Univision host Rodner Figueroa who was fired after making a racially insensitive remark about Michelle Obama now claims that the first lady's office may have played a deciding role in his dismissal. According to Figueroa's representatives, no one from the network complained when on Wednesday he compared a makeup artist who transformed himself into Michelle Obama to a cast member of The Planet of the Apes franchise. But later that night, hours after Figueroa's entertainment news show El Gordo Y La Flacaa aired, a Univision executive reportedly contacted the TV presenter and informed him that the first lady's office had made a complaint about the remark. Scroll down for video . Bold claim: Rodner Figueroa (left) claims First Lady Michelle Obama's (right) office got him fired from Univision after he compared her to a character from Planet Of The Apes on live television . The revelation implicating the First Lady’s team in the firing, first reported by TMZ, comes after a seemingly contrite Figueroa penned an open letter to Mrs Obama apologizing for his outburst. In the missive, the sacked TV host wrote that as a bi-racial, openly gay man, he is no stranger to discrimination and has long been fighting for minorities. He also stated: 'I voted openly twice for your husband, Barack Obama.' Mrs Obama has not publicly addressed Figueroa’s claim that her staff got the Univision host fired for mocking her. Venezuelan-born Figueroa, an Emmy-Award winning host at the Spanish-language network Univision, made the Planet of the Apes remark in a segment discussing the work of make-up artist Paolo Ballesteros who posts photos of himself transformed into female celebrities. Rodner Figueroa, left, made the racially insensitive remark on the entertainment news show El Gordo Y La Flaca on Wednesday . Figueroa, 42, was talking about how Ballesteros had transformed himself into the First Lady when said: 'Well, watch out, you know that Michelle Obama looks like she's from the cast of Planet Of The Apes, the movie.' When hostess Lili Estefan countered with 'What are you saying?' and host Raul de Molina said Obama was very attractive, Figueroa defended his remark, saying 'but it is true.' The show aired live on the East Coast, but his remarks were edited out of the version broadcast for the West Coast, reports Latino Voices. Later Figueroa co-hosted the evening gossip show Sal Y Pimienta, but by Wednesday night his photo had already been removed from the network's website. In a statement on Thursday, Univision called Figueroa's comments 'completely reprehensible' and said they 'in no way reflect the values or opinions of Univision.' 'Yesterday during the entertainment show El Gordo y La Flaca, Rodner Figueroa made comments about First Lady Michelle Obama that were completely reprehensible and in no way reflect the values or opinions of Univision. 'As a result, Mr. Figueroa was fired immediately,' read the statement. Venezuelan-born Figueroa made the remark in a segment discussing the work of make-up artist Paolo Ballesteros who posts photos of himself transformed into female celebrities such as the First Lady . On Thursday he issued an open letter apology to Michelle Obama. In it he claimed his comments were taken out of context and that as a member of a 'bi-racial Latin family' he isn't a racist, reports Latin Times. 'I can't accept that I am being called a racist and being fired for that reason and being humiliated by Univision after working there for 17 years,' he said. 'I come from a bi-racial Latin family, with family members, like my father, who is Afro-Latino. I am the first presenter on Hispanic TV that is openly gay and I am an activist for causes that favor minorities, that have been discriminated against just like me.' Figueroa had won the award for Outstanding Daytime Talent in the Spanish category at the Daytime Emmy Awards last June. Univision is the largest Spanish-language network in the United States, reaching an estimated 94 million U.S. homes. It ranks fifth among all television networks in the U.S. Figueroa, who won the Outstanding Daytime Talent in Spanish category at the Daytime Emmy Awards last June, issued an apology on Thursday . Dear First Lady Michelle Obama, . I offer my sincerest apologies for a comment that I made about the characterization from a make-up artist that I made about you in the Univision entertainment program El Gordo y La Flaca. I want to make it clear that I'm not racist and it was directed personally to you, but to the characterization of the artist, that left a lot to be desired. The clip in full context is proof. I feel embarrased, I ask for forgiveness, because there is no excuse for a professional like me to make those types of comments that can be interpreted as offensive and racist in a volatile moment that we live in our country. I take responsibility for this lack of judgement in my part, but I can't accept that I am being called a racist and being fired for that reason and being humiliated by Univision after working there for 17 years. I come from a bi-racial Latin family, with family members, like my father, who is Afro-Latino. I am the first presenter on Hispanic TV that is openly gay and I am an activist for causes that favor minorities, that have been discriminated against just like me. I openly voted twice for your husband Barack Obama, because I consider him a great man that respects minorities, like me, in this country. I worked on two Univision shows where I commented about celebrity style, including the real family and Latin first ladies and I have never offended anybody because of their skin color, sexual orientation or nationality. I am a decent person, but a human in the end that makes mistakes like this one. Although the comment was unpleasant and out of line I do not deserved being called a racist and I have to defend myself for respect and love to my family, my father, my fans and my community. I was notified verbally that due to a complaint from your office I was fired. An information leak from Univision executives, I was condemend in social media, trying to destroy my career in an unfair manner, without letting me know personally and without an investigation that would allow to clear up the situation. Again, I offer my humble forgiveness for the misinterpreation and I assume the responsibility. Yours respectfully, . Rodner Figueroa .

Rodner Figueroa made the racially insensitive remark on the entertainment news show El Gordo Y La Flaca on Wednesday . He was discussing the work of a make-up artist who had transformed himself into Michelle Obama . By late Wednesday evening the network had removed his photo from their website and on Thursday they confirmed that he had been fired . Figueroa has issued an apology in which he denies being a racist and states that his father is Afro-Latino . Also accused Univision of trying to destroy his career 'in an unfair manner' At the Daytime Emmy Awards last June Figueroa had won the Outstanding Daytime Talent in the Spanish category .

 lawyer, the network offered him a "six-figure figure" contract to stay on as "Univision's highest paid host" and then when it became public that Figueroa was a racist bigot, the network abruptly terminated his contract.
In "Michelle Obama is my Homegirl" Figueroa writes:
Michelle Obama is my homegirl. I want her to know the admiration that I have for her. She is so much better than people give her credit for... I think she is really cool.
Now, with my show taken away from me, I no longer have a stage to express my admiration and support for Michelle.
In my mind, it was a setup, and I think Mrs. Obama is behind it. I truly think it was her hand that made that decision [to fire me].
I think I must have said something wrong that pissed off Mrs. Obama or one of her staff members, who was a producer on my show..
Now, she is free to say whatever she wants about me. She is free to make all of the jokes she wants. She can trash me without me being around to defend myself.
We all know that we shouldn't say things like that, but that's not the point. The point is that [the First Lady's office] can say whatever they want about me, even if what they say about me is not true.
The entire thing came from me commenting about how beautiful Michelle Obama is. I have loved her since her husband started running for President, and I have always said that the only reason why Barack Obama won the election was because of her. She is one of the most intelligent women in the world.
I am not the only one who feels this way, so I say all the good things about Michelle, and I never say anything bad.
So why would anyone think I am a racist?
I have never said anything racist ever, and the only reason why I could be perceived as a racist is if I said something stupid.
When I was fired, I was confused. Why would they fire me after only one year? I was a top-rated news show, and I was very well-respected.
No one had ever called me a racist. No one had ever said bad things about me on Twitter or anything.
Michelle Obama is a black woman, and this is very important to me, but that is not the only reason why I am a fan


Ukip's rise in popularity has been built on railing against rising immigration numbers . But Nigel Farage has conceded foreigners have brought one benefit to Britain: The food has improved. In an interview apparently designed to soften his image, the Ukip leader admitted he would 'not be very good' as Prime Minister and revealed how the pressure of fronting the party of 'DIY politics' means he does not have a normal family life. Scroll down for video . Ukip leader Nigel Farage today admitted he would 'not be very good' as Prime Minister . Mr Farage is hoping to make big gains in the election on May 7, with some predicting Ukip could hold the balance of power. But while David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg slug it out to argue they should be in power, Mr Farage admitted he probably is not up to the job. When asked whether he would make a good Prime Minister, he told confessed: 'I don't think that's my role in life, I don't think I'd be very good at it either.' In an attempt to appear less reactionary than in previous media appearances, he tried to find the positive in a range of issues, including migration. He argued that for years British cuisine was dire and there were few good restaurants, but the arrival of chefs from around the world had transformed the nation's dining. He said: 'Just look at the food, I am just about old enough to remember when it was awful and going out was actually quite difficult.' But he could not resist making a political point, adding: 'If you control immigration sensibly and do it properly it can be a benefit to the country and it can enrich the culture too, no arguments about that.' He used a highly-personal interview with ITV's Good Morning Britain to show a more human side, and revealed the impact of politics on his family life and his relationship with his wife Kirsten. 'Ukip has been a DIY political party, I mean most of us have never been involved in politics before,' he said. The TV interview appeared designed to present a softer side to Mr Farage, with him seen walking wistfully along a beach in the shadow of the White Cliffs of Dover . As a result, politics caused problems in his marriage to first wife Grainne, which ended in divorce in 1997. He said: 'I was, I had been married once before and it didn't end very well but then that's life isn't it, we have our ups and downs in life. 'Politics had begun to impinge and that did not help. Of that there is no question at all.' His second wife Kirsten revealed last week how she has to stay at home and look after their children because her husband's job running Ukip means she is effectively a single mother. German-born Mrs Farage revealed that her husband did not even know where basic household equipment was kept. 'He just called me and asked where do we keep the ironing board as he needed to iron his shirt,' she said. 'I'm not that surprised. It is a bit worrying.' Today Mr Farage said his wife was 'somebody who was completely honest, with no particular side, who said pretty frankly what she thought and how she saw things and I quite liked that'. He went on: 'I mean to be honest with you, I think my whole family would rather I had never gone into politics, I'd stayed doing what I was doing, I can't even pretend to have a normal family relationship at this moment in time because I don't.' Asked about regrets in life, he said: 'I've thought about that a lot, I've thought a lot about that question and I think, frankly, if you do have regrets and if those regrets bother you, then you are not living now are you?' ITV said Mr Farage had chosen the location himself, because it was symbolic of his beliefs about Britain;s relationship with the rest of Europe . He claimed that 'Ukip has been a DIY political party', with most of the senior leadership never involved in politics before . His second wife Kirsten revealed last week how she has to stay at home and look after their children because her husband's job running Ukip means she is effectively a single mother . The TV interview appeared designed to present a softer side to Mr Farage, with him seen walking wistfully along a beach in the shadow of the White Cliffs of Dover. ITV said he had chosen the location himself, because it was symbolic of his beliefs about Britain;s relationship with the rest of Europe. He said: 'I want to be friendly with our neighbours and if you live in a street, it's good to get on with the neighbours and I want to get on with the neighbours but I don't want to be absorbed by them.'

Ukip leader insists his role is not to make a convincing pitch for No.10 . Says 'Ukip has been a 'DIY political party' which has taken its toll on family . Blames politics in part for the break-up of his first marriage in 1997 . Second wife Kirsten says she is like a single mother because he's never in . Farage claims arrival of immigrants in UK means eating out is not 'awful'

leader told The Times he had eaten "a really good meal" of pizza and gelato on a recent visit to Italy. Mr Farage also made the comments at the annual conference of the anti-EU Ukip party, which has seen a sharp rise in support and is challenging the three main parties in Britain's general election. But he said he was not eating the dishes in order to show foreigners that Britain was "a proper place with a proper diet." He told The Times: "We've got much more Italian restaurants and places like that than we used to, so it's much nicer here now than it was." Mr Farage said Italians were "the best hosts and the best people" when it came to the running of Britain, adding: "I think they'd be very, very disappointed if they ever thought that the British were going to be anything other than the British. "They're just more open about it now." 'I have no choice' The politician and businessman also admitted he has faced opposition to his political views from friends and family but said he has to accept that others have different opinions, and he cannot persuade people to change their minds. Speaking in a room full of about 400 supporters at the London conference on Wednesday night, Mr Farage said he had a similar experience to most people in Britain who want to support his party but face opposition from family members. "My friends, and people who have been very good friends of mine, have tried really hard to convince me that I was wrong," he told the conference. "And I have not been able to persuade them that I'm not right about this and I have absolutely no choice. It is one of the problems of being a politician." Mr Farage told the crowd of activists that some in Britain were making excuses for the problems caused by the arrival of thousands of migrants from across the world. "If you want to say, 'This country can't possibly cope, we need more money from the rest of the European Union - I don't believe a word of it," he said. "I've never seen a British businessman, with the possible exception of a multi-millionaire banker, who wouldn't like to take on a couple of extra staff to help him. "It's a shame the European Union has made you believe that you can't do that," he told supporters. Earlier in the conference, Mr Farage said he


Sir Chris Hoy has followed a fairly predictable path in his retirement. A bit of media work, plenty of endorsements and a range of bikes, available at good stockists everywhere. He has reportedly turned down Strictly but this week he joined Frank Lampard as a sporting star with his own range of children's books. Flying Fergus are the tales of a young boy who discovers a old rusty bike has magic powers that transport him to sporting success. In the build-up to London 2012, it was Hoy's rivals who wondered whether he and the British team had 'magic wheels', though the truth was his six Olympic golds were achieved by an unmatched will to win and 27 inch thighs that powered him like pistons to sporting history. Chris Hoy celebrates an impressive cycling career with the Great Britain flag after yet more success . British cyclist Hoy poses during the reception for Team GB and Paralympic GB athletes in London . Hoy's legacy is a cycling revolution that has changed the British sporting landscape but it has also created an expectation that success is now assured forever. In Beijing - when Hoy won three medals in a singles Games - Britain won seven from ten golds, a feat that that prompted cycling's governing body to change the rules for London to prevent such domination. And yet, three summers ago, Britain again won seven from ten Olympic titles, including two more golds for Hoy. Hoy celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the gold medal in the London 2012 Olympic Games . However, at the recent track cycling World Championships, British cyclists failed to top the podium in a single event - their worst performance in 14 years. They ranked tenth on the medal table with a haul of just three silver medals, their coach, Shane Sutton, later questioning their hunger to succeed. Anyone who witnessed Hoy's final and most thrilling Olympic gold in the men's keirin will know that timing is his strong point. And it certainly seems like he got out at the right time. Hoy celebrates winning the Men's Keirin final on day eleven of the Olympic Games in London . However, the 11-time world champion insists it's not really as grim as the statistics appear. Some think the team has been missing a leader since his retirement and Hoy believes the return to the track of Sir Bradley Wiggins could be just what's needed to lift the spirits. 'He's an iconic leader and other nations look to him as this global cycling megastar,' he said. 'When he's in the track centre everybody's focusing on him, so it takes the pressure and spotlight off some of the other riders who don't particularly enjoy that attention. He's invaluable for the team as a whole. 'We lost a bit of experience after the Olympics, after Victoria Pendleton and I retired. Success creates its own problems and pressures. Now, if you're the British Olympic Team going into Rio, you've a realistic chance of medalling in maybe 60 per cent of the events. 'But in cycling now, unless it's a gold medal, it is seen as being a massive failure and you've got to manage expectations. 'We do still have realistic chances but I don't think we'll have another Beijing or London but I don't think that's a massive surprise or disappointment. I still think we have a successful Games in Rio but with less medals than previous Games. 'The World Championships in Paris was disappointing, there's no way you can spin it to make it sound like a success, as a team it wasn't. 'However, in individual cases and certain events, progress has been made since the World Championships in Colombia last year.' Hoy speaks and people listen. This week he was back in London as part of his mentor role in a Sports Aid initiative backed by energy company SSE. Hoy in action during the Men's Team Sprint Track Cycling final on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games . A legacy project of last year's Commonwealth Games, SSE Next Generation is providing 100 talented hopefuls with funding but, more importantly, invaluable advice and experience as they start out on their sporting careers. Olympic silver medallist Leon Taylor, who famously mentored Tom Daley, is guiding them while Olympic gold medallist Darren Campbell is advising on nutrition and Judy Murray is helping prepare their parents for what might come ahead. But it was Hoy that had the teenagers listening in rapt attention and patiently queuing for the obligatory selfie with Britain's most successful Olympian of all-time. When Hoy made his British team debut at the 1993 European under-23 Championship he was told to return his tracksuit but times have changed. 'It reminds me of what it was like when I was their age and you've got your career right in front of you and the excitement that entails,' he adds. British Olympic track cycling gold medalist Hoy poses with his London 2012 gold medals . 'There was nothing like this programme when I was starting out, I definitely would have loved to be involved if there was. 'I take my role as a mentor very seriously, it's an honour, it's not just about me speaking about myself and my experiences but I enjoy listening to the athletes and hearing about what they're doing. 'It's exciting to think there could be half dozen or more of these athletes who could be household names in ten years.' Who knows. Some might even match Hoy's sporting and, perhaps, even literary achievements.' SSE's Next Generation programme partners with SportsAid to provide financial support and training to the sports stars of the future. Keep up to date with the latest @SSENextGen .

Sir Chris Hoy retired on a high after winning a gold medal at London 2012 . Cyclist has since released his own range of children's books to the public . Books are about Flying Fergus who finds a rusty bike with magic powers . The magic powers help Fergus transport him to sporting success .

, Danny Dyer and the other celebrity cyclists at the launch of the new Tour Series, the UK’s largest urban cycle races.
The Tour Series runs through eight UK cities, bringing the sport of road cycling to urban audiences, who otherwise might not see the sport in action. There are also women’s and junior races at most of the events. The races are on closed-circuit and spectators gather in city centre locations to watch the races. As a spectator I can highly recommend these races – it is a great atmosphere and an excellent chance to get up close to the pros.
In Manchester Chris was part of the Chris Hoy Pro Team. Here the pros are joined by a number of local cycling clubs, each of which represents a city in the Tour Series. Chris Hoy rode with the Leeds-based team, the Bioracer-Prendas de la Area team (the team name translates as “Lions of the City”.)
I am not sure how Chris Hoy became involved in the Chris Hoy Pro Team. It was my first trip to Manchester to see a race and I did not realise that any of the teams were affiliated with local clubs. However, having seen the races, I would definitely recommend a visit. The races are on closed circuits which vary in length but tend to be around 1.5km or so, and are suitable for all ages and abilities.
The Chris Hoy Pro Team includes former British national road race champion Alex Peters, former European time trial champion Tony Gibb and (possibly the most surprising member) Olympic track champion Chris Boardman.
The team consists of the Chris Hoy Pro Team and four Bioracer-Prendas de la Area teams. One race a team of four riders, the next a pair of two and then it switches back and forth. Here you see the team line up on the starting grid. It was a rather muddy start, but they look like pros to me.
The crowds were well-behaved as you would expect but the Chris Hoy Pro Team was not the only celebrity drawcard. Here’s Chris Hoy waving to the crowd…
… and here’s Danny Dyer.
There is no shortage of local talent. The Manchester University Team came in to take the Team prize with a lead time of 1:03.10. Team Prolazer are the champions of the Women’s Tour Series and the Birmingham based Bioracer-Prendas de la Area are the Men’s Series champions. The


It was a deeply disturbing homecoming for Shreya Singhal, then 21. She had returned to India from her astrophysics course at the UK’s Bristol University in 2012, when news of a series of netizens’ arrests spurred by powerful politicians started making headlines. Behind these arrests lurked a relatively young dark law: Section 66A of the Information Technology Act. Shreya decided to file a public interest litigation. A little over two years later, Justice Rohinton Nariman of the Supreme Court got up from his chair after announcing, “Section 66A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, is hereby struck down in its entirety.” Petitioner Shreya Singhal and her mother Manali Singhal were thrilled with the ruling . A packed courtroom noisily greeted the landmark judgment upholding online freedom of speech and expression. The two-judge bench headed by the son of legendary jurist Fali S. Nariman had struck down as “unconstitutional” and “vague” the draconian provision which gave “sweeping and unbridled power” to the police to arrest anyone for offensive posts on social networking websites or sending messages through mobile phones and tablets. For Shreya, daughter of Supreme Court lawyer Manali Singhal and granddaughter of Delhi High Court judge Sunanda Bhandare, a long battle against the might of the state had just ended. Shock and anger . “I was shocked by the arrests, including of a Jadavpur University professor, for circulating a picture spoofing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party colleague Mukul Roy; imprisonment of Puducherry businessman Ravi Srinivasan for allegedly posting offensive messages on Twitter about Congress leader P. Chidambaram’s son Karti Chidambaram,” she said. But the trigger for her PIL was the arrest of two girls in Mumbai for a critical online post about the shut-down in the city for Bal Thackarey’s funeral. “I got really angry. The law was blatantly being misused. The provision was extremely vague in its definition of what should go on the Internet,” she said. Shreya’s petition raised an avalanche. Eight other petitioners, including writer Taslima Nasreen, joined her after a year. Section 66A, brought about by a defensive UPA which was increasingly getting cornered and badgered on the social media, surprisingly found a friend in the incumbent government, which defended it in Supreme Court. No definition . The court found merit in Shreya’s argument that the language used in Section 66A is so vague that the accused would not know what the offence was, and nor would the authorities be clear on the charges. It prescribed a three-year jail term for posts which are “grossly offensive” or had a “menacing character” or e-mails which caused “annoyance” or “inconvenience” to the recipient. What is worse is that none of these expressions had been defined. This went against the principles of criminal law which require each and every term to be well-defined, leaving no scope for misinterpretation and possible misuse. “You can’t jail anyone just like that. I am not saying you should defame anyone. But one should not be scared to post anything now as long as public order is respected,” said Shreya. The court noted that the vagueness could be misused by governments with an agenda. In a last ditch effort to save the provision, additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta had submitted that the Centre was ready to amend the law and fervently pleaded against scrapping it. He said it was meant to deter people from uploading grossly offensive material which can lead to lawlessness by inciting public anger and violence. He had also assured it would be administered in a reasonable manner and would not be misused. But the court was not impressed. Freedom . “The section has a chilling effect on the freedom of speech and expression. The right of viewers is also infringed as it would not give them the benefit of the many shades of grey in terms of various points of view that could be viewed over the Internet,” the bench said in its 122-page judgment. Shreya is still in her third year of law at the Delhi University, with an accomplishment even those with 30 years in practice would cherish.

Section 66A of the Information Technology Act saw Indians arrested simply for sharing their views on Facebook and Twitter . Student Shreya Singhal filed a PIL against vague and sinister law . Supreme Court has now declared it 'unconstitutional'

 over tweets criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached her. “When I was in Bristol, it never crossed my mind that the situation at home would be so bad,” she said on August 26, 2012, at a public hearing in Delhi’s Press Club, where she was a member of the student union. That day, a young man who had been among the victims of the violent, police-led attack on anti-citizenship bill protesters in Delhi was being detained in a police van nearby.
Singhal had just completed her studies and she, like many other young Indians, was deeply disillusioned with the growing power of the State and a “sceptical” towards the mainstream political system. While the mainstream Indian media, and even much of the opposition, were hailing this as a watershed moment, she had begun to write a series of critical articles that asked uncomfortable questions — Why is the State getting involved in this business? What are their motivations? What power are they exercising through this bill? — on social media.
At the time of her arrest, as a ‘victim’, she would have had no inkling of the power her writings could unleash.
Shreya Singhal
One of her posts had questioned the use of the word ‘minorities’ by the political establishment. She explained the term’s history, revealing that it was coined in 1947 to target Muslim Indian leaders who were demanding a separate Pakistan. Later, however, it had been adopted by the BJP itself. “In 2010, it came up in a discussion and some journalists made fun of me when I tried to say that BJP is using the term to divide us. I was surprised. It occurred to me that many people must have been thinking the same, but had no outlet and no voice in mainstream media,” she said.
Her articles had prompted a series of critical debates that were largely absent from the media. She started a petition on the change.org platform asking for the deletion of the controversial Article 35A. Her first arrest for “harming the ‘delicate ecology’ of J&K” by being critical of the BJP government came after she had left for the UK to complete her studies. Her detention was followed by several more detentions across the country. She had become one of the youngest people in India to be booked under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).


(CNN)On any other Wednesday morning, the steps in front of the Joseph-Koenig-Gymnasium would be packed with kids on their way to class, discussing homework, chattering about last night's TV shows, or laying out plans for the coming weekend. But not today. Instead, students approached in silence, carrying photographs and flowers. In small groups, the teenagers lined up to lay tributes to their lost classmates before hugging each other wordlessly, or dissolving into tears. At 10:53 a.m. Tuesday morning, this school in the small western German town of Haltern was changed forever by events more than 1,000 km (about 620 miles) away. A Germanwings plane carrying 16 of its pupils and their two teachers home from a school exchange trip to Spain crashed in the French Alps, killing all of those on board. Headmaster Ulrich Wessel said when the first reports of a crash came through he was still hopeful, thinking "perhaps they had missed the plane, or perhaps there was a second Germanwings flight at the same time." Instead, the worst was confirmed, leaving him "stunned and somewhat speechless," the community devastated and the classmates of the dead struggling to understand their loss. "A week ago Tuesday we sent 16 happy young people and two young colleagues off on a trip," Wessel told reporters. "What was intended as a school exchange ended in tragedy." Of the 16 teenagers killed, 14 were girls, and two boys; one of the two female teachers who died was a newlywed. In a post on the school's website, Wessel and other school representatives announced the names of the dead, "who will never again return to us," leaving all those concerned "unutterably sad." The teenagers who died were: Linda Bergjurgen, Elena Bless, Lea Druppel, Selina Eils, Gina Michelle Gerdes, Ann-Christin Hahn, Julia Hermann, Marleen Koch, Paula Lutkenhaus, Fabio Rogge, Rabea Scheideler, Lea Schukart, Helena Siebe, Steffen Strang, Aline Venhoff and Caja Westermann. The two teachers were identified as Sonja Cercek and Stefanie Tegethoff. As news of the crash spread, the area at the entrance to the school became a makeshift memorial, filled with red and white candles, notes and swiftly-painted signs. "Yesterday we were many, today we are alone," reads one. "Why?" demands another, with painful simplicity. Philippa, a friend of many of those who died, told CNN she was shocked by what had happened: "I knew all of them, they were in my grade. To some I was very close. "We had already planned things for the future, what we were going to do when they returned from their trip. It is very hard to believed that we cannot do that." Grief counselors, chaplains and psychologists have been brought in to the school to help all of those involved come to terms with the disaster. "I've told the students and teachers that we have to accept the sorrow and grieve," said Wessel. "I hope we will all get through it, if we share it." As the world's media descend on the town, messages of support have come flooding in too. The local newspaper is running an online book of condolence, in which people can leave messages of sympathy and "light" virtual candles to match the real ones flickering on the steps of the school. "A silent hug says more than many words," wrote Manuela Donovang. "Wishing the families, friends and relatives strength and comfort in the difficult days and months ahead." In his message, Udo Hentschel said the suffering of the parents, friends and families was "incomprehensible, unfathomable" and offered them his condolences: "This, the worst of all fates, will bind us all -- friends and strangers -- closer together." In an attempt to show that solidarity, schools across the region will share a moment of silence in memory of the dead on Friday at 10:53 a.m., the time the plane crashed. For the classmates of those who will never return, that silence will go on, as the seats they left empty remain unfilled in the weeks and months to come. "Our school is no longer what it once was," said Wessel. "In Haltern we had 1,283 students. It is horrifying that now we have 16 fewer."

German town of Haltern in mourning after loss of 16 students and two teachers in plane crash . Group was returning from school exchange trip to Spain when aircraft went down in French Alps . Headteacher says school is in mourning, classmates struggling to understand what happened .

 their heads together to figure out what to do with the last few Euros they'd managed to scrounge from their parents to buy candy.
But not today. At 9 a.m., this spot in Hamburg, Germany is silent, except for the ringing of a single school bell.
A minute later, the silence is replaced by the first tentative ring, followed by a steady stream of ringing in a variety of keys and pitches.
The students are the first of what's expected to be over 100,000 people who will be taking part in a #MarchForOurLives demonstration planned for Sunday to call for tougher gun laws in the United States.
The march is among some 800 taking place this weekend in 60 cities across the world to protest against the gun violence that has killed at least 17 people -- including 14 students -- at schools so far this year, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun control advocacy group.
The U.S. State Department on Tuesday announced it was postponing its previously scheduled "Welcome the World" events that were due to take place in Germany in the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque attack, citing the #MarchForOurLives events as reason for the cancellation.
In the run up to the demonstration, some 500,000 people worldwide have signed an online petition calling on the United Nations -- which is meeting in Switzerland this week -- to establish a global summit on gun control.
Hamburg marks the 20th anniversary of the shooting at Erfurt Secondary School in Germany, which saw 17 students and teachers gunned down by a lone gunman.
In the U.S., the issue is personal
The organizers of the #MarchForOurLives protest in Hamburg say that the event is a response to the February attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, where 49 people died.
"Our message is clear," they write on the website. "We demand that all countries worldwide implement a total ban on all firearms and to start treating this issue with the seriousness it deserves."
The campaign has been bolstered by a number of high-profile U.S. activists such as student-turned-activist Emma Gonzalez, who was born in the U.S. but has lived most of her life in Australia, and Cameron Kasky, another former Australian resident.
In the months since the shooting at the Florida high school -- the


He was one of the UK's most controversial fashion stars, a man whose flamboyant public image concealed a private life blighted by depression and battles with drink and drugs. Now a retrospective of Alexander McQueen's work is to go on display at London's Victoria and Albert Museum, with pieces taken from his ground-breaking 1992 MA collection shown alongside his last. Savage Beauty, which opens next month but had a preview for A-List stars this evening, includes pieces from the unfinished 2010 collection as well as new pieces lent by McQueen's friends, among them stylist Katy England. Scroll down for video . Spectacular: A curator puts the final touches to some of the dresses that make up the V&A's new Savage Beauty retrospective . Supersized: The new exhibition is the largest Alexander McQueen retrospective ever held in Europe . McQueen, who was found dead on the 11th February 2010, was one of the UK's most influential designers at the time of his death and was the owner of a little black book that encompassed everyone from royals to first ladies and fashion editors. The son of a taxi driver and a social science teacher, the glittering world he came to inhabit was a far cry from the humble terraced home in Lewisham, south London, where he grew up with his five brothers and sisters. After leaving school at 16 with a single O-Level in art, the fledgling designer went on to do an apprenticeship at Savile Row tailors Gieves & Hawkes, before a stint at theatrical costumiers, Angels and Bermans. Both would have huge influence on his later career. McQueen's big break came following a spell in Milan working for Romeo Gigli. On his return to London, he applied to Central St Martins for work as a pattern cutter. Impressed by his portfolio, Bobby Hilson, the head of the master's course, persuaded him to enrol as a student instead. His faith in McQueen paid off. The designer's graduate collection earned him rave reviews and the entire thing was bought by Isabella Blow. Talented: McQueen, pictured left during his S/S06 show and, right, backstage with a model, was one of the UK's most talented designers . Striking: His pieces were adored by fashion press and fashion-buying public alike . Hard to walk in: His shoes were notoriously elaborate and hard to walk in, as several models discovered while on the catwalk . Finishing touches: A curator works on an exhibit (left), while right, one of the structured gowns for which McQueen became famous . Last pieces: These designs are taken from McQueen's S/S10 collection which was inspired by sea creatures . From there, McQueen went on to become one of the most influential designers of his generation, designing David Bowie's tour wardrobe in 1996 and following up with his infamous 'bumsters' - which then sparked a craze for low slung jeans. The same year, he was appointed creative director at Givenchy, replacing fellow Briton John Galliano, and relocated to Paris. But despite his success, McQueen never forgot his London roots, often speaking of his love for the British capital. Indeed, he once spoke of how inspiring he found the V&A itself, saying: 'The collections at the V&A never fail to intrigue and inspire me. The nation is privileged to have access to such a resource... it's the sort of place I'd like to be shut in overnight.' The museum repaid the compliment, first by including the designer's work in Cutting Edge: 50 Years of British Fashion in 1997, and then again in its Fashion in Motion series. But it is the new Savage Beauty retrospective that will be the largest retrospective of McQueen's work hosted by the museum, with more than 200 different pieces set to go on show. Enfant terrible: One of McQueen's more shocking stunts involved spraying model Shalom Harlow with paint during his S/S98 show . Striking: A V&A assistant poses next to a dress taken from McQueen's The Girl Who Lived In The Tree A/W 2008 collection . Magnificent: As with his shoes, the headgear shown on the catwalk by McQueen was usually difficult to wear . Changing times: McQueen's sea creature inspired S/S10 collection (left) and a dress from his A/W08 Widows of Culloden collection . Among the pieces included are gowns from his 1992 postgraduate collection, as well as some of his A/W10 designs - the last the designer would ever create. His final collection was never completed, with just 16 dresses shown to fashion editors in Paris a month after he died. But while McQueen might be gone, his brand lives on and, in the capable hands of his former assistant Sarah Burton, continues to go from strength to strength. 'Lee was a genius and a true visionary who pushed boundaries, challenged and inspired,' she explains. 'He believed in creativity and innovation and his talent was limitless. Savage Beauty is a celebration of the most imaginative and talented designer of our time.' 'I am thrilled to announce that the V&A will bring this wonderful exhibition to London to celebrate the extraordinary creative talent of one of the most innovative designers of recent times,' adds V&A director Martin Roth. 'Lee Alexander McQueen was brought up in London, studied here and based his globally successful McQueen fashion brand here – by staging the exhibition at the V&A it feels like we are bringing his work home.' Dramatic:  McQueen was famous for producing pieces that erred on the side of gothic such as these three dresses . Spectacular: Victoriana and bold blooms were also recurring motifs, as these striking gowns make plain . Setting the scene: Savage Beauty opens at the V&A next month, with tickets due to go on sale on the 14th March . The stars turned out in force for the party the V&A held this evening to celebrate the arrival of the exhibition. Supermodels including Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Erin O'Connor all showed up at the event in dresses by the late designer. A-List names from the world of acting also showed up to view the designs, including Colin Firth and Laura Carmichael, while David and Victoria Beckham put in an appearance too. Princess Beatrice flew the flag for the British royals, turning heads as she arrived in a black tuxedo-style dress that was split to the thigh. Jamie Hince and Kate Moss also attended the exhibition . David and Victoria Beckham were also invited to the event . Custom Victoria Beckham Autumn/Winter '15 . Shop Victoria Beckham at Net-a-Porter . Visit site . There's no denying that Victoria Beckham is now officially part of the fashion elite. Her catwalk collections are met with as much respect as the long-established labels, as well as becoming a style icon herself. Attending the opening night of the 'Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty' exhibition, Victoria demonstrated both of our points by looking stunning in a dress from her own brand. The strapless design gave it a chic look, but the bold cut-out features provided an edgy fashion-forward streak to the look. Naturally, when you're the head of a brand getting a custom made frock is not a problem, explaining why you can only spot a slightly shorter skirt version of this same cut-out design on the recent Autumn/Winter catwalk. You might not be able to get our hands on this exact custom made dress, but not only can you click right to shop the current VB range at Net-a-Porter, but you can also get inspired by Victoria's look with our edit of strapless dresses below. Just pair with some black pumps and pout like there's no tomorrow! Calvin Klein strapless dress at Macy's (now $182.99) Visit site . JS Collections mermaid gown at Macy's . Visit site . Christin Michaels Leah dress at Nordstrom . Visit site . Hurley tomboy dress at Nordstrom . Visit site . Princess Beatrice looked chic in a tuxedo-style long black gown, which she accessorised with a diamante bracelet and a gold clutch . Poppy Delevingne smoldered in a black lace gown . Erin O'Connor looked elegant in a long white dress .

Alexander 'Lee' McQueen was one of the UK's brightest fashion talents before his death in February 2010 . The V&A's new Savage Beauty exhibition is the largest retrospective of his work ever held in Europe . McQueen's career spanned almost 20 years and began with his ground-breaking MA collection in 1992 . The designer is also infamous for introducing the world to 'bumsters' - indecently low-slung trousers . His label is now run by his former assistant Sarah Burton who created the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress .

 on display in Edinburgh, taking place in the Royal College of Physicians on Nicolson Street.
McQueen, who took his own life in February, 2009, at the age of 40, was famous for his innovative creations and the celebrities who sported them. The exhibition opens on 25 September - just seven months after his death - and runs to 18 December. It will look at the breadth of McQueen's work across fashion, opera, jewellery and his much-admired menswear collection. It will feature examples from 60 of his major designs, selected by his mother and brother, and there will be contributions from other major British designers such as John Galliano and Stella McCartney.
The exhibition will also look at McQueen's use of traditional fabrics and techniques. Among these, and on display for the first time in the UK, will be pieces from his 2001 graduate collection at the Royal College of Art in London. The exhibition will also show examples of McQueen's innovative use of modern technology. One project, titled McQueen/Macintosh, was a unique collaboration with the Scottish designer Jonathan Ive in 2000, when he was developing his first Apple computer for Steve Jobs. There will be an original sketch, designs from his early working notebook, a specially commissioned film showing him at work in his studio in London's Savile Row and a Macintosh 'Mac' computer on display.
McQueen was born in London in 1969 and studied at the Royal College of Art. He gained international recognition after winning the Isabella Blow award in 1993, and the Vogue Award for Fashionable Women's Wear in 1996. The fashion house he started in 1992, Alexander McQueen, was bought by Gucci Group in 2000 for $180m, and under the aegis of creative director, Stefano Gabbana, and the designer, Domenico Dolce, McQueen became famous for his darkly glamorous, theatrical catwalks. It was the Italian fashion house that made his clothing available to a broader international market. In 2006 McQueen won Britain's most prestigious award, the British Designer of the Year, and in 2007 he was named International Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He was awarded an OBE in 2003. His clothes are currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the V&A in London and the Design Museum in


When Amal Alamuddin tied the knot with George Clooney last summer, she secured her status as one of the world's favourite style icons. The Lebanese-born lawyer, 37, shot from relative obscurity to most envied woman in the world overnight - and her wardrobe got a high fashion makeover, too. She already wowed with a fashion-forward capsule wardrobe over her wedding in the summer, but as she stepped this week, Amal proved she's not afraid to experiment with the season's hottest - and most daring - trends. Scroll down for video . Amal Clooney, who was spotted in high-waisted bold yellow chevron print bell bottoms by Giambattista Valli and a shaggy crop top as she stepped out for dinner in New York on Tuesday, is proving she's on top of the season's hottest trends . On both outings this week, Amal has revisited the Seventies, championing flared trousers. They were all the rage with the Studio 54 set and boho beauties such as Farah Fawcett, but flares are back with a vengeance this season - and Amal is bang-on-trend. How things have changed! As a high-flying barrister, left, in 2011, Amal stuck to more pared-back style classics, such as beige trench coats and muted grey suits but today, right, she is rocking the most daring trends in her own sophisticated way . Giambattista Valli Pre Fall 2015 . Find some similar flares at Net-a-Porter . Visit site . Amal Clooney is really going all out for the flared trouser trend at the moment. It's her second night out this week, and whilst last time she revisited the Seventies via her bell bottom jeans by Stella McCartney, today's trousers are not so subtle. Check out the bold yellow chevron print! They're by Giambattista Valli, Amal's go-to designer label when she wants to make a style statement. That floral embellished dress she wore the day after her wedding? That was Valli. The leopard print coat she wore for dinner with George's mother in New York on Monday? Yep, you guessed it! Amal wasn't in a matchy matchy mood so swapped the jacket they were shown with (pictured) for a black feather trim top and added platform heels and a clutch bag. Unfortunately, these Pre-Fall 2015 collection trousers aren't currently available online, but click (right) to invest in some Giambattista Valli flares at Net-a-Porter. Alternatively, let your legs do the talking by shopping our edit of the best bold trousers on the high street. Then style yours with some sky high wedges complete the retro look. Rokoko festival hippie floral print trousers at Asos . Visit site . Motel flare trousers in 70s zig zag print at Asos . Visit site . Boohoo Aztec print wide leg trousers . Visit site . Band of Gypsies lace trim flares at Topshop . Visit site . The 37-year-old was spotted in high-waisted bold yellow chevron print bell bottoms by Giambattista Valli and a shaggy crop top as she stepped out for dinner in New York on Tuesday. On Monday, Amal rocked flared jeans by Stella McCartney and teamed them with a retro inspired leopard print coat from Giambattista Valli's Pre Fall 2015 collection featuring a cream trim detail and sheepskin collar. The looks - and those she has been quietly championing over the last six months - are a far cry from the more safe, corporate style she embraced before meeting George. As a high-flying barrister, Amal stuck to more pared-back style classics, such as beige trench coats and muted grey suits. Accessories-wise, she toted high street handbags and chunky block heel shoes or Mary Janes - a far cry from high-end looks she loves today. Amal Clooney experimented with bold colours and eye-catching accessories as she enjoyed a romantic dinner date with husband George Clooney in New York . Amal Alamuddin looked chic and sophisticated - and added her own stamp on a classic black dress with white gloves - at the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards in January . As well as pulling off the season's most savvy trends with aplomb, she has apparently done it all by herself without the help of a single stylist. As the Evening Standard reports: 'According to fashion sources, she has eschewed the offers of stylists and personal assistants and prefers to trust her own instincts.' Speaking about her style transformation, fashion writer Simon Glazin said: 'Amal is surely now the First Lady of Hollywood? She has got the high-profile hubby, has her own amazing career, will now of course be enlisted to help with charities and has the most incredible designer wardrobe. 'From monochrome Dolce & Gabbana to stand-out red McQueen dresses via trendy bell bottoms and midriff-baring tops, she is working the trends in her own classy way. 'Women will want her wardrobe, and they will try and emulate her looks. She's aspirational and has proven to be a style icon in the making. 'She is always wearing the clothes rather than them wearing her. She wears couture exactly as it's meant to be worn - fitted down to the last millimetre and with confidence - and wears more daring looks with sophistication. 'What a women! What a clever woman!'. Her style was classic in 2011, left, but she's put a high-fashion spin on her signature look in recent months - and apparently doesn't employ a stylist . Two years ago, pictured, Amal championed an altogether different style to today and fashion writer Simon Glazin says she's come a long way and women will want her wardrobe of today .

Amal, 37, rocked season's hottest flares twice in one week . Also trialled the crop top trend and pulled it off with sophistication . Her high fashion looks are a far cry from her conservative 2011 style .

 with just one wedding dress change. And, over the years, the brunette stunner has continued to prove herself as a fashion force to be reckoned with. Click on the gallery below to see her incredible style transformation...
© PA Images / Chris Jackson/PA Wire
SEE INSIDE Amal and George Clooney's intimate Venice wedding
The lawyer-turned-human rights barrister wowed in a stunning, strapless Valentino couture gown at her wedding to the Hollywood heart-throb in Venice on Saturday 31 August 2014. The wedding was officiated by the Most Reverend Desmond Tutu, the first black person to be elected as an Archbishop of Cape Town, and the first Archbishop of South Africa, since the advent of democracy. "Amal and George are two of the most down-to-earth people you will ever meet," Vogue US, quoting an unnamed source, says of the wedding. "Both are as kind as they are beautiful, and even those who barely know them feel like they've always been friends." But the wedding isn't the only landmark moment that defined her style of late, it's also her recent pregnancy. The human rights lawyer has stunned in several elegant ensembles to promote the human rights NGO and international organisation, One, since becoming pregnant earlier this year. At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, she dazzled in a metallic-grey pencil skirt, paired with a white V-neck blouse, while at the Global Citizen Festival in New York, the stylish lawyer wore a chic, printed silk dress with a plunging neckline.
READ: Amal Clooney's best fashion moments
George and Amal Clooney
George and Amal Clooney
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Peter Schmeichel has picked his #one2eleven of stars he  played alongside throughout his career, on The Fantasy Football Club on Sky Sports. The former Manchester United goalkeeper has focussed heavily on his time at Old Trafford, but the best player he says he has ever played with was actually at Danish club Brondby. Scroll down to find out who Schmeichel says was better to play with than Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and David Beckham, among others. Watch #one2eleven every Friday evening on The Fantasy Football Club, Sky Sports 1 or catch up On Demand. Peter Schmeichel has picked his #one2eleven of stars he played alongside throughout his career . GOALKEEPER: PETER SCHMEICHEL . I've only ever played with myself in goal. I would never do that, normally. But I'm in goal. DEFENDER: GARY NEVILLE . This week he was pundit of the year. That is so typical of Gary Neville. That's him. Whenever he sticks his head to something, he wants to be the best. He probably wasn't the biggest talent, but pure will and so dependable. This guy was unbelievable. You could depend on him. DEFENDER: JAAP STAM . I only played with him for one year and that was a very successful year, winning the treble. He was awesome. I took up smoking that year because I had nothing to do. I was up against the goalpost smoking because I had Jaap in front of me. He was  big, strong, quick, unbelievably quick. This guy was quick on half a yard, three yards, 20 yards, 50 yards. Jaap Stam lifts the Premier League trophy as he had a very successful year alongside Schmeichel . DEFENDER: STEVE BRUCE . He was there when I arrived at Manchester United. He was a really good friend. I ended up living next door to him, so he looked after me and my family. I've never played with a player so brave. He was never quick. He was slow, but unbelievable. He could read the game. He was never, ever, ever scared to sacrifice himself in order to do one tiny little thing for the good of the team. DEFENDER: DENIS IRWIN . What can you say about Denis Irwin that hasn't been said before? Doing this team I'm thinking about as a defender you'd remember what mistakes they made. I couldn't come up with a single mistake. So dependable, so reliable. His personality was really, really good for the back four of the team because we had so many outspoken personalities. He would be the guy in between. Set pieces. Fantastic shooting technique, and he would score goals from open play as well. Not many full-backs do that. Former Manchester United player Steve Bruce (left) features in the goalkeeper's best XI he played with . MIDFIELDER: DAVID BECKHAM . What David Beckham has done with his life, people will remember him for that. I hope people won't forget how good a player he was. Not only was he a good player but he is the one guy with the best kicking technique I've ever seen in my life. That came from talent to begin with. Hard work. He was one of the guys who took lessons off what Eric Cantona did. Doing stuff on your own for instance. No-one did that at Manchester United. David Beckham never cut a corner. He got his rewards. MIDFIELDER: ROY KEANE . A person of many different things but for 90 minutes when we played football this guy was unbelievable. I can't remember anyone who had the energy to run box to box, or 120 if it went to extra time. Keep doing the same thing, keep doing the same thing. Driving everybody to do the same. In his prime he was probably one of the best midfield players in the world. MIDFIELDER: PAUL SCHOLES . When I came to United he was a kid back then, playing in the youth team, but he was a striker. You could see there was something very special about him. His technique was incredible. He was converted into a midfield player. Scholes's passes, any kind of distance, from one yard to 40 yards, they were always accurate. Roy Keane (from left to right), David Beckham and Ryan Giggs all make it from Schmeichel's United days . MIDFIELDER: RYAN GIGGS . We know the goal he scored in the semi-final against Arsenal. Unbelievable thing to do. It's been shown time and time again because it is the best goal ever scored in the FA Cup. From 16 years of age to this year, to be able to perform at that level, to give the team so much, this guy has got to be the best Premier League player of all time. What he has given Manchester United and what he still gives Manchester United is fantastic. MIDFIELDER: MICHAEL LAUDRUP . Probably the best player I've ever played with. It's a shame he hasn't played in this country but this is a guy who played in one of the best Barcelona teams ever. He made the journey to Madrid, and played in one of the best Madrid teams ever. Won everything that football has to offer. STRIKER: ERIC CANTONA . The king. Changed everything for us. We had one season in 95 we were struggling. We really, really didn't play the way we should. This guy just changed everything. A different approach to games. Unbelievable. Schmeichel has chosen Michael Laudrup (left) as the best ever player he played alongside at Brondby .

Peter Schmeichel named his #one2eleven XI on The Fantasy Football Club on Sky Sports . Ex-Manchester United keeper has led heavily from his Old Trafford days . Schmeichel's best player he ever played with was at Danish club Brondby .

 as well as his two seasons in Denmark with FC Copenhagen.
As expected, his two stints at Manchester United have been well represented in his team, with Roy Keane, Gary Neville and of course, Dwight Yorke all appearing. Keane was the main inspiration for his #one2eleven, and Schmeichel credits the Scot for his time at United with the majority of his success.
"When I look back, I feel blessed and very lucky to have played with some of the players and had so much fun. You have to mention Roy Keane," he told the panel.
"He is a big reason for me being where I am. He's been like a big brother to me. We both had a great time together at Manchester United.
"Gary Neville is there and his career was very successful, he was one of the key players in Manchester United's success in my time. He had a fantastic career.
"Dwight Yorke is another of my best friends now, I talk to him a lot. Playing with these three players was really special.
"I have great memories with them. I remember Dwight coming to Manchester United from his previous club and I was 23 then, and was the captain for his first four games.
"Dwight was a very quiet, hard-working guy in the team, he was great on and off the pitch."
Schmeichel was also sure to mention compatriots Nobby Stiles, Dennis Bergkamp, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Clarence Seedorf and Johan Cryuff as some of the other players that inspired him in his career.
"When it comes to Holland, my favourite player has to be Clarence Seedorf, he was a big player for me," he explained.
"Zlatan too has made my life a lot easier when I've been at Copenhagen, so he's a key player for me in my time at Copenhagen and for the Danish national team.
"For England, there's two key players: Gary Lineker was an excellent player and one of the best I've ever played with, he's very good on and off the pitch.
"Nobby Stiles was also one of the key players, he was a fantastic player to play with. I have loads more players that can be on this team, like Dennis Bergkamp."
See Schmeichel's full team below.
Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel


When 16-year-old Billy Flynn gunned down the husband of his high school instructor and lover, Pamela Smart, in 1990, the trial became an instant tabloid sensation. Its lurid details aired gavel-to-gavel on television years before the O.J. Simpson spectacle and spawned movies and books. Twenty-five years after Gregg Smart's killing, Pamela Smart remains in prison serving life without the possibility of parole and Flynn makes his first bid for parole Thursday, his 41st birthday. Flynn pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and testified in Smart's 1991 trial that she threatened to break up with him if he didn't kill her husband. Flynn was sentenced to 28 years to life in prison, minus credit for pretrial incarceration. Here's a look at some key details in the case: . Teacher:  Pamela Smart (seen in this 1991 file photo) was convicted of conspiring with her 15 year-old lover, William 'Billy' Flynn, to kill her 24 year-old husband, Greggory Smart. Smart is serving a life without parole sentence . Student: In this 1991 file photo, William Flynn testifies on his 17th birthday how he shot Greggory Smart in the head and killed him. Flynn pleaded guilty to killing Smart and  has a parole hearing scheduled for Thursday . The plot . According to trial testimony, Smart was 22 and one of Flynn's instructors in a self-awareness program at Winnicunnet High School in Hampton when she seduced the 15-year-old Flynn. She told him she needed her husband killed because she feared she would lose everything, including her dog and furniture, if she divorced Gregg Smart as their wedding anniversary approached. Flynn said he and three cohorts bungled an attempt to kill Smart in April, when they got lost on the way there. But on May 1, 1990, he and 18-year-old Patrick Randall entered the Smarts' Derry condominium and forced Gregory Smart to his knees in the foyer. As Randall held a knife to the man's throat, Flynn fired a hollow-point bullet into his head. To this day, Pamela Smart denies knowing about the plot. But the state's star witness, a teenage intern in whom Smart confided, secretly recorded her after the killing saying, 'If you tell the (expletive) truth, you'll send me to the slammer for the rest of my (expletive) life.' Smart was convicted March 22, 1991, of being an accomplice to first-degree murder, conspiracy and witness tampering. Randall got 28 years to life; he comes up for parole in April. Two other teenagers served prison sentences and have been released. Life in prison: Flynn (seen in January 2008) married while behind bars, has a teen stepdaughter and has earned his GED and electrician's helper license . Media circus: The trials's lurid details aired gavel-to-gavel on television years before the O.J. Simpson spectacle and spawned movies and books . Sensational trial . Smart's trial was the first in the country to be televised nationally from start to finish, her trial lawyer, Mark Sisti, said ruefully. 'Her trial turned into the ultimate daytime TV drama, and the witnesses were dressing up for it and performing rather than testifying,' Sisti said. Hers was also one of the first high-profile trials involving a teacher-student sex affair. Stories of the trial and Flynn's testimony about their affair were picked up internationally, and cameras caught every graphic image and detail. 'We're a voyeuristic society,' said veteran trial lawyer and University of New Hampshire School of Law professor Buzz Scherr. 'We like looking at other people's dirty laundry.' And, Scherr noted: 'This one had it all.' Parole pitch . Parole files in New Hampshire are not public record, and Flynn's lawyer, Cathy Green, declined to say what Flynn would tell the board. Seven years ago, testifying on his motion for a reduced sentence, a tearful Flynn took full responsibility for his actions and apologized. 'I promise you I will carry this guilt and remorse with me every day for the rest of my life,' he said. Gregory Smart's father, William, told Flynn then that he might be prepared to see him go free when Flynn reached 40 but that he wasn't ready yet. William Smart has since died. Flynn married while behind bars, has a teen stepdaughter and has earned his GED and electrician's helper license. 'This never would have happened if it wasn't for Pam Smart,' said attorney Paul Maggiotto, who prosecuted Smart. 'It was Smart's manipulation of Flynn that caused this crime to occur.' Flynn's age and testimony against Smart were taken into account at sentencing. 'I desperately want you to know I'm not that weak person anymore,' Flynn said in 2008. Students: In May 1990, Patrick Randall (left) and Billy Flynn (right) entered the Smarts' condominium and forced Gregory Smart to his knees in the foyer. As Randall held a knife to the man's throat, Flynn fired a hollow-point bullet into his head . On the big screen: The case inspired the 1995 movie 'To Die For.' In the film, Nicole Kidman plays a woman named Suzanne Stone, who becomes involved in a relationship with a teen, played by Joaquin Phoenix . Flynn, who is serving out his sentence in Maine, will not be present at the parole board hearing. He will address the board on speakerphone (file photo) Smart's stance . Smart has been at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for women in New York since her transfer for unspecified security reasons in March 1993. Her friend and spokeswoman, Eleanor Pam, told The Associated Press that Smart is not taking a position on Flynn's parole bid but chafes at her life sentence without the chance at freedom that the triggerman is getting. Smart told her: 'If they look at Flynn, they really should take a look at me.' Pam said that while Smart acknowledges the affair with Flynn led to the series of events leading up to her husband's death, she maintains she didn't plan it. What to expect Thursday . Flynn, who is serving out his sentence in Maine, will not be present at the parole board hearing. He will address the board on speakerphone. Gregg Smart's family members and friends have a right to make victim impact statements. State prosecutors will also weigh in. The three board members are expected to confer among themselves without leaving the hearing room at the state prison in Concord and then render a decision. If parole is granted, Flynn would not be freed before his parole eligibility date of June 4 and only after his final parole plan is approved by the board.

Pamela Smart was a 22-year-old high school instructor when she seduced 15-year-old Billy Flynn, according to trial testimony . She told Flynn she needed her husband killed because she feared she would lose everything if she filed for divorce . On May 1, 1990 Flynn and 18-year-old Patrick Randall entered the Smarts' condominium and forced Gregory Smart to his knees . Randall held a knife to the man's throat as Flynn fired a hollow-point bullet into Smart's head . Flynn pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and testified in Smart's 1991 trial that she threatened to break up with him if he didn't kill her husband . Flynn was sentenced to 28 years to life in prison, minus credit for pretrial incarceration . He married while behind bars, has a teen stepdaughter and has earned his GED and electrician's helper license . A parole hearing for Flynn is scheduled for Thursday . The case inspired the 1995 Nicole Kidman movie 'To Die For'

avel on American television for six straight weeks in July 1991. The result was a media circus. Pamela Smart became a star. Even the judge and prosecutor gained notoriety for their role in the high profile case. The movie came first.
A TV movie came first.
"And Justice For All" was a made-for-TV flick. It aired in February of 1995 and starred a 21-year-old actor named Ryan Phillippe as Billy Flynn.
A year earlier, the movie was optioned from Flynn’s autobiographical novel. A director and several screenwriters worked to turn the book into a script.
“And Justice For All," the movie, was the directorial debut of actor and future director Bryan Singer, who'd previously worked on the cult classic TV show, The Days Of Our Lives.
The film came a little over a year after the case.
"And Justice For All" centers on Billy Flynn, played by Phillippe. In the first scene of the movie, he enters a courthouse and asks the bailiff if there's a lawyer there who could represent him. The bailiff replies, "We only got one lawyer in town."
The bailiff is Pamela Smart, played by Melanie Griffith.
Then, the flash forward takes us to the trial. Billy and Pamela fall into a passionate and romantic affair in the first year after Billy's release from prison and Pamela's release from house arrest.
In another scene, they’re walking down a high school hallway holding hands and talking about their love. Billy tells Pamela, “It’s crazy how we got caught up in this, in this whole mess.”
Melanie Griffith was the "it" actress in the late 80s and early 90s. She could've become an 'it' actress of the 21st century.
As Pamela, she was nominated for a Golden Globe and a SAG for Best Actress in a TV movie. This would've been at an age where the norm for actresses was to marry a movie star and not have as many roles.
This role gave Griffith another chance to do the things that came so naturally to her and still do those things.
"I've always thought it was fun, interesting work," she said. "I feel like I'm being a spy, like I'm being an undercover operative."
In an interview in 1994, Griffith said,


Real Madrid and Barcelona have two of the most talented, and expensively assembled, teams in world football. But who would make a combined XI out of the two squads based, not on reputation, but on current form? Allow me to get ahead of the fury of the comments section. If you're Ancelotti do you pick Ronaldo? Of course you do. Cristiano Ronaldo may be the World Player of the Year, but on current form he doesn't make combined XI . Our combined XI, which has no place for Ronaldo, but does feature some of the world's best players . Ronaldo hasn't scored a league goal from open play in a month, and Gareth Bale is preferred on the wing . Did Ronaldo have a brilliant first four months of the season? Of course he did? Might he score the winner on Sunday? Quite possibly. Does he deserve to be in a combined XI based on current form. No. Goalkeeper - Marc-Andre ter Stegen . There are four to choose from. Keylor Navas has barely played and Iker Casillas continues make mistakes in big games – Schalke, Atletico Madrid - so that leaves the two Barcelona goalkeepers. Claudio Bravo is the league keeper but every time Marc-Andre ter Stegen plays he impresses and he’s fresh from a penalty save in midweek. Marc-Andre ter Stegen has not played in the league this season, but he has earned his chance this week . Right back - Dani Alves . It’s a close call between Alves and Dani Carvajal but the Brazilian shades it after an aggressive, positive performance in midweek and because for all his much-debated defensive shortcomings Carvajal has actually shown many of the same deficiencies of late. Dani Alves put in a strong performance against Manchester City, and just shades Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal . Centre back - Gerard Pique . One of the best defenders in Europe this season – so much for the poster boy with the pop star wife who was now more interested in playing poker and running his web business than playing football. No one has been better than Pique, not at Barca, not in La Liga, not anywhere. Gerard Pique, Europe's best defender this season, stops Sergio Aguero in the Champions League . Centre back - Pepe . He gets in just ahead of Ramos courtesy of the Spain defender having only just come back from injury. Pepe has held together Real Madrid’s defence in his partner’s absence and is playing like a man who wants and will probably be given a new contract. Has shown why Manuel Pellegrini wanted him at the start of the season. Portuguese centre back Pepe has been in excellent form in recent weeks, holding the Real defence together . Sergio Ramos (left) has returned to fitness, and should start on Sunday, but Pepe just pips him in our team . Left back - Jordi Alba . A very close call between Jordi Alba and Marcelo. Alba is the fastest full-back in football. The only defender quicker than Jesus Navas and he showed it on Wednesday. Marcelo offers Madrid so much going forward and has improved defensively but Alba shades it. Jordi Alba proved against Jesus Navas that he is the fastest full back in the world, and he makes the XI . Real Madrid's left back Marcelo has improved his game, and offers plenty going forward, but just misses out . Right midfield - Ivan Rakitic . Scored against City and in the league against Granada two weeks before. The Croatian is starting to show the sort of form that made him one of La Liga’s best midfielders last season. Ivan Rakitic has been a top performer for Barcelona recently, including his well-taken goal in midweek . Centre midfield - Javier Mascherano . It was bad luck for Manchester City that when injury hit Barcelona before the midweek second leg it probably made them even stronger. Sergio Busquets is perhaps the second best holding midfielder in the world, Mascherano, who as Roy Hodgson well knows (after getting slightly carried away and selecting him as the world's best player in the Ballon d’Or vote), is the best. The injury to Sergio Busquets has allowed Mascherano (left) to prove again that he is the world's best . Left midfield - Isco . He is not the complete midfielder that many Real Madrid supporters seem to believe he is but all the same he is in very special form at the moment and in this team he can play alongside Messi, who famously has a dog named after. Isco is in a rich vein of form for the European champions recently, and can thrive in a number of positions . Right forward - Lionel Messi . Does there need to be an explanation here? Lionel Messi mesmorised Manchester City in midweek with a performance for the ages at the Nou Camp . Messi is currently the best player in the world, on form, and possibly even the greatest of all time . Centre-forward - Luis Suarez . Selecting between Suarez and Karim Benzema was one of the toughest choices but in this combined super-team you have Messi dropping into midfield so the battering ram that is Suarez gets in ahead of him. Luis Suarez just edges in ahead of Karim Benzema to allow for his combination with Messi up front . Left forward - Gareth Bale . It has to be Bale or Ronaldo or Neymar so what can you do? Neymar and Ronaldo both went off in a huff in their last league games, Bale scored twice to silence some of the disproportionate criticism he has been on the end off. Put Bale back on the left where he can whip the ball on his favoured foot or just do as he did last season against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final and power so far in front of his marker that he can still cut inside and shoot. There is also only one player who has scored with a direct free-kick for Real Madrid this season... and it isn’t Ronaldo it’s Bale. TOTAL: BARCELONA 8 REAL MADRID 3 . Gareth Bale gets in ahead of Ronaldo after his two goals, complete with great celebration, against Levante . Bale can have a real impact if he is moved back to the left hand side, and starts up front in our team .

Real Madrid travel to the Nou Camp to face Barcelona on Sunday . Barca are top of the league, one point ahead of their great rivals . Cristiano Ronaldo is out of form this year, so misses out on Clasico team . But Messi, Bale and Suarez make up formidable front three .

 myself by answering this for you: yes, this is going to be an all-Madrid affair. There’s no way a Barca XI could beat this team.
Here’s an absolute belter of a line-up - all of Real Madrid’s stars for 2020/21! I’m going to run through my selections for the Real Madrid XI and I want to make it clear that all opinions and selections are entirely my own.
GOALKEEPER: Thibaut Courtois
I was tempted to run with David De Gea here, but Courtois has been much, much more solid this season. In La Liga, he has conceded a total of 11 goals, with four coming from penalties, the goalkeeper will look to add to his 99 Madrid appearances and guide Real’s return to the promised land of European football.
DEFENCE: Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal
Ramos is a true, world-class centre-back and I’ve seen no reason to change things with Real Madrid’s best defender in this team. Varane is also world class, one of the best, and I feel like he’s unfairly underrated. Carvajal is a key part of the Madrid side and will slot in at right-back with ease.
CENTRE-MIDFIELD: Toni Kroos, Luka Modric
Kroos, is the best DM in the world at the moment, he is an amazing distributor of the ball and he’s not too shabby with his passing range. Modric is undoubtedly Madrid’s best midfielder, I love his vision and ability to pass the ball, however, Kroos is just so damn good as well.
RIGHT-WING: Vinicius Junior
He is a tricky customer, he’s fast, skillful and an incredible dribbler. He’s capable of playing on either wing. He’s played on the left for Real so far, but has been more impressive on the right. He’s so young, he has time to develop and I am excited to see what he will do.
CENTRE-MIDFIELD: Casemiro
I am aware that Casemiro will be missed when Madrid don’t play, he’s a fantastic defensive midfielder who can also put a shift in for the team. He is a real team player, and although he was signed last summer, he is the best in


We've all spent countless hours looking at friends' holiday snaps on Instagram or Facebook with a hint of jealousy, wishing we could be sitting on a beach, eating a fancy meal or spending the night in a luxurious hotel room. It can seem steep forking out for hotel stays night after night, but one couple has discovered the way to do it for free. Laura Cody, 23, and Tanbay Theune, 26, have taken advantage of the home-sitting craze, which allows people stay in strangers' incredible houses while they are away - without having to spend a penny on accommodation. Laura Cody, 23, and Tanbay Theune, 26, (pictured in Berlin) didn't want to pay high rent in the UK and wanted to travel . Laura has written a guide on how to start house-sitting. Her book, their blog, and freelance work help them maintain their travelling life . The couple, who met in Cardiff and have been together for years and Skype with owners to make sure they land a nice place to stay . The couple have been house-sitting since 2013 and haven't paid any rent and bills since they left for their adventures. The house owners kindly took the couple to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the oldest and largest koala sanctuary in the world . The couple enjoyed body boarding in Sydney, Australia on Manly Beach, just one of the many picturesque places they have stayed near . The couple dined on crocodile, emu and kangaroo at Tukka Restaurant in Queensland and also kayaked along the Brisbane river . The couple chose to embark on the adventure together after they became fed up with paying hefty rent bills every month, and discussed their desire to experience the world. The option to travel was actually a cheaper one than staying at home, as they realised they could travel rent and bill free by home-sitting in whatever country they chose. They left Birmingham in July 2013, and currently have no plans to stop their worldwide adventure. Home-sitting is a win-win situation, as home owners want people staying in their house to deter burglars, and most often, to look after their pets, in exchange for free lodging. The couple's Gold Coast house came complete with a pool for them to enjoy for free . Stunning scenery: One of the incredible properties they have stayed at for free was a vineyard in Italy . Many people put their homes up for house-sits because they want someone to look after their pets while they are away . In two years the mathematics graduate and retail supervisor have house-sat all over Australia, the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy and are currently in Finland. They also have stays lined up in Portugal and the Netherlands this year. When asked about the best and worst places they have stayed, they revealed their secret for ensuring they stay in the best properties. 'The best two have been an Italian vineyard and a Gold Coast sit in Australia which had a pool and was very close to the beach,' Laura said. 'We haven't had a worst one because we Skype with the home owners beforehand to check it's nice.' Bouncing along! The couple witnessed kangaroos in Australia on a trip to Kangaroo island . The couple, who love animals, often have to walk dogs in exchange for no bills and free lodging (pictured: Ancona, Italy) Since July 2013 they have spent about £10,000 between the two of them, most of it to travel to and live in Australia . They use the website Trusted Housesitters to organise their stays, paying just £5.99 per month for an annual membership. Laura, originally from Cheltenham, and Tanbay, from Oldenburg, Germany, have only spent £1,000 between them in the last six months on transport and food. Travelling on the road has also given them the opportunity to earn money with the release of Laura's e-book, House Sitting in Australia - A Guide for First Time House Sitters, through their popular blog, Travelling Weasles, and other freelance work. Countries they have stayed at include Australia, UK, Germany, Spain and Italy, trying many exotic foods along the way . They always pick the cheapest way to travel between destinations, and many owners leave their homes stocked with food for the pair . From major cities, to deserted villages, and houses with pools and beach villas, the range of properties is as varied as length of stay. The longest the couple have stayed in a property is six weeks, but they have also done weekend stays too. 'The weirdest thing we have seen in people's houses is a life size cut out of Edward from Twilight,' they told MailOnline Travel in an email. 'The home owners are usually very generous and have given us food, wine and day trips - and one lovely couple gave us a GoPro.' Apart from missing Marmite and their families, the two hope to continue their global adventures, saving money as they go. 'We now have a life that we don't need a vacation from,' Laura said. Laura and Tanbay have visited some of the most beautiful places on earth, just paying for flights, and working on the road . The home owners pay all the bills whilst they are away - including internet - and the couple occasionally looks after pets . The couple would recommend their method of travel for anyone and say they 'now have a life that we don't need a vacation from'

Laura Cody and Tanbay Theune have house-sat since 2013 and travelled the world paying no bills or rent . Countries they have visited include Australia, UK, Germany, Spain, Italy and Finland . They Skype ahead to ensure they get a nice house, and have stayed at properties with pools and on a vineyard . House-sitting is staying at someone's house while they are away to deter burglars and sometimes look after pets .

, as though the only way you can get away is for years on end, but the truth is that you can take an affordable holiday any time, you've just got to plan your trip carefully. In this post, I'm sharing some of my favourite cheap and luxury holiday destinations to inspire you for your next trip, from where to stay to things to do and more!
You may be thinking that it's going to cost you a fortune to travel to the US, and it can depending on where you want to visit. But you can save money on flights and accommodation simply by travelling during off-peak times – I like to take advantage of British Airways low-season fares when I book a trip to the States. For an affordable hotel, I always go for the Hilton brands. I find their service, rooms and breakfast to be excellent but don't charge a premium for its name. For a city-break I always visit the website of the Four Seasons, which always has a deal or two on the go. The quality of service and experience here is incredible and the Four Seasons are known for always delivering, in my experience.
I recently visited New York and Miami in 2015, and found I could make the trip with a lot of flights to choose from, a number of great hotel choices and lots to see and do on a budget. I loved how much there was to see and do, without having to break the bank in doing it.
New York is a city I have visited a few times and I find the best way to do it is to use Airbnb for your accommodation. You get a place like a home, with a kitchen for those who want to use it, and the Airbnb network is a lot cheaper than hotels. You can take a look at my New York City Airbnb trip planner for more details. Miami is great too – take a look at what I got up to there by clicking here.
For more inspiration, see my list of 20 great destinations for a great price tag. Do you want to travel in style? Read the post on my top 5 favourite luxury travel destinations.
I'm sure I've caught your interest now if you're planning on taking a break soon!
Where are your favourite places to travel to for less?
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I think a weekend break in Italy would be something to consider for a break for less- I found it really reasonable but luxurious at the


(CNN)The debate over health care reform once again blooms in D.C., but this time Democrats and the President whose legacy rests on the Affordable Care Act are tending a garden challenged by some rather invasive species. The GOP has kicked off its season by pulling Obamacare up by the roots in its proposed 2016 House budget. But this budget will not become law. And so Republicans are also preparing strategic plays if the Supreme Court rules in their favor this summer, or if a Republican wins the White House next year backed by complementary majorities in the House and Senate. Either scenario would mortally wound Obamacare. But this isn't a zero sum game. Smart Republicans already know they don't win just because the other side loses.  Upending Obamacare may poison the GOP's standing with 16.4 million Americans who will face adverse, even dire consequences without legislative patches to the law, or a swift switch to a solid alternative health care policy. This week, the conservative weekly The Washington Examiner aimed to mark Obamacare's fifth anniversary by asking a panel whether to "reform, replace or restart" the law. A gas leak scuttled the event. Once they've regrouped for their next panel, Republicans should instead entertain a different R: Revise. So far every plan Republicans are offering strikes out any mandate to purchase insurance, which, oddly for a party celebrating self-reliance, encourages some people to continue shifting their adult responsibilities onto others. Many of the GOP plans replace the subsidies that make exchange plans affordable for low-income Americans with tax credits. Tax credits don't make much sense when you don't have a lot of taxes to pay in the first place. These alternatives appear to be thinly veiled transitions away from the key Obamacare principle of providing guaranteed access. To date the law has reduced the rates of uninsured Americans by a whopping 35%.  Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, lifted his veil even during his own plan's debut by insisting "every last word of Obamacare must be repealed" while promoting his own Health Care Choices Act that ditches subsidies and the mandate. Republican presidential front-runner Jeb Bush shares Cruz's preference to dismantle the "monstrosity" altogether, describing his preference for cheaper catastrophic insurance that helps people with massive bills but leaves poor Americans to fend for themselves when it comes to needless perks -- like insulin and blood pressure pills. And besides repealing the ACA, House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price, R-Georgia, wants to tear into President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society achievements as well.  His budget proposal dismantles the federal Medicaid program by slashing its funding and devolving it to the states, while asking seniors on Medicare to try their luck with a voucher-discounted private insurance. What these approaches don't get is that we live in a country entirely populated by citizens who want and expect to receive medical care when they need it, yet not all of these citizens want to pay anything for the privilege. The beating heart of Obamacare is its mandate to purchase health insurance, which keeps costs down for everyone, makes it fiscally feasible to cover patients with pre-existing conditions, and makes government subsidies possible for those who can't afford any insurance without them. If Republicans shift their focus to revising Obamacare, there are an array of spots to trim and weeds to pull, and they can expect many Democrats to join in the work. But after dealing with a withering onslaught of over 60 Republican attempts to kill the bill, Democrats can't make even the most basic fixes for fear of losing everything. But there are some places to look. Even ACA supporters can acknowledge some specific anti-competitive features in the law.  This should interest Republicans. The ACA's push toward offloading risk onto hospitals rather than insurers is encouraging hospital consolidation, with large hospital corporations seeking to build economies of scale to offset future risk  This trend may drive up costs as hospitals face less competition. Meanwhile consumers shopping the exchange plans can select from few in-network hospitals and physicians, again making the health care marketplace less competitive. The United States may be graced with institutions offering stellar care in complex conditions that attract patients across state lines as well as across the world, centers that contribute to medicine generally through their research and training. But going out of state to seek such care isn't an option for many patients on exchange plans.  Cruz proposes opening up health insurance markets nationally, an idea that we should build on. Years of a rough economy have left many consumers without the income or savings to pay the high copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums that Obamacare uses as a cost-control measure. Among families making 250% to 400% over the federal poverty line, 55% to 68% can't make their deductible, depending on their plan. The numbers are considerably worse for families under that threshold, and even for families making over 400% of the poverty line, 25% to 38% can't pay the out of pocket maximum if they become seriously ill. Despite these costs, the ACA penalizes responsible consumers further by capping flexible spending accounts. Furthermore, Obamacare is in part more expensive than it might be because it takes a gamble covering preventive testing for people with no sign of disease for "free," yet makes patients with chronic conditions pay deductibles even when we know their care will save money in the long run. That's not the most rational distribution of funds if we're trying to do the greatest good for the greatest number at the lowest cost. Since Jeb Bush is interested in focusing on the big-ticket items and not sweating the small stuff, perhaps this is an area where he can throw his support. Obamacare isn't a work of art by any means. It's a messy, pragmatic attempt to reach a goal the majority of Americans want: access to affordable health care when it's needed. Some rather fundamental revisions lie ahead, like a forthcoming administrative decision on whether to continue allowing state variability among the prescribed Essential Health Benefits it covers. So, my advice to Republicans is that they pick one or two specific aspects of Obamacare they'd like to improve, let's have the policy debate, then introduce your legislative fix to the existing law, leaving its beating heart intact. Show you're open to constructively improving the ACA and I'm sure we'll see Democrats start coming to the table with their own pet peeves about the law. 2016 doesn't have to be a hyperbolic, hyperventilating contest for the fate of 16.4 million Americans.

Ford Vox: With its budget proposal to kill Obamacare, or hopes the Supreme Court will do the same, the GOP makes a mistake . He says 16.4 million Americans benefiting. Smart Republicans know this; should instead tease out problematic parts of ACA to revise .

 with a fresh attack, but the big difference in 2019 is that Democrats are not yet ready to fully embrace Medicare for All.
The Affordable Care Act has been the signature law of President Barack Obama, but that does not mean that everyone who voted for the ACA is happy to see it remain a fixture of the public discussion.
The law is now under threat, and Republican and Democratic legislators are trying to out-do one another with claims that any weakening of the ACA would be a disaster for the country.
"The Republicans want to take away health insurance from 24 million people," Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer told reporters on June 11 in a room across the street from the White House.
Republicans have no intention of offering alternatives to the current health care system. Instead, Republicans say, they are eager to start over with a plan that would return patients to the old system.
But while the GOP has its heart set on a full repeal of Obamacare, Democrats are not ready to follow the Republicans all the way. The new push for the Medicare for All is a good example of why Democrats are wary.
"We've got to move on with a better plan," said Senator Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the powerful Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, in an interview. "The public is not comfortable with a total repeal and is ready to move to something more comprehensive. I see it in California."
Feinstein has been pushing her own legislation for years that she says will expand coverage and access.
It would start by offering a more generous version of the Affordable Care Act, then build on that to eventually cover everyone. The goal is to bring everyone under an umbrella of insurance coverage, including those working in the gig economy.
She's also looking for more government-sponsored health care coverage options to be available in the private market, including a Medicare-for-All style system called a Public Option.
There will also be a mandate that everyone gets insurance.
"My plan would be a Medicare for All plan," said Feinstein.
There's only one problem. Her bill has been bottled up in a Senate committee that she is a chairman. The last time she tried to move it forward, it was stopped because the then-Chairman Mitch McConnell refused to even bring it up for a vote. The 2018 Democratic midterm elections showed that a vote for this type of Medicare for All plan is a loser for Democrats.