Monday 7 July 2014

Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher files: Swiss firm 'investigated'

Michael Schumacher was placed in a medically-induced coma after his skiing accident

A Swiss helicopter firm is at the centre of an inquiry into attempts to sell F1 ex-champion Michael Schumacher's medical file, reports say.

Schumacher, 45, was moved on 16 June from a French hospital to a hospital in Lausanne in Switzerland.

Although he was transferred by road, initial contact was reportedly made with the helicopter company.

He suffered a severe head injury in a skiing accident last December and has come out of a medically-induced coma.

Schumacher's manager, Sabine Kehm, said last month that his medical files had been "clearly stolen" and were being offered for sale. She warned that criminal charges would be pressed if such "confidential files" were bought or published.

The medical records, said to consist of a few pages written by his doctors in the French city of Grenoble, were apparently being offered for sale to media across Europe for 50,000 euros (£40,000, $68,000).

University Hospital of the Canton of Vaud (CHUV) in Lausanne

Michael Schumacher was moved by road to the university hospital in Lausanne on 16 June

Now French and Swiss media say the prosecutor in Grenoble is looking at a computer whose IP address has been traced to a Swiss helicopter company, which was sent the medical files while the ex-champion's doctors were considering how to transport him to Lausanne.

The latest development emerged in French newspaper Le Dauphine Libere, and Swiss media said it had been confirmed by the prosecutor in Grenoble.

Suspicions had initially fallen on the hospital in Grenoble and the ambulance team which eventually drove him across the border.

According to the Grenoble prosecutor, the computer was traced back to a helicopter company in the Swiss canton of Zurich. The company's name has not been made public.

The file had been sent to a doctor at the company, although there was nothing to link the doctor to the alleged offence.

It is thought the findings of the French inquiry will now be handed to the authorities in Switzerland.

Michael Schumacher

Born: 3 January 1969
First GP win: Belgium 1992
Last GP win: China 2006
Races started: 303
Wins: 91 (155 podium finishes)
Championships: 7 (1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)

Michael Schumacher retired from racing in 2012 after a 19-year career.

The investigation into his accident at the Meribel resort on 29 December said he had been skiing off-piste when he fell and hit a rock.

He had been going at the speed of "a very good skier" at the time, they said.

His family has said very little about his medical progress, preferring to avoid the gaze of the international media.

But Swiss media reported on Monday that Schumacher's wife Corinna had posed smiling for photographs at the weekend while visiting a horse ranch given to her by her husband.

original post found her http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28190255

Palestinian boy..

Beaten Palestinian-American teen Tariq Khdair to be held under house arrest

PHOTO: Tariq Khdeir was allegedly beaten by Israeli police.(Supplied: Khdeir family)

A Palestinian-American teenager who activists say was subjected to a brutal beating by Israeli border police will be held under house arrest for nine days.

Fifteen-year-old Tariq Khdeir from Florida is said to have been beaten while in custody in East Jerusalem.

The teenager had been freed on bail but a judge has now ruled he is to remain in the Jerusalem area of Beit Hanina during the investigation.

The boy is the cousin of 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir, whose abduction and killing in Jerusalem on Wednesday sparked violent protests and calls from Palestinians for a new uprising against Israel.

Police say Tariq was among a group of youths attacking police officers.

Mobile phone footage appears to show two Israeli policemen repeatedly punching him in the head.

His family say he was not involved in the violence that followed last week's abduction and murder of his cousin.

The court ruling came on the day Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu phoned Mohammed Abu Khdeir's father and promised his attackers would be prosecuted.

"I wish to express my shock and the shock of Israel's citizens over the despicable murder of your son," Mr Netanyahu told the father, Hussein Abu Khdeir, according to a statement.

"The murderers will be brought to trial and prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

The youngster's death has triggered street clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police in East Jerusalem, violence that has spread to Arab towns and villages across Israel.

Six Jews have been arrested in what police suspect was a revenge attack for the abduction and killing of three Jewish youths.

Israel says Hamas militants killed the trio, an allegation the Islamist group has neither accepted nor denied.

Israel's outgoing president Shimon Peres and his successor, Reuven Rivlin, promised in a joint editorial published in Yedioth Ahronoth, the country's best-selling newspaper, there would be no cover-up in the investigation of the Palestinian's death.

"The bloodshed will stop only when we all understand that it is not our unhappy fate to live together, but rather our destiny to do so," they wrote.

Meanwhile fresh Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have killed about nine Palestinian militants.

Most of the deaths occurred at Rafah, at the southern end of the Gaza strip, where at least six Hamas gunmen were killed.

A spokesman for Israeli prime minister Mark Regev says the airstrikes are to protect Israeli citizens.

"Clearly put it's to the end the rocket fire on Israeli civilians from the Hamas controlled Gaza strip," he said.

"We've had over the last three weeks, we've had over 150 rockets and missiles launched fired on Israeli communities and our goal is to stop that rocket fire."

original post found her http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-07/israeli-airstrike-kill-nine-in-gaza/5579646

Euthanasia debate:

Euthanasia debate: Doctor-assisted death advocate Rodney Syme attacks 'maverick' Nitschke after revelations

PHOTO: Dr Syme does not want his group Dying with Dignity to be confused with Dr Nitschke's Exit Intenational. (ABC News)

A campaigner for medically-assisted suicide has harshly criticised euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke for helping a man he knew was not terminally ill commit suicide.

Doctor Rodney Syme has been fighting for decades to change the law prohibiting what he calls doctor-assisted death.

He is worried that Dr Nitschke's revelations could undermine those efforts.

Last week the ABC revealed Nigel Brayley, 45, of Perth, had sent Dr Nitschke emails in which he stated he was not terminally ill, but was "suffering".

His friends say Mr Brayley was depressed.

After their correspondence, Dr Nitschke advised Mr Brayley on how he could end his life.

The euthanasia campaigner said he had done nothing wrong.

"If a person comes along to me and says they've made a rational decision to end their life in two weeks, I don't go along and say, oh, have you made a rational decision, do you think you'd better think about it," Dr Nitschke said.

Dr Syme says that attitude is just one indication Dr Nitschke is far from the mainstream on the issue of assisted suicide.

"He represents a maverick who's on the extreme end of the debate," he said.

"What I want people to understand is that this has got nothing to do with the legislative process for creating voluntary-assisted dying.

"I am concerned, and I have argued what he does is in many ways irresponsible.

"Because if somebody is going to consider ending their life they should have expert advice."

Dr Syme is worried many will confuse his advocacy group, Dying With Dignity, with Dr Nitschke's Exit International.

He is eager to make sure the public sees that there is "a huge gap" between his advocacy group and the controversial views of Dr Nitschke.

"He is fundamentally not supported by the organisations who support Dying With Dignity," Dr Syme said.

original post found her http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-07/nitschke-a-maverick-suicide-campaigner-rodney-syme-says/5579802

Sexy Bitch

Toni Braxton - Un-Break My Heart

original post found herhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2Rch6WvPJE

Novak Djokovic: Wimbledon win most special of my career

Novak Djokovic described his dramatic Wimbledon win over Roger Federer as the "most special" of his career after it ended his losing run in finals.

The Serb, 27, won 6-7 (7-9) 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 5-7 6-4 after missing a championship point and letting a 5-2 lead slip in the fourth set.

By winning the fifth set, Djokovic ended a run of three straight defeats - and five out of six - in major finals.

"It's the most special Grand Slam final I've played," he said.

"At this time of my career for this Grand Slam trophy to arrive is crucial, especially after losing several Grand Slam finals in a row.

Djokovic's ability to produce high-class returns at crucial stages in the match was key to his victory. A clear tactic he used was to return to the Federer backhand. The second-serve return was where Djokovic was most dominant, returning at an average speed of 68mph and winning 56% of those points. Federer returned Djokovic's second serve at an average speed of just 57mph and only won 35% of those points. With both players dominant on first serve, taking advantage of the second was vital.

"I started doubting a little bit. I needed this win a lot. I'm going to try to use it in the best possible way and for my confidence to grow for the rest of my season and the rest of my career."

Djokovic added a second Wimbledon title to his 2011 triumph and has now won seven Grand Slam titles, joining John McEnroe and Mats Wilander in the all-time list, led by Federer on 17.

He also moves past the six titles of Boris Becker, the man he brought in as head coach at the beginning of 2014.

"I am very relieved to win a Grand Slam with Boris," said Djokovic, having lost in the quarter-finals of this year's Australian Open and the final of the French Open.

"Many people doubted that decision, but I am sure it is a great combination."

Play media

Novak Djokovic kisses the Wimbledon trophy

Highlights: Djokovic beats Federer

Djokovic had been in danger of another painful defeat when Federer fought back with five games in a row in the fourth set, and paid tribute to the 32-year-old Swiss.

"Roger played very well, in a very high level. He showed why he's a champion. He showed a fighting spirit, composure in important moments when he was a break down."

Djokovic described the contest as the best of his 14 Grand Slam finals, ahead of hisrecord-breaking win over Rafael Nadal at the 2012 Australian Open that took five hours and 53 minutes.

"This has been the best quality Grand Slam final that I have ever been part of," said Djokovic.

"I've had a longest final against Nadal in the Australian Open 2012, but, quality-wise from the first to last point, this is definitely the best match."

Djokovic will regain the world number one ranking from Nadal on Monday, but his focus will now shift to his fiancee, Jelena Ristic, and the imminent arrival of their first child.

"I'm going to take some rest," he said. "There are a few important things coming up. Getting married, and of course in a few months becoming a dad.

"I can close the chapter of my tennis career just for a little bit now. I deserve that for a few weeks - to rest, to enjoy, be with my fiancee, my wife to be, and my family."

Djokovic needed treatment in the second set after taking a tumble near the baseline

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were among those in the Royal Box to watch the final

Djokovic almost became the first man since 1948 to lose a final after holding championship point

Djokovic joined John McEnroe and Mats Wilander among a group of nine players with seven major titles

original post found her http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/tennis/2818862
1

F1. Hamilton: 'attack mode'

Play media

British GP highlights: Hamilton wins as Rosberg retires

Lewis Hamilton: British Grand Prix win triggers 'attack mode'

Lewis Hamilton said he would go into "attack mode" in his title battle with team-mate Nico Rosberg aftervictory in the British Grand Prix.

Hamilton closed the gap between the Mercedes drivers from 29 to four points as Rosberg retired for the first time this year.

"The pressure is high but I really feel that now we're back," said Hamilton.

"We'll draw a line under the last nine races and it's attack mode. Start again using my pace and the car's pace."

Hamilton won his home race despite starting sixth on the grid following a mistake in qualifying.

He had aborted his final lap in drizzling rain and fell from pole position as five drivers, including Rosberg, beat his time.

But Hamilton made amends at the start of Sunday's race, moving quickly up the field to second behind Rosberg.

The German's retirement then robbed Hamilton and the fans of another exciting battle for victory.

Up to 120,000 fans saw Hamilton win at Silverstone for the first time since 2008 - a year in which he went on to secure the drivers' title.

"I'll take it as it has come," said Hamilton. "I think today is more just solidifying belief in myself."

Two retirements had left Hamilton trailing Rosberg in the championship.

The Britain failed to finish the season-opening Australian Grand Prix,which Rosberg won, and then dropped out in Canada as Rosberg finished second to Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo.

Hamilton said he had spoken to his parents and brother following his disappointing qualifying campaign at Silevrstone.

"When you feel like the world is crumbling beneath you, your family and friends help pull you through - and the fans," Hamilton said.

Play media

Watch Lewis Hamilton thank his fans after winning the British Grand Prix at Silverstone

"I was just so disappointed in myself. I really had to pick up, pull my socks up and get on with it."

Hamilton said he believed he could have caught Rosberg even if the German had not suffered his gearbox failure.

But Rosberg felt he was "very much in control".

"The first problems happened after the pit stop and then it just got worse from there," he said.

"I was very much in control until then, which is why it is all the more disappointing."

Asked how he felt about his championship advantage being cut, Rosberg said: "It's disappointing to lose all those points, but it is my home race coming up now and I need to start looking towards that."

The German Grand Prix takes place at Hockenheim on 20 July.

Hamilton has now wiped out all but four points of Rosberg's championship lead

Hamilton's first home win since 2008 was shared with the vast Silverstone crowd

Rosberg's retirement was his first of the season and broke a run of eight first or second-placed finishes

original post found her http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/28188159

CURFEW::Myanmar

Curfew imposed after deadly clashes between Buddhists, Muslims in Myanmar

Myanmar police guard on a street in Mandalay, after imposing an overnight curfew in the country's second largest city. The curfew was introduced after two nights of religious violence between Buddhists and Muslims that left two people dead.

HIDE CAPTION

Deadly religious violence in Mandalay

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Two people are dead after violent clashes between Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar
Radical Buddhist monks appeared to play a role in inciting mobs, says rights researcher
Myanmar has had numerous outbursts of anti-Muslim violence in recent years
The violence threatens the country's fledgling transition from decades of military rule

(CNN) -- Authorities have imposed a curfew in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, following nights of deadly communal violence between Buddhists and Muslims.

Two people have been killed and 14 injured since rioting erupted Tuesday, Col. Aung Kyaw Moe, Mandalay Region's Border Affairs and Security Minister, told CNN Friday.

The rioting began when a mob attacked a tea shop owned by a Muslim man accused of raping a Buddhist woman, and continued the following night.

Citing officials, the state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported that eight separate conflicts took place in the region on Tuesday and Wednesday night, involving gangs of as many as 450 people, some armed with weapons including swords, firearms, knives, rods and "incendiary materials."

One of the victims was Muslim and one Buddhist, officials said. Myanmar is a predominantly Buddhist country, with Muslims estimated to account for about 5% of the population.

Myanmar has witnessed several outbreaks of violence targeting Muslims in recent years as the country emerges from decades of authoritarian military rule, threatening the country's fragile political reforms.

Extremist Buddhist nationalist elements, such as the 969 Movement, have been accused of fanning the flames of hatred, and pushing for discriminatory laws, including a proposed ban on interfaith marriage.

Fears of new unrest as Myanmar ponders monk-backed interfaith marriage ban

Radical Buddhist monks, including the 969 Movement's spiritual leader, Ashin Wirathu, appeared to have played "a pivotal role" in contributing to the latest unrest, said David Mathieson, a senior researcher for Human Rights Watch.

Anger against the Muslim tea shop owner, a Muslim, had escalated after Wirathu had circulated a report of the alleged rape on his Facebook page, and called for a harsh government response to "jihadist Muslims."

There had also been a significant monk presence among the mob, said Mathieson.

"The area where this happened is 5-10 minute drive from where Wirathu's monastery is," he said. "This really is his heartland."

Matthew Smith, executive director of rights group Fortify Rights, said extremists were "using social media as a platform to spread hateful anti-Muslim rhetoric and in some cases to incite violence."

Myanmar's government had temporarily suspended Facebook in an attempt to tamp down the unrest, he said.

"It's a tinderbox that could erupt to unprecedented levels of violence," he said.

"The authorities haven't done nearly enough to stem the rising tide of anti-Muslim sentiment, and in some cases the government is contributing to its growth, lending public support to extremists and inflammatory draft legislation while failing to protect at-risk Muslim communities."

However, one positive sign was that activists in Myanmar were beginning to stand up against online hate speech and racial violence, he said.

One of the most influential voices in this movement is Nay Phone Latt, a blogger and former political prisoner who in April launched a campaign to counter hate speech with "panzagar," or "flower speech."

"Our campaign is trying to change the people's mindset and trying to create a good culture," he said, adding that allowing religious and ethnic conflicts to fester had been a technique of Myanmar's rulers since colonial days.

In the case of the Mandalay unrest, he said, "we clearly saw that this conflict started from online incitements." The government's failure to prevent the violence also needed to be questioned, he said.

Religious violence has left hundreds of people dead and close to 150,000 homeless since unrest broke out in in the western state of Rakhine in June 2012, with the stateless Rohingya Muslim minority bearing the brunt of the violence. Outbreaks of anti-Muslim violence have occurred elsewhere in the country.

Aung said nine people had been arrested over the violence. Five were Muslim and four Buddhist, he said.

original post found her http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/04/world/asia/myanmar-mandalay-religious-violence/index.html?hpt=wo_c1

Crocodile handler

Crocodile handler dragged into water during feeding show at Shoalhaven Zoo

Spectators have screamed in horror as a crocodile at a zoo on the New South Wales south coast attacked its handler and dragged him into the water during a feeding show.

The 31-year-old handler at Shoalhaven Zoo was using a piece of meat to feed the 3.7 metre saltwater crocodile called John out of the enclosures pond when it lashed out, bit his hand, and pulled him into the water.

The handler was released by the crocodile after he landed on top of it.

He was then taken to Shoalhaven Hospital in a stable condition.

The owner of the zoo in Nowra, Nicholas Schilko, said around 60 people were watching the show at the time.

"There was a lot of fearful sort of screams and cries and a lot of relief when he got out," he said.

Mr Schilko said the injured handler had been working with crocodiles for more than a decade and fed John daily.

"It's an attack and that is serious, but thankfully the injuries aren't life threatening, which it certainly had the potential to be," he said.

"He's more disappointed with himself that it happened."

original post found her http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-07/crocodile-handler-dragged-into-water-at-south-coast-zoo/5579394

man jailed for sexually abuse

Melbourne man jailed for using internet to sexually abuse children living in poverty in Philippines

A Melbourne man who used the internet to exploit and abuse dozens of young children living in poverty in the Philippines has been sentenced to 11 years in jail.

Patrick Goggins, 68, pleaded guilty to more than 20 offences, including persistent abuse of a child overseas, and making and distributing child pornography.

The most serious offences involved victims as young as three years old.

The court heard most of the victims were young girls, although some young boys were also involved.

They were living in poverty and desperate for money.

Thousands of child pornography files were taken from Goggins's computer in a raid by the Australian Federal Police last year.

Without people like you, there would be no need for children to be exploited and degraded.

Judge Sandra Davis

The Victorian County Court heard Goggins did not visit the Philippines but abused and directed the children via the internet from his home.

The court heard after he was caught Goggins told police he was "bloody stupid" but said there was "nothing wrong" with what he had done.

He told police he was "only watching, not physically doing anything" and he was "merely sponsoring the girls for money".

Goggins told police he did not want to seem like a "soft touch" by giving the children money for nothing.

Goggins showed no regard for welfare of children: judge

The court heard Goggins also claimed the girls he was exploiting were already a product of a market that they had been exposed to and he did not introduce them to it.

But in sentencing, Judge Sandra Davis said he had shown no remorse or regard for the children's welfare.

"These are very serious offences," she said.

"[They're] encouraged because of a market. Without people like you, there would be no need for children to be exploited and degraded.

"There were many victims, particularly victims overseas, that you paid and were willing to exploit for your own gratification."

Judge Davis described Goggins as immature and "a high risk of re-offending".

"This was not an isolated incident. The nature, content and volume was very serious indeed. The level of culpability is high," Judge Davis said.

His lawyers told the court Goggins had suffered from severe post traumatic stress disorder from his time as an infantry rifleman in the Vietnam War.

The court heard Goggins had an extensive history of offending, including a previous prison term for taking photographs of young girls changing into their bathers.

He was also convicted of numerous upskirting offences and was previously charged with failing to answer bail, failing to appear in court and indecent assault.

Goggins was scheduled to be sentenced a fortnight ago, but twice failed to appear in court.

His lawyer told the court he had complained of chest pain and taken himself to hospital.

Goggins will be eligible for parole in 2022 and will be a registered serious sex offender for life.

original post found herhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-07/melbourne-man-jailed-over-child-sex-abuse-in-philippines/5579200

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Monday 7 July 2014

Michael Schumacher files: Swiss firm 'investigated'

Related Stories

Beaten Palestinian-American teen Tariq Khdair to be held under house arrest

Euthanasia debate: Doctor-assisted death advocate Rodney Syme attacks 'maverick' Nitschke after revelations

Toni Braxton - Un-Break My Heart

Novak Djokovic: Wimbledon win most special of my career

Lewis Hamilton: British Grand Prix win triggers 'attack mode'

Curfew imposed after deadly clashes between Buddhists, Muslims in Myanmar

Crocodile handler dragged into water during feeding show at Shoalhaven Zoo

Melbourne man jailed for using internet to sexually abuse children living in poverty in Philippines

Goggins showed no regard for welfare of children: judge