By Neal Colgrass 
From: http://www.newser.com/story/166184/woman-with-transplanted-womb-is-pregnant.html
Tag Archives: Sky News
Man Tries to Take Photo of Beaver; It Kills Him
By Evann Gastaldo Forget sharks: It’s beavers that are truly terrifying. A fisherman in Belarus was bitten to death by one, and all he was doing was trying to take its picture, Sky News reports. The man spotted the beaver while fishing with friends at Lake Shestakov, but as he approached to take…
From: http://www.newser.com/story/166061/man-tries-to-take-photo-of-beaver-it-kills-him.html
6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes town near Iranian nuclear plant
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck near the town of Iran‘s first nuclear power plant has left at least 4 dead, state TV reported on Tuesday, but operations at the plant are unaffected.
The report said the earthquake struck the town of Kaki some 60 miles southeast of Bushehr, a town on the Persian Gulf.
The Russian company that built the nuclear plant said the earthquake was felt there, but it didn’t impact operations, Sky News reports.
“Personnel continue to work in the normal regime and radiation levels are fully within the norm,” an Atomstroyexport official told Russian state news agency RIA.
Shahpour Rostami, the deputy governor of Bushehr province told state TV that rescue teams have been deployed to Shomneh, the most damaged district in the region.
Kaki resident Mondani Hosseini told the Associated Press that people had run out into the streets out of fear.
Two helicopters were sent to survey the damaged area before sunset, Mohammad Mozaffar, the head of the province’s rescue department said.
The quake was felt across the Gulf in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, where workers were evacuated from high-rise buildings as a precaution.
Earlier on Sunday a lighter earthquake jolted the nearby area. Iran is located on seismic faults and it experiences daily light earthquakes.
In 2003, some 26,000 people were killed by a 6.6 magnitude quake that flattened the historic southeastern city of Bam.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
Churches slam British government's welfare reforms
Government welfare reforms that include a contentious cut dubbed the “bedroom tax” will cause upheaval for some of Britain’s most vulnerable people, religious leaders and anti-poverty activists claim.
The measure, which takes effect Monday, will reduce rent subsidies to social housing tenants if they have a spare bedroom.
The government — which prefers the term “under-occupancy penalty” — says it is one of a series of changes that will make the country’s unwieldy welfare system simpler, cheaper and fairer.
But thousands of trade unionists, advocates for the disabled and anti-poverty campaigners held protest marches against the change on Saturday, and on Sunday four churches released a joint criticism of the reforms. The Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist and United Reform churches and the Church of Scotland argued that “the cuts are unjust and that the most vulnerable will pay a disproportionate price.”
“Our feeling is that these benefit changes are a symptom of an understanding of people in poverty in the United Kingdom that is just wrong,” Methodist spokesman Paul Morrison told the BBC. ”It is an understanding of people that they somehow deserve their poverty, that they are somehow ‘lesser’, that they are not valued.”
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, leader of the Anglican church, has also criticized the welfare reforms.
The British government is trying to reduce public spending by 50 billion pounds ($76 billion) by 2015 in a bid to deflate Britain’s ballooning deficit and kick-start its spluttering economy. It says its welfare reforms will save 4.5 billion pounds by 2014-15.
The measures include changes to disability benefits, below-inflation increases and, eventually, the replacement of a patchwork of housing, unemployment and parental benefits with one payment called the Universal Credit.
The Department for Work and Pensions says the spare-bedroom levy — a cut of 14 percent to households with one extra room and 25 percent for two — will save taxpayers money and will help free up social housing for families because people with too many rooms will downsize.
“It is wrong to leave people out in the cold with effectively no roof over their heads because the taxpayer is paying for rooms which aren’t in use,” Conservative lawmaker Grant Shapps told Sky News.
North Korea threatens to attack US air bases in Pacific
North Korea is threatening to attack American air bases on Guam and the Japanese island of Okinawa in response to a series of military drills involving the U.S. and South Korea.
The U.S. Air Force has been flying B-52 bombers, which are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, over the Korean Peninsula.
“The U.S. should not forget that the Anderson Air Force Base on Guam, where B-52 bombers take off, and naval bases in Japan and Okinawa where nuclear-powered submarines are launched, are within the striking range of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea precision strike means,” read a statement from Kim Yong Chul, the spokesman of North Korea‘s army.
Pentagon spokesman George Little said Tuesday that the B-52 drills show a commitment and ability to defend South Korea from the North, Sky News reports.
North Korea has been increasing its anti-U.S. rhetoric after the United Nations imposed harsh sanctions on the country over its nuclear program.
Son arrested after Hong Kong police find his parents' severed heads
Investigators looking for a missing Hong Kong couple reportedly found their severed heads in a bloody apartment, leading to the arrest of their son.
A 29-year old man appeared in a Hong Kong court Monday in connection with the deaths of his parents, whose heads were found in a refrigerator, Sky News reports.
Police continue to search for the missing body parts of Chau Wing-ki, 64, and his wife, Siu Yuet-yee, 63, who were reported missing by their eldest son on March 9. Their younger son told police his parents were traveling to mainland China, but investigators became suspicious after they failed to find records of the couple leaving the city.
Cops detained the 29-year-old son and his 35-year old friend Friday. The arrests led officers to a building on the outskirts of Hong Kong where they discovered a bloody scene, including the victims’ heads, a chopping board, knives, saws, plastic boxes and bags containing other body parts.
While the heads were in the refrigerator, parts of the couple’s arms and legs were found elsewhere in the apartment.
Both suspects — who have not been identified — appeared at a magistrate’s court Monday but no plea was recorded, according to public broadcaster RTHK.
“The investigation continues into the motive of the case,” a spokeswoman said, according to the Sky report.
An autopsy is expected in the coming days.
The two will remain in custody until their next court appearance on May 13. If convicted of murder charges, the suspects could receive a sentence of life in prison.
Paltrow: I Nearly Died During Miscarriage
By Neal Colgrass 
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Newser – Health
Should I Buy Barclays for My ISA?
By Tony Reading, The Motley Fool
Filed under: Investing
LONDON — If you’re looking to tuck some money away for a few years, then it can make sense to invest in growth stocks — companies whose earnings should rise faster than average.
It’s important to identify where the growth will come from. For example, a company could:
- be in a new or expanding market, such an ARM
- be entering foreign markets, such as Unilever
- be growing market share, such as Associated British Foods‘ Primark fashion chain
- be in a cyclical industry on the upturn, such as house building
- be a turnaround or recovery story, such as AstraZeneca or BP
Does Barclays have any of these characteristics?
Turnaround
First, Barclays is a turnaround story. The strategy review from new boss Antony Jenkins was something of a damp squib; nothing like the scythe that John McFarlane took to Aviva. Mr Jenkins‘ intention seems to have been more to restore Barclays’ tattered reputation.
But the transformation story has much further to run. Sky News reported that Mr. Jenkins told investors he envisaged a bank with 100,000 employees rather than its current 140,000.
Out of the doldrums
Secondly, banking is in the doldrums. Partly that’s the poor state of the economy, and partly it’s because bankers loaded their balance sheets with dodgy assets. However, those issues should gradually improve.
Barclays currently trades at 0.6 times its book value. A well-run bank in a decent economy should be valued at double that multiple.
To boldly go
Thirdly, Mr Jenkins has identified where he is going to invest: geographically in the U.K., U.S., and Africa; segmentally in U.K. mortgages, Barclaycard, and wealth management. In the long term, those businesses, especially within Africa, should power Barclays’ growth.
These are three reasons why Barclays has great upside potential. But beware — with the massive overhang of debt in developed economies and the eurozone primed to blow up over the smallest spark, it could be a bumpy ride.
ISA time
Whether or not you fancy Barclays, it’s worth thinking about investing in an ISA before the deadline of 5 April. With shares sheltered within ISAs, you don’t pay any capital gains tax, and the dividends aren’t liable to additional income tax. You also don’t declare ISAs on your tax form, either, saving you paperwork. There’s more information about ISAs here.
For an opportunity with a lower-risk profile than Barclays, I recommend you read about this company. It has survived bigger changes in its industry than the banks have undergone, yet it hasn’t made a capital call on its shareholders in more than 70 years. It has increased or held its dividend every year since 1988, too.
Earnings per share have gone up by 44% since 2009, and there could be considerable value that isn’t reflected in the share price. That’s why it’s the Motley Fool‘s Top Growth Stock for 2013.
You can learn more by downloading this free report by clicking here.
The article Should I Buy Barclays for My ISA? originally appeared on Fool.com.
Tony owns shares in Unilever, Associated British …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance
TV reporter broadcasts live from China police van
A broadcast from Beijing’s Tiananmen Square has turned into a bizarre television experience for British viewers after a Sky News reporter and his camera operator were detained by Chinese authorities on live television.
Sky News correspondent Mark Stone says he was broadcasting at Tiananmen Square when officials detained him. He kept the camera on the whole time, narrating his trip in a Chinese police van as startled anchor Anna Jones asked him what was happening.
“This is a slightly surreal situation, I have to say,” she said on-air Friday.
“I should say this is surreal for us as well,” he responded.
It’s not clear why Stone was detained. Chinese regulations require prior approval to broadcast live from politically sensitive and heavily patrolled Tiananmen.
Sky News says it had permission.
Electing the new pope: Papal historian explains
Dr Rebecca Rist, Senior Lecturer in History, is a specialist in the History of the Papacy. She has appeared in the media, including on Sky News talking about the Pope’s resignation, the process of voting in and installing a new Pope and the front runners in the election. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Phys.org
British media: Queen Elizabeth to leave hospital
British media say Queen Elizabeth II will leave the hospital Monday afternoon after a one-day stay caused by a stomach ailment.
BBC, Sky News and Britain’s Press Association said Monday that the queen will leave King Edward VII Hospital later in the day. It had been announced earlier that she would stay for two days because of gastroenteritis.
The 86-year-old queen fell ill Friday and was being treated at Windsor Castle until Sunday, when she was moved to a central London hospital as a precaution.
It is the first time she has been hospitalized in a decade. Palace officials say she is otherwise in good health.
French mother arrested for slitting throats of her 3 children
A French woman has been arrested after her three children were found with their throats slit at their home near Paris Friday.
Sky News reports that two of the kids—a 9-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son—died of multiple stab wounds. Their 17-year-old brother was still alive when emergency services arrived, but later died of his wounds.
Their father, a doctor, discovered the scene after returning home in the morning from work, according to judicial sources and police. He was reportedly in a state of shock.
“The children had their throats slit but we are still awaiting forensic reports,” authorities told Sky.
Police launched a hunt for the mother after the bodies were found, eventually apprehending her and holding her in Paris.
The family lived in a suburb east of Paris called Dampmart.
Investigators said the couple was having marital problems.
Report: Why you need fox or coyote urine if you park at the Denver airport
By Zach Bowman
Filed under: Etc.
Vegetable farmers have long known what visitors to the Denver International Airport are just know discovering: fox urine is incredibly effective at keeping rabbits at bay.
According to Sky News, the long-eared lagomorpha are hopping their way under recently parked cars for warmth. That would be just fine, except the rabbits then turn their sharp teeth onto vehicle electrical systems. The result can be thousands of dollars worth of repairs for travelers who leave their vehicles in long term parking. Local wildlife workers have been removing up to 100 rabbits a month from the airport’s parking lots.
Local mechanics, meanwhile, are advising owners to mark their vehicle’s wires with fox urine. The solution is available at most outdoor and hunting stores, though we’d say simply spraying the ground around your vehicle sufficient enough to keep the bunnies away. (We’re told they have a vicious streak a mile wide.)
Why you need fox or coyote urine if you park at the Denver airport originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog
'Blade Runner' Pistorius Arrested in Girlfriend's Death
By Matt Cantor 
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Newser – Home
London Zoo officials turn to pianist to put tortoises in romantic mood
Officials at the London Zoo are hoping the melifluous sounds of a famous pianist will put their Galapagos tortoises in a romantic mood
Sky News reports French pianist Richard Clayderman has been tickling the ivories of a baby grand piano at the zoo’s tortoise enclosure, in hopes of getting two of the creatures to mate.
Clayderman has been playing seductive songs in hopes that Dirk—a tortoise believed to be over 70 years old—will become a randy reptile with any of the zoo’s teen tortoises: Polly, Dolly, Delores or Priscilla.
Scientists say music can have favorable effects on animal behavior. Some farmers even claim classical music has helped increase egg and milk production in their animals
Clayderman agrees with that theory. “Music is a powerful thing, and I would like to believe it has a positive effect on animals, as well as us. It certainly is an experience to play in such a well-known and romantic place as London Zoo,” he told Sky
The results of the piano serenade are unclear thus far. Tortoises are traditionally shy, but perhaps love will bloom, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Pakistan to build amusement park in town where Bin Laden was killed
Pakistani officials say they’re planning to build an amusement park at a cost of nearly $30 million in the town where Usama bin Laden was killed by US forces, but claim it has nothing to do with the former Al Qaeda leader.
The Abbottabad development, which will begin construction around March, will take eight years to complete using allocated funds, Sky News reports.
“It will have a heritage park, wildlife zoo, food street, adventure and paragliding clubs, waterfalls and jogging tracks,” said Syed Aqil Shah, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial minister for tourism and sports.
Abbottabad is located in the foothills of the Himalayas and is a popular weekend destination for wealthier Pakistani families, according to Sky News.
Shah said the amusement park is being built to cater to that crowd and not as a way to polish the town’s image after Bin Laden was killed there in May 2011.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
Australian teen charged with impersonating hospital doctor
Australian police have arrested a 17-year-old boy for allegedly impersonating a doctor several times at a local hospital.
Sky News reports the teen apparently assisted patients at a hospital in the southern city of Adelaide recently, even helping a 12-year-old girl who had fallen off a scooter. The boy reportedly helped the girl with her injuries and then administered an unauthorized prescription drug.
Police had heard reports of a fake doctor roaming hospital wards, dressed in scrubs and carrying a stethoscope around his neck, between October and December.
The boy played up his part by wearing an identity badge, carrying a clipboard and stopping to read patients’ medical charts and talk to them on his rounds. A Royal Adelaide Hospital staff memo said the teen had been at the hospital on at least three occasions.
Australian police asked hospital staff to inform them if they saw any sign of the intruder, whom they nicknamed “Dr Who,” according to a report in the Adelaide Advertiser newspaper. His name has not been released because he is under 18.
The hospital memo said the boy had “not committed substantive offenses,” but if he had physical contact with a patient, he could face criminal assault charges.
Prior to the arrest, health officials were taking the issue seriously, according to Australian health minister John Hill. “This is not something we want in our hospitals. We would like to ensure it doesn’t happen any further,” Hill said.
The Sky News report suggests the teenager had been suspended as an ambulance volunteer in November 2011 for “inappropriate behavior.” Police said the teen was not qualified to act as a medical professional and did so under false pretenses.
The alleged Dr. Who is expected to appear in Adelaide Youth Court at a later date.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News
Troops Surround Algerian Gas Field in Hostage Crisis
By Matt Cantor 
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Newser – Home
Blockbuster Enters Administration
Sky News reports that video and game rental and sales chain Blockbuster is the latest casualty of the UK high street.
4,190 jobs are at risk across the chain’s 528 stores. It seems that Blockbuster is still honouring gift vouchers, for now. Sky News quotes a statement from Lee Manning of Deloitte, the firm’s appointed joint administrator:
“We are working closely with suppliers and employees to ensure the business has the best possible platform to secure a sale, preserve jobs and generate as much value as possible for all creditors… The core of the business is still profitable and we will continue to trade as normal in both retail and rental whilst we seek a buyer for all or parts of the business as a going concern.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at IGN Video Games
Helicopter crashes in central London during morning rush hour
London‘s Fire Brigade says it is responding to reports that a helicopter has crashed near the River Thames in London during the early morning rush hour.
A photo shown on Sky News showed wreckage burning in a street.
Some witnesses reported that a helicopter had collided with a construction crane.
A large plume of black smoke was seen rising in the area, close to the Waterloo train station.
There were no immediate reports on casualties.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News