timesofmalta.com

Australian crash victim develops French accent

Reuters — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:48:00 +0200

Leanne Rowe, a born and bred Tasmanian, used to speak like most other Australians. But eight years ago a bus crash forever changed her life - leaving her with a French accent. The rare condition is known as Foreign Accent Syndrome - and Rowe says that it has made her feel anxious, depressed and reclusive. University of Sydney psychologist, Dr Karen Croot, says the syndrome is caused by tissue damage to area of the brain responsible for speech. "It's just an accident, an accident of chance that happens to that person. That what happens to their speech, happens to overlap with the features of a known accent."

Lourdes shrine evacuated after flash floods

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:56:00 +0200

A sacred site for Roman Catholics, the Lourdes shrine has been closed to the public as floodwaters rise. The site attracts nearly six million visitors annually.

Saudi prince eyes world's big cities for mile-high tower

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:01:00 +0200

Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal says he is looking at the world's largest cities, including Shanghai, Moscow, London and New York, as possible locations to build a mile-high skyscraper that would be the world's tallest building by far. The prince is inviting Dubai's biggest real estate developer Emaar Properties, chaired by Mohammed Alabbar, to team up with his investment firm Kingdom Holding on the project. "Right now we are discussing and evaluating the possibility of building a one-mile (1.6-kilometre) tower," Alwaleed told Reuters. "We also need good partners. I invite Emaar and Mr. Alabbar to join forces with us and see how we can build the ultimate one-mile tower somewhere in the world." Alwaleed did not say how the project would be financed if it went ahead, or when it might be completed. He said the cost had yet to be decided. But his ambition reflects the growing confidence of many Gulf companies as they expand overseas, aided by booming economies and rising asset prices in their home countries. "I am now inviting the major cities of the world like Shanghai, Moscow, New York, London and regional cities in the Middle East to come and give their offers,"...

Russians detained for bear paw smuggling

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:52:00 +0200

Two Russian men have been detained for smuggling bear paws across the border in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Chinese customs authorities said. Officials said that during a check of a worn minivan, they discovered dozens of bear pays hidden within the tires. A total of 213 bear paws were found, worth about 2.8 million yuan. At present, two Russian nationals have been detained. Bear paws are considered a delicacy in some parts of China and are used in traditional Chinese medicine. Brown bears are on China's second-class state protection list and hunting them or trading their body parts is illegal.

Driver arrested over dribbler death

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:31:00 +0200

A driver suspected of killing a man trying to dribble a football 10,000 miles from Seattle to Brazil for the World Cup has been arrested, US police said. Scott Van Hiatt, of Neskowin, Oregon, was arrested on a charge of criminally negligent homicide, said Lincoln City police chief Keith Kilian. Richard Swanson, of Seattle, had planned to dribble the ball for more than a year through 11 countries before reaching Sao Paolo, Brazil, where the opening game of the World Cup will be played on June 12 next year. He was hit from behind by a pick-up truck while walking south along the busy US 101 highway on May 14, just a few days before his 43rd birthday. Hiatt stayed at the scene and has been co-operative with the investigation, police said. Hiatt was indicted by a Lincoln County grand jury last week. He is jailed on 50,000 dollars bail pending arraignment, said Lincoln County district attorney Rob Bovett. Mr Swanson started his intercontinental journey in Seattle on May 1. He was partly promoting the California-based One World Futbol Project, which donates durable blue balls to people in developing countries. The day of his death, Mr Swanson posted a video on his Facebook page that...

Hats, horses and The Queen

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:30:00 +0200

Cheering crowds and ecstatic racegoers greeted the Queen as she made a grand entrance to Royal Ascot. She rode in a carriage with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the head of a procession which travelled along the course past stands packed with punters. The famous five-day meeting is as much a social event as an important sporting fixture and attracts some of the best thoroughbreds, jockeys and trainers in the world. Among the famous faces at the Berkshire racecourse today were opera singer Katherine Jenkins, Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and BBC sports presenter Gary Lineker. Jenkins said she was attracted to the glamorous side of the event: "I love Royal Ascot, it's just so old-fashioned - old-fashioned glamour, old-fashioned traditions." The star wore a bright orange and pink hat by popular milliner Philip Treacy and a matching dress. She added: "I would wear a hat every day if I could." The Queen is a passionate horse owner and breeder and, during her long association with Royal Ascot, has had 21 winners. Her horse Estimate will run in the Gold Cup on Thursday and is a favourite with some bookmakers. A victory in the race would be a boost for the...

Singapore covered in smoke

Reuters — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:03:00 +0200

A thick haze hovering over the usually pristine city-state of Singapore is making it dangerous to go outside. For the past 48 hours, smoke-filled skies have prompted the government to issue warnings that children, the elderly and people with lung problems should not go outdoors. Everyone else is advised to limit their outdoor activity. And here's what's causing it... forest fires from the neighbouring Indonesia island of Sumatra. Although illegal, burning forests and farms is a cheap and quick way to make room for commercial plantations to grow products like palm oil. Environmental groups say Indonesia has a history of weak forestry law enforcement and does little to curb the slash-and-burn problem.