Typhoon Vongfong brought heavy rain and fierce winds to the southern island of Okinawa, Japan, causing flight cancelations and power cuts to over 20,000 homes. Officials have said the powerful typhoon will be the strongest storm to hit Japan this year. Typhoon Vongfong is now heading north and is expected to make landfall on Kyushu… Continue reading Typhoon Vongfong causes flight cancelations and power cuts in Japan
Year: 2014
Vladimir Putin orders withdrawal of Russian troops stationed near Ukrainian border
President Vladimir Putin has ordered thousands of Russian troops stationed near the Ukrainian border to return to their bases, Russian media report. Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said about 17,600 soldiers on training exercises in the Rostov region would be pulled back. Russia has previously announced troop withdrawals that NATO and the US say were not actually… Continue reading Vladimir Putin orders withdrawal of Russian troops stationed near Ukrainian border
Syria: Kobane battle death toll hits 553 after less than a month
According to new reports, at least 553 people are said to have died in a month in the Kurdish town of Kobane, Syria, under Islamic State (ISIS) attack. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based Syrian opposition body which monitors the conflict, counted 298 IS fighters among the dead. US aircraft have bombed ISIS… Continue reading Syria: Kobane battle death toll hits 553 after less than a month
Amal Alamuddin buys George Clooney two cocker spaniels for wedding gift
George Clooney’s wife, Amal Alamuddin, bought him two cocker spaniels for a wedding gift. Amal Alamuddin – who also gave her new husband customized cufflinks inscribed with his first name in Arabic ahead of their recent nuptials in Venice, Italy – reportedly surprised him with the new puppies during their honeymoon in Berkshire. A source… Continue reading Amal Alamuddin buys George Clooney two cocker spaniels for wedding gift
Lego Batman movie spinoff scheduled for 2017
Lego Batman movie is in the works and will be ready for release in 2017. The Lego Movie was a huge hit in 2014, and it’s no surprise that talks of a sequel surfaced shortly after its release. Warner is planning to push back the direct sequel to The Lego Movie in favor of a… Continue reading Lego Batman movie spinoff scheduled for 2017
Naomi Campbell calls Malala Yousafzai “Malaria” in Nobel Peace Prize congratulations tweet
Naomi Campbell took to Twitter just hours after Malala Yousafzai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to add to her thoughts on the occasion. Naomi Campbell, 44, appeared to fall foul of autocorrect, spelling the Pakistani teenager’s name “malaria” and drawing an instant chorus of dismay from eagle-eyed Twitter users. Malala Yousafzai, 17, became the… Continue reading Naomi Campbell calls Malala Yousafzai “Malaria” in Nobel Peace Prize congratulations tweet
Cairo Coptic Christian Church’s restoration completed after 16 years
The restoration of Coptic Christian Church Virgin Mary in Cairo has been completed after 16 years. Also known as the Hanging Church because it is seated above a 2nd Century Roman fortress, it was home to the Coptic pope until the 13th Century. PM Ibrahim Mahlab and Coptic Pope Tawadros II attended the opening ceremony… Continue reading Cairo Coptic Christian Church’s restoration completed after 16 years
Boko Haram releases 27 hostages in Cameroon
Boko Haram has released 27 hostages including 10 Chinese workers held for months in Cameroon. The hostages were flown to capital Yaounde from the country’s far northern region after being freed early on Saturday, October 11. They include the wife of Cameroon’s Vice-Prime Minister, Amadou Ali. They were seized in two separate raids in May… Continue reading Boko Haram releases 27 hostages in Cameroon
Sarah Palin’s family brawl: Anchorage police release report
Alaska police have released a report describing a drunken brawl involving the son, daughter and husband of former governor Sarah Palin. According to police report, Sarah Palin’s children Track and Bristol and husband Todd were involved in physical altercations at a birthday party on September 6. Prosecutors have declined to press charges in the incident.… Continue reading Sarah Palin’s family brawl: Anchorage police release report
Justin Priest: Alaska parents mistakenly informed by police their son died in car crash
A couple in a small Alaska town was mistakenly told by police that their son had been killed in a car crash, leading to an extraordinary reunion hours later. In Palmer on October 9, at about 03:00 an officer told Karen and Jay Priest their son Justin, 29, had been killed. The devastated couple drove… Continue reading Justin Priest: Alaska parents mistakenly informed by police their son died in car crash
King Philippe of Belgium swears in Charles Michel’s government
King Philippe of Belgium has sworn in a new centre-right government, more than four months after the general election. The new cabinet is led by French-speaking liberal Charles Michel, 38, who will be Belgium’s youngest prime minister since 1841. The government is the first to include ministers from the separatist New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) party.… Continue reading King Philippe of Belgium swears in Charles Michel’s government
Michael Brown’s death: Four-day protests planned in Ferguson
Protesters have joined the first march of a planned weekend of demonstrations in Ferguson, Missouri, against police shootings. The protests were sparked by the killing of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown by police in August. Weeks of protests and violence in the St Louis suburb of Ferguson followed Michael Brown’s shooting. Tensions in St Louis… Continue reading Michael Brown’s death: Four-day protests planned in Ferguson
Misty Upham missing in Washington for six days
Misty Upham has been missing in Washington state for six days, police said on Friday, October 10. The Native American actress is known for playing a housekeeper in the movie adaption of August: Osage County. Misty Upham, 32, was last seen walking by herself from an apartment on Sunday, October 4, around Auburn, some 20… Continue reading Misty Upham missing in Washington for six days
Lego will not renew Shell partnership after Greenpeace campaign
Lego will not renew a promotional contract with Royal Dutch Shell following pressure from environmental group Greenpeace. The Danish toymaker did not say when its “long-term” contact with Shell expires. Greenpeace has been campaigning against Arctic drilling by oil companies such as Shell and has accused Lego of associating with “bad company”. Lego toys are… Continue reading Lego will not renew Shell partnership after Greenpeace campaign
Red Bull consumers can claim $10 after false advertising lawsuit
Benjamin Careathers, a regular consumer of Red Bull, sued the drinks giant for false advertising. The American argued that after 10 years drinking the caffeinated soft drink he neither had wings nor any enhanced athletic or intellectual performance. Red Bull slogan claims the fizzy drink “gives you wings”. According to the complainant, the Austria-based firm… Continue reading Red Bull consumers can claim $10 after false advertising lawsuit
Billboard’s Woman of the Year 2014: Taylor Swift becomes first artist to receive award twice
Singer Taylor Swift has been named Billboard‘s Woman of the Year 2014. Taylor Swift has become the first artist to receive the award twice. The award goes to the female artist who “has shaped and inspired the music industry with her success, leadership and innovation” over the last year. Previous winners include Pink, Beyonce and… Continue reading Billboard’s Woman of the Year 2014: Taylor Swift becomes first artist to receive award twice
Ebola screening to begin at JFK airport
New York’s JFK airport has started to implement the Ebola screening measures on Saturday, October 11. The recent outbreak has killed more than 4,000 people. Passengers from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea – the worst-hit countries – will have their temperatures taken and have to answer a series of questions. Checks at O’Hare in Chicago,… Continue reading Ebola screening to begin at JFK airport
S&P cuts France’s credit outlook to negative
Standard and Poor’s has cut France’s credit outlook to “negative”, due to concerns about the country’s struggling economic recovery. However, the credit rating agency affirmed France’s AA/A-1+ rating, the third-highest rating. “We believe that…a recovery of the French economy could prove elusive,” said S&P in a statement. France’s finance minister, Michel Sapin, said the country’s… Continue reading S&P cuts France’s credit outlook to negative
Oscars 2015: Record 83 titles submitted for foreign language film category
A record 83 titles have been submitted for 2015’s foreign language film Oscar – seven more than 2014’s previous record number. The new entries include four countries – Kosovo, Malta, Mauritania and Panama – that have not submitted a film before. Notable titles include Turkish entrant Winter’s Sleep, Palme d’Or winner at this year’s Cannes… Continue reading Oscars 2015: Record 83 titles submitted for foreign language film category
Angelina Jolie made Honorary Dame in UK
Angelina Jolie has been made an honorary dame by Queen Elizabeth II for services to UK foreign policy and charity campaigns. Angelina Jolie, 39, was presented with the insignia of an Honorary Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George on October 10. The investiture took place during a… Continue reading Angelina Jolie made Honorary Dame in UK
Lauren Bacall’s jewellery and artworks to be auctioned in New York
Lauren Bacall’s effects – jewellery, artworks and furniture – are to go under the hammer in New York, auction house Bonhams has announced. Artworks including pieces by Picasso and Henry Moore are set to make $3 million at next year’s sale. A number of sculptures by Henry Moore, greatly favored by Lauren Bacall, will be… Continue reading Lauren Bacall’s jewellery and artworks to be auctioned in New York
Type 1 diabetes breakthrough: Beta cells produced in lab
A giant step forward has been taken in the hunt for a cure for type 1 diabetes, researchers have announced. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the immune system destroying the cells that control blood sugar levels. A team at Harvard University used stem cells to produce hundreds of millions of the cells in the… Continue reading Type 1 diabetes breakthrough: Beta cells produced in lab
Ebola outbreak death toll tops 4,000
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the number of people killed in the Ebola outbreak has risen above 4,000. The latest figures show there have been 8,376 cases and 4,024 deaths in the worst-affected West African nations of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The news comes as Liberian lawmakers refused to grant the… Continue reading Ebola outbreak death toll tops 4,000
Satya Nadella apologizes for women’s pay remarks
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has apologized for remarks he made advising women not to ask for a pay rise but to have “faith in the system”. At a conference to celebrate women in technology, Satya Nadella suggested that women not asking for a rise were “good karma”. The comments sparked outrage and Satya Nadella has… Continue reading Satya Nadella apologizes for women’s pay remarks
Take That announces first album without Jason Orange
Take That have announced III, their first album without Jason Orange. The trio started work on new material earlier this year without Jason Orange but had his “blessing” to make the record. The new album is due out on December 1st, 2014. Take That also revealed that the first single off the new record will… Continue reading Take That announces first album without Jason Orange