Sarah Palin has defended her family and, in particular, daughter Bristol Palin, after reports surfaced a week earlier that her kids had been involved in a brawl at a party in Anchorage, Alaska. On September 19, the former governor of Alaska and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate wrote in a message on Facebook: “I love… Continue reading Sarah Palin defends daughter Bristol after Anchorage brawl
Year: 2014
French tourist kidnapped by ISIS in Algeria
A French tourist has been kidnapped while on holiday in eastern Algeria, the French foreign ministry has confirmed. The man was seized on Sunday, September 21, in the restive Tizi Ouzou region in the east, the ministry said. It did not confirm the authenticity of a video posted on the internet purporting to show the… Continue reading French tourist kidnapped by ISIS in Algeria
Bow Wow and Erica Mena get engaged after six months of dating
Bow Wow and girlfriend Erica Mena got engaged, after just six months of dating. The rapper, real name Shad Moss, confirmed his happy news via Instagram, showing off not only fiancée Erica Mena’s new bling, but also his matching diamond-encrusted Rolex watch. The 27-year-old Love and Hip Hop New York star first let slip her… Continue reading Bow Wow and Erica Mena get engaged after six months of dating
Mike Tyson rescues Ryan Chesley from motorcycle crash
Mike Tyson stopped traffic to rescue a man from a horrific motorcycle crash. Ryan Chesley was heading to Las Vegas on his motorcycle when a cab cut him off on the freeway and led to his taking a dangerous spill on the side of the road, TMZ reported. The man says Mike Tyson saw the… Continue reading Mike Tyson rescues Ryan Chesley from motorcycle crash
Sierra Leone: Ebola lockdown declared success
Sierra Leone’s three-day curfew aimed at containing the Ebola outbreak has been declared a success by authorities. They say more than a million households were surveyed and 130 new cases discovered. Sierra Leone is one of the countries worst affected by the outbreak, with nearly 600 of the almost 2,800 total deaths recorded so far.… Continue reading Sierra Leone: Ebola lockdown declared success
South Park joins Washington Redskins controversy in Season 18
South Park creators are set to skewer the Washington Redskins over its use of the name in an upcoming episode of the highly satirical show, currently heading into its 18th season. A teaser trailer aired during Sunday’s Redskins-Eagles game, though it reportedly was limited to the Washington, D.C. market. In the trailer, Redskins owner Daniel… Continue reading South Park joins Washington Redskins controversy in Season 18
Mike Harari dies at the age of 87
Mike Harari, one of Israel’s best-known spies, has died at the age of 87. He oversaw a string of operations involving the assassination of Palestinian militants abroad. Mike Harari orchestrated missions including the targeting of militants whom Israel held responsible for the massacre of its Olympics team in 1972. The Mossad agent also played a… Continue reading Mike Harari dies at the age of 87
Qingyong Wu: Ultrasonic CEO denies taking company’s money
Ultrasonic CEO Qingyong Wu, who was reported missing last week along with most of the company’s cash, has spoken to Chinese media and denied wrongdoing. Qingyong Wu said in an interview with Chinese news service Sina that he had been on holiday with his grandson and had lost his mobile phone. Last week, the Chinese… Continue reading Qingyong Wu: Ultrasonic CEO denies taking company’s money
Roasted peanuts trigger more allergic reactions
According to an Oxford University study, involving mice, roasted peanuts are more likely to trigger an allergic reaction than raw peanuts. Scientists say chemical changes caused by dry roasting processes may prime the body’s immune system – sparking future allergic reactions. However, much more work is needed before humans should consider swapping roasted nuts for… Continue reading Roasted peanuts trigger more allergic reactions
Ukraine to withdraw heavy weaponry from rebel lines
Ukraine will start the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from separatist rebel lines in the east, the military says. The two sides agreed on September 20 to set up a buffer zone in eastern Ukraine, more than a fortnight after a shaky ceasefire came into force. Although the truce is still in place, clashes have continued… Continue reading Ukraine to withdraw heavy weaponry from rebel lines
Global Divest-Invest: Rockefeller family to sell investments in fossil fuels and reinvest in clean energy
According to new reports, the Rockefeller family, which made its vast fortune from oil, is to sell investments in fossil fuels and reinvest in clean energy. The Rockefeller Brothers Fund is joining a coalition of philanthropists pledging to rid themselves of more than $50 billion in fossil fuel assets. The announcement will be made today,… Continue reading Global Divest-Invest: Rockefeller family to sell investments in fossil fuels and reinvest in clean energy
Turkey closes Syria border after 130,000 Kurdish refugees enter the country
Turkey has decided to close some of its border crossings with Syria after about 130,000 Kurdish refugees entered the country over the weekend. On September 21, Turkish security forces clashed with Kurds protesting in solidarity with the refugees. Some protesters were reportedly trying to go to Syria to fight Islamic State (ISIS). Most refugees are… Continue reading Turkey closes Syria border after 130,000 Kurdish refugees enter the country
Maze Runner tops North American box office with $32.5 million
The Maze Runner has topped the North American box-office with $32.5 million on its opening weekend. The adult fiction adaptation beat two other debuts into second and third spot – Liam Neeson’s A Walk Among the Tombstones took $13.1 million at No 2. This Is Where I Leave You entered at number three with $11.9… Continue reading Maze Runner tops North American box office with $32.5 million
Air France strike 2014: Pilots extend protest against low-cost plans
Air France pilots are extending their week-long strike over plans to expand low-cost operations abroad. More than 80% of pilots from SNPL union voted to continue industrial action beyond deadline, September 22, according to Jean-Louis Barber, head of the union’s Air France section. On Sunday, September 21, only 38% of flights were assured, the lowest proportion since the strike began. Pilots are… Continue reading Air France strike 2014: Pilots extend protest against low-cost plans
Hannah Graham UPDATE: Jesse Matthew to be questioned in missing UVa student case
Jesse Matthew, the man believed to be the last person to see Hannah Graham before she disappeared, was being sought on arrest warrants charging him reckless driving, a police chief said on September 21, adding authorities also want to ask him about the missing teen. Virginia State Police have issued warrants for Jesse Matthew on… Continue reading Hannah Graham UPDATE: Jesse Matthew to be questioned in missing UVa student case
Hong Kong students begin week-long boycott
Thousands of students in Hong Kong have begun a week-long boycott of classes to protest against China’s stance on electoral reform in the territory. The movement is a prelude to a larger protest on October 1 planned by pro-democracy group Occupy Central. Beijing has rejected open nominations for the city’s leadership poll, dashing hopes of… Continue reading Hong Kong students begin week-long boycott
GM recalls 220,000 Cadillac XTS and Chevrolet Impala over brake defect
General Motors is recalling more than 220,000 vehicles to correct a brake defect that could increase the risk of fire. The carmaker says it is not aware of any deaths or injuries resulting from the defect. GM recall affects Cadillac XTS model from 2013 and 2014 and recent versions of the Chevrolet Impala. Most of… Continue reading GM recalls 220,000 Cadillac XTS and Chevrolet Impala over brake defect
Moscow rally against Ukraine armed conflict
Tens of thousands of Russians have marched in Moscow to protest against the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. People carrying Russian and Ukrainian flags chanted “No to war!” and “Stop lying!” Similar rallies took place in Sankt Petersburg and other Russian cities. Ukraine accuses Russia of arming rebels in the east and sending Russian troops… Continue reading Moscow rally against Ukraine armed conflict
Roger Goodell apologizes for NFL domestic violence scandals
NFL boss Roger Goodell has said he “got it wrong” in dealing with the violence scandals that have plagued the American football league. In his first public statement in a week, Roger Goodell apologized for his mistakes and pledged to implement new personal conduct policies. “We strongly condemn and will punish behavior that is totally… Continue reading Roger Goodell apologizes for NFL domestic violence scandals
People’s Climate March: Global street protests over climate change
Multiple street protests demanding urgent action on climate change have been taking place around the world, with marches reported in more than 2,000 locations. The People’s Climate March is campaigning for curbs on carbon emissions, ahead of the UN climate summit in New York next week. Huge demonstrations have been taking place in Australia and… Continue reading People’s Climate March: Global street protests over climate change
Africa: Angelina Jolie to direct Richard Leakey biopic
Angelina Jolie will direct Africa, a film about celebrated conservationist Richard Leakey’s battles with ivory poachers. The screenplay has been written by Eric Roth – who won an Oscar for Forrest Gump. Richard Leakey is former head of the Kenya Wildlife Service and was key to stemming the trade in illegal ivory. Angelina Jolie said:… Continue reading Africa: Angelina Jolie to direct Richard Leakey biopic
Afghanistan elections 2014: Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah sign power sharing agreement
Afghanistan’s presidential contenders Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah have signed a deal to form a government of national unity at a ceremony in Kabul. The signing – broadcast live on national TV – comes after months of wrangling following presidential elections in April and June. Under the deal, Ashraf Ghani becomes president while runner-up Abdullah… Continue reading Afghanistan elections 2014: Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah sign power sharing agreement
Tea Leoni and David Duchovny remain on friendly terms after divorce
In a recent interview, actress Tea Leoni said she and her ex-husband, David Duchovny, have remained on friendly terms after finalizing their divorce last month as they co-parent their children. “David gave me the two greatest gifts on the planet,” Tea Leoni, 48, told Parade magazine of the couple’s daughter Madelaine, 15, and son Kyd,… Continue reading Tea Leoni and David Duchovny remain on friendly terms after divorce
Hannah Graham UPDATE: More than 1,000 volunteers search for missing UVa student
More than 1,000 volunteers, some driven by worry for the safety of their own families, fanned out from the University of Virginia campus on September 20 to search for Hannah Graham, a sophomore who disappeared a week ago. Volunteers met at the university’s basketball arena before going out in teams throughout Charlottesville to search for… Continue reading Hannah Graham UPDATE: More than 1,000 volunteers search for missing UVa student
Alan Henning’s wife calls on ISIS to release British hostage
Barbara Henning, the wife of British taxi driver Alan Henning who is held hostage by Islamic State (ISIS), has pleaded with the militants to “see it in their hearts” to release him. Alan Henning, 47, was seized while on an aid mission to Syria in December 2013. In a statement released via the UK’s Foreign… Continue reading Alan Henning’s wife calls on ISIS to release British hostage