STUNNING photos of Vienna’s Opera ball.

 
 
 
  

Once a year the Vienna Opera Ball is held at Wiener Staatsoper, which turns into an elegant and beautiful ballroom. The ball sees captivating ballet and opera performances which leave thousands sighing. Around 150 young couples forming the young ladies and young men’s committee makes their dreams come true and dance the first polonaise on this unique ballroom floor. After that, it’s Alles Walzer or Let the waltz begin! Music, dancing, elaborate gowns and elegant tailcoats make the ball an unforgettable event each year.some spectacular pictures of the ballroom.

Meet the brave Indian-American teacher whose quick thinking saved many lives in Florida school shooting.

As gunshots rambled throughout the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, an Indian-America teacher heroically saved her class from coming into the crosshairs of shooter Nikolas Cruz. Shanthi Viswanathan told her Algebra II students to huddle together on the floor of the class in the corner of the room, immediately after the second fire alarm went on.Instead of letting her students out, Shanti put up a paper on the windows in the class to conceal the presence of students in the classroom, saving the lives of many in one of the worst campus shootings in the United States. “She was quick on her feet. She used her knowledge. She saved a lot of kids,” Dawn Jarboe, the mother of one of Viswanathan’s students, told the newspaper.Shanthi refused to open the doors even after the SWAT team arrived, taking no chance of risking her student’s lives. “Knock it down or open it with a key. I am not opening the door,” Jarboe quoted her as telling the police. The SWAT team then had to break the windows to get in and clear the situation.Nicolas Cruz, a former student of the school opened fire in the campus spraying students with bullets killing 17. The shooter abandoned his gun and during the ensuing chaos mixed in with the students to escape. He was captured about 40 minutes later in a neighbouring town.

Florida school shooting survivors call for tougher gun laws.

Survivors of a deadly shooting at a Florida high school that killed 17 students and teachers have called for tougher gun laws in the country and urged voters to kick out lawmakers who oppose the move, the media reported. At an emotional rally on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Emma Gonzalez, a senior at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in Parkland where the massacre took place on February 14, demanded national lawmakers do something to prevent mass school shootings.“We certainly do not understand why it should be harder to make plans with friends on weekends than to buy an automatic or semiautomatic weapon,” Gonzalez, who huddled in an auditorium during the shooting, said at the rally outside a federal courthouse. “Maybe the adults have got used to saying, ‘It is what it is,’… But if us students have learned anything, it’s that if you don’t study, you will fail. And in this case, if you actively do nothing, people continually end up dead.”She addressed politicians, saying to those who take campaign donations from the National Rifle Association (NRA): “Shame on you.” Hundreds of people gathered began to chant, “Shame on you! Shame on you!”As she ended her remarks, she shouted her disagreement with what she hears from the other side of the gun laws debate.“Politicians who sit in their gilded house and senate seats funded by the NRA telling us nothing could have been done to prevent this, we call BS!. “They say that tougher gun laws do not decrease gun violence. We call BS,” she cried with the crowd screaming along with the final word.The attack, one of the worst mass shootings in US history, was carried out by a former student of the school, Nikolas Cruz, 19. He killed 17 people 14 students, three staff members and injured 15 others. He was expelled from the school for “disciplinary reasons”. Cruz, who has had a history of mental illness, is currently at the main Broward County jail facing 17 counts of premeditated murder.

Texas school asks 12-yr-old students to ‘DRAW YOURSELF as A SLAVE’ in a homework assignment.

A 12-year-old girl’s parents were dazed after seeing the question she was expected to answer in the homework assignment she received from school in Texas, US. Titled ‘Making sense with the senses’, the first question in the assignment reads: “Draw a picture of yourself as a slave in the centre of the page.” The question rattled the concerned mother Tonya Jennings, who thought her child was returning with what seemed like a harmless assignment from Four Points Middle School.The northwest Austin mother said: “There’s nothing about slavery that I would want any child, regardless of colour, to have to relive.”Her seventh-grader daughter pulled the assignment out of her backpack and showed her the last page of the 16-page packet, which had the question glaring on top. The assignment asks the kids to think of the discussions they had previously about slave life in Texas in the 1850s. Jennings thought the question was completely out of place and did not go with the packet at all. “To ask my child to put herself in a situation where she has to draw herself as a slave was an issue just, you know, all the way up the board,” she further said. A statement that a local media house received from Leander Independent School District read that a parent had raised concern about the role of slavery in Civil War in Texas History that was being taught and that they strive to deliver lessons with care.Jennings said she drew the line at asking the students to imagine themselves as slaves. According to Houston Chronicle, the Texas school has now agreed to discontinue the assignment.

Some of life’s biggest questions!

No matter how well read you are or how much you claim to know there will always be certain inexplicable questions whose answers you wouldn't know. While you can always brush off and question their relevance if you actually pause to ponder you will understand just how convoluted these questions are. You might know the speed of light, but do you know the speed of darkness? Go on, answer.

Do you know why?

Let us know if you have the answer.

Exactly, why?

Go on, answer.

Do you have an answer to this?

Go on, figure

We have to wait and watch for this.

Really, why exactly.

It would have been convenient, yes. 

What do you think?

Really, now.

Do you have an answer to that?

Really, did you ever notice?

Are you a bibliophile? You’ll love these beautiful libraries around the world.

Ask any bibliophile what is their favourite place on earth and, in most cases, the immediate and prompt reply would be a library. Filled with books of every kind, a library is any book lover's paradise. Pick a favourite corner, choose a favourite book, curl up with it and everything in the world gets better, well more or less. There are only a few places which are as calming and inviting as a library. And while the presence of books makes the place welcoming, there are several libraries in the world that look like a vision. Be it The Library Of Congress or the Trinity College Library, these cocoons are a delight. Take a look.

Bibliotheque Nationale de France: One of the most famous libraries in the world, The National Library of France has an interesting mix of the old and the new. The buildings look utterly gorgeous and by 1896 the place had one of the largest repositories of books in the world. Although the record no longer stands

Reading Room Of the British Museum: Located in the Great Court of the British Museum, the Reading Room Of the British Museum is a great source of information and also has a large collection of curated books. The architecture of the place is amazing and ought to be seen to be believed.

Danish Royal Library: Denmark’s official National Library, Danish Royal Library dates back to 1648. It has a staggering collection of all works printed in that country since the 17th century.

Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt: Located on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea in the Egyptian city of Alexandria the place was opened in 2002. The place seeks to both replicate the charm of Alexandria’s original library and also spark some brilliance that was associated with the library before. It also has museums and academic research centres.

New York Public Library: A favourite stop by visitors, the New York Public Library, with its huge windows and chandeliers looks grand. The place is exquisite and one can spend hours in there reading or simply staring at the murals.

Codrington Library, England: Completed in 1751, the Codrington Library of Oxford University has been a favourite destination for scholars for years now. The place has an old-world charm and looks beautiful.

Trinity College Library: Counted as one of the most famous libraries in the world, Trinity College Library holds great importance in Dublin. The place's famous 'The Long Room' holds one of the last remaining copies of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic.

Library of Congress: One of the most famous and largest libraries in the world, The Library of Congress is the oldest federal cultural institution of US.

Vatican Library: Established in 1475, Vatican Library is one of the oldest libraries in the entire world. It also has the oldest complete manuscript of the Bible as well as more than one billion books.

Bodleian Library: Situated in Oxford, UK, Bodleian Library is one of the oldest in Europe. It dates back to 1602 and has more than 11 million items enclosed within its walls.

6 ‘truths’ about epilepsy that are actually total myths.

WOULD YOU KNOW what to do if you witnessed someone having a seizure? The 9th of February yearly marks International Epilepsy Day, an event which aims to promote epilepsy awareness around the world in more than 120 countries, increasing the visibility of epilepsy and helping the general public to understand more about an often hidden condition.Here’s the truth about some of the most common myths surrounding epilepsy…

Myth 1: An ambulance is necessary for all seizures

 

It might be our automatic response when we witness someone having a tonic-clonic seizure to dial 112, but what you should actually be using your phone for is to note the time that the seizure started.A tonic-clonic seizure is a convulsive seizure involving loss of consciousness, muscle-stiffening and the person falling to the ground followed by jerking movements. If the seizure is injury free, ends in under five minutes, and is not the person’s first seizure, you may not need to phone an ambulance.However, here are the situations in which you should definitely phone 112:

 If the seizure continues for longer than five minutes or if the person has multiple seizures in a row

• If it’s the first time they’ve had a seizure
• If they’ve injured themselves during the seizure
• If you’re in any doubt about the individual’s safety

Myth 2: Every seizure involves convulsions

Though we may associate epilepsy with tonic-clonic seizures (involving convulsions), the reality is that there are over 40 different types of seizures. Put simply, a seizure happens when ordinary brain activity is suddenly disrupted, causing an internal electrical storm.It’s this sudden, unexpected loss of control that accounts for many of the misconceptions about epilepsy. The area of the brain affected determines the type of seizure. Focal seizures, for example, can cause blank stares, rapid blinking or intense emotional or physical sensations.

Myth 3: Seizures can’t be life-threatening

 

Thankfully, the majority of time seizures pass without incident. Unfortunately, in some rare cases, Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) can occur. Staying seizure-free through medication and management is the best way of reducing the risk of SUDEP, which is most common in young adults, particularly men. Though the causes are not fully understood, it may be due to cardiac, respiratory or autonomic nervous system failure.Epilepsy Ireland estimates that there are up to 130 epilepsy-related deaths each year in Ireland. Around half are due to SUDEP, while the others are caused by accidents, injury and drowning and in rare cases, prolonged seizures lasting over five minutes (known as Status Epilepticus).

Myth 4: Flashing lights must be avoided

Flashing, strobing or flickering lights are commonly associated with epilepsy, but the truth is that only a tiny percentage  (three to five percent) of those with epilepsy are affected by photosensitivity.Even the majority of those who are photosensitive can still watch television and use computers without significant difficulty. Find out more about photosensitivity triggers here.

Myth 5: You should put something in the person’s mouth during a seizure

This dangerous myth stems from the mistaken belief that during a seizure people can swallow their tongue or suffocate. It’s physically impossible for someone to swallow their tongue. By inserting something in their mouth, you could damage teeth, puncture gums or even potentially break someone’s jaw along with the risk of being bitten yourself.Instead, remove objects from around the person to prevent injury and gently put them in the recovery position while protecting their head when the seizure has stopped. Find more seizure first aid information here.

Myth 6: Epilepsy stops you from leading a fulfilled life

 

Most people with epilepsy do not feel deterred by it and many achieve their goals in both their personal and professional lives. However, it is important to note that epilepsy is an individual condition and can be a major disability for some.Stabilising or eliminating the occurrence of seizures through medication and management means that for around 70 percent of people, the impact of epilepsy can be minimised.Epilepsy Ireland’s vision is to achieve a society in which no person’s life is limited by epilepsy. Today also marks the beginning of Rose Week, raising vital funds for Epilepsy Ireland. For more information visit www.epilepsy.ie. If you are interested in volunteering by selling roses, please email fundraising@epilepsy.ie or call 01 4557500. Support the Rose Appeal by texting the word ROSES to 50300, and 100% of your €4 donation will go to Epilepsy Ireland, or €3,60 if VAT is charged. Service provider: Like Charity. Helpline 076 680 5278.

Former student (19) arrested after 17 killed in Florida school shooting.

• It has been confirmed that 17 have died in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.
• A number of other people have been taken to hospital for treatment.
• The gunman has been identified as Nicolas Cruz, a 19-year-old former pupil at the school who was expelled.
• Both pupils and teachers are said to be among the dead.
• It is understood Cruz began shooting outside the school before going inside.

AT LEAST 17 people have died following a school shooting in Florida, the county sheriff has said.Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel told reporters yesterday evening that 12 people were killed inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The others died outside the school premises.17 patients were taken Broward Health hospitals with injuries. 8 patients were taken to Broward Health North hospital – two subsequently died, three are in critical condition and three are in stable condition. The suspect was taken to hospital for treatment.Speaking to reporters yesterday evening, a doctor from Broward Health North said: ”We routinely run drills to be ready for instances like this. We have a process in place that gets initiated so there is calm, collected care that our patients receive.”He said that three patients were undergoing surgery, but were in a stable condition.The doctors declined to comment on the ages of those injured.Israel identified the gunman as Nikolas Cruz, 19, a former student at the school who had been expelled for “disciplinary reasons,” but was currently enrolled in Broward County Public Schools.Cruz, whose fellow students described him as “troubled,” was arrested without incident in the nearby town of Coral Springs after Valentine’s Day rampage and taken to hospital with minor injuries, the sheriff said.“We have already begun to dissect his websites and things on social media that he was on and some of the things… are very, very disturbing,” Israel said.If a person is predisposed to commit such a horrific event by going to a school and shooting people … there’s not anybody or not a lot law enforcement can do about it.It is understood that the shooter began shooting outside the school and proceeded inside.Israel says the man had at least one rifle and multiple magazines.

Reactions

US president Donald Trump tweeted his condolences to those affected by the shooting yesterday evening.“My prayers and condolences to the families of the victims of the terrible Florida shooting. No child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school,” Trump said.The shooting, one of several in the United States since the start of the year, will once again throw the spotlight on the country’s epidemic of gun violence and the ready accessibility of weapons, with 33,000 gun-related deaths annually.Len Murray’s 17-year-old son, a junior at the school, sent his parents a text around 2.30pm: “Mom and Dad, there have been shots fired on campus at school. There are police sirens outside. I’m in the auditorium and the doors are locked.”A few minutes later, he texted again: “I’m fine.”Ambulances converged in front of the school, and TV news broadcasts showed at least one person being wheeled to an ambulance on a gurney.Live footage also showed emergency workers appearing to treat possibly wounded people on the sidewalks. It wasn’t immediately clear how many were wounded.Television footage showed police in olive fatigues, with weapons drawn, entering the school, then dozens of children frantically running and walking quickly out.

A police officer waved the students on, urging them to quickly evacuate. Some students exited the building in single-file rows with hands raised overhead to show they carried no weapons.Others held onto other students as they made their way out past helmeted police in camouflage with weapons drawn.The Broward Schools department said on its website earlier yesterday evening that it had received reports of “possible multiple injuries” and was dismissing students. The department said students and staff heard what sounded like gunfire and the school immediately went on lockdown.Murray said he raced to the school only to be stopped by authorities under a highway overpass within view of the school buildings. He said he told his son to save his battery and stop texting, while the boy’s mother told him to turn off his ringer.

‘I love you’

Murray said he had just one thought running through his mind since he got his son’s text: “All I keep thinking about is when I dropped him off this morning I usually say, ‘I love you’, and I didn’t think this morning.“He’s 17, he’s at that age, and I didn’t say it this morning, and I’m just kicking myself right now over and over and over. Say it early and often, I’m telling you.”The high school is a sprawling complex set on a track in the South Florida community of Parkland, about 70 kilometres north of downtown Miami. 

 

The school had just over 3,100 students in the 2016-2017 academic year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Major streets run along two sides and an expressway passes nearby on the other not far from a residential neighbourhood of single-family homes.Coral Springs Police have warned the local public to avoid the area. The school was placed on lockdown following the shooting, as students and teachers were barricaded in.

‘Just a horrible day for us’

Teacher Melissa Falkowski told US networks that she had helped 19 students squeeze into a closet with her.“We were in there for probably 40 minutes. We were locked in the closet until SWAT came and got us,” she told CNN.Police officers in helmets, bulletproof vests and armed with automatic weapons could be seen stationed at several points around the sprawling school complex, which serves nearly 3,000 students.

 

“Just a horrible day for us,” said the superintendent of the county’s school district, Robert Runcie.“This is very sad to me and our family too,” 61-year-old Joseph Panikulangara, whose 17-year-old niece Dhiya attends the school, told AFP.The FBI said it was assisting local law enforcement with the investigation.When asked about security, Hunschofsky said a police officer is always stationed at the school and there is a “single point of entry.”