The Secret Service has stepped up security at the White House and launched a “comprehensive review” of procedures there after two attempted breaches in 24 hours. The more serious incident saw a man wielding a knife enter the building on September 19, prompting a partial evacuation. President Barack Obama was not present at the time… Continue reading Secret Service steps up security at White House after two attempted breaches in 24 hours
Year: 2014
June Shannon and Sugar Bear split just 16 months after commitment ceremony
Honey Boo Boo’s parents June Shannon and Mike “Sugar Bear” Thompson have separated, Mama June confirmed in a statement. June Shannon wrote on her Facebook account: “Sugar Bear and I have decided to take some time apart to figure out some things in our relationship. We are taking things day by day, but regardless of… Continue reading June Shannon and Sugar Bear split just 16 months after commitment ceremony
James Blunt and Sofia Wellesley wedding celebrated in Majorca
James Blunt married Sofia Wellesley in Majorca ceremony in front of close family and friends on September 19, Daily Mail reported. The couple previously married in a private ceremony at a London registry office on September 5. James Blunt, 40, and Sofia Wellesley quietly exchanged vows earlier this month one day after attending Elton John’s… Continue reading James Blunt and Sofia Wellesley wedding celebrated in Majorca
Asian Games 2014: North Korea’s Om Yun Chol sets weightlifting world record
North Korean weightlifter Om Yun Chol has set a clean and jerk world record after lifting 170 kg in the men’s 56-kg class at this year’s Asian Games. Om Yun Chol, the 2012 Olympic champion and 2013 world champion, beat his own world record on September 20 by 1kg to win North Korea’s first gold… Continue reading Asian Games 2014: North Korea’s Om Yun Chol sets weightlifting world record
Chrysler to recall 189,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Durangos over fuel pump problem
Chrysler has decided to recall almost 189,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Durangos in the US to fix a fuel pump problem that can cause the SUVs to stall. However, a safety advocate says the recall doesn’t cover enough models, contending the same problem can happen in millions of other Chrysler, Jeep and Ram vehicles.… Continue reading Chrysler to recall 189,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Durangos over fuel pump problem
Ice Bucket Challenge: Firefighter Tony Grider dies after fundraising accident
Kentucky firefighter Tony Grider, who was severely injured a month ago while helping college students take part in an Ice Bucket fundraiser, died on September 20 from his injuries, authorities said. Captain Tony Grider, 41, of Campbellsville was hurt along with three other firefighters when an aerial ladder got too close to a power line… Continue reading Ice Bucket Challenge: Firefighter Tony Grider dies after fundraising accident
Oktoberfest 2014: 6 million visitors expected at world’s biggest beer festival
Some 6 million people are expected to this year’s Oktoberfest, the world’s biggest beer party that runs from September 20 to October 5 in Munich, Germany. Munich mayor Dieter Reiter opened the city’s annual Oktoberfest with the traditional call of “Ozapft is” to the delight of thousands who had managed to get a place in… Continue reading Oktoberfest 2014: 6 million visitors expected at world’s biggest beer festival
Polly Bergen dies at the age of 84
Actress Polly Bergen died on September 20 at the age of 84, her publicist has announced. Polly Bergen played the terrorized wife in the original Cape Fear and the first woman president in Kisses for My President. The actress died at her home in Southbury, Connecticut, surrounded by family and close friends, publicist Judy Katz… Continue reading Polly Bergen dies at the age of 84
Fung-Wong: Tropical storm hits Philippines forcing evacuations
Some 200,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in the Philippines after tropical storm Fung-Wong has brought flooding, heavy rains and high winds. Five people were also killed in the storm, two of them electrocuted while wading through flood waters, an emergency official said. Manila and the northern provinces were worst hit, with… Continue reading Fung-Wong: Tropical storm hits Philippines forcing evacuations
45,000 Syrians flee to Turkey in past 24 hours
According to Turkish officials, some 45,000 mainly Syrian Kurds have crossed into Turkey in the past 24 hours as Islamic State (ISIS) militants advance in northern Syria. Turkey opened its border on September 19 to Syrians who had fled the Kurdish town of Kobane in fear of an IS attack. Activists say some 300 Kurdish… Continue reading 45,000 Syrians flee to Turkey in past 24 hours
Jack Cooksey: First buyer drops iPhone 6 on live TV
Jack Cooksey was the first person to buy the new Apple iPhone 6 in Perth, Australia, after queuing overnight. Just moments after leaving the Hay Street store, Jack Cooksey dropped the new iPhone 6 while he was interviewed by Channel 9. There were cries of shock from the crowd as his new gadget landed on… Continue reading Jack Cooksey: First buyer drops iPhone 6 on live TV
GSK receives $490 million fine in China bribery case
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has received a record $490 million fine after a Chinese court found it guilty of bribery. The record penalty follows allegations the pharmaceutical giant paid out bribes to doctors and hospitals in order to have their products promoted. The court gave GSK’s former head of Chinese operations, Mark Reilly, a suspended three-year prison… Continue reading GSK receives $490 million fine in China bribery case
Keyshia Cole arrested after beating woman found at Birdman’s home
Keyshia Cole was arrested early Friday morning after being charged with battery, Entertainment Tonight reported. According to the LAPD, Keyshia Cole was brought in Friday on a private person’s arrest, and charged with battery. The incident took place at 5 a.m. at the home of Keyshia Cole’s rumored boyfriend, rapper Birdman, where Cole allegedly assaulted… Continue reading Keyshia Cole arrested after beating woman found at Birdman’s home
Jessica Hollis: Body of missing deputy found in Lake Austin
The body of missing Central Texas sheriff’s deputy Jessica Hollis has been found in Lake Austin on September 19. On Thursday, September 18, Jessica Hollis’ patrol car was found swamped by floodwaters minutes after she radioed for help while checking flooded low-water crossings. Efforts to locate the deputy had been suspended before nightfall Thursday because… Continue reading Jessica Hollis: Body of missing deputy found in Lake Austin
Nicki Minaj wig case: Terrence Davidson’s lawsuit rejected by Atlanta judge
The $30 million lawsuit filed against Nicki Minaj by her former wig designer Terrence Davidson has been rejected by District Judge Harold Murphy in Atlanta. In the lawsuit filed in February 2014, Terrence Davidson accused Nicki Minaj and Pink Personality LLC of breaking verbal contracts. Terrence Davidson also claimed Nicki Minaj went back on talks… Continue reading Nicki Minaj wig case: Terrence Davidson’s lawsuit rejected by Atlanta judge
Turkish hostages seized by ISIS militants released
Forty nine hostages seized by Islamic State (ISIS) from the Turkish consulate in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul have been freed and are back in Turkey. Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the 49 had been taken to the southern city of Sanliurfa by the Turkish intelligence agency. Details are unclear but President Recep… Continue reading Turkish hostages seized by ISIS militants released
Ukraine peace plan agreed at Minsk talks
Kiev and pro-Russia rebels have agreed a memorandum on a peace plan for the conflict in east Ukraine. The nine-point deal includes setting up a 19-mile buffer zone, a ban on overflights of part of eastern Ukraine by military aircraft and the withdrawal of “foreign mercenaries” on both sides. The agreement was announced at talks… Continue reading Ukraine peace plan agreed at Minsk talks
Catalonia independence: Parliament authorizes consultation vote
The Catalan parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favor of giving its regional president the power to call an independence “consultation”. Spain’s government opposes the Catalan “consultation” vote and is taking the dispute to the Constitutional Court. The move comes a day after Scotland voted against independence from the United Kingdom. Catalan President Artur Mas said… Continue reading Catalonia independence: Parliament authorizes consultation vote
Alibaba flotation: Shares surge in biggest-ever IPO
Alibaba’s shares closed significantly above their initial price on the NYSE on Friday, September 19. Shares in the company made their debut in the US at $92.70, after being priced at $68 late on Thursday. They ended the $93.89 – 38% above the initial asking price. More than 100 million shares were traded in the… Continue reading Alibaba flotation: Shares surge in biggest-ever IPO
Adel Abdul Bary pleads guilty in 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania
Adel Abdul Bary, who is accused of helping to plan the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, has pleaded guilty in Manhattan Federal Court. However, Judge Lewis Kaplan has not yet accepted a plea deal for the 54-year-old Egyptian that would see him serve 25 years in prison. Adel Abdul Bary was… Continue reading Adel Abdul Bary pleads guilty in 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania
Iran: Happy We Are From Tehran dancers sentenced to 91 lashes and jail
Six people have been arrested in Iran for appearing in a video dancing to Pharrell Williams’ song Happy. They have been sentenced to up to one year in prison and 91 lashes, their lawyer says. The sentences were suspended for three years, meaning they will not go to prison unless they reoffend, he adds. The… Continue reading Iran: Happy We Are From Tehran dancers sentenced to 91 lashes and jail
Eurovision 2015: Ukraine announces withdrawal due to limited finances
Ukraine has announced its withdrawal from next year’s Eurovision Song Contest due to limited finances. “We don’t want to do something badly, and we don’t have the money to do something well,” said Zurab Alasania, of the state broadcaster NTU. Zurab Alasania said the broadcaster had to “optimize” its funds given the unstable financial and… Continue reading Eurovision 2015: Ukraine announces withdrawal due to limited finances
Scotland: First Minister Alex Salmond announces resignation after voters rejected independence
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond has announced his resignation after voters rejected independence in the recent referendum. Alex Salmond will also resign as leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), which he has led for a total of 20 years. Scottish voters backed the country staying in the UK by 2,001,926 votes to 1,617,989 in… Continue reading Scotland: First Minister Alex Salmond announces resignation after voters rejected independence
France launches first air strikes against ISIS militants
France has launched its first air strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in Iraq, the office of President Francois Hollande says. A statement said planes had attacked an ISIS depot in north-east Iraq, and there would be more raids in the coming days. The US has carried out more than 170 air strikes against the… Continue reading France launches first air strikes against ISIS militants
Nicolas Sarkozy returns to politics
Nicolas Sarkozy has announced his return to French politics. On his Facebook page, the former French president said he would seek the leadership of the opposition UMP party, widely seen as a first step towards a presidential bid in 2017. Nicolas Sarkozy, 59, wrote: “I am a candidate to be president of my political family.”… Continue reading Nicolas Sarkozy returns to politics