Serena Williams beats Venus Williams to win record 23rd major

Serena Williams is in the tennis history books once again. This time with her elder sister Venus across the net and her fiance Alexis Ohanian watching from the stands. Serena beat her older sister in the Australian Open final 6-4 6-4 to win her 23rd grand slam title to surpass Steffi Graf for the Open Era lead.

With her victory, Serena also regained the No. 1 ranking from Angelique Kerber.

Jury awards £1 million compensation to pupil who had to urinate in a bucket because teacher refused to allow her use the toilet

A 19-year-old girl has been awarded £1 million by a jury in compensation for being forced to urinate in a bucket while she was a student at Patrick Henry High School in San Diego, California.

The girl who was 14-years-old at the time of the incident had requested for permission from her teacher to use the bathroom, however, the teacher, Gonja Wolf, who thought the school had a strict 'no bathroom breaks during class' policy told her she could not go and suggested she use a bucket in the supply room.


The pupil reportedly took the option of urinating in the bucket and flushing it down a sink. This she claims led to her being humiliated and bullied in school to the point that she became depressed and attempted suicide. She sued the school after it rejected a claim for £20,000.

The school's district attorney, Katheryn Martin, told the court that the teacher had not intended to humiliate the pupil and referred to Ms Wolf's suggestion to the girl as a "lapse of judgment which she thought was a good idea".

The pupil was awarded £1 million in compensation plus £32,500 to cover medical expenses. The school was not satisfied with the decision reached by the jury and are considering appealing the judgement, as revealed by a spokesperson for the school district.

India bans disposable plastic

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in India has just placed a ban on all forms of disposable plastic in Delhi amid concern over pollution of the sea and air. The use of cutlery, bags, cups and other forms of single-use plastic are now said to be prohibited in the country's capital. The Tribunal said in a statement:

'Each of these sites is a depiction of the mess that can be created for environment and health of people of Delhi. We direct that use of disposable plastic is prohibited in entire NCT of Delhi.

'The Delhi government shall take steps for storage and use of plastic materials. All the corporations … and other public authorities, including NCT of Delhi, are directed to take immediate steps for reduction and utilisation of dumped waste,” the Tribunal added.

Tianjin Teda finally confirm Mikel Obi's signing

Chinese Super league club, Tianjin Teda on Thursday finally confirmed the capture of Nigeria captain and former Chelsea player, John Mikel Obi on a three year deal weeks after the footballer left London and teamed up with the Chinese side. Rio Olympics Bronze medalist, John Mikel Obi confirmed his signing by the club two weeks ago, and will earn around seven million pounds per season with his new club.

“We are honored to announce: Nigeria player, former Premier League Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel joined the Tianjin Teda Yili football team, ” Tianjin Teda said on their official website on Thursday in Mandarin language. 

“We would like to sincerely thank Chelsea, Welcome to TEDA! Welcome to TEDA! Welcome to TEDA! Looking forward to your replicating your performance here! 

Rat tied up and 'publicly shamed' for stealing rice at a store in China

These photos were shared on Weibo, a Chinese micro-blogging platform. A rat was caught 'stealing' rice at a convenience store and the staff decided to disgrace it after it was caught.

The uploader who confirmed the incident actually happened, said the rat was caught at a shop in Zhuhai city, Guangdong Province, which was owned by his friend.


In the first picture, a note written by the staff of the store was attached to the rat. It read: 'Huh, is this the best you could do? Even if you beat me to death, I would not admit that the rice at your home had been stolen by me.'

In the second picture, the rat had a different note attached to its body, which read: 'I dare not do it again!'

images and video from the dramatic helicopter rescue of two men trapped in a flooded creek bed

The beauty of living in a country where services work is that even in the most dire circumstance, help is just a phone call away. 

Amazing footage from Rural Metro Fire Department in Phoenix, Arizona captured the moment a helicopter swept in to rescue two men who were trapped in their SUV on a flooded river bed.

The driver had tried to pass a creek bed that is usually clear but unknown to him, it was flooded following heavy rains the night before.

The men called the fire department when they became stuck in rushing, shallow water around 8am.
Emergency crews rushed in, some by helicopter, to pull the men from the SUV.

Two hours later at 10.15am, the two were safely extracted from their vehicle safe and sound without injuries.

photos and a video of the rescue below...

 

Dubai Civil Defence launches service that allows firefighters to use water jetpacks

The Dubai Civil Defence has launched a new innovative firefighting system called Dolphin, which allows firefighters use water jet-parks to tackle blazes . The system was presented by Maj Gen. Rashid Thani Al Matrooshi, the director general of Dubai Civil Defence.


 A jetski equipped with a water jetpack and fire hose, will grant the firefighters easy access to fires on boats and in shoreline buildings. It will also shorten response time during heavy traffic. Watch a video displaying the service, below.

Tess Holliday body shamed and told to cover up for breastfeeding her son at the women march

Plus size model, Tess Holliday received backlash from trolls who tried to body shame her online after she posted photo of her breastfeeding her 7 month son at the million march on Saturday in downtown Los Angeles surfaced. However, the young mum refused to be bullied. She lashed back at the trolls by posting:

"Breastfeed anywhere ✊🏻 Thank you to my friend @jessicalouiseimagery for capturing this moment during today's @womensmarchla 💕 #normalizebreastfeeding #womensmarchla

"Those saying that I should "cover up"
"You mean when I'm breastfeeding MY baby who was a) hungry & b) screaming because he was overly tired & the crowd overloaded his senses & it was the only way to comfort him?! I will feed my child anywhere I want. Also CA state law protects me to do so. Keep your uneducated opinions off my body.

Some comments were in support of her while others were against her. Raed some of them after the cut...

'Ewww cover up,' wrote one commenter, while another added: 'I wouldn't want my wife doing that with my children in public.'

14 people killed as severe weather strikes Georgia

Catherine Howden, the spokeswoman for Georgia Emergency Management Agency confirms that 14 people were killed in a severe weather that struck southern Georgia in the overnight hours of Saturday into Sunday. She said the agency was working to assess the damage but she also confirms that at least two of the deaths occured in Brooks County.

Femi Kuti list out his achievements after a Twitter troll called him out

Fela Anikulakpo Kuti's son, Femi Kuti responded to a Twitter troll who said his only achievements were populating Ogba with drugs users, thieves and causing traffic, by listing out his various international awards.

Phones, computers and other gadgets have added to a 63% increase in electronic waste in Asia

According to a study from the United Nations University, a growing number of gadgets and more people who can afford to buy them has led to a 63% increase in electronic waste in Asia. Phones, computers and other appliances have contributed to 12.3 million tons of e-waste generated across the continent between 2010 and 2015.
China alone more than doubled its electronic trash within that time frame. Shorter lifespans of technology and the need for replacements, is cited as another reason why e-trash is growing in Asia.

The study notes that e-trash is often dumped illegally, ultimately causing environmental problems. Tech products often contain lead and mercury that are toxic to humans and the planet. Meanwhile, the process of burning electronics which is often conducted by landfills to get rid of clutter can cause chronic health issues.

Massive alligator spotted casually walking across a path in Central Florida

A huge alligator caused quite a stir as it strolled across a path at the Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County, Florida, on Sunday. Known to the locals as "Hunchback", visitors to the nature center can be seen witnessing the unusual spectacle. 

Louis van Gaal backtracks on retirement plans

Former Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Netherlands coach, Louis van Gaal has denied reports that he retired (read here) following a recent interview. 

Van Gaal in an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf on Tuesday, suggested, following his son in-law's death he could retire from management after a successful 26 year career, coaching the world's biggest clubs.

"I thought it would be a sabbatical, but now I do not think I will return." He said .

But when aske d by Spanish radio station El Larguero on Wednesday, if he had really retired , he said :

 "No. I am going to take a sabbatical year and then maybe. I will decide yes or no. It is not definitive. Maybe I retire. But in this moment, I do not know. It is not the moment to decide. 

"For personal reasons I have taken a sabbatical year and after that I will decide. Depending also on the offers, it will be my decision to return or not." 

'I received an offer from Valencia, but in this moment I said no," Van Gaal added.  Next year could be different, depending on how I feel."

When asked the particular period he received the Valencia offer, he said:

 "I don't know. Maybe a month ago or a few weeks ago. It could have been a nice project."

See what Twitter users are saying after former Manchester United coach Louis Van Gaal announced retirement

The football world woke up this morning to hear that  veteran coach, Louis van Gaal has decided to retire from management after over 20 years.

It brings down the curtain on a terrific career, and Man United fans, who have very fond memories of the eccentric Van Gaal took to Twitter to talk about their former coach. He was a real character, and the world of sports will miss him. 

17-year-old boy allegedly hacked his entire family to death as they lay in their beds

Alexander K, a 17-year-old school boy, is being held as a suspect in the death of his entire family after they were all found hacked to death in their beds at home in Tambov, Russia.

Alexander had reportedly suffered from depression after his mother died of cancer three years ago. 


He is also believed to have withdrawn from his family and friends and joined a sect. To add to all these, he did not get along with his father and his father's new girlfriend, but the friction between him and his family is believed to have come to a crux after his family refused to lend him 200,000 RUB (£2,788).

Alexander's grandmother, Vera 67, his father, victor, 43, and his sister, Victoria 14 were all found in their beds with multiple axe wounds. Alexander is being questioned by police and is expected to be charged with murder afterwards.

Show promoter Supo Dosunmu who gave D'banj and Don Jazzy their big break in the United States has died

Supo Dosunmu a popular US show promoter, CEO of Unique promotions and son of late Senator Wahab Dosunmu is dead. Supo died on Monday, January 16, 2017 in the United States.

Before his death, Supo (in black) was quite popular in the Nigerian Music Scene and he was a respected and popular show promoter in United States who took Dbanj and Don Jazzy on their first major tour US several years back.

 

Supo who had gone through thirteen surgeries had been off the scene since his March 18, 2010 car crash that left him bed ridden for over two years. He was just kicking off his career as a promoter again before he died.

Katie Price gets completely naked for her racy 2017 calendar

38 year old former model, TV Presenter and mother of 5, stripped completely naked as she posed for her new racy 2017 calendar.

Katie posed in nothing more than a pair of heeled sandals and in one racy shot, can be seen sitting on an armchair with only her right hand covering her assets.