Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts

Sunday, July 10, 2011

PAIGE DUKE Miss Sprint Cup Photos

PAIGE DUKE Miss Sprint Cup Photos - Paige Duke was one of three Miss Sprint Cup models whose job it was to do meet and greets with fans during NASCAR events.Last week we took a look at the 2010 Miss Sprint Cup lineup. This week we're spotlighting one of the new Miss Sprint Cups, southern belle Paige Duke. Paige Duke is a graduate of Clemson University, where she studied animal science. 

Paige Duke is a model whose hobbies include horse riding, barrel racing, rodeos and shooting sporting clays. Paige Duke appeared in Brantley Gilbert's music video for "Kick it in the Sticks" and competed in the Miss Hawaiian Tropic International Model Search. According to a modeling Web site, Paige Duke was also a Hooters girl. Paige Duke is originally from Lancaster, S.C. Welcome to the Cup Series, Paige.
In short, it was an easy job with great pay and the opportunity to mingle with stars.

Paige Duke The 24-year-old beauty had a cushiony job that many young women wish for. However, this is another cautionary tale of what young adults should not do. Unbeknownst to her, nak*d photos Paige had taken at 18 for her then boyfriend had been circulating around the Internet. Paige Duke past had caught up with her in a vicious way.

A classmate from the college Paige Duke had attended, Clemson University, called her to tell her that he had received an email with nud* photos of a woman who resembled her. He forwarded the email to her and she just broke down.

Paige stated, "I just burst out into tears. I couldn't believe this was coming back from six years ago. I never intended for anyone to see them but my ex-boyfriend. I was in love with him. I was naïve and young."

Unfortunately, being beautiful, naïve and young is that's all it takes to potentially ruin your future career. Shortly after receiving the damning email, Paige Duke received even worse news. Sprint was on the phone to relieve her of her Miss Sprint Cup duties. The company stated her nak*d photos were contradictory to the "morality clause" in Paige Duke contract.

Speaking with sadness, Paige Duke said, "I understood. I was expecting it to happen. I was fired from a job I love. This job was perfect for me."

Sprint made the following official statement: "We wish Ms. Duke the best of luck in her future endeavors."

Through this tragic event, Paige Duke is trying to hold her head high. It is clear that Paige Duke has learned a valuable lesson the hard way. Now, Paige Duke wants to ensure it won't happen to someone else. It is always the hardest lessons that are most easily remembered.

Speaking about what she may do next, Paige said, "I can teach young girls that they need to learn a lesson from me, and hopefully, I can save some other girls from going through this someday. Anything you think is private probably won't be private one day."






Claudia Schiffer launched her first cashmere collection

Claudia Schiffer launched her first cashmere collection - she wore all the time as a working mom such as cashmere dresses and sweaters.

"I am always very busy, I have a family life... I want to wear the same outfit when I bring my children to school and then go to work with it and in the evening I want to be able to just change accessories," Schiffer told Reuters at the launch of the Claudia Schiffer clothing line in trendy Paris boutique Colette.

"Effortless chic. That is the idea of it," she added.

Schiffer's collection included long tube black and navy blue dresses, grey oversized cardigans and cable-knit sweaters costing from 250 to 500 euros ($360-$725).

Schiffer, who lives in Britain, is married to film producer Matthew Vaughn with whom she has three children.

While creating her brand was a "dream come true," the model acknowledged history was full of celebrities who had gone into fashion. For some, such as former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, the venture has been a success, while others have proved disastrous such as U.S. actress Lindsay Lohan at Emanuel Ungaro.

"I don't want this to be a celebrity line. It is meant to be a lasting business not a quick celebrity licensing line," Schiffer said.

Schiffer said she was on a steep learning curve and admitted she still had much to learn as a designer.

"I want the product to live without my name so that it does not really need me. As a company, I hope it builds up over time so that one day, hopefully, I can hand it over to my children."

The model created a joint-venture with the German maker of luxury cashmere sweaters Iris von Arnim. She invested her personal funds in the company of which she owns half.

Valentin von Arnim, managing director of Iris von Arnim, said the retail strategy of the Claudia Schiffer brand was to sell to retailers in given cities on an exclusivity basis.

For example, Colette in Paris, Harvey Nichols in Britain and Hong Kong, Boutique 1 in Dubai, Beirut, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, The Corner Berlin in Germany.

Arnim said the sweaters had been bought by about 50 stores worldwide and would also be on sale next week at online retailer net-a-porter, now controlled by luxury group Richemont.

Initially spotted for her resemblance to Brigitte Bardot, Claudia Schiffer began her career in the late 1980s and quickly joined the supermodel elite alongside Linda Evangelista, Elle Macpherson, Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell.

Having appeared on the cover of more than 500 magazines, she is one of the world's most successful and most enduring of the supermodels with a fortune estimated at more than $50 million.

Having recently featured in Yves Saint Laurent, Salvatore Ferragamo ads, Claudia Schiffer is now in campaigns for L'Oreal make-up and Chanel sunglasses.

Claudia Shiffer said wished to pursue her modeling career for as long as she could: "I will continue modeling until they don't want me anymore basically because I do love it very much."

Casey Anthony Released From Jail on July 17

Casey Anthony Released From Jail on July 17 - Casey Anthony, accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter using duct tape and chloroform, was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison Thursday for lying to police. The three years that she has already spent behind bars will be counted for time served, as well as good behavior.
Casey Anthony, acquitted of killing her daughter Caylee, will be released from jail on July 17 instead of July 13, according to court officials.


Judge Belvin Perry originally estimated that Anthony could be freed by late July or early August, but her attorney Jose Baez said she would be released July 13, ABC News reported.

But an updated statement from the Orange County Corrections Department projected Anthony's release for July 17.

The jury acquitted Anthony on charges of aggravated manslaughter and aggravated child abuse Tuesday. If convicted of the more serious charges, she would have faced the death penalty.

Casey Anthony, 25, partied after her daughter Caylee died, acquiring a new tattoo with the Italian words for "Beautiful Life" and entering herself into a hot body contest.

Prosecutors alleged that Casey Anthony drugged her daughter with chloroform and suffocated her using duct tape. Duct tape was found on the body, where the little girl's face had been, but decomposition was so advanced that cause of death was difficult to determine. Internet searches were found on Casey Anthony's personal computer for the terms "how to make chloroform," "neck-breaking," and "self-defense."

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Casey Anthony Lewd Photos

Casey Anthony Lewd Photos - These Lewd images show Casey urinating near a vehicle, flashing her br*asts and acting s*xual with several different men. The se*y photos show a new side to Casey Anthony that hasn’t yet been seen to this point in the investigation. Clearly, Casey was a party girl who was very interested in men, drinking and attending parties where you don’t where any clothes. Yeah, that’s right, in one of the photos Casey Anthony is nude, save for an American flag. CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL OF THE PHOTOS!

The third birthday of a missing Orlando toddler came Saturday with still no sign of the little girl, despite her family’s hope that she would be home by then.

A vigil for Caylee Marie Anthony was held Friday night. Her 22-year-old mother, Casey Marie Anthony, remains jailed on $500,000 bond on charges of child neglect, failing to immediately report her daughter’s disappearance and lying to police. She plans to go back to court to again ask a judge to lower her bond.

A pond near the home of the tot’s grandparents was searched by Orange County dive teams Friday in what police described as a routine monthly training exercise; three submerged vehicles were found, according to MyFOXOrlando.com. Two of them had been reported stolen to Orlando police.

The retention pond is off Chickasaw Trail, less than a mile from the home of Cindy and George Anthony, where Casey and Caylee had been living until around the time of the child’s disappearance on or around June 16.

Monday, April 25, 2011

No room for slip-ups! Artist creates creepy sculptures from bananas


These a-peeling sculptures are sure to make you go bananas.

The detailed works of fruity art - featuring the faces of Elvis and Davey Jones from Pirates of The Caribbean - are carved with a toothpick and a spoon.

But there's no room for slip-ups; each piece is completed in about half an hour, before the bananas start to rot.

Uh-huh-huh: Keisuke Yamada's Elvis Presley banana sculpture uses the fruit's curve to artistic effect
No room for slip-ups: Each piece is completed in about half an hour, before the bananas start to rot

No room for slip ups: Each piece is completed in about half an hour, before the fruit begins to rot

When the sculptures are complete Japanese artist Keisuke Yamada photographs them and eats them.

Since posting pictures of his monkey business online, the 23-year-old has developed a cult internet following and gets new ideas from his fans' suggestions.

He has made 11 pieces so far, including a dragon and ghoulish skulls.

Mr Yamada said: 'I started making them about two weeks ago and since posting pictures of them online they have really taken off.

'It began when I peeled a banana and thought it might be interesting to carve a face into the fruit.

'The first one was the face of someone with a smile. I was surprised by how many people liked it so then I just started making more.

'People began to suggest ideas and that was what gave me my inspiration.

Monkey business: When the sculptures are complete Japanese Mr Yamada photographs them and eats them
Banana split: He has made 11 pieces so far, including a dragon and ghoulish skulls

Monkey business: When the sculptures are complete artist Keisuke Yamada photographs them then eats them

'Before I set about sculpting I think long and hard about exactly what I want it to look like.

'Then I get to work. I want people to think they are interesting and not believe quite what they are seeing.

'I just use an ordinary toothpick and a spoon from my house. I'm a perfectionist, and a simple design take about half an hour.

'They can't take much longer because then the fruit starts to go brown and I enjoy eating them once the work is done and I've taken a photo.'

Mr Yamada, an electrician, said: 'I'm looking forward to making many more in the future.'

The Magnificent Seven: Meet the mothers who have all had babies in the same street in seven weeks


There must be something in the water in Crystal Wood Drive.

Seven neighbours all became pregnant at the same time – and gave birth within seven weeks of each other.

And now the mothers are all celebrating their babies’ first birthdays a year on.

Baby boom: The seven mothers of Miskin, south Wales who gave birth to their babies within seven weeks of each other

Baby boom: The seven mothers of Miskin, south Wales who gave birth to their babies within seven weeks of each other

The women, from Miskin, near Pontypridd, South Wales, all gave birth at the same hospital, where midwives noticed they lived on the same road.

They were so impressed by the coincidence that they rechristened it Fertile Wood Drive. Teacher Nia Edwards, 34, set the ball rolling when her twin girls, Mali and Elen, arrived on April 10 last year.

Six of her neighbours all gave birth within the next seven weeks.

Karen Hulse had Catrin, Kirsty Davies had Macsen, Jane Prentice-Jenkins had Brook, Sharron Bateman had Poppy, Jo Morgan had Ava and Angela Fomison had Harriet.

Kirsty Davies said it was ‘bizarre but brilliant’ that they had all been pregnant together.

‘When we found out how many of us were expecting at the same time, one of the girls invited us all round to her house for a get-together,’ said the 34-year-old, who also has a daughter Lily, three.

‘Now we all meet up at least once a week with the babies – we’ll go for a coffee or to the park. And we all babysit for each other, which is a great help for new mums.

‘It will be so lovely to see them all grow up together – it’s like an extended family.’ She added: ‘When I went into the hospital the midwives were saying, “Oh, here comes another one from Fertile Wood Drive”.

Timely arrivals: From left, Nia Edwards with Mali and Elen, Karen Hulse with Catrin, Kirsty Davies with Macsem, Jane Prentice-Jenkins with Brook, Sharron Bateman with Poppy, Jo Morgan with Ava and Angela Fomison with Harriet

Timely arrivals: From left, Nia Edwards with Mali and Elen, Karen Hulse with Catrin, Kirsty Davies with Macsem, Jane Prentice-Jenkins with Brook, Sharron Bateman with Poppy, Jo Morgan with Ava and Angela Fomison with Harriet

‘We didn’t really know each other before – but we all do now. There are about 30 houses on the street so for us all to give birth within seven weeks of each other is quite impressive.’ The women have decided to send all the children – seven girls and one boy – to the same school in Llantrisant where they will share the same classes.

Mrs Edwards said: ‘I bumped into one of the girls from around the corner at a doctors’ appointment and we thought it was a big enough coincidence that we were both pregnant at the same time.To find out there were five more babies on the way was just brilliant.

‘We’re all great friends now – and with our very own little mother- and-baby group we hardly need to leave the street.

‘It’s also great for me, being the one with twins – there’s always six other pairs of hands ready to help me.’

The mothers are organising a joint first birthday celebration – on the day of the Royal Wedding. They will celebrate with a street party and watch the wedding on a big screen.

Mrs Edwards said: ‘It will be a street party with a difference – and hopefully we can get seven babysitters so we can celebrate into the night.’

The Passion of Michael Sheen: Hollywood star is 'crucified' in a marathon 72-hour hometown performance

Playing the role of Jesus would be a challenge for any actor.

But Hollywood star Michael Sheen has taken the role one step further with an extraordinary 72-hour performance, during which he stayed in character for the entire time.

And even at the end of the marathon performance, there was no rest for Mr Sheen - the climax of the play saw the ambitious actor 'nailed' to a cross and 'crucified' in front of a huge audience last night.

Hard act to follow: Actor Michael Sheen is crucified in the climax to the marathon production

Hard act to follow: Actor Michael Sheen is crucified in the climax to the marathon production

Along with a mammoth cast of more than 1,000 people, Mr Sheen took the lead in a modern-day take on the story of Jesus, in The Passion, which was performed in his hometown of Port Talbot, South Wales.

The play, which started on Good Friday saw bearded Sheen emerged from the sea at nearby Aberavon beach, before he slept rough on a mountainside overlooking the town's giant steel works and power station.

The tale continued on Saturday with a re-enactment of the Last Supper, with beer and sandwiches at a social club in the town, and music provided by The Manic Street Preachers and Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts.

Spectacular: Sheen's The Teacher is silhouetted as he hangs on the cross in the dramatic climax of The Passion

Spectacular: Sheen's The Teacher is silhouetted as he hangs on the cross in the dramatic climax of The Passion

Crowds: Thousands flocked to see the Hollywood star return to his home town for the ground-breaking production

Crowds: Thousands flocked to see the Hollywood star return to his home town for the ground-breaking production

Getting real: The actor stays in character as he walks through the streets of Port Talbot during the production

Getting real: The actor stays in character as he walks through the streets of Port Talbot during the production

Last night, as the play finally drew to a close, the townsfolk gathered for the climax - the Crucifixion on the town's seafront in front of an estimated crowd of 6,000.

Wearing a crown of thorns and with blood pouring down his face, Mr Sheen's character was paraded through the streets carrying a cross, before stopping at the seafront surrounded by stern police wearing riot gear for the finale.

Locals said it was the biggest thing to have happened to the town for years.

Passionate performance: The physically demanding role saw Sheen wear a crown of thorns as a modern-day Christ

Passionate performance: The physically demanding role saw Sheen wear a crown of thorns as a modern-day Christ

Mr Sheen, who is co-directing the Passion Play, said: 'We wanted to use the whole of Port Talbot as our performance base and get as many people involved as we can.

'It's a real privilege and honour to be able to come to my home town, a town that has so much meaning to me and that I have had so much support from.

'I am so involved that it is one of those things that I will only really enjoy when it is all over.'

Realism: Michael Sheen is attached to the cross as he is 'crucified' in day three of the Passion play in Port Talbot

Realism: Michael Sheen is attached to the cross as he is 'crucified' in day three of the Passion play in Port Talbot

Touching moment: Port Talbot locals tend to Michael Sheen prior to his crucifixion on the seafront

Touching moment: Port Talbot locals tend to Michael Sheen prior to his crucifixion on the seafront

Mr Sheen's father Meyrick - a professional Jack Nicholson lookalike - added: 'Port Talbot has never seen anything like this.

'This has been an enormous project and Michael has been working 24/7 here for the last 13 weeks in the run-up to the opening.'

Mr Sheen, 42, is no stranger to playing well-known characters - he has played Tony Blair, David Frost, Brian Clough and Kenneth Williams over the years.

Enlarge On trial: Wearing a barbed wire version of the crown of thorns, the actor stands trial while guarded by police in riot gear

On trial: Wearing a barbed wire version of the crown of thorns, the actor stands trial while guarded by police in riot gear

The cast of The Passion included a small professional theatre group and 1,000 locals, who all staying 'in character' throughout the three-day performance.

Yesterday's three acts were 'The Trial' in the town's civic square, 'The Procession' and finally 'The Cross' when Mr Sheen's character was crucified on the seafront.

An estimated 6,000 people watched the performance which also involved local choirs, amateur dramatic groups, and gymnastic teams.

Centre stage: With a bag over his head, Sheen is escorted to his trial

Centre stage: With a bag over his head, Sheen is escorted to his trial

Unmasked: Sheen's character prepares to face his accusers

Unmasked: Sheen's character prepares to face his accusers

Locals hope Sheen's return will help to end the town's reputation for being crime-riddled, ugly and polluted.

Port Talbot has a rich heritage of producing Hollywood movie stars - Richard Burton and Sir Anthony Hopkins were born and brought up nearby.

And some hope it will ignite a spiritual awareness they feel is lacking in the town's young people, many of them unemployed.

Dramatic treat: With the production being played out in the streets of Port Talbot, locals and visitors were able to catch some free theatre

Dramatic treat: With the production being played out in the streets of Port Talbot, locals and visitors were able to catch some free theatre

Mass following: Hundreds of residents volunteered to join the cast list, which consisted of 1,000 extras

Mass following: Hundreds of residents volunteered to join the cast list, which consisted of 1,000 extras

Hetty Purchase, 80, with 18 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren, said: 'I hope and pray that these three days will persuade youngsters to take a good look at themselves and change their ways.'

Another local Janet Griffiths, 48, said: 'There is an urgent need for a spiritual awakening in this town and I for one feel that The Passion can kickstart it.

'I'm impressed with the way it has brought the community together.'

Heavenly descent: Sheen takes the escalator in Aberafan Shopping Centre during Saturday's first act

Heavenly descent: Sheen takes the escalator in Aberafan Shopping Centre during Saturday's first act

Modern take: A skip stands in for the Gardens of Gethsemane

Modern take: A skip stands in for the Gardens of Gethsemane

Retired council worker Jean Henry, 67, added: 'Michael Sheen is such a great ambassador for the town.

'Everyone I have spoken to thinks it's a wonderful thing that Michael Sheen is doing.

'Hopefully the message of The Passion with its modern slant will strike a chord with people.

'It's the biggest thing to hit Port Talbot for many years.'

Crucified: A portrait of Jesus Christ, who is being depicted by Michael Sheen in a 72-hour live performance in South Wales to mark Easter
Prepared for the part: The Hollywood star grew his hair and beard to play the Christ-like figure

Prepared for the part: The Hollywood star grew his hair and beard to play the Christ-like figure

Playing their part: The production was supported by hundreds of locals

Playing their part: The production was supported by hundreds of locals

Call centre worker Emma Landeg, 30, who lives on Port Talbot's notorious Sandfields Estate, believes the Easter spectacular, will put the town on the map.

She said: 'It might change people's views of the town for the better and make them look beyond the pollution and the grime and see there is real heart in this place.

'It's a working class town which has seen many downs in the past few years but hopefully this will help it to regain its pride.'

All the world's a stage: Sheen chats to children while still in character as he walks along the seafront

All the world's a stage: Sheen chats to children while still in character as he walks along the seafront

Psychotic bunnies, terrified children and a man dressed as a 'rabbit of the night'..

Think of Easter and what do you get? Fluffy bunnies delivering baskets of eggs to delighted children? Springy lambs gambolling around fields - heck, maybe even a hot cross bun or four...

But, after viewing these pictures from the good people at Awkward Family Photos, Easter may never be the same again for many of us.

From a disturbing number of psychotic-looking rabbits scaring the bejesus out of small children (and a rather rotund cat) to a man who decided it would be fun to dress as a 'rabbit of the night' - there's something for everyone.

Something wrong kids? This is one Easter two children will NEVER forget

Something wrong kids? This is one Easter two children will NEVER forget

Mike Bender, a 35-year-old screenwriter who set up awkwardfamilyphotos.com with Doug Chernack in 2009, said he now gets submissions of interesting family snaps from people all over the world.

He added they rarely get complaints from unsuspecting family members, but when they do it's normally the sisters of brothers who have delved into the family album.

Here kitty kitty, nice kitty: Being placed on the lap of a 10ft bunny was not Felix's idea of a happy Easter thanks very much

Here kitty kitty, nice kitty: Being placed on the lap of a 10ft bunny was not Felix's idea of a happy Easter thanks very much

Whaddya mean you want eggs? Two Easter bunnies battle it out for the 'most terrifying rabbit ever' award
Whaddya mean you want eggs? Never trust a rabbit that wears a waistcoat

Whaddya mean you want eggs? Two Easter bunnies battle it out for the 'most terrifying rabbit ever' award

The cat's whiskers: C'mon kid how about a smile for the man in the pink alien suit

The cat's whiskers: C'mon kid how about a smile for the man in the pink alien suit

Lapin horreur: One bunny looks like he needs to check in for Myxomatosis, left, while, right, one man decided it would be fun to dress as a 'rabbit of the night'
Lapin horreur: One bunny looks like he needs to check in for Myxomatosis, left, while, right, one man decided it would be fun to dress as a 'rabbit of the night'

Lapin horreur: One bunny looks like he needs to check in for Myxomatosis, left, while, right, one man decided it would be fun to dress as a 'rabbit of the night'

Not much of a hunt then...Two lucky tikes didn't have to look far for their Easter tree

Not much of a hunt then...Two lucky tikes didn't have to look far for their Easter tree

He's here! Sorry the Easter bunny's late kids, he had to go and rob a bank first...

He's here! Sorry the Easter bunny's late kids, he had to go and rob a bank first...

Reformed bunny? Thanks for the chocolate egg Mr rabbit man, can I go now...PLEASE

Reformed bunny? Thanks for the chocolate egg Mr rabbit man, can I go now...PLEASE

What the buck-ahhhh? The children had to make do with an Easter CHICKEN, left, while one guy takes a break from his rabbit duties, right
What the buck-ahhhh? The children had to make do with an Easter CHICKEN, left, while one guy takes a break from his rabbit duties, right

What the buck-ahhhh? The children had to make do with an Easter CHICKEN, left, while one guy takes a break from his rabbit duties, right

I come in peace: Two little girls aren't so sure of the hulking great rabbit towering over them

I come in peace: Two little girls aren't so sure of the hulking great rabbit towering over them

...And finally: A couple pose for a classic Easter shot - let's hope they got eggs rather than currants

...And finally: A couple pose for a classic Easter shot - let's hope they got eggs rather than currants

Stuntman dies when safety net fails in human cannonball show in front of huge crowd


Horrified families looked on as a human cannonball was killed when his safety net failed during an Easter Bank Holiday extravaganza.

The stuntman suffered catastrophic head and neck injuries when he hit the ground in front of a huge crowd at the Kent County Showground.

Eyewitnesses said the stuntman was fired up to 50ft in the air as part of Scott May’s Daredevil Stunt Show.

Dare devil: A performer at a previous Scott May's show shoots out of the cannon as part of the human cannonball stunt. Today's tragedy is believed to have happened due to a safety net malfunction. The 23-year-old man has yet to be formally identified

Dare devil: A performer at a previous Scott May's show shoots out of the cannon as part of the human cannonball stunt. Today's tragedy is believed to have happened due to a safety net malfunction. The 23-year-old man has yet to be formally identified

But the recoil from the massive barrel, which is attached to a 7.5 tonne lorry, appeared to make his safety net collapse.

Luke Adams, 38, who was watching the show with his children, said onlookers were stunned and confused by the accident as they did not know if it was part of the show.

He said: ‘It was absolutely horrendous. The net collapsed while he was in the air. As the cannon went bang the truck recoiled.

‘As it moved I could see the net drop to the ground.

‘He landed on the grass head first and continued to roll forward but then stayed on his back motionless.’

Another woman, who watched the show with her three-year-old son, described how the stuntman landed directly in front of her.

She said: ‘He was right in front of us and had blood coming from his mouth and was out cold.’

Stunt action: The Scott May's show has been touring the country since 1991 and boasts stunts including motorcycle jumps and monster trucks as well as the human cannonball. The Scott May's website states that all shows are cancelled until further notice

Stunt action: The Scott May's show has been touring the country since 1991 and boasts stunts including motorcycle jumps and monster trucks as well as the human cannonball. The Scott May's website states that all shows are cancelled until further notice

St John’s Ambulance medics rushed to the man’s side before an air ambulance and paramedics arrived at the showground in Detling, near Maidstone, at around 3.30pm.

The injured man, named only as Matt –who was aged 23 and said to be from the Isle of Man – was taken to Maidstone Hospital but died a short time later.

The family-owned Scott May’s Daredevil Stunt show, based in St Just, Cornwall, has been touring the UK since 1991.

It features motorcyclists jumping over giant ramps, stunts in which monster trucks crush cars and a two-wheeled driving display.

The show’s website boasts there has never been an accident in more than 20 years and urges spectators to obey safety instructions.

The human cannonball is one of the show’s highlights.

A stuntman is fired from an oversized barrel by the explosive power of hydraulic machinery, with pyrotechnics added to increase the drama.

Family event: Hundreds of day-trippers had flocked to the Kent County Showground in Detling to watch the bank holiday show. Bystanders said the man was knocked unconcious and had blood pouring from his mouth moments after impact

Family event: Hundreds of day-trippers had flocked to the Kent County Showground in Detling to watch the bank holiday show. Bystanders said the man was knocked unconcious and had blood pouring from his mouth moments after impact

Once in the air, the performer aims to turn from his head-first position to land on the safety netting bottom first.

He must then scramble off the netting, which is about 10ft off the ground, before it collapses as the final part of the act.

The show’s website said those who undertake the stunt are ‘highly respected for their courage and daring’.

A spokesman for Scott May said all shows had been cancelled until further notice while an inquiry was carried out into what went wrong.

And a Kent Police spokesman said: ‘A man taking part in a human cannonball event this afternoon has died after it is believed a safety net failed to engage.’

Last night a Health and Safety Executive investigation was launched by Kent County Council.
The first human cannonball act took place in England in the 1870s.

Since then more than 30 stuntmen have been killed while performing, mostly by missing the net.

In one accident, in the 1920s, two performers crashed in mid-air with one breaking his back.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

World's oldest man celebrates his 114th birthday - and says he plans to live to 120

  • Jirouemon Kimura, from Japan, was born in 1897
  • He has 5 children, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren... and 11 great-great grandchildren

The world's oldest man celebrated his 114th birthday today with a traditional meal - and says he plans to live until he is 120.

Japanese citizen Jirouemon Kimura had previously told local officials on his 113th birthday last year that his goal was to reach 120 and he has now confirmed 'that hasn't changed'.

He made his claim as he enjoyed the celebratory breakfast surrounded by family at his home in Kyotango in the west of the country.

Many happy returns: Jirouemon Kimura, the world's oldest man, is celebrating his 114th birthday today

Many happy returns: Jirouemon Kimura, the world's oldest man, is celebrating his 114th birthday today

They ate grilled sea bream with steamed rice and red beans as well as miso soup - a meal typical of a special occasion in the country.

He then fielded questions for 50 minutes, where he was described as alert and lucid.

The former postal worker said he was extremely moved that he was the world's oldest man following the death of the previous record holder last week.

'It is a great honour, and words alone cannot describe my feelings,' Kimura told city officials.

Enlarge Plenty of presents: Mr Kimura kneels among floral gifts he received at his family home in Kyotango - where he also enjoyed a birthday breakfast

Plenty of presents: Mr Kimura kneels among floral gifts he received at his family home in Kyotango - where he also enjoyed a birthday breakfast

MILESTONES IN JIROUEMON'S JAPAN

1904: Russo-Japanese War

1910: Japan takes over the Korean peninsula and rules it for 35 years

1914: Japan joins Allied forces in WWI

1923: The Great Kanto Earthquake, one of the worst quakes in world history, destroys Tokyo and Yokohama. More than 140,000 people are killed.

1926: Hirohito becomes emperor

1931: Japan invades Manchuria, China

1940-1941: Japan becomes an ally of Germany and Italy in World War II. On December 7, 1941, Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, the U.S. naval base in Hawaii

1945: The U.S. drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan surrenders

1964: Tokyo hosts Summer Olympics

1995: Major earthquake hits central Japan

2011: Massive earthquake and tsunami strike north-eastern Japan


'I take it as a sign from heaven and am deeply moved.'

Mr Kimura said his secret was to eat sparingly, stopping when his stomach was about 80 per cent full.

He added that he had not heard about the massive earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan's northeast coast on March 11, calling it a 'horrendous event'.

Born on April 19, 1897, Mr Kimura worked at the post office for about 40 years before turning to farming after his retirement, continuing until the age of 90.

He had seven children, of whom five are still alive, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Kimura now spends most of the day in bed except when he eats three times a day.

According to the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group, Mr Kimura is the world's oldest man since Walter Bruening, a retired railworker, died of natural causes in the U.S. state of Montana last week.

The world's oldest person is a U.S. woman, 114-year-old Besse Cooper, according to the group.

She was born on August 26, 1896.

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