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

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Outlook is bright as U.S. weather girl accepts boyfriend's surprise proposal live on air

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV4W-kVxWnwendofvid
[starttext]
By Cher Thornhill

What are you doing here? A forecast on the U.S. Weather Channel is interrupted when presenter Kim Perez's boyfriend steps on to the set


She may have forecast stormy weather but the outlook certainly appears bright for weather girl Kim Perez.

The unsuspecting presenter was describing rainfall in South Florida on the US Weather Channel when her boyfriend walked in front of the camera and proposed.

Policeman Marty Cunningham had clearly prepared for the moment which was accompanied by a soundtrack of tear-jerkers.


Instant atmosphere: A heart appears on the weather map as policeman Marty Cunningham gets on one knee to a Hollywood-style soundtrack


Tear-jerker: Kim holds back tears as Marty asks her to marry him on-air


Happy ending: The couple kiss before a voiceover introduces the football forecast


'You got me': Kim's marriage proposal has become an internet favourite

As he got down on one knee, the words ‘Will you marry me?’ appeared in a heart in place of the America weather map.

The beaming police sergeant said: ‘We've been talking about this for a long time.
‘And I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

'So I'm asking you today, will you please marry me?’
Miss Perez immediately threw her arms around her boyfriend and said: 'I will,' before adding ‘You got me’ and ‘You make me so happy.’

The unconventional proposal has been viewed by hundreds and become an internet favourite.

Miss Perez worked as a weather forecaster in the Air Force before joining the Weather Channel.
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Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas Wishes From President & Mrs. Obama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPlt9i-u4MIendofvid
[starttext]
: Hello everyone, and Merry Christmas. As you and your families gather to celebrate the holidays, we wanted to take a moment to send greetings from our family—from me, from Michelle, from Malia and Sasha—and from Bo.

FIRST LADY: This is our first Christmas in the White House, and we are so grateful for this extraordinary experience. Not far from here, in the Blue Room, is the official White House Christmas Tree. Its an 18-foot tall Douglas-fir from West Virginia and its decorated with hundreds of ornaments designed by people and children from all over the country. Each one is a reminder of the traditions we cherish as Americans and the blessings were thankful for this holiday season.

PRESIDENT: Thats right, especially as we continue to recover from an extraordinary recession that still has so many Americans hurting: parents without a job who struggled to put presents under the Christmas tree; families and neighbors whove seen their home foreclosed; folks wondering what the new year will bring.
[endtext]

Friday, December 16, 2011

Surf's up! Dogs show they can ride the waves too in a swell canine calendar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiV02LXhlWUendofvid

[starttext]

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Smug mug: July features Betsy the bulldog posing on the board


It's barking mad!

These pictures of surfing dogs show that pooches can ride the waves just as well as their human surfer counterparts.

Part of a 2011 Surf Dogs calendar, the photos feature mainly rescue animals, dubbed SurFURS by the photographers.


March's model is Stanley. He wore a blue life jacket as he rode to shore on a pink and white board


November's sur-fur is Toby, who eschewed the life jacket for a pink collar and lead



Barney caught a wave while standing up on his blue board and wound up as the calendar's cover boy


Husband and wife team Dina Demeo-Grover, 51, and†John Grover, 58, from San Diego, have taken their best shots to produce the novelty item, with proceeds going to various charities, including ones that support spaying and neutering pets.

It's the fourth annual Surf Dogs calendar and, they insist, the original.
Just in time for Christmas, the 2011 calendar is available for purchase on Amazon.com.


May features Dozer in a red life jacket. In the background is some of San Diego, including the famous red-roofed Hotel del Coronado


January features a not-too-happy looking pooch named Toby, wearing a orange life preserver as a wave comes up from behind


There is no missing February's pretty girl Nani in her neon life jacket as she rides the breaker


April features a slightly stricken looking dog named Kona, ears pinned and leaning back



For September, King glides in lying on his stomach as a frothy wave crashed behind him




source: dailymail [endtext]

Monday, June 6, 2011

Security fears on eve of World Cup as fans injured in stampede at warm-up match

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7TyNFlAVygendofvid
[starttext]
By Christian Gysin

Stampede: Police attempt to restrain fans as they burst through the gates ahead of a warm-up match between North Korea and Nigeria in Johannesburg


Fears over how South Africa will deal with 350,000 visiting supporters to the World Cup were highlighted after a terrifying stampede at a pre-tournament friendly.

Ten people were taken to hospital - with one police officer suffering serious injuries - after 1,000 spectators rushed to get into the friendly match yesterday between Nigeria and North Korea at the Makhulong Stadium in Johannesburg.

Disturbing scenes showed children being taken away with blood pouring from their faces.

Bloodied: An injured supporter walks away from the stampede in Johannesburg


The images will unnerve the game's governing body FIFA which has resisted claims that South Africa does not have the infrastructure and organisation to stage the tournament.

Fans had tried to break down the gates at the ground after police had closed them after the 4pm kick-off as earlier spectators tried to get into the ground.

The problem of dealing with a relatively small crowd came as England prepare to play at a similar ground tomorrw in a pre-tournament friendly in front of sell out crowd of 12,000.

The game against South African side the Platinum All Stars takes place near their Rustenburg training camp and the crowd has been reduced to 12,000 although the ground has a 20,000 capacity.

Last night the South African authorities made a plea for football fans to turn up early for tournament games to prevent a repeat of yesterday's scenes.

However, while fans from many other countries like to enter grounds more than an hour before kick-off thousands the tradition for English supporters has been to make their way to their seats less than 15 minutes before the games start.

Problems occurred for the South African police and authorities yesterday when hundreds of fans attempted to enter the ground carrying photocopies of free tickets which had been distributed before the match.


Fans show their tickets to police prior to the warm-up match between North Korea and Nigeria in Johannesburg, South Africa today



Security concerns: Police hold the gates shut, above, but were powerless to stop the rush of people, below


Most of those involved in both an initial stampede and then an attempt to rush the gates of the stadium appeared to be wearing Nigerian jerseys.

Of equal concern to the South African World Cup organisers was a problem inside the ground shortly after the second half began.

The match referee was forced to halt the game for ten minutes after a railing attached to a grandstand broke loose and left hundreds of fans just feet from a dangerous fall from the terracing.

Last night an FA spokesman said that the South African tournament organisers had made assurances that security for the England friendly today would be 'intensified.'

The Makhulong Stadium has a 15,000 capacity and last year was the subject of a £3.8 million refit as one of four practice stadiums to be used in and around the city during the World Cup.

The ground has been cleared by both the South African Premier Soccer League and FIFA and boasts floodlights, a 200 square metre media facility and both VIP and V-VIP areas


Nigeria's fans cheer their team on


A child clutches a plastic trumpet as he wanders through police officers


Yesterday fans caught up in the stampede told how they were crushed on the ground shortly before kick-off.

'The crowd just overpowered me and I went down,' said Japhta Mombelo who suffered cuts to his head.

'I fell down and people just fell over me.The crowd was overpowering.'

The first rush came when the gates opened to allow fans into the stadium. Police soon closed the gates, but when they were reopened, a second rush occurred, with more people being pushed over.

A total of six ambulances were sent to the scene .

The Nigeria and North Korean football teams were lining up for the national anthems when the second surge happened and had no idea about the scenes outside the ground.

Last year, FIFA fined Ivory Coast's football federation more than £30,000 after 22 people died in a stampede at a World Cup qualifying match.



Rush: Fans could be seen falling over as people attempted to get into stadium


Official World Cup security was not in place at the match because it was a only classed as a 'friendly' but one police officer blamed FIFA for the trouble.

'FIFA made the tickets free and now look what happened. This was not our problem but FIFA's problem because so many people heard they could watch a match for nothing.'

England's warm-up game today (Mon) at the Moruleng Stadium will see all supporters produce their tickets for the match which is eagerly anticipated by local soccer enthusiasts.

Last night an FA spokesman said: ' We were always insistent that there should only be 12,000 tickets for this game even though the stadium is capable of holding 20,000.The distribution of the tickets was also very carefully controlled.

'But after the incident at the Nigeria-North Korea game we called the organisers to highlight the need for measures to prevent any such rush or stampede at our game and have been assured security in and around the ground will be intensified.'


Onlookers climb onto a roof as they try to watch the match
[endtext]

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Electrifying: The terrifying moment a jet was struck by lightning on approach to Heathrow

By SIMON NEVILLE

Highly charged: The Emirates Airbus 380 being hit by lightning


It was an awesome example of nature’s power on a stormy night in London.

As this flight came into Heathrow, a jagged bolt of lightning smashed into the roof, right above the pilots’ heads.

The powerful jolt of electricity passed right through the body of the Airbus A380 before shooting out to continue its journey to the ground.


Plane sailing: The Airbus on a routine take-off. Planes get hit several times a year - they act as a conductor


Amazingly, the Emirates service from Dubai landed safely minutes later, with not even a scratch and its 500 passengers and crew unscathed.

This incredible image was captured on a Saturday night last month by photographer Chris Dawson in south-west London.

‘I saw the storm clouds gathering and I thought the conditions would be perfect for a lightning strike,’ he said.





David Learmount, operations and safety editor of website Flightglobal, is not surprised the Airbus A380, the world’s biggest commercial plane, escaped damage.

‘Planes get hit by lightning several times a year,’ he said. ‘They act as a conductor. Getting a good strike like this can look very dramatic but it might not make any impact.

‘Manufacturers must make aircraft capable of withstanding a lightning strike and protecting those inside.

‘It means the plane’s body must contain metal so it can act as a conductor, allowing the electricity to pass through it.

‘If it didn’t have the metal, the plane could explode when hit.’


source: dailymail

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Security guards caught on CCTV standing by as teenage girl is brutally beaten by another female

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLnVw4bRLloendofvid
[starttext]
By Paul Thompson

Security guards in yellow vests are shown standing and watching as a fight begins between two 15-year-old girls in a Seattle bus tunnel


A teenager whose brutal beating was captured on CCTV as security guards stood by and watched has provoked outrage across America.

The victim was repeatedly punched and kicked in the face during the horrific unprovoked assault.

Three uniformed security guards watched while the beating took place and failed to help the young girl.

Even as the 15-year-old victim laid motionless on the floor they did not bend down to see if she was badly hurt.

A teenager whose brutal beating was captured on CCTV as security guards stood by and watched has provoked outrage across America.

The victim was repeatedly punched and kicked in the face during the horrific unprovoked assault.

Three uniformed security guards watched while the beating took place and failed to help the young girl.

Even as the 15-year-old victim laid motionless on the floor they did not bend down to see if she was badly hurt.

The savage attack - which was captured on CCTV cameras - has shocked America after it was played on news reports.

Bosses for the security guards said it was company policy for their employees to 'observe and report' and not get involved.

But TV stations and other media have been bombarded with outraged complaints about the guards' lack of action.

One outraged parent said:'Those security guards are just as guilty (if not more guilty) than the thug who did the beating.

'Those security guards should be tried. It looked like the girl went to them for support and protection, only to find that they had no spine.'

The victim, who has not been named, said she believed the security guards at a bus station in Seattle, Washington, would protect her.

'I went to the security and told them that these kids were trying to jump me,' the girl said in court papers.


The security guards are shown standing and watching as a 15-year-old girl is kicked by another teenage girl


'I know that I am about to get jumped and I am hanging around the guards to try and get protection. ... I thought the security guards would defend me.'

The girl said she had sought out the guards after an earlier altercation inside a department store with a gang of eight youths and two girls.

The 15-year-old, who is black, said the gang had said he was 'acting white' and had 'nice things'.

Police noticed the confrontation and kicked the gang out of the store while the victim and her friend went to the bus station.

CCTV cameras pick up the girl as she stands next to a uniformed security guard in the hope they will offer her some protection.

But after being attacked by another girl she is knocked to the floor where her attacker pummels her head with a flurry of blows.

When the victim loses consciousness the attacker continues to kick her in the head.
As the assault continues a security guard standing over the victim does not even try to intervene other than calling police.


girl takes another swing at her victim as one of the security guards looks on
Another guard turns away while a third further down the platform looks on.


The attacker walks away, but runs back to land one last kick on her victim's head while another member of the gang runs off with her bag containing a mobile phone and iPod.

Amazingly, the victim did not need hospital treatment.

She said in court papers that she suffers from a heart condition and was trying to protect her chest during the assault.

A woman who witnessed the assault from a bus said:'You've got three male security guards and there's a young girl getting kicked in the head, lying on the ground, motionless? And they couldn't do anything? Doesn't seem like security.'

A spokesman for Olympic Security said their guards have instructions not to get involved

But the owners of the bus station Metro Transit said they are reviewing their contract in light of the lack of action by their staff.

Seattle city officials have also demanded an inquiry.

'We are very disappointed in what people see in that video,' said Kevin Desmond, general manager of Metro Transit.

'It was absolutely unacceptable. I know the Olympic Security folks were also disappointed in the response, but again, the employees were following the letter of the agreement.'

Police used Facebook and MySpace pages to track down the gang and arrested four of those involved, including the alleged attacker.

Dominique Whittaker,18, has been charged with assault and faces up to two years in jail.

Two other youths have also been charged in connection with the assault
[endtext]

Thursday, February 10, 2011

'The lights went off and the car began to fall': Tourist tells of horror lift ordeal 124 floors up the world's tallest building

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szfL2f_4OTYendofvid
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Breathtaking: The view from the half-mile high Burj Khalifa, which visitors pay up to £70 to see. But the viewing platform has been closed indefinitely

A group of terrified tourists have told how they were trapped in a lift for almost an hour 124 floors above the ground in the world's tallest building.

Visitors on the observation deck half-mile-high Burj Khalifa heard a loud boom, then saw dust that looked like smoke seeping through a crack in a lift door.

The 15 people inside were trapped for 45 frightening minutes until rescuers managed to pry open the doors.

One of those trapped in the elevator said that the lights went off and the car began to fall before the brakes kicked in.

Because the elevator was apparently stuck between floors, workers had to drop a ladder into the shaft so those inside could crawl out.

Scroll down for video of the observation deck....


On the observation deck, about 60 more people were stranded and some began to panic.

Shortly after the drama unfolded on Saturday evening, the tower that was supposed to be one of Dubai's proudest achievements shut down to the public just a month after its grandiose opening.

It is the latest embarrassment for the once-booming Gulf city-state that is now mired in a deep financial crisis.

Witnesses who were on the observation deck at the time and a Dubai rescue officialrelived their terrifying experience this morning.

Emaar Properties, the state-linked company that owns Burj Khalifa, has said little about the incident and nothing about an lift malfunction.

It remains unclear what caused the elevator to the observation deck - the only part of the building that was open - to fail


Michael Timms, 31, an American telecommunications engineer who lives in Dubai, was on the deck with his cousin Michele Moscato when the ordeal began.

'It almost sounded like a small explosion. It was a really loud bang,' Timms said.
It would take another 45 minutes for rescue crews to arrive and pry open the elevator door, he said.

From what he saw, the elevator's roof looked to be about where the floor should have been, so rescuers hoisted a ladder into the shaft to help those trapped inside crawl out. Some were clearly shaken.

'One lady I saw ... she didn't say a word,' Timms said.

'She just looked shocked and dazed, then walked directly to the wall and sat down on the floor.'

Abu Naseer, a spokesman for Dubai's civil defence department, said the call for help came in around 6.20pm on Saturday. Emergency crews used another lift to reach the observation deck and were able to rescue all 15 people in the broken elevator unharmed, he said.

The incident was the latest to tarnish the international reputation of Dubai, one of seven small sheikdoms that make up the United Arab Emirates.

In recent years, Dubai boomed on borrowed wealth that went into extravagant real estate projects such as islands shaped like palm trees and rows of striking new skyscrapers.

Then the financial crisis hit and real estate prices plunged to half their value in a year.

The government and many state-run companies struggled to pay their bills - debts that surpassed $80 billion.

Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital and Dubai's oil-rich neighbor, pumped $20 billion in bailout funds to rescue Dubai.

In a nod to the bailout patron, the tower originally known as Burj Dubai was renamed Burj Khalifa for the emir of Abu Dhabi and UAE president Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The surprise renaming was announced at the lavish opening ceremony on January 4.

Emaar, which owns the 2,717-foot building, has not responded to specific questions about the incident that led to the shutdown or made anyone available to speak.

Local newspapers reported the shutdown on Monday but it was still not clear exactly when the building was closed.

Emaar issued a brief statement in response to questions on Monday saying the viewing platform was temporarily shut for 'maintenance and upgrade' because of 'unexpected high traffic'.
[endtext]

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Land ahoy! Amphibious bus plan sinks after floating coach breaks down just 60 minutes into test run

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou3krBRAUYwendofvid
[starttext]
All aboard: The trial of the amphibious bus capable of travelling on water and roads will begin today

An amphibious bus that can travel on water and roads was grounded today - less than an hour after taking to the water.

Trials of the 'amfibus' on the River Clyde had to be abandoned because of a technical problem.

Operators Stagecoach were carrying out a two-day test and demonstration of the bus between Renfrew and Yoker this morning.

But the trial was interrupted on the second run when the bus developed a problem with its suspension as it drove up the slipway at Renfrew.


The £700,000 Dutch-made vehicle can carry 50 passengers and may replace the ferry service between Renfrew and Yoker, which is to be scrapped to save money


The tests may continue later today or tomorrow once engineers have resolved the glitch.

Stagecoach spokesman Steve Stewart said: 'We had a couple of trips very smoothly back and forward across the Clyde but when we came back on one of the journeys part of the suspension which involves an airbag popped out so we are going to have to do some work to put that back in.

'But it's all part of the challenges that you face when you have a technical trial and that will go back into the evaluation process.'

Stagecoach had intended to have two hours of tests this morning but had to stop after half an hour.

Based on a bus chassis, the amfibus uses a hull that allows the vehicle to float.

While it operates like a normal coach on the road, when it is in water it is driven by twin water jets and can achieve a speed of eight knots.


An amfibus has never been used in the UK for commuters. The technology has only been used for leisure and excursions


Land ahoy: The amphibious bus emerges from the River Clyde after a successful test run

The £700,000 Dutch-made vehicle can carry 50 passengers and may replace the ferry service between Renfrew and Yoker, which is to be scrapped to save money.

The 500-year-old service will stop running in March because operators Strathclyde Partnership for Transport said it needs to save money.

An amfibus has never been used in the UK for commuters. The technology has only been used for leisure and excursions, Stagecoach said.

Mr Stewart said: 'We though that the bus would be particularly suited to linking the two sides of the Clyde where you can have one seamless journey from one side to the other.


Workers near an amphibious bus that encountered problems during a press preview on the River Clyde


Stagecoach has already tested the amfibus in Rotterdam, where it said the vehicle performed well


'We often look at our rivers and estuaries and see them as a bit of a barrier to travel but we actually think they can be a link between two communities.

'This service we think has got big potential.'

The amfibus would use slipways at Renfrew and Yoker although they would need to be extended beyond the sill at the end of the ramps so it can work at all tide levels.

Stagecoach has already tested the amfibus in Rotterdam, where it said the vehicle performed well. It is also involved in a joint project with New York Waterways operating an amfibus which does leisure trips on the Hudson River in New York.

[endtext]

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Lord of the dance: Prince Harry ditches ceremony and gets down to the Calypso beat in Haiti fundraising effort

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqs2jXBQgcwendofvid
[starttext]
Royal effort: Prince Harry gets into the groove in a Haiti fundraising effort in Barbados along with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho

Harry strutted his stuff on the stage of a Haiti benefit concert in Barbados after challenging donors to raise thousands to get him onto his feet.

The 25-year-old royal joined revellers at the televised fundraising gig last night then decided to help increase the funds by laying down a royal gauntlet for viewers.

The compere announcing the calypso acts told the audience in the grounds of Farley Hill national park that Harry would dance for them if they donated 5,000 Barbados dollars (£1,560) in the next 25 minutes.


Looking good on the dancefloor: The prince wears a t-shirt bearing the slogan Haiti we care, as he dances on stage with a local singer


It is not known how much money was raised in the time but Harry, who made an undisclosed personal donation, remained true to his word and left the VIP section of the venue to wait patiently in the stage wings to wow the audience.

The royal was joined by Prince Seeiso of Lesotho as the pair are in Barbados to launch a fundraising polo match later today in aid of their charity Sentebale which helps impoverished African children in the Kingdom of Lesotho

The pair both wore blue T-shirts produced to promote the concert emblazoned with the words Haiti We Care.

Harry and Seeiso came on to a great cheer from the crowds who had been dancing to music since the morning.

The 25-year-old swayed to pulsating rhythms provided by singer Red Plastic Bag, real name Stedson Wiltshire, winner of last year's Barbados Calypso King title.
[endtext]

Friday, January 14, 2011

Haiti earthquake: No food, no water... and gutters running with blood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXHopCrs46Uendofvid
[starttext]
By LIZ HAZELTON

Grief-stricken: Residents of Port-au-Prince, mourn as a girl's body is removed from the rubble


16 Britons missing after quake rips island apart

Hillary Clinton: 'Biblical' damage is on par with the 2004 Asian tsunami

Aid workers begin to pour on to island as emergency fund launched

Britain pledges £10m in aid as Brown describes 'tragedy beyond imagination'

Tens of thousands of people are facing a second catastrophe tonight as they struggled for survival on the devastated island of Haiti.

With no food, no water and no shelter, aid agencies were in a desperate race against time to save the victims of the earthquake

Witnesses described gutters running with blood and children sleeping among heaps of dead bodies after becoming separated from their parents.


Desolate: Survivors gather around bodies laid out after being recovered from the wreckage


There are growing fears that lack of basic sanitation and disease could claim thousands more lives.

Gordon Brown described the situation as a 'tragedy beyond imagination' and urged people to support emergency appeals.

The government has already pledged £10million in aid, including £6million to an appeal set up by the Disasters Emergency Committee for what Mr Brown called a 'tragedy beyond imagination'.

Rescue teams from around the world - including the UK - are descending on the stricken island.

But international aid is still only trickling through, hampered by poor communications and damaged roads.


xhausted: A mother sleeps in a makeshift with her children clustered around her (left) while an image of Pope John Paul II hangs on a wall that cracked by an earthquake


Rubble: A woman looks dazed as she wanders through once bustling streets


Many rescuers were forced to dig with their hands to free survivors trapped under tons of rubble.

Residents of the capital Port-au-Prince were squatting in makeshift refugee camps, parks and sports grounds around the ravaged city.

There were reports of looting and members of the UN peacekeeping force, whose own headquarters has been destroyed, attempted to keep order.

Laura Bickle, an American working at an orphanage in Port-au-Prince, told the BBC: 'All the parks are filled with people - they either have no home to go to or they are too scared to go home.

'They are pulling people out of the rubble, literally with blood running in the gutter like water.'

Gareth Owen, Save the Children's director of emergencies, believes that up to two million children have been affected by the earthquake. Many were in school when it struck.

'This is an unbelievably traumatic experience for children in Haiti. We believe up to two million could be affected, and the emotional damage of what they’re going through could last their entire lives.

'Thousands more will have lost all contact with their families and friends and are now struggling to survive alone in the rubble.

'As well as getting basic supplies in, it's crucial that children struggling on their own are protected from being crushed by more debris and are kept safe from abuse on the streets.

'This is not a safe place for children. We know that the prison has collapsed and lone children are incredibly vulnerable.

'Children are petrified and in danger. Many will have been orphaned or be badly injured themselves and in urgent need of medical help.

'They are sleeping on their own, trying to cope with the trauma of seeing dead bodies, and will have no idea where to go for help.'

Mr Owen added that there was growing concern for 20 Save the Children staff who had been missing since the earthquake.

'This is much worse than a hurricane,' said Jimitre Coquillon, a doctor's assistant working at a triage center set up in a hotel parking lot.

'There's no water. There's nothing. Thirsty people are going to die.'

One aid worker added: 'Money is worth nothing right now, water is the currency.'


Terrible task: Men carry away the battered body of a young woman plucked from the rubble in Port-au-Prince


Displaced Haitians walk the streets amidst collapsed buildings and rubble


Estimates for the number of fatalities vary but the Haitian Red Cross today said at least 50,000 are likely to have died.

UK officials said 16 Britons were still missing but International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said that did not necessarily mean they were casualties.

U.S. President Barack Obama announced that 'one of the largest relief efforts in our recent history' is moving towards Haiti with up to 3,500 U.S. soldiers and 2,200 marines on their way.

U.S. navy ships have also been sent, including an aircraft carrier and a hospital ship.

His Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described the damage as 'Biblical', and likened the disaster to the 2004 Asian tsunami.

'This is going to (be) one of the highest in terms of loss of life in recent years,' she said.


Major logistic challenge: The poorest neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince have been completely devastated


Haitians set up impromtu tent cities thorough the capital after the earthquake


On the streets of Haiti, rescuers were forced to turn pickup trucks into ambulances and doors intro stretchers.

Planes carrying teams from China and France, Spain and the United States landed at Port-au-Prince's airport with searchers and tons of water, food, medicine and other supplies - with more promised from around the globe.

It took six hours to unload a Chinese plane because the airport lacked the needed equipment.

The Red Cross estimates three million people - a third of the population - may need emergency relief. Some could need help for as long as a year.


Tthe Haitian national palace shows heavy damage following the earthquake. The city's airport was operational, opening the way for international relief aid to be ferried in


Ruins: Many areas of Port-au-Prince were completely devastated while fire broke out in the city's cathedral after the quake struck (right)


Survivors have been forced to scavenge food from the rubble.

Bodies lay in the street, covered by white sheets. Some people dragged the dust-covered dead along the roads, trying to reach a hospital where they might leave them.

Others tried to carry dead relatives to nearby hills for impromptu burials,

prompting Brazil's military - the biggest continent among UN peacekeepers - to warn the practice could lead to an epidemic.

It said it is asking local authorities to create a new cemetery.

Hospitals, too, are barely functioning.

Charity Doctors Without Borders treated wounded at two that had withstood the quake and set up tent clinics elsewhere to replace its damaged facilities.


Helpless: A woman waits to be freed from rubble (left) while another survivor looks dazed as she walks through the streets of Port-au-Prince bleeding and covered in dust


A young child lays on a stretcher as he gets medical care after the earthquake
[endtext]