Ikea, the Swedish furniture company, famous for its cheap but quirky products and its army of fans, has launched its first line of prefabricated houses in the U.S., named the Aktiv.
Ikea collaborated with Oregon architectural firm Ideabox to design the homes which will cost around $86,500 each.
The Swedish-themed dwelling is a one-bedroom home centered around space-saving furniture and products.
The hip and modern house was outfitted taking into consideration the demands from Pacific-Northwest homeowners, and is designed to be eco-friendly.
Ikea collaborated with Oregon architectural firm Ideabox to design the homes which will cost around $86,500 each
The house is equipped with facilities such as a dual-flush toilet and energy-star electronics.
A combination of fiber-cement siding, corrugated metal, and a standing-seam metal roof make up the exterior of this all-in-one home.
According to Jim Russell, president of Ideabox, the complete home “brings all the fun and design of Ideabox houses together with all the function, design, and personality of Ikea”.
The home will be furnished with a complete Ikea package that includes Tundra maple flooring, Pax wardrobes, and Abstrakt cabinets.
Ideabox and Ikea displayed the model house this week at the Portland Home & Garden Show at the Portland Expo Center in Oregon.
The Aktiv, Swedish for active, is being marketed as “your own personal Euro designer flat… only where you want it!”
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been booed by hundreds of angry protesters, forcing him to take shelter in a bar as he campaigned in the Basque country ahead of April’s presidential election.
Some in the crowd then threw eggs at the bar guarded by riot police in the south-western town of Bayonne.
Nicolas Sarkozy described the protesters – Basque nationalists and supporters of his rival Socialist candidate Francois Hollande – as “hooligans”.
The president left the bar after about an hour.
The Basque region straddles south-western France and northern Spain.
Nicolas Sarkozy has been booed by hundreds of angry protesters in Bayonne, as he campaigned in the Basque country ahead of April's presidential election
Nicolas Sarkozy was met in Bayonne by a hostile crowd, who jeered him and shouted insults.
Some chanted “Nicolas kampora”, which in the Basque language meant “Nicolas get out”.
Nicolas Sarkozy was also showered with campaign leaflets calling for greater Basque autonomy.
Riot police had to be deployed around the Bar du Palais, where the president took refuge.
Visibly angry, Nicolas Sarkozy later denounced “the violence of a minority and their unacceptable behavior”.
“Here, we’re in France, on the territory of the French republic, and the president of the republic will go everywhere. And if that doesn’t please a minority of troublemakers, too bad for them,” Nicolas Sarkozy said.
The president also said he was “saddened to see Hollande’s Socialist militants associating with [Basque] separatists in violent protests to terrorise ordinary people who want just one thing: to meet and talk with me”.
A senior member of Francois Hollande’s campaign team later said that while the party leader condemned any violence, no Socialist was involved in the Bayonne incident, the AFP news agency reports.
Opinion polls show that Nicolas Sarkozy is lagging behind Francois Hollande, although the current president is narrowing the gap.
The Italian media reported today that two former Costa Cruises employees have told prosecutors investigating the Costa Concordia disaster that officers “took drugs” while on duty and molested female staff members.
One woman, a nurse identified only as Valentina B. and who worked with under fire Costa Concordia skipper Francesco Schettino, claimed he regularly “used women as goods to be bartered with”.
Valentina described how she had been on the liner Atlantica with Francesco Schettino, 52, who is accused of abandoning the Costa Concordia after he steered it on to rocks and left 32 people dead, for a month between January and February 2010.
The woman’s revelations to investigating prosecutor Francesco Verusio, were published by La Stampa newspaper and she said of her experiences with Genoa based Costa: “I found corruption, prostitution and drugs.
“Do not tell me it’s my word against them – I saw directly with my own eyes senior officers take cocaine.
“To prove it all you need to do is carry out an examination of their hair.”
Valentina’s claims come just days after a cocaine test on strands of Francesco Schettino’s hair tested positive for cocaine but his legal team has asked for a second examination as they dispute the results and he has insisted that he does not drink or take drugs.
The nurse, who worked for Costa Cruises for a total of seven months between October 2009 and May 2010, made her allegations in more than 5,000 pages of prosecution documents.
They form part of the case against Francesco Schettino who is facing charges of multiple manslaughter, causing a shipwreck, abandoning ship when passengers were still onboard and failing to communicate with maritime authorities.
The nurse went on to claim that “crew members were reduced to virtual slaves by the officers” adding that she left the company after receiving threats and that she was “still owed money”.
Two former Costa Cruises employees have told prosecutors investigating the Costa Concordia disaster that officers “took drugs” while on duty and molested female staff members
Another former employee, identified only as Mary G. said: “The crew and officers are very superficial when it come to dealing with an emergency. I only worked for Costa for two months in 2010 but a lot of the time officers and crew were drunk.
“At parties a lot of the time we would ask ourselves <<If there is an emergency who is going to save the ship?>>
“I was also molested by a crew member at a lunch once after he had taken drugs. They made me sign doctored work sheets and time sheets. I am taking action against them and it will be in court soon.”
On Saturday a preliminary hearing involving Francesco Schettino is due to take place in Grosseto with dozens of passengers from the doomed Costa Concordia expected to attend, forcing the venue to be moved from the town’s court to the theatre which has extra seating capacity.
Francesco Schettino was placed under investigation after it emerged he had recklessly altered the Costa Concordia’s course so that he could carry out a sail by salute of the Italian island of Giglio in January but the ship which was carrying more than 4,000 passengers and crew hit rocks which tore a 70 metre hole in the hull.
The vessel is now currently lying partially submerged on rocks just outside Giglio harbor while salvage experts continue to pump off more than 500,000 gallons of heavy duty diesel from the ship’s tanks.
Costa Cruises issued a statement which did not respond specifically to the allegations made but which said: “On board our ships there are strict safety and surveillance measures concerning drugs possession.
“It is not allowed in any way to bring on board, possess, trade or use narcotics, drugs or psychotropic drugs.
“Whichever crew member who possesses, uses drugs or however make some traffic are submitted to disciplinary provisions and disembarked.
“On board there are checks and preventive actions to discourage such behaviours. Both in navigation and in port.
“It is not allowed to consume alcohol in quantity that can impairs the capacity to perform the on board duties. The crew on guard must abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages at least 4 hours before the start of their shift.”
Celine Dion has cancelled all her Las Vegas shows until June on doctor’s order.
Following an examination last week, Celine Dion’s doctor diagnosed a weakness in her right vocal cord and prescribed up to eight weeks of rest.
“Obviously this is the worst thing for a singer… not being able to do your shows,” the singer wrote on her website.
“I feel worse knowing that I’m disappointing my fans. I’m so sorry… I hope they forgive me.”
Celine Dion, 43, is midway through a three-year residency at Caesars Palace, where tickets to her show sell for as much as $250.
The singer began experiencing discomfort with her vocal cords last week but had initially anticipated returning to work at the weekend.
Celine Dion has cancelled all her Las Vegas shows until June on doctor’s order
However, a doctor in Los Angeles said Celine Dion was suffering from inflammation of the vocal cords caused by a virus and advised her to cancel all shows until 9 June.
Tickets for the cancelled performances will be refunded.
“I tried to sing at my soundcheck last week and I had no control of my voice whatsoever,” said Celine Dion in a statement.
“We thought that after a few days’ rest I would improve but it wasn’t getting any better. I guess it was worse than I thought.
“I’m fortunate that I was able to see Professor Berke. He assured me that with the amount of rest he prescribed, I would be back to 100%.”
Celine Dion’s previous run at Caesars Palace, which began in 2003 and was eventually extended to five years, earned more than $400 million.
Francesca Minerva, a research associate at Oxford University, has claimed that doctors should have the right to kill newborn babies if they are disabled, too expensive or simply unwanted by their mothers.
Francesca Minerva, a philosopher and medical ethicist, argues a young baby is not a real person and so killing it in the first days after birth is little different to aborting it in the womb.
In an article, published by the British Medical Journal group, Francesca Minerva states that even a healthy baby could have its life snuffed out if the mother decides she can’t afford to look after it.
The journal’s editor has defended the piece, saying the publication’s role is to present well-reasoned arguments, rather than promote one particular moral view.
But the article has angered other ethicists, peers and campaigners. They have described the call for legalized infanticide as chilling and an “inhumane defense of child destruction”.
Dr. Francesca Minerva has received death threats and hate calls telling her that she will “burn in hell”, and she said the last few days since publication have been “the worst of my life”.
Writing in the Journal of Medical Ethics, Dr. Francesca Minerva and co-author Alberto Giubilini, a University of Milan bioethicist, argue that “after-birth abortion” should be permissible in all cases in which abortion is.
They state that like an unborn child, a newborn has yet to develop hopes, goals and dreams and so, while clearly human, is not a person – someone with a moral right to life.
In contrast, parents, siblings and society have aims and plans that could be affected by the arrival of the child and their interests should come first.
The article, “After-birth abortion: why should the baby live?”, first addresses scenarios in which parents are unaware their child is disabled until after it is born.
The piece argues that, though the child may be happy, it will not reach the potential of a normal child.
“To bring up such children might be an unbearable burden on the family and on society as a whole…On these grounds, the fact that a foetus has the potential to become a person who will have an (at least) acceptable life is no reason for prohibiting abortion.”
The ethicists are also in favor of the infanticide of a healthy baby when the woman’s circumstances have changed and she no longer has the time, money or energy to care for it.
They argue that while adoption might be an option, it could cause undue psychological distress to the mother.
As the hate calls came in, Dr. Francesca Minerva had not been expecting the overwhelmingly negative reaction.
She said she believes her argument was taken out of its academic and theoretical context, and that: “I wish I could explain to people it is not a policy – and I’m not suggesting that and I’m not encouraging that.”
Dr. Francesca Minerva believes the majority of threats have come from religious or Pro-Life groups.
Some of the hate messages told her that she would be punished by God, while others suggested she should “burn in hell”.
Francesca Minerva, a research associate at Oxford University, has claimed that doctors should have the right to kill newborn babies if they are disabled, too expensive or simply unwanted by their mothers
The article also provoked responses from religious and Pro-Life groups.
Rev. Joanna Jepson came to public attention when she spoke out against a late abortion that had been carried out in 2001.
Doctors are permitted to carry out abortions beyond the 24-week legal limit if they believe a baby’s disability is serious enough, but Rev. Joanna Jepson argued that a cleft palate was a minor physical flaw, not a severe abnormality.
She revealed that, until surgery at the age of 19, her own face was disfigured by a congenital defect. Her upper jaw overhung her lower jaw, which receded into her neck, and posed the question: “Would it have been right to abort me?”
She said: “It’s misleading to call this ‘after birth abortion.” The pregnancy is already over, there is nothing to abort. What is being discussed is infanticide.
“There is a logic to their point – if we consider it acceptable to abort a baby up until birth then why not allow it to die afterwards? It is just a difference in geography – within or outside the mother’s body.
“Of course, I would see this a compelling reason to abolish late-term abortion, if infanticide is morally repulsive then abortion is too.
“If a baby, because of it’s physical disabilities, is seen as being <<incompatible with life>> then we need to let life and death take its course. Becoming agents of death fundamentally changes doctor’s role as healer and physician, and it also has massive repercussions on society’s conscience shifting what is understood to be morally and socially unacceptable to become acceptable.
“Of course motherhood is inconvenient, physically, emotionally, psychologically, financially – but this inconvenience is not allowed to become acceptable grounds for abandoning one’s child.
“If a child or an adult has a life-changing accident or illness, do we suggest we’ll put them down because their goals and dreams now have to change?
“My brother, Alastair, has great and huge goals and he goes after them with great courage. His Downs Syndrome does not stand in the way.
“They are very different dreams and goals to my own but no less valuable or of contribution to society. At what level would Dr. Minerva assign somebody’s meaning and value to be worth a life?”
Trevor Stammers, a lecturer in medical ethics and former chairman of the Christian Medical Fellowship, described the viewpoint as “chilling”.
Gill Duval, of the ProLife Alliance, said every life is precious and added: “Everybody talks about what women want but women wouldn’t want this.”
Julian Savulescu, the journal’s editor, said that the article’s argument has been made before by eminent figures.
He added: “I’m not defending practicing infanticide. I’m defending academic and intellectual freedom.”
Julian Savulescu said that Dr. Francesca Minerva has a “loose relationship” with Oxford and her main position is at the University of Melbourne.
History of infanticide
While infanticide may seem an inhumane concept for many people, there have been periods in history where it has been accepted behavior – and even a legal obligation.
In Roman culture, disabled infants were often abandoned after birth by parents who did not want or could not afford the financial burden.
The child would simply be left outside to die from starvation and the elements in a practice known as “exposure”. It was an established and acceptable procedure.
In 1912, Yewsden Villa was excavated in Hambleden in Buckinghamshire, and researchers were shocked to find the bodies of 97 babies in a mass-grave.
The babies had apparently all been killed shortly after birth, and the prevailing theory is that the site was near a brothel.
With a lack of contraception in Roman times, unwanted pregnancies would likely have been much more common, and the mass grave is another example that infanticide did not pose such an ethical dilemma in that era.
Archaeologists believe Romans did not consider infants to be “full” human beings until about the age of two, and babies who died before that age were not buried in cemeteries, but instead in public or domestic areas.
However a Roman couple was entitled to raise a disabled child. In Sparta, there was little choice in the matter.
Newborns were seen as the property of the state and all babies were inspected by a community leader. If the child showed signs of deformity or ill-health, the parents were ordered to expose it.
Many parents in ancient Greeks would also expose their newborns because of sickness, financial pressure, or simply for being the “wrong” sex in the male-dominated society.
Many religions did not raise moral objects to infanticide, although Christianity and Islam notably rejected it.
Leaving the child to the elements was the preferred method to “dispose” of the child, because it meant the child died of natural causes, which was a more “moral” death than directly killing the child.
The practice generally died out, and was outlawed in the last years of the Roman Empire. However there are references to infanticide in many cultures in every historical era, and is believed to still take place in certain parts of India, Africa, and China.
China’s controversial “one-child” policy leads to many children being abandoned after birth.
Bobbi Kristina, the only child of Whitney Houston and ex-husband Bobby Brown, who turns 19 on March 4, has had troubled teen years, marked by cocaine use and heavy drinking.
After Whitney Houston’s funeral, Bobbi Kristina Brown reportedly disappeared only to be found “getting high”.
“I’m just like my mother,” Whitney Houston’s daughter once told a friend.
And for a while Bobbi Kristina Brown, Krissi, as she’s known to family and friends, appeared to be headed down the same destructive path that her mother walked.
The teenager has even been arrested following a violent incident where a gun was pulled.
The first sign of problems occurred when Bobbi Kristina was only 12 and she was photographed drinking from a wine glass while her parents looked on.
Then, on February 17, 2008, tortured by the divorce of her parents the year before, Krissi tried to stab Whitney Houston during a heated argument over her behavior and then she tried to commit suicide by slashing her wrists.
“Bobbi Kristina has been running around drinking and par¬tying, doing whatever she wants to do,” family member Ann Davis said at the time.
Krissi was admitted to a psychiatric ward at Peachford Hospital in Atlanta and Ann Davis said she refused to have either Whitney Houston or Bobby Brown visit her.
Bobbi Kristina Brown, who turns 19 on March 4, has had troubled teen years, marked by cocaine use and heavy drinking
On March 2011, the National Enquirer published shocking photographs of Bobbi Kristina Brown snorting lines of cocaine at two different parties in Alpharetta, Georgia, just a few miles from where she lived with her mother.
A former boyfriend, who dated Bobbi Kristina Brown for two and half years and took the photos, told the National Enquirer at the time: “Krissi is addicted to cocaine. I’ve tried to stop her, but all she said was, ‘I’m just like my mother!’ If Krissi doesn’t stop soon, cocaine will kill her!”
The boyfriend said booze played a major part in Bobbi Kristina’s life when they first met.
“We had mutual friends. We planned to look out for each other. But when I met Krissi at one party, she was drunk on Everclear [grain alcohol] and she’d already made out with three of my friends.
“Despite that, we began to date, but during the first few months I knew her, I can’t remember a time that she stayed sober all day.
“It was difficult to stop her from buying alcohol and drugs because her mother gave her $1,000 a week. I saw Krissi do an eightball [pieces of cocaine weighing an eighth of an ounce each] in just two days with friends.”
The boyfriend said Whitney Houston originally did nothing to stop Bobbi Kristina from drinking and taking drugs.
“One time Whitney bought a case of beer for Krissi and her friends to drink in front of her. I couldn’t believe it!” the ex-boyfriend said.
“She also had a Xanax prescription and was addicted to that. Once she had a meltdown because she’d run out, and Whitney found a pill to give her.”
All the while, Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown just blamed each other for Krissi’s behavior.
In shame, Whitney Houston shelled out $49,000 to enroll Bobbi Kristina in an outpatient program at Talbott Recovery in Atlanta. The treatment was short-lived.
“Whitney pulled Krissi out of the program after one day because she was afraid of what Krissi would tell the other addicts about her in group sessions,” a source said.
“Krissi had been fighting rehab anyway, saying she’s not addicted to cocaine.”
The National Enquirer also revealed that a boozing Bobbi Kristina was arrested when she got caught up in the middle of a terrifying incident in Roswell, Georgia, on April 1 2011.
The blowup involved her ex-boyfriend Max Lomas and Nicholas Gordon, a teenager known as the Whitney Houston’s “secret son”.
A police report described how Max Lomas and Nick Gordon – who told police he was Krissi’s brother – were angered after seeing Bobbi Kristina driving with three male friends and followed them in Gordon’s car to a Chevron gas station.
At the gas station, Max Lomas allegedly beat up one of Bobbi Kristina’s friends. Nick Gordon admitted to police he waved a gun in the air during the fight.
Police later found a Glock 19 handgun in his glove compartment.
Bobbi Kristina was handcuffed and cited as a minor in possession of alcohol, Nick Gordon was charged with pointing a pistol at a person and Max Lomas was charged with battery.
The incident seems to have scared Bobbi Kristina straight. And in truth, she dearly loved her mom. In the past months, Bobbi Kristina has happily joined her mom on stage at performances and even sang a few duets with her.
Bobbi Kristina was thrilled that Whitney Houston took her along to the Beverly Hilton, where they looked forward to attending the Grammy Awards show together.
Now friends are scared that Whitney Houston’s death will push Bobbi Kristina Brown down the same slippery slope of drug abuse.
After the tabloid National Enquirer shocked the world last week with its open-casket photo of Whitney Houston, now the magazine is setting its sights on her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown.
The National Enquirer published a series of still images from a video purported to be taken of Bobbi Kristina Brown smoking marijuana from a bong, “partying with college pals at their off-campus apartment in Stateboro, Georgia, in March 2011.”
The tabloid printed pictures of Bobbi Kristina Brown allegedly “taking hits” of marijuana and downing shots of vodka.
The images supposedly show Bobbi Kristina Brown partying with college friends at their off-campus apartment in Statesboro, Georgia in March last year.
A source told the National Enquirer: “Bobbi Kristina is completely out of control. When she starts partying there’s no stopping her.
“Bobbi Kristina was staying with friends at the school and she brought along a big bag of pot for the party.
“The party was underway by the time I got there around 11:00 p.m. When I left at 6:00 a.m. the next day she was still partying hard.”
The National Enquirer published a series of still images from a video purported to be taken of Bobbi Kristina Brown smoking marijuana from a bong
Bobbi Kristina Brown, 18, is seen asking for a lighter, which ignites the substance in the bowl.
Whitney Houston’s daughter then inhales deeply, almost collapses in a coughing fit and then inhales again.
It is not the first time Bobbi Kristina Brown has been disgraced by the publication.
The tabloid also printed photographs if her allegedly snorting cocaine and drinking at parties.
Bobbi Kristina Brown entered rehab along with her mother soon after.
Whitney Houston has been featured in the latest issue of popular music magazine Rolling Stone.
The Rolling Stone’s front cover features an image of Whitney Houston and is emblazoned with the headline: “The Diva and Her Dark Side”
The article pulls no punches, describing the late star as a “diligent professional one moment, wild child the next”.
“Those were the opposing sides of Houston in her last days – and, it turns out, much of her life.”
Whitney Houston has been featured in the latest issue of popular music magazine Rolling Stone
The article features interviews with people who worked with Whitney Houston in the past and who could not understand her Jekyll and Hyde character, especially as it was not immediately apparent.
Among them is Gerry Griffith, the A&R man who in 1982 brought Whitney Houston to the attention of her future mentor, music producer Clive Davis.
Gerry Griffith said: “A lot of us talked about that, and no one could come up with an answer.
“Where is that rebellion coming from? It didn’t come out for a while.”
It was especially shocking, as Whitney Houston had initially been a shy girl, who had developed her impressive vocal chops from her time as a church choir singer.
U.S. retail giant Target has been forced to pull a greetings card from the shelves that poked fun Whitney Houston’s relationship with her ex-husband Bobby Brown after a public outcry.
Target offended their customer’s by stocking the light-hearted product, which read: “Next time you think of dating the bad boy consider Whitney Houston.”
Target decided to pull the card after receiving angry complaints from customers.
A Target spokesman insisted it had been available long before Whitney Houston’s body was discovered on February 11 in the bathtub of Beverly Hilton hotel room in Los Angeles.
Target has been forced to pull this greetings card from its shelves that poked fun Whitney Houston's relationship with Bobby Brown after a public outcry
Target’s representative added: “As soon as this was brought to our attention, we began the process of removing the card from all applicable stores.
“It is never our intent to offend guests with the products we offer, and we take feedback from guests very seriously.”
Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown were married for nearly 15 years before divorcing in 2007, and he has been blamed by many for getting the singer involved in drugs.
The news comes after Whitney Houston was being featured in the latest issue of popular music magazine Rolling Stone.
A woman from Davy Jones’ staff desperately tried to get help for music icon, the 911 call recording revealed.
The woman is heard calling 911 where she pleads for an ambulance to “hurry” – The Monkees singer had suffered a heart attack at his home.
The unidentified female then suggests it might be quicker to put the singer into a truck and drive to the hospital.
The tape plays the tragic moments before Davy Jones, the lead singer of The Monkees, was pronounced dead.
The woman asks: “Ambulance please,” before highlighting the urgency adding: “Hurry!”
She is then heard suggesting it might be quicker to take the 66-year-old singer in a car to the hospital which was 27 miles away from his home.
Davy Jones, the lead singer of the 1960’s group The Monkees, died on Wednesday after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 66.
Davy Jones complained of breathing troubles early in the morning and was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Rhonda Irons, spokeswoman for the Martin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the singer’s death.
An official from the medical examiner’s office for Martin County, Florida, said they received a phone call from the Martin Memorial Hospital informing them that Davy Jones had died.
A spokesman for the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said Davy Jones was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital in the town of Stuart.
The spokesman said they are investigating Davy Jones’s death but said there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Davy Jones, the lead singer of the 1960’s group The Monkees, died on Wednesday after suffering a massive heart attack
A statement released by the Sherriff’s Office said: “A witness has stated that earlier this morning he was at 9955 SW Fox Brown Road in Indiantown, Florida, with David Jones. He stated Mr. Jones began to complain of not feeling well and having trouble breathing.
“Martin County Fire Rescue responded and transported Mr. Jones to Martin Health System Stuart, where he was pronounced deceased. At this time there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. Family has been notified.”
Davy Jones’ bandmate, drummer Micky Dolenz, released a statement to TMZ saying he had “bad dreams all night long” before learning of his friend’s death this morning.
“Can’t believe it…Still in shock…had bad dreams all night long,” Micky Dolenz said.
He added: “My love and prayers go out to Davy’s girls and family right now.”
Bassist Peter Tork released a statement saying: “It is with great sadness that I reflect on the sudden passing of my long-time friend and fellow-adventurer, David Jones.
“His talent will be much missed; his gifts will be with us always. My deepest sympathy to Jessica and the rest of his family.
“Adios, to the Manchester Cowboy.”
Michael Nesmith who didn’t join the original members of the group, Davy, Micky and Peter – in reuniting for a 45th anniversary tour last year – also revealed he will “miss” the pop icon.
Michael Nesmith wrote: “I will miss him, but I won’t abandon him to mortality. I will think of him as existing within the animating life that insures existence.”
Davy Jones leaves behind four daughters, Talia Elizabeth, 43, and Sarah Lee, 40 from his marriage to Linda Haines, and Jessica Lillian, 30, and 23-year-old Annabel Charlotte from his marriage to Anita Pollinger.
Ten people have been wounded in an explosion that badly damaged a police bus in Istanbul, Turkey, police say.
The blast, reportedly a bomb, happened near the offices of the ruling Justice and Development party.
Five of the wounded were police officers who had been on duty at a nearby business association building.
Istanbul police chief Huseyin Capkin said the explosion had been detonated by remote control.
“It appears that it [the bomb] went off as a police vehicle with 21 officers inside passed by,” Huseyin Capkin said.
None of the injuries was said to be serious.
Witnesses told Turkish TV that the explosives may have been carried on a motorcycle.
Forensic teams began searching the scene shortly afterwards. No group has admitted carrying out the attack although TV reports linked the blast to an attack on a bus stop last year in which eight people were hurt.
Two NATO soldiers have been shot dead in southern Afghanistan.
NATO said the attack was carried out by “two individuals, one believed to be an Afghan National Army service member and the other in civilian clothing”.
Hours earlier the head of NATO forces in Afghanistan, Gen John Allen, said the recent violence over the burning of the Koran by US soldiers was a “setback” that would be overcome.
Six NATO personnel have been killed since protests erupted last week.
Gen Allen said he would be willing to walk, unarmed, into the Afghan Interior Ministry in Kabul, where two NATO military advisers were shot dead last Saturday.
Two US soldiers were shot and killed by a man wearing Afghan army uniform during protests at a NATO base in eastern Nangarhar province last Thursday.
Google has gone ahead with its new privacy policy despite warnings from the EU that it might violate European law.
The change in Google’s privacy policy means private data collected by one of its services can be shared with its other platforms including YouTube, Gmail and Blogger.
Google said the new set-up would enable it to tailor search results better.
But data regulators in France have cast doubt on the legality of the move and launched a Europe-wide investigation.
Google has merged 60 guidelines for its individual sites into a single policy for all of its services.
France’s privacy watchdog CNIL wrote to Google earlier this week, urging a “pause” in rolling out the revised policy.
“The CNIL and EU data authorities are deeply concerned about the combination of personal data across services,” the regulator wrote.
“They have strong doubts about the lawfulness and fairness of such processing, and its compliance with European data protection legislation.”
The regulator said it would send Google questions on the changes by mid-March.
Google has gone ahead with its new privacy policy despite warnings from the EU that it might violate European law
In response, Google’s global privacy counsel Peter Fleischer said he was happy to answer any concerns CNIL had.
“As we’ve said several times over the past week, while our privacy policies will change on 1st March, our commitment to our privacy principles is as strong as ever,” Peter Fleischer wrote in a blog post.
Google rejected the regulator’s request to hold off on making the changes. Users are being moved on to the new single policy shortly after midnight on 1 March, local time.
Google’s business model – the selling of ads targeted on individual user behavior – relies on collecting browsing information from its visitors.
Until today, this information was kept apart between services.
This meant a search on, for example, YouTube, would have no significance on what results or advertising you would encounter on another Google site like Gmail.
The new agreement, which users cannot opt out of unless they stop using Google’s services, will mean activity on all of the company’s sites will be linked.
Many websites and blogs in the technology community have given guidance for users concerned about how their browsing history will be used.
They suggest users can access, and delete, their browsing and search history on the site by logging in to google.com/history.
A similar page for YouTube viewing and search history can also be accessed.
Users can see which Google services hold data about them by viewing their dashboard.
In preparation for the policy change, Google displayed prominent messages notifying visitors about the plans. A dedicated section was set up to provide more details.
However, campaign group Big Brother Watch has argued that not enough has been done to ensure people are fully aware of the alterations.
A poll of more than 2,000 people conducted by the group in conjunction with YouGov suggested 47% of Google users in the UK were not aware policy changes were taking place.
Only 12% of British Google users, Big Brother Watch said, had read the new agreement.
The group’s director Nick Pickles said: “If people don’t understand what is happening to their personal information, how can they make an informed choice about using a service?
“Google is putting advertisers’ interests before user privacy and should not be rushing ahead before the public understand what the changes will mean.”
Leolah Brown, Bobby Brown’ sister, is speaking out for the first time since Whitney Houston’s death, defending her brother and sending a warning to her niece Bobbi Kristina.
Leolah Brown came to Bobby Brown’s defense during an interview that aired last night on Access Hollywood.
Leolah Brown says that she does not think Whitney Houston’s death was an accident.
Bobby Brown’ sister also expressed concern for her niece, Bobbi Kristina.
There have been several reports since Whitney Houston’s passing that Bobbi Kristina is emotionally unstable, and Leolah Brown believes that her niece is in danger.
“I am concerned about my niece Bobbi Kristina, yes,” Leolah Brown told Access Hollywood of her 18-year-old niece, who she refers to as “Krissy.”
“Krissy is not safe right now. I want to say to Krissy that it’s very, very, very important that she does not trust anybody at this time. Anybody except her father, her grandmother Cissy and myself. And I mean that.”
“Right now is the time to just really shut the door,” Leolah Brown continued.
Leolah Brown, Bobby Brown’ sister, is speaking out for the first time since Whitney Houston’s death, defending her brother and sending a warning to her niece Bobbi Kristina
Leolah Brown and her attorney, Reginald Mason, remained unspecific about who may try to harm Krissy.
“There are persons that possibly would want to take advantage of Bobbi Kristina’s fragile state of mind,” Reginald Mason claimed.
Leolah Brown claims her brother Bobby is not doing well, but says he is not to blame for Whitney Houston’s demise.
“Bobby has nothing, nothing at all to do with Whitney’s death,” Leolah Brown told Access Hollywood.
While awaiting toxicology results to determine what killed the singer, Leolah Brown told Access that she has reached out to the Beverly Hills Police Department to make sure they do a thorough investigation.
“I believe Whitney’s death was not accidental. No,” Leolah Brown claimed.
“My attorney has advised me not to get into that at all,” Leolah Brown told Access Hollywood.
“But, it’s very important to know that she did not just pass away like that. No. And if it’s the last thing that I do, I’m going to find out what truly happened to my sister.”
Leolah Brown, sister of Whitney Houston’s ex-husband Bobby Brown is claiming that the singer’s death was not accidental.
Leolah Brown told Access Hollywood she has been in touch with police in Beverly Hills with her claims about the circumstances surrounding Whitney Houston’s death.
“I believe Whitney’s death was not accidental. No. It’s very important to know that she did not just pass away like that, and if it’s the last thing I do, I am going to find out what truly happened to my sister,” Leolah Brown said.
But she’s refusing to speculate on why she thinks Whitney Houston’s death was not accidental.
Her attorney however advised not to say who or what she believes killed the singer.
The singer’s autopsy failed to reveal how Whitney Houston, whose body was found in the bath of her Beverly Hilton Hotel suite, died, and the results of a toxicology report are still outstanding.
Leolah Brown, sister of Whitney Houston’s ex-husband Bobby Brown is claiming that the singer’s death was not accidental
Leolah Brown is also extremely concerned for Whitney Houston’s daughter Bobbi Kristina, claiming that “she is not safe right now”.
Those are extremely heavy statements but not surprising for those who know about the dark side of the music industry.
Leolah Brown is basically saying: “The shady people who got Whitney are now after Bobbi Kristina”.
This is the first time since Whitney Houston’s death, Leolah Brown talked about her sister-in-law.
Leolah Brown and her attorney, Reginald Mason, did not specify who may try to harm Bobbi Kristina.
“There are persons that possibly would want to take advantage of Bobbi Kristina’s fragile state of mind,” Reginald Mason claimed.
Leolah Brown also said that her brother Bobby is not doing well, and claims the “My Prerogative” singer is not to blame for Whitney Houston’s demise.
Microsoft has announced is offering the public a free trial of its upcoming Windows 8 operating system from today.
Windows 8 will run on tablets as well as desktops and laptops – and is a sea-change for Windows that is seen as a make-or-break opportunity for Microsoft.
Tablets and cloud computing have made Bill Gates’ vision of “a computer on every desk and in every home” seem quaint – Windows 8 aims to adapt the iconic operating system for life in the mobile world of tablets.
Windows 8 will come in two variations, one that works on desktops and laptops, and a new version for the ARM microprocessors in tablets, smartphones and other portable devices.
There is no set release date, but it’s widely expected to be available in autumn – offering Microsoft Office free on tablets, which could be a “killer app” that puts Windows 8 machines ahead of Apple devices.
In both versions, Windows 8 features a completely new interface, borrowed from what Microsoft calls the “Metro” style of the current Windows Phone software.
Windows 8 will come in two variations, one that works on desktops and laptops, and a new version for the ARM microprocessors in tablets, smartphones and other portable devices
Microsoft is also opening an Internet “Windows Store” where users can download applications for the operating system.
Applications are free for those testing out the beta version, but would include both free and paid versions after the operating system is released.
The test version was downloaded by people from more than 70 countries as Microsoft gave its presentation about Windows 8, but the company didn’t immediately disclose the number of downloads.
Windows 8 Features
Touchscreen compatible – the new OS will work with tablets and portable devices. There will also be a version for PC’s.
Fewer windows – instead of “stacks” of windows, as in previous versions, the OS is built around clean ’tiles’ that deliver information to the home screen.
Free versions of Word, Excel and Powerpoint – Windows 8 will offer Office free to tablet users.
Business-friendly tablets – Windows 8 will work smoothly with Microsoft Exchange email systems, so could be highly popular with business.
Apps shared with phones – apps in Windows 8 will be built to work smoothly with phones (such as Nokia’s) running Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS.
Easier passwords – users will be able to unlock PCs with a PIN, or by circling details in a picture.
No Start button – instead, users will access a menu from a “hot corner” in the bottom left of the screen.
Sgt. Brandon Morgan, the gay marine whose homecoming kiss with his boyfriend Dalan Wells went viral yesterday has revealed that their passionate embrace was the couple’s first ever.
Sgt. Brandon Morgan, of Oakdale, California, told Khon2.com how a four year friendship with Windward Oahu artist Dalan Wells turned to long-distance love while he was serving with the US Marines in Afghanistan.
Brandon Morgan said: “We couldn’t talk, I can barely talk now, his hands went numb, my legs were shaking, our first kiss after just knowing how we felt about each other.”
Picture of Sgt. Brandon Morgan leaping into the arms of boyfriend Dalan Wells was taken by friend Dave Lewis and posted onto Facebook.
Since going live on Saturday the photo has received thousands of comments and tens of thousands of “likes” or shares.
Brandon Morgan added: “Most of the responses have been like oh my god I can’t believe you’re in love, congratulations. My mom’s happy that I’m finally happy, my parents are ecstatic.
“We were actually cornered in the supermarket this afternoon, like you’re the famous guys aren’t you?”
“We were at the commissary on base, we were just trying to get milk. Everybody says, <<Oh you’re a hero>>. I’m not a hero. The heroes are the ones that paved the way for me, to allow me to do this.”
Picture of Sgt. Brandon Morgan leaping into the arms of boyfriend Dalan Wells was taken by friend Dave Lewis and posted onto Facebook
But not everyone has been so encouraging. Negative and anti-gay comments have been written on Facebook as well.
Brandon Morgan said: “There are those who are going to take this the wrong way. Somebody called my mother and said ‘what did you do to raise your son so wrong?
“I can only hope no one does anything drastic or too crazy but I am not afraid. I lived my whole life in fear, I don’t fear them anymore.”
Dalan Wells almost missed Brandon Morgan stepping off the plane because he was in Safeway buying a carnation and pikake lei to give his beau. But he made it to the hanger just in time for a huge welcome home smooch.
Despite Dalan Wells describing himself as a “very shy, private person” the boys have become role models within the gay community.
Dalan Wells said: “If this saves one kid who says, you know look at this guy, he went and joined the Marine Corps, his life is great, then maybe that will give them the courage to hang on, and make it another day.”
Brandon Morgan and Dalan Wells were separated for six months while Brandon was on tour with the Marines. Their reunion comes five months after the military’s ban on openly gay service expired.
The “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that had banned openly gay men and women from serving in the US military ended last September.
Brandon Morgan and Dalan Wells follow in the footsteps of Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta of California and Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic Snell of Los Angeles who in December became the first lesbian couple to share the traditional home coming first kiss.
Following talks with the US, North Korea has agreed to suspend uranium enrichment, as well as nuclear and long-range missile tests.
The US State Department said Pyongyang had also agreed to allow UN inspectors to monitor its reactor in Yongbyon to verify compliance with the measures.
In return, the US is finalizing 240,000 tons of food aid for the North.
The move comes two months after Kim Jong-Un came to power following the death of his father, Kim Jong-Il.
The move could pave the way for the resumption of six-party disarmament negotiations with Pyongyang, which last broke down in 2009.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US still had “profound concerns” over North Korea, but welcomed the move as a “first step”.
“On the occasion of Kim Jong-Il’s death, I said that it is our hope that the new leadership will choose to guide their nation onto the path of peace by living up to its obligations.
“Today’s announcement represents a modest first step in the right direction.”
Hillary Clinton said the US would however be watching Pyongyang closely, and would be “judging North Korea’s new leaders by their actions”.
North Korea agreed to nuclear moratorium two months after Kim Jong-Un came to power following the death of his father, Kim Jong-Il
North Korea confirmed the move in a foreign ministry statement released in Pyongyang.
The statement, carried by the KCNA news agency, said the measures were “aimed at building confidence for the improvement of relations” between the two countries, and said talks would continue.
Yukiya Amano, director general of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said the announcement was “an important step forward” and that inspectors stood ready to return to North Korea, Reuters reports.
Earlier, a senior US military official said the issue of food aid for North Korea was now linked to political progress – contradicting earlier policy.
North Korean population has suffered persistent food shortages since a famine in the 1990’s, and relies on foreign aid to feed its people.
The country agreed in 2005 to give up its nuclear ambitions in return for aid and political concessions, as part of a six-nation dialogue process involving the two Koreas, the US, China, Russia and Japan.
But progress on the deal was stop-start, and the agreement broke down in 2009.
Contact between the US and North Korea aimed at restarting the talks began in July 2011.
A meeting last week between US and North Korean officials in Beijing was the third round of talks aimed at exploring how to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table.
Davy Jones, the lead singer of 60’s band The Monkees, has died aged 66, his publicist has confirmed.
The Monkees, who included musicians Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork, were famous for hits including Daydream Believer and I’m a Believer.
The Monkees were an American pop band, assembled in 1966.
According to his publicist Deborah Robicheau, Davy Jones died in his sleep at his Florida home.
An official from the medical examiner’s office for Martin County, Florida, said they received a phone call from the Martin Memorial Hospital informing them that Davy Jones had died.
A spokeswoman for the Medical Examiner’s Office for Martin County, Florida, said: “The District 19 Medical Examiner’s Office has been informed of the death of Mr Davy Jones.
“The Medical Examiner’s Office will take jurisdiction and a possible autopsy will be performed and evaluation of the circumstances of death and medical information.”
Davy Jones, the lead singer of 60’s band The Monkees, has died aged 66
Early on in his showbusiness career Davy Jones appeared as Ena Sharples’s grandson in ITV soap Coronation Street.
The Monkees found fame through a successful television series, popular in both the US and the UK.
They were famous for their clean-cut image and were marketed as the American answer to The Beatles, notching up nine top 40 hits.
Davy Jones leaves behind four daughters, Talia Elizabeth, 43, and Sarah Lee, 40 from his marriage to Linda Haines, and Jessica Lillian, 30, and 23-year-old Annabel Charlotte from his marriage to Anita Pollinger.
Davy Jones – who was born in Manchester, North West England – married 33-year-old TV presenter Jessica Pacheo, who he met in 2006, in August 2009.
In May 2011, Davy Jones said he was having some of the happiest times he’s ever had in his life with Jessica.
The pop icon explained: “We have love. We have friendship. She’s also aware of what I’ve done in music, and the fact that I no longer really need to prove anything.”
Early on in his showbusiness career Davy Jones appeared as Ena Sharples's grandson in ITV soap Coronation Street
Davy Jones joined The Monkees in 1965 along with Micky, Peter and Michael Nesmith – who did not rejoin the group for their shows last year – and they went on to record a number of hit records including Daydream Believer, Last Train to Clarksville and I’m a Believer.
Last year, the pop/rock group – who were created to appear in their own TV show in the 60’s – reformed for a 45th anniversary tour, but they ended up scrapping some dates amid reports of fall outs between the group.
At the time, Micky wrote on his Facebook page: “Dear Fans and Friends, The Monkee Tour has, indeed, been cancelled but for reasons that I cannot discuss at this time. I can say that the reasons pertain to business and are internal matters.
“Needless to say, I am disappointed but the situation was unavoidable and I want to apologise to all the fans out there who will not be able to experience what was a wonderful show indeed. Regretfully, Micky (sic).”
The 25-year-old troubled actress Lindsay Lohan appears to already be a big fan of cosmetic treatments.
Lindsay Lohan stepped out in New York ahead of her Saturday Night Live appearance, and showed off a very puffy “pillow face” – the term given to women who overuse facial fillers.
The young actress joins Madonna and Kylie Minogue as the most obvious examples of stars whose ever youthful glow suggests they may have had fat implants in their cheeks, causing the “pillow face effect”.
While Lindsay Lohan doesn’t appear to have gained weight, her face looked much rounder and the overall effect left her looking older than her 25 years.
Increasing numbers of celebrities are getting the plumped-up look, as opposed to the pinched back “wind tunnel” results of a face-lift or the “frozen” Botox look.
Lindsay Lohan stepped out ahead of the airing of a frank new interview with the Today show’s Matt Lauer in which she said she’s put the past behind her and is finally ready for a career comeback.
After a messy few years sprinkled with jail time, court appearances and house arrests, Lindsay Lohan swears she’s finally cleaned up her act and realizes she needs to prove herself.
Lindsay Lohan stepped out in New York ahead of her Saturday Night Live appearance, and showed off a very puffy “pillow face”
In the interview, which will be screened in the U.S. on Thursday, Lindsay Lohan says: “I think that’s gonna take time…and I think that it’s actions.
“Because people can say things all they want, but I think I still need to go through the process of proving myself with SNL, being on time, being, you know, keeping my – can’t say the word – but stuff together.”
Linday Lohan certainly looked well put together in a sophisticated LBD and elegant heels.
She appeared alert and coherent in a bid to prove herself.
Lindsay Lohan says: “I don’t want people to have that reason to be scared anymore. So being able to have this opportunity with SNL and the film, I’m gonna do what I’m supposed to do, and enjoy doing it, and do it as best as I can.”
She also promises that she’s not going out anymore, and claims she’s actually morphed into a “homebody”.
“It’s not my thing anymore,” she says.
“I went out, actually, a few months ago with a friend. And I was so uncomfortable.
“Not because I felt tempted, just because it was just the same thing that it always was before. And it just wasn’t fun for me.
“I’ve become more of a homebody. And I like that.”
Lindsay Lohan also confirmed her plans to play Elizabeth Taylor in an upcoming biopic.
She reveals: “We’re in the middle of casting and figuring – we start production soon.
“I’ve been doing tons of research. But I’ve always kind of researched her. She’s always been a fascinating woman to me, so I’m really honored.
“And I will not let anyone down, especially myself.”
Lindsay Lohan is one court case away from putting the plethora of legal troubles she’s been plagued with since her 2007 arrest for drunk driving behind her.
The actress will host Saturday Night Live on March 3 for the fourth time and seemed excited today as she shot a promo for the hit NBC sketch show.
Cissy Houston blames Bobby Brown for Whitney Houston’s death and she reportedly hurled angry words to the singer’s ex-husband on the day before her funeral on February 18.
“I hate you! You killed my daughter by turning her on to drugs…The day she married you was the worst day of my life!” Cissy Houston said to Bobby Brown, according to the National Enquirer.
Family insiders reveal behind-the-scene details of what TV viewers didn’t see when Whitney Houston, who died on February 11 at the Beverly Hilton hotel, was remembered in an emotional going-home service at New Hope Baptist Church, the same where she sang as a young girl.
One of the most touching tributes came from Whitney Houston’s mother Cissy, who wrote in the funeral program: “I thank God for the beautiful flower he allowed me to raise and cherish for 48 years. Rest, my baby girl, in peace…Mommie.”
Just days earlier, a grief-stricken Cissy Houston, Bobbi Kristina and singer’s cousin Dionne Warwick chose a purple gown and spectacular jewelry for the singer to wear in her casket, said an insider.
“Cissy told me, <<Out of the nearly 300 gowns in Whitney’s closet, that purple dress was one of her favorites. We thought it was what she should wear when she sings for God>>”, the close source told the National Enquirer.
“Bobbi Kristina picked out a pair of gold slippers for her mother’s feet. Cissy said, <<She knew how much Whitney loved them>>.
“They also chose $500,000 worth of jewelry, including a $200,000 pair of diamond earrings Whitney bought for herself to celebrate her success in the film The Bodyguard.
“The ladies also selected a beautiful diamond brooch and a gold and ruby cross necklace.”
Cissy Houston blames Bobby Brown for Whitney Houston’s death and she reportedly hurled angry words to the singer’s ex-husband on the day before her funeral
Soon after that heartbreaking scene, Cissy Houston blew up at Bobby Brown, triggering the headline-making drama at Whitney’s funeral.
The spat began when Bobby Brown called to ask if he could attend the private, open-casket viewing of her body at the Whigham Funeral Home in Newark, New Jersey, on February 17, sources say.
“Cissy reluctantly agreed that Bobby could attend the funeral, but she flatly refused his request to come to the private viewing,” the source added.
“She told Bobby, <<It’s for family only. Whitney wouldn’t have wanted you there. None of us want you there.>> Then she added, <<And if you come to the church, you should know you’re not welcome.>>”
Cissy Houston, 78, was still haunted by her last phone call with Whitney. Just hours before she died, Whitney Houston blasted Bobby Brown for being a poor father to their 18-year-old daughter Bobbi kristina, according to the source.
“Cissy told Bobby, <<Whitney went to her grave hating you! You promised to see your daughter in Los Angeles, but after two days of waiting, you never showed up!>>” the source revealed.
“Cissy said, <<You brought nothing but misery and pain to my daughter’s life. If it hadn’t been for you, she’d be alive today. You as good as murdered Whitney…Marrying you was the biggest mistake of her life!>>”
Despite his former mother-in-law’s warning, Bobby Brown showed up for Whitney Houston’s funeral service at Newark’s New Hope Baptist Church with nine people, including his three children from previous relationships, his fiancée and their 2-year-old son.
After security guards moved his group twice, Bobby Brown caused a ruckus before the Reverent Jesse Jackson and the Reverent Al Sharpton – both Houston family friends – calmed him down.
“Bobby was furious,” said the source.
“He walked up to Whitney’s coffin and kissed it dismissively. He tried to see his daughter, but security guards hustled him away.
“He returned to his group, angrily telling them: <<C’mon, let’s get out of here. We’re not welcome. I loved Whitney, and I know she wouldn’t have wanted her man treated this way!>>
“He told another friend, <<I know they don’t want me here. They all hate me. The Houstons are the reason my marriage to Whitney broke up. It wasn’t all my fault …they just didn’t want it to succeed.>>”
The day after the funeral service, Cissy Houston, Bobbi Kristina and other relatives watched as she was laid to rest alongside her father John Houston in a private ceremony at Fairview Cem-etery in Westfield, New Jersey.
“Before Whitney was lowered into the ground, Cissy kissed the casket one last time,” the source said.
“She later told a friend, <<I will think of my daughter every day that remains of my life. I can’t wait to be reunited with her in heaven.>>”
Ohio authorities have released recordings of the chilling 911 calls after TJ Lane began shooting victims randomly in the cafeteria of Chardon High School on Monday.
TJ Lane, 17, allegedly used a .22-calibre pistol to fire 10 shots at a group of students sitting at a table in Chardon High School. Three of the five students he hit have died from their injuries.
Authorities released recordings of emergency calls made by teachers and students at Chardon High School as they desperately sought help to capture the teenager on his deadly rampage.
911 calls recordings revealed that TJ Lane shot victims randomly in the cafeteria of Chardon High School on Monday
One 911 call was made by a young man who identified himself as a student at the school:
“Dispatcher: Did you see the shooter? Are you a student?
Student: Yes. Yes I am a student. I was right by the shooter when he pulled the gun.
Dispatcher: Who was the shooter?
Student: His name is Thomas Lane.
Dispatcher: Is he a student?
Student: Yeah.
Dispatcher: Where is he at now?
Student: He’s somewhere in the building. As soon as I saw him pull the gun and start shooting, I ran outside.
Dispatcher: Did he shoot anyone?
Student: Yes. I saw a couple of students get hit.
Dispatcher: Where was all this taking place at?
Student: In the lunchroom at Chardon High School.
Dispatcher: And you saw him shoot how many?
Student: I saw him take out two and then I was gone… they were laying on the ground in blood.
Dispatcher: What was his beef with these kids, do we know?
Student: I have no idea. It’s a kid that, generally like I try to talk to, he’s very quiet and he doesn’t really talk to anyone.
Dispatcher: Was he picking students randomly?
Student: Yeah, he just pulled out a gun and started firing upon, like 500 kids, all in the lunchroom.
Dispatcher: So he just pulled out the gun and started shooting students in the cafeteria?
Student: Yes. At random.”
The eerie calls come as thousands of residents and students remembered the victims at a candle-lit vigil at a Chardon church on Tuesday night.
Three students – Demetrius Hewlin, 16, Russell King Jr., 17, and Daniel Parmertor, 16 – were killed in the attack.
A third student has died in the aftermath of the Chardon High School shooting in Ohio, US.
Demetrius Hewlin died hours after Russell King Jr., 17, was declared brain dead. Daniel Parmertor, 16, died shortly after Monday’s shooting.
Gunfire broke out at Chardon High School at 07:30 a.m. on Monday.
The suspected shooter, who has been identified by Geauga County Juvenile Court as TJ Lane, appeared in court on Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.
Two other victims remain in hospital, with one said to be in a serious condition and the other stable.
A vigil will take place in the community on Tuesday night, and schools will stay closed until Friday.
TJ Lane, 17, appeared for a preliminary hearing in court, at which prosecutors alleged that the teenager did not know his victims and chose them at random.
Prosecuting lawyer David Joyce said TJ Lane admitted to firing 10 shots from a .22 calibre handgun at a group of students.
“He did not know the students but chose them randomly,” David Joyce told the court.
Judge Timothy Grendell ordered that TJ Lane be held in a juvenile detention facility for up to 15 days. Prosecutors have until 1 March to bring charges against him.
The judge also imposed a gag order on lawyers from both sides, and has prohibited the media from showing images of the suspect’s face, as he is a minor.
TJ Lane, 17, appeared for a preliminary hearing in court, at which prosecutors alleged that the teenager did not know his victims and chose them at random
Demetrius Hewlin, who died on Tuesday, had been in critical condition in hospital after the shooting took place.
His family described him as a “happy young man who loved life, his family and his friends”.
“We will miss him very much but we are proud that he will be able to help others through organ donation,” they said in a statement.
Early on Tuesday morning Russell King Jr., 17, was declared brain dead, although he still has a heartbeat, the Cuyahoga County medical examiner’s office said.
That announcement followed news that the first victim had died on Monday. Daniel Parmertor, 16, was declared dead after being taken to hospital immediately after the shooting.
Daniel Parmertor had been waiting in the cafeteria for a bus to a vocational school.
“We are shocked by this senseless tragedy,” his family said in a statement.
“Danny was a bright young boy who had a bright future ahead of him.”
A student who witnessed the attack told US media it appeared that the gunman targeted a group of students sitting together.
Local news reports said the suspect was chased out of the building by a teacher before turning himself in to two people in the vicinity of the school.
“I am happy to tell you that the student that did the shooting is captured,” a sheriff’s official said to reporters at the scene.
“He actually turned himself in to a couple of innocent bystanders just north of the city here in Chardon township.”
FBI officials would not comment on a motive for the shooting. But 15-year-old Danny Komertz, who witnessed the shooting, said the suspect was known as an outcast who had apparently been bullied.
Chardon High School has about 1,100 pupils, and the town itself – about 30 miles (48 km) east of the city of Cleveland – is home to about 5,000 residents.
US high schools and university campuses are no stranger to gun attacks, and many have well-drilled security and emergency response procedures in place aiming to prevent attacks and manage the response if a gunman does attack.
Monday’s shooting was the worst incidence of gun violence at a US high school in 11 months and the worst shooting in Ohio since late 2007, the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence told Reuters news agency.
In the most notorious shooting, two students at Columbine High School in Colorado killed 12 students and a teacher in April 1999.
