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By . Daily Mail Reporter . Last updated at 4:45 AM on 25th October 2011 . Two teenagers are in custody in the shooting of a 15-year-old fellow student who was wounded in the neck during a lunch period outside her North Carolina high school today. Police suspect 18-year-old Ta'Von McLaurin and a 15-year-old boy, whose name is not being released because of his age, participated in the shooting of Catilyn Abercrombie at Cape Fear High School in Fayetteville. Cumberland County Sheriff  Earl 'Moose' Butler said at a news conference the pair were being questioned and would be charged in the incident. The weapon, a .22 Daisy rifle, and shell casings, have also been recovered. Scroll down for video . Tragic: Local sources identified the victim as 15-year-old Catilyn Abercrombie. Police say she is in a stable condition after surgery . Miss Abercrombie was in stable condition after surgery at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. The sheriff said the two were . apprehended with the help of surveillance video which showed them . carrying the rifle inside of the school. He said investigators don't . think Miss Abercrombie was the intended target, but no motive has been . established. Tense: Students were escorted out of Cape Fear High School in Fayetteville in single file with their hands up . Emotional: Parents wait outside of Cape Fear High School after the shooting. Students could not be released while the school was locked down . 'Why did they shoot? I don't know,' he said. The high school and nearby Mac Williams Middle School were locked down for hours before students were allowed to go home. Sheriff's office spokesman Debbie . Tanna said there would be an increased number of deputies at the high . school and middle school on Tuesday. Scene: The teenager was injured at Cape Fear High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina, while students were outside for lunch on Monday afternoon . Reaction: Sheriff Earl Butler said the student was apparently shot with a small-calibre bullet and was taken to a nearby hospital . Asked how long they would be on the . campuses, Ms Tanna said, 'As long as it takes to make sure the school . has been put back in order and students and parents feel confident about . their safety.' A police officer assigned to the high . school was standing near Miss Abercrombie when she was shot at about 1pm . and immediately called 911, Ms Tanna said. Students from the middle school were . sent home before their high school counterparts, who were still . gradually leaving the campus by 6pm. Students were searched by police and . left the building in long lines holding their hands above their heads . before boarding buses that took them from campus. See video here .

15-year-old female was walking out of Cape Fear High School cafeteria when shot .

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By . Becky Evans . PUBLISHED: . 07:11 EST, 7 October 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:48 EST, 7 October 2013 . More than 550 hot air balloons took to the sky for the world's largest annual ballooning event. Up to 700,000 people are expected to flock to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the week-long international balloon fiesta, which attracts enthusiasts from 20 countries. The event opened at the weekend with a mass ascension, in which all the brightly coloured balloons lifted off in waves. Lighting up the sky: Gwendolyn and Nathaniel Mowry play in Fiesta Park as hundreds of balloons take off during mass ascension of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta . Stunning display: Over 550 balloons were part of the ascension during the 42nd annual Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico . Burning the fires: Dozens of balloons emit a beautiful red light during the evening balloon glow. The event attracts enthusiasts from 20 countries . Among the 99 special shape balloons, were Darth Vader, Angry Birds and a giant Snow White, which joined dozens of animals in the sky. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which is now in its 42nd year, was originally launched by 770 KOB Radio to highlights its 50th anniversary. This year, balloonists from 35 U.S. states are taking part. One of the most popular events is the Twilight Twinkle. Dozens of balloonists light their propane burners to create a stunning glow throughout the Balloon park. On Wednesday, The Flight of the Nations will honour the 20 participating countries, as each flies their nation's flag from their balloon. Although a male-dominated sport, more than 10 per cent of pilots this year are women. Ambient: The Twilight Twinkle balloon glow which occurs just after sunset. Thousands of people flock to Albuquerque for the event that was launched in 1972 . Spectacular: The Balloon Fiesta, that was launched by 770KOB Radio, has grown to become the largest ballooning event in the world . Judy Nakamura, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Board Member and pilot, said: 'Balloon . Fiesta provides a unique environment for female pilots from around the . world to gather, demonstrate our skills, and encourage the many young . girls and women we meet to join our sport. 'Without a doubt we are privileged to participate in an event that brings so much joy to this community.' The annual event has grown to become the biggest ballooning event in the world after its launch in 1972. The . first conference was held at the Coronado Center Shopping Mall and . attracted 20,000 spectators and balloonists from seven states. This year more than $90million will be spent at the festival. Dale . Lockett, president of the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau, . said: 'The Balloon Fiesta is a huge boost to both Albuquerque and New . Mexico's economy and it provides us with a platform to gain . international exposure.' Enthusiast: A child runs holding a balloon trading card in one of the many landing areas spread across Albuquerque. Each card features a different participating balloon . Flying high: A balloon extends streamers from its gondola. Among the balloons taking part in the festival are ones shaped as Darth Vadar, Snow White and Angry Birds .

Up to 700,000 spectators will visit the New Mexico city for the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta . The week-long festival that opened on Friday has attracted participants from 20 countries and 35 U.S. states . Launched in 1972 by a local radio station, it is now the largest annual ballooning event in the world .

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By . Steve Doughty . Created 11:53 AM on 8th November 2011 . In a landmark ruling, the Roman Catholic Church faces having to pay millions to sex abuse victims after the court ruled it could be liable for priests' crimes. The woman claims she was assaulted by Father Wilfred Baldwin during two years at The Firs, in . Waterlooville, Hampshire, which has now closed, after being sent there . with her three siblings. She . said the priest would sexually assault her as ‘punishment’ for misbehaviour, . adding: ‘The nuns knew. He was allowed to take any child and rape them. It was always my fault. He would even make me give money afterwards, . tuppence in the poor box. He said God had told him to do it.’ Ruling: The decision by the High Court could have far-reaching implications for the church. It is subject to appeal . The woman known as JGE  was at the Firs children's home for two years from age six to eight between May 1970 and May 1972. The following are among the claims she has made: . JGE, . as she was referred to in court, never spoke of what happened until she . was contacted by police investigating abuse allegations at the home. ‘I didn’t tell anyone,’ she said, ‘even one of my siblings who I found out later had also been sexually assaulted.’ In . the landmark ruling, Mr Justice MacDuff said the Church can be held . responsible for the sins of its clergy because of the ‘immense power’ it . gave them. His judgment could lead to thousands of claims by people in England and Wales who say they were sexually abused by priests, perhaps decades earlier. It also means the Church may be held to account for other criminal acts by priests. In the test case yesterday, Mr Justice MacDuff found that the behaviour of Father Baldwin, who died in 2006. was the Church’s responsibility. The decision means the victim can sue the Bishop of Portsmouth, Crispian Hollis. The Church told the court it should not be answerable for wrongdoing by Father Baldwin because it did not employ him. Lawyers for the Portsmouth Roman Catholic Diocesan Trust, led by Lord Faulks QC, said priests were not paid by the diocese, nor could they be disciplined or sacked by the bishop. They lived on money from the collection plate and a priest could not even be made to change his job without  agreeing. But Mr Justice MacDuff said: ‘Father Baldwin was appointed by and on behalf of the defendants. ‘He was provided with the premises, the pulpit and the clerical robes. 'He was directed into the community with that full authority and was given free rein to act as a representative of the Church. 'He had been trained and ordained for that purpose. He had immense power handed to him by the defendants. 'It was their empowerment of the priest which materially increased the risk of sexual assault, the granting of the power to exploit and misuse the trust which the defendants had granted to him.’ The diocese refused to comment but is expected to appeal. Anne Lawrence, of the victim support group Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors, said she was relieved by the ruling, adding: ‘We hope it opens the way for the settlement of many hundreds of cases pending in courts.’ The Church has been trying for a decade to end scandals over sexual abuse by priests, and is set to publish a report today on abuse at a school in Ealing, West London.

Case could have wide-reaching implications for alleged church child abuse victims . Mother, 47, claims she was repeatedly raped by Father Wilfred Baldwin when she was a child . Decision is still subject to appeal .

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A suspected stalker threatened to decapitate a lingerie model known as Philadelphia's 'hottest blonde', it is claimed. Luis Plascencia, 47, sent the barrage of hate-filled messages through Facebook and e-mail to Kourtney Reppert, it is alleged. The 26-year-old Playboy hostess was so terrified she hired security guards for her birthday party at a nightclub in April. Plascencia was arrested at his home in Chicago and held without a bond. He will appear in court today to face the charges which carry a maximum of five years in prison. Threats: Lingerie model Kourtney Reppert, 26, allegedly received a barrage of disturbing emails and Facebook messages from Luis Plascencia . One message is claimed ho have said: 'I hope you die in an automobile accident and [it] crushes your ugly face through the windshield and a large piece of glass cuts your throat.' Plascencia is alleged to have later used a computer at the Chicago Public Library to send  emails threatening to cut Reppert's head off and chop her parents 'to pieces with a hand saw'  unless she stopped modelling. The FBI affidavit states that Plascencia lived with his mother and sent messages using a number of different email addresses, according to LA Weekly. He was apparently angry that the model was posing semi-nude, in lingerie and bikinis. But in one instance Plascencia is alleged to have impersonated a photographer in an attempt to get Miss Reppert to pose nude for him. Another alleged message added: 'I'm going to stab you in the f*****g heart and cut your head off'. He is also said to have branded her a 'slut', a 'whore', a 'gutless b***h' and a 'fat ass'. The charges claim that Plascencia also sent Miss Reppert a CD containing 234 photographs of her that he had collected. Fearful: The model was so terrified by the emails that she had to hire bodyguards and even security for her birthday party, police files claim . The suspected stalker is said to have threatened to cut off the head of the Playboy hostess, pictured here in a blue bikini . According to detectives, Plascencia posted letters to Reppert's former address, and those of her father and stepmother. Another email excerpted in the criminal complaint stated: 'I warned you before about doing this and will continue my wrath until you step down as a model go back to college and move back near your family in Philly. I know where you are most of the time.' Reppert told authorities she was so disturbed by the messages that she hired bodyguards to go out with her in public. Security guards were also used to protect her birthday party in April at a nightclub. The model claimed that a private detective she employed confronted Plascencia about the suspected stalking. He is said to have apologised before deleting files on his computer. But when police raided his apartment they are said to have found CDs containing images of the Miss Reppert set to music. Alias: Plascencia is alleged to have sent some of the messages from Chicago Public Library, pictured, using different email addresses . Reppert tweeted that she initially declined to speak publicly about the allegations and was 'disappointed' her identity had been revealed through the FBI files. 'This has been a very stressful time for me and my family,' Reppert wrote on Facebook yesterday. 'I will remain positive.' The glamour model moved from Philadelphia to LA last year and has since worked as a hostess at the Playboy mansion. Philladelphia radio hosts Steve Morrison and Preston Elliot also rated her the state's 'hottest blonde' on their 'Preston and Steve' show  on 93.3 WMMR. According to her website, she also studied business and marketing at college and is the CEO and founder of Bombshell Marketing.

Kourtney Reppert, 26, identified in FBI files as model who received threats . Luis Plascencia, 47, 'threatened to cut off her head' and kill parents . Tried to get Playboy hostess to pose nude for him, investigators claim .

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By . Snejana Farberov and Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 16:27 EST, 8 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 16:27 EST, 8 June 2013 . The crane operator accused of being high on marijuana when a Philadelphia building collapsed on to a thrift store, killing six people, has turned himself into police. Sean Benschop was wanted on six counts of involuntary manslaughter, 13 counts of recklessly endangering another person and one count of risking a catastrophe. Authorities believe the 42-year-old had been using an excavator on Wednesday when the remains of the four-storey building gave way, killing two employees and four customers, and injuring 13 others. Wanted: Sean Benschop covers his face with a red jacket as he turns himself in to Philadelphia police . Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison told The Associated Press a toxicology report showed evidence that Mr Benschop was high on marijuana. That finding, combined with witness statements and evidence led to the decision on Friday to raid his north Philadelphia home, he said. Mr Benschop had samples of his . blood and urine tested at a hospital about two hours after part of the . building on Market Street crumbled on to the Salvation Army thrift store . below on Wednesday morning. Sources also told CBS Philadelphia that police officers noticed Mr Benschop was speaking in an unusually slow and quiet manner, as if he were whispering. The . 42-year-old crane operator allegedly told investigators that he has . been taking prescription pain medications after suffering a cut to his . finger recently. Mr Benschop, who also goes by the name Kary Roberts, has been arrested at least 11 times since 1994 on charges ranging from drugs to theft to weapons possession, according to court records. He was twice sentenced to prison in the 1990s after being convicted on drug trafficking charges. At least two survivors have sued the demolition contractor and building owner, alleging gross recklessness at the job site. The city has since promised to improve the demolition industry. Under the influence: Sean Benschop, 42, allegedly tested positive for illegal drugs and prescription narcotics two hours after the building collapse . Boss sued: Demolition contractor Griffin Campbell is facing a lawsuit in connection to the collapse of the Philadelphia building . 'We can do much better,' Mayor Michael Nutter said. 'We will not accept the status quo in the face of this tragedy.' Mr Nutter's reform for construction sites includes random drug testing on heavy equipment operators. The . mayor also pledged to adopt tougher background requirements for . demolition contractors, including information about each worker's . experience, and frequent site inspections. His plan could run into resistance from builders who say they are already highly regulated. 'I . think that before we do anything, before we rush to any judgment about . how to fix what happened, we have to have all the facts," Steven Lakin, . of the General Building Contractors Association, which represents . Philadelphia contractors, said. 'Everybody wants to regulate demolition contractors, but I'm not so sure that's the answer.' Lawyers for the two survivors who . have sued accuse demolition contractor Griffin Campbell of violating . federal safety regulations. No one answered the phone at a listing for Campbell on Saturday, and the voice mailbox was full. Linda . Bell, a 50-year-old mother of three, was shopping at the thrift store . when the building came down . She fell into the basement and was covered . by rubble for more than an hour. 'She's still shook up real bad, sore, swollen up,' Ms Bell's brother, Keith, said. He added that his sister was suffering after 'seeing other people getting killed'. Construction engineers said the thrift store should have been evacuated during the demolition project taking place next to it. 'There . was communication between the Salvation Army and the attorney of the . neighboring building's owner, pertaining to the demolition. The neighbor . assured The Salvation Army that they would be taking proper . precautions,' Major Robert W. Dixon, the Salvation Army's Philadelphia . director of operations said. Tragedy: A four-storey building being demolished on Philadelphia's Market Street collapsed Wednesday on the edge of downtown, killing six and injuring 13 people . Frantic search: Firemen and rescue workers swarm the site of a building collapse looking for survivors at 22nd and Market Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Wednesday . Traumatic sight: Phildelphia firefighters bring out a tarp to block the view as a body is removed from the rubble of a building collapse . Mr Benschop, who described himself as being 'self-employed,' was working on the Market Street site as part of a demolition project handled by Griffin Campbell Construction. Mr Campbell's company was handing . demolition at multiple adjacent properties along the 2100 block of . Market Street, including house number 2136, which came crashing down on . Wednesday. It was revealed Thursday that nearly a . month before the deadly collapse that ended the lives of six people, the . City of Philadelphia had been made aware of potentially unsafe . demolition practices at the site. Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons.

Sean Benschop faces six counts of involuntary manslaughter . Two thrift store employees and four customers were killed in collapse .

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By . Peter Rugg . and Daily Mail Reporter . A legal expert claims quizzing potential jurors on their favorite television shows helped lead to one of the most controversial acquittals in California history when Kelly Soo Park was found not guilty in the death of Juliana Redding. In an interview about the case with 48 Hours, jury consultant Lee Meihls revealed the specific personality types she looked for, and how their pop culture tastes were an important part of evaluating their personalities. Meihls said it was important for the defense to find someone who 'it doesn't matter what you say, they're going to start challenging you.' Jury expert Lee Meihls said a person's viewing habits reflected on the kind of juror they'd be . Jurors believed Kelly Soo Park's DNA may have found it's way to the crime scene without her being there . In the case of Kelly Soo Park, they needed quite a few skeptics. Beauty: Juliana Redding was murdered in her Santa Monica apartment in 2008 and DNA from a woman who prosecutors then alleged worked for her ex-boyfriend Dr. Uwaydah was found all over her home and on her neck . Police had discovered her DNA all over the house one-time Maxim model and actress Juliana Redding was killed in, with traces even visible on her throat. Redding was found strangled to death . in her apartment in March 2008, the investigation eventually turned into . a cold case. Park was accused of working as an . enforcer for a Dr Munir Uwaydah, a physician who once dated Miss . Redding. Uwaydah had lavished expensive gifts and trips on Redding and invited her to live in his mansion before she discovered he had a wife and child. She broke off contact, but Uwaydah continued to try and woo her and attempted to establish business deals with her father to keep in contact. 'For most . people, DNA is DNA, and it tells the truth,' Meihls said. 'So we had to . have another story about the DNA. I felt our side of the story made . more sense.' The defense's side of the story was that the DNA may have found it's way there from the scene of Munir's house. He fled the country days after Park's arrest and has never been charged in connection to the murder. Forensic scientists said that finding mingled DNA was possible but extraordinarily unlikely. To determine who was a skeptic, Meihls asked them about their television viewing. Pictured together here on a birthday vacation, Redding discovered Uwaydah was married only hours later . Authorities speculated Park may have been acting as an enforcer for Dr Munir Uwaydah but he left the country without being charged . 'One of (a juror's) favorite shows was 'The Good Wife.' I thought that was perfect,' she said. 'They're working for clients who are probably guilty but giving them the best defense possible.' Not so promising were shows like Criminal Minds or Blue Bloods which stressed forensic evidence. 'I think this was a model jury,' Meihls said.

Kelly Soo Park, 47, was found not guilty of first and second-degree murder . Juror expert Lee Meihls said finding out TV favorites helped determine personality type . 'Good Wife' viewers were skeptics while 'Criminal Minds' viewers believed were good for the prosecution . Juliana Redding found dead at her Santa Monica apartment in March 2008 . Park has filed a lawsuit against the Santa Monica Police Department alleging gross misconduct .

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(CNN) -- It seems North Korea's new leader Kim Jong Un is carrying on his father's strange tradition: mixing a fascination with American culture with a hatred of the United States. Kim has made it quite clear that his country's February nuclear test marks a new phase of confrontation with the United States, which Pyongyang has described as "the sworn enemy of the Korean people." Opinion: How to deal with North Korea . Yet that hasn't stopped Pyongyang from welcoming a few dignitaries from this "sworn enemy" nation, including a top Google executive and a few basketball stars. No one knows if it's all part of an organized effort to woo North Korea into diplomacy by appealing to its leader's interest in American culture. Yet one thing is for sure: This love-hate relationship has sparked some odd stories out of the Hermit Kingdom. Here's a look at some of the most recent ones we've come across: . 1. Kim Jong Un: Dennis Rodman's new BFF . If you read the reports about former NBA star Dennis Rodman's visit to Pyongyang, you might have double-checked whether the story was just another Onion parody. Not only did the American basketball star -- known for his over-the-top publicity stunts -- visit North Korea, but he also was joined by three members of the famed Harlem Globetrotters, who played against North Korea's "Dream Team" (no surprise, the game ended in a tie). Rodman proclaimed Kim "a friend for life," and appeared courtside with the North Korean leader. Not everyone was cheering this so-called "basketball diplomacy." A commentary in Canada's National Post outlined North Korea's "monstrous gulag system that Dennis Rodman will never see." And CNN contributor John Avlon wrote that Rodman isn't the only "celebrity to be used for publicity purposes to prop up a dictator." North Korea issues threat to U.S. military . 2. Google executive urges country with barely any electricity to embrace the Internet . You've probably seen that NASA satellite photo of the Korean peninsula at night, the one that shows the northern half completely dark while the southern half and the Chinese coast are fully alight. Electricity is still a luxury in North Korea, where cold winds from nearby Siberia can plunge temperatures below freezing. But that didn't stop Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt from visiting North Korea in January as part of a delegation urging North Korea to "make it possible for people to use the Internet." While many North Koreans might be more interested in having a heated home, Schmidt and his Google colleague Jared Cohen have advocated about the Internet's ability to empower citizens living under oppressive regimes. 3. Famous Americans apparently aren't the only ones heading to Pyongyang . In the wake of the Schmidt and Rodman visits, Bloomberg Businessweek looked at just how many Westerners are heading to North Korea for its closely monitored, government-run tours. Surprisingly, it found a nearly 20% increase in visits since 2011. 4. Get your North Korean education ... in Tokyo . The United States isn't the only outside country that has a love-hate relationship with North Korea. Until the end of World War II, Korea was a Japanese colony, and many Koreans were brought to Japan -- many against their will -- before Korea was divided between north and south. More recently, North Korea admitted to kidnapping Japanese citizens from Japanese soil in the 1970s and 1980s, something Tokyo has demanded more answers about. Despite this tense history, Japan hosts a number of North Korean-funded schools -- complete with portraits of North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung and previous leader Kim Jong Il on its walls. Students, who are mostly Japanese, say they are learning Korean culture and language, and laugh off suggestions that they're training to be spies. 5. Dreaming of annihilating the United States, to the tune of 'We Are The World' It's no secret that North Korea's propaganda images are bizarre, at least to the non-North Korean eye. If this doesn't make sense, just search Google Images for "North Korea propaganda." Yet one video released in the run-up to North Korea's nuclear test on Pyongyang's official website still managed to raise some eyebrows. The video -- set to the tune of "We Are The World," the 1985 song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie heralding world peace -- shows a North Korean man dreaming about an apparent missile attack on the United States. "Black smoke was billowing somewhere in America," the caption in Korean reads. Seven ways to get serious with North Korea .

North Korea has declared the United States a "sworn enemy" But recently, American dignitaries have been welcomed in Pyongyang . North Korea recently carried out a nuclear test that it called a new phase of confrontation .

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These days, Marchelle Roberts is a confident 22-year-old who smiles easily and talks excitedly about her plans for the future. But the rising senior at Philadelphia's Temple University had to travel a long and difficult road to get to where she is today. Roberts was taken away from her parents when she was 7 years old. She still remembers vividly the day that long journey began, when a woman she had never seen before and hasn't seen since came in a car to get her and her brother Shawn, who was 3 or 4 years old. "It was pretty scary for me," Roberts said. "My brother and I were in the back with a bag full of both of our belongings. My biological mother got out of the car and the lady kept driving, and she drove to someone else's house and she told us we'd be staying there, and she left. And so nobody really explained to me what foster care was, or what being taken away from your parents meant, or how long it would be for or why it happened." Roberts spent five years in foster care in Camden, New Jersey, shuttling from one family to the next. During that time, Roberts said, she suffered sexual abuse and her brother suffered emotional abuse. "If it wasn't me being abused then it was me seeing my brother being abused, which was more difficult for me," she said. "I felt strong enough to endure the abuse as long as my brother didn't have to go through it, and so I would always try to be there, like after school. I would try to make sure I got home and was just there with my brother to make sure he was OK." She was eventually removed from that situation and ended up with Lisa Roberts, who later adopted her, adding to a growing family of adopted children. But during the process she and her brother were separated. Marchelle hasn't seen Shawn in 12 years. CNN Heroes: Breaking down barriers so foster kids can find families . Now she is one of 15 former foster children participating in the Foster Youth Internship program run by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. The program aims to give former foster children an opportunity to help shape public policy on child welfare issues. Interns spend the summer working in the offices of members of Congress from both parties. At the end of the program, they make a presentation to the entire Congress with recommendations on how to improve the foster care system. The interns live in a college dormitory and have weekly dinners to talk about their experiences on the Hill and growing up in the system. They also get a stipend for a business wardrobe and informal career counseling from the Sara Start Fund for Foster Youth, an organization that works with CCAI to help them get a start on their professional lives. The program is competitive, about 250 young people apply each year and applicants must have completed at least one semester of college. CCAI Executive Director Kathleen Strottman said the young people who are accepted are the cream of the crop. Former interns have gone on to clerkships and to various positions in state government. Nearly half have entered careers in social service. "We find that the youth who have survived foster care are, by their nature, more problem solvers," Strottman said. "So what better people to bring to bear on a problem that really needs to be solved?" Pushing for change . Roberts survived that system and says there's a lot she wants to see changed. She wants to create a one-stop online clearinghouse laying out the resources available to foster youth and former foster youth all across the country, and she wants states to do more to keep siblings together in foster care. "It's not just keeping them together, but making sure that they're in stable environments," she said. "In the system, youth are taken away from -- most of the times -- their biological parents because they're suffering from some kind abuse or something like that, and so I don't think that being placed into a home where you suffer the same things solves much." She has been interning in the office of Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-Louisiana, who had her own encounter with an orphan at a young age and has been an advocate for foster children and orphans since she was first elected to office. "When I was a child, a young teenager, I literally found a little 9-year-old sleeping in a park and it was just horrifying to me that a child would be alone sleeping anywhere, let alone sleeping in a park," Landrieu said during an interview in her Capitol Hill office. "I brought him home and that was my beginning of understanding about a child that was homeless, living with a grandmother incapable of raising him. And then, of course, he went through the foster care system, and that's when I learned how broken it was." Landrieu, who helped create the internship program 10 years ago, said a tax credit to help families adopt and a program that helps provide education, and training vouchers to foster youth as they transition out of the system, have helped, but more needs to be done to improve the system. "The foster care interns that come to Washington learn a lot about the system here and how it affects their lives and the lives of children in foster care all over America, which are about 500,000," Landrieu said. "But most importantly, it educates members of Congress and their staffs about what really happens in our foster care system, and we think out of this great changes for the better will occur." Roberts is still searching for her younger brother, who she believes would be 17 or 18 years old now. "I worry constantly," she said. "I was able to be adopted and I had a lovely life and all these siblings that love me, I have a mom who loves me, you know I'm just living a great life right now. And I don't know if his situation was as blessed as mine was. "And then there's also -- he could have been bouncing around from foster home to foster home and I wasn't. He could have been adopted and it's possible his adoptive family didn't want him to have contact with his biological family, and I think about those things all the time." When she graduates in the winter, Roberts plans to pursue a career in broadcast journalism -- a field she loves and that she hopes might one day help Shawn find her. For now, she feels fortunate to have had what she calls a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a summer in the halls of Congress and to share her story. "There are so many things I want people to know," she said. "One of the main things that I want people to know is that foster youth count."

Marchelle Roberts was taken away from her parents when she was 7 . She and her brother suffered abuse in foster care before being adopted . She's one of 15 ex-foster children in a novel congressional internship program . Its aim is to have kids who've been in the system help shape child welfare policy .

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By . Nick Enoch . PUBLISHED: . 12:57 EST, 29 June 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 13:23 EST, 29 June 2012 . A landslide has caused a freight train to derail, blocking the West Highland railway line, following fierce storms and torrential rain. The 24-wagon train came off the tracks between Corrour and Tulloch just after 7pm yesterday. A spokeswoman for British Transport Police said the driver, who was winched to safety and taken to hospital, was badly shaken by the incident but was not injured. No one else was hurt. Scroll down for video . Rail services in Scotland have been disrupted after a freight train derailed in the West Highlands last night following a landslide . The driver, who was shaken up but not hurt, had to be winched to safety before being taken to hospital after the incident between Tulloch and Currour . ScotRail's Caledonian sleeper service from Fort William to London Euston, which was due to run overnight, has been cancelled. The service will remain at Fort William to provide accommodation for passengers. Trains between Crianlarich and Mallaig are also suspended. Network Rail said the remote location would make it difficult to recover the derailed train and it is not known when services will resume. Rail services have also been affected on both of the main lines in and out of Scotland because of the weather. East . Coast Trains said it had cancelled all services between Newcastle and . Edinburgh following floods in Cumbria and near Newcastle and a . landslip near Berwick-upon-Tweed. An information board at Central Station in Glasgow shows major disruption for commuters . Large landslips in the hills above Arrochar, Scotland closed the train line between Tarbet and Garelochhead . Large landslips in the hills above Arrochar, Scotland, have closed the train line between Tarbet and Garelochhead . The West Coast line was also badly hit . by the storms. The Scottish Environment Protection . Agency (Sepa) issued a flood warning for Glen Lyon in Tayside, and many . other parts of the country were on flood alert. East Coast Trains has cancelled all services between Newcastle and Edinburgh today following floods in Cumbria, the Newcastle area and after a landslip near Berwick-upon-Tweed . Fire crews were called to assist with flooding in Fort Augustus yesterday evening. A . spokeswoman for Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service said . there was about a foot of water on the A82, outside Scots Kitchen . restaurant close to the Caledonian Canal. An East . Coast spokesman said there would be no replacement bus services or . alternative transport arrangements between Scotland and England, adding: . 'Network Rail is working hard to fix the line quickly following various . problems caused by the severe weather experienced yesterday. Teams of engineers are working flat out to restore rail services after a landslip on the East Coast Main Line in Scremerston, near Berwick . The bank of a railway at Tebay in Cumbria fell away after persistent torrential rain disrupting the West Coast Main Line yesterday . 'The line . is unlikely to re-open until tomorrow morning. Tickets valid today and . yesterday will be valid on Saturday.' Before . the line was closed, passengers travelling between England and Scotland . endured nightmare rail journeys after severe weather and an engine fire . caused major disruption. Some endured a 15-hour journey . between London and Glasgow after their train was stranded following a . landslide in the Lake District. Susie Fraser, from Glasgow, told BBC Scotland she was stuck on a train for three hours, before abandoning it in Lancaster. Gloomy: Clouds gathered over much of the country this morning as this satellite picture shows . She . said: 'It was total chaos, there were some very upset children on that . train. It is quite humid, obviously, there’s lots of thunderstorms, so . it was very uncomfortable.' 'Gerry . Hassan tweeted: '15.5 hrs from London to Glasgow, flooding, landslides . & fire. When we had to climb out of the train and leave all our bags . (which we got back) I thought I have seen this disaster movie.' Meanwhile, . hundreds of passengers endured an 11-hour journey from Birmingham to . Glasgow after a fire in the engine of their train forced an evacuation. The 5.20pm Birmingham to Glasgow . service, operated by Virgin Trains, had to stop near Moffat, in Dumfries . and Galloway, at about 10.20pm yesterday. The fire was isolated to the front of . the train, and the passengers, around 500, were moved to the rear . before an emergency evacuation took place.

24-wagon train came off tracks between Corrour and Tulloch . Driver 'badly shaken' but there were no other injuries . Sleeper from Fort William to London Euston cancelled . Network Rail: It is not known when services will resume .

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An American Airlines flight was forced to turn around and make an emergency landing after cracks formed in the cockpit’s windscreen shortly after take-off. There were anxious moments for some passengers when the twin-engine plane, carrying almost 200 people, returned to Los Angeles International Airport while en route to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Monday. After the aircraft landed safely, passenger Glenn Kagan snapped a photograph that shows a spider web of cracks in the left windscreen of the Boeing 757-223. Emergency: The American Airlines flight turned around after cracks formed in the windscreen . Mark Denesuk, a fellow passenger, told NBC affiliate KXAS-TV that the pilot made an announcement about the cracked windscreen about 20 minutes into the flight. He said: ‘The captain said in all his years of flying, he had never seen anything like it and that the safest thing to do was to turn around and go back to LA.’ Passenger Arthur Underman praised the professionalism of the crew, saying: ‘The captain and the crew were incredible. They were absolutely calm at all times. ‘Never raised their voice. Never put fear in anybody. And the old adage is true, calm is contagious.’ Safe landing: Passengers praised the flight crew for keeping everyone calm and landing without incident . Passenger Bill Cannon told FOX affiliate KDFW that his nerves were tested when the captain made the announcement aboard Flight 2448. He said: ‘Unfortunately for me and my brother we were in the emergency lane so we kind of had a little bit more pressure because we might actually have to do something here.’ No one was injured and the airline is investigating the cause of the damage. After a delay of about 90 minutes, passengers boarded a different plane and completed the three-hour journey to Dallas-Fort Worth.

American Airlines flight was en route to Dallas-Fort Worth from LAX . Pilot reported cracked windscreen shortly after take-off . Passenger's photograph shows a spider web of cracks in the windscreen .

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By . Matt Blake . PUBLISHED: . 04:04 EST, 19 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:17 EST, 19 July 2013 . Police in Pittsburgh have launched a probe into one of its officers after he posed for a picture with a porn star while wearing a unicorn's head. The offending photograph, posted on . Twitter, shows the rubber-masked officer posing playfully in the foyer of a . police station next to laughing adult actress Andy San Dimas. The cop was caught in the compromising position after San Dimas was thrown out of a Pirates baseball game and arrested for refusing to sit down while performing a sexy dance in the stands. Playful: The offending photograph, posted on Twitter, shows the rubber-masked officer posing playfully in the foyer of a police station next to adult actress Andy San Dimas . The 26-year-old pornstar, who has starred in films including Shades of Kink and Lesbian Nanny Tales, was hauled down to the local police station where she was read her rights... but not before persuading one of the duty officers to pose in the silly mask. She later posted the image on Twitter which instantly went viral as users shared the picture and dubbed the mysterious officer the 'Unicorn Cop'. 'It was funny': Before her arrest, San Dimas had posted a string of photographs of her wearing the mask in and around the Pittsburgh Pirates' home ground during a trip with porn director and producer Steviee Hughes . Cheeky: Before her arrest, San Dimas had posted a string of photographs of her wearing the mask in and around the Pittsburgh Pirates' home ground during a trip with porn director and producer Steviee Hughes . Acting Pittsburgh Police Chief Regina . McDonald said in a statement: 'We are aware of the photos on the . Internet (Facebook) and are currently investigating the incident. Porn star: Andy San Dimas is an adult actress who has starred in such films as Breaking Bad XXX and Simpsons: The XXX Parody . 'At this time we have not identified the individual or the circumstances surrounding this photo.' The investigation is understood to to be probing whether the officer's behaviour was appropriate under the circumstances. Before her arrest, San Dimas had posted a string of photographs of her wearing the mask in and around the Pittsburgh Pirates' home ground during a trip with porn director and producer Steviee Hughes. But during the game San Dimas, who was in town for a performance in a night club, stood up and danced, shaking her backside in rhythm with the music blaring from the tannoy, while wearing the mask. Deadspin reported . that when she was asked by an usher to sit down, she replied: 'Oh, I'm . sorry I was trying to have a good time at the f***ing Pirates game!' Hughes leapt to the officers defence today after news of the internal police probe surfaced. 'We don’t want him . getting in any trouble because he didn’t do anything wrong,' she told ABC's Channel 4 Action News. 'We took . (the picture) down because we don't want him to get in any trouble . because there's no reason he should be in trouble.' She . said they had been wearing to mask all day, asking other baseball fans . to wear it, taking pictures and posting them on Twitter. '[The officers] thought the . unicorn mask was funny. They all asked if they could put it on and take . pictures with it. Everybody was just having fun with it, thought it was . funny. The mask was not the issue at all,' said Hughes.

Andy San Dimas arrested for refusing to sit down at Pittsburgh Pirates game . She posted the picture on Twitter and it soon went viral . The 'Unicorn Cop' is now under investigation for inappropriate behaviour .

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Ty Herndon has come out as gay. The country star, 52, revealed he has had a partner for the past five years during an interview with Entertainment Tonight which airs on Thursday evening. Ty said that he hid his sexuality because he did not believe he could succeed as a gay man in the industry. Scroll down for video . 'I am an out, proud, and happy gay man': Ty Herndon has come out as gay in an interview with Entertainment Tonight . When asked by Nischelle Turner what the biggest lie he has told himself is, in reference to his hit song, the singer said: ‘That I couldn't be gay and be in country music. ‘I've dreamed about being in country music since I was six years old and it's my life, it’s what I do, it's who I am and I went to great lengths to cover up that fact to be a country star. And today I get to tell the world I am an out, proud, and happy gay man.’ The Living In A Moment hit-maker also gushed about his long-term partner, who People reports is named Matt. Visit ET for the full interview. Lies he told himself: The country star didn't believe that he could be successful as a gay man in the industry. He is pictured here in 2007 with Dolly Parton (R) and the late Dottie Rambo . ‘I have an awesome relationship that I've been in for a good number of years. I love him very much and he loves me,’ he said. And Ty is looking forward to the future with his partner, admitting he hopes they will get married one day. ‘I’m kind of hoping he asks me right after this interview, but we’ll see,’ he said. Ty has been married twice before – to two women – and said they ‘absolutely’ knew about his sexuality. Protecting his career: The now 52-year-old has two ex-wives, including Renee Posey (who he is pictured with in 1998), and says they 'absolutely' knew about his sexuality . The crooner said that ‘luckily’ he tied the knot with ‘some really amazing young ladies’. Entertainment Tonight reports that he added: ‘I had a lot of people around me that I trusted at a time and I was like, “Hey, you know this about me but the world doesn't. So I'm gonna need to call on your services for a little while.” ‘It was unfortunate that I had to do that, but I felt that's what I had to do to have my career. Standing on some pretty solid legs today, so I get to tell my truth today.’ Ty was first rumoured to be gay in 1995 when he was arrested for allegedly exposing himself to a male undercover police officer in a park. 'I have an awesome relationship': The crooner, seen in January at Sundance, has a partner of five years who he hopes to marry one day . Candid: Ty spoke about being arrested for allegedly exposing himself to an undercover male police officer in 1995, and said the night was a 'blur' because he had 'been up for six days doing drugs' And the candid star, who has been very open about his struggles with addiction, admits he can barely remember what happened – after he was also found in possession of methamphetamine. ‘I wish I had really great recall or memory about that,’ he said when asked if the allegations were true. ‘I think I had been up for like six days doing drugs – the night and the day was really a huge blur for me.’ Ty, who has been treated at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility twice, had found fame that same year, making his chart debut with What Mattered Most. Telling his story: Ty's interview on Entertainment Tonight with Nischelle Turner airs on Thursday evening . Happy together: The star, seen here in 2011, joked that he hopes his partner proposes following the interview .

Singer didn't believe he could succeed as a gay man in the country music industry . Ty has been married twice before to women, and says his wives 'absolutely' knew about his sexuality . The star was first rumoured to be gay in 1995 after he was arrested for allegedly exposing himself to a male undercover police officer .

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When it comes to finding a doctor, chances are you spend a lot more time worrying about your man, your kids, or your parents than yourself. After all, you're strong enough to soldier through the occasional cold, right? If this sounds like you, you're not alone: In a recent survey, nearly a third of Americans who don't have a primary care physician (PCP) said they didn't think they needed one. The truth is, we all do. Not only do people with a regular doc receive better overall care, but it's easier for them to get an appointment on short notice -- helpful for reassurance on day-to-day health queries, and especially crucial if you should ever find yourself in a serious health crisis. "Finding a doctor before you get sick is especially important now that more insurance plans are requiring that PCPs serve as gatekeepers for our medical needs," says Trisha Torrey, author of "You Bet Your Life: The Ten Mistakes Every Patient Makes". Your mission: To locate an M.D. with great experience; an organized, friendly office staff; and, most of all, the ability to collaborate well with you (it is, after all, your body and health). Here's how. Health.com: Secrets women keep from their doctors . Step 1: Go to your network . Your social network, that is. Start by asking your friends and family (and any doctors you have and like) for the names of their favorite docs. This method may seem unscientific, but in one recent survey, doctors ranked getting a recommendation from family or friends as the most valuable way for you to choose a good physician. Consider also checking an online doctor-rating site, like vitals.com or zocdoc.com. Just keep in mind that opinions from others may be a good gauge of a doctor's bedside manner (which is indeed important), but not necessarily a way to measure her medical ability. "Friends who have had only annual checkups don't have as good a sense of their doctors' medical competence, so see if you can ask someone who's had health trouble," Torrey says. "If they felt well-served by the doctor, that's a better bet." That was true for Abby Gardner, 36, a New York City website editor: "Recently, I noticed a spot on my chest. My friend suggested I see her doctor, Dr. Henry Lee." Lee had found a melanoma on Gardner's friend's roommate, who raved about his care and professionalism. "He not only checked the spot, but also found a mole on my thigh that turned out to be a melanoma," she says. "I was so glad to have a thorough doctor who caught it early." If your friends don't give you any good leads, contact your nearest academic medical center (a hospital linked to a medical school, also known as a teaching hospital) and ask for a referral. "Those centers are usually highly rated," says Lisa Rubenstein, M.D., director of the VA/UCLA/RAND Center for the Study of Healthcare Provider Behavior. Health.com: What to do when you disagree with your doctor . Step 2: Check out her credentials . There's no need to limit yourself to doctors who graduated from the fanciest medical school around. What matters more, says Rubenstein: "the hospital where they did their residency, and where they practice." Two reasons why: A residency is where physicians get their on-the-job training, and the other M.D.'s they practice with seem to affect their clinical style more than where they went to school. Look for a doctor who is board-certified and affiliated with a reputable hospital (your insurance company's website will generally list credentials and affiliations), since, if you ever wind up being hospitalized, this will likely be the place you'll go. "Academic hospitals generally do better in terms of safety and patient outcomes than unaffiliated community hospitals," says Rubenstein. Hospitalcompare.hhs.gov can help you assess the quality of hospitals in your area. Health.com: Want to skip the doctor? Try this . Step 3: Vet the office . You can find out some key details about a prospective doctor just by calling her. Start with how you're greeted. If the receptionist treats you poorly, it may be a sign that the practice isn't respectful of patients in general, says Torrey. If the doctor and her staff are nice and professional, on the other hand, you will know that she runs a practice where patients are treated with respect. Health.com: How to have a great doctor-patient relationship . Step 4: Size her up in person . Once you're finally face-to-face with the M.D., do a gut check. Do you feel comfortable? Your health will benefit if you do: A recent study in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found that patients who had empathetic, engaged physicians felt more supported and were better able to take charge of their own well-being. Last year, Brenda Avadian, of Los Angeles, went in search of a new primary care doctor because her last one was dismissive of her complaints of exhaustion. She vetted a prospective doc online, then set up an appointment. "After an hour, I decided to switch to him," says Avadian, 52, who works in the caregiving industry. "He really took time to listen to me." Her new doctor ordered a complete blood panel, and within a couple of days, Avadian had a diagnosis: Her thyroid was sluggish. "The problem could have gotten worse," she says. "It worked out because I found a doctor who really listens." You may not get an hour with your prospective PCP the way Avadian did, but all you need is a few minutes to tell if she's up to snuff. Rubenstein recommends that you bring three questions about your health issues, big or small, to your first appointment. As the doctor answers your queries, think to yourself: Does she explain things well? Does she consult with me and give me time to ask follow-up questions? A doctor who does these things -- and makes you feel comfortable -- just might be your perfect match.

Nearly a third of Americans who don't have a PCP said they didn't think they needed one . Ask for recommendations from your family or friends when trying to choose a physician . What matters most is the hospital where they practice and where they did their residency .

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A man fishing from a kayak off a Hawaiian island has died after being bitten by a shark, authorities said Monday. The incident was the latest in an alarming spate of shark attacks in the state this year. The attack took place Monday morning half a mile off a point near Little Beach in Makena State Recreation Area on the island of Maui, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) said. The victim's companion, who was also on a kayak, told the department that his friend was fishing for baitfish with artificial lures when a shark bit one of his feet, which was dangling over the edge of the boat. Swimmer killed in shark attack at New Zealand beach . The man's companion, who was about 500 yards away when the attack took place, paddled over to him, tied a tourniquet to try to stem severe bleeding and called on a tour boat in the vicinity for help, authorities said. The tour boat brought the man to shore, and he was then taken to the hospital. But authorities believe he died of his injuries during the boat journey, said Rod Antone of the Mayor's Office of the County of Maui. The man was in his 40s, but authorities are unsure if he was a local resident or a tourist, Antone said. The identities of the man and his companion have not been disclosed. Shark attack claims Brazilian teen's life . High number of shark incidents . "We offer our condolences to the family of the victim. Our thoughts and prayers are with them," said William J. Aila, Jr., the DLNR chairman. Authorities say they have closed the waters off Makena State Recreation Area following the attack. Beaches in the area remain open, but the DLNR said people are advised to stay out of the water. The area will reopen at noon Tuesday if no more sharks are seen in the vicinity, the department said. Shark attacks teen in waist-deep water . The attack is the 13th shark incident reported in Hawaii so far this year, and the eighth on Maui, authorities said. That's well above the state's average of four unprovoked shark attacks per year over the past 20 years. The 10 incidents reported in 2012 were unprecedented at the time, the DLNR said. "We are not sure why these bites are occurring more frequently than normal, especially around Maui," Aila said. "That's why we are conducting a two-year study of shark behavior around Maui that may give us better insights." Aila said that authorities hope and expect "that numbers of incidents will return to a more normal range in the near future." In August, a German tourist died after being bitten by a shark while she was vacationing in Hawaii. 2 men bitten by sharks off Florida coast .

The man was fishing from a kayak when a shark bit his dangling foot . His companion tried to save him, but he died on the way to shore . This is the 13th shark incident in Hawaii so far this year, authorities say .

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By . Stephen Hull . Last updated at 12:47 PM on 20th September 2011 . Four people have after died eating cantaloupe melons which were carrying the deadly listeria bacteria, officials have said. More fatalities are feared after two more deaths were linked to the batch of infected fruits. So far there are confirmed deaths in Colorado, one in Oklahoma and two in New Mexico. Deadly: While millions enjoy the melons, a batch from Jensen Farms in Holly, Colorado is suspected to be infected with listeria which has killed four people . The illnesses have been traced to fruit from Jensen Farms in Holly, Colorado, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it had found listeria in samples of Jensen Farms' cantaloupe taken from a Denver store. Samples taken from equipment and cantaloupe at the farm's packing facility also confirmed a match to the strain of the disease. Listeria is often found in soil, plants, and food and it is fairly rare for people to die from infections. Pasteurisation and cooking is normally enough to kill Listeria and it’s often the elderly who die because they are not strong enough to fight infection. It is also dangerous to pregnant women because it easily passes through to the foetus. Symptoms of listeria include fever and muscle aches, often with other gastrointestinal symptoms. Officials say 35 people in 10 states have been suffered in the outbreak so far in California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia. Bacteria: Listeria can spread from soil and rivers and generally kills elderly people who don't have strong immune systems . Colorado has been the most affected with 12 cases, followed by Oklahoma with six and New Mexico with five. Anyone who has bought one of the suspected contaminated cantaloupes is being advised to throw it out immediately. About 800 cases of listeria are found in the United States each year, according to CDC, and there usually are three or four outbreaks. Most of these are traced to deli meat and soft cheeses, where listeria is most common. Produce has rarely been the culprit, but federal investigators say they have seen more produce-related listeria illnesses in the last two years. It was found in sprouts in 2009 and celery in 2010.

Infection linked to batch of fruit from farm in Holly, Colorado .

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Jason Britcher, 40, pictured outside of court was alleged to have attempted to rape a woman barrister at a Christmas party . A barristers' legal clerk attempted to rape a junior woman lawyer after a solicitors' Christmas party, a court heard. Married Jason Britcher, 40, crept in to the sleeping woman's hotel room after texting her at 3am to ask where she was. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was not initially alarmed and mistook the father-of-one for her husband. As she began to wake up she discovered that it was Britcher and she was assaulted twice, Hull Crown Court heard. Britcher later claimed he had stumbled into her room through an interconnecting hotel door, as he was looking for the bathroom. He said the woman consented to what went on. A second woman has also complained that she too had been assaulted by Britcher, but  five years earlier than the attack on the barrister. Britcher, who has a teenage daughter, denied to one charge of rape, two charges of sexual assault and one charge of attempted rape, on two separate women. In the more recent incident the jury was told the pair had gone independently to the party for solicitors and barristers in the south of the country. 'It was a typical Christmas party in which people would drink, dance and socialize,' said Mr Thackray. He explained the victim booked a room at a nearby hotel because she did not live locally. Britcher had the room next door. He sent her a text at 3.44am saying: 'Sorting a little room. Are you guys in main building, or pleb X.' She did not reply. He sent her room-mate a text offering his bed while he slept on the floor. Neither woman replied. 'You may wonder what was going through his mind at this time. Was he about to crash out and fall asleep or was he wanting some company?' said Mr Thackray. 'There was no intimacy between them whatsoever, nor had there been any intimacy between them on a prior occasion. 'He said at around 3am the woman returned to her hotel room. He said unfortunately she did not lock the door, as she had offered a spare bed to friend also at the party to avoid a lengthy journey home. 'She went to sleep still wearing her dress,' said Mr Thackray. 'She thought her friend was returning share her bed and didn't want to be naked.' 'Her next recollection was of someone being next to her, cuddling up to her. She was still half asleep and she thought it was her husband who was in bed with her. 'She wasn't immediately alarmed. She felt the person she thought was her husband touching her. 'At this point the complainant still believed that it was her husband behind her, and she reached around to assist, what she thought was her husband.' He said Britcher was attempting to rape her. 'It was at that point that alarm bells started to ring.' He said Britcher then committed a further sexual assault. Britcher is on trial at Hull Crown Court after he denied charges of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault . 'That woke her up completely and she opened her eyes. She turned her head and saw it was the defendant. She told him to f**** off. She said he looked shocked and left quickly.' Mr Thackray said after Britcher left, the woman was in a state of distress. She could not face speaking to her husband, so called her sister in tears, saying she had woken up to find a man on top of her. 'She did not immediately call the police,' said Mr Thackray. The woman then rang a member of her chambers as others were still socializing at the party. The police were then informed by a solicitor and arrived at the hotel to arrest Britcher whose fingerprints, DNA, and photograph was taken. He said cocaine was found in Britcher's body in a concentration consistent with him having taken it during the evening. The earlier victim told police Britcher indecently assaulted told her after she got into bed and went to sleep following a party. On the occasion she told him to get off her. The woman, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, said there was a second incident a year later when he raped her. In police interview, Britcher denied the first sexual assault with the first woman had taken place and said the second incident he accepted sex took place, but said it was consensual. Crown barrister John Thackray said: 'It is the prosecutions case that whilst under the influence of alcohol, and on one occasion cocaine, on three separate occasions, the defendant has committed sexual acts in the clear and obvious knowledge that both women were not consenting. 'These are two entirely unconnected complainants, who have each made remarkably similar allegations against the same man, in complete ignorance of the other's allegations.' The trial continues. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

Married father-of-one Jason Britcher, 40,  is on trial at Hull Crown Court . Two women claim they were attacked by him in separate incidents . He denies one charge of rape, two charges of sexual assault and one count of attempted rape .

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(CNN Student News) -- The foundation of a democratic republic is suffrage: the right to vote. Universal suffrage extends this civil right to all adults without distinction to race, sex, belief, intelligence or economic or social status. In the United States, almost all adult citizens over the age of 18 may vote in the presidential election. To this day, U.S. citizens who reside in Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories do not vote in presidential elections, but may vote in local elections. Throughout America's history, certain groups of citizens were disenfranchised. Poll taxes, literacy requirements and physical barriers effectively removed these individuals from the voting pool. Court decisions, local legislation and Constitutional amendments overturned many of these conditions for voting. Milestones in American Suffrage . 1787 - The U.S. Constitution The Constitution, as originally written, did not define a citizen. Any citizen of a state was deemed a citizen of the nation. At the time, most states only granted the right to vote to white male property owners. By 1850, most landowner requirements were eliminated. 1865 - Amendment XIII In the aftermath of the Civil War, three amendments were ratified that expressly addressed the role of blacks in America: the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. The Thirteenth Amendment was the first step towards full suffrage for black adult males, as it abolished slavery in the U.S. 1868 - Amendment XIV The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution defines the U.S. citizen, and thus clarifies who may vote: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." Children of immigrants, even illegal immigrants, are citizens and may vote when they come of age. However, this amendment does not expressly grant suffrage to non-whites and women. It does set the legal age for voting at 21. This amendment also allows a state to remove the right to vote for "participation in rebellion, or other crime." As a result, most states still ban incarcerated felons from voting, and several states extend that ban to ex-felons. 1870 - Amendment XV The Fifteenth Amendment forbids the federal government and the states from using a citizen's race, color or previous status as a slave as a disqualification for voting. By this amendment, suffrage is granted for black adult males, but not females. Many in the women's suffrage movement condemned the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments as unfair to women. 1920 - Amendment XIX By the turn of the century, women were voting in many western states, but most states still banned them from the voting booth. In 1920, after several failed attempts, the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified. This amendment prohibits states or the federal government from restricting suffrage based on gender. 1961 - Amendment XXIII This amendment finally granted District of Columbia voters the ability to participate in presidential elections. 1964 - Amendment XXIV In the century that followed the Civil War, racial tension persisted. Five southern states still had a poll tax, which was eliminated by this amendment. The Supreme Court declared that even a $1.50 poll tax was an unfair burden. 1965 - The Voting Rights Act After blacks were granted the right to vote in 1871, literacy requirements, physical violence, property destruction, hiding the polls and economic pressures still kept many blacks from voting, particularly in the South. In some states, a voter could vote in primary elections only if his grandfather had been able to vote in primaries; other states only allowed whites to vote in the primaries. In the largely Democratic South, these laws prevented descendants of slaves from having an effective vote. The Voting Rights Act was enacted in direct response to the Civil Rights movement. The act bans literacy tests and provides federal enforcement of voter registration and voting rights. 1971 - Amendment XXVI During the Vietnam War, many Americans felt it was unfair to send citizens to fight a war without the right to vote. This amendment sets the voting age at 18 across the nation for all elections. 1975 - Voting Rights Act Reauthorization By 1972, most adult citizens of the U.S. had the right to vote based on provisions in the Constitution. Congress amended the Voting Rights Act in 1975 to include language assistance for minority voters, who often could not vote if ballots and instructions were only available in English. 1990 - Americans with Disabilities Act The ADA addressed the need for physical access to the ballot box for all Americans. E-mail to a friend .

Use this information to understand the history of suffrage in the U.S.

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By . Laura Cox . UPDATED: . 01:00 EST, 7 March 2012 . The death of a 19-year-old from Nebraska who shot himself in the head may have been broadcast live on a video chat room, police fear. Bellevue officers want to talk to any chatroom users who witnessed the man’s death, at around 3am on Saturday morning. Police Chief John Stacey said the shooting in the Omaha suburb was reported Saturday morning by someone in Florida who heard about it online. Viral: Bellevue Police were tipped off about the shooting by a concerned friend in Florida who saw it being discussed in a video chatroom . The man, who said he knew the victim, rang Bellevue police and said he had been in the chat Friday evening before logging off for the night. When he logged back in Saturday morning, he told officers, people were talking about the shooting. Police went to the Nebraska man’s Castle Ridge home at around noon on Saturday, where they found him dead in his bedroom. Response: Bellevue Police went to the man's house in the Castle Ridge subdivision of Nebraska where they found him dead in his bedroom . The man's computer is being examined for clues about who may have been logged into the chat room when the shooting happened, Stacey told WOWT. Computer forensic experts have joined Bellevue Police in trying to work out exactly what happened. Unexplained: Bellevue Police Chief John Stacey said it is unknown whether the man shot himself by accident or whether it was suicide . Investigators won't know for sure whether anyone witnessed the shooting until they determine how to contact people behind their chat room usernames. Stacey added: 'Some of the individuals on this site are known by a web name and some times those web names don't relate to anything.' 'We've never had an investigation as viral as this. 'Where the reporting party is in one part of the country that got information from an individual from another part of the country that involved a situation that occurred here in Bellevue.' He added that detectives have not yet determined whether the shooting was an accident or done with suicidal intent. The man has not yet been identified and the family declined to comment so as not to interrupt the investigation. 'My concern is for the family right now,’ Stacey told WOWT. ‘This is a private matter and they've suffered enough trauma. To have this thing go out over the web and viral would be devastating.' Hunt: Police want to speak to anyone who was on the video chatroom at the time of the shooting but say it will be difficult as usernames do not always mean anything .

Police were alerted by a man in Florida who said he saw the shooting discussed online . Officers found the 19-year-old shot dead in his bedroom . It is unclear whether the shooting was suicide or an accident .

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Senate Intelligence Committee has launched a review of the Bush administration's controversial interrogation and detention program. Newly appointed CIA Director Leon Panetta says review should not target CIA interrogators. The purpose of the review is to fully understand the program and to help "shape detention and interrogation policies in the future," Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chairwoman of the committee, and Sen. Kit Bond, the committee's ranking Republican, said in a statement Thursday. The Senate study will run parallel to one ordered by President Obama shortly after he took office. Obama wants to know whether any of the harsh interrogation methods used against suspected terrorists held by the CIA should be retained. The so-called "enhanced interrogation techniques" included waterboarding, which simulates drowning and is considered torture by the new administration. Bush officials repeatedly insisted detainees were not tortured during questioning. The Senate review will look at how the CIA determined detainees knew valuable information and whether the coercive techniques used against them resulted in gaining information that stopped terrorist attacks. The study will also examine whether the agency accurately described the scope of the program to the Office of Legal Counsel and the Senate oversight committee, and if the program was in compliance with legal opinions and policy. The announcement comes the day after the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman called for the establishment of a nonpartisan "commission of inquiry" to investigate allegations of wrongdoing against former Bush administration officials in their prosecution of the war on terrorism. Nothing "did more to damage America's place in the world than the revelation that our great nation stretched the law and the bounds of executive power to authorize torture and cruel treatment," Sen. Patrick Leahy said at the start of a committee hearing. CIA Director Leon Panetta said last week he would cooperate with any congressional reviews. "I think that we have a responsibility to be transparent on these issues and to provide them [congressional committees] that information," Panetta said. But Panetta said the reviews should not target the CIA interrogators. "I would not support, obviously, an investigation or a prosecution of those individuals" involved in the interrogation program," Panetta said. "They did their job, they did it pursuant to the guidance that was provided them, whether you agreed or disagreed with it." In a letter to the CIA staff on Thursday, Panetta said Feinstein and Bond made it clear to him the goal of the review is not to punish anyone. "They assure me that this review is a way for the committee to assess lessons learned from the program while our government devises a new interrogation policy," wrote the CIA director. The Senate review is expected to take about a year to complete. No public hearings are planned.

Review will look at how CIA concluded detainees knew valuable information . Inquiry to also look at whether coercive techniques yielded useful information . CIA Director Leon Panetta vows to cooperate, tells staff goal is not to punish anyone . Senate review is expected to take about a year to complete .

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Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama announced Monday that he has signed an executive order allowing new sanctions against companies that enable Syria and Iran to use technology such as cell phone monitoring to carry out human rights abuses. The order is part of a broader strategy intended to strengthen the administration's ability to prevent atrocities, including creation of an Atrocities Prevention Board, Obama said in somber remarks at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day. "These technologies should be in place to empower citizens, not to repress them," Obama said of the measure, which targets the Syrian and Iranian governments, as well as companies that provide them with high-tech equipment to use against their own people. A White House statement said the executive order signed Sunday "authorizes sanctions and visa bans against those who commit or facilitate grave human rights abuses via information technology ... related to Syrian and Iranian regime brutality." "This novel sanctions tool allows us to sanction not just those oppressive governments, but the companies that enable them with technology they use for oppression and the 'digital guns for hire' who create or operate systems used to monitor, track, and target citizens for killing, torture, or other grave abuses," the White House statement said. Obama said the new Atrocities Prevention Board will meet for the first time on Monday at the White House. It will have members from several government departments, including State, Defense, Treasury, Justice and Homeland Security, as well as other agencies, to help the United States improve its ability to identify and respond more quickly to threats of atrocities, according to the White House statement. "Across government, alert channels will make sure that information about unfolding crises and dissenting opinions reach decision-makers, including me," Obama said. Other steps include what Obama called the first-ever intelligence assessment on the risk of mass atrocities and genocide, saying the goal is to "institutionalize the focus on this issue." "Our Treasury Department will work more quickly to deploy its financial tools to block the flow of money to abusive regimes," the president said. "Our military will take additional steps to incorporate the prevention of atrocities into its doctrine and its planning. The State Department will surge our diplomats and experts in a crisis." He received applause from the audience of Holocaust survivors and others when he said, in clear reference to the situation in Syria, that "national sovereignty is never a license to slaughter your people." Obama has come under heavy criticism on foreign policy issues recently from Republicans, including his certain opponent in the November election, Mitt Romney, and the president's comments appeared aimed at defending a range of acts by his administration that he said saved "countless lives" around the world. Calling the prevention of atrocities and genocide a "core national security interest" as well as a core American value, Obama added: "That does not mean that we intervene militarily every time there is an atrocity committed. We cannot and should not." Instead, he cited a growing range of tools available and referred to specific achievements such as creation of the world's newest nation of South Sudan as part of a treaty that ended decades of war, resolution of a leadership crisis in Ivory Coast and the resolution of the Libyan crisis. Obama also announced that he is extending the work of American advisers in Uganda helping pursue the Lord's Resistance Army and its leader, Joseph Kony, who are accused of widespread atrocities. "Today I can announce that our advisers will continue their efforts to bring this madman to justice and to save lives," Obama said. Monday's visit to the Holocaust memorial museum was Obama's first as president. He was accompanied by Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor, who urged Obama and world leaders to prevent atrocities such as attacks on citizens occurring in Syria. In particular, Wiesel said threats by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to use nuclear weapons to destroy Israel must be confronted. "How is it that the Holocaust number one denier -- Ahmadinejad -- is still a president," Wiesel said in introducing Obama. "He who threatens to use nuclear weapons ... to destroy the Jewish state. Have we not learned? We must know that when evil has power, it is almost too late." In his remarks, Obama repeated his administration's policy on the issue, saying: "The United States will do everything in our power to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon." The president has come under criticism from Republicans and some pro-Israel groups for not taking stronger steps to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Israel has made clear it is considering a military strike on Iran's nuclear energy facilities. The Obama administration argues it has worked with international partners to strengthen sanctions against Iran, and more time is needed for those steps to weaken the Iranian economy and influence the regime's behavior. Romney, in a speech earlier this year to the pro-Israel group AIPAC, excoriated the administration's "policy of engagement with Iran," but erroneously asserted the president had opposed sanctions against Iran at that point. Supporters of the administration were quick to point out that the most crippling set of sanctions against Iran since initial legislation was passed in the late 1990s occurred under Obama's watch. In his remarks Monday, Obama also announced that he will award the nation's highest civilian honor -- the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- to the late Jan Karski, a resistance figure who tried to alert the world to the Holocaust atrocities during World War II. CNN's Jamie Crawford contributed to this report.

NEW: President Obama extends the U.S. mission chasing Joseph Kony and the LRA . Obama says new technology should empower people, not repress them . Companies providing technology such as cell phone monitoring to abuse rights can be targeted . The move is intended to provide another tool in cracking down on Syria and Iran .

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Vicksburg, Mississippi (CNN) -- Storms were forecast Saturday for areas already suffering from the swollen Mississippi River, as Mississippi's governor urged caution. The rain comes as the Mississippi River was cresting in Natchez, Mississippi. The water was cresting at 61.8 feet, or 13.8 feet above flood stage there, according to the National Weather Service. There were some early signs of recovery farther north in Vicksburg, where the river had already crested, though the floodwaters are expected to remain for weeks. The Yazoo backwater levee near Vicksburg had hit its peak, CNN affiliate WLBT reported. "These levees are going to be more and more saturated every day. There will be continuing wave action up against them and so people shouldn't drop their guard," Gov. Haley Barbour told reporters in Yazoo City Friday. Although many displaced residents in Vicksburg are eager to return to their homes, until the water level recedes, only emergency officials will be allowed, WLBT reported. "It is illegal to drive a boat in flooded areas and it will remain so until that executive order is lifted, which won't be soon," Barbour said. The governor also warned of health risks to both the emergency responders and residents. "We've had reports of water samples where the E. coli level was 200 times normal. This stuff is nasty," Barbour said. The governor himself owns a lake home that has been flooded. The Mississippi River is not expected to return to its 43-foot flood stage in Vicksburg until after June 14, which is 46 days after it climbed out of its banks, said Amanda Roberts, a National Weather Service hydrologist. It crested at 57.1 feet Thursday. The river is more than a foot over the record set in the city in 1927. "We're in need of, first off, a place to live. And then second off, pretty much everything you would need in a home," evacuee Pat Wilsoe told CNN affiliate WAPT. Vicksburg resident Hoover Youenger told the station his home had several feet of water in it. "In a way, it feels like a big loss, but with Mother Nature you can't do anything about it," he said, WAPT reported. Severe storms are likely Saturday and Sunday in the Mississippi River, Ohio River and Tennessee River valleys. Up to 3 inches of rain per hour are possible, with heavier storms on Sunday. The rain could lead to secondary crests and higher crests along the Mississippi from Memphis, Tennessee, southward, CNN meteorologist Sean Morris said. Some greeted the cresting floodwaters -- which have damaged hundreds of homes and displaced 2,000 Vicksburg residents -- with relief. Others just went to work. Rusty Larsen, owner of Rusty's River Front Grill in Vicksburg, told CNN affiliate WJTV that his business has picked up some with the floods. "We stay busy most days anyway, but there's been a lot of people downtown," he said. "I see a lot of local people. Some of them are tourists. Everybody wants to come see the water." Local officials caution that some area residents may have to wait to return to their homes. Flooded houses pose a variety of dangers, they said. Rising floodwaters bring debris, hazardous waste and gas leaks, and force snakes or other potentially dangerous animals from their habitats and into residential areas. "Right now we're moving to the recovery stage," Vicksburg Mayor Paul Winfield told CNN. "Our first priority, I believe, should be public safety, to continue to encourage our residents and onlookers to stay free of the water." Law enforcement officials are patrolling evacuated areas to help ensure that abandoned homes and businesses aren't burglarized, Winfield said. And each flooded property must be assessed before an owner can return to it, he said. Warren County, which includes Vicksburg, has "several hundred homes that have water" and about 2,000 residents have been displaced, Sheriff Martin Pace said. County residents are accustomed to flooding and know what to do, but none have experienced it at this magnitude, according to Pace. A slide was detected on the mainline Mississippi levee at Lake Albemarle, the Corps of Engineers said Thursday. That occurs when the integrity of a levee is undermined because dirt and sand are being eroded, spokeswoman Eileen Williamson said. Crews are working around the clock to help fill the gaps. If the levee fails, thousands of homes and more than one million acres would be flooded, according to Peter Nimrod, the Mississippi Levee Board's chief engineer. "So it's very important we hold this levee together," he said. Farther south, where the Mississippi River has not yet crested, residents were working to clear out their homes and find ways to get by. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has asked for federal assistance in grappling with flooding stemming from the Morganza Spillway, where 17 bays have been opened in hopes of sparing New Orleans farther downstream. So far, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has delivered nearly 150,000 sandbags, 30,000 cubic yards of sand and 33,000 linear feet of fabric-lined baskets, the governor's office said. Approximately 1,150 Louisiana National Guard members have been mobilized. Mandatory evacuations were in effect Saturday in Happy Town and the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area, the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office said. Officials will decide whether evacuations are needed in Butte La Rose on Monday. Spillway gates are likely to be open for weeks, meaning it will be some time before the river falls below flood stage, allowing evacuees to return. The flood is the most significant to hit the lower Mississippi River valley since at least 1937. It has affected nine states so far: Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. CNN's Brian Todd contributed to this report.

NEW: "We're in need of, first off, a place to live," an evacuee tells CNN affiliate WAPT . NEW: Crews work to shore up the the mainline Mississippi levee at Lake Albemarle . Severe storms are forecast this weekend along parts of the Mississippi . Experts: It will take until mid-June for floodwaters to recede in Vicksburg .

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(CNN) -- Remember that messiness when Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien were battling it out on air? Or when Leno and David Letterman used to trade jabs during their monologues? Neither do we. These days the late-night focus is on the Jimmys: Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel. Fallon has managed to keep fans riveted with expectations over what musical guest might pop up next in a way that hasn't happened since Arsenio Hall left the air (admit it, you sang along when Mariah Carey did "All I Want For Christmas") and capitalized on the boyish charm that made him star of "Weekend Update" on "Saturday Night Live." Meanwhile Kimmel has been everywhere recently, from the cover of Rolling Stone to ruling the Web on Friday after his "nemesis" Matt Damon took over his show Thursday night in what turned out to be one seriously funny Kimmel roast. Thursday night's temporarily renamed show, "Jimmy Kimmel Sucks," was the result of a long-time "feud" between Kimmel and the Academy Award winning Damon and helped pull in the viewers. It proved to be so successful that ABC has announced it will re-air the episode during prime time Tuesday night. According to a press release, the show resulted in Kimmel's highest ratings since his show moved to the 11:35 p.m. time slot this month. It ranked No.1 among late-night talk shows in both households and among the coveted 18-49 demographic, beating "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" by 62% and "The Late Show with David Letterman" by 120%. But don't expect Kimmel to rave about that fact on his official Twitter account, or anywhere else for that matter. During a recent appearance before a group of television critics, it was announced that Kimmel had beaten Letterman in the ratings. The Washington Post reported that when asked what it was like to "kill Dave" in the ratings, Kimmel was quick to retort "I'm not killing Dave" and point out that Letterman's ratings had not changed since Kimmel's show replaced "Nightline" in its time slot. That could be despite the fact that Letterman is his competition, Kimmel has a deep respect for the fellow funnyman. "If I beat David Letterman in the ratings, does that mean I'm better than Letterman?" Kimmel recently told Rolling Stone. "No f***ing way." The talk show host had less kind words for Leno, telling the publication, "As a comedian, you can't not have disdain for what he's done: He totally sold out." Ouch. So how is Kimmel ensuring that ABC's gamble to move his show from midnight to its new slot to make it more competitive will pay off? At this point, it seems just by being himself and continuing with what has led him to this point. Kimmel wasn't afraid to show his softer, fan side last Halloween when his hero Letterman appeared on his show. He showed his idol photos of his 18th birthday cake, which sported the "Late Night With David Letterman" logo. He charmed first lady Michelle Obama when she appeared on his show in October and won rave reviews last year when he hosted both the White House Correspondents Dinner and the Primetime Emmy Awards. Irma Zandl of the Zandl Group tracks trends and told E! that Kimmel is a bit of the late-night everyman. "I have always considered Jimmy Kimmel the Gen Y version of Jay Leno," Zandl said. "He has that Midwestern, down-to-earth humor that Leno represented without the Conan weirdness that has such limited appeal." He also clearly doesn't mind being the butt of the joke as he was Thursday night as celeb friend after celeb friend (including ex-love Sarah Silverman) took shots at him. After all, this is a comic who dressed as a plumber with his crack showing for the cover of Rolling Stone. Top that, Leno and Letterman.

Jimmy Kimmel's Thursday night show won big ratings . Actor Matt Damon "kidnapped" Kimmel and took over the show . Kimmel has been challenging the late-night lead of Letterman and Leno .

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When French actor Gerard Depardieu surprised locals by popping in for a dram at a small pub on the Isle of Skye, not everyone was toasting his health. While Depardieu was pictured enjoying the range of local whiskies and beer at the Am Oraban Bar on the Sleat peninsula, the Edinburgh International Film Festival was expecting him at a red carpet screening of his new movie hours later. However, Depardieu mysteriously failed to depart for Edinburgh and disappointed organisers were forced to announce that their star attraction had pulled out at the last moment. A votre sante: Gerard Depardieu pours himself a glass of Skye Gold beer in a Skye pub, hours before he was due to attend a red carpet film screening at the Edinburgh International Film Festival . Social media sites were immediately rife with speculation as to what may have befallen the veteran of 170 films, who at 65 still enjoys something of a reputation as a hellraiser. One tweeted: 'Gerard Depardieu was in a Skye pub last night bid didn't make it to @edfilmfest tonight. Wonder why?' The star of Green Card and Cyrano de Bergerac pulled out shortly after being pictured during a visit to the Am Praban Bar at the Hotel Eilean Iarmain on Friday night. Pictures on social media show Depardieu sampling beer, whisky, haggis and bagpipes while filming a French TV series on Scottish food and drink. A posting on the Sleat, Perfectly Skye Facebook page, said Depardieu 'clearly enjoyed tasting the range of Gaelic whiskies' and tried 'haggis, washed down with a dram and a pint of Skye Gold from the Isle of Skye Brewery.' The posting added: 'The arrival of a ten-strong photography and support team was a surprise to visitors and locals enjoying an early evening drink and many of those had their photographs taken with the iconic actor. Bon appetit: The French actor can't resist sampling some haggis at the Am Praban Bar at the Hotel Eilean Iarmain on Friday night . 'Great news for Sleat, with the film crew choosing to enjoy our fabulous hotels, food and drink.' The following night, Depardieu was due to appear as a guest of honour at the UK premiere of his film Welcome To New York. The raunchy drama about an international financier with 'monstrous sexual appetites' has been enthusiastically trailed by the film festival on its website. But at 1.30pm on Sunday, the festival posted a notice stating: 'It is with regret that we have to announce that Gerard Depardieu has cancelled his appearance this evening.' A spokesman said organisers had been given no further details as to why the actor had pulled out, but added: 'He has let the festival down very badly.' The spokesman added that the festival was aware of photos posted on Facebook of their star attraction pouring himself a pint, but added: 'We won't be pursuing this any further because the screening has already taken place - but there is some annoyance here over his failure to attend.' Bonjour, mon ami: Depardieu meets locals as he films a French TV cooking programme on the Isle of Skye . Depardieu, who has described himself as 'someone who is a bit of a rebel, who shakes things up and who is sometimes drunk', was not available for comment. The veteran actor, who also runs a successful parallel career as a wine-grower, has long been known for his drink-fuelled excesses and unpredictable behaviour. In 2011, he was thrown off a plane from Paris to Dublin after relieving himself in the aisle in full view of other passengers. In an interview on US television he later protested: 'I'm not a monster. I'm just a man who wants to pee.' Asked if he was drunk at the time, and if there was 'any wine involved,' the actor replied: 'No'. Last year he was banned from driving for six months and fined 4,000 euros (£3,204) after he fell off his scooter in Paris and was arrested for driving while intoxicated. In January, the actor was reported to police for allegedly hurling buckets of water on customers in a bar beneath his holiday home in the southern Italian city of Lecce. He is said to have lost his temper in a row over noise. The following night, Depardieu, who took Russian citizenship in protest at proposed French tax rates of 75 per cent, poured water over drinkers, the Quotidiano Puglia newspaper reported.

Gerard Depardieu suprised locals by popping in for a dram at a pub on Skye . French actor pictured sampling a range of local whiskies, beer and haggis . Hours later he was due to attend the Edinburgh International Film Festival . But he failed to leave for Edinburgh, and organisers announced he had pulled out of screening of his new film Welcome To New York . 'He has let the festival down very badly,' says festival spokesman .

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(CNN) -- Many of the Oklahoma families whose lives were devastated by the tornado will recover over time, especially with the help and support of family and community. But children need special attention as they struggle with what happened on Monday and upheavals in their family and school routines. Children's reactions will vary depending on their age and their experience with the tornado. They may get upset during a storm because they fear another tornado or worry when their parents leave their side. They might display changes in their behavior, such as irritability and anger or decreased concentration. They may withdraw or have physical complaints, and sleep or appetite troubles. It's reassuring to know these reactions are common and generally diminish over time. Their reactions are strongly influenced by how their parents, teachers and other caregivers are coping. Those teachers who took care of their students during the storm will need to seek their own supports and take care of themselves while showing kids how to cope in a positive way. Parents can help children recover by calmly talking with them about any concerns. This will be important over the weeks and months to come. Mother's instinct saves lives of 3 sons . Parents must assure children that they are safe and help them cope with distress associated with reminders of the tornado -- like sirens or the destruction they see. They should stick to normal mealtime and bedtime routines as much as possible. Adults should also be careful what they and others say in front of the kids and be especially patient with changes in children's behavior. Rest, exercise and a balanced diet are important. It helps to limit media reports and social media about the tornado. People should stay connected to friends and family and find time for activities that give them a break from additional stress. If the children have lost a loved one, it's important to talk about it. Parents can reminisce about that person with their kids and conduct a memorial activity that children can join in. Grieving is even more difficult when a loved one dies suddenly in traumatic circumstances. Families need their own traditions and rituals when someone dies so they can support one another and manage a wide range of emotional responses. Answering questions about death for children can be challenging -- it's important to be truthful, give answers that are appropriate for their ages and listen carefully to their feelings. Families remember tornado victims . The tornado hit during the day when children and parents were separated. Because of that, young children may become especially clingy and worry when they are away from their parents. In the next weeks, parents should stay with their children as much as possible. If they need to leave, they should make sure a familiar adult is with the children and that they know when their parents will return. If any of these reactions continue over a month or worsen over time, parents should consider a mental health consultation.As the community begins to recover, be sure to acknowledge the high school seniors who are graduating in the next week, as this is an important milestone to be commemorated. With the ending of school, some teenagers may have lost their summer jobs and it will be important to help them find alternatives like assisting recovery efforts, cleaning debris, babysitting, or organizing collection drives. Doctor's quick thinking saves patients . It's two years this week that tornadoes hit Joplin, Missouri, which is still recovering. With other recent disasters like Sandy Hook, parents are increasingly worried about their children's safety. Families should take this opportunity to make sure that school and family emergency plans are in place. That, and open communication will go a long way toward supporting children with their responses to this devastating tornado. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Melissa Brymer.

Melissa Brymer: Children need special attention to cope with trauma and upheaval . She says fear, anxiety, anger, withdrawal are common, but they diminish over time . Brymer: Kids look to parents' reaction; parents must talk to them calmly and truthfully . Brymer: Sticking to routines and being patient, staying away from media very important .

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By . John Hall . These tiny matchstick figures may look like characters from a L.S. Lowry painting but they are in fact a group of tourists admiring the vast expanse of Death Valley. Photographer David Hellard, 46, took the shots as the sun rose over vast, colourful cliffs during a two day expedition in the notorious Californian desert. The tiny figures give a sense of the scale of the sprawling landscape, which is the lowest and driest area in North America, and the current holder of the world's highest recorded air temperature - 56.7C in July 1913. Stunning: The tiny matchstick figures in these photographs are in fact a group of tourists admiring the vast expanse of Death Valley. They give a sense of the scale of the sprawling landscape, which is the lowest and driest area in North America and one of the hottest places anywhere on earth . Colours: David Hellard, who doesn't like heights, climbed 650 feet up a steep mountain trail in the Amargosa Range to take his photographs . Light: David Hellard said being scared of heights was actually a benefit to his photographs. 'I really studied the scene. There were a tremendous amount of things to look at, and other people tried moving around to get different views of the same things... I really tried to see what was there,' he said . Mr Hellard, who doesn't like heights, braved a steep climb up a trail to the point from which he took his stunning photographs - 650 feet up a mountain in the Amargosa Range. He was the only one in his group of five friends to spot a group of Germans touring on Harley Davidson motorbikes below. 'I don't think the people were there when I first started shooting, but I'm not sure... I am not a big fan of heights and was so nervous. The trail we climbed up was steep, narrow, and fell off sharply,' he said. 'While other people felt comfortable moving around and changing position, once I got set up I didnt feel like doing a lot of shuffling... With the winds gusting against my back, I could easily imagine my camera and tripod, my camera bag, or even me tumbling over the edge and straight down,' he added. 'The benefit to this was that I really studied the scene. There were a tremendous amount of things to look at, and other people tried moving around to get different views of the same things... I really tried to see what was there and eventually noticed the tiny figures off to my left and down,' Mr Hellard said. Observant: The photographer said the rest of his group were too busy focusing on the rolling hills off to the right of the scene to notice the group of tourists gathered below. He, on the other hand, used the sense of calm he'd had to instill in himself just to climb the mountain to maintain focus while taking the photos . Proud: David Hellard said that he thinks each photo tells a unique and different story. He added that he was immensely happy with how well the colours came out and how sharp the photos were. The photographer lives in Los Angeles with wife Sandy . The photographer said the rest of his group were too busy focusing on the rolling hills off to the right of the scene to notice the group of tourists. He, on the other hand, used the sense of calm he'd had to instill in himself just to climb the mountain to maintain focus while taking the photos. 'I took a number of photos of the area while the sun came up. The colours during that time kept shifting and changing, so I was constantly returning to different 'scenes' laid out before me as they varied,' Mr Hellard said. 'The bright and brilliant reds and magentas you see are a result of the morning light. The cliffs are naturally a sort of yellow, lemon colour mixed with browns or darker reds. The variation in the tones is due to the different strata and sediments of the rock itself,' he added. 'Primarily it's really all about the soft morning light and shooting in the 'golden hours'. There was only a short window in which these photos were possible. After the sun rose, the gentle colours were washed away. About . 10 minutes after I took these photos, the rock formations all . homogenized back to their usual basic browns, yellows and muddy reds, Mr Hellard went on. Otherworldly: David Hellard took a number of photos of the area while the sun came up. He said the colours during that time kept shifting and changing, so he was constantly witnessing different 'scenes' being laid out before him as the sunlight varied' New perspective: After taking the photographs, David Hellard, who lives in Los Angeles with wife Sandy, then hiked back down with his friends for breakfast. He said the desert can be disorienting to someone who's used to a horizon of buildings or being surrounded by corn fields . Inspiration: The tiny matchstick silhouettes in David Hellard's photograph resemble characters from paintings by the Lancashire-born artist L.S. Lowry . After taking the photographs, Mr Hellard, who lives in Los Angeles with wife Sandy, then hiked back down with his friends for breakfast. 'I loved this area a lot. I've never seen anything quite like it. All of Death Valley is magnificent and there's an 'otherworldly' feeling about it... The area is completely unique and there is no place quite like it on Earth,' he said. 'In general, the desert is sometimes overwhelming and you just can't believe you can see that far, that mountains can be that high or stretch so far into the distance,' he added. Mr Hellard said the desert can be disorienting to someone who's used to a horizon of buildings or being surrounded by corn fields. He said that he thinks each photo tells a unique and different story, adding that he was immensely happy with how well the colours came out and how sharp the photos were. 'If I'm going to run the risk of tumbling off the edge, I might as well make it worth it...I think the photos convey the beauty and mystery of the area as well as a sense of serenity and peace,' he said.

David Hellard, 46, took the shots as the sun rose during a two-day visit to the notorious Californian desert . Despite not liking heights, the photographer climbed 650 feet up a mountain to take the stunning pictures . Thanks to near-perfect lighting conditions, the images look more like paintings than photographs .

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Darren Webster dumped seventh seed Simon Whitlock out of the PDC World Championship with a shock 3-1 first-round victory at Alexandra Palace on Saturday. Webster made a fantastic start to the match and did not drop a leg on his way to winning the first set as an out-of-sorts Whitlock struggled to get a foothold in the game. Whitlock cut a relieved figure when he squared the match at 1-1 but that was as good as it got for the 2010 finalist. Danny Webster gestures to the crowd in delight during his match against Simon Whitlock . Whitlock congratulates Webster after a shock defeat in the first round of the PDC World Championship . Webster upped his game to take the third and fourth sets and averaged more than 94 points to his Australian opponent's 87 for the match. 'Simon wasn't at his best but I just tried to keep concentration today,' a delighted Webster told Sky Sports after securing his place in the next round. 'I was determined to try to win one for a change. I am so happy. Unbelievable.' Gary Anderson avoided Whitlock's fate by sealing a 3-1 triumph against Scott Kirchner. American Kirchner had earlier overcome New Zealander Mark McGrath to earn his first-round encounter against number four seed and 2011 finalist Anderson. Gary Anderson avoided Scott Kirchner's fate by beating Scott Kirchner on Saturday . The Flying Scotsman, who beat Adrian Lewis to win the Players Championship last month, did not look like his usual relaxed self early on but nevertheless took the first set. Kirchner responded superbly by winning three unanswered legs to draw level at 1-1 before Anderson's third-set win set him up and the 43-year-old sealed the victory after racing into the lead - after losing the first leg to his opponent - in the fourth to progress. Robert Thornton was in impressive form as he booked his place in the next round with a 3-0 victory over Andrew Gilding. The 47-year-old Scot lost just two legs in the comprehensive victory to set up a second-round showdown against Ronnie Baxter. Thornton hit two 180s in the first set and used his last dart on all three finishes to take the lead, with Gilding pinching just the one leg in reply. Thornton grabbed another pair of maximums on his way to second-set victory, before upping his game to clinch the third set and the match by hitting tops in the first, then pulling out a superb 144 outshot and wrapping it up in the next to seal a 97.6 average. Robert Thornton punches his fists in delight during his comprehensive victory over Andrew Gilding . Another significant upset of the first round saw Lawrence Ryder edge to a 3-2 victory over Justin Pipe. Australian Ryder fought back from 2-1 down to clinch victory courtesy of a strong finish that saw him win six straight legs to stun 17th seed Pipe. Ryder will face Terry Jenkins in the second round after he was a 3-1 victor against John Weber. Jenkins, a semi-finalist in 2011, was in control from the outset with no fewer than five 180s accrued in an extremely comfortable victory against his Australian opponent. Daryl Gurney fought back from 3-0 down to claim a 4-3 preliminary-round victory against Scott Mackenzie, but he was then outclassed by Baxter who moved into the second round with a 3-1 win against the Northern Irishman. Ronnie Baxter showed his class as he saw off a valiant effort from Daryl Gurney . Gurney pushed his opponent throughout but Baxter demonstrated his class when it mattered and sealed victory with a superb 12-darter including a 180 and a 104 finish. Ronny Huybrechts won all but two legs as he swept Andy Smith aside 3-0 to seal his progression to the next round. Missed doubles cost Smith dearly, with the Englishman missing four darts at doubles in the opening set, and two more at the start of the second as Huybrechts won the first six legs to set up a comfortable victory. Kyle Anderson also won through to the next round courtesy of a 3-0 triumph against Steve Beaton - who beat him by the same scoreline in the first round of last year's tournament. Anderson managed three 180s during the match, and the 27-year-old Australian wrapped up victory with a double five to set up a second-round encounter against Andy Hamilton.

The No 7 seed Simon Whitlock suffered shock defeat to Darren Webster . The 2010 PDC World Championship finalist lost in the first round . Elsewhere Robert Thornton and Ronnie Baxter both advanced through .

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By . Colin Fernandez . UPDATED: . 21:15 EST, 31 October 2011 . The nights may be getting longer, but nature is putting on a spectacular display to brighten the days. At Raby Castle in County Durham yesterday, vivid reds, greens and golds lit up the horizon, with the only glimpse of grey coming from the stone battlements of the 14th century fortress. And 300 miles away, near Glastonbury, the day began with an extraordinary yellow-gold wave of mist swirling across the Somerset Levels. Only the tallest trees could be glimpsed through the foggy veil as the sun came up. Season of mists: The turrets of Raby Castle rise above the autumnal colours of the surrounding woodland of County Durham . Stunning: These incredible images show an extraordinary wave of early morning mist sweeping across the Somerset Levels. Houses are shrouded in fog as Glastonbury Tor in the distance and the tallest trees peep up through the thick white blanket . Mystical: Houses in Somerset are shrouded in thick fog showing that autumn is well and truly in full swing . Other worldly: The breathtaking images of fog in the Somerset Levels were taken by keen photographer Stephen Spraggon, who captured the autumnal scenes 15 miles away at the top of Crook Peak in the Mendip Hills . Those who want to witness autumn’s majesty for themselves may want to be quick. Last month was one of the mildest . Octobers since records began in 1910, the Met Office said last night – . but temperatures will plunge from Friday, with frosts fading the . colourful scenes. With homes shrouded in thick fog and the mystical . Glastonbury Tor peeping up, these incredible images show how autumn is . bringing out the best in Britain's countryside. The mini-heatwave which the country has . enjoyed recently has led to one of the most glorious autumns ever seen. And . with the end of British Summer Time yesterday, photographers have . captured some amazingly vivid sunrises to greet those up early . enough to catch them. Keen photographer Stephen Spraggon took these breathtaking early morning pictures of fog in the Somerset Levels from 15 miles away in the Mendip Hills. Spectacular scene: An explosion of colour from this foliage on the Yorkshire Dales dwarfs the two people standing on the bridge . Dramatic: A burst of autumnal hue at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park makes a stunning backdrop for these weekend walkers at Butser Hill near Petersfield in Hampshire . And despite the east coast of America . currently being battered by snow storms, it looks like we could be set . for more beautiful autumnal scenes as the week progresses. As one of the warmest Octobers on . record draws to a close, the balmy weather is set to continue, with temperatures up to 64F (18C). Although . October began with a burst of extraordinarily warm weather, a lack of . sunshine and extensive cloud cover has kept temperatures from hitting . record highs. However, . the month was unusually mild, with minimum temperatures often . hovering around 55F (13C), compared to usual minimum temperatures of 46F . (8C). Current figures have the month as the . seventh warmest October since records began, and with unseasonably warm . nights across the south-east it could sneak in to the top five. Spectacular landscape: The disused Lamble viaduct in the South Tyne Valley rising up against the amazing landscape of Hag Wood . Last of the summer time: This amazing late sunrise was snapped near Bowes in County Durham . Standing out: Barnard Castle in County Durham stands proud against the rising sun on the last day of British Summer Time . Today South 63F (17C), North 61F (16C) Tomorrow: South 61F (16C), North 57F (16C) These conditions will continue into the start of November, with little sunshine but no prospect of extreme weather conditions this week - a major boon for those celebrating Halloween and Bonfire Night. And fans of the old tradition of apple bobbing, which is often popular at this time of year, will be delighted by news that scientists have discovered the perfect bobbing apple. Researchers claim that Zari apples are just the right size and shape to be picked out of water without using hands - and this week were testing the theory with a mass bobbing event in London's Bloomsbury Square. Experiment: Dozens of people took part in an event to test what the perfect apple for bobbing is - scientists claim the Zari apple is best . Adventure: Walkers cross a chain bridge over the River Allen in Northumbria as they make the most of an unusually warm weekend .

Mini-heatwave creates one of the most glorious autumns ever seen in Britain . Balmy temperatures set to continue this week .

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(CNN) -- Chilean officials declared a "catastrophe" in eight municipalities Wednesday after heavy snow blanketed communities and blocked roads in what the nation's interior minister called a "white earthquake." "It has snowed more than ever," Curacautin Mayor Jorge Saquel told CNN Chile Tuesday. "This is an anomaly. ... This worries us because the meteorologists assure us that new snowstorms are coming." In the city of Lonquimay, officials said snow had piled more than 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) high. Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter on Wednesday called the situation a "white earthquake" and asked the country's military and public works officials to help citizens in some of the hardest-hit areas in the country's central Araucania region. "This storm is strong and it is likely that in the coming days we could suffer from more bad weather fronts, more heavy snowfall, that make the situation even worse," Hinzpeter said. "But of course when this occurs, our government will always be on the side of those who are suffering, using all the tools provided by our legal system." Authorities said they were sending trucks filled with food to the region, along with military helicopters to reach people in remote areas. More than 6,500 people remained isolated Wednesday in Lonquimay, a town with many living in outlying, rural areas, CNN Chile affiliate Universidad Autonoma Television reported. Earlier this week, local officials said federal assistance had not arrived quickly enough. "The settlers and people of Lonquimay are buried undered the snow. There are areas with more than 2.3 meters of snow and we have gone many days without being able to communicate with many of them," Lonquimay Mayor Guillermo Vasquez said in a statement Monday. "The emergency director promised us two bulldozers to clear the roads. We have people who are isolated. ... Touching the snow, it is like glass," Saquel told CNN Chile. "The machines and food should have arrived as soon as possible."

NEW: Officials in one city say more than 2.3 meters of snow have fallen . CNN Chile affiliate: More than 6,500 are isolated in one town . "It has snowed more than ever," Curacautin Mayor Jorge Saquel says . The interior minister calls the snowstorm a "white earthquake"

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Beijing (CNN) -- Entrepreneurs of all stripes are cashing in on the Lin-sanity phenomenon as swiftly as the NBA sensation can pull off his furious fast breaks. It has been only three weeks since Jeremy Lin, the 23-year-old American-born point guard of Taiwanese descent, came out of obscurity to lead the listless New York Knicks to a winning streak. But while their winning run has come to an end, Lin has gone on to become a media and marketing darling. Lin-related products have become hot items. In New York, merchandise retailers are doing brisk business selling Lin's No. 17 jerseys. "He's made the Knicks relevant again," says Larry Dimitriou, manager of Modell's Sporting Goods store in Manhattan. Jeremy 'Lin-demand' in China . "We constantly get Lin jerseys every day," he says. "I put one in the window to show people we have them. A short time later, they're gone." Just as nimble and quick are the publishers of "Linsanity: The Improbable Rise of Jeremy Lin" by Alan Goldsher, an electronic book that was turned around in just 72 hours. Available wherever e-books are sold, Goldsher's insta-book costs just $1.99. According to Digital Book World, fast-thinking authors have already churned out least seven e-books, all about the humble and wholesome Harvard graduate. The other Lin-inspired titles include, "Jeremy Lin: Advice from Sun Tzu on Basketball and the Art of War," and "The Zen of Jeremy Lin." Not to be outdone, Lin himself has filed to trademark "Linsanity." The application, filed through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, would give him exclusive rights to put the signature term on more than 50 consumer products, including clothing, mugs and even action figures. Yao Ming: 'Everyone wants to be next Jeremy Lin' Lin is not the only one to file for a trademark on the term, but he stands a good chance of winning it, according to Washington-based trademark lawyer Gary Krugman. But he would stand a poor chance if he filed in China, where trademark laws tend to favor early applicants. Few can match the prescience of Wuxi Risheng, Sports Utility Co. a Chinese manufacturer of basketballs and soccer balls. Risheng, it turns out, have registered Jeremy Lin's English and Chinese names as trademarks in China and claim to have rights to the name of the NBA's latest star until 2021. Risheng's claim, widely reported in local media, could block plans by major sporting goods companies to capitalize on China's growing interest on the new NBA standout. Jeremy Lin, known in Mandarin as Lin Shuhao, was born in the U.S. to Taiwanese parents with ancestral roots in mainland China. According to government records, Risheng applied for Lin trademarks as early as 2010, the year he graduated from Harvard University and was ignored during the NBA draft pick. "Our boss Yu Minjie watched a lot of NBA games and noticed Jeremy some time in 2010 when he was a nobody," one of the partners in the company told CNN. "We did not expect Jeremy Lin would be such an instant hit. We are happy for his success and of course we feel extremely lucky." Risheng may have hit a jackpot if Lin's marketing magic continues. "In China, first-to-register gets the rights," says Horace Lam, a Beijing-based intellectual property expert at Jones Day. "Chinese companies are aware of this system and use it to their advantage. We see this happen every day. It's a big problem for companies and people trying to protect their intellectual property in China when they are not familiar with the Chinese system." Marketing mavens are lusting to brand Lin. "He's the total package, a fine athlete and a wonderful story," enthuses Scott Kronick, president of Ogilvy PR China. "We think he's Lin-credible." Risheng now makes Lin basketballs but soon might start producing jerseys and sneakers. "Maybe we'll open franchise stores in east China," said the Risheng partner. "Now more and more companies are reaching out to us seeking business tie-up opportunities." Lam says the Jeremy Lin trademark that Risheng owns applies to a grab-bag of uses and products, including basketballs, shoes, hats, toys and gym facilities. Risheng claims trademarks for other basketball stars, including Yi Jianlian, a Chinese power forward who now plays for the Dallas Mavericks. It also has a trademark on the Chinese name for "Jordan's Kingdom," an apparent reference to retired superstar Michael Jordan, for use on balls. Jordan, known as "Qiaodan" in Mandarin, has been aggressively doing business in China. Now he is tightening his defense. This week, Jordan filed a suit in a Chinese court against Qiaodan Sports Company Limited, another Chinese sportswear and footwear manufacturer, for unauthorized use of his name. "It is deeply disappointing to see a company build a business off my Chinese name without my permission, use the number 23 and even attempt to use the names of my children," the basketball legend said in a statement. "I am taking this action to preserve ownership of my name and my brand." Still, intellectual property experts say it will be an uphill battle for Jordan to claim trademark rights in China. "China requires a high threshold to prove that one is famous," says Lam. "Even if Michael Jordan is a big name today, he still needs to prove that he was already famous in China long before 1997, when Qiaodan Sports first registered the name." Trademark infringements are common and persistent in China, Lam notes. Gucci, Pfizer, Exxon Mobil and Hennessey are just some of the well-known multinational companies fighting long legal battles to protect their trademark. Even Apple, the world's biggest technology company, is embroiled in a trademark lawsuit over the sale of iPads in China, with a Chinese company claiming that it owns the right to use the iPad trademark in mainland China. To be sure, Lin-inspired marketing ideas abound. Jeremy light bulbs? That's been taken.

In New York, merchandise retailers are doing brisk business selling Jeremy Lin's No. 17 jerseys . The New York Knick point guard has himself has filed to trademark "Linsanity" But Lin may not win the trademark in China, where laws favor early applicants . A Chinese retailer has registered Lin's English and Chinese names as trademarks in China .

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A controversial study claims to have found a link between wearing make-up during pregnancy and lower IQ scores in children. Exposure to the highest levels of two phthalate chemicals led to a lowering of IQ scores at age seven by more than six points, US scientists found. The scientists claim the link remained after taking account of known factors that can influence child IQ, such as the mother's intelligence and the quality of the home environment. Scroll down for video . Exposure to the highest levels of two phthalate chemicals, which can be found in lipstick and other cosmetics, led to a lowering of IQ scores at age seven by more than six points, US scientists found . Phthalates are man-made chemicals thought to interfere with the natural hormones that are crucial to overall health. They are found in everything from PVC flooring and shower curtains to car dashboards – and may also be in our food. Tiny particles can enter our systems either through breathing or eating. Researchers in the New York investigated four phthalates and demonstrated an association with two, known as DnBP and DiBP. Both are found in a wide range of consumer products including dryer sheets, vinyl fabrics, lipstick, hairspray, nail polish and some soaps. Children of mothers whose exposure to DnBP and DiBP was in the top 25 per cent had IQ scores 6.6 and 7.6 points lower, respectively, than those of mothers exposed to the lowest concentrations . 'The magnitude of these IQ differences is troubling,' said Professor Robin Whyatt, from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, who took part in the study. 'A six or seven-point decline in IQ may have substantial consequences for academic achievement and occupational potential.' Phthalates are man-made chemicals thought to interfere with the natural hormones that are crucial to overall health. They are found in everything from PVC flooring and shower curtains to car dashboards – and may also be in our food. Tiny particles can enter our systems either through breathing or eating. In make-up, they are used by manufacturers to help dissolve other ingredients into a consistent solution, such as making nail polish less brittle. Previous studies have linked them to diabetes and asthma. They have also been blamed for feminising the brains of baby boys and last year the World Health Organisation warned they have 'serious implications for health. The scientists assessed the pthalate exposure of 328 New York City women and their children, all of whom were from low-income communities. Break down chemicals from the compounds left after they had been processed in the body were measured in urine samples during the last three months of pregnancy. Children of mothers whose exposure to DnBP and DiBP was in the top 25 per cent had IQ scores 6.6 and 7.6 points lower, respectively, than those of mothers exposed to the lowest concentrations. Associations were also seen for specific aspects of IQ, such as perceptual reasoning, working memory and processing speed. None of the women had been exposed to unusual levels of the chemicals, the researchers said, whose findings were reported in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE. Lead author Dr Pam Factor-Litvak, also from Columbia University, said: 'Pregnant women across the United States are exposed to phthalates almost daily, many at levels similar to those that we found were associated with substantial reductions in the IQ of children. 'While there has been some regulation to ban phthalates from toys of young children, there is no legislation governing exposure during pregnancy, which is likely the most sensitive period for brain development. 'Indeed, phthalates are not required to be on product labelling.' The scientists urged pregnant women not to microwave food in plastic containers, to avoid scented products as much as possible, and not to use certain recyclable plastics. In an earlier study, the same researchers found negative associations between exposure to DnBP and DiBP in the womb and children's mental and motor development and behaviour at age three. Earlier this year, the same group found that babies exposed to high levels of phthalates while in the womb are up to 78 per cent more at risk of getting asthma. Dr Whyatt, said: 'These chemicals are very widely used in very high volume and they are not generally listed on labels. 'There are some simple steps families can take. Avoid using plastic containers and as much as you can store your food in glass jars in the fridge.' She also suggested women check their make-up on the internet for phthalates. Phthalates are thought to be ‘endocrine-disrupting chemicals’, or EDCs, capable of interfering with the way our glands produce hormones. The cosmetics industry is particularly sensitive to suggestions that some ingredients might be EDCs. In 2012, the Danish Consumer Council asked manufacturers to stop using 17 EDCs. The makers of 58 brands agreed, but companies behind some of the world’s biggest brands did not, and found their products named and shamed by the council. Last year a World Health Organisation study concluded, to do nothing now was to ignore a vital lesson from the past. We should ‘ban chemicals in order to reduce exposure early, even when there are significant but incomplete data but before there is significant and long-lasting harm’. Not all experts agree — in September, 18 editors of pharmacology and toxicology journals signed a letter saying the EU’s proposals were driven by ‘scientifically unfounded precaution’, defying ‘common sense, well-established science and risk assessment principles’. It has since been revealed that 17 of the 18 editors had worked with the chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, tobacco, pesticide or biotechnology industries. A recent study linked low libido with the additives used to soften plastics which are found in every home . Chemicals found in PVC flooring, plastic shower curtains, processed food and other trappings of modern life may be sapping women's interest in sex. A study in Otober linked low libido with the additives used to soften plastics which are found in every home. Women with the highest levels of phthalates in their bodies were more than twice as likely to say 'not tonight dear' as those with the lowest amounts. The research, presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine's annual conference in Honolulu, suggests phthalates are doing psychological, as well as physical, damage. In the first study of its kind, Dr Emily Barrett, of the University of Rochester School of Medicine in the US, measured levels of phthalates in the urine of 360 pregnant women in their 20s and 30s. She also asked them how often they lost interest in sex in the months leading up to their pregnancy. Those with the most phthalates in their bodies were two and a half times as likely to say they had frequently lacked interest in sex as those with the least. She said: 'It is interesting because these are chemicals that we are all exposed to every day. They are throughout our environment and every person studied showed measurable levels.' However relationship expert Dr Pam Spurr said many factors can influence a woman's libido, including smoking, medication, having a baby or changing jobs. A spokesman for the Chemical Industries Association, which represents manufacturers, said: 'We are not aware of any globally accepted tests which can yet measure the effect chemical exposure may have on libido.'

Controversial study focuses on phthalate chemicals found in make-up . Phthalates are man-made chemicals thought to interfere with hormones . They can be found in everything from cosmetics to shower curtains . US study found exposure to the highest levels of two phthalate chemicals led to a lowering of IQ scores at age seven by more than six points . The scientists claim the link remained after taking account of known factors that can influence child IQ, such as the mother's intelligence . Study only looked at 328 cases, and further studies need to be carried out on larger groups to confirm results .

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By . Daily Mail Reporter, Reuters Reporter and Associated Press . PUBLISHED: . 12:39 EST, 18 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:39 EST, 18 April 2013 . A Bangladeshi man has claimed he was beaten at a New York City Applebee's in retaliation for the Boston Marathon bombings - because of the color of his skin. Abdullah Faruque, 30, says that he was heading out of the restaurant to smoke a cigarette when he noticed a group of Hispanic men who had been at the bar followed him out. They then confronted him. Attack: Abdullah Faruque claims he was beaten outside this Applebee's location in the Bronx after a group of customers asked him if her was 'Arab' He told the New York Post: 'One of the guys asked if I was Arab. I just shook my head, said like, "Yeah, whatever."' Mr Faruque said that when he tried to go back inside Applebee's, one of the men said, 'Yeah, he's a f***ing Arab,' and they attacked, beating him about the head and body. He told the paper that he did not know about the Boston bombings, because he had 'a busy day.' He said he was only beaten for a little over a minute, but he suffered a dislocated shoulder and was nearly knocked unconscious in the attack. He told the Post that he knew he was outnumbered, and just did his best to protect himself. He said it wasn't until he got home when he turned on the TV and learned of the bloodbath in Boston. Bombs: Mr Faruque said he did not know about the Boston bombings that occurred earlier in the day because he had 'a busy day' He told the paper: 'I saw the news, and then it hits me: That's why I got jumped.' The NYPD Hate Crimes unit is reportedly investigating the attack. In Boston, authorities have scoured through video footage and photos of the area near the finish line to establish suspects. Investigators are now seeking at least two men pictured in images taken before two bombs exploded near the finish line of the marathon, law enforcement and national security officials said today. Authorities are examining thousands of pictures taken by surveillance cameras, the media and ordinary citizens around the time the bomb blasts went off and are likely to try to talk to additional people, the officials said. Probe: Authorities are examining surveillance footage and numerous photos taken around the time the bomb blasts went off and are likely to try to talk to additional people, the officials said . Details about the person's appearance have not yet been confirmed by the FBI. The bombs were crudely fashioned from . ordinary kitchen pressure cookers packed with explosives, nails and ball . bearings, investigators and others close to the case said. Investigators suspect the devices were then hidden in black duffel bags . and left on the ground. The blasts killed 8-year-old Martin Richard, of Boston, 29-year-old Krystle Campbell, of Medford, and Lu Lingzi, a Boston University graduate student from China. Boston has remained under a . tight security presence, with scores of National Guard troops gathering . among armored Humvees in the Boston Common.

Abdullah Faruque, 30, claims he was nearly beaten unconscious by a group of Hispanic males at a Bronx, New York Applebee's . He says he didn't know anything about the Boston bombings because he had 'a busy day'

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Urbanised areas are more likely to be hit by frequent thunderstorms than rural areas of the same size, according to a new study. Researchers studied the 'births' of thunderstorms - known as storm initiations - between 1997 and 2013 and found a significant increase in densely populated areas such as Atlanta. And this has been tied to the increased pollution levels and rising temperature in these regions compared to rural areas in the same geographical location. By studying the 'births' of thunderstorms (stock image) - officially known as storm initiations - experts have found they occur more frequently in urbanised areas. This is tied to increased pollution levels and rising temperature in these regions compared to rural areas of the same size in the same goegraphical location . Researchers from Northern Illinois University studied radar data to pinpoint where thunderstorm initiations occurred across the southeast US between 1997 and 2013. They found that urbanised areas such as Atlanta are 5 per cent more likely to be hit by thunderstorms, on a given day, than rural areas of the same size. 'Per year, that amounts to two or three more thunderstorms of the pop-up variety,' explained lead researcher Alex Haberlie. 'These originate over the city or downwind and are separate from large and more easily predicted weather events.' Storms were more likely to hit these urbanised areas during warmer months, in July and August, in the late afternoon and early evening. And the study found more 'births' occurred during the week than at weekends. These findings add further weight to the fact rising temperatures increase the frequency of storms, but also that increased pollution levels in urban areas play a major role. Researchers from Northern Illinois University studied radar data to pinpoint where thunderstorm initiations occurred across the southeast US between 1997 and 2013. They found that urbanised areas such as Atlanta are 5 per cent more likely to be hit by thunderstorms, on a given day, than rural areas of the same size . During the week, more businesses and factories produce emissions than at weekends, for example. Rural areas showed no significant differences between weekdays and weekends. Researchers from Northern Illinois University studied radar data to pinpoint where thunderstorm initiations occurred across the southeast US between 1997 and 2013. They found that urbanised areas such as Atlanta are 5 per cent more likely to be hit by thunderstorms, on a given day, than rural areas of the same size. Storms were more likely to hit these urbanised areas during warmer months, in July and August, in the late afternoon and early evening. And the study found more 'births' occurred during the week than at weekends. These findings add further weight to the fact rising temperatures increase the frequency of storms, but also that increased pollution levels in urban areas play a major role. In addition to pollution, the study said urbanised areas cause more storms because they create 'urban heat-islands'. Concentrations of buildings can increase temperatures causing low pressures to form above cities, compared to high pressures in rural areas. This causes a so-called 'low-level atmospheric convergence', which forces air up into thunderstorms. Buildings may also change the flow and direction of winds, which in turn changes pressure levels and affects the upward movement of air. In addition to pollution, Mr Haberlie said urbanised areas cause more storms because they create 'urban heat-islands'. Concentrations of buildings can increase temperatures causing low pressures to form above cities, compared to high pressures in rural areas. This causes a so-called 'low-level atmospheric convergence', which forces air up into thunderstorms. Buildings may also change the flow and direction of winds, which in turn changes pressure levels and affects the upward movement of air. 'City planners, meteorologists and citizens who live in or near large urban areas should be aware of the increased risk,' Mr Haberlie continued. 'These storms can produce dangerous weather hazards, including lightning, hail, strong winds and flash floods, often with little or no warning.' As air is warmed by the sun and moves closer to the Equator, the air mass near the surface 'absorbs' water through evaporation. The warmer the air mass, the more water it takes up, and as it reaches the Equator, it begins to rise through the atmosphere, eventually cooling as it radiates heat out into space. Cool air typically holds less moisture than warm air, so as the air cools, condensation occurs, and heat is released. When enough heat is released, air begins to rise even further, pulling more air behind it, which ultimately causes a thunderstorm. As a result, many experts predict that global warming will cause the number of thunderstorms to increase and they are often used as indicators of rising temperatures and climate change. Thunderstorms get energy from the heat released by the condensation of water vapour (illustrated). Using climate records, and simulations up to 2098, experts recently said warming will create more precipitation and less circulation. The number of storms will stay the same, but they will become more intense . However, earlier this month a separate study found that instead of increasing in number, storms will increase in intensity as the globe gets warmer - meaning the same number of storms will occur, but they'll be stronger. Researchers from the University of Toronto explained that the Earth's atmosphere needs fuel to work, which in this instance is energy from the sun. As air is warmed by the sun and moves closer to the Equator, the air mass near the surface 'absorbs' water through evaporation. The warmer the air mass, the more water it takes up, and as it reaches the Equator, it begins to rise through the atmosphere, eventually cooling as it radiates heat out into space. Cool air typically holds less moisture than warm air, so as the air cools, condensation occurs, and heat is released. When enough heat is released, air begins to rise even further, pulling more air behind it, which ultimately causes a thunderstorm. The 'output' of this atmospheric engine, and storms, is the amount of heat and moisture that is redistributed between the Equator and the North and South Poles. The physicists said that this is because global warming will directly affect how the atmosphere circulates air mass, heat and water using what's been dubbed 'Earth's heat engine.' Frederic Laliberté and his colleagues from the University of Toronto compared climate records from 1981 to 2012 with climate simulations. This comparison revealed that a third of the atmospheric energy is typically involved with the movement of water through the cycle. But, as a result of climate change, the atmosphere is expected to use more energy during this part of the cycle. This is because the air will be warmer, so will take up more water, which will create more evaporation and precipitation. By using more energy to move the water, less energy is used to circulate the air mass, and an increase in water vapour, put simply, will make the process less efficient. The atmosphere still needs to get rid of the precipitation it collects, but because circulation is affected, it has to do this in fewer, more intense storms. Air masses that are able to reach the top of the atmosphere are strengthened, while those that can't, are weakened.

Researchers studied radar data in the southeast US from 1997 to 2013 . They found that urbanised areas such as Atlanta are 5% more likely to be hit by thunderstorms than rural areas of the same size . Experts said this shows 'human-induced climate change' at the local scale . Storms were significantly common on weekdays compared with weekends . This suggests weekday pollution levels could play a role in storms . Rural areas showed no differences between weekdays and weekends .

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By . Jonathan Petre . and Jo Knowsley . Warning: Michael Gove has been warned that 'dumbed-down' exams featuring celebrities could fatally undermine his attempt to drive up standards . Education Secretary Michael Gove has been warned that ‘dumbed-down’ exams featuring pop stars and comedians could fatally undermine his attempt to drive up standards. Experts said there has been a growing trend to introduce popular culture into exams for 30 years, and last week’s disclosure that one of the country’s biggest exam boards is introducing questions on Russell Brand and Dizzee Rascal in its new English A-level was another example. Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University, said that exam chiefs had been competing to make themselves popular with students since the mid-1980s. But they are ‘short-changing’ pupils because popular culture was ‘shallow and transitory’. A Mail on Sunday survey shows that questions based on popular culture have appeared in exam papers for a number of years, and experts have criticised the Government for failing to take action. Government adviser Chris McGovern said Mr Gove promised to introduce A-levels with more rigour and depth, but ‘a clear direction of travel’ had been revealed in the new English A-level syllabus by the Oxford, Cambridge and RSA (OCR) board. He said: ‘Everything that this Government has fought for in terms of raising educational standards will stand or fall  on the quality of public examinations. ‘The new syllabus for A-level English is one small indicator that, for all the talk  of reform in education, not a great deal is likely to change in the classroom.’ Sheila Lawlor, director of think tank . Politeia, said using ‘celebrity speak’ because boards felt it encouraged . children to engage was a ‘regrettable trend’. Exams: Experts said there has been a growing trend to introduce popular culture into exams for 30 years . Under the . OCR proposals, teenagers will study the delivery style, purpose and . features of ‘celebrity language’ alongside Shakespeare and William . Blake. The . English exam, to be introduced next year, will feature extracts from . Brand’s appearance before the Home Affairs Select Committee when he gave . evidence on drug addiction. Other texts will include Twitter feeds, speeches by the artist Grayson Perry and newspaper columns. It is not uncommon for exam boards to court popularity by asking questions about modish popular culture. Famous faces: Last week’s disclosure that one of the country's biggest exam boards is introducing questions on Russell Brand (left) and Dizzee Rascal (right) in its new English A-level was another example of the trend . Evaluate how the Adidas House Party advert, which featured David Beckham, The Ting Tings, Estelle, Missy Elliott, Katy Perry, Method Man and Run DMC and a track by Pilooski, a remix  of Frankie Valli’s original version of Beggin’ (pupils shown extract), represented young people.(AS-level Media Studies, AQA, 2011) Presenter: One exam question asks A-level students to analyse a transcript of Claudia Winkleman (above) and Danny Leigh discussing the film Spiderhole . Analyse a transcript of the presenter Claudia Winkleman and the film critic Danny Leigh discussing the film Spiderhole on the television show Film 2010. (English Language, AQA, 2012) a) Explain how two soap operas portray religious themes. b) ‘Soap operas are both inaccurate and ineffective in portraying religious themes.’ Assess this view. (Religious Studies, WJEC, 2012) Analyse the distinctive features of American rapper Juvenile’s language in Text C (an interview) and how he conveys his experiences and ideas, eg ‘You know when I was young a lot of cats would make a song… you know what I’m saying? Now you got it to where artists is goin’ out there makin’ money like football players… I ain’t doin’ nuthin… I ain’t causin’ no harm to nobody. She [his mother] widdit, you know what I’m saying?’(English Language, AQA, 2013) Discuss the different representations of men  in computer games, eg Grand Theft Auto and The Sims.(Media Studies, WJEC, 2010) Analyse Text A – an  extract from an article published by The Guardian in which Stephen Fry reviews video cameras. (English Language, AQA, 2011) Analyse a series of text messages (provided, in text speak, not proper English) and explore and explain how technology affects language use.(English, AQA, 2012) A Sixties Social Revolution? British Society 1959-1975. Examine three texts (reporting on the convictions given to Keith Richards and Mick Jagger for drugs in 1967) and explain how  the views of each writer differ.(History, AQA, 2012) Ready to shoot: Another in a Media Studies exam tells pupils to discuss the different representations of men in computer games, such as Grand Theft Auto and The Sims. Above, a still image from Grand Theft Auto V . Pop culture: One question simply states: 'Analyse the text on this Caffè Nero website'. Left, Grand Theft Auto V . Analyse Text B, from an interview with Tom Daley, aged 15, broadcast a week after he won the Diving World Championship. ‘Um yes you do actually especially when you’re learning new dives when you go up there and…  when you start off you think you don’t know how it’s going to go if you’ve never done it before you have no idea how it’s gonna land so you do get quite scared and also in competition it’s quite scary  looking down off the board in competition thinking am I going to embarrass myself or am I going to do  a good dive so so yeah.’ (AS-level English Language, AQA, 2012) Analyse the text on this Caffè Nero website.(English Language, AQA, 2013) TV show: One episode of The Simpsons made an appearance in an AS-level Media Studies exam in 2012 . Compare how information and attitudes about food and cooking  are conveyed by the speakers in two texts – A is a transcript of two women talking about cooking; B is an extract from a Mail Online interview with Raymond Blanc.(English and English Literature, AQA, 2012) What features of the title sequence for The Simpsons episode MoneyBART made it so popular on YouTube? (AS-level Media Studies, AQA, 2012) Discuss the ways in which the Doctor Who extract constructs the representation of gender using the following: camera shots, editing and sound.(AS-level Media Studies, OCR, 2009) Test subjects: The drug convictions of Rolling Stones members Keith Richards and Mick Jagger (left) in 1967 have been mentioned in an exam paper, while Kerrang magazine (right) is cited in one Media Studies exam . Analyse, discuss and compare the spoken language of Alan Titchmarsh (as he interviews Prime Minister David Cameron) and Woman’s Hour presenter Jane Garvey and her interview with Gordon Brown.(English Language, WJEC, 2011) Analyse and explore the language in texts  from Gordon Brown to  the House of Commons  (2010) and golfer Tiger  Woods as he acknowledges  his infidelity to wife Elin for  the first time. (English Language, WJEC, 2011) How is the representation of masculinity in Kerrang magazine constructed to appeal to the audience?(Media Studies, AQA, 2013) Singer: One GCSE exam paper asks students about their understanding of Amy Winehouse's schooldays from her biography, written by her father . Identify two different storylines in Downton Abbey (pupils shown extract). (WJEC, 2013) Identify two different characters from the BBC TV series Merlin (pupils shown extract) (WJEC, 2013) Identify two features of the music video  for Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ Empire State Of Mind (pupils shown extract) (WJEC, 2011) What do you understand about Amy Winehouse’s schooldays from the extract? (from Mitch Winehouse’s biography of his daughter, where he describes her schooldays). (English Language, AQA, 2013) Social networking sites are popular.  Why do you think this is? (AQA, 2012) Explore how either men or women are represented in science fiction films.(WJEC, 2011) What do you understand about the difficulties Ben Fogle and his colleague  James Cracknell went through before undertaking a race across Antarctica?  (using extract from Race To The Pole). (English, AQA, 2013) Study advertising copy for  McDonald’s Big Mac.(English Language, 1992) List four things you learn about  Prince Harry from the article (on his  Arctic expedition). (English, AQA, 2013)

Education Secretary Michael Gove warned about 'dumbed-down' exams . Experts say they may fatally undermine his attempt to drive up standards . Claim popular culture is being increasingly introduced into exam papers . UK exam board to include questions on Russell Brand and Dizzee Rascal . Teenagers may study style of 'celebrity language' alongside Shakespeare . MoS survey reveals such questions have appeared in exams for years .

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An Austrian girl has said she feels she 'can really be free' among the radicals of the so-called Islamic State, six months after leaving her her parents with a note saying she would die for Allah. Asked about the routine of life in IS stronghold Raqqa, Sabina Selimovic, 15, said: 'I like to eat. The food here is very similar to Austria even if it's mainly halal food. 'But you can get ketchup here, Nutella and cornflakes.' Scroll down for video . A picture believed to show Sabina Selimovic, 15, with jihadi fighters in Syria: An interview given by the Austrian teenager saying how she feels 'she can really be free' among the extremists may have been given at gunpoint . Don't look for us. We will serve Allah – and we will die for him': Samra Kesinovic, 17, left, and Sabina, right, left the Austrian capital in April leaving a note for their parents explaining they had gone to join the jihad in Syria . Austrian anti-terror agents believe the interview given by Sabina, who is now married to a jihadi fighter, was probably carried out at gunpoint. Weeks earlier friends and family of Sabina said she had told them in online conversations she regretted leaving Vienna for Syria and wanted to come home. Sabina and her friend Samra Kesinovic, 17, left the Austrian capital in April, leaving a note telling their parents they had gone to fight in Syria. They come from Bosnian refugee families who settled in Austria after the former Yugoslavia collapsed into ethnic warfare in the 1990. Born in Austria, it is believed they radicalised through a local mosque. But the later claim Sabina wanted to leave and come back to Austria had reportedly infuriated ISIS leaders, who are waging a constant propaganda war to attract new recruits. Anti-terrorism police in the girls' homeland said it is almost certain she would have been ordered to publicly disavow what she had said. It is believed both Samra and Sabina married IS fighters soon after arriving in Syria. The two couples initially lived in the same room but the 15-year-old has reportedly now moved out to a different flat. Speaking by SMS messages to French weekly Paris Match, Sabina denied claims she was pregnant and insisted she was enjoying life in Syria, where she felt free to practise her religion in a way that she did not in Austria. The magazine did manage to confirm the teenager had only been allowed to speak to them with the permission of her husband, who was in the room as she wrote her answers. She said after arriving to Turkey from Austria they crossed over the border into Syria on foot. They ended up in the city of Raqqa, she said, after arriving in the country with nothing other than the clothes they were wearing. Sabina said her husband was a soldier and added: 'Here I can really be free. I can practice my religion. I couldn't do that in Vienna.' Jihadi brides: The two girls in their new life in a pic they posted online . Looking over the Euphrates: Sabina said she and Samra had ended up in the Islamic State stronghold Raqqa . Radical chic: Sabina and Samra could be prosecuted if they do ever manage to return to Austria . In Vienna, experts who studied the transcript of Sabina's interview said it was almost certain she had been forced to speak to the magazine by her husband, who was a fighter in the ISIS-terrorist militia. The experts, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the story which went all round the world about the pair wanting to leave had done a lot of damage to the ISIS campaign. It was clear they were trying to put that right, the experts said. Sabina and Samra could be prosecuted if they do ever manage to return to Austria. Austrian police who are looking into the circumstances of the girl's disappearance have also compiled a dossier about the girls' links with terrorist groups. Before leaving the country Sabina and Samra had started lecturing schoolmates in Vienna about their lifestyle and were suspected behind a vandalism attack on their school calling for jihad. When they disappeared, their parents found notes in their bedrooms saying 'Don't look for us. We will serve Allah – and we will die for him'.

Sabina Selimovic spoke via text message to Paris Match magazine . Austrian anti-terror agents believe she spoke under duress . She and Samra Kesinovic ran away to join Islamic State in April .

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British Muslims are being urged to wear a new ‘Poppy Hijab’ – as a challenge to extremist groups who ‘spout hatred’ about the Armed Forces. The scarf is backed by mainstream Muslim groups including the Islamic Society of Britain and profits from its sale will be donated to the Poppy Appeal. The scarf, which costs £22, will be launched tomorrow to mark 100 years since the first Muslim soldier was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery during the WW1. Ella Abubaker Farooq, 24 (left), Rukea Azougaye, 25 and Taslima Chowdhury, 21 (right) from London show off the new 'Poppy Hijab' in several styles . Khudadad Khan, a machine gunner in an Indian colonial regiment, fought on the Western front during WW1 in support of the British Expeditionary Force. Sughra Ahmed, President of the Islamic Society of Great Britain, said she wanted to take attention away from the ‘angry minority’ of extremists who spout hatred. Three years ago, a group calling itself ‘Muslims Against Crusades’ sparked outrage when it burned a poppy on Remembrance Sunday . Ms Ahmed said: ‘Thousands of British Muslims already wear a poppy in November. This is just another way for them to show they remember those who gave their lives for their country. ‘It’s also a way for ordinary Muslim citizens to take some attention away from extremists who seem to grab the headlines. ‘This symbol of quiet remembrance is the face of everyday British Islam – not the angry minority who spout hatred and offend everyone. ‘We’re launching this today as it’s exactly 100 years since the first Muslim soldier was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery – Khudadad Khan from Pakistan, who was fighting for Britain on the Western Front in the First World War.’ Sughra Ahmed, President of the Islamic Society of Great Britain, said he wanted to divert attention from an 'angry minority' of extremists who in the past have burned poppies on Remembrance Sunday (pictured) Khan was a member of the 129th Baluchis regiment fighting near in Belgium. On 31st October, 1914, at Hollebeke, Sepoy Khudadad carried on firing the gun on his own, after the five other men of his gun detachment were killed. Despite having been wounded, he fought on long enough to hold off an enemy advance until Indian and British reinforcements arrived. He was awarded the highest military award for gallantry by King George V in December that year. More than 400,000 Muslim soldiers fought for Britain in World War 1. Think tank British Future is promoting the scarf as part of efforts to remind the public about the role of Commonwealth soldiers in British military history. Sunder Katwala, the British Future’s Director of Integration said: ‘Remembrance brings Britain together each November - and has a special resonance as we all mark the centenary of the First World War. ‘The armies that fought a century ago look more like the Britain of 2014 than that of 1914. Yet few people realise that 400,000 Muslims fought for Britain in the First World War. ‘Many British Muslims won’t know this, while most Britons are surprised at the scale of the Muslim contribution to the Commonwealth effort.’ The scarf was designed by a Muslim fashion designer, Tabinda-Kauser Ishaq, a 24-year-old student at the University of the Arts in London. She said: ‘I hope the poppy headscarf gives Muslim women a new way to mark Remembrance Day and to help raise money for the Poppy Appeal. It’s a simple way to say you’re proudly British and proudly Muslim.’

£22 headscarf is backed by Muslim groups as a symbol for remembrance . Launched tomorrow to mark 100 years since the first Muslim soldier was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery during World War One . Designer said it was a way to say 'you're proudly British and Muslim' Aims to divert attention away from a minority of extremists who have burned poppies on Remembrance Sunday .

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By . Associated Press Reporter . Officials say the search for a prominent outdoors writer on Mount Rainier was suspended after a woman's body was found, but the remains weren't immediately identified, officials said. Mount Rainier National Park spokeswoman Patti Wold said that the body was recovered about 3 p.m. PDT in the general area where teams had been searching for 70-year-old Karen Sykes. She said that the woman's body was found off the trail near Boundary Creek in rough, steep terrain - an area difficult to access and not commonly traveled. There was no immediate word on the cause of death, and Wold said the medical examiner would determine the woman's identity. Park officials had announced earlier in the day that the search had been suspended but did not elaborate. Missing: Crews continue to search Mount Rainier National Park for Seattle hiker Karen Sykes, who was reported missing late Wednesday . Sykes hasn't been seen since she separated from her hiking partner on Wednesday. She was reportedly working on a story when she and her partner encountered snow about 5,000 feet. Her partner stayed as she went on, with the idea that they'd reconvene, but she never turned up. The partner, who made it safely back to the trailhead, reported her missing at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. Six ground crews, including two dog teams, combed an expanded search area near the Owyhigh Lakes Trail on Rainier's east side Saturday. Rescuers also searched by air. Sykes, had adequate survival gear to camp overnight in an emergency, Wold said. Her friends had hoped that searchers would find her safely sheltered. Safety concerns for Sykes and search crews included snow bridges, tree wells and steep, wet, slippery terrain, Wold said. A searcher was hurt Thursday when he punched through a snow bridge and was airlifted out of the search area. Sykes is well-known in the Northwest hiking community and has written numerous hiking stories for online publications and newspapers. She is also a photographer and has authored a book about hikes in western Washington. Her disappearance comes weeks after six climbers are believed to have fallen to their deaths while attempting to climb a challenging route to the summit of the 14,410-foot peak southeast of Seattle. Karen Sykes (left), an experienced hiker and writer, had adequate survival gear to camp overnight in the event of an emergency, officials said. She was working on a story when she went missing . Crews scoured the Owyhigh Lakes area of Mount Rainer hoping to find Sykes. They focused on the length of the eight-mile trail on Thursday. Six ground crews combed an expanded search area near the Owyhigh Lakes Trail on Saturday. Rescuers also searched by air . Lola Kemp, a close friend who planned to hike with Sykes this weekend, said in an email Friday that she was anxious but still hopeful that searchers will find Sykes, safely sheltered somewhere. 'She is the guru of trails,' said Kemp, adding that Sykes hikes at least twice a week and has a background in climbing and scrambling. 'I find it difficult to imagine that she would get lost. I think it's more likely she's injured and waiting, perhaps impatiently, to be rescued.' Greg Johnston, a former outdoors writer for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, said Sykes was an avid, strong hiker who knew the mountain extremely well. 'She's the last person anyone would expect to get lost, particularly on Mount Rainier,' said Johnston, who recruited Sykes to write a weekly hiking feature for that newspaper, which ran for more than a decade. 'If anybody can survive it, it's her. She's really tough and really savvy.' Mount Rainier, a dormant volcano located near Seattle, spawns six major rivers and is a well-known hiking destination . Search teams were scouring steep, rugged terrain in the Owyhigh Lakes area for a second day Friday. They were focused along the length of the 8-mile Owyhigh Lakes Trail. In a separate search, an injured climber was airlifted Thursday off Double Peak after crews responded to a spot-locator beacon.

A woman's body was found on Mount Rainer Sunday in the general area where teams had been searching for 70-year-old Karen Sykes . The body has not been identified and was found off the trail near Boundary Creek in rough, steep terrain . Park officials had announced earlier in the day that the search had been suspended but did not say why . Sykes is well-known in the Northwest . hiking community and has written numerous hiking stories for online . publications and newspapers .

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More issues in Ferguson: Former Ferguson, Missouri correctional officer Jaris Hayden is accused in a criminal suit of having sex with a pregnant inmate and then setting her free. In a separate civil suit, the inmate says she was raped by Hayden . A former Ferguson corrections officer faces felony charges and a lawsuit for allegedly having sex with a pregnant inmate and allowing her to escape, a case that comes as the St. Louis suburb's police force is already under scrutiny following the shooting death of Michael Brown. Jaris Hayden, 29, will be arraigned December 3 on charges of acceding to corruption by a public servant, permitting escape and two counts of sexual contact with a prisoner. His attorney, Scott Rosenblum, said Hayden posted $10,000 bond and intends to plead not guilty. The incident allegedly happened October 9, 2013. Hayden was indicted by a grand jury earlier this month, and the woman filed her lawsuit against Hayden on Friday in federal court. In her suit, the woman identified as J.W. alleges the misconduct began as soon as she got to the jail, when she was booked by Hayden and he told her 'You smell good' and said 'this will teach you a lesson.' According to the woman's lawsuit, she was taken to jail for driving with expired license plates and giving the officer a false name. The suit said her boyfriend had already posted $200 bond when Hayden took her to a boiler room at the jail and forced her to have sex. But while still in the cell, J.W. says she told Hayden she'd 'do anything to go home,' but that she did not mean sex notes Buzzfeed. Nonetheless, J.W. says Hayden took her downstairs and told her to perform oral sex on him, which she did. The suit says they then had vaginal intercourse. Afterwards, Hayden allegedly set her free out a side door. A pubic hair J.W. says she took from the scene has since tested positive as Hayden's. Ferguson City Attorney Stephanie Karr said in a statement that after the city learned of the complaint against Hayden, it began its own investigation that led to his firing on Nov. 19, 2013. He had worked for the city for 18 months. Karr said city officials and employees cooperated with federal authorities in the investigation. Shocking: The alleged incident occurred at the Ferguson City Jail, where a plaintiff named only as J.W. says she was raped in the boiler room before being let out a side door . The Associated Press generally does not identify alleged victims of sexual assault. The woman was only identified by her initials in the lawsuit. Bevis Schock, the woman's attorney, said the case raises renewed concerns in Ferguson. 'The numerous acts of violence against the citizenry by law enforcement of the City of Ferguson constitute a pattern,' Schock said in the lawsuit. The criminal case is different than the lawsuit in that it alleges that Hayden accepted the woman's offer to perform sex acts in exchange for allowing her to escape. Schock said the woman was raped and there was no such agreement. The suit said the woman was several months pregnant. Ferguson has been the site of protests since the 18-year-old Brown, who was unarmed, was fatally shot by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9. A grand jury is expected to decide this month whether to charge Wilson. Ed Magee, spokesman for St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch, said the Wilson grand jury is not the same one that indicted Hayden. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard in advance the grand jury decision about whether Darren Wilson (left) will be charged in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown (right) A St. Louis County town that neighbors Ferguson, Missouri, is warning residents to prepare for potential unrest that may follow the grand jury announcement in the Michael Brown case. Berkeley officials passed out flyers this week urging its 9,000 residents to be prepared just as they would in the event of a major storm, with plenty of food, water and medicine on hand in case they're unable to leave home for several days. The flyer says Lambert Airport will be protected by the National Guard, but airport spokesman Jeff Lea says that's wrong. Lea says the airport will continue to be protected by its own security force. Brown was killed Aug. 9 by Ferguson Officer Darren Wilson. A grand jury is expected to decide this month whether to charge Wilson. A suburban St. Louis school district says schools will get early notice once the Ferguson grand jury reaches a decision. A letter on the Hazelwood School District's site from Superintendent Grayling Tobias says the St. Louis County prosecutor's office will alert districts 24 hours before the media if the decision is on a weekend. If it's a weekday, Tobias says districts will learn three hours before media, so students can be sent home before potential protests. District spokesman Jack Wang says districts won't be told what the decision is.

Jaris Hayden, 29, will be arraigned December 3 on criminal charges he had sex with an inmate then let her go . That woman has filed a civil suit alleging the sex was forced . The suits reveal the woman was several months pregnant during the October 9 incident .

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As the first day of school for the year edges nearer, a teacher and education expert has revealed his top tips for parents who want to make the transition from holidays to day one more bearable for everyone. Ciaran Smyth from yourtutor.com.au told Daily Mail Australia that a routine, an appropriate place to study and the occasional surprise note in a lunch box, can make all the difference to a new start. 'Talk to your child about routines and then get them into one as soon as possible. The best way for a student to adapt is to have a routine,' Mr Smyth said. Scroll down for video . Teacher and education expert Ciaran Smyth, has revealed his top tips for making the transition from holidays to day one of school more bearable . For high school students, he recommends creating a routine, picking a perfect study space and the occasional positive note in the lunch-box . 'I recommend encouraging your teen to spend the first 30 minutes to an hour after they arrive home from school doing something they enjoy – be it sport, video games, the gym or TV. This allows them to relax and disconnect from school. Then, spend a solid hour or two on homework or study before dinner.' High School . Kindergarten . Mr Smyth also suggested that parents buy the tools their children would need for school as early as possible to encourage organisation, but also allow them to pick certain details where possible to make them feel like they have a choice in their experience. 'Prepare resources in advance and contact the school to find out what you need,' he said. 'You can make the return exciting by letting them pick their own things like contact for their books or certain pens and pencils. 'If they've got a backpack and they want to decorate it- I remember I used to get a felt-tip pen and draw all over my bag - if that's what they need to do to personalise their stuff, let them do that to personalise their experience.' Finding the perfect study space that has plenty of natural light and isn't isolated from the rest of the house can ensure that study time is not torture for teens. A room with easy access to snacks and water, but free of television and computer screens is perfect according to Mr Smyth, who recommends mixing things up by using the kitchen bench (where parents are usually available to answer any questions) or even the balcony or backyard during good weather. 'Despite what most people believe, your home's traditional study room is not the best space for your child to complete their school work,' Mr Smyth said. He also recommends taking advantage of extra learning resources like local libraries and school tutoring groups as well as encouraging children to join social clubs or sports groups to make friends that can be a great source of support during stressful academic periods. He warned parents of new kindergarten pupils to make their goodbyes quick and unemotional and label everything . Pictured here with his own son Matthew, who starts school next year, Mr Smyth said: 'The number of parents who drop of their kids and go to the car for a quick cry is immense, but try not to cry at the gate because your kids will get upset as well' If it's their first day at a new school or even just the beginning of high school, Mr Smyth said that parents should never underestimate the old fashioned note in a lunch-box. 'You'll perk up their day and if they need it, it's there for them,' he said. Parents of new students avoid taking their 'first day' photos at the school to avoid nervousness . For parents who will see their toddlers take on their first ever day at school, Mr Smyth suggested that rather than clinging to their child and saying goodbye in four different ways, parents should opt for a quick and unemotional farewell. 'The best way is to make a fuss free exit, simply drop your child off, say a quick hello to the teacher and some of the students and make your getaway,' he said. 'Bring a bag of tissues, but not for the student. The amount of parents who drop of their kids and go to the car for a quick cry is immense, but try not to cry at the gate because your kids will get upset as well. 'I also recommend not sitting outside the school afterwards for 'just in case' reasons; if you're needed, the teachers will call'. First-day photographs should be taken at home according to Mr Smyth who says that: 'although it can be super cute to get photos of your child in their classroom (and on the school oval, in front of the school sign and with the teacher, head teacher and principal), it can often distract other children, draw unwanted attention to your own child and make them even more nervous about their big first day.' His final piece of advice for parents of new students is to label everything, from lunch-boxes to underpants and even show and tell items. 'Unless you're happy to fork out for a new school wardrobe every week, you should write your child's name of every item they take with them,' Mr Smyth said.

Teacher and education expert Ciaran Smyth, has revealed his top tips for making the transition from holidays to education more bearable . For high school students, he recommends creating a routine, picking a perfect study space and the occasional positive note in the lunch box . He warned parents of new kindergarten pupils to make their goodbyes quick and unemotional and label everything .

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Stoke City have made an official complaint to the BBC after John Hartson said Victor Moses ‘cheated’ to win a penalty during Swansea’s defeat at the Britannia. The club are furious at the language used by Hartson, the former Wales striker, when assessing the encounter on Match of the Day 2 on Sunday night. Peter Coates, the Stoke chairman, branded Hartson’s comments ‘disgraceful’ and insisted Moses’s fall following contact from Angel Rangel warranted a spot-kick. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Garry Monk say Victor Moses should be ashamed of himself . Angel Rangel challenges Victor Moses at the Britannia Stadium to concede a penalty . Moses went over in the box as Stoke were awarded a penalty which Charlie Adam converted . Garry Monk, the Swansea manager, is expected to be charged by the FA on Tuesday for his enraged post-match statements and criticism of official Michael Oliver. ‘For John Hartson and Garry Monk to call Moses a cheat is disgraceful,’ said Coates. ‘He didn’t cheat, he’s not a cheat and we firmly believe those comments crossed the line. ‘I thought Mark Hughes dealt with the matter well after the game but when Hartson made his comments on the Sunday night we couldn’t let it go. ‘I’ve never heard such a more one-sided view from a pundit and there was a total lack of objectivity. Hartson is a big fan of Swansea and their manager and it showed. ‘We’ve made a complaint and we’ll have to see if we get any feedback from them. We’ve also asked the FA to keep us informed. There comes a time when you have to take a stand.’ John Hartson (right) said Moses had cheated and Stoke have now complained to the BBC .

Victor Moses won a penalty for Stoke during their win over Swansea . BBC pundit John Hartson alleged that Moses 'cheated' to win the spot kick . Stoke have now made an official complaint to the BBC . Swansea boss Garry Monk is expected to be charged by the FA . Monk was highly critical of referee Michael Oliver's performance .

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By . Chris Pleasance . There are plenty of good moments to catch some extra sleep while on your way to work in the morning, but perhaps while falling out of your seat isn't one of them. However, stunned commuters on the Underground in London watched an exhausted worker doing exactly that. Passengers on the central line filmed the man as he snoozed away with his arms folded across his chest, seemingly unaware that he was halfway to the floor. As the train carriage sways along the Tube tunnel, the man wobbles from side to side but amazingly manages to stay upright. In true Underground style, nobody dares look at the man, and instead awkwardly look away as he sleeps with his legs in the isle. One dozy commuter has been filmed falling off his seat while taking a nap on the Tube in London . In true Underground style, other commuters avoided looking at the man as he slept peacefully . Despite the carriage swaying, the man slept on, seemingly unaware he was just inches from falling off his chair .

Unidentified man filmed sleeping on London Underground . Was caught snoozing halfway out of his chair on central line . Manged to stay poised in mid-air despite swaying carriage .

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By . Alexandra Klausner . PUBLISHED: . 02:14 EST, 14 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 07:15 EST, 14 December 2013 . Firefighters have not yet found what caused the tragic house fire in Orrick, Missouri that killed two small boys after their mother left them alone in the house while their father was sleeping. Roger Garrison, 3, and his brother Ashton Garrison, only 21-months, were trapped inside of their burning home just 35 miles Northeast of Kansas City. Randy Garrison awoke to hear his sons screaming at 11:30 am and the boys mother, Tammy Willis, was not home, he told Fox 4. A house in Orrick, Missouri burned to the ground on Tuesday killing two young children and injuring their father . Ashton Garrison was only 21-months when he died on Tuesday in a tragic fire of which the cause is still unknown . Roger Garrison,3, also died in the fire and was coincidentally named after his father's brother who died in a fire years ago . Garrison arrived home from work on Tuesday at 6 a.m. after working a 24-hour shift and went directly to bed. He saw the boys mother asleep with them on the couch. 'I Woke up hearing them screaming at the top of their lungs,' he said. 'Flames in my bedroom and flames in the hallway, flames through the whole house.' When Garrison smelled smoke he tried to burst through his bedroom hall and when he couldn't he ran into the hallway and tripped. Something may have been holding the door to his children's bedroom shut. 'I fell over a bungee cord or something that was holding their bedroom door shut,' he said. 'I ran out the back door around to the front, started ripping the sheeting off the house and trying to punch through that way and I couldn’t.' The Ray County Sheriffs Office asked for help from the patrol's drug and crime unit to investigate the case. They could not say whether or not something had been holding the door shut. Tammy Willis (left) and Randy Garrison(right) were not married but had two children together and lived together for the sake of their children . The home that burned down on Tuesday is entirely decimated and the cause of the fire in still unknown . Tammy's mother Marjorie Long claims that her daughter (right) pictured with her son Ashton, loved her children and would 'starve for them' Garrison was hospitalized for burns and blisters and was never able to make it through the fire to save his boys. Garrison claims he didn't know that the boy's mother was leaving. The couple were not married but lived together for the sake of the children. 'The mother was in the house whenever I went to sleep this morning,' he said. 'And I woke up to her not being here, but my kids were here. You’d think a parent would either wake up another adult in the house or take the kids with her.' Willis' mother Marjorie Long claims that the daughter woke Garrison. Long told Fox 4 that her daughter is in the hospital on heavy medication and deeply mourns the loss of her children. 'She was quite clearly upset,'  Long said to KCTV. 'Several of the . firemen, police were holding her back because she was wanting to run . into the still burning remains of the house to get them,' she continued. Randy Garrison (right) picture with his two children is absolutely devastated that he was unable to save them from the flames . Even though Ashton's (pictured) and Roger's parents have identified their bodies, police are still running DNA to confirm the children's identities . The cause of death remains a mystery and so does the cause of the fire but Garrison thinks arson may have been involved in the death of his two sons . 'She is very loving, very caring. She puts her kids before anything else,' Long said. 'She would starve herself to make sure that the kids had food, to go without things she needed to make sure that they got what they needed,' Long continued. Long told reporters that their daughter is bi-polar. Garrison told reporters that his children were very important to him. 'They were my rock, everything I had in life,' Garrison said. 'The only reason I woke up everyday was for my boys.' 'What would go through your mind after hearing your kids scream bloody murder and basically watching them die in front of you?' he asked KCTV5. Investigators don't know what started the fire but Garrison told reporters, 'I'm still wondering if it's not arson.' Coincidentally, Garrison named one of . his sons Roger after his brother who died in a fire a few years ago. Mail Online spoke with Sgt. Collin Stosberg, a spokesperson for the Highway Patrol, who said that the case is still under investigation. Even though the parents have identified their children, officials will need to identify the boys DNA to confirm their identities. They are not releasing more information at this time but will issue a statement once they know more about the cause of the fire and the cause of death.

Roger Garrison, 3, and his brother Ashton Garrison, 21 months, died in a house fire on Tuesday while their farther Randy Garrison was sleeping and their mother was nowhere to be found . The boys' mother is currently in the hospital on heavy medication but told her mother Marjorie Long that she woke the children's father before leaving the house . Firefighters and investigators still do not know the cause of fire and even though the children's parents have identified the bodies, investigators will perform DNA testing . Garrison says that he tried to get to his children's bedroom but that the door seemed to be propped shut with bungee cord . 'I'm still wondering if it's not arson,' Garrison told Kmbc.com . Officers held Tammy back as she tried to go through the charred remains to find her dead children .

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He hasn't had the easiest year defending his economic record and actions on immigration. And a playful appearance on The Colbert Report brought no light relief for President Obama. Amid jokes about his approval ratings and big ears, he could not escape a grilling about his move to protect five million immigrants from deportation without Congress approval. Host Stephen Colbert, who is known for scolding his interviewees, accused Obama of exceeding his authority with his executive order. 'When did you decide to burn the Constitution and become emperor?' he asked. Scroll down for video . Playful appearance: President Obama told Stephen Colbert his family tease him about his big ears and suits . The question was heard as a joke by many in the audience at George Washington University. But to Obama's critics, the question had a ring of truth. Obama dropped the comedy and replied: 'Actually, Steve, everything that we have done is scrupulously within the law and has been done by previous Democratic and Republican presidents.' The tongue-in-cheek question came at the close of a playful interview, in which the President revealed his family make sure power doesn't go to his head. His daughters mock his big ears and his stuffy suits, and he leaves his socks on the floor, he told Colbert. In fact, he said, he feels much more important sitting behind the revered chat show host's desk. 'When I go home, Michelle, Malia and Sasha give me a hard time. There are no trumpets, and they tease me mercilessly.' His comments came on the special DC edition of the show. Colbert also addressed his delayed decision on the Keystone XL oil pipeline, chiding that it should run into Mexico and around the world. Skit: Posing as Colbert, the President joked about his poor approval ratings and lack of support for Obamacare . Regular: It is Obama's third appearance on the show - his second since taking office in 2009 . Moving on: The show, filmed in Washington, DC, was one of Colbert's last as he prepares to move to CBS . It was Obama's third appearance on the show, his second as president, and marked the beginning of the final two weeks for the Comedy Central show. Colbert will take over for David Letterman on CBS' 'Late Show' next year. Obama kicked off the show sitting in for Colbert to perform a regular feature of the program called 'the Word' wherein Colbert's rants are accompanied by snarky messages to the audience. So when Obama, as Colbert, declared that there are aspects of 'Obamacare' that people from both parties actually like, the text aside to the audience read: 'Everything but the Obama.' Later, Colbert observed that the economy had been creating more jobs of late. 'Emperor': The pair laughed about Obama's used of an executive order to protect immigrants from deportation . Debate: Colbert, who is known for scolding his interviewees, gave his views on the Keystone pipeline . 'You have employed a lot of people - mostly as secretary of defense,' Colbert cracked in a reference to Obama recently nominating his fourth top civilian at the Pentagon. 'That's boosted our numbers a little bit,' Obama replied. As he wrapped up, Colbert had one last question: 'Barack Obama - great president or the greatest president?' 'I'm going to let someone else decide - not you, but someone who knows what they're talking about,' the president replied. Colbert countered: 'Stephen Colbert - great pundit or the greatest pundit?' Obama didn't miss a beat: 'The greatest pundit.'

President Obama appeared on one of Stephen Colbert's last shows . He joked about his poor approval ratings and low support for Obamacare . Said his daughters and wife tease him about big ears and suits .

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As the popular ITV drama Downton Abbey is set in an era before make-up was commonplace, the ladies of the manor have to showcase a natural look. But with the glare of the on-set lights and the need to look fresh and glamorous at all times, the stars of course wear cosmetics. Now Laura Carmichael, 28, who plays Lady Edith, has revealed the tricks of the trade that are used by the show's make-up artist Magi Vaughan. Scroll down for video . Twenties-inspired: Lisa Eldridge gives actress Laura Carmichael a natural make-over, left, recreating her style from Downton Abbey series three, right . Laura shares the secrets with make-up artist Lisa Eldridge as she recreates her natural look from series three. In a video tutorial using Laura as her model, Lisa uses products widely available to buy so people without their own professorial make-up artist can get the look at home. Lisa said she wanted to recreate Lady Edith's natural style because she's 'a big fan of the show and I have made up lots of the female cast for cover shoots and red carpet events'. Downtown Abbey series three was set in 1920-21, an era when most women didn't wear make-up. Laura said: 'We were always asking for a bit more lip or blush in the make-up chair but we're not allowed. It would just look wrong.' Lisa explains: 'Women in the early 20s didn't wear make-up and it was associated with actresses and women of ill-repute.' Get the look: On the set of Downton, an air brush is used but Lisa uses make-up brushes . As a result, the Downton Abbey actresses needed to have a realistic, natural look (although in the current series set later in the twenties they can wear more make-up as it was beginning to catch on). To achieve natural look, Magi used an air brush - where make-up is sprayed on instead of applied using brushes and sponges. Laura said of getting air brushed in the make-up chair every day: 'You do get used to it but it's weird to begin with and the guys find it hilarious. But you can do a lot with it in terms of shading.' Lisa chose not to use an air brush, opting instead to use L'Oreal Infallible Foundation, applied with a make-up brush so people can more easily copy her. She also uses Laura Mercier SC1 Secret Camouflage concealer and Chanel loose powder. Lisa then applies Daniel Sandler's Water Colour Blush Cherub to Laura's cheeks. Subtle effect: Lipstick Queen Medieval is used to stain the lips . She explains: 'It's important for this look to be rosy, pretty but natural and healthy looking. Women at the time would have pinched their cheeks to create that rosy glow without make up.' For the eyes, Lisa then uses Stila In The Know Eyeshadow Palette 'rain' shade, using a brush to avoid lines, then adds the darker 'driftwood' shade along the lower and upper lash line. She defines Laura's eyebrows with Rimmel Brow This Way powder then curls her eye lashes. Laura reveals that on the show, they are often not allowed to wear mascara so instead they tint their eyelashes. When they do wear mascara for a special occasion, it's brown or clear. The true natural look: Lisa before the make-over . Voila! The actress was happy with the result . Lisa replicates this by using Chanel brown mascara then little bit of clear mascara. Finally to finish the look, Lisa adds Lipstick Queen Medieval. She explains how this gives a 'subtle berry effect like you've just eaten, so it's a natural stain.' She then uses a No7 nude lip pencil to add definition to the lip line - another trick used on the Downton set. Unveiling Laura's make-over, the actress says she's pleased with the result. 'It's perfect, natural but pretty. I love the lip colour,' she said.

Make-up wasn't worn excessively in the Twenties . So Downton Abbey actresses must have a natural look . Laura Carmichael who plays Lady Edith reveals how this is achieved . She shares secrets with make-up artist Lisa Eldridge . Lisa recreates the look using her own tricks of the trade . Reveals how to do it at home with video tutorial .

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Ted Cruz, the rock-ribbed conservative Texas senator who figures to be a factor in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, told thousands of conservatives Thursday morning that the IRS should go the way of the dodo. 'We need to abolish the IRS,' he said, calling instead for a flat income tax rate and a user-friendly tax return that can be filed on a postcard. That verbal gauntlet, thrown as much at a near-century of tax collection as at the Obama administration, was Cruz's biggest applause line. 'By virtue of your being here today,' he jokingly cautioned the nation's largest annual gathering of politically conservative activists, 'tomorrow each and every one of you is going to be audited by the IRS.' On Wednesday the former IRS official in charge of vetting nonprofit groups that seek tax-exempt charitable status refused, for the second time, to tell a congressional committee what she knew about the scandal. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Sen. Ted Cruz, the conservative pit bull who will likely run for president in 2016, demanded the abolition of the Internal Revenue Service on Thursday . Fear of government is a unifying concept at CPAC, wth Ted Cruz leading the charge to de-fang Washington's ability to use the tax code as a weapon . Lois Lerner claimed the Constitution's Fifth Amendment afforded the right to remain silent, despite a party-line ruling from the House Oversight Committee that she waived that privilege by offering a lengthy opening statement in a May 2013 hearing. More than 200 right-wing organizations, mostly those linked to the tea party movement, sat in limbo for as many as three years while the IRS dithered and held them up during two election cycles. The agency is now moving toward new regulations that would allow it to codify the secret rules it used to screen out conservative organizations while quickly green-lighting liberals. During a Super Bowl Sunday interview with Fox News Channel host Bill O'Reilly, President Barack Obama insisted that there was 'not even a smidgen of corruption' in his administration related to the controversy. Channeling a character in the 1987 cult classic movie The Princess Bride, Cruz mocked the president for his choice of words. 'You keep on using this word,' he said, referring to 'smidgen.' 'I do not think it means what you think it means.' The Conservative Political Action Conference, held near Washington, D.C. in suburban Maryland, will host a cavalcade of right-wing speakers, many of whom are likely to run for president in 2016. In his own back yard: President Barack Obama is under withing attacks as the annual Conservative Political Action Conference gets underway near Washington, D.C. The Conservative Political Action Conference brings together a mishmash of military and foreign policy hawks, evangelical Christians, college Republican activists, campaign strategists and media organizations every year . Cruz seemed to be tightening and road-testing a stump speech himself, advocating for the repeal of the Dodd-Frank banking law, safeguards to buttress the Second Amendment's gun rights, expanding school choice, permanently banning former members of Congress from lobbying their old colleagues, instituting term limits for federal legislators, and auditing the Federal Reserve. That line drew a rousing shout from acolytes of former Texas Rep. Ron Paul, a one-time perennial presidential candidate whose libertarian following has picked up with Paul's son, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, right where it left off. Cruz knows that he must appeal to that subset of the Republican Party, which opposes government surveillance programs as well as centralized control of the U.S. money supply. He asked everyone in the audience with a cell phone to 'please leave them on. I want to make sure President Obama hears everything I have to say.' But the Republican party's more traditional conservatives are his meat and potatoes crowd. Leading off the first day of the CPAC convention, he nearly brought a giant ballroom to its feet with a demand that Congress must 'repeal every single word of Obamacare.' Former IRS official Lois Lerner (L) refused Wednesday to answer questions from Congress about the tea party targeting scandal; Pennsylvania Sen. Patrick Toomey (R) said Thursday that Americans 'need to stand up to a president who don't think the laws of America apply to him' Piggybacking on conservative disgust with the Obama administration's steady stream of alterations to the Affordable Care Act's legislated series of deadlines, Cruz took a direct pot-shot at the occupant of the Oval Office. 'If you have a president who is picking and choosing which laws to follow and which laws to ignore, you no longer have a president,' said Cruz. Pennsylvania Sen. Patrick Toomey followed him at the podium with a similar slam. 'We need to stand up to a president who don't think the laws of America apply to him,' Toomey told the crowd. CPAC's attendees are disproportionately young, with College Republicans chapters and church youth groups appearing Thursday morning by the hundreds. 'Millions have lost hope,' Cruz told them, 'because under president Obama, the American dream is harder and harder to achieve. ... If you were to sit down and design a plan to hammer the living daylights out of young people, you couldn't do better than the Obama economic plan.'

Cruz is a Texas senator and likely presidential candidate . He wants to replace the IRS with a smaller agency that would collect postcard-sized income tax returns based on a flat tax rate . Cruz also wants to 'repeal every word of Obamacare' President Obama said on Super Bowl Sunday that there was 'not a smidgen of corruption' in an IRS scandal involving the targeting of tea party groups . 'You keep on using this word,' Cruz retorted, channeling a character from The Princess Bride. 'I do not think it means what you think it means.'

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By . Helen Pow . PUBLISHED: . 10:05 EST, 12 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 11:26 EST, 12 February 2013 . Escaped: Antonio M. Brown Sr., pictured, escaped from a holding cell at the Saline County Jail at around 4.17 p.m. on Monday . A Kansas man convicted of murdering his girlfriend's young son has escaped from jail the day before he was expected to be sentenced to life in prison. Antonio M. Brown Sr. got himself free from a holding cell at the Saline County Jail at around 4.17 p.m. yesterday. Police were hunting for the 29-year-old killer who they described as 'extremely dangerous' late into the night using trained dogs and a Kansas Highway Patrol airplane but have failed to locate him. Brown pleaded no contest in January to first-degree murder and child abuse in the November 2011 death of 14-month-old Clayden Urbanek. The toddler died in hospital of tears to his intestines after Brown punched him two or three times in the stomach over a two-week period while he was in his care. Clayden's mother, Brittney N. Betzold, who watched as her child suffered increasingly serious bruises on his face and body, was sentenced last month to 13 years in prison for the little boy's tragic death. Brown had been held in the Mitchell County jail in Beloit but was brought back to Salina yesterday to prepare for sentencing, Sheriff Glen Kochanowski said. He was due to appear in Saline County District Court at 1:30 p.m today. Kochanowski said Brown was placed in a cell in his department's booking area and somehow got out. 'We just brought him back to get him ready for (court) tomorrow,' Kockanowski told Salina.com yesterday. 'He was detained in one of the cell block rooms in the booking area and he got out of one of the doors.' Jail: Brown got himself free from a holding cell at the Saline County Jail, pictured, in Kansas on Monday afternoon . Tragic: Clayden Urbanek, right, died in November 2011 and his mother, Brittney N. Betzold, left, was sentenced last month to 13 years in prison for failing to protect the little boy from Brown . Kochanowski told the news outlet that Brown's daring escape was captured 'on film.' But the footage has not been released. 'They're still working on (how Brown escaped),' Kochanowski said. 'This guy is extremely dangerous.' Brown is white, with brown hair and brown eyes. He's 5-foot-11 and was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and gray jail pants. Search: Police, pictured, were hunting for the 29-year-old killer who they described as 'extremely dangerous' late into Monday night and again on Tuesday . Dogs: Officers used trained dogs, pictured, and a Kansas Highway Patrol airplane but have failed to locate him . Clayden's death was described by a Witchita doctor as the worst case of child abuse he'd ever seen, Salina.com reported. Brown, who was Betzold's live-in . boyfriend and not the child's father, was caring for the boy while his . 21-year-old mother was at work. On . October 4, Brown called her home from work because Clayden was 'not . acting right' and she arrived to find him weak and motionless. Murderer: Brown, pictured, pleaded no contest in January to first-degree murder and child abuse in the death of 14-month-old Clayden . Boyfriend: Brown, who was Betzold's live-in boyfriend and not the child's father, was caring for the boy while the 21-year-old mother, pictured, was at work . When he died later at hospital he was covered in bruises including inch deep marks on his buttocks, doctors testified. The Salina Police Department, Saline County Sheriff's Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were all actively searching for Brown on Monday and into today. Officers were knocking on doors and searching houses, railroad beds, creeks and other locations across Salina.

Antonio M. Brown Sr. got himself free from a holding cell at the Saline County Jail at around 4.17 p.m. yesterday and remains on the loose . 29-year-old is convicted of murdering 14-month-old Clayden Urbanek in November 2011 . Kansas police are hunting the man and say he is 'extremely dangerous' Boy's mother, Brittney Betzold, 21, was sentenced in January to 13 years' prison for her son's tragic death after she failed to stop her live-in boyfriend Brown from beating the child .

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By . Matt Blake . PUBLISHED: . 10:44 EST, 15 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 01:46 EST, 16 October 2012 . Guilty: Robert Cordingley, 57, who was his father's sole carer, had previously been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome . An Asperger's syndrome sufferer who smothered his 91-year-old father to death before calmly feeding his cat then taking a shower has been jailed for life. Robert Cordingley, 57, from Bradford, admitted to murdering his father, George, in January by covering his face with a pillow wrapped in a bin liner. He then wandered to a police station to confess his crime but found it closed and went to a supermarket car park to find a uniformed officer. Cordingly's father, a widower who had been a well-known motorbike competitor, was found dead in a bedroom of the house he had shared with his son for 57 years. Cordingley, who was his father’s sole carer, had previously been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism. Newcastle Crown Court heard that after killing his father he fed his cat and had a shower. The court also heard that there was evidence that suggested his father had begun to suffer from dementia. Mr Justice McCombe said: 'This is a very tragic and unusual case. 'The deceased was 91-years-old when he died and he had lived with the defendant for his whole life. 'There is evidence that he began to suffer from dementia but no help was sought. 'The defendant cared for his father by writing him notes to tell him where his food was and helped him prepare for the day. 'But a growing frustration was present with the defendant which led him to taking the decision to end his father’s life.' Carpark confession: Newcastle Crown Court heard that Cordingley then went to a police station to confess, but it was closed, so he approached police officers in a supermarket car park and told them he had murdered his father . The court heard that Cordingley’s condition led to poor judgment in finding a solution to his situation. Detective Inspector Steve Snow, of West Yorkshire Police, said: 'It is hard to imagine what must have been going through Robert Cordingley’s mind when he ultimately decided to end his own father’s life. 'The evidence suggested that this was not a sophisticated plan, but one seemingly prompted out of desperation. 'A thorough and professional investigation was undertaken which clearly presented the facts and culminated in a guilty plea. 'Cordingley will now have to reflect on his decision, not only to take another life, but to subsequently ruin his own.'

Robert Cordingley, from Bradford, admitted murdering his father, George, in January by covering his face with a pillow wrapped in a bin liner . Cordingley, 57, who was his father’s sole carer, had Asperger’s syndrome . Newcastle Crown Court heard after the killing he fed his cat and showered . Judge: 'A growing frustration was present with the defendant which led him to taking the decision to end his father’s life'

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New York (CNN) -- Several unions endorsed the two-week-old Occupy Wall Street movement and plan to join the protesters' street theater in New York on Wednesday, labor leaders said. "It's really simple. These young people on Wall Street are giving voice to many of the problems that working people in America have been confronting over the last several years," Larry Hanley, international president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, which has 20,000 member in the New York area, told CNN. "These young people are speaking for the vast majority of Americans who are frustrated by the bankers and brokers who have profited on the backs of hard-working people," Hanley added in a statement. "While we battle it out day after day, month after month, the millionaires and billionaires on Wall Street sit by -- untouched -- and lecture us on the level of our sacrifice." Contribute your images, video and words to CNN's coverage . Transport Workers Union Local 100 spokesman Jim Gannon said the Occupy Wall Street movement, which denounces social inequities in the financial system and draws inspiration from the Arab Spring revolutions in Africa and the Middle East, has advanced issues that unions typically support. "Their goals are our goals," Gannon said. "They brought a spotlight on issues that we've believed in for quite some time now.... Wall Street caused the implosion in the first place and is getting away Scot-free while workers, transit workers, everybody, is forced to pay for their excesses. "These young folks have brought a pretty bright spotlight," Gannon added. "It's kind of a natural alliance." Just who are these people? President Michael Mulgrew of the United Federation of Teachers, the sole bargaining agent for most non-supervisory New York City public teachers with 200,000 members, said he was "proud" to support the Occupy demonstrators, who have been camping out in New York and elsewhere across the nation. "The way our society is now headed it does not work for 99% of people, so when Occupy Wall Street started ... they kept to it and they've been able to create a national conversation that we think should have been going on for years," Mulgrew said. The labor officials couldn't provide a projection on how many of their members will take the day off from work Wednesday and join the protests. The demonstrators have bivouacked in the park in New York's Financial District, calling for 20,000 people to flood the area for a "few months." The protest campaign -- which uses the hashtag #occupywallstreet on the microblogging site Twitter -- began in July with the launch of a simple campaign website calling for a march and a sit-in at the New York Stock Exchange. Over the past two weeks, demonstrations have addressed various issues, including police brutality, union busting and the economy, the group said. Occupy Wall Street is a leaderless movement made largely of twentysomethings upset with the state of the economy, the state of the war in Afghanistan, the state of the environment, and the state of America and the world in general. View a gallery of high-resolution photos from the protests . In less than three weeks, the movement has become a magnet for countless disaffected Americans at a time when an overwhelming majority of U.S. adults say the country's on the wrong track. Occupy protests have been held in Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and Boston. Occupy Wall Street and its offshoots have clear strains of liberal economic populism -- a powerful force in U.S. history during various times characterized by growing economic stress. That said, it could be a mistake to label or tie the movement to a specific agenda, said Susan Olzak, a Stanford University sociology professor. "It's difficult to classify a social protest movement early on in its history," Olzak told CNN. "Clearer goals could eventually emerge, but there's no guarantee." "Many movements fizzle out. Others become more organized," she said. But "I think we run a risk (by) taking a snapshot at any one point in time, and trying to categorize the movement in any one way based on that snapshot. The only way to study these protest movements is to follow them over time." CNN's Terry Frieden contributed to this report.

Labor leaders say the Occupy Wall Street protesters raise issues they support . The movement is more than two weeks old . Protesters are camping in a park in New York's financial district . Labor organizers don't have an estimate on Wednesday's participation .

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(CNN) -- Three-time champions Germany finished third for the second successive World Cup after coming from behind to defeat Uruguay 3-2 in Port Elizabeth on Saturday night. Sami Khedira headed the winning goal with eight minutes to play as Joachim Low's much-changed team won the bronze-medal match in South Africa. "Of course we had all hoped for something better, but this match for third place was also a final that we absolutely wanted to win," Khedira said, AFP reported. "At this World Cup we were a very young team and we've put down a marker. But we obviously want to win more in the future." Thomas Muller put Germany ahead in the 19th minute on his return from suspension after missing the semifinal defeat by Spain, joining the tournament's top scorers with his fifth goal of the competition. Edinson Cavani leveled nine minutes later after Germany's stand-in captain Bastian Schweinsteiger was dispossessed, and two-time champions Uruguay took the lead six minutes after the halftime interval as Diego Forlan also netted his fifth goal with a superb volley. Germany equalized five minutes later when Marcell Jansen headed home after Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera failed to cut out Jerome Boateng's deep cross. Forlan hit the German crossbar with the final play of the match from a stunning free-kick as the South Americans finished the tournament on a losing note. "Finishing among the top four teams is spectacular," he said. "At the beginning we never thought we'd taste a moment like this. We wanted to finish third, but we'll remember the positives." Low left captain Philipp Lahm and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer on the substitutes' bench along with four-goal striker Miroslav Klose, who had been struggling with a back injury and missed out on the chance to join Brazil's Ronaldo as the all-time top World Cup scorer on 15 overall. Lahm's replacement Dennis Aogo was lucky not to be sent off for a bad early tackle on Diego Perez, but Germany had the ascendancy as Arne Friedrich headed Mezut Ozil's corner against the Uruguay crossbar in the 10th minute. The 20-year-old Muller made no mistake as he pounced to score the opening goal after Muslera was deceived by Schweinsteiger's swerving shot and could only spill the ball into the German's path. It put the Bayern Munich player, who has represented his country only eight times, on five goals for the tournament along with Spain's David Villa and Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands. If that duo fail to score in Sunday's final, Muller may win the award for top scorer as -- bizarrely -- assists are taken into account in the case of a tie, and he has three to their one. But Schweinsteiger turned villain soon after when he was dispossessed by Perez, who fed Luis Suarez -- and the Uruguay striker found Cavani with a well-timed pass which left veteran goalkeeper Hans-Jorg Butt exposed. Suarez, returning from suspension, was booed by large sections of the crowd almost every time he touched the ball due to his deliberate handling on the line against Ghana in the quarterfinals. With rain lashing down, he should have put Uruguay ahead just before halftime but screwed his shot wide of the post. The 36-year-old Butt, whose third and previous international outing was in 2003, did well to deny Cavani and Suarez after the break but could do nothing as Forlan volleyed in a right-wing cross from Egidio Arevalo Rios in the 51st minute. The lead did not last long as Muslera was once again caught out, allowing Jansen a free header after flailing at Boateng's towering right-wing center. Khedira gave 2002 runners-up Germany the lead in the 82nd minute as Uruguay failed to clear Ozil's corner and the midfielder was able to place his header over the despairing Muslera. Substitute Stefan Kiessling should have made it 4-2 but blazed his shot over the bar, then Forlan almost took the match into extra-time when his ferocious free-kick boomed to safety off Butt's bar. The result meant that the octopus which had correctly predicted all of Germany's previous results at the tournament was right once again.

Sami Khedira heads late winner as Germany finish third at World Cup in South Africa . The 2006 hosts come from behind to beat Uruguay 3-2 in playoff in Port Elizabeth . Germans bounce back from semifinal loss to Spain, who face Netherlands on Sunday . Thomas Muller and Diego Forlan join the tournament's top scorers on five goals .

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(CNN) -- Topless ladies? That's so passe. The nation's strip clubs are in a period of peak innovation. Portland, Oregon, laid claim to the first vegan strip club, Casa Diablo. The first drive-through strip club, Climax Gentleman's Club, popped up outside of Pittsburgh (it's now defunct). Now Ohio is home to the first beer-brewing nudie bar. Pinups and Pints is located, appropriately enough, in a strip mall outside of Dayton, and according to the Dayton City Paper, it's the first strip club microbrewery in America. Behind the main stage and stripper pole sits the 15-gallon brewing system, where club owner Scott Conrad makes batches of the club's signature suds. He decided to start the club after taking note of the area's growing beer scene -- and discovering that a liquor license was more attainable for a microbrewery. "I feel I am definitely creating a niche to the market" Conrad told CNN, adding that he is "definitely ahead of the curve when it comes to adult entertainment." Conrad had no brewing experience going into this venture, but with some trial and error in his garage and help from local craft brewer Toxic Brewing, he is getting some positive feedback on the beer and plenty of support from the area's brewing community. He describes Pinup Pale Ale, the club's first and only offering, as very approachable, appealing to Bud drinkers as well as craft beer aficionados. However, don't expect to see huge stainless steel fermentation tanks on the brewery tour quite yet though; brewing the beer is something that Conrad takes seriously. "You gotta get good before you can get creative," he said. Kevin J. Gray assessed the beer for his Dayton City Paper story and noted, "Pinup Pale Ale was a solid pale ale, a good start on a new system." Gray told CNN, "The Dayton beer scene has exploded in the last two years. Prior to 2012, there were no breweries in the area. Now, Pinups and Pints makes the twelfth microbrewery opening in the greater Dayton area in the last two years." Dancers are still the marquee act at Pinups and Pints, but according to Conrad, more and more customers are coming in to check out the beer. "Those who normally would not go to traditional clubs are starting to come here to try the brew, plus enjoy the entertainment aspect," said K.C., a bartender and server at the club. "Personally, I really enjoy the fact I get to come to work and watch the process and all of the hard work put into each keg," she added. Conrad finds that his main challenge so far is keeping up with the demand for the beer. He puts in many long days brewing in addition to running the club and finds, "It is a lot of hard work, but I enjoy the challenge." Exotic dancers, neon lights and small-batch beers are, so far for Pints and Pinups, a combo just bubbling over with success.

Pinups and Pints owner Scott Conrad noticed a beer boom around Dayton . He decided to brew his own beer behind the stage . Customers still come in for the dancers, but they're also drinking up . Conrad says he is "ahead of the curve" for adult entertainment .

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(CNN) -- With more than half a billion eggs recalled and at least 1,300 salmonellosis illnesses linked to eggs in an ongoing investigation this summer, consumers are worried and wondering, "What went wrong, and what can I do to protect myself and my family?" We study food safety for a living, so our own family members have been quizzing us about which eggs are safest to buy. Our immediate response to them, and everyone else who has called us at the university for advice, is to recommend they check the recall list and discard implicated eggs or return them to the store for a refund. (Specific brands and other information about the recall can be found at http://www.foodsafety.gov/. ) But, beyond the recall, they also wanted to discuss the broader issue of food safety differences between eggs sold conventionally versus free-range or cage-free eggs. For example, they wanted to know is it really true, as some food activists suggest, that eggs from cage-free chickens are safer? The answer? Not necessarily. However, there are things consumers can do to protect their food. They can learn more about salmonella and related egg-production issues. They can also support legislation, now stalled in the U.S. Senate, that would help the Food and Drug Administration safeguard the nation's food supply. It is important to note that in the current outbreak, the eggs recalled were traced to large, conventional farms in Iowa where hens were likely housed in indoor cages. In recent years, the marketing of free-range eggs has become a popular alternative to conventional eggs. Read more about the debate over industrial vs. free-range farming . The term free-range is often used interchangeably with cage-free. The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that producers labeling eggs as free-range have demonstrated that the birds were allowed continuous, free access to the outside for more than 51 percent of their lives. Free-range or cage-free eggs are sometimes, but not always, organically produced and/or raised on pasture. But are they safer? We revisited the scientific literature. We found that studies directly comparing the relative safety of free-range, cage-free and conventional eggs are limited, and some of the data are contradictory. For example, a 1994 study in Southern California of a specific salmonella type found only 1 percent prevalence in caged hens compared with 50 percent prevalence in free-range hens. European researchers have concluded the opposite in their studies, but comparisons between countries are difficult because of factors such as feed and climate. A study of broilers in the U.S. found no difference in salmonella incidents in caged and free-range chickens. These findings suggest to us that more research is needed and that the risk factors for finding salmonella in eggs are far more complex than simply how the chickens were housed. To better understand the problem of salmonella in eggs, it is important to consider where the bacteria comes from in the environment. There are some 2,000 subtypes of salmonella, but the one most commonly found in eggs is called salmonella enteritidis (SE). This bacteria lives in the gut of healthy animals, especially chickens, turkeys, ducks, wild birds and rodents. It can also be carried by flies. The outside of an egg can get contaminated with SE by contact with feces and dirt. The bacteria can spread to the hens through contaminated feed or water, from chicken-to-chicken and via wildlife vectors such as wild birds and rodents. Workers and visitors can also spread the bacteria from one farm to another by carrying it on dirty clothing or their shoes. For more on the egg safety issue, see CNN.com's "Eatocracy" blog . Neither conventional, free-range nor cage-free farms are immune to these possible modes of spread. Furthermore, an intriguing and dangerous characteristic of the SE strain is that it can also travel to the chicken's reproductive tract and infect the inside of the egg. This is extremely rare. Only one in every 10,000 to 30,000 supermarket eggs is typically infected with salmonella enteritidis. And only a very small fraction of those results from an inner-egg infection, which can happen regardless of how the chickens are housed or whether the chickens were raised organically. Given the biology of salmonella and its multiple potential modes of spread, we can only conclude that both conventional and free-range/cage-free egg producers must be diligent to protect their eggs from contamination. Neither method of egg farming appears to offer the silver bullet for egg food safety. All types of egg farms should follow best practices during production and handling of the eggs. On July 9, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published the Egg Safety Final Rule, which is expected to "prevent each year approximately 79,000 cases of food-borne illness and 30 deaths caused by consumption of eggs contaminated with the bacterium Salmonella Enteritidis." Similar but voluntary programs in California and Pennsylvania have already dramatically improved the safety of eggs in those states. Furthermore, SB 510, the Food Safety Modernization Act that's awaiting Senate action would increase the likelihood of success in controlling SE in eggs by providing the FDA with the authority necessary to enforce the food safety standards and recalls. Finally, it is important to remember that no matter how carefully eggs are produced and handled, or regulated, it is impossible to guarantee that a raw egg is free of salmonella or other harmful bacteria. Prevention should be from the farm to the fork. Consumers can protect themselves by: . -- Always buying eggs from a refrigerated case and choosing eggs with clean, uncracked shells. -- Keeping eggs refrigerated at 45° F (7° C) or colder at all times. -- Washing hands, cooking utensils and food-preparation surfaces with soap and water after contact with raw eggs. -- Cooking eggs until the whites and yolks are firm and eating them promptly. -- Not keeping eggs warm or at room temperature for more than two hours. -- Refrigerating unused or leftover egg-containing foods promptly. -- Avoiding eating raw eggs. -- Using pasteurized shell eggs or pasteurized egg mixtures when home recipes call for uncooked eggs. -- Avoiding restaurant dishes made with raw or undercooked, unpasteurized eggs. Restaurants should use pasteurized eggs in any recipe (such as Hollandaise sauce or Caesar salad dressing) that calls for raw eggs. Do not hesitate to ask your server how the eggs were prepared. For more information, visit UC Food Safety and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Michele Jay-Russell and Michael Payne.

Two food safety experts: Check egg recall list, and throw out or return implicated eggs . Be cautious dealing with both conventional or free-range/cage-free eggs . Salmonella has multiple potential modes of spreading . Tips: Buy eggs from refrigerated case; don't eat raw eggs; cook until whites, yolks are firm .

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British intelligence on Syrian troop movements is helping rebels in their fight against President Bashar al-Assad's regime, it was revealed today. The disclosure by a Syrian opposition official is the first indication of British intelligence playing a covert role in the civil war. The official told The Sunday Times the British authorities 'know about and approve 100 per cent' signals intelligence from their Cyprus bases being passed through Turkey to the rebel troops of the Free Syrian Army. The Free Syrian Army fighters have been aided by British intelligence in their fight again President Bashar al-Assad's regime, it was claimed . 'British intelligence is observing things closely from Cyprus. It's very useful because they find out a great deal,' the official said. 'The British are giving the information to the Turks and the Americans and we are getting it from the Turks.' According to the official, the most valuable intelligence so far has been about the movements of troops loyal to President Assad towards the stricken second city of Aleppo, which is partly controlled by rebels. Early this month FSA fighters had reported that two large columns of government troops were heading towards Aleppo. One was from Latakia on the Mediterranean coast and the other from Damascus, the capital. The fighters did not reveal the source of their intelligence at the time. The official said rebels ambushed troops and a column of more than 40 tanks in a valley near Saraqib, cut them off and destroyed many of them with repeat attacks with rocket-propelled grenades. Smoke rises over the Salaheddine neighbourhood in central Aleppo during clashes between Free Syrian Army fighters and Syrian Army soldiers yesterday . Civil war: Smoke billowing from the scene of a bomb explosion in central Damascus . Britain has two sovereign military bases in Cyprus at Dhekelia and Akrotiri. They draw intelligence from the airwaves for GCHQ, Britain's listening post in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The opposition official said rebel forces in Aleppo had also received US satellite imagery, which the Turks had passed on from the CIA. MI6 and the CIA are understood to be tacitly condoning the supply of heavy machineguns from Gulf countries to the rebels. The rebels claim to have shot down at least two helicopters, part of a fleet used by Assad's regime to try and crush the growing rebellion. But they do not have enough to be effective. One diplomat denied that the British were 'facilitating' the supply of heavy machineguns. But he said he could not rule out the possibility that private contractors financed by countries such as Qatar were involved in providing arms. Wealthy families in Qatar and Saudi Arabia are understood to be providing substantial financial support to the rebel forces. Opposition fighters also benefit from the monitoring by British bases of ships along the Syrian coast from countries friendly towards Assad. Britain has officially ruled out giving any covert help to the rebels. It is understood that William Hague, the foreign secretary, has been advised that it would be illegal under international law for Britain to supply weapons directly to any group in Syria, which is covered by a European Union arms embargo.

Disclosure is first indication of Britain playing a . covert role in the civil war . Intelligence from Cyprus 'being passed through Turkey to the rebels'

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'Joe the Plumber', the everyman used by John McCain in the 2008 presidential campaign, has sparked outrage with an online comment piece claiming 'America needs a white, Republican president'. In an article posted to his website on Thursday, Joe Wurzelbacher assured readers that wanting a 'white Republican president doesn’t make you a racist, it just makes you American.' The controversial post contended that '[i]n the pre-black president era, criticizing the president was simply the American thing to do. An exercise of one’s First Amendment right. Criticism had nothing to do with color, because there had never been a black president.' Joe the Plumber: In an article posted to his website on Thursday, Joe Wurzelbacher assured readers that wanting a 'white Republican president doesn¿t make you a racist, it just makes you American' The eyebrow-raising opinion piece questioned why nobody accused black people of racism 'when blacks had sanity and disagreed with the policies of racist white Democrat presidents.' The conservative activist also brought Mexicans into his argument, saying 'many deranged Mexicans' who fight for immigration rights 'are not called racist.' The scathing post has triggered a social media backlash, with users accusing Republican party member Wurzelbacher of racism. The Daily Edge wrote: '#ThatAwkwardMoment when racist Joe the racist Plumber says wanting racist things doesn't make him a racist #racism'. John wrote: 'A white President killed 100.000's in Iraq. A black President gives healthcare to kids with cancer. Joe the Plumber wants the white one. #p2' Joe the Plumber uploaded the controversial remarks to his JoeforAmerica.com website on Thursday . Fight back: Joe Wurzelbacher defended his post on Facebook, saying he merely reproduced the comment piece of a 'black guy' Defensive: Wurzelbacher said he did not author the controversial piece. He said he copied the post, written by Kevin Jackson (pictured), verbatim to his site from theblacksphere.net. However Wurzelbacher has hit back, saying he did not author the piece but merely copied an article written Kevin Jackson and posted to theblacksphere.net on October 9. According to his profile, Jackson 'believes that empowerment comes when you know who you are and what you stand for.' On Saturday night, Wurzelbacher, 39, wrote on his Facebook page: 'Let no chance to find a boogey man in a non-racist's closet go by without first taking time to blame a white guy for repeating something a black guy said...about a black guy.' Joe the Plumber gained national prominence when he asked then presidential candidate, Barack Obama, a question about his tax plan in 2008. Obama's response included the statement, 'when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.' Obama's response was seized upon by conservative media, as well as by Obama's rival, Republican nominee Senator John McCain, as an indication that Obama was interested in the redistribution of wealth, and had a socialist view of the economy.

Joe Wurzelbacher, the everyman used by John McCain in the 2008 presidential campaign, has caused outrage with a new post on his 'Joe for America' website . The post is titled 'America needs a white Republican president' It claims 'wanting a white Republican president doesn’t make you racist, it just makes you American' The post was copied verbatim from commentator Kevin Jackson's webpage .

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(CNN) -- Jim Shepperd was just crossing the Howard Frankland Bridge from Tampa to St. Petersburg when the winds whipped furiously and the first named storm of the hurricane season began its one-two punch on the Tampa Bay area. By the time he and his chow-shepherd mix, Aussie, made it home to Gulfport, Tropical Storm Andrea was thrashing his neighborhood. Just down the street, a tornado touched down, felling a massive 200-year-old cedar tree. "There were a lot of trees down," the hairstylist said Friday morning. "We're lucky. We're OK." By 5 p.m. ET, Andrea's heavy rain had moved on, targeting a broad swath of the East Coast. The storm, categorized as a post-tropical cyclone with sustained winds of up to 45 mph, was about 55 miles northeast of Raleigh, North Carolina, and continuing on its predicted path up the Northeast Coast. Forecasters say it's expected to drench 13 states from Georgia to Maine. Meteorologists want everyone in Andrea's path to know this: The storm's biggest danger will probably be flash floods. The National Weather Service offers tips on what to do in a flooding situation. In short, road beds may be washed out under flood waters, so never drive through flooded roadways. At 11 a.m. Friday, the National Hurricane Center said Andrea was packing 45-mph winds and was about 50 miles southwest of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and 90 miles west of Wilmington, North Carolina. Andrea is expected to produce 2 to 4 inches of rain in central and eastern North Carolina. Up to 2 inches are expected over portions of South Carolina. Farther north on Friday, a flood watch area includes Washington, which the National Weather Service predicts could get 6 inches of rain Friday, and New York, where forecasters say 1 to 2 inches of rain an hour could fall at times into Saturday. Even Maine's coast, including Portland, could see as much as 3 inches of rain by the time the weekend is done. Follow the storm on CNN.com's hurricane tracker . As of 8 a.m., Andrea's projected path is similar to that of Tropical Storm Debby nearly a year ago. Debby dumped up to 2 feet of rain onto the low-lying areas, causing extensive flooding in some coastal towns. CNN meteorologists Sean Morris and Ivan Cabrera contributed to this report.

NEW: Now a post-tropical cyclone, Andrea was near Raleigh, North Carolina, at 5 p.m. Flash flood watches extend up the East Coast . Washington and New York are among the cities that may see Andrea-related flooding . Forecast warns that rains and storm surges could cause problems in coastal areas .

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(CNN) -- Former World No.5 Anna Chakvetadze is making her latest comeback after a 2011 marred by illness and capped with an unsuccessful bid to win election to Russia's Duma. Chakvetadze's problems began when she dramatically collapsed on court while leading World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki in a second round match in Dubai. "When I got sick in Dubai I was in very good shape," Chakvetadze told the official WTA website. "I was finally enjoying the way I was playing. I was feeling the ball great. I had found my game again and was really ready to compete. But then I got sick." She was to play only three main draw matches in the remainder of the year, slipping to 234 in the rankings, before the illness was diagnosed as an inflammation of the inner year which caused dizziness and effected her balance. "I'm 100 per cent healthy now. It doesn't bother me anymore. I'm completely over it." Former World No.1 Safin elected to Russian federal parliament . While away from tennis, the 24-year-old dabbled in politics, standing for the Right Cause Party in December's elections. But with her party polling less than one per cent in the election, for now Chakvetadze's political ambitions are on hold. "I met some new people and really enjoyed myself. It was great to try myself in a different world. "While I will do something if my party asks me to, right now my priority is sport. I spend my days on the tennis court. Tennis comes first for me," she said. Chakvetadze will head to Hobart in Tasmania for the first tournament of 2012 ahead of a tilt at the Australian Open later in January. She reached her career-high ranking in 2007 when she won four tournaments and made the semifinals of the U.S. Open. But in December of that year she suffered a horrifying ordeal when her home was burgled and the intervening years have been marked by a series of injuries and loss of form. In other tennis news Tuesday, Alex Corretja, former coach of British star Andy Murray, has been named captain of Spain's Davis Cup team. Corretja replaces Albert Costa, who quit earlier this month after leading Spain to triumph in the 2011 final against Argentina. The 37-year-old Corretja will have to take charge of their title defense without Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer, who have decided not to take part in the 2012 Davis Cup.

Anna Chakvetadze returns to WTA action in Hobart in January . Former World No.5 collapsed on court while playing Caroline Wozniacki in Dubai . Chakvetadze made unsuccessful bid to win election to Russia's Duma . Alex Corretja named captain of Spain's Davis Cup team .

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By . Sophie Jane Evans . This is the moment a man discovered a swarm of 15,000 bees were using his boiler as their hive. Colin Burbridge, 45, called a local workman when his central heating system stopped working just five months after being installed at his company's office in Littleport, Cambridgeshire. But after opening up the boiler, the pair were stunned to find it was infested with thousands of bees. Hive: Colin Burbridge, 45, was shocked to discover a swarm of 15,000 bees were using his boiler as their hive . Mr Burbridge, who immediately fled the office after being stung, was forced to call on local beekeeper Stuart Palmer, 41, and his 39-year-old wife, Carol, to tackle the infestation. Donning protective white suits and parcel tape around their wrists and ankles, the couple managed to safely remove the colony by encouraging them into a nucleus box. Today, Mr Burbridge, who runs the heating engineering firm M8trix, said he had not noticed the bees' buzzing because the boiler in his office's kitchen area had 'sealed in' the noise. 'I was standing next to the boiler when it was opened,' he said. 'I got stung straight away and just fled the building. Infestation: Mr Burbridge called a local workman when his central heating system at his company's office stopped working. But after opening up the boiler, the pair were stunned to find it was infested with bees . Removal: Local beekeeper Stuart Palmer, 41, and his wife, Carol, 39 were called upon to remove the insects . 'It is a new boiler and all the noise is sealed in so I didn't hear any buzzing or anything like that. 'We are an engineering firm as well so you can imagine there is a lot of noise.' Mr Burbridge added that the swarm of insects had destroyed his £2,000 boiler, which he might have to pay for out of his own pocket. 'We are not covered by our insurers on this because it is an "insect infestation",' he said. 'It was a new boiler and cost about £2,000 but hopefully we won't have to pay that out again.' Office: Mr Burbridge, who runs the heating engineering firm M8trix (pictured) in Littleport, Cambridgeshire, said he had not noticed the bees' buzzing because the boiler in his office's kitchen area had 'sealed in' the noise . Taking them away: Mr Palmer tips some of the insects into a box, while hundreds of others are on the floor . Mrs Palmer who had passed a beekeeping course just a week before the infestation was discovered, said the swarm of bees had likely entered the boiler through an outside vent. 'There is a vent at the back of the boiler that goes outside and that must be how they managed to get in,' she said. 'I asked for a bit of advice from more experienced beekeepers. They advised that we cut out the comb from inside the boiler and encourage the bees to move away. 'Fortunately, we were able to attract the vast majority into a nucleus box and they are now sitting happily in our garden waiting to be transferred to their new hive. 'They had basically made their own hive. They were happy there until we came and got them out. 'Having a suit on and parcel tape around my ankles and wrists gives you that little sense of bravery.' She added that after she and her husband had left M8trix, staff had been left with a huge clean-up job on their hands. 'There was a lot of honey in there so it was a bit of a sticky job,' she said.

Colin Burbridge, 45, was puzzled when central heating stopped working . He called workman to his company's office in Littleport, Cambridgeshire . But after opening up boiler, pair were stunned to discover swarm of bees . Mr Burbridge was forced to ask local beekeepers to tackle the infestation . Donning protective gear, they managed to get insects into a nucleus box . Today, Mr Burbridge said he had immediately fled office after being stung . Added he had not noticed bees' buzzing as the boiler had 'sealed in' noise .

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Los Angeles (CNN) -- Hip-hop artist Soulja Boy faces a felony weapons charge after police say he was carrying a loaded gun in Los Angeles Wednesday. The 23-year-old rapper, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, was arrested after a Los Angeles police officer pulled over a car in which he was a passenger, police spokeswoman Rosario Herrera told CNN. Soulja Boy was booked into a San Fernando Valley jail, but freed after posting a $35,000 bond Wednesday afternoon, according to jail records. The traffic stop happened on a residential street in the Granada Hills area of the San Fernando Valley at 4 a.m., Herrera said. He was arrested on felony weapons and drug charges during a traffic stop on a Georgia interstate in October 2011. Police said they found a "felony amount" of marijuana and firearms in his rented SUV. The local district attorney in Carroll County, Georgia, declined to prosecute the case because federal prosecutors took it over, according to a spokesman for the district attorney. The U.S. attorney's office in Atlanta did not immediately respond to a CNN question about the status of the case. Rapper Young Jeezy arrested... again .

NEW: Soulja Boy was freed after posting $35,000 bond Wednesday afternoon . Los Angeles police stopped a car Soulja Boy was riding in early Wednesday . He was arrested on weapons and drug charges in Georgia in 2011 .

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Washington (CNN) -- In what one member of Congress called "a charade," a couple that showed up at President Obama's first state dinner -- uninvited, the White House claims -- declined to answer questions surrounding the event before a House committee Wednesday. Under questioning from House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Mississippi, and others, Tareq Salahi repeated over and over again, "On the advice of counsel, I respectfully assert my right to remain silent and decline to answer your question." The Salahis' attorney notified the committee in December that because of a pending investigation by federal prosecutors, they would not answer questions about how they gained entry to the White House on November 24, despite not being on the guest list to attend that night's state dinner for the prime minister of India. In a brief statement that opened the often-contentious hearing, Salahi chastised the committee for requiring the couple to appear despite having been told the two would invoke their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination if subpoenaed. That, he alleged, is against the ethical rules of the Washington bar. He incensed some committee members by reiterating the couple's respect for U.S. troops, the Secret Service and the president. "You have shown effrontery here," said Daniel Lungren, R-California. He called it "an abomination" that the Salahis would invoke the name of those in uniform "and suggest that somehow what you do provides support to them." "The Constitution protects fools," Lungren said. "The Constitution protects stupidity. The Constitution protects errant thought. Thank God it does." "This was not a hearing looking for information," the couple's attorney, Stephen Best, told reporters after the hearing. "This was an opportunity for a public flogging." "I think today's procedure is a charade," Rep. Mark Souder, R-Indiana, said in the hearing, referring to the Salahis' refusal to answer questions. Other committee members also lambasted the couple, alleging they put their own desire for celebrity before the security of the president and are wasting the committee's time and taxpayers' money. "I don't respect your right to take the Fifth Amendment. Not at all," Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-New Jersey, told the couple. "Were you there?" he asked Salahi, referring to the dinner. When Salahi began, "On the advice ..." Pascrell interrupted him, asking, "Are you here right now? You gonna get an answer from your attorney on that?" Pascrell noted the committee had offered to allow the couple to speak behind closed doors. After conferring with his attorney, Salahi said, "Yes, but you didn't offer us any legal protection." Salahi's wife, Michaele, also invoked her Fifth Amendment right under questioning by committee members, but replied, "yes," when asked if she would return to testify after the investigation has concluded. Asked by Thompson whether the state dinner appearance was part of a "reality TV stunt," Tareq Salahi said the couple was under a non-disclosure agreement and "should not discuss matters related to the television matter." The Salahis contend they were told they could attend the program to honor India's prime minister, but the White House says they were not invited and were not on the guest list for the exclusive affair. Best said after the hearing the couple received "representations that they relied upon" that they were invited guests. Two Secret Service investigators were privy to this information from a person who knows the Salahis, he said. "This was not a stunt, and they committed no criminal act." There was no connection to any reality TV show, he said, and the Salahis were not seeking publicity. The couple has turned down multiple offers from the media to be "rewarded handsomely," he added. "Whatever the real story is, it's on the other side of the gates of the White House, not with the Salahis," Best said. "They thought they were invited. ... If it was a misunderstanding, it was a misunderstanding caused by representatives of the government." Tareq Salahi also noted in his opening statement that the couple's attorneys have offered to provide information to the committee, but that offer was declined by Thompson's staff. "Those offers are not satisfactory," Thompson said. "These lawyers were not at the state dinner and have no firsthand knowledge of the facts." Tareq Salahi also said the couple has provided phone records, e-mails and other documentary evidence to the committee. There also was criticism of the White House in Wednesday's hearing. Rep. Peter King, R-New York, said the White House "continues to stonewall" and will not allow social secretary Desiree Rogers to testify on the security breach. Obama press secretary Robert Gibbs has said that allowing a White House staff member to testify before a congressional committee would violate the Constitution's separation of powers. "I don't know what the White House is trying to hide," King said. "Obviously, something went wrong, and it originated with the White House, not the Secret Service." Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan, in previous testimony before the committee, took responsibility for the security breach, acknowledging that "appropriate procedures were not followed." Rep. Charles Dent, R-Pennsylvania, said Wednesday he thought it was "unfortunate" that Sullivan "had to take all that grief from us." "I hold you responsible for it," he told the Salahis. "Your actions ... made a mockery of this country, a mockery of our security," Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas, told the couple. "I'm saddened, and I'm disappointed, and I'm outraged." Best reiterated afterward the Salahis do not want the events surrounding the dinner to detract from the "extraordinary institution" of the Secret Service. "They are Americans," he said. "They are proud Americans."

Tareq and Michaele Salahi decline to answer questions at congressional hearing . House panel looking into how the couple attended state dinner in November . White House says they weren't invited; Secret Service says procedures not followed . Salahis' attorney says they can't answer questions because of pending investigation .

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By . Daily Mail Reporter . UPDATED: . 14:08 EST, 29 November 2011 . 'Rogue trader': Gregory Allnutt dodged more than £420,000 in VAT selling cut-price electrical goods over eBay . A stay-at-home father who dodged tax on £4.7million-worth of electrical goods he sold on eBay was jailed today. Gregory Allnutt, who has a seven-year-old son, avoiding paying more than £420,000 in VAT. He raked in £4,000 a month over three years selling cut price electrical goods on the internet. The 40-year-old, from Croydon, set up a company called Shapewise to sell nutrition products from the comfort of his home. But instead he bought tax-free electrical goods from the European Union through online site Pixmania before selling them on for a profit. Instead of declaring the sales and adding on the price of VAT, he undercut his rivals and maximised his profits. He continued to file 'nil' accounts between 2007 and 2010, falsely stating he had earned no money. Allnutt, whose wife was paid £7,000 each month as well an extra allowance for school fees and a company car, spent the cash on a luxury car and two motorbikes. He did not realise he was obliged to pay VAT on the goods he sold, the court was told. But he was informed by his accountant at a meeting in 2007 that he owed £67,000. Scam: The father of one was caught by HMRC inspector in 2010 - three years after he had been told he was not paying the VAT that he should . Instead of turning himself in, he continued with the scam until December 2010 when he was caught by inspectors from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. Prosecutor David Hewitt said: 'It wasn't until 2007 that he realised he wasn't paying it properly. 'At that point he was in too deep and he realised he was stuck. He realised if he charged VAT he wasn't able to compete. 'He did try it legitimately but he couldn't make the system work because he couldn't make enough money.' The court also heard his VAT number was eventually automatically de-registered by HMRC after he failed to file any accounts. But unperturbed, he re-registered and continued trading, later changing the company name to Specialist Electricals. Lavish lifestyle: The Croydon-based stay-at-home father was able to afford a luxury car and two motorbikes using the profits from his dealings . 'It was a simple fraud in effect,' said Mr Hewitt. 'What had been discovered was that records showed that in fact over the period that the registration had been in place Pixmania had sold goods to this defendant of more than £4.7million. 'Therefore the total amount of VAT which he avoided was £420,000.' Sentencing him to 20 months in prison, Judge Anthony Leonard QC said: 'Being aware of your obligations to pay VAT you carried out a thoroughly dishonest scheme to avoid paying VAT. 'You avoided £429,000 of VAT and because you were able to offer the goods at prices below those a trader paying VAT could you have prevented honest tax paying traders competing with you. 'You claim that you had become trapped into the scheme when you discovered that you owed £67,000 to the revenue. 'That should have led you to stop your trading altogether but you decided to carry on in full knowledge that you were doing what was wrong and that you owed money to the revenue.' Allnutt admitted 12 counts of fraudulent evasion.

Gregory Allnutt bought tax-free goods from EU . He then sold them without VAT to undercut rivals . Raked in £4,000 a month for three years . Now owes £420,000 in VAT to the taxman .

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By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 01:50 EST, 25 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 17:35 EST, 25 December 2013 . They walked under a salute of sabers- the traditional closing for military weddings. And while the marriage was not legal - banned in the state of North Carolina, where Fort Bragg is located - the symbol of a same-sex couple being afforded the same traditions as any military couple meant just as much. Fort Bragg Maj. Daniel Toven exchanged vows with Jonathon Taylor on Saturday before 100 people at his home base, which is also one of the largest army bases in the world and headquarters of the United States Army's airborne and Special Operations Forces., according to The Fayettevile Observer. Maj. Daniel Toven (left) and Johnathan Taylor (right) kiss under an arch of sabers following a blessing of their union at Main Post Chapel on Fort Bragg, Saturday, December 21, 2013, the first same-sex marriage celebration at the army base . The couple had been officially married in Washington, D.C., in August, but the second ceremony represented the 'wonderful place we're at' in the world when it comes to gay rights. 'It was my hope that someday before I retired that I might see the repeal of don’t ask, don’t tell,' Toven said. 'This? I never imagined in a million years. It’s a dream come true.' His husband acknowledged the historic nature of their ceremony. 'We’d be lying if we said we did not think about it,' Taylor said. 'But it says a lot about the wonderful place we’re at.' Maj. Daniel Toven (right) adjusts a detail for his spouse Johnathan Taylor (left) before a blessing of their marriage with family and friends at Main Post Chapel on Fort Bragg, Saturday, December 21, 2013 . More than 100 people turned out to bless the pair's marriage, which for a same-sex couple at Fort Bragg. Among the attendees at the Episcopal service included a one-star general and a command sergeant major. Also attending were Lt. Col. Heather Mack and her wife, who initially was barred from membership in the Fort Bragg Officers' Spouses Club before the group relented earlier this year. The couple says that the base’s superiors were welcoming to their ceremony long before they were ever married. Toven works as a bandleader at Fort Bragg, while Taylor serves as a nurse at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Rev. Harry Abernathy, who conducted an Episcopal ritual of blessing, said that 'the couple’s relationship was a sign of God’s love'. About 100 relatives and friends of the couple attended, including some notable military members. Among the latter were Lt. Col.

Fort Bragg Maj. Daniel Toven exchanged vows with nurse Jonathon Taylor on Saturday before 100 people . While the marriage was not legal, because North Carolina does not allow same-sex unions, the ceremony represented a big step for the military and a first for Fort Bragg . The couple were officially wed in Washington D.C. in August . Fort Bragg is one of the biggest Army bases in the world .

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By . Simon Tomlinson . PUBLISHED: . 04:40 EST, 4 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:10 EST, 4 January 2013 . A teacher has been charged with sending dirty Facebook messages to a 15-year-old pupil asking for naked pictures of herself. Dustin James Mullins, 22, had just started as a substitute teacher at Henry J. Kaiser Elementary School in Ravenswood, West Virginia, when he was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of soliciting a minor. He is alleged to have told the girl: 'You're very pretty in the face and have a great body... That normally means you're hot... some of those holes in your jeans always made me wonder what you looked like without anything on...' Accused: Teacher Dustin James Mullins (left) appears at Jackson Magistrate Court charged with sending dirty Facebook messages to a 15-year-old pupil . The complaint filed to Jackson Magistrate Court claimed he also said: 'It has been a fantasy of mine to get you alone for a while I must say...'. He went on to say: 'You should send me a pic ... cause I've wanted to see you without clothes on for a looooooong time. U don't have to ... I'll just fantasize.' The girl showed the messages to her mother, who contacted Ravenswood High School's prevention officer. According to the Charleston Daily Mail, Mullins told officers he sent the messages from his mobile phone. In the dock: Instead of marking homework, a handcuffed Mullins was signing in at the court after being arrested on suspicion of soliciting a minor . Mullins told police the girl was a pupil in his class when he was doing his student teaching at Parkersburg South High School (above) in Wood County from October to November last year . Detective R.H. Mellinger said in the complaint that Mullins confessed to 'each and every message contained in the aforementioned Facebook Messenger print-out'. Mullins told police the girl was a pupil in his class when he was doing his student teaching at Parkersburg South High School in Wood County from October to November last year. According to the complaint, the History teacher said he was 'just not real sure' what his intentions would be if he were to meet the girl outside the school environment. Mullins appeared at Jackson Magistrate Court on Wednesday charged with soliciting a minor via computer, use of obscene matter with intent to seduce a minor and two counts of attempt to commit a felony. He was released on $150,000 (£90,000) bond. Superintendent Blaine Hess said Mullins was no longer working in Jackson County. But he would not say if Mullins had been suspended and what, if any, disciplinary action was being taken.

Dustin James Mullins, 22, charged with soliciting one of his pupils . 'Sent teenager flirty messages asking for naked pictures of herself' Alleged to have told her: 'You're very pretty and have a great body'

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(CNN) -- Quoting Ezekiel 25:17 from "Pulp Fiction" will likely get you laughed out of Sunday school class. That's because the Bible verse, as recited by Samuel L. Jackson's character, Jules Winnfield, doesn't actually exist. In the film, Winnfield speaks these words to people before he kills them: "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you." The actual Bible verse says, "I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I take vengeance on them.'" Scripture isn't the only thing writer-director Quentin Tarantino took creative liberties with for the film that opened in theaters on October 14, 1994. In honor of "Pulp Fiction's" 20th anniversary, here are 20 fun facts about the movie that still reigns as one of the greats: . 1. Vincent Vega's trips to the bathroom . Potty breaks are bad news in this film. Whenever John Travolta's character, Vincent Vega, takes a powder, tragedy occurs. During his three bathroom breaks, Mia Wallace (played by Uma Thurman) overdoses, the restaurant where he and Jules are dining is held up, and Bruce Willis' Butch Coolidge gets the drop on him. 2. F'ed up . The F-word is used 265 times in the movie. Go ahead and count it. 3. The notebook . Fueled by the money he had made from his film "Reservoir Dogs" and the deal he had for "Pulp Fiction," Tarantino took off to Amsterdam to write the latter. According to Vanity Fair, "He bought school notebooks and declared about one of them, like a modern-day Hemingway, 'This is the notebook in which I am going to write Pulp Fiction.' " He ended up filling several notebooks. 4. The Honda . Tarantino got a lot of use out of the Honda Civic that Butch drives in the film. It's the same car Pam Grier drives in the title role of "Jackie Brown," and appears in a parking lot scene in "Kill Bill: Volume 2." 5. Oops with the coat . At the beginning of the now-infamous overdose scene, Mia is wearing Vincent's coat. Moments later she goes to light a cigarette and is no longer wearing it. The coat magically appears back on her once the cigarette is lit. 6. Robert Redford could have starred . Ronnie Yeskel, the film's casting director, told Flavorwire that unlike on "Reservoir Dogs," Hollywood agencies "were pitching Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman and Bruce, Bruce Willis -- just the biggest names in the business that you could imagine." "And we're sitting there in these rooms with all these suits, and they all look alike, and we're like kids in a candy store," Yeskel said. "We couldn't believe they were pitching these people to us." 7. Or Ellen . Ellen DeGeneres tried out for the role of Jody, the pierced face wife of Vincent's drug dealer, that ultimately went to Rosanna Arquette. 8. Kathy Griffin made it in as did ... Blink and you may miss her, but comedian Kathy Griffin appears in the scene where bad guy Marsellus Wallace and Butch collide. Griffin has said she used to date Tarantino. Steve Buscemi, who now stars in "Boardwalk Empire," also made a cameo as the Buddy Holly waiter at Jack Rabbit Slim's. 9. Tricky camera work . The scene where Travolta's Vincent plunges a needle into the chest of Thurman's Mia to revive her from an overdose using adrenaline was filmed with Travolta pulling the needle out of her and then the film was run backward. 10. Jackson was convincing . Producer Richard Gladstein told Vanity Fair that when Jackson did his second audition for his role he showed up with a burger and fries -- key props in one of the film's pivotal scenes. The actor proceeded to consume the meal so menacingly that Gladstein said, "I thought that this guy was going to shoot a gun right through my head." 11. On drugs . One of Tarantino's friends, a recovering heroin addict, advised Travolta on how best to portray a man riding that horse. He told the actor that getting drunk on tequila while relaxing in a hot bath would closely approximate a heroin high without him actually having to do the drug. 12. That bad wallet . The director didn't have to look far for one of the film's most memorable props. Jules' wallet, which had "Bad Mother F****r" written on the front of it, actually belonged to Tarantino. 13. The watch transporter . When Captain Koons (Christopher Walken) tells a young Butch the story about the gold watch that was a family heirloom, he refers to a soldier named Winocki who transported it. Joe Winocki was the name of a character in the 1943 film "Air Force," directed by Howard Hawks, one of Tarantino's personal heroes. 14. "The Wolf" No one else could have played the man who specialized in messy cleanups: Tarantino reportedly wrote the character of Winston "The Wolf" Wolfe specifically for Harvey Keitel. 15. The same pie . If Fabienne's line, "Any time of day is a good time for pie," sounds familiar, it should. The character of Alabama says the same thing in another Tarantino film, "True Romance." 16. What's in the case? There have been countless theories about what was in that mysterious briefcase that Jules and Vinnie had to protect -- with everything from gold to Marsellus' soul being suggested. But Tarantino has said in interviews that it's whatever fans choose it to be, though he has also had fun with fans promising a "reveal." 17. Keeping it in the family . Travolta's character, Vincent Vega, is the brother of Vic Vega, aka Mr. Blonde, from Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs." Michael Madsen played the character in that film. 18. The meaning of the Band-Aid . Marsellus sports a Band-Aid on the back of his neck for a reason: It covers up a scar actor Ving Rhames had. 19. The dance trophy . The audience is led to believe that Vincent and Mia won the dance contest at the Jack Rabbit Slim's restaurant. But late in the film, when Butch is returning to get his watch, there's a radio bulletin about the trophy having been stolen. 20. The Gimp had a wife . "Saturday Night Live" alum Julia Sweeney had a bit role in "Pulp Fiction" as a junkyard owner and The Wolf's breakfast date, Raquel. In real life, she had been married to Stephen Hibbert, who played The Gimp in the film.

Quentin Tarantino's film opened in theaters in October 1994 . The movie helped revive John Travolta's career . The F-word is used 265 times in the movie .

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Andy Murray has found it increasingly hard to defeat Novak Djokovic of late, and now the British number one's wannabe compatriot is going to give it a try. Aljaz Bedene is the 25-year-old Slovenian settled in Welwyn Garden City with a pop star girlfriend who is a protégé of the renowned music producer and tennis nut Jeff Wayne. The fast-rising world No 116 hopes to receive his passport and represent Great Britain this year, but for now must concentrate on his first round against the world No 1 and outright favourite for the Australian Open. Aljaz Bedene, who hopes to represet Great Britain, will face world No 1 Novak Djokovic on Tuesday . Slovenia tennis star Bedene lives with his pop star fiancee in Hertfordshire, England . The season's first Grand Slam was due to begin on Monday morning, with Murray beginning his campaign against Indian qualifier Yuki Bhambri. James Ward, Kyle Edmund and Heather Watson play on day two, and then there is Bedene. Since 2008 he has lived in an area more associated with producing outstanding golfers, such as Sir Nick Faldo and Ian Poulter, and he now sees himself as part of the Hertfordshire scene. He has even represented the county at tennis, under the non-playing captaincy of Wayne – best-known for his War of the Worlds musical adaptation – who works with Bedene's girlfriend Kimalie, another who seeks British citizenship. At present the player is not known much beyond the tennis cognoscenti, although he is reckoned to have top 50 potential and his ranking is falsely low due to injury problems sustained last year. His profile would skyrocket with an upset of Djokovic, who might be more vulnerable than usual as he has been battling a virus and has had his preparations for this event disrupted. Bedene – an athletic baseliner who has already been in the world's top 75 - has had an immigration lawyer pressing for a passport for two years, but is trying to ignore any distractions as he prepares to face the formidable Serb. Bedene faces an extremely difficult Australian Open tie against Novak Djokovic . Djokovic's preparations have been disrupted as he has been battling against a virus . 'I haven't been checking up on it too much here because I need to focus,' he said on Sunday. 'I really want to play for Great Britain, that's my life goal actually. I don't know everything about it but it looks good so far and I'm looking forward to the next few years. 'I'm paying taxes in England so that's a plus, I guess. I live with my fiancee. I have a friend as well, Jeff Wayne, who is trying to help Kimalie, which is her artist's name in her music career. 'So we have both been based there for our careers and I think that's a big thing. We are both enjoying it there. I'm planning to live there after my career as well. It's just a nice place to live.' He confirmed that he would try to appeal against a new rule that came into effect this month preventing players who have already represented another country switching their allegiance in the Davis Cup. His problem is that he has been on the Slovenian team three times, the last occasion being three years ago. The potential objections from someone like long standing Davis Cup stalwart James Ward would be understandable on that basis. James Ward may object against Bedene switching from Slovenia to represent Britain at the Davis Cup .

Aljaz Bedene is hoping to represent Great Britain later this year . The 25-year-old Slovenian is keen on obtaining a British passport . World No 116 faces Serbia tennis star Novak Djokovic on Tuesday .

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John F Kennedy kept the cold war out of the North Pole. That's at least what he told Michelle, an 8-year-old girl who wrote to the president about being worried over Santa Claus being threatened by nuclear bombs from the Soviet Union. The JFK Library Foundation in Boston released a video Friday displaying the text of the letter that Kennedy signed and sent to Michelle in 1961. Nuclear winter: John F Kennedy penned a letter to 8-year-old Michelle in 1961 assuring her that Santa was safe from nuclear testing . 'Dear Michelle,' the letter reads, 'I was glad to get your letter about trying to stop the Russians from bombing the North Pole and risking the life of Santa Claus.' 'I share your concern about the atmospheric testing of the Soviet Union, not only for the North Pole but for countries throughout the world; not only for Santa Claus but for people throughout the world.' 'However, you must not worry about Santa Claus. I talked with him yesterday and he is fine. He will be making his rounds again this Christmas.' Atmospheric testing refers to above-ground nuclear tests that the Soviet Union, the United States and other countries conducted. Atmospheric testing: Two days after the letter was postmarked to Michelle, Russia actually tested a 50-megaton bomb, nicknamed Tsar Bomba, over an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean . Two days after the letter was postmarked to Michelle, Russia tested the Tsar Bomba, at 50 megatons the most powerful nuclear weapon ever detonated. The bomb exploded over Novaya Zemlya, a Russian archipelago located in the Arctic Ocean, just over a thousand miles from the North Pole.

The JFK Library Foundation in Boston released a YouTube video displaying the text of the letter sent to 8-year-old Michelle . The letter assured the little girl that Kennedy was worried about the threat of nuclear weapons to both Santa and the citizens of the world . Kennedy told Michelle that he had talked to Santa and assured her that Saint Nick would be delivering presents that Christmas .

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Britain’s elite Special Forces have been ordered to soften their gruelling entry tests by the Government’s Health and Safety watchdog. Endurance exercises for those hoping to win places in the SAS and SBS have been made easier following a damning report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the deaths of three soldiers who collapsed during a 20-mile march over the Brecon Beacons last year. The move has sparked fury among officers and troops in the tough fighting units, who fear the calibre of soldiers winning places will decline, lives will be put at risk and the regiments’ fearsome reputation will be undermined. Test of endurance: The SAS has been ordered to soften their gruelling entry tests by the Government's Health and Safety watchdog. Above, soldiers take a breather on a 50-mile march over the Brecon Beacons last year . Victims: The changes follow a damning report by the Health and Safety Executive into the deaths of Corporal James Dunsby (right), 31, Trooper Edward Maher (left), 31, and Lance Corporal Craig Roberts, 24, last July . Until now potential recruits would . have to go without food if rations ran low and find streams if they ran . out of water – skills SAS officers say are essential to survival in . combat. Candidates who had to be ‘rescued’ automatically failed. But . new rules, to meet HSE demands, include providing extra rations, giving . troops time to rest on marches, making sure safe drinking water  is . always available and introducing marshals to help stragglers cross the . finishing line. Tragic: The three soldiers, including L/Cpl Roberts (pictured), collapsed during a 20-mile march over the South Wales mountain range . In . the Brecon Beacons, recruits are expected to march up and down the . 2,900ft Pen Y Fan. Instructors use two routes, the steep and . inaccessible ‘Goat Route’ and the easier partly cobbled ‘Granny Route’. Now, . if candidates are struggling on the climb in adverse weather, they will . use the ‘Granny Route’ to avoid any emergency arising. And in the jungle section of the two-venue test, held in Brunei, if several recruits suffer heat exhaustion marches will be shortened or cancelled so they can recover and receive medical treatment. SAS sources say the pass rate has more than doubled since the changes were made in January ahead of the winter selection course. The Ministry of Defence refused to confirm this. The Mail on Sunday has been told that on the winter 2013 course, only 20 candidates out of 250 were successful. Of the 250 who started the winter 2014 course, 46 passed. Last night, an SAS source said: ‘This caused a massive spike in the number of candidates completing the marches inside the time limits and thereby qualifying to serve in Special Forces units. ‘The SAS and SBS cannot afford to accept candidates whose fitness, mental aptitude or military skills are in any doubt. The inspectors have no idea of the risks to soldiers’ lives when they’re in battle should training be compromised. ‘So even though the SAS and SBS have been struggling to fully staff their squadrons in recent years, there is no benefit to having a larger pool of guys as a result of the last course. Question marks will remain over their capability.’ The HSE imposed the changes following the deaths of Corporal James Dunsby, 31, Trooper Edward Maher, 31, and Lance Corporal Craig Roberts, 24, after an endurance march last July. Tough: In the Brecon Beacons (pictured), recruits are expected to march up and down the 2,900ft Pen Y Fan. Instructors use two routes, the steep and inaccessible 'Goat Route' and the partly cobbled 'Granny Route' The soldiers set off at around 6am . carrying heavy packs up and down Pen Y Fan. As the temperature peaked in . the early afternoon at 30C (86F), they ran out of water. L/Cpl Roberts was declared dead on the mountain while Trooper Maher died that evening in hospital. Cpl Dunsby died two weeks later from multiple organ failure. It was the biggest loss of life in the history of SAS selection. Afterwards, HSE inspector Sarah Baldwin-Jones launched an inquiry. In October, she sent a Crown Improvement Notice, a document stating that the selection courses breached the Health and Safety at Work Act. The notice casts blame on Special Forces instructors. Scene: SAS sources say the pass rate has more than doubled since the changes were made in January ahead of the winter course. The Ministry of Defence refused to confirm this. Above, the Brecon Beacons in Wales . The inspector added that as the emergency unfolded, with at least six recruits showing signs of severe heat sickness, these instructors ‘failed to review risk assessments’. Special Forces chiefs were ordered by the HSE to present new risk control measures and to ensure that, in future, sufficient quantities of hot rations and safe drinking water would be available. The HSE confirmed last night that regulators had accepted new risk assessments and safety measures presented by the military. The Ministry of Defence said: ‘We have co-operated fully with the Health and Safety Executive inspectors and are implementing all the recommendations in the Crown Improvement Notice.’ A police inquiry into the deaths is continuing, with more than 100 instructors and soldiers being interviewed.

Gruelling entry tests for UK's elite Special Forces have been made easier . Troops provided with extra water and food rations, and given time to rest . Endurance marches will also be shorter - with marshals to help stragglers . Follows report by Health and Safety Executive into deaths of three soldiers .

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Raheem Sterling is confident that Liverpool have found the perfect player to 'fill the void' left by Luis Suarez's departure in new £16million signing Mario Balotelli. Balotelli moved to Anfield from AC Milan last week and he is expected to form a strong attacking partnership with Daniel Sturridge. And England winger Sterling is confident that manager Brendan Rodgers has signed the right man to replace Suarez, who left for Barcelona for £60m this summer. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Mario Balotelli: I see expectation from Liverpool fans . New arrival: Mario Balotelli has signed for Liverpool for £16million from Italian giants AC Milan . Expecting big things: Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling believes Mario Balotelli can replace Luis Suarez's goals . Gone: Suarez left Liverpool for Barcelona in a £60m move this summer and Balotelli has come in to replace him . Speaking to FourFourTwo, Sterling said of Balotelli: 'He's a massive player. The manager has brought him in and it's exciting times for Liverpool. 'This is a step forward after losing Luis at the start of the season. He (Balotelli) has come in to try and fill the void left by Luis and think he has the qualities to do so. 'I'm looking forward to working with him and I think he can be an important player for the club.' When asked what Balotelli's major strengths were and what the striker could bring to Liverpool, Sterling replied: 'Goals. Obviously we lost a goalscorer in Luis so it's something we're going to need to replace. 'He'll also bring a presence on the pitch, especially up front, as part of our attack.' Smiles: Balotelli (right) appears to have settled in well at Liverpool and Sterling has been impressed with him . Talent: Raheem Sterling believes Balotelli is top class and can thrive at Liverpool after his move to the club .

Raheem Sterling believes Mario Balotelli can be a major hit at Liverpool . Ex-Manchester City striker Balotelli signed from AC Milan for £16million . Sterling told FourFourTwo that Balotelli can replace Luis Suarez at Anfield . England winger believes Balotelli will bring goals and a 'presence' to team .

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Medical marijuana advocates are hoping state governments can succeed where their efforts have failed by asking federal authorities to reclassify pot as a drug with medical use. Shortly before Christmas, Colorado became the fourth state to ask the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to reclassify marijuana as a narcotic in the same league as heavyweight painkillers including oxycodone. The governors of Washington and Rhode Island filed a formal petition with the agency in November, and Vermont signed onto that request shortly afterward. All four are among the sixteen states and the District of Columbia that have laws on the books that allow the medical use of marijuana, even though the drug remains illegal under federal law. Meanwhile, federal authorities have asserted their power by raiding dispensaries in states including California and Washington. Supporters say the public is on their side, and the state requests show the feds are increasingly isolated on the issue. But they acknowledge it's still an uphill battle. "I don't think that we're going to see to much change in Washington's position on this until public opinion and state-level support reaches a little bit higher a tipping point," said Morgan Fox, a spokesman for the D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project. The DEA said it would "reply accordingly," but noted that similar petitions had been rejected before. DEA spokeswoman Barbara Carreno told CNN that the agency gives "great respect" to state governments, but their requests would get "the same attention as a petition from a medical group or anything else." Marijuana is listed as a Schedule I drug by the DEA, meaning it's dangerous and has no medical use. Medical marijuana advocates, including the states that have petitioned the agency, say it should be listed under Schedule II, comparing it to other prescription painkillers that have a high potential for abuse. In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration restated its opposition to medical marijuana, saying "no sound scientific studies" support its use. State laws authorizing it "are inconsistent with efforts to ensure that medications undergo the rigorous scientific scrutiny of the FDA approval process," it added. But in their November petition, Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire and Rhode Island's Lincoln Chafee argued that "the vast majority of modern research" has found marijuana useful for treating patients with glaucoma, for relieving the nausea suffered by cancer patients in chemotherapy and for relieving symptoms of degenerative nerve diseases. They cite a 2001 study by the National Academy of Sciences that recommended research into the "potential therapeutic value" of cannabis, though it warned that smoking pot was a "crude" method "that also delivers harmful substances." "Since the last FDA review in 2006, the scientific process has identified and clarified even more of the therapeutic effects of cannabis through ongoing research and assessment of available data," wrote Gregoire, a Democrat, and Chafee, a former Republican-turned-independent. "This petition presents this further evidence. It is now time for the DEA to reschedule the substance." The Obama administration says it is willing to support research, but has taken a stiff position against medical marijuana. In October, in response to online petitions, White House drug czar Gil Kerlikowske said marijuana "is not a benign drug." Medical marijuana group sues Obama administration . "Like many, we are interested in the potential marijuana may have in providing relief to individuals diagnosed with certain serious illnesses. That is why we ardently support ongoing research into determining what components of the marijuana plant can be used as medicine," Kerlikowske wrote. "To date, however, neither the FDA nor the Institute of Medicine have found smoked marijuana to meet the modern standard for safe or effective medicine for any condition." Carreno said petitions to reschedule a drug take years to review. The DEA does its own analysis, then refers the requests to the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services, which review their own research. "Then they send recommendations back to us, and based on the recommendation we get, we make a decision," she said. Critics call medical marijuana a "Trojan horse" for legalizing the drug entirely, and federal authorities mounted a string of high-profile raids in California, Washington and Montana in 2011. The Justice Department says it isn't targeting patients who are in "clear and unambiguous compliance" with state laws. In October's raids in California, prosecutors said they were targeting organizations that had become large-scale commercial traffickers, operating beyond the limits of state law. In their petition, Gregoire and Chafee said rescheduling was needed because states can't make rules governing medical marijuana "without putting their employees at risk of violating federal law." "From a patient perspective, there's a lot of things up in the air," Gregoire spokesman Cory Curtis told CNN. He said the state hopes "to give them clarity and peace of mind, both in the environment in which they get it and the prescription and dose they get." A round of federal raids targeted dispensaries in the Seattle area in November, but agents were targeting "folks who were distributing without a medical purpose," Curtis said. Washington allows patients to grow their own marijuana and keep a 60-day supply, which it defines as up to 24 ounces. Patients and designated health-care providers can keep "collective gardens." Rhode Island allows patients to grow up to 12 plants and possess up to 2.5 ounces of pot for their own use, as long as a doctor has certified that it may alleviate symptoms and the potential risks don't outweigh the benefits. It also allows "compassion centers" to cultivate and dispense marijuana, as long as it stays within those limits for each patient. In Colorado, legislation passed in 2010 allows state regulators to keep a tight rein on dispensaries and required them to request reclassification from the DEA. "As long as there is a divergence in state and federal law, there is a lack of certainty necessary to provide safe access for patients with serious medical conditions," Barbara Brohl, the executive director of Colorado's Department of Revenue, wrote in a December 22 letter to DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart. Since the law went into effect, more than 700 people have applied for licenses to sell medical marijuana, said Mark Couch, a spokesman for Brohl's office. The state collected about $5 million in sales taxes in the last fiscal year, which ended in June -- a tiny fraction of the state's $8 billion general fund, he said. Fox said the state's requests to reclassify the drug "could and certainly should" give the states some breathing room, "but I really don't think it will." "I think that it's not going to provide any real tangible benefits immediately," he said. But it if succeeds, "It will definitely bring the federal government more in line with currently accepted science." In the meantime, "There's no reason for the federal government to be wasting resources going after medical marijuana providers," he said.

Four states have asked federal officials to reclassify marijuana . Governors say they can't set rules without risking violations of U.S. law . Advocates say there's no reason to keep busting medical pot providers . Critics call medical marijuana a "Trojan horse" for legalization .

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By . Toby Harnden . PUBLISHED: . 03:47 EST, 2 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:38 EST, 2 November 2012 . An increasingly confident Barack Obama has returned to his rhetoric of 2008, presenting himself as a challenger to the status quo who will change politics and railing against ‘lobbyists and special interests’ in Washington. Speaking before 10,000 people in the Democratic heartland of Boulder, Colorado, Obama, his voice hoarse, delivered a fiery 36-minute speech designed to whip up his base of voters and rekindle some of the magic of four years ago ahead of Tuesday's election. Scroll down for video . His youngest fan? Obama high-fives a young girl while meeting with supporters after speaking at a campaign event at Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard, Ohio, today . Must win: Mitt Romney needs to take Virginia and Florida . Obama has edged ahead in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls by just 0.1 per cent and appears to have an advantage in the crucial swing state of Ohio. He is very much in contention too in Virginia and Florida, which his opponent Mitt Romney must win. But Obama is campaigning in Wisconsin, Colorado and Nevada, states he won easily in 2008 and which hoped would have been in the bag by now. If Ohio, Florida and Virginia fall, his aides calculate, these states might save him. ‘Back in 2008, when we talked about . change, I told you I wasn’t just talking about changing Presidents.  I . wasn’t just talking about changing parties,’ Obama said in Boulder. ‘I . was talking about changing our politics. ‘I ran because the voices of the American people - your voices - had been shut out of our democracy for way too long by lobbyists and special interests, and politicians who believe that compromise is a dirty word and who would say anything to win office, and do anything to stay in office.’ Change, again: Barack Obama brought up memories of the previous election campaign . Plans: Obama said 'the future doesn't have many lobbyists' Despite having included many former . lobbyists in his administration, Obama said: ‘The future doesn’t have . lobbyists. They’ll never have as many lobbyists as the vested interests. Never have as many lobbyists as the past does.’ Lobbyists, however, have been frequent and repeated visitors to the Obama White House. According to the Washington Post, Tim Hannegan, who lists Taser International as a client has been to the White House more than 30 times under Obama. Bill Samuel, lobbyist for the AFL-CIO, has been by more than 50 times. Michael Taylor, a lobbyist for the Monsanto corporation, has been 25 times. Former Senator. Chris Dodd, a lobbyists for the Motion Picture Association of America, has been more than a dozen times. But the populist rhetoric was lapped up by the crowd as Obama promised 100,000 new ‘math and science teachers’ and training for two million workers. Aiming high: Obama pledged training for two million workers and more teachers . Not the status quo: Romney said he was the real agent of change . Obama sought to seize back the mantle of change from Romney, who has recently claimed he is the real candidate of change and Obama represents the status quo in Washington. ‘I know what real change looks like, because I fought for it,’ Obama said. ‘I've got the scars to prove it. You have, too. And after all that we've been through together, Colorado, we sure as heck can't give up now.’ The argument is unlikely to persuade many swing voters, who have become jaded after four years of high unemployment, soaring debt and partisan gridlock in Washington. But it is a message that resonates among diehard Democrats, who Obama desperately needs to go to the polls. Obama also looked back to the Bush years, blaming his predecessor for the mess that he had spent ‘four years cleaning up’ and harking back to President Bill Clinton’s time in the White House from 1993 to 2001. ‘We know the ideas that worked,’ Obama said in Green Bay, Wisconsin. ‘We also know the ideas that don't work. Because in the eight years after Bill Clinton left office, his policies were reversed.’ Obama speaking in Boulder, Colorado .

President told 10,000 in Colorado that the future does not hold many lobbyists . Obama has edged ahead in the polls by 0.1 per cent and seems to have an advantage in Ohio .

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By . Rachel Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 12:44 EST, 20 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 01:36 EST, 21 May 2013 . Selfridges has reported aN increase in sales of insect delicacies after the World Health Organisation suggested that eating bugs could be the solution to worldwide food shortages. The department store has recorded an 11 per cent increase in sales of Edible's insect-based snacks including Thai Green Curry Crickets, Dark Chocolate Covered Scorpions and BBQ Flavour Worm Crisps. According to the WHO, insects are a more sustainable protein source than other meats. Selfridges has noticed a surge in demand for insect delicacies after the World Health Organisation claimed that eating bugs could help solve worldwide food shortages . The UN's Food and Agricultural Agency says that more than two billion people - 30 per cent of the planet's population - already supplement their diet with insects. A 200-page report, released at a news conference at the U.N. agency's Rome headquarters, says 2 billion people worldwide already supplement their diets with insects, which are high in protein and minerals, and have environmental benefits. Commenting on the increase in sales, Emma Murphy, Selfridges Confectionery . Buyer said: 'The Edible range has a broad appeal and there are a number . of customers who appreciate the high protein levels in the range as it . offers an alternative to high protein diets. 'The . Mopain Ants have as much protein per gram as a breast of chicken. Around Christmas time, we find customers buy  the range for novelty . value. 'The Scorpion . vodka, The Gold Lolly and the Mopain worms do really well over Christmas . especially as 'I'm a Celebrity' is on at that time, too.' Insects are 'extremely efficient' in converting feed into edible meat, according to the WHO report. On average, they can convert 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of feed into 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of insect mass. In comparison, cattle require 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) of feed to produce a kilo of meat. Insects are full of protein, fibre and a range of micronutrients . Currently, most edible insects are gathered in forests and what insect farming does take place is often family-run and serves niche markets. But the U.N. says mechanisation can ratchet up insect farming production. The fish bait industry, for example, has long farmed insects. Insect farming is 'one of the many ways to address food and feed security,' the food agency said. 'Insects are everywhere and they reproduce quickly,' the agency said, adding they leave a 'low environmental footprint.' They provide high-quality protein and nutrients when compared with meat and fish and are 'particularly important as a food supplement for undernourished children,' it said. Insects can also be rich in copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium and zinc, and are a source of fibre. The agency noted that its Edible Insect Program is also examining the potential of arachnids, such as spiders and scorpions, although they are not strictly speaking insects. University biologists have analysed the nutritional value of edible insects, and some of them, such as certain beetles, ants, crickets and grasshoppers, come close to lean red meat or broiled fish in terms of protein per gram. Worm Salt; £7.99 . Infused with chilli and agave worm, the salt has an intense smoky flavour, traditionally used in southern Mexico as a seasoning for salsas. English Gin infused with an edible earthworm; £26.99 . These earthworms are grown in the fertile soils of Southern England. You can eat the worm after drinking the gin, it makes a delightful treat. Chocolate Covered Scorpion; £5.99 . Farm-raised edible scorpion has been hand-dipped in Belgian dark chocolate. The scorpion has a crisp, wafer-like texture and a pleasant nutty taste similar to walnut. Tequila worm lollipop; £5.19 . The worm is specially bred for human consumption and has been reared on a special diet of cereals and fresh greens.

Sales of insects have shot up after a report by World Health Organisation said that insects offer range of nutrients, protein and fibre . But trend for eating bugs is nothing new - over 2 billion people already supplement diet with creepy crawlies .

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Washington (CNN) -- No employees of NBC will face criminal charges over the display of a high-capacity ammunition magazine on a "Meet the Press" program in violation of local law in Washington, prosecutors told the network on Friday. The capital city's attorney general, Irvin Nathan, said in a letter to NBC there would be no charges, but added that it was "a very close decision." Nathan also said "there is no doubt of the gravity of the illegal conduct in this matter, especially in a city and a nation that have been plagued by carnage from gun violence." The letter also confirmed the 30-round magazine displayed by show host David Gregory on December 23 was empty. At the time, Gregory was interviewing Wayne LaPierre of the National Rifle Association, a strong opponent of new gun control proposals. Nathan said the network used the magazine with the "purpose of informing an ongoing public debate about firearms policy" not long after the school shooting massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. Even an empty magazine violates city law. Conviction carries a possible sentence of up to a year in jail as well as a possible fine of up to $1,000. A police spokeswoman said that NBC asked before the program whether it would be legal to show a high capacity magazine on air and was told no. An official with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives told CNN he consulted with city police after receiving a similar request from NBC and was told an empty magazine would not be a problem. The official passed the information to NBC, but later learned there was a "miscommunication" with police and that showing an empty magazine would, indeed, violate the law. The official said he did not give NBC permission to use a magazine. In his letter, Nathan referred to "feeble and unsatisfactory efforts" made by NBC to find out what it could legally do. "Although there appears to have been some misinformation provided initially, NBC was clearly and timely advised by a (Metropolitan Police Department) employee that its plans to exhibit on the broadcast a high capacity magazine would violate D.C. law, and there was no contrary advice from any federal official," Nathan said. He added that any uncertainty about the law was unjustified. "Meet the Press" issued an e-mailed statement following Nathan's decision. "We displayed the empty magazine solely for journalistic purposes to help illustrate an important issue for our viewers," the show said. "We accept the District of Columbia Attorney General's admonishment, respect his decision and will have no further comment on this matter."

'Meet the Press' host displayed empty high-capacity ammo clip on air . DC prosecutor said city law violated, but no charges will be filed . NBC's efforts to determine what it could do legally were unsatisfactory, prosecutor says . Show followed school shooting massacre in Newtown, Connecticut .

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By . Alasdair Glennie . PUBLISHED: . 10:12 EST, 11 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 19:45 EST, 11 December 2013 . Nick Pollard has admitted not including the claim that then-director general Mark Thompson knew about the Newsnight investigation into Savile . BBC chairman Chris Patten is facing claims he helped cover up key evidence about the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal. For . three months, Lord Patten has been aware of a secret tape in which the . author of the official £3million inquiry into the debacle said he made a . ‘mistake’ in his final report. In . a recording leaked online yesterday, Nick Pollard admitted ignoring . bombshell claims suggesting the BBC’s former director-general was . specifically warned about the disgraced DJ’s sex abuse yet allowed . glowing tributes to be screened after Savile’s death. Despite . being handed a transcript of the conversation in September, Lord Patten . has repeatedly refused to reopen the investigation and even warned one . MP he could be sued if he attempted to publish it. At . the heart of the row is a conflict between one of the BBC’s most . powerful female executives, director of radio Helen Boaden, and former . director-general Mark Thompson, now chief executive of the New York . Times. Mr Thompson was in . charge of the BBC when a devastating TV report into Savile’s predatory . past was shelved, sparking a wave of recriminations that culminated in . the resignation of his successor. His . repeated assurances that he was never told about the sex-abuse . allegations were accepted by the Pollard inquiry. In the official report . published a year ago, Mr Pollard said he had ‘no reason to doubt Mr . Thompson’s account’. But in . the tape recording, Mr Pollard privately admitted to a journalist that . his report had been flawed. He had been handed a letter by lawyers . acting for Miss Boaden which directly contradicted Mr Thompson’s . evidence. She said she . warned Mr Thompson about the contents of the Newsnight investigation in a . phone call in December 2011, weeks before a Christmas tribute to Savile . aired. Mr Pollard was asked to examine the events which lead up to Newsnight abandoning its investigation into allegations of abuse against Savile, which were later revealed in an ITV documentary . Former BBC director of news Helen Boaden informed the Pollard review that she had told then-director-general Mark Thompson about a proposed Newsnight report into Savile - something Mr Thomson denies . The BBC Trust denied that chairman Lord Patten had threatened Tory MP Rob Wilson with legal action if he released the tape . In the recording, Mr . Pollard – who was paid £96,000 for eight weeks’ work – admits it was a . ‘mistake’ to leave the claims out of his report. Pressure is now growing . on Lord Patten to explain why he has not reopened the inquiry. He . was accused of trying to suppress the truth by warning  Tory MP Rob . Wilson, who tried to publish the recording this week, that he should be . ‘weighing up the legal liabilities that might arise’. Tory . MP Philip Davies, who sits on the Commons culture media and sport . committee, said the chairman’s position is ‘untenable’, adding: ‘Lord . Patten has become a joke. Any credibility he had left has completely . evaporated.’ Last night, the . BBC Trust said it was taking the recording ‘seriously’ and had passed . it on to Mr Pollard so he can give his version. A . spokesman added: ‘There was no legal threat – the letter merely . suggested Mr Wilson might want to satisfy himself the recording was not . defamatory, should he decide to release it.’ Sorry we are unable to accept comments for legal reasons.

Nick Pollard headed inquiry into why Newsnight dropped Savile report . In taped phone call he says director-general knew of Savile accusations . Mark Thompson denies being told about planned Newsnight inquiry .

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As Luis Suarez’s first goal went in on Tuesday night, Manuel Pellegrini sank back in his seat. It was hard to tell whether the look was one of exasperation or resignation. Pellegrini had a year to prepare for this, a year to solve the problems that characterised his team’s defeat against Barcelona last season. It took just a quarter of an hour for him to realise he hadn’t managed it. For all that Manchester City found a way back into this game in the second half, the decisive period was the opening half-hour. It told us that City continue to chase their tails when it comes to finding the right template in the Champions League. Brazilian midfielder brings down Luis Suarez having struggled to control the middle of the park on Tuesday . Manchester City's players are stunned after Barcelona put in a magnificent first-half performance . James Milner (right) had a tough task in the centre of midfield as Barcelona prevailed 2-1 at the Etihad . They grabbed something from this game by chasing it hard. Their energy and will found them a way and Joe Hart’s penalty save at the death means that the Barclays Premier League champions head to Spain next month in better spirits than they might have mustered. The truth is, however, that teams do not make significant headway in this tournament by chasing games, especially at home. Dominance comes from solid possession. It comes from control and method. City continue to invest in their squad but nights like this raise valid questions about whether the team is actually moving forward. If this seems unkind given the stellar nature of the opposition, so be it. This is the company City have made it their stated intention to keep. Nobody expects them to dominate the ball against Luis Enrique’s extraordinarily gifted team. The one way to make sure you fail against Barcelona is by trying to copy them. Former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez whips in his first-goal for the visitors after just 16 minutes . Suarez runs away with his trademark celebration having given the La Liga giants the lead in the first-half . Nevertheless, City must realise they simply must do better. They must find a way to dictate passages of play against the best opposition, if not the whole game. There remains a lack of authority to their play in Europe. It is not just Barcelona who have come to the Etihad Stadium and messed the home team around for periods. Bayern Munich have done it. AS Roma have done it. Even Napoli and CSKA Moscow have done it. One senses that Pellegrini and football director Txiki Begiristain know exactly what the problem is. It goes right to the heart of the team — to the centre of the City midfield. This is where foundations for victories at this level are built. This is where momentum builds. It comes from possession, from the rhythm of simply moving the ball. Manchester City keeper Joe Hart (centre) reacts after Barcelona went 2-0 after just 30 minutes . Fernando (centre) grapples with Barcelona's Lionel Messi as he attempts to regain possession . City have invested in the Brazilian duo Fernandinho and Fernando over the last two summers in a bid to construct a platform. Frank Lampard has added something domestically in that area this season. On Tuesday, James Milner began the game there with Fernando. Still, though, City look a million miles short. Certainly they do when compared to players like Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets and, for example, Bayern’s Bastian Schweinsteiger, or even Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic. On Tuesday night, City missed Yaya Toure, of course. The Ivorian was suspended. Even Toure, though, has looked muddled at times in Europe — not knowing whether to go or hold —and that is perhaps why City’s search has led them to the door of the French international midfielder Paul Pogba of Juventus. James Milner (right) struggled to help Manchester City dictate the midfield against Barcelona . The former Manchester United player will not come cheap this summer but City’s interest is real. He is the right age and it is not hard to see where Pogba’s physicality would improve this team. On Tuesday, Fernando and Milner were humbled from the start. The Brazilian had a wretched night. His first contribution was to give the ball straight to Busquets. The subsequent pass almost landed on Lionel Messi’s toe. Some start that would have been. Suarez can't hide his delight having scored his second of the night to put Barcelona 2-0 up on the night . Ten minutes later the City midfielder erred again, passing the ball to Suarez who raced through on goal. During a 30-minute spell during the middle of the opening half, City were second best by a rather distressing distance. Messi was almost impossible to track, sometimes dropping so deep he could almost shake hands with his own central defenders. When he moved, he did so in a manner alien to those in blue. Suarez was similarly difficult to follow and Neymar, operating from a starting position on the left side, timed his forays infield with devastating instinct. A second goal goes in for Barcelona and Joe Hart lets out a roar of frustration in the City goal mouth . Sergio Aguero fired in a delightful strike for City but with two away goals, Barcelona are in command . It was in turn thrilling and demoralising to watch and City really should have been able to come up with a more convincing answer. Everything Barcelona did was straight from the Nou Camp’s most classic playbook. City have invested money and thought in preparing Pellegrini’s squad for nights like this and at times here it was difficult to work out where it had all gone. Certainly City improved in the second half but it was all rather too late. At the end there was a sense of relief that the damage had not been greater. That, however, isn’t what European football is about. It is not about relief or small mercies. It’s about winning, it’s about moving forward. City, undeniably, remain inert. Aguero celebrates his second-half goal at the Etihad as Pellegrini's side looked to draw level with Barcelona .

Luis Suarez scored twice to put Barcelona 2-0 up vs Man City at half-time . Sergio Aguero reduced Manuel Pellegrini's side's deficit in the second-half . Gael Clichy was sent off for a second booking late on at the Etihad . Lionel Messi missed a stoppage time penalty for the visitors . CLICK HERE for Martin Samuel's match report from the Etihad .

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By . Lucy Crossley . Convicted: Sex offender James Burns worked as an airport security officer frisking passengers, despite facing fresh allegations of abusing a teenage boy . A convicted sex offender worked as an airport security officer frisking passengers, despite facing fresh allegations of abusing a teenage boy. James Burns, 56, was employed as an aviation security officer at Manchester Airport after passing a criminal record and counter terrorism check. However, the checks failed to highlight . his previous convictions for historic sexual assaults because the Police . National Computer at that time did not include all offences from the 70s . and 80s. Burns was given tasks including patting down passengers during security checks carried out before travellers are allowed to board an aircraft. But at the time he was offered the job in 2013 Burns was being investigated by police over new allegations of abusing a 16-year-old boy, who can not be named for legal reasons. He failed to tell his bosses about the allegations and it was not until he was convicted after a trial at Manchester Crown Court earlier this year that Burns came clean with bosses as his past came to light. Burns, Westhoughton, Bolton, was suspended on full pay after he was found guilty of four counts of sexual assault on a 16-year-old boy. However, he has still not been sacked despite the fact that this week he was given a nine month sentence suspended for two years and a 12-month supervision order. He was also placed on the sexual offenders register for ten years and subject to a sexual offences prevention order, which means he cannot be allowed unsupervised access to any children under 16, and must not seek to befriend any male under that age. The court was told that between August and December in 2007, Burns assaulted the victim, telling him that he was gay, despite the fact he was married with a wife and children. Burns also bombarded the teenager with sexually explicit and suggestive text messages, telling him that no one would believe him if he told anyone about the abuse. The victim received up to 40 lewd text messages a night, and said he was showered with gifts and cash by Burns. At the time of the offences Burns ran his own courier business, but his firm folded in 2010 and he later applied for and got the job at the airport. Workplace: Burns worked as an aviation security officer at Manchester Airport, and his role included physical contact with passengers, checking them as they went through the security gates . The victim came forward in 2012 after seeking medical help from his GP. During his trial it was revealed that Burns had previous convictions for indecent assault on a teenage boy in 1980 when he impersonated a police officer, and two convictions for public order offences in 1983 and 1984 for propositioning young men for sex in Bolton. Burns worked as an aviation security officer at the airport, and his role included physical contact with passengers, checking them as they went through the security gates. A Manchester Airport spokesman said: 'All security officers are given a criminal records check and a counter terrorism check, before they can be based at a UK airport, and the checks highlighted no disqualifying offences. Security: A spokesman for Manchester Airport said that all staff underwent criminal checks before starting work . Still employed: An airport spokesman said that Burns remained suspended on full pay from his job following his conviction . 'Had the check shown up the offences from the 1980s Burns would have been disqualified from working at the airport.' The spokesman added that Burns remained suspended on full pay from his job. The Police National Computer database is continually being updated with historic offences. It is understood that the offences carried out by Burns had not been added to the database at the time he was arrested in 2012.

James Burns worked as an aviation security officer at Manchester Airport . His job included patting down passengers at airport security gates . Criminal checks failed to show up his convictions for historic sexual offences . At the time he was offered role he was being investigated over new claims . 56-year-old convicted of four counts of sexual assault on boy, 16 . He has been suspended from airport on full pay, but has not been sacked .

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By . Steve Nolan . PUBLISHED: . 07:50 EST, 3 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:42 EST, 4 March 2013 . Britain is set to enjoy a mini spring heatwave this week, but make the most of it as the mercury is set to drop by the weekend. Met Office forecasters predict temperatures could climb to 13C by the middle of the week, higher than the average for this time of year. But they warned the UK won't be basking in bright sunshine for long as the higher temperatures will bring more rain later in the week. Fire and ice: A gamekeeper checks the flames as heather is kept young and tidy by controlled burning carried out between September and April every year, on the Invercauld Estate near Braemar, Aberdeenshire . On fire: The annual burning, or 'swiping' is usually carried out when the heather starts to dry but the peat is still wet - but the keeper had to contend with unusual weather conditions - there was still snow on the highlands . While much of the UK has begun to enjoy . the spring-like weather, one moor keeper braved bleak temperatures, snow . and ice to tend to his heather. Dramatic pictures show the keeper, on the Invercauld Estate, near Braemar, Aberdeenshire, burning the heather to keep it young and healthy. The annual practice, known as swiping, is normally carried out when the weather starts to improve and the heather is dry while the peat is wet. But with freezing temperatures of late, and snow and ice still on the ground in the highlands, the keeper was forced to mix fire and ice, burning his heather in difficult weather conditions. Healthy: Heather burning is a traditional management tool which if carried out can regenerate healthier and benefit livestock and wildlife . The burning plays an important role in . the rural economy, bringing birds together to feed on newly cropped . areas and sustaining the grouse shooting season. Elsewhere, though, temperatures crept up to just below . 13C in places yesterday with temperatures set to stick around at the . level for much of the week. But . despite warmer temperatures during the day, parts of the UK endured a . freezing start yesterday morning, with temperatures dropping below zero and . many places waking to a ground frost. The gallops at Newbury Racecourse in Berkshire were cancelled yesterday as the ground was frozen this morning. Spring is on its way: New born lambs enjoying the shelter and warmth of a barn in Durham, with the lambing season well underway . New born: Lambs enjoying the shelter and warmth of a barn in Durham today . Despite a cold start, spring looked set to be on its way, with newborn lambs pictured in Durham yesterday. A Met office forecaster said this week's warmer temperatures are not unusual for this time of year. She said: 'It is certainly not unusual for this time of year, it will just be a welcome change after the last couple of weeks which have been below average.' Cold start: A ground frost at Newbury Racecourse, in Berkshire, saw the gallops cancelled today . Today was expected to be slightly cooler than yesterday in the north of the UK, but temperatures will still reach 9C or 10C around London. Tuesday will see temperatures rise again to 12C or 13C, with the rest of the week carrying on in a similar vein. The Met Office spokesman added: 'It's possibly becoming a little bit cooler for the weekend. The other thing that you will notice is there is going to be a bit more rain appearing. 'Today, Monday and Tuesday, it is looking mostly dry across the majority of the country with varying amounts of cloud and sunshine depending where you are. 'From Wednesday, rain will start appearing, firstly from south-west Britain then moving across the rest of the country. 'By the end of Wednesday a lot of places will have some but it's not going to be particularly heavy, more cloudy and breezy with a bit of rain. 'Wednesday and Thursday look similar and beyond that it's looking like continued unsettled weather. There will be some rain at time in most places, generally fairly cloudy and quite breezy often.'

Warmer temperatures to bring a welcome change after recent cold snap . But it's not all good news, warmer weather will see more rain across the UK . A cold start saw frost in parts with racing cancelled at Newbury Racecourse . Spring looks like its on the way with newborn lambs pictured in Durham . Spring hadn't arrived for one moor keeper who burned his heather in the ice .

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New York (CNN) -- Rapper Lil Wayne will go directly to jail after he is sentenced by a Manhattan judge Tuesday afternoon for a gun conviction, according to a person familiar with the case. Dwayne Carter, as he is known legally, pleaded guilty to felony gun charges in a deal with prosecutors October 2009. He is expected to get a one-year prison sentence. His sentencing was delayed three weeks so he could get some dental work done, including removal of his diamond-studded braces. The person familiar with the case would not confirm where Wayne would serve his sentence. The plea agreement was a result of the rapper's 2007 arrest outside New York's Beacon Theater. According to police, Wayne had a .40-caliber pistol on his tour bus. "It's not his gun, they know whose gun it is," Wayne's attorney, Stacey Richman, said after a hearing last month. In an unrelated case, Wayne also faces felony drug possession and weapons charges in the state of Arizona. Lil Wayne is a multiplatinum-selling and Grammy-winning rap artist. His hits include "The Block is Hot" and "Lollipop," and his album "Tha Carter III" was the top-selling disc of 2008. His latest album, "Rebirth," was released last month. CNN's Jennifer Rizzo contributed to this report.

Rapper Dwayne Carter will be sentenced for a gun conviction . Carter's sentencing was postponed so he could get dental work . Work includes removal of diamond-encrusted braces .

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Birmingham Central Library and South Bank Centre in London also named as cultural heritage sites . For years it has hardly merited a second glance and is at risk of demolition - but Preston bus station has been named a 'historic' work of architectural beauty and added to a list of worldwide places that need protection. The bus station in Lancashire, along with a Greek cemetery, the ancient Nazca Lines in Peru and a modernist building in New York are this year's most at-risk cultural heritage sites, according to the World Monuments Fund. Some 67 structures in 41 countries have been placed on a 'Watch' list by the non-profit organisation which supports the preservation of 'treasured places'. 'Historic': Preston bus station in Lancashire has been added to a list of protected world monuments because of its 'concrete brutalist' style . The sites on the 2012 list balance heritage concerns with the social, economic, and environmental interests of communities around the world, said World Monuments Fund President Bonnie Burnham. Miss Burnham said: 'While these sites are historic, they are also very much of the present - integral parts of the lives of the people who come into contact with them every day. 'Indeed, the Watch reminds us of our collective role as stewards of the earth and of its human heritage.' The WMF is an independent organisation which aims to secure the future of 'exceptional' places through fundraising, conservation and education. Among the newly-listed sites is the First Cemetery of Athens, the oldest in the Greek capital, which houses the graves of important figures from the past two centuries. The fund said it is in need of preservation as it has fallen into neglect. The ancient Nazca lines and geoglyphs in the desert of southern Peru are also in jeopardy due to poorly managed tourism, says the fund. The giant figures, which were drawn on the stone between 500 BC and 500 AD, were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Brutalist style: The distinctive bus station in Lancashire has been slated for demolition despite being recognised as an architectural gem . Desert design: The ancient geoglyphs in the Nazca desert in southern Peru have been protected by UNESCO since 1994 . Built at the end of the 1960s, Preston bus station can hold 80 double-deckers and was once the largest terminal in the world. It was designed by Keith Ingham and Charles Wilson of Building Design Partnership along with E.H Stazicker and is described as having a 'brutalist' style. The building's engineers, Ove Arup and Partners, designed the distinctive curve of the car park balconies after vertical walls proved too expensive. The edges have a functional aspect too - they protect car bumpers from crashing. The structure has been threatened with demolition for around a decade as part of the council's redevelopment scheme. A survey conducted by the Lancashire Evening Post last year found that Preston bus station was the local people's favourite building. Preston Bus Station was once the world's largest but has been slated for demolition as part of a redevelopment scheme by the council. It is listed by the fund along with other British sites described as 'concrete brutalism' including Birmingham Central Library and the Hayward Gallery at the South Bank Centre in London. The library in Birmingham is to be knocked down in 2013 while the gallery in the South Bank complex has been refused listed building status. Miss Burnham added: 'These and other buildings like them date from an era in which government had the resources and the will to create major civic buildings. 'They are too often seen as impediments to private-sector redevelopment.' The World Monuments Fund also questioned the planning permission for recent . alterations to the former Manufacturers Trust Company Building at 510 . Fifth Avenue, a small box-shaped glass building which sits among the Manhattan skyscrapers. A spokesman for the fund said: 'Local advocates filed a lawsuit, and a temporary restraining order on further alterations has been issued. 'While the case seeks to preserve an icon of American modernism, it also serves as an important touchstone for the effectiveness of preservation legislation and policies in the United States, and of the government agencies charged with their enforcement.' Several sites that have been damaged by earthquakes also made the list including locations in Japan, New Zealand and Haiti. Since the fund started in 1996, some 688 sites across 132 countries have been protected. There are seven British sites listed by the WMF this year. The others are: the medieval ruins of Coventry Cathedral; Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire, known as the home of Lord Byron; Quarr Abbey, a working monastery on the Isle of Wight, and St Helena, the island in the South Atlantic where Napoleon was held captive. A . spokesman added: 'The international attention given to . watch sites provides a vital tool with which local entities may leverage . funding from a variety of sources.' Odd angles: The Hayward Gallery in the South Bank complex has been added to the protected list by the World Monument Fund - despite being refused listed building status in the UK . On the way out: Birmingham Central Library is to be destroyed in favour of a new £200million development . Neglected: The First Cemetery of Athens, which houses the graves of important Greek figures, is in need of protection says the World Monuments Fund . Monument to modernism: Questions have been raised about recent alterations to the former Manufacturers Trust Company building in Manhattan .

Birmingham Central Library and South Bank Centre in London also named as cultural heritage sites .

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A police investigation has been launched after a series of disturbing photos emerged showing schoolchildren licking whipped cream from the knee of a Polish priest. The images - which are apparently part of an 'initiation ceremony' at Salesians High School in Lubin, southern Poland - show both male and female 13-year old pupils taking part in the bizarre practice. Father Marcin Kozyra, who is also the . school's principal, has defended his actions by saying such ceremonies . for first year pupils have been an annual event for many years. Shocking: A Polish catholic priest has been forced to defend himself after pictures emerged of children licking cream off his legs . Bizarre: The photos show an 'initiation ceremony at the Salesians' high school in Lubin, southern Poland . In the photos the Catholic priest is . shown sitting on a battered armchair, wearing shorts and with some form . of stick across his knees. The pupils are shown kneeling around Father Kozyra as they watch each other lick cream from his bare knee. Other photos show the students crawling up the stairs in a single file on their hands and knees. 'This is very disturbing,' said Marek . Michalak, the Polish government's spokesman on child affairs, reported The Telegraph. Outrage: The images show 13 year-old pupils, both male and female. 'This is very disturbing,' said Marek Michalak, the Polish government's spokesman on child affairs . Defence: The preist said no-one had ever complained, and said he saw nothing wrong in his actions . 'Surely the boundaries of decency and . acceptable forms of bodily contact have been exceeded. I've ordered an . enquiry and demanded an explanation from all relevant authorities.' While some people have expressed shock over the pictures, which were posted on the school’s website, the parents of some pupils have come out in support of the priest. In a letter of defence they claimed that the whipped cream was actually shaving foam and nobody was forced to eat it. Audience: The pupils are shown gathered around the priest in a semi-circle, although their faces are masked for legal reasons . The priest sits in an armchair as the young girls kneel in front of him . Controversial: The images have now been removed from the school's website . Unorthodox: The set of photos also reveal the children crawling up stairs on their hands and knees . Activities: It appears from the photos that the girls and boys took part in tasks separately . Monika Sajkowska, from the Nobody's Child Foundation charity deemed the behaviour as 'inappropriate,' reported Thenewspl. 'The children were manipulated into this. Limits were exceeded. But not, it appears, with any other intention other than having fun,' she said, adding that 'parents should talk to the children' about the photos. The images have now been removed from the school's website. Local prosecutors launched an . investigation after the photos were picked up by the national media. They have said they will not press charges against Father Kozyra, but condemned . his behaviour as 'tasteless'.

Priest is also principal Salesians High School in Lubin, southern Poland . Defended his actions by saying such ceremonies for first year pupils have been an annual event for many years . Polish government's spokesman on child affairs: 'This is very disturbing' Abused children charity expresses concern . Parents of some pupils have come out in support of the priest .

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By . Emma Thomas . PUBLISHED: . 22:09 EST, 17 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 05:26 EST, 18 December 2013 . 'Manipulation': Tom Winsor, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, spoke at the Home Affairs Select Committee to dispute Met chief evidence . The police watchdog has told MPs that it is 'almost certain that some manipulation is going on' in the recording of crime statistics by officers. Tom Winsor, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, told the Home Affairs Select Committee 'in anything that gets measured' there is an 'incentive, resisted by many, to manipulate the process to make your own performance look good'. And Mr Winsor, the first chief inspector of constabulary to come from a non-policing background, disputed evidence given by the chief of the Metropolitan Police, Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, who claimed inspectors lauded his force's crime data as 'competent and reliable'. His comments come after whistle-blowing police constable James Patrick told the Public Administration Select Committee officers routinely massage crime statistics to boost their forces' performance figures. Asked by Committee chair Keith Vaz MP if there is manipulation occurring, Mr Winsor, a former rail regulator and lawyer, said: 'It is almost certain that some manipulation going on. The question is where, how much, how severe.' He earlier added: 'The fact is in anything that gets measured, once those who are being measured, whose performance are being measured, work out how the system works, there's an incentive, resisted by many, to manipulate the process as to make your own performance look good.' Mr Vaz said Sir Bernard and Sir Hugh Orde, the president of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), had not told the Committee earlier this month that they believe fiddling of statistics is currently occurring. Mr Winsor said: 'Sir Bernard gave evidence, I think to this committee on December 3, where he said that in 2012 HMIC inspected the Met and found their figures in terms of crime recording were "competent and reliable". 'I've written to Sir Bernard about this because what HMIC in fact said was that it looked at "244 incidents logged by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), 30 had been wrongly closed without a crime being raised, while in overall terms the MPS continues to improve its crime and incident data quality, this indicates that crime and ASB (anti-social behaviour) data recorded in London gives some cause for concern". Dispute: Chief of the Metropolitan Police, Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, claimed inspectors lauded his force's crime data as . 'competent and reliable' but Mr Winsor has written to him to dispute this . 'So there is a big difference between "some cause of concern" and "competent and reliable". I have not yet received Sir Bernard's response.' Mr Vaz asked the chief inspector if he was still 'very concerned'. Mr Winsor added: 'I'd just like him to explain the disparity I'd referred to. But with crime recording, some people will call it fiddling, some people will call it honest mistakes, some people will call it the perfectly legitimate exercise of professional judgment.' Asked what he would call it, the chief inspector said: 'It depends on the circumstances of individual cases.' Mr Patrick - who is currently awaiting disciplinary proceedings - also told the Public Administration Select Committee that serious offences including rape and child sex abuse are being recorded as 'crime-related incidents' or 'no crimes'. And a former chief inspector in West Midlands Police told the same hearing about techniques used by officers to improve performance figures known as 'cuffing', 'nodding', 'skewing' and 'stitching'.

Tom Winsor, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, spoke to MPs . Mr Winsor questioned evidence given by Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe . He said he is 'almost certain' come manipulation is going on .

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A Paralmypian who lost his leg to cancer has celebrated his inclusion in the U.S. Amputee Soccer Team by dressing as a table football player for Hallowe'en. Josh Sundquist, 30, of Williamsburg, Virginia, who in the past has dressed as a gingerbread man with a missing leg, the leg lamp from 'A Christmas Story', and a flamingo, turned himself into a human Foosball player. 'I’ve always dealt with the social discomfort of my disability by having a sense of humour, but I used to be much more self-conscious,' Sundquist says on his website. Scroll down for video . Raising the bar: A Paralympian who lost his leg to cancer has celebrated his inclusion in the U.S. Amputee Soccer Team by dressing as a table football player for Hallowe'en . At age nine he was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer and given a fifty per cent chance to live. He spent a year on chemotherapy treatments and his left leg was amputated . He added: 'In high school I wore a prosthesis all the time and didn’t want anyone to find out I was missing a leg. 'But now I’m more comfortable with who I am and what I look like, and I guess with these Halloween costumes you could even say that I celebrate what makes me different.' At age nine he was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer and given a fifty per cent chance to live. He spent a year on chemotherapy treatments and his left leg was amputated. Catch me if you can: Josh dressed as a partially-eaten gingerbread man for the 2010 spooky season . Shapely: Josh as the famous the leg lamp from 'A Christmas Story' - complete with light . Bizarre: Josh was forced to balance upside down on his crutches to create this pink flamingo . Doctors declared Josh cured of the disease at age thirteen and he took up ski racing three years later. He trained for the next six years and in 2006 he was named to the U.S. Paralympic Ski Team for the 2006 Paralympics in Turino, Italy. A multi-season athlete, . Josh is the only person in history to ever have been named to both the U.S. Paralympic Ski Team and the U.S. Amputee Soccer Team. 'I’ve always dealt with the social discomfort of my disability by having a sense of humour' Ingenious: Josh makes bottom part of his elaborate costume .

Josh Sundquist is celebrating his selection for the U.S. soccer team . He has also dressed as a flamingo and a partially-eaten gingerbread man . Josh, 30, says he likes to keep a sense of humour about his disability .

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By . Peter Allen and Aaron Sharp . PUBLISHED: . 08:41 EST, 24 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 10:50 EST, 24 September 2013 . The French appeals court has ruled that an investigation into allegations that former president Nicolas Sarkozy duped L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt into donating election campaign funds can proceed. The decision, which could lead to a trial in the long-running scandal, complicates any political comeback by Sarkozy, who has been dogged for years by the 'Bettencourt affair' in which he denies any misconduct. Sarkozy is the French conservative voters' favourite to take on Socialist President Francois Hollande in 2017 after losing to him last year. Worried: Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, centre, is pictured leaving Bordeaux' courthouse . But he could suffer if he is tried over allegations of exploiting the mental frailty of France's richest woman. 'There is more chance of a trial on the horizon for Sarkozy, and as for his eventual return to politics, it's obviously a lot more complicated for him' political analyst Christophe Barbier told iTele. 'He is no longer master of his own calendar.' A lawyer for one of the 12 people investigated in the case said the decision would be appealed to the Cour de Cassation, the country's highest appeals court. Sarkozy's lawyers, who did not comment on Tuesday's decision, have five days to join that appeal.A final judgment by that court could take many months, but Sarkozy could be called to face trial at any time. Sarkozy was placed under formal . investigation in March for "abuse of weakness" of Bettencourt after she . was declared in a state of dementia. He was allegedly seeking funds for . his 2007 election campaign. Under . French law, a formal investigation means there is 'serious or . consistent evidence' pointing to likely implication of a suspect in a . crime. It often but not always leads to trial. The public prosecutor handling the case recommended in June that it be dropped for lack of evidence. Accused: Nicolas Sarkozy, left, was been told that charges of allegedly ‘abusing the weakness’ of the richest woman in the world, Liliane Bettencourt , right, can be investigated . In France, investigating magistrates can proceed with a formal inquiry over the objections of a prosecutor. The . appeal court's decision on Tuesday to proceed with the investigation . was announced to reporters outside the court in the southwest city of . Bordeaux by Nicolas Huc-Morel, the Bettencourt family lawyer. It . was prompted by a challenge mounted in July by lawyers for Sarkozy and . 11 others placed under investigation. They contested a 2011 medical . report that determined Bettencourt had been suffering from dementia . since 2006. Lawyers argued . the formal inquiry could not be viewed as impartial because one of the . doctors involved in the report was a friend of the judge who placed . Sarkozy under investigation, Jean-Michel Gentil. Defeat: Sarkozy and his third wife Carla Bruni leave the Elysee Palace . as current French president Francois Hollande and his partner Valerie . Trierweiler look on . 'Were . the (medical) expertise to have fallen through, it would have weakened . the case and the formal investigation could have caved in' Barbier said. 'In short, the main pillar in the Bettencourt case would have . collapsed.' Sarkozy has . largely stayed out of the limelight since his defeat to Hollande last . year, but has dropped hints this year that he is mulling a re-election . bid. Any comeback would . hinge on the outcome of the Bettencourt case and a series of other legal . cases involving people close to him, including alleged political . rigging in an arbitration payout to a high-profile businessman. When the charges were first brough, Sarkozy was said to be in a 'state of incomprehension'. The former French president has been charged with taking financial advantage of frail l'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, 90. With his political career in ruins, Mr Sarkozy now faces a criminal trial and the possibility of going to prison. Nicolas Sarkozy's wife the model and singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy performs at the Echo Music Awards in Berlin, Germany . Deapite his legal team was preparing to . appeal against the decision, political allies made it clear that he was . shell shocked as he returned from Bordeaux - where he was charged - to . the Paris home he shares with his third wife, former supermodel Carla . Bruni. 'As you can imagine he is in a state . of incomprehension,' said Jean-Francois Cope, president of Mr Sarkozy's . conservative UMP party. Francois Fillon, Mr Sarkozy's former . prime minister, went on to Twitter to say the decision was 'unfair' and . said 'the truth will triumph'. Mr Sarkozy's lawyer Thierry Herzog . also attacked the indictment as 'legally incoherent and unfair' saying . his client was being treated 'scandalously.' Mr Sarkzoy was unexpectedly summoned on Thursday to the Bordeaux offices of Jean-Michel Gentil, the judge in charge of the case. There he met at least four former . members of Bettencourt's staff, who said Mr Sarkozy regularly turned up . at the Bettencourt mansion in Paris to accept cash to help fund his 2007 . election campaign. Mrs Bettencourt's doctors say her . mental capacity began to deteriorate from the autumn of 2006, meaning . she would have been particularly vulnerable to people asking her for . money. The principal allegation is that Mr . Sarkozy obtained up to 4 million euros from her, breaching electoral . spending limits and taking advantage of a person weakened by ill health. Jean-Michel Gentil, the judge in . charge, hoped to establish today how many times Mr Sarkozy actually . visited Mrs Bettencourt’s luxury Paris home in the months before he was . elected. Mr Sarkozy insists that it was only once, despite many former Bettencourt staff members saying he was always popping round. Troubadour: Carla Bruni seen arrives back at home in Paris today. She has recently completed a new album called Little French Songs . The . principal allegation against Mr Sarkozy is that he took advantage of . the frail state of the aged widow to take money from her. Claire Thibout, Mrs Bettencourt’s . former accountant, told police in 2010 that she had handed cash-filled . envelopes to Bettencourt's financial manager, Patrice de Maistre, who . subsequently passed them on to Mr Sarkozy's campaign treasurer, Eric . Woerth. Mr Sarkozy is also said to have collected money in person. While Mr Sarkozy was being charged with the offences in Bordeaux, his wife Carla Bruni was in Berlin where she was performing at the Echo music awards. She is about to make a return to modelling starring in a campaign for Italian fashion house Bulgari. Top fashion photographer Terry Richardson reportedly photographed Bruni in Rome for the campaign this week. Ms Bruni has also recently completed a new album called Little French Songs in which she allegedly mocks current French Prime Minister Francois Hollande by referring to him as a penguin. Mr Sarkozy lost his immunity from . prosecution when he lost the 2012 presidential election to his Socialist . rival Francois Hollande. Within a few weeks, the home he shares with Ms Bruni was raided by anti-corruption police. In 2011, Mr Sarkozy's predecessor, . Jacque Chirac, was found guilty on corruption charges related to his . time as mayor of Paris, and received a two-year suspended prison . sentence. Since losing to Mr Hollande, Mr . Sarkozy had been trying to make money on the international conference . circuit, but he also hinted that he might return to power in 2017. But he faces numerous other . corruption enquiries, including claims that he took cash from Colonel . Gaddafi, the late Libyan dictator. Despite all this, Sarkozy has . regularly hinted that he may still make a bid to return to the Elysee . Palace in 2017. This now looks an impossibility. Mrs Bettencourt was recently listed as the richest woman in the world by Forbes magazine.

Former French president now faces possible prison sentence . He allegedly took millions of pounds from l’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt . He was questioned by a judge at the Palais de Justice in Bordeaux . His lawyer Thierry Herzog claims he has been treated 'scandalously' French appeal court has ruled that investigation can proceed .

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Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Explosions and heavy automatic gunfire were heard hours after five well-armed suicide bombers attacked the British Council in the Afghan capital Friday, leaving at least eight people dead, officials said. White smoke billowed from a building in the compound while heavily armed British and Afghan forces cordoned off the area in the center of the capital, establishing a security perimeter around the buildings. The attacks occurred inside a well-guarded Kabul neighborhood, leaving at least 16 people wounded, the Afghan Interior Ministry said. Among the dead was one New Zealand Special Forces service member, officials said. "I have limited details about the soldier's death, but I am advised that he died during fighting that followed an attack by insurgents in Kabul in the last few hours," New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said. "On behalf of the government, I want to offer my condolences to the family of the soldier." The strike, which the Taliban have claimed responsibility for, coincides with the 92nd anniversary of Afghan independence from Great Britain. Eyewitnesses: 'Whole house shaking' In the first attack, a militant drove a vehicle packed with explosives toward the Council's main security gate before detonating the device, according to Afghan police spokesman Hashamap Stanikzai. A second man then attempted to enter the compound wearing a vest filled with explosives. He also detonated himself, Stanikzai said. Police say two militants were killed in a firefight with security forces. The other three detonated their explosives. Gunfire could be heard throughout the incident, and military helicopters circled overhead. The British Council is a British government-affiliated body that fosters cultural and academic exchanges in Afghanistan. Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack, as did the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. "Initial reports indicate a combination of multiple vehicle-borne and personal-borne (improvised explosive devices) were detonated," the ISAF statement said. NATO commander Gen. John Allen pledged to hold "the perpetrators accountable for their actions." Meanwhile, an embassy spokesman said British government personnel are coordinating with Afghan authorities to secure the area. The strike occurred not far from the Intercontinental Hotel, the scene of another insurgent attack against a high-profile Western target in June. CNN's Matiullah Mati contributed to this report.

NEW: New Zealand premier offers condolences to family of slain service member . 16 people were wounded in the attack . Police say five militants attacked the British Council .

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By . Helen Pow . PUBLISHED: . 21:50 EST, 15 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 07:52 EST, 16 October 2012 . A Missouri couple has filed for bankruptcy just eight years after winning a $20 million lawsuit against the makers of a butter popcorn flavoring that gave one of them lung disease. Eric Peoples of Carthage and his wife, Cassandra, sued International Flavors and Fragrances Inc. and Bush Boake Allen Inc. in 2004 after Mr Peoples developed bronchiolitis obliterans while working at a popcorn plant in Jasper. But just eight years later, the two are being forced to sell the home they built for $3.9 million to pay off creditors, after their financial situation went spectacularly downhill. Popcorn couple: Eric Peoples, pictured right with wife Cassandra, have filed for bankruptcy after winning a $20 million verdict against the makers of a butter popcorn flavouring in 2004 . According to the Joplin Globe, the Peoples listed the current value of their residence and 10.5 acres of land at just $700,000 and personal property assets of nearly $33,000. But their liabilities are listed at more than $611,000, including a $482,876 mortgage with U.S. Bank. The couple's case against the butter flavouring companies was the first of several brought by workers and their spouses. The suit claimed Mr Peoples, who has two children with his wife, developed . the lung disease after being exposed to diacetyl, a . chemical present in the flavouring to give a buttery taste and aroma. Researchers . have found that, when heated, the chemical produces a toxic, . potentially lethal gas, and can leave those exposed with a shortness of . breath, a dry cough and wheezing. At the trial, doctors testified that Eric Peoples would eventually need a double-lung transplant. Losing their home: The couple are being forced to sell the Carthage home, pictured, they spent $3.9 million on . Drop: The Peoples listed the current value of their residence, pictured, and 10.5 acres of land at just $700,000 . Opulent: Pictures show the grand entryway to the home, which took five years to build . A Jasper County jury awarded Eric Peoples $18 million and his wife $2 million. It has never been revealed exactly how much of that verdict money the couple received. Mr Peoples said at the time that his . attorney's firm would take 35 per cent of the pay out, and their . attorney, Ken McClain, suggested a portion would be spread among other . workers involved in the lawsuits. Though it is not clear how they spent . the remaining millions, purchases include two Honda automobiles, a . Chrysler PT Cruiser and a Kawasaki Mule. Other personal property listed in . court documents include a bedroom set, dryer, end tables, china, lamps, a . VCR, a microwave oven and $50 worth of camera equipment, ABC reported. Since winning the lawsuit, Cassandra . Peoples has also been employed by Smith Midwest . Realty as a realtor. Social networking sites also indicate she helps run PJ's Country Bakery in Joplin, Missouri. Struggle: Eric Peoples, pictured left in 2007 in front of the Jasper popcorn plant and right with his wife at the wedding of their daughter, has suffered ill health since working for the company . But among the unsecured claims the couple list in their bankruptcy petition is a November 1, 2011, judgment in Jasper County Circuit Court to Jeff Neely, the contractor who built their home over a five-year period. He sued them in August 2011, claiming they still owed him $107,147. The couple failed to respond to the lawsuit in a timely manner, and a judge granted Mr Neely a default judgment at an annual interest rate of 9 per cent. The couple filed a motion last December asking the judge to set aside the default judgment because of difficulties, including a downturn in Mr Peoples' health. Their motion also asserted a basis for a counterclaim against Mr Neely because they said the house initially was estimated to cost $400,000, but skyrocketed to more than $3.9 million. Neither the Peoples' motion nor the bankruptcy petition explains the $3.2 million difference between what they claimed to have paid to build the home and what they say the property is worth now. Popcorn lung, also known as bronchiolitis obliterans, may be caused by inhalation of airborne diacetyl, a chemical used to produce the butter-like flavoring in microwaveable popcorn. When the chemical is heated, it produces a toxic, potentially fatal gas, researchers believe. The non-reversible disease affects the bronchioles - small airway branches in the lungs - which become narrowed by scar tissue and inflammation. It causes dry cough, shortness of breath and wheezing, and can lead to the need for lung transplants. It first came to public attention when eight former employees of the Gilster-Mary Lee popcorn plant in Jasper, Missouri, developed bronchiolitis obliterans in the late 1990s. In 2000, the Missouri Department of Health called in The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to make a determination of the cause, and to recommend safety measures. After surveying the plant and each patient's medical history, NIOSH recommended respiratory protection for all workers in microwave popcorn production . In September, a court awarded Wayne Watson, 59, from Denver, Colorado $7.2 million after he developed the condition from eating three packs of the snack each day. Jurors agreed that the popcorn manufacturer and the supermarket chain that sold it were negligent by failing to warn on labels that the butter flavoring, diacetyl, was dangerous.

Popcorn factory worker Eric Peoples and wife Cassandra won the multimillion dollar payout in 2004 . Sued the makers of a toxic butter flavouring after he developed lung disease . The couple paid $3.9 million to build a mansion in Carthage, Missouri . Eight years later, they have filed for bankruptcy, claiming the residence and 10.5 acres of land are now worth just $700,000 .

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By . Kerry Mcdermott . PUBLISHED: . 12:05 EST, 30 August 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 12:05 EST, 30 August 2012 . Bonus: Virgin boss Richard Branson holds a model of a spacecraft at the launch of the ambitious space tourism project in 2004. Plush departure lounges, free flights and priority boarding are just a few of the benefits already enjoyed by Virgin Airline's frequent fliers, but the latest perk being offered by billionaire boss Richard Branson is truly out of this world. Virgin Airlines has announced that the customer that accumulates the most frequent flier points over the next year will be rewarded with a free trip to space. Mr Branson's space tourism company Virgin Galactic is working on providing would-be astronauts with sub-orbital flights to just outside of the earth's atmosphere - with a price tag of $200,000. Now frequent users of Virgin Airlines are being given the chance to upgrade to 'Galactic' status, with the customer who builds up the most points between now and August 7 2013 winning a free flight on board Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo. The runner-up will be treated to a free zero-gravity flight aboard a modified aeroplane on earth. Over 500 people have paid deposits to secure a place on a $200,000 trip aboard SpaceShipTwo. Virgin Galactic - billed as the world's first commercial 'spaceline' - has carried out successful test flights using SpaceShipTwo, but it is yet to fly any tourists into space. The refundable deposits to reserve a spot on board the spaceship start at $20,000. The craft, which is designed to carry six passengers, is launched midair from another 'carrier' aeroplane. The Federal Aviation Administration has given Virgin the green light to test SpaceShipTwo in 'powered flight' by the end of the year. It has already successfully completed 'gliding' tests. Virgin isn't the only company working on sub-orbital flights. Space Adventures, based in Virginia, U.S., has been planning hour-long trips to 62 miles above the earth's surface at a price of just over $100,000. Galactic perk: The Virgin Airlines customer who earns the most frequent flier points this year will be rewarded with a seat on board SpaceShipTwo, shown here in an artist's impression .

The Virgin customer who racks up the most air miles over the next year will be rewarded with a free suborbital space flight . More than 500 people have paid deposits to secure a $200,000 flight on board Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo .

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(CNN) -- American teenager Sloane Stephens stunned her compatriot Serena Williams on Wednesday, beating the 15-time grand slam winner 3-6 7-5 6-4 to reach the Australian Open semifinals. The 29th seed, playing in her first grand slam quarterfinal, came from once set down to overcome third seed Williams who suffered a back injury having already rolled an ankle earlier in the tournament. Despite Williams' fitness problems, few had given Stephens a chance of beating the five-time Melbourne champion. "Someone asked me, 'Do you think you can win?' I was like, 'Yeah, I think so, but I wasn't like too clear about it,''" the 19-year-old told reporters after advancing to a tie with world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka on Thursday. "Then this morning when I got up, I was like, 'Look, dude, like, you can do this, go out and play and do your best.'" Stephens did not make the best possible start as Williams went one set and a break of serve ahead, before the 19-year-old American dug deep to pull out an unlikely triumph. "You just fight and just get every ball back, run every ball down, and just get a lot of balls in play," said Stephens, explaining her strategy after the loss of that first set. "From then on I got aggressive, started coming to the net more, and just got a lot more comfortable." Stephens becomes the first U.S. teenager to reach a grand slam semfinal since Serena at the 2001 U.S. Open, and the first to achieve the feat outside of the Williams sisters since Alexandra Stevenson at Wimbledon in 1999. For Williams, it marked the end of a campaign which had pushed her body to the limit. "I'm almost relieved that it's over because there's only so much I felt I could do," said the 31-year-old. "It's been a little difficult. I've been thrown a lot of balls these two weeks." When one journalist asked Williams if she had considered retiring hurt during the match, it caused some confusion in the press room. "Are you kidding me? I'm not retiring," responded Williams, believing the reporter was asking if she was considering ending her career. "Oh, you mean, retiring in the match! Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you meant my career. You're crazy. "I thought about it like for a nanosecond. It's a quarterfinal of a grand slam. Even if I have to take off in a wheeler before I retire." Defending champion Azarenka had to battle through a tough 77-minute first set against Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, before winning 7-5 6-1. When asked about Stephens prior to her victory against Williams, Belarus' Azarenka said: "I think Sloane is a very, very talented girl. I think over the last couple years you see her development, you know, as a tennis player. "Her game has come together. She's an all round player, very competitive. I think she has a good potential. It's just a matter of her getting all those details in place and really wanting to achieve great things." The second semifinal, also due to take place on Thursday, sees sixth seed Li Na take on No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova -- who is yet to drop at set at the tournament.

Sloane Stephens beats compatriot Serena Williams to reach Australian Open semis . The 19-year-old came from one set down to defeat the third seed . Stephens will play her first ever grand slam semifinal against world No.1 Victoria Azarenka . Top seed Azarenka beat Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-5 6-1 .

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West Ham striker Diafra Sakho was blasted by Senegal coach Alain Giresse on Monday night for playing in the FA Cup on Sunday despite pulling out of the Africa Cup of Nations with a back injury. The 25-year-old came off the bench to score a late winner against Bristol City, but Senegal officials were not expecting him to play. Giresse said: ‘I’m very surprised to learn that he played. When you cannot fly for six weeks and then suddenly you’re playing a football game. There must be miraculous medicine in England. West Ham striker Diafra Sakho celebrates scoring for West Ham but Senegal were not expecting him to play . Sakho played and scored for West Ham against Bristol City despite pulling out of the AFCON with a back injury . ‘This sets a dangerous precedent because in future you are going to have players claiming they cannot catch planes to Africa but who can still play football (for their clubs). It is a debate that deserves more discussion.’ Senegal did not demand a ban on him playing for his club during the Nations Cup after threatening to do so. ‘He’s still unable to fly,’ West Ham boss Sam Allardyce explained. ‘We had to drive him down in a limo but it was about putting him on the bench with the hope we didn’t have to use him. ‘We don’t think we’ve done anything wrong.’ Senegal coach Alain Giresse revealed he was very surprised to learn Sakho had played against Bristol City .

Senegal striker Diafra Sakho pulled out of AFCON due to back injury . However, West Ham forward played and scored in FA Cup on Sunday . Senegal boss Alain Giresse was 'surprised' to learn attacker played .

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By . Tim Shipman and Becky Barrow . UPDATED: . 19:09 EST, 29 February 2012 . Scrap: George Osborne was told by business leaders that the 50p tax band is strangling entrepreneurship . More than 500 business leaders last night called on the Chancellor to axe the 50p top rate of tax in the forthcoming budget. The leaders of some of Britain's most successful small firms warned George Osborne that he should ditch the 'politically motivated' tax on those earning £150,000 because it will 'damage the economy'. They pointed out that the tax plus National Insurance means that the entrepreneurs the government wants to create jobs are being taxed at 58p in the pound once National Insurance is considered. Responding to claims from the Liberal Democrats that the rich must shoulder more of the burdens of austerity, the business leaders said that the top 1 per cent of taxpayers are already paying 28 per cent of income taxes. In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, they said: 'Penalising high earners through an unfair, politically-motivated tax puts populist politics before sound economics. 'The result is that the 50p tax is set to reduce government income, and damage the economy, the public services and charitable giving.' The letter will fuel demands by Tory MPs for the Chancellor to slash the 50p rate, which is seen as a class war measure introduced by Labour that does nothing to raise tax revenues since it simply drives entrepreneurs abroad. Demand: 500 business leaders have called for George Osborne to scrap the 50p tax band . But the Lib Dems have said there can be no moment on the 50p tax rate until the threshold at which people pay the basic rate of income tax to £10,000. The letter continued: 'The tax, which is in effect a 58p tax after national insurance is taken into account, puts wealth creators like us in a very awkward position. 'We believe the richest should help the poorest in society. But 1 per cent of taxpayers are forecast to contribute nearly 28 per cent of income taxes. 'As businesspeople, we want to see our industries, our economy and the third sector thrive. 'Repealing the 50p tax would be a good demonstration of the Chancellor's wish to celebrate British entrepreneurialism, stimulate British industry and contribute to the Government's growth agenda. The sooner this tax is repealed, the better.' It comes as official figures suggest the controversial 50p tax rate, which hits everybody earning more than £150,000, has been a flop. In January, the tax take from people who do self-assessment tax returns collapsed by more than £500million, compared to the same month in 2011. Tax calls: The Chancellor, pictured out jogging yesterday, is unlikely to ditch the 50p tax in this month's budget . The receipts dropped from £10.86 billion in January 2011 to £10.35billion in January 2012, a fall of £509million. It confirms repeated warnings from accountants that many wealthy people would simply do everything possible to avoid paying the tax. For example, many business executives decided to pay themselves a big bonus or dividend before it came into effect in order to avoid losing half of it in tax. Mr Chris Jenkins, Managing Director of BWS Security Systems Ltd, who signed the letter, said: 'Since the 50 per cent tax band was introduced I have stopped taking a salary or dividend that takes me into this higher tax band. I am living off my savings and reduced my over-all spending. Basically, I have chosen not to pay this higher level of tax. 'The loser in this case is HMRC. First, they miss out on income tax revenue. And second, my reduced spending means I am contributing less VAT. My advice to the Government is simple: stop killing the goose that lays the golden egg.' Andrew Denny, Managing Director of Fix-a-Form International, said: 'I am simply trying to create wealth for me, my kids and my loyal staff. Why are high earners treated like they have committed a crime and should be punished?' Charlie Mullins, Managing Director of Pimlico Plumbers, who signed the letter said: 'Ultimately, the 50p tax is self-defeating and will end up hurting the whole of society, not just the rich. 'I don't mind paying my fair-share of taxes. We all want to live in a fairer society. This is what makes Britain great. But the 50p tax is excessive and anti-entrepreneurialism.' Treasury sources say the Chancellor has always made clear the 50p tax rate is 'temporary' but that nothing will happen until an assessment of the tax has been completed.

Entrepreneurs are paying 58p in the pound tax with National Insurance - hitting jobs drive . Richest 1% pay 28% of all taxes, business leaders say .

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A British self-proclaimed freedom fighter accused of illegally marrying up to 12 women in Europe and Asia is being investigated by Malaysian Special Branch officers, it was revealed today. Police have named the traveller as Robert Andrew Scott, but say he also uses the Muslim name Jamaluddin Mustafa and is usually seen in Islamic robes. Now understood to be living on the Malaysian island of Penang, 43-year-old Scott has been accused by women who have come forward to the police of duping his wives into caring for him, taking their money, then moving on to another woman. Investigation: Robert Andrew Scott, who also uses the Muslim name Jamaluddin Mustafa, is accused of illegally marrying up to 12 women in Europe and Asia . Special Branch assistant director-general Ayob Pitchay has told Malaysian media that most of the women targeted by Scott were professionals such as bank officers and university lecturers. Mr Pitchay said he understood that Scott was once involved in a missionary movement in London and had joined a mujahiddin - freedom fighters - group in Bosnia. The officer said he had learned of a report that Scott had been held for the murder of a doctor in Bosnia but family members - it is not known which family - had successfully filed an application for his release. 'While he has been involved in militant work in Bosnia, he has not shown such tendencies while in Malaysia,' said Mr Pitchay. 'We are monitoring his marriages and what his real motives are,' said Mr Pitchay, confirming that Scott's alleged wives were of several different nationalities. Two that he had divorced recently were said to be Malaysian. Revealed: Police say Scott was once involved in a missionary movement in London and had joined a mujahiddin - freedom fighters - group in Bosnia . Writers who have come forward anonymously on Facebook allege that the exact number of his wives is unknown because Scott never divorces them officially through the authorities. 'Some victims truly believe there are more than 10,' claimed one writer, who described Scott as a 'heretical and deviant Muslim’. Further claims against Scott say that he is a 'manipulator of emotions' who will try to coax innocent women into having pre-marital sex and then within a matter of weeks will pressure them to marry 'in haste'. Once married, alleges a writer, he will brainwash the wife by twisting Islam and ordering her to obey the husband at all costs. Police are now investigating claims that he has taken large amounts of money from his wives before deserting them, even though they have had children by him. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

Self-proclaimed freedom fighter Robert Andrew Scott is accused of Bigamy . Scott, 43, allegedly married up to 12 women in Europe and Asia . Police in Malaysia say that he also goes by the name of Jamaluddin Mustafa . He's accused of duping his wives into caring for him and taking their money .

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By . Katy Winter . PUBLISHED: . 08:23 EST, 23 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:38 EST, 23 December 2013 . Audrey Westich with her baby boy, Levi, in Pennsylvania, USA and the rest of her family . Two sisters who live more than 3,000 miles apart have given birth within minutes of each other. The siblings even kept up with each other on Facebook as they both went through labour at home. It was an almost incredible coincidence for Andrea Mansfield, from Melling, Liverpool, who gave birth to her sixth son, Michael on Friday 6 December. Minutes before the delivery, her sister Audrey Westich, 29, gave birth to a baby boy, Levi, in Pennsylvania, USA. Andrea was supported by community midwives Rachel Mavers and Amy Kelly, from Liverpool Women’s Hospital, who called it their most amazing home birth yet. Andrea, 33, who gave birth 19 minutes after Audrey, said: 'It was amazing. We joked about it but never dreamed that it would happen. 'We both had home births, we both had boys and we gave birth on the same day, 19 minutes apart, although because of the time difference I was in the afternoon and she was in the morning.' The women said they had been comparing notes and their bumps on Skype all the way through their pregnancies. Andrea added: 'This happened because Audrey was five days late and I was two days early. We are going to call our boys ‘cousin twins’.' Crowding round to see the new arrival with father James were Andrea’s other sons: Elijah, seven, Stephen, six, Daniel, five, Joshua, three and 12-month-old Benjamin. New baby Michael Mansfield at home with father James and in the arms of his mother Andrea, who gave birth just minutes after her sister . Andrea said: 'I always wanted a bunch of boys. This was my second home birth in England - my other four boys were born in the USA - and the midwives, Rachel and Amy were fantastic. It was definitely more relaxing to give birth at home in my own bed. Andrea’s mother Helen was in Florida at the time of the births and was trying to keep tabs on both her daughters as they went through labour. Andrea is originally from Florida and moved to Melling after meeting her husband who works as a pastor at Skelmersdale Baptist Church. Midwives Rachel Mavers on the left and Amy Kelly on the right, assisted Andrea during her home delivery of baby Michael . Rachel Mavers, leader of Liverpool Women’s Maple Team of midwives, based in Kirkby, said: 'Nothing like this has ever happened before at any of my home births. Andrea and her sister were sometimes Facebooking each other during their labour. 'Thousands of babies were being born that day all over the world but it was amazing and a privilege to feel connected to two babies being born at home in two different countries. 'As a midwife, it is humbling to think you are just one of many midwives all over the world caring for women in labour.'

Sisters Audrey, 29, and Andrea, 33,  were given different due dates . But Audrey's baby came five days late and Andrea's three days early . Live opposite sides of Atlantic: Andrea in Liverpool; Audrey in Pennsylvania . Both gave birth to sons and used Facebook to stay in touch during labour .

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By . Daily Mail Reporter . These pictures show how a Catholic monastery which was owned by Henry VIII and Elizabeth I has been converted into a luxury home with a £5.5million price tag. Horton Priory in Ashford, Kent was built in the 12th century - although within its grounds are parts of a settlement dating back as far as the early Iron Age. The complex was originally owned by King Henry I, but he later handed it over to the Cluniac order of monks to be converted into a medieval priory. After the dissolution of the monasteries it was seized by Henry VIII, who passed it on to his daughter Elizabeth before the home was given to the Mantell family in 1970. The Grade I-listed mansion is situated in 55 acres of land, and has undergone a thorough makeover to turn it into a modern home. It now boasts a private cinema, wine cellar, swimming pool, 11 bedrooms and even a driving range. For sale: Horton Priory, a house in Kent once owned by three different monarchs, is on the market for £5.5million . Fit for a king: The home, which dates back to the 12th century, still retains much of its pre-modern charm . Comfortable: The interiors of the home are now a far cry from when it was the spartan setting for a Cluniac monastery . Great hall: The home is centred around a long gallery which would once have been where the monks took their meals . Mod cons: Horton Priory has now been redesigned to make it fit for modern living with luxury bathrooms . Owners: King Henry I, left, and Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, right, and two of the distinguished former inhabitants of the home . Royals: Henry VIII took control of the priory . after the dissolution of the monasteries and later passed it to his . daughter Elizabeth I . Expensive: But the price tag is justified by the home's bucolic setting and outdoor swimming pool . Convenient: Despite the home's historic interest, it still had to be renovated to meet the expectations of modern buyers . Grand: The reading room and library of the house, which was once owned by Henry VIII and Elizabeth I before passing into private hands . Picturesque: The living room of the house looks out onto the grounds, which span 55 acres including a variety of orchards . Pond: A miniature lake with a bird house takes up part of the land surrounding the mansion . Fore! The house includes a driving range for its wealthy new owner to practice his golf putting . Take a dip: The installation of a swimming pool was part of the programme of improvements which turned the priory into a luxury house . Dining room: The house contains an original 14th-century fireplace which would once have been a major focal point for residents . Games: One room features a snooker table for the use of the new multi-millionaire owner . Thirsty: Horton Priory has an air-conditioned wine cellar which has space for hundreds of bottles . Relaxation: A spare bedroom in the house, which has a total of 11 bedrooms and is Grade I-listed . Panelling: The living room contains wood panels in the Tudor style of its former royal owners . Austere: This hallway gives an indication of the sparse conditions once endured by the monks at Horton . Entrance: The gates to Horton Priory, controlled by the Cluniac order of monks before the dissolution of the monasteries . Sport: The priory, which is made up of multiple houses, has its own croquet field . Parking: Perhaps the ultimate sign of modernity is shown in the fact that the house has parking for multiple cars . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

Horton Priory was built in the 12th century and owned by Henry I before becoming a Cluniac monastery . It was taken over by Henry VIII and handed over to Elizabeth I - and now it has gone up for sale for £5.5million . The 11-bedroom home is set in 55 acres of grounds including remains dating back to the early Iron Age .

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A two-metre stingray weighing more than 100 kilograms has been set free after being trapped for four days in a rock pool south of Sydney. The large female was released on Wednesday following alleged attempts to gas and even spear the stingray by members of the public to get the animal out of the North Cronulla pool which she became trapped in on Saturday. Manly Sea Life Sanctuary staff organised the 45-minute rescue, with help from Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and Sutherland Shire Council lifeguards. Trapping the stingray in the net only took about 10 minutes at the North Cronulla rock pool . The stingray was at least 100kg with six people struggling to lift the animal onto the rock pool edge . The stingray was too large to swim back over the ledge without assistance from the rescuers . Manly Sea Life sciences manager Rob Townsend told MailOnline that although he had conducted similar rescues of stingrays in a rock pool, none had been as large as this one. ‘It would have to be at least 100 kilos because six of us struggled to lift her,’ he said. The team tried to persuade the creature to swim over the edge of the pool but after numerous attempts it seemed she was too large for the task. 'She was too big to manipulate herself to swim over,' Mr Townsend explained. The only option left was to capture the stingray in a big net and take over to the pool’s edge. It was alleged that members of the public attempted to gas and even spear the large female during the four days before she was freed . Manly Sea Life Sanctuary staff organised the 45-minute rescue, with help from Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and Sutherland Shire Council lifeguards . The stringray needed encouragement by the rescue team to swim off the rock platform . 'We waited for large waves and floated her over the crest of the wave,' he said . Mr Townsend said it took another 5-10 minutes to persuade the stingray to swim off the rock platform. 'We had to stand in her way if she was heading in the wrong direction to encourage her to swim further because they have sophisticated sensory organs,' he said. He heard that there were attempts from members of the public to gas, and even spear the stingray during the four days before she was freed. 'It's not protected species so people are perfectly well within their rights to chop it up for flake although the action is questionable,' he said. 'Setting wild animals free always feels good - its one of the best things we do.' Mr Townsend said: 'setting wild animals free always feels good - it's one of the best things we do'

A two metre, 100 kilogram stingray was released from the North Cronulla rock pool after being trapped for four days . Rescuers had to wait for suitable swell and tide conditions . The rescue team took 45 minutes to rescue the stingray by catching it in a net and easing it over the side of the pool . Members of the public allegedly attempted to gas and even spear the animal before she was freed .

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Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is set to be out for a month after suffering a muscle injury. The 33-year-old, who has filled in at centre-half for the club, is the latest victim in a season that has been ravaged by injury. United manager Louis van Gaal revealed the news on Friday as his side prepared for a home clash with Leicester City on Saturday. Michael Carrick has been ruled out of action for a month with a muscle rupture . The Dutchman described the injury as a 'muscle rupture' and said that the England international could be out for around four weeks. Van Gaal added that there was better news surrounding winger Ashley Young. The former Aston Villa man has revelled in Van Gaal's 3-5-2 system and has been missed since tearing a hamstring in the New Year's Day draw with Stoke City. But the manager said he is now nearing full fitness, but would not be ready in time for the visit of Nigel Pearson's bottom-of-the-table Foxes. Van Gaal will be hoping United can end a run of two goals in the last three matches. But he says opponents are making it hard for his expensively assembled side. 'We have to play against teams who make the space very narrow, defending with 10 people behind the ball then it is always difficult,' he explained. Carrick's injury is just one of dozens of injuries the Manchester club have had this season . 'We have to play more quickly with high ball speed and disorganise the opponent. We have to improve our ball speed.' Van Gaal refused to blame his misfiring frontline for the problem. 'You have criticised our defence, now we have one of the best defences in the Premier League,' he said. 'Now you are talking about the attack and we are still a force in the attack. I’ve said before it’s not the defence, it’s the team organisation. The strikers have a big part in it but it is not only them.' Van Gaal added that he hoped his side would learn from the previous encounter with Leicester when United let a 3-1 lead turn into a 5-3 humbling. 'We don’t control the match even when we are three against one,' he said. 'That is happening always in football. That is also the beauty of football but as a top club you have to control a match and when you are in a good result like 3 or 2-1 you have to finish the match.' Carrick in action against Cambridge in the first leg of the FA Cup fourth round clash .

Louis van Gaal described the midfielder's injury as a muscle rupture . Michael Carrick has slotted in at centre back on occasions this season . Manchester United face Leicester City at Old Trafford on Saturday . Click here for all the latest Manchester United news .

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(CNN) -- Summer has not yet officially arrived, but the country's midsection is burning up. Denver broke a heat record Monday -- and Tuesday promises more sweltering heat. Farther east in Baltimore, a storm threw down a tornado Monday, destroying houses and causing flash flooding. And on the Gulf Coast, rip currents have killed at least four. Heat wave . On Monday, Denver broke its all-time heat record, when the temperature climbed to 99 degrees Fahrenheit, and the sun is expected to bake the Colorado capital again on Tuesday. That's nearly a cool spell for residents in parts of northern Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma, where temperatures are expected to break 100 degrees. Many parts of all four states are suffering from extreme drought, and the National Weather Service has issued numerous fire weather warnings. The service warns that winds will be high, and any fires that start in the parched landscape could spread with extreme speed. Gulf drownings . Treacherous currents took at least four lives on the Alabama Gulf Coast and led Florida officials to shut down a popular beach. Dawn Wood had a friendly chat with two vacationers sitting on the beach next her in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Minutes later, she watched as one of them, a 62-year-old man, drowned, after a rip current pulled him away from the beach, CNN affiliate WPMI reported. His 13-year-old granddaughter, who was swept out with him, tried to drag him from the waves, Wood said. She didn't have the strength. Rescuers in boats rushed to save them, but "it was just a little too late for him, unfortunately," Wood told WPMI. He was one of at least four who died in the currents off the Alabama coast since Sunday. In spite of the drownings and red flag warnings on the beach, people continued to swim, including small children. Two deputies from the sheriff's office in Bay County, Florida, struggled to save a swimmer who became exhausted fighting the current, after being whisked out by the waves. The county was inundated with "water related calls" for help Monday, eventually posting double red flag warnings on Panama City Beach, closing it to swimmers to protect them from the currents. Beachgoers entering the water in spite of the warning risk arrest. Eastern tornadoes . Thunderstorms spawned a handful of twisters in Maryland and Kentucky, destroying homes. A funnel cloud in Baltimore was caught on video and made a formidable impression on YouTube. Aside from tearing a hole in a roof of a warehouse in the city's port, it did little damage. A few miles to the west in Sykesville, the violent rumble of wind compelled Dennis Davison to have a look outside, he told CNN affiliate WBAL. He opened his front door to watch pieces of a garage ascend into the sky. "There is no doubt in my mind that was a tornado," he told WBAL. The weather service confirmed two twisters in his area. Baltimore motorists gingerly cruised through streets filled with flood waters left by heavy rains, and more is in the forecast for Tuesday. Flood warnings extend from Washington, DC, up into Philadelphia and New Jersey. Racing away in his pickup truck, Steve Adair tried to outrun what may have been a tornado in southern Kentucky, according to CNN affiliate WTVF. The storm caught up with him. "You just see a bunch of debris in the air and wind started blowing hard," he said, while standing in the ruins of his destroyed countryside home. "It's just amazing to me how a little bit of wind can do all of this." Kentucky tornado 'snuck up on us' Nearby, two elderly women hunkered down in a bathtub, while the storm destroyed their home. They survived.

Denver's new heat record pales in comparison with Oklahoma's 100 degree forecast . Baltimore's tornado makes for dramatic video, but twisters in Kentucky demolish homes . Rip currents kill four in Alabama, close beaches in Florida . Despite warnings in Alabama, beach goers, even children, still enter the water .

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Shoppers are frantically spending close to £500,000-a-minute online today as the rush to buy Christmas presents peaked on what experts call Manic Monday. Millions of shoppers will splurge around £110 each on average with spending sprees expected to peak at around 7am this morning, at Midday and finally around 9pm. Retailers said that Manic Monday - the second Monday in December has overtaken Cyber Monday - the first Monday in December - as the busiest internet shopping day in Britain. Amazon said today they are 'ready to pick, pack and deliver the millions of items that will be ordered' today with pictures showing how their giant warehouse in Swansea is packed with goods and staff. The site is a quarter of a mile long from end to end and occupies 800,000 square feet - the size of 11 football pitches - and is packed with thousands of workers. Scroll down for video . Ready for action: These are the stacked shelves of Amazon's warehouse in Swansea today as shoppers prepare to spend almost £500,000-a-minute online on Christmas presents . Hard work: Staff package up gifts on what experts predict will be the busiest online shopping day of 2014 where £676million will be spent . Vast: Staff walk the site picking up goods from its giant shelves. It is a quarter of a mile long from end to end . UK consumers are expected to spend an astonishing £470,000 a minute on gifts - or £676million in total today on Christmas gifts for their friends and loved-ones. Cyber Monday has traditionally been the most popular day to order presents but the increase in same day delivery and click and collect services mean that people have waited another week before buying because they know they will get it in time for Christmas Day. Analysts believe that in total £4.7billion will be spent on online gifts this Christmas in Britain and the rise of Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Manic Monday could kill off the traditional Boxing Day sales. British retailers are expecting 151million visits to their websites, according to data firm Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG. They expect online traffic to be up by 26 per cent on the same day last year, with shoppers spending an average of £470,000 a minute. In comparison, the two companies predicted consumers would spend £556 million on Black Friday and £650 million on Cyber Monday. But consumers exceeded predictions, splurging on a shopping spree worth an estimated £810 million on Black Friday and £720 million on Cyber Monday. Experts identified Manic Monday last year as the key online shopping date ahead of Christmas as consumers left their shopping later because of increased confidence in delivery networks and click-and-collect services to get gifts to them before the holidays. Huge: In order to cope with all the orders the Swansea warehouse occupies 800,000 square feet and is the size of 11 football pitches . Well stocked: The shelves need to be dozens of feet high and thousands of workers are needed to keep it running over Christmas . Sea change: Cyber Monday has traditionally been the most popular day to order presents but the increase in same day delivery and click and collect services mean that people have waited another week before buying because they know they will get it in time for Christmas Day . Piles of clothing packed neatly in boxes can be seen for as far as the eye can see ready to be shipped out ahead of Manic Monday . In detail: Experts believe sales for Christmas gifts will rocket on several key days, peaking on Manic Monday, December 8 . It is also thought to be fuelled by the widespread use of mobile technology, while the Centre for Retail Research has suggested that the spending can be attributed to shoppers buying early out of fear that the items they want will sell out. Number of online shoppers: Six million . Average spend:  Around £110 each . Age bracket: Majority are between 25 and 34 . Peak times: 7am, Midday and 9pm . Total spend: £676million - £470,000 per min . Retailer website hits: 151million - up 26% . Christmas spending: £4.7billion this year . The heavy discounting offered by retailers on Black Friday and Cyber Monday is not expected to be a feature of Manic Monday, but many more websites than usual are offering free delivery and are pushing the message that goods will be delivered in time for Christmas. Experian Marketing Services senior retail consultant James Miller said: 'Christmas 2014 is on track to be another record breaking year for online retail in the UK. 'Continuing a trend we identified last year, Cyber Monday will no longer be the busiest pre-Christmas online shopping day, with Manic Monday expected to take the lead. 'With increased confidence in the standard of delivery services and click and collect, we expect to see people break away from traditional shopping habits.' Professor Josh Bamfield, director of the Centre for Retail Research, said: 'Manic Monday will be a significant day but I don't expect to see the scale of price cutting that was evident on Black Friday. 'There will still be the discounts but most of the sales will be down to shoppers worried that certain items could be out of stock, as well as making sure they are delivered in time for Christmas.' Starting again: Customers pushed each other out of the way as the crowd surges towards widescreen televisions at the Asda store in Wembley on Black Friday, but Cyber Monday could be even bigger . A Waitrose spokesman told MailOnline that the Heston from Waitrose Ultimate Chocolate Bar has been one of its best pre-Christmas sellers so far. Sales are up 56 per cent week-on-week, and the retail giant said it has had to double its orders for the £9.99 product to keep up with rising demand. In addition, sales last week from Waitrose Cellar – its online wine site - were up 40 per cent on last year as customers stocked up on alcohol.

UK consumers are expected to spend £676million in 24 hours on what is probably busiest online shopping day . Manic Monday to pull in between £100million and £25million more in sales than Black Friday and Cyber Monday . Shoppers are now more likely to wait to buy gifts because they have more confidence it will arrive before Christmas . Amazon's giant warehouse in Swansea - one of eight - measures 800,000 sq ft - the size of 11 football pitches .

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(CNN) -- Over a billion dollars was spent, the English Premier League title was won, its neighbors' feathers were duly ruffled, but the pressure to adapt to European football proved too much for Manchester City says Carlos Tevez. Tevez, who signed for Juventus in a $13 million deal last month, enjoyed four years at City where he helped the club win the FA Cup and a first league title in 44 years, when they pipped rivals Manchester United on the last day of the 2011/2012 season. But it was the club's failure in European competition which left a sour taste in Tevez's mouth with City failing to in their bid to compete with the continent's biggest clubs. City has failed to progress from the Group Stage of Europe's elite competition in each of the past two seasons and the Argentine striker says the pressure and expectation on the players proved too great for the team to handle. "Yes, there was way too much pressure," Tevez told CNN. "It came from everyone -- the club, the fans. I think that too much pressure just hurts the team. "What happened was that there so much hype and pressure to be one of the giants of Europe and we didn't do it. "We dropped out in the first round of the Champions League on both occasions." City will now hope that new manager Manuel Pellegrini will help to turn its fortunes around following the departure of Roberto Mancini. City's former Italian coach and Tevez endured a difficult relationship with the Argentine's apparent refusal to warm up during a Champions League tie at Bayern Munich in September 2011. Subsequently the Italian announced that Tevez would never play for the club again before finally relenting, but the Argentine says he only has respect for his former manager. "He's a winner," added Tevez. "I think he's a winner because he always wants to win and he takes his team to the maximum place to be able to win. Everyone who knows Mancini knows that he's a winner from birth." Tevez's new club, Juventus, last won the Champions League back in 1996 and reached the quarterfinals last season before losing to eventual champion Bayern Munich. The Turin club has not reached the final since it suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat by Milan in 2003 at Old Trafford. While Antonio Conte's side have won Serie A for the past two years, it is the European crown which the club craves. But Tevez is aware of how such pressure can be detrimental to a team's chances of success with City just one example of how players can be adversely affected. "I think we have to be calm and make sure we don't put pressure on ourselves to win the Champions League," added the 29-year-old as he looked to ahead to the challenge of playing in Europe with Juventus. "If we don't then that pressure will become impossible to escape from. "We have to be calm and know that winning the Scudetto again will make us part of Italian history and then we can think about everything else. "We all dream of winning the Champions League but our main objective is winning Serie A. "Then we can be calm in the Champions League and everything will become a lot easier."

Carlos Tevez joined Juventus from Manchester City in $13 million transfer . Tevez says too much pressure was placed on City's players to win Champions League . Club has failed to progress from the Group Stage on both occasions . Believes key to success in Champions League is remaining calm .

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By . Becky Evans . This little mouse was relying on a wing and a prayer if it thought it could outrun this predator. These stunning images capture the exact moment a majestic Northern Hawk Owl descended and captured the tiny rodent. The pictures were taken by photographer Roman Lobanov, who endured sub-zero temperatures in Rybinsk, Russia, to catch the predator in action. On a wing and a prayer: A tiny mouse tries to scamper out of the way of a swooping Northern Hawk Owl . In its sights: The majestic bird hovers in the air after spotting its prey scurrying across the snow . Eyes on the prize: The hungry owl watches the mouse as it swoops low to the ground . Mr Lobanov said he waited for hours in the cold before he spotted this owl. The pictures show the hungry owl hovering in the air when it first sees its prey before swooping on the unlucky rodent. The mouse tries to escape but is no match for the bird, which catches it in its talons and flies away with it. Mr Lobanov, 40, from Peresvet in Russia, said it was taking the photographs was a trial. He said: 'It was extremely difficult to get these shots. 'It was really very cold, about -32 degrees and of course I had to be very patient. 'I waited several hours to capture this moment and it's extremely difficult to get such a sharp sequence when everything is moving so quickly.' On the run: The owl closes in on the rodent as it desperately tries to escape the predator's clutches . No chance: The owl lands with its wings aloft as it catches the mouse in its talons . No escape: The owl flies off with its prize despite a brave effort from the unlucky rodent . Northern Hawk Owls are found in Russia, as well as across North America and also in Britain and Scandinavia. They have a wingspan of up to 45cm and eat small rodents and birds. Mr Lobanov said the mouse did not realised it was being hunted until it was too late and its speed almost caught him by surprise as well. He said: 'The owl was fantastically quick and of course there was also an element of luck involved. 'Owls are almost silent in flight so the poor mouse didn't really stand a chance.'

Roman Lobanov endured freezing temperatures to capture action . Photographer waited for hours in Rybinsk, Russia, for the owl to strike .

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By . Sarah Griffiths for MailOnline . In two weeks, Apple is set to show off the features of its eagerly anticipated iPhone 6 handset. But while the world waits for the new smartphone, engineers at the firm's headquarters in Cupertino, California, are busy patenting futuristic features that could one day appear in iPads and iPhones. In a patent granted today, plans are revealed for a mobile device with a flexible screen with hidden buttons beneath its surface. In a patent granted today, plans are revealed for a mobile device with a flexible screen. This image shows how temporary  raised buttons (22) could push upwards under a screen (102) on demand, giving users the feeling of pushing a physical button, like the home button on an iPhone . The patent granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office suggests that buttons and microphones could be hidden by the screen in a number of ways. In one scenario, future mobile devices would feature physical buttons - such as the Home button - embedded under their displays, which would flex or 'deform' to enable users to push them down, Apple Insider reported. In another scenario, the screen could be placed over actuators - tiny motors. They would press upwards to generate temporary buttons on-demand anywhere on the screen and provide haptic feedback. By hiding 'buttons' under a screen using either method, Apple could expand the size of an iPhone or iPad screen, without making the devices themselves bigger and bulkier. While these functions appear to be predominantly intended for the iPhone and iPad, the patent also shows how the technology could be incorporated into a MacBook’s trackpad, to create ridges (102) and make a future laptop (without a groove on its side) easier to open (pictured) The handset is expected to be unveiled on Tuesday 9 September and will come in 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch sizes. It is thought the phone could boast a flexible and scratch-proof sapphire screen, which is about to go into large-scale production in the US. The screen is tipped to be ‘Retina display+’ with a 1,704x904 resolution. Experts also predict a faster A8 processor, better rear-facing camera - possibly with changeable lenses -and wireless charging support. It may also include a heart rate sensor like the Samsung Galaxy S5. There is increasing demand for phones with larger screens, with Samsung among the manufacturers offering multimedia-friendly Phablets – a cross between a phone and a tablet. Apple is rumoured to be launching its iPhone 6 in two sizes - 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch – to cater to consumers who want a larger screen on their phone. The technology described in the patent could mean that Apple mobile devices of the future are ‘all screen’ and that they could grow or reveal buttons when a user needs them. The patent reads: 'The ability of a user to compress a component such as a button switch by deforming the flexible display may allow the area of a device available for visual display to be enlarged. 'For example, the active area of a flexible display may overlap a component such as a button or speaker.' 'Diaphragms' capable of being used as a speaker or microphone could also be hidden under the screen, according to the patent. While these functions appear to be predominantly intended for the iPhone and iPad, the patent also shows how the technology could be incorporated into a MacBook’s trackpad, to create a large ridge that would push up the laptop's lid. This could mean that future MacBook designs will be more streamlined and that there will no longer be a ridge to open them. As with any patent, there is no indication about whether the technology described really will feature in a future product. By hiding buttons under a screen, Apple could expand the size of an iPhone or iPad screen, without making the devices bigger. Consumers are increasingly demanding larger handsets and the iPhone 6 is rumoured to come in two sizes - 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches. Leaked images of the rumoured handsets are shown .

Patent reveals iPhones and iPads could one day have flexible screens . Such screens could hide buttons, microphones and speakers . Alternatively, tiny motors underneath screens could create temporary ridges on-demand that users could push like buttons . Technique could be used to provide an opening mechanism for a MacBook . By hiding physical buttons, 'all-screen' mobiles and tablets could be created .

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By . Anthony Bond . PUBLISHED: . 07:26 EST, 5 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:37 EST, 5 February 2013 . A farmer who pocketed more than £100,000 in benefits after claiming he couldn't walk 10 metres unaided was caught on camera herding cattle and climbing over fences. David Millward was secretly filmed walking freely and carrying bags of animal feed around the field he rented in Coven, Staffordshire. He was also spotted climbing over a fence, . filling feeding trays and loading cattle into his trailer. He walked . without any aids and only displayed a slight limp. This is despite illegally . pocketing £75,532 in income support and £24,692 in disability living . allowance. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Jailed: Con man farmer David Millward pocketed more than £100,000 in benefits after claiming he couldn't walk 10 metres unaided but was caught on camera at work herding cattle and climbing over fences . Cheat: David Millward was also seen climbing a gate. Other images caught him filling feeding trays and loading cattle into his trailer . Jailed: Millward was today sentenced to 18 months in prison . Inquiries . revealed that he had been working as a self-employed livestock trader . and had been involved in the business since 1999. But . married 55-year-old Millward failed to mention this when he . successfully applied for income support and disability allowance in . 2003. Following a tip off, the scam was uncovered last year and the secret video was shot that . summer. Millward from Brewood, Staffs, pleaded guilty to two offences of cheating at Wolverhampton Crown Court. He admitted illegally claiming income support and illegally collecting disability living allowance. He was today sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court to 18 months in prison, with half to be served. Prosecution: Inquiries revealed that he had been working as a self-employed livestock trader and had been involved in the business since 1999 . Locked up: Millward can be seen in this image moving freely on his land .

David Millward was secretly filmed . walking freely and carrying animal feed . He was also spotted climbing over a fence and . loading cattle into his trailer . This is despite claiming £75,532 in income support . He also claimed £24,692 in disability allowance . 55-year-old was today sentenced to 18 months in prison .

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By . Kerry Mcdermott . PUBLISHED: . 16:33 EST, 28 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 16:35 EST, 28 October 2012 . Would you be brave enough to spend Halloween sleeping in a cemetery? For one family, this former mortuary chapel surrounded by crumbling headstones and eerie gargoyles is home 365 days of the year. Unperturbed by its spooky statues and proximity to ancient graves, Jayne Stead and her partner Mike Blatchford fell in love with the one-time cemetery keeper's lodge in Southampton, and set about turning it into a home for themselves and their three children. 'Spookiest house in the city': Mike Blatchford and Jayne Stead at home in the former cemetery keeper's lodge with their children (l-r) William, 13, Florence, 15, and Joe, 17 . Eerie: The former cemetery keeper's lodge and chapel in Southampton is home to Jayne, Mike and their three children . Designer Ms Stead admits the couple's decision to move into the former Jewish mortuary chapel - which dates back to the 1800s - raised some eyebrows among their more superstitious friends, but insisted the house has 'a nice feeling'. With the creepiest holiday in the calendar fast approaching, the family has invited local schoolchildren to trick-or-treat at the old chapel this Halloween. Ms Stead said she suspected youngsters have been too afraid to venture down the path leading to the spooky Grade II listed building in previous years. 'We've had plenty of Halloween parties because the house is the perfect venue, but nobody has ventured down here for trick-or-treating before,' she said. 'We are the spookiest house in the city after all.' Atmospheric: Ms Stead said trick-or-treaters have been too afraid to venture down the path to the historic chapel on previous Halloweens . Creepy: The family's living room once housed a mortuary . 'Homely': The couple fell in love with the former chapel and cemetery keeper's lodge and spent £100,000 transforming it into a family home . Modern: Victorian urinals and a tatty storage shed in the ramshackle building became a modern kitchen . While the 52-year-old said she had never seen a ghost in her time in the chapel - which is also home to the couple's children Joe, 17, . Florence, 15, and 13-year-old William - she admitted there have been . some strange occurrences in the living room - once the mortuary. 'The cemetery didn't put us off...we don't spook easily' Jayne Stead . 'I’ve been sitting on my own in the living room and I’ve felt like there was someone standing behind me a few times,' Ms Stead said. 'I’ve also found the dog barking at nothing in the corner of the room, but it’s not scary. 'Mike’s aunt is a medium and when she came to visit us for the first time she the place had a really nice feeling about it.' 'We don't spook easily': The house is the perfect venue for a Halloween party, its owners say . Jayne and self-employed builder Mike, 51, bought the property six years ago when it was put on the market by the council. 'I’ve always loved broken down cottages,' Ms Stead said. 'When we saw this it just seemed perfect. 'It was one of those opportunities where you have to make a snap decision to go for it or not go for it.'The cemetery didn’t put us off. We don’t spook easily, in fact I love watching scary films and television shows. 'When we first had a look around it was really run down, there were graves everywhere but it never really felt scary, there was very nice feeling about the place,' she said. Despite their affection for the old mortuary chapel, Ms Stead admits they rented out their old house rather than selling it to ensure the family had a back-up plan. 'That way if it all went horribly wrong we could move back home,' she said. 'Nobody really knows what it’s going to be like living in a graveyard.' Builder Mr Blatchford spent a year and £100,000 turning the ramshackle property into the family's dream home. The Victorian urinals and tatty storage shed were transformed in to a beautiful, modern kitchen, while the chapel, built in 1845, became the dining room. The old cemetery keeper’s lodge now houses bedrooms, bathrooms, and a playroom. Family home: The historic building has been given a new lease of life by the family, who say its location in a cemetery 'didn't put us off' Ghostly: The family can see headstones and statues when they peer out of the mullioned windows . The interior may have been transformed, but from the outside the building appears to have changed little since its days as a mortuary chapel and cemetery keeper's lodge, with original features including the mullioned windows and gargoyles retained. 'You get people peering in to the windows of the chapel and when they see us watching television they jump a million miles,' said Ms Stead. 'It may be covered in gargoyles and we may be surrounded by graves but on the inside it just looks like a normal house. 'A lot of visitors were wary at first and thought it was spooky but after a while, like us, they forget they’re in a cemetery. 'It's a very homely place.'

The former cemetery keeper's lodge in Southampton is surrounded by crumbling headstones and spooky statues . The living room inside the 'spookiest house in the city' was once the mortuary .

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Tornado . warnings urging residents to seek cover immediately in parts of . northern Oklahoma were issued on Thursday, raising concern about another . powerful storm after a twister in the area killed 24 people and injured . more than 300 last week. The National Weather Service has already reported a tornado touched the ground during the afternoon near the town of Perkins in northeast Oklahoma. A second tornado from the same storm system was reported near Ripley. Both twisters were in rural areas and didn't seem to cause significant damage. 'Take cover if you are in the path!!' the weather service tweeted just before the tornadoes formed. Scroll down for video . This image provided by KFOR-TV shows storm clouds moving over Guthrie, Oklahoma, on Thursday, May 30, 2013 . One of the tornado warnings issued was for Cushing, . Oklahoma, which is a critical hub for the U.S. oil markets and home to . over 65 million barrels of crude oil storage. Perkins Emergency Management Director Travis Majors said there were no . injuries or damage there. Ripley, about 10 miles east of Perkins, did . not seem to have significant damage. The Payne County emergency . management director did not immediately return a phone call seeking . comment. Thursday's tornadoes were much less dangerous than the EF5 storm that . struck Moore, Okla., on May 20 and killed 24 along its 17-mile path. The . U.S. averages storms of that nature — with winds over 200 mph — only . about once per year. The Moore storm was the nation's first EF5 tornado . since 2011. The warnings were put in effect for parts of several counties north of Oklahoma City, according to Corey Mead, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center. Ominous: The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., warns there is a moderate risk of severe weather over much of eastern and central Oklahoma on Thursday . 'It looks like it is going to be an active severe weather day,' Mead said. 'The Oklahoma City area is definitely at risk of tornadoes.' In addition to tornadoes, the storms bring rain and hail. 'Right now we've been getting a few thunderstorms, but they're very . severe supercell thunderstorms,' said Michael Scotten, a meteorologist . with the National Weather Services. 'The whole storm rotates, and they . produce on occasion some tornadoes and heavy hail.' Severe weather is forecast for a large area of the central United States extending from north of Dallas, Texas all the way to near the Canadian border in Wisconsin, according to a National Weather Service map. Oklahoma City's KFOR television showed video of a dark cloud a few miles from Cushing, which is the delivery point for the U.S. oil industry. Oil traders were closely watching the storm for any sign of damage to infrastructure. Destruction: This aerial photo taken Sunday, May 26, 2013, shows tornado-damaged areas of Moore, Oklahoma . Decimated: This aerial photo taken Sunday, May 26, 2013, shows tornado-damaged areas of Moore, Oklahoma after a huge tornado roared through the Oklahoma City suburb last Monday . The tornado destroyed Briarwood Elementary Schoo on Monday, Mayth 20, 2013 flattening a wide swath of homes and businesses . Tornado warnings were also in effect on Thursday in parts other parts of Oklahoma and the state of Arkansas. The storms are also capable of producing 3-inch hail. At least one injury was reported when a home was hit in rural western Arkansas. Arkansas Emergency Management spokesman Tommy Jackson said first . responders were having trouble reaching the destroyed home because a . number of trees were blocking the road. Montgomery County Sheriff's . spokeswoman Brandy Wingfield said there was property damage, including . downed power lines, in the area. 'Right now we've been getting a few thunderstorms, but they're very severe supercell thunderstorms,' said Michael Scotten, a meteorologist with the National Weather Services. 'The whole storm rotates, and they produce on occasion some tornadoes and heavy hail.' This aerial photo taken on Sunday, May 26th, 2013, shows tornado-damaged areas of Moore, Oklahoma . Tina Taylor salvages items at her brother-in-law's tornado-ravaged home Saturday, May 25, 2013, in Moore, Oklahoma . Scotten said the severe weather threat would continue over parts of Oklahoma until 10 p.m. Thursday evening. CBS News meteorologist David Bernard reported Thursday morning the Great Plains area already saw 75 tornadoes since Sunday. Severe weather was also possible in other parts of the central United states, including parts of Kansas Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

At least two tornadoes touched down in Oklahoma on Thursday as a powerful storm system moved through the state . Last week a tremendous E-F5 category tornado decimated the town of Moore, Oklahoma killing 24 people . So far today, there were no immediate reports of any injuries, said weather officials .

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(CNN) -- It was not the sort of meme Bill Cosby wanted to generate. On Monday, the comedian -- or whomever was in charge of his social media -- put out a challenge with a jovial picture of Cosby in a cap: "Go ahead. Meme me! #cosbymeme." The Internet immediately reacted, but probably not in the way Cosby expected. "Claire, have you seen my ... nevermind, found my raping hat!" tweeted Trill Withers over the cap picture. "My two favorite things (--) Jell-O pudding & rape," tweeted E.J. Coughlin over a photo of Cosby smiling. "Look at this wacky shirt I'm wearing (--) also I am a serial rapist," tweeted Jason Steele over a picture of a thumbs-up Cosby in a patterned shirt. By nightfall, Cosby's original tweet had been pulled from the Web, which led to this conclusion from Jensen Karp: "If anyone is looking for a job, the Social Media Manager position for @BillCosby is about to open up." But if Cosby's social media manager has gone underground, in the Internet age -- where nothing ever goes away -- the rape allegations, which Cosby has repeatedly denied, have stubbornly remained in the open. In late October, comedian Hannibal Buress bluntly attacked what he perceived as Cosby's "smuggest old black man public persona" by saying, "Yeah, but you rape women, Bill Cosby, so turn the crazy down a couple notches. 'I don't curse onstage.' Well, yeah, you're (a) rapist, so I'll take you saying lots of m*****f*****s on 'Bill Cosby: Himself' if you weren't a rapist." A couple weeks later, Cosby was booked on Queen Latifah's talk show, but the allegations reportedly gave the staff "cold feet," according to TMZ. Cosby's booking was "postponed at his request," the website reported in an addendum. (Cosby did do interviews with Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon without incident.) Now comes the social media fiasco. For years, Cosby has denied the rape allegations. In February, after Newsweek ran an interview with one of the purported victims, Tamara Green, Cosby's representative said, "This is a 10-year-old, discredited accusation that proved to be nothing at the time, and is still nothing." Nine years ago, when Green was interviewed by Matt Lauer on the "Today" show, his lawyer issued a statement: "Miss Green's allegations are absolutely false. Mr. Cosby does not know the name Tamara Green or (maiden name) Tamara Lucier and the incident she describes did not happen. The fact that she may have repeated this story to others is not corroboration." In the case of Andrea Constand, who sued Cosby in 2005 over an incident the year before, Cosby says the sex was consensual. CNN has reached out to Cosby's representative for comment on this story, but has yet to hear back. Lawsuit airs allegations . At the time of Constand's lawsuit, Cosby had been in the news for a sexual affair once before. In 1997, a woman named Autumn Jackson claimed to be Cosby's love child. Cosby admitted to a relationship with Jackson's mother but denied paternity. Jackson was later convicted of extortion. However, it wasn't until Constand's lawsuit in 2005 that the comedian was accused of rape. Constand, a staffer for Temple University's women's basketball team, said in her suit that Cosby -- a Temple alum -- had become a mentor to her in the months since they met in 2002. In early 2004, he invited her to his house in suburban Philadelphia. Constand told Cosby she was feeling stressed and Cosby gave her three blue pills, which he described as "herbal medication," according to her suit, which was posted on The Smoking Gun. Then, her "knees began to shake, her limbs felt immobile, she felt dizzy and weak, and she began to feel only barely conscious," the suit continued. Cosby then gave her another drug, she said, and led her to the sofa, where she says she was sexually molested. "When Plaintiff awoke, her clothes and undergarments were in disarray," the suit said. Constand later returned to her native Canada, where she reported the incident to police. Authorities in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, followed up with an investigation, but at the end of February declined to press criminal charges due to a lack of evidence. Cosby's lawyer, Walter M. Phillips Jr., told CNN the allegations were "utterly preposterous" and "plainly bizarre," but Cosby later acknowledged his role in the situation. "Looking back on it, I realize that words and actions can be misinterpreted by another person, and unless you're a supreme being, you can't predict what another individual will do," he told the National Enquirer in March 2005. "I'm not saying that what I did was wrong, but I apologize to my loving wife, who has stood by my side for all these years, for any pain I have caused her. These allegations have caused my family great emotional stress." Constand filed her civil suit in March 2005. Constand's lawyers said they found 13 Jane Doe witnesses with similar stories. However, Constand's suit was settled in November 2006, and the witnesses were never called. Terms have not been disclosed. Tarnished reputation . As Mark Whitaker's recent Cosby biography makes clear, the man has his demons. He had affairs while on the road and there have been bumps in his long marriage to his wife, Camille. The influence of Bill Cosby . But Whitaker, a former CNN managing editor, told CNN that he didn't feel comfortable airing the rape allegations. "Basically, I knew that I was going to have to be very careful in what I said about his private life. I felt that way as a journalist and also for legal reasons," he said in an interview about the biography. "In the case of these other allegations, basically because there were no definitive court findings, no independent witnesses, it didn't meet my standard for what I was going to put in the book." "I also was very aware that if I just did a she said-he said, and I printed allegations and denials without my own independent reporting, first of all it's not really in the spirit in the book, but also every person who then reviewed or reported on the book would be free to repeat those unconfirmed allegations just because they were in my book. And I just didn't feel comfortable being responsible for that." Still, the rape allegations are always just a mouse click away. Not long after Constand's accusations hit the media, Tamara Green went public with her claims on "Today." A few months later, another Jane Doe, Beth Ferrier, also spoke out. A third woman, Barbara Bowman, came forward in 2006. Green and Bowman both gave interviews to Newsweek in early 2014. How all the controversy has affected Cosby personally is unknown. He's still scheduled to star in an NBC sitcom next year, and his skills as a comedian appear undiminished. Last year's concert movie, "Far From Finished," earned mostly positive reviews, and his recent comedy tour has also received praise. On Saturday night, he appeared at the New York Comedy Festival and played to an appreciative crowd. "Over the course of a non-stop two hours, he proves himself yet again to be an extraordinarily skilled storyteller, a performer who is acutely aware of his audience and in full of control of the room from start to finish," wrote the Guardian's Elise Czajkowski. But his once-sterling reputation has taken a hit. The Washington Post, Salon and The New York Times have all mentioned the rape allegations in stories, criticizing Cosby to varying degrees. And comedian Buress, who later talked about the Cosby allegations on Howard Stern's radio show, said at a St. Louis show that he had asked fellow comedian Dave Chappelle for advice. Chappelle told Buress to talk to Cosby, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. But then Chappelle watched the Buress video. Maybe it's not a good idea after all, he said.

Bill Cosby's "Meme me" proposal went awry Monday . Many people referred to allegations of rape against the comedian . Cosby has repeatedly denied the allegations . In the Internet age, the rape allegations have stubbornly remained in the open .

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(CNN) -- Twitter just made it a little bit harder to be a troll. In the wake of reports about death and rape threats as well as other abuse targeting women as part of the so-called Gamergate movement, Twitter announced Tuesday that it has improved its reporting and blocking features. The changes, Twitter said in a blog post, will make it easier to police, and respond to, bad behavior among its roughly 284 million active users. Particularly on mobile, abuse will be easier to report, requiring less information and simplifying the way a user flags accounts or specific tweets for review. It also will become easier for users to report abuse that they see but were not the targets of themselves. Survey: 40% of Web users have been harassed . The blog post also says Twitter has improved its "behind the scenes" procedures to make reviewing and responding to abuse reports faster. Unlike Facebook, which requires that users create accounts using their real names, Twitter allows anonymity. That's why Twitter is sometimes the forum preferred by people who want to harass others. The service has at times come under fire for not doing enough to clamp down on such abuse. In the past few months, Gamergate has been the driving force behind a new wave of nasty, and widely reported, abuse on the site. Ostensibly an effort to improve ethical standards in video-game journalism, it quickly devolved into ugliness, with Web users identifying themselves with the movement targeting female game developers and journalists online.

Twitter has improved tools for reporting abuse . Easier mobile reporting among is among the changes . The move comes after wave of Gamergate harassment .