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Falling is the latest internet fad

Diane A. Wade
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Falling is the latest internet fad

A footage showing shoppers laden with produce taking a tumble in the supermarket aisle is in fact the latest online fad.

Falling involves participants dreaming up the most amusing and embarrassing ways to trip themselves up in front of other shoppers.

The stunt is filmed by a co-faller as those taking part hurl themselves to the ground, throwing shopping goods into the air and rolling around in mock pain in front of bemused onlookers.

Groups of people have been indulging in the latest craze by tripping up in supermarkets, libraries and even in the middle of the street – wherever there is an audience.

Falling involves participants dreaming up the most amusing and embarrassing ways to trip themselves up in front of other shoppers
Falling involves participants dreaming up the most amusing and embarrassing ways to trip themselves up in front of other shoppers

This is the latest in a line of internet fads featured on video site YouTube.

Others include cone-ing – where people would order an ice-cream cone at a drive-through fast food outlet, then when they were handed the cone that would grab it by the “wrong” end to the bemusement of the restaurant staff.

The most popular has been planking, which saw participants lying flat face-down across unusual objects – including balconies, rock outcrops and billboards.

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A new Ice Age is due within 1,500 years, but could be put off by human carbon emissions

James J. Williams
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A new Ice Age is due to start within 1,500 years, according to Cambridge University scientists; but, due to human carbon emissions, the lethal “big freeze” could be put off.

Scientists at Cambridge University say that levels of CO2 in the atmosphere could actually insulate against a catastrophic ice age which would see glaciers advance over Europe and North America.

They admit that we would be “better off” in a warmer world – but caution that this is “missing the point”.

In an article published in Nature Geoscience, Cambridge University paleoclimatologist Luke Skinner says that even if carbon emissions stopped today, levels would remain elevated for at least 1,000 years, and stored heat could prevent the next Ice Age from happening.

Instead, things would cool down, but not quite so severely.

Thanks to elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the earth would not experience “glaciation” (periods of severe cold where glaciers advance).

The current level of carbon dioxide is 390 parts per million. Scientists believe that level would need to drop to 240 parts per million to allow glaciation to take place.

“It’s an interesting philosophical discussion. Would we better off in a warm world rather than a glaciation? Probably we would,” says Dr. Luke Skinner.

“At current levels of CO2, even if emissions stopped now, we’d probably have a long interglacial period,” he says.

“Interglacial” periods are warmer periods between periods of glaciation.

The last ice age ended 11,500 years ago, and scientists debate over when the next one is “due”.

The cycle is dictated by tiny variations in Earth’s orbit around the sun.

Ice ages are marked by glaciers advancing over continents. At the peak of the last ice age, large areas of Europe, Asia and North America were covered in ice.

The effects of glaciation on human civilization would be catastrophic.

Dr. Luke Skinner says: “This is missing the point, because where we’re going is not maintaining our currently warm climate but heating it much further, and adding CO2 to a warm climate is very different from adding it to a cold climate.”

Airbus A380 super-jumbo must be grounded, say Australian aircraft engineers

Diane A. Wade
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Airbus A380 super-jumbo must be grounded, say Australian aircraft engineers

Australian engineers have called for Airbus A380 super-jumbo (the world’s biggest passenger aircraft) to be grounded, after Singapore Airlines and Qantas found cracks in the wings of their aircrafts.

Steve Purvinas, secretary of the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association said: “We can’t continue to gamble with people’s lives and allow those aircraft to fly around and hope that they make it until their four-yearly inspection.”

Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Airbus, admitted that they had discovered cracks, but maintained that the aircraft were safe.

In total, 67 Airbus A380s are in use worldwide, on seven airlines: Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Air France, Lufthansa, Korean Airlines and China Southern.

“We confirm that cracks were found on non-critical wing attachments on a limited number of A380s,” an Airbus spokesperson said today.

“We’ve traced the origin of these hairline cracks, and developed an inspection and repair procedure which can be done during routine maintenance.”

Singapore Airlines, the world’s second-biggest carrier, operates fourteen A380s already and has 5 on order, while Qantas has taken delivery of ten of its order of twenty A380 aircraft.

In total, 67 Airbus A380s are in use worldwide, on seven airlines: Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Air France, Lufthansa, Korean Airlines and China Southern
In total, 67 Airbus A380s are in use worldwide, on seven airlines: Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Air France, Lufthansa, Korean Airlines and China Southern

The A380 has been in service for five years. It seats 525 passengers in a typical three-class arrangement. In total, 238 of the aircraft have been ordered by 17 airlines worldwide.

The planes are assembled in Toulouse, but parts are built across Europe, with the wings being built in Broughton, Wales.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Qantas Airways said on Friday they discovered cracks on the wing ribs of their Airbus A380s, but said the cracks pose no threat to safety and repairs have been carried out.

The remarks came after Airbus said on Thursday that engineers discovered minor cracks in the wings of a “limited number” of A380s, but said the cracks were not affecting the safety of the aircraft.

“Cracks were found on a small number of wing rib feet on an Airbus A380 during inspections in the second half of last year. These pose no safety issue and repairs were carried out on the aircraft,” SIA’s spokesman Nicholas Ionides said in an email.

“Repairs were subsequently carried out on a second aircraft. We have kept the relevant regulatory authorities fully informed and will be carrying out inspections and any necessary repairs on other A380s as they go in for routine checks,” he added.

Qantas said that “minuscule cracking” was found in the wing ribs of the Qantas A380 being repaired in Singapore after one of its Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines suffered a mid-air blowout in 2010.

“Investigations have found that the cracking is unrelated to the engine failure incident experienced by this aircraft in November 2010 and is not unique to Qantas. It has now been repaired,” Qantas said in a statement.

“No immediate action is required by A380 operators because the cracking presents no risk whatsoever to flight safety,” Qantas said.

A Lufthansa spokesman said: “There is no findings on our side and we have normal operations.”

Airbus said it has traced the origin of the problem and developed an inspection and repair procedure that will be done during routine, scheduled four-year maintenance checks.

Both Singapore Airlines and Qantas are using Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines on their A380 fleets.

Mikolaj Przybyl, Polish military prosecutor, shot himself during a news conference

Diane A. Wade
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Mikolaj Przybyl, Polish military prosecutor, shot himself during a news conference
Colonel Mikolaj Przybyl shot himself today in dramatic footage caught on film in his office after cutting short a news conference
Colonel Mikolaj Przybyl shot himself today in dramatic footage caught on film in his office after cutting short a news conference

Colonel Mikolaj Przybyl, the Polish military prosecutor who investigates the case of the plane crash that killed Poland’s president, shot himself today in dramatic footage caught on film in his office after cutting short a news conference.

Moments earlier, Mikolaj Przybyl had defended a military investigation into leaks related to a plane crash that killed Poland’s president two years ago.

At the beginning of the conference at his office in Poznan, Colonel Mikolaj Przybyl said: “During my entire service as a civilian and later military prosecutor, I have never brought shame to the Republic of Poland and I will protect the honour of an officer of the Polish armed forces and prosecution.

“Thank you, please give me a five-minute break, I need to rest,” Mikolaj Przybyl said, as the reporters then leave the room.

 

With the camera still rolling, the prosecutor walks across the floor and, just out of shot, a pistol can be heard being reloaded and then a gunshot sounded.

As he slumps to the ground, only his feet are in the frame.

Mikolaj Przybyl was immediately taken to hospital after reporters found him lying in a pool of blood.

Hospital director Leslaw Lenartowicz said Mikolaj Przybyl is in stable condition, conscious, and his life is not in danger. He added that the military prosecutor had suffered injuries to his face.

Mikolaj Przybyl is a deputy head of the prosecutor’s office and the head of a local department investigating organized crime in the army.

He had asked the reporters to leave his office after he criticized media leaks from the continuing probe into the plane crash in Russia on April 10, 2010, that killed then-president Lech Kaczynski and 95 others, mostly senior Polish officials.

During his brief news conference, Mikolaj Przybyl said the military prosecutor’s office had the right to seek phone records of journalists covering the investigation of the crash.

He read a statement to reporters in which he objected to plans by Prosecutor General Andrzej Seremet to put military prosecutors under civilian authority.

Andrzej Seremet said that such a decision has not been made yet.

Mikolaj Przybyl also said that military prosecutors were proving themselves competent in the many probes that they have opened into organized crime cases inside the army.

The probes primarily concern suspicions of corruption in buying equipment for Poland’s troops on missions in Afghanistan and, earlier, in Iraq.

Mikolaj Przybyl denied media suggestions that the military prosecutors broke the law while investigating the crash.

The media have alleged that the prosecutors had sought billing lists and text message content of mobile phones of some reporters to determine the source of leaks to the media.

Several news outlets showed footage of Mikolaj Przybyl’s body behind his desk before an ambulance took him to a hospital.

A spokesman for the military prosecutor’s office was not available for comment.

“According to the information available, the prosecutor is alive, he is being treated in the hospital and the site is being investigated by the prosecutors and military police,” said spokesman of Poznan military prosecutors office Slawomir Schewe.

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski said in a statement he was “concerned” about the suicide attempt and asked the head of the national security bureau to monitor the situation.

Some lawmakers are calling for a special parliamentary probe into the case.

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How Beyonce and Jay-Z chose Blue Ivy name for their baby girl

Lisa.Felice
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How Beyonce and Jay-Z chose Blue Ivy name for their baby girl

A Boston-area event planning company has been flooded with calls since Beyonce gave birth to her baby girl just because its name is Blue Ivy, reported TMZ.

Owner Veronica Alexandra said she been getting phone calls, texts and Facebook posts from friends since Beyonce baby’s name was announced.

Before this weekend, Veronica Alexandra’s website came up first when someone Googled the name.

Veronica Alexandra told the website she’d love to plan all of the little girl’s milestone celebrations and even said the baby should be the new face of her company.

“Clearly great minds think alike, and who better than our Blue Ivy to plan events for B&J’s Blue Ivy?”

Beyonce and Jay-Z’s close friend Gwyneth Paltrow confirmed the baby’s name on Twitter, writing: “Welcome to the world Blue! We love you already.”

Baby's middle name Ivy may be in reference to Beyoncé and Jay-Z's love of the number 4 (IV)
Baby's middle name Ivy may be in reference to Beyoncé and Jay-Z's love of the number 4 (IV)

Baby’s middle name Ivy may be in reference to Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s love of the number 4 (IV).

They married on April 4, 2008, Beyoncé’s latest album is called 4 and the couple has matching tattoos of the roman numeral for 4(IV) on their wedding fingers.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z were also born on September 4 and December 4 respectively.

Regarding Blue, Jay-Z has a trilogy of albums with the word in the title. The Blueprint was released in 2001 around the time he got together with Beyoncé, The Blueprint2: The Gift & The Curse came out in 2002 and The Blueprint 3 in 2009.

Incidentally, there had been rumors in the Noughties that Jay-Z had dated singer Blu Cantrell which she later denied, but admitted that she had a “major crush” on him.

Despite initial confusion the baby was named Ivy Blue, E! reporter Ken Baker later clarified friends of the couple confirmed the newborn was actually called Blue Ivy.

Us Weekly reported Beyoncé’s sister Solange and parents Tina and Mathew Knowles arrived at the hospital holding “flowers with pink balloons and silver and black ribbons”.

Jay-Z was also seen walking through the hospital halls looking “happy” an observer said.

While a spokesperson for the power couple – who are said to be worth $750million – was not available for comment, security is said to have been tightened at the hospital.

Hospital workers were asked to turn in their mobile phones and security cameras have been covered with packing tape, according to TMZ.

Within hours of baby Blue’s reported arrival, one fan started up a parody Twitter account called @IvyBlueCarter, with a digitally-created image of what the baby could look like.

Although many find Blue unusual as a name, it’s actually been quite popular in celebrity circles for a while.

U2 guitarist The Edge has a 22-year-old daughter Blue Angel with ex-wife Aislinn.

Beyonce’s baby security team barred a father to see his premature twins at ICU

Lisa.Felice
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Beyonce’s baby security team barred a father to see his premature twins at ICU

Neil Coulon, the father of premature twins born at the same hospital as Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s baby girl says the singer security kept him from seeing his newborns.

Beyonce’s daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, arrived via scheduled Caesarean section at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City on Saturday night.

Neil Coulon, 39, from Brooklyn, said the stress of his wife Rosalyn delivering two premature girls was tripled when Beyoncé’s towering bodyguards allegedly barred him from the sixth-floor neonatal intensive care unit.

The father told the New York Daily News that security also cleared a waiting room of his relatives – some who drove four and a half hours to the Manhattan hospital to see his newborn twin girls – and described Beyonce as treating the hospital like “an exclusive nightclub”.

Neil Coulon, 39, from Brooklyn, said the stress of his wife Rosalyn delivering two premature girls was tripled when Beyoncé's towering bodyguards allegedly barred him from the sixth-floor neonatal intensive care unit
Neil Coulon, 39, from Brooklyn, said the stress of his wife Rosalyn delivering two premature girls was tripled when Beyoncé's towering bodyguards allegedly barred him from the sixth-floor neonatal intensive care unit

Neil Coulon said: “Three times they stopped me from entering or exiting the NICU and it happened once on Friday – just because they wanted to use the hallway.

“They should have been more strategic about it. These are children with problems in intensive care and you’re just going to take over the hospital like you own it? All I want is an apology.”

It has been reported that Beyonce and Jay-Z spent $1.3 million to seal off and redecorate a wing, complete with bulletproof glass and ultra-tight security measures.

Neil Coulson, from the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn (where Jay-Z hails from) said he was appalled at the double standard.

“I know they spent $1.3million and I’m just a contractor from Bed-Stuy but the treatment we received was not okay.

“My wife is just terribly upset. She had a C-section. She gave birth to twins. She is sore. Nobody needs this.

“This is the NICU. Nobody cares if you’re a celebrity. Nobody is star-gazing. They just want to see their children. To have that circus roll into town and ruin our parade was unpleasant.”

A source at the hospital told the paper: “Some people were upset. I heard a gentleman say he couldn’t go upstairs to see his baby.”

However, hospital spokeswoman Anne Silverman said she had not personally heard of the complaints.

“We take patient satisfaction very seriously. This is the first time I’m hearing about it.”

Kim Kardashian’s failing marriage once again on Kourtney&Kim Take New York

Lisa.Felice
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Kim Kardashian’s failing marriage once again on Kourtney&Kim Take New York

During a double episode of Kourtney & Kim Take New York last night, the subject of Kim Kardashian’s failing marriage to Kris Humphries was laid bare once again.

Kim Kardashian, 31, concedes their relationship is fraught with problems in interviews to the cameras and admits to her mother she feels more herself when she is not with him.

The reality star – who filed for divorce from Kris Humphries after just 72 days of marriage – is also seen rowing with the New Jersey Nets star after he jets off to Toronto with Scott Disick without telling her to party.

Kris Humphries, 26, misses repeated texts from Kim Kardashian while downing shots and drinking, leaving his wife furious and culminating in a confrontation.

Kris Humphries apologizes, but it seems sorry is just not going to cut it with his reality star wife.

Kim Kardashian admitted that she was enjoying being away from Kris Humphries during her Dubai trip
Kim Kardashian admitted that she was enjoying being away from Kris Humphries during her Dubai trip

In the second episode aired on E! last night, Kim Kardashian admits to her mother Kris Jenner that things are just not turning out how she expected.

“Married life just isn’t what I thought it would be with him,” Kim Kardashian confesses to her mother while on a promotional trip in Dubai.

“I keep thinking something is off,” she went on, asking her mother if this was a normal feeling to experience in the early days of marriage.

Kris Jenner responds, saying it is not normal, recalling how she and Kim’s father Rob Kardashian were “obsessed with each other” for at least the first 10 years.

“I didn’t even want him to go to work,” Kris Jenner recalled.

The mother explained: “This is not normal… that you don’t want to go home to your new husband.”

Earlier Kim Kardashian admitted that she was enjoying being away from Kris Humphries during her Dubai trip, describing it as a “huge relief”.

“I’m really enjoying this feeling,” Kim Kardashian mused.

Elsewhere in the episode, Kim Kardashian spent time with her nephew Mason during a visit to Connecticut with sister Kourtney.

The sisters also worked up a sweat at the gym in New York where Kim Humphries complained about the paparazzi in the Big Apple.

Bufferin, Excedrin, NoDoz, Gas-X Recalled. When will they be back?

Kathryn R. Bown
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Bufferin, Excedrin, NoDoz, Gas-X Recalled. When will they be back?
  • The voluntary recall is precautionary following consumer complaints of chipped and broken pills and inconsistent bottle packaging line clearance practices possibly resulting in mixed tablets
    • There have been no related adverse events reported with the issues leading to the recall
  • US Consumers are asked to either destroy or return unused product identified in the recall to Novartis Consumer Health Inc.
  • To accelerate improvements at its Lincoln, Nebraska facility, Novartis Consumer Health has temporarily suspended operations as well as shipments from the site
    • A one-time charge currently estimated at USD 120 million related to the recall and improvement efforts will be taken in the fourth quarter of 2011 by Novartis Consumer Health Inc.
  • Novartis is fully committed to maintaining high quality standards of its products

Basel, January 8, 2012 – Novartis Consumer Health Inc. (NCH) informed customers, that it is voluntarily recalling all lots of select bottle packaging configurations from retailers of Excedrin® and NoDoz® products with expiry dates of December 20, 2014 or earlier as well as Bufferin® and Gas-X Prevention® products with expiry dates of December 20, 2013 or earlier, in the United States. NCH is taking this action as a precautionary measure, because the products may contain stray tablets, capsules, or caplets from other Novartis products, or contain broken or chipped tablets.

Information on the affected bottle sizes, and related expiry dates will be available at www.novartisOTC.com as of January 9, 2012. This precautionary recall follows the recent voluntary suspension of operations and shipments from Novartis Consumer Health Inc’s Lincoln, NE facility. These actions were taken to accelerate maintenance and other improvement activities at the site.

There have been no related adverse event reports received as a result of these issues. The established safety profile for each of these products remains consistent. Mixing of different products in the same bottle could result in consumers taking the incorrect product and receiving a higher or lower strength than intended or receiving an unintended ingredient. This could potentially result in overdose, interaction with other medications a consumer may be taking, or an allergic reaction if the consumer is allergic to the unintended ingredient. NCH is not aware of adverse events reported with the issues leading to the recall. This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Novartis Consumer Health will continue to work closely with the agency as well as its customers throughout this process.

“We are committed to a single quality standard for the entire Novartis Group and we are making the necessary investments and committing the right resources to ensure these are implemented across our entire network,” said Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis. “The high quality of our products and operations has been critical to building the Novartis reputation over the past 15 years. We are committed to ensuring the highest standard for patients who rely on our products and medicines.”

NCH is recalling these products as a precaution due to an internal product review and complaints that identified issues such as broken gelcaps, chipped tablets and inconsistent bottle packaging line clearance practices, where a potential for a tablet mix up could not be ruled out.

NCH plans to gradually resume operations at its Lincoln, NE site following implementation of planned improvements and in agreement with the FDA. The Novartis Consumer Health Inc. Lincoln, NE facility produces a variety of products mainly for the US market with annual sales value of less than 2% of Novartis Group sales. At this stage, it is not possible to determine when the plant will resume full operations and the full financial impact of these events. NCH will take a one-time charge currently estimated at USD 120 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, relating to the recalls and improvement work at the Lincoln, NE facility.

 

Which products have been recalled?

 

Packages of each of the brands may contain tablets, caplets, or capsules of other products. Some of the pills may be broken or chipped.

All Bufferin products with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2013, or earlier have been recalled. Brand names include Bufferin Extra Strength Tablets, Bufferin Low Dose Tablets, and Bufferin Regular Strength Tablets.

All Gas-X Prevention products with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2013, or earlier have been recalled.

The following Excedrin products with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2014, have been recalled:

  • Excedrin Extra Strength Caplets
  • Excedrin Extra Strength Express Gel Caplets
  • Excedrin Extra Strength Gel Caplets
  • Excedrin Extra Strength Tablets
  • Excedrin Back & Body Caplets
  • Excedrin Sinus Headache Caplets
  • Excedrin Migraine Caplets
  • Excedrin Migraine Gel Tablets
  • Excedrin Migraine Tablets
  • Excedrin Menstrual Complete Express Gel Caplets
  • Excedrin PM Caplets
  • Excedrin PM Express Gel Caplets
  • Excedrin PM Tablets
  • Excedrin Tension Headache Caplets
  • Excedrin Tension Headache Express Gel Caplets
  • Excedrin Tension Headache Gel Tablets

The recalled products were distributed throughout the United States, but not internationally.

There have been no reports of illness or injury from the products.

 

Which Endo Pharmaceutical products were affected?

 

Endo says it has received only three complaints of pill mix-ups. All three were caught by pharmacists before the drugs were given to patients. Endo officials were not mentioned in the June/July 2011 FDA inspection report.

Late last year, Novartis suspended operations at the plant “to accelerate maintenance and other improvement activities at the site,” according to a company news release.

It’s not yet clear whether there will be shortages of any of the recalled over-the-counter drugs. But Endo says it expects to see shortages of some of its opiate pain medications. Fortunately, the FDA says alternative versions of each medication are still available.

Prescription Pain Drug Mix-Up

The following Endo Pharmaceutical products may have been affected by the packaging problem.

  • Opana ER (oxymorphone hydrochloride) Extended-Release Tablets CII
  • Opana (oxymorphone hydrochloride) CII
  • Oxymorphone Hydrochloride Tablets CII
  • Percocet (oxycodone hydrochloride and acetaminophen USP) Tablets CII
  • Percodan (oxycodone hydrochloride and aspirin, USP) Tablets CII
  • Endocet (oxycodone hydrochloride and acetaminophen USP) Tablets CII
  • Endodan (oxycodone hydrochloride and aspirin, USP) Tablets CII
  • Morphine Sulfate Extended-Release Tablets CII
  • Zydone (hydrocodone bitartrate/acetaminophen tablets, USP) CIII

The FDA is asking people who take prescription pain medications to take a closer look at their pills before swallowing them.

“We are asking patients to check their medicines and to look for tablets of a different size, shape, or color from their regular medicine,” said Edward Cox, MD, director of the FDA’s office of antiviral products at a news conference. “If they find any tablets that are different from the rest, they should stop taking their pain medicine and take the medicine to their pharmacy.”

Endo Pharmaceuticals has issued a visual guide to help people identify pain pills at http://www.endo.com/pdf/Supply_disruption/Visual_Guide.pdf

FDA officials say the likelihood of finding the wrong tablet in a prescription pain medication is low. In most cases, any potential pill mix-up would first be detected by a pharmacist.

 

Novartis commitment to quality


Novartis Group is fully committed to ensure the quality, safety and integrity of its products. All Novartis Group companies have a clear commitment to patients and Health Authorities to ensure high quality standards for all our products and services. Novartis Group stands behind the safety and efficacy of its products, and is fully committed to maintaining high quality standards at all production sites in the US and around the world. All Novartis Group products are subjected to strict manufacturing, testing and monitoring standards. Where they fall outside the standards, Novartis Group companies take actions to correct the issue and may recall products as a precaution.

 

Note to US consumers and customers


Consumers and customers in the US who have questions can call the Consumer Relationship Center at 1-888-477-2403 (available Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time).

For more detailed information regarding the product, potential drug reactions, impacted configurations, related NDC numbers and expiry dates, please visit our website starting January 9, 2012 at www.novartisOTC.com.

Disclaimer


The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as “potential,” “will,” “committed,” “commitment,” “plans,” or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding the potential length of the shutdown of our Lincoln, NE production facility, regarding the potential for any further regulatory actions at the Lincoln, NE production facility, regarding the potential for any further quality issues arising at any additional Novartis manufacturing facilities, or regarding the potential financial impact of the Lincoln, NE facility shutdown. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of management regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that our Lincoln, NE production facility will reopen at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that actions described in this release will be the only regulatory actions required at the Lincoln, NE facility. Neither can there be any guarantee that further quality issues will not arise at any additional Novartis Group manufacturing facilities. Nor can there be any guarantee as to the potential financial impact on Novartis resulting from the shutdown of the Lincoln, NE production facility. In particular, management’s expectations could be affected by, among other things, unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; unexpected manufacturing issues, including unexpected inabilities to satisfy regulators’ requirements for the reopening of the Lincoln, NE production facility; competition in general; government, industry and general public pricing pressures; the impact that the foregoing factors could have on the values attributed to the Novartis Group’s assets and liabilities as recorded in the Group’s consolidated balance sheet, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG’s current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

About Novartis


Novartis Group provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2010, the Group’s continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 50.6 billion, while approximately USD 9.1 billion (USD 8.1 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges) was invested in R&D throughout the Group. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 121,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

 

Barack Obama stripped off to play quarterback in Hawaii

Diane A. Wade
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Barack Obama stripped off to play quarterback in Hawaii

President Barack Obama stripped off for some beach football to round off his Christmas holidays in Hawaii.

While his Republican rivals were deep in preparation for the Iowa caucuses, the pictures show President Barack Obama had his mind on diving headlong for catches and tossing touchdowns to his friends from the Secret Service.

Barack Obama, 50, looked surprisingly lean on New Year’s Day at the Kaneohe Marine Corps Base on Oahu, where he stayed with the first family for their 10-day vacation.

The football game brought to an end a relaxing and fun-filled 10 days for Barack Obama, who arrived in Hawaii a week later than he had hoped.

He would have enjoyed an even longer period away from the White House had there not been a stalemate in Washington D.C. over the payroll tax cut.

Barack Obama certainly made up for lost time as, within an hour of arriving on December 23, he took wife Michelle out for dinner at one of their favorite hotspots, Morimoto Restaurant.

Then, on Christmas Eve, they spent some family time together with daughters Sasha and Malia in the morning.

During the afternoon the couple split their time as President Barack Obama went to play golf and the First Lady answered phone calls from expectant children who called NORAD to see where Santa was on his route.

Like many families, the Obamas spent Christmas morning by themselves, opening presents and singing carols. They then attended church services at a nearby naval base and talked with military families afterwards.

President Barack Obama stripped off for some beach football to round off his Christmas holidays in Hawaii
President Barack Obama stripped off for some beach football to round off his Christmas holidays in Hawaii

President Barack Obama had no public schedule when he arrived in Hawaii but his schedule seemed to fill up quite quickly.

The entire Obama family was joined by their friends, the Nesbitts, as they took a drive from their multi-million dollar rented vacation home to the Sea Life Park marine sanctuary.

While there, the girls were able to release three 18-month-old sea turtles into the wild.

Though Barack Obama tried to keep a low profile throughout the trip, he and his motorcade were seen driving to and from the golf course a number of times.

One of his golfing partners was an old high school buddy Robert “Bobby” Titcomb, who was arrested in a prostitution sting.

After golf that day, the boys were joined by the First Lady and President Obama’s sister Maya Soetoro-Ng at Alan Wong’s, one of Hawaii’s priciest restaurants.

In an act of reflection, Barack and Michelle Obama visited the Pearl Harbor memorial and paid tribute to the thousands who lost their lives there 70 years ago. It was his first visit since 2008, when he was president-elect.

And then on New Year’s Day, Obama family went back to their roots by paying tribute to two different generations.

They first visited the grave of Barack Obama’s maternal grandmother, Stanley Durham, and later they went to an exhibit honoring his mother, Ann Durham, and the work she did overseas in Indonesia.

It was afterwards that Barack Obama managed to squeeze in a game of football – the photographs of which some have compared to Vladimir Putin’s display of masculinity in promotional pictures.

Vladimir Putin is well known for posing with his top off in a bid to demonstrate his power and virility.

Later that night, the Obamas left the girls at home while they joined 10 friends for dinner in the private room at celebrity hotspot Nobu Wakiki. They returned to Washington D.C. on Monday, January 2.

Malam Bacai Sanha, Guinea Bissau president, dies at 64 in hospital in Paris

Diane A. Wade
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Malam Bacai Sanha, Guinea Bissau president, dies at 64 in hospital in Paris

Guinea-Bissau’s leader Malam Bacai Sanha has died at 64 in hospital in Paris, national radio reports.

President Malam Bacai Sanha had travelled to France for medical treatment in late November after being taken seriously ill.

He was the president of Guinea-Bissau since 8 September 2009. A member of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), Malam Bacai Sanhá was President of the National People’s Assembly from 1994 to 1999 and then served as acting President of Guinea-Bissau from 14 May 1999 to 17 February 2000, following the ouster of President João Bernardo Vieira. Standing as the PAIGC candidate, he placed second in the 1999–2000 presidential election as well as the 2005 presidential election before winning the June–July 2009 presidential election.

Guinea-Bissau's leader Malam Bacai Sanha has died at 64 in hospital in Paris
Guinea-Bissau's leader Malam Bacai Sanha has died at 64 in hospital in Paris

The nature of Malam Bacai Sanha illness has not been made public but he was known to suffer from diabetes.

In early December 2009, he was due to visit Portugal but delayed the visit due to health problems. After fainting, he was taken to Dakar and then Paris for medical treatment. While in Paris, he said that he had suffered a drop in hemoglobin; although he insisted that his diabetes was “not as serious as people want to make out”, he also said that he intended to be more attentive about his health. Malam Bacai Sanhá spent ten days in Paris and subsequently stayed in the Canary Islands for a time before returning to Bissau on 30 December 2009. His chief of protocol stated that he had recovered and was in good condition

This time, before being hospitalized in Paris, Malam Bacai Sanha had been treated in intensive care in a h.ospital in neighbouring Senegal.

Erin Langworthy survived after the bungee jumping cord snapped at Victoria Falls in Zambia

Diane A. Wade
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Australian backpacker Erin Langworthy has miraculously survived following a fall into crocodile-infested waters after the cord snapped while she was bungee jumping in Zambia.

Erin Langworthy, 22, fell into the Zambezi river following the terrifying mishap, which happened as she leapt from a bridge at Victoria Falls on the country’s border with Zimbabwe.

The young woman told how her feet were still tied together as she fell head first into the fast-flowing rapids beneath the world’s largest waterfall.

She said she feared for her life but managed to survive after swimming to a nearby bank on the side of the river.

Erin Langworthy said: “It went black straight away and I felt like I’d been slapped all over.

“I landed with my legs tied and then had to swim to the Zimbabwe side [of the river] through the rapids,” she told Australia’s Channel Nine network.

“It was quite scary because a couple of times the rope actually got caught on some rocks or debris.

“I actually had to swim down and yank the bungee cord out of whatever it was caught on to make it to the surface.

“When I was first pulled out of the water they put me on my back and so all the water that I’d inhaled meant that I couldn’t breathe, so I made them roll me onto my side.

“And that’s when I started coughing out water and blood. I think it’s definitely a miracle that I survived.”

 

A battered and bruised Erin Langworthy spent a week in hospital following the incident, which happened on New Year’s Eve. Officials have since launched an investigation into what caused the terrifying accident.

Chilling footage of the incident shows the young tourist, from Perth, leaping from the bridge which crosses a gorge 111 meters above the water.

It shows how her bungee cord snapped as she reached the bottom of her descent, sending her flying down towards the water below.

According to reports it is believed Erin Langworthy was around 20 meters above the Zambezi when the cord broke. She hit the water and immediately fought to get herself towards the shore.

Zambian police spokeswoman Brenda Muntemba confirmed the holidaymaker was eventually rescued after reaching the side of the river.

Erin Langworthy was treated by medics in the town of Victoria Falls before being transferred to a hospital in neighboring South Africa.

The government has set out to reassure people the tourist attraction is safe, despite the incident.

Tourism minister Given Lubinda said around 50,000 people made the leap each year at the world-famous beauty spot.

“The bungee has proven to be a very viable operation considering that more than 50,000 tourists jump on it every year.

“It has been in operation for 10 years. This is the first time I am hearing of an incident. The probability of an incident is one in 500,000 jumps.”

The minister added that his office had launched a full investigation.

Every week hundreds of tourists pay around $120 for the thrill of jumping off a rail bridge which links the two countries.

The Zambia Post reported that the jump was operated by a private firm, Bungee Extreme, which confirmed it was looking into the incident.

 

BA Airbus 321 forced to make emergency landing after both pilots almost “passed out” at the controls

Diane A. Wade
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BA Airbus 321 forced to make emergency landing after both pilots almost “passed out” at the controls

A British Airways Airbus A321 was forced to make an emergency landing after both pilots almost “passed out” at the controls.

The aircraft’s Captain and first officer both reported feeling light headed as the jet, which had taken off from Heathrow, was climbing at 20,000 feet.

Aircraft passengers heard a “panicked” captain call for a senior member of the cabin crew to come to their aid.

The captain and the first officer were then supplied with oxygen masks as they continued the stricken flight and requested an emergency return to Heathrow.

A British Airways Airbus A321 was forced to make an emergency landing after both pilots almost “passed out” at the controls
A British Airways Airbus A321 was forced to make an emergency landing after both pilots almost “passed out” at the controls

Fortunately the plane landed safely but when paramedics arrived the pilots both said they had felt as though they were about to pass out.

The incident, which is now being investigated by the Air Accident Investigation Branch, was also reported by a passenger on the flight on a professional pilots website.

The passenger described how the captain of the flight, from London to Glasgow last month, sounded panicked and how cabin attendants looked worried at the turn of events.

“I was on the London to Glasgow flight yesterday, departed Heathrow at 4 pm-ish got airborne, at approx 20 mins into flight a very abrupt and panicked message came over the PA from the pilot,” the passenger wrote.

The man goes on to say that there were a number of “worried faces” among the flight attendants who he saw with a oxygen cylinders and said the plane was soon heading back to Heathrow “at great speed”.

Cabin crew then announced they were experiencing technical difficulties but the passenger added they were greeted by fire crews, paramedics and engineers on landing.

“Still being fed the tech fault line but the first on board were paramedics??

“It later transpires that both pilots became lightheaded/dizzy/unwell at the same time, in my book that’s serious,” he said.

Air accident investigators will now be examining what caused the pilots to become ill at the same time during the flight.

A spokeswoman for British Airways confirmed that both pilots had become “unwell” and followed procedures by donning oxygen masks and returning to Heathrow.

“The pilots reported feeling light headed so, as a precaution and following normal procedure, put on their oxygen masks,” she said.

“Our pilots are highly trained to deal with such circumstances. The aircraft landed safely and customers continued their journey after a short delay.”

China: 30-storey hotel built from scratch in just 15 days

Diane A. Wade
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China: 30-storey hotel built from scratch in just 15 days

China could claim the title of the fastest builders on the planet after putting up a 30-storey 183,000-square-foot hotel in just 15 days, or 360 hours.

It was reported that the construction crew in the south-central Chinese city of Changsha completed this remarkable achievement with no injuries to any worker.

The Ark Hotel was built on Dongting Lake, in the Hunan Province, by Broad Group, a Chinese construction company which specializes in sustainable architecture.

China could claim the title of the fastest builders on the planet after putting up a 30-storey 183,000-square-foot hotel in just 15 days, or 360 hours
China could claim the title of the fastest builders on the planet after putting up a 30-storey 183,000-square-foot hotel in just 15 days, or 360 hours

 

The Ark Hotel was built to withstand a magnitude 9 earthquake, as tested by the China Academy of Building Research, who claims this is five times more quake-resistant than conventional buildings.

All the materials were prefabricated and sections built to specification off-site, so there was very little wastage.

The builders took just 46 hours to finish the main structural components and another 90 hours to finish the building enclosure.

All of the structure is soundproofed and thermal-insulated. They even have air quality monitoring in every room given the pollution problem in China.

While the men didn’t work all through the night, it was often 10:00 p.m. before they packed away their lunchboxes.

Builders’ previous record was a smaller 15-story building constructed in just 6 days, but this one is much more impressive.

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[youtube Ps0DSihggio]

Glass Beach: The Most Beautiful Dump In The World

Sonia Pantiss
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Glass Beach: The Most Beautiful Dump In The World

Glass Beach, located near Fort Bragg in Northern California, used to be the place where residents brought all forms of their trash starting with 1949.

At the time, the standards for where and how people can deposit their trash were much lower and less regulated.

In the early 1960s, officials begin to regulate what was dumped on the beach, first putting a stop to toxins and then to everything when the North coast Water Quality Board moved the official dump to a different location in 1967.

Though that was nearly half a century ago, the remnants are still very clear.

Much of the glass that was left on the beachfront during its dirty past has not gone far, and years of the thrashing waves have softened and polished the broken pieces.

Now the beach is covered with stone-sized pieces of sea glass, coloring the seascape and adding a tourist element to the natural beauty of the spot.

Glass Beach is part of the MacKerricher State Park and has another side to its history, as it is the only area of the California Park System to have been at one point in time a part of the Mendocino Indian Reservation
Glass Beach is part of the MacKerricher State Park and has another side to its history, as it is the only area of the California Park System to have been at one point in time a part of the Mendocino Indian Reservation

Glass Beach is part of the MacKerricher State Park and has another side to its history, as it is the only area of the California Park System to have been at one point in time a part of the Mendocino Indian Reservation.

Because of this historic significance, Glass Beach is maintained by the parks department which does its best to preserve the natural, and not-so-natural, beauty of the beach.

“Rangers are currently working to educate and inform the public and we confiscate and return collected sea glass to the beach whenever possible,” ranger Tim Quandt told the official Fort Bragg website.

Glass Beach, located about three-hour’s drive north of San Francisco, is a major tourist attraction. While that is good for the locals, it does present a problem for conservationists who want to stop visitors from taking pieces home with them.

“The truth of the matter is that it is a misdemeanor to remove any artifacts from State Park property. Park rangers have not begun citing offenders…yet, but that day will eventually arrive,” Tim Quandt continued.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuAAooA56V4

Salvează

Salvează

No Pants Subway Ride 2012: people stripped to their underwear as part of a worldwide joke

Diane A. Wade
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No Pants Subway Ride 2012: people stripped to their underwear as part of a worldwide joke

The 11th edition of the annual No Pants Subway Ride event took place on Sunday in New York and other major cities and the males got the chance to show if they are boxer or Y-front guys.

People throughout New York City stripped to their underwear as part of a worldwide practical joke organized by prankster group Improv Everywhere.

On 2012 of the annual ride, according to the group’s website, all you had to do to take part was “be willing to take pants off on subway” and “be able to keep a straight face about it”.

Participants are asked just to act like they would on any other subway by chatting to each other, using their iPod or reading.

People throughout New York City stripped to their underwear as part of the worldwide practical joke No Pants Subway Ride, organized by prankster group Improv Everywhere
People throughout New York City stripped to their underwear as part of the worldwide practical joke No Pants Subway Ride, organized by prankster group Improv Everywhere

The event was not confined to New York, cities including London, Washington and Mexico City also took part.

In London the event was called the No Trousers Tube Ride, where about 150 people divided into groups for the various lines on the underground.

In Toronto they did for the 5th year running, with many people dressing up in fancy costume.

In Madrid it would appear the police and security weren’t in on the joke. The No Pants brigade reportedly had to change their starting point when police prevented them from entering their original starting station.

Improv Everywhere was born in 2001 in New York.

The idea was to put together groups to pull off pranks and get laughs.

This year Improv Everywhere invited people to take part through Facebook, with more than 6,300 people accepting, the New York Daily News reports.

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[youtube wpiPh5Hds2U]

Sahar Gul, a teenage Afghan bride, was tortured by her in-laws for more than 5 months

Diane A. Wade
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Sahar Gul, a teenage Afghan bride, was tortured by her in-laws for more than 5 months

Sahar Gul, a teenage bride from Afghanistan, who was tortured for months after her arranged marriage, has spoken out for the first time since her rescue, saying she hopes her husband and his family are jailed for her abuse.

15-year-old Sahar Gul became the bruised and bloodied face of women’s rights in Afghanistan after she was rescued in late December when an uncle called police.

Speaking in an interview on Saturday from a hospital in Kabul, Sahar Gul blamed her husband, his parents and his sister for her ordeal.

“I want them to be in jail,” the girl said.

“They gave me electric shock. … They beat me with cables and tortured me.”

Sahar Gul is being treated for multiple injuries that include broken fingers and ripped-out fingernails, the Associated Press reports.

15-year-old Sahar Gul became the bruised and bloodied face of women's rights in Afghanistan after she was rescued in late December when an uncle called police
15-year-old Sahar Gul became the bruised and bloodied face of women's rights in Afghanistan after she was rescued in late December when an uncle called police

Police in Baghlan province where Sahar Gul was rescued have said her in-laws locked her up and tortured her after she refused to work as a prostitute. Her husband’s parents and sister have been arrested. They deny any wrongdoing.

Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for her husband, who serves in the Afghan army.

Sahar Gul’s doctor, Feriba Omarzada, said the girl is recovering but is still traumatized.

The teenager’s story has shocked Afghanistan and prompted calls for more efforts to end underage marriage.

The legal marriage age in Afghanistan is 16, but the United Nations agency UN Women estimates that half of all girls are forced to marry under age 15.

Sahar Gul was in critical condition when she was rescued from a house in northern Baghlan province last week. Police say her in-laws pulled out her nails and hair, and locked her in a dark basement bathroom for about five months, with barely enough food and water to survive.

Sahar Gul husband’s family also burned her with cigarettes and cut out chunks of her flesh with pliers.

Local media reported today that Provincial Security Chief for northern Baghlan province General Syed Zamanuddin Hussaini revealed father-in-law Mohammad Aman was detained with the help of local residents in northern Pul-e-Khumri city.

General Hussaini added that Mohammad Aman was introduced to provincial attorney general and the Afghan security forces are struggling to find the husband of Sahar Gul.

In the meantime, Mohammad Aman has denied allegations of torturing Sahar Gul and said that she was suffering from psychological disorders.

After hearing of the abuse, Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai said those responsible would be punished.

Doctors say the girl has suffered both mentally and physically and will need weeks of treatment in order to recover.

“She was married seven months ago, and was originally from Badakhshan province. Her in-laws tried to force her into prostitution to earn money,” Rahima Zarifi, head of women’s affairs in Baghlan told Reuters.

Sahar Gul is covered in scars and bruises, with one eye still swollen shut six days after her rescue.

The girl is being treated in a government hospital in Kabul, but she may have to be sent to India, doctors said.

“This is one of the worst cases of violence against Afghan women. The perpetrators must be punished so others learn a lesson,” health minister Suraya Dalil told journalists after visiting Sahar Gul today with the women’s affairs minister.

Mohammad Zia, a senior police official in Baghlan, who helped to rescue the girl, said her mother-in-law and sister-in-law have been detained, but her husband had escaped.

“We have launched a serious hunt to get her husband and the others involved,” Mohammad Zia said.

Despite progress in women’s rights and freedom since the fall of the Taliban 10 years ago, women throughout the country are still at risk of abduction, rape, forced marriage and being traded as commodity.

However, it can be hard for women to escape violent situations at home, because of huge social and sometimes legal pressure to stay in marriages.

Running away from an abusive husband or a forced marriage are considered “moral crimes”, for which women are currently imprisoned in Afghanistan.

Some rape victims have also been imprisoned, because sex outside marriage, even when the woman is forced, is considered adultery, another “moral crime”.

[youtube Iv6bjEJmeH0]

US expelled Venezuela’s Miami consul over possible cyber-attacks

Roy Siemens
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0

The US State Department has declared Livia Acosta Noguera, Venezuela’s consul general in Miami, persona non grata and says she must leave the country by Tuesday.

Livia Acosta Noguera is alleged to have discussed possible cyber-attacks on the US while based at the Venezuelan embassy in Mexico in 2008.

The FBI has been investigating the comments, AP news agency says.

The US state department did not comment on the reason for the expulsion.

Four US members of Congress wrote to the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in December raising concerns about the Venezuelan diplomat.

Their letter says that according to a documentary broadcast on the Spanish-language network Univision last month, Livia Acosta Noguera discussed attacking the US government’s computer systems with diplomats from the Iranian and Cuban embassies and students posing as extremists, while she was vice secretary at Caracas’s embassy in Mexico.

The congressmen requested the state department investigate the claims, and if found true, “declare her a persona non grata and require her immediate departure from the United States”.

Twins Reuben and Floren were born five years apart

Kathryn R. Bown
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Twins Reuben and Floren were born five years apart

5-year-old Reuben Blake and his seven-week-old sister Floren from UK are twins that arrive five years apart.

Both children were born from the same batch of embryos created during their parents’ IVF treatment.

While Reuben was successfully implanted in 2006, Floren was kept on ice until 2011.

Now their parents, Jody and Simon Blake, delight in telling well-wishers all about the incredible age gap between their “twins”.

“I tell everybody I can,” said Simon Blake, a business lecturer.

“People take an interest in a newborn baby and with Reuben around as well, I find it very difficult to resist the temptation to say <<Oh and by the way, they are twins>>.

“It’s almost just to see people’s response. They are really amazed and surprised.”

5-year-old Reuben Blake and his seven-week-old sister Floren from UK are twins that arrive five years apart
5-year-old Reuben Blake and his seven-week-old sister Floren from UK are twins that arrive five years apart

Jody Blake, a charity worker, added: “It does feel quite surreal.

“I think people are really, really surprised and it almost takes them a few minutes to get their heads around it.

“We obviously had nine months to get it straight and to think <<Gosh, we’re having Reuben’s twin>>, but it’s incredibly special.”

Jody Blake, 38, and her 45-year-old husband began fertility treatment in 2005.

During the medical process, five embryos were created and two implanted in Jody Blake, which resulted in the birth of Reuben on December 9, 2006.

The remaining three embryos were frozen until the couple, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, decided to try for another child in March 2011.

Only one of the embryos survived the defrosting process and 39 weeks later Floren arrived by Caesarean section.

Reuben is fascinated by his little sister. “He knows that she’s been in the freezer,” said Jody Blake.

“He likes to say she has been in the freezer with the chips and the chicken, so he is sort of aware that she is his twin, but obviously he doesn’t really understand how it’s all worked.

“They do look very similar. Reuben was just a bigger version of Floren when he was born, so certainly there are similarities physically.”

Recalling their decision to try for a second child, Simon Blake said: “We wanted to complete the family. We were aware the odds were long.

“You just can’t comprehend that a life could come from some material that’s been frozen for that length of time.”

Doctors who treated the Blakes at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine said the decision to freeze remaining IVF embryos was a safer way to have more than one child.

Lead clinician Dr. Valentine Akande said: “We very often recommend storing surplus embryos so that they can be used at a later date.

“Sadly, due to the chance work of nature, not everybody is able to have those surplus embryos and, of course, not everybody meets with success when they are used.”

Katy Perry speaks out for the first time since Russell Brand filed for divorce

Lisa.Felice
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Katy Perry speaks out for the first time since Russell Brand filed for divorce

Katy Perry has finally spoken out after keeping silence since it emerged that her 14-month marriage to Russell Brand was over.

Katy Perry, 27, has been somewhat forced into making an official statement over her impending divorce since speculation as to why she and Russell Brand, 36, split had gone into overdrive.

The singer made it crystal clear yesterday that she speaks for herself and she also took a swipe at her parents who had publicly given their opinion on their daughter’s troubles.

Katy Perry said on Twitter: “I am so grateful for all the love and support I’ve had from people around the world. You guys have made my heart happy again.”

The singer also put out a strong and stern warning to her fans to not listen to any rumors or information about her unless she says it herself.

Katy Perry said: “Concerning the gossip, I want to be clear that NO ONE speaks for me. Not a blog, magazine, <<close sources>> or my family.”

Katy Perry has finally spoken out after keeping silence since it emerged that her 14-month marriage to Russell Brand was over
Katy Perry has finally spoken out after keeping silence since it emerged that her 14-month marriage to Russell Brand was over

The tweet, which was Katy Perry’s first since December 26, will be a clear message to her evangelical parents who had spoken about the split earlier this week.

Pastors Keith and Mary Hudson spoke about their daughter’s divorce for the first time – from the pulpit of their evangelical church, which was unusually packed.

They suggested their daughter split with Russell Brand was a gift sent by God – to help them fill churches.

Mary Hudson, 63, preached to the Church on the Rise congregation in Westlake, Ohio: “I’m sure that Katy’s trending on the Internet was to get you here to church tonight.”

“I mean all over the world, who knows how God is bringing them in? The most important thing is you are here and God wants to put the fire in you in 2012.”

Russell Brand announced on December 30 that he was filing for divorce from Katy Perry and said: “Sadly, Katy and I are ending our marriage. I’ll always adore her and I know we’ll remain friends.”

It has also emerged Katy Perry will stay in the couple’s $6.5 million Hollywood Hills mansion and Russell Brand will move out.

Sources close to told TMZ the moving process is already under way and most of the camp comic’s belongings are already out of the home.

It seems Katy Perry and Russell Brand are still on reasonably good terms as the decision over the house went reasonably smoothly.

The couple had purchased the home together just a few months ago.

Friends said Katy Perry had asked Russell Brand to file the court papers last month to avoid upsetting her parents, who are strongly opposed to divorce.

The comments were revealed by biographer Chloe Govan, author of Katy Perry: A Life of Fireworks.

A friend said: “Russ was forever making lewd jokes at the dinner table and poking fun at her parents’ beliefs.

“He managed to restrain himself in the beginning – just. But as the marriage progressed, he got worse and kept winding up her family.”

Another friend said: “After the lust wore off, reality hit home about their differences and she was left thinking, <<What have I done?>>”

Other rumors say the split was because Katy Perry couldn’t keep up with Russell Brand’s appetite in the bedroom, and his disapproval of her party lifestyle.

Russell Brand, who Katy Perry affectionately called Rusty, has reportedly been uninvited from the People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Wednesday to avoid a confrontation with Katy, where she is expected to make an appearance.

Kim Jong-Un birthday documentary aired by North Korean television

Roy Siemens
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Kim Jong-Un birthday documentary aired by North Korean television

North Korean television has aired a documentary to honor what is reported to be the birthday of its new leader, Kim Jong-Un.

The footage shows Kim Jong-Un in his new role as supreme military commander – inspecting troops, saluting and sitting in a tank.

The documentary also confirms that Kim Jong-Un was being groomed for the role from 2009, showing footage of him from that time watching a rocket launch with his father, Kim Jong-Il.

Kim Jong-un’s age is not known but he is believed to be in his late 20s.

The death of Kim Jong-Il on 17 December left the threat of a dangerous vacuum in a society raised to venerate one supreme leader.

Less than a month on, North Korea’s unique media machine is already working to fill it.

The footage shows Kim Jong-Un in his new role as supreme military commander - inspecting troops, saluting and sitting in a tank
The footage shows Kim Jong-Un in his new role as supreme military commander - inspecting troops, saluting and sitting in a tank

The documentary shows Kim Jong-Un manoeuvring a tank, watching jet fighter and firing exercises and posing for photographs with soldiers.

The film also shows Kim Jong-Un with his father shaking hands with officials at a satellite control centre after scientists launched a rocket in April 2009.

“I had decided to wage a real war if the enemies shot down the rocket,” Kim Jong-Un is quoted as saying.

The documentary also shows him visiting factories, talking to officials and inspecting their work – all the things his father used to do.

Websites linked to the North Korean government have already begun describing the new leader as having the wisdom of great men, extraordinary competence and military brilliance.

Kim Jong-Un was named “supreme leader of the party, state and army” following the death of Kim Jon-Il.

The young leader has already pledged to continue with Kim Jong-Il’s “military first” policies.

Poet John Tottenham launches campaign against the word “awesome” in LA

Diane A. Wade
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Poet John Tottenham launches campaign against the word “awesome” in LA

John Tottenham, a British original poet, has launched a campaign to stamp out the word “awesome” claiming that it is “bogus”.

John Tottenham has created bumper stickers for his movement and is in the process of designing a t-shirt.

The poet now lives in Los Angeles and works at the Stories bookshop in Echo Park.

John Tottenham told the Los Angeles Times that saying the word within earshot is like “waving a crucifix in a vampire’s face”.

John Tottenham, a British original poet, has launched a campaign to stamp out the word “awesome” claiming that it is “bogus”.
John Tottenham, a British original poet, has launched a campaign to stamp out the word “awesome” claiming that it is “bogus”.

Local businesses have reportedly stuck the signs in their windows in support of John Tottenham’s campaign.

The mission statement reads: “Please try to restrict usage of this nauseatingly ubiquitous (and by now, completely meaningless) superlative to those of us who are under the age of 12.”

John Tottenham performed an “Anti-Awesome oration” along with some of his own poetry last month.

The word has its roots in Californian surf culture. Urbandictionary.com describes it as “something Americans use to describe everything… It is one the three words which make up most American sentences”.

7 Qantas passengers flying from London to Sydney injured, as the jet struck severe turbulence

Diane A. Wade
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Seven Qantas passengers flying from London to Sydney have been injured today when the A380 superjet struck severe turbulence over the Indian Ocean.

Four of them, who received cuts and bruises, were taken to hospital in Singapore for treatment, while the other three were treated at the medical centre in Changi airport.

According to Qantas, the turbulence was the result of severe thunderstorms over the Indian Ocean, in Indian air space, three hours before the jet was due to land in Singapore for refueling.

A Qantas spokeswoman said the seatbelt sign went on immediately the aircraft hit the turbulence but some passengers were still standing or making their way back to their seats.

“Striking bad weather is not unusual,” Qantas spokeswoman said.

“The aircraft diverted around most of it but it was the initial part of the storm that had the impact.”

She described the injuries as minor cuts and bruises.

Engineers carried out a thorough inspection of the jet, named after Australian aviation pioneer Charles Kingsford Smith, and declared that no damage had been caused and it was fit to return to the skies.

Qantas jet was due to arrive in Sydney late on Sunday.

Qantas has received 12 of the 20 A380 “double decker” supersets it has ordered.

Just last week the airline reassured passengers there was no risk to safety after cracks were found on the wings of several A380 jets owned by a number of airlines around the world.

Qantas said that minuscule cracking had been found in the wing ribs on one of its A380s but no immediate action was required because it presented no risk to flight safety.

2012 Palm Springs Film Festival Annual Awards

Diane A. Wade
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2012 Palm Springs Film Festival Annual Awards

Just one week before the Golden Globes and seven weeks before the Oscars, Hollywood began polishing its acceptance speeches Saturday night at the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s 23rd annual awards gala.

Palm Springs Film Festival gala is often a bellwether of Oscar nominations – 15 of last year’s attendees collected nominations for the 2011 Academy Awards.

Last night, Michelle Williams collected an award for Marilyn Monroe 50 years late, Octavia Spencer thanked some “white, very white” knights and George Clooney entreated his precocious 20-year-old “Descendants” costar Shailene Woodley to, some day in the future, “give a retired two-time Sexiest Man Alive a job… and then after you give Brad [Pitt] a job, maybe you’ll give me one.”

Michelle Williams, who was on hand to accept the Desert Palm Achievement Actress Award, said her thoughts were on Marilyn Monroe, whom she plays in “My Week With Marilyn” and who, unlike Williams, struggled to be taken seriously as an actress.

“My only wish is that Marilyn herself could have experienced in her lifetime what I am experiencing tonight,” Michelle Williams said.

“When she did stretch beyond her pin-up picture, she was pushed back into her place. I accept this award on both our behalf.”

Seven weeks before the Oscars, Hollywood began polishing its acceptance speeches Saturday night at the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s 23rd annual awards gala
Seven weeks before the Oscars, Hollywood began polishing its acceptance speeches Saturday night at the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s 23rd annual awards gala

Though the gala is “black-tie optional,” according to the invitations, most of the celebrities are considerably more relaxed than at other awards events.

The Palm Springs gala isn’t televised and honorees already know that they’ve won, a fact that leads to some impromptu speeches.

Multiple attendees compared the crystal award they received to a bong – “I may smoke this later,” said International Star Award recipient Gary Oldman – and obscenities flew fast and furious.

“George Clooney closed the night with an f-bomb!” marveled the evening’s emcee, “Entertainment Tonight’s” Mary Hart.

Mock serious speeches abounded – Tom Hanks watched, bemused, as his 14-year-old “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” co-star Thomas Horn bested him in smooth teleprompter reading, and Jonah Hill took a crack at his “Moneyball” co-star Brad Pitt, who was on hand to accept the Desert Palm Acheivement Actor Award.

“Brad Pitt has constantly made choices that are risky,” said Jonah Hill.

“Look at the unconventional storylines of the two movies he’s being honored for this evening. <<Moneyball>> is about baseball statistics and <<The Tree of Life>> is about… I’m sorry, I’ve seen it three times and I still have no idea what <<The Tree of Life>> is about. But it was beautiful.”

Brad Pitt, who was using a cane after, he said, tripping and falling while carrying one of his twins skiing, walked a 300-foot red carpet into the gala alongside partner Angelina Jolie. Other stars in attendance included Jessica Chastain, Charlize Theron, Glenn Close, Al Pacino, Olivia Wilde and Melissa McCarthy.

Octavia Spencer, who was on hand to accept the Breakthrough Performance Award for her work in “The Help,” thanked her dead parents who, she said, “sent me two white knights, very, very white in the form of [director] Tate Taylor and [producer] Brunson Green.” After acknowledging a phalanx of studio personnel and fellow honorees, including Brad Pitt and George Clooney, Octavia Spencer said: “I would be remiss if I didn’t say… I’m single, gentlemen. I just had to throw that in there.”

Later, “The Artist” director Michel Hazanavicius was presented with the Sonny Bono Visionary Award by his stars, Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo, who is also the mother of two of his children.

“Octavia,” Michael Hazanavicius said, “I’m married, but I’m French, so…”

According to organizers said the event raised $1.6 million for the nonprofit Palm Springs Film Society.

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“Finding Martin” Facebook campaign UPDATES. Martin was found, but is not single.

Diane A. Wade
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“Finding Martin” Facebook campaign UPDATES. Martin was found, but is not single.

Julia Cross’ attempt to use Twitter and Facebook to find the mysterious stranger with whom she enjoyed a brief but perfect flirtation beneath the Mediterranean stars ended in disappointment.

Julia Cross, 33, finally found her Prince Charming Martin, but he came forward to say: “Sorry, but I’ve got a girlfriend!”

It seems that PR consultant Julia Cross from UK might just have had a lucky escape, as Martin, the object of her affections, is a party-loving lad with a distinct eye for the ladies.

Julia Cross became obsessed with her mystery man after a brief encounter in an Ibiza nightclub in September.

They shared a kiss as they watched the sun come up – but lost contact because she mistakenly gave him the wrong phone number.

She frequently lamented the lost opportunity in the ensuing months, prompting her friends to launch a determined campaign to track down the man.

Julia Cross’ attempt to use Twitter and Facebook to find the mysterious stranger with whom she enjoyed a brief but perfect flirtation beneath the Mediterranean stars ended in disappointment
Julia Cross’ attempt to use Twitter and Facebook to find the mysterious stranger with whom she enjoyed a brief but perfect flirtation beneath the Mediterranean stars ended in disappointment

Julia Cross knew him only as Martin, a software developer working in North London and originally from Maidenhead.

The mystery hit the headlines around the world – but was solved yesterday when Martin O’Kane came forward to admit he was the man from the nightclub Space.

Martin O’Kane first broke cover when he tweeted: “Deal with this tomorrow … Cheers Julia! Hope your [sic] well.”

Martin then sent an email to the “Find Martin” Facebook campaign in which he said he was “flattered” by the attempts to track him down but revealed he was already taken.

He confessed he got back together with an ex-girlfriend after his holiday in Ibiza.

It seems that Julia Cross isn’t the first attractive girl to catch his eye, if the photographs on his Facebook page are anything to go by. Martin O’Kane is pictured with a string of good-looking girls, often with drink in hand.

Other shots display distinctly laddish tendencies, such as posing in heavy metal gear, grappling with a friend at a “flat destruction party” – and fashioning a lewd sculpture out of snow on a trip to the Alps.

Martin O’Kane is pictured with a string of good-looking girls, often with drink in hand
Martin O’Kane is pictured with a string of good-looking girls, often with drink in hand

In his email identifying himself, Martin O’Kane wrote: “I have to say I found this all hilarious and I’m obviously very flattered! I hope Julia isn’t too embarrassed by some of the negative comments.”

Martin said he had tried to get in contact with Julia after their holiday encounter, but was thwarted by the wrong number.

He wrote: “So about a week or so after I got back from Ibiza I dropped Julia a message but got no response. Didn’t really think too much more about it as these things happen. I guess it’s possible I took the number wrong.”

Martin added: “I’m definitely not married!” – but added that one of his friends might have given Julia’s pals the wrong idea.

He wrote: “Caroline (my friend whose wedding I was at in Ibiza) has told me that she’s been in contact with you via email to confirm it’s me. She also mentioned that she said I was single.

“Unfortunately this isn’t the case. I’ve just started seeing an ex-girlfriend again. (I hadn’t told Caroline this as I suspected that she’d probably disapprove!)

“Weirdly enough I actually thought I saw Julia in Clapham Old Town last Friday when I was on my way to The Sun [a pub].

“I have to say, it was a really good night in Space, some funny moments including stumbling around in the sea and swallowing lots of sea water, and chilling on the beach with my friends after sunrise. I had a fan-tastic time.”

In a subsequent email, Martin O’Kane discloses some information about the couple’s meeting to prove that he was the man they were looking for.

Martin wrote: “I know that Julia is part Mohican which she told me after I asked about her tattoo.

“I initially thought she was pronouncing Mexico like “me-hi-co” which produced a bit of confusion.”

Martin went on to reveal that his own girlfriend was being as understanding as possible in the circumstances. He wrote: “She already feels a bit odd that there’s a national campaign to set me up with someone else.”

Julia Cross friends’ search had divided opinion on Twitter and has been described as both “brilliant’ and “desperate”.

The Facebook page Julia Cross’ friends set up had stated: “This campaign has been set up to FIND MARTIN, lovely bloke my friend Julia met in Space in Ibiza in the summer of 2011.

“She accidentally gave him the wrong telephone number and has been lamenting <<what if>> ever since.

“This is what we know about Martin: Works for a software development company in Camden; is originally from Maidenhead; was in Ibiza for a friend’s wedding and was partying that night wearing a cycling helmet with glow sticks coming out of it.

“Please help us reunite Martin and Julia!!!!!!! Spread the word xxxx.”

Men always cheat and this is the norm, not the exception, a new study says

Kathryn R. Bown
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Men always cheat and this is the norm, not the exception, a new study says

According to a new study ran by sociologist Eric Anderson from University of Winchester, men who don’t cheat are setting themselves up for “socially-compelled sexual incarceration”.

Eric Anderson also says that men who cheat give them the best of both worlds.

Most of men who cheat still want to stay with their partner – they just want to have more sex on the side.

The American sociologist who teaches at the University of Winchester in England says monogamy has ostracized men from doing what they most want to do.

Eric Anderson writes in his new book “The Monogamy Gap: Men, Love, and the Reality of Cheating”, that cheating is the norm, not the exception to it, and it’s high time that people start embracing “sexually open relationships that coexist without hierarchy or hegemony”.

In the study, Eric Anderson surveyed 120 undergraduate men – both gay and straight. The sociologist found that 78% of those with partners cheated, “even though they said that they loved and intended to stay with their partner”.

In an interview with the Huffington Post, Eric Anderson says men want to be emotionally monogamous, though their “body craves sex with other people somatically”.

Eric Anderson writes in his new book “The Monogamy Gap: Men, Love, and the Reality of Cheating”, that cheating is the norm, not the exception to it
Eric Anderson writes in his new book “The Monogamy Gap: Men, Love, and the Reality of Cheating”, that cheating is the norm, not the exception to it

For the purpose of raising a family, Eric Anderson says, it’s the emotional – and not the sexual factor – that counts.

Eric Anderson says: “Our physical desires don’t die; they just change from our partner to other people…When the sex dies, the relationship has just begun.”

To Eric Anderson, it’s better for men to cheat and repent for it, since telling their partner that they want sex outside the relationship is a tried-and-true relationship-ender.

“When men cheat for recreational sex – not affairs – they DO love their partners,” Eric Anderson tells the Huffington Post.

“If they didn’t, they would break up with them.”

Eric Anderson states that the feelings of betrayal many partners inevitably feel after a man cheats is simply because of a “socialized victimhood”.

The Huffington Post noted that in the study, men were perfectly alright with sex outside of a relationship for them, but not for their partners.

To this, Eric Anderson says it’s not necessarily fair, but he says monogamy often drives men to pursue sex with another in the future.

The sample size and targeted group is questionable to stand alone as a study, the Media Research Centre Network said, and asking undergraduate men about monogamy – in a time many are exploring and pushing boundaries.

In the article, the writer criticizes the idea that society is to blame for the issue and makes it an impossible standard for men to uphold.

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