birminghammail--2019-03-18--Plan to stop devastating flooding incidents in Walsall

An action plan aimed at preventing a repeat of last year's devastating flooding incidents which saw one person die and more than a 100 homes affected is set to be approved.  Walsall Council's cabinet will meet on Wednesday (March 20) where members are expected to give the green light to its flood risk management strategy.  In May last year, 82-year-old Evesham man Peter Harnwell tragically died when his car became submerged in water in Lichfield Road, Walsall, when flash floods hit the region.  The nearby Ladypool burst is banks and sent water gushing into the road and collected under the railway bridge.  During the heavy rainfall, more than 120 properties in areas including Aldridge, Streetly, Bloxwich and Willenhall suffered internal flooding.  A report to cabinet says the authority is looking to secure external funding to further boost flood alleviation measures to tackle future incidents.  It also said that prior to the May 2018 flash floods, the council had assisted in bringing about road closures and instructed highways maintenance contractor Tarmac to undertake emergency gully cleaning, be ready to issue sandbags and have on call operators ready to respond where required.  Following the incident, council teams provided support to affected residents, cleaned up hotspot areas, carried out reviews of its gully and street cleaning and held meetings with other agencies to exchange information and learn lessons from previous incidents.  The authority will now continue to develop its action plan to bolster defences in the event of future incidents.  The report said: "On the 27 May 2018 the weather was characterised by warm, humid conditions, with a south-easterly weather front and localised thunderstorms accompanied by intense rainfall.  "The whole borough was affected by rain fall but some areas were particularly   affected by the localised intense rainfall such as Streetly, Aldridge, Bloxwich   and Willenhall.  "In addition Members will recall the tragic incident that happened on the A461 Lichfield Road, Rushall on the evening of 27 May 2018.  "Working with partners, the council will continue to explore opportunity to bring forward flood alleviation measures where it is able to do so.  "The council will continue to develop a ‘Flood Incident Plan’ that will comprise a review of the known flood hotspots to further refine incident planning pre and post flood event.  "It is recommended that Cabinet support the development of a ‘Flood Incident Plan’ setting out aims, objectives and roles for the council and its partners before, during and after a flood event."


birminghammail--2019-06-26--Parked cars blamed for flooding caused by blocked drains in Sparkhill

Drains have been left blocked in a Birmingham flood hotspot - but the city council has blamed residents for parking on them and preventing access.  Rubbish has been pictured cluttering more than half a dozen drains in Percy Road, Avondale Road and Formans Road in Sparkhill.  All three streets were hit by flooding during a deluge of rain on May 27 last year, when the River Cole overflowed and water entered 31 properties in the immediate surrounding area.  Among them were three company premises including Indestructible Paint on Pentos Drive where flooding caused £500,000 worth of damage, despite the fact the firm had previously spent £50,000 on defences.  While some homes remain boarded up after people were forced to move out.  Subsequent reports into the flooding revealed that Birmingham City Council officers were not aware of the impact on Sparkhill for three days after.  The authority admitted the belated support provided was 'not appropriate'.  Now, with the area having received a number of flood alerts due to heavy rain in recent weeks, the authority has been criticised again.  Locals have accused the council of failing to maintain drains, road sweep the streets allowing rubbish and dirt to accumulate as well as only providing two sandbags per house and not the six to eight recommended by the Environment Agency.  Richard Wrenn, aged 38, who lives on Percy Road with his mother Dorinda, said: "We lost everything last year, all of the furniture on the ground floor.  "It all had to be refurbished and it's still not finished now. Yes we were insured but it takes a year out of your life to put it back to the way it was.  "It's horrible. Every time it rains you think 'oh my god is it going to happen again?' it's just horrendous.  "We just want something done, we aren't asking for much but the council isn't doing enough."  Ward councillor Nicky Brennan (Lab) was heavily involved in the clean-up last year and echoed the criticism.  She said: "The council know this is a flooding hotspot so they should be making sure the basics are getting done.  "The risks of flooding really impacts people's mental health especially if these people think they are being neglected.  "Residents have said to me that sometimes they have sleepless nights when heavy rainfall is forecast, thinking it's going to happen again.  "I have raised issues with officers such as the drains and promises were made but they have still not been delivered."  Cllr Brennan continued saying the authority had not learnt the lessons of 2018 and warned the situation was 'another disaster waiting to happen'.     In response to the drains problem a council spokesman said: "The council’s flood risk team works closely with other council departments to manage the risk of surface water flooding, including liaising with the street cleansing services team to ensure that locations that are more susceptible to surface water flooding have their drains and gullies cleaned regularly.  "However, one of the challenges we face in the Formans Road and Percy Road area is access to sections of road with drains and gullies due to cars parking over them, which makes it difficult to undertake essential maintenance to ensure drains are working efficiently during heavy rainfall.  "When we require residents to move their vehicles so that this maintenance can take place, we will leaflet homes, businesses and cars parked in the area.  "We would ask the community to work with us so that we can clean streets and prevent silt and debris from blocking the gullies and so maintaining the drainage infrastructure in key locations to protect homes and businesses.  "We have also asked the Environment Agency which regulates the businesses on Pentos Drive, to work with these businesses to reduce dust and debris."  The council also explained that the number of bags provided was to protect homes from 'bow waves' caused by cars driving through 'areas of ponding' and not to act as a flood barrier.  They further added that they were working with the National Flood Forum to support a new Flood Action Group (FLAG) for Sparkhill as well as Severn Trent and the Environment Agency to secure long-term flood defence schemes along the River Cole.

disaster, accident and emergency incident


birminghammail--2019-07-30--Flash flooding causes disruption across the Black Country

Heavy rainfall has battered the Black Country this evening - leaving roads flooded and trains cancelled.  High Street in Princes End, Tipton , was one of the many roads across the region affected.  Footage filmed by Jason Addison, the director of Addison Tyres Ltd, can be viewed above . It shows a steady stream of traffic battling through the rainwater.  The flash floods also led to Tenpin Bowling in Dudley closing after ceiling tiles began to fall down.  A video circulating on social media shows ceiling panels crashing to the ground as a huge pool of water forms near the main entrance.  The Castlegate Park venue will remain closed until at least Thursday while repairs get under way.  Elsewhere, flooding in Lye caused severe disruption to train services as services between Birmingham Snow Hill and Kidderminster were hit with delays and cancellations.  The wet weather also left drivers facing delays of up to an hour as due to two lane closures on the M5 Southbound from J2 A4123  (Oldbury / Dudley) to J3 A456 Quinton Expressway (Halesowen / Birmingham).  Keep up-to-date with all things Dudley, Walsall, Sandwell and Wolverhampton on our  Black Country Live Facebook page  - where you'll get the latest news, travel, weather and events in your area.


birminghammail--2019-07-30--Live updates as flooding causes travel chaos across Birmingham

The West Midlands is hit with reports of flooding this evening as it is hit by bouts of torrential rain.  Rush hour commuters are affected by delays on the M5, the train network, around Solihull and Birmingham city centre due to pockets of flooding.  Drivers are facing delays of up to an hour as flooding forced two lanes to close on the M5 Southbound from J2 A4123  (Oldbury / Dudley) to J3 A456 Quinton Expressway (Halesowen / Birmingham). Congestion is stretching back to J10 (Wolverhampton / Walsall).  West Midlands Railways is reporting setbacks of around 15 minutes for train services running through Lye Station due to the bad weather.  We are also getting reports of flooding incidents in and around Birmingham and Solihull.  Each day BirminghamLive journalists bring you the latest news on the roads and railways across Birmingham and the West Midlands and further afield to help keep you on the move.  For the very latest updates on roads including the M6, M42, M5 and more, visit our dedicated traffic and travel news Facebook page here.  You can also bookmark BirminghamLive's Traffic and Travel landing page here.

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Jayne Thomson,  birminghammail.co.uk)


birminghammail--2019-07-30--Main roads submerged as flash flooding causes chaos in Birmingham and Solihull

Commuters have been hit with problems as the city was deluged by torrential rain on Tuesday afternoon.  Rush hour commuters were affected by long delays on the M5, the train network, and there have been multiple roads flooded in and around Solihull and Birmingham.  Drivers faced delays of around an hour as flooding forced two lanes to close on the M5 Southbound from J2 for Oldbury / Dudley, to J3 for Halesowen. Congestion stretched back to J10 and the water was eventually cleared by a ‘gully sucker’.  Passengers heading through Lye Station were also delayed by flooding and given the option to transfer on to trams and buses.  There were reports of submerged main roads in Yardley, Kitts Green, Garretts Green, Northfield , around Birmingham city centre and in Solihull.  Despite the difficult conditions, Peter Leadbetter from streetwatch group in Moseley headed out to survey the scenes for others.  He tweeted: “Dangerous flooding along parts of Billesley lane, Yardley Wood Rd, St Agnes & Dyott Rd due to drains blocked by leaves & heavy rain.  The flash floods also led to High Street in Princes End, Tipton underwater and Tenpin Bowling in Dudley closing after ceiling tiles began to fall down.  A video circulating on social media shows ceiling panels crashing to the ground as a huge pool of water forms near the main entrance.  Click here to see how rain impacted train travel  The Castlegate Park venue will remain closed until at least Thursday while repairs get under way.


breitbart--2019-09-05--Hurricane Dorian Hits Carolinas Charleston with High Winds and Flooding

Hurricane Dorian Hits Carolinas, Charleston with High Winds and Flooding

On Wednesday night, the storm was upgraded to a Category 3 hurricane, then downgraded to a Category 2 on Thursday morning. The National Weather Service said the eye is currently 60 miles south of Myrtle Beach, the Daily Mail reported.  South Carolina’s Charleston harbor was blasted by high winds on Thursday afternoon, just as the eye of the storm moved northeast of the city.  “Downtown Charleston, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the southeast, was beginning to flood, as heavy rains and storm surge brought standing water into the streets,” the Sun-Sentinel reported, adding, “The storm’s top winds fell to 110 mph, putting it at the upper limit of Category 2 strength, as the storm raked coastal areas with hurricane-force gusts and sustained winds.”  Police said hundreds of thousands of South Carolina homes and businesses are without power, and roads have been closed due to severe flooding, according to NBC News.  The office of South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC), tweeted Thursday that evacuation orders had been “lifted for Beaufort, Jasper, and Colleton Counties at 3 p.m.,” adding that “evacuation orders remain in effect” for several areas, including Charleston:  Reports said, “The worst impacts in South Carolina will be felt through Thursday night,” and, “Peak impacts will arrive in North Carolina and southeastern Virginia Thursday into Friday,” according to The Weather Channel.  “Tornado watches are in effect for parts of northern South Carolina and eastern North Carolina through late afternoon and early evening,” the website said. “There have been over a dozen reports of tornadoes in the Carolinas Thursday, some of which have been damaging.”  On Thursday morning, the National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City, North Carolina, tweeted photos of damage caused by tornadoes in Emerald Isle.  On Wednesday, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) urged residents to find shelter and stay there.  “Hurricane Dorian is ready to unleash its fury on our state. The storm has regained strength. It is serious, and it can be deadly. The message this morning is this: Get to safety and stay there. Don’t let your guard down. This won’t be a brush-by,” he concluded.


channel4uk--2019-03-19--Cyclone winds and flooding cause disaster in southern Africa

Massive cyclone winds and severe flooding have swept across southern Africa, in what the United Nations is calling one of the worst weather-related disasters to hit the southern hemisphere. It’s believed over 2.6 million people are affected in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.  Aid groups say thousands of survivors are trapped in remote areas. Entire villages are under water.


channel4uk--2019-11-12--Yorkshire flooding victims say they’ve been forgotten by government

Not just flooded out, but forgotten – that’s what angry residents of the villages worst hit by the Yorkshire floods are claiming, furious at what they see as the lack of any government response.  Boris Johnson denied claims that money was being concentrated in the south east, claiming the whole country was protected.  But opposition leaders who’ve been visiting the worst affected areas are calling on the Prime Minister to declare a national emergency.


channel4uk--2019-12-20--Flooding causes disruption across south-east England

Flooding is causing severe travel disruption across south-east England just as we head into the Christmas week.  Heavy rains overnight have resulted in parts of major motorways being shut down, including junctions on the M23.  Train lines across the south have also been impacted, with restricted travel in Brighton. More rain is expected through to Sunday.  It seems that every time it rains at the moment, there’s some flooding, so what’s going on?


dailyheraldchicago--2019-05-30--Illinois governor activating National Guard amid flooding

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is activating the Illinois National Guard to respond to recent severe flooding .  Pritzker is holding a Thursday morning news conference at the Illinois Emergency Management Agency in Springfield with Adjutant General Richard Neely and others about the planned activation.  The update comes a day after Madison County in southern Illinois was declared a disaster area and National Guard help was sought to aid in flood-fighting efforts. County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler said the disaster exists due to record-breaking flooding along the Mississippi River.  Emergency management officials say agencies are pre-positioning equipment near levees and the county has sent its sandbagging machine to Alton. High water has forced some bridges across the Mississippi River to close between Illinois and Missouri, causing detours for some motorists.


dailyheraldchicago--2019-12-16--As flooding worsens, Lincolnshire asks residents about how it affects them

With flooding from the Des Plaines River a worsening problem, Lincolnshire officials have launched a community survey designed to gauge the impact of natural disasters on residents.  The survey is available on the village's website, lincolnshireil.gov, or at surveymonkey.com/r/BK3QTXV. It should take less than five minutes to complete. The deadline is Jan. 24.  The results will help officials update the town's natural hazard mitigation plan. The Federal Emergency Management Agency requires communities to develop and adopt such plans to be eligible for hazard-related grant funds.  Lincolnshire teamed with Lake County and other municipalities to develop a county plan in 2012. The village got its own plan in 2014.  FEMA requires all mitigation plans to be updated and readopted every five years.  The primary focus of Lincolnshire's plan is flooding.  The Des Plaines River, which flows south from southern Wisconsin through Lake County into Cook County and beyond, occasionally overruns its banks in the suburbs after heavy rains or snow melts. Such floods have become more common and more severe in Lincolnshire in recent years.  According to data going back to the 1940s, four of Lincolnshire's 10 worst river-related floods have occurred in the last three years, village officials have said.  In September, guests and workers at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort had to flee the property for the second time in as many years after the nearby river overflowed its banks. Lincolnshire Drive and other residential streets near the river flooded then, too.  Lincolnshire's budget for 2020 funds several flood-relief projects, including the completion of a drainage study that began this year, various stormwater system improvements and sewer outflow improvements along Lincolnshire Drive.  The 11-question survey asks respondents if they or co-workers have been affected by flooding, wind, snow or other natural hazards within the last 10 years. Respondents also are asked to describe the extent of that impact and to identify the natural hazards that worry them.  Additionally, the survey asks people how prepared they are for natural disasters and what steps they've taken to prepare their homes or business for natural disasters, among other questions.


eveningstandard--2019-04-09--Rio de Janeiro storm 10 killed in flash flooding and mudslides as Brazilian city battered by torren

Rio de Janeiro storm: 10 killed in flash flooding and mudslides as Brazilian city battered by torrential rains

At least 10 people have been killed as torrential rains and flash flooding struck Rio de Janeiro.  Cars were swept away and trees uprooted as torrents of water gushed through streets in Brazil’s second largest city.  Mayor Marcelo Crivella said the city faced a "crisis" and warned heavy rains would continue.  A state of emergency has been declared after a storm the mayor described as “absolutely abnormal”.  Officials said six inches of rain fell in just an hour on Monday night, more than the average for the whole month of April.  Locals were urged to avoid roads and schools were closed on Tuesday as the deadly weather remained fierce.  Officials said their had been 10 deaths so far, including two adults and a child who were buried in a car by a mudslide.  Major roads were closed, and the mayor’s office said 785 places in the city were without power.  Dramatic pictures showed firefighters wading through knee-deep water to rescue those left stranded in flood water.  Alerts were issued in 20 flood-risk areas of the city and people were urged to make their way to safe locations.  Hillside slums are particularly vulnerable to mudslides.  City officials said more than 100 communities have been identified as having "high geological risks."  The storm was the second major one to batter Rio in two months.  It comes after a violent tempest that hit the city in February killed at least seven people.


eveningstandard--2019-07-31--North Yorkshire flooding Roads destroyed and bridge collapses with more aposshockingapos rainfa

North Yorkshire flooding: Roads destroyed and bridge collapses with more 'shocking' rainfall set to come

Flash flooding has wiped out roads and destroyed a bridge in the Yorkshire Dales with more heavy rain to come, forecasters have warned.  Residents were today clearing up the devastation wreaked in their homes by flash flooding after a month's worth of rain fell in just hours yesterday.  Travel conditions across north Yorkshire were described by police as "shocking" after 50mm of rain fell in a short space of time. Roads were washed away, bridges made impassable, and homeowners have been left with their belongings destroyed.  Rescuers reported seeing sheds and oil tanks floating down roads as "100 or more" homes in the Yorkshire Dales were hit by the deluge.  A clean-up operation has started in the worst hit villages, with one local resident describing their community as a "virtual lake".  A bridge over Cogden Gill on Grinton Moor, which featured in the opening stage of the 2014 Tour de France, was reduced to ruins, leaving a gaping hole.  Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team, which posted a photo of the wrecked bridge, urged motorists to "only travel if essential as many routes are impassable".  A representative for the team, Steve Clough, said: "The roads were a raging torrent and there were sheds and household oil tanks floating down them."  His team spent more than eight hours searching properties in the area, rescuing about 10 people, but added that North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service helped many more.  He estimated "100 or more" homes had been affected, adding: "Some homes had a metre of water in them - it was horrific."  Troops have been sent in today to help with the clean-up operation.  The fire service said it received around 115 calls to flooding incidents in Leyburn and Reeth on Tuesday evening, with one resident describing the community's shock at what happened.  "We expected some rain, we expected some stormy weather, but I think collectively in the valley here no-one really expected what happened," event organiser Alex Rafferty said.  He and his team have had to cancel the Ard Rock mountain bike festival, which was meant to take place in Reeth from Thursday to Sunday, because it would be "impossible" to pitch tents in the flooded fields.  "It truly just came down off the hills in waterfalls, it blew the riverbanks and has damaged a huge amount of infrastructure, local houses and local businesses," he said.  Wilf Bishop, 77, who has lived in the Yorkshire Dales since 1988 and moved to Reeth in 2000 called the conditions "appalling, absolutely appalling".  Describing how the rain came down from the hillside, he said: "We'd just got back from a walk on the hillside and it started to rain a little, then within minutes it was this astonishing downpour.  "You can see just walking around the village the effect that it has had. People's gardens are covered in silt and mud, their lawns don't exist any more.  "The farmers - the hay that they've just taken and bailed up has been strewn everywhere, so that will be written off.  "I guess livestock has been lost, I don't know. It's turned this part of Reeth, the lower part, into a virtual lake, and everyone is working hard to try and recover it."  The drama continued in other parts of north Yorkshire, where a man and a woman were left clinging to a cliff "by their fingernails".  The pair were cut off by the tide on Tuesday afternoon as they walked along a beach, so they clambered 100ft up the Filey Brigg cliff to escape, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency reported.  Matt Atkinson, of HM Coastguard, said in a statement: "When the Coastguard teams arrived on scene the man and woman were clinging on by their fingernails so we knew that we had to act fast."  They were rescued by two coastguard teas after which they were described as “safe and well”.  Pictures and videos on social media showed further flooding across the Yorkshire Dales.  Malham Tarn saw 82.2mm of rain in 24 hours, the majority of which fell within four hours. The monthly average in the area for this time of year is 89mm.  Roads resembled rivers, with the main road linking Richmond and villages including Reeth washed away near Grinton.  The fierce flooding followed a violent hail and rain storm further west, which caused a landslide to block the main settle to Carlisle railway line between Kirkby Stephen and Garsdale.  Hailstones the size of sweets or “pickled onions” fell in some areas, causing damage and destruction.  Gareth Walls, of Ripon, posted a clip of the hailstones pounding down on his car on Tuesday afternoon.  He tweeted a picture of one of the hailstones, saying: "The hail was like pickled onions."  Farmer Andrew Loftus, from Masham, said some of the hailstones measured almost an inch in diameter.  He posted a picture of a toy digger on a blanket of white with the words: "My son's digger has its work cut out with these hailstones!"  The Brymor Ice Cream parlour, near Masham, said the freak hailstorm left some customers with minor injuries.  The attraction posted on Facebook: "Today was an extremely distressing day for both our visitors and staff. No one could have predicted the damage a freak storm caused.  "We did our best to cope with the extreme conditions that unfolded in a matter of minutes.  "Our parlour suffered damage to the roof, power failures and some visitors suffered minor injuries."  Farmer Raymond Caldert said: "I haven't seen anything like this.  "We had a storm here about 20 years ago, called Hurricane Charlie. I think this has been worse."  While clean-up operations continue, the Met Office has warned that the extreme weather is not over.  Issuing a severe weather warning, the national forecaster said storms could dump up to 40mm of rain in two hours in parts of central and northern England on Wednesday.  The yellow weather warning suggests further thunderstorms and heavy downpours could spark further travel disruption across the region.  A similar alert for thunderstorms is in place in Scotland, with damage to buildings possible "from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds".  There are 10 flood warnings in place across the UK - from North Yorkshire, Lancashire and the West Midlands - with the Environment Agency urging residents to be prepared.  Manchester Piccadilly train station has said services are still disrupted by debris left by a landslip caused by flooding on Tuesday near Beeston Castle.  "Work is expected to continue until at least 4pm," it tweeted. "In the mean time please check (National Rail) for travel updates."


eveningstandard--2019-08-01--Poynton flooding Cheshire residents evacuated after heavy downpours spark major incident

Poynton flooding: Cheshire residents evacuated after heavy downpours spark major incident

Homes have been evacuated and stranded people rescued after heavy downpours sparked serious flooding in Cheshire.  A major incident was declared late on Wednesday in Poynton after hours of rain pummelled the area.  Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) said firefighters, emergency services personnel and staff from Highways England were helping those affected, with a rest centre established at Poynton Civic Hall.  Police urged people not to ignore "road closed" signs by driving or walking through water.  "Your car could become submerged and the road underneath could have collapsed, putting you in danger," the Macclesfield North and Poynton police Twitter account said.  CFRS added: "Please bear with us, crews and police officers are working very hard to get to those in need and the most vulnerable in our communities."  Poynton Fire Station said its crews had been to more than 20 incidents, including rescuing at least 11 people from flood water in the area over a four-hour stretch.  Police in nearby Wilmslow also said its officers were "dealing with flooding" and had evacuated affected residents, with Oakenclough Children's Centre open as a rest centre.  Photos shared on social media showed the aftermath of heavy rain that struck Horwich, Bolton, on Wednesday afternoon.  Jess, 20, was caught in the "mammoth" rain which flooded roads to "shin height", according to posts she shared on Twitter.  "I had my dog with me and as we crossed the road she almost got swept away, so I had to pull her across to me and pick her up," she said.  "I then waded through the rest of the water, about a foot and a half deep. I've never seen water that deep in such a residential area before."  Jess, who chose not to reveal her second name, said she told a mother with her child in a pram not to cross the street as it would have been "way too deep".  Cheshire was one of several areas across the north of England affected by the flooding.  It had led to 16 flood warnings across the UK, which are in place for North East, the North West, the Midlands and Yorkshire.  In North Yorkshire on Wednesday, flash flooding wiped out roads and destroyed a bridge in the Yorkshire Dales, where a month's worth of rain fell in just a few hours.  A clean-up operation started on Wednesday in the worst hit villages, with one local resident describing their community as a "virtual lake".  Rescuers reported seeing sheds and oil tanks floating down roads as "100 or more" homes in the Yorkshire Dales were hit by the deluge.  A bridge over Cogden Gill on Grinton Moor, which featured in the opening stage of the 2014 Tour de France, was reduced to ruins, leaving a gaping hole  Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team, which posted a photo of the wrecked bridge, urged motorists to "only travel if essential as many routes are impassable".  The fire service added that it received around 115 calls to flooding incidents in Leyburn and Reeth on Tuesday evening.  Malham Tarn saw 82.2mm of rain in 24 hours, the majority of which fell within four hours. The monthly average in the area for this time of year is 89mm.  The fierce flooding followed a violent hail and rain storm further west, which caused a landslide to block the main settle to Carlisle railway line between Kirkby Stephen and Garsdale.  Hailstones the size of sweets or “pickled onions” fell in some areas, causing damage and destruction.  The Environment Agency put out multiple flood warnings and alerts covering central, north-west and north-east England on Wednesday.  These continued to be in place early on Thursday morning.  Forecasters at the Met Office also issued an all-day yellow warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms, covering a large swathe of England northwards from Manchester, Sheffield and Lincoln.  Further showers are due on Thursday but they are not expected to be as heavy.


eveningstandard--2019-09-06--Hurricane Dorian strikes Carolinas with flooding and powerful winds after deadly storm ravages Baham

Hurricane Dorian strikes Carolinas with flooding and powerful winds after deadly storm ravages Bahamas

Hurricane Dorian has struck the Carolinas with flooding and strong winds, downing trees and whipping up tornadoes after it ravaged the Bahamas for days.  A threat to life remained as the centre of the record-breaking storm was expected to move near or over the coast of North Carolina overnight and on Friday, forecasters warned.  The howling west flank of Dorian soaked the US states of North and South Carolina on Thursday. In low-lying parts of Charleston, floodwaters rose to a foot (30 cm) or higher, officials said.  Dorian's eye was about 30 miles (48 km) south of Cape Fear, North Carolina, last night with maximum sustained winds of 100 miles per hour (160 kph), the Miami-based US National Hurricane Centre said.  The death toll from Dorian stood at 30 in the Bahamas on Thursday evening, officials told CNN, but the final toll is expected to be much higher. "Let me say that I believe the number will be staggering," Health Minister Duane Sands told the Nassau Guardian.  Governors in the North Carolina and Virginia declared states of emergency, closed schools, opened shelters, readied national guard troops.  They urged residents to take warnings seriously, as fresh images of the devastation brought by the storm in the Bahamas earlier this week circulated in the media.  At least 70,000 Bahamians needed immediate humanitarian relief after Dorian became the most damaging storm ever to hit the island nation at the weekend.  In the Carolinas alone, more than 900,000 people had been ordered to evacuate their homes. It was unclear how many did so.  Dorian whipped up at least three tornadoes in the region, officials said. One in North Carolina damaged scores of trailers at a campground in Emerald Isle, but no one was injured, North Carolina's News & Observer reported.  At least four storm-related deaths in the US have been reported. Three people died in Orange County, Florida, during storm preparations or evacuation, according to the Orange County mayor's office. In North Carolina, an 85-year-old man fell off a ladder while barricading his home for Dorian, the governor said.  More than 210,000 homes and businesses were without power in South Carolina and Georgia early on Thursday, according to local electric companies.  A Royal Navy helicopter rescued a British person and three children who were trapped beneath rubble for several days after Dorian hit the Bahamas.  The Wildcat helicopter was flying over Great Abaco Island to assess the damage when its crew were called to help a casualty on an eight-mile stretch called Elbow Cay.  The Royal Navy said its crew pulled the injured person, a British citizen, from the rubble and took them back to Mounts Bay to receive emergency medication before airlifting them to the capital Nassau.  The team also rescued a woman, her two children and a baby, according to a statement.  Dorian was named the most powerful storm ever to hit a Caribbean island after it reached sustained winds of 185mph and gusts of up to 220mph.


eveningstandard--2019-11-07--Sheffield flooding: Hundreds of people left stranded in Meadowhall shopping centre

Hundreds of people in Sheffield's Meadowhall shopping centre have been left stranded due to flooding.  Shoppers were ordered by police to stay put amid severe flooding which left the surrounding area gridlocked.  The south Yorkshire city was one of the worst-hit places in the UK as the nation was lashed by heavy downpours on Thursday.  Thousands had headed to Meadowhall for its annual Christmas Live event, which was duly cancelled as torrential rain saw the nearby River Don rise dramatically.  As people tried to leave the centre in their cars, they were turned back to its car parks by police.  And South Yorkshire Police's operational support unit said on Twitter: “All roads around Meadowhall are currently gridlocked.  “There is heavy flooding due to adverse weather conditions and closures are in place. Please avoid the area. Events at Meadowhall are CANCELLED. We advise only essential travel.”  The unit then added: “If you are in #Meadowhall, do not leave the shopping centre - await further updates.  “If you are travelling to collect people, do not attempt your journey. Await updates as we work to ensure safety of people in the immediate vicinity.”  Meadowhall, which was flooded in 2007, said in a statement: "Due to the adverse weather and the subsequent impact on the public transport it is with regret that the Christmas Live event has been cancelled."  The force said it had also closed the nearby junction 34 of the M1 in both directions to “alleviate pressure”.  Trams were also stopped short of the shopping complex due to "heavy rain putting the Tinsley tram bridge at risk".  Those trapped by flood water in the shopping mall have since been told they can leave but were warned of severe travel delays due to “extreme weather conditions”.  Meadowhall said in statement: "Whilst the road networks have been severely affected by the floods, our centre remains dry and secure.  "The majority of customers left the building before the centre officially closed at 22.00 hours but there are a small number of people who have chosen to stay with us for the time being.  "We will continue to look after them until they can return home safely."  Concerns have been raised about the levels of rivers running through the city, with the city council closing Millhouses Park, where a 14-year-old boy was swept to his death in the River Sheaf during devastating floods in the city in 2007.  Rail firm Northern issued "do not travel" advice for passengers using three routes, saying flooding had closed the lines between Sheffield and Gainsborough, Sheffield and Lincoln and Hebden Bridge and Manchester Victoria.  The Met Office has issued an amber warning for heavy rain until 6am on Friday for an area between Sheffield, Manchester and Bradford.  It has also issued yellow warnings for surrounding regions as it said almost 40mm of rain had fallen in the Sheffield area between midnight and noon on Thursday.  Forecaster Craig Snell said the total could hit 100mm by Friday morning.  By teatime on Thursday, the Environment Agency had issued 61 flood warnings, mainly in the Yorkshire region, and 103 flood alerts.  Further north, concerns were growing in the Calder valley as river levels began to rise on Thursday. Precautionary flood barriers were put in place in Mytholmroyd, which was badly hit in the 2015 Boxing Day floods.  Chris Wilding, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: "Heavy rain could lead to surface water and river flooding across parts of northern England today and into tomorrow, particularly in parts of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, and Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.  "Persistent showers may also bring localised river and surface water flooding to parts of southern England today and tomorrow.  "Our incident rooms are open and we are working closely with local authorities and partners to reduce the risk of flooding. Our field teams are ready to deploy temporary flood barriers to help protect people and property if needed.  "We advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car."


breitbart--2019-09-25--Planned Parenthood Advised Hollywood on over 150 Movies and TV Shows

The Washington Post Magazine said Planned Parenthood has advised the entertainment industry on more than 150 productions since 2014, citing estimates provided by a director at the nonprofit.  “Nobody used to call me,” Caren Spruch, Planned Parenthood’s director of arts and entertainment engagement, told the Post. “I would be watching TV and going to the movies and figuring out who I thought might be open to including these story lines. Now I have a couple of repeat clients. Now people call me.”  The report noted that Planned Parenthood has advised productions including the 2014 romantic comedy Obvious Child,  which features an abortion subplot, as well as the TV shows Shrill and Jane the Virgin.  “If there’s a word or two that isn’t entirely accurate, she [Spruch] helps me drill down on that and make sure that we’re not putting misinformation out there,” said Jennie Snyder Urman, the show runner of Jane the Virgin.  Spruch encourages screenwriters to discuss abortion or works as a script doctor for screenwriters interested incorporating  abortion, birth control or sexually transmitted infections in their storylines, according to the report.  The article recounts how Spruch arrived at Planned Parenthood in 1989 as a senior field organizer. She began courting youth through tactics like handing out information at concerts by Santana and Dave Matthews Band.  At one point, she cornered Maggie Gyllenhaal after spotting the actress in the audience of a play at the Public Theater in New York.  “She’s been a hardcore activist ever since,” Spruch said in the article.  Planned Parenthood sees Hollywood as a way of spreading its message to a wide audience.  “A lot of people learn about sexual and reproductive health care through pop culture and entertainment programs,” Melanie Roussell Newman, Planned Parenthood’s senior vice president of communication and culture, told the Post.  “We’ve seen pop culture change views around LGBTQ issues, for example, and pop culture has the power to challenge abortion stigma, too.”  The Post article includes comments from pro-life activists, some of whom object to Planned Parenthood’s influence over the entertainment industry.  “It’s like the tobacco industry getting to fact-check how smoking is treated in films,” Lila Rose, founder of Live Action, told the Post.  In July, the New York Times reported that Hollywood is depicting abortions at “record levels” on TV and in film in 2019.  Follow David Ng on Twitter @HeyItsDavidNg. Have a tip? Contact me at dng@breitbart.com


dailyheraldchicago--2019-09-18--Trustees recommend Schaumburg allow video gambling

By a 4-2 vote, Schaumburg trustees Tuesday recommended replacing the village's outright ban on video gambling for the past seven years with a set of lesser regulations.  The village board could formally adopt the new rules at its meeting next Tuesday, Sept. 24, allowing them to take effect on Jan. 1.  The votes against the proposal came from Trustees Marge Connelly and Mark Madej, who'd voiced a number of concerns about the allowance of so-called gambling cafes where the machines would be the primary business and whatever food and beverages they might serve secondary.  Connelly said she found such businesses predatory on gambling addicts and wished them to be excluded from consideration. Madej said their allowance seemed to contradict the premise that overturning the gambling ban was a way of helping existing Schaumburg restaurants and hotels compete with those in neighboring towns that already had video gambling.  Resident Matt Steward, who lost in his run for mayor in April, said he stood by his platform of maintaining Schaumburg's ban, adding that he'd met many on the campaign trail who were proud of it.  But Mayor Tom Dailly and Trustee George Dunham responded that Schaumburg residents already are gambling at out-of-town venues. Dunham challenged anyone to find a part of Schaumburg where a resident would have to travel more than a mile to gamble in a neighboring town.  The village plans to allocate up to half of its $500 annual fee per machine for the treatment of gambling addiction among residents. The village also would put all tax revenue collected in an arts and entertainment fund.  The proposed regulations would allow existing hotels and restaurants with liquor licenses to have up to six machines after Jan. 1. New businesses would have to wait until Jan. 1, 2021.  Among the gambling cafes that could come in, those fronted by a Schaumburg resident also would be allowed on Jan. 1, 2021, while those run by nonresidents would have to wait until 2022 unless they apply for a waiver based on their standing in other towns.  New cafes would have to be 1,500 feet from any other gambling license holder and be a minimum 2,500 square feet in size.


dailyheraldchicago--2019-12-15--Schaumburg adopts rules for video gambling

Schaumburg trustees have unanimously approved regulations under which video gambling will be allowed in 2020.  Existing hotels and restaurants with liquor licenses will be able to have up to six machines after Jan. 1, but new businesses will have to wait until 2021.  Among gambling cafes at which the machines would be the primary business and food and beverages secondary, those fronted by a Schaumburg resident will be allowed in 2021, while those run by nonresidents must wait until 2022, unless they apply for a waiver based on their standing in other towns.  Cafes must be 1,500 feet from any other gambling license holder and at least 2,500 square feet in size.  The village plans to allocate up to half its $500 annual fee per machine for the treatment of gambling addiction among residents. The village also will put all tax revenue collected in an arts and entertainment fund.


drudgereport--2019-11-12--Three performers stabbed on stage in capital...

Riyadh's King Abdullah Park is one of the venues hosting a two-month arts and entertainment festival that is part of the biggest cultural shakeup in the kingdom's modern history (AFP Photo/FAYEZ NURELDINE)  Riyadh (AFP) - A Yemeni man stabbed three actors at a performance in the Saudi capital, police said on Tuesday, in the first such attack since the ultra-conservative kingdom began easing decades-old restrictions on entertainment.  The knife-wielding assailant was arrested after state television footage showed him storming a musical performance in Riyadh's King Abdullah Park by what appeared to be a foreign theatre troupe.  Police said the victims were in stable condition after the attack late Monday, which comes as de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pursues sweeping reforms that mark the biggest cultural shakeup in the kingdom's modern history.  "Security forces dealt with a... stabbing attack against two men and a woman from a theatre group during a live performance," a police spokesman was quoted as saying by the official Saudi Press Agency.  Police identified the assailant as a 33-year-old Yemeni expatriate but did not give details of his motive or the nationality of his victims.  The King Abdullah Park is one of the venues hosting the two-month "Riyadh Season", an arts and entertainment festival that is part of a broad government push to open up the kingdom to tourists and diversify its economy away from oil.  Prince Mohammed has introduced mixed-gender concerts, re-opened cinemas and lifted a decades-old ban on women drivers as part of a drive to modernise the Muslim kingdom.  In scenes that were unimaginable just two years ago, Saudi Arabia has staged glitzy performances by a host of international artists, from South Korean boy band BTS to pop icon Janet Jackson and rapper 50 Cent.  Last month, the kingdom hosted its first ever women's wrestling match as it attempts to shrug off its ultra-conservative image.  The knife attack has left many Saudis shocked, with some on social media denouncing it as an act of "terrorism".  "Every instigator against entertainment is a partner in this extremist act," one Twitter user said.  Saudi officials warn that introducing such wide-ranging reforms in a society steeped in conservatism is fraught with peril.  While they are wildly popular among Saudi Arabia's mainly young population, the reforms risk angering arch-conservatives, including hardline clerics and the religious police whose powers have been clipped in recent years.  "The risk of this sort of attack against the recent introduction of public entertainment, which many clerics have been inciting against, is a key reason (the government) has pursued a zero tolerance policy towards their public attacks against change and reform," Saudi analyst Ali Shihabi said on Twitter.  Earlier this year, human rights campaigners reported the arrest of religious scholar Omar al-Muqbil after he criticised the Saudi General Entertainment Authority for hosting such concerts, saying they were "erasing Saudi society's original identity".  "Liberals and conservatives in the kingdom are on a collision course and that probably worries Saudi leaders the most," Quentin de Pimodan, a Saudi expert at the Greece-based Research Institute for European and American Studies, told AFP.  "After this attack we can expect a sharper crackdown on those opposed to Saudi's entertainment push."  Saudi Arabia has already drawn international censure for its sweeping crackdown on critics, including clerics, intellectuals and women activists.  The kingdom has faced international scrutiny over its human rights record since last year's murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in Istanbul.  Developing the tourism and leisure sector is one of the foundations of Prince Mohammed's Vision 2030 plan to prepare the Arab world's largest economy for the post-oil era.  The General Entertainment Authority has said it plans to pump $64 billion into the sector in the coming decade.  Some Saudis, however, view the push for entertainment as an attempt to blunt public frustration over an economic downturn and high youth unemployment in the petro-state.


liveaction--2019-09-28--Planned Parenthood has influenced more than 150 films and shows since 2014

Most people know that Planned Parenthood is involved in schools, seeking to influence young people with its own brand of sex education. But it isn’t widely known that the abortion corporation has also hired employees for the sole purpose of working with movie and television producers and writers to change the stigma surrounding abortion, sexually transmitted diseases, and birth control. One employee in particular, Caren Spruch, is the Director of Arts and Entertainment Engagement. Spruch works to advance accurate portrayals of abortion and other sexual health topics by engaging directly with the people behind the programs on our TV screens. According to the Daily Caller, Planned Parenthood has been directly involved with over 150 films since 2014. If there were ever any doubt, it seems Hollywood and Planned Parenthood go hand in hand.  Considering the heavy impact pop culture has on the generations immersed in it — particularly younger generations — this is cause for concern. The opinions and ideas presented in media tend to become the gospel truth for a large portion of younger viewers. Spruch noted in a March article for Yes! Magazine, “Film, TV, and video do so much to normalize sexual and reproductive health and erase the shame that often surrounds it. It’s one of our most important tools for educating people, especially young people.”  Alencia Johnson, the former director of public engagement at Planned Parenthood who now works in public engagement for Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren’s campaign, explained it to the magazine this way:  The arts are a way to shift policy, mainly because we’re shifting culture. Over 50 percent of people actually believe that the health care information they see on TV and film is accurate. Therefore, we need to make sure that abortion storylines—storylines about sexuality, love, relationships, birth control, whatever it may be—related to gender and reproductive rights are accurate.  Planned Parenthood hosts events that allow them to share with filmmakers what they believe “reproductive health” looks like and how it can be “accurately” applied in film. Planned Parenthood also appears at film festivals like the Sundance Film Festival as a way to network with the people behind what viewers absorb regularly. Johnson claims a regular event Planned Parenthood holds at Sundance — the “Sex, Politics, Film, and TV brunch” — sometimes has more than 400 attendees.  Of course, it must be kept in mind that Planned Parenthood’s idea of “accurate abortion representation” means something completely different than the reality of abortion. Planned Parenthood’s true agenda is to promote abortion to women. According to Planned Parenthood and the media, abortion is the only way for women to truly be empowered and achieve the goals they set for themselves. Students for Life of America lays this out so clearly in their video, Abortion. No Matter What. – The Planned Parenthood Project, which shows exactly why Planned Parenthood promotes abortion over adoption.  In the end, it’s deceptive to paint over important details regarding abortion’s real effects. Abortion kills over 800,000 children per year. Abortion tears apart, burns, and destroys innocent preborn children. Abortion harms and even sometimes kills the women that seek it, and promotes a skewed and inaccurate idea of women’s empowerment. There is no sugar-coating the facts. All the media propaganda in the world can’t change the truth, even though they try to ignore the fact that abortion destroys innocent human beings.  “Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


mercurynews--2019-02-23--The Weekender Preview Dim sum dragons and more

The Weekender Preview: Dim sum, dragons and more

Wondering what to do on this (finally!) sunny weekend?  Each week, our Weekender newsletter offers up seven fun things to do across the Bay Area. We tell you about buzzy new restaurants, intriguing new shows, movie openings, museum happenings and more. (Take a peek here for the lowdown on this weekend’s Oscar-watching parties, the best spots to dabble in dim sum and the best vantage points for watching San Francisco’s big Chinese New Year parade on Saturday.)  Browse the fun online, then sign up below to get that dose of weekend inspiration — curated by arts and entertainment editor Randy McMullen and Eat Drink Play editor Jackie Burrell — delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday morning. Here’s how:


newsbusters--2019-09-25--PPs Secret Weapon WashPost Magazine Reveals Hollywoods Planned Parenthood Consultants

‘PP’s Secret Weapon’: WashPost Magazine Reveals Hollywood’s Planned Parenthood Consultants

It’s no secret that Hollywood relishes including abortion in its television programs or movies. Not only is it a great way to promote a staple left agenda item, it’s a satisfying dig at those pro-lifers. Though what might not be so apparent is that this isn’t just a lefty producer’s personal politics bleeding through onto the script but actual Planned Parenthood propaganda encouraged via the abortion mill’s own consultants planted in the industry.  The Washington Post Magazine reported that abortion depictions in pop culture are not only progressive tinsel townies digging in for the culture war. There exists an active PR partnership between Hollywood studios and abortion providers like Planned Parenthood in order to push for the murderous procedure in pop culture even as many states seek to banish abortion providers.  The paper claimed, “For nearly 50 years, it has been legal to have an abortion in America yet stubbornly taboo to show one on television or film.” The opposite is happening now as progressives, noting abortion is less popular and in legal danger, are “fortifying a new freedom” to depict it on screen.  This issue is so important to pro-aborts in Hollywood and so crucial to Planned Parenthood’s survival that abortion consultants like Caren Spruch — the magazine called her “Planned Parenthood’s secret weapon” — are meeting with showbiz screenwriters and encouraging “screenwriters to tell stories about abortion and works as a script doctor for those who do.”  Spruch official PP title is “director of arts and entertainment engagement,” and according to the outlet it’s an occupation that “now seems to be increasingly welcome in Hollywood.” If you’re curious, Spruch’s most recent propaganda work was showcased via Hulu series Shrill, a dramedy starring Saturday Night Live actress Aidy Bryant. The show features a gratutitous abortion scene, depicting the actress at total peace with her child murder, and saying that doing it made her feel “fucking powerful.”  Shrill writer Lindy West took pride in the fact that the scene was “almost boring television” because that’s just how good Spruch’s propaganda is at normalizing child killing.  Yeah and for that lovely scene, you have Miss Spruch to thank and other PP foot soldiers moving into the entertainment sector. The point is to get culture to fully embrace abortion so that future legislative abortion restrictions will be thoroughly resisted. Planned Parenthood is savvy enough to recognize that “politics is downstream from culture.”  Planned Parenthood Senior Vice President of Communications and Culture Melanie Rousell Newman explained it, saying “We’ve seen pop culture change views around LGBTQ issues, for example, and pop culture has the power to challenge abortion stigma, too.” And judging by how much LGBTQ overrepresentation there is in our culture now, it’s a worrisome tactic.  Students For Life of America president Kristan Hawkins knows the danger. She claimed, “You can’t just change laws; you have to change culture, and young people are the drivers of culture.” Where Planned Parenthood may lose a Title X fight, they may gain a generation via prevalent social media and streaming platforms.


newsbusters--2019-09-25--The Real Reason Critics Hate Rambo Last Blood

The Real Reason Critics Hate ‘Rambo: Last Blood’

Even Inspector Clouseau could spot the media’s distaste for the fifth Rambo installment.  Rambo: Last Blood hit theaters Sept. 20, racking up a solid, but unspectacular $19 million. While fans cheered Sylvester Stallone’s latest sequel, critics loathed it.  The 28/85 critic-audience split over at RottenTomatoes.com says it all.  Many critics called Last Blood hateful, racist and brimming with pro-Trump talking points. More than a few scribes said the film’s plot echoed the Commander in Chief’s border enforcement stance.    John Rambo’s retirement ends when a young woman he considers like a daughter is kidnapped by a Mexican drug cartel. The aging warrior summons his fighting spirit one last time, turning the tables on the much younger men.  Let’s take the film’s critics at face value. Rambo: Last Blood is an unabashed love letter to Trump’s border policies, showing what could happen if we let virtually everyone south of the border into the country.  Stallone isn’t an overtly political fellow, at least by modern star standards. For argument’s sake let’s say he saw Last Blood as one way to promote border enforcement.  Movies can share their points of view on the culture at large. Filmmakers have done so for decades, although the digital landscape affords them far more avenues to do just that.  How many recent films and TV shows push an open borders movement sans apology? What about programs like Designated Survivor which demonize the Second Amendment? The list keeps growing.  Zach Galifianakis leveraged his Between Two Ferns web series to boost both President Barack Obama (ObamaCare) and former First Lady Hillary Clinton (her second failed presidential campaign).  The Hollywood Left loves using content to change hearts and minds. It does so overtly at times, via the latest Michael Moore documentary or ham-fisted zom-coms like The Dead Don’t Die.  Some storytellers prefer a more measured approach, witness movies like Ad Astra which explores masculinity in our culture. Either way, artists are eager to shape the cultural narrative to fit their liking.  In recent years, though, we’ve seen two overt propaganda machines enabled by the Hollywood Left.  Everytown for Gun Safety employs a Hollywood division apart from its other messaging fronts. This group, dubbed the Creative Council, features A-list stars like founding chair Julianne Moore shaping public opinion on guns.  Translation: We’re seeing scripts with talking points woven into the narrative. Look no further than Netflix’s signature series, House of Cards.  In the latest season of House of Cards, first lady Claire Underwood champions new gun laws with the help of a group called Families for Gun Reform. The group is fictitious — as is Underwood’s political brinkmanship to outwit the NRA. But go to families forgunreform.com, and you’ll be redirected to the site of the very real organization Everytown for Gun Safety, launched by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Everytown didn’t just buy up the Families for Gun Reform URL, the group collaborated with House of Cards writers “to make sure they got it right,” according to the organization’s president, John Feinblatt. In fact, Feinblatt consulted on the script regarding issues of gun legislation and violence.  The women’s health clinics administer abortions, a message it hopes to amplify via the Hollywood machine. It all started with the 2014 dramedy Obvious Child, a film Caren Spruch calls “a game-changing moment” for the pro-choice cause.  [She’s the] director of arts and entertainment engagement [for Planned Parenthood]. She encourages screenwriters to tell stories about abortion and works as a script doctor for those who do (as well as those who write about any other area of Planned Parenthood’s expertise, such as birth control or sexually transmitted infections)…. She estimates that Planned Parenthood has advised on more than 150 movies and shows since that first effort with “Obvious Child.” Writers who have relied on her advice tell me they feel a secret kinship with one another. “We could see hints of her in all the TV shows coming out, from ‘Shrill’ to ‘Jane the Virgin,’ ” says Gillian Robespierre, writer-director of Obvious Child. “It’s really wonderful. She’s like Planned Parenthood’s secret weapon.”  Hollywood, and liberal film critics alike, have no qualms with propaganda disguised as mainstream entertainment. They actively seek it, write it and promote it.  Critics adored Obvious Child, for example. And few, if any, slammed the film as pro-choice propaganda.  There’s just one problem. They want the industry’s propaganda to flow from one direction only.  It’s why critics slammed Rambo: Last Blood for reasons beyond its cinematic flaws. It also explains why liberals fought so hard to diminish movies like Unplanned and Gosnell. Both films feature pro-life elements, the latter carried out in a far more gentle fashion.  The Hollywood propaganda machine remains open for business, but if it even hints at a bipartisan split things could get ugly.  The response to Rambo: Last Blood proves it.


newsbusters--2019-10-14--CBS Drama Calls Bull on Abortionist Obstetrician: ‘Doesn’t Make Sense’

In recent years, Planned Parenthood has been working with Hollywood to push a pro-abortion narrative in television and movies. As the Washington Post Magazine highlighted last month, the abortion giant’s Director of Arts and Entertainment Engagement coordinates directly with Hollywood scriptwriters to portray abortion as a positive “choice” in television and film. The goal is to remove from entertainment any moral questions or qualms associated with abortion. This Hollywood/abortion axis is part of the radical left’s new movement to “shout your abortion” and turn abortion into a “good” thing. The nineties rhetoric of “safe, legal and rare” by the Democrat party is long gone. From Shrill to Glow, television is working overtime to try to normalize abortion.  But this week the CBS drama Bull, produced by Dr. Phil McGraw, bucked the creepy “abortion is no big deal” trend. In the episode “Her Own Two Feet” on October 14, law firm employee Chunk (Christopher Jackson) learns his college-age daughter Anna (Jazzy Williams) is seven-weeks pregnant. Anna is planning to travel to Jordan on a journalism scholarship. The father and daughter meet at a café after she confirms the pregnancy.  Chunk: For now, you should be okay, but I guess we need to tell them about Jordan, right? Anna: Talk to them about what? Chunk: Well, obviously, you're not going, not now. Look, do the math. Right? Look, you're-you're supposed to be there in January, right? And you'll be almost four months pregnant then. And then, you're not due to come back until June. And I'm not letting my daughter give birth in the Middle East. Chunk: No. They do that there? How can they do that and the other? It doesn't make sense. Anyway, it-it doesn't matter. You're not doing that. We are not doing that. Chunk: Because it's-it's a... It's a... It's a sin. It's a mortal sin. What do you...? Anna: Right. Because when was the last time you went to church? How old were you-- like, 15? Chunk: That's beside the point. Dad, I was selected out of 1,500 students. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. The girl who did this last year? She's working for the London Tribune now. Chunk: Well, I'm guessing that she didn't get herself pregnant. Look, if your mother and I had done what you are contemplating doing, y-you wouldn't even be here right now. Anna: Well, I am here. And I have a problem, and I need your help. Chunk: You don't need my help, 'cause we're not gonna do this. Anna: We aren't doing anything. I am. And I need $400, and I need someone to bring me to this woman's office and wait and then bring me home and take care of me. And I'm asking you. You always talk about how sorry you are that you were never there for me growing up. Well... you're here now. And I need you. Chunk: But I can't do this.  Abortion rights activists will dismiss Chunk as a mansplaining, patriarchal dad who has no right to an opinion. When it comes to the abortion debate, abortion activists believe men are not allowed to have feelings. This despite them being fathers, sons, husbands, boyfriends and co-creators in new life.  It is true that Chunk could probably better help his daughter choose life by first listening to her fears in order to help address them. Nonetheless, the scene has powerful moments such as when Chunk expresses shock that Anna’s obstetrician both brings new babies into the world and aborts them. The fact that Anna would not even exist if Chunk and his girlfriend had taken the same path is significant. Anna’s dialogue also has a notable incoherence. She states that it is purely her decision to abort, but she needs her father’s money and desires her father’s presence at the abortionist’s office. The episode ends without a resolution.  Next week, the series could take a turn where Chunk “comes around” and accompanies his child for the abortion. His character could end up thinking that is the only way he can "be there" for his daughter and show he loves and supports her no matter what. (Hollywood never highlights the cases where daughters are pressured into abortion by parents.) I hope next week instead Anna chooses life. It would be wonderful for a tv audience to see how an unplanned child can bring joy into a young woman’s life.


prisonplanet--2019-09-25--Planned Parenthood Advised Hollywood On More Than 150 Movies And Shows Since 2014 Director Says

Planned Parenthood Advised Hollywood On More Than 150 Movies And Shows Since 2014, Director Says

Planned Parenthood advised Hollywood on more than 150 productions since 2014 as part of an effort to influence the abortion dialogue, a director at the nonprofit said.  The nation’s largest abortion provider is losing the abortion battle in Washington but is upping its game through Hollywood, freelance journalist Nora Caplan-Bricker wrote Monday in The Washington Post Magazine.  Hollywood is increasingly cooperative, according to Caren Spruch, Planned Parenthood’s director of arts and entertainment engagement.  “Nobody used to call me,” Spruch told Caplan-Bricker. “I would be watching TV and going to the movies and figuring out who I thought might be open to including these story lines. Now I have a couple of repeat clients. Now people call me.”  Spruch estimated Planned Parenthood has advised Hollywood on more than 150 movies and shows since she assisted with the 2014 rom-com “Obvious Child,” Caplan-Bricker wrote.  Caplan-Bricker wrote that Spruch “is the rare person in the abortion rights movement for whom the past few years represent a long-awaited breakthrough in addition to a series of terrifying setbacks.”  The writer said Spruch pushes screenwriters to discuss abortion or “works as a script doctor” for screenwriters interested incorporating storylines about abortion, birth control or sexually transmitted infections.  “It’s a role she slipped into sideways, but one that now seems to be increasingly welcome in Hollywood,” Caplan-Bricker wrote.  Caplan-Bricker and Planned Parenthood did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s requests for comment.  “We could see hints of her in all the TV shows coming out, from ‘Shrill’ to ‘Jane the Virgin,’” the writer-director of “Obvious Child,” Gillian Robespierre, said according to WaPo. “It’s really wonderful. She’s like Planned Parenthood’s secret weapon.”  Pop culture has the ability to change the way people look at abortion, according to Melanie Roussell Newman, Planned Parenthood’s senior vice president of communication and culture.  “A lot of people learn about sexual and reproductive health care through pop culture and entertainment programs,” Newman said according to the story. “We’ve seen pop culture change views around LGBTQ issues, for example, and pop culture has the power to challenge abortion stigma, too.”  Planned Parenthood is not the only organization aware of the cinematic power to change minds.  The Susan B. Anthony List’s Mallory Quigley pointed out that the 2019 $19 million box office film “Unplanned” surpassed expectations — while “fictional abortion comedy” often does poorly. The Susan B. Anthony List is a nonprofit anti-abortion organization.  “The abortion industry’s grip on Hollywood is well-known, but what might be surprising is how soundly their propaganda has failed to move Americans’ minds and hearts,” Quigley told the DCNF. “Pro-life sentiment is on the rise. The overwhelming majority of Americans, especially young people, disagreewith the extreme agenda of taxpayer-funded abortion on demand through birth and even infanticide.”  “Americans are tired of pro-abortion elites telling them what to think and value,” Quigley added.  Caplan-Bricker mentioned both Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon, producers and directors of the anti-abortion movie “Unplanned.” She called them “conservative Christian filmmakers” and mentioned Planned Parenthood has said “Unplanned” “promotes many falsehoods.”  Both Konzelman and Solomon hit back at Caplan-Bricker’s story and her portrayal.  “Nora Caplan-Bricker’s glowing hagiography of Planned Parenthood’s director of arts and entertainment engagement, Caren Spruch, deserves to be studied in journalism classes everywhere — as an example of how powerfully biased a reporter can be, while remaining blissfully ignorant of it,” Knozelman told the DCNF.  “The Washington Post has adopted the motto ‘Democracy dies in darkness.’ But that’s not quite true,” Konzelman added. “It dies when the fourth estate ceases to serve as an impartial reporter of fact… and turns itself into an advocacy group with an agenda.”  Solmoon told the DCNF: “To the Washington Post article’s claim that Chuck Konzelman and I are ‘conservative Christian filmmakers’ — clearly intending the term as an insult — I can only say, ‘Guilty as charged.’”  This article was posted: Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at 3:41 am


slate--2019-09-11--The Guy Behind the Storm Area 51 Meme Is Canceling His Festival Before It Becomes a Humanitarian

The Guy Behind the “Storm Area 51” Meme Is Canceling His Festival Before It Becomes a “Humanitarian Disaster”

The creators of the viral “Storm Area 51” Facebook event announced that they no longer want to be associated with the Alienstock festival that was originally planned to take place in Rachel, Nevada, in late September. “Due to the lack of infrastructure, poor planning, risk management and blatant disregard for the safety of the expected 10,000+ AlienStock attendees, we decided to pull the plug on the festival,” a statement on the Alienstock website reads. “We foresee a possible humanitarian disaster in the works, and we can’t participate in any capacity at this point.”  In July, the satirical “Storm Area 51” Facebook event made headlines when millions of people indicated that they were “interested” in or “going” to “see them aliens” by invading the fabled military base. Building off of the online hype, event creator Matty Roberts decided to hold an actual festival in Rachel, the town closest to Area 51. While Roberts had envisioned a weekend of arts and entertainment, the town itself was worried about whether it had the infrastructure to support the 5,000 to 30,000 people who were expected to attend. There were concerns that organizers wouldn’t be able to obtain enough food, water, and gas for thousands of people in a few short months.  “The Alienstock event in Rachel just became Fyre Fest 2.0 as we had predicted,” a new statement on the town’s official website reads. “If any event still happens it is going to be a pretty sad affair with no bands, very little infrastructure and a lot of unhappy campers.”  Roberts and his event organizer, Frank DiMaggio, are now encouraging people who were planning to attend to instead go to a free “Area 51 Celebration” in downtown Las Vegas.  However, there may still be a festival in Rachel. Connie West, the owner of the Little A’Le’Inn motel where Alienstock was supposed to take place, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that she’s still planning on holding the festival after having a falling out with Roberts. West claims that there will be 20 bands, two comedians, vendors, and a haunted house. “Yeah, it’s going forward,” she told the Journal. “I’ve also got the medical paid for and all of my permits. We’re going to throw the best party that we can.”  A competing event featuring talks from ufologists, called Area 51 Basecamp, is also still set to take place.


sputnik--2019-12-21--'We're Building Project That Will Make Saudi Arabia a Special Place' - CEO of Qiddiya Investment Co.

Michael Reininger, chief executive officer of Qiddiya Investment Co, shared his company's expectations on this ambitious project and explained why it is going to resonate with Saudi Arabia's local culture.  Sputnik: What revenue are you expecting from this project overall?  Michael Reininger: This is a broad-based project that is gonna be the capital of entertainment and sports and arts for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We expect that we'll be hosting some 15 million people or so a year and we'll actually be generating several hundred million dollars worth of revenue from the various activities that are going to be happening here.  Sputnik: And you've also said that you are aiming mostly to the audience from Saudi Arabia, but you're also looking forward to attracting an international audience. How will you do that?  Michael Reininger: We're building a project that will resonate very deeply with the local culture and the things that make the kingdom of Saudi Arabia a special place. And when we do that, it will naturally be attracted to the local marketplace. But when we do that, it will also be a unique experience that is from this place that we believe will have great appeal to tourists that come into Saudi Arabia seeking the kind of experiences that are unique of this place.  Sputnik: You’ve mentioned this Dakar rally that will take place sometime soon here in Quiddiya, are there any other projects like this planned for the near future, before the grand opening?  Michael Reininger: We've already started to develop and host a number of other important events. The first real event of this type is coming in a few days. The Saudi Dakar rally will finish here on the side of Quiddiya. But we also in the works have other things that we're starting to roll out for later in this year. During the period, while we're still building the project over the course of the next three years in other areas of sports, things like mountain biking and other events that we will host here that take advantage of this spectacular property.  Sputnik: Can we call Quiddiya an ‘Arabian Disneyland’?  Michael Reininger: We're actually a very broad-based destination resort because we have an array of entertainment activities, but we also have a very big compliment of facilities and activities centred around the arts. And then we have an equally large, if not larger set of activities that are around sports, a broad array of sports, indoor sports, outdoor sports of all kinds. So we think that when you put those three things together, there really isn't another place anywhere that has the size and diversity of the act of the attractions that we're bringing together here today.  Sputnik: Why do you believe people will be there in the future? Why Quiddiya would be attractive to the audience?  Michael Reininger: There are 30 some million people that live in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today. They're young. The population is growing very, very fast. They just haven't had the access to the kinds of experiences in the sports and arts and entertainment that we're building for them here at Quiddiya. Today, they have to get on a plane and take their money and go someplace else to get those experiences. We're going to make it much easier and better for them to be able to do that right here in their home country.


theguardianuk--2019-01-20--Magic of big screen returns to Kashmir after Islamist ban

A generation of men and women in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir who have never been inside a cinema may finally be able to watch a film on the big screen later this year if a local Indian businessman, Vijay Dhar, has his way.  Dhar plans to open a cinema in the capital, Srinagar, so movies can be experienced again almost 30 years after the first cinemas were shut by Islamic separatists.  “I want young people here to enjoy the same entertainment as people in the rest of India. If some object and don’t want to come, that’s fine, but for those who want to visit a cinema we need to provide that basic amenity,” said Dhar, who runs a school and a hospitality company.  The campaign against cinemas in the region began in 1989 when the Allah Tigers organised an armed rebellion against Indian rule and in favour of azaadi (freedom) or merger with Pakistan. The militants denounced cinemas, bars and beauty parlours as “un-Islamic” and threatened that anyone who disobeyed would be punished with death.  Kashmir used to have about two dozen cinemas with names such as the Palladium and the Regal; Dhar used to own one – the Broadway. By 1990 all had closed. At the time many Kashmiris thought this was a temporary situation, but it turned out to be permanent. Most were turned into garrisons for security forces or converted into hospitals or shopping complexes. In 1996 three cinemas reopened after their owners received government assurances. The security was formidable, but three years later two closed when militants attacked the Regal, killing one moviegoer. The Neelam limped on with few visitors.  Kashmir’s snow-topped mountains and rolling meadows used to be the favourite location for Bollywood directors. For Indians used to tropical heat, a landscape of mountains and snow is a perfect fantasy. “Kashmir was the perfect backdrop for showing a romantic couple cavorting on the mountains and rolling around in the snow,” said film fan Parsa Venkateshwar Rao Jnr.  Despite the unrest, which has left 40,000 dead according to Indian government estimates, some directors continued to film in Kashmir. But while Indians enjoyed the scenery, Kashmiris were unable to see their own surroundings on the big screen.  Not everyone has reacted well to the new cinema. Some said it hardly mattered with so many films available on the internet. Others were hesitant. “I’d love to see a film, but I’d be nervous. It’s not a good idea because the situation is not good at the moment,” said houseboat owner Nawaz Butt. A hotel owner, who did not want to be named, was hostile. “With all this bloodshed, going to the cinema is a trivial issue,” he said.  Dhar is not deterred. He loves the cinema so much that he flies to Delhi once a month to gorge on films. His aim in opening a multiplex, he says, is to recover some aspects of “normalcy” that have been lost in three decades of bloodshed.  Young people needed sports, the arts and entertainment, he said. Going to the cinema was just part of a normal social life.  The Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani has consistently opposed the reopening of cinemas. But asked if he feared that his cinema would be targeted, Dhar said: “If you start with that kind of negativity, you will never try anything in life.”


theindependent--2019-12-12--The best Christmas gifts for the culture lover in your life

It can feel impossible trying to find the perfect present for your loved ones at Christmas, especially when there’s so much choice available. But if you're looking for something for a Netflix binge-watcher, a music fan or a friend who can always be found stalking the halls of the National Gallery, we've got you. After a year that saw a number of cultural high-points, from Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Fleabag, to the Downton Abbey movie, the Game of Thrones finale and Beatles aficionados celebrating the 50th anniversary of Abbey Road, there is a plethora of zeitgeist-inspired presents to shop from. From state-of-the-art headphones to masterclasses in creative writing, these gift ideas should be enough to keep even the most discerning of culture fans happy.  Save the Children teamed up with Not Just Clothing for this seriously cool range of festive jumpers, including one emblazoned with the face of star of the moment, Phoebe Waller-Bridge herself. £5 from the sale of each of these limited-edition knits will go to Save the Children ahead of Christmas Jumper Day, so this is a fantastic gift for the more socially conscious of your friends and family. Or anyone with great taste in TV, of course.  These outstanding headphones are the third generation of Sennheiser’s noise-cancelling Momentum Wireless range, continuing the brand’s reputation for consistently excellent sound and comfort. While the aesthetics aren’t too different from the previous model, these have a sleeker look thanks to a monochrome design with stainless steel sliders and sheepskin leather earpads. A “sandy white” finish is also available. Users no longer have to fumble for the on/off switch; these bad boys switch on and pair to a recognised source automatically when unfolded. What's not to love?  Soothe those family arguments about which is the best Christmas song (it’s “Fairytale of New York”, though) with a glass of The Pogues’ single malt.  This triple-distilled whiskey is matured in bourbon barrels and features hints of caramel and chocolate, while on the palate you’ll detect spices and cinnamon with a sweet aftertaste. It’s versatile enough that you can drink it neat, use it as a base for Irish Coffee, or mix it with classic ginger ale. Pour us another.  Enjoy 50 per cent off entry to major exhibitions at galleries and museums across the UK including the Tate, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Museum of Scotland, plus free entry to over 240 museums, galleries and historic venues nationwide.  This striking hoodie was created exclusively for the Tate’s William Blake exhibition. It’s made from Earthpositive climate neutral organic cotton (comfy), and features a flat double pocket, drawstring hood and ribbed cuffs.  “Out, damned spot!” For those who can’t afford all the perfumes of Arabia, washing your hands is at least more fun with this Lady Macbeth hand sanitiser.  The National Portrait Gallery in London is hosting an exhibition inspired by the oft-forgotten women who were so essential to the Pre-Raphaelite movement. Jan Marsh, one of the curators, worked with Peter Funnell and Charlotte Gere put together this exquisite guide to one of the most important revolutions in British art. A must for the feminist art historian in your life.  Game of Thrones boxset: £99.99 for DVD and £119.99 for Blu-ray, Amazon  A tour of the Downton Abbey castle: £120 per person, Highclere Castle  Whether you’re a fan of the series, the film, or both, explore the stunning architecture and inspiring landscape of the real-life setting of Downton Abbey – Highclere Castle.  Special guided tours are being offered for March and April 2020 for a limited number of visitors, with guides who have an exceptional knowledge of the building, and the works of art housed within it.  Wretch 32, born Jermaine Scott, is one of the most influential and respected rappers in the UK.  In his ground-breaking autobiography, Rapthology, he offers insight into his creative process along with lessons in lyric-writing for other budding artists.  Part memoir, part guide, this is a must-have for any fan of British rap.  Masterclass: Learn from the world’s best: Two passes for £170, Masterclass  Some of the most prolific and respected figures in the arts and entertainment world have signed up to offer their knowledge to anyone willing to learn.  You can learn about composing film scores from Hans Zimmer, storytelling from David Sedaris, singing from Christina Aguilera, beatmaking from Timbaland, screenwriting from Aaron Sorkin, ballet from Misty Copeland or photography from Annie Leibovitz… or all of it, if you have enough time on your hands!  A holiday offer currently gives two people access to 70+ instructors for £170.  One of the most famous and iconic albums in history was re-released in 2019 to mark its 50th anniversary. Newly remixed by producer Giles Martin (son of George Martin), this edition of Abbey Road is accompanied by 23 session recordings and demos, most of them previously unreleased.


theirishtimes--2019-02-15--Tom Honan named PPAI Press Photographer of the Year

Irish Times freelance Tom Honan has been named PPAI Press Photographer of the Year. Dubliner Honan won for his Irish Times commissioned portfolio and won three of the award’s nine categories – Politics, Arts and Entertainment, Portrait – as well as the overall award.  Irish Times Picture Editor Brenda Fitzsimons won the Daily Life and People category for her photo of former National Maternity hospital master Rhona O’Mahony and Bryan O’Brien was named multimedia photographer of the year for his video of work riders at stables on the Curragh.  The Press Photographers Association of Ireland awards took place in Dublin on Friday night. An exhibition of this year’s awards, featuring 101 prints, will be available to view at the Ballsbridge Hotel until Thursday, February 21st, before it moves to the RDS.


theirishtimes--2019-02-16--The best 27 photographs from last year PPAI awards

The best 27 photographs from last year: PPAI awards