Thursday, December 31, 2015

Multi-story fire erupts at Dubai hotel


Fire at The Address, Downtown #Dubai 2016
Multi-story fire erupts at Dubai hotel

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Multi-story fire erupts at Dubai hotel

A massive, multi-storyfire broke out in 63-story hotel in downtown Dubai hotel late Thursday.

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Doug Stanglin and Donna Leinwand Leger, USA Today 4 p.m. EST December 31, 2015

A fire broke out in a residential building near Dubai"s massive New Year"s Eve fireworks display. (Dec. 31) AP

A fire runs up some 20 stories of a building in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015.(Photo: AP)

A massive, multi-storyfire broke out in a 63-story hotel in downtown Dubai late Thursday, near where thousands of people had gathered to watch aNew Years Eve fireworks display.

Reuters reported that the fireworks were taking place as scheduled. Live video of the event, broadcast shortly after midnight local time, showed a massive fireworks display and cheering crowds.

The Government of Dubai Media Office reported 14 minor injuries, one moderate injury and aheart attack due to overcrowding and smoke at the site. The office tweeted that all of the injured got prompt medical assistance. Around 11 p.m. local time, it said firefighters expected to have the fire 90% contained within half an hour.

The Address Downtown Dubai is a five-star hotel in the heart of the city, located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It has 196 rooms, 626 residences and eight restaurants and bars. It is next door to Burj Khalifa, the world"s tallest towerat 2,722 feet. It is part of a mixed-use, large-scale development called Downtown Dubai. The hotel is also flanked by the Dubai Mall, the worlds largest shopping and entertainment center.

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The BBC reported that black smoke and burning debris could be seen as firefighters arrived at the scene.Crowds gathering to watch the New Year"s Eve display were asked to leave the area around the hotel.

Margaret Besheer, an American vacationing in Dubai, told MSNBC that she was dining on a nearby terrace when she looked up to see a fire on a lower balcony.

"It just spread very rapidly I"d say within six or seven minutes, the entire side of the building was just engulfed in flames," she said.

Another tourist, Michelle Duque, told the BBC: "All of a sudden we saw this huge black plume of black smoke coming" between the Khalifa Tower and the hotel."The flames burst out really big and before we knew it the whole of the Address Hotel was covered in orange flames."

Al Jazeera reported that oneside of the hotel was "completely gone."

The governmentmedia office confirmed the fire on its Twitter feed and said authorities are "on siteto address the incident swiftly and safely." The fire started on the 20th floor and was confined to an outside tower, the media office said. At least four fire department squads had responded to the scene.

Jaqueline Hurtado, a CNN en Espaol correspondent, reported that she was at a restaurant in the area when she heard an explosion, "like a loud pop," and thought the fireworks display may have started early."That fire was big. The fire was just going so fast," she said. "It just started burning real quick."

She and others were evacuated from the area.

Downtown Dubai had advertised an elaborate fireworks display that took six months to prepare.Up to two million people were expected in central Dubai for the fireworks, the BBC reported.

Contributing: Greg Toppo, USA TODAY

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Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/12/31/multi-story-fire-erupts-dubai-hotel/78133304/

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TCU quarterback suspended for bowl, charged with felony assault of a police ...


Trevone Boykin 2014-2015 Highlights ||"Heisman Favorite"||

UPDATE:

TCU senior quarterbackand West Mesquite High School graduateTrevone Boykin has been suspended and will not play in the Valero Alamo Bowl against Oregon, coach Gary Patterson announced Thursday morning.

Wide receiver Preston Miller was also suspended.

"We are disappointed in their actions and apologize to the TCU Horned Frogs Nation, Valero Alamo Bowl and the city of San Antonio," Patterson said in a statement.

UPDATE 2:

San Antonio Police chief William McManus updated the situation early Thursday:

-- There was some jaw-jacking going on in the bar between Mr. Boykin and patrons involving the game. He was being heckled regarding the game.His teammates tried to get him to go back to hotel. ... He came back. He was finally subdued after being threated with a (stun gun). Officer was treated for a swollen face and bruises. He receivedminor injuries.

-- The officer was struck in the face by Mr. Boykin. We don"t know if he was swinging at the officer or someone behind him.

-- He is also facing public intoxication and resisting charges (in addition to felony assault of a police officer).

-- "He was heckled and he responded to it unfortunately."

ORIGINAL STORY

SAN ANTONIO -- TCU quarterback and West Mesquite High School graduate Trevone Boykin has been charged with felony assault of a police officer after getting into a fight at a bar.

San Antonio Police spokesman Sgt. Jesse Salame said Boykin is being held on $5,000 bond. Bexar County Magistrate"s website showed Boykin was arrested at 1:45 a.m. Thursday.

A police report said the 22-year-old was fighting with employees at a bar. People whom Boykin was with told police they would take him back to the hotel.

Police said Boykin then charged at responding officers and swung at one officer before he was taken to the ground. The report also said Boykin resisted arrest until he was told they would use a stun gun on him.

TCU plays Oregon on Saturday in the Alamo Bowl.

The school said in a statement that they are aware of the situation and will "closely monitor" it and "evaluate additional details as they become available."

A news conference at 9 am is scheduled to update the incident.

Wire services contributed

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Source: http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/tcuhornedfrogs/2015/12/31/tcu-quarterback-charged-felony-assault-police-officer-bar-fight

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Memphis" Reggis Ball signs stolen Auburn football, shares it on social media


Auburn Football Bowls against Memphis

Reggis Ball signs football

Memphis cornerback Reggis Ball signed the stolen Auburn football and posted it on Instagram. (ballhead39/Instagram)

Memphis cornerback Reggis Ball is a proud man.

Ball had an altercation with a member of Auburn"s equipment staff, stole an Auburn football and ran off the field following Memphis" 31-10 loss in the Birmingham Bowl. Later on Wednesday, he signed the football and proudly posted a photo of his loot onInstagram.

Ball had two interceptions in the game, including a 53-yard return for a touchdown.

The photo includes the message "#RANOFFONDAPLUGTWICE."

Ball, a senior, has since been "removed" from the Memphis football program, according to the school.

"I want to personally apologize to Jay Jacobs, Gus Malzahn, the Auburn football team, its fans and the Birmingham Bowl for the highly-inappropriate actions of one of my student-athletes regarding a game ball at the end of Wednesday"s game," Memphis athletic director Tom Bowen said in a statement. "This player"s actions are totally unacceptable. He has been immediately removed from the team and we will continue to move swiftly in addressing what occurred.

Watch Reggis Ball take football from Auburn equipment staffer

Source: http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2015/12/memphis_reggis_ball_signs_stolen_auburn_football.html

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Chicago Bulls: Why Bobby Portis Deserves More Playing Time


Toronto Raptors vs Chicago Bulls - Full Game Highlights | December 28, 2015 | NBA 2015-16 Season

Theres been a lot of chatter lately about the talent in this years rookie class, but few have talked about Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis.

Thatsbecause hes only played in seven games for the Bulls so far this season because of the teams established depth in the frontcourt, but the rookie has looked the part when hes found time on the floor.

From setting screens to moving in the halfcourt without the ball to what he does when he has the ball in his hands, Portis is smart and makes the right play more often than not thanks to his varying skill set.

Standing at 6-foot-11, Portis has the size and length making hima factor on both ends of the floor. In the post Portis has a few moves down low thatmake him bothersome on the block but his strength is in stepping outside and knocking down a jumper from 15 feet and out.

Portis even has a three-point shot, connecting on 42.9 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc in his small sample size of play.

That wasnt a part of his game that was really on display in college, but most coaches these days such as Kentuckys John Calipari believe in building a big mans game from the inside out. Its not that a jump shot is devaluedin college but its important for a player with great size to understand how to get easy buckets in the post.

With that being said every player is different and some existto stretch the defense and knock down outside shots. Portis has the strength and physicality to play inside with the big boys so its not like he had to develop his mental and physical aspects of being a post player like Karl-Anthony Towns.

Bigs who are able to play inside and out as well as rebound arent common. Most stretch forwards live on the perimeter and thats it. They dont have the bodies or arent conditioned to thrive down low and be a presence on both ends of the floor.

Portis is different because he knows how to use his length to alter shots on defense and finish inside on offense. He hasnt been a shot blocker in the NBA yet, but that could change as he becomes more accustom to playing defense in the league.

I most enjoyed watching Portis on Christmas when the Bulls went up against the Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC has a variety of great post players including the swat master Serge Ibaka and the offensive force who is Enes Kanter. Portis went up against the both of them and waseffective.

He didnt really make any mistakes against a proven title contender. He didnt force shots, rebounded against proven post players and did the little things to help the offense flow like move the ball where it hadto go and set a timely pick to get a man free from the defense.

Its tough to explain if you dont watch a ton of basketball, but some guys just pass the eye test so well that you know theyre going to make an impact regardless of what their numbers say about them now (7.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game). Portis has that kind of potential and hes getting more playing time because of it.

Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg hasnt shown negativity towards his young forward and has praised him for his efforts so far this season, particularly against the Thunder.

Hes not afraid of the moment thats for sure, Hoiberg told CSN Chicago. To be 20 years old and go out there, big minutes against Oklahoma City in a game on Christmas Day on ABC, it shows you what the kids makeup is all about. The kids got no concern, just thrives and has all kinds of confidence. You love to see that. Hes not gonna back down from anybody.

Even though there are enough guys in front of him on the depth chart, Portis isnt going anywhere. There have been enough rumors of late that Joakim Noah or Taj Gibson could be traded to make room for more Portis minutes, and I dont have a problem with those offers being thrown around. Both Noah and Gibson have been important pieces in the Bulls prior success, but this is turning into a different team focused more on ball movement and three-point shooting under Hoiberg.

Noah and Gibson cant shoot from three-point range. Gibson has a nice mid-range shot but both are more comfortable operating on the block as opposed to on the perimeter. Portis can produce from all areas of the floor making him the more valuable player in coming years.

If he can turn into a rim protector and be a better factor on the defensive end, Portis has a future as a star in the NBA. Chicago fans: beexcited for his future and what hes going to bring to the Bulls organization in time.

Source: http://hoopshabit.com/2015/12/30/chicago-bulls-bobby-portis-deserves-playing-time-2/

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New online show - "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" debuts with Obama and ...


Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee S05E04 Happy Thanksgiving Miranda

HONOLULU, Hawaii - President Barack Obama and comedian Jerry Seinfeld compare cars and trade one-liners in a 19-minute episode of "Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee."

The episode began airing Wednesday night, and opens with Seinfeld phoning the president. Seinfeld compliments Obama for "cutting all that red tape in Washington" when Obama appears to answer the call directly.

While Seinfeld introduces Obama to a 1963 Corvette Stingray, Obama lets Seinfeld sit in the back seat of the presidential limo, a Cadillac that Obama refers to as "the beast." Obama says being able to call a nuclear submarine from the car is a cool feature, plus it has seat warmers.

During the course of the show, Obama relishes the thought of some anonymity and describes Teddy Roosevelt as a guy that might be the most fun to hang out with. He says Roosevelt would take a month-long trip to Yellowstone National Park without anyone knowing where he was.

"Sounds pretty good to me," Obama said.

"That"s a lot of messages when you get back," Seinfeld shot back.

The two have some fun at Larry David"s expense. David and Seinfeld co-created the Seinfeld show. At one point, Seinfeld asks how many world leaders are just completely "out of their minds?"

"A pretty sizable percentage," Obama estimated.

The White House press office noted the show"s release as the president was vacationing in Hawaii.

The show runs on Crackle, a unit of Sony Pictures Television, and can be watched at www.crackle.com .

___

This story has been corrected to reflect that Seinfeld sat in presidential limousine, but did not ride in the vehicle.

Source: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/new-online-show-----comedians-in-cars-getting-coffee-debuts-with-obama-and-comedian-seinfeld-363904221.html

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College football scores


College football final scores. Updated
Big 12

Texas 23, Baylor 17

Kansas St. 24, West Virginia 23

Big Ten

Iowa vs. Michigan State

FCS playoffs

Richmond 48, William & Mary 13

Charleston Southern 14, The Citadel 6

Colgate 44, James Madison 38

Illinois St. 36, Western Illinois 19

Jacksonville St. 41, Chattanooga 35, OT

North Dakota St. 37, Montana 6

Sam Houston St. 34, McNeese St. 29

Northern Iowa (8-4) at Portland St. (9-2), 9 p.m.

Division II playoffs

Quarterfinals

Shepherd 28, Slippery Rock 16

West Georgia 35, Tuskegee 6

Northwest Missouri St.38, Emporia St. 17

Grand Valley St. 31, Colo. State-Pueblo 7

Division III playoffs

Quarterfinals

Mount Union 56, Wesley 35

St. Thomas (Minn.) 38, Wabash 7

Wis.-Whitewater 31, Wis.-Oshkosh 29

Linfield 38, Mary Hardin-Baylor 35

NAIA playoffs

Semifinals

Marian (Ind.) 45, Saint Francis (Ind.) 14

Southern Ore. 30, Morningside 27

National

SOUTH

Alabama 29, Florida 15

Alcorn St. 49, Grambling St. 21

Georgia St. 34, Georgia Southern 7

Louisiana-Monroe 42, New Mexico St. 35

Troy 41, Louisiana-Lafayette 17

W. Kentucky 45, Southern Miss. 28

SOUTHWEST

Arkansas St. 55, Texas St. 17

Houston 24, Temple 13

FAR WEST

San Diego St. 27, Air Force 24

Source: http://wcfcourier.com/print-specific/sans-serif/college-football-scores/article_97ef6fce-ef13-5926-a527-6ef5276a5700.html

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Powerball winning numbers for Wednesday"s $301.8 million jackpot


how to pick winning powerball numbers - secrets revealed to picking winning numbers

Feeling lucky? if so, hopefully you plunked down $2 for a ticket to Wednesday"s Powerball drawing offering one of the biggest lottery jackpots ever. Check your numbers here.

The latest winning numbers for Powerball are:

12-36-38-54-61, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 3X

The estimated jackpot is $301.8 million. The lump sum payment before taxes is about $184 million.

While the jackpot is one of the largest lottery prizes recently, it isn"t close yet to the record Powerball prize of $590.5 million in May 2013.

Powerball drawings are Wednesdays and Saturdays, and are offered in the 44 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The odds of winning the jackpot with a $2 ticket are 1 in 175,223,510.

MLive.com and Cleveland.com contributed this report.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2015/12/post_135.html

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