Hail Storm Oklahoma City Video And Images

A ferocious hail storm has smashed up cars, battered houses and buried Oklahoma City in so much ice that it looked like snow had struck in spring.

The storm hit the south central U.S. city on Sunday afternoon bringing hail stones as large as softballs and thumping rain that forced motorists off roads in an effort avoid shattered windshields.

YouTube and social networking sites, such as Twitter, were flooded with images and comments from local residents as they gave their own accounts of the freak storm.

The hail was so fierce that it damaged two ambulance units, one fire truck and 34 police vehicles.

Mark Lisle, a former bank chief executive, posted an image on his Twitter blog, of his son's Volkswagen Jetta with the back windscreen completely smashed in.

Oklahoma City News 9 reporter Rusty Surette wrote on his micro-blogging site: 'Hey, Oklahoma! What the hail just happened?

'Driving around.. Looks like snow on ground. Busted windows on vehicles all over the place!!!'

Mr Surette also urged his Twitter followers to send him personal accounts and images of the hail to be broadcast on the local news.

Tim Hartmuller, who runs cross country and track and field at Oklahoma City University, sent in a photograph of his back covered in welts and bruises after getting caught in the hail.

Mr Hartmuller had been going for run along a lake when the storm started to develop. He thought he could make it back to his car in time, but became stuck trying to hide behind a bin.

He described being pelted by golf ball-sized hail stones.

'It was just ridiculous. I was pretty much just running for my life. And I saw a random guy in a truck filming the storm and I waived him down and got in his truck and I'm pretty sure he saved my life,' the OCU athlete told News 9.

Wind gusts as high as 60 mph were measured during the storm, which struck just one day after a tornado hit other parts of the state of Oklahoma.

Ironically, a farm in Fairfax, where scenes from the film Twister had been shot, was damaged by the twisters.

J. Berry Harrison, owner of the farm, said he lost two houses, five barns, two silos, a horse and farm equipment.

He said his family were unhurt.

In the 1996 movie starring Helen Hunt, a tornado runs along a road and over a bridge where actors are taking shelter.

Mr Harrison said the real tornado followed a similar path.

The storms were part of a violent weather system that produced twisters in Kansas and other parts of Oklahoma.

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Britney Spears To Be Twitter's New Queen

Ashton Kutcher is on the verge of loosing his Twitter reign as the #1 followed account to Britney Spears.

Mashable reports that the two are neck-and-neck in the race to hit 5 million followers.

As you may already know (or if you didn't know,) Ashton Kutcher was the first Twitter user to reach 1 million followers back in 2009 after battling it out with CNN for the top spot.

A year later, Ashton faces another toughy as Britney's worldwide legion of die-hard-fans battle it out with the mighty Kutch-Army for Twitter's throne. So the question here is, can King Kutch be overthrown? Can he retain his title? Who will make it to 5 Million followers first?

Britney's worldwide popularity makes her a much tougher opponent, so I think it will be pretty tough for Kutcher to remain Twitter's King. But I could be wrong, Ashton may already have something up his sleeve, he did it against CNN, why won't he against Spears? If he has, he better hurry, as he is is only ahead by 100,000 followers, which to you may seem like a lot but you'll be surprised as to how quickly these numbers add up on the Twittersphere. As I write this post (9:05am - May 17), Britney has 4,892,129 followers, whilst Ashton is ahead with 4,901,115.

Let the battle begin!

Updated Daily - Last updated May 17
Ashton Kutcher 4,901,115
Britney Spears 4,892,345

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2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa : Review

With more than 2.5 million tickets for the World Cup finals sold through authorised FIFA channels, the South African authorities have finalised regulations to combat ticket touts.

However, unauthorised operators or sellers continue to exploit the popularity of the FIFA World Cup to lure unsuspecting fans across the world into purchasing illegitimate or unauthorised tickets and/or ticket-inclusive travel packages.

FIFA Ten-and-a-half, then? A re-skinned FIFA 10 with a few hints of what’s to come in five months time? To put it bluntly: yes.

Indisputably, EA’s four-yearly World Cup games are like a corporate birthday party; this time populated by Vuvuzela that spew out cash rather than South Africa’s most annoying noise. Already, the game sits at the top of the UK charts, doubtless bought almost exclusively by those who already own FIFA 10. It’s perfectly timed, of course, released as the season ends just in time to catalyse World Cup fever.

EA certainly understand that it’s presentation that sells a game of football, but they seem to forgotten that it’s the football itself that keeps players playing.

It’s hard to deny that it looks great. Player likenesses have certainly been heightened, although it’s still very difficult to tell the difference between Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry. The pitches look seriously fantastic, especially the lush, verdant, deep green of the official South African stadiums. No more of the blindingly bright near-turquoise that occasionally popped up in FIFA 10. Overall, the atmosphere is more lifelike, the aforementioned local horns mingling with raucous crowd noises and ticker-tape carpeting the edge of the pitch.

Club teams have been necessarily removed, to be replaced by a (nearly) complete roster of international sides from around the globe. 199 countries/principalities/city states means a lot of variation, but also a lot of minnows who you’ll probably rarely use. Still, it’s nice to have them there and nice to be given the option to guide a tiny Caribbean island to glory.

In terms of realism we’re awarded the dubious pleasure of a preview of ITV’s World Cup coverage, through Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend. Although the carefully scripted snippets when certain teams meet or when any team (I think) makes the final will doubtless be superior to whatever bias, presumptive trash they come out with on the day.

It’s unsurprising that on the field action has been tweaked rather than revolutionised. Headers are perhaps easier to score with, and shoulder barges seem to be penalised less often. It’s frustrating, though, that certain obvious faults still exist. Why is it so easy for a keeper’s short goal kick to go straight to an opposition striker? Why can every player cushion a fast, high, long ball with such ease? Some issues seem to have worsened; nobody seems to get tired, no matter how much you force them to sprint. The fish-eye corner camera that featured in some stadia in FIFA 10 returns, the one that made corners particularly confusing to aim. Bizarrely, every single new stadium uses it, presumably to show off the the effort put into their virtual reconstruction.

Familiarity breeds contempt, and while FIFA is still an enjoyable game of football, it’s very much the same game of football we started playing seven months ago. EA shouldn’t be allowed to rest on their laurels and simply presume dominance in the market. This World Cup edition is less of an appetiser for the delicacies we may find in FIFA 11, but more of a warning that the developers may have gone back to their old ways; slick presentation, lazy execution.

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Shakira's Waka Waka Dance For Africa World Cup 2010

Superstar Shakira has got World Cup fever ahead of next month's finals and has created an African themed song and dance for the big kick off.

Shakira has a new song for the 2010 World Cup called “Waka Waka, (This is Africa)”, did you guys hear it? I like the video, it shows you clips of football games and Shakira of course appears in the clip doing an amazing dance with back up dancers wearing a hot outfit… I love her blonde locks!

Shakira also did a Spanish version of the song since she’s from Columbia. The Spanish version is called “Esto Es Africa.” Honestly I didn’t like the song much and critics even complained that it was “horrible”, Shakira features in this song an African band called Freshlyground and it is mixed with a Cameroonian song called “Zangalewa.”

Africans are actually angry that the official anthem of the World Cup is not sung by a South African artist. The organizers are getting many artists such as Black Eye’d Peas and Alicia keys to kick of the tournament concert but Africans want to see some local artists participate.

Back in 2006, Shakira also did a song for the World Cup and it was called “Bamboo,” do you remember it? Which one do you like better? I honestly prefer “Bamboo” it was really catchy and it was a hit single, people all over the world were singing it!

Shakira will perform the song before July 11 World Cup finale at the Soccer City Stadium.

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How to reduce cell-phone radiation

Some of the possible ways to reduce mobile (cell-phone) radiations. There's lots of news today about a long-awaited study on cell phones and brain tumors.

The study, to be published Tuesday in the International Journal of Epidemiology, turns out to be inconclusive: It found no evidence that making calls with a mobile phone against your ear increases your risk for brain cancer, but it also couldn't prove that no such link exists.

"The possible effects of long-term heavy use of mobile phones require further investigation," the study says. Some people, including GQ writer Christopher Ketcham, who recently published an in-depth look at research in this area, are skeptical that such a probe will take place, in part because of the cell phone industry's lobbying influence. Several European countries have issued precautions about mobile phone radiation.

But we'll put the debate aside for now. If you are concerned about mobile phone radiation, here are a few ways to keep these potentially damaging waves away from your brain.

Not all are 100 percent effective, and several carry a significant geek factor. (If a Bluetooth earpiece can make Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt look creepy, what will it do to you?) But who knows. If hipsters latch on, maybe these add-ons will go the way of bike helmets and become socially acceptable.

Let us know what you think of these tips, and please offer up your own in the comments below.

1. Use the speaker phone:

This keeps the phone away from your ear and, if your phone has a decent speaker function already, doesn't cost you anything. Downside: Everyone in the office hears your partner yell at you for forgetting to record last night's episode of "Dancing with the Stars."

2. Don't talk. Text:

This will win you younger friends and social cachet, as long as your fingers aren't too fat to navigate a QWERTY. If you're new to texting (like omg!), wikiHow has a smart guide to get your started. You probably can't send all of your communiques in 140-character bites, though. Well, unless you're this girl.

3. Buy a lower-radiation phone:

CNET and the Environmental Working Group have published guides to radiation by phone model. You can use this information to guide your next cell phone purchase. The downside: This doesn't eliminate exposure. But, as they say, knowledge is power.

4. Use a headset:

Some earbuds are wired to the phone; other options, like Bluetooth ear pieces, are wireless. Both put less radiation on the side of your head than a phone, according to EWG. Downside: Since there's no phone in sight, it will look like you're talking to yourself while you're walking down the street. Unexpected bonus: People in music videos do that all the time. And rock stars aren't bothered by onlookers, are they?

5. Talk less:

Take this as literally as you will. You could simply limit your phone conversations, choosing to - gasp! - meet up with people in real life instead. Or, according to EWG, simply speaking less during a mobile-phone conversation can reduce your radiation exposure, too. From that group's guide: "Your phone emits radiation when you talk or text, but not when you're receiving messages. Listening more and talking less reduces your exposures." So, moral of story: less Jay, and more Silent Bob.

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Kabul suicide bomber attack on Nato convoy

A suicide car bomber has killed 18 people - including five US soldiers - and injured 52 more in the deadliest attack this year on foreign troops in the Afghan capital.

Most of the victims were Afghan civilians caught in the blast when the bomber targeted a Nato-led convoy.

The bomber struck during rush hour close to the parliament.

Taliban militants said they had carried out the attack, using a van packed with 750kg (1,650lb) of explosives.

Despite tight security, the suicide bomber managed to drive into the city in a car laden with explosives.

The convoy was attacked on the Darulaman road, one of the main roads in the city.

A spokesman for the Nato-led international peacekeeping force Isaf confirmed that six of its soldiers had been killed. Apart from the five US soldiers, one Canadian is believed to have been killed.

Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen "strongly" condemned the attack, but said the alliance remained "committed to its mission to protect the Afghan people and to strengthen Afghanistan's ability to resist terrorism".

Five military vehicles were damaged and more than a dozen civilian vehicles, including a bus, were also caught in the blast.

Eyewitness Obiadullah Saddiqyar was on his way into work when the bomb detonated. He described the scene as "totally chaotic".

RECENT KABUL ATTACKS

26 Feb 2010: Explosions and gunfire in an area popular with foreigners leave 17 dead

18 Jan 2010: Taliban attack government targets and shopping centres, killing 12

15 Dec 2009: Six killed in suicide attack near hotel in Wazir Akbar Khan district

24 Oct 2009: Six UN staff and three Afghans killed in attack on UN guesthouse

8 Oct 2009: Suicide bomber attacks Indian embassy, killing at least 17

17 Sept 2009: Six Italian soldiers and 10 Afghans die in military convoy blast

18 Aug 2009: Suicide blast kills 10 in attack on Western military convoy

"Among the dead there were lots of women and girls - I heard later that they were students going to university. I also saw one of my colleagues full of blood in the back of a police car, also being taken to hospital.

"This situation really made me cry for the bloodshed and the innocent people who were killed and injured."

Afghan police have set up extra checkpoints throughout the city this year following a series of attacks by gunmen and bombers on government offices and hotels, our correspondent says.

They say they have arrested several men planning suicide attacks but it is impossible to stop and search every car, so these attacks seem certain to continue, he says.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai described the attack as "heartbreaking".

"We are condemning the attack in the strongest terms. I hope Afghanistan will soon get out of this suffering, God willing," he said at a news conference broadcast on national television.

President Karzai has recently returned from a trip to Washington where he hoped to gather support for his policy of reconciliation with certain elements of the Taliban.

Afghan officials are also preparing for a jirga (English: grand council) of tribal leaders, during which ways to promote peace in Afghanistan will be discussed.

Meanwhile a military offensive in the southern province of Kandahar, a key Taliban stronghold, is being planned.

Earlier this year Nato and Afghan forces launched a major offensive against militants entrenched in neighbouring Helmand province and security forces are still engaged in operations around Helmand.

Nato and the US have deployed thousands of extra troops in Afghanistan, where numbers are expected to peak at 150,000 in August under a strategy designed to bring a swift end to the long-running insurgency.

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Bangkok Flash News : 30 dead, 232 injured

Thailand's main emergency medical center says 30 people have been killed in four days of street fighting between Red Shirt protesters and troops in central Bangkok.

It says 232 people have been wounded in clashes that began Thursday.

Erawan Emergency Center said Sunday all those killed were civilians.

The Red Shirts have been protesting since mid-March demanding the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the dissolution of Parliament and new elections.

The latest deaths raise to 59 the number of people killed in related violence since April 10. Most of the dead are civilians.

The government maintains it is only targeting armed "terrorists" among the Red Shirts.

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Michael Jackson doctor helps passenger in distress

The doctor accused of administering a powerful anesthetic that killed pop star Michael Jackson helped stabilize a young woman who fell unconscious on a US Airways jet on Saturday.

Dr. Conrad Murray found the woman with a very weak pulse aboard Flight 641 from Houston, hooked her up to an IV line he got from the plane's medical bag and monitored her while the jet was diverted to Albuquerque, N.M., his spokeswoman said.

"We're not surprised," said Miranda Sevcik, from the legal team representing Murray in his involuntary manslaughter case. "He's a good doctor, we've always said he was a good doctor, and that's what good doctors do is save people."

The young woman, who Murray said was 23 and traveling with an 11-month-old baby, was met at the gate by paramedics and taken to a hospital, Sevcik said. The plane then continued on to Phoenix. Murray was on his way to Los Angeles to confer with his lawyers at the time.

US Airways confirmed that a doctor on the flight helped stabilize a patient who had a medical emergency. Spokesman Todd Lehmacher said it was against company policy to identify the passenger or the doctor on board who helped stabilize her.

Murray's involvement was first reported by celebrity website TMZ.com.

Jackson, 50, was about to launch a world comeback tour when he died last June after being found unresponsive with Murray at his bedside in a Beverly Hills mansion. Murray had been hired at $150,000 a month to be Jackson's personal physician.

Murray told police he administered the anesthetic propofol to Jackson as a treatment for insomnia.

Conrad, 57, was charged in February with a felony charge of involuntary manslaughter. He has pleaded not guilty, and remains free on $75,000 bail pending trial.

The cardiologist has offices in Houston and Las Vegas. His license to practice medicine in California has been restricted by a judge and he is fighting to maintain his license in Las Vegas, where back child support could result in its suspension.

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How to Reduce Your Weight in a Week

Here's how to reduce your weight in a week... or possibly less. I'm going to share with you a few less popular secets... things you may have heard about but really didn't understand how they relate to weight loss. If you're interested in perhaps learning something new about reducing fat, then read this now.

How to Reduce your Weight in a Week

1. Consider using Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

This is definitely not your typical weight loss product. It isn't even categoried as a weight loss product. BUT IT IS. In fact, if I was forced to choose any weight loss "supplement" to take for 2 weeks in order to lose a lot of weight fast, I'd be taking this stuff.

Natural coconut oil is a healthy fat. It's good for you... so don't freak out about it being a fat. Don't worry about that. The bad fats come from things in packages... manmade things. Coconuts are from nature.

Anyway, you'll want the coconut oil that has "extra virgin" or "cold pressed" on the label... this is for purity and processing reasons. Once you get it, you simply need to take 1 tablespoon twice a day between meals on an empty stomach.

It's common for women... and men, to lose 5 or more pounds in less than 2 weeks. The cost is about $12... so it's not a big risk for you to take.

2. Organic apple cider vinegar

This thing is NASTY. But, people who are serious about losing weight will overlook that. I do. I love the stuff because it helps me to maintain my weight and lose weight whenever I need to drop a couple pounds, but I also hate it because it just tastes awful. A way around this is to just douse it on a salad or your foods this way it blends in and you won't taste it as much. I however take it straight. I take a gulp of it before meals to help break down the fats and carbs in those foods.

It OBLITERATES them. When using organic apple cider vinegar, your food gets digested much faster and more efficient. This obviously helps with weight loss.

Credit : ezinearticles.com

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Bangkok issue : 16 dead in bloody street battles

Clashes between Thai troops and anti-government protestors have claimed 16 dead and left dozens wounded in two days of fighting that has turned the heart of the capital into a war zone, official sources said Saturday.

The government on Thursday launched an offensive against the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to force them from their protest site at Ratchaprasong Road, Bangkok’s upmarket commercial district. It escalated into bloody street battles to secure all access points to the area Friday.

According to Bangkok Metropolitan Medical Centre, 16 civilians died and 141 sustained wounds, including three journalists, in street fighting Thursday and Friday. Troops used tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition against protestors mostly armed with molotov cocktails, stones and sticks.

Fighting was reported Friday night at Din Daeng and Ratchaprasop roads where troops had set up barricades to prevent red shirt protestors from joining the UDD leaders at Ratchaprasong.

There are an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 red shirts within the protest site, now a sprawling city within the city, which is protected by barricades of tyres and sharpened bamboo sticks.

Roads surrounding the Ratchaprasong district have been closed to traffic by troops.

UDD leaders have pledged to remain at the site, even if it leads to civil war. The movement, which claims to be fighting for democracy and a better deal for the long—neglected rural and urban poor, has many supporters in the countryside.

The UDD has occupied the Ratchaprasong neighbourhood since April 3, in a bid to force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and hold elections.

On May 3, Mr. Abhisit agreed to hold an election on November 14 and to set up a national reconciliation road map to address some of the social issues raised by the UDD protest and pave the way for peaceful polls on the condition that the UDD end its protest.

But the UDD insisted that Mr. Abhisit and his deputy Prime Minister in charge of security, Suthep Thaugsuban, be legally accountable for a previous crackdown on its followers on April 10, which left 25 dead.

Since the UDD protest began on March 12, a total of 45 people have died in clashes and attacks, and more than 1,000 have been injured.

The last time the country witnessed such violence was in May 1992, when an anti-military demonstration was mowed down by soldiers, leaving 44 dead and more than 100 missing.

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