Best Online News 2018online news, video, social media, facebook twitterhttp://newsbuzzin.comNo violent tornadoes reported in US in 2018, first time since 1950

In a year that saw a pair of destructive hurricanes and a massive winter storm, there was one thing that did not touch down in 2018: a single violent tornado.

Tornadoes are rated on a scale from EF-0 to EF-5, with 5 being the strongest with winds of over 200 mph and "incredible," damage, according to to the National Weather Service.

In order to be classified as a "violent tornado," the ranking must be an EF-4 with winds between 166 and 200 mph, or an EF-5.

No violent tornadoes ended up touching down in 2018, which made it the first since modern record-keeping began in 1950 that no violent twisters were reported, according to FOX23.

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The Washington Post noted that it was a quiet year for tornados overall, with below-normal numbers reported during the peak season of March to May due to unfavorable weather conditions.

There were also fewer tornado-related deaths in 2018 than average. Nine tornadoes were responsible for 10 deaths, according to the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center.

Data from the NWS shows on average there are typically 69 tornado deaths in the U.S.

MOST DAMAGING HURRICANES AND STORMS OF 2018

Even though tornados of any intensity can be deadly, those ranked between EF-3 to EF-5 have historically been responsible for most of the deaths in the U.S., the Weather Channel notes.

Two people were killed in November after part of an Amazon distribution warehouse collapsed as a tornado tore through Baltimore.

In July, a newborn was killed and more than 100 structures were destroyed when a tornado tore through a North Dakota city, turning an RV park into a field of twisted metal and debris.

Travis Fedschun is a reporter for FoxNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @travfed

]]>https://newsbuzzin.kesihatanmalaysian.com/no-violent-tornadoes-reported-in-us-in-2018-first-time-since-19505450Adminhttp://a57.foxnews.com60/60/694940094001_5811423387001_5811419793001-vs.jpgNo violent tornadoes reported in US in 2018, first time since 1950Sudanese president orders probe of recent protests
FILE - In this July 9, 2018 file photo, Sudan's President Omar Bashir attends a ceremony for Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey. An umbrella of independent professional unions on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 is calling on people to march on the presidential palace in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, to demand that autocratic President Omar Bashir step down. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici, File)

FILE - In this July 9, 2018 file photo, Sudan's President Omar Bashir attends a ceremony for Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey. An umbrella of independent professional unions on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 is calling on people to march on the presidential palace in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, to demand that autocratic President Omar Bashir step down. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici, File)

CAIRO – Sudan's president has ordered an investigation into "recent events" in the country, a reference to two weeks of violent protests against his 29-year rule, the state news agency reported as Omar al-Bashir seeks to placate popular anger over his autocratic rule and economic policies.

According to the report late Monday, al-Bashir tasked Justice Minister Mohammed Ahmed Salem with leading the probe committee, but gave no details on what exactly it would investigate.

The development follows calls by Western nations, including the United States and Britain, and rights groups for authorities in Sudan to investigate the use of lethal force by security forces against demonstrators. It also follows unconfirmed reports that al-Bashir's political rivals may have engineered an acute shortage of fuel and other basic commodities to whip up anger against the government.

Authorities have said that 19 people died in the protests, while Amnesty International said it has "credible reports" that 37 died in the first five days of protests. Human Rights Watch said Monday that independent groups monitoring the situation in Sudan have put the death toll at 40 since the protests erupted on Dec. 19.

Al-Bashir on Monday sought to defuse the anger sweeping the country, reassuring the Sudanese of better days ahead and pledging more "transparency, effectiveness and justice in all our national institutions" in an address to the nation marking the anniversary of Sudan's independence 63 years ago.

"Our country is going through pressing economic conditions that have hurt a large segment of society," he said. "We appreciate this suffering, feel its impact and we thank our people for their beautiful patience."

Al-Bashir said the 2019 budget would maintain state subsidies on many commodities, raise wages, refrain from introducing new taxes and do more for the poorest. He did not elaborate.

Sudan's economy has stagnated for most of al-Bashir's rule. He has also failed to unite or keep the peace in the religiously and ethnically diverse nation, losing three quarters of Sudan's oil wealth when the mainly animist and Christian south seceded in 2011 following a referendum.

Critics charge that rampant corruption — protesters have been chanting against the "government of thieves" — is eating up a significant part of government funds and engineering shortages of basic items to manipulate prices.

]]>https://newsbuzzin.kesihatanmalaysian.com/sudanese-president-orders-probe-of-recent-protests5451Adminhttp://a57.foxnews.com60/60/ContentBroker_contentid-6a8dcea0940441488556ca064fc9f30f.pngSudanese president orders probe of recent protestsTexas officials have image of pickup involved in attack
Christopher Cevilla, father of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes, speaks during a news conference, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in Houston. Authorities are seeking the public's help in locating a man in a pickup truck who pulled up next to a car that was leaving a Houston-area Walmart parking lot Sunday and started shooting, killing Barnes inside the car and wounding the girl's mother. (Nicole Hensley/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Christopher Cevilla, father of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes, speaks during a news conference, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in Houston. Authorities are seeking the public's help in locating a man in a pickup truck who pulled up next to a car that was leaving a Houston-area Walmart parking lot Sunday and started shooting, killing Barnes inside the car and wounding the girl's mother. (Nicole Hensley/Houston Chronicle via AP)

HOUSTON – Investigators in Houston said Monday that they have a surveillance video image of a pickup truck from which a driver fired several shots into a car carrying a family, killing a 7-year-old girl and wounding the child's mother.

The image of the red, four-door pickup was captured shortly before the shooting occurred Sunday morning, Harris County sheriff's Lt. Christopher Sandoval told reporters.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez declined to speculate on what prompted the driver of the pickup to pull alongside and fire into the car carrying Jazmine Barnes, three of her sisters and her mother.

Jazmine died at the scene, her mother suffered a gunshot wound to the arm and her 6-year-old sister was injured by shattered glass. The mother, 30-year-old LaPorsha Washington, remained in a hospital Monday.

Gonzalez described the shooting as "totally unprovoked."

"The family should be celebrating and spending time together anticipating the new year and instead they're making plans to bury this innocent, precious child," Gonzalez said.

A distraught Washington told KTRK-TV from her hospital bed that the gunman sped up after firing into her car, only to pull in front and slow down before firing again.

"He intentionally killed my child for no reason," she said. "He didn't even know her, he didn't know who she was."

Authorities initially said the shooting occurred as Washington was leaving a Walmart parking lot, but Gonzalez on Monday said it occurred on a nearby service road as the family was heading to a store.

The gunman was described as a bearded man in his 40s wearing a red hoodie.

"I hope with each passing moment his conscience is eating away at him," Gonzalez said, later adding, "Do the right thing and turn yourself in. There's no need for anyone else to be harmed."

Jazmine's father, Christopher Cevilla, who appeared with Gonzalez at Monday's news briefing, pleaded with the public to provide relevant tips to authorities so that an arrest can be made.

"My daughter was 7 years old, loving, caring, very passionate with people, very sweet, just an innocent young girl," Cevilla said. "Very smart in school. There's just a lot of things that's being robbed of me and my family at this moment that we will never be able to get back."

]]>https://newsbuzzin.kesihatanmalaysian.com/texas-officials-have-image-of-pickup-involved-in-attack5452Adminhttp://a57.foxnews.com60/60/ContentBroker_contentid-310801b6fb9245e08779f6e1fd6950b4.pngTexas officials have image of pickup involved in attackMexican president proposes ‘free zone’ to attract investment, reduce migration to USIn a bid to reduce migration to the U.S. and attract investment, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has proposed the creation of economic “free zones” along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Tax Incentive Decree for the Northern Border Region, which Lopez Obrador announced Saturday, would create a free zone that would stretch from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Coast and be more than 15 miles wide, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Inside the zone, income taxes would be reduced by a third and Value Added Taxes on imported goods would be slashed in half, the minimum wage would increase 100 percent, and fuel prices would equal U.S. prices, the report said.

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“It’s going to be the biggest free zone in the world,” Lopez Obrador said. “It is very important to project for winning investment, creating jobs and taking advantage of the economic strength of the United States.”

Lopez Obrador, a self-styled left-wing populist, took office Dec. 1 with the promise to help the country's poor, noting that the nation's minimum wage had lost 70 percent of its purchasing power in recent decades after devaluations and economic crises.

MEXICO DOUBLES MINIMUM WAGE IN NORTHERN BORDER ZONES

Proponents of the president's "free zone" plan believe it would reduce the incentive for Mexicans to migrate to the U.S. and increase competition among local businesses.

But others fear that Mexican companies, attracted by low taxes, might move to the free zone and create an overall loss of tax revenue for the country as a whole.

“If a lot of companies relocated to the border, then the Mexican government loses a fortune,” said Duncan Wood, director of the Mexico Institute at the Washington, D.C.-based Wilson Center.

"I think it’s going to take a long time to see a real economic impact."

— Najla Wehbe Dipp

Najla Wehbe Dipp, a former Tijuana city councilmember cited in the report, said doubling the minimum wage is a double-edged sword.

Raising minimum wage helps workers “in sectors like agriculture because that’s where people get paid the least,” but on the other hand, “it means that business owners won’t be able to afford (to hire) as many employees,” Wehbe Dipp said.

Still, the effects of Lopez Obrador’s new plan will not be realized until at least another year.

“I think it’s going to take a long time to see a real economic impact,” Wehbe Dipp said.

]]>https://newsbuzzin.kesihatanmalaysian.com/mexican-president-proposes-free-zone-to-attract-investment-reduce-migration-to-us5453Adminhttp://a57.foxnews.com60/60/highlight_programa_economia_frontera_norte_291218_02.jpgMexican president proposes ‘free zone’ to attract investment, reduce migration to USAfghan special forces fight IS; Taliban kill 15 policemenKABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan special forces launched a new offensive against the Islamic State group in eastern Nangarhar province, killing 27 militants, officials said Tuesday. Meanwhile, Taliban attacks in northern Afghanistan killed 15 members of the country's security forces.

According to provincial council member Ajmal Omar, the special forces, backed by helicopter gunships, targeted IS in Achin district of Nangarhar on Monday. The province has been an IS stronghold and the site where the militant group's regional branch first emerged a few years ago.

The militants' media arm, the Aamaq news agency, claimed IS repulsed a joint Afghan-U.S. operation in the area.

Omar, who could not confirm whether U.S. troops took part in the operation, said two local IS leaders, Sediq Yar and Syed Omar, were among those killed. The remoteness of the area makes it impossible to independently investigate conflicting reports.

In the north, the Taliban launched two blistering attacks on police outposts in Sar-e-Pul province on Monday night, killing 15 policemen and wounding 21, the latest in near-daily assaults by the insurgents against Afghanistan's beleaguered security forces.

Fierce gunbattles raged for several hours in Sayyad district and outside Sar-e-Pul, the provincial capital. In the attack on the outskirts of the city, heavy artillery fire by Afghan forces trying to repel the Taliban sent local residents fleeing for safety, said provincial council chief Mohammad Noor Rahmani.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousof Ahmadi claimed responsibility for both attacks in Sar-e-Pul province.

The Taliban have been carrying out near-daily attacks targeting Afghan forces despite stepped-up efforts by the United States to find a negotiated end to the country's 17-year war.

The size and strength of the IS affiliate in Afghanistan, which emerged in 2013, is estimated at anywhere between several hundred and several thousand fighters. The group comprises mostly of disgruntled Taliban fighters and Uzbek militants of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, as well as Pakistani militants who were driven out of Pakistan's tribal region along the border with Afghanistan.

The relentless violence and deteriorating security battering Afghanistan comes as President Donald Trump is expected to order the withdrawal in the summer of 7,000 U.S. soldiers.

There are currently about 14,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, mostly carrying out training and assisting the Afghan forces who took over the defense of their country in 2014. There are also 7,100 soldiers from other NATO and partnering countries still stationed in Afghanistan.

___

Associated Press writers Maamoun Youssef in Cairo and Kathy Gannon in Islamabad contributed to this report.

]]>https://newsbuzzin.kesihatanmalaysian.com/afghan-special-forces-fight-is-taliban-kill-15-policemen5454AdminAfghan special forces fight IS; Taliban kill 15 policemenFamily allegedly slain by mom’s boyfriend was overcoming her husband’s cancer death in 2017: report
Richard Emery, 46, is charged in connection with the deaths of his girlfriend, two children and her mother, authorities say.

Richard Emery, 46, is charged in connection with the deaths of his girlfriend, two children and her mother, authorities say.

Kate Kasten, a 39-year-old mother of two, had moved to St. Charles, Mo., about a year ago, a few months after losing her husband to a long battle with cancer.

The move had represented a new start for the family, which included daughter Zoe, 8; son Jon, 10, and her divorced mother, Jane Moeckel, 61, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

But on Friday that new start came to a shocking, tragic and violent end when Kasten’s boyfriend, identified as Richard Darren Emery, 46, killed the family members inside their home, authorities said.

Emery later exchanged gunfire with police, and stabbed a woman multiple times while trying to steal her car, authorities added. He was eventually found bleeding from gunshot wounds inside the restroom of a convenience store after leading police on a seven-hour manhunt, according to reports.

On Monday, Emery appeared in court, FOX 2 of St. Louis reported. He is due to return before the judge Jan. 8.

Suspect Richard Emery and victim Kate Kasten are seen in a photo posted online. (Facebook)

Suspect Richard Emery and victim Kate Kasten are seen in a photo posted online. (Facebook)

He could get the death penalty if convicted in the case. He faces 15 felony counts, including for murder, armed criminal action and assault, FOX 2 reported.

Moeckel had called 911 during the attack, and police could hear the sound of gunfire in the background, St. Charles police Lt. Tom Wilkison said.

“It was a gruesome, gruesome scene,” St. Charles County Prosecutor Tim Lohmar said at a news conference Saturday, describing the discovery of the bodies by police.

On Sunday night, St. Charles residents gathered for a vigil in memory of the victims.

“This family did not deserve this,” one vigil attendee told FOX 2. “They will be missed by so many people. My heart is broken, and I loved them all so much.”

Moeckel’s ex-husband told the Post-Dispatch that he had recently had dinner with the family, and saw no signs of possible trouble to come.

“There was never an indication that something like this could happen,” Moeckel said. “The kids loved him. The big question is what the heck happened?”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

]]>https://newsbuzzin.kesihatanmalaysian.com/family-allegedly-slain-by-moms-boyfriend-was-overcoming-her-husbands-cancer-death-in-2017-report5455Adminhttp://a57.foxnews.com60/60/f1f3709b-em99.jpgFamily allegedly slain by mom’s boyfriend was overcoming her husband’s cancer death in 2017: reportGet a better night's sleep with these expert tips
Wake up well rested and feeling great with these expert sleep tips.

Wake up well rested and feeling great with these expert sleep tips. (iStock)

While most people are probably lacking sleep today from staying up late to ring in the New Year, others often spend the remaining 364 days overly tired, as well.

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third of Americans aren’t just tired, but actually sleep deprived, getting less than the recommended amount each night. And while you might think sleep is a luxury, not getting enough can actually cause serious health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity and depression.

It’s true what they say about needing to get your beauty rest. A lack of hours logged in bed can actually wreak havoc on your appearance, as well. “During restorative sleep our blood pressure drops and breathing slows allowing blood to flow to our muscles, repairing tissue,” Jules Miller of The Nue Co., a line of food-based supplements, told Violet Grey.

KELLOGG'S CHANGING GENDER-BIASED CEREAL PACKAGING AFTER 8-YEAR-OLD GIRL STARTS PETITION: 'WHY CAN’T GIRLS BE ON THE BACK?'

“A bad night’s sleep can also cause an increase in cortisol, the stress hormone, which, at continually high levels, can cause inflammation in the body. Long term, cortisol can have a huge impact on your skin, causing breakouts, poor texture and fine lines through a decrease in collagen,” Miller said.

The CDC recommends adults 18 and over get an average of seven to nine hours of sleep a night, however everyone’s needs are different and this number can vary.

“It’s best to establish good habits and prioritize sleep, then keep track of your sleep for a few weeks and see what your body needs,” Janet Kennedy, PhD, clinical psychologist and founder of NYC Sleep Doctor, told Violet Grey.

“If you have a consistent sleep schedule and are feeling reasonably well-rested most of the time without resorting to tons of caffeine, long naps, or other artificial means of staying awake or falling asleep, you’re probably getting enough sleep for your body’s needs.”

The quality of sleep also plays a critical role in your overall health. Signs you might not be getting a good night’s rest include still feeling tired after sleeping for a long enough period of time, repeatedly waking up throughout the night, or experiencing symptoms such as snoring or gasping for air, which could be a sign of a sleep disorder.

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To make sure you wake up feeling well-rested, it’s important to adopt good sleep habits. Zack Holland, designer and co-founder of Cloudten luxury all-natural bedding, recommends having a consistent nighttime routine. He’s also a fan of the "10, 3, 2, 1 Rule," which advises that 10 hours before bed you should avoid caffeine; three hours, stay away from food and alcohol; two hours, abstain from work; and one hour, turn off your screens.

Your environment is also a crucial element in determining what kind of sleep you get. It’s important to create a calming space that’s relaxing, comfortable and promotes rest. From luxury bedding to calming smells and natural supplements, these items can all help create the perfect space for you to get the maximum amount of Zzzs.

A year-round down comforter

Brooklinen Down Comforter, $349; at Brooklinen

Crisp, cool sheets

Parachute Home Percale Sheet Set, $109-$149; at Parachute Home

Beauty sleep-friendly silk pillowcase

The Hollywood Silk Solution Silk Pillowcase, $45; at The Hollywood Silk Solution

Stylish essential oil diffuser

Vitruvi Stone DIffuser, $119; at Violet Grey

Relaxing pillow spray

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, $29; at This Works

Sleep-supporting supplement

Olly Restful Sleep, $13.99; at Olly

Blue light-blocking glasses

Felix Gray Unisex Frames, starting at $95; at Felix Gray

Black-out eye mask

Slip Silk Sleep Mask, $50; at Slip Silk Pillowcase

Calming candle and sleep balm

Scentered Sleep Well Therapy Balm, $24, and Sleep Well Home Therapy Candle, $52; at Scentered

Michelle Gant is a writer and editor for Fox News Lifestyle.

]]>https://newsbuzzin.kesihatanmalaysian.com/get-a-better-nights-sleep-with-these-expert-tips5456Adminhttp://a57.foxnews.com60/60/sleep.jpgGet a better night's sleep with these expert tipsThe carpet at Nashville International Airport is having a moment on Instagram
The earth-toned carpets at Nashville's airport have earned a lot of fans.<br> ​

The earth-toned carpets at Nashville's airport have earned a lot of fans.<br> ​ (iStock)

Much like Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski and his beloved rug, travelers passing through Nashville’s airport can’t seem to stop fawning over the floor coverings.

The carpeting at Nashville International Airport (BNA) is enjoying a moment on social media, thanks largely to an Instagram account compiling travelers’ photos of the brownish, swirl-filled and geometric-designed rugs.

“I noticed that everyone I know took photos of the carpet anyway while traveling, so why not give them something to tag?” said the anonymous Instagrammer behind BNA Carpet in an interview with Travel and Leisure.

DAD'S INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT ABOUT HOTEL CARPETS GOES VIRAL

“Airports have a great way to bring people of every background together, and the carpet at BNA has an unmistakable pattern and color scheme unlike any other airport in the country.”

BNA Carpet’s Instagram account currently boasts more than 7,500 followers, with the creator claiming he/she has gotten submissions from folks including country singers, Playboy bunnies and professional cheerleaders.

Unfortunately for fans, BNA will be undergoing a renovation in coming years, and will likely be replacing the carpets, which were first installed in 2010.

OPRAH INTERNATIONAL? POLITICIAN PUSHES NAME CHANGE FOR NASHVILLE AIRPORT

A representative for the airport, however, has confirmed to Fox News that the old carpets are earmarked for “something special,” though they could not say what just yet.

“We are currently in the midst of a $1.2 billion expansion project, which is set to be complete in 2023,” a spokesperson for the airport said in an emailed statement to Fox News.

“The current carpet will be phased out, starting with the opening of our new concourse (Concourse D) in the summer of 2020. The carpet will be replaced with terrazzo and new carpet with a new design. By 2023, the entire airport will be updated to reflect the new look.

“We do plan to do something special when the old carpet is removed, but we don't know what just yet.”

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And if BNA’s future carpets prove to be unpopular on Instagram, though, there’s always Portland’s airport carpet, which currently has a following of more than 21,000 on Instagram.

]]>https://newsbuzzin.kesihatanmalaysian.com/the-carpet-at-nashville-international-airport-is-having-a-moment-on-instagram5457Adminhttp://a57.foxnews.com60/60/NashvilleInternationalAirportiStock.jpgThe carpet at Nashville International Airport is having a moment on InstagramJackie Gleason 'embraced' lasting success on 'The Honeymooners,' never regretted playing Ralph Kramden
Cast of the television series "The Honeymooners": Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows and Joyce Randolph.

Cast of the television series "The Honeymooners": Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows and Joyce Randolph. (Getty)

At age 10, Craig Horwich had a big mouth loaded with questions for his future stepfather, Jackie Gleason.

The celebrated comedian, one of the top stars of Hollywood during the ‘50s and ‘60s, is still remembered today as roly-poly bus driver Ralph Kramden of “The Honeymooners,” a sitcom he created based on one of his comic sketches. Gleason passed away in 1987 at age 71 from cancer.

Horwich, now 55, runs Jackie Gleason Enterprises, which still licenses the actor’s shows and specials. With the help of Horwich, Time-Life recently released a DVD collection of “The Jackie Gleason Show,” which also features unreleased episodes in full color.

Horwich told Fox News he still vividly remembers meeting the TV icon for the first time.

(Courtesy of Jackie Gleason Enterprises)

“I was unaware of the magnitude of his fame,” said Horwich. “He was an incredible man. I had questionitis. I remember him saying that to me. I had questionitis. He answered a trove of questions that came out in rapid fire from this young boy’s mind.

"He lived in this beautiful, big home. He would be driven around in a limo… He was always well dressed. Always at the head of the table and in charge. I found him very intriguing.”

Gleason first met Horwich’s mother, Marilyn Taylor of the June Taylor Dancers, in the late 1940s while they were working the east coast nightclubs. The troupe was ultimately featured in Gleason’s variety programs. A romance soon blossomed.

“By 1952, that’s when Jackie and my mom began a relationship,” said Horwich. “But my mom would not go out with Jackie until he got a separation. He was married, but separated… The relationship ran its course. Jackie was unable to be granted a divorce. He was very Catholic as his wife was. So the relationship really had a shelf life. So they went their own ways.”

Jackie Gleason and his wife Marilyn on their wedding day.

Jackie Gleason and his wife Marilyn on their wedding day. (Courtesy of Jackie Gleason Enterprises)

Gleason was then married to dancer Genevieve Halford, with whom he had two daughters. They eventually divorced in 1970 and Gleason went on to marry former secretary Beverly McKittrick from 1970. That union lasted until 1974.

Meanwhile, Taylor had moved north.

“After they went their own ways, my mom moved to Chicago and met my father,” said Horwich. “I was then born. And then in the early ‘70s, my father passed away in Chicago. So my mom and I moved to Florida so she could be with her family.”

Then fate came knocking. It turned out Gleason happened to be in Florida when Taylor came to town.

“When he found out my mom was now widowed and living in South Florida… He wooed and reunited with her,” he said. “They married and quite literally lived happily ever after.”

(Courtesy of Jackie Gleason Enterprises)

Horwich, who was 12 when the couple tied the knot, witnessed a new side to the TV star.

“The majority of his time at home was spent quietly,” he said. “He was a prolific reader. Constantly reading. There was a store called Bookland… Every week or two the owners would come by and drop off a box of books. Jackie just consumed books. He read everything but he was most intrigued with non-fiction. He felt that his life as an actor, as a performer, was all fiction.

“He also listened to the radio. He had a room upstairs that we called the radio room. There were dozens of radios. He listened to airplanes flying over at the airport, long distance radio operators from around the world. He had the passion and curiosity of a child with the experiences of an adult.”

Gleason, who grew up in working-class Brooklyn, N.Y., was happily enjoying the wealth and fame he achieved entertaining America with what Horwich described as his “God-given talent.” And Horwich insisted Gleason never grew tired for being recognized as Kramden.

(Courtesy of Jackie Gleason Enterprises)

“He embraced it and was very proud of it all,” boasted Horwich.

“The Honeymooners,” which explored the hilarious antics of a city bus driver (Gleason) and his sewer worker friend (Art Carney) as they struggled to strike it rich, aired from 1955 until 1956.

Kramden was originally one of a dozen characters Gleason played on his variety show “The Jackie Gleason Show,” which was broadcast live from what is now the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City, the current home of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” That hourlong variety show aired from 1952 until 1957.

Horwich revealed Gleason never rehearsed to bring Kramden to life.

(Courtesy of Jackie Gleason Enterprises)

“He had a photographic memory,” he explained. “He could watch somebody do a dance and on his first try recreate the dance. It was a gift and he knew it… He believed rehearsals can take the edge off of a performance.

"There’s just nothing like that first performance. He didn’t enjoy rehearsing so he didn’t do it. That’s why Art Carney and Audrey Meadows (Alice Kramden) were deserving of all accolades. And Jackie at every point in his career always acknowledged their talents.”

While Gleason was a gentle giant, he had high standards when it came to performers who would join him on stage. Horwich confirmed Meadows was originally rejected for the role of Kramden’s wife because she was too glamorous.

Actress Audrey Meadows.

Actress Audrey Meadows. (Getty)

“Jackie’s vision of ‘The Honeymooners’ was to be very authentic, very blue collar without the luster that we see on television,” he explained. “Audrey, who was a beautiful woman, originally auditioned but was told she was too attractive.

“But she had an agent who said, ‘I got an idea. Let’s dress you down, take the makeup off and take an early morning shoot.’ They took photos of her without makeup and lighting. When Jackie saw it, he said, ‘There’s Alice.’ Her beauty almost got in the way, but she proved she was perfect."

Despite “The Honeymooners” becoming a massive success, it ended after one season.

“He signed a contract for two years,” said Horwich. “But Jackie realized that after one year… that if you were to do any more, it would just be a variation of those same storylines. He said, ‘I can’t do this again, the audience will tire of it.’ That was it was just one year and 39 episodes. Those were the ones that were put in syndication from the ‘50s to today.”

(Courtesy of Jackie Gleason Enterprises)

Gleason stayed busy successfully pursuing film, television and even music. His last credited role was 1986’s “Nothing in Common.”

Horwich said that when it came to Gleason’s outlook on life during his later years, he followed one motto — Just play the melody.

(Courtesy of Jackie Gleason Enterprises)

“Be true to yourself and everything will fall into place,” explained Horwich. “He had a very impoverished childhood in Brooklyn… He learned as a young adult that there was a lot more out there… He was able to provide through hard work an affluent life that he was very proud of. He was able to enjoy the rewards of his labor.”

This article originally ran in September 2018. 

]]>https://newsbuzzin.kesihatanmalaysian.com/jackie-gleason-embraced-lasting-success-on-the-honeymooners-never-regretted-playing-ralph-kramden5458Adminhttp://a57.foxnews.com60/60/Getty_Honeymooners.jpgJackie Gleason 'embraced' lasting success on 'The Honeymooners,' never regretted playing Ralph KramdenNew year, new hopes -- what Ronald Reagan taught me about pursuing your dreams
The author meets former President Ronald Reagan, 1997, Los Angeles, Calif.

The author meets former President Ronald Reagan, 1997, Los Angeles, Calif.

President Ronald Reagan has been dead for nearly 15 years. Today’s youth see him as many of us similarly saw Franklin Roosevelt or John F. Kennedy – men who evolved into monuments, their static images staring back at us across time and space.

Historians and pundits still debate the significance and success of Reagan’s presidency. But as the curtain falls on 2018, I’m reminded of what an unlikely meeting with him taught me about setting goals and pursuing dreams at the start of a new year.

I was in the third grade at St. Christopher’s School on Long Island when Reagan was inaugurated. On that cold January day in 1981, our teacher, Mrs. Campbell, rolled the black and white television set into our classroom.

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We watched as the actor-turned-politician took the presidential oath at the same time that 52 American hostages were being released from 444 days of captivity in Iran.

Growing up, I idolized President Reagan. To me, he was (and still is) the gold standard of the presidency – ideologically strong and conservatively resolute, and also a gracious gentleman of good manners and high ideals.

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I used to dream of meeting and interviewing President Reagan one day. But why would the world’s most powerful man be willing to see me? It was a far-fetched fantasy.

Just after I graduated from college in 1994, President Reagan penned his heartbreaking Alzheimer’s announcement. Because of the disease, he said he would be withdrawing from public view. “I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life,” he poignantly wrote.

Given the seeming finality of such a statement, I was surprised to receive a letter from my mother one day in November 1997 that contained a newspaper article mentioning that Reagan still met, on occasion, with ordinary Americans.

At the time, I was in graduate school and very unsure about my future. I had been a budding writer and the kid with the radio dream of hosting my own interview show. Although I had worked at both a radio station and a newspaper, I had yet to seriously pursue anything with gusto.

In retrospect, I was insecure and unsure of myself. I daydreamed but didn’t do much to make the dreams a reality.

In fact, I remember getting a lump in my throat while watching the movie “Rudy,” the true story of Rudy Ruettiger, an undersized kid from Illinois who dreamed about playing football for the University of Notre Dame.

“The problem with dreamers,” Rudy’s high school teacher once scolded him, “is they aren’t doers.”

That type of cold but candid criticism hit close to home. Reading the article about President Reagan, I made up my mind to fulfill a lifelong dream and request a meeting.

“Be bold,” the Canadian clergyman Basil King once wrote, “and mighty forces will come to your aid.”

I received a call from President Reagan’s office just two weeks later. “When would you like to come and visit and meet with the great man?” the person on the line asked.

Arriving at his 34th floor office atop the Century City Office Tower in Los Angeles, his assistant prepared me for the meeting. “Let him lead,” she said. “He has good days and bad days.”

Fortunately, the day of my visit was a good one. President Reagan greeted me warmly and we exchanged pleasantries. He asked me about my school and work and how I liked California.

The former president then told a humorous story about an interaction with a young boy in the park across the street. Throwing back his shoulders, he laughed heartily and – as if I were an old friend – slapped me on the back.

It was a surreal 15 minutes. Here I was, an ordinary 25-year-old American citizen, talking with a man who helped change the world. But it only happened because I had the audacity to ask for a meeting in the first place.

There’s a no-nonsense biblical exhortation that we “have not” because “we ask not.” In asking, our motives must be good and our desire should be to serve others rather than ourselves.

What are your dreams for the coming year? What is your great desire? Is there some audacious, unlikely goal you’ve wanted to pursue – but hesitate to go after out of fear?

Ronald Reagan’s legacy grows larger with the passage of time. My mother, who led me to write the letter seeking to meet the former president, has been gone for years.

But as the new year approaches and hope springs eternal – as it does each January – the memory of that fateful meeting is a reminder that we all need to take a chance in 2019.

What did I learn from asking to meet with President Reagan? I learned to ask the question. Chase the dream. Sow the seed and run the risk of rejection.

In the words of the late William Borden, the millionaire-turned-missionary who gave away his fortune in order share his faith – only to die before his work even began – may you be able to say by this time next year say “no reserves, no retreat, no regrets.”

]]>https://newsbuzzin.kesihatanmalaysian.com/new-year-new-hopes-what-ronald-reagan-taught-me-about-pursuing-your-dreams5459Adminhttp://a57.foxnews.com60/60/Batura-Reagan-meeting.jpgNew year, new hopes -- what Ronald Reagan taught me about pursuing your dreamsIndonesia earthquake and tsunami: In search of loved onesPeople are continuing to comb beaches and rubble for family lost in the devastating tsunami that hit Palu, Indonesia, four days ago.

A lack of heavy lifting equipment is hampering rescuers' attempts to reach people who remain alive in the ruins of collapsed buildings.

Dozens of people are feared to be underneath the rubble of one hotel alone, the Roa-Roa, in the devastated coastal resort.

]]>https://newsbuzzin.kesihatanmalaysian.com/indonesia-earthquake-and-tsunami-in-search-of-loved-ones4857Adminhttp://c.files.bbci.co.uk/42A8/production/_103646071_p06mn1wf.jpgIndonesia earthquake and tsunami: In search of loved onesMacedonia referendum: PM vows to go ahead with name changeMacedonia referendum: PM vows to go ahead with name change
  • 1 October 2018
Voters in Skopje hold banners reading "Yes for European Macedonia"Image copyright EPA
Image caption These young voters backed a Yes vote, holding up placards for a "European Macedonia"

Macedonia's Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has vowed to push ahead with plans to change the country's name to North Macedonia.

More than 90% backed the name change in a non-binding referendum on Sunday, but only a third of Macedonians took part, rendering it invalid.

The name change is aimed at ending a dispute with Greece, which has its own region called Macedonia.

To ratify the result, Mr Zaev needs the support of two-thirds of MPs.

What happens now?

Mr Zaev has threatened to call early elections if MPs do not support the proposal. He and his coalition partners will need at least a dozen opposition MPs to back the move.

"More than 90% of the total votes are 'Yes', so now it is parliament's turn to confirm the will of the majority," Mr Zaev told Agence France-Presse.

"I am determined to take Macedonia into the EU and Nato. It is time to support European Macedonia."

But opposition leaders claim the proposal to change the name failed. The leader of the main conservative opposition party, Hristijan Mickoski, told reporters the referendum was "deeply unsuccessful", and the government had "lost its legitimacy".

The Greek parliament must also give its approval for the change to go ahead, under a deal signed by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Mr Zaev in June.

What has the reaction been?

Athens had agreed to end its objections to Macedonia's EU and Nato membership bids if the change was passed.

Image copyright EPA
Image caption Opponents of the name change protest in Skopje

Mr Tsipras praised the "determination and courage" of Mr Zaev to "complete the implementation of this agreement", a government source said.

The European Union has called for all sides to respect the result. The EU's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said politicians must act "beyond party political lines".

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Twitter that the name change represented a "historic opportunity", adding: "Nato's door is open."