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White House 2016: Rand Paul announces presidency bid

Diane A. Wade
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White House 2016: Rand Paul announces presidency bid

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has announced his 2016 White House bid.

The Republican wrote on his website: “I am running for president to return our country to the principles of liberty and limited government.”

Rand Paul stands out from the Republican pack because of his comparatively libertarian views.

He becomes the second Republican to enter the contest that concludes in November 2016.

A first-term senator hailing from one of the country’s most well-known libertarian families, Rand Paul first held elected office when he rode a wave of Tea Party popularity to the US senate in 2010.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

Once there, Rand Paul soon drew attention when he spoke for more than 12 hours in protest about President Barack Obama’s drone policy and the nomination of John Brennan to lead the CIA.

He has proven to be a thorn in the side of many of his fellow Republicans, openly challenging them on issues such as government surveillance, drone policies and sanctions on Iran and Cuba.

Rand Paul has also questioned the size of the US military and proposed relaxing drug laws that lock up offenders at a high cost for tax payers.

It is not clear how successful Rand Paul will be amongst mainstream Republican supporters.

His father, former member of the US House of Representatives Ron Paul, ran several unsuccessful presidential campaigns that had strong appeal to libertarians who favor limited government and lower taxes.

Rand Paul is expected, however, to run a very tech-savvy campaign that could create appeal to new Republican demographics, like young voters.

He is due to make his announcement in person in a ballroom in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 7. He joins Senator Ted Cruz as the two most prominent declared candidates.

Rand Paul could face up to 20 other fellow Republicans doing battle for the nomination, including former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, both of whom are expected to enter the race soon.

The triumphant individual is widely expected to battle with Hillary Clinton, the Democratic favorite and former US Secretary of State.

Hillary Clinton has yet to officially announce her candidacy, but is expected to do so in the next two weeks.

Rand Paul attended Baylor University, but did not graduate.

He later attended Duke Medical School.

Rand Paul lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky, with his wife Kelly and their three sons.

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Greece claims Germany owes it $303 billion in reparations for Nazi occupation

Clyde K. Valle
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Greece claims Germany owes it $303 billion in reparations for Nazi occupation

Germany owes Greece nearly €279 billion ($303 billion) in war reparations for the Nazi occupation during World War Two, the Greek government says.

It is the first time Greece has officially calculated what Germany allegedly owes it for Nazi atrocities and looting during the 1940s.

However, the German government says the issue was resolved legally years ago.

Greece’s radical left Syriza government is making the claim while struggling to meet massive debt repayment deadlines.

PM Alexis Tsipras raised the reparations issue when he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin last month.

Photo Wikipedia
Photo Wikipedia

The new figure given by Greek Deputy Finance Minister Dimitris Mardas includes €10.3 billion for an occupation loan that the Nazis forced the Bank of Greece to pay.

“According to our calculations, the debt linked to German reparations is 278.7 billion euros,” Dimitris Mardas told a parliamentary committee investigating responsibility for Greece’s debt crisis.

Dimitris Mardas said the reparations calculation had been made by Greece’s state general accounting office.

Berlin paid 115 million Deutschmarks to Athens in 1960 in compensation – a fraction of the Greek demand. Greece says it did not cover payments for damaged infrastructure, war crimes and the return of the forced loan.

Germany insists the reparations issue was settled in 1990 legally and politically before Germany reunified.

Syriza politicians have frequently blamed Germany for the hardship suffered by Greeks under the tough bailout conditions imposed by international lenders.

PM Alexis Tsipras is trying to renegotiate the €240 billion EU-IMF bailout that saved Greece from bankruptcy. Greece has not received bailout funds since August last year, as the lenders are dissatisfied with the pace of Greek reforms.

A Greek repayment of €448 million to the International Monetary Fund is due on April 9.

Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis has said that Greece “intends to meet all obligations to all its creditors, ad infinitum”.

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White House Easter Egg Roll 2015: Michelle Obama dancing to Uptown Funk

Nancy Clayson
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White House Easter Egg Roll 2015: Michelle Obama dancing to Uptown Funk

Michelle Obama danced to Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk with the So You Think You Can Dance All Stars at the 137th annual White House Easter Egg Roll on April 6.

The First Lady was on stage celebrating the 5h anniversary of her Let’s Move! campaign to battle childhood obesity.Michelle Obama dancing White House Easter Egg Roll 2015

The theme of this year’s Easter Egg Roll was #GimmeFive.

During her speech at the Easter Egg Roll, Michelle Obama encouraged healthy eating and an active lifestyle to the 35,000 White House guests.

It’s become more common for the First Lady to publicly dance in promotion of her campaign.

This comes only days after Michelle Obama sported her mom dance moves on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon during a segment called The Evolution of Mom Dancing Part 2.

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White House Easter Egg Roll 2015: Barack Obama plays tennis with Caroline Wozniacki

Nancy Clayson
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White House Easter Egg Roll 2015: Barack Obama plays tennis with Caroline Wozniacki

President Barack Obama and World No 5 Caroline Wozniacki played tennis at the White House as part of the annual Easter Egg Roll event on April 6.

Caroline Wozniacki took part at this year’s themed #gimmefive campaign aimed at promoting more active and healthy lifestyles among American people.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

This year’s White House Easter Egg Roll was broadcast on Live! with Kelly and Michael.

Rolling Easter eggs on the White House South Lawn is one of the most eagerly anticipated spring events in Washington DC.

The White House hosts the Easter Egg Roll every year, inviting children and their parents to come and hunt for eggs, take part in sports activities and enjoy celebrity appearances.

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Special Correspondents: Ricky Gervais to make satirical comedy for Netflix

Sonia Pantiss
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Special Correspondents: Ricky Gervais to make satirical comedy for Netflix

Ricky Gervais is to make satirical comedy Special Correspondents for Netflix that will see the star of The Office and Derek appear alongside Eric Bana.

Special Correspondents is a remake of a 2009 French film about a struggling radio journalist who files fake war reports.

Ricky Gervais will write and direct the comedy, described by Netflix’s Ted Sarandos as a “smart social satire with heart”.

Netflix’s plans to expand into film-making has already seen it sign deals with Adam Sandler, Leonardo DiCaprio and the Weinstein Company.Ricky Gervais Netflix

“Having shaken up the TV industry, Netflix is about to do the same to Hollywood,” said Ricky Gervais, whose Channel 4 series Derek was streamed by Netflix in the US.

The original Special Correspondents film starred Gerard Lanvin and Gerard Jugnot as a radio journalist and technician in Paris who pretend to report live from Iraq.

Set predominantly in New York, the new version will see Ricky Gervais and Eric Bana’s characters fake their own kidnappings during a rebel uprising in South America.

Sony Pictures acquired the rights to distribute Ricky Gervais’s remake internationally at the American Film Market in Santa Monica, California in November 2014.

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FedEx to buy rival TNT for $4.8 billion

Clyde K. Valle
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FedEx to buy rival TNT for $4.8 billion

FedEx is to buy its Dutch rival TNT Express for €4.4 billion ($4.8 billion) as the US parcels delivery company looks to expand its European operations.

In a joint statement, FedEx and TNT said both management boards had reached a “conditional agreement”.

FedEx has offered shareholders €8 per share, a 33% premium on TNT’s closing share price on April 2.

It comes two years after United Parcel Service (UPS) pulled out of a €5.2 billion bid for the Dutch firm.

UPS pulled out of the deal following opposition from EU competition authorities, saying it saw “no realistic prospect” of approval for its bid from the European Commission.

Since then TNT has undertaken a restructuring program, cutting costs, selling operations and investing heavily in its road network to hold on to customers in what has been a weak European market for business package deliveries.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

FedEx and TNT Express expect the deal to be completed in the first half of 2016 and say they are confident any European competition concerns can be overcome this time.

The European regional headquarters of the combined companies will remain in the Netherlands, while FedEx has promised to maintain the TNT Express brand “for an appropriate period”.

TNT Express CEO Tex Gunning said: “This offer comes at a time of important transformations within TNT Express and we were fully geared to executing our stand-alone strategy.

“But while we did not solicit an acquisition, we truly believe that FedEx’s proposal, both from a financial and a non-financial view, is good news for all stakeholders.”

However, the terms of the takeover allow for a competitor to make an offer within the next eight weeks and for the current deal to be terminated if that offer exceeds the existing proposal by 8%.

TNT Express warned in February 2015 that it expected adverse trading conditions to continue in its main western European markets this year, as it reported a €196 million annual loss on revenues which fell 3.2% to €6.6 billion.

White House 2016: Jeb Bush admits he is not Hispanic

Diane A. Wade
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White House 2016: Jeb Bush admits he is not Hispanic

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has admitted he accidentally described himself as Hispanic.

The New York Times has revealed that Jeb Bush identified himself as Hispanic in 2009.

The newspaper published a voter registration form where Jeb Bush had marked “Hispanic” rather than “White, not Hispanic”.

Jeb Bush tweeted: “My mistake! Don’t think I’ve fooled anyone!,” after his son, Jeb Bush Jr., called him a “honorary Latino”.

The newspaper posted a fuzzy copy of the form, which it said it had obtained from the Miami-Dade County Elections Department.Jeb Bush Hispanic

The Bush camp said it was unclear how the error was made.

“The governor’s family certainly got a good laugh out of it,” spokeswoman Kristy Campbell said.

“He is not Hispanic.”

The Republican politician has excellent credentials for his alternative ethnicity. He is a fluent Spanish speaker and his wife, Columba Bush, was born in Mexico. He also spent two years in Venezuela during his early twenties.

Born in Texas, Jeb Bush is the brother of former President George W. Bush and son of former President George H.W. Bush. He is believed to be considering seeking the Republican nomination for president in the 2016 elections.

Jeb Bush is widely seen as a centrist Republican who can appeal to different demographics, hopefully including Hispanic voters.

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Ji Jianye: Nanjing former mayor jailed for 15 years for corruption

Diane A. Wade
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Ji Jianye: Nanjing former mayor jailed for 15 years for corruption

Nanjing’s former mayor, Ji Jianye, has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for corruption.

The Chinese court in Yantai found Ji Jianye guilty of accepting 11.3 million yuan ($1.9 million) in bribes between 1999 and 2013, when he was dismissed.

As mayor Ji Jianye was nicknamed “Bulldozer” for his heavy promotion of construction and redevelopment in Nanjing.

Ji Jianye is the latest high profile official to be jailed under President Xi Jinping’s corruption crackdown.

The court said in a statement that it had been “lenient in meting out punishment, as Ji admitted his guilt and showed repentance”.

Ji Jianye assumed the powerful role of mayor of Nanjing in 2010.Ji Jianye jailed

Nnajing is the capital of Jiangsu province and home to about seven million people.

In January 2013 Ji Jianye was placed under investigation suspected of “severe violations of disciplines and laws”. He was arrested and expelled from the ruling Communist Party in 2014.

The court heard Ji Jianye had received huge amounts of money and gifts from a range of influential people and companies – including construction firms – in exchange for favorable deals and contracts.

As has become common practice, Ji Jianye’s case was heard in eastern Shandong, far from his home province and support base in Jiangsu.

President Xi Jinping launched his anti-corruption drive on coming into office in November 2012.

Xi Jinping warned that public anger over corruption threatened the survival of the Communist Party, and promised to pursue “tigers” – top-level officials – as well as “flies”.

Edward Snowden bust removed from New York’s Fort Greene Park

Nancy Clayson
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Edward Snowden bust removed from New York’s Fort Greene Park

A bust of Edward Snowden, which was secretly installed in Fort Greene Park by a group of anonymous artists at night, has been removed by the New York City’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

The sculpture was mounted on April 6 in Brooklyn near the Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument in Fort Greene Park.Edward Snowden bust Brooklyn

The artists said they intended the bust to be a tribute to Edward Snowden.

The former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor fled to Russia in 2013 after revealing extensive internet and phone surveillance by US intelligence.

One park visitor described the officials’ decision to remove the bust as “censorship”.

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B.B. King hospitalized for diabetes-related issue

Sonia Pantiss
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B.B. King hospitalized for diabetes-related issue

B.B. King has been hospitalized for a diabetes-related issue, TMZ reports.

B.B. King, 89, was rushed to hospital in Las Vegas over the weekend as a result of dehydration.BB King hospitalized

The legendary blues musician has suffered from Type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years. His camp has not issued a statement yet.

In October 2014, B.B. King was forced to cancel a number of concerts after falling ill. During a performance in St. Louis, fans began to leave early because of B.B. King’s reported erratic performance.

Shortly thereafter, B.B. King announced that he was cancelling the remaining eight shows to focus on his health.

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Giuliana Rancic memoir: Jerry O’Connell cheated on me with Geri Halliwell and Rebecca Romijn

Lisa.Felice
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Giuliana Rancic memoir: Jerry O’Connell cheated on me with Geri Halliwell and Rebecca Romijn

In an excerpt of her new-brand memoir, Giuliana Rancic reveals Jerry O’Connell cheated on her at least two times.

After meeting at the W Hotel in San Diego, Giuliana Rancic and Jerry O’Connell developed a special bond that quickly turned into something romantic.

After a while, Giuliana Rancic found out Jerry O’Connell was cheating on her with Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell.

“I was being two-timed…?” the E! News co-anchor wrote in her new book per Page Six before detailing Jerry O’Connell’s reaction.

“<<Yeah, I know. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened.>> He has as much emotion as the customer-service representative who tells you your bags missed the flight.”

Giuliana Rancic proved she was willing to forgive when she gave the relationship a second chance. But when attending Maxim’s 100 Hottest Women Party in 2004, she spotted Jerry O’Connell getting flirty with Rebecca Romijn.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

“Little did I know he was in the VIP area, talking to Rebecca,” Giuliana Rancic dished.

“As a prelude to feeling up Rebecca.”

In a matter of days, Jerry O’Connell stopped taking Giuliana Rancic’s phone calls before she eventually decided to confront him at home.

“Nope. Sorry, homegirl,” Jerry O’Connell said while ending the relationship for good.

“Things change, but you take care, OK?”

For those keeping track, Jerry O’Connell and Rebecca Romijn ended up getting married in 2007. They have three kids together. Giuliana also married Bill Rancic the same year.

Going Off Script: How I Survived a Crazy Childhood, Cancer, and Clooney’s 32 On-Screen Rejections is available online and in bookstores starting with April 7.

Bob Burns dies in car crash at the age of 64

Sonia Pantiss
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Bob Burns dies in car crash at the age of 64

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s former drummer Bob Burns has died in a car crash at the age of 64.

Bob Burns, who played on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s first two albums, was killed when his car left the road on April 3, striking a mailbox and a tree.

Georgia State Patrol spokeswoman Tracey Watson said Bob Burns, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was killed in the wreck.

He was alone in the car, and no other cars were involved. Police are trying to establish if weather was a factor.

Bob Burns performed alongside singer Ronnie Van Zant, bassist Larry Junstrom and guitarists Gary Rossington and Allen Collins in Lynyrd Skynyd from 1966 to 1974.Bob Burns dead at 64

During that time Lynyrd Skynyrd, who were named after their childhood PE teacher, Leonard Skinner, recorded such songs as Sweet Home Alabama, Simple Man and Free Bird.

Bob Burns left the band after becoming exhausted by touring. Artimus Pyle subsequently replaced him as drummer for 1975’s Nuthin’ Fancy album.

He was not aboard the plane that crashed in 1977, killing three of the band’s members, including Van Zant.

The group disbanded after the tragedy – but reformed in 1987 with Van Zant’s younger brother, Johnny, on lead vocals.

They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, at which point Bob Burns rejoined the group for a one-off performance.

Lynyrd Skynyrd still tour with Rossington, the only original member still in the band.

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Dzhokhar Tsarnaev trial: Jury set to deliberate on Boston Marathon bombing suspect’s fate

Nancy Clayson
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Dzhokhar Tsarnaev trial: Jury set to deliberate on Boston Marathon bombing suspect’s fate

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev “wanted to punish America” when he and his brother Tamerlan planted bombs at the Boston Marathon, the prosecutor has told the jury at his trial.

The comments came as closing arguments commenced at the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who allegedly perpetrated the bombings.

Judge George O’Toole outlined the law to the 18-person jury ahead of last-ditch arguments from the lawyers.

If found guilty, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who is charged with 30 counts, will face life imprisonment or execution.

His lawyers admit he carried out the attacks but say he was under the influence of his radicalized brother.

Prosecutors are expected to remind the jury of the attack’s brutality.Dzhokhar Tsarnaev trial

Judge George O’Toole explained to the jury how the 30 separate counts were related to the different elements involved – the bombings during the race, the murder of a police officer, a car jacking and a shoot-out with police.

Three people, including an 8-year-old boy, died after two pressure cooker bombs packed with nails, ball bearings and other shrapnel detonated in April 2013.

More than 260 people were injured, with many losing limbs.

Earlier in the trial, the defense made the surprise admission that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, now 21, had participated in the attacks.

Defense lawyers argue that Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who died during a massive manhunt, had orchestrated the attacks and by doing so they hope to spare their client the death penalty.

If convicted, a second phase will determine the punishment, and the jury will have to decide whether Dzhokhar Tsarnaev will be put to death.

Boston Marathon attacks were the deadliest terror attack on US soil since 9/11.

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Zhangzhou paraxylene chemical plant hit by explosion

Nancy Clayson
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Zhangzhou paraxylene chemical plant hit by explosion

A major fire sparked in south-eastern China’s Fujian province following an explosion at a chemical plant in Zhangzhou on April 6.

At least one person was injured, state news agency Xinhua reported.

The plant produces paraxylene (PX), a flammable chemical used in polyester and plastics manufacturing.

Photo CCTV
Photo CCTV

The location of PX plants in China has sparked protests from residents, including violent demonstrations last year in Guangdong province.

Many residents fear pollution from the plants is hazardous to health.

This was the second blast at the plant in two years, the South China Morning Post reported.

The plant in Zhangzhou is operated by Dragon Aromatics, one of the largest independent PX producers in China. The company has not yet commented.

China Central Television (CCTV) carried footage of the fire, with flames shooting into the air, but provided few details.

Xinhua said the blast occurred at about 19:00 local time in a pumping station.

The Zhangzhou fire department said about 430 fire-fighters were at the scene.

Mehmet Selim Kiraz’s death: Turkey blocks access to social media sites to stop photo sharing

Diane A. Wade
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Mehmet Selim Kiraz’s death: Turkey blocks access to social media sites to stop photo sharing

Turkish net companies have been ordered to block access to social media sites to stop the sharing of photos of Mehmet Selim Kiraz, who was taken hostage during last week’s armed siege in Istanbul.

A Turkish court has told Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more than 150 other sites to remove images taken during the siege.

The block on Facebook and Twitter was lifted after the two social networks complied with the court order.

Currently, YouTube remains blocked in Turkey.

Before imposing the blocks on the websites, Turkish authorities had moved to stop newspapers printing the images.

The newspapers were accused by the government of disseminating “terrorist propaganda” for the DHKP-C group that was reportedly behind the attack on the courthouse. The DHKP-C is considered a terrorist group by Turkey, the EU and US.

The siege ended with the gunmen and their hostage being killed when police stormed the building in a rescue bid.

Mehmet Selim Kiraz was apparently taken hostage because he headed an investigation into the death of a boy during anti-government protests that took place in 2013.Mehmet Selim Kiraz

The pictures showing attackers holding a gun to Mehmet Selim Kiraz’s head were being widely shared on social media, leading authorities to act, reported Turkish newspaper Hurriyet.

“The wife and children of prosecutor Kiraz have been deeply upset. The images are everywhere,” a senior Turkish official told the Reuters news agency.

In total, 166 websites which shared the images were blocked by the court order.

YouTube published the text of the court ruling on its website saying an “administration measure” had been enacted by Turkey’s telecoms authority. It said it was seeking ways to restore access.

Facebook was also subject to the same block but it is believed the restrictions on it were lifted because it removed the images before the expiration of a deadline imposed by the court. Twitter reacted more slowly and access to the messaging system was blocked for several hours on April 6.

Cyprus lifts remaining capital controls imposed on banking system

Clyde K. Valle
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Cyprus lifts remaining capital controls imposed on banking system

Cyprus government has decided to lift the last remaining capital controls it imposed on the country’s banking system during the financial crisis of 2013.

Cyprus was the only crisis-hit eurozone country to restrict capital transfers, as it faced a run on the banks.

The controls were eased in January.

There will no longer be a monthly cap of €20,000 ($22,000) on transfers by individuals to foreign banks, or of €10,000 for travelers moving money out of the country.

Cyprus received a €10 billionn bailout from the EU and International Monetary Fund (IMF) after its biggest banks nearly collapsed in March 2013 because of huge losses on their Greek investments.

The island’s second-biggest lender, Cyprus Popular Bank (also known as Laiki Bank), was wound up and deposits worth more than €100,000 in the largest bank, Bank of Cyprus, were seized.

Those measures were part of the deal to ensure that Cyprus funded part of the €10 billion bailout.

Speaking on April 3, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades voiced confidence that the country was recovering well, despite three years of recessionCyprus lifts capital controls

Lifting capital controls, Nicos Anastasiades said, was “a vote of confidence in our banking system which, now fully independent of Greek banking institutions, can move forward”.

The Greek debt crisis had a severe impact on Cypriot banks, which lost about €4.5 billion worth of Greek sovereign bonds – equivalent to 25% of Cypriot gross domestic product, Reuters news agency reports.

Mieko Nagaoka becomes first centenarian to complete 1,500m freestyle swim

Clyde K. Valle
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Mieko Nagaoka becomes first centenarian to complete 1,500m freestyle swim

Japan’s Mieko Nagaoka has become the first 100-year-old to complete a 1,500m freestyle swim in a 25m pool.

Mieko Nagaoka, who only took up swimming at the age of 82, already holds the record in her age category for the same distance in a 50m pool.

The Japanese completed the latest feat in just over one hour and 15 minutes, using backstroke all the way.

Mieko Nagaoka was the only person taking part in her age range – 100 to 104 – at the competition in Matsuyama on April 4.

She already dominates the world record board for her age group, as awarded by the international swimming federation (FINA), holding 24 titles over both short and long distances.Mieko Nagaoka oldest swimmer

Mieko Nagaoka’s latest achievement is now expected to be recognized by Guinness World Records.

She began swimming as therapy for her knees, but was soon training several times a week. She has since attended swimming competitions around the world, and said her family members also swimmers.

After turning 100 in 2014, Mieko Nagaoka released a book entitled I’m 100 years old and the world’s best active swimmer.

Mieko Nagaoka told Japan’s Kyodo news agency: “I want to swim until I turn 105 if I can live that long.”

Japan has a rapidly rising aging population, and with 59,000 centenarians on official records in 2014.

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Twin Peaks revival: David Lynch won’t direct sequel

Sonia Pantiss
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Twin Peaks revival: David Lynch won’t direct sequel

David Lynch has announced he will not direct the Twin Peaks revival, citing disagreement over money.

In a statement on his Twitter account, the director said he had not been given enough money “to do the script in the way I felt it needed to be done”.

“This weekend I started to call actors to let them know I would not be directing,” David Lynch added.

David Lynch’s departure casts doubt on the revival, which was commissioned by Showtime in October 2014.

David Lynch, whose credits include Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, created the cult drama with Mark Frost in the 1990s.

Revolving around the murder of teenage schoolgirl Laura Palmer, Twin Peaks was a precursor of dense, cinematic TV shows like The Sopranos and The Wire.

Twin Peaks won three Golden Globe awards in 1991, including best TV series and best actor for Kyle MacLachlan.

Kyle MacLachlan played Special Agent Dale Cooper, an FBI agent who got drawn into the seedy town of Twin Peaks as his murder investigation took several surreal turns.Twin Peaks revival

He was due to reprise the role in the Showtime revival when production began later this year.

David Lynch and Mark Frost have already written scripts for the nine episode series, which was due to air in 2016, marking the 25th anniversary of the original finale.

In his statement, David Lynch said: “I love the world of Twin Peaks and wish things could have worked out differently.”

However, the director hinted Twin Peaks sequel might go ahead in his absence: “Twin Peaks may still be very much alive at Showtime.”

Soon after his comments were published on Twitter, Showtime released the following statement: “We were saddened to read David Lynch’s statement today since we believed we were working towards solutions with David and his reps on the few remaining deal points.

“Showtime also loves the world of Twin Peaks and we continue to hold out hope that we can bring it back in all its glory with both of its extraordinary creators, David Lynch and Mark Frost, at its helm.”

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Ayyan Ali: Pakistani supermodel jailed for money laundering

Lisa.Felice
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Ayyan Ali: Pakistani supermodel jailed for money laundering

Pakistani supermodel Ayyan Ali has been jailed in Adiala prison in Rawalpindi.

On March 14, Ayyan Ali, 23, was detained at Islamabad airport on charges of money laundering.

The $500,000 in the supermodel’s suitcase exceeded the legal limit of cash that can be carried out of the country, which is $10,000.

Ayyan Ali denies the charge and says the money was acquired legitimately from the proceeds of property sales and that she was unaware of these customs rules.

Prosecutors have said that if convicted of smuggling the money out of Pakistan, Ayyan Ali could be forced to pay a heavy fine and face a 14-year jail term.Ayyan Ali jailed for money laundering

Two weeks of legal wrangling went by and finally at the end of March her application for bail was dismissed – so she faces yet more time in Adiala.

Known simply as Ayyan, she began her career on the catwalk at 16 and quickly rose to become Pakistan’s most successful and high-profile model. There was even speculation she would represent Pakistan in the Miss Universe pageant.

Ayyan Ali also has a singing career and videos of this part of her career can be found on Youtube.

Pakistani media have speculated about the conditions under which Ayyan Ali is being held, whether or not she is being given special treatment, and whether the jail has fallen victim to Pakistan’s notorious “VIP culture”.

One newspaper report suggested Ayyan Ali was given a well-furnished room with a TV set, refrigerator, wore a new dress daily and was allowed a special kind of mobile phone that could bypass the prison’s jammers.

According to the prison’s rules, there is no dress code for accused prisoners in the jail so Ayyan Ali can wear any dress of her choice. It is only convicts who wear jail uniform.

Jail authorities also said Ayyan Ali had requested B-class jail facilities on the basis of her degree and that the home secretary had the authority to shift prisoners to Category B conditions.

According to Pakistan’s criminal code, if you have completed 14 years of education you are entitled to Category B conditions where you get a servant and better cell facilities, but this is only permitted in criminal cases so would probably not be permissible for her.

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Kenya bombs al-Shabab camps in Somalia after Garissa massacre

Roy Siemens
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Kenya bombs al-Shabab camps in Somalia after Garissa massacre

Kenyan fighter jets have targeted al-Shabab camps in neighboring Somalia in response to Garissa University attack.

The warplanes had bombed two camps in Gondodowe and Ismail, both in the Gedo region, used by al-Shabab to cross into Kenya, military sources say.

This is Kenya’s first response to an al-Shabab assault which left 148 people dead at Garissa University last week.Kenya Garissa massacre

President Uhuru Kenyatta had vowed to respond to the attack “in the severest way possible”.

Al-Shabab said the assault in Garissa, which is 120 miles from the Somali border, was revenge for Kenya sending troops into Somalia to fight alongside African Union peacekeepers against the group.

The Islamist group, which at one point controlled most of Somalia, has lost swaths of territory in recent years but diplomats have repeatedly warned this has not diminished its ability to stage guerrilla-style attacks at home and abroad.

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Furious 7 tops global box office on its opening weekend

Sonia Pantiss
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Furious 7 tops global box office on its opening weekend

Furious 7 has topped the global box office by taking $384 million in its opening weekend.

Almost half of that figure – $190 million – was made at the US box office.

Globally, it is the fourth-highest opening of all time, beaten only by two Harry Potter movies and The Avengers.

Interest in Furious 7 was at least partially tied to its late star Paul Walker, who died in a car crash in before the movie was completed in 2013.

Following the fatal accident, production on Furious 7 was suspended while the filmmakers decided whether or not to proceed.

The team ultimately decided to delay the release from its scheduled July 2014 date. Paul Walker’s scenes were completed using a mixture of computer animation and body doubles – including two of the star’s younger brothers, Caleb and Cody.

“This is a bittersweet installment in the franchise,” said Phil Contrino, vice president and chief analyst at BoxOffice.com.Furious 7 box office

“Walker’s passing made this movie more intriguing for people who hadn’t seen some of the installments. It raised awareness and its success is a tribute to him.”

The original – The Fast and the Furious, released in June 2001 – was a sleeper hit that spawned a few moderately successful sequels.

After the third movie in the series, Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, left cinemas with a franchise-worst box office of $158 million, it seemed the series would be scrapped, or move to the straight-to-DVD market.

Instead, executives persuaded Vin Diesel, the star of the original film, to return and made Fast & Furious – a heist film set overseas.

Since then, the franchise has gone from strength to strength, with each movie outperforming the last.

North American box office Top 5:

  1. Furious 7 – $143.6 million
  2. Home – $27.4 million
  3. Get Hard – $12.9 million
  4. Cinderella – $10.3 million
  5. The Divergent Series: Insurgent – $10 million [youtube Skpu5HaVkOc 650]

Die With You: Beyonce surprises fans with new single released on Tidal

Sonia Pantiss
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Die With You: Beyonce surprises fans with new single released on Tidal

Beyonce has surprised fans with a new single and video, released on April 4 to the Tidal streaming service, in which she is a co-owner with her husband Jay Z.

Die With You is a simple ballad, which Beyonce performs alone, seated behind a black baby grand piano.

“I wake up just to sleep with you,” Beyonce sings to the cameraman who, at the end of the video, is revealed to be Jay Z.

Beyonce and Jay Z celebrate their seventh anniversary this weekend.Beyonce Die With You

Both of them are co-owners in Tidal, which was re-launched last week in a star-studded New York ceremony.

Artists including Arcade Fire, Daft Punk, Jack White, Kanye West, Madonna, Rihanna and Usher all appeared at the event, signing a declaration that promised to “re-establish the value of music” and protect “the sustainability of the music industry”.

Tidal pitches itself as “the first artist-owned global music and entertainment platform” and promises musicians a greater share of royalties when their music is streamed on the site.

Key to attracting consumers away from rivals like Spotify, Deezer and Rdio is the promise of exclusive content, of which the Beyonce track is the first high-profile example.

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World’s biggest handmade Easter egg tasted in Bariloche

Nancy Clayson
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World’s biggest handmade Easter egg tasted in Bariloche

The world’s biggest handmade Easter egg has been unveiled in Argentina.World's biggest Easter egg Bariloche

Tens of thousands of people have gathered in Bariloche to taste the chocolate egg.

Bariloche tourism office says 17,600 lbs of chocolate were used to make the egg, which stood 27ft high.

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Milos Zeman bans US Ambassador Andrew Schapiro from Prague Castle

Diane A. Wade
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Milos Zeman bans US Ambassador Andrew Schapiro from Prague Castle

The US ambassador to Czech Republic, Andrew Schapiro, has been barred from Prague Castle, President Milos Zeman says.

Prague Castle is the president’s official residence and office.

The apparent snub follows remarks by Andrew Schapiro seen as critical of Milos Zeman’s decision to attend forthcoming World War Two commemorations in Moscow.

Several world leaders are boycotting the ceremony over Russia’s role in the Ukraine conflict.

Milos Zeman is considered more sympathetic to Russia on the issue.

Andrew Schapiro had “overstepped the mark” by criticizing the decision to attend celebrations in May marking the anniversary of the end of WW2, news portal Parlamentni Listy quotes President Milos Zeman as saying.Milos Zeman and Andrew Schapiro

Because of this “the doors of the castle were closed” to Andrew Schapiro, Milos Zeman continues.

“I cannot imagine that the Czech ambassador in Washington would advise the US president where he should travel. And I will not allow any ambassador to have a say in my foreign travel plans.”

Milos Zeman’s spokesman Jiri Ovcacek later sought to downplay the president’s comments, saying that Andrew Schapiro could still take part in social events at the Castle.

Andrew Schapiro is quoted by Czech media as having said in March that it would “be awkward” if Milos Zeman was the only statesman from an EU country on the platform on Red Square.

The US embassy has declined to address Milos Zeman’s comments.

Milos Zeman is known for his outspoken views on a range of issues, often at variance with those of the Social Democrat-led government, correspondents say.

The presidency is largely ceremonial in Czech Republic, but Milos Zeman became the first man directly elected to the post when he took office in 2013.

Spectre: Daniel Craig undergoes knee surgery after injury during shooting

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Spectre: Daniel Craig undergoes knee surgery after injury during shooting

Daniel Craig has had knee surgery after an injury sustained while shooting scenes for new James Bond movie Spectre.

Eon Productions said Daniel Craig, 47, had had a “minor procedure” in New York during a break in production over Easter.

A spokeswoman denied reports Daniel Craig had missed several days of filming on the 24th James Bond movie.Daniel Craig Spectre

“During a scheduled break, Daniel Craig had arthroscopic surgery to repair his knee injury. He will rejoin production on April 22nd at Pinewood,” she said.

Filming on Spectre began at Pinewood Studios, in Buckinghamshire, last December, and has since moved to Rome and Mexico.

It is Daniel Craig’s fourth outing as the secret service agent, and follows the success of 2012’s Skyfall, which made $1.1 billion worldwide.

Spectre features Christoph Waltz plays a character called Oberhauser – which, in the novels, is the name of James Bond’s former skiing instructor. However, it has been rumored the actor will be revealed as James Bond’s old nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

Ernst Stavro Blofeld was the “number one” in Spectre, an international crime syndicate which last featured in the Sean Connery-era films.

Spectre will be released on November 6, 2015.

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