Venezuela police storm Caracas protest camps, detain 243 people

VENEZUELAN authorities have demolished four protest camps and detained 243 people,

China defiant over Vietnam sea row

AN UNREPENTANT China has defended its actions in disputed Asian waters amid warnings of war with Vietnam,

House explodes in a massive fireball at the scene of shooting in New Hampshire

A HOUSE has exploded into a giant fireball following the dramatic shooting of a police officer in the US.

Freighter carrying 60,000 litres of fuel oil runs aground in the Galápagos Islands

AN ECUADORAN freighter has run aground in the Galápagos Islands, but “for the moment”

De Blasio Looks Toward Sweden for Road Safety

STOCKHOLM — Across this Scandinavian capital of graceful cyclists and speed-regulating shrubbery,

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

‘Reincarnation’: New Chanel film starring Cara Delevingne and Pharrell

British model Cara Delevingne in the new Chanel film, ‘Reincarnation’, by Chanel creative
British model Cara Delevingne in the new Chanel film, ‘Reincarnation’, by Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld.Source: YouTube
IN THE fashion world, uttering a word against Chanel is as bad as wearing socks and sandals.
But we’re calling it — the new Chanel film is strange and creepy.
Reincarnation, which premiered on Monday and is directed by Chanel’s creative director Karl Lagerfeld, stars British supermodel Cara Delevingne and Happy artist Pharrell Williams.
The 7-minute film accompanies the luxury fashion house’s annual Métiers d’Art show, an extravagant Paris-Salzburg themed show with an exclusive A-list guest list.
The film recreates the moment when Coco Chanel was first inspired to create the iconic Chanel jacket, while on holiday in 1954 Austria. Williams plays the bell boy whose fabulous jacket influenced Chanel and Delevingne stars as a naughty barmaid.
Cara Delevingne and Pharrell Williams pose at the Elle Style Awards in February. Photo: I
Cara Delevingne and Pharrell Williams pose at the Elle Style Awards in February. Photo: Ian Gavan. Source: Getty Images
As night falls and the hotel goes to sleep, Pharrell takes on the role of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I and Delevingne plays his wife, Empress Elisabeth “Sisi.” The pair sing and dance to “CC The World” the original soundtrack composed by Williams.
The film opens on two huge portraits of Williams and Delevingne, which later come to life during the weird dreamlike dance scene. There’s bad acting, bad dancing and loads of awkwardness.
While style.com was “totally enthralled” by the film, MTV called it “enchanting” and Glamour praised the “epic costumes”, I couldn’t help but feel weirded out during the whole thing.
Sorry, not sorry.
Watch the whole video below and see for yourself:
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wO4-TV6Zckc?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Reincarnation


Daniela Ospina, wife of James Rodriguez, has nose job after vile abuse from Real Madrid fans

Abused viciously from the moment her husband signed ... James Rodriguez holds his new Rea
Abused viciously from the moment her husband signed ... James Rodriguez holds his new Real Madrid shirt beside club president Florentino Perez and his wife Daniela Ospina before 45,000 fans at the Santaigo Bernabeu stadium on July 22, 2014 in Madrid, Spain. Picture: Denis Doyle / Getty Images Source: Getty Images
IT was meant to be the happiest day of their lives.
James Rodriguez signed for Real Madrid for the fourth highest transfer fee in history before 45,000 fans in July after starring for Colombia at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil in a ceremony with his wife, Davina Ospina at his side.
Superstar ... Real Madrid's Colombian star James Rodriguez celebrates after scoring durin
Superstar ... Real Madrid's Colombian star James Rodriguez celebrates after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) round of 32 second leg football match against UE Cornella at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on December 2, 2014. Picture: AFP / Pierre-Philippe Marcou Source: AFP
Ospina, whose brother David is a goalkeeper at English Premier League club Arsenal, was immediately subjected to vile abuse by Real Madrid fans.
Ospina, who has a daughter Salome with Rodriguez whom she married in 2011, was called “ugly”, a “transvestite” and other obscenities about her looks by the fans.
She was forced to defend herself, stating: “Apologies if I fail your expectations, my priority is to meet mine.”
It failed to deter the abuse and it is clear that the abuse finally got to her.
Under the heading “The ugly duckling becomes a swan”, South American publication elbalonrosa reported that Ospina had given into the haters and undergone plastic surgery.

It appears fair to say that Daniela has had rhinoplasty (a nose job) and that her hair and make-up has changed. She also has reportedly undergone a two-month weight-loss program and does appear thinner.
Her recent pictures on her social media accounts show the change in her looks. Let’s hope the abuse stops.
Look at me now ... Daniela Ospina, the wife of Real Madrid's Colombian superstar James Ro
Look at me now ... Daniela Ospina, the wife of Real Madrid's Colombian superstar James Rodriguez, gives in to the 'ugly' barbs with a nose job and a new look. Picture: Daniela Ospina5 / Twitter Source: Twitter

Children burst into tears after Santa jumps into police van at end of family Christmas parade

Bad Santa ... Father Christmas hops into a police van after the end of the parade, prompt
Bad Santa ... Father Christmas hops into a police van after the end of the parade, prompting some children to burst into tears. Picture: Wales Online Source: Supplied
CHILDREN were left sobbing and traumatised after seeing Santa hauled away in a police riot van after a family Christmas parade.
The not-so-merry incident occurred after Santa attended a holiday parade in Aberdare, Wales, before hopping into a police vehicle at the end, reports South Wales Evening Post.
Shocked children started crying when they saw Santa Claus apparently being taken away by police officers.
Furious parents have slammed the parade organisers for upsetting their kids.
“There were a lot of tears. People couldn’t believe it actually happened. My four-year-old cousin started crying, saying ‘Santa can’t bring me toys now,” said Jade Hughes, who said the shock ending to Santa’s day out ruined a “fantastic event”.
“It was very professional until that happened — a great family day but we were very let down by this error,” said Hughes.
Holiday shock ... Santa waves to children while taking part in the parade in Aberdare, Wa
Holiday shock ... Santa waves to children while taking part in the parade in Aberdare, Wales. Picture: Twitter/Deano4lyfSource: Supplied
“Santa was there with the reindeer waving his sleigh. Really nice. Then the police van reversed, the side door was opened. He got up, walked to the van, jumped in and took off,” said Hughes.
“Children started crying while some just looked on in disbelief. It was a fab event until then.”
However, cops say they were just helping Santa travel safely on his way back to The North Pole.
“Santa obviously has a busy month ahead. So when he asked if we could provide transport at the end of his sleigh ride through Aberdare town centre to help him get back to the North Pole, we were happy to oblige,” a South Wales Police spokesman said.

Suicide bomber rams into UN convoy in Mogadishu, killing four

Attack ... a suicide bomber rammed a car packed with explosives into a UN convoy that was
Attack ... a suicide bomber rammed a car packed with explosives into a UN convoy that was ferrying staff between Mogadishu's heavily-fortified airport and a protected UN base. Picture: AFP Source: AFP
FOUR people have been killed and nine wounded in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu when a suicide bomber rammed a car packed with explosives into a UN convoy, police and rebels say.
The convoy of armoured vehicles was ferrying staff between Mogadishu’s heavily-fortified airport and a protected UN base in the city on Wednesday when it was hit close to the airport gate.
Somalia’s al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabab rebels, who are fighting to overthrow the country’s internationally-backed government, said in a statement that their fighters had “targeted a convoy of foreign mercenaries and their apostate allies.”
Four dead ... Somali security forces rush to the site of a blast near the heavily fortifi
Four dead ... Somali security forces rush to the site of a blast near the heavily fortified gates of the airport in Mogadishu. Picture: AFP Source: AFP
UN convoys are systematically flanked by utility vehicles carrying private security officers who provide protection for international staff.
“The bomber drove in between the security escort and the UN armoured vehicles and detonated the car, ramming into one of the escort vehicles,” said police officer Mohamed Liban.
Mr Liban said he had counted four bodies, all Somali nationals either providing security for the UN or those passing by who had been caught by the blast.
Aftermath ... a foreign security officer inspects wreckage at the scene of a suicide car
Aftermath ... a foreign security officer inspects wreckage at the scene of a suicide car bomb attack that targeted a UN convoy outside the airport in Mogadishu. Picture: AP Source: AP
Police said nine others were wounded.
The UN mission in Somalia confirmed the attack, saying in a statement that there were “thankfully no injuries to UN staff” but regretting the “casualties among bystanders and security personnel.”
Terror attack ... a Somali soldier walks near wreckage at the scene of the suicide car bo
Terror attack ... a Somali soldier walks near wreckage at the scene of the suicide car bomb attack that targeted a UN convoy. Picture: AP Source: AP
A dark plume of smoke rose high in the sky as fierce flames engulfed the wreckage of vehicles hit by the explosion, which was heard across the seaside capital.

LA man Noe Iniguez jailed under California’s revenge porn law after posting topless image of ex-girlfriend

Revenge porn conviction ... a man has been jailed for posting a topless image of his ex-g
Revenge porn conviction ... a man has been jailed for posting a topless image of his ex-girlfriend online. File picture: Thinkstock Source: ThinkStock
HE TROLLED his ex-girlfriend on social media, posting a topless image of her and calling for her to be fired from her job.
In a campaign of hatred lasting several months, Noe Iniguez used an alias to post derogatory comments on her employer’s Facebook page, labelling her a “drunk” and a “slut”.
Now, the 36-year-old’s campaign of hatred has caught up with him — he has been jailed for one year in what is the first conviction under California’s new “revenge porn” law.
Campaign of terror ... the man posted derogatory comments about his ex-girlfriend on Face
Campaign of terror ... the man posted derogatory comments about his ex-girlfriend on Facebook. Picture: File Source:News Limited
After a seven-day trial, a jury found the Los Angeles man guilty of violating restraining orders as well as the state’s “revenge porn” statute, which prohibits someone from posting nude photographs online for the purpose of causing emotional harm, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The victim — who had been in a four-year relationship with Iniguez — had previously been granted a restraining order against him after she received several harassing text messages.
But in March 2014, in what became the final straw, he posted a topless photograph of his victim on her employer’s Facebook page.
Malicious behaviour ... the victim was subjected to harrassing text messages before the m
Malicious behaviour ... the victim was subjected to harassing text messages before the man posted a nude image of her on Facebook. Source: News Limited
Judge David Fields sentenced Iniguez to one year in prison and 36 months of probation, the LA Times reports.
He has also been ordered to attend domestic violence counselling and stay away from his former girlfriend.
LA City Attorney Mike Feuer said the conviction sent “a strong message that this type of malicious behaviour will not be tolerated”.
“California’s new revenge porn law gives prosecutors a valuable tool to protect victims whose lives and reputations have been up-ended by a person they once trusted,” he said.

Cheerleader Brooke Baures found dead in restaurant dumb waiter

Unexplained death ... Brooke Baures died at the restaurant where she worked as a waitress
Unexplained death ... Brooke Baures died at the restaurant where she worked as a waitress. Source: Supplied
POLICE in Wisconsin are investigating the mysterious death of a popular college cheerleader whose body was found in a dumb waiter at a restaurant.
Brooke Baures, 21, an employee at the WingDam Saloon and Grill in Fountain City, was found dead inside the tiny elevator connected to the kitchen.
Police Chief Jason Mork said the college student’s death appears to have been a tragic accident and that there no signs of foul play.
Baures, who was studying social work at Winona State University in Minnesota, was an accomplished athlete.
Tragic loss ... a picture of Brooke Baures with a friend, from her Facebook page.
Tragic loss ... a picture of Brooke Baures with a friend, from her Facebook page. Source: Facebook
Police Chief Jason Mork said the opening of the dumb waiter — which is used to transfer food between the second and third floors of the restaurant — was only about one metre by one metre.
According to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, dumb waiter accidents are rare. Only two incidents, both fatal, have occurred in the US between 2003 and 2013.

Monday, May 19, 2014

New meteor shower influenced by Jupiter's gravity

AP_APTOPIX_Perseids_Meteor_Showser
first-of-its-kind meteor shower is expected to occur Friday night and into early Saturday morning.
The Camelopardalid meteor shower is a first because Earth has never run into the debris from this particular comet.
The Comet 209P/LINEAR is a very dim comet that orbits the sun every five years and was discovered in 2004.
Unlike other meteor showers expected to be visible around the same time of year, the Camelopardalid is unique because its debris is strongly influenced by Jupiter's gravity, which constantly alters the orbit of this comet's debris, said William Cooke, head of the Meteoroid Environment Office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.
Although NASA is confident when the meteor shower will occur, it's unclear what the shower will look like, Cooke said.
"It could be practically nothing, or it could be a couple hundred meteors per hour," Cooke said.
The debris that Earth will encounter this week is the dust that the comet ejected back in the 1800s, according to NASA.
"Our forecast models aren't helping us because we can simulate things in a computer, but until you see it, you don't know how many particles a comet gives off," Cooke said.
People in North America will get the best view, and peak activity will be from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. ET Saturday.

Teen found dead in hotel room after prom

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HOUSTON – The Block family, in town for a basketball tournament, stayed at the Hyatt in north Houston, Texas, Friday night while the MacArthur High School prom was well under way.
"It seemed nice. Put me back to when I was in 12th grade," said Michael Block, in town from San Antonio.
They would never have thought the night would take a tragic turn for 18-year-old Jacqueline Gomez, a MacArthur student for whom this prom night would be her last.
"She then stayed overnight in the hotel. In the morning hours, the person that was with her found her deceased in her bed. We are not sure at this hour what the cause of death is," said Det. Mike Miller, with the Houston Police Department Homicide Division.
Police said they found alcohol and prescription pain killers in the hotel room. They also told KHOU-TV that the girl's boyfriend had called 911. They took him in for questioning about what happened.
"He was there. He knows everything, so we're just continually wanting to find out what happened and everything," said Miller. "We have no reason to believe he contributed to her death."
Kyren Block and his family were staying just a few doors down from some of the MacArthur High School students.
"You could hear it all the way down the hallway. They were yelling," Block said.
Others staying at the hotel had no idea what had happened.
"The girls had on beautiful gowns, you know chiffon-looking gowns. They looked really nice. I watched them come in. Yeah that's very tragic," said Donald Burton, a hotel guest.
Homicide detectives are still investigating and trying to find out what took the 18-year-old's life.
KHOU learned that Gomez worked at the Kroger grocery store just down the street from MacArthur High School. She was just two weeks away from graduation.
Her close friends Bibiana and Antonio now only have pictures to remember their friend by.
"My heart sank, I hoped it really wasn't her. I didn't want to believe it," Bibiana said. "She was an amazing girl.
"She liked helping out everybody," Antonio added.
For now, the MacArthur senior's friends and family are struggling to cope with her loss. They're telling KHOU they want answers. They want to know what exactly happened to her... and why.

Gas prices shouldn't be high, but are: What gives?

AP_EARNS_CHEVRON_63949628
Rumors about the demise of U.S. gasoline demand have been greatly exaggerated.
Until late 2013, most energy observers forecast the world's most reliably gas-guzzling market to consume less fuel this year. What was once thought to be a structural decline in demand, however, has proven more durable than expected.
As the summer driving season nears, retail gas remains stubbornly lodged near $4 per gallon. According to the Energy Information Administration, gas prices rose for 12 straight weeks through late April, and were 20 cents a gallon higher than the same point last year.
So what gives?
"The world's not swimming in crude or gasoline yet," said Francisco Blanch, commodities strategist at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch, in an interview. "Despite all the crude and gasoline production in the U.S., international markets are not tagging along."
International developments matter, analysts say, because gas prices are linked to internationally priced Brent crude. Turmoil in Ukraine and spotty supply from the perennially unstable Middle East has conspired to keep oil above $100 per barrel.
CHINA VS. VIETNAM: Off-shore oil dispute escalates
In a research note this week, analysts at Goldman Sachs called crude oil fundamentals "stable but tight," adding that most developed-economy stockpiles "remain at low levels" amid lower-than-expected output from hotspots like Libya and Iraq.
That backdrop explains why prices at the pump have defied the gravitational pull of a litany of mitigating factors such as a more fuel-efficient U.S. car fleet, rising domestic production and a still-fragile recovery that should blunt demand.
BofA-Merrill points out that domestic oil and gas production has driven gasoline imports to near zero, while the U.S. is churning out nearly 10 million barrels a day. Despite all this, there has been little relief at the pump due largely to factors outside America's control.
The International Energy Agency said in its most recent report that OPEC will need to increase its own production this year to sate rising demand. Meanwhile, the energy watchdog said non-OPEC production is also falling short of expectations.
'Shale boom may not be helping'
"In the U.S. and Canada, yes, there is a big shale revolution going on…but the rest of the world is not producing enough to feed itself," said BofA's Blanch. "That's why oil prices abroad are elevated and why gasoline, which is pegged to oil prices, are so high."
The EIA expects crude oil prices to fall this year, which should keep a lid on gas prices. Still, the agency expects average gas prices to rise by 3 cents during the June—August period compared with the same quarter last year.
The latter may come as another blow to consumers, many of whom are hard pressed to see material benefits in the U.S. shale surge when retail energy costs are still so high.
"For now, the shale boom may not be helping consumers directly by pushing [gas] prices lower," said Blanch. Still, the oil and gas renaissance can alleviate energy inflation while creating economic benefits, like more jobs, he added.
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