Archive

Posts Tagged ‘sport’

Hacking death

May 24th, 2013 No comments


.cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:’’;font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}
.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}
.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}
.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:outline:medium none}
.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}
]]

The victim killed in a cleaver attack Wednesday was identified as Drummer Lee Rigby of 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. The brutal killing of Rigby shocked the United Kingdom, with Prime Minister David Cameron saying the act appears to have been a terrorist attack.The victim killed in a cleaver attack Wednesday was identified as Drummer Lee Rigby of 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. The brutal killing of Rigby shocked the United Kingdom, with Prime Minister David Cameron saying the act appears to have been a terrorist attack.

A police officer stands with flowers in a hail storm on Thursday, May 23, close to the crime scene in front of Woolwich Barracks in southeast London.A police officer stands with flowers in a hail storm on Thursday, May 23, close to the crime scene in front of Woolwich Barracks in southeast London.

A man contemplates at a scene where flowers lay, outside Woolwich Barracks in London.A man contemplates at a scene where flowers lay, outside Woolwich Barracks in London.

Flowers lie outside Woolwich Barracks on May 23.Flowers lie outside Woolwich Barracks on May 23.

Soldiers walk outside Woolwich Barracks on Thursday, May 23, near where the soldier was killed.Soldiers walk outside Woolwich Barracks on Thursday, May 23, near where the soldier was killed.

Notes and shirts sit outside Woolwich Barracks on May 23. The slain soldier was wearing a Help for Heroes shirt when he was killed. Notes and shirts sit outside Woolwich Barracks on May 23. The slain soldier was wearing a “Help for Heroes” shirt when he was killed.

British soldiers stand guard outside the barracks on May 23.British soldiers stand guard outside the barracks on May 23.

Members of the far-right English Defence League wear balaclavas as they gather outside a pub in Woolwich on Wednesday, May 22.Members of the far-right English Defence League wear balaclavas as they gather outside a pub in Woolwich on Wednesday, May 22.

EDL supporters confront police in Woolwich on May 22.EDL supporters confront police in Woolwich on May 22.

EDL leader Tommy Robinson joins supporters at the crime scene on May 22.EDL leader Tommy Robinson joins supporters at the crime scene on May 22.

A police officer guards a tent that's been set up at the crime scene as investigations continue late May 22.A police officer guards a tent that’s been set up at the crime scene as investigations continue late May 22.

Mary Warder brings flowers to the scene of the crime on May 22 to pay respects to the victim.Mary Warder brings flowers to the scene of the crime on May 22 to pay respects to the victim.

Men place flowers near the scene on John Wilson Street.Men place flowers near the scene on John Wilson Street.

A police officer guards a blocked-off area in Woolwich on May 22.A police officer guards a blocked-off area in Woolwich on May 22.

A general view of Woolwich Barracks, near the scene in Woolwich.A general view of Woolwich Barracks, near the scene in Woolwich.

Police officers block off a road in Woolwich.Police officers block off a road in Woolwich.

Forensic officers investigate the crime scene on May 22.Forensic officers investigate the crime scene on May 22.

Police walk to the scene in Woolwich on May 22.Police walk to the scene in Woolwich on May 22.

A still frame from video shows a man outside the Woolwich Barracks in London holding a cleaver and addressing the camera directly, moments after a serving soldier was hacked to death in the street on Wednesday, May 22. a href='http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/bestoftv/2013/05/22/sot-london-attack-suspect-video-itn.cnn'The man in the video/a swore by almighty Allah to keep fighting. British Prime David Cameron called the attack terrorism.A still frame from video shows a man outside the Woolwich Barracks in London holding a cleaver and addressing the camera directly, moments after a serving soldier was hacked to death in the street on Wednesday, May 22. The man in the video swore “by almighty Allah” to keep fighting. British Prime David Cameron called the attack terrorism.

Britain's prime Minister David Cameron addresses media representatives at 10 Downing Street in London on May 23, 2013, a day after a soldier who was hacked to death in a London street by two suspected Islamist extremists. Britain’s prime Minister David Cameron addresses media representatives at 10 Downing Street in London on May 23, 2013, a day after a soldier who was hacked to death in a London street by two suspected Islamist extremists.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


10


11


12


13


14


15


16


17


18


19


20

Are you from the area affected, or London in general? What is your reaction to the incident? Send us your images, video and experiences.

London (CNN) — Why did Lee Rigby have to die?

That’s what people around Britain — its officials, its authorities, its citizens — asked themselves Thursday, a day after the soldier was hit with a car, then hacked to death on a London street in broad daylight.

There’s been no indication that the 25-year-old machine gunner, drummer and father of a 2-year-old boy knew the men who attacked him with meat cleavers. One of them who approached a man filming the gory scene in southeast London’s Woolwich neighborhood suggested Rigby had been targeted only “because Muslims are dying daily” at the hands of British troops like him.

Soldier slain in London was a machine gunner, Royal Palaces drummer, father

That man and another who suffered gunshot wounds in a confrontation with police minutes after Rigby’s killing spent Thursday in stable condition at separate South London hospitals.


Cameron: Strong indication of terrorism


London attack suspect caught on video


Deadly attack near London barracks

Even with those two suspected attackers under guard, authorities pressed for answers — and to determine if others might have been somehow involved and, if so, why.

Six residences have been searched, and two people — a man and a woman, both of them age 29 — were arrested Thursday on “suspicion of conspiracy to murder,” London’s Metropolitan Police said.

“This is a large, complex and fast-moving investigation which continues to develop,” added police.

The attack, which Prime Minister David Cameron and others called an act of terror, stirred anxiety and alerts in Britain not seen since the summer of 2005, when coordinated bomb attacks struck London’s public transport network.

An additional 1,200 police are now on London’s streets to reassure the public, Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Crime and Operations Mark Rowley said, with extra patrols at key locations such as religious institutions and transport hubs. Steps were also taken to further protect military installations and personnel, he added.

Abu Barra blamed Wednesday’s attack not on his friend Michael Adebolajo — who he says is the bloody, cleaver-wielding man shown talking in the video aired by CNN affiliate ITN — but on the British government and predicted there may be more attacks.

“As long as (British) foreign policy is engaging in violence, they’re only inviting violence in retaliation,” Barra told CNN.

By sharp contrast, Cameron said “the fault lies solely with sickening individuals who carried out this attack,” adding that “nothing in Islam … justifies this truly dreadful act.”

“This was not just an attack on Britain and on the British way of life; it was also a betrayal of Islam and of the Muslim communities who give so much to our country.”

London attack: Terrorists targeting soldiers at home again?

Suspect knew British Muslim radical leader

It is understood that the two individuals suspected of carrying out the knife attack were known to Britain’s domestic security service. They had featured in previous investigations into other individuals, but were not themselves under surveillance.

Friends, acquaintances and British media identified the 28-year-old Adebolajo as the suspect seen on the ITN video. The identities of the other man, 22, and the two people arrested Thursday aren’t known.

A British national of Nigerian descent, Adebolajo converted to Islam and became passionate about his faith, said Barra.

British Muslim radical leader Anjem Choudary told CNN on Thursday that he knew Adebolajo, noting that the suspect attended demonstrations and a few lectures organized by Choudary’s group Al-Muhajiroun.

In fact, an ITN video from April 2007 shows Adebolajo standing behind Choudary at a rally protesting the arrest of men who allegedly made inflammatory speeches inside a mosque.

Barra described his friend as a “very caring” man who “just wanted to help everybody.” He was also “very vocal” about his feelings that Muslims were being oppressed, injustices he pinned, in part, on the British government.


London attack: Eyewitness heard gunshots


Terrorism analyst on soldier killing


Cell phone video of London attack scene

“I wasn’t surprised that it happened,” Barra said of Wednesday’s attack. “… Britain is only responsible, the government. And I believe all of us, as a public, we are responsible. We should condemn ourselves, why we did not do enough to stop these wars going on in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

The Woolwich bloodshed spurred concerns not only about violence by Islamic extremists but also about attacks targeting Muslims by people angry about Rigby’s killing.

“People can only take so much. And people will break,” said Victor Easdown, a construction worker who heard shots ring out in Woolwich as police took on Rigby’s attackers.

London attack mirrors plot to behead Muslim soldier

In Kent, police arrested a man on suspicion of “racially aggravated criminal damage” at a religious building. And Wednesday night in Essex, a man with two knives was arrested after throwing a smoke grenade at the Al Falah Braintree Islamic Center and demanding someone come outside to answer to the Woolwich slaying, the mosque’s secretary Sikander Sleemy said.

Members of the far-right English Defence League clashed with police late Wednesday, with a tweet from its official account touting that “it’s fair to say that finally the country is waking up!:-) NO SURRENDER!”

“Don’t listen to the Government cover ups, The lies about Islam being peaceful,” read another EDL tweet Thursday.

Political and social commentator Mohammed Ansar appealed for “a sense of calm (and) perspective” after what he called “a really, really heinous act of, I would say, criminality, … not terrorism.”

“What we don’t need are knee-jerk reactions … to really ratchet up tensions and really stoke and inflame anxieties within communities,” he told CNN.

Watch: Terrorism analyst on soldier killing

Paper: Woman says she talked to attacker

The attack may have wide-ranging repercussions in Britain, including possibly enflaming sectarian tensions and leading to more violence.

But it’s already have an impact on people who live and work in Woolwich — the working-class, multicultural neighborhood where the mutilation took place — and witnessed the carnage firsthand.

A man who identified himself as James told London’s LBC 97.3 radio station that he saw two men standing by the victim, who was on the ground.

At first, James thought they were trying to help the man. But then he saw two meat cleavers, like a butcher would have.


Could London killing inspire other attacks?

“They were hacking at this poor guy, literally,” he told the radio station. “These two guys were crazed. They were just not there. They were just animals.”

Witness: Attackers ‘were just animals’

Amid the horror, an individual story of courage emerged Thursday in the person of a Cub Scout leader named Ingrid Loyau-Kennett.

Loyau-Kennett told Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper that she had jumped off a bus to try to revive a man — later determined to be Rigby — she thought had been hurt accidentally.

She swiftly realized the man was dead, and it was no accident.

“When I went up, there was this black guy with a revolver and a kitchen knife. He had what looked like butcher’s tools, and he had a little ax, to cut the bones, and two large knives, and he said, ‘Move off the body,’ ” she told the newspaper.

“So I thought, ‘OK, I don’t know what is going on here,’ and he was covered with blood. I thought I had better start talking to him before he starts attacking somebody else.”

Unarmed police — like most in Britain — arrived at 2:29 p.m. Wednesday, nine minutes after the first call came in police. Armed officers were on site five minutes later. Witnesses recounted the suspects then ran at the police, who responded with gunshots.

Recalling the incident later on ITV, Loyau-Kennett said she wasn’t scared when she talked to one of those suspects — who then had a revolver, knife and cleaver in his bloody hands — minutes before those shots rang out.

“Better me than a child,” she said.

CNN’s Laura Smith-Spark reported and wrote from London, and CNN’s Greg Botelho did the same from Atlanta. CNN’s Dan Rivers, Jonathan Wald, Carol Jordan, Atika Shubert, Erin McLaughlin, Richard Allen Greene, Ed Payne and Nic Robertson contributed to this report.


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/23/world/europe/london-attack/index.html?eref=edition

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewsRipplesWeb/~3/AvTvLoDZsMI/hacking-death

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RipleysStuff/~3/4Zl6vn09gSA/hacking-death

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Weightlifter tames Twitter trolls

May 24th, 2013 No comments


.cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:’’;font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}
.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}
.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}
.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:outline:medium none}
.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}
]]


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


10


11


12


13


14

CNN’s Human to Hero series screens every week on World Sport. Click here for show times, videos and features.

(CNN) — Zoe Smith’s petite frame should fool nobody — she’s a weightlifting warrior.

If the 19-year-old isn’t employing her immense physical strength to lift more than 120 kilograms — easily double her own weight — she’s smiting Twitter trolls who are foolish enough to take her on.

“I suppose there is the stereotype that women who lift weights are butch,” she told CNN’s Human to Hero series about the online attacks she has faced.

“Or my favorite one is lesbians, which is a ridiculous kind of thing to say because I don’t understand how lifting weights could make you a lesbian. But anyway, it’s not me who thinks these things.”

Smith may stand at just five foot three inches tall but tenacity courses through her veins, evident by a debut performance at the London Olympics that cemented her status as Great Britain’s preeminent weightlifter.

She equated the noise that greeted her British record lift of 121 kg in the 58 kg category to the tumult that was lavished upon one of her favorite bands, Muse, at one of their Wembley Stadium gigs.

And though that cacophony saluted her strength, mental fortitude has been just as valuable in her battle to convince people that lifting weights was her destiny — even her mum and dad.

“At first everybody was like ‘What are you doing?’ when I told them I had started weightlifting, even my parents actually,” she said.


Skating star’s thrill of the dance


World’s oldest runner’s ‘secret’ routine


From Afghanistan to the rugby pitch

“It wasn’t the fact that they thought it was like a ‘boy’s sport,’ it was the fact they were paying for me to do gymnastics and I was spending all my time in the weights gym! So they weren’t best pleased. But then I think my dad came in first and saw me lifting.

Read: The importance of being ‘gorgeous’

“I think I was only doing high pulls, so from the floor to about (shoulder height) on about 60 kilos and just being curious about it I think my dad picked it up when no-one was looking and his face went white as a sheet.

“He wasn’t quite himself the whole way home and I overheard him say to my Mum, ‘I’ve just seen what she’s lifting!’ “

If her dad was shocked then, he’ll surely be flabbergasted by now.

Smith has gone to conquer a multitude of British records since taking up the sport, in her two chosen disciplines: the snatch and the clean and jerk.

In 2010, at 16, she became the first Englishwoman to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games, taking home the bronze, and added silver at the World Youth Games the following year before hitting the big stage at London 2012.

Her experience in India for the Commonwealths gives an indication of the dedication her sport requires.

“I think I had, in the past couple of days prior to that, just an egg and a glass of water — this is the extreme measures we have to go to in order to cut weight for our category,” she said.

Read: World’s oldest marathon man, 102

“It was boiling hot and I felt I was going to die. But had I been on form I probably could have won. Bronze wasn’t bad, I’m hoping to go back next year (in Glasgow, Scotland) and get the gold.”


From Afghanistan to the rugby pitch


Gilmore: Surfing can be feminine


South African cyclist: Never give up

Smith had always set her heart on appearing in the Olympics, but by the time she was 12, she’d grown to realize it wouldn’t be in the field of gymnastics — her first love.

Her coach planted a seed that she might have a far better chance of making it to the Olympics if she swapped the high bars for the dumbbells.

And despite the switch perplexing her family and friends at first, the idea stuck.

“I was powerful but not very graceful so I would never have made it as a gymnast,” Smith said. “I was always good at tumbling and stuff but I could never get to grips with beam bars — I was terrified of stuff like that.

“They needed a girl for the weightlifting club to take part in a competition to make up a full team so I gave it a go and I took to it quite quickly.”

Read: ‘Beauty is a woman riding a wave’

Junior British records had been tumbling throughout her teens but it was the limelight of London 2012 that thrust her into the public consciousness.

Though not yet 20, Smith radiates the twin characteristics that delight British sports fans — a mixture of bulldog and underdog.

Tenacious, driven, plucky and resilient, her makeup formed a potent cocktail that legions of followers in in the UK found irresistible.

But as is often the case with high-profile sporting stars, her achievements at the Games drew sniping in some quarters on social media sites.


From refugee to Afghan cricket captain


Hong Kong’s Paralympic fencing champion

If they hadn’t realized while watching her delight the partisan home crowd, the trolls soon found out that Smith is not one to take a backwards step.

“Doing a sport like this I think you’re going to get a bit of stick but I’m quite good at handling that kind of thing,” she said.

“I’m really competitive and I like to win arguments. I never let things slide so I just have to take them up on it and say ‘Well, why am I a lesbian? Why am I butch?’ All this kind of stuff.

“They never have a real answer for it so until someone proves that it’s going to change me or the way I am, I am going to keep doing it.”

Read: From the front line to the try line

Respected and admired for her display at the Games, finishing 12th in the overall competition, she was also lauded for the head-on way she tackled her detractors.

And her profile was such that many people have been in touch to ask how they can get into the sport.

So how does she look back on the experience of competing in her hometown Olympics?

“It was crazy,” she said. “I still can’t really put into words how I feel about it. Again I think I was really nervous, I didn’t have the best competition.

“I got the British record in clean and jerk which was good. And I just really enjoyed competing in front of a home crowd.

“It was terrifying and nerve-racking; I think I experienced every emotion available to mankind. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I would do it all again if I could.”

Read: Squash gladiator on ‘physical chess’

That is a distinct possibility if her progress continues to climb. And Smith says she’ll be better prepared to deal with the size of the occasion when thrust into the cauldron of Olympic competition again.

“In the future I think I’m going to have to use that as a learning curve,” she adds. “Take what I did wrong from that experience, maybe be better prepared, and don’t put myself through hell a couple of days before.

“I’ve got the experience of competing on a major stage under my belt now; I can’t really use nerves as an excuse anymore.

“I’ve been there and done it, it’s not going to be such a fear of the unknown. It’ll be, ‘I’ve been here before, I know what I’m doing, I know what to do.’ “


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/22/sport/olympics-weightlifting-zoe-smith/index.html?eref=edition

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewsRipplesWeb/~3/T_JmiNlaQR0/weightlifter-tames-twitter-trolls

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RipleysStuff/~3/ilwclQuxTSo/weightlifter-tames-twitter-trolls

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Fighting prejudice in Africa

May 24th, 2013 No comments


.cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:’’;font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}
.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}
.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}
.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:outline:medium none}
.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}
]]

A 16-year-old girl awaits surgery at HEAL Africa hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her baby died after six days of labor, and she continuously leaks urine because of obstetric fistula.A 16-year-old girl awaits surgery at HEAL Africa hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her baby died after six days of labor, and she continuously leaks urine because of obstetric fistula.

This woman, who has suffered from fistula for 20 years, watches as staff prepare for her surgery.This woman, who has suffered from fistula for 20 years, watches as staff prepare for her surgery.

Doctors and staff at HEAL Africa explain to a patient what to expect as they prepare her for fistula surgery.Doctors and staff at HEAL Africa explain to a patient what to expect as they prepare her for fistula surgery.

Dr. Cathy Furaha, the only female fistula surgeon in the Democratic Republic of Congo, tells a patient her operation was a success.Dr. Cathy Furaha, the only female fistula surgeon in the Democratic Republic of Congo, tells a patient her operation was a success.

These women have fully recovered and received support through HEAL Africa's Safe Motherhood Program.These women have fully recovered and received support through HEAL Africa’s Safe Motherhood Program.


1


2


3


4


5

Editor’s note:Life’s Work” features innovators and pioneers who are making a difference in the world of medicine.The names of some fistula patients have been changed to protect their privacy.

(CNN) — It’s a condition practically unheard of in the United States and most Western countries. But in a culture where a woman’s status and dignity is decided by her ability to provide a husband with multiple children, it can be a fate worse than death.

“Obstetric fistula” is a mouthful. But to these women, it’s much more than just a physical injury. They see themselves as the walking dead, says Dr. Justin Paluku Lussy, head of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at HEAL Africa Hospital in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

An obstetric fistula occurs when a woman withstands days of obstructed labor, when a baby’s head is constantly pushing against her pelvic bone during contractions — preventing blood flow and causing tissue to die.

This creates a hole, or a “fistula,” between a woman’s vagina and her bladder or rectum. Her baby is unlikely to survive. If the mother lives, she is unable to hold her urine and, in some cases, bowel content, Paluku Lussy says.

A woman with a fistula, who is perpetually leaking urine and sometimes feces, is often rejected by her husband and shunned by her village because of her foul smell and inability to bear more children.

“These women have so much shame and so much fear. They spend so much money on perfume trying to cover up the smell,” says Alison Heller, a doctorate student at Washington University in St. Louis who is leading a research study of 50 women in Niger awaiting fistula surgery. The women range in age from 15 to 70.

Tanzanian women find hope in corrective surgery

An estimated 20% of Paluku Lussy’s fistula patients report feeling ostracized by their communities, and divorce is common, says the doctor, who started his residency in 2001 at HEAL Africa, a 155-bed tertiary hospital with a fistula repair unit.

“People think fistula patients are witches and just have bad luck,” he says.

Although an estimated 2 million women in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa live with untreated obstetric fistula, according to the Fistula Foundation, it’s unlikely for these women to meet or hear of anyone else suffering from the same injuries, because of the lack of modern forms of communication and also the women’s reluctance to discuss the condition, Heller says.

In most cases, a woman with a fistula doesn’t know what a fistula is or that it’s treatable with surgery. And if she does, she is far from any hospital and doesn’t have money for — or access to — transportation, let alone the average $450 cost for repair surgery plus postoperative care.

One of the youngest in Heller’s study, a 15-year-old girl who was married off to her uncle at age 8, spent eight months selling bags of candied peanuts in order to raise enough money to pay for a taxi so she could get to a fistula center.

Such concerns are foreign concepts to most Westerners, says Dr. Lewis Wall, a professor of obstetrics and anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis. That’s because obstetric fistulas were largely eradicated from the United States by the 20th century, with strides in prenatal care and the use of cesarean section.

But pregnancy complications and childbirth are among the leading causes of death and disability for African women, Wall says.

Mom’s death inspires doctor’s life work

Typical West African hospitals do not have the trained staff or resources to identify and treat fistulas, Heller says.

“Habsu,” one 32-year-old woman in Heller’s study, contracted a fistula in her ninth pregnancy and has had three previous surgeries, all of which have failed. During the latest pregnancy, she was in labor for several days at home in a rural village before receiving medical care. Like many African women, she was malnourished and her pelvic bones were too small for a natural birth.

After hours of unsuccessful labor and not knowing how to perform a cesarean, the doctors used a scalpel to sever the baby inside the woman’s birth passage. Over the next few days, the mother delivered her baby, piece by piece, Heller says.

Another West African woman in Heller’s study, “Amina,” also has a severe fistula but only leaks when she sits down. After the seated interview with Heller, Amina apologized, saying she would leak urine once she stood up.

“It was as if a gallon of water was thrown to the ground,” Heller says. “She was so ashamed.”

Many Africans — both educated and uneducated — believe there is no cure for fistulas, Paluku Lussy says. When he was in medical school at the University of Goma, he says, “they used to tell us not to even try to fix them.”

But, he says, that’s not the case. Fistulas can be repaired with delicate surgery, which has a fairly good success rate. However, surgeons must be well-trained in the principles of the operation, and good follow-up care is essential so the surgery won’t fail. Patients with more severe fistulas may need multiple surgeries.

Too many mothers still dying

Although he is a full-time professor, Wall last year opened the Danja Fistula Center in Niger, a 42-bed hospital specializing in fistula repair surgeries with an operating room, outpatient clinic and hostel facilities for about 100 women.

Since opening the fistula center, Wall estimates the facility has taken on 50 fistula cases per month.

But it’s very difficult to get trained staff to run a fistula hospital, because of the lack of available education in Africa, he says. Fistula centers rely on donations and cannot afford to hire American gynecologic surgeons.

But even they aren’t ideal candidates for the job — since they never see fistula in their own country, they have no experience with it, he says. It’s best to have the institution run by locals trained specifically in fistula repair surgery and care.

Those who want to help should focus on spreading the word — awareness is key, he says. Thursday is the first International Day to End Obstetric Fistula; the United Nations Population Fund will host a variety of events to raise awareness.

That’s true for Washington resident Olivia Bowen. She had never heard of obstetric fistula until she read a book featuring a detailed story of an African woman with the condition. Bowen was shocked at how affordable fistula repair surgery is, by Western standards.

Bowen started a fundraiser called “One Week to End Fistulas,” which raises money for repair surgeries for underprivileged women who otherwise lack access. She asks that participants practice yoga daily for a week and raise enough money for one woman to have fistula repair surgery.

“I’m not a runner. I do yoga. So it’s something that just came naturally to me,” Bowen says.

So far, participants have raised about $2,250, or enough to fund five surgeries.

Bowen, who is in the process of making the fundraiser a nonprofit organization, says she hopes to help women who have already developed fistula, while the bigger organizations tackle other issues such as poverty, maternal health and human rights. Ultimately, she says, fistula is not just a women’s issue; it’s a human issue.


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/23/health/end-obstetric-fistula-day/index.html?eref=edition

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewsRipplesWeb/~3/p3nhe6bmQ9A/fighting-prejudice-in-africa

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RipleysStuff/~3/gPSCkhriDqk/fighting-prejudice-in-africa

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

‘Brand Germany’ winner on day

May 24th, 2013 No comments


.cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:’’;font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}
.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}
.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}
.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:outline:medium none}
.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}
]]


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8

(CNN) — When Germany’s two biggest soccer clubs go head-to-head in Saturday’s Champions League final, there can only be one winner: German industry.

The Bavarians of Bayern Munich will look to rectify last year’s heartbreak on home soil against Chelsea when they take on a formidable Borussia Dortmund side that is seeking to emulate the club’s only success in Europe’s top competition, back in 1997.

Some of the biggest talents in world football will be on show at Wembley come kickoff at 1845 GMT in London, with the likes of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Robert Lewandowski set to dazzle the crowd.

But the all-Bundesliga final could just be the sideshow to a bigger German act, as billion-dollar corporates gear up for one of the major advertising opportunities in world sport.

From sportswear multinationals such as Adidas and Puma to insurance giants Allianz and Signal Iduna, Wembley stadium will be awash with the household names of German commerce — all helpfully beamed to a global television audience of potentially 150 million.


Are German teams the best in Europe?


Do Bayern Munich need Pep Guardiola?


Bayern Munich puts a hurt on Barcelona

Thousands of toxic yellow and crimson red jerseys will sport the names of Dortmund’s sponsor — chemical manufacturer Evonik — and that of Bayern — Deutsche Telekom — as Europe’s largest economy struts its industrial might on club football’s most prestigious stage.

Read: Double trouble for Bundesliga?

Germany, Europe’s manufacturing powerhouse, is considered one of the economic bright spots of a continent dogged by recession despite the country posting growth of only 0.1% in the first quarter of this year, driven mostly by consumer spending.

Despite low growth, Germans — recognized as the best savers in Europe — proved they were ready to flaunt their cash as Dortmund received a staggering half a million ticket requests for the final while Bayern received 250,000. Wembley can hold just 90,000 fans.

Football finance expert Simon Chadwick said the final will provide a “brilliant showcase” for “Brand Germany,” adding that the flair and style of the Bundesliga as well as the wide array of homegrown talent on display will enhance the brands connected with the teams.

“Existing brand associations that many people around the world have with German products — notably efficiency and quality — will no doubt be reinforced,” Chadwick told CNN.

Financial model of sustainability

The ties between German industry and football run deep.

Unlike in England, France and Spain, where clubs are backed by Arab sheikhs, Russian oligarchs and American tycoons, the German league prefers a more homely approach to club financing.

Christian Seifert, chief executive officer of the Bundesliga and a self-proclaimed Borussia Monchengladbach fan, is skeptical as to whether the final will boost the national economy, but he does believe the game will be a good advert for German football.

“Bayern and Dortmund are proof that it is possible to have good sporting performance and to have solid financial behavior,” Seifert told CNN.

Unlikeother top leagues which attract more global endorsers, the Bundesliga clubs are largely sponsored by domestic brands — 15 of the 18 clubs in Gemany’s top tier for the 2012-13 season were backed by local companies ranging from multi-billion-dollar insurance firms to family chicken and dairy farmers.

“The big difference that you notice between other clubs in Europe is the degree of indigenous corporate engagement,” sports finance expert Tom Cannon told CNN.


Will Mourinho replace Ferguson?


CNN Football Club: Bayern dominate Barca


Hargreaves: Scholes is the best

Even the stadia are part of the Bundesliga’s “Brand Germany” philosophy.

While fans of Manchester United or Liverpool would scorn at the renaming of Old Trafford as the Aon Arena or Anfield as the Standard Chartered Stadium, regular rechristening is the norm for the 18 Bundesliga teams.

So the Commerzbank Arena — home to Eintracht Frankfurt and located in the country’s financial heartland — is named after one of Germany’s biggest banks. Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park, once the Westfalenstadion, and Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena — both tagged by insurers — serve as further examples of the close links with big business in Germany.

Chadwick believes branding stadiums reveals a consensus in football that is characteristic of German society and culture, where sponsor and fan cooperation is seen as for the club’s greater good.

“This shows both a level of commercialism and a certain betrayal of history and heritage that some fans both in Germany and in other countries find unacceptable,” said Chadwick.

Read: All-German final down to youth policy

However, there is one fundamental rule for all Bundesliga teams that ensures fans are not kept in the dark when it comes to the control of their club.

The “50 plus one” rule — a revered model of football governance whereby fans are the majority stakeholder — applies to all clubs participating in the Bundesliga, with the exception of Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg.

Those teams were founded by pharmaceutical company Bayer and car manufacturer Volkswagen respectively and are 100% owned by these companies, with the stadiums — BayArena and Volkswagen Arena — named in their honor.

This is due to a rule that states if a club in Germany receives major financial backing from one party for over 20 years, that party can then take a controlling stake in the club.

The boardroom structure in the Bundesliga is unique and completely different to the big clubs in England, where a relatively small ownership group dominates the board.

“The boards of these (German) clubs are packed with corporate heavyweights,” said Cannon. “It’s a confident assertion of German industry.”


CNN FC: Moyes replaces Ferguson


CNN Football Club: Alex Ferguson special

Although Bayern is owned by the fans, both Adidas and carmaker Audi have 9% stakes in the club, with the chairmen of both companies sitting on its supervisory board.

In the case of Dortmund, 82% of the club is free-float stock and owned by the fans but the corporate board is dominated by businessmen with backgrounds in banking and shipping.

Read: Football enters space age with ‘Footbonaut’

Bundesliga boss Seifert insists he is not concerned by the intimacy between big business and football clubs in Germany because the revenue generated by the teams pales in comparison to big multinational brands’ profits.

“I don’t think they’re too close,” said Seifert. “The good thing is that the 100,000 jobs are created through the Bundesliga in Germany.

“We’re talking about global brands and they’re using football as a marketing instrument all over the globe.”

Read: Time for Premier League to give youth a chance, says Hargreaves

The strategy pursued by the German Football Federation and the Bundesliga after a poor showing at the European Championships in 2000 has paved the way for the nation’s current success at both club and international level.

“Each club that wanted to play in the top two tiers of the Bundesliga — 36 clubs — had to have a youth academy,” Seifert said.

“Today more than €100 million ($128 million) per year is invested and 5,000 players are educated in the program.”

Dave Webb, a scout for English Premier League club Southampton who spent time observing the Bayer Leverkusen setup, explained that there has been major investment by Bundesliga clubs at grassroots level — and players coming up from youth level are given more time to flourish than players in the English system.

“Bayern and Dortmund are very strong at youth level and that is behind their success,” said Webb. “Players are judged a bit later in the Bundesliga — instead of 17 or 18, players can go right through to under-21 level before they reach the first team.”

Given that co-ordinated strategy allied to long-term planning, no wonder “Fussball” is coming home — to Germany.


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/23/sport/football/german-football-business-champions-league/index.html?eref=edition

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewsRipplesWeb/~3/rNoHh43VqAc/brand-germany-winner-on-day

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RipleysStuff/~3/PiaA5-vLpXo/brand-germany-winner-on-day

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Pirate ship sale nets $80K

May 24th, 2013 No comments


.cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:’’;font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}
.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}
.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}
.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:outline:medium none}
.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}
]]

Introducing Gypsy Rose II, a 12-meter pirate ship created by U.S. boat builder, Captain Tim Woodson.Introducing Gypsy Rose II, a 12-meter pirate ship created by U.S. boat builder, Captain Tim Woodson.

The remarkable vessel could be found cruising along the Mississippi River, which is perhaps better known for it's paddle steamers than pirate ships.
The remarkable vessel could be found cruising along the Mississippi River, which is perhaps better known for it’s paddle steamers than pirate ships.

Woodson recently sold the converted boat to the History Channel for $80,000, after advertising it on classifieds website, Craigslist. It looks like a ship that has been to many islands and picked up many treasures along the way, the 54-year-old told CNN.
Woodson recently sold the converted boat to the History Channel for $80,000, after advertising it on classifieds website, Craigslist. “It looks like a ship that has been to many islands and picked up many treasures along the way,” the 54-year-old told CNN.

The Gypsy Rose II is one of six pirate ships built by Woodson (pictured with girlfriend Wench Maria), and sailed along the Mississippi River as part of sightseeing cruises. The Gypsy Rose II is one of six pirate ships built by Woodson (pictured with girlfriend “Wench Maria”), and sailed along the Mississippi River as part of sightseeing cruises.

Woodson uses old house boats as the base for his pirate ships, covering them in planks of wood and staining it in varnish to make it look like something from 1689.Woodson uses old house boats as the base for his pirate ships, covering them in planks of wood and staining it in varnish to “make it look like something from 1689.”

It's like being a kid again, said Woodson. Everybody just stops and stares -- people in boats, standing on the shore. It brings a smile to people's faces.
“It’s like being a kid again,” said Woodson. “Everybody just stops and stares — people in boats, standing on the shore. It brings a smile to people’s faces.”

Among Woodson's six converted pirate ships is another 12-meter boat now lined with 18 bunk beds for school trips. We can thank Pirates of the Caribbean and Captain Jack Sparrow for the renewed interest in pirates today, he said. Among Woodson’s six converted pirate ships is another 12-meter boat now lined with 18 bunk beds for school trips. “We can thank Pirates of the Caribbean and Captain Jack Sparrow for the renewed interest in pirates today,” he said.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7

Editor’s note: MainSail is CNN’s monthly sailing show, exploring the sport of sailing, luxury travel and the latest in design and technology.

(CNN) — The Mississippi River: home to grand old paddle steamers, blues music, Huckleberry Finn, and… pirate ships.

With its skull-and-cross-bones flag flapping in the wind, and swashbuckling captain at the helm, this is perhaps the last boat you’d expect to find on America’s most famous inland waterway.

But the 12-meter Gypsy Rose II is just one of six pirate ships built by 54-year-old Captain Tim Woodson and setting sail on the iconic river.

Now the buccaneering boat has been sold to the History Channel for $80,000, after being advertised on classifieds website Craigslist.


How female sailors take on men


Sailing’s greatest pay in play challenge


Breaking sailing boundaries in Namibia

“It’s probably the most photographed ship on the Mississippi River,” Woodson, from St Louis in Missouri, told CNN.

“We get a lot of kids running along the shore, trying to catch the cannonballs as we go by,” he said, referring to the 4-inch sponge balls shot from the ship.

Read: Ship-shape accommodation — World’s top five ‘boatels’

Dream boat

The professional boat builder first started making pirate ships five years ago, converting ordinary house boats into fairytale vessels.

“I wanted to find an old boat that I could transform into something really cool,” said Woodson.

“My girlfriend asked: ‘What are you going to do?’ I don’t know where it came from, but I said: ‘I’m going to build a pirate ship.’”

That’s exactly what he did, adding fake masts and covering the boat in planks of wood stained with varnish and black spray paint.

“As you walk on board you see a skeleton wearing an eye patch — that’s the old captain we pillaged the boat from,” said Woodson.

“The sails are all torn with cannonball holes,” he added. “Inside, the first thing you see is a hand-drawn map, globe of the world, and an old desk covered in treasure.”

Luxury living

The remarkable boat may appear to be something out of a 17th century European fable, but inside it has all the luxuries of a modern ship.

Read: The circus family living on a sailboat

Woodson spent just over two months building Gypsy Rose II, which can hold around 30 passengers.

It features two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, and putters along at 30 kilometers per hour.

“The galley is fully functional but is stacked with rum barrels and pewter mugs,” said Woodson.

“It really is a modern-day pirate ship with 1600s treasures scattered throughout.”

Costume drama

With his battered hat, ripped vest, and dangling earring, Captain Woodson is every inch the pirate of old.

Alongside his girlfriend, Wench Maria, he can be found steering his fantastical vessels from Missouri to Illinois as part of sightseeing tours down the murky Mississippi.

Groups can also rent the boats for pirate-themed parties, with one elderly woman recently celebrating her 99th birthday on board.

Read: Back to the Future for Richard Branson boat

“When I was a kid, pirates were cool and that hasn’t changed,” Woodson said. “It’s about that feeling of being free, of being an explorer.”

“It gives you an excuse to be the bad boy.”

One man’s fleet

Among Woodson’s six converted pirate ships are a former 21-meter U.S. troop carrier and another 12-meter boat now lined with 18 bunk beds for school trips.

Once complete, each boat is advertised for sale on Craigslist, with the History Channel snapping up Gypsy Rose II for its TV series Ax Men, which follows the history of timber cutters.

Other boats have been bought by cruise operators and restaurateurs.

Read: A bright idea — Lighthouse hotels

“When I was building my first ship, people would say I was crazy,” said Woodson.

“But five years, six boats, and probably 200 cruises-a-year later — they’re not telling me I’m crazy now.”


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/23/travel/man-builds-pirate-ship-craigslist/index.html?eref=edition

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewsRipplesWeb/~3/DpH4QpuXeJw/pirate-ship-sale-nets-80k

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RipleysStuff/~3/EgGQc_iYF80/pirate-ship-sale-nets-80k

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

‘Mobilize armies to build better Africa’

May 24th, 2013 No comments


Africa's armed forces can help solve the continent's infrastructure problems, says Harvard professor Calestous Juma.

Editor’s note: Calestous Juma is Professor of the Practice of International Development and Faculty Chair of Innovation for Economic Development Program at Harvard Kennedy School. Twitter @calestous.

(CNN) — As Africa celebrates the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity, the focus of the celebrations is renewing Africa’s vision for continental unification as envisaged by its founding fathers such Kwame Nkrumah.

It is not the lack of political will that hampers Africa regional integration, it is poor infrastructure. Africa’s challenges have less to do with fragmentation of state but more to do with the lack of infrastructure connectivity, especially energy, transportation, irrigation and telecommunications.

Calestous Juma

The World Bank estimates that Africa will need to invest nearly $93 billion annually over the next decade to meet its infrastructure needs. A third of this cost will go to maintenance. Part of this investment can be met through public and private sector investment, including novel facilities such as the infrastructure bonds proposed by the African Development Bank.

But the urgency to address Africa’s infrastructure requires additional non-conventional interventions such as the mobilization of the continent’s armed forces. Historically, there is a long legacy of military involvement in infrastructure projects going back to the Roman days.

Read this: Gunboats keep pirates from ‘blue gold’

African armed forces possess extensive human resources and equipment needed to build infrastructure projects. They regularly use such facilities during emergencies and are at the forefront of developing robust systems such as smart microgrid systems that can provide decentralized power supply for rural Africa. What is needed is an explicit policy to extend their role in the construction and maintenance of infrastructure projects in cooperation with civilian agencies.

Many African countries have been converting military facilities to support civilian infrastructure activities. Rwanda, for example, turned a military barracks into the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, which played a vital role in the reconstruction of the country after the genocide. The role of the military in Rwanda’s civilian affairs involves a wide range of operations which include the awareness-raising annual Army Week.

One of the most explicit commitments to the role of the military in infrastructure projects comes from Uganda. The country’s armed forces recently established Africa’s first University of Military Science and Technology which is training engineers to build and maintain infrastructure projects. Uganda has beencollaborating with the US Army on how to rehabilitate its railway networks.

Read this: South Africa’s private security forces bigger than army

These efforts are targeted interventions and differ remarkably with cases such as Egypt, where the military controls a large proportion of the economy. It is much harder for countries where the military is an economic class to be creative. The role of the military in civilian projects needs to be under democratic control for it to rise above popular suspicions and distrust.

Senegal, for example, has established clear policies and operational guidelines that have since independence steered its “Army-Nation” program. The program includes activities in infrastructure (especially water supply and road construction), healthcare and environmental management.

In 1999 Senegal set up the civil-military committee in support of development to bring together representatives from parliament, the military, government ministries, civil society and the private sector to collaborate on implementing public programs. Its broad membership helps to foster trust and coordination.

It can be argued that deploying the military in civilian infrastructure activities could divert attention from essential defense functions. To the contrary, the military would strengthen its national security activities by building infrastructure projects.

Read this: ‘Africa’s tallest building’ set for $10 billion tech city

Many of Africa’s armed conflicts occur in isolated regions with limited opportunity for economic growth. Poor infrastructure and lack of economic opportunity traps populations in spirals of poverty and conflict over limited resources.

Countries such as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are responding to the challenges of poverty to deploy their armed forces to fill the gap in civilian capacity to build infrastructure projects. Similarly, building robust infrastructure networks makes it easier to police national borders.

Investments in Earth observation satellite infrastructure, as well as the ability to deploy troops along national boundaries, is an important element in maintaining peace. Infrastructure built to address economic needs has the additional purpose of helping to maintain internal law and order as well as maintenance of national security.

New countries such as South Sudan face the challenge of keeping large armies that were built up to fight for independence. They can choose to dismantle their armed forces or convert them to a force of development. They are better advised to do the latter; their potential role in infrastructure rehabilitation pays for peace building.

As Africa celebrates the 50th anniversary of its declaration of unification, it should also reflect on the fact that it has recorded about 80 successful military coups. Led by an increasing number of technocratic presidents, Africa’s armies can give future generations hope by helping to build infrastructure — the motherboard for all economic activities.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Calestous Juma.


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/23/opinion/africa-military-infrastructure-calestous-juma/index.html?eref=edition

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewsRipplesWeb/~3/37GlnMZU20k/mobilize-armies-to-build-better-africa

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RipleysStuff/~3/52eIJrViLrE/mobilize-armies-to-build-better-africa

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Mississippi pirate ship gets big booty

May 23rd, 2013 No comments


.cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:’’;font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}
.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}
.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}
.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:outline:medium none}
.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}
]]

Introducing Gypsy Rose II, a 12-meter pirate ship created by U.S. boat builder, Captain Tim Woodson.Introducing Gypsy Rose II, a 12-meter pirate ship created by U.S. boat builder, Captain Tim Woodson.

The remarkable vessel could be found cruising along the Mississippi River, which is perhaps better known for it's paddle steamers than pirate ships.
The remarkable vessel could be found cruising along the Mississippi River, which is perhaps better known for it’s paddle steamers than pirate ships.

Woodson recently sold the converted boat to the History Channel for $80,000, after advertising it on classifieds website, Craigslist. It looks like a ship that has been to many islands and picked up many treasures along the way, the 54-year-old told CNN.
Woodson recently sold the converted boat to the History Channel for $80,000, after advertising it on classifieds website, Craigslist. “It looks like a ship that has been to many islands and picked up many treasures along the way,” the 54-year-old told CNN.

The Gypsy Rose II is one of six pirate ships built by Woodson (pictured with girlfriend Wench Maria), and sailed along the Mississippi River as part of sightseeing cruises. The Gypsy Rose II is one of six pirate ships built by Woodson (pictured with girlfriend “Wench Maria”), and sailed along the Mississippi River as part of sightseeing cruises.

Woodson uses old house boats as the base for his pirate ships, covering them in planks of wood and staining it in varnish to make it look like something from 1689.Woodson uses old house boats as the base for his pirate ships, covering them in planks of wood and staining it in varnish to “make it look like something from 1689.”

It's like being a kid again, said Woodson. Everybody just stops and stares -- people in boats, standing on the shore. It brings a smile to people's faces.
“It’s like being a kid again,” said Woodson. “Everybody just stops and stares — people in boats, standing on the shore. It brings a smile to people’s faces.”

Among Woodson's six converted pirate ships is another 12-meter boat now lined with 18 bunk beds for school trips. We can thank Pirates of the Caribbean and Captain Jack Sparrow for the renewed interest in pirates today, he said. Among Woodson’s six converted pirate ships is another 12-meter boat now lined with 18 bunk beds for school trips. “We can thank Pirates of the Caribbean and Captain Jack Sparrow for the renewed interest in pirates today,” he said.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7

Editor’s note: MainSail is CNN’s monthly sailing show, exploring the sport of sailing, luxury travel and the latest in design and technology.

(CNN) — The Mississippi River: home to grand old paddle steamers, blues music, Huckleberry Finn, and… pirate ships.

With its skull-and-cross-bones flag flapping in the wind, and swashbuckling captain at the helm, this is perhaps the last boat you’d expect to find on America’s most famous inland waterway.

But the 12-meter Gypsy Rose II is just one of six pirate ships built by 54-year-old Captain Tim Woodson and setting sail on the iconic river.

Now the buccaneering boat has been sold to the History Channelfor $80,000, after being advertised on classifieds website Craigslist.


How female sailors take on men


Sailing’s greatest pay in play challenge


Breaking sailing boundaries in Namibia

“It’s probably the most photographed ship on the Mississippi River,” Woodson, from St Louis in Missouri, told CNN.

“We get a lot of kids running along the shore, trying to catch the cannonballs as we go by,” he said, referring to the 4-inch sponge balls shot from the ship.

Read: Ship-shape accommodation — World’s top five ‘boatels’

Dream boat

The professional boat builder first started making pirate ships five years ago, converting ordinary house boats into fairytale vessels.

“I wanted to find an old boat that I could transform into something really cool,” said Woodson.

“My girlfriend asked: ‘What are you going to do?’ I don’t know where it came from, but I said: ‘I’m going to build a pirate ship.’”

That’s exactly what he did, adding fake masts and covering the boat in planks of wood stained with varnish and black spray paint.

“As you walk on board you see a skeleton wearing an eye patch — that’s the old captain we pillaged the boat from,” said Woodson.

“The sails are all torn with cannonball holes,” he added. “Inside, the first thing you see is a hand-drawn map, globe of the world, and an old desk covered in treasure.”

Luxury living

The remarkable boat may appear to be something out of a 17th century European fable, but inside it has all the luxuries of a modern ship.

Read: The circus family living on a sailboat

Woodson spent just over two months building Gypsy Rose II, which can hold around 30 passengers.

It features two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, and putters along at 30 kilometers per hour.

“The galley is fully functional but is stacked with rum barrels and pewter mugs,” said Woodson.

“It really is a modern-day pirate ship with 1600s treasures scattered throughout.”

Costume drama

With his battered hat, ripped vest, and dangling earring, Captain Woodson is every inch the pirate of old.

Alongside his girlfriend, Wench Maria, he can be found steering his fantastical vessels from Missouri to Illinois as part of sightseeing tours down the murky Mississippi.

Groups can also rent the boats for pirate-themed parties, with one elderly woman recently celebrating her 99th birthday on board.

Read: Back to the Future for Richard Branson boat

“When I was a kid, pirates were cool and that hasn’t changed,” Woodson said. “It’s about that feeling of being free, of being an explorer.”

“It gives you an excuse to be the bad boy.”

One man’s fleet

Among Woodson’s six converted pirate ships are a former 21-meter U.S. troop carrier and another 12-meter boat now lined with 18 bunk beds for school trips.

Once complete, each boat is advertised for sale on Craigslist, with the History Channel snapping up Gypsy Rose II for its TV series Ax Men, which follows the history of timber cutters.

Other boats have been bought by cruise operators and restaurateurs.

Read: A bright idea — Lighthouse hotels

“When I was building my first ship, people would say I was crazy,” said Woodson.

“But five years, six boats, and probably 200 cruises-a-year later — they’re not telling me I’m crazy now.”


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/23/travel/man-builds-pirate-ship-craigslist/index.html?eref=edition

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewsRipplesWeb/~3/MlOe8SzleGs/mississippi-pirate-ship-gets-big-booty

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RipleysStuff/~3/Wxd4pWJBQs4/mississippi-pirate-ship-gets-big-booty

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Woods ‘hurt’ by ‘fried chicken’ jibe

May 23rd, 2013 No comments


Sergio Garcia (L) and the world No. 1 Tiger Woods have become embroiled in a very public spat

(CNN) — Golfer Tiger Woods has described a jibe aimed at him by Sergio Garcia as “wrong, hurtful and inappropriate,” though the world No. 1 insists he wants to move on from their very public war of words.

Garcia apologized to Woods after making a remark about the American at a players’ dinner ahead of the European Tour’s flagship tournament — the PGA Championship at Wentworth that starts Thursday.

Asked on stage whether he would be inviting Woods round for dinner during next month’s U.S. Open Garcia replied: “We’ll be having him round every night… and serving him fried chicken.”

Fried chicken is a common food in the American South, but when used in references to African-Americans, it often implies a negative stereotype.

Read: Woods edges Garcia at ill-tempered Players

Garcia and Woods have been at loggerheads since an acrimonious round during the penultimate day of The Players’ Championship earlier this month.

“The comment that was made wasn’t silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate,” Woods said on his official Twitter account.

“I’m confident that there is real regret that the remark was made. The Players ended nearly two weeks ago and it’s long past time to move on and talk about golf.”


Bubba Watson on Tiger Woods


Woods tweets about losing two strokes


The toughest shot in golf?


Exclusive: Tiger and Rory’s ‘bromance’

Earlier on Wednesday Garcia released an apology via the European Tour and used his pre-tournament press conference at Wentworth to reiterate his remorse.

“I want to send out an unreserved apology, I did not mean to offend anyone,” Garcia told reporters. “I was caught off guard by the question but don’t get me wrong, I understand my answer was totally stupid and out of place.

“I can’t say sorry enough. I would also like to say sorry to the European Tour and my Ryder Cup teammates for taking the shine away from a wonderful dinner that we all enjoyed to that point.

“Finally and most importantly I want to apologize to Tiger and anyone that I could have offended. I feel sick about it and truly, truly sorry. Hopefully we can settle things down and move on.

“As soon as I left the dinner I started to get a sick feeling. I didn’t really sleep at all. I felt like my heart was going to come out of my body.

“It was tough to hit a shot (in the pro-am) without thinking about it.”

Garcia said he had spoken to the head of the European Tour George O’Grady and the PGA Tour to apologize and subsequently will not face any punishment.

His comments came at a dinner to honor the 12 members of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup team, whose dramatic comeback in Chicago to defeat the American team that included Woods has been dubbed ‘The miracle of Medinah.’

The 33-year-old’s Ryder Cup teammate Graeme McDowell, the 2010 U.S. Open champion, later tweeted when asked about the fried chicken comments: “Private/humor filled environment but he (Garcia) shouldn’t have said it #slip.”

Fuzzy Zoeller comments

Woods and Garcia have long enjoyed a fractious relationship that was again highlighted when they were paired together during the penultimate round of The Players’ Championship earlier this month.

Garcia claimed he was disrupted during one of his shots after the gallery following Woods cheered as the 14-time major winner pulled a club out of his bag that signaled his intention to go for the green despite being in the rough.

Garcia sliced his shot and made a bogey that saw him relinquish the one-shot lead he held at the time.

After the incident Garcia told reporters: “I think that I try to respect everyone as much as possible out there. I try to be careful what I do to make sure it doesn’t bother the other players.”

Woods responded by saying: “It’s not real surprising that he’s complaining about something,” prompting another provocative comment from the Spaniard: “That’s fine. At least I’m true to myself. I know what I’m doing. He can do whatever he wants.”

Woods went on to cement his status as the world No. 1, winning the tournament by two shots with Garcia eventually six back after he faltered on the notorious 17th island hole, which is surrounded by water.

The row rumbled on into this week as Woods was asked at a press conference whether he would consider contacting Garcia to end their spat. “No,” came his brief response.


Kaymer’s magical Medinah putt


Inside McIlroy’s mega deal with Nike

Upon hearing that, Garcia hit back by reportedly telling a function in London: “He called me a whiner. That’s probably right. It’s also probably the first thing he’s told you guys that’s true in 15 years. I know what he is like. You guys are finding out.”

Garcia’s remarks are similar to those made by two-time major champion Fuzzy Zoeller in 1997 after Woods won The Masters.

Zoeller suggested at the champions dinner the following year Woods would choose to serve fried chicken to his guests. He later apologized and claimed the remarks had been taken out of context.

At his own press call ahead of the PGA Championship, Lee Westwood, Garcia’s Ryder Cup teammate, refused to be drawn into the row saying he was friends with both players.

“It’s an awkward situation where they obviously just don’t get on. It’s in the public (domain) and you guys (the media) will stoke it up and you don’t need to,” he told reporters.

“I don’t think Tiger will be particularly bothered. I get on with both of them but I have no interest of getting in the middle of that relationship. It’s nothing to do with me.”


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/22/sport/golf/golf-woods-garcia-racism/index.html?eref=edition

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewsRipplesWeb/~3/jka5MgsuNtI/woods-hurt-by-fried-chicken-jibe

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RipleysStuff/~3/ncMP1T1pY8o/woods-hurt-by-fried-chicken-jibe

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

‘We are beginning recovery operations’

May 23rd, 2013 No comments


.cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:’’;font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}
.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}
.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}
.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:outline:medium none}
.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}
]]

An aerial view of the destruction caused by the massive tornado that struck areas south of Oklahoma City on Monday, May 20, shows the magnitude of damage left in its path. The storm's winds topped 200 mph as it a href='http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/21/us/severe-weather/index.html?hpt=hp_t2'carved a 17-mile path of destruction/a through Oklahoma City suburbs. On Tuesday, May 21, CNN sent photographer David McNeese to capture the story from above:An aerial view of the destruction caused by the massive tornado that struck areas south of Oklahoma City on Monday, May 20, shows the magnitude of damage left in its path. The storm’s winds topped 200 mph as it carved a 17-mile path of destruction through Oklahoma City suburbs. On Tuesday, May 21, CNN sent photographer David McNeese to capture the story from above:

The storm, which touched down near Newcastle, Oklahoma, spanned 1.3 miles. Some areas along the path were completely flattened.The storm, which touched down near Newcastle, Oklahoma, spanned 1.3 miles. Some areas along the path were completely flattened.

Officials from the National Weather Service gave the tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma, on May 20 a preliminary EF5 rating -- the highest score on the scale that measures tornado intensities.Officials from the National Weather Service gave the tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma, on May 20 a preliminary EF5 rating — the highest score on the scale that measures tornado intensities.

The tornado tore through the Oklahoma City suburbs, hitting the town of Moore the hardest. It packed winds that topped 200 mph.The tornado tore through the Oklahoma City suburbs, hitting the town of Moore the hardest. It packed winds that topped 200 mph.

A search-and-rescue effort to find survivors shifted Tuesday to one of recovery, officials said.A search-and-rescue effort to find survivors shifted Tuesday to one of recovery, officials said.

The devastation in Moore was so complete that the mayor said city officials were racing to print new street signs to help guide rescuers and residents through a suddenly twisted and unfamiliar landscape.The devastation in Moore was so complete that the mayor said city officials were racing to print new street signs to help guide rescuers and residents through a suddenly twisted and unfamiliar landscape.

A group of homes was reduced to rubble.A group of homes was reduced to rubble.

Debris from homes and structures was strewn for miles around. Debris from homes and structures was strewn for miles around.

In some areas, the homes of an entire street were destroyed.In some areas, the homes of an entire street were destroyed.

Rescuers and first responders immediately began searching through the rubble of structures on May 20.Rescuers and first responders immediately began searching through the rubble of structures on May 20.

Large trees were uprooted and flattened.Large trees were uprooted and flattened.

Given its breadth and power, the tornado ranks among some of the strongest storms ever to strike the United States, CNN senior meteorologist Dave Hennen said.Given its breadth and power, the tornado ranks among some of the strongest storms ever to strike the United States, CNN senior meteorologist Dave Hennen said.

Homes in some areas were relatively undamaged while others very nearby were destroyed.Homes in some areas were relatively undamaged while others very nearby were destroyed.

Police, firefighters, volunteers and nearly 180 National Guard troops joined forces Tuesday in searching the rubble and securing areas hit by the storm.Police, firefighters, volunteers and nearly 180 National Guard troops joined forces Tuesday in searching the rubble and securing areas hit by the storm.

In 1999 and then again in 2003, Moore took direct hits from tornadoes that took eerily similar paths to 2013's twister. The 1999 storm packed the strongest wind speeds in history, Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb said.In 1999 and then again in 2003, Moore took direct hits from tornadoes that took eerily similar paths to 2013′s twister. The 1999 storm packed the strongest wind speeds in history, Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb said.

A section of a bridge outside of Oklahoma City was blown off its foundation.A section of a bridge outside of Oklahoma City was blown off its foundation.

The path of the tornado is clearly visible with dirt and debris painting a wide path across the Oklahoma landscape.The path of the tornado is clearly visible with dirt and debris painting a wide path across the Oklahoma landscape.

The scene -- block after block of flattened homes and businesses, the gutted remains of a hospital and hits on two elementary schools -- left even seasoned veterans of Oklahoma's infamous tornadoes reeling.The scene — block after block of flattened homes and businesses, the gutted remains of a hospital and hits on two elementary schools — left even seasoned veterans of Oklahoma’s infamous tornadoes reeling.

View more galleries: a href='http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/20/us/gallery/moore-oklahoma-tornado/index.html'Deadly tornado hits Oklahoma City area/a and a href='http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/20/us/gallery/1999-oklahoma-tornado/index.html'The devastating Oklahoma tornado of 1999/a.View more galleries: Deadly tornado hits Oklahoma City area and The devastating Oklahoma tornado of 1999.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


10


11


12


13


14


15


16


17


18


19

For local coverage of Monday’s devastating storms in Oklahoma, go to these CNN affiliates: KFOR, KOCO and KOKH.

(CNN) — With everyone missing now accounted for from this week’s deadly tornado, the long and difficult work of recovery can begin.

“We are beginning the recovery operations,” Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin told CNN’s Piers Morgan late Wednesday.

“There’s a lot of debris removal going on throughout the public areas of the street,” she said.

“You see a lot of utility crews that are out here. There’s a lot of construction trucks. You’re seeing people walking down the street pulling some wagons, going back into their homes to get their prized possessions.”

A woman searches for belongings at a home in Moore, Oklahoma, on Wednesday, May 22, two days after it was destroyed by a tornado that ripped through the area. View more photos of the aftermath in the region and another gallery of aerial shots of the damage.A woman searches for belongings at a home in Moore, Oklahoma, on Wednesday, May 22, two days after it was destroyed by a tornado that ripped through the area. View more photos of the aftermath in the region and another gallery of aerial shots of the damage.

Michael Pritz swings a golf club while taking a break from helping his friend to salvage belongings on May 22.Michael Pritz swings a golf club while taking a break from helping his friend to salvage belongings on May 22.

Debris litters what remains of a classroom at Plaza Towers Elementary School on May 22. Seven children died at the school in Monday's tornado.Debris litters what remains of a classroom at Plaza Towers Elementary School on May 22. Seven children died at the school in Monday’s tornado.

A makeshift shelter stands next to a home destroyed by the tornado on May 22.A makeshift shelter stands next to a home destroyed by the tornado on May 22.

Casey Angle walks on the bunk bed she shared with her sister Sydney, who was among the students killed at Plaza Towers Elementary School during the tornado.Casey Angle walks on the bunk bed she shared with her sister Sydney, who was among the students killed at Plaza Towers Elementary School during the tornado.

Tara McDonald shows some items salvaged from her home on May 22.Tara McDonald shows some items salvaged from her home on May 22.

A swing set sits warped at Plaza Towers Elementary School on May 22. A swing set sits warped at Plaza Towers Elementary School on May 22.

Plaza Towers Elementary School students Monica Boyd and Lavontey Rodriguez sit at the parking lot of their tornado devastated school.Plaza Towers Elementary School students Monica Boyd and Lavontey Rodriguez sit at the parking lot of their tornado devastated school.

Travis French and his wife, Amy, of Capitol Hill Baptist Church hand out fresh fruit, water and hygiene packs to Thomas and Kelcy Trowbridge.Travis French and his wife, Amy, of Capitol Hill Baptist Church hand out fresh fruit, water and hygiene packs to Thomas and Kelcy Trowbridge.

Teachers from Fairview Elementary School help clean up former school counselor Kay Taylor's home in south Oklahoma City on May 22, two days after an extremely powerful tornado tore through Moore, Oklahoma. Teachers from Fairview Elementary School help clean up former school counselor Kay Taylor’s home in south Oklahoma City on May 22, two days after an extremely powerful tornado tore through Moore, Oklahoma.

Jake English, 12, cleans up retired school counselor Kay Taylor's home on May 22 in south Oklahoma City, just west of Moore. The storm was part of a tornado outbreak that began in the Midwest and Plains on Sunday, May 19. Jake English, 12, cleans up retired school counselor Kay Taylor’s home on May 22 in south Oklahoma City, just west of Moore. The storm was part of a tornado outbreak that began in the Midwest and Plains on Sunday, May 19.

A man talks on his cell phone in front of a destroyed house on May 22.A man talks on his cell phone in front of a destroyed house on May 22.

A man looks through a pile of clothing at a roadside relief camp on May 22 in Moore.A man looks through a pile of clothing at a roadside relief camp on May 22 in Moore.

Volunteers form a chain to retrieve clothing and other household items on May 22.Volunteers form a chain to retrieve clothing and other household items on May 22.

Jon Booth moves a piece of debris from his mother's destroyed home across the street from Plaza Towers Elementary School on May 22.Jon Booth moves a piece of debris from his mother’s destroyed home across the street from Plaza Towers Elementary School on May 22.

Matt Johnson salvages items from his grandparents' home on Tuesday, May 21.Matt Johnson salvages items from his grandparents’ home on Tuesday, May 21.

Two men fold an American flag found in the debris of a house on May 21 in Moore.Two men fold an American flag found in the debris of a house on May 21 in Moore.

A young girl stands among the rubble outside Briarwood Elementary School on May 21.A young girl stands among the rubble outside Briarwood Elementary School on May 21.

A doll covered in dirt is among the rubble scattered throughout a neighborhood in Moore on May 21.A doll covered in dirt is among the rubble scattered throughout a neighborhood in Moore on May 21.

Bonnie Lolofie, left, and Ashley Do carry belongings from their apartment, which has no power, on May 21.Bonnie Lolofie, left, and Ashley Do carry belongings from their apartment, which has no power, on May 21.

Residents salvage belongings from their demolished homes in Moore on May 21.Residents salvage belongings from their demolished homes in Moore on May 21.

Kelli Kannady weeps after finding a box of photographs of her late husband in the rubble near where her home once stood in Moore on May 21.Kelli Kannady weeps after finding a box of photographs of her late husband in the rubble near where her home once stood in Moore on May 21.

Tufts of pink insulation hang from the rafters of a store in Moore on May 21 that was destroyed in the storm.Tufts of pink insulation hang from the rafters of a store in Moore on May 21 that was destroyed in the storm.

Natalie Johnson searches through her mother's destroyed car outside Briarwood Elementary School in Moore on May 21.Natalie Johnson searches through her mother’s destroyed car outside Briarwood Elementary School in Moore on May 21.

Rescuers dig out a house in Moore on May 21. Rescuers dig out a house in Moore on May 21.

June Simson embraces her cat Sammi after she found him standing among the rubble of her destroyed home in Moore on May 21.June Simson embraces her cat Sammi after she found him standing among the rubble of her destroyed home in Moore on May 21.

A man stands on the roof of a destroyed home in Moore on May 21.A man stands on the roof of a destroyed home in Moore on May 21.

A man helps move a resident's belongings from a destroyed home on May 21 in Moore.A man helps move a resident’s belongings from a destroyed home on May 21 in Moore.

Air Force Airman First Class Justin Acord sifts through the rubble of his father-in-law's home in Moore on May 21.Air Force Airman First Class Justin Acord sifts through the rubble of his father-in-law’s home in Moore on May 21.

People recover belongings from the rubble of a home in Moore.People recover belongings from the rubble of a home in Moore.

People sort through a leveled home in Moore on May 21.People sort through a leveled home in Moore on May 21.

Debris lies among headstones in the Moore Cemetery on May 21.Debris lies among headstones in the Moore Cemetery on May 21.

Workers clean up the Warren movie theater in Moore on May 21.Workers clean up the Warren movie theater in Moore on May 21.

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett surveys damage in Moore on May 21.Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett surveys damage in Moore on May 21.

Piles of debris lie around the north side of Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore on May 21.Piles of debris lie around the north side of Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore on May 21.

As dawn breaks, storm clouds roll in over a devastated neighborhood in Moore on May 21.As dawn breaks, storm clouds roll in over a devastated neighborhood in Moore on May 21.

Members of the Oklahoma National Guard look for survivors in rubble in Moore on May 21.Members of the Oklahoma National Guard look for survivors in rubble in Moore on May 21.

A National Guardsman assists in the search for victims on May 21. A National Guardsman assists in the search for victims on May 21.

A rescue worker leads a horse from the wreckage of a day care center and barns on Monday, May 20, in Moore.A rescue worker leads a horse from the wreckage of a day care center and barns on Monday, May 20, in Moore.

Men tie an American flag on debris in a neighborhood off Telephone Road in Moore on May 20.Men tie an American flag on debris in a neighborhood off Telephone Road in Moore on May 20.

Children wait for their parents to arrive at Briarwood Elementary School in south Oklahoma City on May 20.Children wait for their parents to arrive at Briarwood Elementary School in south Oklahoma City on May 20.

Teachers carry children away from Briarwood Elementary School on May 20.Teachers carry children away from Briarwood Elementary School on May 20.

Teachers lead children away from Briarwood Elementary School on May 20. Read more about the photo.Teachers lead children away from Briarwood Elementary School on May 20. Read more about the photo.

A fire official drives through the rubble of Moore Medical Center on May 20.A fire official drives through the rubble of Moore Medical Center on May 20.

Abby Madi, left, and Peterson Zatterlee comfort Zatterlee's dog, Rippy, on Monday, May 20, in Moore.Abby Madi, left, and Peterson Zatterlee comfort Zatterlee’s dog, Rippy, on Monday, May 20, in Moore.

A woman is treated for her injuries on May 20 at a triage area set up for the wounded.A woman is treated for her injuries on May 20 at a triage area set up for the wounded.

Two girls stand in rubble in Moore. Two girls stand in rubble in Moore.

Rescue workers help free one of more than a dozen people who were trapped at a medical center in Moore on May 20.Rescue workers help free one of more than a dozen people who were trapped at a medical center in Moore on May 20.

Oklahoma City firefighters check on Gene Tripp on May 20 as he sits in his rocking chair where his home once stood.Oklahoma City firefighters check on Gene Tripp on May 20 as he sits in his rocking chair where his home once stood.

A nurse helps an older man who suffered a head injury on May 20 in Moore.A nurse helps an older man who suffered a head injury on May 20 in Moore.

Cars marked with an orange X, meaning they have been checked for occupants, are piled up in front of the entrance to the damaged Moore Medical Center on May 20.Cars marked with an orange X, meaning they have been checked for occupants, are piled up in front of the entrance to the damaged Moore Medical Center on May 20.

Jim Routon hugs his neighbor, 7-year-old Hezekiah, after the tornado strikes on May 20. An earlier version of this caption incorrectly stated that Routon was Hezekiah's teacher. See an interview with the pair. Jim Routon hugs his neighbor, 7-year-old Hezekiah, after the tornado strikes on May 20. An earlier version of this caption incorrectly stated that Routon was Hezekiah’s teacher. See an interview with the pair.

People look through the wreckage of their neighborhood after a tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, on May 20.People look through the wreckage of their neighborhood after a tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, on May 20.

Dana Ulepich searches inside a room left standing at the back of her destroyed house in Moore on May 20.Dana Ulepich searches inside a room left standing at the back of her destroyed house in Moore on May 20.

Residents look through the debris in Moore on May 20.Residents look through the debris in Moore on May 20.

A man looks through the remains of a home after the massive tornado struck Moore on May 20.A man looks through the remains of a home after the massive tornado struck Moore on May 20.

A woman is transported on a stretcher after she was rescued from the damaged medical center in Moore on May 20.A woman is transported on a stretcher after she was rescued from the damaged medical center in Moore on May 20.

A woman walks through debris in Moore on May 20.A woman walks through debris in Moore on May 20.

A man is taken away from the IMAX Theater in Moore that was used as a triage center on May 20.A man is taken away from the IMAX Theater in Moore that was used as a triage center on May 20.

A girl wraps herself in a blanket near the Moore Hospital on May 20.A girl wraps herself in a blanket near the Moore Hospital on May 20.

A nurse walks by the destruction at a Moore hospital on May 20.A nurse walks by the destruction at a Moore hospital on May 20.

Destroyed cars scatter the landscape in Moore, Oklahoma, where hundreds of homes and buildings were put to ruin on May 20.Destroyed cars scatter the landscape in Moore, Oklahoma, where hundreds of homes and buildings were put to ruin on May 20.

A woman with an arm injury is helped on May 20 in Moore.A woman with an arm injury is helped on May 20 in Moore.

Extensive damage from the tornado destroyed cars and demolished structures in Moore on May 20.Extensive damage from the tornado destroyed cars and demolished structures in Moore on May 20.

Onlookers stop to view a portion of the destruction left behind on May 20 in Moore.Onlookers stop to view a portion of the destruction left behind on May 20 in Moore.

Overturned cars are among the rubble from the tornado that hit Moore on May 20.Overturned cars are among the rubble from the tornado that hit Moore on May 20.

A woman is comforted after the May 20 tornado in Moore.A woman is comforted after the May 20 tornado in Moore.

A shredded tree stands amid debris in the aftermath of the storm in Moore on May 20.A shredded tree stands amid debris in the aftermath of the storm in Moore on May 20.

A shopping center parking lot is covered with debris and damaged cars on May 20.A shopping center parking lot is covered with debris and damaged cars on May 20.

Law enforcement officers block a roadway in Moore where there was extensive damage from the tornado.Law enforcement officers block a roadway in Moore where there was extensive damage from the tornado.

A massive tornado approaches Moore on May 20. The storm first touched down to the west of the city near Newcastle, Oklahoma. Visit CNN.com/impact for ways to help the victims.A massive tornado approaches Moore on May 20. The storm first touched down to the west of the city near Newcastle, Oklahoma. Visit CNN.com/impact for ways to help the victims.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


10


11


12


13


14


15


16


17


18


19


20


21


22


23


24


25


26


27


28


29


30


31


32


33


34


35


36


37


38


39


40


41


42


43


44


45


46


47


48


49


50


51


52


53


54


55


56


57


58


59


60


61


62


63


64


65


66


67


68


69


70


71

Photos: Deadly tornado hits OklahomaPhotos: Deadly tornado hits Oklahoma


Rescue dogs help find storm survivors


Storm Chaser pulls 15 people from rubble


Doctors protected patients during twister

At least 24 people, including 10 children, were killed in Monday’s monster tornado. Another 353 people were injured.

The twister ripped through 17 miles of central Oklahoma and pummeled 2,400 homes. The hardest-hit city was Moore.

Moore Mayor Glenn Lewis told CNN’s Jake Tapper, also Wednesday, that six people previously unaccounted for have been located.

Five were found alive. The sixth is dead, and the body was located at the medical examiner’s office. The mayor was not sure whether that death was included in the official count of 24.

He also told CNN that he would push for a law requiring storm shelters or safe rooms in new homes.

“What we will do is get the stakeholders here in the city … and we’ll discuss what we think we need to have,” he said.

“Anybody that lives in any tornado area should have (a storm shelter), but it’s just the matter of cost.”

Young lives remembered

One of the most heartbreaking scenes in Moore is a pile of wreckage where Plaza Towers Elementary School once stood.

Seven of the 10 children killed in the storm were inside the school when it collapsed.

Heroes or just doing their jobs? Teachers save lives during tornado

Terrified children, teachers’ heroics, no shelter: Inside a tornado-ravaged school

The children were in a classroom, Moore Fire Chief Gary Bird told CNN on Wednesday. He also said their deaths “had nothing to do with flooding, from what I understand.” On Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb told CNN the youngsters had drowned in a school basement.

Local resident Adam Baker said he rushed to the school to help in the aftermath. He found some children who had died in a shallow space.

“The ones that were deceased had bumps, scrapes, and they probably would have made it if they weren’t pinned. It looked like most of them just drowned — all blue and stuff.” Pieces of pipe, metal, desks, 2-by-4s, and other debris were on them, he said.

Officials have not yet released official causes of death.

Opinion: We love and fear the Oklahoma skies

Kyle Davis, 8, was among the victims.

His family said he loved going with his grandpa to see Monster Trucks and playing soccer.

“I am angry to an extent. I know the schools did what they thought they could do but with us living in Oklahoma, tornado shelters should be in every school,” Kyle’s mother, Mikki Dixon Davis, told CNN.

Her daughter, who was also at Plaza Towers when the storm struck, survived.

“There should be a place that if this ever happened again during school that kids can get to a safe place,” she said. “That we don’t have to sit there and go through rubble … and may not ever find what we’re looking for.”

Read more: The photo that shows the best of us

Heroes or just doing their jobs? Teachers save lives during Okla. tornado


Woman reveals grandparents missing


Teacher impaled while protecting class


Reality sets after deadly tornado


Photographer on tornado: It’s shocking

‘We’re going to help them recover

Damage assessments showed the tornado had winds over 200 mph at times, making it an EF5 — the strongest category of tornadoes measured, the National Weather Service said.

Mayor Lewis said the devastation was so catastrophic that city officials rushed to print new street signs to help guide rescuers and residents through the newly mangled and unfamiliar landscape.

President Obama will travel to the area Sunday to witness the damage.

He spoke about the people of Oklahoma, briefly, during a presentation at the White House on Wednesday.

“While the road ahead will be long, their country will be with them every single step of the way. That’s who we are, and that’s how we treat our family and friends and our neighbors wherever they are in the country,” he said.

“We’re going to help them recover.”

Insurance claims related to Monday’s tornado and storm in metropolitan Oklahoma City are likely to top $2 billion, said Kelly Collins, a representative of the Oklahoma Insurance Department.

Craig Fugate, the Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator, told CNN the agency is in “good shape” to support the recovery in Oklahoma and in other disaster zones, such as rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey and New York.

“We got full allocation last year with the Sandy supplemental funds. We are looking to continue the response here as well as the previous disasters.”

But “if we have another hurricane, we may need more money,” he said Wednesday.

Severe weather moves east

For her part, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano traveled to Moore to thank first responders and show her support.

“Our commitment is to be here for the duration — to work with our federal, state, tribal, local and community partners in the coming days, weeks and months to help you recover and rebuild from this terrible tragedy and emerge even stronger,” she said.

Those helping in Moore include police and firefighters from Joplin, Missouri — a city all too familiar with grief and devastation.

Wednesday marks the second anniversary of a tornado that pulverized Joplin, killing at least 158 people. It was the deadliest single U.S. tornado since federal record-keeping began in 1950.

“We remember the amount of assistance that we received following the tornado two years ago, and we want to help others as they helped us,” said Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr.

“We know too well what their community is facing, and we feel an obligation to serve them as they have served us.”

Opinion: We love and fear the Oklahoma skies

‘We just didn’t get there fast enough’

Help came from seemingly everywhere the day the tornado struck.

Dustin Ellison ran to the rubble of a convenience store to help get at people trapped in a freezer, which had collapsed.

“It was one big pile of rubble. We knew people had went in the freezer, and we knew that there was no way they had come out,” he told CNN’s Tapper.

“We just didn’t get there fast enough.”

One of the victims Ellison and the others found there was 29-year-old Megan Futrell. Another was her infant son, Case.

“She was protecting him,” he said.

“Your instinct, when you see that is, for me, I ran towards it. There’s probably a lot of people that didn’t, or that wouldn’t, but not around here.”

Basements scarce in tornado-prone area — here’s why

Moore in bull’s-eye twice, science may know why

CNN’s Chelsea J. Carter, Kyung Lah, Sara Weisfeldt, Nick Valenica, Brian Todd, Mayra Cuevas, Anderson Cooper, Gary Tuchman, Ed Lavandera, Pamela Brown and George Howell contributed to this report.


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/22/us/oklahoma-tornado/index.html?eref=edition

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewsRipplesWeb/~3/2UUyxwcKyXc/we-are-beginning-recovery-operations

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RipleysStuff/~3/DTTKGEp2LqI/we-are-beginning-recovery-operations

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Piece of children’s book depicts tragedy

May 23rd, 2013 No comments


.cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:’’;font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}
.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}
.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}
.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:outline:medium none}
.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}
]]

A woman searches for belongings at a home in Moore, Oklahoma, on Wednesday, May 22, two days after it was destroyed by a tornado that ripped through the area. a href='http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/20/us/gallery/midwest-weather/index.html'View more photos of the aftermath in the region/a and another gallery of a href='http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/21/us/gallery/oklahoma-tornado-aerials/index.html'aerial shots of the damage/a.A woman searches for belongings at a home in Moore, Oklahoma, on Wednesday, May 22, two days after it was destroyed by a tornado that ripped through the area. View more photos of the aftermath in the region and another gallery of aerial shots of the damage.

Michael Pritz swings a golf club while taking a break from helping his friend to salvage belongings on May 22.Michael Pritz swings a golf club while taking a break from helping his friend to salvage belongings on May 22.

Debris litters what remains of a classroom at Plaza Towers Elementary School on May 22. Seven children died at the school in Monday's tornado.Debris litters what remains of a classroom at Plaza Towers Elementary School on May 22. Seven children died at the school in Monday’s tornado.

A makeshift shelter stands next to a home destroyed by the tornado on May 22.A makeshift shelter stands next to a home destroyed by the tornado on May 22.

Casey Angle walks on the bunk bed she shared with her sister Sydney, who was among the students killed at Plaza Towers Elementary School during the tornado.Casey Angle walks on the bunk bed she shared with her sister Sydney, who was among the students killed at Plaza Towers Elementary School during the tornado.

Tara McDonald shows some items salvaged from her home on May 22.Tara McDonald shows some items salvaged from her home on May 22.

A swing set sits warped at Plaza Towers Elementary School on May 22. A swing set sits warped at Plaza Towers Elementary School on May 22.

Plaza Towers Elementary School students Monica Boyd and Lavontey Rodriguez sit at the parking lot of their tornado devastated school.Plaza Towers Elementary School students Monica Boyd and Lavontey Rodriguez sit at the parking lot of their tornado devastated school.

Travis French and his wife, Amy, of Capitol Hill Baptist Church hand out fresh fruit, water and hygiene packs to Thomas and Kelcy Trowbridge.Travis French and his wife, Amy, of Capitol Hill Baptist Church hand out fresh fruit, water and hygiene packs to Thomas and Kelcy Trowbridge.

Teachers from Fairview Elementary School help clean up former school counselor Kay Taylor's home in south Oklahoma City on May 22, two days after an extremely powerful tornado tore through Moore, Oklahoma. Teachers from Fairview Elementary School help clean up former school counselor Kay Taylor’s home in south Oklahoma City on May 22, two days after an extremely powerful tornado tore through Moore, Oklahoma.

Jake English, 12, cleans up retired school counselor Kay Taylor's home on May 22 in south Oklahoma City, just west of Moore. The storm was part of a tornado outbreak that began in the Midwest and Plains on Sunday, May 19. Jake English, 12, cleans up retired school counselor Kay Taylor’s home on May 22 in south Oklahoma City, just west of Moore. The storm was part of a tornado outbreak that began in the Midwest and Plains on Sunday, May 19.

A man talks on his cell phone in front of a destroyed house on May 22.A man talks on his cell phone in front of a destroyed house on May 22.

A man looks through a pile of clothing at a roadside relief camp on May 22 in Moore.A man looks through a pile of clothing at a roadside relief camp on May 22 in Moore.

Volunteers form a chain to retrieve clothing and other household items on May 22.Volunteers form a chain to retrieve clothing and other household items on May 22.

Jon Booth moves a piece of debris from his mother's destroyed home across the street from Plaza Towers Elementary School on May 22.Jon Booth moves a piece of debris from his mother’s destroyed home across the street from Plaza Towers Elementary School on May 22.

Matt Johnson salvages items from his grandparents' home on Tuesday, May 21.Matt Johnson salvages items from his grandparents’ home on Tuesday, May 21.

Two men fold an American flag found in the debris of a house on May 21 in Moore.Two men fold an American flag found in the debris of a house on May 21 in Moore.

A young girl stands among the rubble outside Briarwood Elementary School on May 21.A young girl stands among the rubble outside Briarwood Elementary School on May 21.

A doll covered in dirt is among the rubble scattered throughout a neighborhood in Moore on May 21.A doll covered in dirt is among the rubble scattered throughout a neighborhood in Moore on May 21.

Bonnie Lolofie, left, and Ashley Do carry belongings from their apartment, which has no power, on May 21.Bonnie Lolofie, left, and Ashley Do carry belongings from their apartment, which has no power, on May 21.

Residents salvage belongings from their demolished homes in Moore on May 21.Residents salvage belongings from their demolished homes in Moore on May 21.

Kelli Kannady weeps after finding a box of photographs of her late husband in the rubble near where her home once stood in Moore on May 21.Kelli Kannady weeps after finding a box of photographs of her late husband in the rubble near where her home once stood in Moore on May 21.

Tufts of pink insulation hang from the rafters of a store in Moore on May 21 that was destroyed in the storm.Tufts of pink insulation hang from the rafters of a store in Moore on May 21 that was destroyed in the storm.

Natalie Johnson searches through her mother's destroyed car outside Briarwood Elementary School in Moore on May 21.Natalie Johnson searches through her mother’s destroyed car outside Briarwood Elementary School in Moore on May 21.

Rescuers dig out a house in Moore on May 21. Rescuers dig out a house in Moore on May 21.

June Simson embraces her cat Sammi after she found him standing among the rubble of her destroyed home in Moore on May 21.June Simson embraces her cat Sammi after she found him standing among the rubble of her destroyed home in Moore on May 21.

A man stands on the roof of a destroyed home in Moore on May 21.A man stands on the roof of a destroyed home in Moore on May 21.

A man helps move a resident's belongings from a destroyed home on May 21 in Moore.A man helps move a resident’s belongings from a destroyed home on May 21 in Moore.

Air Force Airman First Class Justin Acord sifts through the rubble of his father-in-law's home in Moore on May 21.Air Force Airman First Class Justin Acord sifts through the rubble of his father-in-law’s home in Moore on May 21.

People recover belongings from the rubble of a home in Moore.People recover belongings from the rubble of a home in Moore.

People sort through a leveled home in Moore on May 21.People sort through a leveled home in Moore on May 21.

Debris lies among headstones in the Moore Cemetery on May 21.Debris lies among headstones in the Moore Cemetery on May 21.

Workers clean up the Warren movie theater in Moore on May 21.Workers clean up the Warren movie theater in Moore on May 21.

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett surveys damage in Moore on May 21.Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett surveys damage in Moore on May 21.

Piles of debris lie around the north side of Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore on May 21.Piles of debris lie around the north side of Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore on May 21.

As dawn breaks, storm clouds roll in over a devastated neighborhood in Moore on May 21.As dawn breaks, storm clouds roll in over a devastated neighborhood in Moore on May 21.

Members of the Oklahoma National Guard look for survivors in rubble in Moore on May 21.Members of the Oklahoma National Guard look for survivors in rubble in Moore on May 21.

A National Guardsman assists in the search for victims on May 21. A National Guardsman assists in the search for victims on May 21.

A rescue worker leads a horse from the wreckage of a day care center and barns on Monday, May 20, in Moore.A rescue worker leads a horse from the wreckage of a day care center and barns on Monday, May 20, in Moore.

Men tie an American flag on debris in a neighborhood off Telephone Road in Moore on May 20.Men tie an American flag on debris in a neighborhood off Telephone Road in Moore on May 20.

Children wait for their parents to arrive at Briarwood Elementary School in south Oklahoma City on May 20.Children wait for their parents to arrive at Briarwood Elementary School in south Oklahoma City on May 20.

Teachers carry children away from Briarwood Elementary School on May 20.Teachers carry children away from Briarwood Elementary School on May 20.

Teachers lead children away from Briarwood Elementary School on May 20. a href='http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/21/us/oklahoma-tornado-school-photo/index.html?hpt=hp_c2' target='_blank'Read more about the photo./aTeachers lead children away from Briarwood Elementary School on May 20. Read more about the photo.

A fire official drives through the rubble of Moore Medical Center on May 20.A fire official drives through the rubble of Moore Medical Center on May 20.

Abby Madi, left, and Peterson Zatterlee comfort Zatterlee's dog, Rippy, on Monday, May 20, in Moore.Abby Madi, left, and Peterson Zatterlee comfort Zatterlee’s dog, Rippy, on Monday, May 20, in Moore.

A woman is treated for her injuries on May 20 at a triage area set up for the wounded.A woman is treated for her injuries on May 20 at a triage area set up for the wounded.

Two girls stand in rubble in Moore. Two girls stand in rubble in Moore.

Rescue workers help free one of more than a dozen people who were trapped at a medical center in Moore on May 20.Rescue workers help free one of more than a dozen people who were trapped at a medical center in Moore on May 20.

Oklahoma City firefighters check on Gene Tripp on May 20 as he sits in his rocking chair where his home once stood.Oklahoma City firefighters check on Gene Tripp on May 20 as he sits in his rocking chair where his home once stood.

A nurse helps an older man who suffered a head injury on May 20 in Moore.A nurse helps an older man who suffered a head injury on May 20 in Moore.

Cars marked with an orange X, meaning they have been checked for occupants, are piled up in front of the entrance to the damaged Moore Medical Center on May 20.Cars marked with an orange X, meaning they have been checked for occupants, are piled up in front of the entrance to the damaged Moore Medical Center on May 20.

Jim Routon hugs his neighbor, 7-year-old Hezekiah, after the tornado strikes on May 20. An earlier version of this caption incorrectly stated that Routon was Hezekiah's teacher. a href='http://outfront.blogs.cnn.com/2013/05/21/neighbors-comfort-boy-in-tornado-aftermath/'See an interview with the pair./astrong /strongJim Routon hugs his neighbor, 7-year-old Hezekiah, after the tornado strikes on May 20. An earlier version of this caption incorrectly stated that Routon was Hezekiah’s teacher. See an interview with the pair.

People look through the wreckage of their neighborhood after a tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, on May 20.People look through the wreckage of their neighborhood after a tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, on May 20.

Dana Ulepich searches inside a room left standing at the back of her destroyed house in Moore on May 20.Dana Ulepich searches inside a room left standing at the back of her destroyed house in Moore on May 20.

Residents look through the debris in Moore on May 20.Residents look through the debris in Moore on May 20.

A man looks through the remains of a home after the massive tornado struck Moore on May 20.A man looks through the remains of a home after the massive tornado struck Moore on May 20.

A woman is transported on a stretcher after she was rescued from the damaged medical center in Moore on May 20.A woman is transported on a stretcher after she was rescued from the damaged medical center in Moore on May 20.

A woman walks through debris in Moore on May 20.A woman walks through debris in Moore on May 20.

A man is taken away from the IMAX Theater in Moore that was used as a triage center on May 20.A man is taken away from the IMAX Theater in Moore that was used as a triage center on May 20.

A girl wraps herself in a blanket near the Moore Hospital on May 20.A girl wraps herself in a blanket near the Moore Hospital on May 20.

A nurse walks by the destruction at a Moore hospital on May 20.A nurse walks by the destruction at a Moore hospital on May 20.

Destroyed cars scatter the landscape in Moore, Oklahoma, where hundreds of homes and buildings were put to ruin on May 20.Destroyed cars scatter the landscape in Moore, Oklahoma, where hundreds of homes and buildings were put to ruin on May 20.

A woman with an arm injury is helped on May 20 in Moore.A woman with an arm injury is helped on May 20 in Moore.

Extensive damage from the tornado destroyed cars and demolished structures in Moore on May 20.Extensive damage from the tornado destroyed cars and demolished structures in Moore on May 20.

Onlookers stop to view a portion of the destruction left behind on May 20 in Moore.Onlookers stop to view a portion of the destruction left behind on May 20 in Moore.

Overturned cars are among the rubble from the tornado that hit Moore on May 20.Overturned cars are among the rubble from the tornado that hit Moore on May 20.

A woman is comforted after the May 20 tornado in Moore.A woman is comforted after the May 20 tornado in Moore.

A shredded tree stands amid debris in the aftermath of the storm in Moore on May 20.A shredded tree stands amid debris in the aftermath of the storm in Moore on May 20.

A shopping center parking lot is covered with debris and damaged cars on May 20.A shopping center parking lot is covered with debris and damaged cars on May 20.

Law enforcement officers block a roadway in Moore where there was extensive damage from the tornado.Law enforcement officers block a roadway in Moore where there was extensive damage from the tornado.

A massive tornado approaches Moore on May 20. The storm first touched down to the west of the city near Newcastle, Oklahoma. Visit a href='http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/impact.your.world/'CNN.com/impact/a for ways to help the victims.A massive tornado approaches Moore on May 20. The storm first touched down to the west of the city near Newcastle, Oklahoma. Visit CNN.com/impact for ways to help the victims.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


10


11


12


13


14


15


16


17


18


19


20


21


22


23


24


25


26


27


28


29


30


31


32


33


34


35


36


37


38


39


40


41


42


43


44


45


46


47


48


49


50


51


52


53


54


55


56


57


58


59


60


61


62


63


64


65


66


67


68


69


70


71

For local coverage of Monday’s devastating storms in Oklahoma, go to these CNN affiliates: KFOR, KOCO and KOKH.

(CNN) — The lone, tattered page from a decimated children’s book sat quietly amid the rest of the rubble. But the words spoke volumes about the pain and nostalgia in the city of Moore:

“I remember my old house,

Its rooms so bright and wide.

Its halls will echo for all time,

With the laughter heard inside.”


Concerns over lack of safe rooms


Moore superintendent on storm shelters


Oklahoma principal had faith in teachers


Teacher: Entire room caved in on us

Mark Toney found the battered page while volunteering with LifeChurch.TV.

“It more than likely came from a house that had been demolished,” said fellow volunteer Jared Bowie, who was with Toney at the time. “Then I thought about how many houses were full of laughter and memories.”

At least 12,000 homes were damaged or demolished from Monday’s abysmal tornado, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said. The twister killed 24 people, including 10 children, and injured 353 in central Oklahoma.

With everyone missing now accounted for, the daunting road to recovery is underway.

Throngs of volunteers have come to Moore to help. Each has a poignant tale about the breadth of the human condition.

Juan Olivo started searching for survivors as soon as the storm passed. He documented the search on video.

“Is there anybody here?!” he bellowed as he walked past heaps of debris.

In the distance, deep under a mound of shredded lumber, a man’s voice replied: “Here!”

Olivo and other volunteers raced to the wreckage.

“We’re gonna get you out!” Olivo told the man.

He later told CNN’s iReport he was stunned at the discovery.

Basements scarce in tornado-prone area — here’s why

“The odds of me filming and capturing this man cry out for help is one (in a) million, and I’m happy he is alive,” Olivo said.

Demands for storm shelters

Of the 10 children killed by the tornado, seven were inside Plaza Towers Elementary School. The twister crushed the school and reduced it to pieces.

Kyle Davis, 8, was one of the victims.

“I am angry to an extent. I know the schools did what they thought they could do but with us living in Oklahoma, tornado shelters should be in every school,” Kyle’s mother, Mikki Dixon Davis, told CNN’s Kyung Lah.

Her daughter, who was also at Plaza Towers when the storm struck, survived.

Photos: The path of destruction from above

“There should be a place that if this ever happened again during school that kids can get to a safe place,” Davis said. “That we don’t have to sit there and go through rubble … and may not ever find what we’re looking for.”

Moore Mayor Glenn Lewis said he would push for a law requiring storm shelters or safe rooms in new homes.

“What we will do is get the stakeholders here in the city … and we’ll discuss what we think we need to have,” Lewis said.

“Anybody that lives in any tornado area should have (a storm shelter), but it’s just the matter of cost.”

Custom homebuilder Mike Barnett said an above-ground shelter runs $8,000 to $10,000; a small basement would cost $15,000 to $20,000; and a concrete cellar built during new-house construction would cost as little as $2,200.

Looking ahead

On top of the human toll and grief, the cost of the tornado’s destruction is astronomical.

Insurance claims from the area are likely to exceed $2 billion, said Kelly Collins, a representative of the Oklahoma Insurance Department.

But the Federal Emergency Management Agency is in “good shape” to support the recovery in Oklahoma and other disaster zones, such as New Jersey and New York after Hurricane Sandy, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said.

“We got full allocation last year with the Sandy supplemental funds,” Fugate said. “We are looking to continue the response here as well as the previous disasters.”

But “if we have another hurricane, we may need more money.”

As Moore continues its arduous recovery, Bowie pondered the page from the children’s book. It shows a charming yellow house set atop lush green landscape.

He said it doesn’t just allude to the joy now lost after the storm.

“It reminds me of the laughter and memories yet to come in the new houses that will be built,” he said. “The memories are truly found in the heart, not the house.”

Moore in bull’s-eye twice, science may know why

CNN’s Christina Zdanowicz, David Williams and Tom Watkins contributed to this report.

Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/23/us/oklahoma-tornado/index.html?eref=edition

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NewsRipplesWeb/~3/bY5LCSdGheQ/piece-of-childrens-book-depicts-tragedy

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RipleysStuff/~3/ifKN2wDpUWU/piece-of-childrens-book-depicts-tragedy

Categories: Uncategorized Tags: