[googlead tip=”vertical_mic”] Gerard Depardieu said he tried to urinate into a bottle “as discreetly as possible” while on a flight and he was “sorry” to have spilt some on the plane’s carpet.
Gerard Depardieu, the famous French actor gave quite the show on Tuesday in a City Jet flight from Paris to Dublin when he reacted to the news he would not be allowed to use a bathroom until the plane was taking off by urinating on the plane’s carpet in full view of the fellow passengers.
The story surfaced on Wednesday morning, when an eyewitness, who was among the 127 passengers on board the Air France jet, went to the French radio station Europe 1 and recounted Gerard Depardieu‘s urinary performance.
Sources from Gerard Depardieu’s entourage has pronounced he attempted to urinate into a bottle “as discreetly as possible” while on a flight, and said he was “sorry” to have spilt some on a plane’s carpet.
Gerard Depardieu said he tried to urinate into a bottle "as discreetly as possible" while on a flight and he was "sorry" to have spilt some on the plane's carpet.
The famous French actor has had more than his fair share of controversy when he was caught short on a Paris to Dublin flight after the seat belt sign had been switched on for take-off. Waiting for the aircraft to take off, with the plane bathrooms, the 62-year-old actor called out “I need to piss, we need to piss”. But the cabin crew didn’t allow him to use the lavatory until the plane was achieving the cruise speed.
Given his “irrepressible need”, his companions, including a French actor Edouard Baer, offered him a dull bottle as a final solution for his need.[googlead tip=”lista_mica” aliniat=”dreapta”]
Gerard Depardieu left his seat and tried to relieve himself into an empty bottle at the back of the plane.
“A little urine was spilt on the floor, which the actor offered to clean up himself, saying he was sorry for the inconvenience caused,” companions said.
The jet was forced to return to the gate and was delayed for a further two hours as ground crew cleaned up the mess.[googlead tip=”patrat_mic” aliniat=”dreapta”]
After this incident, Gerard Depardieu, who was traveling with two companions, was thrown off the flight with his luggage and told to book another one.
“He was completely sober but desperate to relieve himself. At first he was told he had 15 minutes to wait, but then due to congestion on the runway, he was informed he would have to endure another 20 minutes,” Depardieu’s friends said.
Air France confirmed the incident took place in a statement to national TV station TF1, but said it was unclear what or whether action would be taken against the movie actor as the flight was operated by City Jet, a subsidiary of the national carrier based in Ireland.
The Daily Show last night highlighted a part on the decline of Borders.
Author and comedian John Hodgman asked Jon Stewart,
“Did you know books used to be available in what was called ‘bookstores?'”
Borders website: going out of business
The Borders company was founded in 1971 in Ann Arbor, Mich., as a used bookstore. In these 40 years of existence, Borders had to struggle in a very competitive retail environment when the management was constantly changing. At the end, Borders failed to compete effectively with online retailers and to move aggressively into digital books.
Today, a group of liquidators are closing the remaining 399 Borders stores. This will leave 10,700 people out of job.
Mike Edwards, Borders’ president, said in a statement.
“The headwinds we have been facing for quite some time, including the rapidly changing book industry, e-reader revolution, and turbulent economy, have brought us to where we are now.”
Borders liquidating its remaining stores could bring the biggest changes into the book publishing industry. Because of Borders disappearance, the book selling scenery alter, driving writers to find other places to sell their work.[googlead tip=”patrat_mic” aliniat=”dreapta”]
Jennifer Romanello, executive director of publicity at Grand Central Publishing in New York who stopped sending writers to many Borders for book signings once they announced bankruptcy in February, claims she already seeks different locations to advertise their work.
“It’s one less outlet to use in promoting our authors,” she said. “There are still other things out there; we see if there’s an independent bookstore nearby. But the number of bookstores has been contracting, not expanding, so we’re selective where we send out authors.”
What are the financial analysts commenting on the Borders closing?
[googlead tip=”patrat_mic” aliniat=”stanga”]From Borders’ leaving will certainly benefit its competition, including Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million, which might move into a lot of the store spaces left by Borders. Independent book shops that have fought for a long time the onslaught of superstores are enjoying too.
Barclays Capital analyst Alan Rifkin predicts the Barnes & Noble chain could gain $220 million to $330 million in revenue, or about 10% to 15% of Borders annual revenue.
Rifkin said even though Barnes & Noble has more aggressively and successfully pursued the e-book space than Borders did — with Barnes & Noble’s Nook e-reader and e-bookstore — it still faces the same stiff competition from online retailers.
“As the demand for physical books continues to decline, the need for big-box physical bookstores will likely continue to decline as well,” he wrote in a client note.
Adrian Sierra, 36, a realtor from Westchester, N.Y., for example, left Borders store in Penn Station in New York with no shopping bag stuffed with books. He was, on the other hand, holding his iPad.
“I’ll miss them,” he says, but, “I’m not going to buy another paperback in my life. There’s no reason to anymore.”
A growing number of customers like Sierra are the reason that Borders liquidation will most likely accelerate sales of e-books, said Forrester media analyst James McQuivey. He predicts e-book sales will nearly triple by 2015 to $2.18 billion, with the number of e-readers jumping from 10.3 million at the end of 2010 to 29.4 million by 2015.[googlead tip=”lista_mica” aliniat=”dreapta”]
The closings of Borders Stores, mentioned by Jon Steward in “The Daily Show” last night, are a loss for communities across the United States.
Mr. Edwards told Borders employees in a company memo:
“For decades, our stores have been destinations within our communities – places where people have sought knowledge, entertainment, and enlightenment and connected with others who share their passion.”
[googlead tip=”patrat_mare”]Wednesday, Florida police announced that arrested Jared Cano,17, who had material to make pipe bombs at his home and had planned to attack and cause mass casualties at the Tampa high school that had expelled him.
A “potentially catastrophic” bomb plot hatched by an expelled high-school student has been thwarted in the US city of Tampa, Florida, according to the police.
“We were probably able to thwart a potentially catastrophic event the likes of which the city of Tampa has not seen and hopefully never will,” Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor told a news conference.
Jared Cano faces charges of threatening to throw, project, place or discharge a destructive device, possession of bomb-making materials and marijuana charges
Police named the suspect, as Jared Cano, 17, who is accused of planning to plant a device at Freedom High School in Hillsborough County, north Tampa and detonate it as students returned on Tuesday.
Fuel, shrapnel and plastic tubing, along with timing and fusing devices were found at his home, police said.
The teenager had previously been arrested on several juvenile charges.
[googlead tip=”vertical_mediu” aliniat=”stanga”] “Mr. Cano, who had been expelled from the school, was hoping to kill or injure more people than the 1999 shooting by two students at Columbine High School in Colorado,” police chief Jane Castor said.
In April 1999, two students at Columbine High School in Colorado killed 12 students and one teacher in one of the deadliest school massacres in US history.
“Mr. Cano was arrested on Tuesday night after an unnamed individual came forth with information about the plot,” said Jane Castor.
“That’s what we need in this community, to have the citizens involved in keeping this community safe,” she added.
“And that was a prime example of allowing us to avoid a very serious event yesterday.”
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In addition to the alleged bomb-making material found in his home, investigators also found drawings of rooms inside the school and statements about his intent to kill people, police said.
“The minute-by-minute plot targeted specific school staff and any students who were nearby,” police said.
St Petersburg Times reported that when Jared Cano appeared in court on Wednesday he was asked by the judge if he had anything to say.
Cano began: “The plan wasn’t…”, but a defence lawyer interrupted and advised him to say no more, reports the newspaper.
Jared Cano, the expelled student of Tampa Freedom High school has been arrested in the past for burglary, drug possession and weapons offences
Jared Cano faces charges of threatening to throw, project, place or discharge a destructive device, possession of bomb-making materials and marijuana charges.
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Chris Farkas, Freedom High School principal told media that Jared Cano had been expelled in April 2010 because of a non-school-related incident.
Farkas said of his former student’s arrest: “Once I found out and saw the information and saw what was taken from the apartment complex, that was when the reality and the fear set in that this was a real situation.”
Jared Cano has been arrested in the past for burglary, drug possession and weapons offences, according to police.
[googlead tip=”patrat_mic” aliniat=”dreapta”]Over 5,000 people took to the street last night at Madrid’s Catholic Youth Festival, violently protesting against the exorbitant cost of Pope Benedict XVI visit to Madrid, as the country faces an acute economic crisis.
Protesters shouted and whistled, with even violence between them and the police. The protests are even more surprising, knowing that Spain is a country with high percentage of Catholics.
According to AFP, Pope Benedict XVI visit to Madrid at World Youth Day 2011 festival cost is estimated to 50 million euro, but this amount does not include police security service and other related costs, which could increase the budget to 100 million euro.
People violently protesting against the exorbitant cost of Pope Benedict XVI visit to Madrid
The organizers of Madrid World Youth Day 2011 festival said only 15 million euro will come from Spanish companies, while the rest will be covered by donations from pilgrims arrived at the event.
The rally was attended by “indignant” M-15 movement members, who protested against the government’s austerity drive, and gay rights groups.
Wearing placards with the inscription: “From my taxes, zero cents for the pope. Secular state”, demonstrators answered the call of about 140 associations for defending secularism, the progressive Christians, the militant left-wing or defense of the case gay.
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Protestors of all ages wore placards with slogans or words: “God YES, church NO”, “This youth is not belonging to the Pope,” “Stoptrans-phobia, sexism, homophobia!” and “We demand real secular state, freedom of conscience is a right.”
Some pilgrims at World Youth Day, which is held in Madrid this time, shouted “Long live the Pope!”,“This is the pope’s youth” when protesters were passing through, but police opposed the exchange of replicas to degenerate into violences.
Demonstrators of the”indignant” M-15 movement were protesting against the social repercussions of the crisis around two huge portraits of the Pope and the French writer Stephane Hessel, author of the manifesto “Offended you.”
The two portraits were written with the words “Titans shock “, “Joseph ‘holiness’ Ratzinger ‘,’ Stephane ‘outraged’ Hessel.”
The march began in Tirso de Molina square, then reached Puerta del Sol and finally the protesters returned to where they left.
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Wednesday, Spanish police arrested a Mexican chemistry student for allegedly plotting to gas anti-Pope protesters at Madrid’s Catholic Youth Festival.
The suspect planned to attack a march with “asphyxiating gases and other chemical substances”, according to the police.
A police official said the unnamed suspect arrested was a student specializing in organic chemistry.
Officers who searched his apartment seized an external hard-drive and two notebooks with chemical equations not related to his studies and a computer “allegedly used to recruit on the internet”, police said.
There was no suggestion that actual chemicals had been found during the search but police had wanted to avoid even the chance of a failed attack that might panic people, according to the Spanish daily El Pais.
The newspaper added that police had been alerted by people who found the man’s comments on internet forums in which he said attacks on the Pope were unacceptable.
At least a million people from across the world are in Madrid for a six-day Catholic Youth Festival and Pope Benedict XVI visit is planned to sart Thursday morning.[googlead tip=”lista_medie” aliniat=”dreapta”]
Spain is going through its worst economic crisis in decades, with the highest unemployment rate in the EU, at 21%.
“We are not angry about the Pope’s visit, which some will agree with and others won’t, but rather over the financing of it with public money, especially at a time when many services are being cut because it’s necessary to curb government spending,” 15-M said in a statement.
Young Catholic pilgrims attending the World Youth Day (WYD 2011) festival in Madrid are camping out in community halls and churches across the Spanish capital during the festivities.
Visitors are being offered half-price travel on public transport during the festival.
The festival got under way on Tuesday evening with a giant open-air Mass in an atmosphere akin to a rock concert.
The government has declined to give a figure for the costs, Reuters news agency reports.
Some 800 bishops, archbishops and cardinals from around the world and 8,000 priests tended to the congregation, AFP news agency reports.
On Wednesday, August 17, the Food and Drug Administration approved Zelboraf, a drug for BRAF V600E mutation-positive metastatic melanoma. Along with skin cancer drug, FDA approved Companion Diagnostic, a mutation diagnostic test.
“Today’s approval of Zelboraf and the (companion) test is a great example of how companion diagnostics can be developed and used to ensure patients are exposed to highly effective, more personalized therapies in a safe manner,” said Alberto Gutierrez, head of the FDA’s Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Device Evaluation and Safety.
Zelboraf may help metastatic melanoma patient to live longer
Zelboraf and its Companion Diagnostic are co-developed by Roche (Genentech unit) and Plexxikon, Daiichi Sankyo Group member. Roche and Daiichii will promote this medicine in United States. Zelboraf will be available within two weeks and will be distributed through specialty pharmacies (mail-order pharmacies).
Zelboraf (vemurafenib) is a targeted medicine for inoperable or metastatic melanoma BRAF V600E mutation-positive.
“As the first personalized medicine approved for the treatment of patients with BRAFV600E mutation-positive melanoma, Zelboraf represents a significant new treatment option for these patients suffering from inoperable or metastatic melanoma. We are grateful for the clinical trial participants, clinical investigators, collaborators and dedicated employees, who have all contributed to this important advancement in cancer treatment,” said K. Peter Hirth, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Plexxikon.
The cobas 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test identifies tumors that carry the BRAF V600E mutation. In this way the doctors will know what person with inoperable or metastatic melanoma can be treated with Zelboraf. This personalized drug has no known beneficial effect on other skin cancers, thus it is important to have a diagnostic test before taking Zelboraf pills.
“The cobas BRAF Mutation Test has improved sensitivity, accuracy and speed compared to other commonly used, unapproved detection methods,” said Paul Brown, head of Roche Molecular Systems.
Studies have shown that Zelboraf increases the survival rate in patients with BRAF V600E mutation-positive melanoma.
According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma, a type of skin cancer, is one of the deadliest cancers, with a five-year survival rate of 15 percent for people with advanced melanoma. It is estimated that BRAF mutations appear in about half of all cases of melanoma and may lead to uncontrolled cell growth.
More information about ongoing Zelboraf studies is available at www.roche-trials.com or www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu (in the EU) or www.clinicaltrials.gov (in the US).
Zelboraf might have side effects. The patients should talk to their doctors about their conditions prior the medication and carefully observe the changes that might appear during the treatment.
“Patients should call their doctor for medical advice about any side effects. Patients or their caregivers are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. They may also report side effects to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.
Patients should read the Zelboraf full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for additional important safety information at www.zelboraf.com.”
In March, the FDA approved Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Yervoy (ipilimumab), an intravenous medicine for patient with advanced melanoma. Roche and Bristol have agreed to collaborate in order to find out if these two medicines are safe and effective if taken together. Roche submitted drug applications for Zelboraf in the EU, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, India, Mexico and Canada.
[googlead tip=”patrat_mediu” aliniat=”stanga”]Romania has become the destination of choice for the so-called “divorce tourism,” for Italians looking to end their marriages, owing to its faster and cheaper procedures.
An increasing number of Italian couples choose to end their marriage in other states of the European Union, where procedures are simpler and cheaper than in their home country.
Romania has become the destination of choice for Italian "divorce tourism".
A New York Times (NYT) journalist told the story of a couple that traveled from Bologna to Bucharest for just one day, with the only purpose of signing residence documents in Romania, so they can legally terminate their marriage in just a few months. They chose the services of the “Divorzio Comodo”(“Easy Divorce”) company that arranges all-inclusive “divorce trips” to Romania (flight ticket included) at the starting price of 5,000 USD.
“A divorce takes too long for someone who wants to start a new life,” the man told NYT.
Apparently, Italy requires unhappy couples to sit through a three-year legal separation period before divorce proceedings can begin; if the breakup is less than amicable, the process can sometimes take up to ten years. The solution for those looking for a more efficient way to sever their ties is a “divorce destination.”
[googlead tip=”vertical_mic”]Unlike the three years required by Italian law, in other countries of the EU a marriage can be terminated just six months after signing the residence papers.
Italian “divorce tourists” are able to bypass their homeland’s lengthy wait times by traveling abroad to sign the release papers because EU countries are required to recognize divorces granted by any member state.
Anywhere moves faster than Italy on this issue, but Romania has made itself particularly attractive to would-be Bunga-Bunga-ers by being cheap and taking a casual attitude toward residency requirements, said NYT.
In Romania an Italian marriage can be terminated just six months after signing the residence papers
The demand for foreign splits is apparently so large that it’s created a niche industry.
“It’s true that we’re seeing offices offering such services opening up,” said Diego Sabatinelli, secretary for the Italian League for Quick Divorce, an association affiliated with the Radical Party, which was instrumental in legalizing divorce in Italy in 1970.
“If there is a market, there is a need.”
Diego Sabatinelli has been lobbying the Italian government to get rid of the required three-year separation, which is meant to act as “a period of forced reflection and possibly reconsideration.”[googlead tip=”lista_mare” aliniat=”stanga”]
As a Milanese divorce lawyer explained, that’s just too much contemplation, even for a country full of Catholics:
“Delaying the end of a marriage rarely saves it” … She said that she had worked on countless divorces in the past 20 years, and “could only think of one case where the couple got back together.”
Although there is no statistic about the number of Italians that choose to divorce abroad, Gian Ettore Gassani, the president of the Italian Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers said it reached 8,000 couples and is still increasing, which represents a defeat for the Italian legal system.
Other popular destinations for divorcing Italians are Spain, France and the UK.
[googlead tip=”patrat_mic” aliniat=”stanga”]Gerard Depardieu, the famous French actor gave quite the show on Tuesday in a CityJet flight from Paris to Dublin when he reacted to the news he would not be allowed to use a bathroom until the plane was taking off by urinating on the plane’s carpet in full view of the fellow passengers.
The story surfaced on Wednesday morning, when an eyewitness, Daniele, who was among the 127 passengers on board the Air France jet, went to the French radio station Europe 1 and recounted Gerard Depardieu‘s urinary performance.
Gerard Depardieu urinated on the plane's carpet in full view of the fellow passengers.
Daniele said that Gerard Depardieu begged a flight attendant to let him in the bathroom, saying “Je veux pisser, je veux pisser,”(“I need to piss, I need to piss”) repeatedly.
The cabin crew asked the actor to wait 15 minutes for the plane to reach its cruising altitude and told him to remain seated during takeoff. Depardieu, who appeared inebriated, unzipped his trousers and “stood up and did it (urinated) on the ground,” according to the eyewitness.
“There and then he did it on the floor…” the witness said.
“No one said anything. It all happened with courtesy.”
[googlead tip=”vertical_mediu” aliniat=”dreapta”] After Gerard Depardieu relieved himself, the plane returned to its gate, where a grounds crew reportedly spent two hours cleaning up the mess.
“You could tell he’d been drinking,” the disgusted passenger claimed.
The jet was forced to return to the gate and was delayed for a further two hours as ground crew cleaned up the mess.
Air France confirmed the incident took place in a statement to national TV station TF1, but said it was unclear what or whether action would be taken against the movie actor as the flight was operated by City Jet, a subsidiary of the national carrier based in Ireland.
Gerard Depardieu, 62, arguably France’s most famous living actor, has enjoyed a career spanning four decades and well over a hundred films. He is best known outside France for the film “Green Card,” for which he won a Golden Globe best actor award.
Gerard Depardieu, who runs a vineyard when he isn’t acting, has a reputation for drunken antics. In 2009, he literally beat up a car near his home — smashing the windshield with his fist — and in 1990 was convicted of drunk driving.[googlead tip=”lista_mica” aliniat=”stanga”]
The actor’s turn in the role of public urinator is just the latest instance of what seems to be a growing trend: peeing-on-a-plane stories. A drunk skier may have peed on a sleeping 11-year-old last week and, in June, a drunk Jetstar passenger relieved himself in the aisle of a Singapore-bound jet.
A British honeymooner was killed in a suspected shark attack in the idyllic honeymoon island Seychelles yesterday – as the horrified bride he wed 11 days ago looked on.
Ian Redmond, 30, was attacked in shallow water 100ft off a Seychelles beach. Ian swam off Anse Lazio beach, on the island of Praslin, according to multiple reports in British media.
His bride, Gemma Houghton, 27, from Wigan, was sunbathing and heard him shout “Help, help” as the Bull shark savaged him.
Ian Redmond suffered horrific injuries as the monster tore huge chunks of flesh from his body. According to the eyewitnesses, Ian suffered serious wounds to his chest and limbs, and that one of his arms appeared to have been completely severed.
Fishermen carried him to the beach in a dinghy but he died before paramedics could arrive as his wife wept beside him and screamed “that’s my husband”.
A witness, also called Ian, said: “The swimmer was missing a huge chunk of flesh from his left leg, so much so that I could see the bone of his thigh. He was sickeningly pale, but still had his flippers on both feet.”
“A woman ran over and started screaming. She said, <<That’s my husband! We were just married>>.”
An islander said: “The man was swimming close to the beach. He began splashing and shouting. His arm was ripped off and parts of his torso were missing. There was a horrific amount of blood in the water. It was like Jaws.”
Another witness said someone grabbed Gemma and kept her away from her mutilated husband.
He added: “The damage was too great. It was too horrific for her to see.”
Jeanne Vargiolu, 56, a beach restaurant owner said Ian “had lost one arm and had the flesh stripped off one leg.”
“He also had holes in his chest and stomach.”
She added: “All the meat on one leg was gone.”
Bill Houghton, the bride’s uncle, said: “Gemma is just devastated. They had a perfect wedding. Ian was a fantastic bloke.”
Ian and Gemma Redmond married 11 days before shark attack
The couple, who married on August 6, was at stunning Anse Lazio beach in the early evening, when the shark attacked in shallow waters, 100ft from the shore.
Seychelles, the Praslin Island, where Ian Redmond was attacked by the Bull shark.
The previous shark attack victim was a French diver.
A Seychelles tourism source said: “The latest bite marks are consistent with that of a Bull shark. It is probably the same rogue maneater.”
The couple’s families, David and Coleta Houghton and Stephen and Corinne Redmond, were flying to the resort last night.
Britain’s Foreign Office late Monday confirmed the death and said it was providing consular assistance to the next of kin.
The British high commissioner was reportedly traveling to the island to comfort Redmond’s new wife, Gemma Houghton, 27, who apparently witnessed the entire gruesome incident from where she lay sunbathing on the beach.
The East African nation is mainly reliant on tourism and fishing. Prince William and his bride spent their 10-day honeymoon there, on the same island chain.
Island officials have launched a hunt for the shark with the help of sealife experts, but in the meantime are warning swimmers to stick to ankle-deep water on the pristine beaches.
American Express celebrates Abbey Road Studios 80th anniversary with “Symphony at The Park” this weekend.
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Chiswick Orange Tree Garden will host the Symphony at the Park for Abbey Road Studios anniversary
Two singularly themed symphonic concerts will honour and will emphasize the chronicle of the famous Abbey Road Studios. West London’s Chiswick House and Gardens with its idyllic surroundings hosts these majestic performances. New and classic rock, pop and epic film scores will be performed.
[googlead tip=”lista_mica” aliniat=”stanga”]Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (eighty-six pieces), Crouch End Festival Chorus (forty singers) and guest instrumentalists will play modern songs and film scores. The Beatles, Oasis, Pink Floyd’s songs will be performed along with scores from Star Wars, Harry Potter. The concert premiere of Disney’s Peter Pan sequel “Return to Neverland” will be also interpreted. All of these are the Abbey Road Studios outstanding eighty years legacy.
On Saturday, August 20, The Beatles, Elbow, Elgar, The Hollies, Kate Bush, Oasis, Pink Floyd, Queen, Radiohead’s anthems symphonic versions will be played.
On Sunday August 21 programme consists in film orchestral arrangements recorded at Abbey Road. Richard Strauss’ symphonic poem Also sprach Zarathustra used in “2001: A Space Odyssey”, John Williams’ compositions for “Star Wars”, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and for “Harry Potter”, Danny Elfman’s musical creation for “Batman” will charme the attendees.
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Also another iconic film scores will be played for the audience: Howard Shore’s music for “The Lord of the Rings”, James Horner’s “Braveheart”, Jerry Goldsmith score for “Star Trek: The Motion Picture”.
The visitors who will come to see these concerts at the historic Chiswick House and Gardens are invited to bring their own picnic and rug. Also they can upgrade to a VIP Package.
Abbey Road Studios, 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London
Gramophone Company founded Abbey Road Studios in November 1931, later on British music company EMI Records Limited became its owner.
In the 1960s Badfinger,The Beatles, Pink Floyd’s innovative recording techniques has been hosted by these famous studios.
In 2010 the studios received historic site status from the British government.
Scotland Yard has charged more than 1,000 suspects over the last weeks London riots.
Tim Godwin, London Metropolitan Police acting commissioner hailed a “significant milestone” as he said a total of 1,005 suspects had been charged after 1,733arrests so far.
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Tim Godwin, who said last weekend that the force was aiming for 3,000 convictions, added that the investigation is “far from over”.
Scotland Yard has charged more than 1,000 suspects over the last weeks London riots
Operation Withern – the force’s investigation into the violence and looting last week – includes 500 officers who have gathered 20,000 hours of CCTV (Closed Circuit TV) footage.
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Forensic officers have made more than 300 submissions to labs from more than 1,100 crime scenes, the force added.
Commissioner Godwin hailed also the work of his officers and Londoners over the response to the crisis.
“Our tireless investigations to find those responsible for last week’s appalling violence continue,” he said.
“Officers across the Met are carrying out great police work, day and night, to gather the kind of evidence which has led to these charges.”
“The response from the public in coming forward with information has been fantastic. I want to thank all communities for their help over the last 10 days and ask for their continued support. If you know anyone involved in the disorder tell us – don’t let them get away with it.”
London Mayor Boris Johnson said:
“Thanks to the commitment and hard work of each and every police officer in London, those responsible for the sickening crimes we saw across the capital last week are swiftly being brought to justice.”
“To have already charged 1,000 people is a testament not only to their dedication, but also to the outstanding support they have had from law-abiding Londoners who will not tolerate this behaviour in their communities.”
“We have shone a torch on London’s criminal fraternity, and this milestone sends out the clear message that offenders will be made to pay for their appalling actions.”
Russell Armstrong, 47, the estranged husband of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Taylor Armstrong, was found dead Monday night in what appears to be a suicide.
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Russell Armstrong, the estranged husband of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Taylor Armstrong, was found dead in Los Angeles of an apparent suicide, the city’s coroner’s office said.
Russell Armstrong appears to have died by hanging himself in a bedroom of a Mulholland Drive home, but no cause of death has been finalized, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office said. No note was found at the house on Mulholland Drive where his body was discovered. He was pronounced dead shortly after 8 p.m. Monday. No official cause of death has been given.
Russell Armstrong, 47, husband of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Taylor Armstrong, was found dead Monday night in what appears to be a suicide. (Getty Images)
Russell Armstrong, who had moved out of the couple’s home several months ago after it became clear that the six-year marriage could not be saved and Taylor Armstrong filed for divorce last month, had been staying at a friend’s place.
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Taylor Armstrong filed for divorce on July 15 last after six years of marriage to the venture capitalist. The show frequently showcased their on-air fights and she told People he would sometimes grab her, shove her, throw things at her and pull her hair. He told the magazine the show had hurt their relationship.
Taylor Armstrong also told OK over the last weekend that the split was being handled amicably, with the two cooperating in co-parenting Kennedy, their 5-year-old daughter.
In her divorce filing, Taylor alleged that Russell had been physically and verbally abusive for years.
“Did I push her?” Russell told People in late July, denying additional allegations that he’d pulled her hair.
“Yes, maybe things happened in the heat of the moment, but it was during a time in our lives that was not characteristic of who we were. This show has literally pushed us to the limit.”
Russell Armstrong’s lawyer, Ronald Richards, told TMZ that his client had “tremendous financial problems” and was “extremely bummed out” about his pending divorce.
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The Armstrong’s also were hit in late July with a $1.5 million lawsuit alleging they’d scammed investors. In the lawsuit, MyMedicalRecords.com alleged the couple diverted money from NuWay Digital Systems investors who were led to believe they had shares in MyMedicalRecords.com, pocketing about a million dollars for themselves, Gossip Cop reported.[googlead tip=”lista_mare” aliniat=”stanga”]
According to Radar Online, crediting an unnamed source close to the situation, reported Tuesday that the 40-year-old reality TV star Taylor Armstrong had been up all night and was “hysterical” over Russell’s death.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances of Russell Armstrong’s death. His motivations may never become clear.
An autopsy, which will include toxicology and other tests, is pending. Law enforcement sources told TMZ that no drugs or alcohol were found in the room where the fully clothed Russell was found dead.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is an American reality series for the Bravo cable network. The sixth installment in the network’s The Real Housewives of… franchise, production for the Evolution Media series began in March 2010. The show premiered on October 14, 2010. The January 20, 2011 finale of the show became the highest rated episode with 4.2 million viewers in their duel prime time telecasts. They were surpassed by The Real Housewives of Atlanta who saw 4.4 million viewers for their season finale on January 30, 2011.
The new season of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” is set to premiere September 5.
[googlead tip=”vertical_mic” aliniat=”drapta”] The previous week (from August 9 through August 16) was “Elvis Week” 2011, anevent that commemorates Elvis Presley’s death on August 16, 1977, at 42.[googlead tip=”lista_mica” aliniat=”dreapta”]
This annual celebration has begun in 1982 when Graceland estate has been opened to visitors. Since then hundreds thousands of persons have travelled there.
Thousands of people went to Memphis on Monday to attend a midnight candlelight vigil, the keystone of “Elvis Week”, at Graceland.
About 20,000 fans from all over the world (including England, Germany, Japan) flocked together at Elvis Presley‘s home. They processed through the familiy cemetery. At the meditation garden, they kneeled, or quietly sang, they left flowers or others tributes on the King’s graveyard. “The Twelfth of Never” (by Johnny Mathis), was the theme song for this year, signifying the unceasing love for the King of Rock and Roll.
Kevin Kern read a message from Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis Presley‘s daughter:
“Dear Friends, thank you so much for being here and continuing to honor the legacy of my father. Your ongoing love and support mean very much to me and my family. My father always said he had the best fans in the world, and he was right. The fact that you are here to celebrate his life 34 years after his passing is a testament to that. I hope you’ve enjoyed our new exhibits at Graceland and I look forward to being involved personally with a very special exhibit called ‘Elvis Through His Daughter’s Eyes’ opening in the Spring of next year. Before we know it, it will be Elvis Week 2012, which as you all know as the 35th anniversary will be special time. I look forward to being there with you, my mother and entire family.
Thank you all and I’ll see you next August.”
Fifty five years passed since the first two Elvis Presley‘s albums were released.[googlead tip=”patrat_mic” aliniat=”dreapta”]
Elvis Presley in Las Vegas 1971
The music producer Ernst Jorgensen launched a five-CD RCA/Legacy box set “Young Man With the Big Beat” on Monday at Graceland to celebrate the King’s breakout year. The CDs feature interviews, remastered rare live recordings, unpublished live songs, recording-session outtakes.
In 1956 Elvis Presley’s “That’s All Right, Mama” (1946 blues number, Arthur Crudup’s “That’s All Right”, turned later into a professional platter) set the teen-agers on fire. “Heartbreak Hotel “, “Blue Suede Shoes”, “I Forgot to Remember to Forget” were some of the song which Elvis interpretation made to reach the top of audience.”Bossa Nova Baby” hit the top in 1963.
“In the Ghetto”, issued in 1969, reached number three on the pop chart. Another hit singles were “Suspicious Minds”, “Don’t Cry Daddy”, “Kentucky Rain”.
In 1970, “The Wonder of You” was released and it was a number one in UK and on top in US.
Unfortunately, in his late years Elvis has suffered from glaucoma, high blood pressure, liver damage, and an enlarged colon, a possibly caused, and aggravated by barbiturates and Demerol addiction.
On August 16, 1977 he was found unconscious on his bathroom floor. Elvis Presley was officially pronounced dead at 3:30 pm at Baptist Memorial Hospital.
AC/DC rock band signed with liquor company Warburn Estate to lend their names and the titles of some of their biggest hits to a line of fine wines
AC/DC, the World’s Top Live Rock Band, has teamed up with one of Australia’s major wineries, Warburn Estate, and Australia’s leading retailer, Woolworths, to release their own range of wines in Australia – AC/DC: The Wine.
The rock band signed with liquor company Warburn Estate to lend their names and the titles of some of their biggest hits to a line of fine wines.[googlead tip=”patrat_mic” aliniat=”dreapta”]
“We wanted to make sure that AC/DC’s hometown fan base could have easy access to their rock icons’ wines. For us it was a no-brainer to make it available nationally, no one misses out,” said Steve Donohue, General Manager of Bbuying for the Woolworths Liquor Group, which will sell the drinks.
Warburn Estate, one of Australia’s top wineries, said the new AC/DC wine collection will be available in 4 different selections:
AC/DC Back In Black Shiraz (2010 750mL Dry Red)
AC/DC You Shook Me All Night Long Moscato” (2011 750mL Sweet White)
AC/DC Highway To Hell Cabernet Sauvignon” (2008 750mML Dry Red)
The wines will hit stores later this month and will be available at Liquor Woolworths, Dan Murphy and BWS liquor stores throughout Australia.
[googlead tip=”vertical_mediu” aliniat=”dreapta”] AC/DC singer Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980 in London, England after he choked on his own vomit while sleeping in a friend’s car following a night of drinking.
A number of rock bands have launched their own wine labels or wine collections over the last few years, including members of KISS, MOTÖRHEAD, WHITESNAKE, QUEENSRŸCHE, WARRANT and SATYRICON.
As previously reported, USAopoly has just released the AC/DC Collector’s Edition Monopoly board game.
The AC/DC Collector’s Edition Monopoly is the first and only game that combines the risk taking, deal making Monopoly game play with one of the most legendary and enduring rock and roll bands of all time, allowing fans to vie for control of AC/DC’s most iconic albums and international locations.
[googlead tip=”lista_mica” aliniat=”stanga”]
AC/DC follows METALLICA, KISS, THE BEATLES, ELVIS PRESLEY and THE GRATEFUL DEAD, among other artists, who have their own Monopoly games.
[googlead tip=”patrat_mediu” aliniat=”stanga”]Swedish researchers from Lund University have identified a new treatment method for the advanced prostate cancer that may attack and destroy prostate cancer stem cells.
The current common prostate cancer treatments like radiation, hormone therapy and even surgery are ineffective in completely eradicating the tumor.
However, the Swedish team is currently working on developing a new therapy that attacks prostate tumors at the root. This is great news and gives hope to those men who have received positive PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) tests for prostate cancer.
Researchers from Lund University have identified a method that may attack and destroy prostate cancer stem cells. These cells can be extremely resistant to most common treatments and if they are not completely destroyed following radiation or surgery, they can cause the cancer to return.[googlead tip=”patrat_mic” aliniat=”dreapta”]
Researchers from Lund University have identified a method that may attack and destroy prostate cancer stem cells
According to the researchers’ statement post on the university website, the new therapy works by targeting a specific protein in prostate cancer stem cells. They found that the STAT3 protein is integral to the ability of stem cells to grow and regenerate. They also noted that the natural compound galiellalactone inhibits the activity of STAT3.
Prostate cancer that has become resistant to hormone treatment and that does not respond to radiation or chemotherapy requires new methods of treatment. By attacking stem cell-like cells in prostate cancer, researchers at Lund University are working on a project to develop a new treatment option.
A successful interdisciplinary project is underway between two research groups, in which senior researcher Rebecka Hellsten and Professor Anders Bjartell at the Faculty of Medicine’s division for Urological Cancer Research, Skåne University Hospital in Malmö, and Professor Olov Sterner and Assistant Professor Martin Johansson at the Lund University division of Organic Chemistry recently published their latest research findings in the scientific online journal PLoS ONE.
“Prostatic tumors are thought to consist only of about 0.1 per cent cancer stem cells, but if you are not successful in eradicating that tumor cell population, there is a risk of subsequent uncontrolled growth of the tumor. The cancer stem cells are often unresponsive to both hormonal treatment and to chemotherapy, so it is essential to develop a direct treatment towards all types of cancer cells”, says Anders Bjartell.
Exploring the tumor biology of prostate cancer, the research group have now observed that the protein STAT3 is active in the stem cell-like cells. In their previous studies, they have proven that the natural compound galiellalactone affects STAT3 and has inhibitory effects on the growth of prostate cancer.
Through the development of new specific STAT3-inhibitors with galiellalactone as a model, the researchers hope to develop targeted therapies that attack the stem cell-like cancer cells in prostate cancer and prevent the tumor from growing and spreading.
[googlead tip=”lista_medie” aliniat=”stanga”]The discovery is still in its very early stages. However, the researchers said they believe using this knowledge to design new pharmaceuticals could significantly improve existing prostate cancer treatments. Any treatment derived from this method would still be a number of years away.
[googlead tip=”lista_mare” aliniat=”stanga”]Authorities around Niagara Falls were searching for the body of a young woman presumed dead Monday after she fell into the water above the famous waterfall and vanished.
[googlead tip=”patrat_mic” aliniat=”stanga”]Police warned tourists Monday not to climb a railing at the top of Niagara Falls after an international student from Japan fell off the edge and was swept over the falls on the weekend.
The woman was swept over Horseshoe Falls, which straddles the US-Canadian border and is the widest and most spectacular of the three cataracts that comprise Niagara Falls.
Police warned tourists Monday not to climb a railing at the top of Niagara Falls after an international student from Japan fell off the edge and was swept over the falls on the weekend
Police on the Canadian side of the falls, where the accident apparently occurred, said the unidentified woman was enjoying the view from an area known as Table Rock about 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
Another woman with her was not injured. News reports identified the pair as students in their 20s and said the incident was captured on surveillance video and that no foul play was suspected.
Niagara Parks Police and emergency workers combed the area with helicopters and boats, but couldn’t find the woman, who is presumed to have drowned.
Search crews instead found male remains in a whirlpool of the lower Niagara River, but police said there is no connection to the missing student.
[googlead tip=”patrat_mic” aliniat=”stanga”]“The woman, who came from Japan and studied at a Toronto-area school, was visiting the falls with a friend around 8:30 p.m. Sunday,” police said.
She climbed over the railing and straddled it to look at the falls. When she stood up, the student apparently lost her footing and fell into the river 24 metres (60 feet) upstream from the brink of the falls. The swift current swept her over.
[youtube SjZrVw9gnUg]
“Scaling the wall is clearly dangerous and prohibited, but visitors do it every day,” said Niagara Parks Police Chief Doug Kane.
Still, the police chief said it’s the first time he’s heard of a tourist tumbling off the edge in that spot.
“We get about 11 million people a year here who view that annually – this is the first occurrence of this nature that I can recall,” said Doug Kane, who has worked in the region for 35 years.
Police said the incident was captured on surveillance video and foul play is not suspected.
[youtube b13X_1vrvDU]
Authorities were working with the Japanese consulate Monday to contact the student’s family.
Early Sunday, a 27-year-old man survived an almost 10-metre fall down the Niagara Gorge.
Adriana Ferreyr, the woman who is suing billionaire George Soros for 50 million dollars spoke for the first time of the moment he “snapped” and allegedly throttled her while they were in bed.[googlead tip=”patrat_mic” aliniat=”dreapta”]
[googlead tip=”vertical_mic”]Brazilian soap opera star Adriana Ferreyr talked also about her terror during a row over property with the 81 year-old financier, according to The Daily Mail.
Adriana Ferreyr talked about her terror during a row over property with the 81 year old financier
She claimed he became violent when she asked why he had given the 1.9 million dollars New York, Manhattan apartment he is said to have promised her to another woman, telling her: “I don’t care.”
Adriana Ferreyr, 28, talked up about their 5 years relationship and claimed that George Soros was tight-fisted and bought her nothing for the first 3 years. It was only in the fourth year that she even got a birthday present, she claims.
“During the first three years, he gave me nothing, not even a birthday present. He changed and became cruel. I don’t know why he would do this to me.”
“George is so powerful, he thinks he can get rid of anyone he wants. But I am not going away. I am going to fight.”
Adriana Ferreyr has filed a lawsuit against George Soros for “severe emotional distress and damages” including the incident in which he allegedly slapped her in the face and attempted to throttle her.
Adriana Ferreyr has filed a lawsuit against George Soros for "severe emotional distress and damages."
Adriana Ferreyr is a Brazilian actress, entrepreneur, real estate developer and philanthropist. She became a Brazilian soap opera hit after appearing as a lead character on the soap opera Marisol in 2002.[googlead tip=”lista_mica” aliniat=”stanga”]
George Soros, the Open Society Institute founder is a Hungarian-American financier, businessman and notable philanthropist focused on supporting liberal ideals and causes. He became known as “the Man Who Broke the Bank of England” after he made a reported $1 billion during the 1992 Black Wednesday UK currency crises. Soros correctly speculated that the British government would have to devalue the pound sterling.
George Soros is worth $14.5 billion, according to Forbes magazine.
[googlead tip=”vertical_mic”]Republican Michele Bachmann, 55, won the Iowa Straw Poll Saturday, affirming her status as a top-tier candidate in the Republican race to challenge President Barak Obama in 2012.
Michele Bachmann received 28% of the nearly 17,000 votes cast. The Texas Republican, Ron Paul was close behind her with 27%. Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty came in a distant third with 13% of the vote, followed by former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum with 9% and businessman Herman Cain with 8%.
Michele Bachmann received 28 percent of the nearly 17000 votes cast
[googlead tip=”vertical_mare” aliniat=”dreapta”]
The daylong political festival was the first indication of how these Republicans are faring with the Grand Old Party (GOP) base. Nine candidates were on the ballot, and voting ran for 6 hours on the campus of Iowa State University.
Voters came in from far and wide, some of the candidates organizing bus caravans to bring backers to the event. In the past the turnout has ranged from 14,000 to 23,000.
Free hamburgers and ice cream were provided and some candidates even paid the $30 entry fee for their supporters to vote in the Iowa Republican Straw Poll.
Sunday morning, it was the ultra-conservative Tea Party favourite Michele Bachmann who was doing the rounds of the talkshow studios on the big television networks, while the former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, a poor third, became the first hopeful to announce he was dropping out of the race.
For Michele Bachmann, who won 28% of votes cast, it was the latest success in a rapid rise from local politics to Republican frontrunner.
As the result emerged late on Saturday, Bachmann, standing on the steps of her campaign bus, shouted what has become her slogan, just as “hope and change” was for Obama.
[youtube _up_xLReV0w]
“You have just sent a message that Barack Obama will be a one … term … president.”
“I think what people see in me is I’m a real person, I’m authentic,” she said.
Michele Bachmann compared herself to Ronald Reagan, who is saw as one of the party’s giants by Republicans, in being guided by a core set of principles.
“I don’t compromise my core principles. That’s how you lead, you lead from principles.”
Bachmann’s weekend victory provides important momentum for her campaign and can expect an influx of financial support, but the bigger question for Republicans is whether her appeal can be broad enough to seduce enough voters in the November 2012 presidential election. Although there are eight declared candidates, realistically only three are still in the race: Michele Bachmann, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and the Texas Governor Rick Perry, who announced his candidacy on Saturday.
Although Michele Bachmann won the Iowa Straw Poll, her vote is soft, with many still undecided.
Sue Matejka, 65, reflects the fluidity of Iowa Republicans. She travelled the three hours from her home in Olin, Iowa, to Ames for the Straw Poll in a bus paid for by Tim Pawlenty but, despite accepting his largesse, had no qualms about voting for Michele Bachmann.
“I am undecided,” she said. For her, the overriding imperative is a candidate who will unseat Barack Obama.
“It is between Bachmann and Perry. I haven’t heard enough about Perry. What is on paper looks good. What he has done for Texans is good,” she added.
Michele Bachmann has risen fast since being elected to Congress in 2006. She has made the most of frequent appearances on television, particularly Fox News, where she is a favourite because of her ultra-conservative views.
She is one of the most high-profile figures, along with Sarah Palin, in the Tea Party movement. In line with Tea Party principles, she adopted a hardline position during the debt crisis, saying she would not vote for raising the national debt ceiling and on Sunday repeated her view that deep cuts in federal spending were vital.
But it is her views on social issues that helped secure her win in Iowa, one of the most socially conservative states in the country outside of the south. Before joining Congress, she prayed outside abortion clinics.
[googlead tip=”lista_mare” aliniat=”stanga”]
Michele Bachmann is also one of the most outspoken critics of homosexuality, co-owning with her husband, Marcus, a clinic in Minnesota where, according to an ABC report by an undercover team, counsellors encourage gay people to pray to get rid of homosexual urges.
“It’s a very sad life. It’s part of Satan, I think, to say this is gay. It’s anything but gay,” she said in a speech in 2004.
While such views on social issues go down well in Iowa, Republicans know such statements will alienate many of the independent voters who decide elections nationwide.
Bachmann’s biggest problem is the entry into the race of Texas Governor Rick Perry, who is a strong candidate. While Perry holds many of the same views as Bachmann on social issues, he said that while he is opposed to same-sex marriage in Texas, he thinks it is fine for New York, saying that is the prerogative of each state to decide. As governor of a state with the best record of job growth in the country, Rick Perry is better placed than Michele Bachmann to take on Barak Obama on the economy. Michele Bachmann acknowledged she cannot win on social issues alone and shifted the emphasis in her round of television interviews on Sunday to the economy.
“It will be an economics election.”
Rick Perry, who announced his candidacy earlier Saturday, came in 6th place with 3.6% of the vote, ahead of GOP front-runner Mitt Romney, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, all of whom didn’t compete in the contest.
The poll results are nonbinding, amount to a popularity contest and offer candidates a chance to test their get-out-the-vote organizations.
Michele Bachmann’s victory may provide a road map for the Iowa campaign heading into the caucuses that are just four months away. But the straw poll has a mixed record of predicting the winner of that contest.
In 2008, Romney won the straw poll, but the big news was the surprising second-place showing of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. Huckabee won the Iowa caucuses, but dropped from the race soon after. McCain, who eventually won the nomination, didn’t compete in the straw poll and finished in 10th place.
Meanwhile, Barak Obama, dropping in the polls and aware of the boost Republicans received from four days of campaign events in Iowa that attracted 700 journalists, heads off on Monday on a three days bus tour of the mid-west, including Iowa. A CNN poll last week put Obama on 47%, down from 52% in January. The White House election is 16 months away but he has a lot of ground to make up.
The Antarctic blast has moved north from South Island at the weekend and has turned New Zealand’s winter into one in more than half century occurrence.
Roads have been closed, flights have been cancelled, mail deliveries have been interrupted, power has been shut off. People have been advised to be prepared for being trapped indoors ( stock-up on emergency food and water).
A lots of state highways are impassable, including Arthurs Pass and Lewis Pass in the South Island Rimutaka Hill and Desert Road North Island. In the Wellington region, five main roads have been closed and 24 crashes were reported on Monday.[googlead tip=”patrat_mic” aliniat=”dreapta”]
Wellington Airport’s flights have been put on hold, over hundred passengers were stranded at Dunedin Airport, in Auckland flights to Queenstown have been cancelled.
In the South Island nine people required medical care, while in Auckland five people were taken to hospital, four after a tree crashed down on their house and an old man after he was blown by the wind.
Almost two thousand dairy farms dumped tons of milk, since the collection tankers were stranded because of the weather conditions.[googlead tip=”lista_medie” aliniat=”stanga”]
New Zealand’s winter has also brought joy to a lot of people, since they have not seen snow flakes in decades.
The inhabitants of Wellington and Auckland saw their first snow in more than 30 years. Climate scientist Georgina Griffiths of The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research said Monday was the coldest day ever recorded in Auckland. Since 1939 the snow never has settled on the Auckland’s ground. The level of snow that fell in Wellington had not been seen since at least 1970s according to MetService.
Some people have lived their entire life in Auckland without seeing any snow. They were astonished, delighted, fascinated. They smiled, they shot pictures, or simply enjoyed the snow.
Stephen Fry commented on Twitter:
“NZ has, bless it, gone officially mad. First snow in Auckland since the 30s. Children running along with open mouths to taste the flakes :)”
Prime Minister John Key said it was the first time he could remember to see a snowfall in Auckland and advised New Zealanders “to be cautious and a little bit careful – make sure they keep an eye out for their family and friends, and if they are aware of their neighbours living alone, it might be a good idea just to check up on them and make sure everything is OK.”
“The conditions are cold enough to bring snow down to 300 metres, the height of the Sky Tower,” MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said on Monday.
This is one of the major snowfall seen in New Zealand’s winter and weather conditions seems to become more severes.
Former Egyptian leader, Hosni Mubarak’s trial has been adjourned until next month, but judge says proceedings will no longer be televised.
Ahmed Rifaat, the Mubarak’s trial judge said the court would reconvene on September 5 to hear evidence, ruling that the trial, which was being broadcast live by many channels and on big screens outside the court, should not be televised until sentencing.
Ahmed Rifaat, the Mubarak’s trial judge said the broadcast ban is in protection of the general interest.
Judge Rifaat also ordered that Mubarak‘s trial should be merged with proceedings against his former interior minister, Habib el-Adly, whose trial had already been adjourned until September 5.
Hosni Mubarak, 83, who has mostly been confined to hospital since he was toppled by mass protests in February, was wheeled into the Cairo court on a stretcher as the trial resumed on Monday morning.
Mubarak appeared into the courtroom in a caged defendants’ box, dressed in a navy blue sports sweater, wearing an intravenous needle implanted in his left hand.
[youtube d2ooEkFQEM0]
His sons, Gamal and Alaa, who face corruption charges, came along with him.
Inside the courthouse, lawyers for the relatives of the killed protesters shouted and bickered before the judge arrived in the room, apparently over seats.
Hosni Mubarak is charged with conspiring in killing of protesters and abusing his power to amass wealth.
[googlead tip=”vertical_mediu” aliniat=”dreapta”] Meanwhile, Mubarak was waiting on the stretcher with hands clasped over his chest.
Mubarak, who is charged with conspiring in killing of protesters and abusing his power to amass wealth, answered, “present”, when the judge called his name.
Defence lawyers called for hundreds of witnesses to testify in the case, including the head of Egypt’s ruling military council, Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, who was Mubarak’s defence minister for 20 years.
[youtube Pgdx1hkuam4]
Hussein Tantawi’s possible testimony on the former leader’s role in trying to suppress the 18 days uprising, in which about 850 people were killed, is considered critical by many to the outcome of the case.
“Tantawi’s testimony would help the court determine whether Mubarak gave orders to interior minister Habib al-Adly to fire at protesters or whether Adly was acting independently,” said one member of the defence team.
Lawyers for the families of those killed have demanded Tantawi testify in the trial too.
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5,000 riot police officers were deployed along with armoured cars outside the courthouse to keep apart the scores of pro- and anti-Mubarak protesters watching the proceedings of the trial on a giant screen.
Egypt’s interior ministry has reported that at least 34 people have been injured outside the police academy where anti and pro-Mubarak protesters clashed.
Mubarak made his first court appearance on August 3 and he is the first Arab state’s leader to stand trial in person since popular uprisings spread across the Middle-East. Mubarak faces charges that could carry the death penalty.
[googlead tip=”vertical_mic”]Jessica Alba, television and film actress, gave birth to a girl on Saturday, August 13 and this message appeared on her Facebook page on Sunday.
“Hi Everyone,
Hope you’re enjoying the weekend. Cash and I are so excited to announce the birth of our daughter, Haven Garner Warren. She was born on Saturday, weighed 7 lbs [3.175 kg], and was 19 inches [48 cm] long. Healthy and happy! Big Sister Honor couldn’t be more excited about the new addition to our family.
Thank you for all of your support during my pregnancy. It means the world to me.”
Jessica Alba gave birth to her second daughter
Jessica spent the week prior the birth promoting “Spy Kids”. She said she has craved watermelon and her daughter has wanted the baby to be a boy, called Sophie. “Spy Kids: All the Time in the World” will be in the theaters on Friday.[googlead tip=”lista_medie” aliniat=”stanga”]
Jessica Alba is known for “Dark Angel” television series. She also played in “Honey”, “Sin City”, “Fantastic Four”, “Into the Blue”, “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” , “Good Luck Chuck”.[googlead tip=”lista_mica” aliniat=”stanga”]
Jessica’s first daughter, Honor Marie, was born in 2008 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. In the same year Jessica Alba married Cash Warren, Michael Warren’s son. She had met Cash while she has been making “Fantastic Four” in 2004.
Several months ago Jessica declared she had used self-hypnosis when she had her first daughter.
“I was freaked my first time going into labour, like, What if I panic? What if I just freak out and am not prepared for it? This just prepares you” she said.
Also she has admitted that her second pregnancy has seemed harder than her first.
“It’s a little harder on the body. My daughter still wants to be picked up and ever since my belly popped she’s really on me.”
About a month ago Jessica Alba confessed she had troubles regaining her figure and she was wondering how Gisele Bundchen has losed the baby weight. Gisele was able to wear a bikini in just several weeks after giving birth.
“I can’t ever get down to the weight I was before I had Honor… My body’s just different. The jeans just sort of zip up differently, and things hang differently. It’s a miracle what happens, but you definitely are different afterward. Unless you’re Gisele,” said Jessica.
On the other hand, Jessica has found that through pregnancy she had learned another way to view her own sexuality.
“It wasn’t something I embraced until I had my daughter. I saw how incredible and amazing it is to be a woman and to be able to create a life. There’s a reason why certain areas of the body are desirable because it all leads to reproduction,” Jessica Alba said.
“Spy Kids: All the Time in the World” will be in the theaters on Friday.
[googlead tip=”patrat_mic” aliniat=”dreapta”]New research findings show that the risk of autism in a child whose older sibling has been diagnosed with the disorder is higher than previously believed.
Autism affects the ability to think, communicate and socially interact and affect one in 110 US children
The risk of an autism spectrum disorder occurring in a younger brother or sister was estimated to be from 3% to 14% in the past years. However, researchers have now discovered this is close to 19%.
“The average risk for the whole sample was 18.7%,”
said researcher Sally Ozonoff, PhD, Vice Chair for Research and professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the M.I.N.D. Institute at the University of California Davis.
Dr. Sally Ozonoff, PhD, professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the M.I.N.D. Institute
“Certain children had an even higher risk,” Dr. Ozonoff said.
”Families who had male infants had a higher recurrence of 26.2%.”
”Families that had more than one child with autism prior to the birth of this infant [in the study] had almost a one in three risk, or 32%.”
“Overall we found this almost 1 in 5 risk, but more like 1 in 4 if the new baby was a boy and 1 in 3 if the family has more than one child with autism.”
The results are published in Pediatrics.
[googlead tip=”vertical_mare” aliniat=”dreapta”] This new information may help parents in their family planning decisions or make them aware of an early intervention at the younger sibling.
“This was very sad, it brought tears to our eyes for many of us,” Dr. Sally Ozonoff said.
“However, the information is valuable. Parents can ask for close monitoring of a young sibling. That way, if autism is detected, early intervention can begin. The new information may also help parents in their family planning decisions.”
During the study have been evaluated 664 infants who were enrolled in an international network known as the Baby Siblings Research Consortium. All enrolled infants had an older sibling with an autism spectrum disorder.
They were observed from about 8 months of age until 36 months. The infants were evaluated many times during the three years.
At the 36-month mark, the infants were classified as having an autism spectrum disorder or not.
Study findings showed at the end that 132 children out of 664 were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Out of those 132, about 41% were diagnosed with autism and 59% were diagnosed with other conditions on the spectrum, such as Asperger’s syndrome.
According to Dr. Ozonoff, it is impossible to estimate an individual family’s risk.
“Remember that overall, over 80% of those babies didn’t have autism,” she said.
“The general population risk is under 1%.”
“The new estimates are very sound,” said Laura Schreibman, PhD, director of the Autism Intervention Research Program at the University of California, San Diego, who reviewed the study findings but was not involved in the research.
“The study design, which followed the infants forward, ensures more accuracy than looking backward,” Dr. Schreibman said.
“The fact that they could look ahead meant they could be certain about how the diagnoses were obtained.”
The group included children from 12 locations and was ethnically diverse. Both of these factors reduce bias.
“Families need to know this is an estimate,” Dr. Laura Schreibman added.
“It doesn’t reflect what will happen to an individual family.”
“This new study provides a more definitive estimate of the recurrence of autism in younger siblings,” said Alycia Halladay, PhD, director for environmental research for Autism Speaks.
Autism Speaks supports the Baby Siblings Research Consortium.
Autism Speaks, the National Institutes of Health, and other organizations supported the study.
“For parents who have an older child with autism, the new information should motivate them to be sure the younger child has close monitoring,” Alycia Halladay said.
“That should be done as early as six months,” she added.
[googlead tip=”lista_mare” aliniat=”stanga”]“Genetic counselors can use the information to help parents interpret the findings,” said Karin Dent, president of the National Society of Genetic Counselors and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City.
“The updated data from this study … should be incorporated in genetic counseling sessions with parents and families of affected individuals,” Dr. Dent said.
“This will help families to have a number on something that is difficult to assess.”
[googlead tip=”lista_medie” aliniat=”stanga”]The Romanian Hungarian ethnic who managed to escape after he was buried alive on Csepel Island in Budapest gave his first interview to Realitatea TV, one of the most important Romanian news channels.
“They tied my hands and legs and started digging and then buried me to the chest.”
Csepel Island, Budapest, where a Romanian was buried alived last week.
The young man was recounting the traumatizing experience he went through on the Csepel Island: how he managed to get out of the grave and run away, full of mud and blood, from the place were several people had been killed for money, according to Realitatea TV website, realitatea.net. Six people were already arrested in the case.
The young man was brutally beaten up and buried after his hands were tied behind his back.
“They tied a rope around my neck and then I lost consciousness. I came to for a few moments. I knew and I felt I was going to die, I passed out several times. In the meantime, one of them kicked me on and on and told me to take everything out of my pockets. I gave them the bank card, I didn’t want to die for 60,000 forint (220 Euro). I couldn’t even feel pain because all my strength was focused on keeping the rope away from my neck. Then they tied my hands and legs and started digging and then buried me to the chest. I was in panic, I started crying, I was in a lot of pain,”
said the Romanian.
[googlead tip=”vertical_mediu” aliniat=”dreapta”] The young man, who has a double citizenship, Romanian and Hungarian, is living in Hungary since 2003.
The group leader seems to be a Macedonian man, who was hiring homeless people to help him bury people alive and obtain their bank cards information.
The Macedonian has been living locally and befriended his victim several weeks before the attack.
The survivor of the Csepel attack said he had been lured into the woods by the alleged killer to drink beer with a couple who lived there. After several drinks they set upon him, bound his hands and forced him to crouch in a hole before burying him up to his neck. They stole his valuables and made him reveal his bank card code.
After he was left by the assailants, who went to withdraw money from his card, the Romanian managed to get out and even if he was attacked by specially trained dogs, he survived and alerted the police.
The Macedonian and homeless couple who attacked the Romanian were arrested and other members of the group are being sought.
Four bodies were found on Csepel Island but police think there could be more.
The Macedonian admitted the killings and led police to a place deep in the woods, where they discovered the remains of four bodies buried in a large pit, Hungarian police were quoted as saying.
The Macedonian admitted the killings and led police to a place deep in the woods on Csepel Island, where they discovered the remains of four bodies buried in a large pit.
One media outlet reported that the alleged murderer was a former member of the Serb paramilitary group run by the late warlord Zeljko “Arkan” Raznatovic, which was notorious for its brutality during the 1990’s Yugoslav wars.[googlead tip=”patrat_mic” aliniat=”dreapta”]
Last weekend, horrible news went around the globe. A Romanian man, Hungarian ethnic, recounted that he was buried alive by three aggressors on the Danube’s Csepel Island near Budapest. After he hardly managed to escape from the scene of horrors, he went to the police. Furthermore, the Hungarian police found four bodies buried on the island, guided there by the Romanian. The man said the attackers forced him to give them his bank card PIN code. The Romanian managed to run and ended up near Francai Obol (Frenchman Bay) area, where nobody believed him and nobody wanted to help. The police eventually went to the scene, found the bodies, and run the investigations.
[googlead tip=”patrat_mediu” aliniat=”stanga”]The Prodigy delivered a high-octane performance as they kicked off the last weekend line-up at the 2011 Sziget Festival in Budapest.
[googlead tip=”lista_medie” aliniat=”stanga”]Headlining the main stage on Friday at Sziget Festival, the electronic group unleashed a career-spanning set, including hits as Breathe and Firestarter.
Despite The Prodigy arrived in the Hungarian capital few hours before taking to the stage, front men, Keith Flint and Maxim were on their typically energetic and provocative form.
The Prodigy delivered a high-octane performance as they kicked off the last weekend line-up at the 2011 Sziget Festival in Budapest
“For all my warriors in Budapest, for all my warriors in the UK,” Maxim shouted at the crowd before Smack My Bitch Up was performed.
In the first part of The Prodigy’s set, Maxim also paid tribute to Dizzee Rascal, who preceded them on the main stage.
“Mr Rascal and crew this is f*cking for you,” he said, as they launched into Poison.
The Prodigy was backed by an impressive lights show, closed out their performance with their classic hit, Out Of Space.
The Prodigy’s setlist included:
World’s On Fire
Breathe
Omen
Poison
Thunder
Warrior’s Dance
Firestarter
Run With The Wolves
Voodoo People
Invaders Must Die
Smack My Bitch Up
Take Me To The Hospital
Their Law
Out Of Space
The Prodigy at Sziget Festival 2011 in Budapest.
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[googlead tip=”vertical_mediu” aliniat=”dreapta”] Dizzee Rascal took to the stage before Prodigy, using his appearance to preview a batch of new material, including the song Bassline Junkie.
Another Dizzee Rascal’s song – thought to be entitled Scream – included a female vocalist, and is along the lines of his more recent chart hits.
Dizzee Rascal, the British rapper constantly paid tribute to the Hungarian crowd, who responded by dancing along to songs included Dance Wiv Me, Holiday and the worldwide smash, Bonkers.
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Sziget Festival 2011 continued on Saturday, August 13 with the performances of Kaiser Chiefs and 30 Seconds To Mars, who have replaced the late Amy Winehouse at the festival.
Sziget Festival is one of ten best major festivals in Europe, which is held in Budapest. The 2011 edition is held from August 8 to August 15 and 52 stages and meeting places with artists from 41 countries are presenting a great variety of genres on Óbudai-sziget (Óbudai-island) of Budapest.
Argentina and Romania received the best prizes of Locarno Film Festival 2011
"Abrir puertas y ventanas" won the Golden Leopard at Locarno Film Festival 2011
“Abrir puertas y ventanas” (Back to Stay) by Milagros Mumenthaler, co-production Argentina/Switzerland won Golden Leopard, FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) prize, while María Canale took the Best Actress award.[googlead tip=”lista_medie” aliniat=”stanga”]
“Abrir puertas y ventanas” (To open doors and windows) is about three sisters who are trying to find their life paths. After their parents have died Marina (María Canale), Sofia (Martina Juncadella) and Violeta Tauss (Ailín Salas) have been raised by their grandmother. The grandmother has died too and the three of them have to look for other ways of living, without a parent figure. Milagros has two sisters herself and she tells the story in an empathic way. “What a great experience.” Said Milagros Mumenthaler on stage at the Piazza Grande when she received the prize.
Adrian Sitaru's "Best intentions" won two prizes at Locarno Film Festival 2011
Adrian Sitaru won the Best Director Leopard for the film “Din dragoste cu cele mai bune intenţii” (Best Intentions), Romania/Hungary co-production, and Bogdan Dumitrache received the Best Actor award. Alex (Bogdan Dumitrache) is an young man who has emotional issues. When his mother (Nataşa Raab) suffers a stroke and she is hospitalized, he comes to the hospital and look after her. He tries to follow everyone’s advice and lives under the impression that anything could hurt his mother. Alex makes mistakes driven by love and by the best intentions, as the title says: “Din dragoste cu cele mai bune intenţii.”[googlead tip=”vertical_mic”] Adrian Sitaru already won another prize at Locarno festival, the Leopards of Tomorrow in 2007, for his short film “Valuri” (Waves). “I had a great experience here four years ago I said when I accepted my prize that I’d be back for a larger version of the award and here I am,” said Adrian Sitaru on the stage at Piazza Grande.
[googlead tip=”vertical_mediu” aliniat=”dreapta”] Portuguese film producer, Paulo Branco, the jury president, said they had created a special jury prize for the first time ever in Locarno for Shinji Aoyama‘s outstanding career and his film “Tokyo Koen. ” (An young amateur photographer in Tokyo accepts an unusual assignment and his life begins to change).
From August 3 through August 13 Locarno Film Festival 2011 displayed around 200 films and 60 short movies with around 40 world premieres.
The blockbuster “Cowboys & Aliens” had 7,600 viewers on the Piazza Grande’s big screen while only 2,200 people attended american thriller flick “Red State. ”
Other festival prizes went to “Nana” by Valerie Massadian, France ( Best First Work), “L’estate di Giacomo” by Alessandro Comodin, Italy/France/Belgium (George Foundation Prize) “Rauschgift” (Addicted) by Peter Baranowski, Germany (Best International Short Film), “L’Ambassadeur & Moi” (The Ambassador & Me) by Jan Czarlewski (Best Swiss Short Film).“Monsieur Lazhar” by Philippe Falardeau, Canada, took Public’s Prize UBS and Variety Piazza Grande Award. Like Adrian Sitaru did four years ago, Jan Czarlewski promised to return aiming for a good prize.
Locarno Film Festival 2011 closed with “Et si on vivait tous ensemble”(And If We All Lived Together) by Stephane Robelin, France. The movie is about some old friends. They try to avoid going to a retirement house and decide to move in together. The film features Jane Fonda and Geraldine Chaplin, Charlie Chaplin’s daughter.
Locarno Film Festival 2011 had other prizes too, you can find the full list here.
[googlead tip=”patrat_mediu” aliniat=”stanga”]Today, police and safety investigators inspected the Saturday night’s tragedy site at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, where the stage collapsed. Governor Mitch Daniels was among those who put the biggest blame on wind gusts that came sooner than expected, ahead of a powerful storm.
Today, police and safety investigators inspected the Saturday night's tragedy site at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, where the stage collapsed
[googlead tip=”lista_mica” aliniat=”stanga”]In the morning, family members of dozens of injured concert-goers and workers were standing vigil at area hospitals. The collapse of overhead stage rigging onto thousands of people waiting for country duo Sugarland to take the stage and killed 4 people at the scene and sent other 45 to hospitals, according to revised injury numbers issued by Indiana State Police today. At least other 20-25people checked themselves into hospitals overnight.
Total deaths of 2011 Indiana State Fair tragedy grew to 5 early this morning.
Total deaths grew to 5 early this morning, when a lighting crew member – who had climbed atop the structure to aim a light before the collapse – was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The four who died at the scene were:
Tammy Vandam, 42, Wanatah, Indiana;
Glenn Goodrich, 49, Indianapolis, Indiana;
Alina Bigjohny, 23 Fort Wayne, Indiana;
Christina Santiago, 29, Chicago Illinois.
Nathan Byrd, 51, from Indianapolis, died at Methodist Hospital early this morning. Byrd, the lighting crew member, who had been working up in the rigging when the collapse happened, was crushed when the rigging came down.
[googlead tip=”vertical_mare” aliniat=”dreapta”] Saturday night, about 9 p.m., after the opening act at the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand had finished, but before Sugarland performance, an announcer told the attendees of approaching severe weather. But officials held off on ordering an evacuation.
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A timeline issued today by Indiana State Police showed that at 8:49 p.m. – about 25 minutes before the storm’s forecasted arrival – a strong gust of wind blew through the fairgrounds, toppling the stage setup onto those closest to the stage. As the crowd scattered, scores of fans rushed toward the metal structure to lift it off victims.
“What you saw last night was a display of best qualities of both public and private Hoosiers,” Governor Mitch Daniels said during a news conference this morning in the Farm Bureau Building at the fairgrounds. Governor became choked up as he talked about the emergency response.
The Indiana Fairgrounds was closed today, but activities were scheduled to resume on Monday. Indiana State Fair officials are still considering alternate plans for events set for the grandstand this week, including concerts by Janet Jackson and Train, but no details have been announced.
After the fair’s tomorrow reopening at 8 p.m., there will be a public remembrance for the victims at 9 a.m. at the Free Stage.
At the morning’s news conference, Daniels was joined by State Fair Director Cindy Hoye and State Police 1st Sgt. Dave Bursten. First Lady Cheri Daniels and Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard both attended but did not speak.
Dave Bursten said the early indication was that the “isolated significant wind gust” took authorities and event coordinators by surprise, since the storm itself was still about 30 minutes from arriving. They had been in contact with the National Weather Service for much of the evening.
Bursten noted that the midway and other areas on the grounds weren’t damaged so severely, and some not at all.
Cindy Hoye said the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) is investigating the structure of the stage rigging, which was provided by Mid-America Sound Corp. of Greenfield.
“Some survivors’ injuries are still considered life-threatening,” Dave Bursten said.
“For others, they may be life-altering,” he added.
The extent of most victims’ injuries or their conditions is still unclear, but at least few people were reportedly in critical condition or intensive care units. Three children were still being treated today at Riley Hospital for Children.
