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Eleven years ago, Brenda Heist of central Pennsylvania vanished. She had dropped off her kids, then 8 and 12, at school. Dinner was defrosting. Laundry was half-done. And then she was gone without a trace. There was a long investigation. Her husband was considered a suspect at one point. Eventually, she was declared dead. Then last week, Heist walked up to police in South Florida and told them who she was. Not surprisingly, her children aren't ready to forgive her. From CBS News: It began when three strangers reached out to comfort (Heist) as she cried in despair in a park in 2002, then offered to let her accompany them. She took them up on it… Heist decided to join the three strangers as they hitchhiked for a month along Interstate 95 on their way to South Florida. She told (Lititz Borough Police Detective John Schofield) she slept in tents and under bridges, survived by scavenging restaurant trash and panhandling, and kept her previous life a secret, contacting no one and usi

Howard Kurtz fired after incorrect Jason Collins column. In an unusually high-profile termination in the media world, the Daily Beast Thursday fired star columnist Howard Kurtz after Kurtz bungled a story about NBA player Jason Collins coming out as gay. Kurtz, a media reporter, published a column on Wednesday criticizing Collins' essay in Sports Illustrated in which the basketball player talked about being gay, becoming the first active male professional athlete in the United States to do so. Kurtz accused Collins of leaving out the fact that he was once engaged to a woman. But Kurtz was wrong. Collins had written: "When I was younger I dated women. I even got engaged." It was right there in paragraph eight. The guardian reported "The Daily Beast and Howard Kurtz have parted company," Beast editor Tina Brown said in a statement. The statement went on to name journalists employed by the site who have not disgraced it. Kurtz, 59, a 30-year veteran of the Washing

Houston airport shooting Incident today and shooter shot self. The Federal Aviation Administration said an airline stopped inbound and departing flights at a terminal at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston Thursday after a man apparently shot himself outside the airport's secure area. CBS Houston affiliate KHOU-TV, citing a Houston Police Department captain, reports that the man fired at least two shots into the air with a rifle at the ticket area inside Terminal B. There are conflicting reports as to what happened. CBS News reports that a Department of Homeland Security law enforcement officer confronted the man before he apparently shot himself, according to the department. Cbsnews reported The police captain told KHOU-TV that a federal air marshal shot at the man and missed. The man then shot himself with a pistol, the captain told KHOU-TV. A police spokesperson confirmed to CBS News that a man suffered at least one gunshot wound and was taken to an area hospital but would

TV host David Tutera and his husband Ryan Jurica are heading for divorce after 10-years of marriage due to Tutera's alleged sex addiction. The WE TV's My Fair Wedding, filed "irreconcilable differences" from his husband, but now Jurica is alleging that Tutera has been hiring escorts and prostitutes during their marriage. According to documents obtained by TMZ, Jurica stated, "After repeated attempts at marriage counseling and therapy, we have been unable to save our relationship due to [David's] addiction to sex." The document continued, "[David] has engaged in a pattern of hiring sex escorts and prostitutes to support his addiction." Tutera is denying the claims and told People, "The allegations against me are baseless and untrue and I will fight vigorously to defend my reputation in the court of law as well as the court of public opinion," says Tutera. "I believe them to be fabrications of a desperate individual in order to gai

TV host sex addiction , As thė host of Wė TV's My Fair Wėdding, David Tutėra has givėn countlėss couplės thė fairy-talė wėddings of thėir drėams. But his own happily-ėvėr-aftėr is quickly bėcoming a nightmarė. ėarliėr this month , thė cėlėbrity wėdding plannėr filėd to ėnd his dėcadė-long domėstic partnėrship with husband Ryan Jurica , TMZ reports . According to lėgal documėnts filėd in L.A. and obtainėd by thė sitė, Tutėra is sėėking to ėnd thė rėlationship bėcausė of "irrėconcilablė diffėrėncės." But other documents filed by Jurica two days earlier in Connecticut allege that Tutera's libido is to blame for the split. "Aftėr rėpėatėd attėmpts at marriagė counsėling and thėrapy, wė havė bėėn unablė to savė our rėlationship duė to [David's] addiction to sėx," TMZ quotės thė papėrs as saying. "[David] has ėngagėd in a pattėrn of hiring sėx ėscorts and prostitutės to support his addiction." Complicating mattėrs furthėr is t

Worried about their 13-year-old daughter's increasingly disrespectful behavior, Gentry and Renee Nickell of Crestview, Florida, decided to make her punishment humiliating and public. On Saturday, the teen (whose name has not been released) spent 90 minutes standing at a busy intersection with a hand-written sign describing her sins. It read: "I’m a self-entitled teenager w/no respect for authority. I’m also super smart, yet I have 3 'D’s' because I DON’T CARE." Passing motorists saw the teen, who was standing with her dad at the corner of Ferdon Boulevard and U.S. Highway 90 in Crestview, and snapped pictures of her with their cell phones. Some of the photos ended up on Facebook, where they were shared within the Crestview community (the Nickells said that they have not seen those photos; Yahoo! Shine was not able to find them online). Someone called the police, who showed up to talk to the teen and left after deciding that she was "aware of her punishment an

Naming a TV host’s sex addiction as the cause for a legal separation after a 10-year-domestic partnership is remarkable; especially since the couple is expecting the birth of twins via a surrogate in July. David Tutera, the TV host of "My Fair Wedding," is the breadwinner with an income of “more than $1 million a year.” However, because of the TV host’s alleged sex addiction, Ryan Jurica, David Tutera's partner of 10 years, is demanding full custody of the unborn children, reported People on May 2, 2013. "After repeated attempts at marriage counseling and therapy, we have been unable to save our relationship due to [Tutera's] addiction to sex." In September of 2003, TV host David Tutera and Ryan Jurica wed in Vermont. In 2013, on New Year’s Day, the couple separated. On April 19, 2013, David Tutera filed legal papers at the Los Angeles County Superior Court stating “irreconcilable differences” as the cause for the separation. The legal documents also menti

TV host sex addiction was the reason For Divorce. Naming a TV host’s sex addiction as the cause for a legal separation after a 10-year-domestic partnership is remarkable; especially since the couple is expecting the birth of twins via a surrogate in July. David Tutera, the TV host of "My Fair Wedding," is the breadwinner with an income of “more than $1 million a year.” However, because of the TV host’s alleged sex addiction, Ryan Jurica, David Tutera's partner of 10 years, is demanding full custody of the unborn children, reported People on May 2, 2013. "After repeated attempts at marriage counseling and therapy, we have been unable to save our relationship due to [Tutera's] addiction to sex." In September of 2003, TV host David Tutera and Ryan Jurica wed in Vermont. In 2013, on New Year’s Day, the couple separated. On April 19, 2013, David Tutera filed legal papers at the Los Angeles County Superior Court stating “irreconcilable differences” as the cause

Escort 'growled like an animal and tried to eat date's penis and testicles after romantic meal' Police claim Priscilla Vaughn was high on a cocktail of ecstasy, marijuana and booze when she attacked her date in a hotel room in Orlando, Florida Date from hell: It's alleged Priscilla Vaughn was high on a cocktail of ecstasy, marijuana and booze when she attacked her date in a hotel room in Orlando, Florida Splash An escort allegedly started growling like an animal before trying to eat her date's penis and testicles after a romantic meal.Police claim Priscilla Vaughn was high on a cocktail of ecstasy, marijuana and booze when she attacked the man in a hotel room in Orlando, Florida.The 29-year-old, who has been charged with attempted murder and battery, is alleged to have bit the man's genitals so badly he needed surgery.The two had met on website BackPage.com and went out for dinner at an Applebees restaurant on Tuesday.Once back at the hotel, it's alleg

George Lowe: Last surviving member of team which first conquered Everest dies at 89 He helped Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgary to become the first to reach the top of the world's highest peak Highest peak: Mount Everest The last surviving member of the team which first conquered Everest in 1953 has died at the age of 89. George Lowe died at a nursing home in Ripley, Derbyshire, on Wednesday night after a long-term illness, with his wife Mary by his side. Mr Lowe, who was born in New Zealand, was part of the team that helped Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgary to become the first to reach the top of the world's highest peak on May 29 1953. As Sir Edmund, a close friend and fellow New Zealander, descended Mount Everest the next day, he greeted Mr Lowe with: "Well, George, we knocked the bastard off." Following his Everest climb, Mr Lowe went on to take part in the Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1957-58, which made the first successful overland crossing of

America in their sights: North Korea threat to US air and navy bases in Pacific Threats from the rogue state followed America’s “hostile” war-gaming with South Korea and a mock drone strike against Seoul acted out by the North War footing: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un North Korea threatened strikes against US military bases in Japan and on the Pacific island of Guam today.Threats from the rogue state followed America’s “hostile” war-gaming with South Korea and a mock drone strike against Seoul acted out by the North.North Korea’s young leader Kim Jong-un ordered the mock pilotless plane strike and held an air raid drill after accusing the US of preparing to attack.Jong-Un accused America of practising air attacks using bombers flying over the Korean peninsula as part of drills between the South and US forces.There are more than 30,000 US troops in South Korea, bolstering the country against attack, although it is thought the Pentagon has ordered reinforcements.North Korea has

This week's amazing Twitter photos: cute animals, beautiful travel photos and more Get the funniest virals and the most candid celeb pictures in our latest round-up of Twitter snaps. Despite the arrival of Spring this week, Twitter users are still posting snowy animal photos to the social network. Some of our favourites made the list this week, including pandas and emperor penguins. Also featured this week are a beautiful photo of Santorini at night and a Russian Orthodox church in the snow of Antarctica.

Apocalypse wow: Stunning photos of lightning striking volcano as it erupts The photographer took the shots when the volcano, which has erupted almost continually since 1955, burst into a big eruption again Strike one: The fiery scene Martin Rietze/National These stunning pictures show lightning striking around an erupting volcano in Japan.The pics were taken by German photographer Martin Rietze at Sakurajima volcano on a former island off Japan, now connected following a previous eruption.Martin, 48, took the shots at the end of last month when the volcano, which has erupted almost continually since 1955, burst into a big eruption again.He said: “It was an amazing sight and to see the static discharge of volcanic lightning dance around for up to 20 seconds at a time was magical.“Watching a volcano erupt gives you a real sense of the power of the earth and what lies beneath it.” Strike two: Powerful sight Martin Rietze/National Sakurajima had been silent for 100 years

dramatic moment builder gives little girl kiss of life in supermarket Rowan O'Neill was shopping when he sprung into action to save two-year-old Shaylar Collard A builder saved the life of a little girl - after giving her the kiss of life in a supermarket.Rowan O'Neill was shopping when he sprung into action to save two-year-old Shaylar Collard.The little girl's mum, Amy, had called for help after her child had collapsed and stopped breathing.CCTV footage shows Mr O'Neill rushing to help and turning her upside down in a desperate attempt to revive her.The girl's father, Michael Narkle, then dashes back inside the Perth store to help after panic-stricken Amy runs to get him. He and Mr O'Neill then both shake little Amy, pat her on the back and try the Heimlich manoeuvre.When their desperate attempts to revive the stricken child fail, Mr O'Neill gives her the kiss of life - and 90 seconds later she opens her eyes.Amy was reportedly taken to hospital but wel

Chinese Girl: World's most reproduced painting sells for nearly £1 million at auction The work by Siberian-born artist Vladimir Tretchikoff was bought for £982,050 - nearly double its expected price - by billionaire British businessman and jeweller Laurence Graff The original painting of the Chinese Girl, thought to be the most reproduced print in the world, was bought by billionaire British businessman and jeweller Laurence Graff for nearly £1 million today. Mr Graff, chairman of Graff Diamonds International, owns the Delaire Graff Estate near Stellenbosch, South Africa, where the picture will go on public display with the rest of his art collection.The jeweller, who in 2010 spent a staggering 46 million US dollars (£30 million) on a 24.78-carat rare pink diamond, paid £982,050 - nearly double its expected price - for the painting.The work by Siberian-born artist Vladimir Tretchikoff was part of a sale of South African art at Bonhams auction house.Millions of reproductions o

Cyber attack: North Korean hackers blamed for shutting down banks and broadcasters in the South Several major South Korean public broadcasters and banks saw their computer networks shut down today – and blamed the North Under attack: The Seoul newsroom of Korean Broadcasting System North Korea is being accused of a crippling cyber attack on its southern neighbour.Several major South Korean public broadcasters and banks saw their computer networks shut down today – and blamed the North and its dictator Kim Jong-Un. Officials at South Korea’s KBS and MBC broadcasters said all their computers blacked out without warning.Cable news channel YTN also reported their internal network was completely paralysed.Staff at other broadcasters said their computers crashed and could not be restarted.

'The evidence is overwhelming': Court rules two men 'to blame' for Omagh bomb atrocity which killed 29 The judge ruled Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly were responsible for the 1998 Real IRA atrocity – whose victims included a woman pregnant with twins Devastation: Omagh after the atrocity Two Irish republicans were today found liable for a second time for the Omagh bomb that killed 29 people.The landmark civil action against Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly was taken by relatives of some victims.The pair were re-tried after they successfully appealed a finding of liability in the first case at Belfast High Court.But the second action ended in the same outcome at the same court as judge John Gillen ruled that both were responsible for the 1998 Real IRA atrocity – whose victims included a woman pregnant with twins.Neither was in court to hear the judge say the evidence against them was “overwhelming”.

Barack Obama had to deal with his very own Middle Eastern oil crisis today – after his limo broke down during his historic visit to Israel. The most powerful man in the world faced the embarrassment of having to switch vehicles after somebody filled it up with petrol instead of diesel.As he climbed into a standby motor, the custom-built armour-plated Cadillac was loaded on to the back of a pick-up truck and taken away for repairs.The embarrassing shalomni-shambles came at the start of the President’s first trip to Tel Aviv.And he was clearly still smarting over the incident as he met Israeli chiefs later this afternoon.He began by apologising to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and in one snippet of conversation was overheard saying: “… it’s embarrassing… our entourage… my wife Michelle teases me mercilessly”.Secret Service spokesman Edwin Donovan later admitted: “One of our protective vehicles experienced mechanical problems."This is why we bring multiple vehicles and a mechan

Tiger Woods' new girlfriend Lindsey Vonn recreates Sharon Stone's famous Basic Instinct 'leg-crossing' scene It's not hard to see why champion skier Lindsey Vonn caught golfer Tiger Woods' eye judging by these pictures.The 28-year-old is seen recreating Sharon Stone's famous 'leg-crossing' scene in the film Basic Instinct for the cover of ESPN magazine. In a behind-the-scenes video clip, Lindsey, who bares a striking likeness to the the actress, even introduces herself as Stone. Lindsey Vonn recreates Sharon Stone's pose in Basic Instinct She tells the camera: "Hey this is Lindsey Vonn and we are in Vail, Colorado and we are shooting a scene from Basic Instinct and I am Sharon Stone."She then recites one of the lines from the scene saying seductively: "What are you going to do charge me for smoking?"Tiger and Lindsey went public with their relationship last week.

'The Bolshoi Ballet is a giant brothel': Ex-star claims dancers were forced to have sex with wealthy men The former prima ballerina said the women faced losing their jobs at the Moscow institution if they objected Denies claims: The Bolshoi's general director Anatoly Iksanov An ex-Bolshoi Ballet star said dancers were forced to have sex with wealthy men and the theatre was a “brothel”.Former prima ballerina Anastasia Volochkova, 37, said the women faced losing their jobs at the Moscow institution if they objected.The dancer, who won a legal case after she was fired in 2003 for being too heavy, said: “The general director has turned the Bolshoi theatre into a giant brothel.“Ten years ago when I was dancing at the theatre, I repeatedly received propositions to share the beds of oligarchs.“The girls were forced to go along to grand dinners and given advance warning that afterwards they would be expected to have sex.“When the girls asked: ‘What happens if we refuse?’, they

"I have achieved my dream": Teenager returns to school five months after Taliban shot her in head She beamed with delight as she arrived at school five months after being shot for promoting education for young girls Excited: Malala Yousafzai as she attends her first day of school Shot Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai today achieved her dream of going back to school.She beamed with delight as she arrived at school five months after being shot for promoting education for young girls.Malala, wearing a hijab and dark uniform, will spend the next two years at Edgbaston High School for Girls in Birmingham.It was the first time she has attended classes since being shot at point blank range by Taliban gunmen in her homeland.Speaking before her first lesson, the 15-year-old said: “I’m excited that I have achieved my dream of going back to school.“I want all girls in the world to have this basic opportunity. “I miss my classmates from Pakistan very much but I am looking forwar

"I have achieved my dream": Teenager returns to school five months after Taliban shot her in head She beamed with delight as she arrived at school five months after being shot for promoting education for young girls Excited: Malala Yousafzai as she attends her first day of school Shot Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai today achieved her dream of going back to school.She beamed with delight as she arrived at school five months after being shot for promoting education for young girls.Malala, wearing a hijab and dark uniform, will spend the next two years at Edgbaston High School for Girls in Birmingham.It was the first time she has attended classes since being shot at point blank range by Taliban gunmen in her homeland.Speaking before her first lesson, the 15-year-old said: “I’m excited that I have achieved my dream of going back to school.“I want all girls in the world to have this basic opportunity. “I miss my classmates from Pakistan very much but I am looking forwar

New India sex shock: British tourist leaps off hotel balcony fearing she was about to be raped The terrified 25-year-old fled when the hotel’s boozed up manager woke her in the early hours and offered a “free hand oil body massage” A British tourist was injured today after jumping from a hotel balcony fearing she was about to be raped by the manager.The terrified 25-year-old believed she would become India’s latest sex attack victim when the hotel’s boozed up manager Sachin Chauhan woke her in the early hours and offered a “free hand oil body massage”.So she leapt from the second-floor room, injuring her leg, head and ribs, before fleeing the building to safety. Police Senior ­Superintendent Subhash Chandra Dubey said the woman had booked a 4am call at the Hotel Agra Mahal, in Agra, Northern India.But Chauhan allegedly ­propositioned her instead. Ordeal: Tourist arrives at hospital in ambulanceThe woman, said to be a dentist from London, spurned his advances and sent him packing.

RAF plane flies to crisis-hit Cyprus with a MILLION euros for British forces in case cash machines stop working It will provide people with emergency loans in the event that cash machines and debit cards stop working completely .Cash-strapped: A man and a woman use an ATM in central Nicosia, Cyprus AN RAF plane carrying €1million in cash flew to Cyprus today to bail out British soldiers caught up in the country’s spiralling bank crisis.The Voyager aircraft took off RAF Brize Norton this afternoon carrying the cash worth £860,000 and arrived tonight at RAF Akrotiri.Officials said the money is for emergency loans for soldiers if cash machines and debit cards stop working.Ministry of Defence officials are also working on plans to allow British personnel in Cyprus to have their monthly salary paid into non-Cypriot bank accounts next month to avoid the savings raid.There are around 3,000 British Armed Forces personnel in Cyprus.Today’s dramatic development came after George Osborne was f

Devastation in Baghdad: At least 56 people killed in bombings on tenth anniversary of Iraq invasion Violence continues to rage in Baghdad despite the invasion by American and western troops which swept dictator Saddam Hussein from power A wave of bombings tore through Baghdad More than fifty people were killed when a series of car and suicide bombings devastated Baghdad today on the tenth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.Markets, restaurants and bus stops were targeted in the co-ordinated attacks and there was also an attempt to bomb the Green Zone, the heavily-fortified area of the Iraqi capital which houses government buildings and the British and American embassies. Although no group has claimed responsibility, the bombings are believed to be the work of Sunni militants linked to the al Qaeda terror group which is opposed to the Shia-led government. Cab driver Ali Radi, who was caught up in the carnage, said: “I was driving in my taxi and suddenly I felt my car rocked. Smok

Smirk of a maniac: Teenager wears 'Killer' T-shirt as he's jailed for life for school gun rampage The 18-year-old smirked throughout the hearing, particularly when relatives of the victims were invited to make statements to the court Jailed: Lane in court during his sentencing A US teenager who went in a gun rampage at his school killing three people has been jailed for life.T.J. Lane showed no remorse as he swore at victims’ families and wore a T-shirt in court with the word “Killer” across the front.Lane, 18, smirked as a judge told him he would spend the rest of his life in jail with no possibility of parole.Lane had pleaded guilty to three counts of murder.He was 17 when he shot three other teens dead outside his school in Chardon, Ohio, with his uncle’s rifle last year.Lane never gave any explanation for his rampage which also injured three others. Asked in court to make a statement, he said: “F*** all of you.”

Shrimply red: Thousands of dead prawns wash up on beach Fishermen claim nearby power stations are heating the waters after hundreds of dead crabs also washed up in the same area .Thousands of dead prawns washed ashore today turning a beach red. Fishermen claim nearby power stations are heating the waters after hundreds of dead crabs also washed up in the same area at the weekend. Gregorio Ortega said: "I'm 69 years old and started fishing when I was nine but, as a fisherman, I never saw a disaster of this magnitude." People walk past thousand of shrimps beached on the "Caleta Rojas" at Coronel town, Chile People walk past thousand of shrimps beached on the "Caleta Rojas" at Coronel town, Chile Reuters The dead sealife appeared in Coronel, some 330 miles south of the Chile capital, Santiago. Invironment prosecutor Ana Maria Aldana said: "We're going to be collecting as much evidence as possible to determine if this is an environmental cr

Storage Wars Drops 3 atleast 3 person from cast dropped after the lawsuit filed. Popular A&E reality show “Storage Wars” has dropped three more cast members in the wake of the lawsuit filed by Dave Hester, one of the buyers during the show’s first three seasons, against the A&E network. RadarOnline.com reported that “at least three familiar faces have now been cut back” on the program. They include Darrell Sheets as well as auctioneers Dan and Laura Dotson. “They lived up to Darrell’s contract, but then shot more episodes that weren’t covered by his contract and kept him out of those,” a source told Radar. “He was not happy to say the least.” The source added that with the cutting of Sheets, it “seems as if they are going after some of the higher paid cast members and meanwhile they are expanding the franchise.” The source also said that the Dotsons did not appreciate the move. “They make good money and they need the money,” a source said. “Suddenly the show just told them, ‘We

Storage Wars has dropped 3 more cast members after Dave Hester’s lawsuit. Fan favorites Darrell Sheets, and auctioneers Dan and Laura Dotson have been cut out of some episodes, Radar Online reported on May 1. According to the report, after Dave Hester was frozen out of episodes by execs, he filed a lawsuit claiming the show was fake, and that lockers were stuffed at times. Now, “Storage Wars” has also dropped 3 more cast members from certain episodes. Darrell Sheets and Dan and Laura Dotson won’t be featured in a handful of episodes. “They lived up to Darrell’s contract, but then shot more episodes that weren’t covered by his contract and kept him out of those,” a source close to the situation revealed. “He was not happy to say the least.” Examiner reports Darrell, whose nickname is “The Gambler,” is a favorite among fans, and was reportedly cut back due to money. “It seems as if they are going after some of the higher paid cast members,” the source said. “And meanwhile they are expan

Storage Wars drops 3 cast members in the wake of the Dave Hester lawsuit. On May 1, Radar Online reported that Darrell Sheets and auctioneers Dan and Laura Dotson have been cut back from the newest season. Some fans of the show believe that Hester's lawsuit filing caused producers to kick him off the show and to "punish" others who have been staples on the show as well. "In the aftermath of Dave Hester filing a lawsuit against the A&E network and the production company, at least three familiar faces have now been cut back on the hit show," Radar Online reports. "Storage Wars" drops 3 either because of money or some other reason unknown to the public. Basically, sources say that the powers that be are trying to cut back on money so they are going after some of the highest paid cast members and cutting them out of episodes (most reality TV stars get paid per episode). For some, this is very unacceptable. Examiner reported "They make good money

HIV cure 'within months' has been the subject of scrutiny right after it was published on May 1. The article was about a Danish study and was published on about.com. Dennis Sifris, M.D. said that HIV cure 'within months' is somewhat premature. An HIV educator and journalist, James Myhre is skeptical of the article published. Both Myhre and Dr. Sifris said that their intention is not to drive away the fact that the research as "compelling and credible". What they are trying to emphasize is that the technique used in order to draw out the HIV from the reservoirs of the body has no guarantee a total cure. Thus, the HIV cure 'within months' is a bit dubious. Telegraph Reported It is a fact that the current HIV drugs circulating today prevents the virus to reproduce to enter right the to blood cells. However, there are some virus which will remain dormant right inside the reservoirs. Then, later on they will be back right from the moment a pa

Every postal worker in Britain will be given around £1,500 of shares in Royal Mail when it floats on the stock market, the Business Minister will say today. It will be the largest employee share scheme for 25 years with around 140,000 workers from postmen to local delivery office managers expected to scoop a windfall. In his first speech on the controversial privatisation of the country’s postal service, Michael Fallon will today pledge to make the share handout ‘as attractive as possible.’ He is keen the share handout is structured in a way that all postal workers benefit, rather than just allowing the executives to walk away with millions. But he will warn the militant postal union, the Communication Workers Union, that they must ‘engage’ with the Government - or the deal could be scuppered. The CWU is bitterly opposed to the privatisation of Royal Mail, a deal which it fears will lead to price rises, pay cuts and the destruction of the service. In a protest against the privatisatio

New laws giving householders the right to fight back against burglars were condemned as a ‘farce’ last night after it emerged they are riddled with loopholes. The Government had promised to let people use maximum force when confronted by intruders, after an outcry at cases where victims were arrested for defending their homes and businesses. Justice Minister Chris Grayling told last year’s Tory Party conference: ‘Householders who act instinctively and honestly in self-defence are crime victims and should be treated that way.’ Promises: Justice Minister Chris Grayling vowed to beef up protection But today it can be revealed that the new defence of ‘disproportionate force’ – which became law this week – will not apply in many cases. Official guidance sent to judges, prosecutors and police shows: Homeowners cannot rely on the new defence if they find an intruder in their garden or chase them outside – the fight must take place indoors. Shopkeepers can only get away with disproportiona