South African opposition lawmakers have been ejected from parliament after trying to interrupt President Jacob Zuma’s speech. Security officers were ordered to forcibly remove the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) lawmakers as a brawl broke out in the parliament on May 17. Two months ago, a court ruled Jacob Zuma violated the constitution by failing to… Continue reading South African Parliament Fight over Jacob Zuma Heckling
Year: 2016
Pfizer to Acquire Anacor for $5.2 Billion
Pfizer will acquire California-based Anacor Pharmaceuticals – the maker of a new eczema treatment – in a deal worth $5.2 billion. The pharmaceutical giant announced it had agreed a deal with the board of Anacor. Anacor’s flagship product is crisaborole, a cream for eczema which is awaiting approval by US regulators. The deal comes just… Continue reading Pfizer to Acquire Anacor for $5.2 Billion
Warren Buffett Buys $1Billion Stake in Apple
Warren Buffett has revealed that his investment company, Berkshire Hathaway, has bought a $1 billion stake in Apple. In a regulatory filing, Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a holding of 9.81 million shares in Apple. Warren Buffett, who has traditionally shied away from tech stocks, is known for buying “value stocks”, so it is being seen as… Continue reading Warren Buffett Buys $1Billion Stake in Apple
Thailand: Koh Tachai Island Is Being Closed Before Tourists Ruin It Forever
Thailand is set to close the island of Koh Tachai as heavy tourism is negatively affecting natural resources and the environment. Koh Tachai, off Phang Nga province, is part of the Similan National Park. According to the Bangkok Post, almost all Thai marine national parks close from mid-May to mid-October, for monsoon season, but Koh… Continue reading Thailand: Koh Tachai Island Is Being Closed Before Tourists Ruin It Forever
Twitter to Increase 140-Character Limit
Twitter will stop counting photos and links in its 140-character limit for tweets, according to a report from Bloomberg. The change could be made within the next two weeks, Bloomberg quoted a source as saying. Twitter has not yet commented on the report. Back in January, founder Jack Dorsey said Twitter would explore ways of… Continue reading Twitter to Increase 140-Character Limit
Nicolas Maduro Won’t Be Ousted by Referendum, Says VP Aristobulo Isturiz
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro won’t be ousted by a referendum because there will be no referendum, Vice-President Aristobulo Isturiz has said. Two weeks ago, opposition politicians began the process by handing in a petition signed by 1.85 million people. However, Aistobulo Isturiz said the opposition had “acted too late, had done it wrong and had… Continue reading Nicolas Maduro Won’t Be Ousted by Referendum, Says VP Aristobulo Isturiz
Possible Reasons Why Road Accidents Are on the Rise
The fact is that road traffic accidents are on the rise these days. There might be many reasons for this increase, but it’s important to look at a few of the most likely ones. If we can understand the reasons, we can work on preventing and reducing accidents from happening. Image Source Drinking Culture One… Continue reading Possible Reasons Why Road Accidents Are on the Rise
Narendra Modi Tweets Pictures of His Mother’s Visit to Official Residence
India’s PM Narendra Modi has tweeted pictures of his mother’s first visit to his official residence in Delhi. Twitter users have praised Narendra Modi’s decision to invite his mother, Heeraben Modi, at his new home. Heeraben Modi, who is in her nineties, lives in her family house in a town in Gujarat, the prime minister’s… Continue reading Narendra Modi Tweets Pictures of His Mother’s Visit to Official Residence
Donald Trump Calls on Muslims to Work with Police and Turn People In
Donald Trump has called on Muslims to work with the police and “turn people in”. In an interview with the British channel ITV, the presumptive Republican nominee said he was not anti-Muslim, but “anti-terror”. Donald Trump was reacting to remarks by UK PM David Cameron that he was “stupid, divisive and wrong” in calling for… Continue reading Donald Trump Calls on Muslims to Work with Police and Turn People In
Norges Bank Investment Management Sues VW over Emissions Scandal
Volkswagen is being sued by a Norwegian sovereign wealth fund over the car giant’s emissions scandal. Norges Bank Investment Management, the world’s largest fund, said it had been advised by lawyers that VW’s conduct “gives rise to legal claims under German law”. VW admitted last year that it had installed secret software to cheat US… Continue reading Norges Bank Investment Management Sues VW over Emissions Scandal
ISIS Overruns Syrian Hospital in Deir al-Zour
ISIS has briefly overrun a hospital complex in the eastern Syrian city of Deir al-Zour, reports say. Activists say about 35 pro-government fighters were killed and some medical staff taken hostage. More than 20 ISIS fighters were also reported killed. The attack was centered on al-Assad hospital, to the west of the city. Syrian government… Continue reading ISIS Overruns Syrian Hospital in Deir al-Zour
Venezuela Crisis: Nicolas Maduro Threatens to Seize Closed Factories
In a speech to supporters in Venezuela’s capital Caracas, President Nicolas Maduro has threatened the seizure of factories that have stopped production, and the jailing of their owners. Nicolas Maduro said Venezuela had to recover the means of production, to counter its deep economic crisis. On May 13, the president introduced a new, nationwide state… Continue reading Venezuela Crisis: Nicolas Maduro Threatens to Seize Closed Factories
Eurovision 2016: Ukraine’s Jamala Wins Contest with Crimean Tatars Deportation Song
Ukrainian singer Jamala has won the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, held in Stockholm, Sweden. Ukraine scored 534 points with Jamala’s song 1944 – about the deportation of Crimean Tatars under Josef Stalin. Australia finished second with 511 points, while Russia – which was the favorite going into the competition – was third with 491 points.… Continue reading Eurovision 2016: Ukraine’s Jamala Wins Contest with Crimean Tatars Deportation Song
Scooter: World’s Oldest Cat Dies at the Age of 30
Scooter the cat, who was recently named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest living has died. The Siamese cat celebrated his 30th birthday on March 26. Scooter’s owner, Gail Floyd, who lives in Mansfield, Texas, has said he had died by the time Guinness confirmed his title on April 8.… Continue reading Scooter: World’s Oldest Cat Dies at the Age of 30
Elfin: Russian Yacht Seized in North Korea
North Korea’s coastguards have detained a Russian yacht in the Sea of Japan, Russia’s foreign ministry says. According to Russian reports, the yacht Elfin with five crew on board was intercepted as it was returning to Russia after participating in a competition in South Korea. Russian diplomats have demanded the crew’s immediate release and an… Continue reading Elfin: Russian Yacht Seized in North Korea
Mustafa Badreddine Killed by Jihadists, Says Hezbollah
Mustafa Amine Badreddine was killed in artillery fire by jihadists, Lebanese Hezbollah group says. The death of the Hezbollah’s top military commander in near Damascus airport was announced on May 13 and initially blamed on Israel, Hezbollah’s chief enemy. Mustafa Badreddine was believed to have run all Hezbollah’s military operations in Syria since 2011. Thousands… Continue reading Mustafa Badreddine Killed by Jihadists, Says Hezbollah
Pfizer Wants to Prevent Its Drugs Being Used in Lethal Injections
Pfizer has decided to take steps to prevent its drugs being used in lethal injections. In a statement published on its website, the pharmaceutical giant said: “We strongly object to the use of any of our products in the lethal injection process for capital punishment.” Pfizer stressed that its products were meant to save the… Continue reading Pfizer Wants to Prevent Its Drugs Being Used in Lethal Injections
Donald Trump Denies Pretending to Be His Own Spokesman John Miller
Donald Trump has denied posing as his own spokesman John Miller in the 1990s after an audio tape was published. The Washington Post has obtained a 1991 phone conversation between a PR man calling himself John Miller, but sounding like Donald Trump, and a reporter. However, the Republican presidential hopeful said the voice on the… Continue reading Donald Trump Denies Pretending to Be His Own Spokesman John Miller
George Zimmerman Gun Auction Reaches $65 Million
George Zimmerman’s gun has apparently reached $65 million at an online auction, organizers say. The gun was used to kill unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in 2012. The sale has been plagued by fake bidders including “Racist McShootface”. George Zimmerman had planned to auction what he called “an American icon” on the website Gun Broker… Continue reading George Zimmerman Gun Auction Reaches $65 Million
Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura Becomes FIFA’s First Female Secretary General
Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura has become FIFA’s first female secretary general as she was appointed to succeed former secretary general Jerome Valcke, who was banned from soccer-related activity for 12 years. The 54-year-old Senegalese spent 21 years working for the United Nations and will start at soccer’s governing body in June. FIFA President Gianni Infantino… Continue reading Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura Becomes FIFA’s First Female Secretary General
Anthony Senecal: Donald Trump’s Ex-Butler Investigated over Anti-Barack Obama Remarks
Secret Service has launched an investigation after Donald Trump’s ex-butler, Anthony Senecal, called for the death of President Barack Obama. In a Facebook post, Anthony Senecal wrote that Barack Obama “should have been taken out by our military and shot as an enemy agent in his first term”. Anthony Senecal worked for Donald Trump, the… Continue reading Anthony Senecal: Donald Trump’s Ex-Butler Investigated over Anti-Barack Obama Remarks
Mustafa Amine Badreddine: Top Hezbollah Commander Killed in Damascus
Top Hezbollah commander in Syria’s war Mustafa Amine Badreddine has been killed in Damascus. Mustafa Amine Badreddine, 55, died in a large explosion near Damascus airport, the Lebanon-based militant group said in a statement on its al-Manar website. He is charged with leading the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in Beirut in… Continue reading Mustafa Amine Badreddine: Top Hezbollah Commander Killed in Damascus
Serena Williams Eating Food Dog Before Reaching Italian Open Quarters
Serena Williams got sick after eating dog food hours before reaching the Italian Open quarters. The world No 1 tennis player tried “a spoonful” of food meant for her dog, Chip, before beating fellow American Christina McHale in straight sets in Rome. Serena Wlliams said: “I thought <<what the heck, I’m gonna try a piece,… Continue reading Serena Williams Eating Food Dog Before Reaching Italian Open Quarters
Donald Trump and Paul Ryan Totally Committed to GOP Unity
Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan have said they are “totally committed” to the GOP unity in a statement following their meeting. Donald Trump and Paul Ryan are trying to find common ground after the House speaker said he could not endorse the presumptive Republican nominee. Paul Ryan has said Donald… Continue reading Donald Trump and Paul Ryan Totally Committed to GOP Unity
Dilma Rousseff Suspended by Brazil’s Senate
Brazil’s suspended President Dilma Rousseff has condemned the move to impeach her as a “coup” and a “farce”, denying she has committed any crimes. Dilma Rousseff, 68, was addressing the nation on TV for the first time since senators voted overnight to suspend her for budgetary violations and put her on trial. She vowed to… Continue reading Dilma Rousseff Suspended by Brazil’s Senate