Tens of thousands of protesters have blocked the streets of Hong Kong, shutting down businesses and ignoring appeals to leave. The demonstrations have spread to other areas including a shopping district and a residential area. Riot police withdrew on September 29 after overnight clashes in which they used batons and fired volleys of tear gas… Continue reading Hong Kong protests: Schools and banks closed as demonstrators block downtown
Year: 2014
Monster truck crash kills three people in Haaksbergen
A monster truck accident happened on September 28 in Haaksbergen, the Netherlands, when a vehicle ploughed into a crowd of onlookers at an annual motor show. Three people were killed in the tragedy. According to Hans Gerritsen, the mayor of Haaksbergen, other 18 people have been injured. The third death was announced on September 29… Continue reading Monster truck crash kills three people in Haaksbergen
George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin civil wedding ceremony held in Venice
George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin’s marriage has been sealed with a civil ceremony in Venice on September 29. George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin went by boat to the city hall building where the brief procedure was conducted. At the weekend, a host of famous guests including Matt Damon and Bill Murray attended a lavish wedding… Continue reading George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin civil wedding ceremony held in Venice
Microsoft launches Xbox One in China
Microsoft has become the first major console maker to enter the Chinese market after launching Xbox One. The first consoles were sold in Shanghai, priced at 4,299 yuan ($699). Sony and Nintendo are yet to launch their respective products. In January, the Chinese government lifted a 14-year ban on consoles, made because of worries over… Continue reading Microsoft launches Xbox One in China
The Equalizer tops US box office with $35 million
The Equalizer has topped the North American box office on its opening weekend, taking $35 million, according to early estimates. It marked a strong opening for the movie, in which Denzel Washington plays a former commando who finds himself in a battle with the Russian mafia. The film has reunited Denzel Washington with director Antoine… Continue reading The Equalizer tops US box office with $35 million
Lady Gaga claims $1.4 million from plagiarism accuser Rebecca Francescatti
Lady Gaga has filed a lawsuit to recoup legal costs from Rebecca Francescatti who accused the singer of copying her music. Chicago-based musician Rebecca Francescatti sued Lady Gaga in 2011 claiming her single Judas was lifted from a piece she had composed in 1999, named Juda. In June, US District Judge Marvin E. Aspen dismissed… Continue reading Lady Gaga claims $1.4 million from plagiarism accuser Rebecca Francescatti
Ashraf Ghani sworn in as Afghanistan’s president
Ashraf Ghani has been sworn in as Afghanistan’s president after six months of deadlock amid a bitter dispute over electoral fraud and a recount of votes. Under a US-brokered unity deal Ashraf Ghani takes over the presidency and runner-up Abdullah Abdullah can nominate a figure with prime-ministerial powers. The Taliban have described the deal as… Continue reading Ashraf Ghani sworn in as Afghanistan’s president
Lenin statue dismantled in Kharkiv
Ukrainian nationalists have torn down a statue of Lenin in the centre of Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city, in a move supported by officials. People cheered and leapt for joy as the statue came crashing down. Pro-Russian demonstrators in the largely Russian-speaking city defended the statue in February, when President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted. Kharkiv… Continue reading Lenin statue dismantled in Kharkiv
Andrew Madoff was under investigation until he died
Andrew Madoff, Bernard Madoff’s last surviving son, was under investigation for possible involvement in his father’s multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme until the day he died from cancer earlier this month. Andrew Madoff had long maintained that he and his brother, Mark, who hanged himself in 2010, knew nothing of the massive fraud. However, two federal law… Continue reading Andrew Madoff was under investigation until he died
Chelsea Clinton shares baby Charlotte’s first photo
Chelsea Clinton shared the first picture of her newborn daughter Charlotte just one day after giving birth. Chelsea Clinton, 34, tweeted on September 27: “At 7:03 PM on September 26th, we finally met Charlotte.” “We’re in love.” The former first daughter looked overjoyed at the hospital as she and her husband Marc Mezvinsky stared down… Continue reading Chelsea Clinton shares baby Charlotte’s first photo
US-led coalition airstrikes hit four ISIS-held oil refineries in Syria
The US and Arab allies’ airstrikes have hit four makeshift oil refineries under Islamic State (ISIS) control in Syria, as well as a command centre. Early indications were that the attacks by US, Saudi and UAE planes were successful, US Central Command said. Explosions at a refinery at Tel Abyad, near the Turkish border, lit… Continue reading US-led coalition airstrikes hit four ISIS-held oil refineries in Syria
Robin Williams’ life celebrated at private tribute ceremony in San Francisco
Late actor Robin Williams has been celebrated at a private tribute ceremony attended by his family and friends. The ceremony took place on September 27 at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco, according to Hollywood Reporter. Hundreds of guests attended, including Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg, and Robin Williams’ wife and children. Robin Williams, 63,… Continue reading Robin Williams’ life celebrated at private tribute ceremony in San Francisco
George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin step out in Venice after wedding ceremony
George Clooney and his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin, have stepped out in Venice one day after the couple married in the Italian city. George Clooney, 53, married Amal Alamuddin, 36, in a private ceremony in Venice. Hollywood stars such as Matt Damon and Bill Murray were among the guests at Saturday’s reception. On… Continue reading George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin step out in Venice after wedding ceremony
Hong Kong protesters launch Occupy Central
Occupy Central protesters have issued demands for the Chinese government to scrap rules outlining the election of the next chief executive in 2017. The protest group also wants the resumption of public consultation on democratic reforms. Thousands of protesters are camped outside government headquarters in central Hong Kong. Occupy Central leader Benny Tai announced the… Continue reading Hong Kong protesters launch Occupy Central
Mariam Ibrahim: Sudan apostasy woman to campaign against religious persecution
Mariam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, the Sudanese woman who escaped a death sentence imposed for renouncing her Christian faith, says she wants to campaign for others who face religious persecution. In a recent interview taken by the BBC TV in the US, where Mariam Ibrahim is seeking asylum, she said she hopes to return to Sudan… Continue reading Mariam Ibrahim: Sudan apostasy woman to campaign against religious persecution
Police officer shot in Ferguson
A police officer has been shot in Ferguson, Missouri, but his condition is unclear, St Louis police say. The officer was shot in the arm, according to local broadcaster KSDK, but the circumstances are not known. Ferguson, a suburb of St Louis, has suffered outbreaks of violence since the shooting dead of unarmed black teenager… Continue reading Police officer shot in Ferguson
Mount Ontake volcano eruption kills at least 30 hikers
Japanese rescue teams have recovered thirty bodies from the peak of Mount Ontake, after Saturday’s sudden volcanic eruption. The hikers were not breathing and their hearts had stopped, reports said. Final confirmation of death in Japan always comes via a medical examination. About 250 people were trapped on the slopes, but most have got down… Continue reading Mount Ontake volcano eruption kills at least 30 hikers
Cy Tokmakjian: Canadian executive sentenced to 15 years in jail in Cuba
Cy Tokmakjian, the president of a Canadian transport company, has been sentenced by a Cuban court to 15 years in jail for bribery. Cy Tokmakjian, 74, was detained in Cuba in 2011 as part an anti-corruption operation. He denies the charges. The Tokmakjian Group said the court had seized its assets in Cuba, worth about… Continue reading Cy Tokmakjian: Canadian executive sentenced to 15 years in jail in Cuba
Dr Dre tops Forbes list as highest paid hip-hop artist with $620 million
Dr Dre has topped Forbes list as the highest paid hip-hop artist, ousting Sean “Diddy” Combs from the top spot. Dr Dre’s $620 million earnings in the last 12 months are the highest of any musician ever evaluated by Forbes magazine. His total eclipses the mere $60 million earned by Jay-Z, 44, and Diddy, 44,… Continue reading Dr Dre tops Forbes list as highest paid hip-hop artist with $620 million
Chicago air traffic control fire set by employee Brian Howard
The fire in Aurora air traffic control facility that grounded all flights in and out of Chicago’s two major airports was set by an employee, officials say. Brian Howard, 36, has been charged with one count of destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities in connection with the fire in the building’s basement. The man was… Continue reading Chicago air traffic control fire set by employee Brian Howard
Vitalii Sediuk explains Kim Kardashian prank
Ukrainian journalist Vitalii Sediuk, who nearly shoved Kim Kardashian to the ground outside the Balmain fashion show in Paris earlier this week, has spoken up about the incident. Vitalii Sediuk, 25, told The Hollywood Reporter: “I had a feeling that Kim would show up there because she is friends with the designer of Balmain.” “I… Continue reading Vitalii Sediuk explains Kim Kardashian prank
George Clooney marries Amal Alamuddin in Venice ceremony
George Clooney has married Amal Alamuddin in Venice, in one of the most eagerly anticipated showbiz event of the year. A host of fellow stars descended on Venice’s canals for the union between George Clooney, 53, and Amal Alamuddin, 36. The ceremony was celebrated in a hotel overlooking the famous Grand Canal. George Clooney’s agent… Continue reading George Clooney marries Amal Alamuddin in Venice ceremony
Che Guevara and Hugo Chavez perfumes banned in Cuba
The Cuban government has said it will take disciplinary action against state-owned pharmaceutical company Labiofam that created perfumes named Ernesto Che Guevara and Hugo Chavez. In a statement in the official Granma newspaper, the government described the project as “a serious error”. “The symbols of the Revolution are and will always be sacred,” the statement… Continue reading Che Guevara and Hugo Chavez perfumes banned in Cuba
Ebola outbreak: Liberia’s Deputy Health Minister Bernice Dahn under quarantine
Liberian chief medical officer Bernice Dahn has put herself under quarantine for 21 days, after one of her assistants died from the deadly Ebola virus. Deputy Health Minister Bernice Dahn said she had no symptoms but wanted to take every precaution. The World Health Organization (WHO) says more than 3,000 people have died from Ebola… Continue reading Ebola outbreak: Liberia’s Deputy Health Minister Bernice Dahn under quarantine
Jayaram Jayalalitha sentenced to four years in jail on corruption charges
India’s top politician Jayaram Jayalalitha has been sentenced to jail for four years on corruption charges in a case that has lasted for 18 years. Jayaram Jayalalitha, the chief minister of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, was found guilty of amassing wealth of more than $10 million which was unaccounted for. She has to… Continue reading Jayaram Jayalalitha sentenced to four years in jail on corruption charges