Playing for England is a 'dream' Harry Kane is putting to the back of his mind, such is the striker's determination to propel Tottenham forwards. There were not many clamouring for the 21-year-old to be in the Spurs starting line-up at the start of the season, never mind the national team. Now, though, Kane is one of the most talked about players in the country as his Roy of the Rovers rise continues apace. Tottenham striker Harry Kane has insisted he is fully focused on helping the club progress this season . Kane rounds QPR goalkeeper Robert Green to score his second goal in a 2-1 win on Sunday at Loftus Road . Kane has now scored 26 goals in 41 appearances for Spurs in all competitions so far this season . Saturday's brace in Spurs' 2-1 win at QPR increased his goal tally to 26 in all competitions - a remarkable haul which is likely to earn a first senior call-up this month. Roy Hodgson could not fail but to be impressed by Kane's latest display, but front man is trying not to think about the potential of facing Lithuania or Italy this month. 'I've always said, I've got to keep doing what I am doing,' he said. 'There are still a few more games until the international break and I want to do the best I can for Tottenham Hotspur. 'That's what I am looking to do. I want to get some more wins from until then and, yeah, we'll see what happens. 'Obviously, I've just got to keep doing what I am doing. 'I think any English player playing would love to play for England. It would be a dream but there are a lot of great players in England. 'I just have to keep concentrating and doing the best I can for Spurs. We'll see what happens.' Kane is widely being tipped for a call up to the England team following his impressive form for Spurs . Kane lashes a shot at the QPR goal only for Hoops defender Steven Caulker (left) to get in the way . That determination to continue impressing at club level is certainly helping Spurs get over a disappointing few weeks. The north Londoners' Europa League exit was compounded by defeat to Chelsea in the Capital One Cup final, but they responded impressively with back-to-back victories over Swansea and QPR. 'That is massive,' Kane told Sky Sports. 'That is what we said. 'We had a disappointing couple of weeks, going out of the Europa and obviously losing the final, so we knew we had to get back on it, build a bit of momentum and get as far up in the league as we can. 'We have managed to do that with two very important wins and hopefully we can continue it.' This latest victory moves Tottenham within three points of the top-four, while it leaves QPR deeper in the mire. The west Londoners have now lost seven of their last eight top-flight matches, with relegation edging closer by the week. Again, though, manager Chris Ramsey defended his players' application and, in particular, Rio Ferdinand. The former England international was culpable for both goals, leading to chants from the away end of 'It's time to retire' - something a smattering of home fans joined in with. 'I think Rio's applied himself well,' Ramsey said. 'I'm very pleased with the way he played. 'In the position we're in, when goals go in people will always get blamed or people look at some more than others. 'For Rio to be the age he is and applying himself the way he is in training and in games, we need to encourage him. 'It's always disappointing when a goal goes in, and you can always break it down and analyse it to its finest points. The players involved will always be disappointed.' QPR defender Rio Ferdinand clears the ball ahead of the oncoming Spurs midfielder Christian Eriksen . QPR winger Shaun Wright-Phillips (right) leaps highest to win the ball in midfield on Sunday . Spurs' Eric Dier (left) tussles for the ball with QPR's Nedum Onuoha during the Premier League game .

Harry Kane scored twice in Tottenham's 2-1 win over QPR . The striker has bagged 26 goals in 41 appearances for Spurs this season . Kane is widely being tipped for a call-up to the England senior team . But the 22-year-old says he is concentrating on his club for now .

 England team for the last international break.
The player himself was hardly shouting his own name in a desperate bid to be taken to Brazil. So why did he insist on making it to the squad, which was unveiled on Sunday? To push the Tottenham side on in the league, and to have as strong a hand as possible when Mauricio Pochettino is looking to buy in January.
Pochettino believes Kane, who is in line to lead the line in Spurs' Europa League group game with Dnipro on Thursday, is the kind of striker he can build his new team around. The Argentinian coach was aware of the 21-year-old's talents long before he took charge at White Hart Lane, and it is not for nothing that many are tipping him to become England captain some day.
It is clear what Kane can bring to the England side, which is exactly the same sort of strengths Pochettino will try to tap into at Tottenham.
"To have that player in your team is very important, because he changes the way the team plays," Pochettino said in May. "Harry is really young, but already he can score in the Premier League and in Europe. He shows what it's like to be a centre-forward and to be able to be a leader in your own team. I think he is doing really well, but we need to keep working with him because he is still young.
"We know he is good for the future. He is very good in the air, very strong, fast, and has good technique and good finishing. We hope to grow with him."
Pochettino has got the best out of some of the most highly-rated attacking players in Europe, so he ought to be able to improve Kane, too. He has made the most of the striker's pace, and the ability to hold up play, and he will want to develop his finishing and his decision-making. Kane would have to move to a higher level for that last quality to grow, but there is plenty of work to be done before that point arrives. He is hardly in a rush.
"It's been difficult, not knowing if I'd be in the squad or not, but at the end of the day it wasn't up to me," Kane said when he was included in the squad by Roy Hodgson for the World Cup. "The main thing for me was to get into the squad, but


Cricketer David Warner has opened up about the emotional turmoil he feels every day as he continues to grieve over the devastating death of his friend and team mate, Phillip Hughes. Hughes was tragically killed in November 2014 in a freak accident during a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG. Warner was by Hughes' side when the 25-year-old was struck in the head by a bouncer, resulting in a catastrophic head injury. Warner, 28, desperately tried to help the young batsman, holding Hughes' hand as he was taken from the field. 'When I got home after that day I was standing in the shower and I was sort of facing the wall with my hands on my head going: “why?” His fiance, former ironwoman Falzon, described her husband-to-be as a 'warrior' on the pitch but a 'softie' at home. Falzon told 60 Minutes that Warner has been 'truly inspirational'. Scroll down for video . Cricketer David Warner has opened up about the emotional turmoil he feels every day as he continues to grieve the devastating death of his friend and team mate, Phillip Hughes . Warner (left) was by Hughes'(right) side when the 25-year-old was struck in the head by a bouncer, resulting in a catastrophic and fatal head injury . Warner has opened up about how he took to the pitch again just two weeks after Hughes' funeral . Four months after Hughes' distressing death, it's clear that the memories of the fatal blow and Hughes' final days are never far from David Warner's mind. 'The thought of coming off that day (at the SCG) holding his hand was…' Warner began, fading off as he was overcome with emotion during his interview with Channel Nine's 60 Minutes. 'It hurts every day when I think about it.' Warner says that he still can't comprehend that his mate lost his life whilst playing a game. ‘It’s hard to talk about it now; It was so hard to talk about it with Candice,’ Warner told Channel 9's 60 Minutes, speaking about his fiance. ‘I turned around to Candice and said, 'Why? Why does this happen? 'Why did this happen in a game of cricket?' Warner broke down in tears during the interview as he tried to explain the pain of his grief, with his devoted fiancée Falzon by his side to offer support. Warner admits that he still battles with Hughes' death, asking: 'Why? Why does this happen? Why did this happen in a game of cricket?' David Warner celebrates his century at the Sydney Cricket Ground against India by looking to the sky . The Australia batsman removed his helmet and kissed the ground after reaching 63 on January 6 . Best mates: David Warner (L) warms up pre match alongside Phillip Hughes (R) in June 2013 . Hughes was placed in an induced coma after his accident and his loved ones held a vigil at his bedside for two days, as the country prayed for a miracle that never came. Tragically Hughes died on November 26, just three days shy of his 26th birthday. Just two weeks after Hughes' funeral in his NSW hometown, Macksville, the shattered Australian cricket team travelled to Adelaide to face the unimaginable task of playing again. During the interview, Warner spoke for the first time about how it felt to step onto the pitch again so soon after Hughes' traumatic death. At a time when many doubted he could even face a ball, Warner scored an incredible 145 runs from 163 balls on the first day of the Test against India. ‘Looking into the sky, looking into the stands just brought a big smile to my face thinking “I’ve done it for him, I’ve done it for my mate,' Warner said with a smile. He looked to the sky and put his bat in the air in acknowledgement to his late friend too . A commemorative plaque to Hughes was unveiled before play began at the SCG on January 6 . Warner plays an attacking shot during his score of 101 on the first day of the fourth Test . Warner's accomplishment wasn't only an amazing feat for the sport but a moving display of raw emotion. However, the hardest test was yet to come. The fourth and final Test of the series was held in Sydney, meaning Warner had to return to the SCG and play on the same pitch where his beloved 'Hughesy' was felled. 'It is still difficult returning to the SCG,' Warner admitted to 60 Minutes. 'You take each step as it comes. But it just hits you even more, the closer you get to the wicket.' That day, January 6, was not only an incredible success for David Warner but a moving tribute. He scored an emotional century on the first day of the Test against India less than two months after Hughes had been struck. He holds his bat in the air and acknowledges the crowd after reaching three figures against India . Warner was visibly emotional as he walked out to bat, looking at the sky and talking to himself . A visibly emotional Warner crouched down on the pitch, removed his helmet and kissed the turf when he reached 63 - the score which his former team-mate and friend had been on before he died. Warner jumped into the air and looked at the sky after reaching three figures, acknowledging his fallen team-mate, as Australia played their first Test at the SCG since Hughes' death. It was a crucial step for Warner as he grieved the death of 'Hughesy' and learnt how to love cricket again. ‘I think sometimes you need to visit these things and the only way to face it is to come face to face with it.' Warner (left) still mourns the death of his mate Phillip Hughes (right) everyday . His partner, Candice Falzon, watched on from the stands at the SCG along with the couple's baby . Australia players stand and remember this former team-mate Phillip Hughes with a moment of pause .

David Warner says his friend Phillip Hughes' death 'hurts every day' Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes died tragically at the SCG in 2014 . He scored 101 during his heroic return to the SCG on January 6 for Day One of the Australia v India Sydney Test . Warner kissed the ground when he reached 63 to commemorate Hughes . He has ls to take to the pitch again .

 a Sheffield Shield match in Sydney.
In an excerpt from his forthcoming autobiography, Warner has talked about his journey since the day Hughes was shot, in an interview for the Australian Associated Press.
“People don’t understand that my emotions haven’t been healed. You can’t put time on things, when you lose someone and they’re irreplaceable like Phil was to me. There is no time limit,” Warner said.
David Warner and his family visited Hughes in hospital after the accident (Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)
“A lot of people can’t accept my emotions. When you lose a friend, a best friend, a mate, there’s no time limit. That can be a very painful process that has no timeframe,” the Australian captain added.
“When Phil passed away I still thought I’d see him in the change rooms. So, it was hard. Every time I got out of bed there was a reminder there – the same bed that we stayed in together a lot,” the former Australian player noted.
“When you get told things you don’t want to believe. That is when you feel it, as your emotions take over. The day he was shot was November 25. Every day for me is hard,” he added.
Warner has previously said that he was “deeply sad and in mourning” since Hughes was killed. In September, the cricketer revealed that he had been contemplating suicide in the aftermath of his friend’s death, as he was overcome with guilt.
The 32-year-old batsman also admitted that he had been battling depression ever since Hughes died, which led him to contemplate suicide. The Sun reported that the cricketer was struggling to sleep at night and was drinking copious amounts of alcohol to ‘cope’ with the ordeal.
“You’d think that would make everything easy – not having to think about what we did, what’s done – but it made me think about it more. It made me realise that I still hadn’t moved on,” he said.
“It made me realise that I was still struggling at home, that I still struggle. I couldn’t have a day without thinking about it, or without it affecting me emotionally. I couldn’t get my head clear. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t relax.”
“You think you’re doing something good for yourself, but then you realise that the person


Danielle Liddle, 22, was attacked with baseball bats and a knife while she was in labour, pictured with her two-year-old baby Reggie . A father has branded the masked gang who attacked his pregnant partner with baseball bats and a butcher's knife while she was giving birth as 'sick scum'. Chris Miller, 33, said the five men who assaulted  Danielle Liddle, 22, had 'wrecked his family's lives' and that his partner was too traumatised to return home with baby Reggie. The couple were preparing to leave for hospital when the gang smashed through the front window of their home in Basildon, Essex, with a crowbar. Ms Liddle was slashed in the face with a butcher's knife and beaten with crowbars and baseball bats as her two-year-old son Kenzie slept upstairs. She was rushed to Basildon hospital with a fractured skull and facial wounds, but gave birth to a baby boy despite her injuries. Mr Miller, who was collecting his partner's hospital bag when the gang broke in, said: 'This was an extremely traumatic experience for us both. 'My girlfriend remains in hospital with a serious head injury when she should be celebrating the birth of our child. He relived the moment the gang smashed their way into the home and appealed for help to find those responsible. 'My partner's contractions were about six minutes apart, so I went upstairs to get her hospital bag and to phone the babysitter to come and look after our two-year-old,' he said. 'The next thing I heard a loud smash - like a fish tank shattering. 'My partner started screaming my name and I just heard these men shouting something like 'where's the money?', 'give us the money!'.' 'I came down running down the stairs and they were attacking her. I just threw my arms round her to protect her. 'They carried on beating us. I was just shouting back at them, 'you are wrong man, she is in labour'. 'Me and my girlfriend just started screaming and shouting for help. 'I can't even describe to you how angry I am. My partner is too traumatised to even go back to our home. Ms Liddle and her partner Chris Miller were attacked when a masked gang burst into her home  in Beambridge (pictured), Essex . 'She is going to need counselling to help her get through this. To do this to a woman who is in labour - it's sick.' Ms Liddle was ten days past her due date when she went into labour at 6am on Monday at her home in Pitsea, Essex. Just before 9pm that night the contractions became more regular so Mr Miller started preparing a bag for hospital. But while he was upstairs a gang of five men - three wearing balaclavas - broke into their terraced home. They were heard shouting 'where is the money' and fled with just an iPad, Sony Experia mobile phone and £60 cash after the attack. Ms Liddle's family say the 'strong and courageous' mum suffered flashbacks of the horrific attack while she was in a hospital delivery room. Her sister Charlotte said: 'They attacked her with crowbars, baseball bats and cut her face with a butcher's knife. The 22-year-old was rushed to Basildon Hospital (pictured) and gave birth to a healthy baby on Tuesday . 'She was screaming for them to stop as she was in labour but this did not stop them. Luckily my two-year-old nephew was asleep upstairs and slept through it. 'My sister has had her face stitched but now discovered she may have a fractured skull.' Police are now hunting the five men, all ages in their twenties with local accents, who broke into the home in Beambridge, Pitsea, on Monday night. Three of the men wore balaclavas and dark clothes, a fourth gang member was white and the fifth was mixed race. Detective Inspector Joel Henderson, from Basildon CID, said: 'This was a shocking attack on a young woman who was in labour. It is vital we get those people responsible off the streets of Basildon.' Anyone with information can call Basildon CID on 101. A GoFundMe account has been set up my mother-of-two Joanne Ahrens, who is aiming to raise enough money so the young couple can rent a new house and install a good security system. To donate, please visit the page here.

Danielle Liddle, 22, was beaten with baseball bats while giving birth . Gang of five men broke into her home in Essex and demanded money . They attacked 22-year-old and slashed her in the face with a butcher's knife . Ms Liddle fractured her skull in the assault and is recovering in hospital . She gave birth to baby Reggie on Tuesday despite serious injuries . Partner Chris Miller, who suffered minor injuries, branded gang 'scum' Police are now hunting five men, aged in the twenties, involved in attack .

 and a knife as “cowards”. Police are hunting four masked men who attacked an expectant mother with baseball bats and a knife on a South Yorkshire street.
The couple were expecting their first child in May.
The attack happened in Highgate on Thursday, September 5.
READ MORE: ‘My last text’ Man reveals moment police officer saved him after being shot
The baby was born shortly after in hospital after medical experts decided the couple’s lives were in danger.
Dad-of-two Ian Liddle told YorkshireLive he has “no idea” why his daughter Danielle was the target.
Mr Liddle, 48, said: “We are devastated for Danielle and the baby.”
The attack happened around 9am when the couple were in a car with their daughter, who is two-years-old.
Mr Liddle said: “It is the worst thing in the world knowing what my daughter was put through.
“It’s a horrible thing knowing a knife was used as well.”
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Mr Liddle said the baby was born a few days later after doctors told the couple’s lives were in danger.
He said: “Danielle and the baby are both doing well, as are we all.
“I’m sure the baby has no idea what is going on.
“It’s a big shock to have a baby early as well and to have this situation.”
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He said his daughter was “completely unharmed”, adding that “everyone is safe”.
He said he did not wish to make a statement to the media at this time, as he “would like some privacy at this stage”.
He said: “Everyone is safe. Just let us have time to grieve. The media can get in touch with me at a later date.”
Police have so far arrested two men in connection to the attack.
Police say one man, 31, was arrested on Friday, September 6 in connection to the incident.
A second man,


Calais officials are poised to start bulldozing the illegal migrant camps that have marred the town for more than a decade. Yesterday it emerged that the Prefect of Calais has issued an ultimatum to migrants telling them to remove their belongings and evacuate by the end of the month or be forcibly ejected by riot police. It comes as the Mayor of the port town opened the first purpose built accommodation for migrants since the closure of the notorious Sangatte centre in 2002. Calais officials will begin bulldozing migrant camps around the port city at the end of this month following the opening of a new refugee centre (file image) The Jules Ferry Centre (pictured), currently houses 50 women and children and is preparing to house up to 20 more. The remaining 1,930 immigrants will be housed on wasteland next to it . Yesterday around 50 women and children became the first residents of the purpose-built Jules Ferry Centre with plans to accommodate up to 20 more. Men will not be allowed to sleep there but will be allowed access during the day to make use of the showers and cooking facilities. It is believed the French authorities plan to raze the illegal shanty town which has grown up around the town’s ferry port next Tuesday. The land is owned by a chemical company Tioxide who succeeded in securing an eviction notice on the migrants last summer. But since then the police have failed to move them on and the area has become blighted by rubbish and roughly improvised shelters causing fury among local French residents. It is estimated that there are around 2,000 men, women and children sleeping rough in the town hoping to cross the channel into the UK. Natacha Bouchart, the mayor of Calais, hopes the centre will allow authorities to get a grip on the situation which has plagued her town for months . Once cleared from their existing camps the migrants will be moved to an area of wasteland alongside the Jules Ferry site. The town mayor Natacha Bouchart hopes the measure will help the authorities to gain control over the town’s chaotic migrant population and limit the influence of the people smugglers who exploit the desperation of those living in the filthy camps. But yesterday critics feared the move would only exacerbate the problem with charity workers predicting it would take the women given beds an average of three months to sneak into the UK. Gonzague Van Isacker from the charity Solid’R said: ‘The length of stay at this centre is expected to vary a lot. ‘Perhaps an average of three months for women without children before they manage to get to England.’ Jules Ferry, which has been converted from a former children’s holiday camp, will offer beds, food and hot showers to women and children on the basis that they are too ‘vulnerable’ to be sleeping rough. Set in beautiful dune land next to massive WW2 German bunkers and beaches which afford stunning views of the Channel and the white cliffs of Dover, the centre is half an hour’s walk from the ferry terminal. In addition to the Jules Ferry centre another ‘day’ shelter was also opened yesterday. This will offer migrants showers and mobile phone chargers as well as serving 4,000 meals a day. But the British government has long argued that such measures will only increase the numbers of displaced people congregating in the area with the aim of getting onto lorries crossing to Dover. During the six years that Sangatte was open, it acted as stepping stone to Britain for an estimated 18,000 illegal immigrants and remains a source of bad feeling between Britain and France. Conservative MP Michael Ellis, who sits on the Home Affairs Committee, told MailOnline: ‘The French need to tackle illegal immigration themselves and not set up a camp convenient for for going to England. The new centre has been dubbed Sangatte 2, named after a previous Red Cross centre (pictured) which housed migrants close to the French end of the Channel Tunnel until it was destroyed in 2002 . ‘The French signed up to open borders and now they are failing to properly deal with the consequences. ‘There is a danger that this camp will turn into a new Sangatte, with all the problems that entailed.’ Earlier this week Mayor Bouchart, 52, herself the daughter of eastern European migrants who settled in France, used a speech to European council to blame Britain for the lawlessness in Calais. Speaking on Tuesday she said her town was ‘suffering the consequences of the custodial role Britain has imposed on us to guard its frontier on our territory.’ Relations between the neighbouring countries have steadily deteriorated over the last year over the problem of Calais. Last summer mass brawls between rival gangs left more than 70 people injured and has forced the French riot police to maintain an almost constant presence to keep the peace. In October Home Secretary Theresa May was forced to pledge £12million to tighten security in Calais after 250 immigrants stormed the ferry terminal hoping to make it across the Channel. But last night regional Prefect Denis Robin denied this insisting the new shelters are ‘humanitarian gestures.’ He said: ‘Neither of these centres are in any way new Sangatte-type hostels in Calais.’

Up to 2,000 migrants have been living in Calais shanty towns for months . Authorities have opened new shelter and are moving to bulldoze camps . It is believed that officials will move on temporary shelters next Tuesday .

 by Friday or face having their camp demolished.
Migrants are already beginning to move their possessions and prepare their tents for destruction.
Calais has become synonymous with mass illegal immigration into Europe. A report has recently revealed that migrants in the Jungle camp are now coming from as far as Asia and Africa.
Migrants have complained in the past about their conditions in the camp, as the AFP reports:
Calais’s mayor, Natacha Bouchart, says that many camps were burnt down by migrants, and that it’s only possible to manage the camp with bulldozers because migrants prevent the trucks from coming in. She also says that many migrants “lie” about being minors, claiming to be 16 or 17, when really they’re 18 or 19.
Bouchart has asked for reinforcements after migrants, protesting against a move to make sleeping in the camp illegal, set a large pile of rubbish ablaze. This was in protest against the fact that the town plans to destroy many of the refugee tents. Bouchart says the camp is now under “direct siege” by some of the migrants who are angry that they are being forced to leave. Many of the migrants refuse to go. In February, there were up to 5,000 people living there, and many locals complain about the camp.
It has now reached a point where even police officers are refusing to enter the camp, and one officer was recently injured by migrants when she attempted to go in.
Bouchart is asking for extra help to get migrants out of the camp, which could take months. She wants to move them to a centre in nearby Grande-Synthe that would give them food and shelter. But migrants have said that they don’t want to leave the camp because they have formed ties there and fear being deported to their home countries.
In the meantime, as the camp fills up, migrants have been using their tents and belongings as a means of protest against the eviction.
“We can see lots of people lying on the ground, not doing much. They are just waiting for the bulldozers,” said a police source.
“There is also a lot of traffic between the camp and Calais centre. Some migrants go there for food, or to sleep,” the source added.
Local French officials say the situation in Calais is “unprecedented,” with the migrants making it their main goal to prevent the bulldozers from entering the camp.


Four lucky men who think their partners are out of their league have become the finalists in a 'Punching Above Your Weight' couple competition. Dave Scott and Sarah Oliver, Paula and Stephen Black, Liam and Victoria Barrett, and Lee Hodgson and Leanne Westlake are battling it out to become crowned the UK's most mismatched couple in a competition held by Newcastle's Metro Radio. The finalists beat hundreds of entrants to make it to the top four, and the winners of the tongue-in-cheek competition will win a luxury seven night holiday in a five-star resort in Corfu. Dave Scott, 22, and Sarah Oliver, 24, from Sunderland, have beaten hundreds of entrants to become finalists of the UK's 'Punching Above Your Weight' competition . Originally there were five finalists, but one couple were disqualified from the competition after producers discovered that Andrea Burlington, 36, of South Shields, had entered her deceased husband. Andrea explained that her husband Andrew Bedlington had sadly passed away in October 2013, but she still wanted to enter in tribute to her late husband as a way of keeping his memory alive: 'I felt like I was doing something with him again,' she says,'it was wonderful.' Andrea Burlington, 36, of South Shields, above, entered her husband Andrew in the competition as a way of keeping his memory alive . Andrew, who had two children with Andrea, sadly passed away in 2013 . 'It was my daughter who suggested I enter the competition, and as the conditions said nothing about the entrants being alive, I thought why not! Andrea brought Andrew's ashes into the studios in the urn usually kept next to her bed. Surprised station bosses checked with their legal team and despite her being selected as a finalist, the rules stipulated that the holiday must be awarded to a winning couple, whereas Andrea wanted to take her and Andrew's two children, Shannon, 18, and Chloe, 11. The Metro Radio team decided to treat Andrea and her children to another holiday anyway and an emotional Andrea said: 'I couldn't believe it. Andrew was the breadwinner and I was a stay at home mum, there would be no way I would have be able to take the kids anywhere in the foreseeable future.' Steve Furnell from the Steve & Karen Breakfast show who are holding the competition says: 'Andrea has been so fantastic. It's been an emotional roller coaster and we're so happy that we were able to give her and her girls the chance to go away too. Now it's time to get cracking with our final four couples who'll battle it out for the holiday prize.' MEET THE PUNCHING ABOVE YOUR WEIGHT FINALISTS . COUPLE A: DAVE SCOTT AND SARAH OLIVER . Dave and Sarah from Sunderland have been a couple for three years and have been friends since they were fifteen. The pair have just bought their first house together and Sarah admits her 'thing' for ginger hair was what initially attracted her to Dave. 'I thought I would enter us into the competition because my family and friends often jokingly say I am punching above my weight with Sarah,' Dave told the Mirror.co.uk. Dave, 22, and Sarah, 24 from Sunderland have just bought their first house together as a couple . COUPLE B: PAULA AND STEPHEN BLACK . Hairdresser Paula, 42, and mixed martial arts gym manager Stephen, 36, from Jarrow, County Durham, met on a blind date four years ago. The couple, who got married last September say friends have often joked that they are mismatched: . 'My sister Marie, who I work with in the salon, encouraged me to enter because she has heard Stephen's friends saying he was punching above his weight with me.' says Paula. 'I've heard it too - it is the standard joke. We'd love to win!' Paula, 42, and Stephen, 36, say that the fact he is 'punching' is a standard joke among friends . COUPLE C: LIAM AND VICTORIA BARRETT . It will be Liam and Victoria's fifth wedding anniversary when the winners are announced on Friday. The pair, bith 26 from Chester-le-Street, County Durham who are parents to James, four, and Emily, three and say that Liam has often been told he is 'punching.' 'They say "she cannot be your wife" and 'how have you managed to pull her?' says Liam. Liam and Victoria, 26, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham will be celebrating their wedding anniversary on the day the winners are announced on Friday . COUPLE D: LEE HODGSON AND LEANNE WESTLAKE . The last pair in this year's running are Lee, a Curry's PC World sales assistant and Leanne, a Miss Selfridge sales assistant, both from Stanley, County Durham. The engaged pair met when Lee was working as Leanne's boss in their local pub fours years ago and the couple have a 16-month-old daughter and another child on the way . Lee, 25, and Leanne, 21, from County Durham, have a 16-month-old daughter and another child on the way .

Four couples are in final for 'Punching Above Your Weight' competition . Prize is a luxury seven night holiday at a five-star resort in Corfu . Widow entered her deceased husband to keep his memory alive . Vote for your favourite couple before Friday at www.metroradio.co.uk .

 and Hayley Black are all vying for the title after being voted for by the public. They were chosen as being an example of the UK's 'punching above your weight'.
After going through 200 of the biggest romantic gestures submitted on the couple competition website (couples.marriage.org.uk) a panel of eight judges selected 20 of the most extraordinary stories from their favourite - the public - to form the four finalist couples.
The competition was aimed at finding stories of the unsung heroes, and was an attempt to recognise the many couples who, against the odds, found love in 2010. The winning couple will be announced at an event on Wednesday 23rd November in London.
One couple, Dave and Sarah Oliver, are a perfect example of those couples, and both know what it means to go above and beyond expectations in finding that perfect partner. Dave says "When I first saw Sarah, I thought she was out of my league. We met at a bar where I was working as a waiter, she was there with a friend and I instantly found myself wanting to impress her."
Sarah adds, "After Dave walked away from me, I started to follow him. I was waiting for an excuse to speak to him; but he was so cool and popular, so it took me a while to pluck up the courage to ask him if he wanted to get a drink. When we met later, he took my drink and then asked me out - a romantic gesture if ever there was one! We were engaged five months later and we married the following April. What's more, our baby was born on Sarah's 28th birthday - not bad going by my standards!"
Dave and Sarah believe in letting love be the thing, rather than putting up walls: "We have never tried to hide the fact that we are a young couple with children. I think we get where we need to be when we need to be there." Dave concludes, "I'd say to anyone to just let things happen naturally: a perfect person is waiting for you, just let them be."
The competition, now in its third year, is being run in partnership with TV presenter Fern Britton, the marriage counsellor and relationship expert, and with support from the Marriage Foundation.
For further information on the competition and to watch the finalist couples video, click here.
Marriage and relationships are under increasing pressure from modern day


I just loved seeing Danny Welbeck celebrate his goal. It is a load of tosh when a former player doesn’t celebrate against his old team. Goalscoring is why we play/watch/support — and it’s a while since Danny scored one! United didn’t want to keep him, he left for Arsenal and here he was back at Old Trafford scoring a predatory winner. Danny Welbeck rounded David De Gea to score Arsenal's winner against Manchester United . Welbeck latched on to an weak pass from Antonio Valencia to take the ball past De Gea and score . Welbeck (left) celebrated his goal at Old Trafford despite the fact he used to play for United . Of course he should enjoy it. Before his goal, watching Danny for an hour was awkward TV. The ball was bouncing away from him. He looked desperate at times. Even when he went down in the box, I thought he could have gone on to get a shot away. How much did he want to get into that position to shoot? If you look at Chelsea striker Diego Costa, he just lives for the chances, but as soon as the ball drops for Danny, it’s as if you can hear his pulse racing through the TV and nerves get the better of him. There are lots of things you can work on in football, but goalscorers have that ice in their veins, like Robbie Fowler, Alan Shearer or Thierry Henry. It was staggering that Louis van Gaal did not turn to Radamel Falcao. The poor lad must be thinking: What am I doing here? Louis van Gaal did not use striker Falcao to rescue the game against Arsenal at Old Trafford . Michael Carrick (right) was brought on at half-time but Colombia forward Falcao was unused . I know he is not the player Manchester United thought they were getting, but isn’t it down to the manager to get the best out of him? Goalscorers change games but instead they chased the match with Daley Blind and Michael Carrick, two sitting midfielders, on the pitch. The defending from United for Arsenal’s first goal was unbelievable! Yes, it was a fantastic goal for Arsenal but the defending from United was scandalous.That’s not about tactics, that’s players needing to tackle. Three United players failed to stop Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as he ran at them and Antonio Valencia – who was playing at right back – turned his back on the Arsenal player. Nacho Monreal wheels away to celebrate scoring Arsenal's first goal against United at Old Trafford . Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain breezed through the United defence to provide an assist for the Monreal goal . You cannot do that. Roy Keane was in the studio but he must have been thinking he should be putting his boots back on. Even Roy, at 43,would have put up more resistance. Oxlade-Chamberlain does very well, driving forward and creating the opening (it was nice skill from Mesut Ozil in the build up too), but they cannot be allowed to do that. This fixture used to have Keane v Vieira, but these two midfields were packed with different players and nobody more bold than Santi Cazorla. Santi Cazorla (second right) was in inspirational form as Arsenal secured a place in the FA Cup semi-final . He doesn’t crash into tackles, but he has a different type of courage; courage on the ball. He’ll take it in tight areas, uses both feet and always likes to get the play moving. I could watch him all day. Arsenal were shot to pieces in the 3-1 defeat by Monaco and if it had been down to me, Per Mertesacker would never have played for them again after his display that night. But his performance at Old Trafford showed character and a welcome return to form. Per Mertesacker (left) and Francis Coquelin (right) were particularly impressive for Arsenal at Old Trafford . Francis Coquelin is another who stood out here. Luke Shaw will come through this, but he is playing like he has the handbrake on. Is he being overcoached? What has happened to the marauding full back who played with such freedom for Southampton? He is only 19 and he will come again, but the player Manchester United signed for £30million would hit crosses on the run and did his best work at the top end of the pitch. He isn’t doing that now. It looks to me as if he’s thinking too much and that will be down to him trying to carry out instructions. Luke Shaw didn't enjoy his best night for United and has struggled to recapture his Southampton form . Marouane Fellaini's tireless work for United made him one of their standout players against Arsenal . He is going to be a star, but when you consider how Nathaniel Clyne is developing, why isn’t Shaw doing the same? He is a young man, who has had his injuries, but he is struggling and was taken off at half-time in a reshuffle that ultimately didn’t pay off. It is strange watching United and when their best player is Marouane Fellaini then it shows where they are. I’m not a Fellaini fan, but he is working hard and looks the player most likely to get them out of this hole. The irony is that he is a signing made by David Moyes .

Danny Welbeck struck Arsenal's FA Cup winner against Manchester United . He celebrated the goal and received a mixed reception when substituted . Maroune Fellaini was United's best player but Luke Shaw struggled . Man Utd and Arsenal SPECIAL: Are fans right to question Louis van Gaal? READ: Twitter reacts to Manchester United's FA Cup exit .

 since an Arsenal player scored against his former club.
So that’s a long preamble to me saying that we need to celebrate Welbeck celebrating, the goals, the team and the victory — the Arsenal way. It’s not about him, it’s about how his team mates and we as fans make the players and the team feel. And I’m not sure that you can beat the Arsenal fans in the noise stakes but it’s hard to top the song the players sang to Welbeck. And the singing was really, really loud.
It is so important to see him celebrated and to feel that. I’ve been an Arsenal fan since the 1980s and there’s not often been such a happy time in those years.
Wenger was in control for most of the game and as far as I am concerned his team selection was pretty spot on.
I love all the players but there was one, Alex Iwobi, who was really, really good and is an excellent addition to the team. The others were good too.
Wenger has been in charge for nearly 17 years now, there was a lot of talk of whether he should retire this summer but it looks like he’ll carry on for another couple. He did his best not to talk about it after the game but, after the match, he said: “It’s always special to play at home and win and there is a good atmosphere around the club so we are happy, it was an important three points today.”
I’ve seen some Arsenal games where it looks like they’ve put in an effort but just aren’t able to get back to the high tempo they seem to start off with and it happens again and again. Last season, when we won against Stoke in the Cup, they didn’t play particularly well (and the second half was dire) but still got the three points because of the tempo at which they played. I think the team that starts the second half against West Brom will have a big advantage and will be stronger than the team that played against Chelsea.
We should win this game by a goal or more (as we did against Chelsea) but we need to get the tempo right.
If they score first, we need to respond quickly. If they score first, we need to make them kick-start their counter attack — and don’t give away the ball cheaply.
That is why I was so annoyed with Santi


Many of the planets discovered elsewhere in our galaxy are not like Earth, but rather more like Jupiter. Such gas giants, as far as we know, are not hospitable to life, but now it has been suggested that the moons of these planets could be habitable. If confirmed, it would suggest these locations could be the predominant sources for life in the universe, not worlds like our own Earth. The idea was discussed by Dr Sarah Ballard of the University of Washington in Seattle, on the Public Radio International's (PRI) show The Takeaway. Scroll down for audio . Dr Sarah Ballard of the University of Washington was speaking to PRI. She said exomoons could be the 'predominant sites of life in the universe'. Shown is an illustration of Upsilon Andromedae d, the large world in the distance, orbiting the gas giant in the foreground, which could have habitable moons . She explained how Jupiter-sized planets in the habitable zones of stars - where conditions are ideal for water, and perhaps life - are more common than single rocky worlds like Earth. Hot exomoons . Too close to a star and an exomoon may have an average temperature above the boiling point of water, making it highly unsuitable for any form of life. Habitable exomoons . Exoplanets orbiting in a system’s habitable zone (where liquid water can persist on a planet’s surface) still need sufficient gravity to trap an atmosphere that regulates their temperature. If these conditions are met, however, the prospects for life are promising. Snowball exomoons . Moons formed in the outer reaches of an alien solar system are likely to be dominated by ice. They will remain deep-frozen unless heated by tides from their parent planet - again these are unlikely to be habitats for life. Transient exomoons . Moons of planets with elliptical orbits might be habitable for most of their planet’s year, but can experience hot or snowball periods as they venture too close to their star, or too far from its life-giving heat. Source: All About Space magazine . ‘If even some of these Jupiter-sized planets have moons, they might be the predominant sites of life in the universe,’ she said. In particular, she focused on the world of Upsilon Andromedae d, a gas giant exoplanet about 10 times the mass of Jupiter, located 44 light-years from Earth. While the planet itself is not thought to be habitable, it is possible that a moon in its orbit - known as an exomoon - could be. And if you were to step on the surface of the moon, you would see ‘beautiful tumultuous clouds on the Jovian planet’ and ‘incredibly complex cloud activity,’ according to Dr Ballard. So far, no exomoons have been discovered, but given that six of the eight planets in our solar system have moons, most astronomers regard it as an inevitability rather than a possibility that one will be found. It might be possible to find one in data collected by Nasa’s Kepler space telescope, or it may be necessary to wait for a more powerful planet-hunter to come online, such as the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (Tess), due to launch in 2017. Finding exomoons is a bit of a problem though, as their mass and size is so much less than their host planet. One technique to find them that may prove successful is gravitational microlensing, which uses a foreground star to magnify a more distant one. The chance alignment can reveal exoplanets around a star, and could possibly even be used to spot a moon in orbit. So far, no exomoon has been discovered, but given that six of the eight planets in our solar system have moons, most astronomers regard it as an inevitability rather than a possibility that one will be found. It might be possible to find one in data collected by Nasa’s Kepler space telescope (illustration shown) And we are able to rule certain planets out - ones that are too close to their host star, like Mercury and Venus in our own solar system, are unable to cling on to natural satellites. But finding out if moons are common in our galaxy will be key for the search for life, and could signal a change in goals for planet-hunters in the near future. ‘The fact we reside on a single rocky hunk of rock, orbiting without a big brother planet, might be relatively unusual,’ added Dr Ballard. One technique to find moons could be gravitational microlensing, which uses a foreground star to magnify a more distant one, as shown in this diagram. The chance alignment can reveal exoplanets around a star, and could possibly even be used to spot a moon in orbit .

Dr Sarah Ballard of the University of Washington was speaking to PRI . She said exomoons could be the 'predominant sites of life in the universe' Many planets discovered outside the solar system are Jupiter-sized worlds . It suggests habitable Earth-like planets may not be that common . Instead, moons orbiting larger planets could be the best bet for life .

 be.
In a paper just accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, University of Central Florida Professor of Physics, Joshua Winn, and graduate student, Adam Johnson, describe how two small moons of Jupiter’s moon Io could be habitable in the same way that Earth’s Moon is.
Io is one of the four Galilean moons of Jupiter. These four moons are the most heavily volcanic moons in the solar system. Io is home to a very active volcanic area called the “Great volcanic plain” whose crust is less than a mile thick. The crust is so thin due to the huge tidal heating caused by the gravitational interaction with Jupiter that its temperature is nearly 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that any water vapor and liquid that may be present on the surface is quickly vaporized. As a result, almost all water on Io is under the surface.
This water, though, may be very salty and the tidal heating could cause it to make its way to the surface in the form of very pliable taffy. This means there could be liquid water within a few hundred feet of the surface, at least near Io’s many volcanos.
One interesting volcanic feature is called “turtle ridges.” These are tall narrow ridges that rise to a height that is the same as the average sea level. The theory behind the creation of the ridges is that as volcanic eruptions occurred below the crust the hot lava rose to the surface and then cooled forming the ridges. Due to the high tidal heating the crust is able to rise quickly enough that the lava can make it to the surface where it solidifies before the crust has cooled.
The second moon of Io, named Europa, has been the subject of much attention because of the possibility of an underground ocean. Europa, in contrast to Io, has a thick, cold crust, that has a little bit of an insulating effect from tidal heating. Therefore, any liquid water would be able to freeze.
Recently, though, instruments from NASA’s Voyager spacecraft have detected large amounts of water vapor coming from under the icy surface. This suggests that liquid water in some form is present. If so, then the oceans present under the icy surface could be liquid water. A thick crust makes this ocean the likeliest candidate to support life.
The problem with both of these places is that the temperature and tidal heating conditions are too intense for any life to exist. The temperature is too high because of tidal heating which heats


She has amassed a cult-like following on the internet thanks to her opinions on gender equality, same-sex marriages and race relations. Now Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's committed fans have celebrated her birthday online - with a series of social media memes. The veteran justice, who turned 82 yesterday, has earned the nickname 'Notorious R.B.G.' having served on America's highest bench for 21 years. Notorious RBG: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has a cult-like following on the internet . Committed fans have celebrated Ginsburg's birthday online - with a series of social media memes . One of the memes features a picture of the justice along with the caption: 'All them fives need to listen when a ten is talking' It was inspired by a Tumblr account with the same title - a play on the name of the late rapper Notorious B.I.G. - with the blog set up in her honour. Ginsburg, who has beaten two forms of cancer and said she does 20 push ups a day, once described the online attention she was receiving as 'a wonderful thing'. She said last year: 'I had to be told by my law clerks, 'what's this notorious? And they explained that to me.' One superfan has even had a tattoo of the justice drawn up on her arm with the caption 'SUPREME' written underneath. Over the weekend, fans took to Twitter to celebrate her birthday. Accompanied by a picture of Ginsburg with the caption 'Gangsta lean', Jennie Lynch tweeted: 'Happy 82nd Birthday to the most smart, sassy, and fashionable justice, my role model, Justice Ginsburg #NotoriousRBG.' Online hit: Ginsburg has developed a strong following on the internet thanks to her opinions on gender equality, same-sex marriages and race relations . Planned Parenthood described Ginsburg as 'Fierce, Fabulous, Notorious' in a birthday tween over the weekend . Fans of the veteran justice took to Twitter over the weekend to wish her a happy 82nd birthday . Another Twitter user wrote: 'Happy Birthday, Justice Ginsburg.' Planned Parenthood wrote: 'Fierce. Fabulous. Notorious. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg! #NotoriousBday #NotoriousRBG.' According to the Huffington Post, Notorious RBG blog creator Shana Knizhnik and a journalist will co-author a biography of Ginsburg. Last month the justice spoke out against partisan politics in Washington - saying that the current  Congress wasn't 'equipped really to do anything'. The eldest sitting justice on the court, Ginsburg described her job as the 'best and hardest' one she's ever had - and she has no intention of letting it go just yet . Last month the justice spoke out against partisan politics in Washington - saying that the current Congress wasn't 'equipped really to do anything' Ginsburg, who was the second woman ever appointed to the Supreme Court, also talked about how she still experiences sexism in the chamber - and said she has no plans to retire anytime soon. She has no problem shooting down calls for her retirement based on concerns for her age and health. The eldest sitting justice on the court, Ginsburg described her job as the 'best and hardest' one she's ever had - and she has no intention of letting it go just yet. 'I will step down when I feel I can no longer do the job full steam,' she told MSNBC in February.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has celebrated 82nd birthday . Veteran justice has amassed a cult-like following online over the years . Fans celebrated her birthday by posting a series of social media memes . Has the nickname 'Notorious R.B.G.' having served on America's highest bench for 21 years . One of her fans has even had a tattoo of the justice drawn on to her arm .

 of hilarious memes that have earned hundreds of thousands of likes and retweets.
As the 83-year-old's official birthday was yesterday (16 October), people all over the world paid tribute to their 'Notorious RBG', using memes, gifs and video clips.
Most of the content was created by the official @JudyNotoriousRBG Twitter account, which frequently quotes from Ginsburg's books, speeches and interviews.
"Today's RBG is going down in my Twitter bio for now, but if you'd like to keep the birthday love rolling," the account's curator, an anonymous legal expert named Amy Landa, tweeted on Tuesday.
"I'm not sure if I'll just add a 'RBG' emoji or a different RBG quote everyday, but it should be fun."
Judy Notorious RBG, a compilation of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's most iconic moments. Image: © Notorious RBG via YouTube
'Notorious RBG' is also the title of a new documentary film which tells the remarkable story of Justice Ginsburg's life. Directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen, the film premiered at this year's Toronto Film Festival.
After the film's trailer was released in September, fans posted a slew of images and memes that referenced the film's content and Ginsburg's iconic 'notorious' character.
Some featured images of Ginsburg and her two famous female associates - the late US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton - as a team of superheroes.
Judy, I can see this.
— Mary E. Winstead (@M_E_Winstead) October 15, 2018
I can’t WAIT for this documentary.
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) October 15, 2018
#NotoriousRBG pic.twitter.com/7W5bSbK0BV
— Justice League (@DCEUJLeaguers) October 15, 2018
Happy Birthday #NotoriousRBG! The fight for gender equality is never done. #NotoriousRBG #RBG #RBGnotorious #RBG #RBG #RBG #RBG #RBG #RBG #RBG pic.


Convicted criminals could be banned from smoking in the communal areas of prisons after a landmark court ruling. A High Court judge in London has declared that the 2006 Health Act, which prohibits lighting up in public and in workplaces, applies to all Crown premises, including prisons. It comes after Mr Justice Singh rejected Justice Secretary Chris Grayling's argument that the Crown had immunity from the Act. Criminals could be banned from smoking in the communal areas of prisons following a landmark ruling at the High Court in London . However, the judge accepted his ruling had wide-ranging implications and said it should not take effect until Mr Grayling has had a chance to appeal. The judge was told by Government lawyers that criminalising smoking could lead to unrest in the jails of England and Wales. Prisoners can smoke in their cells with the door shut and outside in exercise yards, but both inmates and staff could face prosecution for lighting up in communal areas if the ruling is not overturned on appeal. The case was brought by Paul Black, an inmate at HMP Wymott in Lancashire, who says he suffers from a range of health problems made worse by second-hand smoke. High Court judge Mr Justice Singh, pictured, made the ruling after rejecting the argument that Crown premises had immunity from the Health Act 2006, which bans smoking in public places and in workplaces . Lawyers for Black, a sex offender who has been at Wymott since 2009, argued both prisoners and staff were guilty of lighting-up in areas prohibited under prison rules, including on landings, in laundry rooms and in healthcare waiting rooms. Lawyers for the Justice Secretary maintained the rules and regulations, especially the sanction of withdrawal of privileges, were sufficient to deal any problem. The Health Act already applies to private prisons as they are not Crown premises. Mr Justice Singh, sitting in London, declared: 'In my judgment it is clear from the terms of the 2006 Act that the intention of Parliament was indeed that it should apply to all public places and workplaces which fell within its scope, including those for which the Crown is responsible.' But giving permission to appeal, the judge acknowledged concerns in the Prison Service over the impact of his decision on 'prisoners who feel the need to smoke and may be resistant to the criminalising of that conduct in places where in my view the Health Act does apply.' Black had also argued that prisoners were legally entitled to anonymous and confidential access to the NHS freephone smoke-free compliance line to report infringements of the rules. The judge said that issue should be reconsidered by the Justice Secretary in the light of his judgment. Black is serving a sentence of indeterminate detention for public protection (IPP) after being convicted in 2007 of sexual assault and outraging public decency. His minimum term in jail expired after 203 days but he cannot be released on licence until the Parole Board decides he is no longer a danger to the public. The case was brought to the High Court by Paul Black, an inmate at HMP Wymott in Lancashire, pictured, who says he suffers from a range of health problems made worse by second-hand smoke . Black's solicitor Sean Humber, head of the Prison Law Team at Leigh Day, said: 'The judgment confirms that the legal restrictions on smoking apply every bit as much in prisons as in the public places and workplaces in the wider community. 'The judgment is important in confirming that prisoners are entitled to the same level of protection from the risks posed by second-hand smoke as everyone else.' However, a Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said; 'Prison cells in England remain exempt from the smoke-free legislation that came into effect in 2007. 'Since that time we have introduced a number of measures to reduce the risk of exposure of staff and prisoners to second-hand smoke. We are undertaking additional measures to continue to lessen the impact of smoking in prisons. 'This includes tightening our current smoking controls, undertaking air quality monitoring in prison accommodation, and maximising the provision of smoking cessation support to those prisoners who want to stop smoking.'

High Court rules smoking in communal areas of prisons should be banned . Mr Justice Singh says smoking ban should apply to all Crown premises . Comes after case was brought by Paul Black, an inmate at HMP Wymott . He claims he suffers health problems caused by second-hand smoke . But Government say criminalising smoking could lead to unrest in jails . Currently prisoners can smoke in cells with doors shut or in exercise yards .

 premises. Although the ban is intended to apply only to employees, this judgment means the ban now applies to those behind bars, including inmates. The judge said the law was ‘unambiguously intended to include the prisoners in this case’. His judgement has led to concerns about safety in jails if prisoners are made to give up smoking.
Tobacco firms, which have argued prisons are different from ‘regular’ workplaces, are understood to be planning to challenge the decision in the Court of Appeal. The Prison Service, which has spent an estimated £7 million preparing for the smoking ban, said it had already introduced smoking shelters and had planned for the possibility of prisoners being made to stop smoking. ‘For the first time in history, prisoners are to be treated like the rest of the public,’ said Lord Woolf, former lord chief justice and author of the 2006 Act. ‘It’s about time.’
However, some former prisoners believe the ruling is a good thing. Mike, a 65-year-old ex-con who is currently serving a 28-year jail term, told The Independent: ‘It means we won’t have any trouble with the cons. They take liberties anyway if they think they can. It’s better than when they use to have fights in the smoking shelters.’
More from the Daily Mail:
Inmates as early as 2006 complained about prison smoking ban
By Paul Harris, Daily Mail, January 16, 2008
A ban on smoking in English prisons began in 2007, but its full impact is not yet clear because some inmates smoke in prison smoking shelters rather than the open air.
Inmates at two jails complained about the ban’s implementation in 2006.
At one prison, inmates were issued with special smoking hoods to allow them to smoke in their cells, while at another, they were allowed to smoke inside the prison’s small gymnasium.
The Home Office has repeatedly pointed out that all prisoners have to follow the smoking ban when they are outside.
The ban on smoking in prisons has led to a significant fall in the numbers of prisoners who smoke, from 57 per cent before the ban was introduced to 30 per cent after a year had passed. [Link]
1 thought on “Prisoners in the U.K. can no longer light up inside prison buildings…”
I hope that the smoking ban will be enforced in prisons and other places where people


An aspiring singer who made it to boot camp on X Factor has become the first short-haired finalist in the Miss England pageant. Jade McQueen bagged first place in her regional competition when she beat off long-locked competitors to take home the title of Miss Surrey. And now the 24-year-old wants to demonstrate to other young women that you don't have to be 'perfect' to win a pageant. Jade McQueen is the first dark-short-haired contestant to earn a place in the Miss England finals . Jade wowed the judges at the regional contest, her first ever pageant, in a dark blue satin dress as a she shared the tale of how she delivered her sister younger sister in her family's front room. Before Jade earned her place in the Miss England final there had only ever been one other shorter-haired competitor, but even she had a traditional look. Jade says: 'There was a short-haired contestant in 2009 with blonde hair but hers was shoulder length and that was considered short. Mine is cropped so is much shorter.' Jade says that for her winning was especially important after the short-haired Miss Jamaica lost out to the long haired Miss Columbia at last year's Miss Universe final. Jade took home the crown at the Miss Surrey finals which was her first ever beauty pageant . Jade wants to demonstrate to other potential contestants that you don't have to conform to win . 'Everyone was so shocked that short hair would get in the way of winning. So I am pleased that more short-haired women are being recognised in beauty pageants now. 'I want to prove that long hair isn't the only beautiful hairstyle.' Jade, who works as a coordinator receptionist has a history of charity work which she says helped her find her way into beauty pageants. 'I'm really into charity work and I wanted to expand that so pageanting was the perfect fit. It was Jade's love of charity work that helped her find her way into pageanting, she now works with Beauty with a Purpose, a Miss World charity . 'It was researching pageanting online that I found Beauty with a Purpose (the Miss World charity) and that's what got me into the pageanting scene.' With her cropped hair and undercut Jade doesn't exactly fit the pageanting stereotype, however Jade says that her alternative looks have helped her secure modelling jobs in the past that led to her success at the Miss Surrey contest. 'I worked as a gothic model when I was younger. You are always offered cash or the pictures from the shoot and I always picked the pictures so that I was able to build up my portfolio.' Jade says that by winning a beauty pageant she hopes to show other women that you don't have to conform to a stereotype to win or even enter a contest. Jade also hopes to further her singing career having appeared on last year's X Factor . 'I want to use the way I look to promote diversity and I want to inspire other girls and show them that you don't have to be stick thin to enter. There are no rules, anyone can enter. I did and I won. 'I believe all women are beautiful in their own way and that they should not feel the need to look the same just to fit in.' Jade added that many young women are unaware that there are no requirements to enter a pageant and she believes that is down to bad stereotypes. 'A lot people think that beauty pageants are old-fashioned because they have this perception of a traditional looking girl, but it's not the pageants that are old-fashioned, it's the public's perception.' Jade's hair helped to set her apart from her more traditional looking competitors but rather than rely on a salon for her perfect crop, Jade looks to her own mother, Sara. 'My mum is the only person allowed to cut my hair I never go to salons. I have had my cropped hair for about six years, and will probably always have it. 'Short hair suits my body and face shape and I will not grow it or put extensions in so that I look the same as other contestants.' When it comes to beauty inspiration Jade looks to fellow short-haired celebrities. 'My idol is Grace Jones I think she shows how glamorous you can be with short hair but I also love Halle Berry. I've always wanted to be in a Bond film so she is a real inspiration.' Jade is certainly ambitious and as well as aiming for gold at the Miss England finals in September the 24-year-old hopes to progress in her singing career having reached the boot camp stages of X Factor last year. 'I never take on a permanent job I only ever do temporary work. I'm a singer and I sing a lot so if a job comes up for me I don't want to be restricted by a full-time job,' she says.

Jade McQueen took home first prize at the Miss Surrey contest . She will enter Miss England in September as the only short-haired finalist . Jade hopes to demonstrate that you don't have to conform to be beautiful .

 sash.
The 21-year-old from Northampton - whose locks were trimmed for the pageant - has been dubbed a 'badass' in a recent interview.
Appearing at Miss England's Instagram page, Jade shared the news of her success.
“It feels very surreal,” she told the site, as reported by Daily Star.
“In the beginning, I didn’t think I would be the person on the journey and so far the experience has been amazing.”
Read more: Strictly's Stacey Dooley is crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner - in second place
“I was very nervous about the semi-finals so it was really overwhelming, the love and support.
“I also had messages from previous Miss England and they were so lovely, giving me little bits of advice about the show. It was very, very sweet.”
The singer and songwriter was also crowned Miss East Midlands in 2017.
Jade was among four contestants competing in the Miss England finals.
This year, a record number of more than 5,000 women registered their interest in competing for the coveted crown.
“Everyone on our team has sacrificed so much and they really deserved this,” said the pageant’s director, Angie Beadle.
“From the first rehearsal to the final performance, everyone was so committed to working hard and they all deserve this,” she said of the other contestants.
Among them was Jade's rival, who went on to make the runner-up place.
The final two contestants both came from Kent.
It marks the fifth time in a row a Miss Kent has made the finals. The 2018 winner, Danielle Louise, became the first black winner of the beauty pageant.
Who will be the next?
This year's Miss England winner, who has now become a professional singer, received a cash prize of £4,000, a designer trophy and £10,000 worth of professional support.
The Miss England 2019 is sponsored by British Heart Foundation.
The charity aims to prevent and fight heart disease, with 5.8 million people in the UK are living with the heart and circulatory disease.
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It also receives around £5 million of public donations each year to fund life-saving research and support patients.
It will be held next summer in Birmingham


Little Ariana Sufi has amazed her parents after learning how to say 'I love you' - aged just seven weeks. Proud father Ali Sufi, 25, was tucking his daughter into bed for an afternoon nap when he told her he loved her - and was stunned when she said it back. The baffled sales assistant repeated the amazing conversation to his partner Fatima, 22, who thought he was joking - until she heard her daughter speak for herself. Ariana now tries to say 'I love you' whenever she hears the phrase - and her parents are expecting her to grow up into a very chatty child. Ali, from Kilburn, north-west London, said: 'She was in her cot bed and I said to her once "I love you" and she said it back. Ariana Sufi has amazed her parents after learning how to say 'I love you' - aged just seven weeks . Ariana now tries to say 'I love you' whenever she hears the phrase - and her parents are expecting her to grow up into a very chatty child . 'I thought I was going crazy, and that I must have been imagining it or I couldn’t hear it properly. 'I told my partner and she said "you’re lying, you’re lying" but I showed her again and now she keeps trying to say it all the time. 'She isn’t very good at saying the "I" but you can always clearly hear the "love you". 'We are really proud - babies just don’t speak this quick.' Baby Ariana was born in December last year and first made her declaration of love in early February when she was just seven weeks and one day old. Fatima Abubakar with her daughter Ariana Ali Shariff and husband Ali Shariff Sufi . Proud father Ali Sufi, 25, was tucking her into bed for an afternoon nap when he told her he loved her and she suddenly said it back to him . 'We are really proud,' he said. 'Babies just don't speak this quick' Baby Ariana was born in December last year and first made her declaration of love in early February, pictured, when she was just seven weeks and one day old . Her words have since been caught on camera by Ali, who in the clip can be heard repeating 'I love you' in a sing-song tone. Ariana, who is now 12 weeks old, appears to be trying to say something before she blurts out 'love you'. Babies don’t usually start speaking full words until they are more than a year old. 'When she was just three or four weeks old she was saying "ahhs" and she has always been a very active baby,' said Ali. 'She is always punching, and giggling and smiling. I have always talked to her quite a lot, and love talking and playing with her. 'The first time she did it she was one month and 22 days. 'I’ve always thought she was quite smart. She recognises people already. 'I think we are going to have a very noisy home and a chatty baby as she learns more words.' When she was just three or four weeks old she was saying 'ahhs' and she has always been a very active baby . Ariana, who is now 12 weeks old, appears to be trying to say something before she blurts out 'love you' in the video recorded by her father . According to her father, she is always punching, and giggling and smiling. 'I have always talked to her quite a lot, and love talking and playing with her,' he said . Her words have since been caught on camera by Ali, pictured, who in the clip can be heard repeating 'I love you' in a sing-song tone . This story comes after Toni and Paul McCann from Ireland released a video of their adorable son Cillian saying his first word at just seven weeks old. The tiny tot, who is now nine weeks old, was filmed by his 36-year-old mother who says that she knew he had been trying to communicate for a while. Toni said: 'He was trying to speak for a while but that day I knew he was trying to say something. 'I'd read that babies communicate from a young age and to give them space to answer when you talk to them. 'That was I was doing that day and because he was so alert and making such good eye contact I decided to video him. You can tell my total shock when he came out with "hello".' In the short clip, Cillian can be seen moving his mouth around trying to talk. After making several attempts he eventually comes out with his first word. Last year, a video of an infant saying 'I love you' went viral. Stephanie Passalacqua reveals in her description of the impressive video that the baby's father noticed her trying to mimic all his words. The baby's gaze never leaves her father's face as he tries several times to get her to defy all reason by speaking the words. Finally, after a few laboured attempts, the baby manages to just about blurt out the words.

Ali Sufi, 25, was tucking his daughter Ariana into bed for an afternoon nap . Said 'I love you' and was amazed when she said it back . Babies usually start speaking full words after a year .

 she said the magic words.
"I had just got her back to sleep when she uttered it," said Ali. "My wife Laura, 25, and I were both in shock as it has never happened before."
Ali and Laura Sufi took three years for their family to be formed
The delighted dad took to social media to share the amazing moment after a friend told him the same thing had happened with her 18-week-old daughter last week.
Ali and Laura Sufi, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, first started trying for a baby in 2018. But then life got in the way - and three years passed before the couple were able to conceive.
Now Ali is the proud dad of two beautiful girls - Ariana and her twin sister Zara, who was born in February.
"We wanted three kids so we decided to start trying for Ariana straight away.
Ariana and her twin sister Zara
"In all honesty, we hadn't given up hope that she would ever be a big sister but we thought it would be more unlikely. We were all shocked when the twins arrived.
"I had been told my sperm count wasn't particularly healthy and my father had two twin girls, but we didn't think that would be the case. My brother has a daughter with his wife who has fertility problems so it was amazing to have the girls.
"I never expected to have triplets, but everything was perfect."
The twins were born prematurely and spent time in neonatal intensive care (NICU) before they were allowed home.
"There were ups and downs, which was understandable, but when the girls came home they were all perfect. It was lovely seeing them do the things they weren't supposed to do when they were little and I still pinch myself that I now have two beautiful daughters.
"After everything I've been through I feel very lucky and I don't take things for granted."
Ali and Laura Sufi are incredibly proud of the little girls who have filled their lives with so much joy.
But they can't believe they have a baby girl and an almost-two-year-old to look after.
Ali is an electrical engineer with a friend who is an auto electrician. Laura is a children's specialist practitioner.
The pair have been married for five years and had fertility treatments for years.
"The girls just came naturally as a surprise," Ali said.


The Arizona aid worker who was killed while being held captive by ISIS in Syria was honored with a moving memorial service in her hometown on Saturday. Kayla Mueller, 26, was captured in August of 2013 after leaving a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Aleppo, Syria, and held for 18 months. It is believed she was killed by Jordanian airstrikes targeting ISIS in Raqqa last month. About 500 people, including Arizona Senator John McCain, attended a ceremony in an auditorium at Yavapai College in Prescott that was held to honor the memory of 'the ultimate Good Samaritan'. Scroll down for video . Kayla Mueller, 26, was honored with a memorial at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona, on Saturday . Her father, Carl Mueller (right), addressed  the service with some assistance from Kayla's brother Eric (left) Arizona Senator John McCain spoke to about 500 people at the ceremony . Speakers at the ceremony reminisced about Kayla's quick wit and an overflowing heart. Kayla's father, Carl Mueller, read a moving letter at the service, recounting his daughter's discovery that her life's purpose was to ease the suffering of others. Mr Mueller paused to regain his composure as he read the letter his daughter wrote while working an earlier job at an orphanage in India. As her father struggled to get through a particular passage, Kayla's brother Eric rubbed his shoulders. He quoted his daughter as saying: 'This is my life's work. But my family is my life.' Kayla's family members thanked the soldiers who risked their lives in a rescue attempt for her. They also tried to bring some levity to the ceremony and Kayla's father, dressed in a  dark suit and tie, made sure to lift up the legs of his pants to show off the rainbow socks he found in her room. Her parents have started a nonprofit organization called 'Kayla's Hands' designed to further her humanitarian efforts locally and internationally. Kayla was captured by ISIS in August of 2013 in Aleppo, Syria and held for 18 months before being killed . Kayla helped raise awareness of HIV and AIDS and worked the overnight shift at a women's shelter in Prescott . Sen. McCain's voice cracked with emotion as he delivered a short tribute to Mueller. He said 'I didn't have the privilege - the blessing - of knowing Kayla. I wish I had. 'I'd be a better man for knowing her. I'm sure of that. 'But her example of compassion and courage, her generosity, her unbowed humanity, have by her terrible sacrifice and her dignity in extremity reached so many people who did not know her as all of you knew her. 'We can try to give justice to her murderers' other victims and their families. 'But even if we succeed, and our retribution is swift and complete, we could not equal the rebuke that Kayla's life gave to the culture of death that robbed her of it. 'I never knew Kayla. That's my loss. But I won't forget her. That's my privilege and my responsibility.' Mr Mueller read a letter at the service revealing the discovery that Kayla's purpose was to ease suffering . Emotions ran high during the ceremony yesterday and Mr Mueller had to be comforted by his son (right) ISIS released images of a badly-damaged building in which they claimed Kayla had been killed by an airstrike . A slideshow at the ceremony flashed images of happy moments in Kayla's life. Childhood photos showed her on a camping trip, standing next to a snowman and laughing as a dog sat straight up in a chair at the table during a meal. Other images showed Kayla as an adult, affectionately nudging her face on a horse's neck in one photo and, in another frame, bending down to smell flowers. In her hometown, Kayla helped raise awareness of HIV and AIDS and volunteered for the overnight shift at a women's shelter. She protested genocide in Darfur, Sudan, while in college at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. She also traveled to the Palestinian territories, Israel, India and France. Sen. McCain said: 'We can try to give justice to her murderers' other victims and their families' The Arizona Diamondbacks wore a patch with 'KAYLA' on it during spring training games earlier this month . Sen. McCain's voice cracked with emotion as he delivered a short tribute to Mueller during the ceremony . Kayla and her Syrian boyfriend were both taken hostage. He was released, but he returned to Syria to try to free her. She became interested in Syria after her boyfriend told about the struggles of refugees there. Her death was confirmed Feb. 10 by her family and US officials. The Arizona Diamondbacks wore a black patch with 'KAYLA' on it during spring training games earlier this month. Team President Derrick Hall said the way the young humanitarian 'gave back to the world around her embodied many of the core values' of the Diamondbacks organization. He said Kayla 'will always have a place in the history of Arizona' and that the Diamondbacks are 'deeply saddened by her loss.' Kayla is the fourth American to die while being held by ISIS. Three others - two journalists and an aid worker - were beheaded. In each case, their captors demanded huge ransoms, which the United States has refused to pay, saying doing so would only encourage more kidnappings. President Barack Obama has defended that policy, although he has said it was extremely difficult to explain it to victims' families. Kayla and her mother Marsha Mueller (right). Her parents have started a nonprofit organization called 'Kayla's Hands' designed to further her humanitarian efforts locally and internationally . Kayla's family members - Eric, Marsha and Carl (left to right) are seen during the memorial service for her .

Kayla Mueller, 26, was captured by ISIS in August of 2013 in Aleppo, Syria . Was held for 18 months before being killed last month, likely by airstrike . International aid worker was honored in hometown of Prescott, Arizona . Emotional father said daughter's purpose was to ease suffering of others . 500 people attended Saturday service including Arizona Sen. John McCain .

 Aleppo, Syria, to visit another medical facility. “Her final act of selfless service was an expression of her deep commitment to our common humanity,” said Father Robert Cistone of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Phoenix, the parish where Mueller’s funeral Mass was held. Mueller had previously lived in Chandler and graduated from Hamilton High School, a part of the Chandler Unified School District. “The people of the Diocese of Phoenix will hold her memory in the heart of each of us,” said Cistone. The family has not released details about the cause of her death. At the service, Mueller’s friends, family and co-workers paid tribute to the compassionate woman who loved working to make the world a better place. “Her gentle spirit brought compassion, love, and kindness to people around her,” said Cistone, noting that Mueller also played the piano, loved animals, and was the “most graceful dancer” at a wedding he has ever seen. The service included readings from the Bible, as well as songs sung by Mueller’s family and the congregation. Friends say Mueller touched many lives, even though she was quiet and humble, and they will miss her laughter and love.
MCCB's Mission and Ministry
The Catholic Community of St. Matthew Parish, the "mother church" of the Mission and Ministry Committee, is located in east Phoenix, but its parishioners minister in every part of metropolitan Phoenix and other areas throughout the world. St. Matthew Parish is one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Phoenix and has been a vital part of that Diocese for decades. With an active and very diverse membership, the parish reflects the social and economic development that has taken place in the Phoenix area.
Our parish is large enough to offer many opportunities for Christian fellowship and growth to its more than 11,000 families, yet small enough for parishioners to know and value one another. There are many lay leaders who have been trained at all levels of the pastoral mission of the Church. Lay people offer leadership in music, liturgy, education, and ministry and are members of all the governing boards. Many lay people provide outstanding service to the needs of the parish, its outreach and social ministries, and the educational programs, including the parish school. The parish also has a number of lay religious, including two sisters from the Missionary Franciscans of the Immaculate, the Little Sisters of the Poor, who have been assigned to parish ministries. All ministries are based


(CNN)If you were the member of a minority group and tried to create a system to control and oppress the majority, you could not have done a better job than the white leaders of Ferguson, Missouri. Let's start with the demographics. Ferguson is small -- roughly 20,000 residents -- and is 67% black and 29% white. Over the past decade, Ferguson's population has changed from majority white to majority black. Its elected officials did not. Five of six City Council members are white, as is the city's mayor. How does this happen in a city two-thirds black? Two answers: timing of elections and type of elections. Ferguson, like most municipalities, holds elections in April of odd-numbered years. However research shows that such "off-cycle" elections reduces voter turnout. Ferguson also holds nonpartisan elections, which means that there are no party labels on the ballot. This not only reduces the likelihood that people will vote, it also has been shown to reduce what voters know about the candidates. Although Missouri does not track the race of its voters, according to an article in The Washington Post, Catalist, a private voter data firm, performed a study and found that the voting rules operating in Ferguson effectively suppress the black vote. In the national election in November 2012, the study found, voter turnout between blacks (54%) and whites (55%) was virtually identical. But because of the vast racial differences in the city's population, it resulted in an electorate that was 71% black and 28% white. Fast-forward five months later in April, when whites were three times (17%) more likely to vote than blacks (6%). That resulted in an electorate that was majority white: 52% versus 47%. That is how a majority-black population winds up with almost all-white elected representatives. Ferguson's law enforcement officers are also not representative, with roughly 94% of its police force being white. Similarly Ferguson's local judges are nonrepresentative. I'm sensing a pattern here. Local judges are appointed by the Ferguson City Council upon nomination by the mayor for a two-year term. The Ferguson Municipal Court is also all-white. But the black citizens of Ferguson apparently keep the police and local judges very busy. In 2013, Ferguson had the highest number of warrants issued in the state, when you control for size: 3.6 pending arrest warrants per household and 2.2 arrest warrants on average per person. And 95% of people arrested for jaywalking in Ferguson are black. While 67% of the population is black, 86% of vehicle stops involve a black driver. While 29% of the population is white, 12.9% of vehicle stops involve a white driver. Blacks were almost twice as likely to be searched as whites, even though searches of blacks were less likely than whites to result in contraband being found (21% vs. 34%). Nobody said racism made sense. But for Ferguson, it has made money. In prior years Ferguson tried to raise sales tax but learned the hard way that it did not result in increased revenue because people voted with their feet and took their wealth with them. Ferguson turned to a different revenue source: collecting traffic fines and penalties from the largely black population. Those revenues constitute Ferguson's second-highest revenue source. Once a resident gets a ticket and does not appear in court with an explanation, an arrest warrant is likely issued. Once arrested, the resident may sit in jail for a very long time, while the fees and fines continue to accrue. A class-action lawsuit filed this month against the city of Ferguson has challenged this funding system, calling it a "modern debtors' prison scheme." The remarkable part of this story is how patient the black residents of Ferguson have been. It took the death of a teenager to get them mad enough to protest and the nation got mad with them. Between the class-action lawsuit and the Department of Justice's involvement, blacks in Ferguson should know the world is watching. The arc of history is long and bends towards justice -- and help is finally on the way.

Dorothy Brown: Ferguson political system has been effective at oppressing majority . It has done so with the timing and type of elections, Brown says . Brown: Fines filled city coffers; black citizens have been remarkably patient, but no more .

: Ferguson is 67.5% white, which is lower than the average of 71.7% for St. Louis county. And if that wasn't enough, the community of Ferguson is only 29% African-American, 17% Latino, 4% Asian and 3% Native American, so 55% white to only 16% non-white.
But let's not stop there; the police force is more than 90% white. In the past decade, the population of Ferguson has increased 50%, but the number of Ferguson police officers increased only 13%. Yet, the number of officers with whom the public interacts is still 90% white.
And since the police are the primary arbiters of what is permissible in the community, their white skin has given them the power to police this community -- and every other one -- in ways that they might not be able to otherwise.
Even those who claim to be opposed to police harassment (and the police harassment of the police themselves) are part of the problem when we don't acknowledge the role that white skin plays.
It's important to highlight the race of police because while white police officers are more likely to engage in racial profiling, it's not a white vs. non-white issue. In 2013, black police officers were three times more likely to stop and frisk a person of color, despite the fact that the rate of drug use is not three times higher among people of color than among white people.
While some say that the police's job is to protect people of all races and ethnicities, that job does not translate into actual racial equality in policing.
For example, while the Supreme Court banned stop-and-frisk practices in the 1960s, police have still maintained this practice, but for African-Americans and Latinos.
White Americans may not always be treated fairly in Ferguson, but even that is a result of the racist power of white Americans.
Even when a group is trying to be inclusive, white people will not always understand the importance of including people of color.
At the University of Wisconsin at Madison, I noticed that even the "All-Black Party" was attended by mostly white students, and that's the case at most schools, and particularly those in the Deep South.
Last summer, when a black woman told me that she was not interested in dating black men, she meant that she was not interested