Malaysia’s civil aviation chief has said the planes sent Thursday to check the spot where Chinese satellite images showed possible debris from the missing flight MH370 found nothing. “There is nothing. We went there, there is nothing,” Azharuddin Abdul Rahman told reporters in Kuala Lumpur. Adding to the mystery, The Wall Street Journal reported that… Continue reading Flight MH370: No debris at Chinese satellite spot
Year: 2014
Salvador Sanchez Ceren becomes first ex-rebel to serve as El Salvador president
Salvador Sanchez Ceren – a former El Salvador left-wing rebel – has won a tight presidential run-off election, the country’s electoral tribunal has announced. However, Salvador Sanchez Ceren’s rival has the right to appeal and officials say a final declaration cannot yet be made. Conservative candidate Norman Quijano had earlier called for a new poll… Continue reading Salvador Sanchez Ceren becomes first ex-rebel to serve as El Salvador president
Devyani Khobragade visa fraud case dismissed by US court
A US has dismissed the visa fraud charges against Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, whose arrest strained US-India relations. Judge Shira Scheindlin ruled Devyani Khobragade had diplomatic immunity at the time of her indictment on visa fraud and underpaying her housekeeper. Devyani Khobragade, who has since left the US, said through a lawyer she felt the… Continue reading Devyani Khobragade visa fraud case dismissed by US court
Pope Francis celebrates first year in office
The Vatican is celebrating Pope Francis’ first year in office. The pontiff is currently on a week-long spiritual retreat with cardinals and bishops in the Alban Hills near Rome. Italian opinion polls give Pope Francis the highest popularity rating of any recent pontiff. Pope Francis is the first Latin American – and the first Jesuit… Continue reading Pope Francis celebrates first year in office
“That’s Nice — What Is it?” — Bringing the Right Wine to Dinner Etiquette
Few modern etiquette questions are quite as perplexing as what wine to take along to a party. There are many potential minefields along this journey and, unfortunately, you won’t know if you’ve committed a faux pas until the moment comes when you hand the bottle over to your hosts. Just like what you’ve chosen to… Continue reading “That’s Nice — What Is it?” — Bringing the Right Wine to Dinner Etiquette
Harlem explosion UPDATE: Three die and nine missing in buildings collapse
According to New York City authorities, three people have died and nine are missing after a gas leak sparked an explosion which leveled two buildings in East Harlem. Scores of others have been injured in the incident, which sent smoke billowing into the city sky. More than 250 firefighters tackled the blaze at the scene… Continue reading Harlem explosion UPDATE: Three die and nine missing in buildings collapse
Oscar Pistorius trial: Cricket bat demonstration
A South African forensics expert has swung a cricket bat at a toilet door erected in the courtroom at Oscar Pistorius’ murder trial in Pretoria to demonstrate key pieces of evidence. Oscar Pistorius, 27, says he mistakenly shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp through the door, believing she was a burglar, then broke it down with… Continue reading Oscar Pistorius trial: Cricket bat demonstration
Flight MH370: China releases satellite images of possible debris from missing jet
A Chinese government website has released satellite images of possible debris from the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. The three images show what appear to be large, floating objects in the South China Sea. Previous sightings of possible debris have proved fruitless. Malaysia Airlines plane went missing on Friday with 239 people on board. The… Continue reading Flight MH370: China releases satellite images of possible debris from missing jet
Barack Obama welcomes Ukraine’s interim PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk at White House
Ukraine’s interim PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk met President Barack Obama at the White House. During their meeting, Barack Obama pledged to “stand with Ukraine” in its dispute with Russia. The US president warned Russian President Vladimir Putin the international community “will be forced to apply costs” if Russia does not remove its troops from Crimea. Earlier,… Continue reading Barack Obama welcomes Ukraine’s interim PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk at White House
Olivia Wilde to star in Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger’s rock and roll drama
Olivia Wilde has joined the cast of Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger’s rock and roll pilot for HBO. The unnamed drama about the drug and s**-fuelled music business in 1970s New York will start filming in the summer, based on an idea by Mick Jagger. Bobby Cannavale will play record executive Richie Finestra, who tries… Continue reading Olivia Wilde to star in Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger’s rock and roll drama
The Big Bang Theory extended for further three series until 2017
The Big Bang Theory has been extended for a further three series, CBS has announced. The long-running sitcom, which centers on a group of high-functioning science “geeks”, is now due to air until at least 2017. The most recent series was seen by almost 20 million viewers in the US. “The Big Bang Theory is… Continue reading The Big Bang Theory extended for further three series until 2017
Herbalife pyramid scheme investigated by FTC
US Federal Trade Commission has launched an investigation into the operations of nutrition and weight-loss firm Herbalife. The FTC move follows allegations that the company operates a “pyramid scheme” – making money from recruiting new distributors, rather than sales. Herbalife has denied these allegations and said it would “cooperate fully” with the FTC inquiry. Its… Continue reading Herbalife pyramid scheme investigated by FTC
Flight MH370: Last message received from missing jet revealed
Malaysian authorities have unveiled the last communication received from the missing Malaysia Airlines plane. The message suggests everything was normal on board minutes before the plane went missing over the South China Sea. Flight MH370 replied: “All right, roger that” to a radio message from Malaysian air control, authorities said. The search has been widened… Continue reading Flight MH370: Last message received from missing jet revealed
G7 calls on Russia to stop efforts to annex Crimea
The G7 leaders have called on Russia to stop all efforts to “annex” Ukraine’s Crimea region. G7 said if Russia took such a step they would “take further action, individually and collectively”. They also said they would not recognize the results of a referendum in Crimea this weekend on whether to split from Ukraine and… Continue reading G7 calls on Russia to stop efforts to annex Crimea
Harlem building explosion and collapse kill one person
At least one person has died in a Park Avenue apartment building collapse following an explosion, NYPD says. Local TV stations report that 11 people suffered minor injuries in the incident in East Harlem. Residents heard a blast in the five-storey building at 116th Street and Park Avenue before it caved in. All train services… Continue reading Harlem building explosion and collapse kill one person
Berkin Elvan funeral brings thousands of protesters to Istanbul streets
The funeral of Berkin Elvan – a teenage boy injured during Istanbul anti-government protests last year – has gathered tens of thousands of people on the streets of Turkey’s biggest city. Berkin Elvan, 15, spent 269 days in a coma before his death on Tuesday. Many of the protesters echoed his mother’s claim that Turkish… Continue reading Berkin Elvan funeral brings thousands of protesters to Istanbul streets
Gulnara Karimova: Switzerland probes Uzbek president’s daughter for money laundering
Swiss prosecutors have opened a money laundering investigation into Gulnara Karimova, the eldest daughter of Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov. The public prosecutor said in a statement that Gulnara Karimova is now part of an inquiry already looking at alleged wrongdoing involving four Uzbeks linked to her. The investigation involves the business activities of a Swedish… Continue reading Gulnara Karimova: Switzerland probes Uzbek president’s daughter for money laundering
Professor Green charged with DUI in London
Professor Green has been charged with DUI in the UK. The 30-year-old rapper was arrested in south-east London on November 3 last year by police investigating a suspected mugging. Officers had been called to Tyrwhitt Road in Lewisham where they discovered a Mercedes car and a van had been involved in a crash. Professor Green,… Continue reading Professor Green charged with DUI in London
Angelina Jolie will have more cancer-preventing surgery
Angelina Jolie will have more cancer-preventing surgery, after a double mastectomy last year, the actress confirmed in a recent interview. Angelina Jolie, 38, had the procedure after discovering she was at high risk of developing breast cancer. “I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could,” she said at the… Continue reading Angelina Jolie will have more cancer-preventing surgery
Oscar Pistorius trial day 8: Bathroom door account contradicted by forensic expert
Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius was not wearing his prostheses when he broke down a door to reach Reeva Steenkamp after he shot her, his murder trial has heard on the eighth day. The forensic evidence contradicted Oscar Pistorius’ claim that he was wearing prosthetics at the time. The door has been brought into court to… Continue reading Oscar Pistorius trial day 8: Bathroom door account contradicted by forensic expert
Flight MH370: Confusion over missing Malaysia Airlines plane’s last known location deepens
According to new reports, confusion over missing Malaysia Airlines plane’s last known location has deepened. Malaysia’s air force chief has denied reports that the plane was tracked to the Malacca Strait in the west. Now, search teams are scouring waters off both sides of the Malaysian peninsula. Vietnam has dispatched a plane to investigate an… Continue reading Flight MH370: Confusion over missing Malaysia Airlines plane’s last known location deepens
Oleksandr Turchynov: Russian government rejects Ukraine crisis talks
Russian government is refusing all negotiations with Ukraine, Ukrainian acting President Oleksandr Turchynov has said. Oleksandr Turchynov told AFP news agency that Ukraine would not intervene militarily in Crimea, even though a secession referendum there was a “sham”. Meanwhile interim PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk is travelling to the US to meet President Barack Obama. On Thursday… Continue reading Oleksandr Turchynov: Russian government rejects Ukraine crisis talks
Michael Schumacher shows encouraging signs in his fight for recovery
Michael Schumacher has been showing “small, encouraging signs” in his fight for recovery, the Formula 1 champion’s family says. “We are and remain confident that Michael will pull through and will wake up,” the relatives said in a statement. Doctors in France have been working to bring the seven-time champion out of a medically induced… Continue reading Michael Schumacher shows encouraging signs in his fight for recovery
Barack Obama on Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis
President Barack Obama has been interviewed by comedian Zach Galifianakis for his spoof chat show Between Two Ferns. Barack Obama joined Zach Galifianakis in a bid to encourage young people to sign up for health insurance. The president was asked about sending “Ambassador Dennis Rodman” to North Korea and outlawing gay divorce. Barack Obama was… Continue reading Barack Obama on Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis
Nicolas Sarkozy loses confiscated diaries appeal in Bettencourt case
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has lost the confiscated diaries appeal in Bettencourt case. The Court of Cassation has ruled investigators can retain the seized diaries and rejected Nicolas Sarkozy’s challenge to the seizure. The diaries were initially confiscated as part of an inquiry into alleged illegal funding during his successful 2007 presidential campaign. That… Continue reading Nicolas Sarkozy loses confiscated diaries appeal in Bettencourt case