Thursday, January 29, 2026
Newsletter
Home Blog Page 736

Bill Eppridge dies from blood infection aged 75

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Bill Eppridge dies from blood infection aged 75

Bill Eppridge, the photojournalist who took images of the aftermath of Robert Kennedy’s assassination, has died aged 75.

Bil Eppridge died in hospital in Connecticut from a blood infection caused by a fall.

The image of Robert Kennedy lying on the floor of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles is widely considered one of the greatest news photos of all time.

Bil Eppridge worked for Life Magazine at the time of the shooting in 1968.

Friend and fellow photographer David Hume Kennerly said: “He extended a helping hand and a bushel of inspiration to me, and his kindness shaped the course of my career.”

Born in Buenos Aires, Bill Eppridge moved to the US with his family as a young boy.

Bill Eppridge took images of the aftermath of Robert Kennedy's assassination
Bill Eppridge took images of the aftermath of Robert Kennedy’s assassination

Working as a staff photographer for Life Magazine from 1964, he covered a wide variety of stories from revolutions in Latin America to the Beatles’ arrival in the US.

Bill Eppridge followed Robert Kennedy from a campaign event at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles into the back kitchen where a 24-year-old Palestinian Christian, Sirhan Sirhan, shot and killed the 42-year-old presidential hopeful.

He took several black and white images that night, but the most enduring and haunting depicted Kennedy lying on the floor, with a halo of light in the background, with a hotel worker at his side.

“You are not just a photojournalist, you’re a historian,” he once explained when asked how he could keep snapping pictures while someone was lying injured in front of him.

Commenting on his unforgettable image of Robert Kennedy, he said: “I never hung it on my wall.”

Bill Eppridge’s 1965 photo essay about a drug-addicted New York couple inspired the Al Pacino film The Panic in Needle Park.

After leaving Life in 1972, Bill Eppridge worked for other magazines including Time and Sports Illustrated.

Before his death, Bill Eppridge and his wife, Adrienne Aurichio, had been putting the finishing touches to a book on the Beatles, to mark next year’s 50th anniversary of their arrival to the US.

[youtube yLJkD7c9C70]

General Vo Nguyen Giap dies in Vietnam aged 102

Roy Siemens
-
0
General Vo Nguyen Giap dies in Vietnam aged 102

Vietnamese General Vo Nguyen Giap, who masterminded victories against France and the US, has died aged 102.

General Vo Nguyen Giap’s defeat of French forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1953 made him the first military commander to defeat a major Western power in Asia.

General Vo Nguyen Giap’s defeat of French forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1953 made him the first military commander to defeat a major Western power in Asia
General Vo Nguyen Giap’s defeat of French forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1953 made him the first military commander to defeat a major Western power in Asia

He went on to oversee the Tet Offensive against American forces in 1968, often cited as one of the factors that led to the Americans’ withdrawal.

General Vo Nguyen Giap also published a number of works on military strategy.

[youtube v4ngg7LgONQ]

Miley Cyrus hits back at Sinead O’Connor comparing her to Amanda Bynes

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Miley Cyrus hits back at Sinead O’Connor comparing her to Amanda Bynes

Miley Cyrus has hit back at Sinead O’Connor, after the Irish singer warned her not to be exploited by the music business.

In a series of tweets, Miley Cyrus mocked Sinead O’Connor, comparing her to Amanda Bynes before alluding to O’Connor’s mental health problems.

Sinead O’Connor responded with another open letter to the singer, accusing her of “irresponsible” behavior.

The Irish singer told her to “remove her tweets immediately”.

The row began after Miley Cyrus, 20, cited Sinead O’Connor’s video Nothing Compares 2 U as an inspiration for her Wrecking Ball video.

Sinead O’Connor, 46, said she was prompted to write, “in the spirit of motherliness” after “phone calls from various newspapers” who wanted the singer-songwriter to comment upon similarities between the two videos.

In the video for Nothing Compares 2 U, Sinead O’Connor sheds a single tear as she performs the Prince-penned break-up ballad.

Miley Cyrus cries in the promo clip for Wrecking Ball, which shares similar lyrical themes to Sinead O’Connor’s song. But the video also finds her licking a sledgehammer and swinging on a metal demolition ball.

Miley Cyrus has hit back at Sinead O'Connor, after the Irish singer warned her not to be exploited by the music business
Miley Cyrus has hit back at Sinead O’Connor, after the Irish singer warned her not to be exploited by the music business

Sinead O’Connor said she was “extremely concerned” that those around Miley Cyrus had led or encouraged her to believe “that it is in any way <<cool>> to be n**ed and licking sledgehammers in your videos”.

Miley Cyrus, who found fame as the child star of Disney children’s show Hannah Montana, has been criticized in recent weeks for her controversial performances, particularly at the MTV Video Music Awards in Brooklyn last month.

Sinead O’Connor continued: “The message you keep sending is that it’s somehow cool to be prostituted.. it’s so not cool Miley… it’s dangerous.”

“It is in fact the case that you will obscure your talent by allowing yourself to be pimped, whether it’s the music business or yourself doing the pimping,” added Sinead O’Connor.

Responding on Twitter, Miley Cyrus wrote: “Top of the mornin to ya.”

Miley Cyrus added a screen shot of Sinead O’Connor’s tweets from 2012 in which the Irish star, who has bi-polar disorder, referred to her own mental health problems, asking for Twitter followers to recommend a psychiatrist.

She compared the singer to former child actress Amanda Bynes, who is currently undergoing psychiatric treatment.

“I don’t have time to write you an open letter cause I’m hosting & performing on SNL this week,” Miley Cyrus continued.

Miley Cyrus also tweeted a picture of Sinead O’Connor ripping up a photograph of the pope, an infamous on-stage stunt by the singer, before asking her to “meet up and talk”.

Responding to Miley Cyrus in a third open letter, Sinead O’Connor said she would take legal action against her if she did not remove the tweets.

“You have posted today tweets of mine which are two years old, which were posted by me when I was unwell and seeking help so as to make them look like they are recent.

“In doing so you mock myself and Amanda Bynes for having suffered with mental health issues and for having sought help,” said Sinead O’Connor.

Sinead O’Connor added: “It is most unbecoming of you to respond in such a fashion to someone who expressed care for you.”

[youtube iUiTQvT0W_0]

Tropical Storm Karen threatens damaging winds, heavy rain and high tides along US Gulf Coast

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Tropical Storm Karen threatens damaging winds, heavy rain and high tides along US Gulf Coast

Residents along the US Gulf Coast have been placed on alert as approaching Tropical Storm Karen threatens damaging winds, heavy rain and high tides.

Oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico have also started shutting production as Tropical Storm Karen sweeps in.

The White House said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was recalling some employees sent home by the US government shutdown.

Karen is forecast to lash the northern Gulf Coast over the weekend.

The storm is grinding slowly north-west and could be at or near hurricane strength by late Friday or early Saturday, forecasters said.

A hurricane watch has been issued for the coast from Grand Isle, Louisiana, east to Indian Pass, Florida,

“Now is the time for people to review their emergency plans in case conditions worsen,” Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant said.

In Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency while his Florida counterpart Rick Scott also declared an emergency for 18 counties.

Residents along the US Gulf Coast have been placed on alert as approaching Tropical Storm Karen threatens damaging winds, heavy rain and high tides
Residents along the US Gulf Coast have been placed on alert as approaching Tropical Storm Karen threatens damaging winds, heavy rain and high tides

Army engineers in Louisiana are also closing a huge barrier intended to keep storm surges out of the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal where levee breaches during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 led to catastrophic flooding.

In Alabama, safety workers raised double red flags along beaches warning of treacherous rip currents.

Off the coast, BHP Billiton said it was fully evacuating and shutting oil and gas production at its two platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp said it had done the same at one of its eight platforms.

On Thursday afternoon the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Karen was about 400 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River and had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph with higher gusts.

Heavy rain could also affect parts of Cuba and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in the next couple of days, the forecasters said.

The hurricane centre forecasters are exempt from the US government shutdown because their work is deemed vital to protecting life and property.

However, the centre’s parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), carried a message on its website saying: “Due to the Federal government shutdown, NOAA.gov and most associated web sites are unavailable.”

It referred visitors to the National Weather Service for vital information.

Tropical Storm Karen will become a hurricane if its sustained winds reach 74 mph.

The storm, which formed in the south-eastern Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, is the first to threaten the US coast during the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season.

[youtube YHQPW4z2EZY]

Barack Obama cancels Asia trip as part of US shutdown

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Barack Obama cancels Asia trip as part of US shutdown

President Barack Obama has decided to cancel his trip to Asia because of the US government shutdown.

Barack Obama will miss two summits, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) meeting in Indonesia.

The decision was made due to the “difficulty in moving forward with foreign travel in the face of a shutdown”, the White House said.

The US government closed non-essential operations after the two houses of Congress failed to agree a new budget.

Barack Obama called Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Friday morning and expressed his regret for the cancellation.

The visit has not been rescheduled.

Secretary of State John Kerry will attend the APEC gathering and the East Asia summit in Brunei in Barack Obama’s place, the White House said.

“The cancellation of this trip is another consequence of the House Republicans forcing a shutdown of the government,” the White House said in a statement.

“This completely avoidable shutdown is setting back our ability to create jobs through promotion of US exports and advance US leadership and interests in the largest emerging region in the world,” the statement added.

President Barack Obama has decided to cancel his trip to Asia because of the US government shutdown
President Barack Obama has decided to cancel his trip to Asia because of the US government shutdown

Barack Obama had been due to begin a four-nation Asian trip on Saturday, heading to Bali and Brunei for regional summits before travelling on to Malaysia and the Philippines.

On Wednesday, the White House had said Barack Obama would postpone his trips to Malaysia and the Philippines because of the US government shutdown, but maintained that he would travel to Indonesia and Brunei.

The US government began a partial shutdown earlier this week after Republicans refused to approve a budget, saying they would only do so if funding for President Barack Obama’s healthcare reforms was delayed.

On Friday, Democrats and Republicans appeared no closer to resolving the feud.

The US also faces running out of money and defaulting on its debt if there is no agreement to raise government borrowing limits later this month.

Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said on Thursday that a failure to raise the US debt ceiling would be a far worse threat to the global economy than the current shutdown.

She said it was “mission critical” that the US agrees a new debt limit.

Christine Lagarde’s comments were echoed by the US Treasury.

It said a debt default could lead to a financial crisis as bad as 2008 or worse.

Meanwhile, the impact of the shutdown was being felt across the country.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not send investigators to a deadly church bus crash in Tennessee that killed eight people and injured 14 others.

The Labor Department also said it wouldn’t release the highly anticipated September jobs report on Friday because the government remains shuttered.

With Tropical Storm Karen bearing down on the Gulf States, the website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), carried a message saying: “Due to the Federal government shutdown, NOAA.gov and most associated web sites are unavailable.”

It referred visitors to the National Weather Service.

However, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recalled workers to help prepare for the storm.

[youtube 51XY45c1c1c]

2014 Glastonbury Festival tickets sell out in 30 minutes

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
2014 Glastonbury Festival tickets sell out in 30 minutes

The first set of tickets for 2014 Glastonbury Festival have sold out.

The 15,000 coach and ticket packages went on sale at 6 p.m. on October 3 and sold out in half an hour.

The news was confirmed on Glastonbury Festival’s official Twitter page where people were also reminded that another 120,000 tickets for the festival will go on Sunday October 6.

Prices for the 2014 event have been increased to £210 ($325) plus a booking fee.

Last month, festival organizer Michael Eavis said they won’t beat this year’s festival.

The first set of tickets for 2014 Glastonbury Festival have sold out
The first set of tickets for 2014 Glastonbury Festival have sold out

The Rolling Stones, Arctic Monkeys and Mumford and Sons headlined the event at Worthy Farm this summer.

He added: “[It’s] downhill all the way now. I’ve had 44 years of an incredible career and we’re still milking the old cows as well.”

When asked about who would be headlining Glastonbury in 2014 Michael Eavis said people wouldn’t be surprised.

“Pretty obvious isn’t it?” he said.

“There aren’t many left. It’s the process of elimination isn’t it?

“I think we’ve got three or four really good ones lined up for next year and we’re sorting out 2015 as well.”

There is speculation about who will play at Worthy Farm between 26 and 29 June next year.

David Bowie is one of the bookies’ favorites to headline, an Oasis reunion and a set from Foo Fighters have also been rumored.

The remaining tickets for Glastonbury Festival 2014 go on sale at 9 a.m. on Sunday October 6.

Madeleine McCann case: Scotland Yard detectives believe mobile phone records may hold the key

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Madeleine McCann case: Scotland Yard detectives believe mobile phone records may hold the key

Scotland Yard detectives believe mobile phone records may hold the key to solving the Madeleine McCann case.

Three-year-old Madeleine McCann, of Rothley, Leicestershire, vanished on holiday in Praia de Luz, Portugal, in 2007.

Police are analyzing data from thousands of phones belonging to people in the village at the time. There are 41 potential suspects, they say.

A major appeal based on “substantive” new information will be broadcast on the BBC’s Crimewatch on October 14.

Madeleine McCann was days away from her fourth birthday when she disappeared from her family’s holiday apartment.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood, who is leading the inquiry, said officers were examining a “substantial amount of data” from mobile phones thought to belong to people who were in the resort of Praia de Luz in the days just before, during and after Madeleine McCann’s disappearance.

Police are trying to identify the owner of each phone to build up a picture of exactly who was in the area. More than 3,000 people live in Praia de Luz, while holidaymakers and seasonal workers visit from countries across the world.

“This is not just a general trawl,” said Det. Ch. Insp. Andy Redwood.

“It’s a targeted attack on that data to see if it assists us to find out what happened to Madeleine McCann at that time.”

Detective Chief Inspector Redwood said officers had so far been unable to attribute a “large number” of mobile numbers and admitted that it was difficult to do so with phones bought six years ago on a pay-as-you-go basis.

The records also contain information on which phone numbers were dialed and when calls were made. It is thought some phone numbers might appear on police intelligence systems or be linked to criminals.

“We can see what the phone is doing, but we can’t see the text messages,” said the detective.

Scotland Yard detectives believe mobile phone records may hold the key to solving the Madeleine McCann case
Scotland Yard detectives believe mobile phone records may hold the key to solving the Madeleine McCann case

“It shows a timeline of the call data.”

According to Scotland Yard, the phone records had been “looked at” during the initial Portuguese police investigation but not in detail.

Asked by reporters if the information held the key to the investigation, Det. Ch. Insp. Andy Redwood replied: “It could do.”

He said there was no CCTV available – evidence which is often used to help solve missing persons inquiries in the UK.

Scotland Yard announced it was launching an investigation into Madeleine McCann’s disappearance in July – after spending two years reviewing the case, under the codename Operation Grange.

At that time, detectives said there were 38 “persons of interest” from five different countries – Portugal, the UK and three others that were not named.

Police said the number had now gone up to 41, of whom 15 were UK nationals.

However, detectives said work was “pretty now complete” on three of the Britons and they were likely to be struck off the list in the near future.

No one has been arrested.

Since July, police have formally requested the co-operation of the Portuguese authorities and a team of six senior detectives from Faro, in the Algarve, has begun working on the inquiry. Portuguese authorities dropped their investigation into her disappearance in 2008.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said it was a “good and professional” relationship and it was hoped that in future a small group of Scotland Yard detectives would be based in the Algarve to work with the Portuguese.

“It’s easier to do it alongside than at a distance,” he said.

Law enforcement agencies in 30 other countries – most of them in Europe – have also been asked for their assistance, principally to trace people thought to have been in Praia de Luz at the time.

Appeals for witnesses and information are also expected to air in Germany, the Netherlands and, possibly, the Republic of Ireland – the countries where most of the tourists in Praia de Luz came from.

The Crimewatch programme will feature a reconstruction and interviews with Kate and Gerry McCann, who, for the first time, will appear alongside detectives working on the investigation.

Police said the investigation was “gathering momentum”, though much work was still to be done.

Of 39,148 documents from the various police and private investigator inquiries detectives from Operation Grange have processed 21,614 of them.

The number of police tasks, known as “actions”, to be carried out by the new 37-strong investigative team numbers 4,920, of which 2,123 have been completed.

Andy Redwood said police were working backwards from the moment Madeleine McCann went missing to understand what happened to her.

[youtube SeaG2ZMLtyg]

Pope Francis to visit St Francis of Assisi’s tomb

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Pope Francis to visit St Francis of Assisi’s tomb

Pope Francis has arrived in the town of Assisi to pray at the shrine of the 13th-Century saint whose name he adopted.

The pontiff is accompanied by eight cardinals chosen to help him shape a radical programme of reform for the Vatican.

The Pope has said he wants today’s Catholic Church to resemble St Francis of Assisi’s “church of the poor”.

He wants to use abandoned monasteries and convents to house refugees.

Pope Francis also says he wants to see a less hierarchical Church which is less centred on the Vatican.

Pope Francis has arrived in the town of Assisi to pray at the shrine of the 13th-Century saint whose name he adopted
Pope Francis has arrived in the town of Assisi to pray at the shrine of the 13th-Century saint whose name he adopted

Two days ago Pope Francis told Italian newspaper La Repubblica his namesake had “longed for a poor Church that looked after others, accepted monetary help and used it to help others with no thought of itself”.

“Eight-hundred years have passed and times have changed, but the ideal of a missionary and poor Church is still more than valid,” he said.

During his day-long “pilgrimage” to Assisi, the Pope is expected to meet groups of poor, sick and disabled people who are being looked after by Catholic orders or charities.

St Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of Italy.

Known in Italian as Il Poverello, or the Poor One, he was the son of a wealthy local cloth merchant who scandalized his family when he reached the age of 25 by dumping his expensive clothing and living in sackcloth, ministering to the poor for the rest of his life.

Pope Francis has become known for his candid views – unlike anything heard coming out of the Vatican during recent papacies.

[youtube xp6yiJpgQLc]

Over 20 applications and business solutions will be launched at 2013 Internet & Mobile World

Dana R
-
0
Over 20 applications and business solutions will be launched at 2013 Internet & Mobile World

2013 Internet & Mobile World (IMWorld 2013), the biggest “business to business” event dedicated to digital, mobile and software solutions in Romania will host the launch of more than 20 applications and business solutions for large companies, owners of online shops and small businesses. In this second edition of IMWorld, developers are focused on applications for tablets and mobile phones, the CRM programs, the online payment applications, the “machine to machine” communication or cloud computing.

IMWorld 2013 main partners are  COSMOTE Romania and Romtelecom Business Solutions, who are also Business Software Partners. “It’s a great opportunity to learn and also to show you, future digital solutions. Our  bet is that businesses move to the “cloud”. In other words, the cloud solutions are those that will provide flexibility and cost-effectiveness that helps any company to grow further, especially if there are complemented by adapted telecom services to each of them, “said Vasile Voicu, Director Product Management Coordinator, Business Segment Romtelecom Business Solutions.

IMWorld 2013

At IMWorld 2013, which will take place between 9 and 10 October 2013, t Romexpo Bucharest, 5,000 participants will have the opportunity to test out a range of business solutions, beneficial to business or started projects. For example, online shops owners, visiting the exhibition will be able to see how work two applications specifically developed for them. For example, Mediapost Hit Mail will launch a solution that takes all logistics and enables merchants to focus only on product selection and promotion. Further, MODE 360 will introduce a new technology, which acts as a small photo studio, allowing 360 degrees photographs of product in a fast and simple way.

The next level in developing applications for taxi is marked by Stuff We Do Software Development, unique technology that will help taxi companies to run in parallel counters with drivers and check if the chosen route is the most appropriate. Other strengths of the application consist of video monitoring security option and / or panic button (for the driver and / or client), and NFC payment option (either by contactless bank card or by voucher, with the same technology).

One of the current global trends, the emergence and development of homes and smart cities underlying application signed by Renovatio IT Solutions. The company will premiere  housing wireless control system, tapHOME, with wich household appliances can be managed through a single mobile application.

This year, IMWorld developers paid special importance to CRM (Customer Relationship Management) programs improvement. Specifically, the EXE Software will launch esInsights, a CRM program with greater number of functions than an ordinary one. Also, due growing use of social networks in the business environment, Entersoft Business Suite beneficiaries will have the possibility to manage Facebook and Twitter accounts directly from CRM solution interface.

 IMWorld 2013

Between companies present with applications at IMWorld there is Decar Studios (an application specially designed for publishers, institutions, universities, schools, and for digital books dealers, which functions as e-learning/e-reader, incorporating a product local shop), RBC (an online payment application, which is achieved by scanning the QR code and retains shopping history, give costs details), Carnation Group (Wootocracy.com platform, the next generation of customer loyalty platforms that combine creative elements of “social gamification”) or Infinit Solutions (a campaign to generate real time leads addressed to “always on” connected and mobile consumer).

“We believe that the business applications and solutions launched [at the event] will show that Internet & Mobile World is the place where Romanian business people gather to connect with dynamic digital solutions reality. Here is the future, here is the key to many business problems. We want the Romanian business public to be up to date with everything that is new, innovative, intelligent and efficient,” said Cristian Hossu, Managing Partner of Universum Events, IMWorld organizer.

IMWorld access is based on pre-registration and tickets can be purchased online until October 8, 2013, visiting www.imworld.ro.

2013 Internet & Mobile World Additional Data:

 

IMWorld second edition is divided into three business areas: Marketing Technologies, Mobile and Apps, and Business Software and is organized by Universum Events, which is also the “Innovation Summit” organizer, first exclusive event dedicated to business innovation in Romania.

At the event, are expected 5,000 visitors and over 25 international speakers and 130 companies providing business solutions already announced their participation.

The event is supported by Cosmote Romania and Romtelecom Business Solutions, as main partners and sponsors of the Business Software World. Microsoft is Mobile and Apps World Partner and Saatchi & Saatchi is World Partner Marketing Technologies. 2013 Internet & Mobile World Sponsors are: Nokia, S & T Romania, Qualysoft Information Technology, Telcor Communications, Entersoft Romania, Fujitsu, Star Storage, Zitec, MailAgent, Agilio Software, Safetech, Agile Media, MODE360, Transart, BearingPoint, Dynamic Web, Mediapost Hit Mail, Mobixera and SEO monitor, Liberty Technology Park, Cisco Systems Bittnet, PayPro Global, Carnation Group, White Image, Romanian Business Consult, IT and miniPRIX Like. Metro Online is Office Supplies partner and Voxility is official supplier of internet services.

Media partners are Kiss FM, The Money Channel, Getica OOH, Wall-Street.ro, HotNews.ro, AdHugger, Agora, B2B Advertising, Business24.ro, Careers, Computer World, Comunicatedepresa.ro, Connect, DoingBusiness.ro, Digital Trends, Forbes, Incont.ro IT Channel IT Trends, Magazinul Progresiv, Market Watch, PC World, Today Software Magazine, Ziare.com and Zona IT. More information available on www.imworld.ro and www.universum.ro

Sinead O’Connor sends open letter to Miley Cyrus

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Sinead O’Connor sends open letter to Miley Cyrus

Sinead O’Connor has sent an open letter to Miley Cyrus warning her not to be exploited by the music business.

Sinead O’Connor, 46, wrote to Miley Cyrus, 20, after she cited O’Connor’s video Nothing Compares 2 U as an inspiration for her Wrecking Ball video.

“Nothing but harm will come in the long run, from allowing yourself to be exploited,” wrote Sinead O’Connor.

Sinead O’Connor said she was prompted to write, “in the spirit of motherliness” after “dodging phone calls from various newspapers” who wanted the singer-songwriter to comment upon similarities between the two videos.

The video for Nothing Compares 2 U is principally a close-up of Sinead O’Connor, who sheds a single tear as she performs the Prince-penned break-up ballad.

Miley Cyrus cries in the promo clip for Wrecking Ball, which shares similar lyrical themes to Sinead O’Connor’s song.

Sinead O'Connor has sent an open letter to Miley Cyrus warning her not to be exploited by the music business
Sinead O’Connor has sent an open letter to Miley Cyrus warning her not to be exploited by the music business

“I am happy to hear I am somewhat of a role model for you and I hope that because of that you will pay close attention to what I am telling you,” wrote Sinead O’Connor.

“It is absolutely NOT in ANY way an empowerment of yourself or any other young women, for you to send across the message that you are to be valued (even by you) more for your s***al appeal than your obvious talent.

“You are worth more than your body or your s***al appeal. The world of showbiz doesn’t see things that way,” continued the Irish singer.

“They’re there for the money, we’re there for the music. It has always been that way and it will always be that way. The sooner a young lady gets to know that, the sooner she can REALLY [be] in control.”

Miley Cyrus, who found fame as the child star of Disney children’s show Hannah Montana, has been criticized in recent weeks for her controversial performances, most particularly at the MTV Video Music Awards in Brooklyn last month.

“You also said in Rolling Stone that your look is based on mine,” wrote Sinead O’Connor.

“The look I chose, I chose on purpose at a time when my record company were encouraging me to do what you have done.

“I felt I would rather be judged on my talent and not my looks.

“I am happy that I made that choice, not least because I do not find myself on the proverbial rag heap now that I am almost 47 years of age.

“Whether we like it or not, us females in the industry are role models and as such we have to be extremely careful what messages we send to other women,” concluded Sinead O’Connor.

 

Lampedusa boat sinking: At least 130 African migrants die and many more missing

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Lampedusa boat sinking: At least 130 African migrants die and many more missing

At least 130 migrants have died and many more are missing after a boat carrying them to Europe sank off the southern Italian island of Lampedusa.

A total of 103 bodies have been recovered and more have been found inside the wreck, coast guards say.

The African migrants reportedly threw themselves into the sea when a fire broke out on board. More than 150 of the passengers have been rescued.

Most of those on board were from Eritrea and Somalia, said the UN.

The boat was believed to have been carrying up to 500 people at the time and some 200 of them are unaccounted for.

At least 130 migrants have died and many more are missing after a boat carrying them to Europe sank off the southern Italian island of Lampedusa
At least 130 migrants have died and many more are missing after a boat carrying them to Europe sank off the southern Italian island of Lampedusa

Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said the ship had come from Misrata in Libya and began taking on water when its motor stopped working.

It is thought that some of those on board set fire to a piece of material to try to attract the attention of passing ships, only to have the fire spread to the rest of the boat.

It is one of the worst such disasters to occur off the Italian coast in recent years; Italian PM Enrico Letta tweeted that it was “an immense tragedy”. The government has declared a day of national mourning on Friday.

“There is no miraculous solution to the migrant exodus issue,” said Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino.

“If there were we would have found it and put it into action.”

In a separate incident on Thursday, local media reported that around 200 migrants were escorted to the port of Syracuse on the island of Sicily, when their vessel encountered difficulties five miles off the coast.

Earlier this week, 13 migrants drowned while trying to reach Sicily.

[youtube n00CILZhtQo]

Si Robertson driving his new scooter

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Si Robertson driving his new scooter

During this week’s episode of Duck Dynasty, Si Robertson was driving everyone crazy at the Duck Commander warehouse with his with new scooter.

As Si Robertson struggled back out of the bathroom on his scooter, his nephews discussed his condition.

“There’s nothing wrong with him. I’ve already talked to the doctor,” Willie Robertson explained to Jase.

“He made up the whole thing. [It’s] just hemorrhoids.”

Si Robertson was driving everyone crazy at the Duck Commander warehouse with his with new scooter
Si Robertson was driving everyone crazy at the Duck Commander warehouse with his with new scooter

“Look, these guys don’t have respect for their elders,” groused Si Robertson.

“It’s like they don’t realize, hey, they’re gonna get old one day. Guess what happens then, big boy. No one’s goin’ to be helpin’ you in the commode, either.”

Angry, Si Robertson drove off and headed down the road on his scooter. Eventually, Willie Robertson and the rest of the Duck Commander team caught up with Uncle Si, who after a bit of sweet talking–and an offer from Willie to replace his bumper–got into the back of the pickup truck under his own power.

“When it comes to family, you have to learn to read between the lines,” explained Willie Robertson.

“People don’t always come right out and say what they actually want–especially Si, who can’t even pronounce what he wants. But one thing I’ve learned is that doesn’t matter what they’re asking for. What they really want is to know that you care. Whether you spend your day hunting turtles, or shell out a bunch of money for some stupid bumper, it’s all worth it to show your family you love them.”

Miss Kay Robertson loses pet turtle Mr. T

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Miss Kay Robertson loses pet turtle Mr. T

This week’s episode of Duck Dynasty revealed Miss Kay Robertson lost her pet turtle, Mr. T.

Immediately, suspicion was cast on Miss Kay’s sweet pooch, Bobo.

“Maybe this little boy here had turtle for breakfast,” said Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson, pointing to Bobo.

“See if you got little pieces of Mr. T in the stool of that dog next time he goes out there in the woods.”

“That’s an awful thing to say,” replied Miss Kay, who opened Bobo’s mouth and took a whiff of breath.

“Oh goodnight,” she said, waving away the stench.

This week’s episode of Duck Dynasty revealed Miss Kay Robertson lost her pet turtle, Mr. T
This week’s episode of Duck Dynasty revealed Miss Kay Robertson lost her pet turtle, Mr. T

“Ain’t nothin’ smells worse than a dead turtle,” said Phil Robertson, shaking his head.

“Ol’ turtle-breath.”

As a gesture of love, Phil Robertson offered to go turtle hunting to find Miss Kay a new pet.

“There aren’t many things that can get me up and out of my chair, especially when I’m sharpening my knife,” explained Phil Robertson.

“And the last thing that I ever thought would get me out of my chair would be a turtle hunt.”

Miss Kay Robertson, however, had a sure-fire way to get Phil to fetch her a new turtle.

“If you want some lovin’ tonight, today is the day,” Miss Kay said resolutely.

“So is this one of them no honey on the biscuit maneuvers here?” Phil asked, somewhat helplessly.

“You got it, Jack,” smiled Miss Kay.

[youtube _tUaKsKdXTM]

Si Robertson gets into a fender bender with nephew Willie

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Si Robertson gets into a fender bender with nephew Willie

This week’s episode of Duck Dynasty showed Si Robertson feeling neglected by his family.

Uncle Si Robertson decided to draw some attention to himself by accidentally-on-purpose forcing his nephew Willie to bump into the front his truck in the Duck Commander parking lot.

“Hey, are you going to pay for this?” asked Si Robertson, pointing to the non-existent damage to his bumper.

Willie Robertson looked at dent-free bumper and shrugged: “Pay for what?”

“Look,” declared Si Robertson, wagging his finger.

“You’re going to pay for this. It’s probably going to run you $3,500.”

After a brief debate, Willie Robertson dismissed his uncle and got into his truck: “Yeah, whatever, Si.”

“You’ll be hearing from my lawyer,” warned Uncle Si.

Uncle Si Robertson decided to draw some attention to himself by accidentally-on-purpose forcing his nephew Willie to bump into the front his truck
Uncle Si Robertson decided to draw some attention to himself by accidentally-on-purpose forcing his nephew Willie to bump into the front his truck

The next day, John Godwin, Justin Martin, Jase Robertson and his brother Jep are inside Duck Commander HQ, debating the potential reproductive capabilities of mermaids. Willie Robertson arrived and learned that Si was at the doctor’s office.

“For what,” Willie asked dubiously.

“Is he sick?”

“Nah,” said Jase Robertson.

“After y’all had your wreck.”

Willie Robertson’s wife Korie came in the warehouse to announce that there was “a man outside and he said he’s here to deliver Si”.

“What is he, a pizza,” Willie cracked.

The crew went outside to see Si Robertson grandly exit out of a minivan and down a motorized ramp in his brand-new, bright blue mobility scooter.

“Si, get off that thing,” said Willie Robertson.

“I can’t,” replied Uncle Si.

“I got back damage – I’ve got residual nerve damage in my back. It compressed two or three vertebra back there – I likely broke my neck.”

Willie Robertson was not especially convinced of Si’s injuries.

“About once a year, Si comes up with some stupid excuse to miss work,” he explained.

“Last year, he was on crutches for two weeks before I finally broke down and made him employee of the month.”

Anti-Amazon bill approved in France

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Anti-Amazon bill approved in France

A bill to support independent bookstores against competition from online retailers has been approved in France.

The new laws will restrict companies like Amazon from combining offers of 5% discounts with free deliveries.

France’s 3,000 independent bookshops have complained that they can’t compete with the cut-price offers online.

The new laws will restrict companies like Amazon from combining offers of 5 percent discounts with free deliveries
The new laws will restrict companies like Amazon from combining offers of 5 percent discounts with free deliveries

The opposition right-wing party UMP proposed the bill, but it also has the support of the left.

It has been approved by the lower house and will now be sent to the Senate.

French Culture Minister Aurelie Filippetti has criticized Amazon’s practices in the past, particularly free deliveries or its policy of “tax optimization.”

Amazon insists the arrangement is legal under the European Union’s single market rules.

In June, Aurelie Filippetti said: “Today, everyone has had enough of Amazon, which, by dumping, slashes prices to get a foothold in markets only to raise them once they have established a virtual monopoly.”

France is known for being proud of its local stores, considering them essential to bring culture to small villages.

Silk Road: Bitcoin value drops after FBI shuts clandestine online marketplace

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Silk Road: Bitcoin value drops after FBI shuts clandestine online marketplace

Bitcoin value has dropped after the closure of the clandestine Silk Road online marketplace.

The FBI seized bitcoins worth approximately $3.6 million on Tuesday.

The price of a bitcoin, a virtual currency for use online, fell steeply after the arrest of suspected website administrator Ross Ulbricht.

Investor confidence may have been shaken by the association of bitcoins with illegal activity, according to a security expert.

“When there’s a big bust, that’s going to knock people’s confidence in investing,” said Rik Ferguson, a senior researcher at security company Trend Micro.

“The more a currency is associated with illegal activity, the more people will be nervous about using it,” he said.

Bitcoin value has dropped after the closure of the clandestine Silk Road online marketplace.
Bitcoin value has dropped after the closure of the clandestine Silk Road online marketplace.

Silk Road, which allowed users to trade in illegal drugs, required transactions to be made using the virtual currency.

News of the closure was followed by a rapid drop in the price of bitcoins, according to figures from the Mt. Gox bitcoin exchange.

The going rate for bitcoin dropped from more than $140 to around $110, before climbing back up to $123.

Investors may have been concerned about the FBI’s ability to confiscate bitcoins, said Rik Ferguson.

“Knowing that a currency could be seized or shut down could pressure people to look for alternative investment vehicles,” he said.

The FBI seized the virtual currency by getting hold of encryption keys for the bitcoins, according to Jerry Brito, George Mason University’s technology policy director.

The keys were made available through seized computer equipment, Jerry Brito said in a blog post.

The FBI then transferred the bitcoins to an address controlled by the US government, according to the seizure order.

[youtube XfeZQeVsjD4]

Mia Farrow’s son paternity: Woody Allen dismisses speculation that Frank Sinatra fathered son Ronan

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Mia Farrow’s son paternity: Woody Allen dismisses speculation that Frank Sinatra fathered son Ronan

Woody Allen’s spokesman dismissed as “absurd” speculation that the director may not be the father of Mia Farrow’s son Ronan.

The claims are “so fictitious and extravagantly absurd that he is not going to comment,” said his spokesman.

Mia Farrow’s admission to Vanity Fair that Ronan may “possibly” have been fathered by ex-husband Frank Sinatra has also been rubbished by the singer’s widow.

“It’s just a bunch of junk,” Barbara Sinatra told the Desert Sun newspaper.

“There’s always junk written – lies that aren’t true,” the 85-year-old said on Wednesday.

“It sounds like a phony to me.”

Ronan Farrow, 25, has made his own comment on the story, tweeting: “Listen, we’re all *possibly* Frank Sinatra’s son.”

Mia Farrow admitted to Vanity Fair that her son Ronan may "possibly" have been fathered by ex-husband Frank Sinatra
Mia Farrow admitted to Vanity Fair that her son Ronan may “possibly” have been fathered by ex-husband Frank Sinatra

Mia Farrow’s comments came in a lengthy article in Vanity Fair‘s November issue, which also contains quotes from eight of the actress’s children.

In excerpts released ahead of its publication, Mia Farrow claims she and Frank Sinatra “never really split up” following the end of their two-year marriage in 1968.

Mia Farrow subsequently married, and divorced, the composer Andre Previn, with whom she had three children and adopted three more.

The actress went on to have both a professional and personal relationship with Woody Allen, with whom she had Ronan – originally named Satchel – in 1987.

The revelation that Woody Allen was having a secret affair with Mia Farrow’s adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn caused the break-up of their 12-year relationship in 1992.

This led to a bitter custody battle in which Woody Allen was accused of molesting their adopted daughter Dylan, charges Allen denied and which have never been proved.

Dylan, who now goes under the name Malone, refers to the alleged molestation in the Vanity Fair article, claiming she had been “scared” and had “wanted it to stop”.

“I have never been asked to testify,” she is quoted as saying.

“If I could talk to the seven-year-old Dylan, I would tell her to be brave, to testify.”

The article offers further insights into how Mia Farrow and Woody Allen’s acrimonious break-up has impacted on their biological and adopted children.

Fletcher Previn, it is revealed, used Photoshop to remove Woody Allen from every family photo and edited him out of the Farrow’s home videos.

Speaking in 2005, Woody Allen confirmed he no longer had relationships with the three children from his relationship with Mia Farrow.

Ronan Farrow, now a human rights campaigner and journalist, is reportedly in talks to host his own show on US channel MSNBC.

[youtube TaCIzODdEbA]

Cory Monteith autopsy report reveals he died of drug and alcohol cocktail

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Cory Monteith autopsy report reveals he died of drug and alcohol cocktail

Cory Monteith died of a fatal cocktail of heroin and alcohol, the coroner’s report has revealed today.

The 31-year-old Glee star, who played Finn Hudson on the hit TV show, was found dead in a Vancouver hotel in July.

Investigators at the scene found drug paraphernalia, including “a spoon with drug residue and a used hypodermic needle, along with two empty champagne bottles and multiple glasses”.

Coroner Claire Thompson concluded that Cory Monteith’s death was “accidental”.

The final findings support the initial coroner’s report into the death of the Canadian actor on July 13.

At the time of his death, Cory Monteith had an alcohol level of 0.13 percent, with a “moderate” level of intoxication. The report also pointed to the presence of morphine, codeine and “6-monoacetylmorphine,” a by-product of heroin.

Cory Monteith died of a fatal cocktail of heroin and alcohol
Cory Monteith died of a fatal cocktail of heroin and alcohol

Hotel video footage showed the actor returning alone to his room in the early hours of July 13, marking the final time he was seen alive.

“He had checked in to the hotel on July 6 and had been expected to check out on the 13th,” the report stated.

“When he had not done so, hotel staff checked his room and found him unresponsive on the floor.”

The report concluded Cory Monteith had been dead for several hours: “Mr. Monteith was clearly deceased and resuscitation was not attempted.”

Cory Monteith, who had been in Glee since its inception in 2009, was admitted to rehab earlier this year having struggled with addiction since he was a teenager. The coroner’s report said the actor’s “periods of abstinence ranged from years to months in duration”.

The report found that Cory Monteith’s erratic drug use contributed to his death, adding that “after a period of cessation from opiod drug use, a previously tolerated drug concentration level may become toxic and fatal”.

Glee, which follows a group of American high school misfits who form a singing club, will pay tribute to Cory Monteith in a special episode to be broadcast next week.

“[The] third episode will deal with the Finn Hudson character being written out of the show,” Fox’s Kevin Reilly told reporters at a Television Critics Association meeting in August.

Glee – now in its fifth series – is known for its upbeat pop covers and cameo appearances by celebrities.

Cote de Pablo pregnant?

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Cote de Pablo pregnant?

New reports claimed that Cote de Pablo is pregnant after she was spotted with what appeared to be a baby bump.

Cote de Pablo, 33, was spotted this week with a prominent stomach during a night out with her long time partner, actor Diego Serrano.

On July 10, 2013, it was reported by CBS that Cote de Pablo will be leaving NCIS for undisclosed reasons
On July 10, 2013, it was reported by CBS that Cote de Pablo will be leaving NCIS for undisclosed reasons

On July 10, 2013, it was reported by CBS that Cote de Pablo will be leaving NCIS for undisclosed reasons, although she will remain on long enough to conclude her character Ziva David’s storyline at the beginning of season 11.

As a consequence of kickboxing during scenes, Cote de Pablo has been injured several times on the show, including injuring her neck and back.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s lawyers ask judge to lift overly harsh restrictions against him

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s lawyers ask judge to lift overly harsh restrictions against him

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s lawyers asked a judge Wednesday to lift restrictions placed on him in prison, arguing that the conditions are overly harsh, have left him nearly totally isolated and are impairing their ability to defend him.

Lawyers for Boston Marathon bombing suspect said in court documents that he has been confined to his cell except for visits from them and “very limited access” to a small outdoor enclosure.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 20, is accused of building and planting bombs near the finish line of the April 15 marathon, killing three people and injuring more than 260. Authorities say he and his older brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, ethnic Chechens from Russia who emigrated to the US as children, planned and carried out the attack to retaliate against the US for its involvement in Muslim countries.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s lawyers said in court documents that he has been confined to his cell except for visits from them and "very limited access" to a small outdoor enclosure
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s lawyers said in court documents that he has been confined to his cell except for visits from them and “very limited access” to a small outdoor enclosure

Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed four days after the Boston Marathon attack following a gun battle with police. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was found wounded and hiding in a boat in a backyard in Watertown. Authorities said he had scrawled anti-American messages on the inside of the boat, including “The US government is killing our innocent civilians” and “We Muslims are one body, you hurt one you hurt us all”.

In their motion, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s lawyers said “Special Administrative Measures” (SAM’s) were imposed on their client beginning in August, at the request of US attorney Carmen Ortiz and the approval of US attorney general Eric Holder.

“SAMs” are used in terrorism cases and other high-profile cases when authorities allege there is “substantial risk” that a defendant’s communications or contacts with people “could result in death or serious bodily injury” to others. The special restrictions were placed on shoe-bomb suspect Richard Reid, “American Taliban” John Walker Lindh and other terror suspects.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s lawyers say prosecutors have presented no evidence that the special restrictions are needed in Tsarnaev’s case.

“The government has not alleged that Mr. Tsarnaev has done or said anything since his arrest to commit violence, incite violence, or engage in communications that pose a security threat,” his lawyers argued in the filing.

They also said the special measures limit Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s interaction with people who are helping the defense and restrict the communications and other activities of the defense team.

Costa Concordia salvage: Divers find more human remains near wreck

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Costa Concordia salvage: Divers find more human remains near wreck

Italian officials have revealed that divers scouring the site of the Costa Concordia wreck off the coast of Italy have recovered what could be more human remains.

It comes days after Italy’s civil protection agency said it had found remains that could belong to the last two missing victims of the disaster.

All the remains have been sent for DNA testing.

The cruise ship ran aground and partially sank off Giglio island last year with the loss of 32 lives.

Divers scouring the site of the Costa Concordia wreck off the coast of Italy have recovered what could be more human remains
Divers scouring the site of the Costa Concordia wreck off the coast of Italy have recovered what could be more human remains

It was raised upright last month in a major salvage operation.

“Other remains have also been found and are currently undergoing DNA tests,” the agency’s chief Franco Gabrielli told reporters on Wednesday.

“We are waiting for the results of the analysis,” he added.

Costa Concordia’s captain, Francesco Schettino, is on trial over the disaster.

Francesco Schettino is accused of manslaughter, causing the shipwreck and abandoning ship, but says he is being made a scapegoat for the errors of others.

Two people were reported missing, presumed dead, after the disaster – Indian waiter Russel Rebello and Italian passenger Maria Grazia Trecarichi.

It was thought they had been trapped beneath the ship and the rocks, correspondents say.

[youtube jNjzHFd88VU]

Migrants boat sinks off near Lampedusa killing 50 people

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Migrants boat sinks off near Lampedusa killing 50 people

At least 50 people have died after a boat carrying migrants sank off near Lampedusa, southern Italy, reports say.

Rescue operations are continuing and officials warn the toll may rise.

At least 50 people have died after a boat carrying migrants sank off near Lampedusa, southern Italy
At least 50 people have died after a boat carrying migrants sank off near Lampedusa, southern Italy

Passengers reportedly threw themselves into the sea as the vessel got into trouble and Italian officials were quoted as saying that dozens of people were still in the water.

There are reports that a fire broke out on board, before the boat sank.

Local media reports say that at least one child and a pregnant woman are among the dead.

Earlier this week, 13 migrants drowned while trying to reach the coast of Sicily.

Barack Obama warns of US default danger amid government shutdown

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
Barack Obama warns of US default danger amid government shutdown

President Barack Obama has warned that Wall Street should be concerned that a conservative faction of Republicans is willing to allow the country to default on its debt.

The US government has begun a partial shutdown after Congress failed to agree a budget and will run out of cash on October 17 unless its debt ceiling is raised.

In a TV interview on Wednesday, Barack Obama said he was “exasperated”.

The president later held talks with Congressional leaders that ended without agreement.

The US government closed non-essential operations on Tuesday after Congress failed to strike a deal on a new budget.

Republicans and Democrats are blaming each other for the impasse.

The shutdown has left more than 700,000 employees on unpaid leave and closed national parks, tourist sites, government websites, office buildings, and more.

However, as one budget crisis raged in Washington DC, another one – potentially more dangerous – loomed in the coming weeks.

On October 17, the US government will run out of cash to pay its bills unless the debt ceiling is raised.

President Barack Obama has warned that Wall Street should be concerned that a conservative faction of Republicans is willing to allow the country to default on its debt
President Barack Obama has warned that Wall Street should be concerned that a conservative faction of Republicans is willing to allow the country to default on its debt

On both issues, the Republicans who control the House of Representatives have demanded concessions from Barack Obama and his fellow Democrats in return for funding the government’s continued operation and for raising the debt ceiling.

Chiefly, the Republicans demand the repeal, delay or defunding of a healthcare reform law – dubbed Obamacare – passed by the Democrats in 2010.

Major portions of that law, which was subsequently validated by the US Supreme Court and was a major issue in the 2012 presidential election, took effect on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Barack Obama met the heads of some of Wall Street’s biggest banks – including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Bank of America – to discuss the debt ceiling and other economic issues.

The bankers are members of the Financial Services Forum, a lobby group which has, along with 250 other businesses, sent a letter to Congress urging it to raise the debt limit.

Following the meeting, Barack Obama told CNBC “it’s important for them to recognize that this is going to have a profound impact on our economy and their bottom lines”.

Barack Obama also said he was unwilling to negotiate “with the extremist wing of one party” as the October 17 deadline neared.

“The message I have for the [Congressional] leaders is, as soon as we get a clean piece of legislation that reopens the government… until we get that done, until we make sure that Congress allows [the Department of the Treasury] to pay for things that Congress itself already authorized, we are not going to engage in a series of negotiations,” he said.

As foreign markets anxiously monitored the US budget crisis, European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi warned that a protracted shutdown was “a risk not only for the US, but also the world economy”.

On Wednesday evening Barack Obama met Republican House Speaker John Boehner, as well as Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi at the White House.

John Boehner later left the talks complaining that the Democrats would not negotiate.

“All we’re asking for here is a discussion and fairness for the American people under Obamacare,” he told reporters.

Nancy Pelosi, however, accused the Republicans of “moving the goalposts” on the budget deal.

Harry Reid said Democrats were “locked in tight on Obamacare” and neither the president nor Democrats in Congress would accept changes to the law as the price for a deal on reopening the government.

Analysts say John Boehner could end the current government showdown by allowing the House to vote on a “clean” budget bill that does not alter the health law, because that could pass with a coalition of Democrats and moderate Republicans.

But doing so would risk his standing with the most conservative elements of his caucus.

Earlier on Wednesday, senior US intelligence officials warned the shutdown of the government seriously damaged the ability of spy agencies to protect the US.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told a Senate panel that an estimated 70% of intelligence workers had been placed on unpaid leave.

Also on Wednesday, the White House announced Barack Obama would cut short a planned four-nation tour of Asia next week.

The president will attend regional summits in Indonesia and Brunei, but skip Malaysia and the Philippines due to the government shutdown.

The US government ceased operations deemed non-essential at midnight on Tuesday, when the previous budget expired.

[youtube f8lIuin01GE]

Gambia leaves Commonwealth after 48 years

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Gambia leaves Commonwealth after 48 years

The Republic of the Gambia has decided to withdraw from the Commonwealth, 48 years after joining.

The West African nation branded the 54-member grouping, which includes the UK and most of its former colonies, a “neo-colonial institution”.

The withdrawal was announced on state TV but no other reasons were given.

Two years ago President Yahya Jammeh accused the UK of backing his political opposition ahead of elections. The UK said it would “very much regret” The Gambia leaving the Commonwealth.

There is a history of tension between President Yahya Jammeh, who came to power in a 1994 coup, and the UK.

Earlier this year, a Foreign Office report singled out The Gambia for its human rights record, citing cases of unlawful detentions, illegal closures of newspapers and discrimination against minority groups.

In August 2012, The Gambia was criticized by Amnesty International and others for executing nine prisoners by firing squad.

Two years ago President Yahya Jammeh accused the UK of backing his political opposition ahead of elections
Two years ago President Yahya Jammeh accused the UK of backing his political opposition ahead of elections

The Commonwealth was founded in 1931 but acquired its modern shape after 1949 as former British colonies and protectorates, including The Gambia, started to achieve self-government and varying degrees of independence.

The grouping dropped the word British from its name and the allegiance to the crown from its statute and other independent nations joined.

In its statement, the Gambian government said it had “withdrawn its membership of the British Commonwealth”.

It said it had “decided that The Gambia will never be a member of any neo-colonial institution and will never be a party to any institution that represents an extension of colonialism”.

The last time a nation left the Commonwealth was in 2003, when Zimbabwe withdrew.

The UK’s Foreign Office said: “Decisions on Commonwealth membership are a matter for each member government. We would very much regret Gambia, or any other country, deciding to leave the Commonwealth.”

Queen Elizabeth II, who is 87, is the head of the Commonwealth, which holds its next heads of government meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka, next month.

However, the gathering will be the first that the Queen has not attended.

The Queen is sending her son, the Prince of Wales instead, with Buckingham Palace saying she is making fewer overseas trips because of her age.

Michael Jackson civil trial: AEG Live not guilty for hiring Dr. Conrad Murray

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Michael Jackson civil trial: AEG Live not guilty for hiring Dr. Conrad Murray

Michael Jackson’s family has lost the negligence case against concert promoters AEG Live over the death of the pop star.

A jury concluded Dr. Conrad Murray, who was looking after Michael Jackson ahead of his concert tour was not unfit for his job – and so AEG had not been negligent in hiring him.

Michael Jackson died in 2009 at the age of 50 after taking an overdose of a surgical anaesthetic.

Dr. Conrad Murray was jailed for four years for involuntary manslaughter for administering the drug.

To reach its verdict, the jury of six men and six women had to go through five key yes-no questions seeking to establish whether AEG was responsible for Conrad Murray’s hiring in the first place and concerning his competence for the job.

The jury decided that AEG Live did hire Conrad Murray but found that he was not unfit or incompetent for the job.

Delivering the verdict, jury foreman Gregg Barden said: “That doesn’t mean we felt he was ethical.”

The ruling was welcomed by AEG Live, who argued that they hired Conrad Murray at the request of Michael Jackson and had no knowledge of the star’s drug dependency.

“I counted Michael Jackson a creative partner and a friend,” said AEG Live executive Randy Phillips, who had testified at the trial.

Michael Jackson’s family has lost the negligence case against concert promoters AEG Live over the death of the pop star
Michael Jackson’s family has lost the negligence case against concert promoters AEG Live over the death of the pop star

“We lost one of the world’s greatest musical geniuses, but I am relieved and deeply grateful that the jury recognized that neither I, nor anyone else at AEG Live, played any part in Michael’s tragic death.”

Michael Jackson’s 83-year-old mother Katherine was in court for the verdict, and appeared emotional as it was read out, Reuters news agency reports.

Katherine Jackson’s lawyer, Kevin Boyle, said the family was “of course… not happy with the result as it stands now. We will be exploring all options legally and factually and make a decision about anything at a later time.”

In closing arguments, the Jackson lawyers had suggested the damages they were seeking could exceed $1 billion – amounts AEG Live had described as “absurd”.

Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, at his rented home in Los Angeles where he was rehearsing for a series of worldwide This Is It concerts.

It was billed as his comeback tour, coming four years after he had been acquitted in a high-profile child molestation case that took a toll on his reputation and his finances.

The five-month civil case heard about his battles with chronic pain and insomnia and a reliance on powerful painkillers.

Michael Jackson died after Dr. Conrad Murray administered an overdose of the hospital anaesthetic propofol to help him sleep.

Katherine Jackson and Michael’s three children had argued that AEG Live were negligent in failing to properly investigate Conrad Murray before hiring him and ignoring signs that the singer was in poor health.

The concert promoters said only Michael Jackson and Conrad Murray knew he was taking the drug and they would have pulled the plug on the tour if they had known.

More than 50 witnesses testified during the trial, including Katherine Jackson and Michael’s eldest son, Prince.

Dr. Conrad Murray is due to be released later this month after serving two years in jail.

[youtube aUvobzkrZL0]

1...735736737...1,242Page 736 of 1,242