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Hong Kong democracy referendum in final day

Diane A. Wade
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Hong Kong democracy referendum in final day

An unofficial referendum organized by pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong and denounced by Chinese authorities is now in its final day.

At least 738,000 Hong Kongers have done something China’s 1.3 billion people can only dream of: Cast a ballot to demand a democratic government.

The 10-day poll is organized by protest group Occupy Central, which says more than 700,000 have already voted online or in person.

A Hong Kong government spokesman has said the vote has no legal standing.

Campaigners want the former British colony to be able to elect their leader, or the chief executive. China has pledged direct elections by 2017.

More than 700,000 people have already voted online or in person in Hong Kong’s unofficial referendum
More than 700,000 people have already voted online or in person in Hong Kong’s unofficial referendum

However, voters will only have a choice from a list of candidates selected by a nominating committee, and China’s communist authorities have said all candidates must be “patriotic”.

The voting in polling stations or on popvote.hk website began on June 20. The deadline was originally set at June 22, but was later extended after organizers claimed were several cyber attacks on the website.

Popvote.hk was designed by the University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Polytechnic University to measure support for Occupy Central’s campaign.

In the referendum, voters have the choice of three proposals – all of which involve allowing citizens to directly nominate Hong Kong’s chief executive – to present to the Beijing government.

Pro-democracy activists want the public to nominate the candidates.

But Chinese leaders believe this is illegal and would like to see a committee decide who is on that public ballot, effectively limiting the candidate field to those approved by the authorities in Beijing.

Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997 following a 1984 agreement between China and Britain.

China agreed to govern Hong Kong under the principle of “one country, two systems”, where the city would enjoy “a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defense affairs” for 50 years.

As a result, Hong Kong has its own legal system, and rights including freedom of assembly and free speech are protected.

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India: Two buildings collapse in Delhi and Chennai killing 16 people

Nancy Clayson
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India: Two buildings collapse in Delhi and Chennai killing 16 people

A four-storey building collapsed in India’s capital Delhi on Saturday, killing 10 people, including five children.

Just hours later, a 12-storey building under construction toppled in Chennai in heavy rain, leaving six people dead.

A four-storey building collapsed in Delhi, killing 10 people
A four-storey building collapsed in Delhi, killing 10 people

India has recently seen frequent building collapses, blamed on lax safety and substandard materials.

Rescue teams with cutters and shovels are continuing to search for survivors in the rubble in Chennai, in the southern Tamil Nadu state.

A police investigation has also been launched.

In January, at least 14 people died when a building under construction came crashing down in the western state of Goa.

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North Korea launches two short-range Scud missiles

Roy Siemens
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North Korea launches two short-range Scud missiles

According to reports from South Korea, North Korea has fired two missiles into the sea from its east coast.

A defense ministry spokesman in Seoul declined to give further details, but Yonhap news agency said they were Scuds with the range of 310 miles.

The apparent test comes just days after North Korea said it successfully fired new precision-guided missiles.

North Korea has fired two missiles into the sea from its east coast
North Korea has fired two missiles into the sea from its east coast (photo Kyodo)

North Korea frequently test-fires missiles to refine its military capabilities.

Reports of a new test come days before Chinese President Xi Jinping is due in South Korea to discuss North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.

China is North Korea’s only major ally and provides an economic lifeline to the isolated nation.

North Korea is under UN sanctions over its weapons and nuclear program.

It has carried out nuclear tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013, and is thought to have enough nuclear material for a small number of bombs.

However, analysts say North Korea does not appear to have successfully manufactured a nuclear warhead small enough to be carried by its missiles.

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Alex Giangreco: Who is Hollie Strano’s second husband?

Lisa.Felice
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Alex Giangreco: Who is Hollie Strano’s second husband?

WKY Channel 3 morning meteorologist and host Hollie Strano and Alex Giangreco got married earlier this month on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the groom’s hometown.

Hollie Strano and Alex Giangreco got married earlier this month on the beach in Fort Lauderdale
Hollie Strano and Alex Giangreco got married earlier this month on the beach in Fort Lauderdale (photo Facebook)

Alex Giangreco work in Fort Lauderdale as a “Private Event Bartender” for Homes, Corporate events, Theme Parties, Holiday Parties , Small Office Parties, and any other event that requires a professional bartender.
He has 10 years of bartending experience as he worked at some of the best resorts , restaurants and catering companies.

Glastonbury 2014: Metallica to make its debut

Sonia Pantiss
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Glastonbury 2014: Metallica to make its debut

Glastonbury is prepared for the arrival of Metallica on a showery Saturday in Somerset.

Metallica is the first metal band to headline. Drummer Lars Ulrich said being asked to play was “the biggest honor”.

Metallica is the first metal band to headline Glastonbury festival
Metallica is the first metal band to headline Glastonbury festival

The festival was beset by a downpour for an hour, but a predicted lightning storm failed to materialize.

Acts on the main stage so far have included Nick Mulvey, Lana Del Rey and ex-Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant.

Classics such as Black Dog were given drastic West African and South East Asian overhauls, but a full-throttle rock version of Whole Lotta Love triggered a crowd surge – even after it took a detour into a violin solo.

Preceding him on the Pyramid Stage, R&B star Kelis also re-tooled some of her most famous songs, giving a jazzy big-band treatment to tracks like Milkshake and A Capella.

Famous faces spotted at the festival include Stella McCartney, Laura Carmichael, Lily James and Bradley Cooper.

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Ryanair jets collision at London’s Stansted Airport

Nancy Clayson
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Ryanair jets collision at London’s Stansted Airport

Two Ryanair jets collided on the ground at London’s Stansted Airport.

One plane was approaching the stand and the other was “pushing back” when the incident happened at about 06:45 BST.

The wing-tip of one plane and the tail-cone of another “made contact”, said Ryanair spokesman Robin Kiely.

Two Ryanair jets collided on the ground at London's Stansted Airport
Two Ryanair jets collided on the ground at London’s Stansted Airport

No passengers or crew were injured, an airport spokesman confirmed. The Air Accident Investigation Board is investigating.

Essex Police said it had conducted “routine breath tests” on both pilots after the incident, but there was no evidence of alcohol consumption.

Robin Kiely said passengers were put on other planes after a three-hour delay.

He said Ryanair’s engineering team were “investigating, and will repair both aircraft and return them to service as soon as possible”.

The crash involved a plane heading to Warsaw and an aircraft from Frankfurt Hahn that had just landed. Both were Boeing 737-800 models, which can carry up to 189 passengers.

One passenger on the Warsaw-bound flight said on Twitter: “Huge loud crashing noise and totally felt the crush sitting at the back. Thank God it only hit the wing as if it was the body of the plane it’d been apocalypse.”

Ahmed Abu Khattala: Benghazi suspect appears in Washington court

Roy Siemens
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Ahmed Abu Khattala: Benghazi suspect appears in Washington court

Ahmed Abu Khattala, the suspected ringleader of the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, has appeared amid tight security at a US federal courthouse in Washington DC.

Ahmed Abu Khattala was captured by US forces in Benghazi on June 18.

He denied a raft of terrorism-related charges. He says he was in Benghazi during the attack on the US consulate but that he did not take part.

Ahmed Abu Khattala was captured by US forces in Benghazi
Ahmed Abu Khattala was captured by US forces in Benghazi (photo AP)

The US ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and three other people were killed in the September 2012 attack.

Ahemed Abu Khattala was charged with providing material support and resources to terrorists including himself; killing a person on a federal facility; and damaging property of the US by fire and explosives resulting in death.

The next hearing was set for July 8.

American media reported that Ahmed Abu Khattala was brought to court in Washington from a US Navy warship where he had been held since being captured two weeks ago.

The US has described Ahmed Abu Khattala as “key figure” in the attack on the consulate.

President Barack Obama praised the raid which led to his capture earlier this month.

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Phil Collins donates Alamo artifacts collection to Texas

Sonia Pantiss
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Phil Collins donates Alamo artifacts collection to Texas

Phil Collins has donated his extensive collection of Alamo memorabilia to the Battle of the Alamo historic site in San Antonio, Texas.

Phil Collins, 63, said he had amassed more than 200 artifacts after becoming fascinated with the 1836 battle as a child.

The former Genesis star said he was donating the collection – thought to be the largest in private hands – to ensure it was better cared for in the future.

It includes items such as a rifle owned by folk hero Davy Crockett.

Phil Collins has donated his extensive collection of Alamo memorabilia to the Battle of the Alamo historic site in San Antonio
Phil Collins has donated his extensive collection of Alamo memorabilia to the Battle of the Alamo historic site in San Antonio

At an event announcing the donation in San Antonio, Phil Collins joked he had spent “all the money I made from music” on his collection related to the battle where 1,500 Mexican troops laid siege to 200 Texans fighting for Texas independence.

“Some people would buy Ferraris, some people would buy houses, I bought old bits of metal and old bits of paper,” he said.

Phil Collins explained he first became interested in the Alamo after watching the 1950s TV series Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier.

“I’ve had a love affair with this place since I was about 5 years old. It’s [all] at my home, in my basement in Switzerland. I look at it every day, but no one else was enjoying it.”

The collection also includes Davy Crockett’s leather shot pouch, a pair of powder horns which the soldier is believed to have given to a Mexican officer before his death, muskets belonging to Mexican soldiers and one of the original Bowie knives, made famous by Alamo defender Jim Bowie.

Texas land commissioner Jerry Patterson said Phil Collins would pay to ship the collection to Texas with the understanding the state would use public funding and private donations to redevelop the Alamo site – including a new building to house the collection.

The collection will begin arriving in Texas in the next few months and will be displayed on a rotating basis at the museum.

Phil Collins said he would continue buying Alamo memorabilia and “once I’ve lived with whatever I buy for a month, I’ll ship it over here”.

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Amado Boudou and Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner romance rumors

Lisa.Felice
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Amado Boudou and Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner romance rumors

In an unauthorized biography of Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, author Lindner Franco tells about lovers, bookmarks, money, business and power are the ingredients that make up the life of a woman of character, personality, and these same characteristics are repeated in men who choose politics.

Lindner Franco’s Los Amores de Cristina (The Lovers of Cristina) is also presenting a dialogue between Vice President Amado Boudou and banker Jorge Brito, to which the President was so convinced he was behind a run on currencies to collapse the peso.

The rumors about a possible romance between Amado Boudou and Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner ran like wildfire in Buenos Aires
The rumors about a possible romance between Amado Boudou and Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner ran like wildfire in Buenos Aires

“Tell the president that I have nothing to do with that,” says the banker to Amado Boudou.

“Do not be problem. I talk to the mommy and I solve it” Amado Boudou responds.

But the phones were tapped and Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner heard the dialogue; it was “the beginning of the end for Boudou”.

“The rumors about a possible romance between the number 1 and number 2 of the Government ran like wildfire in Buenos Aires.”

“The governor of Chaco province Jorge <<Coqui>> Capitanich was convinced he would be chosen to accompany Cristina as vice president in elections. He learned a couple of hours before the president made the announcement that it would be Boudou.”

Jorge Capitanich confided to a journalist: “That’s very disappointed. The policy makes sense. Boudou as VP doesn’t, it’s another thing.”

Amado Boudou is now being charged in a corruption case. He is suspected of using his influence when he was economy minister to ensure that a contract to print Argentina’s currency was awarded to a company he allegedly controlled.

China: Wan Qingliang investigated for corruption

Diane A. Wade
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China: Wan Qingliang investigated for corruption

Guangzhou Communist Party leader Wan Qingliang is being investigated for corruption, a party disciplinary commission has said.

Wan Qingliang, 50, is suspected of “serious disciplinary violations”, a term generally used to indicate corruption.

Guangzhou's party boss Wan Qingliang is suspected of serious disciplinary violations
Guangzhou’s party boss Wan Qingliang is suspected of serious disciplinary violations (photo Reuters)

He is regarded as the city’s top official, ranked above the mayor.

Tens of thousands of officials have been arrested since President Xi Jinping began an anti-corruption campaign in 2012.

Xi Jinping has warned that the party’s very survival is threatened by corruption and has vowed to root out every corrupt official, whether “tigers” or “flies”.

A central government audit recently uncovered 314 serious disciplinary violations, up from 175 serious cases revealed the year before.

Correspondents say that before the investigation Wan Qingliang had been seen as a rising star in the Communist Party, developing a reputation for frugality while serving as Guangzhou’s youngest ever mayor.

Guangzhou is China’s sixth largest city and capital of the economically significant Guangdong province, which borders Hong Kong.

Thailand elections announced for 2015

Diane A. Wade
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Thailand elections announced for 2015

Thailand’s military leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha has announced that new elections will only take place after October 2015.

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha made the announcement in a speech that an interim constitution would be adopted next month.

A temporary cabinet would then govern until elections next year.

The military seized power on May 22, saying it wanted to return stability to Thailand after months of political and social unrest.

Since then, Thailand has been run by a military junta called the National Council for Peace and Order. It insists it is a neutral player among the country’s rival political factions.

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha said any new election in Thailand would have to take place under a new constitution
Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha said any new election in Thailand would have to take place under a new constitution (photo Reuters)

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led the coup, said any new election would have to take place under a new constitution, which would be drafted by an appointed body.

“We want to see an election that will take place under the new constitution… that will be free and fair, so that it can become a solid foundation for a complete Thai democracy,” he said in a televised address.

“Today, if we go ahead and hold a general election, it will lead to a situation that creates conflict and the country will return to the old cycle of conflict, violence, corruption by influential groups in politics, terrorism and the use of war weapons” he added.

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha also denied reports that the coup was planned in advance with anti-government protest leaders.

“I did not join any process or take part with any side”, he said.

The denial came after reports that protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said that he had discussed overthrowing the government with Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha many times in recent years.

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha and the army took over two weeks after PM Yingluck Shinawatra was removed from her role by a controversial court ruling.

Miss Florida 2014: Wrong contestant crowned

Lisa.Felice
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Miss Florida 2014: Wrong contestant crowned

Elizabeth Fechtel was Miss Florida for just six days after organizers realized there had been a vote count error last Saturday.

Elizabeth Fechtel, a 20-year-old student at the University of Florida, was dethroned on Friday.

Elizabeth Fechtel was Miss Florida for just six days after organizers realized there had been a vote count error
Elizabeth Fechtel was Miss Florida for just six days after organizers realized there had been a vote count error

The ballot counter at the event, which was held in front of 2,000 spectators in St. Petersburg, didn’t see that one of the five judges had changed his mind, writing a new line up on the left-hand side of his ballot.

The true Miss Florida contest winner was Victoria Cowen, a 21-year-old student at Florida State University.

Mary Sullivan, executive director of the Miss Florida pageant, delivered the bad news to Elizabeth Fechtel in person on Thursday evening, traveling to her home in Leesburg, Florida.

“Our organization had to do the right thing, and the right thing is to crown the young woman that was intended to be crowned,” said Mary Sullivan.

Elizabeth Fechtel is now the runner-up, and Victoria Cowen will compete in September’s Miss America contest.

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Argentina: VP Amado Boudou charged with bribery

Diane A. Wade
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Argentina: VP Amado Boudou charged with bribery

An Argentine judge has charged VP Amado Boudou in a corruption case.

Amado Boudou is suspected of using his influence when he was economy minister to ensure that a contract to print Argentina’s currency was awarded to a company he allegedly controlled.

Earlier this month, the vice-president was questioned for more than seven hours by a judge, in a closed-door court session.

Amado Boudou is accused of using shell companies and secret middlemen to gain control of the company that was given contracts to print the Argentine peso
Amado Boudou is accused of using shell companies and secret middlemen to gain control of the company that was given contracts to print the Argentine peso

If convicted, Amado Boudou faces up to six years in jail. He denies any wrongdoing and has rejected calls to step down.

The judge ruled that Amado Boudou would remain free while awaiting trial. Five other suspects have also been charged.

The case involves the Ciccone Calcografica printing company that has been under investigation for more than three years.

Amado Boudou is suspected of using a front man to buy the company when it filed for bankruptcy in 2010.

The company later received tax breaks to pay its debts.

It also published material used in the re-election campaign of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in 2011.

Amado Boudou was once seen as a possible successor to President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

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Helene Pastor murder: Poland’s former honorary consul in Monaco Wojciech Janowski investigated

Nancy Clayson
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Helene Pastor murder: Poland’s former honorary consul in Monaco Wojciech Janowski investigated

Poland’s former honorary consul in Monaco Wojciech Janowski is being formally investigated over the murder of his wealthy mother-in-law, heiress Helene Pastor, French prosecutors say.

Wojciech Janowski, 64, had “recognized his involvement” in the killing of Helene Pastor, Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin said earlier.

Helene Pastor, from one of Monaco’s richest families, was shot along with her driver as she left hospital in Nice.

Wojciech Janowski’s wife Sylvia was also detained but released without charge.

Seven other suspects from a total of 23 detained in the French cities of Nice, Marseille and Rennes were placed under investigation on Friday.

Among them was the Pastor family sports instructor, Pascal Dauriac.

Poland's former honorary consul in Monaco Wojciech Janowski is being formally investigated over the murder of his mother-in-law Helene Pastor
Poland’s former honorary consul in Monaco Wojciech Janowski is being formally investigated over the murder of his mother-in-law Helene Pastor

Both Helene Pastor, 77, and her chauffeur Mohammed Darwich, 64, were deadly wounded when a man with a sawn-off shotgun ambushed their car on May 6 as it was leaving the hospital where she had been visiting her son.

The prosecution alleges that Wojciech Janowski paid hit men to carry out the killing.

Brice Robin said Wojciech Janowski’s motive was to “lay his hands on the inheritance” of his common-law wife.

Wojciech Janowski spent 250,000 euros ($340,000) to contract the killing, the prosecutor said.

He announced earlier that Wojciech Janowski’s bank account had seen suspicious financial flows which needed explanation.

Poland dismissed Wojciech Janowski, a Cambridge-educated businessman, from his post as honorary consul after his arrest because of the “loss of his good reputation and trustworthiness”.

Two suspects in the shooting were identified after police studied DNA evidence and CCTV footage from the area on May 6, prosecutors say.

They were described as aged 24 and 31, originally being from the Comoros islands, and having a string of criminal convictions.

Video from railway stations and elsewhere showed that the two men had taken a train from Marseille to Nice on the afternoon of the shooting, gone to a hotel, and then made their way to the scene of the shooting, prosecutors say.

French media had earlier reported they had spent 500 euros ($680) on a taxi back to Marseille afterwards.

Sylvia Pastor, the dead woman’s eldest daughter, was released on Wednesday night.

Reports say Sylvia Pastor and Wojciech Janowski have been together for 28 years and have a teenage daughter.

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Bosnia marks centenary of WWI spark in Sarajevo

James J. Williams
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Bosnia marks centenary of WWI spark in Sarajevo

Bosnia is commemorating 100 years since the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the act that triggered World War One.

Cultural and sporting events, including a concert by the Vienna Philharmonic, will mark the occasion in Sarajevo.

Gavrilo Princip, who shot the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, continues to be a divisive figure in Bosnia.

The shots fired by the Bosnian Serb on June 28, 1914, sucked Europe’s great powers into four years of warfare.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand occurred on June 28, 1914 while he was visiting the city of Sarajevo in the Austro-Hungarian province of Bosnia-Herzegovina
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand occurred on June 28, 1914 while he was visiting the city of Sarajevo in the Austro-Hungarian province of Bosnia-Herzegovina (photo Getty Images)

Bosnia’s Serbs, Croats and Muslim Bosniaks are still divided over the role Gavrilo Princip played in bringing tensions to a head in Europe in 1914, with counter-commemorations planned by Bosnian Serbs.

Leaders of Serbia and some Bosnian Serbs are boycotting official events, which they say are designed to incriminate Serbs.

On Friday, Serbs in Bosnia unveiled a statue of Gavrilo Princip in eastern Sarajevo, seen by them as a national hero who ended years of occupation of the Balkans by the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

In the eastern town of Visegrad, actors will re-enact the murder of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, and the Belgrade Philharmonic will play music by Vivaldi.

In Sarajevo, the Vienna Philharmonic will play a selection harking back to Hapsburg days, including Haydn’s Emperor Quartet.

The concert is being held at the newly-restored national library, which was destroyed during the 1992 siege of the city by Bosnian Serb forces in the Bosnian War.

Austrian President Heinz Fischer will be attending the concert, which is the centerpiece of official events marking the anniversary.

Commemorations are due to close with an open-air musical memorial event in Sarajevo.

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Bobby Womack dies aged 70

Sonia Pantiss
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Bobby Womack dies aged 70

Renowned musician Bobby Womack has died at the age of 70.

The cause of death of the legendary soul singer and songwriter was not announced.

Bobby Womack had suffered from cancer and Alzheimer’s disease and battled with drug addiction.

His hits included It’s All Over Now, performed by the Rolling Stones, and Lookin’ for Love.

Bobby Womack had suffered from cancer and Alzheimer's disease and battled with drug addiction
Bobby Womack had suffered from cancer and Alzheimer’s disease and battled with drug addiction

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.

Bobby Womack was born in 1944 in Cleveland, Ohio and began singing in a gospel group in the 1950s with his brothers.

He later gained attention after the siblings signed to SAR Records in 1960.

The brothers, including Cecil, Curtis, Harry and Friendly Jr., cut two R&B albums as the Valentinos.

Later the group broke up and Bobby Womack turned to song writing and a solo career.

He outlived many of the acts with whom he played and with whom he was friendly, including Jimi Hendrix and Wilson Pickett.

Bobby Womack’s songs were recorded by Janis Joplin, Wilson Pickett and many others. His friend Sam Cooke persuaded him to let the Rolling Stones record It’s All Over Now.

He also worked as a session guitarist, appearing on recordings by Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Dusty Springfield, and Pickett.

From 1970-90, Bobby Womack charted 36 singles including That’s the Way I Feel About Cha and Woman’s Gotta Have It.

According to the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, a series of personal tragedies including the deaths of two sons led him to drug abuse.

After a long musical hiatus, in 2009 he was tapped by Gorillaz co-founder Damon Albarn to record a song for the group’s third album.

In 2012, Bobby Womack released his first album in more than ten years, entitled The Bravest Man in the Universe.

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Wimbledon all-white dress code gets stricter in 2014

Lisa.Felice
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Wimbledon all-white dress code gets stricter in 2014

One of Wimbledon tennis tournament’s most storied traditions is the all-white dress code, which has been in effect at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club since 1877, even before the championships began.

Previously, some female players have tried to skirt the rule by donning a splash of color underneath their all-white outfits, like Serena Williams did in 2013.

So the officials introduced a stricter edict in 2014 that said: “Undergarments that either are or can be visible during play (including due to perspiration) must also be completely white and contain no more than 1cm of coloured trim.”

Former Wimbledon winner Pat Cash, who was forced to withdraw from the Wimbledon Majors tournament after his tennis shoes failed to pass dress code muster, called this rule “archaic.”

However, according to The Irish Examiner, Caroline Wozniacki didn’t see any uproar in the locker rooms over the newly-amended rule.

Wimbledon's all-white dress code has been in effect since 1877, even before the championships began
Wimbledon’s all-white dress code has been in effect since 1877, even before the championships began (photo Getty Images)

“I guess white is white and everyone wears white. It’s the same for everyone,” she said.

“I don’t think anyone is like showing off their underwear like that and getting it checked. That would be pretty creepy.” 

“If we are playing in white, we should wear white underwear. But it’s kind of weird officials coming and checking. I think it’s strange,” Czech player Barbora Zahlavova Strycova reportedly said after her match against Li Na on Friday.

Third-seed Simona Halep didn’t mind the all-white rule at all.

“I think it’s special to play here. They have the special rules because you have to be in white. I think it’s not really difficult to get white clothes,” the Irish Examiner reported Simona Halep as saying.

“So I like this tradition. It’s really nice to see everybody in white clothes.”

Venus Williams had said that she would wear a splash of color under her Wimbledon whites in her Twitter feed: “RT @EleVenbyVenus: I may be in Wimbledon whites, but an EleVen #fashion show of color is underneath. #tiedye #python.”

After her win on Wednesday, Venus Williams told the Irish Independent: “I think it’s a nice change. I think everyone just kind of glows in white. Obviously not all year, because anything every day is boring. But during these two weeks, it’s nice.”

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Ukraine: Ceasefire extended until June 30

Roy Siemens
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Ukraine: Ceasefire extended until June 30

Ukraine’s forces and pro-Russian militants in the east have agreed to extend their week-long ceasefire by 72 hours.

President Petro Poroshenko is hoping for progress on his peace plan.

The announcement came hours after Petro Poroshenko had signed a landmark EU trade pact – the issue that has been the trigger of the recent crisis.

The deadline for the ceasefire to expire was Friday at 22:00.

Separatists in the east held talks on Friday with mediators, including Ukraine’s former President Leonid Kuchma, Moscow’s ambassador in Ukraine and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Ukraine's forces and pro-Russian militants in the east have agreed to extend their week-long ceasefire by 72 hours
Ukraine’s forces and pro-Russian militants in the east have agreed to extend their week-long ceasefire by 72 hours (photo AP)

The leader of the self-declared “Donetsk People’s Republic” in the east, Alexander Borodai, said the new truce would be observed until June 30.

Petro Poroshenko met officials to discuss the truce after returning from Brussels.

A statement was later posted on the Ukrainian presidential website confirming the truce until 22:00 on Monday.

The statement pointed to a policy statement on Ukraine, issued by the European Council on Friday which set out key steps it expected to happen by Monday.

They include the return of three key checkpoints to Ukrainian forces and the “launch of substantial negotiations on the implementation of President Poroshenko’s peace plan”.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier said he would welcome an extension, but not if it were simply an ultimatum for separatists to lay down their arms.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted on a long-term ceasefire to allow for negotiations between the Ukrainian government and separatists, urging Petro Poroshenko to embark on a “path of peace, dialogue and accord”.

Petro Poroshenko set out a 15-point peace plan on 20 June. It involves decentralizing power and holding early local and parliamentary elections.

It also proposes the creation of a six-mile buffer zone on the Ukrainian-Russian border, and a safe corridor for pro-Russian separatists to leave the conflict areas.

Fighting is said to have continued in some areas of eastern Ukraine despite the ceasefire.

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Glastonbury 2014: Lightning shuts stages

Sonia Pantiss
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Glastonbury 2014: Lightning shuts stages

An electrical storm in the UK caused this year’s Glastonbury festival to be shut down temporarily on safety grounds.

Pop star Lily Allen stepped onto the main Pyramid Stage at 19:00 BST, 30 minutes later than planned.

Dance collective Rudimental had their set cut short as the storm approached.

Rudimental had just two songs left to play when the technical crew were seen running on stage and guiding group members out.

Rudimental had just two songs left to play at the Glastonbury when the technical crew were seen running on stage and guiding group members out
Rudimental had just two songs left to play at the Glastonbury when the technical crew were seen running on stage and guiding group members out (photo Getty Images)

The crowd started to boo, unaware of the situation until another stage manager explained an electric storm meant it was not safe to continue.

The band were allowed to return to the stage to take a bow, but the electricity had been cut and they missed the last two songs from their set list, including the number one single Feel The Love.

A message on the large screens either side of the Pyramid Stage had read: “Thank you for your patience, we apologize for the inconvenience.

“In the interests of safety it was necessary to temporarily stop the show. Live music will return to the stage shortly.”

By 18:30 BST, the rain had eased off and the sky on the horizon had cleared.

Glastonbury organizers tweeted: “All stages are up and running after the short delay. Some set times are being adjusted slightly.”

Finally, power has been restored to the stages at Glastonbury.

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What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

Kathryn R. Bown
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What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

Forensic psychiatrist Merryll Vorster diagnosed Oscar Pistorius with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, in the trial for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a medically-recognized, long-term condition.

Oscar Pistorius was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder in the trial for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp
Oscar Pistorius was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder in the trial for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp

People suffering from GAD feel anxious on most days and worry about a wide range of issues.

The disorder is thought to affect around one in 25 people at some point in their lives and is more common in women than in men.

GAD symptoms vary – making it tricky to diagnose. People with GAD may have difficulty concentrating, feel tired and irritable, feel sick, dizzy or sweaty and experience aches and pains.

The disorder tends to run in families, can follow stressful events, and may be linked to chemical imbalances in the brain.

GAD main treatments include using talking therapies, relaxation techniques and medication.

Oscar Pistorius psychiatric evaluator suffers heart attack

Clyde K. Valle
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Oscar Pistorius psychiatric evaluator suffers heart attack

The psychiatrist evaluating Oscar Pistorius in the trial for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, has suffered a heart attack.

However, this is not expected to delay the trial, which resumes on June 30, the prosecution say.

Oscar Pistorius, 27, is due to complete a 30-day psychiatric assessment on Friday.

The judge in his trial ordered the tests after a defense witness said the double amputee was suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Oscar Pistorius denies intentionally killing Reeva Steenkamp
Oscar Pistorius denies intentionally killing Reeva Steenkamp

Oscar Pistorius denies intentionally killing his girlfriend and says he accidentally shot her through the toilet door on Valentine’s Day last year in a state of panic, mistaking the 29-year-old model and law graduate for an intruder.

The South African Paralympic champion checked in as a day patient to Pretoria’s Weskoppies psychiatric hospital on May 26, where he has been assessed by a team of health experts for seven hours a day.

Three psychiatrists and a clinical psychologist were tasked to determine whether his state of mind and disability had an effect on him when he shot Reeva Steenkamp.

South Africa’s eNCA broadcaster earlier reported that the psychiatrist’s heart attack may have caused a delay in the handing over of Oscar Pistorius’ psychiatric evaluation report.

The psychiatrist in question, Dr. Leon Fine, had not yet signed the report, according to eNCA’s website.

The prosecution had argued the tests were essential after forensic psychiatrist Merryll Vorster, who diagnosed the athlete with GAD, told the court he was “a danger to society”.

The defense vigorously opposed the move.

The court in Pretoria is expected to hear the outcome of Oscar Pistorius’ medical tests when the trial resumes on Monday.

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BNP Paribas expected to pay $8.9 billion fine in US

Clyde K. Valle
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BNP Paribas expected to pay $8.9 billion fine in US

French banking giant BNP Paribas has agreed to pay an $8.9 billion fine for allegedly violating US sanctions rules, reports suggest.

The bank will also, unusually, admit guilt, Financial Times and The New York Times reported.

According to the Wall Street Journal, BNP plans to slash its dividends and issue billions of euros of bonds to pay the fine.

The bank is accused of breaking sanctions against Iran, Sudan and Cuba.

This is alleged to have taken place between 2002 and 2009.

BNP Paribas has agreed to pay an $8.9 billion fine for allegedly violating US sanctions rules
BNP Paribas has agreed to pay an $8.9 billion fine for allegedly violating US sanctions rules

The reported size of the fine could almost wipe out BNP’s entire 2013 pre-tax income of about $11.2 billion.

In April, BNP Paribas said it had set aside $1.1 billion to cover the cost of US penalties, but warned that the “amount of the fines could be far in excess of the amount of the provision”.

Earlier this month, one of the EU’s top officials intervened in the controversy.

Michel Barnier, the EU’s internal markets commissioner, said any penalty on the giant French bank must be “fair and objective”. Reports at the time suggested the fine would be in the region of $10 billion.

France’s President Francois Hollande has raised the matter with President Barack Obama, while French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius recently warned that such a fine could hurt EU-US trade treaty talks.

As part of the deal with US authorities, BNP may be suspended from converting foreign currencies into dollars, reports suggest, which would hit its ability to operate in international wholesale banking markets.

US authorities are keen to make an announcement on the settlement on Monday afternoon.

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Luis Suarez biting: FIFA urges Uruguay striker to seek treatment

Clyde K. Valle
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Luis Suarez biting: FIFA urges Uruguay striker to seek treatment

Luis Suarez has been urged by FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke to seek treatment after being found guilty of biting an opponent for a third time.

Luis Suarez bit Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay’s 1-0 win over Italy on Tuesday and has been banned from all football-related activity for four months by world football’s governing body.

“He should go for treatment,” Jerome Valcke said.

Luis Suarez has been urged by FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke to seek treatment after being found guilty of biting an opponent for a third time
Luis Suarez has been urged by FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke to seek treatment after being found guilty of biting an opponent for a third time

“It’s definitely wrong.

“The first time, it’s an incident. More than once, it is not.”

International players’ union FIFPro called for Luis Suarez to “receive all the support he needs”.

“The focus should be on the rehabilitation and serious treatment of the player. FIFPro believes that treatment must be a part of any sanction,” a statement read.

FIFPro said Luis Suarez’s prolonged absence from the game “must be addressed as it directly infringes his right to work”.

Luis Suarez was banned for 10 matches for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in April 2013 and seven matches for doing similar to PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal while playing for Ajax in 2010.

“That is why the sanction has to be exemplary,” Jerome Valcke added.

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Diego Maradona defends Luis Suarez as Giorgio Chiellini brands his ban excessive

Clyde K. Valle
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Diego Maradona defends Luis Suarez as Giorgio Chiellini brands his ban excessive

Luis Suarez has received support from World Cup winner Diego Maradona, while his biting victim, Giorgio Chiellini, branded the ban “excessive”.

The Uruguayan is not allowed to train with his club or enter a football stadium yet Spanish side Barcelona remains interested in signing the player from Liverpool.

For their part, Liverpool are seeking legal advice after being denied the services of last season’s leading Premier League scorer until the end of October.

Meanwhile, online gambling firm 888poker says it has terminated its relationship with Suarez with immediate effect.

Suarez, who flew back to the Uruguayan capital Montevideo in the early hours of Friday morning, denied the allegations following his clash with Giorgio Chiellini, claiming the centre-back had bumped into him.

However, FIFA decided he was guilty and gave him the longest ban in World Cup history.

Luis Suarez has received support from World Cup winner Diego Maradona
Luis Suarez has received support from World Cup winner Diego Maradona (photo Telesur)

Luis Suarez also received a nine-match international suspension and a fine of 100,000 Swiss francs.

Writing on his personal website, Giorgio Chiellini, 29, said: “I have always considered unequivocal the disciplinary interventions by the competent bodies but, at the same time, I believe that the proposed formula is excessive.

“Now inside me there’s no feelings of joy, revenge or anger against Suarez for an incident that happened on the pitch and that’s done. There only remains the anger and the disappointment about the match.

“At the moment my only thought is for Luis and his family, because they will face a very difficult period.”

Former Argentina captain and coach Diego Maradona declared his support for Luis Suarez on his television show De Zurda on Thursday night.

“The FIFA sanction is shameful, they have no sensitivity towards the fans, they might as well handcuff him and throw him in Guantanamo,” said Diego Maradona, who was wearing a T-shirt bearing the message, “Luis, we are with you”.

“It hurts that they have cut short the career of a lad who is a winner. It’s an excessive suspension, FIFA cannot talk about morals to anyone.

“Suarez didn’t kill anyone. This is an unjust punishment, the act of an incredible mafia.”

Diego Maradona interviewed Uruguay’s president Jose Mujica during the program, broadcast on Telesur TV.

“We Uruguayans are full of anger, those coming from below do not understand anything,” said Jose Mujica.

“We kicked out Italy and England, no doubt they lost a lot of money.”

Jose Mujica claimed FIFA used “a different standard” to judge certain countries.

“That’s what hurts and angers us the most,” he added.

Uruguay will play Colombia in the last 16 on Saturday after qualifying from Group D behind Costa Rica.

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Smartphone reflects owner’s personal microbial world

Kathryn R. Bown
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Smartphone reflects owner’s personal microbial world

According to US scientists, smartphones reflect the personal microbial world of their owners.

A new study suggests that more than 80% of the common bacteria that make up our personal bacterial “fingerprints” end up on their screens.

Personal possessions, such as phones, might be useful for tracking the spread of bacteria, they report in PeerJ.

They reflect our microbiome – the trillions of different micro-organisms that live in and on our bodies.

Mobile phone users have been found to touch their devices on average 150 times a day.

Scientists have found an overlap between the collection of micro-organisms naturally present on our bodies and those on the screens of smartphones.

They say this could one day be used to track people’s exposure to bacteria.

In the study, biologists from the University of Oregon sequenced the DNA of microbes found on the index fingers and thumbs of 17 people.

More than 80 percent of the common bacteria that make up our personal bacterial fingerprints end up on smartphones screens
More than 80 percent of the common bacteria that make up our personal bacterial fingerprints end up on smartphones screens

They also took swabs of the subjects’ smartphones.

A total of 7,000 different types of bacteria were found in 51 samples.

On average, 22% of bacterial families overlapped on fingers and phones.

Some 82% of the most common bacteria present on participants’ fingers were also found on their phones.

They included three families that are commonly found on the skin or in the mouth – Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium.

Men and women both shared bacteria with their phones, but the connection was stronger in women.

Lead researcher Dr. James Meadow said while the sample size was small, the findings were “revealing”.

“This project was a proof-of-concept to see if our favorite and most closely held possessions microbially resemble us,” he said.

“We are ultimately interested in the possibility of using personal effects as a non-invasive way to monitor our health and our contact with the surrounding environment.”

The researchers say there is no evidence that mobile phones present any more infection risk than any other possession.

However, they say our phones might one day be used to study whether people have been exposed to certain bacteria, particularly healthcare workers.

The study confirms that “we share more than an emotional connection with our phones – they carry our personal microbiome”, Dr. James Meadow added.

There is increasing scientific interest in the human microbiome – the population of trillions of micro-organisms that live in our gut, mouth, skin and elsewhere on our bodies.

Bacteria can be harmful but they can also have beneficial effects, particularly in the gut, by digesting food and making essential nutrients and vitamins.

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