Home Blog Page 976

Body Shape Recognition For Online Fashion: virtual tape measure advises online shoppers what size to select

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Body Shape Recognition For Online Fashion: virtual tape measure advises online shoppers what size to select

A revolutionary “virtual tape measure” – known as Body Shape Recognition For Online Fashion – promises to make badly fitting clothes (and even badly lit fitting rooms) a thing of the past, advising the user on which size dress, trouser or top they should buy in every retailer.

The web-based body-scanner would take detailed measurements of the body via webcam or smartphone, create a 3D image of the user, then advise on which size garment to buy whenever they visit the website of a participating retailer.

Taking multiple measurements of the body, the system aims to ensure the best possible fit, saving shoppers and retailers millions of pounds a year in return postage costs, as well as eliminating the need to send back clothes that are the wrong size or fit.

Currently, between 30 and 60% of all clothes bought online are returned to the shop.

Body scanning is already starting to make a mark in the clothing retail sector, but these often involve the user stepping into a machine that “photocopies” the body.

Body Shape Recognition For Online Fashion promises to make badly fitting clothes a thing of the past
Body Shape Recognition For Online Fashion promises to make badly fitting clothes a thing of the past

The new software – being developed by London College of Fashion and computer vision experts at the University of Surrey – requires only a photo of the user in their underwear, their height, and an internet connection.

Philip Delamore from London College of Fashion said: “The potential benefits for the fashion industry and for shoppers are huge.

“Currently, it’s common for online shoppers to order two or three different sizes of the same item of clothing at the same time, as they’re unsure which one will fit best.”

Professor Adrian Hilton from the University of Surrey says: “It’s unrealistic to expect online clothes shoppers to have the time or inclination to take a series of highly accurate body measurements of themselves. The new system makes it all very easy.”

The 18-month project Body Shape Recognition for Online Fashion is being developed in collaboration with body-mapping specialists Bodymetrics and digital creative agency Guided.

The research builds on previous work by the University of Surrey in developing 3D body-shape templates from single-view images, which has been used commercially in creating animated representations of people for games such as The Sims.

Plans to launch the new system are anticipated within two years.

Stiletto Surgery: How high heel-obsessed women are removing their pinky toes for a comfier fit

Kathryn R. Bown
-
0
Stiletto Surgery: How high heel-obsessed women are removing their pinky toes for a comfier fit

A growing number of women are now cutting off their pinky toes to make wearing heels more comfortable.

The shortening of toes and foot injections are similar surgeries that are popular with stiletto-obsessed women who find it too painful for her to wear heels for more than a few minutes.

Susan Deming, a patient who recently underwent a toe-shortening procedure, told Fox News: “Unless you’ve been there, and you can’t find shoes, and you’re in pain, don’t judge.”

She added: “I was having calluses, and just, all sorts of problems with my left foot. And there finally was a solution. There’s never been a solution before.”

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, 87% of women have foot problems from wearing ill-fitting shoes, such as uncomfortable high heels.

For Susan Deming, her left foot was one size larger than her right foot, due to abnormally long left toes.

So she underwent a surgical procedure which cut off a centimeter of her second toe, enabling her to finally wear high heels again.

“I’ve never felt this good about something I’ve done. If it’s vain, it’s vain,” she said.

A growing number of women are now cutting off their pinky toes to make wearing heels more comfortable
A growing number of women are now cutting off their pinky toes to make wearing heels more comfortable

Other foot surgeries include removing bunions, and even injecting collagen into the balls of the feet for extra cushioning.

Dr. Nathan Lucas, a podiatrist in Memphis, said: “It’s as if they’re walking on pillows when they wear their high heel shoes.”

Dr. Nathan Lucas, who saw nearly 30 patients per month last year for foot surgeries, also revealed that more women are now requesting removal of their pinky toe.

In such instances, he simply refers a doctor who will perform the procedure, which is “a bit extreme” for him, he said.

“It’s on the rise here because the more people know about it, then of course the more they inquire about it,” he said.

“They seek to get certain things done, just because they didn’t know it exists.”

However, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons advise against foot procedures for purely cosmetic purposes.

The group said: “Surgery performed solely for the purpose of improving the appearance or size of the foot or ankle carries risks without medical benefit, and therefore should not be undertaken.”

Jill Kelley and her husband Dr. Scott Kelley in oversized painted portrait

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Jill Kelley and her husband Dr. Scott Kelley in oversized painted portrait

An oversized painted portrait of Florida socialite Jill Kelley and her surgeon husband Scott is hanging on the wall of their $1.3 million Bayshore Boulevard mansion.

The ostentatious gold-framed commission no doubt adorned the wall during one of Jill Kelley’s parties she famously hosted as an unpaid, unofficial social liaison for U.S. Central Command.

But appearances can be deceptive and the couple portrayed smiling widely have been sued for $4.1 million of debts and are, as we found out this month, at the centre of the biggest sex scandal to rock the U.S. in living memory.

Jill Kelley, a 37-year-old Florida housewife, unveiled the David Petraeus sex scandal when she contacted the FBI about harassing emails from his mistress Paula Broadwell.

After Jill Kelley contacted the FBI, agents launched a massive in-depth investigation into who was sending the emails because they shared this detailed information that was not publicly available.

The catty emails, which told Jill Kelley to “back off” from David Petraeus, were sent to Kelley from several fake email addresses.

In order to find who had confidential information about David Petraeus’ whereabouts, the FBI obtained an administrative subpoena, and traced them back to Paula Broadwell.

In the course of the investigation, they also unearthed emails indicating the affair between Paula Broadwell and David Petraeus, leading to his resignation earlier his month.

At her glamorous home the lawns are perfectly manicured – the residence has six bedrooms and four bathrooms for the hundreds of military guests who used to attend parties there.

A closer look, however, and you notice that the paint is peeling on the outside and wooden chairs at all rather too well worn.

An oversized painted portrait of Florida socialite Jill Kelley and her surgeon husband Scott is hanging on the wall of their $1.3 million Bayshore Boulevard mansion
An oversized painted portrait of Florida socialite Jill Kelley and her surgeon husband Scott is hanging on the wall of their $1.3 million Bayshore Boulevard mansion

Jill Kelley boasted about serving dinner to David Petraeus and his wife Holly in 2007.

Holly Petraeus and her husband were pictured next to the Kelleys and Jill Kelley’s twin sister, Natalie Khawam.

Each year Jill Kelley and her husband, Dr. Scott Kelley, host a party on their extensive manicured front lawn to celebrate the Gasparilla Festival in Tampa.

In 2010 General David Petraeus and his wife Holly attended the pirate themed festival staged at the Kelley’s home.

David Petraeus arrived with a 28 motorcycle escort and mingled with more than 200 guests who dined on crab cakes and lamb chops.

At this year’s Gasparilla festival, where pirate themed floats are driven through Tampa, the Kelley’s hosted military officers from 60 nations to a coalition appreciation party.

Tight security surrounded the Kelley’s home during the event.

One neighbor complained that it resulted in the street running alongside the Kelley’s red and white painted mansion being closed off to traffic for the day.

“You soon know when Jill is having a party It’s like having the president come to town as everything shuts down. There is security everywhere and you cannot move,” said one neighbor.

Jill Kelley, who said she has known General David Petraeus and his wife Holly for five years, has visited them in Washington DC. She is also reported to have been invited to a breakfast at the White House.

In recognition of her work with officials at CENTCOM, Jill Kelley was recently named as honorary consulate general to South Korea.

Kriss Arms: Paula Broadwell appeared as model in submachine gun commercial

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Kriss Arms: Paula Broadwell appeared as model in submachine gun commercial

A new facet in the David Petraeus scandal has unfolded as it emerged that Paula Broadwell once modeled and served as spokeswoman for Kriss Arms, a Virginia Beach machine gun production company.

Paula Broadwell is featured in an advertisement for Kriss Arms, where she leans on years of military research and her shooting savvy to praise the design of the guns.

Her proximity to David Petraeus, one of the highest-ranking members of the American military, and her commercial endorsement of a gun manufacturer will appear suspicious and likely add more fodder for federal investigators.

The commercial was posted in March of this year, at the same time she was reportedly having an affair with the then-CIA director who previously was the head of U.S. military command in Afghanistan.

“Clearly computer technology cannot solve all the problems in modern warfare, for example a computer can’t come up with a strategy to win a war. Neither can a computer or technology galvanize unity of effort which is critical in these wars… those are all human efforts. It can be empowered and enabled by technology but it comes down to human endeavor at the end of the day,” Paula Broadwell says in the video.

Producers of the video included that she was the author of General David Petraeus’ biography as the justification for her participation on screen, and while she did not explicitly mention her lover by name, it is clear that she was thinking of the man she repeatedly called an “inspirational figure”.

Paula Broadwell is featured in an advertisement for Kriss Arms, where she leans on years of military research and her shooting savvy to praise the design of the guns
Paula Broadwell is featured in an advertisement for Kriss Arms, where she leans on years of military research and her shooting savvy to praise the design of the guns

In portions of her interview, Paula Broadwell uses her military background to justify the improvements made by Kriss Arms.

“On the individual fighter, reducing weight is critical because of fatigue and stress. Weight reduction can greatly improve the efficiency of a firearm,” she says.

“It allows the trooper to carry it further, obviously, if an individual is out there in the battlefield. And that trooper should have more confidence in the system he’s carrying, ideally, if the system is a manned aerial vehicle or again a heavy vehicle the range of the system will be longer, less resupply of fuels and other materials.”

Paula Broadwell doesn’t simply rest on her brains when it comes to touting the company’s guns, however, as she is seen using one of their models to shoot at targets in a Virginia Beach range.

During one segment, she successfully hits four targets out of five consecutive shots.

David Crane, who is also featured in the six-minute video, told The National Enquirer that he took particular notice of the mother-of-two when she changed out of the professional clothes she was wearing and slipped into something more befitting the shooting range.

“She changed into those tight jeans and riding boots specifically to shoot guns at the firing range,” David Crane said.

“She looked very sexy shooting a submachine gun, so I started taking her picture. She was a decent shot and didn’t seem to have a problem hitting the targets.”

There is no denying the connection between Paula Broadwell and the machine gun company, as she apparently posted about her time as a “model/demonstrator” for Kriss Vector on both her website bio and her LinkedIn profile before making them private once the scandal hit.

The company is now keeping their distance, however, as the CEO John Spurrier downplayed her involvement.

“Mrs. Broadwell did participate as a subject matter expert and demonstrator… about the company’s products, but has never had any official affiliation with the company,” he told ABC News.

Now the only posing that Paula Broadwell is doing is that of the reluctant troublemaker, as she has been seen going to and from relatives’ homes in Virginia and Washington, D.C.

[youtube 28vr9UVuQKw]

Tongariro Volcano erupts in New Zealand

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Tongariro Volcano erupts in New Zealand

New Zealand’s Mount Tongariro has erupted again, having rumbled back to life in August after more than a century of quiet.

The volcano, in the North Island, sent a column of ash at least 2 km (1.25 miles) into the air, scientists said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries, but hikers and a group of school children were being moved out of the national park.

Before the August activity, the 1,978m (6,490 ft) peak last erupted in 1897.

The latest eruption happened at around 13:25 local time and lasted for around five minutes, experts said.

A release from the Ministry of Civil Defence said “minor volcanic activity” was occurring at the Tongariro – Te Maari craters and “could be hazardous in the immediate vicinity of the craters”.

New Zealand's Mount Tongariro has erupted again, having rumbled back to life in August after more than a century of quiet
New Zealand’s Mount Tongariro has erupted again, having rumbled back to life in August after more than a century of quiet

“Light volcanic ash fall can be anticipated downwind of Tongariro,” it said, potentially affecting the Waikato, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne and Bay of Plenty areas.

Air New Zealand said it did not expect delays or cancellations as a result of the eruption, based on current information.

It was “working closely with the relevant authorities to keep up to date with ash movement and forecasts” and would adjust flight routes if necessary.

[youtube rc3FrX1jtsg]

Audrina Cardenas, the baby girl born with ectopia cordis, recovering after life-saving surgery

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Audrina Cardenas, the baby girl born with ectopia cordis, recovering after life-saving surgery

Audrina Cardenas, a baby girl who was born with her small heart beating outside of her body, is now remarkably recovering after a revolutionary surgery saved her life.

Audrina Cardenas was born with a rare congenital disease where her heart formed outside the chest; though the disease affects only one in eight million, 90% of infants with the condition are stillborn or die within days of their birth.

But after hours of complicated surgery at the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Audrina Cardenas is recovering, and her mother Ashley couldn’t be more thankful.

Audrina Cardenas had ectopia cordis, causing her heart to be located outside of the body. Incredible video taken during the surgery shows it beating at a steady pace.

Her mother found out about her daughter’s life-threatening condition at a routine check-up at 16 weeks of pregnancy.

Ashley Cardenas said she was given three options, each of them difficult in their own right – abort the baby, carry her to term knowing she would die shortly thereafter, or have doctors construct a hole in her unborn baby’s chest to make room for the heart.

Audrina Cardenas, a baby girl who was born with her small heart beating outside of her body, is now remarkably recovering after a revolutionary surgery saved her life
Audrina Cardenas, a baby girl who was born with her small heart beating outside of her body, is now remarkably recovering after a revolutionary surgery saved her life

She told the Houston Chronicle that her choice to have her newborn daughter operated on was incredibly difficult.

“You’ll never know what it feels like to make that decision until you’re faced with it,” she said.

Audrina Cardenas was born five weeks ago. Ashley Cardenas calls her “my miracle baby”.

But the infant isn’t in the clear yet – surgeons said that she’ll need more surgeries in coming years to repair defects in her heart.

They must wait for Audrina to heal and gain strength before attempting any additional procedures.

She will need to see a cardiologist for the rest of her life, but doctors said the prognosis is good.

Dr. Carolyn Altman, a pediatric cardiologist at the hospital, said in a release: “Despite Audrina’s misplaced heart, she was born with no other syndromes or genetic conditions that would cause additional stress or complications on her heart.

“Although her future prognosis is uncertain, Audrina is currently thriving and making progress each day.”

Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, Mumbai attack gunman, executed in Pune

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, Mumbai attack gunman, executed in Pune

Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, the only surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has been executed by hanging.

The Pakistani national’s plea for mercy to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee was rejected earlier this month.

Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab was executed in prison in Pune early on Wednesday, the Home Ministry said.

The 60-hour siege of Mumbai began on 26 November 2008. Attacks on the railway station, luxury hotels and a Jewish cultural centre claimed 166 lives. Nine gunmen were also killed.

Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab and an accomplice carried out the assault on the main railway station, killing 52 people.

He was convicted of murder and other crimes in May 2010. The Supreme Court upheld his death sentence in August.

Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil said Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab was hanged in the Yerawada prison at 07:30 a.m.

“This is a tribute to all innocent people and police officers who lost their lives in this heinous attack on our nation,” RR Patil was quoted as telling reporters by the Associated Press news agency.

Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab did not leave behind a will and was buried inside the jail, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said.

Senior officials in Delhi said Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab’s family members had been informed about the execution “through a letter sent by courier”.

In Delhi, federal Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said he signed Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab’s execution order on 7 November, two days after President Pranab Mukherjee rejected his clemency petition.

Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, the only surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has been executed by hanging
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, the only surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has been executed by hanging

Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, who had been held in Mumbai’s Arthur Road jail, was moved to Pune’s Yerawada prison two days ago, Prithviraj Chavan said.

“We kept secrecy. It was important to maintain secrecy in this matter,” Sushil Kumar Shinde said, adding that Pakistan had been informed of the execution.

The Indian government was under pressure to act against a man who carried out one of the deadliest attacks in the country.

But the swiftness and secrecy in which the execution took place would have come as a surprise to many, our correspondent adds.

Commenting on Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab’s execution, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Moazzam Ali Khan said: “We condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestation… We are willing to co-operate and work closely with all countries of the region to eliminate the scourge of terrorism.”

But Pakistan-based banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba [LeT], which was blamed for the Mumbai attacks, hailed Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab as a “hero”. He would “inspire other fighters to follow his path”, an unnamed LeT commander was quoted by Reuters as saying.

The Pakistani Taliban were “shocked” by the hanging, Reuters quoted Taliban spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan as saying.

There has been no information yet on Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab’s last few days, but his lawyer Raju Ramachandran, who argued his case in the Supreme Court, told Reuters that Qasab was a “worried man” when he last met him in August, before the court upheld his death sentence.

He was scared that he would be hanged and asked the lawyer: “Can you please help me get out of jail?”

Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab was part of a 10-member group which arrived in Mumbai by sea on 26 November.

The men split into groups to attack various targets. Their siege of the Taj Hotel, Trident Hotel and a Jewish centre went on for more than two days.

Closed-circuit TV camera showed Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab and an accomplice opening fire on passengers at one of Mumbai’s busiest train stations, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

Relations between India and Pakistan deteriorated sharply after India blamed Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba for the attacks.

After initial denials, Pakistan acknowledged that the assault had been partially planned on its territory and that Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab was a Pakistani citizen. Ties have been gradually improving since then.

Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab’s execution was the first in India since a man convicted of raping and killing a schoolgirl was hanged in the eastern city of Calcutta in 2004.

Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab

  • Pakistani      citizen from Punjab province.
  • Reports      say he received little education, and spent his youth alternating between      laboring and petty crime
  • Was      21 years old when he carried out the attacks in Mumbai in 2008
  • India      says he was trained for Mumbai operation by Lashkar-e-Taiba group in a      remote camp
  • Captured      on camera at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, a slight figure in combat      trousers and a sweatshirt, clutching an assault rifle
  • Prosecutors      said he had confessed but his lawyers then said his statement had been      coerced, and it was retracted

[youtube DK9aTnLvaKA]

[youtube qSO5Xn7qAYs]

Cyber Monday 2012: Shopping Tips

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Cyber Monday 2012: Shopping Tips

Cyber Monday is the start of the holiday shopping season online, and a great day for bargains; but only if you know how to find them.

Here are several tips that should help:

Track the Deals

Use CyberMonday.com and dealio.com to stay on top of all of the Cyber Monday deals across the web, including information about free shipping offers and coupons.

Sign Up for Newsletters

If you plan to shop at a particular retailer, be sure to sign up for their e-newsletter a few weeks before the sales begin. It’s a good way to stay abreast of special deals and promotions, and a great way to score special subscriber-only coupons.

Shop at Sites that Offer Free Shipping

Many, but not all, stores offer free shipping on Cyber Monday; so spend some time looking for those free shipping deals. Don’t see free shipping offered on the site that you’re on? Then, check a competitor’s site.

Cyber Monday is the start of the holiday shopping season online, and a great day for bargains, but only if you know how to find them
Cyber Monday is the start of the holiday shopping season online, and a great day for bargains, but only if you know how to find them

Seek Out Coupon Codes

Head to currentcodes.com, retailmenot.com or one of the many other sites dedicated to finding and posting coupon codes. You may just find a deal – free shipping, free merchandise, a percent off your order – to sweeten the pot.

Bonus Tip: Bookmark Retailmenot.com. Then, the next time you’re shopping online, just click on the link, and it’ll display all of the coupons for the site that you’re on – now that’s bargain shopping made easy!

Order through a Rewards Site

Access a store’s website through a rewards site, and you’ll earn points or even cash for your efforts. Some rewards sites worth checking out: Upromise, MyPoints, FatWallet and Ebates.

Compare Prices

Before you place an order, use a price comparison website like pricegrabber.com to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Cyber Monday 2012

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Cyber Monday 2012

Cyber Monday is the first Monday after Thanksgiving. In 2012, it falls on November 26.

Cyber Monday was christened by Shop.org in 2005, because it’s known for online shopping sales. It follows the bricks-and-mortar shopping done on Black Friday, the first shopping day after Thanksgiving. Each year, new records are set as more and more people enjoy the convenience of shopping online.

In 2012, online holiday sales are expected to grow 12%, to $96 billion. That’s because 51.8% of people will take advantage of web-based sales, up from the 46.7% in 2011. On average, each person will do more than a third (38.8%) of their shopping online.

In 2011, Cyber Monday sales were $1.2 billion, up a whopping 22% over Cyber Monday 2010. On average, nearly 11% of shoppers used their mobile devices to visit retailers’ web sites. What were the most popular devices? The iPhone and iPad, followed by the Android.

Nearly 130 million Americans said they would shop on Cyber Monday – a third more than last year. More than half said they’d shop from work – naturally, during lunch hour or right after work.

The holiday shopping season is important for the economy because 19% of retail sales occur between Black Friday and Christmas. For some retailers, such as jewelers, it can be nearly 40% of their annual revenue.

Retailers Planned Bigger Sales

Thanks to the growing success of Cyber Monday, nearly 70% of online retailers expected their sales to increase at least 15% in 2011. This was even more optimistic than last year, when only two-thirds thought their sales would rise, and in 2009, when less than half thought so.

As a result, this year just about 90% of retailers offered great online sales. Nearly all offered free shipping, which was a large reason for the success of the record-setting 2010 Cyber Monday. This success spurred more than half of retailers to increase their “free shipping” budget, while one-third of retailers offered free shipping even earlier than they did last year. These retailers are smart, because 36% of shoppers surveyed said they’d increase their online shopping only if shipping were free.

Nearly half of the retailers offered coupons or a percent off deals (45.0%), while more than one-third had limited-time-only promotions. Fewer (15%) promoted a free gift-with-purchase.

Online retailers lured shoppers to Cyber Monday by promoting their sales even earlier than last year. More than half started their promotions by Halloween. These retailers are smart, since Halloween 2011 was the most successful spooky holiday yet. Nearly 40% waited a few weeks, starting their Cyber Monday promotions in mid-November. Just over half started promoting on Thanksgiving Day itself, while nearly all (92.2%) offered sales sometime over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Cyber Monday 2012
Cyber Monday 2012

Why Holiday Shoppers Are Switching to Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday shoppers are very clear about why they like the day. More than 40% of time-strapped shoppers said the 24-hour convenience is their highest priority. Almost as many listed their desire to avoid the crowds on Black Friday as their primary reason for shopping online. Nearly a third of online shoppers said they like the ability to easily compare prices. A few online shoppers said they would buy less, thanks to expensive shipping charges, not being able to see or handle their purchase ahead of time, and having to wait for it to be shipped.

Shoppers are using social media more than ever. Nearly one third said they would go to a company’s Facebook page to get additional information about Cyber Monday sales. Twice as many would look at customer reviews on the company’s website before buying any products or services.

Growing Importance of Mobile Technology and Social Media

Online retailers are responding to shoppers’ use of mobile technology and social media by promoting there. More than half of retailers made sure their website sales were optimized for mobile devices. Another 20% were even optimizing for tablet device apps. More than a third used QR codes in magazine and billboard ads.

Online retailers also maximized their use of social media. Nearly three-quarters said they would promote sales on their Facebook pages, while more than 40% promoted on Twitter.

More than half (52.9%) of those who own smartphones, and even more (64.1%) of tablet-users will use them to do their holiday shopping. Nearly a third of smartphone users will research prices, while a fourth will find out store locations and sales. Only 15% will actually buy products with their phone.

With tablet users, on the other hand, the percentages go up,. More than 40% will compare prices, while 20% will redeem coupons. Most important, nearly a third will go ahead and buy online. (Source: National Retail Federation Annual 2012 Survey)

How to Get the Best Cyber Monday Deals

Retail sales can be found on CyberMonday.com, which features a schedule of what retailers offer deals at what times in a “Deal of the Hour” promotion. You can find sales from more than 800 online retailers.

HotCan Christmas Dinner: festive dinner in a can that cooks itself

Kathryn R. Bown
-
0
HotCan Christmas Dinner: festive dinner in a can that cooks itself

Lazy chefs can rustle up a turkey casserole with winter veg, chipolatas, stuffing balls and cranberry jelly in a hassle-free 12 minutes…all from a can.

The self-heating festive feast comes in a compact 400 gram tin.

When December 25 arrives, simply remove the rubber cap, pierce the holes and open the insulated can.

This kick starts an exothermic reaction to warm the meal with all the trimmings, leaving the family more time to relax and open presents.

Retail website Firebox.com are selling the Christmas Dinner HotCan for the first time this year.

A spokesman said: “Christmas Dinner will never be the same again.

“There’s no need for pesky ovens, microwaves or kettles – just sit down, crack open the HotCan, relax and enjoy Christmas turkey with all the trimmings.

“Plus there is no need for washing up afterwards, freeing up more time to sit back and enjoy a good old James Bond film.”

Stressful hours peeling potatoes and preparing a turkey throughout the night could be gone forever thanks to HotCan Christmas Dinner
Stressful hours peeling potatoes and preparing a turkey throughout the night could be gone forever thanks to HotCan Christmas Dinner

Budding gastronomes can rest easy, as the can’s contents still tickles the tastebuds.

The spokesman added: “HotCan recipes are really rather delicious.

“You won’t be awarding any Michelin Stars, but they are certainly up there with your respectable ready meals.

“Plus, Your Christmas Dinner HotCan is nutritionally balanced, so as well as satisfying all your Christmas cravings, you’ll stay trim and terrific.”

HotCans consist of a can of food surrounded by an outer can, with a water sachet and processed granular limestone in between.

Customers insert the spike into the rim of the can, piercing the sachet and causing the water to flow into the limestone.

This triggers a natural heat-producing reaction which warms up the food to 60 – 70 degrees Celsius.

[youtube Y3_Rh_tJWH8]

Giuliana and Bill Rancic launch promotional blitz

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Giuliana and Bill Rancic launch promotional blitz

Giuliana and Bill Rancic seem intent on spreading their good cheer around, as they tour the chat shows in an attempt to publicize their reality series.

The new parents visited the Today Show and Katie on Tuesday as they prepared for a special episode of their show covering the birth of their son Duke.

Giuliana Rancic, 37, showed off her trim figure in a flattering black and white panel dress as she walked in New York.

She and smartly dressed Bill Rancic each had wide smiles on their face, as they posed together for the cameras.

Their reality show has chronicled the couple’s rocky journey to becoming parents, from their battles with infertility, through Giuliana Rancic’s cancer and their eventual decision to ask a surrogate to carry their child.

Giuliana and Bill Rancic tour the chat shows in an attempt to publicize their reality series
Giuliana and Bill Rancic tour the chat shows in an attempt to publicize their reality series

Tuesday night’s episode shows the moment the couple finally meet their son Edward Duke, as their surrogate gives birth.

Giuliana Rancic has just returned to TV as a host on E! News following her three-month maternity leave.

She has admitted she cried when she had to leave her baby for the first time to return to work.

“It was hard to leave the little guy I’m not going to kid you,” she told E!

“But… I’m fine. I’m going to do what most moms do. It is hard but hopefully I’m going to bring him in a couple of days of the week. He’s so new. He’s only 11 weeks old.”

RL Vintage: Ralph Lauren launches online vintage store

Lisa.Felice
-
0
RL Vintage: Ralph Lauren launches online vintage store

Just two weeks ago Ralph Lauren announced it would be closing its younger prep brand Rugby, and now it has revealed RL Vintage, a new shopping site in its place dedicated entirely to the brand’s extensive vintage archives.

The RL Vintage online boutique features 45 handpicked pieces from the Ralph Lauren archives, a curated selection that will switch over every season to fit a new theme.

While the e-commerce site is supposed to be fully shoppable, the assuming high prices are available by request only.

The current collection for sale, titled Western, includes a hand-knit wool flag sweater that was created specifically for a Life magazine shoot.

Ralph Lauren wrote on the original item’s page: “When Life Magazine asked me to be on their cover, photographed at our Double RL Ranch, I wanted to wear something that was just as American as my weathered jeans and jean jacket.

“I decided to create a hand-knit sweater with the symbol of our country at its center. The reaction was so amazing that we put it into production.”

Ralph Lauren has revealed RL Vintage, a new shopping site dedicated entirely to the brand's extensive vintage archives
Ralph Lauren has revealed RL Vintage, a new shopping site dedicated entirely to the brand’s extensive vintage archives

Other items up for sale include a cropped suede jacket which was inspired by a jacket worn by Randolph Scott in a Western movie the designer says he remembers fondly from his childhood.

A sherling coat, corduroy wrap dress and a bevy of cowboy boots also feature.

However, more than 20 of the items have already sold since the site went live on Thursday.

The site also features a “Bring It Back” program, where users can vote for a list of iconic products they would like to see brought back into production.

Liu Xianping posed in teenage outfits for his granddaughter’s fashion store Yuekou

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Liu Xianping posed in teenage outfits for his granddaughter’s fashion store Yuekou

Liu Xianping is a Chinese grandfather who has won worldwide fame after photographs of him modeling women’s clothing were posted to the internet.

Seventy two year old Liu Xianping posed in outfits from his granddaughter’s fashion store Yuekou for a joke.

But when Liu Xianping’s granddaughter, Ms Lv, posted the snaps online, the two were surprised to find the photos go viral almost overnight.

What began as a lighthearted joke fast became a successful publicity campaign after the images went global – and Ms Lv saw sales soar.

According to China Newsweek, Ms Lv said the stunt was all her grandfather’s idea.

“He picked up one piece and tried to give some advice on how to mix and match,” she said.

“We thought it was fun so we started shooting.”

The outfits, designed for teenage girls, feature bright pink capes, striped tights and over the knee socks, with plenty of lace, ribbon and frippery.

Seventy two year old Liu Xianping posed in outfits from his granddaughter's fashion store Yuekou for a joke
Seventy two year old Liu Xianping posed in outfits from his granddaughter’s fashion store Yuekou for a joke

Chenille scarves and pink-framed sunglasses finish off the looks, and Liu Xianping carries a wine-colored handbag in many of the shots.

Posing in a sequence of outfits, his long slim legs and slender physique shows Yuekou’s clothing off to its full advantage – and has earned the store infinite more hits than if a regular model had been used.

Indeed, since Liu Xianping’s photographs, posted on Tmall, one of China’s leading retail sites, went viral, sales at Yuekou have increased fivefold.

Liu Xianping’s legs are reportedly the envy of women all over China – even the world.

“He has such a good figure,” offbeatchina.com reported one fan as saying.

“He has such a good figure, especially those legs!” and another likening the elderly gent to Karl Lagerfeld.

For his part, Liu Xianping told China Newsweek that he is glad to model for the store – and happy to be able to help his family.

“Why unacceptable for someone like me to wear women’s clothes? Modeling for the store is helping my granddaughter and I have nothing to lose,” he said.

“We were very happy on the day of the shooting. I’m very old and all that I care about is to be happy.”

Natalie Khawam and Gloria Allred press conference

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Natalie Khawam and Gloria Allred press conference

Natalie Khawam, Lebanese-born twin sister of Jill Kelley, the Tampa socialite at the centre of David Petraeus scandal, appeared at a press conference alongside celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred.

In an apparent bid to gain leverage for her client in a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband Grayson Wolfe over their 4-year-old son, Gloria Allred portrayed Natalie Khawam’s case as “extremely important to single moms across the nation”.

David Petraeus, who resigned as CIA director after his affair with biographer Paula Broadwell was revealed when Jill Kelley complained to the FBI about harassing emails from her, wrote a letter in support of Khawam’s case.

General John Allen, NATO commander in Afghanistan and under investigation for potentially ‘inappropriate’ emails in a correspondence of up to 30,000 pages, also wrote a letter backing her.

Gloria Allred paid tribute to David Petraues and his wife Holly at a press conference in the Ritz Carlton in Washington.

“Both have known Natalie and her son personally for many years, and have had numerous opportunities to observe them together,” she said.

“They have loved Natalie’s child and emotionally supported her and her son through the toughest time in Natalie and her son’s life. They both spoke up through their court declarations in support of Natalie about what a loving, protective mom she was.”

Natalie Khawam, Lebanese-born twin sister of Jill Kelley, appeared at a press conference alongside celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred
Natalie Khawam, Lebanese-born twin sister of Jill Kelley, appeared at a press conference alongside celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred

A tearful Natalie Khawam, 37, declined to answer any questions but spoke of her relationship with her sister.

“My sister Jill and I aren’t just twins, we’re best friends. Literally inseparable,” she said.

“During my darkest time…she and my brother-in-law Dr. Kelley took me in with my son when we needed refuge and protection. Jill is the kindest, most generous person I know.

“We played tennis together. She played net and I served. We also played softball together. She was the catcher and I pitched. We love to cook. I usually bake and she sautés.

“We used to study together. I love math, she loves science and she excels in chemistry. We love to play piano and play chess.

“Jill has lovingly supported me through the years and I plan to love and support her unconditionally.”

Natalie Khawam lost an ugly child custody dispute with ex-husband Grayson Wolfe despite the letters written on her behalf by David Petraeus and General John Allen.

The judge said he had serious concerns and reservations over her mental stability and her grasp on reality and accused her of “outrageous conduct”, “bad faith litigation tactics”, and “illogical thinking” before awarding full custody to the father, who had been unable to see his child for more than a year.

According to the New York Post, Grayson Wolfe, won sole custody of the boy after the judge found out Natalie Khawam, a lawyer, repeatedly lied under oath and filed false domestic-violence and child-abuse claims against her husband.

Natalie Khawam was also accused of defying court orders to allow her estranged husband access to their son and sent emails to his friends and colleagues telling them he was a “horrible father and husband”.

Gloria Allred described her client as “a loving, caring mother” as well as a “highly educated academic scholar and a successful attorney”.

She described Jill Kelley’s relationship with David Petraeus as “social”.

Asked whether Natalie Khawam had visited the White House, Gloria Allred said she had been there “essentially for a tour” but declined to say who had been the host.

Neither Gloria Allred nor Natalie Khawam would speak about John Allen or go into any detail about David Petraues.

Gloria Allred’s clients include former porn star Joslyn James and nightclub promoter Rachel Uchitel, for whom Allred reportedly helped win $10 million from Tiger Woods.

She is renowned as the go-to lawyer for women who find themselves caught up in celebrity scandals and has defended women against stars such as Charlie Sheen, Eddie Murphy, and Rob Lowe.

Jill Kelley took multiple flights on military aircraft at taxpayers expenses

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Jill Kelley took multiple flights on military aircraft at taxpayers expenses

Jill Kelley, the Florida socialite at the centre of the David Petraeus sex scandal, took multiple flights on military aircraft at taxpayers expenses, it was claimed today.

Jill Kelley even reportedly flew to Washington D.C. with General John Allen – the military commander she is said to have exchanged tens of thousands of emails with while he was in Afghanistan.

It is not known why Jill Kelley, 37, flew to the U.S. capital with John Allen but it has emerged that in recent months she has had three visits to the White House.

The mother of three from Tampa has so far refused to comment publicly on her role in the scandal that ended the career of CIA Director David Petraeus and put the distinguished career of General John Allen in jeopardy.

The commander of the coalition forces in Afghanistan is under investigation for “flirty” emails said to number as many as 30,000 that he exchanged with Jill Kelley.

An investigation by 10 News Tampa has revealed that Jill Kelley, whose complaint over threatening emails revealed David Petraeus’ affair, has enjoyed several trips on military planes.

The news stations said they have made several requests to defense officials to see how many times Jill Kelley has flown from the MacDill Air Force base where she acted as an unpaid social liaison officer.

Pentagon officials told News 10 they have not been able to track down the exact number of flights. But they did confirm she flew on a KC-135 jet in May 2010.

The KC-135 jets are primarily used to refuel other aircraft in mid-air.

“It’s an educational opportunity for people to just see what hard working military members are doing each day,” Lt. Col. Jack Miller told the TV station.

Jill Kelley, the Florida socialite at the centre of the David Petraeus sex scandal, took multiple flights on military aircraft at taxpayers expenses
Jill Kelley, the Florida socialite at the centre of the David Petraeus sex scandal, took multiple flights on military aircraft at taxpayers expenses

Officials said about 150 people each year take an orientation flight at MacDill, with the flights leaving and then returning to Tampa.

“I’ve seen anything from community leaders to Cub Scouts to sports teams.

“But by in large, it’s generally folks throughout the community that just have an interest in the instillation. Sometimes it’s just a matter of requesting to do it.”

Jill Kelley, who is mired in debt and facing foreclosure on her $1.3 million home overlooking Tampa Bay, sparked the investigation into David Petraeus after she went to the FBI after receiving threatening emails from Paula Broadwell, the general’s biographer.

The latest example of how she rubbed shoulders with the military’s top brass comes after it emerged she has visited the White House three times in the past three months.

Jill Kelley and her twin sister, Natalie Khawam, were invited to two “courtesy” meals in the Executive Mansion mess hall as a guest of a White House aide.

She met the mid-level aide through her work with MacDill Air Force Base near Tampa, where she also rubbed shoulders with the military bosses including General David Petraeus.

On one further occasion, she received a White House tour with her family, the official added.

It confirms that Jill Kelley was telling the truth in an email she wrote to a reporter at the Tampa Bay Times on September 28, in which she boasted of visiting the White House.

“Btw I was made the [honorary] Ambassador to US Central Command’s Coalition!” Jill Kelley wrote.

“In addition to that, I was just recently appointed to be the Honorary Consulate General to South Korea! I’m in DC today – just left from breakfast at the White House…. I really hope to see you soon!”

In further examples of her attempts to use her contacts to her advantage, Jill Kelley sent a string of pleading emails to the Tampa Mayor, complaining she has been receiving threats and claiming: “The truth will one day prevail.”

The anguished messages, seen by the Tampa Bay Times, were sent to Bob Buckhorn, whom she knows socially, and claimed her children were scared and her husband had been forced to sleep at work.

Holly Petraeus divorce: David Petraeus’ wife demands to know how many other women there have been

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Holly Petraeus divorce: David Petraeus’ wife demands to know how many other women there have been
Holly Petraeus has reportedly threatened David Petraeus with divorce after she was left humiliated by his affair with Paula Broadwell
Holly Petraeus has reportedly threatened David Petraeus with divorce after she was left humiliated by his affair with Paula Broadwell

Holly Petraeus, former CIA director’s wife of 38 years, has reportedly threatened David Petraeus with divorce after she was left “humiliated” by his affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell, it has been claimed today.

Holly Petraeus is reportedly “furious” about the affair, which forced her husband to resign from the top of the CIA ten days ago, and is demanding to know how many other women he has shared trysts with throughout their marriage.

“She can’t turn on a television, go online or open a newspaper without being bombarded by the latest revelations about his cheating,” a source told the National Enquirer.

“No wonder she’s angry. David has been falling all over himself, apologizing and begging Holly to forgive him, but she isn’t listening. After all his lies, she doesn’t believe anything he says anymore, and she’s thinking about consulting a divorce attorney.”

The source claimed Holly Petraeus has suspicions that her husband had an affair with Jill Kelley, the Florida socialite who sparked his downfall after tipping off the FBI about threatening emails from Paula Broadwell.

While David Petraeus denies they have ever been involved, Holly Petraeus is uncertain and keeps demanding to know how many other women he has cheated on her with, the source said.

Jill Kelley has also denied any wrongdoing and said in a statement she was simply a friend of David Petraeus, whom she met through her work at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.

Holly and David Petraeus attended lavish garden parties at Jill Kelley’s Tampa, Florida mansion, where she lives with her husband, their three children and her twin sister, Natalie Khawam.

The Petraeuses have been married 38 years after meeting on a blind date when David Petraeus was a student at the military academy at West Point, where Holly’s father was the superintendent.

David Petraeus graduated in June 1947 and the couple married the following month, before going on to have two children, Ann and Stephen, and travelling throughout the world with his work.

Despite moving 24 times in 38 years, Holly Petraeus has also built her own career.

She became a volunteer, performing military and family support roles on bases, before working with service members as a financial advocate to ensure they were treated fairly by businesses.

 

In 2011, Holly Petraeus was appointed to the newly-created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as head of the Office of Servicemember Affairs, a post she still holds.

Holly Petraeus’ threats of divorce come little more than a month after she and her husband were the picture of unity at their daughter’s wedding – three months after David Petraeus’ affair with Paula Broadwell had come to an end.

But on November 9, he stepped down from the CIA after the FBI uncovered his relationship with Paula Broadwell.

The affair was discovered after Paula Broadwell sent a string of “threatening” emails to military party planner Jill Kelley, whom she deemed a threat.

According to friends, Jill Kelley considered some of the anonymous messages death threats, after Paula Broadwell vowed to make Kelley “go away” – and the concerned housewife contacted the FBI.

The anonymous emails contained classified information about David Petraeus’ whereabouts and, thinking there had been a potential national security breach, the FBI was forced to investigate.

During their probe, they traced the emails back to Paula Broadwell and also uncovered emails revealing her months-long affair with David Petraeus, whom she had first met as a student in 2006.

In interviews and her biography of David Petraeus, All In, Paula Broadwell lauded Holly Petraeus as a “wonderful source of information” and revealed that she had read the book and enjoyed it.

In the book, Paula Broadwell recounted details from dozens of hours of interviews between Holly and David Petraeus in a description of how the couple met and fell in love.

Paula Broadwell described the relationship as virtually unbreakable – while at the same time carrying on an illicit affair with David behind Holly Petraeus’ back.

Thanksgiving Recipe: Brined Turkey Breast

Kathryn R. Bown
-
0
Thanksgiving Recipe: Brined Turkey Breast

A basic brine makes this turkey breast more flavorful, moist, and tender.

Refrigerate the turkey in the brine overnight, then roast to perfection for a fabulous feast.

Ingredients:

  • 1 turkey breast, bone-in, about 5 to 7 pounds
  • 1 gallon ice cold water
  • 1 1/2 cups kosher salt (if you only have table salt, use 1 cup)
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 bay leaves, crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon allspice berries, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon mixed or black peppercorns, crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • salt and pepper
  • Creole seasoning, optional
Brined Turkey Breast
Brined Turkey Breast

Preparation:

Rinse turkey under cold water.

Place turkey breast in a large cooking bag; place in a large roasting pan or other large container (just in case the bag leaks). Add the brine ingredients to the bag, then close the bag and twist until brine is covering turkey. Use a twist-tie to secure the bag. Alternately, you can use a large, nonreactive covered container. Place in the refrigerator for 12 hours or overnight.

Heat oven to 400°.

Remove turkey from brine and pat dry. Place on a rack, breast side up, in a large roasting pan. Discard brine. Rub the turkey with vegetable oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, along with a little sprinkling of Creole or Cajun seasoning, if desired. Place a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the breast, not touching bone. Roast at 400° for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 325° and continue roasting until turkey breast registers 170°, about 2 to 3 hours.
Serves 8 to 10.

Black Friday 2012: Ten Tips For Smart Shopping

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Black Friday 2012: Ten Tips For Smart Shopping

Black Friday is a day of huge sales at many chain stores. Consumers can get especially good deals on electronics, appliances, and sometimes even cars. Clothes, too, are often steeply discounted.

10 Tips for Smart Black Friday Shopping

  1. Try to get Friday off work. Thanksgiving Thursday is a federal holiday, and public and private schools are closed on Friday. Still, many people including healthcare providers, retail sales clerks and restaurant workers will have to report into work on the day after Thanksgiving. So if you’re hoping to get big bargains on Black Friday this year, arrange beforehand to get that day off work. Note: In 2011, some retailers started Black Friday on Thanksgiving evening. In 2012, some started the week before Thanksgiving.
  2. Avoid impulse purchases. The best way to do this is to make a shopping list before you set out, with some idea of what you want to pay for each item – and stick to it. When there’s a shopping frenzy all around you, having a list in hand is the best way to avoid making purchases you’ll regret later.
  3. Scope it out first. You can’t be in two places at once, alas. Will you go to an individual store, like Century 21, or a mall? In Brooklyn, New York, you’ve got a growing choice of malls: the Atlantic Center Mall? Kings Plaza? Macy’s and the stores in the Fulton Mall? Or Gateway Mall?
  4. Prioritize the most expensive items first. You won’t be able to get everything on your list, so you might as well save the most money on the largest items.
  5. Make sure your credit or debit card is ready for Black Friday shopping. There’s nothing worse, or more embarrassing, than standing in line for an hour only to discover that your credit card isn’t accepting the charge.
  6. Decisions, decisions: Are you a solo shopper? Or do you like company? For some, the motto “he who travels lone travels fastest” applies to shopping. Others like to bring their spouse, sister or friend. If you’ve got your eye on two very different big ticket items, like a TV and also a car, then you might need to enlist your family members or friends to help shop so you can get the best bargains early. If you’ve got young children, it’s wise to leave them with a babysitter; this is heavy-duty shopping, and kids won’t find it all that much fun.
  7. Be prepared to wait outside or in. Wear comfy shoes, travel light and bring a snack. Wear weather-appropriate clothes, like a jacket or rain coat if you’re going to get to the store super early and wait online outside. Wear super comfortable shoes, too — and outer wear that won’t be bulky if you end up taking it off inside an overheated, crowded store. Bring snacks like an apple or energy bar, a bottle of water, and your patience. Lines can be long.
  8. Work out your transportation: Figure out how you’re going to get to the store, and back. If you’re going very early, check the mass transit schedules or the parking situation. If you plan to buy a huge item, like TV, either drive or have the phone number of a car service handy.
  9. Charge your cell phone or smart phone the day before so you can stay connected.
  10. Even if you don’t arrive at 4 a.m. try to get there as early as you can. Some stores have limited quantities on the best bargains. Some end their sales when you might normally be enjoying your second cup of morning coffee. As the saying goes, the early bird gets the worm.
Ten Tips for Smart Black Friday Shopping
Ten Tips for Smart Black Friday Shopping

Or … Stay home instead! Have a bagel, stay in your pajamas, and shop online. See www.DealsofAmerica.com or just check your favorite online sites.

Brooklyn shoppers — whether you’re visiting for Thanksgiving or live in Brooklyn — have more than a few choices. You can go to the local Brooklyn stores and malls, which offer a good selection. Or, head to Long Island or upstate New York to the discount malls. And, of course, you can always head to Manhattan, a shopping Mecca.

Tip: Some experts suggest that consumers can buy an item in advance, and then bring it with the receipt to adjust the price on Black Friday. This strategy carries the obvious risk that the stores will say no.

Black Friday is the retailers’ way of enticing shoppers to start spending for the big Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa season. Happy hunting!

Nicole Delien: real-life Sleeping Beauty suffering from Kleine-Levine Syndrome

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Nicole Delien: real-life Sleeping Beauty suffering from Kleine-Levine Syndrome

Nicole Delien, a Pennsylvania teenager, slept for 64 days from Thanksgiving into January – her longest sleeping episode yet – as she struggles with a rare sleep disorder called Kleine-Levine, or Sleeping Beauty Syndrome, which affects an estimated 1,000 people around the world.

During her sleep spells, which began when she was six and a half, Nicole Delien, now 17,will wake up in a confused state for small periods of time to eat, drink and use the bathroom and then fall back to sleep.

“I don’t remember what happens [during that time],” Nicole Delien told the Today Show on Tuesday.

“It’s hard for me to talk about it, because I’ve missed so many days of my life. I just don’t like when people call it a fairy tale, because it’s really not.”

Nicole Delien’s mother, Vicki, says her daughter will sleep 18 to 19 hours a day, and when she eventually wakes up to eat she is in a “sleepwalking state which she doesn’t remember”, KDKA in Pittsburgh reported last week.

The Delien family also recently appeared on Jeff Probst’s syndicated talk show to make sure other families become aware of the rare disorder.

Vicki Delien told reporters that it was very frustrating trying to get a diagnosis for her daughter. She said it took several hospital trips to figure out what has been afflicting her.

Eventually, Dr. Michael Rancurello, a psychiatrist at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was able to pinpoint the disorder and offer some suggestions on how to manage it, including medication.

“It’s really not sleeping,” he told the Today Show, calling Nicole Delien’s unconscious state a “delirium”.

“I think it’s a manifestation of some brain malfunction,” he said.

Nicole Delien struggles with a rare sleep disorder called Kleine-Levine, or Sleeping Beauty Syndrome, which affects an estimated 1,000 people around the world
Nicole Delien struggles with a rare sleep disorder called Kleine-Levine, or Sleeping Beauty Syndrome, which affects an estimated 1,000 people around the world

Individuals affected with the disorder may go for a period of “weeks, months or even years without experiencing any symptoms, and then they reappear with little warning” the Kleine-Levin Syndrome Foundation website states.

In addition to excessive sleeping, those symptoms include disorientation, hallucination, child-like behavior, binge-eating and periods of hyper-sexuality when awake, according to an Oxford Journals report.

That report says the disorder predominately affects young males.

Symptoms may be related to malfunctions in the parts of the brain that govern appetite, sleep and sexuality, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

The cause of Kleine-Levin Syndrome is unknown, both medical sources indicate.

Eric Haller, a young college student with the disorder, told ABC News in February that he gets sick and falls into a sleeping episode about eight to 10 times a year.

He still shows an aptitude for working and learning. The 21-year-old from Placentia, California, maintains a 3.5 average at Fullerton State University and interns for the Los Angeles Clippers. However, his abilities decline when he slips into a trance.

Kleine-Levin Syndrome can last for eight to fourteen years of an afflicted person’s life, Dr. Michael Rancurello said, noting that Nicole Delien is reaching the mean length of symptoms right now. Medication helps spread her episodes further apart, her family says.

Still, Nicole Delien says she has missed out on Thanksgiving, Christmas and other family celebrations due to those spells.

She also missed out on an opportunity to meet pop singer Katy Perry. But when Perry later learned about Nicole Delien’s disorder she made sure Nicole was able to visit her backstage at a performance in Connecticut.

As she grows older, Nicole Delien says she hopes to have “more good memories like that one”.

Nicole Delien’s last sleeping episode was in March.

She said that she’s scared of when it will happen again.

[youtube 0J_Z7ZnXa_Y]

Paula Broadwell threatening emails sent to Jill Kelley

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Paula Broadwell threatening emails sent to Jill Kelley

The “threatening” emails sent by Paula Broadwell to Florida socialite Jill Kelley – that eventually uncovered Broadwell’s affair with David Petraeus – vowed to make her perceived rival “go away”, it has been claimed.

The messages sent to Jill Kelley, who contacted the FBI after receiving them in May, were so menacing that the military party planner feared for her life, according to a friend.

The friend, who has not been identified, said that Jill Kelley, a military party planner in Tampa, had called her to seek advice after receiving the messages and read them out over the phone.

Speaking to the New York Daily News, she described the messages as much more threatening than originally reported, adding: “Any normal person who got emails like that would have immediately called police.”

In the messages, which were sent anonymously, Paula Broadwell promised to “make you go away” and boasted about her military background and having “powerful” friends, the Daily News reported.

“This wasn’t just a case of cyber-bullying,” the friend said.

“[Jill Kelley] was scared for her life. She had reason to be. These emails are the real thing. When she read them to me, I literally had the shivers.”

The Wall Street Journal previously reported that, in one email, Paula Broadwell had accused Jill Kelley of touching “him” underneath a table and asked if Kelley’s husband was aware of her actions.

In another, Paula Broadwell asked: “Who do you think you are?”

The threatening emails sent by Paula Broadwell to Florida socialite Jill Kelley vowed to make her perceived rival go away
The threatening emails sent by Paula Broadwell to Florida socialite Jill Kelley vowed to make her perceived rival go away

Paula Broadwell also accused Jill Kelley, a David Petraeus family friend, of “parad[ing] around the base”, adding: “You need to take it down a notch.”

But the threatening emails, which had previously been described as “cat-fight stuff”, led to Paula Broadwell’s undoing after Jill Kelley contacted a friend in the FBI about the messages.

The anonymous emails contained classified information about David Petraeus’ whereabouts and, thinking there had been a potential national security breach, the FBI was forced to investigate.

During their probe, they traced the emails back to Paula Broadwell and also uncovered emails revealing her months-long affair with CIA boss David Petraeus, whose biography she had penned.

But investigators also found tens of thousands of emails between Jill Kelley and General John R. Allen, head of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and deemed some “inappropriate” and “flirtatious”.

General John Allen, a married father of two, is now under investigation, but both he and Jill Kelley deny any wrongdoing.

Jill Kelley has also denied being any more than friends with David Petraeus and released a statement saying: “We and our family have been friends with Gen. Petraeus for over five years. We respect his family’s privacy and want the same for us and our three children.”

Jill Kelley’s twin sister sister, Natalie Khawam, has also been dragged into the scandal, with reports detailing her troubled child custody battles and shrewd socializing skills. Celebrity attorney Gloria Allred is now representing her.

The latest revelations about the contents of the emails – which eventually led to David Petraeus’ resignation from the CIA on November 9 – come as Paula Broadwell moved back home with her husband and children.

M23 rebels capture Goma city in DR Congo

Roy Siemens
-
0
M23 rebels capture Goma city in DR Congo

Fighters from the M23 rebel group say they have captured Goma, the main city in resource-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The rebels exchange some small-arms fire with the army but they otherwise met little resistance.

UN peacekeepers watched as rebels marched past their vehicles, he adds.

President Joseph Kabila, who flew to Uganda for talks, called on people to “resist” the rebels.

Aid agencies say tens of thousands of people have fled their homes in the last five days as conflict escalated.

One camp near Goma, where about 60,000 people from previous conflicts were taking refuge, has emptied as people flee, the agencies report.

This is the first time since the war officially ended in 2003 that rebels have entered Goma, which has a population of about 400,000.

Some five million people died in the war, which dragged in neighboring states – including Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola.

In a television broadcast, Joseph Kabila called on people to defend the country, AFP news agency reports.

“DR Congo is today confronted with a difficult situation. When a war is imposed, one has an obligation to resist,” he is quoted as saying.

“I ask that the entire population defend our sovereignty.”

He later flew to Uganda to discuss the conflict with his Ugandan counterpart President Yoweri Museveni.

Fighters from the M23 rebel group say they have captured Goma, the main city in resource-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Fighters from the M23 rebel group say they have captured Goma, the main city in resource-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Rwanda has denied persistent accusations that it backs the M23 rebels.

On Monday, it accused the Congolese army of deliberately firing across the border onto its territory.

The commander of United Nations peacekeepers in DR Congo, Lt-Gen Chandar Prakash, said the rebels had tried to attack his forces at the airport, but had been repelled.

Some rebels had used the cover of civilian houses to bypass the UN base there and enter the town, he said.

Government forces are no longer at Goma’s airport, but UN forces are still there.

The UN force has not tried to resist the rebel advance, and watched as about a dozen rebels marched past their armored vehicles.

He says the rebels have gone through Goma and have reached the border with Rwanda.

“The town of Goma fell at 11:33 local time [08.33GMT], despite the attack helicopters, despite the heavy weapons, the FARDC [Congolese army] has let the town fall into our hands,” M23 spokesman Colonel Vianney Kazarama told Reuters news agency.

German newspaper Tageszeitung‘s reporter in Goma, Simone Schlindwein, said she saw the bodies of 10 government soldiers lying in a pool of blood.

Residents told her there were many more corpses on side streets and in nearby fields.

Staff at the main hospital in Goma reported that one civilian had died and 90 had been wounded after being caught in the crossfire, Simone Schlindwein said.

Government forces had looted homes in Goma and were now retreating towards South Kivu province, she added.

Various rebels groups have been active in mineral-rich eastern DR Congo since the end of the war in 2003.

The latest conflict broke out after a mutiny in the army in April, when a group of former rebels formed the M23, also known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army.

About 500,000 people have fled the fighting since then.

The M23 is largely made up of ethnic Tutsis, the same group which dominates the government in Rwanda.

The UN has about 22,000 peacekeepers in DR Congo.

Who are the M23 rebels?

  • Named after the 23 March 2009 peace accord which they accuse the government of violating
  • This deal saw them join the army before they took up arms once more in April 2012
  • Also known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army
  • Mostly from minority Tutsi ethnic group
  • Deny being backed by Rwanda and Uganda
  • Believed to have 1,200 to 6,000 fighters
  • International Criminal Court indicted top commander Bosco “Terminator” Ntaganda in 2006 for allegedly recruiting child soldiers
  • The UN and US imposed a travel ban and asset freeze earlier this month on the group’s leader, Sultani Makenga

[youtube Y9-GInQshNg]

HIV infections among children in further drop, says UN report

Kathryn R. Bown
-
0
HIV infections among children in further drop, says UN report

The UN’s latest assessment of global cases of HIV/AIDS shows there has been a further drop in new infections among children.

There were 330,000 new infections in children last year – the figure is 24% lower than in 2009.

But the report by UNAids also warns “significant additional effort is required” if broader targets to tackle HIV/Aids are to be achieved by 2015.

The agency’s director said the pace of progress was speeding up.

Overall, 34 million people around the world are now thought to have the virus that causes Aids.

The number of new infections in adults has stayed broadly stable for the past four years – at about 2.5 million new cases a year.

Many more people with HIV now receive life-saving drugs which keep the virus under control. But the report estimates seven million people who need treatment still do not have it.

The UN's latest assessment of global cases of HIV-AIDS shows there has been a further drop in new infections among children
The UN’s latest assessment of global cases of HIV-AIDS shows there has been a further drop in new infections among children

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most severely affected part of the world, though some countries there have made impressive efforts in reducing fresh cases.

The executive director of UNAids, Michel Sidibe, said: “Ethiopia, Malawi and Botswana have achieved big reductions in new infections, showing they are capable of controlling the epidemic.

“Twenty-five countries have reduced the number of new infections by more than 50%.

“In general, we’ve moved from a phase of political rhetoric to programmes being implemented and having an effect.

“But some countries aren’t using the right strategies – Russia, for example, where infections are still growing.”

The report also shows significant increases in AIDS-related deaths in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

UNAids is monitoring progress against targets such as reducing sexual transmission of HIV by 50% by 2015, and providing antiretroviral therapy to all 15 million people who need it.

The report shows where challenges remain. For example, it says there needs to be a scaling up of efforts to offer circumcision to men, which trials have shown is effective in preventing some new infections.

And it describes how “intensive efforts” are under way to find effective non-surgical approaches to circumcision – avoiding the need for scalpels or stitches – so that trained nurses could carry out the procedure rather than doctors.

Dr. Manica Balasegaram, Executive Director of Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders Access Campaign, said: “Scaling up HIV treatment to 15 million people from 8 million today is feasible and has the crucial triple benefit of reducing illness, reducing death, and reducing the risk of transmission.”

Israel-Gaza crisis: Mohammed Mursi expects Israeli forces to end air strikes today

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Israel-Gaza crisis: Mohammed Mursi expects Israeli forces to end air strikes today

Egypt’s President Mohammed Mursi, who is leading mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel, says he expects Israeli forces to end air strikes on Gaza later on Tuesday.

The comment came as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is heading to the region to support ceasefire efforts.

Israel says it has put plans for a land invasion of Gaza on hold.

But it has also told villagers in north, south and east of Gaza to move to central areas for their own safety.

Leaflets dropped in a number of villages say: “The Israel Defense Forces are not targeting any of you and they do not want to harm you or your families. For your safety we demand you to evacuate your houses immediately and move towards the centre of Gaza city.”

The conflict began last Wednesday when Israel killed a Hamas military leader, saying it wanted an end to rocket attacks from Gaza. More than 110 Palestinians and three Israelis have been killed.

Tuesday has seen a reduced level of violence, correspondents say, even though Israel has conducted some strikes. One was a “direct hit” on two militants in northern Gaza, the Israeli military said.

It also said about 90 rockets had been fired from Gaza toward Israel, and that more than 50 had been intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system. Five soldiers were wounded in one rocket attack, the military said, without specifying the location.

Local journalists say they saw Hamas fighters summarily execute six people on Tuesday afternoon for being Israeli informers.

One eyewitness told AFP news agency: “Gunmen in a minibus pulled up in the neighborhood, pushed six men out and shot them without leaving the vehicle.”

President Mohammed Mursi said Israel’s “aggression” against Gaza would end on Tuesday and Egypt’s mediation efforts would produce “positive results” shortly, the official Mena news agency reported.

The content of the Egyptian plan is not known, but both Israel and Hamas have presented conditions.

Egypt’s President Mohammed Mursi, who is leading mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel, says he expects Israeli forces to end air strikes on Gaza later on Tuesday
Egypt’s President Mohammed Mursi, who is leading mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel, says he expects Israeli forces to end air strikes on Gaza later on Tuesday

Israel’s demands include no hostile fire of any kind from Gaza and international efforts to prevent Hamas from rearming, while Hamas is demanding an end to the blockade on Gaza and “Israel’s assassinations”.

Israeli troops are massed along the border, raising fears of a ground offensive similar to that of 2008-09. An Israeli spokesman said: “Israel wants talks to succeed but we’re prepared to go into Gaza.”

In a rare appearance, top Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif said: “The enemy should know that it will pay a heavy price for its heinous crimes against our people.”

He added that a ground invasion would “be the starting point for a new phase of the struggle of liberation”.

Hillary Clinton is due in Israel for crisis talks later on Tuesday. She will underline that “the best way to solve this is through diplomacy”, said Barack Obama’s Deputy National Security Adviser, Ben Rhodes.

During the previous night, the Israeli military said it had carried out about 100 strikes, mainly on smuggling tunnels and underground rocket-launching facilities. Hamas officials say seven people were killed.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met Arab League Chief Nabil al-Arabi in Cairo on Tuesday, before heading for talks in Israel.

“I’m here to appeal personally for an end to the violence and to offer my ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire,” Ban Ki-moon told a joint news conference in Cairo.

Ban Ki-moon warned against a ground operation in Gaza.

“Further escalating the situation will put the entire region at risk,” he said.

Egypt has been trying to broker a ceasefire with the help of Qatar and Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Arab foreign ministers are expected to visit Gaza on Tuesday.

Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, a year after winning a decisive victory in general elections. Israel withdrew from the strip in 2005 but maintains a blockade around it.

Israel, as well as the United States and the European Union, regards Hamas as a terrorist organization.

[youtube HpXCvW-Fv8Y]

Kweku Adoboli sentenced to seven years in jail for UBS $2.2 billion-fraud

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Kweku Adoboli sentenced to seven years in jail for UBS $2.2 billion-fraud

Kweku Adoboli, the City trader who lost $2.2 billion of Swiss bank UBS’s money, has been found guilty of two counts of fraud.

Kweku Adoboli, 32, of Whitechapel, east London, denied four charges of false accounting and two of fraud between October 2008 and September 2011.

The prosecution told Southwark Crown Court he was “a gamble or two away from destroying Switzerland’s largest bank”.

Kweku Adoboli, who was cleared of four charges of false accounting, was jailed for seven years.

Kweku Adoboli, who was arrested on 15 September 2011, worked in UBS’s global synthetic equities division, buying and selling exchange traded funds (ETFs), which track stocks, bonds and commodities.

He had joined the bank as a junior trader in 2006.

The court was told KwekuAdoboli lost $2.2 billion of the bank’s money in “unprotected, unhedged, incautious and reckless” trades.

But Kweku Adoboli, the Ghana-born son of a diplomat, told the jury his senior managers were aware of his actions and encouraged him to take risks.

He claimed he lost control over his trades during a period of market turbulence last year.

The court heard that at one point he stood to lose the bank $12 billion.

Kweku Adoboli was convicted of one count of fraud earlier on Tuesday.

The judge, Justice Keith, gave the jury a majority verdict direction, saying they could deliver a 9-1 verdict on the second fraud charge and the four false accounting charges.

Kweku Adoboli, the City trader who lost $2.2 billion of Swiss bank UBS's money, has been found guilty of two counts of fraud
Kweku Adoboli, the City trader who lost $2.2 billion of Swiss bank UBS’s money, has been found guilty of two counts of fraud

The jury had been reduced to five men and five women after two jurors were discharged.

Kweku Adoboli was found guilty by a majority verdict of the second fraud charge but acquitted of the four outstanding false accounting charges.

The prosecution said Kweku Adoboli had been a gambler who believed he had the “magic touch”.

But, giving evidence, Kweku Adoboli said everything he had done was aimed at benefiting the bank, where he viewed his colleagues as “family”.

Kweku Adoboli said he had “lost control in the maelstrom of the financial crisis”, and was doing well until he changed from a conservative “bearish” position to an aggressive “bullish” stance under pressure from senior managers.

He told the jury that staff was encouraged to take risks until they got “a slap on the back of the wrist”.

After the verdicts, Detective Chief Inspector Perry Stokes, from the City of London Police, which investigated Kweku Adoboli, said: “This was the UK’s biggest fraud, committed by one of the most sophisticated fraudsters the City of London Police has ever come across.

“To all those around him, Kweku Adoboli appeared to be a man on the make whose career prospects and future earnings were taking off. He worked hard, looked the part and seemingly had an answer for everything.

“But behind this facade lay a trader who was running completely out of control and exposing UBS to huge financial risks on a daily basis.

“Rules put in place to protect the bank’s position and the integrity of the markets were being bypassed and broken by a young man who wanted it all and was not willing to wait.

“When Adoboli’s pyramid of fictitious trades, exceeded trading limits and non-existent hedging came crashing down, the repercussions were felt in financial centres around the world.

“Now, just a year on, he is facing the reality that he was not above the law and will be made to pay for his crimes. Others who tread a similar path to his can expect the same fate.”

[youtube 90K_GnZqVC8]

Hedgehogs adopted by ginger cat Sonya

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Hedgehogs adopted by ginger cat Sonya

A caring cat named Sonya plays surrogate mother to an adorable litter of orphaned hedgehogs.

Sonya, the ginger cat from central Russia, only had one kitten of her own meaning there was plenty of milk to spare, so she readily adopted the four baby hedgehogs into the family.

She treats them, exactly as if they were her own, allowing them to suckle to their hearts content and then snuggle up to sleep in her fur when they’re full.

It is common practice for abandoned animal babies to be placed with surrogate mother’s of the same species to avoid re-abandonment at a later date – but sometime a mother of the same species just isn’t available.

There are cases of cats adopting rabbits, racoons, squirrels and even, in the case of a cat named Smaigel from Jordan – puppies as their own children, but this is the first time we’ve heard of one adopting hedgehogs.

Mother dogs, in particular, are well known for taking on all sorts of unruly youngsters including lions and tigers.

Sonya, the ginger cat from central Russia, only had one kitten of her own meaning there was plenty of milk to spare, so she readily adopted the four baby hedgehogs into the family
Sonya, the ginger cat from central Russia, only had one kitten of her own meaning there was plenty of milk to spare, so she readily adopted the four baby hedgehogs into the family

As the milk from mammals is very similar, it is a better option than bottle feeding. The youngsters are provided with all what they need, and suckling means they are less likely to be rejected in later life.

One of the weirdest cases of animal adoption is that of Sai Mai The Tiger from Thailand’s Sriracha Tiger Zoo who adopted and a group of orphaned piglets.

And perhaps one of the most heartwarming is that of Owen the baby Hippopotamus who was rescued after being swept into the Indian Ocean in the 2005 tsunami and adopted a giant male Aldabran tortoise as his “mother”.

[youtube qxzf9MzzB-I]

1...975976977...1,247Page 976 of 1,247