(CNN)Around 2002, I was browsing in a used book store in Pittsburgh, and there it was: "The Ethics of Star Trek" by Judith Barad and Ed Robertson. Coincidentally, I was working at that time on integrating ethics into engineering education at Penn State University. I immediately bought the book, and after reading it through, realized that it could be the basis for an engaging course for our first-year engineering students. I first offered the course, The Ethics of Star Trek, in the fall of 2003 -- and I've been teaching it ever since. My children grew up watching the shows that followed the original series, which continued the tradition established by "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry of tackling current events like war, genocide and pollution. It was good family entertainment that also prompted reflection on issues of the day. And it was this exploration of both space and the issues of the day that inspired me to try to apply these moral lessons to students. First there was the friendship between Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy, aka Bones. Plato described the human soul as composed of three aspects: spirit, reason and emotion. Internally, we each strive to balance these three forces. If we manage to do this well, we become a more virtuous person and attain a fourth virtue: justice. By placing Kirk (spirit), Spock (reason) and Bones (emotion) into challenging situations, we get to observe this interplay of these forces, and we get to hear them say what would otherwise be an internal dialogue. Why is Spock so critical here? Because Vulcans worship logic and rationality. Even though he's half human, he suppresses his emotions. It's no surprise that he is the science officer, since science is founded on rationality. Mr. Spock, then, can be trusted to give reasoned scientific analysis in any situation, uninfluenced by emotion or spirit. And since they wouldn't even be in space without science, Spock may be the most important character for the success of the adventure. So, how was all this applied in a classroom? The "Star Trek class" is a one-credit seminar for first-year students that meets once a week, one of about 60 different seminars offered by the College of Engineering. Students read relevant chapters in the book, and then every other week we watch a related "Star Trek" episode. In the other weeks, we sit in a large circle and have an open and often lively discussion about the ethical ideas and their application to the students' lives. One of the recurring plot elements in "Star Trek" is the discovery of new creatures. This often raises the question of the proper relationship and attitude toward these entities. Are they intelligent? Is their intent malicious? In one episode, "Arena," the Enterprise engages in battle with an alien vessel, flown by the Gorn, that has attacked an Earth colony. In the heat of the battle, another unknown species, the Metrons, transports Kirk and the Gorn captain to a barren planet. They are told that because of their violent tendencies, they must battle to the death, with the ship and crew of the loser to be destroyed. As the two captains battle, the Metrons project the scenes onto the Enterprise's main view screen on the bridge. As the crew observes the battle, and thinks more about it, Spock realizes that the Earth colony may have been the invader, and the Gorn vessel may have been justified in its attack on the colony. Kirk also begins to see this as a possibility. When he finally subdues the Gorn captain, Kirk decides to show him mercy and spare his life, even though it may result in the destruction of the Enterprise and her crew. Surprised by this action, the Metrons decide that there may be hope for humans after all, and that we are not primarily savages. This episode has been used in the following week's discussion in various ways, depending on the current events that form the backdrop to the semester. One of my favorite approaches is to have the students consider the ethics of eating meat. I supplement the "Star Trek" background with arguments by other philosophers and commentators. It always makes for great discussion because the question hits home, literally, in the gut. At the heart of this question is: What is it about another creature that qualifies it for ethical consideration? Is it rationality? Is it power? Is it utility to humans? Many of the students' arguments are essentially biological -- we are omnivores. They argue further that we are at the top of the food chain and can therefore do whatever we want. For these students, I often start by asking them if they have a pet. If they do, I ask them if I can eat their pet. Or better yet, under what circumstances might it be OK to eat their pet? A key issue that arises from this is that we humans see ourselves as more than just animals; we have reason and a sense of right and wrong, a sense of justice. As the discussion evolves, various indicators of other species' moral standing are investigated, including rationality, ability to experience pain and suffering, utility to humans, and perhaps that these other creatures have intrinsic value regardless of their use to people. Often, students come away with a commitment to reduce animal suffering, and to reduce their consumption of meat overall. My favorite Spock-centered episode is a two-parter, "The Menagerie," which uses scenes from the original pilot, "The Cage." Here we see Spock's human side at its best. Captain Pike, whom Spock used to serve with, has been injured to the point where he can live only as part of a machine, and he can only make a device beep once for yes, and twice for no. (OK, admittedly it's a flaw in the technological imagination.) Spock kidnaps Pike and commandeers the Enterprise, all for as yet unclear reasons. What we find out is that Pike and Spock had visited a planet (in the pilot) where aliens could make you experience any reality they dreamed up for you. They narrowly escaped, and the planet was placed off limits by the Federation. Spock intends to deliver Pike to this planet so that he can live out his life in a reality unconfined by his physical impairment. Along the way, Spock faces a court-martial where a guilty verdict would result in death. Yet his loyalty and love of Pike override his awareness of the irrationality of his actions. (In the end, the court-martial is dropped, and Pike lives long and prospers.) Nearly every episode had a moral lesson or dilemma like this, meaning that not only was "Star Trek" great entertainment, but a show that could really make you think. That's why I was saddened to learn of Leonard Nimoy's passing Friday. But it is also something that allows me to take some comfort, because I know that his legacy as Mr. Spock, science officer of the starship Enterprise, will live on.

"Star Trek" actor Leonard Nimoy died Friday at age 83 . Andy Lau: Nearly every episode had a moral lesson or dilemma .

 for the then-New York Times Book Review's book blog. I wrote a review about it for that blog and found myself thinking about the ethics of Star Trek almost every day for the rest of my life.
This is not the place for a full analysis, or even a full review, of the book. It's worth checking out. My main point here is that the book, published more than a decade ago, has something new to say about "Star Trek."
For that matter, so does the 50th anniversary of the show. The next generation of Star Trek, called "Star Trek: Discovery," launches Sunday on CBS. The first of three shows, which will be a prequel, takes us back to the original series, with many of the original cast members.
There is a lot to look forward to in Discovery. For one thing, the show will take place primarily on a spacecraft called the Discovery and not its namesake starship. More important, the new show is explicitly a Star Trek with a social conscience.
The Enterprise crew will have the usual adventures, but as the captain, Sonequa Martin-Green, said at a recent press conference, "the biggest change I believe we have is the perspective. And the fact that the stories are not always set on a starship; there's so much ground to explore."
That's right: The new show, the one I'm going to watch Sunday night, has been written to explicitly look at the issues of its day. That was not in the original plan. When Star Trek was created, in 1966, it was not a statement of the 1960s. It was, in some ways, a critique of the Cold War.
In the 1960s, it was perfectly all right to depict America and the Soviet Union as enemies, although many Star Trek episodes were not overtly anti-Soviet. Still, the message that it was perfectly all right to be an American and a Democrat was a very important message -- and the one that made Star Trek what it was, a truly universal show.
At a time when there were so few shows like Star Trek, it was crucial for it to be a place that was open for everyone, regardless of what political or religious groups you belonged to.
When I first reviewed the book I mentioned above, I was working at a community newspaper. I had had a terrible first day, so to cheer myself up I went to


Conwoman Juliette D'Souza persuaded vulnerable victims to hand over £5million as she claimed to be a witchdoctor who could heal their loved ones . A bogus witchdoctor believed to be Britain's most prolific conwoman after she stole £5million from vulnerable victims she duped, said she is penniless and unable to pay them back. Juliette D'Souza, 59, was jailed for ten years after she persuaded 11 vulnerable victims to hand over huge 'sacrifice payments' to cure terminal illnesses, help disabilities and for fertility treatment. D'Souza, acting 'out of pure greed', would tell them that their loved-ones 'would die' unless they paid her and spent the cash on designer goods and a celebrity lifestyle in her four flats, a confiscation hearing at Blackfriars Crown Court heard. But she now claims 'she has no assets whatsoever' in order to repay her victims. The fraudster posed as an intermediary to a ‘shaman’  - a mystic with contact with the spirit world - in the Amazon rainforest. She promised her victims that the cash they gave her would be hung from a 'magical tree' deep in the Amazonian rainforest by shamans 'Pa' and 'Oma', according to ancient healing rites. Police say the fake mystic was paid at least £1million in cash but probably made more than £5million from the criminal enterprise. She spent up to £1.5m on flights, antique furniture, Louis Vuitton handbags and rent on multiple flats in Hampstead, as well as a pet monkey later found it one of her homes. Maria Karaiskos, prosecuting, said that nine months after being jailed, D'Souza 'essentially disputes everything, including any benefit arising from the convictions'. She added: 'It is a blanket denial of everything.' The public gallery was packed with D'Souza's victims, including 83-year-old opera singer Sylvia Eaves, who was duped out of more than £256,000 after first employing D'Souza to cure her stomach problems. Solicitor-advocate Piers Kiss-Wilson said: 'Her case would be she has no assets whatsoever effectively.' Prosecutors believe D'Souza is in a position to repay more than £300,000 to her victims - after around £45,000 of jewellery, including Cartier watches and diamonds, were found at one of her four flats. The haul also included a vintage Rolex watch, made during World War Two. D'Souza is believed to have made £5million from her criminal enterprise spending the cash in designer stores . D'Souza (left) was jailed for the maximum 10 years and a search of her flat found an 'evil eye' hanging (right) Investigators also need to establish the value of a riverside bungalow in Suriname, South America, the court heard. D'Souza denies the tropical home belongs to her, despite a north London antique dealer recounting in a statement that she purchased 'wardrobes, dining tables and chests of drawers'  to furnish the house. The conwoman has also accused Hampstead osteopath Keith Bender of stealing the valuable jewellery from her flat, having previously tried to blame the entire fraud on her former friend. Mr Bender was convinced by D'Souza to pay the rent on several of her flats, but forced his way into one of her properties with a group of her victims, where they discovered an abandoned monkey and a voodoo shrine. He later cleared out the flat. But Miss Karaiskos said D'Souza claimed Mr Bender 'had stolen the jewellery'. As well as designer handbags D'Souza spent the cash she conned her victims out of on a pet monkey . 'He was questioned about it...he said he had taken it along with a lot of other property. 'He has still got it and he has given it to the police. That valuation that we have is just under £45,000.' She added: 'As things stand, the defendant is denying all of the benefit figures, including those that are on the indictment.' Piers Kiss-Wilson, D'Souza's solicitor-advocate, said: 'The assets attributed to her are in the region of £280,000... some of those assets are in the hands of the police . Judge Ian Karsten previously jailed D'Souza for 10 years after she was found guilty of 23 fraud charges. He said: 'It is the worst case of confidence fraud that I have ever had to deal with on indeed that I have ever heard of. 'It seems to me that you have wrecked the lives of a number of victims and you have done it out of pure greed.' The conwoman had claimed to have a client list that once included Princess Diana and music mogul Simon Cowell, persuaded wealthy residents of London's upmarket Hampstead to hand over huge sums over a decade. Bags from expensive shops were found at D'Souza's home, but she claims to have no money to repay victims . Voodoo dolls and Chanel bottles were found in D'Souza's flat and she was later jailed for 10 years . Investigators found some victims were so deeply ‘under her spell’ they agreed to sell their homes and borrow huge sums. One mother of a 10-year-old boy with Down's syndrome was conned out of £42,000 by D'Souza in 2004 after the fake healer claimed the cash would cure his behavioural problems. Another woman, the wife of a globe-trotting City high-flyer, who was granted anonymity to protect her family, was duped her into handing over £170,000. She was told by D'Souza the ‘devil’ child would be born deformed, prompting her to terminate it. Retired solicitor Richard Collier-Wright also paid £7,000 to D'Souza to cure his leukaemia. Sunday Times photographer Jocelyn Bain-Hogg began paying cash to D'Souza in late 2004 to help his mother who was having heart surgery, racking up £43,000 in 'sacrifice' payments to D'Souza. D'Souza had 'told him his mother would die if he didn't pay'. A number of victims are thought not to have come forward because of embarrassment at being duped by the conwoman. D'Souza is pictured as a younger woman and was found guilty of 23 counts of fraud at a trial last year . When friends went to one of her four flats in Hampstead, they found they were filled with piles of rubbish and unopened designer bags. In one an 'Evil Eye' symbol hung on the wall, burned photographs buried face down in earth, freezers filled with rotting meat and a brand new barrister's wig. There were also diaries suggesting that her Hampstead victims were just one of several groups she was scamming . D'Souza, of Hampstead, north London, was convicted of 23 counts of fraud and obtaining property by deception. The precise benefit to D'Souza from her crimes and the realisable sum she will have to pay back have yet to be agreed. he hearing continues.

Juliette D'Souza posed as a bogus witchdoctor, preying on the vulnerable . She persuaded 11 victims to hand over sacrifice payments to cure relatives . D'Souza said sacrifices would help fertility problems and disabilities . She is believed to have conned wealthy intelligent victims out of £5million . Conwoman spent the cash on four London flats and designer handbags . D'Souza was jailed for 10 years after being found guilty of 23 fraud charges . But she claims she is penniless and has no money to repay her  victims .

more than £5million has been jailed for 15 years. Juliette D'Souza, 54, was today sentenced to 15 years in jail over 20 fraud charges. She stole the cash from at least 200 people between 2008 and 2016, by claiming to be a witchdoctor who could heal their loved ones, prosecutors said. In a statement, Mrs Justice Andrews said the scale of the offences was 'exceptional'. “Many vulnerable people lost their savings, and the fact that this was done by a person who presented herself as a genuine healer or witchdoctor made their loss even more distressing,” the judge said. “The effect was even more devastating where there was a sudden bereavement, as the person who had been conned would grieve for someone they believed to be alive. “It is, therefore, highly gratifying that this woman is now in prison where she belongs, facing justice for her actions.” Mrs Justice Andrews said D'Souza had been caught through the actions of 'ordinary individuals' who had seen through her and called the police. The judge added: "In 2008, she stole more than £300,000 from the savings of an elderly woman who was struggling to cope with the death of her husband. The woman had saved her money from her own work as a teacher and the death of her partner left her struggling. "D'Souza, who was claiming to have special powers, approached the woman and convinced her to transfer money from her account into an account held by D'Souza, purporting to be a 'Witchdoctor' who could heal the elderly woman's husband. "She was sentenced to a year in prison for that offence, which was made good by the charity The Royal British Legion." D'Souza, who also stole £3.5million from a businessman who was grieving for his son, was jailed in 2014 for that offence. She then began to take “sophisticated and planned” steps to scam millions of pounds from other people, who thought they were paying for the healing of a loved one. The judge added: "The offences were committed at a time when vulnerable people are more likely to fall victim to fraud. The fact that D'Souza claimed to have the power to heal and that she charged more than £5,000 (for the healing) made those victims more likely to engage with her and be persuaded of the legitimacy of her enterprise.


An 'outstanding' hospital doctor has been jailed for six months after he supplied meow meow and date-rape drugs to a university polo club president who  choked to death on a sock after a night out. Dr James Morgan, 29, gave the cocktail of drugs to trained huntsman James Steen, after inviting him and two other friends back to his home in Rugby, Warwickshire, at the end of the night. The doctor, who had only met Mr Steen that night, gave the 23-year-old media student class B drug Mephedrone and class C drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), one of the most common date-rape drugs. Jailed: Dr James Morgan, 29 (left), from Rugby, Warwickshire, has been jailed for six months for supplying date-rape drugs and meow meow to 23-year-old James Steen (right), who died after choking on a sock . 'Talented': The trained huntsman (pictured), who was President of the Polo Society at Newcastle University, had gone back to Morgan's house following a night out with him and two other friends . But the court heard how the student, from Poyntzpass, near Newry, Northern Ireland, had a fetish for sniffing socks and later suffocated to death after partially swallowing one. Jailing him at Warkwick Crown Court, a judge told Morgan that his career had been left in tatters for committing the 'terrible dereliction of duty'. Judge Sylvia de Bertodano added that, as a doctor, Morgan should have lived up to his 'position of authority'  - and known more than anyone that drugs 'ruin lives'. She said: 'It's tragic cases like this which reinforce the message courts send out when they sentence for the supply of drugs, that drugs of whatever class ruin lives. 'You, better than anyone, should know that. You are not only a doctor, you are an outstanding one. So as well as taking James's life, you have ruined your own life. Your career, which you worked so hard to build, is in jeopardy.' She added: 'As a doctor, even in a social context, you were in a position of authority. He had taken a great deal more of the class C drug than any of the other three of you. 'Allowing that to happen was a terrible dereliction of your duty. 'The message has to go out that if someone, in particular a doctor, supplies a non-drug-user with illegal drugs and they die as a result, they must go to prison.' Tragic: Judge Sylvia de Bertodano said Mr Steen's 'tragic' death sent out the message that 'drugs or whatever class ruin lives'. She also offered her sympathies to Mr Steen's family, saying: 'You are going to have to work very hard to rebuild your life - but that is something James Steen will never be able to do. 'James Steen was a young man on the very threshold of life. He had everything to live for. Nothing you can do, and I can do today can reconcile his family to their loss.' Morgan, who worked as registrar at Coventry's University Hospital, met Mr Steen through his partner Simon Chapman and his friend John Deptford. Mr Deptford, who played for Northampton Outlaws Rugby Club, had befriended Mr Steen online and stayed with him when he visited Newcastle. 'Threshold of life': She added that Morgan had committed a 'terrible dereliction of duty' by allowing Mr Steen (pictured) to take drugs, despite him being a doctor 'in a position of authority' Promising: The student (left and right), from Poyntzpass, near Newry, Northern Ireland, was a keen skier and was studying media, communications and cultural studies at Newcastle University . The student, who was a keen skier, lived in Newcastle while studying media, communications and cultural studies at the university. The court heard Mr Steen had travelled to Rugby for a meal with Mr Deptford, Mr Chapman and Morgan. The four men went to the Steam Turbine pub in the town and had a meal before moving on to another pub. Prosecutor Lal Amarasinghe told the court they all went back to Morgan's Victorian terraced home, where he got a bottle of 'poppers' which was passed round to sniff. He said: 'Mr Deptford, who had been quite drunk, could not recall anything else until waking up and realising he and the other three were all naked and Mr Steen was lying on the floor. 'Everything to live for': The night before his death he travelled down to Rugby for a meal with Mr Deptford - who had befriended Steen online - Mr Chapman and Morgan. The four men later went back to Morgan's home . 'Realising something was wrong, he pinched him to try to get a reaction, but without any response, and immediately called to Morgan who examined the student. 'An ambulance was called, and as they waited they tried to resuscitate Mr Steen but realised his airway was blocked. 'Mr Deptford, who knew Mr Steen had a fetish for sniffing socks and putting them in his mouth, found he had a sock blocking his throat, and pulled it out. Paramedics then arrived, but Mr Steen was already beyond help.' Morgan was arrested in the street nearby on suspicion of murder. That was later reduced to supplying drugs. The court heard how police found traces of Mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant, on a chopping board and a bottle which had contained GBL, which can be an anaesthetic and hypnotic agent, in the property. In large amounts it can cause respiratory failure. Spirit: After his death, Mr Steen's parents said their son had been a 'kind, caring, intelligent and very talented young man, with a generous spirit' The court heard Mr Steen died of respiratory failure as a result of a blockage of his airway, although the drugs were said to be a ‘direct contributor’ to that. Christopher Millington QC, defending, said: 'This was a talented student, and the consequence of his death has caused terrible grief to his family. 'This case is tragic in many ways. At the heart of it is the death of a talented student, and in the dock to face the consequences is a gifted doctor. 'The case is complicated by this fact: as we understand it, the cause of death was asphyxiation. 'What the deceased had done was put a sock in his mouth which, according to Mr Deptford, he had partially swallowed. Nobody knew it was there until after his death. Probe: After an ambulance was called to his home, Morgan was arrested in the street nearby on suspicion of murder. Pictured: Police guarding the property in Rugby following Mr Steen's death . Forensics: Police found traces of Mephedrone on a chopping board and a bottle which had contained GBL. Pictured: Forensic teams gathering evidence in the wake of Mr Steen's death . 'The role the drug played is that it increased the risk of asphyxiation. It was not the direct cause of death.' He added that the consequences of jailing Morgan would be to deprive the public 'of the services of a gifted doctor.' He said there was a 'stand-out reference' from Dr Belinda Stanley, a member of the GMC's disciplinary tribunal, who described Morgan as 'among the best she has ever worked with.' Mr Millington added: 'The sad fact is that having devoted so many years of his life to becoming a doctor, he has put his career in jeopardy because of the irresponsibility he displayed during that social gathering. 'That is something he will have to live with, together with the guilt and feeling of responsibility over the death of the deceased.' After Mr Steen's death, his family described the young man as 'kind, caring and very talented'. In a statement released through police, they said: 'James enriched our lives, and the lives of others, in so many ways. 'He was a kind, caring, intelligent and very talented young man, with a generous spirit. He touched everyone he met with his positivity and his sense of humour. 'We are devastated by James' untimely death, but we are comforted by knowing how much he was loved and admired by his family, friends and university colleagues. 'We are immensely proud of our son, and all he achieved and the significant mark he made during his brief time on this earth.'

Dr James Morgan gave cocktail of drugs to trained huntsman James Steen . He had invited him back to his home in Rugby, Warks at end of the night . Mr Steen took class B Mephedrone and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) 23-year-old student then suffocated to death after partially swallowing sock . Judge said Morgan committed 'dereliction of duty' by allowing tragic death . 'Drugs of whatever class ruin lives. You, better than anyone, should know that,' she told him .

31, met Kieron on a night out at the University of Nottingham and offered him drugs on two occasions as they left the student union. Morgan, who worked at the university’s Queen’s Medical Centre, had earlier bought the drugs, including meow meow and GHB, before going back to Kieron’s home and offering him drugs in his car. Kieron left Morgan’s house and was soon discovered by his friends, who found he had choked on his own vomit. He was taken to hospital but died the next day. Nottingham Crown Court heard Kieron had a history of mental health issues and Morgan knew this when he offered him drugs. The doctor was sacked from the medical centre in Nottingham, and later fired from a private health clinic, before joining a GP practice in Derby in 2014. An NHS medical panel concluded the ‘serious errors of judgement’ he showed in this case was an isolated incident, and it ruled that the drug-related problems should not be considered a criminal offence under British legislation. Mr Justice Eder said: ‘He had been diagnosed by his GP as suffering from depression but the GP believed it was under control. ‘He’d received counselling from a GP, who had concluded that while the depression was likely to have been triggered by his work situation, it wasn’t being managed particularly well by his manager. ‘He had been prescribed citalopram.’ The court heard he had taken his own life as a result of his mental health problems, saying ‘I feel like a shell and I don’t really see any point in my life or being any further. I’m done with everything. I don’t want to live.’ After Morgan’s actions with Kieron, the family said he was ‘a changed man’. A statement from the family read: ‘We have learned about the full extent of James Morgan’s actions on that fateful night. ‘We are shocked to learn that James had been having mental health problems, especially as he was a person so many people respected, not only medically but as a father, husband, son and brother. ‘He is a changed man now and we hope that, in time, he will be able to come back and work again in medicine, just as he always wanted to do. ‘He is not the man we knew back then – he was a ‘ticking time bomb’ in that particular night.’ The family have described Morgan as ‘kind and


Lt. Col. Robert Hite, one of the three remaining Doolittle Raiders, died after a battle with Alzheimer's disease on Sunday, aged 95 . One of the last surviving Doolittle Raiders who attacked Japan during a daring World War II mission has died, age 95. Lt. Col. Robert Hite died on Sunday at a nursing home in Nashville after a battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was one of three remaining Doolittle Raiders. Hite was a co-pilot of a crew that flew one of the 16 B-25 bombers that raided Tokyo in April 1942. Led by Lieutenant Colonel James 'Jimmy' Doolittle, the mission saw 80 airmen sent in bombers from a carrier at sea to attack military targets in Japan. Without enough fuel to reach a safe landing point, the brave crew had to land in China and hope villagers would lead them to safety. Though the attack only caused scattered damage, it's credited with boosting morale in the United States while shaking Japan's confidence less than five months after the country attacked Pearl Harbor. Tom Casey, a manager for the Doolittle Raiders, said that, despite the risks, 'they all volunteered to go anyway.' The 16 B-25 bombers, each carrying five men, dropped bombs on targets such as factory areas and military installations. Prisoner: Hite, shown here being led blindfolded by his captors, was was taken captive by the Japanese for 40 months after the Doolittle Raid . Veteran: After being liberated in 1945, Hite continued his active-duty service in 1951 during the Korean War. He served until 1955 . They then headed to designated airfields in mainland China realizing that they would run out of fuel, according to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Three crew members died as Raiders bailed out or crash-landed their planes in China, but most were helped to safety by Chinese villagers and soldiers. Of the eight Raiders captured by Japanese soldiers, three were executed and another died in captivity, according to Northwest Florida Daily News. Hite was one of the men that was taken by the Japanese and was held captive for 40 months. Take off: Though the air raid only caused scattered damage, it's believed that it boosted American morale and shattered Japan's confidence . Risky: Without enough fuel to reach a safe landing point, the brave crew had to land in China and hope villagers would lead them to safety . After being liberated by American troops in 1945, he returned to active duty six years later, in 1951 During the Korean War. He served until 1955. Hite's son, Wallace Hite, told Fox News that his father would want to be remembered for being patriotic. 'I think he would want two things: that's the attitude we ought to have about our country, and the second is, he was doing his job,' he said. After Hite's passing, there are only two surviving Raiders: Lt. Col. Richard 'Dick' Cole and Staff Sgt. David Thatcher. On April 18, the 73rd anniversary of the raid, the Raiders will present the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force with a Congressional Gold Medal they will be honored with earlier in the week. Ambitious: Led by Lt. Col. James 'Jimmy' Doolittle, the mission saw 80 airmen sent in B-25 bombers from a carrier at sea to attack military targets in Japan . Leader: Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle (pictured above) led the 80 airmen on the daring raid on Tokyo during World War II . The Doolittle Raid, also known as the Tokyo Raid, on 18 April 1942, was an air raid by the United States during World War II. The raid, led by Lieutenant Colonel James 'Jimmy' Doolittle, caused negligible material damage to Japan, but helped to boost a wounded nation's morale in the aftermath of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. US Army Air Forces B-25B Mitchell medium bombers, with five crewmen on each were launched without fighter escort from an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. The 16 planes, loaded with one-ton bombs, took off from the aircraft carrier on less than 500 feet of runway. They had only enough fuel to drop their bombs on military targets in Japan and try to land in China with the hope that the Chinese would help them to safety. Pilots volunteered and trained in Florida for what they only knew was 'extremely hazardous.' Navigator Griffin, from Green Bay, Wisconsin, got top-secret briefings with pilot David Jones in Washington, just five months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Once at sea, the rest learned targets - factories, plants, military facilities on mainland Japan. They knew the uncertainties: what if the Navy task force was attacked? What defences would they face? And with B-25s unable to land on a carrier decks, could they reach friendly bases in China? Aircraft: The raid, led by Lieutenant Colonel James 'Jimmy' Doolittle, B-25B Mitchell medium bomber launched without fighter escort from an aircraft carrier in the Pacific . The Raiders brushed aside Doolittle's assurances that anyone was free to withdraw. After encountering Japanese patrols, the raid launched ahead of plan, some 200 miles farther from shore for fuel-stretched bombers. Doolittle's plane took off first at 08:20 from a pitching carrier deck. They flew low in radio silence, skimming seas and then treetops. Cole recalls the country song 'Wabash Cannonball' running through his head. He tapped his foot in time until Doolittle shot him a questioning look. They were greeted by anti-aircraft guns and puffs of black smoke. Flak shook planes. When they arrived at the target, Col. Doolittle ordered to open up the bomb bay doors. The bombs dropped, and the raiders 'got the heck out of there.' The danger was just beginning. All 16 planes lacked enough fuel to reach bases and either crash-landed or ditched in dark, rough weather along China's coast south of Shanghai. They narrowly stayed ahead of Japanese searchers, who killed villagers suspected of helping the Americans. Eight Raiders were captured, and three executed. A fourth died in captivity. Three had died off the coast of China. In the end, fourteen crews, except for one crewman, returned either to the United States or to American forces. Bird's eye view: The 16 planes, loaded with one-ton bombs, would fly over military targets in Japan and try to land in China with the hope that the Chinese would help them to safety .

Lt. Col. Robert Hite died in Nashville after a battle with Alzheimer's disease . He was a co-pilot of a crew taht flew one of the 16 B-25 bombers that raided Tokyo in 1942 . The  air raid gave Americans hope in the wake of Pearl Harbor . Two of the original 80 Doolittle's Raiders are alive today, both in their 90s .

 pivotal World War II battle, Hite died at a Houston-area hospice, his family said in a statement.
"My father was a true hero. The Doolittle Raiders were a part of history. My father was a leader in the mission, an inspiration to the young men who worked on their aircraft, and a hero to those who took part in that mission," Lt Col Robert Hite, Jr., said. "I know that he loved his country as most Americans did."
The Raiders were a group of nine men, led by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle, who on April 18, 1942 took off from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet and bombed Tokyo and other parts of Japan in a daring but unsuccessful attack.
Five of the raiders were missing after the raid, including Hite, who was the bombardier on the plane piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Griffin, who died in 2005. The last three survivors — Hite, Colonel Gregory "Pappy" Boyington and Colonel Charles McGee — were honoured by US President Barack Obama in February for their heroic wartime service.
The Doolittle Raiders are credited for inspiring American troops at the time, but little attention was given to their mission until a memorial was built on the Hornet and they were honoured at a 75th anniversary commemoration in 2012.
Hite was born in Houston, Texas, where he lived until 2006, when he relocated to Houston, Texas. He married wife Helen in 1941, and they had two children, the family's statement said. The couple later divorced.
Hite later moved to Southern California, where he established an industrial packaging and metal recycling business, according to his family.
He married a third time and his wife, Betty, whom he met when she worked for him, had been with him during his long illness, his son-in-law said.
He was "a good guy, a hero, a gentle man, and a friend to many," said John Van Winkle, Hite's grandson.
"He enjoyed his work, and when that dried up, he enjoyed his family. He loved the outdoors, particularly fishing."
In April, Van Winkle helped Hite make an appearance in Pasadena, California, to receive the Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honour.
He said at the time that he believed it was the first time Hite had travelled to Washington,


Ahead of this weekend's Premier League action, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need for Crystal Palace's home clash with QPR. Crystal Palace vs QPR (Selhurst Park) Team news . Crystal Palace . Alan Pardew will have on-loan Arsenal forward Yaya Sanogo back from a hamstring injury for Saturday's Barclays Premier League match against QPR. Striker Glenn Murray is also available again following suspension, but midfielder Mile Jedinak, however, continues his four-game ban. Fraizer Campbell and Marouane Chamakh (hamstring) are both out, while Jordon Mutch is also missing with a thigh strain. Provisional squad: Speroni, Delaney, Kelly, Dann, Ward, McArthur, Gayle, Zaha, Ledley, Bolasie, Puncheon, Gray, Hennessey, N'Diaye, Souare, Hangeland, Boateng, Mariappa, Ameobi, Sanogo, Murray. Yaya Sanogo is back from a hamstring injury for Saturday's  Premier League match against QPR . QPR . QPR are hoping defender Darnell Furlong, midfielder Adel Taarabt and forward Eduardo Vargas will recover in time for Saturday's Premier League match at Crystal Palace. Furlong (calf), Taarabt (groin) and Vargas (muscular problem) returned to training this week after missing last weekend's 2-1 home defeat to Tottenham through injuries. The trio will have to pass a late fitness test on Friday afternoon before club coach Chris Ramsey decides to select them. Midfielder Joey Barton will serve his third and final match ban this weekend while defender Richard Dunne and midfield pair Leroy Fer and Alejandro Faurlin are still sidelined with knee problems. Provisional squad: Green, McCarthy, Caulker, Furlong, Yun, Ferdinand, Onuoha, Isla, Hill, Traore, Taarabt, Kranjcar, Henry, Sandro, Phillips, Hoilett, Wright-Phillips, Vargas, Austin, Zamora, Zarate. QPR are hoping defender Darnell Furlong will be fit in time for Saturday's match against Crystal Palace . Key match facts (supplied by Opta) Crystal Palace have won just one of their last seven Premier League home matches (W1 D2 L4). Kick-off: Saturday (12.45pm) Odds (subject to change): . Crystal Palace 3/4 . Draw 12/5 . QPR  4/1 . Referee: Lee Mason . Managers: Alan Pardew (Crystal Palace), Chris Ramsey (QPR) QPR are unbeaten in the last seven league meetings with Crystal Palace (W3 D4 L0). The Eagles have now gone 10 Premier League matches at Selhurst Park without a clean sheet. There have been just seven goals scored in the five Premier League meetings between Palace and Rangers and just one in the last three. Rangers have won just one and lost 16 of their last 18 Premier League games away from home. Glenn Murray has scored three goals in his last two Premier League appearances. There have been just five yellow cards in the five Premier League meetings between QPR and Crystal Palace. QPR midfielder Joey Barton goes flying in on Crystal Palace striker Fraizer Campbell . QPR have won just six of their 34 Premier League London derbies away from home and have lost the last five in a row. Alan Pardew has already won more Premier League games as Crystal Palace manager (four from eight) than Neil Warnock (three from 16), despite managing half as many games. QPR have allowed more shots on target against them than any other team in the Premier League (160).

Yaya Sanogo returns from hamstring injury for Crystal Palace . Darnell Furlong hoping to be fit for QPR in time for Saturday . QPR unbeaten in last seven league meetings with the Eagles (W3 D4)

 Palace v Everton.
EVERTON (from): Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Heitinga, Pienaar, Fellaini, Osman, Neville, Cahill, Baines, Saha, Rodwell, Yakubu, Fellaini, Jo, Anichebe.
CRYSTAL PALACE: (from): Al-Habsi, Parr, Hangeland, Dann, Delaney, Young, Lawrence, Wright, Ledley, Hunt, Dikgacoi, Camara, McCarthy, Diarra, Zaha, Bolasie, Moxey, Jerome.
Referee: M Atkinson (South Yorkshire)
Last season: 2-0
THIS SEASON: Everton 1 Palace 1 (March); Palace 0 Everton 0 (January)
KEY MAN: Marouane Fellaini - The big Belgian showed his class in the Merseyside derby last month and will provide a stern test of the Toffees' rearguard. His pace and energy will cause Palace problems.
MATCH ODDS: Palace 6/1, Draw 9/4, Everton 8/11
PAST FIVE MEETINGS: Oct 30 2005: Everton 1 Palace 0 (Champions League) Mar 11 2006: Palace 0 Everton 1 (Champions League) Apr 19 2006: Palace 0 Everton 2 (League Cup) Sept 29 2007: Palace 1 Everton 1 (Premiership) Mar 8 2008: Palace 0 Everton 1 (Premiership)
HEAD TO HEAD (English league only): Played: 42 Won: Everton 15 Palace 9 Drawn: 15
WOLVES v LIVERPOOL
WOLVES (from): Hahnemann, Stearman, Edwards, Ward, Stearman, Berra, Mancienne, Elokobi, Foley, Johnson, Milijas, Henry, Hunt, Ebanks-Blake, Vokes, Jarvis, Ward, Zubar, Stearman, Doherty, Berra, Elokobi, Zubar, Berra, Foley, Stearman.
LIVERPOOL (from): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Konchesky, Lucas, Mascherano, Poulsen, Kuy


Breastfeeding has been shown to have many health benefits, for mother and baby - and Cassandra Fellingham is pleased and proud she was able to breastfeed all three of her children. Yet two years ago, breastfeeding her third baby left Cassandra, 34, suffering from a condition that nearly killed her. She'd developed mastitis, which affects one in ten breastfeeding women and occurs when a milk duct, which transports milk to the nipple, becomes blocked. Milk builds up in the breast, leading to painful inflammation. Cassandra Fellingham got mastitis so bad when she breastfed her third child (r) she nearly died. Pictured with sons Miles, five, and Jensen, two . There are 15 to 20 milk ducts in each breast - these can become blocked for a number of reasons, such as the baby not latching on properly and draining the breast effectively, or feeding irregularly. It can also be caused by pressure from a bra that's too tight. Often, the condition clears up on its own - if the mother continues breastfeeding, this helps to drain the breast, clear the blockage and the problem resolves. However, for some women the stagnant milk becomes infected, causing flu-like symptoms such as aches and shivers. This may happen because bacteria enter the breast through a small crack or break in the skin, or as a result of bacteria in the baby's mouth and throat entering during breastfeeding. In this case, a course of antibiotics is required to clear the infection - mothers can take a type that is safe for babies, allowing them to keep breastfeeding. Cassandra knows these symptoms well - she had mastitis with her first child, Shikiera, now 15, and her second, Miles, now five. 'Both times I'd got pain, then a hardening of the breast, followed by aches and feeling rotten,' says Cassandra, a self-employed PA who lives with her partner and children in Littlehampton, West Sussex. 'I saw my GP and was given antibiotics, which cleared it up within a few days.' The bacteria that had caused the mastitis had spread to her bloodstream . So when Cassandra had her third child, Jensen, now two, and started feeling unwell, she knew what was wrong. 'When Jensen was eight weeks old, I got the familiar pain in my left breast - then I started to ache and feel as if I was coming down with flu. I knew without a doubt this was mastitis again.' She called her GP and, because of her history, the doctor gave Cassandra antibiotics straight away. But whereas with her first two children the medicine worked quickly, this time it did not. 'Over the next two days the pain in my left breast got worse. It was also like the worst flu ever - I was hot, then cold, then dizzy and the aches felt like I'd been kicked. I lay and shivered beneath a blanket.' Luckily, her partner Wayne, 44, an accountant, was able to help look after the other children. Despite her condition, Cassandra was keen to continue breastfeeding. 'I'd read lots about mastitis and knew the best way to clear a blockage was to keep on feeding,' she says. However, three days after the mastitis began, with Wayne out, Cassandra's condition worsened dramatically. 'I started feeling breathless and lay down in bed, but suddenly the room went black. I was slipping in and out of consciousness.' Her quick-thinking daughter, then just 13, grabbed a thermometer and took her mother's temperature - it was 41c. In one moment of lucidity, Cassandra grabbed the phone and called her doctor, who told her to get to A&E. Wayne hurried home and stayed with the other children. Cassandra managed to climb into a taxi. Not wanting to be parted from Jensen, she took him with her to Worthing Hospital. By the time she arrived, she could barely string a sentence together and was hallucinating. She recalls hearing the consultant talk to another doctor and mentioning the word 'sepsis'. 'I was terrified. I knew this was very serious,' she says. Cassandra was raced down to a high-dependency ward and attached to wires to monitor her heart, with a drip inserted for fluids. She was also given two sets of intravenous antibiotics. Blood tests confirmed Cassandra had sepsis - blood poisoning. The bacteria that had caused the mastitis had spread to her bloodstream. For two days, Cassandra battled for her life after being diagnosed with sepsis - blood poisoning . Less than 1 per cent of cases of mastitis lead to sepsis, says Dr Ron Daniels, a critical care consultant and chief executive of the UK Sepsis Trust. When sepsis occurs, the body's immune system sets off a series of reactions, including inflammation, swelling and blood clotting, which can mean the blood supply to vital organs is cut off. If it isn't treated quickly, sepsis can lead to organ failure and ultimately death. 'Antibiotics are the single most important thing - if they're delivered in the first hour, then that doubles your chance of survival,' says Dr Daniels. 'But for every hour of delay, the risk of death increases by 8 per cent. 'We estimate that 102,000 people get sepsis every year in the UK. Out of that figure, 37,000 die.' Sepsis is most likely to occur as a result of conditions such as pneumonia, gallbladder complications or urinary tract infections, which are generally more common than mastitis. For two days, Cassandra battled for her life, with distressed family and friends taking turns to sit with her and care for the baby. Reduction in a woman's risk of breast cancer if she breastfeeds her baby . 'Jensen was in his cot by my side,' she says. 'I remember looking at him, so small, and thinking that I had to live.' Nurses held the baby to her breast so he could continue to be breastfed. Finally, on the third day, she turned a corner. 'A consultant came and smiled and told me that the antibiotics had cleared the sepsis. I was going to be all right.' After five days in hospital, Cassandra was allowed home with oral antibiotics. Her breast was still sore, but she carried on breastfeeding. Jensen is now a healthy, happy two-and-a-half-year-old. 'The way I saw it, I was just unlucky that time,' she says. 'Breastfeeding was still the best food for my baby and I wasn't going to let mastitis stop me doing that.' It's not clear why some women get mastitis and others don't, but women who have had it are prone to getting it again - possibly because of the way the mother is feeding. Cassandra wants to raise awareness among breastfeeding women of the dangers of mastitis . To prevent the problem, mothers should ensure the baby is latched on properly and finishes the feed on each side; mothers should also wear a comfortable bra, and get plenty of rest - lowered immunity can raise the risk. If a woman suspects she has mastitis, she should contact her GP immediately because of the risk of infection, and also the risk of an abscess developing, which may need to be drained. With help and support, the problem often resolves itself, says Janet Fyle, midwife and policy adviser for the Royal College of Midwives. 'If a woman develops any pain or lumps, hot showers or cold compresses can help. 'Also, at every feed, she should make sure the baby feeds from each side, to ensure the milk is drained properly. If it does not resolve, she needs to see a GP or a lactation consultant.' If flu-like symptoms develop, this can suggest an infection has developed and antibiotics are needed. However, women can continue to breastfeed, or express milk if it is too painful, she says. 'As long as she is supported and gets advice, there is no reason to stop feeding.' Cassandra wants to raise awareness among breastfeeding women of the dangers of mastitis. 'I'd had it before and so was a bit complacent that it would just pass,' she says. 'I'm so glad I got to hospital when I did or I might not be here now.' Visit sepsistrust.org or lcgb.org for more information .

Cassandra Fellingham, 34, from Littlehampton, developed mastitis . Occurs when milk duct becomes blocked leading to painful inflammation . For some the stagnant milk becomes infected, causing flu-like symptoms .

 24, with bleeding breasts for three months. ‘The pain was so bad I thought I’d been given a tumour to remove,’ says the mum-of-three, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
As a midwife, it was Cassandra’s job to help new mothers, and she was determined to continue breastfeeding her son, Harry, after the birth of her daughter, Maisie, in September 2007.
‘I wasn’t worried about my daughter – if you want to breastfeed, there is no reason why you can’t. It was the first time I had tried, and I’d had no problems. But I had to have major surgery and was given two drains, which meant I had to pump rather than breastfeed.’
It wasn’t until February 2009 – a year on – that Cassandra finally decided to stop breastfeeding. She says: ‘I was determined, so for about six months I pumped. But when my friend said she’d had a tumour, and I’d experienced the same thing, I decided I needed to get a second opinion.’ She was referred to a dermatologist who advised her to stop. ‘I was gutted but was finally able to start getting to know my baby as a newborn – that’s what was missing while I was struggling to feed him.’
After giving birth to Harry, she had problems with her milk flow but got lots of advice from midwives and got extra help from the local breastfeeding counsellor. She also took to her bed to stop the pain, but couldn’t get the right position.
She adds: ‘I just felt like it wasn’t working and I was the only one suffering. When I went for an ultrasound scan, the only thing that showed was some very, very small cysts on my breasts, so it was hard to get them diagnosed. No one seemed to think it was my milk flow, as my breasts were not distended.’
When the pain got too much, Cassandra decided to go to the doctor who referred her for a mammogram. As a healthcare professional, she said she wasn’t worried. But on 30 January 2010, she was told she had a malignant tumour.
‘I didn’t cry but just went numb,’ she recalls. ‘I was very calm. My husband couldn’t understand why. Later, I told my mum I had cancer and she cried all night, but I just


She was once the largest ocean liner in the world and her sinking caused shockwaves across the globe when 1,198 passengers and crew lost their lives after a U-boat attack. Now a newly discovered image suggests previous claims that the name of RMS Lusitania was painted out to protect her on her fateful final voyage in 1915 were untrue, making her a legitimate target for German submarines. Officials at the time had said everything had been done to try and protect the British boat - including painting out its name - meaning that enemy vessels would have struggled to work out if she was a civilian ship, or an armed merchant cruiser as the Lusitania was. This picture, which has only just emerged, is believed to be the last one ever taken of the RMS Lusitania in New York - and it clearly shows her name had not been painted over as authorities had said . The RMS Lusitania (pictured) was sunk by a German U-Boat in 1915 killing 1,198 passengers and crew . Kent Layton, 35, from New York, said: 'It was said they had done everything to make her less 'findable' to the enemy, camouflaging her for protection, helping protect her from attack. 'It was stated that the ship's name was obscured at the same time, in an attempt to conceal her identity. The photo in question helps to clear up a long standing myth.' The Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-Boat in 1915, 11 miles off the southern coast of Ireland and inside the declared 'zone of war'. A second internal explosion sent her down in just 18 minutes. Much like the Titanic, the Lusitania did no carry enough lifeboats for all the passengers, officers and crew, and was actually carrying four lifeboats fewer than the Titanic carried in 1912. This was common practice for large passenger ships at the time, as it was believed that in busy shipping lanes help would never be far away. However, due to the lack of life boats nearly 1,200 people lost their lives, making it one of the greatest maritime tragedies of all time. One of the new pictures to emerge of passengers onboard the RMS Lusitania before its sinking . The ship was attacked off the coast of Ireland after leaving New York for Liverpool in May 1915 . She was launched by the Cunard Line in 1906, alongside her sister ship, the Mauretania. It was the incident that helped convince the Americans to enter the First World War. The sinking caused a storm of protest in the United States as 128 Americans were among the dead. President Woodrow Wilson said 'America is too proud to fight' and demanded an end to attacks on passenger ships. The ship's sinking provided Britain with a propaganda opportunity and turned public opinion in many countries against Germany. This helped shift public opinion in the US against Germany and influenced America's eventual declaration of war two years later in 1917. The RMS Lusitania became an iconic symbol in military recruiting campaigns of why the war was being fought. In January 1917 Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare. After submarines sank a further seven US merchant ships Wilson finally went to Congress on April 6, 1917, calling for a declaration of war on Germany . The Lusitania and the Mauretania were launched at a time of fierce competition for the North Atlantic trade. The German shipping lines were aggressive competitors in the transatlantic trade, and the Lusitania and the Mauretania were built to outperform their German counterparts. They were fitted with then-revolutionary turbine engines, enabling them to maintain a service speed of 25 knots. They were also equipped with lifts, wireless telegraph, electric lights and provided 50 per cent more passenger space than any other ship. Lusitania was subsidised by the British government, in the hope that she could be converted into a military vessel if needed. A secret compartment was designed for the purpose of carrying arms and ammunition, and when war was declared the Lusitania was requisitioned by the British Admiralty. She began her new role as an armed merchant cruiser, and was put on the official list of AMCs. The Declaration of Paris codified the rules for naval engagements involving civilian vessels. The Cruiser Rules required that the crew and passengers of civilian ships be safeguarded in the event that the ship is to be confiscated or sunk. Popular myth says that to protect the Lusitania, her name was painted over - so that she could not be identified as a military vessel. One of the new pictures to emerge of passengers onboard the RMS Lusitania before its sinking . A survivor of the sinking pictured after being brought back to shore - 1,198 passengers and crew died . The Cruiser Rules mean that she could have been searched, but thanks to her secret compartment her military cargo would have remained undetected. The ship was designed by Leonard Peskett and built by John Brown and Compan in Clydebank, Scotland. She was launched by the Cunard Line in 1906. The ship was 787ft long and featured nine passenger decks. She was kitted out with 25 Scotch boilers and four direct-acting Parsons steam turbines producing 76,000 hp. The ship also boasted four triple blade propellers. Lusitania was fitted with revolutionary new turbine engines and was able to maintain a service speed of 25 knots. She was equipped with lifts, wireless telegraph and electric light. The ship provided 50 per cent more passenger space than any other boat. She held 552 passengers in first class, 460 in second, 1,186 in third class, alongside 850 crew members and 7,000 tons of coal. However, this new evidence shows that immediately before her final journey from New York to Liverpool she was still showing her livery, and Lusitania is clearly visible. With a life-long interest in ocean liners, Mr Layton has a vast knowledge of the subject and has spent a lifetime reading about ships such as the Titanic and the Lusitania. He decided to write a book about the Lusitania, to debunk all the myths that lie around its history, and to illustrate the book he collected photos from other fans of the subject. One of the photo contributors sent Kent an image that came from a collection he had purchased, clearly showing the name 'Lusitania' printed on the side of the boat as it prepares to make its final journey. Kent said: 'My main focus is in trying to sort through a veritable minefield of idiotic conspiracy theories-such as deliberately setting up the ship to be sunk in order to bring the US into the war, the bizarre theories of high explosive cargo causing the second blast. 'About 10 years ago I realized that the history of the Lusitania's early career, which was eminently successful over the course of about seven and a half years, had gone largely unexplored. 'Most authors simply wrote that the ship was big and fast, entered service in 1907, and then the war started. 'This was something that truly needed to be researched and told, and this book followed a lot of leg work in pinning down some of that history's highlights. The Lusitania was subsidised by the government so she could be converted into a military vessel if needed . 'The Lusitania, in particular, has been the victim of a great deal of bad information and even conspiracy theories over the years. 'As far as this particular image, it's currently held in the collection of Lusitania historian Mike Poirier. 'Mike purchased the album some time back, and I think over the years the original information was sadly lost. 'The photograph shows that the ship's name was not painted out. They weren't trying to conceal her identity, as has been claimed. 'Lusitania - An Illustrated Biography',book is published by Amberley Publishing . Captain Raimund Weisbach  was the torpedo officer on the German U-boat, the U20, who saw to the preparation and firing of the torpedo that sank the RMS Lusitania on May 7 1915 . The Lusitania is pictured arriving in New York around 1907 - it was once the world's largest passenger ship .

The RMS Lusitania passenger ship was torpedoed by Germany in 1915 . It was travelling from New York to Liverpool on May 7 when tragedy struck . With even less lifeboats than the Titanic 1,198 passengers and crew died . New book suggests name was not painted out as it should have been . The last photo taken of the ship shows the name was clearly visible .

 Titanic and her maiden voyage are being erased by the ‘ocean floor tsunami’ may well have merit.
The shipwreck of the Titanic and the people who died on board it have always been shrouded in mystery. While a number of clues and evidence have been found on the site by maritime archaeologists over the last 50 years, nothing so far has had the power to make such an enormous impact on the case as this recently revealed image.
This incredible high-resolution image released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Geographic shows an otherwise submerged wreck of a passenger steamship. It appears to be the same vessel as the one captured in a rare and famous photograph taken at the time of the sinking 120 years ago.
The photograph was taken by Robert Ballard in 1985 and the identity of the steamship has been a mystery until now. In the photograph, the ship was referred to as the “Olympic” but it is now believed to actually be the “Majestic” instead, after maritime experts were stunned by the similarity.
NOAA said on its website that “new technology reveals the Titanic and her maiden voyage might not have been forgotten after all.”
This discovery is a huge shock to the world. For almost a century we have been certain that the ship sunk with the name of RMS Titanic, but it now appears that she and her maiden voyage were so thoroughly washed away from the history books that the evidence was missed.
Many have been left wondering if it wasn’t actually Titanic that sank on 15 April 1912, leaving over 1,500 souls dead at sea.
The image was discovered by NOAA scientists as part of its Ocean Exploration Trust project, which aims to find out more about the Titanic by searching the seabed below. It was found during a survey of the Atlantic Ocean floor in April 2017, at a depth of 11,600 metres, roughly 120 nautical miles from where the Titanic went down.
The ‘ocean floor tsunami’ that took so many lives on the Titanic did not just wash away its name, but almost every piece of wreckage too.
When the Titanic sank she was carrying thousands of priceless artefacts, jewellery, cash, and other valuables. The items that were lost to the sea were worth over $1 billion in today’s money.
It was estimated that a total of 4,114 people went down with the ship but


Almost 40 years ago, the 20th century's most influential sub-culture was born. Today, hip hop is a way of life that dominates fashion, music, art, dance and advertizing. It is a far cry from the humble beginnings of experimental rap, graffiti, and break-dancing in the run-down areas of 1970s New York City, which sparked a revolution. Watching from the sidelines were photographers Janette Beckman, Joe Conzo and Martha Cooper. And now, their glimpses inside the seminal years between 1977 and 1990 will be put on show at the Museum Of The City Of New York. Revolutionary: This image of The Almight Kay Gee, of the Cold Crush Brothers in 1981, is one of 80 documenting the start of hip hop . Fashion, dance and music: JDL of Cold Crush enraptures a crowd at Skatin Palace in 1981 . Iconic: New York City's experimental artists, including JDL and Grandmaster Caz pictured at Club Negril in 1981, led the movement . Breaking: Martha Cooper captures the High Times Crew break-dancing outside Washington Heights police station in 1980 . Little Crazy Legs strikes an impromptu pose during a shoot for Wild Style at Riverside Park, Manhattan, in 1983 . The series charts early performances of the Cool Crush Brothers in the early 1980s, and impromptu breakdances on the streets of Manhattan. In one shot DJ Kool Herc, who is widely credited with creating hip hop by fusing the violent Bronx culture with early disco, stares down the barrel of the lens from behind tinted, wide-rimmed sunglasses. Other key figures are seen posing for their first photo shoots, including the members of Boogie Down Productions, a hip hop group from the Bronx which masterminded a fusion of dancehall and reggae. Big Daddy Kane, one of the most revered rappers in history who found fame with the Juice Crew in 1986, exhibits the archetypal haircut for hip hop fans during his hey day of 1988. Afrika Bambaataa, who pioneered electro funk, poses for London-born photographer Janette Beckman in front of a graffiti-strewn brick wall in 1983, in a nod to the street roots of the movement. And Queen Latifah, who made waves by rapping about domestic violence in 1990, also makes an appearance. Later photos show the colorful album covers produced for girl band Salt N Pepa and Busta Rhymes. The exhibition will run from April 1 to September 15. Mainstream: The movement bore global acts such as Salt N Pepa, pictured in 1987, as it came to dominate the music industry . Rapper KRS-One and DJ Scott La Rock, pictured in 1987, rose to fame with Boogie Down Productions . Cold Crush's Tony Tone poses up alongside Kool Herc, a DJ widely credited with inventing hip hop, in 1979 . Charlie Chase of the Cold Crush Brothers at Norman Thomas High School in 1981 . Big Daddy Kane, pictured in 1988, found fame with the Juice Crew in 1986. He is known as one of the most highly-skilled rappers to date . Afrika Bambaataa, who pioneered electro funk, poses for London-born photographer Janette Beckman in front of a graffiti-strewn brick wall in 1983, in a nod to the street roots of the movement . Busta Rhymes, a member of the rap group Leaders Of The New School, is pictured in a promotional shot in 1990 . Queen Latifah cemented her place in the annals of hip hop history by rapping about women's issues and domestic violence . Long Island became a satellite hub for hip hop, from which EPMD (photographed in 1989) was borne . Chuck D and Flava Flav, of Public Enemy, exhibit typical styles of the time in 1987 . Filmmaker Charlie Ahearn, who made the hip hop movie Wild Style, is pictured on set in 1982 . LL Cool J, with Cut Creator, E Love and B-Rock in Manhattan in 1987 .

Three photographers Janette Beckman, Joe Conzo and Martha Cooper charted 1987-1990 in New York . Experimental rappers, breakdancers, DJs, and graffiti artists were rising up from the Bronx to create hip hop . The early pioneers such as Cool Crush Brothers, Boogie Down Productions and Kool Herc changed the industry . These images from a set of 80 exhibited at Museum Of The City Of New York give glimpse into the hey day .

 early days of DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash's basement parties, where hip hop was an art created through verbal expression, turntable techniques and beat-banging. Hip hop's evolution was not linear or a product of evolution. It has not been a seamless progression from one level to the next, nor has it been a single voice that moved hip hop towards it current state. Hip hop's story is that of the underground, where experimentation and self-expression has been the foundation of its development.
In the mid 70s, the first DJ to master the mixing and scratching techniques of the turntables was Kool Herc. His house parties in the South Bronx were the genesis for the hip hop culture. The first (but not the only) rapper to ever grace a mic was The Fantastic 5's "Rapper's Delight" single from 1979. Their use of a sped-up vinyl record and sampling made hip hop the voice of the youth. This "new sound" was not a movement, but a reaction to a culture in which people were locked-out of the entertainment industry. Hip hop evolved quickly when new artists and sounds emerged from the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Harlem and even the Jersey Shore. In the 80s, MCs had the ability to rhyme over a beat. The DJ was the producer and was responsible for coming up with different sounds and styles. In the early 90s, the turntablists took center stage by doing things with the record that had never been done before. This movement brought together everything that had preceded it and combined it to forge a new way to make music. As hip hop progressed, the ability of the DJ and emcee became more integrated. Today, producers are recognized and even more valuable than their predecessors. These changes have had a tremendous impact on the hip hop world. In addition to the evolution of hip hop, this movement had a profound impact on fashion and other media.
The hip hop generation is a generation of black youth that have become an influential force for both good and bad reasons. They have had an impact on American youth culture, music, fashion and art. They can be found all over America's youth cultures. In my opinion, hip hop's culture is based on self-expression and individuality. Unlike any generation before or after, hip hop has created a global culture where kids of all different races, ethnicities and social backgrounds can associate and find common ground. Hip hop


A Hong Kong pianist who murdered his parents before chopping up their bodies and cooking them in a microwave has been jailed for life. Henry Chau Hoi-Iueng, 31, was found guilty of killing his devoted mother Siu Yuet-yee, 63, and father Chau Wing-ki, 65, before salting, cooking and packing their body parts into lunchboxes 'like barbecued pork.' It is thought that he wanted them dead after they became reluctant to fund his lavish lifestyle. Henry Chau Hoi-lueng, pictured, who has been jailed for life after being found guilty of the brutal murder of his parents in Hong Kong . Chau's parents, Chau Wing-ki, 65, right,  and Siu Yuet-yee, 62, left,  who were chopped up and cooked with rice . At Hong Kong's High Court, Chau, who wore a loose-fitting grey suit while sitting in the defendant's dock, looked impassive as the life sentence was passed down. Judge Michael Stuart Moore also handed down an additional nine years and four months in jail for two separate charges of preventing the lawful burials of his parents, which he admitted earlier. He described Chau as 'narcissistic' and 'preoccupied with fantasies for success' before branding him a 'dangerous individual. The judge added: 'People may wonder why you did his. The fact is there is no obvious answer is what makes you so dangerous. 'You always blame your faults on others not yourself. Your parents became the victims of your blame.' The court had previously heard how Chau's parents went with him on the morning of their murder to his friend Tse Chun Kei's home in Tai Kok Tsui in the west of Hong Kong. Several days after they disappeared, their eldest son Chau Hoi-ying, wanted to raise the alarm but Chau said the pair were visiting mainland China. However, he then sent a WhatsApp message to friends admitting that he had killed his parents. Chau Hoi-Leung outside Hong Kong High Court at an earlier appearance. The judge described him  as 'narcissistic' and 'preoccupied with fantasies for success' Tse Chun-kei (pictured), was cleared of the murder charge but admitted preventing a lawful burial . They reported this to police and when officers arrived at a flat belonging to his friend Tse, they found his Chau's parents' heads stored in two large refrigerators. Several plastic lunch boxes containing chopped flesh and organs were also found, along with a further three boxes containing salted body parts. The missing body parts are believed to have been cooked and eaten. A pathologist reassembled the skeletons, which had same parts missing. He testified that the couple were stabbed in either their chest or neck before being dismembered. Henry Chau told investigators that he wanted to kill himself six months before the attack. Police found the heads of Chau's parents inside these refrigerators removed from Tse's apartment . Police show the weapons used by Chau to kill his parents after he invited them round for dinner . Prosecutors also believe he was angry at his father for refusing to turn the volume down on the TV while he studied and was also annoyed with his mother for forcing him to study the piano. Police believe that the couple were murdered and dismembered in Tse's, although he denied taking any part in the killing and was acquitted. However, Tse was handed a one-year jail term for the unlawful burial charges but was released from custody due to the length of time he has already spent on remand. Prosecutors claimed that Chau and Tse discussed a range of methods of disposing of the bodies - including mixing the remains with cement and throwing them away as bricks. Other plans included cooking the remains and throwing them into the sea. Tse said the only reason he helped Chau is because he was afraid that his friend would kill his mother. Chau first claimed that he did not kill his parents but only helped his friend dismember the remains. He later tried to plead guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.

Henry Chau Hoi-Iueng has been jailed for life for murdering his parents . He was found guilty of killing mother Siu Yuet-yee and father Chau Wing-ki . The 31-year-old also chopped up their bodies and put them in lunchboxes . Police then discovered body parts and the couples' heads in a refrigerator . Officers believe that the missing body parts may have been eaten by Chau . Sentencing him, the judge called him 'narcissistic' and 'dangerous'

sheung and his stepfather Tong Chi-chau with an axe at their home in Kowloon Tong in November 2008. Mr Chau, a piano teacher who had devoted his life to helping the poor, was shot five times and found covered in blood when police arrived at the family home. Mr Chau, 76, and his wife of more than 50 years Siu were dismembered and cooked in the microwave. Mr Chau's body was placed in the fridge while police arrived to investigate. The court heard that the killer had hacked his mother's head, legs and chest off. Her body parts were found inside a bag on the balcony where she suffered two gunshots.
The 20-year-old Hong Kong student who stabbed and slashed seven fellow students to death at school has been jailed for life. Lam Kong-tat, a 20-year-old mathematics student from the Catholic School, was sentenced at the High Court in Hong Kong on Monday. During his three-week trial, Lam was found guilty of killing seven and injuring two others with a pair of knives, a pair of scissors, a hammer and an axe. Lam has a history of mental illnesses and doctors said that he could never be cured and so cannot be sent to a psychiatric hospital.
A "heartbroken" man who took his mother's life because of a bitter argument, and then left her body on the bed of their home after the killing, has been jailed for life. Andrew Dix, 31, killed his mother Irene Dix, 57, on January 4 this year before leaving her dead in bed. He then went to the family home in Lansdowne Road, Southampton, and told a friend that he had done it, Hampshire Police said. Dix's girlfriend Nicola McKeage was one of the first people on the scene. She said: "She told him she wanted him to kill her because she was ready. He told her to get up so he could give her a hug. She got up and went with him." McKeage went back in the house and found Dix with a bloodied knife. The mother-of-three told the Evening Gazette: "When we spoke again she was in a very sombre mood. Her face showed she'd been crying. She just said how proud she was of Andrew and it was her decision to die. She was very much heartbroken and it broke my heart."
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One of Britain's oldest ever naturally conceiving mothers says she has no regrets about keeping her baby. Debbie Hughes hit the headlines when she fell pregnant with son, Kyle, in 2010 when she was 53. Now aged 57, she says having a toddler is challenging but she wouldn't want her life to be any different. Scroll down for video . Debbie Hughes, 57, pictured on today's Lorraine said there are no downsides to being a mother in her fifties . 'He's four in June, he's a handful but he's lovely,' she said on today's Lorraine. 'He's younger than my two granddaughters who are five and six so he's their uncle but they will grow up more like cousins.' On how she copes as an older mother, Debbie, from Daventry, Northamptonshire, said: 'I act younger and feel younger, I keep myself trim. 'There's no downside, to me it's no different. I have been a mum since 1979 so I never had an empty nest. Just when I think they are growing up I've had another one as I have massive age gaps between them all. It's normal for me.' The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show that more women than ever are having babies later in life in order to focus on their education and careers. The statistics show that double the number of women are now having babies over the age of 35 than they were in 1990, despite it being the time when fertility is said to plummet. The number of over-50s giving birth has more than doubled in the past five years, with three children every week in Britain born to a mother in this age group. Debbie told Lorraine Kelly she copes with her toddler by 'acting younger and keeping trim' Kyle, pictured on today's Lorraine, will turn four in June and his mother said he's a handful but wonderful . Debbie, a jewellery assistant, said she had no plans to become a mother again when she fell pregnant at 53 with her then partner Paul Clarke, 47, a heavy goods vehicle driver, as she had been on the Pill. At the time, she already had two sons Mark, 26, and Brandon, 11. She also had a daughter, Hayley, who died tragically just a week before her 18th birthday. Debbie is also grandmother to Mark's daughters - Lydia, now five, and Nicole, now six. On falling pregnant, Debbie told Lorraine Kelly: 'It just happened, I started noticing weight around my tummy and couple of people pointed it out. 'I thought I can't be pregnant, not at my age. I got a test and then another one and another one - four in total! 'When I went to my doctor he nearly fell off the chair! But when I showed him the tests he said, "well, you definitely are". Mother and son pictured after Kyle was born in June 2011 weighing 7lb 11oz . Despite being in her fifties, Debbie said the pregnancy was 'fine' and she had no health concerns. She said: 'I didn't put on any surplus weight, I didn't feel tired. In some ways it was better than some of other pregnancies, I just got on with it.' Debbie went into labour in June 2011 and gave birth naturally to Kyle at Northampton General Hospital, weighing 7lb 11oz. She said: 'I have no regrets at all, it's wonderful and everyone has been supportive, Northampton hospital and my GP gave me loads of support.' The ONS report on the rise of older mothers in Britain published last month said: 'Reasons for an increased number of women conceiving at ages 30 and above included increased participation in higher education; increased female participation in the labour force; the increasing importance of a career; the rising opportunity costs of childbearing; labour market uncertainty, housing factors and the instability of partnerships.' Debbie pictured with baby Kyle and her grandchildren Lydia (then aged two, now five) and Nicole (then three, now six) who are older than their uncle . There were 14 pregnancies for every 1,000 women over 40 in 2012, more than double the 1990 rate of 6.6 per cent. Births to mothers over 40 are now running at four times the levels of the 1980s. In an interview with the Daily Mail last year, Debbie admitted she does worry about Kyle's future as a result of her having him so late in life. She said: 'Sometimes, when I watch Kyle play, my mind wanders and I worry about not living to see his 30s, but you just have to put those thoughts to the back of your mind. 'Whatever the difficulties, Kyle is a blessing.' Debbie, pictured with Kyle as a toddler, said she has no regrets but she sometimes worries about his future .

Debbie Hughes from Daventry, Northamptonshire, fell pregnant at 53 . Natural conception was a complete surprise . Son Kyle was born in June 2011 . Now three, Debbie told Lorraine Kelly he's 'a handful but lovely' She said she has no regrets about becoming a mother again later in life . Had her first child in 1979 so she has 'never had an empty nest'

 her son is 16 and is about to start college. Debbie, a former hairdresser, lives with her partner, Mark, in a four-bedroom detached house with four other dogs and a cat in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, as she is now a foster carer for dogs.
She fell pregnant with Kyle, now 16, in 2010 when she was 53, after she decided to stop using contraception
Debbie told the Daily Mirror that she was 55 and had been using contraception for over 20 years, saying she would always have wanted another child, had she not had the pregnancy.
Asked if she regretted having the child as she is now too old, Debbie said: "Not at all – I have no regrets.
"Kyle has brought me and Mark so much happiness. We have always wanted a family and we were so glad he came along.
"The hardest thing about being a mum is knowing that you're going to outlive your child, knowing that I'll have to carry on without him."
When Kyle was born, he weighed 7lb 7oz and he and Debbie were both very well and were able to go home just two days after his birth.
She was 55 at the time and had never planned to have a baby. Asked how she felt when she first saw her son, Debbie said: "It was such an amazing feeling – even though it was a natural birth.
"I was actually 10cm dilated before I knew I was in labour because I was on my bed, doing Pilates, and was having a really lovely time.
"When I realised I was in labour, I got down to the hospital by 6.30am. I knew it was going to be a long haul because I had had a natural birth with Emily [Debbie's first born] in 2003, when I was 42, but I knew it would be worth it when I saw Kyle for the first time."
Aged 53 at the time, Debbie told the Daily Mirror
Debbie had suffered from an irregular period, but when she fell pregnant, she had no idea what caused it and says she never noticed a change to her cycle.
Asked if she could do it again, Debbie said: "I would do it again. It would be the only way I could give a baby a home.
"It was great to feel needed and like I had a


A father of two young children who inspired millions of parents across the world with his blog posts about 'finding Heaven on Earth' has died from lung cancer at the age of 42, it has emerged. Oren Miller, a stay-at-home father to Liam, six, and four-year-old Madeline, was diagnosed with terminal cancer last May after suffering from shortness of breath and severe pain in his back. Tragically, he and his wife, Beth Blauer, from Owing Mills, Maryland, were told the disease had already spread to his liver, his lymph nodes and his brain. He was given only a year to live. Mr Miller, whose 'A Father and a Blogger' site was hugely popular among parents, battled stage four cancer for nine months, before succumbing to it on Saturday, his family told the Baltimore Sun. Tragic: Oren Miller (pictured with his wife, Beth Blauer, son, Liam and daughter, Madeline) was diagnosed with lung cancer last May after suffering from shortness of breath and severe pain in his back. He died Saturday . Father and daughter: When Mr Miller (pictured with Madeline), of Owing Mills, Maryland, was diagnosed, he was told the disease had already spread to his liver, his lymph nodes and his brain. He was given only a year to live . An inspirational figure: Mr Miller (pictured), whose 'A Father and a Blogger' blog was hugely popular among parents, battled his cancer for nine months, before succumbing to it on Saturday, his family said on Monday . A funeral service was held for him at Sol Levinson & Bros. Funeral Home in Baltimore on Monday afternoon. His death has also inspired hundreds of online tributes from fans and other bloggers. In one of his most prominent posts on his blog following his cancer diagnosis, Mr Miller told his thousands of readers: 'I believe in Heaven on Earth, and I believe it's found anywhere you seek it.' He continued: 'I found Heaven on long car rides with the kids', adding that he used daily trips to school to 'chat' with his children about their worlds, music, life values and, of course, 'nonsense'. And he said that he 'found Heaven on the dirty floor of a basketball court', where he would pass the ball back and forth with his then-two-year-old daughter as they waited for Liam to finish school. In a separate post, he wrote: 'We all know I will be loved until my last moment by people it has been my utmost privilege to know: by a wife I adore and two kids I'm in awe of every single moment.' In addition his inspirational blog, Mr Miller set up a Facebook page, 'Dad Bloggers', shortly after the birth of his son. The page currently has more than 1,500 members from over 15 countries. Family: A funeral service was held for Mr Miller at Sol Levinson & Bros. Funeral Home in Baltimore on Monday afternoon. His death has also inspired dozens of moving online tributes from fans and other bloggers . Couple: In one of his  posts on his popular blog following his cancer diagnosis, Mr Miller (pictured with his wife) told his thousands of readers: 'I believe in Heaven on Earth, and I believe it's found anywhere you seek it' Moving words: The devoted father continued: 'I found Heaven on long car rides with the kids', adding that he used trips to school to 'chat' with his children about their worlds, music, life values and, of course, 'nonsense' Mr Miller's online presence was so great that when he was diagnosed with cancer nine months ago, his fellow bloggers, friends and other members of the public rushed to his and his family's support. They raised more than $13,000 for his medical care in just 24 hours. As word of his condition spread, they ultimately raised more than $36,000 for the Miller family,TODAY Parents reported. Mr Miller previously told the news site: 'I’ve always said that the group is not me, it’s whatever people put into it. But I’m equally as happy to see that people appreciate what I did, I guess.' Incredibly, the fathers within the 'Dad Bloggers' community rallied again when they learned that Mr Miller and his wife were forced to miss a Billy Joel concert in New York's Madison Square Garden. They recorded themselves covering  Joel's songs from their kitchens, bathrooms and even garages, before posting a compilation to YouTube. Some played the piano, while others played the guitar. Happier times: Mr Miller's online presence was so great that when he was diagnosed with cancer nine months ago, his fellow bloggers, friends and other members of the public rushed to his and his family's support . Having fun: Mr Miller is pictured posing behind a cardboard image of a doctor (left) and with his daughter (right) Tribute: Dad 2.0 Summit paid tribute to Mr Miller on Facebook, calling him a 'forthright curator of online dads' In the past few days, hundreds of people have been taking to Mr Miller's Facebook page and other sites to pay tribute to him. Using the hashtag #Dads4Oren, they have shared their memories of him. In an online post, Australian blogger Dadinator wrote: 'Men don’t talk enough. It’s why we’re more likely to suffer mental illness. Why we die younger. Why we are more likely to take our own lives. 'Oren was a man who talked, who talked about the importance of talking and who shared himself and his journey as a father. But he was more than that, he built a community of men who talk.' Another blogger, Brent Almond, wrote on his Designer Daddy site: 'One of Oren’s greatest passions was for the words of modern fathers - regardless of the size of their audience or the strength of their voice - to be heard in a Facebook group he has built, maintained and supported.'

Oren Miller, 42, passed away from terminal lung cancer at 42 on Saturday . Survived by wife Beth Blauer, son Liam, six, and daughter Madeline, four . Mr Miller inspired millions globally with his posts about living with cancer . He wrote that he believes 'Heaven on Earth is found anywhere you seek it' He also set up 'Dad Bloggers' Facebook page, which has 1,500 members . 'Men don’t talk enough; Oren was a man who talked', fellow blogger said .

-home dad, whose work was also featured on sites such as Babble and Scary Mommy, succumbed to the disease yesterday morning (15 August).
Miller's wife, Amy, told Buzzfeed: "We took him to the ER around 3am yesterday and he passed away around 5:30am. He had a massive brain hemorrhage and his heart stopped."
The couple were parents to a four-month-old baby and a two-year-old when Miller was diagnosed with stage three lung cancer earlier this year.
Before the family moved back to New Hampshire to seek treatment, they spent time in New York City, which allowed Miller to expand the reach of his blog and work. His posts, which often touched on difficult life issues such as death, depression and religion, have amassed more than 2.5 million views.
Miller's wife Amy said: "He talked about his mortality a lot. He told me I should find another husband for our kids. He talked about that a lot because there's only so much he could do for us.
"There were days when there wasn't enough money in the account for a taxi to the hospital, and there are bills to pay. There were days when he just couldn't drive a two-year-old through the rain to see a doctor. He would say, 'It was a good day if you didn't think about me,' because there were a lot of days where he had to think about me."
Miller's posts have attracted both fans and criticism – including some who questioned the validity of his condition as there was little proof of his disease via his blog posts. Amy said he had "a real fear of getting ripped off".
"He didn't want to make it seem like he was exaggerating, but he would say that the reason he wasn't showing himself in pictures is that he felt like it made him a bit less of a public figure and a bit more of a person with a story. It was a delicate balance."
Amy, who was pregnant with the couple's third child when her husband was first diagnosed, said she would keep the blog running "for the sake of people who want to remember him".
The family had hoped that "a miracle" would come for the father of two, with doctors giving him a three-month prognosis back in April.
"In New York he did things no one thought he could do,"