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BP reached $7.8 billion settlement over Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Clyde K. Valle
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BP reached $7.8 billion settlement over Deepwater Horizon oil spill

BP has reached a $7.8 billion deal with the largest group of plaintiffs suing the company over the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil rig spill.

It will benefit some 100,000 fishermen, local residents and clean-up workers whose livelihoods or health suffered.

BP has not admitted liability and still faces claims from the US and state governments, and drilling firms.

The rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010, killing 11 workers and leaking four million barrels of oil.

BP says it expects the money to come from a $20 billion compensation fund it had previously set aside.

“From the beginning, BP stepped up to meet our obligations to the communities in the Gulf Coast region, and we’ve worked hard to deliver on that commitment for nearly two years,” BP Chief Executive Bob Dudley said.

“The proposed settlement represents significant progress toward resolving issues from the Deepwater Horizon accident and contributing further to economic and environmental restoration efforts along the Gulf Coast.”

BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010, killing 11 workers and leaking four million barrels of oil
BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010, killing 11 workers and leaking four million barrels of oil

Lawyers for the plaintiffs’ group, the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, said the settlement “does the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people”.

A trial in the case, due to begin on Monday, will now be delayed – for a second time – as a result of the deal, Judge Carl Barbier said.

The settlement will “likely result in a realignment of the parties,” he said.

The trial is now being adjourned “in order to allow the parties to reassess their respective positions,” Judge Barbier said.

The trial was due to resolve claims for damages and civil penalties arising from the spill.

Judge Barbier is an expert in maritime law and has consolidated hundreds of spill-related lawsuits into a single case.

The trial will probably still go ahead in order to apportion blame for the spill among BP and its fellow defendants.

Other companies involved include Transocean, who owned the rig, and Halliburton. All the companies are in dispute with each other over their liability to each other.

BP has so far paid out $7.5 billion in clean-up costs and compensation.

US President Barack Obama called the spill “the worst environmental disaster the nation has ever faced”.

It took 85 days to permanently stop the release of crude oil.

 

Demi Moore’s post-rehab hideaway revealed

Lisa.Felice
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Demi Moore’s post-rehab hideaway revealed

Demi Moore was determined to stay “on vacation” away from Los Angeles after she quit rehab at Utah’s Cirque Lodge, said sources close to the actress.

E! News has revealed that Demi Moore is now hiding out in the Caribbean near ex-husband Bruce Willis’ Parrot Cay home.

Demi Moore, 49, was spotted earlier this week on the beach of a private villa near Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands, about 550 miles south of Miami.

“She’s just been chilling out,” a source told E! News.

The website added that “the retreat is accessible only by boat and sources say that private security has been working round the clock to keep Moore’s sojourn as private as possible”.

It’s just a stone’s throw from the house where Bruce Willis said “I do” with Emma Hemming in 2009, with Demi Moore and her estranged husband Ashton Kutcher in attendance.

Demi Moore went to Cirque in the days following her brief hospitalization in Los Angeles after she suffered a seizure-like episode during a party at her home in the city on January 23.

But E! alleged that Demi Moore is still very much “on vacation” at an undisclosed location.

“She’s in no rush to get back to L.A.,” an insider told the website.

“She’s on total lockdown and only talking to a small group of people.”

Demi Moore was determined to stay “on vacation” away from Los Angeles after she quit rehab at Utah's Cirque Lodge
Demi Moore was determined to stay “on vacation” away from Los Angeles after she quit rehab at Utah's Cirque Lodge

Although Demi Moore’s spokesperson never revealed what the actress was being treated for, it was widely believed that she sought help for both addiction issues and an eating disorder.

Demi Moore’s daughter Rumer Willis, 23, who lives nearby and was at her mother’s home when she had her medical emergency, was seen visiting the actress at the hospital before she went to Utah.

Scout Willis, 20 , is attending Brown University in Rhode Island, and 18-year-old Tallulah has been staying with dad Bruce Willis.

Meanwhile, a report claiming that Demi Moore tried to ban her Charlie’s Angels co-star Cameron Diaz from attending Madonna’s Oscar after party has been proven untrue after it emerged that Diaz was at the party.

HollywoodLife.com reported a source as saying: “They’re friends, Demi isn’t fighting with Cameron.”

The party in question was Madonna‘s annual Oscars party at her manager Guy Oseary‘s mansion.

Last year, Demi Moore hosted with Madonna, but this year, she stayed well away.

Demi Moore’s estranged husband Ashton Kutcher was there, however, and reportedly partied until 4:00 a.m.

 

 

Bobbi Kristina Brown will give her first interview after Whitney Houston’s death for Oprah’s Next Chapter

Diane A. Wade
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Bobbi Kristina Brown will give her first interview after Whitney Houston’s death for Oprah’s Next Chapter

Oprah Winfrey has snagged an exclusive interview with the late Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, for Oprah’s Next Chapter airing Sunday, March 11 at 9:00 p.m.

In addition to Bobbi Kristina, Oprah Winfrey will speak to Whitney Houston’s sister-in-law and manager Patricia (Pat) Houston, and brother Gary Houston.

According to a release from the network (OWN): “Bobbi Kristina shares personal memories of her mom and how she would like the iconic superstar to be remembered. The family also addresses the rumors and speculation surrounding Houston’s death.”

Before the interview at 7:00 p.m., OWN will re-air its special, Remembering Whitney: The Oprah Interview, which features the singer’s 2009 interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Oprah Winfrey’s own personal memories of the star.

Oprah Winfrey has snagged an exclusive interview with Bobbi Kristina Brown for Oprah’s Next Chapter airing Sunday, March 11 at 9 pm
Oprah Winfrey has snagged an exclusive interview with Bobbi Kristina Brown for Oprah’s Next Chapter airing Sunday, March 11 at 9 pm

The initial February 16 airing of the Remembering Whitney special, which aired within a week of Whitney Houston’s sudden death, brought in 830,000 viewers and offered solid showings in weekend encores.

OWN, which struggled with viewership in its first year, is seeing an upswing in its year-over-year ratings as Oprah Winfrey has stepped into a more on-screen role with shows like Oprah’s Next Chapter and Oprah’s Lifeclass.

 

John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou will undergo cultural sensitivity training after crude comments about Whitney Houston’s death

Lisa.Felice
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John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou will undergo cultural sensitivity training after crude comments about Whitney Houston’s death

The crude comments made about Whitney Houston’s death by on-air personalities John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou have prompted a number of changes at Los Angeles radio station KFI AM 640.

In a memo “to the Los Angeles Community” issued Thursday, the radio station noted that it has enacted new policies and will continue to enact new policies following public criticism over the comments.

According to the memo, KFI said that John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou of “The John and Ken Show”, will undergo cultural sensitivity training, along with “key staff and management.”

KFI said that the training will further John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou’s “awareness of the cultural melting pot that is Southern California.”

On a broader scale, KFI said it is reviewing its talk formats and “will find a platform for auditioning a diverse group of local hosts and guests.

“While our plans are still developing, we anticipate creating unique programming to reflect important issues to our multi-cultural community. This will be a great launching pad for identifying talent for future opportunities,” the memo reads.

KFI also said it will be working with members of the community to “update guidelines for our on-air hosts in a way that is helpful in a live unscripted environment,” and will “expand on its successful internship program to target minority students.”

The crude comments made about Whitney Houston's death by on-air personalities John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou have prompted a number of changes at Los Angeles radio station KFI AM 640
The crude comments made about Whitney Houston's death by on-air personalities John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou have prompted a number of changes at Los Angeles radio station KFI AM 640

John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou sparked outrage and earned a week-and-a-half suspension in February when, days after Whitney Houston’s death, they made a number of on-air comments that many considered inappropriate. Among the comments, the pair called Whitney Houston a “crack ho,” said she had been “cracked out for 20 years,” and wondered of her death, “Really? [It] took this long?”

John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou apologized in a statement issued by the station that also announced the pair’s suspension.

“We made a mistake, and we accept the station’s [to suspend us],” John Kobylt said.

“We used language that was inappropriate, and we sincerely apologize to our listeners and to the family of Ms. Houston.”

 

Hackers gained full functional control of NASA computers in 2011

Nancy Clayson
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Hackers gained full functional control of NASA computers in 2011

Paul K. Martin, NASA’s inspector general, has told US lawmakers that hackers gained “full functional control” of key agency’s computers in 2011.

Paul K. Martin said hackers took over Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) computers and “compromised the accounts of the most privileged JPL users”.

He said the attack, involving Chinese IP addresses, was under investigation.

In a statement, NASA said it had “made significant progress to protect the agency’s IT systems”.

Paul K. Martin’s testimony on NASA’s cybersecurity was submitted to the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology’s Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight.

In the document, he outlined how investigators believed the attack had involved “Chinese-based internet protocol [IP] addresses”.

He said that the attackers had “full system access” and would have been able to “modify, copy, or delete sensitive files” or “upload hacking tools to steal user credentials and compromise other NASA systems”.

Paul K. Martin, NASA's inspector general, has told US lawmakers that hackers gained "full functional control" of key agency’s computers in 2011
Paul K. Martin, NASA's inspector general, has told US lawmakers that hackers gained "full functional control" of key agency’s computers in 2011

Paul K. Martin outlined how the agency suffered “5,408 computer security incidents” between 2010 and 2011.

He also noted that “between April 2009 and April 2011, NASA reported the loss or theft of 48 Agency mobile computing devices”.

In one incident an unencrypted notebook computer was lost containing details of the algorithms – the mathematical models – used to control the International Space Station.

NASA said that “at no point in time have operations of the International Space Station been in jeopardy due to a data breach”.

Paul K. Martin said NASA was a “target-rich environment for cyber attacks”.

He said that the motivation of the hackers ranged from “individuals testing their skill to break into NASA systems, to well-organized criminal enterprises hacking for profit, to intrusions that may have been sponsored by foreign intelligence services”.

But while Paul K. Martin criticized aspects of NASA’s cybersecurity he noted investigations had resulted in “arrests and convictions of foreign nationals in China, Great Britain, Italy, Nigeria, Portugal, Romania, Turkey, and Estonia”.

NASA said it was working to implement the security improvements Paul K. Martin suggested in his testimony.

However the chairman of the congressional subcommittee, Rep. Paul Broun, quoted in an online report of proceedings, said: “Despite this progress, the threat to NASA’s information security is persistent, and ever changing. Unless NASA is able to constantly adapt – their data, systems, and operations will continue to be endangered.”

 

Francesco Schettino is the scapegoat in Costa Concordia case, says his family

Diane A. Wade
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Francesco Schettino is the scapegoat in Costa Concordia case, says his family

Ahead of today’s pre-trial hearing over capsized Costa Concordia cruise ship, Captain Francesco Schettino was said by his family to be both depressed and afraid.

Maurilio Russo, Francesco Schettino’s brother-in-law, said the captain was suffering in the knowledge that lives had been lost and was particularly affected by the death of the youngest victim, five-year-old Dayana Arlotti.

“He’s not a monster, he is a good person,” said Maurilio Russo.

“He is depressed. He’s obviously scared. This has become a media trial.”

One of the Francesco Schettino’s lawyers, Paolo Bastianini, believes the black box and other evidence that is about to be reviewed will eventually cast the captain’s actions in a better light.

“We feel confident that this technical investigation will confirm what Commander Schettino has been saying,” Paolo Bastianini said.

“For example, that the ship didn’t end up where it is randomly, but that it was him who took it there.”

Paolo Bastianini was referring to the fact that the vessel had not gone down in deep water.

Francesco Schettino argues that after hitting the reef, he deliberately and skillfully steered his sinking ship to within a few metres of the rocky coast of the island of Giglio, making it easier for his passengers to get ashore safely.

“By doing that, he saved the lives of a couple of thousand people,” said Paolo Bastianini.

Ahead of today’s pre-trial hearing over capsized Costa Concordia cruise ship, Captain Francesco Schettino was said by his family to be both depressed and afraid
Ahead of today’s pre-trial hearing over capsized Costa Concordia cruise ship, Captain Francesco Schettino was said by his family to be both depressed and afraid

Initially only Francesco Schettino and his first officer, Ciro Ambrosio, were formally under investigation. But last week several others were also named.

Among them were more of the ship’s officers, and two senior figures from its operating company, Costa Cruises.

These are the company’s vice-president, Manfred Ursprunger, and the head of its crisis management unit, Roberto Ferrarini.

Both were onshore on the night of the disaster and decisions they took as it unfolded are now officially under scrutiny.

This development has pleased Francesco Schettino’s lawyers.

“We had been saying that the investigation had to be broadened and that Schettino couldn’t be the only scapegoat,” said Paolo Bastianini.

“Schettino assumes his responsibilities, but he is not the only one. He isn’t the monster of the story.”

But the prosecution’s case puts most of the blame for what happened firmly on Francesco Schettino’s shoulders.

It says the captain simply sailed his huge vessel too close to Giglio in what was intended to be a kind of salute to the islanders.

Francesco Schettino then allegedly failed to take proper charge of the situation as the crisis deepened and abandoned his passengers to save himself.

On top of all this there have been persistent suggestions that the captain may have been distracted at the moment of the collision by the presence on the bridge of a young woman from Moldova, Domnica Cemortan.

In a recent newspaper interview Domnica Cemortan admitted being attracted to Francesco Schettino, who is married.

Domnica Cemortan said she believes they were on the point of starting an affair, but insisted that she was not in any way to blame for what happened off Giglio.

 

Costa Concordia pre-trial hearing begins in Italy

Diane A. Wade
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Costa Concordia pre-trial hearing begins in Italy

A pre-trial hearing over the case of capsized Costa Concordia cruise ship begins today in Italy.

At least 30 people are believed to have died when the ship struck rocks off the Tuscan coast on 13 January.

Captain Francesco Schettino denies accusations of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning ship before all those aboard were evacuated.

Francesco Schettino’s lawyer said he would not attend the hearing, in the town of Grosseto.

Bruno Leporatti said it would be “unnecessary” for Francesco Schettino to leave his home in the town of Meta di Sorrento, near Naples – where he is under house arrest – to attend the hearing.

“Perhaps with this climate that has been created around him, [it would be] also a little dangerous for him,” Bruno Leporatti said.

Francesco Schettino’s brother-in-law has said that the captain is feeling both depressed and scared as he watches the enquiry unfold, and that the deaths of those who did not survive are weighing heavily upon him.

A pre-trial hearing over the case of capsized Costa Concordia cruise ship begins today in Italy
A pre-trial hearing over the case of capsized Costa Concordia cruise ship begins today in Italy

Bruno Leporatti added that Francesco Schettino was “stunned” by the accident.

“He is a man who has feelings, who is pained over what happened,” he said.

The hearing will be attended by some 70 lawyers and their teams, representing survivors and relatives of victims.

During the hearing, judges will question experts about the wrecking of the 114,500-ton liner.

Investigators who have been amassing evidence and testimony since the crash will hand it over to a court-appointed panel of experts made up of two naval experts and two academics.

Costa Cruises, part of the world’s largest cruise operator Carnival Corp and owner of Costa Concordia cruise ship, has blamed Francesco Schettino for the accident.

Costa Cruises has said it has “complete faith in the judicial system” and has offered its “fullest collaboration” with the Italian authorities.

The investigation will also look at the decisions and actions of Costa’s vice-president Manfred Ursprunger and the head of its crisis unit, Roberto Ferrarini, with whom Francesco Schettino was in contact during the evacuation.

The ship’s first officer, Ciro Ambrosio, is also under investigation.

Costa Concordia, carrying 4,200 passengers and crew, had its hull ripped open when it hit rocks in darkness, just hours into a Mediterranean cruise.

 

Dr. Drew’s verdict on Angelina Jolie’s skinny appearance on the red carpet at the Oscars

Diane A. Wade
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Dr. Drew’s verdict on Angelina Jolie’s skinny appearance on the red carpet at the Oscars

Angelina Jolie’s turn on the red carpet at the Oscars last week made headlines across the globe.

Almost a week on, picture of Angelina Jolie’s jutting right leg is still generating talk – but now for different reasons.

Dr. Drew appeared on The View yesterday where he said Angelina Jolie looks dangerously malnourished in the eye-catching image.

As the picture was flashed up on a screen behind him, Dr. Drew warned that women should not regard the actress as an ideal of beauty on account of her remarkably skinny figure.

“She’s malnourished,” Dr. Drew claimed, before reiterating: “I just see malnutrition.”

“We should not look at that as an ideal of beauty, even though she might be a beautiful woman.”

Dr. Drew’s comments came after he expressed the same verdict on her “dangerously” skinny frame during his own, self-titled show earlier this week.

As the picture was flashed up on a screen behind him, Dr. Drew warned that women should not regard the actress as an ideal of beauty on account of her remarkably skinny figure
As the picture was flashed up on a screen behind him, Dr. Drew warned that women should not regard the actress as an ideal of beauty on account of her remarkably skinny figure

Fox presenter Bill O’Reilly is another who has weighed in on the matter.

“Is it just me or is she looking mighty slim these days? Emaciated even? I was kind of taken aback. Look at the arms on her,” he said on The O’Reilly Factor the day after the Oscars.

Bill O’Reilly went on to say Angelina Jolie, in his opinion, was sending out the wrong message to her fans with her rail-thin physique.

“Something’s going on here,” Bill O’Reilly said.

“She is slight. Let’s hope it’s nothing unusual.”

In November 2011, Grazia magazine reported Angelina Jolie survives on as little as 600 calories a day, which is the equivalent of two bowls of cereal with milk.

“Angelina has been known to start her day with little more than a spoonful of coconut oil and a handful of cereal,” a source told the publication.

“The worrying thing is that she is so busy, she often forgets to eat.

“Sometimes she’ll skip lunch altogether or will just grab a few almonds and some gummy bears while she’s on the go, or will have a protein-based shake rather than anything more substantial.

“Then dinner could be something like a lean steak and a glass of red wine.”

Angelina Jolie’s fluctuating weight has been well documented, with her slim frame becoming painfully thin during difficult emotional times in her life.

She was forced to defend her waif-like frame in 2007, when her weight plummeted following the death of her mother Marcheline.

At the time, Angelina Jolie said: “I have always been lean, and this year I lost my mum and I’ve gone through a lot.

“Instead of people saying I look like a person dealing with something emotionally, they assume it’s because I want to fit into skinny jeans.”

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Tornadoes ravage in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio: at least 28 deaths and Marysville is “completly gone”

Diane A. Wade
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Tornadoes ravage in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio: at least 28 deaths and Marysville is “completly gone”

Powerful storms and tornadoes have killed at least 28 people in the US states of Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, destroying homes, tearing roofs from schools, damaging a maximum security prison and wiping one Indiana town entirely off the map, officials say.

Local police confirmed that 14 people died as tornadoes swept across three counties in Indiana.

Twelve more died in Kentucky, with two fatalities in Ohio. Earlier, tornadoes hit Alabama, causing widespread damage.

“We are no match for Mother Nature at her worst,” said Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.

Gov. Mitch Daniels is due to visit affected areas on Saturday.

The storms – stretched across a vast part of the US Midwest – came days after another system killed 13 people.

The first deaths on Friday were reported in Indiana, where the small town of Henryville was badly damaged.

Reports of extreme damage included a roof torn off a high school.

An official from Clark County sheriff’s department described the nearby town of Marysville, Indiana – located close to Henryville – as “completely gone”.

Tornadoes have destroyed towns in Southern Indiana, including Henryville, pictured, and neighboring Marysville, which is “completely gone”
Tornadoes have destroyed towns in Southern Indiana, including Henryville, pictured, and neighboring Marysville, which is “completely gone”

Jenn Helvering, 24, said she saw a storm cell cross the highway as she drove towards Henryville. She then came across wreckage, including an overturned tractor-trailer, alongside the road near the town.

The woman, who posted a series of images online said she saw “what seemed to be a funnel”, when driving between two storm cells.

“The weather was terrible. I suddenly saw a tornado coming towards me, I could see it swirling, then I saw one behind me. I was stuck in between two tornadoes – my dad directed me while I was driving between the two tornadoes. It was truly terrifying.”

In Salem, Indiana, a toddler was found injured in a field after tornadoes passed through, reports said before being take to a children’s hospital, where she was later identified.

A family of four were found dead in Washington County, Indiana, Sheriff Claude Combs told the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Meanwhile, in Henryville, authorities found a man dead inside his vehicle. It was the first confirmed death in Clark County.

“We’ve got total devastation in the north-central part of the county [and] widespread damage from the west to the east,” Clark County Sheriff Clark Adam told CNN.

Neighbouring Marysville was totally destroyed.

“Marysville is completely gone,” said Chuck Adams of Clark County Sheriff’s Department.

As Friday’s storms grew in intensity, the National Weather Service issued severe tornado warnings for a host of states.

By 19:30 EST tornado warnings were in effect across swathes of Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana, with parts of West Virginia and Florida also under advisory.

In a strongly worded warning, the NWS said residents in the path of the Indiana storm were facing an “extremely dangerous and life threatening situation”.

“If you are in the path of this tornado… take cover immediately!” the NWS said.

Additional tornadoes were reported near Mumfordville, Kentucky and Memphis, Indiana, as well in southern Ohio.

Local TV broadcaster WHAS in Kentucky showed a storm-tracking team driving through Mumfordville, speeding away from a potential tornado as golf-ball sized hailstones fell from the sky.

As the evening progressed more details of the scale of destruction began to emerge, with officials in Kentucky and Ohio confirmed fatalities there.

Earlier this week, 13 people died after twisters swept through Missouri, Kansas, Illinois and Tennessee.

On Friday morning five people were taken to hospital and 11 houses were flattened in the town of Athens, Alabama by an apparent tornado in the Huntsville area.

More than 20 school networks in Alabama closed early on Friday because of the weather warning.

Local media reports that about 9,000 people may have lost power in the area around Huntsville.

A possible twister also hit a maximum security jail near Huntsville, although officials said inmates remained secure.

The severe weather warning will remain in place until about midnight on Friday, according to local media.

The town of Harrisburg, Illinois, was particularly badly damaged on Wednesday by the storm system.

Six residents died there, while three deaths were reported in Missouri, three in Tennessee and another in Kansas.

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Bobbi Kristina refuses to spend her birthday with the family

Lisa.Felice
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Bobbi Kristina refuses to spend her birthday with the family

Bobbi Kristina Brown turns 19 on March 5 but she is telling friends that she doesn’t want to fly to Los Angeles or New Jersey to be with her family on her birthday, because she wants to be alone.

Bobbi Kristina Brown is still dealing with the devastating loss of her mother Whitney Houston and she is not excited about her birthday.

A source close to Bobbi Kristina told HollywoodLife.com that Whitney Houston’s daughter is “beside herself with grief” and doesn’t even want to celebrate her birthday.

“She feels like she has nothing to celebrate,” the source said.

“She doesn’t want a party and she doesn’t want to be around anyone except her brother Nick.”

Bobbi Kristina Brown is still dealing with the devastating loss of her mother Whitney Houston and she is not excited about her birthday, refusing to spend the big day with her family
Bobbi Kristina Brown is still dealing with the devastating loss of her mother Whitney Houston and she is not excited about her birthday, refusing to spend the big day with her family

Bobbi Kristina Brown is still living at her mother’s home in Atlanta and she reportedly tried to take her own life twice right after Whitney Houston died on February 11.

 

Bobbi Kristina Brown fighting with grandmother Cissy Houston

Lisa.Felice
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Bobbi Kristina Brown fighting with grandmother Cissy Houston

Bobbi Kristina Brown, Whitney Houston’s daughter, has been fighting her grandmother Cissy Houston tooth and nail to live her life in Atlanta on her own terms, say US reports.

According to HollywoodLife.com, Bobbi Kristina Brown, 18, and grandmother Cissy Houston, 78, haven’t been seeing eye to eye on anything lately — and that includes Whitney Houston‘s 22-year-old “secret son”, Nick Gordon.

Although earlier reports said that Cissy Houston is trying to evict Nick Gordon from her late daughter’s home because she thinks he is a bad influence on Bobbi Kristina, she was also been having to deal with her granddaughter’s refusal to leave Atlanta.

“Cissy Houston is worried sick about Bobbi Kristina,” a friend of Whitney Houston’s family told HollywoodLife.com.

“She tried to convince her to move back to New Jersey so she could be closer to Whitney’s side of the family, but apparently, Krissi wants to stay in Atlanta. Being in Atlanta is the only way she can feel remotely close to her mother.”

Bobbi Kristina Brown has been fighting her grandmother Cissy Houston tooth and nail to live her life in Atlanta on her own terms
Bobbi Kristina Brown has been fighting her grandmother Cissy Houston tooth and nail to live her life in Atlanta on her own terms

The friend continued: “[Bobbi Kristina] is determined to continue living in the same house she lived in with her mom these past years. As far as Nick Gordon is concerned, he is like her brother, and I seriously doubt Cissy will be able to evict him from the house. He is Krissi’s closest friend right now.”

According to sources, Whitney Houston raised Nick Gordon like a son and let him live with her and Bobbi Kristina 10 years ago.

Reports say Whitney Houston even included Nick Gordon in her will.

 

Scandinavian trees survived the last Ice Age, say researchers

James J. Williams
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Scandinavian trees survived the last Ice Age, say researchers

A new research suggests that some Scandinavian trees survived the last Ice Age, challenging a widely held notion that they were killed off by the huge ice sheet that covered the region.

Modern trees in Scandinavia were thought to descend from species that migrated north when the ice melted 9,000 years ago.

But research suggests some conifers survived on mountain peaks that protruded from the enormous ice sheet, on islands and in coastal areas.

The work appears in Science journal.

“Our results demonstrate that not all the Scandinavian conifer trees have the same recent ancestors, as we once believed,” said Prof. Eske Willerslev from the Centre for GeoGenetics, University of Copenhagen.

“There were groups of spruce and pine that survived the harsh climate in small ice-free pockets, or in refuges, as we call them, for tens of thousands of years, and then were able to spread once the ice retreated.

“Other spruce and pine trees have their origins in the southern and eastern ice-free areas of Europe. Therefore, one can now refer to ‘original’ and later naturally <<introduced>> Scandinavian conifer species.”

A new research suggests some conifers in Scandinavia survived during last Ice Age on mountain peaks that protruded from the enormous ice sheet, on islands and in coastal areas
A new research suggests some conifers in Scandinavia survived during last Ice Age on mountain peaks that protruded from the enormous ice sheet, on islands and in coastal areas

The researchers came to their conclusions by studying the DNA of modern spruce – which clearly portrays two Scandinavian types – and also by analysing the composition of pine and spruce DNA in sediments from lake-core samples.

“One hypothesis is that trees were able to survive on the top of nunataks, the exposed ridges or peaks of mountains protruding from glacial cover, or in more sheltered areas close to the coast where proximity to the temperate conditions of the Atlantic Ocean favoured survival,” said Laura Parducci, from the University of Uppsala.

“These areas must have provided sites for roots to anchor and trees to grow in the challenging climate.”

Today, nunataks can be found protruding from the Greenlandic ice sheet, albeit without any trees.

 

Sloths of Costa Rica are the new internet sensation

Nancy Clayson
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Sloths of Costa Rica are the new internet sensation

Sloths of Costa Rica are the new internet sensation, after appearing in a documentary by Lucy Cooke.

Clips from Meet the Sloths were put on YouTube by film-maker, Lucy Cooke, and have been viewed by almost seven million people.

Lucy Cooke said the sloths have a celebrity following, with Ashton Kutcher, Ricky Gervais and Jonathan Ross tweeting about the cute creatures.

Sloths of Costa Rica are the new internet sensation, after appearing in a documentary by Lucy Cooke
Sloths of Costa Rica are the new internet sensation, after appearing in a documentary by Lucy Cooke

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American Idol Top 13 finalists will perform Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder tracks

Diane A. Wade
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American Idol Top 13 finalists will perform Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder tracks

Top 13 finalists of American Idol will perform songs by Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder on next week’s milestone 400th episode.

Season 11’s finalists were announced on last night episode following two nights of live performances from the Top 13 boys and Top 12 girls who made it to the semi-final.

Ten contestants were voted through to the next stage by the American public, while judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson chose three more acts as their wildcard picks.

Fox has now confirmed that the Top 13 will perform tracks by Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder on Wednesday, March 7. The female contestants will take on the Whitney Houston’s songs, while the men will tackle the Stevie Wonder tracks.

Mary J. Blige will mentor all contestants throughout the week.

Top 13 finalists of American Idol will perform songs by Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder on next week's milestone 400th episode
Top 13 finalists of American Idol will perform songs by Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder on next week's milestone 400th episode

Whitney Houston passed away at the age of 48 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 11.

American Idol’s host Ryan Seacrest had previously hinted that the show planned to honour Whitney Houston’s impact on the music industry, saying: “We are trying to figure out how we can go in and obviously pay tribute [to Whitney Houston] in some way and acknowledge the impact that she had on popular singers, popular music and young singers that are trying to make it.”

The Top 13 contestants are: Hollie Cavanagh, Colton Dixon, Heejun Han, Jermaine Jones, Skylar Laine, Joshua Ledet, Shannon Magraine, Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez, Elise Testone, Erika Van Pelt, Jeremy Rosado and DeAndre Brackensick.

 

 

Whitney Houston’s earrings donned in The Bodyguard at Hollywood Legends auction

Lisa.Felice
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Whitney Houston’s earrings donned in The Bodyguard at Hollywood Legends auction

A pair of pearl-drop earrings worn by Whitney Houston in the 1992 film “The Bodyguard” is to be sold in an auction of the late singer’s possessions.

The earrings are among several items that once belonged to Whitney Houston which are to be sold by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills as part of their “Hollywood Legends” sale.

Other items include a black velvet dress owned by Whitney Houston and 15 other outfits worn by the pop legend.

Julien’s Auctions owner Darren Julien has revealed over 50 friends, family and former colleagues have contacted his office offering to sell items since her tragic death at the age of just 48 in February 11.

Darren Julien said: “This is something that commonly happens after somebody passes … especially someone with the status of Whitney Houston. Her items can increase 10, 20 even 30 times compared to their previous value prior to her death. These items become part of history really.

“Whitney is a legend so it’s definitely an appropriate auction for her. It’s a reason to celebrate her life, not put these items in a box under the bed … Her items are now more sought after.”

Darren Julien believes bids for Whitney Houston’s dresses will reach tens of thousands of dollars because she is someone “that will maintain a collectability” because of her incredible career.

The earrings worn by Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard are among several items that once belonged to the late singer which are to be sold by Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills as part of their “Hollywood Legends” sale
The earrings worn by Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard are among several items that once belonged to the late singer which are to be sold by Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills as part of their “Hollywood Legends” sale

 

The “Hollywood Legends” auction will also include pieces that once belonged to Princess Diana, Charlie Chaplin and Charlton Heston and will take place on March 31 and April 1 at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, California.

Whitney Houston herself was an avid collector of Hollywood memorabilia and one of her most prize possessions was a pair of Ginger Rogers’ dancing shoes which had been personally signed by the screen icon.

The shoes were given to her as a gift by David Gest for performing at the 10th Annual American Cinema Awards in 1993 on the night where Rogers was honored for Distinguished Achievement In Film.

Ginger Rogers personally signed each shoe with a note which read “to one of the greatest singers of all time, from your friend Ginger Rogers”.

David Gest, who was invited to Whitney Houston’s funeral – believes the unique item would fetch thousands of dollars if Bobbi Kristina – the singer’s child with ex-husband Bobby Brown – decided to sell the shoes.

 

Carolyn Whigham says she knows who leaked Whitney Houston open casket photo

Lisa.Felice
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Carolyn Whigham says she knows who leaked Whitney Houston open casket photo

Carolyn Whigham, the owner of Whitney Houston’s funeral home has said that she knows who leaked the photo of the singer’s body in open casket to the press.

Carolyn Whigham, CEO of the Whigham Funeral Home, told reporters that it was up to the Houston family to name the individual behind the photograph, which showed Whitney Houston in her casket and appeared on the front cover of US tabloid National Enquirer last month.

The business owner insisted that she, her vice president daughter Karalynn and manager Terri Fields were “the only three people who saw Whitney Houston”.

Carolyn Whigham said that none of her staff had come in close contact with Whitney Houston’s body, which “was always on the lower level under lock and key”.

She added that security personnel guarding Whitney Houston’s body, who slept in the building prior to her funeral on February 18, had not been hired by the home.

Carolyn Whigham, the owner of Whitney Houston's funeral home has said that she knows who leaked the photo of the singer's body in open casket to the press
Carolyn Whigham, the owner of Whitney Houston's funeral home has said that she knows who leaked the photo of the singer's body in open casket to the press

Carolyn Whigham said that she wanted it to be “clearly established” that staff at the Whigham Funeral Home were not responsible for the leak, claiming that she feared her daughter would be attacked over the allegations just as she has.

“It is very obvious that the Houston family has ceased the investigation [into the home]. Why? I want to clear my name, I want to clear my funeral home,” Carolyn Whigham said.

“Unfortunately this went nationwide, worldwide. I could be on vacation laying by a swimming pool and somebody [could] come up and throw something in my face… I want to defend my character and my name. That’s the most important thing that I have.”

Carolyn Whigham previously described Whitney Houston as “a friend” and claimed that she “did everything to protect her”.

Sources close to the Houston family have said they are “heartbroken all over again” by the photo, which is believed to have been taken at a private viewing on February 17.

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Nick Gordon, Whitney Houston’ “secret son”, is unwellcomed at singer’s home

Lisa.Felice
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Nick Gordon, Whitney Houston’ “secret son”, is unwellcomed at singer’s home

Cissy Houston is on a mission to eradicate the bad influences from Bobbi Kristina Brown’s life and she’s starting with 22-year-old Nick Gordon who Whitney treated like her very own son.

Sources close to Houston family told TMZ that Whitney Houston invited Nick Gordon to live with her and Bobbi Kristina more than 10 years ago when the late singer learned Nick’s mother could no longer care for him.

Whitney Houston considered Nick Gordon her unofficially adopted son and treated him like family up until the end.

According to TMZ, Cissy Houston believes Nick Gordon is a bad influence on Bobbi Kristina and wants him out of the Houston family home in Atlanta ASAP.

Cissy Houston believes Nick Gordon is a bad influence on Bobbi Kristina and wants him out of the Houston family home in Atlanta
Cissy Houston believes Nick Gordon is a bad influence on Bobbi Kristina and wants him out of the Houston family home in Atlanta

TMZ also reported that Cissy Houston has already informed her lawyers about the eviction in case he puts up a fight.

There are reports that Nick Gordon was included in Whitney Houston’s will, but so far, they have not been confirmed by members of the Houston family.

 

The Jesus Discovery: the first physical evidence of Christians in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus

James J. Williams
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The Jesus Discovery: the first physical evidence of Christians in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus

A new book, “The Jesus Discovery: The New Archaeological Find That Reveals the Birth of Christianity,” published this week, reveals that archeologists and authors have literally “unearthed” new information which may provide an unprecedented glimpse into Christianity’s earliest days.

In a “nearly intact” first-century tomb located below a modern condominium building in Jerusalem, a team of archeologists led by Simcha Jacobovici has found ossuaries bearing engravings that could be the earliest evidence of Christian iconography in Jerusalem.

The tomb has been dated to before A.D. 70, so if its engravings are indeed early Christian, they were most likely made by some of Jesus’ earliest followers, according to the excavators.

One of the limestone ossuaries bears an inscription in Greek that includes a reference to “Divine Jehovah raising someone up”, the earliest archeological evidence of “faith in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.”

A second ossuary has an image that appears to be a large fish with a stick figure in its mouth. The excavators believe the image represents the story of Jonah, the biblical prophet who was swallowed by a fish or whale and then released.

“If anyone had claimed to find either a statement about resurrection or a Jonah image in a Jewish tomb of this period I would have said impossible – until now,” James D. Tabor, professor and chairman of religious studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and one of the excavators, said in a news release issued by the university.

In a “nearly intact” first-century tomb located below a modern condominium building in Jerusalem, the archeologists have found ossuaries bearing engravings that could be the earliest evidence of Christian iconography in Jerusalem
In a “nearly intact” first-century tomb located below a modern condominium building in Jerusalem, the archeologists have found ossuaries bearing engravings that could be the earliest evidence of Christian iconography in Jerusalem

The excavators acknowledge the discovery and their interpretation are likely to be controversial.

This tomb was originally uncovered in 1981, but the original excavators were forced to leave by Orthodox Jewish groups who oppose the excavation of Jewish tombs.

The tomb was then resealed and buried beneath the condominium complex in the neighborhood of East Talpiot.

Almost two decades later, James D. Tabor and colleagues got a license to go back into the tomb; however, because of the condos on top of it and the threat of protests from Orthodox Jewish groups, they took an unconventional route into the tomb.

They inserted a robotic arm, developed for this project, carrying high-definition cameras, through holes drilled in the basement floor of the building. The cameras photographed the ossuaries inside from all sides.

This tomb is located adjacent to another one, uncovered in 1980, that contained ossuaries with names some have associated with Jesus and his family. That tomb was thoroughly excavated at the time.

Later this spring, a documentary on the subject will air on the Discovery Channel.

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Giant fleas from Middle Jurassic unearthed in China

James J. Williams
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Giant fleas from Middle Jurassic unearthed in China

Chinese researchers have unearthed two giant blood-sucking insects at different dig sites that are the largest known flea type creatures of their size.

The largest female discovered flea type creature measured at 20.6 millimeters (.81 inches) while the largest male was a still impressive 14.7 millimeters (.58 inches).

The blood suckers are not only bigger then modern fleas; they also lacked their jumping hind legs.

According to the group that discovered the blood suckers in Ningcheng County, Inner Mongolia, one of the fossils dates back to the Middle Jurassic period which occurred nearly 165 million years ago. The other fossil found in the Liaoning Province is”younger” with a Lower Cretaceous period date of nearly 50 million years ago.

Chinese researchers have unearthed two giant blood-sucking insects at different dig sites that are the largest known flea type creatures of their size
Chinese researchers have unearthed two giant blood-sucking insects at different dig sites that are the largest known flea type creatures of their size

The most striking feature of the fleas was their blood-sucking ”siphonate” mouthparts which were both unusually long and sturdy, according to the Telegraph.

This would have been used to pierce the hides of their hosts, said an international team of scientists reporting the finds in the journal Nature.

Why the fleas were so large, and armed with such powerful weaponry, is a puzzle, because only small shrew-like mammals existed during the Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods.

Modern fleas feed on furry and feathered animals which has led researchers to believe that they served the same location in China where several furry and feathered dinosaurs have been discovered.

 

25 EU leaders signed the new fiscal treaty

Diane A. Wade
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Twenty five out of 27 EU leaders have signed a new treaty to enforce budget discipline within the bloc.

The “fiscal compact” aims to prevent the 17 eurozone countries again running up huge debts.

It must now be ratified by individual parliaments and, in the case of the Irish Republic, a referendum.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who with the Czechs refused to sign, said his proposals for cutting red tape and promoting business had been ignored.

But the newly re-appointed President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, said British calls to boost the EU economy were being taken seriously and he had sought to re-draft the summit’s conclusions accordingly.

The fiscal compact is what emerged after David Cameron vetoed plans to change the EU treaties to enforce greater budgetary discipline back in December.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel described it as a “great leap”, a first step towards stability and political union.

These new powers may face an early test as both Spain and the Netherlands have admitted they will miss targets for reducing their deficits.

While there has been a change of emphasis at this summit, “from crisis mode to growth mode” in the words of one senior official, it will be difficult to achieve whilst tough spending cuts are being made.

In a speech at the signing ceremony, Herman van Rompuy said: “This stronger self-constraint by each and every one of you as regards debts and deficits is important in itself.

“It helps prevent a repetition of the sovereign debt crisis. It will thus also reinforce trust among member states, which is politically important as well.

“The restoration of confidence in the future of the eurozone will lead to economic growth and jobs. This is our ultimate objective.”

 

Amber Rose and Wiz Khalifa confirm their engagement

Lisa.Felice
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1
Amber Rose and Wiz Khalifa confirm their engagement

Model Amber Rose and rapper Wiz Khalifa have confirmed they got engaged.

Wiz Khalifa took to Twitter to let his fans know he had proposed to his girlfriend of a year.

The rapper, whose real name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz, tweeted: “She Said Yes!!!”

Amber Rose, 28, also didn’t waste any time in posting a snap of her gorgeous ring to her own page and said she was the “happiest woman in the world”.

Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose, who got together shortly after Rose split from Kanye West, became serious quickly into their relationship and Wiz got her name etched onto his finger after just a few months of dating.

In July, Amber Rose returned the favor by having “Cam” tattooed onto the inside of her index finger.

At the time Amber Rose gushed about her man and tweeted: “I wanted his name tatted on me a million times. He’s a dream come true… He’s my angel.”

Model Amber Rose and rapper Wiz Khalifa have confirmed they got engaged
Model Amber Rose and rapper Wiz Khalifa have confirmed they got engaged

The newly engaged pair has been working together on Amber Rose’s debut album and her first single entitled Fame featured her beau.

Amber Rose dated Kayne West on and off from 2008 until summer 2010.

The aspiring singer has recently revealed that reality star Kim Kardashian was the reason behind the split.

Amber Rose claimed that while Kim Kardashian was dating Reggie Bush she was also cheating with Rose’s then-boyfriend Kanye West.

 

Christchurch cathedral will be demolished after the 2011 earthquake in New Zealand

Diane A. Wade
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Christchurch cathedral will be demolished after the 2011 earthquake in New Zealand

New Zealand’s officials have confirmed that Christchurch cathedral will be demolished after the 2011 earthquake rendered it beyond repair.

Anglican Bishop Victoria Matthews said a new cathedral with a different design would be built in its place.

Conservationists, however, have asked for the plan to be reconsidered.

The quake, which struck on 22 February, was New Zealand’s worst natural disaster in 80 years and left 185 people dead.

The cathedral, built in the late 19th Century, is a Christchurch landmark.

But the 6.3-magnitude earthquake, which leveled thousands of buildings in the city, badly damaged its structure and it was further weakened by numerous aftershocks.

New Zealand’s officials have confirmed that Christchurch cathedral will be demolished after the 2011 earthquake rendered it beyond repair
New Zealand’s officials have confirmed that Christchurch cathedral will be demolished after the 2011 earthquake rendered it beyond repair

Bishop Victoria Matthews said that no “bulldozers or wrecking balls” would be used, and that the cathedral would be deconstructed “with the utmost care and respect”.

“We acknowledge the high level of community interest and sense of ownership as the cathedral was both an iconic building and a place of regular worship by many,” she said in a statement.

“However, this is now a very dangerous building that needs to be made safe.”

The statement gave no timescale for the demolition and rebuilding. Efforts would be made to retrieved heritage items including stained glass windows and memorial stones, it said.

“We are now looking to the future and creating a beautiful, inspiring, safe new cathedral but we understand it will take some time for any of these decisions to be made,” the bishop said.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said the decision to demolish the cathedral was “heartbreaking” and was “not an easy decision for many of us to accept”.

Conservationists, however, are asking the church to reconsider its decision. They say that officials should explore more options to try and keep much of the current structure, New Zealand media reports said.

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Sleep quality improves with age, says a new reasearch

Kathryn R. Bown
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Sleep quality improves with age, says a new reasearch

According to US researchers, the belief that older people tend to suffer worse sleep may be false.

A telephone survey of more than 150,000 adults suggested that, apart from a blip in your 40’s, sleep quality gets better with age.

Those in their 80’s reported the best sleep, says the study in Sleep journal.

While universities have equipment which can measure sleep duration and disturbance in study volunteers, this does not always match the volunteer’s own opinion on their night’s rest.

The research, conducted by the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology at the University of Pennsylvania, instead focused on asking large numbers of randomly selected people about their sleep.

They were also asked about their race, income, education, mood and general health.

While being depressed or having health problems was linked to poor sleep quality, once the researchers had adjusted the results to compensate for this, a distinct pattern emerged.

According to US researchers, the belief that older people tend to suffer worse sleep may be false
According to US researchers, the belief that older people tend to suffer worse sleep may be false

Instead, they found that complaints about poor sleep quality fell as age rose, with the lowest number of complaints coming from the over-70s.

The only exception to this trend was middle age, where sleep quality was poorer.

Dr. Michael Grandner said the original reason for setting up the study was to confirm the precise opposite – that sleep quality declined in old age.

He said: “These results force us to re-think what we know about sleep in older people – men and women.”

Dr. Michael Grandner suggested that it was possible that older people were sleeping worse, but simply felt better about it.

“Even if sleep among older Americans is actually worse than in younger adults, feelings about it still improve with age.”

Derk-Jan Dijk, Professor of Sleep and Physiology and Director of the Surrey Sleep Research Centre, said the study was “interesting”.

He said: “We have got to get away from all these myths about ageing – many people are very content with their sleep.”

However, he said that asking people for their subjective opinion about sleep patterns could produce answers that were dependent on their mood at the time.

“If you are angry because your boss didn’t give you a pay rise, your perception of sleep quality may be very different from someone who is feeling generally content.”

 

Smear test diagnosis increases cure chances for cervical cancer patients

Kathryn R. Bown
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Smear test diagnosis increases cure chances for cervical cancer patients

A Swedish study suggests that women diagnosed with cervical cancer as a result of a smear test have a far better chance of being cured than women who do not go for tests.

The study shows a 92% cure rate after a smear test diagnosis, compared with 66% for symptoms-based diagnoses.

Published in bmj.com, the study looked at all women diagnosed with cervical cancer in Sweden between 1999 and 2001.

The research, carried out at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, followed 1,230 women for an average of eight years after diagnosis.

To estimate the chances of surviving cervical cancer, the study analyzed cancers detected by an abnormal smear test result and all other cases based on diagnosis using symptoms.

The Swedish study shows a 92 percent cure rate of cervical cancer after a smear test diagnosis, compared with 66 percent for symptoms-based diagnoses
The Swedish study shows a 92 percent cure rate of cervical cancer after a smear test diagnosis, compared with 66 percent for symptoms-based diagnoses

The percentage of women cured after presenting with symptoms within the recommended interval between screenings was 74%.

But for women with symptoms who were overdue for screening, this cure rate decreased to 60%.

Researchers found that the chances of being cured for all women who had a smear test within the recommended three to five years were 11% higher than for women who were overdue or who had never had a smear test.

This is a result of screen-detected cancers generally being found at an earlier stage, the study says.

Three-quarters of the 373 women who died from cervical cancer in the Swedish study had not had a cervical smear in the recommended timeframe.

Dr. Bengt Andrae, study author and senior consultant gynaecologist at Uppsala University, said that screening both reduced the risk of cervical cancer and was linked with improved likelihood of cure.

“Even if you have not gone to cervical screening before, go when you are invited because you have a much better prognosis than waiting for the symptoms to appear.”

The Swedish cervical screening programme invites women aged 23-50 to attend every three years and women aged 51-60 to attend every five years.

 

 

A real Star Trek’s warp drive would blow up any solar system, say scientists

James J. Williams
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A real Star Trek’s warp drive would blow up any solar system, say scientists

Australian physicists warn that the reality of faster than light Star Trek’s “warp drive” might be rather different, after simulating what a “real” warp drive might do.

“Any people at the destination would be gamma ray and high energy particle-blasted into oblivion,” claims a new paper by University of Sydney physicists.

However, “boldly” Captain Kirk might go and the TV series would have made considerably less interesting viewing.

The physicists analyzed how matter might behave around a theoretical “warp drive” known as an Alcubierre drive.

The simulating found that particles would cluster lethally around the bubble in space-time used to “jump” through space.

The real problems start when the Enterprise hits the brakes.

“The region of space infront of a ship decelerating from superluminal velocity to subluminal velocity is blasted with a concentrated beam of extremely high energy particles,” say the physicists.

 

Australian physicists warn that the reality of faster than light Star Trek’s “warp drive” might be rather different, after simulating what a “real” warp drive might do
Australian physicists warn that the reality of faster than light Star Trek’s “warp drive” might be rather different, after simulating what a “real” warp drive might do

 

The Alcubierre drive is a theoretical faster-than-light drive dreamt up by physicist Miguel Alcubierre in 1994, where a bubble of “negative energy” around a craft expands space and time behind it, while compressing space in front of it.

The drive could make faster-than-light travel possible – at least in theory.

But it now seems that it also would be very unwise.

“Interestingly, the energy burst released upon arriving at the destination does not have an upper limit,” the University of Sydney’s Brendan McGonigal told Universe Today.

“You can just keep on traveling for longer and longer distances to increase the energy that will be released as much as you like, one of the odd effects of General Relativity. Unfortunately, even for very short journeys the energy released is so large that you would completely obliterate anything in front of you.”

Since Mankind has yet to unlock the secrets of faster-than-light travel, it might seem odd that “serious” physicists might be researching “warp drives” at all – but the research warns of what could happen.

Creating a bubble of negative energy is also currently completely impossible – so we won’t be hitting “Warp Factor Ten” for some time anyway, regardless of possible consequences.

 

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