Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling Likud Party scored a resounding victory in the country's election, a stunning turnaround after a tight race that had put his lengthy rule in jeopardy. With nearly all the votes counted, Likud appeared to have earned 30 out of parliament's 120 seats and was in a position to be able to build a coalition government with its right-wing and religious allies with relative ease. The election was widely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu, who has governed the country for the past six years. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling Likud Party scored a resounding victory in the country's election . Likud party supporters react with joy after hearing exit poll results in Tel Aviv . Supporters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrate as election results come in at his election campaign headquarters . The election was widely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu, who has governed the country for the past six years. Pictured are Netanyahu supporters cheering as the results come in . Netanyahu (left) took a moment to greet his wife Sara (right) on stage after reacting to the early exit polls . Recent opinion polls indicated he was in trouble, giving chief rival Isaac Herzog of the opposition Zionist Union a slight lead. Exit polls showed the two sides deadlocked but once the actual results came pouring in early Wednesday, Likud soared forward. Zionist Union wound up with just 24 seats. Even before the final results were known, Netanyahu declared victory and pledged to form a new government quickly. 'Against all odds, we achieved a great victory for the Likud,' Netanyahu told supporters at election night headquarters. 'I am proud of the people of Israel, who in the moment of truth knew how to distinguish between what is important and what is peripheral, and to insist on what is important.' He wrote: 'Against all odds: a great victory for the Likud. A major victory for the people of Israel!' Hopeful: Zionist Union supporters chant for victory. In the end their party won just 24 seats . Support: Norris in his YouTube video . Netanyahu received a boost to his campaign from martial arts movie star Chuck Norris, who said that his re-election was crucial for the safety of Israel. In a short YouTube video called Please Vote For Prime Minister Netanyahu, Norris said: 'I watched Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech before Congress, and I saw a man who loves his country with all his heart and soul. I also saw a strong leader that is absolutely crucial for the safety of the Israeli people. 'I have done three movies in Israel – 'Delta Force' being my favorite – and I formed many friendships while there. You have an incredible country, and we want to keep it that way. 'That's why it is so important that you keep a leader who has the courage and vision to stand up against the evil forces that are threatening not only Israel but also the United States. You see, we the American people need Prime Minister Netanyahu as much as you do. Weak leadership can destroy your country and then the evil forces can concentrate on America, too. 'So I ask you, please, for the sake of Israel and the whole Middle East, vote for Prime Minister Netanyahu on Election Day. 'And as far as those in the U.S. and the rest of the world, in this season of Easter, it's good to remember what the Hebrew Scriptures say about Israel and those who support her: 'Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you' (Psalm 122:1).' Herzog said on Wednesday he had spoken with  Netanyahu to congratulate him on his election victory. 'A few minutes ago I spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and congratulated him on his achievement and wished him luck,' Herzog told reporters. He said his leftist Zionist Union party would continue to be an alternative to Netanyahu's right-wing Likud. Netanyahu focused his campaign on security issues, while his opponents instead pledged to address the country's high cost of living and accused the leader of being out of touch with everyday people. Netanyahu's return to power for a fourth term likely spells trouble for Mideast peace efforts and could further escalate tensions with the United States. Netanyahu, who already has a testy relationship with President Barack Obama, took a sharp turn to the right in the final days of the campaign, staking out a series of hard-line positions that will put him at odds with the international community. In a dramatic policy reversal, he said he now opposes the creation of a Palestinian state - a key policy goal of the White House and the international community. He also promised to expand construction in Jewish areas of east Jerusalem, the section of the city claimed by the Palestinians as their capital. Netanyahu infuriated the White House early this month when he delivered a speech to the U.S. Congress criticizing an emerging nuclear deal with Iran. The speech was arranged with Republican leaders and not coordinated with the White House ahead of time. In Washington, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama was confident strong U.S.-Israeli ties would endure far beyond the election regardless of the victor. Netanyahu will still need the support of Moshe Kahlon, whose upstart Kulanu party captured 10 seats and whose campaign focused almost entirely on bread-and-butter economic issues. He is expected to become the country's next finance minister.

Netanyahu's Likud party has earned 30 out of parliament's 120 seats . The election was widely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu . Opposition leader congratulated Netanyahu on his achievement .

 looked on course for 28 seats in the 120-seat parliament.
Netanyahu's biggest challenger, center-left Blue and White, looked set for 23, while the dovish Israel Beiteinu party -- which was also vying for a top slot -- and far-right ultranationalists from the nation's religious party, led by ex-general Moshe Kahlon, were in danger of winning a handful of seats.
Kahlon, who left his party in April, had vowed his faction would not take part in any future Netanyahu-led government as long as he remained in office.
Blue and White looked set to get the most seats, but not enough to form a majority government. They were seen as benefiting from an alliance with another party, Yisrael Beytenu. But with most of the votes tallied, they were at risk of getting fewer than 30 seats in the Knesset.
It was Netanyahu who was on track to win the most seats for his party, but still below a majority. With all but 2 per cent of the votes counted, he appeared to have secured 32 seats, just four below the threshold required to become prime minister.
In a final surprise, right-wing secularist Avigdor Liberman was just short of the required 3.25 per cent of the vote needed to win a Knesset seat.
The election had been billed as the most closely fought since the establishment of the modern state in 1948, as Netanyahu sought to retain power by capitalising on the country's deep division, and a general sense of unrest, amid an economic slowdown and the impact of two coronavirus lockdowns.
Netanyahu, the first Israeli premier to be indicted while in office, has faced a flurry of allegations related to corruption and breach of trust. The election campaign has also been dominated by a wave of violent attacks on Israeli police and a rise in tensions with the Palestinians.
"I am a firm believer in the Jewish people's right to self-determination, and a firm opponent of the idea that an agreement will solve the conflict," he tweeted on Friday.
'The will of the people'
Blue and White, which is pledging to end Netanyahu's record 12 years in office, was seen as a front-runner ahead of the vote. But it failed to live up to its lofty ambitions.
Its leader Yair Lapid had pledged a "national revolution", arguing


Aviation experts today reassured travellers that the A320 is still one of the safest planes in the world despite a crash in the French Alps which claimed 150 lives. As emergency crews worked to retrieve wreckage from the site near Digne-les-Bains, in France, theories continued to circulate about what caused Germanwings Flight 4U 9525 to fall from the skies. There has been some speculation about the track record of the model which experts were quick to quash. Paul Hayes, safety director at aviation consultancy Ascend, said: 'The A320 family has a very good safety record considering that there is a fleet of 6,000 aircraft out there.' Scroll down for video . The safety of the Airbus A320 is being looked at following the Germanwings crash in France (file photo) Safety experts said it was too early to speculate on the case of the crash, but noted that accidents during the cruise phase of the flight are rare, even though this comes less than three months after the AirAsia disaster. 'We have had a couple of events recently but in general jetliners don't crash during the cruise,' said Hayes. Patrick Smith, an airline pilot and author of best-selling book Cockpit Confidential, allayed any fears the accident was purely down to the aircraft model. 'The A320 is a very sophisticated and popular model,' Smith told MailOnline Travel. 'I am not seeing anything in this accident that encourages me to think it is specific to that model. All Airbus models are designed similarly, and the A320 is the blueprint for other variations such as the A319 and the A321. 'I don't like the idea of blaming these accidents on specific models; this question is asked all the time, and all it does it leads to aircraft being compared with other aircraft. 'Crashes are so rare, and so comparing them considering the type of model is statistically hair-splitting. 'What you will also see is there is lots of discussion, and sadly lots of misunderstanding concerning how computers and how pilots 'fly' the plane. 'Usually in these cases, there isn't a single case, and it is a chain of events that can lead to something like this happening.' Wreckage and debris lie on the mountain slopes after the crash of the Germanwings Airbus A320 . According to separate surveys published last year by manufacturers Airbus and Boeing, only 10 to 12 per cent of fatal accidents take place when the aircraft is at cruise height. The A320 is described as a 'workhorse' of the aerospace industry, transporting more than a million people a day from business travellers to backpackers. The 150-seat medium-haul jet is one of the world's most intensively used, together with its main rival, the Boeing 737. The Germanwings aircraft that crashed in the French Alps yesterday, killing all 150 people on board, was also flying on the industry's most widely-sold engines, made by French-US venture CFM. More than 3,600 of the jets are in operation and another 3,700 are waiting to be built as Asia's economic expansion fuels record demand. Put together with the rest of the A320 family of twin-engine, single-aisle jets - the A318, A319 and A321 - more than 6,000 are in use several times a day. Experts say its safety record is among the industry's highest, but it made grim headlines in December when an A320 belonging to Air Asia plummeted into the Java Sea, killing all 162 people on board. The crash is still being investigated. The Airbus A320 has been described as the 'workhorse' of the aviation industry (file photo) To airlines, the main value of the £65million ($97million) jet is reliability and quick turnarounds, the features it shares with the rival 737. But it made dramatic headlines in 2009 when a US Airways jet ditched safely in the Hudson River after a bird strike. Boeing statistics for its rival's best-selling model show that up to the end of 2013, there were 0.14 fatal A320 accidents per million departures where the plane was destroyed or written off. The comparable versions of Boeing 737 had a rate of 0.11 per million departures, making them both among the industry's safest models compared with the industry average of 0.76, or more than 4.6 for the earliest days of the jet age. A helicopter of the French civil security services flies near Seyne, south-eastern France near the crash site . At 24 years old, however, the A320 that crashed was at the upper end of the service life used by many first-tier airlines. Jetliners are built to fly safely for considerably longer but most major airlines sell them sooner for economic reasons. Patrick Smith added: 'Planes are built to last many years, so long as they are maintained in accordance with regulations, this shouldn't be an issue. 'There are airline specific procedures as planes age, and obviously the older they get the stricter the checks will get.' Jim Morris, partner in UK law firm Irwin Mitchell, added: 'There are many airliners out there older than this that are flying safely.' Germanwings parent Lufthansa recently placed orders for over 100 new A320s. To ordinary passengers, the A320 looks much like other jets. But in the cockpit it represented a revolution when it began service in 1988 as the first 'fly-by-wire' jetliner relying on computers to fly within safe limits and replacing the usual control yoke with a side-stick, inspired by the F-16 fighter. The increased reliance on computers, though increasingly common across the industry, prompted a bitter debate between Airbus and pilot unions over whether too much control was being taken out of human hands. The argument rumbles on to this day.

The Airbus A320 is one of world's most intensively used aircraft . More than 3,600 are in operation and another 3,700 are waiting to be built . Germanwings jet that crashed into French Alps was 24 years old . Airline pilot tells MailOnline that nothing about the disaster leads him to believe it was down to type of plane .

Bains, France, experts said there had been 14 A320 accidents since 1973, three of them fatal. One of them was an Air France crash in 2009 which left 50 dead when it crashed en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris.
A Germanwings plane carrying 144 people crashed into a mountain on Tuesday (March 24) after its captain flew it into the side of a mountain, authorities said. The A320-211 that crashed near Digne-les-Bains - close to a village where four of the seven football players on board were from - was destroyed in a fireball which left almost no trace of the plane. A statement from its maker, Airbus, and an investigation agency said the aircraft had not suffered any technical problem and appeared to have been operating as normal.
“There were no indications about the functioning of the various systems of the aircraft and in particular no indication of a fault or malfunction of the aircraft” which might have caused it to hit a mountain, it said.
“There is no indication that the aircraft suffered a technical failure during its flight. At the time of impact, the aircraft was under the responsibility of the captain, who also held command. He was at the controls and had all the tools and means available to execute the operation.
“The captain had carried out this procedure without incident on many previous occasions. The captain was qualified on this type of aircraft, he was experienced and the captain of the aircraft was not on probation, which is required for pilots under the age of 35.
“The A320-211 aircraft was produced in November 1998 in the assembly line in Toulouse in accordance with the procedures and instructions issued by Airbus.” The statement went on to say that there was no evidence of a fire before the crash, as was the case with the 1985 crash of a Swissair flight which killed all 229 people on board in the worst disaster of the A320.
The A320-200, with registered number ET-AQC, left Barcelona at 11.24am local time (10.24pm BST yesterday) on Tuesday for an hour-long flight to Digne-les-Bains. It crashed about five minutes after taking off.
Emergency crews worked through the night to recover the aircraft’s two black box flight data recorders, an official said. One of them was found close to where the 80-metre-wide aircraft had plunged into the mountains


These 17 dangerous men wanted abroad for crimes ranging from murder to human trafficking were today revealed to be on the run from British police. The Metropolitan Police has launched a huge manhunt for the foreign nationals who are wanted by authorities across Europe and are now believed to be hiding in the UK. One of the men battered his victim to death with a baseball bat in Romania, while another is being sought in connection with the murder of a woman who had her throat cut in Belgium. Among the seven: One of the men, Silviu-Bogdan Bruzlea (left), 27, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in his absence for murdering a man in Romania in September 2007. Bangladeshi national Rouf Uddin (right), 39, is wanted by Belgian authorities following the murder of Malika Soussi in November 2002 . Wanted: Alexandru Cucu (left) was being hunted by Romanian authorities after he and another suspect beat a security guard with an iron rod, a metal pipe and an axe handle. And detectives investigating the organised sexual exploitation of girls in Romania want to speak to Balint Budi (right) The probe - named Operation Sunfire – is being run by Scotland Yard’s extradition unit. The majority of the men have links to London but their exact whereabouts are unknown. Police issued photos of all 17 men as they launched the appeal today. Detective Sergeant Peter Rance, who is heading the manhunt, asked people to get in touch if they recognise any of them. He said: ‘We believe that these people are dangerous, so taking them out of our communities and putting them before the courts is of paramount importance. ‘I urge the public to look closely at these pictures. Do you recognise these men? It may be that they live next door to you, or you see them regularly elsewhere in your community.’ One of the men, Silviu-Bogdan Bruzlea, 27, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in his absence for murdering a man in Romania in September 2007. After the victim and Bruzlea's girlfriend had an argument in the Tiga nightclub in Hunedoara, the killer armed himself with a baseball bat as he and his friends followed the victim home. Huge manhunt: Romanian authorities want to extradite 52-year-old Octavian Medeleanu (left) after a number of women were threatened with violence and trafficked to the UK. Algimantas Ringaila (right), 34, is suspected of being part of an organised crime group in his native Lithuania . Jail time: Janusz Kedziora (left) is due to spend ten years in prison for a string of violent robberies in Poland. Polish police want to extradite Krzysztof Malkowski (right), who is due to serve 19 months in prison after the 39-year-old attacked a man, leaving him with broken ribs and a fractured eye socket . They then repeatedly hit the victim's head and body for ten minutes, causing injuries which he died from three days later in hospital. Bangladeshi national Rouf Uddin, 39, is wanted by Belgian authorities following the murder of Malika Soussi in November 2002. The 32-year-old's body was found with her throat cut in her flat in Ïxelles. Alexandru Cucu was being hunted by Romanian authorities after he and another suspect beat a security guard with an iron rod, a metal pipe and an axe handle at the Wake Up club in Cugir in April 2011. The 27-year-old Romanian national was due to spend four and a half years in prison for attempted murder. Detectives investigating the organised sexual exploitation of girls aged 12 to 17 years in Brasov, Romania, between February and March 2010 want to speak to Balint Budi, 25. Romanian authorities also want to extradite 52-year-old Octavian Medeleanu after a number of women were threatened with violence and trafficked to the UK, where they were sexually exploited and forced or coerced into prostitution, between 2006 and 2007. Assaults: Mantas Jurgsat (left), also known as Marius Mickevicius, 25, is wanted in Lithuania in connection with a stabbing and a separate attack on a police officer, while Patryk Kokoryk (right), 33, is due to serve an eight-month prison sentence in Poland for attacking a man with a table leg . Polish links: Mariusz Kuliga (left), 21, is wanted following a number of armed robberies in Poland, where Jan Hiszpanski (right), 36, is due to serve almost two-and-a-half years behind bars for robbing a man in Rypin . Algimantas Ringaila, 34, is suspected of being part of an organised crime group in his native Lithuania between 2005 and 2014, including drug trafficking, gun trafficking and trafficking stolen vehicles. Janusz Kedziora, also known by the name Michal Krawczyk, is due to spend ten years in prison for a string of violent robberies in Poland. In one incident the victim's teeth were broken when being robbed of beer, while in another a man was attacked with tear gas. Polish police want to extradite Krzysztof Malkowski, who is due to serve 19 months in prison after the 39-year-old attacked a man, leaving him with broken ribs, a fractured eye socket and damage to his lungs, kidney and spleen. Mantas Jurgsat, also known as Marius Mickevicius, 25, is wanted in Lithuania in connection with a stabbing and a separate attack on a police officer, while Patryk Kokoryk, 33, is due to serve an eight-month prison sentence in Poland for attacking a man with a table leg. Mariusz Kuliga, 21, is wanted following a number of armed robberies in Poland, where Jan Hiszpanski, 36, is due to serve almost two-and-a-half years behind bars for robbing a man in Rypin. Known to police: Tomasz Naumowicz (left), 33, was convicted of rape in Poland and Roland Ostvalds (right), 24, is wanted by Latvian authorities in connection with a rape . Yet to serve their sentences: Polish authorities want to extradite Michal Ochecki (left), 29, to serve a sentence of almost two-and-a-half years for robbery and assault, and Tomasz Pieta (right), 31, to spend more than three-and-a-half years behind bars for robbery, assaulting a police officer and criminal damage . Tomasz Naumowicz, 33, was convicted of rape in Poland and Roland Ostvalds, 24, is wanted by Latvian authorities in connection with a rape. The hunt is on: Abri Bucpapaj, 35, is wanted by Finnish authorities in connection with allegations of rape, assault and threats to kill . Polish authorities also want to extradite Michal Ochecki, 29, to serve a sentence of almost two-and-a-half years for robbery and assault, and Tomasz Pieta, 31, to spend more than three-and-a-half years behind bars for robbery, assaulting a police officer and criminal damage. Abri Bucpapaj, 35, is wanted by Finnish authorities in connection with allegations of rape, assault and threats to kill. Mr Rance said: ‘The Met is committed to arresting dangerous criminals - whether they are British or foreign nationals. ‘We conduct extensive enquiries on a daily basis, however, experience tells us that co-ordinated operations such as Sunfire encourage the public to provide us with the information that often leads to arrests.’ This is the fourth time the Met has run Operation Sunfire, with almost half of those wanted in previous appeals subsequently arrested. Lord Ashcroft, founder and chairman of Crimestoppers, said: ‘Crimestoppers works hard to keep communities safe, which is why we are calling on anyone who might recognise these individuals to contact us completely anonymously and let us know their whereabouts. ‘Many of these individuals are known to be highly dangerous, making their arrest an urgent priority.’

Metropolitan Police has launched huge manhunt for the foreign nationals . They are wanted by authorities in Europe and are now thought to be in UK . One wanted man battered his victim to death with baseball bat in Romania . Another is being sought in connection with woman's murder in Belgium . Most men have links to London but their exact whereabouts are unknown .

 believed to be residing in London.
The UK's most wanted men are wanted for a long list of crimes. They include two men suspected of being in London on terror charges.
The list also includes one of the most powerful crime bosses in the UK, wanted in both the UK and Italy for murder and drug smuggling.
At the top of the list is Nabil Boussimi, who is wanted in the UK on suspicion of terror offences.
The 42-year-old is said to be dangerous and is "likely to be living in the UK".
He was born in Morocco but has a UK residency card.
Boussimi has links to the drug trade, and is also suspected of terrorism offences.
He is currently wanted in Italy for crimes including murder and attempted murder.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Detectives would like to make people living in the UK aware of their concerns about Nabil Boussimi – who may be living in the country.
“If you see him, do not approach him, call 999 immediately and ask for a British Transport Police officer.”
Boussimi is said to be 6ft 3in tall and of stocky build. He is said to have a distinctive beard.
He is believed to have arrived in the UK in early 2018. He has links to West London.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Detectives would like to make people living in the UK aware of their concerns about Nabil Boussimi – who may be living in the country.
“If you see him, do not approach him, call 999 immediately and ask for a British Transport Police officer.”
Boussimi is wanted in London, Surrey and the rest of the UK for his suspected role as one of the UK’s most dangerous criminals.
He is suspected of drug trafficking and trafficking of migrant workers from Morocco into the UK.
He is also wanted in Italy for several crimes including murder.
He is said to have arrived in the UK in 2018, and is described as white, 6ft 3in, heavy-set and bearded.
Boussimi was convicted of conspiring to commit terrorist offences in Italy in 2004.
He is also known to have links to Milan.
Detectives have published photos of five of the most wanted men – a number of them thought to be in the UK.


(CNN)The death of the founding father of Singapore last Monday is an appropriate occasion to reflect on nation building. As prime minister for its first three decades, Lee Kuan Yew raised a poor port from the bottom rungs of the third world to the first world in a single generation. As it prepares to mark its 50th anniversary as a nation, Singapore is today an ultra-modern metropolis of almost six million people with higher per capita GDP than the United States, according to the World Bank. Lee's achievement in building a successful nation contrasts sharply with the results of Washington's expenditure of over $4 trillion and nearly 7,000 American lives in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade. Some say Singapore's story is sui generis: Something that could only happen in that time and place. But its remarkable performance has less to do with miraculous conditions than with Lee's model of disciplined, visionary leadership. Leaders of other aspiring-to-develop nations, and even the U.S., should take pages from Lee Kuan Yew's playbook to address current challenges. We know many of Lee's lessons on the role of government leadership in development because my co-authors and I asked him directly two years ago to reflect on them -- points we captured in our book, Lee Kuan Yew: The Grand Master's Insights on China, the United States, and the World. Five stand out. First, Lee insisted that governance was first and foremost about results. In his words, "the acid test of any legal system is not the greatness or the grandeur of its ideal concepts, but whether, in fact, it is able to produce order and justice." About the core purposes of government, he was crystal clear. In terms America's founding fathers would recognize, he believed that "the ultimate test of the value of a political system is whether it helps that society establish conditions which improve the standard of living for the majority of its people, plus enabling the maximum of personal freedoms compatible with the freedoms of others in society." Second, superior performance requires superior leadership. Lee demanded of leaders both intellectual and moral superiority. Contrary to modern Western democratic theory that emphasizes citizens' participation in governance, his views were closer to Plato's conception of the "guardians," or China's historical Mandarins. Good government requires most of all leaders who put the public good unquestionably above their own personal interests. He was disappointed by many of his counterparts who failed that test. Third, successful societies guarantee strict equality of opportunity for all individuals, but are realistic about the fact that this will yield substantial inequalities in outcomes. For Lee, the essence of a successful society was intense competition on a level playing field that allows each individual to achieve his or her maximum. Few things offended him more than denial of equality of opportunity on the basis of caste (India), class (Europe), race (the U.S. during segregation), sex, or other irrelevant attributes. As he put it, the leader's objective was to "build up a society in which people will be rewarded not according to the amount of property they own, but according to their active contribution to society in physical or mental labor." Fourth, about democracy, particularly Western liberal democracy, Lee had serious reservations. In part, this attitude stemmed from his own experience, but it also reflected a deeper philosophical aversion to ideologies. As he liked to say, "the acid test is performance, not promises. The millions dispossessed in Asia care not and know not of theory. They want a better life. They want a more equal, just society." Lee enjoyed engaging American critics who insisted that without democracy Singapore could not develop an advanced economy. In contrast, he argued that what most countries needed was more "discipline," rather than democracy. He noted that the U.S. had been building democracy and giving aid to the Philippines for over a century. But, he asked, how many people from Singapore sought to leave it for the Philippines? Many people in the Philippines, he noted, wanted to move to Singapore. On one occasion, with a broad smile, he continued, "and you will notice that since the Vietnam War and the Great Society, the U.S. system has not functioned even for the United States." Fifth, which leaders did he most admire? From the recent past, he focused on three: Charles de Gaulle, Deng Xiaoping, and Winston Churchill. "De Gaulle, because he had tremendous guts; Deng, because he changed China from a broken-backed state, which would have imploded like the Soviet Union, into what it is today; and "Churchill, because any other person would have given up." On the current scene, the leader who impressed him most was the new president of China, Xi Jinping. As he said just before Xi took office: "I would put him in Nelson Mandela's class of persons. A person with enormous emotional stability who does not allow his personal misfortunes or sufferings to affect his judgment. In a word, he is impressive." As China's leaders attempt to follow in Lee's footsteps in building a Mandarin-Leninist led nation that overtook the U.S. last year in GDP (measured by PPP) to become the world's largest economy, and democratic India seems poised to grow at rates that will compete with China, we can reflect on lessons from Lee Kuan Yew and place our bets. Governing a nation in which two of every three citizens believe their country is headed in the wrong direction -- and have believed so under Democratic and Republican Presidents for all of the 21st century -- American leaders should ask whether it is time to focus on the acid test of performance rather than the litmus test of ideology.

In Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew had remarkable success in creating a prosperous modern state . His lessons should prove instructive to other leaders in a time of great instability, writes Graham Allison . Lee passed on his insights on the role of government leadership in development to Allison .

 to a first-rate city-state, which became in his lifetime the most prosperous country in Southeast Asia. And he also raised the bar for his successors, who have had to carry the banner in a world where rising power competition has brought the challenges of a post-Cold War order.
The region’s largest country — by land mass, the third largest by area in Asia after China and India — is Singapore. It was a little fishing village when Lee took over in 1959, and he turned it into a developed city-state by 1960.
At the end of his three decades in office, he was an indispensable authority figure in the region, and a close friend of all the Asian prime ministers of the time, from Indira Gandhi to Suharto. It was not lost on the citizens of his island, one of the richest countries in the world per capita, that they were privileged to enjoy that privilege. They were willing to defer to Lee’s political wisdom and his command of the international community.
But Lee’s tenure as prime minister was, in many ways, a tragedy. It was a period marked by economic upheaval, social polarisation and the emergence of the political opposition as a powerful and legitimate voice. For all his success, he alienated the political class, and his own colleagues were deeply suspicious of him. And it is on this — and this alone — that Lee should be judged as one of the greatest and most extraordinary leaders of his century.
As the first prime minister of the Republic of Singapore, he was in fact an accidental one, a creation of the British colonial government, which in his own words, was the architect of the country’s founding and also its “architect of the country’s development after independence.” But the political reality of Singapore was not his making.
Lee had been the secretary general of the first (and only) non-communist ruling party after World War II, the Singapore People’s Action Party. The first party that had to be banned, even before independence. The party he had founded, and the one that propelled him to power.
Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore became a political utopia when he left office. It is the only country in the world where the ruling party has not, since 1959, lost an election. Singapore has one of the most stringent press laws in the world, and its most recent prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, a member


The conclusion of a football match, particularly monumental ones like the World Cup final, often brings new debate and inquiry, questions about players, tactics and refereeing decisions. Very rarely do they result in a government investigation. Yet that is exactly what happened after Brazil's capitulation in the 1998 final against hosts France. Quite what transpired in the hours before the match, particularly with star player Ronaldo who was taken to hospital and left off the teamsheet only to be reinstated before kick-off, is one of football's most enduring mysteries. Ronaldo pictured following Brazil's 3-0 defeat by France at the 1998 World Cup final at the Stade de France . Ronaldo looks gutted after the loss as he was not himself in a final where the pressure seemed to get to him . France vs Brazil in the 1998 final led to a government investigation about Ronaldo's involvement . France: Barthez, Thuram, Desailly, Leboeuf, Lizarazu, Deschamps (c), Karembeu, Petit, Zidane, Djorkaeff, Guivarc'h . Goals: Zidane (27, 45+1), Petit (90+3) Booked: Deschamps, Karembeu, Desailly . Sent off: Desailly . France manager: Aime Jacquet . Brazil: Taffarel, Cafu, Aldair, Baiano, Carlos, Sampaio, Dunga (c), Rivaldo, Leonardo, Bebeto, Ronaldo . Goals: NONE . Booked: Baiano . Brazil manager: Mario Zagallo . Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis . Referee: Said Belqola . Attendance: 80,000 . Civil action in a Rio court, a Rio medical council action against two team medics (both of whom were unanimously absolved of blame) and an investigation in Brazil's national congress have shed some light on the events of  July 12 1998 but it continues to be a source of consternation in the country. The official records show the match ended in a 3-0 defeat for Brazil but the story of what happened in and around the Stade de France that afternoon is murkier in detail. Ronaldo, then just 21, had been outstanding all tournament in a Brazil side - including Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Bebeto - that were defending their title from 1994. The final was billed as a head-to-head between him and France's equally captivating talisman Zinedine Zidane. In the event, the France midfielder steamrollered a jaded Brazil outfit, scoring two first half headed goals in a man of the match performance with Emmanuel Petit adding a third after a late counter-attack. It was the first time France had been crowned world champions but it later transpired much of the drama had already happened, out of view of the many millions of TV viewers worldwide. The day had began in a relaxed fashion for the Brazil players. The whole squad had lunch at the Chateau de Grande Romaine, just outside Paris then returned to their rooms. Ronaldo was sharing with Roberto Carlos, neighbouring a room with Edmundo and Doriva. France's Zinedine Zidane sees his header go through the legs of Brazil's Roberto Carlos in the final . France celebrate after going 2-0 up as midfielder Zidane steamrollered a jaded Brazil outfit . France players celebrate with the World Cup trophy as they won the great competition on home soil . France manager Aime Jacquet holds up the World Cup trophy and is surrounded by the world's media . Zidane was a worthy winner of the World Cup as he brushed aside Brazil with two goals in the final . Roberto Carlos implied Ronaldo was wilting under the weight of expectation of the nation. 'He was scared about what lay ahead,' he said, 'The pressure had got to him and he couldn't stop crying.' To government congress later, Edmundo described a viscerally shocking scene as suddenly Ronaldo started to have a fit. He frothed at the mouth and began to shake uncontrollably. Roberto Carlos, overwhelmed by panic, started screaming for help. 'When I saw what it was, I despaired,' said Edmundo, 'Because it was a really strong and shocking scene.' He ran through the hotel hitting on all the doors and shouting for everyone to come. A congressmen asked the striker for more details. 'Was Ronaldo hitting out or shaking?' 'Hitting out a lot,' replied Edmundo. 'Lying down?' 'Lying down and hitting himself with his hands like this, with his teeth...' 'Together?' 'Locked together and with his mouth foaming.' 'His whole body hitting itself?' 'The whole body, yes.' Defender Cesar Sampaio put his hand in Ronaldo's mouth to unravel his tongue and prevent him swallowing it. Ronaldo then fell asleep and, according to Edmundo, team doctors decided to pretend that nothing had happened when he woke up. Ronaldo had a fit before the World Cup final but was controversially allowed to play against France . Brazil supporters expected so much but were let down as their team were beaten 3-0 by a strong France side . The front page of French newspaper  L'Equipe ahead of France vs Brazil friendly on Thursday . Ronaldo woke up and went for tea. But he was subdued. Leonardo, one of the side's senior players at the time, insisted that Ronaldo be told what had happened and the doctors relented. At 6pm when the squad began the short coach journey to the Stade de France, Ronaldo went to the Lilas clinic in Paris. His name was left off the teamsheets, sending the assembled international press into frenzy but 40 minutes before kick-off he arrived after being given the all-clear and insisted he should play. Brazil's miserable showing on the pitch led to outrage in the country and rumours began to swirl about wrongdoing in the camp in the lead up to the match and even conspiracy. Manager Mario Zagallo was criticised for picking Ronaldo despite what had happened but he defended his decision. 'If you invert the situation and I didn't put Ronaldo on and then Brazil lost 3-0, people would say 'Zagallo is stubborn, he had to put him on, Ronaldo was the best player in the world.' So I think I would do the same again. Now was it his being chosen that caused Brazil to lose? Absolutely not. I think it was the collective trauma, created by the atmosphere of what had happened.' Brazil manager Mario Zagallo (right) pictured after the 3-0 defeat by France in the capital Paris . Zagallo consoles Ronaldo after the final as the Brazil manager controversially allowed the striker to play . Understandably Ronaldo, who continued to play for Brazil until 2011, tried to downplay the affair throughout his career. Last year, in a TV interview with Gary Lineker as his country prepared to host the World Cup, he lifted the lid on what had happened. He told the story of the fit and revealed he begged the manager to let him play. 'I had a convulsion, after lunch in the afternoon. I was unconscious for three or four minutes. I don't know why. Nobody knows. Was it pressure or nerves? It could be,' he said, 'When you are there and you breathe the competition, everything is about the competition. You cannot disconnect from it. It's a lot of pressure. But I pleaded with Zagallo to let me play.' Ronaldo went on to lift the World Cup with Brazil in Japan four years later and will go down as one of the great strikers of all time, but an air of intrigue continues to hang over that afternoon's events.

France hammered Brazil 3-0 in the 1998 World Cup final on home soil . Zinedine Zidane and Emmanuel Petit scored twice against the Brazilians . Ronaldo had a fit, frothed at the mouth and shook uncontrollably . The Brazil striker was taken to hospital and left off the teamsheets . He begged manager Mario Zagallo to let him play in the final - and he did .

 the France vs. Italy final.
After France beat Italy in extra time on Sunday, Italian fans protested on social media that the French had committed serious fouls throughout the game that the referee “didn’t see”. The complaints didn’t end there, as ‘Le Figaro’ reported that Italy’s General Council of Deputies was also considering holding hearings to investigate the incident.
French Sports Minister Laura Flessel stated in a letter to Italian counterpart Vincenzo Spadafora that she had spoken with the country’s ambassador about the matter and urged him to investigate and hold the referee, Cédric Poix, accountable.
A member of the Ligue 1 referees’ committee, Poix has made over 1,000 official appearances in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. He had the final whistle after 119 minutes to make in the 1-0 win for France, during which time both he and the VAR were consulted at least 18 times by the referee.
The Italian Football Federation has made a similar appeal against the referee for the match, claiming that Poix was “biased” and “discriminatory” towards Italy. The federation president Giovanni Battista Ruggiero said that “the referee did not manage the match. He went to the stadium at 8pm on Saturday and the match ended at 11:30pm Sunday”.
It was not the first time Poix had drawn a storm of criticism after having officiated a match involving an Italian opponent. In 2015 he was reprimanded for a sending off of a Lazio opponent when the referee did not give a penalty against Sassuolo. The Italian football federation lodged a formal complaint with UEFA, which led to Poix being suspended from officiating matches in 2017.
However, Poix has been able to recover the respect of the referees committee and was appointed to officiate the 2017 UEFA European Championship final in which Spain beat Portugal 3-3 after extra time. Spain coach Julen Lopetegui spoke at a press conference after his side lost on penalties in the shootout, acknowledging Poix’s performance was “fair”.
The refereeing committee have the final decision on awarding players and coaches yellow and red cards, and if they believe Poix committed a serious infraction then they will request he be replaced. However, this is an unusual situation for a final. In the press room after the game, Po


Jose Mourinho remains 'pretty confident' his Chelsea side will be crowned Barclays Premier League champions, but Diego Costa is an injury concern for their title run-in. The Blues restored their six-point lead over Manchester City with a 3-2 win over spirited Hull on Sunday and retain a game in hand against rock-bottom Leicester. That makes them heavy favourites to lift the trophy and Mourinho was happy to accept the role of front-runners after Loic Remy grabbed a 77th minute winner at the KC Stadium. Jose Mourinho is confident that his Chelsea side will be able to secure the Premier League title this season . Loic Remy came on as a substitute and scored the winning goal to secure three points for the Blues . 'I'm not pretty sure, I'm pretty confident. I believe in my players, I believe that we can do it but I know it's difficult,' he said. 'I keep thinking the same, the title race should be over. In normal conditions, Chelsea should have eight, 10, 12 points more than we have; title race over. 'But football is unpredictable and the reality is we have a six-point lead, one game in hand, which is our best situation for the whole season.' Costa's short-term involvement is an open question, though. The Spain striker claimed his 20th goal of the season with a wonderful curling effort to put Chelsea 2-0 up inside nine minutes, but hobbled off with a hamstring injury. One negative for Chelsea was the hamstring injury suffered by Diego Costa, which ended his involvement . Costa's replacement, Remy, scored the winning goal and Mourinho thinks he has sufficient replacements . His exit allowed for Remy's match-winning arrival, but whether he emerges from the imminent international break in match condition is uncertain. 'When a striker is playing, the team needs a goal to win the game and with 15 minutes to go the striker, a guy with a lot of experience of hamstring injuries, says "it is over for me", then it is over for him,' said Mourinho. 'He has this problem. He tried to play the Champions League final for Atletico (Madrid, last season) and was injured again and again and again. He has this fragility. 'We know his hamstring is not a strong one. He works hard through the week to compensate the weakness he has there but the injury can come. Remy (centre) celebrates scoring Chelsea's third goal against Hull at the KC Stadium . Mourinho watches on from the bench as his Chelsea side go six points clear of nearest rivals Manchester City . 'If he is injured then we have Remy, we have Drogba. We never cry about injured players.' Costa can at least expect to miss Spain's forthcoming games against Ukraine and Holland, but despite the added rehabilitation time, Mourinho would rather be pressing on with the domestic calendar. 'For Diego (the break) is good, because imagine we play three matches in one week, that's three matches he doesn't play. 'But in this moment we have nine matches to play and I would like to play every week, so it's not good for us.' Eden Hazard scored the first goal of the game inside two minutes to get Chelsea on track . Thibaut Courtois made an error to gift Hull their second, but later made amends with a string of saves . Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois gifted Abel Hernandez an equaliser just a minute after Ahmed Elmohamady made it 2-1, side-footing a back pass straight to the City striker. But Tigers boss Steve Bruce believes the Belgian's brilliance later in the piece was crucial to the outcome. Courtois produced a sensational triple save from Elmohamady, Jake Livermore and Gaston Ramirez in the 64th minute to keep the scores level. 'The big turning point in the game was where Courtois pulls off three saves which change the course of the game,' said Bruce, who was nevertheless delighted with his side's endeavour. 'That's as good as we've played for a long, long time, against the best team in England. 'We're obviously disappointed to lose the game because I don't think we deserved that. 'We gave Chelsea a hell of a run for their money and on another day it could have gone our way. 'I'm sure we've got enough and I'm convinced if we play like that, we're good enough to stay in this division.'

Chelsea went 2-0 up against Hull, but were pulled back to 2-2 . Loic Remy scored Chelsea's third goal to secure all three points . Jose Mourinho is 'pretty confident' that his side will win the league . Diego Costa hobbled off with a hamstring injury, but Mourinho said: 'We never cry about injured players'

-1 home win over Arsenal at the weekend and Mourinho is relishing the race for top honours.
With only 11 games remaining, there are still 31 points to play for and Mourinho's men are on course for the historic feat of an unbeaten league campaign. Mourinho said: "We are pretty confident. The way we are going, the way the players are doing it, the way the manager is doing it – it is a long way to go but with the way the team is going, with the way the players are going, I have to be pretty confident.
"I feel that way because I have the team here and I like to judge myself not by the result but by the reality. I am in the present, not in the past. I am living the present, the past is a story and you learn from the past but I am in the present because there is only one reality: this reality of being here, being in the Premier League and trying to compete for the title, which is fantastic."
Chelsea have a relatively favourable run-in. They play the likes of Sunderland, West Brom, West Ham, Leicester and Norwich and Mourinho believes Chelsea are capable of winning any of those games. He added: "I think that there are teams who play more difficult teams than the teams we have to play. For me the teams that play Sunderland, for example, are not better than the teams we play. They are all on the same level, (it's just) a matter of whether we are stronger or the other team is stronger."
It was not only in-form Costa who showed the character that Mourinho admires so much at the weekend. "He (Costa) was fantastic again. It is not a surprise to me because I think I had no doubt he could play this way." The Spain international looked to have aggravated his hamstring problem but Mourinho says he is hopeful the striker will be fit for the final five games of the season.
"I think he has a little problem with his hamstring but I am pretty confident he will be ready for the last five games. I think he will be fine." Chelsea have already clinched the Capital One Cup, but now all their attention is focused on the Premier League. "We have to win a Premier League or we have to lose one. The only thing that makes the difference is to win the title.
"I like to say that I am


Gareth Southgate was irritated. England had just put one over their oldest rivals in thrilling circumstances but something was gnawing away at the Under 21 head coach. For some reason, Southgate couldn’t get over the first 25 minutes at the Riverside Stadium, even though England had beaten Germany 3-2. England, he felt, were overawed by Germany who looked a team of stars, passing smoothly in tight areas, winning cute free-kicks and making their experience tell. They were doing everything their numbers suggested they would. The numbers? Norwich's Nathan Redmond, who scored England's second goal, deserves a Premier League return . Jesse Lingard levelled for England to make it 1-1 in Middlesbrough during an impressive victory . James Ward-Prowse hit the winner to give Gareth Southgate's men a tremendous win ahead of Euro 2015 . Nathan Redmond: West Ham and Stoke considered moves for the winger last summer. Should Norwich fail to get promotion, he might be going up any way. Danny Ings: Currently exploring his options with his deal at Burnley ending in June. Liverpool is his most likely destination. Luke Garbutt: Out of contract with Everton at the end of the season, Roberto Martinez is convinced he will sign a new deal. If he can’t, others will be on alert. Jack Butland: Just three FA Cup games is not enough for England’s No 3 keeper since returning to Stoke from his Derby loan. If Asmir Begovic doesn’t moves on, he might. Will Hughes: Some may think he is too lightweight but Hughes is an elegant player. If Derby don’t make the leap into the Premier League, others may try to entice him. Tom Carroll: Tottenham midfielder on loan at Swansea, a club that suits his style. He would benefit from making the switch permanent. The team Horst Hrubesch selected had 639 top-flight appearances between them; the squad’s combined number was a staggering 977. That figure would have been more than 1,100 had key players Bernd Leno and Kevin Volland not withdrawn through injury. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the German goalkeeper, is only 22 but he is playing in the Champions League with Barcelona, Emre Can with Liverpool and Max Meyer’s goal against Maribor in December helped Schalke reach the last 16 of the Champions League. How does the top-flight experience of the England starting XI measure up? The figure is 230, the squad’s total is 389. It gives credence to the point FA chairman Greg Dyke has made about young English players not getting sufficient opportunities but when you see the impressive way they tore into Germany, it makes you wonder why some can’t break through the glass ceiling. Southgate has been deservedly praised for how he has handled things since taking over in September 2013 but a run of one defeat in 16 games — with 13 victories — is not solely down to the man in charge. Southgate was not happy with the first 25 minutes of England's match against their German counterparts . ‘We want to get the ball down and score lots of goals,’ said James Ward-Prowse, whose late goal defeated Germany. ‘It’s also down to players putting in the effort.’ Ward-Prowse is one of the luckier squad members. With 67 Barclays Premier League appearances, he was the most experienced starter against Germany and has benefited from being at Southampton, where youth is given its head. So what about the rest? Experts talk about a team’s spine but England had four players — goalkeeper Jonathan Bond, Ben Gibson, Jake Forster-Caskey and Will Hughes — in key positions who had never kicked a ball at the highest level. ‘I spoke to Oliver Bierhoff about what happened in Germany,’ John Barnes, the Liverpool and England legend, told Sportsmail two years ago. ‘The German Federation said in 2002 they needed young German players to be playing regularly for their clubs to help the national team. ‘All the clubs are German-owned, so they feel a responsibility to the national team. Bayern Munich had to be the drivers. The clubs had to go through a period of not winning anything in Europe but look at them now.’ Hughes has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs, most notably Liverpool, but nobody has taken the plunge. Skilful, elegant and thriving under Steve McClaren at Derby, he scored the goal against Croatia last October which secured England’s place at Euro 2015. Will Hughes is good enough to play in the PRemier League, despite his diminutive status . Danny Ings showcased his talents too, and he is looking likely to ply his trade away from Burnley . Jesse Lingard, who scored against Germany, is another who is benefiting from working with McClaren but the odds are against him getting regular game time at Manchester United after his loan spell. But if not United, why not somewhere else in the Premier League? Will anyone gamble on Nathan Redmond? The Norwich winger, who excelled against Germany, believes the Championship has toughened him up since his side were relegated last May and a good showing in the finals this summer will help him. Critics will argue they are not good enough or lack mental toughness but the way they played on Monday doesn’t back that up. Germany are the best team England have faced at this level since Spain at Euro 2011, when they were chasing shadows before scrambling a 1-1 draw with a late Danny Welbeck goal. The performance against Germany showed how much England have evolved and why they are genuine contenders to win the European Under 21 Championship, even if their numbers suggest they don’t have enough experience. ‘We’ve got good quality in the team,’ said Ward-Prowse. ‘The games will be different in the summer, but we can take a lot of confidence into the tournament.’

The Germany Under 21 side beaten by England U21s had 639 top-flight appearances between them: the squad’s combined number was 977 . Germany  looked a team of stars, passing smoothly in tight areas, winning cute free-kicks and making their experience tell . It gives credence to the point FA chairman Greg Dyke has made about young English players not getting sufficient opportunities . When you see the impressive way they tore into Germany, it makes you wonder why some can’t break through the glass ceiling .

, despite his team going 2-0 up.
What had happened? Who was to blame? Why wasn’t that first half enough? Southgate eventually let his emotions out, shouting something like, “Just score!” and pointing at his defenders to cover one of the goalkeepers’ throw outs. It was only a few seconds later that Marcus Rashford scored.
Southgate has always been a very interesting and thoughtful coach. His personality has been very much on display during the England Under 21s’ journey to Israel but there’s something that goes beyond the tactical. It’s more of an existential problem. His side has an innate talent and ability – a great base on which to build – that can be so frustrating in the short term, yet so thrilling in the long term. England are a country that need to keep reminding themselves about their history.
So what happened in their second game against Israel on Wednesday? Southgate, the former left-back for Manchester United and Middlesborough, was in the stadium in a role that could be described as ‘honorary chairman’ with Michael Holding, the West Indian cricket legend and cricket’s greatest fast bowler, sitting in the stands. Southgate has been a fixture at England games for years and there was a certain poignancy in the fact that he was at a game with the team that could have ended his life. Southgate had once said that if England were playing poorly, he felt that he’d be letting England down. Now, he just hoped his lads would do enough.
England won and all went well. What of the tactical changes? Southgate had played a 5-3-2 against Israel before but for the first game of this campaign, they played a flat back four. Southgate said, “I can’t remember exactly why we changed things.” The England coach is honest and forthright. He is very conscious of the England tradition. “If we had won the second game in [the last] cycle but then lost the third game, it would have been difficult to justify our approach at the next tournament.”
Southgate may not have realised it immediately, but the way he spoke and answered questions after the game, he was already looking forward to the next game in the series, against Romania this Sunday. England have won the European Championships at youth level three times (1994, 1997 and 2001), including this year, so they won’t be thinking


Lauren Blanning, 19, has been jailed for 16 months for drink driving after she pulled into the path of a biker having drunk a bottle of rose wine . A husband left crippled by a teenage girl who downed a bottle of rosé before getting behind the wheel has condemned her ‘totally insubstantial’ 16-month jail term. Motorcyclist Stephen Isaacs was flung 60ft and suffered severe pelvic injuries after Lauren Blanning pulled out in front of him while on the way home from the pub with friends. Newlywed Mr Isaacs, 49, has been told he is unlikely to walk again. But Blanning, 19, could be free in as little as eight months and will be let back on the road. Last night, wheelchair-bound Mr Isaacs criticised the sentence handed down at Bristol Crown Court. He said: ‘We were led to believe she would be charged with grievous bodily harm, with a 14-year maximum – a sentence in a decent range which she would serve as a result. 'I think the 16- month sentence is utterly and totally insubstantial.’ Blanning has said she is ‘sickened’ by her role in the crash. But Mr Isaacs said her remorse was not genuine, adding: ‘I think they are crocodile tears. It’s more about feeling sorry for herself.’ The teenager, who passed her driving test three months before the smash in Bristol last May, was nearly twice the legal drink-drive limit when she drove her Ford Ka into the biker’s path. When she was given a breath test she told police: ‘I know I will fail, I’ve had a bottle of wine.’ Mr Isaacs, an aircraft fitter for 26 years, is still being treated at hospital and is unable to return to work after the accident, which he cannot remember. He had been on his way home and stopped to pick up a takeaway. The next thing he recalls is waking in hospital two weeks later. Biker Stephen Isaacs (pictured with wife Susanne on his wedding day in September 2013) was thrown over the top of Blanning's car and 60ft down the road, suffering massive pelvis injuries . Surgeons had battled to save his life and he ‘died’ on the operating table before being revived. He lost so much blood that he received 60 pints in 48 hours, and has had multiple operations. Mr Isaacs' injuries were so severe he had to be resuscitated on the operating table in hospital, needed 60 pints of blood transfusions in 48 hours, and has been told it is very unlikely he will walk again . Blanning’s car was travelling at 12mph at the time of the accident, the court heard. But a collision investigator said Mr Isaacs did not have enough time to react and there was nothing he could have done to prevent the 1am crash. After the hearing the victim said his main regret was not being able to be there for his father who died after falling ill in December. But Mr Isaacs – who used to enjoy kayaking, hiking and skiing – said the crash had made him a better man and paid tribute to his wife Susanne, 45, whom he married in September 2013. He said: ‘I’m a determined person. I think I’ll do cross-country wheelchairing and world travel. This has changed me. But I would not be here without my wife.’ The first thing Blanning did after the smash was phone her mother in ‘desperation, fear, panic and shock’, the court heard. She later told police the motorcyclist was going a ‘bit fast’ but tests proved he was doing 32mph. Blanning was jailed for 16 months after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol. She had been found to have 62 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35. Judge Michael Roach, sentencing, said Blanning’s ‘stupidity’ had wrecked a life. He told her: ‘Nothing I can say can restore his good health. Nothing I can say can restore anything he and others had to suffer through your stupidity.’ Blanning’s lawyer Darren Burleigh read a note from his client which said: ‘I can’t begin to imagine what I put Mr Isaacs and his family through. It sickens me that I played a part in such a tragic accident. I can never make it up to them. I hope what happens today lifts a heavy weight off their shoulders.’ He added: ‘She made a foolish decision to drive a very short distance from the pub to her friend’s house. ‘For that she knows she will have to be punished. The impact will never be reflected in any sentence.’ Blanning was also banned from driving for three years and must take a test before returning to the road. Mr Isaacs has been bed-bound at Southmead Hospital since the accident in May last year and today branded Blanning's sentence 'utterly and totally unsubstantial' Blanning called her mother in a panic after the accident, and initially tried to claim Mr Isaacs had been travelling 'a bit fast', but later tests showed he was going at 32mph . Mr Isaacs has lost his job of 26-years following the horror crash after his injuries left him unable to return to work and now has to manage his spinal pain using an inflatable mattress . Sentencing Blanning at Bristol Crown Court, Judge Michael Roach said a life had been ruined by her 'stupidity' (pictured, scars on Mr Isaacs' stomach after multiple surgeries)

Lauren Blanning, 19, jailed for 16 months after admitting drink driving . Had bottle of rosé wine with friends at pub before giving them a lift home . Pulled into path of biker Stephen Isaacs, 49, sending him flying 60ft . He needed 60 pints of blood and had to be resuscitated during surgery . Doctors have told him he may never walk again and he has lost his job . Mr Isaacs branded Blanning's sentence 'utterly and totally unsubstantial'

 of spirits and a glass of wine and crashed head-on into his car has criticised police for not taking her licence away.
The court was told the 19-year-old woman - who had no other convictions and has suffered mental health problems - was driving at 90mph on a 60mph road when she crashed into a Honda Civic driven by a 39-year-old husband.
The man was trapped in his wrecked car for 12 hours until firefighters used the Jaws of Life to remove the roof and free him. He suffered head, neck, chest, leg and arm injuries, with fractures of both knees, a fractured pelvis, a fracture of the fibula and a dislocated shoulder.
A police officer on the scene, PC Richard Lewis, told the Old Bailey that the car smelt of alcohol and there was a bottle of vodka and two empty bottles of wine in the boot.
The woman was arrested in the early hours of April 11 last year after she was found parked on the opposite side of the road from where the husband and his car had come to rest.
He had earlier pulled out of a petrol station to head home, but police officers on patrol saw him travelling at a speed that didn’t match the flow of traffic. When they attempted to intercept him, he drove into a field instead of pulling over, where he crashed into the oncoming Honda driven by his wife.
The husband suffered a fracture to his skull, a collapsed lung, a fractured pelvis, three fractured ribs, bruised and cut his hands and an injured shoulder. He will suffer problems for the rest of his life and was in and out of hospital for 12 months after the accident, said prosecutor James O’Brien.
The husband was taken by air ambulance and had to be transferred from one hospital to another before he was fit enough for surgery. The wife has not shown any remorse, according to Mr O’Brien, and refused to answer any questions from police officers.
When arrested, the woman was taken to a hospital for a blood test but it came back as negative for alcohol. It turned out that she had drunk a bottle of rosé wine at her workplace in the early hours, before setting off for her home in Epping Forest.
Mr O’Brien described the case as “unusually exceptional” as the police did not take the young woman’s driving licence away, despite her having no other convictions or accidents. He added that the young woman had shown a


It has been a bittersweet week for Kristin Scott Thomas. On Thursday the acclaimed actress was at Buckingham Palace to receive her Damehood from the Queen, a reward for a lifetime of achievement – and almost a dress rehearsal for her new West End role playing the Monarch in The Audience. But her delight at the presentation must have involved a moment of quiet reflection, too. For last week was also the anniversary of the death of her father, taken from her in a dramatic fighter plane accident almost half a century ago on March 17, 1966. She was just five. Dame Kristin, 54 – nominated for an Oscar for her mesmerising role in The English Patient – has said little about the loss in public, but recalled that ‘Mummy was pregnant at the time and I can remember when she told us. In one breath it was, “Daddy has had an accident and won’t be coming home and I’m going to have a baby.” So it sort of took the sting out of it’. The exact details of his crash, however, have remained shrouded in secrecy – like so much else associated with the Cold War – until now, thanks to the release of a recently declassified air investigation report. Heartbreaking: Dame Kristin Scott Thomas was only five when her father was killed in a dramatic fighter plane accident . It reveals that Lieutenant Commander Simon Thomas was flying a Sea Vixen jet when it exploded after crashing into the sea off the Dorset coast. He was taking part in a training exercise for a type of mission that has since been described as ‘perhaps the most stupid, and potentially suicidal attacks ever invented’. The Sea Vixen was in the vanguard of a new generation of high-speed jets that relied on swept wings and two Rolls-Royce engines to achieve near-supersonic speed. They were designed for aircraft carriers for night-time flying and one of their tasks would be to attack Soviet ships in the event of a war. Astonishingly, of the 145 Sea Vixens built, 54 were lost in accidents and 55 crew members killed during the 13 years of frontline service with the Fleet Air Arm from 1959 to 1972. This was a worse rate of attrition than the notorious F-104 Starfighter, which became known as the ‘Widowmaker’ in Cold War West Germany because 30 per cent were lost to accidents. Lieut Cmdr Thomas, the report reveals, was the designated leader when he and three other Sea Vixen pilots lined up on the runway on the night of March 17. They were tasked with taking off from air base HMS Heron, in Yeovilton, Somerset, and attacking a target being pulled by a frigate, HMS Zulu, off Portland in Dorset. Horrific: Lieutenant Commander Simon Thomas was killed during a dangerous night-time training mission . With classic military understatement the report states that they faced ‘unpleasant conditions’, which included poor visibility, fog patches and a pitch black night. Furthermore, it was believed to have been Thomas’s first attempt at firing Glow Worm flares since he had returned to frontline duties after working as a Vixen flying instructor. The notorious flares were designed to illuminate the target prior to attack but had already been involved in a succession of accidents. As the leader, Thomas was expected to fire off the flares above the frigate so that they would illuminate the target in silhouette. The following three Sea Vixens were then tasked with attacking the dummy ship in quick succession before the leader himself would launch the final attack. All four were supposed to roll into a dive before firing off their rockets at the target at a pre-ordained angle and altitude. However, the training mission was dogged with bad luck from the outset, with one of the Sea Vixens failing to make it off the runway. The three others took off and assumed the attack formation, with Thomas in the lead, to a point 20 miles south of HMS Zulu. But then Vixen No 2 lost his radar and, after trying to maintain his position, was instructed by Thomas to return to base. This meant that No 3 assumed the No 2 position and the two remaining Vixens turned to prepare for the attack. On their first run, Thomas failed to fire the flares. Both planes turned round for a second run, but the new No 2 struggled to maintain position. By the time they were in position for a second strike, the crew of No 2 suddenly realised that HMS Zulu had changed its orientation and was now directly behind the target as they approached it. Worried their missiles could hit the frigate instead of the target it was towing, they aborted the attack for safety reasons. The report adds that the crew of No 2 heard Thomas call ‘turning in’ in preparation for his attack and ‘some five to ten seconds [later] the pilot noticed a flash’. Zulu’s crew also saw an explosion, which turned out to be Lieut Cmdr Thomas’s aircraft hitting the water and exploding. Thomas was killed instantly and his co-pilot, Lieutenant John Harvey, was listed as missing. Dame Kristin, born in Cornwall in 1960, later said that after the news of her father’s death ‘we went down to school and everybody had to be nice to us and we didn’t really understand why. Kids are so resilient. It’s only later that you realise what a terrible shock it was. I can still remember him. It’s like having a little film playing in your head. I can still remember his smell, it’s really weird. The thing that breaks my heart is the smell of engine oil’. Indeed, she has been doubly unfortunate. Kristin’s widowed mother went on to marry another Fleet Air Arm pilot, Simon Idiens, who died in another air accident in 1972. Lieutenant Commander Thomas was flying a Sea Vixen jet (pictured) when it exploded after crashing into the sea off the Dorset coast . Author Tony Buttler, in his book about the Sea Vixen, branded the Glow Worm manoeuvre, for which Lieut Cmdr Thomas was practising, ‘perhaps the most stupid, and potentially suicidal attack ever invented. Once the leader had fired the flares he had to bank left hard, climb to 4,000ft, come up behind the fourth Sea Vixen, a complex manoeuvre complicated further by the fact he had to switch on his weapons panel, which meant switching hands on the control stick, while turning his head to locate the weapons switch’. All of this was happening while the jet was maintaining a steep bank climb and the pilot was subjected to considerable G-forces. It was a recipe for disorientation and disaster. The conclusion to the MoD report offers little solace, indirectly blaming HMS Zulu and the exercise. Sir Mark Thomson, a former Sea Vixen pilot, said: ‘When you are flying at night there is no horizon. You have disorientation in relation to the ground or surface, where the ship is. You have the disorientation in relation to where the other planes are as you look in and out of the cockpit. ‘You are also looking for the weapons switch on your right side and if you are flying with your right hand you either switch hands or reach over with your left hand. ‘I can see Simon now. He was absolutely magical, the most wonderful and enchanting guy. There was no better-looking couple and while I can see Deborah in Kristin, Kristin also looks just like her father. ‘She has that classic English look with those high cheekbones. Simon and Deborah had star quality. Life can be so cruel, especially to Deborah. She even had a boyfriend between the two Simons and he was also killed in a flying accident.’

Kristin Scott Thomas's father died in a dramatic fighter plane accident . Lieutenant Commander Simon Thomas was flying a jet when it exploded . Crash over Dorset coast happened in 1966, when Kristin was just five . Details of the Cold War tragedy were shrouded in secrecy - until now .

 the Queen.
It had been a long road for Thomas, who was last year nominated for a best actress Bafta. This followed her Olivier nomination in 2013, when she was nominated for her first ever Olivier award for her performance in the Royal Court’s production of Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler.
Next was an American television film, The Hypnotist (with The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’s Armie Hammer), followed by her Olivier and now Bafta-nominated performance as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, playing opposite Claire Foy.
“The timing is perfect,” says Thomas of her latest role and its similarity to the one she plays in real life. “I started working on The Crown last March and it came out about six weeks after my birthday. It has been 30 years since my first birthday with the queen.”
It is almost 20 years since the 57-year-old, who turns 58 next month, got her first Bafta for Four Weddings and a Funeral, but she has lost count of her Oscars, Baftas and nominations. “It depends on who’s counting,” she says. “If you count my 10 Baftas, you win an Oscar. I’ve been nominated four times so that means you’ve won an Oscar. My personal best is nine Baftas.
“No, I haven’t,” she continues, when asked if she is still as excited at the prospect of a new Bafta or Oscar as when it happened in the early days of her career. “I guess I’ve got too old to care. It used to be really exciting. Even today, for me, the Baftas is the only award that matters because there are no other surprises. The Oscars? Well, you know you’re going to win. For the Baftas, you have to prepare.”
It is a curious comment given that most actors work tirelessly for a Bafta and Oscar and, even more so, their absence from the former’s list of nominations. In fact, there are fewer actors with more Baftas, Oscars and nominations than Thomas. Her 10 Bafta nods put her above the likes of Kate Winslet, Tom Hanks and even Tom Cruise and Al Pacino, who each only have four.
“People like to be surprised so even today you never quite know who will


A woman who says she was conned out of £50,000 by her Senegalese husband in a immigration marriage scam wants to help other women avoid the same fate. Kim Sow, 58, from Dover, has been calling for the government to take action since her husband Laye walked out on her after obtaining his British citizenship. She alleges that Laye had been in the UK illegally and she now believes he was already married to at least two other women. Kim Sow appeared on today's This Morning to share her story of how she was 'duped by a love rat' Kim, pictured with Laye, believes he married her to gain her assets and British citizenship . Kim, a music producer was 49 when she first met Laye, then 43, in a London nightclub in 2007. She said there was an 'instant attraction' and their romance had a 'normal progression to a full-on relationship'. He told her he was a widower supporting three young children in Senegal. Kim said she had no reason not to believe him as he even had his wife's death certificate to prove it. 'He said he was a religious man so couldn't live with me if we weren't married. He told me he didn't believe in polygamy and didn't do affairs. 'He told me his wife had died and his children were being cared for by relatives and he had paperwork to prove it,' she told presenters Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden on today's This Morning. Kim, who was unable to have children after an ectopic pregnancy left her infertile, said the prospect of having a ready-made family with Laye was a dream come true. She said: 'When we married, I thought his children would come and live with us. I was so happy. 'One of the attractions for me was that I couldn't have children. I was thrilled to be marrying a man with three lovely children, they were the apple of my eye. I spoke to them on the phone and sent them presents, they were my life. 'I even bought a five bedroom house in Dover where we could live as a family.' Kim and Laye married at Kingston registry office in June 2008. 'I was the happiest woman in the world thinking I had a family and it all came crashing down,' Kim said. The music producer told presenters Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden, left, that she had no reason to believe Laye was still married as he showed her his wife's death certificate . 'I found out he'd had an affair and he said it was because he was missing his children. I gave him a second chance but then found all these other layers of lies and secrets. 'It was all thanks to Facebook that I discovered his real story.' Using the social network site, Kim said she discovered Laye hadn't lied about the death of his first wife, with whom he had one child. But he had gone on to marry another woman in Africa with whom he had his two other children. She found evidence he had then married a Dutch woman and possibly another English woman - and appeared to have ripped them off in similar circumstances to his dealings with her. She also found Facebook messages from Laye to other women he was targeting on dating websites. At the end of her interview, Phillip pointed out charges have not been made against Laye since he left Kim. Following Kim's allegations, police have begun an investigation into Laye for bigamy, fraud and associated crimes. But it is unclear if he is still in Britain. Kim remains adamant he is a 'love rat' who has left her poorer and broken-hearted. Kim is now working with Immigration Marriage Fraud UK to stop others suffering her fate . On This Morning she said she knows people will think she's a fool for being taken in but she said she had done lots of checks away to ensure Laye was who he said he was. 'I don't have imbecile on my forehead,' she said. 'I had checked his paperwork and it had gone through lawyers, embassies and the registry office. I had met him in the UK.' Kim is now working with Immigration Marriage Fraud UK to force government policy change.

Kim Sow, 58, from Dover, says she's victim of immigration marriage fraud . Met her Senegalese husband, Laye, in London . He told her he was a widower supporting three children in Senegal . She thought they would be one big happy family when they married . But she found out he was still married to their mother . Kim only found out the truth via Facebook after they married . He walked out on her after gaining his British citizenship .

 to review the visa rules in such cases.
Her husband, a 55-year-old unemployed businessman, from Senegal, has applied for a British passport and is waiting for it to be approved. He paid a £12,000 visa fee to obtain the temporary document.
Ms Sow said: “I know my husband is not going to commit an offence against me in the UK. He is a good man and I am a good woman and I know our marriage is genuine. I’m hoping we will be able to keep this marriage, which is in good standing.”
Ms Sow first met her husband, whom she nicknamed Mr J, 20 years ago, when he offered to drive her from Dover to the London airport for £80. She thought he was 30 years old, but has now discovered he is much older and lives with his 44-year-old wife, with whom he also has a British passport.
Ms Sow said Mr J’s visa application was approved by the UK Border Agency, with his photograph, bank statements and proof of his earnings, including an £80,000 cheque. He also paid £12,000 for his temporary British passport.
He moved to England with his British passport but was arrested twice - once for the immigration offence - and given bail. Mr J was given a two-week prison sentence for the offences.
Ms Sow said: “He was given bail and it was like having a big stone around your neck; he was like a caged animal. He was in shock. If he went to prison, I didn’t know what we would do. I could never have gone to Senegal. I have lived here for 35 years.”
She says Mr J has not committed an offence against her in 20 years.
Ms Sow claims her relationship with Mr J was a "completely genuine love story with a very happy ending".
But Immigration Minister Mark Harper said the issue had been referred to UKBA and its decision had been upheld.
"This was clearly a bogus marriage," Mr Harper added.
Ms Sow and Mr J, who is from Saint Louis, have lived apart for more than a year.
Mr Harper said: "It is clear that Ms Sow did not realise that Mr J’s passport application was fraudulent."
Mrs Sow said it is important for British authorities to keep track of who has entered this country, in the wake of immigration scams.
She said: “This is something


There's nothing more destructive than a knee-jerk reaction, whether it’s a trifling disagreement that escalates into a row or a mouthful of cake that becomes a whole slice, decisions made on the hoof can cause us unnecessary anguish. Thanks to the frenetic pace of our lives and the constant juggling of friends, family and work, it can seem impossible to put real thought into our actions. But now a brilliant new book, 4 Seconds, by best-selling leadership coach Peter Bregman, promises to help you break this bad habit once and for all, thanks to a seductively simple technique. Scroll down for video . Thanks to the frenetic pace of our lives and constantly juggling responsibilities, it can seem impossible to put real thought into our actions (picture posed by model) The Four-Second Rule can help you regain control your life, make better decisions and even improve your family relationships and love life. Here’s how you can do it ... STOP SABOTAGING YOURSELF . Our basic needs — fulfilling relationships, success, peace of mind — are surprisingly straightforward to achieve. But in many cases our best efforts to achieve them are built on habits that don’t work. Worse, we don’t even realise we’re sabotaging ourselves. For example, when we feel overwhelmed by a to-do list, our reaction is to work longer hours and pack more into them. We multi-task and work late. Our intention is to reduce stress. But, of course, our actions have exactly the converse effect. Or we say things we think will impress someone, but instead prompt rejection. We try to comfort a friend, but somehow make her more upset. If we feel overwhelmed by a to-do list often our immediate reaction is to work longer hours and do more, intending to relieve stress, but actually the opposite is achieved (picture posed by model) All of these situations could be avoided with just a moment’s pause to consider the consequences of our actions and make a better choice. This is where the Four-Second Rule comes in. WHAT IS THE FOUR-SECOND RULE? The secret to making good decisions that can simplify your life is always to take a single breath — lasting four seconds — before acting. It may sound incredibly simple, but that pause has been proven to be all the time you need to reign back your impulses and find the presence of mind to make the smartest choice. It allows you the space to breathe and to realise that sometimes not following through on something you want to do is a problem, such as not hitting a deadline or not having that difficult conversation. The secret to making good decisions can be a single breath lasting four seconds. The pause this takes may be all the time you need to find the presence of mind to make a good choice (picture posed by model) But other times the problem is that you do follow through on something you don’t want to do, such as speaking instead of listening, or playing politics instead of rising above them. A four-second break teaches you old-fashioned self-control. Each time you manage it, you will be proving to yourself that temptation is only a suggestion. The Four-Second Rule gives you a chance to question your actions and get the right outcome. HOW TO DEAL WITH DISTRACTIONS . If you’ve ever tried meditation, you may recognise how unwanted thoughts drift into your mind, interrupting that longed-for sense of peace. If you've tried meditation, you'll know how unwanted thoughts can appear, when you try the Four-Second Rule identify the impulses that want to take a destructive path rather than ignore them (picture posed by model) Bregman estimates that a new idea will spring into your mind every four seconds, but having an awareness of the way the brain tries to distract itself is valuable. When you try the Four-Second Rule, identify the impulses that want to take a destructive path rather than ignore them. In the four seconds, try to see another way you could respond to the situation at hand. THE POWER OF BEING SILENT . Even when you know that taking that four-second pause can help prevent you from making poor decisions, you may find bad habits get in the way of good decisions. Here’s how to break them: . Stop thinking: Shut down sabotaging conversations that go on in your head before they start. Make a decision about something you want to do during the four seconds and don’t question it. For example, ‘I will work out tomorrow at 6am’ or ‘I will say at least one thing in the next meeting at work’. It’s amazing how effective this is. Do nothing: When you need to regain your balance - in a contentious conversation or a difficult situation - rather than build your momentum, do nothing for a minute. Resetting yourself has the power to help you change your perspective on a situation. Stop thinking and shut down any sabotaging conversations in your head before they start. Make a decision during the four seconds and don't question it later (picture posed by model) Ditch perfection: To get the most important things done without losing your mind, stop trying so hard and aiming for ultra perfection. Instead, make a pact in your four seconds to race through the next phase of work. Trust yourself: The next time that you feel insecure about a task or project and are about to reach out for feedback and approval, ask yourself what you think first. Take four seconds to listen to yourself. Change the view: If you can’t change reality — then look carefully to see it for what it is. Once your perspective changes, so does your ability to respond strategically and productively to the world around you. Don't jump: Beware of jumping into things without thinking them through. Each morning, make the time to ask yourself this question: ‘Am I really prepared for this day?’ You may still be ambushed by circumstances or other people, but you’ll even be more prepared for that, just by asking the question. Once you’ve learnt the Four-Second Rule, you can start creating more meaningful relationships with others. Here’s how: . In the heat of a row with a partner, don’t respond based on how you feel in the moment (use the Four-Second Rule!), but rather based on what the other person needs to resolve the situation. Once they’ve calmed down, you can move forward. Don’t give into your instinct to find flaws in others. Tame your knee-jerk reactions and instead find something about them that impresses you. Resist the impulse to write off someone who has hurt or disappointed you. Most of the time, they aren’t betraying you; they’re just struggling with their own issues. Accept the person and their limitations, and move on. Contrary to our natural urge to defend ourselves and excuse our mistakes, taking the blame is the power move — strengthening your position, not weakening it. ACCOMPLISH YOUR GOALS . You’ve mastered the Four-Second Rule, how do you make the most of it? If we want to sustain a good habit, it’s not enough just to do it when we remember. We have to improve our lifestyle, too. Many of us start the day with great intentions. But then people start calling and emailing, and soon we can’t remember what we wanted to focus on in the first place. By the end of a week, we’ve forgotten what it was we were hoping to accomplish. And by the end of the year, we’re frustrated that we haven’t moved forwards. MASTER YOUR EMAIL . If you get involved in a heated email exchange, apply the Four-Second Rule before replying. That will let any anger diffuse. To improve productivity, check your e-mail only a few times a day - and resist the temptation to check during off e-mail hours. If you happen to become involved in a tense email conversation, be sure to apply the Four-Second Rule before replying, giving yourself time to let any anger diffuse (picture posed by model) Ask yourself: What’s going on for you? What are you feeling? Take a deep breath and relax into an undistracted moment. STREAMLINE YOUR LIFESTYLE . Identify up to five things that you want to focus on for the year: it could be your work, your relationship or just saving £10 a week. These priorities are where you should spend 95 per cent of your time. Take anything that doesn’t fit into one of those areas of annual focus and get it off your to-do list. Create a to-do list that’s made up of six boxes — one for each of your five areas of focus and the sixth labelled ‘the other 5 per cent’, and pin it to the wall next to a calendar. Find five things you want to focus on  and create a to-do list. You should share this with someone else because saying it out loud creates a deeper level of commitment and accountability (picture posed by model) That other 5 per cent box is like sugar — a little might be OK, but your day should never contain more than 5 per cent of the activities that don’t fit into your five main priority areas. Each morning, take a look at your six-box to-do list and transfer the most important items to accomplish for the day into time slots on your calendar. That way, you’ll make strategic choices about fitting the most important items into your day. Sit down with someone else — your manager, a colleague, your partner — and show them your six-box to-do list and your calendar for the day. Tell them what you plan to accomplish and how it fits in with what you want to focus on for the year. Saying it out loud and having another person hear you creates a deeper level of commitment and accountability. Adapted from 4 Seconds: All the Time You Need to Stop Counter-Productive Habits And Get The Results You Want by Peter Bregman (HarperOne, £15.99). To buy a copy for £13.59 plus free P&P, visit mailbookshop.co.uk. Free P&P for a limited time only. For terms, see mailbookshop.co.uk.

In new book 4 Seconds, Peter Bregman explains how to get out of ruts . Due to our busy lives it can be tricky to put real thought into our actions . Says take one breath lasting four seconds before making any decision .

When you get into the habit of making decisions with no consideration for the consequences, it can lead to emotional problems, including anxiety, depression and panic attacks. To avoid this, it's a good idea to take time out and consider whether your choices and actions are motivated by fear, insecurity, desperation or, on the other hand, whether they are an expression of who you are, your needs or your desires.
When you are facing a major decision, such as moving country or changing careers, it's essential to understand that your gut feelings can often lead to great decisions, if you listen to them.
The next time you are faced with a tough choice, here are some questions to ask yourself:
1. Do you love doing it?
If you can honestly say “yes” then this is a good sign that it is what you are supposed to be doing. If the answer is “yes”, then it is probably something you enjoy. A love of the job means that you are more likely to feel a sense of accomplishment each day. But be wary of the feeling that you are only doing it for the money, especially if you don’t get a big bonus for doing it well.
2. Do you feel inspired?
If you feel a sense of inspiration when you think about doing the job, then this is a good sign that you are on the right track.
If the work is too easy for you, you can be bored or unchallenged. This can lead to a sense of stagnation or, in some cases, a desire to find something “more exciting”, rather than more suited to your needs. A sense of fulfillment needs to be found in a variety of aspects of work, such as a meaningful job, having a clear structure, and being able to develop your skills and expertise.
3. Do you feel energised after doing it?
If you feel energised after doing a certain job, then this is a good sign that it is what you are supposed to be doing. A feeling of motivation after the job is also good indication that it’s the right path for you.
4. Do you feel calm, content, and less stressed after doing it?
If the job gives you a sense of calm and happiness, even after a bad day at work, then this could be the job for you. If, however, the job constantly stresses you out or leaves you drained, then this could be a sign to move on.
5.