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Woman flies to Canary Islands on her husband's passport
Andrea Cole picked up the wrong passport when leaving her home in Cardiff for a holiday with her mother, and did not realise her mistake until she was on the plane and her flight was about to leave.
Cole said she had accidentally taken her husband's passport and passed two airport checks at Cardiff International Airport without incident. When she realised the mistake, she was already on board the plane - 10 minutes before take off.
She said: "I did a quick check, and thought: 'That's not mine'. I looked at my mum, and we just sat there for ages, not knowing what to do. I couldn't think straight. We decided to see what happened at the other end, and agree with whatever they said. But when the passport was checked at entry, the man looked at it, and gave it straight back to me before waving us through. We were waiting to be taken aside and told there was a problem and it never happened."
Mrs Cole, whose friends in Fuerteventura had a photocopy of her passport, contacted the British Consulate, but they were unable to help. The situation was resolved after she liaised with the police and immigration authorities at both airports. Her husband was required to go to Cardiff International Airport with the correct passport to meet his wife after her flight.
Cole said: "I just couldn't believe what had happened. You would expect people to double check in this day and age."
Thomas Cook Airlines have apologised, and a Cardiff International Airport spokeswoman said they were "disappointed" by the incident.
Andrea Cole picked up the wrong passport when leaving her home in Cardiff for a holiday with her mother, and did not realise her mista... more -
'Wrong bras' can damage breasts, biomechanics warn
Women who wear the wrong bra could be damaging their breasts, the breast biomechanics team at the University of Portsmouth has revealed. The study shows that poor support could lead to fragile ligaments in the breast being stretched.
The research team tested about 50 bra designs on hundreds of women during the past three years. Wendy Hedger, one of the scientists who carried out the work, said: "Many women have strong preferences for certain styles of bra and won't buy anything else.
They won't even look at anything that doesn't look like the sort of bra they are used to wearing.
She added that habit also affects the bras women choose for everyday wear, with the wrong choices potentially causing breast pain or discomfort. "There's a social stigma about certain sizes. Many women don't want to be seen as too small or too big and buy a bra that doesn't fit well in order to be what they consider to be a normal size.
Women who wear the wrong bra could be damaging their breasts, the breast biomechanics team at the University of Portsmouth has reveale... more -
No IVF for fat people and smokers? Experts want to restrict access
Almost half of fertility experts say IVF treatment should not be made available to smokers and obese people.
A survey of international experts, most of whom working in the UK, found that doctors believe patients should be asked to alter their habits before they are given care as obesity and smoking are linked to fertility problems.
Professor Peter Braude, a leading fertility specialist based at Kings College London, said: "The biggest issue is weight, where there is clear evidence that it can decrease the chance of getting pregnant, if someone is significantly over or under-weight. The evidence on smoking isn't conclusive, but there is research showing it can affect ovulation."
Clare Brown, chief executive of patient group Infertility Network UK, said: "We always encourage those who contact us to try and adopt a healthy lifestyle when trying to conceive." She added that criteria such as obesity and smoking, however, "should not be used as an out and out barrier to treatment." Almost half of fertility experts say IVF treatment should not be made available to smokers and obese people. ... more -
Three children jailed for armed robbery
Three children from Hong Kong have been sentenced to more than three years for the armed hold-up of a jewellery shop.
Disguised with masks and caps, the two boys and one girl, all aged 14, threatened staff at the shop with knives in September last year, grabbing jewellery valued at more than HK$1 million ($128,200).
According to the court, the severe sentence was in the public interest. The judge said the offence was too serious to warrant a training centre term despite the age of the three. Three children from Hong Kong have been sentenced to more than three years for the armed hold-up of a jewellery shop. ... more -
Barack Obama to arrive in Britain
Barack Obama arrives in London today after drawing hundreds of thousands of cheering fans on a visit to Berlin. Obama, who has received acclaim across the German media for the speech he delivered to an estimated 200,000 people in Berlin, is due to meet President Nicolas Sarkozy today during a briefer and lower-key visit, before flying on to Britain.
The US Democratic presidential candidate is expected to land at Le Bourget airport, before heading into Paris to meet President Sarkozy. He will then depart for London, where he will meet Gordon Brown for talks in Downing Street tomorrow.
Barack Obama arrives in London today after drawing hundreds of thousands of cheering fans on a visit to Berlin. Obama, who has receive... more -
Plane forced to emergency land, hole in floor
A Quantas passenger plane travelling from London to Melbourne had to make an emergency landing after a massive hole formed in the plane's undercarriage.
The Boeing 747-400, carrying 346 passengers and 19 staff had to divert to Manila where it landed safely with no reported injuries.
Unsurprisingly, an airport official said "passengers looked scared and some were sick."
Wouldn't you be if a hole formed in the plane that was carrying you 300,000ft above a big ocean? A Quantas passenger plane travelling from London to Melbourne had to make an emergency landing after a massive hole formed in the plan... more -
Couple has sex for 101 days
"After Annie and Doug Brown set themselves the challenge to have sex for 101 consecutive days, Annie found herself worrying about day 33 the most. 'It was totally irrational but I was obsessed that it would all go wrong on that day,' says Annie. 'After it passed, our daily sex became a happy habit. Not in a dull way but something that was planned and part of our life.'
Before their mission, which 41-year-old Annie suggested to spice up their love life, the Browns managed sex when they had the time and energy. 'Our sex was never bad,' says Doug, who was 'pretty happy' when he realised Annie was serious. 'We have two young children and busy jobs, so we were lucky if we managed it once a week. We spent months having strategy meetings to ensure we could do it.'
Sex and relationship expert Tracey Cox says when sex is good, it accounts for a quarter of the relationship's happiness. 'When it's bad, it can destroy everything. When you become friends, not lovers, you put yourself at risk of an affair. But the more you have sex, the more you want it. It's like having a chocolate bar every day at 3pm, eventually you will crave it every day. An orgasm is no different.'"
Do you have sex everyday in your relationship?
Do you want to? "After Annie and Doug Brown set themselves the challenge to have sex for 101 consecutive days, Annie found herself worrying about day ... more -
Free travel for London
A charming journey to work this morning, smiling faces everywhere, nobody rushing and stressing in all the heat. Luckily for commuters in London this morning the Oyster card transport system failed and it was free travel for all.
After all the recent controversy over the hacks of the system by our Dutch friends is this likely to become the norm? A charming journey to work this morning, smiling faces everywhere, nobody rushing and stressing in all the heat. Luckily for commuters... more -
Police post crank calls on youtube!
In an effort to cut down on the ridiculous 8400+ crank 999 calls, police in Avon and Somerset have decided to post the recordings on youtube.
Will this have an effect or will it simply become a viral hit and prompt a series of copycat stunts? In an effort to cut down on the ridiculous 8400+ crank 999 calls, police in Avon and Somerset have decided to post the recordings on y... more -
Watchmen Geek Overload
Forthcoming movie Watchmen due for release in 2009 is one of the most eagerly anticipated films from the ever growing comic book fan base. Directed by Zak Snyder (famous for the recent film 300) this is sure to have the great unwashed (including myself) queuing for tickets.
This article shows off some of the awesome pictures from Comic-con Forthcoming movie Watchmen due for release in 2009 is one of the most eagerly anticipated films from the ever growing comic book fan b... more -
David Cameron's bike nicked
The tory leader has his bike nicked outside a "supermarket"
Having had my camera stolen recently i know what he is going through.
Shock
Confusion
Denial
Anger
Acceptance
Anger
Anger
Anger
Anger
Anger.
The tory leader has his bike nicked outside a "supermarket" Having had my camera stolen recently i know what he is going through. ... more -
Gays in Iraq terrorized by threats, rape, murder
Kamal was just 16 when gunmen snatched him off the streets of Baghdad, stuffed him in the trunk of a car and whisked him away to a house. But the real terror was about to begin.
The men realized he was gay, Kamal said, when he took his shirt off and they saw his chest was shaved.
"They told me to take off my clothes to rape me or they would kill me immediately. This moment was the worst moment in my life," he told CNN, weeping as he spoke of the 2005 ordeal.
"I was watching them taking off their clothes, preparing to rape me. I did not know what to do, so I started shouting loudly, 'Please do not do that! I will ask my family to give you whatever you want.'"
His pleas went unheeded. "The other two kidnappers took off my clothes by force and, at that time, I saw them as three dirty animals trying to tear my body apart."
He was held for 15 days, released only after his family paid a $1,500 ransom. He was raped every day. Only once, he said, was he allowed to talk to his family during captivity. "I told my family that I was beaten by them, but I did not dare to tell my family that I was raped by them. I could not say it, it's too much shame."
CNN spoke with Kamal, now 18, and his 21-year-old friend, Rami, about what it's like to be gay in Iraq. Coming out as gay is not easy in any country, but to do so in Iraq could mean a death sentence or torture.
The two men rarely show feelings toward each other in public. They spend a lot of time in Internet cafes in Baghdad, surfing gay chat rooms and seeking contacts with other gay men in Iraq and elsewhere.
Since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, the situation for gays and lesbians in Iraq has deteriorated. Ridiculed under Hussein, many now find themselves the targets of violence, according to humanitarian officials.
Lesbians are also victims of harassment and violence, but not nearly as often as gay men.
It's unknown how many homosexuals have been killed by militias in the lawless streets of Iraq's cities, but some Web sites post pictures of Iraqis they say were killed for being gay.
One photo on the Iraqi Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender site shows a group of men standing around three male bodies sprawled on a street, blood pouring from their heads. "Gay Iraqi victims of the police and death squads," the site says.
A U.N. report on human rights in Iraq reinforces the accusations of violence. Although gays are supposed to be protected by law in Iraq, it says, they face extreme brutality.
"Armed Islamic groups and militias have been known to be particularly hostile toward homosexuals, frequently and openly engaging in violent campaigns against them," the report said, adding that homosexuals have been murdered.
"Militias are reportedly threatening families of men believed to be homosexual, stating that they will begin killing family members unless the men are handed over or killed by the family," it said. Kamal was just 16 when gunmen snatched him off the streets of Baghdad, stuffed him in the trunk of a car and whisked him away to a ho... more -
Anything to declare? Yes, I have a dwarf in my suitcase
Swedish airport staff apparently had a 'little' surprise when a team from a Swedish TV comedy show checked in their luggage; it comprised of a dwarf in suitcase!
Bromma airport employees called police when the dwarf hopped out of the suitcase at the check-in counter. When the police arrived they quickly discovered it was all part of a sketch for a program on TV network Kanal 5.
According to police spokesman Mats Eriksson, the airport staff staff aren't going to be pressing any charges, even though the little stunt had "shocked and humiliated" them.
The picture isn't the actual people involved, but it made me chuckle.
Swedish airport staff apparently had a 'little' surprise when a team from a Swedish TV comedy show checked in their luggage; it compri... more -
SNP claim historic win in Glasgow East, Scotland moves closer to independence
The SNP won a stunning victory in Glasgow East last night to join the likes of Govan and Hamilton in reshaping modern Scottish history.
The result hugely surpassed the expectations of even the most optimistic of nationalists, as local councillor John Mason overturned a Labour majority of more than 13,500 to claim the seat for his party by a comfortable majority.
The SNP pointed out that the 24% swing came close to the shift required to take every Labour seat in Scotland.
The SNP won a stunning victory in Glasgow East last night to join the likes of Govan and Hamilton in reshaping modern Scottish history... more -
Naked model covers up with national flag, faces 4 years in jail
It seems if you're a Peruvian model who wants to celebrate your country, using a national flag draped over a horse to cover your modesty, isn't the best option.
Leysi Suarez appeared on the front cover of the magazine claiming it was 'patriotic' to cover her bits with the Peruvian flag, but unsurprisingly the country's defence minister is a little displeased, saying the flag sitting has offended national symbols.
The magazine's editor has hit back at the criticism summing it up with:
"All we want to do is celebrate national holidays with a beautiful girl with our national flag, that's all that's going on here" It seems if you're a Peruvian model who wants to celebrate your country, using a national flag draped over a horse to cover your modes... more -
Screech snitches on Saved by the Bell sex
"Dustin Diamond is set to tell all. Screech is going to pen something called Behind the Bell that will detail all sorts of secrets. Should Mario Lopez and Elizabeth Berkley be worried? What about Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Tiffani Amber Thiessen? The original show was centered around six individual students and their four years at Bayside High School.
According to a new report, the nerdy sex tape star is coming out with a book that promises to detail "sexual escapades among cast members, drug use, and hardcore partying." Yikes, this sounds like it might actually be worth reading."
Nothing is pure! Nothing is innocent! Meanwhile, Screech is the one who ended up in debauchery and lame VH1 reality shows...
"Dustin Diamond is set to tell all. Screech is going to pen something called Behind the Bell that will detail all sorts of secrets. ... more -
Music industry to tax downloaders
Internet users could face an annual charge of up to £30 to download music, under plans to be unveiled today that aim to tackle illegal file-sharing.
Ministers are backing proposals that would enable millions of broadband users to pay an annual levy which would allow them to copy as much – previously illegal – music from the internet as they wanted. The money raised would be channelled back to the rights-holders, with artists responsible for the most popular songs receiving a bigger slice of the cash.
John Hutton, the Business Secretary, and Andy Burnham, the Culture Secretary, will unveil a package of proposals, beginning with thousands of prolific downloaders receiving letters warning them they are breaking the law by copying music and sending it to friends. The Government sees that move as the last chance for internet service providers (ISPs) to get a grip on the growing problem of piracy.
In the longer term, Mr Burnham is supporting calls from sections of the music industry for a yearly levy of £20 to £30 to be imposed by ISPs on customers who want to share music.
They believe it would prevent criminalising large sections of the public, while helping to compensate the music industry for lost sales. If successful it could be extended to cover films and television programmes.
An estimated 6.5 million broadband users unlawfully download files every year, which the industry warns has resulted in a slump in CD and DVD sales. About 95 per cent of music downloads from the internet are thought to be illegal.
Peter Jenner, a veteran music industry figure who now manages the singer Billy Bragg, who has championed the plan for an annual charge, said last night that the idea was attracting growing support.
He said the cash raised by including the top-up in the fees paid to ISPs could match the current £1.2bn turnover of the British record industry. Mr Jenner said: "If you get enough people paying a small enough amount of money you can turn around the wheels of the music industry."
Ministers believe strong action is required to get a grip on internet piracy, although they strongly support ISPs and the industry working together to tackle the problem rather than the Government forcing through legislation. ISPs and the music industry will announce today that 12,000 letters will be sent over the summer to repeat downloaders warning them they are breaking the law. They hope the shock tactics will deter internet users from illegal file-sharing.
The Government will also announce consultation on other ways of combating internet piracy, with a view to final decisions later in the year after studying the impact of the warning letters. Legislation could be in place by next spring.
As well as an annual levy set by ISPs, the Government will also float the idea of a "three strikes and you're out" policy adopted in France under which people who illicitly download or share music are disconnected after ignoring two warnings.
Other alternatives include requiring ISPs to disclose the identities of regular downloaders, a move they warn would be costly and could breach data protection controls. They could also be ordered to install filters that would prevent downloading.
Ministers accept there are considerable practical problems in controlling online activity and are wary of imposing expensive regulations on internet providers. But they say the scale of the problem, and its impact on Britain's creative industries, means doing nothing is not an option.
A Whitehall source said: "Both ISPs and the music industry need to take responsibility for this issue. But we need action as the industry is suffering."
A memorandum of understanding has been signed by the BPI, which represents hundreds of record companies, and the six largest internet providers. It commits them to work together to achieve a "significant reduction" in illegal file-sharing. Internet users could face an annual charge of up to £30 to download music, under plans to be unveiled today that aim to tackle illegal... more -
Hardcore 11 yr old bites attacking Pitbull!
"An 11-year old boy is in Brazil's media spotlight after sinking his teeth into the neck of a dog that attacked him. Local newspapers reported on Thursday that Gabriel Almeida was playing in his uncle's backyard in the city of Belo Horizonte when a pit bull named Tita lunged at him and bit him in the left arm.
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Almeida grabbed the dog by the neck and bit back — biting so hard that he lost a canine tooth.
Almeida tells the O Globo newspaper: "It is better to lose a tooth than one's life."
Stonemasons working nearby chased the dog away before it could attack again.
The Folha de S. Paulo newspaper said the boy received four stitches at a local hospital while the dog was taken to a pound and may be killed."
HAHAHAHA he lost a canine tooth! What a crazy boy! "An 11-year old boy is in Brazil's media spotlight after sinking his teeth into the neck of a dog that attacked him. Local newspapers ... more -
Chinese police in religious training ahead of Olympics
"SHENYANG, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Police in the Olympic football co-host city of Shenyang, northeast China, have been boning up on religions in a bid to understand foreigners and avoid insulting their feelings during the Games.
More than 5,000 police officers have learnt the origins, forms, taboos, and classic works of Christianity, Islam and Buddhism in class since the municipal public security bureau launched the campaign in March.
Besides theories and China's religious laws and policies, they also practiced etiquette and ways to solve emergency situations concerning religion affairs, said Yang Tao, training teacher.
"They enjoy the arrangement, saying the content was interesting and helpful," said Yang, professor with China Criminal Police University based in Shenyang.
"Such training could help them to better understand foreigners, make them feel confident in communications and effectively deal with emergencies while showing respect to foreigner's religious customs," he explained.
Religion was just a part of a comprehensive Olympic training scheme the bureau initiated since January.
More than 120 short-term courses on 19 subjects such as security check, foreign affairs management, oral English, media, anti-terror, and psychology, have attracted 7,000 participants over the past half year, according to Liu Xiujuan with the bureau's education and training department.
Experts, experienced police officers from Shenyang and Beijing were invited to give lectures.
"More than 10,000 policemen have received media training on English and techniques to communicate with reporters, and emotion control," said Liu Kejun, chief of the bureau's publicity department.
"China has pledged to aid the foreign media's coverage of the Olympics, and we must work better to create a favorable environment for reporters," said Liu. "
Interesting... "SHENYANG, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Police in the Olympic football co-host city of Shenyang, northeast China, have been boning up on religi... more -
Newspaper group bans ads for 'adult services' to tackle sex trafficking
One of the largest newspaper publishers in the UK has banned advertisements for "adult services" from its titles - almost 300 publications, including 17 dailies and websites.
Newsquest South London has "taken a decision no longer to publish adult services advertisements, either in print or on its websites. Increasing concerns regarding the appalling issue of human trafficking have been significant in this decision, which is effective immediately."
Newsquest's head office would not elaborate on the decision or the possible impact on advertising revenue, but campaign groups have welcomed the move. Members of the Croydon Community Against Trafficking posed as punters answering ads. In a Society Guardian report last year, it revealed that 84% of women being sold for sex were from overseas, most of them trafficked.
About time or an overreaction? Whose responsibility is it to police how and where adult companies can advertise their services? What impact will this have on the company's revenues? Does anyone actually buy newspapers or magazines *just* for the sex ads? Will other publishers be persuaded to follow suit? And what real impact will this have on tackling sex trafficking?
One of the largest newspaper publishers in the UK has banned advertisements for "adult services" from its titles - almost 300 publicat... more
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