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Brazilian championship results and standings


Aug 30 (Gracenote) - Results and standings from the Brazilian championship matches on Monday Monday, August 29 Atletico Paranaense 1 Botafogo 0 Sunday, Augus...


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U.S. Open women's singles round 1 results


Aug 30 (Gracenote) - Results from the U.S. Open Women's Singles Round 1 matches on Tuesday Nicole Gibbs (U.S.) beat Aleksandra Krunic (Serbia) 6-1 6-0 Zhang ...


As Fed nears rate hikes, policymakers plan for 'brave new world'
By Jason Lange and Ann Saphir
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo., Aug 27 (Reuters) - Federal Reserve policymakers are signaling they could raise U.S. interest rates soon but they are already weighing new tools they may need to fight the next recession.
A solid U.S. labor market "has strengthened" the case for the first rate increase since last December, Fed Chair Janet Yellen told a central banking conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Several of her colleagues said the increase could come as soon as next month if the economy does well.
Further rate hikes are expected to be few and far between as the U.S. central bank tries to balance a desire to fuel growth against worries it could overheat the economy.
But Fed officials at three-day conference that ended Saturday also said they need to consider new policy tools for use down the road, such as raising the inflation target or even Fed purchases of non-government-backed assets like corporate debt.
Such ideas would test the limits of political feasibility and some would need congressional approval. The view within the Fed is that it could take effort to win over a public already skeptical of the unconventional policies the Fed undertook during the last crisis.
Policymakers think new tools might be needed in an era of slower economic growth and a potentially giant and long-lasting trove of assets held by the Fed. And they are convinced the time to vet them is now, while rates look to be heading up.
"Central banking is in a brave new world," Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart said in an interview on the sidelines of the conference.
At the center of the Fed's discussions is its $4.5 trillion balance sheet, built up by bond-buying sprees to combat the 2007-09 recession but which has been criticized by many lawmakers.
While policymakers have maintained the Fed should eventually reduce its bond holdings, Lockhart said some officials were closer to accepting that they needed to learn to live with them.
"I suspect there are colleagues who are contemplating at least maybe a statically large balance sheet is just going to be a fact of life and be central to the toolkit," he said.
Officials have said they will slowly let the balance sheet shrink, a process that would take years and would not begin until interest rate increases are well underway. Substantial progress could be made only in a very long-lived economic expansion.
"I am sure everyone in the audience would be happy if this were the reality. I certainly would be," Simon Potter, the New York Fed's markets chief, said during the conference.
Yellen, in her speech on Friday, said balance sheets would likely swell again in future recessions as the Fed snaps up assets to stimulate the economy.
The conference, attended by all but two of the Fed's 17 policymakers as well as central bankers from around the world, also presented a menu of more exotic proposals. This included a Fed takeover of short-term debt markets and abolishing cash in order to charge negative interest rates.
Many of the more radical proposals, including one to abandon monetary policy altogether and focus on urging runaway deficit-spending, were seen as ivory tower musings.
Most policymakers, including Yellen, said it was likely the tools the Fed used to fight the last crisis, including rate cuts, bond purchases and jawboning on rate expectations, will be adequate.
Still, she said, "future policymakers might choose to consider some additional tools that have been employed by other central banks," including buying a wider range of assets or raising the inflation target. She also cited the possibility of targeting the average level of prices in the economy rather than their rate of change.
Notably, her laundry list of possible tools did not include negative rates, an idea that has been nearly universally panned by Fed officials. She said the Fed is not actively considering additional policy tools but participants at the conference suggested the process is already well underway.


By Jason Lange and Ann Saphir JACKSON HOLE, Wyo., Aug 27 (Reuters) - Federal Reserve policymakers are signaling they could raise U.S. interest rates soon but...


As Fed nears rate hikes, policymakers plan for 'brave new world'


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Cycling-Road-Vuelta a Espana classification after stage 8


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As Obama heads to Laos, signs of a tilt away from China
By Marius Zaharia
VIENTIANE, Aug 28 (Reuters) - The secretive communist government of Laos, a country with a population of less than 7 million, rarely causes a ripple on the diplomatic circuit. And yet its sleepy capital will spring to life next week when global leaders arrive for an Asian summit.
Barack Obama will be among them, making the last push of his presidency to 'rebalance' Washington's foreign policy towards Asia, a strategy widely seen as a response to China's economic and military muscle-flexing across the region.
The might of Laos' giant neighbour to the north is hard to miss in Vientiane: wealthy Chinese driving SUVs overtake tuk-tuks sputtering along the roads and Chinese-backed hotels sprout from noisy construction sites in one of Asia's most low-rise cities.
But diplomats say Obama could be pushing on an open door in Laos, thanks to a change of government there in April.
They say the country's new leaders appear ready to tilt away from Beijing and lean more closely towards another neighbour, Vietnam, whose dispute with China over the South China Sea has pushed it into a deepening alliance with the United States.
"The new government is more influenced by the Vietnamese than the Chinese," said a Western diplomat in Southeast Asia." "It's never too late for a U.S. president to visit."
Obama will become the first sitting U.S. president to visit landlocked Laos, where the United States waged a "secret war" while fighting in Vietnam, dropping an estimated two million tonnes of bombs on the country. About 30 percent of the ordnance failed to explode, leaving a dangerous and costly legacy.
Laos has strategic importance to both Vietnam and China. Vietnam has a long land border with Laos that gives it access to markets in Thailand and beyond. For China, Laos is a key gateway to Southeast Asia in its "new Silk Road" trade strategy.
Laos, which is developing a series of hydropower plants along one of the world's longest rivers, the Mekong, aims to become "the battery of Asia" by selling power to its neighbours.
SHIFTING POLICY
It is difficult to read policy in Laos because its leaders are so uncommunicative, but Western diplomats have detected some shifts.
First, deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad - who ran the steering panel for a $7 billion Chinese rail project - retired. The project is now believed to be on hold because Laos is unhappy with the terms of the deal.
Officials of Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith's new government, many of them educated in Vietnam, have visited Hanoi en masse in recent weeks, their first foreign trip.
At two of the past meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is currently chaired by Laos, Vientiane has taken a more nuanced stance on Beijing than neighbouring Cambodia, which is increasingly seen as a Chinese satellite.
"The U.S. strategic interest in Laos is to see the country be able to exert a certain degree of strategic autonomy because you don't want ... (to) have something akin to the relationship between China and Cambodia," said Phuong Nguyen of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank.
A defence official in Washington did not comment on wider strategic issues but described Laos as "an important partner."
A China foreign ministry spokesman said "we welcome any country, including those inside and outside this region, developing constructive relations, as long as these ties are really beneficial to regional peace, stability and prosperity."
LONG-TERM BATTLE
Beijing has invested around $1 billion annually in Laos in 2014 and 2015, a step up from the $4.5 billion invested historically before 2014, according to figures from China's Ministry of Commerce and state-run media.
For the United States, impoverished Laos is not a strong investment draw.
"In Laos, we bring 7-8 companies to the table compared with 30-40 companies that Vietnam brings. But China- that's a totally different ball game," said Anthony Nelson, director of the U.S.-ASEAN business council.
"So there's no coincidence that the countries with the lowest levels of development, Laos and Cambodia, are the most willing to advocate for China's position in international discussions."
But the Lao are closer culturally to Vietnam than they are to China. Their businesses use Lao language signs and mixed Lao-Vietnamese families incorporate local customs, while Lao-Chinese families tend to be isolated.


By Marius Zaharia VIENTIANE, Aug 28 (Reuters) - The secretive communist government of Laos, a country with a population of less than 7 million, rarely causes...


As Obama heads to Laos, signs of a tilt away from China


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Uruguayan championship results and standings


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Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW (www.afr.com) Macquarie Group's Nicholas Moore ...


Finnish championship results and standings


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Murder probe after death of 30-year-old assault victim
A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a 30-year-old man.
Police were called to reports of a man assaulted in Tranquil Vale, Blackheath, south-east London, in the early hours of Sunday, Scotland Yard said.
Oliver Dearlove, from nearby Eltham, was taken to an east London hospital, where he died just after 10.20pm.
Oliver Dearlove, who died following an assault Tranquil Vale, Blackheath, south east London
A post-mortem examination will be carried out at Greenwich Mortuary on Tuesday.
Detective Chief Inspector Lee Watling, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "We are retaining an open mind at this stage of the investigation with regards to a motive and our primary aim is to establish how Mr Dearlove came to receive the injuries which led to his death.
"We are appealing for anyone who was at Tranquil Vale who witnessed the incident, in particular a group of up to four white females who Mr Dearlove and his friends were speaking to around the time the offence occurred."


A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a 30-year-old man. Police were called to reports of a man assaulted in Tranquil Vale, Blackhe...


Murder probe after death of 30-year-old assault victim


Whiplashed investors stay skittish about St. Jude
By Carl O'Donnell and Lauren Hirsch
Aug 26 (Reuters) - One day after a short seller claimed that St. Jude Medical Inc's heart implants are vulnerable to deadly cyber attacks, investors appear most concerned about whether the accusation will derail St. Jude's $24 billion planned deal for Abbott Labs to buy it.
St. Jude's stock at one point fell around 3 percent on Friday, though it ended the day slightly up, following a drop of around 5 percent on Thursday after Muddy Waters Capital leveled the accusation against St. Jude. The stock continues to trade well below its price on Wednesday of around $82 per share.
St. Jude called the allegations "false and misleading."
St. Jude in April agreed to sell itself to Abbott, and the deal was widely considered a slam dunk before the cyber security concerns were raised.
"It's hard to imagine that this could scuttle the deal," said one investor, who asked to remain anonymous because he wasn't authorized to speak with the press. "But there are a few paths that could lead to problems."
Abbott could decide to back out of the St. Jude deal or push for a lower valuation "if they were to conclude remediation steps must be taken with St. Jude's technology," Jason Mills, an analyst at Canaccord Genuity, said in a note.
One concern being voiced is that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration could demand a full-scale product recall, which in turn could trigger a "material adverse change" clause in St. Jude's merger agreement.
That would give Abbott the ability to walk away from the deal, according to investors and analysts interviewed by Reuters.
If the deal were called off due to an adverse event, St. Jude would probably fall below the approximately $60 per share that it was trading at before the Abbott deal was announced, investors said.
A forced recall, though, is unlikely, according to Mills. The FDA issued its first guidance on managing cybersecurity in medical devices only eight months ago, and is still seen primarily as playing an advisory role in the area.


By Carl O'Donnell and Lauren Hirsch Aug 26 (Reuters) - One day after a short seller claimed that St. Jude Medical Inc's heart implants are vulnerable to dead...


Whiplashed investors stay skittish about St. Jude


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Cycling-Road-Vuelta a Espana mountain classification after stage 9


Aug 28 (Gracenote) - Mountain Classification Vuelta a Espana after Stage 9 on Sunday 1. Thomas De Gendt (Belgium / Lotto) 19 2. Alexandre Geniez (France / FD...


Border deal with Montenegro stirs tensions in Kosovo
By Fatos Bytyci
RUGOVA MOUNTAINS, Kosovo, Aug 30 (Reuters) - High in the Cursed Mountains that span Kosovo and Montenegro, lumberjack Rame Elezaj and his family have earned a living from their trees for decades.
But if Kosovo's parliament approves a border deal with Montenegro on Thursday, all 4.5 hectares of Elezaj's land will designated to be in another country, while his house will remain in Kosovo.
"We have always used this land and Montenegro never had any issues, and now our government wants to give it away for free," the 61-year-old told Reuters.
For decades after World War Two, villagers never viewed the administrative lines that criss-crossed Yugoslavia as anything but notional boundaries that had little impact on everyday life.
But years after that communist state was ripped apart by the Balkan wars in the 1990s, border disputes remain one of many difficulties in untangling the former Yugoslavia, along with ethnic hostility, violence and political gridlock.
With no border markers in the craggy 1,700-metre (5,600-feet) mountains, Elezaj believed all his land was in Kosovo, but has no documents to prove it.
Western allies have told Kosovo that clarifying borders with its ex-Yugoslav foes, including Montenegro, is a prerequisite to getting closer ties with the European Union, in particular securing visa-free travel.
But the deal between the two governments has sparked violent protests throughout Kosovo. Six people were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of launching a rocket-propelled grenade at parliament and nationalist lawmakers have released tear gas inside the chamber several times in protest.
The opposition says the agreement hands over some 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres) of territory to Montenegro, a claim the government denies.
"Kosovo is losing 8,200 hectares ... it is losing water sources and lakes," said Donika Kadaj Bujupi, a lawmaker from the biggest opposition party, Vetevendosje, and someone who has herself released tear gas inside parliament.
"We will defend the land with our blood," Elezaj said.
Vetevendosje has said it will do everything it can, both inside and outside parliament, to stop the assembly approving the border deal. The government also faces objections from a number of its own lawmakers who have said they will not back the deal.
ATTENTION ELSEWHERE
Kosovo broke from Serbia in 1999 when NATO bombed for 11 weeks to halt the killing and expulsion of ethnic Albanian civilians by Serbian forces trying to crush a two-year insurgency.
After almost a decade as a ward of the United Nations, the majority-Albanian territory declared independence in 2008. It has been recognised by more than 100 countries, including the major Western powers, but not Serbia and its big-power ally Russia or several EU members such as Spain.
It still struggles with the legacy of war. Corruption and poverty are rife, and a gradual improvement in relations with Serbia, mandated by the EU, is fraught with setbacks.
EU officials have used a policy of 'carrots and sticks' to guide governments both in Pristina and in Belgrade towards closer integration with the EU, with the Montenegro border deal just the latest requirement.
But EU diplomats say Kosovo may have to wait longer to win visa-free travel, even if the agreement is ratified in time for a September debate in the European Parliament.
The bloc's attention is focused elsewhere, diplomats say, with some hoping to lift visas for Georgians ahead of an election there in October, while others want to focus on Turkey, crucial to stemming migrant flows to Europe.
"Nobody really talks about Kosovo all that much," one EU diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The huge numbers of Kosovars claiming asylum in the EU - from where they are invariably deported - does not help its case to get visa-free travel and it is the last of the former Yugoslav republics still to win that privilege.
In the first quarter of 2015, nearly 50,000 Kosovars claimed asylum in the EU, mostly in Germany, more in that period than Syrians fleeing their civil war. EU countries consider most of them economic migrants, ineligible for asylum.


By Fatos Bytyci RUGOVA MOUNTAINS, Kosovo, Aug 30 (Reuters) - High in the Cursed Mountains that span Kosovo and Montenegro, lumberjack Rame Elezaj and his fam...


Border deal with Montenegro stirs tensions in Kosovo


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Japanese championship second stage results and standings


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Cheap money exposes weakness of German banks
By Jonathan Gould
FRANKFURT, Aug 30 (Reuters) - European Central Bank money-printing has exposed the fault lines in Germany's banking system, forcing its sprawling network of lenders to rethink their business models and slash costs.
Profits at one-time flagship banks of Europe's largest economy are near the bottom of the pile among their regional peers. Germany's nearly 2000 commercial, mutual and government-owned lenders have some of the thinnest margins in the region.
For years, most German banks' strategy was based around winning new business by offering fee-free accounts and cash bonuses for switching lenders. They used the margins on their lending businesses to subsidise the cost of their retail operations and payment systems.
When rates were higher that model covered up inefficiencies in their businesses. German banks' costs ate up around 73 percent of their earnings compared with 64 percent in the rest of the euro area in 2015, according to credit ratings agency Moody's. This cost-to-income ratio has been above the bloc's average for the last five years, the data show.
But negative ECB interest rates have exposed a dependence on interest margins and throttled earnings needed to invest in improvements and make sure they have the required amount of capital to protect the bank on a rainy day.
The pressure is expected to lead to mergers and closures over time but in the meantime, banks are trying new strategies.
Earlier this month Bavarian bank Raiffeisen Gmund - one of more than 1,000 German co-operative lenders - broke a long-held taboo. It said it saw no alternative but to start charging wealthy clients to deposit their money, as it did not want to cut back services or merge with other lenders.
"The only way we could really save on costs would be to reduce our presence in the market," the bank's head Josef Paul said.
Postbank, one of the pioneers of free customer accounts, this month introduced a 3.90 euro monthly fee for the "vast majority" of its 5.3 million current account holders.
Other banks are investing more in their digital offerings, but are still reluctant to give up their labour-intensive bricks-and-mortar branches.
Michael Kemmer, head of German banking association BDB, said such steps makes sense but the number of lenders in the fragmented market means ones that take the lead on fees and charges may end up losing business without reaping the benefits.
"The question is whether competition will allow it," he said.
Online bank ING-Diba says it tends to see an uptick in regional demand for its free account when local rivals increase fees.
"Fees can go up somewhat but you cannot completely offset the negative margin," ING Vice-Chairman Koos Timmermans told Reuters, adding that the German ING unit had no plans to scrap cost-free status for its accounts.
BERLIN HELPLESS
The German government is aware of the banking sector's steady decline in earnings. But the decentralised political and economic structure, which gives a strong role to federal state governments, means Berlin is unable to force through wholesale reform of the financial sector.
"We see it but what are we supposed to do?" asked a high-ranking government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Regional politicians enjoy the prestige and power to influence the local economy through public-sector savings banks and the landesbanks that provide them with wholesale funding.
"Politicians have traditionally looked at the German banking system as a utility to serve retail, and more importantly, SME and corporate clients to support the German economy," said Katharina Barten, bank analyst at Moody's.
The financial crisis that started nearly a decade ago saw No. 2 lender Commerzbank, a clutch of state-owned landesbanks and property lenders rack up billions of euros in losses. The government bailed them out, upsetting taxpayers and briefly raising pressure for reform.
Over the last five years, however, the banks have shaken off state support and largely put their finances in order, removing urgent pressure for consolidation and leaving the fragmented and low-margin market little changed.
The finance ministry says that the mix of international and regional lenders of different sizes proved its worth in the financial crisis. Smaller banks played a major role in ensuring unfettered lending to local businesses.
"German banks must find their own way to surmount the challenges facing them," a ministry spokeswoman said.
FRAGILE FUTURE
There is no letup to competition on the horizon, regardless of whether banks are successful in making account charges stick.
"Each bank is pursuing some growth strategy but considering the saturation of the market and low demand, this is not something that would point to any recovery of margins; that's going to remain a problem," Moody's Barten said.
Slashing costs - branches, staff and product offerings - is the main lever banks still have at their disposal but using it requires skill. UniCredit's HVB has closed about half its branches and Deutsche Bank is pruning rapidly.
Total bank branches fell by about 1,300 last year to 34,000, Bundesbank data show.
But severance payments boost upfront costs and branch closures can poison relations with employees and clients.
Mergers and controlled closures of failed banks are expected to winnow down the players in the German market over the next few years.
The ranks of public sector savings banks have fallen by a few a year but still number more than 400. The co-operative bank network is making faster progress - shrinking by around 50 banks per year - and is expected to fall below 1,000 this year.
Local shareholders of four cooperative banks in a region north of Stuttgart voted in June to create VR-Bank Neckar-Enz to better face mounting regulatory and digital costs.


By Jonathan Gould FRANKFURT, Aug 30 (Reuters) - European Central Bank money-printing has exposed the fault lines in Germany's banking system, forcing its spr...


Cheap money exposes weakness of German banks


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Drake misses out on MTV VMA award after getting 'stuck in traffic'... so his old foe Diddy keeps it instead It is not the sort of appointment one expects to be late for

Cycling-Road-Vuelta a Espana mountain classification after stage 10


Aug 29 (Gracenote) - Mountain Classification Vuelta a Espana after Stage 10 on Monday 1. Omar Fraile (Spain / Dimension Data) 20 2. Thomas De Gendt (Belgium ...


Back to the ballroom! Julianne Hough and brother Derek are both set to return for the new season of Dancing With The Stars US version of Strictly


69_Daisuke Ohata, Japan 65_x-Bryan Habana, South Africa 64_David Campese, Australia 60_Shane Williams, Wales/Lions 55_Hirotoki Onozawa, Japan 50_Rory Underwo...


Romanian championship preliminary round results and standings


Aug 29 (Gracenote) - Results and standings from the Romanian championship Preliminary Round matches on Monday Monday, August 29 FC Botosani 4 ASA Targu Mures...


Nineteen NHS trusts to review chemotherapy over high death rates
Nineteen hospital trusts have been told to review their cancer treatment after data showed that too many patients died within a month of receiving chemotherapy.
The research, published in The Lancet Oncology Journal, found that the trusts had higher rates of 30-day mortality after chemotherapy for lung and breast cancer than expected.
Age, general wellbeing and other factors affected the death rate following treatment, the study of more than 30,000 patients in England suggested.
A consultant analysing a mammogram, as research found that 2.5% of patients with breast cancer who had chemotherapy died within 30 days
It is the first time that chemotherapy mortality data has been collected at a national level.
The study, by Public Health England and Cancer Research UK, found that around 8.5% of patients with lung cancer and 2.5% of patients with breast cancer died within 30 days.
Around 7.5% of palliatively treated breast cancer patients - those for whom a cure is not expected and treatment is to alleviate symptoms - died within 30 days of receiving chemotherapy, while for palliatively treated lung cancer patients, mortality was 10%.
Of those receiving chemotherapy to cure them, 2.9% with lung cancer died within 30 days, and 0.26% of those with breast cancer died.
The 19 trusts which had mortality rates in excess of the 95% control limits have been urged to review their clinical practice by PHE.
Dr Jem Rashbass, cancer lead for PHE, said: "Chemotherapy is a vital part of cancer treatment and is a large reason behind the improved survival rates over the last four decades.
"However, it is powerful medication with significant side effects and often getting the balance right on which patients to treat aggressively can be hard. Studies like this help improve our understanding of how people are affected by chemotherapy in the real world and most importantly help us to treat patients better.
"Those hospitals whose death rates are outside the expected range have had the findings shared with them and we have asked them to review their practice and data."
The study also found that the death rate following treatment of non-small cell lung cancer with curative intent of 3% was four times higher than previously thought.
Professor Jane Maher, joint chief medical officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said the finding was "concerning".
"Chemotherapy is a crucial part of cancer treatment, having had an enormous impact on rising survival rates over the years," she said.
"However, it can result in severe long-term side effects such as the risk of heart or lung problems later in life. It's important that the full impact is considered when administering something so powerful.
"This is why it's concerning to see that the risk of death following chemotherapy intended to cure non-small cell lung cancer is almost four times as high as previously thought.
"Access to this real-world data is crucial for health professionals to help them better understand the delicate balancing act when comparing the risk of death or severe side effects and the potential increase in survival if chemotherapy is administered.


Nineteen hospital trusts have been told to review their cancer treatment after data showed that too many patients died within a month of receiving chemothera...


Nineteen NHS trusts to review chemotherapy over high death rates


'Tell the truth like I did': Ex On The Beach's Jemma Lucy lashes out at Scotty T after he claims she lied about sleeping with him She burst into tears


Driverless taxi firm eyes operations in 10 cities by 2020
A US software firm which chose Singapore for the world's first public trial of driverless taxis hopes to be operating in 10 Asian and US cities by 2020, an executive said Monday.
Doug Parker, nuTonomy's chief operating officer, said the firm is eyeing tests by early next year in three other Asian countries which he declined to name.
He said an announcement of the test venues would be made within the next month or so.
Doug Parker, COO of nuTonomy, the developer of the software for driverless taxis, pictured alongside one of the vehicles during an interview with AFP reporter in Singapore on August 29, 2016 ©Roslan Rahman (AFP)
The company last week kicked off the world's first driverless taxi service in a limited trial for invited people in a Singapore research campus.
Parker, 41, said nuTonomy was also considering trials in the Middle East, the United States and Britain.
More than a dozen people in Singapore have already experienced a ride in the "robo-taxi" within the confines of one-north, an enclave of technology and science research institutes outside the central business district.
- 'Pretty excited' -
"I think people are pretty excited that the car is driving itself. I would say they start apprehensive and scared but by the second block they start to enjoy it," Parker said.
The current test car -- a modified Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicle -- plies a 2.5 square mile (4.0 square km) area with set pick-up and drop off points. Trips must be booked through the company's smartphone app and are currently by invitation only.
Five other test cars -- Renault Zoes -- will be added to the fleet next month.
Data from the experiment will feed into the rollout of driverless taxis across Singapore in 2018, said Parker, adding that by 2020 "we would like to be in 10 cities in Asia, the United States and maybe Europe".
He also said a number of real-estate developers from Asia and the United States have contacted the company "about how they can use autonomous cars in their eco-friendly communities".
Parker said the vehicle, equipped with sophisticated laser, radar and cameras, has so far experienced navigating among buses, slowing down at pedestrian lanes and adjusting to unplanned street scenes.
"One day we pulled out of here and literally five buses of schoolchildren pulled up on this very narrow street. And the buses were trading positions," he said
"We've seen forklifts, we've seen people with wheelbarrows just right here on this one street."
Parker said nuTonomy chose Singapore for the public tests rather than Silicon Valley because of the presence of a "loyal technical talent" -- including people with doctorates in robotics -- whom it does not have to share with other companies like Ford and Apple.
The company also has the full support of the Singapore government and the city-state's flat terrain, well-marked roads and disciplined drivers make it well suited for driverless cars, Parker said.


A US software firm which chose Singapore for the world's first public trial of driverless taxis hopes to be operating in 10 Asian and US cities by 2020, an e...


Driverless taxi firm eyes operations in 10 cities by 2020


U.S. Open women's singles round 1 results


Aug 29 (Gracenote) - Results from the U.S. Open Women's Singles Round 1 matches on Monday 9-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) beat Francesca Schiavone (Italy) 6-1...


Aug 27 (Gracenote) - Results and standings from the Romanian championship Preliminary Round matches on Saturday Saturday, August 27 ACS Poli Timisoara 1 CFR ...


'Everything is going to be okay': Kim and Kourtney Kardashian rally around Khloe after she files for divorce from Lamar Odom for second time

Peruvian championship results and standings


Aug 28 (Gracenote) - Results and standings from the Peruvian championship matches on Sunday Sunday, August 28 Real Garcilaso 4 Defensor La Bocana 2 Standings...


More than a million Indian workers to go on strike on Friday
By Manoj Kumar
NEW DELHI, Aug 30 (Reuters) - More than a million Indian workers in banking, telecoms and other sectors will go on strike on Friday, seeking higher wages and to protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's labour reforms and a plan to close some loss-making firms.
Trade unions including the All India Trade Unions Congress and Centre of Indian Trade Unions rejected a government appeal on Tuesday to call off the strike, saying it failed to address their demands.
Since taking charge in May 2014, Modi has implemented a raft of economic reforms and is trying to ease labour laws to attract foreign investment and make it easier to do business in the country.
The government aims to raise 560 billion rupees ($8.35 billion) through privatisation this fiscal year, and shut down some companies. Losses at 77 state-run companies exceeded $4 billion in the last fiscal year.
Tapan Sen, general secretary of the Centre of Trade Unions, said there had not been any "tangible proactive steps" by the government to address union demands such as a rollback of privatisation in sectors like defence and railways, and an increase in minimum wages.
He said the strike would go on despite Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's promise on Tuesday that the government would release state employees' bonuses for the last two years, and increase minimum wages for unskilled labourers.
The unions also oppose a government directive to state-run pension funds to put more money into stock markets.
Another major union, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, which is loosely affiliated with the Hindu nationalist group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological parent of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, is not joining the strike.
Some workers at Coal India Ltd are due to join the strike but company officials said they did not expect any shortfall in supplies for power companies as there was an oversupply of the fuel.


By Manoj Kumar NEW DELHI, Aug 30 (Reuters) - More than a million Indian workers in banking, telecoms and other sectors will go on strike on Friday, seeking h...


More than a million Indian workers to go on strike on Friday


'If you like it, wear it. End of': Myleene Klass reveals her no-fuss style secrets as she stars in glam photos for her Littlewoods autumn range

South Africa vs New Zealand 2nd Test Scoreboard


CENTURION, South Africa (AP) — Scoreboard Tuesday on the fourth day of the second test after South Africa beat New Zealand by 204 runs at SuperSport Park: St...


Portuguese championship results and standings


Aug 28 (Gracenote) - Results and standings from the Portuguese championship matches on Sunday Sunday, August 28 Boavista 2 GD Chaves 2 Moreirense 0 Maritimo ...


'Who is this kid in my hotel?' Britney Spears reveals she didn't recognize Justin Bieber at their first meeting Had no clue who the singer was

Motor racing-Formula One Belgian Grand Prix qualifying session 2


Aug 27 (Gracenote) - Qualifying session 2 from the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday 1. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Merce...


Drake misses out on MTV VMA award after getting 'stuck in traffic'... so his old foe Diddy keeps it instead It is not the sort of appointment one expects to be late for

Cycling-Road-Vuelta a Espana stage 10 results


Aug 29 (Gracenote) - Results from Vuelta a Espana (Lugones - Lagos de Covadonga, 188.7 km) on Monday 1. Nairo Quintana (Colombia / Movistar) 4:50:31" 2. Robe...


We have updated our crosswords - so you will notice a few differences which should make your experience better.
The new features are:
- The ability to save your progress with any crossword by clicking on the Disk icon
- You can also change the font size by using the Aa icon
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You can check the solution for today's Quiz crossword by calling 0900 586 2571 (61p/min) RoI 1550 999 301 (€0.95/min)


We have updated our crosswords - so you will notice a few differences which should make your experience better.
The new features are:
- The ability to save your progress with any crossword by clicking on the Disk icon
- You can also change the font size by using the Aa icon
- Using the bin icon will completely reset the puzzle and your entries will be removed should you make a mistake
- And to check the solution to see if you've got it right use the Tick icon
Finally, if you prefer to print the grid to complete it please make select the option to print backgrounds otherwise the black cells in the grid will not show on your print out.N


You can check the solution for today's quick crossword by calling 0900 586 2572 (61p/min) RoI 1550 999 302 ( € 0.95/min)


She was apart from her beau for weeks while trapped in the Celebrity Big Brother house.
So no wonder Aubrey O'Day jumped into bed with boyfriend Pauly D only a matter of hours after the live final on Friday night.
The stunning American admitted the couple enjoyed a marathon sex session after he surprised her by being in the audience for her eviciton.
"I had no idea that Pauly was going to be there. We're actually in bed now. We've s*****d about five million times," she said Saturday morning.
"I utilised all of Renee's blowjob advice," she cheekily added.
Channel 5 Aubrey had a very busy night
Aubrey also revealed that she was extremely sexually frustrated while locked up in the CBB compound, and really missed one thing about her man in particular.
"If you’re in a relationship and you get locked away in the loony bin with a bunch of crazies, you have no idea how much it makes you miss the stability and penis of the person you love," she said
While Aubrey was in the house, reports surfaced that Pauly D had dumped her, but wouldn't reveal why until he had broken the news to Aubrey.
Fans were then left confused when he appeared in a sweet video message to the singer and then turned up to her eviction on Friday.
WENN Reunited at last
Explaining the confusion, Aubrey told Daily Star Online: "It was so hard. I think it was painful most of the time but we’ve just been talking about the real experience, not the experience that was shown.
“We kind of realised how sometimes in relationships when you put distance or difficult experiences in front of you, you can come out the other end so much stronger.
"Distance definitely made the heart grow fonder for both of us. Now hopefully he’ll give me a ring and a cute little child.”

Aubrey O'Day jumps straight into bed with boyfriend Pauly D for EPIC sex marathon after CBB final


The fifth runner-up certainly made up for lost time away from her 'hubby'


Thousands of women are having heart attacks misdiagnosed - with fatal consequences
Thousands of women having heart attacks are misdiagnosed – often with fatal consequences.
The condition is 50% more likely to be missed in women than in men, with many female patients wrongly told they have other conditions such as indigestion.
Women whose heart attacks are not diagnosed are 70% more likely to die, according to a British study presented at the world’s biggest heart conference.
Dr Mike Knapton of the British Heart Foundation, which helped fund the study, said: “The difference is alarmingly high.”
Experts fear doctors and patients mistakenly believe heart attacks affect only fat middle-aged men who smoke.
Dr Chris Gale, who worked on the nine-year review of 600,000 patients, said: “We need to work harder to shift the perception that heart attacks only affect a certain type of person. If you watch something like ER on TV it’s just blokes with high blood pressure. This is not always the case.
Thinkstock Women whose heart attacks are not diagnosed are 70% more likely to die, according to a British study presented at the world’s biggest heart conference
“Heart attacks affect the wider spectrum of the population – including women.”
Around 28,000 women die from heart attacks every year across the country – an average of 77 a day. Every three minutes someone in the UK suffers a coronary. Being diagnosed quickly and correctly is vital to ensure the best chance of recovery.
Dr Gale told the annual congress of the European Society of Cardiology in Rome: “The risk is that a woman presents late as she doesn’t recognise she’s having a heart attack.
"She goes to her GP, and they don’t call for an ambulance so instead she goes to A&E eventually, and by the time she sees a specialist it’s a late diagnosis.
“When people with a heart attack receive the wrong initial diagnosis, there are potentially important clinical repercussions, including an increased risk of death.”
Getty Around 28,000 women die from heart attacks every year across the country
Almost a third of patients had an initial diagnosis that differed from their final one, found the University of Leeds study published in the European Heart Journal Acute Cardiovascular Care today.
A heart attack is caused when a blood clot forms in a narrowed coronary artery, cutting off the blood supply to the heart.
Symptoms vary, but the most common are tightness, pain or a burning feeling in the chest, pain in the arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting.
NHS England said: “Survival rates for heart attacks are the best they have ever been, and swift diagnosis and treatment is key to this. We are working hard to continually improve tests for accurately diagnosing heart attacks in both men and women.
“We are also working to increase awareness of signs and symptoms of heart attack among both the public and healthcare professionals to help speed up diagnosis.”
Heart attack horror
Alison Fillingham was diagnosed two days late
Former nurse Alison Fillingham, 49, did not recognise the symptoms of her heart attack 11 weeks ago – and was misdiagnosed.
The mum from Bolton said: “I had pain in my collarbone and neck for two days. When it spread to my jaw I called an ambulance.
“They said it was just a panic attack. Later I was diagnosed as having had a heart attack. I wish I’d recognised the symptoms and called the ambulance immediately.”


The condition is 50% more likely to be missed in women than in men, with many female patients wrongly told they have other conditions such as indigestion


Thousands of women are having heart attacks misdiagnosed


You can check the solution for today's Classic Crossword by calling 0900 586 2570 (61p/min) RoI 1550 999 300 ( € 0.95/min)


Cesc Fabregas has been linked with a move away from Chelsea this summer
This transfer window has been as hectic as any in recent memory.
The long drawn out moves of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba to Manchester United, as well as John Stones' £47.5million switch from Everton to Manchester City, have been the biggest football stories of the summer in England.
Meanwhile, in Europe we've seen Gonzalo Higuain join Juventus from Napoli for £75million, as he replaced Alvaro Morata in Turin following the Spaniard's return to Real Madrid.
We are likely to see a couple more big money transfers before the window closes
Could Arsene Wenger FINALLY sign a striker? Will Cesc Fabregas leave Chelsea? Well, we don't know the answers to those questions, but we do have this nifty informational, kindly put together by the Birmingham Mail, which tells you all you need to know about when the transfer window closes.
John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images Manchester United broke the world transfer record when they signed Paul Pogba for £89million
REUTERS John Stones completed a £47.5million move to Manchester City from Everton
When did the transfer window re-open?
Like every year, the summer window officially opened on July 1, but players, agents and clubs were discussing contract terms and final fees long before then.
When does the transfer window close?
The transfer window will slam shut on August 31 at 11.30pm, just as players disappear for an international break.
Mike Hewitt Juventus signed Gonzalo Higuain for £75million
When does the loan window end?
Unlike last year, there will be no emergency loan window, and no separate deadline day for loans.
Any loan deals must be completed by the end of the normal transfer window on August 31.
How much can we expect to see spent?
The 2015 window saw a record £859m spent by Premier League clubs but, with the new broadcasting deal due to kick in, this summer is likely to be even bigger.
English top flight clubs have already spent a collective £800million so far so the £1billion mark may well be passed before the window closes.
What Premier League deals have been done this summer?
You can keep up to date with every single transfer in and out of Premier League clubs here in MirrorFootball's comprehensive list.

When does the transfer window close? All you need to know as Premier League clubs reach the deadline


We've seen the world record transfer fee smashed this month and spending is set to continue over the next couple of weeks


Strictly Come Dancing 2016 will launch on Saturday 3rd September
Strictly Come Dancing 2016 is starting in just under two weeks and we can't wait.
Ever so slowly, BBC bosses have been releasing drips and drabs of information about this year's series - and it sounds like they've spent all year pulling out every stop.
Tight-lipped producers have finally confirmed the launch date, celeb line-up and which professional dancers will be taking part, but we here there are plenty more surprises on the way.
Here's everything we know so far...
When does it start?
Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani won last year
Strictly Come Dancing 2016 will launch on Saturday 3rd September.
The new series will kick-off on BBC One at 6.50pm and run until 8.15pm.
Zoe Ball's Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two, is also expected to return to the small screen after the new series premieres.
Although the BBC is yet to reveal when it starts, viewers an expect the presenter to be back with a bang, conducting exclusive backstage interviews with the contestants, professional dancers and judges alike.
Which celebrities are taking part?
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Strictly bosses confirmed the official line-up this week and fans are now itching for the new series to get started already!
The celebrity women planning to impress on the dance floor this year are Birds of a Feather actress Lesley Joseph, pop superstar Anastacia , model and professional It girl Daisy Lowe, I'm A Celeb presenter Laura Whitmore, ex Eternal singer Louise Redknapp, BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty, Olympic gymnast Claudia Fragapane and EastEnders star Tameka Empson.
As for the men, former shadow chancellor Ed Balls, Pop Idol winner Will Young, double Olympic medal-winner Greg Rutherford , Xtra Factor presenter Melvin Odoom, Hollyoaks star Danny Mac, sports host Ore Oduba and TV legal eagle Robert Rinder will all be taking part.
Who are the professional dancers?
BBC Anton Du Beke will be returning as a professional dancer
There will be a cocktail of new and familiar faces on Strictly this season.
Returning to the dance floor are the marvellous male dancers, Anton du Beke, Brendan Cole, Kevin Clifton, Pasha Kovalev, Aljaž Škorjanec, Giovanni Pernice.
And the fabulous female dancers returning are Karen Clifton, Natalie Lowe, Joanne Clifton, Janette Manrara and Oti Mabuse.
New to the fold are world-class Latin and Ballroom dance experts including World Champion Katya Jones, Ukrainian Champion Oksana Platero and top Spanish dance professional Gorka Marquez.
Anything else we need to know?
Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Darcey Bussell will all return as judges
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will be hosting the series as usual - and show veteran Bruce Forsyth is expected to come back for the Christmas special.
Len Goodman will be returning as lead judge, however, he is stepping down from the role after this series finishes.
Elsewhere, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Darcey Bussell will be returning - and staying - on the judging panel.

When does Strictly Come Dancing 2016 start? Everything you need to know from judges to contestants


This year's batch of celebrities have already started rehearsing


When is transfer deadline day? All you need to know as Premier League clubs wrap up their spending


You can check the solution for today's Quiz crossword by calling 0900 586 2571 (61p/min) RoI 1550 999 301 (€0.95/min)


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Lancing United Football Club recorded their first-ever win in the Southern Combination League in some style on Tuesday.
After losing their opening game of the season 2-0 at home to Bosham on Saturday, United thrashed Rottingdean Village 6-0 on Tuesday evening.
Mark O’Regan gave United the lead inside a minute, before he made it 2-0 on 15 minutes. Grant Thetford then netted on 27 minutes to make it 3-0 at the break.
Tom Donnelly made it 4-0 with a superb solo goal on 55 minutes, before he scored with a diving header from Dan Measom’s cross on 75 minutes.
Josey Stakim completed the scoring five minutes from time.
On Saturday, second-half strikes from Alex Barnes and Marco Giambelardini took Bosham to victory.
Few chances were created in a swirling wind and torrential rain in the first half. Bosham defended superbly and showed why they had the second best defensive record last season.
Barnes punished some lacklustre United defending to put Bosham ahead on 57 minutes.
United looked to get back into the game but Giambelardini struck seven minutes from time to seal all three points for Bosham.
United boss James Baker said: “Saturday was a tough one for us against a well-drilled and organised Bosham side, who were the better team on the day.
“We were playing into the wind in the first half but with the wind in the second half, we kept on over-hitting passes as we were trying to force things too much.
“It was then nice to get the three points on Tuesday. We scored three goals in the first 20 minutes but weren’t happy at half-time despite being 3-0 up. We then turned it on in the second half and went up through the gears.
“It was a really good team performance and Karl Gillingham, in central defence, was an unsung hero for us as he won header after header.”
United are away to Sidlesham on Saturday (3pm) and then travel to Montpelier Villa on Monday (11am).
UNITED v Rottingdean: Allfrey; Dixon, Gillingham, Dawson, Church; Bailey, Page, Thetford; Donnelly, O’Regan, Stakim. Subs: Measom, Cockerton, Franks (all used), Hunt, Tuppen.
v Bosham: Allfrey; Tuppen, Franks, Gillingham, Church, Page, Bailey, Donnelly, Thetford, O’Regan, Stakim. Subs: Measom, Cockerton, Dawson.
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Lancing United record first SCFL win in some style


Visit now for the latest football news - direct from the Shoreham Herald


Sussex motorists who are travelling to Kent are being told the M20 motorway will be shut until at least this evening.
Highways England issued a statement saying that the M20 is closed between junctions one and four, and ‘is likely to remain closed until at approximately 6pm’.
The collision on the M20 is causing problems for anyone driving to Kent. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
The closure comes after a lorry struck a footbridge in Kent yesterday, causing it to collapse. Read more here.
Highways England said that diversions are also in place and it is likely the M26 which links the M25 to the M20 will also remain closed until the incident is cleared.
The diversion for the M20 is via the A2 or M2 using the A229 and A228, and the diversion for the M26, closed at M25 junction five, is to use the M25 junction two and then travel on the A2 or M2.
Highways England south east operations manager Gary Coleman said everything was being done to reopen the motorway again, but safety had to come first both for workers and drivers.
The collision on the M20 is causing problems for anyone driving to Kent. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
“We are facing a real challenge to lift two HGVs and a motorbike clear of the scene and deal with all of the rubble from the collapsed bridge strewn across both carriageways. “There is also the issue of the remaining part of the footbridge, which is still in place over the coast-bound side of the motorway. We have crews on scene ready to take action as soon as the police have completed their investigation. We also have cranes en route and lighting so work can continue through the night.
“We are doing everything we can to safely reopen the motorway, but we’d ask drivers to please bear with us as this is a complex operation and it will take time and skill to complete. We’ll keep everyone updated.”
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TRAFFIC UPDATE: Motorway closed until ‘this evening’


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A shop in Worthing has been found selling £900 worth of illegal tobacco following an investigation by Trading Standards.
A statement by West Sussex County Council said 1.6kg of tobacco and 600 cigarettes were found concealed in a stock room wall behind a fire exit sign and in the ceiling of the stock room covered by a light fitting.
The tobacco was found by West Sussex Trading Standards working alongside Phoebe and YoYo, sniffer dogs from B.W.Y Canine Ltd.
The council said officers visited the shop on Thursday August 25 following a tip off from a local resident.
David Barling, county council cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “This successful investigation by our Trading Standards team once again highlights our committal to stopping illegal trade in West Sussex.
“The excellent work our Trading Standards team has done here helps to protect consumers and businesses who comply with the law from unscrupulous traders.”
Illicit tobacco is often cheaper than legal tobacco but carries increased risks.
Richard Sargeant, Trading Standards team manager, said: “While cheap tobacco products may seem attractive the fact is that it does not self-extinguish, which is a major fire hazard and has led to house fires in the past.
“We are grateful for the information provided by the resident and will continue clamping down on this illegal trade.”
The investigation continues.
Anyone with information about illicit tobacco can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or can report details online at www.westsussex.gov.uk/tsreport.
For help stopping smoking visit www.smokefreewestsussex.co.uk.
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Illegal tobacco and cigarettes found in shop raid


A coastguard helicopter has been spotted circling above Camber Sands days after five men lost their lives on the beach.
It follows reports that a swimmer has been reported missing.
The Royal National Lifeboat Association has been contacted for more information.
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
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COUNTY NEWS: Coastguard helicopter circling above Camber Sands


Police have provided an update into the sudden death of an 18-year-old man, saying that a ‘hazardous chemical substance’ was believed to be near the body.
Emergency services were called to a house in Grove Road, Broadwater at lunchtime yesterday and ambulance staff wearing bio-hazard suits were seen entering the property. Click here to read the original story.
Emergency services were called to a chemical incident at Grove Road in Worthing yesterday, where an 18-year-old man died. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
The road was temporarily closed, and neighbours are believed to have been told not to leave their houses while emergency services dealt with the incident.
Sussex Police has issued a statement, which said: “Police were called to a report of a man found dead at his home in Grove Road, Broadwater, Worthing on Monday (29 August) at 12.35pm.
“It is believed that there may have been some hazardous chemical substance near the body of the 18-year-old so specially trained ambulance and fire crews attended the scene. The body was recovered safely.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and the coroner’s officer is dealing with the incident.”
Emergency services were called to a chemical incident at Grove Road in Worthing yesterday, where an 18-year-old man died. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
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Emergency services were called to a chemical incident at Grove Road in Worthing yesterday, where an 18-year-old man died. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
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PICTURES: Hazardous chemical thought to be involved in teen death


Upper Beeding cyclist Pete Mitchell is hopeful he can collect a gold medal in the Rio Paralympic Games next month.
Mitchell will pilot current defending men’s 1k time trial champion Neil Fachie, who competes in events for individuals with visual impairment.
Mitchell, 26, attempted to make Team GB’s Olympic squad in London but failed to make that cut. Following his failure to make it at London 2012, Mitchell weighed up his options and then made the step to pilot Fachie.
Over a successful four-year cycle, Mitchell has piloted Fachie with the pair current world champions and fastest time holders in this particular event.
With many seeing the British duo as favourites, the Upper Beeding rider believes they can cope with the pressure.
He said: “It’s something that I’m really looking forward to. It’s a great opportunity to be part of Team GB at a Paralympic Games.
“Prior to the previous Olympics, I was just on the fringes of the team but couldn’t quite break in, this opportunity came and it’s been a fantastic four years with Neil.
“We are both hoping to do well in the games and hopefully Neil will be able to defend his Paralympic title.”
Preparations began for Mitchell when he travelled to Newport, Wales, for a 12-day training camp last Wednesday.
Team GB’s Paralympic cycling contingent then travel out to Rio on August 31, with Mitchell admitting anticipation is building now.
He added: “I’ve been watching our successes on the track in the Olympics and just want to be out there now.
“Myself and Neil have got a 12-day training camp so the hard work starts, with both of us wanting that Paralympic crown.”
As well as their participation in the men’s 1km time trial event, Mitchell will pilot Fachie in the male road race.
Mitchell admits little work has gone into that and their focus is firmly on a track title.
He said: “We’re also entered in the road race but that is just a bonus event for us really. We’ve virtually done no training for it and, as sprinters, it’s tricky to make the transition to road.
“It will just give us a chance to be part of another event at a Paralympic Games.”
Team GB’s Paralympic squad will have more than 300 athletes involved in various competitions at the Games.
Mitchell and Fachie will base themselves in Rio’s Olympic Village.
Having never tasted any Games competition before, staying with other athletes from differeing sports is exciting for Mitchell.
He said: “I’m going to be based in the Olympic Village for the duration.
“It’s a massive complex that can house over 15,000 people and I think the canteen can seat around 8,000 at a time.
“It’s going to be a different but incredible experience for both myself and Neil.
“I think up until we’ve competed, I’m just going to focus on our events but after then I’ll be able to take in more of the Games and get a real feel for it.”
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Cyclist Pete hopes to pilot his way to Paralympic Games glory


If you want to feel good, wake up early, dance to a bit of Queen and drink more water.
Those are the findings of a study of 2,000 people which examined the best feel-good things for Brits - unearthing the top movies, music and more that are most likely to lift the spirits.
A blaring bit of Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now came top of the list of pleasure-bringing tunes, with Pharrell Williams’ Happy in second and ELO’s classic Mr. Blue Sky in third for the best feel-good tracks.
Dirty Dancing, Love Actually and Bridget Jones’s Diary are as good as it gets when it comes to feel-good movie magic, and we also feel happier when we look after ourselves and get some exercise.
The research, commissioned by Highland Spring to launch its new Feel Good initiative on the benefits of healthy hydration, found that Brits love exercising to make themselves feel better, and a brisk walk with the dog, fitness class or bike ride are some of the top ways to get out and feel good.
Meanwhile, waking up early in the morning can go towards a feel-good day, with 8.30am voted the optimum time to rise on a day off work.
Being outside is crucial to happiness, with respondents saying that sitting in their garden in the sunshine, walking the dog or playing sports would be part of their ideal feel-good day.
The research also found that looking good is part of feeling good and on average we spend 25 minutes making ourselves look our best - although it takes women 11 minutes longer than men.
The survey highlighted the following top 10 ways to have a great day as well as the best feel good movies and songs:
TOP 10 WAYS TO HAVE A FEEL-GOOD DAY
1. Sit in the garden in the sun
2. Listen to music
3. Have a good meal
4. Get a good night’s sleep
5. Go on holiday
6. Have a drink with friends
7. Sleep in a freshly made bed
8. Hear good news from a loved one
9. Feel the sun on your face
10. Find some money
TOP 10 FEEL GOOD SONGS
1. Queen - Don’t Stop Me Now
2. Pharrell Williams - Happy
3. Bon Jovi - Livin’ on a Prayer
4. ELO - Mr Blue Sky
5. Queen - We Are The Champions
6. Beach Boys - Good Vibrations
7. Taylor Swift - Shake it off
8. David Bowie - Heroes
9. Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance with Somebody
10. Roy Orbison - Pretty Woman
TOP 10 FEEL-GOOD MOVIES
1. Dirty Dancing
2. Love Actually
3. Forrest Gump
4. Bridget Jones’s Diary
5. Mrs Doubtfire
6. Star Wars
7. Notting Hill
8. Back to the Future
9. Dumb and Dumber
10. Groundhog Day

Revealed: Britain’s favourite feel-good tunes and movies


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A recruitment firm has been named the best company in the UK for work-life balance.
Financial recruiter Goodman Masson took first place in the list by jobs site Glassdoor, based on reviews submitted to its website by current and former staff.
The company, which is based in London and also has offices in Dusseldorf, was praised by staff for its “huge investment” in staff benefits and “great” parties twice a year.
“The attention paid to the wellbeing of staff is at a level rarely matched elsewhere,” said an anonymous employee working in the London office.
In second place was technology firm Cisco Systems, and in third place was insurer HomeServe.
West Midlands-based HomeServe, which employs 1,200 people at its headquarters in Walsall and has 2.1 million customers in the UK, was commended for its attitude towards the treatment of its staff.
“The salary is very competitive and you are rewarded very generously for your hard work and just for carrying out your role. The company has a great framework for career progression and is always looking to promote people internally for job roles,” said a water supply engineer working at the firm.
Greg Reed, chief marketing officer at HomeServe, said: “We believe if you take care of your people, they will take care of your customers. This means creating a culture where people genuinely enjoy coming to work every day because they feel what they do really makes a difference in our customers’ lives.”
Temping firm LOLA and Screwfix completed the top five. Other companies in the top 20 included Apple, American Express Lloyds Banking Group, Unilever and John Lewis.
Google is known for its plush offices, but doesn’t make the top 20 companies for work-life balance. Its new London office has sleep pods so workers can take a nap, although perhaps this is an indication of long hours.
For a company to have been considered, at least 50 work-life balance ratings must have been submitted by UK-based employees in the past year.
The top 20 companies for work-life balance:
1. Goodman Masson
2. Cisco Systems
3. HomeServe UK
4. LOLA Staffing
5. Screwfix
6. American Express
7. BP
8. Peninsula Business Services
9. ARM Holdings
10. Unilever
11.Thomson Reuters
12. Kantar Worldpanel
13. Atkins
14. Téléfonica
15. Credit Suisse
16. Rolls-Royce
17. John Lewis
18. Waitrose
19. Lloyds Banking Group
20. Apple

Revealed: The top UK companies for work-life balance


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A man from Hove who bombarded Sussex Police’s contact centre with 3,000 emails in just six hours has been handed a suspended sentence.
The incident, which happened in October 2014, meant the police’s contact centre was ‘significantly impaired’ for six hours.
A police statement says that Kyoji Mochizuki, 28, of Mansfield Road, Hove, appeared for sentencing at Lewes Crown Court on Friday (August 19) after pleading guilty at Hove Crown Court in July to four counts of unauthorised acts with intent to impair the operation of or prevent/hinder access to a computer, contrary to Section 3 of the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
He was given a ten-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months.
The statements adds that the court heard how on October 26, 2014, Mochizuki – also known as Tariq Elmughrabi and Taz Rider – sent around 3,000 emails from various domains to the Sussex Police contact centre at 9.25am.
It was to tie up the force’s email system for more than six hours.
During this time Sussex Police said its contact centre and the non-urgent reporting mechanism for the public was hindered.
It took staff a further 11 hours to restore the email inbox to full operation order.
Earlier that year, in February, an email was received from a sender purporting to be from a man working for a company called Uberex, threatening to attack Sussex Police services in revenge for the force seizing electronic property belonging to Mochizuki in connection with another case, for which he was on bail.
Police said Mochizuki was identified as being a director of that company.
On Monday, November 10, at 5.45am, more emails started to arrive in the public contact centre from a ‘hackerforhire’ domain with the subject line ‘Contact UBX Technology’, in what police called ‘a deliberate attempt to flood the system’.
The statement adds that on November 20, the Surrey and Sussex Cyber Crime Unit raided Mochizuki’s home address and seized a number of items including a computer, a CCTV system that covered all rooms in his house, the entrance and the exterior.
When interviewed he claimed to have carried out work for the FBI and the NCA (National Crime Agency).
He stated that he worked for a company called Uberex as an ethical hacker and with the people whose names were used on the attacking emails.
However, he was unable to put police in contact with them.
Detective Constable Paul Constable from the Surrey and Sussex Cyber Crime Unit said: “In addition to Sussex Police, Mochizuki launched an attack on Brighton and Hove City Council’s email system after he had been summonsed for failing to pay his tax. Their system effectively captured the 2,000 emails aimed at the council tax email inbox.
“An Essex-based insurance company insured a company called Xerosec, which made a claim in 2013 for £36.576.11 due to their computer system overheating after a hacker attack. They paid a sum of £10,000 in settlement to Kyoji Mochizuki of Mansfield Drive, Hove. The following year, the company claimed for equipment damaged in a power surge. The insurer asked to examine the equipment, but was told that was not possible and then received correspondence from the managing director of Xerosec complaining about their incompetence.
“The insurer sent a representative to visit the company where he met with a relative of the accused who stated she had no knowledge of the claim and had been appointed as MD without being consulted. The claim was subsequently refused and on November 6 three of the insurer’s email addresses, including that of the person dealing with the claim, were subject to a denial of service attack.”
Detective Inspector Andrew Haslam, also from the Cyber Crime Unit said: “The scale of Mochizuki’s activities and deceit is breath-taking. Behind each of the events mentioned in court lie a complex web of aliases, email addresses, false employees and considerable technological skill, sadly put to criminal use.
“His attacks on Sussex Police cost nearly £4000 in specialist time to resolve, but of far worse consequence was the significant amount of time lost by contact centre staff that should have been devoted to non-emergency callers and others making contact through email.
“However, I would stress that our 999 emergency operation was not affected by his attacks, nor our operational response effectiveness. The security of the emails from the public was not compromised in any way and there was no impact on any other force IT, email address, web or telephony systems.
“Since the attack, a significant amount of work has taken place to improve the resilience and security of all our IT systems, including emails.” Mochizuki, who had been remanded in custody since breaching bail conditions in June last year, was released upon sentencing.

COUNTY NEWS: Man sentenced for cyber attacks on police contact centre


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Worthing Raiders assistant coach Ben Coulson says he is pleased with the way things are progressing for the team in pre-season.
Raiders overcame Guildford 57-10 in a friendly on Saturday and are now just over a week away from playing their first National 2 South game of the season at Exmouth.
Coulson said: “The pleasing aspect from Saturday was we were trying to put into practice some things we had been working on in training.
“The game wasn’t as one-sided as the scoreline may suggest as we were put under quite a lot of pressure at times.
“We’ve got four more training sessions between now and Exmouth, so we’ll look to go there and hit the ground running.
“Ian (Davies), Jody (Levett) and I are very happy with how things have gone in pre-season so far. We’ve changed a number of things but the squad is much the same as last year.”
A couple of new players have joined Raiders’ squads and the club will also welcome loan players from Harlequins again this season.
Charlie McGowan, after a year out, and Jamie Redmayne, after missing much of last season through a knee injury, are back involved with the team.
Coulson said: “They’re like two new signings and it’s great to have both of them around.
“We expect Charlie to be back involved around October time as he’s still getting back up to full fitness after his year out.
“Jamie had a good run out on Saturday and looked very good. We missed him a lot last year when he was out injured as he’s a very good player and very experienced.
“We’ll also have a couple of guys coming down from Quins again, which is a nice stepping stone for their careers and we’ll look forward to welcoming them here.”
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Railway station staff are due to strike over cuts to ticket office opening hours planned across Sussex.
The RMT union has already called a 48-hour strike starting Wednesday September 7 over Govia Thameslink Railway’s plans to change the role of conductors to on-board supervisors on Southern services.
Now RMT members will also hold a 24-hour walkout on September 7 over GTR’s plans to cut the opening hours of its station ticket offices.
The union fears the reorganisation will affect dispatchers and barrier staff in the near future.
Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said; “The Govia Thamelink franchise is in meltdown and not fit for purpose. Not content with axing catering services, closing ticket offices and attacking the role of their guards they now want to threaten 130 station jobs and compromise the safety of both their passengers and staff alike.
“Our members have made it clear that they will not stand by while this basket-case franchise unleashes yet another attack on jobs and services in the drive for profits and that is why we have no option but to take strike action.
“These cuts plans fly in the face of the response from the thousands of passengers who objected to the closure of ticket offices and the de-staffing of stations as Govia drives on with plans for a “faceless railway” where the public are left to fend for themselves on rammed-out, dangerous and unreliable services.
“It is about time Govia Thameslink started acting responsibly, halted their cuts plans and got round the table with the union in serious and genuine talks.”
Proposals would see most ticket offices across Sussex open on weekday peak times only, typically between 7-10am, with ‘station hosts’ selling tickets on concourses at other times of the day.
Both Falmer and Lancing’s offices are set to close completely, while locations facing cuts include Angmering, Barnham, Bexhill, Bognor Regis, Burgess Hill, Chichester, Crawley, East Grinstead, Eastbourne, Hassocks, Horley, Horsham, Hove, Lewes, Littlehampton, Polegate, Portslade, Shoreham, and Worthing.
Late last week the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) started to ballot more than 250 ticket office and platform staff, with the results due to be announced on Friday September 2.
Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA, said: “We cannot stand by and allow GTR to reduce Southern Railway to a second class operation which is not fit for passengers and staff.
“Passengers have suffered enough over the past few months and it is now time for Chris Grayling [Transport Secretary] to act. GTR should be stripped off this franchise and it should be handed over to the publicly run Transport for London as Sadiq Khan has suggested.
“Then we will have a publicly run franchise which will be operating in the public interest, not in the interest of private shareholders.”
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BREAKING NEWS: Railway station staff to strike over ticket office cuts


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Sussex motorists who are travelling to Kent are being told the M20 motorway will be shut until at least this afternoon.
Highways England issued a statement saying that the M20 is closed between junctions one and four, and ‘is likely to remain closed until at least Sunday lunchtime’.
The scene on the M20 between Borough Green and Leybourne in Kent after a lorry hit a foot bridge and it collapsed. Picture: Natasha Najm / SWNS.com
The closure comes after a lorry struck a footbridge in Kent, causing it to collapse. Read more here.
Highways England said that diversions are also in place and it is likely the M26 which links the M25 to the M20 will also remain closed until the incident is cleared.
The diversion for the M20 is via the A2 or M2 using the A229 and A228, and the diversion for the M26, closed at M25 junction five, is to use the M25 junction two and then travel on the A2 or M2.
Highways England south east operations manager Gary Coleman said everything was being done to reopen the motorway again, but safety had to come first both for workers and drivers.
“We are facing a real challenge to lift two HGVs and a motorbike clear of the scene and deal with all of the rubble from the collapsed bridge strewn across both carriageways.
“There is also the issue of the remaining part of the footbridge, which is still in place over the coast-bound side of the motorway. We have crews on scene ready to take action as soon as the police have completed their investigation. We also have cranes en route and lighting so work can continue through the night.
“We are doing everything we can to safely reopen the motorway, but we’d ask drivers to please bear with us as this is a complex operation and it will take time and skill to complete. We’ll keep everyone updated.”
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TRAFFIC UPDATE: Motorway closed until ‘at least’ lunchtime


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The investigation into the suspected murder of a 19-year-old is still underway, police have said.
As previously reported, a 27-year-old man from Portslade was arrested in Burgess Hill yesterday on suspicion of murder after the woman’s body was found in Chrisdory Road, Mile Oak.
The scene of the suspected murder at a property in Chrisdory Road, Mile Oak. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
The house is still a crime scene as forensic teams continue their work, Sussex Police has said.
The murder has also been reported to the independent body which deals with police complaints. Click here for the full story.
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