World news round-up
Swimming pool tragedy
At least 28 people have died in a Moscow water park after the giant glass roof of the swimming pool complex collapsed on Sunday. Rescue attempts to recover further survivors have now been called off, and it is thought that the final death toll may number over 40 victims. Although it seems likely that a build-up of snow may have led to the sudden catastrophe, a criminal investigation has also been launched into negligence on the part of the owners, with the suggestion being that the building was poorly constructed in the first place.
Kerry victories marred by
accusations
The forerunner for the US Democratic presidential nomination has continued his winning streak this week, securing easy victories in the Nevada and Washington DC caucuses. However, whilst he may be conceding little to the other candidates in terms of votes, his record still appeared far from clean when allegations were made by the national media that the senior senator had had an affair with 24-year-old intern Alex Polier. Polier has since rebutted the claims, denying that she even worked for the politician.
Fires in China
There have been further disasters in China, with a shopping centre fire killing 51 people in the east of the country on Sunday. Witnesses saw panic stricken shoppers breaking windows and jumping from the fifth floor of the department store to escape a blaze that took 60 fire engines, 260 fire fighters and a whole four hours to extinguish. Just hours later, a temple fire in the south-east of the country killed another 39 people, and the two incidents have brought fresh pressures upon President Hu Jintao to improve the country's public safety record.
Gay weddings in California
San Francisco became the first civil authority in the US to begin issuing same-sex marriage licences last Thursday, and over 100 couples flocked to the city from around the country over the weekend to say their wedding vows. Protest has been fierce, however, with Christian objectors grouping outside the ceremonies to chant, "Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve," to the happy couples.
Lucy in the Sky
Ten billion trillion trillion carots, astronomers say: the size of a diamond star, quite literally twinkling in the night sky. The huge cosmic diamond is actually a crystallised white dwarf - the compressed heart of an old star that has since faded and shrunk. This gem of a discovery completely outclasses the largest diamond on earth, although the 530-carot Star of Africa has little to fear just yet, as its rival is situated some 50 light years away.
Aborigine riots in Australia
The suspicious death of an aboriginal teenager in Sydney has sparked violent riots in the inner city. 17-year-old Thomas Hickey was impaled on a metal railing after allegedly being chased by police. Nine hours of fierce street battles ensued, in the worse race riots that Australia has witnessed in decades. Aboriginal youths pelted police with petrol bombs and bricks during the attacks; 40 officers were injured and the railway station set on fire.
And finally...
Valentine's Day romance ensued for a couple in Italy, as they locked lips in a passionate kiss... for a staggering 31 hours and 18 minutes. Their Valentine's snogathon will go down in the record books as the longest kiss in history, breaking the previous record by a further 19 minutes. Andrea Sarti was so exhausted by his efforts that he had to be resurrected with oxygen by a first aid team, whilst his partner, Anna Chena, had to lie down. Their exertions were well worth it, though, as the couple have earned themselves a useful $10,000, to be spent on their forthcoming
wedding.
19th Feb 2004