Officials identify four firefighter killed in West fertilizer plant explosion

The names of four volunteer firefighters, who were killed in a massive explosion at West fertilizer plant in Texas, were released at a news conference outside city hall in West. The dead were among 14 people, nearly all of them emergency responders, died when the blast flattened the fertilizer plant and destroyed as many as 75 homes and buildings on Wednesday night (April 17, 2013). Among the firefighter killed were brothers Doug and Robert Snokhous, who lived half a mile from each other and worked together at an ironworks in nearby Waco. They are survived by their wives, children and grandchildren. Another man was killed in the blast was Jerry Chapman while officials identified a fourth firefighter, Kevin Sanders.

Booming baritone George Beverly Shea dies at the age of 104

George Beverly Shea, a member of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame, died in Asheville at the age of 104 after a brief illness on Tuesday (April 16, 2013). He is survived by his wife, Karlene, and his children from his first marriage, Ronald and Elaine. Born in Winchester, the Canadian emigrant, whose booming baritone voice echoed through squares, stadiums and souls during his decades-long career, joined evangelist Billy Graham’s crusade team in 1947. However, George Beverly Shea was well-known as a gospel soloist before he met Graham in the early 1940s. He then became one of America's most-recognized gospel soloists, himself summing up his career with his inspirational "The Wonder of It All" and his trademark rendition of "How Great Thou Art.”

Photo: Opera.
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Vietnam unveils giant steel Dragon Bridge that breathes huge balls of fire

Giant steel Dragon Bridge, the world's largest dragon bridge, has been unveiled on the 38th anniversary of of the end of the Vietnam War in the Vietnamese city of Da Nang. The six-lane bridge, which literally shoots fire from its mouth, was opened by Vietnam's deputy prime minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc. The 1,864-foot-long bridge is designed with steel arches that serve as the body of the dragon and features more than 2,500 energy-efficient Philips LED lights. The whole construction extends to 666m in length and weighs 8,164-tonnes. The Dragon Bridge is modelled on the dragon of the Lý Dynasty, a symbolic creature that is part of Vietnam folklore. The structure cost a reported $85 million since it began construction in April 2009. Let's share this post on Twitter if you find the story interesting.

A Foreign Service Officer killed in a suicide bomb attack in Zabul, Afghanistan

Anne Smedinghoff, a 25-year-old Foreign Service Officer, was killed in a car bomb blast in Qalat, Zabul on Saturday (April 6, 2013). She is the first U.S. diplomat to die on the job since last year’s attack in Benghazi, Libya that killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens. According to Davis, Anne Smedinghoff is among five Americans killed in the suicide bomb attack in southern Afghanistan. The other victims included three U.S. troops and a civilian working for the Defense Department. Four State Department officials were among the 10 injured in the attack. Anne Smedinghoff joined the Foreign Service after graduating from Johns Hopkins University in 2009 with a degree in international studies. She then volunteered to serve in Afghanistan and arrived last July. Anne Smedinghoff was described as a positive, hard-working and dependable young woman.

Israeli troops shoot and kill a Palestinian boy in the occupied West Bank

Samir Awad, a 17-year-old boy was killed by Israeli soldiers in a confrontation near a West Bank separation barrier on Tuesday (April 2, 2013). The high school student was to Ramallah hospital in critical condition and died shortly afterward. He was shot in the back, head and leg. Samir Awad was the second Palestinian killed in four days by Israeli troops in the West Bank, where few clashes have ended with fatalities in recent years. Samir’s classmates said that they were leaving school on the last day of their mid-year exams when clashes broke out between demonstrators and Israeli soldiers. Samir Awad was alleged to approach a fence in the barrier and try to breach it. The troops warned him to stop and when he did not, they opened fire. Please share this story on Twitter so people will know about the crime of Israeli troops.

Teachers suspended after leaving a 4-year-old boy outside in the cold

Three teachers at the Y Learning Center were suspended after they left a 4-year-old boy outside in the cold as punishment on Monday (April 1, 2013). The teachers were said to take the kid and his clothes outside the center, having him stand on his snowsuit after they had trouble getting him to put on his outdoor apparel. A parent spotted the boy without his coat and called police when the boy allegedly said that he was being punished. The child was then brought inside and properly dressed by another staff member. The Y Learning Center is now reviewing policies with its staff while letters also went out Monday to parents to explain what had happened.
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Police searching a man after he is thrown from his plane

Police in Collegedale and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office were searching the ground for a man after he was thrown from an experimental aircraft on Friday (March 29, 2013). The unidentified man was being trained by an instructor in his Zodiac 601 plane at about 2,500 feet when the canopy came off. His seat belt was not fastened and he fell from the aircraft over the East Brainerd and Apison areas of the county. Meanwhile, the instructor landed the plane and was not physically hurt. According to Collegedale Municipal Airport employee Lowell Sterchi, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have been notified. If you know anything about the man or the instructor, please share your information with me on Twitter or just drop a comment here.

A paraplegic man gets $8,000 from Disneyland after being stuck on the ride for 30 minutes

Jose Martinez, a disabled man, got $8,000 from Disneyland after becoming stuck for 30 minutes on the “It’s A Small World” ride. The incident took place on November 27th 2009 when the paraplegic man and his wife Christina Buchanan-Martinez went to the amusement park for the first time. While they were having a great time, the "It's A Small World" ride broke down, stranding him for a half of hour. Jose Martinez, who suffers from chronic problems with diabetes, hypertension and anxiety disorder, didn't medically stabilize for three hours after he became stuck. The 52-year-old man then sued Disneyland in 2011 and has been awarded $8,000. According to his attorney David Geffen, Jose was awarded $4,000 for “pain and suffering” and the rest was for a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

It's a Small World ride at Disneyland

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A teenage girl stabbed critically and other three people hurt inside a Target store

At least four people were stabbed inside a store in Target on Monday (March 25, 2013). The victims included one teenage girl, who was taken to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in critical condition. Meanwhile, a police officer was treated for exposure to pepper spray from this incident. Three other people were also stabbed multiple times, but none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening. According to Opera, the suspect was arrested at the scene after officers were called to the store in the East Liberty section of the city. Details of who this suspect is or the motive for this stabbing have not been released as of yet.

An 86-year-old man shoots his wife and kills himself at Lehigh Valley Hospital

Elwood Osman, an 86-year-old man, shot his 83-year-old wife and then killed himself at the hospice inpatient unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, in eastern Pennsylvania on Tuesday (March 19, 2013). According to Mr What Is, the murder-suicide took place shortly after 1 p.m when staff members heard gunshots on the fourth floor of the hospital. When they entered the room, they found the woman dead in her bed with the body of her husband. There were no witnesses to the incident at the hospital because all of the rooms are private. No other patients or staff were injured and the hospital wasn't evacuated.

A man sentenced to two years' probation after waterboarding 4 children

A 42-year-old man in Montana pleaded guilty on Friday (March 8, 2013) to four misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child after being accused of waterboarding four children as a learning experience for them in December last year. The boys were his 9- and 12-year-old sons and two neighbor kids, ages 13 and 15. According to Search Dave, the Jefferson County man straddled each boy with his hands over the child's face and mouth, dumping water on their faces to simulate drowning. Poor the boy! The man was arrested in December at the Helena airport after returning on a flight from Alaska. He was sentenced to two years' probation.

French mother on trial for dressing her boy with ‘9/11 Bomb’ T-Shirt to school

A woman in southern France was in court on Wednesday (March 6, 2013) after being arrested for sending her son named Jihad to school wearing a T-shirt with the words "I am a bomb" printed on it. 35 year-old Bouchra Bagour was charged with glorifying crime after being reported to police by the teachers and local mayor last September. It is reported that the words "I am a bomb" were inscribed on the front, and the words "Jihad, born September 11" on the back of the controversial clothing, which was a gift from Bagour’s 29-year-old brother, Zeyad Bagour. According to Best Searching, both Ms Bagour and her brother were summoned to appear before the court after the school and local mayor complained. Mr Bagour told the court he "had no intention to provoke or shock". The mother also admitted the move was tactless but insisted it was not meant as a provocation. She said she simply wanted to make note of her son’s birthday and did not intend to reference the 9/11 attacks in the United States in 2001.

Maldives police arrest former President Mohamed Nasheed

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed was arrested on Tuesday (March 5, 2013) on charges of abuse of power during his tenure after months of political tension. A court had ordered police in the Maldives capital, Male, to arrest Nasheed after he avoided two warrants last month by taking refuge at the Indian Embassy for 10 days. The veteran human rights campaigner is involved in a case relating to accusations that he illegally detained a judge during the last days of his rule. A police spokesman said the ex-president will be produced in court on Wednesday. The 45-year-old former leader was picked up from his house by several dozen police wearing balaclavas and black riot gear with some armed with rubber bullet guns. An unconfirmed report spoke of clashes between his supporters and police when they came to arrest him. Nasheed's supporters turned violent soon after the arrest, attacking police and burning a motorbike. India has been informed that Nasheed's lawyers and family are going to meet him as allowed by the authorities. Follow me on Google+ to know who is talking about this story.

A Baltimore County woman without driver's license saves bus after driver becomes ill

Janai Stafford, a Baltimore County woman, saved a Maryland Transit Administration bus from crashing when the bus driver became ill while behind the wheel on Tuesday afternoon (February 26, 2013). The woman, who doesn't have a driver's license, reportedly boarded the bus outside a Giant supermarket and the vehicle was full of kids. So she stayed up front, near the driver. However, the bus driver didn’t feel good a short time later and he passed out all over the wheel. That's when Janai Stafford said she knew she had to take control of the bus. She placed her foot on top of the driver's foot, slowed down the bus, and pulled it over to the side of the road. According to Witty Sparks, the bus driver, whose condition was not immediately known, was then taken to Northwest Hospital.

Ammar Harris arrested one week after allegedly opening fire on a Maserati in Las Vegas

Ammar Harris, who allegedly opened fire on a Maserati in Las Vegas a week ago, was arrested in North Hollywood on Thursday (February 28, 2013). The 26-year-old man was found in an apartment after a woman answered the door. His surrender ended a manhunt across several US states that began after a vehicle-to-vehicle shooting and spectacular, fiery crash last Thursday. Ammar Harris allegedly opened fire on the Maserati driven by aspiring rapper Kenneth Cherry when it headed north on Las Vegas Boulevard. Cherry was shot in the chest and arm while his vehicle sped forward and crashed into a taxi, killing the driver and a passenger. Don't forget to share this news on Twitter or Google+ if you like my post.

A man killed by a long shark at Muriwai Beach in New Zealand

Muriwai Beach near Auckland has been closed after a long shark killed a swimmer on Wednesday (February 27, 2013). Other beaches nearby have been also closed until further notice. The attack took place around 13:30 (00:30 GMT) when the 47-year-old man was swimming, about 200 meters (650 feet) offshore. Police went out in inflatable surf-lifesaving boats and shot at the shark before it disappeared. The creature is estimated to be 12 to 14 feet long. This is the latest attack since the shark fatality took place in the Bay of Plenty, south-east of Auckland in 1976. Please visit Topsy for more news on shark attacks.

NASCAR fans injured in Daytona International Speedway Crash

At least 28 fans and one driver have been injured by flying debris from a fiery multi-car crash during a Nascar race at Daytona in the US state of Florida on Saturday (February 23, 2013). The 12-car crash happened moments before the end of the Nationwide race. Debris from crash flew into the spectator area and amid chaotic scenes, some fans were taken away on stretchers. According to Ask UK, the wreck occurred when several closely packed cars were jostling for position at top speeds of about 175 mph. They got tangled up, setting off a dangerous chain reaction that ensnared a number of vehicles. At least 14 of the injured were transported to hospitals and more than a dozen others were treated at the speedway, Daytona president Joie Chitwood III said. Track workers finished repairs about 2 a.m. Sunday, having installed a new fence post, new metal meshing and part of the concrete wall.

The NBC.com site is now safe to visit after being hacked

U.S. media company NBC Universal said that its website NBC.com is now safe to visit after it was hacked on Thursday (February 21, 2013). "A problem was identified and it has been fixed," an NBC spokeswoman said. "Users who go on there now are safe." Earlier in the day, security researchers said that the site was tainted with viruses the Citadel and ZeroAccess, which are used for banking fraud, cyber espionage and other computer crimes. They cautioned that visitors should avoid the website altogether. Meanwhile, social network sites such as Facebook and Pinterest also blocked users from accessing the NBC.com site following reports that it was infected with a computer virus.

4 dead, including shooter, in southern California shooting spree

A gunman killed three people before killing himself at the end of a 25-minute shooting spree and carjacking rampage on a freeway in Southern California's Orange County on Tuesday morning (February 19, 2013). The shootings began at 4.45am, when deputies responding to a call found a woman shot multiple times in a house in Ladera Ranch. At least two other people were reportedly wounded during the chaotic rampage, which involves at least three attempted carjackings and six crime scenes. Those victims were receiving treatment at a local hospital. The motive for the shootings is still unclear. It was also unclear if the victims knew each other or the shooter. Police have identified the gunman as Ali Syed, a 20-year-old unemployed part-time student, who lived with his parents at the Ladera Ranch residence where the first victim was slain. Authorities said Syed was taking one course at Saddleback College, a two-year community college. Follow me on Opera and TweetBuzz for more information about the gunman.

Country star Mindy McCready found dead by self-inflicted gunshot wound

US country singer Mindy McCready has died in a suspected suicide on Sunday afternoon (February 17, 2013) at the age of 37. The police said in a statement that she died apparently of a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound. An autopsy is pending. The 37-year-old singer, who was noted for a turbulent personal life and her struggles with addiction, was found on the same porch where her boyfriend David Wilson is believed to have shot himself last month. McCready also appears to have shot and killed a dog that belonged to her record-producer man, before shooting herself. The hot-rod blonde woman leaves behind two sons, 6-year-old Zander and 10-month-old Zayne. McCready found fame in 1996 with a series of hits from her first album, Ten Thousand Angels. Her best known track, Guys Do It All the Time, reached number one in the US country charts before personal problems sidetracked her career. Please share this news on social network sites like Google+ or Tumblr if you are her fan.