Gold Medalist Dies After America's Cup Racing Boat Capsizes

May 10, 2013 (SAN FRANCISCO) -- Training on the San Francisco Bay turned deadly for an America's Cup racing team from Sweden. The Artemis Racing catamaran capsized near Alcatraz Thursday afternoon, killing one team member.

A familiar set of questions is being asked after a 72-foot catamaran belonging to Artemis Racing capsized in the San Francisco Bay, trapping a British sailor underwater for ten minutes on Thursday afternoon. The sailor, British Olympic gold medalist Andrew "Bart" Simpson, was pulled out from under the wrecked boat and taken to the nearby St. Francis Yacht Club, where he was pronounced dead. He was 36 years old.


And so everybody's wondering: Is the San Francisco Bay too dangerous for America's Cup training? Is the race itself too dangerous? It was just six months ago that Larry Ellison's 72-foot America's Cup boat capsized in the San Francisco Bay after zipping underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. And this was after Ellison was allowed to dictate the size limitations for boats competing in the race, opening the door for these giant catamarans. "Has Ellison's plan to turn the world's most famous yacht race into a high-tech white-knuckle NASCAR of the sea gone too far for speed?" the San Jose Mercury News wondered at the time.

The new class of America's Cup contenders is simply a consequence of the race's hypercompetitive tradition. To keep the race exciting, they say, the sailors have to keep pushing the limits. The sailors prepare for the worst, many of them wearing helmets on board and carrying mini oxygen canisters in their pockets in case they get trapped under water. "If you can only race to the top of first gear, it's boring," Team Oracle USA leader Jimmy Spithill said in November. "You need to be pushed."

It must be a team philosophy. Oracle's chief engineer Dirk Kramers echoed the sentiment, "If nobody takes risks there will be no progress."

Actor William Roache British Soap Charged with Rape

LONDON (Reuters) - William Roache, the world's longest serving soap actor according to Guinness World Records, was charged on Wednesday with two counts of rape against an underage girl, British prosecutors said.

Roache, 81, who plays Ken Barlow in the popular soap opera "Coronation Street", is the latest high-profile figure to be accused of sex crimes in Britain since the death of BBC television presenter Jimmy Savile in 2011.

Savile was one of the BBC's biggest stars in the 1970s and 1980s, but after his death police discovered he had allegedly committed sex crimes on an unprecedented scale, triggering an investigation that has netted several other celebrities.

"We have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Roache to be charged with two offences of rape relating to a girl, aged 15, in 1967," said prosecutor Nazir Afzal in a statement.

Roache is expected to appear at Preston Magistrates' Court, in northern England, on May 14. Neither he nor his representatives have made any comment since his arrest earlier on Wednesday.

Roache's arrest was not directly related to Savile investigations.

Other high-profile figures arrested in connection with sexual crimes since the Savile probe began include celebrity publicist Max Clifford, glam-rock singer Gary Glitter and comedian Freddie Starr, all of whom deny any wrongdoing.

(Reporting by Mohammed Abbas; Editing by Michael Roddy)

Baby Left In Locked Car With A Note 'My Mum's Doing The Shopping'

Locked in: the baby with the note. Photo: Facebook

A photo of a baby inside a locked car outside a New Zealand supermarket has sparked outrage online.

The photo was taken outside Porirua Pak 'n Save on Saturday morning, the New Zealand Herald reported.

The photo shows a newborn baby wrapped in a blanket in a car seat, with a note on the blanket saying to call if there are any issues.

A mobile phone number is on the note.

A man who spoke to the Herald said he saw the baby and the note after he and his family parked next to it.

"It was written from the baby's perspective, and it said, 'My mum's in doing the shopping, call her if I need anything', and it had the cellphone number.

"We waited there for a little bit, wondering if the mum was just going to be two seconds and come back. And my wife said, 'I'm not going in without someone being here with the baby'," the man told the Herald.

The photo was posted on radio personality Polly Gillespie's Facebook page and triggered many heated responses.

Commenter Cat Marie Horne wrote: "I'm sorry this is completely irresponsible! You do not leave children under the age of 14 unsupervised at all.

"Why did she have time to write a note?? Secondly, you do not put a capsule seat in the front of a car, due to dashboard airbags. Also, if you are that tired you should not be driving."

There were more than 1100 comments on the post, with many outraged at the incident, but many felt sympathy for the mother involved.

Linda Gill wrote:"It was in Porirua, according to the original Facebook post... and it's not something I would have done but I choose not to come on here and condemn her.

"It's very easy to come on here and cast judgement on others, because I'm sure you've never, ever done anything wrong in your lives.

"The difference is someone took a photo this time. Aren't you all glad that someone isn't following you around with a camera. (Aimed at no one in particular, just food for thought)."

Porirua Pak 'n Save compliance manager Marty Fryer said he didn't know what had happened until somebody rang him about it yesterday.

"It's not really an issue we deal with normally, although we get all sorts of things going on out here.

"We have staff in the carpark so if they saw something like a baby in a car they would bring it to our attention," he said.

It is illegal for a parent or guardian to leave a child under the age of 14 alone for an unreasonable time or in unreasonable conditions. Doing so could result in a fine of up to $2000.

Fairfax NZ News

Jason Molina Dead at 39

7 Missing Siblings Missing in Fresno Found in Sacramento

Seven children from northern California, who have been missing for five days, have been found with their estranged father in Sacramento, according to an NBC News report.
By Reuters 


FRESNO, California - Seven children from northern California, who have been missing for five days, have been found with their estranged father in Sacramento, according to an NBC News report.

The children were believed to have been abducted by their father while their mother was out grocery shopping, police said on Thursday.
The children's mother and stepfather left their 12-year-old son to mind the other six siblings while the couple went grocery shopping on Saturday evening, Fresno police spokesman Sergeant Jaime Rios said in a telephone interview.
When the couple returned, the children were missing and their clothing and luggage were gone, police said.
Investigators believe the children's biological father, Xa Yang, took them, Rios said, adding that Xa Yang was divorced from the children's mother and was believed to be living in Sacramento.
Police in Sacramento and Fresno were working jointly on the case.

Food Stamps ... For Pets?

ABC OTUS News - Food Stamps ... For Pets? (ABC News)

When man falls on hard times, what's his best friend to do?

A new donation-based program called Pet Food Stamps aims to provide food stamps for pets of low-income families and for food stamp recipients who otherwise could not afford to feed their pets, reported ABC affiliate KVIA in Las Cruces, N.M.

Based in New York, the program is open to anyone in the United States. More than 45,000 pets have already been signed up in the past two weeks, according to the program's founder and executive director Marc Okon. Once need and income is verified, the families will receive pet food each month from pet food retailer Pet Food Direct for a six-month period.

"We're not looking for government funding at this point," Okon told ABCNews.com. "Should the government be willing to provide assistance further down the line, we will look into it."

The only way to apply for the program is through an online application, but Okon said applications would be accepted through mail once the program moved to its new office.

Okon said the program's nonprofit status was still pending.

There is currently no federal pet food stamp program in place, although the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service tries to provide protection for animals in case of emergencies or natural disasters. The 1966 Animal Welfare Act also makes no mention of providing food for pets.

Okon's program isn't revolutionary. Other animal shelters and rescue leagues around the country, such as the Washington Animal Rescue League, have been providing pet food banks, in addition to discounted pet care, for years.

"One of our missions is to provide income-qualified families with discounted pet care, vaccinations, vaccine clinics, neutered clinics and vet care," said Washington Animal Rescue League spokesman Matt Williams. "We have a new medical center on site. … We also have a food bank run entirely on donations."

Pet Food Stamps

The new pet food stamp program comes at a when monthly food stamp assistance could be phased out. A temporary food stamp boost for low-income families was initiated in April 2009 to help offset the effects of the 2008 recession and is set to expire on Oct. 31, 2013, unless Congress passes legislation to extend the benefits.

Approximately 46.6 million people used the federal food stamp program in 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Pet Food Stamps program, NYS non-profit corp. pending, with a Tax ID/EIN,  has been created to fill the void in the United States Food Stamp program which excludes the purchase of pet food and pet supplies. In these rough economic times, many pet owners are forced to abandon their beloved pet to the ASPCA, North Shore Animal League or other animal shelters due to the inability to pay for their basic food supply and care. There are over 50 million Americans who currently receive Food Stamps, many with dogs or cats, who simply cannot afford to feed their animals, and these cherished companions are dropped off at animal shelters where they will most likely be put to sleep. A recent New York Times article states that “animal shelters have reported a steep rise in the number of cats and dogs being surrendered as owners face unemployment, home foreclosures, evictions and other financial hardships.” As more families struggle with difficult choices like paying the rent or buying food, some have to choose between keeping their pet and putting food on the table..

The Pet Food Stamps program, due to the generosity of contributors and patrons, are able to eliminate that heart-wrenching decision by making sure these pet owners are given free monthly home delivery of all necessary food supplies to maintain the health and vitality of their pets. 

With the continued growth of the Pet Food Stamps program, it is expected in the 4th quarter 2013 to expand into offering free or heavily discounted veterinary care for all qualified program beneficiaries as part of the Pet Food Stamps program.
Once you are a verified and approved member of the Pet Food Stamps program, our staff will place your pet food order with  www.PetFoodDirect.com  based on the amount awarded with your application approval and your pets needs.
PetFoodDirect is an independent retailer and is NOT a subsidiary or affiliated in any way with the Pet Food Stamps program.

If you are not a member of the Pet Food Stamps program, we are able to offer a 10% discount on all orders over $49 with the code: DONATE2PFS at checkout @ www.PetFoodDirect.com 


If you are receiving Food Stamps or are in a low income bracket and would like to apply for Pet Food Stamps, please click HERE. If you would like to help the program by making a secure  donation, please click HERE. For any questions, comments or corporate sponsorship's, feel free to contact us HERE.

CBS News discussing the Pet Food Stamps program with Founder & Executive Director, Marc Okon.

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Food stamps for Fido?

Pet Food Stamps, a New York-based non-profit, wants to help low-income families feed their pets.

UPI /Monika Graff 

License photo

Published: Feb. 25, 2013 at 4:06 PM

By KATE STANTON, UPI.com

Pet Food Stamps, a non-profit organization based in New York has started a new program offering "food stamps" to families who can't afford to feed their animals, KVIA-TV reported last week.
The program's organizers hope that financial assistance will prevent low-income pet owners from abandoning their animals or leaving them at shelters. According to ABCNews.com, Pet Food Stamps gives six-months worth of pet food from Pet Food Direct to qualifying families anywhere in the United States.
So far, the organization's so-called "food stamp" program runs on donations, though executive director and founder Marc Okon said he would be open to federal funding.
"We’re not looking for government funding at this point," he told ABCNews.com. "Should the government be willing to provide assistance further down the line, we will look into it."
Okon said he came up with the idea after receiving a letter from a single mother who couldn't afford to take car of the family dog that helped her disabled son communicate. He said the program receives thousands of application each day.
"So in total we have over 40,000 cats and dogs already awaiting food," Okon told KVIA.

Was Mexican Drug Kingpin El Chapo Guzman Killed?

Dolia Estevez, Contributor

I cover Mexico's billionaires, politics and U.S.-Mexico relations

Although there is no official confirmation  in the Unites States,Mexico or Guatemalathat Mexican billionaire Drug Kingpin El Chapo Guzman could have been killed in Guatemala, the rumor spread faster than lightning throughout cyberspace.

Asked what he knew,  Drug Enforcement Administration spokesperson Rusty Payne responded by e-mail,  “Everything is just rumor. I have nothing to report.”  Pressed whether DEA was involved in trying to confirm the rumor, Payne said,  “We certainly weren’t involved in the firefight. I am sure we will find out at one point.”

The story broke late on February 21 when Guatemalan authorities said that  they were investigating whether Guzman was one of at least two men killed in the Peten, an area bordering  Mexico controlled by the Zetas, a rival gang to El Chapo’s Sinaloa cartel. While it is not clear what led officials to think that one of the dead men could be El Chapo,  according to the Guatemalan media, local residents reported a gun battle between drug gangs and said one of the dead “resembled”  the world’s most-wanted drug lord.  As I’m writing this post,  AP is reporting that the Guatemalan government “apologized”  for what it called a “misunderstanding” about  an alleged shootout where El Chapo might have been killed.

Analysts in Washington  questioned whether the leader of the world’s biggest narcotics cartel  looks anything like he did in the only known pictures of him, wearing a heavy sky jacket. The pictures were taken many years ago. Not only are they outdated, but Mexican drug criminals  in the past  have used surgery to change their physical appearance.  El Chapo is now believed to be 55 to 59 years old.

"El Chapo" Named "World's Most Powerful Drug Trafficker"Erin CarlyleForbes Staff

In light  of the confusion, Washington analysts took the news with caution.  “It’s very important not to jump to conclusions. There needs to be a full investigation,” said Eric Olson, an expert on Mexican security at the Woodrow Wilson Center. Olson added that while El Chapo has well established networks in Central America,  “he has proven to be a very slippery person.”

Meanwhile, in Mexico,  Interior Secretary Miguel Angel Osorio Chong called the report  ”rumors”  and said that  it has not been possible to determine where they came from.

In 1993,  El Chapo was arrested in Gautemala and extradited  to Mexico, where he was indicted and jailed on drug charges and murder. In 2001,  he escaped from a high security prison in Mexico after bribing prison and law-enforcement  authorities. Ever since, he has proven to be one of the most elusive criminals in modern times.  A week ago,  the Chicago Crime Commission and the DEA named Guzman Chicago’s Public Enemy #1,  a title held by Al Capone during Prohibition.

Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman: Most-wanted drug lord suspected dead in shootout By Simeon Tegel and Jill Langlois, GlobalPost Posted:   02/22/2013 08:18:21 AM PST Updated:   02/22/2013 08:23:39 AM PST Earlier this month, Chicago even officially named the elusive 5-foot-6-inch druglord, whose "El Chapo" nickname is Mexican slang for "shorty," public enemy No. 1. It's the first time in eight decades, since Al Capone terrorized the Windy City, that authorities there have officially used that term. Nevertheless, if one of the corpses at the scene of the shootout in Guatemala's jungle region of Peten does turn out to be Guzman, it's unlikely to stop the flow of cocaine into the US any more than the death of Escobar did. Behind Guzman, crime analysts say, is a long queue of brutal, highly ambitious lieutenants eager to take their turn at the top of the Sinaloa cartel. And most experts believe as long as demand for cocaine remains strong in the US, Europe, Asia  and increasingly in Latin America, particularly Mexico and Brazil, the trafficking is unlikely to stop. LIMA, Peru - Most-wanted drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is suspected to be dead after a shootout in Guatemala near the Mexican border.Guatemalan authorities said Friday they are investigating the possibility a man killed in the shootout was 58-year-old Guzman, but later backtracked, saying they hadn't yet located a body or even confirmed there was a gunfight, the Associated Press reported. If confirmed, the death of Guzman could be the highest-profile blow to the international cocaine trade since Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar died in a hail of bullets in a shootout with security forces in Medellin in 1992. As head of the ruthless Sinaloa cartel, Guzman, said to have amassed a personal fortune of $1 billion, is thought to be responsible for the deaths of thousands, mainly in Mexico but also in the US and elsewhere in Latin America. Forbes recently him the world's 63rd most-powerful person and is widely viewed as the Western Hemisphere's most-wanted criminal. Indeed, many analysts now believe Guzman is a more powerful and dangerous operator than Escobar ever was. That is in part because under his ruthless leadership the Sinaloa cartel has achieved what experts call "vertical integration" of the cocaine supply chain, with its tentacles stretching from the remote Andean regions where coca is grown into the heart of the world's largest cocaine market - the United States.