Funny Moments

Kate Bosworth & Michael Polish: All Smiles in Sydney

2012-10-09T16:46:00.003-07:00

Preparing to have some fun down under, Kate Bosworth and her fiance, Micahel Polish, happily arrived at NSW International Airport in Sydney, Australia on Wednesday (October 10).
The "Blue Crush" actress looked effortlessly beautiful in a black leather skirt, a white blouse and Ray Ban sunglasses, as she and her man made their way past the awaiting shutterbugs.

Before heading off on the international flight, Kate took to her Twitter page to enlighten her fans and followers on her next destination, writing, "S-Y-D-N-E-Y B-O-U-N-D."

In order to keep her appearance in tip-top shape, Bosworth hit up a local salon in Beverly Hills earlier in the week.

How people react if they find an iPhone 5 (video)

2012-10-03T14:24:00.003-07:00

After comming iPhone 5 in Amsterdam, funny videos started in the first day. Here is displayed a video where some peoples will find iPhone but cant get it. Soo funny.

Beautiful Marriage

2012-10-03T04:46:00.002-07:00

Extreme motocycle driver

2012-10-02T15:57:00.001-07:00

This guy after making a mistake in his tricks, decides to fire his motocycle. . . watch the video and enjoy

The crisis in the Sahel - Humanitarian Exchange Magazine

2012-10-02T15:30:00.002-07:00

The special feature of this issue of Humanitarian Exchange focuses on the humanitarian crisis in the Sahel region of Africa, where aid agencies estimate that more than 18 million people are affected by food insecurity.

In the lead article Peter Gubbels argues that the main cause of this crisis is not drought or a food shortage but a ‘resilience deficit’ which has left vulnerable people unprotected against shocks like rain failure and exceptionally high food prices. Northern Mali has been hit doubly hard by a poor harvest in 2011, followed by political unrest and violence in 2012.
In his article, Jean-Nicolas Marti explains how the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is working to improve access to people in need in northern Mali by promoting acceptance of humanitarian principles among belligerents there.
Authors Amanda Farrant and Jeff Woodke explain how NGOs are helping communities to build resilience in Burkina Faso and Niger
Nanthilde Kamara, Madeleine Evrard Diakite, Emily Henderson and Camilla Knox-Peebles look at Emergency Market Mapping Analysis (EMMA) in Chad.
Zahairou Mamane Sani, Andrea Stewart and Caroline Draveny illustrate the benefits of coordinated needs assessments in Niger
Ousmane Niang, Véronique Mistycki and Soukeynatou Fall review the impact of social safety nets in promoting behaviour change.
Finally, Jessica Saulle, Nicola Hypher and Nick Martlew highlight the ways in which Household Economy Analysis can improve social protection programming.

Articles in the policy and practice section focus on:

‘humanitarian space’ in India and Burma
lessons learned from a multi-agency IDP Vulnerability Assessment and Profiling (IVAP) project in Pakistan
experiences of training and supporting ‘Skilled Volunteers’ in Bangladesh
progress in the implementation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex-inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction policies and protocols in Nepal.

We end the issue in East Africa with articles discussing the results of a programme monitoring cash and voucher transfers in Somalia and a Transparency International study examining corruption in food assistance in the 2011 drought response in Kenya.

50 years of James Bond on film

2012-10-02T15:26:00.000-07:00

FILE - This publicity file photo released by Columbia Pictures shows Daniel Craig as James Bond in the action adventure film, "Skyfall." Agent 007 is real to millions of moviegoers, and once again they will flock to see Bond battle for queen and country when his 23rd official screen adventure, "Skyfall," opens fall 2012. Photo: Sony Pictures, Francois Duhamel / AP

— "Thunderball," 1965, Sean Connery.

— "You Only Live Twice," 1967, Sean Connery.

— "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," 1969, George Lazenby.

Diamonds Are Forever," 1971, Sean Connery.

— "Live and Let Die," 1973, Roger Moore.

— "The Man With the Golden Gun," 1974, Roger Moore.

— "The Spy Who Loved Me," 1977, Roger Moore.

— "Moonraker," 1979, Roger Moore.

— "For Your Eyes Only," 1981, Roger Moore.

— "Octopussy," 1983, Roger Moore.

— "A View to a Kill," 1985, Roger Moore.

— "The Living Daylights," 1987, Timothy Dalton.

— "Licence to Kill," 1989, Timothy Dalton.

— "GoldenEye," 1995, Pierce Brosnan.

— "Tomorrow Never Dies," 1997, Pierce Brosnan.

— "The World is Not Enough," 1999, Pierce Brosnan.

— "Die Another Day," 2002, Pierce Brosnan.

— "Casino Royale," 2006, Daniel Craig.

— "Quantum of Solace," 2008, Daniel Craig.

— "Skyfall," Fall 2012, Daniel Craig.

___

In addition to the 23 official Bond films produced by EON productions, there have been two other Bond adventures:

— "Casino Royale," 1967, a spoof starring David Niven.

— "Never Say Never Again," 1983, Sean Connery's return.

___

Where to see the films: All 22 official Bond films in release are now available in a boxed Blu-ray anniversary set, "Bond 50," from MGM and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Also, the Museum of Modern Art in New York is screening each of the 22 films through October.

Kevin Costner Confirmed to Star in Luc Besson-Produced Secret Service Thriller for Director McG

2012-10-02T15:20:00.000-07:00

Back in August, we learned that McG and Kevin Costner were looking to possibly team up on an untitled action thriller (previously titled Three Days to Kill)produced by Luc Besson (The Fifth Element, Taken). It appears that things have officially come together, as Variety reports that Costner has closed a deal to star in the film while McG is set to direct. Besson co-wrote the film with Adi Hasak (From Paris with Love), which centers on a dying secret service agent who retires in order to reconnect with his family. The Secret Service offers him the chance to use an experimental drug that could save his life in exchange for one last assignment, and Costner finds himself “trying to juggle his family, his mission, and the drug’s hallucinatory side-effects.”

It’s a twist on the familiar “one last job” premise, and while I think Costner’s a fine choice to lead the project, I’m less convinced of McG’s skills as a filmmaker. The set-up provides for some exciting possibilities, so hopefully we’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Venezuelan vote a high-stakes affair for Chavez allies

2012-10-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

Chavez loss would be blow to Latin American leftists

HAVANA, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Pedro Alvarez, who drives one of the thousands of ancient American cars that serve as taxis in Cuba, cannot bring himself to think about life without Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

His big, blue 1949 Buick burns gallons of gasoline every day, most of it produced from the imported Venezuelan oil that fuels Cuba and all of it costing almost $5 a gallon, a pretty penny in a country where the average monthly pay is $19.

Should Chavez lose his campaign for re-election on Sunday or should the cancer for which he has had three surgeries recur, it does not augur well for Alvarez or his country.

"If they get rid of Chavez or if he dies - which I don't want to happen ... how is it going to be here if it's already this bad? No, no, no, I don't even want to think about it," said the 35-year-old Alvarez, clapping his hand to his forehead.

The future of Chavez, politically and personally, is a high-stakes affair not just for Cuba, but for many other countries in the Caribbean and Latin America who have benefited from his willingness to share Venezuela's oil largesse in pursuit of a dream of "Bolivarian" unity.

Venezuela is providing oil on highly preferential terms to 17 countries under Chavez's Petrocaribe initiative to aid social and economic development and is a partner in other projects to produce and refine oil in countries such as Ecuador and Bolivia.

It funds infrastructure projects and social programs in several countries, including Nicaragua, where Venezuelan investments to the tune of $500 million a year are credited with cutting the poverty rate and providing drinking water, homes and roads for many in the leftist-led Central American country.

"It's been overwhelming really, the solidarity and the most important thing is that it has been unconditional," said Jorge Gutierrez, a committed Sandinista who works for the national water utility in Managua.

CHAVEZ AND CASTRO

Nicaragua gets most of its oil from Venezuela, for which it has 23 years to pay half the cost at 2 percent interest and can pay the other half in agricultural products within 90 days, said Nicaraguan economic analyst Nestor Avendano.

Venezuela's economic power is such that Uruguayan President Jose Mujica is looking to it as the potential buyer of last resort for seven small jets that belonged to his country's defunct state airline.

He is hoping Venezuela's state-owned Conviasa airline will purchase them and get Uruguay off the hook for a potential $136 million loss.

Chavez is close personally and politically to former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, with whom he has plotted strategies to promote leftist governments and Latin American unity, and he shares a regional sympathy for the small communist nation that has defied U.S. opposition for over half a century.

To the chagrin of his opponents, Chavez has taken a page from Castro's economic philosophy by nationalizing much of the Venezuelan economy, as did his mentor after taking power in Cuba's 1959 revolution.

Chavez, who went to doctors at the urging of the now 86-year-old Castro, was diagnosed with cancer in Cuba last year and treated for it on the island. He also just published a book, edited in part by Castro.

The centerpiece of the Cuba-Venezuela relationship is an oil-for-services deal under which Venezuela ships 115,000 barrels of oil daily to Cuba, most of which is used to meet the island's daily energy needs and the rest for processing in a Cuban refinery refurbished by Venezuela.

Experts say that is worth about $3 billion a year, and peripheral to it are wide-ranging joint ventures and cooperation projects that reach deeply into Cuban society.

In return, Cuba has sent 44,000 professionals to Venezuela, most of them medical personnel, to help Chavez provide the same level of free healthcare and social services Cubans receive.

Carmelo Mesa-Lago, a Cuban-American economist at the University of Pittsburgh, said that from 2000 to 2011 Cuba and Venezuela signed agreements for 370 investment projects.

He estimates that Venezuela paid Cuba the equivalent of $5.4 billion in oil and perhaps cash for its people in 2010, which he said comes to $135,800 per person, or 27 times the salary of a Venezuelan doctor. It was, he said, a "hidden subsidy."

PACE OF ECONOMIC REFORM

Chavez' generosity helped Cuba emerge from the so-called "special period," when the island's economy was shattered by the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, its ally and top benefactor for 30 years.

During that time, Cuba was plagued by electricity blackouts and shortages of fuel, food and consumer goods, an experience Cubans hope never to repeat.

"We would chop up banana peels and fry them like meat so we would have something to eat besides rice," remembers Carla Borges, a retired teacher who lives with her extended family in a mid-19th century home in Havana.

"It wasn't easy, but I know a nun who says that Cubans don't have to pass through purgatory when they die, they'll go straight to heaven for all they've been through," she said.

The danger for Cuba is that if Chavez loses the election or his cancer recurs it could suffer another dark economic time - perhaps not as bad because it is less dependent on Venezuela than it was on the Soviets but still serious, experts have said.

Enrique Capriles, Chavez' opponent in Sunday's vote, has said he would continue the social programs Chavez created for Venezuela's poor and honor international agreements already in place, but that preferential oil deals for most allies, including Cuba, would quickly become a thing of the past.

"To have a friend, you don't need to buy him," he said in August. "From ... 2013 not a single free barrel of oil will leave to other countries."

In 2010, Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA was not paid for 43 percent of its crude and refined oil products.

An end to Venezuelan aid could force Cuban President Raul Castro to speed up economic reforms promoting more private initiative and a reduced state role, said Cuba expert Paolo Spadoni at Augusta State University in Augusta, Georgia.

"If Venezuela is not part of the picture, the reform process must move much faster because you will have problems you must deal with in a much shorter period," said Spadoni.

BLOW TO LEFTIST ASPIRATIONS

For Chavez' leftist allies, his loss would be a political blow to their aspirations of spreading leftist influence in Latin America.

Along with Petrocaribe, he has been a driving force behind the creation of the leftist bloc ALBA, or Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America, and CELAC, or Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, both aimed at regional integration and diminution of U.S. influence in the hemisphere.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez alluded to Chavez's importance in a speech to the United Nations on Monday and warned of "destabilizing attempts that loom on the horizon."

"The imminent elections in the sister nation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will be decisive for the common destiny of our region," he told the General Assembly.

"The governing powers in the United States will make a very serious mistake of unpredictable consequences if they attempt to reverse by force the social achievements attained by our people," he said.

For taxi driver Alvarez, regional politics were less important than keeping his gas-guzzling, slightly dilapidated Buick on the road. Should Chavez leave the scene, history might repeat itself, he thinks.

"Maybe another country will come in (and help us). You know how it is - when something bad happens, there's always another way out," he said.

Clinical Barcelona show mettle at Benfica

2012-10-02T14:22:00.002-07:00

SL Benfica 0-2 FC Barcelona
Alexis Sánchez and Cesc Fàbregas scored early in each half to give the visitors the points despite the late dismissal of Sergio Busquets.

FC Barcelona turned on the style in Lisbon to keep up their 100% UEFA Champions League record under new coach Tito Vilanova with an impressive victory against SL Benfica.

A goal early in each half from Alexis Sánchez and Cesc Fàbregas proved enough to secure a second successive Group G victory despite a late red card for Sergio Busquets, leaving Barça well placed to advance from the group stage for the ninth season in succession. Next up for the Spanish side is a visit from Celtic FC, winners tonight at FC Spartak Moskva who hosts Benfica in three weeks' time.

Amid a deafening swell of home support, Benfica had started fearlessly. Bruno César picked up Lima's pass, advanced into space and hit a firm left-foot shot that bounced wickedly in front of Victor Valdés, forcing the goalkeeper to save with his legs.

So Barcelona's sixth-minute opener was a sharp jolt. Jordi Alba sent a slick pass behind the home defence for Lionel Messi to steal in, and Sánchez stretched ahead of Ezequiel Garay to touch the Argentinian's low cross into the net for Barça's 800th goal in UEFA competition.

Jesus' side came again and Nicolás Gaitán slipped a wonderful pass between Carles Puyol and Dani Alves to send Lima through, only for Valdés' legs to deny Benfica.

Vilanova's charges gradually turned the screw, however. Sánchez turned provider when he adroitly found Messi in space by the penalty spot, but Artur dived to his left to superbly tip the low shot wide. Sánchez troubled Benfica constantly and almost scored again two minutes later, volleying over after neatly controlling a long Busquets pass on his chest.

Jesus sent on Carlos Martins for the second half, but little changed. Within 90 seconds of the restart Messi again played in Sánchez, but his shot looped past the far post after beating Artur. The intensity of Barcelona's possession was beginning to tell and in the 55th minute Messi sliced through the home defence before playing in Fàbregas to smash a left-foot shot into the corner of the net.

Again Benfica responded, Valdés being forced to tip an Eduardo Salvio drive from range around the post. There was to be no comeback, only another good Artur save preventing Messi's header crowning yet another memorable UEFA Champions League display with a goal.

Busquets' red card, following a tangle with Maxi Pereira, took a little of the sheen off Barcelona's evening, as did Carles Puyol's late injury, but on every previous occasion these sides have met in this competition the winners have gone onto lift the trophy. Few would deny a repeat is a strong possibility.

Stoichkov admits a 'great deal of respect' for Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho

2012-10-02T14:12:00.000-07:00

The former Barca attacker has spoken kindly of the successful Portuguese trainer, despite stating that his heart still remains in Catalonia

Retired striker Hristo Stoichkov only has good things to say about Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, despite his side snatching the La Liga title away from his beloved Barcelona.
The 46-year-old Litex Lovech manager played over 175 times for the Catalans, netting 83 goals in the process, but despite maintaining a strong bond with his former club, the Bulgarian has conceded that he can only respect Mourinho for what he has done as a coach.

"I have a great deal of respect for Mourinho," admitted Stoichkov, speaking to reporters.

"I know him personally and he's a good guy. I need to separate the fact that he's the Real Madrid manager from the fact that I'm speaking to him as a person. Although I'm Barcelona through and through, for sure."

Though Stoichkov remains firmly in favour of Barcelona's style of play, he also recognises Real's improvement in recent campaigns.

"I still think that Barca plays better football than any other team, but I have to admit that Real has really grown and for much of last season was the best team in La Liga, which is why it won," he said.

Real Madrid face Barcelona in the first Clasico match of the league campaign on Sunday.

No Distraction for Barca

2012-10-02T09:42:00.002-07:00

Barcelona director of football Andoni Zubizarreta is confident the club's players will not be distracted by thoughts of this weekend's Clasico when they face Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Barca travelled to Lisbon still high from their thrilling 3-2 win over Sevilla on Saturday night that maintained their 100 per cent start to the new Primera Division campaign.
Victory against Real Madrid at the Nou Camp on Sunday will see Tito Vilanova's men open up an 11-point gap over their arch-rivals, but ahead of flying out to Portugal, Zubizarreta insisted that the Champions League was the only focus for the time being.
"These are two different competitions," Zubizarreta told reporters.
"Right now, we have to focus on the Champions League. Then on Wednesday we can think about the league again.
"It's still only October and there are a lot of points still to play for."
Barcelona's win over Sevilla was their sixth on the bounce in La Liga, while they kicked of their Champions League campaign with a victory - albeit hard-earned - at home to Spartak Moscow.
Zubizarreta insists the run will have little impact on tomorrow's Group G encounter at Lisbon's Estadio da Luz, but he nevertheless stressed the importance of getting good points on the board early on.
"Winning steaks are built game by game," he said. "The results have been very good up until now but on Tuesday we are starting from scratch once again.
"Previous results are a good reference, but we are always starting from zero.
"In a short tournament like the Champions League, and especially in the group stages, good results early on can avoid suffering nearer to the end."
Barcelona have been dealt a blow ahead of the game after midfielder Thiago Alcantara was ruled out for up to eight weeks after scans showed he suffered knee ligament damage in the win at Sevilla
His absence has been tempered by the return of Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol and Adriano, all of whom have been named in Vilanova's travelling party but remain doubtful.
"Puyol, Iniesta and Adriano are three great players, and now we've also lost Thiago. But these things happen in football," said Zubizarreta.
We'll try to get them fit as quickly as possible and when they come back, they'll be coming back with their full potential."
Barca forward Lionel Messi is expecting a tough encounter against Benfica but insisted that the club's reputation means no match is ever straightforward.
"Each game is different. They are all tough," Messi told El Pais.
"We could not score against Granada for 85 minutes, against Spartak we almost lost.
"It gets more difficult each time. We want to attack and they sit back and look for our weak point.
"If they get lucky and manage a good counter-attack, they can make it very difficult for us."
Benfica also head into the match boasting the leadership in their domestic league after an unbeaten start to the season.
Jorge Jesus' troops have won three and drawn two of their Liga outings so far and kicked off their Champions League campaign with a goalless draw at Celtic.
The hosts, seeking their first win over Spanish opposition for 30 years, welcome back Pablo Aimar after the midfielder was ruled out of the 2-1 win over Pacos de Ferreira at the weekend with a right leg injury.
Oscar Cardozo misses out with a left thigh strain, however, meaning Lima - who scored both goals in Benfica's weekend win - is likely to lead the line up front.

Go low on goals in Group C

2012-10-02T09:39:00.003-07:00

Wednesday night's action in the UEFA Champions League looks rather less predictable than Tuesday's, and none of the favourites make any great appeal.
Yes, Arsenal should be too good for Olympiacos and yes, Schalke could also have far too much quality for Montpellier, but both Group B bankers are accordingly priced.
Instead, we'll head to Group C, a fascinating make-up of Zenit, AC Milan, Anderlecht and Malaga, but one that may not provide much fascination on matchday two.
First up Zenit host Milan in Russia, and their respective coaches Luciano Spalletti and Massimiliano Allegri are already under immense pressure.
Spalletti's Zenit haven't started particularly well in Russia, and having spent millions bringing in Hulk and Axel Witsel from Portuguese sides this summer expectations are perhaps unreasonably high.
They were comprehensively beaten by Malaga on matchday one and although they did offer something going forward, the bottom line is that Zenit lacked cutting edge in the final third.
Milan, meanwhile, are already missing the services of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, failing to score in three of their seven games in all competitions and picking up just six points from a possible 18 at home.
Throw in their failure to score against Anderlecht in the opening round of fixtures, and what you have is a side lacking in attacking confidence who may be set up to take a 0-0 draw from this game. Their reliance on Stephan El Shaarawy is clear and if Zenit can stop him, they can keep a clean sheet.
With that in mind, we'll back under 2.5 goals in a double with the same scenario in Belgium.
Anderlecht have been in free-scoring form domestically, but the Champions League is a different matter altogether and they're likely to approach Malaga with caution.
The Spanish millionaires got off to a perfect start in the competition and should be more than happy to bank on home performances getting them through to the knockout stages, particularly as they travel to Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday.
So far this season, two of their four away games have ended 0-0 and the other two in 1-0 wins, and BetVictor's approximate 9/4 about a pair of low-scoring games looks a solid wager.
In contrast, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund have both been involved in some high-scoring games and an entertaining encounter looks in store at the Etihad.
City have rightly earned a reputation as the toughest side to beat in the Barclays Premier League, and they underlined that with what's now a trademark comeback to beat Fulham on Saturday.
Indeed, you have to go back to September 2011 for the last time anyone managed to beat City by more than a goal, and clearly Dortmund have their hands full.
The German outfit have a squad packed with attacking flair but a 3-3 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt rather underlines how difficult they find it to keep clean sheets on the road, and points don't come easy either.
So far this season, they've suffered defeat at Bayern Munich and Hamburg, with a pair of draws thrown in too, and everything points to a home win of some sort.
For all their undoubted quality going forward, City do share Dortmund's defensive frailties, so there are two bets that interest us: City to concede but win at 11/5, and City to win by exactly a goal at 3/1.
City's last five wins have all involved a goal or more from the opposition, and four have been by exactly a goal - their 3-1 win over QPR is the exception, but even that required a 90th minute goal from Carlos Tevez.
Given that Roberto Mancini's don't look like adding to last year's modest total of three 1-0 wins in all competitions, let alone against a City as strong as Dortmund going forward, the former bet looks safer and gets our vote.

Real Madrid can wait: Barcelona boss focused on Benfica

2012-10-01T13:56:00.002-07:00

Focused on the job at hand: Vilanova not thinking of Madrid.

Barcelona fans might have already firmly fixed their attentions on Sunday’s upcoming Clasico against Real Madrid at the Nou Camp, but the Catalan club have the small matter of a testing Champions’ League trip to Benfica to negotiate first.
Tito Vilanova’s side made a winning start to their European campaign a fortnight ago, earning a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Spartak Moscow at the Nou Camp thanks to a late brace from Lionel Messi.
They are hot favourites to win a group that also contains Benfica and Celtic, who shared the points with a goalless draw in Glasgow in their opener, but Vilanova is determined not to take anything for granted at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday evening.
“There are only six games in this group phase and it would be an error to make qualification more complicated than it should be,” he said. “Benfica are a great club who will be dangerous, but I am confident that we can win and it will be important to get another three points.”
Vilanova also insisted that thoughts of this weekend’s meeting with Real Madrid have not yet entered his mind. “The only important game at the moment is Benfica and we’re not thinking about anything else. There will be plenty of time to think about the Clasico at the end of the week.”
The Barca boss is pleased to welcome back Andres Iniesta and skipper Carles Puyol from injury, while Adriano is also available. The unexpected comeback of centre back Puyol is particularly significant considering the defensive vulnerabilities that Barca have displayed in the last few weeks, and Vilanova praised the recovery powers of his captain, who has returned to fitness after just two weeks on the sidelines despite initially being ruled out for four to six weeks.
“When a player has the capacity to recover so quickly and so many times, it’s because of his mentality and his willingness to work for many hours every day. When that happens more than once, as it has with Puyol throughout his career, it’s not just a coincidence.”
However, Vilanova continued his usual approach of refusing to give any indications over his possible starting line-up, saying: “We arrived back from our game at Sevilla at 4am on Sunday morning so I have to see how everybody has recuperated. I’ll decide the team tomorrow.”
Benfica have made a solid start to their Portuguese league campaign, winning three and drawing two in their opening five games. Brazilian striker Lima has scored three goals in two outings since joining from Sporting Braga at the end of August, and forms part of a dangerous strike force that also includes former Real Madrid trainee Rodrigo.
Benfica coach Jorge Jesus commented: “We respect Barca but we do not fear them. We are champions of Portugal and we have to be prepared to face anyone. Last season it was Chelsea, and now it’s Barcelona – although it’s true that Barca have more qualities, both collectively and especially individually."

Czech Republic president attacked with an air gun (video)

2012-10-01T13:51:00.003-07:00

The president of the Czech Republic is attacked with an air gun at a public event, but suffers no injuries.

Here is the video of the story

WORLD ROUTES: The Landlord and the Tenant – an Aviation Twist!

2012-10-01T13:50:00.001-07:00

Last month Eastern Group, parent company of UK regional carrier Eastern Airways, bought a controlling share in its home base, Humberside Airport in eastern England, potentially safeguarding the future of the facility. In the weeks that followed Irish budget carrier Ryanair revealed an interest in bidding for Stansted Airport as part of BAA’s enforced sale tender of the predominantly low-cost London gateway. Are we beginning to see a greater move towards business with airline interests taking over the ownership of airports or is this another manipulation of the media and industry by the budget airline’s out-spoken boss Michael O’Leary?
The lives of airlines and airports are intrinsically linked; one cannot survive without the other but can a business really succeed as both landlord and tenant. Although deals are completed on a commercial basis, existing airline operators at Stansted but must be concerned about Ryanair’s potential involvement with the airport and the obvious advantages it would provide the low-cost carrier. The story for Humberside is notably different, as was the case previously with Sutton Harbour, Air Southwest and Plymouth Airport.

Humberside Airport has witnessed a significant decline in scheduled demand over the past years and official Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data shows numbers slipping by almost a half since 2006. The start of the Millennium had been positive for the airport with passenger numbers exceeding 500,000 in 2003 and 2004, but five year-on-year declines has seen this number slip to just under 275,000 last year.
The airport currently has just two scheduled routes, a long-standing hub connection to Amsterdam Schiphol flown by KLM cityhopper and a four times daily link to Aberdeen by Eastern Airways. Both routes are supported by the oil and gas industries. Alongside these scheduled flights some seasonal charter routes provide leisure options to destinations in Bulgaria, Greece, Spain and Turkey.
After acquiring the 82.7% shareholding of former owner, Manchester Airports Group (MAG), for an undisclosed sum (council minutes suggest the figure was £2.3 million – almost £8 million less than MAG paid for its majority stake in 1999), Eastern Group says it will look after local interests and is studying how it can expand its own presence at Humberside and bring new links to North Lincolnshire. In the past Eastern has offered links from Humberside to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Norwich, while the airport has had non-stop links to Brussels, Dusseldorf, Esbjerg, Paris CDG and many UK points, among others.
“We are making a strategic financial investment acquiring Humberside Airport. The airport has potential for growth, and under the present airport management team, supported by Eastern Group, will develop in accordance with the business plan already in place,” said Bryan Huxford, Chairman, Eastern Group.
According to Cllr Liz Redfern, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, having a company with a local understanding and interest is key to the future of the airport. For regional facilities like in this example, it seems that it is not simply about profitability and gaining a return on investment but also supporting social needs. “These measures are vital in helping secure a viable future for Humberside Airport,” she explained.
“There are a number of unique opportunities to deliver jobs and growth and support, and underpin further investment in the area. The airport has a fantastic business park with huge potential. Its location is perfect with easy access to the ports and South Humber Gateway – vital to the future success of our region. Working together, we will do all we can to attract further investment and development to North Lincolnshire and create more jobs for local people to secure a promising future,” she added.
It seems that Eastern Group’s purchase of Humberside Airport may be a good move for the airport, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that this business model will be successful in all examples.

Dragons’ Den Duncan Bannatyne suffers “heart scare”

2012-10-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

In not so great news, Dragons’ Den entrepreneur and bigwig Duncan Bannatyne is in hospital following a heart scare. The Scottish TV personality felt unwell at his office, and paramedics were called. He was soon admitted to Darlington Memorial Hospital in County Durham.
His daughter tweeted that her dad, who is 63, was “stable”.
A spokeperson for The Bannatyne Group, the company he runs, released a statement: “Everyone at the company is very concerned and upset, but we know that Duncan is a very strong person and we are confident he will make a full recovery.”
“Everyone wishes him well. We'd like to thank the quick and professional actions of the paramedics who attended to Duncan and thank the staff at the Memorial Hospital for his on-going care."
The BBC reported that Duncan’s agent confirmed that he’d had a suspected heart attack. Ooh. Nasty stuff, Duncan…
The philanthropist, who has invested millions in the programme since it began, has been part of the series since it began. His family are with him in the hospital.
Get well soon, Duncan!

best security shoes...

2012-10-01T13:40:00.001-07:00

Smoking fanny....

2012-10-01T13:39:00.001-07:00

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2012-10-01T13:33:00.002-07:00

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2012-10-01T13:32:00.002-07:00

Robert Pattinson Named Sexiest Man by Glamour UK

2012-10-01T13:23:00.001-07:00

The “Cosmopolis” stud was named to the top of Glamour UK’s Sexiest Men list again, making it his fourth straight year as the pack leader.

Even more impressive is the fact that RPatz bested Tinseltown hunks like Tom Hiddleston, Johnny Depp, Michael Fassbender, and Benedict Cumberbatch, who made up the top five.
Rounding out the top ten were Robert Downey Jr, Taylor Lautner, Paul Wesley, James McAvoy, and Henry Cavill.
Honorable mentions included Ian Somerhalder (12), Chris Hemsworth (19), Ryan Gosling (17), and David Beckham (46).

Mourinho plans: Return to England

2012-10-01T09:19:00.001-07:00

Mourinho has long been touted as a likely successor to Ferguson, but the current Real Madrid manager said that for him the "perfect scenario" is that the man he calls 'The Boss' is still at Old Trafford.
The former Chelsea manager also insists he still maintains a "great relationship" with owner Roman Abramovich and that he hates the price of fame which has seen his 12-year-old son abused while playing football.
Asked about succeeding Ferguson, Mourinho told CNN: "No, the perfect scenario when I go there is to coach, because I think football will lose a lot when he stops and there are not young managers and old managers.
"For me, he's the boss. I call him the boss because he's the boss of the coaches and I hope that when I go back to English football he still manages Man United."
Mourinho refused to contemplate taking over at Manchester City instead.
He added: "I don't think about that, especially because I have a four-year contract with Real. I signed it and when I signed it I signed it because I wanted to be in Real Madrid in this period of my career and I don't think in another club.
"I just say openly that for many reasons after this project, the next step will be England for many reasons, but when? I don't know, I don't have an idea and I am so happy to be in this moment as manager of the best club in the world."
Mourinho admitted that the price of fame was that he hated the public scrutiny.
He said: "If I could be a manager, a football manager, and the moment I leave the club or the moment the match finished, if I could switch off a light and become a person that nobody knows, I would do it.
"Because I hate my social life. I hate my social life. I hate not to be a normal father who goes with his son to the son's football match and being there with the other 20 fathers watching the match.
"I am in a football match of kids 10-12 years old and I have to be there, the people have to come for photos, the people have to come for autographs, the people have to come to insult me, the people have to go behind the goal of my kid and insult my kid of 12 years old.
"I would love to be with my family in the street as a normal person and I can't, so I am a completely different person in my private life."

Katy Perry plans a divorce party

2012-10-01T05:23:00.002-07:00

KATY Perry is planning to hold a divorce party.
The Firework hitmaker — whose divorce from Russell Brand was finalized in July — would have been celebrating her second wedding anniversary on October 23 so instead of getting upset about it, she is planning to threw a huge bash, which will also mark her 28th birthday.
“Katy has been dreading October 23 for weeks now and has been trying to think of ways to turn it into something positive,” a source told The Sun.
“It’s her birthday two days later and the last thing she wanted to do was spend that week depressed and miserable, which would then mean not doing anything to celebrate her birthday.
“Her pals have been persuading her to have a huge party or go to Vegas for a few days but Katy decided on throwing a small gathering at her home.
“She has decided to call it her divorce party and it will be a day of doing what she loves with her favorite people.”
Katy and Russell married in a romantic ceremony in India after a year of dating but 14-months later they announced their marriage was over.
Katy is now dating singer John Mayer, while funnyman Russell has been linked to a string of different women.

Barcelona and Bayern prolong perfect starts

2012-09-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

Perfection is growing rare in Europe's top leagues after Olympique de Marseille fell back to earth, but FC Bayern München and FC Barcelona both kept their faultless records intact.
Perfection is becoming a rare commodity in Europe's most illustrious championships, but FC Barcelona and FC Bayern München still boast unblemished records after both clubs extended their winning starts to six games. Previously faultless Olympique de Marseille found their seventh outing a bridge too far, in contrast, while Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC caught the eye in England and Serie A duo Juventus and SSC Napoli posted impressive wins. UEFA.com recaps the best of the weekend's action.

'We must be top at the end' - Shaqiri urges Bayern Munich to keep their focus

2012-09-30T13:27:00.001-07:00

The Switzerland starlet played a crucial role as the Bavarians continued their winning run against Werder Bremen but warns his side not to lose their concentration

Xherdan Shaqiri has urged his Bayern Munich team-mates to keep focused after their superb start to the season.

The Bavarian giants maintained their 100 per cent record in the Bundesliga with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Werder Bremen, while they saw off Valencia 2-1 in their opening Champions League encounter.