Saturday Night Live star Jan Hooks has died aged 57. The actress’ agent confirmed she died in New York though no cause of death has been given. Jan Hooks also played Jenna Maroney’s mother Vera in two episodes of hit comedy 30 Rock. Her SNL co-stars included Wayne’s World stars Mike Myers and Dana Carvey.… Continue reading Jan Hooks dead: SNL star dies aged 57
Year: 2014
WHO official: Ebola outbreak bigger than expected
WHO Director of Strategy, Dr. Christopher Dye, has said in a recent interview that leading global health experts did not anticipate the scale of the Ebola outbreak. He said the international response was helping but needed to continue. Ebola is entrenched in the capitals of the worst-affected countries – Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the… Continue reading WHO official: Ebola outbreak bigger than expected
Nobel Peace Prize 2014: Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi share award
Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi have jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014. At the age of just 17, Pakistani child education activist Malala Yousafzai is the youngest ever recipient of the prize. Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen in October 2012 for campaigning for girls’ education. She now lives… Continue reading Nobel Peace Prize 2014: Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi share award
Oklahoma unveils remodeled death chamber after botched executions
Oklahoma corrections officials have unveiled the state’s remodeled death chamber, where at least three men are scheduled to be executed before the end of the year. The chamber at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester was renovated at a cost of $71,000. The new facility features more space for the executioners to work and new… Continue reading Oklahoma unveils remodeled death chamber after botched executions
Kim Jong-un misses North Korea’s big event
Kim Jong-un missed a key political anniversary ceremony on October 10, the North Korean media said, amid speculation over his absence from public view. The North Korean leader’s name was not on a list of those who visited a mausoleum to mark the ruling party’s anniversary. Kim Jong-un has not been seen for more than… Continue reading Kim Jong-un misses North Korea’s big event
Venezuela to pay $1.6 billion to Exxon Mobil in compensation for expropriated assets
An international arbitration tribunal has decided that Venezuela must pay Exxon Mobil $1.6 billion in compensation for expropriated assets. Exxon had claimed up to $16.6 billion over the nationalization of its Cerro Negro Project and other losses in 2007. Venezuela has not said whether it will appeal. But the foreign minister said the decision was… Continue reading Venezuela to pay $1.6 billion to Exxon Mobil in compensation for expropriated assets
The Endless River: Pink Floyd’s latest album to be final LP
In a recent interview, Pink Floyd guitarist and singer David Gilmour has said he is “pretty certain” the band’s latest album, The Endless River, will be their final LP. The Endless River is a tribute to Pink Floyd’s keyboard player Rick Wright, who died in 2008. David Gilmour said Rick Wright was “underestimated by the… Continue reading The Endless River: Pink Floyd’s latest album to be final LP
Thomas Frieden: Ebola outbreak biggest challenge since AIDS
CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden has said that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is unlike anything since the emergence of HIV/AIDS. A fast global response could ensure that it did not become “the next AIDS,” the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. The presidents of Liberia, Sierra Leone and… Continue reading Thomas Frieden: Ebola outbreak biggest challenge since AIDS
China becomes world’s largest economy
China overtakes the USA as the world’s largest economy, according to figures from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The figures are adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). According to the IMF, the combined purchasing power of China’s citizens now outstrips that of America’s. By the end of 2014, China should make up 16.48& of the… Continue reading China becomes world’s largest economy
MH17 passenger found wearing oxygen mask
One of the 298 people killed in the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine was found wearing an oxygen mask, Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans has said. Frans Timmermans indicated that not everybody on board had died instantly when the plane was hit by a missile. According to an initial report, flight… Continue reading MH17 passenger found wearing oxygen mask
Shaw shooting: Off-duty cop shots dead unarmed black teenager
Another black teenager has been shot dead by an off-duty police officer in St Louis, Missouri, leading to angry demonstrations on the streets. The white officer was on patrol for a private security company when he exchanged fire with an 18-year-old after a chase, say police. The officer fired 17 shots at the teenager, police… Continue reading Shaw shooting: Off-duty cop shots dead unarmed black teenager
Patrick Modiano wins Nobel Prize in Literature 2014
French writer Patrick Modiano has won the Nobel Prize in literature for 2014. The Nobel Academy described the historical author, whose work has often focused on the Nazi occupation of France, as “a Marcel Proust of our time”. The award – presented to a living writer – is worth 8 million kronor ($1.1 million). Previous… Continue reading Patrick Modiano wins Nobel Prize in Literature 2014
Finding Economical and Safe Homes for Your Family
The Indian construction industry is one of the biggest industries in the country. According to the latest statistics, the industry contributed more than Rs 6708 billion to the Indian economy in 2011 to 2012. The industry also provides employment to more than 35 million people directly and indirectly all over the country. With a steadily… Continue reading Finding Economical and Safe Homes for Your Family
Forced Prostitution In Asia During WWII
Forced prostitution in Asia during WWII was so commonplace that this author asked his grandfather about it and he said that he served with people who were stationed overseas talked about it in everyday life. This will delve into the facts and the statistics about these comfort women. Many of these women have since past… Continue reading Forced Prostitution In Asia During WWII
Living Luxury: 4 Ways to Treat Yourself
Who hasn’t stepped back before and thought, I deserve a day off today? Of course we all have. Working hard, day in and day out, can take its toll, so it’s important to treat yourself every once in a while as a reminder that you deserve to enjoy the journey. Here’s your guide to sitting… Continue reading Living Luxury: 4 Ways to Treat Yourself
Stocking up on Kid’s Art Supplies on a Budget
Wanting to encourage creativity and imagination in our kids is something all parents aim for, yet if you’re on a slightly more modest budget, it can be difficult to know how to supply them with art materials for them to have fun and get creating. With a little bit of know-how, however, it doesn’t have… Continue reading Stocking up on Kid’s Art Supplies on a Budget
Winter Health Problems to Watch Out for in the Elderly
It’s no secret that those in their elderly years are more prone to illness than younger people, and it’s also no secret that winter is a particularly dangerous time of the year for various illnesses and conditions. Here are some health problems to watch out for if you have elderly loved ones… Colds You’ll quite… Continue reading Winter Health Problems to Watch Out for in the Elderly
Peter Kassig converts to Islam and becomes a dedicated Muslim
According to a former cellmate, American hostage Abdul-Rahman Kassig, known as Peter Kassig before he converted to Islam, is now a “dedicated Muslim”. Peter Kassig, an aid worker, was kidnapped in Syria by the so-called Islamic State. Abdul-Rahman Kassig, 26, always cut a slightly unworldly figure on the Turkish-Syrian border: open, honest, slightly intense, beguiled… Continue reading Peter Kassig converts to Islam and becomes a dedicated Muslim
Shannon Leah Fraser: Australian woman survives 17 days in Queensland bush
Shannon Leah Fraser has been found 17 days after she got lost in the bush in northern Queensland, Australia, with no food. Shannon Leah Fraser, 30, stumbled out of the bush on Wednesday morning, reported local media. The woman had gone to the Golden Hole swimming spot with two men, including her partner, when she… Continue reading Shannon Leah Fraser: Australian woman survives 17 days in Queensland bush
Mexico protests against students’ disappearance in Iguala
Multiple protests are being held in cities across Mexico against the disappearance of students in the southern town of Iguala on September 26. The students had clashed with police during a demonstration and were last seen being bundled into police cars. Hundreds of local vigilantes have joined the search, saying they would conduct a house-by-house… Continue reading Mexico protests against students’ disappearance in Iguala
Bionic hand: Sense of touch restored for two patients
US scientists have restored a sense of touch to two bionic hand patients. The men can now delicately pluck the stalks out of cherries. Sensors on the artificial hand are used to send signals directly to the nerves, the study, published in Science Translational Medicine, said. Meanwhile, a Swedish team has made a separate breakthrough… Continue reading Bionic hand: Sense of touch restored for two patients
FBI seeks American public’s help in identifying masked man in ISIS video
The FBI is seeking the American public’s help in identifying a masked man who appears in an Islamic State (ISIS) video. Dressed in desert camouflage and wearing a shoulder holster, officials believe the jihadist betrays a North American accent as he speaks English and Arabic. FBI director James Comey says about a dozen Americans are… Continue reading FBI seeks American public’s help in identifying masked man in ISIS video
Dad’s Army remake: Full cast announced
Tom Courtenay, Bill Nighy, Michael Gambon and Toby Jones are among the stars who will appear in a big-screen remake of classic sitcom Dad’s Army. Toby Jones will star as Captain Mainwaring, Bill Nighy will appear as Sergeant Wilson and Tom Courtenay will play Corporal Jones. Michael Gambon will fill the role of Private Godfrey… Continue reading Dad’s Army remake: Full cast announced
Teresa Romero: Spanish nurse may have touched her face after treating Ebola patient
Teresa Romero, the Spanish nurse infected with Ebola, remembers touching her face with her gloves after treating a dying priest, a doctor in Madrid has said. Maria Teresa Romero Ramos, 40, is the first person known to have contracted the deadly virus outside West Africa. She had treated two Spanish missionaries who later died from… Continue reading Teresa Romero: Spanish nurse may have touched her face after treating Ebola patient
China’s wasteful government spending drops by $9 billion
The Chinese government’s expenditures on overseas trips, lavish receptions and official cars have dropped by almost $9 billion over the past year. The announcement comes as President Xi Jinping’s campaign to tackle decadent working practices in the ruling Communist Party draws to a close. More than 150,000 “ghost jobs”, where people are paid even if… Continue reading China’s wasteful government spending drops by $9 billion