Swiss man breaks world record for 8,000m jump without oxygen

GENEVA: A Swiss man set a new world record on Sunday when he leapt from a hot-air balloon from an altitude of 8,000 metres (26,200 feet) without oxygen, the ATS news agency reported.

Remo Lang, 38, threw himself out of the balloon early in the morning and landed around 10 minutes later at Aarberg, in the Berne canton of Switzerland. Wearing a "wingsuit", his freefall lasted five minutes.

Lang´s team said he prepared himself for the jump by taking in oxygen from a tank intensively for half an hour before the stunt. (AFP)

US man auctioning rare comic book collection

LOUISVILLE: The first glimpses of iconic heroes Superman, Batman and Flash are part of a rare comic book collection a Kentucky man is auctioning off to the highest bidders.

Paducah insurance executive John C. Wise decided it was time to sell the collection he's been accumulating over three decades, revisiting a childhood pastime that he picked up again in the 1980s after he became established in his career.

"I think it's a good timing for the market, and good timing for me at age 62," said Wise, who moved to Kentucky from his hometown of Rockford, Illinois, to attend college. "It's not like I'm not going to take them with me."

The books Wise is auctioning sold for as little as 10 cents when they were published, many in the late 1930s and 1940s. Some of the issues in good condition can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars. He is auctioning about 175 comics individually, and online bidders have already committed about a half-million dollars to the auction, which ends Tuesday.

Among the offerings is a pristine issue of Flash Comics No. 1 from 1940, which tells the story of how college student Jay Garrick gained super-human speed by inhaling fumes in a lab accident.

"This copy is in incredible high-grade condition and is the second-best copy known to exist," comic book expert Vincent Zurzolo said in an email message. Zurzulo is co-owner of New York-based ComicConnect.com, the online auction house that is selling Wise's collection.

By Friday evening, the bidding on that book alone had reached $91,000. Bids on the first editions of Superman, Batman and the Flash from Wise's collection totaled $218,000 on Friday.

Wise first started collecting comics at age 12, and sold his first collection to buy a car as a teenager. He picked up the hobby again later in life, and started frequenting Comic-Con in San Diego, where he eventually bought a second home.

Wise and Zurzolo said the exploding popularity of super heroes in movies and TV make it an opportune time to capitalize on valuable comics.

"The blockbuster movies are bringing in new collectors and investors into the vintage comic market on a daily basis," Zurzolo said.

Wise is also selling a copy of Action Comics No. 1, which is the debut of Superman and is considered the birth of the comic book super hero. A well-preserved copy of the 1938 comic sold for a record $2.1 million in 2011. Zurzolo said there are fewer than 100 copies of the issue in existence.

Wise said he's hoping the proceeds from the auctions will help him buy a new home in San Diego and fund college tuitions for his seven grandchildren.

"My daughters would rather inherit than collect comic books," he said.

Man accused of killing two nephews arrested

ISLAMABAD: Police have arrested a man allegedly involved in the killing of his two nephews from Havelian Tehsil in Abbottabad, Geo News reported.

On April 14, Nadeem took Mehr Ali, 11, Qadir, 4 and Zain 7 on a day out to Murree and allegedly killed Mehr and Qadir by slitting their throats by a sharp object whose bodies were later found in jungle. While injured Zain was recovered by police.

Nadim who was arrested during a raid at his house would be produced before a court in Abbottabad Friday (today).

Though motive behind the killings is yet to be known, grandfather of the deceased told police that the accused had no enmity with children.

World’s oldest man dies at 111 in Italy

The world’s oldest man has died in Italy at the age of 111, just days before celebrating his 112th birthday, Guinness World Records said.

Arturo Licata was awarded the Guinness World Records title of oldest living man on February 28, 2014 at the age of 111 years and 302 days.

“It’s sad to hear of the passing of Signor Licata - a man born before the Wright brothers’ first powered flight, and one of only four men older than 111,” said Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief.

Mr. Licata passed away on April 24, aged 111 years and 357 days.

He is survived by seven children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His wife Rosa passed away in 1980, when Licata was 78 years old.

Mr. Licata was born on May 2, 1902 in the southern Italian city of Enna. At the age of nine he went to work in the mines and, in 1921, aged 19, he joined the Italian army.

Mr. Licata’s military service finished in 1939 and he went on to enjoy a successful career in business.

Currently 115-year-old female, Misao Okawa of Japan, is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living person. She was born March 5, 1898 and lives in Osaka.

The greatest fully authenticated age to which any human has ever lived is 122 years, 164 days by Jeanne Louise Calment of France, who died in 1997.

Man City slips further out of title contention

MANCHESTER: The Premier League trophy could be out of reach for Manchester City after a 2-2 home draw with last-placed Sunderland on Wednesday that capped a demoralizing four days for title chasers.

Samir Nasri´s 88th-minute equalizer at Etihad Stadium will be of little consolation to City, which is now six points behind league leader Liverpool and four points behind second-place Chelsea.T

Third-place City has a game in hand but the surprise result against Sunderland, coupled with Sunday´s 3-2 loss at Liverpool, may be a setback too far in its bid for a second championship in three seasons. "I think we are more mentally tired than physically tired," said City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who is still not giving up hope. "Remember this team, two years ago, were six points behind the leaders and ... won the title at the end. So it is difficult, but it is not the last game we play."

Sunderland is six points from safety with a game in hand, but could have been a lot closer if goalkeeper Vito Mannone had gathered Nasri´s shot rather than fumbled it into the back of the net.

That could be the difference between staying in the Premier League and being relegated. "It´s one more blow," Sunderland manager Gus Poyet said. "I tell you what, I´m testing my heart this year."

Without the injured David Silva and Yaya Toure and with star striker Sergio Aguero lacking match sharpness, City lacked its usual creativity going forward and was sloppy in possession.

Fernandinho gave City the lead in the second minute, running onto a short pass from Aguero that was dummied by Alvaro Negredo and scoring inside Mannone´s near post, but Sunderland had the better of the chances for the rest of the first half.

Connor Wickham finally took one of them in the 73rd minute, volleying in a cross from substitute Emanuele Giaccherini, and the same players combined for Wickham´s second that came on the counter-attack in the 83rd.

City escaped with a point thanks to Nasri, but Liverpool and Chelsea will be celebrating another twist in the title race. "We believe we can win the title," Fernandinho said. "Chelsea and Liverpool have four games and they may drop some points — we think we can still win the title." (AP)

 

Man buried in 40-foot-deep pit in quest for treasure

MULTAN: The quest for treasure to become a billionaire overnight went horribly wrong here on Sunday when a man fell into a 40-foot-deep pit he had dug at his house on the instructions of a fake spiritual leader.
Rescue operations were underway and according to latest reports the authorities were considering demolishing the house to widen the unprecedented dig-and-rescue operation.Zeeshan, 20, who blindly followed his spiritual leader, dug a 40-foot-deep and 2-foot-wide pit in his house after years of hard work. Reportedly, the pit collapsed inside when Zeeshan entered it on Saturday night. Rescue teams have been trying to get the man out but of no avail. Limited space around the pit is hindering the rescue operation.

According to neighbours, Zeeshan had also attempted such a quest before. Most neighbours think he alone could not have made the endeavour, speculating that the whole household might be involved. The Delhi Gate Police Station are grilling Zeeshan’s father Noor Alam.This is not an isolated incident where a spiritual leader has inspired such a venture. Spiritual leaders are often named in criminal scandals.

Multan man trapped in trench in an effort to recover ‘treasure’

MULTAN: The Rescue 1122 has yet to retrieve a man who became trapped under the trench that he had been working in to recover a ‘hidden treasure’.

According to reports, Zeeshan, a resident of Bagh Beera, dug a part of his house in a bid to retrieve a hidden treasure on the advice of a fake Peer.

Rescue officials said that they had discovered a long tunnel in the house. They said that the man apparently got trapped as tons of soil collapsed in on him.

They said that they had been making efforts to recover the man for six hours and search was still on.

Man charged with felony stalking of Selena Gomez

LOS ANGELES: A man arrested twice in one week at Selena Gomez´s house was charged Monday with felony stalking and violating a court order to stay away from the singer-actress.

Che Cruz, 20, pleaded not guilty to the charges Monday afternoon, and his bail was set at $160,000.

He was arrested Friday after he returned to Gomez´s home just hours after he was released from jail in a case in which he was ordered to stay away from her.
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The Los Angeles district attorney´s office said Cruz jumped the fence at Gomez´s home before his second arrest.

If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison. He is due back in court on April 17.Cruz was first arrested after breaking into Gomez´s guest home on March 30, and he acknowledged in court Wednesday that he trespassed at her property.

He was ordered to stay away from Gomez and her home, was put on probation, and was sent to jail for up to 45 days, but he was released two days later.

Within hours of his release, sheriff´s deputies re-arrested Cruz at Gomez´s home in Calabasas.

Gomez, the former "Wizards of Waverly Place" actress turned pop star, was at home when Cruz was arrested the first time after he broke into her guest house.

It was unknown whether Gomez was home during Friday´s intrusion.

Man wants $140, broken ATM spits out $37,000

SOUTH PORTLAND: A malfunctioning ATM at a bank in Maine has dispensed $37,000 in cash to a man who requested $140.

South Portland police say they responded to the TD Bank branch Thursday morning after getting a call from a woman who said a man was spending an unusual amount of time at the ATM she was waiting to use. Officers found the man stuffing cash into a shopping bag.

The money was returned to the bank. Bank officials say they don't want to press charges. But police continue to investigate. The man hasn't been charged.

A bank official describes the problem as a "code error" and says no customer accounts were affected.

Gunmen kill one young man in Quetta

QUETTA: Some unknown armed men opened fire killing one person at Satellite Town on Sunday here, Geo News reported.
Police said that the unidentified gunmen shot dead one young man at Bhoosa Mandi in Satellite police station limit and fled away.

Rescue volunteers shifted the body to Civil Hospital. The motive behind the firing could not immediately be known, however, police investigation into the incident continues.

Zack Snyder: Man of Steel 2 ’explodes’ Superman and Batman universes

Hollywood director Zack Snyder claims the highly-anticipated ‘Man of steel’ sequel promises more fun.

In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times newspaper, Snyder has teased a few details about his forthcoming film ‘Batman vs Superman’.

The 48-year-old director says as they have already narrated the origination of Marvel’s iconic superhero in the first instalment of ‘Man of Steel’, the sequel will take people to next level.

According to Contactmusic, Synder told the Los Angeles Times newspaper, “[The movie] literally takes the Man of Steel and Batman universes and explodes them. You’re not as tied to the mythology. In Man of Steel, we had to create an origin story, a mythology, and there’s a lot of energy into that, which we love doing. Don’t get me wrong. But when you think about how fun it is too — now that you’ve got these characters — to now let ‘em loose. That’s fun!”

The ‘300’ director defended his controversial casting choices, including Ben Affleck as Batman and Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, claiming he understands who fits in the script in his hand.

“We know the material. Unfortunately, the fans don’t know the material. So, we’re casting according to what’s happening in the script. And we’re hoping that leads to enough originality, enough perspective on what we’re doing that you get something fresh and exciting. I understand the canon. I’m not crazy. I know what these characters need from a mythological standpoint,” he told Los Angeles Times.

The highly-anticipated film will also feature Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, while Henry Cavill will reprise his role as Superman.

It is expected to release in May, 2016.

Rangers shoot man, mistaking him for kidnapper

Rangers and Police officials gather after a Ranger allegedly shot dead a man fighting with his wife near Nagan Chowrangi.

KARACHI: Rangers personnel shot dead an unarmed young man on Friday reportedly mistaking him for a kidnapper.
Two Rangers personnel deployed in the Nagan Chowrangi area of Karachi saw the young man, 30-year-old Zeeshan, fighting with and slapping a woman, later identified as his estranged wife. They fired warning shots, but Zeeshan was unmoved by the firing. Therefore, in an attempt to arrest the man, one of them opened straight fire, killing the man and injuring his wife.
“The deceased was shot twice in the neck and arm at point blank range,” said Dr Sheraz, the medico-legal officer at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Zeeshan succumbed to his injuries during treatment at the hospital.
“He was definitely killed as a result of the Rangers’ firing,” District West and Central police chief DIG Javed Odho told The Express Tribune. The police have not arrested the paramilitary troops responsible, however, an inquiry will be conducted and a case will be registered, he added.

In a statement issued immediately after the incident, a Rangers spokesperson admitted that their men did resort to firing, but they only did so because they thought the man was a kidnapper. “The people on the street reported the scuffle to the Rangers who were stationed at a picket and they said the man was apparently trying to abduct the woman,” said the spokesperson.
“Rangers personnel, while responding to the situation, fired warning shots into the air but the individual ignored them. Resultantly, one paramilitary soldier shot at the man to arrest him, but he later succumbed to his injuries.”
An inquiry into the incident has been ordered and details will be made public soon, he added.
But the victim’s family and friends demanded immediate arrest and punishment of the Rangers men responsible.
“No one has the right to open fire at innocent civilians,” said the victim’s relative, Ali Imran. “Why did the Rangers shoot at him when he was unarmed and he did not even try to attack them? If they really thought he was a kidnapper, they could have shot him in the leg.”
The victim’s wife, 28-year-old Shafia, did not actually see the paramilitary troops shooting her husband. “I did not see anything as I had my head down the whole time. My husband was hitting me and I was on the ground with my head down.”
He had called her to Nagan Chowrangi to sort out a domestic issue. The couple had filed for divorce and were living separately.
Angry witnesses
The firing at the couple angered the people who had witnessed the incident. They staged a protest against the paramilitary force at the site of the shooting, pelted vehicles with stones and burnt tyres, suspending traffic.
The Rangers men reportedly vanished from the scene. “We asked them (the Rangers) not to open fire, telling them that it was a scuffle between a husband and his wife, but one of them still fired the shot,” one witness, Danish Rafique, told The Express Tribune. “The Rangers did not even allow us to take the victims to the hospital until the crowd threw stones at them.”
Another ‘extra-judicial killing’
Zeeshan is not the first unarmed man killed by the paramilitary force in Karachi. Three similar incidents have occurred in the metropolis during the last three years where unarmed citizens, Sarfaraz Shah, Ghulam Haider and Mureed alias Murad, were shot and killed by them.
Former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had taken the suo motu notice of the previous cases. An anti-terrorism court (ATC) had announced the judgment in the Sarfaraz Shah case.  Another ATC has reserved the verdict in the extrajudicial killing of Haider, while the case of the murder of Mureed, a taxi driver, is still pending before the ATC.
The legal heirs of Sarfaraz and Mureed have pardoned the suspects and reached a compromise with the paramilitary force. The Sindh High Court, however, rejected the comprise application in the Sarfaraz Shah case and upheld the punishment of four convicts, while acquitted one officer due to lack of evidence.