30 June 2014

Italy navy finds 30 corpses in migrant boat

In this photo released by the Italian Navy on Monday, June 30, 2014, and taken on Sunday, June 29, 2014, a motorboat of the Italian Navy approaches a boat of migrants in the Mediterranean Sea. The bodies of some 30 would-be migrants were found in in the hold of a packed smugglers' boat making its way to Italy, the Italian navy said Monday. The boat was carrying nearly 600 people, and the remaining 566 survivors were rescued by the navy frigate Grecale and were headed to the port at Pozzallo, on the southern tip of Sicily.
The bodies of some 30 would-be migrants were found in the hold of a packed smugglers' boat heading to Italy, the latest deaths in a surge of immigration to Europe, the Italian navy said Monday.

Bosnia marks end of Europe's violent century

A couple walk past a poster of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, in the Bosnian town of Visegrad,140 kilometers east of Sarajevo, Saturday, June 28, 2014. Marking the centennial of the beginning of World War I in their own way, Bosnian Serbs in Visegrad, on Saturday unveiled a mosaic of the man who ignited the war by assassinating the Austro-Hungarian crown prince on June 28, 1914.
Artists and diplomats declared a new century of peace and unity in Europe on Saturday in the city where the first two shots of World War I were fired exactly 100 years ago.

ON THIS DAY: Brazil wins 5th World Cup title

In this June 30, 2002, file photo, Brazil's Ronaldo reacts after scoring past Germany's goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, center, and Carsten Ramelow during their 2002 World Cup final soccer match, at the Yokohama stadium in Yokohama, Japan. On this day: Brazil wins its fifth World Cup as Ronaldo strikes twice to defeat Germany 2-0.
On June 30 in World Cup history: Ronaldo scores twice as Brazil beats Germany to win fifth World Cup title in Yokohama, Japan, in 2002. David Beckham vilified as Argentina beats England in St Etienne, France, in 1998.

5 detained, 26 dead in India building collapses

Indian rescue workers search for survivors in the rubble of a collapsed building on the outskirts of Chennai, India, Saturday, June 28, 2014. A 12-story building under construction collapsed on the outskirts of Chennai, the capital of southern Tamil Nadu state, as heavy rains pounded the area.
Police in southern India detained five construction company officials Sunday as rescuers using gas cutters and shovels searched for dozens of workers believed buried in the rubble of a building that collapsed during monsoon rains. It was one of two weekend building collapses that killed at least 26 people.

World Cup Capsules

Costa Rica's goalkeeper Keylor Navas clears the ball away from Greece's Kostas Mitroglou (9) and Vasilis Torosidis during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Costa Rica and Greece at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Sunday, June 29, 2014.
Costa Rica beat Greece in a penalty shootout Sunday to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time after defending with 10 men for nearly an hour.
Michael Umana scored the decisive penalty as Costa Rica won the shootout 5-3 after the game ended 1-1 following extra time.

Huntelaar's late penalty gives Dutch 2-1 win

Mexico's Giovani dos Santos celebrates after scoring his side's first goal against Netherlands' goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the Netherlands and Mexico at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Sunday, June 29, 2014.
The Dutch were worried about the oppressive heat at Arena Castelao, and they left it with the stifling hot conditions to thank for a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals.
An inspired tactical change during the second of two official stoppages led to a late goal from Netherlands forward Wesley Sneijder and an injury-time penalty from Klaas Jan Huntelaar in a dramatic 2-1 victory over Mexico on Sunday.

29 June 2014

2 buildings topple in India, killing at least 19

Rescue workers clear debris at the site of a building collapse in New Delhi, India, Saturday, June 28, 2014. A dilapidated building collapsed in the Indian capital on Saturday, killing at least seven people as rescuers searched for others believed to be trapped.
Rescuers using gas cutters and shovels were searching in construction rubble Sunday for more than a dozen workers feared trapped in the second of two building collapses in India that together have killed at least 19 people.

UN chief 'adopts' lion cub in Kenya

The lion cub Tumaini (Hope), whom United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon adopted during his visit to the Nairobi Animal Orphanage, is seen in Nairobi, Kenya, Saturday, June 28, 2014.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon capped off a week of high-level U.N. discussions on the environment by "adopting" a 6-month-old lion cub Saturday.

Ramadan

A Palestinian vendors displays food, including pickled vegetables and olives, in preparation for Ramadan at a market in the West Bank city of Hebron, Saturday, June 28, 2014. Muslims throughout the world are preparing themselves for the holy month of Ramadan, when the observant fast from dawn till dusk.

ON THIS DAY: Pele inspires Brazil to 1st World Cup

In this June 29, 1958 file photo Brazil's 17 year-old Pele, left, weeps on the shoulder of goalkeeper Gilmar Dos Santos Neves, after Brazil's 5-2 victory over Sweden in their World Cup final soccer match, in Stockholm, Sweden. Brazil's Didi is at right. On this day: Brazil wins it first World Cup with Pele scoring twice.
On June 29 in World Cup history: Pele inspires Brazil to win first World Cup against hosts in Stockholm in 1958. Diego Maradona leads Argentina past West Germany in 1986 final in Mexico City. U.S. shocks England in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in 1950.

Colombia beats Uruguay 2-0 at World Cup

Colombia's Juan Zuniga, left, gets in a shot despite the challenge of Uruguay's Alvaro Pereira during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Colombia and Uruguay at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, June 28, 2014.
With a spectacular swivel-and-strike, James Rodriguez provided one of the highlights of the World Cup and gave Brazil reason to worry.
Rodriguez scored one of the best goals of the tournament and added a second to put Colombia into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 2-0 win over Uruguay on Saturday — setting up a meeting with the host nation.

Saved by the woodwork, Brazil lives another day

Brazil's David Luiz, left, and Fred celebrate after Brazil's opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Chile at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Saturday, June 28, 2014.
Tight and tense as it was, it was enough to keep Brazil's national obsession of winning the World Cup on home soil from taking a desperately disappointing turn. 

28 June 2014

ON THIS DAY: Blanc saves France with 'golden goal'

In this Sunday, June 28, 1998 file photo, France's Laurent Blanc scores against Paraguay in extra time of the soccer World Cup second round soccer match, at the Felix Bollaert stadium in Lens, France. On this day: Blanc scored the first "golden goal" in World Cup finals history to give France a 1-0 win over Paraguay.
On June 28 in World Cup history: France's Laurent Blanc scores "golden goal" as hosts leave it late to beat Paraguay in Lens in 1998.

Monsoon floods kill 11 in India, maroon thousands

An Indian woman wades through the floodwaters in Gauhati, India, Friday, June 27, 2014. Several people were killed due to electrocution and landslides triggered by incessant rains in India’s northeastern state of Assam, according to local reports.
Indian authorities rushed food and drinking water Saturday to thousands of people marooned by monsoon rains and mudslides that left at least 11 dead in the remote northeast.

Tiger leaps onto boat, snatches man in east India

In this Saturday, April 26, 2014, photo, a Royal Bengal tiger prowls in Sunderbans, at the Sunderban delta, about 130 kilometers (81 miles) south of Calcutta, India. An Indian fisherman says a tiger has snatched a man off a fishing boat and dragged him away into a mangrove swamp.
A Bengal tiger snatched a man off a fishing boat in eastern India, dragging him away into a mangrove swamp as his children looked on in horror, the man's son said Friday.

Iraq's top cleric urges quick deal on new PM

A member of an Iraqi volunteer forces group joins training near the Imam Ali shrine in the southern holy Shiite city of Najaf, Iraq, Thursday, June 26, 2014, after authorities urged Iraqis to help battle insurgents. Shiite militias responding to a call to arms by Iraq's top cleric are focused on protecting the capital and Shiite shrines.
Iraq's top Shiite cleric ratcheted up the pressure Friday on lawmakers to agree on a prime minister before the newly elected parliament meets next week, trying to avert months of wrangling in the face of a Sunni insurgent blitz over huge tracts in the country's north and west.

SWEDISH PRINCE CARL PHILIP ENGAGED TO FORMER MODEL

Swedish Prince Carl Philip, right, and Sofia Hellqvist, left, when they announced their engagement at a press conference at The Stockholm Palace, in Stockholm, Friday, June 27, 2014.
The Swedish Royal Court has announced the engagement of Prince Carl Philip to Sofia Hellqvist, a former glamour model and reality TV participant.

27 June 2014

INDIA PIPELINE BLAST KILLS 15 PEOPLE, GUTS HOUSES

Flames rise after a blast in a gas pipeline belonging to GAIL in Nagaram village of Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district on June 27, 2014.
A state-owned gas pipeline exploded and burst into flames Friday, killing at least 15 people, destroying homes and forcing the evacuation of neighboring villages in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, authorities said.

Ramadan rush: Mega-rich shoppers descend on London

In this Friday, June 20, 2014 photo, people walk around a shopping mall in west London. London has long attracted big spenders. But every year around the holy month of Ramadan, which starts this weekend, a surge of spectacularly rich Middle Eastern shoppers arrive and take retail therapy to a whole new level _ complete with an entourage of bodyguards, chauffeurs, and Gulf-registered Rolls-Royces and Ferraris flown in just for the occasion. It’s a huge and growing market for British shops, luxury hotels and restaurants, and many welcome the big spenders with exclusive products and VIP services like translators and personal shopping managers.
Before the fast, let there be a shopping feast.

From Harrods in Knightsbridge to the glittering diamond stores in Mayfair, London has long attracted big spenders. But every year around the holy month of Ramadan, which starts this weekend, a wave of spectacularly rich Middle Eastern shoppers arrives and takes retail therapy to a whole new level - complete with an entourage of bodyguards, chauffeurs, and Gulf-registered Rolls-Royces and Ferraris flown in just for the occasion.

ON THIS DAY: Lampard goal paves way for technology

In this June 27, 2010 file photo made from a combination of six photos, Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer looks at a ball that hit the bar to bounce over the line during the soccer World Cup second round soccer match between Germany and England at Free State Stadium, in Bloemfontein, South Africa. On this day: the future use of goal-line technology was effectively sealed after a clear Frank Lampard goal was not given. Germany went on to win the game 4-1.
On June 27 in World Cup history: Technology debate reopened after Frank Lampard's goal not given as Germany beats England in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 2010. 

10 Things to See: A week of top AP photos

Palestinian relatives mourn Ahmed Ayad, 22, a member of the Ezz Al-Din Al Qassam brigade, the military wing of Hamas, during his funeral in the Shajaiyeh neighborhood of Gaza City on Saturday, June 21, 2014. Five Hamas militants and a rescue worker were killed Thursday in east Gaza City by an apparent accidental blast in a tunnel.

26 June 2014

Royal refurb: Palace repairs add to monarchy cost

In this Monday June 16, 2014 file photo, Britain's Queen Elizabeth leaves by carriage after attending the annual Order of the Garter Ceremony in Windsor, England. Buckingham Palace says the monarchy cost British taxpayers 35.7 million pounds ($60.8 million) last year — 56 pence (just under $1) for everyone in the country. More than a third of the money was spent on repairs and maintenance to aging palaces, and some 3.4 million pounds was spent in the year to March 31, 2014 refurbishing part of London's Kensington Palace into a home for Prince William, his wife Catherine and their toddler son Prince George. As the accounts were published Thursday, June 26, 2014, Keeper of the Privy Purse Alan Reid said the royal household was keen to "maximize the value for money" of the monarchy.
Everyone says there are lots of hidden costs to owning a home. If you own a palace, the costs are royal.

FIFA bans Suarez for 4 months for biting opponent

 In this June 24, 2014 file photo, Uruguay's Luis Suarez holds his teeth after biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder during the group D World Cup soccer match between Italy and Uruguay at the Arena das Dunas in Natal, Brazil. On Thursday, June 26, 2014, FIFA banned Suarez for 9 games and 4 months for biting his opponent at the World Cup.
FIFA banned Uruguay striker Luis Suarez from all football activities for four months on Thursday for biting an opponent at the World Cup, a punishment that rules him out of the rest of the tournament and the start of the upcoming Premier League season.

The ban also covers Uruguay's next nine international games, which goes beyond the next four months and rules him out of next year's Copa America. FIFA also fined the Liverpool striker 100,000 Swiss francs ($112,000).

ON THIS DAY: Switzerland exits 2006 World Cup

In this Monday, June 26, 2006 file photo, Switzerland's Marco Streller, left, reacts after missing a penalty kick against Ukraine's goalkeeper Oleksandr Shovkovskyi, during their World Cup second round soccer match, in Cologne, Germany. Ukraine won 3-0 in a penalty shootout. On this day: Switzerland became the first team in the history of World Cup shoot-outs not to score a single spot kick, and the first team ever to depart a World Cup without conceding a goal in normal play.
On June 26 in World Cup history: Switzerland exits tournament without scoring a penalty in shootout against Ukraine in Cologne, Germany, in 2006. 

After an uneventful round of 16 encounter, Ukraine, in its first World Cup, defeated Switzerland 3-0 on penalties. As a result, Switzerland became the first team in the history of World Cup shootouts not to score a single spot kick. It also became the first team ever to depart without conceding a goal in normal play. Ukraine went through to the quarterfinals where it lost 3-0 to eventual winner Italy. 

(AP)

25 June 2014

Indian trains derail, killing 4; sabotage probed

People gather around a passenger train that derailed near Chhapra town in Bihar, India, Wednesday, June 25, 2014. A passenger train derailed early Wednesday in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, killing at least four people and injuring eight others, officials said. The cause of the accident was not immediately known.
Two trains derailed in eastern India on Wednesday, killing at least four people, and authorities were investigating whether Maoist rebels were responsible, officials said.

ON THIS DAY: Argentina earns maiden title in 1978

 In this Sunday, June 25, 1978 file photo, Mario Kempes of Argentina, right, celebrates, after scoring Argentina's second goal against the Netherlands, during their World Cup final soccer match, at the River Plate Stadium, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At left is Dutch player Ruud Krol, and Poortvliet at centre. On this day: Argentina wins its first World Cup in front of a confetti-laden crowd.
On June 25 in World Cup history: Confetti greets Argentina after it beats the Netherlands to win 1978 final in Buenos Aires. Algeria eliminated after West Germany and Austria play out controversial match in Gijon, Spain, in 1982.

After nearly 50 years of trying, Argentina finally got its hands on the World Cup trophy when it defeated the Netherlands 3-1 after extra time in front of a confetti-laden home crowd. Inspired by striker Mario Kempes, who scored twice in the final to take his tournament tally to six, Argentina inflicted the second straight final defeat on the Dutch. They were without star Johan Cruyff following his last-minute withdrawal. Cruyff revealed a few years ago that he didn't board the plane to Argentina because of a kidnap attempt months before. At the time, there was widespread speculation that his absence was an act of protest against the military junta that seized power in Argentina two years earlier.

 In this June 25, 1982 file photo, Algerian soccer supporters show money to photographers, in Gijon, Spain, after the World Cup soccer match between West Germany and Austria. On this day: West Germany beat Austria 1-0, a result that meant both teams progressed to the next round at Algeria's expense. After West Germany took an early lead, the game ran its bland course to conclusion to the ire of the watching Algerians.
Four years later, West Germany and Austria played out one of the most controversial games in World Cup history, the result of which meant Algeria was eliminated. In the final game of Group 2, the two met in the full knowledge that a 1-0 win for West Germany would be enough for both to progress to the next round. Algeria had won its final group game against Chile the day before. After West Germany took the lead early on through a goal by Horst Hrubesch, neither team did much to try and score the rest of the way. Fans of Algeria waved banknotes at the players. The game led to a change in the rules, dictating that the final group games would be played at the same time.
(AP)

24 June 2014

Geometry's basic line gets fresh exposure in Milan

Models wear creations for Emporio Armani men's Spring-Summer 2015 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan, Italy, Monday, June 23, 2014.
The line, long under-rated as one of geometry's most basic form, is getting a lot of exposure on the Milan menswear runway.

Designers are embracing stripes of, well, every stripe, and using them as a metaphor of sorts to clean up the line, that is the silhouettes, of the collections presented during Milan Fashion Week, in its third day on Monday.

Brazil beats Cameroon 4-1, reaches 2nd round

Brazil's Neymar, second left, celebrates scoring the opening goal during the group A World Cup soccer match between Cameroon and Brazil at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014.
Neymar knew the responsibility was his. An increasingly anxious host nation was relying on him to ensure Brazil avoided the almost inconceivable prospect of going out in the group stage of a World Cup on soil.

The 22-year-old Barcelona striker delivered on the weighty expectations Monday, setting the Selecao on course to clinch its place in the knockout stage with two precision first-half goals in a 4-1 rout of Cameroon.

Mexico beats Croatia 3-1, advances in World Cup

Mexico's Oribe Peralta reacts after missing a chance during the group A World Cup soccer match between Croatia and Mexico at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014.
One of the first things Miguel Herrera did when he became Mexico's fourth coach in a year was call Rafael Marquez and ask the 35-year-old defender known as "the boss" to return to the national side as captain.

On Monday, the world saw why.

Marquez's pivotal goal from a header in the 72nd minute ignited a scoring burst, and Mexico surged into the World Cup's knockout stage for a sixth straight time with a 3-1 triumph over Croatia.

ON THIS DAY: Argentina beats Brazil in 1990

In this June 24, 1990 file photo, Argentina's Claudio Caniggia, right, scores, as the Brazilian goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel watches helplessly, during the World Cup second round soccer match, in Turin, Italy. On this day: Against the run of play, Argentina beats rival Brazil 1-0 to progress to the quarterfinals.
On June 24 in history: Claudio Caniggia slots late winner as Argentina beats Brazil in Turin, Italy, in 1990. 

Four years on from his greatest triumph, Diego Maradona was still a force to be reckoned with despite injuries taking their toll. He still had the skill and mental toughness to drag Argentina to its second straight World Cup final. However, from the opening match of the 1990 tournament in Milan, it was clear Argentina was a shadow of the team that won in Mexico in 1986. Losing to Cameroon in that opener ranks as one of the great shocks in World Cup history. Argentina stuttered to the round of 16 where it met its great rival Brazil. Few gave Argentina much of a chance, but against the run of play Maradona engineered a counterpunch. Late on, Maradona mazed through the Brazil defense and found Caniggia, who rounded goalkeeper Taffarel to slot the ball into the empty net and give Argentina a stunning 1-0 victory. 
(AP)

23 June 2014

ON THIS DAY: Pagliuca becomes 1st keeper sent off

In this Thursday, June 23, 1994 file photo, Italy's goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca, right, passes substitute keeper Luca Marchegiani, left, as Pagliuca leaves the field of play after receiving a red card during the World Cup Group E opening round soccer match against Norway, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. On this day: Italy’s Pagliuca becomes the first goalkeeper to be sent off in a World Cup finals match. Italy still prevailed 1-0.
On June 23 in World Cup history: Italy's Gianluca Pagliuca becomes first goalkeeper to be sent off against Norway in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in 1994. 

In the 21st minute of this group match, Pagliuca became the first goalkeeper to be sent off in a World Cup finals match. The straight red was shown after he touched the ball with his arm outside the penalty area as he raced out to meet Norway's Oyvind Leonhardsen. Since it lost its opening match against Ireland, Italy faced the prospect of an early exit from a tournament it was tipped to do well in. Coach Arrigo Sacchi substituted his star player Roberto Baggio to bring on replacement keeper Luca Marchegiani. The gambit worked. Dino Baggio, no relation, scored the winner in the 69th minute and Italy survived, eventually making it to the final, where it lost a penalty shootout against Brazil after a miss by Roberto Baggio. 
(AP)

22 June 2014

Dolce&Gabbana presents a flourish of crimson suits

A model wears a creation for Dolce & Gabbana men's Spring-Summer 2015 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan, Italy, Saturday, June 21, 2014.
It's no time to shy away from color, men.

Milan Fashion Week previews opened Saturday for next summer's menswear, and already a trend is coming into focus: bold, electric colors.

Economic indicators suggest men have become as fashion-conscious as women. Now, Milan fashion designers are offering fashion-forward men ever more daring looks, digging into sartorial embellishments that long have been the playthings of women's fashion: brocade, embroidery, sequins and jewel tones.

Milan Fashion Week runs through Tuesday, with Bottega Veneta, Armani, Gucci and Ferragamo among the designers scheduled to show their looks in the coming days.

ON THIS DAY: Maradona's 'Hand of God' vs England

 In this June 22, 1986 file photo Argentina's Diego Maradona, left, beats England goalkeeper Peter Shilton to a high ball and scores his first of two goals in a World Cup quarterfinal soccer match, in Mexico City. On this day: This was the day of the “Hand of God,” when Maradona used his left fist to knock a ball past England's Shilton.
On June 22 in World Cup history: Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" helps Argentina beat England in Mexico City in 1986.

Emotions at the World Cup have rarely been so conflicted as they were on this day in Azteca Stadium. In their first match since the Falklands War, Argentina and England met in a quarterfinal. This was the day of the "Hand of God," when Maradona, one of the most gifted footballers of all time, used his left fist to knock in a ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton. It's arguably the most infamous goal in World Cup history. Later in the game, Maradona scored one of the best. Picking up the ball around the halfway line, he toyed with the English and through a myriad of dribbles, feints and sheer body strength scored what many consider the greatest individual goal of all time. Despite a late fightback from England, Argentina held on to win 2-1 to make the semifinals and went on to win the tournament. 
(AP)

21 June 2014

World's Ugliest Dog

 In this Friday, June 26, 2009 file photo, "Pabst" competes in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif. The toothy 4-year-old Boxer mix won top honors. The 25th running of the World's Ugliest Dog contest takes place Friday, June 20, 2014, at the Sonoma County Fair in Petaluma, Calif.
It's that time of year again when dogs with unusually large heads, hairless bodies and other oddities compete to be the World's Ugliest Dog.

This year's winner? A 2-year-old mutt named Peanut, whose wild white and brown hair, bulging eyes and protruding teeth belie his sweet, energetic personality.

Although Peanut is healthy now, his owner, Holly Chandler of Greenville, North Carolina, says he was seriously burned as a puppy, resulting in bald patches all over his body.

ON THIS DAY: Brazil wins 3rd World Cup in 1970

In this June 21, 1970 file photo, Brazil's Pele, centre is hoisted on the shoulders of his teammates after Brazil won the World Cup soccer final against Italy, 4-1, in Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, Mexico. On this day: Perhaps the most glorious day in Brazil’s World Cup history. Its third World Cup triumph against a strong Italian side meant it kept the Jules Rimet trophy for good.
On June 21 in World Cup history: Brazil keeps Jules Rimet Trophy for good after beating Italy in Mexico City in 1970. Iran and U.S. pose together as teams seek to dampen down tensions in France in 1998.

Costa Rica continues to surprise by beating Italy

Costa Rica's Bryan Ruiz, left, heads the ball at Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to score his side's first goal during the group D World Cup soccer match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Friday, June 20, 2014.
Costa Rica has turned the tables on the team's World Cup expectations.

Or at least on everyone else's expectations.

Costa Rica followed up its surprise win over Uruguay with another World Cup stunner on Friday, beating four-time champion Italy 1-0 to secure a spot in the next round and eliminate England in the process.

After entering the tournament as an expected underdog in a group featuring three former world champions, Costa Rica is now on top.

20 June 2014

Palestinians in exile dream of return

In this Monday, June 16, 2014 photo, Palestinian refugee Shaher Alkhateeb, 73, who witnessed what the Palestinians call the "Nakba," or “catastrophe” referring to their uprooting in the war over Israel's 1948 creation, poses for a picture in front of a wall painted with a mural depicting a prisoner jailed in Israel, in Kalandia refugee camp, between Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Ramallah. Alkhateeb was 6 years old when he and other 7 members of his family were forced to leave their village of Al-Burj, near the central Israeli town of Ramla and took shelter with his family in the Kalandia refugee camp.
A lifetime has passed since hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were forced out their homes in the Mideast war over Israel's 1948 creation.
Today, those who were uprooted and their descendants number more than 5 million people, scattered across the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

6-fingered family roots for Brazil's 6th World Cup

A family is counting on the fingers of a single hand its hopes for Brazil to win a sixth World Cup championship.

All the members of the Silva family living in Aguas Claras, a town on the outskirts of the capital of Brasilia, were born with an extra digit on each hand as a result of a genetic condition known as polydactyly.

Silvia Santos, facing camera, embraces her daughter Ana Carolina at their home in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, June 19, 2014. All the members of the Silva family were born with an extra digit on each hand as a result of a genetic condition known as polydactyly. Rather than recoil in the face of constant stares by curious onlookers the 14 members of the family spanning four generations seem to embrace their physical differences with pride.
Rather than recoil in the face of stares by curious onlookers, the 14 members of the family spanning four generations seem to embrace their physical difference with pride.

And that pride never shines more brightly than during the World Cup as they relish the attention of Brazilian media, which have trained cameras on the family as much of the South America nation crosses its fingers hoping the national team will add to its record five World Cup titles.

"Since the last World Cup we wanted Brazil to become hexacampeao," said Ana Carolina Santos da Silva, using the Portuguese term for "six-time champion" that would be the envy of the soccer world. "But it didn't happen, so this year we really want Brazil to achieve the sixth."

Far from a hindrance, having an extra finger seems to help the Silva family perform domestic chores and pursue musical talents.

Members of the Silva family, back row, from left, Silvia Santos, Joao de Assis, Pedro de Assis, Ana Carolina Santos and Silvana Santos, front row, Bernardo de Assis, left, and Maria Morena Santos, pose for a photo in their home to show that they each have six fingers on each of their hands, in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, June 19, 2014. The family was born with an extra digit on each hand as a result of a genetic condition known as polydactyly.
Fourteen-year-old Joao de Assis da Silva shows off his dexterity moving up and down his guitar's fret board. 

His 8-year-old cousin, Maria Morena da Silva, has dreams of making music too. "I have never played the piano, but I want to learn, and it might be easier playing with six fingers," she says
(AP)