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Chief neurosurgeon Michael Lemole: “I am cautiously optimistic”
US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head by a gunman in Arizona, is responding well to treatment and can follow simple commands after surgery, doctors say.
They said it “was still very early” but they were “cautiously optimistic”.
Ms Giffords, 40, was injured and six other people killed in a shooting at a public meeting at a Tucson supermarket.
The FBI has confirmed Jared Loughner, 22, is in custody and it expects formal charges to be laid on Sunday.
A second man is still being sought in connection with the shooting but officials have no specific information that he was involved in the attack.
Surgeons at the Arizona University Medical Center said Ms Giffords was still in a critical condition but they were optimistic, especially since the bullet that hit her had entered only one and not both hemispheres of the brain.
It had travelled the length of the left side of the brain.
The doctors said their surgery had initially controlled the bleeding, then taken the pressure off the brain.
Transfusions had worked well, they said, and after the surgery Ms Giffords could respond to simple commands.
Dr Peter Rhee, medical director of the hospital’s trauma and critical care unit, said: “This is about as good as good can get.”
Dr Michael Lemole, chief of neurosurgery, added: “We’re very encouraged. We are still in critical condition. Brain swelling at any time can take a turn for the worse. But I am cautiously optimistic.”
In their press conference, the surgeons said they had treated 11 other patients in the wake of the shooting, one of which – nine-year-old Christina-Taylor Green – they were unable to resuscitate.
Aged 22; lives with parents in TucsonDescribed by former class-mates as “disruptive” drug-user and a lonerReportedly posted series of rambling messages on social networking websitesOnline messages show deep distrust of government and religion, calling US laws “treasonous” and calling for creation of a new currencyAttempted to enlist in US Army but was rejectedProfile: Jared Loughner
Five patients remain in serious condition and one has been discharged. Six surgeries were performed.
Dr Rhee said: “I never thought I would experience something like this in my own back yard. It’s a very trying period for all of us.”
Politicians have expressed shock at the attack, with President Barack Obama calling it a “tragedy for our entire country”.
House Speaker John Boehner vowed on Sunday that the shootings would “not deter us from our calling to represent our constituents”.
The six dead included the nine-year-old girl, federal Judge John Roll – who had served Arizona’s legal system for 40 years – and one of Ms Giffords’ political aides.
The attacker struck as Ms Giffords held one of her regular open-invitation meetings – which she called “Congress on your corner” – with her constituents outside the Safeway supermarket in Tucson at around 1000 (1700 GMT) on Saturday.
Eyewitnesses say the gunman approached Ms Giffords and shot her at close range. Later reports from the hospital said a bullet passed through her head without exploding.
The attacker then fired some 20 shots indiscriminately before being overpowered by members of the crowd as he attempted to reload what one witness described as a semi-automatic Glock pistol.
He was then hauled away by police, witnesses said.
Local media report the suspect has so far refused to speak.
Various former classmates have described him as “obviously disturbed” and a loner who had posted a number of anti-government videos and messages on social networking websites.
Arizona police have asked for the public’s help in identifying this man Shortly before the attack he had posted: “Goodbye friends. Dear friends, don’ be mad at me.”
An overnight vigil was held outside the Tucson hospital where the victims were taken.
A few miles away, both the scene of the attack and some streets around the suspect’s home – where he lived with his parents – remained cordoned off.
Ms Giffords, who represents the eighth district of Arizona in the House of Representatives, is married to space shuttle astronaut Mark Kelly.
Described as a “a rising star” in the Democrats with hopes of eventually winning the Arizona Senate seat, she has served on several congressional committees, including those covering the armed services and foreign affairs, and is a member of the “blue dog” group of centrist Democrats.
All of next week’s legislative debates in the House have been postponed.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Reigning champion Martin Adams retains his BDO World Darts title after a 7-5 win over Dean Winstanley.
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Rihanna has sold more than 25 million records worldwide Rihanna has set a new record as the first female solo artist in UK chart history to achieve number one singles in five consecutive years.
The Official Charts Company announced her record after What’s My Name? rose from number two to the top spot.
The last artist to achieve the feat was Elvis Presley, who had UK numbers ones in each year between 1957 and 1963.
Rihanna’s album Loud also holds on to its number one slot, giving her the second UK chart double of her career.
In 2007, her album Good Girl Gone Bad and single Umbrella topped both charts simultaneously.
Loud has now sold nearly 900,000 copies since its release in November last year.
As well as her number one, Rihanna also appears on two other songs in the top 10 – Only Girl (In The World) and Who’s That Chick.
Only Girl (In The World) was a number one last year and followed other number ones for Run This Town (2009), Take A Bow (2008) and Umbrella (2007).
Other albums which have re-entered the top 10 are Plan B’s The Defamation of Strickland Banks, Rumer’s Seasons Of My Soul and Cee Lo Green’s The Lady Killer which climbs to its highest chart position yet at number four.
In the singles chart, the BBC’s Sound Of 2011 winner, Jessie J, climbs to number five from last week’s 18 with Do It Like A Dude.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
An Iranian passenger plane with more than 100 people on board has crashed, Iranian media have reported.
The semi-official Fars news agency said of the 105 passengers and crew on board, at least 50 had survived.
The IranAir plane was flying from the capital Tehran when it came down near the north-western city of Orumiyeh – which was its final destination.
Reports said the plane had come down in bad weather, and snow was hampering rescue efforts.
The plane crashed near Orumiyeh, 700km (430 miles) north-west of Tehran, at around 1945 local time (1615 GMT), an official in West Azerbaijan province said, quoted on Iranian state television’s website.
The official said the plane had taken off an hour later than scheduled, and came down because of bad weather conditions.
The head of Iran’s emergency services, Gholam Reza Masoumi, said he had received no reports of deaths so far.
“The problem at the moment for rescue work is the heavy snow, which is around 70cm (27 inches) deep around the crash site,” Mr Masoumi said, quoted by Fars news agency.
There have been a number of accidents involving Iranian planes over the last few years.
The last major crash was in July 2009, when a plane caught fire mid-air and crashed in northern Iran, killing 168 people.
In 2003 an Iranian troop carrier crashed in the southeast, killing all 276 soldiers and crew on board.
Iran’s civil fleet is made up of planes in poor condition due to their old age and lack of maintenance.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
There has been sporadic unrest over economic hardship since last month in Tunisia At least one person has been killed in fresh unrest over unemployment in Tunisia, eyewitnesses say.
One hospital source told Reuters news agency that one person had been shot dead during a demonstration in the western town of Thala.
AFP news agency, quoting witnesses as saying police had fired on protesters, put the death toll at four.
There has been no comment from Tunisian officials. The protests erupted last month over a lack of freedom and jobs.
A hospital source Thala, about located about 200 km (125 miles) southwest of the capital Tunis, that several people had been admitted to the hospital after the latest clashes. “At least one was killed,” he said.
On Friday, the US expressed concern over the government’s handling of the demonstrations.
State department spokesman PJ Crowley said the Tunisian government was asked to respect people’s right to assemble peacefully.
The demonstrations began after a man set fire to himself on 17 December in the central Sidi Bouzid region to protest against the police confiscating fruit and vegetables that he was selling without a permit.
He died on Tuesday, while another man is reported to have electrocuted himself as part of the protests.
Demonstrations are rare in Tunisia, where there are tight controls aimed at preventing dissent. The unrest has been linked to frustrations with the president and the ruling elite.
There have been similar protests in over jobs and food in neighbouring Algeria.
Two people have been killed and hundreds wounded during riots in several Algerian regions in recent days.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
A woman and two men have been praised for tackling a gunman in Tucson and preventing further bloodshed.
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Li Keqiang is touching down in Edinburgh at the start of his four-day state visit Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang is arriving in Scotland at the start of a four-day visit to the UK to promote links between the countries.
The state visit is taking a focus on trade and business and includes talks with Prime Minister David Cameron and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.
Mr Li is being greeted at Edinburgh Airport by Scottish Secretary Michael Moore.
He will then go on to hold bilateral talks with Mr Salmond.
The Scottish leg of the visit by the vice premier and his delegation, which includes six Chinese ministers, is taking in a series of meetings with ministers and business leaders.
The agenda will focus on Scotland’s growing renewable and low-carbon energy industry and includes a visit to a wave power project in Edinburgh.
There will also be a state dinner in the Scottish capital.
During his stay, Mr Li – widely tipped to be the next Chinese premier – will also meet key UK government figures in London, including Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Chancellor George Osborne and Foreign Secretary William Hague.
One of the most important in a new and upcoming generation of Chinese officials, Li Keqiang is widely tipped to take over as China’s next premier.
This is his first proper outing on the European stage. On this tour he’s already met Chancellor Merkel in Germany, signed deals with German carmakers and offered to buy over $7bn worth of Spanish debt.
These earlier stopovers are designed to signal that the EU as a whole is still seen as key to China’s future growth, and reassure European nations that they are important partners.
In Britain over the next four days, the focus will be on the economy. Today’s tour of the innovative wave and tidal energy project in Leith is to signal that the UK and Scotland are at the forefront of hi-tech renewable technology that China is keen to acquire.
The message is that both sides, not only indebted Britain, can benefit from a deeper relationship.
He is also due to deliver a speech at a China-Britain British Council banquet, ahead of his return to Beijing on Wednesday.
The vice premier’s stay in the UK comes after a three-day visit to Spain, where he signed $7.5bn (£4.8bn, 5.7bn euros) in trade deals.
Mr Li also reaffirmed his country would buy Spanish government bonds, despite the recent crisis of market confidence over eurozone debt.
Mr Salmond, who has led several trade missions to China in the past two years, said the visit was vital for building economic growth, especially in renewable energy.
“China already has the largest deployment of on-shore renewable technology and Scotland is a world-leader in pioneering the technology and application of clean, green off-shore energy,” said the first minister.
“Therefore, the economic opportunities for Scotland are enormous in terms of wind and marine energy technology developers and manufacturers, and for potential investors across the world.
“I look forward to welcoming this high-powered delegation to Scotland and leading discussions to advance our relationship with China.”
China has already made several Scottish trade agreements, including a deal requiring all “Scotch Whisky” sold in China to have been made in Scotland.
Anne MacColl, of the economic agency Scottish Development International, said Scotland was in a strong position to contribute to many of China’s key aims, which also included life sciences, financial services and academic connections.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Beckham was presented the lifetime achievement award at the 2010 Sports Personality of the Year David and Victoria Beckham are expecting their fourth child in the summer, it has been announced.
The Los Angeles-based couple already have three sons, Brooklyn, 11, Romeo, eight, and Cruz, five. The boys are said to be “very excited”.
The former Manchester United star and England captain has been married to former Spice Girl Victoria since 1999.
Mrs Beckham’s spokeswoman declined to give a more specific due date or say how far the pregnancy was advanced.
She said both their families were “naturally delighted” at the news.
The news comes on the day it was also announced that 35-year-old David Beckham has agreed to train with Tottenham until 10 February.
It was thought the LA Galaxy star would not actually play for the club during a short-term loan as insurance premiums have made a deal too complicated.
But Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has said he has not totally given up hope of Beckham playing and talks are “ongoing”.
The Beckhams, who also own a mansion in Hertfordshire, are currently in the UK and are expected to stay until February when David will return to LA Galaxy and Victoria attends the New York Fashion Week.
In December, he was given a standing ovation as he received the BBC Sports Personality Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual live TV event.
The 35-year-old midfielder is England’s most capped outfield player and won six Premier League titles and the Champions League with Manchester United.
He went on to win the Spanish league with Real Madrid after a £25m move from United before joining LA Galaxy and has also spent two loan spells at Italian giants AC Milan.
The Spice Girls dominated the music charts in the late 90s with hits such as Wannabe, Mama and 2 Become 1.
The group, who reformed for a world tour in 2007, have sold 75 million records.
Mrs Beckham, 36, has swapped pop for fashion in recent years, launching her own successful label.
She told the February 2011 issue of Vogue magazine she was open to the idea of having another child.
“Maybe one day another baby, but at this stage I think the chances of a girl are quite slim,” she said.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Tests from the Harles und Jentzsch plant in northern Germany found excessive levels of dioxin The German government has called for tough legal action against those responsible for introducing a toxic chemical into livestock feed.
Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner said the judiciary must “clamp down hard”.
Germany has frozen sales from thousands of farms after high levels of dioxin – which can cause cancer – were found in animal feed and eggs.
The contamination stems from a plant in Northern Germany, which is being investigated by prosecutors.
“This is a big blow for our farmers. They have totally innocently been dragged into this situation by the sick machinations of a few people,” Ms Aigner told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper.
“It is tough enough to shake off the suspicion, given what we know so far, that criminal energy was combined with an alarming unscrupulousness.”
Some 4,700 German farms were banned from making deliveries after tests at the Harles und Jentzsch plant in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, which produces fats for use in industrial processes as well as to enrich animal feed. But 3,000 have since been given the all-clear.
South Korea and Slovakia reacted by blocking imports of German meat and poultry products, although the European Commission said on Saturday there were no grounds for such a ban.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Researchers scanned volunteers’ brains with MRI and PET machines Music releases a chemical in the brain that has a key role in setting good moods, a study has suggested.
The study, reported in Nature Neuroscience, found that the chemical was released at moments of peak enjoyment.
Researchers from McGill University in Montreal said it was the first time that the chemical – called dopamine – had been tested in response to music.
Dopamine increases in response to other stimuli such as food and money.
It is known to produce a feel-good state in response to certain tangible stimulants – from eating sweets to taking cocaine.
Dopamine is also associated with less tangible stimuli – such as being in love.
In this study, levels of dopamine were found to be up to 9% higher when volunteers were listening to music they enjoyed.
The report authors say it’s significant in proving that humans obtain pleasure from music – an abstract reward – that is comparable with the pleasure obtained from more basic biological stimuli.
Music psychologist, Dr Vicky Williamson from Goldsmiths College, University of London welcomed the paper. She said the research didn’t answer why music was so important to humans – but proved that it was.
“This paper shows that music is inextricably linked with our deepest reward systems.”
The study involved scanning the brains of eight volunteers over three sessions, using two different types of scan.
“This paper shows that music is inextricably linked with our deepest reward systems”
Dr Vicky Williamson Goldsmiths College, University of London
The relatively small sample had been narrowed down from an initial group of 217 people.
This was because the participants had to experience “chills” consistently, to the same piece of music, without diminishing on multiple listening or in different environments.
A type of nuclear medicine imaging called a PET scan was used for two sessions. For one session, volunteers listened to music that they highly enjoyed and during the other, they listened to music that they were neutral about.
In the third session the music alternated between enjoyed and neutral, while a functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI scan was made.
Data gathered from the two different types of scans was then analysed and researchers were able to estimate dopamine release.
Dopamine transmission was higher when the participants were listening to music they enjoyed.
A key element of the study was to measure the release of dopamine, when the participants were feeling their highest emotional response to the music.
To achieve this, researchers marked when participants felt a shiver down the spine of the sort that many people feel in response to a favourite piece of music.
This “chill” or “musical frisson” pinpointed when the volunteers were feeling maxim pleasure.
The scans showed increased endogenous dopamine transmission when the participants felt a “chill”. Conversely, when they were listening to music which did not produce a “chill”, less dopamine was released.
Dopamine is a common neurotransmitter in the brain. It is released in response to rewarding human activity and is linked to reinforcement and motivation – these include activities that are biologically significant such as eating and sex
Dr Robert Zatorre said: “We needed to be sure that we could find people who experienced chills very consistently and reliably.
“That is because once we put them in the scanner, if they did not get chills then we would have nothing to measure.
“The other factor that was important is that we wanted to eliminate any potential confound from verbal associations, so we used only instrumental music.
“This also eliminated many of the original sample of people because the music they brought in that gave them chills had lyrics.”
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Andy King scores the equaliser as Leicester deservedly take Man City to a replay in their FA Cup third-round tie.
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