Poland Provides Arab-speaking International locations Coaching

WARSAWPoland is definitely stating a hard-won instructional classes involving the jarring 1989 transfer for you to democracy via communism in order to relieve politics changes from the nations around the world in the Arab-speaking originate.

Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, Moncler Spaccio middle, within Tunis with May possibly.

In a new class room in a public-administration class from the Develop growth capital, Moncler Jacket Hatem Ichaouia, taking part in your a part of your kitchen cabinet minister, brandished some sort of fistful involving records and additionally needed some controversy about reduces towards the safeguard finances, among spirited deliberations with point out paying out.

"Free elections usually are a difference, inch claimed Mr. Ichaouia, whom around actual life is usually a city servant around Tunisia's public-works ministry, throughout a separate from the measures. "We want a great deal more visibility through supervision and much more fairness to make assurance inside democratic technique. "

Nadra Drije, Tunisia's ambassador in order to Warsaw, Sito Moncler reported all the "experience from the Develop democratic improvement throughout 1989 can be quite great for Tunisia, inch furnishing understanding of "the software needed for it has the powerful rendering. "

In earlier May perhaps, Mr. Sikorski grew to be a highest-ranking North west formal to go to Libyan rebels seeking to unseat Col. Moammar Gadhafi from the starting around Benghazi, hurtling around on the service airplane not to mention pledging Enhance diplomatic assistance into their combat pertaining to democracy.

It ended up being the beginning of your Improve diplomatic marketing that can help lift Libya's meantime Countrywide Transitional Local authority or council, Canada Goose Jakke which will equally provided Warsaw's separation involving the embassy for you to Benghazi via Tripoli throughout the uprisingmaking the idea the one country towards radio station the ambassador inside location.

One key bit of suggestions this Mr. Sikorski explained he's available an individual's counterparts appeared to be who "the amount of incredible politicsthe trend involving assist along with excitement for the purpose of changedoesn't survive. You need to be thorough not to ever waste matter on this occasion. The following year-to-18-months usually are important. inch

Within Belgium, the federal government possesses encountered quite a few self deprecation to get in no way generating better product advantages.

"These persons have to have a lot more than thoughts, inch explained Adam Balcer from the demosEuropa Heart just for American Prepare throughout Warsaw. "They need to have more income along with institutional aid. "

Until this season, the majority of Poland's democracy-promotion attempts ended up being inclined to an ancient Soviet republics in the area through Western Europeespecially Belarus, in whose long-serving authoritarian us president, Alexander Lukashenko, offers crumbled along roughly relating to dissent, jailing thousands immediately after antigovernment protests this past year.

Poland has turned into a location pertaining to Belarussian dissidents plus just for radio station not to mention television set areas that will transmitted uncensored insurance associated with happenings during Belarus to be able to persons now there.

And it's made it easier for succeed essential economical program with the nation's pro-democracy activists.

Now, Warsaw is actually distribution your gospel further more afield.

Former Leader Lech Walesa, Us senate phone speaker Bogdan Borusewicz along with other characters about Poland's 1980s Solidarity action, that served unseat your communist administration, get spread to make sure you Tunis along with other Upper Camera Arab-speaking towns for you to take a look at his or her suffers from.

Poland's federal features sorted out a number of swapping products not to mention coaching endeavours. Delegations through Egypt, Libya in addition to Tunisia went to Belgium to see indigenous elections around November.

They get seen city authorities not to mention satisfied using the Rods whom brought about his or her nation's politics adjustment 20 years in the past.

In improvement towards the the latest weeklong exercising just for Tunisians, Belgium can be planning for a time just for Egyptians upcoming time.

It has additionally available this course to make sure you Libyans plus volunteered to teach Libyan law enforcement agency, troops in addition to boundary protects.

"The most important option would be to get individuals to a lot of our connection with cross over. They are able to get a locations them to obtain effective, inch claimed Adam Kulach, the expert Enhance diplomat who seem to processes when wonderful agent regarding N . The african continent. "We actually believe that it is all of our need that can help. "

Among the primary issues that will Arab-speaking activists really are questioning, Mr. Kulach stated, can be how to approach way back when. Within Belgium, the first level about conversion was basically been able by way of so-called Spherical Kitchen table involving distributors in the communist routine not to mention visiting team teams.

"Reality it not just monochrome, inch Mr. Kulach stated. "We really encourage individuals to feel extra openheartedly, to not find one team with their narrative. inch

In quite a few approaches, Belgium is definitely an inclined occasion with the Arabic our warmer tempuratures international locations. Belgium can be rather safe and effective plus christian for any Eu community, and also the Catholic Religious experienced an enormous factor inside adaptation, reflecting this wide-ranging have an impact on about Islam around To the north The african continent.

And in contrast to England along with The united kingdom, Belgium would not keep a travel luggage to be a new past colonial electrical power from the Arab-speaking entire world; or made it happen have fun with a vital a part around holding up your region's autocratic routines.

Indeed, the nation has a history for a sorry victim from colonization. Belgium ended up being torn just by Hitler's Australia not to mention Stalin's Soviet Nation in the beginning regarding Entire world Warfare II, ahead of remaining pre occupied through the Nazis then, following Berlin's eliminate, currently being converted into a new Soviet satellite television on pc.

"The Enhance practical experience is essential for people like us, inch claimed Thabet Zina, a worker of any Tunisian overall health insurance carrier who was simply participating in the particular element of wellbeing minister on the simulation throughout Warsaw very last 30 days. "They've existed by the type of state of affairs this Tunisia was in nowadays. "

She mentioned a vital driving session she'd always be taking property by means of the is without a doubt this, "We ought to add up along with ignore this over arguments and possess the equivalent intention to build Tunisian democracy. "

Vodafone Flowers For 2012 Design

Love the application and / or detest them, Belstaff Outlet hot citrus belongs to the most desirable colours for ones getting twelve months. Which means protect a person's vision as well as plan for flaming vodafone dishware, house furniture, outdoor jackets, clothing, boots, affordable handbags including eyeliner.

It had been some popular coloration at the Springtime runways and even Sephora is actually developing some sort of type of makeup for under ours shade. Depending on Pantone, Canada Goose Expedition Parka many likely to often be observing a considerable amount of this particular spunky color selection around 2012. Christina Binkley seems to have particulars on Lunch time Break up.

Sephora talks about to create outside a good limited-edition springtime cosmetic foundations set having lemon perspective makeupincluding lemon untrue lashes produced from feathers. The actual renaissance with tangerine reaches to numerous tasks of develop: That Canyons Vacation resort hotel within Store Community, Canada Goose Parka Ut, just set up extra snowboarding boost known as typically the Bubble Expresswith hot ergonomic chairs within eye-popping apple.

Linda Warren, Snow Mantra important online marketing official to get Talisker Mntain Inc., which inturn keeps Canyons, suggests furnishings was initially selected just since it seems to have "happy associations. "

Pantone, that color-expert equipment associated with X-Rite Inc., includes experienced this kind of uptick within desires to get lime colour swatches that should be establish in order to express the actual color simply because Pantone's Colouring from the Year or so 2012 upon Thurs night. (Keep going year's Colour belonging to the Twelve months was initially the tone or shade with lilac known as Honeysuckle. )#)

The particular colouring Pantone has got selected is considered "tangerine tango"a exceptional cover from the sun connected with red apple which evokes some sort of fireball perhaps up to fresh fruit.

It was basically put onto Pantone's catalog with a pair of, 100 colorations once the provider requested dealers plus manufacturers exactly what tones these people were searching for. Loads of lemon asks went back. Who brought about the actual Sephora set, a conjunction named "Sephora + Pantone Galaxy. "

Orange supplies additional benefits so that you can providers as well as dealers. It again can make products and solutions differentiate yourself regarding messy stow drawers. "If you then have a couple of products and solutions on the notch, it again cannot harmed a great tangerine 1, inches reveals Leatrice Eiseman, some colour qualified what person along Pantone.

Paint plus chemical type producer Akzo Nobel NV selected a luscious purple termed "terra cotta rose" because the nation's "Color of this Year" in a collecting with Sept. The manufacturer states this can be a "powerful ambiance modifier, showing dream, potential not to mention party. inches Akzo Nobel's colour analysts express this tone mirrors the fact that the globe is usually "progressing in to one thing well informed and even robust" once we go to 2012.

Cheery. Jolly. Those colorists tend to be aimed at orangeand moreover dazzling colorings along the lines of red and even chartreusefor characteristics viewed as antidotes to help financial issues including a all round weather conditions for be concerned.

This renaissance just for orange colored has become a 2010 very long time arriving. Bedroom was first trendy within the 1920s, as well as once on the nineteen sixties, by having a much lower renaissance within the '80s.

Those eras belie all the debate maded by Pantone yet others who lime is mostly a shade with regard to entertaining upward persons throughout downward companies. For that matter, individuals happen to be heady finance intervals afterward and harmful accidents.

But just one or two in years past, orange colored was first "at the particular from the totem post, inches states Microsof company. Eiseman. The software did start to go up through attractiveness merely in the last couple of years, following developing relating to the the warm season comes runways associated with important manufacturers just like Marc Jacobs as well as Jil Sander's Raf Simons around Sept 2010.

Orange is as well a well known color choice within Asiaa leading market you work in intended for international producers. Various Buddhist monks put on orange colored robes, remarks Danish customer promotional expert Martin Lindstrom, using, "I think that we'll visit a large rise with shades who are well-liked around Asian countries. "

Orange actually have confident disadvantages. It is not only noisy, it also could quite possibly get to be the avocado associated with 2012popular in a decisive moment, however thought of as monsterous consistently following. Just remember lots of the avocado-green products from the 1970s? They're just therefore redolent of the particular age group they used decades helping when comedian pain relief within timeframe Movies.

Myra Rock, proprietor for the Savannah sepcialist for Father christmas Monica, Calif., states this girl picked up lemon accessories gingerly intended for tumble and then springtime. This wounderful woman has offered a fabulous Cline lover tote through shiny fruit, just for approximately $2, 000. And additionally your woman only just was given a good choose connected with fruit Stella McCartney knitted knit tops. Still a fabulous coat may be "too high of some record, inches your woman tells.

"Our problem would be to supply good trends intended to last, inches your woman remarks. "Orange most likely around" with regard to huge.

Interest for lemon waxes and additionally wanes a great deal more significantly as opposed to intended for a lot more calming blues plus vegetables. Bedroom sneaked in to Crash 2011 model selections, and therefore the drip considered a fabulous downpour with regard to Our warmer tempuratures 2012. Tommy Hilfiger, Jill Stuart, as well as Nanette Lepore put into use orange colored with their collectionsoften making general lime garments.

Ms. Lepore was first therefore specify with obtaining outstanding lemon this your woman modified materials to some high-grade polyester given that the fabric may drink up extra apple absorb dyes.

"There are a large amount of cottons of which received trashed when they could not take advantage of the vividness from the coloring, inches your woman tells.

Leslee Shupe, proprietor for the Serenella sepcialist for Birkenstock boston, tells this girl proceeded to go totally hog intended for fruit with regard to autumn as well as spg by having a shop filled with feels right from Thakoon, Rochas, Bottega Veneta, Tomas Maier and additionally Sophie Theallet. "Orange are often complementing, inches your woman tells. "It's a fabulous comfortable color choice. inches

Ms. Shupe additionally picked up excellent Hawaii patterns by Frederick Altuzarra resulting in nil. twenty-one. "I believe it will be best to home business, inches your woman tells.

Online Poker Goes To Trial

The Department of Justice for a very long time has declared that facilitating for-money online poker violates U.S. law. For nearly as long, the companies that dealt poker to Americans on the Internet have claimed that their activities do no such thing. Both sides have argued their case before Congress and in the media,Canada goose pointing to old statutes and tossing around legal opinions. But neither side has ever really tested their case before a judge in a U.S. court of law—until Thursday.

Federal prosecutors, both past and present,Canada goose jacka gathered on Thursday at the federal court in lower Manhattan to finally argue the online poker case in court. The reason for the landmark hearing was that two men who had been involved in processing payments for the online poker industry had put forth motions to dismiss the indictment filed against them by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. John Campos, a former-vice chairman of a Utah bank, and Chad Elie, who ran a payment processing business, were two of 11 men indicted in April as part of the federal government’s dramatic move against PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and the rest of the U.S. online poker industry. But the importance of Thursday’s hearing goes beyond Elie and Campos, impacting the government’s entire online poker case.

“I think it’s extraordinarily unlikely that the entire indictment will be dismissed,”Canada goose parka said Lewis Kaplan, the federal judge presiding over the case, who called the hearing “interesting and helpful.”
It is always dangerous to try to read the mind of a federal judge, but Kaplan seemed unsympathetic to many of the arguments put forward by lawyers representing Campos and Elie,Expedition parka peppering them with tough questions and openly disagreeing with some of their points. Kaplan was particularly hostile to Fred Hafetz’s argument that his client, Campos, had not violated the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act because the 2006 law exempts financial transaction providers from criminal liability. SunFirst Bank, a failed Utah bank,  processed online poker transactions while Campos was its vice-chairman and part-owner. Kaplan said he did not agree with the “premise of exemption of financial service providers,” adding “this is only the beginning of my problems with your argument.” Kaplan also quibbled with Hafetz’s argument that Campos would also be exempted if SunFirst was found  not to be in danger of any criminal liability under the law. “How do you make the leap from SunFirst being exempt to any of the defendants in this case being exempt?” asked Kaplan. The discussion then veered from the lobbying power of financial firms in Washington to whether bankers had received some sort of safe harbor to protect them from being prosecuted under the 2006 law.

Former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement appeared in court on behalf of Elie, who was seated in the court room, specifically arguing against the government’s claim that the online poker companies in this case had violated the Illegal Gambling Business Act and that Elie had conspired to commit bank fraud.  Clement claimed that IGBA could not apply to his client’s dealings with PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker because both companies were based offshore and the law required that the alleged illegal business take place in the U.S. The text of the law, Clement said, did not provide for extraterritorial application, adding that Congress never intended for such an application. “You really do need some clear intent from Congress to apply extraterritorially,” Clement said. Judge Kaplan pushed back here a bit, too, saying that old laws evolve in ways Congress never originally intended. “Happens all the time,” Kaplan said.

In addition, Clement tried to knock down IGBA by arguing poker was not included in the list of games Congress listed as a target of the law’s enforcement, like bookmaking, roulette wheels, dice tables, or bolita. He also argued that the bank fraud charges filed against Elie fell short because “there is a difference between a lie to a bank and bank fraud.” The government accuses Elie of deceiving banks into processing online poker transactions, but Clement argued that since the banks were not harmed by the deceptions and got paid the fee they expected to receive there was no legal violation.

During the hearing, Kaplan did not really fire tough questions at Assistant U.S. Attorney Arlo Devlin-Brown, who has been leading the government’s online poker prosecution. At one point Kaplan even cut off Devlin-Brown’s explanation of the UIGEA charge, saying “the whole point of the statue was to wipe out Internet gambling in the U.S.” Devlin-Brown argued that the U.S.-based payment processors were essentially part of the operations of the online poker companies—and thus were engaged in an illegal gambling business. “Elie basically was an agent of these companies,” Devlin-Brown said. He argued it was silly to suggest the online poker firms were foreign businesses that were not engaged in the U.S., arguing that they marketed heavily in America and had no trouble shutting out U.S. customers from their global web site by “pressing a button” after the U.S. government’s crackdown in April. Devlin-Brown also disputed the notion that IGBA does not cover poker just because it is not on a “non-exhaustive list.”

It is often tough to get a federal judge to dismiss criminal charges and at times on Thursday Kaplan seemed to be making it nearly impossible—speculating that maybe there was evidence out there that the poker companies were not just running a fee-based service but possibly also betting against their clients and therefore knee-deep in gambling activity.

The trial of Campos and Elie is now scheduled for March. Kaplan will still have to decide whether or not a jury will be asked to determine if poker constitutes illegal gambling. One thing that was made clear during the hearing was that Ira Rubin, another American payment processor indicted and arrested as part of the government’s criminal case, will not be part of any trial. Rubin’s lawyer said he has reached an agreement in principle with the government.

Nixon testimony sheds little light on missing tape mystery

The 18.5-minute gap was one of the last great mysteries of the Watergate scandal.

For years,Canada Jakker historians – and at least one of his former aides – had speculated that President Nixon may have been responsible for deleting 18.5 minutes from a potentially incriminating Oval Office tape recording that had been subpoenaed by Watergate prosecutors.

Nixon’s longtime secretary,Goose Jakker Rose Mary Woods, couldn’t explain the long buzz on the recording from June 20, 1972. She told investigators she might have hit the wrong button on a tape player while taking a 5-minute phone call. But she also said that she once saw Nixon “pushing the buttons back and forth” on the machine.

PHOTOS: Nixon and Watergate

Nixon’s former chief of staff, Alexander Haig, similarly suggested Nixon might be the culprit. He said Nixon was famously ham-fisted with machinery, and that the president might have inadvertently – or perhaps deliberately - caused the erasures while he was listening to the tape.

For his part, Nixon claimed he “practically blew my stack” when he heard about the missing portion of his conversation with his longtime aide, H.R. “Bob” Haldeman.  Testifying to a grand jury in June 1975,Canada Goose Nixon said he could not recall what they had discussed.

Haldeman’s notes indicated they had talked about the arrests three days earlier Canada Goose Jakke of five men with ties to Nixon’s re-election campaign who were caught bugging phones inside the Democratic National Committee offices at the Watergate complex. The resulting investigations ultimately led to Nixon’s resignation.

Nixon told the grand jury that he didn’t have any idea who might have erased the tape or why. But he acknowledged that he was inept with tape recorders. “I know very little about such machinery,” he said.

He also said that when he listened to the rest of the tape and heard his voice, “I wonder what I had had to drink that day.”

He appeared to blame his underlings.  As president, he said, “I did the big things and did them reasonably well and screwed up on the little things, partly because the staff didn’t bring them to me.”

When he learned of the gap, Nixon said he ordered Haig to “find out how this damn thing happened.” But no one confessed, and the mystery remains unsolved.

“If you are interested in my view as to what happened, it is very simple,” Nixon said. “It is that it was an accident.”

Super finish: Eli, Giants stun Pats again

Photo credit: AP | New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is hugged by guard David Diehl after his touchdown pass to wide receiver Mario Manningham in the fourth quarter. (Nov. 6, 2011) 

FOXBORO, Mass. -- It had been three years since anyone had celebrated in the visiting locker room at Gillette Stadium during the regular season, so the Giants made it count.Expedition Parka

Just as Tom Coughlin was preparing to address the team after a rousing 24-20 victory in which they came from behind twice in the final 3:03 and Eli Manning out-Bradied Tom Brady, Brandon Jacobs hoisted the coach into the air.

The big guy just couldn't help himself.Snow Mantra　

"Coughlin's a little heavy," Jacobs said, joking that he might have injured his back in the process. "It was a big game. We knew it was going to be a dogfight, and to fight through it and come out on top at the end, it was a big win for us."

And what did Coughlin think of being airborne? "I was afraid they were going to drop me on my head," he said.Belstaff

Why? Clearly the Giants (6-2) could do little wrong yesterday as they played their best game of the season against their toughest opponent so far. Manning led two touchdown drives that were capped with scoring passes to Mario Manningham with 3:03 left and Jake Ballard with 15 seconds remaining to give him five fourth-quarter wins this season. The emotions that flowed after the performance were palpable.Belstaff Outlet

Making the win even more noteworthy was that the Giants did it without their top receiver (Hakeem Nicks) and their leading rusher (Ahmad Bradshaw), who were out with injuries.

"Everybody is crunked, everybody's swagged out," safety Antrel Rolle said. "We went out there and represented something today . . . This is why I became a New York Giant, to play in games like this."

They may have been crunked after the game, but late in the fourth quarter, they looked to be sunked. After Manningham's 10-yard TD catch, he was flagged for taunting, giving the Pats field position and time to score the go-ahead points. Brady led New England (5-3) on a 64-yard drive that ended with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski on fourth-and 9 with 1:36 left. That gave the Patriots a 20-17 lead.

"You're kind of sick to your stomach at that point," defensive captain Justin Tuck said. "It's like being real amped about something and then all of a sudden something happens and you just crash down. I had a throbbing headache at that point."

Tuck didn't reach for an Excedrin, through. He just reached for Eli.

"At that point, as crappy as you're feeling, you're still understanding that we're putting the ball in the hands of one of the best quarterbacks in the league," he said. "He's proven over and over again that he can drive a team down the field and get that last-second score. After he started getting going and those yards started rolling a little bit, I had no doubt that we were going to win the football game."

After a scoreless first half, the Giants struck first. Deon Grant intercepted a pass from Brady to set up a 22-yard field goal from Lawrence Tynes. The Patriots' next possession ended with a turnover as well, as Michael Boley stripped the ball from Brady's hands and it landed in the lap of Jacquain Williams at the New England 10. Jacobs ran it in from there on the next play for a 10-0 lead.

But the Pats converted a muffed punt return by Aaron Ross and a Manning interception in the end zone into 10 points to tie it with 14:28 left.

The Giants started the winning drive at their 20. They faced third-and-10 from their own 39 with 1:07 left, but Manning threw a pass down the seam to Ballard, who made a cross-handed catch -- using his right hand to pin the ball against the back of his left -- and came down in traffic with a 28-yard reception.

That play offered shades of David Tyree. It was not the first time Manning had thrown a fourth-quarter desperation pass against the Pats and a guy wearing a No. 85 jersey made a remarkable Velcro-like catch.

"Right after Jake caught that ball over the middle, it kind of inspired us and we knew we were not coming out of here without a win," receiver Victor Cruz said.

Cruz drew a pass-interference penalty in the end zone two plays later to set up first-and-goal at the 1 with 30 seconds left. ("Those last two calls were rough," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said of that one and the pass interference on the previous touchdown drive; the two accounted for 55 yards combined).

After an incompletion and a run by Jacobs for no gain, the Giants had no timeouts remaining and no choice but to throw the ball. Manning found Ballard for the game-winner.

"When we needed touchdowns, when we had to step up, guys continued to make plays at the right time," Manning said. "It's a great quality."

And, quite literally for the head coach, an uplifting experience.

One cannabis joint ‘can bring on schizophrenia’ as well as damaging memory

Smoking just one cannabis joint can bring on symptoms of schizophrenia, a study has found.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have, for the first time, looked in detail at the changes in the brains of cannabis users.
They found the drug disrupts the same parts of the brain as the psychotic illness, those associated with memory and decision-making.

Cannabis abuse has previously been linked with increased rates of schizophrenia but this is the strongest evidence yet that the drug mimics its effects.
The scientists studied rats who had been given the active ingredient of cannabis - in a similar dose to a person smoking a joint.

Using electrodes embedded into their brains – which cannot be done in humans – they found those who had the drug were ‘significantly impaired’ in carrying out tasks for up to two hours afterwards.
If this dose of cannabis has the same effect on humans, just one joint could significantly change their behaviour.
Dr Matt Jones, the lead author of the study said: ‘Cannabis is making normal people behave more like schizophrenia patients when they take it and that’s something they should bear in mind.
‘Previous studies have shown a link but we didn’t have this level of detail.
'What we have shown is that the brain waves which process information and share it with other regions of the brain become de-synchronised like parts of an orchestra playing out of synch.
‘Cannabis has a docile reputation in the drug world. Most people would accept that cannabis abusers are not at their sharpest and might have subtle impairments in memory or decision making but sometimes small doses of the ingredient can cause psychiatric episodes similar to schizophrenia.'

In experiments, the rats who were given cannabis all became unable to make accurate decisions when navigating around a maze, compared with those who had not been given any.
Two parts of their brain were shown to be affected - the hippocampus which is essential for forming new memories and prefrontal cortex which integrates those memories and uses them for future behaviour and decision-making.
Disruption of the brain waves which allow these two areas to communicate is what happens in schizophrenia, a mental disorder.
It is associated with muddled thought which causes problems in social interaction, bizarre and paranoid delusions and changes in behaviour.
Dr Jones added: ‘You might feel fine – the rats overt behaviour did not look impaired - but when asked to make rapid and accurate decisions following a joint of cannabis, the cross-talk between these parts of the brain was not normal.
‘Taking cannabis while sitting on the couch watching DVDs is one thing, but if you decide to drive to the shops, that’s when the cognitive impairments come out.’
He said super-strong versions of cannabis – known as ‘skunk’ – contain a higher proportion of the active ingredient THC and would most likely have an even more pronounced effect.
The researchers, whose study is published today in the Journal of Neuroscience, hope further research will help them develop treatments for these effects which could help people with mental illnesses.
Schizophrenia is linked to a number of genes, and previous studies have shown cannabis use can accelerate the risk of developing the disease in people who are already pre-disposed to get it.
An analysis of 83 studies earlier this year involving 22,000 young people, concluded that smoking cannabis can accelerate the onset of psychotic illnesses by several years making them harder to treat successfully.
Recently scientists in Germany and the Institute of Psychiatry in London found people who use cannabis are doubling their risk of developing psychotic problems – including schizophrenia as well as paranoid ideas, hallucination and hearing voices.
They looked at 1,900 young people aged 14 to 24 and found a link at a very early stage of use among youngsters who had never experienced such symptoms before.

MI5 thought I was another femme fatale like Anna Chapman says Lib Dem MP's 'spy'

The arrest of ‘femme fatale’ spy Anna Chapman in America was the trigger for MI5 to target a Russian blonde having an affair with an MP in the UK, it was alleged yesterday.
Katia Zatuliveter, 26, was accused of spying only when the British Secret Service decided it ‘had better see’ if there were other Moscow-backed women using sex to ensnare powerful men, a court heard.
MI5, it is claimed, swiftly believed the Commons research assistant had been recruited by the Russians as a teenager and ‘worked her way through significant men to get secrets’.

But Miss Zatuliveter was really targeted because she had ‘many similarities’ with Chapman, a deportation tribunal heard.
This is because both Russians were ‘young, attractive and adept networkers’.

Miss Zatuliveter admits having an affair with Mike Hancock, 65, the MP for Portsmouth South and a then member of the Commons defence select committee.
But her lawyers insist MI5 had decided she must be a spy simply because Mr Hancock was ‘pro-Russian’ and ‘had vulnerabilities in his private life’.

Yesterday a woman MI5 officer known as witness ZZ said Russian intelligence would have marked Mr Hancock out ‘as a good candidate’ to be targeted by a female Russian spy.
As well as having an affair with Mr Hancock, Miss Zatuliveter admits being sexually involved with an unnamed Nato official.
Tim Owen QC, for Miss Zatuliveter, said these two affairs were ‘the crux of the security services case against her’.
He added: ‘Your case is that she has been an agent since 17 or 18 and working her way through significant men to get secrets.’
Giving evidence from behind a curtain, the MI5 agent admitted these points were part of the case against Miss Zatuliveter but could not be discussed ‘in open’ session.
They will be considered in a closed session of the hearing by special security-cleared advocates.
The FBI arrested Chapman in June 2010, and Miss Zatuliveter was stopped for questioning at Gatwick airport in August the same year.
Miss Zatuliveter was appearing for the second day before the tribunal in a bid to remain in the UK. The Government wants to deport her on the grounds her presence is a danger to national security.

ZZ said she was familiar with the Chapman case in the U.S. She said: ‘The security services case is there are similarities but not by any means the same.’
She said one difference is the FBI ‘has found an evidential case which could be described in open in a criminal prosecution.’
Mr Owen said: ‘The difference is the FBI has got some evidence. Yes?’ 
The MI5 officer replied: ‘I’m unable to disclose what is in the closed case, but there is a closed case.’
Mr Owen asked her: ‘Your decision to become interested in Miss Zatuliveter in 2010 was entirely because of Anna Chapman, wasn’t it?’
The agent denied the suggestion.

The hearing was told Miss Chapman had an ‘obvious route’ into espionage, as her father was involved in Russian Intelligence.
ZZ said: ‘To ordinary members of the public, to someone who meets Miss Chapman or Miss Zatuliveter in public, it wouldn’t be obvious they were working for the Russian Intelligence services.’
Mr Owen asked ZZ: ‘Are you saying this woman was able to co-exist for four years in a relationship with Mike Hancock, genuinely loving him…but all the time acting in secret with the Russian Intelligence Service?'
ZZ said: ‘I’m afraid I’ve gone as far as I can in open [session] on this question.’
Mr Owen also referred to a statement from Miss Zatuliveter’s brother in law who said he thought it unlikely she was a spy as she was often ill and unlikely to be able to cope with the ‘pressure’ of espionage.
Miss Zatuliveter began working for Mr Hancock in 2006, later getting a Commons pass and moving into his London flat.
The hearing continues.

'Skiving' MPs want another mini-break: An extra five days off... because riots disturbed recess

MPs were last night labelled ‘skivers’ as they announced plans to take an extra five-day holiday in November.
The deal was offered after politicians complained about being recalled twice over the summer recess to discuss phone hacking and riots.
In an attempt to placate them, Commons Leader Sir George Young has proposed they enjoy a five-day ‘mini-break’ next month.
But the idea has enraged union leaders, who have accused MPs of going ‘on the skive’ at a time when families are working hard just to make ends meet.
The row comes after David Cameron promised to cut MPs’ holidays to show he understands public concern about their conduct.
While most workers in the public and private sectors get four or  five weeks off annually, this  deal – thrashed out in behind-the-scenes talks with all parties – will bring the number of Parliamentary recess days this year to 87, excluding weekends.
The holiday, which begins on November 15, would replace the break usually given around that time ahead of the Queen’s Speech, which has been postponed by the coalition until the spring.
But the mini-break begins just six weeks after MPs have returned from their three-week conference break – and is followed by a three-week Christmas holiday only  a month later.
Bob Crow, general secretary  of the National Union of Rail,  Maritime and Transport Workers, said: ‘While working people are struggling round the clock to make ends meet, the same politicians who unleashed the austerity programme have been caught out on the skive.
‘We will take no more of the “We are all in this together” rubbish from this crowd.’
A spokesman for Sir George said MPs would be sitting for a greater number of days during this Parliament than the last one and insisted the mini-break was shorter than those given in the past around the Queen’s Speech.
Next year’s summer holiday will also be shorter than those in previous years, with MPs returning to Westminster in September ahead of party conferences.
The spokesman added: ‘The Government is ensuring that the House sits more evenly throughout the year, rather than breaking up for an 82-day summer recess as under the previous government.
‘As usual, MPs continue to undertake important constituency and select committee work, even when the House is not sitting for the days in question.’
But Emma Boon, of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: ‘It’s utterly astounding that some members want a holiday barely six weeks after returning from their  last recess.
‘This motion makes Parliament look incredibly out of touch at a time when many ordinary families don’t have the time or the money to enjoy a vacation themselves.’
Meanwhile, Commons speaker John Bercow revealed that a new security chief could be appointed to protect Parliament following the foam pie attack on media mogul Rupert Murdoch in July.
He said a review into the incident had found that there was ‘inadequate’ security in the committee room at the time.
Serjeant at Arms Jill Pay, the official in charge of security at the Palace of Westminster, last week announced that she intends to retire in January.

LEGENDS CONVINCED THEY’LL BE JOINED BY NEW GOLDEN GENERATION

FORTY years ago a thrilling band of young Welsh rugby players flew to New Zealand and inspired the Lions to their only series victory in history against the All Blacks.
Their names went into legend: Barry John, Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, Gerald Davies and Mervyn Davies. They were all in their early to mid-20s back then, fearless and ferocious in their hunger to succeed.
The parallels with the vibrant, youthful Wales team at this Rugby World Cup are too strong to be resisted, the echoes from the past as loud and as resonant as a capacity 75,000 crowd singing ‘Bread of Heaven’ at the Millennium Stadium.
Modern Wales exude the same dynamic qualities. They have seven players aged 24 or younger in the side who have charmed the world on their journey to the semi-finals. Nobody is more excited by their style and their progress than the superstar legends of long ago.
To a man they are predicting Wales will beat France and reach the final – and then giving them every chance of lifting the trophy.
Gerald Davies is here in Auckland, marvelling at what he has seen. “It is the most fabulous time for Welsh rugby,” he said.
“A year ago I’d never heard of Sam Warburton and now he is the outstanding young captain who can lead us to the World Cup final.
“The players were magnificent against Ireland; they are such a thrilling young team.”
Back home the other ancient heroes are having their say.
“This is a wonderful Wales team to watch,” said John.
“The great thing is that these youngsters show no fear, and we are in for a golden time. Wales will be ready for France and I believe they will make the final. Then anything is possible.” Williams is equally positive, saying: “The absolutely fantastic performance against Ireland has convinced me Wales will beat France and then New Zealand. I have always believed in giving youth a chance and these players are good enough in spite of their age.”
He also apologised for doubting the appointment and strategy of Wales coach Warren Gatland, saying: “I thought it was wrong but it was I who got it wrong.”
Those words will have brought a smile to the faces of the Welsh management team, whose brave decision to trust in youth has paid off so handsomely. It is very rare in sport that national team bosses rely so heavily on the vitality of talented kids.
But as Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards said: “It was deliberate planning by Warren .
“It was his gut instinct and it was a decision that took guts.
“Not many people are willing to go with such courage in sport and Warren took a lot of flak for it . He has proved his critics wrong.
“One of the great benefits of a young team is that they don’t have any history of losing, they don’t have their minds filled with doubts. ” Edwards could talk all day about Warburton, Rhys Priestland and others like George North and Leigh Halfpenny. The pleasure of guiding them shines through in his conversation.
“You do have to coach them a little differently,” he said. “If you tell them to jump over a wall, they just go and jump over it.
“If it’s an experienced player, you have to tell them why you want them to jump the wall.
“People ask me how good they are. That will be decided over the next two games, hopefully in the final.”
Yes, we will discover in the next few days whether Warburton and company can match the heroics of 40 years ago.
The legends of yesteryear are convinced they will. They believed long ago and they believe now.
“Wales are playing with such calm assurance at the moment and they are the side to beat,” said Mervyn Davies.
But maybe the last word should go to the greatest of them all, Edwards, who said: “We don’t have to fear anybody.
“It’s a breath of fresh air the way these young boys are playing the game. It might be difficult, but of course we can win the World Cup.”

Foreign aid for countries with anti-gay rights records to be slashed, pledges Cameron

David Cameron has pledged to slash aid to African countries with poor records on homosexual rights.
The Prime Minister will tell struggling nations they will receive funding ‘fines’ if persecution of gays continues.
The Government has already cut aid to Malawi by ￡19million after two gay men were sentenced to 14 years hard labour. The southern African nation also plans to bring in tough anti-lesbian laws.
Malawi has received ￡200million from Britain over the past three years.
International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell could also reduce aid to Uganda and Ghana unless they drop laws against gays.
Uganda, which is due to receive ￡70million in 2011, plans to punish homosexuality with the death penalty.
The president of Ghana, which gets ￡36million a year, has promised to bring in measures to ‘check the menace of homosexuality’.
However, no mention has been made of cutting aid to Zimbabwe, which got ￡69million last year. Gays there still face persecution from security forces. 
Just days ago, Mr Cameron told the Conservative Party conference that it was right to legalise gay marriage.
A spokesman for Mr Mitchell said: ‘The Government is committed to combating violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in all circumstances, in this country and abroad. We take action where we have concerns.
‘We only provide aid directly to governments when we are satisfied that they share our commitments to reduce poverty and respect human rights.’  

WHY DID BA GIVE AMANDA KNOX VIP TREATMENT?

BRITISH Airways has allowed Amanda Knox’s family to have cheap flights between the US and Italy for the past seven months, the Sunday Express can reveal.
A representative of the UK’s national airline bought them tickets worth several thousands pounds to help their campaign to free Knox, who was jailed for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher, 21.
Last week an Italian court overturned her 2009 conviction.
In stark contrast, Meredith’s -parents Arline and John have spent thousands flying to Perugia in their quest for justice.
Since March, a BA employee based at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has been using staff privileges to snap up discounted seats and pass them on to the Knox family.
This allowed Knox’s mother Edda Mellas, stepfather Chris Mellas and father Curt Knox to make regular trips to Perugia via Rome.
They are unlikely to have reimbursed the employee, a supporter of their campaign, because of their struggle to pay their ￡1million legal bills.
Both Edda and Curt have taken out second mortgages, run up credit card debt and drained their retirement funds. Even Knox’s grandmother, Elisabeth Huff, remortgaged her -modest home to help the appeal.
The fact that a member of staff for Britain’s flag carrier airline paid for the family of a woman who had been convicted of murdering a Briton to travel to Italy has shocked the Kerchers. At her home in Coulsdon, Surrey, Meredith’s sister Stephanie, 28, said: “It costs a lot of money to fly all that distance. it has done for us. This is the first I have heard of it so I don’t really want to make any further comment.”
Francesco Maresca, the Kercher family spokesman, said it highlighted the differing fortunes of the two -families: “The Kerchers have raised all the funds themselves whereas the Knoxes have been happy to take money from everybody, from individuals to large foundations.
“Mr and Mrs Kercher and Meredith’s brothers and sister have been able to fly to Italy only a few times, mainly for the appeal decision, because of work commitments and financial reasons.
“The Knox family has made many trips and the sight of them in court put pressure on the judge and caught the interest of the media.”
Last night British Airways said: “Our employees can purchase standby tickets for close family members or friends. We are fully satisfied that a member of staff based in the US has used their ability to buy standby tickets within the scheme’s strict rules.”
On Monday, Amanda Knox and her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were cleared of killing Meredith, who had her throat slashed on November 1, 2007.
The American, who had served four years in prison, flew home in -luxury after being upgraded by British Airways to business class. She and her family landed at Heathrow to catch a connecting flight to the -Seattle. There they were then allowed to wait in the exclusive Windsor Suite, normally reserved for royalty and foreign dignitaries.
BAA Limited, which runs Heathrow, said this was to give the Knox family privacy while waiting for their flight.
Amanda Knox has received hate mail and death threats by those sickened by the prospect of her making millions out of Meredith’s murder.
She is thought to be renting a property under a false name on one of the many islands sprinkled throughout the vast Puget Sound waterways that form Seattle’s natural harbour.
A former senior FBI agent who spent many years on the Los Angeles SWAT team, will also give Knox specialist training to keep her safe.
Her father Curt admitted to the Sunday Express: “It’s impossible for her to be here. She hasn’t been sleeping. Could you if you had been through what she has?”
At least 60 offers from US television networks, magazines and publishers have already been pitched to west coast PR guru David Marriott, hired by Curt to act as family spokesman and media adviser.
However, a family friend, who asked not to be named, said: “Amanda feels terribly guilty about the huge sums of money her loved ones have lost to get her freed.
“She knows she is now capable of earning a fortune very quickly but the pressure on her is ferocious. She craves a normal life but knows that might be impossible.”

'On-the-loose worker who killed three and wounded six in quarry shooting was upset at being moved from day shift to night shift'

A worker who is being hunted by SWAT teams after opening fire at a meeting in a quarry - killing three people and injuring six more - was reportedly disgruntled at having been switched from day shifts to night shifts.

Loader operator Shareff Allman, 47, allegedly opened fire after walking into a safety meeting at a California quarry with a handgun and rifle. He was angered at the rota switch which stopped him from spending more time with his teenage daughter, neighbours said.

Allman fled the scene at Permanente Quarry in Cupertino this morning and several SWAT teams have been dispatched to find him - searching door-to-door with guns drawn, authorities said.
Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith confirmed the fatalities as Manual Pinon, 51, of Newman, California, John Vallejos, 51, of San Jose and Mark Munoz, 59, of San Jose.

Police said Allman walked into a routine safety meeting this morning at 4.15am.

When he left the meeting he began walking around the grounds of the quarry owned by Lehigh Southwest Cement Company, authorities said.

He returned with a handgun and an assault rifle, and opened fire, according to Santa Clara County sheriff's deputies.

Inside that meeting room, nine people of the 15 people in the meeting were shot.
One of the victims, now in critical condition, was shot in the face outside of the meeting room, according to a sheriff's deputy at the scene who declined to be named, NBC reported.

The sheriff said the suspect left the scene of that workplace shooting in his car.

Three hours later and five miles away, police said the suspect ditched his car near Homestead and Wolfe Road and attempted a carjacking in a nearby Hewlett-Packard parking lot.

The sheriff said he shot the female driver in the leg there and took off on foot to a nearby neighbourhood in Sunnyvale.

At 7pm Sheriff Smith said the search of a Sunnyvale neighbourhood would finish soon. She said SWAT officers had searched extensively but could not find the man they were looking for after a 12-hour effort, NBC reported.
The only reports we have right now is that he was disgruntled and he was unhappy,' a Santa Clara County Sheriff's spokesman told NBC News.

'Whether it was work-related or home-related, we don't know at this point.'

Potential reductions in employee hours at the quarry were cited as a possible reason for the shooting, but one of Allman's neighbours told the San Jose Mercury News that he had been upset after being moved from the day shift to the night shift.

The rota switch interfered with his plans to spend more time with his teenage daughter, Rose Douglas said.

Cupertino schools were on lockdown or closed as the search continued on Wednesday.

Sheriff Smith said two people were pronounced dead at Permanente Quarry in Cupertino, and a third person died later at the hospital.

Six others at the quarry were wounded and taken to area hospitals, Sheriff Smith said. Some of them remained in critical condition.

About 15 workers were evacuated and being kept at a safe location.

The carjacking victim is expected to fully recover.
The woman was shot at a Cupertino intersection by the suspect, who then fled on foot, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's spokesman said.

Allman allegedly used a weapon similar to the gun used in the quarry shooting.

Permanente Quarry is a limestone and aggregate mining operation and cement plant located in the foothills above Cupertino, near San Jose.

The shootings rattled those who know Allman.

'He's always had a smile on his face,' said Paulette Conner, 57, a neighbour at Allman's San Jose apartment complex who said she's known him for five years. 'I've never known him to have any violent tendencies. Never. Ever.'

Conner said Allman occasionally griped to her and others over the years about his job, including his various shift changes and some co-workers.

Allman is known as a local fixture long involved in San Jose's black community. Before a news conference where community leaders urged him to turn himself in, friends described Allman as a non-violent person not known to own guns.

'He used to do so much for the community. Something must have happened to make him flip out like this,' said Pastor Oscar Dace of Bible Way Christian Center. 'Everybody just can't believe that this has happened.'

'Dancing with the Stars' results week 3: This one had a twist!

SEATTLE (Reuters) - A tearful and "overwhelmed" Amanda Knox returned home to Seattle on Tuesday, a day after an Italian appeals court cleared her of murder, and said she just wanted to spend time with her family.

A plane carrying Knox, who grew up in the close-knit West Seattle neighborhood where both of her divorced parents still live, landed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport shortly after 5 p.m. local time.

Knox, who spent four years in prison for the murder of her housemate before she was freed by an Italian appeals court, wiped away tears as she spoke to a throng of reporters at the airport minutes after she stepped off the plane.

"They are reminding me to speak in English because I'm having trouble with that," Knox, 24, said in brief remarks. "I'm really overwhelmed right now. I was looking down from the airplane and it seemed like everything wasn't real."

Knox, a former University of Washington student, also thanked "everyone who has believed in me, who has defended me," during her ordeal.

"I just want my family. That's the most important thing to me right now, and I just want to go be with them so thank you for being here with me," she said.

Anne Bremner, a Seattle defense attorney and spokeswoman for Friends of Amanda Knox, said that, according to her family, Knox was looking forward to having a backyard barbecue, being outside in the grass, playing soccer and seeing old friends.

Knox sobbed on Monday on hearing that the court had overturned her 2009 conviction for murdering her housemate, 21-year-old Meredith Kercher, in what prosecutors had said was a drug-fueled sexual assault.

Also cleared was her former boyfriend, Rafaele Sollecito, leaving Ivorian drifter Rudy Guede as the only person convicted in a killing that investigators believe was carried out by more than one person.

PROSECUTORS PLAN APPEAL

Kercher's half-naked body was found with more than 40 wounds and a deep gash in her throat in the apartment she shared with Knox in Perugia, Italy, where both were studying.

The Italian prosecutor has said he intends to appeal Knox's acquittal to Italy's highest appellate court, Corte Suprema di Cassazione, which only can review technical errors that occurred in the lower courts.

If the Corte Suprema overturns the acquittal, it could reinstate the original murder charges against Knox, which would allow prosecutors to seek her extradition from the United States under a treaty between the two countries.

Considering the controversy surrounding the case, legal experts say there likely would be a heated diplomatic dispute before the United States would agree to extradite Knox.

Kercher's family has refrained from criticizing Knox or Sollecito but has said repeatedly that Meredith has been forgotten in the media frenzy.

Knox's supporters cheered, cried and hugged on Monday at the news that she had been released. Her home area, framed by Puget Sound waters on three sides, is one of Seattle's oldest neighborhoods and is known for its strong sense of community.

Evan Hundley, head of the private Explorer Middle School, where Knox attended sixth, seventh and eighth grades, described West Seattle as "a city within a city".

"When something happens here, it's big news," Hundley said. "We're a strong neighborhood."

Hundley said students whooped with delight during the school's daily student assembly on Monday when the news of Knox's release was announced.

Knox won the school's first Manvel Schauffler Award, named after a founder of the school, which has about 100 students who pay an annual average tuition of about $15,000, said Debbie Ehri, the school's business manager who knew Knox.

"It was our first award for our most outstanding student. Amanda was an academically strong student. She was genuinely a lovely, kind and talented student," Ehri told Reuters.

"Teachers absolutely adored her. She was just delightful to have in class," she said. "She was caring, not only with her studies, but she was a kind, lovely girl."

Knox also attended Seattle Preparatory School, a small Jesuit high school, graduating in 2005. The school organized letter-writing campaigns on her behalf and fund-raising efforts to help pay for her defense.

Tiny bride who weighed just six stone killed by a 19-stone misfit outside Thorntons factory where she worked

The son of a company director yesterday admitted battering a young wife to death moments after she left work on a woodland path known as the ‘Yellow Brick Road’.

David Simmonds, the father of a two-year-old boy, pounced on Jia Ashton as she walked her regular 20-minute route home from the headquarters of chocolate-maker Thorntons.

At 19 stone and 6ft 2in, tattooed Simmonds weighed more than three times as much as his six stone, 4ft 11in victim.

Officers believe that after beating and attempting to strangle the 25-year-old graduate trainee, Simmonds either stamped or jumped on his victim, fatally rupturing her heart. 

No weapon was used in the attack, which police originally suspected had been committed by Mrs Ashton’s husband, Matthew.

Yesterday Simmonds, 21, whose father runs his own machinery and packaging firm, changed his plea ahead of trial to admit murdering the Warwick University economics graduate.

Mr Ashton stared intently at the killer throughout the five-minute session at Nottingham Crown Court. The case was adjourned  for sentence.

Simmonds has refused to offer any explanation for the March attack, although police say there may have been a ‘sexual element’.

While Mrs Ashton had not been sexually assaulted, her clothing had been pulled up, exposing her abdomen, where ‘contact’ DNA was recovered.
Matthew and Jia Ashton on their wedding day in China: He called her his 'Pocket Princess'

Matthew and Jia Ashton on their wedding day in China: He called her his 'Pocket Princess'

Her purse was also empty, suggesting robbery as a possible motive for the attack, which became known as the Yellow Brick Road murder after the local name for a path which cut through Sleetmoor Woods in Somercotes, Derbyshire, yards from where the victim’s body was found.

Following Simmonds’s guilty plea, it can be revealed that he had temporary jobs at Thorntons over the last two Christmas periods, though police do not believe he met Mrs Ashton or her husband.

Simmonds enjoyed a middle-class upbringing with his parents Michael and Lesley, both 48, and younger brother Paul, 19, in an executive home a short stroll from the woods.

But while Simmonds’s younger brother would go on to win a place at university, his own life was heading in a different direction. After dropping out of technology college at 17, he proved unable to hold down any job of substance.

In the run-up to the murder in March, his relationship with his parents had become fraught as they tired of his failure to settle down into a career to help support his young son.
Relief: Matthew Ashton, widower of Jia Ashton with his mother Sue Ashton and Detective Superintendent Terry Branson on the day David Simmonds pleaded guilty to murdering Mrs Ashton

Relief: Matthew Ashton, widower of Jia Ashton with his mother Sue Ashton and Detective Superintendent Terry Branson on the day David Simmonds pleaded guilty to murdering Mrs Ashton

Simmonds separated from the child’s 21-year-old mother, Laura Leonardi, around a year before the killing. By early 2011, he had left the family home and registered himself homeless to obtain temporary accommodation – a move that would prove to be his undoing.

Internet postings revealed that he was in turmoil over his looks and size, which he said were his ‘biggest fall down’ (sic).

 Man who murdered high-flying solicitor and claimed she choked to death while performing a sex act on him is jailed for life

He was nicknamed ‘Smithy’, after his resemblance to the tubby  character played by James Corden in the BBC comedy series Gavin and Stacey, and once wrote on Facebook: ‘Better to be a somebody today than a no one for the rest of your life.’

Mr Ashton, 27, a music teacher, was initially the prime suspect. He stayed in a Travelodge on the night of the killing after he and his Chinese-born wife rowed over when to start a family.

He was arrested on suspicion of murder when the body of his wife, whom he affectionately called his ‘Pocket Princess’, was discovered   hidden under logs and branches three days after she vanished. But footage of him checking into the motel seven minutes after his wife was seen on CCTV leaving work helped eliminate him.

Within 48 hours, a dog walker came forward to report seeing an unkempt man ‘darting’ around the woods less than an hour after Mrs Ashton left work.
Jia Ashton
David Simmonds, 21

Murder: Mrs Asthon (left) disappeared after leaving work on March 10. Simmonds (right) murdered her in what police described as a 'sustained and brutal attack'
This derbyshire police handout shows how Mrs Ashton's belongings, including an umbrella cover and coat buttons, were found scattered near her body

This Derbyshire police handout shows how Mrs Ashton's belongings, including an umbrella cover and coat buttons, were found scattered near her body
This map shows where objects were found in relation to Mrs Ashton's body (white dot)

This map shows where objects were found in relation to Mrs Ashton's body (white dot)

The walker suspected the man may have been sleeping rough. When police searched the area they discovered more of the victim’s belongings including her mobile phone, snapped into pieces, and her glasses. Both bore unidentified fingerprints.

The breakthrough came almost eight weeks later when officers  sifting homeless records turned up Simmonds.

He willingly gave fingerprint and DNA samples when officers called at the family home.

Realising the net was closing, he fled to an Indian restaurant in Heanor, Derbyshire, where he was a part-time delivery driver.

He was arrested loitering upstairs the next day, after the fingerprint matches were confirmed. Officers found a letter to his son, begging the boy not to hate him.

After the case, Mr Ashton said there ‘cannot be a sentence severe enough’ for killing his ‘irreplaceable’ wife.

Mr Ashton’s father, John, 61, is married to Jia’s mother, Penny, after they met at their children’s 2006 wedding.
wedding picture
Matthew Ashton leaves Nottingham Crown Court after David Simmonds, 21,pleaded guilty to the murder of his wife Jia

A detective who led the inquiry into the murder of Jia Ashton has described her killer as 'a habitual liar' who tried his best to cover up the brutal killing.

Detective Superintendent Terry Branson, of Derbyshire Police, said: 'Without a doubt Mr Simmonds went to great lengths to hide the body to make sure that we never found Jia. He made every attempt to frustrate the subsequent police inquiry.'

Simmonds received a number of injuries to his hands during the attack, Mr Branson said, and explained those away to friends by telling them he had been chased through woods by a group of people.

But he went on to give numerous varied accounts of how he obtained those injuries.

'What he said then to what he said in interview and what he's subsequently then said in his defence statement it becomes clear that David Simmonds is a habitual liar,' Mr Branson said.

It is not known if the injuries on Simmonds' hands happened as a result of Mrs Ashton trying to fight him off.

Mr Branson added: 'The only person who knows what happened in that wood at the moment is David Simmonds and to what extent Jia fought back, it's only him that knows.'

Simmonds left school at 17 and never really had a proper job, Mr Branson said.

In the Christmas period of 2009 and 2010 he was employed as a casual worker at Thorntons, at the same time as Mrs Ashton worked there, but there was no evidence to suggest they ever met or that she became a target of his during that time.

Simmonds had a good upbringing in Swanwick, Derbyshire. His parents were a professional couple and his brother was at university.

It was only following the break-up of his relationship with a local girl, with whom he had a young son, that his family relations became strained because of concerns over childcare and he found himself homeless.

He registered himself as homeless and it was this that led detectives to him when they searched the register after receiving a description of a man in the woods around the time of the murder who looked dishevelled and unkempt.

Almost immediately after Mrs Ashton's murder, Simmonds got a job as a waiter at the Spice Inn Indian restaurant in Heanor, Derbyshire, and was able to stay in the flat above the premises.

It was there that he was arrested for Mrs Ashton's murder and subsequently charged.

Michael Jackson trial: Dr Conrad Murray accused of an attempted cover-up

THE doctor accused of killing Michael Jackson desperately tried to get back into the star’s mansion after he died, a jury heard yesterday.
Jackson’s personal assistant Michael Amir Williams revealed that Dr Conrad Murray approached him in a hallway of UCLA hospital just moments after the singer had been pronounced dead.

He told the court: “We were making small talk about how horrible it was.

“He said that there was some cream in Michael’s room that he wouldn’t want the world to know about and he requested that I or someone else give him a ride back to the house to get it.”


The bed where Michael Jackson died (Pic: AP)


Another photo of Jackson's bedroom is presented as evidence on day two of the trial (Pic: Splashnews.com)

But Williams refused – and lied that the police had taken his car keys. He said he also privately warned Jackson’s bodyguard Faheem Muhammed, saying: “We can’t let him in the house.”

Earlier Williams described the scenes of chaos as he arrived at the hospital with Jackson’s distraught children Prince Michael, Paris and Blanket.

“I was worried about the kids,” he said. “I shielded them, one by one and took them inside. There were cameras everywhere.

“One of the hospital staff took us to a room and from there I went right to where Mr Jackson was, where he was being held with doctors working on him.”


Michael Amir Williams testifies during the second day of Conrad Murray's trial (Pic: AP)

On the second day of the trial at LA’s Supreme Court, Williams said he first became aware there was a problem when Dr Murray rang him, frantically asking him to come to Jackson’s home.

Murray told him the singer had suffered a “bad reaction” and that immediate help was needed. But Williams told the court the doctor did not ask him to call 911.

Williams said Murray had called him on his mobile at 12.13pm and left a voice message, which was played to the court. Murray was heard pleading: “Call me right away – please, call me right away, thank you.” Williams told the court: “I called back at 12.15pm. Murray told me to get to the house because Mr Jackson had suffered a bad reaction.”

Williams then called the star’s bodyguard Faheem, and told him to get over to the mansion.


Faheem Muhammad testifies during the second day of Conrad Murray's trial (Pic: AP)

Faheem told the court how when he arrived at the scene the star’s children were watching in horror as Murray tried vainly to revive him with chest compressions. He said Paris, then 12, was curled up in a ball crying and Prince Michael was in “shock”. He gently escorted them from the room.

He added: “When I came into the room I saw Mr Jackson’s feet near the side of the bed on the ground, as I continued to walk over I could see the rest of his body and I saw Dr Murray at his side.

“I asked him, ˙How’s it looking? How’s it going?’ and he said, ‘It’s not looking good.’ Then I proceeded to go and look at Mr Jackson. He (Murray) appeared to be administering CPR, he seemed very nervous, he was on his side sweating.” Faheem said Jacko’s eyes and mouth were open.


Asked if he appeared to be dead, Faheem replied: “Yes”. He went on to describe his horror at seeing Jacko’s terrified children. He said: “I realised they were standing outside of his room, of course in a panicked state, the older ones Paris and Prince.

“I got the nanny and got them to a secure location so they couldn’t see what was going on. Paris was on the ground balled up crying and Prince, he was just in a state of shock, standing there and slowly crying. I went and gathered them together, talked to them for a second, got the -attention of the nanny.

“She came up and I walked downstairs with them children.”

Dr Murray then asked Faheem and fellow bodyguard Alberto Alvarez: “Does anyone know CPR?” Alvarez stepped forward and went over to help.

Earlier the court heard how Jacko had been in “high spirits” on his way to a rehearsal at the Staples Center. Following a “great” performance the star returned home where he died just hours later.

Yesterday it also emerged that Murray had demanded life-saving equipment, including a CPR machine, to care for the singer during his concert tour.

Kathy Jorrie, a lawyer for tour promoters AEG, said Dr Murray had asked for the equipment as part of his ￡96,000-a-month contract with Jackson. Ms Jorrie said Murray had told her it was necessary due to the “strenuous” nature of Jackson’s performances.

She added that because of Jacko’s age and the demanding nature of his stage performances, Murray said he needed to be sure that if something went wrong he had a CPR machine on standby.

Murray also assured her that Jacko was “perfectly healthy” and in “excellent condition” on June 24, 2009 – the day before he died.

At one point in negotiations, Murray also requested that he be allowed to hire another physician to back him up in case he was tired or unavailable while Jackson was performing in London.

“He wanted to make sure that there was somebody else available to be of assistance,” said Ms Jorrie.

Murray, 58, denies involuntary manslaughter.

Prosecutors allege he caused Jackson’s death through negligence by providing him with a lethal dose of the anaesthetic propofol and other sedatives.

But Murray’s defence team claims that the star effectively killed himself by secretly taking a cocktail of drugs.

After loss, Orioles have one more shot to ruin Red Sox's season

he Orioles won't finish the season with a sweep of their perennial bullies, but they still have a chance to make October intolerable for Red Sox Nation.

Paced by four homers, including the first two of rookie catcher Ryan Lavarnway's career, Boston beat the Orioles, 8-7, on Tuesday, remaining tied in the American League wild-card race with the Tampa Bay Rays, who beat the visiting New York Yankees, 5-3.

With one game left in the 2011 season, Boston needs a win Wednesday and a Rays loss to avoid a one-game playoff Thursday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla. The reverse would send the big-money Red Sox home without the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
"They're meaningful for them, not for us," said Orioles center fielder Adam Jones, who hit his 25th homer of the season but also grounded out to end the game. "It would be different if we were playing meaningful games. This place would be rocking; it would be a totally different atmosphere. But they need the games more than we do, so I think all the pressure's on them."

At least the Orioles made it incredibly interesting again for the announced crowd of 22,123, which traded "Let's go, O's" and "Let's go, Red Sox" chants and rose to its feet in the tense ninth.

"You already know we ain't going to quit," Jones said. "You've got the crowd behind you. We didn't quit."

Trailing 8-4 in the eighth, Chris Davis' RBI single and Nolan Reimold's run-scoring triple against reliever Daniel Bard cut the lead to two runs.

In the ninth, the Orioles mounted a brief rally against Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon. J.J. Hardy led off with a single and moved to second on a groundout by Nick Markakis on the 11th pitch of his at-bat. Vladimir Guerrero followed with a two-hopper into left field to bring the winning run to the plate in Matt Wieters, who already had two hits, including a homer.

Wieters hit a tapper in front of the plate that scored Hardy but was thrown out at first. Pinch-runner Matt Angle, the tying run, reached second base. But he was stranded there when Papelbon won an epic, 10-pitch at-bat with Jones, who hit a soft grounder for the third out.

"I think everybody felt like we'd make a run at them," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "And we did over the course of the game."

It was Papelbon's 31st save of the season and kept the postseason hopes alive for the Red Sox, who have lost a nine-game lead on the Rays since Aug. 31.

To help eliminate the Red Sox (90-71) on Wednesday, the Orioles will have to solve Boston left-hander Jon Lester, who is 14-0 in 17 starts all time against Baltimore.

But in a month of the unexpected -- one in which the Orioles have won four of six against the Red Sox and 12 of their past 18 against playoff-caliber clubs while Boston has dropped 19 of 26 in September -- the suddenly struggling Lester is no longer a stone-cold lock at Camden Yards.

"That's not really a topic of discussion that our guys will have," Showalter said. "He's had some no-decisions where he didn't pitch particularly good here either. So that's why it's the big leagues. It's good. They're good. We've got the chance to compete tomorrow."

The last-place Orioles (68-93) no longer have a chance to win 70 games for the first time since 2006, partially because rookie Zach Britton on Tuesday turned in his worst start since his one-out nightmare in New York on July 30.

Perhaps fittingly, the Orioles' promising lefty finished 11-11 in a roller-coaster season that both demonstrated the top pitching prospect's talent and exposed his lack of experience.

"If you asked Zach would he have taken that coming out of camp, he would have said, 'No,' but that's the drive he has. He'll go home and take it all in and learn from it, and he'll figure it out," Showalter said. "There's no set time frame. There's not some chapter in a book, 'A Young Pitcher Develops 101,' that says this happens and it leads to that. But all things being considered, it's a good start for him, and I hope it's the start of a long, good career for a young Oriole pitcher for us."

Britton retired seven of the first eight batters he faced but allowed a two-run homer to Jacoby Ellsbury in the third and a three-run home run in the fourth to Lavarnway, his first as a big leaguer. He lasted 4 1/3 innings, giving up five runs on seven hits and two walks and pushing his final ERA to 4.61.

"I think I still would have been disappointed at the beginning of the season," Britton said about his overall numbers. "Obviously, I didn't know what the AL East is like, or major league baseball is like, but I still feel like I'm capable of better. I'm not going to be satisfied with those numbers. I think I can do a lot better. "

His line could have been worse, but reliever Jason Berken entered in the fifth and struck out Jed Lowrie, and, with the bases loaded, Nick Markakis made a great running, diving, backhand stab of a dying fly ball for the third out.

Berken couldn't hold it together in the sixth, though, serving up a triple to Carl Crawford and Marco Scutaro's seventh homer of the season. Lavarnway hit Boston's fourth homer to lead off the eighth against Zach Phillips.

The Orioles scored first on a double by Vladimir Guerrero that scored Markakis from first base. Guerrero scored in the fourth when Wieters launched a two-run home run into the Orioles' bullpen. Measured at 411 feet, it was Wieters' 22nd homer of the season.

The runs came against former Oriole Erik Bedard, who for the second time in a week did not pitch well against his old team. Bedard was charged with three runs in just 3 1/3 innings Tuesday after giving up four runs in 2 2/3 at Fenway Park on Sept. 20.

Reliever Alfredo Aceves (10-2) allowed one run -- Jones' 25th homer of the season -- in 3 2/3 innings for the win.

And now the teams will battle one more time -- with the Red Sox hoping they can celebrate in Camden Yards and continue their season into October.

Wednesday's "game is very important," Jones said. "Both them and Tampa need the 'W.' So, we're standing in their way, and New York is standing in Tampa's way."