NewsRack: sandman1965/real-estate/Realty

As we mourn Oklahoma, let's not forget more people die weekly from gun crime | David Whelan - Guardian: Comment is Free

David Whelan — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Oklahoma has captured the media attention. It's tragic, but the statistics on US gun deaths are far worse The awful events in Oklahoma City have captured the world's attention and concern. As I write this from the United Kingdom, 24 people have been killed and reports of 10 times that number have been injured. We see scenes of the two schools, Briarwood and Plaza Towers, as well as Moore Medical Centre, that were badly damaged. I don't want to belittle from this tragedy. I have found myself looking again and again at the images and stories. But I can't help but think that gun crime in America kills more people almost every week than even these mighty tornados. It is impossible to put a value on a life – and the 24 lost so far from yesterday's events is terrible and heart-breaking – but, since the beginning of May, over 370 people have reportedly lost their lives to gun crime in the Unites States. It's also the case that since 1950 , Oklahoma has experienced more tornados than any other ...

Big-cat sightings: is Britain suffering from mass hysteria? - The Guardian -- World Latest

George Monbiot — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

In 1995, government inspectors spent months on Bodmin moor in Cornwall looking for evidence of a 'beast' roaming wild there. They found nothing. Yet every year there are 2,000 similarly spurious big-cat sightings in Britain. What's going on? The setting was unimprovable. Across the fields, Maiden Castle, a turretted fortress of living rock, clawed at the sky. Beyond it was the village of Wolf's Castle – Casblaidd – distinguished as one of only 20 places in which Owain Glyndwr was born (he died in quite a few as well), and said to be the spot where the last wolf in Wales was killed. Below us a tangled willow carr smothered the valley. "This gap in the hedge here: that could be where it came through. Then it came down the bank, sauntered across the road and disappeared into the scrub." I peered into the woods on the other side of the lane. The trees were hooded with ivy. Their mossy trunks sprawled over the ground, or leant on each other, dark-cowled, like drunken friars. Beneath them was ...

Fema uses 'Waffle House index' to take stock of Oklahoma tornado disaster - The Guardian -- World Latest

Ewen MacAskill — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Head of US federal emergency agency devised three-level system as informal way of measuring impact of natural disasters When the main US federal emergency agency arrives at the scene of a disaster-hit area, one of the first places it turns to is the local Waffle House – and not just for its officials to grab a quick bite. Craig Fugate, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, came up with the idea of the "Waffle House index" as an informal way of measuring the impact of a disaster. The chain, which has a large number of branches in tornado-prone areas, has a robust emergency management plan. The index has three levels. If the local Waffle House is up and running, serving a full menu, a disaster is classed as green. If it is running with an emergency generator and serving only a limited menu, it is a yellow. If it is closed, badly damaged or totally destroyed, as during hurricane Katrina, it is a red. There is only one Waffle House in Moore, the suburb worst hit by the ...

Alexander Lebedev braces for guilty verdict despite trial witnesses' no-show - The Guardian -- World Latest

Miriam Elder — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Russian tycoon accused of 'hooliganism motivated by political hatred' after punching businessman during filming of chatshow The Russian tycoon Alexander Lebedev fears that a Moscow court will hand down a guilty verdict in his trial on hooliganism charges despite the fact that the case appears to be falling apart. Only two prosecution witnesses appeared at a court hearing on Monday, where Lebedev pleaded not guilty to charges of battery and "hooliganism motivated by political hatred" for punching a fellow businessman during the filming of a television show in 2011. The prosecution had called more than a dozen witnesses, but most refused to show up. The recipient of the punch, Sergei Polonsky, a disgraced property magnate, has not lived in Russia for many months and has not attended a single court hearing. Earlier this year he spent time in a Cambodian prison for allegedly assaulting a group of local boatmen. He is now believed to be in Europe or Israel. Lebedev insists the trial is ...

Oklahomans look past the storm: 'Build and start over, that's all you can do' - The Guardian -- World Latest

Tom Dart — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Residents describe area ravaged by tornado as a 'war zone' as they confront what's left of a city that's no stranger to destruction Arrive in Moore and the first instinct is not to scan the sky but to look at your feet. The mud is everywhere, smeared on sidewalks, streets and buildings. Studded by debris and made sticky by the rain, it is splattered all over the Walmart, 40ft high and 400ft long, as if the store is trying to camouflage itself. Inside, store manager John Sanders was preparing to re-open anyway, 20 hours after customers survived the storm by cowering in the freezer section. Sanders showed cellphone photos of a twister leering above the Dollar General shop across the street, gathering its power, preparing to strike. The deeper you walk back from the main drag into the residential areas, the greater the carnage. Single-story homes near South Telephone Road are mud-caked but mostly escaped severe damage. A few yards back and Heather Lane is spoilt, utterly. "I've never seen ...

Sensex closes at 1week low down 112 pts - Hindustan Times: Business

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Sensex closes at 1week low down 112 pts

BSE Sensex hits 1-week low on profit-taking NTPC, Tata Motors shares hit - IE: Markets

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

BSE Sensex today fell by over 112 points to close at one-week low of 20,111.61

Li Keqiang visits TCS, Cyrus P Mistry says China important for growth of Tata Group - IE: Corporate News

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Tata Group was the only private enterprise on itinerary of Chinese PM during his official visit to India.

Xbox 720? Microsoft to reveal new console – live blog - The Guardian -- World Latest

Amanda Holpuch — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Microsoft to show off new rival to Sony's Playstation 4 in first major revamp of Xbox since 2005. Follow live coverage here

Amanda Holpuch

Rajiv Gandhi targeted while he was touring Mysore, says CM Siddaramaiah - India News, Latest News in India, Live News India, India Breaking News - Times of India

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Rajiv Gandhi targeted while he was touring Mysore, says CM Siddaramaiah

Chinese PM Li Keqiang woos Indian investors, Tata boss Mistry says Beijing key for growth - India News, Latest News in India, Live News India, India Breaking News - Times of India

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Chinese PM Li Keqiang woos Indian investors, Tata boss Mistry says Beijing key for growth

Chiranjeevi offers wide opportunities to foreign film producers in India - New Kerala: India News

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

New Delhi, May 21 : Asserting that India is a complete film making destination Union Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi has offered wide opportunities to foreign film producers in the country.

Gupta family acknowledges some 'misjudgments' made in landing chartered jet at S. Africa base - New Kerala: India News

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Johannesburg, May 21 : A well-connected Indian family in South Africa has apologised for the controversy surrounding the landing a chartered plane at Waterkloof Air Force Base to carry guests for his niece's wedding.

Peter Andre hunting for two pads - New Kerala: India News

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

London, May 21 : Singer Peter Andre is hunting for two houses - one for his work and the other for his children.

Miley Cyrus shows off body in revealing one-piece for comeback song - New Kerala: India News

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

London, May 21 : Miley Cyrus has stripped off to a sexy and revealing swimsuit to promote her comeback single.

Retiring Fergie wins 'Manager of the Year' award for a fourth time - New Kerala: India News

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

London, May 21 : Sir Alex Ferguson has won the coveted 'Manager of the Year' award by the League Managers' Association (LMA) for a fourth time after guiding Manchester United to its 20th title.

Foldable electronics come closer to reality with inkjet-printed graphene - New Kerala: Andhra Pradesh

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Washington, May 21 : Bendable tablet computer or an electronic newspaper that could fold to fit in a pocket may not be so far off.

Japan has many attractions for foreign tourists - New Kerala: Travel News

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Tokyo, May 21 : "The Land of the Rising Sun" - Japan - attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world.

How bilinguals switch between languages - New Kerala: Travel News

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Washington, May 21 : People who learn two languages at an early age seem to switch back and forth between separate "sound systems" for each language, according to new research.

President Karzai invites CII to set up healthcare and skill building centers in Afghanistan - New Kerala: India News

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

New Delhi, May 21 : In an exclusive interaction with a group of CII CEOs , President Karzai called for Indian Investment in prominent sectors including Healthcare, Agri business, Telecom and Capacity Building.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai holds talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh - NDTV

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Half Of America Wants To Impeach Obama, According To Impeachable Polling Outfit - BBC-Hindi: India

Jason Linkins — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Big news this week from WorldNetDaily, America's pre-eminent source of far-right fringe theories and weird scams: about half of America would like to see Obama...

Missing oil revenue stirs discontent among Chad's poor - Guardian: Environment

Charlotte Bozonnet — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Despite billions in profits, the problem of poverty remains largely unresolved in one of the world's least developed countries Félicité sees nothing unreasonable about her demands. Seated in one of the few shady spots in her yard, she details what she would like to obtain for her family: a decent wage, enough to eat, a health service and cheap building materials so everyone can have a home. "And school really free of charge for all children," adds this resident of Dembé, a poor neighbourhood of N'Djamena, the capital of Chad. Félicité and her husband arrived here 20 years ago. They are fortunate in having their own home: three huts accommodating the 10 members of the family. Otherwise, life is a struggle. Even as a public-sector worker, her pay does not cover their needs, particularly with the price increases of recent years. "With the oil money all that should have sorted itself out," she complains. Like many of their compatriots, Félicité's family cannot understand what went wrong. Ten ...

Houston Astrodome: what next for first domed stadium now fallen into disrepair - The Guardian -- World Latest

Tom Dart — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Former NFL and MLB stadium in Houston, which also hosted Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali and Hurricane Katrina victims, is now decaying and decision expected soon on its future It hosted the biggest stars in sports and entertainment and became one of the most iconic and influential buildings in America. Now forlorn and empty, the Astrodome in Houston could soon be razed and replaced by a parking lot. On Tuesday the NFL's owners meet in Boston to decide which cities will host the 50th anniversary Super Bowl in 2016 and the following year's game. Santa Clara and Miami Gardens are vying for 2016 and the Bay Area is the firm favorite because the San Francisco 49ers are soon to move from venerable Candlestick Park to a new stadium, while Florida's politicians recently refused to pay for upgrades to the Miami Dolphins' ageing home. The loser from the 2016 contest will battle Houston for the right to host Super Bowl LI. While south Florida undeniably has a trendier beach scene than south Texas, ...

Pakistan's new government must put development before debt repayment | Nick Dearden - The Guardian -- World Latest

Nick Dearden — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

With an economy paralysed by IMF interference, Pakistan could reassert its independence by halting debt repayments No matter which government Pakistan's people had voted for last week , the debt payments the country is scheduled to make in the next two years will largely decide that government's economic policy. That is, unless the government decides to put its people ahead of those repayments. Given the scale of problems Pakistan faces, is it possible that a sovereign economic agenda could find its way on to the table? Pakistan's economy has been paralysed by its debt , run up by military juntas, the US's "war on terror", natural disasters and "austerity loans" from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The country's debt has doubled since 2006 – reaching nearly $60bn. Worse is to come; Pakistan is expected to spend more than $6bn repaying debt next year – impossible without more loans, sharp austerity or running down the country's already depleted reserves. While the pummelling of ...