EXCLUSIVE: 'Affluenza teen lived in his OWN mansion': Drunk-driver let off for killing four in crash had 'wild parties at home given to him by millionaire father where he lived unsupervised'

The drunk driving teen who killed four people but was spared jail because he was too spoilt to know any better, regularly had wild, booze-fulled parties in his OWN mansion, MailOnline can reveal.

Ethan Couch, 16, (left) the drunk driving teen who killed four people but was spared jail because he was too rich to know any better, regularly had wild, booze-fuelled parties in his own Tarrant County, Texas mansion, friends have told MailOnline. The teen - who plowed into a broken down car, taking four lives and injuring more in June - would allegedly boast of his drug taking and drinking to fellow teenagers he would invite to the sprawling property he lived in alone and unsupervised. The huge home (center) was gifted to him by his millionaire father Frederick Couch (bottom right) after his son endured his divorce from his wife, Tonya, (top right).

'I went from a being a newlywed to a widow in less than 48 hours': Groom is knocked over and killed helping a motorist stranded in the snow just HOURS after his wedding reception

Indiana groom

An Indiana newlywed was killed just hours after his wedding. William Knight (left), 49, pulled over to help Linda Darlington (not pictured), 42. They were struck by a car careening off the road - then two more cars mowed them down. Both were declared dead at the scene, and bride Nikki Knight (right) went from newlywed to widow in a matter of hours.

Are you a Dancer, Kisser or Houdini? The 10 characters at every staff Christmas party revealed

Are you a Dancer, Kisser or Houdini? The 10 characters at every staff Christmas party revealed

Faces may change over years, but the 10 types - including the Peak-too-sooner, Flirt, Blabbermouth, Weeper and Limpet - are ever-present.

Website calculates the impact of your diet, alcohol and smoking are having on your life expectancy

Lifestyle: The site will advise people what changes to make in their life to age better

The new website will use a mathematical formula to calculate how the lives of users will turn out and what steps they can take to alter their future.

Colorado governor visits school shooting victim and asks the nation to pray for her as family reveal she is in a coma still in critical condition

Still in critical condition: Claire Davis, 17, was shot by Arapahoe senior Kyle Pierson, 18, when he stormed the school Friday afternoon, looking to kill his debate coach. Some reports say Davis confronted the gunman

Colorado's governor asked the nation to pray for the 17-year-old girl who was critically wounded by a gunman at her Denver high school after visiting her in hospital.

First woman to lead a major car-maker appointed chief executive of General Motors

Lifer: Barra joined GM aged 18 and has risen through the ranks over 33 years

Mary Barra, an engineer and mother of two teenagers, became the most powerful woman in the motor industry this week.

The end of the traditional lightbulb: Forty and 60-watt light bulbs set to be banned from January 1

x

Fans of the country's most popular light bulbs are being encouraging to start stocking up as on January 1 it will become illegal for American businesses to either manufacture or import the old-style bulbs.

I'm not a Marxist, insists the Pope as he responds to criticism of papal documents that commented on 'economy of exclusion'

Not offended: Pontiff said he does not agree with Marxist ideology but has met 'good people' who do

Responding to conservative criticisms that his economic and social ideas smack of communism Francis also denied reports that he would name a woman cardinal.

What's happened to Sheena Easton? Singer, 54, looks fragile as she is wheeled out of clinic

Sheena Easton is wheeled from a clinic in Las Vegas

The 1980s pop music queen looked glum as she was spotted being wheeled out of a surgery specializing in oral surgery and dental implants in Las Vegas. MailOnline's photos show Sheena, 54, looking a far cry from the beautiful Glasgow starlet who took charts all over the world by storm in her early 20s with hits such as Morning Train and James Bond theme For You Eyes Only. The singer - who was rumored to have had botox in 2010 - was later spotted with strangely puffed up cheeks after the procedure.

President Obama set to jet off this week for 17-day vacation in Hawaii over Christmas and New Year

x

The First Family's are expected to spent their sixth Christmas in a row in Hawaii and will fly there later this week at an estimated cost of $100,000 to taxpayers.

George P Bush lines up with the TEA PARTY as he tries to become next generation of political dynasty

Moving right: In his bid to secure Texas Land Commissioner, rather than campaign on the mainstream Republicanism embodied by the Bush family name, George P Bush says he is more in line with the tea party

In his bid to secure Texas Land Commissioner, rather than campaign on the mainstream Republicanism embodied by the Bush family name, George P Bush says he is more in line with the Tea Party.

Kate and Wills' $400,000 bulletproof Bentley (top speed 200mph!) Duke and Duchess will use saloon for official engagements

The Flying Spur has a top speed of 200mph and features metal and composite armour to protect the Duke and Duchess

The Flying Spur, which the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will use for high-profile official engagements, is one of the world's fastest saloon cars with a top speed of 200mph.

London Heathrow cleared for take-off? Third (and even FOURTH) runway plans 'set to get green light in cynical Government report'

Officials at Heathrow (pictured) say an extra runway is the solution to Britain's air capacity woes

The Airports Commission will issue a report next week, despite fears it will expansion at Heathrow. But Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin revealed Cameron will not rule it out.

Concussion-plagued baseball star who committed suicide becomes first major league player diagnosed with degenerative brain disease

Suffered: Ryan Freel, who suffered from mental issues and drug problems in the years leading to his 2012 suicide, suffered from concussion-related degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy

Post-mortem tests have revealed former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ryan Freel suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. The degenerative condition is linked to repeated concussions and is more often seen in contact sports like football. Researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine revealed the news about Freel, who had a history of mental illness. CTE has made headlines in recent years as part of multiple lawsuits filed against the NFL.

New dad slips into coma and dies just hours after holding his newborn son – and his only symptom was a headache

He exemplified who he was to the very end of his life,

Josh Robison, 24, lost consciously suddenly soon after holding his newborn son Logan. The Mormon seminary teacher and Brigham Young University had suffered from bleeding in his brain, the cause of which remains a mystery. Robison was taken of life support Friday night.

Katie Couric takes huge pay cut with $6m-a-year Yahoo salary but will only work for the site part-time

,k

The TV presenter will be earning $6 million a year from Yahoo as 'Global Anchor' in a drive by Marissa Mayer to make the website more competitive in the news realm.

Paedophile Lostprophets rocker made made $150,000 in royalties from music since he was arrested

Still making money: Paedophile rock star Ian Watkins will continue to rake in thousands of pounds in performance royalties while behind bars for child sex offences

Music lawyer Craig Brookes believes the Lostprophets frontman could still pocket an estimated £100,000 in royalty cash generated since he was arrested and charged last year as he wrote the band's music.

Peter O'Toole dies at 81: Film legend and hellraiser who shot to fame as Lawrence of Arabia had suffered from long illness

Peter O'Toole has died at the age of 81 after battling with a long term illness

The film industry is in mourning after legendary film actor Peter O'Toole died at the age of 81.The critically acclaimed performer died after being taken to hospital on Friday. Tributes were led by Prime Minister David Cameron, who declared that Lawrence Of Arabia was his 'favourite film', with the Irish actor's performance 'stunning'. His daughter Kate (pictured as a baby bottom right) said he family was 'overwhelmed by the outpouring of real love and affection' following his passing.

John McCain backs opposition leaders telling Ukraine protesters: 'America stands with you - Ukraine will make Europe better'

U.S. Sen. John McCain took in the anti-government protest scene in Kiev's Maidan square, snapping pictures with his cell phone as he met with opposition leaders.

U.S. Sen. John McCain took in the anti-government protest scene in Kiev's Maidan square, snapping pictures with his cell phone as he met with opposition leaders.

France begs Europe for help on the ground with fighting in its former African colonies as bloodshed escalates

France today called on European allies including Britain to provide on-the-grounds troops to halt the bloodshed in its former African colonies

France also wants a 'permanent European fund' to finance emergency interventions in countries like Central African Republic and Mali.

'All she did was love people': Horror as girl, nine, is found dead in dumpster just hours after her family reported her missing and neighbor, 24, is arrested for her murder

Horror as girl, 9, is found dead in dumpster just hours after her family report her missing

Nine-year-old Ohio girl Reann Murphy has been found dead in a dumpster near her home and a neighbor has been arrested in connection with her murder.

Was Noah's Ark round? Scholar says 3,700-year-old clay tablet reveals boat was a coracle made out of reeds and bitumen

New revelation: According to an ancient Babylonian tablet, Noah's Ark was a 220-ft wide coracle with walls 20-ft high

An expert in deciphering cuneiform script, Dr Irving Finkel, has managed to piece together information on Noah's Ark from a 3,700-year-old clay tablet.

Judge who let off 'spoiled' rich teen who killed four in DUI previously put boy aged fourteen in prison for TEN YEARS

s

The judge in the controversial Ethan Couch case hasn’t always been so lenient and last year Judge Jean Boyd sentenced a 14-year-old boy to 10 years in prison after his punch resulted in a death.

There goes the neighborhood! Residents in exclusive New York area up in arms over invasion of 'ugly piece of junk' RVs

x

Angry Upper West Side locals have complained that the RVs are turning their highly desirable area into a trailer park, taking up valuable parking spaces and generally lowering the tone. One trailer, a rusty '84 Chevy Pathfinder, parked at Riverside Drive and 74th Street has been described by local resident Gretchen Berger, as 'an ugly piece of junk.' The RV belongs to Queens-born Rabbi Steve Blumberg, a Kabbalah practitioner, who has said that residents ought to take life less seriously.

Chief's player Jovan Belcher's body is EXHUMED to check for brain damage a year after he shot dead his girlfriend and himself

i

Jovan's family had his body exhumed Friday at North Babylon Cemetery in the Long Island, New York, community of Bay Shore, the family's attorney, Dirk Vandever, told The Kansas City Star.

'When babies are having babies, that's what happens': Teen parents arrested after making their 23-month-old toddler smoke pot

Teen Parents Made Toddler Smoke Pot

Mother Jessica Kelsey, 17, father George Kelsey, 18, and grandfather Don Baker, 54, all of suburban Buffalo, made a 23-month-old child smoke marijuana earlier this month, officials said.

Pippi Longstocking star Tami Erin 'arrested for felony hit-and-run and drunk driving' after 'hitting three cars and fleeing the scene'

Pippi Longstocking star Tami Erin 'arrested for felony hit-and-run and drunk driving' after 'hitting three cars and fleeing the scene'

At least one person was taken to hospital following the accident in Los Angeles.

Former CEO who killed pregnant woman, 24, and her fiance, 29, in botched suicide attempt could be charged with murder

Former Fortune 500 executive Robert Dellinger, 53, who plowed his car into an SUV killing a pregnant woman and her fiance in a botched suicide attempt in North Hampshire on December 7, could be charged with murder.

Former Fortune 500 executive Robert Dellinger, 53, who plowed his car into an SUV killing a pregnant woman and her fiance in a botched suicide attempt in North Hampshire on December 7, could be charged with murder.

Boston Bombers' family 'was on the run from Russian mob': Gangsters BEHEADED their dog and tortured their dad before brothers became gun-toting drug dealers in America, claims report

Tsarnaev

Tamerlan and Dzhokar's mother Zubeidat Tsarnaev told friends that she and her husband Anzor were lawyers in their native land and that Anzor worked as a prosecutor. The Boston Globe posits that none of that story was likely true. Neither Zubeidat nor Anzor had law degrees, the newspaper reports. It's likely that Anzor had been smuggling cigarettes and fell afoul of the local organized crime syndicate, friends say. Alternatively - the family saw the glamorous life in America portrayed in Hollywood movies and decided they wanted a piece of it.

Pink Floyd star Roger Waters causes outrage as he compares Israeli government to Nazis in magazine interview

Conflict: Roger Waters, 70, has been branded an antisemitic after his comments last week

Roger Waters, 70, who refuses to visit or perform in Israel, said he would not have played in France or Germany during the Second World War either.

I'll never forget you my little Princess: Mother's letter to baby taken in forced caesarean

Plea: Alessandra Pacchieri with her baby, whose identity has been obscured for legal reasons

Italian Alessandra Pacchieri begged the Daily Mail last night to pass the letter to her 15-month-old girl, now being cared for by Essex social services.

Jameis Winston wins Heisman Trophy amid sex assault allegations: Florida State star triumphs just days after charges dropped

Winston

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston earned college football's most prestigious individual award despite being left completely off a substantial number of ballots

Walmart employee shoots up co-worker's car over 'Employee Of The Month' award

A Florida Wal-Mart worker shot another employee's car after they won employee of the month, investigators believe. Willie Mitchell became incensed that the award was given to his co-worker.

A Florida Wal-Mart worker shot another employee's car after they won employee of the month, investigators believe. Willie Mitchell became incensed that the award was given to his co-worker.

Married to the mine: Photographer captures the small isolated mining towns of America which keep the coal industry alive

In Our Veins

San Francisco-based photographer Justin Kaneps has compiled a series of stunning photographs that explores the interdependency between the American coal industry and its surrounding Appalachian communities. Kaneps' In Our Veins series focuses on the socioeconomic impact the industry has on mining communities in places like Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky.

Alcohol abuse did NOT cause death of woman found dead in hospital stairwell after going missing for 17 days, claims lawyer

This undated file photo provided by David Perry & Associates, shows Lynne Spalding

An attorney for the woman found dead in a San Francisco General Hospital stairwell disputes a coroner's report saying her death was related to chronic alcohol abuse.

New Mexico teacher disciplined for telling black student dressed as Saint Nick: 'Santa is white'

Michael Rougier

A New Mexico high school teacher has been disciplined after Michael Rougier (pictured) says the man told his black son that Santa Claus is white.

'I AM a real person!' The high-tech telemarketing robot that will DENY it's a machine

s

'Samantha West' from Premier Health Plans Inc. called TIME magazine reporter Michael Scherer on his cell recently and doggedly refused to deviate from her script, even when he asked point blank if she was a robot.

School shooter was PRO gun control and ranted online against 'Republicans' who blocked stricter laws before plotting massacre

Gun control: Karl Pierson's Facebook posts suggested he favored tighter laws on firearms

Colorado gunman Karl Pierson, who seriously injured a 17-year-old girl when he opened fire at his school, supported tougher gun laws.

Blank Spots on the map: Almost all the U.S. Army's secret military bases across the globe revealed on Google and Bing

The location of 650 off-limits, secret U.S. military bases. have been charted and pictured thanks to satellite imaged collected by Google and Bing.

Google and Bing maps have the ability to take you to virtually anywhere on the planet, including off-limits secret U.S. military bases. The location of 650 of them have been charted and pictured thanks to satellite imaging. Josh Begley calls himself a data artist, decided to set himself the task of mapping all known U.S. military bases around the world.

Motion tracking technology that can see through walls WITHOUT a camera

WiTrack

A motion-tracking device that can 'see' through walls without using a camera could change the face of video gaming.

Thousands of HealthCare.gov enrollment records are MISSING and never made it to insurers

Another issue: The records of thousands of people who used the HealthCare.gov website to sign up for health insurance never made it to insurers

It has been revealed that the enrollment records for about 15,000 Americans trying to sign up for health insurance using the beleaguered website never made it to insurers.

Planning to stuff yourself this Christmas? A 45-minute workout can combat the damage even if you burn fewer calories than you eat

Feast away: Scientists have found overeating will not affect blood sugar levels in people who exercise

A study revealed festive indulgence can be countered by 45 minutes of fitness a day even if the amount consumed is significantly more than what is burned off.

Which stuffing will stop you getting ill?: How to survive the season of excess

Naughty or nice? take this quiz to find out what in your turkey dinner contains a compound that lifts the mood

Test your knowledge on the pitfalls and benefits of Christmas food food and pick up some tips to enjoy the holiday without blowing the calorie budget.

John Kerry returns to Vietnam's Mekong Delta 45 years after he heroically patrolled the waters during the war

Kerry is hoping to shore up relations with Vietnam as the U.S. engages in a standoff with China over territorial claims in the South China Sea

In this remote part of southern Vietnam, rising sea waters, erosion and the impact of upstream dam development on the Mekong River are proving a more serious threat than the Viet Cong guerrillas that Kerry battled as a young lieutenant in 1968 and 1969.

Sex assault on young artist at London's National Gallery: Woman attacked as she sketched masterpiece

The woman was reportedly touched by a man while she sketched in a room at The National Gallery (pictured)

The 20-year-old told security staff she had been sexually assaulted in a room full of some of the prestigious gallery's best-known works.

Teen arrested for beating and raping a 70-year-old nun in parking lot of church where she serves

Monster: Andrew Bullock, 18, admitted to beating and raping the nun after exposing himself to her

Suspect Andrew Bullock has been charged with felony rape, aggravated assault and sexual assault, in Pittsburgh.

What a clever boy! Dogs' ability to understand us is ever growing and they can even predict human behaviour

Animal psychologists say dogs are evolving their ability to understand and predict human behaviour

The study, led by scientists at the University of Abertay, Dundee, shows that a dog’s ability to understand humans is innate - it does not depend upon training.

Mother left in tears after UPS left her daughter's Christmas present in the TRASH CAN on garbage day... and it was taken away

Bad news: A Missouri mother received this message from UPS and then discovered that the present she had bought for her daughter had been thrown in the trash and then collected

Missouri mother Tracey Sole found a hard-earned Christmas gift for her daughter had been thrown away when UPS delivered it straight into a trash can.

Still as excited? Heartwarming video taken by dad over 25 YEARS showing his children coming downstairs for Christmas morning

Christmas morning video

NEW Watch the video a father filmed of his children running down the stairs towards their Christmas presents every year for more than two decades. From 1985 until 2009, a father chronicled the growth of his children to adulthood by capturing their running, sliding and stumbling down the stairs to their Christmas tree.

'The last person I shared Christmas with was my accountant': Butler who
has spent 10 Christmases alone is overrun with offers after placing an
advert for someone to spend the day with him

James Gray

James Gray, 85, placed the unusual request in a newspaper following a decade of lonely festive celebrations at his flat in south London.

A perfect gift for His Royal Highchairness: furniture designer spends three months carving a throne fit for Prince George

A furniture maker has just completed the first Royal high-chair for Prince George

The bespoke chair is to be presented next month to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Queen’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

Pictured: The 'mean' college cop who shot and killed student, 23, who'd sarcastically asked 'You gonna shoot me?' before fight

b

Cpl. Chris Carter, left, an officer with the University of the Incarnate Word university's 17-strong police force, shot dead Robert Cameron Redus early Friday following a traffic stop outside the student's apartment. He had nine law enforcement jobs within seven years, and responded with his firearm after Redus apparently grabbed his baton and used it to strike him in the head and arm.

'Nicotine is GOOD for you': Scientist employed by cigarette manufacturers claims highly addictive drug makes your brain work better

Scientist David O'Reilly, who works for the tobacco industry, said nicotine makes your brain work better

The claim made by David O'Reilly, who is employed by British American Tobacco who makes Benson & Hedges, Dunhill and Lucky Strikes, has been branded 'irresponsible'.

Exercise better than drugs for stroke and heart disease patients, study reveals

Groundbreaking: Study published in the British Medical Journal showed fitness could be good medication

The large-scale study found doctors had a better chance of preventing death in patients recovering from a heart attack or stroke by prescribing fitness over pills.

The beer concentrate that lets you take even MORE on camping trips

Insta-beer: Once you've located water, this is all you need for two pints of beer on the trail

A new beer concentrate, with is reconstituted with water, could revolutionize where you can stop on the trail for a freshly foaming pint.

Snow turns to slush after deadly storm slams northeast with more than 1,000 flight cancellations and dangerous roads for holiday shoppers

A storm that dropped around a foot of snow across much of the northeast and Midwest overnight is starting to wind down.

A storm that dropped around a foot of snow across much of the northeast and Midwest overnight is starting to wind down.

Daughter of hero Texas police officer who killed UT sniper Charles Whitman after 1966 mass-shooting which left 17 dead, joins Austin Police Department in his memory

preview

NEW Monika McCoy is the 42-year-old daughter of Houston McCoy (pictured), who shot Whitman dead and ended the slaughter that left 17 people dead and 32 others wounded on August 1, 1966.

Air France plane grounded in Venezuela after French authorities receive tip off that there is a bomb on board

Venezuelan bomb experts are inspecting the plane after information that an aircraft was due to be detonated in midair

The Paris-bound flight was grounded at the airport near Caracas, Venezuela, (pictured) after information was received that an Air France flight was to be targeted in mid-air.

'CIA misled Congress on missing American' says McCain as Kerry insists hunt for Robert Levinson is still on

x

Sen. John McCain suggested on Sunday that the CIA has not been forthcoming with Congress on details about Robert Levinson, the American who disappeared while on a secret intelligence mission to Iran.

Bing

Like
MailOnline

Follow
@MailOnline

   

Femail Today

Missing home? A sombre Princess Eugenie fidgets through a New York basketball game

Missing home? A sombre Princess Eugenie fidgets through a New York basketball game as she sits alone

Sitting next to Michelle Trachtenberg, the British royal, 23, tapped her feet and covered her face with her hands as she looked on.

Finally, a tribute to match the man: A poignant and dignified day but VIPs edge out relatives at Mandela farewell

Mandela

This was more like it, writes DAVID JONES in Qunu, Eastern Cape Province. This was what the world had been waiting to see. After nine mismanaged and at times farcical days of mourning, the Rainbow Nation at last got its act together yesterday, to give the man who mingled its multi-coloured palette the send-off his extraordinary achievements demanded. Pictured: (Top) South African leader Jacob Zuma gazes at the flag-draped coffin. Next to him are Mr Mandela’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (l) and widow Graca Machel (r). (Bottom left) Charles meets Zwelonke Sigcawu, King of the Xhosa tribe. (Bottom right) Dignitaries and relatives pay their respects at Mr Mandela’s coffin.

Soldiers fill empty seats at Nelson Mandela's funeral as service overruns by almost two hours

Soldiers moved in to fill some of the empty chairs during the funeral service

Thousands of guests turned up to the service of South Africa's former president which was being held in his hometown of Qunu in Eastern Cape province.

RACHEL JOHNSON: I'll get hate mail for this... Mandela was NOT perfect

Nelson Mandela died at his South African home on December 5

'You'll get hate mail,' I was warned by William Nicholson, who wrote the new Mandela movie, after I'd told him what I was going to say here.

Richard Branson, Prince Albert... and Gerry Adams: VIPs who descended on tiny African village for Mandela's funeral

VIPs: Oprah Winfrey was sitting between her partner Stedman Graham and Virgin boss Richard Branson

The mourning was led by Mandela's widow Graca Machel and his ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who sat dressed with president Jacob Zuma.

Don't delete our selfie! British leader Cameron asks Danish PM to keep Mandela memorial picture featuring Obama and auction it for charity'

The controversial selfie, which Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said was in-keeping with the spirit of the event

During a private conversation last week, Cameron apparently suggested to Danish PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt that auctioning the selfie for charity could raise a substantial sum.

Kim Jong Un's aunt survives unscathed: North Korean dictator's relative is picked for top post after execution of her husband (but was she involved in his downfall?)

North Korea

Kim Kyong Hui (pictured), the wife of Jang Song Thaek, has been named alongside top officials on a funeral committee for fellow senior Workers' Party official Kim Kuk Thae. Her 67-year-old husband, who had been considered the second most powerful official in the country, was killed on Friday immediately after a military trial.

Golden nuggets, 'liquid nitrogen ice cream', unlimited drinks and star performers: Inside Silicon Valley's outrageous holiday parties

The tech giants of Silicon Valley have been splashing massive amounts of cash on lavish holiday parties throughout the festive season.

The tech giants of Silicon Valley have been splashing massive amounts of cash on lavish holiday parties throughout the festive season. Snaps from inside the Yahoo, Facebook and LinkedIn shindigs reveal famous performers, free bars, unlimited food and ostentatious extras such as 'liquid nitrogen ice cream' and golden nuggets.

Inside the British university where Muslims were segregated by sex: Shocking picture shows how men were reserved front-row seats while women had to sit at the back

PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: Women and men sit separately at a day-long seminar at Leicester University earlier this year - which was about 'talk to non Muslims about Islam convincingly and in a structured way'

PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: The training course at Leicester University was held by the same Islamic society which put up a sign separating women and men at a public lecture.

NSA and all major intelligence agencies can listen in to encrypted cell phone calls

The National Security Agency tracks the locations of nearly 5 billion cellphones every day overseas, including those belonging to Americans abroad.

The latest documents from the NSA leaked by Edward Snowden show that government spies are capable of listening in on mobile phone calls that use a common form of encryption.

Businessman who turns bitcoins into physical money shut down by federal government because it's too easy to money launder

Bitcoins: Mike Caldwell is suspending his bitcoin minting business after receiving a letter from the federal government

A Utah man was put on notice by the federal government last month over his business where he physically mints digital currency.

Secret letters reveal what Maggie REALLY thought of audiences with the Queen: Late PM 'pushed her luck' by repeatedly cancelling weekly audiences with Her Majesty

Secret letters reveal what Maggie REALLY thought of audiences with the Queen: late PM 'pushed her luck' by repeatedly cancelling weekly audiences with her majesty

Official papers just made public show the Prime Minister repeatedly rescheduled and cancelled their weekly audiences, risking the irritation of Buckingham Palace.

'Our escape route has been cut': Harrowing final radio traffic and video from 'hotshots' killed in Arizona wildfire tragedy released

Yarnell Canyon fire

The video revealed that fire commanders overseeing the attack on the Yarnell Hill Fire didn't realize that the Granite Mountain Hotshots were in mortal danger. The footage comes from a helmet cam of a firefighter who was far removed from the hotshots - but the microphone pics up the radio traffic of the group's final moments. All 19 of the hotshots - firefighters from the Prescott, Arizona, Fire Department, were killed after the inferno overtook them as they huddled in their fire shelters.

Facebook develops algorithm that will learn EVERYTHING about you from photos and gives details to advertisers

Facebook has taken its pursuit of artificial intelligence one step forward by setting up a new research lab that will help make sense of all the content that people share.

Facebook has taken its pursuit of artificial intelligence one step forward by setting up a new research lab that will help make sense of all the content that people share.

NSA chief says U.S. should consider granting Snowden AMNESTY in exchange for the 1.5M classified documents still in his possession

Richard Ledgett, who heads a task force assessing Snowden's leaks, says the U.S. should consider granting him amnesty

Richard Ledgett, who was put in charge of the Snowden leak task-force by General Keith Alexander, was interviewed for an upcoming episode of 60 Minutes.

How Jesus is most famous person in history ... and Obama is only 110th, according to internet searches

Jesus is the most famous person in history according to a software programme that scours the internet to rank people's importance

The software, developed in the US scours the internet for opinions expressed about famous people and uses a special algorithm to to predict how important they will remain 200 year after their death.

Bone of contention: Druids and archaeologists in row over displaying human remains at Stonehenge

Stonehenge, where a new £27m visitor centre is set to open this week

While the archaelogists say coming face-to-face with our ancestors provides a vital link to our past, while the druids want the bones to be respectfully reburied.

Daughter's touching photographs chronicle her parents' JOINT battle with cancer and the poignant moment they both walked her down the aisle on her wedding day

Laurel and Howie

For most families, coping with one cancer diagnosis is a struggle, but Howie and Laurel Borowick found out at the same time they were both facing the disease. Their daughter Nancy chronicled the couple's progress as they began their treatments and continually swapped roles from carer and patient, husband and wife. The intimate series of photos by the New York photographer capture the exhaustion and low points, as well as moments of joy - including when they both walked Nancy down the aisle at her wedding.

Fresh health fears for Susan Boyle as stint on British TV is axed after 'confused and zombie-like' appearance

Fears: Susan Boyle was due to appear on the Jonathan Ross Show but it was cancelled

The 52-year-old singer has had a string of problems since finding fame on Britain's Got Talent in 2009 and revealed this week that she suffers from Asperger's - a form of autism.

Construction worker falls to his death from the roof of Brazil stadium where England will open their 2014 World Cup campaign

Death: The 22-year-old fell around 35 metres from the roof of the stadium, pictured. He died in hospital at 4am this morning

Marcleudo de Melo Ferreira, 22, fell 35 metres from the roof of the Arena da Amazonia stadium, Manaus, when a cable broke.

American fugitive who was last person to see secret CIA agent alive in Iran denies involvement in his disappearance

Dawud Salahuddin

An American fugitive who was the last person to see missing secret CIA operative Robert Levinson alive in Iran has denied being involved in his mysterious disappearance.

Mother and son reunited for holidays after father kidnapped him to Greece

Together again: Alissa and Leo Zagaris are finally able to celebrate the holidays together

A young Indiana boy kidnapped to Greece by his father who has been reunited with his mother is enjoying their first holiday season in years.

Brutal street brawl between six Santas caps off drunken SantaCon in Manhattan

Brutal street brawl between six Santas

In New York City, the annual event got under way in Manhattan's Tompkins Square Park, which filled with thousands of party-goers dressed as Santas, sexy Mrs Clauses in fishnet stocking, peculiar elves, gingerbread houses, pink bunnies and, inexplicably, pandas. The armada then made its way to Brooklyn, where a Rudolph dance-off was staged, followed by a snowball fight. After complaints about boorish, boozy Kris Kringles got attention from local officials and police, the event's ringleaders made an effort to quell the SantaCon-troversy.

Murdoch's son-in-law bans him from his 50th birthday party after mogul's claims about ex-wife Wendi and Blair

The way they were: The now fragmented and warring Murdoch-Freud alliance pose for a family snap back in 2008

Last night Mr Murdoch and Mr Freud were embroiled in a public war of words as the repercussions of the Blair-Deng controversy spread.

Parents' outrage after teacher who taped little boys' mouth up in class because he was talking is allowed to keeps his job

The mom of a five-year-old boy is demanding the resignation of a teacher from Houston after he allegedly taped her little boys mouth shut because he was talking in class.

The mom of a five-year-old boy is demanding the resignation of a teacher from Houston after he allegedly taped her little boys mouth shut because he was talking in class.

Playing snowballs in Syria: How a blanket of cold, white stuff can make life seem normal in a war zone (... if only the snowman wasn't holding a gun)

snowman in Syria

Snowstorm Alexa brought much of the region to a standstill with as many as 40,000 homes thought to have been flooded. Thousands were left without power in Israel and the neighboring West Bank after the snow fall which has been described by authorities as the worst in decades.

The girl with 250 broken bones: 11-year-old has rare brittle bone condition causing fractures throughout her body

Brave girl: Karli Miller has broken 250 bones and undergone 50 surgeries

Karli Miller, of Gower, MO., started breaking her bones before she was even born. Doctors estimate she has suffered at least 250 fractures, for which she has undergone dozens of surgeries.

Bells toll at Sandy Hook: Town remembers twenty six victims of Newtown tragedy as Obama and Michelle hold minute of silence

Sobering message: President Obama said in his weekly address that one years after the Newtown shootings, the nation has not done enough to make communities safer

To mark the tragedy, some of the bereaved parents released heartbreaking videos sharing memories of their slain children and calling for action on gun violence.

Warmhearted cop gives the shirt off his back to homeless man shivering in freezing New York City

Grateful: Robert Williams' shoes were wet and he had only a thermal undershirt on

One New York City cop gave the sweater he was wearing to a homeless man who was dressed only in a thermal undershirt Friday when temperatures dropped to 23 degrees.

'His disappearance was a blessing in disguise': Man, 67, rescued after five nights in freezing forest for five nights gets tests which lead to brain tumor diagnosis

For Richard Sturm, spending five freezing nights lost in the woods, surviving on nothing but a Snickers bar and a bottle of water, was a 'blessing in disguise'

For Richard Sturm was rushed to a Washington hospital on Friday morning where he was diagnosed with hypothermia and dehydration - and a brain tumor.

SNL does Selfie-gate! Show lampoons Obama's photo and South Africa's fake sign language interpreter before interviewing black Santa especially for Megyn Kelly

snl

If he wasn't regretting his decision to take a 'selfie' at Nelson Mandela's memorial service this week, President Barack Obama probably would be after Saturday Night Live's latest dig. Last night's installment mocked the U.S. leader's hand-held group portrait with two foreign leaders, with jealous German Chancellor Angela Merkel (played by Kate McKinnon) swooping in to demand two selfies with the President (played by Jay Pharoah) (main picture). Meanwhile, Santa Claus (played by Kenan Thompson) appeared on the sketch show's Weekend Update to poke fun at Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly's bizarre 'Santa is white' remark (top right).

Beyonce backlash: Parents' anger at star's X-rated new album

Beyonce faced a backlash on social networking sites over 'vile' lyrics and 'pornographic' videos on her new album released on Friday, to the surprise of fans

Within hours, hundreds of fans slammed the star's record for it's X-rated lyrics and 'pornographic' videos in which she twerks and dresses scantily.

Rescue dog who weighed just 45 POUNDS two months ago now 'fat and sassy' in foster home - but vets can't work out why

Emaciated: Raphael weighed just 45 pounds when he arrived at Santa Fe Animal Shelter in October

Raphael, the mixed-breed dog from Pojoaque whose bony portrait has generated thousands of Facebook followers, has moved out of the Santa Fe Animal Shelter and into foster home.

Bone of contention: Druids and archaeologists in row over displaying human remains at Stonehenge

Stonehenge, where a new £27m visitor centre is set to open this week

While the archaelogists say coming face-to-face with our ancestors provides a vital link to our past, while the druids want the bones to be respectfully reburied.

In-flight cell phone calls a step closer to reality as FCC votes to consider lifting ban on using phones mid-air

Can you hear me now?: Talking during flights may become a reality

The Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday in favor of allowing fliers to use phones during flights despite public opinion being overwhelming against the idea.

Is this the real Lockerbie bomber? Egyptian terrorist linked to aviation disaster 25 years after plane came down

Lockerbie

Mohammed Abu Talb (left) - who is serving life in prison for a series of bombings - has been revealed as a likely suspect in the devastating attack. The Egyptian terrorist has been named in a private investigation called Operation Bird. He is alleged to be behind the blast that took place on board Pan Am Flight 103 over Scotland in 1988 (bottom right) - killing 270 people. Libyan Abdelbaset al-Megrahi (inset) was previously jailed in 2001 for masterminding the bombing.

Lockerbie heartache for mother who has only just discovered that her son she gave up for adoption 50 years ago had died in 1988 Pan Am bombing

American student Ken Bissett, was one of the 270 victims of the Lockerbie bombing, but his mother Carol King Eckersley who gave him up for adoption only discovered he had been killed this year

Carol King Eckersley, 65, from Oregon in the US, gave up her son Kenneth Bissett (pictured) when she was 19 years old but only began looking for him earlier this year.

A Brussels sprout a day keeps vitamin deficiencies at bay: How the bitter tasting vegetable provides enough folic acid to keep us going

Unpopular: Eating Brussels sprouts could help those who are not eating five portions of fruit or vegetables a day, dieticians say

A daily helping of the traditional Christmas fare could boost the number of Britons eating five portions of fruit and vegetables, according to a new survey.

UC Santa Barbara parents demand unapproved meningitis vaccine for students after it was used at Princeton

University of California freshmen Aaron Loy, 18, has had his feet amputated after being sickened in a meningitis outbreak at UC Santa Barbara

A meningitis outbreak at Princeton University last month prompted health officials to provide students with an unapproved vaccine to protect against the rare strain of the disease.

Could there be life on Europa? Hubble spots 100-mile high jets of water shooting out from the surface of Jupiter's icy moon

Europa

Scientists, led by the Southwest Research Institute in Texas, claim they have detected two vapour jets shooting into space for seven hours at a time.

'Pregnancy has allowed me to have hope': Mom whose son 'was drowned by his father' gives birth by anonymous sperm donor

Hera McLeod

A Maryland woman who lost her 15-month-old son last year and whose former fiance has been charged with murder gave birth to a daughter almost one year to the day after the death of her son. Police say Joaquin Shadow Rams, 40, drowned his infant son Prince during an unsupervised visit ordered by the court, despite Hera McLeod's protests. McLeod, 33, chose to be a single mother; she does not know the father of her child, who was conceived via A Maryland woman who lost her infant son last year and whose former fiance has been charged with murder gave birth to a daughter conceived via sperm donor.

Is conflict GOOD for society? 'Swarm intelligence' research links fighting to better decision-making in a community

Researchers studied how meerkats, pictured, make decisions.

Researchers in Berlin and London studied how meerkats make decisions. When groups share the same goals, decisions are poor because no-one questions them.

The dinosaur that looked like a CHICKEN: Edmontosaurus had fleshy ‘rooster comb’ and a beak-like mouth

Edmontosaurus

The feature was found in a mummified specimen of an Edmontosaurus which was found in rock deposits near the city of Grande Prairie in Alberta, Canada.

Defiant Iran storms out of nuclear talks in war of words over sanctions

Through his government-controlled news agency, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani has insisted that his nation will escape from America's harsh sanctions regime and regain access to much of its international trade program

Iran is openly defying the United States, insisting that 'the structure of sanctions has cracked and its collapse has started,' but the U.S. insists it's not relaxing sanctions one bit.

Powerful mafia boss’s sister is one of 30 arrested in Sicilian dawn raid as net closes on mob supremo

mafia

Police hunting Matteo Messina Denaro, who runs Sicily's Cosa Nostra operation arrested his sister Patrizia, his nephew and two cousins.

In no mood for mercy: Crocodiles savage helpless zebra foal after it slipped when crossing river with its herd

zebra

This is the moment a young zebra lost its footing as the herd continued its migration to Tanzania to find a new grazing patch. Before any of its cousins could turn around, the foal was pulled into the river by one of the looming tetrapods. It was a tragic end to a meticulous river crossing that lasted almost an hour. Zimbabwe-born amateur photographer Michael Olsen, who captured the event in the Maasai Mara National Reserve described how close the foal came to escaping.

Twitter introduces change to 'blocking' feature... but rolls back hours later after backlash from angry users

x

Just hours after introducing a policy change concerning its 'block' feature, Twitter reversed the move following a barrage of criticism from users who said it would encourage online abuse.

Can this ring stop your partner from snoring?

ring snore preview.jpg

The $50 ring uses acupressure theory by applying pressure to specific points on your little finger and promises to give your partner a good night's sleep.

E-cigarette smokers inhale MORE nicotine and toxins than regular smokers, study finds

They are marketed as being healthier than conventional cigarettes, but new research suggests electronic cigarettes could actually be worse for your health

Researchers at New York University found people who smoke e-cigarettes tend to puff on them more often and to inhale more deeply.

Did humans descend from JELLYFISH? Scientists believe comb jellies could an early ancestor

While studying the genome sequence of a comb jelly, pictured, researchers from Miami

While studying the genome sequence of a comb jelly, researchers from Maryland found it was related to all other animal groups.

'The house went up like a matchbox': Chief surgeon, her husband and their 11-year-old son killed in 'suspicious' house fire just three weeks after family move in

A chief surgeon, her husband and their 11-year-old son were killed in a 'suspicious' blaze which engulfed their rural Arizona home yesterday morning

A chief surgeon, her husband and their 11-year-old son were killed in a 'suspicious' blaze which engulfed their rural Arizona home (top left) yesterday morning. The badly burned bodies of Casa Grande Regional Medical Center surgeon Joyce Bonenberger Brough, 51 (right), Dennis Edward Brough, 50, and Trevor were found in separate rooms by firefighters about 6.40am. Neighbors tried to rescue the family, who had moved into the Casa Grande single-story home about three weeks ago, but the fire was 'out-of-control'. Police and arson investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire (bottom left) which is being treated as 'suspicious'.

Store greeter FIRED for putting out fire in customer's car because bosses say his actions were 'against company policy'

A greeter a Meijer store in Gaylord, Michigan was recently fired for not following the emergency protocol by responding to a car fire in the parking lot

A greeter a Meijer store in Gaylord, Michigan was recently fired for not following the emergency protocol by responding to a car fire in the parking lot.

Home invaders who shot medical student, 25, dead in frat house describe how they gunned confused victim down in the dark

Accomplice: Jordan and Jones say a third man who participated in the robbery actually fired the shot that killed DeWolf

Two suspects in the fatal shooting of a University of Michigan medical student say they sneaked into Paul DeWolf's basement bedroom at his medical fraternity during a burglary attempt and that his shooting was unintended

At least your Christmas can't be this bad! The awkward family photos that would make Santa go red

***MUST CREDIT, USE AFP HOLIDAY COVER AND LINK BACK AT TOP OF PAGE TO Must link back: http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com h

Holiday traditions vary from home to home, but awkward family photos are a yearly occurrence no holiday should be without.

The day Santa came to town: Alaska National Guard brings Christmas to remote Yup'ik Eskimo village (but not everyone is happy about it)

You're on the naughty list: Two-year-old Lucas Fisher crying while having a picture taken with Mrs. Claus.

Children in a remote Eskimo village in Alasksa were treated to a rare visit by Santa. Presents were handed out by the National Guard's Operation Santa Claus.

Now THAT'S a great leap forward: Chinese spacecraft makes first 'soft' moon landing in 37 years

The touch-down of lunar probe Chang'e-3 marks the first time that China has sent a spacecraft to soft land on the surface of an extraterrestrial body

The Yutu, or Jade Rabbit, was deployed at 4:35 am (8.35pm GMT) on Saturday, several hours after the Chang'e-3 probe landed on the moon. It is the latest stage in China's bold space ambition to eventually have a Chinese astronaut set foot on the moon. China is the third country to complete a lunar rover mission after the United States and the then-Soviet Union - a decade after it first sent an astronaut into space.

Laughter might NOT be the best medicine after all: Study finds it can cause epileptic fits, ruptured hearts and torn gullets

Despite the known benefits of chuckling, for some people it has proven to be more dangerous than you would think causing everything from epileptic fits to torn gullets

Research from Birmingham and Oxford Universities revealed laughing has also been linked to asthma attacks, incontinence and hernias.

Mexican diplomat and wife didn't call 911 but got a cab to hospital before four-month-old son died with 'bruises and cuts' on body

Eduardo Rocha Bracamontes preview

Eduardo Rocha Bracamontes, 36, and his wife Gina Ximena Ovalle, 26, left their a upmarket building in Midtown, Manhattan, to hail a taxi to a nearby hospital instead of calling emergency services and waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

Tall people are less likely to have a heart attack because their arteries aren't so clogged

Tall people are less likely to have furred up arteries meaning they are less prone to heart attacks, new research suggests

Researchers at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation found being tall cuts the risk of having a build-up of plaque which can trigger a heart attack.

Millionaire executive RELEASED on bail days after he killed expectant young couple in a crash while trying to commit suicide

d

Robert Dellinger, 53, was led into his summer home in Sunapee, North Hampshire, after his family posted $250,000 bail less than a week after the deadly collision.

They're having a whale of a time! Juno the beluga whale flashes big smile in hilarious wedding photobomb

Perfectly timed: Juno the beluga whale flashed his winning smile at the exact right moment

In a wedding portrait one couple will never forget, a Beluga whale smiles the smile of someone who knows they have pulled off the perfect photobomb. Amanda Leigh and her husband Patrick Leigh of West Haven, Connecticut, were posing for wedding photos at the Mystic Aquarium when the hilarious picture was snapped. Juno, an 11-year-old male beluga whale managed to place himself directly between the pair and flash a huge smile just as the photo was taken.

Why you SHOULDN'T agonize over the 'perfect' gift because it means you end up buying things people don't actually like

Christmas presents

A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that people who focus on getting 'thoughtful' presents end up picking things that recipients don't like as much.

Spanish designer turns Munich hotel skyscraper into 88 pieces of art my making it fly and fall on its side

Flying high: The designer has made the entire building come off the ground in this picture

Designed by Victor Enrich Tarres, from Barcelona, Spain, the images show how a hotel in Munich was turned into multiple abstract pieces of art.

Congratulatory acceptance letters sent by mistake to 2,500 prospective Fordham University students... who were then told hours later that they had actually been rejected

Let down: The hopefuls had applied to Fordham University in the Bronx, New York (above)

Fordham University in New York sent the notifications in error after the job of contacting applicants was outsourced to a third party company called Student Aid Services.

The ultimate hack? 27-year-old Mac Plus is connected to the internet - despite being made five years BEFORE the web launched

Reviving an old computer is like restoring a classic car:

Engineer Jeff Keacher from Colorado used a web browser called MacWeb 2.0 and Raspberry Pi to run text version of Wikipedia pages on his 1986 Mac Plus.

   

DON'T MISS

Named and shamed... the Victorian way: The rogues' gallery of 'gentlemanly' criminals dressed in three-piece suits and KNIGHT'S ARMOUR

A collection of Victorian rogues has been released by Bath police

The photos were compiled by Bath police between 1892 and 1922 to help them identify repeat offenders in the city. As well as their photographs, other details of offenders were noted - such as age and physical appearance.

Gingerbread Lane is world's largest edible village and chef spent NINE MONTHS constructing 300-square foot, 1.5 ton masterpiece in his New York City apartment

Chef Jon Lovitch has been constructing Gingerbread Lane in his Bronx, New York apartment for the past year

Chef Jon Lovitch has been constructing Gingerbread Lane in his Bronx, New York apartment for the past year.

'Embrace the holiday spirit': Company told irate customer she shouldn't expect 24-hour service as staff needed to enjoy run up to Christmas too

Liberty Bottles

The owners of a Washington state drinks bottle company have turned an irate customer's rant into rave reviews.

Would you ride this love child of a Segway and a Vespa? Custom- made vehicle can be yours for $4,000

Zero Scooter

A Catalonian design house has clad a Segway in vintage Vespa parts to create a new scooter that is self-balancing, silent and can scale hills.

'I have prepared myself for the worst... that being 15 years': Prison diary reveals Peru Two's despair as hopes of lenient sentences fade despite guilty plea

Melissa Reid (right) and Michaella McCollum Connolly (above, in Peru in September) agreed to plead guilty to smuggling £1.5m of cocaine in the hope their term would be reduced to six years and eight months

Melissa Reid (right) and Michaella McCollum Connolly (left), both 20, agreed to plead guilty to smuggling £1.5 million’s worth of cocaine in the hope their term would be reduced to six years and eight months. But with sentencing due to take place in a closed court in Lima on Tuesday, the girls’ lawyers have so far been unable to agree a plea bargain with prosecutors. Melissa revealed her despair in a prison diary handed to The Mail on Sunday last night. Inset, The Reids on holiday several years ago. Melissa is second right beside her mother.

WORLD NEWS

South Africa's first black President died in his Johannesburg home on December 5, at the age of 95 after a long battle with illness and he was laid to rest in his grave in Qunu in Eastern Cape province.        

World's most sophisticated robots compete to help people in dangerous conditions and win $2 million

robot

Some of the most sophisticated robots that exist today are heading to Florida this week for a Defense Department competition. Seventeen humanoid units will be evaluated Friday and Saturday at Homestead Miami Speedway for how well they can complete tasks including getting into an all-terrain vehicle and driving it, and opening doors.

You've got to take your hat off to this Pope: The moment young child removes pontiff's skullcap (but doesn't get to keep it for long)

The 'People's Pope' smiled as the youngster played with his headwear

As the pontiff held the youngster in his arms while visiting the Santa Marta medical centre, the cheeky child took off his white zucchetto, or skullcap, at the Vatican.

UFO captured lurking in the skies above Scotland is spectacular swarm of starlings forming the shape of a spaceship at dusk

Swarming to seek shelter in a nearby cattle shed, thousands of starlings gathered together in the skies over Rigg near Gretna in Scotland, to form the shape of a spaceship

Nature photographer Damian Waters captured the extraordinary spectacle as he watched the birds swarm to seek the warmth of cattle sheds in Rigg, near Gretna in Scotland.

The inner-city Atlanta residents angry that Braves stadium is being moved to the richer, whiter suburbs

Many residents of in the Mechanicsville neighborhood that is home to Turner Field say the team is putting its profits ahead of community interests

The decision highlights long-standing disparities over wealth, where people live and transportation - all facets of life connected to race and social class in Atlanta.

The adrenaline monkeys! Fearless primates leap from 30ft trees into alligator-infested river before clambering up bank to safety

The troupe of rhesus macaques were spotted flinging themselves into the Silver River in Florida before clambering out the bank on the other side.

The troupe of rhesus macaques were spotted flinging themselves into the Silver River in Florida before clambering out the bank on the other side. Some of the acrobatic animals even had babies on the backs as they dive-bombed the water. They were spotted by Scottish photographer Graham McGeorge, who said it was the first time he had seen such behaviour.