A cross-dressing Japanese television star's robotic clone has made its 'unnervingly real' on-screen debut - the first android to host its own show. Japanese engineers, who are trying to replace celebrities with human-like androids, have pushed the clone of transvestite entertainer Matsuko Deluxe into the limelight. The late-night television personality shared the stage with his 'Matsukoroid' doppelganger for the first time on Saturday night. Scroll down for video . Uncanny: The real Matsuko Deluxe (left) comes face-to-face with his android doppelganger Matsukoriod (right) 'Unnervingly real': Transvestite TV star Matsuko Deluxe (left) shared the stage with his 'Matsukoroid' doppelganger (right) on Saturday . Fake: Mr Matsuko's robotic clone make is debut at the weekend and has been described as 'unnervingly real' 'It’s unnervingly real,' said one commentator of the programme Matsuko Matsuko, which premiered at the weekend. Mr Deluxe, who is popular in Japan for his frankness, said it was 'fascinating' come face-to-face with his lookalike. 'I see myself as other people see me for the first time, and it was a significant moment,' he added. Working with world-famous roboticist Hiroshi Ishiguro, Japan’s top advertising agency, Dentsu dreamed up the idea to clone an exact android copy of the rotund entertainer. A spokesman for the agency said: 'Artists and entertainers themselves aren’t yet seen as content that can be combined with technology, but the Dentsu group believes the need to develop android entertainers will grow.' Performing with natural movements, while voiced and controlled remotely by a voice impersonator, the robot was put through its paces in front of an incredulous audience for the first time on Nippon TV. For now, the Matsukoroid robot is controlled by an human operator. But with 600 stock 'Deluxe' phases it can use in reply to voice and face recognition, it's hoped the Matsukoroid will be free of its operator by the end of the series as it learns on the job. Ishiguro’s science lab used the latest silicon skin and state-of-the-art electronic actuators to achieve a lifelike look. Creating the android: Matsukoroid robot was developed at a cost of around £55,931 by the Japanese labs . Finishing touches: Japan’s top make-up artist was brought in to apply the finishing touches to Matsukoroid . Japan’s top make-up artist was brought in to finish the job of making the bot glamorous. Observers said the effect was realistic enough to go beyond the creepy. Mr Ishiguro said: 'Because of advances in robotics, difficulty in telling man and machine apart could soon become reality.' Pepper is the first humanoid robot designed to live with humans . Looking slightly put out by his new, unpaid rival, the star - one of Japan's most overworked entertainers - said he was looking forward to 'using the robot to take a few well deserved days off'. Despite the jokes, the android could be part of trend that has a more sober side. According to research company Gartner, one in three jobs will be replaced by some kind of software, robot or smart machine by 2025. Matsukoroid was developed at a cost of around £55,931 by

Summary: Robotic clone of cross-dressing Japanese TV star made on-screen debut . Matsuko Deluxe shared stage with Matsukoroid doppelganger on Saturday . Japanese engineers are trying to replace celebrities with lifelike androids . Software, robots or smart machines could replace third of jobs by 2025 .


A 12-year-old boy has succeeded where many in the media have tried and failed by fearlessly cutting President Obama off mid-ramble during a Q&A session on Thursday. Osman Yaya from Bennett Middle School in Salisbury, Maryland, was moderating a town hall event when the president started getting a little long-winded when answering a question about how to avoid writer's block. As the president started to repeat himself, Osman politely stepped in: 'Yeah. I think you've sort of covered everything about that question,' he said as the audience laughed. Osman Yaya, 12, from Bennett Middle School in Salisbury, Maryland, moderated a town hall session with the president on Thursday . During an answer about writer's block, Obama started getting a little long-winded and Osman stepped in . Obama grinned and replied, 'Osman thinks I've been talking too long.' 'No, I think you just…' Yahya hesitated. 'No. Let's move it along, I got you,' Obama agreed. The president had been talking about the topic for more than three minutes when Yahya politely intervened after shifting nerviously in his seat. Obama was at the Anacostia Library in Washington for a 'virtual field trip' with students to promote White House initiatives to make free e-books available to low-income students and to get cities to provide access to universal library cards. Yaya also managed to skillfully tease details about Obama's early reading habits, his post-presidency plans and his facility with digital media. Middle schoolers at a Washington library and students watching online may have puzzled over Obama's reference to the Hardy Boys, just like Obama appeared stumped by Osman's mention of Alex Rider. 'Yeah. I think you've sort of covered everything about that question,' he said as the audience laughed . Obama grinned and replied, 'Osman thinks I've been talking too long' 'And our first question is from Mrs. Cook's second-grade class at Pinegrove Elementary School in Alabama,' Osman began. 'They asked: "As a child, did you enjoy reading?" Well, you said you loved reading, so that question is done. And they also asked: "If so, what type of books spark your imagination and interest?'" Obama conceded that the youngsters probably didn't read the Hardy Boys mysteries anymore and said he had been fond of the book Treasure Island. What did Osman read, he asked. Osman described the Alex Rider spy books and their gadgets and offered to lend Obama some books. Then, with a bit of sympathy, he added: 'To make you feel younger, my best friend read Treasure Island.' When Osman asked why it was important to have access to electronic books, Obama, a father of two teenage girls, revealed every parents' knowledge of the digital age. Obama was at the Anacostia Library in Washington for a 'virtual field trip' with students to promote White House initiatives to make free e-books available to low-income students . 'So you're texting all day and you're looking at Vine and Instagram, and you're looking at Grumpy Cat or some video of your favorite singer, rapper,' Obama said. 'What that means is, is that we want to make sure

Summary: Osman Yaya, 12, from Bennett Middle School in Salisbury, Maryland, moderated a town hall session with the president on Thursday . During an answer about writer's block, Obama started getting a little long-winded and Osman stepped in . 'Yeah. I think you've sort of covered everything about that question,' he said as the audience laughed . Obama grinned and replied, 'Osman thinks I've been talking too long'


The captain of a ship that sank off the coast of Africa 'started applauding and cheering' when his vessel was entirely submerged, according to anti-poaching activists who saved the man and his crew. Crew aboard Sea Shepherd vessel Bob Barker, which had been pursuing the ruined vessel named Thunder for 110 days in an effort to stop alleged poaching activities in Antarctic waters, found themselves taking on the role of saviours when the boat's distress signals were sounded. 'What was incredibly strange was that the captain of the Thunder, when the vessel did actually sink, started applauding and cheering, which I took to be very unusual behaviour and further evidence that he deliberately sank his own vessel,' Captain Peter Hammarstedt told Fairfax media. Scroll down for video . Thunder, one of six vessels known to illegally fish vulnerable toothfish in the Southern Ocean, sunk off the coast of Africa on Monday . Crew on Sea Shepherd vessel Bob Barker, which rescued those on board Thunder, said the captain of the now submerged ship was seen cheering . Sea Shepherd claims that Thunder is one of six vessels known to illegally fish vulnerable toothfish in the Southern Ocean. The conservation organisation's ships collected and delivered to authorities over 72 kilometres of illegal gillnet that it alleges was abandoned by the vessel in December. Thunder's sinking is believed to be another deliberate move by the vessel to hide evidence of any illegal activities. 'When my Chief Engineer boarded the Thunder in the hours leading up to the sinking, he was able to confirm that there were clear signs that the vessel was intentionally scuttled,' Captain Hammarstedt said. 'What was incredibly strange was that the captain of the Thunder, when the vessel did actually sink, started applauding and cheering,' Sea Shepherd Captain Peter Hammarstedt said . He added: 'I took to be very unusual behaviour and further evidence that he deliberately sank his own vessel' 'Usually when a vessel is sinking, the captain will close all hatches so as to maintain buoyancy. However, on the Thunder, the reverse was done - doors and hatches were tied open and the fishhold was opened. It is an incredibly suspicious situation, to say the least.' The alleged poaching vessel issued a distressing signal, claiming that the ship was sinking at about 4.00pm on Monday. 'The Captain of Thunder radioed us and said their ship was sinking. We launched our small boat and did everything we could to assist,' Mr Hammarstedt said. 'It appeared as though the ship and crew were in a serious situation.' All 40 crew members, who abandoned the sinking ship, were safely rescued and are being taken to the Sao Tome, in the Gulf of Guinea after receiving food, water and medical attention . The rescue was made despite numerous reports of violent behaviour from the vessel towards Bob Barker, including that crew had thrown grappling hooks at the ship and tried to ram it on more than one occasion . The rescue was made despite numerous reports of violent behaviour from the vessel towards

Summary: Conservationist group saved fishing ship's crew as boat sank on Monday . Group's Bob Barker was chasing the ship collecting 'evidence of poaching' 40 crew were rescused as fishing ship Thunder sank off the coast of Africa . Bob Barker captain said Thunder skipper cheered as his boat went down . Peter Hammarstedt said scuttling would destroy evidence of poaching .


The Mail is asking you to nominate mothers who have created businesses from scratch, while also caring for their children, for our first ever Mumpreneur Of The Year Award, in association with NatWest everywoman Awards. Today’s nominee is Petra Wetzel, 40, a divorcee who lives in Glasgow with her son, Noah, nine. She set up her own business, the WEST brewery, in 2006... Listening to the Italian businessman on the other end of the line, Petra could see pound signs in front of her eyes. He had heard about the huge popularity of Petra’s bottled beer. Now he wanted to meet to discuss importing it in bulk to Italy. It was a fantastic opportunity. But, as she consulted her diary, Petra — who runs one of Britain’s most successful small breweries, knew what her answer had to be. Petra Wetzel, 40 (pictured), is a divorcee who lives in Glasgow with her son, Noah, nine (pictured). She set up her own business, the WEST brewery, in 2006 . ‘He could only offer me a two-hour slot bang in the middle of my son’s sports day last year,’ recalls Petra. ‘I had to say No. I’m a businesswoman, but I’m a mum first.’ Blonde, attractive and the founder of one of Britain’s most successful small breweries with an annual turnover just shy of £10 million, Petra may well be every man’s dream. But she says with a laugh: ‘I sound like a real catch. But the truth is I’m fiercely independent, stubborn and work long hours. The only man in my life is Noah. He’s my priority and the reason I drive myself so hard.’ As a single mother, running a hugely successful business is a tall order. What makes Petra’s success even more extraordinary is that she started her company when Noah was just a baby — and in the wake of a broken marriage. Petra’s flagship beer, St Mungo lager, is stocked in 100 branches of Waitrose in the UK as well as in branches of Tesco in Scotland. And later this year she is opening a second brewery in Glasgow to cope with demand. The germ of the idea came in 1994 when Petra, who was born in Germany, was having a drink with her father, Herbert, in a pub. ‘I was studying at Glasgow University and Dad had come to visit,’ she recalls. Petra (pictured) was inspired to start her own brewery when her father visited her Glasgow and she realised that the city didn't have its own brewery . He ordered a pint of local lager, took a sip and winced. Then he asked what the best Glasgow lager was and, to my horror, I realised I didn’t know. ‘In Germany, every village and town has a good brewery. It’s something people are proud of and want to show off to visitors. He couldn’t believe that a city like Glasgow didn’t have its own brewery. It got me thinking.’ Twelve years later, Petra opened a small brewery and beer hall/restaurant with her then husband, Gordon, with the help of

Summary: There are more and more mothers setting up thriving small businesses . The Mail is asking readers to nominate successful mothers they know . This week's nominee is Petra Wetzel who set up the WEST brewery in 2006 . Petra, 40, lives in Glasgow with her nine-year-old son, Noah .


Lada Niva 4x4 £13,395 on the road . As a result of the Land Rover Defender's demise, there could be a boom in sales of a Russian badge which was a butt of many jokes in the Soviet era – the Lada. Lada's 4x4 Niva has long been the car that bucked the trend of laughing at the Russian carmaker and has won fans around the world thanks to its robust nature and chunky looks. We take a look. The Niva (pictured) is a highly capable, ruftytufty 4x4 from Russia — for a fraction of the price of a new Land Rover and it is also available in a compact van format (£10,590, excluding VAT and road tax) GOOD . Forget luxuries because the Niva is an unabashed frills-free zone, the upside of its simplicity is that the plastic interior (pictured) is easy to mop down after a day in the mud . BAD . Patriotic Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) drove a Lada Niva back in 2009 — but fitted it with a German engine .

Summary: This 4x4 from Russia is a fraction of the price of a new Land Rover . Off-road, the Niva is in its element, with low and highrange gears . But, forget luxuries because the Niva is an unabashed frills-free zone . A highly capable, ruftytufty 4x4 from Russia — for a fraction of the price of a new Land Rover. It's a confident charmer that stands out from the crowd, with high suspension, pressed steel wheels, Soviet-style looks and real rarity value. Expect to get gawped at: someone offered to buy mine on its second trip out. Always fun. Now available in the UK from Niva imports through its dealer, BB Motors, in Corby, Northamptonshire (01536 202207, lada4x4.co.uk). On the road, the basic 1.7-litre petrol engine (your only option) is deafeningly noisy, but tolerably smooth. Power steering, manageable dimensions and a tight turning circle make it reasonably practical for the supermarket or school run. The seats are comfy and thanks to a high driving position and large wing mirrors, all-round visibility is good. Top speed is 91 mph. Off-road, the Niva is in its element, with low and highrange gears, differential lock and a sturdy monocoque construction. It is lighter and more sprightly in the mud than many big-name utility 4x4s, with 220mm ground clearance, a 600mm wading depth and a climbing ability of up to 58 per cent. Tall, slender tyres give it an added advantage when things get mucky. You won't have to agonise over pages of extras... they're more or less nonexistent. This is a very basic utility vehicle, after all. Choose in white, blue, green or red, then decide whether you'd like the snorkel or snow plough (really) attachments. An LPG option is available for an extra £999 — but you lose boot space. Reasonable fuel economy at 33mpg and affordable to insure — once you've explained exactly what it is. Meets Euro 5 emissions standards. The heated blower, presumably designed with Siberia in mind, has plenty of muscle for icy winter mornings. Also available in a compact van format (£10,590, excluding VAT and road tax). Spartan on the inside. Forget luxuries such as radios, cup-holders, central locking and electric windows — the Niva is an unabashed frills-free zone. The upside of its simplicity is that the plastic interior is easy to mop down after a day in the mud, and there's not much to break or go wrong. There are only four seatbelts and a slightly pokey boot. Don't trust the petrol gauge, which regularly aims to deceive. No warranty is offered as standard — although a two-year plan is coming soon — and spares may need to be imported (BB Motors will assist). Only available in lefthand drive — unless you put in an order for more than 500 of them! Shhhh! You didn't hear it from me. But patriotic Russian President Vladimir Putin made a big play of driving a Lada Niva back in 2009 — but fitted it with a German engine.


Britain has overtaken France to become the second biggest economy in Europe, figures showed yesterday. The UK clocked up growth of 2.8 per cent in 2014 – the strongest in the Group of Seven industrialised nations and seven times higher than France’s 0.4 per cent. According to an International Monetary Fund report, this was enough for Britain to leapfrog socialist France and become the second most powerful economy in Europe, behind Germany. The UK is expected to cement its position in the coming years as one of the fastest growing major economies in the West. The IMF is forecasting ‘solid’ growth of 2.7 per cent this year and 2.3 per cent in 2016. Scroll down for video . The UK clocked up growth of 2.8 per cent in 2014 – the strongest in the Group of Seven industrialised nations . Despite a slight downgrade for 2016 – the IMF’s initial forecast was 2.4 per cent – this is still enough for Britain to leave other EU nations trailing in its wake. Output in France is forecast to expand by 1.2 per cent this year and 1.5 per cent next year, while Germany is set to grow by 1.6 per cent then 1.7 per cent. Within the G7, only the US is expected to perform better than Britain. ‘In the United Kingdom, lower oil prices and improved financial market conditions are expected to support continued steady growth,’ the IMF said. The World Economic Outlook report, which was published yesterday, will be seen as a boost for the Conservatives ahead of next month’s General Election. The Fund also appeared to back Tory plans to return Britain to the black after years of borrowing and rising debt. It will come as another blow to Labour leader Ed Miliband who has pledged to bring traditionally Left-wing policies back to Britain – mirroring the actions of Francois Hollande in France. The French president swept to power in 2012 promising to take on the rich and big business, but the country’s economy has been in a rut ever since. Unemployment in France is 10.6 per cent compared to 5.7 per cent in Britain. George Osborne, left, said the recovery would be put at serious risk by a Labour government, as IMF chief economist Olivier Blanchard, right, warned that debt levels are 'very high' in many European countries . George Osborne used last month’s Budget to boast that Yorkshire has created more jobs than the whole of France. The Chancellor yesterday said the recovery would be put at serious risk by a Labour government propped up by the Scottish National Party. ‘These IMF growth forecasts for the UK are further proof our economic plan is working,’ he said. ‘So we must finish the job.’ IMF chief economist Olivier Blanchard warned that debt levels are ‘very high’ in many European countries and said ‘it would be desirable to decrease them’.

Summary: The UK has overtaken France after seeing growth of 2.8 per cent in 2014 . Britain has the second most powerful economy in Europe behind Germany . IMF is forecasting growth of 2.7 per cent this year and 2.3 per cent in 2016 . Within the G7 only the US is expected to perform better than Britain .


Reading manager Steve Clarke insists the FA Cup needs protecting after some dubious scheduling decisions. Earlier in the competition the Third Round ties were split over five days due to New Years Day Premier League matches and to accommodate televised games. Reading had to play their FA Cup replay against Bradford in the last round on a Monday when they had played a Championship match two days previously. Steve Clarke wants scheduling of matches in England to improve so the FA Cup can be preserved . Should they progress to the final, that will be contested on May 30 leaving Clarke’s side almost a month without games when the Championship season ends on May 2. The massive Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United is also scheduled to be televised at the same time as their semi-final against Arsenal at Wembley on Saturday. Clarke claimed he ‘couldn’t care less’ about the conflicting match, but added: ‘I thought it was a shame in the last round when we had to play on a Monday night after playing on a Saturday. Reading beat Bradford in the last round but face a much tougher task when they face Arsenal at Wembley . 'There are things that we should do to protect this great competition. It should be special. ‘When we beat Arsenal, we have to wait four weeks after our last league game to play the cup final, this is also not correct. 'I probably need to go on holiday for two of them and then bring the team back in. It's a long break. ‘If we get to the final, what are we going to do from May 2 to May 30? What do we do? Everyone else has played, so we won't be playing games. 'It'd be a great puzzle to have though. Let’s talk about it on Saturday night.’ Reading defender Alex Pearce revealed the players are waiting until after the match on Saturday before booking any time off in May in case they beat Arsenal. ‘Holidays are off until now, you can’t book anything, you’ve got to just see where you are and it would be great,’ he said. ‘We’re all committed and dedicated to getting to this final.’ Arsene Wenger's side are in formidable form and beating them will be a tough ask for the Royals .

Summary: Steve Clarke thinks that scheduling needs to better for the FA Cup . Reading's semi-final clashes with Chelsea against Manchester United . Clarke admits that without improvements, the FA Cup will lose its appeal .


Cole Skuse's first Ipswich Town goal, in their win against Cardiff City which kept them in the final playoff spot, was a long time coming but boy was it worth the wait. After 21 months and 82 appearances since he signed from Bristol City in July 2013, Skuse opened his account with a 30-yard effort which could barely have been struck sweeter. The score was already 1-1 when, in the 29th minute, Cardiff defender Bruno Ecuele Manga stretched to clear on the edge of the box and the ball bounced to Skuse, who hit it first time then watched it fly in off the right post. Cole Skuse (centre) is mobbed by his team-mate after making it 2-1 to Ipswich in the first half . Freddie Sears (left) opens the scoring for Ipswich as Cardiff defender Bruno Ecuele Manga tries to stop him . Sears celebrates his goal with his team-mate Christophe Berra . Daryl Murphy (centre) wraps up the win for Ipswich with a third goal in the 90th minute . IPSWICH (4-4-2): Bialkowski; Chambers, Smith, Berra, Mings; Parr (Anderson 74), Bishop (Fryers 87), Skuse, Hunt (Tabb 58); Sears, Murphy. Subs not used: Gerken, Chaplow, Wood, Williams. Goals: Sears 8, Skuse 29, Murphy 90 . Manager: Mick McCarthy . Booked: Skuse, Berra, Mings . CARDIFF (4-4-2): Marshall; Peltier, Manga, Morrison, Malone; Fabio (Noone 64), Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Ralls (Pilkington 74); Doyle (Harris 85), Mason. Subs not used: Moore, Adeyemi, O'Keefe, Kennedy. Goal: Doyle 13 . Manager: Russell Slade . Booked: Fabio, Malone . Referee: Gavin Ward . Stadium: Portman Road . Attendance: 17,722 . ‘I don’t think anyone has seen a better strike than that,’ manager Mick McCarthy declared. ‘It was so emphatic it got the crowd up and us up. We needed it, when they scored they had a good period and it changed the dynamic.’ It was a torrid night for Ecuele Manga who was all too easily shrugged away from the ball when Ipswich striker Freddie Sears ran on to a long pass from Christophe Berra, took a touch and then finished low under goalkeeper David Marshall to open the scoring after eight minutes. But five minutes later Cardiff levelled. Scott Malone wonderfully arced a cross from the left which was headed in by Eoin Doyle. Cardiff manager Russell Slade said: ‘We had flagged up certain things before the match, we had to be aware of the long ball to Sears and we also flagged up stopping Skuse. That was disappointing.’ Ipswich restored their lead with Skuse’s strike but Fabio Da Silva, formerly of Manchester United, missed a simple chance to level for Cardiff when he shot wide from three yards. Marshall tipped Daryl Murphy’s powerful header over on 49 minutes and denied Tommy Smith in the 76th before Berra sent the rebound on to the bar. In stoppage time, however, Ipswich finally added a third. Skuse had a chance to shoot from distance and the Portman Road crowd were urging him on, but the midfielder passed to Murphy instead and the striker slotted in. Referee Gavin Ward has

Summary: Freddie Sears opens the scoring for Ipswich after just eight minutes . Cardiff equalised five minutes later through an Eoin Doyle header . Cole Skuse scores first goal for Ipswich with brilliant 30-yard effort . Daryl Murphy seals the win with a third goal in the 90th minute .


This incredible video shows the moment a world freediving champion jumped into the world’s second deepest underwater sink hole. The dramatic footage shows Guillame Néry standing at the edge before jumping in - all without scuba gear and simply holding his breath. And in the video he seemingly reaches the bottom of the 660ft (200 metes) hole before swimming back to the surface. French free diver jumped into Dean's Blue Hole in the Bahamas. Guillame Néry is seen at the edge before taking the plunge (shown). The hole is 660ft (200 metres) deep, although he doesn't go to the bottom. Free divers are able to hold their breath for more than 20 minutes . The video was filmed in 2010 by the Frenchman's girlfriend and fellow freediver Julie Gautier. It takes place at Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas, the deepest so-called ‘blue hole’ in the world with an underwater entrance. In order to stay alive, the brain is constantly telling the body to breathe. If you don’t obey its primitive urges, carbon dioxide soon starts building up in the body, prompting an overwhelming desire to take a gulp of air. To fight that instinct, a competitive breath-holder has to work hard at expanding his lung capacity with a regular series of intensive breathing exercises. They practise ‘static apnoea’ once or twice a week, as well as ‘dynamic apnoea’ - holding breath while swimming - once in a while for fun, and also general fitness training. He also follows a diet high in fruit and vegetables, as well as broccoli, cauliflower and fish oil. However, Néry revealed a few years ago that he didn’t really reach the bottom of the hole - it’s just filmed that way for artistic reasons. But the video is still incredibly impressive, as he holds his breath for minutes on end. Freediving is a form of underwater diving where no scuba gear or breathing apparatus is used. To breathe for minutes, free divers go through sophisticated mind-body control techniques to push self-induced apnoea - the science of not breathing - to the limits. Some free divers can hold their breath for more than 20 minutes. Stig Severinsen, for example - nicknamed The Man Who Doesn't Breathe - is the holder of multiple records in diving using his 'State of Zen' technique to control his breathing. In October 2012, Mr Severinsen broke the record for the longest time breath held voluntarily by a male by spending 22 minutes with his head submerged in a pool in London. The dive took place in 2010 at Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas (marked), the deepest so-called ‘blue hole’ in the world with an underwater entrance . The video was filmed back in 2010 by the French free diver’s girlfriend and fellow freediver Julie Gautier.It takes place at Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas (shown), the deepest so-called ‘blue hole’ in the world with an underwater entrance .

Summary: French free diver jumped into Dean's Blue Hole in the Bahamas . Guillame Néry is seen at the edge before taking the plunge . The hole is 660ft (200 metres) deep, although he doesn't go to the bottom . Free divers are able to hold their breath for more than 20 minutes .


The mother of a missing 15-year-old autistic girl has made a desperate plea for help after her daughter disappeared while out walking a week ago. Teenager Kimberly Greenberg became angry and left her Santa Monica home to calm down about 8.30pm on March 24, but never returned. Her mother Janice Greenberg has now made an urgent appeal for help as the teenager, described as having the mental capacity of an eight-year-old, has gone missing without her cellphone or medication. Kimberly Greenberg, 15, disappeared more than a week ago after going for a walk near her Santa Monica home . The autistic teenager left her home without medication or her cellphone and has not been seen for a week . She told NBC Los Angeles that she adopted Kimberly eight years ago, and the area they lived in was what the teenager considered her 'safe place'. 'It is the worst thing you could ever imagine happening,' she said. 'Absolutely horrific. There's no getting through the day - there's no explaining it. 'I have to keep faith that she's going to come back,' she told KTLA. A LAPD spokesman said Kimberly was last seen wearing a red sweater, jeans and ugg boots when she left home to go for a walk and calm down at the nearby Mar Vista Recreation Centre. Despite knowing the area and walking there often, she has not been seen since. The spokesman said: 'Kimberly is currently taking medication and her family is extremely concerned. She is described as a 15-year-old Hispanic female with brown hair and brown eyes. She stands 4feet, 10inches tall and weights approximately 110pounds.' Anyone with information about her whereabouts should contact the LAPD, Pacific Division Watch Commander at (310) 482-6371. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Those wishing to remain anonymous can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).

Summary: Autistic teenager Kimberly Greenberg went missing more than a week ago . The 15-year-old left her LA home to go for a walk and never returned . Her mother Janice has now made a desperate plea for help finding her . She is said to be very trusting and has the mental capacity of an 8-year-old .


If you think you have seen a ghost, you may have been suffering the effects of exposure to mould, according to a group of scientists. Researchers claim that older buildings where hauntings are usually reported, often have poor air quality from pollutants like toxic mould, which can affect our brains. Exposure to the mould can cause mood swings, irrational anger and cognitive impairment. All an illusion? Researchers claim that older buildings where hauntings (illustrated by a stock image) are usually reported, often have poor air quality from pollutants like toxic mould, which can affect our brains . ‘Experiences reported in many hauntings are similar to mental or neurological symptoms reported by individuals exposed to toxic moulds,’ said Professor Shane Rogers of Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York. ‘Psychoactive effects of some fungi are well-known, whereas the effects of others such as indoor moulds are less researched. ‘Although allergy and asthma symptoms and other physiological effects are well established, there has long been controversy over the effects of indoor mould exposure on cognitive and other functioning of the brain. ‘Reports of psychiatric symptoms including mood swings, hyperactivity, and irrational anger, as well as cognitive impairment are prevalent among those exposed to moulds. Brain drain: Exposure to the mould can cause mood swings, irrational anger and cognitive impairment, among other problems. A stock image of toxic mould in the firm of Stachybotrys chartarum spores, is shown . 'Ghosts' tend to be sighted in old buildings, which are often more likely to have damp and mould problems. No-one is exactly sure of the psychoactive effects of indoor moulds on the brain. But spores have been linked with mood swings, hyperactivity, and irrational anger, as well as cognitive impairment. Recent reports indicate that exposure to toxic mould spores may cause brain inflammation and memory loss. A team of researchers are exploring whether the mould may cause people to think they have seen ghosts, by comparing conditions in 'haunted' and non-haunted old buildings. ‘Other reports include depression and loss of memory function. ‘More recent work is emerging that supports brain inflammation and memory loss in mice exposed to Stachybotrys charatarum, a common indoor air mould, as well as increased anxiety and fear.’ Professor Rogers is currently leading a team of researchers measuring air quality in several reportedly haunted places around New York State. The group will compare samples taken from several buildings where ghost sightings have been reported with samples taken from properties with no paranormal activity, to see if there is a difference in the types of fungi. Professor Rogers said: ‘I have long been a fan of ghost stories and shows related to investigation of haunted places and have to admit to some strange occurrences in my own past. ‘Many of the places under investigation and from my own experiences may be prime environments for mould and other indoor air quality issues. ‘We would like to see if we can parse out some commonality between the mould microbiome in places that are haunted relative to those that are not.’ The real ghost busters: Here, undergraduate

Summary: Clarkson University experts are probing the link between mould and ghosts . They are carrying out their investigations in old buildings in New York . Think spores in old 'haunted' buildings may affect people's brains . Psychoactive effects of mould are unclear but cause cognitive impairment .


Having gone all the way to last year’s Wimbledon final Eugenie Bouchard has shown she knows how to handle etiquette, including the anachronistic task of having to curtsey. Yet something as straightforward as a sporting handshake at a low-key draw ceremony, before representing Canada in a Fed Cup match at the weekend, seems to be beyond her. Her refusal to shake hands with Romanian opponent Alexandra Dulgheru turned out to be the precursor of a dreadful few days for the world no 7. It beings to symbolise a season fast unravelling for last year’s shooting star of the women’s game. Eugenie Bouchard was mocked at home and abroad over the handshake controversy . Bouchard refused to shake the hand of Alexandra Dulgheru before Fed Cup match at the weekend . Bouchard ended up suffering not just the humiliation of losing to far lesser ranked opponents in front of her hometown crowd in Montreal, but of being mocked by the opposing Romanian team after they had inflicted defeat. Moreover, having previously been able to do little wrong in the eyes of her compatriots, she brought upon herself the scorn of fair-minded Canadians in the media, social and otherwise. Even Romania’s world number three Simona Halep, a shy and retiring type, weighed in by casting aspersions about the kind of upbringing Bouchard has had. Bouchard explained away her graceless act as merely being true to herself, but the truth is that such brattish behaviour is neither principled nor smart. She would be well-advised to avoid this sort of bravado until she starts winning again. It is not the first time that Bouchard has declined the traditional shake of hands that takes place at the draw prior to matches in the Fed Cup, the women’s incomprehensible equivalent of the Davis Cup. She did the same last year to Slovakia’s Kristina Kucova in front of the cameras which have, again, spread the footage all over the internet. The 21-year-old Canadian broke into the world's top 10 after a superb 2014 . She lost both her singles matches to world No 69 Dulgheru and Andreea Mitu, ranked 104th . Romania's Dulgheru said the handshake snub had given her extra motivation for the match . “It wasn’t personal, I just don’t believe in wishing my opponent good luck before a match,” said Bouchard this time. Already bereft of confidence, she set herself up for a fall which duly came, losing both her singles to players ranked 69 and 104. After Dulgheru beat her in straight sets she celebrated with her team-mates by theatrically pulling away her hand before it could be shaken. Dugheru said afterwards the incident had added to her motivation and gleefully declared that it was ‘nothing personal’. The watching Halep told Romanian reporters : “I would never have done it but this is how she (Bouchard) is raised or it’s a habit.” A superb 2014 saw Bouchard fly into the top ten at a rate few expected, the highlight being her run to the final of SW19. But by the same token this was never

Summary: Eugenie Bouchard refused to shake hands with rival Alexandra Dulgheru . Controversy sparked a dreadful few days for last year's Wimbledon finalist . Bouchard suffered two humiliating defeats in front of her hometown crowd .


IPSA chief Sir Ian Kennedy launched a bid to keep MPs' receipts private . All MPs' expenses receipts will have to be published after a court threw out a bid to keep them private. The Commons expenses watchdog, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, had launched a bid to keep MPs' original claims secret. But the Court of Appeal ruled today that it must release all the copies of receipts and invoices which have been submitted by politicians. The legal action centred on whether copies of original documents should be published - rather than a summary of the claim put in by MPs. The case stems from a Freedom of Information request to Ipsa in 2010 - just a year after the MPs' expenses scandal erupted - asking for three specific receipts submitted by politicians in support of their claims. But instead of providing the original receipts, Ipsa sent back a typed-up summary of the claims. The Information Commissioner later ruled that the receipts themselves should have been published - but Ipsa continued to fight the case. Today's ruling comes six years after the MPs expenses scandal broke - triggering the most explosive British political scandal in a generation. Voters reacted with fury at the list of extraordinary claims submitted by MPs - with jaw-dropping details of fraud, fake receipts and payouts for ornamental duck houses and moat cleaning. Yet, today's latest court ruling shows the the scandal has refused to die, six years and almost two general elections later. After dismissing the privacy appeal today, Lord Justice Richards said the receipts could still not be published in full - to give Ipsa time to appeal again to the Supreme Court. An Ipsa spokesman said after the ruling: 'We need to study the judgement carefully. The court made clear that this is an important test case with implications not just for Ipsa but for all other public bodies. 'We were right to test the point of law through an appeal to see whether images of receipts add anything additional to all the information about MPs' expenditure that we already release.' The spokesman added: 'We remain completely committed to openness and transparency and already publish a detailed breakdown of every claim made by every MP.' Lord Justice Richards said that although the appeal was concerned with three specific invoices or receipts 'it is a test case and has important implications for Ipsa and, no doubt, for other public authorities'. He said Ipsa publishes details of claims on its website but does not publish copies of the supporting invoices or receipts. In 2010 Ben Leapman, then a Sunday Telegraph reporter, made a request to Ipsa for the information contained in three such documents to be sent to him. Parliament's expenses watchdog has fought plans to keep MPs' original receipts secret - arguing that it should only have to publish a summary of their claims . The MPs expenses revealed a series of extravagant claims - including for the repair of a 'Stockholm' duck house by Tory MP Sir Peter Viggers . The judge said Ipsa

Summary: Commons expenses watchdog launched bid to keep MPs' claims private . Court of Appeal ruled it must release all the copies of receipts submitted . It means voters will be able to check over MPs' original expenses claims .


A seven-year-old boy was raped and set on fire by two youths when he went to buy some food. The youths took the boy to an isolated place and raped him. When he resisted, they set him on fire, Inspector Sasthe told PTI. The boy, who suffered 30 per cent burns to his body, somehow managed to escape, Sasthe added. The shocking incident occurred in Pagma Nagar (located on this map), in Bhiwandi City, a suburb of Mumbai . The incident, which happened in Bhiwandi, in Mumbai (stock image) is being investigated by police . The incident took place in Padma Nagar in the city of Bhiwandi, a suburb of Mumbai, police said today. A case has been registered under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 377 (sodomy) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012. The seven-year-old boy is being treated at the Thane Civil hospital, about 30 minutes away. Police have said they are working to identify and catch the accused.

Summary: Youths took boy to an isolated place in Padma Nagar, India, and raped him . When he resisted, they set him on fire, leaving him with 30 per cent burns . He is now being treated at the Thane Civil hospital, about 30 minutes away .


Two horses have been rescued after one was found being kept in an alleyway so narrow it could not turn around, while the other was chained to the ground. RSPCA inspectors were called to the house after they received numerous calls from residents living nearby in Lawrence Weston, Bristol, who were worried about the animals. Photos taken when they visited show a small horse standing on muddy ground in a passage just over a metre wide, which is blocked at one end with a gate. RSPCA inspectors were called after a horse was seen living in an alleyway so narrow it could not turn round . Another picture shows a horse chained to the ground, with little room to move. The animals are thought to have been kept at the site by the side of a house for around a month and are understood to have been moved on by their owners following warnings from the RSPCA. Andrew Hiles, 65, who lives nearby, said: 'The situation has got worse and worse. 'This has been the case for the last month. It was certainly a cause for much concern. The horses had no way of turning around, and the horse box was just left by the road side. 'Those were some terrible conditions to live in, and it is not like they have a stable or somewhere nice. It has been going on for a while. I would like to know how they even came to own these horses. 'As far as I know, a lot of us had been calling the RSPCA and asking them to do something, but I don't know if that's the case.' They found another horse, which was larger, and was living at the site chained to the muddy ground . The alleyway where the horse was kept is at the bottom of a muddy slope, and the other horse was kept chained to the ground on a grassy area nearby. Both horses were removed on Wednesday after complaints from neighbours and a warning from the RSPCA. But Margaret Hiles, 61, is still worried and added: 'We don't know what has happened to the pair of them, or where they have gone. I don't think the RSPCA has taken them, they have just been moved. The smaller horse was stuck at the base of a muddy garden, trapped in an incredibly narrow alleyway . A spokesman from the RSPCA said: 'We have received calls from concerned members of the public about two horses being kept in a garden in the Lawrence Weston area of Bristol. 'Our inspectors have made several visits to the property to issue advice to the owner to improve the environment in which the horses are being kept. 'We understand the current situation is that the horses have now been moved.'

Summary: RSPCA inspectors called numerous times by worried Bristol residents . They found a horse in a narrow alleyway and another chained to ground . Animals have now been moved on following RSPCA advice to owners . Locals estimated animals had been living in poor conditions for a month .


Barcelona's Brazilian star Neymar was left fuming after being substituted by Luis Enrique during the 2-2 draw at Sevilla on Saturday night, according to reports in Spain. Neymar, who scored his side's second goal with a curling free kick, was replaced with the score at 2-1 and 15 minutes to play. Sevilla then scored a late equaliser, and Neymar 'can't understand why he is subbed so much' reports Spanish paper Sport. Neymar's dispute with Luis Enrique features prominently in Spain, while they look ahead to the Madrid derby . The paper points out that the forward has been replaced in 15 of his 34 matches this season, with only Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta being substituted more. With Barcelona still top of La Liga, and challenging for a treble, the paper points out that the club will need to be united in the final run-in. Elsewhere in Spain the attention is focused on the Madrid derby in this week's Champions League quarter-finals. Marca claims that the game is 'like a final', with the two teams playing out a repeat of last year's showdown in Lisbon, while in AS, Real defender Pepe calls for intensity and humility. In Italy the headlines are dominated by Lazio, who moved above their city rivals Roma into second place in Serie A with a win over Empoli . AS also look ahead to the Champions League quarter-final, while in Italy the focus is on Lazio's win .

Summary: Neymar was taken off with Barcelona 2-1 up against Sevilla . The Brazil captain was visibly angry, and Barca went on to draw 2-2 . Neymar has been replaced 15 times in 34 games this season . CLICK HERE for all the latest Barcelona news .


In the end it took a searching ball from the cultured boot of Andrea Pirlo to settle this tie, a 70-yard pass that caught out Ricardo Carvalho for pace. This was far from a masterful performance by the Juventus midfielder, but he was entitled to ease himself in to this Champions League tie. Pirlo had, after all, been out for seven weeks with a calf injury before he was called upon to start this quarter-final tie. His 57th-minute pass, which sailed over the heads of the players in both teams towards the target of Alvaro Morata, led to the controversial moment when Czech referee Pavel Kralovec awarded a penalty. Carvalho, who had been immense alongside Aymen Abdennour in the heart of the Monaco defence, collided with the Juventus forward as he made his way towards goal. Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal steps up to score from the spot against Monaco in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg . Monaco defenders Fabinho (left) and Andrea Raggi watch on as Vidal strikes home a penalty to give Juventus the lead in the second half . Monaco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic can only watch on as Vidal sends him the wrong way and puts the ball into the top corner . The Chile international lets out a roar after giving his side the lead from the spot as goalkeeper Subasic looks on at the Juventus Stadium . Vidal celebrates and punches the air as Juventus gained the advantage against Ligue 1 side Monaco on Tuesday night . Juventus fans are rapturous as the team celebrate having taken the lead on 57 minutes after Ricardo Carvalho gave away the penalty . Ricardo Carvalho keeps his eye on the ball but trips Alvaro Morata to give away a penalty - initial contact was seemingly outside of the area . Referee Pavel Kralovec pointed to the penalty spot after Carvalho and Morata crashed to the ground inside the area . Juventus forward Carlos Tevez, pictured with Monaco defender Aymen Abdennour (left), showed off his impressive body art at full-time . JUVENTUS: Buffon 7; Lichsteiner 6, Bonucci 6.5, Chiellini 7, Evra 6.5; Vidal 6, Pirlo 6 (Barzagli 74, 6), Marchisio 6; Tevez 7, Pereyra 7 (Sturaro, 87), Morata 6 (Matri, 83). Substitutes: Storari, Pepe, Llorente, Padoin. Scorer: Vidal (pen), 57 . Manager - Massimiliano Allegri: 6.5 . MONACO: Subasic 7; Raggi 6 (Berbatov 71), Carvalho 7, Abdennour 7.5, Kurzawa 6.5; Joao Moutinho 7, Fabinho 6, Kondogbia 6.5; Dirar 6.5 (Silva 51, 6), Martial 7 (Matheus Carvalho, 87), Ferreira-Carrasco 7. Substitutes: Stekelenburg, Wallace, Germain, Elderson. Booked: Carvalho. Manager - Leonardo Jardim: 6.5 . Referee: Pavel Kralovec (Czech) 5 . Man of the match: Abdennour . Arturo Vidal settled it from the spot, putting Juve into a lead that they will need to defend when they travel to Stade Louis II for the second leg of this quarter-final next Wednesday. It is far from over. Juve’s coach Massimiliano Allegri knows that, saving the legs of Pirlo by replacing him with the defensive mind of Andrea Barzagli a few minutes after Vidal’s opener. This

Summary: Arturo Vidal scored from the spot to give Juventus the advantage against Monaco in quarter-final tie . The Chile international converted from the spot after Monaco defender Ricardo Carvalho fouled Alvaro Morata . The initial contact from Carvalho on Spanish striker Morata appeared to come from outside of the area .


When Jack Wilshere was first showing signs of his enormous potential at Luton Town’s academy, the big boys down the road soon came calling. Everyone was into little Wilshere, with West Ham (the team his dad Andy supports), Tottenham and Arsenal all offering to give Luton’s academy kid a shot at the highest level. Wilshere was a Hitchin boy, spotted early by Luton’s scouts before Arsenal took him to their Hale End academy at nine. At 16, he made his first-team debut for Arsene Wenger’s side. Charlie Patino, 11, and his family must weigh up offers from Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham . Like Arsenal star Jack Wilshere he is a talented midfelder who has been spotted at Luton Town . Soon it will be decision time for another Luton discovery as 11-year-old Charlie Patino and his parents Julio and Katy weigh up offers from Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham. Like Jack, he is a midfielder. The Patinos are a level-headed family, absorbing the enormity of the offers on the table from three of the biggest clubs in the Premier League before they come to a decision at the end of the season. ‘We just want what’s best for Charlie, to give him the best chance of being a professional footballer if that is what he wants to do,’ said dad Julio on Wednesday. ‘He is a dedicated boy, he works hard at school, gets good grades and is committed to playing football. He just loves it.’ Charlie took to the game at an early age, developing a feel for the ball that was far more advanced than his peers. ‘Other parents have commented on it in the past,’ admitted Julio. The big clubs have played everything by the book, formalising their interest with official communication to Luton and offering to meet FIFA’s compensation guidelines. The transfer fee involved is £10,000, a sizeable amount to spend on a player who offers potential and promise after six years with Luton. There are no guarantees that Charlie, who is a season ticket holder at Luton with his dad, will go on to make the grade when he eventually makes a decision. Charlie, pictured with his sister Lily and dog Truffles, would cost £10,000 and is a season ticket holder at Luton . 11-year-old analyses Spanish football and his style of play has been influenced by favourite team Barcelona . Julio’s parents are both Spanish. They moved to England in the Sixties before their son was born in England. Charlie watches live La Liga games on Sky Sports. Julio, who is a supporter of La Liga strugglers Deportivo La Coruna, added: ‘Charlie doesn’t watch the Spanish football, he analyses it. His mind is ticking away, watching the player movements and asking why they made certain decisions. He is very intelligent. He would say his favourite team is Barcelona and he has definitely been influenced as a player by the Spanish style of football.’ Charlie’s formal training began at the age of five when he joined St Albans City Youth, a team close to his parents’ home in

Summary: Charlie Patino, 11, is being chased by Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham . He would cost £10,000 and his family have visited the training grounds . Like Jack Wilshere he is a midfielder who is making his mark at Luton . Charlie analyses Spanish football and his favourite team are Barcelona . He trains six hours a week, spending more than 10 hours a week at Luton . Charlie is a season ticket holder at Luton and has great ability on the ball .


Three people were arrested for being drunk and disorderly on a Ryanair plane that was about to leave Britain for the Algarve. Two 49-year-old women and a 23-year-old man were removed from the plane just before it left Bristol for Faro around 7pm yesterday (Thursday). Chris Ware, head of security at Bristol Airport said: 'The Bristol Airport police team were requested by flight crew to attend a delayed departing flight to Faro. A Ryanair flight took off without three booked passengers bound for Faro yesterday after they were arrested for being drunk and disorderly . 'The airline requested the delayed passengers board the flight in anticipation of the air traffic slot time improving. 'Three passengers were removed from the aircraft and subsequently arrested. 'Abusive, aggressive or anti-social behaviour on board an aircraft or at the Airport will not be tolerated, the normal protocol of dealing with disruptive passengers was implemented. 'Unfortunately the actions of these individual passengers further delayed the aircraft's departure.' Airport Team Sergeant Mick Parminter added: 'We want everyone who travels through the airport to have a safe and enjoyable start to their trip. 'We would warn anyone travelling through the airport to know their limits. Passengers have a personal responsibility for their own behaviour. 'On average over half a million passengers travel through the airport every month without incident however we will not allow the behaviour of a few to spoil the enjoyment and travel plans for everyone else. 'Alcohol-related anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.' Bristol Airport confirmed that the drunk passengers' actions caused further delays to the Ryanair flight . A spokesperson for Ryanair told MailOnline Travel: 'The crew of this flight from Bristol to Faro requested police assistance prior to departure after three customers became disruptive. Police removed and detained these individuals before the aircraft departed to Faro. 'We will not tolerate unruly or disruptive behaviour at any time and we sincerely apologised to other customers for any inconvenience caused. 'The safety and comfort of our customers, crew and aircraft is our number one priority. This is now a matter for local police.' This latest incident comes only days after Ryanair took the unprecedented step of banning passengers from bringing their own booze on board flights between Glasgow and the party island of Ibiza out of concerns for safety and comfort. The Dublin-based airline informed passengers travelling on the notorious flight from Glasgow Prestwick Airport to the Spanish island that their alcohol purchases from duty free shops are no longer allowed in the cabin, and they risk being kicked off the flight if they don't comply. In a statement to MailOnline Travel, a Ryanair spokesman said the airline made the decision after consultations with customers and airport officials. The spokesman said: 'Those who have purchased duty free alcohol will be asked to either place their purchases in their cabin baggage and into the hold at the boarding gate, or leave their purchases behind. 'The comfort and safety of our customers and crew is our number one priority and we will not tolerate unruly behaviour at any

Summary: Two women aged 49 and a 23-year-old man removed from plane . Incident caused further delays for Ryanair flight to Faro from Bristol . Airport security re-affirm anti-social behaviour will be dealt with harshly .


President Barack Obama has ordered the release of 22 drug dealers - including eight who were serving life sentences. Nearly all of the offenders who Obama granted clemency to were convicted of dealing addictive, hard drugs like crack cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. Eight of those whose sentences were commuted - an act the White House said continues Obama's push to make the justice system fairer - were serving terms of life in prison. The effort is aimed at reducing harsh sentences for those who faced outdated guidelines at their time of sentencing and would be serving shorter punishments had they been convicted today. Barack Obama has granted clemency to 22 drug offenders who were sentenced under outdated guidelines . In December, Mr Obama issued his first round of commutations under new guidelines that were put in place to cut costs by reducing the growing prison population and grant leniency to nonviolent drug offenders sentenced to years long terms of confinement away from society. A commutation leaves the conviction in place and ends the punishment. Neil Eggleston, the White House counsel, said many of the 22 people whose federal sentences will be cut short by Mr Obama's action would already have served their time and paid the debt they owed society had they been sentenced under current laws and policies. 'Because many were convicted under an outdated sentencing regime, they served years - in some cases more than a decade - longer than individuals convicted today of the same crime,' Mr Eggleston said in a post on the White House blog. The 22 individuals, whose punishments will expire on July 28, were sentenced between 1992 and 2006. Mr Eggleston said Tuesday's commutations underscore Obama's 'commitment to using all the tools at his disposal to bring greater fairness and equity to our justice system.' Mr Obama has now approved a total of 43 commutations during more than six years in office. Mr Eggleston noted that Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush, had commuted 11 sentences during his two terms. Dwight Anthony Goddard (left) from Georgia, was imprisoned for 235 months for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base . In a letter, the president urged each individual to take advantage of the second chance he is giving them. The White House said it was the first time Obama had sent such letters. 'I am granting your application because you have demonstrated the potential to turn your life around. Now it is up to you to make the most of this opportunity,' he wrote. 'It will not be easy, and you will confront many who doubt people with criminal records can change. Perhaps even you are unsure of how you will adjust to your new circumstances. 'But remember that you have the capacity to make good choices,' Obama said. The nonprofit Drug Policy Alliance, which advocates for less stringent drug sentences, praised the commutations. 'The president's actions today are welcome,' said Michael Collins, policy manager at DPA's office of national affairs. He called on Congress to 'act quickly on substantive sentencing reform,' adding, 'It's time to

Summary: Eight of the prisoners granted clemency are serving terms of life in prison . They were jailed for crimes including cocaine, meth and heroin distribution . The effort targeted sentences handed down under outdated guidelines . Obama has approved 43 commutations in six years in office .


Stuart McCall has sent a warning to Bilel Mohsni as he insisted Rangers will need cool heads for the promotion run-in. The Tunisian centre-back extended his questionable disciplinary record by picking up a booking for reacting to opposition fans during Thursday’s 3-0 defeat from Queen of the South. McCall believes Mohsni has good defensive attributes but is adamant the Ibrox side cannot risk unnecessary suspensions as they attempt to land a Premiership place via the play-offs. Stuart McCall calls time on training ahead of Rangers match with Raith on Sunday . The Rangers boss has spoken to Tunisian defender Bilel Mohsni (2nd left) about his discipline . ‘I’ve had to have a word with him over his concentration levels,’ said McCall. ‘He did some absolutely outstanding things in the game and then he did some slack and sloppy things. ‘I didn’t know what he was booked for and Kenny (Black) had said it was a reaction to their fans. He was probably frustrated and angry at the result. ‘But I’ll have another look at it as we can’t afford to have silly bookings at this point in the season. Ian Black got one the other day and there are a couple of other lads a game away from being suspended. ‘If it’s for tackles you can maybe understand it but we can’t afford cheap bookings for running to the crowd, taking your shirt off, back chat with referees, kicking the ball away – I don’t like things like that. It’s a lack of discipline.’ Rangers players look dejected as defeat to Queen of the South dents their bid for promotion . Rangers will attempt to bounce back from the first loss of McCall’s tenure when they host Raith on Sunday. They currently sit behind second-placed Hibs on goal difference but have a game in hand. ‘There will be a lot of big games, big crowds, tension and drama until the last kick of the season,’ added McCall ‘So cool heads is the way to go. But I still like fire in the belly. I don’t want people to surrender meekly and mildly. Nothing wrong with a bit of passion as long as it’s channelled in the right way.’ McCall insisted the Palmerston reverse shouldn’t be viewed as a ‘disaster’ and feels he already has evidence of his side’s ability to recover from disappointments. ‘We just have to draw a line under it. I don’t want doom and gloom. We drew the first two games when I came here. That wasn’t what we wanted, so we bounced back from those. We then went on a decent run and now we’ve had another setback. It’s about how we react.’

Summary: Tunisia defender picked up a booking for reacting to opposition fans . Bilel Moshni has been told to keep calm by Ibrox boss Stuart McCall . Rangers are attempting to reach the Scottish Premiership play-offs .


We’ve all been there: you hear a catchy song and for days - or even weeks - on end you just can’t get it out of your head. Known as an earworm or brainworm, the effect has been studied before - but its cause, and how to get rid of it, is poorly understood. Now researchers say they have an answer; chewing gum after hearing a catchy song will help you think about it less often. Reading scientists say chewing gum helps you forget a song. In a study people were less likely to think about it when chewing (stock image shown). And they were a third less likely to 'hear' it when chewing gum. The results suggests same technique could stop other intrusive thoughts . The study was carried out by scientists at the University of Reading. In the research 98 volunteers were played the ‘catchy tunes’ Play Hard by David Guetta and Payphone by Maroon 5. - Recent music exposure . - Repeated music exposure . - Word triggers (eg. the word ‘faith’) - People triggers (where sight or memory of a person is associated with a song) - Situation trigger (eg. weddings can cause you to remember your own first dance song) - Stress . - Surprise . - Dreams . - Mind wandering . Over the next three minutes, they were then asked to hit a key every time they thought of the songs - while chewing gum, not chewing gum or tapping their finger. While chewing gum, volunteers reported thinking of the song less often than when they weren’t chewing gum, or when they were told to tap their finger instead. And chewing gum also reduced the amount they ‘heard’ the song in their minds by a third. The study is the first to examine the effects of chewing gum on earworms - and it suggests it could also be used to stop other unwanted or intrusive thoughts. ‘Interfering with our own “inner speech” through a more sophisticated version of the gum-chewing approach may work more widely,’ said Dr Phil Beaman, from the University’s School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, who led the study. In the research 98 volunteers were played the ‘catchy tunes’ such as Play Hard by David Guetta and Payphone by Maroon 5 (pictured). Over the next three minutes, they were then asked to hit a key every time they thought of the songs - while chewing gum, not chewing gum or tapping their finger . While chewing gum, volunteers reported thinking of the song less often than when they weren’t chewing gum, or when they were told to tap their finger instead. And chewing gum also reduced the amount they ‘heard’ the song in their minds by a third (stock image shown) ‘However more research is needed to see whether this will help counter symptoms of obsessive-compulsive and similar disorders.’ In a previous study by the University of Reading in 2009, it was found that almost any song can become an earworm. A recent poll suggested over 90 per cent of the

Summary: Reading scientists say chewing gum helps you forget a song . In a study people were less likely to think about it when chewing . And they were a third less likely to 'hear' it when chewing gum . Results suggests same technique could stop other intrusive thoughts .


Lukas Podolski insists he is prepared to fight for his place at Arsenal when he arrives back at the club in the summer. The German World Cup winner is currently on loan at Inter Milan having joined the Serie A club in January following a tough start to the season at the Emirates, where he scored just three goals in 13 appearances. The move to Italy appeared to signal the end of Podolski’s time in north London, but the 29-year-old is adamant he still has a role to play in Arsene Wenger’s side. Inter Milan loanee Lukas Podolski says he wants to play for parent club Arsenal next season . The German forward has yet to score since arriving in Serie A in January . ‘When I go back (to Arsenal) I think I have the chance to play there,’ he told Sportsmail. ‘I have one year left so well will see what happens. I feel very well at the club and with my teammates as well. I had a great two and a half years; I scored a lot of goals there and had a lot of assists. ‘The first six months of the season were not easy, that’s why I changed clubs. But now I’m ready.’ Arsenal made it to back-to-back FA Cup finals over the weekend thanks to an extra-time win over Reading and Podolski tweeted his congratulations to his parent club, although he admitted he hadn’t seen the action. The forward was busy preparing for the derby with Inter against rivals Milan, but he was left on the bench by Roberto Mancini for the second game running as the sides played out a 0-0 stalemate. Podolski struggled for first-team opportunities in north London before leaving the Gunners on loan . Podolski has failed to score in 12 appearances since arriving in Italy, but he says there is no frustration over the lack of time he’s getting on the pitch. ‘It’s not a problem for me. I’ve been in this business of playing football long enough,’ he said. ‘Of course I want to play every game but it’s the decision of the coach, he makes the decision and picks the first XI and when he thinks the players on the pitch are better than me or in better form than me then they have to play. ‘I’m ready, I’m fit, I want to play because a derby is always a great game and it’s for these types of matches you play football. ‘I’m here now to finish the season then I have two games with the national team, then we will see.’ Podolski celebrates with Alexis Sanchez after scoring the winner against Anderlecht in October .

Summary: Lukas Podolski left Arsenal for Inter Milan on a loan deal in January . German World Cup winner has yet to score since arriving in Italy . Forward was an unused substitute in goalless derby draw on Sunday . Podolski insists he wants to fight for his place in north London .


Tom Ballard plans to climb K2, 20 years after his mother died descending from its peak . A climber has set his sights on the summit of K2 - the second highest mountain in the world - 20 years after his mother died attempting the same feat. Alison Hargreaves, 32, was swept to her death in 260mph winds on her descent from the Himalayan mountain in 1995. Now her son Tom Ballard, one of the world's most accomplished climbers, plans to conquer K2 himself. Mr Ballard, 26, told The Times that he saw it as his destiny to follow in his mother's footsteps. He said: 'I think it must be. At one stage I thought I would go and climb mountains for her. Then I realised that was actually a bit stupid because she had already climbed them herself. I realised I was climbing for myself. That's how I've gone on.' Last month Mr Ballard became the first to solo climb all six of the great north faces of the Alps in the winter season - and now he is training for K2. The climber was just six years old when his mother died while descending K2, which is regarded as more difficult to reach than the summit of Mount Everest, with dozens dying during attempts to reach the top. Days before her death, Mrs Hargreaves sent a fax to her son and his sister Katie. It read: 'Tom and Katie, We have arrived at our base camp. The trek was difficult — it snowed every day. The mountain I have come to climb is called K2.' Attached was a drawing of the 28,251ft mountain which would later claim her life. Mr Ballard's mother was a revered figure in the climbing world and was only the second person to climb Everest without sherpas or bottled oxygen. Alison Hargreaves (pictured with Tom and his sister Katie as children) was swept to her death in 260mph winds on her descent from the Himalalayn mountain in 1995 . K2 is regarded as more difficult to reach than the summit of Mount Everest, with dozens dying during attempts to reach the top . Mrs Hargreaves, pictured with her husband Jim and thier family, was only the second person to climb Everest without sherpas or bottled oxygen . Tragic: Mr Ballard was just six years old when his mother died on her way down from the summit of K2 . Her decision to take on dangerous climbs while raising a young family was criticised by some, but she shrugged off the flak, saying that fathers who went climbing did not face the same scrutiny. When she climbed the north face of the Eiger, in the Swiss Alps, in 1988, Mrs Hargreaves was pregnant with her son. Mr Ballard said he had clear memories of clambering over rocks as a child and had always known climbing was his calling. 'When I grew, I was always scrambling around on little rocks underneath the crags where my mum and dad climbed. A child, playing,' he said. 'At primary school I

Summary: Alison Hargreaves, 32, was killed in 1995 as she descended from K2 . Now her son Tom Ballard plans to conquer treacherous mountain himself . His mother was swept to her death by 260mph winds atop the mountain . At 28,251ft, K2 is considered more difficult to climb than Mount Everest .


NHS finances are so dire that patients could soon be forced to pay to use basic services such as GPs, doctors leaders warned last night. Dr Mark Porter, head of the British Medical Association, the doctors’ union, said that whoever wins the election will inevitably be tempted to bring in charges. All three major parties have denied there will be any end to the principle that the NHS should be free at the point of use. Dr Mark Porter, head of the British Medical Association, the doctors’ union, said that whoever wins the election will inevitably be tempted to bring in charges . Critics will say that if GPs had not enjoyed such enormous pay rises over the past decade, there would be much more money around. In an interview with the Guardian, Dr Porter said of the parties fighting the election: ‘I think they will be tempted. They said in 1950 that a Labour government wouldn’t introduce charging and it did.’ The introduction of prescription charges prompted NHS founder Nye Bevan to resign from Clement Attlee’s government in April 1951. Dr Porter said it was ‘inescapable’ that the next government would consider introducing fees as a way of tackling the £30billion budget gap that NHS England has forecast will open by 2020 unless it achieves its target of £22billion in efficiency savings and receives £8billion of extra annual funding. He said: ‘Could a future government be tempted? Yes, they could, but they must resist that temptation.’ Critics will say that if GPs had not enjoyed such enormous pay rises over the past decade, there would be much more money around .

Summary: Dr Mark Porter said election winner will be tempted to bring in charges . NHS England forecast a £30bn budget gap by 2020 unless savings made .


A 46-year-old man has been reported missing after a kayak he had taken out with his fiance capsized in choppy waters. Vincent Viafore from Poughkeepsie, New York, was on the rough Hudson River near Newburgh with Angelika Graswald when he was thrown in on Sunday evening. According to CBS 2, Viafore was not wearing a life jacket and was unable to get back into the kayak. Scroll down for video . Vincent Viafore (right) from Poughkeepsie, New York, was on the rough Hudson River near Newburgh with Angelika Graswald (left) when he was thrown in on Sunday evening. He is still missing . She managed to make it out of the water and call 911. On Monday she asked friends on Facebook to keep praying for her partner and hoped for a miracle . His partner fell out of the boat while trying to help him and was rescued by another boat travelling in the area at the time. She then called 911 when she made it to land. Graswald was taken to hospital and treated for hypothermia but her fiance has not been found. On Monday she asked friends for their prayers as the search continued. She wrote on Facebook: 'I just want to thank everyone for reaching out. Please, keep your prayers for Vince. 'Miracles ARE possible. The authorities are doing everything they can. 'We do not need anyone else getting hurt, as it is very dangerous out there, especially without daylight. Please, no questions at this point, we're doing everything we can. We will find him.' New York State Police Captain Brendan Casey told CBS 2: 'Yesterday, it started out as a nice day and as the day went on, it grew cooler and the winds picked up and it became more like today.' Viafore was not wearing a life jacket and was unable to get back into the kayak . Residents say the water at this time of year is ' precarious ' as it is so cold . Viafore's friend Wes Gottlock said he saw them out on the water, but did not discover there was a search underway until later on that evening. He added that the couple had been together for a long time and have a 'wonderful relationship'. He said the water at this time of the year is 'precarious' as the water is still cold. Peter Brandt, who has lived by the water for 40 years, asked if they were 'accomplished kayakers' because the water was very rough.

Summary: Vincent Viafore, 46, from Poughkeepsie was on the Hudson River near Newburgh, New York, with Angelika Graswald on Sunday . He was thrown out of the boat when they hit rough waters . She was rescued by people in a nearby boat and made it to shore . Residents say the water at this time of year is 'precarious' as it is so cold .


A waitress has revealed how the New Zealand Prime Minister had repeatedly given her unwanted attention while she was working at a cafe in Auckland frequented by him and his wife. Published on The Daily Blog on Wednesday, the anonymous woman has recounted how John Key kept playfully pulling her hair despite being told to stop during election time last year. However Mr Key defended his pranks as 'a bit of banter' and said he had already apologised for his actions, Stuff.co.nz reports. A waitress has revealed how the New Zealand Prime Minister had repeatedly given her unwanted attention while she was working at a cafe in Auckland frequented by him and his wife Bronagh (pictured together) The waitress had reportedly been working at a cafe called Rosie (pictured) in Parnell, east of Auckland . The waitress - believed to be working at a cafe called Rosie in Parnell, east of Auckland - wrote about she how made it very clear that she was unimpressed by Mr Key's gestures. 'He was like the school yard bully tugging on the little girls' hair trying to get a reaction, experiencing that feeling of power over her,' she wrote on the blog. Mr Key kept being persistent with his hair-pulling antics, despite being told by his wife Bronagh to stop. After dealing with the practical jokes over the six months he had visited the cafe, the waitress finally lost her cool. 'As he made his way out the door I said after him "Please STOP or I will actually hit you soon!",' she wrote. 'Everybody knew that I didn't like it, I really didn't like it. I felt powerless and tormented and I stepped out the back and I cried frustrated tears.' The anonymous waitress wrote how Mr Key kept being persistent with his hair-pulling antics, despite being told by his wife Bronagh to stop . But Mr Key defended his pranks as 'a bit of banter' and said he had already apologised for his actions . Key, who is en route to the Anzac ceremony in Gallipoli, told reporters he has a very 'warm and friendly relationship' with staff at the cafe. 'When I realised she took offence by that I just sort of immediately went back, gave her some wine, apologised and said I was terribly sorry,' he said according to Stuff.co.nz. 'It was all in the context of a bit of banter that was going on, and so obviously I immediately apologised for that. 'She thanked me for that and said "that's all fine, no drama".'

Summary: An anonymous waitress revealed how John Key kept pulling her hair . She wrote in a blog that she gained unwanted attention from him last year . The woman had been working at a cafe frequented by Mr Key and his wife . She said Mr Key kept touching her hair despite being told to stop . The Prime Minister defended his actions, saying he had already apologised . He also said his pranks were 'all in the context of a bit of banter' The waitress was reportedly working at a cafe called Rosie in Parnell, east of Auckland .


Finding discounted flights tends to be hit or miss for most vacationers, but one savvy traveler has managed to plan out an entire two-month trip that will barely cost him a cent. Scott Keyes, a 28-year-old writer for Think Progress, is about to travel 20,000miles on 21 flights, stopping by 13 countries along the way in Europe and South and North America while enjoying first class service. All this for free. Scroll down for video . Scott Keyes (above), a 28-year-old writer for Think Progress, is about to travel 20,000miles on 21 flights . Along the way he will be stopping by 13 countries in Europe and South and North America . Dayton, Ohio - Dallas, Fort Worth - 861 miles . Dallas, Forth Worth - Mexico City - 935 miles . Oaxaca, Mexico - Mexico City - 228 miles . Mexico City - Managua, Nicaragua - 994 miles . Managua - Panama City - 507 miles . Panama City - Port of Spain, Trinidad - 1234 miles . Port of Spain - St Lucia 217 miles . St Lucia - St George's, Grenada - 131 miles . St George's - Miami - 1535 miles . Miami - Dusseldorf, Germany, 4733 miles . Dusseldorf - Dresden, Germany, 304 miles . Prague, Czech Rep - Vienna, Austria, 173 miles . Vienna - Kiev, Ukraine, 665 miles . Lvov, Ukraine - Vienna, 356 miles . Vienna - Sofia, Bulgaria, 500 miles . Sofia - Vienna, 500 miles . Vienna - Vilnius, Lithuania, 587 miles . Vilnius - Helsinki, Finland, 393 miles . Helsinki - Berlin, Germany, 697 miles . Berlin - Chicago, 4412 miles . Chicago - Dayton, 240 miles . Total: 20205 miles . Keyes decided to plan his trip when he realized he had some free time between his departure from Oaxaca, Mexico, where he has lived for the past year, to return home to the United States and get back to full time work. So he rounded up all his airline miles, and the points he had acquired on his 25 credit cards. In the end, he was able to book a vacation with stops in Mexico, Nicaragua, Trinidad, St. Lucia, Grenada, Germany, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Lithuania, and Finland without having to pay more than a few dollars on any of the flights. He will also be in the United States a few times, but just to catch connection flights. In the end he spent somewhere between 10 and 15 hours putting the entire trip together, which also includes free hotels, at a cost of 136,500 frequent flyer miles. 'It’s tough when you have a job and you have to ask your boss for time off,' Keyes told Business Insider. 'You only have a limited time off and then you spend a lot of that traveling. I figured while I’m in a position where I don’t have a 9-to-5, I might as well take advantage.' In fact, Keyes is such a pro at travelling on the extremely cheap that he even wrote two eBooks detailing his strategies: How

Summary: Scott Keyes, a 28-year-old writer, is about to travel 20,000 miles on 21 flights and visit 13 countries . For this trip he will pay hardly anything, with all flights and hotels already covered thanks to airline miles and credit card points . He will make stops in Mexico, Nicaragua, Trinidad, St. Lucia, Grenada, Germany, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Lithuania, and Finland . The trip took him between 10 to 15 hours to plan and cost him 136,500 frequent flyer miles .


Long the domain of web sites and memes, the animated gif may soon be coming to a message near you. A new app makes creating the images simple on a smartphone - and lets you send them using Facebook Messenger. Camoji is one of the first apps to take advantage of Facebook's decision to open up Messenger, revealed at its recent f8 conference in San Francisco. Camoji allows people to add Instagram style filters to their images before sharing them. The GIFs are created in the Camoji app. Once downloaded, users simply tap on the shutter icon to record an animated gif that is up to 2 seconds long. They can then add filters and other effects - similar to Instagram. Camoji lets you record a GIF with unique filters and text and share it to your friends on Messenger, where GIFs animate inline in the conversation. The GIFs are created in the Camoji app. People that have Camoji installed see a Reply button that launches Camoji right from the Messenger conversation so they can quickly record and send a GIF of their own. This type of back and forth is exactly what makes the entire experience beautiful and seamless. 'App discovery is a major challenge for developers,' said Carlos Whitt, Camoji CEO. 'Messenger is opening the door for developers to create innovative new ways for people to connect and express themselves without having to reinvent the social plumbing. 'This is a monumental development.' 'We're excited to have worked with the Messenger team to help people share by easily capturing moments and sharing them seamlessly within Messenger,' said Austin Broyles, Camoji co-founder. 'We feel our integration is truly unique and innovative.' This is the first time the world's biggest social network has opened their Messenger app to seamless integration with third parties, and this level of integration does not exist on other messenger apps. Camoji had previously integrated with iMessage and WhatsApp, but those integrations lacked a way for recipients to easily download Camoji or launch it from a conversation to reply with another GIF. Camoji lets you record a GIF with unique filters and text and share it to your friends on Messenger . Earlier this month Facebook opened up its Messenger service for developers to create apps and for consumers to communicate directly with retailers, in the social media network's latest effort to expand its reach. The firm hopes to transform Facebook's messaging service into one that operates independently of the company's social media network, effectively pitting it against traditional email. It even revealed it will allow smart devices such as doors and home appliances to use the platform. It comes as it faces intensifying competition from Twitter and Google, as well as from fast-growing messaging apps such as Snapchat and WeChat. Facebook unveiled the new features at its annual developer conference in San Francisco, for the first time allowing developers to create apps that function inside the Messenger app, which has more than 600 million users. Forty different apps will be available on Messenger in the coming days, allowing

Summary: One of first apps to take advantage of Facebook's new open approach . Allows users to send and record gifs inside Messenger app . Instagram style filters can be added to gif images .


This is the dramatic moments armed police swoop on a villa where a Briton linked to the gangland murder of a torture victim was arrested. Paul Monk, 54, from Essex, was wanted by Spanish police for questioning over the kidnap and murder of Francis Brennan, whose badly decomposed body washed up on a Costa Blanca beach in March last year. He was also wanted by the Metropolitan Police on drug offences and had been named on a list of fugitives published as part of the National Crime Agency's Operation Captura campaign ahead of his detention. This is the dramatic moment that fugitive Paul Monk was arrested by heavily armed police in his Alicante villa . Paul Monk, 54, from Essex, was wanted by Spanish police for questioning over the kidnap and murder of Francis Brennan . Spanish police released footage of their dramatic swoop. This grab for the video shows them approaching the villa at speed . The police move steathily up the steps of Monk's villa, weapons drawn . Taking no chances: The highly trained, well-armed police moved through the house room by room . Paul Monk was on the UK's most wanted list on suspicion of drug trafficking . Brennan, 25, from Liverpool, vanished in the resort of Javea in January last year after being kidnapped by men posing as police. His body was wrapped in an industrial-size bin bag with duct tape round it when it appeared on a beach in nearby Orihuela Costa. Civil Guard officers in Alicante confirmed today they believe Monk, from Essex, may be implicated in the violent death and named him as an associate of Paul Scott. Scott, 32, was arrested on a charge of conspiracy to import cocaine after being caught trying to sneak into Britain in a light aircraft last December. He was also wanted for questioning over Mr Brennan's murder when he was detained. Guardia Civil described him last night as the suspected mastermind of the crime. Monk was detained at a four-bedroom property in Javea near Alicante as he directed workers laying a marble patio around his swimming pool. An imitation firearm with a silencer and nearly £100,000 in cash were also found. He is being held in jail and is expected to be charged and face trial in Spain over Mr Brennan's murder before being extradited to the UK to face questioning over alleged drugs offences. He has been linked to the handover of one kilo of cocaine in Cockfosters, London, in May 2013 and the seizure of 24 kilos of cannabis in Colchester in October 2013. A Civil Guard spokesman said: 'He never left his house as a security measure to avoid being arrested. 'He got other people to bring him food and other things in the villa where he hid out, leading the life of an authentic fugitive.' The police raid had air support, with this grab coming from footage of Monk's villa taken by a helicopter . Wads of money found by armed police after they arrested Monk . Monk is being held in jail and

Summary: Paul Monk, 54, was wanted by Spanish police in connection with a murder . The Essex man is a suspect in the murder of Francis Brennan . Brennan's body washed up on a Costa Blanca beach in March last year . Police released footage of their swoop on Monk's Alicante villa .


Ed Miliband has explicitly ruled out allowing another Scottish independence referendum, as he bids to ease voters' concerns about the prospect of any future SNP-Labour alliance. The Labour leader said a second independence poll 'ain't going to happen' even if he becomes Prime Minister with the support of SNP MPs next month. Mr Miliband's intervention came as the former prime minister John Major warned that the SNP was 'merely waiting for a good excuse to put separation back on the agenda'. Labour leader Ed Miliband, interviewed on the BBC this morning, explicitly ruled out allowing another Scottish independence referendum . Mr Major said the SNP would break their pledge not to hold another referendum 'for a generation'. He said the SNP were 'determined to prise apart the United Kingdom'. Former foreign secretary William Hague added that SNP could be 'calling the tune' if Ed Miliband became PM on the back of SNP support. He said this would mean: 'The people who want to break up the United Kingdom will be running the United Kingdom.' But Mr Miliband this morning accused the Tories of 'threatening the integrity of the United Kingdom' by talking up the prospects of Scottish nationalists in the May 7 General Election. The Labour leader insisted there would be no coalition with the SNP and flatly ruled out holding another referendum. He told BBC1's Breakfast that he had 'fundamental differences' with the SNP – including on a second independence referendum within five years. He said, adding: 'I'm not having that.' The Labour leader said a second independence poll 'ain't going to happen' even if he becomes Prime Minister with the support of SNP MPs next month . Labour party leader Mr Miliband addresses an audience during a campaign stop in Manchester this morning . Mr Miliband said Mr Cameron had been 'talking up' the SNP in the hope that it would take votes and seats from Labour north of the border and allow him to 'crawl back' into 10 Downing Street. 'I think David Cameron is playing fast and loose with the United Kingdom,' said the Labour leader. 'This is somebody who has given up hope of winning a majority. He is trying to boost the SNP. 'I think David Cameron is now threatening the integrity of the UK with the games he is playing. And I think Conservatives are now ashamed of what he is doing.' Mr Miliband cited Conservative former Cabinet minister Lord Forsyth who has warned that the party's tactic of targeting a Labour-SNP link-up was 'short-term and dangerous' and could ultimately damage the Union. In a BBC interview last night, the Labour leader insisted he would not be dictated to by the nationalists, even if he had to govern without an overall majority in the new parliament. But Sir John Major said that, in practice, Mr Miliband would be forced to accede to the SNP's demands or face the collapse of his government. 'If Labour were to accept an offer of support from the SNP, it could put the country on course to a government held

Summary: The Labour leader said he would not grant the SNP a second referendum . His remarks come amid growing warnings over an SNP-Labour alliance . John Major said the SNP were 'waiting for a good excuse' for a second poll .


Iran's Revolutionary Guards 'harassed' a US-flagged commercial ship just days before it seized a vessel carrying cargo and 34 sailors, it has emerged. The two incidents have raised concerns about the security of shipping lanes in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steven Warren said. News of the first incident was revealed by the Pentagon after Iranian guards seized MV Maersk Tigris this week, by firing warning shots across the vessel's bows. ranian patrol vessels fired warning shots across the bridge of the Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel the Maersk Tigris Tuesday morning and seized it for trespassing just days after it had 'harassed' another ship . In the April 24 incident, four Iranian patrol boats with the country's elite Revolutionary Guards 'harassed a US-flagged merchant ship called the Maersk Kensington' as it moved along an established shipping route, said Mr Warren. The Iranian vessels 'followed her for approximately 15 to 20 minutes in actions the ship master of the Kensington interpreted as aggressive,' he said. The American military was not involved in the incident and the Kensington's captain later filed a report with the US Navy describing the event. Just four days later, Iranian boats forced a Marshall Islands-flagged ship, the Maersk Tigris, to Iran's Larak Island after firing warning shots across the bows and boarding the vessel. Iran has said it seized control of the container ship due to a commercial dispute with Denmark's giant Maersk group, which chartered the vessel to ferry cargo in the region. When it was intercepted, the Tigris was traveling on an international shipping route within Iran's territorial waters. 'It's difficult to know exactly why the Iranians are behaving this way,' Warren said. 'We call on them to respect all of the internationally established rules of freedom of navigation, the law of the sea to which they are a signatory and other established protocols,' he said. The 52,600-ton container ship was built in 2014 and is managed by Singapore-based Rickmers Ship Management . Iranian sources have seized the cargo ship and claim they had a legal order following a dispute . In a statement, the Iranian Port and Maritime Organisation said the Maersk Tigris was intercepted 'upon a legal order' and transferred to Shahid Bahonar port in southern Iran. Officials claimed the order was issued following a 'long running commercial dispute' with Maersk. The ruling was 'based on a lawsuit by a private company called Pars Talayieh Oil Product company (Golden Pars Oil Products) against Maersk ship company,' it said. They said the ship can only be released following a judicial ruling. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, speaking at New York University, said a lawsuit was filed against the ship's owners between 15 and 16 years ago over an undelivered cargo. 'It has gone through court proceedings in Tehran based on what I hear from the lawyer. The final decision by the court is that the ship's owners are supposed to pay damages,' he said. Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television station reported earlier the vessel was US-flagged, but it has since emerged that the

Summary: Iran Revolutionary Guards seized MV Maersk Tigris with 34 sailors aboard . Iranian navy harassed another Maersk ship days before, Pentagon said . Revelations have raised concerns about the security of shipping lanes . Officials from Iran claimed they seized Maersk Tigris under a legal order following a long running legal dispute with the shipping company .


This season is set to be one of celebration for Chelsea as they close in on a Premier League and a Capital One Cup double, but Jose Mourinho's men have also be in party mood off-the-pitch too. Blues quartet Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Kurt Zouma and Izzy Brown marked the start of the Thai New Year in a novel way by showcasing their skills. Accompanied with club mascot Stamford the Lion, the foursome poured water over each other while enjoying a game of kick-ups at their Cobham training ground base. Thibaut Courtois, Kurt Zouma Izzy Brown and Eden Hazard (left to right) celebrate Thai New Year . Chelsea quartet celebrated the Songkran festival with the traditional activity of throwing water at each other . The Blues foursome took part in the Thai activity with a game of kick-ups at their Cobham training base . The Songkran festival, which started on Monday and finishes on Wednesday, is celebrated by Thais with the fun activity of throwing water at each other. This tradition is meant as a symbol of washing away all of their sins and the bad. And there was nothing bad on show from the Chelsea quartet as they showed Stamford the Lion how it was done during their light-hearted game. As a consequence for failing to keep his head above water during the contest, the mascot took the brunt of the players' shots as a forfeit at the end of the game. The quartet were joined by Chelsea mascot Stamford the Lion during the light-hearted game . Hazard (front) and Co soak Stamford the Lion after he lost their kick-ups contest at Cobham . It was the second time in a matter of days that Brown was on the winning side after the 18-year-old captained Chelsea's Under 19 side to UEFA Youth League final glory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Monday in Nyon. Brown scored twice as the Blues recorded a 3-2 over their Ukrainian opponents before having the honour of lifting the Lennart Johansson trophy as Chelsea followed in the footsteps of Barcelona last year. 'It is an amazing achievement, we've come so far since the first game against Schalke,' he told Sportsmail after the match. 'There's been lots of ups and downs through the tournament but we've stuck together and now we're European champions. We've got so many creative players, so many people who can score goals.' Two-goal hero Brown holds aloft the Lennart Johansson trophy as Chelsea win the UEFA Youth Team League . Brown (left) scored twice as Chelsea beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-2 in Monday's final in Nyon .

Summary: Chelsea starlets Kurt Zouma and Izzy Brown also took part in celebrations . Quartet played a game of kick-ups with the twist of Songkran traditions . Songkran festival is celebrated by Thais by throwing water at each other . Brown captained Chelsea Under 19s to UEFA Youth League success . READ: Courtois targets Premier League glory for Chelsea .