The CEO of the Italian eyewear company that makes Ray-Bans said that his company is working with Google on two new versions of its Google Glass project. Massimo Vian, one of the heads of Milan-based Luxottica, said that his team was looking to improve on the Internet-connected device, which was trumpeted as a huge technological leap forward when it was announced in 2012. However, Google stopped selling the first version and shut its pre-launch Explorer program for Google Glass earlier this year, prompting speculation about the demise of the wearable gadget before it became widely available. Massimo Vian, one of the heads of Milan-based Luxottica, said that his team was working on two new versions of Google Glass, one of which was 'in preparation' Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt later appointed a new leader for the product and said that it would be 'ready for users', according to the Wall Street Journal. 'There’s nothing about adjusting Glass that suggests we’re ending it,' he said. Vian told Luxottica shareholders that his company is 'now working on Google Glass version 2 which is in preparation'. He did not give any details about a proposed launch date for the second version. The executive has recently been to California to meet with Google's team. New versions of Google Glass, which was unveiled three years ago as a prototype available for $1,500, are thought to aim at a lower cost, longer battery life and improved sound quality. It officially offered the product to the public in 2014, though sales were low. Vian (pictured) told shareholders of his company, which makes Ray Bans, that there were 'some second thoughts' about what version three of Google Glass would be. Part of the perceived failure of the first version of the product was the mockery it generated towards 'glassholes' who wore the odd-looking gadgets. 'There are some second thoughts on how to interpret version 3' of Google Glass, Vian said, according to NDTV. Details about what the new versions will look like have not yet been released. Processor company Intel is expected to create the chip in the device.

Summary: Massimo Vian, head of Luxottica, says version two 'in preparation' CEO said there are 'second thoughts on how to interpret version 3' Google's wearable technology stopped selling first version this year . Product called a failure after it was never widely available to customers .


Christopher Barry, 53, was stabbed to death by a 13-year-old boy after a row outside a block of flats . A 13-year-old boy has been jailed for more than 11 years after pleading guilty to a brutal stabbing making him one of Britain's youngest ever murderers. The boy, who is a member of the notorious Wood Green Gang, pleaded guilty to stabbing 53-year-old Christopher Barry twice in the chest outside his home in Edmonton, north London, on December 14 last year. The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pulled a knife from his rucksack and stabbed Mr Barry, a builder, as he got into a lift following a row. The Old Bailey heard the boy became enraged when Mr Barry, who was known as Jack, would not let the boy and his friends into the block of flats. Zoe Johnson QC told the court the murder happened on December 14 last year, as the killer attended a 13th birthday party at his friend's flat off The Broadway, in Edmonton, north London. He and a group of friends left the flat to see one boy to his bus home, but returned to the wrong block to try to rejoin the party. 'Tragically it appears they returned to the wrong door of the wrong block', said Ms Johnson. 'When they buzzed the door, they were buzzing the wrong flat which explains why no one answered.' Mr Barry and his girlfriend, Sabrina Finn, arrived home to find the group of boys trying to get into the black of flats when they lived. Ms Johnson said: 'One of those boys was continually pressing the button to be let in. 'Mr Barry and his girlfriend said they couldn't let the boys into the flat if the occupants weren't answering the buzzer. The attack happened as Mr Barry (left) returned home with his girlfriend, council worker Sabrina Finn (right) 'As Mr Barry used his fob to open the main entrance, it appears there was a bit of pushing and shoving between him and the boys. 'Mr Barry and his girlfriend entered the block and walked to the lift. 'The defendant followed Mr Barry into the block, along a short corridor, around a corner, and as Mr Barry stepped into the lift, the defendant stabbed him twice in the chest, in a completely unprovoked and cowardly attack.' One of the boys with the killer told police he had seen his friend 'become angry and take a kitchen knife out of his rucksack.' Another of the boys saw him thrust the knife at Mr Barry and say: 'What are you saying now? What are you saying now?' before swinging the knife at the victim. When they ran from the block of flats, the killer told a friend he had 'just ripped the man's jacket'. The Old Bailey (pictured) heard the boy became enraged when Mr Barry, who was known as Jack, would not let the boy and his friends into the block of flats where he lived. He fatally stabbed Mr Barry twice . Mr Barry did not

Summary: A boy aged 13 has been jailed for 11 years for murder of Christopher Barry . He stabbed Mr Barry, a builder, twice in 'cowardly and unprovoked' attack . Teenager was a member of the notorious Wood Green Gang in London . Boy was thrown out of school at 11 for possessing cannabis and a knife .


Two hitmen associates of a ‘Freddy Krueger’ killer who tried to gun down a rival during London’s bloodiest gang feud have been jailed for a total of 44 years today. Christopher Annan, 24, and Tyrone Wright, 20, took part in a gun attack on Tottenham Turks gang member Inan Eren. The 35-year-old victim, who survived, was ambushed as he arrived home on the evening of 30 December 2012, shot three times in the arm, stomach and buttock. The attack was led by hitman Jamie Marsh-Smith, 23, a fearsome hired gun who had earned the nickname ‘Freddy’ after the Nightmare on Elm Street killer. Jamie Marsh-Smith (left) known as 'Freddy' after the Nightmare on Elm Street character, executed gang boss Zafer Eren (right). He also took part in the attack on Eren's cousin Inan for which two men were jailed today . The deranged Freddy Krueger. Marsh-Smith got his nickname carrying out contract hits, including the failed one on Inan Eren on December 30, 2012 . He was locked up for at least 38 years in July last year for the attack on Mr Eren, the murder of crime boss Zafer Eren, and a botched attempt to kill his own getaway driver Samuel Zerei, 22. A jury at the Old Bailey this afternoon convicted Annan and Wright of attempted murder after a retrial. They both held their heads in their hands when the verdicts were announced, while cries of ‘they are innocent’ rung out from the public gallery. Judge John Bevan QC sentenced both men at 2.15pm. He blamed Wright’s parents as the two hitmen were jailed for the gun attack which has left victim Inan Eren permanently on crutches. Annan, the older of the pair, was jailed for 24 years with a five year period of extended licence. Wright, who was just 18 at the time of the shooting, was jailed for 20 years. ‘It gives me no pleasure whatsoever to have to sentence young men such as yourselves for serious gun crime of this kind’, said Judge Bevan. He said the ‘medieval turf war’ between the two Turkish families had now reached ‘epidemic proportions.’ ‘It’s high time the two families and their connections realise the manipulative and lawless behaviour will have consequences beyond the normal level of punishment,’ the judge added. ‘This was professional offending by a gang acting for profit as hitmen, of which Jamie Marsh-Smith was in charge and the leader.’ The judge said there had been 26 incidents in the drug war between the Tottenham Turks and the Hackney Turks since 2009, including 19 where guns were used. Annan was jailed for three-and-a-half years in 2006, when he was just 16, for stabbing a boy who had punched him. He was jailed for three years in 2008 for dealing crack cocaine and heroin, and was also convicted of possession of heroin in 2012. He was jailed for 38 years for the shooting of Inan Eren, the murder of his cousin and crime boss Zafer Eren and a botched attempt to kill his own getaway driver . Inan Eren

Summary: Christopher Annan, 24, and Tyrone Wright, 20, jailed for attempted murder . Took part in gun attack on Tottenham Turks gang member Inan Eren, 35 . He was shot three times in the arm, stomach and buttock but still survived . Brutal attack was led by hitman Jamie Marsh-Smith, 23, nicknamed 'Freddy' He was jailed for 38 years for the shooting, the murder of Eren's cousin and crime boss Zafer Eren and a botched attempt to kill his own getaway driver .


Scientists at a Polish company that produce body armour systems are working to put a 'magic liquid' that can harden on impact in their products. The liquid is called Shear-Thickening Fluid (STF), and instantly hardens upon impact at any temperature. In a 'liquid armour' this provides protection from penetration by high-speed projectiles and additionally dispersing energy over a larger area. Scroll down for video of the body armour in action . The new material in its liquid form (left) and the solid form it take on impact (right) The liquid is called Shear-Thickening Fluid (STF), and does not conform to the model of Newtonian liquids, such as water, in which the force required to move the fluid faster must increase exponentially, and its resistance to flow changes according to temperature. Instead STF hardens upon impact at any temperature, providing protection from penetration by high-speed projectiles and additionally dispersing energy over a larger area. 'This viscosity increases thanks to the subordination of the particles in the liquid structure, therefore they form a barrier against an external penetrating factor,' said Karolina Olszewska, who performed tests on the STF for Moratex. The exact composition of the STF is known only to Moratex and its inventors at the Military Institute of Armament Technology in Warsaw, but ballistic tests proved its resistance to a wide range of projectiles. 'We needed to find, design a liquid that functions both with projectiles hitting at the velocity of 450 meters per second and higher. 'We have succeeded,' said Deputy Director for Research at the Moratex institute, Marcin Struszczyk. Struszczyk said the liquid's stopping capability, combined with the lower indentation of its surface, provides a higher safety level for the user compared with traditional, mostly Kevlar-based, solutions. 'If a protective vest is fitted to the body, then a four centimeter deep deflection may cause injury to the sternum, sternum fracture, myocardial infarction, lethal damage to the spleen,' Struszczyk said. 'Thanks to the properties of the liquid, thanks to the proper formation of the insert, we eliminate one hundred percent of this threat because we have reduced the deflection from four centimeters to one centimeter.' The liquid has been used to create lightweight flexible sheets, which can be placed inside the body armour . When hit by a high-speed projectile, a wide area of the STF hardens instantly, causing the usually massive energy to be dispersed away from the wearer's internal organs. Implementing the solution in body armor required designing special inserts, but the company says those are lighter than standard ballistic inserts and broader range of movement for their users in the police and military. 'The point is for them not to interfere, not change the way of movement, operation of such the product by the user, and at the same time increase their motor skills, increase effectiveness of their decision process and increase their possibilities during the mission at hand,' Struszczyk said. A Bullet test shows the material hardening on impact. Researchers have already tested the material in existing body armour designs. The laboratory is also working on a magnetorheological

Summary: Clothing can include Moratex pack which instantly hardens on impact . Has been shown to stop bullets in lab tests - yet wearer can move around .


The savages of Islamic State have stepped up their use of teenage suicide bombers in recent weeks, even using their leader's alleged cousin to blow himself up at a checkpoint in Iraq. Named as Abu Hafs al-Badri, the youthful teenager is claimed to be the cousin of Abu Bakr al-Bagdadhi, the extremist group's self-styled caliph. It appears ISIS's growing strategy of using teenage suicide bombers indicates their continued focus on indoctrinating impressionable local teenagers and turning them into deadly bombers. Not even old enough to grow a beard, teenage suicide bomber Abu Hafs al-Badri is claimed to be one of the cousins of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Abu Basir al-Shami (left) and Abu Yaqoub al-Iraqi (right) both blew themselves up in Iraq. Both boys appear to be be older than 16-years-old. al-Badri's martyrdom photo was released recently alongside fellow teenage suicide bomber Abu Yaqoub al-Iraqi. The teenage duo carried out joint suicide missions in ISIS's latest offensive on the Baiji oil refinery in Salahuddin province, Iraq. Little is known about Abu Yaqoub al-Iraqi except like Abu Hafs, he was an Iraqi national. Both fighters appear to be little older than 16-years-old. Another teenage suicide bomber Abu Basir al-Shami blew himself up in Anbar province, near the Iraqi city of Ramadi. Wearing a ISIS branded hat and awkwardly holding an AK 47 in his hands, the teenager stares emptily into the camera. Abu Qaqa al-Shami (left) and Abu Hassan al-Shami, (right) both Syrian nationals, carried out suicide lorry attacks in Iraq last month. Abu Qaqa al-Shami appeared in an ISIS video, shouting a torrent of jihaid slogans and practicing his shooting with an AK 47. al-Shami blew himself up at a checkpoint in North Baghdad. The teenager is shown singing as he drives a vehicle packed full of explosives towards a military checkpoint in Iraq. The trio of teenage suicide bombers come after another teenager was shown in a video, criticising the West before he carried out a suicide bomb attack. Known as Abu Qaqa al-Shami, the Syrian national drove a truck laden with explosives into a checkpoint in northern Baghdad. The boy has been named as Abu al-Hassan al-Shami, a Syrian fighter who appears to be no older than 14 years old. In a photo series, entitled 'Battle of Vengeance for the Mother of the Believers (Aisha)', the youngster is thought to be one of two Syrian fighters, who carried out a suicide truck bombings in the Iraqi province of Salahuddin. He is shown sitting in the driver's seat of the large lorry filled with barrels of explosives. The vehicle has been reinforced with plated armour, leaving the young driver with only a small rectangular window to navigate the final journey for his deadly vehicle. Abu al-Hassan al-Shami, who appears no older than 14, is thought to be the Islamic State's youngest suicide bomber . In a series of pictures, the young fighter appears to be playing with a hand grenade before the huge explosion of the lorry in January 2015. In his hands, the young fighter appears to be playing

Summary: Teenage suicide bomber Abu Hafs al Badri is referred to as the cousin of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi . In January, a 14-year-old fighter Abu Hassan al-Shami, blew himself up in Salahuddin province, Iraq . The rise in ISIS teenage suicide bombers could indicate how much the jihadi group is struggling to keep territory .


A remarkable farming couple have devoted their lives to adopting disabled orphans - taking in more than 40 children over the last 26 years. Tianwen Chen, 65, and his wife Gairen Guo, 60, found their first child in a box on the roadside and gradually took more and more disabled children into their two-bedroom home in rural Shanxi province, central China. But the couple have faced a great deal of heartache over the years, and are only now living comfortably with 12 of the children with the help of donations by kind-hearted people, according to the People's Daily Online. Big family: Tianwen Chen and his wife Gairen Guo have adopted 40 disabled children over the past 26 years. Nine of the children can be seen here, enjoying a family meal together . Working hard: The Chens can now afford to send their children to school, but it hasn't always been this way . The couple, who live outside of Yuanping city, found their first child - a baby girl - on the side of the road one day in 1989 and carried her home, despite not having much to live on themselves. Tianwen said he immediately felt an emotional connection with the child: 'This baby girl was in a cardboard box. She was so tiny and skinny. Both of her legs were weird and you could tell at first glance that she was disabled.' 'When I saw this baby girl, I felt like I had been through the same things.’ Difficult life: All of the children were disabled and many had been abandoned by their biological parents . Devoted: Tianwen says he was desperate to help and began to take more and more children into their home . Ever-growing: The couple said that even the local authorities began sending children to their home . He suffers from a genetic eye condition, and says that this made him desperately want to help disabled children. Eventually, nearly 20 children were sleeping on the floor in their 20 square metre farmhouse. The couple themselves had barely any space to lie down. They would take it in turn to wake up three or four times every night to feed the babies and change their nappies. The couple did not even have a washing machine, and Gairen was forced her laundry in icy water that was often -20 degrees Celsius. Even the local authorities began to send disabled children to the Chens, but unfortunately the government subsidy for foster parents only covered the cost of milk powder. The couple gradually used up all their savings, making them fear for the future of their children. Caring: Tianwen, feeding one of the babies above, found a baby girl in a box on the side of the road . Grief: Sadly nine of the children died. The parents still visit their tombs to carry out religious rituals . The children needed constant medical treatment, which became extremely expensive. The couple went with various children to the doctor twice a week and every day during flu season. The healthiest child had

Summary: Tianwen Chen and wife found a baby girl in a box by the road in 1989 . They carried her home, even though they had little money to live off . Since then they have adopted more and more disabled children . Sadly nine of the children died and the couple soon used up their savings . Donations from the public mean they now have a brand new home .


Vijay Chokal-Ingam claims that he posed as a black man while he applied to medical schools in 1998 because he believed he had a better chance of gaining acceptance . The older brother of comedienne Mindy Kaling has controversially claimed he was only accepted into medical school in the late 1990s because he posed as a black man. Writing on his blog, Almost Black, Vijay Chokal-Ingam says that he felt he had to change his appearance to get into the St. Louis University School of Medicine and heavily attacks affirmative action policies in the United States. 'I was determined to become a doctor and I knew that admission standards for certain minorities under affirmative action were, let's say… less stringent?' wrote Chokal-Ingam. 'I got into medical school because I said I was black. The funny thing is I'm not.' Chokal-Ingam admits that his sister did not support him during his social experiment and specifically asked him not to do it. He claims in 1998 he shaved his head, trimmed his 'long Indian eyelashes' and joined the Organization of Black Students during the process. His change in appearance was 'so startling that my own fraternity brothers didn't recognize me'. 'Vijay the Indian-American frat boy became Jojo the African American Affirmative Action applicant to medical school,' he said, claiming that Jojo was the middle name he was born with. Though his website, AlmostBlack.com, shows side-by-side qualifications and pictures of Chokal-Ingam as an Indian-American man (left) and a black man (right), he doesn't specify if he went through the same application process as an Inidan-American man as he did a black man . As an Indian-American with a GPA of 3.1, MCAT of 31 and a member of the South Asian Student Association, he didn't think he'd get into medical school, but with a change of appearance and switch of student organization, he thought he could get in to some of the top schools in the nation. 'I became a serious contender at some of the greatest medical schools in America, including Harvard, Wash U, UPenn, Case Western, and Columbia,' he said about the application process. 'In all, I interviewed at eleven prestigious medical schools in 9 major cities across America, while posing a black man,' he added. Despite his startling claims, Chokal-Ingam fails to mention if he applied to the same schools at the same time as an Indian-American man. He also does not seem to appear repentant about presumably taking a place at college that would otherwise have gone to an African-American. When he was finally accepted to St. Louis University School of Medicine, he used the acceptance to claim he was only granted admission because he was black and used the situation as an example of what was 'wrong' with affirmative action. Chokal-Ingam said that his sister, sitcom star and comedienne Mindy Kaling told him not to move forward with the book . Indeed, Chokal-Ingam admits that he did not even complete his medical degree and dropped out before he qualified as a doctor. Chokal-Ingam also admits he found posing as a

Summary: Vijay Chokal-Ingam claims he posed as a black man and was accepted into the St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1998 . He decided he'd have a better chance of getting into medical school if he was black rather than an Indian-American man . Tells of his experiences on his own website, Almost Black and criticizes affirmative action . He claims he shaved his head, trimmed his 'long Indian eyelashes' and joined the Organization of Black Students .


Louis van Gaal says Manchester United can still win the Barclays Premier League, even though his side sit eight points behind leaders Chelsea having played a game more going into the run-in. Van Gaal also admitted that Marouane Fellaini has become almost undroppable, given his performances in United's recent run of form. Victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday would put some pressure on neighbours Manchester City - currently second - who don't play until Monday at Crystal Palace. Louis van Gaal says Manchester United can still win the Barclays Premier League at this late stage in the race . Van Gaal also admitted that Marouane Fellaini's recent performances have made him almost undroppable . United currently sit fourth in the Premier League but they could rise or fall depending on their run-in form . Van Gaal - who confirmed that Robin van Persie is still injured - said: 'There is still a rat race (for fourth) that Liverpool and Tottenham are involved in. 'We have given them a blow but we still have to play the top three teams. 'A lot can happen. Still we can win the title, mathematically. We can do that.' While Van Gaal says United are mathematically in the title race, he says the top-four battle is not over either . Fellaini has been in excellent form for his club and country of late in a string excellent results . Fellaini is expected to start against Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League after coming to the fore under Van Gaal this season. And the United manager revealed that Fellaini has emerged as one of his most valuable players as he urged his squad to aim high between now and the end of the season. 'I cannot change Fellaini given the way he is playing at the moment,' said Van Gaal. The powerful Belgian has played all over midfield and Van Gaal has praised his attitude under his guidance . Fellaini is congratulated by Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney after scoring against Tottenham last month . 'I had heard a lot of stories about him before I met him here but from the first training session he did everything I asked. 'He was open and wanting to perform well so I am not surprised. 'He has been unlucky with injuries and illness but when he has been fit he has always played for me.' Van Gaal confirmed that Robin van Persie is still injured and said he is not ready to return to the first team . Dutch striker Van Persie has suffered from an ankle injury and is yet to reach match fitness . It was expected Van Persie would return this weekend from his ankle injury but Van Gaal said he is still not match fit. 'We have a process,' Van Gaal said. 'He has to go to the final football coach before he comes into my group and he is not there yet. He is still not in my group.'

Summary: Louis van Gaal says Manchester United are in race for the Premier League . Dutch boss reserved special praise for Marouane Fellaini's recent form . He says that the Belgian midfielder has made himself almost undroppable . United are eight points behind Chelsea having played a game more . Van Gaal's charges face Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Saturday at 3pm . Robin van Persie is still not fit enough to play at the weekend .


There was a mild tremor felt in the room when Louis van Gaal banged a fist on the table to reinforce his point after Manchester United had lost 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. The eruption follows next season. Van Gaal revealed that he had 11 disappointed faces looking up at him in the dressing room, with the sunken eyes of United's players pleading with him to explain how they had come to be beaten. They dominated possession, completing nearly three times as many successful passes than the champions-elect and yet they were unzipped by a goal in the 38th minute from Eden Hazard. Life can be cruel. Despite United's defeat there were signs on Saturday, what with the slick passing and their range of movement, that the battle lines have been drawn ahead of a proper title race next season. Van Gaal's team are coming for Chelsea and this is what English football needs. United will be a serious challenger. Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal was left frustrated after his side were defeated 1-0 by Chelsea . Chelsea forward Eden Hazard (left) jostles for possession with Manchester United's Juan Mata on Saturday . Manchester United midfielder Ander Hererra is sent hurtling to the ground following a challenge on Saturday . There is a growing sense, based on this performance, that Mourinho and Van Gaal will be locked in full combat mode when the fixture list for the 2015-16 season is released in June. This is undoubtedly Chelsea's year, starting off with the Capital One Cup in February and moving on to become the effective team in the Barclays Premier League. They are ten points ahead of Arsenal with six to play. Should Chelsea go on to win at the Emirates next Sunday and grab another three points at Leicester the following Wednesday they will be crowned deserved champions. This used to be United territory. In the summer they will spend more serious money again, fully intent on assembling a powerful squad to threaten Chelsea, a re-energised Manchester City and possibly even Arsenal over a 38 game season. There is work to be done, mainly through the middle, and Van Gaal will prioritise central defenders (Mats Hummels and/or Marquinos), an attacking midfielder (Paul Pogba) and another winger (Memphis Depay) in the summer. For now he can reflect on a promising performance, particularly with Ander Herrera dictating the tempo of the game so impressively in his posting just in front of the back four. He really looks a player. When Michael Carrick returns to United's team from injury, his partnership with Herrera will continue to flourish in the centre of that midfield. Luke Shaw, who has missed United's previous four games in the Premier League, returned at left-back because of an injury to Daley Blind. He looked solid, if short of fitness. United are considering an approach for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba (centre) in the next transfer window . The Red Devils are also keeping tabs on Borussia Dortmund's highly-rated defender Mats Hummels (right) United still need to address a problem in attack, where

Summary: Chelsea edged Manchester United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday . Blues forward Eden Hazard scored the game's only goal, but United dominated possession and completed many more successful passes . Despite defeat, United's confident performance suggests that they will definitely be Premier League title challengers again next season . United are preparing to spend heavily in the summer transfer window .


Surveys find that men in U.S. special operations forces do not believe women can meet the physical and mental demands of their commando jobs, and they fear the Pentagon will lower standards to integrate women into their elite units, according to interviews and documents obtained by The Associated Press. Studies that surveyed personnel found 'major misconceptions' within special operations about whether women should be brought into the male-only jobs. They also revealed concerns that department leaders would 'capitulate to political pressure, allowing erosion of training standards,' according to one document. Up to the mark? Surveys find that men in U.S. special operations forces do not think women can meet the physical and mental demands of their commando jobs . Second best: Male special op combat troops fear the Pentagon will lower standards to integrate women into their elite units . Some of those concerns were not limited to men, researchers found, but also were found among women in special operations jobs. Dan Bland, force management director for U.S. Special Operations Command, told the AP that the survey results have 'already driven us to do some different things in terms of educating the force.' About 68,800 people serve in the command, including 3,000 civilians. The main survey went to about 18,000 people who are in positions closed to women, and the response was about 50 percent. The high response rate, officials said, reflects the wide interest in the subject. The studies are part of the Pentagon's effort to open all military combat positions to women or provide reasons why any jobs should remain closed. One survey, by RAND Corp., reflected doubts that women could meet the overall job demands, found concerns that sexual harassment or assault could increase, and cited worries about 'unequal treatment' of special operations candidates and personnel. Some worried that if women were let in to some jobs, they might be treated more harshly. Survey details have not been released. This was the first time that officials from Special Operations Command publicly discussed the results. Changing times: In the past the military acknowledged that women will not be able to fill every combat role . Andy Hamilton, who works with Bland and has expertise on this issue, noted that women in special operations jobs had concerns, too, about the broader integration. 'They're concerned that this might result in the lowering of the standards in what are currently our male-only occupations, and that would then reflect on either them or on the women who come into those occupations,' said Hamilton. Pentagon leaders lifted the ban on women in combat jobs in 2012, but gave the military services time to integrate women gradually and systematically into the male-only front-line positions. By January 2016, the military must open all combat jobs to women or explain why any exceptions must be made. Positions within the special operations forces, including the clandestine Navy SEAL and Army Delta units, are considered the most grueling and difficult jobs in the military, with training and qualifying courses that push troops to their physical, mental and emotional limits. The

Summary: Men in U.S. special operations forces fear the Pentagon will lower standards to integrate women into their elite units . Survey results show the need to do more to educate special forces members as integration of women into more military positions . Male troops are worried that leaders would 'capitulate to political pressure' Special operations forces,include the Navy SEAL and Army Delta units and are considered the most grueling and difficult jobs in the military .


A giant supervoid 1.8 billion light-years across may be responsible for a mysterious ‘Cold Spot’ in the universe. The theory was proposed by astronomers seeking to understand what is causing this larger-than-expected cold area. If confirmed, the supervoid would be the largest single structure ever found by humanity. Hawaii scientists say a supervoid may account for an anomaly in the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB) of the universe, shown bottom right. In 2004 astronomers first found the 'Cold Spot' - a region 20 per cent less dense than elsewhere - and may now have an explanation for its formation . The research, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, was carried out by the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The Cold Spot was first discovered by astronomers in 2004 when they were examining a map of the radiation left over from the Big Bang - the cosmic microwave background (CMB) - made using Esa's Planck telescope. In the map, the universe is fairly evenly distributed, apart from in this one area. The huge unexpected region contains about 20 per cent less matter than other regions of the universe and about 10,000 less galaxies. While other sparse regions have been discovered, nothing on this scale has been found before. ‘Statistically, we are very confident that the supervoid is there,’ Dr András Kovács, who was involved in the study, told MailOnline. He said that the supervoid appears to be ‘roughly spherical’, and it may even contain a ‘significant substructure’ at its centre; a void within a void. A supervoid is not empty, but rather a region of space that has less matter than other parts of the universe. For this reason it can ‘sap’ the energy of light that is passing through it. To explain how that works, imagine the void to be a hill. As light enters the void and travels towards its middle, it can be said to be climbing the hill, using up energy. Once it passes the centre, it would begin ‘descending’ the hill and regain the energy it expended to get there. But as the universe is expanding, by the time the light gets to the centre, its route out has become ‘shallower’ - or less dense. This means it cannot regain as much energy as it lost initially and leaves the void with less energy, therefore a longer wavelength, which corresponds to a colder temperature. The different is marginal - typically about 70 nano-Kelvins - but it is enough to stand out when the entire cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB) of the universe is measured. The supervoid is thought to be causing a 'less-dense' region of the universe (illustration of empty space shown). At 1.8 billion light-years across it would be the biggest object ever found. But some 'exotic physics' is also needed to explain what's happening . The huge unexpected Cold Spot region, shown, contains about 20 per cent less matter than other regions of the universe, and about 10,000 less galaxies. While other sparse regions have been discovered, nothing

Summary: Hawaii scientists say a supervoid may account for a cosmic anomaly . The object is thought to be causing a 'less-dense' region of the universe . At 1.8 billion light-years across it would be the biggest object ever found . But some 'exotic physics' is also needed to explain what's happening .


As a childhood friend of pop star Ed Sheeran it would be understandable if Jonny May felt like singing the blues with the memory of being dropped by England still painfully fresh in his mind. Just a couple of months after scoring a sensational first international try against New Zealand, May was axed for striking the wrong note by ignoring an overlap in England’s Six Nations win over Italy. He was told to go away and learn his lessons back at Gloucester. With a mother who taught Sheeran to play the guitar as a youngster, learning lessons has never been a problem for the 25-year-old May, who insists the best years of his rugby life are ahead of him. Jonny May will start on the wing for Gloucester at the Stoop on Friday but has lost his England starting place . He starts on the wing for Gloucester on Friday night, as David Humphreys’ men take on Edinburgh in the final of the European Challenge Cup in a bid to claim a first significant piece of silverware since winning the same competition in 2006. ‘Obviously when you get dropped it is not a nice thing but I’m trying to learn from it and turn it into a positive by becoming a better player,’ May said. ‘It’s part of what being a professional rugby player is. I’m not an old player but I’ve experienced it here, I’ve experienced bad games and made mistakes here and there. ‘There are times I’ve had bad games at Gloucester or injuries or setbacks or come across weaknesses in my game. I’ve reflected on it and come back a better player. ‘I’m 25 years old and feel like I’m still improving and progressing.’ May is comfortable in the limelight, unfazed by the big stage and even claims some responsibility for setting Sheeran on the way to global superstardom; his mum, Hazel, taught the teenager his first chords on a guitar. ‘Ed was in our network of friends, and he was into his classical music but my mum used to play guitar along with others in that circle,’ May said. ‘He saw my mum playing and wanted to learn so she taught him some chords and off he went.’ Gloucester wing Jonny May leaves the pitch injured during the first-half against Newcastle on Saturday . Gloucester's Billy Twelvetrees (centre) trains ahead of the European Challenge Cup final in London . The Hartpury College graduate admitted after his wonder try in the defeat to the All Blacks last November that he’d listened to Sheeran and Taylor Swift on his iPod in the build-up to the game. Hardly the conventional choice to get in the mood to play the world champions but convention is not something that unduly concerns May on or off the field. And despite the disappointment of losing his England place to Exeter’s Jack Nowell, May has no intention of becoming a conformist any time soon. ‘You can’t really be worried about messing up because that’s the last place you want to be as a player,’ he said.

Summary: Gloucester take on Edinburgh in European Challenge Cup final on Friday . Jonny May will start for the Premiership club at the Stoop . May hopes impressing against Edinburgh can help an England recall .


Tom Lineham scored two interception tries in an eye-catching hat-trick as Hull FC beat Widnes 22-8 to make it back-to-back wins for the first time since last June. Lineham scored a treble in a losing cause at Castleford last month but his efforts on Friday night settled a drab contest at the KC Stadium. The 22-year-old winger showed good opportunism and no little speed on two occasions to pluck passes out of the air and race over 90 metres to add to his early opener. The hat-trick puts him out in front as Super League's most prolific finisher in 2015. Tom Lineham scored two interception tries in an eye-catching hat-trick as Hull FC beat Widnes 22-8 . Jamie Shaul went over late on to make sure of the two competition points for Hull, with tries from Kevin Brown and Patrick Ah Van unable to prevent Widnes from falling to a fifth away defeat out of five. It was a third match in nine days for both sides, although Widnes had reason to feel more hard done by after their Easter Monday trip to Catalans. Ah Van had an early opportunity to give the Vikings an extra spring in their step but a foot in touch saw his effort ruled out, although Rhys Hanbury's pass was forward in any case. There was no doubt when Lineham slid over in the corner at the other end after Shaul had spun out of a tackle and found his winger with a nice cut-out pass. The Vikings were defending doggedly near their own line to prevent a second Hull try when Stefan Marsh and Chris Dean were both forced off following a sickening clash of heads. Lineham had a good chance to lay the platform for another Hull raid following a break down the right but his pass was intercepted by former Black and Whites hooker Aaron Heremaia. Widnes worked their way downfield and were back level when Brown, whose high kick in the build-up appeared to have gone forward off Ah Van, forced the ball down from dummy half. The Vikings lost a third player as Lloyd White hobbled off, but they thought they had edged in front when Joe Mellor touched down his own dab through, only for the video referee to correctly rule a knock-on. What might have been a half-time lead turned into a six-point deficit as Lineham intercepted Brown's pass and raced 95 metres for a try which took him level with Castleford's Justin Carney on nine for the season. And he was out on his own as leading try scorer when he repeated the trick just after the break, Hanbury the victim on this occasion as he tried to find Ah Van 10 metres from the Hull line. Lineham almost turned provider on the hour mark but his wild pass could not be taken in by Shaul. Jordan Rankin was then wide with a 40-metre penalty attempt after play had been brought back for a shoulder charge by Eamon O'Carroll. But Hull did not have to wait too much longer

Summary: Tom Lineham scored two interception tries in an eye-catching display . Jamie Shaul also crossed late on for the home side . Kevin Brown and Patrick Ah Van replied for Widnes .


This is the seven-bedroom Tudor stone mansion where real estate heir - and alleged killer - Robert Durst spent his formative years. And it could be yours for $3.8 million. The 71-year-old's childhood home in Scarsdale, New York, hit the market this week as he prepares to face murder charges in California. But realtors have glossed over the coincidence, and the checkered past involving Durst's mother's apparent suicide when she jumped off the roof at the age of 32. On the market: This seven-bedroom, Tudor mansion in Scarsdale, New York, is where real estate heir Robert Durst grew up . Traditional: The property boasts century-old wood paneled on the ceilings and maids' quarters as it hits the market for $3.8 million . The sweeping marble staircase is lifted from the original Waldorf-Astoria hotel, which Conrad Hilton labeled 'the greatest of them all' Trial: Robert Durst, 71, appeared in a New Orleans court on Thursday to defend his possession of a gun as he awaits his murder trial . The Zillow listing describes the property as 'meticulously maintained', 'grand', 'gracious', and 'elegant'. With five fireplaces, a custom-designed chandelier and maids' quarters, 27 Hampton Road is certainly no hovel. Would-be buyers could inherit a wood-paneled library, a three-car garage, an outdoor dining room and even a solarium. The marble staircase is lifted from the original Waldorf-Astoria, and the ceilings have traditional wood beams. Multi-faceted: The family home, which is described as 'grand' and 'meticulously maintained', comes with a library and five fireplaces . 'Elegant': A number of the bedroom share this style of domed roofing with iron-paneled windows in traditional English style . Luxurious: Would-be buyers could get this marble-framed hot tub bath in on of the five the traditionally styled bathrooms . Grandeur: The listing, which has been up for seven days, emphasizes 'classic architecture' that can accommodate 'relaxed living' Chandelier: This is one of the facets Zillow highlights to emphasize the grandeur of the property . Solarium: The conservatory area has a wood-paneled glass ceiling and stone walls . Rural: The solarium looks out onto the leafy surroundings of the Scarsdale house in rural New York state . When he was seven, Durst's 32-year-old mother either jumped or fell to her death from the roof of the family home in Scarsdale . The 71-year-old real estate scion is awaiting extradition to face murder charges in California appeared in New Orleans accused of illegal gun possession. Durst was arrested in the Louisiana city on March 14 on charges of possession of a weapon by a felon and possession of a gun with a controlled substance, which carry a combined maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, but has yet to be formally charged. And 12 years after being acquitted for the 2003 murder and dismemberment of his neighbor Morris Black, he is wanted for the 2000 murder of his friend Susan Berman. His defense team was expected to challenge the Louisiana case by accusing police of searching Durst's hotel room in the city without a proper arrest warrant. The 71-year-old real estate scion

Summary: Seven-bedroom property in Scarsdale, New York, where Robert Durst grew up hit market this week . Features solarium, three-car garage, maids' quarters, chandeliers . When Durst was 7, his 32-year-old mother either fell or committed suicide by jumping off the roof of this building . Realtor glossed over coincidence that Durst is currently under arrest and made first court appearance this week . The 71-year-old arrested on March 14 after police 'found a revolver, marijuana and a latex mask in his hotel room' He is challenging the arrest warrant as unlawful, will soon fly to California for murder trial and possible death penalty .


Oxford dominated Cambridge in a historic Boat Race as both men and women competed on the same course for the first time. Female crews representing Oxford and Cambridge universities rowed the same stretch of the River Thames in London as the men for the first time in the 87 years they have competed. Oxford claimed their fourth win in five years in a supreme show of strength in the 161st men's boat race. President Constantine Louloudis claimed a fourth and final boat race victory for the Dark Blues, completing a clean sweep only interrupted by claiming bronze with Team GB's men's eight at London 2012. Scroll down for video . Oxford dominated Cambridge in the men's Boat Race today, claiming a third consecutive victory in a row . Oxford's men (from left) cox Will Hakim, Constantine Louloudis, Sam O'Connor, Michael Disanto, Jamie Cook, Tom Swartz, Henry Goodier , James O'Connor and stroke Will Geffen celebrate victory . The Oxford men's crew celebrate after winning the boat race between Oxford and Cambridge today . Oxford claimed their fourth win in five years in a supreme show of strength in the 161st men's boat race . Cambridge's Henry Hoffstot (centre) reacts after losing the boat race between Oxford and Cambridge today . The Oxford men's team triumphed over Cambridge to win the Boat Race on a historic day for the event . After Oxford's women breezed past Cambridge on their historic first battle on The Tideway course, their male counterparts made it a Dark Blue double with victory by six-and-a-half lengths. Louloudis hailed the victory, admitting he felt far more pressure than ever before, despite boasting three previous wins. 'I felt much more pressure this year, especially as I was leaving the guys,' he told BBC Sport. 'There were some pretty dark moments going in but I'm so pleased for the guys. 'We just stuck to our plan and executed a really good race.' Oxford University's men's team celebrate their third consecutive Boat Race victory this afternoon . Oxford University president Constantine Louloudis now has four Boat Race victories under his belt . Oxford University's female rowing team made history by winning the race and competing on the same day as the men for the first time . The Oxford Women's Boat Race crew pose on the tideway ahead of the historic Newton Women's Boat Race . Kiwi brothers Sam and James O'Connor shared a fine family moment, pairing up for the comfortable victory. Sam O'Connor admitted claiming his second boat race victory was as pleasing as the first. 'It's great, you never get sick of this, it's such a good feeling,' he told BBC Sport. 'And to do it with James, it's such a special moment.' The Oxford women's team also dominated their race, leading from the early stages, along the 6,800-metre route and finished 19 seconds ahead of their rivals. After the race, Anastasia Chitty, president of the Oxford University Women's Boat Club, told the BBC: 'It's a really special moment. 'To race on the same stage as the men, when so

Summary: Double victory for Oxford as both men and women's teams won races . Women competed on same course as men and on same day for first time . Up to 300,000 expected to line the banks of the Thames for historic race . Oxford men's rowing team claimed their fourth win in five years .


It’s a sight that draws giggles and curious stares from tourists and other first-timers – an unusual festival where revellers carry gigantic phalluses through the streets of a Japanese city. But for the residents of Kawasaki, who lug erotic shapes of all different sizes, this odd tradition is not a joke. Shinto Kanamara Matsuri started as a small tradition but has grown into a popular a tourist attraction, with participants praying to a god of fertility, child birth and protection from sexually transmitted infections. Participants carry a gigantic phallus through the streets of Kawasaki, Japan during the Shinto Kanamara Matsuri festival . The sight of three large phalluses being paraded through neighbourhoods in the city south of Tokyo draws giggles from tourists . Shinto Kanamara Matsuri, the Festival of the Steel Phallus, started as a small tradition but has grown into a popular a tourist attraction . Known as the Festival of the Steel Phallus, it is held every spring at the phallus-shaped Kanayama Shrine. Festivalgoers parade through the streets with three giant phalluses, while spectators lick lollies or snack on sausages or vegetables shaped as male and female genitalia. Rainy weather didn’t ruin the mood at this year’s festival, which had a massive collection of foreigners, according to Japanese website RocketNews24. They watched as groups of locals carried three heavy phalluses modelled after a mikoshi portable shrine, which is commonly used in Shinto festivals. Residents of Kawasaki carry phalluses of all different sizes while participating in a tradition that began nearly 40 years ago . Participants pray to a god who is said to help with fertility, child birth and protection from sexually transmitted infections . Rainy weather didn’t ruin the mood at this year’s festival, which attracted thousands of spectators from Japan and abroad . Spectators can buy lollies, sausages and vegetables shaped as male and female genitalia while watching the unusual parade . The three mikoshi carried through the streets for hours are the Kanamara Boat Mikoshi (tall and black), the Elizabeth Mikoshi (big and pink) and the Kanamara Big Mikoshi (squat and wooden), RocketNews24 reported. In addition to the parade there are performances and music, and the festival itself raises money and awareness for HIV research. The festival started nearly 40 years ago, and the Kanayama Shrine was once a popular place for prostitutes to pray for protection from sexually transmitted infections. Today, people visit the shrine to pray for everything from fertility and business prosperity to wedded bliss and good health. In addition to the parade there are performances and music, and the festival itself raises money and awareness for HIV research . The Kanayama Shrine was once a popular place for prostitutes to pray for protection from sexually transmitted infections . Today, people visit the shrine to pray for everything from fertility and business prosperity to wedded bliss and good health . Groups of locals carried three heavy phalluses modelled after a mikoshi portable shrine, which is commonly used in Shinto festivals .

Summary: Shinto Kanamara Matsuri started as a small tradition but has grown into a popular tourist attraction . Known as the Festival of the Steel Phallus, participants pray to a god of fertility and protection from infections . Rainy weather didn’t ruin the mood at this year’s festival, which attracted a large crowd of holidaymakers .


A family has been awarded $150 million by a jury after a four-year-old boy was killed when Jeep Grand Cherokee exploded into flames three years ago. Jurors in Decatur County, Georgia ruled on Thursday that the SUV manufacturer, Chrysler, acted with reckless disregard for human life in selling the family of Remington 'Remi' Walden a 1999 Jeep with a gas tank mounted behind the rear axle. Walden, of Bainbridge, Georgia, was killed when the Jeep driven by his aunt was hit from behind by a pickup truck in March 2012. Remington 'Remi' Walden, four, was killed three years ago when his family's Jeep Grand Cherokee exploded when it was rear-ended . This March 6, 2012 photo shows the scene of a crash in Bainbridge, Georgia, where four-year-old Remi Walden was burned and died when a Jeep Grand Cherokee was struck from the rear by a Dodge Dakota pickup truck . The fuel tank leaked, engulfing the Jeep in flames and killing the four-year-old. The verdict came nearly two years after Chrysler compromised with a federal safety agency and agreed to a scaled-down recall of some older-model Jeeps with the rear-mounted tanks. The tanks have little structure to protect them if struck from behind, making them susceptible to punctures and fires. Federal documents show that at least 75 people have died in post-crash fires because of the rear-mounted fuel tanks. The jury of 11 women and one man, ruled after a nine-day trial that Chrysler was 99 per cent at fault for the crash and the pickup driver was 1 per cent at fault. Jurors also determined that Chrysler failed to warn the family of the hazards of driving the Jeep. They ruled that the Waldens should get $30 million for Remi's pain and suffering and $120 million for the full value of his life, according to a verdict form. Mike Palese, spokesman for Chrysler parent company FCA US, said the company is disappointed with the verdict and would appeal. Chrysler, he said, was prevented from presenting data submitted to federal safety regulators showing that the vehicles did not pose an unreasonable safety risk. 'The vehicles are not defective,' Palese said. Although the verdict is large, it isn't the largest judgment ever against an automaker in a personal injury case. In 1999, for example, a California jury ordered General Motors Co. to pay $4.9 billion to Patricia Anderson and Jo Tigner after their Chevrolet Malibu was rear-ended and burst into flames. In that case, four children in the back seat were severely injured. The family of a four-year-old boy who was killed when a Jeep Grand Cherokee (pictured) exploded in 2012 has been awarded $150 million by a jury in Georgia . The amount was reduced on appeal to $1.2 billion. And in 2004, a woman paralyzed when her Ford Explorer rolled over won a $369 million verdict from Ford Motor Co. That was later reduced to $83 million, which Ford eventually paid after exhausting its appeals all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of

Summary: Remington 'Remi' Walden, four, was killed three years ago when his family's Jeep Grand Cherokee exploded when it was rear-ended . Jurors in Georgia ruled that Chrysler acted with reckless disregard for human life . Jeep Grand Cherokee exploded when it was rear-ended, causing the gas tank to ignite .


At the helm of the NYPD from 1934-45 was Lewis Valentine (pictured), a stalwart of the force for more than 30 years who had a reputation for brutality . Today they are everyday heroes, New York's finest, but the New York Police Department has had a more chequered past than most would imagine. Bernard Whalen's new book 'The NYPD's First Fifty Years' is a tale of kickbacks, mob violence and secret KKK members. Whalen charts the early rise of the world renowned police department from it beginnings in 1898 when the New York area's 18 independent police forces merged into one. A variety of men led the force through its formative years, 21 in total. Some were forward looking, some were practical but more than a fair share were scoundrels, larcenists or at the very least guilty of dereliction of duty. The department's first chief of police, William Devery, who held the post from 1898-1901, was known as the king of kickbacks. A former bar tender, Devery had to give a backhander just to get into the force, and was never shy about trading dollars for ranks, the New York Post reported. Police officers of the time had to pay exorbitant fees, more than year's starting salary to become a captain, but for Devery the under the table payments could easily be recovered through other means. In his early career, when taking command of a lower East Side Police Precinct, Devery was recorded as saying that there was a great deal of 'grafting' going on among his subordinates and that he would put a stop to it so he could line his own pockets. On the back of bribes paid to him Devery was able to buy a baseball team, the New York Highlanders, a forerunner to the New York Yankees, which he eventually sold for $300,000 in 1915. Theodore Bingham who held Devery's former post from 1906 to 1909 had his own unique set of character traits and is described in 'The NYPD's First Fifty Years' as being pathologically blunt. A former Brigadier General, Bingham lost his leg in an Army engineering accident in Buffalo. He worked throughout his career to remove special civil service protections on police inspectors who he could not promote or demote. When he won his battle to fire the people he wanted he turned his attention to NYPD captains who had the same status. He was recorded as saying 'I wish that about 40 police captains would die overnight. They are no good.' Bingham's tendency for indiscretion landed him in hot water again when he let slip the whereabouts one of his top lieutenants who had become famous for tracking down the mob. The police chief decided to tell reporters that his star lieutenant was on a secret mission in Italy tracking down the criminal backgrounds of Mafioso, Black Hand members. The officer was later found, shot dead outside a Palermo café. Devery (left) was the king of kickbacks while Theodore Bingham (right) was 'pathologically blunt' Richard Entright who presided over the NYPD from 1918 to

Summary: NYPD's secret history from first 50 years unveiled in book about the force . Looking at men who led the police, book describes kickbacks and brutality . One chief of police led the mob to the whereabouts of his star detective . Another failed to investigate KKK infiltration in the ranks of his department .


A London marathon runner stopped mid-race to ask his girlfriend to marry him in an incredibly heart-warming video. Jordan Meikle was filmed approaching the spectator’s barriers at a section of the 26-mile course near Canary Wharf by his girlfriend’s father Mark Harris. The 23-year-old, who moments before carefully removed a ring box from a bag around his waist without his girlfriend seeing, is captured standing before her stretching his muscles. Jordan Meikle stretches his muscles in front of the spectator's barriers at the London Marathon . Biding his time while masking the slight smirk on his face, Jordan lunges into another stretch – one that has him facing his girlfriend on one knee – and reveals the ring box from behind his back. His girlfriend, Kayleigh Harris appears speechless by the sudden gesture and stands back in shock as Jordan beams up at her. Cheers sound from the people standing by watching and runners can be seen clapping in approval as they jog past the couple. Getting to his feet, Jordan then presents Kayleigh with her ring and seals the deal with a kiss and a cuddle. While stretching the 23-year-old gets down on one knee and suddenly produces a ring from behind his back . He then has a sip of water and after saying his goodbye’s heads back into the pack of runners and carries on with his race. Talking to MailOnline, Jordan said: 'I wanted to propose for a while now but wanted it to be somewhere extra special where there would be hundreds of people in the same area – plus somewhere she couldn't escape. 'After the marathon I met my fiancee and family at the mall and cuddled and celebrated a little bit until my legs turned to rock and I had to lay on the floor. 'Our anniversary is on April 29, so proposing so close to the day and in front of my family and hers was daunting but also amazing – my happiest day so far.' After sealing the deal with a kiss and a cuddle, Jordan rejoins the pack of runners and carries on with the race . The video, which was uploaded to Facebook, has been viewed almost 25,000 times and has received a number of positive comments. Claire Harris wrote: ‘Congratulations! I barely even know you but I'm sitting in the staffroom with tears in my eyes! How fantastic!!’ Jordan was running the race to help raise funds for the Salvation Army, who provide accommodation for homeless people. According to his Just Giving page, Jordan had excelled his target of £1,500 by raising £1,760.37 in funds from a total of 88 donations.

Summary: Jordan Meikle stretches his muscles by barriers near Canary Wharf . He lunges onto his knee and presents a ring from behind his back . Girlfriend Kayleigh Harris appears speechless by the sudden gesture . After sealing the deal the 23-year-old carries on with the marathon . Video was uploaded to Facebook and has been viewed 25,000 times .


The final day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia kicked off with an explosion of colour in Sydney on Thursday. The Australiana-themed Romance Was Born presentation - always one of the highlight shows during MBFWA - dazzled attendees with a stand-out collection brimming with design duo Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett's trademark eccentricity, created in collaboration with esteemed artist Linda Jackson. The Art Gallery of New South Wales was transformed into a spectacular set designed by designer Alice Babidge and dressed with extravagant floral displays by Eastern Suburbs florist Sean Cook - aka Mr Cook Flowers. Scroll down for video . Going out with a bang! The final day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week kicked off in very colourful style with the Romance Was Born show . Spectacular: Design duo Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett presented their new collection 'Cooee Couture' at the Art Gallery of NSW . Loud and proud: The collection is filled with Romance Was Born's trademark eccentric creations in bold colours and prints . Australian culture: The collection boasted necklaces made of colourful gumnut and gum leaves (left) and one model sports a headpiece reminiscent of Ned Kelly's iconic helmet (right) Romance Was Born's new collection, called 'Cooee Couture' features bright and colourful designs in loud prints. The models' beauty look featured rainbow dreadlocks and neon make-up designed by Nigel Stanislaus for Maybelline. Accessories included equally colourful creations by Dinosaur Designs and shoes by British designer on the rise Sophia Webster. Samantha Harris modelled a stand-out midi skirt and jacket in rainbow mirrored heart-shaped embellishments, which were teamed with Sophia Webster heels and colourful dreadlocks. Rainbow bright: Samantha Harris modelled a stand-out midi skirt and jacket in rainbow print on a black background . Queen bee: One model stood out in a particularly voluminous dress and crown headpiece .

Summary: Romance Was Born show at MBFWA was held on Thursday morning at Art Gallery of NSW . Designers Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett presented a typically eccentric collection of bold prints and colour . Fashion Week wraps up Thursday night with Johanna Johnson show .


Veterinarians have criticised EU rules on organic farming that demands that fish are treated with homoeopathic remedies. In line with EU regulations, the first line of treatment for organic fish should be 'substances from plants, animals or minerals in a homeopathic dilution', before . British and Norwegian vets have called the directives 'scientifically illiterate', saying that the use of homeopathy could lead to 'serious animal health and welfare detriment.' 'Risk': Under EU regulations, organic farmers must first use 'substances from plants, animals or minerals in a homeopathic dilution' to treat ill fish, which has been criticised by British and Norwegian vets (stock image) The directives, outlined in the 2009 European regulation on organic aquaculture, are set to be brought into national law in non-EU Norway, which has caused vets to see red. Section 7 of the regulations calls for organic farmers to use 'substances from plants, animals or minerals in a homoeopathic dilution', as their first port of call when their fish are ill . After this, the 'veterinary treatments' section outlines that farmers may use 'plants and their extracts not having anaesthetic effects'. As well as the directive to use homeopathic treatments, organic fish farmers are only allowed to resort to mainstream medical treatments a maximum of twice per year, or their fish will lose its organic certification. This has been criticised by the Norwegian Veterinary Association (NVA) as could mean that fish are not getting the correct treatment in time, causing them unnecessary suffering. Danger: British and Norwegian vets have called the EU directives on organic fish treatment 'scientifically illiterate', saying that the use of homeopathy could lead to 'serious animal health and welfare detriment' 'We think it's totally unacceptable from a scientific point of view because there's no scientific basis for using homeopathy,' Ellef Blakstad, the head of the Norwegian Veterinary Association, told The Local.no. 'If you start using homeopathy, you prolong the time when the animals are not getting adequate treatment and that's a threat to animal welfare.' Harsh: Farmers are only allowed to use mainstream medical treatments a twice per year, or their fish will lose its organic certification (stock image) The criticism from Norway has been echoed by the British Veterinary Association, saying use of homeopathy could lead to 'serious animal health and welfare detriment.' The British Veterinary Association (BVA) cannot endorse the use of homeopathic remedies, or indeed any products, making therapeutic claims, which have no proven efficacy,' British Veterinary Association President John Blackwell told MailOnline. 'As with any treatment for disease using medicines, BVA believes that veterinary medicinal products must be evidence-based, with any medicinal claims made by a manufacturer supported. 'If homeopathic remedies are used without proven effectiveness on farmed fish across the EU, including the UK, the consequence could be serious animal health and welfare detriment, which would be counterproductive to both animal health and to the farmed fish industry in the UK.' Homepathic treatments are based on the principle that 'like cures like', whereby a highly diluted substance that causes the symptoms in a healthy person, can also cure similar symptoms

Summary: Norwegian vets criticise EU regulations on treatment of organic fish . First line of treatment for organic fish should be homeopathic remedy . Vets call directives 'scientifically illiterate', saying it delays real care . British vets say use of homeopathy could lead to serious health detriment .


She's one of the most glamorous royals on the planet and last night was no exception for Spain's Queen Letizia of Spain. Resplendent in a backless sequinned dress, the 42-year-old's slender frame was clearly visible and a sharply defined set of muscles on show. The royal. who was making an appearance at the Woman Awards held at Madrid Casino, also used the occasion to début a sharp new bob haircut. Scroll down for video . Defined: Spain's Queen Letizia showed off a noticeably defined back during an appearance in Madrid . Backless: Her low cut cocktail dress showed off every bone and muscle in her back . Short cut: The 42-year-old mother-of-two also unveiled a glamorous new bob hair cut . Got the chop: Spain's Queen Letizia arrives at Madrid Casino for the Woman Awards Ceremony . Elegant: The royal accessorised her sequinned black gown with an enormous pair of chandelier earrings . With her was actress Salma Hayek, 48, who was there to receive an award and looked cheerful in a bright red off-the-shoulder ensemble. After presenting Mexican Ms Hayek with her prize, Letizia, who is recently returned from Copenhagen, posed for photos alongside some of the other winners. Among them were conductor Inma Shara and doctor Maria Neira, while watching from the audience was communication company Grupo Zeta's president Antonio Mosbah. For all the star power on show though, all eyes were on Letizia who looked relaxed and happy as she chatted to Ms Hayek. The 48-year-old star, who brought her seven-year-old daughter Valentina to the ceremony, was taking a break from her preparations for next month's Cannes Film Festival. Ms Hayek stars in Tale of Tales, a dark Matteo Garrone fantasy based on a collection of 17th century Italian folk stories, which is set to make its début at the event on 14th May. Glitzy: The event, which was held at Madrid Casino, attracted some of Spain's biggest names . Warm welcome: Letizia, who is recently returned from Copenhagen, got a warm welcome from the crowd . Speaking out: Letizia made a speech during last night's award show . Presenting the prizes: Letizia also presented Mexican actress Salma Hayek, 48, with an award . Mwah! The pair looked happy to be in each others' company as they exchanged kisses on stage . She has also been taking on increasing amounts of charity work and, two years ago, founded Chime for Change - an organisation currently funding health and education projects worldwide. Current projects include building homes for Syrian refugees living in Lebanon and Turkey as well as others that focus on female empowerment. Ms Hayek's charitable interests overlap with those of Queen Letizia, who has used her first year on the throne to champion children's causes and the arts. The royal, who spent much of last week in Copenhagen where she took part in Queen Margrethe II's birthday celebrations, has also helped highlight the plight of people suffering from rare illnesses. To that end, the former journalist last week delivered a speech at the CosmoCaixa Science Museum during the

Summary: The Spanish royal made a speech at the Woman Awards in Madrid . She presented Mexican actress Salma Hayek with an award . Letizia was glamorous in a sequinned dress and showed off a bob . Backless dress revealed a set of sharply defined back muscles . Ms Hayek, 48, brought her seven-year-old daughter Valentina along .


A vaccine has been developed to help prevent the recurrence of prostate cancer (cells pictured) A vaccine has been developed to help prevent the recurrence of prostate cancer, and potentially other cancers. It's designed to teach the immune system to recognise compounds found in prostate cancer cells and is being given to men who have already been treated for the cancer. The vaccine is made from pieces of a protein called TARP that's found in about 95 per cent of prostate cancers. Animal studies have shown that the protein can effectively stimulate the immune system to attack the cancer. The thinking is that the vaccine will prime the immune system so that it creates antibodies when it detects TARP-related cancers. Then, should the cancer reappear, the antibodies will be dispatched to attack the malignant cells. Those antibodies, along with other immune cells, can then destroy cancer cells without harming non-cancer cells, so minimising side-effects. It is initially being tested as a way to treat cancer that has returned but, if successful, could be used as a first line treatment for prostate and potentially breast cancer in the future. TARP is also found in about 50 per cent of breast cancers. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with more than 40,000 new cases diagnosed every year. In many cases the cancer develops slowly and patients may simply be monitored rather than actively treated. But in cases where the cancer is more aggressive, even after treatment there is a high risk of recurrence. Researchers at the U.S. National Cancer Institute are using the vaccine on 70 men who have been treated for the cancer, but whose PSA is rising again (posed by model) Once they have been treated, men are monitored with regular blood tests that check for a protein called prostate specific antigen or PSA, which can indicate cancer. The time it takes for the PSA reading to double is called the PSADT. Men with a PSADT of less than three months are at high risk of dying from prostate cancer. Around 11,000 men in the UK die from the disease a year. Researchers at the U.S. National Cancer Institute are using the vaccine on 70 men who have been treated for the cancer, but whose PSA is rising again. Men on the trial will have a PSADT greater than three months and less than 15. The trial will last nearly two years, and men will be given six injections of the vaccine or a placebo during that time. The number of men in Britain with, or who have had, prostate cancer . Professor Raj Persad, urology consultant at the Bristol Urological Institute, says that the idea of boosting the body's own immune defences is an 'excellent strategy' for preventing a recurrence of the disease. 'Toxicity studies will have to be done, and then clinical effectiveness studies are needed, and it will need to be compared to existing treatments,' he says. 'But despite these time constraints, the research looks very promising indeed and we must watch this

Summary: Vaccine is made from pieces of a protein called TARP . TARP is found in about 95 per cent of prostate cancers . Studies show the protein can teach the immune system to attack cancer .


An exotic animal owner from Ohio is campaigning for his bear and big cats to be returned after they were seized by the state in January. In total, six tigers, a bear, a lion, a cougar, a black leopard and a liger (part lion, part tiger) were taken from Kenny Hetrick's Stony Ridge farm after it was found he did not have the correct permit and cages were 'unsafe'. Authorities have also started cracking down on the owners of wild creatures following an incident in 2011 where a man in eastern Ohio released 56 exotic animals - including lions and tigers - then killed himself. Apparently Hetrick has been heartbroken by the clampdown on his farm and the 72-year-old widower is now fighting to overturn the seizure, backed by neighbors who insist his menagerie doesn't pose a threat. Scroll down for video . Feeling lost: Kenny Hetrick is campaigning for his tigers, leopards and bears to be returned after they were seized by the state in January . They have organized car washes and handed him envelopes stuffed with thousands of dollars to pay legal bills. Some spent the winter shoring up his cages with taller fences and netting, hoping the animals will return. 'He's lost without them,' said Josh Large, who lives four houses away. 'A lot of us are lost without them.' Hetrick allowed anyone to visit at no charge, getting by with help from volunteers and donations of cash, as well as of deer and horse meat to feed his animals. He thought of himself as an educator, inviting scout troops and families to learn what they wouldn't hear at zoos. Flashback: In total six tigers, a bear, a lion, a cougar, a black leopard and a liger were taken from Hetrick's farm after it was found he did not have the correct permit - here he is seen in 2014 with his pet bear . However, the 2011 incident mentioned earlier pushed Ohio to tighten regulations on 'private zoos'. Owners are now required to have sturdy cages, background checks and insurance before receiving an annual permit. Since the beginning of last year, Ohio has issued permits to 54 exotic animal enthusiasts. Others gave up their animals or moved them out of state rather than make the changes. 'I know I didn't have everything done, but I thought they'd work with me,' said Hetrick, who acknowledged before his animals were taken that he couldn't afford everything the state wanted. The agriculture department says that it tried, but that he never responded to letters sent over a span of two years with the permit application materials until last October, nine months after the deadline, when it gave him ten days to surrender his animals. State officials in January rejected his application for a permit, which includes a $1,000 fee, saying it submitted was too late. They also said state inspectors who visited the sanctuary outside Toledo last November discovered the tigers could stand on their housing and get dangerously near the top of their cages. The inspection noted there were

Summary: In total, six tigers, a bear, a lion, a cougar, a black leopard and a liger (part lion, part tiger) were taken from Kenny Hetrick's Stony Ridge farm . State officials found he didn't have the right permit and cages were 'unsafe' But now the 72-year-old is fighting to overturn the seizure, backed by neighbors who insist his menagerie doesn't pose a threat . 'He's lost without them,' said Josh Large, who lives four houses away .


Billionaire Phones4U founder John Caudwell has revealed that his £10million mansion is 'being haunted' by the 'ghost' of a child killed in the English Civil War. Mr Caudwell, 62, claimed visitors to his 50-room Jacobean manor in Staffordshire have felt a bed vibrate and a ghost brushing past them on the stairs. The businessman believes the ghostly goings-on are being caused by the spirit of a terrified little boy who died in the 17th century conflict. Scroll down for video . Spooked: Billionaire John Caudwell inside his historic mansion. He thinks the imposing building is being haunted by the ghost of a boy who was shot by a soldier loyal to Cromwell during the English Civil War . Spooky stays: Women visitors spending the night in one particular bedroom in the mansion (above) have felt its bed vibrate. Tycoon John Caudwell says the room is where the boy died . Mr Caudwell, who sold off Phones4U in 2006 for £1.4billion, said: 'The little boy was alone in the house. All the men had gone out hunting - and the Cromwellians came down the drive. 'He shouted: 'We are for the king' - and one of the soldiers lifted a musket and shot him dead. 'He fell in the Long Gallery, crawled into one of the bedrooms and bled to death. 'Legend has it that every so often, those blood stains come oozing through. 'I've never seen that but there's a strange thing where several women have slept in the room and felt the bed vibrate. I was not there at the time. 'There are also stories about this ghost brushing past people on the stairs. 'People who think they are in tune with the spirit world always say they can feel something - but it's warm, not malevolent.' John Caudwell in 2006 with his then partner Claire Johnson at a party hosted by Sir Elton John. Right: With his private helicopter in the grounds of his £10million Staffordshire mansion . Mixing with the stars: John and Claire with singer Stephen Gately at a charity ball in May 2009, just five months before the Boyzone singer was found dead at his holiday apartment in Majorca . Historic: Broughton Hall in Staffordshire was the scene of a Civil War tragedy according to Mr Caudwell . The English Civil War took place between 1642 and 1651. It was fought by the Cavaliers - who remained loyal to King Charles I - and the Roundheads, who wanted to overthrow the monarchy. Their battles saw Charles I being executed, his son, Charles II, being exiled and Oliver Cromwell taking over as the leader of a republic Britain in 1649. Cromwell died in 1958 from suspected septicemia - and he was buried with great pomp at Westminster Abbey. But in 1661, a year after the monarchy was restored, his body was exhumed and subjected to a 'posthumous execution'. Mr Caudwell, who is ranked as the 42nd richest person in Britain, bought Broughton Hall 20 years ago for £800,000. The house and its 28-acres, which are near Eccleshall, are

Summary: John Caudwell says the boy was shot and crawled into a bedroom to die . Women visitors to the Staffordshire pile have felt the bed vibrate . Other guests sense a ghostly presence brushing past them on stairs . But Mr Caudwell insists the young spirit is friendly and means no harm .


The wife of Pennsylvania's lieutenant governor allegedly made an obscene gesture then threw a cup of soda over one of her husband's political rivals. Tonya Stack, whose husband Mike Stack holds the state's second-highest office, reportedly dumped cola on state representative Kevin Boyle in an unseemly row at a fundraiser in honor of a slain Afghanistan veteran. According to Boyle, Stack 'flipped me the bird' as soon as she spotted him at the event in Philadelphia. 'Soda fight': Pennsylvania state representative Kevin Boyle, left, claims that he was covered in soda by Tonya Stack, right, wife of Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack, and a political opponent . When he described the gesture aloud as 'a trashy move', he claims she retaliated by hurling the dark, sticky liquid at him, according to a report by Philly.com. He told the site: 'She aimed the soda at me and it landed directly on me, hitting from my chest to my lap'. He added that at the time he was sitting with the grandmother of Michael Strange, a Navy codebreaker who was killed by RPG fire in 2011 and whom the event was honoring. Boyle said that she came close to getting soaked as well, but that he took the brunt of the blast. He claims that after her shot landed, she was bundled out by a State Trooper who was guarding her. Rivalries: Boyle and Lt Gov Mike Stack (pictured) have been at the center of a political row . Boyle and Mike Stack, both Democrats, are at the center of a political struggle over who will take over the seat in Pennsylvania's state senate which Stack vacated to become Lieutenant Governor in January. Earlier this year, politicsPA.com also reported that the two were also backing different candidates in the race for a Philadelphia district which Boyle's brother had resigned to become a U.S. congressman. Ultimately, Stack's 'handpicked' candidate was chosen to contest the election, but lost to a Republican, Philly.com reported. Commenting on the alleged confrontation, Boyle told the website: 'This was a ridiculous and immature act that shouldn't have happened and hopefully won't be repeated. 'We have to be civil about our differences in politics.' A spokesman for Mike Stack confirmed that the lieutenant governor's wife was at the event. However, he did not comment on the soda-throwing part of the allegations, and insisted that she left 'under normal circumstances'.

Summary: Tonya Stack, wife of Mike Stack, allegedly hurled drink at fundraiser . Kevin Boyle, who sits in PA House of Representatives, says he was hit with obscene gesture, called it 'trashy', then got covered in sticky drink . Event was held in honor of Michael Strange, who died in Afghanistan . Boyle and Stack, both Democrats, have been in political power struggles . Backed separate candidates for seats in house legislature .


An anonymous Good Samaritan has donated $360,000 to pay for a man's mortgage after he lost his wife and house in the mudslide that swept Washington last year. Tim Ward and his wife of 38 years, Brandy, were at home in Oso, Washington, on March 22, 2014, when tons of debris, soil and rock came crashing down from upland. Brandy was one of the 43 people crushed by the force of the natural disaster. Tim, who broke his pelvis, was buried under 25 feet of mud, but managed to call for help through a gap in the surface. Just a week later, as Tim started trying to rebuild his life, he was informed he did not have 'landslide insurance' - and therefore did not qualify for payment to settle his mortgage. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . Tragic: Brandy Ward (right) was killed in the mudslide that swept Oso, Washington, in March last year. Her husband Tim (left) survived and has spent the past year trying to pay his mortgage, which a donor has now paid . Horrific: The mudslide on March 22, 2014, killed 43 people including Brandy Ward . For a year, Tim has been grappling with his financial predicament, while renting a small property nearby. He lost everything in the mudflow. Only one of their five dogs survived the mudslide, but lost a leg. The disaster killed their turkeys, chickens and four canines. The mortgage, however, consumed him. But last week, he received a call from Chase Bank, who said an anonymous donor had paid the lot. Before: This was their idyllic home in Oso where they reared turkeys and chickens before the mudslide . Love: The couple were married for 38 years. Tim said he heard Brandy call for him before she was killed . Overwhelmed: Ward said he couldn't believe it when Chase Bank told him the mortgage was all paid for . Speaking to NBC News, Tim said: 'There are still good Samaritans out there. This is life-changing.' He recalled the horrific day last year: 'She called my name and yelled, "Tim!" And from the moment that voice left her body, she had left the man she had been with for 38 years to be with the son of God she'll be with forever.' The donor told bank clerks they had read about Ward in a newspaper and felt compelled to reach out. 'I honestly have never seen this kind of an act of personal generosity where it's anonymous,' Phyllis Campbell, vice president at JP Morgan Chase, told NBC News.

Summary: Tim and Brandy Ward reared chickens and turkeys at home in Oso . Mudslide on March 22 crushed the house, killed Brandy and their dogs . Tim was buried under 25 feet of mud but was pulled to safety still alive . He has spent a year trying to settle his $360,000 mortgage . Last week, an anonymous donor paid the lot to Chase Bank .


Bereaved families say the report is being dragged out so figures like Tony Blair can rebut its findings . The families of Britain’s Iraq war dead expressed their disgust last night after learning the long-awaited official report into the conflict may be delayed yet again. Publication of Sir John Chilcot’s inquiry, which began in 2009 and has cost the taxpayer almost £10million, had already been pushed back until after the election. Yesterday it emerged it is unlikely to be published until next year at the earliest. Bereaved parents said they were disgusted that their suffering was being dragged out to give leading figures in the inquiry, like Tony Blair, the chance to rebut its findings. They added they were now expecting a whitewash when the report is finally published. Earlier this year it emerged the report, expected to criticise dozen of senior figures involved in the 2003 conflict, had been pushed back until after the election because it was too politically sensitive to publish so close to a national poll. But sources close to the investigation have now told BBC’s Newsnight that ‘nobody thinks it will come out this year’. In comments that caused anger among military families, the sources suggested that ‘once they had failed to meet the pre-election deadline, they gave up trying to speed things up’. Further delays will fuel speculation that those criticised are trying to bury damning revelations. Last night Rose Gentle, whose son Gordon, 19, was killed in Iraq in 2004, told the Mail: ‘I’m actually disgusted. I now definitely do feel like I am being fobbed off. How long do we have to wait? It has been 11 years since Gordon died and they are dragging it out for all the families.’ Reg Keys, whose 20-year-old son Tom died in 2003, said: ‘We were told from Sir John that it would be a robust and thorough inquiry and we would get the answers we were looking for. This Chilcot inquiry is like an open wound and we need those answers. To have to wait until 2016 for them is just ridiculous.’ Mr Keys, 62, added he thought the final report would likely be ‘watered down’. Liberal Democrats foreign affairs spokesman Tim Farron said speculation about a delay was ‘deeply concerning’. He added: ‘Hundreds of thousands of families have had their lives torn apart by the Iraq War and deserve answers. It is simply not good enough for this process to be continually delayed and the report must be published.’ The findings have been held up by the process of ‘Maxwellisation’ – giving individuals in the report a chance to respond. Newsnight’s diplomatic editor Mark Urban said it had become a ‘nightmare’, with some of those criticised given drafts running to ‘hundreds of pages’. Delayed: Sir John Chilcot (pictured) began his inquiry in 2009. It has cost the taxpayer almost £10million, with the findings unlikely to be published until next year at the earliest, it has emerged . Mr Blair has previously denied responsibility for hold-ups to the inquiry – which stopped taking evidence in 2011.

Summary: Sir John Chilcot's inquiry began in 2009. It has cost taxpayer almost £10m . Yesterday it emerged it is unlikely to be published until 2016 at the earliest . Bereaved parents are disgusted that their suffering is being dragged out . Delay is so figures like Tony Blair can rebut inquiry's findings, families say .


Suddenly, after close to 14 years of international football and just 33 caps, Michael Carrick is the answer for England. He was very impressive against Italy in a friendly, true; and he has been an important influence on Manchester United’s revival. Yet it would be unfortunate in the extreme if four consecutive England managers had all failed to spot a game-changing wizard in their midst. Here’s the reality. Carrick has made nine competitive starts for England, and the majority have been ordinary at best. He played in the match against Ecuador in the 2006 World Cup, in which England were saved by a David Beckham free-kick, and was then dropped and replaced by the more energetic Owen Hargreaves for the quarter-final with Portugal. Michael Carrick played against Ecuador at the 2006 World Cup but was dropped for the quarter-final . England have won just four competitive matches when Carrick started, including against Poland . Carrick (left) played in the 2-0 defeat by Croatia which went a long way to England missing out on Euro 2008 . Under Steve McClaren he started in the disastrous double header of a 0-0 home draw with Macedonia followed by a 2-0 defeat in Croatia — the results that effectively cost England’s place at the 2008 European Championship. He was also part of unconvincing performances in Poland and, particularly, Montenegro under Roy Hodgson. England have won four competitive games in which Carrick has started — against Ecuador, and then San Marino, Poland and Lithuania, all at home. Ecuador were feisty opponents and Carrick struggled to match their intensity; the same in the second half in Montenegro, when England were overwhelmed and fortunate not to lose. The home draw with Macedonia — more than either defeat to Croatia — was the worst result of McClaren’s reign. Carrick was hailed after an impressive performance for England in their friendly draw with Italy last week . Carrick has also been impressive in Manchester United's midfield under Louis van Gaal this season . So the idea that England managers are fools for consistently preferring Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard is misguided. Carrick had chances throughout his career, and little changed. Equally, in less than one year, between May 30, 2009, and May 9, 2010, Lampard scored more goals for club and country than Carrick has in his entire career. Gerrard took slightly longer — outscoring Carrick in entirety between October 24, 2007 and December 13, 2008. And it wasn’t as if Lampard and Gerrard couldn’t pass or put a tackle in, too. Maybe Carrick has improved with age. Maybe he is the best around right now. He certainly deserves to be judged on his current performances, not his past. Just don’t think that there isn’t a reason why his international career underwhelms. They’re not all idiots, these England managers.

Summary: Michael Carrick impressed during England's draw with Italy last week . But the midfielder has been ordinary in his nine competitive starts . England won four of those - Ecuador, San Marino, Poland and Lithuania . England bosses consistently preferred Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard .


Andreas Christopheros, 29, was left fighting for his life when corrosive liquid was thrown in his face . A second person has been charged over a doorstep acid attack on a property developer that left him scarred for life and suffering a loss of vision. Property developer Andreas Christopheros, 29, was left fighting for his life when corrosive liquid was thrown in his face outside his home in Truro, Cornwall. Nicole Phillips, 45, from Hastings in East Sussex, has been charged with perverting the course of justice and is due to appear at Bodmin Magistrates Court on April 30. Her husband David Phillips, 48, had already been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent. Appearing at Truro Crown Court on Monday he pleaded not guilty to the charge, and was remanded in custody before his trial on June 8. Mr Christopheros, a father-of-one, was left with life-changing injuries, including a loss of vision and facial scars after the alleged attack last December. A businessman in the event and property management industries, he used to organise the Run To The Sun event, an annual custom car and dance festival which attracts around 100,000 car fans to Newquay every summer. He is thought to have worked on BBC Radio One Roadshows. The privately-educated businessman, who attended King's College in Taunton, Somerset, before graduating from Plymouth University, also used to run a holiday park in Newquay. Mr Christopheros is also a director of Chase 3000, a car rally across Europe planned for 2015, and owns several properties around Newquay. Mr Christopheros' property in Truro (pictured) was cordoned off after he was attacked outside it in December . The businessman was left in a critical condition at Royal Cornwall Hospital (pictured) after the attack . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

Summary: Andreas Christopheros was left fighting for his life when corrosive liquid was thrown in his face outside his Truro, Cornwall, home on December 9 . Nicole Phillips, 45, from Hastings, has been charged with perverting the course of justice and will appear at magistrates' in Bodmin on April 30 . Husband David Phillips, 48, had already been charged over the attack . Has denied grevious bodily harm with intent and will stand trial in June .


Gareth Bale has been urged to ignore a return to the Premier League and persevere at Real Madrid by former Wales manager Mark Hughes. The world's most expensive player has endured a difficult second season at the Bernabeu. Despite starring in both the 2014 Copa del Rey and Champions League finals, the 25-year-old has become a figure of frustration for fans this term. The Welshman has been linked with English clubs including Manchester United and Chelsea but Hughes, who regrets only spending a single season in Spain, believes Bale should stay with Los Blancos. Gareth Bale has come under fire from fans in his second season at Real Madrid . The Welshman missed the Champions League quarter-final return against Atletico after picking up an injury . Bale, who won the Champions League in his first season, has been urged to stay at Real by Mark Hughes . 'He's done everything right up to this point and having a huge impact over there but if he can, stay as long as you can,' Hughes told the BBC. The Stoke manager played with former England striker Gary Lineker under Terry Venables for one season at Barcelona in 1988. Hughes struggled at the Nou Camp before being loaned to Bayern Munich, although that has not prevented him from advising his countryman to stay. Javier Hernandez celebrates after scoring a late winner to send Real into the Champions League semi-finals . 'It's such an opportunity,' he said. 'From my own personal experience I made the mistake of thinking 'I'll just go for a couple of years and I'll be back home and continue my career' which is totally the wrong approach. 'When you get the opportunity to go to a club such as Barcelona or Real Madrid you've got to go with the intention that you're going to try and stay there for as long as you can until they actually kick you out of the door. Hughes believes that Bale has the advantage of having a good family support unit with him in Spain . 'I went there when I was 23 but I was a young 23. I wasn't married and I'd only just met my wife-to-be a couple of months before. 'It was difficult - I was out there on my own at times. 'If you have a good support network, which by all accounts Gareth has over there, I'd say stay as long as you can because you'll look back and think what a great experience that was.

Summary: Gareth Bale has endured a difficult second season at Real Madrid . Former Tottenham winger has been linked with a return to the Premier League with Manchester United and Chelsea . Stoke manager Mark Hughes has urged Wales star to stay at the Bernabeu . READ: Bale desperate to stay and win over Real Madrid support . READ: Bale leads Football League Team of the Decade .