Archive

Posts Tagged ‘Plain’

Tornadoes strike Midwest, kills 1

May 20th, 2013 No comments

Are you experiencing severe weather in your area? Send photos and videos to CNN iReport. But please remember to stay safe.

(CNN) — A rash of tornadoes wreaked havoc in Oklahoma and the Midwest on Sunday and Monday, destroying homes and tossing trees around like toothpicks.

But the destructive weather isn’t over. Baseball-sized hail, wind gusts and tornadoes could pummel parts of the central Plains and Midwest through Monday.

Early Monday morning, a tornado touched down in Golden City, Missouri, and tore through two counties, Barton County Emergency Management Director Tom Ryan said. The number of injuries and extent of damage were not immediately clear.

Hours earlier, one man was killed in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, where a twister reduced trailer park homes to piles of debris. Dozens of deputies scoured the rubble overnight, Sheriff Mike Booth said. Two people reported missing from trailer park were found late Sunday night.


Tornadoes leave path of destruction


Tornado travels across field in Oklahoma


Tornadoes rip through Oklahoma

An boy cools off in a watering hole in Allahabad, India, on Saturday, May 18, where temperatures have reportedly reached 117.1 degrees Fahrenheit. Click through to see other images of weather around the world:An boy cools off in a watering hole in Allahabad, India, on Saturday, May 18, where temperatures have reportedly reached 117.1 degrees Fahrenheit. Click through to see other images of weather around the world:

A dandelion seed reflects in a rain-covered path in Sieversdorf, Germany, on May 18.A dandelion seed reflects in a rain-covered path in Sieversdorf, Germany, on May 18.

Rescuers carry residents across a badly damaged road after heavy storms hit Hejiaqiao township in central China's Hunan province. Rescuers carry residents across a badly damaged road after heavy storms hit Hejiaqiao township in central China’s Hunan province.

A woman passes along the seafront as the rain falls in Weston-Super-Mare, England, on Tuesday, May 14. A woman passes along the seafront as the rain falls in Weston-Super-Mare, England, on Tuesday, May 14.

A sandstorm sweeps through Cairo, Egypt, on Monday, May 13.A sandstorm sweeps through Cairo, Egypt, on Monday, May 13.

People take shelter under umbrellas during a boat ride in heavy rain on the Spreewald Canals near Luebbenau, Germany, on Sunday, May 12.People take shelter under umbrellas during a boat ride in heavy rain on the Spreewald Canals near Luebbenau, Germany, on Sunday, May 12.

Rain doesn't deter an outing in Jersey City, New Jersey, and even a view of Lower Manhattan despite the fog on Thursday, May 9.Rain doesn’t deter an outing in Jersey City, New Jersey, and even a view of Lower Manhattan despite the fog on Thursday, May 9.

A woman exits a cab during a rainstorm on Wednesday, May 8, in New York.A woman exits a cab during a rainstorm on Wednesday, May 8, in New York.

People soak up the spring sunshine on the River Cam on Monday, May 6, in Cambridge, England.People soak up the spring sunshine on the River Cam on Monday, May 6, in Cambridge, England.

Two men drive cattle across the crocodile infested Tana River in Keny'as Tana delton on May 3. Flooding from heavy seasonal rains has killed more than 60 people and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes. Two men drive cattle across the crocodile infested Tana River in Keny’as Tana delton on May 3. Flooding from heavy seasonal rains has killed more than 60 people and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes.

People in the Morazan neighborhood of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, sort through the remains of their possessions after heavy rains left two people missing and destroyed streets and homes.People in the Morazan neighborhood of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, sort through the remains of their possessions after heavy rains left two people missing and destroyed streets and homes.

A lone fan watches snow fall during a delay in play between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, May 2. The game was postponed because of the weather. A lone fan watches snow fall during a delay in play between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, May 2. The game was postponed because of the weather.

Snow covers an outdoor bar in downtown Golden, Colorado, after a spring storm dumped more than a foot of snow on Wednesday, May 1. In nearby Denver, the average date for the last snow of the season is April 26, but the record for the latest snowfall was set June 12, 1947, according to the National Weather Service.Snow covers an outdoor bar in downtown Golden, Colorado, after a spring storm dumped more than a foot of snow on Wednesday, May 1. In nearby Denver, the average date for the last snow of the season is April 26, but the record for the latest snowfall was set June 12, 1947, according to the National Weather Service.

A bee harvests nectar on a sunflower as temperatures soar into the 90s on Saturday, April 27, in Quezon City, Philippines. A bee harvests nectar on a sunflower as temperatures soar into the 90s on Saturday, April 27, in Quezon City, Philippines.

A man pours water over children swimming in an inflatable swimming pool to beat the heat in Manila, Philippines, on Friday, April 26.A man pours water over children swimming in an inflatable swimming pool to beat the heat in Manila, Philippines, on Friday, April 26.

Fields and meadows are flooded by the waters from the Oder River near Lebus, Germany, close to the border with Poland, on April 26. The meadows along the Oder are regularly flooded during spring.Fields and meadows are flooded by the waters from the Oder River near Lebus, Germany, close to the border with Poland, on April 26. The meadows along the Oder are regularly flooded during spring.

A Pakistani motorcyclist crosses a flooded street after heavy rain in Peshawar on April 26. Pakistan has suffered devastating monsoon floods for the last three years, including the worst in its history in 2010, when catastrophic inundations killed almost 1,800 people and affected 21 million. A Pakistani motorcyclist crosses a flooded street after heavy rain in Peshawar on April 26. Pakistan has suffered devastating monsoon floods for the last three years, including the worst in its history in 2010, when catastrophic inundations killed almost 1,800 people and affected 21 million.

Horses and jockeys return to stables in damp weather at the Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on Friday, April 26. Preparations are under way for the upcoming Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup. Horses and jockeys return to stables in damp weather at the Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on Friday, April 26. Preparations are under way for the upcoming Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

Arnold Gropper, left, and Werner Simm fish at Lake Forggensee on Thursday, April 25, near Fssen, Germany.Arnold Gropper, left, and Werner Simm fish at Lake Forggensee on Thursday, April 25, near Füssen, Germany.

Chef Paul Prudhomme heads to the Zurich Classic Pro-Am clubhouse at TPC Louisiana as officials order the evacuation of all temporary structures after a tornado warning in New Orleans on Wednesday, April 24.Chef Paul Prudhomme heads to the Zurich Classic Pro-Am clubhouse at TPC Louisiana as officials order the evacuation of all temporary structures after a tornado warning in New Orleans on Wednesday, April 24.

The grounds crew covers the field at Fenway Park in the eighth inning because of rain during a game between the Oakland Athletics and the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, April 23, in Boston.The grounds crew covers the field at Fenway Park in the eighth inning because of rain during a game between the Oakland Athletics and the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, April 23, in Boston.

People take in the spring sunshine at Parade Gardens in Bath, England, on April 23.People take in the spring sunshine at Parade Gardens in Bath, England, on April 23.

A commuter wipes his face while riding his scooter during heavy rain in Hyderabad, India, on Monday, April 22.A commuter wipes his face while riding his scooter during heavy rain in Hyderabad, India, on Monday, April 22.

A camel herder guides his animals during a sandstorm on the edge of Khartoum, Sudan, on Saturday, April 20.A camel herder guides his animals during a sandstorm on the edge of Khartoum, Sudan, on Saturday, April 20.

Hector Duran uses his bike to get through floodwater on Friday, April 19, in Des Plaines, Illinois. The suburban Chicago town is battling rising floodwater from the Des Plaines River.Hector Duran uses his bike to get through floodwater on Friday, April 19, in Des Plaines, Illinois. The suburban Chicago town is battling rising floodwater from the Des Plaines River.

Workers inspect flood damage inside a vacant commercial building on April 19 in Des Plaines, Illinois. Workers inspect flood damage inside a vacant commercial building on April 19 in Des Plaines, Illinois.

Children still feel the bite of winter weather in Taiyuan, the capital of north China's Shanxi Province, on April 19.Children still feel the bite of winter weather in Taiyuan, the capital of north China’s Shanxi Province, on April 19.

Sunshine bathes the banks of Inner Alster Lake in Hamburg, Germany, on Thursday, April 18.Sunshine bathes the banks of Inner Alster Lake in Hamburg, Germany, on Thursday, April 18.

A motorist drives through a flooded underpass In Chicago on April 18. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning Thursday for much of the Chicago area, which got 3 to 5 inches of rain in 24 hours with more expected.A motorist drives through a flooded underpass In Chicago on April 18. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning Thursday for much of the Chicago area, which got 3 to 5 inches of rain in 24 hours with more expected.

Dark clouds hang over the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on April 18.Dark clouds hang over the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on April 18.

Debris litters a river after a tornado and hailstorm hit Zhenyuan County in China's southwest Guizhou Province on April 18.Debris litters a river after a tornado and hailstorm hit Zhenyuan County in China’s southwest Guizhou Province on April 18.

People make their way along Champa Street in downtown Denver during a spring storm on Wednesday, April 17. People make their way along Champa Street in downtown Denver during a spring storm on Wednesday, April 17.

A man rides a bike during a heavy sandstorm in Yecheng county, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Tuesday, April 16.A man rides a bike during a heavy sandstorm in Yecheng county, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Tuesday, April 16.

A woman feeds a pig in her yard during a flood in the Belarus village of Snyadin near the Pripyat river on April 16. A woman feeds a pig in her yard during a flood in the Belarus village of Snyadin near the Pripyat river on April 16.

A woman and dog cross a flooded road in Zalubice Stare, Poland, on April 16.A woman and dog cross a flooded road in Zalubice Stare, Poland, on April 16.

A sandstorm strikes Baghdad on April 16, during a rally where the head Shiite Muslim leader Ammar al-Hakim was speaking.A sandstorm strikes Baghdad on April 16, during a rally where the head Shiite Muslim leader Ammar al-Hakim was speaking.

Blooming crocuses stand in a park in Hamburg, Germany, on Monday, April 15. Temperatures in the city are forcasted to reach up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).Blooming crocuses stand in a park in Hamburg, Germany, on Monday, April 15. Temperatures in the city are forcasted to reach up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).

Families paddle boats on a pond near India Gate in New Delhi on Sunday, April 14. Families paddle boats on a pond near India Gate in New Delhi on Sunday, April 14.

People enjoy the sun in a public garden on Saturday, April 13, in Toulouse, France.People enjoy the sun in a public garden on Saturday, April 13, in Toulouse, France.

A storm brews over Shuqualak, Mississippi, on Thursday, April 11. Severe storms killed two people in Mississippi and injured others.A storm brews over Shuqualak, Mississippi, on Thursday, April 11. Severe storms killed two people in Mississippi and injured others.

Storm damage in Shuqualak, Mississippi, on April 11.Storm damage in Shuqualak, Mississippi, on April 11.

A youth jumps into a water well to cool off in Hyderabad, India, on Wednesday, April 10. A youth jumps into a water well to cool off in Hyderabad, India, on Wednesday, April 10.

Warm spring weather finds New Yorkers relaxing along the East River in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday, April 9.Warm spring weather finds New Yorkers relaxing along the East River in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday, April 9.

Police officer Adolph Chavez waits for tow trucks after cars became stuck on a ramp to Interstate 70 during a snowstorm in Denver on April 9. Police officer Adolph Chavez waits for tow trucks after cars became stuck on a ramp to Interstate 70 during a snowstorm in Denver on April 9.

Cherry blossoms bloom in Washington on Monday, April 8. A colder-than-normal March and chilly April delayed the beginning of the cherry blossom season. Peak bloom was originally predicted between March 26 and March 30. Cherry blossoms bloom in Washington on Monday, April 8. A colder-than-normal March and chilly April delayed the beginning of the cherry blossom season. Peak bloom was originally predicted between March 26 and March 30.

People enjoy sunny spring weather, a break from an unusually cold spring, near the Louvre Pyramid at the Cour Carree of the Louvre Museum on Sunday, April 7, in Paris.People enjoy sunny spring weather, a break from an unusually cold spring, near the Louvre Pyramid at the Cour Carree of the Louvre Museum on Sunday, April 7, in Paris.

Children cool off in a tub on a scorchingly hot day in a slum in Manila, Philippines, on Saturday, April 6.Children cool off in a tub on a scorchingly hot day in a slum in Manila, Philippines, on Saturday, April 6.

A passenger ship makes its way through a channel to the Swedish island of Husaro on Friday, April 5.A passenger ship makes its way through a channel to the Swedish island of Husaro on Friday, April 5.

Tourists travel on a ferry near blooming cherry blossoms on the Okazaki Canal in Kyoto, Japan, on April 5. Tourists travel on a ferry near blooming cherry blossoms on the Okazaki Canal in Kyoto, Japan, on April 5.

Heavy rains bring out umbrellas in force on the streets of Srinagar, India, on Wednesday, April 3.Heavy rains bring out umbrellas in force on the streets of Srinagar, India, on Wednesday, April 3.

Villager Fu Xianxing, 70, walks on a dried-up field Tuesday, April 2, in Suining, China. A severe drought has caused a shortage of drinking water in the area in southwest China's Sichuan province.Villager Fu Xianxing, 70, walks on a dried-up field Tuesday, April 2, in Suining, China. A severe drought has caused a shortage of drinking water in the area in southwest China’s Sichuan province.

Children play on the beach in Gaza City during a dust storm on Monday, April 1. Children play on the beach in Gaza City during a dust storm on Monday, April 1.

Snowboarders and skiers wait to take a ski lift at Feldberg Mountain in Schwarzwald, Germany, on Friday, March 29.Snowboarders and skiers wait to take a ski lift at Feldberg Mountain in Schwarzwald, Germany, on Friday, March 29.

A supermarket semi-truck passes icicles and ice-covered shrubs near Hazeley Bottom, England, south of Reading, on Wednesday, March 27. A supermarket semi-truck passes icicles and ice-covered shrubs near Hazeley Bottom, England, south of Reading, on Wednesday, March 27.

Young women watch a policeman clear snow and ice from a road in Kiev, Ukraine, on Tuesday, March 26.Young women watch a policeman clear snow and ice from a road in Kiev, Ukraine, on Tuesday, March 26.

A road sign peeks above a flooded street in Badolatosa, Spain, on Monday, March 25.A road sign peeks above a flooded street in Badolatosa, Spain, on Monday, March 25.

Snow covers the shrubbery around the White House on Monday, March 25.Snow covers the shrubbery around the White House on Monday, March 25.

Snow collects on a man sleeping on a bench early Monday, March 25, in Washington, D.C.Snow collects on a man sleeping on a bench early Monday, March 25, in Washington, D.C.

Frozen branches line the water at the Afsluitdijk in Den Oever, Netherlands, on Saturday, March 23. Frozen branches line the water at the Afsluitdijk in Den Oever, Netherlands, on Saturday, March 23.

U.S. soccer player Clint Dempsey, No. 8, is surrounded by snow during a FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier match between Costa Rica and the United States in Commerce City, Colorado, on Friday, March 22. U.S. soccer player Clint Dempsey, No. 8, is surrounded by snow during a FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier match between Costa Rica and the United States in Commerce City, Colorado, on Friday, March 22.

Cherry blossom trees are bloom in Tokyo on Friday, March 22, in a sure sign spring has arrived in Japan.Cherry blossom trees are bloom in Tokyo on Friday, March 22, in a sure sign spring has arrived in Japan.

Cold weather keeps Britons bundled up as they cross the London Bridge on March 22. Cold weather keeps Britons bundled up as they cross the London Bridge on March 22.

A bicyclist pulls a child on a sled through the snow on Thursday, March 21, in Berlin.A bicyclist pulls a child on a sled through the snow on Thursday, March 21, in Berlin.

A tornado leaves scaffolding in tatters on Wednesday, March 20, in Daoxian, China. A tornado leaves scaffolding in tatters on Wednesday, March 20, in Daoxian, China.

Paramilitary guards walk along a street following an overnight snowfall in Beijing on March 20. Paramilitary guards walk along a street following an overnight snowfall in Beijing on March 20.

World War II veteran Sam Melnik, 90, shovels snow from his driveway on Tuesday, March 19, in Deerfield, Massachusetts.World War II veteran Sam Melnik, 90, shovels snow from his driveway on Tuesday, March 19, in Deerfield, Massachusetts.

A jogger runs across a snow-covered street in Berlin on March 19.A jogger runs across a snow-covered street in Berlin on March 19.

A woman takes a picture of the blooming almond orchards as spring arrives in Srinagar, Kashmir, on Monday, March 18.A woman takes a picture of the blooming almond orchards as spring arrives in Srinagar, Kashmir, on Monday, March 18.

People walk past blooming trees on a street in the center of Lebanon's capital, Beirut, on March 18.People walk past blooming trees on a street in the center of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, on March 18.

The aurora borealis lights up the sky at twilight on Sunday, March 17, between the towns of Are and Ostersund, Sweden.The aurora borealis lights up the sky at twilight on Sunday, March 17, between the towns of Are and Ostersund, Sweden.

Trees are covered with ice on Saturday, March 16, near the town of Klina, Kosovo.Trees are covered with ice on Saturday, March 16, near the town of Klina, Kosovo.

People push a stuck car as heavy snow falls in Lviv, Ukraine, on Friday, March 15.People push a stuck car as heavy snow falls in Lviv, Ukraine, on Friday, March 15.

Spectators watch the action during a rain-lashed last day of the Cheltenham horse racing festival in Gloucestershire, England, on March 15.Spectators watch the action during a rain-lashed last day of the Cheltenham horse racing festival in Gloucestershire, England, on March 15.

An early flower is seen through a blanket of melting snow at the Palmengarten botanical gardens in Frankfurt, Germany, on Thursday, March 14.An early flower is seen through a blanket of melting snow at the Palmengarten botanical gardens in Frankfurt, Germany, on Thursday, March 14.

People walk by cars covered in snow around Beaumont-Hague, northern France, following a heavy snowstorm, on Wednesday, March 13.People walk by cars covered in snow around Beaumont-Hague, northern France, following a heavy snowstorm, on Wednesday, March 13.

Workers chop cassava along a highway in a drought-hit area in Vietnam's central highlands province of Gia Lai. Workers chop cassava along a highway in a drought-hit area in Vietnam’s central highlands province of Gia Lai.

A couple walk on a snowy sidewalk at Place de la Concorde in Paris on Tuesday, March 12, during a heavy snowstorm. Twenty-six regions in northwest and northern France were put on orange alert because of heavy snowfall.A couple walk on a snowy sidewalk at Place de la Concorde in Paris on Tuesday, March 12, during a heavy snowstorm. Twenty-six regions in northwest and northern France were put on orange alert because of heavy snowfall.

Cows search for edible grass in drought-stricken paddocks on March 12 in Waiuku, New Zealand. Drought was declared in several North Island areas last week, including South Auckland, Northland, Bay of Plenty and Waikato.Cows search for edible grass in drought-stricken paddocks on March 12 in Waiuku, New Zealand. Drought was declared in several North Island areas last week, including South Auckland, Northland, Bay of Plenty and Waikato.

Brief but heavy snowstorms move across the Yorkshire moors on Monday, March 11, in the United Kingdom. Brief but heavy snowstorms move across the Yorkshire moors on Monday, March 11, in the United Kingdom.

A nun walks through the rain under an umbrella in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Sunday, March 10. A nun walks through the rain under an umbrella in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Sunday, March 10.

A cyclist makes his way along a snowy track near Ladmanlow, United Kingdom, on March 10 as a return of freezing temperatures and snow delay springtime weather for Great Britain.A cyclist makes his way along a snowy track near Ladmanlow, United Kingdom, on March 10 as a return of freezing temperatures and snow delay springtime weather for Great Britain.

A Chinese woman covers her head with a scarf as she walks near Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Saturday, March 9, as strong winds and dust storms swept the Chinese capital.A Chinese woman covers her head with a scarf as she walks near Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Saturday, March 9, as strong winds and dust storms swept the Chinese capital.

Drivers contend with a snow-covered street in Harbin, the capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on March 9.Drivers contend with a snow-covered street in Harbin, the capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, on March 9.

Fog shrouds a dog and its owner as they walk beside Bourne Brook, in Toft Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, on Friday, March 8. Fog shrouds a dog and its owner as they walk beside Bourne Brook, in Toft Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, on Friday, March 8.

A pedestrian walks past a mural at the beginning of a winter storm in Somerville, Massachusetts, on Thursday, March 7.A pedestrian walks past a mural at the beginning of a winter storm in Somerville, Massachusetts, on Thursday, March 7.

People walk as snow falls at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, March 6.People walk as snow falls at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, March 6.

People stand under the snow-covered Cloud Gate sculpture, commonly known as the bean, on Tuesday, March 5, in Chicago, Illinois.People stand under the snow-covered “Cloud Gate” sculpture, commonly known as “the bean,” on Tuesday, March 5, in Chicago, Illinois.

Left to right: Anthony Jordan and his 6-year-old twin sons Griffin and Landin shovel their driveway in Sycamore, Illinois, on March 5. Left to right: Anthony Jordan and his 6-year-old twin sons Griffin and Landin shovel their driveway in Sycamore, Illinois, on March 5.

A traffic police officer patrols during heavy wind and snowfall in Kiev, Ukraine, on March 4.A traffic police officer patrols during heavy wind and snowfall in Kiev, Ukraine, on March 4.

Lightning strikes over Jakarta's skyline late on March 3 during monsoon rains.Lightning strikes over Jakarta’s skyline late on March 3 during monsoon rains.

Tourists enjoy donkey rides on Filey Beach on March 2 in Filey, England.Tourists enjoy donkey rides on Filey Beach on March 2 in Filey, England.

Gardener Ruth Calder clears weeds and dead leaves at Kew Gardens on March 1 in Kew, England.Gardener Ruth Calder clears weeds and dead leaves at Kew Gardens on March 1 in Kew, England.

A man covers his face as he walks around Tiananmen Square during a sand storm in heavily polluted weather in Beijing on February 28.A man covers his face as he walks around Tiananmen Square during a sand storm in heavily polluted weather in Beijing on February 28.

A man and a dog cross the flooded graveyard in the village of Monospitovo, Macedonia, on February 27. Torrential rains poured down on the Strumica Valley, destroying or damaging crops and households.A man and a dog cross the flooded graveyard in the village of Monospitovo, Macedonia, on February 27. Torrential rains poured down on the Strumica Valley, destroying or damaging crops and households.

Ducks fly over the frozen Titisee Lake in Titisee-Neustadt, Germany, on February 27.Ducks fly over the frozen Titisee Lake in Titisee-Neustadt, Germany, on February 27.

Frost-covered plants are seen on banks of the Usiazha River near the Belarus village of Usiazha, on February 26.Frost-covered plants are seen on banks of the Usiazha River near the Belarus village of Usiazha, on February 26.

A person walks through the snow at Marienplatz in Munich, Germany, on February 26.A person walks through the snow at Marienplatz in Munich, Germany, on February 26.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


10


11


12


13


14


15


16


17


18


19


20


21


22


23


24


25


26


27


28


29


30


31


32


33


34


35


36


37


38


39


40


41


42


43


44


45


46


47


48


49


50


51


52


53


54


55


56


57


58


59


60


61


62


63


64


65


66


67


68


69


70


71


72


73


74


75


76


77


78


79


80


81


82


83


84


85


86


87


88


89


90


91


92


93


94


95


96


97

Photos: Weather around the worldPhotos: Weather around the world

As many as 28 tornadoes were reported in Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois and Iowa, according to the National Weather Service, with Oklahoma and Kansas the hardest hit. Some of those reports might have been of the same tornado.

A tornado that touched down near Wellston, Oklahoma, appeared to be a half-mile wide, according to CNN affiliate KFOR.

“It’s tearing up everything,” the affiliate’s helicopter pilot said. “Just ripping everything up in its sight.”

Twisters were also reported near Dale and Prague, Oklahoma. One apparently touched down in Shawnee, flipping over tractor-trailers on Interstate 40.

Eleven patients were being treated at St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital in Shawnee, Oklahoma, including one in critical condition, spokeswoman Carla Tollett said.

More tornadoes were spotted in Iowa, near Earlham, Huxley and east of Dallas Center, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency also confirmed a twister in the northwestern Illinois county of Carroll.

Several of the states pummeled by weekend tornadoes could see more trouble Monday. Here’s a quick look at CNN meteorologist Melissa Le Fevre’s forecast:

Oklahoma

The Sooner State could see more strong storms late Monday afternoon, and flooding could become a problem Monday night.

Kansas

Showers and thunderstorms threaten the state through Monday. Heavy rainfall in some parts may lead to flood watches and warnings.

Iowa

Showers and storms are expected to develop on Monday afternoon, with large hail possible. Though the threat of tornadoes threat looks low, it can’t be ruled out.

Missouri

Parts of Missouri could be flooded by heavy rainfall. Afternoon storms could produce large hail, damaging wind gusts and possible tornadoes in areas such as St. Louis.

CNN’s Nick Valencia, AnneClaire Stapleton, Sean Morris, Jackie Castillo, Alexandra Steele and Chris Friedman contributed to this report.


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/20/us/severe-weather/index.html?eref=edition

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

‘Holy Grail’ or false hope?

May 20th, 2013 No comments

Editor’s note: David King has a PhD in molecular biology and is the director of Human Genetics Alert, an independent watchdog group. He focuses on the ethical and social issues raised by genetics.

(CNN) — Today was a strange day. I’m used to handling the brief but overwhelming burst of media attention that comes with new stories about medical breakthroughs and ethical issues. But I don’t often get an accompanying deluge of passionate e-mails and phone calls from people who had read my comments, denouncing me for criticizing science, especially medical research that “can save millions of lives.”

There is definitely something special about this idea of “therapeutic cloning,” something that has a religious feel to it. Most of those messages come from people who have family members suffering from some of the diseases that we are told will be cured, and it’s hard to have to pour cold water on people’s hopes.

TIME: Scientists clone human stem cells

David King

I feel really angry at the scientists and PR people who have sold the idea of cloned human stem cells to so many patient support groups, when there is so little scientific substance to their promises. We are told that there will be great medical benefits and that the risks that there will be cloned babies are small, but in truth it’s the other way round.

Let’s deal with the cloned babies issue first. Ordinary people know perfectly well why human cloning is wrong, and that’s why governments around the world, including all developed nations except the USA have banned it. But there are plenty of desperate people and egoistic tycoons wanting to be cloned, and plenty of unscrupulous IVF doctors happy to relieve them of their cash. And there are still countries where those doctors can go to evade legal sanctions.

What the Oregon scientists have done is to deliver the baby that the would-be human cloners have been waiting for 15 years — what looks like a reliable technique for creating cloned embryos. I think it was irresponsible to publish their research before there is a comprehensive global ban on cloning, with tough sanctions.

But I think what makes me even angrier as a scientist is the hype and false promises around therapeutic cloning. Let’s be clear: this is not about embryonic stem cell research, which, despite the hype may deliver something given time, although the alternatives of adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells look set to deliver results much quicker. And I’m not a pro-lifer; destruction of embryos is not what bothers me.

The cloning element is there purely for the purposes of creating tissues genetically identical to the patient that won’t be rejected, and that’s a nice idea. The trouble is it brings a whole raft of biological problems with it that create major risks to the patient as well as creating an impossibly expensive process.

With cloning, you are forcing nature to do something that it does not want to, so the new risks are to be expected. Cloning creates abnormalities in the genetic read-out, which is the reason that cloned animals are so often sick. Those errors will be there in any stem cells and tissues produced by cloning. Those problems are another reason why cloning babies would be hugely unethical, but they don’t necessarily make it impossible.

Finally, even if you could somehow solve these problems, the use of genetically matched tissues in mainstream medicine is simply not feasible and, unlike electronic gadgets, medical costs go up, not down.

In addition to the extremely expensive process of cloning, for each patient you have to culture stem cells and reliably turn them into the tissue you want with 100% efficiency, so you don’t get a single left over stem cell that will cause tumors. You have to do all that to a standard of accuracy that will satisfy government regulators and medical liability lawyers when something goes wrong. Forget it. We don’t do anything remotely approaching this in medicine and it doesn’t look like medical budgets are growing, does it? There are other much better solutions to the tissue rejection problem that will cost a fraction of the price.

The fact is that the cloning paper published on Wednesday is zombie science. Therapeutic cloning was dead and buried years ago, but it just seems to keep on going, and so do people’s hopes. There is definitely something weird here, something that brings out religious terminology like “the Holy Grail of medicine” around therapeutic cloning. That’s because therapeutic cloning is a fantasy, one that belongs to the modern religion, the religion of technocracy. That’s the only way I can explain how scientists who ought to know better seem to get drunk on their power over nature and keep pursuing this absurd dream.

People often say to me that scientists pursuing therapeutic cloning are “just trying to make money,” but the truth is worse. Driven by their technocratic ideology, they betray their own credo of sticking to the facts, and that’s bad enough. But to keep raising people’s hopes in this way is really unforgivable.

The opinions expressed in this piece are solely those of David King.


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/17/opinion/human-cloning-king/index.html?eref=edition

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Ferguson kisses football goodbye

May 20th, 2013 No comments


.cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:’>>’;font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}
.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}
.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}
.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:outline:medium none}
.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}
]]>

As a player, Alex Ferguson enjoyed a moderately successful career. A prolific striker, he scored 170 goals in 317 appearances including 25 goals in 41 appearances for Glasgow Rangers.
As a player, Alex Ferguson enjoyed a moderately successful career. A prolific striker, he scored 170 goals in 317 appearances including 25 goals in 41 appearances for Glasgow Rangers.

Ferguson was appointed manager of Aberdeen in 1978. In addition to three Scottish First Division titles, Ferguson guided the club to an impressive triumph over Real Madrid in the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup.
Ferguson was appointed manager of Aberdeen in 1978. In addition to three Scottish First Division titles, Ferguson guided the club to an impressive triumph over Real Madrid in the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Ferguson was assistant to Scotland coach Jock Stein during the qualifying campaign for the 1986 World Cup. Scotland secured a 1-1 draw against Wales in their final game to reach the tournament, but Stein collapsed and died following the final whistle in Cardiff.
Ferguson was assistant to Scotland coach Jock Stein during the qualifying campaign for the 1986 World Cup. Scotland secured a 1-1 draw against Wales in their final game to reach the tournament, but Stein collapsed and died following the final whistle in Cardiff.

A late winner from substitute Mark Robbins in an FA Cup replay against Nottingham Forest in January 1990 allegedly spared Ferguson the sack. United went on to beat Crystal Palace at the second attempt in the final, giving Ferguson his first trophy at Old Trafford.
A late winner from substitute Mark Robbins in an FA Cup replay against Nottingham Forest in January 1990 allegedly spared Ferguson the sack. United went on to beat Crystal Palace at the second attempt in the final, giving Ferguson his first trophy at Old Trafford.

The Scot originally planned to retire from management at the end of the 2001-02 season. But, after helping the team recover from a slip in form which saw them drop as low as ninth in the Premier League table, Ferguson reversed his decision in February 2002 and signed a new three-year contract.The Scot originally planned to retire from management at the end of the 2001-02 season. But, after helping the team recover from a slip in form which saw them drop as low as ninth in the Premier League table, Ferguson reversed his decision in February 2002 and signed a new three-year contract.

A boot flew into the face of Manchester United's star midfielder David Beckham after Ferguson lost his temper following a 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in February 2003. Beckham had to be held back following the incident and he joined Real Madrid ahead of the following season.
A boot flew into the face of Manchester United’s star midfielder David Beckham after Ferguson lost his temper following a 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in February 2003. Beckham had to be held back following the incident and he joined Real Madrid ahead of the following season.

Ferguson's finest hour arrived in Barcelona in May 1999, when his United team came from 1-0 down in the 90th minute to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the European Champions League final. The win completed an historic treble of titles won during the 1998-99 season, which included the Premier League title and the FA Cup.Ferguson’s finest hour arrived in Barcelona in May 1999, when his United team came from 1-0 down in the 90th minute to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the European Champions League final. The win completed an historic treble of titles won during the 1998-99 season, which included the Premier League title and the FA Cup.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7

(CNN) — From a 2-0 defeat at Oxford United on November 6, 1986 to a English Premier League coronation party through the streets of Manchester on May 13.

Alex Ferguson’s 26-year reign at Manchester United has seen the club transformed from a sleeping giant to a relentless, trophy-winning juggernaut in both the football arena and the sports business world.

Following Wednesday’s announcement that the Scot, the most successful coach in English football history, will end his Old Trafford tenure, CNN marks seven moments which have defined Ferguson’s career.

Sacked by St Mirren

Ferguson’s managerial career has been littered with glorious highs, but it has not been without its lows, none more so than in 1978 when Ferguson was in charge of Scottish team St Mirren.

Alex Ferguson has announced he is retiring at the end of this season, having won his 13th English Premier League title in more than 26 years as manager of Manchester United. Alex Ferguson has announced he is retiring at the end of this season, having won his 13th English Premier League title in more than 26 years as manager of Manchester United.

The 71-year-old is the most successful and longest-serving manager in United's history, having also won two European Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups.The 71-year-old is the most successful and longest-serving manager in United’s history, having also won two European Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups.

Ferguson survived a difficult first four years at Manchester United before winning a title -- the 1990 FA Cup. Here he celebrates with Bryan Robson, who became the first United captain to lift the trophy three times after beating Crystal Palace 1-0 in the final replay. Ferguson survived a difficult first four years at Manchester United before winning a title — the 1990 FA Cup. Here he celebrates with Bryan Robson, who became the first United captain to lift the trophy three times after beating Crystal Palace 1-0 in the final replay.

Ferguson lifted the European Cup Winners' Cup for the second time in his career in 1991, when United beat Barcelona 2-1 in the final. He had previously won the now defunct tournament with Scottish club Aberdeen.Ferguson lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup for the second time in his career in 1991, when United beat Barcelona 2-1 in the final. He had previously won the now defunct tournament with Scottish club Aberdeen.

In 1993, United won the English title for the first time in 26 years, and Ferguson took the club on a tour of South Africa, where he met Nelson Mandela before the ANC leader became the country's first post-apartheid president.In 1993, United won the English title for the first time in 26 years, and Ferguson took the club on a tour of South Africa, where he met Nelson Mandela before the ANC leader became the country’s first post-apartheid president.

Ferguson celebrates with his assistant Brian Kidd after United won the Premiership again in 1994, then went on to secure a domestic double by beating Chelsea in the FA Cup final. United repeated the feat in 1996. Ferguson celebrates with his assistant Brian Kidd after United won the Premiership again in 1994, then went on to secure a domestic double by beating Chelsea in the FA Cup final. United repeated the feat in 1996.

Ferguson with his grandson Jake before the 1999 FA Cup final victory against Newcastle that sealed United's third double in six years.Ferguson with his grandson Jake before the 1999 FA Cup final victory against Newcastle that sealed United’s third double in six years.

Just four days later, United completed a treble with an incredible last-gasp win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. Ferguson and keeper Peter Schmeichel hold the trophy in Barcelona.Just four days later, United completed a treble with an incredible last-gasp win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. Ferguson and keeper Peter Schmeichel hold the trophy in Barcelona.

Ferguson tried to retire more than a decade ago, announcing at the start of the 2001-02 season that it would be his last. However, he changed his mind the following February but United failed to reach the Champions League final -- which was to be played in his native Glasgow.Ferguson tried to retire more than a decade ago, announcing at the start of the 2001-02 season that it would be his last. However, he changed his mind the following February but United failed to reach the Champions League final — which was to be played in his native Glasgow.

Another European title followed in 2008, but Barcelona handed United disappointment in the 2009 and 2011 finals. However, Ferguson and his players still earned a parade the latter season after winning a record 19th English league title -- the Scot's 12th.Another European title followed in 2008, but Barcelona handed United disappointment in the 2009 and 2011 finals. However, Ferguson and his players still earned a parade the latter season after winning a record 19th English league title — the Scot’s 12th.

The next season, United commemorated Ferguson's 25 years as manager on November 5, 2011.The next season, United commemorated Ferguson’s 25 years as manager on November 5, 2011.

As a player, Ferguson was a prolific goalscorer for Scottish clubs St. Johnstone and Dunfermline, but his big move to Glasgow Rangers in 1967 proved disappointing and he left two years later. He ended his playing days at Ayr in 1974 without winning a major honor.As a player, Ferguson was a prolific goalscorer for Scottish clubs St. Johnstone and Dunfermline, but his big move to Glasgow Rangers in 1967 proved disappointing and he left two years later. He ended his playing days at Ayr in 1974 without winning a major honor.

Ferguson made his name as a manager at Aberdeen. His fourth Scottish Cup win in 1986 was his last success with the Dons, having won three Scottish league titles and the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup -- beating mighty Real Madrid in the final.Ferguson made his name as a manager at Aberdeen. His fourth Scottish Cup win in 1986 was his last success with the Dons, having won three Scottish league titles and the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup — beating mighty Real Madrid in the final.

Ferguson, who briefly managed Scotland at the 1986 World Cup, overhauled the squad at Old Trafford and introduced some of the finest players to grace the EPL in the past two decades. Ferguson, who briefly managed Scotland at the 1986 World Cup, overhauled the squad at Old Trafford and introduced some of the finest players to grace the EPL in the past two decades.

Arguably the most important signing was that of French forward Eric Cantona, a $1.9 million bargain from Leeds who led United's surge to dominance in the 1990s.Arguably the most important signing was that of French forward Eric Cantona, a $1.9 million bargain from Leeds who led United’s surge to dominance in the 1990s.

The 1993 addition of young midfielder Roy Keane in a then British record transfer fee of 3.75 million from Nottingham Forest provided United with a ferocious future captain.The 1993 addition of young midfielder Roy Keane in a then British record transfer fee of £3.75 million from Nottingham Forest provided United with a ferocious future captain.

Ferguson also introduced young talent such as David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers Gary and Phil -- who all went on to become integral members of his team.Ferguson also introduced young talent such as David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers Gary and Phil — who all went on to become integral members of his team.

Ferguson played a key role in resurrecting the career of Beckham, who had been vilified by England fans after being sent off during the 1998 World Cup defeat by Argentina.Ferguson played a key role in resurrecting the career of Beckham, who had been vilified by England fans after being sent off during the 1998 World Cup defeat by Argentina.

Ferguson famously beat United's rivals Manchester City to sign Giggs as a teenager, and the Welsh winger has repaid his faith by staying with the club until the present day.Ferguson famously beat United’s rivals Manchester City to sign Giggs as a teenager, and the Welsh winger has repaid his faith by staying with the club until the present day.

Ferguson's signing of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2003 paid off as the Portugal forward fired United to Champions League glory in 2008 and was named world player of the year -- the first from the EPL to do so -- before joining Real Madrid in a record $130 million deal.Ferguson’s signing of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2003 paid off as the Portugal forward fired United to Champions League glory in 2008 and was named world player of the year — the first from the EPL to do so — before joining Real Madrid in a record $130 million deal.

Ferguson is well known for his fiery temper and his motivational skills.Ferguson is well known for his fiery temper and his motivational skills.

In 2003, he infamously kicked a boot into the face of Beckham in the dressing room after a match, but refused to apologize. If I'd tried it 100 times or million times, it wouldn't happen again, he said. If it did, I would carry on playing.In 2003, he infamously kicked a boot into the face of Beckham in the dressing room after a match, but refused to apologize. “If I’d tried it 100 times or million times, it wouldn’t happen again,” he said. “If it did, I would carry on playing.”

United striker Wayne Rooney said Ferguson's team talk ahead of the 2008 Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. United denied the London side a first European title after a penalty shootout.United striker Wayne Rooney said Ferguson’s team talk ahead of the 2008 Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow “made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.” United denied the London side a first European title after a penalty shootout.

United reached the final again the following season, but lost to Barcelona. Here Ferguson speaks with Britain's Prince William at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy.United reached the final again the following season, but lost to Barcelona. Here Ferguson speaks with Britain’s Prince William at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy.

Ferguson's last match on the European stage was a defeat by Ronaldo's Real Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16 second-leg match at Old Trafford on March 5, 2013.Ferguson’s last match on the European stage was a defeat by Ronaldo’s Real Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16 second-leg match at Old Trafford on March 5, 2013.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


10


11


12


13


14


15


16


17


18


19


20


21


22


23


24


25

In pictures: The reign of Alex FergusonIn pictures: The reign of Alex Ferguson

Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson announced he will retire at the end of the English Premier League season. Ferguson has managed the team for 26 years, making him the longest-serving manager in Premier League history.Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson announced he will retire at the end of the English Premier League season. Ferguson has managed the team for 26 years, making him the longest-serving manager in Premier League history.

Mike Krzyzewski, also known as Coach K, has coached Duke University's men's basketball team since 1980, putting him in his 33rd season as head coach. Mike Krzyzewski, also known as Coach K, has coached Duke University’s men’s basketball team since 1980, putting him in his 33rd season as head coach.

Eddie Robinson served as Grambling State University's head football coach for 57 seasons from 1941 to 1997. Robinson -- here listening to the national anthem before his final game -- coached more than 4,000 players. Eddie Robinson served as Grambling State University’s head football coach for 57 seasons from 1941 to 1997. Robinson — here listening to the national anthem before his final game — coached more than 4,000 players.

Al Arbour coached the New York Islanders for 20 years, with a year-long stint as vice president of player development for the team in 1987. Al Arbour coached the New York Islanders for 20 years, with a year-long stint as vice president of player development for the team in 1987.

Andy Landers has coached the University of Georgia Lady Bulldogs basketball team since 1979 and continues to this day. Andy Landers has coached the University of Georgia Lady Bulldogs basketball team since 1979 and continues to this day.

Head coach emeritus Pat Summitt of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers is the all-time winningest coach in NCAA history of either men's or women's teams. She coached for 38 years before stepping down in 2012 to fight early onset dementia.Head coach emeritus Pat Summitt of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers is the all-time winningest coach in NCAA history of either men’s or women’s teams. She coached for 38 years before stepping down in 2012 to fight early onset dementia.

Gregg Popovich is in his 17th year as coach of the San Antonio Spurs.Gregg Popovich is in his 17th year as coach of the San Antonio Spurs.

Tom Landry coached the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 to 1988 and turned the team into one of the most dominant in the National Football League until the early '80s. Tom Landry coached the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 to 1988 and turned the team into one of the most dominant in the National Football League until the early ’80s.

Connie Mack managed the Philadelphia Athletics, now based in Oakland, California, from 1901 until his retirement at age 88 in 1950.Connie Mack managed the Philadelphia Athletics, now based in Oakland, California, from 1901 until his retirement at age 88 in 1950.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9

Photos: Longest-serving coaches in sportsPhotos: Longest-serving coaches in sports


Ferguson’s retirement ‘a sad day’


Alex Ferguson’s football legacy

He oversaw a remarkable upturn in St MIrren’s fortunes which saw the unheralded club win the second-tier of Scottish football in 1977 with a squad which bore classic hallmarks of a Ferguson team, notably his faith in young players. That St Mirren side had an average age of just 19.

But he was unceremoniously sacked by then St Mirren chairman Willie Todd for what he described as “breaches of contract” relating to the manager’s decision to join Aberdeen.

Read: “King” Ferguson may be out, but brand will survive

”I regret the fact Alex did not stay longer at St Mirren and I regret the circumstances of his departure, but I still believe that the club had no alternative,” Todd told Scottish newspaper the Herald in May 1999.

“There were no grudges. I’ve met him several times at football matches since then and our relationship is quite amicable.”

Aberdeen roll over Real Madrid

Ferguson was finally appointed as Aberdeen manager in June 1978 and unprecedented success followed for the Scottish club.

Alex Ferguson’s Man U trophies collection

Premier League: 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013

FA Cup: 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004

League Cup: 1992, 2006, 2009, 2010

Champions League: 1999, 2008

Cup Winners Cup: 1991

Fifa Club World Cup: 2008

Uefa Super Cup: 1991

Inter-Continental Cup: 1999

FA Charity/Community Shield: 1990 (shared), 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011

He broke the duopoly of Glasgow Rangers and Celtic, guiding Aberdeen to three Scottish League titles in 1980, 1984 and 1985.

However, arguably Ferguson’s finest moment with Aberdeen was on the European stage.

Read: Manchester United’s Asian appeal

Following a Scottish Cup triumph in 1982, Aberdeen qualified for the European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Ferguson’s team reached the final, with a 3-2 quarterfinal second-leg victory over Bayern Munich one of the many highlights of an impressive campaign.

In the final, held in Gothenberg on May 11, 1983, Aberdeen faced Spanish giants Real Madrid, managed by the great Alfredo Di Stefano.

The match finished in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, before striker John Hewitt scored the winner for Aberdeen in extra-time.

Jock Stein’s death

One of the most poignant moments of Ferguson’s career arrived just over a year before he was appointed to the United job.

Ferguson was part of Jock Stein’s coaching staff with the Scottish national team ahead of a crucial 1986 World Cup qualifying match against Wales in Cardiff.

Scotland needed a point to reach the tournament in Mexico, which they duly acquired following a 1-1 draw.

But the match was overshadowed when Stein, the first British coach to win the European Cup with Celtic in 1967, collapsed after the final whistle.

“I grabbed for him as he started to fall,” Ferguson recalled, when talking to the Daily Mail in 2012. “The medics came out of the tunnel. I held him until he was helped inside.

“When I left to speak to the press I saw Graeme Souness and he was crying. ‘I think he’s gone,’ Graeme said. I couldn’t believe it.

“When we filed on to the bus there were thousands standing outside and the quiet sadness of the atmosphere was unforgettable. The abiding memory is of a solemn silence. It was as if the king had died.

“In football terms, the king had died.”


2012: Ferguson: ‘Racism still exists’


2012: Ferguson talks to CNN

Ferguson coached Scotland at the 1986 World Cup, but the team headed home after the first round following a group phase campaign which yielded just one point.

After watching the pressures of football get the better of his mentor, it raises the question of whether Stein’s death played a role in Ferguson’s decision to bow out on his own terms.

FA Cup redemption

After a trophy-laden spell at Pittodrie with Aberdeen, Ferguson headed south to join United in 1986, but his early days at Old Trafford were a world away from the glorious success he enjoyed in the 1990s and 2000s.

Two seasons passed without a trophy and after eight league games without a win, it was suggested Ferguson would be sacked if United lost an FA Cup replay against Nottingham Forest on January 7 1990 .

Substitute Mark Robins scored the winner to send United into the next round and, allegedly, save Fergie’s job.

Ferguson went on to mastermind a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace in an FA Cup final replay after the first match finished 3-3 to secure the Scot’s first trophy at Old Trafford.

The silverware continued to flow, with an English Premier League title — the club’s first in 26 years — arriving in 1993.

Deja vu?

Ferguson’s retirement was originally scheduled for 11 years ago. The Scot announced in 2001 that the forthcoming season would be his last, hoping his decision to break the news in advance would allow the club to make suitable succession plans.

But it had the opposite effect and, by November 2001, defending champions United sat ninth in the Premier League table.

By January 2002, after an eight-match winning run, United had risen to the top of the table and the next month Ferguson reversed his decision to retire from the game by signing a new three-year contract at Old Trafford.


Bobby Charlton: Ferguson’s best moment


Will Mourinho replace Ferguson?

The rest, as they say, is history. Six further English titles have followed, along with an FA Cup triumph and the Champions League in 2008.

The Flying Boot

In addition to the trophies and the accolades, there have been plenty of spats, with numerous star players feeling the heat of Ferguson’s infamous “hairdryer” treatment.

Notably when a “one in a million” flying boot caught David Beckham above the left eye, an incident which dominated the headlines like no other flare up between Ferguson and one of his charges.

Following a 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in February 2003, Ferguson launched a tirade at his star midfielder which, according to Beckham’s autobiography, went along the lines of “David, what about the second goal? What were you doing? . . . We told you about it before the game. The problem with you is you don’t let anyone talk to you. You don’t listen’.

“I felt like I was being bullied in public,” explained Beckham, who now plays for Paris Saint-Germain. “I was being backed into a corner for no other reason than spite. I was trapped.”

Beckham swore at Ferguson and bedlam ensued.

“The boss took a step or two towards me,” Beckham continued. “There was a boot on the floor. He swung his leg and kicked it. At me? At the wall? It could have been anywhere, he was that angry now.

“I went for the gaffer. I don’t know if I’ve ever lost control like that before. Suddenly it was like some mad scene out of a gangster movie.”

Beckham’s teammates held him back, but after the incident, the then England captain appeared with a medical dressing over the cut above his eye.

“It was a freakish incident,” Ferguson reportedly said. “If I tried it 100 or a million times it couldn’t happen again. If I could I would have carried on playing!”

An increasingly tempestuous relationship between the two personalities came to an end on 1 July 2003, when Beckham left Manchester United to join Real Madrid.

Treble

May 26, 1999, was a night which simultaneously defied belief and defined Ferguson’s Manchester United reign.

United were chasing history. The league title had been wrapped up, beating Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal to the Premier League title by just one point.

FA Cup success followed. Goals from striker Teddy Sheringham and midfielder Paul Scholes secured a straight-forward 2-0 win over Newcastle United in the final at Wembley.

Ferguson’s team were one step away from securing an unprecedented Premier League, FA Cup and European Champions League treble.

United’s opponents in the European Cup final at Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium were Bayern Munich and the Germans looked set to win the showpiece match after Mario Basler’s first-half free-kick put them 1-0 ahead.

In search of a way back into the match, Ferguson threw on substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

As the game ticked into extra-time, United earned a corner. Goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel raced forward in a desperate attempt to force an equalizer.

The initial cross was cleared, but the ball fell to Ryan Giggs whose low shot from the edge of the box was turned into the net by Sheringham.

Cue jubilant celebrations among United players, fans and coaching staff, but uncontained joy was to follow seconds later.

United earned another corner kick in the final seconds of injury time. Sheringham flicked on Beckham’s cross at the near post and Solskjaer flung his right leg at the header to send the ball flying into the back of the net.

Bayern were beaten, United had completed an historic treble.

As Ferguson remarked to ITV after the incredible climax, “football, bloody hell.”


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/08/sport/football/alex-ferguson-career-football/index.html?eref=edition

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Gay footballer’s ‘prison’ escape

May 20th, 2013 No comments


.cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:’>>’;font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}
.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}
.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}
.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:outline:medium none}
.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}
]]>

Marcus Urban was an East German football player who turned his back on the sport in order to live as an openly gay man. Urban told his story in the book Versteckspieler: Die Geschichte des schwulen Fuballers Marcus Urban, Hidden Player: the story of the gay footballer Marcus Urban.
Marcus Urban was an East German football player who turned his back on the sport in order to live as an openly gay man. Urban told his story in the book “Versteckspieler: Die Geschichte des schwulen Fußballers Marcus Urban”, “Hidden Player: the story of the gay footballer Marcus Urban”.

Urban, pictured on the far left, began his career in 1978 when he joined East German club Motor Weimar at the age of seven. He moved to Rot-Weiss Erfurt in 1984, where he won a youth championship.Urban, pictured on the far left, began his career in 1978 when he joined East German club Motor Weimar at the age of seven. He moved to Rot-Weiss Erfurt in 1984, where he won a youth championship.

The midfielder's reputation was growing and he was called up to the East German youth team in 1986. He made over 100 appearances for Rot-Weiss' first team, but Urban felt burdened by his sexuality. Constantly hearing gay used as a curse word like s**t, made me think, 'Of course, I'm s**t, Urban told CNN.The midfielder’s reputation was growing and he was called up to the East German youth team in 1986. He made over 100 appearances for Rot-Weiss’ first team, but Urban felt burdened by his sexuality. “Constantly hearing gay used as a curse word like s**t, made me think, ‘Of course, I’m s**t,” Urban told CNN.

Urban's form suffered and, following a stint with provincial club SC 1903 Weimar, he gave up on his dream of becoming a professional footballer. I realized that if I became a professional footballer, I would suffer as a man, he explained. I chose freedom over a constructed prison.
Urban’s form suffered and, following a stint with provincial club SC 1903 Weimar, he gave up on his dream of becoming a professional footballer. “I realized that if I became a professional footballer, I would suffer as a man,” he explained. “I chose freedom over a constructed prison.”

Since coming out Urban has been able to reignite his love for the beautiful game. He now consults with organizations, including football associations, on issues of diversity and integration. There are certainly more boring lives than mine, he said.
Since “coming out” Urban has been able to reignite his love for the beautiful game. He now consults with organizations, including football associations, on issues of diversity and integration. “There are certainly more boring lives than mine,” he said.

Former United States international Robbie Rogers attracted headlines by announcing himself as gay after retiring for football, aged just 25, earlier this year. Rogers was recently invited to train with Major League Soccer champions Los Angeles Galaxy.Former United States international Robbie Rogers attracted headlines by announcing himself as gay after retiring for football, aged just 25, earlier this year. Rogers was recently invited to train with Major League Soccer champions Los Angeles Galaxy.

Jason Collins, currently a free agent, made NBA history last month by becoming the first male athlete in a major North American sport to come out as gay.Jason Collins, currently a free agent, made NBA history last month by becoming the first male athlete in a major North American sport to come out as gay.

Urban believes rugby player Gareth Thomas set the perfect example for athletes wishing to come out. He proceeded in stages, Urban said of the Welshman who publicly revealed his sexuality in 2009. First he outed himself to his wife. Then he told his coach and then two players. After each step he received positive feedback.
Urban believes rugby player Gareth Thomas set the perfect example for athletes wishing to “come out”. “He proceeded in stages,” Urban said of the Welshman who publicly revealed his sexuality in 2009. “First he outed himself to his wife. Then he told his coach and then two players. After each step he received positive feedback.”


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8

(CNN) — Four walls, a bed and a slop bowl. If prison represents physical confinement and a loss of every personal freedom, what does imprisonment of the mind feel like?

“Unbearable” according to Marcus Urban, a German footballer who gave up his chosen profession — his “first love” — because of homophobia in the game.

In a sport infamous for macho bravado on the pitch and anti-gay chants in the terraces, Urban was battling an unspeakable shame.

A promising talent, Urban in his youth played alongside and against future German national team stars Robert Enke, Bernd Schneider and Thomas Linke.

Read: Nothing black and white for Italy’s football “ultras”


Former pro soccer player hid sexuality


Kluwe: Risk in being openly gay in NFL

“To play soccer basically means to rejoice in life,” Urban told CNN. “I never stopped playing football. It has always been my first love and it will remain forever.”

But, as is the case with so many first loves, Urban’s left him with a heartbreak which was almost too much to bear.

Read: In search of a gay football hero

The young midfielder, born and raised in East Germany in the 1970s and 80s in the days before reunification with West Germany in 1990, dreamed of representing his country — but he was living an exhausting double life.

On the surface he was a rising football star, but beneath he was a man coming to terms with his homosexuality.

Read: Thiago Silva’s World Cup ambition

“I hid 24 hours a day, I adjusted,” explained Urban, who was terrified of being “outed” in a sport which today has just one openly gay professional player in Europe.

“It was an almost unbearable pain, a great sacrifice, a painful price to pay to achieve my goal of becoming a professional footballer.

“Constantly hearing gay used as a curse word like s**t, made me think, ‘Of course, I’m s**t.’ I spent 50% of my energy trying to hide, so a maximum of 50% of my energy was available for football. It wasn’t fair.

“I kept thinking, ‘I cannot do this anymore, I don’t want to. What is going on?’ Nobody was there to help me.”

Read: Seven moments which defined Alex Ferguson

Urban’s love affair with football began in 1978, when he joined East German club Motor Weimar at the age of seven before moving to Rot-Weiss Erfurt in 1984.


Butler: Speech axed over Collins tweet


Ben Shapiro: Jason Collins not a hero

He trained twice a day with his new team and looked capable of achieving his ambition of playing for the German national team, winning a youth championship with Rot-Weiss in 1985.

His reputation was growing and he was called up to East Germany’s youth team in 1986. Urban went on to make over 100 appearances for Rot-Weiss’ senior team in the German second division.

But rather than marking the start of his rise to the top of German football, Urban’s spell in Erfurt proved to be the peak of a career cut short by fear, insecurity and self-loathing.

“By my early 20s I was burned out,” he said.

“I realized that if I became a professional footballer, I would suffer as a man. I chose freedom over a constructed prison.

“Talent is not enough. You need the will, physical fitness, good luck and a tough mentality. But what if you hide 24 hours a day because you are gay?

“The fear and pain robbed me of my energy because I was constantly thinking of what to say, how to act so people might think I was heterosexual.”

When it became clear he was in the twilight of his playing career, Urban finally summoned the courage to open up to one of his teammates following a switch to provincial club SC 1903 Weimar in 1991.

“I told only one player, in Weimar at the end of my career — and precisely for this reason,” said Urban. “He found it interesting that I was gay, I was one of his best friends on the team.”

Compared to other areas of society, the football profession is statistically lacking in openly gay players.


Collins’ ex-fiancee: I invested 8 years


Jason Collins: ‘I’m truly blessed’

Former United States national team player Robbie Rogers recently announced he was gay on the same day he retired from the sport, while Sweden-based Anton Hysen is currently the only openly “out” player in Europe.

Justin Fashanu’s tragic story is the last time a top-flight player has been so open.

The Englishman committed suicide in 1998, aged 37 — just eight years after announcing that he was gay. He had become the first £1 million black player when he joined Nottingham Forest in 1981.

Speaking at a sports forum in Berlin last September, German chancellor Angela Merkel urged gay players to feel confident enough to “come out.”

Her comments came following an article in a German magazine in which an anonymous gay Bundesliga player said the fear of added media attention was the reason why he hadn’t announced his sexuality.

German second division team FC St. Pauli placed itself on the front line of football’s battle with homophobia during a match with Paderborn.

Fans of the club, formerly run by openly gay president Corny Littmann, staged a demonstration against discrimination which included brightly-colored posters and a banner reading, “Football is everything — even gay.”

Basketballer Jason Collins recently made history by becoming the first openly gay NBA player, while the NHL has drawn plaudits for its anti-homophobia work.

Fifteen years on from Fashanu’s suicide, with other sports such as rugby and basketball setting a precedent and with the NFL reportedly closer than ever to having a homosexual player, is the beautiful game ready for a high-profile gay star?

“Why not?” replied Urban. “It is a great opportunity for the football world to show now that it is ready. Associations and clubs can come out as ‘gay-friendly’. Then players, officials, coaches, referees and so many others will follow.


Watkins: Being gay is not a choice


Amaechi talks discrimination in sport

“The effects of outings gay footballers will go far beyond football.”

After years of torment and secrecy, Urban’s coming out proved to be a turning point. With new-found confidence, he was able to pursue a life away from the football pitch.

Urban has told his story in the book “Hidden Player: The story of a gay footballer,” while he is also something of a life coach, consulting with organizations — including football associations — on issues of diversity and integration.

“I was so glad to finally be myself and I finally knew what the years of torment had been about,” he explained. “With the energy and force of liberation I went on the front foot, on the offensive.

“I work as a personal coach and diversity consultant. I work for organizations and I help them to appreciate the dimensions of age, ethnicity, gender, religion and even sexual orientations.”

With a wealth of personal and professional expertise on the subject of “coming out,” Urban is in a unique position to offer advice to any player in a similar situation to the one he found himself in two decades ago.

According to Urban, former Wales international rugby player Gareth Thomas — who told the world he was gay in 2009 — has set out the perfect blueprint for others to follow.

“He proceeded in stages,” Urban said of Thomas. “First he outed himself to his wife. Then he told his coach and then two players. After each step he received positive feedback.

“He was told by everyone that he was still the same person. This enabled him to increase his self-esteem until it was big enough to go public. He then got exceptionally positive feedback.”

An openly gay football star would be a turning point not just for the sport, declares Urban, but also for society as a whole.


NHL aims to fight homophobia in sports

Football, he suggests, stretches into areas where attitudes towards homosexuality have so far proved difficult to change.

“Football is the only way to tackle this topic comprehensively,” he said. “Very many people are geared towards football role models on television.

“If world soccer stars accepted their homosexuality, young people would question having to be so rough and macho.

“The result would be a social change that goes far beyond football.”

Urban is now comfortable with his sexuality, but he is not impervious to the homophobic barbs he often overhears in general conversation.

“‘F****, f****t’, any negative way of calling someone gay,” replies Urban when asked which insults he hears. “I was constantly affected by insults. Although it is not said to me directly it concerns me, even today.”

“But today, with more self-esteem and confidence, I look at homophobia from the perspective of a personal coaches and diversity consultant. Sometimes I have to laugh about it too, because it’s stupid and ridiculous.”

Self-esteem and confidence have helped Urban to heal the wounds inflicted by his first love, football.

He is once more besotted with the sport, playing with and against gay-friendly teams from across the globe.

It might not be playing at a World Cup with the German national team, but Urban is now back on the pitch, this time with his head held high.

“I really wanted to play for the men’s national team,” reflected Urban. “It makes me happy to have made something out of my experiences.

“For years I could never play football in the stadium. I saw the grass and could not stand being a spectator rather than being down playing on the pitch. I had regrets, I was sad and angry.

“After I came out I was so much more confident. I played football at university, in a team consisting predominantly of gay footballers against other gay teams from Paris, London or New York and Washington.

“Today, I play at a club in Hamburg, accepted by everyone and my teammates are proud of me, I think. It is a great experience to play football and to feel free, pure happiness.

“There are certainly more boring lives than mine.”


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/14/sport/football/urban-homophobia-gay-football/index.html?eref=edition

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Tornadoes tear through U.S. two states

May 20th, 2013 No comments

Are you experiencing severe weather in your area? Send photos and videos to CNN iReport. But please remember to stay safe.

(CNN) — Tornadoes touched down in three states on Sunday, ripping roofs off homes and turning trees to matchsticks, as severe weather swept the region.

A large “violent and extremely dangerous” tornado was spotted on the southwest side of Wichita, Kansas, the National Weather Service said.

A second confirmed tornado was seen near Edmond, Oklahoma, said the weather service. Another tornado was spotted in nearby Luther, Oklahoma, but it was not immediately clear whether that was the same twister.

A third tornado touched down near Wellston, Oklahoma, taking out power lines and damaging several homes, according to video from CNN affiliate KFOR. The affiliate’s helicopter pilot estimated the funnel cloud to be about a half-mile wide.


See funnel cloud in Oklahoma


See massive tornado in Kansas

An boy cools off in a watering hole in Allahabad, India, on Saturday, May 18, where temperatures have reportedly reached 117.1 degrees Fahrenheit. Click through to see other images of weather around the world:An boy cools off in a watering hole in Allahabad, India, on Saturday, May 18, where temperatures have reportedly reached 117.1 degrees Fahrenheit. Click through to see other images of weather around the world:

A dandelion seed reflects in a rain-covered path in Sieversdorf, Germany, on May 18.A dandelion seed reflects in a rain-covered path in Sieversdorf, Germany, on May 18.

Rescuers carry residents across a badly damaged road after heavy storms hit Hejiaqiao township in central China's Hunan province. Rescuers carry residents across a badly damaged road after heavy storms hit Hejiaqiao township in central China’s Hunan province.

A woman passes along the seafront as the rain falls in Weston-Super-Mare, England, on Tuesday, May 14. A woman passes along the seafront as the rain falls in Weston-Super-Mare, England, on Tuesday, May 14.

A sandstorm sweeps through Cairo, Egypt, on Monday, May 13.A sandstorm sweeps through Cairo, Egypt, on Monday, May 13.

People take shelter under umbrellas during a boat ride in heavy rain on the Spreewald Canals near Luebbenau, Germany, on Sunday, May 12.People take shelter under umbrellas during a boat ride in heavy rain on the Spreewald Canals near Luebbenau, Germany, on Sunday, May 12.

Rain doesn't deter an outing in Jersey City, New Jersey, and even a view of Lower Manhattan despite the fog on Thursday, May 9.Rain doesn’t deter an outing in Jersey City, New Jersey, and even a view of Lower Manhattan despite the fog on Thursday, May 9.

A woman exits a cab during a rainstorm on Wednesday, May 8, in New York.A woman exits a cab during a rainstorm on Wednesday, May 8, in New York.

People soak up the spring sunshine on the River Cam on Monday, May 6, in Cambridge, England.People soak up the spring sunshine on the River Cam on Monday, May 6, in Cambridge, England.

Two men drive cattle across the crocodile infested Tana River in Keny'as Tana delton on May 3. Flooding from heavy seasonal rains has killed more than 60 people and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes. Two men drive cattle across the crocodile infested Tana River in Keny’as Tana delton on May 3. Flooding from heavy seasonal rains has killed more than 60 people and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes.

People in the Morazan neighborhood of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, sort through the remains of their possessions after heavy rains left two people missing and destroyed streets and homes.People in the Morazan neighborhood of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, sort through the remains of their possessions after heavy rains left two people missing and destroyed streets and homes.

A lone fan watches snow fall during a delay in play between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, May 2. The game was postponed because of the weather. A lone fan watches snow fall during a delay in play between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, May 2. The game was postponed because of the weather.

Snow covers an outdoor bar in downtown Golden, Colorado, after a spring storm dumped more than a foot of snow on Wednesday, May 1. In nearby Denver, the average date for the last snow of the season is April 26, but the record for the latest snowfall was set June 12, 1947, according to the National Weather Service.Snow covers an outdoor bar in downtown Golden, Colorado, after a spring storm dumped more than a foot of snow on Wednesday, May 1. In nearby Denver, the average date for the last snow of the season is April 26, but the record for the latest snowfall was set June 12, 1947, according to the National Weather Service.

A bee harvests nectar on a sunflower as temperatures soar into the 90s on Saturday, April 27, in Quezon City, Philippines. A bee harvests nectar on a sunflower as temperatures soar into the 90s on Saturday, April 27, in Quezon City, Philippines.

A man pours water over children swimming in an inflatable swimming pool to beat the heat in Manila, Philippines, on Friday, April 26.A man pours water over children swimming in an inflatable swimming pool to beat the heat in Manila, Philippines, on Friday, April 26.

Fields and meadows are flooded by the waters from the Oder River near Lebus, Germany, close to the border with Poland, on April 26. The meadows along the Oder are regularly flooded during spring.Fields and meadows are flooded by the waters from the Oder River near Lebus, Germany, close to the border with Poland, on April 26. The meadows along the Oder are regularly flooded during spring.

A Pakistani motorcyclist crosses a flooded street after heavy rain in Peshawar on April 26. Pakistan has suffered devastating monsoon floods for the last three years, including the worst in its history in 2010, when catastrophic inundations killed almost 1,800 people and affected 21 million. A Pakistani motorcyclist crosses a flooded street after heavy rain in Peshawar on April 26. Pakistan has suffered devastating monsoon floods for the last three years, including the worst in its history in 2010, when catastrophic inundations killed almost 1,800 people and affected 21 million.

Horses and jockeys return to stables in damp weather at the Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on Friday, April 26. Preparations are under way for the upcoming Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup. Horses and jockeys return to stables in damp weather at the Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on Friday, April 26. Preparations are under way for the upcoming Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

Arnold Gropper, left, and Werner Simm fish at Lake Forggensee on Thursday, April 25, near Fssen, Germany.Arnold Gropper, left, and Werner Simm fish at Lake Forggensee on Thursday, April 25, near Füssen, Germany.

Chef Paul Prudhomme heads to the Zurich Classic Pro-Am clubhouse at TPC Louisiana as officials order the evacuation of all temporary structures after a tornado warning in New Orleans on Wednesday, April 24.Chef Paul Prudhomme heads to the Zurich Classic Pro-Am clubhouse at TPC Louisiana as officials order the evacuation of all temporary structures after a tornado warning in New Orleans on Wednesday, April 24.

The grounds crew covers the field at Fenway Park in the eighth inning because of rain during a game between the Oakland Athletics and the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, April 23, in Boston.The grounds crew covers the field at Fenway Park in the eighth inning because of rain during a game between the Oakland Athletics and the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, April 23, in Boston.

People take in the spring sunshine at Parade Gardens in Bath, England, on April 23.People take in the spring sunshine at Parade Gardens in Bath, England, on April 23.

A commuter wipes his face while riding his scooter during heavy rain in Hyderabad, India, on Monday, April 22.A commuter wipes his face while riding his scooter during heavy rain in Hyderabad, India, on Monday, April 22.

A camel herder guides his animals during a sandstorm on the edge of Khartoum, Sudan, on Saturday, April 20.A camel herder guides his animals during a sandstorm on the edge of Khartoum, Sudan, on Saturday, April 20.

Hector Duran uses his bike to get through floodwater on Friday, April 19, in Des Plaines, Illinois. The suburban Chicago town is battling rising floodwater from the Des Plaines River.Hector Duran uses his bike to get through floodwater on Friday, April 19, in Des Plaines, Illinois. The suburban Chicago town is battling rising floodwater from the Des Plaines River.

Workers inspect flood damage inside a vacant commercial building on April 19 in Des Plaines, Illinois. Workers inspect flood damage inside a vacant commercial building on April 19 in Des Plaines, Illinois.

Children still feel the bite of winter weather in Taiyuan, the capital of north China's Shanxi Province, on April 19.Children still feel the bite of winter weather in Taiyuan, the capital of north China’s Shanxi Province, on April 19.

Sunshine bathes the banks of Inner Alster Lake in Hamburg, Germany, on Thursday, April 18.Sunshine bathes the banks of Inner Alster Lake in Hamburg, Germany, on Thursday, April 18.

A motorist drives through a flooded underpass In Chicago on April 18. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning Thursday for much of the Chicago area, which got 3 to 5 inches of rain in 24 hours with more expected.A motorist drives through a flooded underpass In Chicago on April 18. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning Thursday for much of the Chicago area, which got 3 to 5 inches of rain in 24 hours with more expected.

Dark clouds hang over the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on April 18.Dark clouds hang over the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on April 18.

Debris litters a river after a tornado and hailstorm hit Zhenyuan County in China's southwest Guizhou Province on April 18.Debris litters a river after a tornado and hailstorm hit Zhenyuan County in China’s southwest Guizhou Province on April 18.

People make their way along Champa Street in downtown Denver during a spring storm on Wednesday, April 17. People make their way along Champa Street in downtown Denver during a spring storm on Wednesday, April 17.

A man rides a bike during a heavy sandstorm in Yecheng county, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Tuesday, April 16.A man rides a bike during a heavy sandstorm in Yecheng county, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Tuesday, April 16.

A woman feeds a pig in her yard during a flood in the Belarus village of Snyadin near the Pripyat river on April 16. A woman feeds a pig in her yard during a flood in the Belarus village of Snyadin near the Pripyat river on April 16.

A woman and dog cross a flooded road in Zalubice Stare, Poland, on April 16.A woman and dog cross a flooded road in Zalubice Stare, Poland, on April 16.

A sandstorm strikes Baghdad on April 16, during a rally where the head Shiite Muslim leader Ammar al-Hakim was speaking.A sandstorm strikes Baghdad on April 16, during a rally where the head Shiite Muslim leader Ammar al-Hakim was speaking.

Blooming crocuses stand in a park in Hamburg, Germany, on Monday, April 15. Temperatures in the city are forcasted to reach up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).Blooming crocuses stand in a park in Hamburg, Germany, on Monday, April 15. Temperatures in the city are forcasted to reach up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).

Families paddle boats on a pond near India Gate in New Delhi on Sunday, April 14. Families paddle boats on a pond near India Gate in New Delhi on Sunday, April 14.

People enjoy the sun in a public garden on Saturday, April 13, in Toulouse, France.People enjoy the sun in a public garden on Saturday, April 13, in Toulouse, France.

A storm brews over Shuqualak, Mississippi, on Thursday, April 11. Severe storms killed two people in Mississippi and injured others.A storm brews over Shuqualak, Mississippi, on Thursday, April 11. Severe storms killed two people in Mississippi and injured others.

Storm damage in Shuqualak, Mississippi, on April 11.Storm damage in Shuqualak, Mississippi, on April 11.

A youth jumps into a water well to cool off in Hyderabad, India, on Wednesday, April 10. A youth jumps into a water well to cool off in Hyderabad, India, on Wednesday, April 10.

Warm spring weather finds New Yorkers relaxing along the East River in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday, April 9.Warm spring weather finds New Yorkers relaxing along the East River in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday, April 9.

Police officer Adolph Chavez waits for tow trucks after cars became stuck on a ramp to Interstate 70 during a snowstorm in Denver on April 9. Police officer Adolph Chavez waits for tow trucks after cars became stuck on a ramp to Interstate 70 during a snowstorm in Denver on April 9.

Cherry blossoms bloom in Washington on Monday, April 8. A colder-than-normal March and chilly April delayed the beginning of the cherry blossom season. Peak bloom was originally predicted between March 26 and March 30. Cherry blossoms bloom in Washington on Monday, April 8. A colder-than-normal March and chilly April delayed the beginning of the cherry blossom season. Peak bloom was originally predicted between March 26 and March 30.

People enjoy sunny spring weather, a break from an unusually cold spring, near the Louvre Pyramid at the Cour Carree of the Louvre Museum on Sunday, April 7, in Paris.People enjoy sunny spring weather, a break from an unusually cold spring, near the Louvre Pyramid at the Cour Carree of the Louvre Museum on Sunday, April 7, in Paris.

Children cool off in a tub on a scorchingly hot day in a slum in Manila, Philippines, on Saturday, April 6.Children cool off in a tub on a scorchingly hot day in a slum in Manila, Philippines, on Saturday, April 6.

A passenger ship makes its way through a channel to the Swedish island of Husaro on Friday, April 5.A passenger ship makes its way through a channel to the Swedish island of Husaro on Friday, April 5.

Tourists travel on a ferry near blooming cherry blossoms on the Okazaki Canal in Kyoto, Japan, on April 5. Tourists travel on a ferry near blooming cherry blossoms on the Okazaki Canal in Kyoto, Japan, on April 5.

Heavy rains bring out umbrellas in force on the streets of Srinagar, India, on Wednesday, April 3.Heavy rains bring out umbrellas in force on the streets of Srinagar, India, on Wednesday, April 3.

Villager Fu Xianxing, 70, walks on a dried-up field Tuesday, April 2, in Suining, China. A severe drought has caused a shortage of drinking water in the area in southwest China's Sichuan province.Villager Fu Xianxing, 70, walks on a dried-up field Tuesday, April 2, in Suining, China. A severe drought has caused a shortage of drinking water in the area in southwest China’s Sichuan province.

Children play on the beach in Gaza City during a dust storm on Monday, April 1. Children play on the beach in Gaza City during a dust storm on Monday, April 1.

Snowboarders and skiers wait to take a ski lift at Feldberg Mountain in Schwarzwald, Germany, on Friday, March 29.Snowboarders and skiers wait to take a ski lift at Feldberg Mountain in Schwarzwald, Germany, on Friday, March 29.

A supermarket semi-truck passes icicles and ice-covered shrubs near Hazeley Bottom, England, south of Reading, on Wednesday, March 27. A supermarket semi-truck passes icicles and ice-covered shrubs near Hazeley Bottom, England, south of Reading, on Wednesday, March 27.

Young women watch a policeman clear snow and ice from a road in Kiev, Ukraine, on Tuesday, March 26.Young women watch a policeman clear snow and ice from a road in Kiev, Ukraine, on Tuesday, March 26.

A road sign peeks above a flooded street in Badolatosa, Spain, on Monday, March 25.A road sign peeks above a flooded street in Badolatosa, Spain, on Monday, March 25.

Snow covers the shrubbery around the White House on Monday, March 25.Snow covers the shrubbery around the White House on Monday, March 25.

Snow collects on a man sleeping on a bench early Monday, March 25, in Washington, D.C.Snow collects on a man sleeping on a bench early Monday, March 25, in Washington, D.C.

Frozen branches line the water at the Afsluitdijk in Den Oever, Netherlands, on Saturday, March 23. Frozen branches line the water at the Afsluitdijk in Den Oever, Netherlands, on Saturday, March 23.

U.S. soccer player Clint Dempsey, No. 8, is surrounded by snow during a FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier match between Costa Rica and the United States in Commerce City, Colorado, on Friday, March 22. U.S. soccer player Clint Dempsey, No. 8, is surrounded by snow during a FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier match between Costa Rica and the United States in Commerce City, Colorado, on Friday, March 22.

Cherry blossom trees are bloom in Tokyo on Friday, March 22, in a sure sign spring has arrived in Japan.Cherry blossom trees are bloom in Tokyo on Friday, March 22, in a sure sign spring has arrived in Japan.

Cold weather keeps Britons bundled up as they cross the London Bridge on March 22. Cold weather keeps Britons bundled up as they cross the London Bridge on March 22.

A bicyclist pulls a child on a sled through the snow on Thursday, March 21, in Berlin.A bicyclist pulls a child on a sled through the snow on Thursday, March 21, in Berlin.

A tornado leaves scaffolding in tatters on Wednesday, March 20, in Daoxian, China. A tornado leaves scaffolding in tatters on Wednesday, March 20, in Daoxian, China.

Paramilitary guards walk along a street following an overnight snowfall in Beijing on March 20. Paramilitary guards walk along a street following an overnight snowfall in Beijing on March 20.

World War II veteran Sam Melnik, 90, shovels snow from his driveway on Tuesday, March 19, in Deerfield, Massachusetts.World War II veteran Sam Melnik, 90, shovels snow from his driveway on Tuesday, March 19, in Deerfield, Massachusetts.

A jogger runs across a snow-covered street in Berlin on March 19.A jogger runs across a snow-covered street in Berlin on March 19.

A woman takes a picture of the blooming almond orchards as spring arrives in Srinagar, Kashmir, on Monday, March 18.A woman takes a picture of the blooming almond orchards as spring arrives in Srinagar, Kashmir, on Monday, March 18.

People walk past blooming trees on a street in the center of Lebanon's capital, Beirut, on March 18.People walk past blooming trees on a street in the center of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, on March 18.

The aurora borealis lights up the sky at twilight on Sunday, March 17, between the towns of Are and Ostersund, Sweden.The aurora borealis lights up the sky at twilight on Sunday, March 17, between the towns of Are and Ostersund, Sweden.

Trees are covered with ice on Saturday, March 16, near the town of Klina, Kosovo.Trees are covered with ice on Saturday, March 16, near the town of Klina, Kosovo.

People push a stuck car as heavy snow falls in Lviv, Ukraine, on Friday, March 15.People push a stuck car as heavy snow falls in Lviv, Ukraine, on Friday, March 15.

Spectators watch the action during a rain-lashed last day of the Cheltenham horse racing festival in Gloucestershire, England, on March 15.Spectators watch the action during a rain-lashed last day of the Cheltenham horse racing festival in Gloucestershire, England, on March 15.

An early flower is seen through a blanket of melting snow at the Palmengarten botanical gardens in Frankfurt, Germany, on Thursday, March 14.An early flower is seen through a blanket of melting snow at the Palmengarten botanical gardens in Frankfurt, Germany, on Thursday, March 14.

People walk by cars covered in snow around Beaumont-Hague, northern France, following a heavy snowstorm, on Wednesday, March 13.People walk by cars covered in snow around Beaumont-Hague, northern France, following a heavy snowstorm, on Wednesday, March 13.

Workers chop cassava along a highway in a drought-hit area in Vietnam's central highlands province of Gia Lai. Workers chop cassava along a highway in a drought-hit area in Vietnam’s central highlands province of Gia Lai.

A couple walk on a snowy sidewalk at Place de la Concorde in Paris on Tuesday, March 12, during a heavy snowstorm. Twenty-six regions in northwest and northern France were put on orange alert because of heavy snowfall.A couple walk on a snowy sidewalk at Place de la Concorde in Paris on Tuesday, March 12, during a heavy snowstorm. Twenty-six regions in northwest and northern France were put on orange alert because of heavy snowfall.

Cows search for edible grass in drought-stricken paddocks on March 12 in Waiuku, New Zealand. Drought was declared in several North Island areas last week, including South Auckland, Northland, Bay of Plenty and Waikato.Cows search for edible grass in drought-stricken paddocks on March 12 in Waiuku, New Zealand. Drought was declared in several North Island areas last week, including South Auckland, Northland, Bay of Plenty and Waikato.

Brief but heavy snowstorms move across the Yorkshire moors on Monday, March 11, in the United Kingdom. Brief but heavy snowstorms move across the Yorkshire moors on Monday, March 11, in the United Kingdom.

A nun walks through the rain under an umbrella in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Sunday, March 10. A nun walks through the rain under an umbrella in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Sunday, March 10.

A cyclist makes his way along a snowy track near Ladmanlow, United Kingdom, on March 10 as a return of freezing temperatures and snow delay springtime weather for Great Britain.A cyclist makes his way along a snowy track near Ladmanlow, United Kingdom, on March 10 as a return of freezing temperatures and snow delay springtime weather for Great Britain.

A Chinese woman covers her head with a scarf as she walks near Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Saturday, March 9, as strong winds and dust storms swept the Chinese capital.A Chinese woman covers her head with a scarf as she walks near Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Saturday, March 9, as strong winds and dust storms swept the Chinese capital.

Drivers contend with a snow-covered street in Harbin, the capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on March 9.Drivers contend with a snow-covered street in Harbin, the capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, on March 9.

Fog shrouds a dog and its owner as they walk beside Bourne Brook, in Toft Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, on Friday, March 8. Fog shrouds a dog and its owner as they walk beside Bourne Brook, in Toft Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, on Friday, March 8.

A pedestrian walks past a mural at the beginning of a winter storm in Somerville, Massachusetts, on Thursday, March 7.A pedestrian walks past a mural at the beginning of a winter storm in Somerville, Massachusetts, on Thursday, March 7.

People walk as snow falls at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, March 6.People walk as snow falls at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, March 6.

People stand under the snow-covered Cloud Gate sculpture, commonly known as the bean, on Tuesday, March 5, in Chicago, Illinois.People stand under the snow-covered “Cloud Gate” sculpture, commonly known as “the bean,” on Tuesday, March 5, in Chicago, Illinois.

Left to right: Anthony Jordan and his 6-year-old twin sons Griffin and Landin shovel their driveway in Sycamore, Illinois, on March 5. Left to right: Anthony Jordan and his 6-year-old twin sons Griffin and Landin shovel their driveway in Sycamore, Illinois, on March 5.

A traffic police officer patrols during heavy wind and snowfall in Kiev, Ukraine, on March 4.A traffic police officer patrols during heavy wind and snowfall in Kiev, Ukraine, on March 4.

Lightning strikes over Jakarta's skyline late on March 3 during monsoon rains.Lightning strikes over Jakarta’s skyline late on March 3 during monsoon rains.

Tourists enjoy donkey rides on Filey Beach on March 2 in Filey, England.Tourists enjoy donkey rides on Filey Beach on March 2 in Filey, England.

Gardener Ruth Calder clears weeds and dead leaves at Kew Gardens on March 1 in Kew, England.Gardener Ruth Calder clears weeds and dead leaves at Kew Gardens on March 1 in Kew, England.

A man covers his face as he walks around Tiananmen Square during a sand storm in heavily polluted weather in Beijing on February 28.A man covers his face as he walks around Tiananmen Square during a sand storm in heavily polluted weather in Beijing on February 28.

A man and a dog cross the flooded graveyard in the village of Monospitovo, Macedonia, on February 27. Torrential rains poured down on the Strumica Valley, destroying or damaging crops and households.A man and a dog cross the flooded graveyard in the village of Monospitovo, Macedonia, on February 27. Torrential rains poured down on the Strumica Valley, destroying or damaging crops and households.

Ducks fly over the frozen Titisee Lake in Titisee-Neustadt, Germany, on February 27.Ducks fly over the frozen Titisee Lake in Titisee-Neustadt, Germany, on February 27.

Frost-covered plants are seen on banks of the Usiazha River near the Belarus village of Usiazha, on February 26.Frost-covered plants are seen on banks of the Usiazha River near the Belarus village of Usiazha, on February 26.

A person walks through the snow at Marienplatz in Munich, Germany, on February 26.A person walks through the snow at Marienplatz in Munich, Germany, on February 26.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


10


11


12


13


14


15


16


17


18


19


20


21


22


23


24


25


26


27


28


29


30


31


32


33


34


35


36


37


38


39


40


41


42


43


44


45


46


47


48


49


50


51


52


53


54


55


56


57


58


59


60


61


62


63


64


65


66


67


68


69


70


71


72


73


74


75


76


77


78


79


80


81


82


83


84


85


86


87


88


89


90


91


92


93


94


95


96


97

Photos: Weather around the worldPhotos: Weather around the world

“It’s tearing up everything,” the pilot said. “Just ripping everything up in its sight.”

Aerial video from KFOR and CNN affiliate KOCO showed severe damage near Wellston and near Carney, Oklahoma. Roofs were ripped from homes, branches stripped from trees and roads were filled with debris.

Tornadoes were also reported east of Dale, west of Paden, and near Prague in Oklahoma.

Part of Interstate 40 in Shawnee, Oklahoma, was shut down in both directions Sunday night after a tornado touched down, overturning multiple tractor-trailers.

Still more tornadoes were spotted in Iowa, near Earlham, Huxley and east of Dallas Center, according to the weather service.

It did not mince words, telling people to take cover there, as elsewhere.

“You could be killed if not underground or in a tornado shelter. Complete destruction of neighborhoods, businesses and vehicles will occur. Flying debris will be deadly to people and animals,” it said in its Kansas advisory.

Incredibly, given the severe nature of the weather, there have been no immediate reports of injuries or death, said Randy Duncan, director of emergency management in Sedgwick County, where Wichita is located.

“I’m very pleased to say there are no fatalities or injuries … and actually only relatively minor reports of property damage,” he told CNN. “Overall, I would say we escaped relatively unscathed.”

The twisters are part of a severe weather outbreak that is sweeping through parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa and Missouri as the storms sweep east.

Baseball-sized hail, wind gusts and tornadoes are threatening to pummel parts of the central Plains and Midwest through Monday.

Beyond the Midwest, other areas were already seeing severe weather on Sunday. In Atlanta, serious flooding was reported amid storms producing heavy rainfall.

Here’s a quick look at CNN meteorologist Melissa Le Fevre’s forecast for Monday:

Kansas

The surface front may stall on Monday, leading to showers and thunderstorms through the day. Localized heavy rainfall may lead to the need for flood watches and warnings.

Oklahoma

There is a threat for strong storms in the late afternoon. With the heavy rain that will occur through the weekend, flooding could become a problem Monday night.

Iowa

Showers and storms are expected to develop on Monday afternoon. Large hail is possible and though the tornado threat looks low, it cannot be ruled out.

Missouri

Flooding is expected to become an issue after localized heavy rainfall. Afternoon storms could produce large hail, damaging wind gusts and possible tornadoes. In St. Louis, storms will reorganize during the afternoon and evening hours. Threats include large hail, damaging winds and the possibility of tornadoes.

CNN’s Sean Morris and Alexandra Steele contributed to this report


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/19/us/severe-weather/index.html?eref=edition

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Severe weather threatens U.S. Midwest

May 19th, 2013 No comments

Are you experiencing severe weather in your area? Send photos and videos to CNN iReport. But please remember to stay safe.

(CNN) — Baseball-sized hail, wind gusts and tornadoes are threatening to pummel parts of the central Plains and Midwest on Sunday and Monday.

A mix of ingredients could combine to spawn a severe weather outbreak sweeping through parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa and Missouri, CNN meteorologist Melissa Le Fevre said.

“Overall, the threat is similar for the region: strong supercells that will have the capability to produce hail baseball-size or larger, strong wind gusts and tornadoes,” she said Sunday. “It will ultimately depends on how warm the region gets today.”

According to the National Weather Service, supercells are a special type of thunderstorm that can last for many hours. “They are responsible for nearly all of the significant tornadoes produced in the U.S. and for most of the hailstones larger than golf ball size,” the weather service says. “Supercells are also known to produce extreme winds and flash flooding.”

Warmer temperatures are an important factor, Le Fevre said.

“Warmer temperatures allow for the air in the atmosphere to mix, which causes it to be unstable,” she said. “Sunny days are essentially more unstable, which allows thunderstorms to develop and become strong to severe.”

Beyond the Midwest, other areas were already seeing severe weather on Sunday. In Atlanta, serious flooding was reported amid storms producing heavy rainfall.

Here’s a look at Le Fevre’s forecast for several states:

Kansas

Sunday: With Kansas temperatures 5 to 10 degrees above average for this time of year, supercells could develop. The storms could bring destructive hail and possible tornadoes for the afternoon, transitioning to damaging winds and heavy rain through the evening. Baseball-sized hail cannot be ruled out.

Monday: The surface front may stall on Monday, leading to showers and thunderstorms through the day. Localized heavy rainfall may lead to the need for flood watches and warnings.

Oklahoma

Sunday: Storms are expected to develop after 2 p.m. (3 p.m. ET). Again, the threat of discrete supercells capable of producing large hail and tornadoes is present.

Monday: There is a similar threat for strong storms in the late afternoon. With the heavy rain that will occur through the weekend, flooding could become a problem Monday night.

Iowa

Sunday: The greatest potential for severe weather will be in the late afternoon and into the early evening. Large hail could be the greatest threat. According to the National Weather Service office in Des Moines, the southern and western parts of the state could see the greatest chance for tornadoes. Overall, the main threat appears to be hail and wind. Rain is expected to decrease overnight.

Monday: Showers and storms are once again expected to develop on Monday afternoon. Large hail is possible and though the tornado threat looks low, it cannot be ruled out.

Missouri

Sunday: Strong supercells and squall lines are forecast to develop in the late afternoon and continue into the early evening. The discrete cells will develop first before transitioning into squall lines or lines of storms. As before, the threats include very large hail and damaging winds along with the potential for tornadoes. Some of these could be strong. In St. Louis, the potential for severe thunderstorms will be present through the afternoon on Sunday. Large hail is expected to be the primary threat. Heading into the evening hours, damaging wind should pose the greatest threat.

Monday: Flooding is expected to become an issue after localized heavy rainfall. The weather pattern will not change drastically from Sunday to Monday, which is why we are still seeing a potential for severe weather for the start to the week. Again, afternoon storms could produce large hail, damaging wind gusts and possible tornadoes. In St. Louis, storms will reorganize during the afternoon and evening hours. Threats include large hail, damaging winds and the possibility of tornadoes.

CNN’s Sean Morris and Alexandra Steele contributed to this report


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/19/us/severe-weather/index.html?eref=edition

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Pakistanis cast votes after slaying

May 19th, 2013 No comments

(CNN) — Pakistanis cast ballots in Karachi on Sunday, a day after the slaying of a well-known political leader who had accused rivals of vote rigging.

As voters headed to polls, accusations flew over politician Zahra Shahid Hussain’s death.

Sources said an execution-style attack on the eve of the election killed Hussain, the vice president of the Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI.

The party made headlines following nationwide elections on May 11, alleging vote rigging in Karachi and elsewhere.

Amid the allegations, election officials held a revote Sunday for one National Assembly seat and two Provincial Assembly seats in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city.

Voters and army troops gather outside a polling station during a revote in Karachi, Pakistan, on Sunday, May 19. A new vote was ordered after allegations of vote rigging in the May 11 elections, which former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's party appears to have won. A politician who claimed the vote was rigged, Zahra Shahid Hussain, was killed the day before.Voters and army troops gather outside a polling station during a revote in Karachi, Pakistan, on Sunday, May 19. A new vote was ordered after allegations of vote rigging in the May 11 elections, which former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s party appears to have won. A politician who claimed the vote was rigged, Zahra Shahid Hussain, was killed the day before.

A Pakistani woman casts her ballot in Karachi on May 19.A Pakistani woman casts her ballot in Karachi on May 19.

Members of the Tehreek-e-Insaf party mourn the death of Zahra Shahid Hussain, vice president of the party, outside a hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, on Saturday, May 18. Hussain had alleged vote-rigging in the May 11 elections.Members of the Tehreek-e-Insaf party mourn the death of Zahra Shahid Hussain, vice president of the party, outside a hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, on Saturday, May 18. Hussain had alleged vote-rigging in the May 11 elections.

Pakistani rescuers carry Hussain's body on May 18 after she was killed in what was described as an execution-style attack.Pakistani rescuers carry Hussain’s body on May 18 after she was killed in what was described as an execution-style attack.

Pakistani tanks deploy near a voting station on May 18 ahead of a new vote in Karachi, where complaints of rigging and irregularities were reported in the general election May 11. The army is set to be deployed at 43 polling stations ahead of voting on May 19, a media report said.Pakistani tanks deploy near a voting station on May 18 ahead of a new vote in Karachi, where complaints of rigging and irregularities were reported in the general election May 11. The army is set to be deployed at 43 polling stations ahead of voting on May 19, a media report said.

Female supporters of Pakistani Prime Minister-elect Nawaz Sharif offer special prayers for the victory of their party in Peshawar on Friday, May 17. Female supporters of Pakistani Prime Minister-elect Nawaz Sharif offer special prayers for the victory of their party in Peshawar on Friday, May 17.

Supporters of politician Imran Khan shout slogans over allegations of election fraud during a protest in Hyderabad, Pakistan, on Monday, May 13. Supporters of politician Imran Khan shout slogans over allegations of election fraud during a protest in Hyderabad, Pakistan, on Monday, May 13.

Supporters of Nawaz Sharif dance and eat sweets as they celebrate the party's win in Lahore on Wednesday, May 15.Supporters of Nawaz Sharif dance and eat sweets as they celebrate the party’s win in Lahore on Wednesday, May 15.

Khan's supporters stage a protest in Karachi on Sunday. Khan said his party would submit a report on alleged vote-rigging. Khan’s supporters stage a protest in Karachi on Sunday. Khan said his party would submit a report on alleged vote-rigging.

Supporters of Imran Khan shout slogans during a protest on May 12. Across the country, 29 people were killed in Election Day violence on May 11.Supporters of Imran Khan shout slogans during a protest on May 12. Across the country, 29 people were killed in Election Day violence on May 11.

Khan supporters carry their party flags in a rally in Rawalpindi on May 12.Khan supporters carry their party flags in a rally in Rawalpindi on May 12.

Supporters of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Nawaz Sharif's party, celebrate election results in front of a party office in Lahore on election night, Saturday, May 11.Supporters of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Nawaz Sharif’s party, celebrate election results in front of a party office in Lahore on election night, Saturday, May 11.

Sharif's supporters celebrate May 11 in Lahore.Sharif’s supporters celebrate May 11 in Lahore.

Soldiers cordon off the site of a bomb explosion in Karachi on Saturday, May 11. Four blasts hit Karachi as people voted, causing 14 deaths and dozens of injuries.Soldiers cordon off the site of a bomb explosion in Karachi on Saturday, May 11. Four blasts hit Karachi as people voted, causing 14 deaths and dozens of injuries.

A bomb disposal expert examines the site of a detonation in Karachi, Pakistan on May 11. A bomb disposal expert examines the site of a detonation in Karachi, Pakistan on May 11.

Men move a stretcher carrying an injured man at a hospital, following a bomb explosion in Karachi, Pakistan on May 11.Men move a stretcher carrying an injured man at a hospital, following a bomb explosion in Karachi, Pakistan on May 11.

Volunteers move an injured boy to a hospital following a bomb explosion in Karachi on May 11.Volunteers move an injured boy to a hospital following a bomb explosion in Karachi on May 11.

Volunteers gather beside the bodies of blast victims outside a hospital on May 11. Volunteers gather beside the bodies of blast victims outside a hospital on May 11.

Election officials count ballot papers at the end of polling in Quetta, Pakistan on May 11.Election officials count ballot papers at the end of polling in Quetta, Pakistan on May 11.

Pakistani supporters of Islamic party Jammat-e-Islami stage a protest in front of a provincial election commission office in Karachi on May 11.Pakistani supporters of Islamic party Jammat-e-Islami stage a protest in front of a provincial election commission office in Karachi on May 11.

Voters line up for their turn to vote as gaurds stand watch at a polling station in Karachi on May 11.Voters line up for their turn to vote as gaurds stand watch at a polling station in Karachi on May 11.

A Pakistani election official marks a voter's thumb at a polling station during the general election in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on May 11.A Pakistani election official marks a voter’s thumb at a polling station during the general election in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on May 11.

Pakistani women jostle to receive their ballot papers prior to casting their ballot at a polling station on May 11, in the Old City of Lahore, Pakistan.Pakistani women jostle to receive their ballot papers prior to casting their ballot at a polling station on May 11, in the Old City of Lahore, Pakistan.

Voters in Rawalpindi gather around an election presiding officer to cast their ballots on May 11, 2013. Voters in Rawalpindi gather around an election presiding officer to cast their ballots on May 11, 2013.

Pakistani voters queue for their turn to cast their ballots outside a polling station in Karachi on May 11, 2013. Pakistani voters queue for their turn to cast their ballots outside a polling station in Karachi on May 11, 2013.

Pakistani army soldiers stand guard outside a distribution center for election materials in Karachi on May 10, 2013. The nation's military will have 75,000 troops out around the country.Pakistani army soldiers stand guard outside a distribution center for election materials in Karachi on May 10, 2013. The nation’s military will have 75,000 troops out around the country.

Supporters of former PM Nawaz Sharif turned out for one final rally in Lahore ahead of Pakistan's parliamentary elections on May 11. It's the first time in the country's history that an elected government will take over from another elected administration.Supporters of former PM Nawaz Sharif turned out for one final rally in Lahore ahead of Pakistan’s parliamentary elections on May 11. It’s the first time in the country’s history that an elected government will take over from another elected administration.

Another frontrunner for prime minister, Imran Khan, has been campaigning from his hospital bed after he was injured falling from a lift at a campaign rally on May 7.Another frontrunner for prime minister, Imran Khan, has been campaigning from his hospital bed after he was injured falling from a lift at a campaign rally on May 7.

Khan, a charismatic former cricketer, has proved a popular candidate among Pakistan's young, urban middle class.Khan, a charismatic former cricketer, has proved a popular candidate among Pakistan’s young, urban middle class.

Politics is a bloody affair in Pakistan, and this leadership struggle is no exception. Dozens have been killed in attacks in the weeks leading up to Saturday's election. Politics is a bloody affair in Pakistan, and this leadership struggle is no exception. Dozens have been killed in attacks in the weeks leading up to Saturday’s election.

The most deadly attack, an explosion during a rally in the Kurram tribal district on May 6, killed 18 people and wounded 55.The most deadly attack, an explosion during a rally in the Kurram tribal district on May 6, killed 18 people and wounded 55.

Ali Haider Gilani, a son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, was kidnapped by gunmen while canvassing for votes in Multan on the final day of campaigning.Ali Haider Gilani, a son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, was kidnapped by gunmen while canvassing for votes in Multan on the final day of campaigning.

The leader of the Pakistan People's Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has been absent from rallies in the lead-up to the elections. The 24-year old, who became chairman after his mother, Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated, is not yet old enough to run for parliament.The leader of the Pakistan People’s Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has been absent from rallies in the lead-up to the elections. The 24-year old, who became chairman after his mother, Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated, is not yet old enough to run for parliament.

Former president Pervez Musharraf announced plans to run in the elections after returning from exile last month, but was disqualified from the race amid claims he illegally placed senior judges under house arrest during his rule.Former president Pervez Musharraf announced plans to run in the elections after returning from exile last month, but was disqualified from the race amid claims he illegally placed senior judges under house arrest during his rule.

For the first time, women in tribal regions are running for office. 43-year-old Nusrat Begum is challenging the Taliban for a seat in Lower Dir.For the first time, women in tribal regions are running for office. 43-year-old Nusrat Begum is challenging the Taliban for a seat in Lower Dir.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


10


11


12


13


14


15


16


17


18


19


20


21


22


23


24


25


26


27


28


29


30


31


32


33


34


35

Photos: High turnout, violence mark Pakistan electionsPhotos: High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections


Pakistanis react to election results


Pakistan’s new PM faces big challenges

Former cricket star Imran Khan, who heads the PTI party, blamed the leader of the rival MQM party for Hussain’s death, accusing him of making inflammatory speeches threatening PTI workers and leaders.

“I hold (MQM leader) Altaf Hussain directly responsible for the murder,” Khan said in a Twitter post.

Officials from the MQM, one of Pakistan’s largest and most liberal parties, denied responsibility and sharply criticized Khan.

“The comments are absolutely baseless and are totally without foundation, made out of frustration from a man who has lost the election,” said Mohammed Anwar, head of international relations for the MQM.

Anwar said Altaf Hussain, the MQM’s London-based leader, was the first person to condemn the killing. Khan’s comments, Anwar said, show a man lashing out.

“Within minutes of the murder he was making accusations,” Anwar said. “How did he found out so quickly after the event and issue a statement?”

The long road ahead for Pakistan’s comeback king: Nawaz Sharif

Political killings escalating

Pakistan has seen a rise in targeted killings in recent years across the political spectrum.

A gunman on a motorbike killed a parliamentary candidate and his young child in March in Karachi. Sadiq Zaman Khattak, a representative of the liberal, anti-Taliban Awami National Party, was leaving a mosque with his 4-year-old son when an assassin shot them both.

No one owned up to the attack, but the Taliban have threatened Khattak’s party and have claimed responsibility for some deadly attacks against its members and other politicians.

On the day Khattak was killed, gunmen elsewhere ambushed and killed a top prosecutor, Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali. At the time, he was trying a case stemming from the death of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who had been assassinated while campaigning for her party. Ali was heading to court when attackers opened fire on his car as it passed through an Islamabad neighborhood.

The ambush also wounded his bodyguard, whom authorities assigned to protect him after he received threats from the Pakistani Taliban.

Pakistan votes: Key moments of a turbulent past

British police investigating

Since 1991, the MQM political movement’s leader has lived in London. Altaf Hussain sought political asylum in the United Kingdom “because of an attack on his life,” according to a statement on the party’s website.

London’s Metropolitan Police Service said Sunday that it was investigating complaints about alleged comments made by someone associated with the MQM, but did not provide additional details.

“We are in the early stages of the investigation and are assessing the information which has now been brought to our attention,” the agency said in a statement. “We take all allegations of crime seriously and will respond appropriately to the concerns raised and will take action where appropriate.”

The British Foreign Office condemned the Pakistani politician’s murder.

“We are deeply saddened by the recent violence in the city including violence murderously directed against democratic political figures,” a Foreign Office spokesman said.

CNN’s Shaan Khan, Aliza Kassim and Joseph Netto contributed to this report.


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/19/world/asia/pakistan-politician-killed/index.html?eref=edition

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Angelina Jolie’s choice carries risks

May 19th, 2013 No comments

Editor’s note: Dr. Aaron E. Carroll is an associate professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine and the director of the university’s Center for Health Policy and Professionalism Research. He blogs about health policy at The Incidental Economist and tweets at @aaronecarroll.

(CNN) — Angelina Jolie stunned many people with an op-ed Tuesday describing her reasons for choosing to have a preventive double mastectomy. Her mother passed away at the age of 56 after battling ovarian cancer. Moreover, Jolie found that she had the BRCA1 gene, which significantly increases the lifetime risk of breast cancer. In fact, she reports that her doctors estimated that she had an 87% chance of developing breast cancer.

I have no doubt that this piece is causing many women across the country to think about their own health and chances of developing the disease. Thanks to many successful organizations, breast cancer awareness is at an all-time high in the United States. A person of Jolie’s stature publicly discussing such a personal and difficult decision will likely weigh on the minds of many women who have similar concerns. Breast cancer is a real disease, it’s not rare, and it can potentially strike almost anyone. I have no doubt that her op-ed in The New York Times will help many women who would not have considered this procedure to do so now.

Five reasons we love Angelina Jolie

In one sense, that is a good thing. There are legitimate and real reasons for some women to consider a preventive, or prophylactic, mastectomy. Some women who have had breast cancer in one breast elect to have a mastectomy of the other breast to prevent the cancer from spreading there. Some women who have a family history of cancer, especially before age 50, might consider the procedure.

Aaron E. Carroll

More recently, women who have been able to learn through genetic testing that they have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, both of which make it more likely that they might develop cancer, have been given new information that may help them make a decision.

It’s a personal decision. It’s also a serious one, because there are downsides to a preventive mastectomy as well.

First of all, it’s still a major procedure, and it carries all the risks of one; one should never minimize the risks of a big operation. It’s also irreversible, and some women do suffer psychological or physical consequences afterward. No one should ever judge another woman’s decision in this area, but it would serve individual patients poorly for doctors not to discuss with them both the potential harms as well as benefits.

Opinion: Angelina Jolie’s brave message


Explaining Jolie’s cancer gene


CNN anchor: I have breast cancer


CNN archives: Jolie on her mom’s cancer

It’s also important to recognize that even a preventive mastectomy is not a guarantee against cancer. Studies show that it’s about 90% effective in preventing breast cancer in moderate and high-risk women. That still leaves a 10% chance of developing cancer in the chest wall, armpit or even in the abdomen. That’s because it’s pretty much impossible for even the best surgeon to remove all breast tissue from a woman.

Because of this, some women choose not to have the procedure done, even when they are at high risk. Just a few weeks ago, Peggy Orenstein wrote a compelling account of her decision not to undergo the procedure after her first brush with breast cancer. Her reasons are just as valid and important as Jolie’s but may not make the same splash in our national discussion.

Part of the reason for that is that there are few stars with Jolie’s fame who could claim this sort of attention. But there’s a larger current here that is worth considering. We in America sometimes are risk averse. We favor trying to reduce the chance of something bad happening to as close to zero as possible. We also tend to err on the side of doing something rather than nothing. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this type of behavior. But we should recognize it.

My preventive mastectomy: Staying alive for my kids

We tend to screen more than other countries. We tend to push for more invasive and technologically driven solutions. We do these things, sometimes, at the expense of both health and money. In the last few years, there has been some pushback against the potential over-use (and detriment) of mammograms and prostate specific antigen tests. Such debates are controversial but important.

You can’t reduce risk to nothing. Trying to do so will lead to practices none of us would support. After all, someone could make the argument that we should remove all breast tissue from all women because you never know where breast cancer will strike. That’s hyperbolic, and no one is suggesting it, but it shows that this is really a personal, and individual decision.

That’s how it should be. Jolie’s relating her decision to have a preventive mastectomy is no more or less brave than Orenstein’s decision not to have one. But both are welcome in their bringing to the forefront that these are discussions that every woman should have with their physicians, their loved ones and themselves.

Follow us on Twitter @CNNOpinion.

Join us on Facebook/CNNOpinion.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Aaron E. Carroll.


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/14/opinion/carroll-jolie-mastectomy/index.html?eref=edition

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Stem cell cloning explained

May 19th, 2013 No comments

(CNN) — A human embryo, containing about a couple hundred cells, is smaller than the period at the end of a sentence. Scientists need strong microscopes to see these precursors to life, and to take from them stem cells, which have the potential to become any cell in the body.

Earlier this week a breakthrough in this field was announced. A group of researchers published in the journal Cell proof that they had created embryonic stem cells through cloning. The scientists produced embryos using human skin cells, and then used the embryos to produce stem cell lines.

“It is an incredibly powerful approach with potential to generate almost any tissue in the body, genetically identical to the patient,” said Jeff Karp, associate professor at Harvard Medical School and co-director of the Center for Regenerative Therapeutics at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Creating an embryo just from an egg and a skin cell seems like magic, but just how practical would the subsequent stem cells be? And does it actually amount to cloning?

What they did

Normally, an embryo is created when sperm enters the egg and it starts to divide. But, in the Cell study, Shoukhrat Mitalipov and colleagues at Oregon Health Science University began with skin cells from an 8-month-old baby that had a genetic disease. They did not use sperm.

To create each embryo, they took the DNA out of an egg, so that it was hollow, and replaced it with the skin cell’s DNA instead. The baby’s DNA was the only genetic material being used.

With the help of chemicals, the egg started to divide just like a normal fertilized egg would. Then, within several days, embryos genetically identical to the baby were created, from which stem cells were derived.


Understanding the stem cell breakthrough


Indian clinic’s stem cell therapy real?


Heart stem cells repair muscle damage

Embryonic stems research is inherently controversial because in order to use the stem cells for science, the embryo, which is a collection of cells that could develop into a fully formed human, is destroyed, even though embryos in these procedures are left over from in vitro fertilization.

However, Mitalipov said the embryos created in his study, from skin cells and eggs, would not grow babies. That would have required additional technology, and it wasn’t part of the study.

While cloning stem cells is a technical breakthrough, there’s already a method of deriving embryonic-like stem cells that doesn’t require the use of embryos at all: induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells, said Dr. George Daley, who is director of the Stem Cell Transplantation Program at Children’s Hospital Boston and an international expert in stem cells.

Induced pluripotent stem cells can come from any cell in the human body, including skin cells, so they don’t have the moral quandaries surrounding them. Researchers have developed methods of inserting genes to “turn back the clock” on cells that have already specialized, so that they can turn into anything again. It doesn’t matter what the cell was before; it can now be reprogrammed as any kind of cell researchers want.

The new study involves a complex method that requires women to donate eggs, and a demanding manipulation of cell components on a tiny scale, Daley said.

What remains to be seen is whether these cloned embryonic stem cells are more useful therapeutically than the noncontroversial induced pluripotent stem cells, and questions linger about their effectiveness.

What’s the best type of stem cell

Ethical questions aside, researchers say they need to explore both embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells in order to see what works best for various diseases and conditions.

Safety concerns linger around induced pluripotent stem cells because they were first created inserting four new genes.

“Remember, this was a genetic manipulation that was done to generate those cells, and there is concern that (for) anything you derive from them and you put back in the patient as graft, you may be at risk,” said John Gearhart, director of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and one of the leading pioneers of stem cell research.

This image shows the donor egg cytoplasm, the substance that fills the cell, with the nucleus of the skin cell.

New techniques have been developed, however, to make induced pluripotent stem cells without permanent genetic modifications that were associated with tumors.

In mice, Daley and colleagues have shown that stem cells derived from the nuclear transfer of cells to make embryos — the technique described in Mitalipov’s paper — were indeed closer to natural embryo stem cells than induced pluripotent stem cells. The differences were so subtle that they may not be meaningful, however, he said.

Is it cloning?

The new study involves something similar to the cloning technique that led to the birth of Dolly, the famous cloned sheep that was born in July 1996. But making embryos for reproduction would require more advanced, complex techniques than were used in the new study — and serious scientists do not endorse human cloning for reproduction.

Mitalipov, senior author on the paper, laughs when asked if he wants to clone a person. “No, of course not,” he said.

“We tried the same approach to clone monkeys, because we’d been interested for biomedical research to produce cloned monkeys, and it never worked,” he said. “We’ve been working for a decade in that area.”

Mitalipov and colleagues had no intention of this research leading to the birth of a cloned human.

Researchers say there have been so many health problems in cloned animals, including Dolly herself, that it would not be ethical to attempt to create a cloned human.

“No legitimate scientist would be stepping forward to apply this in reproductive cloning, or for fertility work,” Daley said. “I would argue that really there are no good medical reasons to generate a cloned baby.”

So what is it good for?

There’s one important area where experts say Mitalipov’s method could have tremendous implications: Mitochondrial disease.

The mitochondria are the “power plants” of cells, supplying them with chemical energy. DNA in the mitochondria is inherited entirely from the mother’s egg, unlike the DNA in the cell’s nucleus, which comes from both parents.

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA can lead to deadly diseases, and their associated mutations are passed down to each new generation. Induced pluripotent stem cells preserve these harmful mutations, says Mitalipov.

A cell’s mitochondrial DNA develops mutations over the course of a lifetime, little by little, and may result in diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and diabetes, Mitalipov said. It’s possible, he says, that one day there will be stem cell treatments for aging and age-related diseases.

The only way to ensure that stem cells derived from an adult patient do not have mitochondrial DNA mutations would be to use the technique demonstrated in the new study, Mitalipov said: Creating embryos with cells from the patient’s own body, and healthy eggs, for the purpose of deriving embryonic stem cells.

“You want 0 miles in (the) rejuvenated cells that you want to put back into these patients,” he said. “The 0 mileage engine is in the egg.”

Mitalipov’s group also demonstrated in a 2012 Nature study that it could be possible to, using genetic techniques, reconstruct embryos that would not have the unhealthy mitochondrial mutations. This is not cloning, but draws on similar knowledge, and could cure a family’s genetic disease lineage in the future.

What’s next?

Daley estimates human clinical trials in stem cells will start within one to three years, but perhaps it could take a decade or more before the impact of stem cell therapy becomes widespread.

Gearhart is confident that the more we learn how to manipulate stem cells safely, there will be safe way to provide them to patients who need them. But there are different levels of risk for different uses. There will always be a risk-benefit calculation to be made, he said.

Different areas of stem cell research have proven to be harder than others. Beta cells for type I diabetes have been “a very difficult nut to crack,” Gearhart said, but there have been promising developments in repairing the heart, something that his lab has worked on, as well as for eye diseases.

“I think it’s going to be exciting times over the next several years when it comes to this,” he said.


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/18/health/stem-cells-cloning/index.html?eref=edition

Categories: Uncategorized Tags:

Trust your memory? Or not?

May 19th, 2013 No comments


Editor’s note: This is part of CNN’s “Life’s Work” series, which features innovators and pioneers who are making a difference in the world of health and medicine.

(CNN) — You probably feel pretty attached to your memories — they’re yours, after all. They define who you are and where you came from, your accomplishments and failures, your likes and dislikes.

Your memories help you separate friends from enemies. They remind you not to eat too much ice cream or drink cheap tequila because you remember how horrible it felt the last time you indulged.

Or do you?

One conversation with Elizabeth Loftus may shake your confidence in everything you think you remember. Loftus is a cognitive psychologist and expert on the malleability of human memory. She can, quite literally, change your mind.

Her work is reminiscent of films like “Memento” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” where what you believe happened is probably far from the truth — whether you’re the eyewitness to a crime or just trying to move past a bad relationship.

“She’s most known for her important work on memory distortion and false memories,” says Daniel Schacter, a psychology professor at Harvard University who first met Loftus in 1979 and describes her as energetic, smart and passionate. “It’s made people in the legal system aware the memory does not work like a tape recorder.”

In fact, Loftus’ research shows your memory works more like a Wikipedia page — a transcription of history created by multiple people’s perceptions and assumptions that’s constantly changing.

Eyewitness testimony

Elizabeth Loftus is a cognitive psychologist at the University of California Irvine.

One of Loftus’ first experiments, published in 1974, involved car accidents. In the lab she played videos of different incidents and then asked people what they remembered seeing. Their answers depended greatly on how she phrased the question.

For instance, if she asked how fast the cars were going when they “smashed” into each other, people estimated, on average, that the cars were going 7 mph faster than when she substituted the word “hit” for “smashed.” And a week after seeing the video, those who were asked using the word “smashed” remembered seeing broken glass, even though there was none in the film.

Even a seemingly less important word in the sentence can make a difference in an eyewitness account, Loftus found. In a subsequent study she asked people if they saw “a broken headlight” or “the broken headlight.” Those who were asked about “the” broken headlight were more likely to remember seeing it, though it never existed.

Police officers’ biggest mistake is talking too much, Loftus says. “They don’t, you know, wait and let the witness talk. They are sometimes communicating information to the witness, even inadvertently, that can convey their theory of what happened, their theory of who did it.”

This is particularly troubling when witnesses are identifying a perpetrator in a lineup. One of Loftus’ studies found even facial recognition can be “contagious” — if a witness overhears another witness or police officer describe a misleading facial feature, they are more likely to describe the criminal with that feature.

It’s not all the cops’ fault. “Misinformation is out there in the real world, everywhere,” Loftus says. “Witnesses talk to each other … they turn on the television or read the newspaper if it’s a high-publicity event. They see other witnesses’ account. All of these situations provide opportunities for new information to supplement, distort or contaminate their memories.”

Loftus has testified in and consulted on hundreds of trials over the past several decades, usually for the defense. Many were high-profile cases, including those of the Hillside Strangler, Michael Jackson, Martha Stewart, Oliver North and Phil Spector.

She’s not bothered by defending people others sometimes see as vicious criminals.

“DNA testing … has revealed that there are hundreds and hundreds of people who have been convicted in crimes, and they’re completely innocent,” she says, noting that they’re often convicted because of unreliable eyewitness testimony.

Repressed memories

Perhaps Loftus’ most powerful — and controversial — work came in the 1990s when she first began manufacturing false memories.

In 1990, Loftus got an intriguing call from the defense attorney for George Franklin, father of Eileen Franklin. In her mid-20s, Eileen Franklin claimed she remembered seeing her father rape and murder her best friend as a child. The prosecution said she had repressed the memory up until that point.

Loftus testified at the trial about the fallibility of memories but could not say whether she had ever studied repressed memories such as Eileen Franklin was maintaining. George Franklin was convicted, and Loftus went back to the lab.

After doing some research, she became convinced a therapist might have led Eileen Franklin to suspect her father in the murder. Therapists were essentially guiding patients to remember false events, Loftus believed — asking leading questions and telling their patients to imagine an event that might have happened.

For example, if a woman came in with an eating disorder, her therapist might say “80% of patients with an eating disorder were abused. Were you?” Then the therapist might ask the patient to think about who might have abused her and when.

While Loftus couldn’t definitively prove that repressed memories weren’t real, she could show that it was possible to implant a memory of a traumatic event that never happened.

Loftus recruited 24 students and their close family members for her 1995 study “The Formation of False Memories.” She asked each family member to provide her with three real childhood memories for their student, and then sent these memories in a packet, along with one false memory, to the study participants. The false memories were about getting lost on a shopping trip and included real details, such as the name of a store where they often shopped and siblings they were likely with.

The students were told all four memories were real and had been supplied by their family member. After receiving the packet, the students identified whether they remembered each event and how confident they were that it had happened to them. In follow-up interviews the researchers asked them to recall details from the events they remembered.

Seven of the 24 students “remembered” the false event in their packets. Several recalled and added their own details to the memory.

“It was pretty exciting to watch these normal, healthy individuals pick up on the suggestions in our interviews, and pick up the false information that we fed them,” Loftus says.

Loftus continued her experiments, convincing study participants they had broken a window with their hand, witnessed a drug bust, choked on an object before the age of 3 and had experienced other traumatic events. And she continued to testify in cases involving repressed memories.

“I don’t think there’s any credible, scientific support for this notion of massive repression,” Loftus says. “It’s been my position that, you know, we may one day find (the evidence), but until we do, we shouldn’t be locking people up.”

Unhealthy habits

Loftus soon began to wonder if she could influence other behaviors. What if she could convince people they had a negative experience with unhealthy food as a child? Would they eat less of it as an adult?

Using her finely tuned “recipe” for memory implantation, she guided study participants to believe they had gotten sick eating strawberry ice cream as children.

A week later, researchers asked about the ice cream incident. Many participants had developed a detailed memory — what Loftus calls a “rich false memory” — about when they had gotten sick. Subsequent studies showed this memory affected the participant’s actual eating behavior.

It seemed obvious to Loftus that there was potential here to fight obesity. Therapists couldn’t lie to their patients, but parents could convince kids that they didn’t like ice cream or other fattening foods. Critics raged that she was advocating lying to children.

“Which would you rather have?” Loftus replied simply. “A kid with obesity, heart problems, shortened lifespan, diabetes — or maybe a little bit of false memory?”

Schacter, who also studies memory, objects to the term “playing around” with someone’s mind. He, Loftus and others like them are simply trying to understand what’s going on in our memories, he says. “We’re assessing the limits of memory, the accuracy of memory. … Almost by definition we think we’re remembering accurately, even though we’re not.”

Already this year Loftus has co-authored studies on false memories related to alcohol, politics and stressful events. In one, called “Queasy Does It,” Loftus’ team took the same methods they used to persuade people to eat less ice cream and applied them to vodka or rum. Loftus says this research could potentially be used to help addicts in the future.

Her lab at the University of California Irvine is also working to identify the individual differences that make people more or less susceptible to memory alteration.

Sometime Loftus worries about crossing into unethical territory — like when she created false memories in military personnel who were training to survive as prisoners of war. When the study published, she feared “we were going to basically be giving (our enemies) a recipe for how to do bad things to other people and then contaminate their memory.”

But as a scientist, she says sharing how to implant memories — so we can potentially learn how to protect against it — is better than burying the information.

Walking the line

In 2006, Loftus attended a talk by legal scholar Adam Kolber on the legal and ethical implications of memory-dampening drugs. According to Kolber, neuroscientists had made significant strides in creating medications victims could take after a traumatic event to dampen the intensity of their memories. Kolber contended that while those drugs could hamper legal proceedings, “We have a deeply personal interest in controlling our own minds that entitles us to a certain freedom of memory.”

Loftus was fascinated. “I thought to myself, ‘I would want (the drugs),’” she says. Her colleague disagreed. So like any good experimental psychologist, Loftus started a study.

She asked people if they were the victim of a vicious crime, would they want to take the drug? Eighty percent said no. Well, maybe they want to be able to testify against the perpetrator, Loftus thought. So she ran it again — this time asking if they would take the drug after seeing their military buddy blown up by an IED overseas. Eighty percent refused.

“I thought, maybe I need to explain to them just how bad post-traumatic stress disorder is,” she remembers. So she did. “And they still don’t want the drug.”

The results taught Loftus just how much people cherish their memories.

“Even if it’s going to be a harmful memory, they don’t want to let it go,” she says. “(This is) why sometimes I get such resistance to the work I do. Because it’s telling people that your mind might be full of much more fiction than you realize. And people don’t like that.”

But you don’t need a psychological researcher to distort your memory in a lab, Loftus says. People distort their own memories all the time — they remember getting better grades than they did, voting in more elections than they did, having kids that walked or talked earlier than they actually did. Loftus calls this “prestige-enhancing memories.”

We all want to remember ourselves as just a little bit better than we really are, Loftus says, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Scientists call it “depressive realism,” and say depressed people may just remember things more accurately than the rest of us.

“A little bit of memory distortion might be good for people,” Loftus says.

This from the woman who has the power to make us remember traumatic childhood events that never happened. Hey, at least we still like ice cream.


Article source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/18/health/lifeswork-loftus-memory-malleability/index.html?eref=edition

Categories: Uncategorized Tags: