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It's been just a few days since Andy Murray tied the knot to his long term girlfriend Kim Sears. But already his mother Judy is hopefully that he will soon take the next step and start a family. The 55-year-old tennis coach told Closer magazine this week: 'I'm really looking forward to being a granny. I've always wanted to have grandchildren, but I had to be patient and let them get married first.' Scroll down for video. Andy Murray's mother Judy has revealed that she can't wait for her son to have children with his new wife Kim Sears. Judy went on to reveal that she wasn't sure when her 27-year-old son would have children but she knows that he wants them. She said that she will take an active part in their lives and that she can't wait to teach them about tennis. Judy also said that following her stint on Strictly Come Dancing last year she taught her tennis champion son some basic dance moves. 'I showed Andy part of the basic steps for the waltz, as he was going to be best man at his friend's wedding. So before his own wedding he already knew some steps and was confident about taking to the dance floor.' Andy and Kim married this weekend at a service in Dunblane Cathedral, with the bride wearing a Jenny Packham dress. The ceremony was followed by a reception at Cromlix House, Murray's luxury hotel near Dunblane. In a later interview on the BBC's One Show Judy spoke about the wedding itself. She said that it was a prouder moment than when Andy won Wimbledon in 2013: 'Yeah, I think so. I mean it was just such a happy family occasion. 'It was the perfect day from start to finish even despite the hailstones and the snowstorms that we had during the course of the morning. It was lovely, just lovely.' Judy continued: 'It really was a perfect day. It was a very, very happy day and I think everybody was very relaxed and very chilled. 'They've been together for a long time so to see them getting married with all their friends and family around them, and in Dunblane, for me that was very, very special to be able to share it with the people in Dunblane who give so much love and support all the time for him. 'They made such a huge effort and so many of them turn out in not great weather and were there for hours.' Andy and Kim married at Dunblane Cathedral with a service led by the Rev Colin Renwick. The British tennis number one sported a blue and green kilt for the occasion while Sussex-born Sears, 27, wore an embroidered Jenny Packham gown with three-quarter-length sleeves and a long veil. Among the guests were Murray's brother Jamie, divorced parents Judy and William, grandparents Shirley and Roy Erskine and former British tennis number one Tim Henman and his wife Lucy. The ceremony was followed by a reception at Cromlix House, Murray's luxury hotel near Dunblane. Judy attended the wedding wearing a smart white dress coat with taupe coloured heels. In a note written to staff at the hotel Kim said: 'Thank you to Graeme and every single one of you at Cromlix who worked so hard to make this weekend the best of our lives – a special place filled with very special people! X' Andy and Kim met at the US Open in 2005 when they were both aged 17, and became engaged in November. They are believed to have asked guests to make a donation to charities rather than buy wedding presents. Before the big day Andy revealed that he was not nervous about the wedding, but he is nervous about having children. He told BBC Sport: 'I am actually not nervous about getting married because we've been together like nine-and-a-half years and we've lived together for six or seven years as well. 'So, I don't think a whole lot's going to change. I kind of feel like we have been married already in terms of the way we spend our lives together and live together. 'I think I will be more nervous about starting a family because that would be more life-changing, in a good way.'

Judy Murray has revealed to Closer that she can't wait to be a granny. Son Andy married his long term girlfriend Kim Sears just a few days ago. The tennis coach says she will be an active part of their life.

A teenager suffering from cystic fibrosis is battling to be allowed to take part in her high school graduation after school officials told her she couldn't. Victoria McKennon is just one class short of fulfilling the necessary requirements to graduate from Plano Senior High School in Texas. The 17-year-old has had to miss dozens of lessons for frequent hospital visits as she struggles with her life-threatening condition. Scroll down for video. Cystic fibrosis sufferer Victoria McKennon is desperate to take part in the graduation ceremony at Plano Senior High School in Texas but is one class short of the credits she needs. Despite that she is only just short of being able to officially graduate and her family appealed to the school to allow her to take part in ceremony at the Dallas Convention Center in June. The plan was that she would finish the outstanding work necessary to graduate in the summer and earn her diploma that way. But officials initially refused to allow Victoria to join her friends at the prestigious event, which draws a crowd of hundreds to see students proudly don their graduation caps and gowns in the school's maroon colours. Plano High instead told her she could participate in a small summer ceremony, according to the Dallas Morning News, yet she is desperate to take part in the real thing. The school has since set out a way in which Victoria could make up the missing credit and graduate in time for the main summer ceremony. But her mum Grace McKennon said this won't work if her daughter has an unforeseen hospital stay and wants a guarantee from the school she will be able to take to the stage in June no matter what. She told WTHR: 'I don't know how long Victoria is going to live. Of course, we always aim for the moon, the sky, and the stars, but in reality her life span is limited and so every experience is very important for her,' Victoria and her mum Grace McKennon (right) say they do not want her to be awarded credits she didn't get, but allowances made to accommodate her disability. The 17-year-old has to manage a complicated programme of medicines to fight her condition, which has often resulted in hospital stays causing her to miss class. Officials acting on behalf of Plano Senior High School (pictured) have refused Victoria's plea to be allowed to take part in the graduation ceremony in June if she hasn't got the right number of credits. The family say they are not asking the school for Victoria to be awarded credits she didn't get, but to accommodate her disability and allow her to take part in the ceremony with her friends. Victoria says she wants to be seen as a 'normal kid' which is why taking part in graduation is so important to her. The family has filed a civil rights complaint with the Department of Education over the dispute, under a law which aims to protect disabled people from discrimination. Lesley Range-Stanton, speaking for the Plano Independent School District, said all its schools follow Texas board of education policy, which state that a student must 'meet all state and local graduation requirements, including all applicable state testing,' in order to be allowed to graduate. Victoria was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis 10 years ago. The condition has no cure and greatly affects the lungs and digestive system. Her father Larry McKennon said it had been 'heartbreaking' watching her grow up fighting the disease.

Victoria McKennon, 17, is student at Plano Senior High School in Texas. Is desperate to take part in school's graduation ceremony in Dallas in June. But officials won't let her unless she makes up work she has had to miss. This may not happen as she struggles with her life-threatening condition.

An Indiana woman who police say duped a new mother into believing she was a child-welfare worker so she could stab the mom and steal her baby to pass off as her own was charged Monday. Madison County prosecutors filed paperwork in Circuit Court charging Geraldine Jones, 36, with murder, kidnapping and criminal confinement in the death of Samantha Fleming, 23, of Anderson. Police Sgt Chad Boynton said Monday afternoon police had not yet been in contact with Jones, of Gary, who police say is being treated in Texas for depression. Scroll down for video. Geraldine Jones, 36, of Gary, Indiana, was charged with murder, kidnapping and criminal confinement. Samantha Fleming and her three-week old baby went missing from her home in Anderson, Indiana, on April 5. Police believe Fleming, 23, was lured from her home by Jones and the new mother brought Serenity with her. Authorities in Texas have taken precautions to make sure Jones can't leave the hospital and Indiana police are hoping to begin extradition proceedings, Fox 59 reported. Sgt Boynton said: 'We are making preparations to initiate conversation just as soon as possible.' Fleming was living with her boyfriend, but disappeared with her three-week-old baby Serenity on April 5. Police investigating Fleming's disappearance on Friday found her body in Jones' home in Gary, about 165 miles northwest of Anderson. She had been stabbed, wrapped in plastic and soaked with bleach. When police arrived, Fleming's daughter was being held by Jones' sister, who told police she had been caring for her sister's child while her sister was in Texas. Police determined the child was Fleming's and the baby was returned to relatives in Indianapolis. Authorities say they believe Jones got Fleming to travel to northwest Indiana by telling her she worked for the Indiana Department of Child Services and she needed to attend a hearing. Serenity was being held by Jones' sister, who told police she had been caring for her sister's young child. A woman called Fleming's mother before she disappeared saying she was with DCS and wanted information. Indiana State Personnel Department spokeswoman Ashley Emsweller Hungate said no one named Geraldine Jones or with the name of her sister has ever worked for DCS. Police believe Jones may have faked being pregnant, telling family she was expecting twins. Boynton said police don't know how the woman was able to convince Fleming she worked for DCS, but he said Fleming did have previous contact with DCS. He said: 'So therefore the ploy that the suspect used to get her to leave Anderson and head to Lake County may have been more believable in her mind.' Police say a woman called Fleming's mother before she disappeared and said she was with DCS and was seeking information about Fleming and her daughter. The body of Fleming was found stabbed, doused in bleach and wrapped in plastic inside this home in Gary. Authorities said the woman provided legitimate names of DCS employees and implied she was familiar with Fleming's case history. DCS spokesman James Wide said he couldn't comment on whether Fleming had a DCS case because of privacy laws. Wide said DCS is leaving the investigation into how the woman may have tricked Fleming into thinking she worked for DCS up to police. 'There's nothing internally being initiated from it, but we definitely will comply with law enforcement and help them where we can,' he said.

Geraldine Jones charged with murder, kidnapping, criminal confinement. Gary, Indiana, woman, 36, charged in death of Samantha Fleming, 23. Fleming and daughter Serenity were last seen in Anderson on April 5. Police say Jones fooled Fleming by posing as child-welfare worker.

Hillary Clinton and top aide Huma Abedin didn't leave a tip during their now infamous stop at an Ohio Chipotle on Monday - despite there being a jar on the counter. 'Her bill was $20 and some change, and they paid with $21 and left,' Charles Wright, manager of the Maumee, Ohio, restaurant, told Bloomberg. To be fair, multimillionaire 'Clinton didn't pay' for the meal, according to Wright. 'The other lady paid the bill,' he said, referring to Abedin, the vice chairwoman of Clinton's campaign. She was spotted standing next to Clinton in security camera footage released by the Toledo-area store. Scroll down for video. Spotted: Hillary and Huma order at Chipotle in Maumee, Ohio, at lunchtime Monday- the first time they had been seen since they started their cross-country road trip. But nobody in the restaurant recognized them during their 45-minute meal. The manager says they didn't leave a tip. Do you tip at Chipotle if there is a jar? Do you tip at Chipotle if there is a jar? Now share your opinion. Not every Chipotle restaurant has a jar for change. And many customers pay with a card. But Wright assured Bloomberg that his location does, and customers usually leave a little something behind. 'We get a bunch of tips,' the 29-year-old said. 'If we're doing our job right, people tip.' Clinton and Abedin dropped by the Maumee restaurant incognito for lunch just after 1 pm on Monday during their road trip from New York to Iowa for the first round of campaign events. Traveling in an armored van they fondly call 'Scooby' after the 1970s cartoon program and wearing dark sunglasses, they reportedly strolled into Chipotle, waited their turn in line and ordered a chicken burrito bowl - with guacamole - a chicken salad, a blackberry Izzy soda and a regular soda without being recognized. It wasn't until after Clinton was back on the road that her campaign alerted the press to the lunch outing. Reporters were then able to obtain security camera footage from the store that proved Clinton had in fact dined there. A former first lady, secretary of state, New York senator, Clinton's net worth fell somewhere between $5 million and $25 million in 2012, the last time she was required by the government to disclose her earnings. She's since written a memoir, for which she received a hefty $14 million advance, and made at least $5 million more off of speaking gigs. Together, she and husband Bill have an estimated net worth of roughly $100,000 million, but the public won't know for sure until she files a disclosure form in the course of her national campaign. A key feature of Clinton's second attempt for the presidency was supposed to be her interactions with 'everyday' Americans, meant to show how down to earth and approachable the wealthy New Yorker is. But Clinton made no attempts at the Chipotle to introduce herself, the manager indicated, or mingle with other burrito-goers. 'The thing is, she has these dark sunglasses on,' Wright told the New York Times after it inquired about her visit. 'She just was another lady.' The Daily Mail Online yesterday learned that an impromptu round table that Clinton held at a coffee shop with three young people was completely staged by her campaign. A Clinton staffer vetted the young people, all of whom had ties to the Democratic Party, and drove them to the site of the meet and greet. Clinton is pictured here arriving at the Iowa Statehouse yesterday for a meeting with Democratic Party lawmakers in Des Moines. To her left is Iowa Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal. This is the branch of Chipotle in Maumee, Ohio, where Hillary and her right-hand woman Huma Abedin were spotted at 1:13 p.m. local time on Monday. The question of whether Clinton left a tip at Chipotle was first raised by conservative radio show host Rush Limbaugh during his Tuesday broadcast. Explaining to his listeners the concept of Chipotle, Limbaugh noted, 'There's a tip jar in there.' 'And I would be interested to learn if Mrs. Clinton put anything in it. I mean, she's out there representing the little guy. She's out there campaigning against the rich,' he said, pointing out that Clinton is in the 1 percent of top earners. Further chiding her for failing to alert other diners to her presence, Limbaugh said, 'I thought this is an everyman tour. I thought this was a tour where Hillary Clinton was gonna meet the people that she's standing up for, that she's representing, that she's doing everything she's doing for the little guy, doing it for them. 'She slithers in to Chipotle, doesn't get recognized, doesn't seek to be recognized,' he said. 'Wearing the dark glasses is a favored technique of celebrities trying to hide' - not of political candidates. He also suggested, correctly, that Clinton probably didn't pay for her meal, her assistant did. 'You know, celebrities like that are famous for walking around with no money and no credit card because they're so accustomed to somebody else picking up the check. The Clintons really rate high on that scale.' Mystery: Until the security camera footage of Hillary and Huma surfaced around four hours after they ate at Chipotle, nobody knew where the presidential candidate was. Clinton made no attempts at the Chipotle to introduce herself, the manager indicated, or mingle with other burrito-goers. Continuing Limbaugh said, he really would 'like to know if she left anything in the tip jar, because that would be an indication that she understands the average, ordinary, everyman that she seeks to represent. 'I mean, that's where the people that work at Chipotle, that's where they make a little extra, in the tip jar, and I haven't heard a word about whether or not she visited the tip jar, whether she put anything in it or not.' Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus picked up the ball and began running with it on Wednesday, telling Fox News that Clinton's strategy is to 'make sure the field knows that she's running, and then not answer any questions from the media, and not actually talk to anybody.' 'If you want to be successful, ' he said, especially in early primary states, 'you've got to take the sunglasses off and actually go and talk to people. And actually care about what people think,' he said, according to Business Insider. 'This is Iowa; it's not Hollywood,' he said.

'Her bill was $20 and some change, and they paid with $21 and left,' said the manager of the Maumee, Ohio, restaurant. To be fair, 'Clinton didn't pay' for the meal - 'The other lady paid the bill,' he said, referring to Abedin, the vice chairwoman of Clinton's campaign. This branch of the chain DOES have a tip jar says its manager - although many other Chipotles do not. Clinton and Abedin dropped by restaurant incognito for lunch during their road trip from New York to Iowa for the first round of campaign events.

Christian migrants from Africa have spoken of making the perilous journey across the Mediterranean to escape beheading from Islamic State fanatics in Libya. A group of Eritrean refugees told how they were forced to deny their faith or face death at the hands of Islamist gunmen who patrol the towns and beaches of the North African state searching for 'infidels'. Haben, 19, told MailOnline: 'We are Christians but we had to deny our faith otherwise the gunmen would kill us, slit our throats and cut off our heads.' He and his brother Samuel, 14, arrived in Sicily a week ago, just days before around 900 people died when their boat capsized during the same dangerous journey from Libya - one of the worst maritime disasters since the end of World War Two. Scroll down for video. Migrants: Eritrean refugees Haben (left) and his younger brother Samuel made the perilous journey across the Mediterranean to escape beheading from Islamic State fanatics. Haben said his friends had been shot dead by armed ISIS terrorists who patrol the anarchy-ridden towns and beaches of the country. He told MailOnline: 'I have friends - from Eritrea and Egypt - who were killed because they are Christians. 'The men come around with Kalashnikov and they ask you what is your faith. 'If you are Christian they take you away and kill you. They cut off your head or shoot you. This is what they have done to hundreds of Christians.' Tens of thousands of migrants are fleeing Libya as extremists take advantage of the political chaos engulfing the country. With ISIS having established strongholds in the towns on Sirte and Derna, and with smaller bases elsewhere in the country, fear of capture and execution at the hands of the radical Islamists is driving the desperate migrants to leave Libya as quickly as they can, dangerously overloading vessels. Only yesterday, Ethiopian officials revealed that the 30 Christians filmed being beheaded and shot by Islamic State militants in Libya were likely to have been desperate migrants trying to reach Europe and even Britain. The 29-minute video released on Sunday is titled 'Until It Came To Them - Clear Evidence', and shows dozens of militants butchering two separate groups of men in the north African country. (l-r) Haben, Aman, Tesfalem and Samuel set off on the perilous sea journey across the Med Sea last week. Around 1,300 people are believed to have drowned in the past two weeks while trying to reach Europe in boats launched from Libya. Local residents and rescue workers help a woman after a boat carrying migrants sank off the island of Rhodes, southeastern Greece yesterday. Haben and his brother Samuel, 14, risked their lives in hope of a brighter future in Europe. The teenagers were able to keep their faith hidden, concealing the polished wooden crosses they wear around their necks underneath thick clothes. But other Eritrean Christians told MailOnline they were forced to deny their faith to stay alive. Aman, 18, said: 'I had a wooden cross but I had to throw it away to keep my life. The gunmen came around looking for Christians. They said they would kill the infidels, so I cut my cross off my neck and threw it away. 'I speak Arabic so I pretended that I was not a Christian, that I pray to their God, and they believed me.' Aman, together with Haben, Samuel and another Eritrean Tesfalem, who are all followers of the Coptic Orthodox Church - the main Christian Church in Egypt which has members worldwide - set off on the perilous sea journey across the Mediterranean last week. Refugee route: Tens of thousands of migrants are fleeing Libya as extremists take advantage of the political chaos engulfing the country. The 29-minute video released on Sunday is titled 'Until It Came To Them - Clear Evidence', and shows dozens of militants butchering two separate groups of men in the north African country. Thirty Ethiopian Christians appear to have been beheaded and shot by ISIS in a sickening new propaganda video.  Above, at least 16 men are marched down a beach in Libya by militants before they are killed. Around 1,300 people are believed to have drowned in the past two weeks while trying to reach Europe in boats launched from Libya. Aman, speaking from Mineo which is a temporary home to around 4,000 people, said: 'We paid $2000 each for a place in a boat. The boat left Libya and we were in the sea for two days before we were rescued. 'We were taken to the port and then to a camp with other refugees. 'But we won't stay here. We are going to Rome and then other countries. We want to work and make a hood life.' Haben said he fled his homeland after he was conscripted into the army - an ordeal that can last up to 30 years in this authoritarian state in the Horn of Africa. The country has been likened to African version of North Korea, led by President Isaias Afewerki. Most of the adults living in Eritrea face conscription or compulsory labour. The other migrants were sent by their families in the hope they could lead a better life - an education and good jobs - than is impossible in the isolated nation state. Pictured: Migrants are transferred to holding centres after landing in Augusta's port, near Siracusa, Sicily. As well as the spread of ISIS in the country, Libya is currently in a state of civil war - with two rival governments controlling and operating in different areas of the country. People smugglers are taking advantage of the subsequent chaos and confusion tearing the country apart to ply their trade with little to no threat of being caught. In 2015 there have already been 30 times more migrants dying off the coast of Libya than in 2014 - which was itself a record-breaking year. Last week, Christian refugees revealed how they linked arms to form a 'human chain' in a desperate bid to stop Muslim migrants throwing them into the sea after an argument about religion. A group of 15 men were arrested on suspicion of 'multiple aggravated murder motivated by religious hate' earlier this month after 12 Christians from Ghana and Nigeria were allegedly thrown off a rubber dinghy into the Mediterranean Sea. Survivors from the boat, made up of 105 migrants from diverse religions and ethnicities, have now claimed the men tried to throw other Christians off the side of the vessel after an argument about religion - but were prevented because they huddled together to create a human chain. Born out of the Iraqi War in 2003, Islamic State's deadly grip has stretched across the Middle East and into northern-Africa where today, only the Mediterranean Sea separates the militants from Europe. It has conquered regions of Iraq, Syria and recently Libya while building a terrifying support structure in Turkey, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt's Sinai Province, Afghanistan, Tunisia and Algeria. New ground: ISIS has conquered regions of Iraq, Syria and recently Libya (pictured) while building a terrifying support structure in Turkey, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt's Sinai Province, Afghanistan, Tunisia and Algeria. Europe's doorstep: Islamic State has now gained control of a number of Libyan coastal towns including Benghazi, Sirte, Derna and Nofilia. ISIS commands 31,500 loyal fighters according to the CIA but a commander of the Kurdish fighters who battled the extremists told the Independent on Sunday that they number closer to 200,000. Its growth in power and territory has been staggering since 2004 when it was known as Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI). The group played a prominent role in the violent insurgency against the US and British occupation of Iraq after toppling Saddam Hussein's rule in 2003. After a string of bombings and murders over the next two years, its membership grew to around 1,000 according to the Washington Monthly. AQI then merged with its Mujahideen Shura Council allies in October 2006 to form the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI). During the Iraq War which took place between 2006 and 2008, ISI had strongholds in Mosul, Baghdad, Al-Anbar and Diyala and commanded between 1,000 and 2,500 soldiers by late 2012. When it expanded into Syria in April 2013, it finally transformed into the Islamic State of Iraq in Syria (ISIS) as it exists today. Islamic State has now self-proclaimed the Syrian city of Raqqa as its capital, although there have been reports of increased defections. It was once a rebel group defying the British and US occupation of Iraq. Now other extremists across the Middle East and northern-Africa are pledging allegiance to it. Terrorist organisations inside Libya such as Ansar al-Sharia - which has taken control of Benghazi and declared its own Islamic state - also announced its alliance with ISIS in 2014.

Christian migrants speak of making the journey across Med to escape ISIS. Eritrean refugee Haben, 19, made the perilous trip with brother Samuel, 14. Haben said gunmen patrol Libyan towns and beaches looking for 'infidels' Made journey days before 900 died as they travelled from Libya to Sicily.

One of America's greatest poets was honored by the US Postal Service in a star-studded ceremony on Tuesday. Maya Angelou, the acclaimed author of such classics as I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings and On the Pulse of Morning, which she read at Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993, was issued a Forever stamp in honor of her many achievements and contributions. First Lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey were just two of the big names in attendance for the unveiling which gave the public a first look at the stamp, which features a picture of Angelou's face and one of her many memorable quotes. The problem however, is that the featured quote came from another author. Scroll down for video. A quote attributed to Maya Angelou on her commemorative stamp released by the US Postal Service is actually that of another writer. The stamp was unveiled Tuesday at an event featuring First Lady Michelle Obama and Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan (above) Maya Angelou, the acclaimed author of such classics as I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings and On the Pulse of Morning, was issued the Forever stamp for her contributions to the arts and this country. 'A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song,' reads the stamp, a quote that has long been attributed to Angelou, with President Obama even using the famous line as he honored the poet at the 2013 National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medal. What's more, The Washington Post found proof of an interview in which Angelou herself used the quote. Joan Walsh Anglund wrote in her 1967 book A Cup of Sun; 'A bird doesn’t sing because he has an answer, he sings because it has a song.' A few years before this quote first appeared though in 1969 with the publication of Angelou's aforementioned autobiography I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings, it was used in a children's book by another American author. Joan Walsh Anglund, now 89, wrote in her 1967 book A Cup of Sun; 'A bird doesn’t sing because he has an answer, he sings because it has a song.' In a statement released shortly after the origin of the quote was revealed, Postal Service spokesperson Mark Saunders said; 'The Postal Service used her widely recognized quote to help build an immediate connection between her image and her 1969 nationally recognized autobiography, ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.' Saunders later added in an email to the Post that had they been aware of this fact they would have selected another of Angelou's famous lines. Angelou, who was born into poverty, holding down jobs as a fry cook, singer, and at one point even a prostitute, passed away last May. She was 86-years-old at the time, and had written, among other works, seven autobiographies, countless poems, and numerous scripts for theater, television and film. She also continued to teach throughout her life, spending the last four decades of her life as a professor at Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. As for Anglund, she seems remarkably nonplussed about the entire incident. 'I think it easily happens sometimes that people hear something, and it’s kind of going into your subconscious and you don’t realize it,' she explained. There are no plans to remove the limited edition stamp at this time.

A quote attributed to Maya Angelou on her commemorative stamp released by the US Postal Service is actually that of another writer. 'A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song,' reads the stamp, a quote that has long been attributed to Angelou. Joan Walsh Anglund wrote the words in her 1967 book A Cup of Sun. Angelou, the acclaimed author of such classics as I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings, was issued the Forever stamp for her contributions to the arts. The stamp was unveiled Tuesday at an event featuring First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan.

The 100th anniversary of the landing of Anzac troops at Gallipoli during World War I has been commemorated by the creation of a freshly minted $2 coin. The coin has an image of poppies - symbolic of remembrance - among crosses similar to those that mark the graves of fallen soldiers, and the words 'Lest We Forget'. It also features a small circle that is the colour of red poppy flowers. They will be in circulation from Monday, but an artist's impression of the coin clearly shows the craftsmanship involved. Scroll down for video. An artist's illustration shows the symbolic red poppy design on the new $2 coin to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing by the Anzacs. Crosses similar to those that mark the graves of fallen soldiers, and the words 'Lest We Forget' also appear on the $2 coin. One and a half million coins released into circulation over the coming weeks. There will be about one and a half million coins released into circulation over the coming weeks, as part of a series of commemorative coins that capture the history, service and sacrifice of Australians at war. Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, Kelly O'Dwyer, announced in a statement from Royal Australian Mint on Sunday that Australia’s newest coloured circulating coin will remember the Anzacs. She confirmed the circulating coin was released as part of the Royal Australian Mint’s Official Anzac Centenary Coin Program where a collection of commemorative coins capture the history, service and sacrifice of Australians at war. The coin was released as part of the Royal Australian Mint’s Official Anzac Centenary Coin Program. 'There will be approximately one and a half million coins released into circulation over the coming weeks which will provide an opportunity for the public to be able to secure a keepsake for the Centenary without having to purchase one,' said Ms O’Dwyer. 'The poppy red colour print which features on the coin makes it even more special and symbolic attracting the public’s attention and encouraging them to find out more about the significance and commemoration of those who served and made sacrifices for our country.' An artist's impression shows the flip side of the new $2 coin. The Royal Australian Mint CEO Ross MacDiarmid said that the Mint is one of two mints in the world which produces colour print on circulating coins and the team have worked hard to ensure the integrity of the design is upheld. 'When working with such a significant theme like the Anzac Centenary we take a lot of care in making sure the design and colour application is appropriate for the theme,' said Mr MacDiarmid. ‘For us to produce a coin that actually has such significance to the this country makes us very proud.’ Royal Australian Mint CEO Ross MacDiarmid says a lot of work went into making sure the coin design was appropriate.

New $2 coin minted to mark the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli landing. Symbolic red poppy design used with the words 'Lest We Forget' One and a half million coins released into circulation over coming weeks. Coin part of Australian Mint’s Official Anzac Centenary Coin Program. Mint is one of two in the world which produces colour print on coins.

The force wasn't with everyone during the Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens panel held at California's Anaheim Convention Center on Thursday. Carrie Fisher, 58, who is reprising her role as Princess Leia, and Mark Hamill, 63, who is Luke Skywalker, were arm-in-arm on the stage just before the second trailer for the December film was rolled out. Not on hand was Harrison Ford, who is the franchise's Han Solo. Producer Kathleen Kennedy explained the 72-year-old was 'resting' after miraculously surviving a March plane crash in Los Angeles. Scroll down for trailer... Together again: Carrie Fisher, who is reprising her role as Princess Leia, and Mark Hamill, who is Luke Skywalker, were arm in arm on the stage in Anaheim on Thursday before the second trailer for Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens was rolled out. In recovery mode: Not on hand was Harrison Ford, who is the franchise's Han Solo. Director JJ Abrams explained the 72-year-old was 'resting' after miraculously surviving a March plane crash in Los Angeles; here the actor is seen in July after an accident on the Star Wars set. It was announced early on that Ford would not be a part of the panel (though later he was the high point of the trailer). 'He's not here today but he's in everyone's thought, Harrison Ford, he's a total bad a***. 'The amazing thing about Harrison – and I don't think anybody out there will be surprised – is he is the only person who could make an emergency landing on a golf course in front of two doctors,' producer Kennedy said. The A team: Kathleen Kennedy, pictured center, said, 'The amazing thing about Harrison – and I don't think anybody out there will be surprised – is he is the only person who could make an emergency landing on a golf course in front of two doctors'; to her left is director JJ Abrams. They have a bond: Both Hamill and Fisher thanked the fans for their support over the decades. The vet meets the new faces: Fisher smiled as she posed with John Boyega and Daisy Ridley. Kennedy said he was home resting, and getting well as fast as he can. 'I can't even begin to tell you how much he wanted to be here,' she said. 'When we open the movie, Han Solo will be very active in what we are doing.' Abrams then chimed in. 'He's doing great and he's working hard,' Abrams said. 'I had respect for him all my life, but I've never had more respect for a guy until I saw how he landed that plane. The way they were: (from left) Hamill, Fisher and Ford in the original Star Wars movie in 1977. 'He's more of a hero in that move than in all the films he's been in,' he added. 'By the time the movie opens he will be very actively involved.' Abrams also called the veteran actor, who is married to Calista Flockhart, a 'real hero.' Ford was also injured on the set of the Star Wars film and production was brought to a halt. But he recovered without any long-term issues. Fisher came out on stage in a black blazer and red skirt. Next was Peter Mayhew, who plays Chewbacca. Last was Hamill. The audience went wild for over 10 seconds. 'Chewie, we're home': Ford was featured at the end of the trailer for Star Wars VII. She's taking care of him: Ford's wife Calista Flockhart has been seeing to her husband's needs; here they are pictured in 2008. When asked about her iconic hairstyle, Fisher said, 'The buns are tired now so I don't think we'll have the futuristic buns but we will have an alternate that will not include the metal bikini.' She also thanked the fans and made a twisted joke about how she is glad people have played with toys of her - referring to her Princess Leia dolls - which drew laughs. Hamill added, 'George originally called the film the most expensive small film he ever made.' He then thanked the fans for their 'passion.' 'My entire adult life I have felt such love from you. You're more than just fans, you're family.' On the run: Daisy and John can be seen running from an explosion in the trailer. R2D2 then appeared on stage and an image from the movie was shared with the robot in it. The 'tinkerers' were also brought out to talk about working with the droid. Next came BB-8, a rolling droid that appeared in the first Star Wars VII trailer. It made noises while circling R2D2. Daisy described her character, 'She is a scavenger and very solitary until she meets another character and that's when the adventure begins.' Down for now: An aircraft is buried in sand on a new planet. Oscar added, 'He's been sent on a mission by a certain princess and he meets John Boyega's character and their fates are forever intertwined.' John then said he would not confirm whether he was a Stormtrooper or not. Anthony Daniels also made the event - he plays C3PO. And then came the trailer. No fear: A pilot is seen in battle in the film that has a December release. The clip was the first time the vet character Han Solo, played by Ford, was seen. He was joined by Chewbacca at the end of the trailer and is heard saying, 'Chewie, we're home.' The trailer opens on what appears to be the newly revealed desert planet Jaku. As a speeder races across the sands we see an ancient downed Star Destroyer and a skeletal X-Wing, which clearly crashed there from orbit decades ago. We then see an unknown pair of hands holding the mangled mask of Darth Vader, melted and disfigured from the Sith lord's funeral pyre at the end of Return Of The Jedi. A hint of the old era: A skull of Darth Vader - aka Anakin Skywalker - is shown in the beginning of the clip. We hear Hamill's voice reprising a line from the 1983 film: The force is strong in my family. My father has it. I have it. My sister has it. He then appears to hand a lightsaber to another unseen character - a strong suggestion Luke Skywalker has had a child. Daisy, Oscar and John are then all introduced in the clip and it is hinted that they are in allegiance. Harrison appears with Chewbacca only at the very end. The menace is always there: Stormtroopers are also seen in the trailer, and they are located in a snowy location. Where is this?: In the opening scene, a desert planet is shown that is not Tatooine, but rather a new place JJ Abrams said was Jaku - it is not known how that is spelled or what lives there. Star Wars Celebration is a multi-day festival produced by Lucasfilm that's dedicated to Star Wars past and present. The most recent event, held in Germany in July 2013, had more than 20,000 attendees. During the panel, JJ talked about his love of the franchise. 'I was 11 years old when Star Wars come out,' he said. 'That moment transported me. It was the first time a movie made me laugh that way.... the film was brilliant and had such heart and the biggest thing for me was that it had such hope. 'Shooting in Abu Dhabi was an incredible thing. Shooting Star Wars is a Western and a fairy tale... shooting in Abu Dhabi was just that,' he added. The stars in real life: Oscar, Daisy and John side by side at the panel. The star in the film: Oscar as a pilot, Daisy as a scavenger and John, who at one point is a Stormtrooper. They then flashed a scene of the team in the desert. 'It's a planet called Jaku, people thought it was Tatooine, but it was Jaku.' He did not explain how Jaku was spelled or where it was. In November the first trailer came out and it lasted only 88 seconds. Opening some 30-years after Return Of The Jedi, the teaser kicked off with British actor Boyega, playing Finn, racing across a desert landscape dressed in full Stormtrooper regalia. A parched, disembodied voice tells us of an 'awakening' and reminds us of the dual energies that are 'the dark side... and the light.' The droids showed up too: Also on stage were the new robot BB-8 (left) and the old robot R2D2 (right), which looked a bit banged up. Behind the scenes: Not only was the trailer shared, but so were shots from the making of the movie. British actress Ridley is the next new star to appear as she drives a hover vehicle towards a desert town, while Oscar Isaac is seen as a fighter pilot, looking rather like a young Luke Skywalker when he's headed for the Death Star. The first trailer also delivered what was initially suggested during the forthcoming film's development - a clear departure from the over-indulgent use of CGI that blighted parts one, two and three of the science fiction saga. It also confirmed the welcome return of the iconic Millennium Falcon, and it is seen dodging laser blasts in a brief battle sequence. A new lightsaber made its debut, complete with a sword-like hilt, as an ominous cloaked figure marauds through a dark, snow-layered forest setting. The film opens December 18, 2015. The man with a plan: JJ Abrams spoke about the exciting project on stage. The veterans: Mark, Carrie and Anthony Daniels waved to the crowd of loyal followers. Dark side: Several Storm Troopers attended the event as they walked in a uniform line while standing in the background at the event. The gang's all here: Several Star Wars diehards posed for snaps together while dressed in their costumes.

Mark and Carrie are reprising their roles as Luke and Leia, respectively, which were introduced in 1977. Harrison, 72, was not at the Star Wars panel in Anaheim but he did appear at the end of the Episode VII trailer. Ford crashed his vintage airplane on an LA golf course in March and suffered several injuries. Producer Kathleen Kennedy said the veteran actor was a 'hero' was at home 'resting'

An American college student who abandoned the west to wage holy war in Syria and call for homegrown attacks in the United States has told how she lied to her family and cashed in her tuition money to flee the West. Hoda Muthana, 20, spoke out about her decision to ditch her life as a college student in Hoover, Alabama, after being persuaded by terrorists that it was her duty as a Muslim. Now the radicalized former student has called for drive-by shootings in America on Memorial Day and for blood to be spilled. Mu Muthana, who lived with her moderate Muslim family until she fled to Raqqa, Syria, revealed her path to terror in an interview with BuzzFeed News. Scroll down for video. Hoover to Raqqa: Hoda Muthana, 20, told how she abandoned her home in Alabama to be a jihadist in Syria. She is pictured left in her 2013 high school graduation photo. Pictured right are female jihadis waving the ISIS flag from a deactivated Twitter account believed to be connected to her. Fled: Muthana, pictured right in a 2011 taken at her school, said she feels all true Muslims must join ISIS. Suhan Rahman, Muthana's ISIS husband, was an Australian jihadi who was killed last month fighting for the terror group. She told reporter Ellie Hall that she conspired for months with other jihadists to hatch a plan to flee her parents, who kept a strict watch over her and her sister. Muthana was not named in full by Buzzfeed, but her identity was revealed on Monday by the Birmingham News. After a year of planning, she fled in November, spending money meant for college tuition on a flight to Turkey. From there she fled to Syria and, after a month, married an Australian jihadist, Suhan Abdul Rahman who was reportedly since been killed in an airstrike by the Jordanian military. Despite pleas from her family to come home, Muthana is resolute and claims it is the duty of all true Muslims to join her and wage war on the West. Her father told BuzzFeed: 'I believe she been brainwashed. She’s not that kind of girl. They brainwashed her.' During the interview, Muthana revealed how she escaped her strict family, who normally keep a close eye on both their daughters. Unexpected: Muthana is pictured with her classmates to the right in this yearbook photo from 2012. Student: Muthana studied business at the University of Alabama's campus in Birmingham. She dropped courses at the school and spent the refund money traveling to ISIS-controlled territory. She said she enrolled on extra courses at the University of Alabama, where she studied business, then promptly dropped them to cash in the refund checks. Eventually she persuaded her family to let her go to Atlanta, Georgia, for the day for a field trip - which they would usually be reluctant to do. On the day of the trip she said she had caught the wrong bus home and was stuck in the city - which is when she caught her flight to the Middle East. Her panicked family went to look for her, but soon got a follow-up call from Muthana, then in Turkey, revealing her scheme to leave. According to a high school friend who spoke to the Birmingham News, Muthana was a 'quiet' girl 'who kept to herself'. Jordan LaPorta, who went to Hoover High School with her until they graduated in 2013, added: 'I don't think anybody saw this in her.' Muthana herself confessed that she had given up on all her American friends by the time she decided to leave. Sweet home? Raqqa, Muthana's new home city, is pictured above. It is the target of regular airstrikes, one of which killed Muthana's husband. 'Quiet': Shocked contemporaries of Muthana, who studied with her at Hoover High School, spoke out when her voyage to Syria was revealed. Instead, she conferred with jihadists online, and posted messages inciting fellow American Muslims to murder their countrymen. In one Tweet from a now-deactivated account with the title Umm Jihadi, she wrote: 'You have much to do while you live under our greatest enemy, enough of your sleeping! 'Go on drive-bys and spill all of their blood, or rent a big truck and drive all over them. Veterans, Patriot, Memorial etc Day parades..go on drive by's + spill all of their blood or rent a big truck n drive all over them. Kill them.' [sic]. Her family noticed her increased devotion to her religion, but assumed she was simply becoming a more ardent follower of the peaceful strain of the religion which they observe. As Muthana observed: 'They liked the change until they saw me getting "jihadi".' According to Muthana's father, the FBI is investigating his daughter - but the agency said its policy is not to confirm or deny any activity.

Hoda Muthana, 20, left Hoover, Alabama, to join extremists in Raqqa, Syria. Business student tricked her family to escape them and fly to Middle East. Told how she was helped to plan escape by jihadists she met online. Cashed in money meant for college courses to pay for her flight.

Grant Shapps was last night at the centre of extraordinary claims that he was doctoring Wikipedia pages to promote himself at the expense of his political rivals. The Tory party chairman is accused of deleting embarrassing references to his past from his own page in the online encyclopedia while putting unflattering updates on the pages of others. A furious Mr Shapps denied the claims, published by the Guardian, describing them as an ‘extreme dirty tricks campaign’. David Cameron defended Mr Shapps, saying that the party chairman is doing 'a great job' while on the campaign trail today. Scroll down for video. Grant Shapps, pictured campaigning with Esther McVey yesterday, has been accused of changing Wikipedia pages to promote himself and damage rivals. Mr Shapps has denied the allegations claiming they were part of 'an extreme dirty tricks campaign' Wikipedia has suspended an anonymous user of the site, known only as ‘Contribsx’, after finding evidence it said suggested the account was run either by Mr Shapps or under his ‘clear direction’. It cited a series of amendments made by the user to pages of the site, around one third of which involved removing embarrassing references on Mr Shapps’s own page. Other changes included adding critical language to the pages of Tory Cabinet ministers including International Development Secretary Justine Greening and campaign chief Lynton Crosby. The timing and content of some of the edits appear to tally with instances when Mr Shapps clashed with the subject of the changes. The Tories described the story as ‘completely false and defamatory’. Last night Mr Shapps said: ‘It’s categorically untrue. It’s absolutely nothing to do with me. It’s just ridiculous. It looks like an extreme dirty tricks campaign designed to do anything but talk about policies.’ But it emerged in 2012 that changes to Mr Shapps’s Wikipedia page were made from computers in his constituency office. At the time, he said he had amended pages claiming he was ‘a Jehovah’s Witness, agnostic or crashed a car into a school wall’. A Wikipedia account using the alias 'Contribsx' edited a number of pages linked to Mr Shapps and other prominent politicians. Minister Justine Greening, left, and Tory election supremo Lynton Crosby, right, were among those mentioned in the Wikipedia edits. When Mr Cameron was asked if he has 'full confidence' in Mr Shapps today, he replied: 'Grant does a great job. He has made a very clear statement about this and I have got nothing to add to that.' The Conservative chairman told the BBC: 'This is one of the most bonkers stories I think I have seen during this election campaign. Absolutely, totally without foundation. 'It seems to be based on the word of a single Wikipedia anonymous editor who, for all I know, is a Labour Party apparatchik.' An investigation by Wikipedia claimed the Contribsx account ‘is a ‘sockpuppet of Grant Shapps’ previous accounts on Wikipedia’. Sockpuppet refers to a fake online identity used ‘for an improper purpose’ and is banned on the site. Among the changes revealed include information about Miss Greening, who had disagreed with Mr Shapps over his support for a third runway at Heathrow. In September 2013 the user said she ‘failed to vote in a critical parliamentary division about military action in Syria’ as she failed to notice the division bell had sounded, despite being in the House of Commons. The user also made edits on Mr Crosby in March and August last year, at times when there were reports of splits between the two men. Mr Shapps took the blame after the 2014 Budget over a ‘patronising’ picture he tweeted about cuts in beer tax and bingo which would help ‘hardworking people do more of the things they enjoy’. Contribsx edited Mr Shapps’ Wikipedia page to suggest he had unfairly taken the blame for the picture, which was the fault of Mr Crosby and Chancellor George Osborne. In September 2013, Contribsx added these passages to Justine Greening's Wikipedia entry, highlighting her opposition to the expansion of Heathrow and an embarrassing incident in the House of Commons. The user added the highlighted text about the gay marriage bill to Dominic Grieve's page. Mr Shapps's Wikipedia page stated that he had edited the site 'removing negative information', as shown in the highlighted text top image, but Contribsx changed it to cast the minister in a better light. A recent Contribsx edit, on Easter Sunday this year, changed the page of Karl Turner, the shadow attorney general, adding a reference to the Labour MP having ‘admitted breaking House of Commons rules by sending out invitations to a £45-a-head Labour party fundraising event from parliamentary email’. Two weeks earlier Mr Turner had called on Prime Minister David Cameron to investigate Mr Shapps over his denials that he had continued to use the pseudonym Michael Green while he was an MP. Wikipedia is like a normal encyclopedia but its pages can be created and edited online by anyone. Volunteer administrators moderate the site and monitor changes. Changes to pages create an audit trail which can be linked back to users. Labour frontbencher Jon Ashworth said: ‘This is another embarrassing episode in the saga of Grant Shapps. It’s about time we had some answers, from him and from David Cameron who appointed him to run the Tory campaign.’ Liberal Democrat campaign chairman Paddy Ashdown sent a light-hearted press release that read: ‘Grant is a wonderful guy - he is a credit to the Conservative Party, a fine sportsman and reads a book a day. We could all learn a lot from him. Quite simply, a colossus.’ The press release noted that it had been ‘edited by Wikipedia user Contribsx’. Mr Shapps's own Wikipedia page was edited by Contribsx in March 2014 to shift the blame for a controversial tweet on the Budget to George Osborne and Lynton Crosby; the passage in question is pictured before and after the edit. A passage added to Vince Cable's page by Contribsx drew attention to his alleged disloyalty to Nick Clegg. The highlighted passage appeared on Labour MP Karl Turner's Wikipedia page after it was edited by Contribsx earlier this month. In a statement released last night, Mr Shapps said: 'It is untrue from start to finish, and was quite likely dreamt up by the Labour press office. Sadly it is typical of the smears coming from those who would rather not debate policy and substance.' A spokesman from Wikimedia UK, the UK charity that supports Wikipedia, told The Guardian: 'We would welcome any MPs who choose to become editors, and are happy to provide training sessions to anyone who wants to learn. 'However, the Wikipedia project is founded on trust, and anyone who tries to deceive our volunteers and readers in order to further their own ends should think very carefully about the morality of what they're doing. Eventually, the public will find out.' The Tory chairman who gave himself a false identity. Tory chairman Grant Shapps is nicknamed the Duracell bunny for his seemingly unstoppable energy and his willingness to appear on any TV show to defend the government. But it is another name – Michael Green – for which he has become infamous in recent years. Green was an alter ego that Mr Shapps used to promote get rich quick products before he became an MP. The revelation that he had used the alias even prompted a man to change his name to Michael Green by deed poll to stand against Mr Shapps in his Welwyn Hatfield seat in next month’s election, in the hope of embarrassing him. Grant Shapps, pictured, created the alter ego Michael Green as part of a get-rich-quick scheme. It all adds to the perception of many of his political rivals that there is something not quite to be trusted about him. Mr Shapps, a 46-year-old father of three, was first elected in 2005. Five years later, he became a housing minister in the incoming Coalition government. Since September 2012, the qualified pilot has been Conservative Party chairman, charged with masterminding a campaign to win the 2015 general election. His supporters say he is an effective media performer; often wheeled out by party high command to defend the party’s policies. As fellow Tory MP Nick Boles said: ‘Somebody said he’s the Duracell bunny of the Conservative party. I did laugh at that because it’s a rather apt description.’ A populist politician, who is a self-confessed fan of restaurant chain Nandos, Mr Shapps is from a different background from many others in his Cabinet, which is often perceived as being populated by public school toffs. Born in Watford, he was schooled at the local grammar school. His cousin is Mick Jones, guitarist of punk rock band The Clash. Mr Shapps’ brother even played with Jones in another band, Big Audio Dynamite. Mr Shapps posted this controversial tweet after last year's Budget and was criticised for allegedly being patronising. Mr Shapps joined the Jewish youth organisation BBYO and later became its national president. At the age of 20 he was in a coma for a week after being involved in a car crash in the US. A decade later he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but went into full remission after chemotherapy. The future Tory politician studied business and finance at Manchester Polytechnic, and upon leaving university he set up a successful printing business. Later he started writing self-help guides for a website called HowToCorp, advising people on how to get rich quick – a job which has earned him a ‘loadsamoney’ nickname. He wrote the books under an alias, Michael Green – and a photograph of him wearing a badge with the name at a US conference came to light in 2012. Last month he had to admit that despite saying he had stopped using the name on election in 2005, he was still using it in summer 2006. Three years ago, claims first came to light that he had allegedly altered his Wikipedia entries; changing sentences which he said were inaccurate – such as that he was a Jehovah’s Witness. It emerged that changes were made from computers in his constituency office. And some have claimed he has followed and de-followed people on Twitter to increase the number of his followers.

Grant Shapps has been accused of altering Wikepedia pages of his rivals. The Tory Party chairman is in charge of the party's election campaign. He has denied the claims calling them 'an extreme dirty tricks campaign' David Cameron stood up for Shapps saying he is doing 'a great job'

A girl who believed she had a bad hangover was found to have 13 blood clots in her lungs. Holly Barber, from Manchester, woke up feeling unwell and with chest and neck pains – but chalked it down to heavy drinking a few days before. But when the 25-year-old started coughing up blood she knew it was something serious. She rushed to hospital, where doctors found 13 pulmonary embolisms, blood clots blocking the main artery of her lungs, killing the tissue and stopping her from breathing properly. She was treated with medication but, incredibly, a year later was dealt another blow – when medics found another melon-sized blockage in her right lung. Holly Barber, 25, was horrified to be told she had 13 blood clots in her lungs as she believed she was suffering was just a bad hangover. She is pictured before (left) and after her diagnosis (right) Ms Barber began coughing up blood and was having difficulty breathing, so rushed to hospital. It was there doctors diagnosed pulmonary embolisms - blood clots that were blocking the arteries in her lungs. She was horrified to be told the blockage was so big she was probably days from death. She now takes blood-thinning medication to prevent future clots, but the shock of the ordeal has led her to completely changed her lifestyle. She has given up drinking and taken up exercise in an effort to lead the healthiest life possible, and wants to encourage other to do the same. Ms Barber, who has set up her own diet business, said: 'I was so scared when I started coughing up blood, I had no idea what was happening to me but I knew it wasn't a hangover. 'I used to love partying with friends but after suffering from 13 blood clots, I knew I needed to change my ways. 'A terrifying experience like this gives you a brand new outlook and makes you appreciate things so much more, I'm lucky to be alive. 'I did like a drink but you have to look at the bigger picture.' A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the pulmonary artery, which is the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs. As in Miss Barber's case, it can be life threatening, as it can prevent blood from reaching the lungs. A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the pulmonary artery, which is the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs. This blockage – usually a blood clot – is potentially life threatening, as it can prevent blood from reaching the lungs. The symptoms of a pulmonary embolism can sometimes be difficult to recognise because they can vary between individuals. But the main symptoms include:. chest pain – a sharp, stabbing pain that may be worse when you breathe in. shortness of breath – this can come on suddenly or develop gradually. coughing – this is usually dry, but may include coughing up blood or mucus that contains blood. feeling faint, dizzy or passing out. A person should visit their GP as soon as possible if you have a combination of these symptoms. If symptoms are particularly severe, dial 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance. Source: NHS Choices. The symptoms, feeling dizzy, chest pain, coughing and being short of breath can sometimes be difficult to recognise because they can vary between individuals. Ms Barber first discovered she was battling with pulmonary embolisms in 2012, when she was 22-years-old. She was feeling weak and ill, but had been heavily drinking and partying a few days before, so she presumed it was just a bad hangover. Then she started coughing up blood, struggling to catch her breath and suffering from chest and neck pains so her mother Carol Mack, 54, and stepfather Bob Tomkins, 57, decided to rush her to hospital. A scan revealed she had 13 blood clots in her lungs, though it was found they had not spread from her legs, where clots normally form. Despite many tests, nothing could explain what had caused her pulmonary embolisms. The only possible risk factor was the contraceptive pill, which she stopped taking straightaway. She was put on Heparin injections – which thin the blood - to prevent any blood clots from reoccurring, as well as other drugs to reduce the pain. Ms Barber said: 'I had to inject myself every month and I was on pain relief for some months after suffering from my blood clots. 'I was constantly anxious for a year and I suffered from panic attacks and anxiety.' Because of this anxiety, when she got a similar pain again in May 2013 - almost exactly a year later - she just thought that she was being paranoid and chose to ignore it. Luckily, she eventually forced herself to go back to hospital and a CT scan revealed she had a melon-sized blockage in her right lung. The blood clot has entered the artery of her right lung after passing through the heart, and had blocked the artery, cutting off blood supply so a large part of the lung tissue around it had died. Ms Barber said: 'It was the size of a melon and almost covered my heart, if I had left it any longer I would have died. A year later, Ms Barber was rushed to hospital again, and doctors found a melon-sized blockage in her lungs. She is pictured here with partner Steven, who she lives with in Manchester. Before her illness (left and right), Ms Barber was a 'party girl' and loved to drink. She has now given up drinking in favour of a healthy lifestyle. 'I did like a drink but you have to look at the bigger picture', she said. She will now have to take the warfarin, which stops her blood from clotting, for the rest of her life. The shock of being diagnosed twice has meant she has decided to turn her life around. Some doctors advised she shouldn't exercise because the pulmonary embolisms meant her lungs' ability to pump oxygen around the body was reduced. But she has found safe ways to exercise and plans to run the Great Manchester Run in May to show other sufferers that it is possible. She said: 'I'm so thankful to be alive, I have set up my own healthy lifestyle business called Healthy Fit + which helps others make the right lifestyle choices. 'I have never felt better and I hope my story shows others who have suffered from pulmonary Embolisms that they can achieve their fitness goals.' Ms Barber has been with her boyfriend Steven, who works for a solar panel company, for nearly four years and they now have their own flat in Manchester together. But Ms Barber is uncertain whether her reduced lung capacity will mean she will be able to have children. She said: 'I really want children in the future because I am a maternal person but it would be a high risk pregnancy. Ms Barber has now set up her own diet business, hoping to encourage others to take up healthy habits. 'I would have to be in a good condition, hence my healthy lifestyle now.' Dr Noel Snell, Director of Research at the British Lung Foundation, said: 'A pulmonary embolism - better known as a blood clot in the lungs - causes a blockage in a pulmonary artery, the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs. 'Some blood clots can be life-threatening, for example a large clot in the main artery. 'Sometimes people will get multiple small recurrent blood clots and will notice that they become increasingly breathless and experience chest pains - these can be quite difficult to spot and are often diagnosed late.' To help Ms Barber raise funds for her Greater Manchester Run visit her Just Giving page.

Holly Barber, 25, thought she was hungover but began coughing up blood. Hospital tests revealed 13 clots called Pulmonary Embolisms in her lungs. Incredibly, a year later doctors found a melon-sized blockage in her lung. She must now take blood-thinning medication for the rest of her life.

When it comes to the Coachella festival, a number of suspect looks crop up each year including hippie ensembles, outlandish headgear and plenty of skin - and 2015 has been no exception. But as the first weekend of the arts and music festival wrapped in Indio, California, some of the outfits paraded around the sunny campus - or lack thereof - stood out as being particularly woeful. From the couple who wore matching American flag leotards to the man who sported a loincloth over Speedos, could this be the worst year for Coachella street style yet? Scroll down for video. Call the fashion police: From the couple who wore matching American flag leotards (left) to the man who sported a loincloth over Speedos (right), could this be the worst year for Coachella street style yet? The searing California heat was excuse enough for countless festival revellers to ditch most of their clothes, and the scraps that remained left much to be desired. One woman spotted was nude except for a minute chainmail band slung around her hips, two silver star stickers covering her nipples and a breezy shrug. Another was dressed in a strappy monokini, essentially leaving her practically naked apart from a pair of sturdy boots, a beaded headband, shades and a sheer white printed kimono. One festival goer seemed to have taken a leaf from Kanye West's recent catwalk show in which he dressed models in clinging nude bodystockings. Her skin tight body suit was teamed with gladiator sandals, plenty of tattos and a silver necklace-cum-harness. Skin on show: String monokinis teamed with lace-up boots (left) competed with nude bodysuits and strappy sandals (right) on the dodgy style stakes. Rock on: One woman spotted was nude except for a minute chainmail band slung around her hips, two silver star stickers covering her nipples and a breezy shrug. Which is worse - Clashing florals (left) or matchy-matchy two-pieces (right)? Time to hit the beard-garden! This festival goer wove plastic flowers into his facial hair. Then there was the party animal who threw poses in a lurid, multi-colored swimming costume, complete with shimmering butterfly wings and a clashing patterned bum-bag. And speaking of clashing, there was a lot of that. Celebrity offenders included Paris Hilton, who strutted around yesterday in a turquoise paint-splattered maxi-dress, and Katy Perry, who teamed a metallic gold bikini top with a pair of patchwork denim dungarees and a bright orange bomber jacket. The worst fashion moments from just about every recent decade came out in full force; from the tie-die crop tops of the Nineties to the deeply unflattering high-waisted ankle-flappers of the Eighties, and the clashing florals of the Sixties and Seventies. Headgear was, as always, blindingly popular, with opulent bejewelled forehead chains and blooming-awful flower crowns the order of the day. Psychedelic: Then there was the party animal who threw poses in a lurid, multi-coloured swimming costume, complete with shimmering butterfly wings and a clashing patterned bum-bag. Squeaky-clean white was the order of the day for Clean Bandit's Grace Chatto (left) and Twilight's Kellen Lutz (right) Brit supermodel Jordan Dunn (left) made a rare style misstep and went all-out with aggressively purple hair and black crochet at Soho House's Coachella pop-up yesterday. Complex knotted hair styles were enough to put Princess Leia's braided buns to shame, and washed out ombre hues were about as tired as the peace signs which sprouted from the fists of every woman who realized she was having her photo taken. Even stylist-armed celebrities failed to side-step their share of festival fashion disasters. Brit supermodel Jordan Dunn went all-out with aggressively purple hair and black crochet, while Kendall Jenner's overload on chunky gold accessories rendered her reminiscent of a swashbuckling pirate who had just looted a treasure chest. The second instalment of Coachella, which attracted nearly 580,000 attendees last year and grossed a record-breaking $78.3 million, kicks off on April 17. This woman (left) couldn't have picked a more unflattering pair of high-waisted ankle-flappers, while teaming a hippy skirt with dowdy white sandals (right) just looked Granny-ish on another festival-goer. Three musketeers: Kendall Jenner's overload on chunky gold accessories rendered her reminiscent of a swashbuckling pirate who had just looted a treasure chest (left), and neither Fergie (center) nor Hailey Baldwin (right) fared much better on the style stakes. Jen's Pirate Booty La Vie Off-the-Shoulder Crop Top at Nasty Gal. Crop it like it's hot. Visit site. Coachella seems to be the one place where Kendall lets loose in terms of her style and is open to experimenting; she just wants to fit in with her Jenner-ation! The catwalk strutter has a flair for festival fashion, and she always pulls out all of the stops at this annual LA music festival. Take this gypsy style outfit which comprises of an off-shoulder white crop top and flowing black maxi skirt with thigh splits, tied together with a statement waist belt. The top is by Jen’s Pirate Booty and is the perfect take on summer bohemian vibes. Styled with everything and anything from denim cut offs and brown boots to maxi skirts and sandals, this off-shoulder top will set pulses races however you wear it. And the best part is that it's attainable for us mere mortals; it's only $88 at Nasty Gal, so hurry up and buy it with a click to the right before it sells out. She's a normal teen at heart! If you want to emulate Kendall's look for even less, take a gander at the style edit below at our top picks from the likes of Charlotte Russe, Guess, and more. re:named Solid Off Shoulder Crop Top. Visit site. Charlotte Russe Chevron Off-The-Shoulder Top. Visit site. Guess Off-The-Shoulder Eyelet Top at Bloomingdale's. Visit site. Free People Willow Crop Top. Visit site. Flower crowns (left) proved to be a craze that has stubbornly refused to die, while less mainstream trends like the belly-dancer ensemble (right) also cropped up. The clash: Paris Hilton (left) strutted around yesterday in a turquoise paint-splattered maxi-dress, and Katy Perry (right) teamed a metallic gold bikini top with a pair of patchwork denim dungarees and a bright orange bomber jacket. Complex knotted hair styles were enough to put Princess Leia's braided buns to shame, and washed out ombre hues were about as tired as the peace signs which sprouted from the fists of every woman who realized she was having her photo taken. As a rule of thumb, if you feel the need to literally advertise your outfit as 'fly', it probably isn't (left) and matching ombre hair with an ombre garment is just far too much ombre for one human (right) The countless bejewelled headpieces that adorned the foreheads of festival revellers this year were one of Coachella's more pervasive trends.

In the searing California heat, many jumped on the chance to shed most of their clothes. String monokinis and skimpy leotards were spotted at every turn. Celebrity style offenders included Paris Hilton, Katy Perry, Jourdan Dunn and Kendall Jenner.

It was a cunning plot to steal more than £1.5million in gold bullion and jewellery. Using a flat-pack wooden cabinet as a ‘Trojan Horse’, one of the thieves was to hide inside. The gang then planned to put real money in a briefcase and show it to a jeweller at a pre-arranged meeting, before placing it on the floor. Then, while a price was being agreed at a nearby table, the man in the cabinet would switch the case for one containing counterfeit notes. The gang – posing as wealthy Italians – would then walk off with their money and the stolen jewellery. Scroll down for video. Jail terms: Luigi Arcuri (left), 73, Nikolic Giuliano (centre), 37 and Antonino Ballistreri (right), 45, were each sentenced to two years and eight months for conspiracy to defraud and possession of counterfeit currency. The idea: They planned to put one of the men inside the desk, show the jeweller real cash in a briefcase and then switch this with an identical case containing counterfeit notes - which he would then take away. In construction: The gang posing as rich Italian businessmen built the cabinet so one of them could hide inside a large void in the middle and secretly switch a haul of Euros for fake money during a deal. Flat-pack desk: While a price was agreed, the money would be switched by the man hidden inside the cabinet for an identical brief case containing the worthless counterfeit notes. But the three men and one teenager were seized when police swooped on a conference room at a hotel in Manchester city centre – and found them assembling the cabinet. Officers suspect similar scams have been carried out across Europe, costing businesses millions of pounds. At Manchester Crown Court, Luigi Arcuri, 73, Nikolic Giuliano, 37, and Antonino Ballistreri, 45, were each sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given 16 months. All admitted conspiracy to defraud and possession of counterfeit currency. The men had been negotiating the purchase of gold and gems worth £1.5million from Rockefeller’s in Manchester. They first contacted the shop by phone. This was followed by a visit by the teenager, who gave his name as Benjamin Berman, and Ballistreri, who called himself Mr Ferrari. Both were well-dressed and wore Rolex watches and ordered 41 high-value items including gold bullion and jewellery. Arrangements were made to meet at a hotel, where a ‘Swiss banker’, who would be in possession of the cash, would be present. Cash in the draw: The quartet are suspected of being part of a larger, highly organised gang responsible for defrauding businesses across Europe out of jewellery and gold bullion worth millions of pounds. Euros seized by police: Inside a drawer, officers recovered €2.2million in counterfeit money as well as £52,000 worth of legitimate Euro notes. Police, who had been tipped off, placed the teenager and Ballistreri under surveillance and monitored them as they returned to the shop and finalised the deal. They were observed going to the Thistle Hotel near the Trafford Centre before going to a supermarket where they bought a torch to be used by the man in the cabinet. Enquiries revealed that a phone number used to contact Rockefeller’s was also used to contact other jewellers in the region. Detectives also discovered that in November, the 17-year-old had tried to defraud Diamond Watches in London, Classic Jewellers and Camelot Diamonds in Brighton and had attempted to launder cash in Brighton Exchange. Police swooped and arrested the gang and found 2.2 million in counterfeit euros (around £1.5million) as well as £52,000 of legitimate euro notes. Detective Inspector Rob Cousen of Greater Manchester Police said: ‘This was a well-run, highly sophisticated scam. To catch them red-handed is a fantastic result as we have been able to stop them in their tracks and prevent them from committing a serious crime.’ Caught on CCTV: Two members of the group were observed going to the Thistle Hotel near the Trafford Centre, moving the flat-pack table on a trolley ahead of assembling it in a conference room. First floor camera: The men are pictured making their way through the hotel with their kit, before setting it up in a conference room. Police swooped on the room and found them busy assembling the wooden furniture. The men outside the shop: Detectives discovered that men purporting to be Italian businessmen had been negotiating the purchase of jewellery worth €2million from Rockefeller's jewellers (above) in Manchester. Grifters: The £1.5million gold bullion sting would have been worthy of the TV show Hustle, starring (from left) Robert Glenister, Matt Di Angelo, Adrian Lester, Rob Jarvis, Kelly Adams and Robert Vaughn.

Gang built cabinet so one of them could hide inside large void in middle. Wanted to secretly switch Euros for fake cash during deal in Manchester. Officers recovered €2.2m in counterfeit money and £52,000 of real notes. Four men aged 17, 37, 45 and 73 are jailed for total of almost ten years.

A man who spent 15 years on death row in Alabama has been freed after his conviction was quashed and he struck a bargain with prosecutors. William Ziegler, now 39, was initially convicted of capital murder in 2001 for killing Russell Allen Baker, an acquaintance of his who was found dead next to his house in Mobile the previous year. However in 2012 his conviction was overturned by Judge Sarah Stewart who blasted his initial trial, pointing out that his lawyers were substandard, a key witness later recounted her testimony, and that a juror lied about his views on the death penalty during selection. William Ziegler, now 39, was jailed in 2001 (pictured) for the killing of Russell Allen Baker, an acquaintance of his who was found dead next to his house in Mobile the previous year. Ziegler  (cetnre, with his mother, second left) had his conviction for capital murder quashed in 2012 after a judge blasted his initial trial, allowing him to cut a plea deal which saw him walk free today. Today he is a free man again after he agreed to plead guilty to aiding and abetting murder, with the judge sentencing him to the 15 years and 50 days he has already served, Al.com reported. The ruling, which has been hailed by Mr Ziegler's family, marks the second time in recent weeks that a death row prisoner has walked free. On April 3 Anthony Ray Hinton was released after spending 30 years in jail for a 1985 shooting in which two fast food managers were shot dead. His conviction was overturned after tests on the gun allegedly used in the shooting couldn't prove that it was fired during the killings. In Ziegler's case, he was arrested after the body of Baker was found in a wooded area close to his house in 2000. Witnesses reported seeing Baker arguing with Ziegler at a party that evening, eventually leading to Ziegler's conviction, along with two other accomplices. However, that witness, whose evidence was kept secret by prosecutors at Ziegler's initial trial, later recanted her testimony, one of the factors leading to the conviction being overturned. In November last year, state prosecutors had raised the prospect of a retrial for Ziegler, meaning he could have faced going back to death row if convicted for a second time. At his hearing today, Judge Sarah Stewart warned Ziegler against becoming bitter, adding that 'the world is a very different place than it was 15 years ago when you went to jail' Ziegler's release comes after Anthony Ray Hinton (pictured) was freed from death row two weeks ago after serving 30 years for a double murder he did not commit. Ziegler was determined to prove his innocence, according to his defence lawyers, but was reluctantly persuaded to accept a plea bargain for the chance to leave jail and escape another trial. During the hearing, Judge Stewart urged Ziegler to resist turning bitter and said she knew he recognized God's grace. 'I want you to appreciate that gift,' she said. 'You need to be very careful with your gift. ... The world is a very different place than it was 15 years ago when you went to jail.' With his plea, Ziegler acknowledged that his conduct helped lead to Baker's death. Relatives of both Ziegler and Baker, from Bayou La Batre, came away from the hearing disappointed. O'Della Wilson, the defendant's mother, said she is happy that he will go free but angry that he had to plead guilty to any crime. 'He had no choice but to go ahead and plead to a murder he did not commit. ... Judge Stewart's the only one who has given us any justice,' she said. Baker's relatives weren't happy Ziegler would be released. 'He's a menace to our society. He will be back,' said Beth Johansen, the victim's aunt. 'This is not justice for our nephew.'

William Ziegler convicted of capital murder for 2001 killing of Russell Baker. Was sentenced to death, but had sentence quashed on appeal in 2012. Today pleaded guilty to aiding an abetting murder, and was sentenced to the 15 years he has already served, allowing him to walk free. Judge Sarah Stewart said warned him against being bitter at hearing. Also cautioned him that world is 'very different' compared to 15 years ago.

A Kansas mother who uses marijuana to treat a debilitating disease is now fighting for custody of her child after the 11-year-old boy disagreed with an anti-drug presentation at his school. Shona Banda, 37, who published a book about how she uses a liquid form of cannabis as therapy for Crohn's disease, has a custody hearing Monday in Garden City, Kansas. Her boy was taken by authorities on March 24 after officials at his school reported comments he made about marijuana to child protection services. Medical marijuana activist Shona Banda, 37, is fighting for custody of her 11-year-old son after his comments about marijuana at a school presentation prompted police to search her home. The Department of Children and Families in the small Midwestern town then contacted police who went to Banda's home, according to the Garden City Telegram. She did not give authorities consent to search her home, but they returned several hours later with a warrant and discovered marijuana in plant, oil, joint, gel and capsule form along with paraphernalia for the drug. Two ounces of cannabis in plant form and one ounce of oil were reportedly seized. Video supposedly of the incident posted on Youtube shows officers arriving at Banda's house without a warrant, standing in her backyard and refusing to let the woman enter her house for fear that she could disturb evidence. 'It is not public property, you don’t have a warrant,' Banda is heard telling the police of her backyard, but a sergeant responds that it 'doesn’t matter'. The boy was given temporarily to his father, who is separated from Banda, but returned to state custody on Thursday ahead of the hearing. No charges have yet been filed against the mother. Banda wrote a book that detailed how she used cannabis oil to treat her debilitating Crohn's disease. Police asked to enter the activist's house (pictured), but she denied them entry until they arrived with a warrant. 'For him to have spoken up in class I can’t be upset about because he hears me daily on the phone talking with people, encouraging people to speak up and speak out,' she told Ben Swann of her son. 'My son says different things like, ‘My mom calls it cannabis and not marijuana,’ Banda said. The mother, who was diagnosed with the inflammatory bowel disease Crohn's in the early 2000s, said that she had been losing weight and was 'on her death bed' before she began using cannabis oil in 2009. Crohn's, where the body's immune system attacks the gastrointestinal system, causes pain, diarrhea, menstrual problems, lack of appetite and fatigue. Banda said that the marijuana worked much better than any medicines that had been prescribed for her and she was soon able to walk without a cane, she said in a YouTube video. She says that her son was pulled out of school and interrogated by police without her. A Go Fund Me page has raised more than $20,000 for Banda's legal defense. Supporters plan on rallying outside the courthouse when the author goes in for her custody hearing on Monday. Video posted on YouTube shows the officers standing in her backyard (left) and denying Banda entry into her home (right) because she may have disturbed evidence. Banda says that her 11-year-old was pulled out of school (pictured) and questioned by police after his statements. Possession of any amount of marijuana is illegal in Kansas and can land offenders with up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Repeat offenses are a felony and can lead to up to three and a half years behind bars, according to the Marijuana Policy Project. Banda and her son had previously lived in Colorado, where marijuana is legal for recreational use, roughly one hour driving from Garden City. A medical marijuana bill that would allow some patients to use cannabis oil was in the process of going through the Kansas state legislature earlier this year, according to the Kansas City Star. Twenty-four states have laws allowing medical marijuana, while four and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational use by adults.

Shona Banda, 37, had written book about using cannabis oil to treat Crohn's. Garden City, Kansas, woman surprised by police at her home after school told child protective services about her son disagreeing with anti-drug class. Boy staying with his father after plant and liquid marijuana found in home. No drug charges have been filed against the mother yet.

Drugs kingpin Gavin Thorman (pictured) operated his empire from HMP Altcourse  where he boasted in Welsh he would make 'millions' when he got out. The kingpin of a violent drugs gang who planned to spend his money on new teeth, liposuction and a facelift has been jailed for 12 years after being caught out speaking about the illegal operation in Welsh. Father-of-four Gavin Thorman, 36, of Caernarfon, Gwynedd, operated his drug empire from HMP Altcourse in Liverpool, where he boasted in Welsh that he would make 'millions' when he got out of jail, Caernarfon Crown Court heard. Drugs worth £200,000, luxury cars, guns and even a boat were all seized by detectives when they cracked the huge crime operation which involved 26 members of the same gang. Thorman organised the supply of cocaine and cannabis from Liverpool and Manchester in one of the largest conspiracies of its kind in North Wales. The court heard he planned to spend his ill-gotten money on new teeth, liposuction, ab implants and a facelift when he got out of jail. The gang leader thought he could get away with talking to his contacts from prison in Welsh - but was unaware that police were recording and translating every conversation. He was serving a sentence in the prison for assault when he was overheard bragging about his new contacts and discussing drugs. Thorman told his girlfriend: 'I'm only doing a small sentence so they won't be listening to my calls.' Prosecutor Jayne La Grua read excerpts from a phone call between Thorman and fellow defendants Richard Broadley, 34, of Colwyn Bay, and Adam Roberts, 33, of Caernarfon, in which Thorman boasted about links to a notorious Merseyside crime baron. Thorman also bragged about plans to import cannabis from Amsterdam and ship BMWs to Jamaica. He told his then girlfriend and fellow defendant Yasmin Owen, 25, of Caernarfon: 'We're going to take over Wrexham... Wrexham's like 10 times the size of town (Caernarfon). 'I'll make a fortune there you know.' Some of the drugs seized during the operation - which was one of the largest to take place in north Wales. Thorman sent text messages which showed he maintained his position through threats of violence. Drugs worth nearly £200,000 were seized by police during a five-year painstaking investigation. The court heard Thorman planned to spend his ill-gotten money on new teeth, liposuction and a facelift. On December 5, 2013, Owen asked Thorman: 'Does anyone hear these phone calls?' He replied: 'No, as if. They're in Welsh anyway, aren't they? No one would understand anyway.' Ms La Grua said: 'He told her he planned to get new teeth in a couple of years once he's finished fighting, that top and bottom sets would cost £3,000 each, that he fancied lipo and ab implants which would be about eight grand, and definitely a facelift when he's older, maybe for his 40th birthday. 'They then discussed a holiday in either Mexico or the Maldives, and possibly the Maldives for their wedding.' One of the guns sized by police following a number of raids which eventually led to yesterday's sentencing. The entire 26-strong gang was caught after painstaking surveillance work by 200 police officers from North Wales, Cheshire, Merseyside and Manchester, who followed their movements between North Wales and north-west England, as well as tracking their mobile phones. Despite Thorman only using unregistered pay-as-you-go mobile phones, police managed to trace 49 different numbers linked to him. Text messages showed he maintained his position through threats of violence. Thorman admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis. Thorman was jailed after he admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine (pictured) and cannabis. The judge was told he also had a previous conviction for possessing heroin with intent to supply. Yesterday Thorman was one of 23 men and three women - all from the Caernarfon and Manchester areas - to appear before Caernarfon Crown Court. All were sentenced for their part in conspiring to supply class A and B controlled drugs into North Wales between 2009 and 2014. In total the 26 received 127 years imprisonment - which is the most significant sentencing the region has ever seen for one investigation. He and the others were jailed following a five-year investigation by North Wales Police codenamed Operation Yonside. While in prison Thorman boasted about his links to a notorious Merseyside crime baron. Cars, drugs, guns and even this boat were all seized by detectives as they cracked the huge crime operation. It was set up as part of the wider Operation Scorpion which was set up to smash organised crime gangs and was launched in 2009 after large quantities of cocaine were found hidden in a hotel locker and the loft of a house in Caernarfon. Information supplied by local police and members of the community helped detectives uncover drugs valued at over £179,000 stashed in various houses in the Caernarfon area. Over 500 witness statements were recorded. Over 200 officers from North Wales, Merseyside, Cheshire and Manchester were used. North Wales Police also worked with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Gwynedd Social Services and Gwynedd Council's CCTV. 180 witnesses were involved. 39 people were arrested and 34 addresses searched. Over 200 hours of suspect interviews were carried out. Over 2,700 exhibits were recovered, examined and reviewed. 192 phones and devices were recovered, examined and reviewed. 141 phone numbers were attributed to 34 defendants. 66 SIM cards and handsets were checked. 413 telecommunication records were used. 9,228 phone numbers were researched. Police recovered 1.24kg of cocaine valued at £101,799, as well as 5.8kg of cannabis and plants worth £97,770. But Judge Merfyn Hughes QC said: 'I am entirely satisfied that the total quantities of both drugs was many times that amount.' The purity of the adulterated drugs was between 20 per cent and 30 per cent. Judge Hughes said: 'It was a large-scale and sophisticated conspiracy, one of the largest in the last 15 years. 'It involved at least 26 individuals in a controlled crime syndicate. 'Gavin Thorman controlled 14 individuals. 'The harm to the general public and to the community of North Wales and Caernarfon in this case is incalculable.' Detective Superintendent John Hanson Head of Major Crime North Wales Police said: 'The communities of North West Wales are a safer place in which to live, visit, work and socialise today after the successful conclusion of this investigation. 'This has been a protracted and often complex investigation into the unlawful activities of an organised crime group who have established criminal links across the North West of England to facilitate the distribution of controlled drugs into North West Wales. 'This criminal gang contained a number of violent individuals who would use and threaten violence as part of their criminality - however the communities in which they operated were not prepared to tolerate this behaviour. 'I am grateful for their support and for the commitment and assistance we received from law enforcement colleagues and multi-agency partners. 'This has been a collective effort with a very positive outcome'. Caernarfon crown court heard Thorman organised the supply of cocaine and cannabis from Liverpool and Manchester in one of the largest conspiracies of its kind in North Wales. The 26 defendants are:. In total the 26 defendants received 127 years imprisonment - the most significant sentencing in the region.

Father-of-four Gavin Thorman, 36, was kingpin of a violent drugs gang. Drugs worth £200,000 seized by police following five year investigation. Planned to spend ill-gotten money on new teeth, liposuction and a facelift. He has been jailed for 12 years after admitting conspiracy to supply drugs along with 25 other defendants involved in the north Wales-based group. Gavin Thorman, 36, of no fixed abode but formerly of Caernarfon, pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cocaine and cannabis - 12 years. James Dylan Davies, 41, of Cae Mur, Caernarfon, guilty to supplying cocaine - jailed eight years and six months. Richard Broadley, 34, formerly of Caernarfon and now of Tarporley Close, Stockport, guilty to supplying cocaine and cannabis - jailed six years and eight months. Adam Roberts, 33, of Lon Eilian, Caernarfon, guilty to supplying cocaine and cannabis - jailed for eight years. Christopher Taylor, 29, of Pool Street, Caernarfon, guilty to supplying cocaine and cannabis - jailed for eight years and three months. Dylan Rees Hughes, 30, of Glan Peris, Caernarfon, guilty to supplying cocaine and cannabis - jailed for nine years. Jonathan White, 32, of Caernarfon, pleaded guilty to supplying cannabis and having an imitation gun, found guilty of supplying cocaine after a trial - 11 years. Gavin Rees Hughes, 29, of Ty'n Lon, Llandwrog, Caernarfon, guilty to supplying cocaine - six years and eight months. Martin Taylor, 26, of Pool Street, Caernarfon, guilty to supplying cannabis - 40 months. Gethin Ellis, 23, of Cae Bold, Caernarfon, guilty to supplying cocaine and cannabis - four years. Paul Hughes, 36, of Lon Nant, Caernarfon, guilty to supplying cocaine and cannabis - four years and eight months. Martin Shaw, 32, of Llanberis Road, Caernarfon, guilty to supplying cannabis - 20 months. Dawn Williams, 47, of Lon Eilian, Caernarfon, allowing premises to be used for supply of cocaine and cannabis - 14 months. Julian Williams, 40, of Lon Eilian, Caernarfon, guilty to allowing premises to be used for supply of cocaine and cannabis - 40 weeks. Yasmin Owen, 25, of Church Drive, Caernarfon, guilty to money laundering - 12 months. Ryan Williams, 34, of Caer Saint, Caernarfon, entering arrangement concerning criminal property - three and a half years. Nicole Herbert, 30, of Llanddeiniolen, Caernarfon, guilty to money laundering - 10 months suspended for 18 months. Rizwan Hussain, 28, of Rochdale and formerly of Caernarfon, found guilty of supplying cannabis after trial - six years. James Whitworth, 30, of Manchester, pleaded guilty to cannabis, found guilty of supplying cocaine after trial - 12 years. Anthony Ferguson, 20, of Tweedle Hill Road, Blackley, Manchester, guilty of supplying cocaine and cannabis - six years and eight months. Gregory Appleby, 20, of Bromfield Paark, Middleton, Manchester, guilty of supplying cannabis - two years. Ian Ogden, 26, of Hesford Avenue, Moston, Manchester, guilty to supplying cannabis - 16 months. Samuel Hughes, 34, of White Moss Road, Blackley, Manchester, guilty to supplying cannabis - 18 months. Jake Crookes, 23, of Selston Road, Blackley, Manchester, guilty to supplying cannabis - 16 months. Patrick Tynan, 23, of Alconbury Walk, Blackley, Manchester, guilty to supplying cocaine and cannabis - four years. Anthony Hunt, 30, of Rudston Avenue, Manchester, guilty to supplying cannabis - 16 months.

Sending dozens of messages or playing games for hours can cause your phone to overheat, which can drain battery and even damage the device. Now an Israeli team of developers has built a 'thermal protection' case that not only warns you when your phone is getting too hot, it will automatically cool it down. Called Amited, the case uses micro-fans to blow heat away from the device, or can heat a phone using resistance coils if it gets too cold. Scroll down for video. The Optimal case (pictured) was designed by Israel-based Amited. Sensors in the case monitor the phone's temperature and if it gets too hot, Optimal will cool the device using two built-in micro-fans. And if it gets too hot, Optimal engages its Anti-Freeze protection mode to gently heat the phone using resistance coils. The recommended storage temperature for most batteries is 15°C (59°F), while the 'extreme allowable' temperature is 40°C to 50°C (40°C to 122°F). Studies have found that a phone is most efficient when it's between 0° and 35°C (32°F to 95°F), and keeping it as near room temperature as possible (22° C or 72°F ) is ideal. At an average temperature of 0°C (32°F), a lithium-ion battery will lose six per cent of its maximum capacity every year. At 25°C (77°F) degrees that number jumps to 20 per cent. Optimal syncs with a smartphone over Bluetooth and constantly analyses the phone's temperature when Auto mode is enabled, using built-in temperature and humidity sensors. Optimal syncs with a smartphone over Bluetooth and constantly analyses the phone's temperature when Auto mode is enabled, using built-in temperature and humidity sensors. The board and fans are pictured. Auto mode can be disabled and users can also manually track temperature changes using an app. This app shows changes over time, but also reveals which apps in particular are having the highest thermal effect on the phone. Users can then set their own custom temperatures zones and set alarm thresholds. Inside the 0.19-inch (5mm) thick case is a pair of 'virtually silent', 0.07inch (2mm) micro-fans with air flow of 1.3 litres per minute. These dissipate the heat and cool the phone down. Amited is also fitted with an ultra-thin heating coils attached to the back of a conductive copper plate. When Optimal notices a drop in temperature, Anti-Freeze mode will engage these coils to stop the phone from freezing, even in sub-freezing conditions. Optimal's sensors are pictured. When Optimal's air vents are blocked, for example when the phone is in a pocket or bag, it will alert the user to warn them the temperature in their phone needs to be corrected. Alternatively, the phone can use Optimal's built-in battery as a backup. Optimal is fitted with temperature sensors, resistance coils and two 2mm micro-fans. It syncs with a smartphone over Bluetooth and constantly analyses the phone's temperature when in Auto mode. If it gets too hot, Optimal will cool the device using the micro-fans. These fans help the phone dissipate heat faster and cools down the device. And if the phone gets too hot, Optimal engages its Anti-Freeze protection to gently heat the phone using the resistance coils. Optimal remains in low-power, 'sleeping mode' the rest of the time to conserve battery. Auto mode can be switched off at any time, though, and people can manually analyse their phone's temperature, as well as see which apps impacting the device. Plus, when Optimal's air vents are blocked, for example when the phone is in a pocket or bag, it alerts the user to warn them the temperature of their phone needs to be corrected. Alternatively, the phone can use Optimal's built-in battery as a backup. Amited is launching an Indiegogo campaign to fund production of the case (pictured) on 9 April. Optimal will be available for pre-order for Apple, Samsung, Nexus, HTC & Xperia phones. Prices haven't been announced. Studies have found that a phone is most efficient between 0° and 35°C (32°F to 95°F), and keeping it as near room temperature as possible (22° C or 72°F ) is ideal. At an average temperature of 0°C (32°F), a lithium-ion battery will lose 6% of its maximum capacity every year. At 25°C (77°F) degrees that number jumps to 20%. Batteries exposed to hot temperatures lose their ability to store energy and the hotter the temperature, the faster they lose this ability. Extreme heatcan also cause permanent battery failure if exposed for long periods. In the cold, when the temperatures drop low enough, the phone could think its battery is empty even if it’s fully charged. The colder it gets, the least amount of energy that the battery can provide. In addition, the internal resistance of the battery grows, causing the output voltage to drop. When Auto mode is enabled, these subtle temperature changes are tracked automatically, but this mode can be disabled and users can manually track these changes using the Optimal app. This app shows temperature changes over time, but also reveals which apps are having the highest thermal effect on the phone. Users can then set custom operation modes based on their activity and location, set their own custom temperatures zones and set alarm thresholds. 'Heat is the worst enemy of your smartphone battery,' said Amited. 'Like all electronics, constant exposure to the elements will have a negative impact on your smartphone. 'Intense usage will lead to overheating, while extreme cold weather will lead to some circuits freezing inside your smartphone. 'In time, these can affect the performance of your phone’s CPU, battery and GPU. And, eventually, they’ll let you down completely.' 'Optimal is the world’s first thermal protection case designed to keep your smartphone working at its best, no matter where you go or how excessive you use it.' Amited is launching an Indiegogo campaign to fund production of the case on the 9 April. Optimal cases will then be available for pre-order for Apple, Samsung, Nexus, HTC & Xperia phones. Prices have not been announced.

Sensors in the Optimal case track subtle changes in a phone's temperature. Micro-fans inside the case cool the phone down if it gets too hot. While built-in resistance coils gently heat the device if it gets too cold. Case is launching on Indiegogo this week, but prices haven't been revealed.

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan today signalled she would quit the Cabinet if the Tories entered a power-sharing deal with Ukip. The senior Tory said Nigel Farage is 'not my cup of tea' and would question whether she was 'happy to serve' with the Ukip leader. David Cameron has urged Ukip supporters to 'come home' to the Conservatives, but has stopped short of ruling out having to rely on the Eurosceptic party if he falls short of a majority. Scroll down for video. Education Secretary Nicky Morgan signalled she would quit the Cabinet if the Tories entered a power-sharing deal with Ukip. Mr Farage sparked controversy last week when he used a televised leaders' debate to target people with HIV coming to Britain. The Ukip leader was greeted with silence in the hall when he said during the debate about the NHS that of the 7,000 diagnosed with HIV, 60 per cent were born abroad. After saying this was something the other leaders would be 'mortified that I dare to even talk about it', he said: 'You can come to Britain from anywhere in the world and get diagnosed with HIV and get the retroviral drugs that cost up to £25,000 per year per patient. 'I know there are some horrible things happening in many parts of the world, but what we need is to put the National Health Service there for the British people and families who have paid into this system for decades.' It later emerged the comments were pre-planned in what Ukip insiders called a 'shock and awful' strategy. In an interview with The Times, Mrs Morgan condemned the remarks. She said: 'To say that in a calculated way to appeal to your core vote is pretty stomach-turning.' She added it is a 'legitimate question' to ask senior Tories about the make-up of future coalitions, if as the polls suggest no party gets an overall majority. Ukip leader Nigel Farage, who spent today on a boat in Grimsby with reality TV star Joey Essex, has said he is not seeking ministerial office in a coalition. But Mrs Morgan suggested she would not be willing to sit around the Cabinet table with Ukip: 'I can give you the answer which is that we are not talking about anything but a majority government. 'But I think if we end up in coalition discussion territory people will have to ask themselves who they are happy to serve with. 'It is difficult envisaging what might happen but Nigel Farage is not my cup of tea.' Mr Farage, who spent today on a boat in Grimsby with reality TV star Joey Essex, has said he is not seeking ministerial office in a coalition. But he would demand a referendum on Britain leaving the EU as the price for Ukip MPs supporting a Tory minority government. However, recent polls have suggested support for Ukip is slipping and Mr Farage might struggle to win his own seat in South Thanet. Mr Farage yesterday admitted Ukip has 'slipped back a bit' in the polls as the sense of euphoria among the party's supporters has waned. The Ukip leader has seen support for his party drop from 16.75 per cent in November to just 12.25 per cent today, with voters appearing to switch to the Tories in the run up to the election. Mr Farage is also facing a fight to win his own election battle after falling behind the Tories in Thanet South, Kent - despite enjoying a 12 point lead over his Conservative rival just two months ago. Speaking on a tour of the Midlands, he added: 'We are exactly where we were last August, having won the European elections - we were on 14-and-a-bit per cent. 'We won the European elections, we found that level and we did have a rally in the Autumn through the remarkable events of first Clacton and then perhaps more remarkably the Rochester by-election. 'We've slipped back a bit since then, there are 30 days to go and I think the issues Ukip is campaigning on are back in play.' David Cameron has urged Ukip supporters to 'come home' to the Conservatives, but has stopped short of ruling out having to rely on the Eurosceptic party if he falls short of a majority. Mrs Morgan is the only senior Tory minister defending a marginal seat, in Loughborough. Elected in 2010, with a majority of 3,744, Mrs Morgan became a Treasury minister in 2013 before being promoted to the Cabinet in July last year. Her rejection of the idea of power-sharing with Ukip comes after weeks of contradictory statements from senior Conservatives. In January, Tory party chairman Grant Shapps insisted his party would not enter a deal with Mr Farage. He said: 'I can rule [it] out, we are not going to do pacts and deal with Ukip, we are looking for an overall majority.' But Mr Cameron has only said that he is pushing for a majority, telling MailOnline in February: 'I'm not going to speculate about any outcome other than victory.' On Tuesday he issued a plea to those who had left the Tory fold: 'Look, we've heard the message loud and clear about the things you want to see changed and we'll change those things. Come with us, come back home to us, rather than risk all of this good work being undone.'

Education Secretary suggests she would not be 'happy to serve' with Ukip. Condemns Farage over his attack on migrants with HIV coming to UK. Ukip leader admits support for his party has 'slipped back' in recent weeks. Cameron urges Ukip supporters to 'come home' to the Conservatives.

A 36-year-old Indiana woman now in police custody is suspected of carrying out a twisted plot of kidnapping and killing a young mother in order to steal the victim's newborn baby and claim the child as her own. The suspect, who has not been identified, lives in Gary, Indiana, where the body of the victim, Samantha Fleming, was found Friday wrapped up in plastic and doused with bleach. Police believe the woman went to the home of 23-year-old Fleming in Anderson, 180 miles away, posing as a Child Protective Services employee and convinced Fleming to come with her to Gary. Fleming recently gave birth to a daughter, Serenity, and lives with her boyfriend, but disappeared with her baby on April 5. Incredibly, the baby has been found by police and is safe, CBS reported. Scroll down for video. Killed: Police believe Samantha Fleming, 23 (left), was lured from her home by a woman pretending to be a social worker, so that the woman could murder her and steal Fleming's three-week-old baby, Serenity (right) Found dead: Fleming went missing from her home in Anderson, Indiana, on April 5. Her body was found Friday at a house 180 miles in Gary. The woman who lives at the property is the suspect in the case. The suspect is said to have known a lot of personal information about Fleming and successfully posed as a case worker, leading Fleming to believe she had to attend a court hearing. Fleming was reported missing by her boyfriend. Police were led to Gary after Fleming's cell phone signal was picked up in the city, where the young mother's wallet was also found near an apartment block. Police followed other leads to the suspect's home, but the woman wasn't there. Investigators said they smelt a foul odor coming from the small one-story house. Inside they found the body of a young woman that had been stabbed, covered in bleach, wrapped in plastic and stuffed in a plastic tub. As officers searched the home, the suspect's sister came by. She had a baby with her and was had come by to pick up some things. Police quickly realized the baby was Serenity. Scene: The body of Samantha Fleming was found stabbed, doused in bleach and wrapped in plastic inside this home at 1987 Cleveland St., in Gary, on April 17. The sister told police the suspect had asked her to care for the baby and had gone to visit their mother in Texas. The suspect is now said to be in police custody at a Texas hospital, where is she is under mental health care. The infant was handed over to police by the sister, according to the Chicago Tribune. Police have not released the name of the suspect and no charges have been filed. Lt. Thomas Pawlak told The Tribune that the suspect's house had been fitted out with a nursery. 'It appears that she had been planning this,' Pawlak told the newspaper. 'There was everything you would buy for a new baby. A crib, changing table, diaper bag, carrier, new clothes.' A neighbor told the paper the suspect said she was pregnant with twins. The neighbor said around Easter the suspect said one of the twins had died but that she had given birth, only the child was still in hospital with jaundice. New mom: Fleming went missing just three weeks after giving birth to her daughter, Serenity. Safe: Serenity was found in the custody of the suspect's sister. The baby will soon be returned to relatives in Anderson following the tragic death of her mother. When the neighbor eventually saw the woman with the child, she said she found the baby to be 'lighter-skinned' than she expected. The woman also had a bandage on her hand. The alleged kidnapper asked her neighbor to watch her house because she was going out of town. Just days before the woman left, the neighbor said she saw her going back and forth from her house to her garage and carrying small plastic grocery bags. The neighbor said they had been texting regularly since the woman left. But when she texted the alleged kidnapper after she saw police enter her home on Friday, the messages stopped. Pawlak believes the alleged kidnapper was very familiar with Fleming, and they are trying to work out how. The woman is not believed to be affiliated with Child Protective Services in any way. 'She knew a lot about this mother,' he said. 'Enough to convince her she was with CPS.'

Samantha Fleming, 23, and newborn daughter, Serenity, were last seen at their home in Anderson, Indiana, on April 5. Police believe a woman claiming to be a Child Protective Services employee convinced Fleming she had to attend a court hearing and kidnapped the two. The three-week-old infant was discovered unharmed in the woman's Gary, Indiana, home, along with a body on Friday. On Saturday the body was identified as Fleming. The alleged kidnapper was not at the home, but found at a hospital in Texas. Charges are pending and she has not been identified. Police believe she faked a pregnancy and planned to keep the child.

A Russian-Ukrainian film about a legendary Soviet sniper nicknamed 'Lady Death' is aiming to be a hit in both nations despite the crisis that has turned the former allies against each other. Titled 'Battle for Sevastopol' in Russia but 'Indestructible' across the border in Ukraine, the movie – about a female sharpshooter who reportedly killed more than 300 Nazi troops – is a co-production between the two countries made just before relations nosedived. And despite the freeze in ties between the former Soviet nations that has seen Ukraine ban a slew of modern Russian films, the $5million (£3m) movie was launched last week with glitzy gala premieres in both Moscow and Kiev. Scroll down for video. Nazi killer: A Russian-Ukrainian film about legendary Soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko (left) who was nicknamed nicknamed 'Lady Death' is aiming to be a hit in both nations despite the current crisis. The film (right) is titled 'Battle for Sevastopol' in Russia but 'Indestructible' across the border in Ukraine. Will it bring unity? The movie – about the female sharpshooter who reportedly killed more than 300 Nazi troops – is a co-production between the two countries made just before relations nosedived. Director Sergei Mokritsky, who grew up in Ukraine but lives in Russia, told AFP: 'Despite everything, it has been accepted both by the new Ukrainian authorities and our Russian ones. 'I am hoping this film will unite people and at least for two hours, for the length of this film, people can come together in our shared history.' The Russian-language film is about Ukrainian-born sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko – nicknamed 'Lady Death' – and comes out ahead of the 70th anniversary in May of the Allied victory in the European theatre of World War Two. Trained as a sharpshooter and sent to fight on the frontline in 1941, aged 25, Pavlichenko was said to have killed 309 Nazis in less than a year during battles in Odessa and the strategic city of Sevastopol on Ukraine's Crimea peninsula. Hard-hitting biopic: Russian actors Yevgeny Tsyganov (left) and Yulia Peresild (right), who plays Ukrainian-born sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko are seen in a still from Sergei Mokritsky's 'Battle of Sevastopol' film. Bringing together a shared history: The Russian-language film (above) comes out ahead of the 70th anniversary in May of the Allied victory in the European theatre of World War Two. Heroine: Pavlichenko was said to have killed 309 Nazis in less than a year during battles in Odessa and the strategic city of Sevastopol on Ukraine's Crimea peninsula during World War Two. Lyudmila Pavlichenko was sent to the frontline in 1941 at the age of 25 after being trained as a sniper. An unyielding character, she is said to have killed no fewer than 309 Nazis during the sieges of Odessa and later the strategic city of Sevastopol on Ukraine's Crimea peninsula. It is said she once lambasted a fellow sniper for firing a shot than ended the agony of a dying Nazi, saying: 'They don't deserve an easy death.' She then falls for a fellow sniper and the couple plan to marry, but she is devastated when he, too, is killed. Finally she is evacuated from Sevastopol after getting injured, soon before the Nazis captured the strategic city in 1942. Sensing her propaganda value, the Soviet Union then sent her to tour Canada and the United States, where she called for the opening of a new front in the war. Dressed in an army tunic and cap, she became an object of fascination, nicknamed 'Lady Death' by journalists. She met American First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and was invited to stay at the White House as a personal guest. The women stayed in touch and Roosevelt met her again years later in Moscow. The new biopic was shot on location in Sevastopol in November and December 2013 during the Maidan popular uprising in Kiev, shortly before the toppling of pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych and Russia's annexation of Crimea. 'I thought we can't stop filming, whatever happens,' Mokritsky recalled. 'The faster, the better, because later, it may not be possible.' The differing titles for the film highlight some of the bitterest divisions between Russia and Ukraine. In Russian, the title 'Battle for Sevastopol' resonates with the patriotic fervour generated by Crimea's annexation in March last year. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian name 'Indestructible' hints at the national spirit as government forces battle a pro-Russian uprising in the country's east. As played by Yulia Peresild, the film's heroine is unsmiling and unremittingly tough. 'War's no place for cowards,' she says. She vows to "kill 100 enemies", hugging her rifle and upbraids a fellow sniper for firing a shot to finish off a Nazi dying in agony. "They don't deserve an easy death," she says. In graphic battle scenes with blood spurting and shells exploding, she shoots to kill without flinching. But she has a softer side, too. She finds love in the arms of a tough commander, who is killed soon afterwards. She then falls for a fellow sniper and the couple plan to marry, but she is devastated when he, too, is killed. Finally she gets injured and is evacuated from Sevastopol, soon before the Nazis captured the strategic city in 1942. The next stage in Pavlichenko's life is far from the horrors of the frontline. Sensing her propaganda value, the Soviet Union sent her to tour Canada and the United States, where she called for the opening of a new front in the war. Dressed in an army tunic and cap, she became an object of fascination, nicknamed 'Lady Death' by journalists. Pavlichenko was trained as a sharpshooter and sent to fight on the frontline in 1941 at the age of 25. She met American First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and was invited to stay at the White House as a personal guest. The women stayed in touch and Roosevelt met her again years later in Moscow. In the film, she reveals her emotional turmoil while cooking borscht with a motherly Roosevelt, played by British actress Joan Blackham. The film comes hot on the heels of the global smash directed by Clint Eastwood about a U.S. Navy Seal sharpshooter 'American Sniper'. Critics have lauded the vivid photography in the Ukrainian-Russian film, but complain that Pavlichenko does not come across as a fully-rounded character. 'She faces all these events with the same tense expression,' wrote Gazeta.ru news site. As for the two governments now locked in a bitter feud, both say they are rooting for the film to be a success - just not quite for the same reasons. 'We see it as a Ukrainian film,' a spokesman for Kiev's state film agency told AFP, saying that 79 percent of the film's financing is Ukrainian, both from the state and private investors. Meanwhile in Russia, an unusually conciliatory Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky said he hoped the movie might remind the rivals of when they fought side by side. 'It's very important today that it's a Ukrainian-Russian co-production. This is a film about our shared victory,' Medinsky said. SIEGE OF ODESSA:. The Ukrainian city of Odessa was subjected to an unrelenting aerial bombardment by the Nazis and their Axis allies in June 1941. Surrounded on three sides, it was anticipated that Soviet forces would succumb quickly, but a channel via the Black Sea allowed for supplies and reinforcements to make their way into the city. A second onslaught began in mid-August, but was forced to halt around a week later for a few days because of heavy casualties at the hands of the Red Army. Heavy artillery: German troops during the siege of Odessa against the Soviet army in World War Two. Soviet soldiers march through a muddy field near Odessa. However, by September 15, Soviet troops began to fall back towards the city and by early October, Moscow ordered a retreat. In the first two weeks of October, more than 120,000 troops were evacuated, along with 1,000 trucks and 20,000 tons of ammunition. On October 15, Romanian troops – part of the Axis alliance – entered the city. The Romanians lost nearly 18,000 troops while the Soviet Union lost around 16,000. Source: World War II Database. BATTLE FOR SEVASTOPOL:. Sevastopol, a key port city on the Black Sea, came under attack from five Nazis divisions, supported by Luftwaffe bombardments, in May 1942. Soviet troops were battered by up to 1,800 aerial sorties a day and were outnumbered by two to one on the ground. The Soviet Coastal Army, led by General I.E. Petrov, mustered 106,000 men, 600 artillery guns, 100 mortars and 38 tanks. German sappers at Sevastopol, where a massive siege was launched against the Soviet Red Army. The Germans, meanwhile, assembled 204,000 men, 670 artillery guns, 720 mortars, 655 anti-tank guns, 450 tanks and 600 aircraft. By the end of June, the Germans fought their way into the city and an evacuation of Russian forces in the city was ordered on June 30, lasting for four days. By the end of the siege, 90,000 Russian prisoners had been taken and they lost the equivalent of two armies. Source: History Learning Site.

£3m film charts life of Ukrainian-born Soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko. Aims to be a hit in both countries despite the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Has been launched with glitzy gala premieres in both Moscow and Kiev. Pavlichenko killed 309 Nazis during battles in Odessa and Sevastopol.

The fatal shooting of an unarmed black man fleeing from a police officer has stirred outrage around the nation, but people in this South Carolina city aren't surprised. They call it inevitable in a police department they believe focuses on petty crimes and fails to keep its officers in check. There is almost nothing in Michael Thomas Slager's police personnel file to suggest that his bosses considered him a rogue officer capable of murdering a man he just pulled over for a broken tail light. People in the community he served say this reflects what's going wrong with policing today: Officers nearly always get the last word when citizens complain. Scroll down for video. Residents of the Charleston, South Carolina, have said the shooting of unarmed black driver Walter Scott was preceded by previous unheeded complaints about the police.  Above, a friend of Scott's at a memorial. The officer who shot Scott, Michael Slager, had little in his file to suggest excessive force. Above, two men pray at the memorial. 'We've had through the years numerous similar complaints, and they all seem to be taken lightly and dismissed without any obvious investigation,' the Rev. Joseph Darby, vice president of the Charleston branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said Thursday. The mostly black neighborhood in North Charleston where Slager fired eight shots at the back of Walter Lamer Scott on Saturday is far from unique in this regard, said Melvin Tucker, a former FBI agent and police chief in four southern cities who often testifies in police misconduct cases. Nationwide, training that pushes pre-emptive action, military experience that creates a warzone mindset, and legal system favoring police in misconduct cases all lead to scenarios where officers see the people they serve as enemies, he said. 'It's not just training. It's not just unreasonable fear. It's not just the warrior mentality. It's not just court decisions that almost encourage the use of it. It is not just race,' Tucker said. 'It is all of that.' Both Slager, 33, and Scott, 55, were US Coast Guard veteran. Slager had the dismissed excessive force complaint and Scott had been jailed repeatedly for failing to pay child support, but neither man had a record of violence. Video captured by a bystander to the shooting showed Slager fire eight shots at the back of Scott as he ran away. Original statements from Slager said that he felt threatened by Scott, though video released appears to contradict the police account of the incident. A dash cam video from police shows Scott running away from his car during a traffic stop for a broken tail light. Slager consistently earned positive reviews in his five years with the North Charleston Police. His new attorney, Andy Savage, said Thursday that he's conducting his own investigation, and that it's 'far too early for us to be saying what we think.' Slager's first attorney said he followed all proper procedures before using deadly force, but swiftly dropped him after the dead man's family released a bystander's video of the shooting. The officer, whose wife is eight months pregnant, is being held without bond pending an August 21 hearing on a charge of murder that could put him in prison for 30 years to life if convicted. A steady crowd left flowers, stuffed animals, notes and protest signs Thursday in the empty lot where Scott was gunned down. Many said police in South Carolina's third-largest city routinely dismiss complaints of petty brutality and harassment, even when eyewitnesses can attest to police misbehavior. Scott (left) and Slager (right) were both Coast Guard veterans. Slager is being held without bond on a murder charge. POLICE VERSION. Police officer Michael Slager said in a statement earlier this week that his encounter with Walter Scott began at around 9.30am on Saturday. He said he pulled Scott's Mercedes over as a routine traffic stop for a broken brake light. He said Scott then ran away into a vacant grassy lot where, at some point during the chase, the victim confronts Slager. The officer then tried to use his Taser to subdue Scott, but claims the suspect grabbed the stun gun during the struggle, according to the statement. According to police reports, Slager fired the stun gun, but it did not stop Scott. At that point, the officer fired at Scott several times because he 'felt threatened,' Slager's statement said. He added that his actions were in line with procedure. Police then said Slager reported on his radio moments after the struggle: 'Shots fired and the subject is down. He took my Taser.' His department said the officers then performed CPR and delivered first aid to the victim. WHAT THE VIDEO SHOWS. Slager's account has been called into question after the video appears to show him shooting Scott in the back. The footage begins in the vacant lot apparently moments after Slager fires his Taser. Wires which administer the electrical current appear to be extending from Scott's body. As Scott turns to run, Slager draws his pistol and, only when he is 15 to 20 feet away, starts to fire the first of the eight shots at his back. The video shows Slager handcuffing Scott's lifeless body. Footage then appears to show Slager jogging back to the point where the Taser fell to the ground, bringing it over to Scott's body around 30 feet away and dropping it next to him. It is only after two-and-a-half minutes that Slager is seen placing his hand on Scott's neck in an apparent attempt to check his pulse. A black colleague then arrives and puts on blue medical gloves before handling the body, but is not seen performing first aid. They are joined by a third officer, who also does not appear to tend to the victim. The result, they say, is that officers are regarded with a mixture of distrust and fear. Slager's file includes a single excessive use-of-force complaint, from 2013: A man said Slager used his stun gun against him without reason. But Slager was exonerated and the case closed, even though witnesses told The Associated Press that investigators never followed up with them. 'It's almost impossible to get an agency to do an impartial internal affairs investigation,' Tucker said/. 'First of all the investigators doing it are co-workers of the person being investigated. Number two, there's always the tendency on the part of the departments to believe the officers.' Mario Givens, the man who accused Slager of excessive force in 2013, told the AP that Slager woke him before dawn by loudly banging on his front door, and saying 'Come outside or I'll tase you!' 'I didn't want that to happen to me, so I raised my arms over my head, and when I did, he tased me in my stomach anyway,' Givens said. Mario Givens (pictured) filed an excessive force complaint against Slager in 2013, but he was not interviewed and no witnesses were questioned. 'They never told me how they reached the conclusion. Never. They never contacted anyone from that night. No one from the neighborhood.' Givens said he's convinced Scott's death could have been prevented if Slager had been disciplined in his case. 'If they had just listened to me and investigated what happened that night, this man might be alive today,' he said. Darby also wonders if Saturday's fatal shooting might have turned out differently had the department thoroughly investigated the 2013 Taser complaint. 'I think he would have been rebuked instead of fired,' Darby said. 'But maybe it changes the way he sees things.' Darby and other civil rights leaders want North Charleston to create an independent citizens review board to review complaints against police, since 'law enforcement is going to almost always give itself the benefit of the doubt.' Such boards are few and far between in South Carolina. North Charleston police spokesman Spencer Pryor said Wednesday that the department now plans to review Givens' complaint, although he wouldn't say what difference that could make now.

Officer Michael Slager's file has little to suggest use of excessive force. South Carolina residents say complaints dismissed without investigation. Mario Givens accused Slager of excessive force in 2013 for Taser incident.

We've seen hot dudes reading, hot dudes drinking coffee, and even hot dudes posing like cats (yes this is a real thing, ask Google. And you're welcome). But a new Instagram account gives them all a run for their money by showcasing buff, often topless, men cuddling their adorable pet pups. A treat for those who love both man and man's best friend, Hot Dudes With Dogs has picked up quite a pace since launching a month ago. Scroll down for video. New Instagram account Hot Dudes With Dogs features men looking hot while posing with dogs. The account was started by writer Kaylin Pound and relies on submissions via direct messages. Now boasting 148,000 followers, the account relies on submissions via direct messages, and is dedicated to finding and posting images of the hottest guys with the cutest pups they can possibly find. The account's tagline is: 'These dudes with dogs will make you drool more than man's best friend', and #muscles and #mutts are regular hashtags. Highlights include a tiny puppy looking into the camera while wearing its handsome owner's sunglasses, and another enjoying a float around a pool in a doughnut-print rubber ring; paws on its owner's chest. Another post of an Alsatian running along with its skateboarding owner attracted an impressive 8,435 likes. This post of an Alsatian running along with it's skateboarding owner attracted an impressive 8,435 likes. Other cute dogs, from boxers to Boston terriers, are pictured chilling with their owners, sometimes in bed, on the sofa, or even in the car, and put through a flattering filer. The account belongs to Elite Daily's staff writer Kaylin Pound, who also created the Rich Dogs Of Instagram account. She told the Huffington Post that she began her latest endeavour by finding photos online, but soon enough the submissions came flooding in thick and fast. Kaylin says the account is now freshly stocked with images sent to her directly from the hot dudes and their furry friends. A cute Boston terrier enjoys a cuddle with its handsome owner in bed; either Sierra or Rise prettifying that morning light. A boxer looks out into the distance relaxing by a lake with owner Erik James, copying his pose. Dogs are pictured chilling with their owners, sometimes in bed, on the sofa, or even in the car, and put through a flattering colour filter. Kaylin also created the Rich Dogs Of Instagram account and started Hot Duded by scrolling the social media site for suitable snaps. The account now has submissions flooding in and Kaylin says it is well stocked, so we can expect many more adorable posts like this. This is the latest account following on from the trend for 'hot dudes' doing all sorts of random things. The ultimate Instagram eye candy, the account has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers in just a month. If you're a hot dude with a dog you can follow the account and send a direct message with your picture. Kaylin then gets to pick and choose which ones to put up. Some, like this one (13.1k likes!) prove especially popular. Model Marvin poses for a selfie with his puppy in bed. Australian Tom Hintze and his husky are pictured having fun in the sun.

New Instagram account showcases buff, often topless, men cuddling their adorable pet pups. Launched one month ago, it boasts 148,000 followers and relies on submissions via direct messages. Owned and run by Elite Daily's staff writer Kaylin Pound, who also created Rich Dogs Of Instagram.

An extraordinary image has emerged of what appears to be a cloud formation that draws uncanny similarities to an Aussie Digger wearing a slouch hat. The photo was taken by Brad Allan in Cape York, far north Queensland, as he was heading out fishing at the break of dawn when something caught his eye. Mr Allan, from the Archer River Roadhouse, says the image is quite fitting considering the upcoming centenary of Anzac Day. The 50-year-old describes it as 'the sunrise digger who's been watching over us for 100 years'. An extraordinary image has emerged of what appears to be a cloud formation that draws uncanny similarities to an Aussie Digger in a slouch hat. It was Easter Monday morning when Mr Allan decided to take the boat out to Weipa, a town in Cape York which is north west of Cairns, when he captured the amazing image. 'I was going out fishing at about 5.45am in the morning with my wife and some mates when I looked out at the horizon,' he said. 'I saw the remnants of a storm cloud which oddly looked like a soldier in a slouch hat. 'I quickly took out my phone and grabbed a few shots of the clouds before it changed in the space of five minutes. I guess I was at the right place at the right time.' The image was taken about two weeks before the 100th anniversary of the landing on Gallipoli. 'For those with a bit of an imagination, if you look closely at the clouds you can almost see facial features like a nose and moustache. It's quite eerie but I think it's also quite fitting considering it's the centenary of Gallipoli,' Mr Allan said. 'It's almost like the sunrise digger who's been watching over us for 100 years.' An Australian soldier stand during a ceremony for Anzac Day last year. This comes as travellers heading to Anzac Day events overseas have been urged to heed safety warnings and get insurance. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said more than 15,000 Australians planned to attend overseas events commemorating the centenary of Anzac Day, with services in Turkey, France, Belgium, Malaysia, Thailand and Papua New Guinea. She said the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli was a significant event for all Australians. Prime Minister Tony Abbott said normal security precautions were in place at Gallipoli. He wouldn't confirm reports Australian spies and special forces personnel had been sent to Turkey amid fears of a terrorist attack. He said appropriate security measures were in place for an international event of this scale. The government has prepared a series of Anzac Day traveller bulletins online. For all destinations, the government urges travellers to take out travel insurance and register on the Smartraveller website. For Turkey, travellers should have a high degree of caution because of the threat of terrorist attack. Anyone travelling to Turkey will need to obtain a visa and only those with attendance passes will be able to attend the official 2015 commemorations. For Anzac Day events in France and Belgium, travellers are advised to exercise normal safety precautions.

The photo was taken on Easter Monday morning at sunrise in Queensland. Brad Allan was going out fishing when he looked out at the horizon. He says the eerie image of a solider was the remnants of storm clouds. He says the photo is fitting for the upcoming centenary of Anzac Day. This year more than 15,000 Australians will attend overseas events commemorating the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli.

Probe: Dr Rory Lyons was suspended by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service and his surgery raided following four deaths 'of concern' The unexpected deaths of two members of a family are at the centre of a criminal probe into their GP. Detectives raided Dr Rory Lyons’ private health centre and medical officials have suspended the 62-year-old from treating patients. Cousins Karen and Colin Cosheril were patients of the Alderney family doctor when they died. Islanders claim the death from pneumonia of Karen, 52, in January prompted the investigation, which then uncovered three more deaths of concern – including that of retired stonemason Colin, 63, who died of heart failure in May. Mr Cosheril’s sister – ambulance technician Brenda Webb – said she complained to Guernsey’s health service after his sudden death. The mother-of-two, 61, said: ‘His death was very sudden. It was a shock. My brother was getting well one day and the next day he went downhill too quickly – the day after that he was dead.’ A family friend of divorcee Karen Cosheril, who used to work at the island’s Chinese takeaway, said: ‘Just before she died there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with her. Then she phoned me and said she was in hospital. 'The next day I got a call saying she had died from pneumonia and I thought, “That is sudden isn’t it?” It was strange because that usually takes time.’ A family member said of Miss Cosheril, who was also known by her married name of Tayleur, said: ‘Her death is one of those being investigated. We were in complete shock when we heard.’ More than 10 Guernsey police officers flew to the island to search Dr Lyons’ Eagle Medical Practice last Thursday. The surgery remained shut over the Easter weekend. A note referring patients to the other island practice was pinned to the door and signed by Dr Lyons, who also worked at the island’s care home. The father-of-two lives in Alderney with his wife. The blinds of their home were shut over the weekend but he was spotted at a flat close to the surgery in the town of St Anne’s. He has not responded to requests for comment. Medical records and other documents were seen being taken from his surgery during the five-hour police search. A search warrant was also executed at a private address. A spokesman for Guernsey’s Health and Social Services Department said the investigation was launched when concerns were raised about a death earlier in the year. The police were then informed after an internal investigation identified the three other potentially suspicious deaths. All four patients died in the past 18 months. Relatives: Cousins Karen and Colin Cosheril were patients of the Alderney family doctor when they died. Karen, 52, left, died in January of pneumonia and Colin, 63, right, died of heart failure in May last year. Family liaison officers have also been sent to the island to help relatives of the deceased. Guernsey Chief of Police Patrick Rice said: ‘This decisive early action was necessary to ensure the protection of the public. 'The community will be understandably concerned by news of this investigation. It will be complex and take time to establish the full facts.’ Dr Lyons was suspended by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service following a hearing on Thursday. Before moving to the island, he worked and lived in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he was a part-time GP. Alderney – which has fewer than 2,000 inhabitants and is just three miles long – has two medical practices, with four GPs, and a 20-bed hospital where GPs treat their own patients. All services are run privately outside the NHS.

Detectives raided Dr Rory Lyons’ private health centre in Alderney. Dr Lyons is also suspended by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service. Action sparked by death of Karen Cosheril, 52, from pneumonia in January. Probe uncovered three more deaths of concern - including Karen's cousin.

David Cameron will today claim that Labour's economic policies risk putting a million people out of work after Britain was singled out as one of the few 'bright spots' in the global economy. The Prime Minister will vow to encourage more job creation by extending national insurance breaks, worth at least £2,000 a year to smaller firms taking on new staff, for a further five years. Saying he is 'really angry' at Labour's claim that the Conservatives are 'the party for the few, not the many', Mr Cameron will hail the 'jobs miracle' that has seen 1,000 new jobs created every day. David Cameron will today claim that Labour's economic policies risk putting a million people out of work. Contrasting that with Labour's record, he will claim Ed Miliband's economic policies could see 'a million more people joining the dole queues'. Last night, in a boost for George Osborne, the head of the International Monetary Fund picked out the UK recovery as exemplary. Christine Lagarde said the world was suffering from a 'moderate and uneven' return to growth which was 'simply not good enough'. But, in an endorsement of the Government's economic record, she cited the United States and the United Kingdom as countries where the outlook is positive. The comments completed an extraordinary volte-face by the IMF on the Coalition's handling of the economy. Just two years ago, it warned that Mr Osborne was 'playing with fire' by pressing ahead with austerity – only to see the economic recovery take off. Britain was the best performing major economy in the developed world last year, with growth of 2.8 per cent. Figures published by the fund also show it has overtaken socialist-run France to become the second most powerful economy in Europe behind Germany. However, the IMF predicted Britain would still be running a deficit at the end of the decade – despite Tory efforts to balance the books. Cameron will say if Ed Miliband repeated the economic mistakes of last Labour government there will be a risk to jobs. Mr Cameron, who dismissed the projections, will today launch a Conservative 'jobs manifesto' setting out plans to bring about 'full employment' – meaning everyone who wants a job has one. 'We are living through a jobs miracle – brought to you by a Conservative government that has backed business, reformed welfare and rewarded work,' he will say. Claiming Mr Miliband represents a threat to jobs, he will add: 'You know what makes me really angry? It's when our opponents still go on about 'you Tories – the party for the few and not the many…' Excuse me? 'This is the party that's taken three million of the lowest-paid workers out of income tax altogether; that's cut the taxes of 26million working people; that's seen 1,000 jobs created every day – jobs that are giving families security, putting food on tables, helping people out of poverty. 'Under the last five years of Labour, unemployment went up by 600 people a day. 'So if Ed Miliband repeated the economic mistakes of the last Labour government – that he was a part of – he risks a million more people joining the dole queues.' The jobs manifesto will include a guarantee to maintain the so-called 'employment allowance' until 2020, meaning a third of employers will continue to pay no jobs tax for another five years. The tax break, which helps smaller businesses take on new workers by freeing businesses from at least the first £2,000 of employers' national insurance, has already been taken up by 856,000 firms. David Cameron pictured on a metal platform yesterday (left) and John Major on his soap box in 1992 (right) One of the most abiding images from the 1992 General Election campaign was the moment John Major got on his soap box. And yesterday David Cameron did the same... but gave it a 21st century twist by taking to a folding metal platform. During a campaign stop in Leeds, the Prime Minister raised himself above the closely packed crowd to engage in a question and answer session with employees at the O2 office in Morley and Outwood – the marginal constituency of shadow chancellor Ed Balls. Major climbed onto an old fashioned soap box in Cheltenham to persuade Conservatives to come out and vote in 1992, just ten days before the election. He went on to win the fourth consecutive victory for the Tories – and their last outright UK majority.

David Cameron will launch 'job manifesto' with plans for 'full employment' Tories will extend national insurance breaks, worth £2,000 to smaller firms. PM is 'angry' at Labour's claim Tories are 'party for the few, not the many' He will say Miliband's economic policies risk putting millions out of work.

This is the £1million luxury townhouse underwear tycoon Michelle Mone has put on the market so she can buy her ex-husband out of the 'dream home' they once shared. The 43-year-old entrepreneur bought the three-bedroom property in the Park Circus area of Glasgow for £780,700 after she split from her former husband Michael in December 2011. She spent months renovating the period two-storey townhouse, described by estate agents as an 'outstanding interior designed luxury home'  which has been 'impeccably refurbished'. Scroll down for video. On the market: Michelle Mone has put her luxury Glasgow townhouse up for sale so she can buy her husband out of their 'dream' mansion. Luxury: The £1million property in the exclusive area of the city comes complete with ornate high ceilings and large windows in the living room. Trendy: The fully-integrated kitchen has been fitted with modern, top of the range appliances and features a white gloss central island. Tycoon: Michelle Mone set up Ultimo underwear business with her husband Michael (right) in 1996, but they split in December 2011. It features a grand staircase and magnificent reception hall leading to a modern fully integrated kitchen and drawing room complete with a marble fireplace and a living flame fire. The views expand over the residents central gardens in the exclusive part of the city and the master suite comes with it's own wet room. Each of the three high-ceilings bedrooms have been kitted out with lavish headboards, sparkling chandeliers and luxurious curtains. Interior photographs show the living room with a baby grand piano in it and a painting of a sleeping blonde woman above the fireplace. Grand: Ms Mone didn't move into the townhouse straightaway after spending months having it renovated, including this spectacular staircase. Magnificent: The large hallway leads to the staircase in the two-storey property, which comes complete with three bedrooms. Impressive: Ms Mone bought the property for £780,000 after splitting from her then husband. The large hallway comes with a massive mirror. It is being marketed by estate agents Corum for offers over £875,000, which means the Ultimo founder will profit from at least £100,00 if it sells. Once the sale is completed she plans to move back into her family home, a five-bedroom mansion in Thorntonhall, Lanarkshire, after agreeing a deal with her ex-husband to buy it. Mone, who also owns a £2million flat in Mayfair, London, said she would change her old mansion to rid it of 'bad memories' when she revealed her property plans last week. The mother-of-three said: 'I'm selling my home here in Glasgow but I also own the big house with my ex-husband. For two years I've been trying to buy him out of it and he only agreed just the other day - which is fantastic. 'I'm over the moon. I'll always have a base here in Glasgow but I've moved in to my London home as well. So, that means I'll have just the one home here rather than one and a half.' She said that although she has not lived in the Thorntonhall home for two years, she 'loves' the property, which she bought with her then husband, Mr Mone, in 2008. They demolished the original building, and built 'Telperion', a home six times the size of the average British house. Comfy: The bay windows stream light into the living room of the property, in an exclusive area of Glasgow, which has been fully re-decorated. Elegant: One of the bedrooms in the property has been decorated with a cerise and beige velvet accessories and features a large window seat. Sparkling: The master suite includes a wet room, kitted out in a gold-theme, while the house also has another shower room and laundry room. 'I designed it, I built it, I love it,' she said. 'But I'm going to change it all so that it doesn't have any of the bad memories from when I lived there. That said, I haven't been spending a whole lot of time in the town house since I've been promoting my book in America.' In 2010, Ms Mone was at the centre of a row with neighbours over plans to add a sauna, gym and bar to the home. Five residents objected to her proposals and one said the development would 'completely dwarf' the rest of the street. But it was still given the go-ahead by planners. The couple created lingerie brand Ultimo together in 1996, split in 2011 after she believed Michael had had an affair with bra designer, Samantha Bunn, with whom he has set up a rival lingerie firm. Writing on Twitter earlier this month, Ms Mone said: 'Sad to be selling my stunning townhouse in Scotland. Brilliant news is after trying for two years I'm buying my ex out of my dream home.' The couple continued to live in the family home for some time after their acrimonious separation. In her recently published autobiography, Mone admitted she put laxatives in her husband's coffee, let down his tyres and cut holes in his boxer shorts. She also said that on one occasion while they were still sharing the marital home, she poured cold water on his side of the bed. Ms Mone said later: 'I am sorry for that. Sorry for that woman I became. It wasn't nice at all.' After she moved into the townhouse in Park Circus, she opened the doors of the home for a photoshoot with Hello! magazine, describing the property as her 'new beginning'. Townhouse: The period townhouse (centre) has southerly views over private residents’ central gardens in the Park Circus area of Glasgow. 'Dream home': This is the luxury five-bedroom mansion Ms Mone previously shared with her husband, which she plans to move back into. 1996 Michael and Michelle Mone create lingerie brand Ultimo. 2008 The couple buy plot in Thorntonhall, Lanarkshire. They demolish the original building, and build 'Telperion', a home six times the size of the average British house. 2010 Ms Mone is at the centre of a row with neighbours over plans to add a sauna, gym and bar to the home. 2011 Michelle and Michael split in December after she believed he had an affair with bra designer, Samantha Bunn. He has since set up a rival lingerie firm with Ms Bunn. 2012 The former family home in Lanarkshire is put on the market for 2012. Ms Mone claims her ex-husband refused to sell his part of the property. Ms Mone pays £780,700 for three-bedroom duplex in Glasgow and had extensive works done. 2013 Ms Mone moves into her Glasgow townhouse, and showcases it in exclusive Hello! interview. 2014 Ms Mone becomes embroiled in a bitter row over plans to turn the house next door to her £1 million home into student digs. Today She announces plans to sell Glasgow home and move back into former family home.

Michelle Mone bought three-bedroom property in Glasgow's exclusive Park Circus after splitting from Michael Mone. She spent months renovating period townhouse but is now selling to buy ex-husband out of their family mansion. It features a grand staircase, large reception hall and luxury interior designs throughout bedrooms and living room. The 43-year-old Ultimo founder will profit from at least £100,000 if it sells and also owns a £2million flat in Mayfair.

This terrifying cache of high-power weapons was allegedly found inside a secret basement bunker in the home of two school bus drivers. Steve and Sarah Nick built up the huge arsenal, including a 50-caliber machine gun, a sniper rifle, and 17,000 rounds of ammunition, after it was claimed they stole more than $50,000. Many of the 30 weapons were legally owned, but the couple, who are said to have links to the Michigan militia, are accused of plundering Mrs Nick's 67-year-old mother's savings to fund the potentially deadly haul. This is the huge weapons arsenal allegedly found inside a secret basement bunker in the home of Steven and Sarah Nick. Pictured: Genessee County Sheriff Robert Pickell with the haul. The couple are facing a combined total of 15 felony charges, according to mlive.com. Police raided their home in Davison Township, Michigan, after concerns were raised by adult protective services in August last year. It is alleged that the husband and wife had gained access to Mrs Nick's severely ill mother's bank account and were writing blank bank cheques to themselves. As well as the huge weapons haul in the basement bunker, officers also discovered a number of bullet proof vests, including one for the couple's nine-year-old daughter. One of the vest had a patch on it that read, 'We kill for peace,' the website reported. Mrs Nick. 32, was employed as a bus driver for the Flint School District and her 33-year-old husband was said to work for Davison Schools. Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell said that his officers had seized all of the weapons. 'It's an issue because they were purchased with stolen money,' Pickell reportedly told mlive.com. Steven Nick, 33, pictured left, and his wife Sarah, 32, pictured right, are facing a combined total of 15 charges. They also face charges in relation to a short-barreled rifle allegedly discovered at the property that did not meet the state minimum length. The sheriff said the well-armed couple were linked to the Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia, a group that aim to deter disasters. The Nicks were released on bail and are set to return to court on Thursday.

Steven and Sarah Nick are facing a combined total of 15 felony charges. Accused of embezzling more than $50,000 to stockpile arsenal of weapons. Said to include 50-caliber machine gun and sniper rifle with suppressor. Weapons were legally owned but bought using stolen money, police say.

Covering aircraft in blue lights, and only turning them on when beginning to take off, could help stop birds colliding with aircraft. That’s according to a study, which found that birds responded to lights in different ways than a human might. The researchers said runways could be synced with taxiing aircraft, to help capture birds’ attention before an aircraft takes off. The study was conducted by scientists at Purdue University in Indiana. They were investigating how to reduce bird to aircraft collisions by keeping birds away from planes (stock image shown). Research showed that birds responded most to blue lights on planes. The study, by scientists at Purdue University in Indiana and the National Wildlife Research Centre in Ohio, was published in The Condor: Ornithological Applications. They were seeking to find a solution to the problem of birds colliding with aircraft, which causes £480 million ($700 million) worth of damage in the US alone. The FAA estimates that bird strikes have resulted in 200 worldwide deaths since 1988. They are dangerous to aircraft because birds can be sucked into a jet engine and strike an engine fan blade. That impact knocks out a single blade and can trigger a domino effect, resulting in engine failure. Incidents are most common shortly before landing or take-off when the jet engines are at top speed. A 12lb (five kg) goose striking an aircraft going 150 mph (240 km/h) at lift-off generates the force of a 1,000lb (450kg) weight dropped from a height of 10ft (three metres), according to Bird Strike Committee USA. Despite this, the number of accidents involving civil aircraft is low, estimated at one fatal accident in one billion flying hours. Around 65 per cent of bird strikes cause little damage to aircraft, but the blow is usually fatal to the bird. In experiments, they studied how flocks of cowbirds responded to model aircraft. They found that blue light was the most noticeable by birds, so they outfitted the aircraft in this colour. When the plane was stationary, the birds became alert more quickly when the lights were on. But when it approached them with its lights off, their response slowed - and they only became more alert when the lights were turned on. And the birds were also more likely to get out of the way of the aircraft when the lights were pulsing, rather than being continuous. The authors suggest that runways could be synced with aircraft to alert birds to incoming planes and avoid collisions. The lights could be off during taxiing but on during take-off, to help the birds move out of the way of the fast-moving planes. And they say their method could even help birds avoid collisions with buildings and wind turbines by also covering them in blue lights. The authors suggest that runways could be synced with aircraft to alert birds to incoming planes and avoid collisions (stock image shown). The lights could be off during taxiing but on during take-off, to help the birds move out of the way of the fast-moving planes. In the experiments, the researchers studied how flocks of cowbirds (stock image shown) responded to model aircraft. They were seeking to find a solution to the problem of birds colliding with aircraft, which causes £480 million ($700 million) worth of damage in the US alone. ‘In previous studies, we have demonstrated that avian response to vehicle approach can be enhanced by increasing the conspicuousness of the approaching vehicle with white lights,’ explained Dr. Fernández-Juricic, one of the authors of the study. ‘However, in this study, we followed a sensory ecology approach to establish a-priori a light that would be particularly conspicuous to our study species and tested the responses of individuals to this light tuned to their eyes. ‘In addition, we showed that by pulsing the light, we reduced the effects of high speeds on the ability of the animals to become alert to the approaching aircraft. ‘These findings hold implications for how we might enhance bird response to larger, faster aircraft.’

Study was conducted by scientists at Purdue University in Indiana. They were investigating how to reduce bird to aircraft collisions. Research showed that birds responded most to blue lights on planes. And turning the lights on while taking off - not before - had the best effect.

Support: Kai Windsor, now 10, with his mother Rachel. Like most boys, he always preferred football to dolls. But Kai Windsor started life as a girl – and knew from the age of three that he had been born into the wrong body. Christened Kaia, he would shun traditional girls’ toys in favour of kicking a ball around. By four, he refused to wear dresses – and at six he wanted his hair cut short and developed a boyish awkwardness around girls. By nine, he had finally broken the truth to his mother Rachel, 37, telling her: ‘I’m really a boy.’ Now, at the age of ten, Kai is set to undergo hormone treatment to halt puberty to stop him developing into a woman. Miss Windsor, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, said: ‘As a toddler, Kai only wanted to play ball. As a girl, he had no interest in any dolls and made a beeline for boy’s toys. ‘And as soon as he began school, he only wanted to wear trousers as the other boys did. Soon after, I noticed he went red whenever girls were around.’ Kai is not alone in facing gender problems. The number of transgender referrals to the NHS for children under 11 has quadrupled since 2009. Like many parents in her situation, Miss Windsor had never heard of children facing such issues. But the single mother, who runs a health juice business, said Kai had ‘amazing support’ from his primary school. He was given counselling when his schoolwork started to suffer, and later decided to confront the issue head-on. ‘They were the ones who suggested Kai should have counselling,’ she said. ‘Then when he came out as transgender, they sent a letter out to all the parents in his year to explain he now wanted to be referred to as a boy. ‘Staff then held a special lesson for all the year to explain about being transgender. And now they are even in the process of building unisex toilets to make life easier for Kai and other children like him.’ Kaia pretty in pink, aged four, pictured left, and dressing up as a pirate, at five, pictured right. When Kai was born there was no outward sign he was anything other than female. Miss Windsor, who also has a daughter Jasmine, 16, from a previous relationship, said: ‘As a toddler I usually put Kaia in dresses and bought her lots of dolls. Meanwhile, as her blonde hair grew, I put in pigtails. It simply never occurred to me she wouldn’t be as feminine as her sister.’ She added: ‘Looking back Kai knew then he was a boy. He had no interest in dolls, preferring to play with a football. And when we were out he’d head straight for the boy’s section in shops, asking for Spiderman toys.’ At seven, Kai wanted his hair cut shorter. But his grades started suffering and he was later given counselling at school. Within a few weeks, his behaviour and schoolwork improved and last year he officially became transgender after telling his mother one morning. Transgender Kai is now happy in his skin at last and is now set to undergo hormone treatment. Meanwhile, his grades immediately improved. ‘Once people stopped referring to Kai as a girl and he could just be the little boy he wanted, he was so much happier,’ she said. Kai is now set to have hormone treatment to curb puberty. If at the age of 16, he wants to complete the full transition to an adult man, he will be offered gender reassignment surgery. Miss Windsor added: ‘There have been plenty of tears. It is hard to see your child going through such turmoil. But whatever happens I will always be there to support Kai. ‘And right now it is just a wonderful relief to see him happy in his own skin at last.’

Kai Windsor knew from three that he had been born in the wrong body. By four he wouldn't wear dresses and by six he wanted to cut his hair short. Kai came out at school as a transgender and is now referred to as a boy. At age of 10 he is set to undergo hormone treatment to halt puberty.

Cate McGregor was surprised when she was unconditionally backed by the cricket community and the Australian Army. But it was Tony Abbott's response to her transformation from man to woman that knocked her for six. It took less than an hour for the federal Liberal leader to call Ms McGregor after she forwarded the chapter of her book that outed her. Ms McGregor recalled that very moment - during her address to the National Press Club on Wednesday - when the prime minister told her 'it was okay'. 'I actually said to him "your party won't be thrilled about this",' she said, the ABC reports. However the senior military official did not express the same kind of appraisal when it came to Mr Abbott's stance on same-sex marriage, saying she is 'sad' that he is not a supporter of it. Scroll down for video. Cate McGregor - now Group Captain in the Royal Australian Air Force - spent 40 years in the Army, most of those under the name Malcolm. Prime Minister Tony Abbott (left) publicly backed McGregor (right) by introducing her on ABC's Australian Story, when she detailed her struggles as a man and then as a trans-woman. Ms McGregor had put off discussing her gender dysmorphia with her long-time pal - a Catholic conservative who openly opposes same-sex marriage - and in hindsight 'grossly under-estimated his capacity for friendship'. 'He didn't run a focus group or ring (conservative Liberal members) Cory Bernardi or Kevin Andrews to see if it was ok,' McGregor says. 'There is a kind of a firefighter buried inside the politician still and he tends to barge into burning buildings if his friends are in there.' Mr Abbott publicly backed his friend by introducing her on ABC's Australian Story, when she detailed her struggles as a man and then as a trans-woman. Ms McGregor, now Group Captain in the Royal Australian Air Force, spent 40 years in the Army, most of those under the name Malcolm. In 2012, after years of drowning agonising pain with alcohol and drugs, McGregor stopped 'functioning' as a man and chose to live as a woman. She tried to resign from the office of former Chief of Army David Morrison when her transformation became public. He refused her resignation. 'It was easier to tell David Morrison I was transgendered than I was going to become an air force officer,' she said. 'I love the Army for that.' Mr Abbott sits with Ms McGregor to commentate during the International tour match between the Prime Minister's XI and England at Manuka Oval in Canberra last year. The senior officer addressed the National Press Club on Wednesday as part of a women in media series. McGregor a senior officer knows she's 'benefited enormously' from male privilege. But she'd willingly sacrifice it all to have lived as a woman from her early 20s. The cricket commentator, columnist and former staffer to Bob Carr, addressed the National Press Club on Wednesday as part of a women in media series. At times, she became tearful. But even through tears she had the room laughing. 'The hormones are obviously working,' she quipped. 'I guess if Michael Clarke had to cry during a eulogy, I get to do a weep.' McGregor believes Mr Abbott wasn't given the credit he deserved for publicly embracing her and risking a wedge within his own party. 'He received cynical abuse from some quarters,' she said. 'There's no denying it, he has been vilified and become a hate figure to some extent.' And she won't attack him publicly, including his stance on same-sex marriage or his performance as minister for women. 'The one thing I'm not going to do is shop a friend for a round of applause.' The ABC did however report that she said: 'He's not a supporter of gay marriage, I'm sad about that.'

Cate McGregor is a Group Captain in the Royal Australian Air Force. She spent 40 years in the army, most of those under the name Malcolm. In 2012, McGregor stopped 'functioning' as a man and lived as a woman. She tried to resign from the office when her transformation became public. Her resignation was refused by former Chief of Army David Morrison. McGregor believes Mr Abbott wasn't given the credit he deserved for publicly embracing her and risking a wedge within his own party. She addressed the National Press Club on Wednesday as part of a women in media series.

Hundreds of morning commuters in Boston were delayed today after a truck crashed on an elevated highway over subway and rail tracks. The box truck collided with a car on Interstate 93 southbound in the city's Dorchester neighborhood at about 6am, and both drivers were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. As officials didn't want to risk running trains under the over-hanging truck, replacement shuttle buses were run for southbound passengers with long queues forming. Scroll down for video. Aerieal shot: Hundreds of morning commuters in Boston were delayed today after a truck crashed on an elevated highway over subway and rail tracks. Overhanging: The box truck collided with a car on Interstate 93 southbound in the city's Dorchester neighborhood at about 6am, and both drivers were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Carol Hullum, who lives near the crash site, said the collision caused headaches for locals trying to get to work. 'I was just thinking too that the commuter rail is finally on time again, and now the poor people got on the train and now they're going to be delayed again,' she told WHDH News. On the highway there were also massive delays. Commuter woes: As officials didn't want to risk running trains under the over-hanging truck, replacement shuttle buses were run for southbound passengers with long lines forming. Even after the truck was towed by crane at about 8:30am, traffic remained backed up in both directions. The truck driver was identified as a 57-year-old Woburn man and the car driver was a 42-year-old Attleboro man. However, no names were released. State troopers are still investigating the incident and no charges have been filed.

The box truck collided with a car on Interstate 93 southbound in the city's Dorchester neighborhood at about 6am. Both drivers were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. As officials didn't want to risk running trains under the over-hanging truck, replacement shuttle buses were run for southbound passengers. On the highway there were also massive delays.

A digital art student has used Photoshop to show what her body might look like if she could mold it like modelling clay on a whim. Kelsey Higley, who studies art media at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, created a fascinating self-portrait of her body, showing what it would look like if it were digitally trimmed or augmented into various shapes considered beautiful. The 22-year-old's work, which is part of a project and has been published on video-sharing site Vimeo, shows just how different her frame might look if she had, for example, an hour-glass figure, or larger boobs. Scroll down for video. Before the process: Oklahoma University student Kelsey Higley, pictured above in her natural form, made a video entitled 'Manipulation' which showed her body digitally altered according to beauty trends. At its most extreme, Kelsey's body has a tiny waist, large breasts and large eyes. The project, entitled 'Manipulation' used 126 different images resulting in a video that was published on Vimeo. She even digitally alters her face, making her eyes appear much bigger than they are. The artist set her camera on a timer to take a photograph every seven seconds and posed as if she 'wanted to look like someone else'. The resulting video, entitled 'Manipulated', plays in a non-stop loop for over a minute and sees her proportions morphing into different shapes, often cartoon, highlighting the constantly changing beauty ideals that women face. Bigger boobs, smaller waist: Art Media student Kelsey made her body pliable by using photoshop to show what she'd look like with different proportions. The student artist browsed through hundreds of images of what might be considered beautiful and even changed the proportions of her eyes, seen as normal, left, and much bigger, right. Kelsey, who graduates in May, says that after spending 'countless hours' browsing magazines for body trends, she combined '126 digitally manipulated photos that create the illusion that I am molding my body like modeling clay.' She told entertainment and lifestyle website Hello Giggles: 'Being a young woman, I have had many battles with this idea of beauty. 'I’ll go through stages where all I want in life is to be super fit with rock hard abs and big boobs, then after a while I’ll flip to the other side and tell myself that I should love and embrace the body I have. This time Kelsey experiments with a nipped-in waist and small breasts. The artist took a different image every seven seconds to capture the video. Fantasy proportions: With big eyes and large breasts in one shot (left)...Kelsey then slims down her frame to be much more slender (right) 'But as soon as I start scrolling through the Internet, my mind is flooded with images of this impossible, "ideal" beauty.' She goes on to explain that 'the video goes through several stages of “beauty” as I receive conflicting opinions on what true beauty is. As I go back and forth, I end on my natural body and the video starts over.' The aim of the project, which has garnered an art award, she adds, is to illustrate 'the effects media and public opinions have on the way we look at ourselves.' 'I have chosen to use myself in this short to show my own inner conflict with beauty as I battle with the desire to look like someone else and the acceptance of my natural beauty.' The artist described the project as 'therapeutic' and said that it helped her to realise that her flaws are what make her human. Her next project will look at women in the workplace and includes a scold's bridle, a 1500s device used to punish nagging women.

Kelsey Higley filmed her body in 126 different digitally altered poses. Student wanted to show how body would look if she modeled it 'like clay' 'Manipulation' project challenges changing images of beauty. Vimeo video features nipped-in waist, large breasts and huge eyes.

Some teachers draw pictures on the whiteboard to explain new concepts to students. But one chemistry lecturer draws on her own skin, due to an unusual medical condition. Dr Zoe Waller, 31, who teaches pharmacy at the University of East Anglia, suffers from the skin condition dermatographia. This is a type of urticaria, or hives - where a raised, itchy rash appears on the skin at the slightest pressure. It is thought to be caused when the cells under the surface of the skin release histamines as part of an allergic reaction, causing the skin to swell. Dr Zoe Waller, 31, is a university lecturer and uses her own skin to teach her students about new drugs and molecules, as she suffers from the skin condition dermatographia. Whenever Dr Waller draws on the skin, her condition means raised red weals appear and she can create designs. She uploads them to social media and they are making waves across the university. However instead of hiding away her condition, Dr Waller is using it as a teaching aid. Her students are required to learn 100 drugs for their course and each day, she will draw a new one on her skin. Word of the unusual teaching method has spread across the university as well as social media where Dr Waller uploads her quirky designs. She said: 'I was only diagnosed with this two years ago and it's a pretty cool condition to have. 'Some people look at my arm and think I've been self-harming but it doesn't hurt at all. 'I use a blunt pencil or cocktail stick to create the detail needed for the composition of the drugs.' Dermographism or 'skin writing' is a type of urticaria, or hives - where a raised, itchy rash appears on the skin. Dermatographia is thought to be caused when the cells under the surface of the skin release histamines under the slightest pressure. Histamines are chemicals released in the body as part of an allergic reaction, causing the skin to swell. In this type of urticaria, itchy weals occur after friction such as rubbing or stroking the skin. This itching may be aggravated by heat. Weals and red marks also often appear as lines at the sites of scratching, and generally last for less than one hour.' Antihistamines block the effect of histamine, and reduce itching and the rash in most people, but may not relieve urticaria completely. If urticaria occurs frequently, it is best to take antihistamines regularly every day. The lecturer discovered her unusual skin condition after she started working at the University's school of pharmacy. She noticed her skin was itchy and irritated but the doctor couldn't remember the name of the condition he thought she had and sent her away with anti-histamines. She said: 'I was left confused after visiting the doctor. Then my friend in America sent me a link to Ariana Russell's work and I knew then that was what I had.' Ariana Russell is an artist in the USA who uses her own body and dermatographia to create artwork. Inspired by Ariana, Dr Waller set to work on her own project - creating science molecules and compounds for her students using her skin. Her students and fellow professors often ask her for requests which she happily draws on her skin. Dr Waller said: 'My skin might not be like this forever but it's a fun and unusual way of teaching my students and it grabs their attention a lot more than a text book would.' Dr Tabi Leslie, from the British Association of Dermatologists, explained that dermographism or 'skin writing' is a type of urticaria. She said: 'Raised red weals, which are caused by the release of histamine from cells in the skin called mast cells, appear at sights of friction, such as rubbing or stroking of the skin. 'This itching may also be aggravated by heat. 'Weals and red marks often appear as lines at the sites of scratching, and generally last for less than one hour. 'Antihistamines are used to reduce the itch and the rash, and are effective in most patients. People across the university have began to make requests for designs they want Dr Waller to draw on herself. 'However, antihistamines may not relieve the symptoms completely in all cases. 'In such cases, other treatments may need to be used in addition, or higher dosages of antihistamines may be prescribed than licensed recommendations suggest. 'Sufferers of dermographism may need to take antihistamines on a daily basis, as long as the symptoms persists. Usually, the non-sedating antihistamines are preferred as they have fewer side effects. 'Treatment needs to continue until the condition settles by itself which may take years. 'Your doctor will advise you on the best regime depending on the severity of your symptoms.' For more information of uticara, visit Allergy UK.

Zoe Waller, 31, has dermatographia and can draw designs on her own body. Condition is a type of urticaria - where an itchy rash appears after pressure. She says it 'doesn't hurt' and draws molecules on herself to teach students. Has become famous across her university and people now make requests.

An invitation to a White House state dinner has always been one of Washington's most sought-after tickets. There's the elegant setting, VIP guests in tuxedos and designer gowns and a four-course meal served up by America's most famous kitchen. But don't get your hopes up. President Barack Obama has held the fewest number of state dinners since Harry S. Truman, who left office 62 years ago. In his first six years, Obama held just seven state dinners and will hold at least two more this year: for the leaders of Japan, on April 28, and China, later in the year. Scroll down for video. Frugal entertainer: President Barack Obama (center) offers a toast on stage to French President Francois Hollande at the State Dinner on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Obama has held the fewest number of state dinners since Harry S. Truman, who left office 62 years ago. Obama hosted just seven. One of the lucky few: First lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama welcome French President Francois Hollande for a State Dinner at the North Portico of the White House in February 2014. Truman, who became president in 1945, held six dinners during nearly eight years in office. Shrouded in pageantry, a White House state dinner is the highest diplomatic honour the U.S. reserves for allies and other countries. It's also one of the most lavish affairs the government puts on. The State Department pays the entire tab, which averaged about $500,000 each for Obama's seven dinners, said White House spokesman Patrick Ventrell. Ventrell and others said cost was a concern when Obama took office in January 2009 amid the worst economic slide since the 1930s. Officials were sensitive to the economic distress blanketing the country and were looking for other ways the president could cement relationships with foreign leaders without spending hundreds of thousands of public dollars on an opulent black-tie dinner. Obama held his first state dinner toward the end of his first year in office, honoring then-Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Obama held his first state dinner toward the end of his first year in office, honouring then-Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (pictured, above with his wife Gursharan Kaur (far left) Other dinners included one for British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha in March 2012. Barack Obama has held seven state dinners so far and plans at least two more this year. 2009: Then-Indian PM Manmohan Singh. 2010: Then-Mexican President Felipe Calderon. 2011: Then-Chinese President Hu Jintao. 2011: German Chancellor Angela Merkel. 2011: Then-South Korean President Lee Myung-bak. 2012: British Prime Minister David Cameron. 2014: French President Francois Hollande. 2015: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, scheduled for April 28. 2015: Chinese President Xi Jinping. Later dinners were for Mexico, China, Germany, South Korea, Britain and France. Aides say Obama's overall level of engagement with foreign counterparts and the different ways he interacts with them is more important than the number of state dinners penciled on his calendar. 'State dinners are one tool of diplomacy that can be used and used effectively and sometimes we use them,' Ventrell said. Obama has met hundreds of times with his counterparts and other foreign officials in settings as formal as the Oval Office and as casual as a Hawaiian golf course. They also speak by phone. 'There's no concern that should be raised by the number of state dinners,' said Capricia Marshall, who led the State Department team that oversees visits by foreign dignitaries until she stepped down in 2013. Lyndon B. Johnson topped the 11 presidents who followed Truman, cramming 54 state dinners into his 62-month tenure in the Oval Office, White House Historical Association data show. Ronald Reagan, the actor-turned-politician who knew a thing or two about entertaining, held 52 dinners during two terms. Even Jimmy Carter, who liked to project an image of frugality, managed 28 state dinners in four years as president. A state dinner for a foreign leader marks the finale of a state visit, which opens with herald trumpets and cannon salutes on the South Lawn of the White House, followed by meetings, a joint news conference with the U.S. president and an elaborate State Department luncheon. Then comes the state dinner, where a tuxedo-clad president raises a glass and toasts relations between the countries in front of hundreds of invited guests, ranging from Cabinet secretaries and other senior administration officials to members of Congress, business leaders, celebrities and others, as well as the working media. President Gerald Ford dances with Queen Elizabeth during the state dinner in her honour in July 1976. 'Make no mistake about it: every country wants to have a state visit,' said Ann Stock, a White House social secretary under President Bill Clinton. Obama and recent presidents have used multiple formats and settings apart from a state dinner to forge ties with their counterparts. In 2013, Obama met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Sunnylands retreat in Southern California. Obama returned there the following year to consult with Jordan's King Abdullah II. Obama also took German Chancellor Angela Merkel to dinner at the upscale 1789 restaurant in Georgetown; French President Francois Hollande to the Virginia estate of Thomas Jefferson, a former president and former U.S. ambassador to France; and British Prime Minister David Cameron to an NCAA tournament game in Ohio. On Hawaii vacations, Obama has shared his golf game with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key. George W. Bush welcomed more than a dozen foreign leaders to his Texas ranch, which became a popular venue for Bush's brand of casual diplomacy. He even treated then-Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to a tour of Graceland, the Memphis, Tennessee, home of Elvis Presley, one of Koizumi's musical idols. Reagan welcomed Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to his Santa Barbara, California, ranch. Richard Nixon received Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev at his home in San Clemente, California. The origins of the state dinner were rooted in the the early 19th Century when they were held to honor the president's cabinet, Congress or other dignitaries, according to the White House Historical Association. At the time, the city consisted of a collection of isolated and separated villages that were almost inaaccessible, so large receptions or dinners were rare. It wasn't until the late 19th Century that the term state dinner referred specifically to a meal hosted by the president for a foreign head of state as the guest of honour. The first ruling monarch to attend a state dinner at the White House was King David Kalakaua of the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), hosted by President Ulysses S. Grant on December 12, 1874.

Obama's record is lowest since Truman left office in 1953 having hosted six. State Department pays cost of each event, which averages around $500,000. Obama concerned about expense during worst economic slide since 1930s.

Mad Men star Jon Hamm's secret college bullying shame has been exposed by court documents unearthed from the actor's time at the University of Texas at Austin. According to shocking arrest warrants and summons seen by Star magazine, the 44-year-old Golden Globe winner allegedly set fire to one pledge after viciously beating him and using a claw hammer to drag him by his genitals during a hazing ritual gone wrong. The documents claim that Hamm, 44, was eventually charged with assault in connection with the sadistic November 1990 initiation, but he managed to get the charges dismissed before he began his ascent to superstardom. Scroll down for video. College student: Jon Hamm is pictured here in the University of Texas at Austin yearbook for 1990 (left) - the same year he was allegedly involved in a hazing scandal at the Sigma Nu fraternity. The actor is pictured (right) this week. According to the explosive court documents, Hamm was in his sophomore year at UT-Austin when a prospective 21-year-old pledge was called to the Sigma Nu house at 2.30am. When he got there, according to Travis County Court documents, Hamm - who was then aged 20 - and other frat brothers ominously told him, 'It's going to be a long night!' The unidentified junior was then allegedly subjected to two hours of brutal physical attacks as part of his fiery baptism into the fraternity. The alleged victim told police that Hamm and other members hit him with a paddle 30 times and then lifted the pledge off the floor by his underwear, 'pulling it back and forth in a sawing motion', causing 'great pain'. The pledged then claimed that Hamm led him to a basement 'Pit' where he slammed the junior's face into the ground while he was doing push-ups and then allegedly stood on his spine with his full weight. Shockingly, after this, Hamm is then supposed to have set fire to the pledge's pants and refused to let him pat the flames down, but instead made him blow them out. Shame: The allegedly assault saw Hamm and seven other frat brothers set fire to a 21-year-old pledge and beat him with a paddle. At the end of the vicious hazing ritual, the pledge was taken to a part of the frat house called the 'Party Room' where Hamm 'hooked the claw of a hammer underneath his genitals and led him by the hammer around the room'. Allegedly not content with this, Hamm then went onto to break into another potential pledge's room that night and subjected him to a similar torturous initiation. However, the morning after, the mother of the first pledge was called to his room to find him 'hiding in a closet at his apartment, his buttocks and legs black with brusises.' Despit pleading with his mother not to go public, saying 'They'll come kill me!', she reported the incident to the police. High school senior: These pictures of Jon Hamm are from 1989, the year he graduated from John Burroughs School in Ladue, Missouri and one year before his admission to University of Texas at Austin. Early career:  Jon Hamm is pictured here on the 1996 show The Big Date - one year after he had his arrest warrant dismissed and six years after the alleged hazing incident. Huge hit: Man Men and the character of Don Draper has given Jon Hamm his biggest role to date - winning a Golden Globe for his work on the AMC series. Eight warrants were issued for Hamm and seven other frat members, which was shut down for a time after the alleged incident. Three members of Sigma Nu were sentenced to 30 days in prison for the hazing ritual and Hamm was eventually hit with hazing and assault charges in 1991. In the wake of the hazing incident, the Sigma Nu fraternity was shut down in 1990 after the pledge's mother made her son's alleged assault public by going to the police. In 1990, the AP reported that Sigma NU would close and that seven students were being punished after pledges were 'physically and psychologically attacked'. The-then national president of Sigma Nu, James Cherry, said that he was revoking the charter of its UT-Austin, saying, 'Basically, we're out of business on this campus'. 'But our fraternity was founded in opposition to hazing in 1869 and we will not tolerate any form of hazing today.' A warrant was issued for Hamm's arrest in 1992 but the actor reached a plea deal with authorities in 1995 and the charges were dismissed. He returned home to live with his family in Missouri and the actor - who recently emerged from a 30-day stint in a rehab facility - began his acting career. A friend told Star that although shocking, 'The hazing incident was an isolated incident in Jon's life. Since then, he's been strong enough to take steps to make himself a better person.' Hazing incident: Following the alleged assault of the 21-year-old pledge, the Sigma Nu fraternity at UT-Austin (pictured) was shut down. Recently, the Mad Men star has admitted that playing the complex role of Don Draper has taken its toll. In an interview he gave just weeks before he checked himself into rehab last month for 30 days, Hamm opened up about the effect that playing Madison Avenue ad man Don Draper had on his psyche. The 44-year-old star told Variety: 'Playing this guy does not come without its own difficulties, it’s not fun to live in this guy’s headspace year after year.' He added: 'People ask, "What’s the difference between you and Don?" Look, I drink, I get drunk. I’m not immune to that,. 'And (creator) Matt (Weiner) will tell you, the darkness in Don has not abated, it’s gotten worse year after year. It’s relentless. And it can be hard on you as a person. I love coming to work; I love the people I work with. But it’s been rough.' As he reflected on being offered similar roles and being typecast as the dark, brooding, alcoholic womanizing character, Jon revealed he wants to distance himself from that persona.

Mad Men star was charged with assault for November 1990 hazing incident. Allegedly viciously beat pledge for the Sigma Nu fraternity at UT-Austin. Hamm and other frat brothers put pledge through humiliating initiation. Allegedly struck him with a paddle 30-times and set fire to his pants. The alleged victim's mother called the police and arrest warrants issued. Hamm had a summons issued to him after he left UT-Austin in 1992. The incident led to the permanent closure of the Sigma Nu fraternity.

Nine council workers have been sacked for inappropriately accessing confidential social work files on tragic toddler Mikaeel Kular. The three-year-old was killed by his mother Rosdeep Adekoya, who beat him for being sick and left him to die in agony for three days before hiding his body in a suitcase and dumping it in woods. She then told police the boy had wandered off, sparking a huge manhunt before eventually leading officers to the body near Kirkcaldy in Fife, in January last year. Scroll down for video. Victim: Fife council workers looked at Mikaeel Kular's (left) confidential files after he was killed by his mother Rosdeep Adekoya (right) Police Scotland probed the claims and an internal investigation was launched by Fife Council last year when up to 25 staff were alleged to have accessed confidential social work files belonging to the youngster. It has now been revealed at least nine workers were subject to disciplinary action and subsequently dismissed after looking at documents relating to the high-profile case without permission. Adekoya, who had frequently left her children home alone to go to nightclubs and take cocaine, was jailed for 11 years in August last year but could be free within seven. She repeatedly beat her son before putting his lifeless body in a suitcase and leaving it in woodland behind her sister's home. Investigations found her internet history included searches 'I find it hard to love my son', 'I love all of my children except one', 'why am I so aggressive with my son' and 'get rid of bruises'. Five thousand local residents signed a petition protesting against the failure of prosecutors to pursue a murder charge against her. Social services were also widely criticised for failing Mikaeel after it emerged he was twice taken into care by social workers. At the time of the trial, the court was told how Fife social services monitored Adekoya and her young family until December 2013 – the month before Mikaeel's death. Tragic: Scores of tributes were left near to the youngster's home in Edinburgh following a massive search to find him. Grim discovery: The three-year-old's body was found in woodland behind his auntie's house in Fife. However, Adekoya was not on the radar of social workers in Edinburgh, despite having moved to the Scottish capital. Craig Munro, Executive Director of Education and Children's Services at Fife council said:. 'We have a clear internal process for dealing with discipline issues and we don't comment publicly on the individual circumstances of staff.' A seperate investigation into whether Mikaeel's death could have been prevented is due to be published in a matter of weeks. Police Scotland said they would not be taking the matter further. A spokesman said: 'No criminal complaint had been made so we consider it an internal matter for Fife Council.'

Fife Council launched internal investigation following accusations. Rosdeep Adekoya beat son Mikaeel to death then buried body in woods. Family were known to social services in Fife but had moved to Edinburgh. Police Scotland investigated 'data management' at the council.

Walter Scott was jailed in 1987 on a charge of assault and battery, it has been revealed. A report released by the Charleston County Sheriff's Department on Friday says deputies responded to a call about a fight between Scott and another man. When deputies told the two to break it up, the report states, Scott began shouting obscenities at the other man as well as a deputy before shoving the officer. Scott suffered a cut and was treated at a local hospital before being transported to the jail. The disposition of the case was not immediately known. Previous: Walter Scott was jailed in 1987 after shouting obscenities at a man and pushing a deputy. The news comes as another excessive force complaint, as well as a lawsuit, is filed against Michael Slager stemming from his time on the North Charleston Police Department. Slager is the white officer fired this week after being charged with murder in the shooting death of a black man that was captured in a dramatic video. Two years ago, a man said Slager used his stun gun against him without reason. On Friday, a Charleston County man came forward alleging that Slager did the same thing to him during a traffic stop last year. Justin Wilson's suit says that when he was pulled over by police Aug. 24, he produced a valid Georgia driver's license but was placed under arrest for having a suspended South Carolina license. The suit alleges that Wilson was pulled from his vehicle, forced to the ground and then, although he was cooperating with authorities, Slager shot him with his Taser. Wilson's lawyer said he would release a statement next week. The historic details are unraveling amid an ongoing investigation into Scott's fatal shooting on Saturday. No warrant had been issued for Walter Scott's arrest when he ran from Officer Michael Slager moments before he was shot dead. Court records show he was $7,500 behind on child support when he was pulled over on Saturday and had already been jailed three times for missing payments. His family believe the fear of being thrown back in prison was the reason he tried to flee during the deadly traffic stop. But there was nothing directing officers to bring him in to face a family court judge, despite the fact his last payment was only in 2012. Escape: Dashcam footage released on Thursday shows Walter Scott running away from his car minutes before he is shot dead by Officer Michael Sager. His family believed he fled over fears he would be arrested for being behind on child support payments. History: Scott had already been jailed three times over missed payments, but court records have revealed there was no warrant out for his arrest when he was pulled over. Minutes later he was shot dead. In 2008, after a traffic stop in which he was charged with an open-container violation and driving under suspension, he was sent to jail in Charleston for six months for failing to pay about $6,800. In 2011, bench warrants ordered deputies to bring him in, and Scott spent a night in jail when he was $7,500 behind. In 2012, he spent another night in jail when he owed $3,500. On Thursday a police dashboard camera video released Thursday shows Scott bolting from his Mercedes after he pulled over. The camera on Slager's patrol car captures him telling Scott his third brake light is broken, before asking him to produce insurance papers. Scott, who appears to be accompanied by a person in the passenger seat, explains he does not have any documents as he has yet to officially buy the car. 'I haven't bought it yet, I'm about to do that Monday.... My car is down,' he says. The officer appears calm, checks his licence, then tells him: 'I'll be right back with you.' When Slager returns to his vehicle, Scott flees, running towards the park where he would die moments later. Off camera, a scuffle can be heard, with shouts of 'Taser, Taser, Taser!' and 'Get on the ground!' Slager's account has been called into question after a shocking video taken by a witness shows the officer shooting Scott in the back. In the dash cam footage, captured from Slager's patrol car, the officer explains, 'The reason I've pulled you over is because your third brakelight is out.' The conversation is muffled, with music playing in Slager's car obscuring the sound. Horrifying: Scott was gunned down as he ran away from Sager, who has since been charged with his murder. Killing: Walter Scott, left, was killed by Michael Slager, right. Scott was in the Coast Guard for two years, and is pictured left in uniform. Slager is being held in jail on murder charges, and is pictured right in his prison mugshot. He can be heard asking Scott for his licence, registration and insurance card. Scott responds that he doesn't have papers as he has not yet to bought the car. 'Alright let me see your licence,' Slager replies. 'So you don't have any papers in the glove pocket?' Scott repeats that he does not and he is paying for the car on Monday. Slager returns to his car. A minute later, Scott opens the door, and gestures to Slager, who shouts, 'you've got to stay in the car!' Scott then sits back inside the car - and moments later flees. The only other footage of the incident shows the moment Scott was shot. Released earlier this week, it begins in the vacant lot apparently moments after Slager fires his Taser. Wires which administer the electrical current appear to be extending from Scott's body. As Scott turns to run, Slager draws his pistol and, only when he is 15 to 20 feet away, starts to fire the first of the eight shots at his back. The video shows Slager handcuffing Scott's lifeless body.

Walter Scott shouted obscenities at a man and pushed a deputy, was jailed. Report also shows he was $7,500 down on child support when he was shot. Had already been jailed three times for missing payments in 2011 and 2012. There was nothing directing officers to bring him to family court. Dashcam footage shows Scott running from his car after being pulled over. Minutes later Officer Slager shot him in the back in a nearby park.

A U.S. father who enlisted the help of social media users to record a message for his son from the tooth fairy - whom the youngster believes is from Australia - has thanked the man who answered his appeal. Jacob Hall invented the ruse that the tooth fairy lived thousands of kilometres away Down Under for his seven-year-old son, Evan, when he was late paying up the last time around. Father-of-three Jeff Pyrotek, from Seymour in Victoria, answered Mr Hall's call for help and uploaded his finished product on SoundCloud. Scroll down for audio. Jacob Hall, from Iowa, asked Australian redditors to make a recording from the tooth fairy for his son, Evan. Mr Hall, from Iowa, said his son was 'totally overjoyed' with the message. 'My son woke up this morning and found a reply to his letter saying "Evan, thank you for leaving me another tooth. I left something special for you on dad's phone",' Mr Hall said. 'He burst into my room and woke me up at 6am of course, frantically explaining to me that I have to check my phone because the tooth fairy told him so.' Mr Hall told Daily Mail Australia Evan had not stopped talking about his 'Australian tooth fairy' ever since this happened. He added he was 'so humbled' by the overwhelming response he had received. 'Initially, I hoped to get one or two responses to my request, but the outpouring of kind words and support from the [Australia subreddit] community was unbelievable,' Mr Hall said. Evan (pictured with dad Jacob), 7, believes the tooth fairy is from Australia because once the fabled creature was 'a little late' in coming to leave money for the child in exchange for his tooth. Jeff Pyrotek, from Seymour in Victoria, made the message for the little boy named Evan on the request of Mr Hall. Mr Hall said Evan believed the tooth fairy was from Down Under, so the U.S. father had to enlist the help of an Australian to compose the message. Mr Hall said his son had not stopped talking about his 'Australian tooth fairy' ever since this happened. 'The only problem was that last time he lost a tooth, the tooth fairy showed up a day late... so I told him his tooth fairy had to travel from Australia, and sometimes that can take a while,' he said. The man behind the recording told Daily Mail Australia he wanted to make Evan's day by recording the message. 'I was doing someone a favour and spreading love around the world,' Mr Pyrotek said. 'If I can make a child's life a bit happier and more magical, I'll do it. Children are the future of the world. 'It took five minutes of work that could make a kids day. It felt good doing it.' Mr Hall's post, which he uploaded under the psuedonym SafetySecond, has attracted more than 100 comments in less than 24 hours after social media users weighed in on what the message for Evan should be. He said his seven-year-old son wrote letters to the tooth fairy and he wanted to do something to 'really put a smile' on Evan's face. One redditor Captain A**ehole suggested: 'G'day little fella. Thanks fer wroitin' moi another great letter. All the teeth yer leave me are real shoiny, they're beaut. 'I know yer have a few teeth ter lose, but it won't be a problem for a little battler like yerself. 'Gotta get back down under now, me hubby is about ter run outta tinnies and strewth we wouldn't want that would we. Hooroo mate!' The tooth fairy (as played by The Rock in the 2010 movie, Tooth Fairy) is a fictional character who leaves money for children in exchange for their lost teeth. Mr Pyrotek, also known as thesuperevilclown, is a father-of-three who wanted to brighten a little boy's day. He said it took five minutes to record and clean it up before uploading it onto SoundCloud. It attracted 3,000 listens in 16 hours. While come_on_how offered up: 'Ow you goin', Evaan? Cheers for the letter, mate. 'All your teeth have been f**king gold champ, keep it up. 'I know you have a few of those buggers left; but I know you smash 'em out quick smart, huh? 'Have to head back down to the missus now; but I'll see your little mug again in no time.' But Mr Pyrotek settled on a message with less Australian slang. 'Hi Evan, thanks for writing me another great letter,' he is heard reciting in a broad Australian accent. 'All the teeth that you leave me are so shiny. I know you still have a few teeth to lose but that won't be a problem for a tough boy like you. 'I have to get back home to Australia now but I will talk to you again soon. Don't forget to brush your teeth. 'Thank you from the tooth fairy. By the way my name’s really Bruce.' The response to the recording has been overwhelming, with more than 3,000 plays in 16 hours.

Father wanted an Aussie to record a message from tooth fairy to his son. Jacob Hall, from Iowa in the U.S., made a call for help on website Reddit. Victoria's Jeff Pyrotek made a 20-second message as 'Bruce' the tooth fairy. Mr Pyrotek, who is a father-of-three, said he wanted to make the boy's day. So far, Mr Hall's message has attracted more than 100 comments on Reddit. Mr Hall said his son, Evan, believed the tooth fairy was from Australia. He explained last time Evan, 7, lost a tooth the fictional creature was late. So Mr Hall told him this happened because the fairy was from Down Under.

The girlfriend of a British man who bled to death in Thailand after injuring himself kicking a mirror in the bar where she works has denied having anything to do with the incident. Iain Mackay, 40, is believed to have argued with Nilobon Patty in a separate venue in Hua Hin, a resort some 125miles southwest of Bangkok, shortly before his death. Ms Patty, 35, also known as Patty Patrick, has been accused of 'indirectly causing his death' as seeing her with another man had angered Mr Mackay, but claims she has done nothing wrong. Tragic: Iain Mackay's Thai girlfriend Nilobon Patty, known as Patty Patrick, has denied any involvement in the death of the 40-year-old Scot. According to Ms Patty, the couple had been seeing each other for three years, but that Mr Mackay ended their relationship last month as his work overseas prevented him from settling down with her. She claims she was not with another man, but out with friends, when an 'obviously drunk' Mr Mackay appeared in the bar around 1am. Tragic: Mr Mackay, 40, allegedly got into a fight after discovering Ms Patty talking to another man. Ms Patty claims Mr Mackay, from Stornoway, Scotland, shouted at her, accused her of laughing at him, after which she decided to go home. Police informed her of Mr Mackay's incident in her place of work the next day, she told The Daily Record. 'I was told that Iain had gone there at 3am looking for me and I wasn't there,' she told the paper. 'People have been phoning me and making threats and saying I should leave Hua Hin. But I have done nothing wrong,' 'I don't know why anyone would say that I had anything to do with Iain's death. That is not true. It was just a terrible accident.' Thai police said Mr Mackay was in a rage when he cut himself with a piece of glass at a pool bar near to the venue where he had spotted Ms Patty and the mystery man. Friends of Mr Mackay say that had posted links to his Ms Patty's Facebook page on the evening of his incident which showed her pictured with another man. Onlookers called paramedics after he was found bleeding profusely at the pool shop but they were unable to save him. He later died in hospital. Officials said that no crime had been committed. Location: The resort where Mr Mackay died is in Hua Hin - a coastal city 125 miles south of Bangkok. Arguement: Mr Mackay bled to death after getting into a furious row at a bar in Hua Hin city. One friend said: 'Iain was obviously upset and referred to the woman who seemed to be his own girlfriend and a mystery man as lovers.' Mr Mackay, an underwater research specialist, is believed to have been employed by seismic research company Polarcus, which is based in Dubai. Sources at the company confirmed that Mr Mackay was on leave from his vessel and had told colleagues that he planned to spend his time off in Thailand. Thai officials said that Mr Mackay had died at 3pm on Saturday but relatives claim that they were told of his death on Friday. The Foreign Office also confirmed that Mr Mackay had died on Friday. A spokesman said: 'We can confirm the death of a British national in Hua Hin, Thailand, on April 3. We are providing consular assistance to the family at this sad time.'

Iain Mackay, 40, saw his Thai girlfriend talking to another man in a bar. Trio reportedly got into a furious argument at the coastal Hua Hin resort. Shortly afterwards Mr Mackay appeared in a nearby shop bleeding heavily. Was suffering injuries caused by shards of glass from a smashed mirror. Paramedics were called to the scene but he died in hospital hours later.

Bali Nine ringleaders Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan will today find out if their last-ditch legal appeal against their death row sentence will be allowed to proceed. A Jakarta court is due to decide whether the pair’s lawyers can challenge Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s decision to deny the two Australians clemency. The unusual appeal in the state administrative court is likely the pair's last legal avenue to save them from the firing squad for their part in the 2005 Bali Nine heroin smuggling bid. Sydney men Chan, 31, and Sukumaran, 33, are currently awaiting execution on the death island of Nusakambangan with seven other prisoners after they were transferred from their home of almost ten years – Bali’s notorious Kerobokan prison – in a dramatic show of force, over a month ago. Scroll down for video. Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran will find out if their last-ditch legal appeal against their Indoesian death row sentence will be allowed to proceed on Monday. Shackled and handcuffed: Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran cut sad figures as they were escorted by four faceless Indonesian police officers across the tarmac after being taken from Korobokan prison in Bali to their final destination, Death Island. The court in February rejected their legal challenge for clemency, determining the decrees by President Widodo were not within its jurisdiction. If it overturns this decision on Monday, lawyers will then argue Mr Joko did not fulfil his obligations when he issued a blanket rejection of clemency to Chan and Sukumaran, as he plans to do to more than 50 other death row drug offenders. If the court upholds its earlier decision, it's not known what move the lawyers will take next in their efforts to spare the men. Lawyer for Chan and Sukumaran, Leonard Arpan, last week said they had done their best for their Australian clients. President Joko Widodo previously rejected the Australian pair's clemency bids. The pair are currently being held in isolation on the prison island. Family members of Australian death row prisoners Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran leave Nusakambangan prison island after visiting the two prisoners on March 9. On Sunday, Jakarta's Catholic Archbishop, Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, told reporters he was saddened by Indonesia's use of the death penalty, which he described as a "failure of humanity". Also distressing for the archbishop was the severe treatment of Chan and Sukumaran when they were moved last month from their Bali jail cells to Nusakambangan, which involved a fighter jet escort. "These men were handcuffed, was it necessary to be guarded by Sukhoi?" he told reporters after his Easter Sunday service. A smiling Djoko Hariutomo, the police commissioner of the Balinese capital of Denpasar, poses for a photo with his hand upon the shoulder of condemned prisoner Andrew Chan inside the plane before take off for the Australian Bali Nine kingpin's final flight to the island where he will be executed. Surrounded by armed police officers officers and on the road of no return, 33-year-old Australia Myuran Sukumaran looks up at Bali police commissioner Djoko Hariutomo who posed with the two condemned Australians before their take off from Denpasar airport for the two hour flight to 'death island' "For me that's not strictness, for me that's very saddening because it's obvious that power wants to show itself and human dignity is not cherished." Jakarta is awaiting all of the 10 prisoners in line for the firing squad to run out of options for court appeals before setting a date for their executions. Sukumaran and Chan are facing execution alongside Filipino woman Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, French citizen Serge Areski Atlaoui, Ghanaian citizen Martin Anderson and the only Indonesian citizen among the group Zainal Abidin bin Mgs Mahmud Badarudin. Also facing the firing squad with the two Australians is Raheem Agbaje Salami, a Nigerian holding a Spanish passport, Brazilian citizen Rodrigo Gularte and Nigerian citizens Sylvester Obiekwe Nwolise and Okwudili Oyatanze. Seven of thE convicted criminal are (top row from left) Australians Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, Frenchman Serge Atlaoui and Brazilian Rodrigo Gularte (Bottom row from left) Nigerian Raheem Agbaje Salami, Filipina Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, and Nigerian Silvester Obiekwe Nwolise.

The two Australians are currently in isolation on death row in Indonesia. Were moved from Bali jail to the island they will be executed on last month. A Jakarta court will decide whether they can challenge clemency ruling. They are battling to overturn Indonesian President Joko Widodo's decision to deny the pair clemency.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard touched down in Brisbane Tuesday morning local time, putting on a show of unity amid rumors of marital woes just two months after they tied the knot. The couple were ready for their close-up as they left their private plane, walking hand-in-hand. Both Johnny, 51, and Amber, 28, were wearing their wedding bands, although missing from Amber's ring finger was the huge sparkler Johnny gave her on their engagement. The sighting comes just hours after People.com claimed they were 'leading separate lives' because they hadn't been photographed together in public since their February 3 nuptials. Together again: Johnny Depp and Amber Heard held hands as they arrived in Brisbane, Australia, on Tuesday morning local time. Putting rumors to rest: The couple, who were both wearing their wedding bands, hadn't been photographed together in more than two months, fueling speculation about the state of their marriage. Levi's 501 distressed jeans. Buy a similar style here. Visit site. Whether she's wearing a jaw droppingly gorgeous dress on the red carpet, or ripped jeans to catch a flight with her new husband, Amber Heard always looks every inch the A-lister. She arrived at Brisbane airport looking casual yet cool wearing some high waisted jeans with a white T-shirt tucked in, a cutesy leather belt and some printed loafers. If like us you live in jeans then you'll always be on the lookout for new styles to mix things up. There's only so many times you can wear classic black skinnies! But sometimes going back to basics is the best policy. Amber ripped up the rule book by wearing these distressed jeans by Levi's, the iconic American brand that has been dictating denim trends since 1853. If you want to make like Amber you can buy a similar pair of jeans by clicking the link, right.Or check out our other fave finds below. And don't make the mistake of thinking they're just for dressed down days. Why not style yours up with a Breton striped top, heels and a blazer? Halogen girlfriend jeans at Nordstrom. Visit site. ASOS Theo jeans (now $34) Visit site. River Island bleached ripped boyfriend jeans (now $30) Visit site. Topshop ripped jeans. Visit site. It had also previously been suggested in media reports that Johnny might have been in rehab after a round of partying in Brisbane while reprising his role as Jack Sparrow. He had been spotted partying up a storm at a number of musical events including a Foo Fighters concert in between his filming schedule. He also showed up for a Marilyn Manson show in Brisbane, even appearing on stage with the famous rock star. The actor flew back to LA after injuring his right wrist on March 10 and it had been thought he would only be gone for a couple of weeks, prompting more speculation about what was keeping him from the set of the Disney film. He returned Down Under Tuesday with his right hand still bandaged with a red bandana. Holding on tight: Johnny has to go back to work filming the fifth Pirates Of The Caribbean movie for Disney. It's being shot on Australia's Gold Coast. Wedded: Each made sure their wedding band was clearly visible as they disembarked from the private plane that flew them Down Under. Pushing back: The couple, who've been married for 10 weeks, put on a united front as they were whisked away from the airport. 'His return depended on his recuperation from surgery and when his physician allowed him to travel. It was entirely dependent on that,' said Michael Singer, a publicist for Jerry Bruckheimer Films as he announced the actor's arrival back in Australia. Rumors about the state of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's marriage ratcheted up a notch on Monday in the U.S, with fresh claims in the media that the couple spend more time apart than together. But it's clear the celebrity couple are anxious to put the rumors to rest. Amber, who turns  29 on Wednesday, is obviously planning to celebrate with her husband. Her appearance by his side as he returns to work is surely designed to dampen speculation that all is not well between them and to quash fears, reported by People.com on Monday, that Johnny had been struggling to control his partying during filming. Affectionate: The 51-year-old star placed a hand gently on his wife's back as she waved to fans who saw them arriving at Brisbane airport. I'm back: Johnny gave a thumbs up as he walked down the steps of his private jet. Birthday girl: Amber, who started dating Johnny after they fell for each other on the set of their film The Rum Diary, will celebrate her 29th birthday on Wednesday. In its article on Monday, People trumpeted that the pair spend more time apart than together while Page Six alleged that Amber's close relationship with a New York photographer is 'causing drama in her marriage.' It came after Amber turned up solo at the Tribeca Film Festival for the premiere of her movie When I Live My Life Over Again on Saturday and as Johnny failed to show up for work on schedule at the Australian set of the fifth Pirates Of The Caribbean. At the weekend, a report in Australia claimed that the star of the Disney franchise was a week overdue for his return Down Under. Sydney Confidential said Johnny failed to board his scheduled private charter flight from Los Angeles and 'has now been missing for a week'. Principal photography on the $250 million production had been scheduled to start again on April 20 but the fact the star hadn't shown up by then only added to the rumor mill. Scroll down for video. Solo: Amber showed up without husband Johnny for Saturday's premiere of her film When I Live My Life Over Again at the Tribeca Film Festival. Sparkling: The blonde beauty, who is openly bisexual, was wearing her wedding band and her huge diamond engagement ring when she walked the red carpet solo at the film festival. Where's Johnny? Johnny, seen boarding a plane in Brisbane bound for LA back in March after injuring his wrist while filming the new Pirates Of The Caribbean film. People.com poured more fuel on the fire Monday when the magazine quoted an unnamed insider who confirmed the actor was still in LA. 'There are rumors on the set that he was in rehab,' the insider told the publication. 'As soon as Johnny arrived in Australia, he was partying hard,' the insider said. 'After he got injured, no one was surprised. He didn't seem to care at all about filming and was all about partying.' Rocking and rolling: The Pirates Of The Caribbean star joined Marilyn Manson on  stage at his Brisbane concert last month. Having a good time: Johnny also attended a Foo Fighters concert in the Queensland capital in between his filming schedule. Amber and Johnny legally married at the 21 Jump Street star's LA home on February 3 and then jetted off to his private island in The Bahamas for a more traditional celebration a few days after. But according to the People. com story, their busy schedules cut the honeymoon period short with Amber heading to London to shoot The Danish Girl and Johnny going back to LA. An unnamed source told the magazine that 'it's not surprising' the two aren't spending much time together. 'They seemed to have a lot of relationship problems in the months leading up to the wedding,' the source says. 'When the wedding finally happened in February, it had been postponed several times. ... Amber had her wedding dress for months before they settled on a wedding date.' Trouble in Paradise? Published reports on Monday suggested that the celebrity couple, seen here at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on January 26, were 'leading separate lives' Island getaway: After legally tying the knot in LA on February 3, the couple had another ceremony on Johnny's private island in The Bahamas. But a few days later, they went their separate ways due to career commitments. The New York Post's Page Six alleged that Amber's close friendship with photographer Io Tillett Wright is another reason there is tension between the two stars. It reported that the openly bisexual actress became friends with Wright in 2012, the same year she started dating Johnny, and that the actor and activist once stayed in the actor's guest house. A source told Page Six that Johnny  'doesn’t like Io' and believed Amber and he 'were spending too much time together for it to be comfortable.' Wright eventually moved out of Depp’s guest house. Close friends: The Rum Diary actress and actor, photographer and LGBT activist Io Tillett Wright have been spending time together in New York. Wright shared this snap of the pair on his social media accounts on Friday. On Friday, Wright posted a selfie with the actress grabbing his hair in one hand and getting close to him with her red lipstick mouth wide open  and her eyes closed. Alongside the photo that Wright shared on social media, he wrote: 'I am so proud of my love Amber Heard, for her performances, for defying stereotype, and for being a strong, out bisexual woman in a world that wants her to pick a team. 'It’s a big week for this birthday girl, and I’m so grateful to call her my family.' Heady romance: The 21 Jump Street star split with longtime partner Vanessa Paradis, with whom he has two children, after falling for Amber on the set of their film The Rum Diary in 2012. They're seen here in May 2014.

The couple held hands as they arrived at Brisbane airport. Both wore their wedding bands. Johnny and Amber's show of togetherness clearly aims to quash rumors that their two-month marriage is in trouble. The Pirates Of The Caribbean star still had his injured right hand bandaged in a red bandana. A publicist for the Disney film announced the return of the leading man was 'entirely dependent' on his recovery from surgery. The pair had been the subject of several stories in the media Monday about the state of their relationship.

The widow of a cyclist killed after hitting a pothole during a charity ride from Land's End to John O'Groats has won a six-figure payout from the council who failed to mend the road. Martyn Uzzell, 51, died instantly after he was thrown into path of a car by a four-inch deep pothole. Just a month before the tragedy, the council sent workers to inspect the hole after police said it was a hazard. But it was decided that immediate repairs were not necessary. Kate Uzzell has received a six-figure payout after her husband Martyn (both pictured) was killed during a charity cycle ride when he was thrown into the path of a four-inch deep pothole. Tragedy: Experienced cyclist Mr Uzzell, 51, was riding from Land's End to John O'Groats for Macmillan Cancer Support when he died. Coroner Rob Turnbull told Mr Uzzell's inquest last year that there was ‘no doubt whatsoever that the condition of the road on that occasion was the cause of the incident’. He said the pothole, which surrounded a roadside drain on the A65 near Giggleswick, North Yorkshire, had ‘existed for some time prior to the accident’. A month before the tragedy in 2011, a traffic policeman saw the hole and his control room alerted their council counterparts, but the alert was not passed on to the highway inspection team. In the following weeks, the council inspected the road twice but failed to take any action before Mr Uzzell cycled along it with two friends raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. He was flung from his bicycle by the pothole, landing in the path of a car and suffering fatal head injuries. His widow Kate Uzzell, 49, from Clevedon, North Somerset, has now reached an out of court settlement with North Yorkshire County Council. However the local authority is still refusing to apologise for the state of the road in the lead up to the cyclist's death. A coroner previously ruled that the state of the A65 (pictured), near Giggleswick, North Yorkshire, was 'the cause of the incident' After the inquest last year, Mrs Uzzell said the death of her husband, an experienced cyclist and service engineer, was preventable. She said: 'It is simply disgraceful that a pothole on such a busy road was allowed to go unrepaired. This should not have happened. 'My husband was an experienced cyclist and was out doing what he loved, while raising money for charities close to his heart, but it has cost him his life. The council inspected the pothole in the weeks before Mr Uzzell's (pictured) death but decided it did not need repairing. 'I am told a policeman had reported the pothole on two occasions to the council but nothing was done. The road was also inspected monthly as it is an A-road, but despite the danger being recorded in May it wasn't repaired. 'To make it worse there was another inspection in June carried out in a vehicle going at 25mph down the other side of the three lane carriageway. 'No attempt was made to check an already identified defect, how can this be acceptable? 'Ultimately my husband lost his life because the council did not repair this pothole, despite being warned it was a potential danger, and I would like to know why something wasn't done. 'I do not want anyone else to lose a loved one because the roads have not been properly maintained,' she added. The Crown Prosecution Service concluded the failings by the council should not lead to a corporate manslaughter case or any other charges. Mrs Uzzell said the decision had left her devastated: 'My husband has died yet it seems no one is being held to account as to how this was allowed to happen. 'I have lost my best friend and soul mate, a lovely person, who bought joy to my life, I am now lost and lonely without Martyn. 'And it isn't just me. Martyn's entire family is also suffering the loss of someone very special.' A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire County Council said: 'Whilst North Yorkshire County Council accepts no liability for the tragic death of Mr Uzzell, the authority has appreciated that this is a sensitive matter and has therefore reached a settlement with Mr Uzzell’s widow, to avoid prolonged involvement in further litigation. 'The county council operates a highways maintenance programme that includes a robust system of inspection. 'We continue to maintain and review that inspection regime to ensure the safety of routes for the travelling public.’

Martyn Uzzell died instantly when a 4in pothole threw him into path of a car. Cyclist was riding from Land's End to John O'Groats for charity in 2011. His widow Kate has now been awarded a six-figure payout from the council. But North Yorkshire County Council still refuses to apologise despite coroner ruling the state of the road was to blame.

An Ohio middle school is being criticized after it decided to remove the word 'feminist' from a T-shirt an eighth grade girl wore in her class photo. Sophie Thomas wore the black shirt in March when she was having her picture taken at Clermont Northeastern Middle School in Batavia. When the students got their class photos this week, she saw the word had been removed from her shirt with Photoshop. Sophie Thomas (center) wore a shirt with the word 'feminist' on it for class photo day at her middle school. Administrators at Clermont Northeastern Middle School in Batavia, Ohio, had word removed from her shirt. Thomas had worn the shirt to school in the past without any problems, FOX19 NOW reported. School principal Kendra Young said the word was removed to 'prevent any unintended controversies'. Thomas, an eighth grader at the school, had worn the shirt in the past without having any problems. The school claimed it told Thomas the word was going to be removed from her shirt, but she said that is not the case, as does her mother, according to TODAY.com. Christine Thomas said her daughter only met with school officials after the doctored photo was released. Thomas said: 'I was upset. 'I went to the principal's office and she told me she blacked it out because it's offensive to some people.' Ralph Shell, the superintendent of the Clermont Northeastern School District, said the situation was 'blown out of proportion', BuzzFeed News reported. He added: 'We took the photo and she was in the front row with the T-shirt on, and it was just not a flattering picture.' On April 17, Thomas asked people to post photos using the #IDESERVEFREEDOMOFEXPRESSION hashtag. On Friday, April 17, Thomas asked people who found the school's decision distasteful to wear a shirt showing their support for feminism or freedom of expression and post photos with the hashtag #IDESERVEFREEDOMOFEXPRESSION. The photos were collected on Instagram. She said: 'People around here misconstrue the word [feminism].' 'Like, 'Oh, you're a feminist so you hate men.' 'I just want to spread equality, and a lot of people here don't agree with me.'

Sophie Thomas attends Clermont Northeastern Middle School in Batavia. She wore a black shirt bearing word for school picture day back in March. When students got photos this week, word was removed with Photoshop. Administrators said they asked to remove word, a claim Thomas disputes.

Customers at a Rio de Janeiro snack bar were unwittingly eating pastries made from the meat of stray dogs, police said today. Officers investigating the popular fast food house reportedly found boxes containing the frozen carcasses of dozens of dogs. The canines, which appeared to have been killed with blows to the head, were used for the fillings of 'pastels', a traditional Brazilian stuffed pastry which is deep-fried and normally made with ground beef. Officers investigating the Rio de Janeiro snack bar reportedly found boxes containing the frozen carcasses of dozens of dogs (pictured) According to police, owner Chinese Van Ruilonc admitted to making the snacks from dog meat, adding that the animals were strays he had rounded up from streets in the city, which will host next year's Olympic Games. Ruilonc, 32, is reportedly one of a group of Chinese businessmen who own dozens of pastry houses in Rio de Janeiro, including at least one in the beachside tourist district of Copacabana. The discovery at the eatery in Rio's northern district of Parada de Lucas was made after officers arrived to investigate claims trafficked Chinese workers were forced to live and work in slave-like conditions. The canines, which appeared to have been killed with blows to the head, were used as meat at the fast food bar owned by Van Ruilonc. Police found a cage in the back of the establishment where workers were incarcerated, and made to work 18 hours a day without pay. Public prosecutor Guadalupe Louro Couto said officers were shocked at what they found. He said: 'I've seen lots of bad things, but what I saw in that pastry house was worse than everything. To start with, there was a cell, like a jail, with bars and padlock, set up inside the snack bar, where the worker was imprisoned. 'Apart from this, he lived with the stench of dead dogs, which were kept in the same room. I couldn't stand it. I started to feel ill and asked to leave. 'When we started to open the polystyrene boxes, we saw the frozen dogs. 'We were perplexed. There were various crimes being committed there.' Dog meat was used for the fillings of 'pastels', a traditional Brazilian stuffed pastry which is deep-fried and normally made with ground beef (stock picture)

WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT. Police in Brazil found frozen carcasses of dozens of dogs at the restaurant. Chinese owner Van Ruilonc admitted making pasties out of stray canines. Dog meat would be sold to unwitting customers at the fast food outlet.

'Loneliness maps' are being used to tackle the problem of elderly people being left alone by working out which areas' residents are most at risk. Health experts have warned that being socially isolated can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, leading to an increased risk of problems such as dementia and high blood pressure. Now campaigners say that local councils should draw up maps of the places where pensioners and others are most likely to suffer from social isolation. Map: This 'loneliness map' was drawn up by Essex County Council showing the areas where residents are most vulnerable to becoming socially isolated. Two county councils, Essex and Gloucestershire, have already implemented the maps, which allow them to target 'danger zones' of loneliness. A new report from the University of Kent and the Campaign to End Loneliness recommends the maps as a way of treating the problem across the country. In Gloucestershire, council bosses compiled the maps by studying statistics on a range of public health factors which are often linked to lonely people. They looked for areas with large numbers of over-65s, people living alone, people suffering from mental illness, households with no car and people on a low income. Danger: Being lonely can lead to health problems including dementia (picture posed by model) The council also surveyed residents to identify those who rarely speak to their neighbours, are unsatisfied with their social life and say they don't have someone to talk to. They then combined all those factors to map the districts where people are most likely to be suffering from loneliness, with the most vulnerable areas marked in red. A spokesman for the council said: 'Targeting local people who need our help the most is a priority for us in Gloucestershire and we are always looking at new ways to reach them. 'The map we've adapted from a model by Essex County Council means that we can work out how many people could be lonely and where those people need us most.' The Campaign to End Loneliness has now called on other councils to copy the maps and draw up their own versions for their local area. The campaign's director Laura Alcock-Ferguson said: 'Finding people who are experiencing loneliness can be challenging, as they are often also some of the most hidden people in our communities. 'However, it is encouraging that, across the country, there are excellent examples of councils that are employing different strategies to identify residents most at risk of loneliness. 'If local councils and services do not act now to find the people experiencing severe loneliness, we are likely to see the consequences in our hospitals and social care services.' The report identifies a number of other risk factors that might make people more likely to suffer from chronic loneliness. People from ethnic minorities, those recently bereaved or forced to care for their loved ones and childless pensioners are particularly susceptible.

Local councils are urged to draw up maps of the residents who are at risk. Essex and Gloucestershire have already made 'loneliness maps' Experts warn that being lonely can lead to serious health problems.

A couple of wartime sweethearts who were married for almost 72 years have been buried next to each other after dying days apart. Ronald Pearson and his wife Miriam met at an evening dance while he was serving in the RAF police and she the Auxiliary Territorial Service during the Second World War. They married in 1943 and settled in Broughton near Chester, welcoming their daughter two years after celebrating VE day. After almost 72 years together, Mrs Pearson, 95, died last month. Her husband followed two days later aged 94. Ronald and Miriam Pearson died last month within two days of each other. The couple, who met during the war, had been married for almost 72 years. Mr and Mrs Pearson met during the War when he was working as a sergeant for the RAF police and she a driver for the Auxiliary Territorial Service. Their marriage was described as 'the greatest true love story' at a joint funeral held at Blacon Crematorium which saw the couple buried side by side. 'It's nice that they are going together; it's what they would have wanted. They'll be next to each other, like they always were,' said their daughter, Jenny Ledger, 68. Their daughter, Jenny Ledger, 68, said: 'It's nice that they are going together; it's what they would have wanted. They'll be next to each other, like they always were.' Mr and Mrs Pearson met in Buckley in North Wales during the Second World War. At the time he was a sergeant in the RAF police, and she a driver for the Auxiliary Territorial Service based in Kinmel Park near Abergele. After meeting at the Albert Hall dance hall, they married before the war was over. Taking the service, funeral celebrant Mary McDonald said Mr Pearson had seen 'a lovely young woman and went over to ask her to dance'. 'That was the beginning of a beautiful love story - one that lasted over 70 years. They never looked back. They both knew they were meant for each other.' After marrying before the end of the war the couple settled in Broughton near Chester to raise their 'adored' family. They went on to have two children, Jennifer and Mark, with Mr Pearson taking up work with British Aerospace in Broughton. After welcoming five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, the couple remained in their home until October, when they both moved to Countess of Chester Hospital, Cheshire. Mrs Pearson died on March 13, her husband following just two days later. At the service at Blacon Crematorium, family members paid tribute to the 'inseparable' couple. Great granddaughter Amy Griffiths read a personal tribute recalling a kaleidoscope of memories, including caravan holidays, football and cricket on the beach and 'always a polo mint in Grandad's pocket'. 'Never been apart - together for ever and always in life and afterlife,' she wrote. 'The greatest true love story.' Concluding the service, Mrs McDonald said: 'They left their earthly lives together. 'They could not be separated.' They were buried in a joint funeral this week where mourners heard how theirs was the 'greatest true love story'

Ronald Pearson and his wife Miriam met and were married during WWII. He was a sergeant in the RAF police while she worked as a driver for ATS. The 'inseparable' couple settled in Broughton near Chester to raise family. They died last month within two days of each other at the ages of 94 and 95. Their marriage was described as 'greatest true love story' at joint funeral.

A legal stoush looms between Perth Glory and Football Federation Australia after the A-League club was booted out of the finals for cheating the salary cap. Glory were fined $269,000 and relegated to seventh spot on the table after being found guilty of rorting the salary cap over the previous three years. As the club suffered a 3 - 0 defeat to Sydney on Friday night, fans set off a series of flares, unimpressed by attempts by officials to placate them. Perth were found to have exceeded the cap by around $400,000 this season alone, with FFA claiming the club failed to disclose payments and benefits to at least six players. FFA chief executive David Gallop said he expects Perth's management to be removed in the wake of the mess. Perth Glory will be excluded from the A-League finals after breaching the salary cap over three seasons. Chief Executive Jason Brewer speaking at a press conference at the Perth Glory Head Office on Friday. But Glory revealed on Friday night that they have filed with the Supreme Court of Western Australia seeking an injunction against FFA's verdict. If that falls flat, Glory will go through the FFA's appeals process in a bid to either overturn the decision, or reduce the penalty. 'This season, our player payments, paid under the salary cap, are forecast to be below that salary cap threshold of $2.55 million,' Glory chief executive Jason Brewer said. 'All the payments this club makes - to its coaches, players, administrative staff - are all made through the club's accounts here. '(They are) made by our finance department, recorded in our ledger, and those amounts are all audited at the end of the year by an independent auditor. 'We go into the next games on the basis that for all Perth Glory fans out there, our players are playing for points.' FFA chief executive David Gallop said he expects Perth's management to be removed in the wake of the mess. December 17: Fairfax publishes a report claiming it has seen documents showing Perth Glory may have exceeded the salary cap for up to three seasons. It claims Glory failed to disclose numerous benefits it paid to players and their agents. February 12: FFA issues Glory with show-cause notice alleging the club failed to disclose numerous benefits to players over a three-year period. Perth Glory chief executive Jason Brewer claims the club will still be well under the salary cap even if these other costs are included. February 16: FFA staff head to Perth's offices to conduct a salary cap audit. April 1: FFA issues Glory with second show-cause notice relating to alleged serious breaches. FFA claims Glory failed to disclose reportable payments and significantly exceeded the salary cap. April 8: Glory responds to second show-cause notice, but only after being granted a two-hour extension of their deadline. April 10: FFA hands down the heaviest penalties in A-League history after finding Glory deliberately and consistently cheated the salary cap. Glory announces appeal process has started. Gallop earlier claimed Perth deliberately hid salary cap rorting for three seasons and deserved to be banned from this season's finals. 'The breach this season involves the deliberate failure to disclose payments and benefits to at least six players,' Gallop said. 'Where you've got deliberate concealment, you need to impose strict penalties to send a deterrent. 'Certainly it would be clear that the management have engaged in these practices and, in our view, it would be unlikely that management would stay in place.' Glory face a $269,000 fine and relegated to seventh spot after being found guilty of rorting the salary cap. Glory were sitting equal first at the time of the punishment, but they will now finish the season in seventh spot unless they successfully appeal. Should the original punishment stand, Brisbane Roar are likely to sneak into the finals. The FFA said in addition to the deliberate salary cap breaches, Perth also broke rules regarding the disclosure of payments in the 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons. The peak governing body said Perth were guilty of three breaches, including payments outside of a standard player contract; payments to a player's family member; payments of travel costs; provision of motor vehicles; and accommodation benefits.

Perth Glory will be excluded from the finals after breaching the salary cap. Perth were found to have exceeded the cap by $400,000 this season alone. Glory were fined $269,000 and relegated to seventh spot on the table. FFA chief executive said he expects Perth's management to be removed in the wake of the mess.

Saturday Night Live poked fun at Hillary Clinton just hours before she is set to announce she is running for president, by mocking her decision to tell the world via social media. The former Secretary of State, played by Kate McKinnon, and one of her advisers, played by Vanessa Bayer, discuss how she will declare her intentions at noon on Sunday following years of speculation. The pair decide to record a cellphone video of the Democrat for her campaign launch in a bid to make her come across as soft and approachable, following concerns she will not be able to relate to ordinary voters. During the scene, which includes a cameo from her husband Bill, they insist her second run at the White House will be about the people and not centered around her. But, despite desperate attempts to not be self-centered, Clinton seems incapable of talking about anyone but herself and brushes off her potential competitors. The show took aim at the 67-year-old as she is expected to reveal via video that she is taking another stab at what she believes is 'the highest and hardest glass ceiling'. Saturday Night Live skewered the news that Hillary Clinton would be announcing her presidential campaign on social media this week. The show portrayed the former Secretary of State as aggressive and driven, saying things like; 'Citizens, you will elect me' Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Barbra Streisand and Former US President Bill Clinton at a 2013 event. It is believed she will have a string of celebrity backers for her second White House bid. Barack Obama has already given her his backing by saying he believes she will be an 'excellent president', but the comedians on the NBC show latched onto a memo that was made public on Saturday, saying her campaign will be humble and about 'everyday Americans'. After decades in the public eye, and stints in political offices, she faces a challenge showing her more down-to-earth side. On her first try at recording the video she screams in a dictatorial manner: 'Citizens, you will elect me. I will be your leader.' For the second attempt, they try to get Clinton to stop saying 'I' or her name, but she also fails immediately. 'Hello, 'tis I, Hillary Clinton,' she says. The two women are then joined by Bill Clinton (Darrel Hammond), who sneaks up behind his wife as she is filming. He says how grateful he is that camera phones did not exist when he was president - because he would probably be in jail if they were. The former president tells America in his wife's video: 'Hillary would make a great president. And I would make an even greater first dude.' From there they decide to make talk about how difficult the election will be, and the tough challenges Clinton will face from other Democrats. She starts talking about potential rival Martin O'Malley, the former Maryland governor, but the starts laughing, saying: 'He sounds like a Simpsons character.' Her husband makes a second appearance at this point with his saxophone, playing the theme tune to The Simpsons and revealing that he will be his wife's Vice President. He adds that when she dies it will be 'Bill Clinton 2: Bigger and blacker.' After trying to quiet her husband, Clinton gives in and says; 'Who are we kidding? Buckle up America, cause the Clintons are back.' She then goes over one more problem she has with her adviser - the fact she cannot be her own vice president. Bill Clinton was also featured in the skit, urging America to elect Hillary so he could be her vice president. He adds that he will make a great 'First Dude' Once she formally announces her campaign, Clinton, like all major presidential hopefuls, will no doubt be making an appearance on the show, which this week was hosted by Empire star Tarji P. Henson. However she has been targeted by Saturday Night Live many times before. Just four weeks ago she was skewered on opening sketch following revelations over her personal emails. At the beginning of a mock interview the politician describes herself as a 'relatable woman on a couch'. 'Those emails are as clean as a whistle. What did you think those emails said? 'Hey it's Hilary I really screwed up on Benghazi'.' Former Maryland governor Martin O'Malley took to Twitter on Sunday after the actress playing Clinton compared him to a 'Simpsons character' during the sketch. Referencing her probable run for president, she also insists: 'There will be no mistakes in my rise to the top.' Speaking about the release of the emails, following pressure from her opponents and the media, she says: 'Go ahead, read them, you won't find squat.' When she announces she will likely become the overwhelming favorite to win her party's nomination, with no stiff opponents expected to face her in the primaries. She will inevitably have a number of celebrity backers who will stage fundraisers for her in the coming months with reports suggesting she is looking to raise $1.1billion - double the amount Obama spent on his re-election campaign in 2012. Among them are high-profile Hollywood backers including director Steven Spielberg, and actors George Clooney, Barbra Streisand and Tom Hanks. The November 2016 election will emphasize her plans to address economic inequality and will tout the historic nature of her bid to become the first woman U.S. president, aides have said. 'Who are we kidding? Buckle up America, cause the Clintons are back,' says Hillary in the end of the skit. Clinton will also have to quell a controversy over her work use of a private email account while secretary of state, which Republicans have said is a sign of her penchant for secrecy. Clinton has said she used the single email account for convenience and should have used government email, but violated no rules. Clinton, who lost a heavyweight Democratic nominating battle to Barack Obama in 2008, will announce her campaign on video and social media, a Democrat familiar with her plans said. She will travel later in the week to Iowa, which holds the first nominating contest in early 2016. In a memo made public on Saturday, Clinton's campaign manager Robby Mook told staff while the goal was for Clinton to win the presidency, the campaign was not about her. 'We are humble: we take nothing for granted, we are never afraid to lose, we always out-compete and fight for every vote we can win. We know this campaign will be won on the ground, in states,' he said in the campaign memo, titled 'We Are Hillary for America.' Many Democrats have eagerly awaited Sunday's announcement since the day in June 2008 when Clinton pulled out of her primary battle against Obama with an expression of regret that she could not crack 'that highest and hardest glass ceiling this time.' Opinion polls show Clinton has a huge lead over potential 2016 Democratic rivals, and few are expected to enter the race. A Reuters-Ipos tracking poll shows Clinton backed by more than 60 percent of Democrats. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a favorite of liberals but who says she is not running, is a distant second at 18 percent. So far, former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and former U.S. Senator Jim Webb of Virginia, whose support languishes in single digits in polls, are the most prominent contenders to take steps toward challenging her. Republicans have been gearing up for the battle, and a big field of Republican presidential contenders is expected. Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky have been the first to formally enter the race, and Senator Marco Rubio of Florida will jump in on Monday. Clinton operatives have already begun reaching out to top bundlers to urge them to start calling people in their donor networks, a source familiar with the matter said. At least one West Coast bundler began making calls to top donors this past week, and will place another round of calls after the announcement Sunday, the source said. She also intends to sell herself as being able to work with Congress, businesses and world leaders. In New York on Saturday, at the final event put on by 'Ready for Hillary,' a group not connected with her campaign that's worked for the past few years to stoke excitement for it, enthusiastic supporters joined elected officials and local party leaders to celebrate the launch to come. 'After she left the State Department she could have slipped into grandmother-hood, but people want to call her back into public service,' said Jarret Berg, 29, a Democratic staffer in the New York legislature. 'It's time for her.' As her official announcement loomed, the Republican National Committee linked Clinton to Obama, a regular focus of criticism from the GOP. 'All Hillary Clinton is offering is a continuation of the same big government ideas that have grown Washington instead of the middle class,' RNC spokesman Michael Short said in a statement Saturday. 'That's why voters want fresh leadership and a new direction, not four more years of Obama's failed policies.' Clinton (pictured on UN Woman's day on March 10 addressing the email scandal) is expected to be the clear front runner from the Democratic nomination.

Opening sketch had former First Lady and adviser discussing campaign. Politician, played by Kate McKinnon, tries to record a personable announcement video on her cellphone. Fails in her bid to come across as soft and approachable in the clip. Compares potential rival Martin O'Malley to a Simpsons character. Her husband Bill then enters the room much to Hillary's dismay. Says he is grateful camera phones weren't around when he was president. Sketch came hours before she's set to reveal she is running.

'Washington's horribly broken,' Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul said Tuesday, but it came in the midst of a TV interview broken up by prickly moments and interruptions. Paul, who launched his presidential campaign Tuesday in Louisville, Kentucky, sparred with TODAY host Savannah Guthrie about his past foreign policy positions. As Guthrie rattled off a list of issues where she said the senator had flipped and flopped – Iran, aid to Israel and defense spending – a testy and impatient Paul cut her off. 'Why don't we let me explain instead of talking over me, OK?' he griped. PRICKLY: Newly minted White House hopeful Rand Paul and NBC host Savannah Guthrie talked over each other on Wednesday. Paul, a libertarian-leaning Kentucky senator, launched his presidential bid on Tuesday in Louisville. 'No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!' Listen, you've editorialized,' Paul blasted at Guthrie. 'Before we go through a litany of things you say I've changed on, why don't you ask me a question: "Have I changed my opinion?" That would be sort of a better way to approach an interview.' Guthrie obliged, asking him if he had changed his views, but he charged ahead. 'No, no, you've editorialized,' Paul said. 'No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!' Listen, you've editorialized. Let me answer a question! You ask a question, and you say, "Have your views changed?" instead of editorializing and saying my views have changed.' A spokesman for American Bridge 21st Century, a liberal opposition-research group, leaped on Paul after the broadcast. 'Rand Paul can't seem to step in front of a camera without proving that shooting from the hip is a good way to shoot yourself in the foot,' Ben Ray told Daily Mail Online. 'He's got miles to go before his ability catches up to his ambition,' Ray added. 'And judging by his temper, he knows it, too.' When style gave way to substance on TODAY, Paul clarified that when he said in 2007 that Iran wasn't a threat to the United States, the world was different and he wasn't yet a candidate for the Senate. '2007 was a long time ago and events do change over long periods of time,' he said. 'So we're talking about 8 years ago. We're talking about a time when I wasn't running for office and I was helping someone else run for office.' That 'someone else' was his father, Ron Paul, a former congressman who ran for president three times but never grabed the brass ring. The elder Paul was known for strictly non-interventionist views overseas in the face of growing threats abroad, a trap that his son has taken great pains to avoid. 'There has always been a threat around gaining nuclear weapons and that's greater now than it was many years ago,' he said Wednesday. His troublesome 2007 moment came during an interview with conspiracy-theorist radio host Alex Jones. 'You know, it’s ridiculous to think they’re a threat to our national security,' Paul said then of Iran. 'It’s not even that viable to say they’re a national threat to Israel,' he added later. 'Most people say Israel has 100 nuclear weapons, you know.' On the TODAY show, Paul the younger avoided taking a stand on the nuclear agreement the White House says it has carved out with Tehran's mullahs. Paul was joined by his wife Kelley Ashby on stage Tuesday as he declared that he would campaign to 'take our country back' 'I'm going to keep an open mind and look at the agreement,' Paul said, while allowing that 'I do believe that negotiation is better than war.' He mirrored other Republicans in questioning the 'sincerity of the Iranians' in reaching an agreement with the U.S. and five European nations. 'If they're immediately saying that the agreement doesn't mean what President Obama says, that is a big problem,' Paul said. 'The Iranians put out 500 words, the Americans put out 1,300 words, the Europeans put out 200 words. And they don't all seem to agree, but it's very, very little information so far.' He defended his position on foreign aid, saying that even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed that his country should one day shake off its dependence on America to fund its defense program. 'I still agree with my original precept, which is – lemme answer the question! – I still agree with my original statement from years ago that ultimately all nations should be free of foreign aid,' he said, 'because we shouldn't borrow money to do it.' 'But my opinion's not any different than Netanyahu's opinion.' The Paul campaign did not respond to a request for comment no whether or not Guthrie gave him a fair interview.

Paul is already under fire for his evolving views on Iran, foreign aid to Israel and defense spending. Why don't we let me explain instead of talking over me, OK?' he asked the 'TODAY' host as she tried to corner him. Paul launched his presidential quest on Tuesday in Kentucky andis already on a five-state campaign swing. He pinned his 2007 claim that Iran was not a threat to the US on the fact that he was campaigning for his father's presidential bid at the time.

Hillary Clinton embraced the federal recognition of same-sex marriage today, saying through a spokesperson she believes it should be a 'constitutional right.' The former Obama administration official endorsed gay marriage in 2013 after she left the State Department, saying she 'was fully in support of gay marriage and that it is now continuing to proceed state-by-state.' And in a terse interview with NPR last year in which she declined to go into detail about her views on the topic, she repeated that position. Now a presidential candidate, Clinton today gave same-sex marriage her complete backing ahead of the presentation later this month of oral arguments in several cases before the Supreme Court on the matter. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO. Now a presidential candidate, Clinton today gave same-sex marriage her complete backing. Her shift in position comes just before the presentation later this month of oral arguments in several cases before the Supreme Court on the matter. Clinton had brought attention to the issue with her campaign launch video on Sunday that featured 'everyday' Americans preparing for something big - including a gay couple planning their wedding. 'Hillary Clinton supports marriage equality and hopes the Supreme Court will come down on the side of same-sex couples being guaranteed that constitutional right,' Clinton spokeswoman Adrienne Elrod told a leading gay news publication, The Washington Blade. The shift puts Clinton's views in line with the Obama administration's Justice Department, which in January 'committed to ensuring that the benefits of marriage are available as broadly as possible.' Attorney General Eric Holder at that time said his department would file friend of the court briefs that 'urge the Supreme Court to make marriage equality a reality for all Americans.' 'It is time for our nation to take another critical step forward to ensure the fundamental equality of all Americans—no matter who they are, where they come from, or whom they love,' Holder said. Buzzfeed News earlier this week reported that the newly announced candidate's campaign had not responded to its requests for comment on the status of her views on marriage. Clinton had brought attention to the issue with her campaign launch video on Sunday that featured 'everyday' Americans preparing for something big - including a gay couple planning their wedding. The video also included an image a same-sex female couple snuggling on the couch as Clinton discussed families in a voice over. But it was only after fellow presidential contender Marco Rubio began taking flak for telling CNN on Tuesday that he believes that states should continue to have the final say on legalization of gay marriage that a staffer for the Democratic front-runner publicly announced Clinton no longer supports states' rights when it comes to same-sex marriage. 'Marriage laws have always been defined by the states,' Rubio had told CNN host Jake Tapper. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during a roundtable discussion with members of the small business community at Capital City Fruit today in Norwalk, Iowa. Clinton is campaigning in the Hawkeye State this week as she makes her second bid for President of the United States. It was only after fellow presidential contender Marco Rubio, pictured here at his campaign launch on Monday, began taking flak for telling CNN that he believes that states should continue to have the final say on legalization of gay marriage that a staffer for the Democratic front-runner publicly announced that Clinton no longer supports states' rights when it comes to same-sex marriage. He added, 'I think there's still a significant number of Americans that believe that the definition of marriage should be that of one man and one woman, as it has been for thousands of years.' Tapper argued that 'they are a minority,' leading the Republican senator to contend that 'they're a large minority.' 'In essence, there are still parts of this country that believe that way,' he said. The exchange had started with Tapper accusing of Rubio of pigeonholing Clinton with his claims that she's a leader of 'yesterday' when he's the one who doesn't support same-sex marriage. 'You are casting yourself as a candidate of a new generation. But there is an issue where you are very out of step with younger voters, even younger Republican voters,' he said. 'On that issue, same-sex marriage, senator, you're the candidate of yesterday.' Rubio later said during the interview that the United States is a republic and anyone who want to see marriage laws amended should lobby their state legislature, not the federal government. 'I don’t believe the court system is the appropriate way to do it, and I don’t believe Washington and the Supreme Court is the appropriate way to do it,' he said. The nation's highest court will hear arguments on April 28 in gay marriage cases originating out of Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. A group of 57 members of Congress earlier this month filed a friend of the court briefing asking the high court not to side with gay marriage proponents, saying, 'The relative novelty of same-sex marriage weighs against the mandatory redefinition of marriage.' Rubio was not among the signatories but GOP presidential candidate and Texas Senator Ted Cruz was. Republican Senator Rand Paul, the only other major politician to formally enter the race, also did not sign the letter.

Clinton endorsed gay marriage in 2013; said she 'was fully in support of gay marriage and that it is now continuing to proceed state-by-state' In a terse interview with NPR last year in which she declined to go into detail about her views on the topic, she repeated that position. Spokesperson today said she 'hopes the Supreme Court will come down on the side of same-sex couples being guaranteed that constitutional right' High court will hear arguments on April 28 in cases on the matter. Clinton brought attention to the issue with her campaign launch video on Sunday that featured a gay couple planning their wedding. She spoke out after GOP candidate Marco Rubio took flak for saying Tuesday that states, not the federal government, should decide the issue.

Taxpayers are having to find £11billion a year to top up the wages of millions of people working in supermarkets and other low paid jobs. The money, which amounts to a massive public subsidy for the companies involved, is paid to some 5.2million workers in the form of tax credits and other benefits. Campaigners say the figures shine a light on how companies making huge profits are relying on the taxpayer to ensure their staff have enough money to put food on the table. The total amount of benefits paid to staff at some companies exceeds what the firms pay in corporation tax, according to the study by Citizens UK. Critics have accused supermarkets of relying on benefits to ensure their staff earn enough to put food on the table without them having to raise wages. The charity is campaigning for the adoption of the Living Wage - £9.15 an hour in London and £7.85 for the rest of the UK - across both the public and private sector. It estimates this would reduce the need for in-work benefits by £6.7bn a year, which would make a massive dent in the £12billion reduction in welfare spending which the Conservatives say is necessary. The current minimum wage for those over 21 is £6.50 an hour and will rise to £6.70 in October, but this is well below what the Government accepts is needed by many people, particularly those with children, to make ends meet. The charity’s report complains: ‘The public subsidy enables profitable businesses to get away with paying low wages.’ Its report says Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s posted combined profits of £3.9bn last year, but between them cost the taxpayer more than £750m in benefits paid to their staff. Tesco paid £519m in tax but received £364m in public subsidy for its 209,000 low-paid workers. Asda spent £150m in tax but its 120,000 low-paid workers received £221m in benefits. Morrisons’ tax bill was £62m while its 83,000 low-paid workers received £190m in benefits and Sainsbury’s paid £180m in tax, almost exactly as much as its low-paid staff received from the public purse. Of all the profitable companies examined by the charity, Next had the highest average subsidy of £2,087 per head given its high proportion of young employees who are typically paid just above the minimum wage of £6.70 an hour. Next is run by the Conservative peer, Lord Wolfson, who came under fire last month for criticising the whole idea of a Living Wage as an ‘invention’ Next is run by the Conservative peer, Lord Wolfson, who came under fire last month for criticising the whole idea of a Living Wage as an ‘invention’. He argued that pushing up wages will block recruitment. ‘For very many people, the retail sector provides useful income and Next has 30 applications for every vacancy. Raising wages too fast will simply reduce employment opportunities,’ he said. Other firms who rely on the taxpayer to top up staff wages include Amazon, fast food outlets and local authorities, where cleaning and care workers, for example, are already paid by the taxpayer. Paul Regan, chairman of Citizens UK, said: ‘The major retailers post profits and pay tax, but the Treasury has to step in and often pays out more than it gets in to help those workers for whom work does not pay.’ He called on the next government to show leadership ‘by implementing the living wage into all public sector commissioning’. The Rev Karen Rooms, Area Dean for Nottingham South and member of the Citizens UK Council, said: ‘The figures revealed by this research are shocking, as the true scale of the subsidy of big business becomes clear. ‘The huge profits made by some of these high street names are made off the back of poverty-wages. In some instances the amount of tax they pay doesn’t even cover the wage top-ups we all have to chip-in and help with through the Treasury. ‘At a time of austerity when all sectors of society have to make savings it seems obscene that big business isn’t playing its part to help the country recover.’ All of the main political parties support the living wage. Last week, David Cameron said businesses that can afford to pay it ‘should consider doing so’. Boris Johnson, the London mayor, said it was ‘madness’ that large employers paid chief executives huge salaries while their lowest-paid workers were subsidised by the taxpayer. Labour has made demands for employers to pay the Living Wage a major plank of its election strategy. However, the former Labour Cabinet minister Alan Milburn, chairman of the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, said it could take 10 years to make the living wage a reality. He said: ‘Employers will have to pay more but wages cannot rise without improved productivity and more skills training. We will need a 10-year transition period to become a living wage country.’ Charles Cotton, of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, warned wage rises will hit employment, saying: ‘If employees weren’t getting subsidies, would firms employ as many people or would they cut back?’ Supermarkets said they paid above the minimum wage of £6.50 an hour for those aged over 21, regularly reviewed pay and gave employees benefits such as staff discounts. Asda, which is part of the US retail goliath Walmart, said pay and benefits ‘should be considered in the round’. In the USA, it is estimated that Walmart’s low-wage workers cost U.S. taxpayers an estimated $6.2 billion (£4.2bn) in public assistance including food stamps, Medicaid and subsidised housing. Morrisons said discounts and profit-sharing took the pay of many over the living wage. Sainsbury’s said it offered employees a discount card, annual bonus and paid breaks. Tesco said it paid, on average, 4-7per cent more than major competitors and had contributed £1.5bn in tax through business rates, employer national insurance and corporation tax in 2014. The British Retail Consortium said pay and benefits packages equated to an average of about £8.40 an hour and the industry had paid £19.5bn in ‘core business taxes’ last year. Asda, which is part of the US retail goliath Walmart, said pay and benefits ‘should be considered in the round’

Campaigners claim benefits paid to staff are higher than corporation taxes. Critics say handouts allows companies to get away with paying low wages. Citizens UK is calling for London living wage to be spread to rest of Britain. It claims rolling out £9.15 an hour wage would reduce benefits by £6billion.

A retired Calgary couple who were attacked by pirates during a sailing trip in Honduras two weeks ago said they're grateful to be alive after the terrifying incident. Loretta Reinholdt, 54, and Andy Wasinger, 46, were on their second day into a trip from Belize to the Honduran island of Roatan in which they were learning to sail on a 17-meter-long hired boat with a captain when they were attacked. Four men with guns and knives boarded the sailboat and took all of their money after waving down the sailboat by asking for gas. Reinholdt (left) and Wasinger (right) were on a hired sailboat with a captain two weeks ago when four men waved them down, boarded the boat with guns and knives and demanded money before pushing their boat to the shore of a remote beach, leaving the couple and captain stranded for four days. 'They were yelling,' Reinholdt, a former nurse, told CBC. 'They were demanding more money. They didn't believe we only had that amount. And the more angry they got, the more scary it was. 'And they actually had me, pulling my hair and a knife on my throat, demanding more money from the captain.' Wasinger, a former computer programmer, added: 'I knew we had to comply with the pirates and not be heroes.' After the terrifying hold-up, the pirates pushed the sailboat to the shoreline of a remote beach in Jeanette Kawas National Park, cut the main sail and tore out the engine wire, leaving the couple and their captain stranded. They also took gasoline, the radio and drinking water from the boat. The couple and captain made SOS messages with branches along a park trail, which was discovered by hikers four days later. 'It was great. It was one of the best moments of my life, I think. I was ecstatic,' Wasinger told CTV News. 'I know we can go through anything in life now after this situation. We are a lot closer as a couple and we live life every day as if it is our last.' During their time in the jungle, they survived on rainwater, peanut butter and cheese and make a make-shift tent to stay in until they were saved. 'We hugged each other, we cried,' Reinholdt told CBS. 'And we couldn't thank them enough for doing this for us, because they were also brave that they actually came to the area. So, it's unbelievable. We were so happy to be alive.' Their rescuers took trio to the town to Tela, where they met Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who happened to be staying in the area. He offered them a presidential helicopter ride to the nearest airport and the country's government handled the bill for the couple to fly to Mexico, where they were sent to recover. Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs told CBS that they were aware of the attack and consular officials at the Tegucigalpa embassy have been in contact with local authorities to gain more information. 'Canadians travelling to Honduras should be aware that serious crime — including armed robbery, kidnapping, carjacking, home invasion and sexual assault — is common, and armed attacks on marine vessels have been reported,' foreign affairs spokesman Nicolas Doire said in a statement. He added that there is a travel advisory regarding safety and security in the country on the the government of Canada's website. And as for Reinhold and Wasinger, they told the Calgary Herald that though this was their first sailing trip, it will likely be their last. Buthey might return to Honduras - only they would stay in populated areas and would not go alone. 'I can't say enough about how the Honduran people helped us,' Reinholdt said. 'Everyone was so friendly.'

Loretta Reinholdt, 54, and Andy Wasinger, 46, were on on a hired sailboat with a captain when they were attacked. Four men with guns and knives boarded the boat, demanded money and threatened the trio after waving down the sailboat by asking for gas. The men then pushed the sailboat to shore, cut the sail and took supplies. Couple and captain were stranded on remote beach for four days. After being saved by hikers who saw their SOS signals, they were taken to near town and met Honduras president who flew couple to Mexico. Canada has advisory information about traveling to Honduras on their government website.

Ever fancied driving the Batmobile straight from the big screen and into your street? Or perhaps you've always yearned to take the Ghostbusters' Cadillac for a spin? Well now it's possible to do both thanks to brothers Marc and Shanon Parker - who have designed and built a fantastic fleet of movie-inspired vehicles. Among their wonders on wheels are lifelike versions of Batman's Tumbler from the Dark Knight film trilogy and the much-loved Ghostbusters car - or Ecto-1 as the spook-hunting team call it. The brothers have even made an Optimus Prime truck, based on the most recent Transformers movie, as well as a Tron-inspired motorbike. Scroll down for video. Park your eyes on these beauties: The Parker brothers' Batman Tumbler and Ghostbusters Cadillac. Fuelling envy: Designer Shanon Parker fills up his Ecto-1 at a petrol station in Port Canaveral, Florida. Marc said: 'We get a lot of reactions in the street - a lot of times people will come up next to us and box us in, wanting to take pictures. 'We test-drove one of our motorcycles on the road and the police were called because we were causing a traffic jam. If you're doing something that's causing that kind of reaction, you know you're doing something right.' Take Bat! The brothers' impressive version of the Tumbler, Batman's car in the Dark Knight trilogy. Attention to detail: The number plate and interior are very similar to the original Batmobile. Real deal: The Tumbler in the 2005 movie Batman Begins, which was directed by Christopher Nolan. The car-crazy brothers from Port Canaveral, Florida, started building versions of the vehicles they most loved for their own enjoyment four years ago. Marc, 45, said: 'We didn't have the money to pay people to customise vehicles for us, and what we needed didn't exist so we had to learn to build our parts. 'Every part of the Tumbler was made from scratch in our shop - the frame, chassis, wheels, glass, everything. 'I don't know what it cost to build - I'd probably cry if I looked into it - but as far as value, it's one of the most expensive vehicles we own.' Prime mover: A truck made to look like autobot Optimus Prime in last year's Transformers: Age of Extinction. Neat fleet: Marc (left) and Shanon show off their Tron-inspired bike and other vehicles at their workshop. He and Shanon, 44, have now turned their hobby into a business - called Parker Brothers Concepts - and they hire out their movie-inspired cars and motorbikes to fans. They also customise standard cars and bikes for clients, several of whom are famous. Shanon is in charge of design, while mechanic Marc brings the drawings to life in the brothers' workshop. He said: 'We mostly deal with a lot of celebrities and royalty since they have disposable income. 'We've had clients like 50 Cent, Flo Rida, Lil Wayne and John Cena, and have done work for Universal Pictures. 'The movie cars are used in promotions or premiers - clients want something that can be driven around rather than sit there like any other prop. 'Some of these cars can cost upwards of close to a million dollars, depending on what it is.' Classic car in a classic movie: The real Ecto-1 being driven in the 1984 blockbuster Ghostbusters. Almost identical: The Parker brothers' version makes a fuel stop - and puts the other cars in the shade. It hasn't always been an easy ride, however. Marc said: 'Shanon thinks if he can draw it, I can build it - but it's more difficult than that. 'He knows very little about mechanics so he's not limited like a lot of designers who have engineering degrees - there's nothing holding him back when it comes to design. 'In the beginning we fought because we come from different realms but now it's a back-and-forth process.' Made to order: The brothers in a Hummer SUV that they customised to look like an army tank for a customer. Rev-elations: Marc on one of his bikes, and the Green Machine that has won a world record. The brothers' ingenuity has earned them a place in the Guinness World Records, namely for their 'Green Machine', which was commissioned by the Huffy bike company for the re-release of the 1970s toy of the same name. The Parkers' version has a 43-inch (109-cm) front wheel - the largest ever wheel on a three-wheeled motorbike - and is powered by a Harley Davidson motor. Marc said: 'When someone says it can't be built, we gotta build it - we push ourselves and show people that you don't have to be limited to what's out on the market. 'We always want to get that wow factor. And when it's finished, it's like seeing a kid being born.'

Duo started out by making versions of famous vehicles they loved. Celebrities and wealthy film fans are flocking to buy the pair's creations. The fleet includes a Transformers-style truck and 'Tron' motorbike.

David Cameron will today warn English voters the SNP's new powers could impact their lives. David Cameron will today risk infuriating the SNP by vowing to conduct an annual review of the fairness of the Scottish government’s policies on the rest of the UK. A Conservative government would create a new principle to ensure decisions by Holyrood do not have an ‘unforeseen detrimental effect’ for people south of the border, he will say. The Prime Minister will tell voters in England that new powers for the Scottish Parliament mean it ‘can now have a big impact on your job, your income, and investment in your area’. Mr Cameron will call the idea the ‘Carlisle Principle’ – named to reflect the sort of border communities in the rest of the UK that could be particularly badly affected by decisions taken by the Scottish government. There has been growing resentment in England and Wales at the ‘apartheid’ between those living north and south of the border in areas such as healthcare and university fees. For instance, cancer drugs have been made available on the NHS in Scotland that are not prescribed elsewhere, meaning taxpayers in England and Wales are contributing to funding them, but not benefiting. The Scottish Parliament’s new powers to cut air passenger duty could lead to air travellers and airports in the north of England being unfairly disadvantaged – and require targeted tax cuts, Mr Cameron will say. However, Scottish Nationalists are likely to accuse Mr Cameron of wanting Westminster to ‘mark the Scottish Parliament’s homework’ every year. He will also be accused of seeking to stoke anti-Scottish sentiment in the rest of the UK – and throwing fuel on the fire of Scottish nationalism. The Tory manifesto promises to introduce a principle of ‘English votes for English laws’, meaning English MPs will be given a veto over legislation relating solely to England. Under Mr Cameron’s latest plan, a formal assessment would be made by the Treasury and Cabinet Office each year of the impact of Scottish policies, including tax rates, business levies, university tuition fees and healthcare. Mr Cameron risks the wrath of Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon (pictured above) with his announcement. The Chancellor will tell MPs ‘what action is needed to make sure there is no detriment to the rest of the country’. The Prime Minister, on a campaign visit to the North West, will insist the plan will not stop the Scottish government taking the decisions it wants. ‘In the Scottish referendum, we made a clear promise to devolve more powers to the Scottish Parliament,’ Mr Cameron will say. ‘After we won that referendum, we kept our promise, and agreement was reached – for the first time – between all five of Scotland’s major parties to give the Scottish Parliament extensive new powers. ‘But as we go further in devolving powers to Scotland, we need to make sure devolution works for all the other all parts of this country too. ‘Today I want to set out a new principle – you could call it the Carlisle Principle – that we will make sure that there are no unforeseen detrimental consequences to the rest of the country from Scottish devolution.’ Boris Johnson and Sir John Major will enter the election fray this week as the Tories try to bolster their campaign. Sir John will warn of the dangers of a Labour-SNP government. The ex-premier could be deployed to speak as early as tomorrow. Later in the week, David Cameron is due to make a first high-profile campaign appearance with Mr Johnson. There are growing calls from Tory MPs for the London mayor to be ‘weaponised’. David Cameron has revealed he is locked in a high stakes battle: over ear-piercing. While contesting a general election campaign, he is also in a 'fight' with eldest daughter Nancy about when she can have her ears pierced. The Prime Minister also admitted he does not want his children to follow wife Samantha in having tattoo. In an interview with the Sun, Mr Cameron said his children 'take the mickey out of me daily', including mocking his TV and music choices. 'To them I'm just a normal dad, who they think is a bit square and sometimes embarrassing. It's very sobering to come home to after a day in the office,' he said. 'They rib me about, you know, anything from my CD collection to what I watch on TV.' Nancy is due to start secondary school in September, and wants to have her ears pierced. Mr Cameron said: 'I'm in that fight with Nancy at the moment. We'll probably reach an agreement over what age she can have them done. We're in negotiations.' His wife Samantha has a small tattoo of a dolphin on her right ankle, which she had done while travelling as a student. She has said it would 'fine' if her children copied her. But Mr Cameron said: 'I'm not a big fan. I love Samantha's tattoo, it's very small, very discreet. But I'd be a square dad and tell the children to think very carefully about it.'

A Tory government would create a new principle to review SNP policies. Prime Minister to tell English voters SNP's powers could impact their lives. There has been growing resentment at 'apartheid' between north and south. Cancer drugs are available on NHS in Scotland but not England and Wales.

Many rejoiced yesterday as Hillary Clinton finally announced her long-awaited campaign to be President of the United States, marking the start of her fight 'to earn your vote'. But this political operator was less than impressed with the news, bursting into tears and complaining that the former First Lady and Secretary of State had stolen his thunder. Zeke Celello, who appears to be around two years old, was overcome with emotion when Clinton declared her second presidential bid, and insisted to his mother that 2016 is his year to shine. Devastated: Zeke Celello burst into tears when Hillary Clinton announced that she was running. More experience: Clinton, 67, pictured above declaring her intention to run, has better Washington connections than Zeke. The video, uploaded by his mother Erin to Facebook in the wake of the announcement, sees the would-be candidate repeatedly state his ambition to ascend to the nation's highest office so he could 'play... with toys'. He eventually concedes that playtime is not the top priority of a Commander-in-Chief, but is still adamant that he is up to the task. Unfortunately, Zeke appears not to have realized that the U.S. Constitution prohibits anybody from holding the presidency until they are 35. However, unperturbed, he eventually takes his mother's advice and decides to run for presidency anyway. Zeke admittedly lacks the campaigning experience of Clinton, who already has to her name a period as Secretary of State, a spell in the U.S. Senate and eight years as First Lady. But he does have the advantage of youth over 67-year-old Clinton, and, unlike his more experienced rival, will not be perceived as a political insider. Accepting Ms Celello's campaign advice, he repeats: 'I'm Zeke and I'm running for president.' While he has yet to articulate a policy platform, the youngster is clearly not short on ambition.

Zeke Celello was devastated by Clinton campaign and burst into tears. Zeke, who appears to be around two, insists he would be better candidate. His mother, Erin, eventually persuades him to go ahead with the run anyway. Policies are unclear, but he'd like win the White House to 'play... with toys' Unfortunately, U.S. Constitution states that presidents must be at least 35.

A biological father and daughter in an incestuous relationship have lost custody of their second baby after the first son, plagued with genetic problems, was also taken away. The baby boy was removed from their care four days after he was born in Oregon last year,. Eric Lee Gates and his adult daughter, Chalena Mae Moody, had asked the appeals court to overturn a decision for the baby to be put in foster care, but their case was rejected, reports the Register Guard. The baby boy was taken away just four days after he was born in Oregon and Eric Lee Gates (right) and his adult daughter, Chalena Mae Moody, (left) had asked the appeals court to overturn a decision for the baby to be put in foster care. In March, Moody, 25, was sentenced to 10 days in jail on the incest charge, but got credit for time already served and did not have to serve any additional days behind bars. Authorities say Moody and her father were living as a couple in Springfield, before moving to Klamath Falls and have had two children under two years of age. In March, Moody, 25, was sentenced to 10 days in jail on the incest charge, but got credit for time already served and did not have to serve any additional days behind bars. She also received 18 months probation. Gates, 49, is currently serving a six-month jail sentence for violating his probation by moving back in with Moody after he was originally convicted of incest in January. Gates was also ordered to pay restitution to the State of Oregon for the medical expenses of the two children. Gates and Moody are prohibited from contacting each other while on probation. Incest, even when both participants are adults, is a felony crime in Oregon. The pair have two children together - born in 2013 and 2014 -  a third died in utero. Moody was married to another man at the time of the second child's birth. The pair have two children together - born in 2013 and 2014 - a third died in utero. Moody (pictured) was married to another man at the time of the second child's birth with her father. Genetic sexual attraction is a seldom-talked about phenomenon that frequently occurs between children and their long-lost parents. It describes feelings of intense intimacy between two relatives who have been separated during the critical years of development and bonding, and then meet for the first time as adults. Essentially strangers, when an adult-child and their biological parent finally meet, the brain struggles to associate each other as family. Instead, they become captivated with one another, sharing similar physical features, likes and dislikes, which is coupled with complex feelings of intimacy. This can lead both parties to express their emotions sexually. The phenomenon was first identified by Barbara Gonyo in the Eighties, after she a wrote book called I'm His Mother, But He's Not My Son, which recounted her personal story of reuniting with the son she placed for adoption at 16. A sexual relationship with her son ensued, and Ms Gonyo says she fell in love - a byproduct of delayed bonding that normally takes place in infancy between new parents and their child, according to psychologists. Researchers believe that when family members grow up in close proximity, a inherent taboo is created through reverse sexual imprinting, which desensitises them to later sexual attraction. Called the Westermarck effect, researchers hypothesize it evolved so biological relatives would not inbreed. But according to DHS, both she and her father admitted that the two boys were their offspring. The appeals court opinion states the child born in 2013 has 'significant medical issues, including medical issues that are likely due to the close genetic relationship of his biological parents' and there is a chance these are present in the newborn. According to the appeals court’s opinion, Moody previously gave birth to three other children, all of whom have been adopted. The pair had argued that the appeals court failed to establish that their relationship posed a risk to their child who is now four months. But the appeals court opinion states the reasons that the child was taken include the mother's substance abuse and 'chaotic lifestyle' the pair both led as well as Gates' criminal past. Authorities say Gates was not Moody's custodial parent during her childhood, as he served several stints in prison while she was growing up. According to authorities, neither Gates nor Moody knew they were related when a mutual friend introduced them and the pair began a relationship. Springfield police Detective Dave Lewis said Gates and Moody openly admitted to their consensual relationship, to being father-daughter and also conceiving children together. DNA tests were performed on the family, and it was determined that Gates and Moody were related and had children from an incestuous relationship, Lewis said. Oregon State law defines incest as when a person marries or engages in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual intercourse with another whom the person knows to be related to them, either legitimately or illegitimately, as an ancestor, descendant, brother or sister of either whole or half-blood. Incest is a Class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and $125,000 in fines.

The baby boy was taken away four days after he was born in Oregon to Chalena Mae Moody, 25, and her father, Eric Lee Gates, 49. Authorities say Moody and Gates, were living as a couple in Springfield, before moving to Klamath Falls - they now have had two children. Pair did not know each other during Moody's childhood. Moody was married when she gave birth to child and already had three other children.

Waiting times to be seen in A&E have soared to their worst level in more than 10 years, official figures revealed this morning. In the first three months of the year, 434,775 people waited longer than four hours in hospital emergency wards - some 4,830 patients every day. Over the past year, more than 1.4 million people were forced to wait longer than the target time – compared to just 353,000 in 2009/10 – the worst on record since 2004. Over the past year, more than 1.4 million people were forced to wait longer than the target time – compared to just 353,000 in 2009/10. The figures also show that 113,648 waited longer than four-hours on trolleys in A&E, and 983 over 12 hours. It is now 89 weeks since hospital A&Es met their waiting targets. NHS England figures show that 92 per cent of patients spent less than four hours in the week ending March 29. This was down on the previous week when 93.2 per cent were seen within the time limit. It comes after the Department of Health last week confirmed the NHS has failed to meet its target every week of the winter, meaning the average for the whole year has not been met. Labour's Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham said the Government was the blame for the NHS's failure. David Cameron has overseen a record hump in waiting times to be seen in A&E, official figures revealed this morning. Labour leader Ed Miliband, arriving at an election campaign event in Bristol this morning, has promised to bin the Government's NHS reforms. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has promised to give NHS chiefs 'whatever they need' after the election. Mr Hunt claimed a Conservative government would find whatever money the health service said it needed to cope with the growing pressure on hospitals and GP surgeries. The NHS's chief executive Simon Stevens has said the health service needs an extra £8billion a year by 2020 just to keep standards as they are. Mr Hunt today vowed to find the cash – but went further by claiming that the Government would find even more cash if they health service needed it. He told BBC Radio 4's The World At One: 'We will back the NHS's own plan in full, so we agree with the £30 billion gap, and we agree with the NHS when they say that if they can make £22 billion of efficiency savings the NHS would need £8 billion. 'But they also said in that plan very clearly that they might need less than £8 billion if they can make more efficiency savings, or they might need more than £8 billion if they can't make those efficiency savings.' He added: 'We will give whatever they need, it might be more than £8 billion, it might be less, but the point is you can only have this discussion if you have a strong and growing economy.' 'Over the course of this parliament, on the back of a strong and growing economy, we have actually increased funding for the NHS by £5 billion in real terms every year.' He said: 'After five years of David Cameron, A&E waits are at their worst level for a decade and patients are finding it harder and harder to see a GP. 'There's only one person to blame for the A&E crisis and that's David Cameron. He has made it harder to get a GP appointment, cut council social care budgets and wasted £3billion on a reorganisation that nobody wanted and nobody voted for.' Labour leader Ed Miliband, campaigning in Bristol this morning, said one of the reasons behind the problems in A&E was that the coalition policy has led to 600 fewer GP surgeries staying open at evenings and weekends. He said: 'We've just seen figures today published for waiting times in England's A&E departments which show that the first three months of this year was the worst period since the four-hour A&E target was introduced over a decade ago. 'One of the reasons for that is it's got a lot harder to see a GP. Across England there are some 600 fewer GP surgeries open in the evenings and at weekends than there were at the last general election. One in four people can't get a GP appointment within a week. 'The NHS cannot go forward if queues to see your GP are stretching backwards and I believe that Britain can do a lot better than people waiting day after day for basic healthcare. That's what our plan will do.' But a Conservative spokesperson said NHS A&Es were struggling because more and more patients were turning up at hospital to be treated. He said: 'A&E units across the UK faced unprecedented demand this winter, but English A&Es see 3,000 more patients a day within four hours than in 2009, and perform better than Scotland, Northern Ireland and Labour-run Wales, so it is completely wrong for Labour to try to turn this into a political football. 'Thanks to a strong and growing economy we are investing £2 billion in the frontline next year to transform care in the community and take the pressure off hospitals.' Labour has been accused of ‘hypocrisy’ and using out-of-date figures after claiming the Coalition has made it harder to get a GP appointment. Ed Miliband said there were now 600 fewer GP surgeries staying open at evenings and weekends than before the next election. He said this was a direct contributor to problems in England’s A&E departments, which has seen the NHS breach the target to see 95 per cent of within four hours of arrival for the 26th week in a row. The Labour Party has put the NHS at the centre of its campaign for re-election, releasing a poster today dubbed 'The doctor can't see you now', as Labour claim almost 600 fewer GP surgeries are offering extended opening hours to patients. But the Tories pointed out that the GP figures dated from 2013/14 – and did not include improvements in GP access since David Cameron pumped more money into the NHS last year. Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, pointed out that Tony Blair’s botched GP contract of 2004 has allowed GPs to opt out of responsibility for their patients out of hours. And Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said it was a ‘bit rich’ of Labour to complain of funding cuts when they wasted so much NHS money in power. A string of medical leaders came out to say Labour’s claims on GP surgeries were simply wrong. Labour’s health spokesman Andy Burnham wants to re-introduce a target to ensure everyone can see their GP within 48 hours of trying to get an appointment. But in an embarrassment for the party, the Labour-run Welsh government said it had no plans to introduce such a target in the principality. It came after the party launched a poster declaring the ‘Tories have made it harder to see a GP’. The poster reworks the Conservatives’ 1979 ‘Labour isn't working’ image by depicting a huge queue outside a waiting room with the title: ‘The doctor can't see you now.’ But Mr Hunt said the claim there are 590 fewer surgeries was ‘wrong’, saying that the figures quoted only go up to 2013/14. He said the Prime Minister's Challenge Fund – announced last year – covered 1,100 practices and helped 7.5 million patients see GPs in the evenings and at weekends.

In the first three months of the year, 434,775 waited longer than four hours. Over the past year, more than 1.4m forced to wait longer than target time. A&E waiting times have soared to their worst level in more than 10 years. It's now 89 weeks since A&Es met their waiting targets, figures show.

A fugitive Iraqi militant leader and the former right-hand man of Saddam Hussein has reportedly been killed in a skirmish. Iraqi officials said Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri had died in fighting with government troops in Salahuddin province, north of Baghdad. Al-Douri, 72, headed the Naqshbandi Order insurgent group, an important faction behind the recent rise of ISIS. Scroll down for video. Al-Douri was an Iraqi military commander and was Vice Chairman of the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council, until the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. Al-Douri was the King of Clubs in the famous pack of cards the US issued of wanted members of Saddam's regime after its collapse. He was one of Saddam's most trusted henchmen, helping to lead his 1968 bloodless coup. Both Al-Douri and Saddam came from the same Tikriti tribal background. He was then deputy to Saddam when he was deposed following the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Following the execution of Saddam Hussein on 30 December, 2006, Al-Douri was confirmed as the new leader of the banned Ba'ath Party. Al-Douri was deemed the most high-profile official of Saddam's Ba'ath Party to evade capture after the invasion. He was ranked sixth on the US military's list of the 55 most-wanted Iraqis after offensive to overthrow Saddam and had a $10m bounty on his head. He was the King of Clubs in the infamous pack of cards the US issued of wanted members of Saddam's regime after its collapse. His dead body was pictured on social media today with his teeth missing, an unkempt orange beard and a bloody head wound. Salahuddin governor Raed al-Jabouri said soldiers and allied Shia militiamen killed him in an operation east of Tikrit - a city that was recaptured by the government two weeks ago. He said: 'This is a major victory for those involved in the operation. He is considered a mastermind for this terrorist group. 'For sure this will have an impact on them...there will be a break among them.' ISIS currently controls a swath of land slightly larger than the UK, from Aleppo to central Iraq. However, in recent months Iraqi forces, supported by US-led air strikes, have captured large areas from the terrorist group. But today, a car bomb killed three people outside the U.S. consulate in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region that is allied with Washington in a war against Islamic State, which claimed the attack. No U.S. personnel were hurt in the blast, according to the State Department which said a 'vehicle-borne improvised explosive device' exploded right outside the entrance to the heavily fortified compound. Islamic State also claimed responsibility for two car. bombings in Baghdad that killed at least 27 people on. Friday. 'The fighters of the Islamic State detonated two car bombs. in the heart of the Iraqi capital this evening and a third in. Erbil,' the group said via its news agency. Such attacks are relatively rare in Kurdistan, which has. managed to insulate itself from the worst of the violence. afflicting the rest of Iraq. A car bomb killed three people outside the U.S. consulate in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region, today. Kurdish security forces respond to an explosion at the pedestrian entrance to the U.S. Consulate complex. In the invasion of Iraq by a US-led coalition, the military developed a set of playing cards to help troops identify the most-wanted members of Saddam's regime. This was mostly high-ranking members of the Iraqi Regional Branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party or members of the Revolutionary Command Council. The cards were officially named the 'personality identification playing cards'. Each card contained the wanted person's address and, if available, the job they carried out. The highest-ranking cards, starting with the aces and kings, were used for the people at the top of the most-wanted list. Al-Douri was the King of Clubs in the pack of cards.

Iraqi officials say Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, 72, has died in fighting in Tikrit. He was one of Saddam Hussein's most trusted henchmen in Ba'ath Party. Was one of the most high-profile officials to evade capture after invasion. Had a $10m bounty on his head and was one of the US's most wanted men.

Britain is likely to face a second election shortly after May 7 because of a knife-edge outcome, political experts have warned. The likelihood of another coalition lasting five years has been dismissed as miniscule by a leading academic. A second election swiftly after polling day is 'extremely likely', Professor Paul Whiteley of the University of Essex said. Britain is likely to face a second election shortly after May 7 because of a knife-edge outcome, political experts have warned. 'I don't see another coalition government lasting five years,' he said at a briefing by polling experts on the latest election forecasts. Other experts also warned that a 'messy and unstable' left-wing alliance was likely to be in power even if the Conservatives won more seats or a greater share of the vote. Mr Whiteley predicted a repeat of the disastrous Left-wing Lib-Lib pact of the 1970s. It ended with Labour Prime Minister James Callaghan losing a vote of no confidence. 'That was not very successful. It had to go to the IMF for a bail out and there were huge industrial problems.' The disastrous pact led to the rise of Margaret Thatcher and the Tories held on to power for another 18 years. Experts said the likeliest outcome at the general election would be the Conservatives winning the most votes, but a left-wing alliance forming to keep them out of power. Oxford academic Stephen Fisher said there was a high chance Labour would form either a minority government or coalition with the help of the SNP, Liberal Democrats, Greens or other minor parties. There was 'only a 42 per cent chance of a Conservative-led government, even though there is a two-thirds chance of the Tories being the largest party, on votes or seats.' He added: 'The single most likely outcome is…a seriously hung parliament with the Conservatives as clearly the largest party but a majority on the left, including the SNP and Liberal Democrats.' David Cameron answers questions from 02 employees in Leeds this afternoon ahead tonight's 'Challengers' television debate. Labour leader Ed Miliband addresses supporters during a visit to Crouch End in north London this morning. This would be a 'messy and unstable situation' and it was 'not clear that this diverse group of parties would be able to sustain a stable government'. The Conservatives would probably turn to the DUP first and then the Lib Dems to try and form a government but they were still likely to be short of a majority, he added. The SNP's surge in Scotland was likely to be hugely damaging for Labour but Ed Miliband could still walk into Number 10 propped up by an alliance of left-leaning parties. A massive landslide to the SNP was inevitable, with the party winning at worst six times more seats than it currently holds or at best nine times more. Labour's disastrous performance in the Scottish polls could mean the party only has one safe seat: the Glasgow seat of Willie Bain. John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, said the SNP vote surge was nothing new. Some 45 per cent of Scots had voted for the SNP in the 2011 Scottish parliamentary elections, 45 per cent voted in favour of independence during last year's Scottish referendum and the polls were now showing 45 per cent supported the SNP. But for the first time Scottish voters were voting the same way at a Westminster election as they would for the Scottish parliament.

Second election after polling day is 'extremely likely', academics claim. Professor Paul Whiteley of Essex University predicts left wing coalition. But he said: 'I don't see another coalition government lasting five years' Tories will finish largest party but without enough allies to form a coalition.

A new Kansas law tells poor families that they can't use cash assistance from the state to attend concerts, go swimming, visit theme parks or buy lingerie. The list of don'ts runs to several dozen items. More than 20 other states have such lists. But, the one included by the Republican-dominated Kansas Legislature in a bill that GOP Gov. Sam Brownback planned to sign Thursday appears to be the most exhaustive, according to state Department for Children and Families officials. The taxpayer-funded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, currently provides cash payments of up to $497 per month for a family of four. To qualify that family must have an annual household income below $31,525 - before taxes - and assets valued at less than $2,000. Cutting back: In this April 13 photo, Kansas Republican Gov. Sam Brownback makes a point during an interview in his office in the Statehouse in Topeka, Kansas. The new restrictions, regarding Kansas applicants, have inspired national criticism and mockery from The Daily Show. Host Jon Stewart suggested that in accepting federal funds, Kansas should be forced to give up items like roads 'paved with luxurious asphalt.' 'The list has attracted attention because it feels mean-spirited,' said Shannon Cotsoradis, president and CEO of the advocacy group Kansas Action for Children. 'It really seems to make a statement about how we feel about the poor.' It is part of a broader welfare law taking effect in July that Brownback and his allies say is aimed at moving poor families from social services into jobs. In Kansas, here’s a list of what would be forbidden to those using cash assisted funds:. 'We want to get people off of public assistance and into private-sector employment, and we've had a lot of success with that,' Brownback during an interview this week with The Associated Press. A 2012 federal law requires states to prevent benefit-card use at liquor stores, gambling establishments or adult-entertainment businesses. At least 23 states have their own restrictions on how cards can be used, mostly for alcohol, tobacco, gambling and adult-oriented businesses, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. A few states - not Kansas - prohibit buying guns, according to the NCSL, and a few ban tattoos or body piercings. Massachusetts prohibits spending on jewelry, bail bonds, or 'vacation services.' A 2014 Louisiana law bars card use on cruise ships, which is also on the Kansas list. Kansas Department for Children and Families officials said that it's difficult to track how often cash assistance is used for items on the state's new list because recipients can use their benefits cards to obtain cash. The law will limit ATM withdrawals of cash assistance to $25 a day. The department said it reclaimed $199,000 in cash assistance from 81 fraud cases from July through February, but said most involved questions about eligibility. The state provided $14 million in cash assistance during the same period. A 2014 federal report said a check of eight states' data showed transactions with benefit cards at liquor stores, casinos or strip clubs accounted for less than 1 percent of the total. Critics question whether such restrictions can be enforced. Elizabeth Schott, senior fellow with the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said enacting them simply creates an 'aura of abuse.' 'Undermining support for the programs is what the restrictions do,' she said. Phyllis Gilmore, Kansas secretary for children and families, said her state's list is a 'composite' of others and has educational value, sending the message that cash assistance should be used for necessities. 'Every dollar that is used fraudulently is a dollar that is not going to an American who is struggling,' said state Sen. Michael O'Donnell, a Wichita Republican who supported the bill. Helping hand: The taxpayer-funded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, currently provides cash payments of up to $497 per month for a family of four. Much of the new Kansas law codifies administrative policies enacted after Brownback took office in January 2011, so they'll be harder to undo later. They include a requirement that cash assistance recipients work at least 20 hours a week, be looking for work or enroll in job training. The new law also includes a much-criticized provision shortening the lifetime cap on cash assistance to 36 months from 48 months, although the state Department for Children and Families said recipients rarely bump up against the lower limit. The number of cash assistance recipients in Kansas has dropped 63per cent since Brownback took office, to about 14,700 in February. Brownback said the decline confirms the success of his policies, but critics note that U.S. Census Bureau figures show the state's child poverty rate remaining at about 19per cent through 2013. Brownback said his state's list of prohibited cash-assistance uses has become a way for the left to argue against welfare-to-work policies. 'I think you're seeing the left trying to pillory this,' Brownback said. 'They're just trying to poke fun at it, when it's not what the debate is really about.'

The taxpayer-funded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, currently provides payments of up to $497 per month for a family of four. The list of don'ts, included by the Republican-dominated Kansas Legislature in a bill that GOP Gov. Sam Brownback planned to sign Thursday , runs to several dozen items. The number of cash assistance recipients in Kansas has dropped 63per cent since Brownback took office, to about 14,700 in February. Brownback said the decline confirms the success of his policies, but critics note that U.S. Census Bureau figures show the state's child poverty rate remaining at about 19per cent through 2013.

Ed Miliband's strategy of attacking the Tories for trying to 'privatise' the NHS backfired last night after the father of a senior Labour politician admitted he had paid for treatment. Caron Wyn Jones, father of Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones, underwent a hip operation at a private clinic in Bridgend. He paid because the Welsh NHS could not perform the operation soon enough – and he was keen to get it done before a holiday. Ed Miliband's (left) strategy of attacking the Tories for trying to 'privatise' the NHS backfired after the father of a senior Labour politician - Welsh First Minister Carwn Jones (right) - said he paid for treatment. The disclosure came as Mr Miliband unveiled his General Election manifesto for the NHS. And it was embarrassing for Carwyn Jones, also Welsh Labour leader. Speaking from his semi-detached home in Bridgend, Mr Jones snr., 76, said his son, who has boasted of how he has 'kept the private sector out of the (Welsh) NHS', opposed his decision. He said: 'It was my decision against my son's wishes. He would not have wanted me to do it, oh goodness, no. 'It was the time factor because I was going to Italy. There's nothing wrong with the NHS. I'm a big supporter of it. I had my operation here in Bridgend. All profits go to the hospital. It's a private wing, it's not a private hospital.' The operation took place in a private clinic at the Princess of Wales NHS Hospital. The Labour-controlled administration in Wales has come under intense criticism for a series of high-profile failings within the country's NHS. Earlier this year, a study said Welsh hospitals lagged behind England's on almost every measure. And it is claimed the wait in Wales for an NHS hip replacement is twice as long. Caron Wyn Jones, father of Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones, underwent a hip operation at a private clinic in Bridgend (file photo) Last night, Monmouth Tory MP David Davies said the move 'made a mockery' of Carwyn Jones's championing of the Welsh NHS. Mr Davies said: 'Carwyn Jones's father is one of many people in Wales who have to go private because they are unable to get the higher standards of NHS treatment delivered in England.' Mr Jones said: 'It would be wrong to question the decisions of any individual patient, my father included. My family has regularly used the Welsh NHS. It is an institution I cherish both as First Minister and as a citizen.' Labour was under fire last night after the Tories pledged an extra £8billion a year to the NHS by 2020 if they win the Election. Think tank the Nuffield Trust said Labour was 'now the only (major) party' not to have committed an equal sum. Lord Allen (pictured) holds a £1.9million stake in a company which charges hospitals for services such as cleaning and catering. Ed Miliband has made the NHS the central thrust of Labour’s Election campaign, vowing to stop private firms making more than 5 per cent profit in their dealings with the health service. But did he consult Charles Allen, chairman of the party’s executive board, before announcing the policy? Lord Allen holds a £1.9million stake in a company which charges hospitals for services such as cleaning and catering. He earns £210,000 a year as chairman of the ISS Group, a global ‘facilities management’ firm which last year made a 5.6 per cent profit on its £930million UK revenue. A spokesman for Lord Allen, 58, said the NHS makes up a ‘small proportion’ of the firm’s business. The Labour candidate in Britain's most marginal seat was last night accused of failing to tell voters that she met Vladimir Putin in Moscow two years ago when a controversial billion-dollar arms deal was signed. Tulip Siddiq, a former aide to Ed Miliband, and who is standing for Labour in Hampstead, was at the Kremlin with her aunt, the hardline leader of Bangladesh who is accused of human rights abuses. A smiling Ms Siddiq was photographed alongside Putin and Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Ms Siddiq's mother Rehana. But the Tories last night accused Ms Siddiq of trying to conceal her extraordinary links to Putin and Sheikh Hasina. Labour candidate Tulip Siddiq (left) was last night accused of failing to tell voters that she met Vladimir Putin (right) in Moscow two years ago. They claimed she appears to have gone to great lengths to cover up her trip in January 2013 – just six months before she won a hotly-contested Labour selection contest in Hampstead – and her links with Hasina. The Tories also said she had deleted postings and photographs on her blog which showed how she campaigned to get her aunt re-elected. And they questioned why her 1,200-word official Labour profile made no mention of Putin, the arms deal or being a member of a ruling Bangladeshi dynasty. A Tory official said: 'It seems very odd that Ms Siddiq has appeared to try to conceal the most interesting parts of her political life.' Retiring Labour MP Glenda Jackson won Hampstead with a majority of just 42 in 2010. Last night a Labour spokesman said: 'Tulip is proud of her background and has always been very open about it.' As for the photograph, the spokesman said: 'Tulip was totally separate from any official delegation but was invited to an event with her family.'

Labour Leader Ed Miliband attacked the Tories for trying to 'privatise' NHS. Strategy backfired as Welsh First Minister's father sought private treatment. Carwyn Jones' father Caron has a hip operation at a private Bridgend clinic. Said he paid because Welsh NHS could not perform procedure soon enough.

Hulk Hogan's ex-wife has listed her Simi Valley mansion in California for sale at $5.5million. Linda Hogan purchased the 23.63-acre property for $3.5 million a year after she divorced the WWE Hall of Famer in 2009. Called Villa di Montagna, the compound encompasses a hilltop near the 16th and 17th tees at the gated Wood Ranch Golf & Country Club community. Scroll down for video. Hulk Hogan's ex-wife Linda has listed her Simi Valley mansion in California for sale at $5.5million. The property includes an award-winning swimming pool, complete with fountains, a waterfall and slide. Linda Hogan purchased the 23.63-acre property for $3.5 million a year after she divorced the WWE Hall of Famer in 2009. It enjoys stunning 360-degree views of the golf course, surrounding mountains and the valley, reports the Tampa Bay Tribune. After buying the property, Linda threw herself into remodeling the 6,300 sq ft house by adding stone walls, stone fireplaces, carved wood details and coffered ceilings. Built in 2005, the Tuscan-style mansion has five bedrooms and 5.5 baths. After buying the property, Linda threw herself into remodeling the 6,300 sq ft house, which has five bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms. Linda added stone walls, stone fireplaces, carved wood details and coffered ceilings to the Tuscan-style mansion. One of the intricate bathrooms in the property, which was built in 2005. Visitors enter the villa through a turret-shaped foyer that features an antique chandelier, while french doors open to a high-ceiling dining room and a courtyard. The master bedroom suite features a large balcony. A 1,200 sq ft guesthouse in the orchards has a full kitchen, a loft-style bedroom, a bathroom and a family room with the floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. There is also an award-winning swimming pool, complete with fountains, waterfalls and a water slide. The estate's master bedroom suite, which features a large balcony overlooking the sprawling property. Another bedroom in the house, styled in a red and white color scheme. The estate also includes an avocado orchard with 2,500 trees, a turret gym, a John Deere tractor, producing vineyards, plus a six-car detached garage and a helicopter landing area. There is also a one acre private lake with nature reserve. The lake is stocked with koi, catfish and turtles. 'Be king or queen of the hill at the spectacular Linda Hogan private gated celebrity compound at Wood Ranch in Simi Valley,' reads the description on Zillow. French doors open to a high-ceiling dining room and a courtyard in the estate. A balcony on the estate features a stunning view of Simi Valley, tucked away 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Hogan, 55, co-starred on the family reality show Hogan Knows Best and appeared on the spin-off show Brooke Knows Best, which followed her daughter. Hogan, 55, co-starred on the family reality show Hogan Knows Best (2005-07) and appeared on the spin-off show Brooke Knows Best (2008-09), which followed her daughter. Linda and Hulk Hogan were together for 25 years before their divorce in 2009. In late 2011, court papers revealed that she acquired more than 70 per cent of their liquid assets, plus a 40 percent ownership stake in his companies. After their divorce, Hulk Hogan, whose given name is Terry Bollea, sold the Belleair mansion he received in the settlement for $6.2million. Linda and Hulk Hogan were together for 25 years before their divorce in 2009.In late 2011, court papers revealed that she acquired more than 70 per cent of their liquid assets, plus a 40 percent ownership stake in his companies. The mansion's courtyard. The property also features an avocado orchard with 2,500 trees, a turret gym, a John Deere tractor, producing vineyards, plus a six-car detached garage and a helicopter landing area. The estate encompasses a hilltop near the 16th and 17th tees at the gated Wood Ranch Golf & Country Club community.

Linda Hogan purchased the 23.63-acre property for $3.5m a year after she divorced the WWE Hall of Famer in 2009. Linda remodeled the 6,300 sq ft house, adding stone walls, stone fireplaces, carved wood details and coffered ceilings. The five bedroom, 5.5 bathroom estate, which has been put up for sale, also features a 1,200 sq ft guest house.

The yoga being taught in a San Diego County school system is not a gateway to Hinduism and doesn't violate the religious rights of students or their parents, a California appeals court ruled Friday. The 4th District Court of Appeal in San Diego upheld a lower court ruling that tossed out a family's lawsuit trying to block the Encinitas Union School District from teaching yoga as an alternative to traditional gym classes. The lawsuit brought by Stephen and Jennifer Sedlock and their two children claimed the school district's yoga classes promoted Hinduism and inhibited Christianity. Scroll down for video. Students hold their positions during a yoga class at Capri Elementary School in Encinitas, California, in 2012. A California appeals court ruled yoga classes taught at Capri do not violate students' right to religious freedom. The court upheld the previous ruling in a 3-0 opinion. The district court wrote: 'While the practice of yoga may be religious in some contexts, yoga classes as taught in the district are, as the trial court determined, "devoid of any religious, mystical, or spiritual trappings." 'We conclude that the program is secular in purpose, does not have the primary effect of advancing or inhibiting religion and does not excessively entangle the school district in religion. 'The district's yoga program does not violate our state constitution.' The First Amendment bans school-sponsored religious promotion and prayer. Yoga instructor Kristen McCloskey (right) leads third graders at Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School in 2012. The Sedlocks were disappointed with the ruling and are considering their options. Attorney Dean Broyles said: 'No other court in the past 50 years has allowed public school officials to lead children in formal religious rituals like the Hindu liturgy of praying to, bowing to, and worshipping the sun god.' A school distort lawyer said there were no rituals occurring in the classroom and no one was worshipping the sun or leading Hindu rites. The district said the practice is taught in a secular way to promote strength, flexibility and balance. Yoga is now taught at schools across the country, but the district is believed to be the first with full-time yoga teachers at all schools. A three-year grant from the K.P. Jois Foundation, a nonprofit group that promotes Ashtanga yoga, provides twice-weekly, 30-minute classes to the district's 5,600 students. About 30 families have opted out of the classes since they began in 2011.

Lawsuit tried to block Encinitas Union School District from teaching yoga. Family's lawsuit said yoga promoted Hinduism and inhibited Christianity. 4th District Court of Appeal in San Diego upheld court ruling against suit. District said yoga taught in secular way to promote flexibility and balance. Yoga taught to district's 5,600 students at twice-weekly, 30-minute classes.

The mass stranding of 160 melon-headed whales on two beaches in Japan has triggered fears of upcoming earthquake and tsunami. The whales, which are in fact a species of dolphin, were found washed up along a 6-mile (10km) stretch of the Pacific coast of Hokato, around 60 miles (100km) north of Tokyo. Although officials are still investigating the cause of the strandings, they triggered rumours on social media of an impending earthquake. Scroll down for video. More than 160 melon-headed whales washed onto two beaches at Hokota city, north-east of Tokyo. The fears appeared to be based on the appearance of 50 melon-headed whales six days before the devastating undersea earthquake in 2011 that caused a tsunami and left 19,000 people dead. However, experts have dismissed the claims as being 'unscientific'. For centuries there have been accounts of animals behaving bizarrely before earthquakes. Now scientists have filmed the behaviour of wild animals prior to a quake and believe their study could help improve short-term seismic forecasting. They found that animals in Peru - such as pumas and razor-billed curassow birds - ran for cover days before the event. Researchers believe that the changes in behaviour may be linked to airborne ions. Led by Dr Rachel Grant of Anglia Ruskin University, experts used data gathered from a series of motion-triggered cameras located in the Yanachaga National Park in Peru. The research found that significant changes in animal behaviour began 23 days before the magnitude 7.0 Contamana earthquake that struck the region in 2011. On a typical day, the cameras would record between five and 15 animal sightings. However, within the two-day period in the run-up to the earthquake, they recorded five or fewer sightings. Instead they believe the melon-headed whales may have suffered a parasitic infection. Others believe the sandy shoals around Hokato city may have also made the animal's sonar ineffective. Toshiaki Kishiro, head of Cetacean Resources at Japan's National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, said while it was possible the whales frightened by disturbances in the Earth's electromagnetic field caused by movement in the tectonic plates - there were was no firm evidence of this. Speaking to the Telegraph he said: 'This area of Japan has had many similar cases of beachings in the past, and especially of this species, so we are trying to find out why it happens.' He added that the animals, which measure two to three metres in length, could have been trying to avoid predators like killer whales and come too close to the shore. However, despite attempts to reassure the public, social media sites like Twitter have been ablaze with rumours of an impending earthquake. One Twitter user wrote: 'Is the next one coming? Be ready for a quake.' The whales first began to appear on the beach last week but officials said they had discovered eight more bodies today. Local residents had rushed to the beaches with buckets and towels in an attempt to help keep the marine mammals alive. Scientists are still investigating what caused the whales to become stranded on the beaches of Hokota city. Local resident used buckets of water in an attempt to keep the melon-headed whales alive on the beaches. Officials have spent the weekend removing and buring the dead melon-headed whales after they stranded. However, almost all of the animals have now died although a few were returned to the ocean. The strandings in 2011 before the magnitude 9 earthquake off the coast of Japan is not the first association of whale strandings with tectonic activity. Around 100 pilot whales died in a mass stranding on a remote beach in New Zealand just two days before a large earthquake hit Christchurch in 2011. The 2004 Boxing Day earthquake in the Indian Ocean that also triggered a devastating tsunami also saw 170 whales stranded on beaches in Australia and New Zealand in the days before. Those whales that survived were taken back out to sea by the Japan Coast Guard to return them to the ocean. Japan Coast Guard personnel managed to return some of the whales back to the sea. The whales were stranded on two beaches close to Hokota city around 60 miles north of Tokyo. According to the US Geological Survey, which monitors tremors around the world, there was a small magnitude 5.3 earthquake 157 miles (252km) off the coast of Namie, Japan. Quakes of this size are relatively common along the fault line. However, researchers have found it is possible detect tiny pulses in the Earth's magnetic field in the areas around the epicentre of earthquakes in the weeks before they occur. Researchers at San Jose State University have been developing new techniques to use these pulses to predict earthquakes using highly sensitive magnetometres. However, it is not know if whales have the ability to detect such tiny fluctuations. Tadasu Yamada, a senior researcher at the National Museum of Nature and Science, said investigations were still ongoing into what caused the whales to strand in Hokato. He told public broadcaster NHK: 'We don't see any immediate signs of diseases on their bodies, such as cancer. 'We want to figure out what killed these animals.' Residents struggled to return the whales to the sea after the mammals became exhausted in the shallow water. Once stranded, the animals are vulnerable to dehydration and sunburn until rescuers can use the high tide to move their massive weight back into deeper water. Efforts to save the dolphins stood in marked contrast to the global view of Japan and its relationship with cetaceans. Despite international opprobrium, Japan hunts minke and pilot whales off its coast, and has for many years also pursued the mammals in the Antarctic Ocean, where it takes advantage of a scientific exemption to an international moratorium on whaling. It has never made a secret of the fact that meat from the animals is consumed. A United Nations court ruled last year that the Antarctic hunt was a commercial venture masquerading as research, prompting Tokyo to suspend operations, but it vowed to redesign the programme to make it more scientific. The International Whaling Commission's (IWC) panel of experts said today that it opposed Japan's proposal for its scientific research whaling programme, saying it did not demonstrate a need for killing whales.

The whales washed up along a 6 mile stretch of coast near Hokato, Japan. Experts have dismissed rumours of impending earthquake as unscientific. The strandings sparked comparisons with the appearance of 50 melon-headed whales six days before the earthquake in 2011 that left 19,000 dead. Officials instead believe the whales may have suffered a parasitic infection while others say the animals may have been attempting to avoid predators.

Hundreds of staff at the Royal Courts of Justice and London School of Economics were evacuated again today after a building due to be demolished collapsed 'like a pancake' injuring a 56-year-old workman. Workers underneath the six-storey structure fled for their lives after the fifth, fourth and third floors crashed down on to the rest of the building - sending a huge cloud of dust into the air. The terrifying incident is just yards from where an underground cable fire ripped through Holborn on April 1 bringing parts of central London to a standstill and costing local firms £40million. Scroll down for video. Building collapse: Hundreds of staff at the Royal Courts of Justice and London School of Economics were evacuated again today after a six-storey structure collapsed. Injury: Police said a 56-year-old man was being treated for injuries this afternoon following the disaster. Staff at both LSE and the Royal Courts of Justice were also evacuated on that occasion and at this stage it is unknown whether the two incidents are related. The collapsed building, located just behind the university, was covered in scaffolding when disaster struck shortly after 4pm this afternoon. Students at LSE were seen evacuating the university's library and have been told to 'stay clear' of the area. One worker suffered head injuries and a broken arm and was treated by colleagues trained in first aid until an ambulance arrived. Two incidents in a matter of weeks: A map shows where the building collapsed today - not far from the underground cable fire that tore through Holborn on April 1 costing local firms an estimated £40million. An air ambulance was seen arriving at the scene this evening and a 56-year-old was taken to hospital with head injuries. He was the only casualty among 30 workers on site at the time. Nathan Kennedy, 28, was working in the site office when the building behind the Royal Court of Justice and LSE began to collapse. He said: 'We are used to big bangs and crashes all the time, that's the nature of demolition. 'I was just finishing off some paperwork when there was a huge crash and a rumble, we knew it was out of the ordinary and everyone ran outside. 'We are trained for this so everyone kept calm, but it was the first time anything like this has happened to me. 'There was a huge dust ball, we were checking everyone was all right when a couple of the first aiders brought out one of the guys. Parts of scaffolding spill over the barrier around the site and a construction vehicle could also be seen among the piles of rubble. The building, located directly behind LSE, is just yards from where the underground cable fire started at the beginning of April, bringing parts of central London to a standstill. 'He had a bad cut on his forehead and I think he could have broken his arm. We are all worried for him, he's called Keiran and he's in his 50s or 60s. 'Everyone is shaken up, we just hope he's all right.' A London Air Ambulance helicopter landed in nearby Lincoln's Inn Fields to pick up the injured man. Workmen have been on site for around five months and demolition was in progress when the collapse occurred. Mr Kennedy added: 'There a stretch around 15 to 20m that's collapsed. We've been here since December, the building was seven floors and we've gone down three. 'There's some heavy machinery on the higher floors, we use a machine called a muncher that chews through the walls, it's like a big claw, that may have fallen down. 'There's been a lot of building work around here but this is far enough away I would be surprised if that had anything to do it.' Speaking at the scene London Fire Brigade station manager John Snelgrove said: 'We have one waking wounded who has been taken to hospital and we are unaware of his condition. A cloud of dust hovers in the air following the building collapse in Holborn, central London. Fire crews attend the scene on Portugal Street, near the London School of Economics, today. People in the vicinity reported feeling the ground shake as part of the huge building collapsed into rubble. 'The collapse is known as a pancake and has taken around third to two thirds of one of the sides down with it. 'Fortuitously the collapse has largely stayed within the site and not hurt any passers by. 'This is a busy area, luckily the building collapsed inwardly, although a few cars were damaged by fallen masonry.' Scotland Yard said: 'We were called at 4.14pm to Portugal Street, Aldwych, following reports of a partial building collapse on a building site. 'Officers, London Ambulance service and London Fiere Brigade are in attendance. One male aged 56 is being treated at the scene. The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and road closures are currently in place.' A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: 'One hundred people were evacuated from the building site and a further 100 people were evacuated from nearby properties. A safety cordon is in place.' The London School of Economics (LSE) Students' Union's Twitter account tweeted a picture of the scene and said it was 'just by' the LSE campus. And LSE assistant professor Bryan Roberts tweeted: 'Building just collapsed next to my office at LSE in Holborn. When the structure came down there were 30 men working on the site - luckily just one was injured. Students at the London School of Economics have been evacuated and told to 'stay clear' of the area. 'Some workers hurt. Shook the whole campus. Ambulances just arrived at LSE where the building fell down. It's the old London School of Business building.' Eyewitness Murat Akkulak, a research co-ordinator at the Royal College of Surgeons, told the BBC: 'There was a lot of dust but I could see there was a digger down amongst the rubble and one or two builders were running around trying to get someone out of the digger. 'They seem to have had a really lucky escape to me, because everything else had just collapsed around them.' The incident comes just weeks after a fire on nearby Kingsway, which was caused by faulty electrical cables underground, sending thick clouds of smoke into the air - engulfing buildings. Dramatic photographs from the scene showed crowds of people on the street as power cuts hit office buildings. Onlookers reported 'struggling to breathe' while later that night some 5,000 homes and businesses in central London were left without electricity following a huge power cut. Phone lines went down, thousands of workers fled their offices while West End shows including The Lion King, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Play That Goes Wrong were all cancelled. Fire earlier this month: The fire on April 1 was said to have been caused by faulty electrical cables underground, sending thick clouds of smoke into the air - engulfing buildings. Dramatic photographs from the scene showed crowds of people on the street as power cuts hit office buildings. Onlookers reported 'struggling to breathe' while later that night some 5,000 homes and businesses in central London were left without electricity following a huge power cut. Around ten days ago, a former commander of the Metropolitan Police's elite Flying Squad has said the Hatton Garden gem heist could be linked to the fire. Speaking on LBC, John O'Connor, a highly experienced former police detective, said: 'I've never heard of an outage of electricity like that causing a fire that lasted as long as that. That seems to me as too much of a coincidence.' He also said that in his opinion, to succeed with such a complicated and ambitious crime, the gang must have had some inside help.

Six-storey structure collapsed this afternoon in Holborn, central London. Site is just yards from where cable fire caused chaos earlier this month. On both occasions university and court staff have had to be evacuated. Not yet known whether today's incident is connected to underground blaze.

Gwyneth Paltrow has vowed to live on just $29 worth of food for a week, after agreeing to take on a charity challenge aimed at raising awareness and funds for New York's food banks. The 42-year-old mother-of-two, who founded popular lifestyle wesbite Goop, posted a picture of her $29 grocery shop on her Twitter account yesterday afternoon, showcasing a range of healthy options, including a variety of fresh vegetables, some brown rice and some black beans. 'This is what $29 gets you at the grocery store - what families on SNAP (i.e. food stamps) have to live on for a week,' she wrote alongside the image. Food-focused: Actress-turned-lifestyle guru Gwyneth Paltrow will be living off $29 worth of food for a week as part of a charity challenge aimed at raising awareness about food banks. Alexander Wang Satin Blazer. Shop the brand at Net-A-Porter. Visit site. A good blazer is an essential item that every girl should have in her wardrobe. But add a touch of satin to it like Gwyneth Paltrow in her Alexander Wang version, and it goes from drab to deluxe in the blink of an eye. The Goop creator made hers a monochrome look by teaming the blush jacket with a flesh toned sweater dress underneath. The silken topper is great for an evening out and can be paired with cigarette trousers and strappy sandals for an elegant take on the menswear trend. Gwyneth's threads are from a few seasons back, so it's no longer available in stores. But our style edit is filled with lustrous alternatives from Missguided to Forever 21. There's even a designer rendition with a snakeskin lapel for those so inclined to spend a little more. Topshop 'Jenny' Satin Peplum Blazer at Nordstrom. Visit site. Forever 21 Metallic Satin Blazer. Visit site. Missguided Satin Lapel Longline Tuxedo Blazer (now $30) Visit site. Stella McCartney Rhea satin blazer at The Outnet (now $784) Visit site. Unsurprisingly, although the grocery store no doubt offered a wealth of cheaper, yet more unhealthy, food options, lifestyle guru Gwyneth opted to stick to what she knows best, choosing only the healthiest and greenest of ingredients for the challenge. It looks as though Gwyneth might be going for a Mexican theme on at least one of the days of the challenge, including gluten-free tortillas, black beans, and avocado in her food haul - all the makings of a very healthy Mexican-inspired feast. In a second tweet posted yesterday, she said of the challenge: 'We're walking in their shoes to see how far we get.' She then proceeded to nominate popular American chef Roy Choi, tagging him  by his Twitter username @RidingShotgunLA. Gwyneth also encouraged her fans to head over to the Food Bank NYC website, take up the challenge themselves, and donate to the cause. There are those, however, who are already criticizing Gwyneth's attempt to experience what living on food stamps is really like; although the actress has vowed to live on just $29 for the week, many suggest that her bizarrely healthy food choices demonstrate just how out of touch she is with the average person. Weekly haul: The 42-year-old actress posted this image of her grocery shop, which included a variety of incredibly healthy food items. Challenge: Gwyneth took to Twitter to share the news about her charity challenge. Writer Rebecca Vipond Brink from The Frisky, highlighted the incredible lack of calories contained in Gwyneth's food choices, suggesting that those people living on SNAP benefits would require a lot more sustenance in order to go about their day-to-day lives. 'I know other people are critiquing this already, but this bothers me on a basic level because eight of those 16 items are not calorically significant (sic),' Rebecca wrote. 'Nutritionally speaking, this is a vitamin bonanza. 'But people who live on SNAP benefits don’t just have to get nutrients, they have to get actual calories, because they tend to have very physical lives, doing service labor and taking care of children and not necessarily being able to afford a car and so forth.' According to The Frisky, the food in Gwyneth's Twitter post contains a total of 7,059 calories, which means the star will be consuming a paltry 1,000 calories per day for the duration of her week-long challenge. That is approximately half of the recommended daily intake for adults suggested by the American Heart Association. Friends together: Gwyneth was nominated to take on the week-long challenge by celebrity chef Mario Batali (pictured together in April 2013) Family ties: It is not known whether Gwyneth's children with ex-husband Chris Martin - Apple, ten, and Moses, nine (pictured) - will be taking part in the challenge with their mother. Many people have also queried why Gwyneth might require a total of seven limes - one per day - for the challenge, suggesting that the money spent on the seemingly pointless fruits would have been better spent on some potatoes, or other filling carbohydrate options. For example, Safeway - where Gwyneth appears to have completed at least part of her shopping - currently sells individual limes for 60 cents each, which adds up to $4.20 for seven. Had Gwyneth chosen a more substantial menu item, she could have picked up four 16 ounce bags of pasta - which retail for $1 - for less than the price of her limes. Gwyneth's decision to take on the $29-per-week challenge comes less than a month after she told CNN Money that she considers herself to be 'incredibly close to the common woman'. 'I'm incredibly close to the common woman in that I'm a woman and I'm a mother and we all are in a physical body with beating hearts with compassion and love we are all seekers,' she said in an interview. 'We all want fulfillment, we all want to live our best lives. We want to be healthy and happy and squeeze the most we can out of life. I think that's all women.' Gwyneth was initially dared to take on the challenge by her close friend, celebrity chef Mario Batali, who is a member of the Food Bank for New York City board, and also challenged singers Sting and Blondie to take part in the week-long trial. According to the Food Bank NYC website, the challenge is aimed at raising public awareness about the plight of the hungry, while also enabling each participant to understand more about the daily struggle those living on food stamps face. 'Congress cut food stamps twice since 2013, and soup kitchens and food pantries saw an immediate increase in visitors,' the food bank's fundraising page explains. 'New Yorkers can't afford any cuts to Food Stamps…The #FoodBankNYCChallenge raises hunger awareness and deepens your understanding about the struggle to afford food on a food stamp budget.' It is not known whether Gywneth's two children with ex-husband Chris Martin, Apple, ten, and Moses, nine, will also be taking part in the challenge however, given the limited supply of food featured in her Twitter picture, it is thought the Shakespeare in Love star is going it alone this time around.

The 42-year-old mother-of-two tweeted a picture of her $29 grocery shop, which included eggs, vegetables, brown rice and black beans. Gwyneth is taking part in the New York City Food Bank Challenge, which aims to raise awareness and funds for the city's food banks. The city's weekly food stamp allowance is just $29 per person per week. Gwyneth's healthy food choices have already come under fire from critics who claim they contain nowhere near enough calories for a whole week.

Pensioner David Atherton was shocked to find a three-foot snake slithering inside his oven when he innocently went to cook his pie and chips. The 65-year old from Halliwell, Bolton was just about to put his meal in the cooker when he caught sight of the black and white California king hiding inside. Atherton scooped up the reptile and placed it in a plastic food recycling box before alerting the police. Shocked: David Atherton, 65, went to put his meal in the oven when he discovered a three-foot California king snake (pictured) hiding inside. RSPCA officers came to collect the snake the same evening and it has been given a temporary home with a local conservationist since. Atherton's 73-year-old sister Margaret - who has a phobia of snakes - became severely distressed when she heard about the incident and needed to go to hospital with heart problems. He said: 'Her phobia is so bad she cannot even look at a snake on TV, let alone see one in real life. 'I would not like to hazard a guess as to what would have happened if she had been the one to open the oven and see it. It could have been much worse.' He added: 'When I pulled down the oven door I saw the snake hanging down from the side and and at first I thought it was part of a food packet, but then I realised what it was. 'There is a small gap between the oven and the fitted cupboards, which must be what it came through. 'You could not make it up and I must confess it is not something that happens every day.' Experts said the banded California king snakes can grow up to 6ft in length and were commonly kept as pets. Slither: Atherton - whose sister has an extreme phobia of snakes - scooped up the reptile and placed it inside a plastic food recycling box (pictured) RSPCA inspector Melissa Furey said it is common to see an influx of snakes coming out in April as the weather gets warmer. She added: 'It is the time of year when they come out basking in the sun - this is the second escaped snake in just over a week which has made an appearance in Greater Manchester. 'Pet owners need to be responsible and make sure they have the correct equipment - vivariums with locks - because snakes are really good escape artists and can slip through the smallest of gaps.'

65-year-old David Atherton shocked to discover the black and white reptile. He placed it inside a plastic food recycling box while waiting for the police. His sister is so scared of snakes she had 'heart problems' when she heard. Influx of snakes is common in April when weather is warmer, RSPCA says.

Boko Haram militants have disguised themselves as preachers in order to carry out a savage gun massacre in northern Nigeria that left at least 24 people dead. The Islamic extremists drove cars to a mosque in the remote village of Kwajafa in Borno state, where they told locals they were there to teach Islam. Once a crowd had gathered around the men, the jihadis opened fire using handguns and assault rifles before setting fire to nearby houses that were filled with unsuspecting families. The attack came as new pictures showed how teenagers caught up in previous slaughters carried out by Boko Haram in neighbouring Chad are being encouraged draw spine-chilling pictures of the attacks as part of their therapy. Memories: The attack came as new pictures showed how teenagers caught up in previous slaughters carried out by Boko Haram are being encouraged draw pictures of the attacks as part of their therapy. Heartbreaking: The chilling images illustrate the innocence of the young victims murdered by the jihadis. Shocking: Young men and women at a refugee camp near Baga Sola in Chad were photographed drawing bloody scenes of assault rifle-wielding gunmen carrying out slaughters from the back of pick-up trucks. Boko Haram's six-year insurgency in Nigeria, and President Goodluck. Jonathan's failure to end it were key factors. in the victory of opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari in last. week's election. The group fighting for an Islamic state has killed thousands. and kidnapped hundreds, although a military operation against. them by Nigeria and neighbours Chad, Cameroon and Niger in the. past two months has wrested back much of the territory it. controlled. 'People didn't know the Boko Haram men came for attack. because they lied to our people that they came for preaching,' said Buba in a telephone conversation. 'They opened fire on them and killed many people,' he said,. adding that houses were set on fire. Some people were being treated for gunshot wounds and burns. at a hospital in the Borno state town of Biu on Monday, a source. there said. Young Nigerian refugees draw during a therapy program managed by UNICEF in Baga Sola refugee camp. Young Nigerians refugees play on April 6, 2015 in a refugee camp near Baga Sola. Seven civilians were killed in an attack in Chad blamed on Nigerian Boko Haram rebels, officials said on April 6. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE DESMAZESPHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images. Last week the U.N.'s human rights chief said Boko Haram fighters have been murdering dozens of young women and girls they had taken as 'wives' and using children as 'expendable cannon fodder'. As the Islamist militant group has retreated from parts of northeastern Nigeria, 'gruesome scenes of mass graves and further evident signs of slaughter,' has been brought to light, Zeid Raad al-Hussein told a special session of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva. Boko Haram's reported use of children as shields and human bombs would, if confirmed, constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, he said. This comes in response to recent reports that hundreds of women and children had been seized from Nigerian primary schools by Boko Haram militants to be used as 'human shields'. The Islamists took as many as 500 adults and children from primary schools in the north-eastern town of Damasak in late February, Mike Omeri, spokesman for the fight against Boko Haram, said. Still there: A boy is photographed yesterday walking past a burnt house and car in N'Gouboua, near Lake Chad in Chad, which was attacked by Islamist group Boko Haram earlier in the year. Today it emerged that those caught up in deadly attacks by Boko Haram - who declared their allegiance to the Islamic State terror group earlier this year - have been asked to draw pictures of the massacres as part of their therapy. Young men and women at a UNICEF-run refugee camp near Baga Sola in Chad were photographed using pencils and crayons to draw bloody scenes of assault rifle-wielding gunmen carrying out slaughters from the back of pick-up trucks. The chilling creations illustrate the innocence of the young victim savagely murdered by the jihadis. Boko Haram has been waging a guerilla war in northern Nigeria and also attacked towns in neighboring countries, prompting nations in the region including Chad and Niger to put together a force to combat them. The newly elected president of Nigeria, General Muhammadu Buhari, who beat incumbent Goodluck Jonathan in a landslide win last night, has promised to 'stamp out' the insurgency . In Kano state, where Boko Haram's 'war' on the civilian population has been most prominent, Buhari delivered a crushing defeat to Jonathan, winning 1.9 million votes for Jonathan's 215,800. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

Cold-blooded jihadis drove to a mosque in the remote village of Kwajafa. Disguised killers told locals there were there to teach them about Islam. Once a crowd had gathered, the militants opened fire with assault rifles. They then set about setting fire to houses filled with unsuspecting families.

A 73-year-old woman died in front of horrified family members after she was knocked over by a Canadian tourist while visiting the Great Wall of China. Cui Hongfang, from Heilongjiang Province in north-eastern China, hit the back of her head on a corner of the stone wall after she collided with the 38-year-old Canadian woman. Police have ruled the tragedy an accident, although they are still investigating the circumstances of the Chinese woman’s death. Cui Hongfang's family told Chinese media that the Canadian tourist was running down steep steps. The victim’s husband told The Beijing News that his wife was knocked over as the tourist ran down steps on a steep section of the wall on Wednesday. He told the newspaper: ‘The foreigner was moving really fast. She was chasing [someone] and laughing and wanted to go between me and my wife.’ Mrs Hongfang’s family members said she lost conscious immediately, was bleeding from her mouth, nose and ears, and stopped breathing shortly after she was knocked over on the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. They said the tourist ran further down the wall and then returned to the spot where the collision occurred. Police in Beijing have ruled Cui Hongfang's death an accident, although they are still investigating. Mrs Hongfang’s family called police and paramedics, who did not arrive until approximately one hour later due to the remote location north of Beijing. An official with the Mutianyu Great Wall Tourism Services Company told news website China.org.cn that the collision occurred in a ‘blind spot’ within the CCTV system, so there is no footage of it. The official said: ‘We have rules and warnings for tourists, asking them not to chase each other, run fast or play around on the steep sections of the Great Wall.’ Police decided not to charge the Canadian woman after interviewing her and witnesses. Mrs Hongfang’s relatives were not pleased that the woman has not been charged with an offence such as involuntary manslaughter, and investigators advised them to file a civil lawsuit against the tourist, who has since returned to Canada.

Cui Hongfang hit the back of her head on a corner of the stone wall. Police have ruled it an accident, but are still investigating. Victim's family said the tourist was running on a steep section of the wall.

Could these be the boots of a disembodied samurai soldier, lingering mysteriously behind this little girl? A spooky dark visage that appears behind the child in this photograph has sparked online rumours of a ghost. This photograph was captured in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan - 'nearby some samurai tombs', apparently - late last year. The Reddit user who posted it online - a friend of the photographer - insisted it was 'not photoshopped' and that paranormal forces could be at work. 'I'm not saying it's anything - just that it looks an awful lot like disembodied boots and legs...' 'Obiaruf ' told users. Scroll down for video. A trick of the light or paranormal forces at play? There is chatter online about what the cause of this apparent black boot apparition is. Eerie: A pair of black boots are clearly seen behind the little girl - even though her photographer father apparently does not recall a person standing there. The Reddit user who posted the controversial image online suggested they could be samurai boots - although others are not so sure. He then suggested they appeared to be 'samurai boots to me'. 'I know there are several very old samurai tombs nearby. 'Again, not saying that this is what is there, just that, based on preliminary research, this is my best guess...' Photographs from the same set show the little girl with nothing behind her and the snapper 'swears' there was nothing behind her at the time. In this picture from the same set, no one appears to be standing behind this little girl. However, in this other picture, the black boots have returned. Another conspirator suggested they could be combat boots from the World War II era. 'My grandfather was in the pacific theater (Okinawa Japan) in WWII and I recognize what the man in the background is wearing. Its a US Navy Uniform from WWII.' But not everyone was so convinced by the tricky picture. Some users suggested it was likely an optical illusion - a trick of the light - or the presence of a real-life human being. Or both. 'Looks like a living person in boots and dark pants and a light blue, possibly denim colored shirt,' said Jack_Shid. Sceptics have noted the presence of a blue piece of fabric lingering behind the little girl. 'Because of the perspective, the rest of the person is hidden behind the girl. Last month, a chilling image emerged on the 'Toowoomba Ghost Chasers' Facebook past, with its owner claiming it showed the ghost on a young drowning victim. The photograph, which was taken in 2014, was posted on Facebook by Australian Kim Davison, from Queensland. Social media users are claiming that the white shape at the back of the image, circled, shows a ghostly face. Photo was taken at Murphy's Hole which is the same location 13-year-old Doreen O'Sullivan drowned in 1915. Was it Doreen O'Sullivan' ghost? Ms Davison claims her daughter's leg was grabbed by something in the water. The image appeared to show two women and four children swimming at Murphy's Hole in the Lockyer River, south-east Queensland. But Ms Davison and Jessie Lu, the other adult in the photo, were adamant they were only accompanied by three children. It provoked fierce discussion online after it was revealed a little girl had died in the watering hole a century prior. A Brisbane Courier newspaper clipping from November 22 1913 included a death notice for a little girl who died in that watering hole. 'Doreen O Sullivan, aged 13 years, eldest daughter of Mr. James O'Sullivan was accidentally drowned whilst bathing in the Lockyer Creek on Friday afternoon,' the notice read. 'Nearly an hour elapsed, before the body was recovered. The spot, which has always been considered dangerous, is known as Murphy's Hole, and is over 20 foot deep. Ms Davison insisted: 'At the time of taking this photo there was nothing between us. 'I'm holding the little girl and that white head next to me with horns is not human, I can promise you that. 'Its fingers are on my shoulder and on my daughter's arm. They are long skeletal type fingers.' An admin from the Toowoomba Ghost Chasers Facebook page posted a negative version of the image, saying: 'Light flare will always show up as black shadowing when the photo is inverted.. and in this case the light flare is coming from full sunlight reflecting off the water onto the child' Tragic Doreen O'Sullivan was only 13 when she accidentally drowned in the swimming hole in 1915. Disturbingly, Ms Davison claims that there had been strange occurrences that day as they swam in the water, which only firms her belief that a spirit was present. 'On this day my daughter had her leg grabbed two times by something in the water.' 'When I went back in for one last dip to cool off I did feel something behind me as I was walking out of water but tried to ignore it. Ms Davison was convinced the shadowy visage in the photograph was Doreen O'Sullivan's photograph. A sceptic responded to Ms Davison's claims, pointing out another possibility. 'The eye sees what it wants to see. In my opinion, it's nothing more than a splash of water,' wrote Max Meara. 'Notice the child facing away from the camera - their left arm has just surfaced, causing a splash.' Brad Glynn had another explanation: 'I think it is another kid just the sun is over exposed more on the face as they are facing the sun.' The 'Toowoomba Ghost Chasers' Facebook page administrators were not convinced by either explanation. 'We used to swim there all the time growing up and all I can say is just to be safe I'm never swimming there again!' they wrote. Ms Davison posted the photo on the Toowoomba Ghost Chasers Facebook page. The administrators were shocked by the photo, writing 'We used to swim there all the time growing up and all I can say is just to be safe I'm never swimming there again!' Ms Davison claims that two paranormal experts looked at the photograph and after extensive investigation came to the conclusion that the shape in the image is a child who drowned in the river in 1915. Ms Davison was also of the opinion that the figure in the photo was a demon who tried to take her daughter. The spot, which has always been considered dangerous, is known as Murphy's Hole, and is over 20 foot deep.

Are these the ghostly disembodied boots of a samurai soldier? Chatter online after mysterious image emerges of a little girl. The photograph was taken in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan, last year. A black pair of boots appear behind the small child. However, there is no evidence of anyone else in other photos. 'I know there are several very old samurai tombs' nearby. The photographer purportedly insists it has not been photoshopped.

Two birds of prey have been caught on camera brutally fighting over a nesting box, staring each other down before attacking each other with sharp talons and beaks. A kestrel and a barn owl repeatedly lunged at each other while trying to gain mastery of the box so they could lay eggs and rear their young in safety. And despite the owl's cuddly reputation, it came out the victor, forcing the kestrel to seek an alternative home for itself and its mate. Face-off: A barn owl and a kestrel have been caught on camera fighting in a nesting box. Conflict: The two birds of prey lunged at each other in a vicious scrap. The fight was captured on video by wildlife photographer Robert Fuller, using a camera he set up inside a 13ft-high elm tree stump in his garden in Thixendale, North Yorkshire. He said that a pair of kestrels had been guarding the nesting box in the tree, but when they left in the evening a barn owl swooped in and laid a claim to the nest. After the owl drove the kestrels away he managed to attract a mate to share his new home - but the kestrels found an alternative nesting box in Mr Fuller's garden. The cameras were set up as part of an exhibition at Mr Fuller's gallery, monitoring the nest of blackbirds, blue tits and pheasants as well as birds of prey. Confrontation: The kestrel was attempting to win back the nesting box after guarding it all day. Flurry: A video camera captured the vicious fight, with the two birds throwing themselves at each other. On top: At one point the kestrel had the owl up against the wall of the box inside an old tree stump. Mr Fuller said: 'The nest has been used in the past by tawny owls and this year the kestrels were showing a lot of interest in it. 'The female was guarding it during the day then in the evening a male barn owl started coming in and calling for a mate. 'The kestrel and barn owl battle is absolutely spectacular footage. It's much more exciting than any soap or drama on TV. 'In the footage you can see the barn owl lands and the kestrel comes right behind and hits so hard it knocks it inside and into the nest wall. 'Both birds are very well equipped to kill things, they have very sharp talons. They often have disputes in the air but here they were in a very confined space. Turnaround: Despite the kestrel's more aggressive reputation, the barn owl ended up defeating it. Victor: At the end of the video the owl can be seen admiring its new home. 'At the beginning the barn owl was looking for an escape route but the male kestrel keeps appearing at the opening. 'Kestrels have a terrier mentality, they're aggressive. Barn owls aren't really but they do have very long legs and talons, it was a fairly even battle. 'The kestrels have been here since 2006 and I feed them in the garden, they're like part of the family. But the barn owl is my favourite bird and I wanted them to nest here too. I didn't want either of them to get injured. 'The barn owl won, he's found a mate now and the kestrels are in a different nesting box in my garden. The female is guarding it day and night, she's not going to get caught out again.' Barn owls and kestrels are both attracted to nests which overlook open land, meaning that it is fairly common for them to compete for the same nesting space.

Two birds of prey fought each other in a North Yorkshire garden. Barn owl succeeded in driving out a kestrel from nesting box which he had been guarding all day. The battle was caught on camera by photographer Robert Fuller.

Tons of rotting fish have filled a lagoon in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where Olympic rowing and canoeing events will be held during next year's Games. Over the past week, thousands of the silver fish have died and have been scooped out of Rodrigo de Freitas lake, but city authorities and biologists have argued about the cause. More than 37 tons of fish have been collected, according to Rio's waste management company, but there is still an overwhelming stench, sparking complaints from neighbours and passers-by. Clearing: Rio's waste management company said it has cleared more than 37 tons of fish, which have been taken to the city's main dump. Olympics: Rodrigo de Freitas lake is set to host the Olympic rowing and canoeing events during next year's Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. There is an overwhelming stench coming from the lake and authorities and biologists have argued about about the cause of the deaths. Rubbish collectors will continue to rake the decomposing fish, a small silvery species called twaite shad, off the water's surface until the the mass dying subsides. They are being taken to the city's main dump. The die-offs are common in Rio, where rivers, lakes and even the ocean are blighted by raw sewage and garbage. Rower and Olympic hopeful Felipe Xavier said: 'I have to come train but these dead fish bother us because the smell is very strong and the huge amount of fish slows the boat.' But Alexandre Fernandez, rowing coach of Botafogo club based in Rio, said he had no worries about the phenomenon and believes the cause was natural, not because of pollution. In February, twaite shad died in the blighted waters of Guanabara Bay, where the Olympic sailing events are to be held. Members of a local rowing club have to train among the dead fish in Rodrigo de Freitas lake ahead of the Olympic Games in the city in 2016. Rubbish collectors will continue to clear the decomposing fish, a small silvery species called twaite shad, off the water's surface in Rio. More than 37 tons of fish have been collected, according to Rio's waste management company, but there is still an overwhelming stench. The dead fish are being scooped out of the water by rubbish collectors using nets and are then taken to Rio de Janeiro's main dump. Rio's environmental secretariat has insisted that the latest incident is the result of a sudden change in water temperature. 'The intense rains that happened last week and a rise in the sea levels led to a spike in the (sea) water entering the lake, causing a thermal shock,' it said in a statement, reporting that water temperature in the lake quickly fell by 4C. However, several scientists have rejected that explanation, saying that pollution is really to blame. Estefan Monteiro da Fonseca, an oceanographer at Fluminense Federal University, said the official explanation 'makes no sense'. Despite more than 37 tons of the fish being removed from the water, there is still an overwhelming stench which has prompted complaints. Picturesque? Rio de Janeiro's stunning landscape has been blighted by the dead fish, which are currently being cleared from the water. Lagoon: There are so many fish on the surface of the lake in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil that almost no water can be seen in some places. Alexandre Fernandez (not pictured), rowing coach of Botafogo club, said he's not worried and believes the cause of the deaths was natural. He said: 'The lake continues receiving large quantities of sewage.' He added that it has large concentrations of sulfur because of the organic material dumped into it, and depending on the wind, that material rises to the surface and kills fish. Rio's water quality has become one of the most contentious issues heading into the 2016 Olympics. Authorities have long said the games would be the catalyst for a major cleanup of the city's waterways, but as the sporting event approaches with few improvements, they are now admitting that the Olympic promises won't be met. Natural causes? Rio's environmental secretariat has insisted that the latest incident is the result of a sudden change in water temperature. Passers-by have to hold their noses because of the overwhelming stench coming from the surface of the water, where rowers are training. Rubbish collection: A man sits on a boat filled with dead fish in Rodrigo de Freitas lake, where Olympic events are due to be held next year. Training: A man rows in the lake surrounded by thousands of dead fish ahead of the Olympics in the South American city next year. Rio Governor Luiz Fernando Pezao acknowledged earlier this week 'there's not going to be time' to finish the cleanup ahead of the games, suggesting it might take until the end of 2018 instead. Sailors have repeatedly voiced concerns about possible health and safety threats posed by competing in Rio's waters. Mr Fonseca warned that if another fish die-off occurs during the games in August 2016, 'Rio's image could suffer irreparable damage'. Rio Governor Luiz Fernando Pezao acknowledged earlier this week 'there's not going to be time' to finish the cleanup ahead of the games. An oceanographer said that if another fish die-off occurs during the games in August 2016, 'Rio's image could suffer irreparable damage'. Authorities have said the games would be the catalyst for a major cleanup of the city's waterways, but there have been few improvements.

Tons of dead fish are being cleared from a stinking lagoon in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which will host Olympic events. Rotting silver fish have filled Rodrigo de Freitas lake where rowing and canoeing events should take place next year. There is an overwhelming stench and authorities and biologists have argued about about the cause of the deaths.

Triple tragedy: Archie Brown Jr (pictured) struck and killed a 2-year-old who ran in front of his van in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Sunday evening. While at the scene an unidentified gunman shot Brown and a 15 year old dead. Milwaukee police say the driver of a van who struck and killed a 2-year-old has been shot dead at the scene of the accident - possibly in revenge. A 15-year-old boy was also shot and later died - though it's not clear what his connection to the incident was. Police Captain Timothy Heier says the car accident occurred at 5:10pm Sunday after the child ran into the street in a residential neighborhood on the 4600 block of North 48th Street in Milwaukee. The driver remained at the scene and stayed in his van while police arrived. Before officers could show up, someone opened fire - shooting the driver in the head. He died at the scene. A 15-year-old boy was also shot and later died at the hospital. Police say the teen was not a passenger in the van. The driver's father identified him as father-of-four Archie Brown Jr, to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Police are still looking for the person responsible, and so far they have released few details on the tragic incident. Milwaukee Alberman Joe Davis was called to the scene on Sunday and gave statements, indicating the shooting may have been carried out in revenge for the little child's death. Scroll down for video. At large: Above, the scene of a car accident in Milwaukee, Wilconsin on Sunday. Police say no suspects have been brought into custody. Revenge? Police have released few details on the shooting. However a local alderman suggested that the shooting was carried out in revenge of the child's death. 'I know that the people in that house may have been very, very upset about the incident — the vehicular incident that occurred, but you don’t solve these types of things with guns, and start shooting and taking other people’s lives,' Davis said. Archie Brown Sr told the Journal Sentinel that police showed him a picture of the victim, who he identified as his son, and learned that he had been shot in the head. Archie Brown Sr. identified his son, father-of-four Archie Brown Jr., as the driver who was shot in the head and killed at the scene. Brown Sr said his son was a real estate entrepreneur and landlord who leaves behind four daughters - the youngest just six months old. 'My son's just been murdered,' Brown Sr said in a phone call just after speaking with investigators. Brown's half brother Riles Rilley also spoke with the Journal Sentinel and said that Brown was the co-owner of Seven West nightclub. 'Just a good person all around. Never had any enemies. Always looking to do the right thing,' he said.

A 41-year-old driver hit and killed a 2-year-old girl Sunday evening when the toddler ran front of his van in a Milwaukee neighborhood. The driver, Archie Brown Jr., stopped at the scene. Moments later, someone from the home where the toddler lived opened fire - shooting Brown dead and fatally wounding a 15-year-old. Police are investigating whether the shooting was revenge for the fatal traffic accident. The gunman responsible has not been arrested. Brown was a father of four with a young daughter of his own.

It’s no secret that almost all dogs love water, but very few are making waves like these two border collies. One-year-old Anna and six-year-old Indi have been thrilling crowds at surfing competitions for dogs after taking to the sport like a duck to water. With the help of their owner, Zane Jones, the four-legged surfers use their low centre of gravity to keep them stable while hanging ten off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Anna and Indi, owned by 32-year-old Zane Jones, have been surfing since they were about 10 weeks old. Zane, a 32-year-old search and rescue crewman, said: ‘I have been surfing for around 16 years, but when we got Indi, I suddenly had a new riding partner. ‘She would perch on the front of the board and as we caught the waves occasionally lifting one paw up as if she was hanging five, which is Indi's famous trade mark. ‘Anna was exactly the same, they both loved the water from the very first day we took them to the beach.’ Zane and his partner, Caitlin Ollier, 26, have owned the dogs, who both began surfing when they were just 10 weeks old, since they were puppies. Indi, who won a runners-up medal at a competition, has been trained to lift her paw to 'hang five' The dogs use their low centre of gravity to keep them stable while surfing in Queensland, Australia. The dogs haven’t won a competition yet, but their owners are hoping they can top their best result to date – a runners-up medal for Indi and the Noosa Festival of Surfing. Zane said: ‘Both girls are naturals when it comes to balance and knowing where to stand on the board. ‘When I take Indi and Anna out on the waves at our local surfing spot we always draw a big crowd of people who watch from the board walk or the beach. ‘We even get stopped when we go for walks as people are starting to recognise the girls. ‘Hopefully we can improve our competition performance in the future, but the girls are getting better every day.'

Anna and Indi have been surfing since they were about 10 weeks old. Their best result to date is a runners-up medal won by Indi. Indi has been trained to lift her paw to 'hang five' while surfing.

A trespasser carrying a suspicious package jumped over the White House railings last night - the latest in a string of embarrassing security breaches to hit the US capital. The intruder was arrested after climbing into the grounds of the President's home at 10.25pm. Brian Leary of the United States Secret Service - the federal agency in charge of protecting the President - said the unnamed person was in custody in Washington DC and charges were pending. He added that the intruder, whose gender or age has not been released, had been 'immediately' apprehended by officers in the uniformed division of the Secret Service. Scroll down for video. A member of the Secret Service uniformed division and his K-9 dog patrol the perimeter of the White House. The package was examined and 'deemed to be harmless', according to a report by CNN. It is not known what it contained or why the fence was climbed. The trespasser entered the south side of grounds, which face the National Mall. Last September, a knife-wielding man managed to scale the fence on the north side and get into White House itself via an unlocked door. That incident prompted a review of the building's security. Just last week US officials announced that temporary steel spikes may be put on the tips of the railings. The 8ft-tall fence is due to be replaced in the longer term with a permanent, more secure barrier, the details of which are still under discussion. Security fears: The 8ft-tall railings surrounding the President's residence are set to be replaced. Security in Washington DC in general has been the focus of much attention in recent months. Last Wednesday an illicit gyrocopter was able to land on the west lawn of the US Capitol. Its pilot Doug Hughes, a Florida mail worker, said he was protesting against the way political campaigns are funded. He is currently under house arrest and faces up to four years in prison if he is found guilty of unlawfully operating an unregistered aircraft and violating national defence airspace. Recent breach: A bomb-squad worker examines the gyrocopter that landed on the Capitol lawn last week. House arrest: The gyrocopter's pilot Doug Hughes. The 61-year-old told reporters outside his home: 'I had expected to be intercepted on the way.' He said when he flew over the capital city, 'people were not frightened at all. That part of it was surreal.' A full-scale security review in Washington was launched in the wake of the breach. The city's Secret Service is being investigated in a separate probe after two senior agents drove their car into a White House barrier on March 4. Mark Connolly, who is second in command of Barack Obama’s security detail, and George Ogilvie had allegedly been drinking when they crashed the government vehicle. They are subject to an internal investigation. Earlier this month, a senior Secret Service supervisor was suspended over allegations of unwanted sexual advances toward a co-worker. And a uniformed division officer assigned to the Foreign Missions branch was recently charged with destroying property, according to NBC News.

Trespasser managed to get into grounds of presidential residence. Secret Service in Washington DC claim they made an 'immediate' arrest. Intruder's parcel was examined but deemed not to be a risk. Breach comes a few days after a gyrocopter landed on Capitol's lawn.

An Arizona woman got an early Easter surprise when she saw what she believes to be the image of Jesus Christ in her dental x-rays during a check-up last month. Kym Ackerman saw the son of God in an x-ray of one her left-side molars when she went for a dental check-up in Flagstaff on March 25. Ackerman, 32, spotted the image and pointed it out to both the dentist and hygienist. Scroll down for video. Kym Ackerman saw Jesus in an x-ray of her molars when she went for dental a check-up in Flagstaff, Arizona. Ackerman, 32, plans to frame the x-ray and keep the special molar and her mouth free of cavities in the future. Although the hygienist agreed about the sanctified shape, the dentist was substantially less excited and 'started looking at my teeth', Ackerman told the Huffington Post. She said: 'At my dentist, the computer shows the X-rays as soon as they are taken. 'I said to the hygienist, "That looks crazy! Do you see I what I see?" 'My mom passed away from breast cancer when I was 17, so when I saw this, I thought, '"That's my guardian angel.''' The dentist didn't find any cavities during the check-up and Ackerman has vowed to keep her mouth, and especially that holy molar, healthy. She's also planning on framing the x-ray. This is not the first time that Jesus has supposedly returned in x-ray form. A cancer-stricken Indiana woman saw Christ in her chest x-ray after she was hospitalized with pneumonia following breast cancer surgery in December of 2010. She saw Jesus in a x-ray of the area right over her heart. A cancer-stricken Indiana woman saw Jesus Christ in her x-ray after she was hospitalized with pneumonia. Karen Sigler (pictured) saw Jesus in a x-ray of the area right over her heart that was taken in December of 2010. After seeing the image, she said: 'My faith just got a little stronger since I saw that Jesus was sitting on my heart and that he's there. 'You can see him. He's there.' She started chemotherapy the following month.

Kym Ackerman saw Jesus in x-ray of left-side molar at dentist in Flagstaff. Ackerman, 32, pointed the special tooth out to both dentist and hygienist. She plans to frame the x-ray and keep the molar and her mouth cavity-free.

Alaa Abdullah Esayed admitted encouraging terrorism by posting 45,000 tweets supporting ISIS. A woman posted tens of thousands of Tweets supporting ISIS which included pictures of dead bodies and encouraging children to arm themselves with weapons. Alaa Abdullah Esayed, from south London, uploaded 45,600 tweets in less than a year. Some of the messages she posted between June 1 2013 and May 14 2014, included pictures of the corpses of fighters killed in Syria which she uploaded to her Instagram account. Her tweets also included a poem 'Mother of the Martyr' which advises parents how to raise a child to be violent with weapons and learn jihad. Esayed pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to encouraging terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2006 and disseminating terrorist publications. She could face up to 14 years in prison for the offences. The 22-year-old posted around 127 messages a day to her 8,534 followers. The Iraqi national refused to stand while the charges were read out. Esayed was arrested on June 3 2014, and was granted bail at an earlier hearing. She appeared wearing the full face veil, alongside her father, and spoke only to enter her guilty pleas. She admitted encouraging terrorism by publishing the posts, together with photographs and video links which she 'intended or was reckless as to whether members of the public would be directly or indirectly encouraged or otherwise induced by the statement to commit, prepare or instigate acts of terrorism or Convention offences.' A second charge accused her of disseminating terrorist publications. Both offences carry maximum penalties of seven years in prison. In her basis of plea Miss Esayed, said: 'I accept I published a series of posts on Twitter and Instagram and in doing so I was reckless as to whether members of the public would be directly or indirectly encouraged or otherwise induced by the statement to commit, prepare or instigate acts of terrorism or [European] Convention offences. The 22-year-old appeared at the Old Bailey in a large coat and hood, wearing a veil in the courtroom. Esayed admitted encouraging children to take up weapons and fight for ISIS in the thousands of posts. 'I accept that via my Twitter account I provided a service to others that enables them to obtain, read listen to or look at a terrorist publication, namely by providing links to poems and other propaganda and at the time of doings so I was reckless as to whether members of the public would be directly or indirectly encouraged or otherwise induced by the statement to commit, prepare or instigate acts of terrorism or Convention offences.' Esayed will be sentenced on May 18 and was released on conditional bail.

Alaa Abdullah Esayed posted 45,600 tweets supporting ISIS to followers. Some posts included pictures of the dead bodies of jihadi fighters. Others quotes a poem advising parents how to raise children to be violent. Esayed, 22, could face 14 years in prison after she admitted encouraging terrorism and disseminating terrorist publications.

Two months after announcing that he is leaving The Daily Show, Jon Stewart has revealed that he decided to quit because he was becoming increasing depressed watching cable news. Two months after announcing that he is leaving The Daily Show, Jon Stewart has revealed that he decided to call time on his 17 year reign because he was becoming increasing depressed by American politics and watching cable news. Speaking for the first time since making his shock decision, Stewart said he was looking forward to not having to watch the 'relentless' 24-hour news networks anymore. 'Watching these channels all day is incredibly depressing,' Stewart told The Guardian. 'I live in a constant state of depression. I think of us as turd miners. I put on my helmet, I go and mine turds, hopefully I don't get turd lung disease.' Asked if he'd ever voluntarily watch Fox News, Stewart said, 'Let's say that it's a nuclear winter, and I have been wandering, and there appears to be a flickering light through what appears to be a radioactive cloud and I think that light might be a food source that could help my family. 'I might glance at it for a moment until I realize, that's Fox News, and then I shut it off.' Stewart also confessed that his 'moments of dissatisfaction' with the show had started to become more frequent. 'It's not like I thought [The Daily Show] wasn't working any more, or that I didn't know how to do it. It was more, "Yup, it's working. But I'm not getting the same satisfaction,'" he said. 'These things are cyclical. You have moments of dissatisfaction, and then you come out of it and it's OK. But the cycles become longer and maybe more entrenched, and that's when you realize, "OK, I'm on the back side of it now.'" Scroll down for video. Stewart said he didn't have many regrets from his time hosting the Comedy Central show, but one was not pushing Donald Rumsfeld harder when he had the chance in 2011. Even the upcoming 2016 Presidential election campaign couldn't reignite Stewart's passion the way it once did. 'I'd covered an election four times, and it didn't appear that there was going to be anything wildly different about this one,' said Stewart. 'Honestly, it was a combination of the limitations of my brain and a format that is geared towards following an increasingly redundant process, which is our political process. 'I was just thinking, "Are there other ways to skin this cat?' And, beyond that, it would be nice to be home when my little elves get home from school, occasionally." Stewart also said he didn't have many regrets from his time hosting the Comedy Central show, but one was not pushing Donald Rumsfeld harder when he had the chance. The former secretary of defense appeared on The Daily Show in 2011 for an interview, which the comedian says he messed up. Although Stewart hasn't set an official exit date, Comedy Central announced last month that comedian and The Daily Show correspondent Trevor Noah, left, would be taking over. 'He just went into the general gobbledegook,' said Stewart. "Mnah mnah mnah, well, you have to remember, it was 9/11 mnah mnah." I should have pushed, but he's very adept at deflecting.' Rumsfeld, who was on the show to promote his memoir, Known And Unknown, dodged Stewart's questions about faulty U.S. intelligence leading up to the Iraq War. Although Stewart hasn't set an official exit date, Comedy Central announced last month that comedian and The Daily Show correspondent Trevor Noah, 31, would be taking over. Noah has already had to combat accusations of anti-Semitism over a series of old tweets. Stewart has voiced his full support for his successor, recently calling the incoming host 'incredibly thoughtful and considerate and funny and smart.' The exiting host told The Guardian that one reason for stepping down early in the presidential election cycle was to give Noah a big story to tackle. Stewart said he felt 'that, for the show, you don't want to leave when the cupboard's bare. So I think it's a better introduction when you have something providing you with assisted fuel, like a presidential campaign.'

Two months after announcing he is leaving Stewart has revealed that he was becoming increasing depressed watching cable news. 'I live in a constant state of depression. I think of us as turd miners,' he said. Stewart also confessed that his 'moments of dissatisfaction' with the show had started to become more frequent. Comedian said he didn't have many regrets, but one was not pushing Donald Rumsfeld harder when he had the chance in 2011.

Hillary Rodham Clinton took aim at Republicans on Monday for latching on to a new book that details sweetheart deals she allegedly made between foreign governments and the U.S. State Department in exchange for speaking fees and donations to her family foundation. 'It is, I think, worth noting that the Republicans seem to be talking only about me,' she told reporters in the liberal New Hampshire bastion of Keene. 'Hopefully we'll get on to the issues.' Clinton dismissed the swirling questions as little more than political attacks from Republicans eager to gain an early advantage in the 2016 presidential contest. And campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination, she pushed back hard. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO. IT'S ME: Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton's chief complaint about Republicans is that they can't stop talking about her. DINING WITH THE 1 PER CENT: Clinton hobnobbed with Democratic officials last night in Concord at the home of a former state Senate president. 'We will be subjected to all kinds of distractions and attacks,' she told reporters after a roundtable event at a children's furniture factory. 'I'm ready for that. I know that that comes, unfortunately, with the territory.' She is making her first campaign visit this year to New Hampshire, a state beloved by the Clinton family for giving both her faltering 2008 effort and her husband's struggling 1992 campaign a second wind. She also took issue with economic views expressed by members of her own party, offering a dark assessment of a 'stalled out' U.S. recovery, a judgment at odds with President Barack Obama's brighter view of what the nation has achieved on his watch. 'It's not enough just to tread water,' she said. NOT READY FOR HILLARY: A lone protester vented his spleen at the New Hampshire Technical Institute while Clinton held a roundtable inside. In a traditional Democratic stand, she voiced her strong support for Social Security, a program some Republicans are eager to trim back, describing it as 'not a luxury' but 'a necessity.' Standing in front of wooden pallets and boxes of furniture parts, Clinton was asked by reporters about Peter Schweizer's coming book, 'Clinton Cash: The Untold Story of How and Why Foreign Governments and Businesses Helped Make Bill and Hillary Rich.' The book argues that the Clinton family got speaking fees and donations in return for favors to various foreign interests doled out while she was secretary of state. Sen. Rand Paul, a 2016 GOP candidate, said that would make people 'question whether she ought to run for president.' Republicans have spent months talking about financial dealings of the Clinton Foundation to raise questions about Hillary Clinton's character. She stepped down from the organization's board within hours of announcing her campaign. The foundation has come under scrutiny for accepting foreign contributions, including from Middle Eastern nations that deny equal rights for women. Some also are on the front lines in the fight against terrorism. Last week, the foundation revised its policy to permit donations from six U.S. allies in Europe, Australia, and North America but to bar giving from other nations. The charity supports public health, climate change and anti-poverty programs. Clinton campaign aides and supporters moved quickly to discredit Schweizer after word of his book emerged, casting him as a Republican operative working to defeat her. SCOOBY SIGHTING: Clinton's campaign van made an appearance in Concord, NH on Tuesday morning. A FEW TAKERS: Clinton shook hands with staffers at Kristin's Bistro and Bakery on Monday in Keene, NH – but some kitchen workers didn't want to come out to meet her. Schweizer is president of the Government Accountability Institute, a conservative organization, and has advised Republican politicians on foreign policy. 'He's cherry picked information that's been disclosed and woven a bunch of conspiracy theories about it,' Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta said on PBS. Though nearly two dozen Republicans are competing for their party's nomination, the GOP candidates have largely focused their criticism on Clinton. In New Hampshire on the weekend, they mocked her campaign stops, charged her with being overly secretive and even brought up her husband's affair with a White House intern.

'Republicans seem to be talking only about me,' Hillary told reporters in New Hampshire. That's true: A forthcoming book claims she traded official favors at the State Department for speaking fees and donations to her foundation. 'Hopefully we'll get on to the issues,' she said. Clinton has yet to publicly articulate her own platform of issues and policy goals as a presidential candidate.

The Duchess of Cambridge is a modern-day suffragette who has done more to advance the cause of women than anyone else in recent years. Or so says actress Patsy Kensit, who made the comments in an interview with this week's Stylist magazine. Miss Kensit, 47, appeared in the magazine's regular 'Queen of Everything' feature and said the Duchess of Cambridge would be her 'regal inspiration'. Feminist icon: Patsy Kensit says the Duchess of Cambridge is 'our generation's suffragette' Charity work: The Duchess is famous for philanthropy but not, until now, feminism. She added: 'She's so fabulous on every level. She repeats outfits, which is brilliant. I know it's a shallow thing to say but I think it's done so much for women. 'I'm not going to be forced to have to look different every time I go out. She's like our generation's suffragette.' This is the first time that the Duchess, who spends much of her time doing charity work, has been lauded as a feminist icon. Although she has won plaudits for her dedication to children's charities such as The Art Room and Place2Be, her demure dress sense and closeness to her family has resulted in some criticism. Most recently, novelist Margaret Atwood revealed that she thinks Kate is an 'uneventful dresser' who is no match for Princess Diana. Suffragette: Emily Wilding Davison is pictured throwing herself in front of the King's horse in 1913. Votes for women: Campaigners lobbying for votes for women became known as suffragettes. Critics: The Duchess was dubbed a 'machine made princess' by Hilary Mantel and 'drab' by Margaret Atwood. ‘I think she’s watching her back,' continued the 75-year-old author. 'I think she probably has people who pretty much tell her what is appropriate for her to wear. 'I don’t think she’s become the fashion plate that Diana was, and I think she’s probably doing that advisably, wouldn’t you say?’ Miss Atwood isn't the only writer to criticise the Duchess, who is due to give birth to her second child later this month, in public. Double Booker Prize winner and Wolf Hall author Hilary Mantel has described Kate as being like a ‘shop window mannequin’ and a ‘machine-made’ princess who has been ‘designed by committee’. Meanwhile Sandi Toksvig caused outrage when she said the Duchess doesn’t have a ‘single opinion’ of her own, while Joan Smith produced a similar storm by labelling Kate ‘unambitious and bland’.

Miss Kensit said the Duchess of Cambridge is 'our generation's suffragette' The 47-year-old also said the Duchess was her 'regal inspiration' Made the comments during an interview with a weekly fashion magazine. Kate is famed for charity work but has never been dubbed a feminist before. The Duchess is due to give birth to her second child later this month.

A father who was arrested for using medical cannabis on his critically ill two-year-old daughter has pleaded for the government to legalise the drug as her health continues to decline. After hearing positive stories about the benefits of using the controversial treatment, the 32-year-old Cairns man decided to give cannabis oil to his daughter who is battling a rare form of cancer called neuroblastoma. Despite his claims that it improved her condition, the father, who cannot be named for legal reasons but has been nicknamed 'Fearless Father', was charged with administering a dangerous drug to a minor and was refused access to his sick daughter. Now he has spoken out in the hope that he can persuade the government to rethink their cannabis laws and drop the charges against him. Scroll down for video. The father has been charged for treating his 2-year-old daughter with medical cannabis oil. ‘My daughter’s got a 50 per cent survival rate, it’s pretty confronting', he told Channel 10. ‘Each day that ticks over is essentially children suffering as well as my daughter,' he said while talking about legalising medical cannabis. The little girl, who was diagnosed with the deadly disease shortly before Christmas, has an 11cm cancerous growth which is putting pressure on her internal organs. Just last week the toddlers condition took a turn for the worse. The young child has a high temperature, an infection and has fluid in her lungs. ‘She couldn't really move, I would just show her videos from home. I was crying the whole time because I don’t see her enough,' the desperate father said. 'That’s been the hardest thing not being there to support her and for her to see me and give her my love and care.' He appeared in court in January, where he was granted the right to visit his daughter, having previously been refused access after he was charged. When asked by Ten News if he thought he was a criminal, the father said 'absolutely not' and made it clear that all he wanted was for his daughter to get better. The young girl’s mother, who is estranged from the father, does not agree with his actions and the method of treatment he chose to use on their daughter. The father is reportedly estranged from the two-year-old's mother and she has made it very clear that she does not support his actions. She doesn't believe there's been an improvement in her daughter's condition. The adorable little girl was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer shortly before Christmas. He has relocated to Brisbane to be with his daughter during her treatment and is living out of a suitcase. For several weeks now, the father has been unable to see his daughter as she wasn't in the hospital. On his team's Facebook page it was revealed that it took police nearly three months to approve a supervisor for times that the little girl is not in hospital. 'The hospital have defaulted to previous orders from 2013 because they were given no choice in the absence of an agreement between [the child's] parents, which means that [the father] gets to spend 10 hours a week with his child IF she is in hospital,' the Facebook page called 'Fearless Father said. '[The father's] family, who love [the child] very much are also excluded from her life unless they are able to visit during [the father's] visits.' Two-year-old has an 11cm cancerous growth which is putting pressure on her internal organs. In January the dad was desperate to find a solution to his daughter's pain and administered the medical cannabis oil mixed with coconut, to increase her rate of survival. 'My aim was to create an alkaline climate in her body, provide a nutrient dense diet, alkaline water, essential oil therapy and a healing environment of fun and positivity,' he said. 'Her cancer ridden little body was alive again. [My daughter] had almost instant quality of life,' he said. 'She would say “Daddy, tummy's not sore". She would be able to eat like a champion and began to gain weight,' 'Her energy was up and she wanted to go outside with me instead of lay on her back with legs curled up. Her skin colour came back, her eyes were sparkling again,' the father has said. The girl's mother is at odds with the father over his treatment options for their daughter. However, according to him, his daughter is now struggling to breath on her own and is having seizures following her withdrawal from the cannabis oil. 'She has spiralled downhill since she lost her daddy and oil treatment. I pray that I will see her again one way,' he said. He appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates court in January charged with possession of a dangerous drug and administering a dangerous drug to a minor under the age of 16. As part of his bail he has now been allowed access to his daughter in hospital, however there needs to be a supervisor in the room with him. A group of people holding placards turned out at the court in support of the father and to protest against his arrest. After hearing positive stories about the benefits of cannabis oil, the father decided to give it to his daughter. The father, who worked as an IT professional with the Catholic Education Department, was left devastated when he was unable to log on to the work system after having his Blue Card revoked. Having sent numerous emails to the Education Department asking for permission to take 12 months carer leave with no response, he was shocked at their decision. He received a letter in the post to say his Blue Card had been revoked, claiming the change in his police information meant his employer must not continue to employ him. However the Catholic Education Department has made it clear that they support him and this was merely a legality. '[The father] is still employed by Catholic Education and is currently on paid leave,' they said. She was diagnosed with the deadly disease shortly before Christmas 2014 and her parents have been told she has a fifty per cent chance of survival. They said he is free to speak to them regarding his employment and can access their employee assistance program. Since the excruciating decision was made to ban the father from seeing his dying daughter, he has set up a campaign to raise awareness of his situation. The dad received good news as a result of the campaign, when he was granted permission to contact the hospital on a daily basis to be updated on his daughter's condition. The petition has attracted worldwide attention and over 200,000 supporters have now joined his campaign in an effort to legalise cannabis. The two-year-old tot's parents are in dispute over the administering of medical cannabis to cure her cancer. He argued that he 'deserves to have his parental rights to see his child reinstated, the charges against him dropped by a court and the right to decide the treatment options for his own child.' 'There is ample evidence to show that medical cannabis has many beneficial effects for cancer patients without the harmful side effects and other associated risks of current drug treatments,' he said. A fund has been set up in the two-year-old's name and is in the hands of his mother. He said all money raised from the account will be used for his daughter's ongoing journey and recovery. The NSW government recently announced there will be a range of clinical trials administered to test the benefits of medical marijuana. 'Medical Cannabis oil is an amazing healer and needs to be made available for anyone in need.' the father said. 'My goal is the have these charges thrown out. [The girl] needs her Daddy by her side.' The Medical Cannabis Users Association is holding a vigil this week out the front of the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital in support of the father. The dad argues that he 'deserves to have his parental rights to see his child reinstated, the charges against him dropped by a court and the right to decide the treatment options for his own child' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

A Cairns man faces court after giving his daughter medical cannabis oil. Two-year-old daughter is suffering from a rare form of cancer. The 30-year-old father claims the effects of the cannabis were miraculous. He was arrested for administering the drug to his daughter. He has since set up a campaign to highlight his situation.

Ricky Gervais has led an online charge against 'trophy hunters' after posting a picture of an Extreme Huntress winner lying next to a dead giraffe and smiling. The comedian was outraged when he came across the picture of American grandmother-of-nine Rebecca Francis, who won the reality TV show Extreme Huntress in 2010. 'What must've happened to you in your life to make you want to kill a beautiful animal & then lie next to it smiling?' a furious Gervais tweeted. Trophy: Ricky Gervais posted this picture of Extreme Huntress winner Rebecca Francis on his Twitter feed. Disgust: The animal-lover sent it out with this message - which got retweeted thousands of times. Proud: Francis, a grandmother-of-nine, is passionate about hunting - and regularly posts pictures of her kills. Francis then found herself at the centre of a social media storm, as 14,543 people retweeted it - with some even tweeting they hoped she dies 'a lonely, painful death'. Jason Arnopp (‏@JasonArnopp) tweeted: 'It's a special kind of psychopathy, it really is.' The Doom ‏(@JamesVonDoom) added: 'Why the **** are they shooting Giraffes? A standing giraffe is probably easier to hit than a "sitting duck".' Despite the outcry, Francis, a mother of eight in her mid-40s, is far from alone in her passion for hunting down animals for sport. Tens of thousands of tourists travel to Africa every year to collect 'trophies', from warthogs to elephants. Those wanting to hunt down giraffes to add to their collections can do so quite easily, with entire tour companies dedicated to the 'sport'. Killing a giraffe will cost somewhere in the region of $3,000, or £2,037, with the cost of the day's hunting on top - about $440 (£298). Extreme: Francis' biography reveals she hopes to inspire more women to get involved with hunting. Global: She has travelled all over the world to hunt - shooting dead zebra, lion and giraffes. Record: Francis has recently achieved the 'Grand Slam of North America' - hunting down all the species of sheep native to the continent with her bow. She is only the second woman to achieve the feat. But while those like Gervais are horrified by the idea, Francis is a proud advocate for the sport - which has seen her travel the world in search of the latest 'trophy'. Indeed, a biography for Francis on Sheepshape - a 'documentary/reality' programme which follows four hunters trying to overcome a set of personal problems by hunting North American sheep - says: 'Rebecca loves to share her passion for hunting with her kids and other women. 'She hopes to help more women get out there and pursue their interest.' Her own website boasts of becoming the second American woman to get the 'Grand Slam of North America' with her bow - which means she has killed all four species native to North America. 'Achieving the full curl with a bow is like reaching the top of that mountain and crossing that finish line, which was my dream that began 18 years ago when I came home from my first rifle sheep hunt,' she told the Unita County Herald. The MailOnline has contacted Francis for a comment.

Comedian Ricky Gervais led an online charge against Rebecca Francis. The Brit shared a picture of the grandmother lying next to her 'trophy' Caused to an online backlash against Francis - with 14,543 retweeting post. Francis is proud of hunting and hopes to inspire more women to take part.

It seems most people can't wait to shower babies with affection - pets included! Gemma the pit bull was filmed at home in California enthusiastically greeting a baby boy named Elliot with kisses. Footage shows her lovingly licking the infant as he attempts to fend her away with his hands. Despite Elliot's best efforts, Gemma keeps licking away. But the baby boy doesn't seem to mind the affectionate slobbering and he's heard merrily gurgling away. 'Is that a doggy?' his mother says as she films the scene unfold. After more than ten seconds, Gemma shows no signs of moving on. Other videos show the animal is clearly used to being around children. She also appears to be a fan of Elliot's older sister, Adeline. While some viewers have deemed her licking session with Elliot 'cute', others have been less impressed by the scene. Lovely to meet you! Gemma the pit bull was filmed at home in California enthusiastically greeting a baby boy named Elliot with kisses. Too close? While some viewers have deemed her licking session 'cute', others have been less impressed.

Gemma the pit bull was filmed at home in California enthusiastically greeting a baby boy named Elliot with kisses. Despite the infant's best efforts, Gemma keeps licking away. Other videos show the animal is clearly used to being around children.

A mysterious sinkhole spewing fire and incredible heat has appeared in a Chinese hillside. Geologists and media have flocked to the desolate mountain on the outskirts of Urumqi, in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in north-western China, since it appeared a few weeks ago. Scroll down for video. The hole appeared recently after locals noticed the ground nearby getting warmer. The heat blasting from the 'ring of fire' has been measured at 792C (1457F) from two metres away, reports People's Daily Online, and is so intense that experts can't get close enough to determine how deep the hole is. Video footage of the 3ft-wide hole shows locals igniting branches and grass by pushing it to the rim. Some Chinese internet users have branded it a 'gateway to hell' after viewing the pictures. Experts can't get close enough to determine how deep the mysterious hole is. The temperature has been measured at 792C - but that was from two metres away. Locals told Chinese media that they had noticed the ground in the area had been warm underfoot for some time. The hill is not in a volcanic area, and experts from Xinjiang Meitian Geological Bureau think the hole is caused by the layer of spontaneously combusted coal underneath the ground, which leads the surface layer to collapse. ‘The phenomenon has existed in the area for a few decades,’ Huang Wei, an engineer from the bureau told China Central TV Station. He added that smoke often comes from under the ground on this hill in the spring and autumn. Branches and grass that are held near the hole immediately catch fire from the intense heat. Experts think a coal seam may have spontaneously combusted below ground. Chen Long, a supervisor from Xinjiang Meitian Fire Engineering Bureau, said there used to be more than a dozen of small coal mines in the area in the 1970s. ‘Primitive mining and extinguishing techniques caused coal to burn deep under the ground,’ said Mr Chen in the same interview. ‘Operators didn’t seal the mines properly after business discontinued and this leads the underground fire to burn towards the surface of the earth.’ The local authorities have started drawing plans to put out the underground fire.

Locals had noticed the ground in the area was warmer than usual. Experts can't get close enough to determine how deep the hole is. Temperature measured at 792C from two metres away. Thought to be caused by a coal seam spontaneously combusting.

Kenya has bombed two Al-Shabaab camps in Somalia in the first major military response to last week's attack by the militant group on a Kenyan university that left 148 people dead. Air force jets blitzed compounds in Gondodowe and Ismail, both in the Gedo region bordering Kenya on Sunday, a Kenya Defence Forces source said today. Cloud cover made it difficult to establish how much damage the bombings caused or estimate the death toll. 'We targeted the two areas because according to information we have, those (Al-Shabaab) fellows are coming from there to attack Kenya,' the source said. Kenyan army spokesman, Colonel David Obonyo, later said: 'The two targets were hit and taken out, the two camps are destroyed.' Scroll down for video. Slow response: Kenyan elite troops were called in to aid in the pre-dawn massacre where 148 people were killed, but did not arrive until just before 2pm. Nation in mourning: A woman cries after she has viewed the body of a relative, one of the 148 people killed in Thursday's attack on a university, at Chiromo funeral home, Nairobi. This picture of a classroom strewn with dead bodies has emerged revealing the true horror of the massacre. Gunmen from the Al Qaeda-aligned group killed 148 people on Thursday when they stormed the Garissa University College campus, some 200km (120 miles) from the Somali border. Kenya has struggled to stop the flow of Al-Shabaab militants and weapons across its porous 700km border with Somalia. Al-Shabaab militants have killed more than 400 people in Kenya since April 2013. An African Union peacekeeping force that includes Kenyan troops carried out arrests and seized ammunition in an Al-Shabaab camp in Gondodowe last August. News of the bombings came after it was claimed Kenyan special forces took at least seven hours to respond to the brutal massacre at Garissa University. Elite troops were called in from Nairobi to Garissa, some 225miles from the capital, to aid in the pre-dawn attack on the university, but soldiers did not arrive until the afternoon, local media claims. The critique comes as one of the four gunmen responsible for the brutal mass-murders has been identified as a lawyer son of a Kenyan government official. Government representatives have defended the long response time, comparing fighting terrorism with being a goalkeeper as 'they only remember the one you missed'. Paraded: The naked bodies of the alleged attackers were driven around Garissa before the pickup truck parked at a primary school. In the primary school playground, hundreds gathered to look at the bodies of the men accused of being the attackers. Kenya's elite Recce Company in Nairobi were called in as soon as the first reports of Thursday's attack emerged, which took place around 5.30am at Garissa University College. However, as troops were flown in from the capital, help did not arrive at the scene until just before 2pm, Kenyan newspaper Nation reports. 'This is negligence on a scale that borders on the criminal,' the Nation wrote in its editorial on Sunday, recalling how survivors said 'the gunmen, who killed scores of students with obvious relish, took their time.' Some journalists based in Nairobi who drove to Garissa after hearing the first reports of the attack arrived before the special forces, who came by air. Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed defended the slow response time to the massacre, where 148 people were killed, using a football analogy. 'Fighting terrorism is like being a goalkeeper,' she said. 'You have 100 saves and nobody remembers them. They remember that one that went past you.' Interior ministry spokesman Mwenda Njoka also dismissed the criticism. 'If you look at how we responded it was not bad at all, say, compared to Westgate,' he told the Nation. 'It takes time to assess and make the decisions, escalating it from National Security Advisory Committee to the National Security Council and then to scramble the elite units, get them to the airport and fly them to Garissa which is a two hour flight. There were many moving parts.' A crowd gathers outside the morgue to catch a glimpse of the corpses of the alleged terrorists who killed 148. Members of the public gather outside the mortuary window to view the bodies of the alleged attackers in the mortuary. People gather to catch a glimpse of the bodies of the alleged terrorists at the hospital mortuary in Garissa. Yesterday, the interior ministry revealed the identity of one of the four gunmen responsible for the massacre on Thursday. Abdirahim Mohammed Abdullahi was the son of a government chief in Mandera County, Interior Ministry spokesman Mwenda Njoka said. The chief had reported his son missing last year and said he feared that he had gone to Somalia, said Njoka. Abdullahi graduated from the University of Nairobi with a law degree in 2013 and was viewed as a 'brilliant upcoming lawyer,' according to someone who knew him. It is not clear where he worked before he disappeared last year, Njoka said. On Saturday, the decomposing bodies of Abdullahi and his three accomplices accused of carrying out the brutal massacre were paraded in front of a large crowd at a primary school. The authorities drove the naked, bloated corpses of the four alleged terrorists around the town in a pickup truck from the mortuary to Garissa Primary School. Hundreds of people, some grieving for the loved ones they lost in the siege, gathered in the sweltering heat to catch a glimpse of the men who are believed to be responsible. Pictures of the crowds and the bodies piled onto the vehicle are being shared on social media. Four attackers died at Garissa, but only Abdullahi has been named. It was hoped that crowds viewing the corpses might identify them. Cynthia Cheroitich, 19, emerged after two days of hiding inside wardrobe at the university, and was initially too petrified to believe police officers were not al-Shabaab gunmen. Survivor Cynthia Cheroitich, 19, who spent two days hiding and drinking body lotion to survive, was rescued. Earlier in the day, security forces rescued Cynthia Cheroitich, 19, who spent two days hiding in a wardrobe at Garissa University College and drinking body lotion to survive. Survivor Ms Cheroitich, who hid under a pile of clothes, spoke about her ordeal following her rescue. She told reporters that she was initially too petrified to come out of the wardrobe, but a lecturer she knew eventually convinced her that police officers were not the al-Shabaab gunmen - 50 hours after the barbaric attack began. Kenyan troops searching the building were alarmed when they heard sounds coming from inside a wardrobe. A police officer said: 'She kept asking for reassurance from the security forces they were not al-Shabaab before she could come out. 'She was given milk and rushed to the Garissa hospital, where she is being observed before being given counselling.' Speaking later in hospital, the survivor said she told officers from inside the wardrobe: 'How do I know that you are the Kenyan police?' 'I was just praying to my God,' Ms Cheroitich, a Christian, said. Four other survivors from the massacre at Garissa University College were found yesterday. A photograph from inside one of the classrooms at the university has emerged, showing at least 12 bodies strewn across the floor, which is covered in blood. Survivors: A woman reacts after seeing her son who was rescued from the Garissa University College attack. Relatives are reunited with their loved ones who survived the attack (centre) at Nyayo stadium in Kenya's capital Nairobi. At least three people appear to have been huddled in fear in the corner of the room when they were murdered by the militant Islamists. The terrorists raided the university early on Thursday morning, overwhelming guards and murdering people they suspected of being a Christian. A total of 148 people were killed in the siege, with the gunmen shooting and beheading those who could not recite the Koran. Most of those killed were students but two police officers, one soldier and two watchmen are among the dead. Kenya's interior minister, Joseph Nkaissery said the four terrorist gunmen had strapped themselves with explosives. When officers shot at them, they exploded 'like bombs' and shrapnel injured officers. Kenyan security officials said dozens of hostages were freed and four of the gunmen, believed to be armed with AK-47s, were killed. The Interior Ministry said five suspects had been detained, some while trying to flee to Somalia, where al-Shabaab is based. Four were Kenyans of Somali origin, and the fifth was Tanzanian, the ministry said. Officials said all three were associates of Islamist teacher Mohamed Mohamud, who is believed to have masterminded the attack. There is a £145,000 bounty on his head. A woman who survived the attack (centre) is reunited with relatives at Nyayo stadium in Nairobi. The interior ministry said the three suspects arrested at the border had coordinated the attack. Two people were detained at the university, including a security guard and a Tanzanian man. 'We suspect the Tanzanian, who was hiding in the ceiling, was one of the combatants,' ministry spokesman Mwenda Njoka said. 'He had ammunition with him when he was arrested on Thursday night. We suspect the guard facilitated the entry (into the university).' In a chilling warning, the terrorist group said more attacks like the university massacre were planned. 'Kenyan cities will run red with blood,' Al-Shabaab said in a statement, according to the SITE intelligence monitoring group. The militants said the barbaric attack was in retaliation for killings carried out by Kenyan troops fighting the rebels in Somalia. 'This will be a long, gruesome war of which you, the Kenyan public, are its first casualties. 'No amount of precaution or safety measures will be able to guarantee your safety, thwart another attack or prevent another bloodbath.' Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta said that those behind the attack were 'deeply embedded' in Kenya, and called on Kenyan Muslims to help prevent radicalisation. 'Our task of countering terrorism has been made all the more difficult by the fact that the planners and financiers of this brutality are deeply embedded in our communities,' he said in a televised speech. 'Radicalisation that breeds terrorism is not conducted in the bush at night. It occurs in the full glare of day, in madrasas, in homes, and in mosques with rogue imams.'

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. Air force jets blitzed two jihadi camps in the Gedo region bordering Kenya. Cloud cover made it difficult to establish damage caused or the death toll. Kenyan special forces 'took seven hours to arrive at scene of massacre'

Britain should be wary of adopting trendy pupil-led teaching techniques from Scandinavia because they may be making standards worse, a new report claims. Progressive education experts in the UK have long pushed for our system to emulate the group work and independent study that is popular in Finland, which has regularly topped international league tables. But a new analysis of Finnish education suggests pupil aptitude has actually declined since the country embraced fashionable teaching methods. Pupil-led techniques: A new analysis of Finnish education suggests pupil aptitude has actually declined since the country embraced fashionable teaching methods (file picture) According to research by the Right-leaning Centre for Policy Studies, Finland only did so well before because of the influence of traditional teacher-led methods. But it has slipped down international rankings tables as the new liberal techniques became more widespread. The findings will add weight to arguments by Michael Gove that a return to traditional teacher-led lessons are the way to raise standards in schools. The former education secretary made it his mission to fight the ‘progressive’ methodology of the education establishment, which he referred to as ‘the Blob’. Report author Gabriel Heller Sahlgren said: ‘My research shows that the methods that we have been trying to push through in England and America for years are not good for test scores. ‘Pupils who aren’t motivated are not necessarily interested in learning. If you give them too much freedom, it’s difficult to know if they’re learning anything. It’s not very effective. Former education secretary: The findings will add weight to arguments by Michael Gove (pictured) that a return to traditional teacher-led lessons are the way to raise standards in schools. ‘Here in the UK, there is a tendency to abolish traditional methods because they’re old, but we need to decrease this bias.’ Finland was proclaimed an ‘education superpower’ after appearing at the top of international rankings tables between 2001 and 2009. Many in the education establishment have pushed for the Finnish model of pupil-led learning to be used as an inspiration for the British system. Instead of giving whole-class instruction from a blackboard, teachers have instead adopted small group work, independent learning and educational activities and games. But today’s report, which examines education policy and performance in Finland over the last half century, found implementation of the new methods coincided with a recent slump in performance. Between 2006 and 2012, Finland’s performance in PISA tests run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) declined. It sunk by 18 points in scientific literacy, 23 points in reading literacy, and 29 points in mathematical literacy. In 2006, it was second in the world for maths, while in 2012 it was 12th. Rankings for reading and science also slipped several places. Report author: Gabriel Heller Sahlgren (above) said the methods 'are not good for test scores' Teachers training in the 1990s learnt the new methods and only began to teach them in the 2000s, the report said. Before this, education in Finland had been traditional, hierarchical and teacher-led, according to the author, and it was this that was responsible for its stellar performances in the league tables. Mr Sahlgren added: ‘The reforms in Finland that people are crediting with its improvement actually only began in the early 2000s. ‘When Finland was improving, the education system was very authoritative and teacher-led. Finland was improving in the 1980s but rounded off in around 1995. In the early 2000s, it started to fall.’ The report, titled ‘Real Finnish Lessons’, said that Finland’s education system had instead been buoyed by socio-economic factors until recently. These included a strong work ethic and cultural sense of responsibility, as well as the high status of teachers leading to talented individuals entering the profession. Mr Gove prompted a fierce backlash from teachers two years ago after saying he wanted them to stop using innovative approaches which ‘dumbed down’ education. He gave an example of ‘making Plasticine models to represent Hitler’s main aims as Fuhrer’ as a method which had ‘nothing to do with passing on knowledge’. He said part of the problem was a ‘belief that education should not be an activity in which the teacher imparts knowledge to the child but a pursuit - by the child - of what it finds interesting’. Mr Sahlgren is Director of Research at the Centre for the Study of Market Reform of Education think tank.

Finnish methods include pupils working in small groups or independently. In 2006 Finland was second in world for maths, but down to 12th by 2012. During period its test scores dropped 29 points in maths and 23 in reading. Michael Gove has argued for return to traditional teacher-led lessons.

The family of a young Italian woman who was killed in a horror car crash in Perth are pleading with the Australian public to help them as they cannot afford to bring her body home to be buried. On April 6 – Easter Monday - Martina Riccioni and her best friend Antoinettia Caffero, 21, were involved in a horrific head-on collision when the car they were in veered into oncoming traffic as they drove home from Margaret River. Ms Riccioni was thrown from the passenger seat of the car and was killed at the scene of the accident after suffering catastrophic injuries. Scroll down for video. Family of Italian woman killed in a horror car crash in Perth are pleading with the Australian public to help them bring her body home to Italy. They have started a crowdfunding appeal on 'Go Fund Me' to raise up to $20,000 to transport her body. On Easter Monday, Martina Riccioni and her friend Antoinettia Caffero, 21, were involved in head-on collision. Ms Caffero remains in hospital in a critical condition. She can not breathe without assistance and is being treated for a broken back, two broken legs and a fractured neck. Ms Riccioni's devastated family in Italy cannot afford to bring her home so have turned to crowdfunding out of desperation, hoping for the kindness of strangers. The transportation of her body could cost as much as $20,000. The appeal on 'Go Fund Me' titled 'Help get Martina Home,' has already seen more than $13,000 donated by 367 complete strangers that hope to see the 23-year-old laid to rest in her hometown. Ms Riccioni and boyfriend Vince Andretta met 6 months ago when she moved to Australia to start a new life. He warned her about the dangers of Australian roads and that they were a lot faster than those in Italy. Ms Riccioni and her boyfriend Vince Andretta met six months ago when she moved to Australia to start a new life. He warned her about the dangers of Australian roads and that they were a lot faster than those in Italy with aggressive drivers. He has urged the public to help Ms Riccioni's family to get her body home. ‘Even if it’s a dollar anything will help, just to get her home,' Mr Andretta told Channel Nine News. 'Whilst in Perth Martina met her soulmate and began creating a life for herself in Perth,' the crowdfunding appeal says. He has urged the public to help her family to get her body home so it can be buried in her hometown. Ms Riccioni was thrown from the passenger seat of the car and was killed at the scene of the accident. ‘Even if it’s a dollar anything will help, just to get her home,' Mr Andretta told Channel Nine News. 'Martina Riccioni is a beautiful young woman who travelled to Perth from Italy in order to create a better life for herself. 'Please help get Mr and Mrs Riccioni's daughter's body home so they can give her the proper send off like she deserves (and) allow them to say goodbye to their daughter for the last time,' Ms Riccioni's boyfriend's father Carlo said. Mr Andretta also wanted to issue a warning to tourists. 'The roads here are not like the autobahns in Italy, well lit and made for speed,' Carlo told ABC. 'I've driven on country roads most of my life and I know you just don't know what's around the corner.'

Family of Italian woman killed in a horror car crash in Perth are pleading with the Australian public to help them bring her body home to Italy. They have started a crowdfunding appeal to raise up to $20,000. The appeal on 'Go Fund Me' has already raised over $13,000 for the family. Ms Riccioni was killed in a car accident on Easter Monday. Her best friend Antoinettia Caffero, remains in hospital in critical condition.

As if it wasn't bad enough having a job that involves routinely entering strangers' homes, these estate agents may have just been put off for life. As a part of Sky Living's promotion for its upcoming three-part drama, The Enfield Haunting, real London estate agents were invited to value a house in a viral video. What they didn't know, is that the house had been rigged with special effects to give the appearance of being possessed by a ghost. London estate agents were invited to a fake haunted house, where they were subject to terrifying pranks. Installed with secret cameras, microphones and booby traps, the unsuspecting estate agents are subject to cruel, but hilarious, pranks - which prompt hysterical reactions. An ordinary house in Enfield is chosen as the location, and to draw the estate agents in, is a pretend homeowner, Rosie, who wants her house valued. Upon entering the house, Rosie solemnly explains to the estate agents that the house was owned by her brother, who just so happened to also pass away in it. An ordinary house is chosen in Enfield for unsuspecting London estate agents to value. Cameras are installed the walls and members of the team monitor the hilarious reactions. An estate agent is invited into the house and greeted by the fake homeowner, Rosie. This already to serves to unsettle one estate agent, as his eyes widen in surprise. Once the scene is set, the funny pranks begin, and a shelf collapses randomly behind the estate agents. One reacts by literally leaping into the air and retracting his arms to his chest in a protective stance. Another startled estate agent lifts his hands up into the air in an automatic surrender position. Another gasps and raises her hand to her mouth, her shoulders jolting. Rosie (pictured right) explains to the estate agent (pictured left) that her brother recently died in the house. The estate agent looks nervous and unsettled. A shelf behind the estate agent collapses and he reacts with leaping into the air in shock. When the shelf collapses, another estate agent gasps, her shoulder jolting in shock. Already unsettled by the shelf, Rosie proceeds to lead them up the stairs, and gestures for them to look at the bathroom, while she attends to her phone ringing in another room. One of the estate agents is looking around, as the tap switches on by itself. As he goes to turn off the tap, it switches off by itself. Confused, he turns to leave the room, at which point the tap begins creepily running again, and again, turns off when he reaches towards it. In one room, marbles begin violently spilling out of one of the cabinets randomly. A combination of the noise and surprise causes one estate agent to shriek. As the marbles spill out of the cabinets, another estate agent throws his hands up in the air in surprise. He exits the room appearing puzzled and disconcerted. In the next shot, the estate agents are seen entering another bedroom, at which point marbles begin spilling violently out of one of the top cabinets, which is again met with hilarious reactions. As well as horrified screams and petrified stares from the estate agents, one of them throws his hands up in a surrender position, insisting: 'I didn't touch anything!' A cabinet randomly and violently topples over prompting a gasp from the estate agent. A woman is shocked as the cupboard doors begin rattling and things begin spilling out loudly. Frightened, another man turns around as the door slams violently behind him. Many of the estate agents are truly alarmed at this point and go in search of Rosie, the fake homeowner. Upon entering another bedroom, the team really begin to up the ante with the special effects. First a stocky wardrobe unit loudly topples over onto the floor, and the door creakily swings shut by itself. One woman presses her hand to her chest, truly gobsmacked and exclaims: 'Woah! ' Another man screams frantically for the owner of the house. A woman stares at the wardrobe doors in horror as they begin to open and close and things begin to tumble out. She appears horrified as the door slams by itself behind her, her arms crossed in a protective stance. One man decides to intervene in the ghostly occurrence and kicks the spinning chair angri. Several of the wardrobe unit doors begin rattling and opening randomly unassisted, with objects falling out, and a chair begins spinning on its own. One of the estate agents cowers in the corner, shakily running his hands through his hair and appears evidently faint. Another man comically kicks the spinning chair and shrieks: 'Get Out!' At this point, many can't take the strange disturbances any more and run down the stairs, where the team members are revealed and they are let in on the prank. With relieved expressions and nervous laughter, they seem grateful that there is in fact no ghostly presence. The estate agents are let in on the prank as the cameras are revealed. One in particular seems extremely relieved that it is all a joke. 'Genuinely, I thought it was real': One estate agent appears shaken from his fake haunting experience. One said: 'I'm actually speechless, like my heart's actually going.' Another insists: 'Genuinely, I thought it was for real.' The Enfield Drama will be based on bizarre poltergeist-related events that occurred at a council house in 1977. Starring Timothy Spall, the three-part drama, The Enfield Haunting will air on Sky Living on 3 May 2015.

London estate agents invited to value a house rigged with special effects. The viral video was created to promote Sky Living's new three-part drama. The Enfield Haunting looks at supposed genuine haunting in late Seventies.

A man sentenced to death in the killings of a baby and her grandmother said he's so dissatisfied with his attorneys he'd rather be executed now than continue seeking a new trial with them. Raghunandan Yandamuri, 29, who had served as his own lawyer before being convicted of murder, accused the attorneys of not responding to his calls or letters. He said Monday in Montgomery County Court if his appeal keeps going the same way he would rather be executed immediately. Raghunandan Yandamuri, 29 (left), of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, is appealing his death penalty sentence for a murder but says that he would rather be executed than continue with his lawyers. Above, Nov 2012. Yandamuri was convicted in the grisly stabbing death of Satayrathi Venna, 61 (left) and the suffocation death of her grandchild Saanvi, 10 months (right) Judge Steven O'Neill called that 'a little dramatic.' Attorney Henry Hilles said he and colleague Stephen Heckman have spent more time with their client 'than has ever occurred in Montgomery County history.' 'Mr. Heckman and I met with Mr. Yandamuri at the prison tens and tens and tens of times at his request over the two plus years that we were representing him. It boggles my mind to hear him claim that we have not made ourselves available to him,' Hilles told the Times Herald. Yandamuri was a technology professional outside of Philadelphia and knew the baby's parents in what prosecutors called a botched kidnapping plot. The Indian national was given two death sentences in the 2012 slayings of 10-month-old Saanvi Venna and 61-year-old Satayrathi Venna. He was expressionless as the verdict against him, which included up to 62 years in prison for kidnapping, burglary, and abuse of a corpse, was read in October. Prosecutors argued Yandamuri hatched the kidnapping plot to pay for a gambling habit. They said he was mired in gambling debts and told police he committed the crime after losing at least $15,000 at a casino. He told investigators he panicked after the grandmother, who had opened her family's apartment door to him, was killed in a struggle over a kitchen knife he had carried. Yandamuri, an Indian national working as a technology professional outside of Philadelphia, acted as his own lawyer during his trial before his post-conviction hearings were taken over by lawyers. Yandamuri told police he accidentally dropped the baby, put a handkerchief over her mouth to quiet her and tied a towel around her head. He said he then left the baby — with her dark hair, huge dark eyes and white dress — in a trash-strewn, unused sauna in a basement fitness center and when he returned hours later with milk for her she was unconscious. Prosecutors said that the man kept the baby in a suitcase in the trunk of his car for days and slashed the elder Venna's throat to the bone. Yandamuri knew the baby's parents, who also were young Indian tech professionals, from his King of Prussia apartment complex. The defendant had gone to a birthday party for the baby's mother, had met the visiting grandmother and used family nicknames in a ransom note demanding $50,000, authorities said. 'They both are working, so I thought maybe they have some money,' Yandamuri told police in a videotaped statement. 'My intention was not to kill anyone or not to harm anyone. I only tried to kidnap the baby.' At trial, though, Yandamuri argued two other men forced him at gunpoint to help and said he was pressured into confessing. 'Mr. Heckman and I met with Mr. Yandamuri at the prison tens and tens and tens of times at his request over the two plus years that we were representing him,' attorney Henry Hilles (pictured) said. He also said during a post conviction sentencing hearing that he would rather receive the death penalty than sit through the hearings where relatives spoke about the victims, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. His mother Padmavathi traveled from India took the stand and said that her son had been traumatized since age ten after his father was killed in a terrorist attack. She said that he had previously tried to kill himself by drinking kerosene. Yandamuri has tried to file motions on his own since the beginning of his appeal, but they cannot be accepted because he is not representing himself. Hilles and Heckman plan on challenging the death penalty as well as alleged bias during Yandamuri's trial. All death penalty cases in Pennsylvania are given automatic appeal up to the state supreme court level. Earlier this year Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf declared a moratorium on the death penalty, citing bias in proceedings, expense and inefficiency in repeated appeals. The state has not executed anyone since 1999.

Raghunandan Yandamuri, 29, sentenced to two death sentences last year. Montgomery County, Pennsylvania man acted as his own lawyer during trial. Killer knew victims, 10-month-old Saanvi and 61-year-old Satayrathi Venna. Appellant accused the attorneys of not responding to his calls or letters. He asked for death during sentencing and had previously tried to kill himself.

An informant who spent the last 27 years working for the DEA as an undercover operative in exchange for the promise of US citizenship says he'll be deported now that he has retired. Carlos Toro, 66, worked as a mid-level member of the Medellin Cartel in the 1980s when a confrontation with his boss caused him to flee from Colombia fearing for his life. Toro came to the United States and eventually began working for the DEA as an informant after providing information about a number of his former bosses and associates. Scroll down for video. Carlos Toro, seen in 1982, is facing deportation from the United States after working for the DEA for 27 years. Toro, 66, was one of the DEA's strongest assets and helped carry out undercover stings around the world. Carlos Lehder Rivas of Colombia was taken down thanks in part to former Medellin Cartel member Toro. The ex-cartel member became one of the DEA's most important assets and helped the agency carry out undercover stings around the world, CBS News reported. He wasn't paid for work, but was told he would be rewarded with US citizenship. That has not happened and Toro is now technically living in the US illegally after declining health forced him to retire, according to the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting. The DEA refused to help Toro with his citizenship after he went public with his plight. He said: 'If I am sent back to Colombia, I would be dead within the first four hours.' 'I am scared to death. I don't sleep anymore. 'I'm only thinking about what happens if they come for me. 'The United States government has sentenced me to death.' Information provided by Toro aided in the prosecution of ex-Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega (seen 1990) His fears sound reasonable considering his work aided in the prosecution of cocaine overlord Carlos Lehder and former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega. DEA agent Mike McManus, who was Toro's handler for two years, gained notoriety after working with the uniquely-suited operative. McManus who arrested George Jung - the drug dealer portrayed by Johnny Depp in 2001's Blow - gave Toro $5,000 for an operation after the DEA declined to help, the Huffington Post reported. He said: 'It is government bureaucracy at its worst. 'He deserves to live life ever after in the United States. He's done his debt, he's paid his dues, he's done his service.' One of Toro's former colleagues recently gave him $5,000 for an operation after the DEA declined to help. Toro remains in limbo while trying to get a green card or a passport, and he can't collect social security benefits until he secures one of those documents. His final temporary visa expired on January 1 and Toro is prepared to go into hiding if he must. He said: 'I messed up, in a big way, many years ago. 'But I atoned. 'Many times over, I atoned. 'All I want now is what they promised me.'

Carlos Toro was promised he could stay in the US but is facing deportation. Being sent back to native country of Colombia would be 'death sentence' Toro informed on cocaine overlord Carlos Lehder of the Medellin Cartel. Also provided information on former dictator of Panama Manuel Noriega. He is hoping for visa or green card but can't yet collect social security.

An artist who turns dead animals into unique works of art has recently come under fire for his bizzare sculptures. Sean Crawford, from Carterton, New Zealand, said he picked up his distinctive style after his family taught him about hunting and taxidermy on the farm he grew up on. ‘Taxidermy was a big part of my culture,’ he told Daily Mail Australia. ‘As a kid you would watch the eyes following you around the room and I think that became a bit of a fascination for me, you know, capturing the animal in a precise moment, almost frozen in time.’ Scroll down for video. Former plumber Sean Crawford made a splash at the Australian Traffic Jam Gallery with his taxidermy sculptures. After producing works without taxidermy, he decided he wanted to add a more 'natural' layer to his work. He said he can understand why some people find his work 'a bit ungodly’, but in his opinion, there is nothing worse than ‘art that doesn't affect you at all.’ While some religious folk have taken issue with the fact Mr Crawford is 'manipulating the animal' by using animal parts in his work, he maintains that he’s only used parts that would have otherwise gone to waste. ‘We don’t really select the animals. They are a product of hunting for meat or pest control.’ He said he can understand why some people find his work 'a bit ungodly’, but in his opinion, there is nothing worse than ‘art that doesn't affect you at all.’ ‘It’s one of those things that people either like or they don’t,’ he said. Mr Crawford said he’s been influenced by Gothic Revival architecture and literature that dealt with themes of being dismantled and put back together. Taxidermy: ‘It’s one of those things that people either like or they don’t’ Mr Crawford has three animal sculptures currently on display at Traffic Jam Galleries at Neutral Bay on Sydney's lower north shore. Sean Crawford said his interest in taxidermy started at a very young age as he watched his family hunt on their farm. He chose a running rabbit, a standing rabbit and a small bird enclosed in a metal cage for the Australian exhibition called 'untitled'. The bird is intact while the rabbit sculptures only feature half the animal with Mr Crawford expertly manipulating steel beams to make the sculpture whole. He said he spends a lot of time studying the anatomy and posture of each animal to make sure his 'twist' on classical sculpting is as authentic as possible. ‘I am building the surface, not out of stone, but through an accurate mapping of the rest of the animal,’ he said. Mr Crawford said he’s been influenced by Gothic Revival architecture and literature, like Frankenstein or Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, that dealt with themes of being dismantled and put back together. He said using animals has let him add another ‘natural’ layer to his steel structures. Mr Crawford travelled to Sydney from his New Zealand home to personally deliver three of his controversial sculptures, where he said he got ‘quite a reaction’ on opening night. Mr Crawford said he spends a lot of time studying the anatomy and posture of each animal to make sure his 'twist' on classical sculpting is as authentic as possible. ‘I am building the surface, not out of stone, but through an accurate mapping of the rest of the animal’ Sotiris Sotiriou, a curator at Traffic Jam Galleries, said his clients have had a great response to the unique ‘amalgam of sculpture and taxidermy’. ‘To be honest all of our clients have quite enjoyed it, people can be grossed out a bit but I think they are more interested in the end.’ He said once museum visitors learned that the animals weren't killed for art, they were much more accepting of the animal and steel hybrids. In his most recent work, Mr Crawford was commissioned to build the Cloak of Remembrance for Anzac Day, which will be unveiled on April 25 at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington. Mr Crawford has been commissioned to build the Cloak of Remembrance for Anzac Day, which will be unveiled on April 25 at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington. Mr Crawford uses animals that have been killed during hunting for meat or pest control. ‘To be honest all of our clients have quite enjoyed it, people can be grossed out a bit but I think they are more interested in the end.’

Sean Crawford has been criticised for using dead animals in his sculptures. His interest in taxidermy started through hunting on his farm as a child. All the animals used were killed in New Zealand as a part of pest control. His work is currently on display at Traffic Jam Galleries in Neutral Bay. Museum curators said his work is being received well in Australia.

A senior Labour MP has admitted that the party would look to 'forge a common alliance' with the SNP to ensure Ed Miliband becomes Prime Minister. David Lammy, who is standing for London Mayor, said the SNP was a party Labour could 'do business with' in the event of another hung Parliament. The admission comes amid increasingly stark warnings from the Tories that the SNP will hold Labour to 'ransom' if it holds the balance of power in Parliament next month. Scroll down for video. David Lammy, appearing on ITV News last night, said the SNP was a party Labour could 'do business with' in the event of another hung Parliament. Polls suggest Nicola Sturgeon's party are on course to win up to 50 seats on May 7 – wiping out any hopes of a Labour majority. But the Scottish First Minister has vowed to work with Mr Miliband to 'lock out' David Cameron from Number 10 in exchange for higher government spending, more taxes and increased borrowing. Former prime minister John Major will today warn that Britain faces a 'daily dose of blackmail' from the SNP if they have the power to bring down a Labour government. With 16 days to polling on May 7, Sir John will say that a Labour-SNP administration would lead to 'weak and unstable' government and wreck Britain's economic recovery. Mr Miliband has ruled out joining a formal coalition with the SNP but has refused to be drawn on whether he could work with them on a vote-by-vote basis. However, speaking on ITV News last night, Mr Lammy went further – insisting that a deal with the SNP could be struck. Mr Miliband meanwhile has accused the Prime Minister of 'threatening the integrity of the United Kingdom' by talking up the prospects of Scottish nationalists in the May 7 General Election. Speaking on Newsnight last night Mr Miliband insisted he would not form a Coalition with the SNP after the election. He said: 'We are fighting for a victory. I think we can win this election. But clearly, after the general election, you would forge common alliance with parties that you can actually do business with, and the SNP must be part of that story.' It comes after Labour's shadow House of Commons leader Angela Eagle said in the event of a hung parliament Labour 'would speak to any party that has got representation in the House of Commons in order to try to build a majority for a Queen's Speech that the country desperately needs'. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the admission exposed the threat posed by an SNP-Labour alliance. He told MailOnline: 'One of Ed Miliband's most senior MPs is openly talking about forming a 'common alliance' with the SNP. Nicola Sturgeon has called on Ed Miliband to forge an 'anti Tory' alliance. 'The British public will pay through their noses for the higher taxes, the higher debt and the higher benefit payments an SNP-Miliband government will rack up.' 'There's only one guaranteed way to stop this – vote Conservative on May 7.' Speaking on the BBC's Today programme this morning, the former foreign secretary William Hague said the Tories needed to 'sound the alarm' over the threat posed by the SNP. He said: 'We have the danger here that people who want to break up the United Kingdom will be running the United Kingdom in a few weeks' time if there is a Labour government with a large number of Scottish Nationalist MPs. 'And it's not the Conservatives who have talked that up; it's the story, whether of opinion polls or of what everybody's talking about on the ground.' He added: 'Unless we have a Conservative majority we will be faced with a Labour government in a minority dependent on Scottish Nationalists, that they will make impossible demands, they will demand higher taxes, higher welfare spending, weaker defences every single day for five years and that will be disastrous for families across the UK and for the whole future of the United Kingdom.' Mr Miliband meanwhile has accused the Prime Minister of 'threatening the integrity of the United Kingdom' by talking up the prospects of Scottish nationalists in the May 7 General Election. Speaking this morning Mr Miliband insisted there would be no coalition with the SNP and denied Nicola Sturgeon's party would hold the whip hand on policy, telling BBC1's Breakfast: 'A Labour government led by me, what happens in that Labour government will be decided by me, not by the SNP.' Labour had 'fundamental differences' with the SNP, such as the nationalist party's desire for a second independence referendum within five years, he said, adding: 'I'm not having that.' Mr Miliband said Mr Cameron had been 'talking up' the SNP in the hope that it would take votes and seats from Labour north of the border and allow him to 'crawl back' into 10 Downing Street. 'I think David Cameron is playing fast and loose with the United Kingdom,' said the Labour leader. 'This is somebody who has given up hope of winning a majority. He is trying to boost the SNP. 'I think David Cameron is now threatening the integrity of the UK with the games he is playing. And I think Conservatives are now ashamed of what he is doing.'

David Lammy said the SNP was a party Labour could 'do business with' Admission comes amid increasingly stark warnings over threat of SNP. Polls suggest the party is on course to win up to 50 seats on May 7. John Major will today warn that Britain faces a 'daily dose of blackmail'

The owner of an Indiana pizza restaurant who was forced to close shop after she told a local news reporter that her establishment would not cater a gay wedding reaffirmed her beliefs in an interview on Saturday. Crystal O'Connor, owner of Memories Pizza in Walkerton, said that she stands by her statement, and that she does not hate gay people - she just does not support gay marriage. She then responded to the now staggering $850,000 that has been raised in support of her establishment by saying; 'God has blessed us for standing up for what we believe, and not denying him.' Scroll down video. Crystal O'Connor (above), owner of Memories Pizza in Walkerton, Indiana, says she stands by her decision to never cater a gay wedding. She has closed her store (above), but said she will reopen again and $850,000 has been raised for the business by supporters in just two days. Demonstrators gather outside the City County Building on March 30, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. In her interview, with Fox News Business' Neil Cavuto, O'Connor also said; 'It is not a sin that we bring gays into our establishment, and to serve them. It is a sin, though, if we condone. If we cater their wedding.' She then added; 'We feel we are participating, we are putting a stamp of approval on their wedding, and we cannot do that.' And despite all of her recent troubles, O'Connor said she is ready to get back to work, she is just not sure when she will open. 'I am still shaken over this, and I will be the one that's serving the customers and answering phones and I'm not ready to face that yet,' she explained. It was a contributor from Glenn Beck's The Blaze who set up the fundraising page on GoFundMe for the pizzeria, with a goal of helping 'the family stave off the burdensome cost of having the media parked out front, activists tearing them down, and no customers coming in.' As of Saturday afternoon, $850,000 had been raised in just two days. The news comes a little over a week after Indiana passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which allows businesses to openly discriminate against gays, and just a few days after O'Connor told a local news station she would refuse to serve her pizza at a gay marriage ceremony. Speaking to ABC57, Crystal O'Connor said: 'If a gay couple came in and wanted us to provide pizzas for their wedding, we would have to say no.' The establishment has been in operation for nine years, and the interior is adorned with crosses and bible quotes. Just outside the pizzeria, a signs states that the staff begin each morning with a prayer. 'We are a Christian establishment,' O'Connor confirmed. O'Connor said in a recent interview with Neil Cavuto (above) of the money raised; 'God has blessed us for standing up for what we believe, and not denying him' Meanwhile the NCAA has voiced their concern with Indiana's new law. On Saturday, openly gay basketball star Jason Collins and openly gay Division I star Derrick Gordon from the University of Massachusetts showed up to watch the games during the March Madness tournament at Indianapolis's Lucas Oil Stadium. Both men have expressed how upset they were with the new law, and how happy they were with the NCAA's response to Governor Pence. 'The NCAA, they took a bold step,' Collins said earlier this week. 'I think bold leadership is what's needed. I'm very proud of the NCAA taking such a stance and moving forward they definitely need to make sure the fans, the teams, the players, everyone involved with sporting events, when they go to these venues, when they go to these states, these cities, that all members of the community are protected by the laws there.' The stadium was also a protest site as hundreds of people marched through the city's downtown, calling for Indiana to add protections for gays and lesbians in the new law. Their chants attracted to attention of basketball fans who were at the stadium for the Final Four games, and some offered cheers of support. Also on Saturday, openly gay basketball stars Jason Collins and Derrick Gordon (above) arrived for the NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis. The protest came days after Indian Governor Mike Pence signed revisions into the controversial law. The revisions prevent businesses from using the law in court to defend refusing to provide services to any customer because of their race, religion or sexual orientation, according to CNN. But protesters wanted the revision to add sexual orientation to one of the protected categories included in the state's anti-discrimination law to prohibit workplace discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. They chanted 'Hoosiers don't discriminate! No more Band-Aids masking hate!' as they walked toward the stadium carrying rainbow flags and signs reading messages like 'No hate in our state' and 'Equal rights for all'. Police officers who blocked intersections so the protesters could march along downtown streets without incident estimated that between 500 and 600 people took part in the 'peaceful' march. There were no signs during the march of supporters of the state's religious freedom law.

Crystal O'Connor, owner of Memories Pizza in Walkerton, Indiana, says she stands by her decision to never cater a gay wedding. This despite the fact that she claims she has been receiving death threats for her beliefs, though none have been documented. She has closed her store, but said she will reopen again and $850,000 has been raised for the business by supporters in just two days. O'Connor said in a recent interview of this; 'God has blessed us for standing up for what we believe, and not denying him' Also on Saturday, openly gay basketball stars Jason Collins and Derrick Gordon arrived for the NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis.

Child welfare authorities say the father of a three-year-old girl found alone near a suburban Chicago forest preserve left her in a trash can. Illinois Department of Children and Family Services spokesman Andrew Flach tells the Chicago Tribune that an initial investigation found that the girl's father put her in a trash can and drove away. Faiz Ikramulla, 35, was arrested and charged on Thursday with aggravated kidnapping. The little girl is believed to be named Aliya. Aggravated kidnapping: Faiz Ikramulla, 35 (left), was arrested and charged on Thursday with aggravated kidnapping after allegedly dumping his three-year-old daughter, Aliya (right), in an Illinois trash can. Scene: The child was found by a passer-by wandering near Milwaukee Avenue and Palatine Road in Prospect Heights, Illinois around 6:30 pm Tuesday. He's jailed in Van Buren County, Michigan, pending extradition proceedings. A passer-by found the girl Tuesday evening along a roadside near the forest preserve in Prospect Heights. She was crying and waving her hands. The Cook County Sheriff's Office says the girl could only provide her first name and was identified after investigators learned her mother was in the process of filing missing person reports for Aliya and Ikramulla. It was then they realized Ikramulla was wanted in relation to Aliya's kidnapping and that there was warrant out for his arrest. Police in Van Buren County, Michigan, notified Cook County Sheriff’s police and said they had located Ikramulla and arrested him. Both of the girl’s parents were initially under investigation, but authorities said there are no plans to arrest the girl’s mother, who is cooperating with DCFS investigators, The Tribune reported. Flach said DCFS has had no previous contact with the family, and the girl has no brothers or sisters. Prior arrest: Faiz Ikramulla, 35, was arrested in Mary 2014 in Portage, Wisconsin, for allegedly attacking police during a traffic stop. He is also said to have screamed out 'God is great' in Arabic. Ikramulla will now be extradited to Illinois to face charges. He has been charged with kidnapping because police say he was trying his hide his daughter, according to The Chicago Sun Times. If found guilty of the aggravated kidnapping charge, he would face a mandatory sentence of six to 30 years in prison. He might also be fined upwards of $25,000. This is not Ikramulla's first run-in with the police. In May 2014 he was arrested the Wisconsin man was arrested in Portage, accused of violently attacking police officers during a traffic stop and shouting God is great in Arabic. He was covered in bruises and red marks at the time of his mug shot. At the time Ikrumulla was charged with two counts of battery to law enforcement, three counts of resisting law enforcement, four counts of criminal recklessness and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, NWI.com reported last year. He was also charged with misdemeanors including two counts of battery to law enforcement, two counts of resisting law enforcement and four counts of criminal recklessness.

Faiz Ikramulla, 35, was charged on Thursday with aggravated kidnapping. He allegedly dumped daughter Aliya, 3, in a trash can in a forest in Prospect Heights, Illinois. His wife had just reported the girl missing when she was found. Passer-by found her wandering the streets crying and waving her hands. Authorities say Ilkramulla was trying to hide her. He was arrested in Van Buren County, Michigan.

Argentina has branded British attempts to explore the seas around the Falklands Islands for oil ‘illegitimate’ and says it will mount a legal challenge – but has ruled out another conflict. Daniel Filmus, Argentina’s secretary of state for the islands, told an event in London that Britain’s decision to increase military spending in the South Atlantic was ‘gunboat diplomacy’. Mr Filmus said military conflict ‘belongs to the past’ and claimed: ‘The United Kingdom can count on Argentina as an ally.’ Argentina has branded British attempts to explore the seas around the Falklands Islands for oil ‘illegitimate’ But he added: ‘The unilateral and illegitimate appropriation of non-renewable natural resources that is being carried out by the UK in the South Atlantic has been the subject of continued protest by the Argentine Republic. ‘Argentina has been forced to resort to defensive measures,’ he said, using ‘the law and political action as its main tools in order to protect the natural resources in the area under dispute’. He said Argentinian judicial authorities would consider the case against British companies involved in the oil exploration. Addressing the question of possible future conflict, Mr Filmus said: ‘Argentina bears no grudge against the inhabitants of the islands in spite of all the manoeuvres designed to prove otherwise. 'What Argentina is not going to do is give in. We do not wish to spend another penny on arms. It is through negotiations that we will solve this. 'We do not know how many years it will take... But what justification can there be for mothers crying over the deaths of their sons? It really must be dialogue.’ Daniel Filmus's comments sparked a furious reaction from Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond (pictured) Mr Filmus’s comments sparked a furious reaction from Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, who told Sky News: ‘It is an outrageous piece of bullying and threatening against the Falkland islanders’ perfect right to develop their own economic resources and Argentina needs to stop this kind of behaviour and start acting like a responsible member of the international community.’ Britain defeated Argentina in a 1982 war over the South Atlantic islands and administers them as an overseas territory, whose population of around 3,000 voted overwhelmingly to remain under British rule in a referendum in 2013. Argentina says it is the rightful owner of the islands, which it calls Las Malvinas, a claim dating back centuries to the Spanish colonial era. The dispute has escalated in recent years with the discovery of oil and gas deposits.

Argentina claims British exploration around Falklands for oil is ‘illegitimate’ The country says it will mount a legal challenge but has ruled out a conflict. Comment sparks furious reaction from Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond.

While Google and Apple are developing self driving vehicles, Nasa has revealed its vision - and its a lot more fun. Called the Modular Robotic Vehicle, or MRV, it was developed at NASA's Johnson Space Center to show off the technologies that could let man move across other planets. On Earth, however, it also has some neat tricks - from the ability to park sideways to being able to spin on the spot, as well as being driven remotely at up to 70mph. Watch the buggy in action below. Unlike a normal car, the buggy has no mechanical linkages to the propulsion, steering, or brake actuators, the driver of an MRV relies completely on control inputs being converted to electrical signals and then transmitted by wires to the vehicle's motors. A turn of the steering wheel, for instance, is recorded by sensors and sent to computers at the rear of the vehicle. These computers interpret that signal and instruct motors at one or all four of the wheels to move at the appropriate rate, causing the vehicle to turn as commanded. Nasa says the vehicles was buit 'in order to advance technologies that have applications for future vehicles both in space and on Earth.' 'With seating for two people, MRV is a fully electric vehicle well-suited for busy urban environments, it says. MRV is driven by four independent wheel modules called e-corners. Each e-corner consists of a redundant steering actuator, a passive trailing arm suspension, an in-wheel propulsion motor, and a motor-driven friction braking system. Each e-corner can be controlled independently and rotated ±180 degrees about its axis. This allows for a suite of driving modes allowing MRV to maneuver unlike any traditional vehicle on the road. In addition to conventional front two wheel steering, the back wheels can also articulate allowing for turning radiuses as tight as zero. The driving mode can be switched so that all four wheels point and move in the same direction achieving an omni-directional, crab-like motion. This makes a maneuver such as parallel parking as easy as driving next to an available spot, stopping, and then operating sideways to slip directly in between two cars. 'This two-seater vehicle was designed to meet the growing challenges and demands of urban transportation,' said Mason Markee, also with Johnson. 'The MRV would be ideal for daily transportation in an urban environment with a designed top speed of 70 km/hr and range of 100 km of city driving on a single charge of the battery. 'The size and maneuverability of MRV gives it an advantage in navigating and parking in tight quarters.' With a designed top speed of around 70 km/hr, test driving proved to be a bit of fun. Justin Ridley told an Nasa magazine: 'It's like driving on ice but having complete control. 'It's a blast to ride in and even more fun to drive. We've talked about it being like an amusement park ride. 'The 'fun' of driving was not something we tried to design for, just something that came out of the design. 'Once we got it running many of us commented that we had no idea it was going to be able to do the things it does.' 'This work also allowed us to develop some technologies we felt were needed for our future rovers,' said Ridley. The driver controls MRV with a conventional looking steering wheel and accelerator/brake pedal assembly. The driving mode can be switched so that all four wheels point and move in the same direction - perfect for parallel parking. 'These include redundant by-wire systems, liquid cooling, motor technology, advanced vehicle control algorithms. 'We were able to learn a lot about these and other technologies by building this vehicle.' The buggy can also be controlled remotely, and in the future Nasa says this system can be expanded to allow for autonomous driving. The driver controls MRV with a conventional looking steering wheel and accelerator/brake pedal assembly. Both of these interfaces were specially designed to mimic the feel of the mechanical/hydraulic systems that people are used to feeling when driving their own cars. The buggy can also be controlled remotely, and in the future Nasa says this system can be expanded to allow for autonomous driving. 'While the vehicle as a whole is designed around operating in an urban environment, the core technologies are advancements used in many of our robotic systems and rovers,' said Mason. 'Actuators, motor controllers, sensors, batteries, BMS, component cooling, sealing, and software are all examples of technologies that are being devel oped and tested in MRV that will be used in next generation rover systems. 'The technologies developed in MRV have direct application in future manned vehicles undertaking missions on the surface of Earth's moon, on Mars, or even an asteroid. 'Additionally, MRV provides a platform to learn lessons that could drive the next generation of automobiles.

Modular Robotic Vehicle developed at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Each wheel can be controlled independently and turn 180 degrees. Shows off the technologies that could let man move across other planets. Could also be used to improve self driving cars on Earth.

Staff attorneys at the U.S. Justice Department's antitrust division are nearing a recommendation to block Comcast Corps. $45.2 billion proposal to merge with Time Warner Cable Inc., Bloomberg Business reports. Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reports that attorneys investigating the proposal are concerned that such a merger would harm consumers and they may submit their review against the merger as early as next week. The final decision will be made by senior officials. Block: Staff attorneys at the U.S. Justice Department's antitrust division are nearing a recommendation to block Comcast Corps. $45.2 billion proposal to merge with Time Warner Cable Inc. (stock image) As reports surface that the multi-billion-dollar deal may be blocked, a spokesman for TWC questioned the reports and told Reuters that the company has been working productively with both the DOJ and the Federal Communications Commission. 'We've had no indication from the DOJ that [the report] is true,' the spokesman said. The proposed collaboration of the two cable television companies, which have both suffered drops in shares recently, drew criticism from Comcast competitors and groups that oppose media consolidation, according to CNN Money. On Schedule: Just two months ago, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts told Wall street analysts that officials are excited about the merger and the planning for regulatory approval was on schedule. The merger has been under extreme scrutiny since it was announced last February. If the deal is successful, Comcast would become the nation's leading cable and internet provider. And competitors fear that the deal would allow the company to unilaterally set programming prices for the entire industry, the LA Times reports. Just two months ago, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts told Wall street analysts that officials are excited about the merger and the planning for regulatory approval was on schedule, according to the LA Times. However, a Comcast spokeswoman told CNN that the merger would result in 'significant consumer benefits.' 'These benefits have been essentially unchallenged in the record -- and all can be achieved without any reduction of competition,' she added. 'As a result, there is no basis for a lawsuit to block the transaction.' Productively: A spokesman for TWC questioned the recent reports saying that the company has been working productively with both the DOJ and the Federal Communications Commission. Time Warner Cable: Photographed is Time Warner Cable Inc. CEO Robert Marcus, who has held the position since January 2014. On Friday, a group of companies, public interest groups, and associations wrote a letter to FCC Chair Tom Wheeler opposing the deal that would combine the nation's biggest and second biggest cable television operators. 'The combined company would, among other things: control over half of the high-speed residential broadband connections in the United States; dominate pay-TV across the nation; combine even stronger distribution muscle with NBC-Universal's 'must-have' video programming; and control critical advertising and set top-box inputs,' the letter stated according to Reuters. '... the Commission should reject this merger because it would result in too much power in the hands of one company.'

Attorneys at the U.S. Justice Department may reportedly block Comcast Corps. $45.2 billion proposal to merge with Time Warner Cable Inc. Attorneys with the DOJ's antitrust division are concerned that the merger would hurt consumers. Officials from both Comcast and Time Warner Cable have denied the reports.

It was the most heartbreaking tragedy of the floods that wreaked havoc around Britain last year. Little Zane Gbangbola died at home – in the middle of the night – after being poisoned by gas. For months after his death, police and other official agencies ruled out fears that the deadly fumes had come from a nearby landfill site. Instead, they insisted carbon monoxide from a faulty pump hired by his family had caused his death. But now The Mail on Sunday can reveal the damning evidence that proves the authorities have known for 14 months that hydrogen cyanide gas capable of killing Zane had leaked into the family's home as it was engulfed by floodwater. Scroll down for video. Little Zane Gbangbola (pictured) died at home – in the middle of the night – after being poisoned by gas which authorities claimed was from a faulty pump at his house. But damning new evidence proves the authorities knew for 14 months that hydrogen cyanide gas capable of killing Zane had leaked into the family's home (pictured) as it was engulfed by floodwater. The leaked official records reveal for the first time:. Last night, claims of a cover-up over Zane's death by police, the Environment Agency, Public Health England and local authorities intensified when the documents uncovered by the MoS also revealed no traces of carbon monoxide had been detected at the home in Chertsey, Surrey. The witness statements, marked restricted and confidential, were provided to police by senior fire officers the day after they attended the scene of the tragedy on February 8 last year. But Zane's grieving parents Kye and Nicole Gbangbola have faced a 'wall of silence', leading to claims of a cover-up while public agencies repeatedly insisted the boy died from carbon monoxide poisoning and that there was no risk to the wider public. Local residents accused the authorities of lying and putting lives at risk. The Gbangbolas' neighbour, Paul Marsden, 53, said last night: 'It is a disgrace that the authorities have not warned people about the dangers lurking in this land near our homes. Dr Ivan Vince, an expert in landfill gases, said last night that it was possible the cyanide gas had leached from a nearby landfill site (pictured) 'They are hoping it will go away – but it won't. It should not have taken the loss of a young life for this to come to light. Continuing to lie to people about what is there is putting other lives at risk. 'We have said all along that they found hydrogen cyanide at Kye and Nicole's house and here is the proof.' Just hours after the tragedy, despite the fact that police were in constant communication with fire chiefs, Surrey Police Chief Superintendent Dave Miller declared that landfill gases were 'not one of our lines of inquiry' into Zane's death. The force spent the next 11 months investigating carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause, before dropping its case in January on advice from the Crown Prosecution Service that there was no case to answer in relation to a hired petrol-powered pump in the family's home which they insist was never switched on. Nicole and Kye Gbangbola also needed hospital treatment because of hydrogen cyanide exposure on the night of their son's death. For months after his death, police and other official agencies ruled out fears that the deadly fumes had come from a nearby landfill site. Kye, 48, has been permanently paralysed from the waist down because of the gas, which was used to murder millions in the Nazi death camps. The couple have struggled for answers from the police, Environment Agency, Public Health England and councils ever since – and are still waiting for a coroner's inquest to be held because of the delays caused by the long-running police investigation. The Mail on Sunday has led the way in covering the tragic case – but has been stonewalled at every turn. Now this newspaper has seen leaked statements from police interviews with senior firefighters who were among the first of dozens of emergency personnel on the scene when Zane was rushed to hospital. The highly experienced officers serve with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service's Detection Identification and Monitoring team, which is called in to investigate gases. A commanding officer's statement to police says: 'As we were about to leave the premises, one of the gas detectors went into an amber alarm indicating hydrogen cyanide had been detected at levels of ten parts per million. We left immediately.' The officer says the level of gas in the house is considered dangerous if inhaled for more than 15 minutes. An immediately fatal concentration is 50 parts per million. Fire crews fled the riverside home in Chertsey, Surrey (pictured) for their own safety after their specialist gas detectors sounded the alarm for dangerous levels of hydrogen cyanide. The reading was taken at 7.29am – four hours after Zane's mother found him unconscious in a bedroom above the hallway and rang 999. After Zane was found, emergency services had opened doors and windows to ventilate the property for several hours. The firefighters double-checked their equipment and re-entered the house on two more occasions to confirm that hydrogen cyanide was in the property at 'concentrated levels', according to their incident log. It records the gas being detected at 7.47am and 8.19am. Neighbour Mr Marsden recalled seeing the firefighters 'ducking in and out of the house in breathing apparatus.' He said: 'The fire chief said to me there was hydrogen cyanide. I asked if it was ground gases and he said that was right and everyone will have to go to hospital.' Another statement seen by this newspaper says the gas detectors used by the fire service had been tested and certified as working correctly four days before Zane's death. The Gbangbolas said last night that they could not comment on the fire service documents for legal reasons ahead of Zane's inquest, due to be held later this year. A close family friend said: 'The truth is out – they have been gassed. Kye and Nicole are very angry.' Dr Ivan Vince, an expert in landfill gases, said last night that it was possible the cyanide gas had leached from the landfill site. He added: 'If this was an old unregulated tip, it could well be that cyanides were dumped many years ago. If there is acid spilt at the site, and then the water came out due to the flooding, then that would bring acid to the cyanide and release hydrogen cyanide.' This newspaper asked Surrey Police why the force had not disclosed that it knew hydrogen cyanide had been detected in the family's home hours after Zane had died. We also asked why the force spent 11 months investigating the carbon monoxide theory. A spokesman did not answer those questions but said in a statement: 'In February 2014, the post mortem examination into Zane's death proved inconclusive. 'Further thorough and extensive tests were completed. The pathologist gave a result of carbon monoxide intoxication.' The police, Environment Agency, Public Health England, Surrey Fire Service, Surrey County Council and Spelthorne Borough Council all said they could not comment in detail ahead of the coroner's inquest. A spokeswoman for Spelthorne council said: 'We are aware it is the family's belief that there is a link between the landfill close to their home and the tragic death of their son. 'However, based on current information, we do not believe there is any evidence of a causal link.'

Zane Gbangbola died at home in the middle of the night after gas poisoning. Authorities denied that deadly fumes were coming from nearby landfill site. They insisted carbon monoxide from faulty pump in house caused his death. Evidence shows authorities knew hydrogen cyanide leaked into family home. Fire crews fled the riverside home for their own safety after their specialist gas detectors sounded the alarm for dangerous levels of hydrogen cyanide four hours after Zane was discovered by his mother. The concentration of the gas found could be fatal within 15 minutes;. Carbon monoxide was never detected in the family's home;. Neighbours were evacuated amid fears of 'contamination from floodwater';. Police and other agencies were fully informed of hydrogen cyanide at the property at the time, but never confirmed it publicly despite repeated questioning by this newspaper.

Help for Heroes has launched a fundraising drive to keep World War II veteran Robert Clark in his own home after a London council refused to pay for his ongoing care. Brent Council said it was no longer able to afford to pay for a live-in carer to stay with the 96-year-old former prisoner of war, despite the fact that Mr Clark spent his £50,000 life savings on contributing to his care. Now, the council want to move Mr Clark from the house he has lived in for the past 50 years into a care home because they claim it is cheaper. Scroll down for video. Help for Heroes has given Robbie Clark, pictured, an emergency grant so he can remain at home in London. The JustGiving paged more than half of the £5,000 target within a couple of hours of it going live this morning. However, Help for Heroes has launched its own JustGiving page to help Mr Clark. The charity has already given Mr Clark and emergency grant to fund his immediate care needs, but they are seeking the public's help to secure his future. They have so far raised £2,736.22 of the £5,000 needed. Any extra money will go towards the care of other former servicemen and women in need of assistance. Linda Walton, head of grants at Help for Heroes, said: 'Help for Heroes is all about supporting those who have been psychologically or physically wounded in service of our country. 'Robbie suffered severe anxiety and distress as a prisoner of war during the Second World War, and it is wrong that he should be subject to these feelings once again. 'We will do everything we can to ensure Robbie gets the support he deserves.' Mr Clark is one of Britain's oldest surviving prisoners of war  - and one of the few British soldiers to survive Hitler's 1,000-mile death march - has been given the emergency grant through the Help for Heroes quick reaction fund. Having spent his savings on home care, Mr Clark, from Brent, north west London, faced being forced out of his home into a residential care home, something he said would 'remind me of being a prisoner of war'. Mr Clark is blind, deaf in one ear and dependent on a wheelchair, suffered 'severe anxiety' when he was a prisoner of war. A total of 165,000 people have signed a petition calling for home help, the charity said. More than £2,500 has been donated on a JustGiving fundraising page. Mr Clark was a gunner in the Durham Light Infantry when he was captured by the Nazis in the North African city of Tobruk in June 1942. He spent the rest of the war in prison camps in Poland, before being forced to join the ‘death march’ in 1945. Hitler ordered thousands of PoWs to march west for four months in extreme winter weather as the Russians advanced from the East. Writing home: Veteran Robert Clark, pictured in 1940, when he was serving with Durham Light Infantry. Robert Clark (front row, second left) pictured on June 21, 1943 at prisoner of war camp Campo PG70 in Italy. After the war, the soldier married his sweetheart Rita and worked as a carpenter. In 1969 the couple moved into the house where he still lives in Burnt Oak, north London. Mrs Clark died in 2010 aged 91. Now a great-great-grandfather and one of Britain’s oldest surviving PoWs, Mr Clark is registered blind, deaf in one ear and is dependent on a wheelchair. For the past two years he has used his £50,000 savings to pay towards a £960-a-week live-in carer, while Brent Council contributed £350 a week. But as his money runs out, the council is refusing to increase its funding and Mr Clark may have to go into a care home instead. His son, Mike, who said his home in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, is not suitable for the pensioner, added: ‘This is causing my father to be very anxious and he is unable to sleep. ‘He’s as good as told me that if he has to move, he’ll just give up on life. Whenever he’s been in hospital, he … pulls the blankets over his head and stops talking. ‘He hates being anywhere which isn’t familiar … going into a care home will be like going back into a prisoner of war camp.’ Despite tens of thousands signing the petition to allow Mr Clark to stay in his own home, Brent Council said they will not increase their funding for a live-in carer. The council’s Phil Porter said: ‘We recognise Mr Clark’s contribution to this country and sincerely empathise with the situation that he and other older people … are in. ‘However … the care package that Mr Clark is choosing is not affordable to council taxpayers given the constraints of local government funding and the need to be consistent for the 2,900 people we support.’ He added: ‘Mr Clark owns his home, so there is absolutely no question of Brent Council evicting him despite what has been suggested in this petition.’ The council said Mr Clark’s needs can be met in a care home for £451 a week. Alternatively, he could choose to receive the same weekly sum and stay at home, but would have to pay the extra amount necessary for a carer. Mr Porter said: ‘We want to find a solution which meets his eligible social care needs, provides value for money for the taxpayer, but also reflects the choices he has made and the additional cost this creates.’ He added that the council had offered ‘a deferred payment which means he doesn’t need to sell his house to pay for his care’. After signatures hit the 127,000 mark this morning, a spokeswoman said: 'Our position hasn't changed since the petition was at 75,000.' Mr Clark’s family reported the case to the Local Government Ombudsman, but the watchdog agreed with the council.

Great-grandfather Robert Clark has lived in the house for 50 years. He has spent £50,000 life savings on a live-in carer over last two years. Brent Council says it cannot afford the care package the veteran wants. Help for Heroes has launched a fundraising drive to pay for Robert's care.

The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office falsified the training and firearms records of the millionaire reserve deputy who shot dead an unarmed suspect by mistake, claim sources within the department. They allege that at least three of 73-year-old Robert Bates' supervisors were removed from their posts when they refused to sign off on forged field training hours - and that he was not fit to police the streets. The allegations of corruption published in the Tulsa World come after claims the wealthy CEO 'paid to play cop', which ultimately led to the events of April 2 when he fired his handgun instead of his Taser, killing 44-year-old Eric Harris. Scroll Down for Video. Allegations of corruption: Robert Bates, (right), arrives at the Tulsa County Jail with his attorney, Clark Brewster on Tuesday. The shocking claims come in the same week that Bates turned himself to face charges of second-degree manslaughter for Harris' death. Charged: Robert Bates is free on $25,000 bail and is charged with second-degree manslaughter for the death of Eric Harris on April 2. The sources who spoke to Tulsa World claim that the reserve deputy was not properly trained to be an armed deputy, despite Sheriff Stanley Glanz saying otherwise. Indeed, Sheriff Glanz and Bates' own legal team have repeatedly produced records which they claim prove he was an 'advanced reserve' and had undergone 480 hours training. However, when asked to produced proof that Bates was certified to use three weapons, including the revolver he fired at Harris, the Sheriff's Office say they have been unable to find the paperwork. The office claims that the deputy who certified Bates has now moved on to work for the Secret Service. 'We can't find the records that she supposedly turned in,' said Glanz according to the Tulsa World. 'So we are going to talk to her to find out if for sure he's been qualified with those weapons.' The Tulsa World have said that they heard 'almost immediately' after the shooting that Bates was allegedly not qualified to be a deputy and that his records had been pushed through the office. The Tulsa World claims to have seen a whole list of the courses that Bates got credit for, but the names of his supervisors have been redacted - a practice they said they had never seen for a public official in Oklahoma. Charged: Bates, 73, accidentally grabbed his pistol and shot Harris (left, in a previous mug shot) dead, according to Tulsa police. Bates is classified as an advanced deputy. Redacted: These are the official records of Robert Bates' training - which the Tulsa World is claiming have been beefed up. One of the reporters at the paper told CNN that they are demanding the office turn over the names. 'You would think the sheriff's office, if in fact there has been no pressure applied, no falsification of records, that they would be forthcoming with these documents,' she told CNN's 'New Day.' 'We've asked for them. They've said they don't believe they're public records.' Undersheriff Tim Albin has vehemently denied that the records that qualify Bates are false. 'The training record speaks for itself. I have absolutely no knowledge of what you are talking about,' Albin said to Tulsa World. 'There aren't any secrets in law enforcement. Zero. Those types of issues would have come up.' Bates, who shot dead Harris during a botched undercover operation after a brief struggle is currently free on $25,000 bail. Shooting: This photo shows a deputy bending down to pick up Bates's dropped gun following the accidental shooting in Tulsa earlier this month. Harris is being held down on the ground, out of shot, by other deputies. Terrified: The fatally-wounded man, who is being held by his neck and back by the deputies (pictured), says: 'Oh my god, he shot me! He shot me! He shot me, man.' He then adds: 'Oh, my god. I'm losing my breath' Video from the incident reveals that as soon as Bates realized he had shot Harris he dropped his gun and immediately said, 'Oh I shot him! I'm sorry.' Bates is classified by the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office as an 'advanced reserve'. This means that he went through 480 hours training of the 'Field Training Officer' or FTO. The Harris family legal team say they believe these traning records are a lie and do not exist. Indeed, already questions have been raised as to the authenticity of Bates' records. The Sheriff's Office have previously said that Bates joined the force in 2008, but when he was asked he said he joined in 2007. In his statement to the Tulsa investigators, Bates said he had previously attended a five-day homicide school in Dallas and also received 'active shooter response training' with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in Arizona. He also claims to have been involved in 'at least 100 other' assignments. The corruption allegations come as it emerged that Bates contributed $2,500 to Sheriff Glanz's re-election campaign and that he has donated vehicles and video to the office. However, Glanz has denied that Bates 'paid to play a cop'. 'No matter how you cut it up, Deputy Bates met all the criteria on the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training to be in the role that he was in,' he said to CNN.

Tulsa County Sheriff's Office falsified Robert Bates' training claim sources within the department. Bates is officially  an 'advanced reserve' and has 480 hours of training. However, the sheriff's department cannot find the woman they claim did his firearms training. The names of the supervisors who did his field training have been redacted.