Don’t look down: Vertigo-inducing photographs taken by daredevils who climb skyscrapers and then lean over the edge

By KERRY MCQUEENEY


Head for heights: Thrillseeking photographer Tom Ryaboi took this shot from the roof of a skyscraper, high above the streets of Toronto

If you're thinking of giving this new photography craze a go, a head for heights is as essential as a camera.
Rooftopping is the heart-stopping photography movement which involves thrill seekers climbing to the top of city skyscrapers, hanging off the edge and taking pictures of the spectacular view beneath them.
Photographer Tom Ryaboi is one of the crusaders of Rooftopping. The 27-year-old, from Toronto in Canada, has climbed more than 100 buildings and produced some of the most stunning examples of the craze.

Above the world: The stunning photography shots produce amazing results but photographers have to go to extreme lengths to capture the images

He said: 'It's addictive and I am always looking for a higher roof in the city. But I still feel the buzz whenever I reach the top and feel the wind. It's a pure rush of adrenaline.'
Disguising themselves so they can carry out their daring stunts, the thrill seekers avoid security and CCTV before climbing to the top of skyscrapers and hanging off the edge - photographing the evidence as proof of their antics.
Tom added: 'I try to blend in as much as possible. In an office building I dress like I work there, on a construction site I dress like the workmen.
'It's in my blood. When I was a child one day, my dad came home from work and found me sitting on top of the fridge.
'They had no idea how I had got there, but obviously I just liked climbing things.'

Risky business: Photographer Tom Ryaboi (pictured) has climbed more than 100 buildings and produced some of the most stunning examples of Rooftopping to date

Growing in popularity: Using the internet to spread his new found love of storming skyscraper roofs, Tom has now inspired other Rooftoppers to start climbing too

Birds eye view: Rooftoppers avoid security, CCTV and risk their lives on top of the windy ledges up to almost 1,000 feet high

Having spent the past four years on top of Canada's largest city's roofs, Tom enjoys the isolation he feels hundreds of feet above the pavement.
He added: 'I've been on the top three tallest buildings in Toronto. But I often tell people it's not really the height the matters.
'The coolest views are often from lower buildings nestled in between the tall ones.


Vertiginous: A dedicated few 'Rooftoppers' are determined to climb to the top of every skyscraper roof in their city, hang off the edge and photograph the evidence as proof

'You really get a sense you're in the urban 'jungle' then, surrounded by this forest of concrete, steel and glass.
Using the internet to spread his new found love of storming skyscraper roofs, Tom has now inspired other rooftoppers to start climbing too.
'I'm not the first in the world, but I've introduced about 20 people to rooftopping and now groups of men and women are all trying to do it.'

Don't look down: On lower buildings, Tom says you get a sense of being in an urban 'jungle', surrounded by a forest of concrete, steel and glass

Dangerous and daring: A Rooftopper climbs up an open structure in a bid to get the perfect shot

Long way down: Tom, pictured from behind to protect his identity, peers out across the cityscape high above the streets of Toronto

Easy does it: A Rooftopper inches his way to the edge of the building (left) while another climbs up a ladder (right) in a bid to reach the perfect vantage point


Concrete jungle: Tom says he enjoys the isolation he feels hundreds of feet above the pavement

source: dailymail

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Get ready for Freezing February! Temperatures set to plunge to -11C as ice and snow transform countryside in scenes of breathtaking beauty

-Department of Health issue 'Level 2' cold-weather alert as freeze poses significant health risks
-Warning of ice forming on untreated surfaces

By KERRY MCQUEENEY

Snow way! Gracie-Mai Hochin, one, walks through the snow in Princetown, Dartmoor, Devon, for the first time (left). She is joined right by her friend Seanna Evans, one

Temperatures are set to plunge as low as -11C this week as Arctic winds bring in a big freeze with ice and snow expected to blanket the countryside, forecasters said today.
Parts of Britain were waking up this morning to up to two inches of snow as the longest spell of cold weather so far this winter sets in.
The chill is being caused by a high pressure system hanging over Scandinavia and western Russia which is set to push raw, easterly winds towards the UK as the week progresses.

Winter wonderland: A hiker walks through snowy woodland near Princetown, Devon, today after snowfall hit the region overnight for the first time this winter

The west of England and Wales was covered in snow overnight and the Met Office has warned up to four inches of snow could yet fall on higher ground. They have issued a warning of severe cold weather across much of England until at least Thursday.
Paul Mott, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: 'There has been a sprinkling of snow overnight over parts of Wales, Devon, Somerset and Hampshire.
'It has mainly been over hills - with accumulations of up to 5cm in some areas - but there have also been some falls on lower ground locally.

Snow: A motorist clears her car before setting off in Brynmawr, south Wales, after significant snowfall in the area overnight

The Department of Health issued a 'Level 2' cold-weather alert running for the next two to three days, which is triggered when low temperatures give rise to significant health risks.
It warned that low temperatures can especially be dangerous for the young and the elderly or those with chronic disease.
Yesterday the countryside was glazed in snow, frost and mist. Ducks were pictured skirting across the water in the icy waters of Derwentwater, near Keswick, in the Lake District.
Dan Williams, of the Met Office, said: ‘This is certainly the longest run of colder weather we will have seen so far this winter.
'There’s cold air pushing in from the east, and it’s looking very wintry over the next few days and might last for the first half of February.’

Plummeting temperatures: Sheep in snow near Merthyr, South Wales today as it was revealed it will be as cold as -11C later this week

Skiing conditions: Hill walker Richard Walker, from Aberdare, in Powys, South Wales, today as the area is blanketed with snow for the first time this winter

Wrapped up warm: These highland cows stand in the snow near Princetown, Devon, today

Meanwhile, residents all over the country were bracing themselves for the Siberian weather front heading for Britain.
Residents in a Cornish village have bought their own snowplough and gritter after they were cut off for a week in a blizzard during previous winters.
The Badgall and Laneast Action Group (Blag), have raised £2,650 to buy the plough and mechanical salt spreader.
Two farmers in the area have been designated to operate them during heavy snowfall.
Blag said residents 'voted with their pockets' after being cut off during the last two winters.

Chilly: A Belted Galloway cow feeds on Birdlip Hill, Gloucestershire, today as temperatures plummet across the country


Grim weather: A dog walker trudges through the snow with his dog in Brynmawr as snow falls across south Wales

Freezing: A woman and her dog walks along snowy footpaths in Princetown, Devon, after snowfall hit the region overnight for the first time this winter

source: dailymail

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'I'm going to destroy America and dig up Marilyn Monroe': British pair arrested in U.S. on terror charges over Twitter jokes

By RICHARD HARTLEY-PARKINSON

Leigh Van Bryan was due to go to Los Angeles with his friend Emily Banting but was stopped when he arrived in the U.S. over tweets he had sent

Two British tourists were barred from entering America after joking on Twitter that they were going to 'destroy America' and 'dig up Marilyn Monroe'.
Leigh Van Bryan, 26, was handcuffed and kept under armed guard in a cell with Mexican drug dealers for 12 hours after landing in Los Angeles with pal Emily Bunting. The Department of Homeland Security flagged him as a potential threat when he posted an excited tweet to his pals about his forthcoming trip to Hollywood which read: 'Free this week, for quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America'.

Offending tweet: Mr Bryan told security officials that 'destroy' is slang for party in the UK, but that was not enough to convince them

After making their way through passport control at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) last Monday afternoon the pair were detained by armed guards.
Despite telling officials the term 'destroy' was British slang for 'party', they were held on suspicion of planning to 'commit crimes' and had their passports confiscated.

Leigh was also quizzed about another tweet which quoted hit US comedy Family Guy which read: '3 weeks today, we're totally in LA p****** people off on Hollywood Blvd and diggin' Marilyn Monroe up!
Federal agents even searched his suitcase looking for spades and shovels, claiming Emily was planning to act as Leigh's 'look out' while he raided Marilyn's tomb.
Bar manager Leigh, from Coventry, and Emily, 24, from Birmingham, were then quizzed for five hours at LAX before they were handcuffed and put into a van with illegal immigrants and locked up overnight.
They spent 12 hours in separate holding cells before being driven back to the airport where they were put on a plane home via Paris.
Leigh, an Irish national, and Emily arrived at Birmingham Airport last Wednesday afternoon.
Emily said: 'The officials told us we were not allowed in to the country because of Leigh's tweet. They wanted to know what we were going to do.
'They asked why we wanted to destroy America and we tried to explain it meant to get trashed and party.
'I almost burst out laughing when they asked me if I was going to be Leigh's lookout while he dug up Marilyn Monroe.
'I couldn't believe it because it was a quote from the comedy Family Guy which is an American show.

Paperwork handed to Mr Van Bryan confirms that he was questioned by the Department for Homeland Security before entry to the U.S. was denied

'It got even more ridiculous because the officials searched our suitcases and said they were looking for spades and shovels. They did a full body search on me too.
'We just wanted to have a good time on holiday. That was all Leigh meant in his tweet. He would not hurt anyone.'
Leigh posted the tweet on January 16 before the pair flew to LA last Monday.
Leigh said: 'It's just so ridiculous it's almost funny but at the time it was really scary. The Homeland Security agents were treating me like some kind of terrorist.

'I kept saying to them they had got the wrong meaning from my tweet but they just told me "you've really f***** up with that tweet boy".
'When I was in the van I was handcuffed and put in a cage. I had a panic attack but the worse was yet to come.
'When we arrived at the prison I was shoved in a cell on my own but after an hour two huge Mexican men covered in tattoos came in and started asking me who I was.
'They told me they'd been arrested for taking cocaine over the border.
'When the food arrived on the tray they took it all and just left me with a carton of apple juice.'
After 12 hours in custody they returned to the airport where they were handed documents which stated they had been refused entry to the US.
Emily's charge sheet stated: 'It is believed that you are travelling with Leigh-Van Bryan who possibly has the intentions of coming to the United States to commit crimes.'
Leigh's charge sheet, alongside a police mug shot and finger print, added: 'He had posted on his Tweeter website account that he was coming to the United States to dig up the grave of Marilyn Monroe.
'Also on his tweeter account Mr Bryan posted that he was coming to destroy America.'
Leigh and Emily have now been told they must apply for visas from the US Embassy in London before flying to the US again.

source: dailymail

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Boxer Amir Khan introduces his knockout fiancée Faryal at £150,000 engagement party... held at Bolton Wanderers Reebok stadium

By ANDREA MAGRATH

Wife to be: Amir Khan became formally engaged to Faryal Makhdoom at the couple's lavish engagement party last night at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton

Amir Khan has certainly scored a knockout. The boxer had an enormous smile on his face last night, and one look at his stunning fiancée shows why.
Khan, 25, and 20-year-old Faryal Makhdoom revealed their plans to marry earlier this month, and made it official this weekend by exchanging rings in front of 1000 of their nearest and dearest at a lavish engagement party.
The couple celebrated with a lavish £150,000 bash at the Bolton Wanderers' Reebok Stadium.

Family-oriented: The 20-year-old New Yorker flew in with her family for the occasion, and plans to move to Bolton following the wedding

Friends including Ricky Hatton watched as Amir presented his wife-to-be with a £100,000 platinum ring encrusted with three staggering diamonds.
In return, beautiful Faryal gave her beau with an equally bling platinum ring.
After the party Amir tweeted: 'Amazing day, I'm so tired and my fiance faryal looked so beautiful and was very patient, everyone loved it, I love my ring faryal got me x' (sic)

Family-orientated: The 20-year-old New Yorker flew in with her family for the occasion, and plans to move to Bolton following the wedding

Last night the happy couple posed for pictures as they were showered with rose petals after the ceremonial exchanging of rings.
Faryal wore a deep red sari and elaborate jewels to compliment her stunning features.
During a visit to her family in New York earlier this month, Amir gushed over his love: 'A lot of girls back home have said to me, "Your girl is beautiful" - and that's great because people can be so jealous.'
The student and her family jetted into the UK for the engagement celebrations and Faryal plans to move to Bolton following their wedding.

Bling: The boxer presented his fiancée with a £100,000 engagement ring at the bash

But she has had to work on understanding her husband-to-be's thick accent.'I was used to London accents and thought that's how everyone spoke in Britain,' she told the Sun last week.
'But when Amir opened his mouth it was completely different.
'It was like he was speaking in a foreign tongue — so I just used to nod, agree with whatever he was talking about and say, 'Yeah'.
'He'd say things like "daft" and "innit" and I had no idea what they meant. He'd say, "Don't be daft!" - and I'd be wondering what daft was supposed to be!'

Extravagant: The couple celebrated with 1,000 of their nearest and dearest during the £150,000 party

Amir shouldn't expect to see her beloved cheering ringside at any of his future matches. Faryal says she 'never' wants to see her man fight, and while he was losing to Lamont Peterson in December, she was back in the hotel room 'praying with his mother.'

source: dailymail

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And the winners are...Tears of shock and joy as The Help sweeps the boards at the SAG Awards

By MARISSA CHARLES


Tearful: Octavia Spencer wept tears of joy when she won the SAG for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for The Help in Los Angeles on Sunday night

It was ladies’ night at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards when the film The Help swept the boards.
The female ensemble cast walked away with three major awards - for leading actress, best supporting actress and ensemble cast.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Viola Davis picked up her award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her performance in The Help.

Overcome: Viola Davis was overcome with emotion when she accepted her award

The Help: Octavia Spencer, middle, with her co-stars Emma Stone and Viola Davis in the hit movie

The 46-year-old received a standing ovation and her co-stars Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer were in tears. Angelina Jolie and Meryl Streep were also misty-eyed.
Davis accepted her award by paying tribute to veteran actress Cicely Tyson.
The 78-year-old wept as The Help star said: ‘I was eight-years-old when I decided to be an actor and I am just so privileged to be gazing on the beautiful face of the woman who inspired me that beautiful day and that’s Cecilia Tyson.’

Emotions running high: Viola was visibly moved when her name was called out and right, celebrating with Octavia backstage

Davis also paid tribute to The Iron Lady actress Meryl Streep, whom she pipped to the post to win the award.The two shared a screen a few years before in Doubt.
Earlier in the evening Octavia Spencer was overcome with emotion as she won the SAG for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of sassy maid Minny Jackson.
Struggling to lift the statute, she accepted the award, saying: ‘Oh wow I need to work out a little more. That guy’s heavy.’
Spencer’s win comes just weeks after she won the Golden Globe for the same role in the film, which is based on the novel about African-American maids who take a stand during the Civil Rights era.

Silent star: French actor Jean Dujardin beat Brad Pitt and George Clooney to scoop the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in Leading Role

Speechless: Jean Dujardin with his The Artist co-star Bérénice Bejo

She said: ‘I have to say that it was really a privilege to give a voice to so many women who made it possible for me to be standing here tonight…’
Spencer and Davis were back on the stage at the end of the night to accept an award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for bringing the characters from the book to the big screen.
Actors Emma Stone and Jessica Chastain watched as Davis told their peers: ‘We arrived on the set in July 2010 with such [a] heavy load on our shoulder; such great expectations were already there for this book that was so loved.’
She added: ‘The stain of racism and sexism is not just for people of colour or for women. It’s all of our burden. It’s on all of us.’

Old friends: The Help cast mates Viola Davis, Emma Stone and Octavia Spencer introduced their film while Dallas co-stars Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray and Larry Hagman took on presenting duties

French actor swiped the leading actor award from under the noses of Hollywood’s biggest hunks – Brad Pitt and George Clooney.
And, true to his role as a silent star in The Artist, at first Dujardin didn’t know what to say when he took to the podium.
He eventually found the right words and said: ‘I was a very bad student. I didn’t listen in class.
‘I was always dreaming…My teachers called me Jean of the Moon. I realise now that I never stopped dreaming. 'Thank you very much. Thank you for this dream.’

Lifetime Achievement: Veteran comedy actress Mary Tyler Moore was recognised for her work in film and TV

Beloved actress Betty White seemed perplexed when she was announced as the winner for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series.
It’s not the first time the Golden Girl has won a SAG Award for her work in the TV series Hot in Cleveland. She topped the same category last year.
White said: ‘I think they made a terrible mistake.’
She then added that the award also belonged to her co-stars Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick.
But, ever the funny woman, she quickly quipped: ‘I’m not going to let them keep this but I’ll let them see it.’
Alec Baldwin was another previous winner who was crowned king of his category yet again.

Supporting men: Alec Baldwin won for his work on 30 Rock, while Christopher Plummer received his first SAG for The Beginners

The 53-year-old was given the statute for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy series for the sixth year in a row for his work in 30 Rock.
The usually articulate star screamed ‘Oh my God’ several times like an overexcited teen. Baldwin, who plays Jack Donaghy in the hit sitcom, thanked the show’s writers, including co-star Tina Fey. Other winners included Christopher Plummer who was honoured for his best supporting role in the film Beginners.

Funny women: Bridesmaids stars Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Melissa McCarthy got the glitzy crowd playing drinking games

The 82-year-old jokingly said: ‘I just can’t tell you what fun I’ve had being a member of the world’s second oldest profession…’
Speaking of winning a SAG for the first time, The Sound of Music star said: ‘It’s like being lit by the Holy Grail.’
Another first time winner included Jessica Lange who was recognised for her role in the dark TV series American Horror Story.
The Oscar-winner said about the Ryan Murphy show: 'Thank you to FX and to all the crazy, wild, imaginative people who put this thing together.
'It was a real leap of faith to jump into it, but it's been a wild ride.'

TV winners: Jessica Lange won for her role in American Horror Story while Steve Buscemi won for Boardwalk Empire

Golden Girl: Betty White took home the award for her work in Hot in Cleveland for the second year in a row

Other winners included Steve Buscemi for his performance in the period drama Boardwalk Empire.
The HBO show also won for best ensemble cast in a drama series, while the Modern Family actors won for their hit comedy.
Glenn Close accepted Kate Winslet’s SAG for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Mini Series.
The British star – who wasn’t at the ceremony - won for the remake of the classic film, Mildred Pierce.

Child's play: The young stars of Modern Family accepted the cast award for comedy series

Modern Family: Sofia Vegara and Rico Rodriguez beam with pride as they clutch their SAG Awards

Boardwalk Empire: The case of the HBO series won the SAG for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

Mary Tyler Moore was recognised for her work in film and TV with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Her former co-star Dick Van Dyke presented her with the honour.
They may not have been given a SAG but if there was a prize for the best gag it would have gone to the stars of Bridesmaids who encouraged the glitzy audience to join them in a drinking game.
Maya Rudolph encouraged everyone watching to have a drink every time the name Martin Scorsese was mentioned.


source: dailymail

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Christina Aguilera reveals fake tan streaks on her Dirrty legs at the funeral of Etta James

By J J ANISIOBI

Wet wet wet: Christina Aguilera has fake tan running down her legs as she sings at Etta James' funeral

Christina Aguilera must have been feeling the pressure of performing at the funeral of soul legend Etta James. The Dirrty singer was left red faced after a very unusual malfunction at the star studded farewell at the Bishop Noel Jones City of Refuge in Gardena, California. It wasn't just the 31-year-old's eyes that were running as she sang. The Voice judge seemingly over did it with the fake tan and the result was unpleasant streaks down her leg.


Running: The singer was dripping

As the blonde bombshell belted out a rendition of Etta's most popular song, At Last, lines of fake tan could be seen streaked down the inside of her thigh, across her shin. It appeared Miss Aguilera was aware that something was awry as she attempted to subtly wipe her legs with the sleeve of her jacket just before she began to sing.
Despite the mishap, Genie In A Bottle singer gave a heartfelt performance at the funeral.

She wore an all black ensemble that comprised of a skirt and a blazer but showed a little bit too much cleavage for such a sombre occasion.
With her trademark curves covered up, the tanned diva was moved by her own performance and admitted before the funeral that James was one of her idols.
Christina said via Twitter: 'One of the greatest moments of my life...Singing with my idol, the legendary Etta James. You will be forever missed.'

Heartfelt: Christina gave an emotional performance at the Bishop Noel Jones City of Refuge in Gardena, California

She added an old black and white photograph of herself performing with the recently deceased songbird. Music legend Stevie Wonder also performed three songs and gave a harmonica solo. The Reverend Al Sharpton , who met Etta when he was an up-and-coming preacher, delivered the heartfelt eulogy.

Her idol: Aguilera sang At Last and became very emotional during her performance

Sharpton described Etta as a trailblazer who helped break down the 'colour curtain in America.' He went on to say she used music to 'bridge a world that was separate,' referring to America's turbulent racial divisions during the civil rights era.
He said: 'She was able to get us on the same rhythms and humming the same ballads and understanding each others' melodies way before we could even use the same hotels.'

Paying respect: Stevie Wonder and backing singers gave tribute to Etta

The legend: Stevie Wonder performed three songs and gave a harmonica solo

James died on January 20 at the age of 73 after a long battle with leukemia and complications from dementia.
Hundreds of her friends, fans and family came out to honour her at the Inglewood Cemetery Mortuary.
Since the singer's death, her album sales have sky rocketed, with fans snapping up her various records.
For the week ending on January 22, James' albums sold a total 30,000 copies, marking a 378 per cent increase over the previous week, when she moved just over 6,000 units.
James won four Grammy Awards, including a lifetime achievement honour and she was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

Old friends: The Reverend Al Sharpton spoke about Etta James



source: dailymail

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