Home Blog Page 369

Sakari Momoi: World’s Oldest Man Dies in Tokyo at 112

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Sakari Momoi: World’s Oldest Man Dies in Tokyo at 112

World’s oldest man Sakari Momoi has died in Tokyo at the age of 112.

The Japanese, a former high school principal and father of five, died of kidney failure in a care facility on July 5.

Sakari Momoi had been named the oldest man by Guinness World Records in August.

In April the world’s oldest person and oldest woman, Misao Okawa from Japan, died at the age of 117. Her titles are now held by 116-year-old American Susannah Mushatt Jones.

Photo Kyodo News
Photo Kyodo News

Born in 1903 in Fukushima, Sakari Momoi – whose death was announced on July 7 – first worked as a teacher and later became a principal in high schools in his home prefecture as well as neighboring Saitama.

According to Guiness, Sakari Momoi enjoyed reading, especially Chinese poetry, and also travelling around Japan with his late wife.

When Sakari Momoi received his certificate from Guinness in August, he told reporters: “I want to live for about two more years.”

Guinness has not announced who is now the world’s oldest man, although it may well be 112-year-old Japanese Yasutaro Koide who was born a month after Sakari Momoi, according to wire agencies.

Susannah Mushatt Jones celebrated her 116th birthday on July 6 with friends and family in New York.

Known as T to her 100 nieces and nephews – the nickname is short for “auntie” – she has said the secret to her longevity is sleep.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyO6e_hmMl0

Yanis Varoufakis Resigns as Greece’s Finance Minister

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
Yanis Varoufakis Resigns as Greece’s Finance Minister

Greece’s chief bailout negotiator Euclid Tsakalotos has replaced the country’s outspoken Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, who resigned on July 6.

Yanis Varoufakis had become a lightning rod in Greece’s talks with Europe. In resigning, he conceded that his poor relations with other European finance ministers had become an obstacle in the search for a solution to Greece’s debt crisis.

He wrote in a blog post on July 6: “I was made aware of a certain preference by some Eurogroup participants, and assorted <<partners>>, for my … <<absence>> from its meetings; an idea that the prime minister judged to be potentially helpful to him in reaching an agreement.

“I shall wear the creditors’ loathing with pride.”

During his time in government, Yanis Varoufakis refused to adopt the mannerisms of a conventional European politician. Instead, he dressed informally and loudly. He frequently appeared in media, launching biting rhetorical attacks against rival negotiators and governments.Yanis Varoufakis resigns

While it may have appealed to populists, critics said Yanis Varoufakis’ abrasive style alienated many in the negotiating room.

His resignation came just a day after Greece voted against Europe’s latest bailout offer, raising the prospect that Greece could now suffer a worse economic disaster and lose its place in the euro.

Euclid Tsakalotos’ first task will be to present Greece’s ideas for breaking the deadlock at a meeting of eurozone finance ministers on July.

Meanwhile, eurozone finance ministers say they expect to hear new proposals from Greece after Greek people voted to reject the terms of a bailout.

A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there was currently “no basis” for talks on a new bailout and the ball was in Greece’s court.

Angela Merkel has met French President Francois Hollande in Paris ahead of a eurozone summit on July 7.

Meanwhile, Greek banks are to stay closed on July 7 and July 8.

Banks had been due to reopen on July 7 but the head of the Greek banking association, Louka Katseli, said the period had been extended following talks on July 6.

Germany’s economy minister has warned against any unconditional write-off of Greece’s debt, saying it would destroy the single currency.

Eurozone finance ministers are to meet on July 7 followed by a full summit of eurozone leaders. According to a Greek government official, PM Alexis Tsipras is expected to present fresh proposals at the summit.

Alexis Tsipras has noted that a recent IMF assessment confirmed that restructuring Greece’s debt of more than €300 billion ($331 billion) was necessary.

Roskilde 2015: Damon Albarn Removed from Stage After Five Hours

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Roskilde 2015: Damon Albarn Removed from Stage After Five Hours

Damon Albarn has been removed from stage on July 4 at the Roskilde festival in Denmark after a five-hour set.

The Blur’s singer was headlining the event with his Africa Express project and was joined on stage by artists like Laura Mvula and Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Nick Zinner.

The set – which overran until 04:00 – included covers of Randy Newman and reinterpretations of Gorillaz tracks.

After playing The Clash’s Should I Stay Or Should I Go, he encouraged the crowd to protest at the plug being pulled.Damon Albarn Roskilde 2015

“You want more, we’re going to give you more,” Damon Albarn declared before a man, thought to be the stage manager, emerged, put the singer’s jacket over his shoulders and lifted him off stage.

In a video, filmed by someone in the audience, Damon Albarn – who had refused to leave the stage- egged on fans who chanted “we want more”.

Damon Albarn’s Africa Express collective, a collaboration between African and Western musicians, has played at events such as Glastonbury and Electric Proms.

It has also seen Damon Albarn travel to countries including Mali to play with local musicians.

Saturday night’s performance included appearances by Nigerian artist Seye Adelekan and Malian band Songhoy Blues.

Damon Albarn is currently on tour with Blur who are playing dates across the world this summer following the release of album The Magic Whip.

Chicago Shootings: 7-Year-Old Amari Brown Killed Amid 4th of July Weekend Violence

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Chicago Shootings: 7-Year-Old Amari Brown Killed Amid 4th of July Weekend Violence

At least 10 people, including a 7-year-old boy, have died and more than 50 wounded in Chicago gun violence over the weekend.

Amari Brown was shot in the chest by a gunman who was targeting his father, a known gang member, according to police.

Police chief Garry McCarthy said the boy’s father should not have been on the streets, telling reporters: “If [he] is in custody, his son is alive.”

Despite the multiple shootings since July 2, the number of incidents was lower than in the same period in 2014.

Last year, 16 people were shot dead and more than 80 others were injured, according to the Chicago Tribune.Amari Brown killed in Chicago shootings 2015

The worst period at the weekend came between 21:00 on July 4 and 05:00 on July 5, when 30 people were shot as residents celebrated Independence Day.

Among the other incidents, a 17-year-old was shot dead as he played basketball and a 19-year-old was injured as rival gangs fought near Navy Pier after the fireworks display there.

The shootings happened despite a 30% increase in the number of police officers on patrol in the city over the weekend, Garry McCarthy said.

He said police in the city recovered one illegal gun per hour across the city.

“We must stem the flow of guns into the city,” he said.

The police force is doing “everything we can to fight this” but the city needs to “repair a broken system”, Garry McCarthy said, adding: “Criminals don’t feel the repercussions of the justice system.”

Chicago has struggled to turn the tide of gun violence for several years and is one of the most deadly in the US.

It ended 2014 with 406 homicides across the city – although this was a 3% decrease from 2013, when there was 419 gun-related deaths.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKqHMVVSYoU

Greece Referendum Results: Greeks Vote NO and Reject Bailout Terms

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
Greece Referendum Results: Greeks Vote NO and Reject Bailout Terms

Greek people decisively rejected the terms of an international bailout, the first results from a controversial debt referendum have shown as two-thirds of ballots were counted.

Figures published by the interior ministry showed 61% of those whose ballots had been counted voting “No”, against 39% voting “Yes”.

Greece’s governing Syriza party campaigned for a “No”, saying the bailout terms were humiliating.

The “Yes” campaign warned this could see Greece ejected from the eurozone.

Some European officials had also said that a “No” would be seen as an outright rejection of talks with creditors.

However, Greek government officials have insisted that a “No” vote would strengthen their hand and that they could rapidly strike a deal for fresh funding in resumed negotiations.

Greek banks will reopen by July 7, they say.

Reacting to the result, Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis called it “a big yes to a democratic Europe”.

Yanis Varoufakis said Greece would be “positive” in negotiations with its creditors.Greek referendum 2015

Euclid Tsakalotos, Greece’s deputy foreign minister, told Star TV that two developments would allow Greece to pursue “a solution that is financially viable”.

“Firstly, the government now has a new popular mandate and the second is the latest [International Monetary Fund] report which says that the Greek debt is unsustainable.”

Greece had been locked in negotiations with its creditors for months when the Greek government unexpectedly called a referendum on the terms it was being offered.

Banks have been shut and capital controls in place since June 29, after the European Central Bank declined to give Greece more emergency funding.

Withdrawals at cash machines have been limited to €60 per day.

State Minister Nikos Pappas, a close ally of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, said it was “absolutely necessary” to restore liquidity to the banks now the referendum was over.

Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni tweeted: “Now it is right to start trying for an agreement again. But there is no escape from the Greek labyrinth with a Europe that’s weak and isn’t growing.”

Belgium’s finance minister said the door remained open to restart talks with Greece “literally, within hours”.

Eurozone finance ministers could again discuss measures “that can put the Greek economy back on track and give the Greeks a perspective for the future,” he told the VRT network.

President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are scheduled to meet in Paris on July 6 to discuss the situation, the French president’s office said.

Greece’s latest bailout expired on June 30 and Greece missed a €1.6 billion payment to the IMF.

The European Commission – one of the “troika” of creditors along with the IMF and the European Central Bank – wanted Athens to raise taxes and slash welfare spending to meet its debt obligations.

Greece’s Syriza-led government, which was elected in January on an anti-austerity platform, said it had been presented with an “ultimatum”.

The Greek government’s opponents and some Greek voters had complained that the question on the ballot paper was unclear. EU officials said it applied to the terms of an offer that was no longer on the table.

The projected turnout in Sunday’s referendum was about 60%.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElvC1P16BtY

Princess Charlotte Christened at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Princess Charlotte Christened at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham

Prince William and Kate Middleton’s second child, Princess Charlotte, has been christened at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham.

Prince William and Kate Middleton pushed the princess in a baby carriage Queen Elizabeth II used for two of her own children.

With the christening of Princess Charlotte, the Cambridges made their first public outing as a family of four.

Several thousand well wishers greeted the royals, while Prince George delighted the crowds on foot.

Prince William and Kate Middleton announced ahead of Princess Charlotte’s christening that they had chosen five godparents for their second child.

The christening was held at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, and attended by guests including the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

Other attendees included Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Kate Middleton’s parents Michael and Carole Middleton, and her two siblings, Pippa and James.Princess Charlotte christening July 2015

The baptism, conducted by Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby, was held in private.

Princess Charlotte has two fewer godparents than her brother George, and none from within royal circles.

The five include Kate Middleton’s cousin Adam Middleton, Prince William’s cousin Lady Laura Fellowes and Thomas van Straubenzee, a friend of the duke’s.

The final two are Prince William’s friend James Meade – who read the lesson during the service – and Kate Middleton’s friend Sophie Carter.

Thomas van Straubenzee, whom William met at Ludgrove Prep School, and James Meade, a friend from Eton, were both ushers at the duke and duchess’s wedding and gave speeches at the reception.

Lady Laura Fellowes is the daughter of Baroness Jane Fellowes – a sister of Princess Diana.

Like her brother Prince George, Princess Charlotte was christened in a replica of the lace and satin christening gown made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, Victoria, the princess royal, in 1841.

The original was worn by all royal babies until the christening of Prince Edward’s son James, Viscount Severn, in 2008.

Princess Charlotte was christened using the ornate silver gilt Lily Font which is usually on show as part of the crown jewels at the Tower of London.

Among those gathered to catch a glimpse of the princess was 80-year-old royal enthusiast Terry Hutt, who camped overnight to get a good spot.

Prince Harry was among those missing from the ceremony. He is currently spending three months in Africa.

St Mary Magdalene is the church used by Queen Elizabeth when she is resident on her private estate.

Following the service, Prince William and Kate Middleton hosted a tea at Sandringham House where guests were served slices of christening cake, which is a tier from their wedding cake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HLiUOPuAfQ

Who Are Princess Charlotte Godparents?

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Who Are Princess Charlotte Godparents?

Prince William and Kate Middleton announced ahead of Princess Charlotte’s christening that they had chosen five godparents for their second child.

Princess Charlotte has two fewer godparents than her brother George, and none from within royal circles.

The christening was held at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, and attended by guests including Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh.Princess Charlotte godparents

Who are the godparents?

  • Lady Laura Fellowes – cousin of Prince William, niece of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. As a child Laura Fellowes was famously pictured alongside a young, misbehaving Prince William at the Duke and Duchess of York’s wedding.
  • Adam Middleton – cousin of Kate Middleton. She attended his wedding to interior designer Rebecca Poynton in June 2014.
  • Thomas van Straubenzee – friend of Prince William’s since prep school. Known as “Van”, he accompanied Prince William on his first official overseas tour to New Zealand.
  • James Meade – friend of Prince William’s since Eton and the son of Olympic gold medal-winning equestrian Richard Meade.
  • Sophie Carter – a close friend of Kate Middleton’s who has attended charity events with her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1KP3udnjdU

Princess Charlotte Godparents’ Identity to Be Revealed Just Before Christening Ceremony

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Princess Charlotte Godparents’ Identity to Be Revealed Just Before Christening Ceremony

The identity of Princess Charlotte’s godparents will be revealed when the royal baby is christened on Sunday, July 5, at the church of St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham, with fewer than 30 guests.

Several thousand members of the public are expected to take up Prince William and Kate Middleton’s invitation to share in the day by standing in a paddock outside the churchyard.

They will have the opportunity to see Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George and Princess Charlotte together in public for the first time.

Princess Charlotte will wear the same christening gown her brother wore when he was baptized in October 2013 – a replica of the gown that Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter wore for her christening in 1841.Princess Charlotte christening godparents

Many Brits and the media have been betting Kate Middleton’s sister, Pippa Middleton, and Prince William’s brother, Prince Harry, will be among the half-dozen godparents likely to be announced on the day of ceremony.

Pippa Middleton will be there but not Prince Harry who is in Africa on a conservation mission.

The London Telegraph reported that 30-year-old Prince Harry had been one of the favorites to be chosen as a godparent, having missed out on fulfilling the role for his first-born nephew, but after learning he would not be needed for the ceremony he embarked on a three-month trip to Africa at the end of June.

Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana was born May 2. She is the second child of Prince William and Kate Middleton and the younger sister to Prince George, who turns 2 this month. She is also the fifth great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh. Princess Charlotte is fourth-in-line to the throne of the world’s most famous monarchy.

The ceremony will be conducted by the head of the Church of England, Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend Justin Welby.

Afterward, the party will return to Sandringham House for tea with the Queen, plus the assembling for the official christening portrait by celebrity portrait photographer Mario Testino.

Diddy Escapes Assault Charge After UCLA Incident

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Diddy Escapes Assault Charge After UCLA Incident

Diddy will not face assault charges following an incident last month involving a kettlebell weight, officials have said.

The 45-year-old rapper, real name Sean Combs, was arrested on June 22 on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon at the University of California.

Diddy was held in jail before being released on $160,000 bail.

The district attorney has referred the case to the Los Angeles City attorney’s office to decide if Sean Combs will face lesser charges.Diddy avoids charge assault

“We are thankful that the district attorney rejected felony charges in this matter,” said Diddy’s lawyer, Mark Geragos.

“This case never should have been part of the criminal justice system to begin with.”

At the time of the incident, officials did not identify the victim of the alleged assault or say what led to the incident.

However, media reports said Sean Combs was involved in an altercation with the university’s football coach at the campus’s athletic facility.

The rapper claimed he was defending himself and his son, Justin Combs, who is on the college football team and had been working out at the time.

Head football coach Jim Mora called the encounter “an unfortunate incident for all parties involved” following Diddy’s arrest.

University officials have said little about the confrontation, except that no one was seriously hurt.

A spokesman said the school had no comment on the district attorney’s decision.

Justin Combs, 21, has played just a handful of games for the UCLA football team since joining three years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9udvSeSnd58

Diana Douglas Dead: Michael Douglas’ Mother Dies in LA at 92

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Diana Douglas Dead: Michael Douglas’ Mother Dies in LA at 92

Michael Douglas’ mother, actress Diana Douglas, has died in Los Angeles aged 92, her family says.

Diana Douglas appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, including Planes, Trains and Automobiles, ER and The West Wing.

The actress was the first wife of Kirk Douglas and appeared with both in the 2003’s It Runs in the Family.Diana Douglas dead at 92

Diana Douglas died of cancer in a retirement home on July 3, her husband of 15 years, Donald Webster, said.

Born Diana Love Dill in Bermuda, she studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, where she met Kirk Douglas.

She began her career with Warner Bros, and modeled on the cover of Life Magazine in 1943.

Diana and Kirk Douglas married in 1943 and had two sons, Michael and Joel.

The couple divorced in 1951 but remained on good terms, and appeared together in It Runs in the Family, a film about a dysfunctional family, along with Michael and their grandson Cameron.

Diana Douglas was married to actor Bill Darrid from 1956 until his death in 1992.

She married Donald Webster in 2002.

Greece Bailout Referendum: Greeks Vote Whether to Accept Creditor Terms

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
Greece Bailout Referendum: Greeks Vote Whether to Accept Creditor Terms

Greeks are voting in a controversial referendum on whether to accept the terms of an international bailout.

Polling stations opened at 07:00 local time, with the first results expected in the evening.

The government has urged a “No” vote, but opponents warn this could see Greece ejected from the eurozone.

Greeks appear evenly divided over the issue, according to opinion polls. Turnout is expected to be high, after a frenetic week of campaigning.

Leaders in the governing radical-left Syriza party have criticized the bailout terms as humiliating. They say rejecting the terms could give them more leverage in talks over Greece’s massive debt.Greece bailout Referendum 2015

“No one can ignore the determination of a people taking its destiny in its own hands,” PM Alexis Tsipras said, after casting his ballot on July 5.

However, international creditors have warned that a “No” vote could choke off vital funding for Greek banks and lead to “Grexit – a chaotic departure from the common European currency. The “Yes” campaign has framed the vote as a referendum on Greek membership of the eurozone.

Supporters of both sides held rallies in Athens on July 3. Banks stayed shut because of capital controls imposed after the expiry of the current bailout program.

Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis told local media on Saturday that the EU had “no legal grounds” to throw Greece out of the euro.

On the eve of the referendum, Yanis Varoufakis accused Athens’ creditors of trying to sow fear around the vote. He told Spain’s El Mundo newspaper: “Why did they force us to close the banks? To instil fear in people. And spreading fear is called terrorism.”

Yanis Varoufakis said that the banks in Greece would reopen on July 7 whatever the outcome and that PM Alexis Tsipras would still reach an agreement with creditors if the result was “No” in the referendum.

Meanwhile, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, one of Greece’s harshest critics, suggested that if Greece were to leave the eurozone, it might only be temporary.

“Whether with the euro or temporarily without it: only the Greeks can answer this question,” he told the German newspaper Bild.

“And it is clear that we will not leave the people in the lurch.”

The referendum question is: “Must the agreement plan submitted by the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund to the Eurogroup of 25 June, 2015, and comprised of two parts which make up their joint proposal, be accepted? The first document is titled <<Reforms for the completion of the current program and beyond>> and the second <<Preliminary debt sustainability analysis>>.”

Voters must check one of two boxes – “not approved/no” or, below it, “approved/yes”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbiwxKjBtCg

Pope Francis Begins Latin American Trip in Ecuador

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Pope Francis Begins Latin American Trip in Ecuador

Pope Francis is visiting Ecuador at the start of his seven-day tour of Latin America.

Ecuador’s left-wing President Rafael Correa called the Pope’s visit “an honor”.

Pope Francis will also travel to Bolivia and Paraguay, as part of his second trip to the region since becoming pontiff in 2013.

The Argentine is the first Pope to come from South America. He is expected to highlight the themes of poverty and inequality.Pope Francis in Ecuador 2015

In 2007, before becoming Pope, Bishop of Buenos Aires Jorge Mario Bergoglio told a gathering of Latin American bishops that they were living in the most unequal part of the world.

During his previous trip in 2013, Pope Francis addressed millions on Brazil’s Copacabana Beach.

Pope Francis has requested to chew coca leaves while in Bolivia, according to Bolivian Culture Minister Marko Machicao.

Coca, the raw ingredient for cocaine, has been used in the Andes for thousands of years to combat altitude sickness and as a mild stimulant.

In September Pope Francis will travel to Cuba ahead of a trip to the US.

Pope Francis is credited with helping bring about last December’s diplomatic thaw between the two countries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e0hFCsmhQc

Tunisia Attack: State of Emergency Declared After Sousse Massacre

Roy Siemens
-
0
Tunisia Attack: State of Emergency Declared After Sousse Massacre

A state of emergency has been declared in Tunisia just over a week after 38 tourists, mainly British, died in an attack in the resort city of Sousse.

The state of emergency gives security forces more powers and limits the right of public assembly.

Tunisian authorities had already tightened security, deploying more than 1,400 armed officers at hotels and beaches.

President Beji Caid Essebsi said in a national address that “exceptional measures” were needed.

“In order to face up to this scourge we need to be prepared. We need to have enough troops, proper training and material means – we are in desperate need of material means,” he said, appealing for international counter-terrorism support and co-operation.

The state of emergency will be in place for a renewable period of 30 days.Tunisia state of emergency 2015

An official from PM Habib Essid’s office said several officials had been sacked in the wake of the attack, including the governor of Sousse.

“Just as there have been security failures, there have also been political failures,” Dhafer Neji told AFP.

Security forces were criticized for not responding more quickly to the attack on June 26 in Sousse, when a gunman opened fire on tourists on a beach and in a hotel before being shot dead by police.

The gunman has been identified as student Seifeddine Rezgui, who authorities say had trained in Libya.

PM Habib Essid said Seifeddine Rezgui had probably trained with the Ansar al-Sharia group, though Islamic State (ISIS) earlier said it was behind the attack.

Eight people have been arrested on suspicion of collaborating with Seifeddine Rezgui, and the government says it has uncovered the network behind the Sousse attack.

Authorities have also pledged to close some 80 mosques that were operating outside government control and accused of spreading extremism.

The last time Tunisia declared a state of emergency was in 2011, in the uprising which overthrew President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. It was lifted in March 2014.

Officials are expected to pass a counter-terrorism bill that has been in parliament since early 2014 in the coming weeks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upWh2tgqbFI

Fidel Castro Makes Public Appearance at Havana Cheese Meeting

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Fidel Castro Makes Public Appearance at Havana Cheese Meeting

Fidel Castro has made a rare public appearance at a cheese meeting in Havana.

State television showed images of the former Cuban leader at a meeting with cheese experts near the capital, Havana.

Fidel Castro, 88, handed power to his younger brother Raul in 2006 after struggling to recover from illness.

His appearance comes days after Cuba and the US announced they were reopening embassies in each other’s capitals on July 20.Fidel Castro cheese meeting Havana

Fidel Castro is rarely seen in public, and secrecy about his health means his public appearances are scrutinized by the media.

The historic thaw between Cuba and the US was announced on December 17, in joint media conferences by Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro.

There was no immediate comment from Fidel Castro, and analysts said the rapprochement would not have happened if he was still in power.

Just over a month later, Fidel Castro broke his silence in a letter published on the Cuban Communist Party newspaper, Granma.

“I don’t trust the policy of the United States… but this does not mean I reject a pacific solution to the conflicts,” the Cuban leader wrote.

Relations had been frozen since the early 1960s when the US broke links and imposed a trade embargo on Cuba.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhhNu6sYY7A

Princess Charlotte Christening Ceremony to Take Place at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Princess Charlotte Christening Ceremony to Take Place at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham

Princess Charlotte will be christened on Sunday, July 5, at a ceremony attended by Queen Elizabeth II and other senior members of the Royal Family in Norfolk.

Prince William and Kate Middleton, Prince George and Princess Charlotte will appear as a family of four in public for the first time at the baptism.

Other guests will include the Prince Charles and Camilla Bowels as well as Kate Middleton’s parents.

The ceremony will take place at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham.

The baptism, conducted by Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby, will be held in private.

Members of the public will be allowed into the area outside the church – known as the paddock – to see Princess Charlotte and other royals arrive and depart.

Charlotte’s godparents will be announced ahead of the service.Princess Charlotte christening 2015

Other guests will include the Duke of Edinburgh and Kate Middleton’s two siblings – Pippa and James Middleton.

Like Prince George, Princess Charlotte will be christened in a replica of the lace and satin christening gown made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, Victoria, the princess royal, in 1841.

Princess Charlotte will be christened using the ornate silver gilt Lily Font which is usually on show as part of the crown jewels at the Tower of London.

Norfolk police are expecting large crowds near the 16th century church and have urged people to arrive early for the opening of the paddock gates at 15:00 BST. The ceremony is due to start at 16:30.

Anyone bringing flowers will be asked to give them to representatives of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, where Kate Middleton is a patron, who will then take them to hospices in the region.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: “The duke and duchess are hugely grateful for the warm wishes they have received since Princess Charlotte’s birth – many of them from local people in Norfolk – and are delighted the paddock can be opened on the day of the christening.”

Prince Harry will be among those missing from the ceremony. He is currently spending three months in Africa.

St Mary Magdalene is the church used by Queen Elizabeth when she is resident on her private estate.

Archbishop Welby will give an address. He will be supported by The Reverend Canon Jonathan Riviere, the Rector of the Sandringham group of parishes.

Mario Testino has been asked by Prince William and Kate Middleton to take the official photographs after the service.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfkIK7P_HeU

Greece Debt Referendum: Tens of Thousands Attend Rival Rallies over Bailout Vote

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
Greece Debt Referendum: Tens of Thousands Attend Rival Rallies over Bailout Vote

Rival rallies have been held in the Greek capital ahead of a crucial debt referendum on July 5.

PM Alexis Tsipras was greeted with huge cheers by tens of thousands of Greeks when he told supporters to vote “No” to the terms of an international bailout.

Those attending another huge rally nearby warned a “No” vote would see Greece ejected from the eurozone.

A Greek court earlier rejected a challenge to the legality of the referendum and it will go ahead.

Greece’s current bailout program ran out on June 30. All week banks have been shut, with limits imposed on cash withdrawals.

Another war of words flared late on July 3 when Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis dismissed a Financial Times report that Greece was preparing contingency plans for a possible “bail-in” of bank deposits as a “malicious rumor”. The report quoted sources as saying banks were considering a “haircut” of 30% on deposits over €8,000.Greece bailout referendum rally

Opinion polls on July 3 suggested Greece was evenly split over the vote – an Ipsos survey putting “Yes” supporters at 44% and “No” at 43%.

Opinion polls within 24 hours of the voting are banned, as are more campaign rallies.

Estimates of the crowds gathered in Athens on July 3 ranged from 25,000 to 50,000, with police and observers agreeing that the crowds at the “No” rally were bigger.

Rallies for both camps were held in 10 other Greek cities.

In his speech, Alexis Tsipras reiterated the themes of almost daily addresses over the past week – the need for Greece to preserve its dignity and “say a proud <<No>> to [European] ultimatums” to sign up to fresh austerity.

The prime minister said: “This is not a protest. It is a celebration to overcome fear and blackmail.”

Alexis Tsipras urged Greeks to “decide to live in dignity in Europe”.

He denied a “Yes” vote would mean leaving Europe, saying: “We are not going to allow them to destroy Europe.”

Only a few hundred meters away, supporters of a “Yes” vote said they believed Alexis Tsipras could not deliver on such a promise.

Athens Mayor George Kaminis told supporters at the rally that people did not even understand the question on the ballot paper.

He said: “We have been dragged into a pointless referendum that is dividing the people and hurting the country.”

Claims by Greek politicians that a “No” vote will strengthen their hand in bailout negotiations have been rebuffed by European leaders.

Both EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Jeroen Dijsselbloem – head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers – have insisted a “No” vote will weaken the Greeks’ position and that even a “Yes” vote will not mean a deal is easy to agree.

Several European officials have complained in strong terms about Greece’s abrupt decision to hold a referendum on the terms of a bailout offer they say is no longer on the table.

White House 2016: Jim Webb Launches Presidential Bid

Diane A. Wade
-
0
White House 2016: Jim Webb Launches Presidential Bid

Former senator Jim Webb has launched his bid for president, joining other Democrats taking on front-runner Hillary Clinton.

Jim Webb, who represented Virginia from 2007 to 2012, said the US needed “positive, visionary leadership”.

The 69-year-old Vietnam veteran said defense, criminal justice reform and an economy that benefits the middle class would be his focus.

Photo AP
Photo AP

Jim Webb is the fifth Democrat to enter the presidential race. There are 14 Republican challengers so far.

In a statement on his campaign website, Jim Webb said he made the decision to run “after many months of thought, deliberation and discussion.”

“I understand the odds, particularly in today’s political climate where fair debate is so often drowned out by huge sums of money,” he added.

Vowing to bring an outsider’s voice to the 2016 race, Jim Webb said the US needed “to shake the hold of these shadow elites on our political process”.

Jim Webb was a vocal critic of the Iraq war, which his son served in, and his opposition formed the basis of his Senate election campaign in 2006.

Prior to becoming a senator, he worked as an author and film-maker and briefly served as US Secretary of the Navy under Ronald Reagan, but resigned in protest at cuts to the military.

Latest polls suggest Jim Webb is a long way behind the levels of support seen for Hillary Clinton and her closest Democratic challenger, Bernie Sanders.

Solar Impulse 2 Lands in Hawaii after Pacific Crossing Flight

James J. Williams
-
0
Solar Impulse 2 Lands in Hawaii after Pacific Crossing Flight

Solar Impulse 2 has landed in Hawaii after making a historic 7,200km (4,470 miles) flight across the Pacific from Japan.

Pilot Andre Borschberg brought the sun-powered plane gently down on to the runway of Kalaeloa Airport at 05:55 local time.

The distance covered and the time spent in the air – 118 hours – are records for manned, solar-powered flight.

The duration is also an absolute record for a solo, un-refueled journey.

Andre Borschberg’s time betters that of the American adventurer Steve Fossett who spent 76 hours aloft in a single-seater jet in 2006.

He said he looked forward to having a shower and visiting one of the many steakhouses suggested to him on the way into Hawaii’s O’ahu island.

Meeting Andre Borschberg in Kalaeloa was his partner on the Solar Impulse project, Bertrand Piccard.Solar Impulse 2 Pacific crossing

Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg are sharing flying duties in their quest to circumnavigate the globe – an effort they began in Abu Dhabi, UAE, back in March.

It is Bertrand Piccard who will now fly the next leg from Hawaii to Phoenix, Arizona.

That will not be quite as far as the leg just completed, but it will still likely take four days and nights.

From Phoenix, Solar Impulse 2 will head for New York and an Atlantic crossing that would eventually see the plane return to Abu Dhabi.

First, the Solar Impulse ground crew in Kalaeloa will need a few days to check over the aircraft.

During this servicing, meteorologists will once again take on the tricky task of finding a suitable flight window.

Getting Solar Impulse 2 to Hawaii proved more problematic than anyone could have imagined.

The project was stuck in Nanjing, China, for five weeks before the first attempt to cross the ocean was made.

Solar Impulse 2’s slow speed, light weight and 72m wingspan put significant constraints on the type of weather the vehicle can handle, and that first sortie was aborted after just one day in the air because of a fast developing cold front ahead of it.

Andre Borschberg diverted to Nagoya, and then had to wait a further month before being given the green light on Monday to again take off for Kalaeloa.

Even so, he has had to cross two weather fronts this week and has endured some uncomfortable turbulence as a consequence.

The Swiss team is using the various stopovers on its round-the-world journey to carry a campaigning message to local people on the topic of clean technologies.

The Solar Impulse 2 plane is not really intended to be a vision of the future of aviation. Rather, it is supposed to be a demonstration of the current capabilities of solar power in general.

The vehicle is covered in 17,000 photovoltaic cells. These either power the vehicle’s electric motors directly, or charge its lithium-ion batteries, which sustain the plane during the night hours.

King Tupou VI of Tonga Crowned After Three Years

Diane A. Wade
-
0
King Tupou VI of Tonga Crowned After Three Years

King Tupou VI of Tonga has been formally crowned, more than three years after ascending to the throne.

Foreign royals, including the Crown Prince of Japan, attended the coronation ceremony in the Pacific island’s capital, Nuku’alofa.

A retired Australian minister performed the crowning as it is taboo for Tongans to touch their king’s head.

Former King George Tupou V died in March 2012.King Tupou VI of Tonga coronation 2015

King Tupou’s coronation was the culmination of a week of festivities that included a traditional drinking rite, street parties and feasts.

The ceremony, performed by 78-year-old retired Methodist minister D’Arcy Wood, drew thousands of Tongans and tourists.

As well as Crown Prince Naruhito, the European royals Prince Georg von Habsburg of Hungary and Princess Marie-Therese von Hohenberg of Austria attended.

King Tupou VI, 55, ascended to the throne after his bachelor brother died.

Tonga gained its independence from Britain in 1970 but the monarchy stretches back 1,000 years.

Bruce Dickinson Talks About Cancer Recovery

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Bruce Dickinson Talks About Cancer Recovery

Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson has announced he is healing well since being treated for cancer earlier this year.

Bruce Dickinson was diagnosed last year after two tumors – including one the size of a golf ball – were found at the back of his tongue.

In an interview with BBC, Iron Maiden’s frontman said: “You can imagine to get rid of that with radiation – the inside of my head has been cooked pretty effectively.”

He said although his voice was fine, it will take a while “to heal up”.Bruce Dickinson cancer recovery

“I can sing, I can talk – I haven’t gone out and done the equivalent of trying to run 100 metres in the same way I used to sing before,” he said.

“I only finished coming out of treatment two months ago and the doctor said it will take a year to be better.

“We’ve beaten that by about six months so far, but I’m not going to push things to prove a point.”

Iron Maiden announced in May the band would not be touring or playing any shows until 2016 when Bruce Dickinson will be “back to full strength”.

Bruce Dickinson said since he was given the all clear by doctors, he was now “looking forward to having a bit of a knees up” because “it’s a good excuse to celebrate a wonderful thing”.

“I’ve been through what a load of people go through every day,” he said.

“There’s thousands of people every day in the UK and around the world who have treatment for this kind of thing. In that respect the only thing that’s special about it is that I’m quite a well-known person. I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve had a really good bounce back.”

Talking about when he was first diagnosed with cancer, Bruce Dickinson said the only symptoms he had noticed was a lump in his neck – cause by the second, smaller tumor.

“I went to the doc and he went <<oooh that’s a bit weird>>,” the singer said.

“He took a scan of it, had a look, had a poke around, and went <<you have head and neck cancer>>. So I went <<that’s a bit of a blow>> – but you crack on and you get on with it.”

Bruce Dickinson was speaking at the Silver Clef Awards in London, where Iron Maiden were honored for their outstanding contribution to UK music.

Peaches Geldof’s Death: Police End Investigation into Drug Dealer Identity

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Peaches Geldof’s Death: Police End Investigation into Drug Dealer Identity

British police ended its investigation into Peaches Geldof’s death saying that the drug dealer who supplied the TV presenter and mother-of-two with the heroin that killed her may never be known.

Peaches Geldof died from an overdose at her home in Kent, UK, in April 2014. She was 25.

Bob Geldof’s daughter had been a heroin addict and took the substitute drug methadone for two years before her death.

Detectives said they had “exhausted all lines of inquiry” trying to find out who supplied her with the Class A drug.

Detective Superintendent Paul Fotheringham said the case would be reviewed if further information or witnesses came forward.

Peaches Geldof arrives at the BRIT Awards 2014 at the O2 Arena in London on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. (Photo by Jon Furniss Photography/Invision/AP)
Peaches Geldof arrives at the BRIT Awards 2014 at the O2 Arena in London on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. (Photo by Jon Furniss Photography/Invision/AP)

“I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Peaches’ family who have supported our inquiries during what has been a difficult time,” he added.

A police search of her home at the time of her death found 6.9g of heroin but there was no indication she had planned to take her own life, an inquest last year heard.

Peaches Geldof’s husband, Tom Cohen, told the hearing she started using the drug again in February 2014.

The musician, who had been away for the weekend with the eldest of their two sons, said he became concerned when she failed to answer her phone and found his wife slumped on the bed upon his return.

Coroner Roger Hatch said Peaches Geldof’s death had been “drugs related” and expressed his deep sympathy to her family.

Peaches Geldof’s mother, Paula Yates, died of a heroin overdose at the age of 41 when Peaches was 11 years old.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7kIls4NlN8

Donald Trump’s Hotels to Investigate Credit Card Security Breach Claim

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
Donald Trump’s Hotels to Investigate Credit Card Security Breach Claim

Trump Hotel Collection is investigating claims that it fall victim to a credit and debit card security breach.

Security expert Brian Krebs reported that US banks had identified a pattern of fraudulent transactions involving accounts that had been used at a Trump Hotel Collection property.

The attack appeared to date back to February, he said.

The company said it was carrying out a “thorough investigation”.

“Like virtually every other company these days, we have been alerted to potential suspicious credit card activity and are in the midst of a thorough investigation to determine whether it involves any of our properties.

“We are committed to safeguarding all guests’ personal information and will continue to do so vigilantly,” the Trump Organization executive vice-president Eric Trump said.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

In a blogpost published on July 1, Brian Krebs – a former Washington Post journalist – cited data from unnamed sources at several US banks suggesting a pattern of bank accounts being involved in suspicious transactions.

What each of the cases reportedly had in common was that the associated credit and debit cards had all previously been used at Trump hotels.

Brian Krebs reported that at least five different locations were involved: Chicago; Honolulu; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Miami; and New York.

The claims brought concerns about the security of US credit cards to the fore. Many people in the US still swipe their cards and verify their identities with their signatures, while other countries have moved on to chip-and-pin.

If the fears were confirmed, the Trump Organization would become the latest in a series of US companies to be the victim of a credit and debit card breach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISowZrJ4k0k

Ashely Menatta: Amnesic Woman Identified by Family

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Ashely Menatta: Amnesic Woman Identified by Family

The amnesic woman who was found on a street in Carlsbad, Southern California, has been identified by her family.

“Sam”, as the woman was known by thousands following her story on social media, has been named as 53-year old Ashley Menatta from California.

Ashley Menatta was found in Carlsbad, unwell and with no memory of who she was.

Her nephew identified the woman from a NBC 7 show about her, according to NBC 7 and Sam’s Facebook page.

He called his mother who then alerted the authorities.

NBC 7 says Ashley Menatta was born in Pennsylvania and had lived in Flagstaff, Arizona. Several years ago, she moved to Southern California where she lived in La Jolla, Vista and Carlsbad.

The woman reportedly loved travelling and never married. Her sisters, in Colorado and Maryland, are said to have lost track of her in 2013.

Ashley Menatta described an “extremely emotional” reunion with her family.

“We were all sobbing,” she said.

“They’re so sorry I had to go through what I did during this time without them.”

Ashely Menatta was found “barely conscious” by emergency services in Carlsbad in February 2015.Amnesic woman identified by family

She told media she had been diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer after the authorities found her, and doctors removed a tumor the size of a volleyball.

Doctors told her she was likely suffering from “retrograde amnesia” – a type of memory-loss brought on during the onset of a disease.

The woman’s slight Australian accent led many people, including US authorities, to suspect she may originally have been from Australia.

She also had strong memories of swimming at a beach in Perth, in Western Australia, and visiting other Australian holiday spots.

Australian consular officials had offered assistance in solving her case.

Sam’s Facebook page, set up with assistance from a former nurse who got involved in the case, said prayers had been answered.

“Well, we have some great news,” the post said.

“<<Sam>> (Ashley is her name) and I want to thank you all who have been sharing, searching, emailing, posting, private messaging, calling, texting, twittering, NBC Channel 7 in San Diego, Australian News, England News, police, Missing Australians, Australian Missing Persons Register, FBI, Interpol, and everyone else!!!!

“We could not have done this with out all of your help!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve8eSVd2zAU

Sonia Manzano Leaves Sesame Street After 44 Years

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Sonia Manzano Leaves Sesame Street After 44 Years

Sesame Street’s Sonia Manzano, who has played Maria on the children’s show for more than 40 years, is retiring.

Sonia Manzano, 65, joined Sesame Street in 1971 and became a series regular in 1974, giving helpful advice to characters like Big Bird and Elmo.

The actress was also a writer on the show, winning 15 Emmy Awards for her work.Sesame Street Maria Sonia Manzano

The news has led to a flood of tributes on social media, with many remembering Sonia Manzano fondly from their childhoods.

She told a conference of librarians in San Francisco that she would not be returning for Sesame Street‘s next season.

“Thank you but don’t be bummed!” Sonia Manzano later tweeted to disappointed fans, adding that she could return for the show’s 50th anniversary.

Sonia Manzano’s character arrived on Sesame Street working at a bookstore but eventually moved to the Fix-It Shop alongside Luis, the show’s Mexican-American handyman.

Over the years on Sesame Street, Maria and Luis got married and even had a child.

Tunisia Attack: Eight Suspects Remain in Custody over Sousse Beach Attack

Roy Siemens
-
0
Tunisia Attack: Eight Suspects Remain in Custody over Sousse Beach Attack

Eight people, including a woman, remain in Tunisian police custody on suspicion of being directly linked to the deadly attack on tourists in Sousse, a minister has announced.

Four other people who had been detained have been released, he added.

Thirty-eight tourists were killed when gunman Sefeddine Rezgui opened fire on a beach.

ISIS militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Thirty of the victims were British citizens.

Tunisia’s government fears the attack will destroy its tourism industry, the country’s biggest foreign currency earner.

In March, two gunmen killed 22 people at the famous Bardo museum in Tunisia’s capital, Tunis.Tunisia attack suspects arrested

Government minister Kamel Jendoubi said at a media conference that investigations had “allowed us to discover the network behind the operation in Sousse”.

Kamel Jendoubi did not elaborate on the identities of the suspects or their alleged role.

He said ten UK investigators were assisting with the investigation, the AFP news agency reports.

Kamel Jendoubi also said that Tunisia has deployed 1,377 armed security agents at hotels and on beaches to guarantee the safety of people, AFP reports.

Tunisian authorities have identified 23-year-old student Seifeddine Rezgui as the gunman who carried out the attack.

Police have released photos of two suspects, Bin Abdallah and Rafkhe Talari – friends of Seifeddine Rezgui whom they are yet to locate.

Tunisian officials believe both the Sousse and Bardo museum gunmen were trained in Libya, which has been mostly lawless since NATO-led forces overthrew long-serving ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

ISIS has built a significant presence in Libya, Tunisia’s eastern neighbor, and is thought to control the major towns of Derna and Sirte.

1...368369370...1,245Page 369 of 1,245