Into the depths of the earth: Cave network in the heart of Vietnamese jungle is so large its end is yet to be found

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Intrepid journey: A caver stands in front of a huge rock formation as the light shines beneath a skylight in Hang Son Doong

These are the breathtaking images which capture the hidden depths of the world's biggest cave passage, which still has left cavers still searching for its end.

Hidden in the depths of the Vietnamese jungle lies The Hang Son Doong, part of a network of over 150 caves.

Discovered by British cavers in 2009, the cave passage in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park was originally thought to be a modest 150 metres long and 200 feet high.


Wonderful waterfalls: A waterfall explodes into Hang Son Doong in the hidden depths of the Vietnamese jungle, which is part of a network of over 150 caves


But these remarkable images - taken during two further expeditions of the caves - show the previously undiscovered depths of the magnificent cave passage, now the largest in the world.

At a mammoth 2.5 miles long, 330ft wide and almost 800ft high, Hang Son Doong also known as Mountain River Cave, is as high as 25 double decker buses.

And as shown in these amazing images taken by photographer Carsten Peter, there is even a jungle concealed deep inside the cave.

Carsten from Munich, Germany, took the images in 2010 when he joined British and German cavers during further expeditions of the site.


Going underground: Expedition members enter the cave, tunnelled out by the Rao Thuong River in Vietnam - the cave was discovered in 2009


The purpose of the expedition was to make a complete exploration of Hang Son Doong and create a photographic record of the cave.

Cartsen, 52 said he spent up to two weeks at a time deep inside the caves, where he slept with just a sleeping bag and spent his time exploring and photographing the secret underground world.

He said: ‘We discovered new parts of the cave, it's a huge area so to find them and access them is very difficult.

‘Photographing caves of this size is a challenge, it needs a lot of preparation.


Gigantic proportions: At a mammoth 2.5 miles long, 330ft wide and almost 800ft high, Hang Son Doong also known as Mountain River Cave, is as high as 25 double decker buses


‘But it's a great feeling to photograph a newly discovered cave, for me I see the cave for the first time when I see the photographs.

‘I love to explore, I have been in some great caves in my lifetime and this is one of the most magnificent.

‘I've been a photographer and explorer for the last 35 years and I've visited so many caves, I've lost count.

‘But this is by far one of the most unique and unusual caves I have ever seen.
‘To see a cave so large it has a forest inside is superb - it was overwhelming.’

source: dailymail

Christmas in JULY? The festive countdown begins 151 days early as Harrods opens grotto complete with Santa, elves and snow

By DEBORAH ARTHURS


Jolly holidays! Father Christmas and helpers toast the opening of Harrods' Christmas grotto - a staggering 151 days before the big day

While most of Britain pulled on summer shirts and sandals on this sunny July morning, somewhere in an exclusive London postcode a twinkly-eyed, white-bearded man buttoned up his red felt suit and drank a warming cup of eggnog with his elves in a winter wonderland.

We complain that Christmas seems to come earlier every year - but Harrods opening a grotto in time for the summer holidays surely takes the biscuit.

The upmarket Knightsbridge department store began its festive countdown in earnest this morning, as it unveiled its lavish Christmas department a staggering 151 days before 25 December.


Winter wonderland: Snowy Christmas trees and ornate decorations formed elaborate displays in the Harrods Christmas grotto


The 8,000 sq ft room on the second floor boasts elaborate displays of Christmas trees bedecked with gold and silver ribbons and baubles spelling out the name of the store in glitter - and enough tinsel to wrap over 20 football pitches.

The shelves groaned under the weight of gifts, ranging from a simple £1.95 tree decoration and going up to a life-sized Father Christmas decoration selling for a blow-the-budget sum of £2,999.

Christmas music filled the air as the Santa and his helpers prepared to welcome summer tourists, shorts and all, into the Christmas-themed room.

Father Christmas entered into the spirit of things, tucking into festive ice cream flavoured with eggnog, mince pie and - fetch the bucket - brussels sprouts, part of a selection of Christmas-themed food products that will be on offer between now and the big day.


Summer Santa: Father Christmas tucks into festive-flavoured ice cream - flavoured with brussels sprouts, egg nog and mince pies


It is the earliest the store has ever opened its Christmas department. Last year's festive room opened on 4 August.

Of the early opening, Harrods say they are responding to the 'increasing consumer demand of international markets,' who enjoy the festive room despite visiting the store earlier in the year.

The opening comes ahead of Harrods' larger traditional Christmas Grotto, which will open on 5 November as normal.

Earlier in the day, Harrods had released a video advertising campaign poking fun at the early arrival of Santa.

Father Christmas flies in unannounced and breaks into the store, evading security to steal a pair of ice skates and skate around the roof of Harrods on an impressive ice rink installed for the stunt.


Time to celebrate: Christmas baubles piled high in the grotto spelled out Harrods 2011 in glitter


Feeling generous? The most expensive item on offer is a life-size Santa Claus decoration, priced at £2,999, while the least costly is a decoration priced at £1.95


MEANWHILE, OVER AT SELFRIDGES...

It wasn't only at Harrods that tourists could enter into the Christmas spirit. At Selfridges on London's Oxford Street, a team of elves were putting the finishing touches to their own festive display. Perhaps less extravagant than the offering at its Knightsbridge rival, Selfridges nonetheless revealed shelves piled high with glittering baubles, tinsel and gifts.



Christmas in JULY? The festive countdown begins 151 days early as Harrods opens grotto complete with Santa, elves and snow

source: dailymail

Up, up and away! The spectacular photos of world record-breaking balloonists taking to the sky

By LEE MORAN

Record breakers: The magical moment a staggering 343 hot air balloons took to the air at the same time

It took a lot of hot air - and a little bit of patience - but 343 hot air balloonists have finally broken the world record for taking off at the same time.

The high-flyers' mass ascent at the 12th Lorraine World Air Balloon Festival, in Chambley-Bussieres, France, should have taken place on Monday.

But bad weather put paid to their plans, meaning they had to postpone their lift-off until today.


And they're off! The balloons came in all shapes and sizes and from across the globe for the world record breaking event


Luckily the elements held out and organisers of one of the largest balloon festivals in the world were left with huge smiles on their faces.

It comes two years after the festival set the previous record for largest mass ascent when 326 balloons took to the skies.

The event, attended by 14 countries, featured a number of Brits who had made the short hop over the Channel to take part.


Grounded: Hundreds of balloons stretch out as far as the eye can see moments before take off



source: dailymail

The intelligent, efficient perfectionist: Kate Middleton would have made a 'great teacher' says leading handwriting expert

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

'Punctual, open, good at explaining things clearly': A handwriting expert claims the right-slanting cursive of the then Catherine Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge, means she would make an excellent teacher

The Duchess of Cambridge certainly earned top marks on her recent royal tour, but according to one character analysis expert, Miss Middleton may have missed her vocation.

A leading graphologist's study of the Duchess' handwriting has shown that her pedantry for time keeping, intelligence and efficiency would make her the perfect school teacher.


Upfront: Catherine's signature is readable and flowing, which denotes the fact that she is a natural in her way of dealing with people, says the expert

Former chairman of the British Institute for Graphologist, Elaine Quigley, studied a letter penned by Kate over a year before she became a member of the Royal Family in April.

She said the characteristics of Kate's cursive script is helpful in shedding light on her private persona and, in particular, her natural aptitude for academia.

Quigley said: 'The flow of Kate's script with rightward slant and joined letters, shows a writer who reaches out towards others.

'Looking at the letter, the endings of words are rather short, it shows her use of time is efficient. She doesn't prolong something that can be dealt with promptly.

'It is clear that she likes to move to the next thing without a lot of fuss or extended leave taking.


Compassionate: Graphologist Elaine Quigley, one of the leading handwriting analysts in the country, says Catherine is an honest, strong person with a talent for 'reaching out' to others

'She clearly believes time-keeping should be taken seriously and, as a bit of a perfectionist, she will prefer to be ready early rather than rushing at the last minute.

'Judging by the characteristics of her writing, Kate would make a great teacher, she has the ability to explain things clearly and sensibly.'

The Duchess lived up to her billing as the new people's princess on the tour of Canada with Prince William, where she effortlessly interacted with the public.

In the most touching picture moment of the tour Kate embraced a young cancer-sufferer - a show of Diana-like humility.

source: dailymail

Skeletal, frail and hours from death: The haunting face of baby Mihag given 50% chance of survival after mother walks for a week to refugee camp

By WIL LONGBOTTOM

Desperate: Seven-month-old Mihag Gedi Farah weighs just 7lbs and was hours from death after arriving at a field hospital in Dadaab, Kenya

Cradled in his mother's arms, this is the face of a skeletal seven-month-old baby starving to death in the Horn of Africa.

Weighing just seven pounds - as much as a newborn - Mihag Gedi Farah stares wide-eyed, his skin pulled taut over his ribs and tiny arms.

Mihag is just one of 800,000 children who officials warn could die across the region in the worst drought for decades.


Skeletal: Doctors have given Mihag just a 50/50 chance of survival. He should weigh three times what he does


Aid workers are rushing to bring help to dangerous and previously unreached regions of drought-ravaged Somalia.

Many starving children and adults remain in the country far from the feeding tubes and doctors in field hospitals in refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia.

Sirat Amine, a nurse-nutrionist with the International Rescue Committee, said Mihag has just a 50-50 chance of survival.

The little boy should weigh three times what he does now.


Famine: Ali Omar, three, cries in anguish at Bandar Hospital in Mogadishu. Around 3.7million people face starvation in Somalia because of the worst drought in decades



Human catastrophe: A malnourished child waits to be admitted to Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu. Aid agencies have been unable to gain access to some of the worst-hit people in Somalia


Urgent aid: A baby lies under a mosquito net at a field hospital in the town of Dadaab, Kenya


His mother, Asiah Dagane, said: 'In my mind, I'm not well. My baby is sick. In my head, I am also sick.'

A nurse at the camp said Mihag was 'severely, severely malnourished'.

She added: 'We never tell the mother, of course, that their baby might not make it.
We try to give them hope.'


Desperation: Somali women and children have been forced to walk for days to reach aid camps in Kenya and Ethiopia


Mrs Dagane brought Mihag and four siblings from Kismayo to Kenya after all their sheep and cattle died. Their journey took a week.

Tens of thousands of Somalis are fleeing the starvation, many of them on foot, from Kismayo and the capital Mogadishu.


Plight: Women line up to receive food-aid rations at an IDP camp near Mogadishu


The UN estimates that more than 11 million people in East Africa are affected by the drought, with 3.7 million in Somalia among the worst-hit because of the ongoing civil war in the country.

Somalia's prolonged drought became a famine because neither the government nor many aid agencies can operate in areas controlled by Al Qaeda-linked militants.

Aid organisations including the UN World Food Program have not been able to access areas under the control of the al-Shabab militants, who have killed humanitarian workers.


Not enough: Used food tins are stacked up at the International Rescue Committee camp in Dadaab, Kenya. The UN has said it needs $300 million in the next three months to tackle the famine


The UN has said it will airlift emergency rations later this week to try to reach at least 175,000 of the 2.2 million Somalis still without aid.

That operation in four districts in southern Somalia could begin tomorrow, but transportation is a major obstacle because land mines have cut off key roads and a landing strip has fallen into disrepair.

The UN wants to gather $1.6 billion in the next 12 months to sustain the aid effort in the Horn of Africa - $300 million in the next three months.


Somalia famine

source: dailymail

Skeletal, frail and hours from death: The haunting face of baby Mihag given 50% chance of survival after mother walks for a week to refugee camp

By WIL LONGBOTTOM

Desperate: Seven-month-old Mihag Gedi Farah weighs just 7lbs and was hours from death after arriving at a field hospital in Dadaab, Kenya

Cradled in his mother's arms, this is the face of a skeletal seven-month-old baby starving to death in the Horn of Africa.

Weighing just seven pounds - as much as a newborn - Mihag Gedi Farah stares wide-eyed, his skin pulled taut over his ribs and tiny arms.

Mihag is just one of 800,000 children who officials warn could die across the region in the worst drought for decades.


Skeletal: Doctors have given Mihag just a 50/50 chance of survival. He should weigh three times what he does


Aid workers are rushing to bring help to dangerous and previously unreached regions of drought-ravaged Somalia.

Many starving children and adults remain in the country far from the feeding tubes and doctors in field hospitals in refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia.

Sirat Amine, a nurse-nutrionist with the International Rescue Committee, said Mihag has just a 50-50 chance of survival.

The little boy should weigh three times what he does now.


Famine: Ali Omar, three, cries in anguish at Bandar Hospital in Mogadishu. Around 3.7million people face starvation in Somalia because of the worst drought in decades



Human catastrophe: A malnourished child waits to be admitted to Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu. Aid agencies have been unable to gain access to some of the worst-hit people in Somalia


Urgent aid: A baby lies under a mosquito net at a field hospital in the town of Dadaab, Kenya


His mother, Asiah Dagane, said: 'In my mind, I'm not well. My baby is sick. In my head, I am also sick.'

A nurse at the camp said Mihag was 'severely, severely malnourished'.

She added: 'We never tell the mother, of course, that their baby might not make it.
We try to give them hope.'


Desperation: Somali women and children have been forced to walk for days to reach aid camps in Kenya and Ethiopia


Mrs Dagane brought Mihag and four siblings from Kismayo to Kenya after all their sheep and cattle died. Their journey took a week.

Tens of thousands of Somalis are fleeing the starvation, many of them on foot, from Kismayo and the capital Mogadishu.


Plight: Women line up to receive food-aid rations at an IDP camp near Mogadishu


The UN estimates that more than 11 million people in East Africa are affected by the drought, with 3.7 million in Somalia among the worst-hit because of the ongoing civil war in the country.

Somalia's prolonged drought became a famine because neither the government nor many aid agencies can operate in areas controlled by Al Qaeda-linked militants.

Aid organisations including the UN World Food Program have not been able to access areas under the control of the al-Shabab militants, who have killed humanitarian workers.


Not enough: Used food tins are stacked up at the International Rescue Committee camp in Dadaab, Kenya. The UN has said it needs $300 million in the next three months to tackle the famine


The UN has said it will airlift emergency rations later this week to try to reach at least 175,000 of the 2.2 million Somalis still without aid.

That operation in four districts in southern Somalia could begin tomorrow, but transportation is a major obstacle because land mines have cut off key roads and a landing strip has fallen into disrepair.

The UN wants to gather $1.6 billion in the next 12 months to sustain the aid effort in the Horn of Africa - $300 million in the next three months.


Somalia famine

source: dailymail

'Goodnight my angel, sleep tight': Mitch Winehouse's emotional goodbye to daughter Amy as Kelly Osbourne and Mark Ronson join family for her funeral

By GEORGINA LITTLEJOHN and SARA NATHAN

Emotional goodbye: Amy's father Mitch Winehouse was consoled outside the Golders Green Crematorium in North London

Mitch Winehouse paid an emotional tribute to his daughter Amy today as her friends and family came together for her funeral.

Telling stories about her childhood and how happy she'd been recently, Mitch ended his eulogy telling his daughter: 'Goodnight, my angel. Sleep tight.'

Among those paying their respects to the tragic star - who died at her London home aged 27 on Saturday - was her entire family, friends Kelly Osbourne, Mark Ronson and her music 'family' including her backing singers and manager.


Mummy and Daddy love you ever so much: Amy's parents arrive at the crematorium after the funeral service


A convoy of black vehicles with tinted windows silently made its way inside the Edgwarebury Cemetery in north London this lunchtime for the private funeral service.

Amy's spokesman Chris Goodman said: 'Mitch was funny, he told some great stories from her childhood. It was a celebration. He stressed many times that she had been more content than she had been in years. Mitch paid tribute to a lot of people from Amy's life.'

Talking about her boyfriend, film director Reg Traviss, he added: 'Mitch said that they were very much looking forward to their future together.'


Sibling sorrow: Amy's brother Alex followed their parents into the crematorium

Alfie Ezikiel, 55, from London said that around 150 guests had attended Amy Winehouse's funeral.

He added: 'Mitch's last words to Amy in his eulogy were "Goodnight my angel. Sleep tight. Mummy and Daddy love you ever so much."

'In the days before her death she told Mitch she was very happy, satisfied and content in her life. Janice was fine but she didn't do a eulogy.'

The service started with prayers, they read a meditation, Mitch gave a eulogy and there were final prayers.

The last song that was played at the ceremony was Carole King's hit So Far Away which was Amy's favourite song.


2My darling: Amy's boyfriend Reg Traviss walks alone away from the service

Another guest said: 'Mitch said "Amy will be carried in peoples' hearts". There is such a big and strong community that will be looking after the family and Mitch is a very strong guy.'

Amy was then cremated at the Golders Green Crematorium in north London after the service.

Family spokesman Chris Goodman said only family members and close friends would be present and added: 'Cremation is part of the family's tradition.'

Shiva - the Jewish ceremony of bereavement - will be observed for two days starting at 5pm today at the Schinder Hall at Southgate Progressive Synagogue.


Saying goodbye: Kelly Osbourne - wearing a beehive in tribute to her friend - and friend Remi Nicole arrive at Amy Winehouse's funeral this afternoon

Kelly, one of Amy's best friends, had flown into the UK from Los Angeles as soon as she heard the news about her death.

Her face was solemn as she was driven into the cemetery and she appeared to have paid tribute to her friend by styling her hair in a beehive do, similar to Amy's trademark style.

Winehouse's bandmates, Zalon and Heshima Thompson, who were seen in tears outside her home yesterday, were also among the select group.


In mourning: Producer and DJ Mark Ronson made his way to the service on foot as did Amy's friend Nick Grimshaw

Her singer songwriter friend Remi Nicole, who was very close to the star, was in tears as she got out of her car and Amy's manager Raye Cosbert cut a solemn figure as he joined the funeral party.

Kelly hid her eyes behind large dark 50s-style sunglasses and clutched a white rose in her hands.

She was followed into the service by another of Amy's close friends, DJ and producer Mark Ronson, who looked deep in thought as he arrived on foot alone.

There was a heavy security presence outside the cemetery as guests made their way inside.

One person not attending today was Amy's ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil, who, according to sources, was refused compassionate leave from Armley Prison in Leeds.


Her final journey: More than 200 mourners came to say goodbye to Amy, who died at her home aged 27 on Saturday


Brave face: Dionne Bromfield, Amy's goddaughter, holds back her tears as she leaves the service


How did you know Amy? Kelly clutches a drink as she chats to fellow mourners outside the crematorium


Taking it all in: Following the funeral Amy's goddaughter Dionne Bromfield went to visit the shrine to the singer outside the north London home


For Amy: Hundreds of fans and friends of the singer had placed tributes, flowers, cards and even cans of beer and bottles of vodka outside her London home


Crowds: Fans of the late singer gathered in their hundreds outside the Golders Green Crematorium to pay their last respects


Celebrating her life: Friends and family gathered together at Southgate centre for Judaism to celebrate Amy's life


Remembering the good times: Amy's goddaughter Dionne Bromfield shared a joke with a friend as Amy's family and friends celebrated her life

source: dailymail

'Goodnight my angel, sleep tight': Mitch Winehouse's emotional goodbye to daughter Amy as Kelly Osbourne and Mark Ronson join family for her funeral

By GEORGINA LITTLEJOHN and SARA NATHAN

Emotional goodbye: Amy's father Mitch Winehouse was consoled outside the Golders Green Crematorium in North London

Mitch Winehouse paid an emotional tribute to his daughter Amy today as her friends and family came together for her funeral.

Telling stories about her childhood and how happy she'd been recently, Mitch ended his eulogy telling his daughter: 'Goodnight, my angel. Sleep tight.'

Among those paying their respects to the tragic star - who died at her London home aged 27 on Saturday - was her entire family, friends Kelly Osbourne, Mark Ronson and her music 'family' including her backing singers and manager.


Mummy and Daddy love you ever so much: Amy's parents arrive at the crematorium after the funeral service


A convoy of black vehicles with tinted windows silently made its way inside the Edgwarebury Cemetery in north London this lunchtime for the private funeral service.

Amy's spokesman Chris Goodman said: 'Mitch was funny, he told some great stories from her childhood. It was a celebration. He stressed many times that she had been more content than she had been in years. Mitch paid tribute to a lot of people from Amy's life.'

Talking about her boyfriend, film director Reg Traviss, he added: 'Mitch said that they were very much looking forward to their future together.'


Sibling sorrow: Amy's brother Alex followed their parents into the crematorium

Alfie Ezikiel, 55, from London said that around 150 guests had attended Amy Winehouse's funeral.

He added: 'Mitch's last words to Amy in his eulogy were "Goodnight my angel. Sleep tight. Mummy and Daddy love you ever so much."

'In the days before her death she told Mitch she was very happy, satisfied and content in her life. Janice was fine but she didn't do a eulogy.'

The service started with prayers, they read a meditation, Mitch gave a eulogy and there were final prayers.

The last song that was played at the ceremony was Carole King's hit So Far Away which was Amy's favourite song.


2My darling: Amy's boyfriend Reg Traviss walks alone away from the service

Another guest said: 'Mitch said "Amy will be carried in peoples' hearts". There is such a big and strong community that will be looking after the family and Mitch is a very strong guy.'

Amy was then cremated at the Golders Green Crematorium in north London after the service.

Family spokesman Chris Goodman said only family members and close friends would be present and added: 'Cremation is part of the family's tradition.'

Shiva - the Jewish ceremony of bereavement - will be observed for two days starting at 5pm today at the Schinder Hall at Southgate Progressive Synagogue.


Saying goodbye: Kelly Osbourne - wearing a beehive in tribute to her friend - and friend Remi Nicole arrive at Amy Winehouse's funeral this afternoon

Kelly, one of Amy's best friends, had flown into the UK from Los Angeles as soon as she heard the news about her death.

Her face was solemn as she was driven into the cemetery and she appeared to have paid tribute to her friend by styling her hair in a beehive do, similar to Amy's trademark style.

Winehouse's bandmates, Zalon and Heshima Thompson, who were seen in tears outside her home yesterday, were also among the select group.


In mourning: Producer and DJ Mark Ronson made his way to the service on foot as did Amy's friend Nick Grimshaw

Her singer songwriter friend Remi Nicole, who was very close to the star, was in tears as she got out of her car and Amy's manager Raye Cosbert cut a solemn figure as he joined the funeral party.

Kelly hid her eyes behind large dark 50s-style sunglasses and clutched a white rose in her hands.

She was followed into the service by another of Amy's close friends, DJ and producer Mark Ronson, who looked deep in thought as he arrived on foot alone.

There was a heavy security presence outside the cemetery as guests made their way inside.

One person not attending today was Amy's ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil, who, according to sources, was refused compassionate leave from Armley Prison in Leeds.


Her final journey: More than 200 mourners came to say goodbye to Amy, who died at her home aged 27 on Saturday


Brave face: Dionne Bromfield, Amy's goddaughter, holds back her tears as she leaves the service


How did you know Amy? Kelly clutches a drink as she chats to fellow mourners outside the crematorium


Taking it all in: Following the funeral Amy's goddaughter Dionne Bromfield went to visit the shrine to the singer outside the north London home


For Amy: Hundreds of fans and friends of the singer had placed tributes, flowers, cards and even cans of beer and bottles of vodka outside her London home


Crowds: Fans of the late singer gathered in their hundreds outside the Golders Green Crematorium to pay their last respects


Celebrating her life: Friends and family gathered together at Southgate centre for Judaism to celebrate Amy's life


Remembering the good times: Amy's goddaughter Dionne Bromfield shared a joke with a friend as Amy's family and friends celebrated her life

source: dailymail