U.S. apologizes for flying Philippine flag upside down (Reading Class)

U.S. apologizes for flying Philippine flag upside down

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States government apologized for displaying the Philippine flag upside down at an event in New York attended by President Barack Obama on Friday, calling it an "honest mistake."
The red-white-and-blue Philippine flag adorned with yellow stars was hanging upside down, with red on top instead of blue, when Obama met his counterpart Philippine President Benigno Aquino during a gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In the Philippines, an inverted flag signals the nation is in a state of war.
"This was an honest mistake," said Rebecca Thompson, U.S. embassy spokesperson in Manila. "The U.S. treasures its close relationship and close partnership with the Philippines."
Thompson did not say who made the mistake or how it happened.

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Source:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100927/od_nm/us_philippines_flag

Months after winning $1M in lottery, man wins $2M (Reading Class)

Months after winning $1M in lottery, man wins $2M

 

ST. LOUIS – The odds against winning $1 million in the Lottery: Astronomical. How about doing it twice?
It happened to a man from Bonne Terre, Mo., Missouri Lottery officials said Tuesday. Ernest Pullen, 57, won $1 million with a "100 Million Dollar Blockbuster" Scratchers ticket in June. And this month, he won $2 million with a "Mega MONOPOLY" Scratchers ticket.
Pullen, a retired military man who was working at the help desk for a telecommunications company before retiring after the first lottery win, said he considers himself to be a "lucky guy."
You think?
John Wells of the Missouri Lottery said the chances of winning $1 million in the "$100 Million Dollar Blockbuster" game are 1 in 2.28 million. The odds of winning $2 million in "Mega MONOPOLY" are about the same.
The chances of winning both?
Because they're independent games, it is impossible to calculate the odds, Wells said.
"But it's a pretty amazing coincidence," he said. "We've had players win big multiple prizes before, but this is the first person to ever win a second million-dollar prize in the history of the Missouri Lottery."
Pullen bought the most recent winning ticket on Sept. 17 at Miller's Quick Shop in Bonne Terre, a community in the Old Lead Belt region of eastern Missouri, about 60 miles southwest of St. Louis. He opted to take the cash payment instead of the annuity for both wins. He received $700,000 for the June winner and will get about $1.3 million for the September winner - both before taxes.
Pullen recalled a dream six years ago in which he won a lot of money. Even after the $1 million win in June, he didn't feel like the dream was complete.
He does now.
"All the numbers I dreamed about, and all my lucky numbers, were on the card," Pullen said.
Pullen plans to use the money to fix up his new house, which needs a new lakeside wall.
As for the Lottery, he figures he's about used up his luck, though he still might play the big jackpots on Powerball and Mega Millions.
"My wife said she's winning the next time," Pullen said.

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Source:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_odd2_time_lottery_millionaire

Starbucks’ Secret Menu (Reading Class)

Starbucks’ Secret Menu

Everyone has a different perspective on Starbucks. In a place like San Francisco, with a strong independent cafe culture, it’s seen as Corporate Joe. In Birmingham, though, Starbucks helped balloon the city’s tiny pre-existing cafe community. Enough cultural commentary. My main goal with this post is to alert interested Starbucks consumers to a few attractive menu items that have inexplicably been left off the menu. (I speak primarily for the Birmingham stores, but in my experience these items are generally available nationally.)
For for the frugal and/or low intenisty addict: the Short coffee. It’s served in the same cup as the kid’s hot chocolate. And you always thought that it was nonsensical that Starbuck’s small was called tall. It isn’t; they just don’t want to explain matters to you.
For cafe au lait lovers: the Misto. Cafe au lait fans will love the Misto because, well, it is a cafe au lait. Half cup of coffee, topped with steamed milk. Ask for it extra foamy.
For people who have strong coffee preferences: the French Press. They don’t tell you this, but for 3 or 4 bucks, they’ll serve you up a french press made of any coffee in stock. So when the coffee of the day is House, and you just gotta have Sumatra…it’s your choice. And you’ll have enough to share with a friend.
Take control of your Starbucks experience. Order off menu.

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Source:
http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/2006/02/starbucks_secre.html