Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo takes charge of his baby son... and girlfriend Irina Shayk gets a cuddle too

By SARAH BULL


Like father, like son: Cristiano Ronaldo has been pictured for the first time out with his son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr


Cristiano Ronaldo has been pictured for the first time with his baby son Cristiano on a day out in Portugal over the weekend.

And, in the first shots of 10-month-old Cristiano, the resemblance between the father and son is uncanny.

With a head of downy black hair and olive skin, little Cristiano looked adorable as he was carried by his proud father.

The baby also appeared to have taken after his father in terms of his love of designer fashion, as he was wearing a Burberry checked shirt, denim jacket and matching Burberry baseball cap - which he wore backwards to make it more trendy.


Cute: The 10-month-old baby was the spitting image of his football superstar father, in his Burberry shirt and matching denim baseball cap, which he wore backwards


Also on the outing was Ronaldo's girlfriend Irina Shayk, who looked chic in a tight pair of grey trousers, black vest top and white blazer jacket.

And it seems Russian model Irina has adapted well to the family style of life, as she was seen cuddling up to her boyfriend's super-cute son in the back of the car.

Irina has remained loyal to Ronaldo despite the revelation last year that he had become a father. The baby was allegedly born to a 20-year-old British student following a fling with the star after they met in a London club.


Chic: Ronaldo's girlfriend Irina Shayk joined the football on the day out in Portugal, and looked stylish in a pair of tight grey trousers teamed with a black vest top and white blazer jacket


My turn for a cuddle: Irina keeps a tight grip of Cristiano as they head home, with Ronaldo keeping a protective eye over the pair


The Portuguese star stunned the world when he announced out of the blue last July that he had become a father.

The winger said from the start that the child would be under his 'exclusive guardianship'. But his mother Dolores is helping to raise the child.

After announcing the birth on Facebook, Ronaldo wrote: 'It is with great joy and emotion that I inform I have recently become father to a baby boy.


Cuddling up: Irina and Ronaldo were seen enjoying a romantic day out in Portugal over the weekend


'As agreed with the baby’s mother, who prefers to have her identity kept confidential, my son will be under my exclusive guardianship.'

And while Ronaldo's mother Dolores is essentially raising the baby between Madrid and Portugal due to the football star's career commitments, Ronaldo spoke recently about how his life had been affected by becoming a father.


Taking in the scenery: The pair enjoyed the sights and sounds in Ronaldo's home country


He said recently: 'Of course something like this affects you. It's a different type of responsibility.

'Maybe I feel more comfortable. I'm comfortable when things are going well: my family, the club, my friends, that gives me important support for everything else.

'Of course I change the nappies. It's not the thing I like best in the world, but I do it.'

source: dailymail

So will philandering Giggs' patient wife Stacey forgive him yet again?

By ALISON BOSHOFF


Serene: Stacey with husband Ryan Giggs at the awards last Thursday


The confession, made nearly two weeks ago at their enormous mock-Tudor mansion outside Manchester, must have been painful to make and worse still to hear.

But proudly standing by Ryan Giggs at the Manchester United Player of the Year awards last Thursday, his wife Stacey Cooke appeared serenely untroubled.

Her hair was just so, and her lipstick a perfectly executed slash of vampish red.

You would hardly have known that a bombshell had just been detonated under her pretty nose – that her husband was being accused of having a six-month fling with former Big Brother contestant Imogen Thomas.


Ex marks the spot: Ryan Giggs had an intense romance with TV presenter Dani Behr (left) and dated former PR girl Caroline Stanbury


She was well aware, of course, that all eyes would be on her – and that everyone in the room would know her husband was the Premier League footballer who had taken out an injunction.

It remains to be seen whether she will leave him, taking with her a slice of Giggs’s £25million fortune and their two adorable children.

He swears that the story is not true in many respects.

And the fact is that she is still with him. His Bentley remains unmolested in the garage, and she has not taken the scissors to his collection of Dolce and Gabbana suits.


Ex marks the spot: Ryan Giggs had an intense romance with TV presenter Dani Behr (left) and dated former PR girl Caroline Stanbury


Why? Well, while the rest of us may think of Ryan Giggs in terms of his public image – as a successful footballer who has been impeccably loyal to Manchester United and so on – it seems that his wife might have long suspected that there is another, darker side to him. Indeed the Imogen Thomas brouhaha is by no means the first time that she has had cause to believe her husband has not been faithful.


Celebration: Ryan Giggs with son Zach at Old Trafford after he collected his 12 Premier League winners medal for Manchester United


Ryan Giggs has earned a reputation as a womaniser, so his fling with Imogen Thomas, pictured yesterday, left, will come as no surprise to some. Wife Stacey Cooke, right, even once kicked him out over an alleged fling


‘He’s still very much the social leader, always the life and soul of the party. He just makes sure he does it behind closed doors now.’

Giggs’s agent Harry Swales remains amazed by talk of infidelity, saying: ‘I can’t believe it, he’s such a family man.’


Medal of honour: Ryan Giggs was given an OBE - Officer of the Order of the British Empire - in 2007


The footballer has certainly tried very hard to keep it secret – and he could argue that this has been done to spare his family pain. His children are still young – Liberty is eight and Zach just four.

While there might be a melancholy atmosphere behind doors at their mansion in Worsley, which features a glass tower and an indoor pool, complete with a Welsh Dragon design on the tiles, perhaps it’s not the end for Ryan and Stacey.

One associate of the couple said last night: ‘He still promises that the story is false, and she loves him.’

source: dailymail

The Prince and the President: William greets Obama and Michelle at the Palace as tanned Kate takes to Royal duties like a natural

By JAMES WHITE

Newlyweds: Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, back from their honeymoon, meet with the First couple inside Buckingham Palace


President and First Lady flew to London a day early due to ash cloud fears

Just third state visit by U.S. President to Britain in 100 years

Obama and Cameron vow to support 'Arab Spring' uprising


Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge today welcomed the President of the United States to Buckingham Palace in their first big test as a Royal couple.

Fresh from their Seychelles honeymoon, a well-tanned Duchess of Cambridge performed her Royal duties with aplomb as she spoke to Mr and Mrs Obama in a 10-minute private meeting.

There were smiles all round moments earlier when the Obamas arrived at Buckingham Palace and were met by the Queen and Prince Philip.


Sorry we couldn't make the wedding: The couples chat and no doubt the recent Royal marriage ceremony was a topic of conversation



Friendly: The couples met before President Obama was the subject of a 41-gun salute


They arrived in the Presidential limousine known as The Beast, which pulled into the front of Buckingham Palace just before noon.

After the meeting of the heads of state, the Obamas spent about 10 minutes speaking with Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, before meeting more Royal figures.

Senior members of the Queen's household were introduced to the Obamas in the Bow room.

Among them were the Queen's private secretary Christopher Geidt, her treasurer Sir Alan Reed, master of the household Air Vice Marshall David Walker, and the Lord Chamberlain Earl Peel.

Others who met the president and his wife included Brigadier Archie Miller-Bakewell, Philip's private secretary, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Ford, comptroller of the Lord Chamberlain's Office, and a number of ladies-in-waiting to the Queen including Virginia Ogilvy, Countess of Airlie.


Having a giggle: The Duchess of Cambridge and Michelle Obama enjoy a brief moment of hilarity during their meeting


Meet and greet: The Queen welcomes Barack Obama to Buckingham Palace, watched by his wife Michelle and Prince Philip


Old friends reunited: Two years on from their last meeting, the Obamas and the Queen and Prince Philip look pleased to see one another


The Obamas were then taken to Buckingham Palace Gardens where they faced with a guard of honour, 101 soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, and three officers lined up in two rows. Behind them were the Band, Pipes and Drums of the Scots Guard.

The air was shattered by the noise of booming gunfire as a 41-gun salute was begun by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in nearby Green Park while simultaneously at the Tower of London another was fired by the Honourable Artillery Company.

The guardsmen gave a royal salute and then the American national anthem was played in honour of the US president.


Hold on to your hats! The windy weather plays havoc with the Royal party



Ceremonial welcome: The Obamas are joined by members of the Royal Family to hear the U.S. national anthem


The British National Anthem was not performed as the Queen is in residence at the palace and so it was needed to mark her arrival at the historic building.

Major Rory Shannon, in command of the guard of honour, approached the heads of state and formally stated that the troops were ready for inspection. Mr Obama, with the Duke, then walked down the terrace steps to the waiting soldiers in their bearskins and scarlet tunics.

The major escorted the president along the two lines of guardsmen as Philip followed a pace behind.

The U.S. leader could be seen exchanging words with the senior officer as they passed the troops who, when not performing ceremonial duties, are fighting soldiers.


Guard of honour: Prince Philip accompanies Mr Obama as they inspect soldiers of the Household Cavalry in Buckingham Palace Gardens


Protection: The heavily-armoured Presidential limousine arrives at Buckingham Palace


At the end of the inspection, Mr Obama took his place beside the Queen and watched as the guardsmen marched off before the party headed inside for lunch.

Earlier the President declared the UK-U.S. partnership 'an essential relationship for us and for the world'.

But he began his visit today by making a solemn statement about the loss of life in Joplin, Missouri, where a tornado claimed 116 lives on Sunday night.

The U.S. president flew into Stansted airport ahead of schedule last night to avoid the possibility of disruption to air travel from the ash cloud from an erupting Icelandic volcano.

He had been due to fly from Ireland on board Air Force One this morning to be greeted at the Essex airport by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

But the decision was taken to bring forward the visit after the announcement of cancellations to some UK commercial flights due to the ash billowing from the Grimsvotn volcano - with more disruption expected in the days to come.


Arrival: Crowds strain to take pictures of the Presidential limousine, accompanied by police outriders, as it arrives at Buckingham Palace


Welcoming party: President Obama, left with Prince Charles, and First Lady Michelle, right with the Duchess of Cornwall, leave the U.S. Ambassador's residence Winfield House today



Relaxed: The President enjoys a joke with Prince Charles, left, while Michelle Obama and the Duchess of Cornwall are deep in conversation


The state visit - only the third by a U.S. president to the UK in 100 years - comes at a time of close co-operation between Britain and America on issues ranging from Libya to Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and the Middle East peace process.

This strong partnership was reflected in a joint article written by Mr Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron for The Times, in which they declare: 'Ours is not just a special relationship, it is an essential relationship - for us and for the world.'

After his early arrival, Mr Obama was spending the night in the US ambassador's residence in London, Winfield House in Regent's Park.


Solemn: Barack Obama began his British visit today by making a statement about the appalling loss of life in Joplin, Missouri, where a tornado left at least 116 people dead


Despite the hasty change to their planned schedule, Mr Obama and wife Michelle were still given the formal welcome expected of a state visit.

They were greeted by the Lord in Waiting Viscount Brookeborough, who met them on behalf of the Queen.

Instead of a traditional red carpet they left the plane on special red-carpeted stairs because of windy conditions at the airport.

Later today the Obamas will view the royal picture gallery before a wreath-laying visit to Westminster Abbey and a state banquet in the evening.

The couple will stay as guests of the Queen at Buckingham Palace tonight and tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be devoted to politics, with talks between Mr Obama and Mr Cameron at 10 Downing Street, followed by an address to both Houses of Parliament, in which the president is expected to say that the US has no closer ally in the world than Britain.

In their joint article, Mr Obama and Mr Cameron put the transatlantic partnership at the heart of the drive for global stability and prosperity.


Hello Britain: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle step off Air Force One as they arrive at London Stansted Airport last night


Touchdown: Air Force One arrives at Stansted Airport, London ahead of schedule due to fears volcanic ash would spread over Britain today


'When the United States and Britain stand together, our people and people around the world can become more secure and more prosperous,' they wrote.

'And that is the key to our relationship. Yes, it is founded on a deep emotional connection, by sentiment and ties of people and culture.

'But the reason it thrives, the reason why this is such a natural partnership, is because it advances our common interests and shared values.

'It is a perfect alignment of what we both need and what we both believe. And the reason it remains strong is because it delivers time and again.

'Ours is not just a special relationship, it is an essential relationship - for us and for the world.'

They also promised not to abandon the protesters fighting for democracy in the 'Arab Spring'.


Flying the flag: British and American colours stand along The Mall leading to Buckingham Palace in preparation for the visit


'We will not stand by as their aspirations get crushed in a hail of bombs, bullets and mortar fire,' said the two leaders.

'We are reluctant to use force, but when our interests and values come together, we know we have a responsibility to act...

'We will stand with those who want to bring light into dark, support those who seek freedom in place of repression, aid those laying the building blocks of democracy.'

It comes after Foreign Secretary William Hague and US secretary of state Hillary Clinton sent out a message to Syria's President Bashar Assad to halt his regime's repression of pro-democracy activists.

Speaking to American reporters shortly before Mr Obama's arrival, Mr Cameron said there was 'an incredible alignment of views' between his administration and the White House on key global issues, including the military mission in Libya, the uprisings of the Arab Spring, Afghanistan and Pakistan.



'Smile, honey. We'll be meeting the Queen and that hat cost a lot of money.'


And he paid lavish tribute to Mr Obama's style, saying that as well as being 'courageous' over issues such as Osama bin Laden, he was also 'thoughtful, measured and serious'.

The current closeness of the UK-U.S. relationship was remarked upon at a joint press conference following talks between Mr Hague and Mrs Clinton at the Foreign Office.

Mrs Clinton joked: 'If there were any closer alignment, we would worry about each other.'

The two leaders are expected to drop in on a barbecue being hosted by their wives Michelle and Samantha for families of military personnel involved in joint UK-U.S. missions overseas.

Mr Obama is due to travel on to France on Thursday morning for the G8 summit of leading industrialised nations in Deauville, also being attended by Mr Cameron.


Raw Video: Obamas Visit Buckingham Palace



source: dailymail

Nightmare for air passengers begins as hundreds of flights are cancelled and volcanic ash threatens half-term getaway

By DAVID DERBYSHIRE and RAY MASSEY

On the ground: A car drives towards the erupting Grimsvotn volcano which has sent thousands of tonnes of volcanic ash into the sky


BA, Easyjet, Loganair, KLM and Eastern Airways all cancel flights after Civil Aviation Authority warning

Passengers stranded overnight at Edinburgh airport as chaos starts with 252 flights cancelled

Ash cloud expected over Heathrow at around 1pm

All flights from Heathrow and London City airports to and from Scotland cancelled

President Obama cuts short his stay in Ireland to avoid effects of ash cloud

Aviation sector says it is better prepared than last year

Transport Secretary warns of further disruption in the week ahead



Stranded: Passengers sleep on the floor at Edinburgh Airport after their flights were cancelled late last night


Tens of thousands of families are facing air travel chaos from today – and into the half-term holidays – as a thick cloud of volcanic ash descends over the UK.

The towering plume of Icelandic ash, smoke and steam hit Scotland and Ireland last night, bringing disruption to airlines, leading to the cancellation of 252 flights - and forecasters say the plume is expected to reach Heathrow airport by 1pm bringing further chaos.

British Airways and a host of other airlines last night cancelled all flights between London and Scotland until 2pm today, and the Civil Aviation Authority has said the ash cloud is moving unpredictably and changing by the hour.


Closer to the source: A plane flies past smoke plume from the eruption of the Grimsvotn volcano in Southeast Iceland but flights in Britain are being cancelled


Stationary: Eastern Airways, which has cancelled all flights to an from Scotland, now has its planes standing still at Aberdeen Airport


Shortly after 8am the Met Office said that high level densities of ash were likely to be confined to Scotland and northern England today.

A Met Office spokeswoman went on: 'The weather is uncertain over the next few days. We have a low pressure system moving in tomorrow and there could be some westerly winds.

'However, very small changes in weather patterns can make very large changes in how the ash will move.'

Between 30 and 40 BA flights will be affected from airports including Heathrow, Gatwick and London City to and from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. The airline runs 80 flights a day between these airports.


Pink lightening: The stormy conditions around the Grimsvotn volcano look dramatic but authorities insist that it poses a lesser threat than the last ash cloud


Problems: The departures board at Edinburgh Airport shows the disruption caused by the volcanic ash cloud already


Royal Dutch Airlines KLM cancelled the 16 flights scheduled for this morning to and from Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle.

The airlines said customers on any cancelled flights will be able to claim a full refund or rebook on to alternative flights – and that all other flights will operate as scheduled.

A BA spokesman said: ‘We would urge customers not to travel to the airport if their flight has been cancelled.’

At least 36 flights were cancelled in Scotland last night and today, as airports across Britain were put on stand-by for imminent disruption.

Easy Jet, Aer Lingus, Flybe, KLM, Logan Air and Eastern Airways have all cancelled flights to and from Scotland.

Ryan Air has been ordered by the Irish Aviation Authority to cancel flights to and from Glasgow, Prestwick, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.


Presidential flight: Barack Obama and Air Force One touch down at Stansted Airport last night after he was forced to rearrange his plans because of the ash cloud


'Perhaps it's a little bit too early to be absolutely sure about that, but clearly that's the most important thing - if the ash stops belching out of the volcano then, after a few days, the problem will have cleared, so that's one of the factors.

'The other is the wind speed and direction. At the moment the weather patterns are very volatile which is what is making it quite difficult, unlike last year, to predict where the ash will go.

'The public can be absolutely confident the regulators that airlines are only able to operate when it is safe to do so.'

U.S. President Barack Obama flew from Ireland to London last night – a day early – to ensure the cloud does not delay his state visit.


Haves and have nots: President Obama flew early so he could avoid being stuck in Ireland longer than he wanted, but these stranded passengers at Edinburgh Airport didn't have that luxury




Grey skies: Emergency services vehicles in Kirkjubaearklaustur are covered in a thick layer of the volcanic ash from clouds that are now passing over Britain





How are we going to get home? Tourists leave the Islandia Hotel yesterday in Nupur as ash continue to pour out of the erupting volcano


What happens now depends on three things. How long the volcano continues to erupt (this could be days or just hours); how the airlines decide to interpret the ash guidelines issued by the Civil Aviation Authority – which is unknown – and, lastly, the weather.

With a fair wind and a bit of geological luck, holidaymakers might manage to get away as planned this weekend.

But if, like the millions of Britons who enjoyed the blissfully silent skies of April last year, Iceland’s trolls and elves decide they too appreciate the silence of plane-free skies, we could be looking at yet another week of travel nightmare for millions.


UK airspace is 'better prepared' for volcanic ash cloud as flights could be threatened



source: dailymail

America's deadliest tornado for 64 years: Terrifying twister cuts six-mile swathe through a Missouri town, leaving up to 116 dead

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Aftermath: Aerial footage of the destruction in Joplin, Missouri, where a massive tornado tore straight through the city


Devastating 198mph tornado tore a path a mile wide and six miles long straight through Joplin, Missouri

Deadliest single tornado in over 60 years with at least 116 people killed

Meteorologists issue new tornado warning for the ruined city

Nearly 500 people have now died as a result of tornadoes in the U.S. in 2011

Residents only had 20 minutes to take cover before monster tornado swept through the heart of the city

Missouri governor declares state of emergency in city of about 50,000 people

Emergency workers say thunderstorms are hampering efforts to find survivors as 1,500 rescuers search for missing

Family and friends of the missing post moving appeals for information on Facebook and blogs

Storm Prediction Center says more violent weather expected with further tornadoes through the middle of week


Devastation: Destroyed homes and debris cover the ground as a second storm moves in on Monday in Joplin, Missouri


Thousands of people were left without homes to go tonight after the deadliest single tornado to strike the United States in over 60 years touched down on Missouri, reducing the city of Joplin to rubble, ripping buildings apart and killing at least 116 people in a 6-mile path of destruction.

Authorities said they had rescued seven people alive on Monday, but emergency warned that the death toll could climb higher as heavy winds, strong rain and hail quarter-sized hail stones hampered the search effort.

Meteorologists issued a new tornado warning for the devastated city as forecasters warned large swathes of the country to brace for more big storms on Tuesday.


Path of destruction: No house escaped the wrath of nature in some of Minneapolis


A tornado watch was issued on Monday for Oklahoma and parts of southern Kansas due to an 'evolving tornado threat', said Russell Schneider, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center.

'We are currently forecasting a major severe weather outbreak for Tuesday over the central United States with strong tornadoes likely over Oklahoma, Kansas, extreme northern Texas, southwest Missouri,' Mr Schneider said.


The National Weather Service said the tornado packed winds of up to 198 mph.

The weather service's director, Jack Hayes, said the storm was given a preliminary label as an EF4 - the second-highest rating given to twisters. The rating is assigned to storms based on the damage they cause.

Hayes said the storm had winds of 190 to 198 miles per hour. He said survey teams from the National Weather Service are on the scene and will make a final determination on the rating Tuesday.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard to help out after one of the worst disasters in the state's history.


Homeless: Ted Grabenauer sleeps on his front porch the morning after a tornado ripped off the roof of his home when it hit Joplin, Missouri


Ruins: A view of the devastation after a tornado blew the roof off the St John's Regional Medical Center, rear, where about 180 patients cowered and were eventually evacuated


Desolation: A residential neighbourhood in Joplin is seen after it was levelled by the tornado



President Barack Obama called Nixon and offered his condolences to those affected, assuring the governor that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would provide whatever assistance was needed.

'Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the tornadoes and severe weather that struck Joplin, Missouri, as well as communities across the Midwest today,' the President said in a statement sent from Air Force One as he flew to Europe.


Map: Infrared image of the powerful tornado that spun through a densely populated part of Missouri


'We commend the heroic efforts by those who have responded and who are working to help their friends and neighbours at this very difficult time.'

Caring for the injured was made more difficult because the main hospital, Saint John's Regional Medical Center, had to be evacuated after suffering a direct hit - the tornado ripped off its roof and smashed all its windows.

Cries could still be heard early Monday from survivors trapped in the wreckage.


Despair: A tree stripped of bark and leaves frames St John's Regional Medical Center


Eye of the storm: The tornado tore a 6-mile path across southwestern Missouri


Relief: Maggie Kelley and her husband, Trey Adams hug their dog, Saint, after finding him amid the rubble of her home in Joplin


Mr Nixon said he feared the death toll would rise but also expected survivors to be found in the rubble.

‘I don't think we're done counting,’ he said. ‘I still believe that because of the size of the debris and the number of people involved that there are lives to be saved.’

Crews found bodies during the night in vehicles the storm had flipped over, torn apart and left looking like crushed cans.

Triage centers and shelters set up around the city quickly filled to capacity.
At Memorial Hall, a downtown entertainment venue, nurses and other emergency workers from across the region treated critically injured patients.



Efforts: Rescue workers in lime-green jackets search for bodies and survivors inside St John's hospital


Re-united: A man carries a young girl who was rescued after being trapped with her mother in their home


Devastation: Emergency personnel walk through a neighbourhood severely damaged by a tornado near the Joplin hospital. There are are no firm details on the number of dead or injured, as the hospital is out of action


Memories: Evelyn Knoblauch looks at a picture in what is left of her daughter's house


At another makeshift unit at a Lowe's home improvement store, wooden planks served as beds.

Outside, ambulances and fire trucks waited for calls. During one stretch after midnight on Monday, emergency vehicles were scrambling nearly every two minutes.

On Monday morning, survivors picked through the rubble of what were once their homes, salvaging clothes, furniture, family photos and financial records, the air pungent with the smell of gas and smoking embers.

Others wandered through the wreckage with nowhere to go, their homes or apartments destroyed.

Kelley Fritz, 45, of Joplin, rummaged through the remains of a storage building with her husband, Jimmy.


Search: An emergency vehicle drives through a severely damaged neighbourhood in Joplin


They quickly realised they would never find the belongings they stored there, and that they had lost much of what was in their home after the tornado ripped away the roof.

Their sons, aged 20 and 17, went outside after the storm and saw that every home was destroyed.

‘My sons had deceased children in their arms when they came back,’ Mrs Fritz said. ‘My husband and I went out and saw two or three dead bodies on the ground.’



Soul destroying: Jean Logan surveys the damage to her home in Joplin after the tornado. She had taken refuge in her laundry room with her granddaughter


A total mess: Rachel Hurst picks through her belongings that were strewn about from her garage that was blown away in Minneapolis on Sunday


Mrs Fritz said she was surprised she survived. ‘You could just feel the air pull up and it was so painful. I didn't think we were going to make it, it happened so fast.’

Tornado sirens gave residents about a 20-minute warning before the tornado touched down on the city's west side.

Staff at St John's Regional Medical Center rushed patients into hallways before the storm struck the nine-storey building, blowing out hundreds of windows and leaving the facility unusable.

The hospital was among the worst-hit locations.


Emergency: Extensive damage can be seen at the St John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Missouri. An emergency agency spokesman says fatalities had been reported but was unsure of the exact figure


The Joplin twister was one of 68 reported tornadoes across seven Midwest states over the weekend, stretched from Oklahoma to Wisconsin, according to the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center.

One person was killed in Minneapolis. But the devastation in Missouri was the worst, eerily reminiscent of the tornadoes that killed more than 300 people across the South last month.

Residents said the damage was breathtaking in scope.

‘You see pictures of World War II, the devastation and all that with the bombing. That's really what it looked like,’ said Kerry Sachetta, the principal of a flattened Joplin High School.

‘I couldn't even make out the side of the building. It was total devastation in my view. I just couldn't believe what I saw.’

Emergency management officials rushed heavy equipment to Joplin to help lift debris and clear the way for search and recovery operations.

Governor Nixon declared a state of emergency, and President Barack Obama said the Federal Emergency Management Agency was working with state and local agencies.


Raised to the ground: Blocks of homes lie in total destruction after the devastating tornado


Unbelievable: Destroyed vehicles are piled on top of one another in the parking lot of the Joplin Regional Medical Centre



Desperate: Amy Langford carries items from her house that she was in with her husband Mark when the tornado hit their home in Joplin


Jeff Lehr, a reporter for the Joplin Globe, said he was upstairs in his home when the storm hit but was able to make his way to a basement closet.

The storm tore the roof off his house, but he was safe. When he emerged, he found people wandering through the streets, covered in mud.

‘I'm talking to them, asking if they knew where their family is,’ Mr Lehr said. ‘Some of them didn't know and weren't sure where they were. All the street markers were gone.’

Justin Gibson, 30, huddled with three relatives outside the tangled debris of a Home Depot. He pointed to a black pickup that had been tossed into the store's ruins and said it belonged to his roommate's brother, who was last seen in the store with his two young daughters.

Mr Gibson, who has three children of his own, said his home was levelled and ‘everything in that neighbourhood is gone. The high school, the churches, the grocery store. I can't get hold of my ex-wife to see how my kids are.

‘I don't know the extent of this yet,’ he said, ‘but I know I'll have friends and family dead.’

In Minneapolis, where a tornado killed one person and injured 29, authorities imposed an overnight curfew in a 4-square-mile area, including some of the city's poorest neighbourhoods, to prevent looting and keep streets clear for emergency crews.


Levelled: Red Cross representatives say 75% of Joplin is gone - here, vehicles and houses in the vicinity of Twenty-fourth and Main Streets are a jumble of rubble after a the tornado swept through


Condolences: President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Missouri Governor Jay Nixon during his visit to Dublin, Ireland. The President extended his condolences to all impacted by the deadly tornadoes


Widespread devastation: Another tornado in Minneapolis damaged at least 100 homes, toppling hundreds of trees and injuring at least 29 people


Community spirit: Residents of Joplin help a woman who survived in her basement after a tornado tore a path a mile wide and four miles long destroying homes and businesses


Mayor RT Rybak said one liquor store was looted right after the tornado hit late Sunday and a few burglaries took place overnight.

He said it wasn't immediately clear how many homes were affected, simply saying: 'It's a lot.'

Though the damage covered several blocks, it appeared few houses were totally demolished. Much of the damage was to roofs, front porches that had been sheared away and fences.

The tornado left part of a garage door in a tree and many large trees were left leaning against houses.

Pat Trafton said her family escaped unharmed after a tree was left leaning against her house.

Mrs Trafton, 67, said: 'It's been a crazy day.

'They say it was a monster tornado. It all just happened so fast.'

It was the first tornado to hit the city since August 2009. 'There was no doubt right away,' the meteorologist said.

North Minneapolis resident Tiffany Pabich was taking a nap just as the tornado blew through.



Bettered streets: Debris is scattered about in Minneapolis. On Sunday night a tornado warning was issued for several areas in central states


Crushed: Vehicles were picked up and dumped across the city by the tornado which left 30 people dead and dozens injured


In the north-east Kansas, powerful storms spawned funnel clouds and hail that ripped limbs off of trees and shattered windows.

About 200 homes were damaged in and around Reading with the tornado sweeping through the small town around 9:15pm Saturday night, said Kansas Division of Emergency Management spokeswoman Sharon Watson.

A man was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to Newman Regional Hospital in Emporia, about 20 miles from where the tornado hit, hospital supervisor Deb Gould said.

Ms Gould said two other people were brought in with injuries but she had no further details.

Five people were injured in all, along with the person killed, said Ms Watson.
Reading, a town of about 250 people is 50 miles south of the Kansas capital city, Topeka.


Carnage: Rescue vehicles line up along northbound Rangeline Road in Joplin, Mo. after a fatal tornado swept through the city


Reverend Lyle Williams, who is a pastor for about 10 worshippers at the Reading First Baptist Church, said the church suffered extensive damage: 'Yeah, it's pretty bad,' he said. 'My daughter was out there and told me about it.'

'I'm not going to be able to have church today that's for sure,' he added, saying he's been a pastor at the church for 21 years.

In Jefferson County, a mobile home was destroyed with an elderly couple was trapped inside, Ms Watson told CNN. She said responders cleared the debris and rescued the couple unhurt.


Wreckage: A man stands amid the remains of a Wal-Mart store, after it was hit by the tornado, in Joplin


Power had been restored in the town by early Sunday and a shelter was being set up at a local school.

The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado also touched down in Topeka and northeast of the city near Lake Perry, where damage was reported at a nearby campsite, Ms Watson said.

While many states have been struck by severe storms this spring, Kansas has been having one of its lightest tornado seasons in decades, according to the National Weather Service.


A taste of spring? Trees were stripped of branches and many were left resting against houses


Flattened: Reading - a town of about 250 people, 50 miles south of capital city Topeka


Twister tragedy


Joplin Missouri 2011 Tornado May 23rd 2011 Massive Monster Killer Twister Tornado EF 5 MO 2011


I WILL PRAY ~Joplin Missouri Tornado Tribute~ (5/22/11)



source: dailymail