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MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota : At least seven people were killed after a freeway bridge over the Mississippi river collapsed on Wednesday, plunging cars and trucks together with massive chunks of concrete into the rushing waters, officials said. Several cars were flung into the river and others crushed as parts of the bridge were sheared off. A semi-truck caught fire after it was sliced in half, while a busload of children was stranded on a collapsed section of the roadway. Some estimates said dozens of vehicles fell into the river, but that could not be confirmed. "At this point we have seven confirmed fatalities, and we expect that number to go up as well," said Minneapolis Fire Chief Jim Clack. He said that more than 60 people were sent to hospitals, and added that rescue operations in the river had been halted due to darkness. "There's too much debris in the river to continue in the river tonight," he said in a press conference. In Washington, Department of Homeland Security officials said there was no sign that the eight-lane bridge's collapse was the result of terrorism, adding that it appeared to be linked to engineering issues. Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty said the 40-year-old bridge was last inspected in 2006 and no significant structural problems were found. "They notified us from an engineering standpoint the deck may have to be rehabilitated or replaced in 2020 or beyond," he said. There was, however, construction taking place on the bridge "relating to concrete repair and rehabilitation and replacement, guard rail replacement, righting replacement and work on the joints," he said. Images shot by local television showed a disastrous scene of people crouching on bent and crumpled concrete with parts of the bridge submerged in the brown river as smoke and flames drifted from the wreckage. Rescue workers tied with yellow rope waded through the water and used boats to reach people stranded in the middle of the river. A school bus loaded with 60 children with a church group could be seen on the bridge but did not fall into the river as it collapsed. The children were all rescued, although ten of them were taken to hospital, the Red Cross said. At the time of the accident, only one lane of the bridge was open in either direction when it collapsed shortly after 6pm (2300 GMT), right in the middle of the local rush hour. Ramon Houge was driving on the bridge when he heard a rumbling noise, saw the ground collapse in front of him and watched cars go down into the water. Traffic was bumper-to-bumper at the time, and he estimated hundreds of people must have been involved. "It didn't seem like it was real," he said. Those still on solid ground backed up as best they could and he saw kids on a yellow school bus with blood on their faces. Sarah Fahnhorst, who lives in an apartment a block away from the bridge, heard a huge thud and then "the entire building shook. It shook the ground," she said. Russ Knocke, spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, told AFP that there was no suggestion of terrorism involved in the disaster. "There are no indications of a nexus to terrorism at this time," Knocke said. "We continue to monitor the situation. State and local officials have the lead in rescue and response efforts." The 40-year-old arch bridge which rises 64 feet (20 metres) over the river was undergoing repairs at the time of the accident, and there were reports that construction workers were using a jackhammer at the time of the collapse, AFP has learned. - AFP/ch http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp.../291784/1/.html

Starting a thread here. Thinking of getting it as well. IRIS recognition....woooo...interesting

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3368655/A-cut-rest-Stunning-drone-photographs-capture-new-Seven-Wonders-World-like-ve-never-seen-before.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490 the photos are pretty breathtaking indeed....

Conservation at work. Total banned areas now total 18. It is to prevent parking and traffic problems from worsening. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/no-new-eating-houses-at/1409976.html SINGAPORE: The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has named seven new locations where additional eating houses will not be allowed to be set up so as to prevent the existing parking and traffic problems in the areas from worsening. This brings the number of places where new eating houses will not be approved to 18. The new sites deemed to be problematic traffic areas are: Changi Road, which include Jalan Eunos / Still Road to Jalan Kembangan and Frankel Avenue Upper Paya Lebar Road from Lorong Ah Soo to Paya Lebar Crescent Bukit Timah Road, at Wilby Road to Elm Avenue and Anamalai Avenue to Fourth Avenue Sembawang Road - from Mandai Road to Transit Road Kampong Bahru Road to Sporttiswoode Park Road Kampong Glam Jalan Riang in the Braddell Heights area. The URA said it has worked with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to assess the existing traffic and parking situations as part of their periodic reviews. The agencies also took into account the concerns of residents, as well as existing tenants who want a balance of businesses in the area. Mr Saeid Labbafi, chairman of the Kampong Glam Association, said: "What the Kampong Glam retailers wish to see is a balance between the businesses. We do know that this place is place targeted for conservation, one of the historical places in Singapore. The more time passes, the more the place becomes unique because of its rarity in the area and because of its cultures, and all this thanks to lot of help from the government. We wish to see a balance of the businesses here." For proposed eating areas outside the existing list where food establishments can no longer be set up, URA said it will evaluate them with the LTA, for consideration of approval under its planning guidelines.

Docuementary on the oil cartel Sociopolitical Documentary with no narration published by Al-Jazeera in 2014 - English language http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/secret-seven-sisters/

[extract] As Caterham celebrates 40 years of developing and building the Seven, Caterham is re-inventing the 'Seven' nameplate with the Seven 620R. A newly-engineered, two-litre supercharged Ford Duratec engine pumps out 310bhp, propelling the Seven 620R from naught to 100km/h in under 2.8 seconds. Priced at

Caterham will release a new, more affordable and entry level version of the iconic Seven that pays tribute to the philosophy that inspired its creation. The Caterham 7 is a super lightweight sports car produced by Caterham Cars in the U.K. It is based on the Lotus Seven, a lightweight sports car sold in kit and factory built form by Lotus from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. After Lotus ended production of the Seven, in 1972, Caterham bought the rights to the design, and today makes both kits and fully assembled cars. Now Caterham is all set to unveil a new car based on the iconic 7 but with an accessible price tag at under

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/17/2013-nissan-gt-r-la-2011/ Maybe this time it wouldnt be just Porsche that wanna challenge that.

Content provided by: Why Men Fall Asleep After Sex Seven things most men don

http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/...928-170415.html

Was at IMM yesterday after visiting my ancesters graves at CCK. I chance upon a road show by Fiat, displaying various models of its vehicles. I was quite impress with the Fiat Panorama, 1400cc 5 seaters on display. It has a high head room for any tall adults of over 6 feet. When I come onto the next vehicle on display, I was taken a back by what I see. It was the same model as earlier (Fiat Panorama, 1.4) but it is a 7 seaters. I am just wondering, how on earth a 1400cc car seat 7 adults and with power to move? While standing there and looking at other models (spend almost 1 & 1/2 hour there), I notice that there are numbers of sales for this 7 seaters, Panorama. Any MCF members who owns this 7 seaters, Panorama care to share on the performance and fc of the vehicle. Your imput is very much appreciated. Also whilst looking at other models, one that also catches my eye is the Fiat Grande Punto, 1.4 Coupe Dynamic Skydome at $69,900/-. A 2 door coupe with sun-roof over the front and rear seat. Well, it doesn't suit me anymore (family man) but if I am young and single, I would consider getting one. The road show runs until Sunday. All models comes with a package monthly installment of $488/- (10 years loan). Cheers.

hi there, anybody has installed this with the TEAS? whats the performance like? the costs? thanks in advance!

BT-24 Jan 2008 Under Computer Misuse Act, they could face up to 20 years in jail, fine up to $125,000 By CONRAD RAJ (SINGAPORE) In an unprecedented action, seven former Citibankers were hauled into court yesterday to face a combined total of 1,223 charges, largely for stealing clients' information before joining rival banks and thereby allegedly violating sections of the Computer Misuse Act. The charges are said to have arisen from a complaint filed by Citibank with the police and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) after six of the seven defected from the bank in mid-2006 to join rival banks, including Switzerland's UBS Bank. All seven had been servicing high net worth clients with Citibank, with investments ranging from a few hundred thousand dollars to over $10 million. Citibank had earlier taken out civil proceedings against several of the seven charged, for having sent or taken confidential information via their computers. The US bank had in its suits alleged that some of the bankers had urged their rich clients to jump ship, taking about S$50 million of business to UBS. Those now charged in court include former Citibank branch manager Jonathan Seah, 44, and six others. They are former relationship managers Carel Low Siok Liang, 33; Wendy Quek Lien Lien, 30; Jelene Lee Kit Peng, 34; Esther Lim Siew May, 31; and Lydia Koh Meng Yang, 28. Each of them faces between three and 264 charges. Also charged was Low's assistant, service relationship manager Valarie Lim Ming Huey. They are alleged to have either accessed Citibank's computers without authorisation to get information or sent files containing customer information to email addresses outside the company. As some of the charges are under the enhanced provisions of the Computer Misuse Act, those so charged could face up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $125,000. Several of the charges were under the Banking Act, while one of the accused was charged with destroying evidence. They are said to have acted in three separate groups independently of each other. While the names of some of Citibank's clients were said to have appeared on the charge sheets, the court ordered that they not be made public. Seah, who was one of those who joined UBS in 2006, is said to have left the Swiss bank the same year for undisclosed reasons. He had been accused by Citibank of having sent confidential information, including details of customers and their investments, an organisational chart of the bank and personal appraisals of at least seven staff, to his personal email address. The bank had said that Seah had breached his contract and pointed out that the majority of the emails were sent a day before his resignation, the day itself and the day after. Esther Lim was accused by Citibank of forwarding confidential customer information to Seah including names, addresses, contact numbers, the value of assets and breakdown of investments before she left the bank. According to a Citibank spokesman, all the civil suits were 'favourably' settled during the course of last year. The accused were said to have compensated the bank. When it filed the civil suits, Citibank had said: 'The privacy of customer, proprietary or confidential information is one of our highest priorities. We will always act to protect the privacy of such information.' UBS, three of whose employees (Wendy Quek, Jelene Lee and Lydia Koh) were among the seven charged yesterday, is said to have placed the three under suspension pending the outcome of the case. A spokeswoman said: 'It is not appropriate for us to comment on this as it is a personal matter between the individuals and the authorities.' The unprecedented action by the authorities may put a curb on poaching of private bankers and others, especially professionals like lawyers, observers said.

How much do you know about the Seven Wonders of the World Quote: A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present "Seven Wonders of the World." Though there were some disagreements,the following received the most votes: 1. Egypt's Great Pyramids 2. Taj Mahal 3. Grand Canyon 4. Panama Canal 5. Empire State Building 6. St. Peter's Basilica 7. China's Great Wall While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mindbecause there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help". "The girl hesitated, then read: "I think the 'Seven Wonders of the World' are: 1. To See... 2. To Hear... 3. To Touch... 4. To Taste... 5. To Feel... 6. To Laugh... 7. And to Love." The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and thatwe take for granted are truly wondrous! A gentle reminder : That the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.[/color]

Yeh ... my bro-in-law might have some hanky panky going on ... and he's in his 7 year marriage with my sis-in-law. My wife and her sisters very stressed and bothered by it .... How many of you actually encountered it to you yourself but managed to get away with it after a while? Care to share the escapade trick. I see what I can do to advise her to cope with the insecurities. I believe my bro-in-law is having those 'noti' thoughts only and not serious as to break the family up.

Hi all! Considering these 3 .. which one would u choose? Have not test drove any yet .. will do soon .. would love to hear comments from those with experience with these 3 beauties .. cheers!

hello wish to ask if i leave my car for one week unused.... will any thing funny happen to my car when i use it after the week.... what measure should i take

http://www.s2ki.com/imagecatalog/imageview/40301/5