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196

Off-Topic / Simon Cowell hospitalised for surgery on broken back after falling off his elect

« on: August 09, 2020, 10:23:48 am »Message ID: 1335303

Simon Cowell hospitalised for surgery on broken back after falling off his electric bike in Malibu

* The 60-year-old was rushed to hospital on Saturday when he fell from his new electric bicycle whilst taking it for a test
   drive at his house in Malibu
* 'Simon has broken his back and will be having surgery this evening,' his representative revealed
* 'He hurt his back and was taken to the hospital. He's doing fine, he's under observation and is in the best possible
    hands'
* The music mogul's girlfriend Lauren Silverman, 43 - with whom he shares son Eric, 6 - was spotted riding her own
   bike on Sunday 
* The father-of-one  is due to return to America's Got Talent next week, with the first live show set to air on Tuesday
   August 11
* Simon's other hit show Britain's Got Talent is due to film in the autumn, with the mogul scheduled to be in the UK for
   the live final in October
* He was previously hospitalized in October 2017 after falling down the stairs at his London home - prompting him to
   embark on a healthier lifetstyle

Simon Cowell has been hospitalized after falling off his bike.

The 60-year-old entertainment mogul was rushed to hospital on Saturday after falling from his new electric bicycle whilst taking it for a test drive at his house in Malibu, California.

'Simon has broken his back and will be having surgery this evening,' his representative has confirmed.

The rep explained: 'Simon had a fall from his bike on Saturday afternoon whilst testing his new electric bike in the courtyard at his house in Malibu with his family.

'He hurt his back and was taken to the hospital. He's doing fine, he's under observation and is in the best possible hands.'

It is not currently clear exactly what kind of back injury Cowell has, but a 'broken back' often refers to a fracture in a part of the spine. 

This involves a break in at least one of the vertebrae that make up the back bone and protect your spinal cord.

Fractures in the back can often cause severe pain and can severely restrict movement, with some patients needing a back brace while they recover.

If the spinal cord is also damaged the injuries can have more severe long term consequences. The higher up the spinal cord the more movement will be restricted.

MailOnline has contacted Simon Cowell's representatives for further comment. 

It's unclear whether or not he will now be able to participate in either the upcoming series of Britain's Got Talent or its US equivalent show.

Simon is due to return to America's Got Talent next week, with the first live show set to air on Tuesday August 11.

Last week it emerged that his commitment to the upcoming shows would be compromised due to a timetable clash.

The talent show maestro was already set to miss out on the BGT semi-finals this year for the first time as production takes place at the same time as America's Got Talent due to COVID-19 delays.

Prior to his fall, a source told The Sun: 'Simon is gutted to not be physically there for the semi- finals, but he'll be there virtually, casting an eye over the talent and imparting his views in every show. 

'Normally, schedules mean Simon can do both but AGT's dates haven't moved while BGT's have due to coronavirus.'

Simon is regularly seen on bike rides with his family around his Malibu home.

The star has embarked on a healthier regime in recent years, leading to a 60 lbs weight loss.

His new health regime has seen him committed to a diet of white meat, fruit, and vegetables as well as regular exercise.

The mogul decided to improve his health after he injured himself in a fall down the stairs at his London home in October 2017.

The star was taken to hospital in an ambulance, later explaining that he had fainted due to 'low blood pressure'.

The star blamed his injuries on his unhealthy lifestyle where he 'lived like a vampire', staying awake until 8am every day and vowed to take better care of himself.

He told The Sun at the time that the horrific fall had reminded him he was not 'invincible', and that he has a 'responsibility' to take control of his health as a father.

'Sometimes we get a reminder that we're not invincible and this was certainly mine. It was a huge shock,' he said.

Revealing the incident had been down to an underlying health problem, he continued: 'They think I fainted because I had low blood pressure and so I have got to really take good care of myself to sort that out.'

Before adding of his son Eric: 'After all I am a dad and have more responsibility than ever.'

The star was forced to pull out of the live Britain's Got Talent show the day after his fall, leaving Alesha Dixon to take his place on the panel for that week.   

Simon began his diet last year, and told The Sun in May he can't believe the results he's been getting, saying: 'I started this diet a year ago and I've lost 60 pounds.'

He has been sticking to his diet whilst in lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic, but says he is always tempted to slip into old habits when his six-year-old son Eric - whom he has with Lauren - has a pizza for dinner.

He added: 'I'm doing a bit of cooking. I'm exercising. Funny enough, more during this time as well, sticking to the diet. The only difficult thing is when Eric orders a pizza...that's the number one thing I miss.'

Meanwhile, the America's Got Talent creator previously said he can't believe how good he looks since losing weight, as he managed to shave several inches from his waistline. 

He shared with The Sun: 'The most dramatic period was the first month where most of the weight comes off and you look at yourself and think 'wow.' I used to be 36 inch waist and now I've lost four inches. I'm really happy now.'

Referring to Corona Premium Lite he said: 'You can drink this light beer but you've got to be sensible about quantities. I have loads more energy and feel great.

'All I do is avoid just red meat - white meat is fine - and I eat loads of vegetables, salads and drink this great beer,' Simon said.

'I'm on a diet but it doesn't feel like it now because the food I eat is really healthy and I don't find it tedious. If it's boring you won't stick to it.' 

Simon became a household name when he appeared as a judge on the talent show, Pop Idols, which aired in 2001.

From there he created his own music show franchise known as the X Factor which launched in 2004 and showcased some of the country's best emerging talent including Little Mix, One Direction, and Leona Lewis.

Simon has become a staple on TV screens across Britain and a constant presence on his other show Britain's Got Talent which originally aired in 2007.

The semi-finals for the upcoming season will take place on Saturday nights during autumn in 2020.

What is a 'broken back'?

The 60-year-old music mogul has broken his back after falling from an electric bicycle while at his home in Malibu, California.

It is not currently clear exactly what kind of back injury Cowell has, but a 'broken back' often refers to a fracture in a part of the spine. 

This involves a break in at least one of the vertebrae that make up the back bone and protect your spinal cord.

The spinal cord sends transmits signals from the brain to the rest of the body, and any damage to it can cause paralysis.

A number of medical conditions such as osteoporosis or spinal tumours can naturally weaken the back. 

There are different types of fractures you can suffer such as a Chance fracture which involves the pulling of the bones in the vertebrae.

This is a common back injury for people who have been in car accident where the upper body is moved forward rapidly but the lower body stays in place.

Patients who suffer from bone weakness associated with osteoporosis can often get what is known as a compression fracture in which the vertebrae collapse.

Fractures in the back can often cause severe pain and can severely restrict movement, with some patients needing a back brace while they recover.

If the spinal cord is also damaged the injuries can have more severe long term consequences.

The higher up the spinal cord the more movement will be restricted.

Damage to the spinal cord in the back will result in paraplegia in your legs and potentially your stomach muscles.

And damage in the spinal cord in the neck will result in tetraplegia which can impact upon all of your limbs.

197

Off-Topic / Hurricane Isaias kills two as 85mph winds rip through trailer park in North Caro

« on: August 04, 2020, 11:14:17 am »Message ID: 1334579

Hurricane Isaias kills two as 85mph winds rip through trailer park in North Carolina leaving trail of smashed homes and flipped cars - as it barrels up the East Coast and New Yorkers brace for the biggest storm since Sandy 

* Three people have been killed since Tropical Storm Isaias hit North Carolina with 85mph winds Monday night
* Two people have died and three others are missing after Isaias spawned a tornado in Bertie County, NC
* Bertie County officials said the tornado tore through a mobile home park in the Cedar Landing community
* Two of the three individuals missing are children, Bertie County authorities said Tuesday morning
* The storm is being blamed for a third death in Maryland after strong winds toppled a tree onto a moving car 
* St Mary’s County authorities said the incident occurred along Three Notch Road in Mechanicsville, Maryland
* Isaias regained strength Monday night to become Category 1 hurricane as it made landfall in the Carolinas
* Five homes on Ocean Isle Beach, NC, were ripped apart by ferocious infernos caused by the hurricane
* Thirty people rushed out of a burning apartment complex in Surf City; no injuries have been reported 
* New York City forecasters said Monday that Isaias packs strongest punch since Superstorm Sandy from 2012

Tropical Storm Isaias has killed two people in North Carolina after it tore through a mobile home park with 85mph winds before making its way to Maryland where gusts toppled a tree onto car, killing one, as strong winds arrive in New York City where residents are bracing for the strongest storm since Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

A tornado ripped through the Cedar Landing community of Bertie County overnight, authorities said. Local officials said that 20 people were taken to a local hospital and three people, including two children, are still missing after the tornado hit the mobile home park.

Horrifying images show debris fields from mobile homes that were completely obliterated by the tornado. Isaias was downgraded to a tropical storm after hitting the Carolinas as a hurricane Monday night. By 6am Tuesday, the storm had moved into Virginia before hitting Maryland.

Maryland authorities reported multiple water rescues as the storm downed trees and flooded roads throughout the DMV area.

The area is expected to get hit with storm-force wind gusts, up to 6 inches of rainfall and life-threatening flash flooding before the storm closes in on New York and New Jersey.

Deputies from the St Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office reported one fatality in Mechanicsville Tuesday morning.

Authorities said strong winds from the storm caused a tree to topple over on a moving car, killing one person along Three Notch Road. No other details were immediately available.

More than a million people are without power as of Tuesday afternoon, according to poweroutage.us. New Jersey has the most with more than 417,000 customers impacted. Virginia is second with more than 287,000 followed by North Carolina, with 219,000. Maryland has 113,000 and Pennsylvania has more than 145,000 people without power.

A tropical storm warning extended all the way up to Maine, where flash flooding was possible in some areas on Wednesday. Forecasters also warned of possible tornadoes from eastern Virginia to southern New England later Tuesday.

It will continue to head up the coast of mid-Atlantic states and across the northeastern US later into the evening.

The US National Hurricane Center warned oceanside home dwellers to brace for storm surge up to 5 feet and up to 8 inches of rain in spots, as Isaias moved up the coast.

'All those rains could produce flash flooding across portions of the eastern Carolinas and mid-Atlantic, and even in the northeast US,' said Daniel Brown, senior hurricane specialist at the US National Hurricane Center.

Preparations for the storm's arrival have been underway in major cities along the East Coast, including New York, where officials say Isaias packs the strongest punch since Superstorm Sandy from 2012.

New York City started preparing for Isaias on Sunday. Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city began its preparations by implementing flood measures learned from Sandy.

Temporary one-mile barriers were installed from Wall Street to Water Street in Manhattan. Photos showed workers preparing a hydro-dam in the lower Manhattan area to prevent storm surge from Isaias.

Vents were placed at the Flatbush Ave and Nostrand Ave entrance of the Flatbush Av/Brooklyn College 2 and 5 train station. Rain in New York City is expected to run from 1 to 6pm on Tuesday.

Forecasters have warned that New York City could see some of the strongest wind gusts since Superstorm Sandy.

According to the National Weather Service, winds of up to 70mph are forecast for New York City on Tuesday.

On October 29, 2012, the peak wind gust at John F. Kennedy International Airport was 69mph during Superstorm Sandy.

Meteorologist Ross Dickman told CNN that 'the wind and flooding impacts from Isaias will be similar to what the city has seen from some of the strongest coastal storms, but we haven't seen one this strong in many years'.

In a state, Gov Andrew Cuomo's office said state agencies continue to closely monitor the storm's track and have strategically pre-deployed resources to the Capital, Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island Regions.

'Tropical Storm Isaias has started moving through New York, bringing with it strong winds, torrential rain and the potential for flash flooding that can cause major disruptions, and I'm urging New Yorkers, particularly those directly in Isaias' path, to stay calm, be smart and avoid unnecessary travel,' Cuomo said.

'Our emergency response team has been pre-deployed to the areas projected to be the hardest hit, and we are prepared to assist our local partners in keeping New Yorkers safe,' the governor added.

Areas in the interior of the state could still see up to six inches of rainfall with stronger winds. Tropical storm warnings and tornado watches are in effect for the lower Mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island Regions.

Localized storm surges of up to two feet are also a possibility along the coastline.

The National Weather Service has also issued a number of flash flood watches and wind advisories for areas throughout the northern Mid-Hudson, Southern Tier, Capital and North Country regions.

Tornado watches remain in effect for Philadelphia, all of Delaware and New Jersey until 4pm.

Photos from Philadelphia showed the city being inundated with flood waters as local officials initiated multiple rescues.

One image shows an officer rushing toward a person whose car became stuck in flood waters on Tuesday. 

New Jersey was under a state of emergency Tuesday as Tropical Storm Isaias made its way up the coast.

Gov Phil Murphy issued the order, telling motorists not be on roads unless 'absolutely necessary'.

Murphy said all state offices were closed and nonessential state government workers were told to stay home.

A tropical storm warning was in effect for most of New Jersey as Isaias threatened the state with high winds and heavy rainfall.

Weather forecasters are predicting 45 to 55mph winds with gusts to 70mph. Those winds threaten to down trees and power lines.

The state also advised businesses to take down all temporary structures, including outdoor dining tents and umbrellas that were erected during the coronavirus pandemic. The rainfall could cause flooding.

The National Weather Service also issued a tornado watch for the entire state. Hoboken officials told residents in flood-prone areas to park on higher ground.

Video recorded by Anthony Brooks shows a tornado on the ground near Ocean City, New Jersey. The NWS also said that trained spotters had seen a tornado near Ocean City.

In Delaware, Dover mayor Robin R. Christiansen issued a state of emergency for the city. Christiansen asked residents to stay in their homes and avoid unnecessary travel.

Local police have asked people to be mindful of downed wires and that people whose vehicles are parked on the street where trees are down to move their vehicles if it's safe in order to utility and cleanup crews.

Delaware currently had more than 58,000 residents without power. 

Video footage uploaded to social media by residents of Myrtle Beach show flooding induced by storm surge just before the hurricane was due to make landfall.

'Ocean Boulevard is just covered in storm surge,' Josh Morgerman tweeted. 

In the Carolinas, coastal residents secured patio furniture, ferry operators completed evacuations on the Outer Banks, and officials passed out sandbags and offered car space in elevated garages Monday as Isaias marched northward late on Monday.

Fire officials in North Myrtle Beach deployed high-water vehicles to rescue stranded drivers who got stuck in the floodwaters early Tuesday morning.

'We are seeing several areas of the city beginning to have ponding on the roadways from heavy rain as well as tidal flooding in Cherry Grove,' North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue posted on its social media.

Authorities are begging motorists to stay off the roads while the storm continues to impact the region.

'You being out and getting stuck somewhere you shouldn't be ties up Emergency Personnel that are needed for other incidents,' North Myrtle Beach Fire Rescue posted on its social media.

As the storm neared the shore, a gauge on a pier in Myrtle Beach recorded its third highest water level since it was set up in 1976.

Only Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016 pushed more salt water inland.

In other parts of North Carolina, terrifying footage showed parking lots and roads flooded with water as wind and rain lashed homes when the hurricane hit at 11pm Monday night. 

In Oak Island, North Carolina, nine people and their dog were rescued from the area by Brunswick Sheriff. 'Four adults, five beautiful children and an adorable Basset Hound rescued on Oak Island,' a Facebook post from the sheriff's office said. 'Safely loaded in our MRAP (an armored tactical vehicle) and taken to safety!'

Just 15 miles down the coast, five homes on Ocean Isle Beach were ripped apart by ferocious infernos caused by the hurricane. And 80 miles north in Surf City, 30 people rushed out of a burning apartment complex.

In North Carolina, at least 124,000 power outages were reported in the Wilmington area the encompasses both Brunswick and New Hanover Counties

Duke Energy reported hundreds of thousands of power outages as heavy rains and winds battered areas including Wrightsville, Kure, and Carolina beaches in Wilmington, North Carolina.

'The high winds and heavy rains associated with this powerful tropical storm are expected to cause widespread power outages along the coastline and to points well inland,' a Duke Energy update stated.

'Updates on the estimated times of restoration may be delayed until the storm clears the area.'

Oceanfront streets throughout the area flooded as the sea ended up nearly 10 feet above low tide.

Up the coast in southern North Carolina, high winds from Isaias' inner core knocked down trees and power lines, blocking roads. No major damage was initially reported.

President Donald Trump on Monday described Isaias as 'very serious'.

'Storm surge and inland flooding are possible and everyone needs to remain vigilant until it passes,' Trump said.

Authorities in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, ordered swimmers out of the water to avoid rough surf and strong rip currents.

Still, many people were out enjoying the beach and walking their dogs under overcast skies.

Shops and restaurants appeared quieter than usual for a summertime Monday in North Myrtle Beach, but locals blamed COVID-19 more than Isaias.

No businesses were boarding up their windows, although some moved outside furniture inside.

Officials in frequently flooded Charleston, South Carolina, handed out sandbags and opened parking garages so residents on the low-lying peninsula could stow their cars above ground.

Ferry operators wrapped up evacuations from Ocracoke Island in North Carolina's Outer Banks on Monday, moving more than 3,500 people and 1,700 vehicles off the island over four days.

Island officials were taking no chances after taking a beating less than a year ago from Hurricane Dorian. Evacuation orders have also been issued for Hatteras Island north of Ocracoke.

Morgan Stewart said many evacuating residents had come into the store where she works in the inland community of Kinston to buy tarps, batteries, flashlights and other supplies.

'You can tell they're worried,' said Stewart, who saw cars parked on higher ground over the weekend as she secured her boat at a marina.

Isaias killed two people in the Caribbean and roughed up the Bahamas but remained at sea as it brushed past Florida over the weekend.

Isaias' passage near Florida was particularly unwelcome to authorities already dealing with surging coronavirus caseloads.

The storm brought heavy rain and flooding to the state, forcing authorities to close outdoor virus testing sights, as well as beaches and parks.

Officials attached signs to palm trees so they wouldn't blow away.

About 150 people had to keep masks on while sheltering in Palm Beach County, which had a voluntary evacuation order for people living in homes that can't withstand dangerous winds, said emergency management spokeswoman Lisa De La Rionda.

Isaias was blamed for two deaths in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, where it uprooted trees, destroyed crops and homes and caused widespread flooding and small landslides over the weekend.

The storm snapped trees and knocked out power Saturday in the Bahamas.

Shelters were opened on Abaco island to help people still living in temporary structures since Dorian devastated the area, killing at least 70 people in September 2019.

Photo of damage:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8591283/Multiple-fires-break-Hurricane-Isaias-brings-power-wreaks-havoc-Carolinas.html

198

Off-Topic / Radio City Music Hall cancels the Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular for the first

« on: August 04, 2020, 10:46:08 am »Message ID: 1334571

Radio City Music Hall cancels the Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular for the first time in 87 years due to the coronavirus pandemic

* MSG Entertainment, which owns the Radio City Music Hall, announced Tuesday its decision to close the curtain on the
   iconic festive show for 2020
* The Christmas Spectacular was to run from November 6 to January 3
* It is known for its performances by the legendary Rockettes dance troupe
* MSG Entertainment is also laying off one-third of its corporate workforce   
* Sister company MSG Sports is also axing about 15 percent of its corporate staff

Radio City Music Hall has canceled the Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular for the first time in 87 years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

MSG Entertainment, which owns the Radio City Music Hall in New York City, announced Tuesday its decision to close the curtain on the 2020 festive show as infections of the deadly virus continue to surge across America.

The annual Spectacular, famous for its sparkling performances by the legendary Radio City Rockettes dance troupe, had been scheduled to run from November 6 to January 3 this year.

Its cancellation comes as the events giant also announced plans to lay off around one-third of its corporate workforce marking the latest business casualty to come from measures put in place to slow the spread of the virus.   

'We are disappointed for everyone involved with the show, as well as for the many fans who make the Christmas Spectacular a cherished part of their holiday tradition,' MSG Entertainment said in a statement announcing the Spectacular's canceling.

All tickets will be automatically refunded at the point of purchase and fans can start snapping up tickets for the show's return the following season.

'We look forward to welcoming audiences back for the 2021 production, which is on sale now,' the company added.

This marks the first time the Christmas Spectacular has been canceled since its debut in 1933 catapulted the show into becoming one of the highlights of the Big Apple's festive calendar.

The 90-minute long celebration of the holiday season centers around the legendary Rockettes, set up by Russell Markert back in 1925.

Around 80 Rockettes take to the stage in a typical season and more than 75 million people have flocked to watch them since the show first opened.

The shuttering of the holiday performance comes as MSG Entertainment also announced Tuesday plans to lay off 350 people or about one-third of its corporate workforce. 

MSG Sports, the sister company which owns the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers, is also planning to ax 50 jobs or about 15 percent of its corporate staff.

'This was a difficult decision for both companies, as we know that our success rests on the strength of our people, who consistently set the industry standard for excellence and professionalism,' the companies said in a statement.

'While we believe this is a necessary step to protect the long-term future of our businesses, we continue to actively pursue solutions that will allow us to safely reopen our doors, so we're able to bring as many employees back as quickly as we can, once a return date for live events is established.'   

Live performance organizers have been hard hit during the pandemic, with theater shows, music performances and live sports first forced to shutter back in March. 

In June, the Broadway League announced it was extending the closure of Broadway theaters for the rest of 2020.

Once the epicenter of the virus, New York City has recorded 222,522 cases of coronavirus and 18,927 confirmed deaths, with another 4,623 probable deaths.

Cases and deaths have been declining in the city and wider state but the outbreak is now spreading across the South and West of America, with Texas, Florida and California all hard-hit.

To date, more than 4.7 million Americans have tested positive for the virus and 155,000 have been killed. 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8592285/Radio-City-Music-Hall-cancels-Rockettes-Christmas-Spectacular-time-87-years.html

199

Off-Topic / At least 10 dead as massive explosion rocks Beirut destroying buildings and 'lea

« on: August 04, 2020, 10:38:59 am »Message ID: 1334570

At least 10 dead as massive explosion rocks Beirut destroying buildings and 'leaving people covered in blood and broken glass'

* The country's health minster said the blast has left many people injured
* It reportedly destroyed the house of former PM  Saad Hariri, who has been confirmed safe by his party
* Dramatic footage shows smoke billowing from the port area shortly before an enormous fireball explodes
* Sources close to Lebanon's militant group Hezbollah denied theories the blast was an Israeli strike

A massive explosion in the Lebanese capital of Beirut has left at least 10 people dead and destroyed the home of the former prime minister.

The Future Movement Party confirmed that ex-PM Saad Hariri is safe, but the country's health minister said the blasts had caused a 'very high number of injuries' and huge damage. 

Medical sources told Reuters that at least 10 people been killed by the explosion, which appeared to follow a fire - the cause of which is unknown - at the port.

Dramatic footage shows smoke billowing from the port area shortly before an enormous fireball explodes into the sky and blankets the city in a thick mushroom cloud.

Witnesses have stressed the sheer enormity of the blast, which was reportedly heard in Cyprus, and likened it to a 'nuclear bomb'.

Lebanon's internal security chief Abbas Ibrahim said that the explosion occurred in a section housing highly-explosive materials - not explosives.

Witnesses pointed to videos which seem to show fireworks shooting out of the smoke, while experts said a combination of fireworks and highly flammable fertiliser could have sparked such an explosion.

Israel has denied any involvement amid escalating tensions with the militant group Hezbollah along the country's southern border. 

It comes just days before a United Nations tribunal is set to rule on the assassination of the country's former PM Rafik Hariri, Saad's father. 

The Middle Eastern country is passing through its worst economic and financial crisis in decades and has seen demonstrations.

Miles from the scene of the blast - which people in Cyprus even claimed to have heard -  balconies were knocked down, ceiling collapsed and windows were shattered.

Local media carried images of people trapped under rubble, some bloodied, and crowds were pictured fleeing down debris-covered streets.

The loud blast - so enormous it was heard in Cyprus -  was felt across large parts of the city, with some districts losing electricity.

Harrowing scene pictures show injured people walking from the debris, which was sprayed over the streets of Beirut.

Local Fady Roumieh was stood in the car park to shopping centre ABC Mall Achrafieh, around 2km east of the blast, when the explosion occurred.

He said: 'It was like a nuclear bomb. The damage is so widespread and severe all over the city. Some buildings as far as 2km are partially collapsed. It's like a war zone. The damage is extreme. Not one glass window intact.'

One witness said: 'I saw a fireball and smoke billowing over Beirut. People were screaming and running, bleeding. Balconies were blown off buildings. Glass in high-rise buildings shattered and fell to the street.'

Another witness said she saw heavy grey smoke near the port area and then heard an explosion and saw flames of fire and black smoke.

They said: 'All the downtown area windows are smashed and there are wounded people walking around. It is total chaos.'

'Buildings are shaking,' tweeted one resident, while another wrote: 'An enormous, deafening explosion just engulfed Beirut. Heard it from miles away'.

Online footage from a Lebanese newspaper office showed blown out windows, scattered furniture and demolished interior panelling. 

It comes amid political tension in Lebanon, with street demonstrations against the government's handling the worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war.

Late last year investigators revealed what was effectively a state-sponsored pyramid scheme being run by the central bank, which was borrowing from commercial banks at above-market interest rates to pay back its debts and maintain the Lebanese pound's fixed exchange rate with the US dollar.

In January mass protests against the corruption allegations and a faltering economy led to the fall of Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s government.

His predecessor , Independent Hassan Diab, cut the country’s budget by $700million and put in place a financial rescue plan a month later.

But Lebanon’s problems have persisted after the Covid-19 pandemic forced global border closures, and protests have returned after the Lebanese pound fell in value, despite a lockdown being imposed in March.

Many businesses have been forced to close, but as prices continue to rise with a devalued currency some are struggling to buy basic necessities, and the prime minister warned that Lebanon was at risk of a ‘major food crisis’.

Analysts suggest the crisis has been prolonged because of political sectarianism, with the president, prime minister and speaker split between the three largest cultural groups; Christians; Shia Muslim; and Sunni Muslims.

Parliament is also drawn down the middle between Christian and Muslim members.

With the country’s governance in need of unity between the competing groups, external powers have been able to interfere in the country. Iran, for instance, backs the militant Hezbollah Shia movement.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8592549/Massive-explosion-rocks-Beirut-destroying-buildings.html

200

Off-Topic / Fixer Upper Returns On A New Network

« on: August 04, 2020, 10:00:31 am »Message ID: 1334558

Fixer Upper Will Return on Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Network

Get ready to bust out that shiplap — Fixer Upper is coming back to television. The hit renovation and design series will return with new episodes on Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Network, which launches in 2021. The Fixer Upper reboot will air exclusively on Magnolia and is set to premiere when the network launches.

"The day we wrapped our final episode of Fixer Upper, we really believed it was a chapter closed," said Chip and Joanna Gaines in a statement. "We knew we needed a break and a moment to catch our breath. But we also knew we weren't done dreaming about ways to make old things new again. These past few years, we've continued tackling renovations and projects, doing the work we're passionate about, but I don't think either of us anticipated how the show would become such a permanent fixture in our hearts. We've missed sharing the stories of these families and their homes with you, and we're excited to do that again very soon!"

Fixer Upper premiered on HGTV in 2013 and ran for five seasons, wrapping in 2018. The original series, which was the No. 1 unscripted show on all of cable television during its run, not only helped turn hosts Chip and Joanna Gaines into stars but also made a phenomenon out of their signature modern farmhouse style.

The Gaineses surprised Magnolia Network executives when they said they wanted to bring back Fixer Upper, network president Allison Page told Deadline. "We had not been planning with this network to include Fixer Upper," Page said. "When they said goodbye to the show three years ago next month, they said they needed a break but as it turns out — and thankfully — a break is literally what it was."

Magnolia Network, a joint venture between the Gaineses and Discovery, Inc., has also announced two more shows that will join its slate of original programming: an untitled project featuring interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn and Self Employed (working title) with entrepreneur Jonathan Morris.

Flynn's series will showcase his eclectic style as he and his team of skilled designers tackle decorating projects "on any budget or within any scope, all with a dash of humor." Self Employed, meanwhile, will follow Morris as he travels the United States and meets inspiring small business owners.

Other series in the works at Magnolia Network include Growing Floret, Home on the Road with JOHNNYSWIM, deVOL Kitchens (formerly known as Bespoke Kitchens), Family Dinner, Restoration Road with Clint Harp, The Fieldhouse, Super Dad, Home Work, The Lost Kitchen, and Inn the Works.

Fixer Upper returns on Magnolia Network in 2021.

201

Off-Topic / Help, I think my cat is broken! Owners share hilarious snaps of their felines in

« on: August 01, 2020, 10:30:10 am »Message ID: 1334168

Help, I think my cat is broken! Owners share hilarious snaps of their felines in VERY awkward positions

* Users from around the world posted in Reddit group WhatsWrongWithYourCat
* Some were seen staring at lights while another had head stuck in a watering can
* WhatsWrongWithYourCat has more than 200,000 members across the globe

Cats are well-known for being a source of endless fun - and sometimes trouble - for their owners.

But these pictures, posted in Reddit group WhatsWrongWithYourCat, prove that some felines are just fond of being a little off the wall. 

Many were snapped interacting with various objects, including hanging lights, a coat stand and a watering can. Others just looked as though they had malfunctioned. 

WhatsWrongWithYourCat has more than 200,000 members from around the world who enjoy sharing their very strange cats with the rest of humanity.

Check out a selection of the hilarious pictures below.

Photos here:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8572109/Owners-share-hilarious-snaps-cats-awkward-positions.html

202

Off-Topic / First deadly 'murder hornet' is captured in Washington state by agriculture offi

« on: August 01, 2020, 10:16:39 am »Message ID: 1334166

First deadly 'murder hornet' is captured in Washington state by agriculture officials who are in a race against time to find the remaining nest before mating season begins

* The Washington Department of Agriculture captured its first Asian giant hornet with a bottle trap in Whatcom County
* It is the first Asian giant hornet caught in a trap rather than in the environment
* Officials have two months to locate and remove the remaining Asian giant hornets before mating season begins in mid-
   September
* They are relying on a mix of traps and infrared cameras to track the species
* Asian giant hornets are also known as 'murder hornets' because of their fatalistic stings and aggressive attacks on prey
* They first arrived in the U.S. in December 2019, but sightings were reported earlier this year 

Agriculture officials have captured their first Asian giant hornet this month in Washington State - but are in a race against the clock to find the rest before mating season starts.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture revealed in a press release that state's first Asian giant hornet, nicknamed 'murder hornet', was trapped on July 14.

Officials set up bottle trap near Birch Bay in Whatcom County and, following a review at WSDA's entomology lab, confirmed the hornet's species on July 29.

This is the first hornet detected in a set trap, rather than found in the environment like the last five confirmed sightings in Washington.

'This is encouraging because it means we know that the traps work,' Sven Spichiger, managing entomologist for the department. said in the press release.

'But it also means we have work to do.'

Now, agriculture officials have just two months to locate the rest of the invasive species and remove them from Washington before mating season.

The department said that by mid-September the Asian giant hornet colony will begin reproducing new queens and drones.

'Destroying the nest before new queens emerge and mate will prevent the spread of this invasive pest,' the department said.

The WSDA said they will search for Asian giant hornets with infrared cameras and place extra traps to capture the insect alive.

'If they catch live hornets, the department will attempt to tag and track them back to their colony. Once located, the agency will eradicate the colony,' the department said.

WSDA added that in addition to the traps set up  by the department, citizen scientists and others have placed more than 1,300 traps throughout the state.

'If it becomes established, this hornet will have negative impacts on the environment, economy, and public health of Washington State,' the department website read.

The Asian giant hornet first arrived to the United States last year when there were two confirmed sightings near Blaine, Washington.

Asian hornets have a dark brown or black velvety body, have a yellow or orange band on the fourth segment of the abdomen and have yellow-tipped legs. They are typically around two inches long.

Asian giant hornets are more than double the size of honeybees, and have a wingspan measuring more than three inches.

They got it's nickname 'murder hornet' because it has a large stinger filled with venom that contains neurotoxin, which is capable of causing both cardiac arrest and anaphylactic shock.

Beekeeper Conrad Bérubé told The New York Times he was recently attacked by a swarm of the 'murder hornets' on Vancouver Island.

'It was like having red-hot thumbtacks being driven into my flesh,' Bérubé stated, adding that he was left bleeding from the attack.

Bérubé was stung seven times and was lucky to be alive.

But while the hornets can be deadly to humans, entomologists are more concerned that they could kill off bee populations in North America.

The WSDA said that Asian giant hornets attack and destroy hives- sometimes in a matter of hours. 

'The hornets enter a "slaughter phase" where they kill bees by decapitating them. They then defend the hive as their own, taking the brood to feed their own young,' the department said.

The bee population has been on a concerning decline for years and their eradication could have detrimental affects on the environment.

A survey by the U.S. National Agriculture Statistics Services showed that  the population declined from six million hives in 1947 to 2.4 million hives in 2008, a 60 per cent reduction.

203

Suggestions / Re: Pornography is against the TOS!!!

« on: July 30, 2020, 12:30:50 pm »Message ID: 1333831

Any chance of getting the recent s.m.u.t. peddlers eradicated and putting measures in place to prevent them from infiltrating the forum? This stuff has no place here. My 80+ year old mother is a regular member here and is the one who asked me about it when she came across it in the forum. I also have a 13 year old daughter who is sometimes in the same room as me when I am browsing Fusion Cash. Thankfully she was not around when I came across the obscene photo my mom told me about, but there should be some sort of block on any new user's being able to post photos or links in the forum!!! That is absolutely ridiculous and FC should have had something already in place to keep this B.S. out of here!!!
 

I did see that crap here & I Report to moderator!

I agree that this does NOT belong on these forums! She had post in several forums! Diaperfull & kristakunt are the 2 that been posting nude/sex photos on these forum!

204

Support / Nude Photos Are Been Posted - Not Allowed

« on: July 30, 2020, 12:19:36 pm »Message ID: 1333829

A few nude photos been post by kristakunt & Diaperfull

Nude photos is not allowed on these forums!

205

Off-Topic / Re: Fitness and diet

« on: July 30, 2020, 11:03:40 am »Message ID: 1333823

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206

Off-Topic / Re: R.I.P.Herman Cain

« on: July 30, 2020, 10:38:07 am »Message ID: 1333821

Maverick former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain DIES of Covid-19 - after going to Donald Trump's notorious Tulsa rally WITHOUT a mask then being diagnosed nine days later

* Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain died from the coronavirus
* The news was posted on his personal website and reported by Newsmax, a conservative media company he had recently
   joined
* He had been in an Atlanta-area hospital being treated for COVID-19 since July 1, two days after being diagnosed with
   the virus
* That diagnosis happened nine days after he appeared at President Donald Trump's Tulsa, Oklahoma rally
* Cain was photographed at the controversial rally not wearing a mask, while social distancing wasn't being practiced 

Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain died from the coronavirus.

The news was posted on his personal website and reported by Newsmax, a conservative media company he had recently joined.

He had been in an Atlanta-area hospital for COVID-19 all month, two days after testing positive for the virus.   

Cain attended Trump's disastrous June 20th rally in Tulsa, where eight members of the advance team tested positive for the coronavirus and the campaign staff had to self-isolate afterward in case of infection.

'Herman Cain embodied the American Dream and represented the very best of the American spirit,' tweeted White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany Thursday. 'Our hearts grieve for his loved ones, and they will remain in our prayers at this time. We will never forget his legacy of grace, patriotism, and faith.'

Cain was 74.

Cain was in the high-risk group for the virus because of his age.

He's also a cancer survivor - in 2006, Cain had a diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer, which also had spread to his liver.

He tweeted a photo of himself in the stands with the words: 'Here’s just a few of the #BlackVoicesForTrump at tonight’s rally! Having a fantastic time!'

His staff said in a statement there is 'no way to know for sure how or where Mr. Cain contracted the coronavirus.'

Cain had traveled to multiple cities in June, Newsmax reported. 

He tested positive on June 29 and was hospitalized on July 1.

Cain was not wearing a mask nor following social distancing protocols in the photo from the Tulsa event.

The rally, which only had 6,200 attendees in an event space that could hold 19,000 - did not turn into the campaign comeback the Trump team had hoped for.

The president came under fire for holding a rally as coronavirus cases were rising in Oklahoma and several states as the reopening process picked up. Few attendees wore masks or socially distanced.

Local health officials on the ground cautioned against the rally and a group of businesses sued to stop it - a legal move that failed.

Trump postponed it by one day when it was originally scheduled for Juneteenth, the day that slavery officially ended in the U.S.

For weeks, Black Lives Matter protests had been taking place around the country after the Memorial Day death of George Floyd, a black Minneapolis man who was killed by a white police officer.

Having the rally in Tulsa was also controversial, because the city had one of the worst race riots in the country in 1921. That anniversary had just passed on May 31.   

Additionally, an outdoor speech the president was scheduled to give for those who couldn't make it into the BOK Center, where the rally took place, was canceled when he was in route to Tulsa because the expected overflow crowds never materialized.

The Trump campaign bragged they had given away 1 million tickets but many of those were online tricksters, who signed up for the free tickets but had no intention of attending.

Trump was reportedly furious when he saw the sea of empty blue seats waiting for him that night although the White House denied any anger on his part.

And he was criticized for using the racist phrase 'Kung flu' when talking about COVID-19. He also said he ordered less testing once he heard cases were on the rise - a statement White House officials later rushed to say was a joke.

Additionally, the Washington Post reported that videos and photos emerged showing that before the rally, workers removed thousands of 'Do Not Sit Here, Please!' stickers from seats in the BOK Center that were intended to mark recommended distances between attendees.

Cain, the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza and former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, ran for the 2012 presidential nomination.

His catchy 9-9-9 tax plan and strong debate performances made him a serious contender. But, in November 2011, he faced allegations of sexual misconduct – all which he denied – and suspended his campaign in December.

Cain had been accused by two women of sexual harassment when he served as CEO of the National Restaurant Association in the late 1990s. Later two more women came forward. Cain acknowledged that the restaurant organization made financial settlements to the complainants but denied any wrong doing.

But his campaign was not able to recover from the scandal.

In April 2019, Trump considered Cain for an appointment to the Federal Reserve Board but he withdrew himself from consideration after several Republican senators said they would not vote for his confirmation.

Cain's death comes two days after the co-founder of Turning Point USA, a prominent conservative group known for its young star Charlie Kirk, died of COVID-19 complications. Co-founder Bill Montgomery died at age 80, according to Politico.

Herman Cain's Final Days
June 20: Herman Cain attend's President Donald Trump's Tulsa rally and posts a photo of himself not wearing a mask

June 29: Cain tests positive for COVID-19

July 1: Cain is taken to the hospital by ambulance for COVID-19

July 1: Cain tweets in appreciation that South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem isn't forcing mask-wearing at Trump's Mt. Rushmore speech

July 30: Cain dies of COVID-19   

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8576921/Herman-Cain-DIES-Covid-19-going-Donald-Trumps-notorious-Tulsa-rally-WITHOUT-mask.html

207

Off-Topic / Americans Report Receiving Mystery Seeds from China

« on: July 29, 2020, 12:23:27 pm »Message ID: 1333677

Mysterious packages of seeds believed to be from China have landed in the mailboxes of Americans across several states over the past week, leading to a warning from agricultural officials not to plant them.

According to Kentucky’s Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, officials have received multiple reports of unsolicited seed packets arriving in their mailboxes that appear to have originated from China. Around 30 U.S. states are suspected to be affected by such deliveries.

“We don’t know what they are, and we cannot risk any harm whatsoever to agricultural production in the United States,” said Quarles. “We have the safest, most abundant food supply in the world and we need to keep it that way.”

“At this point in time, we don’t have enough information to know if this is a hoax, a prank, an internet scam or an act of agricultural bioterrorism,” he continued. “Unsolicited seeds could be invasive and introduce unknown diseases to local plants, harm livestock, or threaten our environment.”

Many of the packages are labeled as jewelry, toys, or electronic devices and may have Chinese writing on them, according to agriculture officials. Lori Culley, from Tooele, Utah, told Fox 13 she was excited to discover two small packages in her mailbox that she believed to contain earrings.

“I opened them up and they were seeds. Obviously they’re not jewelry! ” she said. “There was an article that I found in the UK saying this has been happening over there, and they are bad seeds, they are invasive. I hope that it’s nothing too serious … don’t throw them in the garbage. Don’t plant them. Don’t touch them.”

Federal officials from the Department of Agriculture (USDA) will reportedly work with the Department of Homeland Security and local officials to prevent any more illegal seeds from entering the country.

“[We are] aware that people across the country have received unsolicited packages of seed from China in recent days,” the USDA said in a statement. “At this time, we don’t have any evidence indicating this is something other than a ‘brushing scam’ where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales.”

“USDA is currently collecting seed packages from recipients and will test their contents and determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment,” they continued.

The Communist Party of China has not confirmed the seeds’ origin or issued any public remarks about them.

American authorities note that those who receive unsolicited seeds should report the packages to the Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance Program (SITC) by calling the Smuggling Hotline at 1-800-877-3835.

208

Off-Topic / Re: Nude Photos

« on: July 29, 2020, 12:18:53 pm »Message ID: 1333674

It was nude photos show women's breast & men's *bleep*!

I report it!

209

Off-Topic / Nude Photos

« on: July 29, 2020, 11:11:23 am »Message ID: 1333660

A few nude photos been post by kristakunt & Diaperfull

Nude photos is not allowed on these forums!

210

Off-Topic / 'The second wave of coronavirus is already in Germany', senior Merkel ally says,

« on: July 27, 2020, 10:13:56 am »Message ID: 1333391

'The second wave of coronavirus is already in Germany', senior Merkel ally says, as he admits 'we have new clusters of infections every day'

* The warning came as daily infections rose to 800 on Friday and Saturday
* Country's R rate also rose above 1 to 1.08 on Saturday, up from 0.93 on Thursday
* Comes as anyone coming back into Germany will be offered a coronavirus test

A senior ally of Angela Merkel has said that a second wave of coronavirus has already hit Germany and that they are seeing new clusters of infections every day.

Politician Michael Kretschmer, premier of the eastern German state of Saxony, gave the warning this weekend as daily infections rose to 800 on Friday and Saturday.

The country's R rate, which measures the number of infections caused by an individual, also rose above 1 to 1.08 on Saturday, up from 0.93 on Thursday.

Kretschmer - a member of Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats - told the Rheinische Post newspaper: 'The second wave of coronavirus is already here.

'It is already taking place every day. We have new clusters of infections every day which could become very high numbers.'

The number of cases fell to 300 on Sunday but weekend figures are often lower than those during the week due to delays in reporting.

Health authorities have said the new cases have been caused by large celebrations or gatherings as well as returning travellers.

In addition, some 500 workers were sent into quarantine on a large Bavarian farm at the weekend in order to contain a mass coronavirus outbreak.

At least 174 seasonal workers have tested positive for the virus on the farm in the municipality of Mamming, most of them from Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine. 

It comes as anyone coming back into Germany will be offered a free coronavirus test as they pass through the airport. The measure was introduced on Friday.

Berlin's health minister Dilek Kalayci said that those coming back from high-risk countries should be tested and those returning from non-risk countries will also have the option. 

She said the tests would initially be non-mandatory and the cost would be covered by the state in all cases in the new measure that was agreed by the health ministers of Germany's 16 states.     

A spokeswoman from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), told the German Press Agency the institute was concerned with the increase in the country's R-rate.

She said: 'This development is very worrying and will continue to be monitored very closely by the RKI.'

'A further exacerbation of the situation must be avoided.'

Despite the rise in cases, Germany has seen a relatively low mortality rate compared with its European neighbours, recording a total of 9,118 deaths so far. They have recorded a total of 205,609 infections.

However, the economy has still been battered, with 640,000 becoming unemployed due to the pandemic.

The country has also been hit by repeated coronavirus outbreaks at slaughterhouses, keeping authorities on high alert.