Hub of news, events, sports, entertainment, articles, inspirations and bizarre stories
Thursday, 29 November 2018
Suicide bomber injures 19 in Cameroon
At least 29 people were wounded today when a female suicide bomber blew herself up in a border town in Cameroon’s Far North, a region frequently hit by Boko Haram jihadists, security sources said. But a second bomber was shot dead by troops deployed in the town before she could detonate her explosives, the source said.
Italian town catches 58,000 speeding cars in two weeks
When the tiny Italian town of Acquetico set up a trial speed camera, it did not expect to see a probable record: 58,568 speeding offences in just two weeks. Local mayor Alessandro Alessandri set up the pilot after dozens of the 120 residents complained about speeding. But even he could hardly believe the results that arrived on his desk. The mayor said as many as one in three cars broke the 50km/h (31mph) limit - with the worst offender reaching 135km/h (84mph).
Little girl survives after being tied in a cement bag for a week by suspected female kidnapper
A little girl has survived what could have killed many after a female suspected kidnapper, abducted her from her parent's apartment in Ozuoba community, Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers state, Nigeria and tied her in a cement sack, waiting to be sold off to suspected ritualist.
The surprising health benefits of these 7 common nuts
We’re nutty over the health benefits of these awesome snacks. Besides good fat and protein, all nuts offer their own specific nutrient combination and some have extra-special healing properties.
Nuts can boost your health, help you lose weight and get your skin glowing.
1. For bone strength: Almonds
Nuts can boost your health, help you lose weight and get your skin glowing.
1. For bone strength: Almonds
Wednesday, 28 November 2018
At least 22 dead in an explosion at a chemical plant in northern China
An explosion outside a chemical plant in northeastern China early Wednesday killed at least 22 people and destroyed scores of vehicles, in the latest challenge to efforts to boost industrial safety in the world’s second-largest economy. The blast occurred just after midnight at a loading area next to the plant operated by the Hebei Shenghua Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., according to a statement from the Zhangjiakou city government. The plant is located in Zhangjiakou, which is to play host to the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Teacher kills ex-husband’s girlfriend
A Utah high school teacher was booked Monday for allegedly killing her ex-husband’s girlfriend in front of her two 3-year-old children. Chelsea Watrous Cook, 32, was visiting the apartment of her ex-husband, Travis Cook, in Midvale, to bring cold medicine to one of their children, Fox 13 reported.
Cook was reportedly asked to leave, but locked herself inside the bathroom. Once she left the bathroom, Cook appeared to walk toward her coat but suddenly pulled out a handgun, according to the report. She allegedly shot three to five rounds at Williams.
ATM in US mistakenly gives out $100 instead of $10
An ATM in the Houston area has been shut down and was temporarily guarded by law officers after mistakenly dispensing $100 bills instead of $10s and word of the glitch got out on social media. Some Harris County sheriff's deputies protected the outdoor ATM after Sunday night's incident and notified Bank of America.
Tuesday, 27 November 2018
SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg dies aged 57
SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg has died at the age of 57. The news was confirmed by Nickelodeon, which has broadcast the hugely popular cartoon series since 1999.
In a statement, the company said Hillenburg's cause of death was motor neurone disease (also known as ALS) - a condition he revealed he had been diagnosed with in March last year.
As well as creating the character, Hillenburg also directed 2004's The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.
Three Chinese contractors arrested for attempting to bribe investigators in Kenya's mega 'railway scam'
Three Chinese nationals have been charged with attempting to bribe investigators working on an alleged ticketing scam in a massive Kenyan railway project. Some $10,000 (£8,000) a day was being stolen in the scheme and officers were allegedly offered a $5,000 bribe, the prosecutor says. The $3bn Chinese-funded and operated railway line is Kenya's biggest infrastructure project since independence in 1963.
Vernita Lee, Oprah Winfrey’s mum dies at 83
Oprah Winfrey‘s mother, Vernita lee, has passed on. The television mogul’s niece, Alisha Hayes, took to Instagram to reveal that Lee passed on last Thursday, at the age of 83. PEOPLE confirmed her demise on Monday, with a spokesperson telling the outlet that Lee has already been laid to rest in a private funeral.
GM is cutting 15% of its salaried workers and shutting 5 plants in North America
General Motors on Monday announced a major restructuring of its global business, saying it will shut production at five facilities in North America and slash its staff. GM will reduce its salaried workforce by 15%, including a quarter of the company's executives.
The moves are the first big steps in the century-old GM's transformation. The company is reinvesting money away from cars that once dominated America's roadways and putting it into technology it believes will power its future.
Michelle Obama’s book sells 1.4 million copies in a week
Former US first lady, Michelle Obama's memoir "Becoming" has recorded massive sales. Crown Publishing told The Associated Press that Michelle's memoir has sold more than 1.4 million copies in print and digital formats in the U.S. and Canada in the seven days since it was released Nov. 13.
Based on demand from retailers across all channels, the publisher has printed 3 million hardcover copies in North America. On its first day, the book sold more than 725,000 copies, making it one of the year’s biggest debuts, according to FOX News.
Crown also confirmed to the publication that “Becoming” is currently the No. 1 adult nonfiction title in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Holland, Spain, Denmark and Finland. In Germany, some 200,000 copies have been sold, prompting a second printing of 100,000 copies.
Climate change: CO2 emissions rising for first time in four years
Global efforts to tackle climate change are way off track says the UN, as it details the first rise in CO2 emissions in four years. The emissions gap report says that economic growth is responsible for a rise in 2017 while national efforts to cut carbon have faltered.
To meet the goals of the Paris climate pact, the study says it's crucial that global emissions peak by 2020. But the analysis says that this is now not likely even by 2030. The report comes days before a major UN climate conference starting in Poland from 2-14 December.
Source: CNN
Man won't stop complaining about his seat on plane - so flight attendant does something hilarious
Flight attendants have to deal with quite a lot of unusual and awkward situations in their job.
Being stuck in a confined space with a bunch of strangers, thousands of miles up in the air, is no easy feat - and let's not forget that they have to smile and be nice to each and every person while serving them. However sometimes it all gets to be too much for them, especially if one passenger really gets on their last nerve.
More than 100 sea turtles found dead off Cape Cod
A total of 173 sea turtles died off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, this week because of the extreme cold, according to Mass Audubon Director Bob Prescott. Prescott said 227 cold-stunned turtles were recovered from the Gulf of Maine since Wednesday, but only 54 lived. Mass Audubon, the largest nature conservation nonprofit in Massachusetts, regularly patrols the beaches this time of year looking for cold-stunned turtles, Prescott said.
Pastor who raped followers claiming it was an ‘order from God’ is jailed for 15 years
The influential leader of a South Korean megachurch has been jailed for 15 years for raping eight female followers and telling them he was following orders from God. Lee Jaerock, 75, is the head of the Seoul-based Manmin Central Church, which claims to have 133,000 followers and more than 10,000 branches and associate churches worldwide.
Plane flies nearly 50km past its destination after the pilot 'falls asleep in the cockpit'
A pilot allegedly slept off in the cockpit during a chartered flight and flew nearly 50km past its destination. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau in a statement confirmed the incident and said they are investigating a case of 'pilot incapacitation' following the November 8 flight from Devonport in Tasmania to neighbouring King Island.
Monday, 26 November 2018
Robert Mugabe no longer able to walk – Zimbabwe’s president says
Former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe’s health continues to be on the decline with the former leader now unable to walk. Mugabe, 94, has been receiving treatment in Singapore for the past two months. Zimbabwe president Emmerson Mnangagwa made the announcement on Saturday while addressing Zanu-PF party supporters at a rally.
Boy, 11, forced by his dad to have sex with his stepmother to make him stop being gay
An 11-year-old boy was forced to have sex with his stepmother in a bid to "cure him" of homosexuality. Daniel Dowling's father made him watch porn and participate in threesomes in his own home in Bracknell, Berkshire, England, when he was just 11 years old. The sexual torment went on for 3 years. Daniel has now waived his anonymity, allowing his father and stepmother to be named for the first time. Now 36, Daniel spoke to The Mirror and disclosed that he is "still haunted" by his stepmother’s perfume decades after the sexual abuse.
US shuts border post as migrants try to cross from Mexico
All US-Mexico border traffic has been halted at the busy crossing between San Diego and Tijuana, the US Customs and Border Protection agency has said. It comes as hundreds of Central American migrants massed at the border intending to apply for asylum in the United States.
22 people die, 60 others missing as boat capsizes in Uganda
Twenty-two people have died and more than 60 are feared drowned after a pleasure boat sank on Lake Victoria, Uganda. The vessel carrying close to a hundred revellers sank during bad weather on Saturday in the latest deadly incident to affect passenger boats on Africa’s largest lake.
Heartbroken Diddy sits alone by Kim Porter’s grave-site
Rap mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was yesterday spotted sitting alone and heartbroken at the grave-site of his ex and mother of his children, Kim Porter. Diddy laid his ex and mother of his children, Kim Porter to rest at a burial ceremony which took place at Evergreen Memorial Garden Cemetery in Colombus.
Abu Dhabi GP: Alonso farewell as Hamilton seals triumphant season with 11th win
Two-time champion Fernando Alonso said farewell to Formula One Sunday as his former teammate Lewis Hamilton claimed his 11th victory of the season at an eventful Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Alonso, driving his 311th and final F1 race, finished just out of the points in the uncompetitive McLaren after driving with his usual skill and determination.
More than 700 hurt in Iran quake
More than 700 people were injured in a 6.4-magnitude earthquake that shook western Iran, state television reported in an updated toll Monday. The quake struck Kermanshah province late Sunday, with an epicenter 17 kilometers (11 miles) southwest of the city of Sarpol-e Zahab, according to the country’s institute of geophysics.
Sunday, 25 November 2018
Kante signs 5-year deal with Chelsea
French international midfielder N’Golo Kante has committed his long-term future to Chelsea by signing a new five-year contract, the Premier League club said on Friday. Kante, an ex-Leicester City FC player who joined Chelsea in 2016, helped the club to win the title in his first season at Stamford Bridge.
Minister arrested over 'marriage to 14-year-old'
A Chadian minister has been detained by police following reports that he had married an underage girl. Azzai Mahamat Hassane's lawyer has denied that his client's wife is a minor.
French-language news broadcaster RFI quotes a state prosecutor as saying Hassane married the girl in a "customary ceremony" in 2017 when he traveled to the western town of Nokou with a political delegation.
Marriage in Chad under the age of 18 is illegal, and people found to have married minors or offered underage children for marriage face prison. Well investigation will reveal the truth.
Nissan removes Carlos Ghosn as chairman following arrest
Nissan Motor Co.’s board has removed Carlos Ghosn as chairman, as the directors moved to contain the damage from the iconic executive’s shock arrest.
The board was meeting Thursday to vote on Ghosn’s removal. Ghosn, who has been detained by Japanese authorities since Monday, will officially remain a director, since a shareholder vote is needed to remove him from the board completely.
Honduran President’s brother arrested in the United States for drug trafficking
On Friday, the brother of Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez was arrested in the United States on drug trafficking charges. According to the Honduran government, Juan Antonio “Tony” Hernandez, a 40-year-old lawyer and former ruling party lawmaker, was arrested by U.S. authorities in Miami. The president’s brother is the latest in a string of prominent Hondurans, including three congressmen, who have been charged in the United States for involvement with drug trafficking.
3 people die as plane crashes in Zimbabwe
A Cessna light aircraft has crashed in Majereje Hills in Zimbabwe and according to iHarare, there were at least three casualties.
As of the time of filing this report, iHarare could not confirm if there were survivors. It was reported that the plane, a Cessna-182, is registered to Executive Air Pvt Ltd of Harare.
The bodies at the scene were severely mangled making it hard for the authorities to identify them. However, the police recovered a Finnish identity card, Visa financial services card and a passport.
Golf legend, Tiger Woods loses $9m to Phil Mickelson in an exhibition match
Phil Mickelson sank a four-foot birdie putt on the fourth extra hole to pocket $9 million and beat Tiger Woods in an exhibition clash on Friday between two of golf’s greatest rivals.
Mickelson and Woods sparred over 22 rounds of match-play golf in front of an invitation-only gallery of 700 people at the Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas. Mickelson clinched the victory with a short putt after Woods’ tee shot landed on the green but he left his six-foot birdie putt short.
Man finds £5.8 million cash inside a second-hand storage unit bought at auction
A man bought a second-hand storage unit at an auction and was shocked to find £5.8million cash inside it after it was opened. This shocking discovery was made public by auctioneer Dan Dotson who hosts US television show Storage Wars. It was Dan who auctioned off the storage unit to the lucky buyer.
Saturday, 24 November 2018
Chelsea legend Didier Drogba confirms his retirement from football after 20 years
Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has confirmed his retirement from playing, ending "an amazing 20 years". The 40-year old Ivory Coast striker had two spells at Chelsea, scoring 164 goals in 381 games, winning four Premier Leagues and the 2012 Champions League. He spent the last 18 months of his career with US side Phoenix Rising, the club he co-owns. "After 20 years, I have decided to put an end to my playing career," he told BBC World Service's Sportshour.
Dad charged with raping his 16-month-old son
Police have arrested a Tennessee mother after her 16-month-old son was brutally raped by his own father earlier in November. Danielle Bowen, 22, was taken into custody on Monday and charged with multiple counts of child neglect and failure to seek medical attention for her severely injured son. A day before Bowen's arrest, her baby's father, Simon Dean Porter, 33, was arrested in Alabama and charged with child rape.
TV presenter suffers heart attack live on air
This is the shocking moment a TV news presenter falls to the floor as he has a heart attack live on air. The startling scenes were recorded on a local television channel in Turkey's Eskisehir province. In the video, sports reporter Sukru Oytan can be seen sat on the left with colleague Guven Sabaz on the right when Oytan puts his head onto the desk in front of him.
Irish police detective awarded €25,000 after his face was slashed by Nigerian man during deportation
A detective garda, whose face was slashed in a razor blade attack on an aeroplane as he accompanied a deported Nigerian man to Lagos, was on Tuesday, November 20, awarded €25,000 damages at a garda compensation hearing in the High Court in Ireland.
Desmond Tutu awards prize to US school shooting survivors
A group of young Americans, who campaigned against gun violence after surviving a deadly shooting at their Florida school, have received a prize from former South African archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Dead whale had 115 plastic cups, 2 flip-flops in its stomach
A dead whale that washed ashore in eastern Indonesia had a large lump of plastic waste in its stomach, including drinking cups and flip-flops, a park official said on Tuesday, causing concern among environmentalists and government officials in one of the world's largest plastic polluting countries.
Khashoggi: Denmark suspends arms sales to Saudi
Denmark today suspended arms sales to Saudi Arabia over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the second country to do so after Germany.
“The foreign ministry is suspending all sales of weapons and military equipment to Saudi Arabia,” Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen said.
“I hope that the Danish decision can create additional momentum,” he added.
A foreign ministry spokesman said Copenhagen was not considering other sanctions for the moment.
On Monday, Germany decided to bar 18 Saudis from entering its territory and Europe’s Schengen passport-free zone over their alleged links to the murder.
AccuWeather predicts 2018 wildfires will cost California total economic losses of $400 billion
AccuWeather is making the extraordinary prediction that the total economic loss to the state of California due to the historic and damaging wildfires, when we tabulate everything, will be $400 billion in 2018, making it the most expensive natural disaster in the history of the United States. This is four-tenths of a trillion dollars or equivalent to 2% of the nation's GDP, which is approximately $20 trillion, the total output of all goods and services.
California's camp fire death toll rises to 83 while nearly 600 people remain missing
The death toll from Northern California’s Camp fire now stands at 83 following the discovery of two sets of human remains on Wednesday. Butte County Sheriff-Coroner Kory L. Honea said that search-and-rescue teams were “working diligently” to identify those killed in the blaze.
“Of the 83 individuals who have been recovered, we have tentative identifications on 58 of them, and those identifications are ultimately awaiting DNA confirmation,” he said at a news briefing Wednesday night.
Kilograms get redefined
Scientists have voted to change the definition of a kilogram after more than 100 years in a landmark decision. Representatives from 60 countries voted in favour of measuring a kilogram by the Planck constant, ending decades of definition by a small piece of metal held in a vault in Paris.
Le Grand K, a small cylinder of titanium alloy, has set the standard since 1889. All the scales in the world are ultimately calibrated against it, even those weighing in pounds and ounces.
Farmer’s goat gives birth to ‘half-pig half-human’ creature sparking curse fears
A farmer was left shocked after his goat gave birth to a ‘half-pig half-human' creature. There are now fears the creature was cursed and could bring bad luck to the family. Some have even said the creature could be a ‘mutant devil’.
Josephine Repique, 40, said the pregnant goat went into labour earlier this month on November 2 at the small farm in Sultan Kudarat, the Philippines. The two babies had to be removed by cesarean section but onlookers quickly realised something wasn’t right.
Chinese marathon runner loses race after being handed national flag
To patriotically embrace the national flag, or win a marathon?
That was the dilemma facing a Chinese runner during the final phase of the Suzhou Marathon in eastern China on Sunday. While running her final leg, athlete He Yinli was handed a Chinese national flag from a "volunteer" who rushed to her from the sideline.
Yves Saint Laurent launches penis jewellery including £215 earrings and £520 necklace
You need deep pockets to be able to buy them and you might not want to wear them round to your nan's for Sunday lunch, but penis earrings are here. Yves Saint Laurent have launched a controversial line of jewellery with genitals dangling off earrings and necklaces.
The dangle earrings, made in Italy, feature somewhat detailed penises made from patinated golden brass and have 'Saint Laurent Paris' engraved on the back. If you fancy popping on a pair, it'll set you back £215.
Thursday, 22 November 2018
Instagram is removing fake followers, likes, comments from accounts
Instagram yesterday said it is booting fake followers, likes and comments generated by applications tailored to make accounts appear more popular than they actually are. The crackdown comes as Instagram parent Facebook strives to assure people that the leading social network and its services can be trusted.
Michelle Obama's memoir 'Becoming' is Barnes & Noble's fastest-selling book of 2018
Former US first lady, Michelle Obama's memoir "Becoming" has become the fastest-selling book of 2018 at Barnes & Noble, surpassing the Trump administration tell-all "Fear: Trump in the White House" by veteran journalist Bob Woodward.
In addition, Barnes & Noble also announced that "Becoming" had the best first-week sales of any adult book since 2015's "Go Set a Watchman," the highly anticipated second novel from "To Kill A Mockingbird" author Harper Lee.
Publisher Penguin Random House also revealed that "Becoming" sold more than 725,000 copies on its first day of release last week, the highest single-day sales of any book by the publisher this year, according to CNBC.
'I want to thank me,' rapper Snoop Dogg on getting Hollywood star
Rap great Snoop Dogg thanked himself on Monday as he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame just days before the 25th anniversary of his debut album Doggystyle.
"I want to thank me for believing in me," the 16-time Grammy nominee said after the star was unveiled on the famed walk.
"I want to thank me for doing all this hard work. I want to thank me for having no days off. I want to thank me for never quitting. I want to thank me for always being a giver, and trying to give more than I receive. I want to thank me for trying to do more right than wrong. I want to thank me for just being me at all times," the West Coast hip-hop legend known for his wry sense of humour added.
Man, 69, who identifies as 20 years younger begins legal battle to change age
A 69-year-old pensioner who says he has the body of a 45-year-old is taking action to legally change his age to improve his job prospects and luck with women on Tinder. Dutch entrepreneur Emile Ratelband is hoping he will be able to change his date of birth from 11 March 1949 to 11 March 1969 after his doctors said he had the body of someone more than 20 years younger than himself.
He argues if transgender people are legally allowed to change their sex then he should be allowed to change his age.
Sainsbury's launches £1.50 edible insect range in UK supermarket first
Sainsbury's has become the first UK high street supermarket to stock edible insects.
Barbecue-flavour roasted crickets are being put on sale in 250 stores across the country from Sunday.
The Eat Grub's "smoky BBQ crunchy roasted crickets" are described as "crunchy in texture with a rich smoky flavour".
Packets of the insects will cost £1.50. The grubs have been on sale from online supermarket Ocado for at least five months, with mixed reviews.
Mark Zuckerberg says he won’t step down as Facebook chairman
Mark Zuckerberg said he will keep his role as chairman of Facebook's board in an interview with CNN that aired Tuesday night.
The New York Times reported last week how Facebook made attempts to deflect the controversies plaguing the company, ranging from the Cambridge Analytica scandal to how Russians attempted to use Facebook to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Since the report, many have questioned whether or not Zuckerberg should step down as chairman of the board.
During the CNN interview Tuesday, Zuckerberg was asked whether or not he would step down as chairman of Facebook's board following the latest disclosure of scandals within the company. Zuckerberg has voting control over the board, meaning he would have to voluntarily step down from his role.
"I'm not currently thinking that that makes sense," Zuckerberg told CNN
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