Shrien Dewani agreed to pay about £1,300 ($2,000) to a hitman for the murder of his wife Anni in South Africa, a court has been told. On the second day of the trial in Cape Town, Mziwamadoda Qwabe said he was asked to make it look like a hijacking. British businessman Shrien Dewani, 34, denies… Continue reading Anni Dewani murder: Shrien Dewani agreed to pay hitman for killing his wife
Year: 2014
Earliest cave paintings produced by humans discovered in Indonesia
Some of the earliest cave paintings produced by humans have been identified in a rural area on the Indonesian Island of Sulawesi. Until now, paintings this old had been confirmed in caves only in Western Europe. Researchers tell the journal Nature that the Indonesian discovery transforms ideas about how humans first developed the ability to… Continue reading Earliest cave paintings produced by humans discovered in Indonesia
Thomas Eric Duncan: Texas Ebola patient dies in Dallas hospital
Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola on the US soil, has died in Dallas, Texas hospital officials have said. Thomas Eric Duncan, who caught the virus in his native Liberia, was being kept in isolation in a Dallas hospital and receiving experimental drugs. Earlier the US announced new screening measures… Continue reading Thomas Eric Duncan: Texas Ebola patient dies in Dallas hospital
Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2014: Eric Betzig, Stefan Hell and William Moerner share award for improving resolution of microscopes
A trio of researchers has been awarded the 2014 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for improving the resolution of microscopes. Eric Betzig, Stefan Hell and William Moerner used fluorescence to extend the limits of the light microscope. The winners will share prize money of 8 million kronor ($1.12 million). They were named at a press conference… Continue reading Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2014: Eric Betzig, Stefan Hell and William Moerner share award for improving resolution of microscopes
WHO: More Ebola cases can be expected among medical staff
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that more Ebola cases can be expected among medical staff – even in developed countries with modern health care systems. The WHO adviser, Prof. Peter Piot, said he was not surprised that a Spanish nurse had contracted the disease. The nurse, Teresa Romero, is the first person known… Continue reading WHO: More Ebola cases can be expected among medical staff
Sinead O’Connor’s autobiography to reveal all about her former partners
Sinead O’Connor has announced she is writing an autobiography in which she promises to reveal all about her former partners. Penguin Random House imprint Blue Rider Press said the four-times-married Irish singer-songwriter’s book, currently untitled, would be published in March 2016. In a statement issued through her publisher Sinead O’Connor, 47, pledged to reveal all… Continue reading Sinead O’Connor’s autobiography to reveal all about her former partners
Stephen Collins accused of child molestation
Cable networks UP TV and TV Guide announced they would not broadcast scheduled re-runs of Stephen Collins’ beloved family series 7th Heaven after details of molestation allegations against the actor were reported by TMZ. New York police confirmed on October 7 they have an open investigation into allegations Stephen Collins molested a teenage girl in… Continue reading Stephen Collins accused of child molestation
JK Rowling explains meaning behind cryptic tweet
British author JK Rowling has explained the meaning behind a cryptic tweet sent earlier this week, scotching hopes that it referred to a new Harry Potter story. On October 6, JK Rowling posted an anagram: “Cry, foe! Run amok! Fa awry! My wand won’t tolerate this nonsense.” Some fans translated it as: “Harry Returns! Won’t… Continue reading JK Rowling explains meaning behind cryptic tweet
Blood Moon 2014: Total lunar eclipse to be visible across Americas and Asia
Skywatchers stay tuned for the second total lunar eclipse of 2014 that will be visible across much of the Americas and Asia in the coming hours. The event began at 04:00 EDT and will reach totality before sunrise at 06:25 EDT. During the eclipse – which is the second to occur this year – our… Continue reading Blood Moon 2014: Total lunar eclipse to be visible across Americas and Asia
OECD: Canberra ranked best city in the world to live in
According to a recent report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Canberra is the best place in the world to live. The Australian Capital Territory of Canberra led the regional ranking while Australia topped the overall country rankings, followed by Norway. The OECD ranked 362 regions of its 34 member nations in… Continue reading OECD: Canberra ranked best city in the world to live in
North Korea holds rare briefing at UN to discuss human rights report
The North Korean mission at the UN held a rare briefing to discuss its recent report on its own human rights situation. A North Korean official acknowledged his country runs labor camps to “reform” detainees, but dismissed criticism of its rights record as “wild rumors”. A UN report released in February 2014 said North Korea… Continue reading North Korea holds rare briefing at UN to discuss human rights report
Ebola in Spain: Four people quarantined in Madrid hospital
Spanish authorities are investigating a hospital in Madrid after a nurse became the first person known to have contracted the deadly Ebola virus outside West Africa. The nurse had treated two Spanish missionaries who died of the disease after being flown home from the region. Three other people, including the nurse’s husband, have been quarantined.… Continue reading Ebola in Spain: Four people quarantined in Madrid hospital
Morrissey treated for cancer
Morrissey has revealed he has had four medical procedures he has described as “cancer-scrapings”. The singer has recently battled bouts of ill health but revealed the cancer news during an email interview with Spanish newspaper El Mundo. “I have had four cancer-scrapings, but so what. If I die, I die,” Morrissey wrote. “If I don’t,… Continue reading Morrissey treated for cancer
Willie Nelson’s braids and Buddy Holly’s Ariel Cyclone motorcycle auctioned in New York
Willie Nelson’s iconic braids sold for $37,000 at Guernsey’s auction in New York. The braids were cut in the 1980s when Willie Nelson’s hair was still red and were the most talked-about item in the Arizona auction of items owned by the late Waylon Jennings, Nelson’s cohort in the “outlaw country” music movement of the… Continue reading Willie Nelson’s braids and Buddy Holly’s Ariel Cyclone motorcycle auctioned in New York
Eiffel Tower glass floor creates sensation of walking on air at 200 ft above ground
Tourists visiting Eiffel Tower in Paris are being treated to a new glass floor, creating a sensation of walking on air nearly 200 feet above ground. Visitors will be able to look down on Paris through a glass floor as part of a refurbishment of the tower. The $37.5 million reconstruction is likely to become… Continue reading Eiffel Tower glass floor creates sensation of walking on air at 200 ft above ground
Carlos the Jackal to go on trial in France for 1974 murder
Carlos the Jackal, who carried out a string of attacks in the 1970s and 80s, is to go on trial again in France for the murder of two people in 1974. A self-styled professional revolutionary from Venezuela, Carlos the Jackal is accused of throwing a grenade in Paris that also left 34 people wounded. The… Continue reading Carlos the Jackal to go on trial in France for 1974 murder
Nobel Prize in Physics 2014: Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura share award for invention of blue LED
The Nobel Prize in Physics 2014 was awarded jointly to Japanese scientists Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura “for the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes [LED] which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources”. The blue LEDs developed by Professors Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura helped produce bright, energy-efficient white… Continue reading Nobel Prize in Physics 2014: Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura share award for invention of blue LED
Sewol ferry: Captain Lee Joon-seok starts giving evidence in Gwangju trial
Sewol ferry captain, Lee Joon-seok, has said he was in a very “confused” state during the incident, as he started giving evidence in his trial. The South Korean ferry sank in April 16 and more than three hundred people died, most of them schoolchildren, when the Sewol passenger ferry capsized. Lee Joon-seok, 69, is charged… Continue reading Sewol ferry: Captain Lee Joon-seok starts giving evidence in Gwangju trial
Marian Seldes dies at 86 following lengthy illness
Broadway legend Marian Seldes has died in New York at the age of 86 following a lengthy illness. Marian Seldes was best known for appearing in every performance of Deathtrap during its four-year run, setting a Guinness World Record. She made her stage debut in 1947 aged 17 in a production of Medea and won… Continue reading Marian Seldes dies at 86 following lengthy illness
Black bear cub found dead in Central Park
A black bear cub was found dead in New York City’s Central Park on Monday morning. The female cub appeared to have suffered traumatic injury but it remains unclear how it died. Bears are not known to live in the park at the centre of one of America’s most densely populated cities. They may not… Continue reading Black bear cub found dead in Central Park
Colombian tribe members killed by lightning in Sierra Nevada mountains
Eleven people from Colombian tribe Wiwa have been killed by lightning during a religious ceremony in Sierra Nevada mountains. Leaders from the Wiwa ethnic group were carrying out what was described as a spiritual harmonization ritual when they were struck. Another 15 people were injured. Survivors were rescued by the army and airlifted to hospitals… Continue reading Colombian tribe members killed by lightning in Sierra Nevada mountains
Twin Peaks series to make return on Showtime in 2016
Twin Peaks will make its return with creators David Lynch and Mark Frost on premium cable channel Showtime in 2016, the network said on October 6. The murder mystery television series drew audiences and critical praise in the 1990s. Twin Peaks, which ran for two seasons on the ABC network in 1990 and 1991, was… Continue reading Twin Peaks series to make return on Showtime in 2016
Geoffrey Holder dies aged 84
Actor, dancer and choreographer Geoffrey Holder, known as Baron Samedi in Bond movie Live and Let Die, has died at 84. Born in Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago, Geoffrey Holder was also a composer, a designer and a celebrated painter. Geoffrey Holder will be best remembered to many as the cackling Voodoo villain… Continue reading Geoffrey Holder dies aged 84
BB King cancels remaining tour dates after being diagnosed with dehydration and exhaustion
BB King has canceled the remaining eight performances of his current US tour after being diagnosed with dehydration and exhaustion. According to his website, BB King, 89, was taken ill during a performance in Chicago on October 3. The tour was to have included two shows at BB King’s own blues club in New York.… Continue reading BB King cancels remaining tour dates after being diagnosed with dehydration and exhaustion
Waldorf Astoria NYC sold to Chinese company
Waldorf Astoria hotel has been sold by Hilton Worldwide to Chinese insurance company Anbang Insurance Group for $1.95 billion. However, Hilton will continue to operate the New York property “for the next 100 years”, including renovating the property in the coming months. Shares in Hilton jumped 3% on news of the sale, before later declining.… Continue reading Waldorf Astoria NYC sold to Chinese company