Alt-rock musician Jason Molina, known for his work with Magnolia Electric Co and Songs:Ohia, has died aged 39, from organ failure owing to alcohol consumption.
A prolific and respected cornerstone of US alt-rock for nearly two decades, Jason Molina had been suffering health problems for some time.
In 2011 the musician’s family had appealed to fans for contributions towards his treatment, in the wake of him cancelling tours.
In May 2012, Jason Molina told fans: “Treatment is good, getting to deal with a lot of things that even the music didn’t want to. I have not given up because you, my friends, have not given up on me. I do still need your support however that takes shape, good vibes are worth more than you might think.”
Jason Molina was best known for his work fronting the bands Songs:Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co, with whom he recorded a total of 15 studio albums between 1997 and 2009, in addition to three under his own name and one with Will Johnson. His most recent album was 2012’s solo album Autumn Bird Songs.
Jason Molina has died aged 39, from organ failure owing to alcohol consumption
Jason Molina was closely associated with the label Secretly Canadian, which has become an indie powerhouse recently thanks to the success of Bon Iver.The label paid tribute: “Jason is the cornerstone of Secretly Canadian. Without him there would be no us – plain and simple. His singular, stirring body of work is the foundation upon which all else has been constructed. After hearing and falling in love with the mysterious voice on his debut single Soul in early 1996, we approached him about releasing a single on our newly formed label. For some reason he said yes. We drove from Indiana to New York to meet him in person and he handed us what would become the first of many JMo master tapes. And with the Songs:Ohia One Pronunciation of Glory 7in we were given a voice as a label.”
Steve Albini, who worked several times as producer with Jason Molina, also paid tribute: “I loved hearing Jason Molina sing. He was a genius at turning a phrase and making it into something more than the words in it. Jason was almost supernaturally prolific, and several times I watched him write an album’s worth of songs in a weekend, recording them on the spot. Much of his recorded output with Magnolia Electric Co is the evidence of him and the band playing his songs for the very first time. It’s amazing, really, that it was any good at all, much less so touching and fully realized. Jason was a unique talent and I will miss him. My heart goes out to all his friends and family, all of you I’ve met have been good people who did well by Jason.”
Japanese architect Toyo Ito will receive 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize, a prestigious award, known throughout the world as architecture’s highest honor, often compared to Nobel Prize.
The formal ceremony will take place at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts on Wednesday, May 29. The location was designed by another Pritzker Laureate, Ieoh Ming Pei who received the prize in 1983.
“We are particularly pleased to be holding our ceremony at the Kennedy Library, and it is even more significant because the date is John F. Kennedy’s birthday,” said Thomas J. Pritzker, chairman of The Hyatt Foundation which sponsors the prize.
“Creating outstanding architecture for more than 40 years, he has successfully undertaken libraries, houses, parks, theaters, shops, office buildings and pavilions, each time seeking to extend the possibilities of architecture,” said Pritzker Prize jury chairman, The Lord Palumbo, quoting from the jury citation that focuses on the reasons for this year’s choice.
“Architecture is bound by various social constraints. I have been designing architecture bearing in mind that it would be possible to realize more comfortable spaces if we are freed from all the restrictions even for a little bit. However, when one building is completed, I become painfully aware of my own inadequacy, and it turns into energy to challenge the next project. Probably this process must keep repeating itself in the future.
“Therefore, I will never fix my architectural style and never be satisfied with my works,” said Toyo Ito after winning the prize.
Tower of Winds by Toyo Ito, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, Japan, 1986 Photo by Tomio Ohashi
Toyo Ito, 71, has tried to develop in architecture lightness that resembles air and wind.
One of his first projects in 1971 was a home in a suburb of Tokyo. Called “Aluminum House,” the structure consisted of wooden frame completely covered in aluminum. The house “White U”, created in 1976 for his sister, generated a great deal of interest in his works.
Sendai Mediatheque, completed in 2001 in Sendai City, Miyagi, Japan, the library that survived a catastrophic earthquake in 2011, is considered one of the high points of his career.
Sendai Mediatheque by Toyo Ito Sendai-shi, Miyagi, Japan, 2000 Photo by Tomio Ohashi
“The Mediatheque differs from conventional public buildings in many ways. While the building principally functions as a library and art gallery, the administration has actively worked to relax divisions between diverse programs, removing fixed barriers between various media to progressively evoke an image of how cultural facilities should be from now on,” Toyo Ito said in the Phaidon book, Toyo Ito.
At TOD’S Omotesando building in Tokyo, “the building skin also serves as structure,” according to the jury. Citing the Municipal Funeral Hall in Gifu Prefecture, Tokyo’s Tama Art University Library, and London’s 2002 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, the jury calls attention to some “of his many inspiring spaces.”
Toyo Ito has received numerous international awards.
Ito became an architect of international importance during the early-2000s leading projects throughout Asia, Europe, North America and South America. Ito designed the Main Stadium for the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung and the under-construction Taichung Metropolitan Opera House, both in Taiwan. In Europe, Ito and his firm renovated the façade of the Suites Avenue Apartments with striking stainless steel waves and, in 2002, designed the celebrated temporary Serpentine Pavilion Gallery in London’s Hyde Park.
Main Stadium for The World Games 2009, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2009 Photo by Fu Tsu Construction Co., Ltd.
In 2010 he won the 22nd Praemium Imperiale in Honor of Prince Takamatsu; in 2006, The Royal Institute of British Architects’ Royal Gold Medal; in 2002, the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement for 8th Venice Biennale International Exhibition. Calling him a “creator of timeless buildings,” the Pritzker Jury cites Ito for “infusing his designs with a spiritual dimension and for the poetics that transcend all his works.”
His sense of social responsibility was appreciated by the Pritzker Jury who cited his work on “Home-for-All.”
The earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011, spurred Ito and a group of other Japanese architects to develop the concept of “Home-for-All” communal space for survivors.
“The relief centers offer no privacy and scarcely enough room to stretch out and sleep, while the hastily tacked up temporary housing units are little more than rows of empty shells: grim living conditions either way. An architect is someone who can make such spaces for meager meals show a little more humanity, make them a little more beautiful, a little more comfortable,” said Ito in Toyo Ito – Forces of Nature published by Princeton Architectural Press.
Ito never dreamed he would become an architect—his passion was baseball.
Toyo Ito was born on June 1, 1941 in Keijo (Seoul), Korea (Japanese). It was while attending the University of Tokyo that architecture became his main interest. For his undergraduate diploma design, he submitted a proposal for the reconstruction of Ueno Park, which won the top prize of the University of Tokyo.
Toyo Ito began working in the firm of Kiyonori Kikutake & Associates after he graduated from Tokyo University’s Department of Architecture in 1965. By 1971, he was ready to start his own studio in Tokyo, and named it Urban Robot (Urbot). In 1979, he changed the name to Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects.
Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture, Imabari-shi, Ehime, Japan, 2011 Photo by Daici Ano.
Recently, Toyo Ito has designed a museum of architecture that bears his name on the small island of Omishima in the Seto Inland Sea. The museum opened in 2011 and showcases his past projects as well as serving as a workshop for young architects. Two buildings comprise the complex, the main building “Steel Hut” and the nearby “Silver Hut,” which is a recreation of the architect’s former home in Tokyo, built in 1984.
Silver Hut (house) by Toyo Ito, Nakano-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 1984 Photo by Tomio Ohashi
Pritzker Architecture Prize was founded in 1979 by the late Jay A. Pritzker and his wife, Cindy. The award honors annually “a living architect whose built work demonstrates a combination of those qualities of talent, vision and commitment, which has produced consistent and significant contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture.” The laureates receive a $100,000 grant and a bronze medallion.
Toyo Ito is the sixth Japanese architect to become a Pritzker Laureate — the first five being the late Kenzo Tange in 1987, Fumihiko Maki in 1993, Tadao Ando in 1995, and the team of Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa in 2010.
Lindsay Lohan’s father made it clear he’s not a fan of Mark Heller, his daughter’s attorney, before the star arrived for her Monday hearing in Los Angeles.
Objecting to Mark Heller’s presence in the middle of the hearing, Michael Lohan asked him: “Why are you still up there?!”
The 52-year-old celebrity father then launched a vitriolic attack on Mark Heller as he left the courthouse.
Michael Lohan held his own press conference after the proceedings.
But as Mark Heller walked by he was compelled to stop what he was doing and lunged at the lawyer, accusing him of using Lindsay Lohan for publicity.
“This guy is trying to cash in on my daughter’s notoriety for his own professional interests!” Michael Lohan fumed.
Michael Lohan also accused Mark Heller of owing him money and made further claims he isn’t licensed to practice law in New York.
Mark Heller walked by, bowing his head, and did not appear to engage with the patriarch.
The scene unfolded shortly after Lindsay Lohan pleaded no contest Monday to reckless driving, lying to police and obstructing officers who were investigating a car accident involving the actress in Santa Monica last June.
Lindsay Lohan’s father made it clear he’s not a fan of his daughter’s attorney, before she arrived for her hearing in Los Angeles
Lindsay Lohan was on probation when her sports car crashed on Pacific Coast Highway while on her way to a film shoot.As part of her plea deal with prosecutors, the actress will be required to attend 90 days in a locked rehab facility, perform 30 days of community labor and commit to 18 months of psychological therapy.
The deal followed over two hours of talks behind closed doors in the judge’s chambers between Lindsay Lohan’s legal team and prosecutors.
A mandatory sentence of five days in jail will be included in Lindsay Lohan’s rehab stay, which she will be able to complete in her native New York.
The trouble star was also found in violation of her probation in a 2011 necklace theft and sentenced to 180 days in jail. However, she will be able to avoid jail time if she complies with the conditions of her plea deal
Lindsay Lohan was also ordered not to have any contact with drug users and must submit to regular drug testing.
Michael Lohan was present throughout the proceedings, having secured local criminal attorney David Wohl of Wallin & Klarich as alternate counsel for his daughter should she approve a change in her legal team.
“@lindsaylohan My law firm was hired by your Dad. He wants nothing but the best for you. We will be there Monday to help, if we’re allowed,” David Wohl tweeted on Friday.
Mark Heller had drawn fire from a judge who questioned his knowledge of California law during a pre-trial hearing but Lindsay Lohan did not appear to have signed David Wohl on as his adviser.
Mark Heller has meanwhile been accused witness tampering amid claims he tried to coerce Lindsay Lohan’s assistant, Gavin Doyle, into saying he was behind the wheel during Lindsay’s June car crash.
According toTMZ, the Santa Monica City Attorney “will be launching an investigation and will interview Lohan’s ex-assistant Gavin Doyle tomorrow in the presence of police”.
Mark Heller has denied the accusations.
Michael Lohan’s tirade was only the latest act in a media circus on Monday, after Lindsay arrived 48 minutes late to the hearing.
Beyoncé released a recording entitled Bow Down / I Been On, along with a picture of herself as a child with a room full of trophies behind her.
Beyoncé, 31, posted a snippet of her new music to her website.
And the lyrics include the lines: “I know when you were little girls you dreamt of being in my world. Don’t forget it. Respect that. Bow Down b******.”
The 3 minute 34 second clip also includes: “I took my time to live my life but don’t think I’m just his little wife. Don’t get it twisted this is my sh*t.”
The music is actually sections from two different songs, Bow Down is said to have been produced by Hit-Boy and Beyoncé is said to have worked with Timbaland on I Been On.
While the braggadocios new track addresses her absence from the music industry and asserts her authority as Queen Bee of the charts, the content of the music is already causing controversy and dividing fans – and her fellow musicians.
Keyshia Cole unleashed a Twitter tirade against Beyoncé: “Can’t stand when people all self righteous when it’s convenient it makes them look good. Lmao! But can still talk s*** when convenient 2 FOH.”
After apparently receiving a backlash from Beyonce’s fans, Keyshia Cole added: “I done kept it real from the start! #RespectTHAT.”
And the R&B star was far from finished. She went on: “First <<Women need to Stick together>> now b****** better Bow. Smh. But it’s all G! Chicks stay shooting the s***. But when I speak my mind its a prob. #Well #StayMad.”
Beyoncé released new track Bow Down, along with a picture of herself as a child
Bow Down lyrics“I know when you were little girls You dreamt of being in my world Don’t forget it, don’t forget it Respect that, bow down b****** I took some time to live my life But don’t think I’m just his little wife Don’t get it twisted, get it twisted This my shit, bow down b******”
“Bow down b******, bow bow down b****** Bow down b******, bow bow down b******”
Seven US Marines have been killed and several others injured after a mortar shell exploded unexpectedly during a training accident the Hawthorne Army Depot in Nevada.
A Marine Corps official said the blast occurred on Monday night.
At least eight men are in hospital, three in a serious condition and five in a stable condition.
It is not clear if the mortar exploded prematurely in its firing tube or if more than a single round exploded.
The US Marines Corps has banned use of 60 mm mortars, which normally need three to four troops to operate, until an investigation can establish what caused the incident.
Those caught in the Monday blast at 22:00 local time were members of the 2nd Marine Division.
Seven US Marines have been killed and several others injured after a mortar shell exploded unexpectedly during a training accident the Hawthorne Army Depot in Nevada
Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno said it had received nine patients, one of whom died.All the patients were men under the age of 30, who suffered penetrating trauma, fracture and vascular injuries, said Stacy Kendall, a spokeswoman for the facility.
Marine commander Maj. Gen Raymond Fox said in a news release: “We send our prayers and condolences to the families of Marines involved in this tragic incident.
“We remain focused on ensuring that they are supported through this difficult time.
“We mourn their loss, and it is with heavy hearts we remember their courage and sacrifice.”
Pope Francis I inauguration Mass is being held in St Peter’s Square in Rome, marking the official start of his papacy.
Pope Francis first toured the square in an open-topped vehicle, descending to bless pilgrims behind the barriers.
Up to a million people, along with global political and religious leaders, are attending the Mass.
Pope Francis was elected by a conclave of cardinals last week to take over from Benedict XVI.
Pope Benedict XVI became the first pontiff in 600 years to abdicate last month. Citing his age, 85, he said he could no longer continue in the post.
The first pontiff from the Americas, Francis has suggested he will take a more modest approach than predecessors.
Pope Francis, formerly Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, left his temporary residence at Casa Santa Marta shortly before 09:00 and began touring St Peter’s Square.
The pontiff waved to the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, who flew flags and shouted: “Long live the Pope!”
Pope Francis I inauguration Mass is being held in St Peter’s Square in Rome, marking the official start of his papacy
Pope Francis then entered St Peter’s Basilica and donned his vestments.One of the Pope’s first duties was to go down to the tomb of St Peter to venerate it.
Pope Francis was then presented with his papal pallium made of lambs’ wool – symbolizing his role as shepherd of his flock – in the main square.
He also received the “fisherman’s ring” bearing the image of St Peter holding two keys. The ring is second hand and is made of silver-plated gold, not the solid gold worn by Francis’ predecessor.
With the reception of the pallium and ring, Francis officially began his office as the 266th pope.
The Pope then received the obedience of the cardinals, and the Mass formally began.
Pope Francis then delivered his homily, in Italian.
It began by focusing on Joseph and his role as protector – of Mary, Jesus and the Church.
Selena Gomez has finally revealed some details of her recent split from Justin Bieber.
Selena Gomez, 20, tried to remain graceful and modest as she did an interview on the Late Show With David Letterman on Monday, however couldn’t help but made a slight jab at Justin Bieber.
David Letterman told Selena Gomez: “Last time you were here, you were with a Justin Bieber. That’s not going on now.”
Selena Gomez was very clear about stating they were no longer an item, replying: “No, I’m single. I’m so good.”
When David Letterman went on to explain that he got himself into a spot of trouble with Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez took the opportunity to bond over her own spat with him.
David Letterman said: “Now, the last time he was on, he and I got into a conversation and he said something and I said something, and then he said something and I said something, and I made him cry.”
It led Selena Gomez – who also divulged that she was not dating anyone yet – to quip: “Well then, that makes two of us.”
Selena Gomez tried to remain graceful and modest as she did an interview on the Late Show With David Letterman on Monday, however couldn’t help but made a slight jab at Justin Bieber
The young actress has become quite the fashion darling of late as she promotes her new movie Spring Breakers, gracing the red-carpet in an array of chic ensembles.The former Disney star raised hemlines to show off her impressive pins in a very short sequin and lace black mini dress.
Selena Gomez kept things chic by pairing the attire with a long tuxedo style jacket featuring leopard print lining and a pair of simple satin black stilettos.
June Shannon, Honey Boo Boo’s mother, showed off her 100 lb weight-loss at the GLAAD Media Awards on Saturday night.
June Shannon, 33, arrived at the New York event wearing a figure-flattering black dress, topped with sparkling diamante jewelry.
The reality star completed the svelte and sleek red carpet look with subtle make-up, manicured nails and blonde, curly hair.
Last month, June Shannon revealed that she had lost more than 100 lbs over the past two years as a result of her hectic TV schedule.
She said that she tipped the scales at 365 lbs before she started filming her TLC series Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and at the beginning of this year she weighed a lighter 263 lbs.
Detailing her weight-loss secrets June Shannon told TMZ: “With the show I’ve been more active. They have me running around and going different places… I guess it’s paying off.
“I haven’t done any surgeries… no diet pills… never went to the gym.”
June Shannon showed off her 100 lb weight-loss at the GLAAD Media Awards
June Shannon certainly hasn’t changed her eating habits.On her show Mama June is regularly seen tucking into giant plates of food, with her favorite family dish being Sketti – a saucy combination of spaghetti, ketchup and butter.
A recent episode of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo also showed how June Shannon’s Thanksgiving menu featured 15 cans of vegetables, 12 cans of cranberry sauce and a large turkey coated with a gallon of butter.
“Just like all my other recipes, butter and sugar makes everything taste better,” Mama June exclaimed as she prepared the gut-busting feast.
However, recently June Shannon has been trying to shake up her appearance.
While she had greying curls pulled back off her face in previous episodes, June Shannon appeared on screen in January with a new shoulder-length blonde hairdo.
Bare faced Lara Stone looks as if she has taken the day off in a new campaign for CK One Colour campaign.
Model Lara Stone, who is expecting a baby with her comedian husband David Walliams, looks fresh-faced and glowingly natural in the images, released to promote CK One Colour’s new 3-in-1 foundation.
The foundation is a hybrid serum, color and primer combination, which delivers fresh, flawless skin, as demonstrated by Lara Stone.
Calvin Klein brand is famous for its pared down style and the beauty spin off is no exception, with plenty of chic wearable shades on offer but nothing too outrageous.
Lara Stone has a wrap around deal with Calvin Klein, which prevents her from posing for anyone else.
Her most recent CK campaigns include one for men’s cologne, Encounter, which saw her lock lips with Swedish actor, Alexander Skarsgård.
Lara Stone looks fresh-faced and glowingly natural in the images, released to promote CK One Colour’s new 3-in-1 foundation
Turkish homeless man identified as “Ziya T” has confessed to fatally bludgeoning Staten Island mother Sarai Sierra in Istanbul.
The man has said his victim fought for her life for approximately 30 minutes before she went limp and he fled the scene.
Ziya T, a trash collector who lives in Istanbul was detained by police as he tried to flee across the border to Syria, after spending weeks on the run following the discovery of 33-year-old Sarai Sierra’s body, on February 2nd.
He told police he was drunk and high on paint thinner when he stumbled on Sarai Sierra, who was walking by Istanbul’s ancient city walls, according to the Hurriyet Daily News.
Zyia T said he tried to kiss Sarai Sierra and she resisted, hitting him with her cell phone as he dragged her into an alcove where they fought for about a half hour, police said.
In the midst of the struggle, he began hitting the woman with a rock until her body went limp. He then fled from the scene, leaving Sarai Sierra in only her underwear and a shirt.
But the next day, Ziya returned to the scene to cover Sarai Sierra’s body with two blankets before stealing her iPad and phone. He told police he later threw the belongings into the ocean.
“I got thinner, the woman was passing by there. I hit the woman’s head with a stick. When I woke up in the morning, I realized the blood of the woman and I understood she was dead. I went to Karabük and passed to Syria,” admitted Ziya T reported the Turkish news website, TimeTurk.com.
The Hurriyet Daily News reported that Ziya T has been taken into custody, and is in the process of being flown to Istanbul, where he will face formal charges in Sarai Sierra’s death.
Clad in camouflage pants and a navy blue zip-up jacket, Ziya was led out of a building and into a police vehicle by officers.
He does not speak English and gave his alleged confession in Turkish.
The amn also admitted that he lingered in the area after killing Sarai Sierra, and only fled after her body was discovered.
“On the 9th, on the 10th day, I had to run away to Syria when the Police found her dead body. Now I got captured. And today I’ll be handed over to Turkey,” he said in the video, translated from Turkish.
Police identified the suspect after inspecting thousands of security camera videos and conducting a “series of tests”.
Turkish homeless Ziya T has confessed to fatally bludgeoning Staten Island mother Sarai Sierra in Istanbul
Ziya was a scrap paper collector who used to hang around Istanbul’s ancient city walls, where Sarai Sierra’s body was found.Authorities said Sarai Sierra, who traveled to Turkey to explore her photography hobby, died after she was struck in the head with a brick.
Ziya had gone on the run after he learned that police were looking to pin the murder on him.
Last month, it was reported that Ziya allegedly said to his friend Zafer Ozden: “I ran, because Sarai Sierra’s murder in Istanbul will be put on me.”
Zafer Ozden told Turkish media: “He had a bag, and he left. He told me that Istanbul police told him: <<Ziya, leave this area, a murder has happened, and it will be put on you>>.”
Ziya also said he would go to Syria or Iran because paint-thinner addicts who were in the area at the time of the murder would put the blame on him.
Zafer Ozden said he does not believe his friend is capable of murder: “Normally, he’s not the killing type. I’ve known him since childhood. I don’t know what happens to people who sniff glue or paint thinner and how they lose themselves.
“Forget killing a person, he can’t even cut a chicken. Ziya was the same as always. There was nothing odd about him. We only know he went to prison for petty crimes in the winter because he doesn’t have a place to stay.”
Turkish police said that after studying footage from more than 500 cameras in the area, they were able to track Ziya in 16 different locations on January 24, the same day Sarai Sierra was murdered.
They said Ziya is pictured carrying Sarai Sierra’s brown leather jacket to a second-hand bazaar and selling it before fleeing Istanbul.
In addition, it had been reported that DNA samples taken from the suspect’s relative’s home matched that was taken from under Sarai Sierra’s nails and some blood on her T-shirt.
The woman’s husband, Steven Sierra, 40, says he has not been notified about the suspect’s capture from Turkish or American authorities, and it has done little to put his mind at ease.
Steven Sierra told the New York Daily News: “Whoever is being detained at the moment, we don’t even know if this person is indeed responsible.”
It led them to determine that [Ziya] was the man responsible for the brutal death of the young mother.
He has not been seen since he stayed with his sister and brother-in-law – who called him “unbalanced” – for three days after Sarai Sierra was murdered.
The Hatay province has tens of thousands of Syrian refugees, and police are now monitoring both refugee camps as well Turkish checkpoints on the Syrian border.
Two witnesses also told police they saw Ziya T on the day Sarai Sierra was killed and that he had scratches on his arms.
The US is flying nuclear-capable B-52 bombers over South Korea, in what it says is a response to escalating North Korean rhetoric.
US officials said the B-52 flights demonstrated “extended deterrence capabilities” amid rising tension on the peninsula.
B-52, which can also carry conventional weapons, flew on March 8, with another mission set for Tuesday.
Regional tension remains high following North’s third nuclear test last month.
This is not the first time that B-52 bombers have been used as part of regular military drills between the US and South Korea.
“We’re drawing attention to the fact that we have extended deterrence capabilities that we believe are important to demonstrate in the wake of recent North Korean rhetoric,” Pentagon press secretary George Little said.
“As North Korea threatened to attack South Korea with nuclear weapons, the exercise involving B-52s is meaningful, as it shows US commitment to provide its nuclear umbrella on the Korean peninsula,” said Kim Min-seok, spokesman for South Korea’s Defence Ministry.
US Deputy Defence Secretary Ashton Carter affirmed this commitment on Monday during a visit to Seoul.
The US last week also announced plans to boost its own missile defences in the face of a growing threat from North Korea, a move over which both China and Russia have expressed concern.
The US is flying nuclear-capable B-52 bombers over South Korea, in what it says is a response to escalating North Korean rhetoric
A spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry said it would “intensify antagonism”, rather than improving regional stability.The UN imposed fresh sanctions against North Korea following its nuclear test on February 12.
Pyongyang has responded with strong rhetoric to this and the US-South Korea joint military drills, which it bitterly opposes.
It says it has scrapped the Korean War armistice and ended non-aggression pacts with Seoul. It has also cut off a hotline that connects the two countries.
The two Koreas remain technically at war because the 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice, not a treaty.
South Korea says North Korea cannot unilaterally dissolve the armistice and has called on Pyongyang to tone down its language.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday called for North Korea to take a different approach.
“North Korea is wasting resources for nuclear development while its people are living very difficult lives,” she said.
HSBC, which was hit with a $1.9 billion US fine for money laundering last year, is facing fresh accusations of illegal activity in Argentina.
Argentina has alleged that HSBC used “fake receipts” to facilitate money laundering and tax evasion, and launder 392 million pesos ($77 million).
The country’s tax authority said it had filed criminal charges against HSBC.
HSBC said that it would cooperate with the investigation, adding that the allegations were “of great concern”.
“We are committed to working cooperatively with authorities to ensure a thorough review and appropriate resolution of the matter,” said Lyssette Bravo, a spokeswoman for HSBC.
Last year, HSBC agreed to pay US authorities $1.9 billion in a settlement over money laundering, the largest paid in such a case.
Argentina laid out its case against HSBC late on Monday.
“On the basis of what’s been investigated so far, in six months we’ve recorded 392 million pesos in fraudulent transactions, generated by evasion and money laundering,” said Ricardo Echegaray, head of Argentina’s tax agency.
Ricardo Echegaray added that HSBC also helped clients evade taxes on an additional 224 million pesos.
“We hope to recover what is due and see the courts apply an appropriate penalty,” he said.
HSBC is facing fresh accusations of illegal activity in Argentina
Money laundering is the process of disguising the proceeds of crime so that the money cannot be linked to the wrongdoing.HSBC, which has previously admitted to having poor money laundering controls, has been taking steps to tighten its operations.
Last year, the banking giant said that it had spent $290 million on improving its systems to prevent money laundering.
At the same time, HSBC also appointed a former US official, Bob Werner, to work as its head of financial crime compliance, a new position the bank has created.
The bank said that he will be responsible for beefing up its anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance systems.
Bob Werner was previously the head of the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the agency responsible for enforcing the US sanctions on countries, including Iran.
Texas prosecutors say they will not charge Alan and Laura Shatto whose adopted Russian son’s death was ruled an accident.
Max Shatto, adopted from a Russian orphanage, died in January age three, soon after Russia banned US adoptions.
A grand jury had found insufficient evidence to charge Alan and Laura Shatto, a prosecutor said.
The case sparked outrage in Russia, where authorities have launched their own investigation and demanded the Shattos face charges.
Texas doctors who examined the boy ruled his death had been an accident and that bruises on his body were self-inflicted.
According to preliminary results of a post-mortem examination released this month, Max Shatto died accidentally from a torn artery in his abdomen and had bruises consistent with injuring himself.
No drugs or medicines had been found in his body and the coroner said he had had a mental disorder that caused him to hurt himself.
Max Shatto, adopted from a Russian orphanage, died in January age three, soon after Russia banned US adoptions
Earlier this month, more than 10,000 people marched in Moscow to demand a halt to all foreign adoptions of Russian children.Max Shatto, born Maksim Kuzmin, and his younger brother Kristopher were adopted from an orphanage in north-west Russia last year by the Shattos, who live in Gardendale, Texas.
Laura Shatto said she had found him unconscious outside the family’s home and he died later in hospital.
When Max Shatto died, Russia’s children’s commissioner Pavel Astakhov alleged he had been murdered by his adoptive mother.
But the Shattos’ lawyer said the toddler had suffered from behavioral issues and occasionally butted his head on objects or other people.
Kristopher still lives with the Shattos.
In December, the Russian government banned adoptions of Russian orphans by Americans. Correspondents say Russia did so in retaliation for the US passing a law allowing Russian officials suspected of human rights abuses to be banned from the US.
Syrian opposition National Coalition has chosen Ghassan Hitto as the prime minister to head a government for rebel-held regions.
Ghassan Hitto is a Damascus-born IT expert who spent decades in the US. He was elected at a meeting of coalition leaders in Istanbul in Turkey.
His first task will be to form a government to oversee services in areas captured from government forces.
Meanwhile, the US and France denounced a Syrian airstrike on the Lebanese border as a “violation of sovereignty”.
Reports from Lebanon say Syrian aircraft fired four rockets at the border between the two countries, near the Lebanese town of Arsal on Monday.
There were no casualties from the raid. Lebanese officials had earlier said it was not clear whether the rockets had landed inside Lebanese territory.
The US described the attack as a “significant escalation” of the conflict. France said the raid constituted “a new and serious violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty”.
In Monday’s vote in Istanbul, Ghassan Hitto won with 35 out of 48 votes, in what coalition leaders described as a “transparent, democratic” election.
But some senior coalition leaders are reported to have withdrawn from the vote in protest over Ghassan Hitto’s lack of military experience.
Last November, the 50-year-old moved from Texas to Turkey to help co-ordinate aid to rebel-held areas.
Syrian opposition National Coalition has chosen Ghassan Hitto as the prime minister to head a government for rebel-held regions
Earlier, the commander of the rebel Free Syrian Army said his group would work “under the umbrella” of any new government.“Any institutions not following this government would be considered to be acting illegitimately and would be prosecuted,” Gen Selim Idriss Idriss told AFP news agency.
Large swathes of northern Syria have been seized by rebels in recent months.
They are currently administered by a patchwork of local councils and armed groups who have been running some institutions, such as courts and prisons.
But reports say basic supplies such as electricity and water are limited.
Also on Monday, the US said it would not stand in the way of other countries arming Syrian rebels.
Last week saw the second anniversary of the Syrian uprising against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, which initially began as a wave of peaceful protests but which is now often described as a civil war.
An estimated 70,000 people have been killed and more than one million people have fled Syria since the uprising began.
Lil Wayne is still in intensive care six days after being admitted to hospital suffering from uncontrollable seizures.
Lil Wayne, 30, is being kept under close watch by doctors attempting to stabilize him following his admittance to the Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.
According to TMZ, the mood remains “very serious” at the hospital, with doctors concerned that “Wayne’s condition has not improved enough to be moved out of the ICU”.
The weekend saw stars including Nicki Minaj, Drake, Chris Paul and Birdman visit Lil Wayne’s bedside.
On Friday Lil Wayne took to Twitter to reassure his fans after reports that he was dying and being read his last rites.
“I’m good everybody. Thx for the prayers and love,” the rapper tweeted.
Lil Wayne is still in intensive care six days after being admitted to hospital suffering from uncontrollable seizures
Beth Ditto has been arrested and charged with disorderly conduct in Oregan.
Beth Ditto – real name Mary Beth Patterson – was taken into custody in the early hours of Saturday morning after a disturbance outside the Bungalo Bar in Portland.
The Gossip was detained by officers for being drunk after she left the establishment and allegedly threw her shoes in the middle of the road.
Beth Ditto then reportedly started shouting out the name of President Barack Obama as her friends tried to put her in a car.
A source at the bar told the Willamette Week newspaper: “She walked out in the middle of the street, threw off her shoes and purse and screamed Obama, Obama!”
Beth Ditto, 32, has been accused by a fellow reveler of being “blackout” drunk and trying to start fights in the bar, after initially being refused entry for being so intoxicated.
She has also been accused of kicking a bar tender in the groin during her raucous night out.
Beth Ditto was taken into custody in the early hours of Saturday morning after a disturbance outside the Bungalo Bar in Portland
Beth Ditto was later released from custody and is now awaiting a court date.If she is convicted of second degree disorderly conduct the singer could be sentenced to up to six months in jail and may receive a fine of up to $2,500.
Beth Ditto has kept herself out of the public eye as much over recent times but has started to concentrate on hew new music releases.
The star released a new Gossip music video for track Get A Job last month.
Rihanna took to the stage 70 minutes late for her Diamonds world tour in Montreal on Sunday night.
Luckily for her patient fans Rihanna proved worth waiting for, showing her figure in a pair of thigh high white boots.
The singer teamed the boots with a transparent T-shirt dress baring the legend “sea of desire” and black underwear.
The outfit proved just one of six equally outrageous outfits.
They included a pop art inspired two-piece, in clinging red and yellow PVC, and studded black leather underwear, which she wore with another pair of over-the-knee boots.
Rihanna took to the stage 70 minutes late for her Diamonds world tour in Montreal on Sunday night
Rihanna, 25, wore her hair curled, flowing and long, with half her head shaved.Earlier her fans had been left waiting as she took her time coming on stage.
The delayed start to the gig came after Rihanna was forced to cancel two shows of her Diamonds world tour on doctor’s orders after suffering a bout of laryngitis.
The singer seemed fully recovered as she belted out her set in Canada.
One of the more tender moments came as Rihanna dedicated the song Diamonds to her late grandmother Dolly, whose birthday it was.
Beyoncé has opened up about her struggle to lose weight after pregnancy.
The singer has revealed she gained 57 lbs while carrying her daughter Blue Ivy, who was born in January 2012.
Beyoncé, 31, also said she regrets putting herself under pressure to get back in shape so quickly after the birth.
“I didn’t have a lot of time to lose the weight because I scheduled a show three months after I gave birth, which I would never do again!” Beyoncé tells Shapemagazine.
In a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the interview, Beyoncé adds: “I’m not a person that is naturally very thin. I am a person that has to work at keeping my body in shape.”
But the singer insists women should embrace their differences and focus on health rather than the scales
“Not everyone is supposed to be the same. Be healthy and take care of yourself, but be happy with the beautiful things that make you, you,” she says.
Beyoncé was able to shed the excess weight doing a lot of cardio dance workouts, which got her moving and sweating.
Beyonce appears on the latest issue of Shape magazine
She revealed to Shape magazine that 80% of her post-baby weight loss was due to cutting back on food including her favorite, pasta.“I ate a very low-calorie diet. I stayed away from red meat and ate a lot of fish, replaced pasta and rice with quinoa,” Beyoncé said.
“I always have breakfast, say, scrambled egg whites, a vegetable smoothie, or whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk. For lunch and dinner, I eat a lot of fish and vegetables. And throughout the day, I try to stay hydrated.
“I always treat myself to one meal on Sundays when I can have whatever I want. Usually it’s pizza, which is my favorite indulgence.”
Beyoncé poses in a color-block Karla Colletto bikini for the cover, and wears a bright yellow short-cropped top and floral shorts in one of the inside pictures.
Justin Bieber continues to prove that the European leg of his world tour, Believe, hasn’t got off to the best of starts.
And on Monday things seemed to take a turn for the worse after Justin Bieber was reportedly kicked out of the most prestigious hotel in Paris because of bad behavior.
Justin Bieber, 19, checked into the fabled Hotel Le Meurice on Sunday but just a day later his “attitude” and “blatant encouragement of fans waiting outside led to him being evicted”.
However, Justin Bieber’s spokesperson has rubbished the reports as “nonsense” and said it was in fact the star’s decision to leave the hotel for “safety reasons”.
“He chose to switch hotels because once he had engaged with some of the fans in front of the hotel, an overwhelming crowd congregated outside.
“The original hotel did not have a separate exit, which created a potential safety issue for everyone.”
A spokesman for the Meurice, also denied he had been kicked out as while they confirmed that the star had left suddenly, they insisted that the hotel’s management had not asked him to go.
“Justin Bieber had indeed left the establishment to go elsewhere, but we do not know
where,” he said.
“But this is a decision made by him or his team. We do not turn people away.”
Justin Bieber was reportedly kicked out of the most prestigious hotel in Paris because of bad behavior
Justin Bieber had originally booked seven suites on two floors for him and his vast entourage, at a cost of well into six figures at the historic institution in the Paris which is used by royalty and film stars.But within a few hours hundreds of young fans had begun massing outside and even inside the lobby.
Jean-Marc Morandini, a TV and radio showbiz presenter in Paris, said on his blog on Monday: “Justin Bieber has just been kicked out of the Meurice Hotel in Paris.
“It was a decision taken by the management of the luxury hotel because of his attitude in the establishment, and because of the nuisance caused by the presence of his fans around the buildings.”
Insiders at the hotel, a favorite of numerous big names including Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, as well as members of the British Royal Family, said that the noise had become “intolerable”.
“There were kids everywhere screaming and shouting, and the other guests just didn’t like it,” said the source.
“Justin was clearly encouraging his fans – that’s something he has to do.”
Justin Bieber, who is due to perform at the Palais Omnisports in Paris-Bercy on Tuesday night, was later seen checking into the equally luxurious Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Paris.
Clearly not too concerned about the turn of events, Justin Bieber tweeted: “Loving Paris.”
Justin Bieber was forced to apologize to fans in London earlier this month after arriving 2 hours late on stage.
Actress Lindsay Lohan has accepted a plea deal in a misdemeanor car crash case that includes 90 days in a rehabilitation facility.
The star pleaded no contest Monday to reckless driving, lying to police and obstructing officers who were investigating the accident involving her in June last year.
A judge says Lindsay Lohan will be sentenced to 90 days in rehab, 30 days of community labor and 18 months of psychological therapy.
She was on probation when her sports car crashed on Pacific Coast Highway while on her way to a film shoot.
The deal followed over two hours of talks behind closed doors in the judge’s chambers between her legal team and prosecutors.A mandatory sentence of five days in jail will be included in her rehab stay, which she will be able to complete in her native New York.
Lindsay Lohan was also found in violation of her probation in a 2011 necklace theft and sentenced to 180 days in jail.
However, she will be able to avoid jail time if she complies with the conditions of her plea deal.
Lindsey Vonn and Tiger Woods have finally confirmed the rumors they are in a romance.
Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn announced their relationship status in statements simultaneously published on the golfer’s official website and Vonn’s Facebook page on Monday along with a photo of themselves together.
“I guess it wasn’t a well-kept secret but yes, I am dating Tiger Woods” Lindsey Vonn, 28, wrote.
“Our relationship evolved from a friendship into something more over these past few months and it has made me very happy.
“I don’t plan on addressing this further as I would like to keep that part of my life between us, my family and close friends.”
Tiger Woods, 37, wrote: “Something nice that’s happened off the course was meeting Lindsey Vonn. Lindsey and I have been friends for some time, but over the last few months we have become very close and are now dating.
“We thank you for your support and for respecting our privacy. We want to continue our relationship, privately, as an ordinary couple and continue to compete as athletes.”
Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn have been the subject of romance rumors for some time and last month he sent his private jet to fly her home to Vail, Colorado after a crash at the Alpine World Championships in Austria left her with torn ligaments in her right knee and a fractured shin.
They have also been spotted together in Vail and aboard Tiger Woods’ yacht in Florida.
Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn have finally confirmed the rumors they are in a romance
Lindsey Vonn announced her split from husband of four years, Thomas Vonn, in November 2011.Tiger Woods meanwhile had a spectacular fall from grace in 2009 when his extra-marital affairs exploded in headlines.
The scandal erupted after a bizarre November 27 car crash outside his mansion in Windermere, Orlando, the day after The National Enquirer, linked him to New York party hostess Rachel Uchitel.
Tiger Woods had admitted to a string of affairs with as many as 14 women coming forward to claim they had slept with him.
Among those who came forward to say they were his mistress were two adult film stars, a cocktail waitress and a waitress from his local pancake restaurant.
Elin Nordegren quickly ditched her wedding ring – and later filed for divorce from Tiger Woods.
Tiger Woods’ ex-wife took an estimated $100 million settlement and custody of their two young children Sam and Charlie.
Israel’s new coalition government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has been sworn in after nearly two months of negotiations between political parties.
Benjamin Netanyahu will return as prime minister, heading a coalition that includes parties that support Jewish settlements on Palestinian land.
Settlement supporters have secured the defence and housing ministries.
But ultra-Orthodox Jewish factions have been excluded from government for the first time in a decade.
The swearing in began after Israel’s parliament voted to approve the new government, after national elections in January gave no party a clear majority.
Speaking to parliament Benjamin Netanyahu repeated a pledge to make “a historic compromise” in order to make people with the Palestinians.
“With a Palestinian partner who is willing to conduct negotiations in good faith, Israel will be prepared for a historic compromise that will end the conflict with the Palestinians forever,” he said.
The coalition includes Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud-Beitnu bloc, the centrist Yesh Atid party and the right-wing Jewish Home party.
The new line-up includes a strong showing of pro-settlement ministers.
Both the defence and housing ministries, which must approve construction in the occupied territories, have gone to pro-settlement activists.
Benjamin Netanyahu will return as Israel’s prime minister, heading a coalition that includes parties that support Jewish settlements on Palestinian land
The new defence minister, Moshe Yaalon, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, opposes any curbs on settlement-building.The new housing minister, Uri Ariel, is a Jewish settler and member of Jewish Home.
He said on Sunday the new cabinet would continue to expand settlements “more or less as it has done previously”.
This could hamper any efforts to revive peace talks with the Palestinians, which have failed to progress through Benjamin Netanyahu’s last four-year term.
The Palestinians are demanding a cessation of settlement construction as a precondition to return to negotiations.
Palestinians say that the settlements, illegal under international law, will deny them a viable state.
The settlement issue is expected to be high on the agenda when President Barack Obama visits Israel in two days’ time, along with Israeli concerns at Iran’s continued nuclear programme.
Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful while Israel and the West accuse it of trying to make nuclear weapons.
Players who buy and register the latest version of SimCity before March 26 can choose a free game from a selection offered by Electronic Arts (EA).
The free games, available as digital downloads, include recent releases Mass Effect 3, Plants vs. Zombies and Bejeweled 3.
The move follows connection problems and glitches caused by EA’s decision to make SimCity an online-only game.
Earlier EA admitted that the game was originally going to be single player.
However, those proposals were shelved early in the development of the latest version.
The admission came as players are finding ways to get round the game’s need to be constantly connected.
Lucy Bradshaw, head of SimCity creator Maxis, said an offline, single-player mode did not fit with its “vision” for the urban-planning game.
She said many players preferred the multiplayer version of the game.
Players who buy and register the latest version of SimCity before March 26 can choose a free game from a selection offered by Electronic Arts
In a blogpost, Lucy Bradshaw said Maxis could have built a “subset offline mode” for the game that did away with the need to be constantly connected.Since SimCity was launched on March 5, many players have blamed the “always online” requirement for causing bugs, in-game glitches and long waits to play the game.
To get around the always-on requirement, some players have tinkered with the game’s computer code to trick it into thinking it is connected when it is being played offline. Others have called on Maxis to produce a stand-alone version of the game.
But Lucy Bradshaw said the always-on requirement was “fundamental” to what the company wanted to do with SimCity and it was “designed” with multiplayer in mind.
The decision to do this had not come from “corporate and it isn’t a clandestine strategy to control players”, wrote Lucy Bradshaw.
Maxis had gone down the multiplayer road to make the simulation more realistic by letting cities in the same virtual landscapes share elements such as pollution, crime and resources such as coal, she said.
The multiplayer element was also essential for other aspects of the game, including the building of historic buildings and landmarks and to help players cope with world events and challenges.
There were undoubtedly some players that wanted to build a “single city in isolation” as in older games but just as many were “loving the always-connected functionality”, she said.
Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner announces she has asked for Pope Francis’ intervention in the Falklands dispute between her country and the UK.
Visiting the Vatican, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said she had asked Pope Francis to promote dialogue between the two sides.
Argentine Pope Francis was elected last week and will be formally installed as pontiff at a Mass on Tuesday.
In the past Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio has said the Falkland Islands, a UK overseas territory, belong to Argentina.
Before being elected as the new pontiff, the 76-year-old was Archbishop of Buenos Aires. Relations between him, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, and her late husband and predecessor as president, Nestor Kirchner, were tense.
“I asked for his intervention to avoid problems that could emerge from the militarization of Great Britain in the south Atlantic,” Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner told reporters after a 15-20 minute meeting and lunch with the Pope.
“We want a dialogue and that’s why we asked the pope to intervene so that the dialogue is successful.”
There has been no word yet as to how the Pope responded to the appeal.
In a referendum held a week ago, people in the Falkland Islands voted overwhelmingly in favor of remaining a UK overseas territory.
At a Mass last year, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio told Argentine veterans of the Falklands War: “We come to pray for all who have fallen, sons of the Homeland who went out to defend their mother, the Homeland, and to reclaim what is theirs.”
Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner announces she has asked for Pope Francis’ intervention in the Falklands dispute between her country and the UK
British Prime Minister David Cameron said last week that he “respectfully” disagreed with the view expressed in the past by Pope Francis that the Falkland Islands had been “usurped” by the UK.Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner is the first head of state Pope Francis has met. She presented him with a mate gourd and straw for drinking traditional Argentine tea.
The two also kissed, and the president remarked afterwards: “Never in my life has a pope kissed me!”
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner gave a muted welcome to the Pope’s election. The two have clashed in the past, especially over social reforms promoted by her and her late husband in the face of Church opposition.
When the then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio argued that gay adoptions discriminated against children, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said his tone harked back to “medieval times and the Inquisition”.
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner once referred to Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the “head of the opposition”.
Last year, the cardinal said Argentina was being harmed by demagoguery, totalitarianism, corruption and efforts to secure unlimited power, the Associated Press reports.
Cyprus’ central bank has announced that the nation’s banks will stay closed until Thursday, March 21, as fears mount of a bank run.
Cyprus’ banks were closed for a scheduled Bank Holiday on Monday, something that allowed the country to try to implement a levy on savers’ deposits.
That move triggered unease among depositors in Cyprus, where cash machines soon ran out of funds.
It had earlier unnerved investors, sending shares and the euro lower.
The EU and IMF want all bank customers to pay a levy in return for a bailout worth 10 billion euros ($13 billion).
Spanish and Italian markets were down 2%, with bank shares the hardest hit.
The euro lost 1% against both the pound and the dollar, leaving it at 85.6p and $1.295 respectively.
Cyprus’ central bank has announced that the nation’s banks will stay closed until Thursday, March 21, as fears mount of a bank run
Earlier, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index fell 2.7%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and Australia’s ASX 200 dipped 2%.Many major banks in Italy, France and Spain, some of the eurozone’s most indebted countries, were down between 4% and 5%.
In France, Credit Agricole and Societe Generale were the worst affected, losing about 4.5%, while Spain’s BBVA lost a similar amount.
In Germany, Deutsche Bank was down 3%, while Commerzbank was 1.3% lower.
Some investors think the Cyprus plan could prompt depositors elsewhere, particularly in Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain, to withdraw their funds
However, the European Central Bank board member, Joerg Asmussen, said he did not think Cyprus’ problems would spread to other eurozone countries: “I do believe that the situation of Cyprus and the Cypriot banking sector is indeed unique.”
