Earthquake Today | Magnitude-5.1 earthquake shakes Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A magnitude-5.1 earthquake centered near Los Angeles caused no major damage but jittered nerves throughout the region as dozens of aftershocks struck into the night.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck at about 9:09 p.m. Friday and was centered near Brea in Orange County — about 20 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles — at a depth of about 5 miles. It was felt as far south as San Diego and as far north as Ventura County, according to citizen responses collected online by the USGS.

Broken glass, gas leaks, water main breaks and a rockslide were reported near the epicenter, according to Twitter updates from local authorities.

Eyewitness photos and videos show bottles and packages strewn on store floors. Southern California Edison reported power outages to about 2,000 customers following the quake.

More than two dozen aftershocks ranging from magnitudes 2 to 3.6 were recorded, according to the USGS. Earlier in the evening, two foreshocks registering at magnitude-3.6 and magnitude-2.1 hit nearby in the city of La Habra.

 Public safety officials said crews were inspecting bridges, dams, rail tracks and other infrastructure systems for signs of damage. The Brea police department said the rock slide in the Carbon Canyon area caused a car to overturn, and the people inside the car sustained minor injuries.

Callers to KNX-AM reported seeing a brick wall collapse, water sloshing in a swimming pool and wires and trees swaying back and forth. One caller said he was in a movie theater lobby in Brea when the quake struck.

"A lot of the glass in the place shook like crazy," he said. "It started like a roll and then it started shaking like crazy. Everybody ran outside, hugging each other in the streets."

A helicopter news reporter from KNBC-TV reported from above that rides at Disneyland in Anaheim — several miles from the epicenter — were stopped as a precaution.

Hall of Fame announcer Vin Scully was on the air calling the Angels-Dodgers exhibition game in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium.

"A little tremor here in the ballpark. I'm not sure if the folks felt it, but we certainly felt it here in press box row," Scully said. "A tremor and only that, thank goodness."

Authorities say a magnitude-5.1 earthquake shook the Los Angeles area and surrounding counties on  …

Tom Connolly, a Boeing employee who lives in La Mirada, the next town over from La Habra, said the 

magnitude-5.1 quake lasted about 30 seconds.

"We felt a really good jolt. It was a long rumble and it just didn't feel like it would end," he told The 

Associated Press by phone. "Right in the beginning it shook really hard, so it was a little unnerving. People got quiet and started bracing themselves by holding on to each other. It was a little scary."

Friday's quake hit a week after a pre-dawn magnitude-4.4 quake centered in the San Fernando Valley rattled a swath of Southern California. That jolt shook buildings and rattled nerves, but did not cause significant damage.

Southern California has not experienced a devastating earthquake since the 1994 magnitude-6.7 Northridge quake killed several dozen people and caused $25 billion in damage.

Preliminary data suggest Friday night's 5.1 magnitude earthquake occurred near the Puente Hills thrust fault, which stretches from the San Gabriel Valley to downtown Los Angeles and caused the 1987 Whittier 

Narrows earthquake, USGS seismologist Lucy Jones said.

"It's a place where we've had a lot of earthquakes in the past," she said.

The 5.9 Whittier Narrows quake killed eight people and caused $360 million in damage.

Original post found here

http://news.yahoo.com/magnitude-5-1-earthquake-shakes-los-angeles-042831473.html?vp=1

Viktor Yanukovych | Former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych 'kicked out' of party

Ousted leader and his clique to be purged from Ukraine's Party of Regions as it tries to rehabilitate itself ahead of May elections

Mr Yanukovych was ousted in February after more than two months of huge anti-government demonstrations Photo: AP

Ukraine's disgraced former president will be kicked out of his own party this weekend as it attempts a radical overhaul to repair the damage done by his "catastrophic" rule, a senior party figure has said.

Borys Kolesnikov, the deputy head of the Party of Regions, said that Viktor Yanukovych and his inner clique would be formally purged at a conference on Saturday, where the party will debate how to mend its reputation ahead of new elections scheduled for May.

The move demonstrates how the party has sought to distance itself as much as possible from its former leader, who fled to neighbouring Russia last month. He is wanted by the new government on charges of mass murder after allegedly ordering police to open fire on opposition protesters in Kiev, killing more than 100 people.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Mr Kolesnikov said that as well as purging the Yanukovych clique from the party's ranks, the party would also be re-organised to ensure that no leader would ever again be able to monopolise power in the way he had done.

"Yanukovych and his team will be excluded from the party, they will not be members any more," Mr

Kolesnikov said. "It was a great mistake that he concentrated the power in his hands, and unfortunately it led to catastrophe."

A multi-millionaire businessman and admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Mr Kolesnikov said that the party would remodel itself along the lines of both the Republican Party in American and the Conservative Party in Britain in its bid to reform, ending the corrupt and murky practices it had had under Mr Yanukovych.

Like the Republican Party, it would have primary elections to decide which candidates wanted to run as presidential candidates. "We think that a real competitive atmosphere will make it new and strong," he said.

And like David Cameron's government in Britain, he added, it would become far more transparent when it came to policies and performance.
"In Britain everything is very clear, you will see, for example, Mr Cameron say how the economy is doing, giving proper statistics and explaining the context," he said. "We need the same model in Ukraine."

Mr Yanukovych was ousted in February after more than two months of huge anti-government demonstrations, sparked by his decision to cancel a proposed trade association agreement with the

European Union in favour of one with Russia. The revolution against him set in motion the chain of events that led to Russia annexing Crimea earlier this month, and which have left Ukrainians now fearful of further land grabs by Moscow.

Mr Kolesnikov, 51, who also served as a deputy prime minister, acknowledged that recent events had damaged the reputation of the party, which critics say is behoven to the Kremlin's interests.

However, he declined to condemn Mr Putin's annexation of Crimea, and said the party would not be severing its relationship with Moscow. "We won't break relations with Russia just to improve our reputation," he said.

Saturday's meeting is likely to be a crunch one for the party, debating not just the future strategy but also who will run as potential candidates for president. When The Telegraph interviewed Mr Kolesnikov at a parliamentary committee building on Wednesday, he was in back-to-back strategy meetings both with party officials and the powerful industrialists who help to bankroll it. The party's rivals in the presidential race are expected to include pro-European candidates such as Yulia Tymoshenko and Vitali Klitschko, the boxer-turned-politician who was a central figure in the recent protests.

The party faces an uphill struggle to win back Ukrainians' confidence in May's presidential elections, which will take place against a backdrop of near-bankruptcy, political chaos, and the loss of sovereign territory in Crimea. But Mr Kolesnikov insisted it had a fighting chance, pointing out that after being ousted from power by the pro-Western Orange revolution in 2004, it had fought its way back to power against the party led by Julia Tymoshenko.

"It was like Fulham beating Barcelona 5-0," he said.

Original post found here

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10727181/Former-Ukrainian-president-Viktor-Yanukovych-kicked-out-of-party.html

Viral News | Woman’s dumb Facebook post gets her in trouble

Back in 2012, Colleen Cudney was convicted for drunken driving. As part of her punishment, she was put on probation, and so on the day after St. Patrick’s Day, the 22-year-old was ordered to come to her Westland, Michigan probation office for a random breathalyzer test. She managed to pass it and celebratedthe good news on Facebook. That Facebook post, as WDIV Local 4 News reports, was a pretty stupid move.

Investigators told WDIV she posted, “Buzz killer for me, I had to breatalyze this morning and I drank yesterday but I passed thank god lol my dumba**." There’s a lot of problems with this status update. Why don’t we go over them?

1. It’s “buzzkill,” not “buzz killer.”
2. I know you meant “breathalyze,” but that isn’t a word.
3. OH AND YOU AREN’T SUPPOSED TO BE DRINKING BECAUSE YOU WERE CONVICTED FOR DRUNK DRIVING.

Cudney’s post gained the attention of a Westland police officer, who then notified the probation office. Did the probation office then say something like, “Oh well, she got us. She wins this round”? Nope. They called her up and told Colleen they wanted her to take a urine test, something that would detect whether she had had alcohol in the previous 80 hours. Colleen then…hung up on the probation officer. You’re not supposed to do that.

Colleen's Facebook post (WDIV)

Hanging up the phone on the probation official was a probation violation. And to think, her probation was set to end in a few weeks. Colleen Cudney will be back in court on April 1 for a probation hearing and faces up to 3 months in jail.

Original post found here

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/oddnews/woman%E2%80%99s-dumb-facebook-post-gets-her-in-trouble-214614417.html

Viral News | Still on Windows XP? Here’s Some Bad Advice

Windows XP is dying. On April 8, Microsoft will stop supporting the ancient operating system that was released in 2001 — and at one point was used by 400 million people.

 

Bill Gates introducing Windows XP in October, 2001. Photo: Getty Images.

You might think that an operating system that was actually engineered in the late 90s would be fully obsolete and unused by now. After all, since XP came out, Microsoft has released several major replacement versions: Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 (recently upgraded to Windows 8.1).

But there’s something about Windows XP. It’s basic, stable, fast enough, and good enough for a lot of people. It’s still running on more than 10 percent of the world’s computers, and it’s huge in China.
Still, it’s time. It’s hard to keep an operating system this old up to snuff in today’s online environment. XP works, but it’s not built to the same security level as modern operating systems. Microsoft doesn’t want to keep writing new security upgrades for it, so on April 8, it’s stopping. No more security updates. No more support. Your XP computer will still work, but Microsoft won’t help you anymore. Microsoft is pretty harsh about it: “XP cannot be considered safe to use after support ends.”

Microsoft urges you to upgrade. There’s even a site that tells you when your XP world will end: AmIRunningXP.com. Microsoft also has more info on what "end of support" means. To be fair, moving off XP would be a smart thing to do. Newer operating systems are easier to use (at least most of them), they run the cool new apps, and they’re definitely safer. But how do you move from an old computer that’s running XP into the modern era? I’ve heard a lot of advice on how to make the transition. Not all of it good. Here are your options. Bad ideas first:

 
The Windows XP desktop you may know and love.

Bad idea #1: Just don’t worry about it
It’s not like Windows XP computers will magically stop working on April 9. So don’t worry about it; just keep on using it.

Why is this a bad idea? The problem with an old operating system is that it’s not up to speed with modern attacks. Operating systems need to be patched (updated) frequently to keep them safe from data thieves, scammers, viruses, and the like. After April 8, there will be no more updates coming.

But if you plan to keep going with XP for a while, at least make sure you’re on the last, ultimate version of it, called Service Pack 3. After April 8, you won’t be able to upgrade. Windows’ own update utility should manage this for you. Make sure it’s done so.

Microsoft says it will continue to provide updates to its “anti-malware signatures and engine for Windows XP users through July 14, 2015,” so you can continue to use the company’s antivirus app, Microsoft Security Essentials. That is, assuming you already have MSE. After April 8, it won’t be available for download at all. You could also get a possibly better antivirus tool from another vendor. PC Pro recommends Avast 2014. It’s free, and they say it’s better than Microsoft’s own Security Essentials.

But don’t get comfortable. According to Microsoft, even up-to-date security software can’t save you if the operating system itself isn’t secure. And Windows XP just isn’t. Microsoft says, “Our research shows that the effectiveness of anti-malware solutions on out-of-support operating systems is limited. Running a well-protected solution starts with using modern software and hardware designed to help protect against today’s threat landscape.”

So you can keep using XP, but not without risk. You probably don’t want it connected to the Internet, and even plugging a USB drive into it could be unsafe.

Bad idea #2: Upgrade to Windows 8, like Microsoft wants you to
Why not get the latest version of Windows? It’s so shiny!

Windows 8.1’s default interface. Get ready to re-learn Windows.

There are two big reasons why this is a bad idea. The first: It probably won’t work. Your old Win XP machine likely does not have the horsepower, the hard disk space, or the hardware to run Windows 8. 

Second: You’ll hate it. Windows 8 (including 8.1) has two separate interfaces. There’s a Windows desktop-like one in there, which you’ll probably find comfortable, but you have to go through the touchscreen-centric primary interface to get to it. That’s fine if you have a tablet. But your XP machine is no tablet.  

You can mostly avoid that tile-based, touchscreen interface, but not completely. It pops up from time to time, usually when you’re in a hurry and stressed out, and it’s frustrating when it happens.

You can also bite the bullet and get a new Windows 8 computer. They’re not expensive at all. They’re just alien.

If you do start over on a Windows 8 machine, Microsoft has tools to make moving your data from XP to 

Windows 8 fairly straightforward. 

Bad idea #3: Move to Linux 

The geek operating system (sorry, geeks) called Linux is stable, fast, cheap, and free, and will run on your old XP machine better than Windows 8 will. The nerds will tell you it’ll do everything that XP will do. They’re right.

The Ubuntu version of Linux. It’ll do everything you want, but you might have to learn a few new concepts.

But here’s why it’s a bad idea: It really is a platform for nerds. Few people you know — unless you know a lot of programmers — will be able to help you out. And your Windows software won’t work. If you have apps you like, you’ll have to find Linux equivalents for them. You’re better off moving to a consumer-friendly operating system.

Bad idea #4: Get a Chromebook 

We love the oddball new Chromebooks, Google’s web-centric laptops. They’re cheap, they work great with online apps, and they’re easy to share. 

Why is this a bad idea, then? Because Chromebooks rely on a connection to the Internet. Some functions and apps work when disconnected, but most don’t. And Chromebooks don’t run regular Windows programs (Photoshop, Quicken, iTunes, and so on). Chromebooks are great for specific purposes and people (they are great for kids at home or school, for example), but they’re not quite ready to replace Macs or Windows PCs for everybody.

 
The HP Chromebook 11. A solid laptop.

Read: Why Your Kid’s Next Laptop — But Not Yours — Should Be a Chromebook

Don’t like these bad ideas? Then try one of these other directions:

Better idea #1: Upgrade to Windows 7
The version of Windows that predates Windows 8 is really good. It’s stable and conceptually similar enough to Windows XP that a transition will not be difficult.
It’s not a perfect solution, though. Your machine may not have the juice to run Windows 7, either, as it actually takes a slightly more powerful computer to run Windows 7 well than Windows 8. But you can, for the time being still buy Windows 7 (even though it’s not clear if Microsoft is still manufacturing Win 7 disks), and some hardware vendors still sell computers with Windows 7 installed on them.

 
Windows 7.  Comfy.

Microsoft really wants you on Windows 8, obviously. A Microsoft spokesperson took pains to remind me that Windows 8 is more secure, faster, and uses less energy than Windows 7.

But the easiest new version of Windows to learn after Windows XP is Windows 7, so if you’re just using Windows to run a particular app, it’s a very good option.

Better idea #2: Get a Mac
Bizarrely, it’s easier to move from Windows XP to the Macintosh operating system, OS X, than to Windows 8.1. There are maddening small differences, but conceptually OS X is similar enough to Windows XP (and every other version of Windows other than Windows 8). It doesn’t take people very long to adapt. Most (though not all) good apps are available in Mac versions, too, and your data files should transfer over just fine.

 The MacBook Air

It’s an expensive move, though. The cheapest new Mac costs $600 (the entry-level Mac Mini; you can use the screen, mouse, and keyboard from your old Windows computer). Laptops start at $1000 and desktops at $1,300. Complete Windows machines today start in the $300 range, or very nicely equipped at about $600. If you can afford it, though, and you’re not married to specific Windows XP software, Macs are a treat to use. 

You’re not alone
Why are people still using Windows XP? I asked my Facebook followers and got good answers from people who are. Some people keep old machines for specific purposes, like running XP-only software and the like. Some just take the enlightened opinion that if they have a computer that works for what they want, there’s no reason to spend money and time on an upgrade.

Just because a manufacturer deems one of its products obsolete, it doesn’t mean everyone who uses such a product has to stop using it immediately. However, over time, an old product in the modern world will develop problems: It will be less safe, or there won’t be people to fix it, or some other product it relies on will fail, and replacements won’t be available any longer. Yes, I’m talking about Windows XP, but the same is true if you’re still driving a 1976 AMC Pacer.

When you get into this part of the cycle, you might be forced to move on. But you have a lot of options when you decide to do so — and they might not be the options that the manufacturer recommends.

Original post found here

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/still-on-windows-xp-heres-some-bad-advice-80911845810.html

P.s Busted!

Viral News Inspected Payloog dot com is a Scam

Registered Members Complains for Payloog.com not paying what was promised!

• Information about payloog.com was first submitted to Scambook on Feb 27, 2014. Since then the page has accumulated 12 consumer complaints. On average users reported $577.92 of damages.
  

• Company Information

• Phone:Phone Number Not Yet on File
• Email:Email Not Yet on File
• Additional Employees: No known Employees

 

Recent Complaints 

 

payloog.com Complaint 313577 for $325.00

(Elena) They said they'll pay me for promoting their site after reaching 300$. They didn't pay me.I completed a survey and everything and I just don't know what to do now.Please help! 

payloog.com Complaint 313423 for $535.00

 (Rehmani) they take my 10 dollar from my mobile recharge, and i earn by advrtise theire website 525$ but they didnt pay. help me i want it now, i spent my time for thiere advertising. or i will chatch them in the hereafter life.

Original post Found here

http://www.scambook.com/company/view/162402/payloogcom

P.s its a scam-don't waste your time and energy instead visit http://makemoneypayingnothing.blogspot.com/

and learn how people are doing it Free

 

Eagles to give Mark Sanchez physical Thursday A to Z News

Veteran quarterback Mark Sanchez will undergo a physical with the Eagles' medical team on Thursday morning and is expected to sign with the Eagles if everything goes well, a league source said Wednesday night.

Sanchez, recently released by the Jets, missed all of last year with a shoulder injury that required surgery, so the physical is more than just a formality. The Eagles need to see that Sanchez is on track to be at or close to 100 percent in time for the regular-season opener.

The Jets released Sanchez on Monday with a failed physical designation, a formality since they were planning on releasing him anyway after signing former Eagle Michael Vick.

“I think Mark is a very, very good athlete,” head coach Chip Kelly said earlier Wednesday at the owners' meetings in Orlando. “He’s started 60-some-odd games in this league. He’s got good experience. He has a lot of positive qualities.”

Sanchez, 27, started 62 games for the Jets and has won four playoff games, more than the Eagles have won since they beat the Falcons in the 2004 NFC Championship Game. His 94.3 postseason passer rating is ninth-highest in NFL history.

Sanchez, the fifth pick in the 2009 draft out of USC, is 33-29 as a regular-season starter and led the Jets to the AFC Championship Game in both 2009 and 2010.

Nick Foles, who threw 29 touchdowns and two interceptions last year and was named Pro Bowl MVP, goes into 2014 as the Eagles’ starter.

Sanchez joins second-year pro Matt Barkley, another former USC quarterback, on the depth chart. It’s not clear whether Sanchez will go into the season as No. 2 or if Barkley will have a chance to compete for the job.

The move is an important one, since only three quarterbacks in franchise history have started 16 games -- Ron Jaworski five times, Randall Cunningham three times and Donovan McNabb four times.

Since 1991, the Eagles have used more than one starting quarterback in 19 of 23 seasons.

“Obviously, we lost Mike, so we’re always trying to look for that backup position behind Nick in terms of what we can do to bolster it, whether it's through free agency ... we’ll see where we go,” Kelly said.

“It’s a position of need for us. We played three quarterbacks last year. I don’t think you can look at your roster and say, 'Hey, we’re good at quarterback.'"
Eagles insider Geoff Mosher contributed to this story.

Original post found here

http://www.csnphilly.com/football-philadelphia-eagles/source-eagles-give-mark-sanchez-physical-thursday?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo

P.s  Chip Kelly likes those running QB's. Those ones that run straight into the a s s of his own linemen.

Chip Kelly likes those running QB's. Those ones that run straight into the a s s of his own linemen

Chip Kelly likes those running QB's. Those ones that run straight into the a s s of his own linemen

Chip Kelly likes those running QB's. Those ones that run straight into the a s s of his own linemen

Chip Kelly likes those running QB's. Those ones that run straight into the a s s of his own linemen

Chip Kelly likes those running QB's. Those ones that run straight into the a s s of his own linemen

Chip Kelly likes those running QB's. Those ones that run straight into the a s s of his own linemen

Viral News | Pope replaces German 'bling bishop' after inquiry

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Wednesday permanently removed a German bishop from his Limburg diocese after his 31 million-euro ($43-million) new residence complex caused an uproar among the faithful.

Francis had temporarily expelled Monsignor Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst from Limburg in October pending a church inquiry.

At the center of the controversy was the price tag for the construction of a new bishop's residence complex and related renovations. Tebartz-van Elst defended the expenditures, saying the bill was actually for 10 projects and there were additional costs because the buildings were under historical protection.

But in a country where Martin Luther launched the Reformation five centuries ago in response to what he said were excesses and abuses within the church, the outcry was enormous. The perceived lack of financial transparency also struck a chord since a church tax in Germany brings in billions a year to the German church.

The Vatican said Wednesday that the inquiry into the renovation found that Tebartz-van Elst could no longer exercise his ministry in Limburg and that Francis had accepted his resignation, which was originally offered Oct. 20.

The Vatican said Monsignor Manfred Grothe, currently an auxiliary bishop in Paderborn, would take over but that Tebartz-van Elst would get a new job "at the opportune time."

It added that the pope hoped that the faithful of Limburg would accept the decision with "docility and willingness to rediscover a climate of charity and reconciliation."

In Berlin, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the head of the German Bishops' Conference, told reporters he would do whatever he could to help the Limburg dioceses move on.

"For that we will need reconciliation, new trust and the power of prayer," he said.

Francis has called on his priests and bishops to be models of sobriety in a church that "is poor and is for the poor."

Original post found here

http://news.yahoo.com/pope-replaces-german-bling-bishop-inquiry-112249029.html

P.s The Bishop in Wheeling, WV is the most bling bling guy ever. Completely out of touch. He came from Philly and has spent a butt load on 1/2 dozen sets of new china, remodeling and redoing the house to include a tennis court, gourmet kitchen, man cave with bar and bartender, driver, maids, and the list continues. I have had enough of the lifestyles of some of our priests being the completely opposite of what a church leader's should be. TV evangelists and Church Leader Gurus that can talk the talk but never NEVER walk the walk.

Viral News: Emma Watson on Biblical Story 'Noah'

After spending a decade at the Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the "Harry Potter" film franchise, actress Emma Watson put her magical training to good use for her first big budget post-Potter role, in biblical action blockbuster "Noah."

In director Darren Aronofsky's movie, out in U.S. and Canadian theaters on Friday, Watson plays Ila, the wife of Noah's eldest son, Shem, who is played by Douglas Booth.
The film distributed by Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures stars Russell Crowe as the ark-building Noah and Jennifer Connelly as his wife, Naameh, in a dark, psychological reimagining of the Old Testament flood story.

Three Arab countries have banned the Hollywood film on religious grounds even before its worldwide premiere and several others are expected to follow suit.
Oxfordshire, England-native Watson, 23, spoke to Reuters about how the "Harry Potter" films prepared her for the physically punishing role, the challenge of realistically portraying childbirth on screen and working with a cast of veteran actors.

Q: "Noah" marks your return to large-scale spectacle films, do you approach your role any differently than you did while making the "Harry Potter" series?

A: I remember being on set and Darren was saying, "Okay, the water is going to be cold, we're probably going to be here for a full day, try and conserve your energy between takes, like keep warm and make sure you eat properly. This is going to be physically very demanding." For a minute I felt very intimidated and then there's something about having done those "Harry Potter" films and they were very physical. We did a lot of stuff in Scotland. It was freezing cold, filming at four in the morning, working crazy hours.
It's kind of comforting in a way to know that in some senses, nothing will be as hard as that again, and I'm pretty prepared for most things people can throw at me, whether it be animals, water, stunts, CGI (computer-generated imagery), whatever it is. It was a very good school in a way and set me up very well for this kind of environment and this kind of pressure.

Q: Did you do any reading on your character of Ila outside of the script?

A: I actually didn't do a lot of reading, but I did a lot a research because I become a mother in the story, and obviously have never given birth myself. That required quite a lot of careful thinking. Darren and I had this conversation where we both agreed that in so many films, women give birth and it looks like they're barely breaking a sweat. We wanted it to feel very raw, very real and so I took it pretty seriously.

Q: Did you talk to anybody about what it's like to give birth?

A: Any pregnant woman anywhere, I'd be like, "Can I talk to you? Can I talk to you about your experience?" I spoke to my own mother a lot, obviously, and then I watched a lot of YouTube videos of natural births, lots of documentaries, spoke to midwives, just any information I could get my hands on, really.

Q: Ila is unable to conceive initially, but then is made fertile by a miracle. Was there anything in particular you tried to emphasize of her psyche?

A: I guess just her self-doubt. ... Ila is barren, she can't have children, and she doesn't want to deprive her future husband of being able to have kids and to have a family. There's this real wrestling match within her. She's so in love with him and she kind of sacrifices her own happiness for his, and that struggle and self-doubt felt very relatable to me.

Q: What attracted you to the role in the first place?

A: I was a huge fan of Darren's films. I loved "Requiem for a Dream." "The Fountain" is one of my favorite movies of all-time, "The Wrestler," "Black Swan." So, you know, even before you read the script, you're intrigued because his work speaks for itself, really.
And then having read the script, I loved my role. She's got such a huge heart. She's very wise, very relatable, and then you hear about the cast, it's like Russell Crowe and Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jennifer Connelly and Ray Winstone. And you realize that it's the opportunity to work with people who really are at the top of their game.

Viral News | GWAR frontman Brockie found dead video report

Viral News – Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake Heat Up Barbados

Wakeboarding, yachts, romance, and azure waters are exactly what the doctor ordered for Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake.

The "Mirrors" singer, 33, has been touring non-stop around the globe, but the hunky crooner spent the weekend taking a quick break and treating his wife, 32, to a romantic vacation in Barbados.

The sexy stars showed off their beach bodies as they sunned themselves on a private boat, before they both went wakeboarding. Timberlake looked more at ease on his board, but the naturally athletic Biel looked equally sporty as she zipped through the water in a blue bikini which showcased her sleek physique.

Later, the pair took a swim together in the tropical waters before kicking back and relaxing on the boat.

Timberlake's hectic tour schedule, which picks up again when he heads to London on March 30, hasn't left much time to spend with his Mrs. The duo, who have been married since October 2012, were last photographed together in November 2013 and Biel attended the Oscars solo this year, leading many to believe that they may be going through a rough patch.

From the looks of it, there's no trouble in paradise; they are just enjoying paradise. The lovebirds appeared happier than ever and were smiling and laughing in the snaps.

Despite their demanding careers – Biel is set to star in the Diane Bell-directed flick "Shiva and May" this year while Timberlake's 20/20 Experience Tour runs through October – the cute couple seem to be making the most of the time they have together. It sure looks like there are plenty of sunny skies ahead for them.

Original post found here

https://celebrity.yahoo.com/blogs/celeb-news/jessica-biel-and-justin-timberlake-heat-up-barbados-164823124.html

P.s They would be even better if people would stay the hell away from them and let them enjoy a vacation without worrying about pictures and no privacy.(rita)

3 Secret Service agents benched before Obama trip A to Z news

FILE: A Secret Service agenct looks on as then U.S. Sen. Barack Obama speaks during a campaign event September 29, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Secret Service sent three agents home from the Netherlands just before President Barack Obama's arrival after one agent was found inebriated in an Amsterdam hotel.

The three agents were benched Sunday for "disciplinary reasons," said Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan, declining to elaborate. Donovan said the incident was prior to Obama's arrival Monday in the country and did not compromise the president's security in any way.

Still, the incident represents a fresh blemish for an elite agency struggling to rehabilitate its reputation following a high-profile prostitution scandal and other allegations of misconduct. An inspector general's report in December concluded there was no evidence of widespread misconduct, in line with the service's longstanding assertion that it has no tolerance for inappropriate behavior.

The agents sent home from Amsterdam were placed on administrative leave, according to The Washington Post, which first reported the disciplinary action. The newspaper said all three were on the Counter Assault Team, which defends the president if he comes under attack, and that one agent was a "team leader."

One agent was discovered highly intoxicated by staff at a hotel, who reported it to the U.S. Embassy, said a person familiar with the situation, who wasn't authorized to discuss the alleged behavior on the record and demanded anonymity. The other two agents were deemed complicit because they didn't intervene despite being in a position to assist the drunken agent or tamp down his behavior, the person said.

"It wasn't like a big, crazy party," the person said.

Obama arrived in the Netherlands early Monday on the first leg of a weeklong, four-country trip. He departed for Brussels on Tuesday night, and there were no known security issues during his stay in the Netherlands.

Before Obama travels anywhere abroad, a slew of Secret Service and other government officials are dispatched in advance to prepare the intense security operation needed to protect the president in unfamiliar territory. Typically, counter assault teams travel with the president in his motorcade and if he came under fire, the team would be called upon to engage any attackers while the president was hustled to safety.

Stricter rules implemented in the wake of the prostitution scandal in Colombia bar agents from drinking alcohol within 10 hours of starting a shift. It's unclear whether the other two agents were drinking heavily or what time any of them would have been expected to show up for a shift.

The Secret Service's reputation for rowdy, fraternity-like behavior snowballed in April 2012 in the run-up to another Obama foreign trip, this one in the Caribbean resort city of Cartagena, Colombia, where 13 agents and officers were accused of carousing with female foreign nationals at a hotel where they were staying before Obama's arrival.

After a night of heavy partying in bars and clubs, the employees brought women, including prostitutes, back to their hotel. Six of the employees eventually resigned or retired, while others had their security clearances revoked or were removed from duty.

Seeking to turn a page on that chapter in the service's famed history, Obama last year named veteran Secret Service agent Julia Pierson as the agency's first female director and signaled his desire to change the culture at the male-dominated service. Less than a year later, two additional officers were removed from Obama's detail following allegations of sexually-related misconduct that came to light after an incident at an upscale hotel next to the White House.

A 145-page report issued late last year by the Homeland Security Department inspector general determined there was no evidence of widespread misconduct within the Secret Service. Following the South American prostitution scandal, the agency put new procedures in place, including a ban on bringing foreign nationals to hotel rooms where agents and officers are staying.

Original post Found here

http://news.yahoo.com/3-secret-agents-benched-obama-trip-024351439--politics.html

P.s What were they thinking. Behavior like this is reserved only for member of congress and there aids.(shiloh)

Missing Malaysia Airlines Plane: What We Know Now A to Z News

                              Missing Malaysia Airlines Plane: What We Know Now (ABC News)

The search for evidence of Malaysia Airlines flight #MH370 was suspended today because of rough weather, but the number of ships and planes heading to the area to hunt for the missing plane is growing.

The lack of concrete data about what happened to the plane and its 239 passengers has left their families - and the world - with more questions than answers.

Here's what we know now as of now about the investigation into missing flight MH370.

Check out ABC News' photos of the search for the flight here, too.

Satellite Data Shows When, Where Plane Went Down
• The Malaysian government announced Monday that new data, analyzed in a groundbreaking way by British company Inmarsat, showed the flight ended in the south Indian Ocean, 1,500 miles off the coast of Perth, Australia.
• The data also showed that the plane went down between 8:10 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. local time.
• Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said Monday that there were likely no survivors of the flight, sending shock waves through the families of passengers who had gathered in Beijing to await word on the search for the plane. Many family members protested Malaysia's handling of the investigation and accused the government of lying and hiding the truth.

Search Focused on Alaska-Sized Area Off Australia
• The search along a possible "northern corridor" has been called off. Search teams are now squarely focused on the area in the south Indian Ocean.
• The current search area is some 469,407 square nautical miles, which is equal to 621,000 square miles on land. It is an area about the size of Alaska.
• Reports of objects floating on the sea in the search area have trickled in over recent days. The sightings have come from military and civilian aircraft searching the area. No ships have been able to locate floating objects on water to see if they match the plane.
• The difficulty of the search was expressed by Australia's Deputy Defense Chief Air Marshal Mark Binskin when he said today, "We're not searching for a needle in a haystack. We're still trying to define where the haystack is."
• No parts of the plane or concrete evidence of a crash has been obtained.
• The FBI is still probing the pilot's at-home flight simulator for clues, but initial looks into the simulator found nothing suspicious.

The Passengers and Their Families
• Angry Chinese family members of those on board Malaysia Airlines flight 370 defied China's ban on protests today to demonstrate outside the Malaysian embassy and demand proof that the plane had plunged into the sea with no hope of survivors.
• "We want them to give us the truth," one man who said he had a family member on board but declined to give his name told ABC News. "There is no evidence to say anything."
• Lawyers have arrived at the hotel seeking to represent families in lawsuits against various stakeholders in the plane's disappearance, including U.S. company Boeing.
• 239 people were on board the flight, including 227 passengers (including one infant and one toddler) and 12 crew members.
• Three Americans, including two children, are among the missing. Philip Wood, 50, an IBM executive, had just come from Texas where he was visiting family on his way to Beijing.
• There was a total of 14 nationalities on board, but 152 passengers were Chinese.
• Twenty passengers on the plane worked for the Austin, Texas, company Freescale Semiconductor. Another passenger, Chng Mei Ling, worked as an engineer for the Pennsylvania company Flexsys America LP.
• Pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah, 53, was a veteran pilot who joined Malaysia Airlines in 1981 and had over 18,000 flying hours.

Original post found here

http://news.yahoo.com/missing-malaysia-airlines-plane-know-now-183255245--abc-news-topstories.html

P.s. In the very beginning i was curious weather it may have been a hijacking, but if you go to google maps and map out these points, *Kuala Lampur, *Bejing airport, the point near *Vietnam where last verbal contact was made, and *Indian ocean, it almost seemed like the pilots attempted to head back to Kuala Lampur airport but they possibly died and the plane kept on flying on as a ghost ship till it plunged in water. Well thats if the satellite info claims are correct with it being in the Indian Ocean.

Read Parent's Facebook Response to 'Ridiculous' Common Core Math Homework

A Facebook update from a father frustrated with the Common Core math program at his son's school is making the Internet rounds after the father Jeff Severt expressed (via what looks like a kid's homework assignment) how convoluted the teaching approach is.

The worksheet posted to Facebook shows the elaborate Common Core (CC) formula for solving a math problem (as opposed to the simple strategy of subtracting the smaller number from the larger one). It instructs the student to explain why a fictional kid named "Jack" should be using common core strategies to solve the problem: “Jack used the number line below to solve 427 - 316. Find his error. Then write a letter to Jack telling him what he did right, and what he should do to fix his mistake.”

Severt's response reads, “Dear Jack, Don’t feel bad. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronics Engineering, which included extensive study in differential equations and other higher math applications. Even I cannot explain the Common Core mathematics approach, nor get the answer correct. In the real world, simplification is valued over complication. Therefore, 427 - 316 = 111. The answer is solved in under 5 seconds — 111. The process used is ridiculous and would result in termination if used. Sincerely, Frustrated Parent.”

The Facebook post (which by Tuesday had generated 4,400 likes, 4,300 shares, and 700 comments debating the issue) coincides with news that on Monday, Indiana became the first state to formally withdraw from the Common Core standards.

If you haven’t heard of the Common Core program, it’s an education initiative funded and developed by two Washington, D.C.-based trade organizations, the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association (NGA). According to a story published Tuesday by the Washington Post, the program is not an official federal mandate, but it has become a hot-button issue among certain political groups that either support or oppose the idea.


The program aims to ensure that all children are equally prepared as they advance to the next level by dictating what exactly students in kindergarten through 12th grade should know in arts, language, and math by the time they complete each grade. The Common Core's website states that the program focuses on "developing the critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills students will need to be successful." Here is one example illustrated by U.S. News & World Report: Students mostly read material on par with their grade levels, not their reading ability. To help kids who are lacking comprehension, teachers use a technique called "close reading," focusing on one vocabulary word for the entire class. And thought-based questions, such as: “Why did the North fight the Civil War?,” would be swapped for fact-based ones, such as: “Who are the fathers [that Lincoln mentions]?” Other examples: Prioritizing nonfiction over literary fiction classics, and class discussions focused on evidence from the reading as opposed to creative thought.

Critics call the program a “one-size-fits-all” approach to learning that ignores cultural and individual differences. They also argue that not all students are ready to advance at the same time, that the CC’s teaching methods overly complicate basic subjects, and that the program limits teachers from freely shaping their curricula. Another complaint: The program doesn’t properly prepare students for the future — according to retired University of Arkansas Professor Sandra Stotsky, CC founder Professor Jason Zimba admitted in March 2010 at a Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting that being “prepared for college” meant being ready for a nonselective two-year community college, not a selective four-year institution.

In December, an outspoken mother testified at the Arkansas Board of Education that the Common Core program overcomplicated simple math problems. As an example, she gave the board a basic fourth-grade division problem which CC requires students to solve by using 108 steps. And in November, a Tennessee teen criticized Common Core during a school board meeting, saying, "Somewhere our Founding Fathers are turning in their graves — pleading, screaming, and trying to say to us that we teach to free minds." Videos of both speeches went viral.

According to the Associated Press, Indiana has pulled out of the Common Core program in exchange for new guidelines, on which the State Board of Education will vote next month. However, some say the new proposal is too similar to the Common Core.  And while CC has been adopted by 45 states (now excluding Indiana), more than 200 bills were introduced in 2014 that would slow or stop its implementation or stop it. Oklahoma is one state considering banning the program. 

In the meantime, parents like Severt will continue to struggle helping their kids with homework.

Original post found here

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/common-core-parent-facebook-post-indiana-school-181841158.html

Bizarre scene as massive dust devil sucks in flames during prescribed burn

Screen grab from video

Firefighters conducting a prescribed burn recently in Colorado were witness to a bizarre scene that looked as though it belonged in a science-fiction movie.

They were managing the burn within Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Area when a massive dust devil containing hundreds of tumbleweeds developed and drew in the flames. The accompanying footage, captured by Thomas Rogers, shows the tumbleweeds being hurled in a circular motion as the flaming dust devil moves across the dry terrain like a slow tornado. (Warning: Some might find the music overbearing.)

The firefighters, however, maintain their composure and finally the dust devil and fire dissipate, the flames having burned an additional one acre because of the movements of the dust devil.

Agencies involved in the burn were the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, South Metro Fire, Denver Fire, and Fairmount Fire.

Original post found here

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/outposts/post/bizarre-scene-as-massive-dust-devil-sucks-in-flames-during-prescribed-burn/

GWAR frontman Brockie found dead in Virginia home

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Dave Brockie, who as "Oderus Urungus" fronted the alien-costumed heavy metal band GWAR during graphic and fake-blood-soaked stage shows for more than three decades, has died. He was 50.

Officers were called to Brockie's home Sunday evening and found the singer dead inside the home, Richmond police spokeswoman Dionne Waugh said Monday. Detectives don't suspect foul play at this time and the medical examiner's office will determine cause of death, Waugh said.

The band founded in 1984 is known for its comically grotesque costumes, stage antics and vulgar lyrics. GWAR was nominated for a Grammy Award for best long-form music video in 1993 for "Phallus in Wonderland" but lost to "Diva" by Annie Lennox. It also was nominated for best metal performance for "S.F.W." in 1996 but lost to "Happiness In Slavery" by Nine Inch Nails.

Randy Blythe, the lead vocalist for Virginia-based metal band Lamb of God, fondly recalled Brockie's approach to humor in a post on the band's Facebook page: "Right now, if I were to truly honor Dave in the way HE would do it if it were ME that had died, I would make a completely tasteless joke about his death. But I do not have the stomach for that — Dave would, but not me. He never put much stock in 'limits.'"

GWAR released its latest album, "Battle Maximus," in September 2013 and recently toured Australia and Japan. Over the summer, the band held its 4th annual GWAR-B-Q at a small water park in Richmond and released its own canned craft beer for the occasion made by Cigar City Brewing in Tampa, Fla. The band had announced plans for its 5th annual event last week.

Brockie remained a constant in the band that has had a revolving door of members, including lead guitarist Cory Smoot, who was found dead on the band's tour bus in North Dakota in 2011. He was 34.

The state medical examiner said Smoot, who had performed since 2002 under the name "Flattus Maximus," died of "coronary artery thrombosis brought about by his pre-existing coronary artery disease." But records showed that investigators found on Smoot a $5 bill with a white powder residue, a prescription bottle holding eight Oxycodone-Acetaminophen pills, a lighter and two empty syringes.

Original post found here

https://music.yahoo.com/news/gwar-frontman-brockie-found-dead-virginia-home-132024614.html 

Great Jobs You Can Get Without A Bachelor's Degree

Want to find a job that pays well but don't have years and years to spend earning a bachelor's degree? You're in luck.

By Lia Sestric

If you're looking to improve your annual salary but don't have a bachelor's degree, you may think you don't have a chance. Think again. The truth of the matter is that there are a number of occupations with high-pay potential that may only require an associate's degree - or less.

Ready to find out how you may pursue a job that doesn't necessarily require years of schooling and can still cushion your bank account? Then keep reading.

Career #1: Computer Network Support Specialist

Find Degree Programs

MEDIAN
ANNUAL SALARY*

$59,090

90TH PERCENTILE
OF EARNERS

$96,850

10TH PERCENTILE
OF EARNERS

$34,930

There was a time when only the wealthy, engineers, or people with PhD's had anything to do with computers. Those days are long gone. Computers are everywhere, and these days, you may have used a computer before you even learned to walk. That said, if you're good with computers and enjoy helping others, consider a career in computer support.

No Bachelor's Required: According to Tim Dugger, a career coach at Career Café in Indianapolis, Ind., "roughly half of all computer support specialists in this country do not have a formal degree and there are good reasons for that." He adds that many of the skills needed can be learned on the job or in subject-specific training classes.

The U.S. Department of Labor says that many employers accept candidates with an associate's degree. Just keep in mind that for some technical positions, the Department of Labor says that some employers might prefer those with a bachelor's degree in a field like computer science or information science.

NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.

More about the Job: Computer network support specialists typically perform duties such as troubleshooting networks (both LANs and WANs), and testing, evaluating, and maintaining network systems, says the Department.

Career #2: Dental Hygienist

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MEDIAN
ANNUAL SALARY*

$70,210

90TH PERCENTILE
OF EARNERS

$96,280

10TH PERCENTILE
OF EARNERS

$46,540

You don't have to be a dentist to help people care for their teeth. In fact, those who fear the sight of their local dentist may appreciate a friendly face in the examination room. If you like the idea of dentistry but don't have the means or the time for dental school, you may want to pursue a dental hygienist career, which is short on schooling requirements but offers a decent salary.

No Bachelor's Required: Shannon Ydoyaga, interim executive director at the health careers resource center for Dallas County Community College District in Dallas, Texas says an associate's program offers more than enough training for the supportive and preventative dental work a dental hygienist performs.

Indeed, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, an associate's degree in dental hygiene is commonly needed. Additionally, all states require a dental hygienist to be licensed.

NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Dental Hygiene Program.

More about The Job: The Department says dental hygienists not only clean teeth but look for signs of oral disease, as well as educate patients on proper oral hygiene.

Career #3: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Find Degree Programs

MEDIAN
ANNUAL SALARY*

$65,860

90TH PERCENTILE
OF EARNERS

$91,070

10TH PERCENTILE
OF EARNERS

$44,990

How would you like to show an expectant mother or father the first glimpse of their unborn child? That is an experience you may get to share as a diagnostic medical sonographer. But there is a lot more to this career, which is why it pays significantly well, despite requiring relatively little schooling.

No Bachelor's Required: The U.S. Department of Labor says that diagnostic medical sonographers need an associate's degree or postsecondary certificate. They do point out that most employers will require a professional certification.

One thing to keep in mind, per LaCheeta McPherson, executive dean of health and legal studies at El Centro College in Dallas, Texas, is that diagnostic medical sonography programs are limited, making admission very competitive. "Limitation of schools is due in part to the expense of offering the program. Equipment costs run well over $80,000 per instrument. Limitation of faculty and limitation of clinical sites, particularly obstetric clinical sites, are factors too."

NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Medical Sonography Program.

More about the Job: Medical sonographers create pictures of the body's organs and tissues using specialized imaging equipment, says the Department of Labor. Upon doing so, they will interpret the images and provide a summary of findings to physicians.

Career #4: Web Developer

Find Degree Programs

MEDIAN
ANNUAL SALARY*

$62,500

90TH PERCENTILE
OF EARNERS

$105,200

10TH PERCENTILE
OF EARNERS

$33,550

Consider that when the first websites were created, there were no degree programs to teach anyone how to do it. Now think about web development geniuses like Mark Zuckerberg who never completed a bachelor's degree.

While you might not be in line to create the next multi-billion dollar website, you don't necessarily need a bachelor's degree to make a decent paycheck in this area either.

No Bachelor's Required: The U.S. Department of Labor says that an associate's degree in web design or in a related field is most commonly what is required, although education requirements range from a high school diploma to a bachelor's degree.

Dugger says that while obtaining a bachelor's degree in computer science with a concentration in database design and programming languages can significantly pay off in terms of job opportunities and future pay, it is certainly not required: "As long as they have the basic eye for design, form and layout, taking specific classes in Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Illustrator or WordPress can provide them with all the basic tools they need."

NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Web Design Development Program.

More about the Job: Do you have a good visual sense? That will be needed as a web developer, as they are responsible for a site's design and may create some of its content, says the Department of Labor. Web developers must also measure performance and capacity, which assesses the speed and amount of traffic the site can handle, adds the Department.

Career #5: Registered Nurse

Find Degree Programs

MEDIAN
ANNUAL SALARY*

$65,470

90TH PERCENTILE
OF EARNERS

$94,720

10TH PERCENTILE
OF EARNERS

$45,040

Have a soft spot for the sick, but aren't interested in spending eight years or more earning a medical doctorate? You may want to turn your compassion into a career as a registered nurse. You don't have to spend an eternity in school to break into this lucrative health profession.

No Bachelor's Required: While a bachelor's in nursing is certainly an option for would-be nurses, the U.S. Department of Labor also points to an associate's degree and a diploma (from an approved nursing program) as other options. You'll also need to get licensed. And Ydoyaga points out that many nurses are opting to choose specialties, which will require additional education.

NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.

More about the Job: Registered nurses (RNs) care for patients and also provide advice and emotional support to them and their family members, says the Department of Labor.

Original post found here

education.yahoo.net