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ISIS kidnaps at least 90 Assyrian Christians in Syria

Roy Siemens
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ISIS kidnaps at least 90 Assyrian Christians in Syria

At least 90 Assyrian Christians have been kidnapped by ISIS militants from villages in north-eastern Syria, activists say.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 90 men, women and children were seized in a series of dawn raids near the town of Tal Tamr.

Some Assyrians managed to escape and made their way east to the largely Kurdish-controlled city of Hassakeh.ISIS kidnaps at least 90 Assyrian Christians in Syria

It comes as Syrian Kurdish fighters backed by US-led air strikes continue to advance into ISIS-held territory.

On February 23, a Kurdish official said ISIS militants had been forced back to within 3 miles of the town of Tal Hamis by the Popular Protection Units (YPG).

The Syrian Observatory confirmed the advance by the YPG and said at least 12 ISIS fighters had been killed on February 23.

Hassakeh province is strategically important in the fight against ISIS because it borders both Turkey and areas controlled by the group in Iraq.

Study: Peanut allergy risk cut by over 80% after early exposure

Kathryn R. Bown
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Study: Peanut allergy risk cut by over 80% after early exposure

A British study suggests that an early exposure to peanut products dramatically cuts the risk of allergy.

Doctors found that exposing at risk infants to peanuts before their first birthday lower the risk of developing a peanut allergy.

Trials on 628 babies prone to developing peanut allergy found the risk was cut by over 80%.

The King’s College London researchers said it was the “first time” that allergy development had been reduced.

Specialists said the findings could apply to other allergies and may change diets around, but warned parents not to experiment at home.

The research team in London had previously found that Jewish children in Israel who started eating peanuts earlier in life had allergy levels 10 times lower than Jewish children in the UK.Peanut allergy risk infants

The trial, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, focused on babies as young as four months who had already developed eczema – an early warning sign of allergies.

Skin-prick tests were used to identify those who had not yet developed peanut allergy or had only a very mild response.

Children under five should not eat whole peanuts, because of the risk of choking, so half were given a peanut-based snack. The other half continued avoiding peanuts.

The trial indicated that for every 100 children, 14 would normally go on to develop an allergy by the age of five.

This fell by 86% to just two out of every 100 children with the therapy.

Even the children who were already becoming sensitive to peanuts benefited. Their allergy rates fell from 35% to 11%.

Until 2008, at-risk families were told to actively avoid peanut products and other sources of allergic reactions.

The study findings have attracted excited responses from other doctors, and there is speculation similar approaches might work with other allergies, such as egg protein.

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Powerball jackpot winner Marie Holmes is a North Carolina single mother with four kids

Nancy Clayson
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Powerball jackpot winner Marie Holmes is a North Carolina single mother with four kids

Marie Holmes, a North Carolina single mother with four children, including one with cerebral palsy, has come forward to claim her part of a $564 million Powerball jackpot.

Marie Holmes, 26, bought one of three winning tickets, and will take a $188 million lump sum payment.

She bought 10 tickets for the draw earlier in February.

She was “screaming and jumping” when she heard, she told reporters on February 23 and the best part of winning was being able to provide for her children.Marie Holmes win Powerball jackpot

Marie Holmes also plans to give to her church, travel, finish her university degree and buy her mother a house.

“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunities this has created for my family,” she said a press conference where she was presented with a cheque.

Marie Holmes said when she realized she had the winning numbers she started “screaming and jumping around”.

“I said to my kids, <<You just don’t understand what this means>>.”

Two other winning tickets for the Powerball drawing were bought in Puerto Rico and Texas.

The Puerto Rico winner has decided to stay anonymous while no-one has come forward in Texas.

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Festival del Habano 2015: American boost for Cuba’s cigar festival

Nancy Clayson
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Festival del Habano 2015: American boost for Cuba’s cigar festival

Cuba’s annual cigar festival (Festival del Habano) is being held in Havana between February 23 and February 27.

The communist island is again the venue of the largest international meeting for the enthusiasts of the best cigar in the world.

At 17th edition of the Habanos Festival American visitors are able to take cigars home legally for the first time in decades.

A thaw in US-Cuban relations means American smokers will be able to stock up on products worth up to $100.

Havana cigars have been banned in the US for more than 50 years under the terms of a trade embargo.Cuban cigar festival 2015 Festival del Habano

Hundreds of visitors are expected at the week-long festival.

The last edition of the Habanos Festival was attended by more than 1,300 delegates from 60 countries and 250 journalists.

The Commercial Fair will again be celebrated during the week of the Festival. In 2014, the Fair was attended by 60 exhibitors from 7 countries and received over 2,200 visitors from the world of cigar, luxury products and business.

Despite the recent rapprochement between Washington and Havana, most Americans are still not allowed to travel to Cuba.

However some US citizens, including relatives of Cubans or academics, are allowed to visit and take advantage of the new rules.

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Greece bailout: Government sends reform list to creditors

Clyde K. Valle
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Greece bailout: Government sends reform list to creditors

The Greek government has submitted a list of reform proposals to its bailout creditors, the European Commission announces.

The list was received “on time”, a spokesman tweeted.

The measures include combating tax evasion and tackling fuel and tobacco smuggling.

PM Alexis Tsipras is trying to balance satisfying the demands of creditors with meeting his pre-election pledges, say correspondents.Greece bailout reforms 2015

Greece needs approval from international creditors to secure a four-month loan extension.

“In the Commission’s view, this list is sufficiently comprehensive to be a valid starting point for a successful conclusion of the review,” a source close to the European Commission told Reuters news agency.

Drafts of the list will have been seen by European officials in Brussels as they were being drawn up over the weekend, but aspects of the plan that require new social spending may well be sticking points with creditors.

Ending home repossessions and providing free medical care and electricity for those who cannot pay may become bones of contention – while the eurozone may insist pension cuts and VAT rises should continue.

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Experiences More Cost Effective than Traditional Gifts in February

Dana R
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Experiences More Cost Effective than Traditional Gifts in February

Even though Christmas has passed, most people are struggling to find gifts to fill up birthdays and other occasions through the course of the year. However, with www.intotheblue.co.uk releasing a 15% February sale, it might now be possible to take advantage of several other gift ideas that take on a somewhat different complexion.

gifts-february
The general consensus is that experience days have been far too costly when pitted against the so-called traditional gifts. Now, regular promotions from companies such as intotheblue.co.uk mean that these misconceptions might become a thing of the past.

For example, flying lessons were once only reserved for would-be pilots, who were willing to take the extensive and expensive courses required to gain the necessary qualifications. Now, it’s possible to take advantage of just the single lesson, with some one hour programmes costing as little as £135 without any sort of promotion being run. It means that experiences such as flying are now open to a much wider demographic.

Even some of the more typical days out experiences are becoming much more accessible and subsequently, very well suited for gift buying purposes. This could come in the form of spa days, with some being available for as little as £39. Or, for those just wanting to purchase a smaller gift experience, some beauty treatments are available for just £15.

This can again translate to something as simple as a meal at a restaurant. In some of the most sought-after dining locations in the country, intotheblue.co.uk has created packages which can be bought for just £30. For those wanting to bring a little more excitement to the gift, experiences such as cookery causes, wine tasting and even chocolate making are also available.

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There are some experiences which might just have been unthinkable at one time as well. For example, it’s possible to “be a TV presenter for the day”, or even spend the day in a singing studio experiencing exactly what it would be like to be the next big wonder in the music industry. With such experiences starting from just £69, it’s a small price to pay to use professional equipment if nothing else.

With all gift vouchers being valid for one year from the date of purchase, an experience also happens to be something which makes for a very flexible gift idea. Additionally, with the vast majority of attractions boasting loose terms and conditions which allow for different dates, the receiver of the gift certificate can make the final decision as to when they opt to attend their experience.

While the promotion might just be running through February, the company regularly run 2-for-1 deals through a sub-section of their website. A lot of the time these deals focus around cookery lessons, makeovers and other activities that are generally experienced by more than one person – making the gifts ideal for couples or even a group of friends.

To take further advantage of the reduced prices, take a look at the intotheblue.co.uk website for further information.

Vladimir Putin: “War with Ukraine is unlikely”

Diane A. Wade
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Vladimir Putin: “War with Ukraine is unlikely”

In an interview for Russian television, President Vladimir Putin has said war with neighboring Ukraine is “unlikely”.

Vladimir Putin also stressed his support for the Minsk agreement as the best way to stabilize eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine has said there is clear evidence Russia is helping the rebels in the east, something Russia denies.

Earlier, Ukraine’s military said rebel shelling had prevented them withdrawing heavy weapons from the front line.Vladimir Putin Ukraine war

In his interview, Vladimir Putin was asked if there was a real threat of war, given the situation in eastern Ukraine.

“I think that such an apocalyptic scenario is unlikely and I hope this will never happen,” he said.

Vladimir Putin said that if the Minsk agreement was implemented, eastern Ukraine would “gradually stabilize”.

“Europe is just as interested in that as Russia. No-one wants conflict on the edge of Europe, especially armed conflict,” he said.

Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority face $218 million Israel attacks fine in US

Roy Siemens
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Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority face $218 million Israel attacks fine in US

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) are liable for six attacks in Israel between 2002 and 2004, a New York court has ruled.

Six attacks in and around Jerusalem killed 33 people and wounded hundreds more during the second Palestinian intifada more than 10 years ago.

The jury awarded victims of the attacks more than $218 million.

The Palestinian groups expressed dismay at the court’s decision and vowed they would appeal.

As some of the victims were American citizens, the lawsuit was filed in a US court.

Photo AP
Photo AP

After deliberating for a day, jurors ruled in favor of 10 American families who were seeking damages related to the six attacks.

The Israeli government has denied any official involvement in the lawsuit.

A joint statement by the PLO and the PNA described the charges as “baseless” and said they were disappointed by the ruling.

The victims’ families allege that internal documents show the attacks were approved by the Palestinian authorities.

“Those involved in the attacks still receive salaries from the Palestinian Authority and still get promoted in rank while in jail,” said Nitsana Darshan-Leitner of the Israel-based Shurat HaDin Law Center, a lawyer who is representing the victims’ families.

But defense lawyer Mark Rochon told jurors that the PA and PLO did not have knowledge of the attacks before they took place.

He said the organizations could not be held liable for the actions of suicide bombers and gunmen, whom he argued acted alone.

The victims had requested more than $350 million. The US Anti-Terrorism Act could yet allow for the fine to be tripled.

Greece misses deadline for reform list

Clyde K. Valle
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Greece misses deadline for reform list

Greece has missed the February 23 deadline in sending a list of reforms aimed at securing a bailout extension to EU partners.

The Greek government will send the list on Tuesday morning, officials say.

The list must be approved by international creditors to secure a four-month loan extension.

Analysts say the deal’s collapse would revive fears Greece will exit the euro.

Minister of state Nikos Pappas says the list will include measures to fight tax evasion and trim the civil service.Greece reform list deadline

German newspaper Bild, citing an unnamed source, reports that Greece aims to recover 7.3 billion euros ($8.3 billion) with measures to combat tax evasion.

A spokesman for the German finance ministry, Martin Jaeger, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency that Berlin expected the Greek plan to be “coherent and plausible”.

Greece agreed at a meeting with its EU and IMF lenders on February 20 to submit the list of reforms before Tuesday, February 24.

But officials said later that the Eurogroup had agreed to a delay though no reason was given.

“The list of reforms will be sent to the finance ministers of the Eurogroup on Tuesday morning, while a teleconference will take place in the afternoon,” one official told Reuters news agency.

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Emma Watson is NOT dating Prince Harry

Lisa.Felice
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Emma Watson is NOT dating Prince Harry

Emma Watson took to Twitter on February 22 to deny she is dating Prince Harry.

Rumors of the royal and Harry Potter actress’ dating began last week in the Australian publication Women’s Day.

The magazine claimed Prince Harry had “found love” with Emma Watson after they supposedly went on “secret dates”.Emma Watson is not dating Prince Harry

The publication also alleged Prince Harry initiated the romance after hearing Emma Watson had split with ex-boyfriend Matthew Janney.

Women’s Day went on to describe one of their alleged dates, and quoted an “insider” as saying Prince Harry is “smitten” with Emma Watson.

According to Emma Watson, the claims just aren’t true and she tweeted: “WORLD ♥ Remember that little talk we had about not believing everything written in the media?!”

Emma Watson seems to be referring to the numerous false stories about her that have emerged over the years, including the wrongly repeated rumors that claimed she would star in the just-released Fifty Shades of Grey.

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Pyongyang Marathon 2015: North Korea bans foreigners from sport event over Ebola fears

Kathryn R. Bown
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Pyongyang Marathon 2015: North Korea bans foreigners from sport event over Ebola fears

North Korea has imposed a travel ban on foreigners willing to participate in the annual Pyongyang marathon because of concerns over the spread of the Ebola virus, travel agencies say.

In October 2014, North Korea halted all non-essential travel into the communist country because of Ebola fears

The country began enforcing strict travel restrictions on incoming tourists including a 21-day quarantine.

No Ebola cases have been reported in North Korea or anywhere near it.

The marathon, one of the year’s most popular events for tourists, takes place on April 12.

“We are sorry to announce that we have been informed by our partners in North Korea that no foreign runners – amateur or professional – will be allowed to participate in this year’s Pyongyang Marathon,” Koryo Tours, a Beijing-based travel agency said on its website according to South Korea’s Yonhap new agency.

Foreigners are banned “due to the fear of the spread of Ebola”, Koryo Tours said on Twitter, local media reported. China-based Young Pioneer Tours also confirmed the ban.Pyongyang Marathon Ebola

The Ebola outbreak, which began in West Africa, has killed more than 9,000 people.

Last year’s race, which also included a 6 mile race and a half-marathon, was the first time the event was open to foreigners and an estimated 200 people from around the world took part.

This year, Koryo Tours alone was expecting to take 500 people to the marathon, its director Nick Bonner told Reuters news agency.

North Korea looks at tourism, especially from China, as a way of increasing foreign funds flowing into the country.

The country halted all visas for non-essential travel in October as a measure against Ebola.

It is not clear why North Korean authorities are particularly concerned Ebola could be brought into the country.

Much of the North Korean population lives in extreme poverty and the healthcare system would be ill-equipped to handle an Ebola epidemic.

North Korean state media has suggested the Ebola disease was created by the US military as a biological weapon.

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Germany measles outbreak: 18-month boy’s death sparks vaccination debate

Kathryn R. Bown
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Germany measles outbreak: 18-month boy’s death sparks vaccination debate

The death of an 18-month-old boy of measles in Germany outbreak has fueled a compulsory vaccination debate.

Health authorities in Berlin registered nearly 600 cases of measles since October 2014.

The boy died in hospital and it was not clear how he contracted the disease, Berlin’s health senator Mario Czaja said on February 23.

The measles outbreak has sparked a debate over whether vaccinations against the disease should be made compulsory.

US authorities are also reporting more than 120 new cases in California.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

The death of the toddler showed that measles continued to be a serious disease, Mario Czaja said. The disease is treatable but can weaken the immune system and cause lung and brain infections.

Authorities in Berlin also confirmed that a secondary school was closed on February 23 after a measles case was reported there.

Since October, the authorities have registered 574 cases, the worst outbreak in more than a decade. The federal health ministry recommends vaccinations but has not made them compulsory.

The jabs are usually administered together with vaccines against other diseases. There have been claims in the past – later discredited – that the vaccines could be linked to autism.

Medical professions and governments around the world say vaccination is safe and recommend it as a preventive measure.

In California, the Department of Public Health has reported an outbreak of measles with 123 registered cases so far. Most of those showing symptoms of the disease were not vaccinated.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat wrestles to ground Palestinian suspected of stabbing Jewish man

Nancy Clayson
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Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat wrestles to ground Palestinian suspected of stabbing Jewish man

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has wrestled to the ground a Palestinian suspected of stabbing an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man in a scene caught by a security camera.

The mayor says he ordered his car to stop when he spotted the attack near City Hall in Jerusalem downtown on February 22.

Footage shows Mayor Nir Barkat striding towards the suspect before bringing him down as one of his guards points a gun.

The 27-year-old victim was taken to hospital. Police arrested an 18-year-old Palestinian over the incident.Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat wrestles attacker

They say the suspect had entered Israel illegally before the attack.

At a news conference afterwards, Nir Barkat said he and his bodyguard jumped out of the car, “the guard aimed his gun [at the attacker]… and we grabbed the terrorist until police arrived.”

Mobile phone footage shows Nir Barkat leaning over the suspected attacker as he is being held on the ground by several men.

The exact motive for the stabbing is not clear, but it is the latest in a series of attacks by Palestinians on Israelis in recent months.

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Fifty Shades of Grey tops US box office for second weekend

Sonia Pantiss
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Fifty Shades of Grey tops US box office for second weekend

Fifty Shades of Grey remains on the top of the North American box office for a second weekend, taking an estimated $23.2 million.

The adaptation of E.L. James’s best-selling novel earned an additional $68 million overseas.

Fifty Shades of Grey is directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and stars Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson.

Despite its continued success, its takings fell by 73% from its record-breaking $85 million Valentine’s Day debut.

The movie’s opening weekend takings beat previous record-holder The Passion of the Christ’s $83.9 million in 2004.Fifty Shades of Grey movie box office

E.L. James’s trilogy of Fifty Shades books have reportedly sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and been translated into more than 50 languages.

Following on from Fifty Shades in the chart was action spy film Kingsman: The Secret Service, which held on to the number two spot in the box office chart for a second week, taking $17.5 million.

Animated movie The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water similarly maintained its position at No 3, earning $15.5 million in its third week of release.

Rounding up the top five films were two new releases.

Disney’s cross-country racing tale McFarland, USA starring Kevin Costner opened at number four with $11.3 million.

While high school comedy The DUFF opened at No 5, taking $11 million.

A few Oscar contenders received a boost at the box office ahead of Sunday’s 87th annual Academy Awards.

American Sniper, which was up for six awards and won one for sound editing, took another $9.6 million, putting it in the number six position in its ninth weekend of release.

The Imitation Game, nominated for eight Academy Awards and winning one for best adapted screenplay, came in at number nine with $2.5 million in its 13th weekend.

Still Alice, for which Julianne Moore won the best actress Oscar, earned $2.2 million after its release was extended to 765 cinemas in its sixth weekend.

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Greece to submit list of reforms to international lenders

Clyde K. Valle
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Greece to submit list of reforms to international lenders

The Greek government is preparing to present a list of reforms to lenders in order to secure a bailout extension.

The list to be submitted on February 23 must be approved by international creditors to secure a four-month loan extension.

Analysts say a collapse of the deal would revive fears of a Greek exit from the euro.

Minister of state Nikos Pappas said the list would include measures to tackle tax evasion and streamline the civil service.

German newspaper Bild, citing an unnamed source, reports that Greece aims to recover 7.3 billion euros ($8.3 billion) with measures to combat tax evasion.Greece bailout 2015

A spokesman for the German finance ministry, Martin Jaeger, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency that Berlin expected the Greek plan to be “coherent and plausible”.

Greece agreed at a meeting with its EI and IMF lenders on February 20 to submit the list of reforms before February 24.

Bild, Germany’s biggest-selling newspaper, was publicly attacked on February 20 by Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis who remarked about an earlier story: “One must believe @BILD’s tall stories [about Greece] at one’s peril.”

In a new article, the newspaper breaks down what it says is a tax hit list devised by the Greek government.

It will reportedly seek to raise 2.5 billion euros from the fortunes of rich Greeks, 2.5 billion from back taxes owed by individuals and businesses, and 2.3 billion from a crackdown on tobacco and petrol smuggling.

Martin Jaeger said the Greek reform plan, once received, would be examined by Greece’s three creditors – the European Central Bank, the European Commission and the IMF.

Once the three lenders had delivered their opinion, it would be discussed by eurozone finance ministers in a conference call on February 24, he said, according to Reuters.

Yanis Varoufakis has said the bailout agreement will be “dead” if the list of reforms his government is drafting is not approved.

The new Greek government, led by PM Alexis Tsipras, was elected by promising to reverse austerity.

The four-month extension deal is widely regarded as a major climb-down for PM Alexis Tsipras, who won power vowing to reverse budget cuts.

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WHO: Smart syringes should be used by 2020

Kathryn R. Bown
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WHO: Smart syringes should be used by 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that smart syringes that break after one use should be used for injections by 2020.

Reusing syringes leads to more than two million people being infected with diseases including HIV and hepatitis each year.

The new needles are more expensive, but the WHO says the switch would be cheaper than treating the diseases.

More than 16 billion injections are administered annually.

Normal syringes can be used again and again.Smart syringe turns red

The smart ones prevent the plunger being pulled back after an injection or retract the needle so it cannot be used again.

This is also a problem in rich Western countries.

An outbreak of hepatitis C in Nevada was traced back to a doctor who used the same syringe to give anaesthetic to multiple patients.

Standard syringes cost between 2 cents and 4 cents. The smart syringes cost between 4 and 6 cents.

The WHO describes it as a “small increase”. However, the tiny difference in the price of one needle becomes huge when it is scaled up to 16 billion injections.

The health agency is also calling for sheathed needles that prevent doctors accidentally pricking their fingers.

This has happened many times during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

They would treble the cost of the syringes and the WHO says these would have to be introduced “progressively”.

The WHO is calling on industry to expand production and find ways of reducing the cost of the safer needles.

But the measure will not be the end of the typical syringe.

They will be needed for needle exchange programs for drug users as well as in some treatments in which multiple medicines are mixed in the syringe before being injected.

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Alaa Abdel Fattah: Egyptian pro-democracy activist jailed for 5 years

Diane A. Wade
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Alaa Abdel Fattah: Egyptian pro-democracy activist jailed for 5 years

Egyptian pro-democracy activist Alaa Abdel Fattah has been jailed for five years for breaking a protest law and assaulting a policeman.

The blogger was previously given a 15-year jail term, and was freed on bail last year.

Alaa Abdel Fattah gained fame during the 2011 uprising as a campaigner against military trials for civilians.

Al-Jazeera journalists Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed also appeared in the same court on February 23 at the start of their retrial.Alaa Abdel Fattah jailed for 5 years

The men were freed on bail earlier this month after more than a year behind bars. They are next due in court on March 8.

The journalists are accused of spreading false information and of helping the banned Muslim Brotherhood organization.

Australian Peter Greste, the third journalist in the case, was freed on February 1 and deported to Australia.

Alaa Abdel Fattah was charged under laws that prohibit protests without prior government permission.

The activist was accused of organizing an illegal protest in 2013, and of assaulting a policeman.

Rights groups say the charges are politically motivated and form part of a broader crackdown on dissent under President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, a former army chief.

Other defendants on trial with Alaa Abdel Fattah received sentences ranging from 3 to 5 years.

There was uproar in the courtroom after the verdicts, with supporters of the defendants calling for an end to military rule in Egypt.

Defense lawyers said they would appeal against the ruling.

Rights groups have also criticized the case against the al-Jazeera journalists, describing it as an assault on press freedom.

At their original trial, Peter Greste and Mohamed Fahmy were sentenced to seven years in prison. Baher Mohamed received an additional three-year sentence on a separate charge involving possession of weapons.

The defendants denied the charges, describing their trial as a sham.

Their convictions were overturned on January 1, when the courts ordered a retrial. Exactly one month later, Peter Greste was released and deported to Australia.

Several students have also been held in the same case. The students deny working for al-Jazeera but it is thought that material filmed on their phones was used by the network.

HSBC reports 17% drop in profit for 2014

Clyde K. Valle
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0
HSBC reports 17% drop in profit for 2014

HSBC has reported a 17% drop in profit to $18.7 billion for 2014.

The bank has said 2014 was a “challenging year” and blamed the negative effect of fines and settlements and UK customer redress for the sharp drop.

The results follow allegations, which emerged earlier this month, that HSBC had helped people evade UK tax using hidden HSBC accounts in Geneva.

HSBC CEO Stuart Gulliver saw his overall pay for the year fall to £7.6 million ($11.7 million) from £8.03 million ($12.3 million) in 2013.

On Monday, HSBC reiterated its recent apology for the conduct of its Swiss private bank, saying the historical practices and behavior were “unacceptable”.

“We deeply regret and apologize for the conduct and compliance failures highlighted, which were in contravention of our own policies, as well as expectations of us,” it said.HSBC profit report 2014

HSBC said restoration of trust in the industry “remains a significant challenge as further misdeeds are uncovered but it is a challenge we must meet successfully”.

“When commentators extrapolate instances of control failure or individual misconduct to question the culture of the firm, it strikes painfully at the heart of our identity,” it added.

The revelations come after Stuart Gulliver himself was dragged into the Swiss tax furor on February 22, with HSBC confirming he uses a Swiss bank account to hold his bonuses.

HSBC said he opened the account in 1998 when he was living and working in Hong Kong and full tax was paid in Hong Kong on the bonus payments.

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Oscars 2015: Birdman wins best picture award at Hollywood ceremony

Sonia Pantiss
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Oscars 2015: Birdman wins best picture award at Hollywood ceremony

Birdman won best film and best director for Mexican film-maker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu at last night’s Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

It also won best cinematography and best original screenplay.

The movie sees Michael Keaton play a former movie superhero actor, who hopes to revive his washed-up career by putting on a Broadway play.

Eddie Redmayne has won the best actor Oscar for The Theory of Everything, while Julianne Moore picked up best actress for Still Alice.

The British actor thanked his “staggering partner in crime”, co-star Felicity Jones, and his “ferocious but incredibly kind director James Marsh”.

Julianne Moore used her speech to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease – in Still Alice, she plays a 50-year-old who has early on-set Alzheimer’s.

Eddie Redmayne was honored for his portrayal of physicist Stephen Hawking, who has motor neurone disease (ALS).

Accepting his award, the actor thanked the Hawking family, including Jane Hawking on whose book the film is based, and said his award belonged “to all of the people around the world battling ALS”.Oscars 2015 winner Birdman best picture

Richard Linklater’s Boyhood won just one award from six nominations – best supporting actress – which went to Patricia Arquette.

Patricia Arquette thanked “her Boyhood family” and “every woman who gave birth”.

“To every woman… we have fought for everybody else’s equal rights. It’s our time to have wage equality,” she added, to huge applause from the audience.

JK Simmons won best supporting actor for Whiplash, in which he played a strict drumming teacher at a music conservatory.

Whiplash also won the award for best editing and best sound mixing.

The Grand Budapest Hotel picked up best costume design (Milena Canonero), as well as best hair and make-up (British duo Frances Hannon and Mark Coulier). It also won best score and production design.

Frances Hannon thanked absent actor Bill Murray – who has a cameo in the film – for introducing her to director Wes Anderson on the set of his film Rushmore 17 years earlier.

Matt Kirkby and James Lucas, picked up the award for best live short action film, The Phone Call, starring Sally Hawkins and Jim Broadbent.

Alan Turing drama The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, won best adapted screenplay.

Best foreign language film went to Polish black and white family drama Ida.

John Legend and Common’s track Glory, from civil rights drama Selma, won best song.

Emmanuel Lubezko’s win for best cinematography for Birdman was his second Oscar in as many years – in 2014, he won the same award for his work on Gravity.

Citizenfour, which chronicles one of the biggest intelligence leaks in American history, won best documentary feature.

It shows former NSA contractor Edward Snowden at the very moment he made his sensational revelations detailing extensive internet and phone surveillance by the US government.

Best documentary short was won by Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1, about the counselors who work with military veterans on a 24-hour phone helpline.

Clint Eastwood’s Iraq war drama American Sniper won the award for best sound editing.

The 87th Academy Awards took place at Hollywood’s 3,300-seat Dolby Theatre.

Performers at this year’s ceremony included Lady Gaga – who sang a medley of Sound of Music songs to celebrate the classic film’s 50th year – Jennifer Hudson and Anna Kendrick.

Host Neil Patrick Harris kicked off with a song which paid homage to Hollywood’s film industry, accompanied by Kendrick and Jack Black.

There were eight contenders for best picture:

  • American Sniper
  • Birdman
  • Boyhood
  • The Grand Budapest Hotel
  • The Imitation Game
  • Selma
  • The Theory of Everything
  • Whiplash

Birdman and Wes Anderson’s quirky comedy The Grand Budapest Hotel began the night with nine nominations each. The Imitation Game had eight.

Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper and Boyhood had six apiece.

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Oscars 2015: Full list of winners

Sonia Pantiss
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Oscars 2015: Full list of winners

The 87th Academy Awards full list of winners.

Best picture

Winner: Birdman

American Sniper

Boyhood

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Imitation Game

Selma

The Theory of Everything

Whiplash

Best director

Winner: Alejandro G Inarritu, Birdman

Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel

Richard Linklater, Boyhood

Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher

Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game

Best actor

Winner: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything

Steve Carell, Foxcatcher

Bradley Cooper, American Sniper

Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game

Michael Keaton, BirdmanOscars 2015 winners

Best actress

Winner: Julianne Moore, Still Alice

Marion Cotillard, Two Days, One Night

Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything

Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl

Reese Witherspoon, Wild

Best supporting actor

Winner: JK Simmons, Whiplash

Robert Duvall, The Judge

Ethan Hawke, Boyhood

Edward Norton, Birdman

Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher

Best supporting actress

Winner: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood

Laura Dern, Wild

Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game

Emma Stone, Birdman

Meryl Streep, Into the Woods

Best adapted screenplay

Winner: The Imitation Game

American Sniper

Inherent Vice

The Theory of Everything

Whiplash

Best original screenplay

Winner: Birdman

Boyhood

Foxcatcher

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Nightcrawler

Best animated feature

Winner: Big Hero 6

The Boxtrolls

How to Train Your Dragon 2

Song of the Sea

The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Best animated short

Winner: Feast

The Bigger Picture

The Dam Keeper

Me and My Moulton

A Single Life

Best cinematography

Winner: Birdman

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Ida

Mr, Turner

Unbroken

Best costume design

Winner: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Inherent Vice

Into the Woods

Maleficent

Mr. Turner

Best documentary feature

Winner: CitizenFour

Finding Vivian Maier

Last Days in Vietnam

The Salt of the Earth

Virunga

Best documentary short

Winner: Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1

Joanna

Our Curse

The Reaper

White Earth

Best film editing

Winner: Whiplash

American Sniper

Boyhood

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Imitation Game

Best foreign language film

Winner: Ida (Poland)

Leviathan (Russia)

Tangerines (Estonia)

Timbuktu (Mauritania)

Wild Tales (Argentina)

Best live action short

Winner: The Phone Call

Aya

Boogaloo and Graham

Butter Lamp (La Lampe Au Beurre De Yak)

Parvaneh

Best make-up & hairstyling

Winner: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Foxcatcher

Guardians of the Galaxy

Best original score

Winner: The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Imitation Game

Interstellar

Mr. Turner

The Theory of Everything

Best production design

Winner: The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Imitation Game

Interstellar

Into the Woods

Mr. Turner

Best song

Winner: Glory, (Selma)

Everything is Awesome, (The Lego Movie)

Grateful, (Beyond the Lights)

I’m Not Gonna Miss You, Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me

Lost Stars, (Begin Again)

Best sound editing

Winner: American Sniper

Birdman

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Interstellar

Unbroken

Best sound mixing

Winner: Whiplash

American Sniper

Birdman

Interstellar

Unbroken

Best visual effects

Winner: Interstellar

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Guardians of the Galaxy

X-Men: Days of Future Past

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Ukraine: At least two dead as bomb explodes at Kharkiv commemoration rally

Roy Siemens
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Ukraine: At least two dead as bomb explodes at Kharkiv commemoration rally

At least two people have been killed and 10 more injured after a bomb exploded at a rally in Ukraine’s second city Kharkiv.

The rally was one of several being held to mark a year since the Kiev uprising that led to the fall of pro-Russia leader Viktor Yanukovych.

Security forces have detained four suspects in the attack, officials say.

Kharkiv lies outside the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine, where a ceasefire appears finally to be taking hold.

The Ukrainian government has agreed to start pulling back heavy weapons from February 22, and the rebels said they would start the process on February 24.

The pullback will not be completed until at least March 8, five days later than the deadline set at peace talks in Minsk this month.

Another key element of the Minsk deal moved forward on February 21 when the Ukrainian government and the rebels exchanged 191 prisoners.

The ceasefire continues to be breached, notably in Debaltseve, a key transport hub captured by the rebels in recent days, an OSCE official said.Ukraine bomb blasts at Kharkiv rally

Alexander Hug added that the humanitarian situation there was “relatively catastrophic”.

“The local population reported to us that there is no water, no food, no gas, no heating, no electricity, no medication. And all the buildings that our monitors have seen (…) have been affected by the fighting,” he said.

The explosion in Kharkiv happened at 13:20 as people gathered near the city’s Palace of Sport for a march in support of national unity, Ukrainian media say.

Officials initially said an explosive device had been thrown from a car but later said it had been buried in the snow.

“Security service detained persons who may have been involved in the preparation and carrying out of crimes of a terrorist nature in Kharkiv, including the explosion,” security spokesman Markian Lubkivskyi wrote on his Facebook page.

He later said the four suspects were Ukrainian citizens who had received instruction and weapons in the Russian city of Belgorod, just across the border.

Markian Lubkivskyi also posted a picture of a rocket launcher which he said the suspects were planning to use in attacks in the city.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko described the attack as “a bold attempt to expand the territory of terrorism” and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Before Sunday’s explosion, Kharkiv, in the north-east of Ukraine, had seen more than a dozen attacks over three months, including an explosion in a bar used by pro-government activists which injured more than 10 people in November.

That attack was blamed on a pro-Russian group calling itself the Kharkiv Partisans.

Meanwhile, thousands of Ukrainians have been taking part in “dignity marches” in the capital Kiev and other cities, remembering the victims of sniper fire during protests last February.

European leaders including European Council president Donald Tusk, German President Joachim Gauck and the leaders of Lithuania, Poland and Moldova have been attending in Kiev.

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Fernando Alonso crash: McLaren driver airlifted to hospital for medical investigations

Clyde K. Valle
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Fernando Alonso crash: McLaren driver airlifted to hospital for medical investigations

Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso has escaped serious injury from a heavy crash in pre-season testing.

Fernando Alonso hit the wall on the exit of the 150mph Turn Three at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, one of F1’s most demanding corners.

McLaren said results of hospital scans showed Fernando Alonso was concussed but otherwise uninjured.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

Fernando Alonso’s crash happened at 12:35 local time on February 22, shortly before the lunch break on the final day of the second of three pre-season tests.

The McLaren driver was airlifted to hospital where CT and MRI scans were carried out.

McLaren – who have given no information on what caused the accident – said Fernando Alonso “left the track at Turn Three, causing the right-hand side of his car to strike the wall” on the inside of the circuit. It is unclear whether Alonso made a mistake or something broke on the car.

His team-mate Jenson Button had been scheduled to take the car over for the afternoon session, but the team decided not to run again.

Fernando Alonso is regarded within F1 as arguably the greatest driver of his generation and has won 32 races in a 13-year career, putting him sixth on the all-time list.

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Razzies 2015: Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas wins four awards

Sonia Pantiss
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Razzies 2015: Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas wins four awards

Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas was the big winner at this year’s Razzie Awards.

The faith-based comedy about the true meaning of Christmas won four awards, including worst picture and worst actor, at the 35th Golden Raspberry Awards ceremony on February 21.

The Razzies, which celebrates movie-making mediocrity, took place a short walk from the venue for tonight’s Oscars.

Razzie winners, who rarely turn up, get a $4.79 gold-spray-painted trophy.

Saving Christmas won worst picture, worst actor, worst screenplay and worst screen combo – for Kirk Cameron “and his ego”.

The movie is also only one of two films last year to score a zero rating on the review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes.Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas big winner at Razzies 2015

The tag line on its film poster is “Put Christ back in Christmas”.

Cameron Diaz was named worst actress for two comedies The Other Woman and Sex Tape.

The worst supporting actress prize went to Megan Fox for the reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Michael Bay’s Transformers: Age of Extinction had led the field with seven nominations, but won only worst director and worst supporting actor for Kelsey Grammer.

Annie was named the worst remake, rip-off or sequel.

A new category – the Razzie Redeemer award – was introduced this year to reward a former Razzies target who has done good work in the past 12 months.

Ben Affleck was saluted in an online public vote for going from the much-panned Gigli to Oscar-winning Argo and Oscar-nominated Gone Girl.

The actor’s award was announced by real-life nun and veteran film critic Sister Rose Pacatte.

Rose Pacatte told the audience: “We Catholic nuns are all about redemption.”

The regular awards are chosen by 757 voting members in the US and abroad.

For the first time, the paying public was able to attend the irreverent ceremony – held this year at Hollywood’s Montalban theatre.

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Razzies 2015: Full list of winners

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Razzies 2015: Full list of winners

2015 Razzie Awards complete list of winners:

WORST PICTURE

  • Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas
  • Left Behind
  • The Legend of Hercules
  • Teenage Mutant Nunja Turtles
  • Transformers: Age of Extinction

WORST ACTOR

  • Kirk Cameron, Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas
  • Nicolas Cage, Left Behind
  • Kellan Lutz, The Legend of Hercules
  • Seth MacFarlane, A Million Ways to Die in the West
  • Adam Sandler, Blended

WORST ACTRESS

  • Cameron Diaz, The Other Woman
  • Drew Barrymore, Blended
  • Melissa McCarthy, Tammy
  • Charlize Theron, A Million Ways to Die in the West
  • Gaia Weiss, The Legend of HerculesRazzie Awards winners 2015

WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR

  • Kelsey Grammer, Expendables 3/Legends of Oz/Think Like a Man Too/Transformers: Age of Extinction
  • Shaquille O’Neal, Blended
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger, Expendables 3
  • Kiefer Sutherland, Pompeii
  • Mel Gibson, Expendables 3

WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

  • Megan Fox, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  • Nicola Peltz, Transformers: Age of Extinction
  • Brigitte Ridenour, Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas
  • Susan Sarandon, Tammy
  • Cameron Diaz, Annie

WORST DIRECTOR

  • Michael Bay, Transformers: Age of Extinctions
  • Darren Doane, Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas
  • Renny Harlin, The Legend of Hercules
  • Jonathan Liebesman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  • Seth MacFarlane, A Million Ways to Die in the West

WORST SCREENPLAY

  • Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas
  • Left Behind
  • Sex Tape
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  • Transformers: Age of Extinction

WORST SCREEN COMBO

  • Kirk Cameron & his ego, Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas
  • Cameron Diaz & Jason Segel, Sex Tape
  • Kellan Lutz & either his abs, his pecs, or his glutes, The Legend of Hercules
  • Seth MacFarlane & Charlize Theron, A Million Ways to Die in the West
  • Any two robots, actors, or robotic actors, Transformers: Age of Extinction

WORST REMAKE, RIP-OFF, OR SEQUEL

  • Annie
  • Atlas Shrugged: Who is John Galt?
  • The Legend of Hercules
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  • Transformers: Age of Extinction”

THE RAZZIE REDEEMER AWARD

  • Ben Affleck – from Gigli to Argo and Gone Girl
  • Jennifer Aniston – from Razzie-nominee to Cake
  • Mike Myers – from Love Guru to documentary Supermensch
  • Keanu Reeves – from Razzie-nominee to John Wick
  • Kristen Stewart – from Twilight to Camp X-Ray [youtube jjEPdj7rGFw 650]

Mall of America terror threat: Homeland Security urged Americans to be vigilant

Roy Siemens
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0
Mall of America terror threat: Homeland Security urged Americans to be vigilant

US Homeland Security has urged Americans to be vigilant following a terror threat to Western shopping centers, including Mall of America.

Secretary Jeh Johnson said he took the threat by the Somali-based group al-Shabab seriously.

In a video, al-Shabab urged followers to carry out attacks on shopping centers in the US, Canada and the UK.

Al-Shabab was responsible for the 2013 attack on Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi that killed 67 people.

Jeh Johnson told CNN that the threat was part of “a new phase” of terrorism in which attacks would increasingly come from “independent actors in their homelands”.

“Anytime a terrorist organization calls for an attack on a specific place, we’ve got to take that seriously,” he said.

In the video, a man with a British-sounding accent and full face covering calls on supporters of al-Shabab to attack “American or Jewish-owned” Western shopping centers.

He specifically mentions Minnesota’s Mall of America – the second-largest US shopping centre – and Canada’s West Edmonton Mall, as well as London’s Oxford Street and the UK capital’s two Westfield shopping centers.

Co-ordinates for the various targets were listed on the screen as they were described.

Both Mall of America and West Edmonton Mall have issued statements saying they were implementing additional security measures.

Minnesota is home to a large Somali population and a Minnesota man was indicted last week on charges of conspiring to support Islamic State (ISIS).

Police and security services in Canada, France and Denmark have been on high alert recently following attacks by so-called “home-grown” terrorists inspired by groups such as al-Shabab and ISIS.

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