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Big is beautiful at Club Bounce

2009-10-18T04:53:00.001-07:00

The woman behind a club for larger than life ladies in California says business is booming.

Lisa Marie Garbo, a 5ft 7in, 19st 4lbs self-proclaimed 'size-acceptance activist', opened Club Bounce in Long Beach five years ago.

It has proven such a success that she has recently opened another in Phoenix and has plans for a third in Dallas.

Club Bounce, logo: "Where Size And Style Meet", claims to be the world's first dance club for plus-sized ladies.

It's regularly packed dance floor is a magnet for BBW (big beautiful women) and the BHM (big handsome men) who love their curves.

Ms Garbo's aim was to provide a place where women could go and have their size accepted and celebrated.

She says she has only learned to love her own curves since hitting 30 - until then, she says, she felt ugly and unattractive.

But the club has also come in for criticism from some people who say she is promoting obesity.

Ms Garbo argues that many of the women who come to the club are actively trying to shed the pounds.

"But why must these women sit at home watching TV until the weight, which they may actually never lose, is gone?" she asks.

Huge audience watched op to separate twins

2009-10-18T04:51:00.000-07:00

More than 100,000 watched online as surgeons carried out a five hour operation to separate conjoined twin girls.

Orphaned sisters Ling Ling and Ling Mai - born sharing a liver, stomach and sternum - are now recovering after what medics in Shanghai, eastern China, say was a completely successful op.

At one point so many people were watching the procedure online that it threatened to crash the entire internet network in the region.

Lead surgeon Professor Xu Weiyu said: "It was a lot more complicated than we expected. The slightest error could have caused a massive haemorrhage."

Medics managed to separate the 11-month-old girls' shared liver and untangle intestines that were separate, but wrapped around each other.

The separated breast bone will be covered with skin grafts in a later op, said Professor Weiyu.

"They will be able to lead completely independent lives," he added.

Swedes quash lesbian town rumour

2009-10-18T04:48:00.000-07:00

Swedish tourism officials are struggling to quash rumours in China that the country is home to a women-only town where residents are desperate for men.

Several Chinese media outlets have published reports claiming that 25,000 women live together in Chako Paul City, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Millions of Chinese men have since searched the internet for more details of the city, said to have been founded by a man-hating widow in the forests of northern Sweden in 1820.

According to the rumours, the residents have turned to same-sex relationships to satisfy their desires, and any men attempting to gain entry risk being "beaten half to death" by the blonde sentries at the gates.

The far-fetched fantasy appears to have been swallowed by so many Chinese men that Swedish officials have issued a formal denial that the town exists, or ever existed.

"I have no idea where something like this could have come from," Claes Bertilson, of the Scandinavian country's Association of Local Authorities and Regions, told The Local newspaper.

"At 25,000 residents, the town would be one of the largest in northern Sweden, and I find it hard to believe that you could keep something like that a secret for more than 150 years."

The mythical town has reportedly been mentioned in stories on the Xinhua and Harbin News news agencies and featured in a segment produced by the Shanghai Media Group.

It is unclear where the story originated, although officials have suggested that a publicity stunt by the northern Swedish town of Palaja in the 1980s may have been lost in translation.

The male-dominated town arranged for busloads of women to be driven through in an effort to attract more female residents

Russell to meet Katy's parents

2009-10-18T04:46:00.000-07:00

Things are obviously getting serious between Katy Perry and Russell Brand as he is set to meet her parents.

However, lets hope Keith and Mary Hudson haven't done any research on Russell's background as they are strict Christians.

It's highly likely they would approve of Russell's reputation with the ladies.

Katy is trying to arrange for Russell to meet her parents before she hosts the MTV Europe Awards in Berlin next month.

A source told The Sun: "Katy is as besotted with Russell as he is with her. However, her parents are extraordinarily strict Christians.

"Katy is sure that, after a bit of getting used to him, they would approve of Russell, but she wants to get that initial meeting out of the way as early as she can.

"Keith and Mary are devoted to the church and hold the institution of marriage as a central core of their beliefs.

"They are genuinely happy for their daughter, but want to give Russell the once-over to check that he is, in fact, as suitable as Katy claims."

Keith and Mary run an evangelical ministry in Temecula, 74 miles south of Los Angeles, are licensed to marry couples in California.

The source added: "Obviously both Katy and Russell are very busy. Katy is heading back to LA soon to work on her second album. Russell has got some stand-up shows at the beginning of November, so they have a window of the last couple of weeks in October available to them.

"Katy is really keen to get the meeting out of the way early-on, so her and Russ can get on with their relationship without anything hanging over their heads."

So, if the meeting goes well they could end up marrying the pair!

Conman gives himself away on Facebook

2009-10-18T04:42:00.000-07:00

A fraudster who went on the run from US authorities gave himself away - because he couldn't help himself from posting on Facebook.

Cameroon-born Maxi Sopo's messages made it clear he was living the high life in the Mexican resort of Cancun.

He also added a former US justice department official to his friend list who ended up helping to track him down, reports the BBC.

US officials say Mr Sopo and an associate falsely obtained more than �125,000 in credit from banks.

In recent status updates Mr Sopo said he was "loving it", described himself as "living in paradise" and said he was "just here to have fun".

"He was making posts about how beautiful life is and how he was having a good time with his buddies," said Assistant US Attorney Michael Scoville.

"He was definitely not living the way we wanted him to be living, given the charges he was facing," he added.

The 26-year-old, who is now in custody in Mexico City, initially sold roses in Seattle nightclubs after arriving in the US in 2003. He then allegedly moved on to bank fraud.

The former justice department official whom Mr Sopo befriended on the social networking site said he had only met the fugitive a few times in the city's nightclubs and had no idea that he was on the run.

He was able to discover exactly where Mr Sopo was living and the information was passed to the Mexican authorities who arrested him last month.

Cheryl won't sing live

2009-10-18T04:38:00.001-07:00

Cheryl Cole won't be performing her single live on this weekend's X Factor show after all.

The Girls Aloud star's performance of Fight For This Love will now be recorded on the day in front of an audience of just 800, instead of live for 14 million viewers.

She was scheduled to sing prior to Whitney Houston belting out her new hit on the show.

X Factor chiefs have defended Cheryl's choice and claim she wouldn't have time to go from her seat on the judging panel to the stage so had to pre-record the slot.

Speaking about the performance Cheryl admitted she's terrified.

She revealed: "The nerves started weeks ago. It's really here and happening. I love performing but I've sat for weeks judging people and now I'm putting myself out there to be judged."

So, does Cheryl have the X Factor? We'll have to wait until Sunday night to find out!

Calendar girl gets rivals' goat

2009-10-18T04:35:00.000-07:00

Creators of a calendar of Swiss farm girls have been slammed - after one of the models turned out to be German.

The calendar of pictures of scantily clad models in rural settings didn't raise an eyebrow in Switzerland.

But a row erupted when it emerged than one of the 12 models was actually from Germany.

Johanna Saenger, 23, is pictured in a classic Swiss Alpine setting while cuddling two white goats, as Miss April.

One angry Swiss model told a local radio station: "It is not as if there are not enough good-looking Swiss girls.

"There was no reason for them to take a German girl."

But agriculture student Johanna, from Gottingen, Germany, says the row is a storm in a double D cup.

"I love animals, which is why I agreed to be in the calendar and I'm proud of my body and wanted to show it off," she explained.

Joyriders tried to steal helicopter

2009-10-18T04:29:00.000-07:00

Police in Hertfordshire are hunting two ambitious teenage joyriders who tried to take a helicopter for a spin.

The pair struck while the unlocked aircraft was parked in a field at Letchworth Rugby Club, reports Sky News.

The pilot, in his 40s, returned from a meeting to find an iPod, first aid kit, torches and fire extinguisher stolen.

He then discovered that the light-fingered culprits had also undertaken the first stages of starting the engine.

After carrying out safety checks, the helicopter owner took off and hovered at low altitude to check nothing was awry.

At this point he spotted two teenagers, both with bicycles, hiding in a bush nearby and watching him.

PC Quentin Lane, who is investigating the incident, said the pilot discovered that a series of electrical switches had been tampered with.

One youth is described as white, aged about 15, and was wearing a grey and white hooded top. The second is slightly younger and was wearing a camouflage top.

The pilot travels regularly between Berkshire and Letchworth on business and had an arrangement with the rugby club to use their property to park.

Woman teaches dog to read

2009-07-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

New York animal trainer Lyssa Rosenberg has taught her terrier to obey simple written commands.

Willow plays dead when she sees the word 'bang', stretches a paw in the air when she sees 'wave' and gets up on her back feet to beg when she sees the words 'sit up'.

"She's an unbelievably quick learner," said Ms Rosenberg, who has trained other dogs to appear in TV adverts and pose on photo shoots.

"She can do 250 different things and I used to joke that I would teach her how to pour me a martini. Then for a bet I told a friend I would teach her to read. He promised me a free trip to Mexico if I could do it.

"It took her just six weeks to recognise words and respond to them. And it isn't just my handwriting she understands. My friend printed the words Willow learned off the computer and she reacted to them.

"Well I won the bet and Willow came with me to Mexico."

Willow has her own pet passport and regularly flies transatlantic to visit Ms Rosenberg's husband Gareth Howells, in Guildford, Surrey.

Willow was also the second witness at the couple's wedding at New York City Hall in March - signing the marriage certificate with an inky paw print.

Ms Rosenberg even takes the 10lb English terrier mix on business trips because Willow is more than happy to share her carrying case with other animals.

"I once had to fly from California back to New York with a rabbit and two guinea pigs. Going through airport security was hilarious because first I pulled out the rabbit from the bag, followed by the guinea pigs and then the dog."

Brit starts world's best job

2009-07-01T19:19:00.000-07:00

A British man has started "the best job in the world" - a six-month contract as caretaker of an island on the Great Barrier Reef.

Ben Southall beat more than 35,000 applicants from around the world to the post, which involves exploring hundreds of tropical islands off the coast of Queensland.

His most arduous duty is writing a blog with photos and video updates to attract visitors to the area, reports the Daily Telegraph.

The 34-year-old, from Petersfield in Hampshire, fought off competition from 15 other finalists to win the £70,000 role.

He was chosen by officials from Tourism Queensland on May 6 after a four-day selection process on Hamilton, Daydream and Hayman Islands.

Mr Southall, whose new home is a rent-free three-bedroom ocean-front villa on Hamilton Island, said "excited" could not begin to describe how he felt about starting his new job.

"It seems a lifetime ago when I sat down in January to plan and film my 60 second video application for the 'best job in the world'," he said.

"At times I still can't believe I was successful in being offered what has to be the most sought-after job in the world - the chance to spend six months exploring the islands of the Great Barrier Reef - one of the world's most amazing destinations."

The job is part of a campaign to attract visitors to the Great Barrier Reef, and tourism chiefs claim it already has generated £98 million in publicity.

It became an internet hit, spreading across the world via YouTube and social networking sites such as Facebook.

Umbrellas stop Obama melting in the heat
A new waxwork of Barack Obama has been unveiled in Paris - where it had to be protected from the hot sun by umbrellas.
The same heatwave that has hit Britain has sent temperatures soaring in France and threatened to melt the model's face, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Helpers grabbed umbrellas to shield the waxwork from the hot sun as it was unveiled near the Eiffel Tower before taking up its place in the Musée Grevin wax museum.
It was created by sculptor Eric Saint Chaffray who had to overcome the problem that he had never seen the US president in person.
"The main difficulty is making it without meeting him, from press photos," he admitted.
But passers-by were so taken by the resemblance that many stopped to have their photograph taken by the model.
"It looks really cool," said Emily Artes, a US tourist. "Everyone was joking that he was actually here and that we were gonna take pictures with him."
Mr Saint Chaffray has been creating wax statues for the museum for the past 20 years, and has worked on American presidents in the past.
"We're presenting Barack Obama at the Musée Grevin as part of a gathering of heads of state, which is why he has kind of an official attitude, a little bit stiff," he said.

Prey turns predator

2009-07-01T19:13:00.000-07:00

A toad has been caught on camera eating a snake in China in a direct reversal of their normal roles.
The picture of a mountain toad eating a Jerdon's pit viper was taken by a tourist at Qingcheng Mountain park in Sichuan, central China.
Ran Longzhong, from Chongqing, told IC Media that he had been unable to believe his eyes and was happy he had his camera with him.
"I was wandering on the mountain road, and suddenly I spotted a toad that was eating down a snake, which was still struggling," he said.
"The toad ate down the whole snake in around five minutes. It's hard to believe that a predator can be hunted by its prey."
A local zoologist said it was the first time he had ever heard of a snake being eaten by a toad.

Hot hippo gets stuck
An over-heated hippopotamus got stuck after clambering into a 10ft water tower to cool down in South Africa.
After happily splashing around for a while, the animal found it could not get out of the pool again, reports Metro.
Luckily, a farm worker noticed water spilling over the side of the concrete container and spotted two enormous nostrils poking out of the tank.
He immediately rang for help and, within hours, rescuers arrived at the farm in Alkmaar, just outside Nelspruit.
Equipped with a hydraulic crane and a cage, hippo hunter Chris Hobkirk and his team from the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Association set to work.
In a four-hour operation, they drained the tank and used poles to gently nudge the hippo into a 10ft steel cage before winching it to safety.
Mr Hobkirk, who has rescued more than 180 stranded hippos in the past six years, said it was a tricky procedure but he was glad with the outcome.
"Maybe we got lucky with this one. In the past, I have removed hippos from small dams. In those cases, the water levels have always been much lower so this was different." he said.

All creatures great and

2009-07-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

A chihuahua has made an amazing recovery in Australia after being stepped on by her best mate - a 900kg Clydesdale horse.
Little Berry was happily playing with her friend Leroy when the giant horse accidentally trod on her head.
Owner Abbey Newton, of Geelong, near Melbourne, said: "Leroy stepped back, right on her head. There was just this little tiny bit of her nose sticking out. I thought she was dead.
"There was this horrible high-pitched screaming noise. It was terrible".
Berry was rushed to the vet who offered to put the little dog down but Abbey decided to take her home to die.
Anxiously she checked on Berry every hour throughout the night and, to her astonishment, in the morning she seemed to have made a complete recovery.
"In the morning she just got up and ate the other dog's breakfast," added Mrs Newton. "She's had nine lives and it's cost me every time."

Beauty contest for earthquake survivors
Caring crimpers have staged a beauty contest for refugees of Italy's L'Aquila earthquake to give recovery hopes a head start.
Stunning Sara Iervolino, 26, was made Miss Tent City in the contest aimed at cheering up victims of the quake, many of which are still living in tents erected by the Italian government.
Organiser, hairdresser Antonello Durastante, said: "These girls have been through hell and back and now they have to live in a tent which doesn't do anything for a girl's self-esteem.
"We want to give them back dignity and beauty."
The G8 summit will be held in L?Aquila next week, after Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi changed its venue to the earthquake-hit town to draw international attention to the crisis.

Reasons to be cheerful

2009-06-20T03:51:00.001-07:00

Britons should have plenty to smile about on Friday, 19 June - as it's officially the happiest day of 2009.
Our spirits have apparenty been boosted by the sunny start to summer, the longest days of the year, the nearing of payday - and optimism that Andy Murray could win Wimbledon.
Psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall devised a formula to pinpoint the day we are all most likely to feel the happiest.
And the Cardiff University lecturer said people should forget credit crunch worries because the secret of happiness lies with things which are free.
Dr Arnall, 44, said feel-good sensations are enjoying time with friends and loves ones, appreciating nature in the sunshine and looking forward to the weekend and a holiday.
His complicated mathematic formula is: O + (N x S) + Cpm/T + He.
O = being outdoors and outdoor activity, N = nature, S = social interaction, Cpm = memories of childhood summers and other positive thoughts, T = temperature, and He = excitement about holidays.
Dr Arnall, from Brecon in Powys, said: "The most important things you can do to be happy are free. People may be less able to afford other leisure activities but it's free to walk in the park or paddle in a stream.
"It refreshes you and you forget your other worries. And the most important thing in our lives are our relationships - and no amount of money can buy that.
"I've spoken to miserable multi-millionaires and people who have no money but are very happy because they have amazing friends."

Britney makes another geographical gaffe

2009-06-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

Star confuses Manchester for London
Britney has made yet another blunder during her world tour - this time mistaking her Manchester audience for London.
The US pop starlet is currently unveiling her lavish new stage show throughout the UK; she completed eight dates at London's O2 Arena earlier this month before stopping in Manchester this week (17 June).
Unfortunately, the Louisiana songstress seemed a little confused about her location as she yelled, "What's up London?" to the Manchester Evening News Arena audience.
It's the latest in a series of slip-ups for the 27-year-old star; she addressed her fans in San Jose, California with the words, "What's up Sacramento?" and shouted, "Merry Christmas," at a Washington performance in March.
She also caused a stir at her Florida show (8 March) when she left the stage without realising her mic was on, allowing the arena to hear her say, "My p***y was hanging out".
The Circus tour continues tonight (19 June) and tomorrow (20 June) in Dublin before heading to Paris next week.

Coastal castles 'to be moved inland'

2009-06-17T18:31:00.001-07:00

Castles on the coast could be moved inland, brick by brick, to save Britain's coastal heritage from climate change.
The government is considering ways to protect a number of historic properties threatened by rising sea levels, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Historic monuments could be moved in exceptional circumstances to a "more sustainable location", according to a consultation paper released by the Department for the Environment.
Coastal defences should be improved in less severe cases and valuable assets recorded in case they are lost forever, it says.
Hundreds of monuments around the British coast are at risk of sea level rises and erosion and could be candidates for relocation.
St Michael's Mount in Cornwall, currently reached by a causeway, could become an island; Westbury Court Garden in Gloucestershire could be flooded by the River Severn; and Dunstanburgh Castle in Northumbria is under threat from erosion.
An English Heritage spokesman said: "Future sea-level rise as a result of climate change and associated coastal erosion and flooding will threaten many historic buildings, sites and landscapes.
"While it may be possible to protect some of these, others will need to be adapted to withstand changing conditions and, over time, others will be lost."
This week the Met Office will warn of the threat of rising sea levels to Britain over the next 80 years.
It is expected to warn that sea levels could rise by as much as 80cm (31 inches) around the British coast by 2100, causing the flooding of low lying areas such as Norfolk.

Frankmusik talks Cheryl Cole solo album

2009-06-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

Producer says 'personality is crucial'
Pop star and sometime producer Frankmusik has spoken out about Cheryl Cole's hotly-anticipated solo album.
The Girls Aloud songstress is known to be working on her debut effort at present, and Frank, who's set to take knob-twiddling duties on some of the tracks, says the project could go either way.
He told DigitalSpy.co.uk: "You very rarely hear any of them sing in isolation.
"As long as they don't do the obvious thing and basically make a solo Girls Aloud album for her, then it should be quite good."
He added: "Hopefully they can get across whatever personality she may, or may not, have on the record. I think that's crucial in any solo project - you've got to be something so strong without the help of the group you once had.
"You see the errors of people like Robbie Williams in the past. There's certain ways of doing it right and a lot more ways of doing it wrong."
A release date for the collection has yet to be announced.

Village cricketer hits 39 off one over

2009-06-17T18:19:00.000-07:00

A village cricketer hit 39 runs - including six sixes in a row - off one over in Kent.
Abhijit Kale's achievement was helped by the fact there were nine deliveries - as there were three no balls, reports the Daily Mirror.
Abhijit scored a single off bowler Damion Grosscel's first ball, which was then matched by batting partner Michael Brown.
Then came a two by Abhijit - followed by a Garry Sobers style six consecutive sixes.
He said: "I'd be amazed if I ever did it again."
Abhijit, 34, from Mumbai, was playing for Kent League Division 3 team Linden Park against Catford Wanderers. The Tunbridge Wells-based side made 247, with Abhijit 152 not out, then they bowled out Catford for 134.
Skipper Stuart Clarke said: "We asked the bowler to pose for a photo after but he wasn't having it."
World record scorer off one over is Jonathan Hughes who whacked 42 for North Leeds in 2005.
The first man to hit six sixes off an over in first-class cricket was West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers for Notts in 1968.

Winehouse's mum: Amy needs rescuing

2009-06-17T18:16:00.000-07:00

Amy Winehouse's mother says the singer is constantly in denial and needs to be rescued.
Janis Winehouse said she just wants her daughter to be okay and "would do whatever it took to make that right".
Her comments come as ITV News will show footage later of the troubled singer trying to play the drums while appearing to be under the influence of alcohol as she battled her addiction in her private villa in St Lucia earlier this year.
"The need to rescue her is enormous," Mrs Winehouse said.
"Amy is in denial all the time. She probably feels trapped, her body is trapping her. But I know with addiction you do not have the choice because the substance itself directs you."
She added: "I want to say to her - 'Amy, what are you doing? Don't you know what you're doing?'"
The 25-year-old Back to Black singer's father Mitch added: "I need my daughter to be a whole person again.
"I tried it all - I said, 'Amy you've got to do this, you've got to go to this doctor, you've got to do this, you've got to do that, you're killing me, you're killing your mum'. None of it worked."
He said his daughter was on a drug replacement programme but drinking heavily.
"For the last six months there's been a remarkable recovery," he said.
"A gradual recovery, which is good. With slight backward steps - not drug backward steps, more drink backward steps if you follow my drift. I think that will be the pattern of recovery."
Mr Winehouse also blamed his daughter's estranged husband Blake Fielder-Civil for fuelling her drug habit.
He said: "The option of them being together is too horrible to contemplate. They are going to get divorced and who knows what's going to happen down the line.
"Amy and Blake have decided that they want to get on with their lives separately, and if they get back together again in the future and they're both clean and they still love each other, that's up to them."

Amy Winehouse is 'in denial'

2009-06-17T18:12:00.000-07:00

Singer's mum says she needs to be rescued
Amy Winehouse's mother has once again aired her fears for the troubled 'Back To Black' singer.
Amy has reportedly conquered her drug demons, but now seems to be dependent on alcohol - as many observers suggested in light of her shambolic appearance at the St Lucia Jazz Festival last month.
Speaking as part of a forthcoming documentary on Amy, her mother Janis said: "The need to rescue her is enormous.
"I just want her to be OK and I would do whatever it took to make that right."
But, she explained, the 25-year-old star must make the decision to seek help on her own.
Janis continued: "Amy is in denial all the time. She probably feels trapped. Her body is trapping her. But I know with addiction you do not have the choice because the substance itself directs you."
"I want to say to her, 'Amy, what are you doing? Don't you know what you're doing?' But she by then has got herself on to it to help her get through, and I understand that."

VV Brown designs Orange rain poncho!

2009-06-17T18:08:00.001-07:00

Grab yours at the Glastonbury Chill 'n' Charge tent
Orange have teamed up with retro popstress VV Brown to unveil an exclusive rain poncho for this year's Glastonbury festival!
Designed by 25-year-old VV, the limited edition collaboration with the festival's official communications partner will only be available at the Orange Chill 'n' Charge tent at next week's festival.
Given a free reign to adorn the garment with a design of her choice, the cheeky Londoner opted to emblazon it with an image of her face! The impressive result can be seen in the image above.
One poncho will be available, for free, to the first 100 people who request one from the Orange Chill 'n' Charge tent on Saturday 27 June.
VV Brown said: "Customising and designing is a passion of mine, so naturally I jumped at the chance to design a limited edition poncho for Orange at Glastonbury.
"I'm really excited about the design and can't wait to see people wearing them."
People who have been to a washed-out Glastonbury before will appreciate how essential a decent waterproof can be. In fact, a survey published today shows that 28% of revellers reckon bad weather is the factor most likely to affect their enjoyment of the weekend.
So if you're heading down to Worthy Farm next week, claim yours at the Orange Chill 'n' Charge tent before they run out!
Open 10am-10pm from Friday 26 June until Sunday 28, the tent will also feature 600 mobile charging points and free internet access.
The Orange Chill 'n' Charge tent will also play host to an exciting line-up of live performances - including a set by VV Brown - throughout the weekend, so check back here for the latest line-up details as soon as they are announced.
Story filed: 12:57 Wednesday 17th June 2009 -->

Saffia and Kris get close

2009-06-13T09:37:00.001-07:00

Romance has hit the Big Brother house - Saffia and Kris are getting closer.
The pair have struck up a firm friendship since they entered the house last week.
They've even shared a bed together, cuddling up before falling asleep. But the burgeoning romance is worrying Kris, who confided in Lisa he was worried about the tensions it could cause.
He said, "Just before I got into bed for spoons, the frustration was kicking in. I was just like, 'Awww'. I just don't wanna make things complicated."
Saffia's ears must have been burning because she walked into the bedroom mid-conversation and Kris was forced to stop talking. He headed to the kitchen - and the single mum also told Lisa about her and Kris. She told the lesbian, "He's, like, getting cuddly."
And Lisa's advice? "My suggestion is just have a laugh and if you wanna mess about and grab it." Saffia replied, "Nah, I wouldn't do that. If anything is meant to be, then whatever."
But Saffia faces competition from Sophie, who is also getting close to Kris. The pair spent Tuesday evening flirting and joking around.

Police 'tase' great-gran

2009-06-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

A 72-year-old great-grandmother is threatening to sue police in Texas after an officer "tased" her with a stun gun.
Kathryn Winkfein was pulled over for speeding while doing her weekly shopping in Austin, Texas, reports the BBC.
Travis County sheriff's deputy Chris Bieze shocked her with the taser gun after she resisted arrest and became argumentative.
Mrs Winkfein was stopped by the police officer for driving at 60 mph in a 45-mph zone in her white pick-up truck.
Grainy police video footage shows the officer shove her and point the taser gun at her as she refuses to go quietly.
"If you don't step back, you're going to get Tased," Mr Bieze said.
"Go ahead, Tase me," she replied. "I dare you."
The video showed Mr Bieze using the Taser and Mrs Winkfein hitting the ground and moaning in pain.

Foxy foot fetish

2009-06-13T09:26:00.000-07:00

More than 120 shoes have gone missing from homes and gardens in Germany after a fox developed a bizarre fetish.
The mystery was only solved when a forestry worker found a stash of the missing footwear in the fox's lair near Fohren.
Tiny tooth marks on the leather show the vixen - dubbed Imelda Marcos after the shoe-mad president's wife - may have used them as toys for her cubs to play with.
Local landowner Count Rudolf Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt said: "She's clearly got a thing about shoes.
"We found 86 shoes in the den and a further 32 in a nearby quarry where they like to play. That includes 12 or 13 matching pairs of shoes."

Bar mitzvah behind bars

2009-06-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

Five prison officials have been disciplined in New York after a wealthy inmate was allowed to throw a bar mitzvah for his son in jail.
Convicted fraudster Tuvia Stern brought in his own caterer, kosher food and 60 guests for the six-hour party in the gym of the Manhattan Detention Complex.
The caterer supplied diners with knives, and guests were allowed to keep their mobile phones, according to the New York Post.
Guests reportedly included several prominent rabbis, a famous Orthodox Jewish singer and a band. Stern was allowed to wear his own clothes at the event.
Overtime pay for staff overseeing the event was met by the prison, which is nicknamed The Tombs.
Four months after the party, last December, Stern was allowed to host an engagement party for 10 family members in the same venue.
Rabbi Leib Glanz, the prison chaplain who arranged the bar mitzvah, was suspended for two weeks.
Four others, including the prison's warden and a Muslim imam who is assistant commissioner for ministerial services, had their holiday docked by two weeks.
Stern was accused in 1989 of swindling $1.7m. He jumped bail and fled to Brazil with his wife and five children. He was caught in 2006 while trying to enter Britain and was jailed in the US last year.

Robot snake is new spy

2009-06-13T09:20:00.000-07:00

Israeli military scientists have reportedly designed a robotic snake which can spy on enemies and plant bombs.
The robotic snake can even stand up vertically to peer over obstacles, reports Sky News.
The remote-controlled reptile is able to sneak through cracks in buildings to gather information on enemy combatants, according to Israel's Channel 2 TV.
Researchers studied the movements of snakes to ensure that the robotic equivalent mimics them correctly.
A soldier controls the snake from a remote laptop and can follow what it sees via video cameras.
Footage posted online shows the six-foot long snake in camouflage gear, winding its way through rocks and tree stumps.
The video is getting thousands of hits on YouTube after a user called 'Korozzz' posted it.
The Israel Defence Forces plan to equip combat units with the models, which could also be used to find survivors trapped in collapsed buildings.
A TV report said the snake is in the experimental stage and the cost of producing multiple versions is as yet unknown.
Researchers at Israel's Ben-Gurion University inspired the design after undertaking a robotic animals project.

Catawbarawbah County

2009-06-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

Catawbarawabah County (cat.AW.ba.RAW.bah, for all you foreigners) was located in the South end of the edge of the earth, sort of to the north of Florida and east of Georgia, on a coastline interrupted by an intra-coastal waterway and many estuarine environments. Used to be rice, in the heyday of the big plantations. Now it's marshland again.
It is beautiful. Herons. Egrets. Ospreys -- all add majesty to the scene, serene in flight and delicate upon landing. Shrimp boats, not as many now, can be seen threading their way through the channels to the dock, surrounded by marsh grasses and wet mud-shore littered with tiny crittering crabs. It can't half smell bad at low tide, though, sometimes.

Boswell Johnson Jefferson was seventeen that summer, and it was a great summer to be a teenager. Boz, however, had the mind and personality of a five-year-old boy, and so it was an even greater adventure of a summer than most teenage boys could dream. Boz had the free and open canvas of a child's imagination to work with, and I often saw him and his dog, Hugger, wandering down by the lagoon or along the edge of the marsh, rapt in the intensity of play. I used to wonder what went through my younger brother's mind; was he a pirate today? Or an explorer?
One day I noticed that Boz was carrying an old Danish Cookies box -- you know, those round cans you get cookies in at Christmas. We stored old photos in one -- the Johnsons and the Jeffersons had little to record, but there were some formal portraits of unhappy-looking people. Boz was out the door and away before Mom could suggest he leave it behind.

Summer Song

Just because we cannot perceive other dimensions, doesn't mean they aren't there. Ask Brian Green what he thinks is elegant about that. I'm glad they let me roam the countryside like this: it would be too cruel to be cooped up with the others, and those SAT's don't sound like much fun. I explore this dimension without hindrance: it is folded to the edge of what you are aware of, and thus I appear: lo! as a player on the apron at The Globe; thus do I mouth my madness to the swell of applause befitting my sudden existence beyond the realm of everyday lore. Belike I falter in my steps; yet as I think on't, I do perceive I wallow in the sunshine of my youth.
I am no Vardamon.
I may not answer when you speak; that does not mean I have not heard the words nor that I cannot form coherent patterns of thought. There is something amiss, however, in the synapse that should link my actions to my ideas; lest I be considered an idiot (and many think so, I am well aware), I deem it meet to advertise my store of wisdom in another means than words. Or actions.
I move my lyric pose accompanied by a dog. This also is appropriate; I can not think so clearly otherwise than when I'm with this hound of mixed denomination and origin as bastard as my own. Not that my mother played false -- no; she clasped about my father's neck like the player queen protesting too much before the court at Elsinore. No: I refer to the illegitimacy of thought that counters meditation with the lop-sided grin of an imbecile.
I am no Hamlet, either, although I could be bounded in a nutshell, bad dreams and all, the opening riff of the Stones' "Brown Sugar" playing for me, in stereo. I am only what I am, and this derives from pictures: my antecedents range in ragged sequence before me on this river bank. As I observe them, they tell me all their secrets.
This one I know: he didn't start as a Johnson; Ruaíri Macshane metamorphosed when transliterated across the Irish Sea to a bigger island. They called him Dirty Mick. A "Johnson" is a euphemism for penis; Macshane isn't -- so where did that leave the folks back home? I smirk at the implication. Dirty Mick Johnson carried hod and balanced more than his body weight on bruised shoulder. It wasn't enough, though. The boat that brought him to this side of the world smelled worse than a building site.

Making Your Small Business Work

2009-05-31T11:04:00.000-07:00

Do you own a small business? Do you want to have a small business but don’t know how to go about it? Well, Business in Blue Jeans could be the answer to what you need. One of your options. You know I just love options for it speaks of possibilities. It’s an expansion of ideas and explosion of creativity. It makes you want to get up and go! I run a small business – a preschool to be exact. Looking back, I wished then that we had a mentor or a business coach who would have guided us. But since we had none, we just groped in the dark and made our way cautiously and very slowly learned from our mistakes and triumphs. I realized though that our failures were an essential part of growing, but I also saw how expensive those mistakes were. It was only years later that I was mentored by a brother in community and he helped me a lot in seeing my business in a different way.

I believe that getting a good mentor is one way to help you make your small business work. If you are looking for one, why don’t you check out what Business in Blue Jeans has to offer you. May I share a wonderful interview with none other than the CEO of Business in Blue Jeans, Susan Baroncini-Moe? It pays off to know who you will be working with and what kind of person she is.

Your decision to change careers reminded me of myself. I did that too and it was a decision that changed my life. A beautiful move I believe. I like the name Business in Blue Jeans. It has a certain appeal to it. Why did you choose this name?

My business originally had a different, more corporate brand. It didn't fit me at all, and it bothered me for at least a year. Finally, one day, I was talking with a branding consultant and talking about my business and I casually said, "I hate wearing suits to meetings. I love working with clients who are comfortable and pleasant. I just love hanging out with my clients, rolling up our sleeves and really making their businesses work." The consultant said something like, "So you do business in your blue jeans?" And that's when it hit me. That's exactly what I do. I do Business in Blue Jeans.

That sounds like a lot of work! So do you do all of this by yourself?

When you hire Business in Blue Jeans, I am the primary point of contact. It's really important to me that my clients feel connected to a real person, not like they're dealing with a big corporate brand. So each and every Business in Blue Jeans client works directly with me, regardless of the project. Sometimes that direct contact means I have to prioritize my e-mails, so if an e-mail isn't client-related or project-related it may take me awhile to reply, but following up with people is important to me, even if it takes a week or two. While I'm the CEO of Business in Blue Jeans, I could never run all of these divisions alone. Not only is the company growing and there's a bit more work than I can handle on my own, but I've found the best and brightest professionals who can do certain things better than I can. For example, I can design a logo, but frankly, there are people on my team who can design a better logo. So these days, I leave that work to them. The full Business in Blue Jeans team consists of almost a hundred people scattered across the globe. I spent five years assembling this team, and I'm really proud of the group I've put together. They're not just amazing at what they do, they're really good people who are very pleasant to work with. So it's very much a team effort. That said, I still manage all of the consulting, advisory, and coaching work, as well as most of the project management. I also do most of the copywriting, the e-zine, and that really is me on all of my social networking profiles like Facebook and Twitter.These are the things I'm best at and the things I love the most.

It’s great to know that people can work directly with you and that you have a team of professionals helping you out. Can you share some of the businesses that you have helped and have prospered?

When I met my husband, he was a professional drummer who wanted to add a stream of income. He wanted to use his love of drumming in a new way, so we found a way to match his knowledge of drumming with his experience in graphic and web design, and created TheDrummerShop.com. TheDrummerShop.com is an online store where he sells his own designs on t-shirts, coffee mugs, mousepads and more. It's a very popular store.Another success story is April Perkins, one of my clients who became one of my dearest friends. April was an interior designer who loved designing homes, but who also loved the environment. We paired the two loves and created TheEcoDivas.com. Now April is a successful environmental interior designer and is extremely busy as a sustainable living coach and consultant.Finally, I want to share an existing client who I think is going to become a huge success: Kirk Wilkinson. Kirk is a happiness coach, which I think is fantastic. Kirk is currently going through the Repair, Restyle, Refresh program and we're getting ready to re-vamp his web site completely. I think Kirk is definitely someone to keep your eye on.

Facebook reunited kidnapped son with mum

2009-05-30T04:28:00.000-07:00

Social networking site Facebook has reunited a kidnapped son with his Mum, 27 years after he disappeared.
Avril Grube, 62, was awarded custody or her son Gavin Paros when she split with his Hungarian father in 1982. Mr Paros was given visiting rights to his son, but one afternoon he took Gavin out for the day and never returned.
Avril and her sister Beryl Wilson, 59, never gave up the search for Gavin. They made contact with the Hungarian embassy and even took the plight to the then Prime Minster Margaret Thatcher.
Ms Wilson told the BBC: "He said he was going to the zoo or somewhere and when he didn't arrive back we found out he had taken him to Hungary.
"My sister was devastated, her health suffered. We tried everything, but no-one wanted to know."
It wasn't until March this year that Ms Wilson tried using the web to track him down. She entered his name into a search engine which took her straight to his Facebook profile. It shown he was born in Liverpool and his mother's name was mentioned on his profile.
Ms Grube was said to be "on cloud nine" when told her sister had tracked her son down and they met in person for the first time this week.
"My sister would phone him on a Sunday and speak to him through an interpreter. She is just on cloud nine. They have been hugging, really, really happy."
Plasterer Gavin, who celebrates his 30th birthday this Sunday, is married with three kids and said he'd spent the last five years trying to trace his mother.

No more pilgrimages to Mecca

2009-05-30T04:21:00.001-07:00

A senior citizen has had her membership to bingo club Mecca cancelled and has been barred from all 100 clubs, simply because she visited a rival bingo hall with friends.
Rosalyn Clemson, 76, was slapped with the "Anti Social Bingo Order" because she broke Mecca's strict membership rules about playing at other halls.
Mecca claims she arranged a total of three outings at Club 2000 Bingo which is 15 miles away.
Rosalyn, of Chester told The Sun: "The way Mecca reacted you would think I was some kind of spy or traitor. It's like they want to own us body and soul. It's so unfair - I did not even know about the rule they say I have broken. They have taken away everything I love."
The retired nurse has been a keen bingo player since 1956. Her and husband Frank, 73, who was also barred, had been playing in the Mecca opposite their home for years. Frank said: "It's very upsetting for Rosalyn. It is playing on her mind all the time."
A spokesman for Mecca said: "We can confirm that Mrs Clemson and her husband are not welcome in Mecca clubs. I must stress that we do not take the decision to bar people lightly."
He also said that Rosalyn had acted "aggressively" towards one of their duty managers.

Headmistress's saucy snaps hacked by pupils

A headmistress has been left red-faced after pupils managed to swipe kinky pictures of her in her underwear and circulate them around the school.
Sue Brearley of Whitecross School in Lydney, Gloucester is said to have told colleagues the pictures were taken on her mobile then downloaded onto her school laptop, reports the Daily Mirror.
Unfortunately for her, it was logged into the school network and two pupils managed to get access to them and pass them around to fellow pupils.
Police were called in as the personal material was treated as stolen. Her fiancé, David Gaston, who was the school's previous headmaster said: "We believe the photos were stolen. They are private."
A spokesman for the Gloucestershire County Council said: "As far as Sue is concerned the photos were stolen. They are just of Sue, not both of them, and show her in her underwear and are not of a pornographic nature."
He continued: "She will not face disciplinary action. Two boys, one of whom is over 16 have been spoken to by police."

keepers of the flame: the hottest babes of the 80s

2009-05-28T19:22:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to the crazy 80s! Below are images of several babes who, for me, defined the decade - or at least made it unforgettable. Babes who kept the flames burning, in more ways than one, in music, TV and film. If you are wondering why I kept on using "babe" and not "women," well you have to check them out to understand why.
Also, unlike with the other "picture hubs" I have posted before, I did not edit the pictures to make them monochromatic or black-and-white as I believe that the 80s was more about color - both literally and figuratively. And if you're old enough to have truly "lived" the decade you probably know what I mean.
Lastly, I would like to dedicate this to tony0724 and Tracker Frostfor planting the seed for this hub. My friends, thank you. And oh, you won't be needing your Wayfarers for this one!

molly ringwald

At one time, Molly Ringwald was ranked the greatest teen star ever by VH1 due to her extreme popularity in the 1980s. With starring roles in the John Hughes films Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985) and Pretty in Pink (1986) she solidified her stature as America's sweetheart and the decade's ultimate good girl. And she rather looked pretty hot in pink!
"I've been called the Women's Auxiliary of the Brat Pack."

madonna

I first saw Madonna, pre-Pop Queen title, on a local music video program (MTV had not crossed over the Pacific) . She was manacled (for chrissake!) and writhing and crawling (for crying out loud!) on the street. And she was saying she's Burning Up! (1983). What's a boy to, do?! Apparently, things had just started getting better for the male of the species and "wannabee" was coined for the other (and they can wear innerwear as outerwear, too!).
"Poor is the man whose pleasures depend on the permission of another."

brooke shields

At the dawn of the 1980s, came Brooke Shields. Although she had already made movies during the previous decade, it was in 1980, through The Blue Lagoon, that she made being marooned in an island not such a bad proposition afterall. In fact, it became a fantasy getaway for most men, young and old alike. And to further fan the flames and the raging hormones, she said that nothing came between her and her Calvin's.
"What does good in bed mean to me? When I'm sick and I stay home from school propped up with lots of pillows watching TV and my mom brings me soup -- that's good in bed."

phoebe cates

The difference between the X and Y chromosomes had never been more pronounced until Phoebe Cates emerged from the pool in the now cult classic Fast Times at Ridgemond High (1982). And to seal the deal, she followed it up with Private School (1983). Teenage sensuality was born and the renaissance of the pinup/poster as source of warmth during cold, lonely (preferably well-lit) nights ensued.
"Kids today are much more independent than their parents were. We`re really into getting jobs and we mature sexually much earlier than a generation ago. Or, at least, we are involved in sex earlier."

Widow leaves her village £400,000

2009-05-28T11:43:00.001-07:00

A village has been left £400,000 by a 90-year-old widow as a thank you for the warm welcome she received when she retired.
Margaret Allan moved to Solva in Pembrokeshire 30 years ago with husband Harry after leaving the Foreign Office.
Mr Allan died in 1990 but villagers helped his widow rebuild her life and cared for her in her final years, reports the BBC.
In return, she has shared her estate among scores of individuals, groups and societies in the village as well as taking care of her ginger cat, Brutus.
Mrs Allan and her late husband used to holiday in the waterfront village, in St Bride's Bay, before retiring there.
When her husband died, it was the friends she had made that helped her through.
Mrs Allan is leaving up to £10,000 to more than a dozen of her close friends and carers.
She is also giving something to everyone over the age of 60 who has lived in the village for more than 20 years. Around 120 people are expected to receive about £500 each.
Her will even takes care of her companion in her final years, her ginger tom, Brutus.
It states: "To any person whom the executors agree to taking care of my cat to avoid it being put down or going into a cattery - the sum of £3,000."
Brutus has gone to live with Mrs Allan's neighbours Dave and Viv Phillips.
Retired BT engineer Mr Phillips, 56, said: "Margaret was a remarkable woman who was friends with everybody in the village.
"She was housebound for a while before she died but she was still so interested in the affairs of the village and the people here."
Mrs Phillips, 53, said: "Because they had no children they regarded the village as her family."
Mrs Allan left instructions that her ashes should be scattered in the rose bushes at the garden of her home at Anchor Down, Solva, as her husband's were 17 years earlier.

Storm over weather forecast

A storm is brewing in Bournemouth, with local officials slating the Met Office over "inaccurate and overcautious" weather forecasts that kept visitors away on Bank Holiday Monday.
While the forecasters predicted rain and thundery storms, the sun came out and the holiday ended up as the hottest day of the year so far.
Mark Smith, of the local tourism department, told the Daily Telegraph that around 25,000 visitors cancelled their trip to the town because of the grim forecast, costing businesses over £1m.
Tourism officials across the country are angry about what they call the "Michael Fish effect", where forecasters present the worst-case scenario in order to prevent later embarrassment.
The phenomenon is named after hapless BBC weatherman Michael Fish, who dismissed rumours of a hurricane in 1987 before a severe storm wreaked havoc on southern England.
The Tourism Alliance has already complained to the Met Office, claiming that unnecessarily gloomy forecasts damage British business and reinforce inaccurate stereotypes.
However, while Helen Chivers of the Met Office admitted that they'd got it wrong on Monday, she denied that they were overcautious with their forecasts.
"We get observations from satellites and local stations and all of that goes into the computers, and you take the best guidance out of that", she commented. "We try and give the most accurate forecast that we can."

Citigroup Hint Of Good New

2009-05-28T11:35:00.000-07:00

Wall Street on Tuesday, unleashing a breathtaking scholarship Rally investors that left a little dizzy, but had many experts warning that the rally, as before being so many, could falter as fast as it started .After months of demoralizing losses, investors finally have an idea of what they so desperately craved - a glimmer of good news in the financial industry - from none other than Citigroup, the largest and most troubled of the nation’s troubled large banks.In a memorandum sent to Citigroup employees on Monday night, Vikram S. schoolteacher, Citigroup’s beleaguered executive, said that after more than a year of loss location and three rescues from Washington, the giant financial company was again , to make money. Citigroup, he said, was on track for its strongest quarter since late 2007, when waves of bad loans and trading losses began to crash down the company. But some analysts saw it at the end of problems at Citigroup and other financial companies. Indeed, many predicted that Citigroup and other banks will suffer further losses as the recession deepened. Given the precarious state of the global economy, even optimists have been reluctant to call an end to bear market.“We are poor investors, we do not need much to make us happy, I was beaten so hard,” said Ed Yardeni, president of Yardeni Research. “At this point, we’ll take what we get.”
So, for a day at least a hint of good news was enough. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 379.44 points, or 5.8 percent, to 6926.49, the largest one-day gain in this year and the biggest since World War II. The broader Standard & Poor’s 500 Index of stocks rose 43.07 points, or 6.37 percent, to 719.60, the Nasdaq composite index rose 89.64 points, or 7.07 percent, to 1358.28.
Battered financial shares pace of earnings. Citigroup share price, in short, which sank below $ 1 last week, rose 40 cents, to $ 1.45. Other banks big and small post similar gains.
But the gate insisted that despite Rally, nothing really changed. Investors’ hopes, the skeptics argued, were displaced. Since last October, the Dow has five stages of the biggest one-day rallies in postwar history, only to falter again and sink to new lows .
Even after Tuesday gains, the Dow and S. & P. 500 were down more than 20 percent this year, and shares of financial companies were more than 40 percent lower.
But for traders, to the green screens offered a welcome relief from the relentless torrent of red as stocks churned steadily lower from last month, long-term financial markets to their most low levels of about 12 years.
“Volatility breeds a lot of nervousness, and nervousness breeds opportunity,” said Anthony Conroy, head equity trader at BNY ConvergEx Group. “It was a way to trade for so long, and it seems that we’re turning here.
Federal Reserve chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, added to the optimism of the day call for broader reforms in the financial regulatory system, including a review of accounting rules governing how companies value their assets.
Mr. Bernanke, speaking to the Council on Foreign Relations, said he did not support suspending mark-to-market accounting rules, in which the asset values peg at current market prices. But he said he supported a review to ensure that weaknesses in the rules, have been identified and fixed.
“In addition to revising the accounting standards governing the assessment and loss provisioning would be useful and could lead to changes in accounting rules,” he said in his speech.
Investors also cheered signals to lawmakers and the Securities and Exchange Commission officials were poised to restore the uptick rule, which is intended to slow the short-selling. The rule was lifted in 2007, and critics have said her absence has contributed to the breathtaking pace of declines in the prices of shares.
But the main catalyst was the news from Citigroup, which, with high investment and banking operations in more than 100 countries, is viewed as a proxy for the broader banking industry. Mr. schoolteacher in his memory, which took place a few rays of hope.
“I, like you, am disappointed with the current price range of basic and misperceptions about our financial position,” said Mr schoolteacher. But Citigroup, he said, was financially sound, its strong business and relatively stable deposits.
“Over time, markets will recognize the many strengths of Citi,” said Mr schoolteacher.
For Citigroup, a major question is whether it can generate sufficient revenues to resist expected losses in November. Citigroup could still support 55.5 billion dollars in additional markdowns in the next 18 months, according to a recent analysis CreditSights.
In memory of Mr. schoolteacher reported that Citigroup could absorb these losses. He said the bank was profitable in January and February, when it generated a combined 19 billion dollars in revenue due to strong trading results and fatter margins credit.
Many analysts were skeptical. Citigroup profits could be temporary if the global economy worsens substantially.
“Citi is not the forest. It is certainly good news that Citi is profitable, but I would not overplay the point.” Said Michael Mayo, financial services, an analyst at Deutsche Bank. “They still write-downs and an increase in problem assets, and they are still dependent on the regulatory authorities on what they do.”
Indeed, regulators are currently conducting “stress tests” for Citigroup and 18 other major banks to assess the depths of their problems, and while Mr teacher said he was confident that Citigroup was adequately capitalized Many analysts question whether the company will need a government rescue. Also hanging in the balance is whether a plan to be supported by government investment funds to buy up toxic assets from banks can obtain from the ground.
But, given the steep decline of late, it does not entirely surprising to see stocks rebound sharply, if only for a short period of time.
“When stocks have been battered as much as they have not so much to take good news to move them forward,” said Marc Stern, chief investment officer at Bessemer Trust. “This is not a green light for investors, but the tone is much more constructive now.”
As investors surged back into stocks, gold prices retreated to a mere $ 900 an oz and the price certainly have Treasury debt fell again as the 10-year yield has risen from 3 percent grade.
Following are results of Tuesday’s Treasury auction for four weeks and 52 weeks of bills and notes for three yearsARTICLES MODERN

Great contains articles from the back issues of magazines, journals, trade publications and newspapers.

N-Dubz launch Orange RockCorps

2009-05-28T11:28:00.001-07:00

London trio transform cemetery

Camden r'n'b stars N-Dubz have kicked off this year's Orange RockCorps music-led volunteer programme by lending a hand - not to mention a spade and a rake - to transform a neglected cemetery into a woodland retreat for nearby residents.

The trio headed down to Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, East London to join 40 young volunteers for a four-hour project hacking back years of overgrowth.

Volunteers who lend four hours of graft at one of the specially selected community-based charity projects will be rewarded with money-can't-buy tickets to an all-star gig.

Lady GaGa and N-Dubz are the first acts confirmed to play at an exclusive gig in Manchester on 13 July. They are set to be joined by a host of other stars and DJs to be revealed over the coming weeks.

The line-up for an additional gig at London's Royal Albert Hall on 26 September will be announced shortly, so check back here for details.

The Orange RockCorps programme will also be amplified via a partnership with Sony Ericsson and Channel 4, who will broadcast the volunteer work and UK gigs during a summer of programming on T4.Last year, 5,000 young people in the UK took part in Orange RockCorps, earning tickets to see Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, The Automatic, John Legend, Feeder, Lethal Bizzle and Guillemots perform at the Royal Albert Hall.

To get involved, head along to orangerockcorps.co.uk.

Forex Espionage Review

Is the Forex Espionageautomatic trading robot a scam or does it really work? Before Forex trading software had been developed, it used to be that only professional, full-time traders with years of experience could risk getting started with currency trading and have a chance of coming out with profit. 1. Why Was the Forex Espionage Software Developed? The trader would usually be required to sit for long hours in front of their computer screen looking at price charts all day. This process had to be repeated by the full-time trader day after day, making it very boring and even frustrating for the trader, especially when there is not a single profit opportunity for the day. Nowadays, with the introduction of Expert Advisor automated software like Forex Espionage, this burden has been removed and replaced by automatic trading. On top of that, it has also allowed even the most inexperienced traders to get started making money in this exciting financial market. 2. What If You Run Into Problems with Setting Up the Forex Espionage Robot? This automated software provides full, 24 hour live support for anyone who has any problems with their robot's installation. I personally did not encounter any problems with installation, but I did send out a query asking about the general operating procedures of the software. A prompt and helpful reply was received within just a few minutes. 3. Did Forex Espionage Work for Me? This was the most important issue I was concerned about since I started trying out this robot. I put in a small $500 deposit on a separate account to start this software's testing. After a full week of leaving it to run on its own, I checked out the equity graph again and found an almost smooth, upward trending line that had taken the account to a little more than $1,200.
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Fuel leak - at 35,000 feet

2009-05-27T11:20:00.000-07:00

A US airman has been credited with saving the lives of more than 300 passengers - after he spotted a fuel leak at 35,000ft.
Staff Sgt Bartek Bachleda was a passenger on a flight from Chicago to Narita, Japan, when he saw the leak from a window.
He said he first noticed what looked like a leak during take-off, and kept an eye on it to be sure what he was seeing.
Staff Sgt Bachleda, whose job is to refuel airplanes, eventually realised it was an emergency - but when he raised the alarm he was initially ignored.
Sergeant Bachleda then filmed the leak on video before showing it to the flight attendant and telling her: "Ma'am, it's an emergency."
"She was completely serious and was no longer handing out drinks," he said. "I told her you need to inform your captain before we go oceanic."
The captain came from the cockpit to see the leak for himself and view the video footage. Sergeant Bachleda said the crew had been trying to figure out how the aircraft was losing 6,000lbs of fuel an hour.
The captain made a mid-air announcement the flight would be diverted back to Chicago, but then changed it to San Francisco so passengers could catch the only existing flight to Narita airport.
"When we got off the airplane everyone was thanking us," said the sergeant.
The captain said the flight would have never made it to Japan if Sergeant Bachleda had not raised the alarm.

Council fills in half a pothole

Council workmen filled in only half of three huge potholes - as the other halves were not on council land.
When workmen finally arrived to tackle the potholes, locals in Bloxwich, West Midlands, were delighted, reports the Daily Mail.
But after the contractors left, residents were astonished to see that three of the potholes had been filled in only halfway across.
The reason was because the boundary between the council land and housing association land runs straight through the holes.
The council said it could not carry out repairs on privately owned land without permission because it could be held responsible in the wake of any subsequent 'incident'.
Local butcher Keith Clarke said: "I've never seen anything like it in my life. I don't know why they can't just get their heads together with the housing association and sort the thing out."
Walsall Council, which employed the contractors, said the repairs were a temporary measure.
Glyn Oliver, Walsall Council's traffic and transportation manager, said: "We have a duty of care to maintain the highway but this does not extend to private land.
"If we had repaired the pothole on Walsall Housing Group land we could have been liable should an incident subsequently have occurred."
However, it has since consulted with the housing association and said all of the potholes would be completely filled in when the repairs are made permanent.

Books of few words

Some of the world's best known books have been condensed down to Twitter size.
Tim Collins, author of The Little Book Of Twitter, has transformed them into 140 characters, reports The Sun.
They include Shakespeare's Hamlet which becomes: 'Danish guy's mum marries his murdered father's brother. He sees his dad's ghost. Everyone dies. Fail.'
Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, is rewritten as: 'Orphan given £££ by secret follower. He thinks it's @misshavisham but it turns out to be @magwitch.'
Wuthering Heights by Jane Austin becomes the pithy: 'Catherine Earnshaw marries Edgar Linton but really loves Heathcliff *sigh*.'
James Joyce's Ulysses is reduced to: 'Man walks around Dublin. We follow every minute detail of his day. He's probably overtweeting.'
Collins has also had a go at some modern best-sellers like Dan Brown's The Da Vince Code: 'Professor of symbology tries to solve a murder by following clues around touristy locations in Europe. Very few paragraphs are longer than tweets.'
And he cleverly manages to transform both Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice and Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones' Diary into the same 18 words.
They are: 'Woman meets man called Darcy who seems horrible. He turns out to be nice really. They get together.'
Story filed: 08:58 Friday 22nd May 2009 -->

Bus driver awarded for safety record

2009-05-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

A bus driver who has clocked up over a million miles in 40 years has been given an award for his safe driving.
Peter Nedin, 63, from Swansea has never crashed or even scratched his bus.
He told the Daily Mirror: "I've driven lots of different routes but I still get the same thrill every time I go out on the road.
"I'm sure there aren't many drivers like me."
A spokesperson for First Cymru: "He's a credit to himself and this firm."

Shrapnel dislodged after 65 years

An 87-year-old former soldier has had a new lease of life after a piece of shrapnel that had been lodged in his jaw for 65 years suddenly dropped out.
Alf Mann, who served in the Royal Army Medical Corps, had struggled to speak and eat properly since he was injured by an explosion in 1944.
One morning he woke to find blood over his pillow - along with a half-inch piece of shrapnel.
Alf can now talk properly and eat food such as steak.
The pensioner from Sheldon, Birmingham, told the Daily Mirror: "I can't believe it. I could hardly open my mouth before and it caused problems with my speech.
"I do have very small bits of shrapnel in my hands and a piece dislodged out of my shoulder two years after I returned from war but I had no idea that it was in my jaw. It's fantastic now I can move my mouth properly and I have been able to eat steak and lamb cutlets, which I couldn't before."
His wife Constance added: "He has never talked about the war much until now. I never knew half the stories he has told me in the last couple of weeks. It took him all these years.
"He seems happier - but the food bills are more expensive."

Would-be gangster shoots off own manhood

2009-05-26T10:04:00.000-07:00

A would-be gangster shot himself in the crutch when his gun went off half cocked in his pocket.
Lukas Neuhardt, 27, had forgotten to put the safety catch on when he stuffed the gun into his trouser pocket to impress pals in Saarbruecken, Germany.
He told paramedics that a masked mugger had blasted him in the crutch in a bungled robbery.
But police found a hole in his statement when they saw that the gunshot had miraculously left his trousers intact.
"Instead there was a charred hole in his pocket so either it was the shot of the century or he did it himself," said a police source.
Now - after surgeons stitched his manhood back together - he's facing up to three years in jail for breaching Germany's tough new anti gun laws.

Turning kitsch into cash

Sales of a T-shirt showing three wolves howling at the moon shot up 2,300% after a spate of ironic reviews.
The first review gave the Three Wolf Moon T-shirt five stars, saying: "Fits my girthy frame, has wolves on it, attracts women" but "cannot see wolves with arms crossed".
That prompted hundreds of others to post frivolous reviews, turning the page into an internet phenomenon.
"When I put this T-shirt on for the first time, my wife left me! Thank you, Three Wolf Moon T-Shirt," wrote one reviewer.
Amazon's senior manager of community content, Russell Dicker, said the T-shirt was currently the top selling item in their clothing store.
"The Three Wolf Moon T-Shirt recently moved up 2,300% in sales rank," he said. "We are grateful that our reviewers are so passionate."
The Mountain firm which actually makes the T-shirt initially appeared less than pleased at some of the comments.
"We appreciate humour as much as the next company, but we don't approve of some of the remarks," they said in a posting on Amazon.com.
However, the firms art director, Michael McGloin, later told BBC Radio Five Live the firm was actually rather pleased with the publicity.
"We'll take ironic fashion any day... and we're printing another 400,000 more t-shirts. It's just a fantastic thing," he said.

Glastonbury Festival line-up revealed

2009-05-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and Blur to headline

The full line-up for this year's Glastonbury Festival has now been revealed.

With a strong bill throughout the weekend, it's hard to pick out individual highlights - but that hasn't stopped us trying!

Friday 26 June will see a host of top acts pulling on their wellies to perform at the Worthy Farm weekender.

Lily Allen and newly-reunited ska heroes The Specials will support Pyramid Stage headliner Neil Young, while Lady GaGa and The Ting Tings lead the way for Bloc Party to set the Other Stage alight.

Jack Penate, Jamie T and Doves will all grace the John Peel Stage with their presence and Mike Skinner's The Streets will headline the Jazz World stage.

There are still two unconfirmed "special guests" scheduled for the Park Stage. Franz Ferdinand and The Last Shadow Puppets filled these positions last year, leading to speculation about who could rise to the challenge this time around.

The calibre of the act doesn't suffer on the second day of the festival either. Saturday 27 June will see Dizzee Rascal and Kasabian support Pyramid Stage headliner Bruce Springsteen, while The Script, Peter Doherty, Pendulum and Franz Ferdinand entertain the Other Stage audience.

Passion Pit, Florence and The Machine and White Lies all pave the way for Jarvis Cocker's headlining set on the John Peel Stage, while Aussie wobble-board maestro Rolf Harris makes an appearance at Jazz World. Fingers-crossed for his infamous rendition of 'Stairway To Heaven'.

The East Dance tent has a stellar roster that should help even the most weary ravers to stay up. Eric Prydz, Wiley, La Roux, Pete Tong and Deadmau5 should help you to fight back the yawns at the end of a long day.

There's no rest for long though, with Tom Jones, Madness, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds and Blur all topping off a fantastic schedule of acts on Sunday 28 June's Pyramid Stage.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Glasvegas will stride aboard The Other Stage, before The Prodigy bring the house down with their festival-closing set.

The John Peel Stage will play host to Just Jack, Ladyhawke, Noisettes and legendary Liverpudlian post-punk group Echo & The Bunnymen.

A surprise addition to the line-up, US hip-hop quartet Black Eyed Peas, will headline Jazz World on Sunday night, while Calvin Harris closes the East Dance tent.

For the full festival line-up and the latest updates from the field, head to orange.co.uk/glastonbury from tomorrow (Tuesday 26 May).

For revellers needing to kick back, relax and recharge their batteries, the Orange Chill 'n' Charge tent will be at Glastonbury again this year - providing live music, as well as 600 mobile phone charging points and free internet access. The Orange Chill 'n' Charge tent will be open throughout the weekend, between 10am and 10pm.

To view the full line-up on the go, get your bearings if you lose your way and build your own festival schedule and share it with your friends, download Orange GlastoNav to your mobile. For more information, follow the GlastoNav link below or text GLASTO to 64446 and we'll send you a free text when it's ready to download.

Britney Spears out to prove critics wrong

2009-05-26T09:36:00.000-07:00

Star admits she was 'so sad for so long'
Britney Spears has spoken out about her determination to prove her naysayers wrong.
The former teen idol has fallen spectacularly from grace in recent years, following a divorce, alleged drug abuse, hospital dashes and custody battles for her two sons. But now, in the midst of a world tour, the 27-year-old insists that she's turned a corner.
Brit told Hello! magazine: "A lot of people thought maybe I wouldn't make it.
"People thought I was finished, didn't they? I guess for a while last year it looked that way. [There's] nothing I can do about the past, I guess. But I'm hoping to prove them wrong now. And I have really put everything I have into this new show."
She continued: "I'm happy. Truly, I feel like the girl who has it all. I have my family, my boys, my friends, my fans, this show.
"But more importantly, I'm not sad anymore. I was just so sad for so long, but not anymore. And you know what? That feels really, really good."
Britney's Circus tour comes to the UK next month, starting in London on 3 June.

Coma girl sings Abba hit
A toddler who was gravely ill shocked her family when she woke from a coma singing Abba song Mamma Mia.
Layla Towsey's family were told to say goodbye to her after she was struck down with meningitis and suffered a heart attack.

Mum Katy Towsey, 23, told the Daily Mirror: "We'd been preparing ourselves for bad news as the life support machine was keeping her alive.
"Even when doctors took her off life support and reduced the drugs she was on, we didn't know how badly disabled she would be.

"But on the Sunday morning I could hear her singing Mamma Mia! quietly. I couldn't believe it. I knew immediately she was going to be OK."
Story filed: 10:54 Tuesday 26th May 2009 -->

Irate man drives Rolls Royce into Tesco

2009-05-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

Irate man drives Rolls Royce into Tesco

An alleged drink driver drove his Rolls Royce through the windows of a Tesco superstore after staff refused to serve him alcohol.
Shoppers and workers at the branch in Andover, Hampshire, had to dive for cover as the luxury car crashed into checkouts.
The 50-year-old bearded man had stormed out of the shop after staff told him he was too drunk to be served any more drink.
He got into the Rolls Royce where managers unsuccessfully tried to talk him out of driving after he told them what he was going to do.
His first attempt at ramming the windows failed but that did not deter the enraged driver, who reversed, revved the engine and had another go.
This time, he put pedal to metal and smashed right into the shop, demolishing two checkouts, counters and ceiling fittings.
Emergency services were called and the store was evacuated - six women were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Hampshire Police spokeswoman Katie Wilson said: "Six women were injured and treated for cuts, bruises and shock by ambulance and air ambulance crew and taken to hospital for further checks.
"A 50-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and attempted murder."

Brad speaks about family life
Angelina Jolie already has us green with envy.
Not only is she probably the most beautiful woman in the world she's also dating the hottest guy on the planet.
They have beautiful children together and now Brad is telling everyone how wonderful his life is... it's enough to make us sick.
Speaking to NBC's Today programme at the premiere of his new film, Inglorious Bastards, Brad revealed he is more picky over roles these days as he doesn't like too much time away from home.
He admitted life with Angelina Jolie and their children is "rewarding".
He said: "Let me be the cliché, it's really rewarding," he said. "It's really been about discovery and finding new things of interest. And the kids are certainly responsible for a lot of that."
When asked if he was happy he said he was "right in the zone" and that this time in his life is "one of the most on-track times".

2009-05-18T05:14:00.001-07:00

Britney's big bill

We know Britney Spears is not shy of a penny. But her recent spending on legal fees seems a little bit excessive.
The star needs to have a word with herself and realise there is a global recession going on.
The Womanizer singer earned nearly £8 million last year but she only had £1 million left over.
OK, so £1 million is still a lot of money but Britters definitely has to keep a check on her bills, reports The Sun.
She spent nearly £2 million on legal fees including £428,000 for family court costs in relation to the custody of her two sons with Kevin Federline.
An extra £122,545 was spent caring for Sean Preston, three, and Jayden James, two - they are expensive tots.
The star also managed to spend £300,000 on security.
Her accounts were lodged with Los Angeles Superior Court by dad Jamie.

£3m sculpture 'sold as scrap'

Police believe thieves stole a £3m Henry Moore sculpture - then melted it down and sold it for £1,500.

After more then three and a half years investigating one of the most audacious British art thefts, detectives believe it was almost certainly stolen by travellers and sold as scrap.

The bronze sculpture Reclining Figure was stolen from the 72-acre estate of the Henry Moore Foundation in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, in December 2005.

It took thieves 10 minutes using a crane-equipped flatbed Mercedes truck stolen from nearby Roydon to carry it away.

A global alert was issued but, apart from a sighting by another motorist at a road junction in Harlow, Essex the same evening it was never seen again.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Humphries, of Hertfordshire Police, said inquiries revealed the artwork was moved through a Dagenham scrap dealer and on to another Essex scrapyard.

It was then shipped abroad, possibly to Rotterdam, and then further east where it may have eventually help feed China's growing demand for electrical components.

He said it may have made just £1,500 as scrap metal even though The Henry Moore Foundation is believed to have offered £10,000 for its safe return.

"We have evidence and information suggesting it was cut up on the night, then taken to a location where it was irreparably damaged before it was shipped abroad," said DCI Humphries.

"In my mind we've managed to kill off the mystery as much as is possible."

British couple fly to US to adopt cat

2009-05-18T04:54:00.000-07:00

A London couple travelled nearly 4,000 miles to the US state of Michigan adopt a cat.
Rose and Chris Rasmussen flew to Harrison to adopt Sparky the cat from the Clare County animal shelter, reports the Daily Telegraph.
The Rasmussens discovered Sparky on Petfinder.com, a pet adoption website.
They could have had him shipped to the London suburb where they live, but instead decided to make the journey to adopt their new pet.
"He took me here on the other side of the Atlantic," Rose Rasmussen said. "I thought they would say, 'You guys are completely mad'."
Paperwork, a rabies vaccination, a six-month quarantine and other formalities followed before Sparky was cleared to depart for Britain.
Dave Gendregske, the animal control director for the county, said: "A lot of people would ask, 'Why come from England?' When people meet Sparky, find he has a dynamic personality, they fall in love with him."
Staff at the shelter said the black-and-white kitten had become something of a mascot since he was taken in last August.
"Sparky likes to explore," Betty Beadle, a volunteer at the shelter, told the Morning Sun of Mount Pleasant newspaper. "He destroyed Christmas trees twice."

Sex theme park bulldozed

China's communist leaders have called in the bulldozers to demolish what would have been the country's first sex theme park.
Love Land had been set to open in October in the southwestern city of Chongqing, reports The Times.
Within hours of a nationwide blaze of publicity for the park and its over-sized statues of naked genitalia and sex workshops, the bulldozers moved in.
Among the first displays to fall victim to the wreckers ball was a rotating signboard with the park's name straddled by a giant pair of women's legs topped by a red thong.
The park's manager, Lu Xiaoqing, had defended the venture, saying: "Sex is a taboo subject in China but people really need to have more access to information about it.
"We are building the park for the good of the public. I have found that the majority of people support my idea, but I have to pay attention and not make the park look vulgar and nasty."
But he failed to win the support of city propaganda officials. A hasty weekend inspection tour after pictures of the theme park appeared in the media spelled its demise.
One city propaganda official said: "The investigation determined the park's content was vulgar and that it was neither healthy nor educational. It had an evil influence on society and had to be torn down immediately."
He Shizhong, head of the municipal publicity department, said the company behind the park had "ignored its social responsibility and was interested only in profiting from sensationalism".
A project manager for developers, the Mexin Group, said: "It's a pity the park had to close, but we accept the decision. We apologise if we upset any members of the public."

Cocaine and LSD in the air in Spanish cities

2009-05-16T10:44:00.000-07:00

Spanish scientists say they have discovered traces of cocaine and LSD in the air in Madrid and Barcelona.
A new study has found the air there is laced with at least five drugs - most prominently cocaine.
The Superior Council of Scientific Investigations, a government institute, said on its website that in addition to cocaine, it found trace amounts of amphetamines, opiates, cannabinoids and lysergic acid in air-quality control stations.
But it said there was no reason for alarm.
"Not even if we lived for a thousand years would we consume the equivalent of a dose of cocaine by breathing this air," said one of its scientists, Miren Lopez de Alda, in the statement.
The scientific group added that "in no case should these levels be considered representative of the air in the two cities".
In Madrid the test site was close to a ruined building believed to be frequented by drug dealers. And in both Madrid and Barcelona, the studies were carried out close to universities.
The group also said that the study showed higher concentrations of the components on weekends, suggesting that drug consumption was up in these periods.
Story filed: 11:57 Friday 15th May 2009 -->

The Strokes trabajan en su cuarto álbum (por CarlaLaLand

2009-05-14T04:32:00.000-07:00

La noticia es breve pero potente… y es que las palabras sobran cuando se habla de The Strokes. Está previsto que lo que será su cuarto álbumse publique hacia finales de este año, aunque según ellos o la prensa “es demasiado pronto para especular sobre una posible fecha”. Para mí en cambio es demasiado pronto para olvidar uno de los momentos más decisivos en mi corta pero suntuosa vida, me explico. Era 2006 (sí, no hace mucho tiempo). Yo hasta entonces escuchaba lo que cayera, lo que mis amigos escuchaban y el último “temazo” que ponían en el bar al que solías ir en tu etapa teenager, es decir... nada bueno. Como decía antes, era 2006, el veranito estaba llegando y yo me encontraba enfrente del ordenador, que a su vez éste estaba en el salón, que a su vez éste…bueno el caso que estaba yo, inocente de mí, en el salón con la tele de fondo sin saber lo que iba a ocurrir a continuación… cuando de pronto, ¿qué escuchan mis oídos? Una melodía que se encargaba de ambientar el anuncio del Fiber Fib de 2006, que nunca me cansaré de escuchar y, no miento, habré escuchado…¿1.237.593 veces?. Ésta era el mítico temazo de The Strokes “Reptilia” y su inconfundible riff de guitarra del estribillo. A partir de ese momento supe que mi vida iba cambiar. Sí, sí, mi vida en todos los aspectos, porque como bien todos sabemos, una cosa lleva a la otra... y cuando menos te lo esperas estás metidillo en el mundo indie/alternativo/pop-rockero (como queráis llamarlo) a la última de qué disco sacarán The Libertines, queriendo ese álbum inédito que sacó Kurt Cobain (aquí hay que quizás poner un poco de freno, no vayamos a convertirnos en unos modernillos remilgados que se ofenden sino has escuchado la última de Guijnko Juy, por ejemplo), iendo a ese festivalillo de verano pegándonos la fiesta madre, conociendo al lead singer de tal banda y casándote con él… vale eso no, pero porque una es joven y quiere vivir experiencias nuevas.
Os comento cómo me inicié en este mundo porque para mí personalmente fue muy importante y realmente agradezco ese día en el que no tenía nada mejor que hacer que estar en casita con la tele de fondo. Quizás cada uno tengáis vuestra propia anécdota, porque realmente SÍ creo en ese momento de un antes y un después en el que uno, si realmente le interesa, pasa de escuchar la última de Natalie Imbruglia y sentirse el amo frente al espejo de su cuarto, a tener criterio y una opinión formada (siempre abierta) hacia la gran industria de la música alternativa. Por eso amigos y amigas mías os animo a adentraros a este mundo, los que no lo habéis hecho, e ir cogiendo un poco de culturilla musical que nunca viene mal. Y si no a malas pensad que siempre podréis acabar siendo groupies de cualquier músico y entrar gratis a las fiestas VIP.
Por eso es muy importante escuchar buena música y tener un criterio, para que cuando lleguemos a viejos y recordemos esa Banda Sonora que decoró nuestros mejores momentos no tenga que ocurrir algo como: “¿Recuerdas Juanín cuando lo hicimos por primera vez en tu estudio sonando de fondo Malena Gracia?”.
It’s up to you!

Muchos la frip arrive bientôt a BTR. Il va mettre en place un nouveau corner ou l'on trouvera uniquement des articles de fripes!Muchos a mit en place quelques conditions :-Le client bénéficie d'un bon d'achat en échange de vêtement d'occasion,utilisable pendant 30 jours dans tout le magasin.(à l'exception des soldes, des autres promotions, des accessoires et des vêtements techniques.)-Reprise de 2 articles au choix tout les 30 jours.-1 reprise = 1 bon sur l'achat d'un article neuf.-La direction ce reserve le droit de sélection des articles-Pour la reprise des articles, voir en magasin.

Pub beats smoking ban

2009-05-13T19:29:00.000-07:00

A Barnsley landlady has told regulars they can smoke in her pub - after a customer found a loophole in the law.
Kerry Fenton's tap room has been turned into a 'Smoking Research Centre', reports The Sun.
Customers have to fill in a questionnaire on their smoking habits to satisfy legal requirements, then they can have a cigarette with their drink.
Ms Fenton, 36, claims trade has doubled at the Cutting Edge at Worsbrough since she launched the centre five days ago.
She said: "It's given business a shot in the arm and it's all in the name of research, legal and above aboard. I'm a non-smoker but I believe in the freedom of the individual."
Printer James Martin, 40, studied the smoking ban and believes a research centre can be introduced if a building has a separate room and no through bar.
He said: "I wanted a pub to smoke in before they all closed down. I studied details of the act closely, we drew up questionnaires and it's taken off in a big way.
"I've had inquiries from other pubs about introducing research centres and Im expecting many more to join in."
But Barnsley Council says it plans to enforce the ban. Regulations chief Simon Frow said: "The Cutting Edge is clearly not a research or test facility and is not exempt under the legislation."

It's Up and away for Cannes

Quentin Tarantino and Pedro Almodovar will be aiming to win the Palme d'Or as the 62nd Cannes Film Festival kicks off.

It will open with a screening of the Pixar animation Up - the festival's first 3D movie.

Films competing for the main prize include Almodovar's Broken Embraces, starring Penelope Cruz, and Tarantino's World War Two drama Inglourious Basterds, starring Brad Pitt.

Ken Loach's Looking for Eric, featuring Eric Cantona, will also be shown at Cannes, which runs from 13 to 24 May.

Other highlights include Terry Gilliam's film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, which features Heath Ledger's final screen role, and Sam Raimi's horror Drag Me To Hell.

Belgian city goes vegetarian

2009-05-13T19:05:00.000-07:00

A Belgian city is about to become the first in the world to go vegetarian at least one day a week.
Starting this week in Ghent, there will be a regular weekly meatless day in which civil servants and elected councillors will opt for vegetarian meals.
The UN says livestock is responsible for nearly one-fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions, hence Ghent's declaration of a weekly "veggie day".
Public officials and politicians will be the first to give up meat for a day. Schoolchildren will follow suit with their own veggiedag in September.
It is hoped the move will cut Ghent's environmental footprint and help tackle obesity.
Around 90,000 so-called "veggie street maps" are now being printed to help people find the city's vegetarian eateries.

World's smallest car

A Buckinghamshire man has created the world's smallest roadworthy car from a former Postman Pat children's ride.

The mini motor is only 39 inches high and 26 inches wide and was converted by car fanatic Perry Watkins, 47, from Wingrave, reports the Daily Telegraph.

The US-based World Records Academy has confirmed that the car - which Mr Watkins has christened 'The Wind-Up' - is officially the world's smallest car.

Mr Watkins, who has previously broken the record for the world's lowest car three times, found the inspiration for his latest motoring endeavour while surfing the internet.

"I searched on eBay for something suitable and found a Postman Pat coin-in-the-slot children's ride from a vendor in Scotland," he said.

"It was in non-operative order, but for what I had in mind this was of no consequence as I only wanted the bare fibreglass body from the ride."

Over a period of seven months, Mr Watkins reinforced the fibreglass shell with a steel frame and mounted it on a mini quad bike.

He added a 150cc engine, mirrors, windscreen wipers, lights, 'go faster' flames and mock racing exhaust pipes. He also had to remove Postman Pat and his black-and-white-cat Jess from the inside.

The vehicle is fully legal and is taxed as a quad bike so Mr Watkins can drive it on public roads. But at 6ft tall, he might be better sticking to his company Jaguar.

Teen banned from graduation for attending prom

2009-05-13T09:48:00.001-07:00

A US teenager has been banned from his own graduation for breaking strict 'no dancing' rules by attending his girlfriend's prom.
The Heritage Christian School in Findlay, Ohio, had warned Tyler Frost, 17, he would be suspended if he went to the dance.
Tyler said he didn't think going to the dance was wrong even though his fundamentalist Baptist school forbids dancing, rock music and hand-holding.
He had signed a contract at the beginning of the school year promising to refrain from such activities, and it came back to haunt him when he asked his principal to sign a permission slip to let him attend the prom.
Tyler's principal, Tim England said: "Should a Christian place themselves at an event where young ladies will have low-cut dresses and be dancing in them."
Tyler told his principal that he didn't 't feel any less of a Christian for attending the prom: "I still feel I'm a Christian," Frost said. "I believe in the morals they've taught me."
"It's kind of sad that it has to end this way," Tyler said. "I was kind of looking forward to graduating with my class, you know, that's why you put in 13 years of school - to graduate."
But he added: "It was worth it. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to prom, and I'm glad I went. Looking back, I think I made the right decision."
Tyler's stepfather, Stephan Johnson, has hired a lawyer and is considering suing the school. He believes the contract doesn't cover what students do in after-school activities.

Blooming marvellous

2009-05-13T00:10:00.000-07:00

A stunning 100-year-old wisteria on a house in Dorset is attracting visitors from all over Britain.
Alison Halliday is celebrating a bumper crop of the flower covering her home in the village of Uploders, near Bridport.
With blossoms measuring four foot long, experts think they might be the biggest in the country.
The climbing plant is of such importance to the village as a whole that locals often gather when Alison prunes it - to ensure the job is done correctly.
Alison and her husband John run their four bedroom cottage, which they have owned for 10 years, as a bed and breakfast.
They have people come from all over the country to admire their wisteria.
The couple are signed up to the National Garden Scheme, and will open their land for the public to visit on May 23.

New crisps could make mum a millionaire

2009-05-09T09:46:00.001-07:00

A Derbyshire mum could become a millionaire - after coming up with the idea for Britain's favourite new crisp flavour.
Emma Rushin, 27, from Belper, came up with bacon, buttered toast, eggs and tomato - which she called Builder's Breakfast.
And she won £50,000 - and one per cent of all future sales - after it won crisp makers Walkers' Do us a Flavour contest.
TV chef Heston Blumenthal chose six finalists and the flavours went on sale in January - and Emma's proved the most popular.
Walkers says she'll earn £57,000 a year if they sell like BBQ crisps - but 'substantially more' if they're as popular as cheese & onion.
Emma said: "I'm thrilled. I'm going to buy a house, go on holiday and just get myself some nice things.
"I've always wanted to be a midwife and this could be my chance to do that. The reason I've not done it before was always money - I've got two young kids and I've always needed a wage.
"But now I might not even need to work again."
More than a million Brits voted for their favourite flavour in the contest, with 232,336 going for Builder's Breakfast.
Onion bhaji was second, then fish & chips, crispy duck & hoisin, cajun squirrel and chilli & chocolate.

Bumpy road to success

2009-05-09T09:42:00.000-07:00

A Chinese man has successfully patented his new invention - a bicycle with odd-sided wheels.
Guan Baihua, 50, a retired military officer in Qingdao, spent 18 months developing his unique bike.
The front wheel is a five-sided pentagon while the back wheel is a triangle, reports the Bandao City Daily.
Guan says the bike is mainly for fun but says riders could use it to lose weight as it takes more effort to pedal.
"There are too many identical mass-manufactured things. More and more, people like weird and rarely seen stuff. Making this bike gives people an alternative," he added.
However, he admitted that he was now looking for a manufacturer to mass produce his invention.
Guan says he got the frame from an ordinary bicycle but designed and made all of the other components himself.
"I've enjoyed inventing things from childhood, and since I retired from the military three years ago I have been creating small inventions at home in my free time," he said.
A journalist from Bandao City Daily tried the bike, and found it "not as bumpy as it looks", but said riders needed "special skills, otherwise it's hard to balance".

Centenarian's birthday boob

2009-05-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

A 100-year-old woman has just discovered that she has been marking her birthday on the wrong day all of her life.
Great-great-grandmother Emily Donoghue, of Llantarnam, near Cwmbran in Wales, had always insisted she was born on 3 May, reports the BBC.
But when her son John had to produce a birth certificate so she could receive a telegram from the Queen he discovered she was actually born two days later.
"I think she must have been celebrating on the third all her life," he said. To mark her 100th birthday her family celebrated on both days.
They took her out for tea on the third and then two days later a party was held in her honour at the Mayflower residential home, where she has lived for the last five years.
Mr Donoghue, 78, said: "We had to produce a birth certificate to inform the Queen so my mother would get a telegram.
"When we looked on there it was, 5 May, and she's been celebrating on 3 May.
"We couldn't make it out because she'd insisted it was the third and we took her word for it. Nobody bothered to look for the birth certificate until we had to send it off."

Ex-midwife, 90, helps deliver great granddaughter

2009-05-08T09:52:00.000-07:00

A 90-year-old former midwife helped deliver her own great granddaughter.
When Maggie Jones received a phone call saying her granddaughter had gone into labour, she was happy to provide moral support.
The last thing the she expected was that her decades-old professional experience was about to be put to the test once more, reports the Daily Mail.
But she was left with no choice by the speed of events and ended up helping deliver Kathy Shah's baby Carys on the living room floor.
Mrs Jones, who worked as a midwife in the Second World War and had not delivered a baby for 50 years, said: "I thought to myself, 'Maggie, it's time to wash your hands and don your overalls', and I just jumped right in to help in whatever way I could.
"Thankfully we didn't have any problems and I was just thrilled to be able to welcome little Carys into the world."
Mrs Shah already has 19-month-old son Dylan with her husband Keval, a banker. They had planned a home birth for their second child.
But she went into labour so quickly it was too late to call the midwife, so Mrs Shah told her husband to call her grandmother, who lives next door to them in Malmesbury, Wiltshire.
Mrs Jones rushed round and just 40 minutes later she was cradling Carys, who was born weighing 7lb 7oz.
Mrs Shah, 32, said: "We're so lucky that my gran lives next door - she was totally amazing and just so calm. I don't know what we would have done without her."

'My interests include cooking dogs'

2009-05-08T09:50:00.000-07:00

A survey of CV blunders reveals that job applicants are blowing their chances with gaffes such as listing their interests as "cooking dogs".
Experts found that 94% of job hunters risked missing out on vacancies through CV blunders such as poor spelling, grammar or presentation on their CVs.
Failure to use the comma led to embarrassing disclosures such as: "My interests include cooking dogs and interesting people."
In some cases, applicants' attempts to impress potential employers failed through the odd missed word, with phrases such as: "I was responsible for dissatisfied customers."
For others, the omission of a single letter consigned their CV to the dustbin: "I am a pubic relations officer."
From a sample of 450 CVs, researchers found that 81% were laden with spelling and grammatical errors, while nearly half were poorly laid out.
A mere six per cent were error-free, the study by career advisers Personal Career Management (PCM) concluded.
Mistakes were not confined to applicants for menial roles either - many of the CVs riddled with errors were drafted by CEOs, professionals and recent graduates, researchers said.
Corinne Mills, managing director of PCM, said: "Many of the people whose CVs end up in the waste paper bin are perfectly capable of doing the job. However, a poor CV means they will not get the opportunity to prove it.
"Why would anyone want to employ a lawyer or a secretary who makes spelling mistakes or errors? If they can't pay attention to their own CV, why would you trust them to work on any of your documents?"

Robot teacher has human touch

2009-05-08T09:46:00.000-07:00

The world's first robot teacher proved a hit with pupils on her first day at a Japanese primary school.
One pupil described Saya as "pretty" another said that she was a bit "scary but fun" while another said that he "couldn't believe he was getting taught by a robot".
First, she called the name of each child before asking the pupils to carry out tasks from a text book for the pilot project in Kudan Primary School, next to Tokyo University.
Professor Hiroshi Kobayashi, of Tokyo's University of Science, who has been developing the robot for 15 years, said: "The children were not fazed by Saya at all.
"They don't see her as a humanoid but human. They were very happy and surprised when she was able to call their names. They treated Saya like a real teacher."
Saya's steel skull is covered with fine latex cast from a female university student. Underneath, a system of 18 motors works like muscles to give her facial expressions including surprise, fear, disgust, anger, happiness and sadness.
The robot is able to talk, potentially in any language, move her head and respond to questions. She currently speaks around 300 phrases and has a vocabulary of 700 words and is programmed to respond to words and questions.
It is planned that the first robot teachers will be used in several classrooms where they will be operated by 'controller' teachers operating from a control centre.
Each teacher robot has a price tag up to £25,000. They are claimed to be the first economically viable robot and aim to make back their money in a couple of years.
"The aim is to develop something that is useful to society and humans in daily life. The robot teacher is the perfect application for a robot," added Professor Kobayashi.

Coughing judge sparks swine flu panic

2009-05-08T09:41:00.000-07:00

A coughing Italian judge cleared a panicking courtroom when he told lawyers: "I've just got back from Mexico."
More than 30 attorneys in Rome told Judge Giovanni Barese they were boycotting the court and adjourning their cases because of fear of swine flu.
One lawyer said: "The judge coughed a few times, I don't know if it was from the flu or he was just clearing his throat, and then said he had just come back from Mexico.
"I've never seen so many lawyers agree on anything in court so quickly but we all decided we had to get as far away from him as possible.
"Maybe he hasn't got swine flu but no one was prepared to take the risk. He should never have even come into work. With so many people in a court room it would be an ideal place to spread it."
The judge agreed to see a doctor and has now gone into quarantine.

Family convicted over horse neglect

Five people have been found guilty of neglecting more than 100 horses, ponies and donkeys on a family farm.
RSPCA inspectors discovered the cruelty when they were called to Spindle Farm in Amersham, Buckinghamshire in January last year.
Horse trader James Gray, 45, and his son James Gray Junior, 16, were found guilty of 11 charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, while his wife Julie Gray, 41, and daughters Jodie, 26, and Cordelia Gray, 20, were each found guilty of two charges under the same act.
The animals were left to die of starvation in a "horror scene" surrounded by rotting corpses.
Vets who visited Spindle Farm described the situation as the worst case of animal cruelty they had ever seen. RSPCA inspectors found horses kept with little dry bedding and crammed into pens, ankle deep in their own faeces.
Hooves and body parts were also discovered scattered across the farm, along with a mound made up of bones and skulls. Bicester Magistrates' Court heard there were 140 animals at the farm, many of which were left with little food.
RSPCA chief inspector Rob Skinner said he found 32 carcasses in different locations when he went to look around. Some of these were burnt and dumped on a bonfire while others were left lying on the ground, covered in rubbish.
One dead horse was found on the back of a trailer with ropes around its tail. In total 115 animals, some severely emaciated, had to be rescued and removed from the site.
Mr Skinner said horses looked "dejected" and "emaciated" and some animals could not feed freely as they were being bullied by others. During an inspection he found horses in overcrowded pens littered with faeces.
And he said one pony was unable to stand and had to be rolled over so vets could examine it.

Be a tourist in your own town

2009-05-06T04:51:00.000-07:00

Go ahead. Laugh yourself silly.
"But I live here", you say while wiping away the tears of laughter.
Well, unless you have friends or family who live less than a day's drive, and who won't mind if you and your beloved get frisky on their fold-out sofa because you can't afford a hotel, you'll probably have to forego that vacation this summer.
Fish and houseguests start to stink after three days, but unless a giant salmon happens to be iced down in the bathtub, fish don't tie up the one-and-only bathroom.
In the interest of preserving your bank account and staying in the good graces of the aforementioned friends and family, I'm offering a cheap and enjoyable alternative.
Honestly, how much do you really know about the town you live in? Or the surrounding area?

My point exactly.

I was a 6th grader bused in from the boonies on a school field trip the last time I went sightseeing in my own city. That was many many years before I moved here twenty-some years ago.
Since then, I've done a lot of traveling and gathered quite a collection of what to see and do in other places.

For instance...

On a warm summer evening in Omaha NE, it doesn't get much better than sipping a maragrita at the railing of a paddle wheeler while cruising up the Missouri River with live Dixieland jazz wafting from the lounge.
Or... Texas really is a "whole other country" and should again be recognized as the Republic it was until 1846 (and technically still is). When the urge hits to to visit a foreign country within driving distance, Texas is my first choice. No passport necessary (at least not yet).
Or... The best (and cheapest) food between Kingman AZ and Oklahoma City really is at the truckstops along I-40. Also, it's much easier to get up the east side of Flagstaff Mountain than it is to get down the west side.
Or... On the other side of the Pond, the Guards change at Buckingham Palace is wayyy over-rated. Except for the food halls, so is Harrod's. And the Pret a Mangers in London serve the best bottled lemonade in the UK, rivaled only by Fanta's, which for some reason isn't available on this side of the Pond. ???
But until recently, if you asked what to see and do in my own town, the answer would've been:

You're asking me? I live here for gosh sakes!

I'd developed my own favorite routes and ruts while turning a blind eye to anything that might interest an out-of-towner. I could point a first-time visitor to some fabulous parks, the public library and its wonderful cafe, a few interesting cemeteries and my favorite chain restaurants. And of course, the Kansas Historical Society.
But until recently, that was pretty much it.

There's an art gallery?
Several, actually, but I won't bore you with that list. (Well, not this time.)
But I will show you how easy it is to be a tourist in your own neck of the woods.

First, pick your destination.

Your own city or somewhere within 50-75 miles of home so that you can sleep in your own bed each night.

Next, decide when.

Maybe vacation time you've already requested at work, or perhaps just a weekend. Either way, block out the dates on the calendar same as for a "regular" vacation.

Now pretend you've never been to the town you've chosen. Ever.

Find out what there is to see and do:
Google your destination. Bookmark or write down everything listed as a landmark or tourist attraction (museums, art galleries, etc).
Google each of those, or visit the website shown in the first search.
Grab local attractions brochures from inside gas stations, convenience stores, and the lobbies of local hotels and motels. They're not there for decoration, and they're FREE.
Same for those mini-newspapers inside the door of the grocery store, gas stations and convenience stores. They're meant to be read.
If there's a tourism office or a visitor's center nearby, stop in for their FREE brochures and handouts. These are also the best places for local maps with more detail than a road atlas.

Now work out your itinerary

Set aside an evening to go through the brochures and notes from the internet.
To get into the spirit, make a Trip Book from a 3-ring binder. The pockets inside each cover will come in handy later. Decorate the cover if you like.
Make a pile of any brochures, etc. that interest you...and those that don't. You could be pleasantly surprised that places you've driven by a zillion times on the way to work or the mall are a lot more interesting than you thought.
Remember, the idea is to get acquainted with your part of the world.
Use a spreadsheet to enter each location, distance from home, and opening times. Or put the information on 3X5 cards. Either way, sort by distance and opening time.
Be flexible but creative. Museums and galleries near each other could be a day by themselves with lunch in between, then dinner after.

Alternate itineraries

Rather than visiting places like art galleries or the Barbed Wire Museum - yes, there is one! - explore the small towns in your area. The really small ones known as "wide places in the road" that you usually ignore.
In my area, these have at least one (albeit corny) "attraction" that the residents are proud of. They also have mom 'n pop cafes that serve surprisingly good (and cheap) food. Even if there's no "attraction" per se, the architecture on Main Street and side streets can be pretty interesting. Same for the conversation at the cafe at lunch or coffee break time.
Pick a town 70-80 miles from home as your turn around point. On a map, pick a route that'll take you in a circle to and from so that you won't go through the same town twice. Or take the interstate and going out, take exits to the towns on one side, and those on the other side coming back. Look for "scenic drives" along the way. Take them.

Don't forget B&Bs

My area has a lot of B&Bs, in town as well as in the countryside. If your budget can can handle it, being pampered in a local B&B is well worth the money. Use it as your base for a two-day excursion.
Contact the ones that look inviting and ask which part of the week is the least popular. These will be the nights with the lowest rates (and maybe even a special, much lower rate!). Breakfast will be included in the price. Dinner the night before may be included too. Be sure to verify that it is or isn't.
One B&B here is next to a spa, and B&B guests get a discount. Others have arrangements with local attractions whereby their guests get a discount in gift shops and such. Ask about them.

The day before The Day..

Notify friends, relatives, and trusted neighbors that you're going away just as if you were going on a long trip.
Don't tell anyone but the neighbors that you'll be home each night.
Arrange for pets to be cared for. DO NOT take them.
Print out your itinerary and visitor information such as opening times and driving directions from the websites of places you'll visit.
Print out address labels of friends, family, and yourself to make mailing postcards a snap. Get a book of postcard stamps. Put in Trip Book.
Gather your Trip Book, camera, etc in a backpack or day bag and set them by the front door.
If a B&B is part of the itinerary, pack your overnight bag.

Ready...set...GO!!

Follow the Itinerary you made.
DO NOT combine the day's activities with anything you'd do if you weren't on vacation (paying bills, grocery shopping, or a trip to the mall).
DO NOT go home at any time during the day (except to change clothes for a fancy restaurant or the theatre). You don't live here, remember?
Buy a few postcards at each place you visit and mail them to friends, relatives or yourself as you go.
Have fun!

'May the 4th be with you'

2009-05-05T10:52:00.000-07:00

A Star Wars obsessed couple themed their wedding on the films with the groom playing Han Solo and the bride Princess Leia.
Duncan Thomson, 41, and Sammi Gardiner, 39, got married surrounded by friends and family all dressed as characters from the sci-fi movies.
And they chose Monday as the date for the service, so they could bill it as "May the 4th be with you", reports the Daily Telegraph.
The couple, from the Isle of Wight, even invited the movie's director George Lucas, who wrote back to them saying he couldn't make it.
During the wedding in Shanklin on the island, Mr Thomson told his bride: "I promise to protect you from carbon freezing and promise to protect you from the Dark Side, through hyperspace and into the far reaches of the galaxy."
Mr Thomson, an amateur astrologist, said: "We had both been married before with traditional services and wanted to do something a bit different and fun to put a smile on everyone's face."
The couple had to remove certain Star Wars references from the 20-minute civil service because Jedi is a recognised religion, he added.
The bride's ring was made out of meteorite found in Canyon Diablo in the US, engraved with: "May the 4th be with you."
Following the ceremony, the couple departed for a honeymoon on a cruise to the Mediterranean, with a special guard of honour using light sabres.
Sammi, an IT worker, said: "The films brought us together and are something that our families, young and old, have always loved."

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'Royal support' for Gurkha campaign

A senior member of the Royal Family has privately expressed support for Joanna Lumley's campaign for Gurkha settlement rights, the actress revealed.
Ms Lumley told a committee of MPs she had received a letter of support from a royal but would not name them.
She accused ministers of "scare tactics" for inflating the cost of allowing Gurkhas who retired before 1997 to settle in Britain.
Ms Lumley told the Home Affairs Committee she was astonished that despite the Government's defeat in the House of Commons last week the rules had not been changed immediately.
Sitting next to a Gurkha officer, she revealed she had written to Prime Minister Gordon Brown on the issue three times and received only one reply, from an aide.
She said: "I have been setback because I did not think we would need to have a further campaign. I do not know what we have to do. I don't know where else we have to go. We have gone to the High Court, we have gone to the press, we have gone to the people and to parliament. Where do we go to? The Royal Family are not allowed to get involved, although personally I have had a letter of support."
Any decision on changes to the rules, which currently exclude thousands of pre-1997 Gurkhas from settling here, could be left until the end of July, the committee was told.
Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said it would be made by the time Parliament breaks for summer recess on July 21.
But the Absolutely Fabulous actress said action needed to be taken now to ensure "parity" for all Gurkha soldiers. She said Gurkha officers, many of whom qualify for admittance under the new rules, would refuse to come to Britain if their men were left behind.
Ministers had inflated both the number of Gurkhas hoping to come to Britain and the cost, Ms Lumley said, because many of them would want to work.

Under the reflection of the trap

2009-05-05T10:39:00.001-07:00

When faced with the challenge of life, death when sunlight, the Angle between the darkness in the lonely night, I weather-shack lip in were trembling in the fountain of strong longing for.Heaven is static, the grey die piercing wind to laugh and laugh with my vote. So, my lips on hoarse sing in the dance.Oh... This is the art of music, dance, the facial skin quietly, start with a unique melody, head began to change. Blue is my path of the Yellow River.The erosion of the years ahead, I walk with depression and grief in the darkness of the wind and sand in the body, trembling in the dry consciousness is calling you - the fuzzy mirage.Yes, I die in this tired at the edge of the long find you, then I trace of heavy head start tore heart crack lung of painful, thin figure suffering with memories and look behind pain...This is the desert of quicksand, is death trap.I wrote your name in the clouds, in the hope that it was slightly blow away, I wrote your name on the sand beach, hope it is washed waves, I wrote your name in the hope that it becomes fireworks, after dying in brilliant waned. Ah ~ countless struggle but not let body blood desalt you dance bouncing figure.As shevchenko into fantastical, deputy looking bright moonlight moon. For a long time, have a little voice calling me in the word, slowly turn the body -- a slight trembling with a sneer at black bodies lying on the ground still. I ran madly, the troubled by a pair of feet dry cold hand tightly grasp fatigue can't get rid of fear. I struggled with fatigue in the crowd, for I clean the raindrops rotation of thunder sky, for my inspiration. I can not think of you, can not self-mocking? Whether this is a trap, reflection of trap.

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Schools advised as flu total rises

Legal advice on dealing with swine flu has been issued to private schools across the country as it was confirmed that another person has the virus.
The Department of Health said an adult in the South East of England has been diagnosed, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the UK to 28.
Earlier the Independent Schools Council issued guidance to more than 1,200 fee-paying schools, suggesting they consider setting up "quarantine rooms" for pupils suspected of having the virus.
It comes after five schools, including three private schools, closed because pupils fell ill with the H1N1 virus.
A Department of Health spokesman said the latest case was "associated with travel to Mexico". He added: "It is right that we are preparing for the possibility of a global pandemic. The UK's arrangements are continuing to ensure that we are well-placed to deal with this new infection."
Schools hit by swine flu were rescheduling GCSEs and A-levels or asking for special consideration for pupils as the summer exam season begins.
John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said swine flu was a "major worry" to secondaries, with four being shut due to the virus.
Exam regulator Ofqual said that it is due to hold a meeting on Thursday to discuss the situation. On Friday it said it was drawing up contingency plans in the event of disruption. It is understood that this could mean pupils sitting exams elsewhere, or, if they are sick with swine flu, be awarded a grade based on papers or coursework they have completed.
Meanwhile, World Health Organisation spokesman Dick Thompson said that the agency might raise its pandemic level from five to its highest alert, level six.
And Health Secretary Alan Johnson said earlier this week that he expected a second, more serious, wave of cases later this year.

First took grandfather ate McDonald's! Really touched our just picture!

2009-05-04T05:05:00.000-07:00

I grew up with my grandpa, graduated from this job, grandpa here and I live together, in the first two months, he took the first plane, the hotel, first ate McDonald's... He holds a big MAC hamburger, like a child, I was suddenly want to cry, he had a bite with me said a words - well, delicious! The plane is the meal is delicious! A happy face at grandpa, I was only a heart desire: dear grandpa, you must have a good father, let I to you! I give you may not the best, but I can give is absolutely the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Looking at a picture I suddenly realized that the white hair, grandpa, even more, also the white eyebrows in hope he can happily spend every day!!!
Our plane is before 8 a.m., hasn't eaten breakfast, stewardess hair breakfast, I asked: "don't eat breakfast?" Grandpa said: "no, plane things must be very expensive!" I say: "is free!" He has some embarrassedly say with smile: "that is one!" Suddenly feel so cute! Grandpa,
At McDonald's door, I pulled him in, he is not, say: "I am not hungry! I went to eat!" I say: "not expensive or not, don't spend 10 dollars!" He will go. I read seven years in chongqing, spent the saved tens of hard grandpa's savings, he never dearly, but even outside to eat meal grudge!!!!!!!!!!
Remember my first and my grandpa said, call him and I work together, he is very happy, then don't agree, I asked him why he anxiety-ridden ground say: "girl, you haven't marry! Who know somebody else will abandon me, you!" I heard that was not taste: grandpa, you have what thing is to consider themselves after SunNvEr consideration,???
Among the elders of the parents! Real is lovely, called the children not to love you!!!!!!
Do not know everybody have seen an advertisement, content is I can't remember the two words, but I'm so moved:
Never abandon your parents slow-moving, because you always can't imagine you when they are young; you walk to patiently.Never abandon your parents will never learn to use the computer, because you never know when you were younger they teach you how to read repeatedly,...Thank you for your support and blessing! I wish all the post of family happiness.

Love cheats drive flash cars

2009-05-03T11:41:00.001-07:00

Drivers of expensive cars are more likely to have an affair, according to a new poll.
The illicitencounters.com website, which describes itself as the UK's largest extra-marital dating site, conducted a survey of its members.
It found that 20.9% drove a high-ranking executive car. This included 16 Bentley owners, 31 Porsche owners, five Aston Martin owners and 135 BMW owners.
And while the adulterers said their own car was important to them, only 19% admitted to being interested in their lovers' cars.
Sara Hartley, spokesperson for the site, said: "Many of those actively seeking an affair tend to be go getters, which is reflected in their choice of car and their chosen profession. They are often conspicuous consumers."

Dancing parrot mesmerises scientists
Scientists have proved that birds really do dance to music - after studying a cockatoo on YouTube.
Snowball has been viewed an amazing two million times on YouTube, reports The Sun.
It led scientists to discover that parrots - and also elephants - do feel the beat of music, giving them an in-built sense of rhythm for dancing.
But researchers found no evidence that cats, dogs or chimps shared this trait.
Dr Aniruddh Patel, of the Neurosciences Institute in San Diego, California, said scientists began their research after becoming mesmerised by the footage of Snowball.
He said: "I was very impressed and contacted Snowball's owner in Indiana for a more formal test. This showed that Snowball wasn't just mimicking the movements of somebody off-camera.
"And his movements followed the beat of his favourite BackStreet Boys song even when the tune was sped up or slowed down."
Dr Patel said Snowball drifted in and out of following the beat - "like a child does".
But he added that statistical analysis of the cockatoo's head bobs showed they really were related to tempo.
And after analysing 1,000 videos purporting to show animals dancing, the scientists found 14 species of parrot and one species of elephant that they say were convincing dancers.

Guy to have kids for 3 months

2009-04-30T09:14:00.000-07:00

We told you how Madonna and Guy Ritchie are getting on better than ever since their divorce.
Madge has been getting support from the film director following her failed attempt to adopt a second child. Guy even made a public statement claiming the singer is a "fantastic mum."
Now, their new friendship has encouraged them to call a truce regarding their children. It was only a few weeks ago she won a court order to name the US as the children's permanent home.
Madge has agreed that he can look after the kids - Rocco, eight, and adopted David Banda, four, over the summer holidays while she's on tour.
A source told The Sun: "Guy absolutely dotes on his children and can't wait to have them for a whole three months.
"He is surprised and pleased that Madonna is being so generous - as she has at times been impossible.
"Madonna will be travelling a lot and agreed it makes sense for them to stay with Guy rather than constantly be uprooted."
Meanwhile, the father of the Malawian child Madonna wants to adopt is now seeking full custody.
Mercy James father James Kambewa, who has never met his daughter, says Madonna is a woman of poor morals.
He has written to the Human Rights Consultative Committee objecting to the adoption.
He said: "She is my daughter. Madonna has millions but that doesn't make her a good mum. Parental love is worth more than money.
"She doesn't portray good morals. How can a woman of 50 dance almost naked on stage? In Malawi, women respect themselves."
Madonna lost the right to adopt the child earlier this month. Her appeal will be held on Monday.

Couple's Royal lawn romp

2009-04-30T09:09:00.001-07:00

A couple have reportedly been arrested - for having sex on the Queen's front lawn at Windsor Castle.
Crowds of tourists watched as they made love on a private grass bank at Windsor Castle, where Her Majesty was in residence, according to The Sun.
The couple, said to be in their early 30s, kept at it for 20 minutes before armed Royal Protection Squad officers stepped in to take down their particulars.
Some onlookers cheered them on, while others called the police. Several tourists apparently filmed the whole incident.
The couple, described by police as respectable people with respectable jobs, were said to be "mortified" by their actions.
Witness Sue Cook, 24, said: "I expect when the woman woke up the next morning she died of shame. She's a porn star now."
Mark Robinson, 44, added: "The couple did not care who was looking and just kept going as if they were in their own bedroom. They even ignored the Please Keep Off The Grass signs."
A Windsor Castle source said: "The Queen was in residence at the time, but her private apartments are at the other end so she would have been blissfully unaware of it."
Police said the pair were put in cells overnight to sober up before being cautioned for outraging public decency.

Sean files for divorce

2009-04-30T09:06:00.000-07:00

Another day and another celebrity couple call it a day.
This time it's Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn who has filed for divorce from his wife Robin Wright Penn.
It's not the first time the couple have called time on their marriage. Back in 2007 Sean sought a legal separation from the actress but the couple later decided to give their marriage a second chance.
The pair tied the knot in 1996 and have two children Hopper Jack, 15, and 17-year-old Dylan Frances.
Sean and Robin's last public outing was in February when they attended the Oscars.
Sean picked up the Best Actor award on the night for his role in Milk.
However, when collecting his award he failed to thank his wife - which can't have helped.
Later when asked why he omitted his partner from his list of thank yous he said: "I wanted to keep things focused on the professional team around this movie.
"Because with Robin comes my mother and my son and my daughter, and half of them will punish me if I mention them."
Perhaps, a mention would have helped. Anyway, it will be interesting to see if the pair actually sign on the dotted line this time.

Girl, 2, brighter than Vorderman

2009-04-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

A two-year-old girl has become the youngest member of Mensa.
Tests put the IQ of Elise Tan-Roberts at 156 - two points above Carol Vorderman, reports The Sun.
Elise started speaking at five months, walking at eight and running at ten.
By 14 months she could count to ten and can now recite the names of the world's capital cities.
Parents Louise and Edward, from Edmonton, North London, took her to specialist education psychologist Professor Joan Freeman.
She said she was "gifted" with a "superb memory" - and put her forward to Mensa.
Mr Tan-Roberts, 34, said: "We hope she can keep learning at an advanced pace. But she is still my baby. I just want her to be happy and enjoy herself."

Moo-sical treat

2009-04-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

The hills are alive with the sound of music after an Alpine farmer compiled a CD of his farm animals' favourite tunes.
Livestock expert Franz Koeberl, 41, has been serenading the animals on the family farm in Birkfeld, Austria, with his accordion for more than a decade.
Franz and his family, who all play instruments, stage live concerts for the animals to help with milk yield or to keep them calm.
"Whenever they see me coming over the hill with my accordion, they come running and gather around to listen to the tunes. They prefer Strauss - although I and my family would rather hear Mozart," he explained.
"We all play musical instruments and we often play for the animals, and we found that Norma, Norli, Nanni and the rest of the 20 cows have a clear preference for classical music.
"In particular they seem to like the waltz. They are more likely to be sitting down taking the weight off their feet and obviously enjoying the music whenever a waltz is playing - and that also means they are producing more milk," he added.

'Mr Asbo' swan attacks rowers

2009-04-14T19:25:00.000-07:00

A swan has been nicknamed 'Mr Asbo' after it started attacking rowers on the River Cam.
The bird has been targeting single scullers as well as teams of eight on the Cambridgeshire river, reports the Daily Telegraph.
The Cambridgeshire Rowing Association and Cam Conservators have even issued a joint email warning about the "rogue" swan that has "developed a bad temper".
Sculler Alan Marron, said: "The swan has become very dangerous. It attacked me in my single, causing me to capsize. It landed on my rigger and attacked me with its beak.
"I was in the middle of the river, away from any banks or reeds so I could not have been threatening any nest."
Matt Fraylingcork, of Cantabrigian Rowing Club, said his training was being interrupted because it was not safe to row near the bird.
"It's a vicious beast. I don't go past it if I am alone, only if I'm in an eight. I'm too scared. It has attacked quite a few boats."
But rower Ruth Howlett, from the Champion of the Thames club, said: "It is only protecting its nest. It has lost quite a few cygnets."

Council calls in 'ghostbusters'

2009-04-14T19:23:00.001-07:00

Liverpool City Council has called in experts to study CCTV footage which appears to show a ghost in the grounds of Croxteth Hall.
Jason Karl, among ghost specialists drafted in to investigate, described the CCTV evidence as "intriguing", reports the Daily Telegraph.
He said: "Video footage of phantoms is very rare, and if this stands up to scrutiny it could be a very important piece of spectral evidence for the worldwide community of paranormal enthusiasts."
Councillor Berni Turner, Liverpool city council's executive member for the environment, said she was keeping an open mind about the investigation.
"I'm a huge believer in the paranormal and think this footage is really interesting," she added. "It's great to think that we may have ghosts walking around these beautiful grounds."
City bosses have suggested that the site could be haunted by the 7th Earl of Sefton, Hugh William Osbert Molyneux, who lived at the hall until his death in 1972.
Another theory is that the ghost could be the 2nd Earl of Sefton, William Philip Molyneux, who laid the foundation stone for Aintree Racecourse and is believed locally to revisit the hall every year at the time of the Grand National.

Rare shark found - and eaten

2009-04-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

Fishermen in the Philippines have accidentally caught and then eaten one of the rarest sharks in the world.
The megamouth shark is one of the most elusive species in the world - the one eaten by the fishermen was only the 41st ever spotted, reports Sky News.
The four-metre, half-tonne fish was accidentally snared by fishermen trawling for mackerel off the coast of Donsol.
A WWF representative said the shark was butchered and its meat sautéed in coconut milk as a local delicacy, against the conservation group's advice.
Ironically, the coastal town of Donsol has earned a global reputation for marine conservation.
Campaigners recently convinced the locals to stop butchering giant whale sharks which feed in nearby waters.
The town prides itself as being the whale shark capital of the world and marine tourism is vital to the town's economy.
The megamouth shark is a fairly recent scientific discovery. The first specimen was caught off the coast of Hawaii in 1976.
Only eight megamouths have ever been encountered in Philippine seas. They have also been spotted off California, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Australia

Groom sells advertising space on tie

2009-04-14T19:20:00.001-07:00

A Romanian groom is trying to pay for his marriage by selling advertising space on his wedding tie.
Tudor Ciora, 26, from Sibiu, has set up a website for bidders - and reckons he'll easily pay for the ceremony and some special presents.
Companies can pay 20 euro for a slot near the top of his tie, 15 euro for one in the middle or just 10 euro to have their name at the bottom of the tie.
Mr Ciora's website - www.cravatamea.com - keeps a running total of all bids.
"Hopefully we'll raise enough money to buy a new car as well," he explained.

Cat teaches puppies how to catch mice

2009-04-14T19:18:00.001-07:00

A cat in China has adopted two orphaned puppies - and is trying to teach them how to catch mice.
The female cat - named Tom - nurses the puppies and washes them with her tongue, reports the Yaxin Network.
Owner Ms Shen, who lives in Urumchi, said the puppies' natural mother, Mao Mao, died delivering them a month ago.
She hoped that Tom might take care of the puppies as she had just given birth to three kittens and had been close friends with Mao Mao.
"We didn't dare put the puppies in Tom's basket at first, but just outside of it. Unexpectedly the puppies crawled over to Tom and started to fight for breast milk with the kittens," Ms Shen said.
She said Tom was treating her adopted children very well, even feeding them first, before the kittens.
And, each day, Tom was trying to show the puppies how to catch mice, including how to jump onto the sofa and hide in a corner before pouncing on them.
However, the two puppies lacked the cat's agility and generally failed to jump on to the sofa and just bit and scratched the cover instead.

The mane attraction

2009-04-14T19:16:00.001-07:00

Pictures of horses sporting elaborately styled hair extensions are proving an unlikely internet sensation.
Photographer Julian Wolkenstein, 36, hit on the idea of experimenting with horses' hair during a chat with a friend.
"The idea for these images came from a discussion with a friend who said, 'Hey wouldn't it be fun to shoot horses with big hair?'," he said.
Sydney-born Mr Wolkenstein teamed up with hair-stylist Acacio da Silva to whip the horses into shape, reports the Daily Telegraph.
"Each horse took around four hours to groom, with hair extensions being added by Acacio, and then when they were presented in front of the camera's and lights they would shake their heads, give a neigh and then ruffle up their hair," he said.
"To get them just right, with their hair all set and standing to attention was a bit of a battle. But the horses loved the grooming. The lights and camera, well, they were less taken with that."
The unusual images have proved an internet hit, with thousands logging on to his website - www.julianwolkenstein.com - to view the photographs.

Last bet was a dead cert

2009-04-14T19:13:00.001-07:00

A Teesside family won more than £20,000 on the Grand National - thanks to a dead gambler's last bet.
Terminally ill Danny Shea persuaded his wife to put £250 on 100-1 outsider Mon Mome, reports the Daily Mirror.
She thought it was a waste of money but humoured him by placing the bet - and collected £20,310 winnings.
The 66-year-old, who had kidney cancer, was a racing punter with a track record for backing the wrong horse.
Widow Pat, 63, of Eston, near Middlesbrough, said: "We could not believe it. He was generally pretty useless at picking winners, but he liked to put a bet on."
Danny, who died five months ago, had a feeling the nine-year-old would triumph after seeing it come 10th last year.
Pat, who has visited Danny's grave to thank him for the tip, said: "He was adamant it would be a winner if there was soft ground."
The family watched the race together over a pub meal. Pat added: "We were all crying and the young lads in the bar must have thought we were mad."

Russian man survives five storey fall - twice

2009-04-14T19:11:00.001-07:00

Russian man survived after downing three bottles of vodka and leaping from a fifth floor balcony - twice.
Alexei Roskov says he jumped the second time because he couldn't take his wife's nagging about the first time.
Wife Yekaterina had watched in horror as her drunken hubsand opened the kitchen window of their Moscow apartment, and hurled himself out.
Astonishingly Mr Roskov, 22, survived and managed to stagger back upstairs with barely a scratch after the 50ft fall.
But while his wife called for an ambulance and began to scold him, he jumped again.
Amazed medics treated Mr Roskov for minor cuts and bruises before releasing him.
Mr Roskov says he is now teetotal after giving up drinking, and added: "Now I can say just one thing - I was very lucky.
"I have no idea why I jumped the first time but when I came back up and I heard my wife screaming angrily at me I thought it was best if I left the room again - out of the window."

Lorry driver's amazing escape

2009-04-14T19:09:00.001-07:00

A lorry driver had a miraculous escape in China after an accident left his cab hanging precariously over the edge of a flyover.
The truck appeared to be defying gravity as it dangled 100ft above the ground in Chengdu, reports the Tianfu Morning Post.
The lorry, which was carrying a container, lost control on a tight bend and crashed into the side of the flyover, breaking through metal crash barriers.
The container crashed to the street below but the driver's cab somehow managed to avoid following the same fate.
Eye witness Mrs Li said she heard a big bang then a series of crashes between 11pm and midnight.
"Originally I thought somebody was letting off firecrackers. However when my family and I went out we were surprised to find a lorry hanging over the bridge, and a man in his 40s was struggling to climb out," she said.
"We were so scared watching him climb through the dangling truck to safety. The driver said he was the only person in the lorry, and it's lucky that he had his seat belt on."
Local residents said the accident happened on a narrow stretch of road with a sharp turn which was only suitable for smaller vehicles.
They said it was not the first time lorries had had accidents there - but local road management officials insisted they were not to blame.

Michael Jackson praised for cruelty-free shows

2009-04-14T19:05:00.001-07:00

PETA ‘thrilled’ at no-animal decision
Michael Jackson has been commended by animal rights campaigners for his decision to keep his upcoming concerts free of animals.
The king of pop had previously come under fire from activists at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) after rumours began to circulate that his concerts would feature a variety of exotic animals.
Organisers for his This Is It residency have now confirmed that no live animals will be on stage during the performances.
PETA Europe Director Robbie LeBlanc said: "Wild animals do not belong in noisy arenas surrounded by screaming fans and loud music."
Jackson has previously been criticised by the organization for the private zoo he keeps at his Neverland ranch in California.
LeBlanc added: "We are thrilled that Michael won't compound his past mistakes by using animals in his final UK shows. Bubbles wouldn't have approved."
Michael Jackson’s 50-date residency kicks off in 8 July.

Motorist arrested for sex while speeding

2009-04-14T19:03:00.001-07:00

A Norwegian man was arrested after he was caught having sex with his girlfriend while speeding on a motorway.
Officers trailed the couple's car after noticing it was swerving from side to side and travelling at 20mph over the speed limit, reports the BBC.
But they soon realised the erratic driving was due to the woman "sitting on the man's lap", a police spokesman said.
After filming the exploit for evidence, they pulled them over at a rest area on the E18 motorway, west of Oslo.
The 28-year-old man is likely to face a fine of several thousand Norwegian kroner and a lengthy driving ban.
"Why they did it on a highway with such a high risk we don't know," said Superintendent Tor Stein Hagen.
Despite her role in the incident, the 21-year-old woman was allowed by police to drive her lover home.

World's longest football match

2009-04-14T18:53:00.000-07:00

A world record for the longest football match was set after a 36 hour battle ended with a 285-255 scoreline.
Leeds Badgers beat Bristol Academy in the epic match which beat the previous record of 33hrs, 36mins.
Each team had 18 players who each played around 18 hours, staying at the Bristol pitch during their breaks.
The game, documented by volunteers keeping video and logbook evidence, was held to raise £10,000 for the Meningitis Trust.

Former Liverpool FC star and Welsh international Ian Rush, who had meningitis as a child, said: "These players are amazing."

Vegetarian cat

2009-04-14T18:50:00.001-07:00

A rescued cat turns his nose up at everything but organic fruit and vegetables.
Dante, two, was found close to starvation as a kitten by owner Becky Page, reports the Daily Mirror.
Miss Page, 21, of Tasburgh, near Norwich, said: "I tried feeding him meat, fish, everything else cats like, but he turned his nose up.
"Just when I thought nothing would work, he wolfed down a plate of veg I was going to throw out. I have to smuggle bits of meat in among the veggies so he gets all the nutrients he needs.
"But sometimes he spots the meat and leaves it. He has a unique appetite - but he's certainly healthy."
Miss Page, who grows her own fruit and veg, said Dante's current favourites included melon, bananas, broccoli, rhubarb, asparagus, aubergine and Brussels sprouts.
Maggie Roberts, director of veterinary services at Cats Protection, said: "This is extremely rare. Cats are obligate carnivores and cannot be vegetarian."

Tree grew in man's lung

2009-04-14T18:48:00.001-07:00

Astonished surgeons have removed a two-inch long fir tree growing inside a patient's lungs.
Doctors thought Artyom Sidorkin, 28, had cancer when he began coughing up blood and complaining of agonising chest pains.
But as they operated to remove a tumour the medics were amazed to discover the perfectly formed spruce thriving inside the lung.
"I blinked three times and thought I was seeing things," said surgeon Vladimir Kamashev at Izhevsk Hospital in Russia.
Doctors believe that Artyom breathed in a tiny seed which then began growing in his lung and that the sharp pains were the plant's needle-like leaves digging into his lung.
"It was very painful. But to be honest I did not feel any foreign object inside me," he explained.

Gran devours snail problem

2009-04-14T18:47:00.001-07:00

A Welsh grandmother came up with the perfect solution after her garden became infested with snails - she's eating them.
Oriole Parker-Rhodes was unwilling to trample on or poison the creatures, reports the Daily Mail.
So she regularly feasts on their meat, claiming they are higher in protein and lower in fat than beef.
Miss Parker-Rhodes, 59, of Anglesey, said: "Last summer it was really wet and warm - ideal for snails. I had hundreds in my garden. I was treading on them, and they were also eating our home-grown potatoes.
"I'm quite an organic, perma-culture sort of person and didn't want to trample or poison them. That would be against my principles. So I thought eating them made sense."
Miss Parker-Rhodes said restaurants usually serve six per plate but she serves 12 at a time with salad, garlic, parsley or butter sauce and bread.
"They're perfectly good meat," she added. "They're very high in protein and low in fat. In some ways, they're better than beef."
Miss Parker-Rhodes has now set up an internet blog with recipes at eatinggardensnails.blogspot.com.

Google Street View gets agoraphobic mum outside

2009-04-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

An agoraphobic mother has left her house for the first time in 20 years - thanks to Google Street View.
Sue Curtis, 40, has spent half her life inside her home and even married husband Alan in her sitting room, reports the Daily Telegraph.
But the mother-of-two's interest was sparked by Google Street View which led her to try self-help classes online.
And she has finally now ventured onto the pavement outside her house in West Harton, South Shields.
Mrs Curtis said: "It may not seem very far to walk, but for me, this is amazing, I'm getting there very slowly, and now I don't see no reason why I can't be cured in the future and lead a normal life again.
"It's all down to the classes, I've said for years I needed cognitive behavioural therapy to help me, and now that I've got access to it, I've been able to learn, and I feel like I have a new lease of life."
Mrs Curtis stopped leaving the house after experiencing severe panic attacks a day in 1989.
"It was very scary. At one point I was suffering between 15 and 20 attacks a day, my weight dropped down to just over five stone and I ended up bed-bound for 18 months," she said.
"It gradually came to a point where I knew I didn't want to be or go outside, so I just stayed in."

Woman sees home burgled on webcam

2009-04-14T18:35:00.000-07:00

A Florida woman who set up a webcam in her home turned on from work to see her house being burgled.
Jeanne Thomas, 43, was sitting in her office 25 miles away when she saw strangers rummaging through her living room.
She called police and said the men were scaring her pets, eating food from her fridge and stealing Nintendo games.
The intruders are thought to have entered the house, in Boynton Beach, by squeezing through a dog flap from the back garden.
Police officers asked Mrs Thomas to stay on the line and describe what the thieves were doing.
She said: "Okay, here's just one. He's running to the front. The other one is trying to figure out which way to go.
"The cat's freaked out. The dogs are hiding. My God. This is crazy. They've got things in their hands."
By this time the officer replied: "Ma'am, it's okay. Officers are surrounding your house. They're not going to get away with anything."
Two men, aged 20 and 19, were arrested inside the house. Two other suspects, both 20, were charged with planning the burglary.

The Moral

2009-04-12T01:08:00.000-07:00

She had the rooms attention now. She continued her self-aggrandizing. boorish diatribe, “I'm Patti LaBell and I'm famous and those are our seats and we're gonna sit in 'em cause I'm Patti LaBelle and who are you to tell me...” and on and on, but I did not hear her, for I looked at Ana. She had slunk down in her chair. She wanted the evil, large woman with the funky snake infested hair to just go away. But I knew the thing would never go away. The things never do. Get rid of one and there are more things waiting, just waiting for their chance to tell everyone how important they are and eat us alive.
I asked Ana quietly if she wanted to just go. If we stuck it out, I told her, I was pretty sure we would end up with a table. She didn't, she said. If the thing won't leave, then it would have to be us. If we had to sacrifice to stop the thing for the benefit of mankind, then so be it. We moved to the back and stood with the other sardines. It wasn't fun at first, but Latin music gets under your skin and before you know it, you're tapping a foot, then swaying a little, and finally you're dancing in the streets. You can't help yourself.
I only have one bit of advice to the survivors I left behind: Please don't feed the snakes.

Showdown With the Scary Head

2009-04-12T01:07:00.000-07:00

I became aware of a rather large woman with a bizarre hairdo hovering around our area of the table, staring at us. It was a large and strange hairdo and I imagined Medusa-like snakes hissing and flicking their sandpaper tongues at us. She was followed by some type of gang, but the ominous group disappeared into the crowd. In short order the harried waitress was at the table, looking like she had just gone a round with Ali. “Where are the cards,” she cried. “There were cards! Did you move the cards!” She looked frightened. I felt sorry for her in that instant, but...”What cards? I didn't see any cards, did you see any cards,” we all said over the top of each other. “Nope. No cards here. Definitely no cards.” As the waitress stormed off I saw a tear in her eye. She was gonna get it.
In a flash the gang was back and this time they meant business. Their leader was the large woman with the giant weird hair with the snakes in it. Oh my God, the snakes.
“You in our seats,” the thing said to all of us.
“No were not,” I replied.
“Those our seats,” the thing said a little louder.
“No. These our seats,” I said, mocking her and matching her tone. Her eyes grew a little wider.
“I'm Patty LaBelle!”
“I don't know Patty LaBelle,” I shrugged. And it was true. I didn't. Never heard of her.
It's eyes grew even larger, bugging out from her chubby face. “I tole you I'm Patty LaBelle!” Now she was beginning to draw attention to us.
“How do I know you're Patty LaBelle? Lemme see your driver's license.”
Apparently, that was enough to send Ms. Thing over the edge. Her eyeballs popped from their fleshy sockets, shooting rays of hate and bile. She spit venom from her puffy mouth, venom probably from the Medusa-like snakes living in her hair. I'm pretty sure her brain actually caught fire because you could see the smoke coming from her hairy ears.
“I...I...I,” she stammered. She was vibrating with pent up hate and arrogance. And then with a voice bigger than the building, she boomed, “I get on that stage and start singin' and you know I'm Patty LaBelle!”

The Set Up

2009-04-12T01:05:00.000-07:00

We came back to reality, paid our bill and arrived back at the club thirty minutes before show-time. We were 10th in line and with all the chairs and tables available I knew we would have no trouble getting a seat up close. Finally, the doors opened and the once organized line collapsed into a rush cramming into the entryway. We were still in front as we entered and...what? Where did all the tables go? There were now just a few tables and chairs up around the stage and most of those were filled already. Where did those people come from? No matter. I grabbed Ana's hand and pulled her forward rapidly, just managing to get two seats at one of the long communal tables just as every remaining seat in the house was filled.
I looked around perplexed, unable for the life of me to figure out where all the tables went, and there they were, stacked willy-nilly 30 feet high in every corner of the club. Clearly they were going to cram as many people in here as possible. Standing room only. Thank heavens we got a seat. The man sitting across the table from me picked up a card from the table. “This seat is reserved,” he said. All of us picked up the cards in front of our seats. It was true. Each of us was sitting in a reserved seat, and we were not the reservees.
The guy across from me threw his card under the table and all of us followed suit. We tried to act in a nonchalant fashion, but I for one was contemplating what uncomfortable scene lie ahead. If worse came to worst, I would demand they get one of those willy-nilly tables from atop it's 30 foot perch. I'd be damned if I was going to stand in the back for two hours with the other sardines. It would be Ok, I decided. Everything would turn out fine. But that was before I knew that it was the...Night of the Living Patty LaBelle! (A woman's scream is heard, this time right in my ear.)

Meet Our Protagonist Lovers

2009-04-12T01:03:00.000-07:00

We arrived at the club early to purchase tickets to the 11:00 show, Gilberto Gil's second performance of the evening, The first show was in full swing and I stuck my head inside to get the lay of the land. The situation looked good. There were plenty of tables spread around the vast space and we had lots of time, so we purchased our tickets and made our way to a nearby restaurant for cocktails and appetizers.
We must have appeared like the two young lovers we were, leaning into each other closely, whispering, laughing, and occasionally sampling an oyster on the half-shell or a bit of crab dip. We were young and in love and our whole lives spread out before us like a golden road laid down only for the special few. No roadblocks would stop us, no highwaymen maul us, no snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night would stay these lovers from their appointed glory. That's how we felt. The strength of two as one. Of course, that was before. Before we knew it was the...Night of the Living Patty LaBelle! (A woman's scream is heard, closer now.)

Setting a Happy Mood

2009-04-12T01:00:00.000-07:00

It was going to be a great night. My live-in girlfriend at the time was a beautiful Brazilian woman named Ana. I had a lot of Brazilian friends back then during those heady New York days, and I loved the Brazilian people and their culture. Tonight was going to be special. The famous Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil was performing downtown and we were going to see him. The proverbial electricity was in the air as we got ready for our evening out. It was going to be special. Little did I know that it was the... Night of the Living LaBelle! (A woman's scream is heard in the distance.)
If you don't know who Patty LaBelle is, that's good. Stop reading now, go away, and hug your children. For those who do know, you may remember her two, #1 hits, Lady Marmalade and On My Own, a duet with Michael McDonald. What some of you may not know is that during the finale of Live Aid, she purposefully upstaged everybody, singing so loud that at times she was the only voice that could be heard. She was also accused of taking the spotlight from Diana Ross during a performance that became known as the infamous mic toss as revenge for a rumored rivalry. Often accused of grandstanding, she later defended herself, saying in typical LaBell fashion that she has a big voice and people have to be aware that she is going to use it. Ahh. I see a pattern.

Driver caught breastfeeding at wheel

2009-04-07T08:51:00.001-07:00

Police in Australia arrested a teenage mum - for breastfeeding while driving her car.
Just before she was pulled over in Alice Springs, the 19-year-old mum almost crashed into a police car, reports The Sun.
She was so drunk she couldn't give a breath test - and already banned from driving from a previous offence.
Apart from driving while disqualified, the woman was also driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.
Northern Territory Duty Superintendent Jamie Chalker said police were "absolutely outraged".
He said: "A five-month-old child was placed at significant risk, and had the police officers not been able to brake to avoid the collision, then the outcome could've been even more horrific."
Supt Chalker said this was the first time he had ever heard of a mother being caught driving while breastfeeding.
"It just challenges the mind that people can choose to be so flippant about road laws and people's lives, particularly their young children," he said.
The baby was placed in the care of relatives.
The young mum was charged with failing to provide a breath sample, driving while disqualified in an unregistered and uninsured car, failing to give way and driving with an unrestrained child.

Week long radio show

2009-04-07T08:49:00.001-07:00

A German DJ smashed the world record for the longest continuous radio show when his 'morning' programme ended after more than a week.
Dominik Schollmayer, 26, from Hit Radio Antenne in Hanover, broadcast his show for 169 consecutive hours, beating the previous record - held by an Indian DJ - by one hour.
The rules stated he was allowed to play two consecutive records of up to six minutes, reports the Daily Telegraph.
He was allowed a five-minute break every hour but saved these up to give himself a 15-minute break every three hours.
Schollmayer was monitored by doctors around the clock throughout his record-breaking broadcast.
Sleep deprivation caused bizarre effects, according to a blog on the station's website.
One entry, entitled: "Now he's gone completely mad", reported the DJ was dancing wildly around the studio as the final hours approached.

Plane takes off without pilot

2009-04-07T08:48:00.001-07:00

An aircraft took off on its own when the pilot could not get into the cockpit in time after starting the propellor manually.
Hundreds of visitors to an air show at Goodwood airfield watched in horror as the runaway biplane took off, soared into the air and then crashed into trees, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Had it cleared the trees it is believed the plane, which was headed towards nearby Chichester, West Sussex, could have flown for around 150 miles on a full tank of fuel.
The small plane had just been refuelled before the incident and its pilots had 'swung' the propellers to restart the engine before getting inside to fly it.
But the aircraft - a 1940 model built in the style of a Tiger Moth - began moving before the pilot had a chance to board it.
Retired aircraft engineer Malcolm Phillips, 67 of Emsworth, Hants, said: "There were hundreds of people there watching as the plane ran amok, haring round in circles.
"We didn't know which way it was going to go and it was worrying that it could head towards the crowd, other planes or the clubhouse."
Mr Phillips added: "Normally the idea is that you swing the propellers and have the handbrake on and chocks under the wheels. You also need to make sure the throttle is only set at low revs.
"Something clearly went wrong and it jumped over the chocks - I suspect what might have happened is that the throttle became loose."

Contractors left bank unlocked

2009-04-07T08:46:00.000-07:00

Contractors left a high street branch of Barclays Bank wide open overnight after forgetting to lock it.
The contractors had visited the Low Fell branch in Gateshead when it was closed to pick up some documents.
Bank staff had locked up the building after leaving on Friday afternoon, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Barclays was alerted to the security lapse when a customer strolled in to the empty branch the following day.
With no staff in sight, and no security alarm sounding, the confused member of the public alerted the police.
Officers were quickly on the scene and secured the site before calling the bank's security firm to safely lock up the building.
Barclays insisted documents and cash were all safely locked away, and thanked the customer for alerting police.
A bank spokeswoman said: "Incidents of this nature are very rare and we do take them very seriously.
"We will be reviewing the circumstances with the third party contractor, whose standards appear to have fallen short on this occasion.
"We will also be thanking our customer for their vigilance."

Canine castaway found

2009-04-07T08:44:00.001-07:00

A pet dog which was washed overboard on a boat trip has been found four months later - as a castaway on a remote Australian island.
Jan and Dave Griffith thought pet Sophie Tucker had drowned after she vanished in stormy waters off Queensland.
But the dog somehow survived a five mile swim through shark-infested waters to the largely uninhabited St Bees Island.
There she lived on a diet of baby goats until being found by visiting rangers, reports the BBC.
The Griffiths were amazed to hear of the discovery and have now been reunited with their pet.
"She surprised us all," said Mrs Griffith. "She was a house dog and look what she's done, she has swum over five nautical miles, she has managed to live off the land all on her own. We wish she could talk, we truly do."
The Griffiths had been on a sailing holiday off the north-east Queensland coast when Sophie Tucker - an Australian cattle dog - was lost overboard.
"We hit a rough patch and when we turned around the dog was gone," Mrs Griffith said.
There was an emotional reunion when the Griffiths met the rangers' boat bringing Sophie Tucker to the mainland.
"We called the dog and she started whimpering and banging the cage and when they let her out she just about flattened us," Mrs Griffith said.
Story filed: 09:25 Tuesday 7th April 2009 -->

£1,000 Easter egg 'an investment'

2009-04-07T08:42:00.001-07:00

A British department store is urging shoppers to stock up on its £1,000 Easter eggs - as an investment.
Selfridges hopes customers will be tempted to shell out for the eggs, which contain a gold coin, reports Sky News.
The retailer says the confectionary, which is handmade by Melt, "makes for a wise investment".
The one troy ounce gold coin is worth almost £900, 75% higher than in 2005, and forecasters expect the value to rise even further.
Ewan Venters, director of food and drink at Selfridges, said: "Don't invest in the stock market this Easter, invest in the golden egg instead.
"It really is worth its weight in gold - even after the fantastic chocolate has been eaten."
A Selfridges spokesman added: "According to the financial institution Swiss bank UBS, demand for gold will double this year compared to 2007, as investors see the precious metal as a safe haven during the current volatile economic climate."

School walk protest dad faces arrest

2009-04-04T10:45:00.001-07:00

An Essex father who followed his son on his walk to school in his car to protest at the lack of pavements has been warned he could be arrested.
David Kirkwood dressed his ten-year-old son Archie in a high-visibility jacket and drove slowly behind him in his Ford Fiesta, reports the Daily Telegraph.
The car was topped with a sign reading: "Thank you for sharing the road. Archie is walking to school and back."
Mr Kirkwood said the move was intended to highlight the dangers of Archie walking to school along a 60mph country lane which has no pavements.
However, his protest was cut short when police officers picked up Archie and drove him to school over fears for his safety and warned his father he could be arrested if he repeated the act.
Mr Kirkwood, from East Hanningfield, said: "I have been told 'you can't expect to walk along this road, it is a dangerous road' but I find that incompatible with the idea that the roads are for everyone."
He wrote to the police to tell them about his protest but officers stopped him en route to East Hanningfield Primary School.
A spokesman for Essex Police said: "He informed us of his intent to follow his son along the road in his car. Police advised him against this course of action for safety reasons.
"Officers have advised him that he is at risk of causing an unlawful or wilful obstruction should be continue to do this."

White House gives out sex line number

2009-04-04T10:30:00.000-07:00

Journalists hoping to interview Hillary Clinton on the G20 summit were surprised when the number they were given turned out to be a phone sex line.
The White House accidentally listed a sex line number for journalists seeking an "on-the-record briefing call with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and National Security Advisor Jim Jones", reports Fox News.
Journalists who dialled the number heard a soft-voiced female recording, that was clearly not Clinton, asking for a credit card number if you "feel like getting nasty".
After several efforts to make sure that the phone number was correctly dialled, a call to the White House resulted in a corrected press release.
"If you are having trouble dialling into the call, please try this number as an alternative," it said, and listed the international line included for reporters abroad to dial.
By this time, the conference call was already under way.
Asked for comment, Deputy White House Press Secretary Bill Burton responded: "A corrected phone number on a press release is probably one of the stupider things Fox News has covered lately."

Sniffer rat

2009-03-31T23:06:00.001-07:00

A Cornish animal expert is training a rat to detect landmines in Mozambique.
Rats have a highly acute sense of smell - and are small enough not to detonate mines when they find them.
Kofi, a Gambian pouched rat, will alert his handlers to any device by sitting on it until it is defused, reports The Sun.
Thirty sniffer rats are already successfully used in Mozambique, but Kofi is the first to be trained in Britain.
He has a 20-minute session each day at the Porfell Wildlife Park and Sanctuary near Liskeard, Cornwall.
Handler Wendy Winstanley rewards him for every find with slices of avocado.
Ms Winstanley said: "Kofi is amazing. People think of rats as vermin, but they are highly intelligent.
"Rats would be excellent at sniffing out bombs. At the moment we use dogs, but I think the rats would be much more effective."
A spokesman for HeroRats, which trains rats in Africa, said: "With their terrific sense of smell and trainability, rats provide a cheaper, more efficient and locally available means to detect landmines."

Twitchiker's round-the-world trek

2009-03-31T23:03:00.001-07:00

A Gateshead man travelled all the way to New Zealand - thanks to donations from people who use Twitter.
Paul Smith, 33, dubbed the Twitchhiker, made the 11,000-mile trip without buying a single ticket, reports the Daily Mail.
He gave himself 30 days to complete the trek, and was forbidden to spend a penny on so much as a taxi journey.
"The Twitchhiker project showed that kindness is universal, that the whole can be infinitely greater than the sum of its parts, and that social media may begin online but it will converge with the real world whenever and wherever you let it," he wrote in his blog.
Mr Smith first crossed to the Netherlands, Germany and France. He then doubled back after being given flights from Frankfurt to Amsterdam, and on to New York.
He then made his way through Washington DC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Chicago and LA, where a final flight saw him arrive in New Zealand with days to spare.
Paul's journey, which has raised more than £5,000 for charity, was governed by two key rules. He stayed nowhere for more than two days and he never planned more than three days ahead.
His original goal was Campbell Island, a remote outpost off New Zealand, but that would have relied on a ship's captain prepared to cross treacherous seas on a six day round trip for free.
So instead he headed for Stewart Island, population of just 400, and said he was satisfied with that.
"The aim was to travel as far as I could from home as possible within 30 days, and by reaching Stewart Island I'd travelled to a place the majority of New Zealanders have never set foot on," he said.

Churchill's whisky and cigar breakfast

2009-03-31T23:00:00.001-07:00

Winston Churchill wrote his own breakfast menu - including whisky and a cigar - on his last official flight to the US.
The breakfast menu on the 1954 BOAC flight was not to the Prime Minister's liking so he wrote one out himself.
He requested a two-course meal to be brought on two trays, reports the Daily Telegraph.
In his own hand, Churchill ordered: "1st Tray. Poached egg, Toast, Jam, Butter, Coffee and milk, Jug of cold milk, Cold Chicken or Meat.
"2nd Tray. Grapefruit, Sugar Bowl, Glass orange squash (ice), Whisky soda." He then added: "Wash hands, cigar."
The menu was kept by the air steward and the item is now being sold along with press cuttings from the trip.
The menu is expected to fetch up to £1,500 when it is sold at Mullock's auctioneers in Ludlow, Shropshire, on St George's Day.
Auctioneer Richard Westwood-Brookes said: "This is one of the most remarkable pieces of Churchill memorabilia we have seen.
"It shows what a hearty breakfast he ate and it was all washed down with a whisky, after which he smoked a cigar.
"It is the type of indulgence we've come to associate with Churchill and it reassuring to know he ate so well in his 80th year."

'Drink-drive' MP blames apples

2009-03-31T22:55:00.001-07:00

A Polish MP who failed a drink-driving test claimed it was because he had eaten too many apples.
Marek Latas denied having drunk any alcohol on the day he was pulled up, reports Gazeta Wyborcza.
When asked why a test showed 0.7 units of alcohol in his blood, he said: "I am diabetic, I ate a few apples before driving."
Mr Latas, of the opposition Law and Justice Party, added: "I have been involved in no accident, I underwent a routine roadside check. I was confident there was no chance I had alcohol in my blood."
The prosecutor's office is investigating his case. In Poland, the legal limit for alcohol when driving is 0.2 units.

Aqua coach launches

2009-03-31T22:51:00.000-07:00

The world's first amphibious coach has been launched, allowing bus passengers to take to the waves.
The Amphicoach, which carries up to 50 passengers, is the brainchild of Scotsman George Smith.
The vehicle drives like a traditional coach until it reaches water, where its makers say it exhibits 'astonishing' sailing abilities.
The coach's wheels retract into a hull, made from marine-grade aluminium, allowing it to reach speeds of up to eight knots, powered by a jet-drive unit.
According to its makers, the Amphicoach can compete with any luxury standard road coach for performance, safety and comfort.
"On the other hand its sailing capabilities are accepted by marine experts involved in the project as being astonishing," said a spokesman.
"This feature consequently makes the vehicle suitable for extended water tours. The Amphicoach is able to operate day and night, in both fresh and salt water, which is highly unusual."
Twelve vehicles are to be built each year, under the supervision of Lloyd's Register, with Australian, Dutch and German companies said to be interested.
The spokesman added: "Due to the vehicle's superior stability and safety features the Amphicoach is a Modern Technological Wonder.
"Soon people will no longer be satisfied with just a city coach tour, they will want the complete package, a city coach tour with a water cruise built in."

Synchronised office swimming

2009-03-30T09:01:00.001-07:00

A group of Russian women have become internet stars after performing a synchronised swimming routine - at their desks.
The women, who work for an architects' firm, filmed their routine for an Olympics-themed competition, reports The Sun.
They beat hundreds of other entries to scoop the £3,500 first prize - and their video has attracted more than a million hits on YouTube.
The clip was filmed secretly during lunch breaks. Worker Mosha Dugina said: "We were all really energetic and enthusiastic to do it.
"It was such a breath of fresh air to do something where we got the chance to show off a little and show people that we have beautiful long legs.
"Most of the time we just sit by our desks and all everyone normally sees is our top halves."
Ilya Korneev from competition organisers Affect.ru said: "The competition attracted hundreds of applications, but it was apparent from early on that there was going to be one clear winner.
"We thought that was the finish, but the girls' success continued when the clip went on to Europe. The clip attracted over a million views in its first few weeks."