Schoolgirl taller than her teachers

The 16-year-old has just started sixth form at St Mary’s Convent School in Worcester. She is the star player on the netball team but needs shoes specially designed to fit her size 14 feet, while she also had to have her new uniform tailored to fit her 36in legs. But she says she wants to get even taller despite being bullied over her size.

Her father Andrew, 45, is 6ft 6ins while her mother Jane is 5ft 11in.

“I am really proud to be the tallest schoolgirl in Britain. I like being a bit different but I reckon I’m still growing,” she said.

”I’d like to grow an extra inch to catch up with my dad.

”I have been bullied but I try not to think about it. People call me names, laugh at me. Sometimes people do things they wouldn’t do to a short person but I just laugh it off.”

Mr Cahill, who runs a software company in Droitwich Spa, Worcs., said: ”Emma was always a big child but in the last few years she’s shot up.

”We keep joking we’ll have to buy a bigger house so we can all fit in it.

”She was born a normal size but genetics must have kicked in. My parents and my wife’s parents were tall so she must have got her height from there.”

Despite wanting to get taller, she does admit that being tall has disadvantages. She has to get her clothes made in Germany and America, while she added that it was affecting her love life.

“I haven’t got a boyfriend at the moment. I think I scare them off with my height.

”I’ll probably always be bigger than anyone I go out with but I’ll still wear heels – I’m proud to be tall.”

Despite her mother suggesting she become a catwalk model, Emma says she wants to study to become an occupational therapist.

Louise Ross, from the Tall Persons Club, said: ”Emma should enjoy being the tallest teenage girl in the country. Women like her are the future and she should be proud and never stoop.

”Around 98 per cent of tall people are bullied but the trick is to literally rise above it.”

The world’s tallest teenager is 17-year-old American Brandon Adams who stands at 7ft four-and-a-half inches.

He’s Brown and Gordon

Mr Brown was responding to Mr King’s fiercest attack yet on big banking in a speech he gave in Edinburgh last night. Mr King indicated the country’s high street banks should be separated from their risky investment banking arms. ““It’s clear King’s not happy with where we are now,” Colin Ellis, an economist at Daiwa Securities told Bloomberg. “He said the regulatory structure was inadequate, and coming from the governor of the Bank of England that’s as damming as it could be.” The regulation of the financial system is again racing up the political agenda as banks on both sides of the Atlantic are poised to hand out billions of pounds in bonuses at the end of the year. Mr King told Scottish business leaders yesterday that it was insufficient to expect that in the future tighter regulations alone would be enough to prevent banks from generating financial crises. Governments in the UK and US have tacitly ruled out splitting up the biggest banks and opted instead to scrutinise them more actively. In a speech in Edinburgh, the Governor said “It is in our collective interest to reduce the dependence of so many households and businesses on so few institutions that engage in so many risky activities. The case for a serious review of how the banking industry is structured and regulated is strong.” George Osborne, the shadow chancellor, described Mr King’s analysis as “powerful and persuasive”.

Obama without tags

Earlier in the day Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister, had warned there is “no plan B” if the world fails to stop global warming, and urged Mr Obama to attend the meeting. Without his presence, any agreements would be seen as worthless.

The US has been unwilling to sign up to tough cuts in carbon emissions, while developing nations like China do not want to restrict their own growth by cutting down on fossil fuels.

Frustrated negotiators have warned that the talks may fail if world leaders do not take action.

However in renewed signs that the US will make concessions, US officials said Washington is behind the deal to keep global temperatures below 3.6F (2C).

Mr Stern appeared to suggest that the US may also be considering easing pressure on developing nations to agree to long-term cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. At the G8 in July, they demanded a 50 per cent reduction by 2050.

Speaking about a potential deal at Copehnagen he said: “I don’t know whether that is going to be included or not.”

Ed Miliband, the secretary of state for climate change, aslo signalled the goal may be altered, when he said: “The most important thing is mid-term actions. The 2050 targets are important, but it’s more important to have near-term targets.”

Mr Brown had warned in London of a “catastrophe” for the planet if action to tackle climate change is not agreed at forthcoming UN talks on global warming.

The British Prime Minister, speaking to representatives of 17 countries at the Major Economies Forum, convened as part of efforts to secure a deal at the UN Summit in Copenhagen in December, warned of the economic, human and ecological impact of a failure to cut the emissions driving up temperatures.

The costs of failing to address global warming would be greater than the impact of the two world wars and the Great Depression, the Prime Minister said.

He told the forum, gathered in London for the second day of talks, that he believes a deal in Copenhagen is possible.

But with fewer than 50 days to go before the UN talks, he warned them that countries were not making progress quickly enough to reach agreement.

He called on world leaders to work together directly to achieve a deal which sets out binding targets for rich countries to cut their emissions, action by developing nations and finance to help the poorest countries cope with the impact of climate change.

“We can’t afford to fail. If we fail, we pay a heavy price,” he warned. “For the planet, there is no plan B.”

Mr Brown said: “If we do not reach a deal at this time, let us be in no doubt: once the damage from unchecked emissions growth is done, no retrospective global agreement in some future period can undo that choice.

“By then it will be irretrievably too late. So we should never allow ourselves to lose sight of the catastrophe we face if present warming trends continue.”

He warned that the people least responsible for climate change – those in the world’s poorest countries – were being hit hardest and first, with the effects of drought, floods, loss of farming and fishing yields and the spread of disease already killing 300,000 people a year.

Obama and the climate change

The play is based on the 2003 film of the same name, inspired by the true story of the group of Yorkshire women who went naked for a Women’s Institute calendar in 1999.

Brook will be joined by former Coronation Street actress Julie Goodyear as Miss July Cora, Jan Leeming as Lady Cravenshire and Arabella Weir as Miss October Chris.

As Brook’s third theatre role in her career, it is also the third time she has disrobed on stage.

Her 2000 theatre debut in the Riverside Studios production of Eye Contact saw her played an exotic dancer.

Last year, she also wowed male fans by acting in a bikini in a scene from comedy Fat Pig.

No doubt Brook will be hoping this new role gives her acting career a boost.

After being dropped as a judge from Britain’s Got Talent last year, Brook’s career appeared to hit a new low when she filmed a role in low-budget horror film Piranha 3-D.

Seen filming scenes earlier year, Brook was seen cavorting with adult movie star Riley Steele in a shiny red bikini and high heels on a boat.

Her latest film role follows performances in flops Three and Fishtails, in which she co-starred with ex-boyfriend Billy Zane.

Also starring the new production is Olivier award-winning actress Janie Dee as Miss February Annie, Helen Lederer as Marie and Debbie Chazen as Ruth.

Coronation Street heart-throb Rob James-Collier, who played Liam Connor, will be playing the photographer.

The new cast are performing at London’s Noel Coward Theatre for 10 weeks from November 3 to January 9 2010.

Earlier in the day Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister, had warned there is “no plan B” if the world fails to stop global warming, and urged Mr Obama to attend the meeting. Without his presence, any agreements would be seen as worthless.

The US has been unwilling to sign up to tough cuts in carbon emissions, while developing nations like China do not want to restrict their own growth by cutting down on fossil fuels.

Frustrated negotiators have warned that the talks may fail if world leaders do not take action.

However in renewed signs that the US will make concessions, US officials said Washington is behind the deal to keep global temperatures below 3.6F (2C).

Mr Stern appeared to suggest that the US may also be considering easing pressure on developing nations to agree to long-term cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. At the G8 in July, they demanded a 50 per cent reduction by 2050.

Speaking about a potential deal at Copehnagen he said: “I don’t know whether that is going to be included or not.”

Ed Miliband, the secretary of state for climate change, aslo signalled the goal may be altered, when he said: “The most important thing is mid-term actions. The 2050 targets are important, but it’s more important to have near-term targets.”

Mr Brown had warned in London of a “catastrophe” for the planet if action to tackle climate change is not agreed at forthcoming UN talks on global warming.

The British Prime Minister, speaking to representatives of 17 countries at the Major Economies Forum, convened as part of efforts to secure a deal at the UN Summit in Copenhagen in December, warned of the economic, human and ecological impact of a failure to cut the emissions driving up temperatures.

The costs of failing to address global warming would be greater than the impact of the two world wars and the Great Depression, the Prime Minister said.

He told the forum, gathered in London for the second day of talks, that he believes a deal in Copenhagen is possible.

But with fewer than 50 days to go before the UN talks, he warned them that countries were not making progress quickly enough to reach agreement.

He called on world leaders to work together directly to achieve a deal which sets out binding targets for rich countries to cut their emissions, action by developing nations and finance to help the poorest countries cope with the impact of climate change.

“We can’t afford to fail. If we fail, we pay a heavy price,” he warned. “For the planet, there is no plan B.”

Mr Brown said: “If we do not reach a deal at this time, let us be in no doubt: once the damage from unchecked emissions growth is done, no retrospective global agreement in some future period can undo that choice.

“By then it will be irretrievably too late. So we should never allow ourselves to lose sight of the catastrophe we face if present warming trends continue.”

He warned that the people least responsible for climate change – those in the world’s poorest countries – were being hit hardest and first, with the effects of drought, floods, loss of farming and fishing yields and the spread of disease already killing 300,000 people a year.

Excusy

People fit for work will be able to claim only the unemployment benefit of £64 a week – rather than £89 in incapacity benefit. They will be ordered to look for a job.

It is estimated that the move would save the Treasury £1 billion over five years.

A “Get Britain Working” theme will form the centrepiece of the Conservatives’ annual conference which begins today in Manchester.

Mr Cameron will also pledge to scrap some of Labour’s flagship welfare programmes.

However, the launch of the benefits scheme was last night in danger of being overshadowed by the debate over how to deal with the Irish ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.

The vote has added to the pressure on Mr Cameron to commit his party to hold a poll on the treaty if the Tories come to power. The party leadership had been clinging to the hope that after the Irish approved the deal, the Czech Republic would stall the ratification process until the Conservatives came to power, allowing a vote in Britain.

However, last night those hopes appeared to be dashed when Vaclav Klaus, the Czech president, said it was “too late” for Britain to try to halt the treaty.

“I am afraid that the British people should have been doing something really much earlier,” he said. “There will never be another referendum [on the treaty] in Europe.”

The indication that the Czechs will ratify the treaty within weeks will force the Conservatives to explain their current policy of not letting “matters rest”, even after ratification.

Increasingly, it appears that Mr Cameron, urged on by William Hague, his deputy and shadow foreign secretary, will consider holding a referendum on specific parts of the treaty which he believes he can still renegotiate.

The Tory leader is conscious that any vote on Lisbon after ratification would be seen in terms of Britain’s continued membership of the European Union – something he is keen to avoid.

Yesterday, Mr Cameron likened his strategy to that of Margaret Thatcher’s demand that the EU return some of Britain’s financial contribution in 1984.

He told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “I don’t believe in going into any situation or any negotiation thinking that you’re going to fail. I mean Margaret Thatcher was told frequently: ‘You’ll never get any money back from Europe. That’s not the way it works. You just have to give in and take what you’re given.’ I don’t accept that.”

In 1984 Mrs Thatcher won a rebate at Fontainebleau from the EU. She was angry at the amount that was spent on subsidies to Continental farmers and believed that Britain was paying too much for its membership of the EU.

Mr Cameron yesterday set out areas he would seek to renegotiate.

“We think that the social and employment legislation, we think that’s an area that ought to be determined nationally rather than at the European level,” he said. “There are many things in the Lisbon Treaty – giving more power over home affairs and justice – that we don’t think is right.”

Today, the Conservatives will try to move the focus of the conference back on to domestic policy with a new series of measures to tackle Britain’s work-shy culture.

These will include proposals for reforming the welfare system, increasing the number of education places and boosting enterprise.

The Conservatives will target the 2.6 million people claiming incapacity benefit – most of whom are believed to be healthy enough to work.

Private firms will be brought in to assess each incapacity benefit claimant.

There will also be new help for young unemployed Britons with the state intervening after they have been claiming the dole for six months, rather than 10 months at present. Tens of thousands of new apprenticeships and other training schemes will be offered.

George Osborne, the shadow Chancellor, will this week set out detailed plans on reducing public spending.

“We face a twin crisis in this country,” Mr Cameron said. “We have a debt crisis but we also have a very serious jobs crisis.

“We are making it the centre piece of our conference, a really massive get Britain working programme.”

Labour last night accused the Conservatives of “rehashing” their plans without providing the necessary support for job seekers.

I don’t even want to know

Oh yeah, nice one guys

Look into those eyes

the photographer must be holding something really tasty up there

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