Online music videos are to be given age ratings in a bid to protect children from explicit images and lyrics. Top artists including Sam Smith, George Ezra and Joss Stone could see their music videos handed 12, 15 or 18 certifications under the government-backed pilot scheme. The British Board of Film Certification, which is running the initiative, has estimated that one in five videos released will be deemed unfit for those under 12. Video sharing sites YouTube and Vevo have signed up to the scheme and pledged to include the warnings on clips uploaded to their sites. Vevo puts the rating in the top corner of the video, while YouTube includes it in the information beneath . However some of the world’s raunchiest performers, such as Miley Cyrus and Rihanna, are not covered by the scheme and there are no measures in place to enforce the guidelines . Rapper Dizzee Rascal has already seen his video ‘Couple of Stacks’ rated 18 under the initiative. Ellie Goulding’s ‘Love Me Like You Do’, recorded for the film Fifty Shades of Grey, was handed a 15 warning and Kasabian’s ‘Stevie’ was rated 12. But even with these ratings in place, there is nothing to stop younger music fans stumbling across the inappropriate clips which often include sexual imagery, violence and obscene language. Only videos released by the British arms of Sony Music UK, Universal Music UK and Warner Music UK are covered by the scheme and the companies are free to choose which videos they want to submit for certification. This means videos from artists such as Miley Cyrus, Nicky Minaj and Rihanna, who are not signed to those labels and are known for their raunchy videos, will not be included in the ratings system. Video sharing sites YouTube and Vevo have signed up to the scheme and pledged to include the warnings on clips uploaded to their sites. Vevo puts the rating in the top corner of the video, while YouTube includes it in the information beneath. However, there are no checks to make sure the person watching is of the correct age. YouTube is the world’s most popular video sharing platform, with one billion worldwide users. It hosts videos for the vast majority of musicians. Some of the world’s raunchiest performers, such as Miley Cyrus and Rihanna, are not covered by the scheme and there are no measures in place to enforce the guidelines . A spokesman for Vevo said: ‘There is no signing in as such or filters – although this is a next step that may be added in time. At the moment this is about giving parents and users the information they need to make a more informed viewing choice and decision. To be effective it requires that parents also take an active interest in what their children are watching.’ Campaigners said last night that the latest move is a ‘fantastic step’ but called for stricter enforcement and for all music videos to carry the ‘kite mark’ of an official age rating to help parents protect their children. The scheme has been running since October last year and has so far seen 84 videos rated, with 27 given a 12 classification, 39 a 15 and one a 18. The BBFC has estimated that one in five videos released will be deemed unsuitable for children under the age of 12. Top artists including Sam Smith, George Ezra and Joss Stone could see their music videos handed 12, 15 or 18 certifications under the government-backed pilot scheme. Dizzee Rascal’s video was given the highest rating because of ‘strong bloody violence, gore, very strong language’. The three and a half minute clip contains extreme violence with the rapper ripping the heart out of a stripping woman, brandishing a knife while covered in blood and decapitating a woman whose body then stumbles around the room. He also holds a family hostage and serves a cake with severed fingers instead of candles. He is shown pulling out a person’s eyeball, slitting one woman’s throat and cutting another’s head in half. Vivienne Pattison, from campaign group Media Watch-UK, said: ‘When parents are surveyed, the two areas that came up as being particularly problematic were soap operas and music videos, those are the two areas that come up again and again as the issue. One in five, that’s a huge number of videos. 'What happens is one video pushes the boundaries and the next artists is under pressure to do the same in order to get people talking about it. It becomes a great merry-go-round and I think that is a fantastic illustration of exactly where this is gone, it’s quite extraordinary. ‘It’s not a magic bullet but it’s a fantastic step and I think it will really make a difference. I don’t know where we will end up down the line but I would like this to act as a kite mark for music videos. This is not a move about censorship, the videos will all still be there, but I think artists and record companies need to take seriously that if they are targeting young fans they have got to do it responsibly.’ On the lack of enforcement of the ratings, she said: ‘You can’t go into a shop and buy a 15 rated film without ID and we need to see about extending those protections online.’ Dizzee Rascal’s video was given the highest rating because of ‘strong bloody violence, gore, very strong language’. The three and a half minute clip contains extreme violence .

Videos from artists including Sam Smith could be given age ratings online . British certification chiefs say one in five videos deemed unfit for under 12 . YouTube and Vevo pilot the scheme but kids could find videos elsewhere . Only videos released by UK labels count so Miley and Rihanna not covered .

 new guidelines. However, the videos will remain accessible to children if they are over 18 as a “parental permission” label will also be used on some music videos. The age ratings will be designed to provide parents with more insight about a music video before they decide whether their child should watch it. The age ratings are one of a range of measures including the Parental Guidance advisory on videos that will be used on music videos and playlists for children on YouTube as part of the measures taken by YouTube to help parents keep their children safe whilst they are using the service. The ratings will only be visible to parents and will cover a range of categories including violence, sexual themes, drug use and lyrics. For example, videos depicting drug use will be rated 18, while videos with lyrics containing swearing will be rated 15 and a small number of music videos will be marked 12, including some songs by Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith.
Musicians will be expected to include more information about age ratings to appear on their profiles. For instance, Sam Smith’s profile already lists that his forthcoming albums are 18, but the information is not displayed when users listen to his music on YouTube. However, children under the age of 18 will still be able to watch videos and use the service in the usual way. A new label for music videos aimed at children will also be introduced to help parents decide whether a video is suitable for their child.
YouTube has also confirmed that it will be adding a new feature to its parental controls that allows parents to block videos they do not want their children to watch. The tool allows them to stop users watching music videos about smoking, self-harm, suicide, and drug use. The new video content ratings are also accompanied by improved labelling for video descriptions and video comments. There will also be a “new set of guidelines” for YouTube creators with new age verification measures including “proactive detection of age verification”. YouTube is also working with the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) to remove music that is known to have featured a child or that shows the image of a child in a sexual or suggestive way from its recommendations to young users. However, the platform has made it clear that it will continue to allow content that “explicitly depicts violence or other real life harms”.
YouTube did not explain why a 12-year-old version of the video for Taylor Swift’s song “Shake It Off” has been left on the platform but an updated


A Melbourne photographer has secured one of the most prestigious photography accolades in Australia, the National Photographic Portrait Prize from the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. Hoda Afshar, 31, was awarded $25,000 for Ali, an atmospheric and dreamy vision of a young boy wondering down a foggy pathway in a mountainous Middle Eastern village. Ms Afshar beat 43 other finalists, selected from a record 2500 entries from across the country, in a unanimous verdict from the judges, who praised the dream-like quality of the work. Ali, the winner of the 2015 National Photographic Portrait Prize.The atmospheric vision captures a young boy wondering down a foggy pathway in a mountainous Middle Eastern village . Hoda Afshar, 31, was awarded $25,000 in a unanimous verdict from the judges. She beat beat 43 other finalists, selected from a record 2500 portrait entries from across Australia . The Melbourne photographer returned to her native land of Iran eight years ago in the hope of documenting elusive walks of life. And that's exactly what happened when she stumbled upon a mysterious community living in the mountains. 'It exists above the clouds about three hours' drive up a mountain and you get to this heavenly, dreamy sort of village that I have to say is like a forgotten place, and there's no electricity, no technology, nothing – people have a different sort of lifestyle,' she told Sydney Morning Herald. When she spotted the young boy wandering down the path, Ms Afshar captured the image on an old fashioned camera. She told ABC that while she knew she had taken a great shot at the time, she had to wait to return to Australia to see the image in all its glory. 'It's a moment I think every photographer experiences,' she said. 'You know you have something special in there.' Feather, Natalie Grono, an image of a 78-year-old Byron Bay local. The competition drew entries from professional photographers, self-portraitists, and amateurs alike . Sebastien Malone, taken by award-winning international photographer Juliet Taylor . New York based commercial and fine art photographer Michael Kennedy's entry Tom & Pepper . Miss Harnaam Kaur, Brock Elbank's portrait of 23-year-old bearded woman Harnaam Kaur, who comes from Slough, Berkshire . Ms Afshar, who studied photography in Tehran before moving to Australia, plans to use the prize money to go abroad and show her works to a wider audience. The judges praised the dream like quality of the work, deeming it to be deeply compelling. The panel also impressed by the runner-up, Barry and Alkirra, taken by Newcastle photographer Katherine Williams . The dramatic black and white image depicts of a 17-year-old boy cradling his brand newborn baby daughter. The competition drew entries from professional photographers, self-portraitists, and amateurs alike. An exhibition of the finalists will be shown at the National Portrait Gallery until June 8 before touring nationally. Competition runner-up, Barry and Alkirra, taken by Newcastle photographer Katherine Williams, depcts a 17-year-old boy holding his newborn baby . Williams poses next to her entry. Judges were taken aback by the dramatic black and white image depicts of a 17-year-old boy cradling his brand newborn baby daughter . Divine, which comes from Melbourne based Commercial Photographer Hugh Peachey . My friend Sui’s dear mum, Mrs Chan, which comes from 2012 National Photographic Portrait Prize winner Rod McNicol . Marzena Wasikowska's Danny, Dan, Mia, Kai, John, a candid shot of the Canberra based Wasikowska family . Who's that lady (2014) by Ferne Millen.

Melbourne photographer Hoda Afshar, 31, was awarded $25,000 for Ali in a unanimous verdict from the judges . The image depicts an atmospheric vision of a young boy wondering down a foggy pathway in a mountainous village . The Iranian migrant beat 43 other finalists, selected from a record 2500 portrait entries from across Australia . The Melbourne photographer captured the image after stumbling upon a mountainous village while travelling in Iran . An exhibition of the finalists will be shown at the National Portrait Gallery until June 8 before touring nationally .

 photograph of her brother Ali, a Kurdish immigrant who arrived in Melbourne in 2012. Hoda […]
Tag: National Portrait Gallery
Photo: Portrait Gallery director Julie McGregor with her new $20. National Portrait Gallery
Photographic exhibitions to inspire creative minds
The National Portrait Gallery has been a treasure trove for us art-loving Melburnians. Since it opened at the end of last year, it’s become a go-to for art events; exhibitions, talks, and free live music. We were excited to hear that it’s going one step further and opening up a 24-hour photographic exhibition […] […]
How Melbourne can help a ‘broken’ man find his story
It was the end of a perfect Sunday. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, the birds were chirping, a few clouds were floating by, and the smell of fresh coffee wafted through the air. But it wasn’t a perfect day for all of Melbourne’s residents. While a lot of us were happily […]
Photo: Artist-led workshops and a unique photography exhibition open now at the NPG
If you’re a creative type or just a lover of art and culture, then you need to pay a visit to the National Portrait Gallery. As well as an ever-changing series of exhibitions, it also hosts a series of free art classes and workshops for everyone to get involved in. For the month of […]
Photo: Portrait Gallery director Julie McGregor’s photo on display at Melbourne Museum
The Portrait Gallery’s Julie McGregor is now the sole owner of a piece of her own work. You can currently find her photograph, ‘An Intrusion, 1962’, on display at the Melbourne Museum in Federation Square as part of the ‘What makes a portrait?’ exhibit. In this piece, the gallery’s founder and director […]
National Portrait Gallery opens new exhibitions, 7 May 2014
The National Portrait Gallery has a busy week ahead of it. Today, the galleries open their brand new exhibitions: Portrait Gallery director Julie McGregor’s ‘What makes a portrait?’ and photographer Christopher Williams’ ‘LIFE: Real and Imagined’. Tonight, the gallery will be hosting the opening night party for the Melbourne Writers Festival. Tomorrow, the NPG […]
Photo: Art historian Dr Martin Nagy talks about the importance of the NPG’s portrait display
Art historian Dr Martin Nagy is the author of the


Inevitably, it all kicked off in the end. Three games in two competitions over 10 days has forged some barely disguised contempt between Celtic and Dundee United. Six red cards tell their own tale. For Jackie McNamara’s team, the frustration — and indiscipline — is growing. Ryan McGowan became the fourth United player to see red in the dying minutes, seconds after Celtic’s Anthony Stokes was dismissed for a retaliatory kick at Paul Paton. Afterwards, Ronny Deila rounded on the Australian, claiming he could have injured substitute Liam Henderson ‘for life’. The open wounds enveloping this fixture are now there for all to see. Virgil van Dijk (left) celebrates with his team-mates as Celtic comfortably progressed on Wednesday . Celtic manager Ronny Deila celebrates at full-time as his side reached the Scottish Cup semi-finals . Anthony Stokes (second left) comes together with Ryan McGowan in the second half . CELTIC: Gordon, Ambrose Emuobo (Fisher 72), Denayer, Van Dijk, Izaguirre, Bitton, Brown, Forrest, Commons (Henderson 80), Stokes, Griffiths (Guidetti 58) Subs not used: Scepovic, Zaluska, Wakaso, McGregor . Goal: Denayer 17, Griffiths 57, Commons 79, Van Dijk 90 . Sent off: Stokes . Booked: Ambrose Emuobo, Izaguirre, Guidetti . DUNDEE UNITED: Cierzniak, McGowan, Fojut, Morris, Rankin, Spittal (Connolly 74), Paton, Butcher, Erskine (Anier 70), Dow (Telfer 70), Ciftci . Subs not used: Souttar, Smith, Szromnik. Spark . Sent off: McGowan . Booked: Cierzniak, Rankin, Ciftci . Referee: Calum Murray . It is hard to see who will stop Scotland’s champions now. United will have a fourth attempt in the SPFL Premiership this weekend. Yet after losing the League Cup Final and crashing out of the Scottish Cup in this quarter-final replay, that prospect holds all the appeal of a cold-meat buffet with Jeremy Clarkson. Inverness Caley Thistle will make all the right noises before a Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden. Aberdeen believe their title aspirations are alive and well. Yet, Celtic are developing a habit of wrapping themselves around opponents and squeezing tight. For Deila, the fourth domestic Treble in this old club’s history is edging over the horizon. Jason Denayer’s 17th-minute headed goal was the platform for Leigh Griffiths to add a second on 57 minutes. Kris Commons thrashed the third high into the net 12 minutes from time before Virgil van Dijk tapped in from close range in the final moments. By then, things threatened to run out of control. Stokes had taken a kick at Paton and witnessed the flash of red. The crowd bayed for retribution against McGowan seconds later and were duly obliged by referee Calum Murray. In a freakish run of three consecutive meetings, United have now scored one, losing six. They return to Glasgow at the weekend a punch-drunk team blighted by suspensions, with former players Stuart Arsmtrong, Gary Mackay-Steven likely to return to the Celtic fray. It’s hardly a prospect to savour. Deila’s team began the game with a flourish and kept going. Nadir Ciftci, the United striker spared further punishment for a kick to the face of Scott Brown in the first game, felt the Celtic skipper’s robust retribution in all of six seconds. It was a forerunner for what was to come. For one heart-stopping moment in only the second minute, the visitors feared they might witness their latest red card in this fixture when keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak raced from his line to clatter Griffiths as he hared on to a superb Commons through ball. Griffiths had already lost control, the goalscoring opportunity gone. Referee Murray — rightly — contented himself with a yellow card. He would have the chance to flex his muscles later. Jason Denayer (centre) rises above the Dundee United defence to score the opener for the hosts . Denayer celebrates after putting Celtic 1-0 up in the Scottish Cup quarter-final . McNamara reshaped his defence in the absence of suspended duo Paul Dixon and Sean Dillon, fielding midfielder John Rankin as a makeshift, emergency left-back. The midfielder suffered a form of torture here. It made for painful viewing. James Forrest — finally free of injury and a scorer in last Sunday’s League Cup triumph — used his pace to offer Celtic width and speed. Even so, the home team had just one goal to show for 45 minutes of dominance at the interval. It came from a Calum Butcher foul on Commons midway inside the United half. Stokes — an improved performer since his recent disciplinary faux pas — floated the ball into a crowded area, Denayer planting a firm, looping header beyond Cierzniak for his fifth of the season. At Hampden, Celtic were loathe to build on their lead and possession. So it was here again. They had the chances. A Commons corner picked out van Dijk, the Dutchman’s firm header surging over the bar. Celtic's Leigh Griffiths (right) is airborne as he puts his side 2-0 in front against Dundee United . Griffiths gives a salute as he slides across the Celtic Park pitch in celebration . Taunting and tormenting Rankin, Forrest then came close to scoring by accident. Putting his head down and surging for the byeline, his attempted cross dropped under the bar and was heading into the net until Cierzniak tipped over at the last. Another opportunity was passed up before half-time, a sclaffed Cierzniak kick out to Nir Bitton prompting a rare loss of composure in the usually unflappable Israeli. He had the chance to shoot, but opted to take on Callum Morris instead and lost the ball. United’s resistance was sporadic. They came close in 32 minutes after an outstanding incursion down the right flank by McGowan. The Australian made it unchecked from his own half to the Celtic byeline, his low centre aimed at Ciftci before Celtic keeper Craig Gordon managed — unconvincingly — to get a hand on the ball. Kris Commons (second left) scores Celtic's third goal of the evening at their home ground . Commons celebrates as Celtic go three up against Dundee United in the cup . Efe Ambrose, in that way of his, casually walked the ball clear from under his own crossbar. Celtic then began the second period in a ragged, loose fashion and that allowed the visitors their best spell of the game. In the opening five minutes, United summoned more attacking menace than they had managed in the entire first 45. Ciftci’s low, right-foot shot was pushed up in the air by Gordon as he retrieved another piercing ball across the face of goal from McGowan. But it didn’t last long. Until the 57th minute to be precise. Celtic scored with virtually their first effort on goal in the second period, Griffiths cleverly guiding a quite superb long ball from Brown past Cierzniak with a first-time effort from 12 yards. The outcome was placed beyond doubt 11 minutes from time. Commons blew a fine chance after a flowing passing move involving Darnell Fisher, Bitton and a Stokes cut-back. Last season’s Player of the Year — a scorer at Hampden last Sunday — dallied too long. Celtic's Stokes speaks with referee Calum Murray before he is sent off . Celtic's John Guidetti (second right) shows his fury as he comes together with McGowan . McGowan is sent off by referee Murray as both sides end the match with 10 men . Van Dijk scores with a tap-in late on to cap a successful night for the home side . But within seconds he atoned, playing a deft one-two with substitute John Guidetti before slamming the ball high into the net for 3-0. What came next was regrettable, but predictable. Two teams sick of the sight of each other began settling scores. Stokes took a blow to the mouth, drawing blood, and the Irishman took swift revenge as he lay on the deck. Off he went. Within moments, the scores were evened up when McGowan’s crude lunge at substitute Henderson sparked a melee at the corner flag. The former Hearts player went off after what Deila described as a ‘stupid’ challenge — with some verbals between the two as he left the pitch. And Deila’s players had the last word when van Dijk tapped in Denayer’s simple cut back from close range.

Celtic comfortably progressed to the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals . Jason Denayer, Leigh Griffiths, Kris Commons and Virgil van Dijk all scored for the hosts at Celtic Park . Both sides ended with 10 men as Anthony Stokes and Ryan McGowan were sent off .

 side, it is about the need for retribution, the need to right a wrong from the SPFL play-off final, for Brendan Rodgers’ men to be sent home as chastened losers.
A fortnight and a half ago United held a two-goal lead from the first leg, at home, and the game was well beyond them. A second goal, of course, would have killed it off for good. Yet, as McNamara puts it, “they have never been in this position before”. And so the game and the tension between the two teams has been magnified, from a simple three points to a matter of honour.
There are always reasons, and McNamara does not deny his team have lost their heads and been stupid in the process. But he is right, too, about that final, final ball. There is just enough there for some kind of retribution against their fellow Old Firm side.
“Our first objective was always to score at Celtic Park, and now it’s very much in our own hands,” he said. “We’re on a good run; they’ve had two home games and lost them both, so we are in a good place.”
That might seem a little unlikely. There are 30 minutes to go, McNamara is about to lose a player to a red card, and his team are being pinned back in their own half by a side who do not deserve their superiority in possession and attempts on goal. Yet his point stands: they have a little momentum and the potential to build on it.
That is what Rangers’ defeat against Kilmarnock on Sunday, just a few miles away, will have left United with. Celtic’s loss has given them hope and they should not be discarded lightly because of it.
“Obviously Celtic winning on Wednesday night was a big boost for us,” McNamara said. “They took eight points off us in the league, and the boys feel like we let the club down on that. This is our last chance to show our pride and passion for the jersey. We have 90 minutes to give everything for our country and our club.
“It’s important we have that desire and that hunger to give everything we have for the club. We have to go there and play the game. It will be difficult, we all know it will, but we have our supporters on our side. They are going to come, and it will be a tough afternoon, but we


There is a vulnerable beauty in the fragile yet perfectly formed machinery within our bodies. Now, one London-based photographer has captured these structures in a series of captivating - and at times gruesome - images of the animal kingdom. From a fetal monkey to a cat's uterus during pregnancy, the photographs document historical dissections featured at the Royal Veterinary College London. London-based photographer, Michael Frank, has captured stunning images of the anatomy of various creatures. pictured is a fetal monkey . 'When you remove the entanglement of surrounding tissue and fat, you are left with something so pure and delicately artistic that is completely different from anything else I have ever seen,' photographer Michael Frank told DailyMail.com. Each of the specimens is stored in a formalin pot, preserving its intricate structure in incredible detail. 'On one hand, especially from the Royal Veterinary College's point of view, these images are designed to understand anatomy and with the help of digital imaging they will be now available to a vast audience of students and practitioners,' said Mr Frank. 'From my perspective, I wanted to create something that is so detached from academia and anchored in art that it will puzzle the viewer.' Each of the specimens is stored in a formalin pot, preserving its intricate structure in incredible detail. Conjoined twin piglets (left) and the cast of a cow's lung (right) can be seen here . 'When you remove the entanglement of surrounding tissue and fat, you are left with something so pure and delicately artistic that is completely different from anything else I have ever seen,' photographer Michael Frank told DailyMail.com. Pictured is a goat’s stomach . A goat’s stomach chamber (right) and a wallaby uterus (left). 'From my perspective, I wanted to create something that is so detached from academia and anchored in art that it will puzzle the viewer,' said Mr Frank . Each of the specimens is stored in a formalin pot, preserving its intricate structure in incredible detail. To create the images, the photographer used carefully constructed lighting on the pots to achieve a sense of the fragility of the membrane or tissue within. All pots were photographed with a Hasselblad 120mm and 40MP Phase One digital back on black background, and lit with three or four Bowens strobes. In one day, Mr Frank would normally photograph between 15-20 pots, with on average one day in post-production for each. The collections features images of a cow's heart, a goat's testis and a dog foetus, among others. His image of a pregnant uterus of a horse recently won the Wellcome Image Awards 2015. It shows the uterus of a New Forest Pony, around five months into the pregnancy, with the developing foetus still attached. Picture Editor of BBC Focus magazine, James Cutmore, who was a member of the judging panel said: 'The image of the horse's uterus with the foetus evokes many different emotions at once. It's fascinating, sad, macabre, almost brutal. 'Yet the subject is also delicate, detailed and beautiful. The image shows us a large and magnificent creature reduced to this sad, fragile and half-formed creation, which I find very humbling.' One of Mr Frank's favourite images is of the injected testis of a goat. 'This image grabs my attention because you can't tell what it is. It is when science becomes pure art,' he said . 'I don't see an injected testis; I can see a satellite image of a river.' To create the images, the photographer used carefully constructed lighting on the pots to achieve a sense of the fragility of the membrane or tissue within. Foetal membranes of a dog. To create the images, the photographer used carefully constructed lighting on the pots to achieve a sense of the fragility of the membrane or tissue within . The pregnant uterus of a red deer (left) and a cast of a goat’s lung (right). All pots were photographed with a Hasselblad 120mm and 40MP Phase One digital back on black background, and lit with three or four Bowens strobes . In one day, Mr Frank would photograph between 15-20 pots, with on one day in post-production for each. Pictured is a cow’s uterus . 'The pot itself obviously posed some limitations and some problems,' said Mr Frank. 'Scratches, diffractions and reflections on one side, dirt suspensions, colour cast through old formaldehyde or air bubbles on the other side. 'A large part of the work had to be done in postproduction.' All pots were photographed with a Hasselblad 120mm and 40MP Phase One digital back on black background, and lit with three or four Bowens strobes. In one day, Mr Frank would normally photograph between 15-20 pots, with on average one day in post-production for each. He hopes that 'like in a renaissance painting, [this art] will ask broader questions on life and its meaning.' Mr Frank hopes that 'like in a renaissance painting, [this art] will ask broader questions on life and its meaning.' Pictured is a cat’s uterus during early pregnancy . An injected testis of a goat (right), a horse's leg is pictured centre and a cow's leg is picture on the left. 'The [left image] image grabs my attention because you can't tell what it is. It is when science becomes pure art,' he said 'I don't see an injected testis; I can see a satellite image of a river,' said Mr Frank . This astonishing image of a pregnant pony uterus was selected as the winner for the 2015 Wellcome Image Awards. It shows the preserved uterus of a New Forest Pony, around five months into the pregnancy, with the developing foetus still attached. 'It shows us a large and magnificent creature reduced to this sad, fragile and half-formed creation, which I find very humbling,' said one of the judges . A cow's heart is seen here. 'On one hand, especially from the Royal Veterinary College's point of view, these images are designed to understand anatomy and with the help of digital imaging they will be now available to a vast audience of students,' said Mr Frank .

Images were taken by London-based photographer Michael Frank using Royal Veterinary College specimens . They include detailed images of a cow's heart, a goat's testis, pregnant uterus of a red deer and a dog foetus . 'Like in a renaissance painting, [this art] will ask broader questions on life and its meaning', Mr Frank said .

 in the womb to the muscle of a carp, each picture is more startling than the last in its close-up focus on the incredible details which make life possible.
The images were taken by photographer, designer and illustrator Stephen McMullan as part of a collection called Animal Architecture. He says he was inspired to capture these fascinating structures after seeing a BBC documentary about the building of the Channel Tunnel.
"I was just blown away by the amount of engineering that had to go into it," he said. "You can see the bones of animals and insects used in the same way. It got me thinking of the structure of the body as I would an ancient building, but as a living building."
After initially making an animal-based alphabet, McMullan began the project of Animal Architecture in 2003 with a series of large-scale works.
Since then, the photographer and designer, who also runs the London store, The Idler Academy, has continued to capture animals in some of the most unlikely places.
He has, for example, made portraits of a tiger out of the scales of a carp and a shark out of a seal. He has made insects out of a woodpecker and a spider's web and even an ant out of a honeybee.
He has also put on his surgeon's hat for portraits of animals such as a frog and a lizard.
"I really enjoyed doing it because we all go around thinking that animals are completely different, but they're quite similar," he says. "All of the animal's architecture can really surprise you. I'd like it to provoke an awareness of how similar we all are."
This, he says, is one reason why his pictures of insects made him so uncomfortable. Although he did, of course, research which insects he included and which he didn't, having to look at the pictures close up meant that he was, quite literally, forced to re-think his own phobia.
One species in particular made a lasting impression: the mantis. He saw the image of the insect's egg sac and understood the need for it to be so sturdy.
"Seeing the egg sac of this very powerful insect just brought a tear to my eye, because of its beautiful structure," he says. "It's like an elephant or a giraffe - the most powerful things in the animal kingdom."
McMullan says his own interest in the natural world began as a child


Even if you read this in a fairytale book, you would still think it was far-fetched but Harry Kane does not want this story to end. A hat-trick just three days after your first ever England call-up? You simply could not write it. But Kane is composing his own scripts at the moment. His dream season continued on Saturday as he fired Tottenham to a hard-fought victory. All this in front of England manager Roy Hodgson. Kane will surely make his England debut in either Friday’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania or the friendly against Italy a few days later after taking his season tally of goals to 29. Harry Kane put Tottenham 3-2 ahead form the penalty spot after Danny Rose was fouled in the box as the 21-year-old completed his hat-trick . Kane holds three fingers up as he celebrates after scoring from the spot to score his first Premier League hat-trick . The strike was Kane's 29th goal of the season and the 19th in the Premier League as he overtook Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa . Tottenham were awarded the spot kick when Danny Rose was bundled over by David Nugent's clumsy challenge . England manager Roy Hodgson was watching form the stands as Kane became the Premier League's leading goalscorer . Kane applauds the Tottenham supporters as he takes the match ball after the final whistle at White Hart Lane . Tottenham: Lloris 5 (Vorm 4, 5); Walker 5, Dier 5, Vertonghen 5, Rose 6; Mason 7 (Dembele 87), Bentaleb 7.5; Townsend 6 (Paulinho 58, 6.5), Eriksen 7, Chadli 6; Kane 8.5 . Subs not used: Chiriches, Adebayor, Lamela, Davies . Scorers: Kane 6, 13, 64, Schlupp (OG) 85 . Booked: Chadli, Rose . Manager: Mauricio Pochettino 7 . Leicester: Schmeichel 5; De Laet 5, Morgan 6, Huth 5 (Mahrez 75), Upson 5 (Wasilewski 46, 5), Schlupp 5; Nugent 6.5, James 7, Cambiasso 6.5 (King 85), Vardy 7; Ulloa 6 . Subs not used: Schwarzer, Konchesky, Drinkwater, Kramaric . Scorers: Vardy 38, Morgan 50, Nugent 90 . Booked: Nugent . Manager: Nigel Pearson 6.5 . Man of the Match: Harry Kane . Referee: Mike Dean 6 . Harry Kane made it 2-0 with a deflected shot. Click here for more from MATCH ZONE . ‘It’s true he’s in a very good moment in career. He’s at the top,’ said Mauricio Pochettino. Tottenham’s victory came at a cost, though, with Hugo Lloris taken to hospital on Saturday after suffering a nasty gash to his knee in a collision with team-mate Kyle Walker and Jamie Vardy in the first minute. You could sense the worry in White Hart Lane as the Frenchman received lengthy treatment before being replaced by Michel Vorm. The mood picked up, though, as Spurs took a fifth-minute lead. No prizes for guessing who scored. Eric Dier’s flick from Christian Eriksen’s corner was parried by Leicester goal keeper Kasper Schmeichel and the rebound fell to Kane who tapped home. It was one of the simplest goals he’ll score — not that Kane cared an iota as he wheeled off in celebration. Jeff Schlupp scored an unfortunate own goal after Kasper Schmeichel's save rebounded off his chest and into the net to make it 4-2 . David Nugent reduced the deficit back to one in the 90th minute but Tottenham hung on to claim the three points . Leicester captain Wes Morgan thumps a powerful header past Michel Vorm to draw the visitors level after a Matty James corner . Morgan roars with celebration as he rushes towards the travelling Leicester supporters after equalising for Nigel Pearson's side . Jamie Vardy sucks his thumb in celebration after pulling a goal back for Leicester after 38 minutes at White Hart Lane on Saturday . David Nugent’s audacious attempt to catch Vorm off his line in the 10th minute nearly pulled the visitors level before Kane notched again in the 12th minute after a huge piece of fortune. Walker and Andros Townsend combined brilliantly down the right to fire a low cross into the area. Robert Huth’s attempted clearance fell to Kane, whose first-time strike took a big deflection off the German before bouncing past the luckless Schmeichel. Leicester did not deserve to be on the receiving end of this clinical Kane show after a promising start. It was nearly game over in the 22nd minute as Eriksen struck Schmeichel’s far post before Nacer Chadli wasted the rebound. Pochettino was looking to his bench again six minutes later after Dier was caught by Vardy’s arm. The England Under 21 defender carried on, albeit with a painful lump on his right cheek. But while Dier was showing great heart, the same couldn’t be said of his team-mate Chadli, who was booked for diving after falling in the box under pressure from Wes Morgan in the 36th minute. Two minutes later Leicester worked themselves a deserved lifeline as Nugent sprung through Tottenham’s left-side before providing an inch perfect cross for Vardy, who cooly fired home with an excellent one-touch finish. Vardy slides in to finish past Vorm from close range after a wonderful ball in from David Nugent as Leicester halved the deficit . Kane's deflected shot deceives Kasper Schmeichel and flies into the top corner as Tottenham raced into a two-goal lead after 13 minutes . Kane finds the net fro his 28th goal of the season just two days after he was named in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the first time . Kane gave Spurs an early lead when he tapped home from close range after Schmeichel could only parry Eric Dier's flick . The visitors could easily have pulled themselves level before the break, Nugent and Leonard Ulloa wasting good chances. Pochettino was desperate to get his team into the dressing room, but his half-time talk made no difference as Leicester levelled five minutes after the restart — Morgan ghosting into the area undetected to head home Matty James’ corner. Ten minutes later Leicester should have been ahead when Huth was presented with a golden chance to redeem himself following his role in Spurs’ second goal. Somehow he didn’t take it, sending a free header from another James corner wide. Leicester midfielder Esteban Cambiasso could do nothing to stop Kane's effort from close range finding the back of the net . Kane leads the celebrations after opening the scoring for Mauricio Pochettino's side at White Hart Lane on Saturday . Tottenham were dealt an early blow when Hogo Lloris left the field on a stretcher after a second-minute collision with Kyle Walker . The France goalkeeper looks to be in severe pain as he is seen to by the Tottenham medic following the early clash with the Spurs right back . At the time it seemed a pivotal moment, and so it proved as Spurs were handed a contentious penalty in the 62nd minute. Nugent thought he had time in the box, but Danny Rose had other ideas, nipping in front of the forward. He clumsily collided with the Spurs defender, who fell to the ground. In fairness to Nugent, the defender looked to go down easily but Mike Dean pointed to the spot. Leicester coach Kevin Phillips was soon shaking his head at fourth official Darren Bond after racing down the tunnel to watch a replay. The commotion didn’t concern Kane, though, as England’s newest recruit sent Schmeichel the wrong way to complete his hat-trick. Spurs had their fourth in the 85th minute, the unlucky Jeff Schlupp diverting the ball into his own net after Schmeichel foiled Eriksen. That should had seen Spurs home without fuss but Nugent set up a nervy three minutes after some poor Jan Vertonghen defending, to score Leicester’s third. Walker calls for assistance from the the bench as Lloris clutches his left knee after the pair clashed in the opening two minutes . Lloris rushed out of his goal to close down Leicester forward Vardy as Walker slid into make a challenge, but collided with his keeper .

Hugo Lloris was carried off on a stretcher after a collision with Kyle Walker in the second minute . Harry Kane opened the scoring for the home side in the sixth minute with his 27th goal of the season . The striker, given his first call-up to the England team on Thursday, doubled Spurs' lead after 13 minutes . Jamie Vardy pulled a goal back for Nigel Pearson's side after 38 minutes turning home David Nugent's cross . Captain Wes Morgan drew the visitors level just five minutes after the restart as he met a Matty James corner . Kane completed his hat-trick after 64 minutes as he netted from the penalty spot after Danny Rose was fouled . Jeff Schlupp scored an own goal with five minutes left before Nugent reduce the deficit to one in the 90th minute .

 That in itself is a fairytale.
It is the third hat-trick of the young man's career in senior football but still, to have your first England call-up less than a month before your 21st birthday and then to go on and produce such a performance, it is a miracle, pure and simple.
He has taken the Premier League by storm and even managed to score two on a night that Gareth Bale was back and playing well at Tottenham (and the fact that he started from the bench will not help his chances of a return against Juventus in midweek).
You have to say, if anybody's going to stop Cristiano Ronaldo from being the best player in the world, surely it must be this lad right here. As it is now, he has scored 24 goals in just 23 games for his club in this season and that makes him a 15-goal-a-season player. Not bad for a boy from Modesto (you'd be forgiven for not knowing that is in the United States).
But what made this an even more magical night was that he put two of those away with an ice-coolness you expect from the best centre-forwards in the game.
And in the final moments of the game he ran across the penalty area and then was brought down and fell over but what he did next – he looked up and then hit the ball and was able to do it. Just look at the ball as it curls in to make it 2-0. Pure magic.
I can only imagine the call he received from his parents as soon as they saw what he was able to do. He is clearly a very grounded lad and not one who gets carried away with all the attention.
Even after all this he was still able to pay tribute to his mother – you can be sure she had something to do with the way he plays football.
It is nice to report that when the boy gets on the plane to Spain for a few days with the squad, he will not get too many calls – if any at all – from the other players who are already in the team. They will be impressed with the way that this kid has been able to step out of Michael Owen's big shadow and not let the new golden boy take over.
You have to think that by the end of the tournament against Italy at Wembley on 10 June, he will get a chance for England. But


At the Etihad Stadium last month, one of the most gifted players of his generation was given the run of the place during Barcelona’s 2-1 victory. It was an exhibition from the very best. Andres Iniesta took 112 touches in Barcelona’s midfield, five more than his celebrated team-mate Lionel Messi and far more than any player in a Manchester City shirt. James Milner, anointed by Manuel Pellegrini as one of his team’s most important players, was the highest with 64. The numbers simply don’t add up, which is one of the reasons English football is struggling to make an impact over two legs in Champions League ties. When will our game learn? Probably never. Andres Iniesta, rested in Barca's  win over Eibar, is expected to return to the starting line-up against City . Barcelona's Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic controls the ball as Xavi and Pedro look on during training . Neymar aims a friendly kick at fellow Barcelona striker Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan had gone down . The Brazil captain was in high spirits as Barcelona prepared for their Champions League last 16 second leg . ‘We play in a comprehensive manner and we want possession so that they suffer,’ admitted Iniesta as he prepares to pull on the red and blue stripes of Barcelona once more. ‘We need to find our superior skills and minimise their potential. We want to control what goes on in every moment. We have to beat Manchester City with a complete performance.’ Barcelona are conditioned to play a certain way, all possession-based and keeping the ball in circulation until they can find a way through the gaps in City’s defence. Iniesta is a slave to the game, a man still seeking perfection even after three triumphs in the Champions League, plus two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup, in which he scored the winner for Spain. Barcelona will be hoping to reach the Champions League quarter finals by holding off Manchester Cit . Barca have not failed to reach Europe's last eight since 2007, and saw off  City at the same stage last season . His incredible strike against Chelsea in the 2009 Champions League semi-final, second leg at Stamford Bridge is one of the most dramatic goals in the history of the game. At the age of 30, he wants more. ‘We do not gather as a team to discuss what we can achieve, but the important thing is that we know what the possibilities are,’ he added. ‘There are no guarantees, but we know that we are doing well and we are prepared for this match.’ Luis Enrique’s team are in fine fettle, a point ahead of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga ahead of El Clasico on Sunday and on course for the Champions League quarter-final if they can protect their 2-1 advantage. The Barcelona players move the ball around during a training exercise ahead of the vital showdown with City . Manager Luis Enrique will be hoping his team take another step on the road towards Berlin . The final of the Copa del Rey awaits later in the season, when Iniesta can add to his extensive list of honours when Enrique’s team face Athletic Bilbao. ‘We don’t think beyond Manchester City because we have to concentrate, even if we had a good result in the first leg,’ he said. ‘Right now the team is in good shape, but this is a difficult period of the season. We are in the final of Copa del Rey, the Champions League and all the little details will play a role tomorrow. ‘On Sunday we have an important match against our rivals, but this is the Champions League and Manchester City have great players.’ Iniesta is wary of the threat posed by former Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure . Much will be expected of Yaya Toure, returning from suspension to play against his former team at the Nou Camp as City attempt to overturn a 2-1 deficit. This will be a tough night for a team who cannot keep the ball, but Toure’s goalscoring ability, along with those powerful runs that start from deep-lying positions, could give them a chance. Iniesta added: ‘He is very important for them, he is very powerful physically and he has important qualities because of all his skills. ‘We’ll try to minimise his potential.’

Barcelona train ahead of crucial last 16 second leg at the Nou Camp . Spanish side lead City 2-1 after first leg, when Luis Suarez scored twice . Andres Iniesta insists tie is not over and says Barcelona are fully focused .

26 touches in the final third, including two superb dribbles and three key passes for Lionel Messi, before being withdrawn at the age of 32 with another pass into the path of the Argentine superstar. This weekend it was again Messi in the Barca shirt, the 32-year-old showing the world he had not lost his touch as he took to the San Siro turf in a Clasico for the first time since 2009, with the Catalan giants playing a 2-2 draw with Inter. He scored, but it was not enough to save Messi’s Barcelona.
Messi’s first involvement came four minutes before half-time, as he won a goal kick deep in the Inter half. But as the ball was played over the top, the 2009 World Cup-winning captain – still capable of winning matches on his own – could not stretch that long leg any further to turn the ball into the danger area. Inter cleared, and it was clear that was all Messi was going to be able to achieve. A second half header – his 300th Champions League goal – meant nothing, as the match finished in a draw, another disappointing result for Barca this season.
However, it is now clear that Messi needs something to spark a run of form, and soon. At the age of 32 and three years into his contract with Barca, it does not seem like an unreasonable request. But the Catalan club – with a host of other players in the same category – are stuck in limbo, their future uncertain because of the economic problems the club is going through. Messi’s name is being bandied about in the media as he is a very likely transfer target of Real Madrid, as per recent reports, with Zinedine Zidane’s side trying to negotiate for the superstar’s services for a cut price of £200m.
Messi has not played in over a month, with the Argentine suffering a knee injury during the opening stages of the Clasico. However, reports claim the injury is not as severe as first feared. It does seem though that his involvement against Inter was simply an attempt to shake off the rust. But when Messi returns to the pitch, he will face the most important question of his career: is it time to leave Barca?
With his contract coming to an end in June, this summer’s speculation could well have a dramatic effect on how the 32-year-old finishes


(CNN)In 1984 Margaret Thatcher met Mikhail Gorbachev (before he became Soviet leader) for the first time. Asked of her impressions, she said: "We can do business together. We both believe in our own political systems. He firmly believes in his; I firmly believe in mine. We are never going to change one another." "Doing business together" might sum up the Washington-Tehran relationship today. They have overlapping interests in Iraq, Afghanistan, perhaps even in Yemen -- as well as the shared goal of an agreement on Iran's nuclear program, if not how to reach it. The Obama administration has a keen interest in coaxing Iran back into the "community of nations" because it is a regional power, a major player in a volatile part of the world. Were the nuclear talks to leave Iran as a "threshold state" -- capable of becoming a nuclear power in short order -- Turkey, Egypt and others in the region also might be tempted also to go nuclear. And Israel might carry out its threat of a military strike on Iranian facilities. But U.S. and Iranian interests converge in more immediate ways. Defeating the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) -- the most high profile and urgent objective of U.S. foreign policy -- requires Iranian help, and quite a lot of it. Beyond coalition airstrikes, ground forces are comprised of the Iraqi security forces, Shia militias and Iranian advisers and officers. In some areas, the Iranian air force has been active. On Sunday, Iraqi troops and the militias began an offensive to retake Tikrit and the province of Salahuddin from ISIS. Next to Mosul, Tikrit may be ISIS' most important holding in Iraq. On the frontlines, according to the Iranian Fars news agency, was none other than the leader of Iran's Quds Force (or Revolutionary Guard Corps), Qasem Soleimani. Soleimani -- often dubbed Iran's spymaster -- has huge influence in both Baghdad and Damascus. And the Revolutionary Guards have influence over the powerful Shia militia in Iraq known as Hashid Shaabi that is an important component of the fightback against ISIS. The Institute for the Study of War observed that "the presence of an Iranian general, other Iranian advisers, and Shia militias on the ground alongside Iraqi Sunni fighters to retake a major Sunni provincial capital will be a significant test case for the success of similar future anti-ISIS operations." And not only is Iranian help needed in defeating ISIS, but Iranian restraint will be required in preserving Iraq as a single and (dare one hope) stable state thereafter. To many observers, former Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki set the stage for ISIS' rise through his increasingly sectarian and anti-Sunni policies. But now the excesses of some Shia militia in Iraq threaten to alienate the Sunni tribes that Maliki's successor, Haidar al-Abadi, is trying to woo. In a veiled reference to alleged abuses by Shia militia of Sunni civilians, Prime Minister Abadi ordered all forces taking part in the Tikrit operation to take "utmost care in protecting civilian lives and property." But he needs Tehran's help in reining in the Hashid Shaabi. A similar environment may yet produce a U.S.-Iranian "understanding" in Yemen. The Iranian-backed Houthi militia -- a Shia sect -- is now in power (at least in the capital, Sanaa). The Houthis are, ostensibly, hostile to the United States, and Washington would rather see President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi back in charge. But the Houthis and Yemeni troops are battling al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which the U.S. regards as one of al Qaeda's most dangerous affiliates. Even so, the same risk as in Iraq applies: Sunni tribes in Yemen may side with AQAP as the lesser of two evils, effectively partitioning the country. There is no clear-cut link between the negotiations on a nuclear deal and U.S.-Iranian co-operation elsewhere. Last week, U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told a Congressional hearing: "I really don't think that the negotiations, one way or the other, will have much bearing on what [the Iranians] do in Iraq or any place they are trying to exert their influence, meaning Syria or now Yemen." In any case, a substantive agreement on Iran's nuclear program does not seem imminent. Ahead of yet another meeting in Switzerland with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javid Zarif, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday that "unless Iran is able to make the difficult decisions that will be required, there won't be a deal." And he was at pains to insist the U.S. would not settle for anything less than a comprehensive, watertight agreement. "No deal is better than a bad deal because a bad deal could actually make things less secure," Kerry said. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is in the U.S. to tell Congress that the deal being discussed is a bad one -- simultaneously injecting himself into the partisan rancor of Washington and seeking to derail what would be the signature foreign policy achievement of Obama's second term. Netanyahu appears to have accepted he is now part and parcel of the toxic atmosphere in Washington, saying he was going "because the American Congress is likely to be the final brake before the agreement between the major powers and Iran." David Rothkopf, no fan of Obama's policy on Iran, wrote in Foreign Policy last month that "Netanyahu's decision to accept [House Speaker John] Boehner's invitation to address the U.S. Congress on the dangers of the Iran nuclear deal is a case of sending the wrong man at the wrong time to give the wrong speech in the wrong place." In the days running up to Netanyahu's speech, U.S. officials have lined up to warn of its consequences. National Security Advisor Susan Rice said the speech would be "destructive of the fabric of the relationship" between Israel and the U.S. Rarely if ever has the U.S.-Israeli relationship become so imbued with such animosity. Last summer, Israeli ministers ridiculed Kerry's efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza; Netanyahu has also repeatedly lectured Obama about the realities of the Middle East. Now Kerry seems to take almost gratuitous pleasure in telling Netanyahu he is wrong. Last week he told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that interim agreements with Iran had made Israel safer, and the Israeli Prime Minister "was wrong" to oppose them, just as he had been wrong in his enthusiastic support for the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. Some have even suggested that Netanyahu's aggressive opposition has only energized U.S. officials in the belief that "if they're doing something that really pisses off Bibi, they must be doing something right," as Rothkopf colorfully put it. No one would pretend that America has more in common with the Islamic Republic of Iran than with Israel. But right now, Obama may just feel he's more likely to find common ground with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani than with the Israeli Prime Minister. Even so, the opportunities to "do business" should not be exaggerated. Iran is still supporting -- with fighters, equipment, training and lines of credit -- Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, which the U.S. is trying to oust. Iran and Syria first bonded over a mutual loathing of Saddam Hussein, but the relationship has been sustained because the Syrian regime was the only non-Sunni government in the Arab world, and Damascus and Tehran see themselves as the "axis of resistance" to Israel. Iranian training of militia such as the Jaysh al-Shabi has been critical to the Assad regime's survival. A former Syrian Prime Minister, Riyad Hijab, said after defecting that "Syria is occupied by the Iranian regime. The person who runs the country is not Bashar al-Assad but Qasem Soleimani." Sanctions have made it difficult for Iran to afford its hefty subsidies to the Assad regime -- so ironically, a nuclear agreement and the easing of sanctions might have the unintended consequence of allowing Iran to continue its support of Assad. Nor is there any sign that Iran is ready to soften its support for the Lebanese Shia militia Hezbollah, its frontline proxy in the confrontation with Israel. Eighteen months ago, columnist Ali Hashem quoted an Iranian source as saying that "Hezbollah to Iran isn't a card to play with. Hezbollah today is the crown jewel of the resistance bloc," answerable not to the Iranian President but to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. There's no sign that posture has changed, and it's a reminder that on all these issues, President Rouhani is not the only -- or even the most powerful -- decision-maker in Iran. All the same, the achievement of a nuclear deal - and the gradual lifting of U.S. and international sanctions against Iran -- would surely change the mood music. It might open other doors and enhance dialogue on other issues. And regardless of progress on the nuclear front, the U.S. and Iran will continue to share antipathy for the apocalyptic vision of ISIS, and an interest in buttressing Iraq as a viable state. Even as a candidate for the presidency, Obama set out a vision for engaging with Iran, not least to help bring stability to Iraq. "My decision making, with respect to military options versus diplomatic options, a containment strategy versus a strike strategy," he told the New York Times in November 2007, "is going to be informed by how is that going to impact not just Iran, but how is that going to impact the stability of the region and how's that going to impact our long-term security interests." Eight years on, it is diplomacy and containment that are the centerpiece of his administration's thrust for a signature achievement on the world stage. And it can't hurt that the United States and Iran find themselves on the same side, for now, in Iraq.

Longtime foes U.S. and Iran now find themselves on same side of some critical conflicts . A nuclear deal would loosen sanctions on Iran, and allow it to devote more resources to propping up Assad regime in Syria .

 free enterprise."
But that meeting would also prove to be the last time the two leaders met in the flesh.
Gorbachev's final meeting with Thatcher, 18 years after the one with the Iron Lady, took place last month in Washington and was arranged by the US National Archives.
The two leaders held a private meeting for an hour in a boardroom on February 8. The conversation was off-the-record -- unlike their encounter 25 years earlier, when Gorbachev said: "This is just between us." It was a sign of the times -- as were the 30-minute breaks in a meeting that stretched into four hours.
But one thing that hasn't changed since 1984 is their view on the role of international law in global relations -- Gorbachev being one of the biggest architects of the end of the Cold War and Thatcher one of its leading opponents -- and on what the United States and the Soviet Union were doing for their countries and their people. Thatcher was asked what she thought the legacy of the Iron Lady would be. Her reply: "It was the belief that freedom had real meaning." And Gorbachev had this to say:
What was your impression of Margaret Thatcher on your first meeting?
"I think the impression I had of her was that she was rather like a mother hen who looked after her brood of chicks. That's what I believed then and that's still my belief today."
I must say that's not what I'd say! Did you have an instant rapport?
"No, I'm sorry to say that. It was rather a difficult relationship, I have to admit."
"She was an attractive woman. If you look at her now, it's hard to believe how she used to dress and how she looked then."
Did she impress you at the time?
"I think, she made her impression. She tried to make her impression on us. [She] believed that capitalism and free enterprise were the only way to go."
"She took a very hard line as far as East Europe was concerned. And I couldn't understand it. I was against Communism. I didn't understand why it was so important to her to stand up to Poland and the other countries of East Europe that were trying to make their own way."
What's your memory of that meeting?
"I remember it very well. We


Whether it's a UNESCO Heritage site or a small market town in the Cotswolds, all it takes is several minutes of screen time for a location to rise to prominence - and, subsequently, experience a significant boost from TV-watching tourists. In fact, recent research shows just how powerful the silver screen effect really is, estimating that international tourism brought in between £100 and £140 million for the English economy with tourist treks to recognisable countryside locations around Britain accounting for the bulk of the revenue. In honour of the newly-coined 'set-jetting' phenomenon, MailOnline Travel is counting down its top ten as-seen-on-screen locations for film-loving tourists to explore... Scroll down for video . ITV's drama, Broadchurch, is set on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, an area which has seen increased tourist interest in recent years . Searches for West Bay in Bridport were up 161 per cent in 2015 following the series' January 5 premiere, according to Hotels.com . West Bay, Bridport, Dorset . ITV's hit drama, Broadchurch, has contributed to a great deal of interest in the west country, in particular the area of West Bay. In fact, just days following the series' January 5 premiere, Hotels.com saw a spike in searches for the area with Bridport up by 161 per cent compared to the same period the year before. The harbour and the town are also used as filming locations, but its the Jurassic coast, a World Heritage site, that has most benefitted from this 'set-jetting' phenomenon. Matthew Goode, who played Charles Ryder in the remake of Brideshead Revisited, is seen here outside Castle Howard in North Yorkshire . The iconic home has served as the backdrop for a wide range of productions, but is perhaps best known for its appearance in the 2008 film . Castle Howard, North Yorkshire . The stately home has served as the backdrop for a wide range of film and television productions, but is perhaps best known for its starring role in Brideshead Revisited. Following the success of the 80s television programme of the same name, Hollywood returned to Castle Howard to film the 2008 feature film remake, starring Ben Whishaw, Matthew Goode and Emma Thompson. Inside, The Long Gallery, The Great Hall, and Grand Staircase all featured prominently and visitors to the house can still peruse the Brideshead Exhibition on display to see exactly how the transformations took place. Students and fans flock to Oxford's Christ Church College and Bodleian Library to see where several pivotal Harry Potter moments were filmed . Christ Church's Great Hall dining room, which sees a huge amount of yearly visitors, was replicated in the film studios to create Hogwarts Hall . Oxford University, Oxfordshire . Students and Harry Potter fans alike flock to Oxford University's Christ Church College and the school's Bodleian Library where pivotal scenes from the franchise were filmed. Perhaps most noteworthy in the College's Great Hall dining room, which was replicated in the film studios to create Hogwarts Hall, and the Grand Staircase, was used as the arrival scene for new Hogwarts students in the first two films. And life imitated art once more in 2011 when then-university student Emma Watson, who played Hermione in the films, completed a study abroad year at the prestigious university. According to the BBC, thanks in large part to the Harry Potter films, Oxford University has seen tourist numbers rising steadily, particularly in 2012, when numbers were up by 50,000 guests from three years prior. Allen Leech, pictured here, is often spotted filming scenes in Bampton, Oxfordshire, as part of his hit period drama, Downton Abbey . St. Mary's Church and the old market village's library are most often seen in the series, acting as the entrance to the cottage hospital . Bampton, Oxfordshire . The market town of Bampton, located in south of the Cotswolds, has most recently served as a filming location for the widely popular television programme Downton Abbey, selected due to its many 17th and 18th century houses and inns. One of the oldest towns in England, it makes perfect sense that the period drama would select such a location to add authenticity to the production. According to a survey compiled by Creative England, which measured the impact of tourism revenue generated by famous locations, Bampton was one of the best performing, with fan-led day visit spends topping £2.7 million in 2014. While Highclere Castle in Hampshire was used for exterior shots of the home, many of the outdoor scenes are filmed in Bampton, most notably at the village's St. Mary's Church and the library, which was used as the entrance to the cottage hospital. Doctor Who stars Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman made an appearance at Cardiff Castle in Wales as part of the series' World Tour . The castle has featured prominently in the science fiction TV show since 2005 and several tours are available to tourists in the area . Cardiff Castle, Wales . The stunning castle has featured prominently in Doctor Who since 2005 and, as such, played host to a photo call for the television programme in 2014. In fact, for the eighth series premiere, the Tardis itself even made an appearance at the top of Cardiff Castle ahead of the science fiction screening that evening. And VisitWales has taken advantage of the visitor interest in the area following the recent success of the revived series, launching a four-hour Doctor Who Tour that takes in over 20 locations in and around Cardiff. The setting of Disney's hit animated film, Brave, was inspired by Dunnottar Castle, located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland . The ruins of the medieval castle are located on a remote cliff and are believed to have generated £120 million in tourism revenue since 2012 . Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven, Scotland . This real-life relic was the inspiration behind the location of Disney's animated epic, Brave, which told the story of courageous Merida, a Scottish princess struggling to find her own path in life. The ruins of the medieval castle are located on a remote cliff, accessible only by several winding staircases and bridges, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, near the town of Stonehaven. According to VisitScotland, thanks in large part to a joint marketing campaign with Disney, the castle has generated £120 million for the Scottish economy, experiencing a 16 per cent increase in visitor numbers following the film's 2012 release. Actor Alfie Allan, who played Theon Greyjoy on Game of Thrones, filmed near the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland during season two . The unique rock formation, located in Antrim County, has been attracting visitors for years, but has experienced a recent surge thanks to HBO . The Giant's Causeway, Antrim, Northern Ireland . The gorgeous Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland is home to several key Game of Thrones filming locations. A unique rock formation, the Causeway has been attracting visitors to the Antrim Coastline for centuries, and now, with the popularity of the HBO TV series, the location has experienced even more of a tourist boom. Ballinroy,  which is located about 15 minutes from the Causeway stands in for the town of Pyke in the series, is clearly visible in the second season scenes during which Theon decides to leave his coastal hometown. From Belfast, fans can choose from a variety of Game of Thrones-themed tours to explore the many castles and beaches in the region. Anna Kendrick (pictured) stars at Cinderella in this year's movie musical, Into the Woods, also featuring Meryl Streep and Chris Pine . Dover Castle in Kent, including its magnificent Great Tower, provided the setting for any scenes of the King's Palace in Into the Woods . Dover Castle, Kent . As a filming location for blockbusters such as Into the Woods, Wolf Hall, and Hollow Crown, Dover Castle in Kent has similarly experienced the benefits of a tourism boom. Starring Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick and Chris Pine, Into the Woods utilised the magnificent Great Tower and Inner Bailey walls for scenes that were set at 'the King's Palace.' Taking advantage of interest in the region, this year, English Heritage began offering special themed guided tours of the real-life fairy tale castle. Tom Hanks starred in the 2006's film, The Da Vinci Code, which was based on the best-selling novel of the same name . The 900-year-old Lincoln Cathedral in Lincolnshire stood in for London's Westminster Abbey, in particular its cloisters and chapter house . Lincoln Cathedral, Lincolnshire . The 900-year-old church is Lincolnshire's largest building and served as a pivotal filming location for the 2006 film, The Da Vinci Code, which was based on the novel of the same name. And according to the BBC at the time, it was believed that the Lincoln Cathedral had generated a substantial amount of extra revenue thanks to the visitors attracted by the Tom Hanks hit. The cloisters, as well as the cathedral's chapter house, stood in for London's Westminster Abbey and it is estimated that the church, which costs £3 million per year to run, received £250,000 in return for filming. Miss Potter, the semi-biographical film about children's writer, Beatrix Potter, stars Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor . Since Potter lived in the Lake District in North West England, the crew filmed extensively in the region with the help of the National Trust . The Lake District, North West England . Miss Potter, the semi-biographical film about beloved children's writer, Beatrix Potter, and which stars Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor, was filmed on location in Potter's old stomping grounds: The Lake District in North England. The National Trust was actively involved in location scouting, as Potter's 17th century farmhouse, Hill Top, was simply to fragile to use. As such, filming, which took place in 2006, focused in on other sites such as Yew Tree Farm, Loughrigg Terrace and Tarn, and Loweswater. Today, GoLakes.co.uk offers a handy location map to help visitors make the most of their self-led tours.

Thanks to ITV's hit drama Broadchurch, Bridport in Dorset has experienced a surge in tourist interest in the area . Bampton, Oxfordshire, which features prominently in Downton Abbey, brought in an estimated £2.7 million in 2014 . This year, Dover Castle in Kent, began offering themed tours, after being used in the hit film, Into the Woods .

 audiences.
This was revealed in a new report from TGI in a survey of 100,000 Brits. The analysis found that 35% of adults believe they have seen locations used in films or TV shows which they haven't heard of before, after seeing them described as a "movie location" on-screen.
The study also found that 14% of adults had travelled or visited to a town they had not been to before after seeing it on TV.
"TGI data is showing us that viewers do like to discover new places, even if it is only for a couple of minutes as a result of a fleeting reference on a TV show or film," said Tim Elkington, TGI's Head of Strategy and Operations in the UK. "As a TV show or film, it's a great opportunity for destinations to capture a potential tourist, or even someone just interested in travel."
One such location is Bath, where 16% of adults who were exposed to a reference to the city on TV in the last year visited there - up 40% on the usual number of visitors to the city.
Also featured as a movie or TV location are London - up 16% on the usual number of visitors - and Manchester (up 12% on the usual number of visitors).
The top five TV shows and movies in which viewers say they were interested in a destination were:
1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
3. Game of Thrones Season 2 - the Red Wedding
4. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
5. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Top five films in which viewers have said they have been inspired to visit a destination were:
1. A View To A Kill
2. Dirty Dancing - Lake
3. Four Weddings and a Funeral
4. In Bruges
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
The top ten locations referenced by 40% of adults in the last year as places that were used as movie locations or referenced in the TV and on-screen that TV viewers thought they might visit were:
1. London
2. Manchester
3. Bath
4. Bath
5. Edinburgh
6. Bath
7. London
8. Manchester
9. New York
10. Glasgow
A full list of locations are included in the report, as


Ronald Koeman has had worse birthdays. On the same day he turned 52, Southampton kept themselves in the hunt for European football, and it was gift-wrapped by Burnley themselves. Shane Long’s first strike in the Barclays Premier League since November and an own goal by Jason Shackell did the trick against a Burnley team threatened with being sent back to where they came from last season. As for Southampton it will take some doing to get rid of them. Just when Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United thought Champions League qualification was primarily a scrap among themselves, this served as a reminder. Shane Long opened the scoring with his first goal in the Barclays Premier League since November . Long celebrates putting Southampton ahead in the 37th minute against Burnley on Saturday . Southampton (4-2-3-1): Forster 6 (K. Davis 14, 7.5); Clyne 6, Fonte (c) 6, Alderweireld 6, Bertrand 8; Schneiderlin 6, S. Davis 6.5; Mane 6.5, Tadic 6 (Wanyama 46, 6), Long 7.5; Pelle 6.5 . Subs not used: Yoshida, Gardos, Djurcic, Ward-Prowse, Elia . Manager: Ronald Koeman 7 . Goals: Long (37), Shackell (OG 58) Booked: NONE . Burnley (4-4-2): Heaton 6; Mee 6, Schakell (c) 5, Duff 5.5, Trippler 6; Barnes 6 (Wallace 82), Arfield 6, Jones 5.5, Boyd 6.5; Vokes 6.5 (Jutkiewicz 74, 6), Ings 5.5 (Sordell 88) Subs not used: Gilks, Kightly, Keane, Reid . Manager: Sean Dyche 6 . Goals: NONE . Booked: NONE . MATCH RATING BY KIERAN GILL AT ST MARY'S STADIUM . Jason Shackell's own goal at St Mary's.Click here for our match zone service . ‘The boys gave me the best present for my birthday,’ said Koeman, who was serenaded by the St Mary’s crowd with their rendition of Happy Birthday. ‘A good win. An important win. Three points. Nice present.’ Yet it was horribly tense at times, as it should be against a team fighting for their Premier League lives. Burnley, fresh from beating Manchester City last week, made the Saints sing for their supper. Southampton moved to within a point of Liverpool, albeit a game ahead, and did so without Fraser Forster, the keeper with the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season. No sooner had the game got started than it was interrupted when Forster, named in Roy Hodgson’s England squad this week, had to be carried off on a stretcher after 14 minutes following an innocuous challenge by Sam Vokes. There was nothing in it as the Burnley striker tried to block the goalkeeper’s clearance but Forster was replaced by the 38-year-old Kelvin Davis, and Koeman does not think he will be able to feature for England this month. Burnley shot themselves in the foot in the 58th minute when Jason Shackell diverted Ryan Bertrand's cross into his own net . Burnley defender Jason Shackell looks dejected after scoring an own goal against Southampton . Yet Southampton made do without Forster, and Long settled their nerves on 38 minutes. A deflected low drive by Nathaniel Clyne from the right corner of the penalty area somehow found the unmarked forward at the back post. A simple tap-in was all that was required, and the Irishman obliged. Southampton have dropped just two points from winning positions this season — fewer than any other team — but this was scrappy, to say the least. Graziano Pelle should have scored, and passed the dreaded 1,000-minute mark in the Premier League since his last goal. He hit the crossbar from close range, produced air-kicks, had headers saved, and his luck never improved. ‘The first half was a little bit more difficult. We had good chances to score more than one goal,’ Koeman added. ‘There was good movement, good attacking, good chances. ‘Pelle was a little unlucky, but he was working hard. That’s what you have to do if you don’t score. Your team-rate is important.The goals will come,’ insisted Koeman. It was a good win.’ The game died when Burnley shot themselves in the foot in the 58th minute. Ryan Bertrand had been a nuisance throughout, and his cross led to an outstretched knee by Burnley defender Shackell turning Ryan Bertrand’s cross into his own net under no pressure. Southampton, then, remain in the race, and the seemingly impossible remains possible. Southampton keeper Fraser Forster was injured after 14 minutes following an innocuous challenge by Danny Ings . Referee Roger East checks on a stricken Forster in the penalty area . Forster was carried off on a stretcher after colliding with Burnley striker Ings . Forster was replaced by 38-year-old substitute goalkeeper Kelvin Davis on Saturday . Burnley keeper Thomas Heaton saves bravely at the feet of Graziano Pelle . Burnley striker Sam Vokes controls the ball at St Mary's Stadium . Burnley's Ashley Barnes dives in to tackle Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne . Southampton manager Ronald Koeman was serenaded by Saints fans on his 52nd birthday . Burnley manager Sean Dyche shows his frustration as his side went down to defeat at Southampton .

Shane Long scored his first goal in the Barclays Premier League since November to put Saints ahead . Jason Shackell diverted Ryan Bertrand's cross into his own net for second Southampton goal . Keeper Fraser Forster had to be carried off on a stretcher following an innocuous challenge by Sam Vokes . Manager Ronald Koeman was serenaded by the St Marys crowd with their rendition of Happy Birthday .

 League since January got the Saints off to the right start at St. Mary’s, but it was 18-year-old defender Ryan Bertrand’s second goal of the season that proved the turning point, a goal that brought the home crowd on their feet.
Bertrand, the youngest Southampton player since a 17-year-old Paulo Sousa started in the 2001/2002 season, celebrated his 100th appearance for Saints with a goal that put Southampton back into the top half of the table. It may not be the prettiest of goals, but with its contribution of three points in a 3-1 win, it may very well be one of the most important of the season.
“I think we have shown already that we are mentally strong enough,” the 19-year-old said. “We have been working on it all season in training, it was important to us to work on our mentality and we have shown that with Ryan’s second goal. I think a big win would give us even more confidence for the next games and it is important to keep going.”
His teammate Bertrand, who is enjoying a run in the midfield, thinks the second goal could have been avoided, but that it’s what happens when “you’re in the box you get goals.” That’s the kind of attitude Southampton had before Saturday’s match.
“[We] showed good defensive ability as well as attacking ability,” Bertrand said. “They [Burnley] are a good team, we have shown we can play against the best teams in the league. We have shown we are getting stronger every week. We deserved the win today and to keep a clean sheet was a bonus.”
Bertrand’s teammate and first goal scorer, Long, was full of praise for the youngster.
“He’s a top boy and a big talent,” Long said. “I’m just happy to be out on the pitch with him and for us to play for Southampton in the Premier League. It’s fantastic to be playing in the Premier League. I didn’t think he would put it in the top corner at all.”
Long’s second goal of the campaign has come at the right time for a player who was thought to be on the fringe of Koeman’s plans upon his appointment.
“Obviously I am very happy because I hadn’t scored in the league all season and to score at home


(CNN)In some ways, America's president pilots our ship of state as a captain pilots a jumbo jet, and this analogy suggests one possible way to avoid a repeat of the Germanwings massacre: Give the plane's flight crew certain powers akin to those given to America's Cabinet in the rare and terrifying situation when the president and vice president are at swords' point. Some background. Both presidents and plane captains must be shielded from lunatics and terrorists. This is why airlines across the world hardened cockpit doors after 9/11 and why Americans of all stripes are outraged by stories that the Secret Service on several occasions has failed to maintain proper security at the White House. Both presidents and plane captains are human, and subject to all the frailties of humans, from temporary disabilities created by bathroom breaks (for pilots) and scheduled surgeries (for presidents) to sudden death. Transitions in both the Oval Office and the cockpit should be made as smooth as possible. Hence the need for a vice president at the ready, able to take over at a moment's notice. The obvious aviation analogy here is the second pilot in the cockpit. In case of sudden death, the vice president or co-pilot simply takes over immediately. In case of a temporary disability -- say, a scheduled surgery under general anesthesia -- the president can hand over control to the vice president and then take back control when the disability ends. It is exactly what happened when President George W. Bush underwent planned colonoscopies in 2002 and 2007. On both occasions, Bush handed the tiller to his trusted co-pilot, Dick Cheney, and then resumed control when ready, under rules clearly laid out by the Constitution's 25th Amendment -- an amendment drafted and ratified after the shocking assassination of President John F. Kennedy. But what happens if a president is unable to predict his own future disability, or unable to recognize a genuine disability when it arises? The 25th Amendment allows the vice president to take over control in this situation, but to do so, the vice president needs the support of a majority of Cabinet officers -- officials previously appointed by the president himself and thus unlikely to support any inappropriate vice presidential power grab. On a jumbo jet, a co-pilot may likewise take over in certain situations. But current airplane architecture fails to use the crew in the optimal way. When one officer has barricaded himself in the cockpit and the other officer is banging on the door demanding entry, current airplane design enables the man in the cockpit unilaterally to block the demand for entrance with the flick of a switch. Think of this as an absolute veto. (Some airlines get around the problem with a rule that a flight attendant must replace a pilot so that there will always be at least two people in the cockpit.) But suppose instead that airlines were to borrow sensibly a page from America's Constitution. The man in the cockpit could temporarily block entrance, but this veto could be overridden if -- and only if -- the door-banging officer is backed by a majority of the flight attendants. The need for some sort of secure cockpit lock is obvious. Perhaps the officer banging on the door has gone mad, or is being held hostage at knifepoint, or is a terrorist mole. But the need for an override is also obvious. Perhaps the man in the cockpit is the bad guy. And just as America's Cabinet officers are well-positioned to decide any dispute between a president and vice president wrestling over the key to the Oval Office, so too with an airplane's crew:  The cockpit lock button could be electronically overridden whenever a majority of flight attendants punched in their own individual passcodes in sequence on a keypad somewhere outside the cockpit door. This proposed technological fix will not prevent all future tragedies. No human system is foolproof. But giving the crew a collective key brings more human minds into the equation -- as does the 25th Amendment's rule empowering the Cabinet to resolve certain terrifying disputes at the highest level of executive power. On planes, as in a constitutional democracy, there is often safety in numbers.

Akhil Amar: When a leader is irrational or incapacitated, we need an override mechanism . Amar: Airlines could learn from system used in U.S. Constitution to replace disabled president .

 authority to override the pilot.
In the wake of the Germanwings disaster, the flight crew repeatedly asked the pilot to open the cockpit door to prevent a hijacking. He refused. By the time the co-pilot managed to open the door with an emergency hammer, it was too late. It could take about three minutes for emergency service personnel to arrive at the scene of a jet in a nosedive. That would be plenty of time for someone who'd just hijacked the plane to kill the first officer and take control of the craft.
If co-pilots had the authority to override a plane's captain, the hijacker might have been stopped before any people died.
But the co-pilot was not allowed to gain access to the cockpit until they had the door open. And there was one way for the pilot to thwart that attempt: Lock the co-pilot out and fly the plane to a safe place himself.
By having the pilot hold power over the entire craft, there's no safeguard against him or her using the plane to carry out his or her own agenda. This was at the heart of Germany's efforts to prevent the rise of a dictator in the 1930s, through the "Führerprinzip," or "principle of leadership," whereby the leader could order the mass execution of enemy combatants without any approval from the government.
And just as Hitler had access to the power of the entire Luftwaffe, the Germanwings pilot has a "commanding height" on a plane, said Capt. Mark Kelly, who flew the space shuttle and retired from the US Navy in 2011. If the co-pilot doesn't have access to the captain's cabin, "it makes him very much vulnerable to attack," Kelly said.
The captain's cabin is also the only place on an aircraft where the pilot can't get up and leave the cockpit. If the first officer wants to change the speed or the altitude of the plane, the captain needs to sign off on that request, otherwise the first officer can't make those adjustments.
This "commanding height" is why the cockpit of a plane is one of the most secure places in a commercial airliner, Kelly said. Pilots are allowed to fly the aircraft only if they're wearing the security armband given to them by airport security -- which, incidentally, doesn't fit many arms.


A 28-year-old blind woman has had her confidence shattered after a bus driver laughed in her face and refused to believe she qualified for a disabled fare. Megan Johnston, from Newtown, Wellington, in New Zealand, has a degenerative eye disease that has left her with just five per cent vision. Megan uses a walking cane to assist her in getting around with her extreme tunnel vision and when she boarded the bus on Wednesday afternoon she had folded the stick under her arm. ‘When the bus pulled up I went to get on after a few people and, like I usually do, I folded up my cane and showed the driver my card,’ Megan told Daily Mail Australia. Megan Johnston, from Wellington, in New Zealand, was shocked when a bus driver refused to believe she was blind despite showing him her concessions bus pass and cane . The bus pass, issued by NZ Bus, clearly states ‘blind person’ on it. ‘It just gets me a dollar off my fare which I thought I may as well use,’ Megan said. As she handed over her $2 fare the driver refused to take her money as she explained the pass simply gets her a concession fare. ‘He said “yeah but you are not blind are you?” and started laughing,’ Megan said. ‘I said “are you kidding me” and he said “well how did you get on the bus, you can obviously see things”,’ she recalled. Megan’s hereditary condition, Retinitis Pigmentosa, means her eyesight is approximately 170 degrees worse than a person with perfect eyesight and leaves her with no peripheral vision. Shocked by his assumption that she was lying about being blind, Megan told the bus driver she has ‘five per cent vision’ and he responded: ‘That’s not actually blind is it.’ Megan's bus pass, issued by NZ Bus, clearly states 'blind person' on it but the driver simply laughed at her . The 28-year-old has a degenerative eye disease that has left her with just five per cent vision . ‘I was really shocked. I took my money and got off the bus… I should be able to get on the bus without being questioned,’ Megan said. ‘I was just devastated. I was on my way into town to meet a friend and it’s taken a long time for me to be confident using my cane and be not judged.’ Upset and in tears, Megan fired off a message on Twitter to the bus company and was told to call their generic customer service line. ‘I said “hey your bus driver just laughed at me and said I wasn’t blind despite having a cane and a card”. They gave me the general Metlink number .’ When Megan rang the company in tears she was told they would get back to her in two to three weeks. Since her story was first published in the Dominion Post, the Go Wellington bus company has been in touch to apologise. Megan, a talented artist who drew the above illustration of herself, uses a walking cane to assist her in getting around with her extreme tunnel vision . Retinitis Pigmentosa is an inherited, degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment and often blindness. It dramatically effects peripheral vision and is often described as extreme tunnel vision. The degeneration is progressive and has no known cure. But Megan believes there needs to be more awareness around the fact there are varying degrees of blindness. ‘I am constantly confronted by people who think blindness is black and white. But there is a big variation,’ Megan explained. Megan has had her cane for around a year and a half and it isn’t known at what rate, or if, her eyesight will continue to deteriorate. ‘I haven’t been on a bus since then and I definitely don’t feel comfortable. I also have a card for half price taxi fares so I feel more comfortable using that now,’ she said. Since becoming legally blind Megan, a talented artist and designer, has battled with not only her difficulty in seeing what’s around her but also people’s perceptions of her disability. ‘I’ve always had artistic tendencies but people find it hard to deal with because it’s such a visual thing. It took her a long time before she began feeling confident enough to use her cane (pictured) in public . ‘The fact of the matter is I do have intact middle vision and it’s there and fine and it’s more than I need to draw illustrations. It also means I can work from home and don’t have to go out,’ she said. Megan inherited her Retinitis Pigmentosa, which cannot be cured, from her father and is considered legally blind. In an article she wrote for the website On The Left, Megan described how ‘getting around in public became increasingly hard a few years ago’. ‘I was constantly getting in people’s way. People were in a hurry and were huffing and puffing and occasionally swearing at me. They weren’t to know, but it made me feel horrible. If I bumped into just one person, it would rattle me and ruin my entire day,’ she wrote. The illustrator reasoned: ‘Blindness comes in many, many forms and just because we can’t see one thing, it doesn’t mean we can’t see another.’

Megan Johnston, from Wellington, New Zealand, is legally blind . She has extreme tunnel vision and just five per cent eyesight . She tried to board a bus with her blind concession pass on Wednesday . Driver refused to take her fare and said 'you are not blind are you?' When she explained she was indeed legally blind he accused her of lying . 'Well how did you get on the bus, you can obviously see things,' he said .

 condition that is causing her eyesight to deteriorate – and has become too blind to work, The Sun reports.
The condition started when she was 15, and means she can only make out blurred shapes and is unable to see people’s faces. She says it is “impossible” for her to drive and her only mode of transport is public transport. As such, it is a given that she will need to take the bus to get to her medical appointments and therapy sessions. She says she asks to be charged a reduced fare, which has always been granted without question until now.
She recently went to a medical appointment, and had to take the bus to and from. She presented her pass to the driver, but was denied entry and told to pay the adult fare.
Megan claims the driver refused to believe her or check the card, and insisted she show him a doctor’s note. She says she was “terrified” that she might be refused entry, but was determined to attend her appointment.
When the driver refused to let her on the bus, she attempted to explain what was wrong. But the driver was not happy and said she would have to pay the full fare. Megan asked why she couldn’t ride without charge, but the driver responded by laughing in her face.
She said: “I was in shock that I’d be denied a seat, as the driver wouldn’t even look at my pass.
“When I explained I was a blind passenger and had a reduced travel card, the driver made me feel very unwelcome.”
She added: “I can no longer work as my vision is so bad, which has affected my confidence.
“I feel very discriminated against because I can’t take the bus.
“The driver’s attitude made me feel like a piece of rubbish, with no value.”
The driver refused to take her any further on the journey, and Megan was forced to alight the bus and take a taxi to her destination.
Megan has since lodged a complaint with the New Zealand Transport Agency, who have said they cannot help, and she is taking the matter further by contacting Passenger Transport Aotearoa.
The passenger transport association has said it can help investigate and has also offered to investigate the issue.
A spokesperson said: “We will contact the driver and try and get his side of the story.
“We can help with cases where drivers discriminate against people with disabilities.
“We