Adidas has apologised for sending out a marketing email praising customers it said "survived" this year's Boston Marathon.
The subject line of the email, sent on Tuesday by Adidas Running, read: "Congrats, you survived the Boston Marathon!"
Customers reacted angrily on social media with one Twitter user writing: "Hey @adidas, not the best choice of words for subjects for email blasts to your members, you think? #BostonMarathon #BostonStrong #changeit."
In 2013 three people were killed, and more than 260 wounded, during the annual running event when two bombs exploded near the finish line.
The sports company quickly apologised, saying it was "incredibly sorry" for the "insensitive" subject line about Monday's race.
At least two survivors of the 2013 bombing participated in this year's event.
Adidas' full statement said: "We are incredibly sorry.
"Clearly, there was no thought given to the insensitive email subject line we sent Tuesday.
"We deeply apologise for our mistake.
"The Boston Marathon is one of the most inspirational sporting events in the world. Every year we're reminded of the hope and resiliency of the running community at this event."
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
May's shock election move could crush Labour and destroy UKIP
In 1983, an unpopular Labour leader faced a female Prime Minister, already ensconced in Downing Street with expectations the Conservatives would win.
Mrs Thatcher did, Labour slumped to 209 seats and that leader, Michael Foot, resigned within days.
Could history be about to repeat itself 34 years later?
Well if (yes, if) the polls are correct, 2017 will be much, much worse for Labour.
A YouGov poll published on Tuesday gave the Conservatives a 21-point lead. It followed a ComRes one at the weekend which provided the same result.
On current projections that would see Labour win fewer than 200 seats, in a result not seen since 1935 (they only had 135 MPs).
Not a surprise, then, that Theresa May has acted to call that snap election.
And it is not just Labour.
Expectations are that this election will hit UKIP hard. Could it effectively kill them off?
The party currently has no MPs. It can't do worse in terms of representatives but following the referendum its electoral galvaniser of Brexit has disappeared.
Could the 3.9 million votes it got in 2015 collapse and thus diminish its position as a major political party?
What a political narrative. The Conservative leader who crushed Labour and destroyed UKIP - it is possible.
Opposition will still exist, though. The SNP might suffer a bit but will remain the dominant force north of the border.
And you have the Lib Dems. In 1983 the SDP-Liberal Alliance achieved 25% of the vote, yes 25% - though it only equated to 23 seats.
The Lib Dems this time around are only on 12%, according to the polls. It is very unlikely they will reach 25% but they are on the up.
The most vocal Remain party, they have won dozens of local by-elections and Richmond recently.
That winning streak is expected to continue in June, particularly among urban middle-class constituencies, harming the Conservatives.
And that is why, despite the 1983 comparisons, and despite the polls, this is still a risk for Theresa May.
Unlike any previous elections, this will not just be a battle between the political parties but a continuation of last year's referendum - it will be a Brexit election.
It will come down to individual constituencies: who holds the seat, did it vote leave or remain, will turnout fall?
Lots of questions. In 51 days we will know the answers. Hold on to your hats, folks.
Nigerian UN Worker Arrested For Robbing Four Banks In New York
United Nations headquarters employee was arrested on Monday for robbing four banks over a two-month span, The New York Post reports.
Nigerian national Abdullahi Shuaibu, 53, was charged with two counts of robbery and two counts of attempted robbery.
All robberies were committed during his lunch breaks at banks within walking distance of the UN headquarters.
Mr. Shuaibu committed the first robbery on February 27 when he walked into a Santander Bank and demanded that the teller hand him cash, threatening to shoot if the employee did not comply.
In March, he tried but failed to rob a Bank of America. Later that month, he successfully robbed a separate Santander Bank location.
On Monday, Mr. Shuaibu walked into an HSBC bank and passed a note demanding cash to the teller, who did not read the note and asked for identification. He then told the teller he had a gun and gestured to his hand in his jacket pocket.
After returning to work that afternoon, police arrested Mr. Shuaibu. A retired police officer working at the UN recognized the robber from a surveillance photo previously released by the New York Police Department and led the authorities to his arrest.
Nigerian national Abdullahi Shuaibu, 53, was charged with two counts of robbery and two counts of attempted robbery.
All robberies were committed during his lunch breaks at banks within walking distance of the UN headquarters.
Mr. Shuaibu committed the first robbery on February 27 when he walked into a Santander Bank and demanded that the teller hand him cash, threatening to shoot if the employee did not comply.
In March, he tried but failed to rob a Bank of America. Later that month, he successfully robbed a separate Santander Bank location.
On Monday, Mr. Shuaibu walked into an HSBC bank and passed a note demanding cash to the teller, who did not read the note and asked for identification. He then told the teller he had a gun and gestured to his hand in his jacket pocket.
After returning to work that afternoon, police arrested Mr. Shuaibu. A retired police officer working at the UN recognized the robber from a surveillance photo previously released by the New York Police Department and led the authorities to his arrest.
PM bites the bullet: Why is May calling a snap election now?
It's on. After nine months of denials and deflections, the Prime Minister has bitten the bullet and called a General Election on 8 June.
In dramatic scenes outside Number 10, Theresa May said "with reluctance" she would go to the country to get a firm mandate for delivering Brexit.
It's not easy - there's the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act to get around, but with her poll lead widening by the day Mrs May has calculated that the rewards are too good to miss.
Speculation has been running riot for months, as the Conservatives have widened their poll lead from the low teens to a staggering 21 points in two surveys over the past few days.
Image:Latest YouGov poll suggests Tories as most popular party
Mrs May's party is most trusted on every subject apart from the NHS, and even Labour supporters think she would make a better Prime Minister than Jeremy Corbyn.
Since entering Number 10 in the extraordinary circumstances of last summer, Mrs May has been dogged by the election question and the spectre of Gordon Brown bottling his chance and regretting it.
In fact, as the case for going to the country has only got more compelling, the denials from her team have only been more determined.
On 20 March, her official spokesman said to a question on whether it would happen before 2020: "It isn't going to happen."
In dramatic scenes outside Number 10, Theresa May said "with reluctance" she would go to the country to get a firm mandate for delivering Brexit.
It's not easy - there's the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act to get around, but with her poll lead widening by the day Mrs May has calculated that the rewards are too good to miss.
Speculation has been running riot for months, as the Conservatives have widened their poll lead from the low teens to a staggering 21 points in two surveys over the past few days.
Image:Latest YouGov poll suggests Tories as most popular partyMrs May's party is most trusted on every subject apart from the NHS, and even Labour supporters think she would make a better Prime Minister than Jeremy Corbyn.
Since entering Number 10 in the extraordinary circumstances of last summer, Mrs May has been dogged by the election question and the spectre of Gordon Brown bottling his chance and regretting it.
In fact, as the case for going to the country has only got more compelling, the denials from her team have only been more determined.
On 20 March, her official spokesman said to a question on whether it would happen before 2020: "It isn't going to happen."
Life-saving antiseptic gel helping prevent newborn deaths
An antiseptic gel developed from mouthwash has been used to help to protect 12,000 Kenyan babies from life threatening infections.
Scientists at GlaxoSmithKline created the product from the chlorhexidine solution which is found in Corsodyl, among other brands.
It is rubbed into newly cut umbilical cords and kills bacteria, with the UN estimating it could save more than 400,000 lives over five years.
Dr Pauline Williams, who came up with the idea, said: "Chlorhexidine is quite a well-known and widely used product and the use of it on the umbilical cord replaces cow dung, gecko droppings and soot that have been used culturally to try to separate the cord earlier. So using an antiseptic makes a lot of sense."
Charity Save the Children has been working with the drug company to formulate the product for use in developing countries where around 28% of newborn deaths are due to infection.
It will be sold at a not-for-profit price and last month was approved for use in Liberia after being endorsed by the European Medicines Agency.
The company said it would share its knowledge with local companies hoping to make the gel.
Women in Bungoma County in Kenya are among those who have already been given the gel due to high rates of infant mortality.
Selvie Ochekwemoi lost two of her children to infection. The first died at just 11 days old.
Her newborn has been given the new treatment and she is feeling positive.
"When I gave birth to this child, they gave me medicine to apply on the umbilical cord," she said.
"The baby did not feel any pain on the umbilical cord and did not produce any pus and he healed very fast. I am ever grateful because the baby did not get sick, he is doing just fine."
It is hoped the treatment will be available in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia in the future.
Scientists at GlaxoSmithKline created the product from the chlorhexidine solution which is found in Corsodyl, among other brands.
It is rubbed into newly cut umbilical cords and kills bacteria, with the UN estimating it could save more than 400,000 lives over five years.
Dr Pauline Williams, who came up with the idea, said: "Chlorhexidine is quite a well-known and widely used product and the use of it on the umbilical cord replaces cow dung, gecko droppings and soot that have been used culturally to try to separate the cord earlier. So using an antiseptic makes a lot of sense."
Charity Save the Children has been working with the drug company to formulate the product for use in developing countries where around 28% of newborn deaths are due to infection.
It will be sold at a not-for-profit price and last month was approved for use in Liberia after being endorsed by the European Medicines Agency.
The company said it would share its knowledge with local companies hoping to make the gel.
Women in Bungoma County in Kenya are among those who have already been given the gel due to high rates of infant mortality.
Selvie Ochekwemoi lost two of her children to infection. The first died at just 11 days old.
Her newborn has been given the new treatment and she is feeling positive.
"When I gave birth to this child, they gave me medicine to apply on the umbilical cord," she said.
"The baby did not feel any pain on the umbilical cord and did not produce any pus and he healed very fast. I am ever grateful because the baby did not get sick, he is doing just fine."
It is hoped the treatment will be available in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia in the future.
Fast-track asylum appeal system plans unveiled
Plans to cut the time it takes to deal with appeals lodged by foreign criminals and asylum seekers fighting to stay in Britain are set to be unveiled.
The current average for an appeal determination is around 36 working days.
But the new proposals will cap the time between an initial decision and conclusion of an appeal to the first-tier tribunal at between 25 and 28 working days.
New safeguards, including a case management review and strengthened powers for judges to decide whether cases can be expedited, would also be introduced if the plans are adopted.
Justice Secretary Liz Truss said: "It is vital that foreign nationals who have no right to remain in the country should be removed as quickly as possible.
"We must ensure that foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers are not exploiting the justice system by attempting to stay in the UK after their claims have been rejected.
"Our proposals are also better for detainees as it will see their detention time cut."
It is estimated the system could speed up around 2,000 cases a year and save the taxpayer around £2.7m.
The plans come after a previous fast-track system was scrapped in 2015 after the Court of Appeal ruled it was unlawful.
An assessment of detained asylum cases between August 2015 and March 2016 found that it took on average more than 65 calendar days from receipt of the appeal to its determination in the first-tier tribunal.
Some detainees were held for more than 100 days while their case was decided.
The current average for an appeal determination is around 36 working days.
But the new proposals will cap the time between an initial decision and conclusion of an appeal to the first-tier tribunal at between 25 and 28 working days.
New safeguards, including a case management review and strengthened powers for judges to decide whether cases can be expedited, would also be introduced if the plans are adopted.
Justice Secretary Liz Truss said: "It is vital that foreign nationals who have no right to remain in the country should be removed as quickly as possible.
"We must ensure that foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers are not exploiting the justice system by attempting to stay in the UK after their claims have been rejected.
"Our proposals are also better for detainees as it will see their detention time cut."
It is estimated the system could speed up around 2,000 cases a year and save the taxpayer around £2.7m.
The plans come after a previous fast-track system was scrapped in 2015 after the Court of Appeal ruled it was unlawful.
An assessment of detained asylum cases between August 2015 and March 2016 found that it took on average more than 65 calendar days from receipt of the appeal to its determination in the first-tier tribunal.
Some detainees were held for more than 100 days while their case was decided.
Monday, April 17, 2017
Brits should lose the 'stiff upper lip', says Prince William
Prince William has called for an end to the "stiff upper lip" culture - a day after his brother revealed he had counselling years after the death of their mother.
The Duke of Cambridge said he wants Prince George and Princess Charlotte to be able to talk about their emotions.
In an interview with charity publication CALMzine he also highlighted the importance of role models opening up about their mental health.
"Catherine and I are clear we want both George and Charlotte to grow up feeling able to talk about their emotions and feelings.
"Over the past year we have visited a number of schools together where we have been amazed listening to children talk about some quite difficult subjects in a clear and emotionally articulate way, something most adults would struggle with.
"Seeing this has really given me hope things are changing and there is a generation coming up who find it normal to talk openly about emotions."
He added: "The recent interview by Stormzy about his depression was incredibly powerful and will help young men feel that it's a sign of strength to talk about and look after your mind as well as your body.
"There may be a time and a place for the 'stiff upper lip', but not at the expense of your health."
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Harry, who was 12 when Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris, admitted going off the rails in his 20s.
He said he had only tackled his grief when he was 28 and faced with the feeling that he was "on the verge of punching someone".
"Losing my mum at the age of 12 and shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years has had a quite serious effect on, not only my personal life, but on my work as well.
"It was only three years ago... from the support around and my brother and other people saying 'you really need to deal with this - it's not normal to think that nothing has affected you'."
The Prime Minister said his decision to speak out would help "smash the stigma around mental health", while mental health charity Mind described it as a "true turning point".
Theresa May said: "Mental health problems affect people of all ages and all backgrounds.
"The bravery of those in public positions who speak out about their experiences helps smash the stigma around mental health and will help thousands of people to realise they are not alone."
The Duke of Cambridge said he wants Prince George and Princess Charlotte to be able to talk about their emotions.
In an interview with charity publication CALMzine he also highlighted the importance of role models opening up about their mental health.
"Catherine and I are clear we want both George and Charlotte to grow up feeling able to talk about their emotions and feelings.
"Over the past year we have visited a number of schools together where we have been amazed listening to children talk about some quite difficult subjects in a clear and emotionally articulate way, something most adults would struggle with.
"Seeing this has really given me hope things are changing and there is a generation coming up who find it normal to talk openly about emotions."
He added: "The recent interview by Stormzy about his depression was incredibly powerful and will help young men feel that it's a sign of strength to talk about and look after your mind as well as your body.
"There may be a time and a place for the 'stiff upper lip', but not at the expense of your health."
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Harry, who was 12 when Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris, admitted going off the rails in his 20s.
He said he had only tackled his grief when he was 28 and faced with the feeling that he was "on the verge of punching someone".
"Losing my mum at the age of 12 and shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years has had a quite serious effect on, not only my personal life, but on my work as well.
"It was only three years ago... from the support around and my brother and other people saying 'you really need to deal with this - it's not normal to think that nothing has affected you'."
The Prime Minister said his decision to speak out would help "smash the stigma around mental health", while mental health charity Mind described it as a "true turning point".
Theresa May said: "Mental health problems affect people of all ages and all backgrounds.
"The bravery of those in public positions who speak out about their experiences helps smash the stigma around mental health and will help thousands of people to realise they are not alone."
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