaigns, the Arkansas and Georgia governor's races, a recent visit to Atlanta. After their futile yelps of "Last question!" and "We gotta go" were ignored over and over again, aides finally dragged the former President away. Then it was time to meet the voters. Hillary Clinton's speech to the sun-drenched crowd, more workmanlike than impassioned, was littered with Iowa pleasantries and nods to the last campaign, including her opening line: "Hello Iowa! I'm back!" She lavished praise on Harkin and, after a warm-up that included nods to her time as Secretary of State and her "constant grandchild watch," urged the audience to get behind Iowa's slate of Democratic candidates. Her biggest applause lines were about women's issues -- equal pay and abortion rights -- a departure from the 2008 race in which she avoided focusing on her gender and the history-making nature of candidacy. The crowd was firmly in her corner, thanks in large part to the super PAC "Ready For Hillary," which plastered every nook and cranny of the rural setting with "READY" signs and bused in an army of volunteers to collect email addresses and phone numbers from arriving Democrats. Bill Clinton laughingly called the young organizers "Energizer bunnies." Leading in the polls, but ... She leads the early polls here by a wide margin, but there is still fault to be found with Clinton among Iowa Democrats. Conversations reveal that some of them skew more liberal than Clinton on economic and foreign policy issues. Others want a fresh face and see the 66-year-old Clinton as an avatar of the past. And there are those who just say they'd like to see a competitive race, for the sake of "the process," even if Clinton ultimately wins the nomination. Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has been welcomed warmly during his three visits to the state this year. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont socialist threatening to seek the nomination, also drew respectable crowds during a trip here timed to coincide with the Clinton show. Vice President Joe Biden will be in Des Moines later this week. Supporters of progressive Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who promises not to run, ran a booth near the entrance and distributed several hundred T-shirts and bumper stickers. Brenda Brink drove down from Ames and decked herself out in "Ready 4 Warren" gear, availing herself to any reporter willing to listen. "Hillary is fine, she has done her duty, but she doesn't inspire me anymore," she said. "She is aligned with the banking industry. But, you know, the Democratic Party is behind her." Despite her lament, Brink said she'd received many-a-thumbs up during the day. 'This time, she will make history' The fields of Indianola, however, were firmly Clinton turf on Sunday. "She was wonderful," Sue LaPlante, a certified nursing assistant from Des Moines, said after the speech. "If she runs, she will be the next president." "Hillary was a good candidate last time, but sometimes it's what fate throws at you, and Barack Obama was making history," said Irene Hardisty, a 61-year old mortgage finance specialist from Des Moines. "This time she will make history." Everyone here -- operative, activist, politician, reporter -- has a theory about why Clinton finished third in Iowa in 2008. And there are no shortages of bright ideas about how she can perform better in 2016. But there is universal agreement from rank-and-file Democrats that Clinton has to "touch and feel" Iowans, listen to them, talk one-on-one and get outside the security and media bubble that surrounds her everywhere she goes. She gave that a go, too, working the rope line after her speech for half an hour in the baking sun, signing copies of "Hard Choices," awkwardly posing for selfies and saying thank you to the many people demanding she run for president. It wasn't a perfect show. At times, as her Secret Service detail and her aide Huma Abedin escorted her along the crowd, she looked like she'd rather be elsewhere. She ignored questions from not-so-friendly crowd members who wanted her to comment on the President's immigration policy, recovery funds for Superstorm Sandy or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Then it was back to the motorcade. But she put in the effort -- and got her first real taste of what's to come if she decides to do this campaign thing all over again.

With Bill at her side, Hillary Clinton attends the 37th and final Harkin Steak Fry . The questions on everyone's mind: Will she run, and what did she learn from 2008? Hillary Clinton is reluctant to chat it up with reporters, but she gave it a go Sunday . While she leads in the polls, other names come up: Biden, Warren, O'Malley .

018b3cfd79987414646870a077e5116e82fe088c

By . Emily Andrews . Last updated at 11:02 AM on 14th December 2011 . Lysette Anthony told the court how Mr Boswell had come home in a 'black mood'. He was acquitted of assault . She has starred in cult movies, Woody Allen intrigues and BBC sitcoms. But for 'Face of the Eighties' actress Lysette Anthony, her most dramatic role yet came yesterday in the more banal surroundings of Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court. The court in North London heard a complicated tale of alleged affairs, domestic violence, a relationship breakdown, and an apparent suicide attempt. Miss Anthony’s long-term partner, . BAFTA-nominated film composer Simon Boswell, was facing a charge of . assault after the actress, 48, claimed the father of her young son had . punched and slapped her during an argument about an alleged affair she’d . had with one of their mutual friends. In . emotional scenes she told the court how their nine-year relationship . had broken down, and that on April 9 Mr Boswell, 54, had come home in a . ‘black mood’, they had argued about the alleged affair before he pinned . her on the sofa and attacked her. In evidence Ms Anthony, 48, had said: . 'The relationship had broken down two years earlier but we kept trying . to keep things better for our son. 'That evening I came down stairs from putting my son to bed and Simon was in a very black mood. 'He was in a really really dangerous mood and it started about money and . the house and how little he would give us. It was getting heated and I . was frightened. 'He would pick me up and throw me down to the ground. At this point he . would leave and that would be that but he came back and sat on the sofa. 'And foolishly maybe because I was accustomed to these activities I sat . on the sofa with him.' She said when Boswell attacked her he threatened . to reduce the amount she would get from the joint sale of their home. 'He then used his weight against me, screaming 'Did you like it?' and . when I wouldn't answer he said - 'Right that's £100,000 off' - and again . 'Did you like it? - 'Ok that's £150,000 off. Victory: Simon Boswell leaves court after being found not guilty . 'And then I replied: 'Yes I loved it' and he started punching and slapping me repeatedly. 'I tried to get him off at which point he flipped me over and started . dragging me and I am desperately trying to hang onto the sofa. 'I kicked him hard but he didn't stop until my son came down saying 'stop, stop'. 'My child has memories no child should. Thank god he came down.' Lysette Anthony pictured with her long-term partner, BAFTA-nominated film composer Simon Boswell at the premiere of Mr Father's Den . But then Mr Boswell gave the court an entirely different version of events that followed a row over money when the actress allegedly tried to climb out of a window of their £1.7million North London home, in an apparent suicide attempt. Boswell told the court: 'The next morning we had a heated discussion about money, it was always about money. 'There was this house she wanted but it was going up and up - it had become too much and I wanted to discuss it with her. 'She was angry because it was unaffordable. Ms Anthony became hysterical. Actress Lysette Anthony: She has appeared in the BBC's Three Up, Two Down and Woody Allen's Husbands And Wives . 'She ran to one window in our bedroom on the top floor and she put one . leg and her head outside. I was terrified and I pulled her back in. 'She then ran to the window in the bathroom and did the same thing straddling the windowsill. I managed to drag her back in. 'I was preventing her from committing suicide. She was screaming and . very volatile. I thought she was going to jump - it was distinct . possibility. Lysette Anthony: Her claims were dismissed . 'She then grabbed a wine glass, which was on the side of the bath, smashed it and began to draw it across her wrists. 'I said - 'For Christ's sake you have a son what are you doing?' And she . threw it at me and collapsed sobbing.' Boswell then claims things . calmed down between them and they had even shared a 'joke about having . sex' on a trip they were to take to a film festival in Brussels. He said she was 'driven by insecurity and jealousy' in bringing the assault charge to court. Following Mr Boswell’s evidence, Miss Anthony changed her mind on the date of the alleged incident. Mr Boswell’s defence barrister then applied for the case to be dismissed and the three magistrates duly found Mr Boswell not guilty of assault. Magistrate Anthony Butler, threw out the . case and said: 'We would expect the crown to clarify the date prior to . the trial date.' Former model Miss Anthony, has appeared in the BBC’s Three Up, Two Down and Woody Allen’s Husbands And Wives. Mr Boswell has been BAFTA-nominated for his film scores, worked with Elton John and Dolly Parton, and the wealthy couple lived in a four-storey London townhouse in north London. But the wheels started to come off their relationship two years ago when Miss Anthony allegedly had an affair with one of their mutual friends. They had tried to repair things for the sake of their seven-year-old son Jimi, but eventually Mr Boswell had moved out to a studio flat where he did much of his composing. They decided to separate and sell the . family home, but Mr Boswell still visited regularly to see Jimi and . read him a bedtime story. But things became acrimonious as they argued about how much each side would get from the proceeds of the house. Mr Boswell will not face any further charges following yesterday's ruling. Miss Anthony was ordered to pay defence costs and was denied a restraining order against Mr Boswell. Outside court Mr Boswell gave a thumbs up sign and said: ‘The verdict speaks for itself.’

Her partner Simon Boswell found not guilty of assault .

018db7f5995ef1e3c7a65f617f56ba509dc69224

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have started legal action against a photographer amid reports that he tried to take a picture of Prince George in a London park, it was revealed today. A spokesman for the couple said: ‘The Duke and Duchess have taken legal steps to ask that an individual ceases harassing and following both Prince George and his nanny as they go about their ordinary daily lives. ‘An incident last week has prompted their royal highnesses to seek reasonable assurances from the individual about his behaviour. Scroll down for video . Proud parents: Prince William and Kate with their son Prince George at the Natural History Museum in April . ‘The individual was spotted at a central London park in the vicinity of Prince George, who was removed from the park immediately. ‘There is reason to suspect that the individual may have been placing Prince George under surveillance and monitoring his daily routines for a period of time. ‘The Duke and Duchess understand the particular public role that Prince George will one day inherit, but, while he is young, he must be permitted to lead as ordinary a life as possible. ‘No parent would tolerate the suspicion of someone pursuing and harassing their child and carer whilst their child is playing in a public park or going about their daily activities.’ The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave hospital in London with George shortly after his birth in July 2013 . The statement came in response to newspaper reports that a photographer had apparently tried to take pictures of the prince in Battersea Park. The London Evening Standard reported that there had also been an episode when a photographer was told to move on by police when he was seen waiting outside Buckingham Palace, where Prince George is sometimes taken to swim in the palace pool. It is understood that William and Kate want Prince George to have the freedom to experience normal childhood activities, like going to the park and playing with other children, without the threat of harassment or being placed under surveillance. It is also understood that the individual has already been spoken to by protection officers about his behaviour towards members of the Royal Family on previous occasions over a number of years. It is not the first time the couple, who are expecting their second child, have had concerns about their privacy. Location: A royal spokesman made a statement in response to newspaper reports that a photographer had apparently tried to take pictures of the prince at Battersea Park (file picture) in south-west London . Earlier this year, a German newspaper published a photograph showing Kate's bottom. The Duchess is pictured walking with William during their tour of Australia when a gust of wind blows up her dress at the back. German tabloid Bild caused controversy by running the image, with one commentator describing the move as ‘utterly tasteless’. And French magazine Closer sparked anger by printing topless images of Kate, 32, while she was sunbathing on a private holiday with William, 31, in September 2012.

Photographer 'tried to take pictures' of George in Battersea Park, London . William and Kate want the prince to experience normal childhood activities . Couple have had previous concerns about privacy in Germany and France .

018e3016e48a4aaf442a2db16d4b1143d3b662ea

Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann want to question British ex-pat Robert Murat, a Portuguese newspaper reported yesterday. Scotland Yard detectives want to speak to several potential witnesses including Mr Murat, who was previously questioned by Portuguese police after Madeleine vanished in 2007 just before her fourth birthday, the newspaper Jornal de Noticias reported. Mr Murat, 41, who has always denied any involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance, said neither he nor his lawyer had been contacted by police, but said he would co-operate if contacted. Robert Murat pictured in Praia da Luz, in August 2007. Mr Murat has said he would have no problem speaking to police again if they wished . He told the Guardian: ‘My conscience is clear and I have no problem speaking to police again.’ His lawyer Francisco Pagarete told the Daily Mail: ‘My client has not been sent any notification from any official. If the police want to talk to my client it is ok, he will talk to them.’ Mr Murat was named as an arguido – a person of interest or suspect - during the Portuguese investigation seven years ago, as were Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry McCann. All three were later cleared when the Portuguese investigation ended in 2008. Scotland Yard launched its own investigation and its inquiry team travelled to Praia da Luz to conduct searches and observe Portuguese police interviews. The Operation Grange inquiry team has reportedly asked Portuguese police to question four potential witnesses, including Mr Murat. Mr Murat lived only a few hundred yards from the holiday flat where Kate and Gerry McCann's (pictured) daughter Madeleine disappeared . Madeleine McCann (pictured left and right) went missing in 2007, aged three. The case has become one of the most high profile missing children cases in Britain's history . The property consultant lived in Praia da Luz in 2007, only a few hundred yards from the McCanns’ rented holiday flat where Madeleine vanished. Mr Murat was later paid £600,000 in libel damages by 11 British newspapers, including the Daily Mail, and the broadcaster Sky over reports which falsely alleged there were strong grounds for believing he was involved in her disappearance. A Scotland Yard spokeswoman refused to comment on the Portuguese article and said the force would not give ‘a running commentary’ on its investigation.

Police want to speak to ex-pat Robert Murat, Portuguese paper claims . Investigators have asked police to question four potential witnesses . Mr Murat has always denied having any involvement in her disappearance . Property consultant lived in Praia da Luz near where Madeleine vanished .

018fac8aed5438c95d5f29e07d721b0f93dd033a

A collection of six Messerschmitts which appeared in the epic war film Battle of Britain almost 50 years ago have sold for an estimated £4million after sitting 'forgotten' in a hanger for decades. The six single-engine fighters - Spanish-built versions based on the famous BF 109 model that fought with the RAF's iconic Spitfires and Hurricanes in the aerial battle over Southern England in 1940 - were found stored in a dusty hangar in Texas, U.S., earlier this year. The rare planes were used in the classic 1969 war epic that starred a host of international stars including Michael Caine, Laurence Olivier, Trevor Howard, Christopher Plummer and Kenneth Moore. Scroll down for video . The Messerschmitts have been sold in a multi-million pound deal after sitting in a hangar in Texas for years . The rare aircraft were used in the classic 1969 war epic Battle of Britain and have sat unused for 40 years . The filmmakers bought 50 of the Messerschmitts - ironically fitted with the same Rolls Royce Merlin engine that powered the RAF's famous Spitfires and Hurricanes – to recreate the aerial dogfights. They also bought 32 Heinkels and 33 Spitfires and Hurricanes. After filming ended, the remaining Messerschmitts ended up with Texas oil billionaire and warbird enthusiast Wilson 'Connie' Edwards. The 80-year-old former movie stunt pilot was given the aircraft as payment for his work in the film. Now, after 40 years, he has sold the iconic planes to a Swiss company, which plans to restore two of the aircraft and sell the other four. The four to be sold will be offered to aviation restorers or museums – with experts predicting that a flying version today would be worth around £1.5million. Bf 109s like the ones sold were first built and tested during the Spanish Civil War in 1937 and 1938 in order to develop and improve them before the start of the Second World War. Historic aircraft restorer Tony Ditheridge, who runs Suffolk-based Hawker Restoration which has put more than a dozen Hurricanes back in the air, said: 'This is a remarkable collection - and the opportunity for someone to own an example of one of the most famous aircraft from World War Two. The six single-engine fighters are based on the famous BF 109 model that flew over Southern England in 1940 . The planes were discovered in a dusty hangar in Texas in the U.S. earlier this year and have now been sold . The iconic planes have been sold to a Swiss company, which plans to restore two of the aircraft and sell four . Designers: Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser . Maximum speed: 385mph at 22,640 feet . Ceiling: 37,895 feet . Range: 373 miles . Guns: 2 × 13 mm machine guns and 1 × 20 mm cannon . Bombs: 1 × 250 kg bomb or 4 × 50 kg bombs . 'The original versions of this type of Messerschmitt were flown in the Spanish Civil War and a genuine German WW2 model in restored condition would fetch more than £3.5million. 'The Messerschmitt was the most numerous production aircraft of its time and a pivotal part of the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain but very few survive. 'This version was pretty unpleasant to fly but there will be a lot of interest in these aircraft.' Swiss company Boschung Global Ltd. has acquired the six planes, which includes the only surviving factory two-seater Messerschmitt ME 109. Although the ME 109 is the world's most manufactured fighter plane, there are only a handful still in existence worldwide. Wilson 'Connie' Edwards, (right) sold the six Messerschmitts to Swiss company Boschung Global Ltd. The Messerchmitts starred in the epic war film 'Battle of Britain' (pictured) almost 50 years ago . The filmmakers bought 50 of the Messerschmitts, as well as 32 Heinkels and 33 Spitfires and Hurricanes . Company spokesman Paul Boschung said: 'The deal with former movie stunt pilot Wilson 'Connie' Edwards was certainly no ordinary sale. 'It took several months and, in many respects, was an incredibly interesting project. 'The transaction was carried out seamlessly thanks to the assistance of Platinum Fighter Sales, the leading specialists in the trade of Warbirds in the US.' Boschung Global will now restore the aircraft to original factory condition before selling them on.

Six Messerschmitts from 'Battle of Britain' sold in multi-million pound deal . Aircraft featured in 1969 war epic and have now been sold to a Swiss firm . They were sold by U.S. former movie stunt pilot Wilson 'Connie' Edwards . Rare planes have been sat in a Texas hangar unused for the last 40 years .

0190007c4b6f095d97e5d734d077a089d77b381b

The new sheriff of a Wyoming county has banned his deputies from wearing cowboy hats and boots, a change that led one longtime deputy to retire rather than give up his Western attire. Sublette County Sheriff Stephen Haskell imposed the new dress code across his patch that includes Pinedale, which True West magazine recently named one of its 'top ten' true Western towns. Haskell is requiring deputies to wear black trousers, a tan shirt, black boots and a black ball cap, saying the change is for safety and uniformity. Fond farewell: Cowboy boots and hats have been banned at one police office in Wyoming - the uniform change led Gene Bryson to retire last Friday after 28 years with the department . 'I'm very much for the Western way of life and the look. And that's the way I dress,' Haskell told the Casper Star-Tribune. 'However, for a professional outfit . . . I like everybody to look the same. We are one team unified in one purpose. That is to do our job.' Haskell, 53, who has worked in law enforcement for three years, also argues that cowboy boots are slippery on ice and cowboy hats can blow away in Wyoming's blustery wind. The change led Deputy Gene Bryson to retire last Friday after 28 years with the department and about 40 years total in law enforcement. His uniform included a brown cowboy hat, brown cowboy boots and a leather vest in the summer or a wool vest in the winter. The uniform change is 'kind of the reason why I retired,' Bryson, 70, told the newspaper. Old school style: Bryson’s Old West look was so popular in town that tourists would often ask for pictures . All change: Bryson stands with members of the department, who appear wearing the new uniform consisting of black shirts and baseball caps . 'I am not going to change. I've been here for 40-odd years in the sheriff's office, and I'm not going to go out and buy combat boots and throw my vest and hat away and say, 'This is the new me.'" Bryson was born and raised on a ranch in Montana and has worked on ranches in Colorado and Wyoming. He went into law enforcement in 1974. 'And I've had a cowboy hat on since 19,' Bryson said. 'That's what looks good to me in the sheriff's department. It's Western. It's Wyoming.' Bryson’s Old West look was so popular in town that tourists would often ask for pictures. The retiree now plans to spend more time with his wife and grandchildren. He will also commit fully to his gun shop business in Marbleton, which he has run on a part-time basis for many years. He fondly described his time in the forces as 'one hell of a ride.'

New Sublette County Sheriff Stephen Haskell imposed the change in dress code last month . The change led Deputy Gene Bryson to retire last Friday after 28 years with the department and about 40 years total in law enforcement . 'I've had a cowboy hat on since 19. That's what looks good to me in the sheriff's department. It's Western. It's Wyoming,' he said . Haskell argues the new uniform is for safety and uniformity reasons .

0190395505bcaaf318c75e343206c631ec40e693

By . Ted Thornhill . PUBLISHED: . 03:59 EST, 26 April 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 04:10 EST, 26 April 2012 . Humanity faces a ‘vortex of economic, socio-political and environmental ills’ unless the world’s richest nations tighten their belts and consume less, according to a report. A Royal Society panel has concluded that a ‘tipping point’ has been reached and that the very future of humanity is doubt unless developed nations rethink the way they live. Sir John Sulston, who led the 23-strong group of academics from around the world who produced the report, warned that ‘we are reaching a critical time in the development of humanity on the Earth’ and that continual economic growth ‘is not sustainable’. Double trouble: The Royal Society says that developed nations consume too much and that the world's population is too high . He said: ‘The human world lives in a framework called global economics. We live in a system based on GDP, which drives consumption. it causes people to compete with each other through trade in a way that they all grow. All governments say: “We must grow.” But it’s not sustainable. ‘The strong evidence is that we’re running out of space. We’re collectively affecting the world’s climate. This is due to the still growing human population and our increase in consumption.’ The report highlights the fact that the world’s population passed seven billion recently and that developing countries will be building the equivalent of a city of a million people every five days from now to 2050. Food for thought: Some people eat too much than is good for them, while others starve, says Sir John Sulston . Sir John said: ‘The world now has a very clear choice. We can choose to address the twin issues of population and consumption to rebalance the use of resources to a more egalitarian pattern of consumption. ‘Or we choose to do nothing and to drift into a downward vortex of economic, socio-political and environmental ills, leading to a more unequal and inhospitable future.’ He added that some people in the world are consuming far too much food than is good for them, while others starve.

'Continual economic growth is not sustainable,' said Royal Society panel .

019151a52351c7ef0e403cc7a276d53732afa9e5

By . Chris Hastings . Sir Alec Guinness wrote to his wife Merula, telling her he saw a ghost while filming in India . Sir Alec Guinness played Marley’s ghost on the big screen and was resurrected as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars films. But the Oscar-winner also had a real-life otherworldly encounter, according to letters published for the first time today. Then 69 and a devout Catholic, Sir Alec said he saw a ghost while in Bangalore filming David Lean’s A Passage To India. In a letter to his wife Merula dated March 23, 1984 he wrote: ‘Last night I heard my bathroom door click open. I was immediately awake and called, “What’s that?” ‘A very conventional white ghost appeared, an elderly... woman in grey white and heavily veiled. ‘I couldn’t make out her face. She moved... with dignity down the side of my bed and as I clicked on the light she disappeared.’ Guinness, whose credits include The Bridge On The River Kwai and The Ladykillers as well as Marley’s ghost in the 1970 film Scrooge, told his wife if he hadn’t seen a spirit then he must have been dreaming ‘while sitting up and awake’. Although deeply religious, Sir Alec was interested in the psychic world and reportedly told James Dean not to drive on the day the star died in a crash in 1955. Piers Paul Read, Guinness’s official biographer, last night said he was not aware of the letter. He said: ‘Alec was quite superstitious... In the Navy he also had a premonition about being drowned in an oncoming storm. I don’t think he claimed to be psychic but he was open to the idea.’ In other letters acquired by the British Library, Guinness reveals he and director David Lean, who had worked together five times previously, were barely speaking during the filming of A Passage To India. Their rows lead Sir Alec to write: ‘I don’t think I will ever bother to do a film again.’ In another letter he delights in having been to Mass as he feels it allows him to keep on hating Lean. The actor, who played Ben Kenobi in Star Wars, wrote: 'A very conventional white ghost appeared, an elderly... woman in grey white and heavily veiled'

Letters published for the first time today reveal Oscar-winner had a real-life otherworldy encounter . Sir Alec Guinness claims he saw a ghost while in Bangalore filming David Lean's A Passage To India . Wrote to his wife: 'A very conventional white ghost appeared, an elderly... woman in grey white and heavily veiled'

01919f4ca624c45500aca92c66aa6a197a8b80f5

A California couple thought to be missing for a month during a trip to Peru have been located aboard a boat  - and they didn't even know their families had been looking for them. Jamie Neal, 25, and Garrett Hand, 27, . from California’s Bay Area, left for Peru in December for a South America bike trip, and had not been in contact with friends and relatives since late January. The couple was found on a boat that was traveling along the Navos River. Found: Jamie Neal (right), 27, and her boyfriend Garrett Hand, 25, had been missing since January 26 in Peru, but have now been located on a boat . The Peruvian Travel Ministry told KGO-TV that Miss Neal and Mr Hand had no idea they had been reported missing. They had been updating friends and family about their trip on their Facebook page, but those messages stopped on January 25, Miss Neal's sister Jennifer Neal told FoxNews.com on Monday. Jennifer Neal added that Mr Hand's cellphone had been turned off, sparking fears that the two may have been kidnapped. ‘It goes straight to voicemail,’ she told FoxNews.com. 'It's not like them to be out of touch for this long.' In love: The couple posted many pictures of their trip on Facebook to being with but haven't since January, sparking fears among their families that they were missing . Adventure: The young couple (pictured at left) went missing in a region which was under threat of kidnappings . The lapse in communication caused the U.S. State Department to issue a travel warning to any Americans heading to Peru. The couple disappeared in Peru in an . area where a criminal gang were believed to have been plotting to kidnap . tourists, authorities said this week. The U.S. State Department issued a poster of the couple from San Francisco - who were last seen getting on a bus in the town of Cusco, headed for Lima on January 26 before getting in a cab. The couple are biking enthusiasts who both work in cycle stores in the Bay Area of San Francisco. They had customized their bikes especially for the trip which began in December. They had also traveled to Chile and Argentina before deciding to go to the Amazon instead of Machu Picchu in Peru. Trip of a lifetime: The couple, who both work in cycle shops in the Bay area of California, were last seen in Peru on January 26 . Desperate hunt: The U.S. Embassy had helped in the search for the young couple before they were found this week .

Jamie Neal, 27, and her boyfriend 25-year-old Garrett Hand, from San Francisco, last seen getting into a cab in Lima on January 26 . The couple had been regularly updating family with pictures on Facebook but have not posted for four weeks . U.S. Embassy had issued alert for travelers over threat of kidnapping in Cusco and Machu Picchu area this month .

0191cfb8f79cf85b49d46dffd7033197ca0cdc15

When a famous musician dies that loss is usually felt more widely than most. In my case though, the death of one particular musician this year was a moment of keen significance, because I literally owe my life to Phil Everly, and his older brother Don. My parents were born into the austerity of south-east England, as London and its surrounding areas recovered from World War II. Not long after my mother had started school, my grandparents decided to leave the difficulties of post-war London behind them and move out to the Essex countryside bordering the city to its east. My father's family, also Londoners, had made the move some years earlier. My grandfather, who served in the Royal Engineers in Europe and North Africa during the war, returned to work in one of the many oil refineries dotted along the Thames estuary. My mother was 14 when she met my then 16-year-old father. The early '60s may have been swinging in central London, but the decade's influence was less obvious in the suburbs. My parents' first encounter, in 1962, was a model of chaste restraint, at a village dance where boys and girls were kept under the careful watch of adults (especially during any slow dancing.) My dad walked my mum home, and assures me that nothing untoward took place. By this time the Everly Brothers' powers had already peaked, but their influence on my father was still growing. His first encounter with their silken harmonies actually came in 1958, huddled under blankets at his aunt's draughty house. There he would listen to the sounds of one of rock 'n roll's pioneering platforms, Radio Luxembourg. "All I Have To Do Is Dream" played through the speakers of the wireless, as radios were always called back then, and he was hooked. My mum and dad dated happily for a couple of years, but in 1964 they hit a blip. On a chilly night, the couple were walking back from a dance at their local college hall. Peter Knight and the Nightriders had been playing. At the bus stop, my mum told my dad that she no longer wanted to be his girlfriend. Powerless to change her mind, he waved her goodbye for what might have been the last time. Like Marty McFly in Back to the Future, my life was fading from the picture. The Everly Brothers, too, were on the wane. But their sound was underpinning many of the tracks that were now piloting bands to superstardom. Rock 'n roll may have been a new sound, but it owed a heavy debt to its forebears. Listen to "Please Please Me" by the Beatles, and compare it to "Cathy's Clown" by the Everlys (the first record to top both the UK and U.S. charts at the same time,) and it is hard not to notice the similarities. In a bid to win back my mother's affections, my dad hit upon an idea. He headed to his local record store and bought a copy of "So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)." He passed it to my mum's brother, with whom he was good friends. It was a classic inside job: The man who is now my uncle passed it to the woman who would become my mum; she played it on the family's gramophone, and -- in the words of Ella Fitzgerald -- the spell was cast. My parents met again, and were reconciled. They didn't know it at the time, but I too was saved. My dad's affection for the Everly Brothers never faded. He kept pace with disco, listened to the new romantics of the '80s, had a brush with reggae, and even dabbled in house music. But all of these would be punctuated by the Brothers' gentle voices. The Everlys split acrimoniously in 1973, with Phil famously smashing his guitar and storming off stage. But they reformed for a special Reunion Concert at London's Royal Albert Hall in 1983. Inevitably, my dad was there -- with my mum by his side. Two years later, he insisted on taking me and my sister, aged 12 and 10, to London's Hammersmith Odeon to see the Everlys for ourselves. We were sat near the front, and the aging but still potent duo won me and my equally cynical sister over completely. At the end of the concert my dad lifted my sister onto his shoulders and Don shook her hand. My dad actually had a couple of encounters with Phil Everly years later, while working in California. He was shopping at Vons in Burbank when he saw Phil and his then girlfriend Patti buying groceries. Star-struck and too polite to approach them, he didn't take his chance to say hello. However, not long after, he found himself dining in a Los Angeles restaurant on the next table to the couple. This time he made his move, and was able to finally meet his idol -- who was impeccably warm and polite. Sadly, in his excitement, my dad forgot to tell him about the record. In January this year, as news broke that pulmonary disease had claimed Phil's life, my brother-in-law called my parents' house to check if they had heard. My mum broke the news to my dad, who sat down and cried inconsolably. Throughout the week he received calls from friends and family, all checking to see how he'd reacted to the news. It was as if a family member had died, and in a way -- for my dad at least -- that was what Phil and Don Everly were and are. For my own part, the news was a reminder of the comforting soundtrack of my youngest years; of car journeys to the coast, lazy Sunday mornings, family gatherings and parties. Above all though, it was a reminder of the story of my parents' near break up, their reconciliation, and the debt I owe Phil and his brother. So thank you, Phil Everly, and may you rest in peace. Read more: People we lost: Benjamin Bradlee and Lorin Maazel, by Christiane Amanpour . Read more: People we lost: Joe Cocker, by Neil Curry . Read more: People we lost: Football legend Eusebio, by Duarte Mendonca . Read more: People we lost: Christophe de Margerie, by John Defterios . Read more: Loved ones we lost in 2014 .

I literally owe my life to Phil Everly, and his older brother Don, writes Hawkins . Hawkins' parents had split up, but were reconciled thanks to an Everly Brothers track . Phil Everly, one half of the groundbreaking duo, died aged 74 in September . Their hits included "Bye Bye Love" and "Cathy's Clown"

019224d69e5d1ecd533f87daeef60c17c021c84e

By . Mia De Graaf . An eight-year-old Manchester United supporter says his new kit has been ruined after Adnan Januzaj changed his squad number, and the club are unwilling to help. The young fan saved up birthday money and spent almost £100 on his favourite player's shirt, only for the Belgian midfielder to change his squad number a month later. Afraid that he will now be teased, James Collins is refusing to wear his shirt, and the club's Megastore refused to change the number for him free of charge. Scroll down for video . Waste: James Collins, left, spent £93.20 on a shirt with Januzaj on the back, but he then changed his number . The number was left vacant after Ryan Giggs' retirement at the end of last season. However, the club did not inform supporters of the planned change until Sunday, August 17 - exactly a month after the new home shirt had been released. Januzaj has played under number 44 for three years after joining the club as a 16-year-old. His young fan James has now refused to wear the Nike strip, which cost him £93.20 in total, fearing he may be teased about it. And despite pleas from his mother Cheryl, the club's Megastore have told him can't have a new shirt, as any printing is done at the shirt owner's risk. Mrs Collins, 45, has now hit out at the club saying they have let the boy down. The mother-of-three, who lives in Longsight, Greater Manchester, said: 'He's United mad. He has spent all summer at football camp and it's all he ever talks about. Dream dashed: James had spent months waiting to get his hands on the new kit but he says it is now 'ruined' 'He couldn't wait to get the new shirt and kept asking when I was ordering it. 'He'd only worn it two or three times when we found out he [Januzaj] had changed number. 'We emailed and asked them if he could change it and they said no because there was a disclaimer with all printing. 'A few weeks ago the club replaced a shirt where someone had spelt Rooney wrong. That was their error. 'Yet we have done nothing wrong and have been left out of pocket. If we had any idea it was going to change I would have made him wait rather than see him disappointed.' Last-minute change: Januzaj joined the club at 16 in 2011 and played under the number 44 until this summer . A short-sleeved home shirt from the Manchester United Megastore costs £42. But additional lettering costs £9.95. Mrs Collins also bought shorts, priced at £20, with an additional cost of £6 to print the number 44. And socks, which cost £12. She says the system needs to change as James is 'devastated'. 'James wanted the third kit as well but I've put a stop to that now. I'm not going to let him spend money on a shirt that could be out of date straight away.' However, a spokesman for the club insisted that notices were prominently displayed throughout the store making clear that squad numbers were not final until they are registered with the Premier League.

James Collins, 8, spent £93.20 saved from birthday money on new kit . Shirt had Adnan Januzaj on the back, with number 44 . A month after kit went on sale, the club announced he is now number 11 . Januzaj took the number after it was left vacant by now-retired Ryan Giggs . The club's Megastore has refused to alter the now out-of-date shirt .

01925fbb86a1995c9682fdcc7be27a1823c771da

A prankster dad may win the award for cruelest joke after he tricked his wife into thinking he threw his toddler son off of the balcony. Roman Atwood set up cameras and enlisted the help of his two sons in an elaborate attempt to frighten his unassuming wife and fool her into thinking he'd accidentally killed their toddler son. The stunt, which was posted on YouTube on November 30 and already has almost 5 million views, begins with Atwood playing with his son, who is dressed in a Spider-Man costume covering his face, on the top floor of their Los Angeles, California home. Like any other day: A loving mother returns to her home in Los Angeles where she finds her husband Roman Atwood playing with their toddler son who is dressed in a Spider-Man costume . The switcheroo: Roman Atwood enlists the help of his elder son who leads the toddler into the other room then hands his dad the small dummy dressed in the same costume as his son . The launch: Roman Atwood pretends to throw his son over the balcony as his wife lets out a shriek and rushes towards what she believes is her fallen son . Atwood and his son are greeted lovingly by the boy’s mother, who is then sent downstairs 'to grab them some water' so that they can prepare the prank behind her back. Atwood enlists the help of his older son who leads his younger brother into the other room them substitutes the toddler for a dummy, which Atwood then tosses over the railing. His wife runs downstairs and screams in paralyzing fear as she sees the boy falling to the ground below and laying motionless on the ground as though he had died. She unveils the boy's mask to reveal a dummy under the costume and then proceeds to shoot a disgusted glance at her husband. 'Why would you do that?!' she screams still trembling in shock. 'It's just for fun,' Atwood responds as he shrugs his shoulders . She then sentences her husband to a lonely night of sleeping on the couch and gives him a little kick in the groin before she storms out of the room. Petrified: The concerned mother rushes towards the dummy she believes to be her badly injured son . Unmasked: the mother removes the mask to see the damage done and sees what she thought was her son is nothing more than a dummy . Horrified: Atwood's wife tells him that he'll be sleeping on the couch and gives him a kick to the groin before leaving the room in a huff .

Roman Atwood set up cameras and enlisted the help of his two sons in an elaborate attempt to frighten his unassuming wife . Atwood pretends to throw their son, dressed in a Spider-Man suit, over the balcony by using a dummy dressed in the same costume . His wife was less than pleased and told him that he'd be sleeping on the couch .

01934bdb5bc1651223a635ae68576e426559f554

By . Lucy Crossley . The son-in-law of a Monaco heiress shot dead as she left a hospital has withdrawn his confession to the killing, saying he did not understand 'all the nuances' of the French language. Wojciech Janowski, 64, last week confessed to playing a role in the shooting of Helene Pastor, the 77-year-old billionaire mother of his partner Sylvia Pastor, according to prosecutors. However, as Janowski appeared before a bail judge, his lawyer Erick Campana said that he had 'retracted his statements made while in custody' and 'denies having ordered' the killing. Withdrawn: Wojciech Janowski, 64, (left) has withdrawn his confession to killing Helene Pastor, 77, (right) saying he did not understand 'all the nuances' of the French language . Mr Campana said Janowski, who has served as Poland's honorary consul in Monaco, had 'misunderstood the meanings of the terms used by police and was speaking in French while he does not understand all the nuances of our language'. Mr Campana said he would demand that an appeal court nullify Janowski's detention - and the statements made while in custody - because he did not have access to a lawyer or interpreter during his 96 hours in custody. However, the judge ruled that Cambridge graduate Janowski must remain in custody pending trial. Janowski was arrested early last week by police on suspicion of 'masterminding' the killing of Mrs Pastor, who was shot multiple times with a sawn-off shotgun as she was leaving a hospital in the French Riviera city of Nice. Her driver, Mohammed Darwich, 64, also died from injuries sustained in attack on May 6. Probe: A police officer investigates a car at the site where Helene Pastor and her driver were shot . Questioned: Wojciech Janowski, hides his face as he leaves a police station in Nice, France, by car last week . Janowski was charged after prosecutors said he confessed to the contract killing, for which he allegedly spent some 250,000 euros (£198,000) to hire two alleged contract killers. The two men - a 31-year-old and a 24-year-old originally from the Comoros islands and living in Marseille's rough northern districts - were also apprehended last week and charged. Janowski's personal trainer was also charged with allegedly organising the murder and acting as a go-between with the killers. Prosecutors had alleged Janowski ordered the killing 'to lay his hands on the inheritance' due to Sylvia, Pastor's eldest daughter on her death. Sylvia was initially detained in the case but later released without charge. The two have been in a relationship for 28 years and have a teenage daughter. Couple: Janowski and Sylvia Pastor (right) have been in a relationship for 28 years and have a teenage daughter . Helene Pastor had inherited a huge real estate and construction business set up by her Italian grandfather Jean-Baptiste Pastor, a stone mason who moved to Monaco in 1880. As the sleepy principality on the French Riviera slowly grew into a playground for the world's rich and famous, the family's fortune skyrocketed. The real jackpot came in 1966 when Prince Rainier, whose fairytale wedding to Hollywood actress Grace Kelly helped catapult Monaco to international fame, gave permission to Helene Pastor's father Gildo to build high-rise buildings along the seafront. Janowski heads a Monaco nanotechnology firm and an oil business, and is involved in numerous charities in the principality. After he was charged, Poland announced it was stripping Janowski of his title of honorary consul 'because of the loss of the irreproachable reputation that is essential for this role'. It also noted that as an honorary official Janowski did not enjoy diplomatic immunity from criminal prosecution.

Helene Pastor was shot multiple times as she left a hospital in May . Wojciech Janowski, 64, had admitted a role in the killing, prosecutors said . But appearing before a bail judge his 'confession' was retracted . Janowski's lawyer said he 'denies having ordered' the killing . Cambridge graduate 'did not understand all the nuances of our language' He did not have access to an interpreter, lawyer tells court .

0195c98e735883f8e2679a695b3609da92065fc3

France’s state-run railway looks poised to take control of Britain’s flagship East Coast mainline after shares in the two rival British bidders plummeted amid market speculation of a Gallic take-over. The value of First Group fell by £150 million, while Stagecoach, which has submitted a joint bid with Virgin, saw £33 million wiped off its shares. Big money in the City was betting strongly that a bid by Channel Tunnel rail operator Eurostar International and sister company Keolis – both controlled by Socialist France’s state-owned rail firm SNCF – is set to win the contract for the route from London to Edinburgh. If confirmed later this week, the decision is set to provoke outrage among UK rail bosses and unions. Critics fear it is yet another example of the UK ‘selling off the family silver’ to foreign investors. France’s state-run railway looks set to take control of Britain’s flagship East Coast mainline, pictured, after shares in two rival British bidders plummeted . Rail unions say the sell-off is in any case ‘a national disgrace’ and that French, German and Dutch state-owned railways have already made huge inroads into the UK’s privatised franchises. The RMT union said this ‘proves once again that the Government are happy to have state control of our main inter-city routes as long as it’s not the British state.’ The RMT recently published research showing that 20 of the UK’s 27 private rail franchises, the equivalent of 74 per cent, are now owned by foreign state-owned or state-backed railways ‘with the vast majority being from France, Germany and the Netherlands’. Shares in two major British transport firms which mounted rival bids against the French both fell sharply yesterday. First Group bore the brunt of the hit, seeing its share price plummet 10 per cent or 11.6p to 108.2p, wiping nearly £150million off its value. Stagecoach shares were down 1.5per cent to 362.4p, knocking around £33million off the share price. A spokesman for First Group, which runs existing UK franchises including Great Western, ScotRail and Transpennine said it does not comment on ‘market rumours and speculation.’ Virgin Rail also declined to comment ahead of an official announcement. Channel Tunnel rail operator Eurostar International looks set to win the contract for the route from London to Edinburgh . But defeat would mark another bitter disappointment for First, which was passed over to continue running ScotRail franchise in favour of Dutch-owed Abellio, lost out for the Thameslink Great Northern service as well as the Essex Thameside operations. Ironically, the East Coast line is currently owned by the taxpayer and controlled by the Government via a specially established company called Directly Operated Railways (DOR) in Whitehall. Profits go back to the taxpayer rather than to shareholders. The state-run East Coast mainline has generated a bumper £1billion windfall for taxpayers over five years since 2009 - prompting unions to brand its sell off back to the private sector as ‘a national disgrace.’ East Coast paid a record £235m back to the Government in its final full year as a ‘nationalised’ company – up 12 per cent on the previous year. RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: ‘We are rapidly heading towards a situation where almost the entire train operation in Britain is in the hands of overseas companies sucking out profits to benefit their own domestic transport services.’ Germany’s state-owned Deutsche Bahn is already a big player. Mr Cash added: ‘It seems you can have state operation of railways in Britain as long as it isn’t by the British state for the benefit of the British people. There must be a full parliamentary inquiry into this appalling racket.’ The East Coast main line has been under the control of the Department for Transport since the previous private-sector operator National Express pulled out in 2009. Before that, in 2007, another private company GNER also ceased its East Coast operation after its parent company Sea Containers ran into financial difficulties. The Government hands over operation of the line in March next year. The Department for Transport says it has considered value for money, long-term benefits for communities across the route and improved services for passengers and local businesses ‘and not just the return to the taxpayer.’

A bid by Channel Tunnel operator Eurostar International looks set to win the contract for the London to Edinburgh route . It is controlled by Socialist France's state-owned rail firm SCNF . If confirmed, decision is set to provoke outrage among UK rail bosses .

0195ccf38de0f2ad9ced4c55c57d9638bd59b776

The pretty young girl is so drunk on cheap alcohol she’s lying comatose on a pavement in a torn T-shirt and minuscule shorts on a bitterly cold winter night. Another staggers along wearing ripped fishnet stockings and shorts that leave little more to the imagination than a lap dancer’s G-string. A third leans over the pavement on the point of collapse as an unsteady friend grabs her arms in a drunken gesture of solidarity. Scroll down for video . This young women ended up on the pavement during the night out in Liverpool . Hundreds of revellers took to the streets of Liverpool city centre last night for the latest Carnage pub crawl . Young women braved the bitter cold wearing tiny shorts and ripped t-shirts as part of the fancy dress event . Many other young women are supporting each other as they walk to stop themselves falling into the gutter. No, these are not members of a hen party or a group of silly wannabe WAGS; they are just a few of the hundreds of university students in Liverpool who were out for a night on the town this weekend. They were ‘enjoying’ — if that is the word — an organised pub crawl laid on by Carnage UK. The Carnage UK events are run by Varsity Leisure Group, a multi-million-pound business that puts on hundreds of pub crawls throughout Britain, selling souvenir T-shirts for students who partake. Young men dressed in bow ties and joked around in the street as part of the event last night . The event, the third in this university year, includes alcoholic drinks for £1 and claims to offer students the 'best night of their lives' Revellers take to the streets of Liverpool city centre as part of the latest Carnage pub crawl . Young men bare their chests as they make their way along the pub crawl . This young man ended up on the cobbled street in Liverpool on the night of the event . The 'Playboys vs Bunnies' themed event attracted hundreds of revellers who enjoyed drinking cheap alcohol before spilling out into Liverpool's famous Concert Square . Carnage UK events, which are organised by Varsity Leisure Group, have come under fire in the past for promoting excessive drinking . Revellers patiently wait in line as they take part in the fancy dress event (left) while a drunk, young woman gets support from a fellow reveller (right) An amorous couple appear to be getting close while revellers in the background continue having fun . One reveller appeared to suffer a wardrobe malfunction after laddering her fishnet tights while many of the young revellers appeared to enjoy themselves on the night out . Lured by alcohol from £1 a shot, and the . promise they would have the ‘best night of their lives’, the students . were all dressed for the event’s theme of Playboy vs Bunnies — an . imaginative variant on Carnage UK’s previous parties: Nympho Nurses And . Dirty Doctors, and Pimps And Hoes (whores). If this is the best night of . their lives, I shudder to imagine what their worst is. Why is it that such well-educated young women feel the only way they can have fun and express themselves is by dressing like tarts and drinking themselves into oblivion? Two young women crouch down to speak during the Carnage event in Liverpool . Police and paramedics were on hand throughout the night and kept a close eye on the event . And it’s not just Liverpool — it is happening in university towns throughout the country. What is it that encourages them to ape the worst behaviour of men? Is there some neo-feminist version of equality that compels them to behave like football hooligans? Of course, we expect the young to enjoy themselves at university, not least because many of them have left home for the first time and should relish their new-found freedom. We don’t want them all to be bookworms confined in dusty libraries at all hours. But this kind of drinking, this knock-it-back-until-you-pass-out mentality, seems so utterly nihilistic: devoid of almost any purpose other than getting the next cheap shot. Sure we used to drink when I was at university, but never like this. It is as if getting annihilated on drink is the only reason to party at campuses today — even for normally sensible, well-educated girls. The Carnage event held last night in Liverpool was the third in this university year . The peer pressure to conform is intense. And so instead of using university to help define themselves as individuals, to soak up knowledge and wisdom, they revert to a herd mentality.That herd mentality is all too apparent, as well, in the latest drinking craze of NekNomination — in which people post videos of themselves on Facebook and other social media sites, daring others to outdrink them. It’s a craze that has already claimed a number of lives, and so far it seems to be mainly confined to men, although it can only be a matter of time before girls feel they have to get in on it. And whatever anyone says about equality, the plain fact is that drunken women are far more vulnerable than drunken men. A young woman appears to be offering support to her friend during the night out (left) while other make their way down the cobbled street . A young woman dresses up as a bunny for the fancy dress event (left). Many of the other young women at the event wore tiny shorts . While the drinking appeared to have taken its toll on some party-goers others called it a night and poured into take-away shops for food . A young woman gives her friend a piggy-back during the event in Liverpool . As the agony aunt Irma Kurtz said recently, a woman when drunk puts herself at more risk of rape and sexual assaults. She was pilloried for stating the obvious. But if you get drunk with the boys, you are incapable of self-defence. What chance would that Liverpool lass in our main picture lying drunk in the street have of fending off a man? Would she even remember what happened in the morning? For educated, career women of my generation, it is unfathomable that those who follow the path we cleared to equality should choose to squander the great privileges they now have. Women outnumber and outperform men at even our top universities. They have the best chance of fulfilling their dreams of any generation. Yet I don’t know a single boss who would now employ a graduate without first checking their Facebook and social media accounts. Perhaps these young women might give a thought to their future before so recklessly throwing it away on a moment of drunken madness.

Carnage event claims to offer students the 'best night of their lives' 'Playboys vs Bunnies' themed event attracted hundreds of revellers . Police and paramedics were on hand throughout the night .

0195f67b88e13308b0c462cd003b3824610b7dfe

(CNN) -- Could the shop-over be the new buzzword for addicts to serious retail therapy? This delicious term has been coined by a tour operator that is packaging two-destination holidays with great shopping cities at their core. Many itineraries put hundreds of miles between the closest shopping mecca and the beach, but Western & Oriental's Rome-Amalfi combination is one of many possible pairings in which a world-class shopping capital and a legendary vacation playground are linked by just a few hours' drive. Rome and Amalfi Coast, Italy . Western & Oriental suggests a shop-over in Rome before chilling out on the romantic and glorious Amalfi Coast. And the Eternal City is not all about Gucci, Prada and other Italian designer stores lining the Via Condotti; Western & Oriental puts up its guests in Monti, a hip neighborhood with some great little boutiques, happening bars and cool restaurants. In Amalfi, it's back to tradition at the Monastero Santa Rosa, converted from a 17th-century monastery. Like all the most desirable hotels along this coast, it offers fabulous mountainside views over the sea. From $2,635, excluding international airfare, for the four-star Rome and Amalfi combo: www.wandotravel.com . New York and Vermont, United States . No one disputes that the Big Apple is the shopping capital of the world, but it's less well-known that certain hotels have close links with the personal shoppers in Manhattan's most desirable stores. The Waldorf Towers concierge can arrange for personal shoppers from Barneys or Bloomingdale's to come to the hotel, or you can have your in-store purchases delivered to the hotel at any hour, leaving you unburdened as you head downtown to shop the boutiques of SoHo and other areas. Not to mention that the Towers apartments have the heady 1930s ambiance of a Fred and Ginger movie. From Shop-Till-You-Drop Central, peaceful Vermont is only a four-hour drive. The Blue Horse Inn in Woodstock is a serene place to stay in a beautiful village -- and there is more retail therapy not far away at the tony outlet town of Manchester, Vermont. Mumbai and Goa, India . You can fly direct to Goa's beaches on the west coast of India, perhaps the most laid-back and eclectic coastal paradise in the world. But it's more fun to take a couple of days to explore the country's most cosmopolitan and vibrant city, Mumbai -- not least because it's home to so much great homegrown design . The best way to explore the boutiques is to hire a car and driver for half a day and hand over a list of hot addresses. These should include Anokhi, Abraham & Thakore and Le Mill, but at a top hotel like the Taj Mahal Palace, the concierge will know the names of even newer, hotter places shoppers may want to add. The hotel has one of the world's best urban outdoor pools, perfect for post-shop chilling in a hectic town. Paris and Normandy, France . Paris is such a brilliant shopping city, you'll be footsore by the time you've combed the Rue des Francs Bourgeois and other shopping streets of the trendy Marais, not to mention the Rue Napoleon on the Left Bank and the designer haunts of the Faubourg St. Honore. A hotel designed specifically for ladies who shop is the Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg, with fashion murals in the corridors and in-room macaroons on request. Kitted out in style, head for the Gare St. Lazare station and follow the chic Parisiens taking the train to the twin resorts of Deauville and Trouville on the Normandy coast. They're as different as chalk and cheese; Deauville, with its upscale boutiques and boardwalk emblazoned with the names of Hollywood stars, looks like a location for a Ralph Lauren resort catalog. Trouville is laid-back, charming and family-friendly; don't miss the fabulous brasserie Les Vapeurs for a dinner that could turn into a wild night. You can walk from one town to the other. Shanghai and Zhou Zhuang, China . Shanghai has some of the most exciting shopping in Asia: Head for the boutiques of Xintiandi, a redeveloped neighborhood of beautiful old buildings retaining a 1920s ambiance, to find some of the most inventive fashion and accessories in China. Many international designer brands are housed in Maison Mode on Huaihai Road, but it's more fun to hunt down local designers like Mary Ching, whose shoes are China's Louboutins, on Ferguson Lane. Fashionistas can now stay within a few steps of the boutiques in The Langham hotel in Xintiandi. Less than two hours' drive away, the old China lives on in Zhou Zhuang water village, dubbed the Venice of the Orient for its canals. The highlight is a picturesque double bridge, with Chinese gondoliers standing by to ply the waterways. The tiny town also has gardens to rival the more famous ones of nearby Suzhou -- but the bigger city has the better hotels. A non-cookie-cutter choice with one of the most famous Suzhou gardens on its doorstep, as well as greenery of its own, is the Garden Hotel. Marrakech and Essaouira, Morocco . The souks of Marrakech are a shopper's paradise for everything from embroidered kaftans to punched-metal lanterns to the pointy-toed slippers known as babouches. You don't need a guide, but you do need a serene place to escape to after a frenetic round of shopping. Choose one of the riads -- lovely old houses built around courtyards -- within the medina, or old city, just a five-minute stroll from the souks. Riad Farnatchi offers good insider info and has a great hammam for soothing sore feet with steam and massage. On the next leg, drive to Essaouira, a dazzling little blue and white town on Morocco's west coast with a medina of its own that's light, bright and laid-back, a complete contrast to crowded Marrakech. Essaouira's original guesthouse, the Villa Maroc, offers traditional decor, bags of atmosphere, a popular restaurant and the odd celebrity sighting. Melbourne and Daylesford, Australia . From high design to vintage fashion, resin jewelry to aboriginal art, Melbourne is Australia's shopping mecca, thanks to a diverse and creative population. It's more about the neighborhoods than downtown; check out tony South Yarra (Chapel Street), edgy Fitzroy (Gertrude Street and Brunswick Street) and eclectic Prahran (Greville Street and the fabulous Prahran Market). You can stay among some of the best boutiques at the Olsen Hotel on Chapel Street. Within a 90-minute drive is Daylesford, whose mineral springs make it Melbourne's spa bolthole of choice. The village of Daylesford itself is charming, and if you can't linger overnight, there are day spas, including the historic Hepburn Bathhouse in nearby Hepburn Springs. But it would be a shame to miss a stay at charming properties like the Lake House, which boasts an award-winning restaurant as well as a state-of-the-art spa. What are your favorite shopping destinations? What do you recommend purchasing there?

Work at shopping in a big city, then unwind with a quiet retreat nearby . Check out homegrown design in Mumbai before a few days on the coast in Goa . Navigate the souks of Marrakech, then drive to laid-back Essaouira .

019a1b69224590a0e0f63e6546ac1b12e42f8767

By . Sarah Griffiths . PUBLISHED: . 13:43 EST, 1 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:59 EST, 1 November 2013 . Adults were to play Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes a day over a period of two months . While some people might think getting engrossed in a video game is a waste of time, scientists have found they can increase the size of our brains. German researchers found video gaming causes increases in the brain . regions responsible for spatial orientation, memory formation and . strategic planning as well as fine motor skills. They believe the benefits of video gaming may also prove helpful in therapeutic interventions targeting psychiatric disorders. In order to examine how video games affect the brain, scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Charité University Medicine St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus, asked adults to play Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes a day over a period of two months. A control group did not play the game and the researchers measured brain volume using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. They found that in comparison to the people who did not play video games, the regular gamers showed increases of grey matter, in which the cell bodies of the nerve cells of the brain are situated. This growth was seen in the right hippocampus, right prefrontal cortex and the cerebellum. German researchers found video gaming causes increases in the brain regions responsible for spatial orientation, memory formation and strategic planning as well as fine motor skills . Scientists studied MRI images to investigate which areas of the brain were enlarged . These parts of the brain are involved in functions such as spatial . navigation, memory formation, strategic planning and fine motor skills . of the hands and the changes were most noticeable in participants who . were eager to play the game. 'While previous studies have shown differences in brain structure of video gamers, the present study can demonstrate the direct causal link between video gaming and a volumetric brain increase,' said study leader Simone Kühn, senior scientist at the Centre for Lifespan Psychology at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development. 'This proves that specific brain regions can be trained by means of video games,' he added. Dr Kühn and her colleagues believe that video games could be used as therapy for patients with mental disorders, in which brain regions are altered or reduced in size, such as schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s dementia. Psychiatrist Jürgen Gallinat, co-author of the study at Charité University Medicine St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus, said: 'Many patients will accept video games more readily than other medical interventions.'

German researchers found gaming can cause increases in the brain . regions responsible for spatial orientation, memory formation and . strategic planning . A study by the Max Planck Institute asked adults to play Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes a day over a period of two months . It found the gamers showed increases of grey matter, in which the cell bodies of the nerve cells of the brain are situated .

019a761cedf604712ca1c6390fe85d4f59b8a4e7

By . James Tozer . UPDATED: . 19:57 EST, 16 February 2012 . A scanner darkly: The machines are being turned off at Manchester and Birmingham . Costly eye scanners that were meant to slash queues at airport passport control are being quietly scrapped, it emerged yesterday. Labour ministers brought in iris recognition checks at an estimated cost of £9million, claiming they were capable of processing travellers in as little as 12 seconds. But after 385,000 passengers submitted their details, the scanners have been ditched at Birmingham and Manchester airports, and they are expected to vanish from Heathrow and Gatwick after the Olympics. Critics said it was another expensive Government software failure, saying the system had ended up taking longer than traditional manual checks. Some irate travellers even ended up getting trapped inside the scanning booths when they malfunctioned. When the then immigration minister, Des Browne, unveiled the Iris Recognition Immigration System, known as Iris, in 2004, he claimed it would provide a ‘watertight’ check of identities as well as cutting queues. It was targeted at foreign passport holders resident in the UK or who regularly travel here and wanted to avoid lengthy queues. They had to undergo a free 15-minute registration to record the unique pattern of their iris every two years. The Iris system is understood to have cost a total of £4million to run on top of its development price of £4.9million. The contract was given to a French firm, Sagem. Plans to use the technology for UK passports and evden Labour’s ill-fated ID cards scheme were dropped after it emerged that up to one in ten travellers were wrongly rejected by the scanners. Scanner inspection: Labour Home Secretary Charles Clarke tries out one of the new scanners in 2005 as they were hailed by Ministers as a key weapon in the fight against terrorism and fraud . Trumpeted as a key tool in the fight against identity fraud, Iris scanners were expected to slash clues when they were launched by the Labour Government in 2004. But in reality the scanners were dead on arrival. The scheme cost £9million. Immigration minister Des Browne boasted at launch that the scanners would cut waiting times to just 12 seconds per passenger. The devices, which are free to use, were aimed at regular travellers. But perversely, passengers who want to dodge queues by using the scanners have to queue up for a 15-minute registration - then repeat the process every two years. With the registration scheme now closed, biometric scanners will be phased out within two years unless it it reopened. They then had to wait for manual checks to be performed. Subsequently, facial recognition . technology has been developed with the new generation of biometric . passports which can be used at automated ‘e-gates’. These chip-enabled passports are not . held by travellers from outside the European Economic Area, however, and . they have remained dependent on iris recognition. Lucy Moreton, deputy general . secretary of the Immigration Service Union, said the Iris scheme had . been beset with problems from the beginning. She added: ‘Iris scanners . are prone to throwing up false alerts when genuine travellers try to use . them. We welcome the decision to phase them out.’ James Baker, of privacy group No2ID, . said: ‘This is recognition that iris scanning is an expensive failure. The money would be better spent employing more trained staff to use . their initiative and check passports manually.’ A Home Office spokesman said: ‘We are . phasing out Iris and will be replacing it with other types of gates . that non-EU passengers will be able to use.’

Iris scanners cost £9million when they were launched in 2004 . Machines were already out of date when they were launched . Manchester and Birmingham airports quietly scrapping the machines . Heathrow and Gatwick to halt scheme for new passengers .

019b4c554f50daea7968ebda30e86adada9499a9

By . Rosie Taylor . PUBLISHED: . 06:09 EST, 25 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:09 EST, 25 May 2013 . David Hockney said the sudden death of his young assistant left him unable to draw. Keen sportsman Dominic Elliott, 23, had worked for the artist for two years before his unexplained death in March. Family said Hockney, 75, was 'like a father' to the young man. Speaking for the first time since his assistant's death, he admitted he had stopped work in the middle of creating five sets of five drawings of the progression of the seasons around his home in Bridlington, East Yorkshire. 'Very upset': Artist David Hockney (left) could not work after his assistant Dominic Elliot (right) died suddenly . He said he found himself unable to draw for around a month and even considered moving back to California, where he had lived for many years before returning to his Yorkshire birthplace. He told The Guardian: 'I finished the first set in January. I . was very pleased with them. The . intention was to go back to them whenever the spring occurred. But then . Dominic died. 'It was an awful time and I was very upset. I thought I . might not do it at all this year. I thought I might go back to LA for a . bit. I didn't quite know what to do.' No 'obvious natural causes' were found for Mr Elliott's death in a post mortem examination. An inquest has been opened and adjourned until August. The assistant had been helping the artist prepare for his work on the seasons and had also sat for him for a number of portraits. Muse: Mr Elliott had sat for the artist on several occassions . Landscapes: Woldgate Woods in East Yorkshire is a popular theme of the artist's work . Hockey said bad weather following the death compounded the situation, and it wasn't until it turned in late April that he considered drawing again. Another assistant, Jean-Pierre, insisted he restarted his work, he said. 'I wasn't doing anything much, had nearly . given up, and was still thinking about going to LA when my assistant, . Jean-Pierre, said I didn't really have an option - I had to continue with . the work, ' he said. 'And he was right. I'm not going to retire. I just keep working and that's what I think I should do.' The artist said he was 'still very sad' about Mr Elliot, but that he had got back into the routine of working, completing 21 of the 25 drawings he had planned. They will be exhibited in San Francisco in October. Hockney's work was given its most prominent showing to date at the Royal Academy last year. The 'A Bigger Picture' exhibition was one of the academy's most popular events, with more than 600,000 people visiting.

Dominic Elliot died suddenly after collapsing at Hockney's home . Artist was devastated and almost gave up working after the death .

019bb86cd16c831beaa37fbbe0bcf484b3fee676

(EW.com) -- A drama pilot in development for ABC this fall will reunite Jennifer Beals with the creator/executive producer of "The L Word," the drama she starred in at Showtime. Ilene Chaiken will serve as the showrunner for "Venice," a sudsy drama pilot from McG about two rival families who live in the California city, Deadline reports. Chaiken was a co-creator of The L Word, which aired on the pay network from 2004-09. Beals will play the matriarch of one of the families in the drama pilot, which McG will direct. Beals last appeared in Fox's "The Mob Doctor" and "The Chicago Code." Chris Harrison's 'Bachelor' blog . For more about ABC's development roster for fall, as well as what's up at the other nets, here is our master list. See the original article at EW.com. CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved.

A pilot in development for ABC will reunite Jennifer Beals with "L Word" creator . Ilene Chaiken will serve as the showrunner for "Venice" "Venice" is a sudsy drama about two rival families who live in the California city .

019c31b4dc7c103ed42274a2f6d5efb2bafd406e

(CNN) -- Spain's controversial, and highly restrictive, new abortion law is now before Parliament, with approval looming. If passed this would mean that abortions will be permitted in only two circumstances: rape, and risk of "lasting harm" to the mother's health. The move would effectively reverse the abortion law of 2010, which permitted abortion on request in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, and up to 22 weeks where there was serious risk of fetal anomaly. Contrasting view: 'No unborn child is unworthy of legal protection' The widespread opposition, both within Spain and elsewhere in Europe, indicates that the Popular Party's interest in the abortion law is not underwritten by a wider public and political desire to restrict abortion access. Throughout most countries in the developed world, with notable exceptions such as the Republic of Ireland, women's need for abortion is recognized by law and provided for through services, which are often publicly funded. But the Spanish situation provides a shocking reminder of how quickly things can change in a country -- and the extreme consequences this can have for women. Back in 2004, a British newspaper wrongly accused British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) of referring women to Spain, when they were "too late" to have an abortion in Britain. The reality was that doctors in Spain were, at that time, legally able to provide abortions at later gestations than the 24-week "time limit" permitted by British law. In the extremely rare cases where women were desperate to access abortion late in pregnancy, they would sometimes find that only a Spanish clinic was able to help them. The Spanish law of 2010 restricted abortions in later gestations, but did establish abortion on request earlier in pregnancy. Yet barely five years on, Spanish women find themselves effectively deprived of any ability to access abortion at any gestation. Will this mean that their need for abortion goes away? Of course not. What it means is that Spanish women, like Irish women, will be forced to travel for care to Britain and other European countries. The Irish experience shows with heartbreaking clarity that when a nation makes abortion illegal, it does not prevent women's need for abortion, or their determination to access safe procedures. Outlawing abortion simply sends the issue overseas, increasing the financial and emotional cost to women and, of course, the gestation at which they are able to access a termination. Politicians in the 21st century must accept that abortion is a necessary back-up to contraception, and that it should be a woman's private and personal decision that she is able to make according to what she thinks is best for her and her family. It is a travesty that abortion is included in the criminal statute in so many countries -- including Britain. As a moral matter it should be for a woman to decide in line with her values; she should be allowed to take responsibility for life and choose what she thinks is best. As a medical matter, if should be regulated like any other medical procedure. This point was put very nicely by the London Times in December 2013, in a leading article challenging the new Spanish law. "To bring the criminal law into an issue of women's health and conscientious reflection is an abuse of government power," argued this establishment newspaper. "A constitutional society does not intrude into areas of personal judgment that most citizens consider fall within the authority of the family. Social engineering is the practice of autocratic governments." Spain is heading towards a self-made mess. We know from the situation in the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland, what the consequences of its new law are likely to be. The lesson for other governments is that they should stay out of women's personal decisions. "Nosotras Decidimos," proclaim the Spanish women's organizations protesting against their inhumane new law -- "We Decide." Throughout Europe, organizations such as BPAS will be standing behind them, and providing the services that these women need. But how much better it would be if they could access this care at home - as, until so recently, they could. Read more: 2009 -- Spanish Parliament approves abortion bill . The views expressed in this commentary are solely those of Ann Furedi.

Spain's proposed abortion law would restrict abortion to rape victims or women who would suffer lasting harm . It would effectively reverse a 2010 law allowing abortion on request for the first 14 weeks . Ann Furedi says Spanish woman would have to travel to other countries for terminations . Furedi says women should be able to make a decision in line with their own moral values .

019d12eb752cf8cfd4f974a487a6fede224c5b64

(CNN) -- American Airlines is facing a possible perfect storm of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, terrible labor relations with its pilots, delayed and canceled flights, aircraft seats that won't stay put and a growing number of reported flights diverted because of various problems midflight. Travel agents and customers who book their own travel are starting to question whether they should fly the airline. Who wants to fly American? More than 500 readers commented on CNN.com's story asking that question, many lamenting what they see as the decline of a once-proud airline and others reporting that other U.S. airlines aren't any better. Comments have been edited for clarity and brevity. Everyone has a bad airline story to share . "AA is my last option," wrote Rick Ruiz. "Oldest jets in the fleet, every time I board one of their planes I feel like I just time traveled 20 to 30 years. Leg room is by far the worst of any carrier. Very expensive to fly them as well." "Absolutely horrible airline," wrote a commenter using the name AKbearhugger. "The last time I flew with them, they destroyed my bag. Completely destroyed it. I went to the claims desk, and the "Customer Service" agent said it wasn't covered. Let them go out of business." "I have over 10 million miles on American's AAdvantage program -- and I can tell you for certain their service has become a lot worse," wrote DeeJ. Third American Airlines flight in a week experiences loose seats . They're not all on American . "My worse experience EVER was with Delta," wrote wedn28. "They are the reason I do carry-on now. I'd take my chances with US Airways or AA if I have to, but try to use Jetblue." Goose69 prefers American to the competition: "Compared to most other US carriers, American was great. US Airways, Spirit, Delta and Continental are HORRIFYING experiences from start to finish. I'd take a loose seat rather then have to fly the competition. Come on American pilots, get back to work and be happy you are employed." Foreign airlines do it better . People who fly foreign airlines say the airline crews treat their customers better than their U.S. counterparts. "Singapore Airlines played with our children and fed them so my wife and I could eat our meals," wrote Scott603. "They brought them toys once an hour and helped us get on/off the plane, on more than one trip," he added. "Qatar brought my mother-in-law from the plane in JFK, through customs and immigration and right out to us, they are awesome!!" Calling in replacements . The airline blames the increasing list of canceled and delayed flights on its pilots union, after the company persuaded a bankruptcy judge last month to throw out the pilots' contract. The company says the pilots are calling in unnecessary repairs to slow down flights. "The NFL was just fine with replacement referees, so sure let's use replacement pilots and mechanics for American Airlines," wrote OhRReally. "Maybe those brilliant corporate leaders at American Airlines should embrace the NFL model for skilled-employee labor disputes: call in the replacements! Hey, it's just a fully loaded 767!" wrote sju36. "AA tried to renegotiate contracts prior to this but the pilots refused," wrote casprd, in reponse to sju36's comment. "Having worked there for a long time, I can say that the pilots hold the rest of the company hostage. Perspective during tough times . Some folks seem to have a broader perspective: Expressing compassion for the airline and its employees and noting its importance to U.S. airline competition. "Whether you wish to fly them or not, you don't want them to go out of business or merge. Bad for the consumer!" wrote Jhaza2k. "They are definitely not worst airline though, just disgruntled employees at a trying time for this airline." "It's so sad to see so many people making accusatory and nasty comments about AA employees when it's clear that they know nothing about what's really going on at the airline," wrote cyansky. "This past weekend, I was on two AA flights that were delayed; the first because the oxygen bottles that the pilots rely on in case of a decompression were found to be EMPTY and had to be replaced; the second because the altimeter was broken. (Kind of important stuff to fix before takeoff, I think.)," continued cyansky. "These flights were manned with a crew whose captain and two flight attendants all lost their homes to foreclosure within the same time frame that AA executives awarded themselves millions of dollars in bonuses." An apology from an employee . A couple of posters claiming to work for American tried to offer some perspective. "I work for AA, on the ramp," wrote bbrooks1963. "And I would like to tell all of you: Sorry! Some of us really do all we can to provide the best service this airline can provide. I'm one of those unfortunate ones that just might be out of a job soon, but I still and will till the end, do my job to the best of my ability and without fail." That comment got more than 100 "likes" from our readers. Better airline food could help . "Things would turn around, if they served 'special brownies' ... made by the California Pot Growers Association," wrote Hermes96. "The service would still stink, but you would not care anymore." What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments area of this story.

American Airlines facing several problems including recent loose aircraft seats . More than 500 commenters weighed in about American and other airlines . Some gripe about airlines and changes in industry, others defend American .

019d874e2b508993052b2c29501c188799584c06

The Australian man who drowned at the weekend off a luxurious resort in Fiji has been identified as 37-year-old Melbourne tourist Benjamin John Busbridge. A Fijian police source told MailOnline Mr Busbridge died of 'asphyxiation due to drowning' and that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the man's death. He added that the investigation into the drowning had concluded. Trouble in paradise: Benjamin John Busbridge, 37, drowned on Saturday night while snorkeling near the Outrigger on the Lagoon resort in Fiji . It is believed Mr Busbridge drowned on Saturday night after venturing out for a lone snorkeling trip near the Outrigger on the Lagoon resort in Fiji's Viti Levu island. He was last seen walking along the beach on Saturday afternoon. The alarm was raised when he failed to return his snorkeling gear to the resort that night. His body washed up on a coral reef about 1.5km from the resort at 9.50am on Sunday. The resort's general manager Peter Hopgood told MailOnline Mr Busbridge had been staying with a female guest - named by police as Melbourne-based Taiwanese national Hsu Yen Chun  - and that she had since checked out. Mystery drowning: How Mr Busbridge drowned remained unclear. He had only booked one night's accommodation at the Outrigger resort . He said he was waiting on the coroner's report before making further comment. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of the incident and was working with local consular officials to have the man's body returned to Australia. The Outrigger on the Lagoon resort offers some of Fiji's finest and most exclusive accommodation, with weekend rooms starting at $240 per night. Mr Busbridge and his female acquaintance had only booked one night at the resort - a popular destination for Australian tourists roughly 80km from Nadi. His death comes just days after Sydney father-of-three Mark Hardaker died in a collision between two boats while holidaying with his family in Fiji on May 15. Lonely death: Mr Busbridge drowned while alone off the south Fijian coast. He washed up the next day 1.5km from where he went missing .

Melbourne man drowned during nighttime snorkel in south Fiji . Named as 37-year-old Benjamin John Busbridge . Local police waiting on autopsy results to establish exact cause of death . The man was booked into a luxury Fiji resort with a female acquaintance .

019e95e15209076bbfd4315b86383883d9f0899d

(CNN) -- Just six weeks after the Australian Senate rejected a bill that included opening offshore processing centers for asylum seekers, a government-appointed panel has recommended just that. The three-member panel, headed by former defense chief Marshal Houston, made 22 recommendations Monday on how the country should deal with thousands of asylum seekers who attempt to reach its shores each year. The report's release came after a particularly busy weekend for maritime authorities, who intercepted six separate boats carrying a total of 265 people in the three days to Sunday. It also came as officials investigated claims a boat carrying more than 60 asylum seekers had disappeared en route from Indonesia to Christmas Island, a popular entry point to Australia's asylum system. Read more: Asylum seekers risking all to escape dangers of home . Among the Houston report's recommendations was that offshore processing centers be established on the islands of Nauru and Papua New Guinea "as soon as practical." It also recommended an immediate increase in the number of people accepted each year for asylum from 13,750 to 20,000. In an effort to reduce the demand for family reunions, it recommended barring people who arrive by boat from being able to sponsor their families to join them. And rather than dumping the government's controversial and illegal "Malaysia Solution," the report recommended building on the deal "through high-level bilateral engagement focused on strengthening safeguards and accountability." Under the so-called "Malaysia Solution," Australia would have sent 800 asylum seekers to Malaysia for processing each year in exchange for 4,000 confirmed refugees. However, the High Court ruled the deal invalid last August on the grounds that, as a non-signatory to the 1951 U.N. Refugee Convention, Malaysia has no legal obligation to protect asylum seekers, something required under Australia's Migration Act. Read more: Which countries take in most asylum seekers? Not the West . Hours after the report was released, Gillard gave her in-principle backing to all its recommendations and said that Parliament would meet Tuesday to amend the earlier rejected bill to include the provision for processing centers on Nauru and PNG. "We will also move to immediately implement the recommendations on family reunion," she added. Refugee advocates reacted with outrage to the report, calling it a "rebadging of the Pacific Solution," a reference to the former Liberal government's controversial policy of the last decade. "At the heart of the panel's report is the policy of deterrence, but all deterrence does is divert people from our doorstep to dangers elsewhere. It doesn't address the circumstances, it just shifts the problem somewhere else," said David Manne, executive director of Australia's Refugee and Immigration Legal Center. "What we need to do is promote proper protection standards in the region. There needs to be the understanding that it will take time, perseverance and patience. It will be incremental. There are no simple solutions," he added. The so-called Pacific Solution was introduced by former Prime Minister John Howard in 2001 and involved sending asylum seekers to detention centers on Pacific Island nations while their claims were processed. The current Labor government abandoned the policy when it took power in 2007. Since then, there has been a sharp increase in asylum seekers making the dangerous trip by boat to seek a new life in Australia. Between late 2001 and June this year, 964 asylum seekers and crew died at sea. Of those, more than 600 lost their lives in the last three years, according to the report. "To do nothing is unacceptable -- so we have proposed a new approach. One that is comprehensive, integrated and equitable," said refugee expert and panel member Paris Aristotle. In a statement, Amnesty International's refugee spokesman Graham Thom said he was "appalled" by the panel's recommendations. "Sending asylum seekers to places like Malaysia, Nauru and Papua New Guinea is unacceptable and a complete outsourcing of Australia's human rights obligations. "The 'Pacific Solution' was a failed policy, and a wildly expensive one, that was internationally condemned for breaching the human rights of some of the world's most vulnerable people," he added. Manne said it was questionable whether Nauru would meet the requirements to be considered as a legally viable option for offshore asylum centers. "Although Nauru and PNG have signed the Refugee Convention, neither country has its own laws in place to protect refugees nor are there any proper legal guarantees that refugees would be protected, and there are serious concerns about human rights conditions on the ground," he said. Australia's politicians have long been at odds over the country's official response to asylum seekers. While the opposition Coalition has backed the reopening of offshore centers, the move has been fiercely resisted by the Greens party which claims it breaches human rights. In late June, the senate rejected the Migration Legislation Amendment (The Bali Process) Bill 2012 which would have allowed Australia to send asylum seekers to Malaysia and Nauru for processing. Gillard said she is willing to compromise further to reach agreement and a policy on the issue. The panel estimated that if all the report's recommendations were adopted, they would cost US$1 billion to implement.

Australian expert panel recommends opening offshore processing centers for asylum seekers . Gillard government has given its in-principle backing to the report . 22 recommendations include processing asylum seekers on Nauru, PNG . Refugee advocates express outrage, saying the proposal "rebadges" the Pacific Solution .

019ff937428c593d20c81243fecf298cffb2e752

(CNN) -- An exiled Rwandan rebel leader is being transferred to the International Criminal Court to face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, the Paris prosecutor's office said Tuesday. Callixte Mbarushimana was arrested in Paris in October under an ICC warrant involving allegations of mass rape and other crimes committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mbarushimana, a leader of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), is charged with 11 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes including rape, gender-based persecution and property destruction by his group in 2009, an ICC statement said in October. At the time of the arrest, ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo thanked authorities in France, Germany, Congo and Rwanda for their help, calling it a "crucial step in efforts to prosecute the massive sexual crimes committed in the DRC." The ICC statement said Mbarushimana was the first senior leader arrested for the atrocities in North and South Kivu provinces of Congo. The FDLR comprises mainly Hutu extremists who fled to Congo after taking part in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The ICC statement blamed the group for instigating war in Congo as part of its efforts to topple the government in neighboring Rwanda. Mbarushimana left Rwanda in the aftermath of the war and worked for the United Nations until he was dismissed in 2001 when it was revealed that he was the subject of an investigation by the United Nations' own criminal tribunal for Rwanda. In 2005, CNN spoke with Mbarushimana in France, where he had refugee status. He maintained his innocence. "I am not afraid of justice. What I am afraid of is injustice, like what is taking place in Rwanda for instance, where people are not really tried properly," he aid at the time. The ICC said Mbarushimana "has held senior positions in the political leadership of the FDLR" since 2004. The ICC, seated at The Hague in the the Netherlands, describes itself on its website as "the first permanent, treaty based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community."

Callixte Mbarushimana was arrested in Paris in October . His alleged crimes occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo . Mbarushimana, a former U.N. employee, says he is innocent .

01a033acb35063f347289196cb89e8afaef802c2

(EW.com) -- You don't need to look very hard to find Neil Patrick Harris these days. The actor-slash-singer-slash-magician has hosted the Emmys, performed at the Oscars, and even headlined the World Magic Awards, which apparently are an actual thing. But despite his menagerie of ceremonial credits, the consummate entertainer admits that it's the Tony Awards -- which Harris is hosting for the third time on Sunday, June 10, on CBS -- that hold the dearest spot in his heart. "I think the celebratory tone of it makes it my favorite show to host," says Harris, who previously celebrated Broadway's biggest night with successful hosting gigs in 2009 and 2011. "In the Emmys and in observing the Oscars, it's a bunch of individuals that hardly know each other that all work in their own business bubbles, and I think the opposite is true on Broadway. Most everyone is a) thrilled to be there, b) even more thrilled to be nominated but c) and I think most importantly, they all know and are supportive of each other, so you end up with this great evening where it's not a lot of sour grapes." With last year's "Book of Mormon"-dominated telecast dabbling in irreverence, this year's ceremony should be noticeably more family-oriented, thanks in no small part to the heavy presence of a solid handful of mainstream plays representing one of the medium's best seasons in recent memory. Despite powerful performances, plays typically tend to get short shrift at the musical-focused Tonys — a foregone conclusion of the ceremony that Harris hopes to change this year. "I'm really trying this year to figure out a way to get performances by plays somehow in the show," Harris tells EW. "Every year you focus mostly on the musicals, because that's what's easier to put on the stage, like a three-and-a-half-minute number from 'Anything Goes.' But with so many amazing James Earl Joneses and Stockard Channings, we've got some amazing, monologue-talented people that I want to showcase the plays in a legitimate way." Does that mean we'll be treated to a brief glimpse of Darth Vader and Rizzo in a monologue mash-up? (Most likely not, as that's an awful idea on my part.) But what we can expect on June 10 is a high-energy telecast that commemorates the best of the year on Broadway and cements Harris as a master master of ceremonies. "The more content I end up doing, then the less time everyone gets to spend watching performances, and really, in addition to doling out awards, that's the reason you watch," says Harris, who last year sang a duet with Hugh Jackman, a group performance with the New York Philharmonic cast of "Company" and a full opening and closing number. "Not to say I won't be around. I'm hoping for the watercooler-y moments when you have to pause and go back and rewatch. There will be a couple surprises!" As we count down the days until we can see what NPH has up his sleeve at the Tony Awards, we'll just have to make do with his opening number from last year. See full story at EW.com. CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved.

The Tony Awards hold the dearest spot in Neil Patrick Harris' heart . "I think the celebratory tone of it makes it my favorite show to host," says Harris . "There will be a couple surprises!" he says .

01a124ac4cf204df6c9440625765019670ae9812

(Rolling Stone) -- "Making Achtung Baby is the reason we're here now," Bono says early on in Davis Guggenheim's new U2 documentary, "From The Sky Down," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday night. The film -- which focuses on the tumultuous time in the band's career 20 years ago -- shows how Bono, guitarist the Edge, drummer Larry Mullen Jr. and bassist Adam Clayton got back on track: After considerable infighting and "creative differences" while the four hunkered down at Hansa Studios in Berlin in 1990 to try to make an album, the song "One" finally and miraculously sprouted from the unfinished "Mysterious Ways." "The movie has this pretty long [section] where you hear them write that song -- and it's goose bumps," Guggenheim told Rolling Stone in Toronto. "The writing of that song really saved the band. They had come out of the height of Joshua Tree as the biggest band in the world. 'Rattle and Hum' was a disaster from their point of view, a lot of bad reviews -- they weren't happy with what they had become. They take that bridge section out of 'Mysterious Ways' and they go back into the room at Hansa. They write a song on the fly in a matter of minutes. 'One' is written and the band is saved and we have all that on tape." There are other telling inclusions in the film, from footage of Bono getting angry in a dressing room after a Joshua Tree concert in 1987 (culled from Rattle and Hum director Phil Joanou's amazing leftovers) to candid, present-day sound-only interviews that Guggenheim was able to draw from each band member. "The soul of the movie is these interviews I do with them," he said. "I didn't know how they'd react to the things that I put in the movie," said Guggenheim. "There are some very sensitive things. And to their credit, they said, 'This is truthful; this is real; it's not sensational.'" Rolling Stone: The Best U2 Songs . The day after the TIFF gala screening, Bono, the Edge and Guggenheim spoke at a press conference about the film. "I found it a little humiliating to realize that we were so inept and these days we're a better band," Bono said. "We've learned our craft -- and therein lies the huge danger, which is there's a giant chasm between the very good and the great, and U2 right now has a danger of surrendering to the very good." Guggenheim had earned the Edge's trust from the documentary they did together in 2008, "It Might Get Loud," alongside two other guitar greats, Jack White and Jimmy Page. Still, it's a relationship in progress, Guggenheim noted: "There's a something adversarial about making a movie about something that neither side wants, but it's naturally there." "For me, when Davis agreed to do this, I felt like I could relax because I knew the thing that he was most interested in was actually the truth as opposed to what was a great shot or what might be sensational," said the Edge. "The stuff that's in the film are those moments where we're really being honest." "A little bit of sensationalism would have been good, a few great shots," joked Bono. "I felt like I was mugged." In addition to the tension, intensity and struggle that plays out in the film, there is a lot of levity too, including a satirical montage of bands that have imploded or lost members, references and demonstrations of Bono's unique gibberish singing, dubbed "Bongalese" and yes, the band in drag. "What's interesting is Larry really didn't like the idea and thought he looked like he was in some skin flick," said Bono. "Edge took to it with a perfectionist's eye." "I just freaked myself out because I looked so much like my sister, I was shocked," the Edge said. Added Bono: "Adam looked like the Queen of England and I looked like Barbara Bush." See the original article at RollingStone.com . Copyright © 2011 Rolling Stone.

The film focuses on the tumultuous time in the band's career 20 years ago . There are sound-only interviews that Guggenheim was able to draw from each band member . There is a lot of levity too, including a satirical montage of bands that have imploded .

01a14827bf6b0b99dea932ae65658adafda54c26

By . David Martosko, U.s. Political Editor . A haggard-looking Bridget Kelly, the former Chris Christie deputy chief of staff whose emails and text messages launched the 'Bridgegate' scandal, appeared in a New Jersey courtroom as her lawyers sparred with prosecutors over whether she can use the Fifth Amendment to block document subpoenas. Kelly arrived at the courthouse for her first public appearance since the national fascination with her part in the scandal began, appearing none too pleased to be there but resigned to her personal stake in the rulings that will likely determine her legal future. Gurn and bear it: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's former deputy chief of staff Bridget Anne Kelly faced a crush of media as she arrived at Mercer County Court in Trenton, New Jersey . Kelly appeared in court but didn't testify; her lawyer argued that she shouldn't have to turn over documents to Democrats investigating the 'Bridgegate' scandal . Under fire: Kelly arrived at the courthouse for her first public appearance since the national fascination with her part in the scandal began . Reid Schar, a prosecutor famous for . putting Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich behind bars, argued Tuesday that . his subpoenas aren't a 'fishing expedition' but demand specific records . that a Democrat-dominated legislative committee knows exist. The . committee hired Schar in January to lead a probe into the state's . Republican governor and his appointees, at least three of whom are . linked to an apparent plot to snarl traffic in the New Jersey town of . Fort Lee as payback for its mayor's failure to endorse Christie's 2013 . re-election bid. Kelly and Bill Stepien, a former . senior Christie campaign official, insist that the Fifth Amendment's . right against self-incrimination should protect them from turning over . documents that might point to their guilt in the alleged scheme. Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson quizzed Schar on the former officials' legal argument that giving documents to Schar would be tantamount to testifying against themselves – something the Fifth Amendment says they can avoid. 'If that were true,' Schar responded, 'essentially every single subpoena would be open to the Fifth Amendment.' Michael Critchley, Kelly's attorney, said Monday that she would show up personally in court, a step she didn't have to take. Kelly, famous for emailing Port Authority official David Wildstein that it was 'time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee,' was fired in January after Gov. Christie confronted her. The governor has insisted that he had no knowledge of the September 2013 closures of lanes leading from the town to the iconic George Washington Bridge, beginning on the first day of school and lasting for five days. More than a dozen figures in the Bridgegate debacle have already complied with subpoenas similar to those Kelly and Stepien have rebuffed. But those two have held out, leading to speculation that they are angling for legal immunity. Wildstein is also defying investigators, refusing to testify in a January hearing. Schar argued Tuesday that he shouldn't have to promise he won't charge Kelly or Stepien with a crime in order to get emails, text messages and phone call logs that might describe her involvement in the plot. Under fire: Kelly is accused of being part of a plot to deliberately snarl up traffic on the George Washington Bridge to get back at a mayor who refused to endorse Christie . Highs and lows: Kelly seemed relieved after she was clear of the cameras outside the court. Her taking the Fifth has led some to speculate she could be angling for legal immunity at a later date . Bill Stepien (L) is a former Christie campaign manager who was implicated in a string of emails related to the bidge closures . The pugnacious Christie's approval numbers have dropped but he remains a viable 2016 presidential contender, aided by the direct, no-nonsense style that he brought to a town hall meeting with constituents on March 4 . Stepien's lawyer, Kevin Marino, argued that the legislature's Democrats don't have the right to demand thousands of documents that they suspect might suggest his participation in a partisan attack on Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich. But Schar told Judge Jacobson that emails already in his possession point to the existence of many others. 'I'm really sorry for causing you this much stress this close to November,' Stepien wrote in one email. Marino read all five emails aloud in court, dismissing Schar's argument and saying they don't constitute 'reasonable particularized knowledge' or a 'foregone conclusion' – the legal standards – that more documents are waiting to be discovered. Marino argued that the government's position is that 'we don't have any idea what exists, but we'd like you to tell us.' Tuesday's hearing is crucial to New Jersey legislators' continuing investigation into the actions of Christie's staffers, because if Jacobson quashes the subpoenas, all three of the key Bridgegate figures will have blocked committee Democrats.

Bridget Kelly and Bill Stepien are defying Democrats on a state legislative committee, refusing to turn over documents that might incriminate them . Lawyers battled on Tuesday over whether a handful of emails pointed to the existence of many others . Reid Schar, a prosecutor famous for putting corrupt Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich in prison, insisted that he wasn't on a 'fishing expedition' A judge could quash the committee's subpoenas, denying investigators access to emails, text messages and phone records . Gov. Chris Christie fired Kelly and muscled Stepien out of state Republican politics in January, insisting he never knew of a scheme to use traffic lane closures to punish a Democratic mayor who didn't endorse his re-election .

01a17b2ede1c89dd0619310554597c9c6e71a075

(CNN) -- The United States will donate $15 million to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, pending congressional authorization and appropriations, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Saturday. Speaking at the Schindler Factory Museum in Krakow, Poland, Clinton said the contribution will go to preserve the site of the concentration camp and "demonstrates America's commitment to Holocaust education, remembrance and research," the State Department said. Some 1.1 million people perished at the Auschwitz-Berkenau concentration camp. Because the camp was initially constructed as a temporary place, the buildings and other artifacts at Auschwitz-Birkenau are deteriorating, the State Department said. If approved, the funding would be provided over five years starting in 2012. The United States encouraged other nations to follow suit and contribute to the fund to preserve the site for future generations, the State Department said. More than 1.3 million people visited the museum and memorial at Auschwitz-Berkenau in 2009. Also Saturday, Poland and the United States amended their missile defense agreement, formally aligning with the Obama administration's new plan to protect against attacks on the United States and its allies. "This agreement marks an important step in our countries' efforts to protect our NATO allies from the threat posed by the proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction," a joint statement from both governments said. The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty signed in April by President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev cuts the total number of nuclear weapons held by the United States and Russia by about a third. Specifically, it fixes a ceiling for each country of 1,550 nuclear warheads and 700 deployed nuclear delivery vehicles. The United States abandoned the Nixon-era Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty under the Bush administration in 2001 and has been experimenting with missile defense systems extensively since then. While tests of short-range and sea-based systems have been largely effective, longer-range systems aimed at protecting the U.S. homeland have a mixed record of success. The Obama administration scrapped the Bush administration's plan for a European-based missile defense system based in Poland and the Czech Republic, proposing instead a more limited system aimed at defending against possible attacks from rogue states like Iran. Both proposals have drawn opposition from Russia.

NEW: U.S., Poland amend missile agreement . U.S. will donate $15 million to Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation . Contribution pending congressional approval . Secretary Clinton makes announcement during visit to Poland .

01a2c12911cde0f04e0af8798ca7ff854c35a830

By . Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 01:18 EST, 23 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:12 EST, 23 April 2013 . Lu Lingzi was remembered as a passionate about the piano, a daughter who always made her father laugh and a standout statistics student during a memorial service one week after she was killed in the Boston Marathon bombings. Her death came just two days after she had aced qualifying exams at Boston University, where she was a graduate student. Friends and family on Monday night vowed not to forget the light in their lives that was extinguished too soon. Scroll down for video . Remembering Lingzi: A member of the audience shed tears during Lu Lingzi's eulogy, delivered by her father, Lu Jun as friends, families and fellow students packed Metcalf Hall at Boston University . Gone too soon: Miss Lu's death came just two days after she had aced qualifying exams at Boston University, where she was a graduate student . In mourning: Two men carry flowers on their way attend a memorial service for Miss Lu . 'You need us to be strong and brave,' Jing Li said of her roommate, killed as she watched the marathon a week ago. 'We will keep running to finish the race for you and we will try to realize your unfinished dream.' Hundreds of people packed a hall at Boston University to say goodbye to Lu, a 23-year-old graduate student. She was one of three people killed in last Monday's bombings. Gov Deval Patrick was among the people who showed up to listen to an hour of music and stories about Lu. Embrace: A group of girls comfort each other after a memorial service for Lu Lingzi . Remembrance: Stuffed animals, flowers and tissues adorned the entryway table of Metcalf Hall as attendees streamed past to take their seats for Lu Lingzi's memorial service . Best friends: Jing Li said of her roommate: 'You need us to be strong and brave. We will keep running to finish the race for you and we will try to realize your unfinished dream' Jing told the crowd how when she met Lu in April 2012 they discovered they were both from the northern part of China, both piano lovers and both without boyfriends. 'We believed we were long-lost sisters and could not wait to begin our adventure in Boston,' she said. 'I was so grateful that I had such a lovely sister in my life, but I had no idea that this friendship would only last one year.' Speakers recalled a bubbly young woman who loved dogs and blueberry pancakes and who was also a driven student. Memorial: This woman seen carrying flowers was one of hundreds of friends and family members at the vigil for Lu Lingzi . Her father, Lu Jun, thanked everyone for . helping the family over the recent dark days before offering a eulogy . 'to comfort the heavenly soul of my beloved daughter.' 'She was the family's Shirley Temple, if you will, the little elf and a little jolly girl, bringing everyone in the family ceaseless laughter,' said Lu Jun, who spoke in his native tongue and was followed by an English interpreter. 'She's gone but our memories of her are very much alive,' her father said. 'An ancient Chinese saying says every child is actually a little Buddha that helps their parents mature and grow up.' Family members accepted gifts from students. They turned and bowed to the crowd at the end of the service. Eric Kolaczyk, director of the school's program in statistics, said Lu was an excellent student who passed her qualifying exams with 'flying colors' just before her death. He said that though she will never achieve her goal of becoming a financial analyst, a scholarship set up in her name by Boston University will help others meet their goals. 'Lingzi's potential will instead be fulfilled by many others,' he said. A father's pain: Lu Jun, the father of Miss Lu, leaves the stage after delivering the eulogy for his daughter .

Lu Lingzi was one of three people killed as she watched the Boston Marathon last Monday . Hundreds of friends and family members pack into Boston University hall to say goodbye to the 23-year-old from China .

01a33a152b10d57a6481869e652dc833a732dccd

Like the spokesmen for Arab dictators feigning bewilderment over protesters' demands, mainstream television news reporters finally training their attention on the growing Occupy Wall Street protest movement seem determined to cast it as the random, silly blather of an ungrateful and lazy generation of weirdos. They couldn't be more wrong and, as time will tell, may eventually be forced to accept the inevitability of their own obsolescence. Consider how CNN anchor Erin Burnett, covered the goings on at Zuccotti Park downtown, where the protesters are encamped, in a segment called "Seriously?!" "What are they protesting?" she asked, "nobody seems to know." Like Jay Leno testing random mall patrons on American History, the main objective seemed to be to prove that the protesters didn't, for example, know that the U.S. government has been reimbursed for the bank bailouts. It was condescending and reductionist. More predictably perhaps, a Fox News reporter appears flummoxed in this outtake from "On the Record," in which the respondent refuses to explain how he wants the protests to "end." Transcending the shallow partisan politics of the moment, the protester explains "As far as seeing it end, I wouldn't like to see it end. I would like to see the conversation continue." To be fair, the reason why some mainstream news journalists and many of the audiences they serve see the Occupy Wall Street protests as incoherent is because the press and the public are themselves. It is difficult to comprehend a 21st century movement from the perspective of the 20th century politics, media, and economics in which we are still steeped. In fact, we are witnessing America's first true Internet-era movement, which -- unlike civil rights protests, labor marches, or even the Obama campaign -- does not take its cue from a charismatic leader, express itself in bumper-sticker-length goals and understand itself as having a particular endpoint. Yes, there are a wide array of complaints, demands, and goals from the Wall Street protesters: the collapsing environment, labor standards, housing policy, government corruption, World Bank lending practices, unemployment, increasing wealth disparity and so on. Different people have been affected by different aspects of the same system -- and they believe they are symptoms of the same core problem. Are they ready to articulate exactly what that problem is and how to address it? No, not yet. But neither are Congress or the president who, in thrall to corporate America and Wall Street, respectively, have consistently failed to engage in anything resembling a conversation as cogent as the many I witnessed as I strolled by Occupy Wall Street's many teach-ins this morning. There were young people teaching one another about, among other things, how the economy works, about the disconnection of investment banking from the economy of goods and services, the history of centralized interest-bearing currency, the creation and growth of the derivatives industry, and about the Obama administration deciding to settle with, rather than investigate and prosecute the investment banking industry for housing fraud. Anyone who says he has no idea what these folks are protesting is not being truthful. Whether we agree with them or not, we all know what they are upset about, and we all know that there are investment bankers working on Wall Street getting richer while things for most of the rest of us are getting tougher. What upsets banking's defenders and politicians alike is the refusal of this movement to state its terms or set its goals in the traditional language of campaigns. That's because, unlike a political campaign designed to get some person in office and then close up shop (as in the election of Obama), this is not a movement with a traditional narrative arc. As the product of the decentralized networked-era culture, it is less about victory than sustainability. It is not about one-pointedness, but inclusion and groping toward consensus. It is not like a book; it is like the Internet. Occupy Wall Street is meant more as a way of life that spreads through contagion, creates as many questions as it answers, aims to force a reconsideration of the way the nation does business and offers hope to those of us who previously felt alone in our belief that the current economic system is broken. But unlike a traditional protest, which identifies the enemy and fights for a particular solution, Occupy Wall Street just sits there talking with itself, debating its own worth, recognizing its internal inconsistencies and then continuing on as if this were some sort of new normal. It models a new collectivism, picking up on the sustainable protest village of the movement's Egyptian counterparts, with food, first aid, and a library. Yes, as so many journalists seem obligated to point out, kids are criticizing corporate America while tweeting through their iPhones. The simplistic critique is that if someone is upset about corporate excess, he is supposed to abandon all connection with any corporate product. Of course, the more nuanced approach to such tradeoffs would be to seek balance rather than ultimatums. Yes, there are things big corporations might do very well, like making iPhones. There are other things big corporations may not do so well, like structure mortgage derivatives. Might we be able to use corporations for what works, and get them out of doing what doesn't? And yes, some kids are showing up at Occupy Wall Street because it's fun. They come for the people, the excitement, the camaraderie and the sense of purpose they might not be able to find elsewhere. But does this mean that something about Occupy Wall Street is lacking, or that it is providing something that jobs and schools are not (thanks in part to rising unemployment and skyrocketing tuitions)? The members of Occupy Wall Street may be as unwieldy, paradoxical, and inconsistent as those of us living in the real world. But that is precisely why their new approach to protest is more applicable, sustainable and actionable than what passes for politics today. They are suggesting that the fiscal operating system on which we are attempting to run our economy is no longer appropriate to the task. They mean to show that there is an inappropriate and correctable disconnect between the abundance America produces and the scarcity its markets manufacture. And in the process, they are pointing the way toward something entirely different than the zero-sum game of artificial scarcity favoring top-down investors and media makers alike.

Douglas Rushkoff says traditional media condescends to Occupy Wall Street movement . He says that's because its 21st-century, net-driven narrative doesn't fit old media model . He says protest not about end-point, it's about a new discourse on variety of complaints . Rushkoff: Protest may be unwieldy, but aims to correct disconnects in U.S.

01a3ecf33b89551bd5513fcec634704b92f87904

When a mortar hit the building Corporal Hannah Campbell was guarding in Iraq, her injuries could hardly have been more horrific. A pole through her face blinded her in one eye, her left hand was split in two and her left leg was shattered and had to be amputated. At the same time she was shot in the stomach, damaging her womb, and had a heart attack. Many would struggle to come back from such trauma. But with the help of doctors, Miss Campbell has rebuilt herself, like a real-life Bionic Woman. Scroll down for video . Bionic woman: Hannah Campbell, who was horrifically injured in a mortar blast in Iraq, has undergone a £52,500 makeover, including a lifelike prosthetic leg, make-up which is tattooed on, Botox, gastric band weight-loss treatment, a tummy tuck - and she has even treated herself to a breast enlargement . Miss Campbell (pictured, left, as part of Windsor Platoon in 2002) was blinded in one eye and her left leg was shattered and had to be amputated after the mortar blast (right) The 30-year-old soldier has undergone . a £52,500 makeover, including a lifelike prosthetic leg, make-up which . is tattooed on, Botox, gastric band weight-loss treatment and a tummy . tuck. She even treated herself to two breast enlargements. Miss . Campbell, who used part of her Ministry of Defence compensation of at . least £380,000 for her new look, said: ‘It was a no-brainer, the best . money I ever spent.’ And, . as the Daily Mail reported earlier this year, she even defied the odds . following her womb injury to give birth to a daughter. It was in 2007 that she was injured while serving with 19 Tank Transporter Squadron, guarding a building in Basra. Ordeal: Hannah Campbell pictured at home in 2011 - four years after she suffered her injuries in Iraq . Courageous: During her recovery, Miss Campbell gained weight from being left wheelchair-bound, going from 9½st to 21½st, but a £10,500 gastric bypass operation helped her get back to her original size . During her recovery she gained weight from being left wheelchair-bound, going from 9½st to 21½st, while post-traumatic stress disorder caused her to lose her hair. She was given real-hair wigs by Help For Heroes until her hair grew back, and later spent £5,000 on hair extensions. A £10,500 gastric bypass operation helped her get back to her original size and she learned to walk again with the aid of the £12,000 prosthetic leg provided by the Army, made of silicone to look as realistic as possible. ‘Within a year I’d run a marathon and was back to 9½st. It was the start of re-finding myself,’ she told The Sun. Hannah Campbell was able to get pregnant despite being shot in the womb . She went on to have a £10,500 tummy tuck, and spent £3,000 on facial treatments, with tattooed make-up used to hide her scars and Botox injections camouflaging nerve damage which had left her face drooping. Miss Campbell, from Northampton, has a ten-year-old daughter Milly from a previous relationship. Following her ordeal she was told by doctors that she would never conceive again. Yet six months ago she gave birth to her second child, Lexi-River. She said: ‘The miracle happened. I feel blessed. Many women never learn to be fully happy with how they look but I really appreciate how I am now.’

Hannah Campbell suffered horrific injuries while guarding building in Iraq . A pole blinded her in one eye, her hand split in two and leg was shattered . 30-year-old has made remarkable recovery thanks to a £52,500 makeover . Work included make-up which is tattooed on, Botox and hair extensions . She also had a tummy tuck and treated herself to a breast enhancement . She gave birth to daughter six months ago despite womb being damaged .

01a4c31112f1ceeeebbe8dce862f14f6792c03a3

(CNN) -- A group of clergy in North Carolina on Monday filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the state's ban on same-sex marriage. The group argues the ban violates the First and 14 amendments and stigmatizes same-sex couples and the people and institutions that would support them. "Marriage between two loving individuals is both a fundamental legal right and a cornerstone of almost every religion," says the lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte. "By depriving the Plaintiffs of the freedom to perform religious marriage ceremonies or to marry, North Carolina stigmatizes Plaintiffs and their religious beliefs, and the State relegates the Couple Plaintiffs to second-class status." The lawsuit was filed by the United Church of Christ, a Protestant religious denomination with some 1.1 million members, various religious leaders, including a rabbi, and some same-sex couples. Among the defendants are North Carolina Attorney General Ray Cooper, several country district attorneys, and register of deeds. Noelle Talley, a spokeswoman for Cooper, said that as a rule his office does not comment on pending litigation. The state has received the lawsuit, and is currently reviewing it. "By denying same-sex couples the right to marry and by prohibiting religious denominations even from performing marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples, the State of North Carolina stigmatizes same-sex couples, as well as the religious institutions and clergy that believe in equal rights," the suit says. North Carolina voted in 2012 to outlaw same-sex marriage, which was already prohibited in the state. Supporters pushed for -- and won -- a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as solely between a man and a woman. Voters approved the amendment by a large margin. Same-sex marriage is legal in 17 U.S states and the District of Columbia: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Besides North Carolina, same-sex marriage is banned by state constitutional amendment or state law in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Worldwide, 16 other countries -- and parts of Mexico -- also have laws allowing same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships. Most of these are in Europe and South America. CNN's Deanna Hackney contributed to this report.

NEW: The office of Attorney General Ray Cooper declines to comment . A group of clergy argues the ban violates the First and 14th amendments . North Carolina approved a constitutional amendment to outlaw same-sex marriage . Same-sex marriage is legal in 17 U.S states and the District of Columbia .

01a4c9771d9a487c68d969f81528093a8d06aa9c

Aurora, Colorado (CNN) -- Most businesses would hate to see their customers running out their doors, but in one suburban strip mall near Denver, Colorado, they are chasing the customers away -- with a chainsaw. "We're 'hauntrepreneurs,' we like to do things that are just a little bit different," says KathE Walker, who owns four haunted houses in the Denver area. "It's really exciting because you know you've done a good job," Walker says. "If they are running out screaming, then the actors have done their jobs, everybody has had a good time because they want to be scared. That's why they come. "If they're not scared, they won't come back." KathE Walker -- the capital E isn't a typo, "it's a '60s thing," she says -- laughs a lot for a woman in the business of scaring her customers. Walker, 59, runs her haunts with her husband and two grown sons. They spend the rest of the year making props for other haunted houses around the country and they throw a big science fiction convention each spring. Despite the tough economy, Walker says, business is good. She anticipates a total of 40,000-50,000 visitors, each paying $14.95 to get scared. She employs about 175 people for the Halloween season. Three of her haunts are in unused storefronts in suburban strip malls and a fourth operates out of trailers in a field near a state park. Visitors are also asked to contribute a can of food for a local food bank. Larry Kirchner, president of the Haunted House Association, says business is booming across the country for seasonal frightfests. The association says there are 2,000 for-profit haunts across the country, plus another 1,000 houses run for charity. Around 20 million fright-seekers will pay an average of $15 a visit this Halloween season, according to the group. That's a surprising figure to some in these lean economic times. "We feel very fortunate," Walker says. "I know that the economy is very scary for a lot of people. The people that we aim the haunted houses at are kids in high school and college, kids that have a lot more disposable income. They're still living with their parents. "We don't draw a lot of people that are desperate to make their mortgages. ... It's great date-night stuff. Guys love bringing their girlfriends here, they're holding onto them. It's fun." It's fun for Walker, too. While giving a tour of Slaughterhouse Gulch, which features a series of movie monsters, she giggles as a cluster of date-night teenagers scream and run from Leatherface, the villain from the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" films. "You make some money, obviously that's why you keep doing it," she says. "But for the most part we put a lot of money back into the haunted house so we can keep making them bigger and better. ... It can be kind of expensive. You cross your fingers each year hoping people will come." Walker says she loves the challenge of scaring people. "Some people come in and they say 'Oh you can't scare me,' " she says. "And they all end up running out of here, just terrified." So what scares Walker? "Clowns. I hate clowns. It took me a long time to finally let clowns be in the haunted house." 'Scaring people is really fun' Walker staffs her haunted houses with teens and 20-somethings who seem to have as much fun as the patrons. In the makeup room, Chris Parish is getting ready for his first day on the job. He'll be playing the guy chained in the bathtub from the movie "Saw." "Today is my first day scheduled, so I actually get to get paid for scaring people," he says. "Scaring people is really fun and it's something that I love to do." Halloween is makeup artist Michael Garvin's favorite time of year. He was laid off in July and hasn't been able to find another job, but during October he works days at a costume shop and nights making up the 35-40 actors who fill two of Walker's haunts. "When I was really young I fell in love with Halloween and then horror movies," he said. "I love this. I'd do this just for the fun of it, but the paycheck at the end of the month is a good thing." Caity Strother is 18 and has had trouble finding a job. It's her second year working in Slaughterhouse Gulch, where she specializes in portraying an undead ghoul. "I've filled out probably 50 applications in the last two months and gotten maybe four calls back," she said. Years of Catholic school have given Strother a skill that prospective employers have not been impressed by, but she puts it to good use in the haunted house. "I get to yell at people in Latin," she says.

Denver-area "hauntrepreneur" runs four haunted houses with husband, two adult sons . Haunted House Association says business is booming despite the lean economy . 20 million visitors are expected nationwide this year, each paying an average of $15 . About a third of the 3,000 houses in the United States benefit charity, group says .

01a4cae29a805dba3437fb2b60900c263199922e

More men are getting Botox than ever before, but unlike their female counterparts, the goal is not to eliminate all of their wrinkles. New York City-based plastic surgeon Dr Norman Rowe said male professionals are asking for subtle changes in their appearance. He's dubbed the look the 'Wall Street Wrinkle' because a large amount of the men requesting the tweaks are in finance. 'They really want to avoid looking overdone,' he told ABC News, explaining that many men view their wrinkles as a 'badge of honor'. Scroll down for video . Best shot: New York-based plastic surgeon Dr Norman Rowe can be seen giving his patient Joseph Mancuso Botox injections to subtly reduce the appearance of his crow's feet, while keeping the rest of his wrinkles . He noted: 'I don't necessarily see that as much in females. They want complete rejuvenation.' According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nearly 400,000 US males got Botox injections in 2013, which is a 310 percent increase since 2003. Dr Rowe's patient Joseph Mancuso was filmed getting his first Botox injections to reduce the appearance of his crow's feet. 'I don't want it took like as if I have a very stiff face,' he told the outlet. 'I just want to look natural.' Tiny tweaks: This photo shows Mr Mancuso before Dr Rowe administered his Botox injections . New and improved: Mr Mancuso, who said he wanted to look natural, is thrilled by the results seen in this after photo . Since men aren't looking to get rid of all of their wrinkles, Dr Rowe said the procedure is relatively painless because of the reduction in injections. 'Sure you can grow old gracefully,' he said. 'But what's gracefully? A few grey hairs and wrinkles are good. The men, they just want to look refreshed.' Men are also getting Botox injections in their palms and under their arms so they can avoid sweaty handshakes and perspiring through their shirts. Botox injections can cost patients $300 or more and the effects last four to six months after treatment.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nearly 400,000 US males got Botox injections in 2013 . New York City-based plastic surgeon Dr Norman Rowe said unlike women, men want to keep some of their wrinkles 'to avoid looking overdone'

01a543e0323a0d0f8458c512516a73372416ee2d

A skeleton of man still wearing pyjamas in bed is believed to have lain undiscovered for more than 15 years in an abandoned house. French police are trying to identify the body, found in the northern city of Lille, which is thought to be that of the elderly owner of the property. The man lived alone and appeared to have no relatives. Authorities found piles of unopened post dating back to 1996 at the house. Skeleton: The man lived alone and appeared to have no relatives. Authorities found piles of unopened post dating back to 1996 at the house (file picture) He was of Spanish origin and born in 1921, according to French reports. ‘The state of the house suggests it was a peaceful death of someone who died in his bed,’ public safety official Didier Perroudon said. He added that no concerns had been raised about the man’s absence, and told French news agency AFP: ‘He was in his bed, in his pyjamas.' Mr Perroudon said: ‘There was no mess. The house was locked from the inside. Nothing suggests a criminal act.’ Find: French police are trying to identify the body, found in the northern city of Lille (file picture), which is thought to be that of the elderly owner of the property . The unidentified man’s body was taken away for an autopsy to be done. 'He was in his bed, in his pyjamas' Didier Perroudon, public safety official . He was found dead last Friday when a health safety inspector commissioned by the city visited the house. Mr Perroudon added: ‘For the moment, we do not know anymore. 'The investigation starts. It will take some time to discover where he comes from, what he did and what his connections were.’

Health safety inspector found body inside house in Lille, France, last Friday . French police trying to identify man of Spanish origin who was born in 1921 . He lived alone, had no relatives - and unopened post was found from 1996 .

01a5f7009feb69011e711a862b10e97475d13e9f

Brazil is hoping to make the 2014 World Cup "one of the most protected sports events in history," the government said on Wednesday as it announced a $900 million investment in its security forces. It plans to have one police officer for every 50 people attending the soccer matches, and one for every 80 people at public viewing events around the country. "The government has made a program to compile the measures needed for everyone's security. This is an item that we face with much importance," said sports minister Aldo Rebelo. World football's ruling body FIFA has expressed concerns about Brazil's increasing crime rate, particularly in Sao Paulo, as well as worries that the South American nation's infrastructure is behind schedule. "We are seeing a big wave of crime in Sao Paulo, which is not good for its image or tourism," FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said last month. Brazil's 'sugar seats' solution . Rebelo said the issues are being addressed. "The Sao Paulo government adopted measures and responses for security together with the federal government, who offered help. The actions are being adopted together for the World Cup," he said. Valcke made few friends in Brazil earlier this year when he criticized the lack of progress being made in providing sufficient hotels and transport facilities, and was forced to apologize. He said last month that the problems remain, but acknowledged that steps are being taken. "In one unnamed city there are 17,000 hotel bedrooms and a 45,000 capacity stadium," said Valcke, suggesting that tourists may struggle to find accommodation. "But we have now moved from talking about the problems to talking about the solutions." Brazil gang's slaughter of police sparks fightback . The Brazil World Cup bid team has increased its security budget as the country prepares to host the tournament for the first time since 1950, as well as next year's precursor Confederations Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. It is investing in hi-tech vehicles, helicopters and surveillance equipment, with the $900 million to be spent coming from a wider $15 billion budget for infrastructure. "Security has become an ever-increasing issue for major sporting events in the past decade," the World Cup organizers said in a statement. "This has increased the level of information exchange between countries that have recently hosted events to ensure public safety." The last World Cup was held in South Africa, another country with crime problems. Its government said it invested 640 million rand ($70 million) to deploy 31,000 police officials during the tournament. It set aside a total budget of R1.3 billion ($150 million) for security, and said after the 2010 event it had spent R572 million ($65 million) on crowd control equipment, crime scene trainers, helicopters, water cannons, new body armor and 100 BMWs for highway patrol. More recently, the British government budgeted £553 million ($890 million) on security for the London 2012 Olympics, plus £475 million ($760 million) for army, security services and police spending. It caused outrage with plans to put anti-terrorist rocket launchers on the roofs of civilian homes. London 2012 organizers were forced to bring in armed forces after the Games' private security contractor, G4S, was unable to fulfill its obligations as it did not recruit sufficient workers. Brazil has been taking advice from Canada, which hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. "That's how it should be done, as we did: learn from those who were in charge of security for other events before us," Royal Canadian Mounted Police superintendent Kevin Bruyckere said. "It's important to make the most of what others have done previously to plan security. The relationship between countries and the law enforcement agencies of these countries is very important. I know Brazil is working closely with the international community."

Brazilian government trying to overcome security problems with big investment . It is allocating $900 million to security out of a $15 billion infrastructure budget . Soccer's ruling body has expressed concerns about crime wave in Sao Paulo . Brazil says it is learning lessons from previous big events such as Winter Olympics .

01a62b88f1f63f24e2754b49de40526f1406b74c

By . Sara Malm . PUBLISHED: . 06:38 EST, 20 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:16 EST, 20 December 2013 . A woman reported missing in Eugene, Oregon has been found hacked to death in an apparent murder-suicide, with her longtime partner found hanged in a tree nearby. Jacqueline Marroquin was hacked to death by Rolando DePaz, the father of her two teenage children, local police said. The 34-year-old's body was found after family members reported her missing, believing she may be with De Paz, 51. Tragic death: Jacqueline Marroquin, 34, died from injuries suffered from a machete attack and her longtime boyfriend,  Rolando De Paz, hanged himself from a tree in an apparent murder-suicide . The couple, who were in the process of separating, were found in a rural area near Harrisburg, Oregon, Linn County Undersheriff Bruce Riley said. Ms Marroquin's car was discovered on Tuesday, and officers found evidence of foul play inside the car, including blood and a machete. Shortly afterwards, Ms Marroquin's body was discovered in a bush area 50 yards from the car. De Paz's body was found hanging from a tree about half-a-mile from Ms Marroquin's body,' Register Guard reported. Ms Marroquin and De Paz had been together since 1995, moving to Oregon from El Salvador in 2005. Crime scene: Ms Marroquin and DePaz, borth from Eugene, Oregon, were found dead near Harrisburg . Closed: Police are not investigating any outside persons in connection with the deaths of Mr Marroquin and DePaz in Oregon this week . Ms Marroquin had previously reported her boyfriend for domestic abuse, obtaining a restraining order against him in 2009 after she alleged he beat her and forced her into sex. He was never charged. Police are not investigating any other suspects over their deaths. Ms Marroquin's employers,  Pacific Headwear, a cap-embroidering company in Eugene, have set up a fundrasiing campaign to benefit the couple's children. 'Words cannot explain the senseless tragedy of Jacqueline Marroquin, a loving and joy-full employee of Pacific Headwear here in Eugene, Oregon,' Ms Marroquin's boss Don DeZarn said. 'Her death this week has left us all with a tremendous sense of loss and a desperate need for two teenage children now without either their of their parents.'

Jacqueline Marroquin, 34, hacked to death with a machete by her partner . Rolando DePaz, 51, was found hanged in a tree half-a-mile from her body . Couple, originally from El Salvador, were in the process of separating . Ms Marroquin had previously reported DePaz for domestic violence .

01a855c4672e9e1b68af69a571af14c2507d9d51

These are the pictures that show the shocking reality of domestic violence in Australia. Mother-of-two Sarah Kelly, 34, was brutally bashed by her partner of 11 years in front of her five-year-old son at Hillarys Boat Harbour north of Perth on August 3, 2013. It was meant to be a sunny family boat trip to Rottnest Island but instead it ended in disaster - with a family destroyed and Ms Kelly hospitalised for ten days. With a single closed-fist punch following an argument, Ms Kelly's then-partner Alan James Williams, 42, ruptured her right eye, fractured her cheekbone and jaw and broke a bone in her nose. Mr Williams was last Thursday sentenced to 18 months jail (eligible for parole after nine months) after the District Court of Western Australia convicted him of endangering her life, health and safety. But a year-and-a-half since the attack, Ms Kelly told Daily Mail Australia she is reminded of the incident whenever she looks in the mirror. Scroll down for video . Graphic assault: Ms Kelly was hospitalised for ten days following the brutal attack in August 2013 . Before the attack and after: Mum-of-two Sarah Kelly was brutally assaulted on August 3, 2013, causing her right her to rupture. It was saved in an operation but is now considered 'dead' Ms Kelly with her two children: She often wears sunglasses to prevent questions about the injury to her eye . Fake eye: Ms Kelly does not like the acrylic eye she sometimes wears over the top of her eye . Ms Kelly said the attack resulted in her being subjected to a lengthy court process, extensive hospital time and counselling for herself and her son . Aftermath: Sarah Kelly's former partner was last week sentenced to an eighteen month sentence with nine months non-parole . The office worker's eye was permanently damaged by the attack - described as 'deformed' in court and 'dead' by doctors. She briefly wore a fake acrylic eye over the top of it but does not wear it any more as it is painful. Ms Kelly is telling her story because she wants to show the permanent damage that many victims of domestic violence are left with and the need for greater support for victims. 'When people ask you, "what's wrong with your eye? Have you got an infection?" That painful memory comes back,' she said. 'I can't turn around and say, "I was in a car accident" - (those victims) don't like how they look, but it's not as bad saying "someone bashed me". 'I wish it never happened but everyday I have to look at it.' 'I have a lot less confidence now being out in public because I don't want people to stare at my face. 'For the first year afterwards I didn't even want to leave my house.' On top of her permanent injury and the unavoidable reminders, Ms Kelly said the attack resulted in her being subjected to a lengthy court process, extensive hospital time, 'millions of eye appointments', counselling for herself and her son - all while the family moved house. 'I lived in stress, hell. I was in and out of hospital, and then sitting around waiting for that decision - your life's just hanging (in the balance).' The attack, which the court heard happened in front of several witnesses, came after what she said was years of 'controlling' behaviour from her partner who she had been planning to leave in the weeks leading up to the assault. Her partner checked her internet history and found she had been looking at rental properties, she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I'd gone home and looked at rentals (in July 2013) and he found my internet search history and went off at me. Her partner checked her internet history and found she had been looking at rental properties . Before and after: Ms Kelly used to wears her hair over her right eye (pictured right) to prevent people from asking questions about the damage done . Hillarys Boat Harbour, north of Perth, where the incident occurred . 'By 2013 I felt really trapped. I just didn't know what to do.' Ms Kelly used to hide her eye under her hair and sometimes shields it under her sunglasses to prevent questions about it. With help, she is beginning to feel better. 'I'm starting to get better. I'm not covering my face. I still don't like making eye contact with people. I feel stronger now.' Ms Kelly's 'dead eye' may need to be removed . Ms Kelly is now on the front foot regarding domestic violence, saying its victims are 'left to wear scars' She said there are charities in the United Kingdom and the United States - such as an American organisation called Face Forward - which help domestic violence victims restore their appearance, but nothing comparable in Australia. 'There's a lot of people with permanent injuries through domestic violence who are left to wear those scars,' Ms Kelly said. 'It's a reminder of something you don't want to be reminded of'. According to the White Ribbon Foundation, one in three Australian women experience physical or sexual violence from someone known to them. Instead, the Abbott Government has been criticised for reportedly cutting funds to as many as 50 community services agencies which provide support to victims of domestic and family violence. Domestic violence has, however, been placed on the agenda at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). And the issue is gaining a bigger spotlight after family violence survivor Rosie Batty - whose son Luke was murdered by her husband at a cricket ground - was named the Australian of the Year last month. Ms Kelly, who said she had been frightened of leaving her partner, said: 'If there's not enough help out there, it's less likely a person is going to go to one of those places (a refuge) for help.' Ms Kelly said there was a misconception that many victims of domestic violence are from a lower socio-economic background or that substance abuse involved, but neither of that applied to her. She said that if someone is aware of domestic violence happening they should report it to the police, just as they would report an attack they witnessed in public. 'Domestic violence isn't something that just happens to "those people",' Ms Kelly said. 'It cuts across all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations and socio-economic classes. 'The only good thing I can say out of this now is that I've got my children out of that house. 'They're not going to witness any more of that violence.' Long way to go: Prime Minister Tony Abbott awards Rosie Batty the title of Australian of the Year . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

Sarah Kelly, 34, was brutally punched by her partner during a family day out in Perth . Her husband was last week sentenced to eighteen months prison, eligible for parole in nine months . These are the pictures that show the shocking reality of domestic violence in Australia . Every time she looks in the mirror she is reminded of the incident . Ms Kelly wants to bring attention to the lack of services for domestic violence victims and the physical scars it leaves .

01a9836f1743877135e049fbe705f7618c3953b7

By . Lizzie Edmonds . Eastern Europeans will help win the independence vote for Alex Salmond, according to one SNP campaigner . Eastern Europeans will vote 'Yes' in the upcoming Scottish independence referendum winning the campaign for Alex Salmond, according to one political campaigner. Ania Lewandowska, 29, who works for SNP MEP Alyn Smith has said she is confident the party will win the referendum - thanks to the help of 'new Scots' from eastern Europe. Ms Lewandowska said: 'Poles know that change can be for the better - they are not afraid of it. Speaking with The Times, she added: 'Of course, some are still undecided - that's true of any sector of Scottish society - but in my mind most Poles will decide yes.' According to the 2011 census, 55,000 Poles are thought to be living in Scotland. About 30,000 are thought to have registered to vote so far. However, John Curtice, professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde, said just 8 per cent of the population were EU citizens - and the likelihood of them engaging in the vote was debatable. He said: 'EU citizens are less likely to be on the register - partly it's motivational, partly it's circumstantial. How much they engage in politics is debatable.' Polls this week suggested the Yes campaign, which once trailed by a wide margin, was now only three points behind the No campaign. Earlier this week, Alex Salmond marked St George's Day by speaking positively about England in a desperate bid to boost support for the break-up of Britain. The First Minister ventured over the Border as far as Carlisle to make a speech claiming a 'strong and enduring friendship' will still endure across the British Isles if Scotland votes to leave the UK in September. In a speech at Carlisle Cathedral, Mr Salmond said people could still live in England and work in Scotland if there is a Yes vote - ignoring warnings of passport controls and separate currencies. He said: 'The ties that bind the nations of these islands will continue and flourish after Scotland becomes independent. Prime Minister David Cameron made a speech on St George's Day urging people to vote for a continued union . 'You will remain Scotland's closest friends, as well as our closest neighbours ... people would still live in Annan and work in Carlisle, or live in Penrith and work in Lockerbie. Friends and family would continue to visit each other.' Meanwhile, David Cameron used the day to urge his countrymen to embrace both Scots and the Union. The Prime Minister issued his own St George's Day message - stressing England's role in creating the enduring 'family of nations' that is the UK. In a video message, he said: 'Let's prove that we can be proud of our individual nations and be committed to our union of nations. Because no matter how great we are alone, we will always be greater together.'

Ania Lewandowska said Poles will vote 'Yes' in upcoming election . 55,000 Polish people living in Scotland, according to 2011 Census . Comes as polls suggest 'Yes' campaign is now just three points behind 'No'

01aa21edf542ee1c562a10502e8be34f495ef4a0

By . Becky Evans . PUBLISHED: . 11:08 EST, 5 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 03:12 EST, 6 December 2012 . Crematorium staff put the remains of babies in cardboard boxes and secretly buried them in an unmarked grave for 45 years, it emerged today. Officials at the council-run Mortonhall . Crematorium in Edinburgh have admitted stillborn infants or babies who died days after being born were unceremoniously disposed of in this way since 1967. Edinburgh City Council is now investigating the practice, which went unchecked for almost 45 years until new management took over the site last year. Dorothy Maitland, the mother of one baby cremated at Mortonhall, was told by the new manager that 'laziness or a bad attitude' was likely to blame. Grieving mother: Dorothy Maitland, pictured at Mortonhall Cemetery, where her baby Kaelen's ashes are buried . Grieving parents who took their babies to the site were told after the cremation that there was nothing left to scatter. But . the remains were actually being placed in boxes and interred in an . unmarked pit in a garden of remembrance behind the crematorium. It is not known how many babies were buried in this way. The council said it is now looking into installing a memorial in the garden of remembrance as a 'mark of respect'. The discovery was made by Sands Lothian, a charity which counsel parents who have lost a child through stillbirth or neonatal death. Edinburgh City Council has launched an investigation and environmental services convener, councillor Lesley Hinds, has offered a full apology. Helen Henderson, 43, works at the charity and her son Nathan died in 2004 when he was just one day old. She was told she could not have her son’s ashes and later discovered Nathan’s remains were dumped in a mass grave in a biodegradable box. Helen, from Edinburgh, said: 'On the day of my son’s cremation I went to get his ashes and was told there wasn’t any. 'Now I know there were ashes and they lied to me. That was over eight years ago. It opens up the raw emotions again and is very upsetting. 'I want to know why they felt they had to do this. Somebody needs to be held accountable.' Lied to: Helen Henderson, whose son Nathan Harrower died at one day old in 2004, was told there were no ashes to scatter . Unmarked graves: It is not known how many babies were buried in a mass unmarked grave at Edinburgh Mortonhall Crematorium's garden of remembrance . Officials at Sands Lothian made the discovery while writing a book about parents whose babies are stillborn or die shortly after being born. During research they found only some parents were given ashes and discovered the practice in place at the crematorium. Dorothy Maitland, the charity’s operations manager, discovered the ashes of daughter Kaelen had been interred in the ground at Mortonhall. Apology: Councillor Lesley Hinds said the council will look into a memorial for the garden . But 26 years earlier she was told there would be nothing for her to collect after the funeral. Dorothy, 56, said: 'It’s come as a complete shock to me. For years I have had nowhere to go to put flowers, or grieve for Kaelen. 'The new manager at the crematorium has told me the only reason he can think why this happened in the past was either laziness or a bad attitude. 'We need to know how many babies’ ashes are buried there. My fear is that some kind of moral judgement was made and it was only babies who survived for a few days before dying who were buried, so who knows what happened to the ashes of those stillborn?' It is feared the number of babies buried in this way could run into the hundreds. The practice is understood to have been accepted policy at the crematorium from its opening in 1967 until last year following the arrival of a new manager. It is not known whether the policy was devised by one official acting alone or approved by more senior managers at the local authority. Mortonhall’s new manager has changed the policy so all parents who wish to receive the ashes of their babies now receive them. Councillor Hinds said there was no indication of whether legal action was likely but it is doing 'everything possible' to find an explanation. She said: 'We will be truthful about what’s happened and we will look into a memorial for the garden. 'We will also be making doubly sure people are now happy with the policy we have in operation and that they are getting the right information and choices.'

Process at Mortonhall Crematorium in Edinburgh uncovered by parent charity Sands Lothian . Grieving parents who went to collect their baby's ashes were told there were no remains left to scatter . Edinburgh City Council launches investigation and councillor apologises . New manager tells bereaved mother 'laziness or bad attitude' was to blame .

01ac645a3a3703a87569509f79ffc37d48a89043

By . Wills Robinson . For decades they led the way in childrens' entertainment and were a constant fixture at birthday parties. But the future of British clowns is now in serious doubt, and it is no laughing matter. The entertainers claim an increasingly 'cynical' public image has seen membership at Clowns International (CI) drop from almost 1,000 in the 1980s to just 100. They also argue TV characters such as The . Simpsons' Krusty the Clown, who is portrayed as a heavy smoker and . drinker, and filmmakers who turn friendly clowns into psychopaths, have contributed to the decline which could see the . profession wiped out. Conference cancelled: Clowns gather for the annual gathering in Butlins at the beginning of March in 2007. This year's event did not go ahead after the company withdrew its sponsorship . The clown in horror film It, based on the Stephen King novel, and . the Joker, played by Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, have created an increasingly sinister view of the entertainers, with children relating to them as villains rather than loveable comedians. The average age of clowns has also risen, . with fewer younger people wanting to take up the profession, and many . have had to go part time as work at childrens' parties has dried up. Former chairman of CI, Blue Brattle, told The Daily Telegraph: 'There is an image problem. There is a very negative view from Hollywood, with films like It and characters like Krusty. He added it was no longer 'cool' for children to have clowns at a party, as parents are opting for television or film-themed events instead. 'Now its all DJs and paintball themed-parties.It's the way of the world, children and growing up quicker. Cynical: A veteran entertainer has said clowns on TV, like The Simpson's degenerate, Krusty, have created a negative public image . 'For some reason, clowning has been jumped upon as being unfashionable and the scary clown bandwagon has been particularly jumped upon. This year's annual gathering of clowns at Butlins in Bognor regis was cancelled this year after the holiday camp withdrew its sponsorship. Attendees usually provide free entertainment to holidaymakers in exchange for free accommodation and food, but falling numbers have signaled the end of the deal. Children having a phobia of clowns may also be blamed on the decline, but the 70-year-old veteran entertainer claims he has only met one person who had a genuine fear. The problem is not confined to Britain with the World Clown Association reporting that membership has fallen from about 3,500 to 2,000 in the past decade. The Joker, from the Batman films, is believed to have made coulrophobia more prevalent . Scientists generally agree that . coulrophobia is a result of not knowing who lies behind the makeup, red . nose and hair of a clown. According . to Coulrophobia Facts, research has shown the fear of clowns has . increased since the Steven Spielberg's 1990s' film, 'It', which depicts a . murderous clown. The portrayal of the Joker in Batman films is also blamed. According . to the site, the phobia, which can cause panic, breathing difficulty . and nausea, does prevent some people from eating at McDonalds. Coulrophobia can affect both adults and children.

Membership of Clowns International (CI) has fallen from 1,000 in the 1980s . It is the country's sole organisation for the performers . Average age of entertainers has risen, with fewer younger clowns joining . Decline has been blamed on people's perception they are sinister . The Simpsons' Krusty the Clown is portrayed as a heavy smoker .

01acc87b5f1292aecec64030ae571591c154f073

The All Blacks are used to being on the receiving end of some dubious tackles, but when they come from airline cabin crew and not the opposing team, it’s another thing altogether. It looks like Air New Zealand off-duty cabin crew could face time in the sin-bin after some became drunk and cuddled All Black players on a flight home from the United States. It may turn out to be a red card offence as the crew are now under investigation by Air New Zealand after Thursday’s NZ1 flight from Los Angeles, which brought the All Blacks home from their northern hemisphere tour, the Sunday Star Times reports. Scroll down for video . All Blacks centre Conrad Smith had more to handle than a ball on a flight back to New Zealand on Thursday . In a new twist on coming in on the wrong side of the ruck, one of the off-duty crew allegedly became drunk and abused the operating cabin crew, while a second was also drunk and ‘cuddling’ a player. News.com.au reported that Leeanne Langridge, general manager cabin crew for Air New Zealand, confirmed on Sunday that seven off-duty cabin crew were travelling back to Auckland as passengers on the flight from Los Angeles, which landed on Thursday morning. New Zealand captain Richie McCaw keeps an eye out for cuddling cabin crew . ‘There was a suggestion that some of the crew travelling back to New Zealand as passengers may have consumed too much alcohol and the matter is currently under investigation,' she said. 'Given this is an employment issue, Air New Zealand will not be commenting further.' Drunk off-duty Air New Zealand cabin crew gave the All Blacks squad a flight to remember . At least the encounter didn't go into extra time as the New Zealand team had expanded enough energy as it was on their northern hemisphere tour where they beat Wales 34-16 in the bear pit atmosphere of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff after defeating England 24-21 and Scotland 24-16 over the previous two weekends. The All Blacks' Kieran Read looks like he enjoys a knees up: just not on a plane .

One of the off-duty crew got drunk and abused the operating cabin crew . A second crew member was also drunk and 'cuddling' a player . 'Some of the crew travelling back to New Zealand as passengers may have consumed too much alcohol,' a spokeswoman for the airline said . The team was flying back from their northern hemisphere tour .

01ace4f8c335b9e2fb528d34bd26fedd85130bea

Norwegian agents tried to stop a suspected Nairobi mall gunman from leaving the country for a life of terror three years ago. Hassan Abdi Dhuhulow, a 23-year-old Somalian whom Kenyan authorities believe was one of the terrorists in the Westgate mall seige, was 'well-known' to the PST domestic intelligence service, its chief said yesterday. PST agents tried several times to persuade him to abandon plans to move to Somalia in 2010 - and join jihadist group al-Shabaab - but failed to stop the young man. Scroll down for video . Atrocity: This CCTV image shows a man suspected to be Hassan Abdi Dhuhulow taking aim in a shop inside Nairobi's Westgate mall . The Kenyan government has said that Dhuhulow is one of the men who can be seen in CCTV footage pointing a rifle at cowering victims in the attack last month. On Sunday it announced that it had recovered the remains of four of the gunmen, who were filmed coldly gunning down fleeing shoppers in the upscale mall. Though PST have not yet confirmed that he was one of the attackers, Marie Benedicte Bjoernland, the head of the agency, revealed the dealings with Dhuhulow, who spent his youth in Norway after his family moved there in 1999. She said: 'We had several talks with him... before he left Norway more than three years ago. Obviously we didn't succeed, but there was quite an effort put into the preventive side of this.' Ms Bjoernland did not give any greater detail on the conversations, and admitted that he 'most likely' was killed in the seige. On Sunday the Kenyan government said it believes it has recovered the remains of four gunmen caught carrying out the attack in CCTV footage. Youth: This photo shows Dhuhulow in Larvik, Norway, in 2007 wearing a Chelsea football shirt . The Somali extremist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility, saying the attack was in retribution for Kenya's military involvement in Somalia. Dhuhulow's sister confirmed last week that her brother went to the Somali capital of Mogadishu for a three-month visit in 2009, then moved to Somalia permanently in March 2010. But she said she didn't believe he was among the gunmen seen in the footage. Just days after Dhuhulow's identity became known, Norwegian police issued international alerts for two Norwegian-Somali sisters, aged 16 and 19, who told their family they were traveling to Syria to join the civil war. They were last spotted on the Turkish-Syrian border. 'We see a growing problem when it comes to people traveling to war zones, and specifically in the last year we've seen a growing number of persons traveling to Syria,' Ms Bjoernland said. She estimated that between 30 and 40 people have left Norway to join the Syrian civil war, but said the number is uncertain and could be even larger. That conflict has attracted hundreds of foreign fighters from European countries, including many members of Islamic militant groups. Many intelligence services are worried at the damage these fighters could do when they return home with combat experience and terrorist training - and possibly combat trauma. Ms Bjoerland said: 'When they are . radicalised and when they are determined to go, for instance to Syria or . other conflict areas, we don't have many legal measures to stop them'. It is now illegal in Norway . to receive training from terror groups - but police and intelligence services struggle to prove whether would-be militants are leaving the country for legitimate reasons - or to join jihadist groups. Brainwashed: According to one of his relatives who watched CCTV footage of shooting he may 'have been brainwashed' Ms Bjoerland said her agency tries to engage with potential terrorists and dissuade them from leaving, but that it often doesn't work. She said: 'We do preventive work. We talk to them. We try to persuade them not to go, because it's a dangerous journey. 'I wish we were more successful. We have succeeded in turning some around from traveling. But quite a few have actually left.' She called on parents, child protective services, police and Muslim leaders to intervene when young Muslims seem at risk of becoming radicalised.

Hassan Abdi Dhuhulow is believed to be one of the Westgate gunmen . He is a Somalian but grew up in Norway, as his family moved there in 1999 . Now Norwegian intelligence services he was 'well-known' to them . Marie Benedicte Bjoernland said the PST agency tried to stop him leaving for a life of terror in Somalia in 2010, but failed .

01ad23112cc2166f40d45e10bebb33c631d7ed4f

(CNN) -- Susie Levitt's and Katie Shea's feet had had enough. Walking around Manhattan sidewalks between classes in their high heels was getting unbearable. Katie Shea and Susie Levitt, founders of "CitiSoles," said walking around Manhattan in high heels was painful. Tal Raviv felt frustrated. While studying in Hong Kong in 2007, he found that adjusting to a new city was hard enough. Even more aggravating was trying to connect with friends on Facebook whose names were common. Jaun Calle and Adam Berlin were bored. Watching college football on television isn't as exciting as being there in person, they thought. Instead of just grinning and bearing it, all of these university students did something: They started their own businesses. Levitt and Shea created "CitiSoles," a shoe company that makes a foldable shoe for when the pain of high heels gets unbearable. Raviv created "DropCard" an e-business card that lets users send more contact information than is commonly found on a business card. Calle and Berlin formed "SEC Excursions" a travel company that provides busing, tailgate parties and hotel accommodations to college football games. The recession and lack of experience might stop most adults in their tracks, but these students weren't discouraged. "There is no better time [to start a business]," said Christopher Hanks, director of the entrepreneurship program at the University of Georgia. "During a depression or recession, innovation always increases." The dorm is the new garage . While the founders of Google built success in their garages, these college students found it in their dorms. In addition to their course work, studying for midterms and balancing extracurricular activities, they wrote business proposals and figured out financing. "From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., I am in chemical engineering classes, and from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., I work on DropCard, so I don't get much free time," said Raviv, 22. Levitt and Shea said launching their shoe business was essentially nonstop, and the work didn't end on Friday. And for Calle, the compromises in his academic and social life weren't a burden. "We enjoy ourselves," said Calle, 21. "We don't see it as a sacrifice." Hanks said these attitudes are typical of student entrepreneurs. They don't have the pressure of supporting themselves -- their living expenses are usually being paid for -- and they have a wide support system. "They certainly have their advantages ... their enthusiasm level is really high," Hanks said. "They don't know what they don't know." Hanks added that the excitement of creating a business revs up the students even more than the chance of getting rich. "They get excited about 'wouldn't it be cool if we did that' versus the money," said Hanks. "The journey is not as much as about the money as about the challenge." Figuring it out . None of these students followed a set formula for starting their businesses. Levitt and Shea used Alibaba.com, an online trade portal, to pitch their idea to suppliers and dipped into their savings for start-up money. An investment firm helped Raviv, and Calle and Berlin found investors. Levitt and Shea, both 22, took "less than $10,000" from their savings to start CitiSoles in 2008. That covered the cost of the shoes and a Web site designer. From there, they worked with suppliers and factories in Asia to scope out which would be the best fit for their company. The pair conducted market research and found nothing similar sold in the United States. "It was all done online," Levitt said. "We became nocturnal." The shoes, made of imitation leather, come with a compact carrying case. A patent for the shoe is pending. When the first order for 1,000 pairs, weighing over 400 pounds, arrived at Shea's Long Island home unexpectedly, Levitt said they were overwhelmed. A few days later, an article about their company appeared in the New York Daily News, but they weren't ready for the onslaught of orders. They quickly set up a PayPal account. "From there, we got on the phone to boutiques, sent out retail kits and samples ... and now there are 17 boutiques around the nation selling them," said Levitt, who is studying economics and will graduate this fall. Her partner, Shea, double-majored in finance and marketing and graduated in May. Last summer, Raviv, along with two of his friends, applied for funding for their e-business cards with DreamIt Ventures in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. DreamIt is a "business incubator" that helps entrepreneurs launch companies. Raviv, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a chemical engineering degree in May, was honest with the investment firm when it asked how his e-business cards would make money. "I actually don't know," Raviv told them. "They said 'Perfect. Thank you. We know there is no possible way to know right now.' " Raviv said the lack of a detailed business plan helped DreamIt see how it could assist them. They received $20,000 from DreamIt. DropCard initially targeted technology companies but went after "old-fashioned" businesses like car dealerships that proved to be more lucrative. DropCard is currently in trials with four companies to see how they can tweak their business plan. Feedback is instrumental in DropCard's growth. "We refine everything instead of sitting back and strategizing," Raviv said. "Let our customers write our business plan." Calle, a senior at the University of Georgia who is pursuing a degree in business administration, launched SEC Excursions with a mix of investors and help from the Terry College of Business Entrepreneurship Program at UGA. Hanks helped Calle and Berlin in fleshing out their idea and making it potentially profitable. Started in July 2008, the company found success in a trial trip to Baton Rogue, Louisiana, for the UGA-Louisiana State University matchup. The first trip offered a two-night stay at a hotel, busing to the game and a tailgate party. The packages, which don't include tickets to the games, vary from $100 to $300 a person. The company has contracts with bus companies and various hotel chains. It has student reps at four college campuses and plans to add more. Calle said the company's "most loyal customers are in the Greek systems," but it's open to all students who wish to purchase a package. "The students really like it because everything is planned for them," Calle said. "We've heard nothing but good things."

Susie Levitt and Katie Shea created a foldable-shoe company called "CitiSoles" Tal Raviv co-founded "DropCard," a new take on the business card . Juan Calle and Adam Berlin created "SEC Excursions," a travel agency . "There is no better time" to start a business, an entrepreneur expert says .

01ae1cae6c8925bc1258efef1f2120248bed75ba

Stabbing: Leonardo Henry, 25, broke into his ex-girlfriend's home and stabbed her repeatedly . An 11-year-old Oklahoma girl shot her mother's abusive ex-boyfriend after he broke into their home and began stabbing her mother Tuesday morning. Eleven-year-old Jayda Milsap shot Leonardo Henry, 25, with a handgun twice after he broke into her Oklahoma City home and began stabbing her mother in the eye, neck and chest, KFOR reports. Just a week before the incident, Milsap's mother, Brandy Moreno, filed a restraining order against Henry claiming he 'had been molesting (several kids) in the middle of the night for several years,' KFOR reports. She later told authorities she was afraid that Henry would hurt her or the children because she reported him to the police. The Oklahoman reports that a neighbor said Moreno taught Milsap how to use the handgun one week before the incident 'so she could protect herself.' The lessons came in handy. Henry broke through the back door of the home at 4am leaving a trail of broken glass. Moreno's two children and Henry's three children were in the home at the time of the attack, New York Daily News reports. After being shot by Milsap, Henry reportedly fled and was found down the street from the home, authorities say. He was taken to the hospital but police say he will soon be booked at the Oklahoma City Jail. The Oklahoman reports that both Moreno and Henry were taken to the University of Oklahoma Medical Center in serious condition. Broke in: Henry broke in through the back door leaving a trail of glass on the back porch . Sister: Henry's sister Emma Spence said that, though she hates to admit it, Henry may be guilty of the alleged sexual abuse . Hospital officials reportedly refused to report on the current condition of the two but KFOR reports that both the victim and Henry are expected to survive their injuries. Milsap's neighbors hail her as a hero, according to KFOR. Even Henry's sister Emma Spence said that she salutes the 11-year-old and that her brother may be guilty of the sexual abuse, though she hates to admit it. 'I salute her,' Spence told KFOR. 'It was awesome that she did that for her mom...I'm 21 and I don't even know how to use a gun.' Milsap's neighbor, Carolyn Marsee said, in a KFOR interview, that she hopes a judge puts Henry away for a long time. 'I could care less if he dies, because what he did was very wrong,' Marsee said. Authorities say that, as of now, the shooting appears to have been justified and the children have been taken into protective custody with the state Department of Human Services. Fled: Henry fled after being shot twice by Jayda Milsap, 11, and police found him down the street from the home .

Jayda Milsap, 11, shot the intruder twice with a handgun her mom taught her to use a week before the attack . Leonardo Henry, 25, broke into the home and stabbed the mother in the eye, neck, and chest . A week prior to the attack, Milsap's mother filed a restraining order against the abusive Henry . Police say the shooting appears to have been completely justified .

01aef964c6596282d390614ba0a44c637e9c420d

By . Anna Hodgekiss . PUBLISHED: . 04:13 EST, 3 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 07:49 EST, 3 March 2014 . A mother-of-three has credited being obese with saving her life - after routine scans before weight loss surgery revealed a massive cancerous tumour on her left ovary. Emma France, 45, was 22 stone and a size 26 when she decided to book the bariatric surgery. She said: 'I’ll always be thankful that I decided to have the operation. If I hadn't, my ovarian cancer would never have been discovered and I wouldn’t be here today.' Obese: At a size 26 and weighing 22 stone, Emma France decided to undergo weight loss surgery in the Czech Republic . Lucky: But a routine ultrasound before her weight loss surgery revealed a 17cm cancerous tumour on her left ovary . After struggling to control her weight gain for years, Ms France, an accountant from Woking, Surrey, decided to have surgery to lose weight once and for all. She said: 'I’d always been a big girl. Over the years I’d tried every diet under the sun and would lose weight only to put it all back on again. 'I was stuck in a vicious cycle I just couldn’t break. 'I knew if I had any chance of losing weight I’d have to have surgery. I realised I wouldn’t be eligible to have surgery on the NHS but I couldn’t afford to get it done privately in the UK. 'Luckily I discovered a British company which sends patients abroad for surgery, which was a much cheaper option.' After seeking advice from her private consultant, Ms France decided to have a gastric wrap, which transforms the stomach into a narrow tube, restricting the amount of food patients can eat. Shock: Ms France (before her operation) said: 'The consultant told me he had discovered a mass near my ovaries, and I had to go back to the UK and see my GP straight away' In November 2011 she flew to the Czech Republic to have her surgery, having used all of her £5,500 savings to fund the operation. She said: 'I had mixed emotions, I was nervous but determined and excited, too. 'In the back of my mind I did wonder if the whole thing was too good to be true. I had phoned the clinic a few times and found it hard to get through, so I was wary, but I went anyway.' The symptoms of ovarian cancer can be difficult to recognise, especially in the early stages of the disease. This is because the symptoms are often very similar to those of less serious conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome. The . most common symptoms are an increase in abdominal size and persistent . bloating, persistent pelvic or abdominal pain, and difficulty eating. Other . symptoms include back pain, frequent urination, loss of appetite, . nausea, unexplained weight gain, changes to bowel habits and pain during . sex. Some patients also experience abnormal vaginal bleeding. Before seeing the consultant, Ms France had a series of pre-operation checks, including a routine ultrasound. She said: 'The consultant told me he had discovered a mass near my ovaries, and I had to go back to the UK and see my GP straight away. 'I was in a state of confusion. I was dozy from the drugs and found it hard to understand exactly what the surgeon was saying because of the language barrier.' On her arrival back in England, Ms France was referred to a gynecologicalcancer specialist and underwent an ultrasound, MRI and CT scan. She said: 'The oncologist told me I had a tumour on my left ovary. I was in shock but tried not to fear the worst. 'I just didn’t understand how I could have cancer when I had no symptoms at all. I didn’t feel ill.' On December 15th 2011, she underwent a two-hour operation during which a 17cm cancerous tumour was removed, and she had a hysterectomy. Ms France, who has children aged 21, 20 and 14, said: 'Luckily the cancer hadn’t spread. I was told I didn’t need to have chemotherapy, just regular checkups for five years. 'I thanked my lucky stars the cancer had been discovered early. I told friends that my tummy had saved my life.' After recovering from an infection, Ms France decided that she still wanted to go ahead with the weight loss surgery. On April 24th 2012 she flew back to the Czech Republic for the procedure. Relief: After successful surgery to remove the tumour, Ms France later underwent gastric bypass surgery and has since lost 7 stone . She said: 'The operation went to plan. I had to have liquids for two weeks before introducing tiny portions of mushy food into my diet.' Ms France also changed her diet drastically. Having habitually snacked on crisps, chocolate and cakes, she swapped to porridge for breakfast, soup for lunch and meat and vegetables for dinner. By January 2013 she had lost seven stone. Today she weighs 15st 7lb and can fit into size 16 clothes. She said: 'I've felt better than I have in years. I have more energy and I’m able to wear the kind of clothes I’d always dreamed of. I feel like a different person. 'I used to dress in black and try and cover myself up, but now I have a wardrobe full of coloured, fitted dresses, which I wear with pride. 'I’m so grateful my cancer was caught early. I now intend to live life to the full.' For more information on ovarian cancer, visit: Ovarian Cancer Action .

Emma France was 22 stone and a size 26 when she decided to have surgery . 45-year-old decided to fly to Czech Republic for gastric wrap operation . But a routine ultrasound before surgery revealed a 17cm tumour .

01b212105d7c72cdb59c8ab3077f742bf3429e38

By . Jamie Redknapp . IAN LADYMAN: Chelsea star Mata set to complete £37m move to United on Friday . After such a miserable season, Manchester United fans have been crying out for a hero. In Juan Mata, they might just have one. With confidence at an all-time low after the Sunderland defeat, Mata’s signing is a glimmer of hope at Old Trafford. He’s a magician of a player, has a fantastic attitude and he can thread a pass through the eye of a needle. He’s a match-winner, but make no mistake, he’s not the answer to all of United’s problems. His arrival is a statement of intent but it’s just papering over the cracks at the moment. Waving goodbye: Juan Mata looks to be on his way from Chelsea to Manchester United . Needs more: It is a good start for David Moyes, but the signing is just papering over the cracks . United need an overhaul to get back to the top and they are still short of five or six top-quality players. With the likes of Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand all potentially leaving in the summer, it will be a big rebuilding project. But signing Mata is a good start. When Robin van Persie joined, United had won nothing the previous year. He was the catalyst, the player who made the difference and fired them to the league title. Mata could have a similar impact and if he gets United into the top four, it will be just as big an achievement. The problem for David Moyes is getting his players fit, because a team sheet with Van Persie, Mata, Wayne Rooney and Adnan Januzaj on it starts to look very dangerous. I’ve always said  lining up in the tunnel at Old Trafford was nerve-racking because of the number of superstars they had. They miss that aura now but with those four they’ll be able to hurt teams. Dribbler: Mata has proved his quality at Chelsea, and now he can make United fearsome again . Link up: Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney have been crying out for a creative force behind them . Potential: Adnan Januzaj has burst onto the scene and could help Mata . Trophy after trophy: Teams used to be scared visiting United, Moyes needs to find a way to replicate this . People say he’s not a United player or doesn’t fit their philosophy but what is their current philosophy? Good players adapt and United can be flexible to get the best out of their attacking players. They could easily go with a midfield diamond with Mata at the top of it behind Rooney and RVP, or he could play in a wider role. As long as Moyes restores his confidence he could play Mata anywhere across the front because he is expert at playing in between the lines. In football we have very short memories. All it takes is a bad six months and suddenly you’re a bad player. That’s just not true with Mata. He played 64 games and scored 20 goals last season and was Chelsea’s Player of the Year, again. He has always been good enough for Chelsea, he was just never good enough for Jose Mourinho. Failures: The current crop have suffered unacceptable cup defeats at home... amongst others . Window of opportunity: Robin van Persie arrives for training and United will hope to have him back soon . Not looking clever: Tom Cleverley arrives the day after the semi-final penalties defeat by Sunderland . Arrival: Nemanja Vidic, suspended for the Sunderland debacle, drives into the training ground . A tough gig: Ryan Giggs looks lees-than impressed as he arrives at Carrington . In the shadows: Marquee summer signing Marouane Fellaini is recovering from injury . Coach in the car: Phil Neville arrives for what surely will be a chastening day at training . Flops: Shinji Kagawa (left) and Alexander Buttner both played in the semi-final loss . Mourinho is the kind of  manager who can make you feel a million dollars, but equally he can suck the life out of you with just a few words. That’s what happened with Mata this season. Clearly he didn’t fit the Mourinho mould and he looked totally drained. That’s not to say Jose is wrong, it’s just his opinion and if Chelsea win the title, his decision will have been entirely vindicated. But now Mata has a chance to play regular football again and he will want to impress. It’s up to Moyes to put an arm round him and get him back to his best, because an on-song Juan Mata is the first step towards getting the fear factor back at Old Trafford. Lacking confidence: Jose Mourinho not fancying Mata doesn't mean Chelsea didn't . No Juan there: Mata trained alone in Chelsea's fitness centre and away from the first team on Wednesday . Big decision: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is happy to let Spanish playmaker Juan Mata join Manchester United .

Juan Mata is a magician of a player but Manchester United need more . David Moyes needs to rebuild squad... signing Mata is a good start . Spaniard linking up with Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney is exciting . The fear factor could be brought back to Old Trafford .

01b3e560862f4c6591302e34c33b33ca92848513

By . Daily Mail Reporter, Associated Press and Reuters Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 13:44 EST, 7 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:40 EST, 8 January 2013 . An antique gun show went ahead as planned on Saturday 40 miles from the site of the December 14 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, even as other gun shows gave in to pressure to cancel after the tragedy. The two-day East Coast Fine Arms show at a Stamford hotel, the first in Connecticut since a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at the school, drew several hundred people, some of whom were disappointed that more modern weaponry was not available. 'It's neat, it's different but it's not what I expected,' said Sue McCrery of Southington, a town that borders Newtown. 'I mean the bad guys can have them (modern weapons) and I think it's our right to be able to own them too.' Too close for comfort? The first gun show in Connecticut since the Newtown school massacre took place at the weekend. Organizers pointed out that the event was primarily a collectors' event . Other gun shows canceled, include one this weekend in Danbury, about 12 miles from Newtown, promoter Big Al's Silver Bullet Productions announced on its website. Two shows in New York state - February 23-24 in Poughkeepsie and March 2-3 in Suffern - were also canceled, the website said. In nearby Waterbury, Police Superintendent Michael Gugliotto imposed a moratorium on gun shows the day after the Sandy Hook killings, saying a gun used in a future mass shooting could be traced to a purchase made at a gun show in his city. Westchester Collectors Inc had planned a firearm and knife show for Waterbury on January 12 and 13. Show organizer Newman Chitenden said canceling the show would not improve security. Contentious: The mayor of Stamford said that the event seemed 'untimely and insensitive' Counter-argument: A woman protests in front of the hotel hosting the East Coast Fine Arms Show . Stamford's Republican mayor, Michael Pavia, had asked organizers of the Stamford show to reconsider having the event 'in light of the recent tragic events in Newtown.' 'As a community, we are sensitive to the emotions and feelings of all of those who have suffered losses and are still grieving. 'Holding such an event - at this time, and in such close proximity to the Newtown, seems untimely and insensitive,' Pavia said. Outside the event, around 50 protesters passed out handbills that called the gun show insensitive and held banners supporting gun control and a ban on assault rifles. Kara Baekey, who started a local chapter of One Million Moms for Gun Control just three days after the tragedy, told the Stamford Advocate: 'We just felt it was too soon - it was only three weeks ago that the shooting happened and the Newtown community is still grieving and state of Connecticut are still dealing with what happened.' 'The sheer lack of respect for those still grieving was pretty infuriating for us.' Another protester, Stamford . resident Robin Wexler, also a member of Moms Against Guns, said: 'After what happened only 40 miles . from here there has to be changes to laws and stricter gun control in . order to keep everyone safe.' Enthusiast: An antique collector poses with a hand gun during the show . Making their point: Protestors campaign against gun shows and assault weapons outside the event . But the gun show organizers went ahead, emphasizing that theirs was an antiques event, where the weapons are less deadly and sometimes just for show. The shooter in Newtown used a military-style semi-automatic assault rifle to kill first-graders aged 6 and 7 and school staff. 'This show is primarily a collectors show, most of us here have strictly antiques,' said Dave Kleiner, an antique weapons dealer from Orrtanna, Pennsylvania. 'Closing the gun show? How is that going to help anyone that was hurt in that episode?' Gun shows - akin to a fair, where guns are on sale outside the normal confines of a gun shop - have come under scrutiny for so-called loopholes that sometimes allow sales without subjecting purchasers to a background check. This gun show also caused controversy last week when The Advocate of Stamford newspaper ran an advert for the event next to an article about the Sandy Hook shooting. The Hearst Connecticut Media Group said the ad's placement was the result of an oversight and apologized on Thursday. 'Our newspapers should not be running gun ads - including ads for antique and collectible gun shows - next to stories about Sandy Hook,' the group said. 'It's insensitive, and it shouldn't have happened. We have taken steps to make sure it doesn't happen again.' 'Insensitive': There was outrage last week when the Advocate of Stamford, Connecticut, published an advert for this show next to an article about the Sandy Hook school shootings. The publishers apologized on Thursday .

Town mayor asked planners to reconsider, but Stamford show goes on . Event takes place just three weeks after December 14 tragedy as several other gun shows are canceled . Supporters claim that firearms on sale are collectors' items and 'strictly antiques' But demonstrators outside say timing is 'too soon' and shows a 'lack of respect'

01b46637c0b63bc0f86406e57f080906d49dc39c

In our Behind the Scenes series, CNN correspondents share their experiences in covering news and analyze the stories behind the events. CNN's Gary Tuchman accompanied a Border Patrol unit in Nogales, Arizona, and experienced the variety and the danger of law enforcement life firsthand. CNN's Gary Tuchman pulls his weight on ride-along with 64 lbs. of marijuana seized by law enforcement. NOGALES, Arizona (CNN) -- Nogales, Arizona, is a small city. Just more than 20,000 people live here, according to the 2005 census. But spend a couple of days here with law enforcement, and your head will spin. Almost half of all illegal drugs seized from Mexico last year were seized in the eastern Arizona region, and Nogales is the largest border city in this U.S. border patrol sector. In the past six months, the Border Patrol has seized about 500,000 pounds of illegal drugs here, which is 15 percent higher than the previous six months. Each day, hundreds of people are arrested, mostly for immigration violations but many for drug and weapons crimes. The temporary jail cells in the Border Patrol station in Nogales are often overflowing. The Border Patrol boss in this sector says his agents were assaulted 260 times within the past year. One night this week, we saw the danger and variety of lawbreaking activity experienced here quite vividly. At the immigration checkpoint set up a half-hour north of Nogales on Interstate 19, a semi truck is pulled over when the drug-sniffing dog detects something. The back of the truck is opened, and inside are thousands of tomatoes, but the dog is still not happy. The truck is taken back to the Border Patrol station, and agents climb over the tomatoes. And that's where they find the stash. Bales and bales of dope. Forty bales of marijuana. Nine hundred eight pounds, to be exact. At a street value of $800 a pound, the authorities estimate they kept $720,000 worth of marijuana off the streets. I interview the man arrested for driving the shipment. The operating theory: that he is doing dirty work for one of the Mexican cartels. But the Mexican man tells me he is not scared, because "I was just carrying tomatoes." He claims that he knew nothing about the nearly half-ton of pot. The man will be telling that to the judge and could face significant time in an American prison. Illegal drugs consume the day of all law enforcement people here. We drive with the Border Patrol in the late hours of the night and hear a call over the radio that two men have been spotted jumping the border wall with backpacks. The chase is on, and another dog is brought to the area. The men disappear, but the dog picks up a scent in the heavy, hilly brush. Sarah the drug-sniffing dog is taught to sit when she finds something. She suddenly sits and then jumps on what looks like bushes. It turns out the bushes are actually attached to sacks of marijuana. Two 25-pound sacks full of pot. They were abandoned by the men when they ran away after being spotted. Street value, at least $40,000. Ray Rivera, the agent who works with Sarah, told me that over the past two years, Sarah has found nearly 7,000 pounds of pot. But Rivera also is pretty heroic. Just a couple of weeks ago, he was shot in the leg when a man he was chasing committed suicide. The bullet passed through the man's face and into Rivera's knee. Law enforcement life here is not for the squeamish. Before we leave this area, we go to a rural area west of Nogales where we hear illegal immigrants and drug couriers often try to get into the United States. When we get there, we see why. The tall border fence abruptly ends as it gets close to a small mountain, but there is plenty of space for people to squeeze into the United States. We wander about 10 feet into Mexico to look at some of the clothes, water bottles and cigarette boxes that people have left behind. As we get ready to leave, we see a Border Patrol vehicle zooming towards us. They don't know we're with CNN; they think we may be criminals. One of the four agents points his rifle at us and demands that we keep our hands in plain sight. They search our car, and we tell them who we are and what we're doing. They say they spotted us because of their long-range video cameras. They tell us to give them a heads up next time we go exploring, and all is well. The agents did their job well. But there are only so many of them and an immense amount of border. After spending time with these agents, it's easy to see how sometimes what they do feels like a thankless task.

About half of seizures of illegal drugs from Mexico occurred in eastern Arizona region . In past six months, Border Patrol has seized about 500,000 pounds of drugs . Bushels of tomatoes conceal 908 lbs. of marijuana in truck seized by patrol . CNN's Gary Tuchman: "Law enforcement life here is not for the squeamish"

01b4e36d8d4176328012d9006858236b2609602c

By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 13:56 EST, 3 May 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:40 EST, 4 May 2012 . The elderly heiress whose money and how it was spent is the main focus of the John Edwards trial had a huge crush on him and would be 'euphoric' whenever the former senator was around, a friend testified. Bryan Huffman, an interior designer who became one of Rachel 'Bunny' Mellon's closest confidants, took to the stand yesterday at the Greensboro Court House in North Carolina. Reiterating what other witnesses have said about the now 101-year-old millionaire, Mr Huffman told the jury: 'She liked how he looked, what he espoused and what good he could do for the country.' She first met Edwards in 2004 and was said to have been in love with him ever since. Better today: Edwards was joined by his eldest daughter Cate as they headed into the trial on Thursday, just one day after she left the court in tears . Benefactor: Paul and Bunny Mellon stand with horse sculpture at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia, circa 1987. Bunny is now blind and a recluse . Heiress: Bunny Mellon, right, is one of the . wealthy donors who allegedly provided Edwards with almost $1million to . cover up his affair . Mr Huffman is one of the people who is believed to have helped hide the huge campaign donations from Bunny that were allegedly used to hide his affair with Rielle Hunter and subsequent love child. Edwards' attorneys have said he didn't know about the money and Edwards has . pleaded not guilty to six counts related to campaign-finance violations. He faces up to 30 years in prison and $1.5million in fines. The 48-year-old recounted what Bunny said after a December 2005 . meeting with Edwards at her 4,000-acre estate: 'There goes the next president of the . United States.' He testified that she was more than happy to pay for personal expenses for Edwards after the controversy about his expensive haircut in 2007. 'The campaign gave [Mellon] a wonderful . focus and something to hold on to,' Mr Huffman said. Every phone call from . Edwards 'always made her extremely happy'. 'She was having fun with this,' he added. But there was one thing clear about Edwards' visits to her sprawling estate - he was not allowed to bring his wife Elizabeth, who Mr Huffman said she hated. 'Unless Mrs Edwards could come then Mr Edwards couldn’t come,' Huffman recalled. The now blind and reclusive Bunny told Newsweek in an interview last year: 'John had a hard time with Elizabeth.' Her lawyer Alex Forger added his client 'was not enamored of his wife and didn’t want his wife to know that he was getting money.' In stride: Yesterday's witness told how Edwards (right) denied having a relationship with 'crazy' Hunter but Hunter told the aide directly that she and the then-Senator 'were very much in love' Another former close aide to John . Edwards also testified yesterday about bungled efforts to keep the . former presidential candidate's affair hidden from staff members, . including an awkward confirmation of his suspicions from the mistress herself. Mr Davis, who traveled with Edwards . in 2006 and 2007 as a body man, is one of several former aides who have . testified about their suspicion or knowledge of the affair during . Edwards' campaign finance corruption trial. Ms . Hunter's contract with the staff wasn't renewed at the end of 2006, but . Mr Davis hadn't seen the last of her. He testified that in February . 2007, he ran into her in an elevator at the candidate's Detroit hotel. ‘We exchanged brief pleasantries. I would have preferred not to have seen her,’ he said. When he saw that she pushed the button . for Edwards' floor – where Davis also had his room – he stopped on . another floor just so he could get into a different elevator car. Shortly after, he was on the phone with his wife to express his shock at . seeing Ms Hunter. Possible defence witness: Rielle Hunter, the . former mistress of John Edwards, enters the federal courthouse in . Raleigh, North Carolina, Thursday, August 6, 2009 with the pair's child . Frances Quinn Hunter . He heard a knock at the door of his room. It was the mistress, who came in to talk. ‘She told me that she and Senator Edwards were very much in love. And that he was concerned that I had seen her,’ Mr Davis said. The next day, Edwards called Davis into his room and denied that he was having an affair with Hunter. ‘He . told me she was crazy and that we should make sure she didn't talk to . him,’ Mr Davis said, adding that he was satisfied with his boss's . explanation. Mr Davis is the latest in a string of . witnesses who have been brought by the prosecution to detail the steps . that the campaign staff took to keep Edwards’ bid for the presidency, . and then the vice presidency, leading up to Barack Obama’s victory in . 2008. In the Greensboro, . North Carolina court room on Thursday, Mr Davis told how staffers like . himself had growing concerns when they noticed how close Ms Hunter and . Edwards became after she was hired as a videographer for the campaign in . 2006. Disgraced: Edwards could face 30 years in prison and a $1.5million fine if found guilty . 'Sexually voracious': Before she was known as . John Edwards' mistress, Rielle Hunter dated an author who based a 'coke . addled' and 'sexually voracious' character on her . For example, while other staff members called him ‘Senator Edwards,’ Rielle Hunter called him ‘Johnny’ or ‘John’. Not long after Mr Davis' elevator run in with Ms Hunter, a change was made in hotel arrangements that struck Mr Davis as odd. 'Can people tell that you're showing?' -Former Edwards aide John Davis said he heard the then-candidate ask Rielle Hunter . Mr . Davis said he'd always stayed in a room close to the candidate, but . that the staff began staying on a different floor than the candidate . during trips. ‘Mr Edwards suggested maybe a little separation would be good,’ he said. His . most explosive revelation was what he heard when he went to Edwards' hotel room to retrieve a cell phone that the candidate had borrowed from . him. When he got to the . room, he could hear what sounded like a speakerphone conversation . through the door, and he was able to discern both Edwards and Ms . Hunter's voices, and he heard Edwards inquire about how far along Ms . Hunter was in her pregnancy. ‘I heard him ask Rielle if she was showing yet,’ Mr Davis said of the September 2007 incident. 'Can people tell that you're showing?' Mr Davis said Edwards asked. Indiscreet: The court has heard specific details about the cover-up, like how Rielle would demand to be flown on private . jets with Edwards and that he was often seen wheeling around her . luggage . Ms Hunter gave birth to Edwards’ daughter . Frances Quinn in February 2008, and given the date of the phone call, . that would have made Ms Hunter about four months pregnant at the time. ‘Rielle is a very unique personality,’ Mr Davis said in court on Thursday. ‘Everyone else on the team had a . political background. Rielle didn't have that sort of resume. She talked . a lot about meditation and yogis’ Though the details of Ms Hunter-spottings add to the intrigue level about the illicit affair, the most emotional day of testimony surely came yesterday, when Edwards’ daughter Cate left the courtroom crying. Former Edwards aide Christina Reynolds was testifying about an argument Elizabeth Edwards had with her husband on the day in October 2007 that a tabloid published a story about his affair. As Ms Reynolds was beginning the account about what happened at the Raleigh airport, Edwards turned to his daughter Cate, who was seated in the front row. 'I don't know what's coming. Do you want to leave?' Edwards was heard asking. She responded inaudibly to him, then walked away wiping tears. Edwards was heard saying, 'Cate, Cate' as she walked out. Cate Edwards later returned to court after a recess. Ms Reynolds testified, she observed a very upset Elizabeth Edwards confront her husband at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on the morning that The National Enquirer published a story about the affair. Carrying on: John Edwards (right) heads into . court Tuesday with his daughter Cate (center) as the damaging testimony . continued about his affair and ensuing cover up with Rielle Hunter . Upset: Cate Edwards, pictured with her father Tuesday, ran out of the court room in tears Wednesday when she heard stories about her parent's fighting . She stormed off and then collapsed in the parking lot, Ms Reynolds said, and the aide and another staff member helped her into the bathroom of a private hangar. After collecting herself, Elizabeth Edwards came back into the hangar, found her husband and began yelling. She then pulled off her shirt and bra, leaving herself bare-chested, Reynolds said. 'You don't see me any more,' Reynolds quoted the wife as saying. Testimony will continue tomorrow as the trial ends the second of what is expected to be six weeks of hearings.

Bunny Mellon's interior designer said she was in love with Edwards . Former aide testified that John Edwards' mistress Rielle Hunter told him that she and the Senator were 'very much in love'

01b587c1fcb465f6ae39d755aa472366326318c1

New York City (CNN) -- A suspect in a weekend hit-and-run crash that killed a Brooklyn couple and their unborn child pleaded not guilty to criminally negligent homicide and leaving the scene of an accident, his lawyer said. Julio Acevedo, 44, faces three counts of each. He was previously charged with vehicular manslaughter, but the Brooklyn District Attorney's office dropped that charge, according to defense attorney Scott Brettschneider. "The overreaction everyone has taken in this case frightens him and he's ready to deal with it," Brettschneider said. "It was an accident. It's a tragedy, but an accident." Acevedo was remanded at his arraignment Thursday night and the case will now be presented to a grand jury for indictment. He was arrested Wednesday in nearby Bethlehem in connection with the Sunday wreck that killed Nathan and Raizy Glauber, both 21. Raizy Glauber was pregnant, and the couple's boy was delivered by cesarean, but died the next day, police said. Acevedo ran away from the scene, police said, and it wasn't immediately clear how investigators identified him as the suspect. He was arrested after a friend helped facilitate his surrender in the crowded parking lot of a convenience store in Bethlehem, New York, according to Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Browne. During Thursday morning's hearing, he said he is unemployed and living with his mother in Brooklyn, Judge Kelly Banach said. He was sent back to New York earlier in the day, after a brief hearing in Allentown, Pennsylvania. His next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday. CNN's Julie Cannold and Lawrence Crook contributed to this report.

Julio Acevedo, 44, was previously charged with vehicular manslaughter . Brooklyn District Attorney's office drops that charge . He now faces three counts of criminally negligent homicide .

01b5a7406ad32da8192e736bb4baf49b1c6804b5

John McCain's office is denying reports that Syrian rebels the senator was pictured with were responsible for the kidnap of Lebanese Shi'ites. According to the Lebanese press, two of the men pictured with Mr McCain had taken eleven people from Lebanon hostage. Nine of the pilgrims are still being held a year after they were taken hostage as they returned to Beirut from a pilgrimage in Iran. Rebel meeting: Senator John McCain has been accused of posing with members of Northern Storm . As negotiations continue for the release of the remaining hostages, the Daily Star in Beirut claims to have identified two of the men pictured with Mr McCain as being with the Northern Storm group believed to be behind the kidnapping. Mr McCain's spokesman Brian Rogers told Buzzfeed: 'A number of the Syrians who greeted . Senator McCain upon his arrival in Syria asked to take pictures with . him, and as always, the Senator complied.' He added it 'would be regrettable' if any of the men turned out to be the suspected kidnappers, Mohamed Nour and Abu Ibrahim. The senator's spokesman added that Mr McCain did not condone 'the kidnapping of Lebanese Shia pilgrims . or [have] any communication with those responsible'. Secret visit: John McCain made a brief stop in Syria to meet leaders of the rebel opposition on Monday . Anwar Ibrahim, one . of the men taken hostage by the Northern Storm group, claims he recognized . Mohammad Nour, chief spokesman and photographer for the kidnappers, . standing next to Mr McCain. 'I recognized him immediately. He was the photographer who was brought in to take our photos. He works with the kidnappers. He knows them very well,' Mr Ibrahim told the Daily Star. He also claims to have recognized another man associated with the hostage-takers. However, Mr Rogers said none of the people Mr McCain met on his brief trip to Syria on Monday shared the names of the kidnappers. 'As the Syrian Emergency Task Force has . said: "Senator McCain did not go to Syria to meet with anyone named . Mohamad Nour or Abu Ibrahim. Two members of our organization were . present in the meeting, and no one called himself by either name",' he added. The senator's spokesman suggested the story could be part of the Assad-regime's propaganda, adding: 'It’s not surprising that the . pro-Hezbollah forces supporting the Assad regime who originally promoted . this distortion would seek to smear anything and anyone supporting the . Syrian opposition.' Secret visit: Senator McCain poses with Syrians during his meeting with the rebel opposition fighting Assad . Mr McCain traveled to Syria to meet leaders of the rebel opposition, who have asked the U.S for weapons and airstrikes against Hezbollah and Assad's forces. Since the civil war began after peaceful protests were met with violence about two years ago, at least 80,000 people have been killed. Mr McCain has been critical of President Obama for not taking enough action in the crisis, according to Politico.

Northern Storm members pictured with McCain, Lebanon claims . Kidnappers have been holding nine pilgrims hostage for a year .

01b6139a9ed19d594a51210d3ac5a3052606b7ce

By . Ted Thornhill . A father left his two sons feeling over-the-moon after building them a Nasa space simulator and life-like mission control center in their bedrooms. Jeff Highsmith, 35, spent more than four months piecing the spacecraft together for his four-year-old boy, Jasper, and around $800 on the gravity-defying desk for his six-year-old son, Gavin. The spaceship features a number of switches, sound effects, LED readouts, joysticks and even a fully-functioning robotic arm. Scroll down for video . Out of this world: Father-of-two Jeff Highsmith built this space simulator for his four-year-old boy, Jasper . Having a blast: Gavin Highsmith uses the mission control desk that his father built him . Father-of-two Mr Highsmith, from Raleigh, North Carolina, said: 'When my older son started kindergarten, he needed a desk upon which to do his homework. 'I figured I'd build him a dual purpose desk, one for work and play - thus, the mission control desk was born. 'While building that, I realised that I should do something cool for my other son's room, and the natural solution seemed to be a spaceship. Heavens above: The space simulator features a fully functioning robotic arm . Switched on father: Mr Highsmith built in plenty of buttons and dials for his two sons to play with . Missions: Mr Highsmith said that his sons love playing at astronauts and take it in turn to be in charge . Ambitious: The project Mr Highsmith undertook for his sons certainly wasn't' an everyday DIY job . 'They both love playing space and their ability to work together impresses me. 'They haven't learned all the space lingo yet, so their missions are often silly, but that's perfect. 'They spot aliens and deploy payloads and make up all sorts of strange things. 'They incorporate other toys into their space play, as well, such as wooden blocks, Legos, and stuffed animals - they really enjoy using it.' Family bond: Mr Highsmith pictured holding Jasper while his wife, Traci, holds Gavin . Full-time videomaker Mr Highsmith said he completed the entire project from the comfort of his garage and that his sons often enjoy going on 'space mission' together. He said: 'They alternate mission control and astronaut duties - it all depends on who feels like they want to run the show and who feels like they want to fly the ship. 'I designed every aspect to be inexpensive, yet straightforward enough for other self-taught hobbyists to replicate. 'Although it was a rather complicated build, no-one should rule it out as something they can't do. 'I'm not an engineer and I have no formal training in electronics. 'I'm just a self-taught hobbyist fairly far along in my learning journey. 'With the Internet, so much knowledge is available for folks that want to teach themselves new skills. 'I just want to provide my boys with a broad variety of experiences to show them what is possible and help them discover and develop their talents and passions.'

Jeff Highsmith spent four months building a spacecraft for his four-year-old . The North Carolina father also built a mission control desk for his other son . The spaceship features switches, sound effects - and even a robotic arm .

01b747e2c5eda2982ac07dc097ad9397c619ad5c

By . Mark Prigg . Microsoft is developing a smartwatch to take on Apple's much anticipated iWatch, a new patent has revealed. It outlines plans for a wristwatch that would serve as a fitness tracker and could also function as a music player, phone and messaging device. The watch face itself detaches from the wristband and connects to a charging dock. The U.S. Patent Office has released an application from Microsoft for a smartwatch design that could challenge offerings from rivals such as Samsung, Apple and Google. Nothing has been officially confirmed by Microsoft yet, but previous rumours claim: . The watch will have a removable band that will come in a red, black, yellow and blue. It will be made of oxynitride aluminium, a translucent form of the metal. Microsoft's smartwatch is also said to run a version of Windows 8. Prototypes of the device are being tested by the Surface team and the watch could have the connector featured on the tablet. The application was filed in October 2012, but has only just been released by the The U.S. Patent Office. It shows the gadget being used primarily as a fitness tracker, with an icon hinting it will include a pulse-reading sensor. The project is believed to be headed up by former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop, who runs Microsoft's Devices division. The move will put Microsoft in a market set to explode as all the major manufacturers release their watches . Microsoft will be playing catch-up to Samsung, which released its Galaxy Gear smartwatch last year. Google plans to release the Moto 360 smartwatch in the U.S. this summer, along with a range of other Android powered watches, while Apple has long been rumored to be developing a smartwatch of its own. Several firms have already made a success of smelling hi-tech watches, such as Pebble which says it sold 400,000 smartwatches last year. Earlier rumours claimed Microsoft drafted in the team behind its Surface tablet to help test prototypes of its smartwatch. The' Windows watch' in docking mode, where it can connect to a computer and power . Microsoft's design allows the watchface to be taken out of the strap entirely, possibly allowing it to be placed in other straps or holders for different sports. According to technology site The Verge, sources familiar with Microsoft's Surface plans revealed the company had taken the steps to try and get its wearable tech to market. These claims follow rumours that emerged in April which stated Microsoft was working on a touch-enabled watch as the company aims to cash in on the anticipated boom in wearable electronics. At the time, the computing giant reportedly asked . Asian suppliers to ship 1.5in displays for a potential watch-style . device and one supply executive said he had met with Microsoft . researchers and developers. Whether . Microsoft will actually end up producing the watch is uncertain, but . some investors and technology firms are expecting a boom in wearable . electronics, reported the Wall Street Journal. It's time: Microsoft chairman Bill Gates shows off the firm's smartwatch technology in 2004. Now it has been claimed the company has asked Asian firms to ship 1.5-inch displays for a potential watch-style device . The U.S. company experimented with smartwatches in 2004 with a product called SPOT, which used FM radio signals to send instant messages and view news headlines, reported CNN. But production ceased four years later and the SPOT project, which stood for Smart Personal Object Technology, was eventually pulled last year. The new Microsoft watch is believed to have a removable band that will come in a red, black, yellow and blue. It is also thought to be made of oxynitride aluminium, a translucent form of the metal and will run a version of Windows 8. Earlier this week Apple was said to be hiring outside help to tackle design problems with its own smartwatch - dubbed the iWatch. Apple fan and artist Martin Hajek created these incredible lifelike mockups of an iWatch, whcih he believes could come in two version, with the top of the range being the iWatch S, which has a metal body and leather strap . Martin Hajek also believes Apple will release a lower cost plastic version of the watch, which will come in several different colours . Some gadgets such as Nike’s FuelBand are intended to measure physical exercise, while others can perform similar functions to a smartphone such as receiving text messages or taking photos. California-based startup firm Pebble Technology now makes a watch that wirelessly synchronises with smartphones and vibrates to alert users of incoming phone calls, emails and Twitter posts. High tech: Microsoft experimented with smartwatches in 2004 with a product called SPOT, which used FM radio signals to send instant messages and view news headlines . And a group of students from India have already begun selling an Android-powered watch called Andoirdly. One research firm anticipates the market for wearable smart electronics to be a £7billion industry within just three years. College students from India have launched the first fully-featured Android smart watch with built-in Bluetooth, GPS, Wi-Fi and a camera. The Androidly device can also be used to make calls and send texts and costs £150 .

New patent shows a sports watch . Previousl claims firm brought in team behind the Surface tablet to develop watch . Microsoft experimented with smartwatches in 2004 with its product SPOT . Project being headed by ex-Nokia boss Stephen Elop .

01b7ed864e966ca34db640a774a8288988f84ba3

The Brooklyn father who fatally beat 7-year-old Nixzmary Brown also forced his son to rape a relative, according to reports. The new allegations were laid out on Wednesday against Cesar Rodriguez, who was convicted in the 2006 torture and killing of Nixzmary, in a case that shocked New York and forced a major shake up of the city's child protection agency. Rodriguez's now 15-year-old stepson, who has been charged with raping two relatives some eight years ago, told detectives that his stepfather forced him to commit at least one of the crimes, the New York Daily News reported. The father made the boy commit the act while he watched, sources told the New York Post. The alleged rape would have happened before his sister's murder in 2006, when he was about 8 years old. Victim: Nixzmary Brown, then 7, was fatally beaten by her father after he accused her of eating his yogurt. Her mother, who had often abused the child herself, did nothing while Nixzmary was killed in 2006 . MURDER: Nixzmary Brown's parents, Cesar Rodriguez and Nixzaliz Santiago, are both serving prison sentences for bounding and beating the 7-year-old girl. The mother did nothing while Rodriguez dealt the final blow . The teen, who now lives with an adoptive family in the Bronx, is charged with rape and endangering the welfare of a minor, The Post reported. Police say that the boy and Nixzmary lived in a house of horrors in Brooklyn and were subjected to starvation and frequent beatings, often involving a thick leather belt. She was also bound frequently and left in a rat-infested room where she was forced to use the cat litter as a toilet. Nixzmary's murder led to reforms at the Administration for Children's Services when it was revealed that case workers had received reports of abuse before but did nothing to stop the girl's parents . The day of her brutal murder in 2006, Rodriguez became enraged because the child had eaten one of his yogurts. The mother, Nixzaliz Santiago, had been a frequent witness to the beatings and often partook in dealing blows, but did nothing to stop Rodriguez as he savagely beat the 7-year-old girl. They were both charged with manslaughter and convicted of in her death. Rodriguez, who dealt the deathly blow, was sentenced to 29 years in prison. The mother, who had previously been convicted of beating the child, was sentenced to a stiffer sentence that could keep her behind bars for up to 43 years. Nixzmary's death shocked the nation and led to an overhaul of the city's Administration for Children's Service. The agency's case workers had received numerous reports of mistreatment in the family but failed to act.

Brooklyn child Nixzmary Brown, then 7, was often bound and abused by father Cesar Rodriguez, who was convicted of fatally beating her in 2006 . The girl's brother, now 15 and charged with rape, says Rodriguez forced him to sexually abuse his kin when he was a boy . Nixmary's murder shocked New York and the nation, leading to an overhaul of the city's child protection agency . Back then, case workers received multiple reports of abuse in the family but failed to act .

01b8b9f6fd67fa732b759bda829daf922b28e345

(CNN) -- When Enric Sala dips his toes in a pool of water, he does so in the knowledge he may well be the first man on the planet to do so. As he lowers himself below the surface of the ocean in his diving gear he becomes something of a fish whisperer, an underwater pied piper. In short, marine life flocks to the pony-tailed Spaniard. "It's an amazing experience to see fish that have never seen humans," he says. "They come really, really close to us. That's just unthinkable where people are fishing. Normally, we're used to them swimming away from us. "What we're doing is hard to do almost anywhere in the world. We're seeing large fish and sharks in almost every dive. People could spend years in, say, the Caribbean and see less sharks than we can in just one single dive. This latest trip has been a really, really special experience. It's so wild and we expected to see healthy reefs but not like this." Sala is a novelty -- well, certainly to sea life -- with his passion for untouched waters as National Geographic's explorer-in-residence, whose mission is to help protect the last wild places in the ocean. The society's "Pristine Seas" initiative has been set up to fend off the long-distance fishing fleets that have started to encroach in these remote waters. Just 2% of the world's waters are protected, and Sala knows he has a gargantuan task ahead of him that needs massive backing by the world's governments. Slowly but surely he is chipping away at ensuring a better future for the world's waters. Of the eight areas he has so far visited under the program, four are now protected with a further two currently pending protection. His most recent expedition is to New Caledonia, an archipelago that separated from Australia 60-85 million years ago, coming to rest 1,210 kilometers east, and is now a special collectivity of France at the behest of Napoleon III, who ordered his navy to take formal possession of the 18,500 km². A day's boat ride north from New Caledonia's most northern tip, the Waitt's Institute research vessel has, until recently, been bobbing for the last three weeks slowly on the water's surface. A team of 12 people, made up of scientists, cameramen and crew, with Sala at the epicenter as expedition leader. Previously an academic, he recalls: "I was studying the effects of humans on the ocean. It was so depressing. I thought saving the ocean was a lost battle but then I decided I wanted to be part of the solution, so we started the Pristine Seas project. "Now I feel like there's hope. Now I go to these places and see what it used to be like, to see what the future could be elsewhere with regeneration." Sala's passion for all things underwater is addictive, he talks with a childlike enthusiasm for his current expedition. He was a boy when first captivated by the magic of the sea, inspired by the famous former diver and explorer Jacques Cousteau. "Since I can remember, my dream was to be a diver on his boat but I was born too late for that. But now I'm getting to do something similar myself. He showed us a lot and in later years showed us what was wrong with what we were doing. I'm trying to go one step beyond that and find solutions." So how would his idol have perceived what Sala and his team are now doing? "I think he would have been proud of what we're doing," says Sala, who grew up on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. "If he had lived on, I think he would have done something like this himself. But he was just an amazing man known by so many people around the world." Sala's current quest is aimed at not just protecting certain waters but regenerating those that have been fished to within an inch of their lives. The aim is to ensure protected areas become increasingly rich in fish and other underwater life, thereby spilling into other waters as it becomes overly abundant, thus in the long-term having a positive knock-on effect to fishermen. But he and his team are also learning about healthy coral and reef, among other things, to learn how to help regenerate damaged varieties in other global waters. Their days are spent diving, filming, photographing and researching. Sala, indeed, is most at home in the ocean. "Once in the water, all the problems on the surface disappear," he insists. "You're in a world where you're in complete focus but also at peace. It's a world where you don't feel the strong gravity from the planet, you feel like you're flying. "It completely changes your perspective on the world. I think it probably helps that endorphins are being released especially in these pristine places. "Being able to experience nature, and raw nature at that, first hand is like going back in the past. On these trips, it's like I go into a time machine and go back. It's quite spiritual." Sharks have become synonymous with fear in the sea, thanks in part to Steven Spielberg's "Jaws" film with John Williams' ominous stringed musical buildup to each unwitting victim of a shark attack. But Sala's experience of the underwater predators has been the complete antithesis. "Every moment is wonderful, like spending just one dive following clown fish for the whole dive," he says. "All the animals are special but the most special are sharks. "They are just so beautiful and elegant in the water. They're perfect in their environment and their shape has not really changed in 300 million years. "They are also great for the health of the reef, and the idea that they are dangerous is wrong. They have a bad reputation but in my five years doing this, diving sharks, I've not had one problem. I've never once been threatened by sharks." His long-term aim, and that of National Geographic, is to protect 20 seas in total. So how exactly can you protect large swathes of water? "It's become much easier as governments who we've worked with pass laws limiting the areas that can be fished," he explains. "Obviously some of these are in remote waters so the best way to do that is via satellite. For example in New Caledonia, we found out that the French Navy had intercepted an illegal Chinese fishing vessel. Having a naval presence is also a great deterrent." Next on his tick list is Mozambique in April. Slowly, sea by sea he is clearing up the planet's waters, and he is determined to continue.

Enric Sala, National Geographic's explorer-in-residence, is aiming to clean up the seas . His latest mission took him to relatively unknown waters off New Caledonia . As a child he was inspired by the work of prestigious explorer Jacques Cousteau . Previously he thought all hope was lost to restoring the seas, he has since changed his mind .

01b8eef33c9b3cb95867d93124a54dd55f80aa45

By . Chris Waugh . Mario Balotelli's transfer to Liverpool appears to be nearing completion, and the Italian striker does not seem to envisage any last-minute hiccups in the deal as he spent time with his brother. The AC Milan striker posted a photograph on Instagram of himself with his friends and his smiling sibling, Enoch. The 24-year-old's £16million move to Anfield looks set to be completed imminently. VIDEO Scroll down to watch the maddest, baddest and best moments of Mario Balotelli . Relaxed: Italy forward Mario Balotelli (left) does not seem worried about his potential £16million-move to Liverpool from Serie A giants AC Milan as he enjoys time with his brother Enoch (right) and friends . Looking on: Balotelli also posted a photo on Instagram accompanied with the caption 'dark night' Incoming: Mario Balotelli has been to Liverpool to complete his £16million move from AC Milan . He travelled to Liverpool's Melwood training ground last week and completed both parts of his medical. Balotelli has agreed a three-year, heavily incentivised £90,000-per-week contract and Mino Raiola, the forward’s long-term adviser, has urged him to seize the opportunity. Having already played for Manchester City, Inter Milan and AC Milan it is unlikely Balotelli will get another big move if he fails to settle at Liverpool. During his time at the Etihad, Balotelli netted 30 goals in 80 appearances. He also scored 18 goals in 41 matches for Milan last season. How is was: Balotelli playing against Liverpool in the colours of Manchester City back in August 2012 . Chance: Mario Balotelli (red) has his last chance at 'elite level' at Liverpool, says his agent Mino Raiola (centre) International duty: Balotelli in action for Italy against Uruguay at the World Cup this summer .

Balotelli close to completing a £16million transfer to Liverpool from AC Milan . Milan striker posted photo on Instagram of himself and his brother Enoch . The 24-year-old completed both parts of Liverpool medical over weekend . He has agreed a three-year, high-incentivised £90,000-per-week contract . Balotelli scored 18 goals in 41 matches for Milan in Italy last season .

01b974660574064bd7caf8b0144798a63b8ad278

Click here to see more from our brilliant interactive graphic . Venue: Spa-Francorchamps . Circuit length: 7.004km/4.352miles . Laps: 44 . Race distance: 308.052km/191.491miles . Lap record: 1min 47.263secs (Sebastian Vettel, 2009) 2013 pole position: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 2mins 01.012secs . 2013 winner: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 2013 fastest lap: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 1min 50.756secs . Number of corners: 19 (10 left/9 right) Tyre compounds to be used: medium/soft . Bumpiness: medium/low . Overtaking chance: medium/high . Engine severity: very high . Brake wear severity: low . Gearbox severity: low . Winners from pole position since 2004: 3 . No of safety cars deployed since 2004: 9 . 2013 winning strategy: 2 stops (laps 14, 30) 2013 total race pit stops: 43 . 2013 total ‘normal’ overtakes: 27 . 2013 DRS-aided overtakes: 27 . All smiles: Sebastian Vettel (left) won last year's Belgian Grand Prix for Red Bull ahead of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso (right) and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton . Inter-team battle: Formula One returns from a summer break at Spa with Hamilton (front) trailing Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg (back) in the drivers' championship by just nine points . Settle for third: Hamilton pipped Rosberg in Hungary last time out but finished third behind Ferrari's  Fernando Alonso and race winner Daniel Ricciardo (left) for Red Bull . * Daniel Ricciardo’s win in Hungary last time out means he remains the only driver to score a win this season aside from Mercedes duo Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. * In finishing third in Hungary, Hamilton now has 63 podiums to his name (1st: 27; 2nd: 18; 3rd: 18), the most by any British driver in F1 history. * Mercedes have won nine of the 11 races this season. Only five teams have scored more in a single campaign - Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, Benetton and Williams. King of Spa: Michael Schumacher has won the most amount of Belgian Grand Prix with six and made his F1 debut at Spa with the Jordan team in 1991 . One to watch: Kimi Raikkonen is the most successful of the current drivers at Spa, winning four times with his most recent victory coming in 2009  - his most recent win for Ferrari . * Ferrari and McLaren have now gone 25 and 30 races without a win respectively. * With just two exceptions (2003 and 2006 when the Belgian GP was not held) the race has been staged at Spa-Francorchamps every year since 1985. This will be the 47th F1 grand prix held at the circuit. * The leader in the title race after Hungary has only been overhauled four times in the last 14 years, but three of those have been in the last seven - Michael Schumacher reeled in Mika Hakkinen in 2000; Kimi Raikkonen did it to Lewis Hamilton in 2007, while Sebastian Vettel closed down Mark Webber in 2010 and Fernando Alonso in 2013. Drivers' favourite: The uphill Eau Rouge corner is one of the more challenging corners on the circuit . * The most successful driver at the Belgian Grand Prix is Michael Schumacher with six wins, followed by Ayrton Senna with five. * Ferrari are the most successful constructor in Belgium with 16 victories to McLaren’s 14. Both, however, have won the race a dozen times at Spa-Franchorchamps. * There are five Belgian Grand Prix winners entered this weekend. Felipe Massa won in 2008, Hamilton in 2010 and 2012, Vettel in 2011 and 2013, whilst Kimi Raikkonen has four victories to his credit in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009. * Raikkonen’s first win at Spa came from a starting position of 10th, although that is not the lowest grid slot from which victory has been achieved as Schumacher’s 1995 win was from 16th. * The circuit has a 75 per cent risk of a safety car deployment, placing it in the ‘very high’ risk category.

Formula One returns following summer break ahead of Belgian Grand Prix . Lewis Hamilton trails Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by nine points . Brit looking to overhaul Rosberg at Spa-Francorchamps circuit .

01b9ae11838c79316b80a5bf581289450b01ea4d

German second division club Union Berlin produced an incredible Christmas spectacle, as they held a carol concert with 27,500 fans. The stands at the Sadion An de Alten Forsterei were packed out, and even more fans filled the pitch to sing Christmas songs in Berlin. VIDEO: Scroll down to watch the beautiful scenes at Union Berlin's stadium . An incredible 27,500 fans, each holding a candle, packed into the Union Berlin stadium on December 23 . The fans, many of whom were wearing Santa hats, filled the stands and were packed on the pitch . A German football fan, wearing a Santa costume and carrying a beer, attends the carol concert . Each fan held a candle, producing a wonderful Christmas vision at the mid-table club's ground. It was the twelfth year that the club have hosted their traditional carol-singing event on December 23rd - the first time it saw just 89 fans climb over the fences and into the club's stadium. One fan kisses another as, behind them, thousands of candles shine in the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei . The carol-singing, which began 12 years ago with just 89 fans, has now become a club tradition .

Union Berlin held massive candle-lit concert at their stadium . Over 27,000 fans came to sing carols at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei . Supporters held candles during the incredible scene .

01ba12e566ce2a2fa5315b6a4e8ea9a8eb7aaeec

(CNN) -- Remember when social media websites were just about sharing fun things? I'm talking about the time when Facebook was essentially a place to post photos of you having a great time and the most serious event shared was when a person changed his or her status from "in a relationship" to "single." But those days are gone. Social media has now become a place to share deeply personal and often horribly painful events in our lives. It has, in essence, become an online group therapy session where people reveal the details of dreadful events from their lives in the hopes it helps them cope and will attract support from others. We saw it on display this week with 16-year-old Hannah Anderson, who was taken hostage by James DiMaggio for a week after he allegedly killed Hannah's mother and younger brother. Within days of being freed, Hannah went online to the website ask.fm and answered questions from the public about her ordeal. And she didn't just respond to a few questions, she fielded a long list of probing questions from "Why didn't you run?" to "Are you glad (DiMaggio is) dead?" I noticed this evolution in the way people had begun to use social media last year, and at the time, I didn't like it. My concern was: Why would anyone share the intimate details of tragic events from their lives with people online, many of whom are strangers? It really hit home this year when a friend posted on Facebook that he had been diagnosed with cancer. I was shocked, first by the news but second by the fact he announced his diagnosis on Facebook. Typically, this would be the type of news you would share only with family and close friends, and probably in a face-to-face conversation. But reading the comments responding to his original posting -- and the comments to his subsequent posts about his treatment -- caused me to change my view on what was appropriate to share on social media. The amount of support he received on his Facebook page was astounding. He was touched by it, noting that the outpouring brought him comfort and inspired him to fight the disease even harder. Many others are sharing the most heartwrenching events in their lives. In just the past few weeks, friends on Facebook or Twitter have posted information about the deaths of a parent or a grandparent. And this week, I saw an even more candid sharing of information when a friend posted on Facebook that his brother in Egypt had been shot by the police there during the recent protests. He followed that up a few hours later with updates about surgery to save his brother's life. Finally, he posted a photo of his deceased brother from the morgue where they identified his body. A few weeks ago, NPR host Scott Simon tweeted live updates from his dying mother's hospital room to his more than 1 million Twitter followers. Some said Simon was invading his mother's privacy while others labeled him as self-centered, focused more on himself than his dying mother. But like many others, I found it to be a moving tribute to his mother. What sparked this trend to divulge information that had once been revealed only to family and close friends? There are a few reasons. First, it's clearly therapeutic for many. By sharing their painful experiences, it helps the person heal, and the show of support by others bolsters them. Second, those who have been using social media for years on a daily basis have grown accustomed to sharing events and experiences from everyday life. We are now extending the scope of what we will share from our lives. Finally, I believe there's a connection between a willingness to share private aspects of our lives and the reality TV show world in which we have been immersed for over a decade. On a nightly basis, we see people share their triumphs and tragedies, be it on shows like "Big Brother" or "The Real World" or more contrived ones like "Honey Boo Boo" or "Keeping up with the Kardashians." They have made it easier and more acceptable for us to do the same. To me, the best thing about this new trend is that you get to control it. It's your choice whether to disclose deeply personal information. Those who find it unnerving or inappropriate can keep that information secret. But for the rest, social media may end up being a less expensive but helpful form of therapy. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Dean Obeidallah.

Dean Obeidallah: Social media evolved from sharing trivial matters to more personal ones . Hannah Anderson answered personal questions about her abduction . NPR host Scott Simon tweeted from his dying mother's hospital room . Obeidallah: Sharing more is a good thing, if it helps bring comfort to those who suffer .

01ba283764b099f18f490c553c3db054cea55391

(CNN)Authorities in California had a stern warning for whoever abducted a 3-week-old girl who was later found dead in a strip mall dumpster: "Our police officers will do everything in their power to find you." Eliza Delacruz was abducted from a home in Long Beach on Saturday night after her mother, father and uncle were shot. On Sunday, police said San Diego authorities had found her body. The San Diego Coroner's Office confirmed the deceased infant was Eliza. "Eliza's life was just beginning and it was quickly taken away and all due to a senseless act of violence," Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said Monday. "To the person or persons that are responsible ... please know that our police officers will do everything in their power to find you." Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna repeatedly urged anyone who may have witnessed the crime to come forward, saying the public's help will be "extremely critical to solving this case." The abduction and death of the infant has shocked the community, including police officers accustomed to seeing tragedies. "There is nothing as horrendous as a child, a baby ... being taken from her home and then being left in a trash dumpster," said Luna, who repeatedly called the person responsible a coward. Authorities told CNN that the attacker may have known the family. Meanwhile, two of the shooting victims remain in critical condition at an area hospital, police said, and a third has been treated and released. CNN's Sarah Aarthun contributed to this report.

Police urge the public to come forward with any information . Three-week-old Eliza Delacruz was taken from a home in Long Beach on Saturday . Her body was found in a dumpster Sunday .

01ba8ba2c6002482b6a25b6e8fe1dbce8cbdecd6

By . Tom Rawstorne . PUBLISHED: . 18:07 EST, 1 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:26 EST, 1 March 2013 . At first glance they might be mistaken for a standard pair of cream trainers — the sort you’d find in any sports shop on the High Street. But the truth is there’s nothing standard about this pair of shoes specially commissioned for pop star Beyonce. Made from a combination of crocodile, anaconda, stingray and ostrich skin, as well as calfskin, it’s little wonder that everyone from animal rights groups to the singer’s fans has branded her ‘cruel’ and ‘spoilt’ for making such a tacky and exploitative fashion statement. Beyonce’s trainers are based on a wedge-style shoe by designer Isabel Marant, but have been given a bling makeover by American company Perfectly Made Kicks (PMK). Unique: The handcrafted sneakers are custom-made for Beyonce using a mix of stingray, ostrich, calf's fur, crocodile and anaconda skins . The company, which states that their exotic skins come from a legal supplier in New York, previously customised a pair of trainers for Beyonce’s rapper husband, Jay Z, that were covered in calf, ostrich, python, boa constrictor, crocodile, lizard, alligator and stingray skins, as well as patches of imitation elephant skin. PMK boss Andre Scott says: ‘It’s legal. I don’t think animal rights campaigners like it very much, but it’s legal.’ Legal or not, animal lovers are outraged that Beyonce has followed in her husband’s footsteps. PMK . insists ‘no animals were beaten, harmed or killed in the development . and crafting of the sneakers’ — though it remains slightly unclear how . you make a shoe out of any kind of leather without killing animals. Expensive taste: Beyonce often wear these £62,000 gold-plated Balenciaga leggings on stage . The pressure group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is in no doubt: ‘These custom-made [trainers] come with a high price — and it’s paid by the various animals who were beaten and skinned alive or cruelly farmed and killed.’ Here, the Mail reveals how these exotic creatures suffer — in the name of high fashion. ANACONDA . With its interlocking scales, the skin used for the detailing over the heel and toe of Beyonce’s trainers is immediately identifiable as snake. Anacondas, like crocodiles, are subject to controls by the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), but the trade is so poorly regulated that it is difficult to establish the source of the skins. For every animal that goes through the system legally, it is estimated that another will be smuggled. Excessive hunting of the snakes — . which are found in South America and can grow to a length of 20 ft — . poses a threat to the viability of the species in the long-term. There . are also widespread concerns about the barbaric ways in which snakes . captured in the wild are killed. As . skins are valued at £23 a foot (designer Tom Ford sells his . over-the-knee anaconda boots for £2,000), great care is taken to ensure . it is removed undamaged from the snake. The creature will often first be . stunned with a blow to the head, rather than killed outright. In . order to loosen the skin, a hose pipe is inserted into its jaws and the . snake filled up with water, swelling the reptile up like a balloon. It . will be left like that for ten minutes or so, a leather cord tied around . its neck to prevent the liquid escaping. Then . its head is impaled on a meat hook, a couple of quick incisions follow, . and the loosened skin is peeled off with a series of brutal tugs — much . like a rubber glove being removed from a hand. From . there, the skin will be sent to a tannery before being turned into . luxury shoes or handbags. Because of the snake’s slow metabolic rate it . can survive, skinned alive, for hours or even days until succumbing to . the effects of dehydration or shock. OSTRICH . The ostrich skin that forms the tongue of Beyonce’s shoe is one of the strongest commercial leathers and bears the distinctive pattern of bumps made by the quill follicles of the bird’s feathers. While ostriches were originally farmed in South Africa for their feathers and meat, their leather became popular in the U.S. during the Seventies when it was used for cowboy boots. Since then it has become a firm fashion favourite — the hides fetch more than £320 each. British bag designer Mulberry sells ostrich leather totes for up to £4,500, while the classic Louis Vuitton Keepall 50 bag in ostrich skin costs £7,000. Skinned: The team behind the sneakers used ostrich skin for the tongue of the shoes and Anaconda for the heel and toes detailing to please Beyonce . Critics of ostrich farming point out that in the wild the birds have well-developed courtship, nest-building and chick-rearing behaviours, and live to 50 or more. Farmed, they are penned up, their eggs taken away from them and their chicks killed at little more than a year old. Wild ostriches can run at up to 40mph and will cover 15 to 20 miles a day in their natural habitat, but farmed ostriches are often confined to an acre or less of land. As a result, they are prone to painful leg deformities and suffer from other diseases, such as avian flu. Animal rights campaigners have also highlighted the stress ostriches endure during slaughter. The bird’s legs are tied together and a water-soaked hood placed over its head. It is then electrocuted, hoisted upside down and its throat cut as it bleeds to death. CROCODILE . Farmed around the world, crocodile skin is so popular that 1.3 million of the reptiles are slaughtered to meet demand each year. Beyonce has a four-inch strip of crocodile skin on the back of her trainers. Crocodiles are favoured by shoe and bag designers. A grey crocodile Hermes Birkin costing £79,000 is one of many such bags owned by the socialite Tamara Ecclestone. The majority of crocodiles killed for their skin are bred and reared on farms. But every year more than 90,000 are also killed in the wild. Fierce fang: Beoynce's sneakers have a four-inch strip of crocodile hide on the back . A further 225,000 are ‘ranched’. This is where they are monitored in their natural environments and then brought on to farms for slaughter. Animal rights campaigners say the crowded pens in which the reptiles are kept cause great stress. They are unable to swim away to quiet areas, as they would in the wild. There is no mud for them to lie in or grass to hide in. Their natural instincts to hunt are denied and they develop abnormalities and deformities because they can’t walk or swim. After just three years, their short lives come to a brutal end — the usual method of killing will be a bullet. The crocodiles are grabbed by workers and their snouts bound before being dispatched with a rifle. A direct shot to the brain, which is encased in a 2cm-thick skull, is far from guaranteed. While this might seem a callous end to a short life for an animal that would live for 70 years or more in the wild, it is more humane than the method used on some farms. According to PETA, the reptile can be killed by hammering a chisel between the base of the skull and the first vertebrae, a procedure which can take between five and eight blows to achieve. They are then skinned, often while still alive. Like snakes, because of their slow metabolisms they can survive, in agony, for up to two hours after they have been completely skinned. Only certain bits of the skin will be considered good enough to use, which means it can take up to four crocodiles to make one bag. As a result of the intensive hunting of wild crocodiles, they are supposedly protected under the CITES agreement. Raw hide: Stingray skin is 25 times more durable than cow hide and is worth £63 per square foot . STINGRAY . Famed for being 25 times more durable than cowhide, stingray leather — often referred to as shagreen — is used on the three fastenings on Beyonce’s trainers. Traditionally, the rays, which are closely related to sharks, would have been killed for food, the skins a by- product used for the grips of Chinese and Japanese swords. In recent years, the leather has become a popular material in the world of high fashion — Alexander Wang’s stingray purses sell for £800. Because the skins are relatively small, they tend to be used for purses and wallets rather than bags. The skin is worth £63 per square foot. While the fish are common in coastal tropical and subtropical marine waters, their populations are increasingly under threat. Five species of stingray are listed as ‘endangered’ and there is a worrying lack of data about the population levels of many others. It is estimated that in Indonesia alone, two million rays are caught each year, with some boats bringing in up to 30 metric tons of stingrays per trip. Because stingrays reach maturity relatively late and produce relatively few offspring, there is concern that over-fishing could cause populations to collapse. Last year, in response to this threat, Panama banned fishing for stingrays in its territorial waters. Scientists have warned that unless steps are taken on an international level to significantly reduce the catch of these animals, they are at risk of disappearing.

Singer Beyonce has bought specially made trainers of exotic animal skin . Uses crocodile, anaconda, stingray and ostrich skin, as well as calfskin . Suppliers Perfectly Made Kicks say shoes are 'completely legal'

01bafadfdbe1b9c77619564e49788166f33ed717

Sergeant Blackman is said to have been devastated by the death of his wheelchair-bound father shortly before the tour of Afghanistan that was to end in shame. Brian Blackman, 73, was suffering from Parkinson’s disease and died in January 2011. A friend said it had a huge impact on his son, who tragically had been caught in traffic and unable make it to his father’s bedside to be with him as he died. It was against this emotional backdrop of regret and grief that the commando deployed to Afghanistan. Those close to him believe this played a part in the ‘moment of madness’ that ended in the execution of a Taliban fighter – and murder conviction more than two years later. Scroll down for video . Emotional: Alexander Blackman with his wheelchair-bound father Brian who died shortly before his tour of duty . Footage: The incident in which Blackman killed a Taliban militant was caught on camera by another Marine . Ironically, Blackman was a model soldier, a war hero with an exceptional record who had served in a number of conflicts. He proved his courage on six gruelling tours of duty in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. And in 2001 he was part of the hunt for Bin Laden. He was among Marines flown in to help Special Forces as they fought Al Qaeda gunmen in Bora Bora. Blackman’s closest brush with death came on his tour to Iraq, when he miraculously survived being hit by a grenade during the assault on Basra. Identified: Sergeant Alexander Blackman has been revealed as the Royal Marine who was last month convicted a murdering an Afghan insurgent . Fighting had been intense, with an . officer describing the area as a scene from Dante’s Inferno. While . leading the assault on Basra, Iraq’s second city in a military vehicle, . his rucksack containing ammunition, water and rations was hit by the . warhead of a rocket propelled grenade in an ambush on his vehicle. Marines dived for cover as bullets and RPGs raining down on them, and one rocket smashed into his kit bag diverting it just past his head while bullets burst around them. After the attack, his fellow commandos could not believe that Blackman had not been killed. Despite the difficult campaign – which saw Marines locked in some of the fiercest fighting experienced by British forces – his combat report is said to have been ‘exemplary’ and he was recommended for promotion. His family in Brighton – his father, a former porter and lorry driver, his mother Frances, 74, a former hairdresser, brother and two sisters knew his love of the Marines and the lifestyle they offered. Blackman, a keen cyclist, runner and golfer, excelled while studying sports and physical education at Lewes Tertiary College in East Sussex. He had ambitions of representing Great Britain at canoeing until, aged 17, he was knocked down by a car while cycling. Desperate to challenge himself, he enlisted in the Royal Marines in 1998, passing the arduous tests with flying colours. Tours of Northern Ireland were followed by training in the US and Oman, and in November 2007 he deployed to southern Afghanistan. After returning from that tour he married Claire Warner, 38, an assistant director of operations with the National Trust in Somerset and Gloucestershire, and they settled in Taunton. Incident: The footage filmed by Marine B's helmet camera formed part of the court martial hearing . Revealed: Footage of the incident with Blackman's face uncensored has just been released for the first time . Highly regarded by senior officers, . Blackman had joined 42 Commando and J [Juliet] Company, known for its . discipline, fortitude and bravery – and members were tested to the full . during their six-month spring tour in spring 2011. He had previously seen some action in Afghanistan during the quieter winter months. But this deployment – later named the ‘Tour from hell’ by his colleagues – them attacked almost daily. Despite this hostility, the imposing 6ft 3in Blackman was credited with fostering ‘hearts and minds’ of the local population and helping oversee projects such as the building of a school. But the gruelling impact of losing friends and colleagues was to take its toll. During the proceedings leading up to his conviction for murder, Blackman said around 20 of his friends had been killed or maimed during the tour, including a popular young officer and a marine who had previously won a Military Cross for courage under fire. Film: The Marine could be heard quoting Shakespeare as he shot the Taliban prisoner . Trauma: Friends of Blackman have blamed the incident on the horrors he experienced while on duty . He said other comrades had suffered ‘life-changing’ injuries and described the effect the deaths had on commandos after the body parts of friends were hung in trees by insurgents. ‘It’s not a nice thing for the lads,’ he said. ‘Close friends they have lived with have been killed and parts of their bodies are displayed as a kind of trophy for the world to see.’ The Marines returned home as heroes, with Blackman earmarked for promotion to Colour Sergeant. It would have remained that way had a commando not been arrested by civilian police more than a year later and chilling head camera footage of the Helmand execution discovered on his laptop.

Brian Blackman, 73, was suffering from Parkinson’s disease . He died in January 2011 just before the marine left on tour of duty . Sergeant Blackman was unable to make it to his bedside when he died . Friends believe it played a part in the 'moment of madness' that ended in the execution of a Taliban fighter .

01bc8025c94c57a156469fbad202394a2ad9e37d

Nasa has revealed the incredible moments in a specially set up 'war room' inside its HQ as its Curiosity rover landed on the red planet. The unprecedented insight reveals the drama the 34 scientists allowed into the inner sanctum, which was separate from mission control, went through during Curiosity's descent to the surface of the red planet. It even reveals the carefully chosen words that signified a perfect landing - tango delta nominal. Curiosity's Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) 'war room' and its staff. On the night of Aug. 5, 2012 PDT (early morning Aug. 6 EDT), 34 engineers gathered in this room at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, to support the landing . Twenty-five of Nasa's engineers are pictured above. From the left, back row, they are: Luis Dominguez, Armen Toorian, Allen Kummer, Dan Scharf, Jaime Catchen, Chuck Baker, Nadin Cox, Matt, Lenda, Steve Lee, Genevie Yang and Richard Kornfeld at the end. Starting from the top of the table and moving left are: Paul Brugarolas, Lynn McGrew, Aaron Stehura, Steve Sell, Devin Kipp, Jeremy Shidner, Corey Harmon and David Way. In the closest row, from the left, are: Matt Rozek, Ravi Prakash, Dick Powell, Jody Davis, Gavin Mendeck and Jordi Casoliva. The image above shows the team at work. "If we said 'touchdown,' then people not intimately familiar with EDL . might infer that Curiosity was good to go," said Steve Sell, a 42-year-old engineer from Gettysburg, said on Nasa's web site. He admits the touchdown was the first of three key message the team hoped to hear. 'Two more . major calls had to be made before I could begin to breathe again.' The key moment for the team occured at 10:32 p.m local time. Diaries from the crew reveal there had been a debate amongst Curiosity's entry, descent and landing team about what their first words to indicate that the rover had reached the surface should be. The team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory knew their microphones would be 'hot' and that NASA TV was beaming the landing event out live to anybody with the desire and wherewithal to watch. They also knew that landing safely on Mars meant more than simply landing on Mars - which any one of the 34 engineers present at JPL's Building 264 Room 230, also known as the 'EDL War Room,' will tell you at great length is not simple at all. Their rocket-propelled backpack and rover-lowering Sky Crane system were getting their first test 154 million miles (248 million kilometers) away from home. At 10:31:45 p.m. PDT, Jody Davis saw the event record, or EVR, she was looking for appear on her computer screen in the EDL War Room. She told Nasa's site she knew that the 'Touchdown' message would only be beamed down if the rover's descent stage had throttled down, a result which could only occur if the descent stage had offloaded half its weight. The only way the rover could offload half its weight in an instant is if it were being held up from below. Davis, a member of the EDL team and an engineer from NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia, gave the much reviewed, pre-scripted call - 'Tango Delta nominal.' Tango and Delta are phonetic identifiers for T and D, which the team used to represent touchdown. The next call the EDL team was looking for was 'RIMU Stable.' 'RIMU stands for Rover Inertial Measurement Unit,' said Sell. 'The RIMU gives us the rover's orientation as well as any movement it is making. 'If we landed on a crumbling crater wall or an unstable sand dune, or were being dragged by a still-connected descent stage across the surface, then the RIMU would show that in its data set.' Researchers in Nasa's main mission control celebrating the landing. However, Nasa has now revealed its key researchers were in a special 'war room' for the landing . The War Room's David Way, an engineer from JPL, was monitoring that unit's performance. Eight long seconds after Jody's call, he found the EVR he was looking for. 'RIMU Stable," said Way. The final confirmation actually came from a different building, Nasa said. There, in the Mission Support Area of JPL's Building 230, Adam Steltzner, the mission's EDL phase lead, was staring across the room at Brian Schwartz, who was not making eye contact with anyone. Schwartz, the EDL communications engineer, was staring at his screen. Final destination: Curisity recently sent back this high resolution picture of its landing site and its destination, called Mount Sharp, in the distance. His task was not to check for a good-news EVR from the rover. Instead, he was waiting to see if the UHF signal became intermittent, faded away or just cut out altogether - all potential indications that the rover and descent stage had not gone their separate ways. Eight seconds after the RIMU call - Schwartz looked up. 'UHF strong,' said Schwartz. With that, Steltzner had all the data he needed. Seated directly in front of the pacing EDL Phase Lead, Allen Chen felt a jab in the shoulder. Chen, the mission's (capsule communicator), knew it could only mean one thing. 'Touchdown confirmed,' said Chen.

Mission Scientists speak of their feelings during the landing . Reveal the atmosphere inside the Mars 'war room' where 34 scientists waited for news from their rover . Tango Delta Nominal chosen as phrase to let team know rover had landed .

01bd007aedd9c62cc62e20ae43367bf9bbaa199a

Each week Sportsmail gathers up the ratings from our team of reporters to provide the best Premier League starting XI of the day. Saturday saw West Ham inflict a damaging defeat on Manchester City, keeping themselves in the Champions League places, while Arsenal won 2-0 at Sunderland. Liverpool drew another blank at home to Hull City, while Southampton moved up to second place after a 1-0 win over Stoke. There was a 2-0 win for Swansea over Leicester, while West Bromwich and Crystal Palace shared four goals at The Hawthorns. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Allardyce: Sakho & Valencia don't know how good they've been . GK - Eldin Jakupovic (HULL CITY vs Liverpool) - 7 . Brought into the Hull side after Steve Harper suffered an injury at Arsenal last week, Jakupovic performed well to earn the Tigers a battling point at Anfield. The Bosnian wasn't exactly peppered by Liverpool shots but he made no mistakes when called upon, notably saving from Mario Balotelli in the first-half. Eldin Jakupovic collects the ball as James Chester tries to hold off Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli . DEF - Angel Rangel (SWANSEA CITY vs Leicester City) - 7 . The right-back, making his 300th appearance for the Swans, proved influential in an important home win over Leicester. The Spaniard's most telling contribution came when he fed Wilfried Bony to help create the first of the striker's two goals after 34 minutes. Angel Rangel helped inspire Swansea's 2-0 victory over Leicester City on Saturday evening . DEF - Toby Alderweireld (SOUTHAMPTON vs Stoke City) - 7 . Southampton's narrow win over Stoke may not have been as impressive as last week's eight-goal demolition of Sunderland, but it was just as important as the Saints moved up to second. Alderweireld has proved the perfect replacement for Dejan Lovren as their brilliant start under Ronald Koeman continued with another win and clean sheet. Toby Alderwiereld was solid in Southampton's defence as they beat Stoke to move up to second in the table . DEF - Brede Hangeland (CRYSTAL PALACE vs West Brom) - 7 . The Norwegian has been a bit-part player this season but proved his value by scoring Palace's opening goal in the 2-2 draw at West Brom. After Hangeland had headed Yannick Bolasie's corner into Craig Dawson, he was alert to prod the rebound into the net. Brede Hangeland (centre) celebrates with his Crystal Palace team-mates after scoring at West Brom . DEF - Aaron Cresswell (WEST HAM vs Manchester City) - 8 . The full-back has adapted to life in the Premier League well since his summer move from Ipswich and he produced another consummate performance here. The highlight came on 75 minutes when Cresswell advanced down the left and crossed for Diafra Sakho to double the Hammers' advantage. Aaron Cresswell set up Diafra Sakho for West Ham's second goal as they stunned Manchester City . MID - Mohamed Diame (HULL CITY vs Liverpool) - 8 . The Senegal midfielder is in excellent form and scored in last weekend's 2-2 draw at Arsenal. Saturday's performance was less spectacular but Diame's no-compromise approach to midfield play helped Hull to a valuable point at Anfield. Raheem Sterling struggles to get beyond Mohamed Diame in Liverpool's goalless draw with Hull City . MID - Alex Song (WEST HAM vs Manchester City) - 8 . Song seems to grow more commanding with every game and he controlled the midfield against the champions with another strong display. His through ball to play in Enner Valencia to set up West Ham's first goal was excellent. Alex Song produced a commanding performance in West Ham's midfield as they beat Manchester City . MID - Saido Mane (SOUTHAMPTON vs Stoke City) - 8 . Mane had been unlucky to see his first Premier League goal chalked off in Southampton's 8-0 win over Sunderland last week but would not be denied here. Restored to the starting XI by Ronald Koeman, the Senegal star pounced onto the rebound after Graziano Pelle's shot had ricocheted off the post to settle the contest. Saido Mane celebrates scoring the winner as Southampton moved second with a win over Stoke . MID - Alexis Sanchez (ARSENAL vs Sunderland) - 8 . Sanchez has been consistently excellent this season and he again demonstrated his match-winning qualities as Arsenal won at Sunderland. His alertness was key, capitalising on two defensive errors - first from Wes Brown and then from goalkeeper Vito Mannone - to get on the scoresheet twice. Alexis Sanchez celebrates the second of his goals as Arsenal beat Sunderland 2-0 . FWD - Diafra Sakho (WEST HAM vs Manchester City) - 8 . A constant threat to the City defence, Sakho was strong and powerful and continued his excellent recent form with what proved to be the winner. Cresswell surged down the left and Sakho leapt to beat Joe Hart with a well-placed header - and a little help from the goalline technology. Diafra Sakho celebrates the goal that put West Ham 2-0 up against Man City . FWD - Wilfried Bony (SWANSEA vs Leicester City) - 8 . Bony finds himself in a rich vein of form and he scored two to settle this one. He exchanged passes with Gylfi Sigurdsson to score in his third successive match on 34 minutes and then secured the win from Jefferson Montero's pass. Wilfried Bony continued his scoring streak with two goals as Swansea defeated Leicester .

Three West Ham players feature in our Premier League team of the day . The Hammers beat Man City with Sakho, Song and Cresswell impressing . Southampton's Toby Alderweireld and Saido Mane make the XI . Wilfried Bony and Alexis Sanchez are in after scoring two apiece . Hull's Eldin Jakupovic and Mohamed Diame figure after Anfield draw .

01be76154d32254c4afe3a37f00648b8412873a9

(CNN) -- What was in that meteor that exploded spectacularly over Russia's Urals region last week? Radioactive spores? Tiny Martians? Kryptonite? Nope, just rock and a bit of iron, according to Russian scientists who tracked fragments of the meteor to the frozen surface of Lake Chebarkul. Scientists from Urals Federal University found 53 small meteorites on the surface of the lake and believe a larger fragment is under water, said Viktor Grokhovsky, the scientist who led the effort. The fragments point to a rocky meteor with about 10% iron mixed in, Grokhovsky told CNN. 11 meteor tweets we wish we'd thought of . The meteor exploded Friday in the air near Chelyabinsk, leaving behind nothing but meteorites, thousands of broken windows and some pretty spectacular video of it streaking across the sky before exploding in a noisy, luminous fireball. The explosion startled residents going about their morning business and damaged more than 4,700 buildings, mostly apartments. About 3,500 had been repaired as of Monday, the state-run RIA Novosti news service reported. About 1,000 people suffered injuries, mostly from flying glass. One woman was flown to Moscow for treatment of a spinal injury, state media reported. Russia starts cleanup after meteor strike . State officials said 19 people remained hospitalized Monday, RIA Novosti reported. Local officials have estimated the damage at more than 1 billion rubles ($33.2 million), RIA Novosti said. The state applied for 500 million rubles in aid from the federal government to help make repairs, the news service reported. Chelyabinsk Gov. Mikhail Yurevich promised compensation to all those affected, the official Itar-Tass news agency said. Police are also monitoring online auction sites and social media after reports of people trying to sell what they claim to be meteorites from Friday's explosion, RIA Novosti said. Some of the sellers are asking as much as $4,000 each, state-run RT television reported. The U.S. space agency, NASA, said the meteor released nearly 500 kilotons of energy, about 33 times more than the nuclear bomb the United States dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945. Opinion: Meteor shows why it is crucial to keep an eye on the sky . NASA estimated the meteor's diameter at 55 feet (17 meters) and said it was the largest reported since 1908, when a meteor exploded over Tunguska in remote Siberia, destroying 80 million trees over an area of 820 square miles. "We would expect an event of this magnitude to occur once every 100 years on average," Paul Chodas of NASA's Near-Earth Object Program Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory said last week. "When you have a fireball of this size, we would expect a large number of meteorites to reach the surface, and in this case there were probably some large ones." The event was unrelated to the passage of another, larger asteroid some 17,100 miles from earth on Friday, according to scientists. Opinion: A meteor and asteroid: 1 in 100 million odds . 5 things to know about meteors and asteroids . CNN's Alla Eshchenko reported from Moscow and Michael Pearson wrote and reported in Atlanta. CNN's Phil Black and Laura Smith-Spark also contributed to this report.

NEW: Black market for claimed meteorites emerges in Russia, state media report . Scientists found some small fragments on frozen Lake Chebarkul . A larger fragment may be under the frozen surface of the lake, scientists say . The explosion Friday damaged thousands of buildings and injured 1,000 people .

01bf74602a899672112ab97d24e629eaf104c6cf

Lewis Hamilton sent a motivational message to his Instagram followers from the cockpit of his Formula One car in Barcelona. The British driver, who is currently testing in Spain ahead of the first race of the season on March 15, posted an 'in-car selfie' alongside the message: 'Have an amazing day today, #TeamLH!! Be GREAT!!' Hamilton was fresh from Wednesday night's BRIT Awards, where he presented the Best International Female Solo Artist award alongside Ellie Goulding at the O2 Arena, before racing back to Barcelona for Thursday's testing session. Lewis Hamilton posed for an 'in-car selfie' in the garage in Barcelona before heading out for testing . Hamilton is pictured with Calvin Harris (left) at the O2 Arena ahead of the Brit Awards on Wednesday night . Hamilton was the fastest driver in the morning session in Barcelona, recording a best lap of 1:24.881 . 1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1:24.881 (48 laps) 2. Felipe Massa (Williams) 1:25.763 (29) 3. Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull) 1:25.947 (45) 4. Romain Grosjean (Lotus) 1:27.079 (33) 5. Marcus Ericsson (Sauber) 1:27.802 (33) 6. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 1:27.813 (28) 7. Carlos Sainz (Toro Rosso) 1:27.866 (34) 8. Jenson Button (McLaren) 1:31.479 (7) Hamilton was the fastest of the drivers during the morning session, ahead of Williams' Felipe Massa and Red Bull's Daniil Kvyat. After testing, Hamilton and his Mercedes team will head to Australia for the first race of the 2015 calendar, in Melbourne on the weekend of the 13-15 March. The 30-year-old recorded 48 laps in his car, while fellow Brit Jenson Button could only manage seven in his McLaren. Reigning Formula One champion Hamilton was taken ill during testing last Thursday, but recovered for this week's session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Lewis Hamilton (middle) presenting the International Female Artist of the Year award to Taylor Swift (right) The 30-year-old (right) takes the microphone as he speaks the crowd, while Goulding is all smiles .

Lewis Hamilton is testing in Barcelona ahead of the Formula One season . The British driver was fastest in the morning session, completing 48 laps . Hamilton presented an award with Ellie Goulding at Wednesday's BRITs . The Formula One season kicks off in Melbourne, Australia on March 15 . CLICK HERE for all the latest Formula One news .