In the Name of Allah, I trust in Him and have no force and effort except with the permission of Allah.".

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Every dolphin's gone surfin'! Stunning pictures as hundreds play among some monster waves


By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 10:41 PM on 17th February 2010



These huge breakers would put the fear of God into most surfers. But when you're a dolphin, they can only mean one thing: Playtime.

Gliding effortlessly through the ocean these masters of the ocean made light work of waves up to 25 feet high.

In pods of up to 400, the creatures crowded into the swell of the water as it broke. And with seemingly little effort they tore through the surf, leaping high in the air as they went.

Formation fins: The dolphins form a line as the wave builds up heading towards the shore in South Africa

Formation fins: The dolphins form a line as the wave builds up heading towards the shore in South Africa

On a crest of a wave: In pods up to 400-strong, these surfing dolphins made light work of monster waves up to 25 feet high

On a crest of a wave: In pods up to 400-strong, these surfing dolphins made light work of monster waves up to 25 feet high

At points some of the more daring dolphins achieved jumps up to 20 feet high, appearing to spring straight over the powerful walls of water. Others burst through the wave in perfect formation.

Photographer Greg Huglin snapped these incredible pictures on the south coast of South Africa.

The 57-year-old dad-of-two, from Santa Barbara in California, said: 'The first time I saw dolphins surfing the waves I was completely blown away.

'I was in South Africa filming white sharks and happened to stop in a small town where a shop was advertising dolphin and whale watching boat tours.

'I went along and after that I spent three months every year for the next six years filming and photographing the dolphins.



Leaping high: At points some of the more daring dolphins achieve jumps up to 20 feet, appearing to spring straight over the powerful walls of water

Leaping high: At points some of the more daring dolphins achieve jumps up to 20 feet, appearing to spring straight over the powerful walls of water

Professional photographer and film-maker Greg Huglin snapped these incredible pictures on the south coast of South Africa

Snap: Professional photographer and film-maker Greg Huglin snapped these incredible pictures on the south coast of South Africa

Like humans, it is possible the dolphins take to the surf for pure enjoyment

Surf's up: Like humans, it is possible the dolphins take to the surf for pure enjoyment

Masters of the ocean: The dolphins are clearly having fun as another monster wave builds up

Masters of the ocean: The dolphins are clearly having fun as another giant wave builds up


'You can see them surfing any time during the day. Sometimes an entire pod is asleep and suddenly they all wake up and go ballistic.

'I've seen them go from practically dormant to having 200 of them frantically trying to escape a pod of approaching orcas.

'The transition from sleep to panic takes only seconds.'

Like humans, it is possible the dolphins take to the surf for pure enjoyment.

Mr Huglin has built a huge collection of breathtaking photographs and film, which show the animals in action

Solo flight: Mr Huglin has built a huge collection of breathtaking photographs and film, which show the animals in action

A packed ocean: The huge collection of dolphins playing off the shoreline

A packed ocean: The huge collection of dolphins playing off the shoreline

But Mr Huglin believes there could be other reasons behind their attraction to the waves.

He said: 'I believe they do it for fun but it may also have something to do with mating and chasing potential partners.

'It might also be something to do with hiding from predators - the wave sounds help mask their location.'

Mr Huglin has built a huge collection of breathtaking photographs and film, which show the animals in action.

He said: 'I can't ever get enough of filming dolphins. They're so unpredictable and move so fast.

'Getting shots of them surfing waves is really difficult but I love it.'

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Secret love letters written by JFK to Swedish mistress expected to sell for £75,000 at auction


By Paul Thompson
Last updated at 9:55 AM on 17th February 2010


John F Kennedy sent the messages to his Swedish lover, Gunilla von Post

Affair: John F Kennedy sent the messages to his Swedish lover, Gunilla von Post

His affairs, from Marilyn Monroe to the reputed girlfriend of a Mafia boss, have been well documented.

But now never-before-seen love letters from John F Kennedy to a Swedish lover 15 years his junior are being put up for auction.

The secret messages, expected to fetch more than £75,000, were written to 21-year-old socialite Gunilla von Post when the future President was an ambitious U.S. senator in the 1950s.

Their friendship began a month before his marriage to Jacqueline Bouvier and continued afterwards, with Kennedy telling Miss von Post that he wanted to divorce his wife to be with her instead.

The pair shared a week-long tryst at a Swedish castle before Kennedy ended the affair and their two-year correspondence.

Miss von Post, now 78, revealed their affair in a 1997 book in which she claimed Kennedy talked with his father about divorce and arranging for her to move to New York and work as a model.

Enlarge JFK letters

Secret: Eleven handwritten letters and three telegrams between JFK and his Swedish mistress Gunilla von Post are expected to sell for £75,000 at auction

But the 11 handwritten letters and three telegrams sent by Kennedy have remained private until now.

The pair first met in the south of France in the summer of 1953. After spending a night dancing, they parted with a kiss but Kennedy was so smitten that he later tracked down Miss von Post's address and began writing.

In the first letter dated September 1954, six months after his marriage, Kennedy says he expects to return to France and asks if she will be there. Three months later, Kennedy sent a second letter in which he expresses his longing to be with Miss von Post.

Saying that he is to visit Europe, he writes: 'I thought I might get a boat and sail around the Mediterranean for two weeks with you as crew. What do you think?'

Enlarge JFK letters

Ambitious: JFK began the affair with Miss von Post before he married Jacqueline Bouvier and it carried on until 1955

Enlarge JFK letters

Affair: The U.S. president was 15 years older than Miss von Post and was well known for a string of affairs, including one with Marilyn Monroe

But before the assignation could take place Kennedy sent a telegram cancelling it after suffering a crippling back injury that required extensive surgery.

In a November 1954 letter written from his hospital bed, he asks if she would visit the U.S.

The affair was finally consummated in August 1955 when the couple met at a castle in her native Sweden. Miss von Post said: 'I borrowed him for a week, a beautiful week that no one can take away from me.'

But months later the affair was over with Kennedy sending a last, handwritten note saying: 'I just got word today - that my wife and sister are coming here' and describing his emotions as 'complicated'.

Kennedy brothers
Marilyn Monroe

Mistress: JFK had a number of affairs, including one with Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe, right, before he was assassinated in 1963

In July 1956 Miss von Post married Anders Ekman.

In her book, she revealed that she and Kennedy met for a final time at the 'April in Paris Ball' at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York in

She said they had a fleeting embrace, with Kennedy telling her: 'It's marvellous to se you' before parting.

The selection of letters are being sold by Chicago-based Legendaryauctions.com. 1958.

JFK love letters



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Double deluge: A fortnight's rain in two days as the snow prediction melts away... but at least the flowers are blooming


By Lucy Ballinger
Last updated at 9:38 AM on 17th February 2010

Here is the good news: The snow that had been predicted for today won't materialise.

And here's the bad news: It's going to be replaced with more torrential rain.

Following yesterday's downpours across the country, forecasters are expecting even worse for today.

Shoppers in London battled through torrential rain yesterday, but will have to face even more today

Shoppers in London battled through torrential rain yesterday, but will have to face even more today

A brave cyclist dons a poncho in an attempt to stay dry as she rides through London

A brave cyclist dons a poncho in an attempt to stay dry as she rides through London

Some parts of Britain will be lashed by two weeks' worth of rain within 48 hours.

And if that isn't bad enough, we are also set for colder temperatures than are being recorded at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

The Met Office has warned the heavy showers which started yesterday will continue today, with rainfall of 1.1inches (30millimetres) over the two days.

Overnight temperatures will plummet to as low as -4c (25f), with highs of 6c (43f) in the day.

Met Office spokesman Barry Gromett said: 'There will be more rain, with up to an inch of rain in parts of central England.

'Greater London will see around half of the average rainfall for February - it's definitely a very wet day.

'This will mean that pretty much everywhere there is a chance of overnight frost, so where rain or snow does fall in the day there are going to be issues with ice tomorrow morning.'

The average rainfall for London in February is 2.2in (56mm).

Earlier this week a fresh blanket of snow was predicted in many areas to have fallen this morning, but it is now expected to rain in most areas, with snow only falling in high areas later.

pugh

Mr Gromett said: 'The weather front that has been affecting the south of England and East Anglia will still be in evidence, and as we pull in clearer air off the continent it is likely that we will see some of that rain turn into snow across central England.

'High areas in Lincolnshire, Buckinghamshire and the Cotswolds could have up to three inches of snow.

'There will also be some snow showers in Scotland and regions of the South East but generally it's going to be rain today.'

He added that the wet weather could remain across Britain for the rest of the week, and into the weekend.

'It is going to stay unsettled through the remainder of the week, with showers on and off, and the area of low pressure not going away,' said Mr Gromett.

'It will be cloudy and there will be showers, and there is likely to be more snow across the Pennines through the week, and the threat of ice will continue.

'By the weekend there will be a North-South split, where the showers continue in the North, while it will become relatively clear in the South. Sunday looks to be drier everywhere, although there are still likely to be showers along the coast.'


Springing into view, the purple parade

It may still look like winter where you are. But in a few sheltered nooks around the country, spring has begun to steal in.

This bank of pinky- purple cyclamen popped up in the grounds of Killerton House, near Exeter in Devon.

National Trust gardener Ruth Martin conducts the annual flower count at Killerton House by assessing the amount of pink-purple cyclamen

National Trust gardener Ruth Martin conducts the annual flower count at Killerton House by assessing the amount of pink-purple cyclamen

SLUGS and snails are poised to enjoy a bumper few months in Britain's gardens after surviving the coldest winter in 20 years, the Royal Horticultural Society has warned.

Garden snail

Contrary to popular belief, the creatures, numbered among gardeners' greatest enemies, are immune to cold snaps - and emerge in the spring unharmed by frost and snow.
But the predators which keep pest numbers down have been badly hit by the weather - leaving the way clear for a slug and snail explosion. Andrew Halstead, of the RHS, said the chilly conditions may have reduced the number of exotic pests which have reached Britain. However, it is unlikely the native pests have been harmed.
He added: 'Most people widely believe a cold winter kills off all pests but while it may kill off some of the exotic species the vast majority are native and are well adapted to the conditions.
'Slugs are pretty hardy and tough. They are pretty well immune to even colder weather than we've been having.'

They were just in time to be recorded by gardener Ruth Martin for the National Trust spring flower count, which began yesterday.

The annual count provides a snapshot of how the colder winters and warmer summers-affect floral displays.

This year, the coldest winter in 20 years has kept many of the traditional spring beauties - such as crocuses and daffodils - shivering below ground.

Snowdrops which usually come out in January-have only just blossomed. But that could mean a treat for us when warmer weather does finally arrive.

The National Trust said gardens should be a riot of colour with everything blooming at once.

Putting salt into bird baths to stop them from freezing over is killing the animals, it has been warned.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has issued the directive to its 1.2million members after receiving hundreds of calls about the problem. They have also warned not to use de-icers or other chemicals in the bird baths.

Chemicals and salt affect birds' feathers as well as causing internal problems, the RSPB said.

Salt is toxic to birds because their bodies are unable to process it. If they drink salty water they become dehydrated so they drink more and eventually die.



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Shhhhh, we sleeping beauties are trying to get some shut eye! The amazing pictures of snoozing newborns

By Laura Powell

Last updated at 10:20 PM on 17th February 2010

With their snowy skin, plump cheeks, teeny fingers and toes, and pouty rosebud lips, these newborn babies really do deserve their Sleeping Beauties nickname.

It was coined by sisters Tracy Raver and Kelley Ryden, who took most of the photographs at their studio in Nebraska - which can be seen in a new book - when the babies were fewer than 10 days old.

A budding Buddah: I'm taking 40 winks on the path to enlightenment

A budding Buddah: I'm taking 40 winks on the path to enlightenment

Meet my silent partner, we like to get our heads together

Meet my silent partner, we like to get our heads together

Some are swaddled in knitted scarves, others are snuggled up in hammocks, snoozing on a fluffy rug or curled up in a wicker basket - but they all have in common their unique, gently-contorted poses.

To curl the babies into these positions, Tracy, Kelley and a third Canadian photographer, Stephanie Robin, have a simple trick: they photograph the babies when they are between five and 10 days old.

Crib sheet - and this hatbox beats my cradle any day

Crib sheet - and this hatbox beats my cradle any day

Frown in the mouth: My afternoon nap is a serious business

Frown in the mouth: My afternoon nap is a serious business

At that age, they sleep soundly and they are malleable to be moved into 'curly' poses, as Kelley calls them.

It also helps that Stephanie is a physiotherapist, which helps her understand their joints and reflexes.

Out on the floor: It's no struggle to snuggle up to a warm rug

Out on the floor: It's no struggle to snuggle up to a warm rug

Getting back to nature: Who says caterpillars can't hibernate?

Getting back to nature: Who says caterpillars can't hibernate?

The photo shoots usually last between three and four hours at a studio (with nice natural light, a good temperature gauge and lots of props). The babies either wear white clothes or nothing at all.

It takes around a fortnight for the photographs to be processed before they're presented to the besotted parents.

It's a wrap: Lulled to sleep with a swaddling song

It's a wrap: Lulled to sleep with a swaddling song

Prize guys: They came first in the bonnet baby contest

Prize guys: They came first in the bonnet baby contest

What's their first reaction when they first see the snaps of their snuggled-up baby, all fuzzy-haired with scrunched-up eyes?

Surprise, surprise, many of them burst into tears.

As Stephanie says: 'How could they not love these adorable little subjects?'

If the cap fits... I'll be sure of a good night's rest

If the cap fits... I'll be sure of a good night's rest

Yawn free: I love crashing out in my mum's knitting!

Yawn free: I love crashing out in my mum's knitting!

Suspended animation: But at least I've got a posy for my toes

Suspended animation: But at least I've got a posy for my toes


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'I'm really scared': Last letter home of teenage British soldier killed by 'friendly fire' in Afghanistan


By Ian Drury
Last updated at 3:55 PM on 17th February 2010



  • Father: My son 'was scared but believed in what he was doing'
  • Taliban fighters use civilians as human shields
  • Royal Military Police investigate two other 'friendly fire' cases

'Fighter extraordinaire': An investigation has been launched into the death of Kingsman Sean Dawson

'Fighter extraordinaire': An investigation has been launched into the death of Kingsman Sean Dawson

A teenage soldier killed in a suspected 'friendly fire' incident told his girlfriend that he was 'really scared' just weeks before he was shot and killed.

Kingsman Sean Dawson, 19, died in a gun battle after suspected insurgents were lured into an ambush near Musa Qala in Helmand province on Sunday - just five weeks after landing in the warzone on his first tour of duty.

An MoD spokesman has confirmed that it is investigating whether he may have been accidentally shot by a comrade.

Kgn Dawson - hailed as a 'true Lion of England' and a 'fighter extraordinaire' by friends and colleagues - had been sending regular love letters to his girlfriend, Sadie Adams, since arriving in Afghanistan.

In one moving note he said: 'I've just got off the phone to you and I can't stop crying now I've heard you babe.

'I love you. I am really scared now.

'When I got shot at on Tuesday, the only person that came to me when that happened was you babe.'

The ambush in which Kingsman Dawson died was unrelated to Operation Moshtarak, the massive Nato offensive to clear Taliban strongholds.

It comes as Taliban fighters are increasingly using civilians as human shields as Nato forces carry out painstaking house-to-house searches for insurgents.

More...

The Royal Military Police are already investigating two possible cases of 'friendly fire' from December - Lance Corporal Michael Pritchard, 22, and Lance Corporal Christopher Roney, 23.

Kingsman Dawson, of the 2nd Battalion the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, went to Afghanistan on January 16 after passing a course to become a sniper.

His devastated family, who have been told of the 'friendly fire' theory, said he had dreamed of joining the Army since the age of six and loved military life.

His father Sean, 42, a Royal Navy veteran, said at their home in Stalybridge, Manchester: 'He completely and utterly believed he should be there, that is all he wanted.

'He was apprehensive and scared and rightly so, but he knew he had a job to do and he was proud to do it.'

But Mr Dawson refused to blame anyone for his son's death. He said: 'I've been in firefights myself and I understand these things can happen when there's two sides of bullets flying.

'I'm not going to sit here and blame anyone because that would be wrong.'

Parents: Sean and Karen Dawson. Mr Dawson insisted his son was proud to fight in Afghanistan

Parents: Father Sean with his partner Andrea. Mr Dawson said his son was proud to fight in Afghanistan

The teenager had two brothers and three sisters. His last contact with his family was a text message on February 7 saying: 'I'm gonna try ringing you today okay. Love ya.' But the phone network at his UK base disconnected before he could call.

Tributes flooded in to Kgn Dawson, with hundreds of people joining a Facebook site in his memory.

His commanding officer, Lt Col Robbie Boyd, mourned one of his 'fittest and finest fighters'.

Company Commander, Maj Alan Sweeney, added: 'His quiet manner, ready smile and gentle sense of humour disguised a courageous and unflappable young man.'

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'Early indications suggest that his death was possibly caused as a result of 'friendly fire'.

'This is currently being investigated and no further comment can be made until the inquest.'

A total of 261 UK personnel have died in Afghanistan since 2001.

Afghan map

Kingsman Dawson died after Taliban insurgents were lured into an ambush near Musa Qala

The top Nato commander in Afghanistan, American General Stanley McChrystal, yesterday warned British troops taking part in Operation Moshtarak that they faced 'difficult days' from a Taliban fight-back.

UK troops have secured about three-quarters of the former Taliban power base of Nad'e Ali. and reconstruction teams backed by the Afghan government will soon move in.

But General McChrystal, visiting British soldiers, said the battle was not over.

Major General Nick Carter, British commander of Nato forces in southern Afghanistan, said U.S. Marines and Afghan troops entering Marjah, the key bomb-making and opium-producing town, were facing sterner resistance.

Layers of IEDs had also been laid in their path. He also insisted that a Nato rocket strike which killed 12 Afghan civilians on Sunday had hit the correct target.

Initial reports suggested the two missiles, fired from the back of a truck, had gone astray.

But General Carter said they had hit the intended target and it was a 'fair assumption' that insurgents had been killed in the strike - suggesting they had been using innocent people as human shields.

Afghanistan

Caution: Nato forces are having to advance much more slowly because Taliban fighters are using civilians as human shields

Afghanistan

Danger: Soldiers are being forced to clear layers of improvised explosive devices as they clear out the Taliban

It was also revealed that the first Afghan soldier had been killed in the operation - the biggest joint effort of the war. In total the allies have suffered four deaths.

Insurgents are firing at Afghan troops from inside or next to compounds where women and children appear to have been ordered to stand on a roof or in a window, according to General Mohiudin Ghori, the brigade commander for Afghan troops in Marjah.

General Ghori said: 'Especially in the south of Marjah, the enemy is fighting from compounds where soldiers can very clearly see women or children on the roof in a second-floor or third-floor window.

'They are trying to get us to fire on them and kill the civilians.'

He added troops have made choices either not to fire at the insurgents with civilians nearby or had to target and advance much more slowly in order to distinguish between militants and civilians as they go.

Even with such caution on both the Nato and Afghan side, civilians have been killed.

Nato has confirmed 15 civilian deaths in the operation. Afghan rights groups say at least 19 have been killed.

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