PEOPLE - U.S. Secret Service says threatening letter sent to Obama

U.S. Secret Service says threatening letter sent to Obama

Reuters – 4 hours ago

U.S. President Barack Obama waves from Air Force One at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, May 30, 2013. REUTERS/Jason Reed

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Authorities intercepted a threatening letter addressed to U.S. President Barack Obama that was similar to ones sent to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Secret Service said on Thursday.

Letters sent to Bloomberg and his gun control group contained material believed to be the deadly poison ricin and contained a reference to gun control, New York police said on Wednesday.

A Secret Service official said the letter sent to the White House was similar but did not elaborate. The White House mail screening facility turned it over to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Secret Service official said on condition of anonymity.

Authorities have stopped several ricin-laced letters in recent weeks. A Tupelo, Mississippi, man was charged last month with sending poison-laced letters to Obama and two other public officials. Everett Dutschke was being held on charges of developing and possessing ricin and attempting to use it as a weapon, according to the Justice Department.

Authorities also intercepted a letter sent to U.S. Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi. Preliminary tests showed it contained ricin.

Separately, federal authorities last week arrested a Washington state man, Matthew Ryan Buquet, who they suspect mailed a letter containing ricin to a U.S. district judge in Spokane. Buquet, 37, was charged with mailing threatening communications.

On Thursday, the FBI's Seattle office said in a statement that a similar letter containing ricin was sent from Spokane to Obama and postmarked May 13. The letter Buquet is accused of sending to the judge in Washington state was postmarked the same day.

(Reporting by Mark Felsenthal in Washington, Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles and Jonathan Kaminsky in Olympia; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Paul Simao).

HEALTH - Top Water-Rich Foods

HEALTH - Benefits from what you eat

PEOPLE - School high jumpers put on amazing display with ancient technique… but how good could they be?

By World of Sport 

A pair of schoolboy athletes from Kenya have become unlikely internet stars after a video of their school sports day high jump competition hit the internet.

But more than just bring them into the spotlight, it has raised questions about the amazing - and rarely seen - technique that they use to clear the bar.

The unbelievable footage was shot at the local school in the town of Mosoriot in the Rift Valley, and shows the pair producing increasingly better and better high jumps until they are comfortably clearing 2m.

But the most amazing thing of all is that the pair clear the bar using the age-old scissors technique, in which athletes clear the bar by leaping up into a sitting position and whipping their legs over the bar one-by-one, before landing on their feet.

The scissors was used at the first high jump competitions in the 19th century, but was quickly superceded by the western roll and straddle techniques.

The straddle dominated the sport until 1967. That was when a young high school athlete from Oregon by the name of Dick Fosbury invented a new, and much better, way of clearing the bar: the Fosbury Flop.

Fosbury improved his own personal best by 80cm in the space of a year using the technique, which involves a curved run-up followed by a backwards leap allowing the athlete to curl themselves around and over the bar.

In subsequent years the new style of jump was attributed to all sorts of things: Fosbury was a gymnast who studied physics to come up with the new idea, some claimed. Others spread stories that he one-day stumbled on his run-up, and ended up flopping over the bar backwards.

The man himself admits that neither story was true, and that it was something that just "evolved gradually and naturally", probably as a result of the relatively recent introduction of the landing mat, according to a Sports Illustrated interview with the legend.

Regardless of its origin, nobody could doubt that the radical new approach made him unstoppable. The new way of jumping effectively allowed the athlete to use less energy to clear the same height, since the jumper's highest point off the ground need not be much more than a few centimetres higher than the bar.

By contrast, the scissor technique requires the jumper to get their head and torso well above the level of the bar. As any physicist will tell you, that's wasting energy unnecessarily. Simply put, an athlete using the scissors technique needs to expend more of his or her power and strength to clear the bar than they would need to using the Fosbury Flop. And since the limiting factor on top athletes is their power and strength, that means you're not jumping to your full potential.

Fosbury went on to win the Olympic gold the next year, after which the rest of the high jump community quickly copied his technique. The sport has never looked back.

So could the two unknown athletes featured in this video become future high jump gold medallists? Without switching to the Fosbury Flop it would be impossible, and for now at least their lack of a rubber crash mat to land on is stopping them from even trying.

Yet the sheer natural speed, spring, timing and all-round athleticism demonstrated by the duo suggests that they could be contenders pretty quickly if they are given a chance to train at a venue with proper facilities. Just imagine how good these kids could be if they had the chance.

The high jump world record is one of the oldest still standing in the world of athletics: it has not been broken since Cuba's Javier Sotomayor leapt 2.45m back in 1993.

But just as Wilson Kipketer and David Rudisha eventually came to beat Seb Coe's iconic and almost-equally long-lived 800m world record, it seems that two more African athletes could be set to move another of the most famous marks in athletics on to the next level.

CAMBODIA - Top Khmer Rouge suspect admits shared ‘responsibility’

Top Khmer Rouge suspect admits shared ‘responsibility’

May 30, 2013

PHNOM PENH: The Khmer Rouge’s former number two admitted for the first time today he shared responsibility for the actions of a regime blamed for the deaths of up to two million people in the late 1970s.

“I am not trying to evade my responsibility,” Nuon Chea, 86, who has denied charges of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, said during his trial at a UN-backed court in Phnom Penh.

“As a leader, I must take responsibility for the damage, the danger to my nation,” he said, expressing his “deepest condolences” to witnesses testifying at the tribunal who lost relatives under the regime.

At the same time Nuon Chea said that he was not aware of all of the Khmer Rouge’s actions in his role overseeing propaganda and education.

“As for the executive branch, I had no power whatsoever. So about what happened during the Khmer Rouge period — certain things I was aware of, but other things I was not aware of,” he added.

Nuon Chea, the most senior surviving leader of the “Killing Fields” era, is currently on trial alongside former Khmer Rouge head of state Khieu Samphan, 81, who has also denied charges of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Khieu Samphan told the court on Thursday that he was not aware at the time of the “great suffering” of the Cambodian people during the Khmer Rouge’s rule.

He also expressed a “sincere apology” to the victims as he tried to distance himself from the regime’s actions.

Led by “Brother Number One” Pol Pot, who died in 1998, the Khmer Rouge from 1975-79 wiped out nearly a quarter of Cambodia’s population through starvation, overwork or execution in a bid to create an agrarian utopia.

Regime co-founder Ieng Sary died in March at the age of 87, escaping a court judgment over his role in the regime’s reign of terror.

- AFP

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2013/05/30/top-khmer-rouge-suspect-admits-shared-responsibility/

CHINA - Rescued baby returned to mother in China

Police accept mother's explanation that she had accidentally dropped him into a toilet after giving birth.

Last Modified: 30 May 2013 13:40

A Chinese mother has been reunited with her infant son after police accepted her explanation that she dropped him into a toilet accidentally immediately after giving birth, a police officer in the eastern province of Zhejiang has said.

The newborn child was rescued by firefighters on Saturday from a sewage pipe under a communal toilet in an apartment block.

"It has been defined as an accident," the police officer at the Punan station in Zhejiang's Pujiang county, told the DPA news agency by telephone when asked about the case on Thursday.

State media said the unidentified 22-year-old woman became pregnant after a one-night stand.

The mother told police she kept her pregnancy secret because she could not afford an abortion and the father refused to help her, reports said.

Firefighters and doctors spent nearly an hour taking the tube apart piece by piece with pliers and saws and finally recovered the newborn, whose placenta was still attached, the report said.

From the time he was found to when he was taken out, the baby was stuck in the tube for at least two hours, it added.

After state television showed footage of doctors cutting the boy from the sewage pipe, many online commentators called for the parents to be punished, while some offered to adopt the boy.

Source : Agencies

HEALTH - Dr. Oz's Secrets To Great Health

Dr. Oz's Secrets To Great Health

The Emmy Award-winning host of The Doctor Oz Show shares his own strategies for 

feeling your best at any age.

By Robbie Caploe

The Doctor Is In

There's plenty for Dr. Mehmet Oz to feel good about these days. His TV show, 

The Dr. Oz Show, is an Emmy Award–winning hit, with an average of 3.5 

million viewers daily. His wife, Lisa, and four children (ranging in age from 13 

to 26) are flourishing. But now he has an extra spring in his step. "You're 

happiest at age 50," Dr. Oz says. "You've worked out your issues and gotten 

past worrying. You can just enjoy the bliss of being in the game of life."

Dr. Oz is 52, so he knows what he's talking about. For him, being in the game 

of life means that he remains passionately focused on helping Americans live 

better and longer. We asked Dr. Oz to share what he sees as the eight most 

important health habits to cultivate. Read on for some of his top tips, and get 

the full story in the October 2012 issue of Prevention.

Published September 2012, Prevention

Stretch first thing in the morning

"Stretching for 10 minutes every morning has a variety of benefits, including decreasing risk of heart attack, alleviating stress, and improving circulation. You can feel the effects in just 10 days. My morning stretch starts with my hips. If I can't touch my toes, I know I'm too stiff. Then I loosen up my neck, because that's where I store tension...A lot of times I'll think, I'm too tired to do my sit-ups today. But after stretching for 15 seconds, I have the energy for them."

Show up early

"Being 5 minutes late is a small thing that creates big stress, which in turn can cause chronic inflammation and high blood pressure. So many of us are hypertensive, but it comes from external stressors we place on ourselves, and those are adjustable...So the mantra should be 'If you're not 5 minutes early, you're late.' That way, when unexpected things happen, you have a cushion."

Harness your energy

"I have a lot of natural energy. In the classic Ayurvedic approach to healing, there are three categories, or doshas—vata [characteristics include a tendency toward overexertion, enthusiasm, easily tired], pitta [medium energy, enterprising, sharp intellect], and kapha [solid, calm, steady energy]—and many are a mixture of all three. I'm overwhelmingly pitta, which means I'm the kind of person who likes to move. But sometimes that urge borders on being unproductive because it turns frenetic. That's when my wife, Lisa, will pull me back and say, 'No, do these 10 things right and leave the 11th alone.' "

Be a balanced eater

"If you're really craving a specific food, practice portion control. Acknowledge to yourself that the first taste is the best taste. Have a few bites, and then wash them down with a big glass of water. Get the taste out of your mouth, or else that drive to have more will continue."

Increase intimacy

"So many of us run from intimacy by using hobbies, a job, or events that, on the larger scale, you know deep in your heart aren't nearly as important. Instead, try a new habit that links you. Write a thank-you note every night to someone—a teacher, a coworker, a doctor, a friend, or your spouse.

CUSTOMER SERVICE - Retail Horror Stories

28TH OCT 2012

I work at Spirit Halloween in a seasonal position. We aren’t allowed to let customers try on accessories in my store because people spend way too much time playing with them and goofing around in the dressing rooms while we have like 20 people in line. It’s also for loss prevention purposes and I have several grown-ass adults every day throw temper tantrums about not being able to try on accessories. They also complain about not being able to try on wigs inside the dressing rooms and other various things that need to stay wrapped. Also, someone peed in our carpeted dressing rooms today, so that was fun.

12TH AUG 2012

I have worked as a courtesy clerk in the most successful grocery store in New England for about two months now. At first, I hated the job, I dreaded going in to the workplace, blah blah blah. It progressively got less worse, until 2 days ago. I worked with possibly the worst cashier on the history of the planet. I don’t know how it is at other grocery stores, but here at mine, the cashier puts things in areas on the belt, delicate items on one side cleaning products, bread, eggs, they all have their own piece of the loading dock to go inside of a bag. Also cashiers are required to put stickers on over sized items as a proof of purchase, these items do not go in bags. Now imagine a cashier who doesn’t do any of these required things. 

Not only does she not categorize any items, she buries me in grocery. And if I can’t bag as fast as she’s whipping stuff down the lane (which I never can) and it starts to get all clogged up? She turns on my conveyor belt, which crushes boxes, plastic things of fruit, anything that can be crushed will be crushed, I try to put these items into categories so that they won’t be crushed, but there is just no way, she throws it (I’m literally talking throw, she flicks items off the scanner, even fruits and vegetables) items at me and there is no way to bag any of it coherently. After she throws all this stuff at me she stands there, because she now has a 5 minute break where the customer is watching me and wondering why the fuck this is taking so long, while she just stands there and does nothing. Yes, she doesn’t bag anything except the eggs, and if I am lucky the bread. 

Referring back to the stickers, she doesn’t put them on anything that she is required to put them on. I mean I know that milk doesn’t go in a bag but sometimes the customer specifically requests that some items that are usually put in bags, not be put in bags. Normal cashiers would slap a sticker on the item right then and there, for the convenience of me and the customer. But no, there is no such thing with this cashier. 

I dread large orders, and I usually don’t unless its 30 minutes to closing time and I am wondering why people couldn’t have done this earlier. But large orders with this cashier is a living nightmare.

10TH AUG 2012 | 2 NOTES

I work in the apparel department of a store. Now admitedly, our call in sytem for customers leaves something to be desired. You call in and pick which department you need (food, home and apparel). Then you pick which section. In the apparel department we have Shoes, Cosmetics, Accessories, Womens, Mens and Childrens, but the only option when calling are cosmetics shoes and apparel. If you pick apparel, it goes to all of the apparel phones. My phone rings and I see it is a customer calling from outside the store. I answer with the typical “Thank you for calling _______, this is Dustin. How can I help you?(I’ve been asked nicely not to reveal what store I work for)

“Men’s clothing”

I was responsible for taking the men’s calls,(and all of them really since everyone else was either on lunch or break) so I said: “That’s me, what can I help you with?”

“Men’s clothing!”

“Yes, that’s me, is there something I can help you with?”

“Mens. Clothing.” this time with much more emphasis.

“I’m in the Men’s department, what can I help you with?”

“What?! Transfer me over to someone who speaks english.”

I was the only one available to take a call, so I responded with. “Okay.”, and I put him on hold for a second. I picked up the call again and this time said “Men’s apparel”.

“Hi yeah, I was looking for a pair of shorts.”

I proceed to find this pair of shorts and I put it on hold for him.

“Who was that other guy?” He says.

I say “Somebody just transferred me a call, I’m not sure who.”

“Oh, okay”

He never came to pick up the shorts.

10TH AUG 2012 | 1 NOTE

I was working at a national sporting goods chain. The store sells guns and ammo. The store does not receive either item as a return or exchange for legal and liability reasons.

Four people were working: A seasoned, young, female cashier, myself (a young, female supervisor), a female manager, and a brand new, quite young, male associate. 

Old Guy: I would like to return this ammunition.
Cashier: I’m sorry, we don’t accept ammunition in returns. It’s the law. Our return policy is on the back of your receipt.
Old Guy: HEM HAW. I want to talk to your supervisor.
*I turn around*
Me: Sir, she is right. We don’t take ammo back in. It’s the law. It could also present substantial liability issues for the company. I’m sorry, but we can’t return your ammo.
Old Guy: *Anger has risen* Get me your manager!
*Manager comes up, story is relayed*
Manager: They are right, sir, no returns on ammo. We cannot make exceptions for legal reasons.

Old Guy was quite upset by this point. He was clearly not leaving anytime soon. He was going on about how we don’t know anything and he didn’t do anything to the ammo etc. I saw the new associate walking up to see what the commotion was about. I walked to meet him and relayed the return policy to him before he reached the conversation.

Old Guy saw him and seized on him.

Old Guy: Can I return this ammo? These three say I can’t!
Associate: No. [Exact same things we’d been saying the whole time]
Old Guy: Oh. *To the three women* Why didn’t you just say that?

21ST MAR 2012

The phone rang about five minutes before the store was supposed to open. I was in the back room and was the only employee there. I figured I might as well answer it since I had nothing better to do and it might be the manager making sure I was there. It was a customer.

Customer: Hey, I just wondered what time you guys open?

Me: Oh, we open in about five minutes actually.

Customer: Oh OK, could you tell me if you have this certain type of cable in? (He gave me a name I didn’t recognize)

Me: I’m not sure what that is. What type of plug does it have on the end?

Customer: Actually, you know what? I’ll just bring it in when you open. I’m right outside the store anyway.

Yes, he was literally standing right outside the door when I went to unlock it a few minutes later. He didn’t bother to check the hours on the door, he just thought he’d go ahead and call.

20TH MAR 2012

Staring me down won’t get me to check someone out faster, in fact, if you dare stare at me and I catch you twice-I’ll go slower and make small talk with the customer being helped. Cuz I can.

11TH SEP 2011 | 1 NOTE

Customer: “But you MUCH bigger girl than me so I can’t wear that.”

7TH AUG 2011 | 6 NOTES

Larry David

The truth

(via alldoomandgloom)

7TH AUG 2011 | 9 NOTES

retailrage:

And the customer’s first question is,”Is this the Juniors department?”

6TH AUG 2011 | 9 NOTES

youcanbitemyhandcuffsanyday:

Here is a list of things to say/do (or not) when encountering a retail employee:

• When you’re checking out, get the hell off of your cell phone. I’m a person, and you’re being rude.
• Do NOT interrupt when I’m helping someone else. I will get to you, but they were here first.
• Fuck all of you…

(Source: shhh-just-let-it-happen)

CUSTOMER SERVICE - How to Deal with Rude Customers

By eHow Contributor

Anyone who works in customer service knows how difficult it is to be nice to rude people. 

Some customers are belligerent, nasty and their main objective is to make your job harder. 

Rather than lash out and possibly lose your job, here are a few tips to help you cope with rude customers.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Keep smiling. In many cases, the rude customers wants to see you upset. Some people have nasty attitudes and they purposely show little respect to individuals who work in the service industry. Rather than react to their baseless complaints, keep a smile on your face. This way, they won't have a reason to complain to your boss or manager.
   • 2
     Stay calm. Dealing with a rude customer makes it difficult to continue working. Once the customer leaves, brush off the incident and continue serving your other customers. Take a few moments to calm down. Learn breathing techniques and other exercises to help you relax.
   • 3
     Politely ignore. This technique is hard, but effective. At times, a customers will rant and rave over an issue that doesn't involve you. Maybe the price of an item is too high, or the store's policy will not allow them to return an item. Rather than get mad or respond to each individual complaint, let customers express themselves. Afterwards, apologize for any inconvenience. Eventually, they'll get tired and leave.
   • 4
     Pity them. Anyone who expresses rudeness for no apparent reason, especially toward someone who is trying to assist them, is likely an unhappy person. Realize that they have the problem, not you. Do your job and assist them. Their bad day should not affect your mood.
   • 5
     Remember kind customers. For every rude and nasty customer, there are probably a handful of nice and appreciative customers. Everyone who works in the service industry will eventually encounter a difficult customer. Rather than focus on one bad complaint, reflect on the many nice comments.
   • 6
     Would you like another customer service rep? If a customer is rude and unappreciative, kindly ask whether they would like to be assisted by someone else. Persons who work in the service industry cannot get angry or yell at a customer. However, you can pass them off to a supervisor or manager.
   • By eHow Contributor
   •