Mother of survivor: Bride-to-be among limo fire dead

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ? A limousine taking nine women to a bachelorette party erupted in flames, killing five of the passengers, including the bride-to-be, authorities and the mother of one of the survivors said Sunday.

The limo caught fire at around 10 p.m. Saturday on one of the busiest bridges on San Francisco Bay, California Highway Patrol officer Art Montiel told The Associated Press.

Five of the women were trapped, but the four other women managed to get out after the vehicle came to a stop on the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, the patrol said.

Rosita Guardiano told the San Francisco Chronicle that the woman for whom the bachelorette party was being thrown was to be married next month. Guardiano said her daughter was one of the survivors.

Investigators haven't determined what sparked the fire, but the patrol said the white stretch limo became engulfed in flames after smoke started coming out of the rear of the vehicle.

A photo taken by a witness and broadcast on KTVU-TV showed flames shooting from the back.

Aerial video shot after the incident showed about one-third of the back half of the limousine had been scorched by the fire. Its taillights and bumper were gone and it appeared to be resting on its rims, but the remainder of the vehicle didn't appear to be damaged.

The driver of the limo ? 46-year-old Orville Brown of San Jose ? was the only person to escape unhurt.

It wasn't clear if any other drivers on the bridge stopped and tried to help those get out, or how the driver managed to escape without injury.

All five women were pronounced dead at the scene. Autopsies were being conducted, San Mateo County Supervising Deputy Coroner Michelle Rippy said.

The company that operated the limo was identified as Limo Stop, which offers service through limousines, vans and SUVS.

A telephone message left at the company seeking comment by The Associated Press wasn't immediately returned. Attempts to reach the driver were also unsuccessful.

Guardiano said her daughter ? 42-year-old Mary Grace Guardiano of Alameda ? was being treated for smoke inhalation.

The three other women who escaped the fire, Jasmine Desguia, 34, of San Jose; Nelia Arrellano, 36, of Oakland; and Amalia Loyola, 48, of San Leandro, were taken to hospitals to be treated for smoke inhalation and burns, the patrol said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/patrol-5-women-die-limo-fire-calif-bridge-122231219.html

madonna super bowl halftime kelly clarkson super bowl giants super bowl 2012 half time show halftime show 2012 kelly clarkson super bowl 2012 ok go

Bangladesh official: Disaster not 'really serious'

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) ? Bangladesh's finance minister downplayed the impact of last week's factory-building collapse on his country's garment industry, saying Friday he didn't think it was "really serious" hours after the 500th body was pulled from the debris.

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith spoke as the government cracked down on those it blamed for the disaster in the Dhaka suburb of Savar. It suspended Savar's mayor and arrested an engineer who had called for the building's evacuation last week, but was also accused of helping the owner add three illegal floors to the eight-story structure. The building owner was arrested earlier.

The government appears to be attempting to fend off accusations that it is in part to blame for the tragedy because of weak oversight of the building's construction.

During a visit to the Indian capital, New Delhi, Muhith said the disaster would not harm Bangladesh's garment industry, which is by far the country's biggest source of export income.

"The present difficulties ... well, I don't think it is really serious ? it's an accident," he said. "And the steps that we have taken in order to make sure that it doesn't happen, they are quite elaborate and I believe that it will be appreciated by all."

The government made similar promises after a garment factory fire five months ago that killed 112, saying it would inspect factories for safety and pull the licenses of those that failed. However, that plan has yet to be implemented.

Asked if he was worried that foreign retailers might pull orders from his country, Muhith said he wasn't: "These are individual cases of ... accidents. It happens everywhere."

Muhith, a long-time government official from a prominent family, has been criticized for insensitive comments in the past ? even by his own party. Last year when thousands of small investors lost their savings and poured into the streets seeking government intervention, Muhith said it wasn't responsible and the investors were at fault.

The official death toll from the April 24 collapse reached 512 Friday and was expected to climb, making it likely the deadliest garment-factory accident in world history. It surpassed long-ago disasters such as New York's Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire, which killed 146 workers in 1911, and more recent tragedies such as a 2012 fire that killed about 260 people in Pakistan and one in Bangladesh that same year that killed 112.

At the site of the collapse, workers carefully used cranes to remove the concrete rubble and continue the slow task of recovering bodies. The official number of missing has been 149 since Wednesday, though unofficial estimates are higher.

"We are still proceeding cautiously so that we get the bodies intact," said Maj. Gen. Chowdhury Hassan Suhwardy, the commander of the area's army garrison supervising the rescue operation.

A government investigator said Friday that substandard building materials, combined with the vibration of the heavy machines used by the five garment factories inside the Rana Plaza building, led to the horrific collapse.

Mainuddin Khandkar, the head of a government committee investigating the disaster, said substandard rods, cement, bricks and other weak materials were used in the building's construction.

About 15 minutes before the collapse, the building was hit by a power blackout, so its heavy generators were turned on, shaking the weakened structure, Khandkar said.

"The vibration created by machines and generators operating in the five garment factories contributed first to the cracks and then the collapse," he said, adding that a final report would be soon submitted to the government.

Police official Ohiduzzaman said Friday that engineer Abdur Razzak Khan was arrested a day earlier on a charge of negligence. He said Khan worked as a consultant to Rana Plaza owner Mohammed Sohel Rana when the illegal three-floor addition was made to the building.

Rana called Khan to inspect the building after it developed cracks on April 23, local media reported. That night Khan appeared on a private television station saying that after his inspection he told Rana to evacuate the building because it was not safe.

Khan, a former engineer at Jahangirnagar University near Savar, said he told government engineers the building needed to be examined further.

Police ordered the building evacuated, but witnesses say Rana told people gathered outside the next morning that the building was safe and that garment factory managers told their workers to go inside. It collapsed hours later.

Authorities also suspended the mayor of Savar, Mohammad Refatullah, for alleged negligence, said Abu Alam, a top official of the local government ministry.

Alam said an official investigation had found that the mayor ignored rules in approving the design and layout of the doomed building. The mayor is from the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which has criticized his suspension as politically motivated.

The government also effectively suspended Kabir Hossain Sardar, the top government administrator at Savar, following reports that he declared the building safe after inspecting the cracks a day before the collapse. Sardar had close links with Rana. Alam said the government was taking action against everyone involved with Rana and his building.

Rana was arrested earlier and is expected to be charged with negligence, illegal construction and forcing workers to join work, crimes punishable by a maximum of seven years in jail. Authorities have not said if more serious crimes will be added.

The Bangladesh High Court has ordered the government to confiscate Rana's property and freeze the assets of the owners of the factories in Rana Plaza so the money can be used to pay the salaries of their workers.

The minimum wage for a garment worker is $38 a month, after being nearly doubled this year following violent protests by workers. According to the World Bank, the per capita income in Bangladesh was about $64 a month in 2011.

Among the garment makers in the building were Phantom Apparels, Phantom Tac, Ether Tex, New Wave Style and New Wave Bottoms.

___

AP Videojournalist Archana Thiyagarajan in New Delhi contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/bangladesh-official-disaster-not-really-serious-093506342.html

the voice Denny Hamlin My Chemical Romance Olympus Has Fallen Arnold Palmer Invitational 2013 arnold palmer invitational Chinua Achebe

BRIEF-Nedbank says Q1 net interest income up 7.3 pct

May 1 (Reuters) - Post position for Saturday's 139th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs after Wednesday's draw (listed as barrier, HORSE, jockey, trainer) 1. BLACK ONYX, Joe Bravo, Kelly Breen 2. OXBOW, Gary Stevens, D. Wayne Lukas 3. REVOLUTIONARY, Calvin Borel, Todd Pletcher 4. GOLDEN SOUL, Robby Albarado, Dallas Stewart 5. NORMANDY INVASION, Javier Castellano, Chad Brown 6. MYLUTE, Rosie Napravnik, Tom Amoss 7. GIANT FINISH, Jose Espinoza, Tony Dutrow 8. GOLDENCENTS, Kevin Krigger, Doug O'Neill 9. OVERANALYZE, Rafael Bejarano, Todd Pletcher 10. PALACE MALICE, Mike Smith, Todd Pletcher 11. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/brief-nedbank-says-q1-net-interest-income-7-062621964.html

Sam Champion Hulk Hogan sex tape orioles Sarah Jones chicago marathon Johnny Depp Dead college football rankings

Obama, Mexican president talk security

MEXICO CITY (AP) ? Acknowledging uncertainty ahead, President Barack Obama said Thursday the U.S. will cooperate with Mexico in fighting drug-trafficking and organized crime in any way Mexico's government deems appropriate. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto emphasized that the security relationship must be expanded to focus on trade and commerce.

Appearing alongside Pena Nieto at a news conference, Obama recommitted the U.S. to fighting the demand for illegal drugs in his country and the flow of illegal guns across the border to Mexico, even as the southern neighbor rethinks how much access it gives to American security agencies.

"I agreed to continue our close cooperation on security, even as the nature of that cooperation will evolve," Obama said. "It is obviously up to the Mexican people to determine their security structures and how it engages with other nations ? including the United States."

Obama's remarks come as Pena Nieto, in a shift from his predecessor, has moved to end the widespread access that U.S. security agencies have had in Mexico to help fight drug-trafficking and organized crime. The White House has been cautious in its public response to the changes, with the president and his advisers saying they need to hear directly from the Mexican leader before making a judgment.

Pena Nieto, speaking at the news conference in Spanish, said his government's new security strategy emphasizes reducing violence. But he downplayed the notion that it would mean a diminished effort to fight organized crime. "There is no clash between these two goals," he said.

He said Obama told him the U.S. will "cooperate on the basis of mutual respect" to promote an efficient security strategy.

The two leaders met Thursday on the first day of Obama's three-day trip to Mexico and Costa Rica, his first visit to Latin America since winning re-election. Obama was met at the steps of his plane by an honor guard and a bugler before heading to the National Palace for his meetings with the Mexican leader.

Seeking to put a new spin on a long-standing partnership, Obama is promoting jobs and trade ? not drug wars or border security ? as the driving force behind the U.S.-Mexico relationship. But security concerns nonetheless shadowed the visit.

"With the new Mexican administration coming into office, it certainly stands to reason that President Pena Nieto would want to take a look at the nature of our cooperation," said Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security adviser. "So we're currently working with the Mexicans to evaluate the means by which we cooperate, the means by which we provide assistance."

The White House, hoping to move the discussion surrounding the president's trip beyond security, has emphasized in recent days a desire to boost economic ties to Mexico.

Already the economic relationship between the two countries is robust, with Mexico accounting for $500 billion in U.S. trade in 2011 and ranking as the second-largest export market for U.S. goods. A stronger Mexican economy would result in even more trade and job growth on both sides of the border, Obama aides say.

Among the cadre of advisers traveling with the president is Michael Froman, a longtime White House international economic adviser who was nominated by Obama just hours before the trip to serve as the next U.S. Trade Representative.

A host of other pressing issues are vying for Obama's attention as he launches his quick trip to Mexico and then to Costa Rica. Among those issues are possible chemical weapons use in Syria, the arrest of three more people in connection with the Boston Marathon bombings, and the delicate immigration negotiations underway on Capitol Hill.

Obama will be looking for a nod of support for the immigration effort from Pena Nieto. The Mexican leader is expected to back the effort, although it's unlikely he will take a public position on specific components of any pending legislation in order to avoid the impression that Mexico is meddling in U.S. domestic politics.

Still, Pena Nieto's support ? particularly for stricter border security efforts ? could help Obama sell the measure to wary Republicans, many of whom have long opposed giving legal status to people in the country illegally before securing the border. A bipartisan Senate bill Obama is backing would make a pathway to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally contingent on a secure border.

"They are critical to our ability to secure the border," Rhodes, the Obama adviser, said of Mexico. "All the immigration plans that have been contemplated put a focus on securing the border as an essential priority and starting point for immigration reform."

On Friday, Obama will speak to an audience of Mexican students before heading to Costa Rica for talks with Central American leaders. His meetings there are expected to focus on bolstering regional economic cooperation, as well as security issues.

___

Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-mexican-president-talk-economy-security-222300325.html

superbowl halftime show jason wu for target underwood buffalo wings superbowl kick off time 2012 new york giants hot wings recipe

Al Pacino Has Manglehorn

David Gordon Green?s productivity amazes me. Not only is he promoting Prince Avalanche while wrapping up production on Joe (starring Nicolas Cage), but he?s also begun planning his newest film Manglehorn, and he wants Academy Award-winning actor and industry legend Al Pacino as the lead. The film would tell the story of an ex-con living in anonymity while nursing his sick cat and slowly falling into a dull routine, but his tranquility is eventually threatened when he?s unmasked as a man with a dark past.

Al Pacino?s career is at an all-time low. His latest movies make little effort to showcase his wonderful acting skills ? Stand Up Guys barely made a passing grade, The Son of No One was laughable, and nobody is willing to accept the fact that Jack and Jill even exists (except Adam Sandler, of course). Nevertheless, I still enjoy Pacino quite a bit. Maybe I?m just hanging on to the idea of a younger Pacino, who delighted audiences and critics alike with flawless performances in Serpico and Dog Day Afternoon. Perhaps Manglehorn can give the actor back the confidence to take on more serious roles, and hopefully it will get him the accolades he truly deserves.

As far as?David Gordon Green goes, well, he is an exciting filmmaker, no doubt about that. Has anyone seen his debut film George Washington? OK, probably not. Still, it?s a solid movie. How about All the Real Girls and Pineapple Express? The former was an instant indie hit, while the latter went on to become an iconic stoner film. Sounds like a fairly decent career, right? Wrong. Critical reception of the director?s later films has been intermittent, to say the least. Is intermittent the right word? I mean terrible. Despite early success with thoughtful indie dramas, somewhere down the road the guy decided to make Your Highness and The Sitter ? two tragedies in less than a year. Will he get back on track with Joe and?Manglehorn?

Manglehorn was co-written by Paul Logan and is being financed by Worldview Entertainment.

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1927381/news/1927381/

wwe extreme rules 2012 vontaze burfict jimmy kimmel amzn white house correspondents dinner phoenix coyotes bruce irvin

Microsoft reportedly working on Mohoro, an Azure-hosted virtualization service

Microsoft is plumbing the depths of cloud computing yet again with the development of what could be a pay-per-use desktop virtualization service called Mohoro. According to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, Mohoro is essentially Azure's answer to Remote Desktop, but as a hosted service. Intended for "companies who want thin clients or to run legacy apps on new PCs," her source states that, "With Mohoro, you click a few buttons, deploy your apps, use Intune to push out configuration to all of your company's devices, and you're done," thus skipping the need for server infrastructure. As Foley points out, however, Azure-hosted virtual machines aren't currently set up to run Windows clients under Microsoft's licensing terms. What's more, Mohoro development is reportedly in its early days, and as such, Foley speculates that it won't be a reality until much later -- she's guessing the latter half of 2014.

Filed under: Networking, Microsoft

Comments

Source: ZDNet

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/02/microsoft-mohoro-virtualization-service/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget

Ravi Shankar Geminid meteor shower right to work Clackamas Town Center 12 12 12 Anne Hathaway Wardrobe Malfunction Adrienne Maloof

Health And Fitness: Finding A Natural Treatment For Eczema

An estimated 8 percent of the world's population suffer from a skin condition referred to as eczema. The latter is a chronic disorder of the skin that results in the formation of scaly, red rashes. The disorder may also cause flaking and blistering, and is typically accompanied by intense itching. Those suffering from this condition usually find that it often disappears for several months to several years at a time, only to flare up suddenly again without warning. If traditional medications fail, a person may wish to consider a natural treatment for eczema.

Choosing a holistic remedy for such a condition is not as challenging as one may think. However, what may be effective for one person may be of little help for the next. Therefore, it is important to conduct proper research before choosing a treatment. The following are some natural remedies that are regarded as some of the most beneficial in controlling eczema symptoms.

Those searching for herbal supplements to alleviate their symptoms may wish to try red clover oil. This oil is a natural remedy that has become quite popular for the treatment of severe or chronic cases of the aforementioned skin disorder. Additionally, it can be placed directly on oozing or blistering skin. Many consumers discover that their flareups begin to subside after just one application. Although it is available in capsule form, topical red clover oil is recommended for best results.

Green tea is another effective treatment for eczema. In addition to the numerous health benefits it is known for, this type of tea contains anti-inflammatory properties, making it an ideal natural cure for many skin disorders. It can be consumed over ice or prepared as hot tea; however, to enjoy the full spectrum of benefits it offers, it is important to consume at least three, six-ounce cups per day. Sweetener or lemon can be added to taste.

The CDC states that foods containing high amounts of omega-3 essential fatty acids may calm down the inflammation and itching associated with eczema. Nuts, soybeans, and fatty fish such as salmon, herring, tuna, or mackerel are also good sources of Omega-3's.

Most individuals agree that a nutritious diet should contain generous amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables. However, those afflicted with the skin disorder mentioned above may derive additional benefits from a produce rich diet. This is because such foods contain nutrients such as beta-carotene and vitamin A, which not only have natural anti-inflammatory properties, but also help one to maintain general skin health.

Dark, leafy green vegetables are also wise choices for eczema suffers, as such vegetables are rich in chlorophyll. The latter contains purifying properties that prevent skin rashes by eliminating toxins from one's bloodstream. Top choices in this category are carrots, spinach, and beets.

Studies are now underway to find out if there is a natural treatment for eczema that will help the majority of individuals who suffer from this disorder. Until these studies commence, however, patients may find it necessary to use various remedies prior to finding one that is beneficial. As always, it is also wise for consumers to talk to their doctor prior to consuming any new supplement or making dietary changes.

Source: http://healthandfitnessforyo.blogspot.com/2013/05/finding-natural-treatment-for-eczema.html

April Fools Jokes Julie Roberts roses april fools Good April Fools Jokes Dumpster Diaper