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GOCE satellite re-enters Earth’s atmosphere

GOCE satellite has re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere, burning up in the process.

Early estimates suggested any surviving debris of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) satellite could have fallen somewhere along a path through East Asia and the Western Pacific to Antarctica.

Dubbed the “Ferrari of space” because of its sleek looks, GOCE is the first ESA mission to make an uncontrolled re-entry in more than 25 years.

The gravity mapping probe’s plunge was inevitable once it ran out of fuel.

The mission was operating in an extremely low orbit – at 139 miles altitude, the lowest of any scientific satellite – and needed to constantly thrust an electric engine to stay aloft, but last month its fuel reserves were exhausted.

Pre-return modelling had indicated that perhaps a fifth to a quarter of GOCE’s one-tonne mass could have endured the fiery fall through the atmosphere.

Its sophisticated gradiometer – the instrument used to make gravity measurements – incorporated composite materials that were expected to ride out the destructive forces that would ordinarily incinerate traditional components.

GOCE was last observed at 22:42 GMT on Sunday as it passed 75 miles above Antarctica.

GOCE satellite has re-entered the Earth's atmosphere, burning up in the process
GOCE satellite has re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere, burning up in the process

It has fuel and thrusters to direct its destructive dive towards the vast and uninhabited waters of the Southern Ocean, east of New Zealand.

The Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee – the global forum on “space junk” – chose GOCE as its special study project for 2013.

This meant a large number of tracking and surveillance facilities around the world were activated to monitor the satellite’s descent to Earth.

More detailed information is therefore likely to emerge in the coming hours and days on exactly where and when any materials struck the surface of the planet.

Statistics show that there is typically at least one piece of space “junk” re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere every day; with, on average, one intact defunct spacecraft or old rocket body coming back every week.

ESA’s last mission to make an uncontrolled re-entry was the magnetosphere explorer Isee-2, which came back in 1987.

ESA does, however, regularly manage controlled re-entries. Its space station freighter, the Automated Transfer Vehicle, can weigh some 13 tonnes when it comes back to Earth.

GOCE (Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer) was launched in 2009 as part of a series of innovative environmental research satellites.

Its super-sensitive gradiometer was used to detect the tiny variations in the pull of gravity across the surface of the Earth.

GOCE’s maps have very broad applications. The data is a key reference in civil engineering for relating heights measured at widely separated locations, and for the computer models that need to understand how the oceans move to forecast future changes in climate.

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E. coli outbreak prompts Glass Onion Catering chicken salad recall

California-based Glass Onion Catering that makes prepared chicken salad has recalled more than 180,000 pounds of its products after some were linked to a few cases of E. coli infection.

Glass Onion Catering has recalled products distributed to Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says.

So far, 26 people in three states have been diagnosed with the same E. coli infection, the USDA says. Fifteen of them say they ate products traced to Glass Onion Catering, which supplies midsized grocery store chains such as Trader Joe’s with “gourmet grab and go” products.

“The company announced that the products are being recalled in conjunction with other foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A full list of products being recalled will be available on FDA’s website at: www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Recalls/default.htm,” USDA said in a statement.

Some of the affected products include:

  • 12 oz. packages of “delish pan pacific chop salad”
  • 13.4 oz. packages of “atherstone Fine Foods Southwestern Style White Chicken Wrap with Chimichurri Sauce”
  • 10.7 oz. packages of “super fresh Foods California Grilled Chicken Salad, Low Fat Mendocino Mustard Dressing
  • 10.7 oz. packages of “Lunch Spot Southwestern Style Chicken Wrap, Chile & Lime Dressing
  • 10.7 oz. plastic containers of “TRADER JOE’S Field Fresh Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken”

    Glass Onion Catering has recalled more than 180,000 pounds of its products after some were linked to a few cases of E. coli infection
    Glass Onion Catering has recalled more than 180,000 pounds of its products after some were linked to a few cases of E. coli infection

It’s unusual for chicken to be contaminated with E. coli. Usually, the culprit is salmonella with chicken. The latest outbreake involving chicken was traced to Foster farms chicken produced in California. It made 300 people sick.

USDA, which regulates the safety of many foods, says the cluster of E. coli 0157:H7 illnesses started October 29.

“Working in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), FDA, the California Department of Public Health, the Washington State Department of Health, and the Arizona Department of Health Services, FSIS has determined that there is a link between the grilled chicken salads and the illness cluster,” USDA says.

Foodborne illness is common, according to CDC. Every year, about 48 million Americans, or one in six people, get sick from eating contaminated food. Common outbreaks include Salmonella in eggs or vegetables, E. coli in beef and Listeria in dairy products.

E. coli is a very common and usually harmless bacteria but the 0157:H7 strain can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Most people get better on their own but infection can cause a sometimes-deadly type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Malala Yousafzai’s book banned in Pakistan

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Malala Yousafzai’s book has been banned from private schools across Pakistan, education officials said on Sunday.

The Pakistani officials claim the teenage activist’s book doesn’t show enough respect for Islam and called her a tool of the West.

Malala Yousafzai attracted global attention last year when the Taliban shot her in the head in northwest Pakistan for criticizing the group’s interpretation of Islam, which limits girls’ access to education.

Her profile has risen steadily since then, and she released a memoir in October, I Am Malala, that was co-written with British journalist Christina Lamb.

While Malala Yousafzai has become a hero to many across the world for opposing the Taliban and standing up for girls’ education, conspiracy theories have flourished in Pakistan that her shooting was staged to create a hero for the West to embrace.

Adeeb Javedani, president of the All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association, said his group banned Malala Yousafzai’s book from the libraries of its 40,000 affiliated schools and called on the government to bar it from school curriculums.

“Everything about Malala is now becoming clear,” Adeeb Javedani said.

Malala Yousafzai's book has been banned from private schools across Pakistan
Malala Yousafzai’s book has been banned from private schools across Pakistan

“To me, she is representing the West, not us.”

Kashif Mirza, the chairman of the All Pakistan Private Schools Federation, said his group also has banned Malala Yousafzai’s book in its affiliated schools.

Malala Yousafzai “was a role model for children, but this book has made her controversial,” Kashif Mirza said.

“Through this book, she became a tool in the hands of the Western powers.”

He said the book did not show enough respect for Islam because it mentioned Prophet Muhammad’s name without using the abbreviation PUH – “peace be upon him” – as is customary in many parts of the Muslim world. He also said it spoke favorably of author Salman Rushdie, who angered many Muslims with his book The Satanic Verses, and Ahmadis, members of a minority sect that have been declared non-Muslims under Pakistani law.

In her reference to Salman Rushdie, Malala Yousfzai said in the book that her father saw The Satanic Verses as “offensive to Islam but believes strongly in the freedom of speech.”

“First, let’s read the book and then why not respond with our own book,” the book quoted her father as saying.

Malala Yousafzai mentioned in the book that Pakistan’s population of 180 million people includes more than 2 million Ahmadis, “who say they are Muslim though our government says they are not”.

“Sadly those minority communities are often attacked,” the book said, referring also to Pakistan’s 2 million Christians.

The conspiracy theories around Malala Yousafzai reflect the level of influence that right-wing Islamists sympathetic to the Taliban have in Pakistan. They also reflect the poor state of education in Pakistan, where fewer than half the country’s children ever complete a basic, primary education.

Millions of children attend private school throughout the country because of the poor state of the public system.

The Taliban blew up scores of schools and discouraged girls from getting an education when they took over the Swat Valley, where Malala Yousafzai lived, several years ago. The army staged a large ground offensive in Swat in 2009 that pushed many militants out of the valley, but periodic attacks still occur.

The mastermind of the attack on Malala Yousafzai, Mullah Fazlullah, recently was appointed the new head of the Pakistani Taliban after the former chief was killed in a US drone strike.

Pope Francis clowns around with newlywed couple inside Vatican

Pope Francis donned a bright red nose and clowned around with a newlywed couple inside the Vatican this week.

The Pope posed with the bride and groom, who are volunteers at a charity that brings clown therapy to sick children.

The lighthearted moment came hours after Pope Francis kissed and prayed with a severely disfigured man at the end of his general audience at St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis donned a bright red nose and clowned around with a newlywed couple inside the Vatican
Pope Francis donned a bright red nose and clowned around with a newlywed couple inside the Vatican

In the eight months since he was elected pope, Pope Francis, 76, has emerged as an endearing figure known for his humility and desire to build a more inclusive church.

When a young boy wandered on stage during a homily last month, the pontiff let him stay by his side and even gave him a playful pat on the head.

Pope Francis has stayed true to his humble Jesuit roots by choosing to live a simple life.

Bank of America to pay $864 million in compensation for losses over home loans

The US government is seeking $864 million in compensation from Bank of America for losses over home loans sold to it by the bank’s Countrywide Financial unit.

US attorney Preet Bharara made the request in documents filed late Friday in New York.

Bank of America was found liable for defrauding two US state-backed mortgage companies by a federal jury last month.

Countrywide Financial was acquired by Bank of America in 2008.

The ruling was a major win for the US government, which launched the case in the wake of the financial crisis.

Reports last month suggested that US banking giant JP Morgan is set for a record $13 billion fine to settle investigations into its mortgage-backed securities.

The US government is seeking $864 million in compensation from Bank of America for losses over home loans sold to it by the bank's Countrywide Financial unit
The US government is seeking $864 million in compensation from Bank of America for losses over home loans sold to it by the bank’s Countrywide Financial unit

Wells Fargo agreed to pay $335 million to settle claims it misled investors over mortgage-backed bonds.

The US Department of Justice is investigating at least nine banks over their sales of mortgage-backed securities.

Countrywide Financial was found liable for selling thousands of defective loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The month-long trial focused on a Countrywide programme that was internally called “Hustle” or “high-speed swim lane” which allowed loans to be processed quickly without checking their quality.

The wrongdoing, which mostly took place before Countrywide was acquired, was discovered after a whistleblower filed a lawsuit against the firm.

The US economy witnessed a big boom in its housing market in the lead-up to the 2007-08 global financial crisis.

As house prices continued to rise, many banks looked to cash in on the boom by creating complex financial products that grouped together home loans.

However, a collapse in the housing market saw the value of those investments plummet as the underlying mortgage holders became unable to repay their debts.

This snowballed into the subprime crisis, which hurt investors globally and caused billions of dollars in losses.

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Machu Picchu claimed by Peruvian sisters

Peruvian sisters Roxana and Victoria Abril are claiming to be the rightful owners of the land on which the UNESCO World Heritage site Machu Picchu is located.

They say it legally belonged to their grandfather.

Roxana and Victoria Abril are asking for millions of dollars in compensation from the Peruvian state.

Machu Picchu is the crown jewel in Peru’s tourism industry, but it has not been without its controversies since its “rediscovery” in 1911 by US explorer Hiram Bingham.

Each year, those on South America adventure tours are joined by hundreds of thousands of other visitors to the famous Incan citadel, which is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

While many travel by train, hundreds of intrepid tourists set out each week to take on the four-day Inca trail trek, arriving at the Sun Gate at sunrise on the fourth morning for a spectacular view of the site that is difficult to forget.

Machu Picchu is the crown jewel in Peru's tourism industry
Machu Picchu is the crown jewel in Peru’s tourism industry

However, a running court battle between the Abril family and the Peruvian government over the ownership of the land and ruins has hit the headlines after the Abrils called on UNESCO to put pressure on ministers to compensate them.

According to the Telegraph, the family bought the site on June 14th 1910 – a year before it was “rediscovered” by Hiram Bingham.

Edgar Echegaray Abril, 70, still holds the deed, which showed that his ancestors paid gold for the site.

The estate was sold to the Zavaleta family in 1944, but the ruins were not part of the deal as they were being expropriated by the state.

However, this expropriation was never completed and Edgar Echegaray Abril and his relations believe they are due compensation from the Peruvian government for decades of tourism on what would appear to be their land.

The Abrils’ lawyer Fausto Salinas claimed that UNESCO should step in to help in the same way it calls for greater protection of the historic ruins.

“The state said at that time [1944] <<we’re going to expropriate>>, but the process was never completed, and in Peru, as in international law, if the property is not expropriated from you, you don’t lose it,” he said.

Meanwhile, the lawyer is also representing the Zavaletas, who are claiming compensation for the land they own lying outside the ruins, but inside the Machu Picchu Archaeological Park.

Those travelling arounf South America and wishing to see Machu Picchu normally start their journey from nearby Cuzco – itself a beautiful mountain city with numerous Incan wonders to behold.

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Lythronax argestes: Oldest Tyrannosaurus rex discovered in Utah

A relative of the Tyrannosaurus rex has been unearthed in southern Utah, marking the discovery of the oldest known member of its group of dinosaurs yet.

The newly discovered dinosaur measured about 24 feet long, weighed around 2.5 metric tons, and had a large head filled with sharp teeth. To evoke just what a powerful predator it was, researchers have given it a fittingly grand name: Lythronax argestes, which translates to gore king of the Southwest.

The newly discovered dinosaur measured about 24 feet long, weighed around 2.5 metric tons, and had a large head filled with sharp teeth
The newly discovered dinosaur measured about 24 feet long, weighed around 2.5 metric tons, and had a large head filled with sharp teeth

The discovery is being reported this week in PLOS One by researchers led from the Natural History Museum of Utah. They describe the Lythronax as a two-legged carnivore with a short, narrow snout that lived around 80 million years ago. With the back of the Lythronax’s skull being on the wider side as well, the researchers note that it actually resembles the T. rex – which lived 10 to 12 million year later – more than any other dinosaur that lived alongside it.

“Lythronax may demonstrate that tyrannosaurs followed a pattern similar to what we see in other dinosaurs from this age, with different species living in the north and south at the same time,” Joseph Sertich, a co-author of the report, says in a statement.

Lythronax lived on the ancient continent of Laramidia, a split-off portion of North America that ran from Alaska, down the west coast of the US, and into Mexico. The researchers suggest that the sea that divided North America may also have spilled over into Laramidia, at times dividing its north and south and allowing dinosaur genera to divide into a variety of species. As for the recovered Lythronax fossils, the researchers will be keeping them close to home – they’ll be on display at the Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City as part of its permanent collection.

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Sesame Street Day celebrated on November 10

Four years ago, New York City, by a Mayoral Proclamation from Michael Bloomberg, established November 10, 2009, as “Sesame Street Day”.

Sesame Street Day 2009 marked the 40th anniversary of the show’s first broadcast on November 10, 1969.

Sesame Street Day 2009 marked the 40th anniversary of the show’s first broadcast on November 10, 1969
Sesame Street Day 2009 marked the 40th anniversary of the show’s first broadcast on November 10, 1969

To celebrate, the corner of 64th Street and Broadway in Lincoln Square was temporarily renamed 123 Sesame Street with a dedication ceremony on November 9, 2009.

Sesamestreet.org celebrated its own Sesame Street Day throughout the week of November 10 – 17, 2009.

Kim Kardashian gushes about baby North West on Twitter

Kim Kardashian cooed about her 4-month-old daughter North West via Twitter on November 9.

“Moms- do u ever want to wake up your baby to give him or her kisses?” Kim Kardashian wrote.

“I want to soooooooo bad right now, but she’s so peaceful sleeping,” the 33-year-old reality star gushed.

Two days earlier, Kim Kardashian and her fiancé Kanye West, 36, were spotted with their baby girl enjoying a low-key outing in Santa Barbara, California. During the trip, Kim Kardashian went without makeup as she cradled North in her arms.

Kim Kardashian cooed about her 4-month-old daughter North West via Twitter
Kim Kardashian cooed about her 4-month-old daughter North West via Twitter

Kanye West, meanwhile, pushed North’s stroller alongside them as they walked to a nearby restaurant for lunch.

The sighting is only the third time little Nori has been revealed to the public since her birth.

This isn’t the first time Kim Kardashian has gushed about baby North.

“She’s the sweetest little girl. She never cries,” Kim Kardashian recently boasted during an appearance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on October 30.

“She’s a perfect little angel. I hope she grows up to be smart and opinionated like her dad.”

MTV EMAs 2013: Eminem to be honored with Global Icon Award at Amsterdam ceremony

Eminem will be honored with the Global Icon Award at the MTV EMAs in Amsterdam this evening.

Eminem joins a list of previous winners including Bon Jovi, Queen and Whitney Houston.

The rapper will also be at the ceremony in Amsterdam on Sunday night and possibly performing.

“A lot of thought goes into who could possibly be appropriate,” Bruce Gilmer from MTV said.

“This man, has sold over 80 million records.

“I think everyone agrees, Eminem is one of the most creative and unique artists of our time.”

Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke, Katy Perry and Kings of Leon are some of the big names confirmed for performances.

The award show will be hosted by Redfoo from LMFAO as the intergalactic MC.

He is looking forward to one act in particular.

“Miley of course, I just want to see what she is going to do,” Redfoo said.

Eminem will be honored with the Global Icon Award at the MTV EMAs in Amsterdam this evening
Eminem will be honored with the Global Icon Award at the MTV EMAs in Amsterdam this evening

“Yesterday I actually refused to watch her rehearsal because I want to be just as shocked because I am a fan.”

Redfoo also promised lots of outfit changes and explained how he will not be upstaged by the other artists.

“I want everyone to shine but I have the mic, I have the secret wiggle,” he said.

“It’s about supporting everyone but i think I have the most segments, the most camera time.”

Dutch DJ Afrojack is nominated for Best Electronic Act but admits he has tough competition.

“We have Calvin Harris, we have Avicii, we have Daft Punk, these people are all legends, they release gigantic albums,” he said.

“I’m actually really excited that I am performing and being allowed to perform the way I am,” he added.

“Not just for me but for the entire community of DJs, it’s a big step ahead.”

Afrojack also said it was great to have such big names in his country.

“My manager came to wake me up and walked past Will Ferell from Anchorman in the gym,” he said.

“It is really exciting to be here with all these people and party with them.”

Justin Timberlake and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis lead the way with five nominations each for the awards on Sunday.

Lady Gaga, Robin Thicke, Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus all have four.

Guest presenters on the night include Ellie Goulding, Jared Leto and Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy from Anchorman 2.

It was also announced Glasgow will host the 2014 MTV EMAs.

It is part of “Homecoming Scotland” which sees a number of major events being held in the country.

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Typhoon Haiyan may have killed 10,000 people in Tacloban

According to Philippine officials, around 10,000 people may have died in just one area hit by Typhoon Haiyan.

Typhoon Haiyan – one of the worst storms on record – destroyed homes, schools and an airport in the eastern city of Tacloban.

Neighboring Samar island was also badly affected, with reports of 300 people dead and 2,000 missing.

The Philippine government has so far only confirmed the deaths of 151 people throughout the country, but hundreds of thousands have been displaced.

Houses in Tacloban have been flattened by the massive storm surge that accompanied Typhoon Haiyan.

There’s no clean water, no electricity and very little food.

City officials said they were struggling to distribute aid and that looting was widespread.

The typhoon is now bearing down on Vietnam. More than 600,000 people have been evacuated in northern provinces.

At least four people were reported killed there, apparently while trying to escape the storm.

Typhoon Haiyan is expected to make landfall south of Hanoi on Monday afternoon local time, although it will have decreased markedly in strength.

Typhoon Haiyan, one of the worst storms on record, destroyed homes, schools and an airport in the eastern city of Tacloban
Typhoon Haiyan, one of the worst storms on record, destroyed homes, schools and an airport in the eastern city of Tacloban

Philippine Interior Secretary Mar Roxas says the scale of the relief operation that is now required is overwhelming, with some places described as a wasteland of mud and debris.

“From a helicopter, you can see the extent of devastation. From the shore and moving a kilometre inland, there are no structures standing. It was like a tsunami,” he told Reuters news agency.

“I don’t know how to describe what I saw. It’s horrific.”

Tecson Lim, city administrator of Tacloban, told the Associated Press that the death toll in the city alone “could go up to 10,000”.

Police chief Elmer Soria said about 70% to 80% of the area in the path of the storm in Leyte province was destroyed.

He said most of the deaths were from drowning or collapsed buildings.

“Tacloban is totally destroyed. Some people are losing their minds from hunger or from losing their families,” high school teacher Andrew Pomeda told AFP news agency.

“People are becoming violent. They are looting business establishments, the malls, just to find food, rice and milk… I am afraid that in one week, people will be killing from hunger.”

Meanwhile Leo Dacaynos, an official in Eastern Samar province, told local radio 300 people had been found dead in a single town, Basey, with another 2,000 missing and many injured.

Communication is still limited in many areas.

The latest report from the Philippines’ Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council confirmed 151 deaths on Saturday. It said almost 480,000 people had been reported displaced.

Thousands of troops have been deployed to the disaster zones. However, rescuers are struggling to get to remote areas, hampered by debris and damaged roads.

Typhoon Haiyan – one of the most powerful storms on record to make landfall – swept through six central Philippine islands on Friday.

It brought sustained winds of 147mph, with gusts of 170 mph, with waves as high as 45ft, bringing up to 15.75 inches of rain in places.

The Pentagon has announced it is providing the Philippines with naval and aviation resources to help with humanitarian relief efforts.

In a statement, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the US was delivering helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and search and rescue equipment after a request from the Philippines government.

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Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner allowed to return to work

Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has received medical clearance from doctors to return to work.

A month ago Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner underwent surgery to remove a brain clot on her brain.

A government spokesman, Alfredo Scoccimarro, said the results from scans the president had on Friday had been satisfactory.

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, 60, is expected to resume her official duties on Monday.

“On Monday there will be a medical re-evaluation to determine the pace at which she can resume her daily tasks,” said Alfredo Scoccimarro.

President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has received medical clearance from doctors to return to work
President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has received medical clearance from doctors to return to work

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner won’t be allowed to fly for at least another 30 days, and she’ll undergo further tests on December 9.

The Argentine president had surgery on October 8 to remove blood that had pooled on the surface of her brain after she fell and knocked her head.

While Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has been receiving treatment, her allies have suffered heavy losses in mid-term elections that reduced her majority in congress, ending any speculation that she may try to amend the constitution to allow her to run for a third term in office.

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner is due to leave office in two years time.

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USS Gerald R. Ford: US Navy christens its first Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

The US Navy has christened USS Gerald R. Ford – the first of its new Ford-class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

The new super-carrier, which is only 70% complete, is named after late President Gerald Ford.

It is the first of 10 carriers designed to get more fighter planes into the sky more quickly, but with 1,000 fewer crew members.

The USS Gerald R. Ford is reportedly about 22% over budget, at a cost of almost $13 billion

It comes at a time of growing budget pressures for the US.

The carrier, which will weigh 100,000 tonnes, is reportedly due to be finished in 2016 when sea trials are likely to begin.

The ship is said to be the most technologically advanced aircraft carrier the US has built.

“She is truly a technological marvel,” Chief of Naval Operations Adm Jonathan Greenert said.

Gerald Ford’s daughter, Susan Ford Bales, smashed the traditional bottle of champagne into the ship at a ceremony in Virginia on Saturday.

Gerald Ford's daughter, Susan Ford Bales, smashed the traditional bottle of champagne into the ship at a ceremony in Virginia
Gerald Ford’s daughter, Susan Ford Bales, smashed the traditional bottle of champagne into the ship at a ceremony in Virginia

Former Vice-President Dick Cheney and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld were among those leading tributes to the 38th US president.

“He was a man of courage and solid values… and I know the men and women who sail this ship will bring those same qualities in their service to our nation,” Donald Rumsfeld told the audience.

Delays with the ship’s completion mean the US Navy will be reduced to a 10-carrier fleet, following the USS Enterprise’s deactivation last year.

Fewer crew members mean the Ford-class carrier is expected to save $4 billion over the ship’s 50-year life span, according to the ship’s website.

It is designed to increase its ability to launch fighter jets and helicopters by 25%, generate more electrical power and allow the use of unmanned drones

Gerald Ford, who took office after Richard Nixon quit over the Watergate scandal in 1974, died in December 2006 at the age of 93.

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Iran nuclear talks break without agreement in Geneva

Talks between Iran and world powers in Geneva have failed to reach an agreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told a press conference that there had been a lot of “concrete progress but some differences remain”.

Baroness Catherine Ashton said talks would resume on November 20.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said he was not disappointed with the outcome, and that the talks were “something we can build on”.

Mohammad Javad Zarif said all parties were “on the same wavelength” and “there was the impetus to reach an agreement”.

Meanwhile US Secretary of State John Kerry said: “There is no question in my mind that we are closer now than we were before.

Talks between Iran and world powers in Geneva have failed to reach an agreement on Tehran's nuclear programme
Talks between Iran and world powers in Geneva have failed to reach an agreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme

The international powers are concerned that Tehran is trying to build a nuclear weapon – but Iran says its programme is peaceful.

A proposal that was floated would require Iran to freeze expansion of nuclear activity in return for limited relief from economic sanctions.

Delegates had earlier suggested there was “good progress”.

But diplomatic sources said France had wanted tougher terms for Iran.

Before the late-night press conference, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said the three days of negotiations had ended without a deal.

“The meetings in Geneva have made it possible to move forward,” he said.

“But we have not yet managed to conclude, because there are still some questions remaining to be dealt with.”

Meanwhile, John Kerry told reporters: “We have not only narrowed differences and clarified those that remain but we made significant progress in working through the approaches to this question of how one reins in a programme and guarantees its peaceful nature.”

He added that the window for diplomacy would not stay open indefinitely.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had urged the world powers not to miss an “exceptional opportunity” to seal an agreement.

The Geneva talks involve Iran and the P5+1 (the US, Russia, Britain, France and China as permanent UN Security Council members, plus Germany).

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Jessica Simpsons shows off new weight loss in Weight Watchers shoot

Jessica Simpson has showed off her post-baby body once again in a new picture while working with Weight Watchers on November 8.

“Couldn’t stop smiling on set for my new @weightwatchers campaign today! #happy,” she wrote.

Jessica Simpson has showed off her post-baby body once again in a new picture while working with Weight Watchers
Jessica Simpson has showed off her post-baby body once again in a new picture while working with Weight Watchers

Jessica Simpson, 33, is seen wearing dark jeans, boots and a tight-fitting white button down top while standing in a field. The singer and designer smiled with her mouth wide open, and with her beautiful blonde locks down in waves.

Eric Johnson’s fiancée is so thrilled with her new slimmed down figure.

Jessica Simpson previously dropped 70 pounds after giving birth to Maxwell, 19 months, and has been dropping the weight once again since giving birth to son Ace in June.

Gabriela Isler: Miss Venezuela crowned as Miss Universe 2013 in Moscow

Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler was crowned Miss Universe 2013 on November 9th in Moscow, Russia.

The 25-year-old flamenco dancer triumphed over women from 85 other countries to inherit the crown from Olivia Culpo from the US.

Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler was crowned Miss Universe 2013 on November 9th in Moscow
Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler was crowned Miss Universe 2013 on November 9th in Moscow

During the evening gown segment, Gabriela ISler was the first to rock a long-sleeved gown. She even co-designed the flawless silver gown.

Some other contestants like runner up Patricia Rodrigues from Spain and Miss USA, Erin Brady, also made fabulous appearances.

Venezuela must be so proud = the country has won three of the last six Miss Universe pageants.

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Maldives Election 2013: Supreme Court suspends presidential run-off

The Maldivian Supreme Court has suspended the presidential election run-off, after protests from a candidate.

On Saturday, ex-President Mohamed Nasheed polled nearly 47%, just short of the 50% needed for outright victory.

The second round was to have taken place on Sunday, but the runner-up Abdulla Yameen sought a delay, saying he needed time to campaign afresh.

Mohamed Nasheed has been seeking to regain power after he was forced to resign in 2012, sparking a political crisis.

This is the third time the presidential elections have been derailed.

A vote on September 7 was annulled by the Supreme Court after one candidate, Gasim Ibrahim, alleged irregularities, despite observer groups deeming the vote free and fair. The court also introduced new guidelines for elections.

Police then halted a planned re-run on October 19 saying the guidelines had not been met, after both Gasim Ibrahim and Abdulla Yameen failed to approve the voter register.

Maldives’ ex-President Mohamed Nasheed polled nearly 47 percent, just short of the 50 percent needed for outright victory
Maldives’ ex-President Mohamed Nasheed polled nearly 47 percent, just short of the 50 percent needed for outright victory

This time, the run-off was planned for only one day after the first round, because the constitution stipulates there must be a new president by Monday.

Despite that legal deadline, the Supreme Court sitting late at night has now ruled that the run-off “cannot take place” and ought to be delayed by six days.

The court said the Sunday run-off might have “undermined the constitutional rights of many people”, agreeing with Abdulla Yameen’s assertion that he needs more time to campaign.

Mohamed Nasheed won Maldives’ first-ever democratic vote in 2008, replacing Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ran the country autocratically for three decades.

On Saturday, Mohamed Nasheed polled 46.93% of vote, while Abdulla Yameen, the half-brother of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, polled 29.73%.

Third-placed Gasim Ibrahim, a wealthy resort owner and a former minister under Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, was out of the running with 23.34%.

The suspension of Sunday’s voting means there cannot be a new president by the constitutional deadline of November 11, when the term of current president President Mohamed Waheed Hassan ends.

The Supreme Court had already announced that the current president could stay on but Mohamed Waheed Hassan has said he doesn’t want to.

Besides, some army officers have been circulating an appeal calling on soldiers not to obey the current president beyond the legal expiry of his term at midnight on Sunday.

The Maldivian Democratic Party – to which Mohamed Nasheed belongs – has accused Abdulla Yameen of trying to “subvert democracy”.

The ex-president resigned last year after large sections of the security forces objected to his arrest of a controversial judge.

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Typhoon Haiyan death toll rises to 1,200 in Philippines

Red Cross officials estimate that at least 1,200 people were killed by Typhoon Haiyan, the largest storm ever to make landfall in Philippines.

Typhoon Haiyan struck Philippines early Friday and survivors of the storm described towering waves that swept away all but the hardiest shelters.

Survivors were described as being in desperate need of clean drinking water and food as officials continue to survey the damage.

Typhoon Haiyan packed sustained winds of 147 mph, with gusts up to 170 mph, and heavy rains when it made landfall early Friday. By those measurements, Haiyan would be comparable to a strong Category 4 hurricane in the US, and nearly in the top category, a 5.

Red Cross officials estimate that at least 1,200 people were killed by Typhoon Haiyan in Philippines
Red Cross officials estimate that at least 1,200 people were killed by Typhoon Haiyan in Philippines

Authorities said it flattened hundreds of homes and triggered mudslides, flash flooding and a storm surge with waves of up to 30 feet. Authorities said almost 800,000 people were evacuated to emergency shelters.

So far, government officials have confirmed just 138 deaths. At least 118 of those were on hardest-hit Leyte Island, where Tacloban is located, national disaster agency spokesman Major Reynaldo Balido told The Associated Press.

But Gwendolyn Pang, secretary general of the Philippine Red Cross, said preliminary counts from teams on the ground indicated that at least 1,200 people had perished – 1,000 people in Tacloban and at least 200 more in the Samar province.

Gwendolyn Pang said the numbers came from preliminary reports by Red Cross teams on the ground.

The weather system was downgraded overnight from a “super typhoon” to a typhoon, and was making its way toward Vietnam.

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Venezuela: Nicolas Maduro orders Daka shops seizure

President Nicolas Maduro has ordered their seizure of Daka chain of shops in Venezuela.

Hundreds of bargain hunters flocked to Daka shops hoping to find electronic goods at much-reduced prices.

President Nicolas Maduro accused the Daka chain of charging exorbitant prices for the goods and said it would now be forced to have “fair prices”.

But the opposition blames government mismanagement of the economy for high inflation.

On a speech on Friday night, President Nicolas Maduro promised to sell off Daka’s stock of plasma televisions, washing machines and other merchandise.

“We’re doing this for the good of the nation. Leave nothing on the shelves, nothing in the warehouses!” he said.

Bargain hunters were quick to join overnight queues to buy the merchandise, some of it at a quarter of the price listed earlier in the week.

Nicolas Maduro said government inspectors had found goods that were overpriced by as much as 1,000%.

President Nicolas Maduro has ordered their seizure of Daka chain of shops
President Nicolas Maduro has ordered their seizure of Daka chain of shops

He said a small air-conditioning unit was selling for 36,000 bolivars ($5,730) at Daka, while the same unit cost 7,000 bolivars ($1,113) in state shops.

Daka’s owners have not responded to the allegations.

Goods at state shops are often very difficult to find and sell very quickly when available.

State shops buy dollars to pay for imported goods at the official rate of around 6.3 bolivars per dollar. But private importers often complain official dollars are not readily available and that they must buy dollars on the black market at rates about seven times higher.

The move against Daka comes after weeks of government warnings against pre-Christmas price rises.

President Nicolas Maduro often accuses wealthy businessmen of hoarding goods in order to push up prices.

But critics of his government say economic mismanagement, rather than unscrupulous retailers, is responsible for inflation and shortages of basic goods such as milk and toilet paper.

Correspondents say inflation, now running at 54%, has become an important issue in next month’s local elections.

Growing economic problems in the oil-producing nation have dented Nicolas Maduro’s popularity.

With municipal elections due across Venezuela on December 8, recent opinion polls have shown the president’s ratings have declined by about 10% in recent months.

Opposition leader Henrique Capriles – who was narrowly defeated by Nicolas Maduro in presidential elections last April – wants next month’s vote to become a quasi-referendum on the president.

Russia criticizes Netherlands on King Willem Alexander state visit to Moscow

Russia has criticized the Netherlands for “inaction”, failing to prevent a Greenpeace protest at an oil rig in September, hours before a state visit to Moscow by Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxim met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow
Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxim met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima’s trip marks the end of a year which some media reports refer to as the least successful cross-cultural initiative in recent European history.

Russia and the Netherlands have also clashed over their differing attitudes to gay rights.

Ryland Goldman: Seven-year-old boy opens restaurant in California

Ryland Goldman is the 7-year-old owner of Ryland’s Restaurant opened in Los Gatos, California.

The restaurant is just a block away from his new school, Daves Lane Elementary, and all the morning foot traffic gave him the notion that the restaurant he’s wanted to open since age 3 could be a reality.

“I wanted to sell breakfast to them,” said Ryland Goldman, who also came up with the idea of sharing his take to benefit the school’s technology fund, and he’s donated hundreds of dollars so far.

His parents, Ben and Berrie Goldman, say their son has talked of opening a restaurant for more than half his life. It wasn’t until the Goldmans moved to a new home that Ryland saw his opportunity.

“I moved here and lots of people walked by my house,” Ryland Goldman said.

 “I wanted to sell breakfast to them.”

Ryland Goldman is the 7-year-old owner of Ryland's Restaurant opened in Los Gatos
Ryland Goldman is the 7-year-old owner of Ryland’s Restaurant opened in Los Gatos

Ryland Goldman is a second grader who loves to be in the kitchen and saw the business opportunity.

Every couple of weeks, Ryland Goldman sets up a folding table and lays out the biscotti, muffins, and brownies he has baked . There is also milk, orange juice, and Starbucks coffee he and his father pick up early in the morning.

Ryland Goldman also prints and posts a menu, complete with prices ($1.75 for a small coffee, $2 for a large).

However, Ryland Goldman is also more than an entrepreneur. He’s a budding philanthropist.

He decided that half of all the money he makes from his restaurant will go to his elementary school. He told Principal Kit Bragg he’d like it to be use to buy technology for the school. In the mere months that Ryland’s Restaurant has been open, he has raised hundreds of dollars for the cause.

Ben and Berrie Goldman promise they did not push their older son to do any of this.

“It was totally Ryland’s idea,” Ben Goldman said.

“It’s all been 100 percent his ideas.”

After his first successful morning selling to his neighbors and classmates, Ryland Goldman decided he wanted to open every morning. His parents say they appreciate Ryland’s enthusiasm, but will keep the hours irregular for the time being.

Justin Bieber charged with vandalism in Rio de Janeiro

Justin Bieber was charged with vandalism on November 8 for  after his highly-publicized graffiti session that took place three days before.

The global pop sensation’s rep had no comment.

Police received a complaint about Justin Bieber, 19, and his friends spray painting the wall of the former Hotel Nacional in Rio de Janeiro on November 5.

Justin Bieber, who was in Rio de Janeiro for a concert, reportedly had left the property by the time authorities arrived. Later that day, Brazil’s biggest news outlet posted photos on its website of Justin Bieber, in artistic action.

Justin Bieber spray painting the wall of the former Hotel Nacional in Rio de Janeiro
Justin Bieber spray painting the wall of the former Hotel Nacional in Rio de Janeiro

In Brazil, defacing buildings is a crime that could lead to a fine and up to one year in jail.

Local authorities then opened an investigation involving three days of testimony from the photographers who caught him painting, officers and even Justin Bieber’s security personnel.

However, the singer will avoid time behind bars.He will pay a fine, although that cost has yet to be determined.

This is not Justin Bieber’s first run-in with local authorities over his penchant for spray-painting. While in Bogota last week, the singer spray-painted a wall lining one of the Colombian city’s biggest streets, and was escorted into a police car by officers. Overall, the South American leg of Justin Bieber’s Believe tour has been rife with controversy.

Justin Bieber is set to perform in Buenos Aires on November 9-10.

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Sochi Olympic torch in first spacewalk

Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kotov and Sergei Ryazansky are taking the torch for the Sochi Winter Olympics on its first historic spacewalk, ahead of next year’s games.

Oleg Kotov and Sergei Ryazansky took the unlit version of the torch through the hatch of the International Space Station (ISS) at 14:34 GMT.

Live footage showed Oleg Kotov waving the torch 261 miles above Earth.

A three-man crew took the torch up to the space station on a Russian Soyuz rocket on Thursday.

The rocket blasted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan crewed by three cosmonauts – Russia’s Mikhail Tyurin, American Rick Mastracchio and Koichi Wakata from Japan.

The crew handed the Olympic symbol to Oleg Kotov and Sergei Ryazansky, who were already on the orbiting station ahead of Saturday’s spacewalk.

Cosmonauts Oleg Kotov and Sergei Ryazansky are taking the torch for the Sochi Winter Olympics on its first historic spacewalk
Cosmonauts Oleg Kotov and Sergei Ryazansky are taking the torch for the Sochi Winter Olympics on its first historic spacewalk

The two cosmonauts took pictures and videos of each other holding the torch using helmet cameras.

The torch, which was tethered to their bulky spacesuits, was to spend up to six hours in open space.

In addition to the photo opportunity, Oleg Kotov and Sergei Ryazansky were carrying out some maintenance on the orbiting station.

The event is seen as part of a rebranding exercise by Russia designed to portray it as a strong, modern country.

“Our goal here is to make it look spectacular,” Oleg Kotov said earlier this week.

“We’d like to showcase our Olympic torch in space. We will try to do it in a beautiful manner. Millions of people will see it live on TV and they will see the station and see how we work.”

The Olympic torch has been carried into space twice before – in 1996 and 2000 – but it has never left a spaceship. It is not being lit aboard the space station as this would consume oxygen and pose a risk to the crew.

The Sochi torch will then be returned to Earth and used to light the Olympic cauldron in February next year.

The trip to the space station is all part of elaborate preparations for Russia’s first Olympics since the Soviet era. The games are the most expensive Olympics so far, costing around $50 billion (1,620 billion roubles).

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Humphrey Bogart drinking glasses sold for £8,000 at art and antiques fair in London

Drinking glasses that were a gift from Humphrey Bogart have sold for more than double their expected price.

Humphrey Bogart gave public relations man Bill Rowland Hill the six small and five large glasses for his help publicizing the 1951 film The African Queen.

They were sold for £8,000 ($12,500) to a private buyer from Europe at an art and antiques fair in London.

It had been expected that they would sell for about £3,500 ($5,500).

The glasses, which were engraved with the initials HB, were accompanied by a letter on 20th Century Fox-headed notepaper from Pinewood signed “Bogie”.

He thanks Bill Rowland Hill for his PR work and “all the other little things”.

Humphrey Bogart gave public relations man Bill Rowland Hill the six small and five large glasses for his help publicizing the 1951 film The African Queen
Humphrey Bogart gave public relations man Bill Rowland Hill the six small and five large glasses for his help publicizing the 1951 film The African Queen

The letter reads: “My Dear Bill. Before I leave for home I want to say, one big <<thank you>> from the bottom of my heart for all you have done publicity wise both on the set, and in Africa.

“I wanted to send you some Hootch but on second thoughts I want you to have something to put it in.

“Will you call at that fancy store (Heal’s) on Tottenham Court Street and see a guy called Gaylard. Choose yourself a dozen glasses from the suite I have had made.

“Once again sport, thanks a million.”

John Huston’s World War 1 film, The African Queen, tells the story of American Rose Sayer – played by Katharine Hepburn – who escapes a village burned down in German East Africa on a boat owned by rough-and-ready Charlie Allnutt, played by Humphrey Bogart.

It won Humphrey Bogart the best actor Oscar in 1952.

The 11 glasses were being sold by antique glass dealers Mark J. West, of Redhill, Surrey, at the 23rd Winter Fine Art and Antiques Fair at London Olympia.

Chris Brown countersues Sha’keir Duarte over Hollywood studio fight

Chris Brown is countersuing Sha’keir Duarte, who accused the singer’s entourage of attacking him outside a recording studio earlier this year.

Chris Brown, 24, filed an assault and battery lawsuit against Sha’keir Duarte on November 6.

In a previous lawsuit, Sha’keir Duarte claimed he was injured in a fight between the entourages of Chris Brown and Frank Ocean in January outside a studio in Hollywood.

Sha’keir Duarte sued Brown in August, saying the singer had started the fight.

However, Chris Brown’s countersuit accuses Sha’keir Duarte of causing the fight after he pushed, kicked and punched the singer.

Chris Brown filed an assault and battery lawsuit against Sha'keir Duarte
Chris Brown filed an assault and battery lawsuit against Sha’keir Duarte

Chris Brown also said Sha’keir Duarte had threatened to kill him and wants damages.

Sha’keir Duarte’s attorney Joseph Porter III is yet to make a comment.

No criminal charges were filed over the fight, but Chris Brown may face jail after being arrested last month in Washington DC for allegedly punching a man outside a hotel.

Chris Brown spent a day in custody and faces a misdemeanour battery charge over the incident.

The rapper is due back in court on November 25.

Chris Brown is still on five years’ probation after attacking his ex-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 before the Grammy music awards.

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