Reuters
PHOENIX Wed Oct 27, 2010 12:34pm EDT(Reuters) - Arizona executed a convicted murderer by lethal injection Tuesday in a case that stirred controversy after it emerged that one of the drugs being used to end the inmate's life was obtained in Britain.
Jeffrey Landrigan, convicted of the murder of Chester Dean Dyer in 1989, was pronounced dead at 10:26 p.m. local time (0526 GMT on Wednesday) at a state prison in Florence, southeast of Phoenix, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Corrections said.
The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for the execution, which had been due to take place Tuesday morning.
A federal judge previously granted a stay and asked to know where the dose of sodium thiopental came from. The drug is used to render a condemned prisoner unconscious.
Arizona has no stock of the drug. The state's attorney general, Terry Goddard, sparked controversy Monday when he said it had been imported from Britain, although he declined to name the supplier.
Britain outlawed the death penalty, and has not carried out an execution since 1964.
A columnist at The Guardian newspaper had questioned whether it was criminal for a British firm to profit from the supply of drugs used in an execution.
Sodium thiopental, an anesthetic, is the first of a sequence of three drugs administered in lethal injection that paralyze breathing and stop the heart.
Lawyers for Landrigan argued the drug might not meet U.S. drug standards if it was obtained abroad, and risked causing serious pain and suffering in violation of the U.S. Constitution.
Landrigan, 50, was sentenced to death in 1990 for strangling Dyer, who was found dead by a co-worker on December 15, 1989, after he failed to show up for work.
He was the 24th person executed in Arizona since the state resumed capital punishment in 1992. There are 132 inmates on the state's death row.
(Reporting by Tim Gaynor; Additional reporting by David Schwartz; Editing by Peter Cooney)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Low-dose aspirin lowers colon cancer risk: UK study...
Reuters
WASHINGTON Thu Oct 21, 2010. (Reuters) - Low doses of aspirin taken to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes can also lower the risk of colon cancer, British researchers reported on Thursday.
They found that aspirin reduced the number of cases of colorectal cancer by a quarter and cut colon cancer deaths by a third.
They said their findings may tip the balance in favor of using aspirin to prevent colon cancer, which is the second most common form of cancer in developed countries after lung cancer.
But their findings, published in the Lancet medical journal, are unlikely to settle a matter that doctors consider controversial.
Many studies have shown that people who take high doses of aspirin are less likely to develop colon cancer and the little growths called polyps that can develop into cancer.
But aspirin itself can be dangerous to many people, causing sometimes deadly bleeding in the stomach and intestines.
Other studies have found that a related painkiller, ibuprofen, can also reduce colon cancer rates among people who take it regularly over the long term.
Peter Rothwell of John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and colleagues looked at four big studies of 14,000 people, half of them taking low-dose aspirin for heart disease. These lower doses of aspirin are considered much safer.
Over about 18 years, they reported, 2.8 percent of the volunteers developed colon cancer. Aspirin reduced the 20-year risk of colon cancer by 24 percent and lowered the risk that a patient would die from colon cancer by 35 percent, they said.
"This interesting study would incite clinicians to turn to primary prevention of colorectal cancer by aspirin at least in high risk-populations. Specific guidelines for aspirin chemoprevention would be the next logical step," Dr. Robert Benamouzig and Dr. Bernard Uzzan of Avicenne Hospital in Bobigny, France, wrote in a commentary.
In many developed countries like the United States and Britain, doctors recommend getting regular cancer checks using instruments that can examine the colon from the inside.
Britain's National Health Service often opts for a procedure called a sigmoidoscopy, while U.S. experts call for a more comprehensive screening called a colonoscopy.
Both procedures can detect the pre-cancerous growths called polyps so doctors can remove them before they form a tumor, but patients are reluctant to get these uncomfortable and embarrassing tests. Some experts are hoping using cheap drugs like aspirin may be a way to prevent colon cancer in the population.
WASHINGTON Thu Oct 21, 2010. (Reuters) - Low doses of aspirin taken to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes can also lower the risk of colon cancer, British researchers reported on Thursday.
They found that aspirin reduced the number of cases of colorectal cancer by a quarter and cut colon cancer deaths by a third.
They said their findings may tip the balance in favor of using aspirin to prevent colon cancer, which is the second most common form of cancer in developed countries after lung cancer.
But their findings, published in the Lancet medical journal, are unlikely to settle a matter that doctors consider controversial.
Many studies have shown that people who take high doses of aspirin are less likely to develop colon cancer and the little growths called polyps that can develop into cancer.
But aspirin itself can be dangerous to many people, causing sometimes deadly bleeding in the stomach and intestines.
Other studies have found that a related painkiller, ibuprofen, can also reduce colon cancer rates among people who take it regularly over the long term.
Peter Rothwell of John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and colleagues looked at four big studies of 14,000 people, half of them taking low-dose aspirin for heart disease. These lower doses of aspirin are considered much safer.
Over about 18 years, they reported, 2.8 percent of the volunteers developed colon cancer. Aspirin reduced the 20-year risk of colon cancer by 24 percent and lowered the risk that a patient would die from colon cancer by 35 percent, they said.
"This interesting study would incite clinicians to turn to primary prevention of colorectal cancer by aspirin at least in high risk-populations. Specific guidelines for aspirin chemoprevention would be the next logical step," Dr. Robert Benamouzig and Dr. Bernard Uzzan of Avicenne Hospital in Bobigny, France, wrote in a commentary.
In many developed countries like the United States and Britain, doctors recommend getting regular cancer checks using instruments that can examine the colon from the inside.
Britain's National Health Service often opts for a procedure called a sigmoidoscopy, while U.S. experts call for a more comprehensive screening called a colonoscopy.
Both procedures can detect the pre-cancerous growths called polyps so doctors can remove them before they form a tumor, but patients are reluctant to get these uncomfortable and embarrassing tests. Some experts are hoping using cheap drugs like aspirin may be a way to prevent colon cancer in the population.
Anatomist sells body parts online...
ReutersBy Michelle Martin
BERLIN Fri Oct 22, 2010. (Reuters) - Gunther von Hagens, a German anatomist famous for his controversial Body World exhibition displaying plastinated bodies, is now selling human and animal body parts -- even as jewelry -- online.
The move has provoked strong condemnation from German churches which accuse him of degrading human dignity.
A whole body from www.plastination-products.com costs about 70,000 euros ($97,400), torsos start at 55,644 euros and heads come in at around 22,000 euros each -- excluding postage and packaging.
For those on a tighter budget, transparent body slices are available from 115 euros each.
But these real body parts -- which have undergone plastination, a process which replaces water and fat with plastic for preservation purposes -- are not available to everyone.
Only "qualified users" who can provide written proof that they intend to use the parts for research, teaching or medical purposes can place an order.
Interested parties who do not fall into this category can buy reproductions of the real body parts -- so-called "Anatomy Glass," which the shop's website describes as "high resolution acrylic glass prints of the original body slices."
Jewelry crafted from animal corpses, including necklaces made from horse slices, wristbands made from giraffe tails and earrings made from bull penises, is also available to the general public.
The online shop has outraged leading members of Germany's religious community. In a joint statement, Protestant regional bishop Ulrich Fischer and Catholic archbishop Robert Zollitsch condemned the online body shop, which they said was "breaking a taboo."
Zollitsch said "human dignity is sacrosanct -- even after death -- so the human body shouldn't be degraded and made into an object of spectacle, or a stock of spare parts."
They said that "Germany must not be allowed to become a hub of the corpse trade."
Von Hagens, 65, is no stranger to controversy. A public autopsy he performed in front of a live audience in 2002 was televised and caused a public outrage, as did his 2004 tour through Germany with his Body Worlds exhibitions.
(Editing by Steve Addison)
BERLIN Fri Oct 22, 2010. (Reuters) - Gunther von Hagens, a German anatomist famous for his controversial Body World exhibition displaying plastinated bodies, is now selling human and animal body parts -- even as jewelry -- online.The move has provoked strong condemnation from German churches which accuse him of degrading human dignity.
A whole body from www.plastination-products.com costs about 70,000 euros ($97,400), torsos start at 55,644 euros and heads come in at around 22,000 euros each -- excluding postage and packaging.
For those on a tighter budget, transparent body slices are available from 115 euros each.
But these real body parts -- which have undergone plastination, a process which replaces water and fat with plastic for preservation purposes -- are not available to everyone.
Only "qualified users" who can provide written proof that they intend to use the parts for research, teaching or medical purposes can place an order.
Interested parties who do not fall into this category can buy reproductions of the real body parts -- so-called "Anatomy Glass," which the shop's website describes as "high resolution acrylic glass prints of the original body slices."
Jewelry crafted from animal corpses, including necklaces made from horse slices, wristbands made from giraffe tails and earrings made from bull penises, is also available to the general public.
The online shop has outraged leading members of Germany's religious community. In a joint statement, Protestant regional bishop Ulrich Fischer and Catholic archbishop Robert Zollitsch condemned the online body shop, which they said was "breaking a taboo."
Zollitsch said "human dignity is sacrosanct -- even after death -- so the human body shouldn't be degraded and made into an object of spectacle, or a stock of spare parts."
They said that "Germany must not be allowed to become a hub of the corpse trade."
Von Hagens, 65, is no stranger to controversy. A public autopsy he performed in front of a live audience in 2002 was televised and caused a public outrage, as did his 2004 tour through Germany with his Body Worlds exhibitions.
(Editing by Steve Addison)
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Olympic sprinter champ LaShawn Merritt banned for male enhancement...
News - FOX Sports on MSN
Oct 20, 2010 The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed Tuesday that U.S. sprinter LaShawn Merritt will not be able to defend his Olympic 400m title at the London Games after testing positive to a banned substance found in a penis-enlargement product he was using.
Looking for more sports scoop? You can count on Brooks to dish it up.
Merritt has been handed a 21-month suspension backdated to October 28 last year after testing positive for a banned substance.
And while the drugs were contained in the male enhancement product used by the athlete rather than taken to boost performance, the IOC rules say he must sit out the next Olympic Games.
"The [IOC] rule states very clearly that any athlete sanctioned for six months or more will be banned from participation in the next edition of the Games," IOC director of communications Mark Adams said.
The American Arbitration Association, which handed down the ban, claims the IOC ruling goes against the World Anti-Doping Agency code and therefore cannot enforce an Olympics suspension on Merritt.
Oct 20, 2010 The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed Tuesday that U.S. sprinter LaShawn Merritt will not be able to defend his Olympic 400m title at the London Games after testing positive to a banned substance found in a penis-enlargement product he was using.
Looking for more sports scoop? You can count on Brooks to dish it up.
Merritt has been handed a 21-month suspension backdated to October 28 last year after testing positive for a banned substance.
And while the drugs were contained in the male enhancement product used by the athlete rather than taken to boost performance, the IOC rules say he must sit out the next Olympic Games.
"The [IOC] rule states very clearly that any athlete sanctioned for six months or more will be banned from participation in the next edition of the Games," IOC director of communications Mark Adams said.
The American Arbitration Association, which handed down the ban, claims the IOC ruling goes against the World Anti-Doping Agency code and therefore cannot enforce an Olympics suspension on Merritt.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Hotel eyes record with $671,000 per night plan...
Reuters
TOKYO Wed Oct 13, 2010.(Reuters) - Want an exclusive venue for your next party? The Mandarin Oriental Tokyo hotel may have the answer: use of the entire hotel, including nine restaurants and all spas and rooms -- for a cool $671,000 a night.
The luxury hotel in central Tokyo began selling the plan a week ago as "something splashy" to commemorate its opening five years ago, said hotel spokeswoman Chie Hayakawa. It intends to apply for recognition from Guinness World Records once a reservation is finalized.
"When the hotel opened we had an exclusive party like this -- black tie, cocktail dresses. There was music and drinks and food from the restaurants, and it was all quite grand," said Hayakawa, who took part.
"We thought it would be fun to offer the same experience to an exclusive group of guests."
Under the plan, the entire hotel -- 178 guest rooms, all nine restaurants and all spas -- would be reserved from 3:00 in the afternoon to noon the next day. It would include a cocktail reception for 500 people.
The price tag is 55 million yen ($671,800).
Hayakawa said the hotel has already received a number of inquiries, mainly from companies, though individuals would be welcome as well.
"The only thing is, you have to pick a date where there are no reservations already," she added. "It's not as if you could just request it for later this week."
(Writing by Elaine Lies; editing by Steve Addison)
TOKYO Wed Oct 13, 2010.(Reuters) - Want an exclusive venue for your next party? The Mandarin Oriental Tokyo hotel may have the answer: use of the entire hotel, including nine restaurants and all spas and rooms -- for a cool $671,000 a night.The luxury hotel in central Tokyo began selling the plan a week ago as "something splashy" to commemorate its opening five years ago, said hotel spokeswoman Chie Hayakawa. It intends to apply for recognition from Guinness World Records once a reservation is finalized.
"When the hotel opened we had an exclusive party like this -- black tie, cocktail dresses. There was music and drinks and food from the restaurants, and it was all quite grand," said Hayakawa, who took part.
"We thought it would be fun to offer the same experience to an exclusive group of guests."
Under the plan, the entire hotel -- 178 guest rooms, all nine restaurants and all spas -- would be reserved from 3:00 in the afternoon to noon the next day. It would include a cocktail reception for 500 people.
The price tag is 55 million yen ($671,800).
Hayakawa said the hotel has already received a number of inquiries, mainly from companies, though individuals would be welcome as well.
"The only thing is, you have to pick a date where there are no reservations already," she added. "It's not as if you could just request it for later this week."
(Writing by Elaine Lies; editing by Steve Addison)
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Armless pianist plays with toes to win China's Got Talent...
Reuters
BEIJING (Reuters)Tue Oct 12, 2010 - An armless pianist who plays with his toes has won the first series of China's version of the internationally popular television talent show, "China's Got Talent."
Liu Wei, 23, who lost both his arms aged 10 when he was electrocuted during a game of hide-and-seek, defeated 7-year-old standup comedian Zhang Fengxi at the final on Sunday at the Shanghai Stadium, the Shanghai Daily reported.
The pianist, from Beijing, who taught himself to play the piano at age 18, impressed the audience with his performance of "You're Beautiful," singing and using his feet to play the piano.
He also reported won over the judges by commenting: "At least I have a pair of perfect legs."
Cai Xiuqing, 23, a college student from Shantou in Guangdong province, won third place for singing "Boundless Oceans Vast Skies," a hit for Hong Kong rock back Beyond.
At the award ceremony, Liu was invited by Taiwan singer Jolin Tsai to be a guest performer on her world tour which gives him the chance to perform in Las Vegas for three months.
The award ceremony also featured winners and finalists from the popular "Got Talent" series in Britain and the United States including British singer Paul Potts and dance group Diversity.
British music mogul Simon Cowell, best known as the former acerbic judge on "American Idol," developed the TV format of "Got Talent" in Britain, the United States and Europe. He has become one of the most powerful entrepreneurs in reality TV.
The British version of the show catapulted the dowdy, Scottish singer Susan Boyle to international stardom last year.
The Chinese version of the TV talent show made its debut in May and has steadily risen in popularity, with the semifinal on Sept 26 ranking the top programme nationally by ratings.
The show's director Jin Lei told the newspaper that the success of the show ensured it would continue next year.
"China has so much untapped grassroots talent and we believe the show will maintain its nationwide vitality and popularity for three or five years," said Jin.
(Writing by Belinda Goldsmith, Editing by Ben Blanchard)
BEIJING (Reuters)Tue Oct 12, 2010 - An armless pianist who plays with his toes has won the first series of China's version of the internationally popular television talent show, "China's Got Talent."
Liu Wei, 23, who lost both his arms aged 10 when he was electrocuted during a game of hide-and-seek, defeated 7-year-old standup comedian Zhang Fengxi at the final on Sunday at the Shanghai Stadium, the Shanghai Daily reported.
The pianist, from Beijing, who taught himself to play the piano at age 18, impressed the audience with his performance of "You're Beautiful," singing and using his feet to play the piano.
He also reported won over the judges by commenting: "At least I have a pair of perfect legs."
Cai Xiuqing, 23, a college student from Shantou in Guangdong province, won third place for singing "Boundless Oceans Vast Skies," a hit for Hong Kong rock back Beyond.
At the award ceremony, Liu was invited by Taiwan singer Jolin Tsai to be a guest performer on her world tour which gives him the chance to perform in Las Vegas for three months.
The award ceremony also featured winners and finalists from the popular "Got Talent" series in Britain and the United States including British singer Paul Potts and dance group Diversity.
British music mogul Simon Cowell, best known as the former acerbic judge on "American Idol," developed the TV format of "Got Talent" in Britain, the United States and Europe. He has become one of the most powerful entrepreneurs in reality TV.
The British version of the show catapulted the dowdy, Scottish singer Susan Boyle to international stardom last year.
The Chinese version of the TV talent show made its debut in May and has steadily risen in popularity, with the semifinal on Sept 26 ranking the top programme nationally by ratings.
The show's director Jin Lei told the newspaper that the success of the show ensured it would continue next year.
"China has so much untapped grassroots talent and we believe the show will maintain its nationwide vitality and popularity for three or five years," said Jin.
(Writing by Belinda Goldsmith, Editing by Ben Blanchard)
Friday, October 01, 2010
Gym culture not working out for the French...
Reuters By Lionel Laurent
PARIS (Reuters)Tue Sep 28, 2010 - The French may love to look good but few are willing to work up a sweat over it.
Despite increasing awareness of the benefits of healthy eating and physical exercise, going to the gym in France is still a niche activity that has yet to capture the mainstream.
France's generous healthcare system, its cultural preference for outdoor sports and its lack of affordable good-quality clubs are seen as reasons behind the country's low rate of gymgoers, even relative to laid-back neighbors Spain or Italy.
"It appears to me that more people are sitting in cafes smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee than working out ... the French don't see fitness as a lifestyle," says American-born fitness consultant Fred Hoffman, who has lived in Paris for 21 years.
Only 5.4 percent of French people belonged to a health club in 2008, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, compared with 9.5 percent for Italy, 11.9 percent for the United Kingdom and 16.6 percent for Spain.
The figure doesn't include France's numerous community fitness groups, or "associations," which are entitled to government subsidies and tempt many consumers with cheap prices despite their often unsophisticated facilities.
Even taking into account this potential numbers gap, mass-market chains Club Med Gym and Fitness First say the $2 billion French market is a particularly tough slog. Property and staff are costly while competition from other sports is fierce.
"Football, tennis and cycling, those are the top three activities of the French," says Nadege Gaillard, marketing director for Club Med Gym, a Paris-focused brand that has not opened a single new club in nearly a decade. It is due to open a new venue in Paris in 2011.
Although rival Fitness First has had more luck opening clubs in and out of Paris, it is feeling the heat from the growth of no-frills centers that are stealing customers from pricier venues in a stagnating market.
"No services, no staff, that's what's growing ... It's a lot simpler just to open a shoebox and throw in some machines," says Michel Parada, who heads Fitness First's French operations.
NO SWEAT
Working out also has an image problem in France, where few celebrities seem keen to publicly endorse the mucky business of sweating and straining on a cardio machine.
Even the sight of President Nicolas Sarkozy in running shoes jogging after his election in 2007 proved too much for some.
"I would rather see the president in his suit than in his sweat," said philosopher Alain Finkielkraut at the time.
Consumers seem to prefer the aesthetic appeal of creams and cosmetics that claim to have slimming properties, according to Christophe Anandson of the IHRSA fitness club association.
"The credulity of the French isn't favoring the growth of the fitness market," he said.
For those who can afford it, there is also designer gym "L'Usine," a chain of three discreetly chic clubs in Paris and Geneva, which is said to boast singer Lenny Kravitz and actress Melanie Laurent as clients.
L'Usine co-founder Patrick Rizzo says the club's high prices, luxury layout and upscale equipment serve a "niche" and manage to rise above the troubles of the mass market in France.
But even he thinks there is a limit to luxury gym growth in Paris and is eyeing possible expansion in Italy or the U.S.
Some industry figures believe the French market will have a brighter future once the government does more to promote working out as a health measure that could potentially save the healthcare system a lot of time and money.
Gyms could also do more to respond to French consumer tastes, says consultant Hoffman. He does not think low-cost gyms will be able to hold on to a broad client base, as most French consumers are not experts and need assistance to work out.
Just as Starbucks and McDonald's have had to fit their menu to France's cultural preferences, clubs could change as well.
"You've got to get into the French psyche...Maybe a cafe, or a little area for food," Hoffman says.
"But (the problem) is bigger than that. I don't think it can come from the clubs alone. It's getting people more aware of their wellbeing."
(Editing by Steve Addison)
PARIS (Reuters)Tue Sep 28, 2010 - The French may love to look good but few are willing to work up a sweat over it.Despite increasing awareness of the benefits of healthy eating and physical exercise, going to the gym in France is still a niche activity that has yet to capture the mainstream.
France's generous healthcare system, its cultural preference for outdoor sports and its lack of affordable good-quality clubs are seen as reasons behind the country's low rate of gymgoers, even relative to laid-back neighbors Spain or Italy.
"It appears to me that more people are sitting in cafes smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee than working out ... the French don't see fitness as a lifestyle," says American-born fitness consultant Fred Hoffman, who has lived in Paris for 21 years.
Only 5.4 percent of French people belonged to a health club in 2008, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, compared with 9.5 percent for Italy, 11.9 percent for the United Kingdom and 16.6 percent for Spain.
The figure doesn't include France's numerous community fitness groups, or "associations," which are entitled to government subsidies and tempt many consumers with cheap prices despite their often unsophisticated facilities.
Even taking into account this potential numbers gap, mass-market chains Club Med Gym and Fitness First say the $2 billion French market is a particularly tough slog. Property and staff are costly while competition from other sports is fierce.
"Football, tennis and cycling, those are the top three activities of the French," says Nadege Gaillard, marketing director for Club Med Gym, a Paris-focused brand that has not opened a single new club in nearly a decade. It is due to open a new venue in Paris in 2011.
Although rival Fitness First has had more luck opening clubs in and out of Paris, it is feeling the heat from the growth of no-frills centers that are stealing customers from pricier venues in a stagnating market.
"No services, no staff, that's what's growing ... It's a lot simpler just to open a shoebox and throw in some machines," says Michel Parada, who heads Fitness First's French operations.
NO SWEAT
Working out also has an image problem in France, where few celebrities seem keen to publicly endorse the mucky business of sweating and straining on a cardio machine.
Even the sight of President Nicolas Sarkozy in running shoes jogging after his election in 2007 proved too much for some.
"I would rather see the president in his suit than in his sweat," said philosopher Alain Finkielkraut at the time.
Consumers seem to prefer the aesthetic appeal of creams and cosmetics that claim to have slimming properties, according to Christophe Anandson of the IHRSA fitness club association.
"The credulity of the French isn't favoring the growth of the fitness market," he said.
For those who can afford it, there is also designer gym "L'Usine," a chain of three discreetly chic clubs in Paris and Geneva, which is said to boast singer Lenny Kravitz and actress Melanie Laurent as clients.
L'Usine co-founder Patrick Rizzo says the club's high prices, luxury layout and upscale equipment serve a "niche" and manage to rise above the troubles of the mass market in France.
But even he thinks there is a limit to luxury gym growth in Paris and is eyeing possible expansion in Italy or the U.S.
Some industry figures believe the French market will have a brighter future once the government does more to promote working out as a health measure that could potentially save the healthcare system a lot of time and money.
Gyms could also do more to respond to French consumer tastes, says consultant Hoffman. He does not think low-cost gyms will be able to hold on to a broad client base, as most French consumers are not experts and need assistance to work out.
Just as Starbucks and McDonald's have had to fit their menu to France's cultural preferences, clubs could change as well.
"You've got to get into the French psyche...Maybe a cafe, or a little area for food," Hoffman says.
"But (the problem) is bigger than that. I don't think it can come from the clubs alone. It's getting people more aware of their wellbeing."
(Editing by Steve Addison)
Man beats odds to win lottery twice
Reuters
ST. LOUIS (Reuters) Wed Sep 29, 2010 - For a Missouri man, luck comes in pairs. Against odds of 1 in 1.36 million Ernest Pullen clinched his first million-dollar win in June when he scratched off the "100 Million Dollar Blockbuster" prize on a lottery ticket.
The 57-year-old Bonne Terre, Mo man did it again this month, against even bigger odds, and doubled that prize by winning $2 million on a "Mega MONOPOLY" scratchers ticket he purchased on September 17, according to officials with the Missouri Lottery.
"That was his second time winning," said Misty Eye, store manager of the Miller's Quick Shop that sold Pullen the prize-winner. "He acted like it was no big deal."
Pullen could not be reached for comment, but lottery officials said he told them he had had a dream that he won the lottery and considers himself "a lucky guy."
Pullen opted to take a lump sum cash payment worth $1.3 million before taxes after his latest win.
He plans to use some of the money to fix up his house.
(Reporting by Carey Gillam, editing by Greg McCune and Patricia Reaney)
ST. LOUIS (Reuters) Wed Sep 29, 2010 - For a Missouri man, luck comes in pairs. Against odds of 1 in 1.36 million Ernest Pullen clinched his first million-dollar win in June when he scratched off the "100 Million Dollar Blockbuster" prize on a lottery ticket.
The 57-year-old Bonne Terre, Mo man did it again this month, against even bigger odds, and doubled that prize by winning $2 million on a "Mega MONOPOLY" scratchers ticket he purchased on September 17, according to officials with the Missouri Lottery.
"That was his second time winning," said Misty Eye, store manager of the Miller's Quick Shop that sold Pullen the prize-winner. "He acted like it was no big deal."
Pullen could not be reached for comment, but lottery officials said he told them he had had a dream that he won the lottery and considers himself "a lucky guy."
Pullen opted to take a lump sum cash payment worth $1.3 million before taxes after his latest win.
He plans to use some of the money to fix up his house.
(Reporting by Carey Gillam, editing by Greg McCune and Patricia Reaney)
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