Bomb Attacks In Volgograd, Russia, December 2013

Bomb Attacks In Volgograd, Russia, December 2013, Another suspected suicide bombing struck the southern Russian city of Volgograd on Monday, killing at least 14 people and further highlighting Russia’s security challenges as it prepares to host the Winter Olympics in less than six weeks.

The explosion hit a trolleybus near a busy market during the morning rush hour, a day after a blast at Volgograd’s main train station killed 17 people and wounded at least 35.

Vladmir Markin, a spokesman for the country’s federal investigation agency, told the state-run news agency RIA Novosti that both explosions were terrorist attacks.

“This strike, which was cynically planned for the period of preparations for New Year’s celebrations, is one more attempt by terrorists to open a domestic front, sow panic and chaos, and trigger religious strife and conflicts in Russian society,” said a statement Monday by Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.

“We will not back down and will continue our tough and consistent offensive” against terrorists, the ministry’s statement said, adding that such an enemy “can only be stopped by joint efforts” involving the international community.

Train Derailment Near Casselton, ND

Train Derailment Near Casselton, ND, Authorities urged residents to evacuate a small North Dakota town Monday night after a mile-long train carrying crude oil derailed outside of town, shaking residents with a series of explosions that sent flames and black smoke skyward.

The Cass County sheriff’s office said it was “strongly recommending” that people in the town of Casselton and anyone living 5 miles to the south and east evacuate. A shelter has been set up in Fargo, which is about 25 miles away. Casselton has about 2,400 residents.

The sheriff’s office said the National Weather Service was forecasting a shift in the weather that could increase the risk of potential health hazards.

“That’s going to put the plume right over the top of Casselton,” Cass County Sheriff Paul Laney said at a news briefing.

As many as 10 cars out of more than 100 caught fire when the BNSF Railway Co. train left the tracks about 2:30 p.m. Monday. No one was hurt.

The cars were still burning as darkness fell, and authorities said they would be allowed to burn out.

Authorities hadn’t yet been able to untangle exactly how the derailment happened, but a second train carrying grain was involved. BNSF spokeswoman Amy McBeth said the train carrying grain derailed first, then knocked several cars of the oil train off adjoining tracks.

The National Transportation Safety Board said Monday night it has launched a “go-team” to investigate the accident.

Duchess Of York 2 Stone

Duchess Of York 2 Stone, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York is spending the Holiday season in a Swiss chalet with celebrity trainer Josh Salzmann. After being banned from this years royal celebrations at Sandringham, the Duchess of York is continuing her fitness regime for a documentary that will chart her loss of over two stones in weight.

The Duchess and Salzmann have worked together before, with Fergie providing a foreword and for Salzmann’s 1992 book, followed by a second book detailing the divorced Royal’s weight loss attempts in 2000. Often seen as the rebel of the Royal Family, Fergie and Salzmann have been joined by an American film crew who will chart her latest attempts to lose weight and get fit for a documentary.

Robert Burns

Robert Burns, Robert Burns (25 January 1759 “ 21 July 1796) (also known as Robbie Burns, Rabbie Burns, Scotland’s favourite son, the Ploughman Poet, Robden of Solway Firth, the Bard of Ayrshire and in Scotland as The Bard) was a Scottish poet and lyricist.

He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language, although much of his writing is also in English and a light Scots dialect, accessible to an audience beyond Scotland. He also wrote in standard English, and in these his political or civil commentary is often at its bluntest.

He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement, and after his death he became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism, and a cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish Diaspora around the world. Celebration of his life and work became almost a national charismatic cult during the 19th and 20th centuries, and his influence has long been strong on Scottish literature. In 2009 he was chosen as the greatest Scot by the Scottish public in a vote run by Scottish television channel STV.

Korb, Germany

Korb, Germany, Korb is a municipality in the Rems-Murr district, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located 3 km east of Waiblingen, and 15 km northeast of Stuttgart. Korb is known for the wines produced in the area.

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