Lance Armstrong: Usada report labels him 'a serial cheat'

Lance Armstrong's reputation lies in tatters after the United States Anti-Doping Agency labelled him a "serial" cheat who led "the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen".

Usada has already banned the 41-year-old American for life and stripped him of his seven Tour de France titles.
But now it has detailed why it took such action, using evidence from 11 of Armstrong's former team-mates.
Armstrong has always denied doping.
(BBC Sport)

The Greatest Treasure

Malala Yousafzai Flown To U.K. Hospital

Malala Yousafzai, the 14-year-old girl who was shot in the head by the Taliban in Pakistan last week, has been flown to Britain for specialist care. The youngster was seriously wounded as she sat on a bus going to school. She was targeted by the Taliban for campaigning for the rights of girls in Pakistan to have an education. The Taliban says she and her family will still be targets if she continues to promote education for girls. Malala needs urgent treatment for a damaged skull, followed by what Pakistani doctors called "intensive neuro-rehabilitation". The hospital has specialist facilities for gunshot wounds and head injuries and has treated hundreds of soldiers returning injured from Afghanistan.
Malala has been campaigning since she was 11. Wikipedia says of her: "She is known for her education and women's rights activism in the Swat Valley, where the Taliban has at times banned girls from attending school. In early 2009, at the age of 11, Yousafzai came to prominence through a blog she wrote for the BBC detailing her life under the Taliban regime…and her views on promoting education for girls." It added: "She has…been nominated for the International Children's Peace Prize by Desmond Tutu, and has won Pakistan's first National Youth Peace Prize." Former U.K. prime minister Gordon Brown has started an online petition called "I am Malala," campaigning for the rights of 61 million children to go to school. (Breaking News English ESL)

The First Well

80 people arrested in crackdown against Chinese mob

Chinese nationals would take bags and suitcases filled with money to their country where it was recieved by members of the money laundering organization who would then invest it in other businesses.

At least 80 people were detained in Spain and other countries in "Operation Emperor" which dismantled a gang integrated by Chinese nationals which allegedly laundered an estimated 200 to 300 million euros a year, Spain's chief anti-corruption prosecutor said on Tuesday (October 16).
Six million euros in cash were found during police raids, as well as 202 vehicles, jewellery and pieces of art. One hundred and twenty-two bank accounts and 235 banking societies have been intervened, authorities said.
Amongst those arrested are a councillor from Fuenlabrada near Madrid, Spanish porn actor Nacho Vidal and members of the police.
Raids took place in Madrid, Barcelona and other locations in the Basque Country, Castille and León and the southern city of Málaga. Most of the 80 detentions took place in Spain and seven other countries including China. In total 110 arrest warrants have been issued.
The chief anti-corruption prosecutor Antonio Salinas said the Chinese nationals would take bags and suitcases filled with money to their country where it was recieved by members of the money laundering organization who would then invest it in real estate and other businesses.
They would also lauder cash through money transfers and at one point had their own money transferring agency, Salinas said.
Another way money was laundered was through agreements with Spaniards who have money in tax-free havens. The Spaniards would send the money to China, and then cash was handed over in Spain. The investigation is still ongoing, police said. (eitb.com)

UK has 'weirdest' year of weather ever

From the driest spring in over 100 years to the wettest April to June on record, you could say that the weather in the UK has been a bit odd recently.

Well according to a group of experts the weather in the UK over the last few months has actually been the "weirdest" ever on record.
Scientists from three organisations have been keeping an eye on the weather here.
They think it's a pattern we might have to get used to.
Paul Mustow, head of flood management for the Environment Agency said: "We have to get our heads round the possibility now that we're going to have to move very quickly from drought to flood."
Experts from the Environment Agency, the Met Office and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology say the UK needs to put better plans in place for the future. (CBBC Newsround)

Breast cancer

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when men and women around the world unite in a show of support against the disease.

The annual campaign has helped put breast cancer under the spotlight, and it has worked hard to teach women the importance of early detection and breast awareness, the best weapons in the fight against the disease.

Both have helped save the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, including some famous faces who have successfully battled breast cancer because it was caught in its early stages.

Here's how to stay vigilant and reduce your risk.
Have an annual check
For average-risk women, a clinical breast exam done by a GP or nurse as part of a regular health examination is recommended. For those aged 47-50 and above, this annual check can be an important complement to a mammogram, which is offered every three years
Examine your breasts regularly Know what is normal for you and report any changes to your doctor
Eat healthily
Make friends with vegetables and fruits, high in fibre and antioxidants. A low-fat diet has been shown to help ward off breast cancer
Maintain a healthy weight
Extra pounds also mean extra risk
Limit alcohol
Drinking is one of the known lifestyle choices that increase your risk of developing breast cancer, so cut back or quit if you can
Stub it out
Now is the time to stop smoking
Get active
To reduce your risk of disease, the World Cancer Research Fund recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on five or more days a week (Hello!)

Walt Disney

Walt Disney was one of the most famous people ever to have lived. He has touched the lives of millions of children and adults. He holds the record for winning the most Academy Awards (26) and was an innovative film producer and animator. He created some of the most successful characters, movies and theme parks of the 20th Century.

Disney was born in 1901 in Chicago. He developed a great love of drawing as a youngster. When he was ten, he discovered the world of theatre and cinema and fell in love with it. He became the cartoonist for his high school newspaper. In 1920, he set up his own animation company and his “Laugh-O-Gram” cartoons became very popular.

Disney wanted more and so he moved to Hollywood. He developed a character based on a pet mouse he once had. He gave the mouse his own voice and personality. Disney’s wife named him Mickey. Disney put Mickey in his first movie with sound, ‘Steamboat Willie’. By 1930, Mickey Mouse was the world’s most popular cartoon character and Walt Disney was a household name.

Following on from Mickey’s success, Disney created characters such as Donald Duck, Goofy, and Pluto. He then produced an animated feature-length version of Snow White, which was the most successful movie of 1938. Dozens more movies followed, including Fantasia and Bambi. Disney built up a global entertainment empire, including his Disneyland theme park. He died of cancer in 1966. (Famous People Lessons.com)

 

Amy Jade Winehouse

Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer and songwriter. She was known for her marvelous voice and controversial private life. She debuted in 2003 at the age of 20 with the album ‘Frank’. It set her on the road to fame. Music lovers everywhere were excited about her talents and how her career would progress. She was one of music’s hottest stars but constantly battled against drugs and alcohol.

She grew up in a family that loved jazz. Her musical talents were clear to see from a very young age. Aged ten, she formed a rap group called Sweet 'n' Sour with a childhood friend. She got her first guitar when she was 13 and she began writing music. She signed to a major record label after they heard her distinctive voice.

Winehouse’s second album “Back To Black” made her an acclaimed international star. She won dozens of awards, including five at the 2008 Grammy’s. Some of the biggest names in rock were waiting to collaborate with her. George Michael said: "Amy is the best female vocalist I have ever heard in my entire career, as well as one of the best writers."

Winehouse was constantly the focus of media attention. She couldn’t escape the reporters who followed her every move. She has given them good reason to write about her. Her battles with drug and alcohol abuse and her self-destructive behaviour was often tabloid news. The world has lost an amazing talent who had so much more incredible music to offer. She died in July, 2011, aged 27. (Famous People Lessons.com)

European Central Bank - Men Only

In this day and age of supposed sexual equality, it is unbelievable that there is not a single woman among the top 58 positions of the European Central Bank (ECB), even though women make up 34 per cent of the European Parliament. This situation, or crisis, has led to the postponement of a hearing for a new nominee, another man, to be appointed to the six-member Executive Board of the ECB. The Board did have a woman member from after it was founded in 1998 until May 2011, when Austria's Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell left her post. Besides there being no women on the Executive Board, there is also a total female absence on the ECB's 23-member Governing Council and its 29-strong General Council.
The European Parliament's economic and monetary chief Sharon Bowles expressed her frustration with the all-male institution. She said: "There is now not even a single woman sitting on the main board of what is one of the most powerful and essential institutions in the EU." She added that the bank needs to act to rectify things, saying: "The symbolic and practical effects of this absence are not without note. It does seem, as with corporations, that there is a systemic cultural problem to address." Ms Bowles said she had been told "that no women could be located" and that there were no plans in place to promote women. It is likely that Luxembourg banker Mr Yves Mersch will fill a current vacancy on the Board. (Breaking News English)

Hospital Cleaner Fired for Speaking Polish

A Polish hospital cleaner in Norway has been fired for speaking Polish during her lunch break. Johanna Renclawowicz, 34, received her marching orders from the Sykehuset Telemark hospital. Her dismissal letter said: "You have been given information that only Norwegian shall be spoken during working time. Your colleagues and patients have repeatedly complained that Polish is spoken in the eating area, cleaning department and corridors, etc." The hospital claimed they continually warned Ms Renclawowicz against using Polish at work. In August, they sent her a letter that was titled, "The use of language in the workplace". In it, she was told that speaking Polish created a "bad working environment".
Ms Renclawowicz moved to Norway four years ago to find a better life. She now has a three-year-old daughter and a mortgage on her house. She started work at the hospital in August 2011 as a temporary worker. Four other Poles at the hospital warned her that the hospital had banned Polish. She said: "It was strange that we were expected to speak Norwegian to each other on our breaks, even when we're not that fluent….Every time the boss heard one of us speaking Polish, she said, 'Speak Norwegian'. She mainly complained if it happened during lunch breaks." There were even, "We speak Norwegian at work" posters put up in the hospital. She will now sue the hospital for discrimination and unfair dismissal. (Breaking News English)

JK Rowling says her next book will be for children

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has revealed that the next book she writes will be for children.

Her latest novel was written for adults but JK told fans at a book festival in Cheltenham that her new book would be for young children.
She said she had "a number of ideas on my laptop" but would not say what the new book might be about.
The world-famous writer also told to the crowd she makes up bedtime stories for her three children.
"But they are tailored very much for my children, so don't expect to see those being published anytime soon."
The author has sold more than 400 million books worldwide. (CBBC Newsround)

94 percent of Spaniards breath dirty air which damages their health

A report has been presented by Eccolgists in Action

 

94% of Spanish people breathe dirty air which damages their health.
The circulating traffic and industrial activity are responsible according to the World Health Organisation.
400,000 premature deaths occur in 27 members of the European Union every year because of contamination of which 20,000 were registered in Spain.
The annual report from ‘Ecologistas en Acción’ is the only one to measure the quality of air and the particles in suspension. Nitrogen dioxide, tropospheric ozone, and sulphur dioxide were the main contaminants in 2011.
The costs derived from atmospheric contamination represents between 1.7% and 4.7% of Spanish GDP.
Eight times more times of people are killed by contamination than in traffic accidents. (typicallyspanish.com)

 

Police search for missing girl in Wales

Police and volunteers are searching for a five-year-old girl who went missing on Monday night.

April Jones was playing with friends near her house in a village near Powys in Wales when she disappeared.
Around 200 volunteers have spent the night searching streets and nearby woodlands looking for her.
She was reportedly last seen getting into a grey van. Police are speaking to the children she was playing with to find out exactly what happened.
Police have arrested a 46-year-old man who they hope will be able to help in their investigation. (CBBC Newsround)

Great Barrier Reef loses half of its coral

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is disappearing, according to new research.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system covering a mega 1,600 miles along Australia's north east coast.
But scientists have found that than half of it has been destroyed in the past 27 years.
They think that a mixture of bad storms, rising sea temperatures and coral eating starfish is to blame.

Researchers in Australia, who carried out the report, are worried that the coral cover could halve again by 2022 if things don't change.

Coral can recover from damage but it can take up to 20 years for it to get back to full health.
The team are going to try and stop the coral being eaten by crown-of-thorns starfish, who they think are responsible for destroying almost half of the reef.
Coral reefs are an important part of the marine ecosystem, they provide food and act as protection for young fish to hide in. (CBBC Newsround)

Halloween