Jenjie

my other favoruite was when they bought really low sports cars and were racing them from a garage in Paris to Switzerland or somewhere like that. the first hurdle was getting one of the cars out of the garage as they couldn't get it down the curb. caused a traffic jam on the street whilst they manouvered bits of wood underneath the front

Actor Russell Crowe has denied reports he is to portray deceased Australian naturalist Steve Irwin in a film. The Gladiator star said the idea was "appalling" and offended him "very deeply", according to AFP. He said it was "so awful that I have to deal with millions of people thinking I would dance on my friend's grave." The 42-year-old - who made a recorded tribute at Irwin's memorial service last week - has been in New York promoting his latest film, A Good Year. Mr Irwin, 44, died after being struck in the chest by the stingray's barb while he was filming a documentary in Queensland's Great Barrier Reef earlier this month. 'Charity work' In a separate interview, Crowe said he would no longer be starring with Nicole Kidman in a historical epic set in the Australian outback. "I just didn't want to work on that movie in the type of environment that was being created because of the needs of the budget," he is quoted as saying by Reuters. "I do charity work, but I don't do charity work for major studios." The untitled romance, to be directed by Baz Luhrmann, was due to begin shooting this month. Hugh Jackman will now star with Kidman in the $150m (£79.1m) production, described by its director as an epic in the tradition of Gone with the Wind and Lawrence of Arabia. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5380684.stm

the bbc website has a video of an interview with the Chief of Yorkshire Ambulance, and he refers to it as the "hammy heli"

hopefully, he hasn't reached as far as there yet!! if it is, maybe it'll get deleted quicker than the ostrich

Well I can quite easily tell you that I'm not watching it for the cars!! Its the other slots they do which have got me watching. Think the first time I flicked through and stopped was when they were racing each other from a to b but had to rely on sat nav to get them there. It was so hilarious, particularly Jeremy's face as he watched one of the other two win because his sat nav had tried to take him through a road which had been closed at one end. I find the comparisons of the expensive cars interesting, but as I'm never going to be able to afford the insurance on one let alone the car itself, those slots don't hold my attention so much. Half the fun of those bits is finding out what weird and wonderful sarky comment Jeremy will use next.

dunno! have to wait for it to hatch. hopefully, its better than that scrawny ostrich hing that hatched out of the last one!

Doctors have expressed concerns about the government's plans for a flu pandemic. In a poll of 1,061 GPs and hospital doctors for Hospital Doctor magazine, more than a third said the government was badly prepared. Over half said they had not received any information although the government insisted GPs should have advice packs. The Tories warned the UK may not be ready, but the government said plans were evolving. There are fears that a mutation in a bird flu virus could trigger a flu pandemic across the world. It is estimated between 50,000 and 700,000 people could die in the UK if such an event occurred. In the poll, carried out in conjunction with Doctor magazine ahead of a conference on pandemic preparedness, doctors said there needed to be better communication and investment in vaccine research. Speaking at the conference in London, Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley raised concerns about the availability of critical care beds, face masks and plans for ordering a vaccine. He added: "If there was a pandemic in several years' time we may not be ready." Weary Professor John Oxford, a virologist at Queen Mary's School of Medicine in London, said the UK Government was among the best prepared. But he admitted there was a danger of people becoming weary about repeated warnings about the risk of a flu pandemic. "It is difficult stuff to plan for. I do feel myself this is a huge threat, but I am not sure everyone is convinced." Professor Lindsey Davies, a flu expert from the Department of Health, said it was "challenging to fight a foe" that had not been encountered yet. But she said plans were being updated continuously. And she added: "We have an opportunity to really get ahead of this. "If we think carefully and act sensibly, we may be able to do things to mitigate the impact." She admitted that it was not yet known if antivirals, such as Tamiflu, would be effective and it would be unlikely that a vaccine would be available for the first wave of pandemic flu in the UK due to the time it took to manufacture the jab after identifying the flu strain. Although the 14.6m courses of Tamiflu ordered by the government have now been stockpiled. She said public health measures such as good hygiene and the use of masks among health workers would provide a good defence. But she said it was "highly, highly unlikely" that there would be mandatory restrictions on travel in the event of an outbreak, although people may be advised to avoid large crowds and only take essential journeys. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5381430.stm

Hammond donations flood charity An appeal by the family of injured Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has led to a flood of donations to the air ambulance which flew him to hospital. So far, £130,000 has been raised for Yorkshire Air Ambulance - £50,000 from a single donor. Meanwhile, his family say Mr Hammond is now on a general hospital ward after his crash in a jet-powered car on an airfield near York. The 36-year-old suffered a brain injury during filming for the BBC show. He has since been joking with his wife about the amount of flowers he has been sent. Amanda Hammond urged well-wishers to consider making a donation to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance instead. A group of motoring enthusiasts has set up a web page for contributions. All the money raised so far has "brought forward" plans to buy a new, second helicopter, Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity chief executive Martin Eede said. "In over 25 years in the voluntary sector I've never known anything like this - we're completely overwhelmed, grateful, thankful," he told the BBC. "And the good thing is that we'll be able to expand the service due to this kick-start that we've got for our appeal, so there are other people who will benefit like Richard." The BBC has said it has started an investigation into Wednesday's accident, which happened at Elvington airfield while Mr Hammond was driving at speeds of up to 300mph. It also confirmed the final part of the Best of Top Gear had been postponed indefinitely and the new series, due to begin on 8 October, will be delayed. The BBC added: "We would like to express our thanks to the 40,000 people who have sent goodwill messages about Richard." It said the messages were being passed on and would be a "terrific boost" for the presenter. Mrs Hammond said the family had been overwhelmed by the flowers and messages of support received from well-wishers since her husband suffered what doctors say was a significant brain injury. But she added: "However, Richard is now beginning to worry that [co-presenters] Jeremy [Clarkson] and James [May] will start taking the mickey, so it would be great if - instead of flowers - people could make a donation to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. "The service is entirely funded by charitable donations and there's little doubt in my mind that without it, Richard would not be making the excellent progress he is." Mr Hammond's condition is described as stable by doctors at Leeds General Infirmary. Top Gear co-presenter Mr Clarkson, a Sun columnist, said in the paper on Saturday that the father-of-two had got to his feet and walked "shakily" to the toilet during the early hours of Friday - just 30 hours after the crash. Mr Hammond had been driving a jet-powered dragster similar to the Vampire used by Colin Fallows to set the British land speed record of 300.3 mph. Mr Hammond, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, had to be cut free after the car "veered off to the right" and its parachutes opened during the drive. Primetime Land Speed Engineering, which supplied the car and a support team for the event, said the vehicle "had been prepared and was being operated to the highest of standards". http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5374918.stm

but that's exactly what it was, an accident. accidents do happen, and the only way to prevent them is to wrap everyone in cotton wool and never leave the house. as I saw in one of the papers today, Top Gear is not irresponsible and it doesn't promote speeding. if anything, it can show you the consequences

Children of Men 8/10

Hammonds 'overwhelmed' by support The wife of injured Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond says she has been overwhelmed by the public support since her husband's high-speed car crash. Amanda "Mindy" Hammond said she has had messages from around the world since his accident in a jet-powered car, during filming near York, on Wednesday. The 36-year-old presenter's condition is said by doctors to be "stable". "He's starting to look like Richard again. He's tough as hell and on his way back," Mrs Hammond told the Mirror. Father-of-two Mr Hammond suffered a "significant brain injury" when he crashed. The accident is being investigated by the BBC, the police and the Health and Safety Executive. Mrs Hammond told the Mirror: "He's spoken and smiled. It's early days and what has happened hasn't really sunk in for him. "The whole family is overwhelmed by everyone's support. There have been so many flowers, cards and e-mails from around the world. "To know that so many people love him is astounding. We want to thank everyone for their good wishes and prayers." Jeremy Clarkson, one of Mr Hammond's co-presenters on the BBC show, told the Sun newspaper his colleague had got to his feet and walked "shakily" to the toilet during the early hours of Friday. And fellow Top Gear presenter James May said on Friday he believed the injured presenter was "perfectly intact" after the pair had had a conversation at his hospital bedside. "I'm not a doctor but I am his mate and I believe that deep inside the Hammond I know is perfectly intact," he said. Mr Hammond, who lives near Cheltenham, Glos, is out of intensive care at Leeds General Infirmary and said to be making "satisfactory progress". Doctors have previously said they are "reasonably optimistic" he will make a good recovery. The presenter had been driving a jet-powered dragster similar to the Vampire used by Colin Fallows to set the British land speed record of 300.3mph. Mr Hammond had to be cut free after the car "veered off to the right" and its parachutes opened during a drive at Elvington airfield. Primetime Land Speed Engineering, which supplied the car and a support team for the event, said the vehicle "had been prepared and was being operated to the highest of standards". The BBC said in a statement that it had started an investigation into the accident and promised full co-operation with the HSE. A BBC spokeswoman also confirmed the final part of the Best of Top Gear, which was due to be screened on 1 October, had been postponed indefinitely. It would have been broadcast ahead of the new series of Top Gear but the corporation has said it is not in a position to confirm the transmission of the new series. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5372890.stm

with all the messages of goodwill on the BBC site, the cosmic ordering ought to sort him out a treat

New Update: TV presenter 'stable' after crash Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is stable but remains seriously ill in hospital after he crashed a jet-powered car during filming for the BBC show. The 36-year-old was thought to be driving at about 300mph on an airfield near York when he crashed on Wednesday. The BBC, which is likely to be closely scrutinised, and the Health and Safety Executive will investigate the crash. Top Gear co-host Jeremy Clarkson, who was visiting the hospital, said many motorists were "rooting for" Hammond. Clarkson was joined at the Leeds General Infirmary by the show's other presenter, James May. He said in a statement that Hammond and his family were "the most important concerns we have". "I would just like to say how heartened Richard will be when I tell him just how many motorists and truck drivers on my way here wound down their windows to say they were rooting for him." Referring to Hammond by his nickname, Clarkson added: "Both James and I are looking forward to getting our 'hamster' back." He was initially reported to have suffered serious head injuries and was taken to the neurological unit of hospital by helicopter. A spokesman said Hammond's condition, which was described as serious but stable, had showed some improvement overnight. Doctors confirmed that his wife was at his bedside and his family had requested that no further information be released. Hammond was driving a jet-powered dragster similar to the Vampire - used by Colin Fallows to set the British land speed record. It is thought Hammond was attempting to break Fallows' record of 300.3mph. The BBC said in a statement that they had already begun to investigate the accident and promised full co-operation with the Health and Safety Executive. "We continue to be concerned about his condition and we are keeping in touch with his family," the statement said. Top Gear has courted controversy in the past over its big-budget car stunts. In 1999 a group of MPs criticised the series for being "obsessed with acceleration and speed". Last year, lobby group Transport 2000 called for the show to be taken off the air accusing it of "glamorising speed and failing to make the connection with danger on the roads". At the time, Hammond defended the programme, saying: "Top Gear is an entertaining show, for people that are interested in cars, that is driven by people who have been motoring journalists for many, many years." Parachutes deployed Former firefighter Dave Ogden, who was working with Hammond at the Elvington airfield near York, said the car had done several runs when it "veered off to the right". "One of the parachutes had deployed but it went on to the grass and spun over and over before coming to a rest about 100 yards from us." His crew and an ambulance rushed over and had to cut Hammond free from the wreckage. Steve Berry, one of Top Gear's former presenters, said the show had changed over the years. In the past, he said audiences would have been happy to see the presenter interviewing the driver. "That's not any good anymore... the audience and the TV producers want you as a presenter to be there, on the inside." Hammond grew up in Solihull, was educated in Yorkshire and lives near Cheltenham with his wife and children. In addition to presenting Top Gear for the BBC, he also fronted Brainiac on Sky One and had his own show on ITV1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/5366422.stm

I only just saw that on the news this morning :stunned: Here's the update: TV host 'improving' after crash Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is improving but remains seriously ill in hospital after he crashed a jet-powered car during filming for the BBC show. The 36-year-old was thought to be driving at about 300mph on an airfield near York when he crashed on Wednesday. The Health and Safety Executive and the BBC will investigate the incident. The corporation, whose conduct is likely to be closely scrutinised, said in a statement: "We are looking into all the factors of this accident." The statement continued: "It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage until we know the full situation." The Leeds General Infirmary, where Hammond was taken by helicopter, said his wife was at his bedside and, at the request of his family, no further information would be released. Motoring expert Adam Rayner, of Fast Car magazine, said that at those speeds the driver would experience forces similar to those endured by fighter pilots. "These cars accelerate at 6G - the force is breathtaking and stopping is a real difficulty," he said. Former firefighter Dave Ogden, who runs private firm Event Fire Services, was one of the first people at the scene of the crash. He said: "We were down there with Top Gear who were filming him trying to break the British land speed record. "On the previous run, the car had just gone over 300mph but I am not sure if it had broken the record. "They had just done one more run and were planning to finish when it veered off to the right. "One of the parachutes had deployed but it went on to the grass and spun over and over before coming to a rest about 100 yards from us." He said his crew and an ambulance that was already on the airfield rushed over and found the car upside down and "dug in" to the grass. Mr Ogden said he felt for a pulse and heard Mr Hammond breathing before the emergency crews worked together to turn the car the right way up and then cut him free. He added: "He was regaining consciousness at that point and said he had some lower back pain. But he was drifting in and out of consciousness a little bit." Former Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson said the presenter was "irreplaceable". 'International personality' He said: "He is a wonderful, unique and distinctive Top Gear presenter. "He has brought an awful lot to the programme and his indefatigable energy, the fact that he tries absolutely anything once, may have been the reason that he has overstepped the mark a bit. "He has turned Top Gear into a gang show with Jeremy and James and the three of them have wowed audiences all over the world and he is an international personality." Mr Willson added: "There is no pressure from the BBC or the producer to take undue risks. "But that pressure is in your own head. You want to do an item on the programme which is mind-blowing." The presenter, who works on Top Gear with fellow hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May, grew up in Solihull, was educated in Yorkshire and lives near Cheltenham with his wife and children. In addition to presenting Top Gear for the BBC, he also fronted Brainiac on Sky One until recently. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/5366422.stm

My Best Friends Girl

A Breath of Snow & Ashes by Diana Gabaldon

The Sentinel 6/10 was expecting it to be more thrillery than it was. plot was pretty weak, and is very easy to pick holes in

A football match was abandoned after an 18-year-old defender was caught in the throat and collapsed on the pitch. It is believed Hamilton player Ross McCabe suffered heart failure as a result of the challenge during the Accies versus Clyde match on Saturday. The fixture will be replayed after the referee abandoned the New Douglas Park game with 10 minutes to go. A defibrillator was used to revive the youngster who is expected to make a full recovery. Both Hamilton Academicals medical staff and Clyde doctor Frank Dunn, a consultant cardiologist, treated McCabe. Clyde press officer, John Ruddy, said: "All of a sudden both sets of players were screaming to the touchline and for the referee to get the medical teams and the stretchers on. "I think people thought it was perhaps a leg break." An ambulance was called and drove onto the pitch to assist. McCabe, who only joined Academicals in March, was eventually revived after treatment. 'Staff terrific' Mr Ruddy added: "I'm told he sat up and asked where his front tooth was. "But, the medical staff and first aid staff who treated him were all terrific." Hamilton secretary Scott Struthers said that the youngster was taken to hospital for treatment. The Accies FC website said McCabe was expected to make a full recovery. The First Division match, which was being drawn 3-3 at the time, will now have to be replayed. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/5331086.stm

U2 to join forces with Green Day U2 are going into the studio with Green Day to cover a punk song for charity. The bands - two of the world's most popular rock groups - will record a version of The Skids' The Saints Are Coming, a minor hit from 1978. Green Day's website said U2 asked them to appear on the song to raise money for The Edge's charity Music Rising. The fund helps replace instruments lost in Hurricane Katrina. U2 have also started work on new material with producer Rick Rubin, their site said. 'Raise awareness' Their next album will be the follow-up to How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, which won five Grammy Awards earlier this year - where Green Day picked up record of the year. The bands would get together "in the coming weeks", Green Day said. "New Orleans has always been a special city to us, being a hotbed of music and creativity, and it's hard to believe parts of the Gulf region still remain devastated," they said. "We feel that it's important to continue to raise awareness." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5331106.stm

Plans for three new skyscrapers to sit alongside Freedom Tower on the site of the World Trade Center in New York have been unveiled by architects. The towers will descend in height in a semicircle around the memorial to the victims of the 11 September attacks. The designs complete plans for Ground Zero, where the showpiece Freedom Tower is already under construction. But five years on, frustration is growing over the lack of actual rebuilding work, correspondents say. British architects Norman Foster and Richard Rogers have each designed one of the new towers, as has Fumihiko Maki of Japan. Each building will be covered in glass and the tallest will stand as high as the city's iconic Empire State Building. Former glory Mayor Michael Bloomberg told a news conference in New York that the new skyline would "restore the splendour of our city's historic birthplace". "These are some of the most stunning buildings you will see anywhere in the world," said New York Governor George Pataki. "It does respect the sanctity of this entire site," he added. Lord Rogers said that he hoped people would come to the site to think of the past, but, more importantly, to "dream of the future". Construction work on the new towers is expected to begin in 2007 or 2008. Design features The tallest of the skyscrapers, and the last to be built, will be topped by four diamonds that will point towards the memorial park from any vantage point in the city, architects say. Designed by Lord Foster, the diamonds will light up lower Manhattan at night. Lord Rogers's building will be more slender and designs show it featuring four 100ft (30m) spires - one at each corner. Fumihiko Maki's minimalist fourth tower will be covered in perforated aluminium, making it the lightest of the skyscrapers, according to its designer. The landmark buildings are intended to complement Freedom Tower - which at 1,776ft (541m) is set to become the tallest building in the United States. All building work on the site is due to be completed by 2012. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/5325794.stm?ls

well it would have been an interesting article if it hadn't been inaccurate in the second line. We haven't just had the most severe drought. that would have to have been the one I heard tell about when I was little. the one which affected the whole country, and meant water was cut off except for certain times of the day, and you had to go to standpipes in the road for your drinking water. this summer's drought was completely different. it only affected the south, and was more to do with the insufficient supplies due to overcrowding down there.

Row over Bush TV 'assassination' The Republican Party in Texas has said it is "shocking" and "disturbing" that a TV drama is to depict the assassination of US President Bush. Death of a President uses archive footage, actors and computer effects to portray the president being shot dead. UK broadcaster Channel 4, who made the mock documentary, said it explored the effects of the War on Terror on the US. But Gretchen Essell, a spokeswoman for the Republican Party of Texas, called for it not to be screened. "I cannot support a video that would dramatise the assassination of our president, real or imagined," she told the Press Association news agency. "The greater reality is that terrorism still exists in our world. It is obvious that the war on terror is not over. "I find this shocking, I find it disturbing. I don't know if there are many people in America who would want to watch something like that." The 90-minute film shows Mr Bush being targeted by a sniper during anti-war rally in Chicago in 2007. He is confronted by a demonstration when he arrives in the city to deliver a speech to business leaders and is shot as he leaves the venue. The ensuing investigation focuses on a Syrian-born man. 'Irresponsible' A White House spokesman said of the programme: "We are not going to comment because it does not dignify a response." The drama will have its world premiere at next month's Toronto Film Festival before a screening on UK digital channel More4. John Beyer of UK TV pressure group MediaWatch said the film was "irresponsible". He said it could even trigger a real assassination attempt and told the Daily Mirror: "There's a lot of feeling against President Bush and this may well put ideas into people's heads." Peter Dale, head of More4, described it as a "thought-provoking critique" of contemporary US society. He said: "It's an extraordinarily gripping and powerful piece of work, a drama constructed like a documentary that looks back at the assassination of George Bush as the starting point for a very gripping detective story. "It's a pointed political examination of what the War on Terror did to the American body politic. "I'm sure that there will be people who will be upset by it but when you watch it you realise what a sophisticated piece of work it is. "It's not sensationalist or simplistic but a very thought-provoking, powerful drama. I hope people will see that the intention behind it is good." Producers of the film, which is directed by Gabriel Range, hope to sell the broadcast rights to the US. Death of a President will be shown on More4 on 9 October. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5302598.stm

that's ace!! now lets sort out the proper ASBO's. they apparently just changed the legislation on ASBO's and its exceptionally difficult to get one issued at all now

oops!!! did they employ the chuckle brothers as project managers?

Can he not just get on with making The hobbit instead?