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Boston Marathon, Sad Day for the World, Sad Day for Sports
Marathon slaughter
— Boston Marathon attacked by terrorists
— At least 3 dead, 130 injured by twin bombs
— Boy, 8, among the confirmed dead
Blast … cloud of fire and smoke at the finish line of the Boston Marathon
By NICK PARKER
Last Updated: 16th April 2013
AMERICA is on terror alert today after a twin bombing attack left at least three people dead and more than 144 wounded at the Boston Marathon finish line.
An eight-year-old boy was said to be one of the dead. Two more devices were discovered and made safe by police experts.
FOOTAGE emerges of horrifying incident which happened during race
Witnesses reported seeing legs blown from victims. Others needed to have limbs amputated following the atrocity — six days before the London Marathon.
Aerial footage of the blast site showed the pavement strewn with blood, glass and debris. And unconfirmed reports said that 12 people have died in total.
Hospitals reported at least 144 people are being treated, with at least 17 of them in critical condition and 25 in serious condition. At least eight of the patients are children.
Doctors are “pulling ball bearings out of people in the emergency room” an expert said, suggesting the bombs were designed to propel shrapnel
Last night cops were probing links to gun fanatics furious at curbs following December’s Sandy Hook school massacre. The marathon had been dedicated to the 26 shot dead.
Terror … a second blast further back hits scattered runners
It was claimed that police had surveillance video of someone bringing a number of backpacks to the area.
It was the first successful attack on US soil since 9/11. A White House official said the explosions were “clearly an act of terror”.
President Barack Obama said those responsible will “feel the full weight of justice”.
In shock … woman sits injured on blood-spattered pavement
He added: “The Boston people will say a prayer for Boston tonight. We don’t know who did this or why.
“But make no mistake, we will get to the bottom of this.”
Thousands had lined the streets of Boston, Massachusetts, on the Patriots’ Day public holiday event. Around 25,000 ran in the event.
Under attack … armed cops hit the streets as dazed runner lies in the road
More than 130 blast victims were being treated in seven of the city’s hospitals.
At least 15 were said to be in critical condition. One hospital official described the injuries as like those “from a war zone”.
The FBI said it was leading a “potential terrorism investigation” by the city’s joint terrorism taskforce into the twin explosions.
Two killed as blasts hit Boston marathon
TWO explosions at the finish line of the world famous Boston Marathon have resulted in two deaths
PM David Cameron said: “The scenes from Boston are shocking and horrific — my thoughts are with all those who have been affected.”
British police said they were reviewing security for Sunday’s London Marathon.
Alert … President Obama last night
It was a terror target in the terrorist black comedy film Four Lions.
Last night chief executive Nick Bitel confirmed that the race would still go ahead, saying: “We will not be cancelling the event.”
A leg flew past my head
Carnage … rescuers tend to victims near the marathon finish line
By NICK PARKER, Chief Foreign Correspondent, MIRANDA PRYNNE, FELIX ALLEN and DAVID WOODE
A WITNESS to the bomb carnage that ripped through the Boston Marathon said last night: “Somebody’s leg flew by my head.”
Close together … Boston bombs
After two huge blasts — one at the finish line — left at least two dead and more than 130 injured, onlooker John Ross said: “I gave my belt to stop the blood.”
One of those killed was a boy aged eight. Unconfirmed reports early today suggested up to a dozen may have died.
Nightmare scenes were described by local TV girl Jacqueline Bruno — as cops discovered at least two MORE suspected devices in the shattered city, detonating one with a controlled explosion.
She said as the US went into nationwide terrorist lockdown: “I saw people’s legs blown off.
“Runners were coming in and saw unspeakable horror.”
Last night the unexploded devices were said to have been found at hospitals.
A third blast was feared to have taken place at the city’s John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum — but cops later believed a fire there was just a bizarre coincidence.
Scores injured … one of the victims is taken away on a stretcher
Half a million had lined the marathon route — with the biggest crowds at the finish where men, women and screaming children were left dazed and bloodied.
The bombs were feared to have been packed with ballbearings that were found littering the street.
More than 370 Brits were taking part in the race when the blasts ten seconds apart erupted from litter bins.
Brit Abi Griffiths finished just ten minutes before the horror. The runner said: “It’s scary times here — the sounds of police sirens are echoing everywhere in Boston.
Agony … injured runner after Boston atrocity
“It was while I was getting my bag that I heard it go off. The ground shook.”
Shocked engineer Marcus Mumford, 34, from Bristol, said: “It was really loud. I was just running down that street. Now the bomb squad are all over the place.”
Ambulances and fire engines swarmed into Boston’s Copley Square along with armed cops.
They found the pavements drenched with blood and people lying in agony.
The blasts — flashes of burning orange followed by acrid smoke that billowed for 50ft — were captured in TV footage that chilled America.
President Barack Obama was being kept updated last night — as a ring of steel was thrown around the White House.
Bloodbath … the twin explosions happened close to the finish line
Anti-terror cops in New York were guarding landmarks.
Officials across America urged citizens via Twitter and Facebook to report suspicious activity to the police.
The bloodbath — four hours into the race when stragglers were reaching the end —
comes just days before the London Marathon on Sunday.
Last night Scotland Yard was reviewing security.
It may also be beefed up for the huge London funeral tomorrow of Baroness Thatcher.
The big-name track stars involved in the Boston race had long crossed the line when the bombs went off.
Relieved chartered surveyor Darren Foy, 40, from Southampton, said:
“I finished in 3½ hours and we were on the bus when it happened.”
Darren — in Boston with his wife Sandra and their two children — said: “It’s all shocking.”
Chaotic … emergency services and race organisers at the scene in Boston
The second explosion was 50 to 100 yards back from the finish on Boylston Street.
There were 25,000 registered entrants — many raising money for charities — who were being cheered home by family and friends.
Canadian Mike Mitchell, from Vancouver, had just crossed the line when he looked back and saw a “massive explosion”.
He described people running and screaming — saying:
“Everybody freaked out.”
Video showed a fireball from one of the blasts rising from behind spectators and a row of flags.
Witness David Abel said: “I saw the most horrific thing anyone can see — people with their limbs mangled, their eyes vacant.”
Disbelief … girl in tears after the terror attack on Boston
The Boston Marathon is run on the third Monday of April — Patriots’ Day, a public holiday marking the first battles of the American War of Independence.
It fuelled fears the outrage may have been the work of al-Qaeda.
But cops were also probing links to gun fanatics furious at curbs following December’s Sandy Hook school massacre. The marathon had been dedicated to the 26 shot dead.
Families of victims were in a VIP area right next to where the bombs went off.
Public transport into central Boston was shut down and a no-fly zone imposed as an emergency medical tent was set up.
Authorities also closed down phone networks across the city in case more bombs might be detonated remotely.
Grief … Boston Marathon runner sobs with friends
Fleets of ambulances ferried the injured to hospital. Kids aged eight and three were among them.
Marathon runners flocked to hospitals to donate blood as medics carried out at least ten amputations.
One mum told how she had jubilantly watched her daughter complete the marathon when the first blast came four minutes later.
Melissa Stanley said: “It sounded like a sonic boom. I haven’t stopped shaking yet.”
Both bombs were small and initial tests showed no high-grade explosive material, suggesting they were crude devices.
Investigators warned police to be on the lookout for a “darker-skinned or black male” with a possible foreign accent in connection with the attack.
The man was seen with a black backpack and sweatshirt and was trying to get into a restricted area about five minutes before the first explosion
M.Y. Azzam another Gem from Lurssen
At the end of last year I wrote an article about M.Y. Eclipse being the biggest yacht in the world. Measuring 590 feet long, the German-built craft, named Azzam, has officially bumped Roman Abramovich’s 536-foot Eclipse from its No. 1 ranking. M.Y. Azzam is now out and it is a beauty. She has beautiful lines and with a length of 180 meters plus a top speed of 30 knots it has to be!
M.Y. Azzam is now the biggest yacht in the world!
The Client representative assembled a world-class team, composed by Lürssen engineers, technical project managers from Burgess, the interior designer Christophe Leoni and Nauta Yachts. Azzam breaks new ground in terms of dimensions, performance and technology.
Nauta CEO Mario Pedol added, “When I saw the scale model before the generalpresentation to the Principal, I was 100% happy with the outcome. So was the Principal. Such recognition made me confident that we had achieved our goal.”
According to Burgess CEO Jonathan Beckett the construction of this yacht – with its highly complex technical features – has been extremely demanding and challenging. “It has been a real team effort – he says – between all the professionals involved, including ourselves, the builder and the designers, and we are proud to be associated with this extraordinary and unique project as Owner’s technical consultants.”
The renowned French designer Christophe Leoni has been able to realize a sophisticated and luxurious interior in Empire style.“Though yachting is not my main area of business – he comments – I thoroughly enjoyed the cooperation with Nauta and Lürssen and I am confident that the final yacht is everything and more that the Owner expects.”
The maker of the Azzam, Lürssen Yachts, told reporters that the boat was “without a doubt the most challenging yacht that has ever been built.”
Powered by jets rather than propellers, the yacht boasts 94,000 horsepower (combination of gasturbines and diesels) under the hood and can travel at a top speed of 30 knots, about 30 percent faster than most megayachts.
Azzam truly represents a milestone in not only Lurssen’s history but yachting history as well.
Always Go For Gold!
Your children can teach you very valuable lessons. What we tend to forget as adults is to not always aim for the stars because it may end up in disappointment. I am not saying that children do not end up disappointed but they do not limit their believes out of fear to be disappointed!
As parents, teachers or coaches I believe it is very important to understand this. It is never nice to see your child or pupil disappointed but I think it is worse to take away the believe that they cannot achieve the no.1 position they so badly want. They will have to learn to overcome their disappointment and start their next race with renewed believe for GOLD.
“After 6 events of disappointment for my son (we were very proud of his achievements, since he was top 10 in each and every event he competed in) he finally got his gold after 3 days of competing in the South African National Nipper (lifesavers to be) Championships. After having to console him over and over again and trying to explain how well he had really done it appeared to me that each and every time he went for Gold and Gold only……… Hold on he is 8 years old and has the will power to overcome the disappointment of not getting the gold and come back even stronger the next event. Do you as a parent/coach get disappointed……yes absolutely!!!! These kids are far more capable then we think physically and mentally, it is absolutely amazing.
First event flags he got sixth and with flags everything can happen on the day, the sand is uneven who you are next to plays an important role and your decision making in a split second can make or brake the race, a long story short, he made a wrong decision and became sixth did he exceed everybody’s expectations………..absolutely. Could he have gone further……..absolutely
Beach sprints he got 9th and did he ran his heart out, was he in the strongest heat possible yes. But that is the luck of the draw, could he therefor have gone to the A-final, absolutely. Did he deal with it….he sure did.
Body board he got 8th well what a race that was he paddled his heart out and was 3rd after the last buoy and he felt the silver was in reach……then the Ocean went flat and flat it went. The boys in the back got a wave and passed him and he only managed to go through the finish line in 8th place. Was he disappointed……………………….what could I answer him; he told me I paddled much harder then the other boys how come I didn’t at least get bronze. What can you tell him besides you were unlucky, this answer does not satisfy a boy that puts the effort in to go for gold. Fortunately later on he was able to witness for himself that it happens all the time in other races as well. He overcame it again.
Surf team swim all 3 boys swam like champs and they can be proud of their achievement because it wasn’t easy out their which I experienced myself when I had to do the surf swim myself for the fun race the next day, I was finished……that is all I can say!!!!!
Then the next day it was the bodyboard relay, the surf swim individual, the Taplin (run, swim, bodyboard) and the long run.
Knowing that about 5 months ago I had to convince my son to swim out into the sea and bodysurf back was at times a mission and a lot of self doubt had to be overcome, step by step and did he over come his doubts and built his confidence what an amazing achievement, was he disappointed with his 4th place………………yep, no medal, so again he was not a happy camper, could he have done any better, I don’t think so. Will he make a chance next year absolutely.
Then finally the last event on the last day was the long run, this was his last chance to get that long anticipated medal. Did he still have the BELIEVE after his disappointments the previous days and the same day? He sure did!!! Should I have told him to not have his hopes to high, because there was some fierce competition? Should you ever try and take the BELIEVE away to guard him from disappointment……………my opinion is absolutely not. Should we as grown up take this as an example I believe so!!!
Well off they went and then they disappear along the beach and you are not able to see a thing as they fade into the distance. They get to the turnaround point and the pace increases. What goes through the head of a 8 year old competitor………I am not sure…….
As they came back and started to appear back into vision I could see he was in front due to his running style. I don’t think it is possible to hear anything over a distance of 300 meters on a beach with the wind blowing but let’s just say I have my voice back again today. As he came closer to the finish line there was one more look behind and there he came after 3 days of overcoming disappointment in the last race he got his gold medal.
Now that was fulfillment I was able to pick him up after the race and what a feeling. He had persevered he got what he came for!!!!
I think all his other achievements were as good as the last one this one was just the most rewarding for him. Well done my boy, we are very proud of you. You had a fantastic 3 day competition and you can see there are relationships being built already with other competitors and off coarse team mates and I know that those relationships will be stronger and stronger in the years to come. I am looking forward to see how all the nippers develop over the years regardless of performance, but as human beings because in the end each and every child will learn life skills in this sport that will be with them for life!
Worlds Largest Cruise ship to Change Itinerary
Southampton – Cruises on board the world’s largest ship will go on sale in April after Royal Caribbean announced Oasis of the Seas will call at the United Kingdom’s leading cruise port, Southampton in 2014.
Travelmole reports that the 6 400 passenger ship will offer cruises in Europe next autumn and will make its first port of call into Southampton on October 15.
The ship, which is longer than four football pitches, will be 40% large than any other cruise ship to ever dock in the UK.
Oasis of the Seas will leave Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, its home port since December 2009 next September on a 12-night eastbound transatlantic cruise to Barcelona from where it will offer a series of Mediterranean cruises.
The ship will return to Port Everglades on a 13-night westbound transatlantic cruise on October 14, calling into Southampton, where UK guests can join the ship to sail across the Atlantic.
Royal Caribbean associate vice president and general manager UK and Ireland Jo Rzymowska said: “Oasis of the Seas sailing from Southampton is going to be the hottest ticket in town.
“Bringing the world’s largest cruise ship to Europe, and specifically the UK and Southampton, is testament to the commitment to selling cruise demonstrated by our trade partners.
T.I.A.
Been away on a beautiful holiday and beautiful it was! It was a fun filled family holiday in the beautiful Transkei region. It has shown me to mostly look at the positives in everything!
T.I.A. what does that stand for? This is Africa……
This is usually used in a negative way when things aren’t very good to say the least and I have been hearing this term a lot lately in a negative perspective (unfortunately so).
BUT if you look at the above picture and know the amount of fun the children had and the great outdoor lifestyle that can be enjoyed here there is a lot of positive to be said by saying T.I.A. I just pulled some facts about South Africa of the net and I think South Africa has a lot going for it, let’s forget about politics for a moment:
1. Table Mountain in Cape Town is believed to be one of the oldest mountains in the world.
2. The world is divided into six floral kingdoms. All these kingdoms encompass several countries, and in some cases, several continents. South Africa, which has a floral kingdom wholly contained within the country, is the one exception. The Cape Floral Kingdom has 9,600 plant species, 70% of which are not found anywhere else in the world.
3. Table Mountain alone has over 1,500 species of plants, more than the entire United Kingdom.
4. South Africa is the second largest exporter of fruit in the world.
5. South Africa has the longest wine route in the world.
6. Kruger National Park supports the greatest variety of wildlife species on the African continent.
7. South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique are tearing down fences between the countries’ game parks to create a 13,500 square mile game park, which will become the largest conservation area in the world. It will be bigger than Switzerland, Belgium or Taiwan.
8. South Africa has a penguin colony, which thrives thanks to the cold Antarctic currents on the west coast near the Cape.
9. South Africa is rated 3rd in the world in supplying safe, drinkable tap water. (can’t always agree with that one…….)
10. The Palace of the Lost City resort hotel is the largest theme resort hotel in the world as well as the largest building project undertaken in the southern hemisphere.
11. Walt Disney serves South African wine exclusively at its 73-acre Animal Kingdom Lodge in the United States.
12. South Africa has the cheapest electricity in the world. (currently very fast catching up with the rest of the world….)
13. The deepest mine is a gold mine in South Africa. in 1977 the Western Deep Levels Mine reached a depth of 11,749 feet. Most mines descend to about 3,300 feet.
14. South Africa is the only country in the world to voluntarily abandon its nuclear weapons program.
15. South Africa has 19,004 miles of railway track – 80% of Africa’s rail infrastructure.
16. South Africa generates two-thirds of Africa’s electricity.
17. The Tugela Falls is the second highest waterfall in the world, where the water tumbles down 2,789 feet. First place goes to the Angel Falls in Venezuela at 3,212 feet.
18. Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world – and the largest green one. The Grand Canyon in the U.S. is the biggest, and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia the second, but both are very dry.
19. South Africa is home to the world’s smallest succulent plants (less than 0.39 inches) and the largest (the baobab tree).
20. Kimberley may have the biggest man-made hole in the world, but did you know that the southern Free State town of Jagersfontein has the deepest vertical man-made hole?
21. The only street in the world to house two Nobel Peace prizewinners is in Soweto. Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu both have houses on Vilakazi Street in Soweto.
22. South Africa is the world’s largest producer of macadamia nuts.
23. South Africa has the third highest level of biodiversity in the world.
24. South Africa is the world’s leader in mining and minerals. It has nearly 90% of the platinum metals on earth, 80% of the manganese, 73% of the chrome, 45% of the vanadium and 41% of the gold.
25. South Africa was the first country in Africa to host the prestigious FIFA World Cup and this was a huge success it exceeded everybody’s expectations (I know it exceeded mine….)
26. South Africa has the oldest meteor scar in the world, just across the Vaal River near Parys, called the Vredefort Dome. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
27. South African grasslands have approximately 30 species per square kilometer, greater than the biodiversity of rainforests.
28. South Africa is the sole producer of the Mercedes Benz C Class, right-hand drive vehicles .
29. General Motors South Africa will be the only manufacturing site outside of the United States to build the Hummer H3 vehicle. (I believe this has now been discontinued….)
30. South Africa is one of the most generously endowed geographic solar hotspots in the world, soaking up just over half of the world’s highest category of solar wattage per square yard of land. (Let’s use this energy more in the future to come……)
31. South Africa has deserts, mountains, escarpments, plateaus, grasslands, bush, wetlands and subtropical forests.
32. Most of the world’s proto-mammalian fossils are found in the Karoo region.
33. Dr. Christiaan Barnard, at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, performed the first human heart transplant in the world in 1967. He was also the first to do a “piggyback” transplant in 1971, and he was the first to do a heart-lung transplant.
34. The vast majority of South African coal exports are shipped through the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT). With the capacity to export 79.4 mmst annually, RBCT is the world’s largest coal export facility.
35. The world’s largest diamond was the Cullinan Diamond, found in South Africa in 1905. It weighed 3,106.75 carats uncut. It was cut into the Great Star of Africa, weighing 530.2 carats, the Lesser Star of Africa, which weighs 317.40 carats, and 104 other diamonds of nearly flawless color and clarity. They now form part of the British crown jewels.
36. There are about 280,000 windmills on farms across South Africa, second in number only to Australia.
37. Three of the five fastest land animals live in South Africa – the cheetah (63 miles per hour), the wildebeest, and the lion.
38. The oldest remains of modern humans were found in Klasies River Cave in the Eastern Cape. They are well over 100,000 years old.
39. In eastern South Africa, scientists have found traces of blue-green algae dating back 3,500 million years. This is some of the earliest evidence of life on Earth.
40. There are more than 2,000 shipwrecks, dating back at least 500 years, off the South African coast. More than one of these, including the Waratah, simply vanished without a trace.
41. The Karoo region is home to some of the best fossils of early dinosaurs.
42. Although Pretoria is considered to be the capital of South Africa, the country actually has three capitals: Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial).
43. In its eastern part, South Africa entirely surrounds another country – Lesotho, an independent constitutional monarchy.
44. Approximately 900 bird species are found in South Africa alone, which represents 10% of the worlds total bird species.
45. South Africa has the most luxurious train in the world, The Rovos Rail.
46. South Africa has the highest commercial bungi jump in the world (710 feet).
47. Mossel Bay is in the Guinness Book of records as having the second most moderate climate in the world.
48. Pietermaritzburg’s city hall is the largest red brick building in the Southern Hemisphere.
49. Hippos are susceptible to sunburn, and spend most of their days with just their noses out of water. Their noses have special flaps that close when submerged, and they can stay under water for 25 minutes.
50. South Africa has the oldest wine industry outside of Europe and the Mediterranean, featuring Chardonnays, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cinsault, Riesling, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage varietals.
THIS IS AFRICA!!!!!! Currently Durban is hosting the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and SOuth Africa) conference which hosts all the emerging economies and I assume a lot of positive things will be achieved during this conference.
Why Costa Rica is our example
Do yourself a favor and watch this video. Make yourself a nice cup of coffee/tea , it is worth it! Let’s value the happy planet index!!
Now if you are interested and experience what all this is about you must come and stay at Rancho Burica on the South West coast line of Costa Rica. As close as you can get to the beautiful Pacific Ocean! To have a sneak preview of the place click here Rancho Burica
Harmonic Future 