Private jets' incredible interiors

Washington DC-based photographer Nick Gleis has photographed over 800 private jets - ranging from the Lear 20 series to Boeing 747-400s - in a career that has lasted over 30 years. His vast collection of photographs gives rare insight into the exclusive world and tastes of private jet owners; many of the aircraft photographed by Gleis are owned by royalty and heads of state from countries such as Japan, Saudi Arabia, China, Dubai and Kazakhstan. Here he shares pictures of some of the most lavish private jets he has photographed and explains what his unusual career entails.

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Picture: copyright Nick Gleis Photography

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For a marriage that endures, bite your tongue

Arguments over who does the washing up or mows the lawn are less likely to occur between seasoned spouses who have learned the art of conflict avoidance.

A study of 127 middle-aged and older couples found that over time they grew less willing to risk having explosive rows.

Instead, they became more likely to adopt strategies such as changing the subject or keeping silent.

Such behaviour is normally seen as damaging to relationships because it leads to bottled up anger and resentment.

But for older couples, who have had decades to voice their disagreements, it might offer a way to keep the peace, psychologists have said.

Scientists monitored the progress of the married couples over 13 years and filmed 15 minute discussions between them, noting how they communicated.

In particular, the researchers were looking for evidence of "demand-withdraw" conversation patterns. This occurs when one person in a relationship is blamed or pressured by the other and responds by withdrawing or trying to avoid the issue.

Over the years, both husbands and wives increasingly demonstrated avoidance during conflict, said the researchers.

"It may be that both age and marital duration play a role in increased avoidance,” said lead author Dr Sarah Holley, from San Francisco State University.

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Pet miles reward frequent fliers

Dogs and cats that travel on a Virgin Australia domestic flight can now collect points for their owners that can then be used to obtain discounts on future flights.

The animals travel in hold, as usual, but with the benefit of earning participating Virgin Australia club members a minimum of 300 points.

“Virgin Australia flies almost 30,000 pets each year around Australia,” said Neil Thompson, chief of Virgin Australia’s Velocity club, “and a large proportion are owned by Velocity members.”

This is Australia’s first frequent flier programme for pets, but similar schemes are already available on other long-haul flights.

Virgin Atlantic launched its Flying Paws scheme in 2005 which entitles each canine and feline passenger to a welcome onboard pet pack. Dogs receive a Virgin Atlantic t-shirt and a sparkly dog tag, while cats have a toy mouse to play with and a collar tag. Each will also receive a pet passport with a record of their flights and points which they can redeem for gifts such as dog bowls or bonus miles for their owner.

Loyalty schemes for animals are just the latest example of a movement towards catering for pets within the travel industry.

Earlier this month a luxury holiday for dogs was launched, by canine hotel the Paw Seasons, costing £47,000.

Treats offered during the dogs-only fortnight break included walkies led by a Commonwealth hurdler and snacks selected by a personal chef.

A “love motel” for pets in Brazil, complete with chocolate dog biscuits, heart-shaped mirrors and, for the under-whelmed, assisted reproduction services, opened for dogs last year. It is part of Animalle Mundo Pet, a large pet complex in Belo Horizonte.

In Britain, Best Western and Travelodge both offer customised beds for dogs and cats that don’t like to leave their owners’ side.

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Trapped pigeons rescued by three emergency vehicles

The pigeons had become tangled in netting on top of a shop roof and sparked a nine person rescue in Spennymoor.

Animal charity, the RSPCA, was first to the scene after being contacted by a concerned member of public on Monday afternoon.

When they were unable to access the shop roof, they called for assistance from the local fire service.

A fire engine was dispatched, but firemen decided to send another soon after so specialist equipment could be used to aid the birds.

The two fire engines blocked the road as they tried to rescue the birds, forcing a police car to help control the traffic building up on the high street.

All three pigeons were eventually rescued by the firemen who used their bare hands and canvas bags to bring the birds to safety.

Local residents questioned the emergency services’ decision to send so many people to the scene.

Jeweller John Welsh, 63, told the Daily Mail: “I was shocked. At first I thought that there was a major fire.

“Two fire engines and a police car? For three pigeons? I am an animal lover to a certain degree, but pigeons are actually classed as vermin. Would you rescue a rat?”

Neil Savage said: “It was disgraceful for three pigeons. The bus timetables were disrupted and the RSPCA were attending. It must have cost a fortune.”

A spokesman for County Durham and Darlington Fire Service claimed the crews responded to stop members of the public trying to rescue the birds themselves.

The RSPCA confirmed that the pigeons were all uninjured and immediately released.

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The world's biggest building opens in China

Seemingly locked in a battle for superlative supremacy, China and Dubai continue to construct a dizzying number of record-breaking attractions. Home to Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, Dubai has this year inaugurated the world’s biggest natural flower garden, the world’s tallest hotel and the world’s tallest twisted tower. China, meanwhile, is preparing to open a ‘groundscraper’ cave hotel that will burrow 19 storeys below the ground, and it has now opened the world’s largest freestanding building in Chengdu.

Named New Century Global Center, the colossal structure is 500 metres long, 400 metres wide and 100 metres high, and contains a total floor space of 1.7million square metres. Providing a sense of scale, the Sydney Morning Herald reports that the building is large enough to accommodate the Sydney Opera House 20 times over.

Visitors to the attraction may find it somewhat less highbrow than Australia’s famed cultural attraction, however. The building will house cinemas, shopping centres, office space, hotels, conference centres, a water theme park with artificial beach and various other attractions including a replica Mediterranean village.

In south-western China, Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province and home to 14million people. One of the country’s largest and most populous cities, it is currently undergoing an intense phase of development with plans in place to extend its underground network by 183 kilometres by 2020. The ongoing development of a ‘Software Park’ within Chengdu forms part of the city’s efforts to create a local ‘Silicon Valley’. Some 29,000 companies are currently based in Chengdu’s 130-square-kilometre “hi-tech development zone”.

Given the speed and ambition of development locally, New Century Global Center may not be Chengdu’s most significant structure for long. Residents and visitors will have good reason to visit the building for years to come, however. Chengdu’s rapid development has meant the city is regularly blanketed by smog. New Century Global Center includes an artificial sun that will shine and emanate heat for 24 hours each day, and a giant 150-metre-long screen will project an artificial horizon and display sunrises and sunsets as the days pass.

See more pictures of New Century Global Center
For more on exciting new events, developments and phenomena around the world visit The Next Big Thing

Images: AFP/Getty Images

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Psycho-themed colouring book

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Lottery winner carries on as normal, 16 years after £12m jackpot

David Ashcroft’s neighbour has made the remark 16 years after the 46-year-old took home his £12.3 million jackpot, and it does not seem wide of the mark.

Mr Ashcroft vowed that his winnings would not change his life, and he has remained true to his word.

While many would have quit their job and moved into a mansion, he is still working as a furniture restorer and sharing a terraced home with his elderly parents, Roy, 76, and Jean, 74.

The only sign he has splashed out on improving the family home in Liverpool is new double glazing.

He has also bought a caravan in North Wales and a 4x4 Mitsubishi, which is thought to have been for his parents.

While some might have made the kind of shrewd investments that could have doubled their winnings, Mr Ashcroft acquired a property portfolio worth less than £250,000, according to records at Companies House.

Personalised number plates for his father’s van and a Ferrari, which he gave to a relative, are perhaps the only real luxuries he has permitted himself to spend on.

His mother says he has “not gone anywhere” and it is unclear whether he has formed a romantic relationship since his win, having said he was single when he pocketed his millions.

When Mr Ashcroft won his jackpot in 1997, he said: "I am an ordinary, quiet introvert. This may change me. I hope not."

It appears he had nothing to worry about.

Passers-by still see him tidying up outside his workshop in a suburban garage near his home, dressed jeans and checked shirt.

His neighbour told the Daily Mail: “Most people would have used a fortune like that to fulfil all their dreams, but evidently David’s perfectly happy as he is.”

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