Mid Day International News |
- Richard Branson plans to plunge to the ocean floor
- World marathon record for 92-year-old woman
- Berlusconi's 53 calls to Ruby
- Japan plugs nuclear leak
- Swede honeymooning couple survives 6 natural disasters
- Nepal's Christians, Hindus head for clash over burial ground
- Australian army hit by fresh sex scandal
- Couple endures six natural disasters on honeymoon
- Man held for killing wife, showing body with webcam
- Royal Mail brings new postal stamp to honour Subrata Roy
- "Mona Lisa's remains" to be dug up in order to recreate her face
| Richard Branson plans to plunge to the ocean floor Posted: Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, known for such exploits as trying to balloon around the world, said yesterday he planned to explore the deepest parts of the world's oceans with a jet-like submarine. The 18-foot vessel is capable of descents of more than 36,000 feet below the surface, said Branson at a news conference in Newport Beach, California.  Richard Branson plans to take solo piloted expeditions to the deepest point in each of the world's five oceans in his new submarine  His project, called Virgin Oceanic, will undertake five dives over two years. The first is set for later this year, when the team plans to explore the Pacific Ocean's Mariana Trench at a depth near 36,000 feet. Branson plans to pilot a second dive himself, into the Puerto Rico Trench in the Atlantic Ocean. Other areas to be explored are the Molloy Deep in the Arctic Ocean, South Sandwich Trench in the Southern Ocean and Diamantina in the Indian Ocean. "There is just so much to explore, so much to discover," said Branson. "We are going to obviously come across some fascinating creatures and learn some fascinating things that will hopefully be useful for mankind." Branson said he expects the project to cost less than $10 million. Branson said Virgin Oceanic could one day take passengers on deep sea dives, just as his Virgin Galactic project may one day take wealthy passengers on suborbital spaceflights. Branson launched the Virgin chain of record stores in the 1970s, and his business holdings have grown to include a music recording label and Virgin Atlantic Airlines VA UL. He has used his fortune to fund such efforts as trying to circumnavigate the globe in a balloon and set sailing records. Last month, a suborbital spaceship owned by Branson's Virgin Galactic was attached to a carrier aircraft on a three-hour flight over California's Mojave Desert. Its test flights are scheduled through 2011 with commercial operations targeted for 2012. The company has collected deposits and fares from more than 330 aspiring amateur astronauts, who will each be charged $200,000 (Rs 88 lakh) to experience suborbital spaceflight. $17 million
      |
| World marathon record for 92-year-old woman Posted: Gladys Burrill wasn't thinking about breaking a world record when she power-walked and jogged through the Honolulu Marathon at age 92. But Burrill, a part-time Hawaii resident nicknamed the Gladyator, learned soon after finishing the December 12 race with a time of nine hours and 53 minutes that she likely qualified for the recognition. Guinness World Records confirmed Burrill's accomplishment, and the Hawaii House of Representatives honoured her with a certificate and lei during a ceremony. "I like walking because you can stop and smell the roses, but it's a rarity that I stop." Burrill had been a multi-engine aircraft pilot, mountain climber, desert hiker and horseback rider . She ran her first marathon in 2004 at the age of 86. Burrill said her positive attitude gave her the strength to start running marathons and keep at it. She has completed a total of five Honolulu Marathons.
   |
| Posted: Prosecution claims Italian PM exchanged a string of texts and calls with the underage belly dancer he allegedly paid for sex Silvio Berlusconi contacted a teenage belly dancer at the centre of the sex scandal threatening the Italian prime minister 53 times in three months, it has been claimed. The details emerged yesterday as 74-year-old Berlusconi failed to turn up for the start of the trial in which he is accused of paying an under-age prostitute for sex.  Protesters chant slogans and demand for a fair trial outside the court. Ruby, who was allegedly paid for sex  According to leaked prosecution papers Berlusconi and Karima El Mahroug exchanged numerous text messages and calls between February and May of last year. During that period it is alleged she was paid to have sex with him. Berlusconi, who failed to turn up in court yesterday, stands accused of paying for sex with the Moroccan-born beauty when she was 17 illegal under Italian law. He is alleged to have paid El Mahroug in cash and jewels before using his influence to get her released from police custody over unrelated theft accusations. Berlusconi's lawyer Giorgio Perroni told the court yesterday, "The prime minister cannot attend this hearing because he is tied up with meetings about the Libyan situation." A panel of judges, made up of three women, declared Berlusconi was in contempt of court. The premier is said to have entertained dozens of women at his home at Arcore dubbed Hardcore near Milan during his famed bunga bunga parties. The women, mainly models and beauty queens, are said to have dressed as police officers, nurses and in the strip of AC Milan, the football team he owns. But Berlusconi has previously laughed off the allegations, saying that having sex with 33 women "would be impossible for a man of 30 let alone 74". The hearing was put back to May 31. Madam to be MP SILVIO Berlusconi planned to make his alleged "madam" a member of Italy's national Parliament, according to wiretap transcripts published. One of the transcripts is a conversation said to be between him and Nicole Minetti, who emerged from obscurity to become a member of Berlusconi's party.
   |
| Posted: Heroic Japanese workers yesterday plugged a 12-inch crack leaking highly toxic water into sea from a concrete pit at the quake-hit Fukushima nuclear plant, but were confronted with a new problem of gas build-up at one of the six reactors which may cause another hydrogen blast. The plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), said the leak of radioactive water from a seaside pit located near the No.2 reactor, was stopped after workers injected some 6,000 litres of chemical agents, including "water glass" or sodium silicate.  Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito (top left) and Crown Princess Masako talk to evacuees at a gymnasium, currently serving as an evacuation center, inside Ajinomoto stadium in western Tokyo yesterday The nitrogen injection process is expected to take several days, and may lead to the release of radioactive substances in the air. Last month's hydrogen blasts at the No.1 and No.3 reactors following the March 11 mega quake and tsunami destroyed reactor buildings, causing leaks of radioactive steam from the plant. The government's nuclear safety agency said it has ordered TEPCO to keep monitoring the concrete pit, from where the toxic water release was halted, to check whether leakage into the Pacific Ocean has completely stopped, nearly four weeks after the magnitude-9 quake and tsunami struck Japan's northeast leaving nearly 30,000 people dead or missing. There is a possibility that the water, which has lost an outlet, may show up from other areas in the plant's premises, it said. The highly radioactive water is believed to have come from the No 2 reactor's core, where fuel rods have partially melted, and ended up in the pit. Paying tribute Meanwhile, Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako visited quake survivors and nuclear plant evacuees, who are being sheltered at a stadium in Tokyo. The couple "encouraged" about 130 evacuees from Iwaki City and other municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture during the visit, NHK said. The prince and princess talked to families and asked about their health. One elderly evacuee thanked them for their sympathy, the report said, adding a woman said she appreciates attempts by the Imperial family, including the Emperor and Empress, to curb their power consumption to support quake survivors. The facility has accepted people from northeastern Japan affected by the twin disaster, particularly from areas near the Fukushima Power Station. Growing anxiety Anxiety is growing about seawater contamination and safety of seafood, especially after TEPCO started dumping water containing low-levels of radioactive materials into the sea this week. High levels of iodine about twice the legal limit for vegetables were found in launce, a small fish, which was caught off Ibaraki prefecture to the south of Fukushima. The National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives Associations issued a statement, lodging a strong protest with TEPCO and the government over the release of toxic water. Fishermen are "immeasurably angry" at the irresponsible" conduct of dumping radioactive water into the sea without any prior consultation with them. Relief efforts
   |
| Swede honeymooning couple survives 6 natural disasters Posted: A Swedish couple are glad to be safely home after completing their four-month honeymoon trip which took in the sights of a blizzard in Munich, a cyclone in Cairns, bushfires in Perth, floods in Queensland, an earthquake in New Zealand and then a nuclear disaster in Japan. Stefan and Erika Svanstrom set out on December 6, following their November wedding, and were immediately stranded in Munich, Germany, due to snow from a so-called "storm of the century".  The 32-year-old bride said that despite the rocky start, the couple thought "things will get better. We're in love. And just think of the beaches we're heading for in southeast Asia." However, arriving in Bali they found a monsoon instead of sunshine. Then in January they flew around Australia, where their 'disaster tour' started in earnest with bushfires in Perth, followed by flooding in Brisbane, and a cyclone in Cairns which forced them to spend 24 hours sheltering in a shopping center with 2500 strangers. After their Aussie "adventure" the couple moved on to New Zealand's second largest city, Christchurch, arriving just after it was hit by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake on February 22. "We were there, the whole town was a war zone. We could not visit the city since it was completely blocked off," said Erika Svanstrom. Next on their holiday of a lifetime was Tokyo, where they felt the March 11 9.0-quake. The couple returned home to Stockholm on March 29. "At least we are fortunate when it comes to love," said Erika Svanstrom. Unlucky
   |
| Nepal's Christians, Hindus head for clash over burial ground Posted: Nepal's burgeoning Christian community's demand for a burial ground seemed headed for a collision with the Hindus with the Supreme Court Wednesday deciding to resolve two separate suits together. Judges Balaram KC and Bharat Bahadur Karki Monday said two separate petitions over a Christian cemetery - one filed by Christians and the other by a Hindu activist - would be resolved together Monday as they were co-related. The decision could spark tension between the two communities who have so far been living in harmony. The fresh development came after Christians, who say their number has crossed two million, began a public campaign, asking the government to give them a plot of land for an official cemetery. Though Nepal, once the only Hindu kingdom in the world, became secular in 2006, Christians do not have any community burial ground yet and complain of harassment by locals when they try to bury their dead on personal property. The problem became more acute this year after the trust managing Nepal's oldest Hindu temple, the hallowed Pashupatinath shrine in Kathmandu, began a demolition drive, razing the clandestine graves erected by Christians and other non-Hindus in an ancient forest adjoining the shrine. The Pashupatinath Area Development Trust says the forest belongs to the temple and the "encroachment" by non-Hindus has hurt Hindu sentiments. Christians began a relay hunger-strike in protest this month, warning they would dump the bodies of their dead in front of the prime minister's office if they were not allotted the cemetery land they are seeking. On March 13, one of the organisers of the protest, C.B. Gahatraj, and a second Christian, Man Bahadur Thapa, finally moved the court, asking for a Supreme Court stay on the grave demolition drive till the dispute was resolved. Their petition triggered a counter petition by Hindu activist Bharat Jangam. On March 20, Jangam, who had earlier fought the Maoist and communist governments in court for trying to usurp the temple's authority and treasury, filed a counter-petition, saying the Shleshmantak forest - where Christians had been burying their dead - belonged to the Hindu temple and should not be encroached upon by non-Hindus. Asked by the court to show cause, Nepal's government washed its hands of the row, saying the Pashupatinath Area Development Trust was an autonomous body and it was not responsible for the trust's decisions. Responding to the explanation, the two judges Wednesday said the Christian and Hindu petitions would be decided together Monday. The apex court decision came as a 48-hour ultimatum given by the Christians to the government ended. "We are not concerned about Bharat Jangam's petition," Gahatraj told IANS. "We are asking the government for a plot of land, not him." The Christian Burial Ground Prayer and National Struggle Committee that is spearheading the hunger-strike said its officials had been called to a meeting Wednesday
   |
| Australian army hit by fresh sex scandal Posted: Australian army recruit filmed himself having sex with a female cadet and broadcast it live to his friends through Skype, in a fresh scandal to hit the military, already facing flak for its soldiers making racist comments. The 19-year-old woman cadet who was not named moved a formal complaint against the fellow first year cadet at the Australian Defence Force Academy complaining that she had consensual sex with the man, who secretly filmed the encounter and transmitted it to six other military students, Australian news agency AAP reported. The woman had no idea that she had been filmed in bed till she was told by the Academy officials as photos of the lurid encounter flooded the defence institution. "It was like my whole world came crashing down around me. I almost threw up", the girl told an Australian television network. Police have registered a case and defence minister Stephen Smith has warned that anyone found guilty would face termination. He described the act by male cadet as betrayal of trust. Australian defence forces have already been shaken by allegations of 'booze and predatory culture' among naval sailors and targeting of women in the force. A recent report revealed drunken misconduct by sailors on board a supply ship HMAS Success in 2009 in which military men maintained a illegal ledger which put dollar while use on sexual conquests of female colleagues. Recently, Smith had to make a public apology after Australian soldiers serving in Afghanistan made racist comments about the country and its people.
   |
| Couple endures six natural disasters on honeymoon Posted: A newlywed Swedish couple's four-month long honeymoon trip turned out to be a disaster tour after they experienced six natural disasters, including the Christchurch quake. Stefan and Erika Svanstrom of Stockholm set out on the honeymoon with their baby girl on December 6 and were immediately stranded in Munich, Germany, due to one of Europe''s worst snowstorms. From there they flew to Australia where they experienced the devastation of a cyclone in Cairns, the flooding in Brisbane, and narrowly escaped the bush fires in Perth. Before heading to New Zealand, Mrs Svanstrom got a worried call from her mother. The couple arrived just after the magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit Christchurch on February 22. "We were there; the whole town was a war zone. We could not visit the city since it was completely blocked off," Stuff.co.nz quoted Erika as telling Sweden's Expressen newspaper. Their last ordeal was in Tokyo, where they felt Japan's largest quake since records began. "The trembling was horrible and we saw roof tiles fly off the buildings. It was like the buildings were swaying back and forth," Stefan said. The family returned to Stockholm on March 29 after a much calmer visit to their last destination, China. The couple escaped the disasters unhurt but still experienced some uncomfortable moments. In Cairns they were forced to spend 24 hours on the cement floor of a shopping centre with 2500 others. "We escaped by the skin of our teeth," Stefan said. "Trees were being knocked over and big branches were scattered across the streets," Stefan, who also survived the devastating Boxing Day tsunami that hit Southeast Asia in 2004, said the marriage was still going strong. "I know marriages have to endure some trials, but I think we have been through most of them," he said. "We've certainly experienced more than our fair share of catastrophes in a marriage, but the most important thing is that we're still going strong." Erika said she could "only laugh". "You think ''are we weather persecuted? What will happen next?'' It is almost absurd," she added.
   |
| Man held for killing wife, showing body with webcam Posted: A man who strangled his pregnant wife and showed her dead body to his father in Romania using a webcam has been arrested here, authorities said. The incident occurred Monday in the Madrid suburb of Torrejon de Ardoz and the arrest was facilitated by Romanian police. The killer from Romania, identified only as D.M., strangled his wife, also Romanian, Madrid police commander Emilio Alcazar told a press conference Tuesday. The 19-year-old victim apparently told her husband that she intended to break off their relationship and said that the child she was expecting was not his. After strangling her, the man contacted his father in Romania by Internet and using a webcam showed him his wife's body. He also told his father that when his wife's 13-year-old sister got home, he was going to kill her too. It was D.M.'s father who alerted Romanian police to the homicide, and they in turn notified the Spanish police. Spanish police officers went to the couple's home and after they rang several times, D.M. opened the door. Inside they found the woman's body on the bed and the victim's sister, who had just returned home and was unhurt. When she got home the younger girl apparently asked where her sister was and D.M. told her that she was asleep. The suspect made no resistance when he was arrested, but has so far declined to give a statement. The victim's sister, for her part, has gone to live with her mother, who also lives in Spain. This death brings to 17 the number of women murdered in incidents of domestic violence in Spain to date in 2011.
   |
| Royal Mail brings new postal stamp to honour Subrata Roy Posted: Britain's national postal service Royal Mail is issuing a first class postal stamp to commemorate the achievements of Sahara Group chief Subrata Roy. Speaking on the occasion, Roy said, "I don't have voice to express my heartfelt gratitude to Royal Mail for issuing the special stamp. I don't think I deserve it. I will try to come up to the expectation of such a great honour". Describing the UK as his second home country, Roy said the Group was currently working in eight countries outside India, mainly in oil, gas, minerals and other areas and it would soon spread to 45 countries. "The Headquarters for our international activities will always be London," Roy said adding, "in due course we will be able to generate 1000s of quality employment for the people of this country". He also announced the setting up of a Forum consisting of intellectual thinkers and and smart minded executors to develop high quality employment opportunities. Answering questions, Roy said Sahara Group not only supported the Indian cricket team, but was also supporting Indian Hockey, Wrestling, Boxing, Volleyball and Shooting teams. Referring to India's World Cup victory, Speaker John Bercow Bercow said "We don't grudge your triumph. We need to learn from it". Lauding the achievements of Sahara India Pariwar, the Speaker said, "we salute your accomplishments". He welcomed the Group's decision to have its international headquarters in London and commended the work done by Sahara India Pariwar in the fields of housing, education, sports and adult literacy. Asked whether he planned to acquire any other hotels in the UK, Roy said "acquisition talks are there but nothing has been concluded". In India, he said "we are planning one lakh retail outlets and building 20 lakh houses for weaker sections". Sahara India acquired the iconic Grosvenor House hotel from the Royal Bank of Scotland Group for 470 million pounds. The acquisition of the landmark hotel marks the entry of the group into the international luxury hotel market after having successfully proved its expertise in hospitality sector in India through Hotel Sahara Star and its luxurious 10,600 acres Aamby Valley City. The stamp designs were unveiled at a function here yesterday in the presence of the Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, leading NRI industrialist, Lord Swraj Paul, Lord Navnit Dholakia, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, Cherie Blair, wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Lord Raj Loomba, founder-chairman of the Loomba foundation for welfare of children of Widows, Labour MP Keith Vaz and Baroness Shriela Flather. Sahara India Pariwar, a major entity on the corporate scene is having diversified business interests in finance, infrastructure and housing in India and abroad and has emerged as one of India's largest conglomerates with assets having a market value of 15 billion pounds and more than a million workers.
   |
| "Mona Lisa's remains" to be dug up in order to recreate her face Posted: The centuries-old mystery about the identity of the woman in Leonardo da Vinci's portrait Mona Lisa may soon be solved.
   |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Mid Day To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment