A RARE WHITE BENGAL TIGER WAS PHOTOGRAPHED LAST WEEK AT THE SINGAPORE AS HE LUNGES OUT OF THE WATER FOR FOOD. WHITE BENGAL TIGERS ARE NEARLY EXTINCT, WITH MOST IN BREEDING PROGRAMS AT ONLY A FEW ZOOS IN THE WORLD. IN THE LAST CENTURY, ONLY 12 WERE FOUND IN THE WILD.
Monday, September 28, 2009
SNAPSHOTS
A RARE WHITE BENGAL TIGER WAS PHOTOGRAPHED LAST WEEK AT THE SINGAPORE AS HE LUNGES OUT OF THE WATER FOR FOOD. WHITE BENGAL TIGERS ARE NEARLY EXTINCT, WITH MOST IN BREEDING PROGRAMS AT ONLY A FEW ZOOS IN THE WORLD. IN THE LAST CENTURY, ONLY 12 WERE FOUND IN THE WILD.
LUXE MEN/ SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL
A teacher at an all-boys grammar school in the UK was suspended after naked pictures of him surfaced on a gay porn pay website. Internet links to images of Sam Handley, 25, were spread around the Grammar School in Folkestone, Kent. Using the pseudonym "Mike," the PE teacher posed naked in multiple pictures. The profile with the pictures describes the teacher as "straight" but "not shy about showing off his body." It adds: "Mike is new to modelling and works as a PT (physical trainer)." According to the British press, when reporters confronted Handley at his home he said: "I didn't pose for anything pornographic." When questioned about a picture of him fondling himself, he said: "I wouldn't say that - I was just holding it
The 1120 pupil school, established in 1674 by relatives of Dr William Harvey, the eminent physician who discovered the circulation of blood, has faced controversy before. A temporary music teacher, who replaced a teacher fired for downloading porn, was sacked 3 years ago after appearing topless in a women's magazine as part of an article entitled "How Normal Are Your Breasts?" She also told a national newspaper how losing weight helped put the zing back into her love life in an article headlined "Losing Weight Put The Sizzle Back Into Sex". ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
TV/BARROWMAN TOLD TO STAY IN CLOSET: "Torchwood" star John Barrowman has revealed his anger at being told by his bosses he should keep his sexuality a secret. In his new autobiography "I Am What I Am," published in the UK today, he said he was warned early in his career he should pretend to be straight in order to achieve success. Barrowman claimed a gay producer was sent by his bosses to give him the warning. He claimed the producer said: “John, we wondered if you really wanted to reveal that you’re gay? We think it might change how people feel about you.” The actor said he replied “I really hope you’re not saying this, because I’m not going in the closet for you or anyone. You’ve hired me to be a professional, not to have sex. Being a gay man has nothing to do with my abilities on this show.” Remembering the exchange, Barrowman said: “The incident was even more offensive because they sent a gay producer to discuss this with me, as if somehow this would ease the blow." He has not identified which production company told him to stay in the closet but according to UK media reports, he has worked for the BBC, ITV and Five as well as the American networks CBS and NBC. All have denied telling him to keep quiet. Barrowman said he had received an apology over the incident but added: “One of my explicit missions as an entertainer is to work to create a world where no one will ever make a statement like this producer did to me to anyone who’s gay."
US NEWS/ MEMPHIS BILLBOARD DEFACED
A billboard in Memphis, Tennessee, featuring a former US marine and the tagline "I'm gay and I protected your freedom" has been torn down by vandals. The ad was part of a series of 5 put up by Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Centre (MGLCC) as part of National Coming Out Day, in which gays and lesbians are encouraged to tell someone about their sexuality. National Coming Out Day is scheduled for October 11. According to local medai reports, the billboard was completely removed on Friday night. It featured Tim Smith, a former US marine, in full uniform. Police have not said whether they have any suspects in custody. The presudent of MGLCC said: "I know that they intended to silence us with hate. However, we are choosing to unite and come over that with a stronger voice, and a message that we are here, and we deserve equality as well as everyone else." The organization is urging police to conduct a full investigation and is planning to hold a rally next weekend over the incident.
WORLD NEWS/ ROMANS MARCH AGAINST HATE
An estimated 30,000 people turned out onto the streets of Rome last week to protest against a spate of homophobic attacks in Italy. Gay groups and politicians from all the main political parties joined the demonstration, held last Thursday. Rome's mayor, Gianni Alemanno marched with the crowds. The right-wing former neo-fascist helped hold a banner reading "Rome is against intolerance and all racism". In the latest incident, a young gay man was brutally beaten in a gay nightclub in the central Piazza Salvemini. He has undergone reconstructive surgery to his face. 1 man has been arrested. On September 1, a couple of firecrackers were thrown at a bar on San Giovanni in Laterano, known as Gay Street. Witnesses said 4 men were seen running from the area. 1 man was taken to hospital with a minor injury and a scooter was damaged. The previous week, a lesbian woman was reported to have been threatened by a young man on the same street, while a gay male couple were attacked in a separate incident. 1 was stabbed and is in a serious condition. In another incident, nightclub Qube, home of the LGBT Muccassassina festival, was targeted by arsonists but was empty at the time. Following the attacks, Italy's largest gay rights organisation Arcigay, has called for more legal protections for LGBT people and is asking parliament to urgently expand existing laws. Italy's hate crime laws do not mention homophobia, something LGBT groups have been campaigning over for years.
AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS
AIR NELSON DASH STRUCK BY LIGHTNING: AIR NELSON Flight 8839 was on Scheduled Domestic Dash 8-300 Service from New Plymouth to Christchurch, New Zealand, on behalf of AIR NEW ZEALAND, when it had to divert while enroute earlier today. Flight 8839, with 44 passengers and crew onboard, requested diversion with the crew reporting that the Dash had been struck by lightning. The aircraft was diverted to Nelson, New Zealand, where it landed without incident. In a brief statement, Air New Zealand reported that a post flight inspection revealed no airworthiness issues. The Dash has been returned to service.
TECH FAULT DIVERTS KALITTA 747: KALITTA AIR Flight 328 was on Scheduled International Boeing 747 Cargo Service from Brussels, Belgium, to Newark, New Jersey, when it had to divert while enroute, yesterday, September 27. Flight 328, with 6 crew members onboard, declared an emergency while inflight at 30000 feet, near Ireland. The crew reported an unspecified technical fault. After circling to dump fuel, the 747 was diverted to Shannon, Ireland, where it landed without incident about 50 minutes later. The aircraft is seen landing at Shannon yesterday in the photo at left. A post flight inspection revealed that the technical fault was in error, thus the aircraft was cleared to resume its flight. Flight 328 landed in Newark late yesterday without incident, about 5 hours behind its scheduled arrival.
ENGINE FORCES SINGAPORE A380 RETURN: SINGAPORE AIRLINES Flight 333 was on Scheduled International A380 Service from Paris, France, to Singapore, when it had to make an emergency return to Paris, yesterday, September 27. Flight 333, with 444 passengers and crew onboard, declared an emergency while overhead Poland, about 2.5 hours after its initial departure. The crew reported that they had shut down engine No.1 after they had detected an oil leak. The A380 turned around, and returned to Paris, where it landed without incident, about 5 hours after its initial departure. The A380 is seen landing back at Paris yesterday, in the photo at left. The aircraft was removed from service for inspection and repairs, and was expected to resume service today. This was the 1st incident for this particular A380 since it started operating the Singapore-Paris route earlier this year.
UAL A320 LOSES CABIN PRESSURE: UNITED AIRLINES Flight 818 was on Scheduled Domestic A320 Service from Chicago OHare to Newark, New Jersey, when it had to divert while enroute, on Saturday, September 26. Flight 818, with 41 passengers and crew onboard, declared an emergency while overhead Cleveland, Ohio, at 39000 feet. The crew reported that the passenger cabin pressure had dropped suddenly, causing the O2 masks to deploy. The crew performed an emergency descent to 10000 feet, and diverted to Cleveland, where the A320 landed without incident about 30 minutes later. No one onboard Flight 818 was injured in the incident. The aircraft was removed from service for a full inspection and possible repairs.
WINDSHIELD CRACKS ON DELTA 767: DELTA AIRLINES Flight 74 was on Scheduled International Boeing 767 Service from Atlanta, Georgia, to Milan, Italy, when it had to divert while enroute, on Wednesday, September 23. Flight 74 was inflight at 33000 feet, overhead Canada, when the crew requested to divert due to a cracked windshield. The 767 was diverted to New York JFK, where it landed without incident. The aircraft has since returned to service after undergoing repairs. Sunday, September 27, 2009
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
MUSIC/MADONNA TOPS UK ALBUM CHART: Madonna's "Celebration," her 3rd greatest hits album, has topped the UK album chart in its 1st week of release. Collecting together hits like "Hung Up" and "Like A Virgin," the retrospective marks the end of the star's 27-year relationship with record label Warners. "Celebration:" is her 11th #1 album in the UK. Alson on the album chart, there are top 10 new entries for Dizzee Rascal, Mika, Cliff Richard and the Shadows and Pearl Jam. Last week's #1, Muse's "The Resistance," drops to #2. In the singles chart, Taio Cruz spends a 2nd consecutive week at the top with "Break Your Heart," the 1st act to do so since July. The top 10 is peppered with album tracks this week, as music lovers cherry pick songs from newly-released albums by Jay-Z and Dizzee Rascal. Jay-Z's duet with Alicia Keys, "Empire State Of Mind," is at #3, while Dizzee Rascal's cover of 1990s dance classic "Dirty Cash (Money Talks): makes its 1st appearance at #10.
TV/ "L&O" STARS TO EXIT: "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" stars Vincent D’Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, and Eric Bogosian are all expected to be phased out at various points during the series’ upcoming 9th season. Julianne Nicholson left the show a few months ago. Executive producer Dick Wolf is turning to Jeff Goldblum, who joined the cast last season, to remain as lead detective in the series along with Saffron Burrows, who was recently cast to replace Nicholson as Goldblum’s partner. Details about D’Onofrio, Erbe and Bogosian’s exit are still unclear as the actors’ deals are being worked out. D’Onofrio and Erbe have been with the show since the beginning in 2001, while Bogosian joined in 2006. Since then, the original pair have had to make room for Nicholson and Chris Noth, who left last year. Goldblum arrived in 2008. The 9th season is slated to premiere in late spring with a 2 part episode. 
TV/VENEZUELA BANS "FAMILY GUY": Authorities in Venezuela say they will punish TV stations if they continue to broadcast episodes of cult US animation series "Family Guy'. The Justice Minister said that the show should be banned because it promotes the use of marijuana. He took exception to a recent episode in which 1 character, Brian, a talking dog, started a campaign to legalize the drug. Cable stations which refuse to dump the show would be fined. It is not the 1st time the government of President Hugo Chavez has reacted badly to a cartoon. Last year, "The Simpsons" was deemed unsuitable for children after officials decided it flouted regulations prohibiting "messages that go against the whole education of boys, girls and adolescents". Venezuelan TV is known for filling its schedules with reruns of old US series and Latin American soap operas. It also includes a talk show hosted by the country's president, Hugo Chavez. New regulations for cable TV in the country could also see cable channels forced to carry Chavez's frequent speeches.
FILM/SWISS ARREST POLANSKI: Oscar-winning filmmaker Roman Polanski has been arrested in Switzerland on a decades-old arrest warrant stemming from a sex charge in California. Polanski, 76, was taken into custody trying to enter Switzerland yesterday, Zurich police said. A spokesman for the Swiss Justice Ministry said Polanski was arrested upon arrival at the Airport. He has lived in France for decades to avoid being arrested if he enters the United States and declined to appear in person to collect his Academy Award for Best Director for "The Pianist" in 2003. The director pleaded guilty in 1977 to a single count of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, acknowledging he had sex with a 13-year-old girl. But he fled the United States before he could be sentenced, and US authorities have had a warrant for his arrest since 1978. Polanski was nominated for best director Oscars for "Tess" and "Chinatown," and for best writing for "Rosemary's Baby," which he also directed. He was en route to the Zurich Film Festival, which is holding a Polanski tribute this year, when he was arrested by Swiss authorities, the festival said.WORLD NEWS/ KETSANA WALLOPS PHILIPPINES
At least 106 people have died in The Philippines, after Tropical Storm Ketsana struck the Pacific country yesterday. Ketsana triggered the worst flooding in decades in the capital Manila and nearby provinces. The Philippines Defence Secretary said troops, police and civilian volunteers had rescued more than 4000 people, many clinging to each other on roofs. More than 250,000 have been driven from their homes. Reports from Manila early this morning said that about 80% of the capital is still under water after the city saw over 16 inches of rain. The government has declared a "calamity" in Manila and 25 provinces, allowing access to emergency funds. The equivalent of a whole month's rain fell in 6 hours as Ketsana, also known as Ondoy, lashed the island of Luzon yesterday. TV images showed gushing water turning roads into rivers, with floods chest-deep and rising. The Mayor of the town of Cainta, in Rizal province to the N, said his town was "almost 100% under water". The Rizal Governor said other nearby towns were completely inundated. Roads leading into Manila were rendered impassable by stalled vehicles, and some ferry services were cancelled. Thousands of passengers were stranded as international and domestic airports were shut down. Philippines President Gloria Arroyo appealed for donations and called for calm. Tropical Storm Ketsana is currently in the South China Sea with winds of 65mph, and gusts to 80mph. Current forecasts have Ketsana strengthening into a Category 1 Typhoon, before making landfall a 2nd time, near Hue, Vietnam, on Tuesday.
AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS
UNRULY PAX DIVERTS AA 777: AMERICAN AIRLINES Flight 61 was on Scheduled International Boeing 777 Service from Dallas/Ft Worth, Texas, to Tokyo, Japan, when it had to divert while enroute, yesterday, September 26. Flight 61 was about 40 minutes into its Pacific Ocean crossing, when the crew declared an emergency reporting that a passenger, traveling with 2 other people, assaulted a Flight Attendant. The crew requested a return and diversion, which was approved. The crew turned the aircraft around, and the 777 diverted to San Francisco, California, where it landed without incident. SFO Airport Police reported that all 3 passengers traveling together, 2 males and 1 female, where removed from the aircraft and taken into custody for questioning. In a brief statement, American said only 1 passenger was removed the aircraft. The passenger accused of the assault faces multiple federal charges.
VIM 757 DAMAGED ON TAKEOFF ROLL: A VIM AVIA Boeing 757 was on Non-Scheduled International Service from Rimini, Italy, to Moscow, Russia, when it was suffered substantial damage as it attempted to takeoff, yesterday, September 26. The 757, with 220 passengers and crew onboard, hit an uncovered central guiding line light on the runway with its nose gear while on its takeoff roll. The crew aborted its takeoff and brought the aircraft to a stop on the runway. The aircraft was removed from service for a full damage assessment. According to local media reports, the 757 suffered substantial damages to the nose gear and fuselage, which was punctured by flying pieces of the light. Russian media reported that the runway at Rimini was in a "poor state". It is not known what type of investigation will take place.
PAX DIES ON PEGASUS 737: PEGASUS AIRLINES Flight 5277 was on Scheduled International Boeing 737 Service from Dalaman, Turkey, to Brussels, Belgium, when it had to make an emergency landing in Brussels, on Friday, September 25. Flight 5277 was nearing Brussels, when the Pilot notified ATC that a male passenger was suffering symptoms of a heart attack. A doctor and 2 nurses onboard provided first aid to the passenger, but his condition worsened rapidly. The crew declared an emergency and landed shortly thereafter at Brussels, however the passenger was declared dead upon arrival. According to local media reports, passengers reported that a defibrillator was not onboard and 2 oxygen bottles given to the doctor for first aid were empty. In a brief statement, tour operator Thomas Cook Belgium, who had chartered the aircraft, said that they were unaware of such problems but promised a full investigation. It is not known if Belgium aviation officials will also investigate. Saturday, September 26, 2009
SNAPSHOTS
A SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE AND HER ALBINO CALF ARE PICTURED THIS WEEK SWIMMING OFF THE SHORE OF HERMANUS IN THE WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA.
MUSIC HISTORY/ 30 YEARS AGO
1. MY SHARONA--THE KNACK2. AFTER THE LOVE HAS GONE--EARTH, WIND, & FIRE
3. THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA--CHARLIE DANIELS BAND
4. RISE--HERB ALPERT
5. LEAD ME ON--MAXINE NIGHTINGALE
6. SAD EYES--ROBERT JOHN
7. LONESOME LOSER--LITTLE RIVER BAND
8. I'LL NEVER LOVE THIS WAY AGAIN--DIONNE WARWICK
9. SAIL ON--COMMODORES
10. DON'T BRING ME DOWN--ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA
TOP DEBUT ON HOT 100: #76--BROKEN HEARTED ME--ANNE MURRAY
AVIATION/ BOEING READIES THE 747-8
An updated version of the iconic Boeing 747 jumbo jet is quietly inching toward its own test flight, an event that could restore some credibility Boeing has burned with the stalled Dreamliner. Though not nearly as innovative or fuel-efficient as the revolutionary carbon-composite 787 Dreamliner, the 747-8 is sharing technology with the 787. Both are being assembled at the same massive Boeing complex in Everett, Washington. It has been a rocky road for both planes, which now appear set for their 1st flights before the end of 2009. In fact, Boeing has not ruled out flying them on the same day. The 747-8 Freighter is set for delivery in the third quarter of 2010, while the 747-8 Intercontinental, which is the passenger version, is scheduled for delivery in the 4th quarter of 2011. Boeing has 105 orders for 747-8s on its books at list prices between $293 million and $308 million.
The legendary 747 family has been in the air since 1969 and is Boeing's biggest and most recognizable commercial plane. The new model serves the 400- to 500-seat market between the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 777-300. The 747-8, which uses new engine and wing designs, boasts greater fuel efficiency and lower operating costs than the A380, its closest rival. The Freighter can carry 16% more cargo than the previous 747 model, while the Intercontinental can carry 51 more passengers. A successful test flight for the 747-8 is the chance for Boeing to redeem itself and restore some luster to the brand with customers after the delays of recent years. Experts also say that it could give the 747 family another 20 years of life.AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS
SOUTH AFRICA UPDATES ON SA AIRLINK FL8911: The South Africa CAA has released a brief update into the crash of SA AIRLINK Flight 8911 on Thursday at Durban, South Africa. Flight 8911 was on a Positioning Flight from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, when it crashed on takeoff from Durban. All 3 crew members were injured, as well as 1 person the ground. In their brief statement, the CAA confirmed the possibility of an engine failure as cause of the accident after preliminary investigations were completed. The wreckage has been released to be removed from the accident site. The investigators are on their way back to Johannesburg, South Africe for further investigations.
PRESSURE LOST ON EXPRESSJET ERJ: EXPRESSJET Flight 2278 was on Scheduled Domestic ERJ145 Service from Houston, Texas, to Omaha, Nebraska, on behalf of CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, when it had to make an emergency landing in Omaha, on Thursday, September 24. Flight 2278, with 49 passengers and 3 crew members onboard, was beginning its initial descent into Omaha, when the cabin pressure dropped prompting the passenger oxygen masks to deploy. The crew declared an emergency and performed an emergency descent to 10000 feet. The ERJ landed in Omaha without incident, about 30 minutes after the emergency began. The aircraft was then removed from service for a full inspection and repairs. In a brief statement, Expressjet said that the automatic air pressurization system failed, caused the oxygen masks to release. 1 female passenger suffered bleeding from her ears and was treated and released at the Airport. The incident is under investigation by the NTSB and the Airline.
HYDRAULICS FORCE AIR ASTANA A321 RETURN: AIR ASTANA Flight 855 was on Scheduled Domestic A321 Service from Almaty to Astana, Kasakhstan, when it had to make an emergency return to Almaty, on Thursday, September 24. Flight 855, with 159 passengers and crew onboard, declared an emergency due to an overheated hydraulics fluid in one of the hydraulics systems. While returning to Almaty, the hydraulics system failed, however the A321 landed without incident and the Pilot was able to brake the aircraft on the runway. The A321 was then removed from service for inspection and repair.
SHUTTLE AMERICAN ERJ RETURNS OVER FIRE ALERT: SHUTTLE AMERICA Flight 7707 was on Scheduled International ERJ170 Service from Ottawa, Canada, to Denver, Colorado, on behalf of UNITED AIRLINES, when it had to make an emergency return to Ottawa, on Wednesday, September 23. Flight 7707, with 35 passengers and crew onboard, was climbing thru 17000 feet, when the crew received intermittent engine fire alerts. The crew declared an emergency and landed back at Ottawa without incident, about 20 minutes after the incident began. Emergency Services could find no trace of smoke or fire. In a brief statement, the Canadian TSB said that the aircraft was inspected, and no fire was found. The incident is believed to be related to a technical fault.
ADIRU1 FAILS ON GERMANWINGS A319: GERMANWINGS Flight 8962 was on Scheduled International A319 Service from Berlin, Germany, to Pula, Croatia, when it had to make an emergency return to Berlin, on July 16, 2009. The incident was just disclosed yesterday when the German Bundestelle fuer Flugunfalluntersuchungen (BFU) said that they have initiated an investigation into the incident. Flight 8962 declared an emergency as they reached cruise altitude, about 30 minutes after their departure. the crew reported that the Air Data Inertial Reference Unit No.1 (ADIRU1) had failed. ADIRU1 is responsible for the speed limitation on the normal gear extension system (preventing gear extension above the max. gear extension speed) which required the crew to drop the gear using the alternate gear extension procedure (which leaves the gear doors open and disconnects the nose wheel steering).Friday, September 25, 2009
SNAPSHOTS
THIS RAINBOW WAS CAPTURED OVER LAKE PARK, FLORIDA, YESTERDAY, AS A THUNDERSTORM EXITED THE AREA.
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