UK Untitled

An astronaut heading to the International Space Station next month wants to use the first 3D printer in space. Reid Wiseman, who is flying into space for the first time as a member of the Expedition 40/41 crew, thinks the implications for 3D printing in space are exciting and far-reaching. A 3D printer developed by the company Made in Space could launch to the station on SpaceX's fifth robotic resupply mission using the private spaceflight company's Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket.

3D printing is an exciting technology. It will allow us to live and work in space with the same efficiency and productivity that we do on Earth, with the ultimate objective being to eliminate reliance on materials and parts launched from the ground.

—Niki Werkheiser, 3D Print project manager at NASA Marshall's Technology Development and Transfer Office

The Made in Space printer, called 3D Print (short for the 3D Printing in Zero G Experiment), uses a process called extrusion additive manufacturing to create various objects. Items are made by layering polymers or other materials on top on one another. The company's 3D printer can manufacture about 30 percent of the spare parts currently on the space station.

Wikipedia

3D printing

3D printing or Additive manufacturing is a process of making a three-dimensional solid object of virtually any shape from a digital model. 3D printing is achieved using an additive process, where successive layers of material are laid down in different shapes. 3D printing is also considered distinct from traditional machining techniques, which mostly rely on the removal of material by methods such as cutting or drilling (subtractive processes).

Via Wikipedia

Topic in-depth

Could 3-D Printed Organs Be The Future Of Medicine?

More than 121,000 people are waiting for organ transplants, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.

Via Forbes

Sources

Astronaut Ready to Take 3D Printing Into the Final Frontier (Video) ~ SPACE.com

First 3D Printer Will Be Sent to Space By NASA Next Month ~ See also: 3DPrint.com

Beans, beans are good for your heart, researchers are finally claiming. Just one daily serving of pulses such as haricot beans, chickpeas, lentils and peas can significantly lower levels of harmful cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease, a study has shown. Even so, scientists said most people in the West would need to increase their bean consumption greatly to see any benefit.

We have a lot of room in our diets for increasing our pulse intake to derive the cardiovascular benefits. Pulses already play a role in many traditional cuisines, including Mediterranean and South Asian. As an added bonus, they're inexpensive.

—Dr John Sievenpiper - St Michael's Hospital, Toronto

Scientists analysed data on 1,037 people who took part in 26 diet and health studies that looked at the effect of pulses on cholesterol. They found consuming one serving (three-quarters of a cup) of non-oil seed pulses a day led to a 5% reduction in levels of "bad" cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The study was carried out jointly by doctors in the U.S. and Canada. The findings were published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Wikipedia

Pulse (legume)

A pulse (Latin "puls", from Ancient Greek grc ' "porridge"), sometimes called a "grain legume", is an annual leguminous crop yielding from one to twelve seeds of variable size, shape, and color within a pod. Pulses are used for food for humans and other animals.

Via Wikipedia

Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (also called heart disease) is a class of diseases that involve the heart, the blood vessels (arteries, capillaries, and veins) or both. Cardiovascular disease refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system, principally cardiac disease, vascular diseases of the brain and kidney, and peripheral arterial disease.

Via Wikipedia

Topic in-depth

Ten portions of fruit and veg a day, are they having a laugh?

As a new study recommends a doubling of 'five-a-day' diet, could it be that the joke's on us?

Via Telegraph

Home health tests: the rise in DIY diagnosis

From cancer to cholesterol to cannabis-use, the range of self-screening kits is vast. But are they accurate, or worthwhile?

Via The Guardian

Sources

Beans 'can cut heart disease risk' ~ Press Association

How a portion of beans a day could keep heart disease at bay: Pulses, lentils and peas help reduce 'bad' cholesterol ~ See also: Mail Online

Filming has begun for the new Star Wars film despite casting for the movie not being completed yet. Disney Studios' chairman Alan Horn has revealed that most of the main actors are in place for Star Wars Episode VII but told The Hollywood Reporter: "We're just not completely done yet." He said initial shooting is already under way for the film which is due for release in December 2015.

It's all about the screenplay. It has to be screenplay, screenplay, screenplay.

—Disney Studios' chairman Alan Horn

Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, Abu Dhabi and Egypt are all thought to be locations for the as-yet untitled Episode VII. Harrison Ford (Han Solo) and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) are reported to be reprising their roles in the franchise but none of the cast members have been confirmed yet. Girls star Adam Driver is also rumoured to be playing the villain after his co-star Lena Dunham tweeted congratulations to him in February.

Wikipedia

Star Wars sequel trilogy

The Star Wars sequel trilogy is the upcoming third film trilogy in the American space opera franchise Star Wars created by George Lucas. It is being produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and is to be the first films in the saga not to be distributed by 20th Century Fox. The trilogy will consist of episodes VII through IX and will follow after Return of the Jedi (1983) in the saga's chronology. In 2012, The Walt Disney Company acquired Lucasfilm and scheduled production for a third trilogy.

Via Wikipedia

Topic in-depth

Star Wars 7 'to tell story of Han Solo and Princess Leia's children'

New Star Wars films may follow the story of the Solo twins, and the temptations of the Dark Side

Via The Week

Sources

‘Star Wars: Episode VII' Has Already Started Filming, Reveals Disney Exec Alan Horn ~ See also: Huffington Post

Star Wars Episode 7: Excitement grows as filming starts for new film ~ See also: Metro

A drone fell out of the sky flooring a triathlon runner competing in a race in Geraldton, Western Australia. Competitor Raija Ogden (pictured above) was left bleeding on the ground at the Endure Batavia Triathlon after the drone, which had been filming the event, flew out of control and plummeted to earth. The drone's owner Warren Abrams later claimed the device was subjected to a hack, which he said could be achieved by a channel hopping remote controlled device.

She looks over her shoulder and gets frightened, falling to the ground and bumping her head, but the drone didn't actually strike her.

—Drone owner Warren Abrams

Ogden was taken to hospital after the device slammed into her. She said: "I have lacerations on my head from the drone and the ambulance crew took a piece of propeller from my head." Abrams, however, claimed there was no actual contact with his device. Organisers promised a full investigation in to the drone crash.

She was stumbling and I will never forget the look on her face. She just could not believe it. She was shocked and in disbelief.

—Eyewitness at the event

Wikipedia

Triathlon

A triathlon is a multiple-stage competition involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance disciplines. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances.

Via Wikipedia

Unmanned aerial vehicle

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot aboard. Its flight is controlled either autonomously by onboard computers or by the remote control of a pilot on the ground or in another vehicle. The typical launch and recovery method of an unmanned aircraft is by the function of an automatic system or an external operator on the ground.

Via Wikipedia

Locations

The incident occurred in Geraldton, Australia

Topic in-depth

Australia to spend £1.6bn on drone fleet to protect borders

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles will patrol the nation's borders, monitor energy infrastructure and guard against illegal immigration.

Via Telegraph

Revealed: who can fly drones in UK airspace

Missile manufacturer, police forces and golf video company among more than 130 groups licensed to use technology.

Via The Guardian

Sources

Drone cuts-open athlete, will pilot licences be required soon? ~ Pocket-lint

'River of blood' after drone 'hits' Australian athlete ~ See also: Sydney Morning Herald

Triathlete injured in drone incident ~ See also: The West Australian

A minute's silence to remember those who died in the Rwandan genocide of 1994 was punctuated by screams of survivors as thousands packed the country's main sports stadium to mark the 20th anniversary of the beginning of a devastating killing spree. The viciously executed genocide began on April 6, 1994. What followed was three months of machete and gunfire attacks mostly aimed at the country's minority Tutsi population by extremist Hutus. Ever since, the world community has been forced to acknowledge that it stood by and did nothing.

We must not be left to utter the words 'never again', again and again. We could have done much more. We should have done much more. The shame still clings, a generation after the events.

—UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

France - an ally of the Rwandan government that ruled before the genocide - did not take part in the ceremony after rebel-turned-president, Paul Kagame, renewed charges of Paris' "direct role" in the killings. France has acknowledged mistakes in its dealings with Rwanda. But it has repeatedly dismissed accusations it trained militias to take part in the massacres and Kagame's comments triggered fresh outrage in Paris today.

Twenty years later, today, we are a country united and a nation elevated.

—Rwanda's minister of foreign affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo, speaking at the commemoration ceremony

Wikipedia

Rwandan Genocide

The Rwandan Genocide was a genocidal mass slaughter of Tutsi and moderate Hutu in Rwanda by members of the Hutu majority. During the approximate 100-day period from April 7, 1994 to mid-July, an estimated 500,000–1,000,000 Rwandans were killed, constituting as much as 20% of the country's total population and 70% of the Tutsi then living in Rwanda.

Via Wikipedia

Paul Kagame

Paul Kagame is the sixth and current President of Rwanda, having taken office in 2000 when his predecessor, Pasteur Bizimungu, resigned. Kagame previously commanded the rebel force that ended the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, and was considered Rwanda's de facto leader when he served as Vice President and Minister of Defence from 1994 to 2000. Kagame was born to a Tutsi family in southern Rwanda.

Via Wikipedia

Locations

The commemoration ceremony was held in Kigali, Rwanda

Topic in-depth

The Rwanda genocide explained in 90 seconds

Between April and June 1994, some 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were brutally slaughtered in Rwanda.

Via BBC News

Sources

Outrage in France over Rwanda genocide accusations ~ AFP News

Rwanda mourns the dead 20 years after genocide ~ AFP News

Emotional scenes as Rwanda marks 20th anniversary of genocide ~ AFP News

Q&A: Rwanda's controversial history ~ Al Jazeera

Rwanda: re-opening old wounds? ~ Al Jazeera

Rwanda bars France from genocide ceremony ~ Al Jazeera

French envoy barred from Rwanda genocide ceremony ~ Associated Press

Obama pays tribute to victims of Rwanda genocide ~ Associated Press

Wails, sobs: Rwanda marks 20 years since genocide ~ Associated Press

Rwanda commemorates 20 years since genocide ~ Associated Press

Rwanda genocide: Man and victim now friends ~ Associated Press

Asda is to create 12,000 jobs over five years as part of its latest UK expansion plans. The announcement was made on a visit to the UK by parent company Walmart's chief executive, Doug McMillon, as he showed Prime Minister David Cameron around an Asda store in Clapham Junction, south London. The chain is in a battle with Sainsbury's for the second biggest market share in the UK.

We know that the UK is a great place to do business and since Walmart acquired Asda 15 years ago we have been able to invest £8bn in the UK economy.

—Walmart CEO Doug McMillon

It is also among the so-called 'big four' facing down growing custom for discounters. Unlike many of the major chains, which are concentrating their investment on convenience and online delivery, Asda said it was planning new stores in areas it was yet to compete in but did not give further details. Asda said its five year strategy had the potential to create up to 12,000 new jobs.

I am delighted that Asda is continuing to invest heavily in the UK, creating another 12,000 jobs that will give people financial security for the future.

—Prime Minister David Cameron

Wikipedia

Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., branded as Walmart, is an American multinational retail corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's largest public corporation, according to the Fortune Global 500 list in 2014, the biggest private employer in the world with over two million employees, and is the largest retailer in the world.

Via Wikipedia

Asda

Asda Stores Ltd. is a British supermarket chain which retails food, clothing, general merchandise, toys and financial services. It also has a mobile phone network (via the EE network 2013), Asda Mobile. Its head office is at Asda House in Leeds, West Yorkshire. In 1999, Asda became a subsidiary of the American retail company Walmart and today is the UK's third largest chain by market share.

Via Wikipedia

Locations

The announcement was made in Clapham, south London

Topic in-depth

Food price war to take toll on M&S

Fears for the Marks & Spencer's key food business as rivals commit to drive down price.

Via Telegraph

Supermarket milk price war alarms farmers

Sainsbury's and the Co-op announce they will follow Tesco in slashing prices.

Via The Guardian

Sources

Cameron hails new supermarket jobs ~ Press Association

Asda To Create 12,000 Jobs Over Five Years ~ Sky News

A manhunt is under way after a vicious hammer attack on three female tourists staying at a leading London hotel. The trio, in their 30s and from the United Arab Emirates, suffered serious head injuries. They were on a family holiday from the UAE and were sharing a room with three children at the Cumberland Hotel near Oxford Street. A lone male entered the room between 1am and 2am Sunday and was disturbed by one of the women which resulted in the assaults.

[We appeal for witnesses] who saw what happened or either saw somebody loitering around the hotel, outside or within, or who might have seen somebody leaving the hotel, perhaps hurriedly or covered in blood.

—Detective Superintendent Carl Mehta, Metropolitan Police

The first victim is said to be in a critical condition and fighting for her life, the second serious but stable and the third stable. Met Police Detective Superintendent Carl Mehta said the family had been doing some shopping during their stay and that "theft would appear to have been the motive". No arrests have yet been made.

It's an ongoing investigation and we are helping police with their inquiries in order to get this sorted as soon as possible.

—Cumberland Hotel spokesman

Wikipedia

Oxford Street

Oxford Street is a major road in the City of Westminster in the West End of London. It is Europe's busiest shopping street, and as of 2011 had approximately 300 shops. The street was formerly part of the London-Oxford road which began at Newgate, City of London, and was known as the Oxford Road.

Via Wikipedia

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (sometimes simply called the Emirates or the UAE) is a country located in the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south, as well as sharing sea borders with Qatar, Iran and Pakistan. Established on 2 December 1971, the country is a federation of seven emirates (equivalent to principalities).

Via Wikipedia

Locations

The attack happened near Oxford Street, London

Topic in-depth

London police work in 'draconian climate of fear,' report claims

Police in London are working in a “climate of fear” with senior officers using “draconian” target-setting to drive performance figures, a report claims.

Via Evening Standard

Sources

Three UAE women hurt in hammer attack at luxury London hotel ~ AFP News

Hammer attack in women's Marble Arch hotel room ~ See also: BBC News

Marble Arch hotel hammer attack: Woman fighting for life and two others seriously injured ~ See also: London Evening Standard

Pro-Russian activists who seized the main administration building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk today proclaimed it a sovereign "people's republic", independent of Kiev rule. Local footage showed a Russian-speaking spokesman for the protesters making the proclamation from a podium. The announcement was met by a huge roar from about 100 men packed inside an auditorium of what appeared to be the Donetsk administration building.

Seeking to create a popular, legitimate, sovereign state, I proclaim the creation of the sovereign state of the People's Republic of Donetsk.

—Spokesman for pro-Russian protesters

The Ostrov (Island) news website reported the activists later resolved to join the Russian Federation in a move similar to the one taken by Ukraine's Crimea peninsula last month, vowing to hold a regional sovereignty referendum no later than May 11. Ukraine's latest secessionist crisis prompted Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk to send his deputy Vitaliy Yarema to the region in order to establish a semblance of control. The Donetsk administration building today remained surrounded by about 2,000 Russian supporters - some of them armed.

Today, a plan is being implemented in the Donetsk, Lugank and Kharkiv regions to destabilise peace as well as social and economic stability.

—Donetsk Governor Sergiy Toruta

Wikipedia

2014 pro-Russian protests in Ukraine

Since the end of February 2014, demonstrations by pro-Russian and anti-government groups have taken place in major cities across the south-eastern regions of Ukraine, in the aftermath of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution and the Euromaidan movement. Beginning on 1 March, several governors' offices (RSA's) in various Eastern Ukrainian oblasts (provinces) were briefly occupied by pro-Russian activists.

Via Wikipedia

Donetsk People's Republic

The People's Republic of Donetsk is the name for a breakaway region declared on April 7, 2014, by activists currently occupying the Regional Administration Building in Donetsk, Ukraine. The People's Republic leaders announced that a referendum on whether Donetsk Oblast should "join the Russian Federation" would take place "no later than May 11, 2014."

Via Wikipedia

Locations

Pro-Russian activists have declared Donetsk independent

Topic in-depth

Unrest prompts soul-searching in Ukraine media

Following pro-Russian rallies in eastern Ukraine and the seizure of government buildings, the country's media have been focusing on protesters' demands for a referendum on joining Russia and on the perceived inaction of the security forces.

Via BBC News

Fears of gas war as Ukraine refuses to pay increased prices set by Russian firm

Dispute comes as tensions in eastern Ukraine remain high, with pro-Russian protesters storming government buildings.

Via The Guardian

Sources

Pro-Russians proclaim independence for Ukraine's Donetsk ~ AFP News

Ukraine activists declare Donetsk sovereignty ~ Al Jazeera

Ukraine fears 'Crimea scenario' in east ~ Al Jazeera

Pro-Russians say east Ukraine region independent ~ Associated Press

Pro-Russia activists proclaim separatist republic in east Ukraine city ~ Reuters

Two British tourists have drowned in the sea off Tenerife after reportedly trying to rescue their children. The female victims, named in reports as 42-year-old doctor Uma Ramalingam (pictured above) and her relative Barathe Ravikumar, 39, went to help the youngsters after they were swept away by a wave. The youngsters, aged 10 and 14, were rescued by tourists and hotel workers while an emergency services helicopter pulled a third woman, 38, out of the water.

She was a fantastic doctor who brought a lot of hope to the high-risk women attending the women and children's unit at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

—Olubusola Amu, consultant and clinical director of Women and Children Services at the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

The 10-year-old child was reportedly taken to hospital with hypothermia while the 14-year-old was treated for minor bruises at the scene. The third woman was in cardiac arrest when she was rescued but survived after receiving CPR. An investigation is now underway. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year - the most of any Canary Islands.

Wikipedia

Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands; it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2034.38 and 898,680 inhabitants, 43 percent of the total population of the Canary Islands.

Via Wikipedia

Locations

The women were dragged into the sea by a wave in Playa Paraiso, Adeje

Topic in-depth

Staying safe in Tenerife waters

There are far too many stories about drownings or near drownings on Tenerife beaches ...

Via Janet Anscombe

Sources

Doctor drowns in island rescue bid ~ Press Association

Peaches Geldof, the daughter of Bob Geldof and the late Paula Yeates, has been found dead at her home in Kent at the age of 25. The death of the mother-of-two, who had worked as a DJ, model and television personality, is being treated as unexplained and sudden by police.

We are beyond pain. She was the wildest, funniest, cleverest, wittiest and the most bonkers of all of us. Writing 'was' destroys me afresh. What a beautiful child.

—A statement from her father Bob Geldof

Police were called to her house in Wrotham at 1.35pm after receiving a report of concern for the welfare of a woman. She was pronounced dead by South East Coast Ambulance Service. In her last message on Twitter, she posted a picture of her as a child with her mother, who died of a heroin overdose in 2000.

My thoughts are with the Geldof's at this awful time. I hope they get to grieve in peace. Peaches, rest in peace gorgeous girl.

—Friend Lily Allen

Wikipedia

Peaches Geldof

Peaches Honeyblossom Geldof was an English journalist, television presenter and model. Geldof was born in London in 1989, the second daughter of Bob Geldof and Paula Yates and the granddaughter of Hughie Green. Her sisters are Fifi Trixibelle Geldof and Pixie Geldof. She also had a younger half-sister, Tiger Lily Hutchence Geldof. Geldof married Thomas Cohen, lead singer of the South East London band S.C.U.M on 8 September 2012 at the same church in Davington where her parents married 26 years earlier, and also where her mother's funeral was held in 2000. Geldof had two sons with Cohen: Astala Dylan Willow and Phaedra Bloom Forever.

Via Wikipedia

Locations

Peaches Geldof was found dead in Wrotham, Kent

Topic in-depth

Live: Peaches Geldof dead - latest news and reaction

The daughter of Bob Geldof and Paula Yates has been found dead at her home in Kent

Via Mirror Online

Sources

Bob Geldof's daughter Peaches dies aged 25: police ~ AFP News

Entertainer Bob Geldof's agent says his 25-year-old daughter Peaches has died. ~ Associated Press

Peaches Geldof dies at age 25 ~ Associated Press

A light and airy fruit pudding from America's past ~ Associated Press

Band Aid founder Bob Geldof's daughter Peaches dies aged 25 ~ Reuters

Peaches Geldof Found Dead At 25 ~ Sky News

Oscar Pistorius apologised to the family of Reeva Steenkamp today before slumping in the dock unable to continue with his evidence. Pistorius wept and trembled his way through his first day of testimony, describing how panic attacks had left him hiding in cupboards since the shooting. He woke "smelling blood", was unable to sleep and was on anti-depressants and sedatives, he told the court.

I have terrible nightmares about things that happened that night. I wake up and I can smell blood and I wake up to being terrified. I hear a noise and I wake up in a complete state of terror, to the point that I would rather not sleep.

—Oscar Pistorius' testimony

June Steenkamp did not show any emotion as Pistorius made the apology. In dramatic scenes in Pretoria, the day ended early with Pistorius sitting on the floor of the dock with his psychologist wiping away tears and stroking his face. The athlete's family formed a protective shield around him as the hearing was adjourned for the day after Judge Thokozile Masipa agreed that Pistorius was "exhausted", having not slept.

There hasn't been a moment since this tragedy happened that I haven't thought about your family. I wake up every morning and you're the first people I think of, the first people I pray for ... I was simply trying to protect Reeva.

—Oscar Pistorius addresses the Pretoria courtroom and Ms Steenkamp's mother June

Wikipedia

Reeva Steenkamp

Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp was a South African model. On 14 February 2013, she was shot dead by Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, whom she had been dating since November 2012.

Via Wikipedia

Oscar Pistorius

Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius (born 22 November 1986) is a South African sprint runner. Although both of Pistorius' legs were amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old, he competes in events for single below-knee amputees and for able-bodied athletes.

Via Wikipedia

Locations

The murder trial is taking place in Pretoria

Topic in-depth

Inside the Oscar Pistorius Murder Case: What Paths Took the Couple to That Final Night?

Mark Seal delves into the murder case that has rocked the country, and the paths the couple took to that fatal night.

Via Vanity Fair

Oscar Pistorius: the end of the rainbow

Oscar Pistorius was more than a national hero. His success came to symbolise South Africa's triumph over apartheid.

Via The Guardian

Sources

Distraught Pistorius apologises from the witness stand ~ AFP News

Pistorius apologises for killing girlfriend ~ Al Jazeera

"I'm scared to sleep", tearful Pistorius tells court ~ Reuters

A state-of-the-art £189 million library has come under fire after admitting it has no means of reaching thousands of books stored on high shelves. The landmark Library of Birmingham, which opened its doors seven months ago, is still awaiting delivery of equipment to enable staff to retrieve items from a storage area. Officials at the city centre building said it was a "frustrating" situation that should be resolved before the summer.

We fully understand how popular materials in the closed stack areas of the Library of Birmingham are and it is frustrating that we haven't yet been able to give our customers access to them.

—The library's director, Brian Gambles

Bosses said the books in the closed stack areas were low-use, academic titles that were borrowed "infrequently". Thought to be Europe's largest public library, the new building was shortlisted last week for the 2014 Library of the Year award by an industry magazine. It was officially opened by teenage women's rights campaigner Malala Yousafzai on September 1 last year and contains approximately a million books.

Wikipedia

Library of Birmingham

The Library of Birmingham is a public library in Birmingham, England. It is situated on the west side of the city centre at Centenary Square, beside the Birmingham Rep (to which it connects, and with which it shares some facilities) and Baskerville House.

Via Wikipedia

Locations

Locations

The £189m library opened last September

Topic in-depth

Library of Birmingham: Official opening of £189m building

The library has more than 200 public access computers, theatres, an exhibition gallery and music rooms.

Via BBC News

Are prison libraries the solution to the 'book ban'?

As authors protest over Chris Grayling's ban on book packages, Aime Williams investigates the state of reading in prison

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has secured a new job. The 72-year-old, who retired from management last summer after 26 years in charge of Manchester United, has secured a 'long-term teaching position' at Harvard – the world-famous and highly-prestigious Ivy League university. He'll begin his new role as part of a new programme entitled 'The Business of Entertainment, Media and Sports' in early May.

The time I have already spent at Harvard has been a stimulating experience and I look forward to developing my relationship and activities with the students, faculty and friends of the Harvard Business School community.

—Sir Alex Ferguson

Ferguson said he was "delighted" to move into the new role. Britain's most successful ever manager will return to the Boston institution next month to lecture senior executives from around the world. It comes two years after Harvard Business School professor Anita Elberse studied Ferguson's management approach to develop a case study called 'Sir Alex Ferguson: Managing Manchester United'.

We look forward to welcoming Sir Alex Ferguson on the HBS campus to share his remarkable leadership journey, and contribute to our Executive Education participants’ ability to make a profound difference in the world.

—Harvard Business School professor Anita Elberse

Wikipedia

Alex Ferguson

Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE (born 31 December 1941) is a former Scottish football manager and player who managed Manchester United from 1986 to 2013. His time at the club has led to Ferguson being regarded as one of the most successful, admired and respected managers in the history of the game.

Via Wikipedia

Locations

Locations

Sir Alex Ferguson is to work at Harvard

Topic in-depth

Sir Alex Ferguson Manager Profile

Like so many of football's top managers, Alexander Chapman Ferguson emerged from humble beginnings.

Via ESPN

Sir Alex Ferguson: 10 best and worst signings for Manchester United

The Manchester United manager built various teams in his 27 years at Old Trafford, but some signings fared better than others.

BBC iPlayer will - from this summer - increase the catch-up window for streaming shows from one week to 30 days after first being broadcast, the BBC Trust has confirmed. The news comes one month after the BBC overhauled the iPlayer for the first time since its launch by adding a number of new features. They include downloads, better recommendations, HD, live restart, favourites and collections.

People keep telling us they want programmes to be available on BBC iPlayer for longer - so extending availability from seven to 30 days will make iPlayer even better.

—BBC Executive statement

iPlayer also recently announced its support for Google's Chromecast streaming device as it launched in Europe for the first time. The device, which looks like a USB memory stick and plugs into the HDMI port of a TV, allows users to stream content from the internet via different apps - the official iPlayer app being one of them.

Wikipedia

BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer, commonly shortened to iPlayer, is an internet television and radio service and software application, developed by the BBC to extend its former RealPlayer-based and other streamed video clip content to include whole TV shows. BBC Redux was developed as a proof of concept for a cross-platform, Flash Video-based streaming system. BBC iPlayer left beta and went live on 25 December 2007.

Via Wikipedia

Locations

Topic in-depth

New BBC iPlayer pictures and hands-on

The BBC has unveiled a new version of its iPlayer catch-up and video-on-demand service.

Via Pocket-lint

Top Gear and Doctor Who dominate record ratings for BBC iPlayer

Jeremy Clarkson's motoring programme made up half of top 20 TV shows, while the Ashes Test cricket series dominated radio.

An Indian judge in Mumbai today ordered three men to hang after they were convicted of two gang-rapes, the first death sentences to be handed down for multiple sex attacks since the law was toughened last year. A series of mass protests over the levels of sexual violence prompted the government to amend the law last year and allow for harsher punishments for rapists, including the death penalty for repeat offenders. The three sentenced today were found guilty of two attacks in July and August last year at the same abandoned mill compound in Mumbai, including an attack on a photographer that made global headlines.

There needs to be zero tolerance for such incidents. A loud and clear message needs to be sent to society.

—Judge Shalini Phansalkar Joshi

Mohammed Salim Ansari, 28, Vijay Mohan Jadhav, 19, and Mohammed Kasim Hafeez Shaikh, 21, were convicted last month after a fast-track trial. They were subsequently handed life sentences for one of those assaults, the gang-rape of an 18-year-old phone operator. But they were also convicted this week under a new section of the law for being repeat rape offenders, which carries the death penalty. Two other men have been jailed for life over the attacks: Mohammed Ashwaq Sheikh in the telephone operator case and Siraj Rehmat Khan in the case of the photographer. A juvenile is being separately tried over the attack on the photographer.

Wikipedia

Rape in India

Rape in India has been described by Radha Kumar as one of India's most common crimes against women and by the UN’s human-rights chief as a “national problem”. Marital rape is not a criminal offence. Per-capita reported incidents of rape are quite low compared to other countries, even developed countries.

Via Wikipedia

Locations

Locations

A Mumbai court handed down the sentences

Topic in-depth

When can we expect change in Delhi's rape statistics?

Looking at recently released official data on crimes against women it is clear that there are no major surprises - at least as far as the figures for Delhi go.

Via BBC News

Rape In India: Why It Seems Worse

Yes, the gang rapes have been shocking — but India's reputation as rape capital is undeserved.

A Chinese tycoon has bought British high street chain the House of Fraser, according to sources. Reports say a 89 per cent stake was bought by Sanpower, a Nanjing-based conglomerate controlled by Yafei Yuan. House of Fraser will now seek strategic growth in mainland China as part of a wider, global expansion. The deal values the department stores at more than £450m.

We can learn from House of Fraser. But the deal is good for House of Fraser as well. The UK market is growing slowly and is limited. I can bring them to China.

—Sanpower Group founder Yafei Yuan

The two sides are thought to have been in secret discussions for several months. This follows a protracted search for investors led by House of Fraser's chairman, Don McCarthy. Just months ago the company was tipped for a public flotation. Sports Direct and Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley was also tipped as a making a possible move for the company.

We want to bring House of Fraser to China and build a bridge to the world. So when Chinese who know this brand come to UK to sightsee or study, they will say “Oh, I know this brand!”.

—John King, House of Fraser's chief executive

Wikipedia

House of Fraser

House of Fraser is a British department store group with over 60 stores across the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was established in Glasgow, Scotland in 1849 as Arthur and Fraser. By 1891 it was known as Fraser & Sons. The company grew steadily during the early 20th century, but after the Second World War, a large number of acquisitions would transform the company into a national chain.

Via Wikipedia

Locations

Locations

House of Fraser was founded in Glasgow in 1849

Topic in-depth

Timeline: A history of House of Fraser

Here Drapers looks back over the department store’s history since it launched in 1849.

A man dressed as a policeman has shot two foreign journalists in eastern Afghanistan, killing one and wounding the other. The journalists were reporting for the Associated Press news agency from an isolated town along the country's mountainous border with Pakistan. Anja Niedringhaus (pictured above), who was 48 and a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer from Germany, was killed instantly according to a witness. Canadian reporter Kathy Gannon, 60, was shot twice and is being treated in hospital where she is in a stable condition.

Anja was a vibrant, dynamic journalist well-loved for her insightful photographs, her warm heart and joy for life. We are heartbroken at her loss.

—AP executive editor Kathleen Carroll

The shooting took place on the eve of Afghanistan's presidential election, which Taliban insurgents have vowed to disrupt with bombings and assassinations. The pair were in their own car in a convoy of election workers driving through Khost. The convoy was protected by the Afghan National Army and Afghan police. As they were sitting in the car waiting for the convoy to move, a police unit commander named Naqibullah walked up to the car, yelled "Allahu Akbar" - God is Great - and opened fire on them in the back seat with an AK-47. He then surrendered to the other police and was arrested.

Anja Niedringhaus was one of the most talented, bravest and accomplished photojournalists of her generation. She truly believed in the need to bear witness.

—AP Vice President and Director of Photography Santiago Lyon

Wikipedia

Associated Press

The Associated Press (AP) is an American multinational nonprofit news agency headquartered in New York City. The AP is owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, all of which contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists.

Via Wikipedia

Anja Niedringhaus

Anja Niedringhaus (12 October 1965 – 4 April 2014) was a German photojournalist working for the Associated Press. She was the only woman on a team of 11 AP photographers that won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography for coverage of the Iraq War.

Via Wikipedia

Locations

Locations

The shootings happened in Khost

Topic in-depth

Anja Niedringhaus' heartbreaking final pictures days before she was killed

Anja Niedringhaus, 48, an internationally acclaimed German photographer, was killed instantly, according to an AP Television freelancer who witnessed the shooting.

Via Daily Mail Online

Afghan hope prevails on eve of presidential election

Ordinary Afghans vow to defy fraud, violence and intimidation to turn out in large numbers to choose Hamid Karzai's successor.