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By . Becky Evans . PUBLISHED: . 22:26 EST, 2 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:40 EST, 3 October 2013 . Betting websites are accessed hundreds of thousands of times a year from parliamentary computers used by MPs, peers and their staff. In just one month bet365.com was clicked on 16,986 from computers used by members of the Houses of Parliament and their employees. Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act showed gambling sites were opened almost 700,000 times - or 1.3 times a minute. Betting websites are accessed almost 700,000 times a year from computers in the Houses of Parliament . The number of hits gambling websites receive drops during recess at the Houses of Parliament. Robert Oxley of the TaxPayers' Alliance criticised the amount of time staff spend on gambling websites. He told the Daily Telegraph: 'Those in Parliament should spend their time working, not trawling the net for a chance to bet the house.' The TaxPayers' Alliance said internet misuse by Parliamentary staff should be taken seriously (file picture) MPs, peers and their staff have attempted to access porn websites from their work computers 309,316 times in a year. The figures were embarrassing for the Prime Minister who has repeatedly spoken out against internet pornography. And when they're not accessing adult websites, Parliament's workers are clocking up thousands of hours a year on Facebook and online games websites. Records show computers on the Parliamentary estate access Facebook up to three million times a month – 400 times as often as the BBC News website. The figures also reveal an extraordinary number of visits to supermarket shopping websites and computer gaming sites and the controversial music downloading site Grooveshark, which is being sued by records labels for alleged copyright offences. Mr Oxley added although some 'legitimate' use of gambling websites should be expected, these figures were too high. He said internet misuse by Parliamentary staff should be taken seriously as it is funded by the taxpayer. It comes after it was revealed by the . Mail On Sunday this year that a website used by married people to have . adulterous affairs was accessed up to 289 times a day by Westminster . staff. Out Of Town Affairs, which brings together married men and women seeking sex, was clicked on 52,375 times in seven months but has since been banned. A House of Commons spokeswoman said the gambling figures were not an accurate reflection of the time spent on betting websites as an unknown number may have come from spam. She told the newspaper: 'These figures are not a reliable guide to the level of usage within the house.' Parliamentary internet use in monitored. Previous figures showed Facebook receives 28million hits a year and online games such as FarmVille are clicked on thousands of times a month.

Bet365.com received 17,000 views in July from Westminster computers . Betting websites accessed at Houses of Parliament 1.3 times every minute .

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By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 09:14 EST, 13 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 05:37 EST, 14 September 2012 . The Commons could sit in the Olympic Park or Birmingham while MPs are made homeless to allow major building work to be carried out on the Houses of Parliament. At least £1bn of maintenance is needed to remove asbestos, repair brickwork and upgrade water and electricity supplies. Commons officials claim trying to do the work in parts while MPs and peers are on holiday could take years, and cost billions more. Hitting the road: MPs will have to leave the House of Parliament for £1 billion of work to be carried out . Today MPs lined up to back the idea of hitting the road, and suggested alternative sites. John Thurso, speaking for the House of Commons Commission, said ‘all options can be placed on the table’. He added: ‘From my experience I have found it is usually better to leave for two years, or whatever, and get the job done, than be inconvenienced and unable to work properly for 10 years.’ It had been thought that if MPs did vacate the famous green benches it would be to a site nearby, possibly in the shadow of the Big Ben clock tower or across the road the QE2 conference centre. The House of Commons chamber would stand empty while the repairs are carried out . One MP wants to move Parliament to Birminngham (left) which would be a change in style to the House of Lords . But Mr Thurso said he was willing to consider ideas from MPs that they look further afield. Tory MP Michael Fabricant, who left government in last week’s reshuffle, said made a ‘shameless bid that if Parliament is going to decant, it decants to Birmingham’. The MP for nearby Lichfield added: ‘Why not, it's our second city?’But Labour Meg Hillier made a rival bid for her part of London, claiming the Olympic media centre in Hackneym, where she is MP, could be a ‘fantastic facility’ ‘While awaiting a tenant (it) could happily house Parliament in the interim while the work is done, with a seven-minute shuttle to St Pancras, City Airport on the doorstep, excellent transport links, 20 minutes to Westminster. ‘Would the House of Commons Commission consider a temporary relocation of Parliament to 'eastminster'?’ One idea being considered by Commons officials is moving Parliament to the International Broadcast Centre in the Olympic Park . MPs would be able to take a dip in the Olympic pool during breaks between debates if they moved to Stratford . A report into what work needs to be done – and how long it will take – is being finalised. Parliamentary officials are struggling to find a cost effective way of carrying out the repairs while Parliament continues to function on site. In the Commons today no MP spoke against the idea of a shipping out of Westminster. Asked about the final bill for the building work, Mr Thurso admitted it is ‘difficult at this stage to make a proper assessment of cost’. Major work has not been carried out on the building's interior since it was bombed in 1941. Lib Dem MP John Thurso (right) said major work had not been carried out since the building was repaired after being bombed in 1941 . He added: ‘What the commission will do is ensure it pursues the best value for money, being the combination of the lowest cost option with keeping Parliament functioning properly.’ The Houses of Parliament in Westminster cost about £30m a year to run. Each month the European Parliament relocates from its Brussels base to sit in Strasbourg. But many British politicians have criticised the £200m annual cost of the rotation.

Asbestos, leaking pipes and bad wiring need replacing . Too much work to complete while Commons is empty for summer holidays . MPs try to persuade officials to move from Westminster to 'Eastminster'

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The father of Ibragim Todashev, who was shot by an FBI agent a week ago while being quizzed over his links to the Boston bombers, revealed the extent of his son's injuries in gruesome photographs of his dead body today. Outspoken Abdul-Baki Todashev called for an investigation and possible legal action against the agent involved at a press conference in Moscow where he showed the images of his son's body lying in a morgue with up to seven gunshot wounds, including one to the back of the head. His angry calls for justice came as a report claimed the 27-year-old native Chechen was unarmed in the clash with a federal agent in Florida on May 22. WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT . Anger: Abdulbaki Todashev says his unarmed son was shot up to seven times including once to back of the head . Gruesome: The father showed images of his son's bullet-riddled body laying in a Florida morgue . Previous reports claimed the US citizen went for the agent with a knife while being interrogated in his home. However, a report by the Washington Post yesterday cited law enforcement officials saying he had no weapon. He allegedly did become violent when . police quizzed him over links to Tamerlan Tsarnaev and an unsolved 2011 . triple homicide but he did not have a knife as previously claimed. 'Today I want justice. I want an investigation, so that these people (the FBI) are sued under US laws,' he said. 'These are not FBI agents. These are bandits and they must appear in court.' He said he received the 16 images of his son's body from a friend in the US. Graphic: Todashev said he had been emailed 16 images of his son's corpse from a friend in Florida . Shot dead: The father called for justice in the shooting of his son who was a US citizen . Todashev is pictured lying in a Florida morgue. His father claims they show brutal injuries from up to seven bullets including one to the back of the head. 'This is not a shot that you fire when you come under attack. This is a shot you fire to execute someone,' he said. 'Couldn't they just handcuff him? At the very least, they could have wounded him in the foot or shoulder. And here he was – killed execution style.' Deceased: Ibragim Todashev was fatally shot by an FBI agent. Initial reports said he had a knife but that was not true . He added that his son must have had information they didn't want him to reveal. 'They silenced him', he added. He . now plans to journey to the US to pick up his son's body and said he . had been to the US embassy in Moscow to apply for a visa to do so. Authorities were pressuring the younger Todashev to make a full confession to the murders of three men found in an apartment in Waltham, Mass. on the tenth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001. It is known Tamerlan Tsarnaev was close friends with one of the victims and the FBI have been looking into whether he was involved. Law enforcement sources told NBC that Todashev and Tsarnaev carried out the 2011 killings when a drug deal that turned violent. The suspects didn't want the three victims to be able to identify them, so they slit their throats, according to the network. It is that evidence which apparently led them to Todashev and his Orlando apartment not far from Universal Studios on May 22. He had questioned for some hours before he allegedly flipped and the shooting came as one agent stepped out of the room, leaving Todashev alone with one officer, the Post said. Shot dead: Ibragim Todashev, a 27-year-old mixed martial arts fighter, right, was killed by an agent in his Florida home . The FBI had questioned Todashev in the past . regarding his ties to Tamerlan Tsarnaev (right). Tsarnaev's younger . brother, Dzhokhar, (left), has been charged in connection with the . bombings . Investigation: An FBI evidence response team enters an apartment after an agent shot and killed Ibragim Todashev who was questioned in connection with the Boston Marathon bombings . Tsarnaev's mother, Zubeidat Tsarnaeva, confirmed to the New York Times on Wednesday that her older son knew Todashev. In a telephone interview from . Dagestan, Tsarnaeva said Todashev moved from Boston to Florida about two . years ago. She said she is devastated to learn that he has been killed. 'Now another boy has left this life,' she told the newspaper. 'Why are they killing these children without any . trial or investigation?' The FBI has been . investigating Todashev for the last month, questioning him several times . regarding his ties to Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who was killed by . police in a shootout following the deadly April 15 marathon bombings. Authorities said they have no reason to believe that Todashev had any involvement in the marathon bombings. Todashev . was arrested in an unrelated incident on May 4 for aggravated battery . after he left a man unconscious in the parking lot of a shopping mall. Victim: Brendan Mess was one of three victims in a triple slaying that Todashev allegedly confessed to police that he and Tsarnaev had committed in September 2011 . According to the arrest affidavit, Todashev had gotten into an altercation with a man and his son over parking space. Todashev told police that the man . 'got into his face' so he pushed him and then the man's son 'got . involved' and Todashev began fighting him. A mall security officer arrived on . scene to find the son unconscious and lying in a pool of blood on the . ground just as Todashev was pulling away in a white Mercedes. The officer chased down the Mercedes, ordered Todashev out at gunpoint and arrested him. The son was later treated at a hospital with a split upper lip, several teeth knocked out and head injuries. Friends and family members of the 2011 murder victims reacted to news of that Tsarnaev and Todashev were involved on social media. On a Facebook page dedicated to . victim Raphael Teken, someone wrote, 'Whether we ever know exactly what . happened, there is one thing we surely know and that is that Rafi . deserved a much better fate.' Facebook user Tony Porter wrote, 'I'm disappointed that we will never really get to experience true justice for our friend or know the reasons for what happened despite the fact that both alleged suspects are now deceased. 'I don't know how you are supposed to feel when your friend's killer gets killed, but I don't feel "relieved" like I thought I would.' Murdered: Raphael Teken (left with a friend) and Erik Weissman (right) were also killed in the 2011 triple slaying . Todashev met Tsarnaev while he was living in Boston because they were both involved in mixed martial arts and boxing .

Ibragim Todashev, 27, reportedly turned violent during an FBI interview . He did not have a knife as previously said . He had allegedly confessed to the FBI that he and Boston bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev had played a role in a triple slaying in the Boston area in 2011 . Todashev, from Chechnya, was shot dead by the agent just after midnight on May 22 . Todashev had met Tsarnaev while he was living in Boston and last spoke him about a week before the bombing .

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Sir Michael Wilshaw, Ofsted's chief inspector for schools, has warned rowdy behaviour in class is dragging schools down . Rowdy behaviour in class and a contempt for learning are dragging English pupils behind their peers in Asian countries, the chief inspector of schools will warn today. The education of 700,000 children – one in ten overall – is suffering because teachers are failing to crack down on ‘horseplay’, Sir Michael Wilshaw will say. In a speech to mark the launch of Ofsted’s annual report, he plans to describe how schools are plagued by a ‘casual acceptance of low-level disruption and poor attitudes to learning’ that is ‘a million miles away from the sort of cultures we see in some of the high-performing Asian countries’. The comments come a week after the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development revealed that 15-year-old Asian children are easily outperforming other students from around the world. British pupils came outside the top 20 in maths, science and reading for the first time – and are now lagging an average of around three years behind their counterparts in the Far East. The results painted a troubling picture of the UK’s ability to compete with countries where teachers are revered and iron-willed pupils study for 12 hours or more every day. Ofsted plans to focus on behaviour during the coming year, and headteachers will be expected to take back control of classrooms, Sir Michael will announce. Only by creating ‘the calm and respectful culture essential for learning’ can classes avoid being hijacked by ‘background chatter, inattention and horseplay’. He will go on to say: ‘Unless this changes, teachers will struggle to create an environment in which all children learn well.’ The former headteacher criticised teachers last month for failing to show pupils that adults are in charge. He said there was ‘nothing wrong’ with telling children: ‘Do as I ask because I am the adult.’ He also attacked a generation of headteachers who are too weak-willed to lead by example, explaining: ‘Children cannot thrive in a chaotic school where there is little authority.’ School staff were handed new powers in 2011 to tackle disruptive pupils. Teachers were given more leeway to use force, the right to search children for items such as mobile phones – and financial penalties were increased for parents who allow their children to truant. How Britain's schools are lagging behind some of the best performing Asian schools . Other powers teachers have been given include issuing no-notice detentions. And a school’s decision to exclude a pupil can no longer be reversed by an appeals panel. Education Secretary Michael Gove said the measures would give disruptive pupils an ‘unambiguous lesson in who’s boss’. A quarter of free schools have opened in areas where there is no demand for extra places, according to an official report. The National Audit Office said 42 of the 174 schools set up over the past three years are in districts with ‘no forecast need’. It . means £241million out of the £950million in set-up costs has so far . been spent in areas where there are already surplus places. But Sir Michael’s speech will suggest that he believes teachers still lack the confidence to exert their authority after years of seeing their powers eroded. He will also insist today that  poverty is no longer an excuse for academic failure, and will describe the nation’s ‘education lottery’ which sees the country divided into ‘lucky and unlucky children’. He believes that some of the ‘unluckiest children’ are those  living in relatively affluent areas in the Home Counties, which are let down by coasting schools. The annual report is expected to outline a blueprint for a ‘national service’ of top teachers and headteachers who are ready to be deployed to failing areas to help turn them around. The East of England and the North East in particular will be  criticised. But Sir Michael will claim the ‘battle against mediocrity’ in English education is being won, with eight out of ten schools now judged good or outstanding – the highest proportion in Ofsted’s 21-year history. A Department for Education spokesman said: ‘Sir Michael is right – bad classroom behaviour is hugely disruptive to children’s  education. It means teachers can’t teach and pupils can’t learn. ‘That is why a key part of our reforms is restoring discipline in schools and why we have strengthened teachers’ powers to put them back in charge.’

English pupils lagging behind Asian countries, Sir Michael Wilshaw warns . He will make the claim in speech to mark launch of Ofsted's annual report . Inspectors will focus on behaviour in the next year and headteachers will be expected to take back control of the classrooms . 'Children cannot thrive in a chaotic school where there is little authority' Sir Wilshaw will say .

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(CNN) -- The music isn't new, but the discovery that a young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart "almost certainly" composed it is a stunning revelation. A researcher in Austria says the works were probably transcribed by Mozart's father, as young Mozart played. The two compositions -- a concerto in G and a prelude in G -- have long been in the files at the International Mozarteum Foundation in Salzburg, Austria, as anonymous works and were even published in the book "New Mozart Edition" in 1982. Now Ulrich Leisinger, director of the foundation's research department, believes the works actually were composed by Mozart before he was old enough to write music, and that Mozart's father, Leopold, transcribed them. The foundation said in a statement that Leisinger analyzed the handwriting and other "stylistic criteria" to determine the music was "almost certainly unknown compositions by" the young Mozart. The compositions were found in a book, compiled by Mozart's father, that was used for practice and the musical education of both Mozart and his sister, according to the statement. Leisinger's analyses "support the claim that they were actually composed by the young Mozart, who was not yet versed in musical notation, and transcribed by his father as the boy played the works at the keyboard," the statement said. Jeffrey Kimpton, president of the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, called the works "a remarkable historical find." He said Leopold Mozart transcribed his son's early works as a way of preserving them. "When parents go to a piano recital of an early student, a young student, who's playing for the first time, they get a video tape, they get a DVD, that's a way of recording it," Kimpton said. "I think what's exciting is that Mozart's father wanted to preserve this incredible genius. The young boy at this time didn't know how to write music, but he sure could play it. It's like a family photo or video album." Finding such historical treasures is like detective work, Kimpton said. "You're kind of putting together a DNA picture," he said. "This particular museum has hundreds of manuscripts. Over time as you learn more and more by various scholars working on this, you might turn the page and you may have looked at it a hundred times before but suddenly begin to see some things or understand some things that make some sense." Mozart was born in Salzburg in 1756 and started composing when he was 5 years old. By the time of his death in 1791, he had written more than 600 pieces of music.

Researcher: Two pieces likely composed by Mozart before he could write music . Mozart's father probably transcribed the music, researcher says . Compositions have long been known but as anonymous works . Pieces were in book compiled by Mozart's father .

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Republicans may have overtaken Congress with the mid-term elections, but President Obama has made it known that he will make sure immigration reform happens during his next last years in the White House - even if that means taking executive action. On Sunday, former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney warned the president against passing reform on his own, saying the results of the recent elections show Americans are not in favor of his policies. 'My advice to the Democrats at this point and to the president in particular is to take a breath. The president said that he was not on the ballot in the election that was just held, but that his policies were. And the American people sent a very clear message to the president about his policies. They're not happy with them,' Romney said Sunday on Face the Nation. Scroll down for video . 'Take a breath': Mitt Romney appeared on Face the Nation Sunday morning to discuss President Barack Obama's threat to use executive action to pass immigration reform . At any cost: After Republicans won back Congress in the mid-term elections, Mr Obama vowed to pass immigration reform in the last two years of his presidency, even it that means executive action. Pictured above on Sunday in Brisbane, Australia for the G20 Leaders Summit . Romney went on to call executive action an 'extra-constitutional' move that would just be 'poking an eye of the Republican leaders in Congress'. 'The president has got to learn that he lost this last election round, the American people spoke loud and clear. Let those people who were elected come together with a piece of legislation on this and other topics, and then he has a chance to veto them if he doesn't like them. But the idea of violating the principles of our constitution, which is a balance of power, checks and balances, that is something which is wrong,' Romney, former governor of Utah, said. Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill from Missouri criticized Romney calling executive action a 'poke in the eye', saying it is the Republican party that has brought the issue to a standstill - while also admitting she's 'not crazy' about executive action. Continuing issue: Immigration reform came to the forefront earlier this year when masses of unaccompanied minors started crossing the border,overwhelming southern border patrol officers unsure what to do with the children. Above, Central American families turn themselves into border patrol after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico into Texas on September 8, 2014 . 'I'll tell you what a poke in the eye is,' McCaskill said. "A poke in the eye is for the United States Senate, almost a year and a half ago, passing by a two-thirds majority a comprehensive immigration bill with Republicans voting for it from places like Tennessee and South Carolina that just got reelected by double digits. And Speaker Boehner has refused to debate one of the most complicated and difficult problems facing our country. They won't take our bill up.' 'All he has to do next week if he doesn't want the president to act is take up the Senate bill,' McCaskill added. 'Amend it, change it, put up your own bill. Let's get back to doing our work instead of just blaming the president for everything.' Last year, President Obama tried to make a change in immigration reform by supporting a bipartisan bill that was approved in the Senate. The bill focused on changing immigration policies to offer a route to citizenship for the approximate 11million undocumented workers already in the country. While that bill made it through the Senate, it still has not been brought up for a vote in the House. One of the fears if President Obama decides on executive action is whether House Republicans will shut the government down like they did over the budget for Obamacare last year. However, Romney believes that method of blocking is unlikely. 'I think there's got to be more productive ways for us to be able to impress on the president the need to work for a permanent solution as opposed to a temporary stop-gap solution,' Romney said.

President Obama earlier this week said he would use executive action to pass immigration reform . Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney appeared on Face the Nation Sunday to critique that plan . Romney said the president should 'take a breath' and work with Republicans to find a long-term solution to the issue both parties can agree on .

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By . Christian Gysin . Jailed: Ruth Nabuguzi was the ringleader of a 'family firm' that carried out a £4million benefits scam . A judge accused a family of African . fraudsters of an ‘outrageous abuse of the hospitality’ shown to them by . Britain as they were jailed yesterday for stealing £4million from . taxpayers. The 20-year scam included one of the . fraud ringleaders creating fake identities for up to 100 children to . milk the benefits system. Ruth Nagubuzi also claimed to have HIV . and Aids in order to receive costly drugs which she then sent back to . Uganda for huge profits. It was estimated that supplying the . medicines to the 49-year-old, as well as four other made-up ‘sufferers’, . cost the taxpayer more than £2million. A further £154,000 went on education for members of the ‘family’, with £37,500 for a single higher education course. Fraud relating to accommodation costs . and sub-letting of flats by Nagubuzi cost £650,000, and the family’s . benefits including child allowances, disability benefits, and council . tax and tax credits totalled £900,000. The gang’s gains were spent on a . complex consisting of luxury apartments, shops, restaurants and a hotel . in Nagubuzi’s home city of Kampala, the Ugandan capital. Plans for . building new properties were found when police raided the gang’s homes . across East London. The Daily Mail told last week how in a . campaign of deceit lasting more than two decades their ‘family . business’ saw them ‘conspire together to create, use and exploit’ false . identities to carry out the staggering fraud. Yesterday eight of the group were . sentenced to a total of 19 years by Judge Nicholas Ainley at Croydon . Crown Court in South London. He told Nagubuzi: ‘This was a fraud on . a huge scale and it is an outrageous abuse of the hospitality you were . offered by this country when you came here in trouble. Nabaguzi is believed to have regularly travelled back to Uganda and bought at least three properties in and around the capital Kampala, one of them pictured . The luxury flats in Kampala, Uganda, that were built using the proceeds of the scam . Another luxury house in Uganda that was paid for using money that was illegally obtained in Britain . ‘The identities you used and no doubt . sold were then used by other people. You had no scruples in bringing . children to this country and then involving them in your criminal . pursuits. This was motivated entirely by greed. All these identities . were, for you, valuable commodities.’ The use of so many names to perpetuate . the fraud led one investigator to remark: ‘The true figure of what . these people stole from us may never be known. It could be in excess of . £6million after they launched a systematic assault on our welfare . system.’ During a six-week trial four . defendants, all from East London, pleaded not guilty to a string of . fraud and asylum application offences. Dennis Kyeyune, 29, and Lamulah . Sekiziyuvu, 36, were both given sentences totalling 30 months, while . Jordan Sebutemba, 26 – a mother of children aged five and 11 months – . was spared jail and given a one-year sentence suspended for two years. The judge told both Kyeyune and . Sebutemba: ‘It must have been dispiriting for the jury to listen to both . of you in the witness box just lying and lying consistently. Kyeyune . held much of the paperwork and Sebutemba, you were a trusted . confederate.’ Nabuguzi, 49, from Manor Park, east London and . her family, fooled immigration officials and obtained leave to remain in . the UK under a number of different identities . Albert Kaidi, 27, was also given a . 30-month sentence and told he had ‘lied’ about being from Rwanda when he . was a native of Uganda. Yesterday those found guilty were . joined in the dock by four other gang members who had earlier pleaded . guilty to numerous offences. The other guilty fraudsters included . Nagubuzi, who managed to claim £2,280,000 in HIV/Aids medication for . herself and in four other identities, which investigators believe she . has sold for vast profit in Uganda. Nagubuzi was given a total of six . years imprisonment and told that an immigration tribunal would look at . her right to remain in the UK. Dennis Kyeyune, left, believed to be the ringleader's son and Albert Kaidi one of the nine members of the family . Yvette Syapjeu (also known as Mathy Matumba), left, and Lamulah Sekiziyuvu, pictured right . Lina Katongola, 29, was jailed for one year . Cameroonian-born fraudster Mathy . Matumba, 50 – whose real name is believed to be Yvette Syapjeu – was . given a four-year jail term for using a number of false identities to . steal more than £350,000 in benefits payments since coming to Britain in . 1998. Nurse Lina Katongola, 29, was given a . one-year prison term and Eddie Semanda, 31, was given a four-month . prison term, suspended for one year, over a false naturalisation . application. Paul Raudnitz, prosecuting, said: ‘The . tentacles of this fraud went far and wide for many, many years. Each . defendant at different times joined the conspiracy.’ He said ‘key . player’ Nagubuzi ‘employed multiple identities ... so many that the true . number of identities may never ever be known’. Nagubuzi’s claims for Aids drugs . netted her millions and she even sub-let flats in East London which saw . her pocket a further £650,000. She received almost £500,000 in housing . benefit alone from Newham Council. Nagubuzi came to the UK in 1991 and . claimed asylum for herself and four children she had left in Uganda. Three years later she used the name Jane Namusisi to apply for asylum . again – along with two more children. In 1999, using the name Pauline . Zalwango, she applied once more, this time with three children. She is believed to have regularly travelled to Uganda and bought at least three properties around Kampala. When police searched the East London . home of Dennis Kyeyune – thought to be Nagubuzi’s son or nephew – they . found a black holdall containing a vast array of fake documents, . described as a ‘kitbag for the commission of identity fraud’. The judge said that there would be a confiscation hearing at a later date under Proceeds of Crime legislation. Church Road, Manor Park in east London where the ringleader lived as she scammed benefit money . Investigators from the UK Border . Agency have visited Kampala to try to identify properties bought by . Nagubuzi and her gang. However, it is believed that in a bid to avoid . land registry detection in the African country she has ordered that some . of her homes are not finished by builders so they cannot be officially . ‘signed off’ by building inspectors. Tony Erne, from the UK Border Agency, said: 'This was a major criminal operation dating back several years. Ruth Nabuguzi and her co-conspirators thought they could get away with it but our officers, working closely with other agencies, smashed their web of deceit.'These sentences show that abuse of our immigration system for profit will not be tolerated. The message is clear to those thinking of doing the same: we will rigorously investigate people who seek to abuse the hospitality of the UK and commit crime.'

Ruth Nabuguzi got leave to remain by using IDs of fake children and even stole her own two children's identities . Ringleader of 'family firm' claimed more than £2million in HIV and AIDS drugs . Drugs were then sent back to the Uganda and sold for profits . Members of nine strong gang were jailed for a total of 19 years today . Scale of fraud so wide that it is feared leader's identity may never be known .

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(CNN) -- When I became one of Bill Clinton's earliest and chief accusers for the sexual harassment charges against him, two things were eminently true about my motives: (a) I did not become an accuser because Bill Clinton was a Democrat and I was a Republican, I didn't care one whit what the partisan fallout would be; and (b) I spoke out because the charges were plentiful enough and serious enough (I repeat, charges, not facts) to degrade not only all of our politics but all of our country, and because there are certain codes of honor, written and unwritten, for all men, Democrat and Republican. Indeed I wrote a book on this, laying it out, even before we knew the full extent of Bill Clinton's lies. It is hypocritical in the extreme for those members of the media who didn't take the charges and allegations against Bill Clinton seriously to be taking the allegations against Herman Cain that we now have as seriously as they are. Hypocritical is probably too soft a word, frankly. That said, Herman Cain and his campaign chief of staff, Mark Block, cannot go on as they have. There has been a pattern now that is both unhealthy for our politics and unhealthy for our polity. Four women are not an insignificant number. One or two anonymous charges, perhaps. Three anonymous charges (where, as I understand the story, Cain knows of at least two of the women) plus one woman who went very public and opened herself up to all manner of investigation are a lot. It is no longer insignificant. Neither is it insignificant that the Cain campaign discounted the charges in the initial stories, saying they were based on anonymous sources, only to make a mockery by blaming other campaigns with less substantiation than the original stories. If Herman Cain wants to be taken seriously as a public advocate for anything, never mind running for the chief executive and commander in chief of the most powerful and important and blessed country in the world, he needs to give a full press conference dedicated exclusively to this issue and these allegations. I have watched long enough and held my tongue long enough to give him the benefit of the doubt, but can no longer say this is a witch hunt, "a lynching" to use his word, or any other euphemism. There are allegations out there that matter and they have stacked up. For we who led the charge against Bill Clinton on a number of related issues to continue to blame the media or other campaigns or say it simply doesn't matter makes us the hypocrites as well. As I say, all of this is bad for our politics and polity. If Herman Cain cannot stand up to these charges, if he refuses to, then he should step out of the race. A man big enough to run for president should be big enough to have a full and candid press conference on all of this -- he wants us to elect him president after all, he's asking us to trust our lives and the country's life to him. This could be one of his finest moments and it could be one of his worst. But either way, he must confront the moment candidly and manfully. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of William J. Bennett.

William Bennett: Herman Cain should confront allegations of sexual harassment . He says four women making such claims cannot be dismissed as insignificant . If Cain is to be taken seriously, he needs to respond directly, Bennett says . Bennett says those who criticized Bill Clinton's behavior can't ignore issue .

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Former United States defender Alexi Lalas has warned Steven Gerrard that he faces a huge challenge in Major League Soccer when he joins LA Galaxy in the summer. The Liverpool captain's move to the California-based club was confirmed on Wednesday and Gerrard will link up with his new team in July after spending 17 seasons in the Reds' first team. During his first interview for the club Gerrard said he was not moving to MLS for a holiday and Lalas, who was capped 96 times by the US and played for LA Galaxy for two seasons, insists it won't be plain sailing for the 34-year-old. Sportsmail’s mock-up of how Gerrard could look in the colours of LA Galaxy . Gerrard discusses his future move in a video interview with LA Galaxy . Alexi Lalas warns Gerrard he will find MLS tough and will face challenges he hasn't faced before . MLS Cup Winners (5): 2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014 . MLS Supporters' Shield Winners (4): 1998, 2002, 2010, 2011 . MLS Western Conference Winners (Playoffs) (9): 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014 . Winners (Regular Season) (8): 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2011 . 'The man is an absolute legend but I also think it's going to be an interesting adventure for him and his family on and off the field,' Lalas told Talksport. 'I think it's going to challenge him in a way that he's never been challenged before. 'The Premier League is the most entertaining league in the world, but I would submit to you that the challenges that a player faces would make MLS, in my mind, one of the most competitive leagues in the world.' Gerrard will be one of LA Galaxy's designated players - a rule that enables MLS clubs to compete for star international players by breaking the league's salary cap - and Lalas expects the former England international to be a big pull for supporters but insists he has to do the business on the pitch too. The Liverpool captain insists he has not moved to the MLS for a 'holiday' but to continue winning medals . 'It's wonderful for the Galaxy and wonderful for Major League Soccer and soccer fans in the United States who will get to see him on a regular basis. 'The legend label will never go away, but it only gets you so far. After everybody has gotten your autograph and teh pictures have been taken you've got to get on the field and you've got to perform. 'Gerrard can be a messenger to the world when he figures out, and it won't take very long, that this is a league that challenges you physically and mentally and, ultimately, is a whole lot better than the perception is out there (England).'

Steven Gerrard's move to LA Galaxy was confirmed on Wednesday . Former US defender Alexi Lalas warns Gerrard MLS will be tough . Gerrard will join up with Galaxy in July after the Premier League season .

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LAVONIA, Georgia (CNN) -- Sonya Savage's back door opens to a cozy wooden porch that serves as a shelter for her 9-year-old son's bicycles and spare parts. Residents of Beaver Creek in Lavonia, Georgia, say they had no idea a neighbor was holding his family captive. A 30-foot tract of red clay and splotchy crab grass separates her mobile home from the home of Raymond Daniel Thurmond, a residence so rank and squalid that it forced a seasoned police investigator to vomit upon entering. Another officer donned a gas mask just to walk inside. Savage and her neighbors say they had no clue that Thurmond, 36, had a wife, let alone four kids; they were also oblivious that Thurmond may have held the five hostage in the three-bedroom mobile home for three years. "My son, he's a little bicycle mechanic. He's always in the backyard, and he don't recall ever seeing nobody over here," said Savage, 29, who also has a 4-year-old daughter. "Usually I've got a yard full of kids, but I've never seen any of those kids come out and play." Savage recalls speaking to Thurmond once, after someone stole one of her son's bike tires. Thurmond kindly told Savage he hadn't seen anything suspicious. "He was nice, polite, seemed like a normal guy," she said. Watch a walk-through of the filth » . Alma Medina, the property manager for the 100-unit Beaver Creek mobile home park, lives three doors from what is now a crime scene. She remembers Thurmond was a polite fellow. He always called her "Miss Alma" when he dropped by the office to explain that his rent was late, a routine occurrence that eventually led Medina's maintenance man to a foul discovery. She occasionally saw Thurmond mingling with other tenants, but she never saw his family. The only indication that one existed, Medina said, was that he and his wife both signed a lease August 22, 2005, and noted on their application that they had three sons and a daughter. "I never saw them outside, never," she said. See what the trailer looked like » . Lavonia, a city of about 2,000 on Interstate 85, about five miles from South Carolina and the sprawling Lake Hartwell, is not the best place to keep secrets. The locals know each other, if only by face, and the police chief personally directs school traffic and walks the entire town daily to check on local businesses. The self-professed "big-time small town" has its share of crime, but hasn't seen a murder in six years. Lt. Missy Collins, the investigator who had Thurmond arrested Tuesday after a two-week investigation, said her husband used to work with Thurmond at a pump-manufacturing facility in nearby Toccoa. Chief Bruce Carlisle remembers seeing the burly 6-foot-4 Thurmond around town, at hardware and grocery stores. He generally wore shorts, work boots and a tank top or sleeveless shirt. Carlisle and Thurmond weren't acquainted, but the chief heard he was always cordial. "You never saw anybody with him," the chief said. Authorities never had a problem with Thurmond until August 4, when Collins received a call from a women's shelter. "They said they had a mother and four kids, and apparently they'd been kept at home, and there was some abuse allegations and the dad wouldn't let them leave," Collins said. Collins interviewed the women and children, who all gave the same story: Thurmond had forced the wife, three sons (9, 13 and 14 years old) and his 12-year-old daughter to remain inside. Police are still investigating how. Medina on Wednesday provided CNN a tour of the trailer that revealed a hasp, used to secure a door with a padlock, that had been fastened to the mobile home's back door. Holes on the inside of the front door and on one of the children's bedroom doors indicate hasps had been placed there as well, Medina said. Collins said police are not sure if padlocks were the only way Thurmond imprisoned his family. There is no indication Thurmond had any accomplices, but he was prone to bouts of rage. Collins said Thurmond had once allegedly raped his wife with the children in the next room. Watch Collins explain how Thurmond instilled fear » . "The entire family lived in fear of this man," the investigator said. "Just his presence alone was enough for them to comply." They had never left the trailer except for a few hours in April, when Thurmond allowed them to visit his in-laws in North Carolina. Collins said the wife's parents had been sending the family money and threatened to cease sending cash if their daughter and grandchildren didn't visit. The wife's mother answered the phone Wednesday, but said she had been told not to speak to the media. It is unclear by whom. Her parents' names are being withheld to protect the woman's identity. Collins said she is not certain exactly what emboldened the family to flee the filthy trailer, but the mother told police that Thurmond had said he was leaving her for another woman. He'd be back in a few days, he told her, and he'd left some food for them, Collins said. The food was insufficient, Collins said, but she is not sure if it was hunger or ire over the mistress that provided the impetus to leave -- "only the mother could really tell you why." When Collins interviewed the family, all but one of the children were pale and thin, she said. Only one, the 14-year-old, had ever attended school, and though the mother said the other children were home-schooled, the children told Collins that Thurmond wouldn't buy them school supplies. When Collins visited the home, the only educational implement she found was an old dictionary, she said. After interviewing the family, Collins launched a manhunt that ended without incident Tuesday at Thurmond's workplace, a poultry processing plant in neighboring Stephens County. About the time Collins kicked off her hunt for Thurmond, Medina was growing frustrated that he hadn't paid his rent. On August 6, after Thurmond hadn't responded to a notice on his door threatening eviction, Medina sent her maintenance man to the mobile home. He returned disturbed and told Medina he hadn't entered the home, she said. "I want you to see this with your own eyes," she recalled the maintenance worker telling her. "You better wear some shoes and gloves or something." The kitchen floor was rotted. Heavy, brown stains covered both toilets. There were anthills under a mattress in the master bedroom. Roaches freely roamed the inside of the refrigerator, and maggots owned the stove. There were several piles of trash, including one reaching the laundry room ceiling and a mound of Diet Mountain Dew bottles between a recliner and the living room couch. Tufts of human hair were scattered on the kitchen floor among bags of fetid trash. Watch how the home remained squalid after a week of cleaning » . Collins said she went behind an adjacent mobile home and vomited when she and another officer first opened the door. This was after the windows had been opened to air out the residence. Collins said she had never experienced such a stench -- this from a police investigator who as recently as last week rode in an ambulance with a corpse that had been pulled from a burning building. When Collins went in the bathroom and pulled back the once-clear-but-now-chocolate-brown shower curtain, it revealed so many roaches that the bathtub floor appeared to be moving. On Wednesday, after a week of cleaning that has already yielded two Dumpsters of trash, dozens of roaches still scurried across the floor and walls. A stench still lingered, and a film of bug feces covered the kitchen counters. Medina said she has to gut the entire trailer and replace the floor, walls and ceiling before she can rent it again. Collins said rebuilding the family may take more work. As of Thursday morning, Thurmond still didn't have an attorney and no bail hearing had been set, Collins said. In an interrogation after his arrest, Thurmond seemed "even-tempered" and didn't behave like someone being charged with rape and a host of other felonies, Collins said. Though he was not forthcoming and admitted nothing during the interview, Collins said, one aspect of his behavior stoked her suspicion. "If I had been arrested and hadn't done anything, my first reaction would be, 'Where's my wife and kids?' " Collins said. "He didn't even ask until he was behind bars."

Neighbors say they saw Daniel Thurmond on occasion but never his wife, kids . Investigator says wife, children fled after Thurmond said he had a mistress . Lavonia a small town where police chief directs school traffic, patrols town on foot . Thurmond charged with rape, cruelty to children, false imprisonment .

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By . Louise Boyle . PUBLISHED: . 23:26 EST, 9 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:05 EST, 10 January 2013 . Louise Bundy, who was a staunch defender . of her serial killer son Ted Bundy before he made a series of . death-row confessions, has died. She was 88. She died last month in her hometown of Tacoma, Washington after a long illness, the local News Tribune reported today. Her death was confirmed by the Rev. Melvin Woodworth, pastor of Tacoma's First United Methodist Church, which she attended from 1951 until a few years ago, when her health deteriorated. Passed away: Louise Bundy, the mother of serial killer Ted Bundy, has died at the age of 88 in her hometown of Tacoma, Washington . Death stare: Ted Bundy at his 1987 murder trial in Florida after he bludgeoned to death two sorority sisters. Bundy murdered more than two dozen women before being sentenced to death . In the mid-1970s, Louise Bundy was a married mother-of-five working as a secretary at the University of Puget Sound when authorities across the nation began to accuse her eldest son in a series of gruesome killings. For years, she refused to believe the charges. 'Ted Bundy does not go around killing women and little children!' she told the Tribune in 1980 after Bundy was convicted in the Florida killings. 'And I know this, too, that our never-ending faith in Ted - our faith that he is innocent - has never wavered. And it never will.' Her stance softened after Ted Bundy made a number of death-row confessions. He ultimately confessed to murdering . more than two dozen women and was executed in 1989 after being convicted . of killing two Florida State University sorority members and a . 12-year-old girl. At the end: In 1989, in her dining room, Louise Bundy wipes away a tear as she tells her son Ted: 'You will always be my precious son.' He was executed minutes later . Face of evil: Ted Bundy, convicted murderer at court in Miami in 1979, had the enduring support of his mother Louise . Louise Bundy spoke with him twice on his execution day, telling him at the end of the second call: 'You'll always be my precious son.' She remained in Tacoma following her son's execution and was an active member of the First United Methodist Church. Her son's troubles took a toll. Louise Bundy and her husband John endured jokes and dirty looks over the years and often changed their telephone number to avoid angry calls. Mrs Bundy gave birth when she was still Louise Cowell at an unwed mothers' home in Burlington, Vermont to a son Theodore Robert Cowell on November 24, 1946. She . raised Theodore at her parents' home in Philadelphia, allowing the boy to . believe that his grandparents were his parents and his mother was his . sister. Evil inside: Ted Bundy, pictured at Florida State Prison, and (right) one of his many victims 21-year-old Margaret Bowman after she was murdered at the Chi Omega sorority house, July 11, 1978, in Tallahassee, Florida . When Ted was five years old, Louise moved to Tacoma, Washington to marry John Bundy, a military chef. It was not until many years later when he was in college that the truth was revealed about his family circumstances. Although she quietened in later years, Mrs Bundy on occasion sprang to her son's defense. In 1999, Ted Bundy was linked to the 1961 disappearance of eight-year-old Ann Marie Burr in Tacoma who was never seen again. Mrs Bundy told the News Tribune: 'I resent the fact that everybody in Tacoma thinks just because he lived in Tacoma he did that one, too, way back when he was 14. I’m sure he didn’t.' The name Ted Bundy is synonymous with serial killer after the shy and attractive psychology major embarked on a killing spree in the 1970s that left more than two dozen women dead. There is speculation he could be responsible for up to 100 murders. In 1974, witnesses saw a young man, who introduced himself as Ted, approach two young women at Seattle State Park and ask for help with his sailboat. They were never seen alive again and became his first known victims. It was in the same year that several young women disappeared from college campuses in Washington and Oregon - including a 21-year-old radio announcer called Lynda Ann Healy. Later that year, Bundy relocated to Utah to attend law school in Salt Lake City. In November, Carol DaRonch was attacked by a man she described dressed as a police officer but escaped. She gave the first clear description and a blood sample from her jacket. Miss DaRonch also told police that he was driving a tan VW Beetle. As Miss DaRonch was giving her statement, 17-year-old Debbie Kent disappeared. A short time later, hikers found the bones of missing women in a Washington forest. A rough sketch was drawn - a tall, thin attractive man who approached young, white women looking for help and called himself 'Ted'. Police also noted common factors among the victims - they were all thin and had long hair parted in the middle. All the women were targeted in the evening and bludgeoned with blunt objects. The victims had also been raped or sodomized. At the beginning of January 1975, Caryn Campbell vanished from a Colorado ski resort. Her naked body was found a month later in a ditch by the side of the road. Five more women were founded murdered in a similar manner in the following months. In August, police pulled Bundy over for a driving offense. When Miss DaRonch picked him out of a line-up, he was charged with attempted kidnapping. He was sentenced in 1976 to 15 years in prison and later police connected him to the murder of Caryn Campbell. On December 30, Bundy escaped from prison and turned up in Tallahassee, Florida renting an apartment near Florida State University under a false name. On January 14, 1978, Bundy struck again. He broken into the Chi Omega sorority house and bludgeoned and strangled to death two women, raping one of them and viciously biting her body. He almost murdered two others by beating them over the head with a log before a roommate interrupted his spree. Almost a month later on February 9, Kimberly Leach, who was 12, was kidnapped and mutilated by Bundy. The serial killer was picked up a week later while driving a stolen car before witnesses placed him at both the sorority house and outside Kimberly's school. Charged with three murders - killing the two sorority women and another Kimberly LaFouche - Bundy believed he could beat a guilty verdict and turned down a plea bargain of three life sentences. He went on trial in Florida on June 25, 1979, found guilty and sentenced to death. Prior to his execution, Bundy gave the details of the murder sites of more than 50 women. He also said that he kept the heads of some women at his home to engage in necrophilia. Bundy was electrocuted on January 24, 1989 at 7.13am.

Louise Bundy passed away in her native Tacoma, Washington . The married mother-of-five, who worked as a university secretary, initially refused to believe her son Ted had killed more than two dozen women .

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Efforts to contain the Ebola . outbreaks in Nigeria and Senegal appear to have succeeded, even . as the virus continues to spread in the hardest-hit West African . countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, U.S. and African . health officials said on Tuesday. In Nigeria, no new cases of Ebola have occurred since . August 31, 'suggesting that the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria might . have been contained,' according to one of three reports released . on Tuesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and . Prevention. In Senegal, healthcare workers have contained Ebola after a . single case was confirmed on August 29. The man has since . recovered. Scroll down for video . Virus: The Ebola virus epidemic has killed more than 3,000 people in West Africa . The virus continues to spread in the hardest-hit West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone . The smaller outbreaks in both countries started when . infected travelers crossed borders after the Ebola outbreak in . West Africa had begun to raise alarms among public health . experts. At least 3,091 people have died from Ebola since the . West African outbreak was first reported in the remote southeast . forest region of Guinea in March. The first case in Nigeria was a traveler exposed to Ebola in . Liberia, who flew by commercial airline to Lagos on July 20, . where he was immediately transported to a private hospital with . symptoms of fever, vomiting and diarrhea. When the case was discovered in Africa's largest city, . Nigeria declared an Ebola emergency and quickly established a . National Ebola Emergency Operations Center that helped . streamline and coordinate the tracing of contacts of Ebola . patients. A burial team wearing protective clothing remove a body of a person suspected of having died of the Ebola virus, in Freetown, Sierra Leone . Outbreak: Officials warn tens of thousands may die from Ebola . China's first high-security biosafety laboratory will be ready for use by December, in a move hailed as a 'crucial' moment in the fight against pathogens such as the Ebola virus, officials said Tuesday. The facility, which has been under construction since July 2011, has been billed as the first in China that will be equipped to handle Class 4 pathogens - dangerous viruses that pose a high risk of airborne person-to-person transmission, which can include haemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola, and others. The laboratory in Wuhan, Hubei province, was built in cooperation with French bio-industrial firm Institut Merieux and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It joins just a handful of labs around the world cleared to handle the most highly pathogenic germs. The Wuhan P4 laboratory comes 'at a crucial moment', said Institut Merieux president Alain Merieux in Beijing. 'Now we are all working side by side on Ebola,' he added, referring to French and Chinese efforts to address the crisis in affected African countries. As of September 24, healthcare personnel identified a total . of 19 laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases and one probable case, as . well as 894 contacts with those patients. In addition, contact . tracers conducted 18,500 face-to-face visits checking for signs . of Ebola symptoms. No new cases have emerged. The first confirmed case in Senegal occurred in August in a . 21-year-old Guinean man who traveled from his home in Guinea to . Dakar to visit family. Medical personnel learned of the man's possible exposure . from Guinean health authorities after his mother and sister had . been admitted to an Ebola unit on August 26 and identified the . young man as a contact. All three were likely exposed when . preparing the body of the patient's brother - who died of Ebola . in Guinea on August 10 - for burial. Senegalese health workers identified a total of 67 contacts . of the patient. All were monitored for Ebola for 21 days with no . further Ebola cases. The patient recovered and was released on . September 19. It comes as Federal health officials on Tuesday confirmed the first case of Ebola diagnosed in the U.S., a male patient who recently traveled from Liberia to Dallas. The unidentified patient was critically ill and has been in isolation at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital since Sunday, officials said. Health authorities have begun tracking down family and friends who may have had close contact with the patient and could be at risk for becoming ill. But officials said there are no other suspected cases in Texas. The Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital patient traveled from Liberia on September 19 and arrived in the United States the next day, without showing symptoms of the deadly virus, CDC Director Tom Frieden told reporters in a press conference filmed by NBC News. The patient, Frieden said, started to show signs of the virus September 24 and then 'sought care' on the 26th. Frieden said two days later the patient was admitted to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas and isolated. It has been reported that the patient would not be given the experimental Ebola treatment ZMapp - because there is none of it left.

In Nigeria no new cases of Ebola have occurred since August 31 . In Senegal Ebola has been contained after a single case on August 29 . The virus continues to spread in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone .

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(CNN) -- Gilad Shalit was a 19-year-old enlisted man guarding an Israeli army post when Palestinian militants attacked his tank, killed the two men he was serving with and took him prisoner more than five years ago. Israelis are overjoyed that he went free on Tuesday in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. "We have experienced the rebirth of a son," Shalit's father said. It has been "an exhausting and long struggle." "Our eyes are wet and our hearts are proud," Israeli President Shimon Peres declared. "We have become ourselves again." "He really is the child of us all," said Daniel Taub, Israel's ambassador to the United Kingdom, noting that almost all Israelis do military service. Shalit told Egypt's state-owned Nile TV after his release Tuesday that it was "exciting" to meet many of the people who "have worked very hard in order to release me. I would like to thank them for all this effort." He said he received the news of a possible deal to free him a week ago, "but I felt it for the last month. ... I was afraid that the negotiations could go wrong." Much of Israel came to a halt in a nationwide demonstration earlier this year in response to a Facebook campaign that went viral. On March 15, cars pulled to the side of the road, schools halted classes and Israeli President Shimon Peres paused at a conference in the southern Israeli city of Eilat. Israelis were not the only ones marking the soldier's captivity. "Jews across the world have been pining for Gilad Shalit's release for over five years," said William Daroff, a vice president of the Jewish Federations of North America. "Thousands of us have had an empty chair at our Passover seder tables reserved for Gilad," he said, referring to the celebratory meal that marks the beginning of Passover. "We have prayed for his release. We have met with his parents, we have sat with his family in their tent outside the prime minister's residence, we have marched for Gilad's release." Shalit's parents led a 12-day march from their home in northern Israel to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem in June 2010 and camped out in a tent there until last week. Soon after the protest camp was set up, the British government demanded Shalit's "immediate and unconditional release." "His detention is unjustifiable and unacceptable," the British Foreign Office said on Shalit's 24th birthday. In June of this year, the United States condemned Shalit's captivity "in the strongest possible terms," according to a White House statement. America "joins other governments and organizations around the world" in calling for his immediate freedom, the statement said. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Tuesday his thoughts were with the victims' families of the Palestinian prisoners released under the terms of the deal. "Gilad could not pay for everybody," Sarkozy said. Asked what he missed most during his captivity, Shalit told Nile TV Tuesday he missed his family. "I missed going out and meeting people," he said.' Shalit traveled via Egypt because it acted as a mediator between Israel and Hamas. Asked why he thought the Egyptians succeeded and others did not, he said, "I think the Egyptians were successful because they have good relations with Hamas and with Israel." On whether he will help bring about the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, Shalit said, "I will be glad if they are released, as long as they do not return to fighting Israel." And he said he hopes the deal that brought about his release "will move the peace process forward." Shalit was born August 28, 1986, in the Israeli coastal city of Naharia and moved with his family to western Galilee two years later. He has two brothers and was an outstanding science student in high school, his family says. An Israeli military operation immediately after his capture failed to free him, and he was held incommunicado throughout his captivity. His family calls it a violation of international law that organizations such as the Red Cross were not allowed to see him and that they were only able to get one letter to him. The last proof he was alive came in a video in 2009 in which the noticeably thin young man held a newspaper dated September 14. In the video, he talks about his family, saying: "I miss them very much, and I am longing for the day when I will see them again." The day after his capture, a trio of Palestinian groups, including members of Hamas, Fatah and Islamic Jihad, said they would release him in exchange for all female Palestinian prisoners and all security prisoners under the age of 18 held by Israel, the Shalit family said. In the end, Israel is releasing significantly more than the Palestinians originally demanded -- despite the objections of at least some Israeli families who do not want to see the killers of their relatives released. The Israeli public overwhelmingly supports the agreement to release more than 1,000 prisoners in exchange for Shalit, according to a poll published in the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth the day before his handover by Hamas to Egyptian security. Israel's ambassador to London summed up the mixed feelings many experienced in his country as they waited for their most famous captive to taste freedom. "Seeing Gilad coming home ... is really coming home to every family. But at the same time it's very bittersweet," Taub said, since "every one of us in some way has been touched by terrorism." CNN's Guy Azriel and Michal Zippori contributed to this report.

NEW: Shimon Peres: "Our eyes are wet and our hearts are proud" Palestinians abducted Israeli soldier Shalit in 2006 when he was 19 . Shalit's parents camped out in front of the Israeli prime minister's office for more than a year . Israel inked a deal to get him back in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners .

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By . David Gardner . The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) says that 'full term' should be considered to be between 39 weeks and 40 weeks six days . Babies should be considered premature even if they are born after 38 weeks, experts claimed yesterday. Up to now, babies were defined as ‘full term’ if they were born anytime from 37 to 42 weeks in the womb. They were only regarded as premature if they were born before the 37-week mark. But American doctors believe the ideal pregnancy is two weeks longer. Research shows babies born at 37 weeks are more at risk of complications, such as breathing problems, than those born at 39 weeks. New guidelines released by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists yesterday redefine the timeline for a healthy pregnancy. They say a full-term pregnancy is between 39 weeks and 40 weeks and six days. An ‘early term’ or premature baby would be born between 37 weeks and 38 weeks and six days. A late term pregnancy reaches the 41st week and by 42 weeks the baby is ‘post term’ or in other words, long overdue. ‘Weeks matter,’ said Dr Jeffrey Ecker of Massachusetts General Hospital, who chaired the committee that came up with the more specific labels. ‘Since babies’ outcomes can differ, let’s not call it all the same,’ he added. In recent years, doctors’ groups have stressed that elective deliveries – inductions and C-sections scheduled without a medical reason – shouldn’t happen before the 39th week of the pregnancy. Dr Ecker said the new definitions would help doctors communicate that message. The March of Dimes Foundation, a US group that works to improve the health of mothers and babies, welcomed the change yesterday. On average, a pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks, counting from the first day of the mother's last period. Prior to the new guidelines being released, a baby was considered to be premature if it was born before 37 weeks, and late if it was born after the 42nd week . A spokesman said it ‘eliminates confusion about how long an uncomplicated, healthy pregnancy  should last.’ According to a joint study published last year by Columbia University Medical Centre and the New York Presbyterian Hospital, children born at 37 or 38 weeks did worse in academic tests than those born just a week or two later. The additional time in the womb results in more brain development and, in later life, better scores in mathematics and reading tests. The 2012 study compared birth records and test scores for 128,000 eight year olds born in New York City in the late 1980s and early 1990s. All were born between the normal 37 and 41 weeks of gestation. Compared with those born at 41 weeks, children born at 37 weeks faced a 33 per cent  increased chance of having severe reading difficulties and a 19 per cent greater chance of having moderate problems in maths. Those born at 38 weeks fared only slightly better than those born at 37 weeks. Another UK study found premature babies are twice as likely to suffer from severe mental conditions such as depression than those born on schedule.

American College of Obstetricians and . Gynaecologists says ‘full term’ should be considered to be . between 39 weeks and 40 weeks six days . It says these guidelines would prevent early elective deliveries which can lead to health complications, such as breathing difficulties . Currently, a baby is considered to be 'full term' if it is born between weeks 37 and 42 of pregnancy . But there are no plans to change the guidelines in the UK .

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Atlanta (CNN) -- Kulsoom Abdullah is a 35-year-old with a doctorate in electrical and computer engineering. But it's her passion outside of work that has put her at the center of a debate -- one that could affect athletic competitions worldwide, even the Olympics. Later this month, the International Weightlifting Federation will take up the question of whether Abdullah may take part in officially sanctioned tournaments while keeping her entire body covered, aside from her hands and face, in keeping with her Muslim faith. "It's what I believe in. It's what I've chosen to do," Abdullah tells CNN of her decision to wear modest garb. "I've always dressed this way publicly." Abdullah is not an Olympic athlete, but enjoys lifting weights. She can deadlift 245 pounds (111 kg) and get up 105 pounds (47.5 kg) in the snatch, in which the competitor lifts the barbell from the floor to over her head in a single motion. She likes to compete with other women in her weight class -- she generally weighs in the 106-pound (48 kg) or 117-pound (53 kg) classifications. "It guess it's empowering," she says. "There's a lot of technique involved, so someone who's this big muscular person -- it's possible I could lift more than they do. There's speed and timing to it -- you have to be explosive. I think it's great just for confidence building ... I guess I got hooked." The Atlanta resident wants to take part in tournaments in the United States, including one coming up in July. But USA Weightlifting informed her that those events are governed by IWF rules. And those rules preclude her dressing in keeping with her beliefs. Abdullah generally wears loose, long pants past the ankles, a long-sleeve, fitted shirt with a loose T-shirt over it, and a hijab, or head scarf, covering her hair. The outfits -- officially called "costumes" -- worn at competitions must be collarless and must not cover the elbows or knees, according to the IWF's technical and competition rules. The IWF constitution also states that no distinction is made among individuals based on religion. Mark Jones, a spokesman for the U.S. Olympic Committee -- which oversees USA Weightlifting and many other sports -- explained part of the challenge is that judges need to see that a competitor's elbows and knees are locked during a lift. But the USOC also understands the dilemma Abdullah faces. After CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations -- a Washington-based group that advocates for Muslims and Muslim causes -- contacted the USOC on Wednesday, Jones said, his group reached out to the IWF. "I think their (CAIR's) language is to 'advocate' on the athlete's behalf with the international federation, and we have done that," Jones told CNN. "The Olympic movement is all about the universal values of equality. We value that greatly, but we also respect the rules of sport -- especially those set forth for competitive reasons. So we're looking to see if there's some way to accommodate -- not just this one particular athlete," he said, adding, "this is an issue that has some wider implications." The International Weightlifting Federation has agreed to include the issue on the agenda of its next meeting, later this month in Malaysia, Jones said. The group's technical committee will hold a debate, and then present a recommendation to the IWF board, Jones said. "Awesome!" Abdullah responded, when CNN informed her Thursday of these developments. "That's wonderful." The news came after months of pushing for change, she said. In April, USA Weightlifting responded to an e-mail from her, explaining that it had to reject her request due to IWF rules. In that e-mail, there was no suggestion that the group or the USOC might take up the issue with the IWF. John Duff, CEO of USA Weightlifting, issued a statement Thursday reiterating that the organization abides by the IWF rules on uniforms, and that the "issue has been brought to the attention of the IWF and the IWF Technical Committee has agreed to place the matter on the agenda of the next meeting, which will take place on June 26 in Penang, Malaysia, for consideration." The IWF did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday. Abdullah says she understands the need to make sure she isn't wearing anything under her clothes to give her a competitive advantage. She says judges could check to make sure she is not wearing something on her elbows, for example, that might help her. And she says she's willing to wear a "snug" shirt -- though not skin tight -- underneath a loose singlet, so judges could "see that there's lockout" in her arms when she does her lifts. Ibrahim Hooper of CAIR, which sent out a news release about Abdullah on Wednesday, praised the USOC Thursday for taking action. "It sounds like they've really done exactly what we asked them to do, which is advocate on behalf of this Muslim athlete," Hooper said. "The ultimate result is a very reasonable compromise that allows the Muslim athlete to follow her religious beliefs and practices and maintain the legitimate rules and policies of Olympics and sports in general." While Abdullah was happy to hear the IWF will consider her situation, there is no guarantee the IWF will alter its rules. Although there were no immediate, organized protests against the USOC's decision to bring Abdullah's case to the IWF, USOC spokesman Jones said his agency has received messages from people opposing any change in the rules. He did not characterize what the messages said or how many there were. Numerous athletic agencies have faced similar questions in the past and, in some cases, have determined that allowing special clothing violates fairness or equality among all contestants. FIFA, the international federation governing soccer, recently refused to allow Iran's women's soccer team to wear headscarves while playing in an Olympic qualifying round in Amman, Jordan. Abdullah told CNN her effort is not just about herself. "I should at least try," she said, "if not for me then maybe for other women who -- if they have my faith or another faith -- dress a certain way."

Kulsoom Abdullah wants to keep her body covered during official competitions . The International Weightlifting Federation will consider her complaint . Rules specify outfits must be collarless and must not cover the elbows or knees . The USOC has received some messages opposing a rule change .

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By . Michael Zennie . PUBLISHED: . 08:50 EST, 24 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 09:33 EST, 24 September 2012 . The Colorado movie theater where 12 people were gunned down and another 58 wounded will reopen for business as early as the New Year. The Century Aurora 16 has been closed since July 20 when James Holmes allegedly attacked a sold-out screening of the Dark Knight Rises in a shooting rampage that horrified the nation. Theater executives say a survey conducted by the city of Aurora shows most residents want the 16-screen megaplex to reopen. However, they have announced no plans for a memorial to remember the victims of the terrifying attack and city officials have removed the makeshift marker that was installed by mourners. Back online: Theater executives hope to have the Century Aurora 16 re-opened by the New Year -- five months after the shooting that claimed 12 lives . Packed up: The City of Aurora cleared out the makeshift memorial that mourners erected across the street from the theater . The company's motivations for the quick . turn-around are likely financial -- ticket sales at the other . theaters in town have soared since the closure. On Friday, as the theater re-opening date was announced, victims filed two new lawsuits against the theater, alleging the company should have done more to protect spectators by hiring security guards and preventing access to back door entrances on the night of the blockbuster premier. The lawsuits were filed by two of the men who were wounded in the shooting allegedly committed by the 24-year-old neurosciences student. Charged: James Holmes, 24, smiles for his new mug shot. His lawyers claim he was insane during the theater shootings . Karie Bible, a movie theater analyst with Exhibitor Relations in Los Angeles, told the Denver Post that theaters rake in cash during the fall and early winter seasons, when most Oscar contenders debut on the big screen. Mayor Steven Hogan said on Friday that residents were overwhelmingly supportive of re-opening the theater, though the city has not shared the results of the online poll. Ticket sales at Aurora's remaining six movie theaters slumped in the days following the shooting. However, the weekend after the tragedy, they surged 90 percent as resident turned out in droves to see movies. Executives with Texas-based Cinemark, which owns the Century Aurora 16, said they plan to 'remodel and reconfigure' the theater. However, at least some residents are uneasy with the speed of the re-opening. 'I would feel much better about this had I heard just ONE thing about a memorial being placed there. I don't like the fact that it seems like they are taking everything away. The built memorial is now gone, and zero talk of the theatre putting one in,' Aurora resident Peggy Jean posted on the city's Facebook page. On Thursday, city officials removed a makeshift memorial from a vacant lot across the street from the theater, boxing up the 12 white crosses and assorted teddy bears, and shipping them to a city warehouse. All that remains to remind passersby of the tragedy that occurred at the theater is a simple sign that reads 'Thank you for the outpouring of love and support for the victims of the 7/20 Tragedy. Always remember.' All that remains: This sign is the only memorial to the victims of the deadly rampage that is currently standing in Aurora . The city says it is currently discussing plans for a permanent memorial. However, the theater company has not released any plans for a marker commemorating the victims. Greg Medek, whose daughter Micayla, 23, was killed during the rampage, said the owners must do something to remember the dozen people who died. He says a portion or theater profits should go to the families of the victims to help them cope with the lifelong trauma of the tragedy.

City workers removed the makeshift memorial across the street from the Century Aurora 16 and boxed it up . Cinemark, the company that owns the theater, has unveiled no plans for a memorial when it re-opens the megaplex . Simple sign in the vacant lot across the street is only remembrance of the massacre's victims .

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Russia's government has pushed the country into an economic crisis by not tackling its financial problems fast enough, former finance minister Alexei Kudrin has said . Russia's government has pushed the country into an economic crisis by not tackling its financial problems fast enough, former finance minister Alexei Kudrin has said. His comments came as the central bank bailed out its first victim of the collapsing currency and authorities announced a tax on grain exports to protect domestic stocks. A poll of 11 economists also predicted that Russia's gross domestic product would fall 3.6 per cent next year. Russia has been hit by what Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev recently called a 'perfect storm' of plummeting oil prices, sanctions related to its military action in Ukraine, and a flight of investors' capital. A lack of structural reforms has compounded the problem, making the economy overwhelmingly dependent on oil revenues. Kudrin, one of few to criticise President Vladimir Putin, said he believed the decline in the rouble could be attributed primarily to the sanctions, imposed following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region and its subsequent support for loyalist fighters in the east. In a move to contain the ruble crisis, the government today instructed five of the country's biggest state-controlled exporters to reduce their foreign currency assets to October levels and to not raise them again until March. The companies targeted were gas giant Gazprom, oil companies Rosneft and Zarubezhneft and diamond producers Alrosa and Kristall. Today the ruble was steady as it has been for the past few trading sessions, floating around the 55 mark against the dollar. That's certainly an improvement on last week when the ruble plunged at one point to near 80 against the dollar. With retailers, particularly of imported products, looking to pass costs onto consumers in light of the ruble's fall, jittery consumers rushed to buy cars and emptied shelves at electronics and home appliances stores to pre-empt the price rises. Others besieged bank offices to withdraw their deposits and buy dollars or euros - the panic that raised the threat of a full-fledged banking crisis if it's not contained quickly. In response to the falling ruble, Russia's central bank last week increased its key interest rate to a whopping 17 per cent. Though that may help ease the selling pressure on the ruble by encouraging traders to hold onto the currency in anticipation of big returns, it is going to hobble Russian businesses and households. Scroll down for video . Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Russia's current economic difficulties were exacerbated by Western sanctions, 'There are hopes to turn Russia into a pariah and reduce it to lower ranks in the ratings. This will never happen.' Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev promised that the interest rate will be reduced once the ruble stabilizes, but acknowledged that the country faces the risk of a 'deep recession.' Medvedev said Russia's current economic difficulties were exacerbated by Western sanctions. He said the economy is in a worse place now than in the 2008 crisis because 'a number of countries are effectively hampering the development of our economy.' He said: 'There are hopes to turn Russia into a pariah and reduce it to lower ranks in the ratings. This will never happen.' Putin discussed the Ukraine crisis with the leaders of Germany, France and Ukraine by telephone yesterday, the Kremlin said, noting that a ceasefire had largely held in eastern Ukraine in recent days. It said the leaders had emphasised the importance of removing heavy weapons and exchanging prisoners, but gave no indication of whether a breakthrough had been reached. Government officials have tried to minimise the impact of sanctions on the country and its currency, which plunged 80 per cent against the dollar last week despite a hike in interest rates to 17 per cent. Putin has claimed 'external factors' like oil were the key factor behind the country's 'tough times'. Kudrin warned that Russia risked having its debt downgraded to junk status in 2015. He said: 'We have entered or are entering a real, full-fledged economic crisis. Next year we will feel it clearly. Putin, seen above during a Russian press conference last week, discussed the Ukraine crisis with the leaders of Germany, France and Ukraine by telephone yesterday, the Kremlin said. It said the leaders had emphasised the importance of removing heavy weapons and exchanging prisoners, but gave no indication of whether a breakthrough had been reached. 'The government has not been quick enough to address the situation ... I am yet to hear ... its clear assessment of the current situation.' Kudrin quit in 2011 in protest at proposals to increase defence spending, although he and Putin are still believed to be close. Mounting evidence suggested that Russia's economic pain and isolation were starting to bite. The country announced plans to impose a heavy tax on grain exports since rouble volatility and high global prices have caused exports to spike: . And Russia's central bank said it would have to bail out mid-sized Trust Bank with 30 billion roubles (£347 million) to stop it going bankrupt. The country's largest lender Sberbank was forced to deny a report from RIA news agency that it had suspended taking new requests for auto loans and mortgages. Though Russia's biggest oil firm Rosneft partially eased some worries by saying it had made a £4.5 billion debt repayment from its own cash reserves - investors had been concerned it could default because the sanctions cut off its access to Western finance. It announced separately that a deal to acquire an oil trading business from Morgan Stanley had been terminated due to a refusal by regulators in the U.S. to clear it. Russia has been hit by what Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev recently called a 'perfect storm' of plummeting oil prices, sanctions related to its military action in Ukraine, and a flight of investors' capital. A lack of structural reforms has compounded the problem, making the economy overwhelmingly dependent on oil revenues . The termination of the deal is another blow for Rosneft after its partners including ExxonMobil withdrew from projects to develop Arctic offshore oil deposits after the sanctions were introduced. Kudrin forecast a series of defaults among both medium and large companies, though he said banks would probably be supported by the state which was likely to result in rating agencies downgrading Russia's debt to 'junk' status. The rouble firmed against the dollar yesterday, with exporters responding to Putin's urge to sell their foreign currency revenues on the market, and Brent crude prices stood close to £38 a barrel. While the currency, down some 45 per cent against the dollar so far this year, may stabilise in the first quarter of next year, its decline will likely help to push inflation to a rate of 12-15 per cent in 2015, Kudrin said. The central bank envisages next year's inflation at around 8 per cent. Economists have predicted it would be as high as 9.2 percent. Kudrin said he believed that between 25 and 35 per cent of the decline in the rouble could be attributed to sanctions. The rest, he said, was down to a stronger dollar and investors' mistrust of Russian authorities and their actions. His outlook for the economy next year was bleak: Even if the price of oil rose to £51 per barrel, gross domestic product was still likely to fall by more than 2 per cent in 2015, Kudrin said. At £38 per barrel GDP would decline by 4 per cent or more, he added, echoing the central bank's latest assessment, published last week.

Government tells top exporters to reduce their foreign currency assets . Sanctions following Russia's military action in the Ukraine blamed . PM Dmitry Medvedev said the move was hoped to make Russia 'a pariah' Russia's central bank increased interest rates to 17 per cent . Consumers rushed to buy cars and electronics anticipating a price hike .

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By . James Salmon and Rob Davies . PUBLISHED: . 09:48 EST, 9 March 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 06:45 EST, 10 March 2012 . Barclays chief Bob Diamond could receive £27m in pay, bonuses, shares and other benefits . A trio of top bankers are being lined up for pay packages worth a total of £42million. On a ‘day of shame’ for banks, a flurry of disclosures from the City revealed the jackpot awards for the bosses of Barclays and state-backed Lloyds and RBS. At Barclays, no fewer than 238 individuals will pocket at least £1million in bonuses. The figures emerged as Business Secretary Vince Cable prepared to warn that Britain’s economic recovery will be ‘throttled’ unless the banks start lending to small businesses again. He will use his speech at the Lib Dem spring conference in Gateshead today to say that firms are being scuppered by the banks who are failing to lend. Yesterday it became clear that: . Liberal Democrat peer Lord Oakeshott . said: ‘This day of shame for Britain’s banks must make us bolder and . faster to clean out the stinking stables. ‘We control RBS and Lloyds so we should make them lend, with no bonuses until they do.’ Lloyds and RBS chiefs Antonio Horta-Osorio (left) and Stephen Hester (right) are in line for awards worth up to £8.2m and £7.9m respectively, despite presiding over combined losses of £5.5bn last year . The troubled bank has been criticised over tax avoidance claims and a dip in profits, but has made huge payments to senior staff . The three banks slipped out their figures yesterday, hoping that on a Friday there would be less media coverage. Barclays was first to publish the pay . of its top executives, including boss Bob Diamond – once branded the . ‘unacceptable face of banking’ by Lord Mandelson. The bank revealed that the American is in line for a package worth £27million in pay, shares and perks. Some of this is share awards from . previous years that he cashed in and future share awards he can realise . in several years’ time. It includes £5.7million that the bank stumped up to pay an increase in his tax bill when he moved to London from the  U.S. Lord Oakeshott said: ‘Bob Diamond . spits in the face of the British sense of fair play while we still have . to guarantee his casino. ‘Helping yourself to £27million after . your bank has just been caught trying to cheat taxpayers out of . £500million is simply beyond the pale.’ Less than two weeks ago Barclays . was prevented from using two ‘highly abusive’ loopholes to dodge tax. Despite the furore over Mr Diamond’s . pay, two other unnamed senior executives received pay and bonus awards . last year of £6.7million and £6.5million. It is thought that these executives are Rich Ricci and Jerry Del Missier, the co-heads of Barclays’ investment banking arm. Barclays’ chairman Marcus Agius . defended the bank’s bonuses. He said: ‘Barclays needs to operate . commercially and that includes setting remuneration for our executive . directors appropriately.’ Data provided by Barclays shows that £100 invested in shares in 2006 was worth just £29 at the end of 2011. RBS and Lloyds, backed with £66billion of taxpayers’ money, sneaked their pay reports out late in the day. Stephen Hester, the chief executive of RBS, stands to get a total package of £7.9million. He gave up a £963,000 bonus earlier . this year, bowing to intense public pressure, but his package includes . deferred bonuses paid in shares of up to £6.2million which can be . realised in 2014 and 2015. The highest paid boss at RBS for 2011 was . U.S. executive Ellen Alemany, who received a total of £4.5million. John Hourican, the man responsible . for winding down RBS’s failing investment bank at a cost of over 3,500 . jobs, netted £3.2million. He will also receive £4.19million at the beginning of April under a share incentive scheme relating to 2009. Lloyds boss Antonio Horta-Osorio, who . waived a £2.4million bonus after taking two months’ leave due to . exhaustion, was handed shares worth a maximum of £3.2million, which he . can realise in 2015. He is also in line for shares worth up to . £2.4million in 2014.

Diamond in line for £27m in pay, perks and shares . Includes £5.7m bank paid to cover increase in his tax bill when he moved to London from U.S . Lloyds and RBS chiefs in line for awards worth up to . £8.2m and £7.9m . Barclays chief Bob Diamond could receive £27million in pay, bonuses, shares and other benefits; . 238 senior staff at Barclays received average bonuses of £1.2million while 386 staff at RBS pocketed £820,000; . Lloyds and RBS chiefs Antonio . Horta-Osorio and Stephen Hester are in line for awards worth up to . £8.2million and £7.9million respectively, despite presiding over . combined losses of £5.5 billion last year; . Incompetence by executives led Bank of Scotland to the brink of collapse, according to a stinging report by the City’s watchdog.

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By . Victoria Woollaston . The complex structure of transport networks across the world's major cities has been laid strikingly bare in a series of maps that plot taxi journeys. But in addition to unveiling how residents navigate their cities, the maps also highlight the contrast between rich, tech-savvy areas with the less affluent neighbourhoods. The maps have been released by taxi firm Uber to celebrate the service launching in Beijing - bringing the total number of cities on the scheme to 100. As part of the Uber 100 project, the San Francisco-based firm has plotted the major routes its drivers take across all of these cities, including London, New York, Sydney, Mumbai, Moscow, Tokyo, Barcelona, and more. Taxi firm Uber has launched in Beijing, taking its total number of cities to 100. To celebrate, the firm has created the Uber 100 project and plotted the major routes from all of these cities on to maps. This includes Tokyo, pictured, which has a spider-like reach with legs reaching around the city centre, shown in bright blue . Uber is a smartphone taxi app that lets people hail a cab from their phone. It lets users compare rates and add credit cards to an account so they don't need cash. The service launched in California in 2010 and has grown from 35 cities last summer to a century this month. 'In 2010, Uber started as simply a big idea for a better way to get around,' said Uber. 'With today's launch in Beijing - four years and millions of trips later -we're now moving people in 100 cities around the world.' As a result, it is used by people who can afford smartphones in the first place, but also afford the taxi journeys, and this give a clear indication of economic differences. Uber's own stats also reveal the majority of its users are around 30. London, pictured, has the most sprawling and far-reaching map in Uber's collection. The two black sections in among the complex blue lines is the pedestrianised Hyde Park. As expected, the centre of the city is shown in bright blue, but there is also a hub of activity to the east of the capital towards the O2 venue in Greenwich. The straggly lines to the west are the major routes to Heathrow airport. Lines are paler as they approach the suburbs, especially passed Bermondsey and towards Croydon . New York's distinctive shape is instantly recognisable in the Uber map of the U.S city, as is the economic split. The brightest, and therefore busiest, stretches of the city are in Manhattan, especially around Central Park. The lines become thinner towards Harlem, and the poorer neighbourhoods of the Bronx. Elsewhere, Newark's sparse lines almost fade into the background. There is additionally a hub on Brooklyn Bridge, and on Route 278 that surrounds the neighbourhood, but not in inner Brooklyn . Mumbai's map looks like an elongated face, with the Sanjay Gandhi National Park blocking out the eyes, Malabar Hill representing the nose and the Back Bay appearing to be an open mouth. Bright blue lines plot the popular port hotspots in the southeast of the city. The map also reveals the major routes into and out of the city and highlights the relatively few journeys made across the Vashi Bridge to the suburbs . The cities are marked as nodes and . plotted on a larger map of the world. Clicking on a node lets you . download the map for that city. As expected, the busiest and most . affluent locations within these major cities are typically in the . centre, and around the airport. The . suburbs where house prices are typically cheaper, and residents are . older - based on figures from the World Health Organisation - have much . few journeys and appear pale in comparison to the bright blue centres. London has the most sprawling and far-reaching map in Uber’s collection. The two black sections in among the complex blue lines is the pedestrianised area of Hyde Park, while Regent’s Park and Hampstead Heath are blacked out further north. As expected, the centre of the city is shown in bright blue, but there is also a hub of activity to the east of the capital towards the O2 venue in Greenwich. The straggly lines to the west are the major routes to Heathrow airport. Lines are paler as they approach the suburbs, especially passed Bermondsey and towards Croydon. Elsewhere, roads around the Royal Botanic Gardens and Museum of Contemporary Art in the centre of the Sydney map, pictured, are a wave of bright blue, as is Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is particularly bright in the affluent regions of Neutral Bay above the harbour, and Double Bay to the east of the Opera House. The main routes of the M5 heading southwest and M4 trailing off to the northwest towards Penrith frame the relatively sparse, poorer districts to the west including Liverpool and Campbelltown . While the maps of New York and San Francisco show the regions as being very narrow, Los Angeles, pictured, is much more flat and square with popular destinations shown as Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach on the coast. Towards Anaheim and the southeast of the region, the lines fade. The map also highlights that Uber is mostly concentrated in the centre of L.A and is rarely used on further outside the area . New York’s distinctive shape is . instantly recognisable in the Uber map of the U.S city, as is the economic split. The brightest, . and therefore busiest, stretches of the city are in Manhattan, . especially around Central Park. The lines become thinner towards Harlem, and the poorer neighbourhoods of the Bronx. Elsewhere, Newark’s sparse lines almost fade into the background. There is additionally a hub on Brooklyn Bridge, and on Route 278 that surrounds the neighbourhood, but not in inner Brooklyn. As . the Seattle map shows, the majority of Uber users in the area travel short . distances around the downtown area – highlighted by the bright blue mass . in the centre. Other popular areas of the coastal seaport include the roads above and around Seattle-Tacoma International airport. The hilly and green terrain of San Francisco's west coast makes the city's map, pictured, one of the most bare in the collection. Curved lines of Market Street and the Southern Freeway are in stark contrast to the grid system of the Pacific Heights and Mission District in the north. A faint blue line at the top left of the map represents the Golden Gate Bridge . Meanwhile, Moscow's map, pictured, appears as a bullseye with the various ring roads that surround the Russian capital. It stretches out to the west, towards the wealthy districts of Barvikha and Skolkovo but the lines fade to black as Uber journeys travel east, approaching the poorer region of Kapotnya, for example . Meanwhile the outer lying districts . including Burien and Des Moines in the west, as well as Rainier Valley, . and the whole of Northeast Seattle are practically desolate on the Uber . maps. The hilly and green terrain of San Francisco’s west coast makes the city’s map one of the most bare in the collection. Curved . lines of Market Street and the Southern Freeway are in stark contrast . to the grid system of the Pacific Heights and Mission District. A faint . blue line at the top left of the map represents the Golden Gate Bridge. Elsewhere, . roads around the Royal Botanic Gardens and Museum of Contemporary Art . in the centre of the Sydney map are a wave of bright blue, as is Sydney . Harbour Bridge. It is particularly bright in the affluent regions of Neutral Bay above the harbour, and Double Bay to the east of the Opera House. As this Seattle map shows, the majority of Uber users travel short distances around the downtown area - highlighted by the bright blue mass in the centre. Other popular areas of the U.S city include the roads above and around Seattle-Tacoma International airport. Meanwhile the outer-lying districts including Burien and Des Moines in the west as well as Rainier Valley and the whole of Northeast Seattle are practically desolate on the Uber maps . The main routes of the M5 heading . southwest and M4 trailing off to the northwest towards Penrith frame the . relatively sparse, poorer districts to the west including Liverpool and Campbelltown. Around Padstow and down towards Georges River the loops and bendy routes are also highlighted. Mumbai’s . map looks like an elongated face, with the Sanjay Gandhi National Park . blocking out the eyes, Malabar Hill representing the nose and the Back . Bay appearing to be an open mouth. Bright blue lines plot the popular port hotspots in the southeast of the city. The map also reveals the major routes into . and out of the city and highlights the relatively few journeys made . across the Vashi Bridge to the suburbs. Meanwhile, Moscow's . map appears as a bullseye with the various ring roads that . surround the Russian capital. It stretches out to the west, towards the wealthy districts of Barvikha and Skolkovo but the . lines fade to black as Uber journeys travel east, approaching the poorer region of Kapotnya, for example. Can you guess which city is represented in this Uber map? It appears to be a rural location but is in fact the bustling city of Barcelona. It highlights the main coastal routes. The region is synonymous with one-way routes and congestion and as a result, many Spaniards use public transport rather than drive, or use the roads . The brightest points are seen at junctions on these ring roads, especially in the south of the city towards Vidnoye. By highlighting the routes around U.S cities, it’s interesting to see how much they vary in landscape. While New York and San Francisco for example, are narrow, Los Angeles is much more flat and square with popular destinations shown as Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach on the coast. Towards Anaheim and the southeast of the region, the lines fade. The map also highlights that Uber is mostly concentrated in the centre of L.A and is rarely in outside, poorer or less populated neighbourhoods. And back to Europe, what appears to be a rural location is in fact the bustling city of Barcelona. Its map highlights the main coastal routes. The region is synonymous with one-way routes and congestion and as a result, many Spaniards use public transport rather than drive, or use the roads which may explain the pale blue lines.

Taxi firm Uber has launched its service in Beijing - taking the total number of cities on its scheme to 100 . To celebrate, the San Francisco firm has created the Uber 100 project so customers can share their stories . It has also plotted the major routes its drivers take across the cities that have signed up to the scheme . These cities include London, New York, Sydney, Mumbai, Moscow, Tokyo, Barcelona, and more . They reveal how different nationalities navigate their cities and highlight the contrast between rich, tech-savvy neighbourhoods with the less affluent regions .

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States on Tuesday imposed financial sanctions on an Iran-based company that it said is a cover for North Korea's missile proliferation network, the Department of the Treasury announced. Hong Kong Electronics in Kish Island, Iran, was added to the list of "designated proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters" for working with two others already on the list: North Korea's Tanchon Commercial Bank and the Korea Mining Development Trading Corp. (KOMID), according to a Treasury news release. The designation under Executive Order 13382 freezes any U.S. assets of Hong Kong Electronics and prohibits any transactions with the company by U.S. individuals, companies or financial institutions, the statement said. "North Korea uses front companies like Hong Kong Electronics and a range of other deceptive practices to obscure the true nature of its financial dealings, making it nearly impossible for responsible banks and governments to distinguish legitimate from illegitimate North Korean transactions," said Stuart Levey, the undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence at the Treasury. "Today's action is a part of our overall effort to prevent North Korea from misusing the international financial system to advance its nuclear and missile programs and to sell dangerous technology around the world." The Treasury statement alleged that Hong Kong Electronics has transferred millions of dollars of proliferation-related funds on behalf of Tanchon and KOMID since 2007. It also accused Hong Kong Electronics of facilitating the movement of money from Iran to North Korea on behalf of KOMID. Tanchon, a commercial bank based in Pyongyang, North Korea, is the financial arm for KOMID, which the Treasury statement described as North Korea's premier arms dealer and main exporter of goods and equipment related to ballistic missiles and conventional weapons. Both Tanchon and KOMID were previously subjected to sanctions under Executive Order 13382 and sanctioned by the U.N. Security Council, according to the Treasury statement. It said both also had ties with other sanctioned entities, including Iran's Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group, which it called the Iranian organization responsible for developing liquid-fueled missiles.

Hong Kong Electronics called a cover for North Korea's missile proliferation network . U.S. Treasury says company's U.S. assets frozen, transactions in U.S. prohibited . It says company worked with bank, arms dealer tied to other sanctioned entities . Goal is to stop misuse of financial system to advance arms programs, Treasury says .

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By . Harriet Arkell . PUBLISHED: . 04:35 EST, 19 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:02 EST, 19 March 2013 . A power cut has left three fuel storage pools at Japan's tsunami-damaged nuclear plant without fresh cooling water for nearly 24 hours, raising concerns about the fragility of the tsunami-ravaged nuclear plant. The Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant's operator said the temperatures in the pools was within safe limits and would remain so for four days, but the incident has highlighted the problems caused by the continued use of makeshift equipment at the damaged plant. A spokesman for Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) said the reactors were not affected by the power outage and said staff were preparing a back-up system in case the repairs did not fix the problem. New aerial photo of the Fukushima plant shows the reactor buildings that were damaged by the 2011 tsunami . Masayuki Ono said: 'If the worst comes to the worst, we have a backup water injection system.' The command centre at the plant suffered a brief power failure just before 7pm local time (10am GMT) yesterday, knocking out the cooling facilities for four fuel ponds. Electricity was quickly restored to the command centre, and by Tuesday afternoon (this morning, London time) the cooling system had been restored at one of the pools, but three - the pools in reactors 1, 3 and 4, were still broken at 6pm in Japan (9am GMT). Having investigated the cause of the power cut, the company concluded that it might be due to problems with each of the switchboards for the pools., and began to prepare spare switchboards for use if it could not fix the original ones. TEPCO said that while the temperature in the affected pools had risen slightly, it was still well below the target control temperature. It said the reactors were unaffected and no other abnormalities were found. This image from 2011 shows a spent fuel storage pool at one of the damaged reactors in the power plant . The March 2011 earthquake and tsunami destroyed the plant's power and cooling systems, causing three reactor cores to melt and fuel storage pools to overheat. Since then, the plant is now using makeshift systems.  This latest incident is a major test for TEPCO to see if it has learned anything from 2011's disaster. TEPCO, which has been accused of a string of cover-ups, was heavily criticsed by local media today for waiting hours before disclosing details of the power cut. Its spokeman Mr Ono acknowledged that the plant was vulnerable, saying: 'Fukushima Dai-ichi still runs on makeshift equipment and we are trying to switch to something more permanent and dependable, which is more desirable. The March 2011 tsunami crippled the Fukushima plant when waves destroyed cooling facilities and reactors overheated . 'Considering the equipment situation, we may be pushing a little too hard.' Mr Ono said the utility did not immediately try to switch to a back-up cooling system because doing so without finding and fixing the cause could lead to a repeat of the problem. There is a backup cooling system but no backup outside power, he said. Regulators have previously raised concerns about the makeshift equipment, and have urged the plant to switch them to a more permanent arrangement. The operator still has to remove melted, fatally radioactive fuel from the reactors before fully decommissioning the plant, which officials say could take 40 years. The tsunami on 11 March 2011 saw huge waves knock out the cooling facilities at the nuclear power plant.  As a result the reactors overheated and went into meltdown. The plant has since been stabilised but the full effect of the disaster is yet to be ascertained. Yoshihide Suga, the chief government spokesman, sought to allay concerns today, saying: 'In a sense, we have put in place measures that leave no room for worry.'

Temperatures are rising at three fuel storage ponds at Fukushima Dai-ichi . Plant bosses say they would be safe for four days: three days left to fix it . The plant in northeastern Japan went into meltdown after 2011 tsunami . Still running on makeshift equipment and staff accused of cover-ups .

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Burkina Faso's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup hung by a thread after they could only draw 0-0 against hosts Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday. Burkina, who lost their opening Group A game 2-0 against Gabon, have one point from two matches while Equatorial Guinea have two following their 1-1 draw against Congo. Gabon take on Congo in the group's other game later on Wednesday. Equatorial Guinea's midfielder Randy (right) tussles with Burkina Faso's forward Jonathan Pitroipa . Burkina Faso's defender Steeve Yago (right) flies into a challenge with Emilio Nsue . Bakary Kone (left) climbs above Equatorial Guinea forward Kike to head the ball clear . Burkina Faso failed to convert the game's best chances, hitting the woodwork twice, while Equatorial Guinea relied on counter attacks. Burkina Faso went close in the 20th minute when Alain Traore's whipped 35-yard free kick smashed Felipe Ovono's right post. Equatorial Guinea's Diosdado Mbele was lucky to escape a straight red card in the 28th minute for a dangerous tackle on Jonathan Pitroipa, who was racing towards goal from the left flank. The competition hosts were once again saved by the woodwork in the 39th minute when Ovono deflected Traore's volley from close range onto his post. Referee Neant Alioum shows a yellow card to Burkina Faso's defender Issa Gouo . The lack of goals did not stop the home fans enjoying the Group A match . The Equatorial Guinea keeper was involved again five minutes from the interval, parrying away Bertrand Traore's powerful long-range effort. Equatorial Guinea, however, looked dangerous on the break. Shortly after the hour, Kike's fierce shot was blocked by Burkina keeper Moussa Germain Sanou. Kike, arguably Equatorial Guinea's best player on the day, was substituted eight minutes from time.

Burkina Faso and hosts Equatorial Guinea played out goalless draw . Burkina twice hit the frame of the goal as the hosts clung on for a point . Burkina have just one point from their opening two group games . The hosts have drawn both of their first two games at AFCON .

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Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistani lawmakers on Monday passed a resolution supporting the country's democratic system, a vote that came after weeks of public speculation and political intrigue about the possibility of a coup in the volatile nation. The vote came the same day Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to face a contempt of court hearing this week, a notice related to the government's failure to reopen thousands of corruption cases against politicians and bureaucrats, including President Asif Ali Zardari. The resolution that was voted on Monday by the National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, was put forward Friday by the Awami National Party. That party is part of the governing coalition led by Gilani's Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). "The army and the judiciary, they both have to protect democracy in Pakistan," Gilani said in a speech Monday night, after the vote. "They can't remove democracy. They can't pack up the system." The resolution calls for support for the democratic system in general -- something a majority of lawmakers are unlikely to vote against -- without naming any political parties or individuals, suggesting that it was designed to bolster the government while avoiding the risk of hurting the prime minister or the PPP. "This house endorses and supports the efforts made by the political leadership for strengthening democracy and reposes full confidence and trust in them," part of the resolution reads. Two days earlier, the embattled Pakistani president, Zardari, met with Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani -- a sign, some say, that shows tensions between Pakistan's civilian and military leadership are cooling down. Zardari and Kayani met to discuss the "current security situation," presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said. A second meeting between civilian and military leadership took place afterward, as Gilani convened the Cabinet's defense committee. The meetings came a day after Pakistani and British official denied a report that Gilani had contacted the British High Commission to express fears that a military coup was imminent in his country. Officials from both countries said such a call never took place. Saturday's meeting signaled an easing of tensions between the military and the president, said retired Brig. Mehmoud Shah. "It's a good beginning to soothe the tension that's gripping the country," said Shah, a military analyst. "It shows the two sides are prepared to talk and want the democratic system to move forward." During the prime minister's meeting with leaders, he stressed that Pakistan's sovereignty is non-negotiable, according to a news release. "We would reject any approach that would tend to compromise our sovereignty, honor and national dignity," Gilani said. "Our contribution and steadfast commitment to stability and peace at home and in our region is unquestionable and second to none. " For Pakistan, there is a need for national unity, especially between the military and the civilian government, he said. "Together in complete harmony with each other and other vital institutions we can change the country's destiny and accord, its rightful place in the comity of nations," he said. Military officials did not immediately comment on the meetings and their outcomes. The military and the government have been locked in an uneasy standoff after allegations of a secret effort by the government last year to ward off a possible military coup by curbing the army's power with Washington's help. That compounded tensions created by the U.S. killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil in May, which deeply embarrassed the military, and NATO airstrikes in November that killed two dozen Pakistani soldier near the Afghan border, putting further pressure on relations with Washington. A Supreme Court panel also held a hearing Monday to investigate an unsigned memo sent to the Pentagon that allegedly called for Washington to help avert a military coup and curb the military's powers. The memo enraged military leaders who are cooperating with the Supreme Court. The court is investigating to determine whether Zardari was aware of the memo. The government has denied involvement, but the Supreme Court's eventual findings could threaten Zardari and his government. The president also faces pressure from the Supreme Court on another front. The court is pushing the government to pursue old corruption charges against thousands of politicians and bureaucrats, including Zardari. The politicians were granted amnesty by a decree issued by then President Pervez Musharraf in 2007. In 2009, the Supreme Court ruled the decree was unconstitutional, but the government has yet to pursue and reopen the cases. The Supreme Court is running out patience and last week threatened to censure the government if it did not taking action -- including the possibility of disqualifying Gilani.

NEW: Lawmakers pass a resolution supporting "democracy" and the Parliament . NEW: Pakistan's prime minister says the courts and military also must "protect democracy" The developments come after military and civilian leaders met over the weekend .

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A rap concert in Sydney was soured after a violent brawl broke out that saw several people assaulted. Riot squads were called to the Enmore Theatre in Sydney on Monday night to control thousands of fans who had got out of control while waiting in line for the sold-out concert of US rappers YG and Ty Dolla $ign . Several arrests were made, with police charging one 24-year-old man with indecently assaulting a person under the age of 16. Police stand outside the Enmore Theatre in Sydney, where riot squads were called on Monday to control thousands of fans who had got out of control while waiting in line for the sold-out concert . Several arrests were made, with police charging one 24-year-old man with indecently assaulting a person under the age of 16 . Police allege Mohamed Hamdin, 24, groped a 15-year-old girl before the concert at the Enmore Theatre. He was arrested and taken to Newtown Police Station. He was granted bail on strict conditions, including that he not leave his home at night without being accompanied by at least one of his parents. Hamdin must also report daily to police. His matter will return to court next month. A NSW police spokesperson confirmed the girl approached officers shortly after they arrived to the scene at 7pm. The spokesperson said are no other charges reported, but police are continuing their inquiries into the night. Paramedics attend the scene where several people sustained injuries after a brawl broke out during the concert on Monday . Californian rappers YG (left) and Ty Dolla $ign (right) have a reputation for violence at their concerts and alleged gang affiliations . Heavily-armed riot police dispersed about 2500 fans after the concert had finished. Images on social media show a heavy police presence speaking to revellers out the front of the concert. The Californian rapper YG has been are gaining popularity in America along with a reputation for violence at their concerts and alleged gang affiliations. In 2013, YG’s single ‘My N****’ peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard hottest 100. In 2012, YG had a music video shoot for his song ‘I’m A Thug’ shut down by police after reports of shots were fired. A crowd at the 400 block of W. Spruce St in Compton was cleared from the scene after police closed off the area. He also had members of the Crips gang arrive at his concert and start a brawl in November 2011. YG is allegedly a member of rival group the Bloods.

Riot squads were called to the Enmore Theatre in Sydney on Monday night . US rapper YG has alleged gang affiliations and a history of violent concerts . 24-year-old man was charged with indecently assaulting a 15-year-old girl . Police dispersed about 2500 fans after the concert had finished . Several arrests were made and police are continuing their investigations .

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A transgender women who allegedly performed illegal cosmetic surgery on women's buttocks will likely remain in jail until her trial - as a judge set her bond at more than $40,000 on Friday. Oneal Ron Morris, 33, is accused of leaving women ill and disfigured after injecting them with a mixture of toxic substances, including super glue, Fix-A-Flat and cement, at homes across Florida. In addition to multiple counts of practicing medicine without a license with serious bodily injury, she is also facing a manslaughter charge after one of her 'patients' died following surgery. The victim, Shatarka Nuby, passed away from acute and chronic respiratory failure reportedly caused by the silicone used in the procedure while serving time in a Tallahassee prison in 2012. Scroll down for video . Hearing: Oneal Ron Morris (pictured, center, in court on Friday) is accused of leaving women ill and disfigured after injecting them with a mixture of toxic substances, including super glue and Fix-A-Flat, at Florida homes . Imprisoned: The 33-year-old will likely remain in jail until her trial - as a judge set her bond at more than $40,000 during Friday's hearing. Above, Morris, who earned herself the nickname 'toxic tush doctor', is seen in court . Transgender: In addition to multiple counts of practicing medicine without a license with serious bodily injury, Morris (pictured) is also facing a manslaughter charge after one of her 'patients' died following surgery . On Friday morning, Morris appeared in court for her bond hearing, donning prison overalls and with her previously long hair cut short. She appealed for a low bond, claiming she was not a flight risk. However, Broward Circuit Judge Michael Rothschild refused her request and instead, set her bond at $40,000, an amount Morris had indicated she would not be able to pay, CBS Miami reported. This means she will likely remain in Broward Main Jail until her trial, for which an exact date is yet to be finalized. She could face up to 100 years in prison if she is convicted of manslaughter. It comes more than a year after Morris, known as 'The Duchess', finished serving a prison stint for a previous conviction in Miami-Dade for one count of practicing health care without a licence. She was sentenced to 336 days after pleading guilty to the charge as part of a plea deal. She began serving time on January 7, 2014, with the seven charges she is currently facing hanging over her. Mugshot: Morris's bond means she will likely remain in Broward Main Jail until her trial. She could face up to 100 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter . In November 2014, the convict was extradited to the jail at which she is currently being held. Morris, who was born a man but identifies as a woman, was first arrested by police on November 18, 2011, after a 'patient' came forward claiming she had entered a toxic concoction into her backside. She was freed but later rearrested after a second person told police they had been illegally treated by Morris and her associate, Corey Eubank, Miami Gardens Police said. Eubank, who pleaded guilty culpable negligence for his role in the surgery, was handed one year's probation at the time. The accusations against Morris escalated following Nuby's death, with an assistant medical examiner determining that she died of 'massive systemic silicone migration' as a result of cosmetic injections. Shockingly, the injections, allegedly given to the victim by Morris - who earned herself the nickname ‘toxic tush doctor’ - in South Florida in 2007, were reportedly sealed with cotton balls and super glue. They were among around 10 illegal treatments - costing $2,000 - that Nuby underwent between 2007 and 2011 to enhance her buttocks, hips, thighs and breasts, it is claimed. During a police investigation into Morris's alleged illegal surgeries, more than 30 people from across the US reportedly came forward with claims they were scammed by the bogus doctor. Shaquanda Brown, of North Miami, told the Miami Herald she had to be hospitalized for more than a month after receiving the injections. Even after her release, she continued to suffer from sickness. She said she recalled seeing a tube of super glue, a black hose and a syringe but she said Morris instructed her not to look so she continued to lay face down. She also said she remembered seeing Morris squeezing super glue onto gauze and placing the tape on the site of each injection, but the procedure quickly stopped because it was so painful. Toxic: Morris, who was first arrested in  2011, after a 'patient' came forward claiming she had entered a toxic concoction into her backside, allegedly used cement (left) and Fix-A-Flat (right) in her illegal surgeries . Angry: In 2005, 'patient' Rajee Narinesingh (pictured) accused Morris of making her 'into a monster' after she received several procedures from the 'doctor', including surgeries for fuller lips, cheeks and chin . According to the Herald, Ms Brown was later admitted to a Tampa hospital, where underwent a series of surgeries to treat multiple abscesses. She also apparently contracted a staph infection. Brown's claims came after another 'patient', Rajee Narinesingh, accused Morris of making her 'into a monster' after she received several procedures from the 'doctor' in 2005. Ms Narinesingh, a transgendered woman, wanted fuller lips, cheeks and chin, but could not afford an operation by a licensed plastic surgeon, using medical silicone. She said she had heard about the 'fake doctor' by word of mouth through the transgender community, the Sun Sentinel reported. Botched: Ms Narinesingh claims her face (left and right) has been left misshapen by the illegal treatment . After being injected with a cocktail of toxins she allegedly left with lumpen shapes in her cheeks, a misshapen chin and a swollen upper lip. She later paid a real surgeon to repair the botched job. Meanwhile, another woman, Valentina Lopez, from Hallandale Beach, told police that substances injected into her buttocks by Morris during illegal procedures had made her ill. She said the injections resulted in knots, which required a staggering seven surgeries to fix. Morris's next court appearance is expected to be in July.

Oneal Ron Morris, 33, 'left women ill and disfigured after illegal surgery' She allegedly injected 'patients' with super glue, tire sealant and cement . She is facing seven charges, including manslaughter after woman died . On Friday, Morris's bond was set at more than $40,000 by circuit judge . Means convicted bogus doctor is likely to remain in jail until July trial .

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A deliberate landslip at a beach in Devon has turned the sea red after tonnes of earth and stone fell into the water. Specialist fire crews helped set off a controlled landslide above the Dawlish to Teignmouth rail track where workmen are battling to reopen the line. The operation has been planned by Network Rail since the storm of February 14 and they have assured the public in the area that there will be no dramatic shift of land. They are working in conjunction with the army who have also been called in to help remove 20,000 to 30,000 tonnes of rock face. The landslip was triggered by pouring water on to the soil and rock above the main railway line so the loose material was brought down and swept into the sea. Once the area is made safe the line is expected to re-open on April 4. Red sea: A deliberate landslip at a beach in Devon has turned the sea red after several tonnes of earth and stone slid into the sea . Operation: The operation has been planned by Network Rail since the storm of February 14 and they say that there will be no dramatic shift of land . Repair: Specialist fire crews helped set off a controlled landslide . above the Dawlish to Teignmouth rail track where workmen are battling to . reopen the line . The landslip was triggered by pouring water on to the soil and rock above the main railway line so the loose material was brought down and swept into the sea . Re-opened: Once the area is made safe the line is expected to re-open on April 4 .

Specialist fire crews helped set off a . controlled landslide above the Dawlish to Teignmouth rail track this week . Operation has been planned by . Network Rail since the storm of February 14 and line is expected to re-open on April 4 .

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New Year axe murder victim Tanis Bhandari was killed after a trivial argument over a cigarette, it was claimed yesterday. The 27-year-old plasterer was described as a ‘peaceful’ former member of the Royal Navy who doted on his younger siblings. More than 100 of his friends and family gathered yesterday outside the village pub where he died in a horrific axe attack an hour into the new year. Scroll down for video . Tanis Bhandari, 27, was killed in an axe and knife attack outside a quiet village pub on New Year's Eve . A spokesman for the pub said it was saddened by the unprovoked attack on a group of 'lovely' people. Above, mourners gather outside the Kings Arms . Dozens of bunches of flowers were left on the tiny green by the Kings Arms in sleepy Tamerton Foliot on the edge of Plymouth, Devon. Many mourners – including a woman believed to be the victim’s mother, Andrea Sharpe – wore shirts bearing the logo of his favourite football club, Liverpool. Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder, though neither has been charged. It was today claimed the attack came about when one of the suspects asked a female friend of Mr Bhandari's for a cigarette. When she said no, Mr Bhandari, a builder, stood in front of her to protect her from harm, a source told MailOnline. It was then he was attacked with a knife and axe-like weapon, the source added. Devon and Cornwall Police would not confirm the altercation had begun over a cigarette, but said Mr Bhandari was the victim of an unprovoked attack. 'The evidence gathered so far points to this being an indiscriminate attack on a group of innocent young men, resulting in a tragic outcome,' Detective Superintendent Jim Colwell, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said today. 'I understand and appreciate how this attack has come as a shock to many, especially the residents of Tamerton Foliot. 'I would like to reassure you that we are doing everything we can and want to highlight that we currently have two suspects in custody. 'Interviews with them are continuing and at this stage, it is my belief that no other suspects remain at large.' 'I understand and appreciate how this attack has come as a shock to many, especially the residents of Tamerton Foliot. 'I would like to reassure you that we are doing everything we can and want to highlight that we currently have two suspects in custody. 'Interviews with them are continuing and at this stage, it is my belief that no other suspects remain at large.' An axe was later recovered by detectives, with residents asked to check their gardens and bins for a missing knife as police continued to search for clues. Mourners visited the site where Mr Bhandari and his friends were attacked to lay flowers today . Friends hung Liverpool FC scarves around a tree near the pub. Mr Bhandari was a keen supporter of the club . Mourners gathered outside the green where the group of men were attacked today to pay their respects . Mourners console one another as they lay flowers outside the Kings Arms in Tamerton Foilot . Two men, aged 20 and 21, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody . Devon and Cornwall Police this afternoon sought an extension from Magistrates to continue questioning the pair. Friends have today paid tribute to Mr Bhandari who they described as 'kind' and 'an amazing friend'. More than 100 people gathered at around 10.30am yesterday to lay flowers outside the pub in the historic village, which is popular with walkers. Liverpool football tops and scarves were tied to trees nearby. Friends and colleagues paid tribute to Mr Bhandari on Twitter and Facebook. Andy Nicholls wrote: ‘Gutted to hear that the victim of the unprovoked NYE attack in Plymouth was a former Navy shipmate. RIP Tanis “Bandi” Bhandari. Sleep well.’ Bouncer Andy Dymond-Park said he was working in the pub and saw the attack happen. He wrote on Facebook: ‘Horrendous events to witness last night and absolutely terrifying. My heart goes out to the victims and their friends and family at this sad start to the new year after what was such a good night. Bit shaken up by it all but I’m fine, feel terrible for everyone involved. It has just hit hard. Could have been anyone involved.’ A spokesman for the Kings Arms, where the 27-year-old had been celebrating with friends on New Year's Eve before his death, said the men were 'lovely' people. 'On New Year’s Eve a terrible attack was made on a lovely group of people on the way home from a great night in our pub. 'It was an unprovoked violent attack with a tragic consequences. That I feel devastated is an absolute understatement. 'I wish all the families of those involved my deepest deepest sympathy, not that this will help them in any way now but, I wish I could turn back the clock so that these events would not occur.' Mourners today paid tribute to the man described as 'kind' and 'peaceful'. One friend, who declined to be named, said: 'He was very peaceful and a very relaxed guy. 'I would say hello to him every morning when I saw him. He would often care for his younger twin siblings.' Others shared their grief on Facebook. 'Can’t believe it, I grew up in the same village as Tanis, he’s always been a kind lad, you will truly be missed bud, my thoughts are with his family and may whoever done this get what he deserves,' said Lee Ryder while Colleen Finn added: 'We've lost our jester, I feel ripped to pieces.' Police have appealed for anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Devon and Cornwall Police continue investigating the scene following the arrest of two men, aged 20 and 21 . Forensics teams sweep leaves and rocks near to where the man and his friends were attacked . Police are still appealing for information about the attack which took place in the early hours of Thursday morning . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

Tanis Bhandari died after being attacked on New Year's Eve with an axe . The 27-year-old was part of a group of 'innocent' people targeted in Devon . A woman in their group was reportedly asked for a cigarette by attacker . Mr Bhandari is said to have stood in front of her to shield her from harm . He was then hacked with an axe, residents in the village have claimed . One man remains in hospital and is thought to be in serious condition . Two men, aged 20 and 21, have been arrested on suspicion of murder . Devon and Cornwall Police to continue questioning the suspects .

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(CNN) -- Ruslan Tsarni angrily condemned the alleged actions of his two nephews -- the two brothers suspected in the Boston Marathon bombings -- and after calling the bombers "losers," the uncle urged the surviving nephew to turn himself in immediately. "If you're alive, turn yourself in and ask for forgiveness from the victims," Tsarni said in front of reporters in a news conference outside his Montgomery County, Maryland, home. Hours later, Dzhokar Tsarnaev, 19, was captured in Watertown, Massachusetts. His brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, died after an overnight shootout with police. The brothers come from an ethnic Chechen Muslim family, and Tsarni said the two nephews brought shame to his brother's family. The nephews are sons of Tsarni's brother, and Tsarni last saw his nephews in December 2005. "You put a shame on our entire family -- the Tsarnaev family -- and you put a shame on the entire Chechen ethnicity," Tsarni said. When asked what provoked the bombing suspects, the uncle stated: "Being losers, hatred to those who were able to settle themselves -- these are the only reasons I can imagine. "Anything else, anything else to do with religion, with Islam, is a fraud, is a fake," Tsarni said. "Somebody radicalized them, but it's not my brother who just moved back to Russia, who spent his life bringing bread to their table, fixing cars. He didn't have time or chance or anything, options. He's been working," Tsarni said, referring to the men's father. Tsarni says he teaches his own children to love the United States because it gives a chance to everyone "to be treated as a human being." He spoke to reporters because he wanted to express condolences to the Boston Marathon bombing victims and their families, he said. Two blasts Monday killed three people and injured more than 100 gathered at the home stretch and finish line. "We share with them their grief," Tsarni said. "I'm ready just to meet with them. I'm ready just to bend in front of them, to kneel in front of them seeking their forgiveness." CNN's Jaclyn Wang contributed to this report.

NEW: After one nephew is killed, the other is captured Friday night . Islam had nothing to do with nephews' alleged actions, uncle says . "Somebody radicalized them, but it's not my brother," he adds, referring to the men's father .

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Real Madrid will have to part with at least £74million to sign Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, the France international's agent Mino Raiola is quoted as saying in Marca. The 21-year-old Pogba is one of the most coveted talents in Europe and has been pivotal as his Juve team have built a 10 point lead over Roma at the top of Serie A. But reports of Madrid's interest will not cease and thanks to Raiola, it seems they now know how much it will cost to get a deal over the line. Marca report that for Real Madrid to sign Paul Pogba, they will need to pay 100 million euros (£74million) AS report Madrid want Jose Gaya (left) as Mundo Deportivo lead with Barcelona remembering Tito Vilanova . 'If Madrid want him, they can call me,' Raiola is quoted as saying. 'He's worth more than €100 million (£74million), but the price will be set by the club that buys him. I'm in contact with all of them, except Real Madrid. 'For me, he is the flagship of a new generation, the star, the leader. Today, there is nobody like Pogba. Including Barça, there are only seven clubs that can afford him.' And if Madrid fend off the interest of the world's biggest clubs for Pogba's signature this summer, it appears their spending will not stop there. AS report that Madrid will also meet the release clause of Valencia's left-back Jose Gaya, which stands at £13.5million. Elsewhere in Spain, Mundo Deportivo lead with Barcelona renaming their first-team training pitch after their late coach and manager, Tito Vilanova. In Italy, Parma are descending into further chaos as a financial meltdown has seen their game against Udinese on Sunday called off. Corriere dello Sport lead with Parma's woes (left) as La Gazzetta dello Sport reports on Juventus winning . Corriere dello Sport say that Parma's entire season is at risk, as from now on, if they don't play, their opponents will be gifted a 3-0 victory. The paper adds that despite promises from owner Giampietri Manento, money has dried up at the club and there is a 'hole' worth £74million. Meanwhile, La Gazzetta dello Sport leads with Juventus' 2-1 victory over Atalanta, which was sealed with a goal from talisman Andrea Pirlo in the final minute of the first half.

Mino Raiola, Paul Pogba's agent, has told Marca he will cost £74million . Real Madrid have been repeatedly linked with the Juventus midfielder . Parma's financial woes have worsened and their game with Udinese is off .

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(CNN) -- Cyprus, the tiny Mediterranean island bailed out a year ago, remains "in difficulty...but not as bad as one would have expected," its finance minister Harris Georgiades told CNN during an interview in the capital city Nicosia. The country, which was given a 10 billion euro ($13.7 billion) injection by the European Union and IMF ago after its banking system collapsed, was the smallest of the euro economies to get help during the bloc's financial crisis. Unlike the Greek economy which has seen more than a quarter of its GDP wiped out during the past five years, the finance minister said that Cyprus will lose about half that. The European Commission is now forecasting growth in 2015 after a steep contraction of 4.8% this year and 6% percent last year. According to Georgiades, the situation is "bad and I have never tried to paint a rosy picture." The country has been "dealing with shortcomings and there were significant shortcomings, we have to admit." Cypriot banks were big buyers of Greek bonds during the pre-crisis boom, before the 2004 Athens Olympics and until the bottom fell out of economy in 2008. Cyprus, crippled by losses on Greek debt, set a precedent in the euro crisis by imposing losses on bank depositors. It was a move which infuriated savers, worried investors and pushed the euro crisis back into the headlines. But Georgiades said the country's main mistake was letting the crisis escalate. "We should have seen action both on behalf of the Cypriot authorities and the EU two years ago," he said. One of the key challenges during the rebuilding effort is dealing with an estimated $40 billion of non-performing loans which are holding back fresh lending. When asked if a "bad bank" could be set up to absorb those loans, Georgiades said the banking sector and supervisory authorities "need to work in a coordinated effort to deal with this problem," but added, "I would say that all the possibilities should be left on the table." Meanwhile, Cyprus' relationship with Russia is under pressure as the West increases economic pressure on Vladimir Putin's government and his allies. Relations with the West fractured after Russia's military intervention in Crimea and its amassing of troops on Ukraine's border. Russians are strategic investors in Cyprus, and wealthy individuals have long been drawn to the island and its low tax rates. A total of $30 billion has been invested by Russian companies over the past two decades, according to the Russian statistical agency ROSSTAT, putting Cyprus just behind the Netherlands as the top EU recipients. Georgiades said Cyprus -- along with its EU partners -- was supporting a "clear coherent common stance" and was not pushing toward a "new cold war." The country's stance is based on principles of "sovereign and human rights," Georgiades said. "We believe these principles are best served with well thought cool headed action and reaction and not a rushed move into a cold war mentality," he added. READ MORE: U.S. investors and the Cyprus mess . WATCH MORE: Could Cyprus be the next luxury yacht marina?

Cyprus is starting to rebuild after its banking collapse a year ago, and 10 billion euro bailout . The island nation's finance minister Harris Georgiades says the situation "is bad" As the country tries to recover, it is also dealing with its relationship with Russia . Russia, now being ostracized by the West, is a significant investors in Cyprus .

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For an hour or so, Diego Costa had the look of a striker who might have been nursing a hamstring problem; one which was preying on his mind, eating away at confidence and preventing him from turning his dial to full power. Then he crashed a header past Villa keeper Brad Guzan to score Chelsea’s second goal — his eighth in seven games this season — created the third for Willian and, with Chelsea’s opponents beaten, left the field to another standing ovation. Jose Mourinho’s team continue to forge ahead at the top of the Premier League. They have won from the front before and are shaping up as if in the mood to do it again. Yet the lingering concerns over Costa’s fitness will stop anyone getting carried away in west London. Chelsea striker burst into life with a crashing header on the hour and was the catalyst for another in his side's comfortable victory at Stamford Bridge . CHELSEA 4-2-3-1: Courtois 6.5; Ivanovic 7, Cahill 5.5, Terry 6, Azpilicueta 6; Fabregas 7, Matic 7; Willian 7.5, Oscar 7 (Mikel 77), Hazard 6 (Schurrle 68, 6); Costa 7 (Remy 81). Subs not used: Cech, Luis, Zouma, Drogba, Remy. Bookings: Cahill, Fabregas. Manager: Jose Mourinho 7. ASTON VILLA 4-5-1: Guzan 6.5; Hutton 6, Senderos 6, Baker 6, Cissokho 6; Richardson 6 (Bent 69, 5), Cleverley 6.5, Westwood 6.5, Delph 7, Weimann 5 (N’Zogbia 69, 5); Agbolahor 7. Subs not used: Given, Clark, Bacuna, Sanchez, Grealish. Bookings: Cleverley, Senderos . Manager: Paul Lambert 6 . Without him, they lose their cold spearhead. While he is fit and tormenting centre-halves they seem well-armed to charge clear. Loic Remy replaced Costa for the last 10 minutes, as Mourinho turned his thoughts to Tuesday’s game against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League and wondered whether he can risk him from the start in Portugal. Mourinho’s team remain unbeaten this season. They have dropped only two points from six games. After Sporting, they play Arsenal at home and Mourinho knows his striker must be handled with extreme care. ‘He is doing almost nothing [between games],’ said Mourinho. ‘He’s just resting and recovering from the tight muscle he has every time he accumulates fatigue. I hope he goes home after this game and sleeps until tomorrow morning. ‘He cannot be at the top of his game but even so, scoring a goal is good for his confidence.’ ‘If he doesn’t go to the national team, and stays here for 15 days of treatment, he has the perfect chance to be top for Chelsea and top for national team. We can’t do anything. I can’t speak to the Spain manager.’ If there was any cause for complaint yesterday, it might have been that the manager would have liked the points to be secure sooner, especially as it had started so well, when Oscar fired in a seventh-minute opener, a goal owing everything to the persistence of Willian. Branislav Ivanovic slid a pass to the latter, who forced Guzan into a save but the rebound spilled kindly to Willian, who spotted Oscar unmarked. From seven yards, Oscar swept in his first Premier League goal of the season. Willian went close soon after but the visitors responded. Chelsea forward Oscar points someone out in the Stamford Bridge crowd after scoring the opener against Aston Villa . Oscar met the loose ball parried down by Villa keeper Brad Guzan to slot home and give the hosts an expected lead . Willian's strike wasn't handled by the American keeper (left) and Oscar was on hand to make no mistake . Brazilian Oscar shows his love for the home crowd as they erupt following his goal . Oscar is congratulated by his countryman Willian (right) and Diego Costa (left) after he found the back of the net . Spanish striker Costa (centre) shows his strength under pressure from Villa's Alan Hutton (right) and Philippe Senderos (left) Celebrity Chelsea fans David Walliams (left) and Hollywood actor Samuel L Jackson takes in the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge . Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor shoots to no avail against Chelsea . Aly Cissokho almost turned a shot on target when Chelsea failed to clear a corner and Gary Cahill was booked for tripping Gabriel Agbonlahor after being turned and left on the turf by the Villa striker. It was the home team, however, who dominated both in terms of possession and unconverted chances, defied as they were by wasteful finishing, solid defending and good goalkeeping. For almost an hour Costa had lacked some of his usual menace. Twice, either side of half time, he was found in front of goal and twice Guzan saved without fuss. The sequence ended in the 59th minute. Cesar Azpilicueta delivered the cross from the left, clipped towards the near post for Costa, who climbed above Nathan Baker and this time beat Guzan for power. This was the goal to sink Villa. They had set up to play on the counter-attack and there was plenty to admire about their spirit and energy. Fabian Delph impressed in an English midfield trio with Ashley Westwood and Tom Cleverley and almost equalised in the second half with a shot from distance. ‘If you told me we would take three points from Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, I would probably have taken it,’ said Villa manager Paul Lambert. ‘It’s tough and we’re up against Manchester City next. ’ Despite the quality of the opposition, it is back-to-back 3-0 defeats for Villa and their 1-0 win at Anfield on September 13 loses its gloss with each subsequent game Liverpool fail to win. Villa are still without captain Ron Vlaar and striker Christian Benteke and a positive start to the campaign has taken a turn for the worse since the club was struck by a virus last week. And yesterday Lambert was left to reflect on chances not taken when they trailed 1-0; Baker headed a good one over from a free-kick and Lambert said: ‘When you get a chance you have to score. It’s hard to come here at the best of times. Chelsea will be close to winning the title and the Champions League.’ By the end, however, Villa had managed only one shot on target and Thibaut Courtois celebrated his second clean sheet of the season. Chelsea pressed on after the second goal. Cissokho recovered well to clear off his own line from Oscar but Willian then grabbed the goal his performance deserved by scoring from Costa’s rebound. This was enough for Mourinho. With a three-goal lead, off came Costa to be wrapped in cotton wool. Like our MailOnline Sport Facebook page. Costa rises above Villa's Nathan Baker to head home Chelsea's second goal . A flying Guzan (right) is helpless as Costa's header crashes into the net for 2-0 . Costa needs no second invitation to finish from close range . Willian jumps on Costa's back as Chelsea celebrate their second goal . Willian was outstanding throughout, wreaking havoc on the Aston Villa defence . Brazil star Willian was rewarded for his good work with a 79th minute tap-in for 3-0 . Willian buries his simple chance in the back on Guzan's net . The midfielder had every reason to smile after a productive day out at Stamford Bridge .

Oscar scored in the seventh minute for Chelsea after Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan's parry . Diego Costa doubled the lead on the hour mark heading home from eight yards . Willian put the result beyond doubt with the third from a tap in after 79 minutes . Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was in charge of his 250th match with Chelsea . Oscar's goal was the first conceded by Villa away from home this season .

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Christmas shoppers have been flocking to their computers today for Mega Monday bargains as early figures show some stores have seen a 50 per cent increase in trade. John Lewis said that as of 11am today it was receiving two orders a second online and its total sales was up 55 per cent on the same day last year. Among the most popular items were tablets, micro scooters and cashmere as shoppers searched for the best deals in time for Christmas. Marks and Spencer broke its record at lunchtime today for the number of orders received per minute. Many stores have slashed prices on presents by half and shoppers are expected to spend an astonishing £10,000 a second online. Web stores are anticipating 115million visits today – up by more than a third on last year – and for shoppers to spend as much as £465million. The figures will make today the busiest web shopping day of all time. Feeling the love: John Lewis' Christmas campaign was recently voted the best of the year and saw a 55 per cent increase in sales this morning compared to the same day last year . Hot presents: Amazon's Kindle Fire HD is expected to be a big seller tomorrow, as is the Furby toy . Marks and Spencer said it received three times as much traffic to its website today than yesterday. The most popular items were a reduced price Shawl Collar Cosy dressing gown, Festive Cheer Christmas hamper and a Per Una faux fur coat that was reduced from £99 to £79.20. Dom McBrien, Multi-channel Trading Director at M&S, said  'During the lunch hour window we saw a record number of orders per minute and a threefold increase in traffic compared to yesterday. Customers have been stocking up on Christmas gifts, with hampers and dressing gowns amongst the best selling items.” Asda Direct also announced this afternoon that its website has seen 20 per cent more traffic today than last year's Mega Monday. It is the fifth week running the supermarket chain has recorded its highest ever visitor numbers to the site. A spokesperson said an Acer laptop, HTC Salsa mobile phone and 40 inch Polaroid television have been the most popular items and they expect to sell 20 per cent more units today than last week. The managing director of Amazon said today could be the busiest day in the website's history. However, official figures have not yet been released. Christopher North said: 'As people increasingly shop on mobile devices and benefit from fast broadband at home, we're seeing a move towards customers buying their Christmas gifts later in the evening when they are at home relaxing.' Royal Mail said it is prepared for a significant rise in parcel deliveries and said its research shows more people will buy festive gifts online than ever before. Nick Landon said: 'Online shopping is now such a key part of the Christmas shopping experience. 'Royal Mail is prepared for this rise in parcels, by opening our eight dedicated parcel sort centres, which will assist our network during our busiest time of the year.' Experts expect gift hunters to hit the internet in their millions between 9am and 9pm as the Christmas rush bursts into life. They believe the total value of online shopping in December will top £5billion. Hourly spending is expected to exceed . last year’s, with purchases hitting their busiest patch during the lunch . hour and at 9pm when the day’s chores are done. Credit card firm Visa said it expected . its customers would make 6.8million transactions today, up 21 per cent . on the equivalent day last year. Tablet computers, such as the iPad Mini and Kindle Fire HD, are among the most searched-for items by web shoppers. Classic presents such as Barbie and . Scalextric remain strong, while Lego is the most searched for toy so far . of 2012, especially Lego Star Wars. Analysts at consumer information giant . Experian suggest the number of visits to virtual stores will be up by . 36 per cent on last year. Experts also expect the figures to include a . ten-fold increase in mobile shopping – on iPhones and other devices – . today. At the same time, internet gift purchases are predicted to rise some 15 . per cent to a new high, despite the pressure of the cost of living . squeeze. As a result, Royal Mail and other courier companies will be delivering . around four million purchases a day between now and Christmas Eve. The rise of the web will be at the expense of the high street as . traditional bricks and mortar outlets continue to struggle to attract . customers. All the major online specialists, such as Amazon, eBay, . Play.com and Pixmania, will be running sale events to tempt shoppers. Amazon sold more than 3million items and took 35 orders per second on the same Monday last year. However, it will also be a big day for names such as John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and all the big supermarkets, which are seeing online sales as their fastest growing sectors. M&S has recruited an additional 800 employees at its distribution centres and doubled the number of employees working in its e-commerce call centre. David Walmsley, multi-channel development director at M&S, said: ‘For months, we’ve been planning behind the scenes to make sure we’re fully prepared to manage the huge uplift in orders we’re expecting. ‘Christmas can be a hectic time for our customers so we’ve brought in extra support in our warehouses, customer services and in stores.’ Some firms have, however, already seen a . startling rise in sales. John Lewis this weekend reported a record week . for its online sales, soaring to £37.9million. James Murray, digital insight manager at Experian, said Christmas 2012 . was on track to be another ‘record-breaker for online retail, . out-stripping 2011 on all fronts’. He added: ‘The current market trends suggest that in the UK, Monday . December 3 will be the biggest pre-Christmas day for online retail, with . an estimated 115million visits to online retail outlets and a massive . 15million hours spent online shopping on this day alone.’ Experian also expects the next two Mondays to post significantly higher sales than the equivalent dates last year. British consumers will spend 375million hours shopping online in . December, 32million more hours than last year, Experian says.Last year . was a record-breaking year in terms of online retail. Shoppers made . 2.18billion visits to retail websites and spent 343million hours . shopping online. And on the same Monday last year . 84.6million visits were made to online sites, with Amazon and eBay . responsible for 28 per cent of all retail visits. Britain’s leading parcel and carrier manager Global Freight Solutions . estimates that December will see four million items being delivered to . homes and businesses every day. And ahead of the spending splurge the Royal Mail has opened eight . dedicated sorting centres to deal with the ‘significant’ increase in . volume of parcels. The official customer body, Consumer Focus, has warned shoppers who want . to make sure items arrive on time to order early to avoid any . disruption that may come with bad weather. Research by Which? found that 80 per cent of adults bought at least one . Christmas present online last year, however one in 12 of their gifts . failed to arrive on time.

M&S said it had a record number of orders per second during lunchtime today . John Lewis receiving two orders a second as of 11am today and Asda Direct reports 20 per cent rise in traffic . Shoppers could spend nearly half a billion pounds throughout the day . Shoppers expected to spend £10,000 a second online . Online shopping this month could top £5bn .

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(CNN) -- The man killed after he allegedly shot two women -- one fatally -- at a convenience store at Fort Bliss, Texas, was identified Tuesday as a retired Army sergeant. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said the motive for Monday's shootings is unclear. "It has been determined this was an isolated criminal incident and not terrorism-related," the agency said. It was not known whether the shooter had any relationship with either of his victims. He was identified as Steven Kropf, 63, of El Paso, Texas. "This is one disgruntled, deranged individual," said Maj. Gen. Dana Pittard, the post's commander. The two female victims were transported to Beaumont Army Medical Center, where one, Bettina Maria Goins, 44, of El Paso was pronounced dead. The unidentified wounded woman remained hospitalized with serious injuries. The gunman entered the busy Shopette Convenience Store on the post around 3 p.m. and shot the two civilian employees in a rear office. An Army guard shot Kropf, who had left the store and was in a vehicle in the store's parking lot, authorities said. Fort Bliss is located close to the Mexican border near El Paso, Texas, but straddles the Texas-New Mexico border. Most of the base is located in New Mexico, but the main headquarters is in Texas. President Barack Obama visited there last month to meet troops and mark the end of the official combat mission in Iraq. Agents Tuesday were interviewing witnesses and Army personnel. Although Fort Bliss is one of the safest Army installations, Pittard said, the post is "going to take a good look at our privately owned weapons policies." He indicated officers will conduct more random checks of motorists to see if they are bringing weapons.

NEW: General calls shooter "disgruntled, deranged" The suspected gunman at a convenience store was a retired Army sergeant . His motive and any relationship to the victims is not yet known . The gunman was killed by a guard after the shootings .

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HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- In the world of business -- where book titles like "Only the Paranoid Survive" thrive -- successful executives hope for the best but plan for the worst. Quarantined guests at Hong Kong's Metropark hotel wave to world press. But no amount of planning could have prevented the bad luck that befell the Metropark hotel group last week. The Metropark Hotel in Wanchai was shut down when a guest -- having recently arrived from his native Mexico -- fell ill with the city's first reported case of H1N1. City health officials, chastened by the experience of SARS, quickly quarantined the hotel and its nearly 300 guests and employees. The city is trying to avoid a repeat of what happened in 2003, when a doctor from nearby Guangzhou came to the Hong Kong to attend a wedding. During his one-night stay the doctor, who had been treating patients with an unusual respiratory ailment, fell ill himself. He infected at least 10 other guests, according to Hong Kong University research. Those guests then spread SARS to the rest of world. That hotel? The Metropark Hotel in Kowloon. Formerly known as the Metropole, that hotel was ground zero for the first reported case of SARS in Hong Kong. Both hotels are among four properties owned in the city by a subsidiary of China Travel International, which operates 50 hotels in China. With the world press corps parked outside taking photographs of bored, confined customers, the hotel chain is realistic about its potential impact on business. "Revenue loss and image damage is a concern," said Benny Ng, an operations manager for the chain. "When an incident like this happens, obviously, it will have a little impact on the business. "With this and the incident in 2003, (the situation) was not caused by the hotel, and has nothing to do with the hygiene or the facilities of the property," he said. "What we can do is try our best to make our guests, and the staff, comfortable to help them to overcome the quarantine and difficult times in forthcoming days." The markets seem to have shrugged off the flu scare -- shares of Hong Kong-listed China Travel International rose by nearly 6 percent in trading Monday. Still, what are the odds of the city's first reported outbreak of two separate new illnesses being found at the same small hotel chain? To calculate that, you would need to consider a variety of factors akin to the computation of lightning striking the same place twice. "It does seem like a bit of a freak occurrence," said Dr. Alan D Miller, an expert on economics and game theory at the University of Haifa. "But freak occurrences do happen."

Metropark Wanchai guest Hong Kong's first reported H1N1 case . First documented SARS case in 2003 was a guest at sister hotel in Kowloon . More than 300 guests and employees quarantined until Friday .

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By . James Nye . A plush, multi-million dollar Washington D.C. development is trying to attract new residents with a rather cute offer - a communal miniature English Bulldog, complete with her own Instagram account. Emmy the shared mutt will be at the disposal of all the future residents of the 2M building located at 2 M street NE, in Northeast D.C.’s rapidly gentrifying NoMa (North of Massachusetts Avenue) district. The six-month-old bulldog - named after the building's two M's - acts not only as a pet for all, but essentially a mascot in the capitals combative property market. Ready for walks and hugs: Emmy the miniature English bulldog will be available for all residents of the 2M building in Washington D.C. when it opens - here she is in her doghouse, which is designed to look like the final design of the building itself . Emmy lives in a doghouse, has her own Instagram account and will be there for residents who are too busy for their own dogs. She will be on offer to be taken for walks, or to their own apartments, very much in the manner of a library book or a DVD borrowed from Netflix. Emmy will even be available for belly rubs at the front desk. According to her own biography at the 2M website, Emmy is 'currently working towards my doggy degree that will earn me a spot at the concierge desk. Hello, my name is Emmy: The cute miniature English bulldog will be shared by all residents of the 2M building in Washington D.C's gentrifying NoMa district . Tough day: Emmy is preparing to be smothered with love by the residents of 2M . Any advantage: The 2M building in Washington D.C. is taking the unusual step of offering a shared dog to its new residents . 'When I’m on duty, I’ll be available to take walks with our residents in the dog park, fetch a few hugs, kisses and belly rubs, and host community yappy hours; it’s a ruff job, but some puppy’s got to do it!' Holli Beckman, who is a vice-president of the 2M building's owner, William C. Smith and Co. explained the logic behind the puppy for sharing option for residents of the apartments which will open to the market in the summer. 'I was sitting at a cafe one day, and we saw a puppy come in and everyone just stopped in their tracks and came alive,' said Beckman to The Washington Post. 'And it just dawned on me that everyone loves doggies and babies, right?' Pool and Capital views: The residents of 2M will also have access to a communal swimming pool as well as Emmy . Luxury living: Emmy the miniature English bulldog is sure to be treated well living inside the 2M building . But how will Emmy's time be split up? Spokesman WC Smith explains: . 'Emmy is primarily cared for by our property manager, Doug. Once 2M is open, she will spend most of the day lounging in the leasing office with our team, returning home with Doug in the evenings,' said Smith. 'Residents are encouraged to come and say hello, and they will certainly see her out in the private dog park, playing with her fellow dog residents. 'Those who cannot or do not have their own pets may be able to take her for a walks around the property.'

In the rush to attract new tenants to multi-million apartments, one developer is offering a communal puppy . Emmy the miniature English bulldog will be available to all residents of Washington D.C.'s 2M building .

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(CNN) -- Call it good timing, divine intervention or just dumb luck. What started out as a wee-hours traffic stop wound up catapulting a 30-year-old California real estate attorney and reserve sheriff's deputy into an unfamiliar -- and uncomfortable -- role: that of hero. It was Shervin Lalezary who put the cuffs on Harry Burkhart, a 24-year-old German national whom Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca called "perhaps ... the most dangerous arsonist in the county of Los Angeles that I can recall." Burkhart is suspected of setting a rash of car and building fires across the city. Following his arrest, no more suspicious fires were documented in Los Angeles, authorities said. Lalezary was working his $1-per-year job as a reserve deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department early January 2. Normally a part-time deputy, the Tehran, Iran, native had been working full time for four days as a spate of arson fires -- more than 50 in all -- had Angelenos on alert. "You just got the sense that everyone in the city was on edge, rightfully so, because of what was happening," Lalezary told reporters. He recalled "seeing residents flee from their homes and basically run for their lives." Armed with a description of a possible suspect and vehicle gleaned from a surveillance video released by police, Lalezary pulled over a van and shone a spotlight inside. The man he saw fit the description -- a white male adult with a short ponytail and a receding hairline. "That was very distinct information about a person," Lalezary said. The sighting "was a big key." At the same time, two Los Angeles police officers, seeing Lalezary put on his flashing lights to initiate the traffic stop, pulled in behind him. Questions remain about how much Lalezary knew about the man in the van when he pulled him over. The U.S. State Department said its agents recognized Burkhart on the surveillance video from a separate investigation and shared their knowledge with Los Angeles authorities. Lalezary and the sheriff's department have stayed mum on that aspect. Asked why he pulled the van over, Lalezary flashed a boyish grin and said only, "Information that we had on him ... on the vehicle he was driving. There was a good deal of information being circulated." But it was Lalezary who was thrust into the spotlight. Questioned by reporters hungry for more about him, he deftly deflected questions about himself and his personal life, choosing to praise the deputies at the sheriff's West Hollywood station. "As a reserve deputy, I've seen what they do, and I've sat next to them in the car shift after shift after shift, and I have tremendous respect for what they do," he said. "They take the reserve program extremely seriously, and they treat us as one of them when we're in the car." He declined to talk about any statements Burkhart may have made at the time, as well as his own emotional state. Lalezary responded politely to an e-mail request for an interview but referred questions to the sheriff's department. He signed the e-mail, "Warmly, Shervin." "He is very humble. He's a good kid," said sheriff's Capt. Phil Hansen, who heads the department's Reserve Forces Bureau. He said Lalezary's reticence to accept accolades and his insistence on sharing credit with other officers may be part of the culture -- especially among the reserves. "Part of being a reserve is striking that balance, because you're not full time," Hansen said. Lalezary attended both UCLA and the University of Southern California, Baca said. He received his law degree at USC, according to the State Bar of California, which lists his law office as being on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. He was admitted to the bar in 2008. "I've been interested in both law and law enforcement for several years, and I think each influences the other," he told reporters. After moving from Iran with his family, Lalezary grew up in Beverly Hills, said Steve Whitmore, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Lalezary credits his family and upbringing with his desire to give back to the community, Whitmore said. "He really does just want to provide community service to West Hollywood," Whitmore said. While reserve deputies are required to work a minimum of 20 hours a month, Whitmore said Lalezary "loves it so much, he's out once or twice a week in a patrol car." Lalezary's younger brother Shawn is also a reserve deputy and told reporters he now has "big shoes to fill." "I'll continue to strive to be as good of a brother and deputy as he is," Shawn Lalezary said. The incident has focused attention on reserve deputies, a program used nationwide to provide support for sheriff's departments. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has 844 reserve deputies in a variety of settings, including mounted patrols on horseback, search and rescue teams, dive teams and helicopter pilots, Hansen said. The reserve deputies undergo the same training as full-time deputies, except the classes are offered on nights and weekends rather than during the day, he said. And reserve deputies, with only a token salary, are subject to many of the same hazards as regular officers. A Facebook page, "In Memory of our Auxiliary Police Officers," provides a lengthy list of reserve and auxiliary officers who died in the line of duty nationwide. When patrolling, Hansen notes, "You never know what you're rolling up on." Reserve deputies provided 175,000 hours to the sheriff's department last year, Baca said. "That's a tremendous resource for our department," the sheriff said. "They're a huge part of what we do. These are people that really step forward and literally at times put their life on the line for a dollar a year." Requirements for being a Los Angeles County reserve deputy include being a U.S. citizen, passing a thorough background check, holding a high school diploma and being employed or a full-time student. They are much the same requirements as for regular police officers or sheriff's deputies, Hansen said. Lalezary became a Level 1 reserve deputy -- meaning he could patrol alone -- in December after completing the requisite 1,064 hours of training, Whitmore said. Burkhart's arrest came during Lalezary's fourth solo patrol shift. "I think the beautiful thing about our program is it mirrors the full-time program exactly," Lalezary told reporters. While the training is held at different times, "everything we do is the same." "When reserve deputies are out on patrol, the public doesn't know whether it's a reserve deputy or a full-time deputy," he said. "It makes no difference and rightfully so. The training doesn't make any difference either." In many instances, the reservists are unsung heroes because of their assistance in cases that aren't as high profile, Hansen said. The search and rescue teams, for instance, "do some fabulous work, and they rescue people on a regular basis," he said. "The public just knows it's the sheriff's department. ... They're involved in some very dangerous and technically demanding rescue work in the mountains." About a month ago, a reserve team helped local authorities recover the bodies of people who had died in a mining accident, he said. Lalezary is "very humble," Hansen said. "He knows ... that there's another 843 folks that are doing very similar work and doing great things. ... In terms of the danger or the dedication and work ethic and everything else, there's a lot of other people doing the same thing on a daily basis."

A reserve deputy arrests arson suspect in a series of Los Angeles fires . Shervin Lalezary shuns the spotlight . Los Angeles arrest focuses attention on reserve deputies . The reservists take on officers' training, risks for $1 a year .

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The Texas hospital where two nurses were infected treating Ebola-patient Thomas Eric Duncan has apologized for the first time in their mismanaged handling of the outbreak. But it may be too little too late for the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital's nursing staff, who are threatening to stage a walk off after inadequate guidelines left them exposed to the virus for two days. The Dallas hospital's Chief Clinical Officer Dr Daniel Varga admits they 'made mistakes' when Duncan first showed up at the hospital with Ebola symptoms. He was initially sent away with antibiotics, despite telling health care workers that he had recently arrived from Liberia - one of the three countries currently battling the largest outbreak of the disease in history. 'Unfortunately, in our initial treatment of Mr. Duncan, despite our best intentions and a highly skilled medical team, we made mistakes. We did not correctly diagnose his symptoms as those of Ebola. We are deeply sorry,' Dr Varga says in a statement to Congress, released Wednesday. Scroll down for videos . 'We are deeply sorry': Dr Daniel Varga, chief clinical officer at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, has apologized for the first time in their handling of Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan (pictured) Regrets: Dr Varga's apology comes in a letter written in Congress. Pictured above in Dallas on Wednesday . A Congressional committee had called Dr Varga to testify on Thursday, but he said he would not be able to make the meeting in person since he is busy dealing with the crisis at his hospital. While Dr Varga apologized for the initial misdiagnosis of Duncan, he says once the patient was brought back to the hospital he was 'treated with the most appropriate and available medical interventions'. When Duncan succumbed to the disease last week, the entire hospital grieved. 'It was devastating to the nurses, doctors, and team who tried so hard to save his life. We keep his family in our thoughts and prayers,' Dr Varga said. Included in the statement, is a section on 'lessons learned and steps taken' in the aftermath of Duncan's death, and the subsequent diagnosis of two nurses. Dr Varga writes that staff are now taking travel history from patients at 'first point of contact' in the emergency room. They are also taking a more 'proactive, intensive' approach to training staff on how to deal with Ebola. 'We are determined to be an agent for change across the US healthcare system by helping our peers benefit from our experience,' Dr Varga wrote. Meanwhile, representatives of the National Nurses Union told CNN they are threatening to stage a walk off after nurses Nina Pham, 26, and Amber Vinson, 29, contracted the disease this week. Sickened: Amber Vinson (left) and Nina Pham (right) both cared for Thomas Eric Duncan and both have been diagnosed with Ebola . 'Nurses have the right, if we're going to risk our lives caring for these patients, to have . . . optimal equipment, including Hazmat suits,' Katy Roemer said Wednesday on CNN's Erin Burnett Out Front. It's still unknown how Pham and Vinson became infected with the disease, but they were two of the . Despite suspecting that Duncan, a Liberian national, was sick with the highly contagious disease, hospital staff did not suit up to protect themselves until his diagnosis was confirmed by lab tests, the Dallas Morning News reported. The shocking revelation, culled from Duncan's medical records that were given to the Associated Press, is just the latest report of shortcomings in the protection of hospital workers who were looking after America's Ebola 'patient zero.' Combined, they paint a picture of how two nurses might have become infected with the deadly virus, despite claims that the hospital staff were the 'best in the world' and taking every precaution. Proper protection: These nurses at Bellevue Hospital in New York City demonstrated the garb needed to protect nurses treating Ebola patients during a drill . Exposed: This picture of a nurse at Presbyterian Hospital transporting a Dallas County sheriff's deputy who feared he had Ebola last week, shows that the protective garb exposes the neck below the face mask . On Tuesday, the National Nurses Union revealed that several nurses from Presbyterian Hospital had come to them with reports that, among other things: some supervisors told hospital staff that masks were not necessary when dealing with Duncan, that gloves and face masks left skin partially exposed and that Duncan was not isolated for hours after being taken to the hospital. RoseAnn DeMoro, director of the union, blasted the Centers of Disease Control for seemingly blaming the nurses for their own infections. 'Our nurses are not protected, they're not prepared to handle Ebola or any other pandemics,' she said on Tuesday. 'The protocols that should have been in place in Dallas were not in place and are not in place anywhere in the United States, as far as we can tell.' Hospital investigators are focusing on September 28 - the day Duncan was admitted - to September 30 - the day that Ebola was confirmed - as a likely window for both Ms Pham and Ms Vinson being infected, the Morning News reports. Lapses: The National Nurses Union says nurses at Texas Presbyterian Hospital have reported that protective suits left their necks exposed below the face mask . Gloves were not tapped to protective suits, exposing wrists and hands to exposure from bodily fluids . Shockingly, some supervisors reportedly told nurses that they didn't need protective masks at all . Ms DeMoro and co-director Deborah Burger revealed that nurses from Texas Presbyterian Hospital have reported several grievous lapses in protection for healthcare workers who looked after Duncan. The union, which does not represent any of the nurses at Texas Presbyterian, said the healthcare workers came to them because they believed they had no other way to report the dangerous security lapses. The startling claims include: . Ebola is a virus that spreads by touching the blood, sweat, saliva or other bodily fluids of an infected person. Even a small amount of infected fluid on the skin can cause an infection. All of the Americans who have contracted the disease, including trained healthcare workers who were in Liberia, have said they took meticulous precautions to protect themselves and have no idea how or when they became infected. The nursing union says that Thomas Eric Duncan was left in an open area of a Dallas emergency room for hours, and the nurses treating him worked for days without proper protective gear and faced constantly changing protocols. It says nurses were also forced to use medical tape to secure openings in their flimsy garments, worried that their necks and heads were exposed as they cared for a patient with explosive diarrhea and projectile vomiting. They also make the frightening allegation that nurses treating Duncan were also caring for other patients in the hospital at the same time. Burger convened a conference call with reporters to relay what she said were concerns of nurses at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, where Thomas Eric Duncan - the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S. - died last week. RoseAnn DeMoro, executive director of Nurses United, said the statement came from 'several' nurses, but she refused repeated inquiries to state how many. She said the organization had vetted the claims, and that the nurses cited were in a position to know what had occurred at the hospital. She refused to elaborate. Nurses say 'the guidelines were constantly changing' at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital - and claims hazardous waste was left to pile to the ceiling in the room that Duncan was being treated. The emergency entrance to Texas Health Presbyterian hospital in Dallas. Hospital officials have said they are no longer accepting new patients at this time after a healthcare worker, who was caring for Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan, tested positive for the disease . Speaking at the hastily arranged press conference call on Tuesday, DeMoro and union co-director Deborah Burger alleged an unprofessional and careless approach to Ebola at Texas Health Presbyterian hospital. Ultimately, according to DeMoro and Burger, the nurses feel 'unsupported, unprepared, lied to and deserted', especially in light of CDC Director Thomas Frieden's assertion that a 'breach in protocol' led 26-year-old nurse Nina Pham to become infected. 'This nurse was being blamed for not following protocols that did not exist. ... The nurses in that hospital were very angry, and they decided to contact us,' DeMoro said. Texas Health Presbyterian spokesman Wendell Watson denied all of these allegations from the nurses union. 'We have numerous measures in place to provide a safe working environment, including mandatory annual training and a 24-7 hotline and other mechanisms that allow for anonymous reporting,' Watson said in a written statement. Pham treated Duncan from the day he was admitted to the hospital, to when he died last Wednesday. She carefully monitored her temperature and went to the hospital on Friday when she noticed a spike. On Tuesday, her condition was upgraded from 'stable' to 'good'.

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital's Chief Clinical Officer Dr Daniel Varga issued an apology in his statement to Congress, released Wednesday . He says hospital made a mistake in turning America's Ebola 'patient zero' Thomas Eric Duncan away when he first reported symptoms . Apology comes as nurses in Dallas are threatening to walk off to protest lack of preparation to deal with an Ebola patient . On Tuesday, it was revealed that nurses didn't wear protective clothing to care for Duncan until after his Ebola diagnosis was confirmed . Two nurses who looked after Duncan at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital have been infected with the disease . Nurses union alleges that necks and wrists were exposed and some nurses were told they didn't need to wear face masks . Glove openings were not taped shut on protective suits, exposing wrists and hands to exposure . Protective clothing did not cover necks, exposing skin between the collar and the bottom of the face shield . To cover their necks, nurses were told to use tape that does not block the virus . Some supervisors told nurses that face masks were not required at all when caring for Duncan . Duncan was not isolated immediately when he was finally admitted to the hospital with Ebola symptoms and was left for several hours in a hospital ward with other patients nearby . A nursing supervisor faced resistance from hospital chiefs when nurses demanded Duncan be isolated . Nurses treating Duncan were also caring for other patients in the hospital . Patients who may have been exposed to Duncan were kept in isolation only for a day before being moved to areas with other patients .

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(CNN) -- A 3-year-old girl died Saturday after a man and police engaged in a chase and gunbattle, said police in Prince George's County, Maryland. Police spokesman Lt. Bill Alexander said police began pursuing the man early in the afternoon when he drove a Nissan Maxima away from the scene of a shooting in Temple Hills. One of the wheels fell off the suspect's car and he stopped and exchanged gunfire with police, Alexander said. Woman killed after bank robbers' shootout with police . The suspect kept driving but stopped again and traded gunfire with police a second time. The man was killed in the second exchange, Alexander said. Inside the vehicle, police found the wounded 3-year-old, who later died, Alexander said. Police said they don't know who fired the bullets that killed the man or the girl. CNN affiliate WJLA said police believe the man was the girl's father. Two wounded people were found at the scene of the first shooting -- the 3-year-old's maternal grandfather and maternal great-grandmother, police said. They were in critical condition at hospitals, Alexander said. Two charged in Philadelphia carjacking that killed 3 siblings .

Incident occurs in Prince George's County, Maryland . Police pursue a car driven away from a double shooting . The man driving the car exchanges gunfire with police . Police say they don't know if the man or police killed the girl .

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(CNN) -- The expulsion of a U.N. official from Sri Lanka is final and he has to leave the country by September 21, the government has told the agency. James Elder, spokesman for UNICEF in Sri Lanka has until September 21 to leave the country. Officials with the United Nations Children's Fund met with Sri Lankan officials on Monday in hopes of keeping James Elder inside the country. But Sri Lanka stood firm in its decision, and has issued UNICEF an expulsion notice for Elder, said Sarah Crowe, the agency's spokeswoman for South Asia. The Sri Lankan government has accused Elder of spreading propaganda supporting Tamil rebels. Ann Veneman, UNICEF's executive director, said the agency was "extremely concerned and disappointed" with the decision. "Through Mr. Elder, UNICEF has consistently spoken out against the suffering of children on both sides of the intense hostilities earlier this year and called for their protection. UNICEF unequivocally rejects any allegation of bias," she said in a statement Monday night. Elder has often spoken to the media about the agency's concerns about children caught up in the country's civil war and the conditions they endure at camps for the displaced. "Mr. Elder's role for UNICEF was to reflect how the conflict gravely impacted upon children," Crowe said. "He did this based on concrete information that the United Nations attained and verified." Crowe called Sri Lanka's allegations regarding Elder "outrageous" and "contradictory." "They are bordering on the ludicrous," she said. The Sri Lankan military finally defeated the Tamil Tigers earlier this year, after a conflict that began in 1983. The rebels -- formally known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) -- were waging war for an independent state for minority Tamils in Sri Lanka. As many as 70,000 people were killed in the conflict. In February, Elder told CNN that children as young as 4 months old were being treated in hospitals for shrapnel injuries and other wounds of war. The fighting created a "nightmarish" situation for civilians in the conflict zone, Elder said at the time. CNN's Saeed Ahmed contributed to this report.

UNICEF's South Asia spokesman order to leave Sri Lanka by September 21 . Sri Lankan government accuses James Elder of spreading propaganda . Elder has often spoken about UNICEF's concern for children in Sri Lanka .

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Parliament House has paused to remember Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes. Tributes from both sides of politics continued to flow for the South Australian batsman, who died last week after being struck in the head while playing against New South Wales. The Prime Minister today told parliament that Phillip Hughes 'left us too soon'. Scroll down for video . Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten have both paid tribute to fallen cricketer Phillip Hughes in Australia's parliament on Monday . Phillip Hughes in typical action for Australia. He died last week after a blow to the head in a Sheffield Shield match playing for South Australia against his home state New South Wales . 'He was a great cricketer. His death has so affected people because it happened at the midst of life most exuberant,' Mr Abbott said. 'People are not supposed to die playing our national game, (his death showed) that life is both precious and fragile, we mourn with his family, we grieve with his team-mates, particularly Michael Clarke who has shown such leadership, we feel for Sean Abbott whose life can never be quite the same again.' Tony Abbott told parliament that 'people are not supposed to die playing our national game' Bill Shorten called Phillip Hughes 'a fantastic team man' and 'a country boy who loved playing for his country' Opposition Leader Bill Shorten talked of 'the country boy who loved playing for his country'. He spoke of Phillip's 'brilliance and potential, the records he holds and the records he would have set'. 'Phillip Hughes had courage, resilience and an extraordinary work ethic. A fantastic team man, Phillip was deeply admired and respected by his opponents,' Mr Shorten said. Speaker of the House, Bronwyn Bishop then called for a minute of silence in parliament to be observed by all representatives present. Phillip Hughes' funeral will be held on Wednesday in home town, with his old high school expected to be packed by one of the biggest crowds to attend a memorial in many years.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott paid tribute to a young man who 'left us too soon' He said people are not supposed to die playing Australia's national game . Bill Shorten added that Phillip Hughes was respected and loved by team-mates and opponents alike . Phillip Hughes died last week after being hit in the neck while batting for South Australia against his home state of NSW .

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London (CNN) -- With her glossy dark hair, exotic outfit and ruby-red pouting lips, she's every inch the classic pin-up... except, that is, for that greenish-blue skin. And yet her image was every bit as popular, in its day, as those of the latest Hollywood starlets. She is the "Chinese Girl," by Vladimir Tretchikoff, the Russian-born South African who became king of the kitsch portrait. In the 1950s and '60s, no self-respecting suburban home was fit to be seen without a print of her on the living room wall. At one point, the picture was reputed to be the most reproduced image in the world; on Wednesday, the original sold for almost $1.5 million (£982,050) at Bonhams auction house in London, far outstripping pre-sale estimates of $750,000. Speaking to CNN before the auction, Giles Peppiatt, director of South African art Bonhams said that the picture's kitschy popular appeal "isn't necessarily a bad thing." "It is an extraordinary image... and it certainly seems to have caught everyone's eye. It is, I suppose, the 'Mona Lisa' of kitsch, but it is a great work of art as well." Tretchikoff's biographer, Boris Gorelik, says the picture was "one of the most important pop culture icons" of the mid-20th century; Peppiatt agrees, "the word iconic is so often-used and almost debased now, but this really is an iconic image." The painter himself wrote that "my heart and soul went into this painting," and whatever the secret, it was certainly a success. "Millions of people -- perhaps your parents or grandparents -- bought a lithograph of the painting, hung it on their wall and admired it for years, if not decades," wrote Gorelik. "Maybe you even grew up looking at it." While cheap copies of the picture flooded the globe, the original disappeared from view: Taken to the U.S. by Tretchikoff for a hugely successful tour in the 1950s, it was bought by a young fan, and hung in the family home, a world away from the art scene's latest fads and fashions. The identity of the model for "Chinese Girl" was a mystery for decades, too. After she was eventually identified three years ago, CNN visited Monika Pon at home in Johannesburg. Now in her 70s, she explained how, as a teenager, she came to pose for the painting. "My uncle had a laundry and I worked in the office. Tretchikoff used to pop in there every second week or so. He said to me, 'Hello... I'm Tretchikoff... I would like to paint you, would you like to sit for me?" But she said that although her image went on to feature in the homes of thousands of people around the world, modeling for the picture -- for which she was paid about $10 -- did little to change her life, much of which was spent in poverty during the Apartheid era. "He wasn't famous. People hardly knew him," she said, adding that she was no fan of the finished work: "Ugh, green face... Why is my face green?" Cabaret artist Tricity Vogue, whose entire stage show is based on the "Blue Lady" of Tretchikoff's painting, said it was a "dream come true" to come face-to-face with her muse in London this week, ahead of the sale. "She's been a constant in my life for so many years, but I didn't think I would ever get to see her in person," she told CNN. "When I was doing my research, I read that she was lost, possibly even destroyed." Peppiatt said the first version of "Chinese Girl" was indeed believed to have been ruined -- possibly by one of his enemies on the South African art scene, a world which disapproved of his decision to sell paintings through department stores, rather than galleries. "Tretchikoff had a lot of antagonism towards him... and just before he set off to the U.S., a lot of his paintings were slashed. One of them was the 'Chinese Girl.' "He repainted a new version of it, and this is... the famous version, the one from which all the prints were made, and the one everyone knows. The first one, no-one even knows what it looked like." Several other, lesser-known Tretchikoff pieces, including "Balinese Dancer" and "Lady with Crayfish" are also set to go under the hammer in the sale. There has been a massive renewal of interest in the artist's work since a major retrospective of his work at the South African National Gallery two years ago -- the first time "Chinese Girl" had been seen in public since its sale some 60 years before. "Prior to that, he was perhaps regarded as a bit of a joke," Peppiatt said, but the show "brought him back into the mainstream" and meant he could take his place alongside other international artists. "Art is so subjective," he explained. "Some people love it, some people loathe it, but that would be the same of any work of art, be it a Van Gogh, a Titian or a Tretchikoff." Whether the artist deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence as the long-time stars of the art world is a matter of personal taste, but the sale of "Chinese Girl" appears to have cemented his reputation as a commercial, if not critical, success.

'Chinese Girl' by Russian-South African artist Vladimir Tretchikoff sells for $1.5m . Painting of woman with blue-green face is reputed to be world's most reproduced print . 'One of the most important pop culture icons... in the 1950s to early 1960s' Work was one of seven Tretchikoff pictures in Bonhams' London sale of South African art .

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By . Suzannah Hills . PUBLISHED: . 09:41 EST, 30 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:24 EST, 30 October 2013 . Betrayal: Richard Hallam, 32, ordered drugs to bring on a miscarriage from China and then secretly administered them to his pregnant girlfriend . A cheating boyfriend who tried to abort his unborn child by secretly giving his pregnant partner miscarriage-inducing drugs has been jailed for 10 years. Richard Hallam, 32, had been seeing another woman when he found out his girlfriend was pregnant with a child he didn’t want. So he purchased an abortion drug called Mifemiso from a website in China, a court heard. While he waited for the drugs to arrive, his partner who can’t be named for legal reasons began suffering complications with the pregnancy. Hallam comforted her but the court heard he was also texting the company supplying the drug, saying he was ‘desperate’ to receive them. Hallam, from Poole, later gave his unsuspecting girlfriend the drug without her knowing. The horrified woman only discovered that she had taken it when she was later told by police who were investigating Hallam for an unconnected attack on another woman. The court was told Hallam had masterminded two savage hammer attacks on a fitness instructor his girlfriend suspected he was sleeping with. Kelly Batchelor, then 31, was hit on the head with a lump hammer by thugs Hallam hired in two separate attacks in Poole, Dorset. Hallam was arrested for ordering the attacks, carried out by three of his friends, andwas jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to cause GBH at Winchester Crown Court. While police investigated Hallam for the attack, they discovered his plot to poison his unborn child. He pleaded guilty to one count of administering poison or other noxious things to procure a miscarriage and was jailed for two years at Bournemouth Crown Court. Both sentences are to run consecutively. Medication: It is not known whether the abortion drug - similar to that shown above - caused any damage to the unborn child or to Hallam's girlfriend's ability to have children . It is not known whether the tablets had any detrimental affect on his girlfriend’s unborn child or her ability to have children in the future. Rebecca Austin, prosecuting, told Bournemouth Crown Court that Hallam began making inquiries into Mifemiso after his girlfriend told him she was pregnant last November. On November 9, Hallam began texting the drug supply firm in China. Miss Austin said: 'Messages were found on Hallam’s phone which were sent to a number, the dialling code of which suggested was in China. He sent a message saying, "Please try. I’m desperate".' Miss Austin continued: 'Hallam was arrested in relation to this offence where he made a comment to officers indicating that she had wanted him to give her "it", obviously a reference to the Mifemiso.' After Hallam's allegation his girlfriend had wanted to take the drug, she was also arrested by police, but denied having any knowledge of it and was released without charge. In court: Hallam was jailed for two years at Bournemouth Crown Court for administering poison or other noxious things to procure a miscarriage. The sentence will run consecutively with an eight year jail term for another crime . James Martin, defending, said: 'Mr Hallam had been taking a large amount of Valium and mixing it with alcohol, and it is right to say was not someone who was really in the right state of mind.' In sentencing Hallam for the poison plot, Judge John Harrow imposed an order to keep the victim anonymous because of the horror and trauma she has suffered. He told Hallam: 'You now admit administering drugs, intending to cause her to miscarry. 'I have to stress it cannot be established how many times you did this or whether it caused her to bleed. 'The effect of these events were clearly traumatic on (the victim) to say the least, not just what I am dealing with now but the fact that she was arrested twice. 'The case is serious, so much so that custody is inevitable because you put the life of anunborn child at risk.'

Richard Hallam, 32, purchased an abortion drug called Mifemiso from a website in China . Hallam then gave his pregnant girlfriend the drug without her knowledge . He was only caught when police arrested him for attacking another woman . It is not known whether the tablets had . any detrimental affect on his girlfriend's unborn child or her ability . to have children in the future . Hallam was jailed for two years for administering poison . He was also sentenced to eight years for conspiracy to cause GBH .

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By . Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 04:54 EST, 12 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:14 EST, 12 August 2013 . In a society that is becoming increasingly health . conscious, yet more time crunched than ever, it is almost impossible to balance our social lives with our fitness regime. But now you can have the best of both worlds thanks to latest new fitness craze about to land in the UK from the U.S.: fitness dance parties. A-list favourite Barry's Bootcamp are teaming up with prestigious nightlife hotspot Mahiki to bring the clubbing fitness class to London. The ultimate workout: Barry's Bootcamp have teamed up with nightclub Mahiki to open a Saturday night dance and fitness class . Dubbed 'the best workout in the . world’ with celebrity fans including Katie Holmes, Jessica Alba, Jessica . Biel and Kim Kardashian, Barry's intense 60-minute . class claims to burn 1000 calories per session - all whilst you're boogieing to your favourite tunes. Barry’s Bootcamp have always championed a gym-as-nightclub setting with their dimly lit studios, . flashing lights and pulse-pounding music. But Joey Gonzalez, who established the parties over the pond in New York, wanted to take this concept to the next . level. He said: 'So, the Dance Party was an idea I had . during the very first summer here in NYC. It was actually called Joey’s . Dance Party and I taught it every single week. Fitness followed by fun: Guests take part in an intense 60-minute work-out at Barry's Bootcamp (L) followed by a night at Mahiki on the guest list (R) 'The original inspiration . was caused by my reaction to the New York City nightlife. I was . overwhelmed by all the Happy Hours, dinners and wild late nights people . seemed to indulge in here, in the Big Apple and I wanted to provide . people with another option.' The first official Barry's Bootcamp and Mahiki 'Saturday night dance party' will launch in the capital on August 31 and there is a different theme every week, such as back to school, Fifty Shades Of Grey and Magic Mike. The opening night will be a back to school theme and the studio will be decorated like a classroom, the lead trainer will be a teacher, other trainers will dress as prefects, and regular clients are monitors. There will be an intense work-out while a live DJ from Mahiki spins motivational tunes and there's even detention for those who quit exercises early. The workouts are tough, 60 minutes of . hardcore cardio on Woodway treadmills, . teamed with strength training using weights, bands and your own body. The class combines short, sharp intervals and very little rest. You are . pushed to your limit and given just enough time to recover before do it . again and again. Celebrity fans: Katie Holmes, Jessica Alba and Jessica Biel are big fans of Barry's Bootcamp . Guests in the £20 class will be served smoothie shots during class and some drinks afterwards before they get glammed up and make their way to Mahiki, where they will be on the guestlist. 'The idea comes from avid bootcampers who say they want . to take advantage of a Saturday night class, doing something fun, . healthy and club-y before they go out,' said a Barry's spokesman. The new Barry's studio opened in Euston in February and boasts changing rooms filled with luxury Malin + Goetz products, . candles, hair dryers and straighteners, plus a fuel bar and a social . area where bootcampers can relax on sofas and enjoy a post-workout . protein smoothie. Barry Jay launched the first bootcamp . in 1998 and there are now eight studios across America, one in Norway . and two more studios planned for Boston and Miami. Get ready time: The new Barry's studio opened in Euston in February and boasts changing rooms filled with luxury Malin + Goetz products, candles, hair dryers and straighteners . Brothers Sandy and James Macaskill . are responsible for bringing the class to the UK after being blown away . by the workout while in America. Joey adds: 'People are looking for . alternatives to the typical Saturday night as health, wellness and . fitness have become more integrated into our culture and lifestyle. 'It’s . almost as if they are looking to redefine their lives. Shockingly, . we’ve adopted a cult following of people who ONLY attend the Dance . Parties. Crazy right?'

Barry's Bootcamp joins forces with Mahiki to launch Saturday Club Night . Barry's is favourite of Kim Kardashian, Jessica Alba and Katie Holmes . Class involves intense work-out to music played by Mahiki DJ . Get smoothie shots, post-work-out drinks and guestlist at Mahiki .

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By . Leah Simpson and Eleanor Gower . PUBLISHED: . 13:05 EST, 18 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 13:46 EST, 18 September 2012 . Olympic snowboard champion Shaun White has apologised after his arrest on Sunday for public intoxication and vandalism. In a post on his Facebook page, the 26-year-old star wrote: 'I want to apologise for the unwise choices I made over the weekend and for any inconvenience it caused my family, friends, business partners, the hotel and their guests.' The two time gold medallist was arrested early Sunday morning in Nashville, where he was attending musician Patrick Carney's wedding. Fall from grace: Two-time Olympic Gold medallist Shaun White, 26, in a . booking photo released by the Metro Nashville Police Department Sunday . after being charged with vandalism and public intoxication . White added in the statement: 'I . was celebrating a happy occasion with a ton of family and friends and . got carried away. I'm truly sorry for my poor behaviour.' According to police, White 'pulled a . hotel fire alarm, causing evacuations, then attempted to flee the . scene,' reports People. He is also alleged to have smashed a hotel . phone. A concerned citizen 'tried to stop White from leaving the scene,' according to TMZ, with police saying that White 'allegedly kicked the person and proceeded to flee on foot.' The chase ended when White fell and . hit his head against a fence. He was then transported to a hospital for . treatment and released on Monday, according to a spokesman for the Baptist Hospital. I'm sorry: Shaun White posted his apologetic statement on his Facebook page on Tuesday . Officers responding to the scene at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in the early hours of Sunday morning reported that White appeared to be 'extremely intoxicated and smelled strongly of alcohol.' However, source close to the sports star disputes early reports which claimed he vandalised his hotel room or spent time in jail. Police said he was given the opportunity to sign misdemeanor citations and refused. White attended the Summer Olympic . Games in London, fuelling rumours that he is dating model Bar Refaeli . when they attended a swimming event together. The Israeli blonde, 27, sat next to . redhead White, nicknamed 'the flying tomato,' as they watched the USA . win the men's 4x200m freestyle relay final. Olympic hero: Shaun White celebrates winning gold at the Men's Halfpipe finals during the Turin 2006 Winter Games . Soaring: White is well-known as a world-class snow and skateboarder with two Olympic golds to his name . The pair were first linked after meeting at the Maxim magazine Hottest Woman In The World party in May. San Diego native White, who is also a world-class skateboarder, was just 19 when he first won snowboarding gold at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. He won gold again four years later in the halfpipe event at the Vancouver Games. He has been a semi-professional sportsman since the age of seven after being backed by label Burton Snowboards. He has also been sponsored by Oakley Inc.,Birdhouse Skateboards and Red Bull. The 26-year-old has his own range of successful video games. In 2009, Forbes magazine estimated that he had earned $9 million from his endorsements in 2008 alone. Sports fans: Shaun White (second row centre) sits with model Bar Refaeli . (left) during the men's swimming relay final at the London 2012 Games . behind Michael Phelps' family .

White was at Nashville hotel where he allegedly set off fire alarms .

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By . Sam Creighton . A war hero praised for his bravery in Iraq died after being buried under an avalanche while on a skiing training exercise. Senior Aircraftman Paul Mahoney, 26, who had been one of the last British servicemen to leave Iraq, was taking part in a training trip in the German Alps in preparation for deployment in Afghanistan with 15 Squadron of the RAF Regiment. The exercise, named 'Snow Eagle' was designed to expose servicemen to hostile terrains and during one descent, SAC Mahoney and two of his comrades were engulfed by a snow slide. While the other two were rescued, SAC Mahoney was buried and, by the time he was dragged clear nine minutes later, was dead. Senior Aircraftman Paul Mahoney was praised for his service as a gunner in Basra during his six month tour in Iraq . After the incident, on February 4, 2010, a major investigation was launched and the leader of the expedition, Flight Sgt Stephen Henderson, was charged with manslaugher - although later cleared at a court martial. It was alleged Flt Sgt Henderson failed to comply with safety regulations and ignored avalanche warnings when he led the 23 serviceman down a slope. However, an inquest into SAC Mahoney's death, held at Warrington Coroners' Court yesterday, recorded a verdict of accidental death. On the morning of the tragedy, the inquest heard Flt Sgt Henderson, who was leading the trip along with four other qualified instructors, was warned about poor weather conditions and that a level three avalanche warning - out of a possible five levels - had been issued for the area. However, he evaluated the slopes and decided the expedition should go ahead. The group left the Grasgehren ski resort in Bavaria, Germany, with the plan of climbing the Reidberger Horn mountain and then skiing down to a hut where they would spend the night. SAC Mahoney had been in the RAF for two years at the time of his death . It was on the descent that the group heard a 'woomph' sound, indicating that a weak layer of snow had collapsed beneath the surface. However, while Flt Sgt Henderson sent some students back to the ridge, he concluded the snowpack was stable and the group could continue. Two instructors stayed at the top and the students descended at 20 metre intervals with everyone intending to meet at the bottom. The avalanche struck while the group was halfway down the slope. The inquest heard that the slide was caused by sun and wind conditions, although the earlier court martial was told that it could have been triggered by the serviceman skiing over the unstable service in too large groups. Many . of the 23 servicemen were either at the bottom or within their final . stages of descent when the 400 metres wide and 200 metres long . avalanche hit. Along with SAC Mahoney, SAC Shepherd and Cpl Murray were also caught up in the collapse. SAC . Shepherd was only buried up to his waist and managed for free himself and while Cpl Murray was completely covered apart from his hand, he was quickly pulled free. SAC Mahoney was 'completely buried' and it took nine minutes later to find him, by which point he was not breathing. His comrades tried to revive him and rescue helicopters were sent to the scene but SAC Mahoney was declared dead on the mountainside. Paul Mahoney's, centre, family said they knew 'how proud he was about being in the RAF regiment' SAC Mahoney was only 26 when he died in 2010, shortly before he was due to be deployed in Afghanistan . During Flt Sgt Henderson’s court martial his legal team said that 'backcountry skiing' involved an element of risk-taking and that the he had viewed the slope as shallow and not avalanche prone. Chris . Hill, defence counsel, said: 'This is adventurous training and not a . leisure facility. The purpose was to make a journey and hopefully get to . the next hut,' he said, adding that 'rules are not to be adhered to . slavishly.' At . the end of the four-week court martial in July 2012, the six-member . board acquitted Flt Sgt Henderson. Two other servicemen were caught in the avalanche, but were pulled out in time. It was nine minutes before SAC Mahoney was dragged clear of the snow, by which point he had died . SAC Mahoney had driven armoured vehicles in Basra and was one of the last British servicemen to leave Iraq . At the time of his death, SAC Mahoney - who had joined the armed forces in 2008 - was praised as a 'brave and determined' gunner who had been one of the last British servicemen to leave Iraq. He had been driving Bulldog armoured vehicles on patrols in Basra. The RAF Regiment is the ground fighting force of the RAF, providing security for bases and carrying out patrol functions. In a statement released by his family at the time of his death they said: 'We wish to convey how proud we were of him and we knew how proud he was about being in the RAF Regiment. He was "one of the lads" who was always there for his mates.' Paying tribute to SAC Mahoney the RAF said: 'He kept us safe as he steered his armoured vehicle through the outskirts of Basrah. 'He lived life to the full and has been taken from us unexpectedly and far too early. 'Our thoughts are with his family and close friends at this difficult time. 'He will not be forgotten and his memory will live on in the hearts and minds of 15 Squadron RAF Regiment.' A full . service inquiry was also carried out in the aftermath of SAC Mahoney’s . death by the Ministry of Defence which has since made eight . recommendations in relation to the Snow Eagle exercise and seven . recommendations in relation to the wider conduct of service training. The inquest was told that 11 of the recommendations had been fully implemented and a further four were underway. A Ministry of Defence spokesman told MailOnline: 'Our thoughts remain with SAC Mahoney’s family and friends at this difficult time. 'A full Service Inquiry has been conducted, and all the recommendations from this have been or are in the process of being implemented, so that we can prevent something like this from ever happening again.'

Senior Aircraftman Paul Mahoney died in a training accident in 2010 . He was taking part in an excercise called 'Snow Eagle' in the German Alps . He was buried by an avalanche and was dead by the time he was dragged clear nine minutes later . The trip leader was accused of manslaughter for allegedly ignoring safety warnings but was cleared by a court martial . An inquest at Warrington Coroners' Court returned a verdict of accidental death .

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(CNN) -- The man accused of killing 77 people in a terrorist rampage that shook Norway last summer is insane and cannot be sentenced to prison or preventive detention, but can be confined to a mental hospital for the rest of his life, police said Tuesday. Anders Behring Breivik suffers "grandiose delusions" and "believes he is chosen to decide who is to live and who is to die," Prosecutor Svein Holden announced. Police said psychiatrists had determined that the 32-year-old man was psychotic at the time of the attacks and during 13 interviews experts conducted with him afterward. The doctors also found him to be paranoid and schizophrenic, police said. The experts reached their conclusions after 36 hours of interviews with Breivik, police said. The extension of Breivik's confinement under a compulsory mental health care order will be reviewed by a court every three years, police said. The court will consider whether he still represents a danger to society. Breivik had not been told of the psychiatrists' findings, police said. His lawyers were expected to relay the news. The decision underscores the difference between the justice system in the United States and that in Norway, said James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University in Boston. "In the United States, it is extremely difficult to establish successfully an insanity defense," he told CNN in a telephone interview. "You can be paranoid, yet still able to control your behavior and be legally responsible." In cases like the mass killing in Norway, "there tends to be a tremendous amount of pressure from the public and maybe politicians as well to lock someone away for as long as possible, and bring justice to the victims," Fox said. Breivik is accused of killing eight people in Oslo and 69 who were among 700 mostly young people attending a Labour Party youth camp on nearby Utoya Island. He has pleaded not guilty but admits carrying out the attacks, the judge handling his case has said. Breivik is described by authorities as a right-wing Christian extremist. A 1,500-page manifesto attributed to Breivik posted on the Internet is critical of Muslim immigration and European liberalism, including the Labour Party. The manifesto predicts that a "European civil war" will lead to the execution of "cultural Marxists" and the banishment of Muslims. Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said in the aftermath of the attacks that his country had been fundamentally changed, but vowed that Norway would remain "an open society." Oslo Mayor Fabian Stang said Norwegians would respond to the violence with equally powerful weapons: "We're going to punish him with democracy and love," he told CNN shortly after the killings. Still, memories of the slaughter on the island, where many of the campers survived by hiding behind rocks, remained acute on Tuesday. "I will always have mixed feelings when I go back, of course," Labour Party member Eskil Pedersen told a reporter. "I think about the 22nd of July and the dreadful things that happened that day, but I have been here every year and every summer since 2000. A lot of my time as a youth has been here on this island. I have very many good memories as well." He said a memorial will be built there. "Our aim is to reclaim Utoya, take it back as an island, have activities, have a summer camp here," he said. Relatives of some of the victims expressed disappointment at the decision on Breivik, a journalist from the Norwegian Broadcasting Corp. told CNN. "They have looked forward to seeing him getting a sentence for the rest of his life for the acts he has committed," correspondent Tomm Kristiansen said. Public reaction is mixed, said journalist Olav Mellingsaeter. Most people are surprised, not angered, by the findings, he said. "We must trust that the psychiatrists have done a thorough job," a 30-year-old student told the reporter. A 36-year-old woman said, "As long as he does not escape, I do not care where he's kept." At his trial in April, Breivik will have the opportunity to present evidence, police said. He has been in custody since his arrest on Utoya Island on the day of the killings, which marked the deadliest attack in Norway since World War II. CNN's Tom Watkins, Richard Allen-Greene and Laura Smith-Spark contributed to this report.

Victims' families are disappointed that Anders Behring Breivik is ruled insane . Breivik will still face trial next year . He is accused of killing 77 people in a gun and bomb rampage . The July massacre was the deadliest attack in Norway since WWII .

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Colombia's top rebel group, FARC, announced Monday it will temporarily halt its decades-old battle against government forces starting at midnight as a goodwill gesture amid peace talks with the Colombia government. FARC commander Ivan Marquez announced the unilateral cease-fire and called on the the Colombian government to do the same as he arrived for peace talks at Cuba's Convention Palace in Havana Monday. "Heeding the overwhelming demand for peace from diverse sectors of the country, the FARC secretariat orders guerrilla units across the country to cease military operations and acts of sabotage," Marquez said . The rebel cease-fire is scheduled to start Monday night and last until January 20, the rebel group said. It's unlikely the Colombian government will take part in the two-month truce: Bogota has said previously that it will not consider a cease-fire until after a final agreement is reached. FARC had signaled that it would pursue a cease-fire, even before peace talks, now being held in Havana, began in mid-October in Norway. Critics of the move believe it's just an attempt by the rebel group to rebuild its forces. The leftist FARC, or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, has been at war with the government since the 1960s, making it the longest-running insurgency in Latin America. The U.S. State Department, which has listed FARC as a terror group, posted a $5 million reward for the capture of Marquez, whose real name is Luciano Marin Arango. FARC child soldiers on the rise . There have been sporadic attempts at peace since the 1980s. The last attempt fell apart in 2002. Then-President Andres Pastrana ceded an area the size of Switzerland to the guerrilla group but ended negotiations after rebels launched a series of attacks across the country in an apparent bid to strengthen their position. But this time, both sides say, they have a more ambitious agenda. "The end of the armed conflict is the precursor to peace. To achieve it, we have to go deep into the transformation of society," said Humberto de la Calle, a representative for the Colombian government. Five facts about the FARC rebels . The end of hostilities -- the kidnappings and bombings by the FARC and military operations by the government -- will not usher in peace without a true transformation within the country, he said. Ivan Marquez, a FARC representative, agreed. "We are not the guerrillas that some media make us out to be," he said. "We come to the table with proposals and projects to achieve a definitive peace, a peace that implies a demilitarization of the state and radical socioeconomic reforms that are the foundation of democracy, justice and freedom." The FARC continues to carry out kidnappings and attack security forces, though it has been severely weakened in recent years. Two days after peace talks began in Norway, an apparent FARC rebel attack killed five Colombian soldiers. FARC rebels release French journalist . A large distance remains between the sides. While the Colombian government has said that the FARC could continue to advocate for its positions as a political force, it does not want to negotiate all the group's demands during the peace talks. "This is about creating an agenda for the end of the conflict that allows the FARC to put forth its ideas unaccompanied by weapons, and with guarantees for its transformation to an unarmed political force," de la Calle said.

FARC commander Ivan Marquez calls on the Colombian government to join the cease-fire . Colombia's FARC rebels announce one-sided truce as goodwill gesture . FARC is taking part in peace talks with Colombia's government . Bogota has previously rejected any truces before a peace deal .

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He has gained worldwide fame for his unrivalled skill at solving cases, incredible powers of deduction and grasp of complex science. Now, the real-life figure who inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's infamous detective, Sherlock Holmes, may have been uncovered. Investigator Jerome Caminada captivated Manchester in the 19th century with his logical reasoning, eccentric disguises and impressive crime figures. Scroll down for video . Inspiration? Jerome Caminada (left), an investigator in Manchester during the 19th century, may have been the inspiration behind Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's hero, Sherlock Holmes (depicted, right, by Benedict Cumberbatch) He gained notoriety as a police officer in the city, before rising to national fame in the mid 1880s - shortly before Sherlock Holmes made his debut in A Study in Scarlet in 1887. Now, a biography of Caminada, published this month, reveals the Victorian investigator may have helped inspire Doyle's creation of Holmes. 'Caminada became a national figure at just the time that Sherlock Holmes was being created,' author Angela Buckley told The Sunday Telegraph. 'There are so many parallels that it is clear Doyle was using parts of this real character for his.' Renowned: Holmes has gained worldwide fame for his unrivalled skill at solving cases, powers of deduction and grasp of complex science. Above, Cumberbatch as Holmes (right) and Martin Freeman as Dr John Watson . Similar plotlines: One of the most prominent similarities between Caminada and Holmes was their fascination with an attractive female criminal - notably, Irene Adler in Holmes's case.  And both investigators had an arch-enemy, like Professor James Moriarty. Above, Andrew Scott as Moriarty (left) and Lara Pulver as Adler . Mrs Buckley, a historian and trustee . of the Society of Genealogists, said Caminada, like Holmes, had used an . array of unorthodox methods to capture criminals. These . included prowling the streets at night, wearing elaborate disguises and . maintaining an extensive network of informers, whom he would meet in a . back pew of a church. Jerome Caminada rose to national fame in the mid 1880s - shortly before Sherlock Holmes made his debut in A Study in Scarlet in 1887. Like Holmes, he boasted an array of unrivalled skills, including those of logical reasoning and deduction, the mastery of eccentric disguises and an ability to capture even the most talented of criminals. And the similarities do not stop there. The pair also: . He . also had an in-depth knowledge of Manchester's criminal underclass - . similarly to Holmes's ongoing contact with figures in the underworld, . the Baker Street Irregulars, she said. Born in Manchester in 1844, Caminada worked as an engineer in the city, before joining Manchester City Police Force in 1868. He later worked, like Holmes, as a 'consulting detective' on cases across the country - donning a number of skilled disguises, including a labourer, a drunken lout and various working-class roles. Dubbed 'the Garibaldi of Detectives', he was reportedly responsible for imprisoning a staggering 1,225 criminals - and was reputedly even able to spot a thief simply by the way he walked. Mrs Buckley said one of the most prominent similarities between Caminada and Holmes was their fascination with an attractive female criminal - notably, Irene Adler in Holmes's case. Caminada's own experience saw him track down Alicia Ormonde - a seemingly well-educated, artisocratic woman who was actually a consummate forger and crook - before apparently becoming infatuated by her. He also formed a nemesis called Bob Horridge, a violent career criminal with a number of similarities to Holmes's arch-enemy Professor James Moriarty, a mathematics professor-turned-criminal. The pair had a 20-year feud, before Caminada tackled Horridge in final, dramatic confrontation, where he managed to pull out his revolver a fraction faster than his enemy. The Manchester investigator died in 1914 at the age of 70 - the year the final Holmes book was set. Legend: Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (left), starred in four novels and 56 short stories . In the past, other people have been put forward as the inspiration for Holmes, who featured in four novels and 56 short stories and is most recently portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch in the BBC series, written by Steven Moffat. In an interview, Doyle said he had taken inspiration from Dr Joseph Bell, a surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, who was known for drawing large conclusions from small observations. Meanwhile, Sir Henry Littlejohn, a former police surgeon, has also been cited as an influential figure.

Jerome Caminada captivated Manchester in 19th century with detective skills . Became known for eccentric disguises, logical reasoning and crime figures . Now, investigator has been revealed as possible inspiration behind Holmes . Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's hero featured in four novels and 56 short stories . Detective most recently portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch in BBC series .

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By . Jane Simpson . PUBLISHED: . 14:44 EST, 9 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:27 EST, 10 February 2013 . Scottish Formula 1 star David Coulthard admitted he was in 'huge shock' today after his younger sister died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 35. Lynsay Jackson - mother to ten-month old baby girl Emilie Anne - is understood to have endured cardiac failure at around 4am yesterday. The trained nurse, who until relatively recently ran the family’s well-known motoring museum, is understood to have gone to bed complaining of stomach pains before the attack. Scroll down for video . Family: Lynsay Jackson (second right) pictured with her husband Will (right) on their wedding day. She is pictured beside her brother David Coulthard and his fiance Karen Minier . Coulthard said in a statement today: 'I'd like to first take this chance to thank everybody for their overwhelming support over the last two days, it means a huge amount to my family and I. 'It's obviously come as a huge shock to us all and we're still trying to come to terms with it all. I'd please ask that my family's privacy is respected during this very difficult time.' Mrs Jackson’s parents, Joyce, 65 and Duncan, 66, from Twynholm in Dumfries and Galloway, were on holiday in Australia when the incident occurred and were understood to be flying back to the UK. Police said they had attended Mrs Jackson’s home in Crossmichael, Castle Douglas, in the early hours of yesterday morning but confirmed that, although, enquiries continued, there appeared to be no suspicious circumstances. A report is now being prepared for the Procurator Fiscal. The 42-year-old racing star’s elder bother, Duncan, yesterday declined to comment at the family home, which sits next to the motoring museum Lynsay helped to found. The former Formula 1 driver appeared on BBC One's Saturday Kitchen Live yesterday, and is understood to have been told about his sister's death before the programme began. His agent James Williamson confirmed to MailOnline today: 'He found out just before he went on air.' Residents in Twynholm were stunned to learn of the devastating news. In Crossmichael, where the Jackson family moved last year, one neighbour told how she watched the shocking tragedy unfold. Together: The Coulthard family pictured on All Star Family Fortunes Money. Mrs Jackson is pictured centre, parents Duncan and Joyce are pictured left, while the racing driver is pictured with fiance Karen . Hairdresser Charlene Saunderson said: ‘I heard all the commotion, there were six police cars and lots of family cars. ‘I . knew there was something wrong because the ambulance left with no one . in it then her brother took the baby away. Then the doctor and a . forensic team came.’ Recalling . the last time they met, Mrs Saunderson continued: ‘We met Lynsay and . Will out recently. I think the family were really good to her. The night . we met them about two weeks ago, they had stopped off at a local pub . for a drink. 'Lynsay liked . having a laugh, she was witty and if she had something to say she would . say it. I feel really awful as she said that night at the pub “just come . over for a tea or a coffee” and I never did. I feel so awful. ‘She . was into bodyfit bootcamp and was doing well with. We tried to go . running and she wanted to get involved in the community. People are just . shocked, especially as she was so young.’ Mrs Jackson got married to her husband, an environmental health officer, in the summer of 2011. David Coulthard appeared on BBC One's Saturday Kitchen Live after hearing news of his sister's death . The Monte Carlo-based racer and his only sister were known to be particularly close and always liked to keep in touch. In 2001, he honoured her with ‘her . dream birthday present’ when he dedicated his first victory of the . season in Sao Paulo to her. Just . days earlier the then 24 year-old had moaned about not receiving a . birthday present from her brother but was reduced to tears when she . later saw him on television saying his win in Brazil was in her honour. Speaking . at the time, she said: ‘I phoned David last Tuesday to wish him a happy . 30th birthday and he said he had not managed to get me a present. ‘I was a bit miffed so when he won in Brazil and announced it was dedicated to me it was the best birthday present ever.’ She . added: ‘We watched the race on a German channel and they have breaks . which seem to last half an hour so we kept having to phone home to . Twynholm. When David finished the final lap we were ecstatic.’ Close: Mrs Jackson and the Monte Carlo-based racer and his only sister were known to be particularly close, and she previously ran the family's motoring museum . After his win, the Scottish driver said: ‘It was my sister’s birthday and she asked me for a win, so I dedicate this race to her. This is my 10th win and the best feeling I have had after a victory.’ Previously, the driver talked of his sister’s own impressive driving skills. He said: ‘There’s no reason at all why women should not race with men. There’s no physical or reaction reason. It just hasn’t happened because more boys get in to it and through that process, it ends up being more men.’ Coulthard was the only one of the familiy’s three children to take up racing driving, even though their father installed 100cc racing carts for each of his three offspring. Nine years ago, the driver, his sister and brother were united at the funeral of their grandmother, Margaret Coulthard, 88, who died in a care home in 2004. At the time, an onlooker said: ‘It is obvious they are a close family and there’s no way David wouldn’t have come here today. The man is a true gent. He loved his gran and loves all his family dearly.

Lynsay Jackson, 35, found dead at her home in Scotland yesterday morning . Police are investigating death but said it is not being treated as suspicious . Mrs Jackson previously ran motoring museum dedicated to brother's career . Coulthard 'told of death before he appeared on BBC Saturday Kitchen Live'

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Manchester United's Spaniards may have struggled to gel on the pitch, but they have been building up a close relationship off it. Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and David de Gea have become good friends and enjoyed lunch together in Hale Village, Cheshire on Tuesday afternoon. The Spanish trio were all named in Louis van Gaal's starting line-up for the opening day fixture against Swansea, although they were unable to prevent a disappointing 2-1 defeat bySwansea. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Mata challenge compatriot De Gea to Corner Kick Challenge . Meet and greet: Juan Mata (left) has been helping fellow Spaniard Ander Herrera (right) settle in . Join the club: Manchester United keeper David de Gea and Herrera pictured together on Tuesday . Three Amigos: The Spaniards stroll down the high street as they enjoy an afternoon in Hale Village . Van Gaal has brought another Spanish speaker to Old Trafford, with Argentina defender Marcos Rojo describing it as a 'dream' to play for the Old Trafford club. The Sporting Lisbon player has emerged has been a key summer target for Van Gaal and United have paid £16million for the defender and sent Portuguese winger Nani back to his former club on a one-year loan deal. In an interview with the radio station Continental, quoted in several national newspapers, Rojo said: 'It's a dream to play at Manchester United and I am very proud of having the chance of working with [Louis] van Gaal. 'I spoke with Juan Sebastian Veron about Manchester United when we were at Estudiantes. I have always liked English football, and I should adapt to this new playing style easily.' Double act: Mata and Herrera are hoping to form a close-knit midfield partnership at Old Trafford . Slow start: Mata and his United team-mates will be hoping for improved performances after defeat by Swansea . Dream move: Marcos Rojo (left) has signed for United from Sporting Lisbon for £16m . VIDEO United reach deal for Rojo .

Manchester United's Spanish trio enjoyed lunch in Hale Village . Mata, Herrera and De Gea pictured together on Tuesday afternoon . All three players started in the opening day fixture with Swansea .

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The UN's full and final findings on the state of the planet's climate have been published (pictured) Global warming is unequivocal and human influence has been the dominant cause since the mid-20th century, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The IPCC's full and final findings on the state of the planet’s climate have been published and the report, which was put together for the UN, says that limiting climate change will require ‘substantial and sustained’ reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. The findings of the report, which includes the comment that global warming is 'almost definitely' caused by humans, were approved by the member governments of the IPCC in September. The final version has now been released to provide detailed information to policymakers and the scientific community. The Working Group I Fifth Assessment Report has 1,500 pages of text, 600 diagrams, cites 9,000 scientific publications and claims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the physical science basis of climate change. ‘The report provides information about what has changed in the climate system, why it has changed, and how it will change in the future,’ said Thomas Stocker, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group I. It says that atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, already at levels not seen in at least 800,000 years, will persist for many centuries and ‘continued emissions of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and changes in all components of the climate system’. Enlarge . The IPPC reported revealed that it is 'extremely likely' that human activity is the dominant cause for global warming. It claims a rise in temperature in the Northern Hemisphere (right) will cause snow cover to decrease by 25 per cent by the end of the 21st century. But the report failed to conclusively explain why the rise in global average surface temperatures had largely 'paused' over the past two decades (left) The high latitudes and the equatorial Pacific Ocean are likely to experience an increase in annual mean precipitation by the end of this century (right). In many midlatitude . and subtropical dry regions, mean precipitation will likely decrease from the 1986-2005 period (left) Since the publication of the IPCC report, more Americans than ever before believe that global warming isn't happening. The Yale Project on Climate Change Communication study, which was published last month, found the number has risen to 23 percent, up seven percentage points since April 2013. The latest survey, taken in November 2013, finds that the majority of Americans — 63 percent — do believe in climate change, and 53 percent are 'somewhat' or 'very' worried about the consequences. The researchers also say Americans believe that even if it exists, global warming is not their problem. 'Over years of research, we have consistently found that, on average, Americans view global warming as a threat distant in space and time – a risk that will affect far away places, other species, or future generations more than people here and now,' the report says. 'We still find this same pattern, in which fewer than half of Americans (38%) believe they personally will be harmed a 'moderate amount' or a 'great deal' by global warming. The report highlights a number of doomsday scenarios, including extreme storms, heat waves, rising sea levels and the melting of Greenland. Among its findings are that sea levels have risen by 19cm since 1901 and are expected to rise a further 26-82cm by the end of the century. But it concedes that world temperatures have barely risen in the past 15 years, despite growing amounts of greenhouse gases being pumped into the atmosphere. Temperature rises have dropped from 0.12°C per decade since 1951 to just 0.05°C per decade since 1998. This slowdown has been seized upon by climate sceptics who claim carbon dioxide is not as damaging as has been suggested. IPCC scientists, however, believe the pause is temporary and a return to 'substantial warming' is expected in coming decades. Perhaps most controversially, the report it says that humans are between 95 per cent and 100 per cent to blame for the warming of the planet since the mid 20th Century and this level of certainty among scientists is a boost from the 2007 report, which said that global warming was ‘very likely’ to have been caused by humans. ‘Human influence has been detected in warming of the atmosphere and the ocean, in changes in the global water cycle, in reductions in snow and ice, in global mean sea level rise, and in changes in some climate extremes,’ says the report. CO2 concentrations have . increased by 40 per cent since pre-industrial times, primarily from fossil fuel emissions, claims the IPCC. The ocean has absorbed about 30 per cent of the emitted . anthropogenic carbon dioxide, causing ocean acidification . ‘This evidence for human influence has grown since AR4 (the last IPCC report). It is extremely likely that human influence has been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century,’ it adds. An ‘atlas’ of global and regional climate projections is included in the final version of the report, which contains a series of maps showing temperature and rainfall estimates for 35 regions of the world. In order to show the way drafts and reviews of the report were put together, the IPCC has also released all of  the 54,677 comments by experts that informed the final version. Scientists claim that global average sea levels will continue to rise during the 21st century under all temperature scenarios presented in the report. They say it will 'very likely' exceed that observed during 1971-2010 due to increased ocean warming and loss of mass from glaciers and ice sheets .

Finalised version of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report has been released . Co0nsists of 1,500 pages of text, 600 diagrams and cites . 9,000 publications . Warns CO2 has reached levels unprecedented in at least 80,000 years and scientists are 95% certain that man is to blame for global warming . Concedes that world temperatures have barely risen in past 15 years .

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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 06:36 EST, 31 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:06 EST, 31 October 2012 . A motorcyclist badly injured in a crash had to be driven to hospital by his brother after ambulances sent to get him were diverted nine times. David Pinion, 24, lay in agony for 90 minutes after suffering extensive internal bruising in the crash as a paramedic at the scene desperately tried to organise an ambulance. But the paramedic was eventually told that the ambulances en route had to be diverted to 'more serious' incidents nine times and it would be best if the patient made his own way to the hospital. Crash scene: David Pinion, 24, lying at the side of road underneath . blankets while his brother tries to help him up to take him to the . hospital . It is unclear how many ambulances had been dispatched. Mr Pinion, whose waist had ballooned from 42in to 48in because of the swelling, was forced to ask the paramedic to call his brother to pick him up from the scene of the accident in Ely, Cambridge on October 14. The injured biker then had to be lifted off the road by his brother Robert and friend Chris Boon who drove him to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. Mr Pinion also suffered damage to his pelvis and ankle and was given morphine by hospital staff to ease his pain. Mr Pinion, from Prickwillow, Cambridge,said: 'The rapid response paramedic who got to me first was brilliant. 'She couldn't have done any more for me, but the people on the radio said they couldn't get an ambulance to me. 'They kept diverting them to more incidents because I was deemed not serious enough. 'Busy time': Ambulances sent to the scene were diverted nine times to 'more serious' incidents . 'The paramedic was arguing with them and . telling them I could have been bleeding internally but they just said . they were sorry and there was nothing they could do. 'Fortunately I didn't suffer any broken bones but I was in so much pain that I really wouldn't want to know what a broken bone feels like.' But Mr Pinion's angry family called for improvements to the ambulance service before lives are lost by delayed response times. Mr Pinion's mother Vanessa said: 'Does someone have to die before we have a decent, reliable ambulance service with a reasonable response time?' An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said: 'This incident has already been raised by the Trust for investigation because the wait for transport to hospital was not acceptable. 'The patient was assessed on-scene by a paramedic, who arrived within six minutes, as not being in a life-threatening condition and during this exceptionally busy time all ambulances which became available had to be diverted to life-threatening calls.'

David Pinion, 24, left with intensive internal bruising after Cambridge crash . Told to make his own way to hospital after waiting 90 minutes for ambulances that kept being diverted to 'more serious' incidents . Mr Pinion then had to call his brother to get a lift to the hospital .

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This is how the world reacted in unison to the grand jury verdicts that absolved the killers of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. Millions of Twitter users across six continents lent their voice to the conflict using the rallying hashtags #ICantBreathe, #BlackLivesMatter and #HandsUpDontShoot. Now, an animated map has documented exactly how the globe lit up with tweets within minutes as each case unraveled. Scroll down for videos . The start: Shortly before the Ferguson verdict, the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter was prevalent in the US and UK . Within hours: That night, when the verdict was announced, the news spread across the world . Case: Michael Brown, 18, (left) was shot dead by Darren Wilson (right) who was not indicted for the death . The visualization starts on November 24, shortly before a grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri, refused to indict white police officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting of black 18-year-old Michael Brown. At that point, the protest cry #BlackLivesMatter was most prominent in the east side of the US, with strong reactions from the UK and parts of Europe. When the judge delivered the verdict, America and Britain erupted with tweets, and the news prompted a faint chain reaction across mainland Europe, southern Asia, Australia, central Africa and central Latin America. Bubbling anger: The reactions continued to simmer, with the phrase #HandsUpDontShoot in the week after . Brewing: As the Eric Garner verdict neared, six continents lit up with simultaneous reactions . Outrage: Red dots swarmed across the globe as millions tweeted Garner's last words 'I can't breathe' As the reactions began to simmer a week later, the hashtag #HandsUpDontShoot - which many claimed to be Michael Brown's last actions and words - emerged across most of the US and southern England, with dots scattered across other continents. On December 3, a grand jury in Staten Island refused to indict white police officer Daniel Pantaleo over the chokehold that killed black father-of-six Eric Garner. The news sparked global outrage. Red spots simultaneously erupted across the map as users tweeted the hashtag #ICantBreathe - the last words Garner said before he died on a New York sidewalk in July. The map remained clouded by yellow and red dots well into December 4 as the first protests were staged across America. Take two: Just a week after the verdict, the officer who killed Eric Garner (left and right) was also absolved .

Grand jury verdict not to indict Darren Wilson sparked millions of tweets . Animated map shows how news and reactions spread in the days after . By the time a jury absolved officer Daniel Pantaleo, the globe erupted .

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A video of two sweet-tempered twin girls locking eyes for the first time has surfaced online and it is absolutely precious. The video begins with the two girls, called Paula and Alyssa, laying on their parents' bed on their stomachs, facing each other. Propped up by body pillows, the two appear to recognise the other for the first time, before engaging in a conversation that no one else can understand, occasionally reaching out and grabbing onto each other's hands. Their 30-year-old parents, Paul and Ally, admit that though life with twins can be extremely challenging, it's moments like this that also make it very fun and rewarding. The environment at home is all hands on deck and mum and dad are equally as involved in every aspect of the twins' day. 'It's a two people job,' the couple said in an email. 'They eat at the same time, they go to sleep at the same time. Dad, Paul, captured the heartwarming moment when the two realised they had a little playmate for life . Although life with twins can be difficult, their parents admit that moments like these make it all worth it . 'They copy each other, but they have very different personalities, though both love to laugh and have a great sense of humour.' And they also have similar milestones, since they develop the same - making it that much easier for proud papa Paul to capture this first-time moment on camera. 'It was so awesome to see them realising that they have a little playmate who's just the same as them,' the couple wrote. 'They have similar milestones, since they develop at the same time,' the girls' parents wrote . The two 'lit up' when they looked at each other, which is when dad, Paul, ran for the camera and began filming . 'Every time we would place the babies on their tummies after their meals, we'd see if they would interact and they didn't really,' mum Alyssa added. 'As soon as their dad saw them lock eyes on each other and light up when seeing each other, he knew it was a moment that couldn't have been missed. 'They were filled with love in their eyes and so were we.'

Parents filmed twins, Paula and Alyssa, look at each other for the first time . Girls appeared to be having a conversation, reached out to hold hands . Both realised they had a playmate for life in this heartwarming video .

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A mother with seven boys, who was so desperate for a girl that she spent $50,000 flying over to the US to ensure she could add daughters to her growing brood, said she was a victim of cyber bullying. Jodi McMahon, from Tumut in rural NSW, decided to make the trip overseas to have the option to choose the gender of her youngest children via IVF. Ms McMahon, along with husband Andrew, sparked a national debate in 2012 when they spoke publicly on Channel Nine program 60 Minutes about their choice to take matters into their own hands when their plans to use gender selection IVF in NSW were stalled by changes that outlawed the option in Australia. Jodi McMahon said she bullied online after her story that revealed she would be spending $50,000 to choose the gender of her children aired on 60 Minutes . When their story was revealed, malicious critics took to the internet to shame the family's extreme lengths to have sisters for siblings Luke, Aiden, Josh, Billy, Cody and Declan. Some went as far as threatening to drive to Ms McMahon's Tumut home to 'get the b****'. 'I got bullied [online],' Mrs McMahon told 9 Stories. 'There was only like a handful of people who took it to the extreme, they were just nasty, just plain out nasty. 'They said nasty horrible things, which I would be pretty sure not all those people would say to your face.' She and her husband, Andrew, travelled to the US where gender selection IVF is legal . Now the McMahons have two girls, Addison - who born in 2011 - and Evie - born in 2012. Despite the bullying and the cost of their conception, Ms McMahon does not have any regrets. 'I just look at [the girls'] when they go to bed at night and I just think every night how lucky I am that my dream and my plan all worked out and all paid off,' she said. Ms McMahon was also adamant Addison and Evie received no special treatment. '[They] aren't loved more than the boys, they're disciplined the same way, it's not like they're on a pedestal,' she said. 'There was no magic moment [when they were born], I've got to tell you,' Mrs McMahon said. 'It was just like, "That hurt and now the baby's out and now it doesn't hurt anymore". 'Even with Evie there was no magic moment - hers was the most unattractive birth. '60 Minutes thought about wanting to videotape that [but] they wouldn't have put it on TV. I was vomiting while I was giving birth, it was not a pretty birth.' With seven boys (only five are pictured here), Ms McMahon desperately yearned to have daughters. She now has two, Addison and Evie . Ms McMahon also added that she would not withholdhow much they cost  from her daughters and said the family already joked the girls were 'made in America'. The McMahons were one of the estimated 100 Australian couples who travelled overseas each year to countries where choosing a baby's gender through IVF was legal - including the US, Cyprus and Thailand. A poll done last year by Roy Morgan Research, which was commissioned by leading IVF expert Professor Gab Kovacs, found 92 per cent of Australians supported the costly procedure, but only 20 per cent agreed with gender selection. Critics believe it encourages the concept of designer babies and are against it even when it is used as a tool to balance out genders in a family. But research shows this never occurs in countries where gender selection is legal.

Mother Jodi McMahon now has two daughters, Addison and Evie . The McMahons live in Tumut, located in rural NSW in the state's south . Ms McMahon said she was bullied online after her story was revealed . One critic threatened to drive to the family home to 'get the b****' But Ms McMahon said she had no regrets, saying her dream worked out .

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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 17:07 EST, 11 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 17:08 EST, 11 January 2013 . A couple is planning to file a civil lawsuit against their neighbour after he shot dead their beloved pet dog when it ran into his backyard. Judy and Fred Galietta heard two shots after their six-year-old Brittany Spaniel, Sadie, ran into the backyard of retired police officer Christopher Gibbons' Hampstead, New Hampshire home. 'When I got to her, I knew she was dead,' Judy Galietta told WHDH. 'I lifted up her head and there was nothing. It's like losing a child. She was our life.' But Mr Gibbons claims the animal was pestering his pet rabbits and saw he had no choice but to shoot it dead - and police have revealed that the law is on his side. Scroll down for video . Battle: Christopher Gibbons, left, shot dead Judy Galietta's beloved dog after it went into his garden . He said he awoke on Saturday morning . to find the dog barking at the two pet rabbits he keeps in a pen in his back . garden, and feared the noise might give them heart attacks. 'I went to the window and looked and saw . and the dog was running round and round and round the cage jumping up on it and . clawing it,' he said. When screaming at the dog did make it stop, Mr Gibbons grabbed his AR-15 assault rifle and fired a warning shot from his second floor bedroom window before aiming for animal. 'I shot one round into the dog and killed the dog,' he said. Police said that Gibbons called 911 immediately after shooting the dog to report the incident, and initially claimed he did not know the animal. Killed: The Galiettas believe he shot dead their pet, Sadie, as revenge for their complaints about his noise . Scene: But Mr Gibbons said the dog was barking at and scaring his rabbits in this outdoor cage . But the Galiettas . insist he recognised the dog, who ran around their garden in summer. They said they think he aimed for the dog as they've previously . complained about Gibbons' target shooting. Lt. John Frazier from the Hampstead Police Department said: '[He] probably could have handled it a little bit differently, be more neighbour-like. But what he did is not illegal.' State . law dictates that 'any person may kill a dog that is… out of the care . of its owner… worrying, wounding, or killing sheep, lambs, fowl, or . other domestic animals'. There has been some contention over the exact meaning of the word 'worrying' and the Galiettas are now calling on lawmakers to scrap it from the law. Missed: The Galiettas said Sadie, a six-year-old Brittany Spaniel, was like a child to them . Sadness: Judy and Fred Galietta plan on filing a civil lawsuit against Gibbons and asked for a change in the law . In light of the incident, Rep. John . Sedensky said on Thursday that he plans to call a meeting with local . legislators to see if the law should be changed due to the different . interpretation of 'worrying'. Sen. Jim Rausch said the term 'worrying' was included to protect livestock, especially sheep, in situations where they may be chased by dogs, causing them damage while not being attacked. 'There is a legitimate reason for that terminology,' he said. 'It's not the law that's wrong, it's people not behaving.' He added: 'This situation just highlights that we . have individuals who use no common sense. This should have been resolved . in a manner of good neighborly relations. I'm sure that dog would have . gone back home if it was scolded. There was no need to shoot it.' Video: Couple's heartbreak as neighbour shoots dead their dog . WHDH-TV - .

Owners asking for change in the law after police say he did nothing illegal . Law states: 'A person may kill a dog if it is worrying domestic animals' Christopher Gibbons claims the spaniel was barking at his rabbits .

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By . Lizzie Parry . A new oat cereal claims to reduce cholesterol levels as effectively as low doses of statins - but will cost around £1 per bowl. Betavivo has been shown to cut high cholesterol and blood sugar levels in scientific trials. It contains beta-glucan, a soluble fibre derived from oats which is known to positively impact on heart health. The Swedish makers of the cereal claim that one serving a day can cut cholesterol by around 10 per cent and cut the chances of heart disease by 25 per cent. A new oat cereal claims to reduce cholesterol levels as effectively as a low dose of statins . A bowl of Betavivo provides 3g of beta-glucan. Most healthy oat cereals contain around a quarter of this amount and porridge just a third. Trimb Healthcare, which makes Betavivo, claims a daily bowl of the cereal for eight weeks or longer is the same as taking a 20mg dose of statins every day. The new cereal has received approval from the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and has been welcomed by heart health charity HEART UK. Dr Charlotta Buch, from Trimb Healthcare, said: 'Statins are a powerful drug and are effective at reducing cholesterol but our product does not have the bad side effects. 'The only side effects are positive. 'Typically the cereal can reduce cholesterol by around 10 per cent if eaten every day for more than eight weeks. This is the same as a low dose of statins. 'If you are on a higher dose, you could have the option of reducing your dose of statins and therefore reducing the chance of side effects such as muscle pain.' Up to seven million people in the UK are on statins, costing the NHS around £450million a year. Dr Buch added: 'The compliance rate for statins in the UK is only 50 per cent so we know patients are concerned about the side effects. Betavivo provides 3g of beta-glucan, a soluble fibre derived from oats which is known to positively impact on heart health. Trimb Healthcare who make the cereal claim that one serving a day can cut cholesterol by around 10 per cent and cut the chances of heart disease by 25 per cent . 'Betavivo is scientifically proven to reduce cholesterol which is a major risk factor in heart disease. 'For those who won't take statins because of side effects, it's an all-natural alternative. 'It's also a product that's suitable for diabetics and anyone who wishes to control their blood sugar levels and is therefore at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Beta-glucan works by dissolving in the stomach to form a gel that binds bile acids. As the liver produces new bile acid it 'draws' cholesterol from the blood and carries these out of the body. Beta-glucan also slows down the uptake of sugars so that insulin response is reduced after every meal. This . means people stay fuller for longer and are more likely to stick to a . healthy diet without the need for snacking between meals. Trimb . says it uses only oats which will produce high quality beta-glucan . molecules and then uses a process to increase the concentration of these . in production. Linda Main, dietitian at HEART UK, said: 'Betavivo is a cholesterol lowering product and cholesterol is a prime risk factor for cardiovascular disease. 'It contains 3g of beta-glucan, which is great. Porridge typically only contains 1g. 'I would say this is for people on statins who want an additional cholesterol lowering effect or for people not on statins who want to lower their cholesterol as a preventative measure. 'Potentially you might be able to lower your dose of statins by eating it and taking positive lifestyle measures. 'As you get older your cholesterol gets higher and if you are eating a product like this you may be able to avoid increasing your statins dose.' Maureen Talbot, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation, today agreed that positive dietary changes could be effective in lowering cholesterol. However she warned against patients abandoning statins without consulting with their GP. She said: 'It is possible for people to lower their cholesterol by changing their diet and being physically active. 'However, statins are prescribed if someone is assessed to be at significant risk of having a heart attack or stroke. 'They have been scientifically proven to reduce this risk and millions of people take them safely. 'If a person wishes to stop taking their statin they are advised to discuss the risks of doing so with their GP.' Betavivo will be available in health . stores and major pharmacists from September. Trimb Healthcare say it . will cost around £1 per daily serving.

Betavivo found to cut cholesterol and  blood sugar levels in scientific trials . Contains beta-glucan, a soluble fibre in oats that is good for heart health . Makers claim one serving a day for eight weeks can cut cholesterol by around 10 per cent and cut chance of heart disease by a quarter .

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Yaounde, Cameroon (CNN) -- French military and intelligence officers have entered northern Cameroon in search of a family of seven French tourists kidnapped Tuesday from a national park, a CNN affiliate reported Wednesday. The Paris-based private network BFMTV did not cite its source; it posted a team of journalists Wednesday in Paris at the French Foreign Ministry Crisis Center, which is handling the country's response to the crisis. BFMTV, citing the French Defense Ministry, said gendarmes had been sent to the site in northern Cameroon where the abduction occurred to investigate. But a Cameroonian official said Wednesday that he believed the family had been taken across the border into neighboring Nigeria within hours of their abduction. Joseph Dion Ngute, the Foreign Ministry official in charge of ties with Commonwealth nations, said Tuesday's incident marked the first time foreigners in Cameroon had been taken captive by suspected Islamic militants of Nigeria's Boko Haram movement. "The intentions of the kidnappers are yet to be known," he said. French officials blamed the incident on Boko Haram, which has taken advantage of Nigeria's porous borders with Chad and Cameroon in its three-year campaign. Boko Haram has waged a war against Nigeria's government and its Christian population in an effort to establish a strict Islamic state in northern Nigeria. The family was kidnapped from Waza National Park, a thickly forested area of northern Cameroon popular among tourists and located near the border with Nigeria. The incident has raised fears of Westerners being targeted by Islamist militant groups in Africa in the wake of France's military intervention in Mali. But French President Francois Hollande said Tuesday that he didn't believe the seizure was linked to his government's intervention in Mali, where French troops have joined government forces to battle Islamic militants linked to al Qaeda. "I am aware of the presence of Boko Haram in that part of Cameroon, and that's worrying enough," Hollande said. The abductees include four children ages 5 to 12, their parents and an uncle, the Cameroon's state broadcaster CRTV reported. Fonkam Azu, governor Cameroon's northern region of Maroua, told reporters that residents saw the hostages being driven into Nigeria on motorcycles. The father works for the French company GDF Suez and is based in Yaounde, the capital in southern Cameroon. GDF Suez, which is developing a natural gas liquefaction project in Cameroon, said it was working closely with the French Foreign Ministry. Concerns about border security in northern Cameroon grew early last year, when Sudanese poachers on horseback invaded the Bouba Ndjida Park and killed more than 300 elephants for their ivory. Afterward, the government temporarily replaced park guards with a special anti-terrorist squad of the military. In a statement, Cameroon's Ministry of External Relations said Wednesday that security has been tightened to guarantee the safety of expatriates and tourists, especially in volatile regions. Abductions are common in Cameroon, especially in natural resource-rich regions. In January, kidnappers killed one Chinese national and abducted three others from the Betare Oya gold mine in the country's south. The military freed the surviving hostages. And several abductions targeting foreigners have occurred in the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula, on the country's Atlantic coast. Amanpour: Nigeria battles to stop al Queda chaos in Africa . Man in Cameroon jailed for love text to another man .

NEW: French gendarmes have been sent to the abduction site, CNN affiliate reports . France and Cameroon suspect the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram . The kidnapping raises fears of retaliation for French military action in Mali .

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England . battled brilliantly against New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday, but were . brutally torn apart in 22 minutes as the All Blacks won 28-27. Here, . Sportsmail's World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward rates the two . teams and gives his verdict on which England players deserve to start . next week's third and final Test. VIDEO Scroll down to see 8/10 New Zealand captain Richie McCaw speaking after the match . England . Mike Brown - 7Helped drive England forward in the final 15 when it could have gone pear-shaped. Took try well . Manu Tuilagi - 6 Showed with last try what he could offer on wing but experiment over. An outside centre going forward. Luther Burrell - 6The game didn’t flow his way and not a huge factor. Will he suffer in a possible midfield reshuffle? Down and out? Luther Burrell is tackled by Richie McCaw and may be dropped for the third Test . Billy Twelvetrees - 6 Some good, and some not so good moments. Not to blame for turnover try by New Zealand . Marland Yarde - 7Still learning. Took his try very well and was busy throughout but needs to address his kicking game. Owen Farrell - 6Yellow card was harsh but not playing as well as in the autumn. Unusually tentative in a few tackles. Underwhelming: Owen Farrell kicks for goal and is stopped by Julian Savea (right) Danny Care - 6 Made Yarde’s try superbly but first match for three weeks and kicking game looked rusty in first half. Joe Marler - 6 Not as prominent around the park as usual, mainly because it was such hard going in the tight. Rob Webber - 7 Another very fine game by the Bath man. Were England any better when Hartley came on? No. David Wilson - 7 Much tougher in the tight but good to see the return of his handling and indeed kicking game! Joe Launchbury - 7 Has been a Trojan for England but was much more tested this week against improved Kiwi front five. Powerhouse: Joe Launchbury holds off a defender and passes in field . Geoff Parling - 7 Good lineout presence, hard working — Parling is making it difficult for Lancaster to drop him. Tom Wood - 8 Hard working and competitive. After the game he insisted defeat was simply not good enough. Chris Robshaw (capt) - 7 Found Richie McCaw back at his best last night so a much more challenging match altogether . Ben Morgan - 7 Strong in the tight going forward although exposed out wide defensively occasionally. New Zealand . Ben Smith - 9Exceptional in attack and defence. Wonderful try-saving tackle on Tuilagi, brilliant try of his own. Star man: New Zealand's Ben Smith was the best player on the pitch . Cory Jane - 7The occasional fumble, still not at his very best, but remains an accomplished all round player. Conrad Smith - 8 Exceptionally gifted rugby player, world class in everything he does for New Zealand. Ma’a Nonu - 8Roared back from a substandard performance last week. Took his try well, made another for Savea. Julian Savea - 8 Probably the world’s best wing on current form. Constant threat in attack, strong in defence. Wide boy: Julian Savea showed his class in attack and defence on Saturday . Aaron Cruden - 8 Clever game manager. Saves big plays for when they are needed — witness his break for Smith’s try. Aaron Smith - 7 Quiet first half but electric when New Zealand started winning the collisions after half-time. Tony Woodcock - 7 Very testing night at the office in Auckland, more comfortable at scrum-time in the ‘House of Pane’. Dane Coles - 7Was probably playing for his place after last week but much stronger in the tight. Good lineout throwing. Much improved: Dane Coles beats the tackle of Launchbury and Marler (right) Owen Franks - 7Another under pressure after Eden Park who answered his critics with a powerful all-court performance. Brodie Retallick - 7Developing a world class combination with Whitelock. Rock solid in the lineout, good in open spaces. Sam Whitelock - 7 Never has a bad match. At the core of the pack. Particularly effective in these high-tempo games. Liam Messam - 7 A quiet grafter in a team of stars. Provides the cement but always comfortable ball in hand. Richie McCaw (capt) - 8 Recovered from missed tackle on Yarde that cost a try to start really hitting his straps in the second half. Jerome Kaino - 7 Fiery and always formidable going forward, great hands and rugby nous to make a try for Savea.

Manu Tuilagi failed to shine on the wing and should be moved back inside . England's star performer Tom Wood admitted defeat was not good enough . Ben Smith was exception in defence and attack for New Zealand .

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By . Matt Blake . PUBLISHED: . 05:39 EST, 15 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:43 EST, 15 March 2013 . Highway patrol officer Gordon Roberts does not take kindly to drivers who break the law... in fact, he rather looks down on them. The Tennessee State Trooper has an ingenious way of spotting motorists who drink, text or don't wear seat belts at the wheel - by patrolling the motorways in a 40-tonne lorry. The 18-wheel juggernaut gives him the perfect vantage point from which to peer into other cars and spot any un-driver-like behaviour. The only trouble is that pulling over cars in an 80-foot articulated truck presents more than a few problems, not to mention the logistics of a high-speed chase. Looking down on drivers: The 18-wheel juggernaut gives State Trooper Gordon Roberts the perfect vantage point from which to peer into other cars and spot any un-driver-like behaviour . So instead he just radios police headquarters with what he sees and the control room dispatches a team of troopers to chase the outlaws down in patrol cars and dish out tickets. 'We should be able to nab some people here', he told Timesfreepress.com on Thursday morning. And sure enough, he snared no less than seven offenders from his cab that day, six feet in the air. He is one of 97 officers in the state who carry a heavy goods licence so they too can trundle the roads peering into passing cars. It is the brainchild of Lt. John Harmon who asked Roberts to drive the semi as part of 'Stay . Alive on 75,' a police initiative to raise awareness about crashes on the . highway. One of his catches: The only trouble is that pulling over cars in an 80-foot articulated truck presents more than a few problems, not to mention the logistics of a high-speed chase. So instead he just radios officers to chase the outlaws down in patrol cars . 'The Tennessee Highway Patrol will be utilizing every resource . available in the Chattanooga district to make our highways safer,' Harmon said in a statement. The initiative was launched this week as new research today revealed text messaging while behind the wheel . is as dangerous as being twice over the legal drink-drive limit,. Scientists compared the effects of mobile phone use while driving with the effects of alcohol using a driving simulator. Their . experiment demonstrated that sending a text message or even using a . hands-free mobile phone kit is the same as being above the legal alcohol . limit for driving. A high school student texts while 'driving' in this simulator which shows the consequences of texting while behind the wheel . A national telephone survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety . conducted in 2010 found that 69 percent of drivers had used a cellphone . while driving and 24 percent had texted while driving during the . previous 30 days. 'To me this says we still have a huge distracted driving problem. It's a cultural problem, and we haven't convinced the country yet that . this is a serious issue,' said Jonathan Adkins, deputy executive . director of the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Tennessee Trooper Gordon Roberts sits six feet in air in cab of juggernaut . But can't pull cars over or engage high-speed chases, so just calls crimes in . One of 97 officers in state . who carry heavy goods license to peer into cars . Part of 'Stay . Alive on 75' initiative to raise awareness about road crashes . Recent report shows 60% of drivers used cell, 24% texted while driving .

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Next is hiring thousands of cheap Eastern European workers to staff its warehouse, it has been claimed (file picture) A major British retailer is hiring thousands of cheap Eastern European workers to staff its warehouse in an area where more than 200,000 are on the dole, it has been claimed. A former member of staff at Next has revealed how 'busloads' of Polish workers started arriving at the company's warehouse in South Elmsall in West Yorkshire earlier this month. It comes as it was revealed more than 218,000 are out of work in the Humber and Yorkshire area with unemployment higher than average. An agency based in Warsaw has claimed Next, run by Conservative peer Lord Wolfson, has already taken on 7,000 staff from Poland. Former worker Paul Crowcroft, 63, a retired cleaner, is reported as saying: 'They would suddenly turn up in busloads, seven coaches at a time. 'They were bringing them in every day by minibus from places like Wakefield and Doncaster. They were happy on the money because they got so little working back home in Poland. 'They were on the minimum wage.' The Eastern European work force was reported to be arriving to fill 'minimum wage' jobs weeks before the posts were advertised in the UK. Next has said it is currently using about 250 Polish staff but that it takes on about 500 a year and that it advertises in Poland first because it is more time consuming to take on workers from abroad. It advertised the jobs in Britain on November 19 and says 100 jobs are still up for grabs at South Elmsall. A spokesman told Mailonline today: 'We simply can't recruit enough people locally.' Polish jobs agency Flamejobs was said to be fielding a hundred calls a day looking for employment at Next. The firm's operations director Arseniusz Wolinski told the Mirror that 350 people were going to work at Next but that it had already sent 7,000. Polish workers started arriving at the company's warehouse in South Elmsall in West Yorkshire earlier this month, it has been claimed. The plant is pictured from above . He said wages on offer were up to four times the amount Polish workers would earn for the same role in their homeland. Buses started arriving at the warehouse earlier this month with Flame arranging trips from Warsaw at £100 a head, the Mirror reports. Its workers are offered places to stay for a weekly rent of up to £65 a week, the newspaper says. It comes just weeks after it was revealed that food manufacturer Greencore Group was reportedly looking to recruit staff from Hungary for a new £35 million factory due to open in Northampton - as few people living in the area have applied for jobs. A Next spokesman today told Mailonline that it needed to boost its recruitment on a temporary basis twice a year - for the Christmas period and for late spring sales. An agency based in Warsaw has claimed Next, run by Conservative peer Lord Wolfson (pictured), has already taken on 7,000 staff from Poland . He said: 'The local area cannot support that level of demand for these short spikes.' He added that Polish and British workers get paid the same, which was minimum wage and which is topped up with a bonus scheme and that recruitment started earlier in Poland as the process for hiring foreign workers took longer. When asked what measures were taken to secure British workers, he said all available jobs were posted on the firm's own website. 'The bottom line is there are still 100 jobs available which have to be filled. 'Next does recruit from Poland and has for years - it cannot fill its vacancies otherwise,' the spokesman said. He added that Flamejobs' estimation of 7,000 staff having been sent over may well have been over the period of a number of years. Nobody was available for comment when Mailonline contacted Flamejobs this morning. David Cameron has signalled he is ready to lead Britain out of the European Union if other EU states set their faces against tough new proposals to cut immigration. In a much-anticipated speech setting out plans to bar EU migrants from claiming welfare for the first four years after arriving in the UK and deport those who do not find jobs within six months, Mr Cameron warned that he will 'rule nothing out' if other European states turn a deaf ear to British concerns. The Prime Minister insisted that he still hopes to be able to recommend an In vote in the referendum on EU membership he has promised for 2017, and said he was 'confident' of success in the renegotiation of the terms of that membership he plans if Conservatives win next year's general election. David Cameron (pictured) has signalled he is ready to lead Britain out of the European Union if other EU states set their faces against tough new proposals to cut immigration . But he left no doubt that he has not ruled out recommending British exit if other EU nations refuse to compromise on the principle of free movement and accept reforms that he said were 'radical' but 'reasonable and fair'. Welfare changes to cut migration from within the EU 'significantly' will be an 'absolute requirement' in the renegotiation, he said. Under his plans, EU jobseekers without an offer of employment will not be allowed to claim the new Universal Credit when they arrive in the UK and will be required to leave if they do not find work within six months. Migrants will be able to claim tax credits and child benefit and to apply for social housing only after four years in the country, and will receive no child benefit or child tax credit for offspring living abroad . 'If you elect me as Prime Minister in May, I will negotiate to reform the European Union, and Britain's relationship with it,' said Mr Cameron. 'This issue of free movement will be a key part of that negotiation. 'If I succeed, I will, as I have said, campaign to keep this country in a reformed EU. 'If our concerns fall on deaf ears and we cannot put our relationship with the EU on a better footing, then of course I rule nothing out. 'But I am confident that, with goodwill and understanding, we can and will succeed.' David Cameron took a swipe at the Ukip, under Nigel Farage (pictured) warning voters to 'distrust those who sell the snake oil of simple solutions' Speaking in Staffordshire a day after official statistics showed net migration rising to 260,000 over the past year - 16,000 higher than when the coalition Government came to office - Mr Cameron conceded that his policies had 'not been enough' to meet the Conservative target of cutting overall numbers to the tens of thousands by 2015. But he insisted that his reforms had made 'a real difference', cutting numbers of migrants from outside the EU by as much as 50,000. He promised to 'go further' if he wins next year's election, by revoking the licences of colleges whose students overstay visas, extending 'deport first, appeal later' rules and requiring landlords to check tenants' immigration status. 'The ambition remains the right one. But it's clear: it's going to take more time, more work and more difficult long-term decisions to get there,' said Mr Cameron. In a clear swipe at the UK Independence Party, which has built support by highlighting public concerns over immigration, the Prime Minister warned voters to 'distrust those who sell the snake oil of simple solutions'. Denouncing as 'appalling' any suggestion of repatriating legal migrants, Mr Cameron said Britain was great 'because of immigration, not in spite of it', and insisted he was proud of the UK's openness to incomers and its creation of 'a successful multi-racial democracy'. The isolationism of those who want to 'pull up the drawbridge' and shut off immigration altogether is 'actually deeply unpatriotic', he said. 'For the sake of British jobs, British livelihoods and British opportunities we must fight this dangerous and misguided view that our nation can withdraw from the world and somehow all will be well,' said Mr Cameron. But he also warned against the 'dangerous' idea that immigration is not a problem and that it is racist to voice anxiety about it. 'We should be clear,' said the Prime Minister. 'It is not wrong to express concern about the scale of people coming into the country. 'People have understandably become frustrated. It boils down to one word: control. People want Government to have control over the numbers of people coming here and the circumstances in which they come, both from around the world and from within the European Union. 'They want control over who has the right to receive benefits and what is expected of them in return. They want to know that foreign criminals can be excluded - or if already here, removed. And they want us to manage carefully the pressures on our schools, our hospitals and our housing. 'If we are to maintain this successful open meritocratic democracy we treasure, we have to maintain faith in Government's ability to control the rate at which people come to this country. 'And yet in recent years, it has become clear that successive governments have lacked control. 'People want grip. I get that. And I completely agree.' Mr Cameron's speech in the JCB factory in Rocester was briefly interrupted by an alarm bell, which he joked must have been triggered by a direct link to the European Commission in Brussels. Read more .

'Busloads' of Polish workers arrive at Next's warehouse in West Yorkshire . Unemployment higher than average in Humber and Yorkshire with 218,000 out of work . Reports that Polish agency has sent 7,000 people to work at Next already . Operations director at Polish firm said he received 100 calls a day asking about Next jobs . Next says it currently uses about 250 Polish workers and hires up to 500 a year . Spokesman claims the firm 'simply cannot recruit enough people locally'

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Dance teacher Nadia Wearn died hours after she was sent home from hospital after doctors failed to carry out the correct tests . A distressed mother died just hours after being sent home from A&E by a doctor who said her crippling pain was caused by holding her young daughter the wrong way. The junior doctor prescribed Nadia Wearn painkillers, telling her that she was suffering from bad posture and a trapped nerve, possibly caused by holding her baby incorrectly. But just over two hours after returning home the 31-year-old dance teacher collapsed and died from a heart attack in front of her family. Her daughter Ava, who was just 13 weeks old when her mother died, has now been awarded damages after the hospital admitted liability. Bosses said Mrs Wearn could have been saved if she had been tested more thoroughly. The case comes two days after it emerged that a new blood test would help doctors spot ‘hidden’ heart attacks in women. Mrs Wearn had complained of breathlessness and pains across her chest, abdomen and left arm when she visited South Tyneside Hospital in 2011. However, doctors failed to perform tests such as an ECG, which measures the heart’s electrical activity, and blood analysis. Both are commonly used to determine whether a patient is suffering cardio problems but diagnosis rates at A&E are significantly lower for women. Soon after returning to her home in South Shields, Mrs Wearn collapsed as she sat next to her mother, Pauline Elleithy. Miss Elleithy, who had 40 years’ nursing experience, desperately tried to revive her daughter but Mrs Wearn lost consciousness. She was taken to hospital and pronounced dead an hour later. After the tragedy, Miss Elleithy said her daughter had complained about doctors dismissing her problems because of how she was holding Ava. A court later found that the mother-of-one's life could have been saved if the correct tests were carried out . Mrs Wearn’s husband Jason, 38, and Ava, now three, were awarded undisclosed damages at the High Court this week. South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust admitted liability and apologised for the failings. From Wednesday's Mail . After the hearing, the family’s solicitor Angela Curran said the trust agreed further tests should have been carried out. ‘Had those tests been undertaken, Nadia would still have been in hospital at the time of her cardiac arrest and in all likelihood would have been resuscitated,’ she said. The damages will now be paid into the court and administered for Ava’s benefit. Mrs Wearn, who worked as a dance teacher at independent Newcastle High School for Girls, suffered from a hereditary blood condition as a child. She went through several blood transfusions and surgery to remove her spleen at the age of eight. But she overcame her health problems to enjoy an active adult life. Dr Alan Rodgers, a medical director at South Tyneside District Hospital, said the hospital should have carried out more tests given the symptoms Mrs Wearn displayed. ‘In what Nadia presented, we were duty-bound to do more tests,’ he said. A spokesman for the trust in charge of South Tyneside hospital said: 'We are extremely sorry about Nadia Wearn's tragic death' Dr Soni Shrestha, who examined Mrs Wearn, told an inquest in 2012 that the findings from initial tests on the mother were ‘normal’. She said: ‘There was no indication for blood tests so I did not feel I had to do the blood tests. She did not appear anxious. All her vitals were fine.’ On Tuesday, it was revealed that a new £20 test that looks at levels of a protein produced by damaged heart cells could double the chances of spotting hidden heart attacks in women. Existing checks are good at picking up cardiac trouble in men suffering chest pains, with a diagnosis rate of 19 per cent. However the rate for women is only 11 per cent.

New mother went to hospital complaining of chest and back pain . Doctors told her she was cradling her baby incorrectly and sent her home . Hours later she collapsed and died - leaving her daughter without a mother . Court later found correct medical tests could have saved the mother's life . Toddler handed significant compensation by NHS by High Court today . Hospital trust involved apologises but family says case had 'no winners'

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By . Ashley Collman for MailOnline . Corona Extra bottles have been recalled across the nation for a defective bottle that chips glass particles into the beer. Victor, New York-based beverage distributor Constellation Brands raised the alert last Friday after their quality control department noticed the issue. The company says that the chipping problem stems from a third-party Mexican manufacturer and only applies to 12 oz glass bottles of Corona Extra sold in six, 12 and 18 packs. Check before you drink: Glass bottles of Corona Extra are currently under recall across the U.S. for a defective glass bottle . The recall does not affect Corona Light, Corona Familiar, Coronitas, or Corona Extra in cans, 24 packs or 24 oz bottles. As of Friday, the company had received to reports on injuries. 'We are troubled by this development and are working proactively with our distributors, retailers and consumers to resolve this situation as quickly as possible,' Constellation's beer brands division President Bill Hackett said in a press release. Hackett added that the company is 'absolutely committed to doing everything possible to complete this recall quickly, and ensure the safety of our consumers and integrity of our product'. The recall applies to bottles shipped across the nation, and some of the retailers listing information about the recall include supermarkets Wegmans and Tops, as well as Wal-mart. Constellation has posted a list of numbers found on the recalled bottles online. The codes are stamped on the neck of the bottle. Those who have purchased recalled bottles can call Constellation for a refund at 1-866-207-9407. Numbered: The recall applies to 120z Corona Extra bottles sold in six, 12 and 18 packs. The distributor has released a list of codes that are stamped on the neck of the bottles .

Distributor Constellation Brands issued the voluntary recall last week . Quality control noticed certain glass bottles chipped on the inside . Recall only affects Corona Extra bottles sold in six, 12- and 18- packs .

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(CNN) -- It is always with a sense of great anticipation that I get ready for the thrilling spectacle that is golf's Ryder Cup. To see it come "home," not only to Scotland, where the game was first played, but to Gleneagles in particular, where the first "international" match was played between the best professionals of Great Britain and their U.S. counterparts 90 odd years ago, makes it all the more significant. It has the makings of a battle royal. Let's hope it becomes one. We want this one going down to the wire, with memorable golfing moments, good gladiatorial combat and most of all, exemplary sportsmanship. A whiff of sulfur never goes astray in sporting combat, but let's hope it doesn't get out of hand. Nine Ryder Cups have been played since Tom Watson last captained America to victory at the Belfry in 1993, and Team Europe has won seven of them. Given Europe's strong record over the last two decades, the burning question is how will Team USA perform under the captaincy of the great Watson? Before a competitive ball is struck, this is already becoming a battle of pure passion versus arch professionalism. The American setup is businesslike and has always has been. They do things by the book, dotting every "i," crossing every "t" and clinically going about their business with ruthless efficiency. Ryder Cup veteran Jim Furyk embodies this very style. Like the winter sun, he's brilliant but cold. The Europeans, on the other hand, play with a heart and passion that is very difficult to define. Every other year, they unite like a band of brothers. It's a bonding exercise. Personal egos go out the window, while unity and a musketeer's "all for one, one for all" mentality embodies the team dynamic. It's visceral. Think of Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo -- usually arch rivals on the course -- hugging and crying in each other's arms at Oak Hill in 1995 and you'll know what I mean. Hard to explain, but it is there and it's the fuel for the engine that is European team golf. This year's captain Paul McGinley personifies that team dynamic. Never the greatest player, he was an achiever nonetheless and never afraid to dream big. Hewn from the heft and brawn of Gaelic football back in his native Ireland, McGinley is a team player through and through. From his earliest representative days as a golfing talent, his greatest experiences have been as part of a collective, playing for Leinster, and Ireland, and making the Walker Cup amateur side in 1991. Winning the World Cup for Ireland in 1997 alongside Padraig Harrington exemplified that shared experience perfectly. Since becoming a Ryder Cup hero in his debut in 2002, the Dubliner has not been part of a losing team, either as a player or vice-captain. But can he handle the "favorites" tag? It's going to be fascinating to see what the team will deliver for him. Conversely, Watson is a bona fide legend of the game who is also a teak-tough, battle-hardened competitor. At 65, he still has the power to stop the game's elites in their tracks when he starts hitting balls on any range. He is the most successful British Open champion of the modern era in golf and one of the greatest match-players of all time. He clearly loves the Ryder Cup and absolutely hates the way the matches have gone against Team USA over the last 19 years. Like any great gladiator, the losses annoy him beyond belief, hence his absolute desire to win this one back. The question is, however, whether he can fire up these boys in red, white and blue. Some of the team are young enough to be their captain's grandsons -- will it be "my way or the highway?" Can he go deep with his team in terms of connection or will it be tough love from the elder statesman? This truly is a fascinating prospect, with so much at stake. In the end, it may only be a game. But in truth, it is in actual fact, much more important than that altogether. "Olé" or "USA"? Let the games begin!

Ryder Cup begins at Gleneagles in Scotland on Friday . The two-yearly competition pits the best golfers from U.S. and Europe against each other . Team USA is out for revenge after losing the last two contests . Golf legend Tom Watson captains the American team .

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(CNN) -- A Turkish television show is offering contestants what it claims is the "biggest prize ever" -- the chance for atheists to convert to one of the world's major religions. The TV show offers converts to Islam the chance to visit Mecca. The show, called "Tovbekarlar Yarisiyor," or "Penitents Compete," features a Muslim imam, a Catholic priest, a Jewish rabbi and a Buddhist monk attempting to persuade 10 atheists of the merits of their religion, according to CNN Turk. If they succeed, the contestants are rewarded with a pilgrimage to one of their chosen faith's most sacred sites -- Mecca for Muslims, Jerusalem for converts to Judaism, a trip to Tibet for Buddhists and the chance to visit Ephesus and the Vatican for Christians. Ahmet Ozdemir, deputy director of Turkish channel Kanal T, which will air the show from September, said the program aimed to "turn disbelievers on to God." "People are free to believe anything they want. Our program does not have a say," he said, according to Turkish newspaper Hurriyet. Contestants will be judged by a panel of eight theologians and religious experts prior to going on the show to make sure their lack of faith is genuine. But the show has been condemned by Turkish religious leaders. The head of the country's supreme council of religious affairs, Hamza Aktan, told CNN Turk that it was "disrespectful" to place different faiths in competition with each other and accused Kanal T of using religion to boost ratings. "To do such a thing for the sake of ratings, not only with Islam but with all religions is disrespectful," said Aktan. "Religion should not be the subject of this type of program." Although Turkey has a predominantly Muslim population and culture, religion is a sensitive subject because of the country's staunchly secular constitution which outlaws most displays of faith in public life. Last year the Islamist-influenced government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan clashed with the country's constitutional court when judges overturned the efforts of Erdogan's AK Party to lift a ban on female students wearing headscarves at public universities. Aylin Yazan at CNN Turk contributed to this story.

Turkish TV show features imam, Catholic priest, Jewish rabbi, Buddhist monk . Religious leaders attempt to persuade atheists to "convert" to their faith . Show has prompted criticism from religious groups who say it is "disrespectful"

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(CNN) -- Rachel Hope was 33 years old when she received a painful reminder: She couldn't outrun the past. Hope was trying to help a new assistant at her Maui rental property business, but it wasn't going smoothly. Part of it was Hope herself. "I had this startle reflex," she explained. "The phone would ring, and I'm literally three feet off the floor, screaming. "My new assistant said, 'You're driving me crazy!' And I would say, 'I'm really sorry, just please try to ignore it. It's embarrassing, but let's keep working.' " But the young man, a teacher on break, wasn't pushed off easily. Soon after, Hope said, "he walked over to my desk and dropped a stack of papers two inches thick. It was every single PTSD study that was online, and he just said, 'pick one.' " A few days later, Hope was dialing the number of South Carolina psychiatrist Dr. Michael Mithoefer. Her plan: to see whether she could free herself of a lifetime of torment by taking a drug he was testing -- a drug most people know as Ecstasy. A teetotaler, Hope wasn't looking for a thrill. She'd been born to a young hippie mother who couldn't stand the thought of parking their VW bus in one spot. After seeing psychedelic casualties all along the road, to Hope, drugs signified a lack of control. That was the last thing she needed. It was hard enough to hold things together stone sober. Truth be told, Hope didn't need her new assistant to tell her what the problem was. She just didn't know how to fix it. She'd been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, traced to a period of sexual abuse as a child and a life-threatening car accident. She'd been hospitalized four times for the debilitating symptoms, and stress had caused bleeding ulcers bad enough to send her to the emergency room twice more. Along the way, she tried cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis and acupuncture. She tried an established therapy called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, where a therapist used physical stimuli -- light tapping and guided eye movements -- to try to retrain her brain. It made her eyeballs feel like they would burst out of her head. She tried gestalt therapy, screaming out her rage. "Nothing worked," she says. "I got to the point where I just said, 'I'm handicapped. I'm just going to have to live my life like this.' It was pretty horrible." A formal plan . More than 7 million Americans suffer from PTSD, and by most estimates, only half of them -- at best -- are ever cured. A decade ago, the widely acknowledged need for better treatments opened the door to Mithoefer and his unconventional approach. By the time he took Hope's call in February 2005, the soft-spoken, ponytailed Mithoefer had managed to convince the Drug Enforcement Administration to green-light a study of Ecstasy as an adjunct to psychotherapy. Of course, he wasn't calling it Ecstasy. Neither were the scientists from the Food and Drug Administration and certainly not the DEA agents who had picked over Mithoefer's bungalow in Charleston, South Carolina, making sure it was "secure" in case drug-hunting criminals tried to break in and grab the stash. He'd gotten the 3,4-methylenedioxy-methylamphetamine (MDMA) -- the chemical name for pure Ecstasy -- from Rick Doblin, the founder of a MAPS, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. The group's stated purpose is to develop "medical, legal and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana." It wants to turn mind-altering drugs like Ecstasy into prescription medicine. The advocacy unsettles some people, but this was no Timothy Leary operation. Doblin says he was determined to do things the right way. "Doing science that gets reported, that's an idea we can sort of leverage," Doblin said. To win broader acceptance for MDMA -- and for cousins like LSD and psilocybin, the mind-altering compound in so-called magic mushrooms -- "the medical route was the only route. Everything else was blocked." That meant a formal plan for drug development: study protocols, institutional review boards and the rest. Mithoefer, a University of Virginia-trained clinician who specializes in trauma and had a long-running interest in MDMA, was the perfect partner. When Mithoefer enrolled the first patient in the new study in 2004, U.S. troops were in Iraq fighting the longest-running war in American history. They just didn't know it yet. Even then, there were men and women jumping out of their shoes at the sound of a car horn and waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat from another nightmare. But most troops hadn't come home yet. America wasn't ready. A sense of crisis was years away, but Mithoefer -- and other specialists in psychological trauma -- were bracing for a wave of tortured souls. Before taking Hope's call, the doctor had spent nearly three years navigating the federal bureaucracy to win approval for his small experiment, designed to test a simple question: Is MDMA, used in a clinical setting, safe? The point is sometimes lost, but even today, civilians make up the vast majority of people struggling with PTSD. As Mithoefer launched his research, he wouldn't be working with veterans. He'd be working with civilians, mostly female survivors of sexual assault. All had tried conventional treatments -- either therapy or medication -- without success. On average, they had suffered their debilitating symptoms for 19 years. Hope was patient No. 7. 'It just wouldn't stop' Hope was used to putting on a front. To a casual visitor, she seemed fine. Her rental property business in Hawaii earned a steady living, and she and a close friend were happily raising a 13-year-old son through an unconventional co-parenting arrangement. She was restless on Maui, but after a bumpy childhood, it seemed she'd found a kind of peace. But you didn't have to look hard to see a dark side. "I was argumentative and defensive, and I was very angry," she recalled. "I was having panic attacks and anxiety attacks and all the physical problems that come with it. I had irritable bowel syndrome, and I couldn't sleep." To survive, she pushed people away. "It makes intimate relationships very difficult," she said. "Some part of me was on guard, and it just wouldn't stop." To be continued in Sunday's story .

Rachel Hope suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder for years . In 2005, she investigated an experimental new treatment: Ecstasy . Dr. Michael Mithoefer convinced the DEA to green-light a study of the treatment . More than 7 million Americans suffer from PTSD .

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Demi Moore collapsed after taking nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, while at her LA home, it has been claimed. The 49-year-old allegedly inhaled the chemical out of a canister commonly used in whipping cream cans. She allegedly collapsed after having a bad reaction, according to TMZ. A source told the website the actress started to show symptoms of a seizure after ingesting large amounts of the substance. However estranged husband Ashton Kutcher failed to respond when asked if Demi was okay, after he was caught on camera by US site TMZ as he was leaving a nightclub in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Dangerous high? Demi Moore was rushed to hospital on Monday night after reportedly inhaling Nitrous Oxide out of . a canister used in whipping cream cans . 'Whip-it' is the street name for nitrous . oxide contained in a small metal canister and usually used for . recharging whipping cream cans in restaurants. According to TMZ, a female friend who was with the actress while she was inhaling gas told hospital staff she became distressed when Demi had a reaction and was rendered semi-unconscious. The 'whip-it' charger is sold separately and users inhale it from the canister to receive a 'quick high'. It is typically used by young teenagers and is popular because it can easily be bought over the counter from the supermarket. Prescription medication is also said to have played a part in her hospitalization and that her consistent use was one of the causes of her marriage collapse. 'It was a sticking point for Ashton,' a source told People magazine. 'He wanted her to take care of herself and get a hold of things, and she wouldn't. Quick high: 'Whip-it' is the street name for Nitrous . Oxide contained in a small metal canister similar to this one, and usually used for . recharging whipping cream cans in restaurants . 'Her family and friends have been really worried.' Insiders have also told the publication that Demi was troubled and not looking after herself long before Monday night's hospital dash. They say the problems began as she endured her break-up with Kutcher. 'Really, it was over the last year her friends saw a change,' a source told the magazine. 'She wasn't sleeping as well, didn't seem to be eating and looked really gaunt.' Demi was rushed to hospital on Monday night. The actress, who has appeared increasingly frail in recent weeks, was taken to hospital by ambulance following a call to 911 just before 11pm. Shortly after being admitted to hospital, website Radar claimed she was being treated for anorexia, among other substance abuse issues. The news emerged as her young . husband, 33, from whom she is estranged, was pictured enjoying a beer as he . partied with friends at a Bruno Mars gig in Brazil. Ashton has been in the South American country for its fashion week. Seeking help: Demi, seen here earlier this month with her daughter Rumer was admitted to hospital on Monday night . Demi has become . frighteningly thin since her split with Ashton, and a . source close to the actress described what happened to her. A source told Radar: 'She collapsed after having an epileptic seizure... she has not taken care of her health at all lately and has lost a ton of weight.' 'Demi is in getting treated for anorexia, as well as other issues that caused her seizure,' the source added. In the weeks before her hospitalisation, Demi was spotted letting loose on a wild night out with her daughter Rumer, 23. On the night of January 11 she joined her eldest child at Hollywood hot spot Beacher's Madhouse where sources tell Us Weekly magazine she was 'table . dancing while three guys sat there watching.' At least one onlooker claims she appeared intoxicated, although others only saw her drinking Red Bull. Representatives for the star refused to directly comment on the substance abuse allegations. But her spokesperson said the actress is seeking 'professional assistance' after the stresses of recent months. Moving on: The Two And A Half Men star is said to be dating someone his own age . Demi and Ashton's six year marriage . foundered in 2011 after Star magazine's shock report that Ashton cheated . on Demi with starlet Sara Leal the weekend of their wedding . anniversary. She announced that she was separating from him but has yet to file divorce papers. According to TMZ a 911 call was . placed at 10:45pm last night. The actress was assessed at home before . being taken to a local hospital. Her spokesperson told . MailOnline in a statement: ‘Because of the stresses in her life right now, Demi has . chosen to seek professional assistance to treat her exhaustion and . improve her overall health. 'She looks forward to getting well and is . grateful for the support of her family and friends.’ Unaware: Demi's estranged husband Ashton was seen out drinking beer at a Bruno Mars Concert in Brazil last night while Demi was rushed to hospital . Demi's frail and gaunt appearance in recent weeks has caused considerable concern. The . actress, who announced last November that she was divorcing husband . Ashton Kutcher, has lost a considerable amount of weight over the past . four . months. And today it was announced she has pulled out of a cameo appearance in the film about porn star Linda Lovelace in which she had been cast as feminist icon Gloria Steinem. While Demi is seeking treatment her estranged husband is currently in Sao Paulo where he has been attending the Fashion Week. He was seen enjoying a beer with friends at a Bruno Mars concert, oblivious to the drama involving his wife. The Two And A Half Men star is also said to have moved on following the breakdown of his marriage. Ashton frolics in a 'summer storm' in Sao Paulo, Brazil . Party hard: Ashton seen leaving the concert in Sao Paulo with a female friend . Demi last appeared in public on January 14 at the Cinema For Peace event at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills. Her frail appearance shocked fans, . although she appears to have been losing weight steadily since claims . emerged Ashton had cheated on her with 22-year-old Sara Leal. Demi, . who looked a shadow of her former self, wore a slim fitting black dress . which showed just how much weight she had lost from her usually toned . physique. On November 17 2011, Demi announced that she was filing for divorce from her toyboy husband after six years of marriage. In happier and healthier times: Demi and her estranged husband Ashton Kutcher in February last year before they split . In a statement she said: 'It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have decided to end my six-year marriage to Ashton. 'As a woman, a mother and a wife there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life.' He is now reportedly dating screenwriter Lorene Scafaria, who, at 33, is his own age. The pair spent Christmas together in Europe. Earlier this month Demi was seen in a parking lot with a 26-year-old actor and personal trainer Blake Corl-Baietti. Her representatives refused to comment on speculation that the actress was in a relationship with the younger man. Demi recently opened up about her fears and heartache in an interview with US Harper's Bazaar. Changing shape: Demi was looking frail in October in the wake of news . her husband had cheated on her, seen looking healthier in 2009 . She admitted: ‘What scares me is that I’m going to ultimately find out at the end of my life that I’m really not lovable, that I’m not worthy of being loved. 'That there’s something fundamentally wrong with me.’ As well as speaking out about her anxieties, she also opened up about her body image. The actress - who went through a gruelling fitness regime for her role in GI Jane - admitted to having had a ‘love-hate relationship’ with her body but said she had a more positive view of it now. She said: ‘I sit today in a place of greater acceptance of my body and that includes not just my weight but all of the things that come with your changing body as you age to now experiencing my body as extremely thin.’ Demi added: ‘Thin in a way that I never imagined somebody would be saying to me, “You’re too thin, and you don’t look good".'

Receiving treatment for issues relating to 'substance abuse' and 'anorexia', according to US reports . The 49-year-old 'danced on table tops' on recent wild night out with daughter . Estranged husband Ashton Kutcher parties on at pop concert in Rio .

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But Met Office has warned warm spell unlikely to continue into next week . By . Claire Ellicott . Last updated at 7:16 PM on 19th November 2011 . While leaves on the line is often used as an excuse for train delays, the unseasonably warm weather is now being blamed by operators who are cancelling services due to the wrong type of soil. Network Rail has cancelled First Capital Connect services between Ely, Cambridge, Downham Market and Norfolk because dry soil has caused the rails to shift. Passengers expecting to use the services tomorrow and next Sunday will be forced to use replacement buses while repairs to the tracks are carried out. Cancelled: Some First Capital Connect services have had to be cancelled as dry soil has caused the rails to shift . A spokesman for Network Rail said: 'The closures are necessary because the ground on this stretch of track is drying out owing to a lack of rainfall in the area. 'As a result of the dry weather, ground movement has caused the tracks to become out of direct alignment with the overhead lines used to power trains. 'Services have been running at a reduced speed to minimise the chances of any disruption and remedial work has been carried out. 'It is absolutely essential that we carry out this work to keep the railway running efficiently and safely.' The mild temperatures are set to continue throughout the weekend and will mean Britain is hotter than Jordan. It will be unseasonably mild, according to predictions, with temperatures averaging 14c (57f) across Britain, as the unexpectedly warm November weather continues. Last Thursday, temperatures in . Gravesend, Kent, reached 16.2c (61f). And today, they are expected to . reach 15.5c (60f) there – hotter than Amman, Jordan, where the . temperature is 13c (55f). It . is also set to be warmer than Damascus, Syria, where it is 13c and . match Shanghai, China, where it is 15c. The outlook is not entirely . positive, though, as some areas will be cloudy and may see showers, . according to forecasts. Illuminated: The iconic Angel of the North stands against a golden backdrop as the sun sets over the northern edge of rural County Durham . So far, temperatures this month have averaged 9.4c (49f) – 3.5c above the November average of 5.9c (43f). But it could soon be time to finally dig out those woolly jumpers, as the Met Office has warned that the warm spell is unlikely to continue much past this weekend. Sarah Holland, a Met Office . forecaster, said: ‘The first part of the month has been very warm. We . have been seeing very mild temperatures of around 14-15c during the day . which will continue into the weekend.’ The unseasonably warm weather is down to milder southerly winds blowing across from the Continent, according to the forecaster. Bright: The sun falls across St James's Park as a pelican prepares to fly across the park's lake in central London . Take-off: The pelican sets off on its journey with the rays from the warm sun bouncing off the lake . Normally, Britain would be experiencing cooler westerly winds from across the Atlantic. ‘The warm weather is also down to an area of high pressure over the UK and that brings in the milder conditions,’ she added. 'As we move into next week, we will . see temperatures return to normal for November. It will be quite cold, . especially compared with the warmer weather we’ve been experiencing.’ Night-time . temperatures this month, averaging 6.6C (44f) over the first 15 days, . have also been higher than the average of 4-5c (39-41f). Spring-like: A mallard at London Wetland Centre has hatched a clutch of 11 ducklings, about six months later than usual . And this November has been one of the . driest on record, with 25.6mm of rain falling – 22 per cent of the . monthly average of 116mm.  But Miss Holland said it would be difficult . to predict whether it would be the warmest on record. The current record for November was set in 1994, when temperatures averaged 8.8c (48f). TOMORROW: Dry and cloudy with sunny spells across the bulk of England, Wales and northern Scotland, although morning mist and fog will be slow to clear. Elsewhere, mainly cloudy, with occasional rain or showers. North - High: 14c (57f) Low: 9 (48ft) South: High: 16c (61ft) Low: 8c (46ft) MONDAY: Rain in many places lingering in the east on Tuesday.North - High: 12c (54ft) Low: 8c (46ft)South: High: 12c (54ft) Low: 10c (50ft) TUESDAY: Brighter conditions push into the west but won't last long resulting in a chilly to start to Wednesday.North- high: 11c (52 ft Low: 10c (50 ft)South - High: 13 (55ft) Low: 11c (52ft) While the warm weather might seem like a blessing to most of us, it has left wildlife confused. Swallows, whose arrival usually marks the beginning of summer, have been spotted on Teesside. Frogs have begun mating and in London, a duck has hatched a clutch of 11 ducklings six months earlier than usual. The ducklings, which would normally be born between April and June, could be seen paddling on the entrance lake at the London Wetland Centre, in Barnes, yesterday. Jamie Wyver, of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, said: ‘Fortunately, the mild weather means there is still a fair bit of greenery out there for the ducklings to nibble on.’ The balmy conditions that Britain has been experiencing look set to continue into next week. It has also left forecasters admitting that - despite being so close to Christmas - there is still no sign of winter. Forecaster Brian Gaze of The Weather . Outlook added: 'The mild southerly winds causing this unusually-mild . autumn are proving incredibly stable and difficult to shift, with no . imminent arrival of winter ahead.'

Dry soil has caused train tracks to shift resulting in cancellations . November set to go down as the warmest ever recorded . Mild temperatures set to continue throughout the weekend meaning Britain is hotter than Jordan . But Met Office has warned warm spell unlikely to continue into next week .

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By . Associated Press . Marlene Pinnock said she thought she was going to die as a California Highway Patrol officer straddled her, repeatedly punching her head, on the side of a Los Angeles freeway. During an hour-long interview with The Associated Press on Sunday — her first public comments since the July 1 incident was caught on now-viral video by a passing driver — Pinnock spoke haltingly or in a whisper, occasionally putting her hands to her temples and grimacing. Her attorney Caree Harper frequently interrupted her and limited her responses to a reporter's questions. Scroll down for video... Speaking out: Marlene Pinnock, left, poses with her attorney, Caree Harper during her first interview since video of her being beaten by a California Highway Patrolman on July 1 went viral . 'He grabbed me, he threw me down, he started beating me, he beat me. I felt like he was trying to kill me, beat me to death,' Pinnock said. Pinnock, 51, was released from the hospital last week after several weeks of treatment for head injuries and now slurs her speech, Harper said. Pinnock is suing CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow and Officer Daniel L. Andrew in federal court for civil rights violations. The suit claims excessive force, assault, battery and a violation of Pinnock's due process rights. The CHP hasn't identified the officer but said he had been on the job for 1 1/2 years and is on desk duty pending completion of the internal investigation. Farrow met with community and civil rights leaders in Los Angeles multiple times last month and pledged that the investigation will conclude in weeks rather than the usual months. CHP Sgt. Melissa Hammond said Sunday that she couldn't comment on the ongoing investigation. 'He grabbed me, he threw me down, he started beating me, he beat me. I felt like he was trying to kill me, beat me to death,' Marlene Pinnock said in her first interview since the July 1 incident . Staying mum: Video taken by a passerby quickly went viral as popular opinion weighed heavily in the homeless grandmother's favor, though the CHP has thus far preserved the officer's anonymity . The CHP has said that Pinnock was endangering herself by walking on Interstate 10 and the officer was trying to restrain her. Pinnock said she had been homeless for the last three to five years, occasionally staying at the Los Angeles Mission, a family member's home or on La Brea or Crenshaw. Pinnock said she had been on her way to a safe place where friends could watch her sleep when the altercation occurred. Harper said the area Pinnock was headed to is one of those frequented by the homeless and only accessible by walking along the freeway ramp. She was placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold by Andrew after the incident, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press. Andrew said in his report that she was a danger to herself and wrote that 'upon contacting the subject she was talking to herself. The subject began telling me 'I want to walk home' and called me 'the devil.' The subject then tried to walk into traffic lanes.' Harper didn't allow Pinnock to discuss the details leading up to the incident or her medical treatment. 'If . in fact she did call him the devil is secondary to the fact that he . proved to be either the devil or a close relative,' Harper said. 'Because he treated her in a manner nobody should ever be treated.' Pinnock . is being supported by Harper to keep her off the street and is . essentially 'starting from scratch,' her attorney said. She also had to . go to the emergency room Thursday for 'severe temple pain,' Harper said. Victim: Marlene Pinnock, 51, is suing the CHP and several officers now that she suffers debilitating and lasting injuries in the wake of the beating . Standing strong: Maisha Allums (left) daughter of Marlene Pinnock, stands with her attorney Caree Harper before a news conference outside court in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 17 . And Pinnock said she's had 'bad nightmares' about beating beaten. 'When I was in the lockdown facility I woke up to screaming, I was screaming,' Pinnock said, imitating the sound. 'High pitched, loud, then I said nothing, I turned over, and said hope I didn't do that again.' CHP investigators in July seized Pinnock's medical records and the clothing she was wearing during the incident from Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. Harper said she was outraged by the violation of doctor-patient privacy and attorney-client privilege. The incident has drawn outrage from U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, who called it police brutality and demanded the officer be fired, and civil rights groups including the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California.

Marlene Pinnock is suing thew LAPD and several California highway patrol officers after one allegedly beat her . Pinnock, 51, was released from the hospital last week after several weeks of treatment for head injuries and now slurs her speech . Gruesome footage from July 1 shows the still unidentified officer savagely beating the homeless woman along a Los Angeles highway .

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By . Matt Barlow . Follow @@Matt_Barlow_DM . Mike Ingham, the voice of football for a generation of radio listeners, will step down after the World Cup final, marking the end of an era for BBC sport. Ingham has been chief football correspondent for more than 20 years, bringing his unique blend of effortless eloquence and good sense to the Beeb’s football coverage. In a time when others shout, scream and deliberately  provoke in the quest for attention, his delivery has remained steadfastly calm, clear-headed and intelligent, adding to his natural authority and earning him the respect of managers and players. Stepping down: Mike Ingham (right), the voice of BBC radio commentaries for over 30 years, is set to hang up his microphone after this Sunday's World Cup final between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana . Honour: Ingham was made an MBE by the Queen at Buckingham Palace back in November 2010 . His final live game will not be a storybook ending featuring England in the Maracana, but Argentina and Germany provide a fitting end with a repeat of the final from his first World Cup in 1986. ‘The world has gone full circle,’ said Ingham. ‘I’ve no idea how many games I’ve commentated on but over 30 years it’s probably around 2,000. I don’t know how I’ll cope with the last one. ‘You get in a bubble when you’re working. It will probably hit me the day after, or when the Champions League music plays next season. Certainly when England play Switzerland. That’s when I will realise my life has changed.’ It all started on BBC Radio Derby, where Ingham worked for six years from 1973, often working on the coverage of Derby County, the team he supported as a boy. A famous 3-0 win against Benfica at the Baseball Ground in the European Cup is one of his fondest memories of days on the terraces and, years later, he would be light-heartedly unveiled as a Rams fan, live on air during a Derby game, by co-commentator Bruce Rioch. Early days: Ingham working for BBC Radio Derby interviewing Tommy Docherty and Charlie George . Commentary duo: 5 Live men Alan Green and Ingham pose for publicity pictures ahead of the 2006 World Cup in Germany . Ingham moved to Broadcasting House in London, presenting key programmes such as Sport on Two and took over from Bryon Butler as football correspondent in 1991, with the game on the threshold of a revolution. ‘The onset of the Premier League and the volume of games broadcast live on radio has been the biggest change,’ said Ingham, who was in the commentary box when Brian Deane scored the first Premier League goal. He maintained his ability to find the crucial elements of any story amid the chaos and crystallise it for the listener, as he did brilliantly on the night England’s players threatened to strike over Rio Ferdinand’s ban for a missed drugs test. Describing the action: Sportsmail columnist Martin Keown (centre) with Ingham (right) and Green (left) at a match between Aston Villa and Tottenham last season . Ingham has always been a huge music fan, often seen searching for second-hand record shops while on trips abroad. And he enjoys fine wine, as Terry Butcher, his co-commentator on many occasions, can testify. Retirement will allow him more time to devote to these hobbies and to his family, wife Lorna and children George, 13 tomorrow, and Marshall, 20. ‘They have been my rocks,’ he said. Ingham will still be an occasional voice on Radio 5 Live, working on some of the channel’s documentaries. John Murray will take over as BBC football correspondent. Mike Ingham: The World Cup Years is on Radio 5 live at 9pm on Friday night; repeated 1pm Sunday .

Ingham, who has been chief football correspondent for over 20 years, hangs up his mic this weekend . World Cup final between Germany and Argentina on Sunday will be last 5 Live commentary . Ingham has covered some 2,000 games over the last 30 years . Started out on BBC Radio Derby before moving to Broadcasting House in London . Became chief correspondent in 1991, just before advent of Premier League .

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By . Jennifer Smith . PUBLISHED: . 07:34 EST, 12 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:23 EST, 12 November 2013 . An increasing number of elderly people are renting properties after selling their own homes, new data has revealed . An increasing number of retired people are selling their homes and moving into rented accommodation in a desperate bid to access cash, experts say. Overall, there has been a seven per cent . increase in the number of tenants aged 66 to 70 moving into rented . homes after selling their own properties. In addition, half of all regions in the UK saw an increase in older tenants downsizing to rented homes in the past year. Experts believe many pensioners are being forced to sell up to release equity from their homes as their pension pots dwindle and living costs continue to rise. And, figures compiled by HomeLet Rental Index Data suggest pensioners have no choice but to downsize into rented homes as suitable alternatives are being bought by younger first-time buyers with the help of Government initiatives. Yorkshire and Humberside have seen the . largest increase in tenants over the age of 65, while the East Midlands . has the highest rate with 3.1 per cent of pensioners living in rented . accommodation. 'Pensions aren't providing the same level of contributions they were 30 or 40 years . ago,' said Gary Abraham, Director of Sales and Marketing at HomeLet. 'For many elderly people, the only equity they have is in their homes and they're having to unlock income from other sources like selling their houses.' 'The government are specifically only helping one demographic... new houses are being built for younger people.' While some elderly people may be forced to sell their homes and downsize to save money, others may be moving in to rented accommodation as they feel their 'money may outlive them', says Mr Abraham. 'A lot of the new homes aren't suitable but another thing to consider is that is pensioners could be taking a short-term view and using their equity to provide a standard of living they're used to.' The HomeLet October 2013 Data Index breakdown reveals how the price of renting has increased less over the past three years . 'It appears the demographic of the UK . tenant is changing. While initiatives, such as the Build to Rent scheme, . are positive moves to alleviate supply, the Government needs to . consider these purpose-built properties are not going to be suitable for . all,' added Mr Abraham. 'Therefore, focus must also be kept on . the maintenance of existing properties, so all tenants are able to live . in suitable properties depending on their individual needs.' 'Momentum must be maintained though so those living within the private rented sector are offered the best quality properties and security needed as part of their tenancy agreements.' The report also revealed that though the cost of . renting has decreased by 4.6 per cent during the month of October to £815, . tenants across the board are still paying 2.7 per cent more on average than last year. When comparing previous years, this . month’s figures show from October 2010-2013, . average UK rents increased less each year, after rising by 4.8 per cent in 2011, . 3.1 per cent in 2012 and 2.7 per cent in 2013. This is also true in the capital, . where the rate of increase in average rents slowed down by 2.3 per cent between . October 2011-12 and four per cent between October 2012-13. The East Midlands, Greater London and . the North West were the only regions where rental costs increased, with . properties in the North West costing 4.5 per cent more to rent than . last year, and those in the capital almost 21 per cent more than in . 2010. 'Our new figures could suggest the effect of the economic downturn in 2008/09 is beginning to reduce,' said Mr Abraham. 'There’s certainly more confidence within the housing market at the moment and an increasing amount of first-time-buyers are now purchasing their own properties as a result of increased lending and mortgage availability.' 'Recent reports suggest the Build to Rent scheme will improve the private rented sector by boosting the supply of buy-to-let homes within the market. 'Properties rented with longer-term tenancies as part of this scheme aim to not only offer additional security to tenants and their families, but also curb spiralling rents recorded over the past few years.'

Number of elderly tenants increased in more than half of UK's regions . Seven per cent rise in those leaving their own homes for rented property . Experts claim some pensioners are forced to sell homes to release equity . Report shows average UK cost of renting currently stands at £815 a month .

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The 85 richest people in the world now have as much money as the 3.5billion poorest put together. The combined wealth of people including Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and the Koch Brothers has increased to £1trillion. And the top one per cent of earners are worth £67.3trillion - almost half (46 per cent) of the world's wealth, according to a report by Oxfam. Surge: Warren Buffet (left) and Bill Gates are among the 85 whose wealth equals the 3.5billion poorest . Critics claim the surge in inequality has been driven by 'power grabbing' wealthy elites who harbour close relationships with leading politicians. Winnie Byanyima, chief executive of Oxfam, said: 'It is staggering that in the 21st century, half of the world’s population - that’s three and a half billion people - own no more than a tiny elite whose numbers could all fit comfortably on a double-decker bus. She added: 'In too many countries economic growth already amounts to little more than a ‘winner takes all’ windfall for the richest.' The world now has 1,426 billionaires with a combined wealth of £3.3trillion, and 12million millionaires, the report found. Carlos Slim Helu, head of Telecom, is the richest man in the world. L'Oreal's Lilian Bettencourt is also on the list . The number of US millionaires has increased to 3.7million - up 11.5 per cent on last year - while the UK has an estimated 345,271 net millionaire households - up 12.6 per cent. The findings come as David Cameron and other world leaders fly to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economics Forum, attended by some of the most influential businesses. 1. Carlos Slim Helu (Telecom) £44.6bn . 2. Bill Gates (Microsoft) £41bn . 3. Amancio Ortega (Zara) £34.8bn . 4. Warren Buffet (Berkshire Hathaway) £32.7bn . 5. Larry Ellison (Oracle) £26.3bn . 6. Charles Koch (Diversified) £20.8bn . 7. David Koch (Diversified) £20.8bn . 8. Li Ka-shing (Diversified) £19bn . 9. Lilian Bettencourt (L'Oreal) £18.3bn . 10. Bernard Arnault (LVMH) £17.7bn . Oxfam said the focus of the exclusive gathering – which includes more than 2,500 business leaders, heads of state and other powerful figures – must be the ‘extreme economic inequality’ which is ‘undermining social stability and threatening global security’. Ms Byanyima said: 'We cannot hope to win the fight against poverty without tackling inequality. Widening inequality is creating a vicious circle where wealth and power are increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few, leaving the rest of us to fight over crumbs from the top table. 'In developed and developing countries alike we are increasingly living in a world where the lowest tax rates, the best health and education and the opportunity to influence are being given not just to the rich but also to their children. 'Without a concerted effort to tackle inequality, the cascade of privilege and of disadvantage will continue down the generations. We will soon live in a world where equality of opportunity is just a dream.' Since the late 1970s, tax rates for the richest have fallen in 29 out of 30 countries for which data are available, said the report. Opinion polls in Spain, Brazil, India, South Africa, the US, UK and Netherlands found that a majority in each country believe that wealthy people exert too much influence. Oxfam's report comes as David Cameron and other world leaders (pictured at the G8 summit) fly to Davos in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum . Concern was strongest in Spain, followed by Brazil and India and least marked in the Netherlands. In the UK, some 67 per cent agreed that 'the rich have too much influence over where this country is headed' - 37 per cent saying that they agreed 'strongly' with the statement. Just 10 per cent who disagreed, 2 per cent of them strongly. The WEF’s own Global Risks report recently identified widening income disparities as one of the biggest threats to the world community.

Combined wealth of entrepreneurs including Bill Gates in £1trillion . Top 1% earners worth £67.3trillion - 46% of the world's total wealth . Critics claim surge driven by 'power grabbing' elites close to politicians .

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By . Nina Golgowski . PUBLISHED: . 18:55 EST, 5 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 01:22 EST, 6 August 2012 . A three-year-old girl bitten by a . pygmy rattlesnake while playing on her daycare center's playground is recovering. Sarah Lawson's grandfather said the girl was playing outside the Sunny Daze centre in East Manatee County, Florida when the foot-long rattlesnake bit her finger, injecting her with a dangerous venom, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports. 'It was pretty serious,' her grandfather Barry Rainwater . told the paper. 'She only weighs 28 pounds.' Scroll down for video . Recovering: Three-year-old Sarah Lawson is seen during her three-day recovery in a Florida hospital after bitten by a pygmy rattlesnake . Venom: Sarah's arm is seen, marked by doctors who measured her swelling after being injected by the snake's dangerous venom . Without shedding a single tear - despite the excitement of . an ambulance, oxygen mask and an IV needle, her mother said - the girl was . rushed to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg. Her mother, Shannon Rainwater, said both the incident and her handling of it all explains her . preschool's given nickname: 'firecracker.' At home, she has a different name. 'At home we kind of nicknamed her Tinkerbelle,' she told . NBC. 'She's a tinkerer. She likes to tinker with things she's not suppose to . and apparently she tinkered with the wrong thing the other day.' Mr Rainwater said his granddaughter told him she was trying . to move the snake from the area, 'and reached to pick it up,' when she was . bitten, launching out a loud scream. Reaction: Sarah's mother Shannon Rainwater, seen holding the girl, said her daughter's handling of the bite was impressive, not shedding a single tear . Firecracker: At home the girl is nicknamed Tinkerbelle, thanks to her fondness of tinkering with things she shouldn't, while at school they call her Firecracker . 'She probably gets that from me,' her father Nathan Lawsom . told the Bradenton Herald of her curiosity and fearlessness. 'I didn't have a problem as a kid picking up snakes and . playing with them.' Mr Rainwater said Sarah spent three days in the hospital and . credits the day care staff for identifying the type of snake. He says physicians monitored the girl carefully after her . hand swelled and the poison moved up her arm. An anti-venom stopped it from going any further. Common find: The girl's grandfather says the snakes are extremely common in the area, a pygmy rattlesnake seen, while her father says he use to pick up snakes himself as a kid . Condition: Sarah is said to be back to her usual self, according to her family, with no signs of the snake's venom causing her left hand's muscle to deteriorate, as feared by doctors . 'It's one of those things that you assume there's a medical . solution for, but a kid was bitten about 10 years ago in Lakewood Ranch, and he . died,' he told the Tribune. Rainwater says Sarah is at home now and doing fine, . even using her hand to colour despite doctors' fear the snake's toxins could have dissolved her . muscle. 'Like it didn't even happen,' her mother said while holding . her daughter. The centre's playground was closed following and the area's . mulch was raked up, according to the grandfather. He said people would be surprised how many snakes can be . found within the area. Watch the video here: . Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy .

Sarah Lawson was playing outside when a pygmy rattlesnake bit her finger . Girl was rushed to hospital with blood tests revealing snake's toxins in her system .

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A California school that stopped students from wearing American flag T-shirts on Cinco de Mayo didn't violate their constitutional rights, an appeals court ruled Thursday. The school's approach, according to the appeals court, kept students safe in a climate of racial tension. "The controversy and tension remained," a panel of judges from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said in their opinion, "but the school's actions presciently avoided an altercation." School officials were worried about violence and disruption of school activities "and their response was tailored to the circumstance," the opinion said. The case dates back to May 5, 2010, when the principal of Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, California, asked a group of students wearing American flag T-shirts to turn their shirts inside out or take them off. The students at the Northern California school refused, according to the appeals court's summary of the case, and later brought a civil rights suit against the school and two administrators, arguing that their rights to freedom of expression, equal protection and due process had been violated. Judges said the civil rights case forced them to weigh the difficult question of what takes precedence: students' free speech rights or school safety concerns? According to court documents, the incident occurred amid "ongoing racial tension and gang violence within the school, and after a near-violent altercation had erupted during the prior Cinco de Mayo over the display of an American flag." The previous year, court documents said, a group of students carrying a Mexican flag had clashed with students who hung an American flag from a tree and chanted "USA" on Cinco de Mayo, a holiday marking a famous Mexican military battle that is often celebrated in the United States. In 2010, the appeals court said, "threats issued in the aftermath of the incident were so real that the parents of the students involved in the suit kept them home from school two days later." CNN first learned of the court's ruling on Twitter.

An appeals court says the Northern California school's decision kept students safe . Live Oak High School's principal told students to take off American flag T-shirts . The students later filed a civil rights suit against the school and administrators . The incident unfolded on Cinco de Mayo in 2010 .

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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 05:34 EST, 19 March 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 09:17 EST, 19 March 2014 . Stephen Avery with daughter Phoebe, now 14. He died aged 42 after mistakes by Wythenshawe Hospital consultants, an inquest heard . A father-of-two died of a heart infection after doctors missed three chances to save him, an inquest has heard. Stephen Avery, 42, could have lived if doctors had put him on antibiotics just 48 hours sooner, it was said. But, despite displaying the telltale symptoms of infection, consultants at Wythenshawe Hospital missed three opportunities to treat the taxi-driver and former local football team manager and coach. At his inquest in Manchester, heart expert Professor Keith Channer condemned the decisions made by hospital staff. Describing . Dr Channer’s evidence as ‘compelling’, coroner Nigel Meadows said: 'An . appropriate physician should have been able to recognise the symptoms as . indicated. Had antibiotics started 48 hours before he probably would . not have died.' Mr Avery, from Crossacres, Wythenshawe, first visited his GP in October 2011, suffering broken sleep, night sweats and lethargy. He was diagnosed with a chest infection, and prescribed antibiotics. But his symptoms worsened after a brief improvement, prompting further antibiotics and a referral. Then at Wythenshawe Hospital on May 1, 2012, Dr Paul Sanders, consultant rheumatologist, recognised his symptoms as indicating a heart infection, but after tests, failed to diagnose him. On his return on May 11, Dr Keith Harkins, consultant physician, again suspected Mr Avery had a heart infection, but stopped his GP-prescribed antibiotics to carry out tests, including a heart scan. Due to a system failure, the scan order never reached the right department. Mr Avery with mother Maureen, wife Jennifer, 44, daughter Phoebe, now 14, son Dominic, now 18. If the popular father had had antibiotics started 48 hours before he probably would not have died, it was said . On May 14, yet another consultant . re-ordered the scan urgently, but when his condition was finally . diagnosed the next day, and an antibiotics drip was started, it was too . late. He suffered a cardiac arrest and died on May 15. Coroner . Nigel Meadows said Mr Avery, who had a congenital condition which made . him more susceptible to infection, died of endocarditis. Coroner Nigel Meadows said Mr Avery, who had a congenital condition which made him more susceptible to infection, died of endocarditis . He said contributory factors were ‘significant failures’ on May 1 and . May 11 to recognise his symptoms and failure to start the right . antibiotics drip by the 12th. He said if the young father had the right scan, diagnosis and treatment earlier, he probably would have survived. Recording a narrative verdict, Mr Meadows added: 'These medical practitioners are bound to reflect upon their involvement but at the time they thought they were making the right judgements. 'But they were not judgements that were well-founded.' Popular and well-liked Mr Avery lived in Stockport and worked for Wythenshawe’s Club Cars. More than 800 people attended his funeral and he left behind wife Jennifer and children Dominic, 18, and Phoebe, 14. After the hearing his wife, 44, said: 'Wythenshawe Hospital has not only let our family down but they have let our entire community down. 'Stephen was a wonderful family man but also so well-known and loved in the community. 'The findings of the inquest have confirmed the family’s view that Stephen’s death could and should have been avoided if only he had been provided with appropriate and prompt clinical care and management during his time in hospital.' A University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: 'We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family of Mr Avery following their very sad loss. 'The trust has reflected on its practice following its investigation to understand what lessons can be learned. 'We will also give full and careful consideration to the comments and feedback from the coroner.' Infective endocarditis is an infection that can seriously damage the heart valves and cause other serious complications if not treated quickly with antibiotics. After someone has suffered from the infection they often require surgery to repair or replace damaged heart valves. It is an infection that affects some parts of the endocardium - the tissue that lines the inside of the heart chambers. The infection usually involves one or more of the heart valves which are part of the endocardium - it is serious and life-threatening. Most cases are caused by a bacterial infection and usually occur in a person who has an infection or a wound in another part of the body. People who inject street drugs are also at greater risk as they can also inject bacteria into their bloodstream if they use dirty needles. In the UK, endocarditis occurs in about 20 in a million people each year. It is most common in people with heart valve problems, have had heart valve surgery, have congenital heart defects or who have a poor immune system. Symptoms include feeling generally unwell, having aches and pains, tiredness, fever and loss of appetite.

Stephen Avery could have lived if put him on antibiotics 48 hours sooner . Consultants missed chances to diagnose him and save his life, it was said . Popular father suffered a cardiac arrest and died on May 15, inquest heard .

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New York (CNN)Daniel Pantaleo, the police officer who a New York grand jury decided not to indict in the death of Eric Garner, spoke with internal affairs investigators about the case this week. "He indicated he never used a chokehold," said Stuart London, Pantaleo's attorney. "He used a takedown technique he was taught in the academy. He said he never exerted any pressure on the windpipe and never intended to injure Mr. Garner." London said Pantaleo had been trying to arrest "someone who was noncompliant." Speaking to investigators about the case on Monday, "he was confident and related the facts in an accurate and professional manner," London said. Garner died in July after Pantaleo and other officers tried to arrest Garner, who they said was suspected of illegally selling cigarettes. A cell phone video of the arrest shows Pantaleo wrapping his arm around Garner's neck. A medical examiner ruled the death a homicide. New York's police commissioner announced shortly afterward that officers would undergo a three-day retraining period on the proper use of force when engaging a suspect. The controversial case has ignited protests across the country after the grand jury decided not to indict Pantaleo last week. Garner's last words, "I can't breathe," have become a rallying cry during demonstrations. Critics say Pantaleo should have been indicted and say the case highlights problems in the criminal justice system. The police internal affairs investigation aims to determine whether Pantaleo violated department policy. The New York Police Department prohibits use of chokeholds . New York Police Commissioner William Bratton has said the investigation, which had been on hold during the criminal investigation, is expected to take at least three months. Investigators started interviewing other officers who witnessed the incident on Friday. CNN's Jason Carroll and Catherine E. Shoichet contributed to this report.

Officer Daniel Pantaleo tells investigators he didn't use a chokehold . Lawyer: "He used a takedown technique he was taught" in the police academy . The New York Police Department prohibits the use of chokeholds .

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CLICK HERE to read how the German plans to pip Lewis Hamilton to the post in Abu Dhabi . Nico Rosberg believes he can force Lewis Hamilton into making a crucial mistake in their Formula One title showdown on Sunday. Rosberg, who trails the British driver by 17 points, said: ‘I need some help from Lewis to clinch the title, and I am going to try to put as much pressure on him as I can. ‘He has been making some mistakes recently so maybe there is a chance.’ Nico Rosberg (right) believes he can beat Lewis Hamilton to the championship at the final race in Abu Dhabi . Rosberg claims that his Mercedes team-mate has been 'making some mistakes' recently . 1. Lewis Hamilton - 334 points . 2. Nico Rosberg - 317 points . Lewis Hamilton will be crowned world champion if he finishes second in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, even if Nico Rosberg wins the race. If the final race was a ‘normal’ race with 25 points for the winner, rather than the double points on offer, Hamilton would be able to claim his second drivers’ title with a sixth-place finish. The Brit must finish first or second at Yas Marina, where the final grand prix carries double points, to be certain of taking the title. Hamilton, who was slow to shake Rosberg’s hand at their press conference, insisted he would not use dirty games to win. He said: ‘We’re not children. We should know what is wrong and right.’ 'This is an extremely exciting moment for my career. 'I am fighting for the world championship at the last race, I have a good chance to win, and this is what I have been working towards since I began racing as a small child. VIDEO Stewart backs Hamilton to clinch title . Rosberg takes his place on the podium after beating Hamilton to victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix . The two Mercedes drivers, pictured in Belgium, will be fighting for double points at Abu Dhabi .

F1 drivers' championship will be decided in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix . Lewis Hamilton leads his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by 17 points . German claims he can force Hamilton into a mistake to win the title . Rosberg needs to win and hope Hamilton finishes third or lower .

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By . Cindy Tran For Daily Mail Australia . and Aap . A former prison guard has pleaded guilty to a dozen of charges after her involvement in a crime ring operating outside of a Darwin prison. Sarah Dawn Rudd held her six-month-old son when she faced the Northern Territory Supreme Court on Wednesday, according to NT News. The 26-year-old pleaded guilty to several drug charges, as well as convincing a colleague to illegally access confidential information on other prisoners on the Corrections database. Sarah Dawn Rudd pleaded guilty to several drug charges and convinced a colleague to illegally access information on other prisoners on the Corrections database . Her partner and co-offender, Anthony Butt, who is a firefighter, supported her in court. The couple were both charged in May last year for possessing steroids from a trip to Thailand. Her barrister Jon Tippett QC said his client had a hard time working as a guard and began using drugs – before she was arrested with ecstasy pills and 1.5g of the drug ice in her undies during a drug deal at Le Cornu, Winnellie. The court heard how Ms Rudd told a woman name Zayley Ainslie how to smuggle cannabis past patrolling dogs for her prison boyfriend Phillip Noel Kaye, who was also Ms Rudd's alledged drug dealer. Ms Rudd had been working at the Darwin Correctional Centre for four years when she was arrested in a police sting, Operation Moonraker, in June last year. Justice Jenny Blokland said the harm was in compromising the integrity of Corrections, according to NT News. It is believed that Ms Rudd had committed 12 crimes between March and June 2013. Crown prosecutor David Morters told the court she used fellow guard Dwayne Reichelt to access confidential information to find out if her alleged drug dealer Mr Kaye who was already arrested when she tried contacting him. She also passed messages from prisoner Jared Davis, a Rebels bikie, to James Hau, who was arrested with 14 guns that former navy sailor Matthew Evans stole from a patrol boat at Larrakeyah, telling him that Davis wanted him to organise cannabis supply to the prison through Kaye, according to NT News. She also told Hau what evidence Mr Davis wanted him to give about the firearms. Prosecutor Morters said Mr Hau had planned to trade the guns to the Rebels in exchange for “dangerous drugs”. 'These offences constitute a serious undermining of the criminal justice system,' prosecutor Morters said. 'It's a significant breach of trust to be participating in the supply of drugs into a correctional facility.' Barrister Tippett said Justice Jenny Blokland should be lenient in sentencing her because none of the charges resulted in any serious harm. 'She had been a prison officer who had (always) stuck to her ethical and professional responsibilities in the past and along came a period of significant uncertainty (and) emotional upheaval,' he said. The sentencing case continues.

Sarah Dawn Rudd pleaded guilty to several drug charges and convincing a colleague to illegally access confidential information on other prisoners . The former prison guard held her six-month-old son when she faced the Northern Territory Supreme Court on Wednesday . Her partner and co-offender, Anthony Butt, firefighter, supported her in court . Ms Rudd had committed 12 crimes between March and June 2013 .

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Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany provided a decent reply when Arsenal supporter Piers Morgan offered him a sports cars and money to swap the north-west for north London this week. 'These days I play for glory,' said the Belgian. As quick witted as it was acerbic, Kompany’s Tweet made his point. The landscape has shifted in English football over the last five years. You no longer sign for Arsenal if you want to win the Barclays Premier League any time soon. Even the ever optimistic Kompany will find little glory in his own team’s predicament at the moment, however, as the City captain does his best to steady a defence currently looking as vulnerable as at any time since Arab money eased his club on to an upwards trajectory six years ago. Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany failed to deal with the threat of two-goal hero Seydou Doumbia . Belgium international Kompany, pictured with CSKA Moscow's Alan Dzagoev, struggled against the Russians . Manuel Pellegrini's side have not been at their best during this season's Champions League campaign . Kompany reflected on his side's performance shortly after the final whistle . Football is cyclical, of course. Few things at the really top clubs last forever and City have too many good players in their squad for their current struggles to last. Having said that, they are currently showing few signs of digging themselves out of a defensive slump that threatens to undermine their whole season. Manchester City have tried to pair Vincent Kompany with a number of centre backs during his time at the club but have had little success. The likes of Kolo Toure, Joleon Lescott and Stefan Savic have all been given a chance to hold down a starting berth alongside Kompany - but have all since moved on to pastures new. Eliaquim Mangala, who sealed a £32million move to the Etihad during the summer transfer window, had expected to bolster City's defensive options but is yet to impress. There are other issues currently afflicting this City team. Too many of their marquee players are lacking form. They miss a reliable third striker after the departure of Alvaro Negredo on the back of his wife’s homesickness in the summer. Nevertheless, the sickness that currently drags them down is undoubtedly their work without the ball, their defending. Even the best attacking teams need a platform on which to work and at the moment City just don’t have one. City were as poor as they have been for many years on Wednesday night in that area of the field and there would appear to be a self-belief issue. Confidence – that intangible sporting elixir – can hide a multitude of sins. Equally, when it leaves you it can turn very good players in to shadows of themselves. Look, for example, at the two first half goals conceded by Pellgrini’s team here. Kompany looked dejected after his side loss 2-1 against Champions League opponents CSKA Moscow . The Manchester City defender was not happy with the performance of referee Tasos Sidiropoulos . Martin Demichelis, pictured, and Eliaquim Mangala have taken it in turns to partner Kompany . The first – a free header from a free-kick – was the type of goal Sunday League defenders would go to the pub and fret about. The second, meanwhile, began with a botched clearance from Gael Clichy and ended with a run from CSKA forward Seydou Doumbia that was just too well-timed for the City left-back’s malfunctioning colleagues to do anything about. There were other horror moments, too. Between his two goals, Doumbia raced clear on Joe Hart with far too much ease. On that occasion he was let down by a poor first touch and a shot pulled across goal and wide. Then, shortly after CSKA’s second goal the talented CSKA midfielder Bebras Natcho turned away from Yaya Toure so effortlessly that it was embarrassing. Luckily for City, he couldn’t supplement that act with a pass of similar quality. Let’s not be too hard on Toure. The City midfielder has had a tough week and scored a sublime free-kick equaliser early in the piece. His subsequent sending off – as deserved as it was – was simply born of frustration. Former Porto defender Mangala has failed to live up to his £32million price tag . Piers Morgan took to Twitter on Tuesday to ask Kompany if he would join his beloved Arsenal . Morgan then joked he had withdrawn his offer after the Manchester City star's performance against CSKA . City lost their discipline here. Despite their numerical disadvantage, they could have chased this game down. They had enough quality left on the field. There is a distinct lack of joy about this team at the moment, though, and, it must be said, their manager is showing few signs of finding answers. We have all watched this group of players often enough over the recent months and years to know what they are really capable of. They can be a pretty fearsome, destructive force. At the moment, though, they look vulnerable and fretful and it is surprising. Certainly across the back it would help if Pellegrini could field a settled back four and in particular a regular central partnership. Injuries to summer signing Eliaquim Mangala – back on the bench against CSKA Moscow – and Aleksandar Kolarov have deprived him of that option, though, and for now he must muddle on. The Champions League looks beyond City already. If things don’t improve soon, the Premier League will follow suit by the time the Christmas trees go up. VIDEO Pellegrini defends City's discipline .

Manchester City's defence failed to deal with the threat of CSKA Moscow star Seydou Doumbia . Manuel Pellegrini's side lost 2-1 against the Russia outfit at the Etihad . City's hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages are extremely slim . Fernandinho and Yaya Toure were sent off against CSKA Moscow .

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Cardinals fans hurled racist comments at a group protesting on behalf of black teenager Michael Brown following a game on Monday night, startling video has revealed. Footage taken by Argus Streaming News shows a large group of sports fans gathered outside Busch Stadium in St Louis, Missouri as protesters wave placards nearby. The protesters, all of whom appear to be black, were there to call for justice for Michael Brown, the unarmed 18-year-old who was shot dead by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson on August 9. Just seconds into the video, a white fan can be seen yelling at the group: 'Get a job!' Scroll down for video . Clash: Cardinals fans can be seen yelling at a group protesting for justice for Michael Brown, the black teenager who was shot dead by a white police officer in August. The groups clashed after Monday's game . Protest: The Ferguson protesters, pictured, yelled that the sports fans were looking at democracy - but the fans responded by telling them to get a job and pull up their pants. Police officers did not intervene . The man turns to the camera and says: 'That's right! If they'd be working, we wouldn't have this problem!' As the protesters shout 'Justice for Mike Brown', the fans drown them out with cries of 'Let's go Cardinals' which quickly become 'Let's go Darren' - referring to the cop who killed the teenager. Later in the video, a white woman yells at the protesters, 'We're the ones who gave all y'all the freedoms that you have!' before other fans yell 'Africa!' and 'USA! USA! USA!' Soon after, another fan tells a protester to take off his hat and 'pull up your pants'. One protester even sticks a piece of paper to the back of his jersey reading: 'I am Darren Wilson'. Still, the protesters refuse to give up, with one man telling the sports fans that they are watching democracy. The group continues to shout: 'We young, we strong, we marching all night long.' Fight: A video shows the crowd drowning out the protesters' cries with chants of 'USA! USA! USA!' At one point, a woman confronted the man filming the video, Argus News' Mustafa Hussein, a former Marine. 'Why are you here?' she says. 'I don't believe you're a veteran. What are you?' 'What do you mean what am I?' Hussein says. 'What race am I? I'm a f***ing Marine.' 'OK - from what level? How far did you get?' she asks, before walking away. Hussein later spoke with the Riverfront Times about the video, and said not a single fan tried to have a rational conversation with the protesters. 'That's sad that it gives our city a really bad look,' he said. 'The sad part about it is the fans that were there, you have no idea if they came in for the playoff game from outside the St. Louis area. 'It really portrays St. Louis as super racist... but there's no way to prove those fans were from here.' Killed: Officer Darren Wilson, left, shot dead 18-year-old Michael Brown in broad daylight on August 9 . A grand jury is expected to decide next month whether to bring criminal charges against police officer Wilson. In differing accounts, police have said Brown struggled with Wilson, 28, before the fatal shots were fired, but some witnesses say Brown held up his hands and was surrendering when he was shot multiple times in the head and chest. If charges are not brought against Wilson, police fear an outbreak of violence not just in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, but across the greater metropolitan area and even in other U.S. cities, according to St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar and others involved in the planning meetings. Police officers in Missouri are meeting almost daily leading up to that decision to ready themselves for all possible scenarios, while also talking with other major police departments around the country.

Video shows Cardinals fans hurling racist comments at protesters after Monday's game at Busch Stadium in St Louis, Missouri . They tell them to 'get a job' and 'pull up their pants' before shouting: 'Africa!' They also yell 'Let's go Darren!' - referring to Darren Wilson, the officer who shot dead black teenager Michael Brown on August 9 .

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By . Oliver Todd . Follow @@oliver_todd . Mario Balotelli curled in a brilliant free kick from range in AC Milan's 3-0 pre season friendly win over Mexico's Chivas Guadalajara on Wednesday. The controversial Italian placed his dead ball effort into the 'keeper's top corner either side of goals from Mbaye Niang and Giampaolo Pazzini as the Rossoneri ran out comfortable winners on a rough pitch at the NRG Stadium, Texas. Niang opened the scoring as he escaped two defenders to guide home a left-footed finish in the 20th minute to give Milan the lead. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Mario Balotelli curl in a brilliant free kick for AC Milan . Catch me if you can: Mario Balotelli gets away from Guadalajara's Fernando Arce in Texas . Evasive: Defender Jair Pereira tries to get to grips with the Italian hitman on this occasion . Balotelli's goal in the 38th minute doubled their advantage and an unmarked Pazzini buried a Michael Essien cross in the 72nd minute. Chivas' Fernando Arce had a close-range shot hit the crossbar in the second minute while his chip from distance in the 13th needed a lunging save by goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. The match was marred by poor field conditions at NRG Stadium. The temporary grass and sand placed on top of the artificial surface made it difficult for both sides and Milan manager Fillippo Inzaghi said: 'neither team wanted to play on the field.' Celebrate: Philippe Mexes congratulates Mbaye Niang on his 20th minute opener against Chivas . Embrace: Giampaolo Pazzini gets a huge off Riccardo Saponara as he celebrates scoring the third goal . Dodgy pitch: The surface was not ideal for football and Milan manager Filippo Inzaghi was frustrated by it .

Balotelli curled a 25-yard free kick in to double Milan's lead in 3-0 win . Mbaye Niang had earlier opened the scoring in the 20th minute . Giampaolo Pazzini completed the scoring converting a Michael Essien cross . Milan boss Fillippo Inzaghi criticised the quality of the Texas pitch .

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(CNN) -- Flamboyant and fearless, Roberto Cavalli is the peacock of the fashion world; with his body-hugging clothes, he woos women the world over. Fashion designer Roberto Cavalli . But his clients are no dainty damsels: Cavalli's women are Amazonian warriors and Grecian goddesses, whose armor is fashion and whose weapon is sex. His colorful creations are unabashed celebrations of the female form: dresses slashed to the hip or barely skimming the buttocks, necklines that plunge where no other designer dares. Cavalli's woman knows she looks fabulous, and isn't afraid to show it: to her, it's not just clothing, it's an announcement that she's arrived. Born in Florence in 1940, Cavalli was immersed in an intensely creative environment from childhood. That influence came from his father, a tailor, and his artist grandfather, Giuseppe Rossi, whose work is shown in the famous Uffizi Galleries. Following in his father's footsteps, Cavalli studied textile design at the local art institute. By the early 70s, he had developed an innovative technique for printing on lightweight leather, and his Florentine flair had led to commissions with Hermes and Pierre Cardin. In 1970, he presented his first namesake collection at the Salon for Prêt-à-Porter in Paris. His trademark work with unconventional fabrics like embellished denim and leather, mixed with wild animal prints and exotic patterns, was embraced by the jet set and Cavalli opened his first boutique in Saint Tropez in 1972. Cavalli married his wife, Eva Duringer, a former Miss Universe, in 1980; she is now his business partner and right-hand woman. His fondness for bright color, exotics, fur and bold prints -- which he designs in his factory on the outskirts of Florence -- have won him a name as the king of fashion excess. Beloved by A-listers and pop princesses, these are not clothes for the shy: this is old-school glamour, infused with power, wielded by women who have flounced and shimmied their way to the top. See Cavalli's designs on the catwalk » . His main line is sold in over 50 countries worldwide, along with his diffusion lines RC Menswear and Just Cavalli, plus a children's line, knitwear, accessories, eyewear, watches, perfumes, underwear and beachwear. He's even ventured into Cavalli-branded vodka and wine. His collaboration with high-street fashion store H&M in November 2007 caused stampedes as his fans flocked to get their hands on his creations, desperate to capture some of that Cavalli magic at tiny prices. Some have asked whether his latest collections have taken a more gentle direction -- but the tiger's inner fire still burns bright. Spring/Summer 2008's bold flower prints and flirty feathered dresses were followed by Autumn/Winter 2008's flowered dresses that at first glance appear dewy and fresh -- but look closer, and the hip-hugging cut belies their innocence. Cavalli is adored by his celebrity clientele, who flaunt his show-stopping creations on red carpets from Los Angeles to Sydney. Fans of his work include Halle Berry, Sharon Stone, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, Beyoncè Knowles, Charlize Theron and Victoria Beckham. If anyone sums up the glamour and glitz of show business, it's Cavalli: fashion as theatre, shameless decadence where the whole world is a stage. That's underlined by his eponymous 133'9" long yacht, built 2004, and color-coordinated, naturally, with his helicopter and fleet of cars.

Florence-born fashion designer Roberto Cavalli is known for his bright, sexy clothes . He is the grandson of Impressionist painter Giuseppe Rossi and the son of a tailor . His clothes are adored by celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham . Cavalli's extravagant lifestyle includes color-coordinated yacht, cars and helicopter .

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(CNN) -- As the nation continues to grieve for the six adults and 20 children taken too soon in the Newtown, Connecticut, school shooting, a hero from another generation has slipped peacefully into the pages of history. There were many who knew Sen. Dan Inouye, a Democrat and Medal of Honor recipient from Hawaii who passed away Monday, better than we did. But we had the good fortune of sitting with him this past summer, interviewing him and hearing some of the remarkable stories from his life in America's service. The portrait that emerged was that of a man of courage, character, and, perhaps above all, a singular spirit of peace and good will that was forged, paradoxically, amid some of the most horrendous carnage of the Second World War. News: Hawaii's Daniel Inouye, Senate's second longest-serving member, dead at 88 . Some of Inouye's deeds -- his valor serving on the German front in one of America's most decorated (and heavily wounded) units, his Herculean political efforts on behalf of his home state -- have been well remarked. What we were especially struck by was his quiet, sagelike humanity. There was his story, for example, of the day during the war when he came upon a German soldier who appeared to be preparing to kill him. The German, as Inouye told it, put his hand into his shirt, and Inouye, thinking he was reaching for his weapon, "smashed him in the face." As the man hit the ground, his hand fell out of his shirt, revealing photographs -- the soldier's wife, his kids. "So help me, up until that moment, I looked upon Germans as enemies, period," said Inouye, who had by then killed many enemy soldiers already. "From that moment, I looked upon him as a father, son, uncle, boyfriend. He was human. And it's not easy to kill." It was, he said, what he always told people when they expressed disbelief that he, a decorated veteran, could stand up against the war in Iraq. "You've got to convince me before we go to war," he maintained. "You would never forget running over a dog -- the bump. If you don't forget that, how can you forget killing a human being?" To hear Inouye talk was to sit beside a still, fathomless pool -- he spoke with a measured calm and wisdom that made clear how deep the dignity beneath it ran. In that way, he called to mind an echo of former Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield -- of whom, Inouye said, "If there was a mentor, it was him." And he carried Mansfield's stoic ability to forge consensus and compromise with him, far into a legislative era known for its strident opposites. Of his 12 subcommittees, Inouye told us in July, "Nine of them have reported out their bills almost unanimously. About six were unanimous -- 30-0. The others were 29-1, 28-2. ... That's this month. It can be done! ... And 30-0 includes (Senate Minority Leader Mitch) McConnell!" His secret was deceptively straightforward: a steady practice of simple gestures -- sitting with senators who had objections, calling a senior Republican "vice chairman" instead of "ranking member" ("I hate that word 'ranking' -- it's something like 'stink'!"), not speaking ill of anyone to the press. "It might take some patience, but when I found out that you were pissed about (a) program, I'd sit down with you and talk about it," he told us. "Little things like that make a difference." It was a basic humanity and a largeness of vision that Inouye extended to individuals from all backgrounds, born not only out of his experiences seeing his own people -- Japanese-Americans -- vilified and interned during World War II (Inouye himself signed up as soon as the U.S. government lifted its ban on American-born Japanese enlistments), but from his own crucibles in the war. Describing the injury that cost him his right arm and very nearly his life, Inouye told us of being taken to the Army hospital, of being initially counted a hopeless case, of having his arm amputated without anesthesia, of ultimately receiving 17 blood transfusions to stay alive. Of those 17 transfusions, he explained: . "That made a little difference in my outlook on life. In our last battle, the regiment was attached to the 92nd Division -- all African-American. Hospitals were run by the 92nd Division, and in those days, I don't know about the other hospitals, but in the one I was in, (the blood) came in a glass bottle, with tape -- donated by so and so, private, 92nd Division. So you know he's African-American. Well I got 17 pints. "If it weren't for (the 92nd), I wouldn't be here. The war did a lot to change your ideas. I looked upon (people of color), as I do today, as brothers. What else can I do? After all, I've got the same blood." Throughout its history, the nation has been blessed to have men like Inouye -- reserved, unboastful men, whose actions show the deep reservoir of quiet honor from which they draw their strength. Who show the courage that Hemingway called "grace under pressure." When he was first brought to the Army field hospital after sustaining the wounds that would claim his arm, Inouye related, "The doctors looked at me; they're mumbling among themselves," he recalled. "Two minutes later a chaplain comes up -- opening words: 'God loves you.' "I said: 'I know that. I love him too," he recounted with a chuckle. "'But I'm not ready to meet him yet!'" No one can know the ways of the Lord, but we would be surprised if he wasn't happy to meet Dan Inouye today. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Michael Zuckerman and David Gergen.

Michael Zuckerman, David Gergen: Sen. Dan Inouye was a hero from another generation . They say senator was a man of courage, service, who had a lesson in humanity on battlefield . They say he stood up against the war in Iraq, had personal understanding of human toll . Writers: He treated colleagues with dignity, was able to forge consensus in subcommittees .

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(CNN) -- Two people, including pro football player Donte Stallworth, were hospitalized Saturday after the hot air balloon they were riding in crashed into power lines in Miami, police said. A third passenger in the balloon was not injured. Police responded to calls at around 10 a.m. about the basket of the hot air balloon crashing into the power lines while airborne. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash with the help of Miami-Dade police, Detective Roy Rutland said. Video from CNN affiliate WSVN showed the basket (where people stand) upright on a two-lane road, while the envelope (the balloon part) sat some distance nearby. Stallworth suffered severe burns and is in stable condition at Miami's Kendall Regional Medical Center, said his attorney, Christopher Lyons. The wide receiver was in the balloon with a female friend when the accident occurred, according to Lyons. The lawyer did not name the woman or detail her condition. The third person was operating the balloon, according to local media reports. The California native began his NFL career in 2002 with the New Orleans Saints and most recently played for the New England Patriots. His is currently a free agent. Drew Rosenhaus, Stallworth's sports agent, said his client is "in good spirits." "He was injured, but will be fine," said Rosenhaus, adding later that he hopes Stallworth is back playing "in a matter of weeks." "He will be able to resume his NFL career." Beyond his on-field exploits -- from his time at the University of Tennessee to his years playing with the Saints, Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins -- Stallworth is known for hitting and killing a construction worker crossing a street in Miami in 2009. Under a plea agreement, Stallworth was sentenced to 30 days in jail for DUI manslaughter. He also reached an "amicable" settlement with the Reyes family, his lawyer, Lyons, said. The NFL also suspended him for one season. CNN's Rick Martin and Greg Botelho contributed to this report.

NEW: NFL player Donte Stallworth could be playing again in "weeks," his agent says . A hot air balloon went down after hitting power lines in Miami, sending 2 to the hospital . Stallworth, who suffered severe burns, was in the balloon with a female friend, his lawyer says . The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating .

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London, England (CNN) -- Europeans faced fresh winter misery Friday as plunging temperatures threw transport networks -- including the Channel Tunnel train service -- into chaos and dwindling cold weather resources raised concerns in a snow-blanketed Britain and other countries. Eurostar, which operates trains between Britain and France, announced it was canceling up to 50 percent of services Friday as bad weather caused a repeat of problems that led to major disruptions and long lines of frustrated and angry travelers last month. With satellite images showing the UK covered in snow from top to toe -- a rare modern event in a country that has experienced two decades of relatively mild winters -- authorities lacking snow plows and salt supplies were struggling to clear roads. Britain's weather forecasting Met Office is warning of continued icy conditions, drifting snow, severe frosts and dangerous wind chill factors across the country over the coming weekend, blaming the recent cold snap on freezing northerly blasts from the Arctic. It said icy conditions were expected to continue for the next two weeks. Forecasters were warning of similar conditions in France, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic and parts of Italy in the days ahead. As temperatures plummeted to 30-year-lows of -22.3 Celsius (-8.1 Fahrenheit) in some parts of the UK, gas suppliers were reassuring users that there was no immediate likelihood that interruptions to fuel imposed on some businesses could spread to households. The National Grid, which handles supplies of natural gas across Britain, reported that is was expecting to cope with all-time record demand levels Friday after similar peaks a day earlier that called on 454 million cubic meters of gas. Despite the high demand -- and technical problems affecting gas flow from Norway -- National Grid spokeswoman Stephanie van Rosse said there was no danger of an interruption to supply. "We've got plenty coming in," she told CNN. "It's just a matter of balancing it." One of the companies whose gas was switched off was British Sugar, based in Peterborough, 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of London. A spokesman there told CNN they had simply switched to using oil until the gas comes back on. "It doesn't affect our production, so it's just business as usual," said the spokesman, who asked not to be named. "It's a bit of a non-story, really. We just switch and it's no big problem." Main airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton, were continuing to advise passengers to contact airlines before setting out as weather added to disruptions already caused by increased security in the wake of last month's failed U.S. plane bombing. Cold weather, blamed for 22 deaths countrywide, also shut schools across Britain and led to warnings of hazardous roads as grit and salt supplies wore thin, prompting local authorities to impose rationing. Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said Britain's only two suppliers of salt were operating at capacity as authorities' standard emergency provisions for six days of snowy weather ran dry. "The two salt producers are working flat-out, 24 hours-a-day, and we have ordered more salt supplies from abroad," he told the BBC. "But... we will face some difficult decisions about where we are going to prioritize gritting of roads in this exceptionally severe and prolonged cold weather." CNN's Melissa Gray and Barry Neild contributed to this story .

Eurostar cancels Channel Tunnel train services due to freezing temperatures . Temperatures plummet to 30-year lows in some parts of the UK . Fuel supplies say no interruptions to gas supplies imminent despite record demand .

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Around three to seven per cent of children, or 400,000, are believed to have ADHD in the UK (picture posed by model) More children - and adults - than ever are being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Yet many of those may not have the behavioural disorder but could instead be suffering from sleep deprivation, says a leading U.S. doctor. He estimates more than a third of children and a quarter of adults diagnosed with ADHD actually have sleep problems. Sleep deprivation, especially in children, does not - as might be expected - cause lethargy, but very similar problems to ADHD, including hyperactivity, an inability to focus, aggression and forgetfulness. The similarity between the symptoms, coupled with many doctors' poor understanding of sleep disorders, is what is causing the confusion in some patients, says Vatsal Thakkar, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine. 'While there is no doubt that many people have ADHD, a substantial proportion of cases are really sleep disorders in disguise,' he says. ADHD is characterised by problems with attention, concentration and impulsiveness. Around 5 per cent of British children are thought to be affected, with prescriptions for drugs to treat them rising by 70  per cent between 2005 and 2011. Prescriptions for Ritalin, the most popular drug for ADHD, have quadrupled in the past decade, with children as young as three taking the powerful medication. ADHD is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of three and seven and is four times more common in boys than girls. In around half of cases, the disorder continues into adult life. But now some experts are questioning whether the real problem is poor quality sleep. Numerous studies have shown that many children with ADHD also have breathing problems during sleep such as snoring and apnoea - where breathing becomes slow or interrupted by the muscles and soft tissue in the throat collapsing, causing a blockage - and are more likely to have disrupted delta sleep. This is the deep, rejuvenating kind which starts about 30 to 50 minutes after we fall asleep. Children need delta sleep for proper growth and development. One study, published in 2004 in the journal Sleep, looked at 34 children with ADHD. Every one showed a deficit of delta sleep, compared with only a handful of the 32 children in the study who didn't have the disorder. Meanwhile, a study of more than 11,000 British children published last year found those who suffered breathing problems during sleep in infancy were more likely to have behavioural difficulties later in life. No 'off' button: The distraction of 24-hour TV, computer games and mobile phones is a major factor in child sleep deprivation . These children were 20 to 60 per cent more likely to have behavioural problems at the age of four, and 40 to 100 per cent more likely to have such problems at seven. Tellingly, when sleep problems are resolved, the behavioural problems attributed to ADHD can disappear. A study published in the journal Paediatrics in 2006 found that removing tonsils to improve sleep seems to banish ADHD symptoms. A year after the surgery, half of the children who had previously been diagnosed with ADHD no longer had it. Professor Thakkar's theory is supported by British sleep experts, who say it is no coincidence that the rise in ADHD diagnoses in the Nineties came at a time when people were getting less sleep. The latest figures suggest that the number of adults who sleep fewer than seven hours each night has risen from 2 per cent in 1960 to more than 35 per cent in 2011. According to Dr Neil Stanley, a British sleep expert, children today get at least an hour less sleep than they did 100 years ago. Many ten-year-olds do not get the recommended ten hours a night. The distraction of 24-hour TV, computer games and mobile phones is a major factor because they not only stimulate the mind but suppress levels of melatonin, a hormone that helps to regulate sleeping and waking cycles. The light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye are more sensitive to the light emitted by screens - which tricks the body into thinking that it's still daytime, so it disrupts the production of melatonin. 'Ask any parent to describe a sleep-deprived child and the characteristics are not dissimilar to ADHD,' he says. 'Some children do have ADHD, but others are sleep-deprived and we are calling it ADHD. 'Some perfectly normal children who, for whatever reason, are chronically sleep-deprived, are being diagnosed with ADHD by their GPs. Many doctors also  have very little knowledge of  sleep disorders.' Slee-pea children: 'Some perfectly normal children who, for whatever reason, are chronically sleep-deprived, are being diagnosed with ADHD' More controversial is his belief that it may also be easier for doctors to tell parents their child has a medical condition rather than that he or she needs more sleep, with the parenting implications that involves. 'For some children it may be a diagnosis of convenience. Yet by misdiagnosing sleep-deprived patients as having ADHD, we are not only doing a disservice to those who really have ADHD but may be treating thousands of patients with poor sleep with medications designed to control or modify daytime behaviour.' Furthermore, drugs for treating ADHD can have side-effects, including poor appetite, stomach pain and, in rare cases, heart problems, chest pain, liver problems and suicidal thoughts. Professor Thakkar's interest in the link between ADHD and sleep disorders was prompted by his own experience after being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. For nearly a decade he suffered from profound cognitive lethargy and difficulty focusing - he needed a daily nap and spent much of the weekend sleeping. Initially he was told that the problems were the result of psychological issues. Then, in 2005, he was diagnosed with ADHD. Not convinced, he underwent a sleep study which showed, at the age of 33, that he had an unusual form of narcolepsy, a neurological disorder which usually causes intermittent, uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep. 'I'd never fallen asleep while eating or talking, but it turned out that just 5 per cent of my sleep was delta sleep. With the proper treatment my cognitive problems came to an end. My daytime focus is remarkably improved.' Professor Thakkar says there is more going on in our nocturnal lives than we realised. 'However, it is impossible to know how well you sleep unless you undergo tests - that's because sleep is partly biological and partly behavioural,' he says. 'Even if parents and children do all the right things to make sure they get enough sleep, they may be getting too little quality sleep. 'Limiting time on devices, especially in the evenings, is a good first step for children with these types of symptoms.' If that doesn't work, parents should ensure that their child gets enough sleep for their age (ten to 11 hours for school-age children, seven to eight for adults). If that does not help, seek medical help and consider undergoing a sleep study.

Sleep deprivation in children causes similar effects as ADHD . Some experts think kids diagnosed with ADHD really suffer from bad sleep . Children get much less and poorer quality sleep now than they used to .

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By . Matt Lawton . and Ian Ladyman . and Laurie Whitwell . PUBLISHED: . 07:13 EST, 30 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:05 EST, 30 December 2013 . Nicolas Anelka was on Monday ordered not to repeat his sick goal salute as it emerged Samir Nasri has also been photographed making the quenelle gesture. Nasri posed for a picture with a friend outside Manchester City’s training ground two months ago. He took to Twitter to apologise and insist the quenelle was meant to be a symbol against ‘the system’ and had no anti-Semitic meaning. Controversial: A picture of Samir Nasri (left) apparently performing the 'quenelle' was on Facebook last month . Facing a ban: Nicolas Anelka is in trouble for this goal celebration against West Ham . Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a detailed look at the controversial gesture . ‘I apologise for causing any hurt to . anyone who might have been misled into thinking this means anything of . that nature,’ said Nasri. West . Bromwich Albion took a tough stance with their French striker after his . gesture following a goal against West Ham provoked an international . outcry. Although Anelka has . agreed not to repeat the gesture he did not apologise. This may be due . to the FA investigation which could land him a ban of more than five . games, according to new regulations governing race-related offences. Albion . caretaker boss Keith Downing admitted the club had been . shocked to discover the quenelle gesture was considered anti-Semitic by . many. Anelka was asked . about it by Downing after the game at Upton Park and told his manager it . had been a dedication for his friend, French comedian Dieudonne. The . striker said he did not mean to cause offence but there was an outcry in . France, where Saturday’s game was screened live. Social media: Nasri's 'quenelle' picture appeared on a Facebook page set up to suport two French soldiers . Social media: The Nasri picture appeared on twitter the day after Anelka's 'quenelle' celebration . Anelka . was ordered on Monday to explain his actions to Albion sporting and . technical director Richard Garlick before a statement was issued. ‘He . again strongly denied intending to cause offence,’ said the statement. ‘The club fully acknowledge Nicolas’s goal celebration has caused . offence in some quarters and has asked Nicolas not to perform the . gesture again. He agreed to adhere to this request.’ Anelka will play on during the FA’s lengthy investigation. Bittersweet: Anelka performed the salute after scoring the first of two goals in a 3-3 draw with West Ham . The . quenelle has already caused problems in the NBA, where French-born . basketball star Tony Parker, of the San Antonio Spurs, was condemned by . Jewish groups after using the salute in a photo with Dieudonne. Parker’s behaviour was ‘disgusting and dangerous’, said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Friends: West Brom acting head coach Keith . Downing says that the gesture was a dedication from Anelka (right) to . his French comedian friend Dieudonne (left), which Anelka reiterated on . Twitter . Doubling up: Anelka (left) is on the spot to score West Brom's second goal of the afternoon . Mamadou Sakho . The Liverpool defender was pictured twice doing the gesture, once with Dieudonne, lastmonth. But he later said he did not know what it meant and had been ‘tricked’. Yannick Sagbo . The Hull forward tweeted a picture of Anelka’s celebration and wrote: ‘Anelka is a legend i love him is a best french striker’ and included a message of support for Dieudonne. Parker . said: ‘When l was photographed making that gesture three years ago, I . thought it was part of a comedy act and did not know it could be in any . way offensive or harmful. 'Since I have been made aware of the . seriousness of this gesture, I will certainly never repeat it and . sincerely apologise for any misunderstanding.’ Dieudonne has convictions for . spreading race hate, and last week interior minister Manuel Valls . announced that ‘all legal means’ to ban Dieudonne from making public . appearances were being considered, saying: ‘He attacks the  memory of . Holocaust victims in an obvious and unbearable way.’ The . quenelle — touching a shoulder with one hand, keeping the other arm . pointed downwards — is said to be an inverted Nazi salute. Dieudonne and . his supporters claim it is merely an anti-Zionist, anti-establishment . signal and the 47-year-old has threatened to sue those suggesting . otherwise. The gesture . has gone viral on social media and two soldiers were sanctioned by the . French army in September for performing it in uniform in front of a . Paris synagogue. Anelka had also taken to Twitter on Sunday night to insist that his gesture had no . religious or anti-Semitic connection. He wrote: ‘Meaning of quenelle: . anti-system. I do not know what the word religion has to do with this . story!’ Support: QPR defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto tweeted a message to Anelka after his celebration . Fooled: Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho (right) was pictured making the same gesture as Anelka but later claimed he was tricked into doing it . ‘The . quenelle is a dedication to Dini. With regard to the ministers who give . their own interpretations they are the ones who create the confusion . and controversy without knowing what the gesture really means! I shall . therefore ask the people not to be duped by the media. And of course, I . am neither anti-Semitic nor racist.’ Dieudonne . applauded Anelka in a post on his Facebook page. ‘Excellent live . quenelle by Anelka,’ he wrote. ‘Thanks for the support.’ But . Anelka’s actions were roundly criticised elsewhere. Valerie Fourneyron, . the French sports minister, said: ‘Anelka’s gesture is a shocking, . disgusting provocation. There is no place for anti-Semitism and . incitement to hatred on the football pitch.’ Sorry: French basketball star Tony Parker (right) apologised for performing the salute . Controversial: French humorist Dieudonne arriving for a trial at the Paris courthouse on December 13 . Chantal Jouanno, the former . sports minister and a senator in Paris, said: ‘The quenelle is a Nazi . gesture, clearly anti-Semitic and known as such. It is not worth arguing . about interpretation. We must be clear about our values. He must be . punished.’ European . Jewish Congress president Dr Moshe Kantor wants Anelka dealt with as if . he ‘had made the infamous outstretched arm salute’ of the Nazis. ‘It . is sickening that such a well-known footballer would make such an . abusive and hateful gesture in front of tens of thousands of spectators. We expect that the English Premier League officials as well as the . police will give Anelka the appropriate punishment.’ Political protest: A man poses with a drawing showing a Jew character covering the mouth of an other character with a gag reading 'freedom of speech' during a protest in support of Dieudonne . Defiant: A group performs the 'quenelle' salutes in front of the theatre Dieudonne's performing at . A lengthy ban for Anelka may signal the end of his career, with rumours of his retirement already emerging earlier this season. Hull . forward Yannick Sagbo tweeted a picture of Anelka’s celebration and . called him a ‘legend’ while expressing support for Dieudonne. Other . footballers have been pictured making the gesture, including Mamadou . Sakho last month. But the Liverpool defender later said he had been . tricked. When . West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka scored the first of his two goals in . Saturday's 3-3 Premier League draw at West Ham, he celebrated by making a . gesture largely unfamiliar to fans of English football. But . the salute, known in France as 'la quenelle', is the subject of a . fierce national debate that has reached the French interior ministry and . stands accused of sparking a spate of attacks across Anelka's homeland. Here, . we explore the origins of the controversial gesture and the motives of . its self-proclaimed inventor, the stand-up comedian and political . activist Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala: .

Anelka facing minimum five-match ban over gesture . West Brom striker performed act after scoring against West Ham . Nasri picture appeared on Twitter the following day . City midfielder knew nothing of anti-Semitic or political connotations . Assou-Ekotto tweets his support for Anelka . Image also emerges of NBA star Tony Parker performing a 'quenelle'

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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 18:55 EST, 26 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 08:48 EST, 27 January 2014 . For the first time, a girls’ choir performs under the hallowed arches of Canterbury Cathedral. Aged 12 to 16, they had their debut performance at Evensong on Saturday, ending a 1,000-year-old tradition that has allowed only men and boys to be choristers. Several cathedrals, including Winchester, have had girls’ choirs for years, while others have mixed-sex choirs. Scroll down for video . This girls' choir performed at Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday, ending a 1,000-year-old tradition . Audience claps them off as the girls' choir make their way out of the cathedral following their performance . Canterbury stood firm until it announced the changes in September, prompting 40 girls from local schools to audition, before the final 16 were chosen in November. Chorister Abby Cox, 12, said: ‘That’s the thought in the back of your mind: no girl has sung in this cathedral over an amazingly long period of time.’ The girls will initially sing at services when the boy choristers, who are boarders at St Edmund’s School, are on their twice-termly breaks. The girls celebrate following their performance at Evensong on Saturday . The girls will initially sing at services when the boy choristers, who are boarders at St Edmund's School, are on their twice-termly breaks . A spokesman for Canterbury Cathedral said the long tradition of all male choirs made it difficult to change. ‘With that weight of history, it can sometimes take a little while for change to occur, he said. ‘And it is only about 20 years since the first women were ordained as priests. ‘The role of women generally in society has changed vastly within the last 20-30 years, and the Church reflects that. Several cathedrals, including Winchester, have had girls' choirs for years, while others have mixed-sex choirs . Canterbury stood firm until it announced the changes in September, prompting 40 girls from local schools to audition, before the final 16 were chosen in November . A spokesman for Canterbury Cathedral said the long tradition of all male choirs made it difficult to change .

Aged 12 to 16, group had their debut performance at Evensong on Saturday . The performance ended a 1,000-year-old tradition that allowed only men and boys to be choristers .

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A woman was left horrified after she spotted a giant rat outside her home in north London. Sam Firth photographed the rodent, which she estimated to be between 16 and 18 inches, as it peered through her back door in fashionable Belsize Park. The sighting comes as pest controllers revealed the shocking epidemic of mutant rats - some as big as cats - across the UK. The rodents, which have been seen been seen across the country over the past year, are twice as large as normal species and cannot be killed with traditional substances. Scroll down for video . Alarming: Sam Firth spotted this giant rat outside her home in fashionable Belsize Park, north London . Fearless: The rodent, which Ms Firth estimated to be between 16 and 18 inches, approaches the back door . One rodent measuring 20-inches was recently spotted at a food establishment in Swindon, Wiltshire. Kevin Higgins, of the British Pest Control Association, said rat numbers were going up by about 15 per cent each year - and the boom was driven by the availability of food. 'The more food, the more rodents it will attract,' he said. John McNeice, director of Scottish Pest Control Services, said: 'We see big rats in cold stores. The rats grow a very thick fur. That can make them look bigger. 'You might see a rat under a pallet that looks as big as a cat.' Similar stories of giant rats have been reported by pest controllers in Glasgow, the Scottish borders and Swindon. Last week, experts warned of a plague of super rats after it was revealed that pest control budgets have been slashed by a quarter by local authorities. Information released to Labour by councils has revealed deep cuts in the amounts being spent on controlling vermin. A map details where notable rats have been recorded across the UK since 2010. The rat discovered in Swindon this month was giant at 20-inches, but not considered 'mutant' as it was killed traditionally . Across 200 local authorities in England, pest control budgets have been cut by 24.4 per cent on average since 2010. There has also been a 16 per cent cut in the amounts spent on street cleaning. Some authorities insist they have taken steps to provide better value for money, accounting for reductions in budgets. But others admit they have stopped providing pest control services altogether. Super rats are typically larger than sewer rats and cannot be killed by traditional rodenticides. The species has developed a genetic mutation which means substances approved by the EU to control rat populations has no effect on them. Pest controllers are calling for new rules to be made allowing the creation of stronger poisons, though the health and safety risk to humans and the environment this bears is a bone of contention. Most rats are found in food premises, though some have been recorded across the UK in homes. To prevent the creatures from infesting your home or business, experts advise keeping conditions spotlessly clean. Ensuring wheelie bins have proper drain holes is also important, said exterminators. 'A rat in the wrong place is a problem for anybody so you have to be vigilant whether its commercial or residential. 'They'll chew water pipes, electric cables and it puts your property at risk,' said Justin Holloway of exterminators, Prokill. Traditionally, people have been able to call out pest control officers from their local authorities if their homes are infested with mice, rats, wasps or other pests. Many councils have offered free assessments, and then made subsidised charges for proofing, poisons or other recommended measures. The decline in local authority services means more people are likely to attempt ineffective and sometimes dangerous DIY solutions, increasing the numbers of pests, experts said. Reports this year suggest that rats in the UK are becoming bigger, and some are developing resistance to traditional methods of control. So-called 'super rats' are expected to outnumber humans two to one by next year. Genetic testing by Huddersfield University has revealed that some rodents have developed a mutation that allows them to survive conventional poisons. In counties including Berkshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Kent, all the rats tested were found to have immunity to poison. Earlier this year, worried homeowners shared photographs of the rodents, some of which were as large as small cats. One, found on an industrial estate in Liverpool, measured two feet, while another in Gravesend, Kent, was the width of a shovel. Researchers at Huddersfield University performed studies on the rodents, with some parts of Britain more severely affected than others. In Gloucestershire and Shropshire, around 20 per cent of rats tested were immune to traditional poisons, while a third in Kingston could not be killed using the substances. In Southampton, 75 per cent of the rodents were found to have the genetic mutation. Spread: This enormous rat discovered in Cornwall last year measured 50cm. Reports this year suggest that rats in the UK are becoming bigger, and some are developing resistance to traditional methods of control . Epidemic: This rat found in Swindon is the largest on record for the Wiltshire town. Pest exterminators have warned an influx of super rats may be on its way, with the rodents immune to traditional poisons .

Giant rat photographed outside home in fashionable Belsize Park, London . Homeowner Sam Firth estimated it was between 16 and 18 inches long . Comes as pest controllers revealed the rise in number of mutant rats in UK . Rodents are twice as large as normal and are resistant to traditional poison .

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FOLKSTON, Georgia (CNN) -- Rain or shine, 80-year-old Cookie Williams plops himself on the wooden viewing platform perched over double train tracks. Cookie Williams, 80, watches a CSX freight train chug by on a typical Tuesday afternoon. On this warm May afternoon, a patient Williams sits slouched, legs crossed and arms relaxed, donning his vintage CSX railroad company cap littered with miniature train pendants. He is waiting for a train. A scanner, listening for oncoming train signals, crackles in the background as it picks up some conductor chatter. He waits some more. "A lot of people in this town thought I was on the kooky side," said Williams, who is retired from the paper and pulp industry. "But I love it. I've loved these trains ever since I was a kid." Folkston, Georgia, where Williams lives, is one of many train hot spots nationwide. Here, the blasting train noises are jokingly called "Folkston music." With up to 60 trains crawling loudly through the quaint town each day, it's become an attraction for fans eager to collect train images and sounds. In 2001, Williams, who grew up by a train track, pushed town officials to construct a viewing platform with picnic tables, wireless Internet and a scanner to detect oncoming trains. The Southeast Georgia town reports that at least 12,500 visitors from all over the world visit the platform to watch trains each year. Watch Williams and his friend talk about the joy of train watching » . As the prominence of the iconic American railroad has faded over the past half-century, there remains a devout group of train enthusiasts like Williams and his friends, dubbed railfans, who obsessively chase and watch powerful trains glide along railroad tracks. Trains Magazine, an industry publication, estimates that there are 175,000 U.S. railfans, mostly male baby boomers. "The word 'enthusiast' doesn't begin to cover their devotion," said Rhonda Del Boccio, head of the Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce, which oversees railfan tourism in Folkston. "Picture [the popular game] 'World of Warcraft' for train people." On any given day in America, loyal railfans camp out for hours or even days on a platform, a grassy field, a road or a backyard to snap a few photographs or shoot video of the moving trains. Some travel to different cities and countries to capture the right shot. Last weekend, nearly 20 railfans convened at the Izaak Walton Inn in Essex, Montana, a railroad worker dormitory built in 1939 that was converted into a hotel. The group took pictures of trains set against the backdrop of Glacier National Park during the day and had history lessons about trains at night. A train festival this summer in Oswego, Michigan, is expected to draw in 30,000 attendees, many of them railfans. Just like bird watcher keeps an eye out for specific birds, railfans watch for cargo and passenger trains and "critters"-- railfan lingo for small freight trains. On a lucky day, they may spot a historic steam locomotive. Hardcore railfans spend so much time visually dissecting the trains, they can recite the number of axles in a passing train or recount which years railroad giant Union Pacific Railway Co. changed its logos. "It's a marvel to see something that weighs hundreds of tons, hauling thousands of tons, moving through rural country," said Bill Taylor, a 62-year-old railfan and former teacher. His Missoula, Montana, home is adorned with antique rail items, such as train silverware and conductor lanterns. "It's an orchestra of motion." In an age of social media, railfanning has taken a new turn, going viral. On YouTube, there are more than 24,000 railfan videos, ranging from trains chugging through Gary, Indiana, to the subway in New York. Flickr.com touts thousands of pictures uploaded my railfans delighted to share their most prized train spotting moments. The obsession over railfanning often stems from historical and technological intrigue. Trains not only represent a romanticized era, they have been central to American economic growth and commerce across the country, historians say. Like any other pastime, railfanning has rules. Most railfan veterans execute the hobby with caution, steering at least 100 feet from private property and dangerous areas, railfans say. Sometimes, amateur train lovers wander too close to the tracks, raising safety concerns and irritating rail conductors and employees. Rail workers nickname pestering railfans "foamers" because fans stand near the tracks in such awe that they are practically drooling when a train plows through. See train photos from our iReporters » . "For [conductors and rail workers], it's a dog chasing a car," said Rick Enselman, 41, of Edmond, Oklahoma, who became enamored with railfanning 15 years ago. He started taking his two children to the tracks with him. "They don't understand the rhythm and rhyme of why we're doing it." Enselman, a salesman, says railfanning takes his mind "away from the real world." His love of trains was inspired by his great-uncle, who bequeathed him a vintage Lionel O Scale train set decades ago. But it hasn't been a smooth ride for railfans. After September 11, railfanning sparked some controversy. Security officers at railroad companies began to ward off railfans, fearing that they might be a terrorism threat. Officers soon realized railfans were no harm and could bolster surveillance. In 2006, BNSF Railway Co., one of the largest railroad operators in the United States, created the Citizen for Rail Safety Group, where railfans help the company watch for unusual activity. There are more than 8,700 people, mostly railfans, registered today. Today, trains are also making a steady comeback despite the challenges of a sluggish economy. Amtrak passenger ridership saw an increase of 10 million over the past decade. President Obama has talked about resurrecting plans for a national high-speed rail network. "Even though there are fewer railroad companies, they are hauling more stuff than ever before," said Kevin Keefe, publisher of Trains Magazine. "I don't think railroads have lost the ability to capture people's attention." Back on the viewing platform in Folkston, a 10-year-old boy with eager blue eyes hidden behind a thin pair of glasses, with a videocamera in his hand, is sitting two seats away from Cookie Williams. Surveying the naked tracks carefully, the boy, a railfan from North Carolina, fidgets in his seat . "It's coming up, son," Williams reassures the boy and the four other railfans on the platform. "A few more minutes." So they wait together, faces brushed by the soft breeze. And they wait a few minutes more, before the bells jingle a warning. The horn screams twice. And the howling cacophony of a diesel locomotive crashes toward them as they watch the train come into focus from the distance.

Trains Magazine estimates there are 175,000 railfans in the U.S. Folkston, Georgia, has about 12,500 visitors to watch trains each year . "It's an orchestra of motion," says 63-year-old railfan Bill Taylor of Montana . Trains are making a steady comeback despite the sluggish economy .

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By . Will Stewart . The Russian airline pilots who dramatically avoided a high-speed collision with a grounded plane as they came in to land have criticised their opposite numbers for pulling out in front of them. Shocking footage of the near-miss, which took place at Barcelona Airport on Saturday, shows a Boeing 767, flown by Russian airline UTair, swooping in over the runway. But as the plane bears down on the tarmac, a seemingly oblivious Aerolineas Argentineas Airbus A340 taxis in front of the incoming jet, which pulls up sharply to avoid disaster. Scroll down for video . Dramatic footage: The video shows the moment a aircraft was forced to abort its landing after another plane taxis across its path at Barcelona airport . The pilots then perform a 'go-around' emergency procedure, and manage safely to land their craft, carrying 260 tourists, on their second attempt. Commenting on the dramatic procedure to the Siberian Times, the plane's co-pilot Kirill Kuzmin also criticsed the Spanish airport's traffic controllers for falling silent during the disaster, leaving them to handle the dangerous situation themselves. He said: 'Before getting close to the runway we heard the air traffic controller's command allowing Argentinians to cross the runway after we had landed'. 'The Argentinians repeated the comment which meant that they heard and accepted it. But then suddenly - and without a clear reason - the Argentinians got onto the runway just as our altitude was going below 100 metres. 'The air traffic controller clearly got confused. He went silent... We had nothing else to do than go on a second round. 'We have worked on this situation many times during training.' Nikolay . Limarev, the captain of the plane, said the incident 'could have been . serious if the weather was not clear as it was on that day'. He . also criticsed traffic controllers, saying: 'As we were getting ready . to land, about 10, 15 seconds prior to reaching the rear end of the . runway, we noticed the Argentinian Airbus A340-300 moving at 60 degrees . towards the runway we were approaching.' 'Worst experiences ever': The Boeing 767 comes into land at the airport as the Airbus taxis across the runway . 'Go-around': The Boeing pilot is forced to abort the landing, pulling up and going around the other plane . 'The weather was fine, so after the Argentinian plane reached the runway and got onto it, we went onto a second round, not waiting for the air traffic controller's command. 'It took us about 15 minutes to complete the second round. When we finished it we approached the airport again and successfully landed at El Prat. 'As we were taxiing the airport's controller apologised on the radio for the situation.' UTair - one of Russia's largest airlines, based at Khanty-Mansiysk in Siberia - praised the captain for his 'composure and professional excellence' after 'appropriately' assessing the situation. The airline said that the matter was under 'investigation'. Spanish airport authority AENA announced a request for the country's civil aviation safety commission, CIAIAC, to examine the near miss and its causes. David Guillamon, spokesman for the Spanish air-traffic controller association, Aprocta, said the incident was a 'serious case', but said that - despite appearances -  there was 'no danger of a collision.' Aerolineas Argentinas also insisted that nothing was amiss during the incident. A spokesman said: 'Aerolineas Argentinas affirms there was never a situation of risk in the supposed incident registered on Saturday at Barcelona Airport between a Russian UTair plane and an Aerolineas Argentinas plane. 'A spokesman for the Spanish airports authority AENA stated the UTair landing could have taken place without any risk as both planes were in the places they should have been with sufficient distance between each other.' Safe landing: The Boeing 767 from Russian airline Utair lands after the near-miss at Barcelona airport . As the Boeing approached the runway, the Airbus had already taxied clear of the location on the way to its own runway for takeoff, he said. The heart-stopping incident, which occurred on Saturday, was caught on camera by Miguel Angel, who posted the video to YouTube, where it has already been viewed more than one million times. Mr Angel, who has posted hundreds of plane videos online, said seeing the near-miss was 'one of the worst experiences I have ever had'. He said: 'An Utair Boeing 767-300 (VQ-BSX) incoming from Moscow as UT5187 and Aerolíneas Argentinas Airbus A340-300 (LV-FPV) were involved into what could be the bigger disaster of Barcelona Airport. 'The Utair 767 was about to land on Runway 02 while the Argentinas was crossing the runway. 'By the time Russian pilots sight Argentinas (they were taxiing to Holding point of RW25R for take-off) on runway while they were on final approach, they did their best making an impressive and close go around. 'After that incidence the plane landed safely on runway 02, and the Argentinas took-off heading Buenos Aires.' [sic] .

UTair Boeing 767 filmed in near-miss with Aerolineas Argentineas Airbus at El Prat airport in Spain on Saturday . Russian plane was coming in to land when Argentinian jet taxied in front of it - prompting emergency dodge . Pilots reveal terrifying moment the jet pulled out in front of them - and say air traffic control were silent . Co-pilot Kirill Kuzmin said plane started to taxi 'without a clear reason' while his jet was only 100m above ground . Investigation into the incident has been ordered by Russian airline UTair and also Spanish aviation authorities .

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By . Freya Noble for Daily Mail Australia . Some of Australia's most iconic landmarks and locations could be underwater in less than a century, according to a new report by the Climate Council. By 2100 Sydney Opera House could flood every single day, the Gold Coast's famous beaches could be swallowed by the sea, and more than 250,000 homes across the country could be destroyed. Titled Counting The Costs: Climate Change And Coastal Flooding, the report reveals that more than half the Australian coast could be in jeopardy over the next 100 years. The Sydney Opera house could be flooded every day by 2100 according to a new report by the Climate Council . The report revealed that more than $200 billion worth of damage could be done to infrastructure if the sea rises the worst case scenario of 1.1 metres . 'Australia is largely a coastal country. Much of our population lives on or near the coast, and our six state capital cities —Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart, as well as Darwin in the Northern Territory—are all port cities,' the report begins. In Victoria at least 80 percent of the coast could be at risk of rising seas, while it's a little lower but still damaging at 62 percent in Queensland. One of the authors of the report, Professor Will Steffen, told news.com.au that it is essential for Australia to cut its greenhouse gases if we want to reduce the potential impact. Queensland's iconic Gold Coast could also be in jeopardy if the sea levels rise by the turn of the century . One of the authors of the report, Professor Will Steffen, said its essential for Australia to cut its greenhouse gases if we want to reduce the potential impact . 'The potential threats to Australia, where the majority of us live on the coast are disproportionately large,' he said in a statement. If the sea rises just over a metre by the turn of the century roads, hospitals, properties, and power stations would all be severly damaged. In the worst case scenario this damage to the coastal regions of the country could cost the economy over $200 billion, according to the report. Almost 250,000 homes could be lost along the Australian coast . The Climate Council warns against ignoring climate change as that could have a detrimental effect on the world's economy . There is also a suggestion that the Gold Coast could be hardest hit, which would mean a huge blow to the tourism profits more than 11 million visitors bring the beachside region each year. As the beaches are lined with high rises so any rise in the sea level could be derimental to the surrounding areas. More than 250,000 homes across Australia could also be at serious risk along with 35,000 kilometres of roads and rails, thousands of commercial buildings and almost 100 hospitals. Soil erosion has already begun to occur on the Gold Coast, seen here at Mermaid Beach . The overall prediction is that sea levels will rise by between 40 centimetres and one metre. The report also revealed that rising sea levels could pose risks to the Great Barrier Reef, and Kakadu National Park. The Climate Council is a not-for-profit organisation which relies on funding from the public. In Victoria at least 80 percent of the coast could be at risk of rising seas, while that figure is 62 percent for Queensland .

Counting The Costs: Climate Change And Coastal Flooding was released on Wednesday . The report reveals that more than $226 billion worth of damage could be done to infrastructure . Also said if the sea rises 1.1 metres in the next century Sydney would flood every day . Nearly 250,000 homes along the Australian coast could be at risk .

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(CNN) -- Australian cricketer Phil Hughes is fighting for his life in hospital, a day after he was felled by a sickening blow from a ball during a televised match in Sydney. The 25-year-old batsman, who was playing for South Australia against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) Tuesday, collapsed after being struck by a "bouncer" from bowler Sean Abbott. After receiving treatment on the pitch, he was rushed to the city's St Vincent's Hospital, where he underwent neurosurgery. "Phil remains in a critical condition in intensive care. He's in the hands of some of the best specialists available for this type of injury so we'll just wait and see," hospital spokesman David Faktor told CNN Wednesday. The "bouncer," a delivery pitched short so it bounces up at the batsman's upper body, is a common tactic for bowlers to use in cricket. Nick Compton: Facing fear in cricket's fast lane . Head protection . But despite the accident to Hughes, who has played 26 Test matches for Australia, former England batsman Nick Compton said he does not think cricket has a problem with head protection. "It's awkward, it's part of the game. For the bowler, it's not his fault. It's one of those freak accidents," said the 31 year old, who played with Hughes at English county Middlesex in 2009. "On another day, you do exactly the same thing and it glances off your helmet, you get a bit of a bruise, you feel a bit 'ugh' and that's about it. Every batsman has been hit at some point, some worse than others. It's worrying. "It's the unpredictability of sport, that's what makes it what it is. It's a tough one to get right. If you want an absolutely risk-free occupation, don't play sport. "The helmets these days are very well made. It's hit him in an absolute freak place." He added that the hot, dry conditions of an Australian summer create hard pitches, which suit fast bowlers. But Australian sports commentator Peter FitzSimons said the sport should look again at the welfare of its players even if it was a "freak accident." "The cricket world should be looking for the helmet to cover the side and back of the neck -- even the ears," he told CNN Wednesday. "This could be uncomfortable for the cricketers but it should be considered. If you have to choose between discomfort and risking death, many will choose discomfort." Meanwhile, messages of support poured in from across the sporting world and beyond. "All thoughts are with Phil Hughes and his family," tweeted former England all-rounder Ian Botham. Former Australian spin bowler Shane Warne tweeted: "Thinking of you Phil, hope you're hanging tough buddy. The #CricketFamily are sending prayers & our best wishes buddy." West Indies cricket legend Viv Richards also took to Twitter to post: "My thoughts and support are with the family of Phil Hughes. Hoping the fight he has within will pull him through this very quickly." And Australian international footballer Tim Cahill tweeted: "My Support and thoughts go out to Phil Hughes and his family. The whole of Australia are behind you mate. #AussieSpirit." CNN's Bex Wright contributed to this report.

Australian cricketer Phil Hughes was struck by a ball during a match in Sydney . 25-year-old's condition remains critical following emergency surgery . Hughes was playing for South Australia against New South Wales at the time .

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By . Belinda Robinson . Suspect: Tiniko Thompson, 46, is alleged to have killed her boyfriend Carl Patrick, 53, a Miami police officer in his Pembroke Pines, Florida home on May 9 . The girlfriend of a Miami police officer who was found shot to death in his home has been arrested. Tiniko Thompson, 46, is alleged to have killed her boyfriend Carl Patrick, 53, in his Pembroke Pines, Florida home on May 9. Police officers found a chilling note along with the body, reading, 'It was an accident, we had a fight.' According to officers, Mr Patricks' body was found earlier this month in his bedroom under burned bedding. They described the scene as being 'consistent with something being lit on fire' and reveal he was still dressed in his police uniform. Mr Patrick's former girlfriend, Ms Thompson has been arrested in connection with the murder, according to police. She made her first appearance in court on Thursday on second-degree murder charges. Ms Thompson is alleged to have killed Mr Patrick and left him . to die at home while he fled the scene stealing his mobile phone and . fleeing. Two days later, her mother reported her to . the police after she threatened to commit suicide. It was then that Patrick's body was . discovered in his Pembroke Pines home. When officers examined the house, they found a note in the kitchen that read, 'It was an accident, we had a fight.' Death: Mr Patrick's body was found earlier this month in his bedroom under burned bedding in his home in Florida . Yet, when Ms Thompson . was brought in for questioning after his death she told officers that he had shot . himself. She described how they were fighting when his gun went off. 'It went POW! And that was it,' she . recalled of the single gunshot that eventually ended his life. 'He . called me a b****. He said, 'You b****.' She went on to say that the 25-year Miami police veteran was 'abusive' towards her. She tearfully told NBC news: 'He scared me. I don't know what else to say.' In court: The 46-year-old made her first court appearance Thursday while facing charges of second-degree murder . However, it is not clear how Mr Patrick would have been able to shoot himself. The medical . examiner determined that the bullet-wound didn't match up . with how he would have shot a gun at himself, as he would have used his right-hand to fire the gun. Ms Thompson said she had left the scene and went to live . in her car for the next several days. But police said that they found another note in her vehicle like the one found in the kitchen, which told how she was too scared to call police after what happened. According to a medial examiner, Mr Patrick's life could have been saved if he had received immediate medical attention. His death has been ruled a murder (homicide.) Arrested: Ms Thompson said that Mr Patrick had shot himself - she described him as abusive and said that she was scared of him .

Tiniko Thompson, 46, is alleged to have killed her boyfriend Carl Patrick, 53, . Mr Patrick was a 25-year veteran of the Miami police force . Officers found his body under burned bedding in his Florida home . They also found a note in the kitchen saying 'It was an accident...' Ms Thompson has appeared in court on second-degree murder charges . She claims that Mr Patrick shot himself but a medical examiner said his injuries were not consistent with that assertion . Police reveal that they found another note in her car similar to the one left .

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By . Sean Poulter . Npower is axing almost 2,000 staff as it outsources work to India, it emerged last night. Just weeks before Christmas, the firm has decided to close its British call centres. The move was condemned by the GMB and Unison unions, who called for a public inquiry into the way Npower is being run. Npower has decided to close its British call centres, axing almost 2,000 staff just weeks before Christmas . It is understood that sites at Peterlee in County Durham, Thornaby in North Yorkshire, and Stoke will be closed, with the transfer of 1,400 jobs to India, while 570 customer service jobs will go to another company in Britain. Npower is owned by RWE of Germany, which earlier this week dumped a project to build a vast wind farm in the Bristol Channel. Colin Smith, of the GMB, said: ‘This is about cost of living, bad management and naked greed.. ‘At this time of the year, when the Christmas lights are being turned on for most people, Npower workers their families and communities have no Yuletide greetings. ‘They have only fear from a company only interested in their fat-cat salaries and what they can get out of consumers who are paying ever higher energy prices so corporate bureaucrats can get fatter as their reward for failure. 'It is an absolute scandal that a company like Npower can operate as a cartel player in a captive market, while jobs are placed offshore.’ Npower is to move all UK call centres to India . Matthew Lay, Unison national officer, said: ‘Npower have consistently let their customers and staff down by not investing enough in the workforce, technology or the latest customer-service techniques. ‘This has led to a huge number of complaints which the company seems to think they can deal with by shifting the responsibility to somewhere else, including India. ‘If the company goes ahead with this disastrous plan, it will backfire badly, damaging their already tarnished reputation for service.’ Its poor record on complaints, a punishing 10.2 per cent price rise and its failure to pay tax have angered many customers of Britain’s most expensive energy firm. But chief executive Paul Massara, who earns £600,000, has rejected calls to give up a bonus of £150,000 awarded for hitting targets for employee and customer satisfaction. Just last week, Npower was named and shamed as the nation’s worst performer for customer service. The company receives 202.5 complaints for every 100,000 customers – five times more than the best energy supplier. Audrey Gallacher, director of energy at official customer watchdog Consumer Futures, said Npower’s performance was ‘unacceptable’ and it was unclear how moving call centre services to outside firms would improve the situation. She added: ‘Energy companies have repeatedly said they want to rebuild consumer trust. Good customer service and complaints handling are key ingredients to achieving this and suppliers still have a long way to go.’ The firm is also about to hit customers with a 10.2 per cent rise in the cost of heat and light, which will take average bills up by £139 to just under £1,500 a year. Npower said: ‘Npower has been undertaking a major review of sites, operations and people across the UK to improve customer service and keep costs down, at a time of external pressures on customers’ bills.’

Announced weeks ahead of Christmas, the move will see 2,000 jobs axed . Decision condemned by the GMB and Unison unions, who called for public inquiry into the way Npower is being run .

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The full scale of spending on private contractors by the UK’s biggest police force is laid bare today as the nation’s most senior officer is summoned by MPs to account for millions of pounds in wasted public money. A leaked list seen by The Mail on Sunday shows the Metropolitan Police has signed deals worth £3.5 billion with more than 300 companies, to supply everything from high-tech weaponry to sandwiches. The huge sums will be scrutinised when Met Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe appears before a powerful group of MPs on Tuesday, with Scotland Yard under pressure to save more than £500 million without losing officers from the streets. Mounting costs: The Metropolitan Police have been criticised for their spending including £500,00 going on cleaning up horse manure . Full details of the Met’s spending with private firms, spanning more than a decade and with some contracts ongoing, reveal the force is paying out: . Keith Vaz, the chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said: ‘This is the first time that we have received such a comprehensive list about the expenditure of a  police force. We will be exploring some of the expenditure with the Commissioner when he appears before the Committee on Tuesday.’ Joanne McCartney, chairwoman of the London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee, said: ‘I think procurement at the Met does need to be looked at. We have raised issues with the Met’s spending on dog kennelling before. Its IT costs have been looked at before. ‘I think the budget needs to be tightened, otherwise it will mean fewer police officers being employed.’Jenny Jones, the deputy chair of the Police and Crime Committee, said: ‘Police officers tell me they see waste all the time at the Met. Aiming high: The force spent £21.1million on weapons and armour . They tell me it costs the Met £100 just to put a whiteboard up in their office. The police officers say they get angry because it means bobbies on the beat are cut back. There is waste at every level of the organisation.’ With national responsibility for counterterrorism and protecting VIPs as well as keeping Londoners safe, the Met currently has 31,548 officers, a further 2,738 police community support officers and another 20,000 civilian staff. Like other forces, it must cope with 20 per cent cuts to main Home Office funding, but the Met is yet to finalise how it will make savings totalling £548 million by 2015-16. The Met is behind schedule after the phone-hacking scandal led to the departure of three senior figures, including the Commissioner, while much of the past year was spent preparing for  the Olympics. However, although salaries account for a large proportion of bills, the Met cannot easily lose officers after London Mayor Boris Johnson made an election vow to protect police numbers. Frying squad: £920,000 went on 'bread and morning products' His Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Stephen Greenhalgh, has said that only about 500 posts will be cut and has promised to ‘sweat’ the assets and introduce ‘smarter procurement’ at an organisation he described as an ‘enormous beast’. Mr Greenhalgh told the Home Affairs Select Committee in September that he was ‘staggered’ by how much the force spends on IT. It also employs 802 in-house computer maintenance staff because counterterrorism officers are worried about the security risks of using outside external contractors. Mr Greenhalgh said the Met did  not need a ‘plethora of expensive buildings’ and spent a ‘staggering’ £200 million on running them. Last month, the force announced plans to sell its New Scotland  Yard headquarters, famous for its revolving sign, in an attempt to  save money. The reassuring presence of police stations across London is also under threat, with proposals to replace them with counters inside supermarkets and cafes. The full list of the Met’s 319 contracts with private companies, some dating back as far as 2003, suggest many more areas where the axe is likely to fall. According to the document, the total value of the listed deals is £3.5 billion. A third of this has gone on IT alone. The money spent on food and drink to be sold in canteens includes £920,000 on ‘bread and morning products’ and £148,000 on fruit squash. The outlay on weapons and armour included £3.2 million on Tasers, £7,000 on ‘grenade boxes’, £641,000 on ammunition for sniper rifles and £400,000 on Heckler & Koch pistols. A Met spokesman refused to say what its Recon Scout robots were used for on ‘security grounds’. The document also shows the force has spent more than £40,000 on storing evidence relating to their investigation into the death of Mr Litvinenko, who detectives say was killed with the poison polonium-210 in 2006. Fire power: The outlay on weapons and armour included £3.2 million on . Tasers (pictured), £7,000 on 'grenade boxes', £641,000 on ammunition for . sniper rifles and £400,000 on Heckler & Koch pistols . Among £13.7 million-worth of vehicles bought were a Volkswagen  Caravelle people carrier, 18 Ford Transit vans, mountain bikes, multi-vehicle transporters and six Jaguars. A Scotland Yard spokesman could not explain why it leased five electric cars for £64,000. In total, £10.9 million was spent on caring for animals – both those used by the force and those seized from the public. This included a £500,000-a-year deal with Balfour Beatty to remove manure from horse stables and dispose of it, and £1.3 million on ‘forage/bedding’. A further £22.6 million was spent on clothing, ranging from £151,876 for ‘embroidered inspector epaulettes’ to £46,134 on riot police balaclavas. Major contracts included £280 million to clean and maintain police buildings, £107 million to provide concessionary travel for officers and £220 million to repair the Met’s fleet of vehicles. Millions of pounds were also spent on fees for doctors who check on the health of suspects in custody. More unusual items of spending included £62,000 to improve oil storage at a bothy near Balmoral, £600,000 for ‘conflict management services’ and £358,696 to build a ‘temporary armoury’ in an ‘underground car park’. A spokesman for the Met declined to comment on individual contracts.  He insisted: ‘The Met gets best value for money through stringent procurement processes.’ A spokesman for the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime said: ‘The Mayor’s Office has put tough new processes in place to monitor spending, cut out waste and ensure more money goes towards frontline policing.’

£3.2m spent on Tasers with millions more on other weaponry . £920,000 on breakfast plus a further £148,000 on fruit squash . £50,000 on robots to search hostile environments even in darkness . £500,000 on clearing horse manure from stables and disposing of it . £1 billion on a ‘core’ IT contract with Capgemini, plus millions of pounds on software and upgrades. £10.9 million on animals, including £7 million to keep dangerous seized dogs in kennels and . £500,000 a year to clear horse manure from stables. £4.6 million on market research to find out what the public thinks about its services. £21.1 million on weapons and armour, including £50,000 on several of the ‘world’s first throwable robot’, which can reconnoitre hostile environments even in darkness. £9.4 million on food and drink for canteens, including £2.1 million on sandwiches and £900,000 on milk. £43,700 to store evidence linked to Alexander Litvinenko, the former Russian spy killed in London by a radioactive poison.

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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 22:57 EST, 12 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 23:21 EST, 12 January 2014 . A Oklahoma man who was suspected of being behind a New Year's Day fatal hit-and-run crash allegedly got his mother to say her car was stolen on the night of the accident to cover for her son. William Bauders, 30, from Tulsa has since been charged with second-degree murder also was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, grand larceny and leaving the scene of a fatality collision as well as driving whilst suspended. According to a police booking report, Bauders confessed to driving a stolen pickup and crashing into a car, killing Christina Bradshaw, 46. Charged: William Bauders, 30,has been charged with murder in a New Year's Day hit-and-run in Tulsa . Crash: The accident happened at Ninth Street and Richmond Avenue in Tulsa, Oklahoma . Killed: Christina Bradshaw, 46, was a hard worker holding down two jobs including one at a convenience store and another at a hospice as a caregiver . Ms. Bradshaw's family said she had a heart of gold, was a hard worker and held down two jobs, one at a convenience store and one as a hospice caregiver. Tulsa Police said Bauders was driving a Dodge pickup on New Year's Day when he drove through a stop sign and hit a Toyota Camry driven by Ms. Bradshaw. Police said Bauders then jumped out of the truck and ran away. Bauders was arrested on January 3rd after the vehicle was tracked down by investigators. Bauders had asked his mother to report the vehicle as stolen, because it 'was used in something,' police said. Attack vehicle: William Bauders was driving this Dodge pickup when he blew through a stop sign killing Christina Bradshaw . According to the report, the woman called her son's acquaintances, who 'all stated Bill Bauders had admitted to causing the collision but would not turn himself in.' Police said Bauders stated during questioning that 'he did not know he killed a lady and fled because he believed he was being followed.' He is being held at the Tulsa County jail in lieu of $519,100 bond. Alibi: Bauders stated during questioning 'he did not know he killed a lady and fled because he believed he was being followed'

William Bauders, 30, blew through a stop sign striking Christina Bradshaw's car and killing her . Bauders then got his mother to say that her car had been stolen in an attempt to cover up his involvement .

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There’s a new buzz to beauty gadgets in 2015. This year, the key to glowing skin, shiny teeth and silky smooth legs lies with the latest vibrating technology. Vibrating gadgets can be used to remove hair more easily, increase blood flow to ease aches and pains and can even reduce the look of wrinkles. Alice Smellie tried out a selection and asked cosmetic expert Dr Hilary Allan at Woodford Medical to give her opinion. Polishing teeth . Aldi dental polisher, £9.99, Aldi (from January 11) THE VIBE: A home dental hygiene product for cleaning teeth, eliminating plaque and removing stains in seconds. THE TEST: Although I loathe going to the dentist, I love the fresh feeling in your mouth as you leave with squeaky-clean teeth. The device looks like a small drill but with a little silicone cup at the end which I fill with my normal toothpaste. The vibration is surprisingly forceful and I struggle to hold the polisher against my teeth. An unattractive line of dribble trickles down my chin as I run it along my front top teeth for about a minute as instructed and then inspect them in the mirror. They feel very clean and look shiny. I’m impressed. THE EXPERT: The vibrations agitate bits of calcium deposit, not plaque, which form on the teeth, so they come off and teeth are polished smooth. There have been studies done into the use of such machines in dogs with problem teeth and results have been excellent. 9/10 . Deep skin-cleansing . Foreo Luna Mini, £99, lookfantastic.com . THE VIBE: The first T-sonic facial-cleansing brush, for a deep and gentle clean in just one minute. THE TEST: This device uses something called T-sonic technology that generates up to 8,000 pulsations per minute. The Foreo Luna is about the size of a jam jar lid and the thickness of a large roll of Sellotape. I clean my face then wet the Luna, running it over my dry cheeks, forehead and nose. The rapid vibration is gloriously soothing. But beyond looking slightly flushed, I still don’t get the vibrating cleanser thing — I can achieve the same effect with an exfoliator. THE EXPERT: Really, it’s facial cleansing for lazy people. If you must invest in one of these cleansers, this might be a good choice as it’s easy to clean. 7/10 . Massaging feet . BFF Mini Foot Massager, £9.99, jmldirect.com . THE VIBE: Press down to activate the soothing vibrations while six massaging rollers knead aches and pains away. THE TEST: After a morning of cleaning the house, I had aching feet and unpacked this surprisingly elegant-looking item with enthusiasm. I placed my feet one at a time on the rollers and pressed down gently. The entire machine vibrates, but you have to create your own deep tissue massage sensation by running your foot up and down the rollers. I’m a fan of hugely painful reflexology where the feet literally crackle, so I would have enjoyed more pressure. I wouldn’t say my feet felt completely refreshed, but they were certainly much better. THE EXPERT: This is great. Blood circulation will be increased to the feet, and therefore more oxygen and nutrients brought to the area, and if you’ve been on your feet all day, massaging the muscles and tendons on the sole of the foot will alleviate tension and tightness. 6/10 . Exfoliation . Elle Macpherson wet and dry face and body brush from Homedics, £39.99, lookfantastic.com . THE VIBE: All-over deep-cleansing and exfoliation. THE TEST: This comes with four detachable heads for the separate functions: a dry brush for exfoliating the body, a pumice stone to remove dry skin on the feet, a loofah for gentle exfoliation in the shower and a facial cleansing brush. It’s winter and my feet are as dry as withered husks. The rotating pumice stone sloughs off the dead skin rapidly and painlessly, which is highly satisfying. I take the loofah into the shower and administer a top to toe rubdown, after which my skin feels softer. My favourite attachment is the dry brush, which is slightly abrasive on my dry thighs, but leaves them tingling and looking smoother. The facial cleansing brush is also invigorating. THE EXPERT: We know that such beauty tricks as dry brushing for circulation and skin tone, and pumice to exfoliate dry skin are effective. Here, it’s taking the effort away by rotating and vibrating against the skin. 7/10 . Applying foundation . Skinpep auto make-up multi-functional auto-puff, £29.99, skinpep.co.uk . THE VIBE: The vibrating anti-bacterial puff provides smooth application with no lumps. Expertly blends liquid or powder foundation for professional results. THE TEST: This sounded like a ridiculous gimmick. I never have ‘lumps’ in my foundation. But then I have a think and realise that I don’t blend make-up very well around the edges of my face. Further reflection (and a quick chat with my husband) leads to the conclusion that I often look ‘blotchy’. I dab a little foundation onto the pad provided and turn the gadget on. I move it over my nose, across my forehead and then (as though I’m a painting by numbers colouring book) fill in the rest of my face. The gentle vibration feels soft. Incredibly, and I mean this, because I was quite prepared to be very rude — the finished look is dewy and even. THE EXPERT: If you look at skin microscopically, the surface is irregular, with lots of dead skin cells, and the incredibly fast vibrations of this gadget — 1,000-a-minute — will push foundation down and create a smooth surface. 9/10 . Quick fix facial anti-ageing . Crystal Clear Lift Away The Years (includes serum), £59.99, crystalclear.co.uk . THE VIBE: The combination of gentle vibrations coupled with intensely effective serum produces outstanding anti-ageing results after just two minutes. THE TEST: The serum is fresh and lemon-scented. The gadget looks like a felt pen. At the top is a little roller ball, which I unscrew and tip a little serum inside the lid. As you press the on button, this top bit starts to vibrate gently and I run the smooth, cold roller ball around my face. There is a technique to the lifting: first I work from the base of the neck towards my jawline in small circular movements. Next, I go from jawline to nose, then from cheeks towards ears and finally the forehead. My skin looks plumped up and fresh for a few hours and I’m sure daily use would produce more benefits. THE EXPERT: This is quite expensive. The oscillating head will improve blood flow to the skin, which brings vital nutrients and oxygen as well as removing toxins from the area, but I’m not sure it will make anyone look younger. 7/10 . Hair removal . Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power, £6.99, boots.com . THE VIBE: The blades glide effortlessly through hair with less pull and tug. THE TEST: I ask my husband to try this new electric razor, which looks like any standard razor but has a slightly bulkier handle because of the button at the front which causes the blade to vibrate. Mr Smellie has used the same razor since I have met him and is averse to change, but emerges from the shower reluctantly impressed the vibrations apparently create a good, close shave. I give it a go and the vibrating blade runs smoothly over my legs, whizzing off the stubble of hair which has accumulated in the week since I last shaved. The results are quite incredible and my legs and armpits are as smooth as a grape. It takes the same time as usual and is totally painless. THE EXPERT: Vibration supposedly makes hair stand up on end so that you can get a closer shave — which makes a great deal of sense. 8/10 . Full body massage . Scholl Comfort Shiatsu Massager, £112, amazon.co.uk . THE VIBE: Infrared heat helps to loosen tense muscles while the vibrating, two-level seat helps to relax tired legs. THE TEST: This is like a giant child’s car seat, which can be attached to an ordinary chair with strong Velcro strips. When turned on the seat vibrates, nodules roll up and down the spine and red light warms your back. Close your eyes and you could almost be in a tropical location, being pummelled by an expert. The pressure of the massage is firm, and feels like strong fingers, the heat from the infrared is deliciously warm on sore muscles, and the vibration of the seat invigorating. Probably not for all ages, but various members of my family (aged four to 91) tried it out and had to be forced off. THE EXPERT: Here, the heat will be improving blood flow to the muscles and therefore alleviating tension and pain. Combined with the deep massage and vibrating seat you are getting a triple whammy of relief. 10/10 .

The key to the best skin and teeth this year is vibrating technology . It can be used to remove hair painlessly by increasing blood flow . Alice Smellie has tried a selection of the best and rates them here .

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By . Fiona Macrae . PUBLISHED: . 19:40 EST, 29 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:44 EST, 29 November 2013 . A British scientist has sparked anger by flying thousands of miles to Africa to do experiments on baboons that are banned in the UK. Harrowing pictures show the intelligent and sociable creatures peering out of bare wire cages, babies clinging to each other for comfort and adults having pieces of their brain removed on the operating table. In one distressing image, a newly-caught baby is suckling its mother as she is given an identification tattoo at the primate research centre in Kenya. Caged: A baby baboon clings to its mother as they gaze out of their wire enclosure at the research centre in Kenya . Experiments on baboons and other primates caught in the wild are banned in Britain due to concerns about the suffering involved in trapping and transporting them. But an undercover investigation by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection has revealed that a Newcastle University scientist is flying to Nairobi to do work on baboons captured on the African plains. The campaign group has accused neuroscientist Stuart Baker of bypassing British law and sidestepping the high welfare standards required in Britain. Professor Baker says his work could lead to vital new treatments for stroke patients and provide insights into other brain conditions such as motor neurone disease and Alzheimer’s. Some 150,000 Britons suffer a stroke . each year and the condition is the biggest cause of severe disability, . with more than half of survivors left dependent on others for help with . day-to-day life. Professor . Baker freely admits the experiments wouldn’t be allowed in the UK but . says that the welfare concerns behind the British ban do not apply to . his work in Africa. Research: Neuroscientist Stuart Baker has been accused of bypassing British law . And he stresses that while animal welfare standards aren’t as high as they are here, they have improved greatly during his time there and that the centre is committed to making further changes. The row surrounds the Institute of Primate Research in Nairobi, which Professor Baker has visited six times in the past two and a half years to do research on baboons caught in the wild. He is interested in an area deep inside the brain called the reticular formation, which is critical in regaining movement after a stroke and, in particular, control of the hand and wrist, something that is needed for dressing and other everyday tasks key to independence. Some of his experiments, filmed secretly for the BUAV and funded by the British taxpayer, involve cutting out pieces of the animal’s brain, before using thin electrodes to stimulate the reticular formation. The experiments are done under anaesthesia. And, in line with welfare standards in the UK, the animals are put down before they wake up. But the researcher has been accused of exploiting a cheap and plentiful source of animals. Sarah Kite, the BUAV’s director of special projects, said: ‘If researchers respect the welfare standards of UK laboratories then they should not accept lower standards when using non-UK facilities. ‘It makes a mockery of UK law if researchers are able to just bypass policy and go overseas. ‘We are asking the Home Office to close this loophole and we are asking the Kenyan government to stop using wild-caught baboons. The research industry talks about transparency and openness, but this is a dark secret. Most people would be appalled to know that UK researchers are going overseas to do research that wouldn’t be allowed in this country.’ Photos taken at the institute earlier this year by the BUAV show baboons being kept in bare single cages, despite the creatures being highly sociable animals that live in groups of up to 150 in the wild. Video footage shows baboons pacing or circling in their cages. One, it is claimed, has been at the institute for 20 years. Professor Baker told the Daily Mail that one of his reasons for going to work at the IPR, which studies conditions from malaria to infertility, was to improve animal welfare standards. While almost all the baboons were kept in bare, single cages when he first went there, there have been big changes, including the building of large, split-level compounds with tree ‘climbing frames’.It is hoped that the single cages will be completely phased out before long. Sedated: The baboons, which are caught in the wild, are put down after brain experiments . He admitted that doing animal research in Britain was very expensive and said that going to Kenya allows use of the large number  of animals needed to advance  his work. However, he said that the reasons behind the ban on using wild-caught primates in the UK didn’t apply to his African experiments. This is because the creatures are caught humanely and are not being transported thousands of miles. In addition, far from being endangered, baboons are a pest and those used in his experiments would otherwise have been culled. Professor Baker said: ‘Once you go beyond the simple “you shouldn’t be using wild-caught animals”, I don’t think any of the reasons apply in this particular situation.’ He added that the part of the brain that is key to stroke recovery  is so hard to reach that his experiments could not be done in any other way. The professor said: ‘Stroke is a very important condition that affects large numbers of people in the UK. ‘We have got better and better at treating people with stroke. They don’t die from it but they are left with disability, and giving people an improved quality of life is really important.’ IPR director Tom Kariuki said it was ‘patronising’ and ‘insulting’ to suggest that the institute was not interested in animal welfare. He added: ‘I would admit that some of our old cages may not meet current standards for space and welfare but our strategy is to throw out the old and bring in the new.’ He added that the IPR’s work is approved by the Kenyan government and said: ‘The removal of abundant animals from the wild is both a species management issue as well as a source of animals for much-needed medical research on diseases that impose a high burden on Kenyans and globally.’ A spokesman for the BUAV said: ‘Baboons are sociable, sentient and intelligent animals with strong family bonds. ‘This terrible suffering and mutilation is not necessary to improve the lives of people.’

Neuroscientist Stuart Baker has been accused of bypassing British law . He has flown to Nairobi to do work on baboons captured on the plains . Claims his work could lead to vital new treatments for stroke patients . Could also provide insights into motor neurone disease and Alzheimer's .

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A customer was refused a wet wipe in a halal-only branch of KFC because they are soaked in alcohol and might offend Muslim diners. Graham Noakes was visiting a branch of the fast food chain in St George's Retail Oark, Leicester, when he asked to use a wet wipe. But staff said they did not stock wipes because they are soaked in alcohol, which is banned in Islam. Graham Noakes, 41, left, was refused a wet wipe in a KFC halal-only branch in Leicester, pictured right . A spokesman for KFC has since said that the incident was a misunderstanding and that alcohol-based wet wipes are not banned by the company. Mr Noakes said: 'They told me it might offend other customers. I explained that it wouldn't affect me. 'In fact - I told them I like alcohol, so it wouldn't bother me in the slightest. When they wouldn't give me one, I was disgusted. I will never be going to KFC again.' The 41-year-old added: 'I've never experienced anything like this before, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. 'Why shouldn't I be allowed a wipe for my hands? They use wipes in hospital, what happens when we start being told we can't have wipes there? I just can't understand it.' The father-of-two, who lives in Birmingham, was working in Leicester on the construction of a new Muslim community centre when the incident took place. The branch, in St George's Retail Parkm said it could not give out wet wipes because they contain alcohol and might offend Muslim customers . A KFC spokesman said the company had been running a halal-only trial since 2010 in areas where there has been demand from customers. He added that, in those stores, some products from the usual menu are not available. He said this particular restaurant removed its wet wipes because it was uncertain on company policy. Most wet wipes are alcohol-based. A KFC spokesman said the incident was a misunderstanding . The spokesman said the branch has now been informed that is is allowed to stock alcohol-based wet wipes and has already brought some into the store. He said: 'Our alcohol-based hand wipes are approved for use in all our restaurants, including those who are part of the halal trial. 'There was a misunderstanding at the store in question, but the wipes are now being used again. We’re sorry for the customer’s experience.' Suleman Nagdi, spokesman for the Leicester-based Federation of Muslim Organisations, said: 'I know alcohol is prohibited in the Muslim community, but I don't understand why you can't use hand-wipes - there's nothing wrong with it. 'Using alcohol doesn't mean you're consuming it. It seems like an unusual decision to be made. In fact, it sounds bizarre.' Suleman said such decisions potentially provoked some people to start 'lashing out' at the Muslim community. 'I've never come across anything like this before. KFC have made a commercial decision to do this, and now the Muslim community will face backlash.' In Arabic the word Halal means ‘permitted’ or ‘lawful’ and defines anything that is allowed or lawful according to the Koran. It is often used to indicate food – particularly meat – that has been prepared in accordance with Muslim principles and techniques. In Britain, killing an animal without prior stunning is illegal, but the law gives special exemption to Muslim and Jewish meat producers on the grounds of religion.

Graham Noakes, 41, visited chain in St George's retail park, Leicester . He was told wet wipes were not stored because alcohol is banned in Islam . KFC spokesman said it was a misunderstanding and is not company policy .