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Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Russian doctor believes in healing by laughter
Andrei Skutin is to set up a clinic where laughter really will be the best medicine. Skutin - from Chelyabinsk, Russia - has just completed a year-long study of how humour affects illnesses and says a good chuckle can work wonders on everything from high blood pressure to cancer.
"Laughter can cure many serious diseases. Ten minutes laughing can reduce blood pressure, strengthen immunity, reduce asthma attacks and so on," claims the 38-year-old doctor who always has his patients in stitches.
Skutin - whose group therapy patients spend an hour telling each other jokes - is now to set up a full time laughter clinic at the South Ural State University.
Photo from here.
"The only people who cannot attend are pregnant women as they may laugh too much and give birth prematurely, or those who have recently had major surgery or stitches as laughing could undo the stitches," Skutin said.
Full story here.
"Laughter can cure many serious diseases. Ten minutes laughing can reduce blood pressure, strengthen immunity, reduce asthma attacks and so on," claims the 38-year-old doctor who always has his patients in stitches.
Skutin - whose group therapy patients spend an hour telling each other jokes - is now to set up a full time laughter clinic at the South Ural State University.
Photo from here.
"The only people who cannot attend are pregnant women as they may laugh too much and give birth prematurely, or those who have recently had major surgery or stitches as laughing could undo the stitches," Skutin said.
Full story here.
Bull jumps into crowd at North Carolina rodeo
Having front-row seats for a rodeo sounds like a pretty exciting time. But a North Carolina couple wasn't prepared for their experience. The husband and wife were charged by a high-jumping bull.
It happened at the Old Ford Fire Department Rodeo in Williamston. Rodeo workers were trying to round up the bull after a rider fell off, but the bull had other ideas.
YouTube link.
Video shows the bull jumping over a five-foot fence and into the stands... and then back out again. Butch Trimnal pushed his wife out of the bull's way, but they both were injured. They were able to drive themselves to the hospital.
Officials at the venue offered the couple assistance with their medical bills, and unlimited tickets to any future events. As for the bull, he wasn't injured and was used again later in the show.
It happened at the Old Ford Fire Department Rodeo in Williamston. Rodeo workers were trying to round up the bull after a rider fell off, but the bull had other ideas.
YouTube link.
Video shows the bull jumping over a five-foot fence and into the stands... and then back out again. Butch Trimnal pushed his wife out of the bull's way, but they both were injured. They were able to drive themselves to the hospital.
Officials at the venue offered the couple assistance with their medical bills, and unlimited tickets to any future events. As for the bull, he wasn't injured and was used again later in the show.
Footballer faces sanctions for kicking injured owl in Colombia
A Panamanian player, Luís Moreno, has caused an uproar and faces severe punishment after kicking an owl which was lying on the pitch during a Colombian championship match at the weekend. Video footage showed that the bird was first struck by the ball near the Pereira penalty area during the match at Atlético Junior, prompting the referee to stop play.
As the referee and players discussed what to do, the Pereira defender Moreno – apparently impatient over the delay, as his team were losing 2-1 – was seen to kick the bird towards the touchline with his left foot.
YouTube link.
"The player should be severely punished for this painful, horrible act of intolerance," Ramón Jesurum, the president of the Colombian league, said in a radio interview. He added that the case would go before the league's disciplinary committee.
Atlético Junior fans chanted "murderer" at the Panamanian player, according to Colombian media. Moreno was also reprimanded by opponents and he apologised after the game. "I apologise to the fans, it wasn't my intention," he said, as he left the field escorted by radio reporters and police. Colombian media said the owl had been rescued by ground staff and taken to a vet. Its condition was reported to be serious.
As the referee and players discussed what to do, the Pereira defender Moreno – apparently impatient over the delay, as his team were losing 2-1 – was seen to kick the bird towards the touchline with his left foot.
YouTube link.
"The player should be severely punished for this painful, horrible act of intolerance," Ramón Jesurum, the president of the Colombian league, said in a radio interview. He added that the case would go before the league's disciplinary committee.
Atlético Junior fans chanted "murderer" at the Panamanian player, according to Colombian media. Moreno was also reprimanded by opponents and he apologised after the game. "I apologise to the fans, it wasn't my intention," he said, as he left the field escorted by radio reporters and police. Colombian media said the owl had been rescued by ground staff and taken to a vet. Its condition was reported to be serious.
Parents injured in accidental shootings
The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office said a small child accidentally shot his mother, after finding the gun near his injured father's side. The BCSO was alerted of the shooting at 4621 old Carney Road in Bay Minette. When they arrived to the home they found Allen and Aleisha Jones injured by gunshot.
The couple's two small children were at the residence when the incident happened. Their daughter was upstairs asleep at the time of the incident. When questioned by authorities, Mr. Jones stated he had taken his Glock .40 handgun from the glove compartment of his truck. He was walking to the house when he tripped and fell, then accidentally shot himself in the leg just above the knee.
Jones yelled to his wife for help. Aleisha was upstairs bathing their young son when she heard her husband's call for help. When she arrived on the screened porch, she tried to secure the gun but her son beat her to the gun. After attempting to take the gun from the child, a round was fired. Aleisha was hit in the left side of her neck.
A neighbour heard the gunshots and cries for help and came to Aleisha's aid. Her husband called 911. When authorities arrived, Allen and Aleisha were transported to USA in Mobile. Investigators say both individuals stories parallel each other. At last report, the Jones' were in stable condition. Injuries do not appear to be life threatening.
With news video.
The couple's two small children were at the residence when the incident happened. Their daughter was upstairs asleep at the time of the incident. When questioned by authorities, Mr. Jones stated he had taken his Glock .40 handgun from the glove compartment of his truck. He was walking to the house when he tripped and fell, then accidentally shot himself in the leg just above the knee.
Jones yelled to his wife for help. Aleisha was upstairs bathing their young son when she heard her husband's call for help. When she arrived on the screened porch, she tried to secure the gun but her son beat her to the gun. After attempting to take the gun from the child, a round was fired. Aleisha was hit in the left side of her neck.
A neighbour heard the gunshots and cries for help and came to Aleisha's aid. Her husband called 911. When authorities arrived, Allen and Aleisha were transported to USA in Mobile. Investigators say both individuals stories parallel each other. At last report, the Jones' were in stable condition. Injuries do not appear to be life threatening.
With news video.
Video shows skier tripping and falling down mountain
Skier Stefan Ager had climbed to the top of a mountain in the Stubai Alps and was just planning his route his route back down, when he lost his footing and ended up taking an altogether different trip.
Footage shot from his helmet cam shows that after making it to the top he celebrated by taking a look around, capturing a clip of himself and putting his skis on.
LiveLeak link.
But as he clipped himself into the skis, he tripped backwards and tumbled down the rocky-looking mountain.
After the 15 second fall, Ager let out an audible gasp of pain before looking up at the route he had just fallen. Amazingly he escaped unscathed.
Footage shot from his helmet cam shows that after making it to the top he celebrated by taking a look around, capturing a clip of himself and putting his skis on.
LiveLeak link.
But as he clipped himself into the skis, he tripped backwards and tumbled down the rocky-looking mountain.
After the 15 second fall, Ager let out an audible gasp of pain before looking up at the route he had just fallen. Amazingly he escaped unscathed.
Iran claims London 2012 Olympics logo spells the word 'Zion'
Iran has threatened to boycott the London Olympics unless the organisers replace the official logo, which Tehran claims spells out the word "Zion". The logo, a jagged representation of the year 2012, has been said by its critics to resemble many things, from a swastika to a sexual act, but the Iranian government argues it represents a veiled pro-Israeli conspiracy.
In a formal complaint to the International Olympic Committee, Tehran has called for the graphic to be replaced and its designers "confronted", warning that Iranian athletes might otherwise be ordered to stay away from the London Games. According to the state-backed Iranian Students News Agency, which is frequently used to convey official pronouncements, the letter says:
"As internet documents have proved, using the word Zion in the logo of the 2012 Olympic Games is a disgracing action and against the Olympics' valuable mottos. There is no doubt that negligence of the issue from your side may affect the presence of some countries in the Games, especially Iran which abides by commitment to the values and principles." The letter, from the country's national Olympic committee, leaves unclear what "internet documents" it is referring to.
Amid the popular uproar that accompanied the unveiling of the logo in 2007, there were some claims, particularly on conspiracy-oriented websites, that its constituent shapes could be rearranged to make the world "Zion". An IOC official confirmed that the Iranian letter had been received but said: "The London 2012 logo represents the figure 2012, nothing else." A spokesman for the London Olympic organising committee added: "It was launched in 2007 following testing and consultation. We are surprised that this complaint has been made now."
In a formal complaint to the International Olympic Committee, Tehran has called for the graphic to be replaced and its designers "confronted", warning that Iranian athletes might otherwise be ordered to stay away from the London Games. According to the state-backed Iranian Students News Agency, which is frequently used to convey official pronouncements, the letter says:
"As internet documents have proved, using the word Zion in the logo of the 2012 Olympic Games is a disgracing action and against the Olympics' valuable mottos. There is no doubt that negligence of the issue from your side may affect the presence of some countries in the Games, especially Iran which abides by commitment to the values and principles." The letter, from the country's national Olympic committee, leaves unclear what "internet documents" it is referring to.
Amid the popular uproar that accompanied the unveiling of the logo in 2007, there were some claims, particularly on conspiracy-oriented websites, that its constituent shapes could be rearranged to make the world "Zion". An IOC official confirmed that the Iranian letter had been received but said: "The London 2012 logo represents the figure 2012, nothing else." A spokesman for the London Olympic organising committee added: "It was launched in 2007 following testing and consultation. We are surprised that this complaint has been made now."
Carlo Ancelotti says Chelsea must not kill Ashley Cole for shooting student
Without a hint of irony, Carlo Ancelotti yesterday said that Chelsea must not “kill” Ashley Cole for accidently shooting a work experience student at the club’s Cobham training ground. Ancelotti also confirmed that Cole would play in the Premier League against Manchester United despite an act of indiscipline that is serious enough to have prompted a police investigation.
The extraordinary incident occurred nine days ago when Cole shot and wounded Tom Cowan, a Loughborough University student who is on a year’s internship at the club, with an air rifle. He is understood to have fired the .22 air rifle towards Cowan in the belief that it was not loaded. “One player, Ashley, made a mistake,” said Ancelotti. “When he said sorry he was really disappointed. What do we have to do now?
YouTube link.
“Kill him? No. That’s not my way to manage players. We have to support him. It would be very different if he had not said sorry. If a player makes a mistake, I try to explain that it’s wrong and give him the possibility to use different behaviour. We are not happy because he stepped over the line. I think it was an accident. The mistake was that the gun was here in Cobham. We didn’t know the gun was here. Who hasn’t made a mistake in his life? Who?”
Chelsea confirmed that it is a breach of club rules to have any sort of weapon at the training ground but Ancelotti said that there was “never” any possibility of Cole being sacked. Instead, it is understood that he has been fined two weeks’ wages. Cowan has been granted some time off by Chelsea, with the club not commenting on whether they will be paying out any private compensation.
The extraordinary incident occurred nine days ago when Cole shot and wounded Tom Cowan, a Loughborough University student who is on a year’s internship at the club, with an air rifle. He is understood to have fired the .22 air rifle towards Cowan in the belief that it was not loaded. “One player, Ashley, made a mistake,” said Ancelotti. “When he said sorry he was really disappointed. What do we have to do now?
YouTube link.
“Kill him? No. That’s not my way to manage players. We have to support him. It would be very different if he had not said sorry. If a player makes a mistake, I try to explain that it’s wrong and give him the possibility to use different behaviour. We are not happy because he stepped over the line. I think it was an accident. The mistake was that the gun was here in Cobham. We didn’t know the gun was here. Who hasn’t made a mistake in his life? Who?”
Chelsea confirmed that it is a breach of club rules to have any sort of weapon at the training ground but Ancelotti said that there was “never” any possibility of Cole being sacked. Instead, it is understood that he has been fined two weeks’ wages. Cowan has been granted some time off by Chelsea, with the club not commenting on whether they will be paying out any private compensation.
Man finds E.T. in tree trunk
A pensioner has told how he rushed to phone home after he discovered the face of E.T. in a tree trunk.
Pete Burford was chopping wood when the face of the alien in Steven Spielberg’s hit 1980s blockbuster stared back at him. He quickly called shocked wife Sylvia after making the discovery in the trunk of a poplar tree at his yard in Elderfield, near Tewkesbury, Glos.
Pete, 72, of Staunton, Glos., said he was completely stunned when the image stared right back at him.
He said: ”It’s probably just one of those things in the tree, but it so looks like E.T. I couldn’t believe it.” Wife Sylvia, 73, quickly remembered seeing what looked like a UFO 40 years ago and now the couple believe extra-terrestrials are trying to get in contact.
Pete Burford was chopping wood when the face of the alien in Steven Spielberg’s hit 1980s blockbuster stared back at him. He quickly called shocked wife Sylvia after making the discovery in the trunk of a poplar tree at his yard in Elderfield, near Tewkesbury, Glos.
Pete, 72, of Staunton, Glos., said he was completely stunned when the image stared right back at him.
He said: ”It’s probably just one of those things in the tree, but it so looks like E.T. I couldn’t believe it.” Wife Sylvia, 73, quickly remembered seeing what looked like a UFO 40 years ago and now the couple believe extra-terrestrials are trying to get in contact.
John Galliano caught on video ranting 'I love Hitler'
John Galliano has been caught on film declaring "I love Hitler" in a rant at customers in a Paris bar. The British fashion designer tells a woman, who was among a group of French and Italians: "People like you would be dead. Your mothers, your forefathers, would all be f------ gassed".
The drunken tirade was filmed at the Paris café where Mr Galliano was accused of racially insulting a couple last week. It is not clear whether the clip shows the incident for which the designer was arrested on Thursday, or was filmed on another evening. In the video, a woman is heard to say "Oh my God" before asking the slurring Mr Galliano if he has a problem.
LiveLeak link.
The designer replies: "With you. You're ugly." Asked where he was from, he said: "Your a------". Mr Galliano was speaking to fellow customers at the La Perle bar, in Paris's Marais district where he lives. The man who filmed the video said the group was "stunned" by his "vile anti-Semitic comments".
He said: "His words were disgusting. He made it clear the Italian girls weren't welcome and should go home. This was pure racism." The recording will do little to help salvage the career of the 50-year old fashion star, after Christian Dior, his employer of 13 years, suspended him as their fashion director on Friday. Mr Galliano has denied all allegations of racism and anti-Semitism.
You can also see the video here.
The drunken tirade was filmed at the Paris café where Mr Galliano was accused of racially insulting a couple last week. It is not clear whether the clip shows the incident for which the designer was arrested on Thursday, or was filmed on another evening. In the video, a woman is heard to say "Oh my God" before asking the slurring Mr Galliano if he has a problem.
LiveLeak link.
The designer replies: "With you. You're ugly." Asked where he was from, he said: "Your a------". Mr Galliano was speaking to fellow customers at the La Perle bar, in Paris's Marais district where he lives. The man who filmed the video said the group was "stunned" by his "vile anti-Semitic comments".
He said: "His words were disgusting. He made it clear the Italian girls weren't welcome and should go home. This was pure racism." The recording will do little to help salvage the career of the 50-year old fashion star, after Christian Dior, his employer of 13 years, suspended him as their fashion director on Friday. Mr Galliano has denied all allegations of racism and anti-Semitism.
You can also see the video here.
Dave the rottweiler plays mother to orphaned bunnies, birds and kittens
You probably wouldn’t pick a ten-stone rottweiler to nursemaid orphaned bunnies and birds. But even kittens are in no danger from Dave the Dog. All he wants to do is look after them. Owner Amanda Collins discovered her six-year-old pet’s maternal nature when she brought home an unwanted French giant rabbit.
‘Dave just walked over to him and started licking him to clean him,’ said the 25-year-old, who runs a pet shop in Blackpool. ‘They bonded straight away. Now they sleep together, and I’ve even seen them sharing each other’s food.’ Miss Collins, who has looked after a menagerie of abandoned animals, soon found this wasn’t a one-off.
'When I brought home the ducklings, I thought he might not be the same as with the rabbits, but he just went over to them and licked them on the head,' she said. 'I filled a paddling pool with water so they could learn to swim in it, and Dave went and laid down in the water so they could clamber over him. He even lifted them out if they got into trouble.'
So far, Dave has helped bring up four ducks, three geese, five rabbits, 13 kittens and five puppies - not to mention countless new-born chicks. Dave had a traumatic upbringing – his first owner docked his tail with a cleaver – but has remained amazingly good-natured and has now been voted Britain’s most inspirational dog in a contest sponsored by worming specialists Drontal.
‘Dave just walked over to him and started licking him to clean him,’ said the 25-year-old, who runs a pet shop in Blackpool. ‘They bonded straight away. Now they sleep together, and I’ve even seen them sharing each other’s food.’ Miss Collins, who has looked after a menagerie of abandoned animals, soon found this wasn’t a one-off.
'When I brought home the ducklings, I thought he might not be the same as with the rabbits, but he just went over to them and licked them on the head,' she said. 'I filled a paddling pool with water so they could learn to swim in it, and Dave went and laid down in the water so they could clamber over him. He even lifted them out if they got into trouble.'
So far, Dave has helped bring up four ducks, three geese, five rabbits, 13 kittens and five puppies - not to mention countless new-born chicks. Dave had a traumatic upbringing – his first owner docked his tail with a cleaver – but has remained amazingly good-natured and has now been voted Britain’s most inspirational dog in a contest sponsored by worming specialists Drontal.
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