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Charles Durning dies of natural causes at the age of 89

Sonia Pantiss
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Charles Durning dies of natural causes at the age of 89

Actor Charles Durning, who starred in the 1980s film Tootsie, has died at the age of 89.

Charles Durning died of natural causes at his home in New York City on Christmas Eve, his long time agent Judith Moss said.

He was nominated for an Oscar for his role as a corrupt governor in the 1982 film The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, which co-starred Burt Reynolds.

A year later, Charles Durning received another nomination for Mel Brooks’s To Be Or Not To Be.

The World War Two veteran began his career on stage in the 1960s with the New York Shakespeare Festival.

Charles Durning’s first national exposure was in 1973 when he played a crooked cop who gets conned by Robert Redford in The Sting.

He went on to appear in more than one hundred movies and critics marveled at his ability to play diverse roles, dubbing him “the king of character actors”.

Charles Durning, who starred in the 1980s film Tootsie, has died at the age of 89
Charles Durning, who starred in the 1980s film Tootsie, has died at the age of 89

“I never turned down anything and never argued with any producer or director,” Charles Durning said in 2008.

Charles Durning’s roles ranged from playing the would-be suitor of Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie to Chief Brandon in Warren Beatty’s Dick Tracy and Santa Claus in four different movies.

During the war, Charles Durning was the only member of his Army unit to survive the D-Day invasion at Normandy.

He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and survived a massacre of prisoners.

In later years, Charles Durning refused to discuss his time in the military.

“Too many bad memories,” he told an interviewer in 1997.

“I don’t want you to see me crying.”

“Not only was Charlie a World War II hero but he was also a hero to his family,” his stepdaughter, Anita Gregory said in a statement.

“Charlie loved Christmas and if he could have chosen a time to pass, he would have chosen this day.”

Charles Durning is survived by his children, Michele, Douglas and Jeannine. He will be buried in a private family service at Arlington National Cemetery.

Fontella Bass dies aged 72 following heart attack complications

Sonia Pantiss
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Fontella Bass dies aged 72 following heart attack complications

Soul singer Fontella Bass, best known for the hit single Rescue Me, has died of complications following a heart attack at the age of 72.

Fontella Bass had been in poor health for much of the past seven years.

Rescue Me reached the top of the US R&B chart in 1965 and is one of the best known soul songs. It has been covered by many artists.

The singer had a powerful voice and a background steeped in music.

Her mother was gospel singer Martha Bass, one of the Clara Ward Singers and Fontella Bass began performing at a young age, singing in her church’s choir at the age of six.

Like many of her generation, Fontella Bass graduated to soul and R&B in the 60s, signing to Chess Records.

Soul singer Fontella Bass, best known for the hit single Rescue Me, has died of complications following a heart attack at the age of 72
Soul singer Fontella Bass, best known for the hit single Rescue Me, has died of complications following a heart attack at the age of 72

Fontella Bass first found success in a duet with Bobby McClure on Don’t Mess Up a Good Thing and You’ll Miss Me (When I’m Gone).

She co-wrote Rescue Me, a song her daughter Neuka Mitchell said “held a special place in her heart”.

But it took years of legal battles for her to receive full royalty rights to the song. A final settlement was reached more than 20 years after the song was first released.

Neuka Mitchell said her mother was an outgoing person.

“She had a very big personality. Any room she entered, she just lit the room up, whether she was on stage or just going out to eat.”

Fontella Bass was married to the great jazz trumpeter, Lester Bowie, who was her musical director.

She died in the city where she was born, St Louis, Missouri.

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iWatch: Apple secretly developing smart watch with touchscreen

Nancy Clayson
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iWatch: Apple secretly developing smart watch with touchscreen

Apple is believed to be secretly developing a “smart watch” with a touchscreen.

Chinese online sites have reported the computer giant is working with chipmaker Intel with a wrist worn gadget that has a 1.5 inch screen and uses Bluetooth to communicate with other gadgets, which could include an iPhone.

The “iWatch” will go on sale next year, the report claims.

Chinese site Tech.163 claims Intel has developed a Smart Watch that Apple is interested in.

The in question has a 1.5 OLED display with indium tin oxide, or ITO coated glass, and uses Bluetooth to communicate with a user’s iPhone.

It is believed the iWatch will run a version of iOS, the same software as the iPhone and iPad, allowing apps to be easily downloaded.

iWatch is believed to go on sale next year
iWatch is believed to go on sale next year

Releasing a watch could also help it compete with Google, who claim they will release “Google Glass”, a headset with a screen, next year.

The rumors come after an independent attempt to create a smart watch, called Pebble, became a huge success online.

Its inventors used Kickstarter to try and raise $10,000 so they could develop it – but instead raised $10 million, and hope to begin production next year.

“Pebble is the first watch built for the 21st century,” say its creators.

“It’s infinitely customizable, with beautiful downloadable watchfaces and useful internet-connected apps.

“The watch will connect via Bluetooth, and alert users to incoming messages via vibrations – and apps bring Pebble to life.

“Cyclists can use Pebble as a bike computer, accessing the GPS on your smartphone to display speed, distance and pace data.

“Runners get a similar set of data displayed on their wrist. Use the music control app to play, pause or skip tracks on your phone with the touch of a button.”

Jacob Zuma in dog ownership row

Diane A. Wade
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Jacob Zuma in dog ownership row

 The South African government has sought to clarify remarks by President Jacob Zuma that angered dog lovers. The president was quoted as saying at a rally on Wednesday that having pet dogs was part of white – not African – culture.

But presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said Jacob Zuma was simply warning against loving animals more than humans beings.

Mac Maharaj said Jacob Zuma’s main message was the need to “decolonize the African mind” in South Africa, where white-minority rule ended in 1994.

South Africa’s Mercury newspaper reports that Jacob Zuma told thousands of supporters at a rally in KwaZulu-Natal province that people who spent money on buying a dog, taking it to the vet and for walks belonged to white culture.

There was also a new generation of young Africans who were trying to adopt the lifestyles of other race groups, Jacob Zuma said.

“Even if you apply any kind of lotion and straighten your hair you will never be white,” the president was quoted as saying.

His comments sparked an angry response on social media, with some pet-lovers accusing him of indifference to animals, while others accused him of racism.

President Jacob Zuma was quoted as saying at a rally on Wednesday that having pet dogs was part of white, not African, culture
President Jacob Zuma was quoted as saying at a rally on Wednesday that having pet dogs was part of white, not African, culture

In a statement aimed at diffusing the row, Mac Maharaj said the president’s remarks were aimed at ensuring that black people did not behave in a way that was detrimental to creating a “caring African society” in South Africa.

“More than that, the essential message from the president was the need to decolonize the African mind, post-liberation, to enable the previously oppressed African majority to appreciate and love who they are and uphold their own culture,” he said.

“They should not feel pressured to be assimilated into the minority cultures.”

Mac Maharaj said there were still some South Africans who “sit with their dogs in front in a van or truck with a worker at the back in pouring rain or extremely cold weather”.

Some people also do not “hesitate to rush their dogs to veterinary surgeons for medical care when they are sick while they ignore workers or relatives who are also sick in the same households”, Mac Maharaj said.

“This is not to say that animals should not be loved or cared for,” he added.

“The message [of Jacob Zuma] merely emphasized the need not to elevate our love for our animals above our love for other human beings.”

South Africa remains racially polarized more than 18 years after apartheid ended.

It is also one of the most unequal countries in the world, with a huge gap in income levels.

Correspondents say this not the first time Jacob Zuma has drawn controversy.

Some of his previous remarks have angered feminists, gay people and black intellectuals.

But his support within the governing African National Congress (ANC), which took power when apartheid ended, remains solid, correspondents say.

Earlier this month, he was re-elected ANC leader, beating off a challenge by his rival, Kgalema Motlanthe.

Jacob Zuma is now almost certain to lead the ANC into the 2014 national election.

Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi, Iran’s sole woman minister, sacked by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Diane A. Wade
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Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi, Iran’s sole woman minister, sacked by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has decided to sack Health Minister Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi, the sole woman in his cabinet, state television reports.

Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi was also the first woman minister in the 30-year history of the Islamic republic.

While no reason has been given, the dismissal is being linked to her call for drug price rises to fight shortages caused by international sanctions.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad rejected her comments, saying her budget needs had been met.

Analysts say international sanctions have done significant damage to the Islamic republic’s economy and led to a steep currency plunge.

Although they do not directly target medicines, they limit their importation because of restrictions on financial transactions.

Health Minister Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi, the sole woman in Iran’s government, has been sacked by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Health Minister Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi, the sole woman in Iran’s government, has been sacked by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Prior to her dismissal, Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi said that because of the rise in the foreign exchange rate, there would be an inevitable increase in the price of medicine.

She complained of her department’s inability to get access to foreign currency she had been promised.

“In the first half of the current year, the Central Bank has not allocated any exchange for the import of drugs and medical equipment,” Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi said.

“We need $2.5 billion in foreign exchange to meet the needs of the medical sector for the year, but only $650 million has been earmarked.”

But President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a TV interview that enough money had been allocated to the health ministry.

“No-one has the right to raise the price of medicine,” he added.

Mohammad Hassan Tariqat Monfared has been appointed as interim health minister, the Reuters news agency reports.

The EU and US recently announced new sanctions over Iran’s nuclear plans.

They suspect Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, something it denies.

Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi was the first woman minister of the Islamic republic, although a woman did serve as vice-president for the environment under Mohammad Khatami.

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CoolSculpting: cryolipolysis treatment that freezes off your festive fat

Diane A. Wade
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CoolSculpting: cryolipolysis treatment that freezes off your festive fat

CoolSculpting, a treatment that promises to “freeze off” your fat, has been proving a popular solution to shifting those post-holiday pounds.

Thousands in the U.S. are turning to CoolSculpting, otherwise known as cryolipolysis, which costs upwards of $750 per session and promises to remove 20 to 25% of fat in targeted areas such as the stomach or thighs.

New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Michele Green says she has noticed a surge in demand for the non-invasive procedure at this time of year.

She said: “CoolScuplting is an easy in-office procedure and freeze away that bulge in their stomach or love handles.

“It is especially popular after the holidays when we have all eaten too much.”

The CoolSculpting device features a gel patch that clamps on to the targeted area and freezes fat cells beneath the skin.

The sub-zero temperatures cause the fat cells to die. They are then flushed away by the body over the next few months.

The treatment, which takes anything from one to several hours, is apparently relatively painless, and patients often work or watch movies throughout.

According to the Daily Telegraph, it is proving particularly popular with men, who typically shy away from surgical options such as liposuction.

CoolSculpting, otherwise known as cryolipolysis, which costs upwards of $750 per session and promises to remove 20 to 25 percent of fat in targeted areas such as the stomach or thighs
CoolSculpting, otherwise known as cryolipolysis, costs upwards of $750 per session and promises to remove 20 to 25 percent of fat in targeted areas such as the stomach or thighs

At Marina Plastic Surgery, which has clinics in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, men make up 45% of the CoolSculpting patients. With other procedures, just 13% of patients are male.

Those hoping to dodge the gym, however, will be disappointed to learn that CoolSculpting should not be considered an alternative.

While the fat-loss in the targeted area is permanent, it won’t prevent build-up in other areas.

“If you eat a lot you’ll gain weight in other places, so you need to keep going to the gym and watching your diet,” Dr. Grant Stevens warns.

The procedure will not replace proper diet and exercise, Dr. Michele Green added.

“The ideal candidate is someone in good shape who simply has a bulge that they cannot reduce either through diet or exercise but they are physically fit,” she said.

HOW DOES COOLSCULPTING WORK?

CoolSculpting, which has enjoyed huge popularity since it was approved by the FDA in 2010, was designed by scientists at Zeltiq in California.

The device features a gel patch that clamps on to the targeted area and freezes fat cells beneath the skin.

The sub-zero temperatures cause the fat cells to die. They are then flushed away by the body over the next few months.

The treatment, which takes anything from one to several hours, is relatively painless.

The skin and muscle tissue is unaffected by the procedure because fat freezes at a higher temperature than other cells.

Mitchell Levinson, Zeltiq’s founder, said trial patients had been monitored for three years without the fat returning.

A single treatment is usually enough for each love handle. A larger beer belly or a set of flaps of fat under the arms may need two treatments.

Zeltiq says it is for those in need of a little fat removal and is not suitable for the obese.

 

Toyota agrees $1 billion compensation deal, the largest settlement involving car defects in US history

Diane A. Wade
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Toyota agrees $1 billion compensation deal, the largest settlement involving car defects in US history

Toyota has agreed on a more than $1 billion compensation deal to settle a legal case involving unintended acceleration problems in its vehicles.

Toyota said the deal will resolve hundreds of lawsuits from the giant carmaker owners who said the value of their cars and trucks plummeted after a series of recalls stemming from claims the firm’s vehicles accelerated unintentionally.

Steve Berman, a lawyer representing Toyota owners, said the settlement is the largest in US history involving automobile defects.

“We kept fighting and fighting and we secured what we think was a good settlement given the risks of this litigation,” Steve Berman said.

The proposed deal was filed on Wednesday and must receive the approval of US District Judge James Selna, who was expected to review the settlement on Friday.

Toyota said it will take a one-time, $1.1 billion pre-tax charge against earnings to cover the estimated costs of the settlement. Steve Berman said the total value of the deal is between $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion.

Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against Toyota since 2009, when the Japanese automaker started receiving numerous complaints that its cars accelerated on their own, causing crashes, injuries and even deaths.

The cases were consolidated in US District Court in Santa Ana and divided into two categories: economic loss and wrongful death. Claims by people who seek compensation for injury and death due to sudden acceleration are not part of the settlement – the first trial involving those suits is scheduled for February.

Toyota has agreed on a more than $1 billion compensation deal to settle a legal case involving unintended acceleration problems in its vehicles
Toyota has agreed on a more than $1 billion compensation deal to settle a legal case involving unintended acceleration problems in its vehicles

As part of the economic loss settlement, Toyota will offer cash payments from a pool of about $250 million to eligible customers who sold vehicles or turned in leased vehicles between September 2009 and December 2010.

The company also will launch a $250 million program for 16 million current owners to provide supplemental warranty coverage for certain vehicle components, and it will retrofit about 3.2 million vehicles with a brake override system.

An override system is designed to ensure a car will stop when the brakes are applied, even if the accelerator pedal is depressed.

The settlement would also establish additional driver education programs and fund new research into advanced safety technologies.

“In keeping with our core principles, we have structured this agreement in ways that work to put our customers first and demonstrate that they can count on Toyota to stand behind our vehicles,” said Christopher Reynolds, Toyota vice president.

Current and former Toyota owners are expected to receive more information about the settlement in the coming months. Some information is also available at www.ToyotaELsettlement.com, a website created for Toyota owners affected by the settlement.

“We are extraordinarily proud of how we were able to represent the interests of Toyota owners, and believe this settlement is both comprehensive in its scope and fair in compensation,” Steve Berman said.

Toyota has recalled more than 14 million vehicles worldwide due to acceleration problems in several models and brake defects with the Prius hybrid. The automaker has blamed driver error, faulty floor mats and stuck accelerator pedals for the problems.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys have spent the past two years deposing Toyota employees, poring over thousands of documents and reviewing software code, but the company maintains those lawyers have been unable to prove that a design defect – namely Toyota’s electronic throttle control system – was responsible for vehicles surging unexpectedly.

Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and NASA were unable to find any defects in Toyota’s source code that could cause problems. The company has been dogged by fines for not reporting problems in a timely manner.

Toyota President Akio Toyoda appeared before Congress last year and pledged to strengthen quality control. Recent sales figures show the company appears to have rebounded following its safety issues.

Frances Bean Cobain breaks her silence to wish Courtney Love well on Christmas Day

Lisa.Felice
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Frances Bean Cobain breaks her silence to wish Courtney Love well on Christmas Day

Frances Bean Cobain has been estranged from her mother for several years, but she broke her silence to wish her mother Courtney Love well on Christmas Day.

Courtney Love, who has made many attempts to reunite with her only daughter, made yet another entreaty on Tuesday to her 20-year-old daughter, but this time, she got a response.

“Merry Christmas Bean!! Love you more than you could ever know. Xmamma,” Courtney Love tweeted to Frances Bean Cobain.

And hours later Frances Bean Cobain responded with a succinct message that only gently poked fun at the Hole singer’s eccentric ways by referring to her mother as “kooksmcgee”.

She wrote: “@Courtney merry Christmas kooksmcgee.”

Frances Bean Cobain broke her silence to wish her mother Courtney Love well on Christmas Day
Frances Bean Cobain broke her silence to wish her mother Courtney Love well on Christmas Day

Courtney Love, rather typically, got carried away and tweeted three additional responses to her only child, all of which were ignored.

“That tweet was the best gift ever, its all I need even if it’s a dammed social network J miss that little head of yours,” Courtney Love she wrote.

“That beautiful little head, and those long legs. Oh and by the way, sorry about the second hand smoke thing re: baby pic.”

Before adding bizarrely: “But am trying these new e-cigs, the @njoyecigs so far are the best ones ive tried. Maybe they should pay us for this plug.”

When she was 17-years-old, Frances Bean Cobain got a restraining order against her mother, and went to live with other family members.

It was later revealed in legal documents that the order was granted due to domestic violence claims against Courtney Love by her daughter.

Frances Bean Cobain now lives in a $1.8 million home in the Hollywood Hills that she purchased with her trust fund set up after her father, Kurt Cobain’s, death.

The micro-blogging website clearly hasn’t banned her mother as Francis Bean Cobain recently suggested they should.

Courtney Love made a public apology to her daughter via her page earlier this year after Frances Bean Cobain asked for her to be banned.

Whitney Houston was murdered by drug dealers, claims private investigator Paul Huebl

Lisa.Felice
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Whitney Houston was murdered by drug dealers, claims private investigator Paul Huebl

Whitney Houston was murdered by drug dealers and a new surveillance video proves it, claims Paul Huebl, a Hollywood private investigator.

Paul Huebl says he has turned over evidence to the FBI that shows 48-year-old Whitney Houston was killed over a drug debt in February.

The medical examiner ruled that Whitney Houston drowned in her bathtub at the Beverley Hilton hotel after taking a cocktail of cocaine, marijuana and several legal drugs.

The National Enquirer is reporting that Paul Huebl believes the troubled star was targeted by several “high powered drug dealers who sent thugs to collect a huge debt she owed for drugs”.

Whitney Houston owed $1.5 million to drug dealers, according to some reports.

However, Paul Huebl said he doesn’t know for certain that Whitney Houston was killed – only that evidence he collected could point in that direction.

Paul Huebl says that Whitney Houston received a delivery of cocaine to her room the day before her death and could be heard saying: “I’m tired of this sh*t.”

He says Whitney Houston had previously been subjected to harassment dealers trying to collect on her debt.

Whitney Houston was murdered by drug dealers and a new surveillance video proves it, claims Paul Huebl, a Hollywood private investigator
Whitney Houston was murdered by drug dealers and a new surveillance video proves it, claims Paul Huebl, a Hollywood private investigator

Paul Huebl says he obtained surveillance video that shows two unknown men who repeatedly went to the Beverly Hilton and integrated themselves into Whitney Houston’s entourage.
The private investigator claims these are the men who slipped into Whitney Houston’s hotel room and killed her.

He also disagrees with the Los Angeles County Coroner’s ruling that the star’s death was “accidental”.

“Whitney’s body shows classic defense wounds that would have occurred while she was battling for her life,” he told the Enquirer.

However, Paul Huebl conceded that the marks on her hands and fingernails could have been obtained in some other ways and that they were only “suspected” defensive wounds.

The private investigator said he also has evidence that Whitney Houston’s hotel room was ransacked, showing further hints of a violent struggle.

Paul Huebl says he gave his evidence to the Chicago field office of the FBI in the hopes that the agency will open a criminal investigation.

“I think that if you put all these things together, they do kind of spell homicide, with a big red capital <<H>>,” he said.

Paul Heubl, a former Chicago police officer who became an actor after he retired, says he conducted the investigation after being hired by a client who did not believe the official reports on Houston’s death.

He believes Beverley Hills police did not fully investigate Houston’s death because they did not want to bring the negative attention to Beverly Hills or to the Beverly Hilton.

Paul Huebl would not say who hired him.

Shark tank explodes leaving 15 people injured at Shanghai Orient shopping centre

Nancy Clayson
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Shark tank explodes leaving 15 people injured at Shanghai Orient shopping centre

This is the shocking moment a 33-ton glass shark tank at the Shanghai Orient shopping centre in China suddenly burst leaving 15 people injured by flying shards of broken glass and a torrent of water.

The tank was an attraction at the entrance to the Shanghai Orient shopping centre in China’s second city when it shattered without warning on December 19.

Eight of those hurt were customers and the rest were shop assistants and security staff. They mostly suffered deep cuts and bruises from sheets of broken glass.

A police spokesman said: “There were lots of injuries caused by flying glass, some of them serious because the glass was so thick. We are investigating what caused this.”

Three lemon sharks and dozens of turtles and smaller fish, which were housed in the aquarium, were also victims of the accident that was caught on CCTV.

A 33-ton glass shark tank at the Shanghai Orient shopping centre suddenly burst leaving 15 people injured by flying shards of broken glass and a torrent of water
A 33-ton glass shark tank at the Shanghai Orient shopping centre suddenly burst leaving 15 people injured by flying shards of broken glass and a torrent of water

 

Shoppers fled in panic as shards of 15 cm thick acrylic glass gave way, flooding the entrance of the shopping centre.

While no official reason has been given for the accident, customers said that they believe a sudden drop in temperature may have caused the burst, as the weather apparently grew much colder in Shanghai last week.

The aquarium was reportedly very popular when it first opened before the National Day holiday two years ago, but there have been problems with the tank before, as in June a ruptured water pipe led to the death of two sharks and the removal of several turtles.

Chen Yongping, an official with the shopping centre management, said that they are not going to “build an aquarium again in the future”.

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Samsung seeks US import and sales ban on Ericsson products over patent infringement

Nancy Clayson
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Samsung seeks US import and sales ban on Ericsson products over patent infringement

Samsung Electronics has sought a ban on the import and sales of some Ericsson products in the US which it claims infringe its patents.

In a complaint filed with the International Trade Commission (ITC), Samsung has accused Ericsson of breaching seven of its patents.

The move counters Ericsson’s complaint to the ITC, made in November, seeking a sales ban on some Samsung products.

Ericsson has also claimed that Samsung infringed some of its patents.

The Swedish firm had a licensing deal with Samsung under which the South Korean manufacturer was allowed to use various technologies patented by Ericsson in its products.

However, the two firms have failed to renew the agreement, despite negotiating for almost two years.

Ericsson has claimed that Samsung wants to reduce the fee it pays to license the said patents, while Samsung has argued that the fee demanded by Ericsson is too high.

Samsung Electronics has sought a ban on the import and sales of some Ericsson products in the US which it claims infringe its patents
Samsung Electronics has sought a ban on the import and sales of some Ericsson products in the US which it claims infringe its patents

“We have sought to negotiate with Ericsson in good faith. However, Ericsson has proven unwilling to continue such negotiations by making unreasonable claims, which it is now trying to enforce in court,” Samsung said in a statement.

“Under such circumstances, we have no choice but to take the steps necessary to protect our company.”

Ericsson is one of the earliest innovators in the telecommunications field and holds thousands of patents for technologies used in everyday global communication.

Some of these technologies are key to products made by other manufacturers such as Samsung.

Companies which hold patents to such essential technologies enter licensing agreements with other manufacturers allowing them the use of patents under fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory conditions.

Firms pay royalties to the patent holder to use the technology.

Ericsson earned $938 million last year in revenue from more than 100 licence agreements with companies in the industry.

However, stiff competition has lead to a much more protective stance by many companies over their patents in order to generate revenues.

Earlier this month, European Union competition regulators accused Samsung of abusing its position of holding key patents, while trying to negotiate royalty rates with rival Apple.

Meanwhile, Nokia and Apple have also taken rivals to court over patent infringement.

South Korea cuts growth forecast for 2012 and 2013

Diane A. Wade
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South Korea cuts growth forecast for 2012 and 2013

South Korea has decided to cut its growth forecast for this year and for 2013, underlining the effect of a slowdown in its key export markets on its growth.

The finance ministry has forecast a growth of 3% for 2013, down from its earlier projection of 4.3%.

Meanwhile, the growth forecast for 2012 was lowered to 2.1% from 3.3%.

South Korea’s exports, which account for almost half of its overall economy, have been hit by slowing demand from markets such as the US and eurozone.

“Growth next year will be better than this year, although there are significant downside risks,” said the finance ministry’s Choi Sang-mok.

“Nevertheless, the strength of the recovery won’t be strong enough for the economy to catch up to its potential growth rate.”

South Korea has decided to cut its growth forecast for this year and for 2013, underlining the effect of a slowdown in its key export markets on its growth
South Korea has decided to cut its growth forecast for this year and for 2013, underlining the effect of a slowdown in its key export markets on its growth

The sovereign debt crisis in the eurozone has hurt demand for South Korean exports from the region.

Meanwhile, the economic recovery in the US – another key market for its exports – has also remained fragile and consumer demand there has not picked up drastically.

The slowdown in demand for exports has hurt growth in Asia’s fourth largest economy.

South Korea’s economy grew at its slowest pace in three years in the July to September quarter, expanding at an annual rate of 1.6%.

Prompted by slowing demand for exports, policymakers have taken some steps to try and spur domestic consumption.

In September it announced a $5.2 billion stimulus package, which included tax breaks on personal incomes and purchases of homes and cars.

The Bank of Korea has also cut interest rates twice in the past few months to try and ease the burden of businesses and households.

On Thursday, the central bank said it would continue to take measures to spur growth to ensure the economy’s “growth potential is not eroded due to its continued low growth”.

Nelson Mandela discharged from hospital

Diane A. Wade
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Nelson Mandela discharged from hospital

Former South Africa’s President Nelson Mandela has been discharged from hospital, the South African presidency says.

Nelson Mandela, 94, will continue to receive treatment at his home in Johannesburg until he has fully recovered, according to a statement from President Jacob Zuma’s office.

South Africa’s first black president was admitted to hospital 18 days ago.

He was treated for a lung infection and gallstones.

Nelson mandela’s wife, Graca Machel, and President Zuma visited him on Christmas Day and said he was in good spirits.

Afterwards, President Jacob Zuma said doctors were happy with the progress Nelson Mandela had made.

In his statement on Sunday, Jacob Zuma thanked South Africans for the messages of good wishes they had sent.

“We request a continuation of the privacy consideration in order to allow for the best possible conditions for full recovery,” the presidency statement said.

Former South Africa’s President Nelson Mandela has been discharged from hospital
Former South Africa’s President Nelson Mandela has been discharged from hospital

The latest stay in hospital has been Nelson Mandela’s longest since leaving prison in 1990.

His grandson, Mandla, said Nelson Mandela’s absence on Christmas Day had “greatly saddened” the family, adding: “We didn’t anticipate that he would be away for so long.”

Nelson Mandela served as South Africa’s first black president from 1994 to 1999 and is regarded by many as the father of the nation.

His health has been a cause of concern for many years.

He first contracted tuberculosis in the 1980s while detained in Robben Island prison.

He has been admitted to hospital on three occasions in the past two years.

Nelson Mandela lives in Qunu, a small rural village in Eastern Cape province, where he says he spent the happiest days of his childhood.

He retired from public life in 2004 and has been rarely seen in public since.

Indian tea plantation workers burn boss to death in Kunapathar

Diane A. Wade
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Indian tea plantation workers burn boss to death in Kunapathar

Hundreds of tea plantation workers have set alight their boss’s bungalow at Kunapathar in Assam state north-east India, burning to death the owner and his wife, officials say.

Angry workers surrounded the bungalow at Kunapathar late on Wednesday, following a two-week long dispute with the management.

Police said the incident happened after the management asked some workers to leave their accommodation.

More than half of India’s tea output comes from 800 tea estates in Assam.

Local official SS Meenakshi Sundaram said some 700 tea garden workers surrounded the manager’s bungalow on Wednesday evening and set it on fire. Two vehicles belonging to the manager were also torched.

Hundreds of tea plantation workers have set alight their boss's bungalow at Kunapathar in Assam state north-east India, burning to death the owner and his wife
Hundreds of tea plantation workers have set alight their boss’s bungalow at Kunapathar in Assam state north-east India, burning to death the owner and his wife

The charred bodies of Mridul Kumar Bhattacharyya and his wife, Rita, were later recovered from the debris, Meenakshi Sundaram said.

Police have detained three workers in connection with the incident.

Officials said Mridul Kumar Bhattacharyya and his workers had been locked in a dispute for the past two weeks.

They said Mridul Kumar Bhattacharyya had also faced protests at another tea estate that he owned two years ago.

In that dispute, angry workers set fire to his tea factory near the state capital, Guwahati, after he had allegedly fired on a crowd that had gathered near his house to protest against a reported attack on a local woman.

Several incidents of attacks on tea executives by angry workers have been reported from Assam in recent years.

Barack Obama cuts short Hawaii holiday to reach deal to avoid fiscal cliff

Diane A. Wade
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Barack Obama cuts short Hawaii holiday to reach deal to avoid fiscal cliff

President Barack Obama has cut short his holidays in Hawaii and is flying to Washington to try to reach a deal to avoid the so-called “fiscal cliff”.

Unless a compromise is found, tax increases and huge spending cuts come into force on 1 January, threatening to tip the US back into recession.

However, Democrats and Republicans are still at loggerheads over the issue.

Meanwhile, the US Treasury is to take extraordinary measures to delay reaching a 31 December borrowing limit.

In a letter to Congress, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said it would take accounting measures to save about $200 billion to prevent reaching the $16.4tn borrowing limit.

Timothy Geithner said this would prevent the government from reaching the borrowing limit for about another two months.

President Barack Obama has cut short his holidays in Hawaii and is flying to Washington to try to reach a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff
President Barack Obama has cut short his holidays in Hawaii and is flying to Washington to try to reach a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff

This $16.4 trillion is the amount the government is allowed to borrow to finance its operations.

Barack Obama is expected to meet Republican leaders again to try to negotiate a solution, although no new date has been announced.

Failure to do so could damage the US and global markets, and threatens to send the US economy into recession.

The two sides remain far apart on the fiscal cliff’s $600bn in tax rises and spending cuts, but analysts say a short-term deal may be agreed that will postpone the cuts until spring.

On Wednesday, the Republican House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner called on the Democrat-led Senate to come up with legislation on how it would avoid the cliff, and pass it to the House for consideration.

However, a senior administration official said it was up to Republican leaders not to stand in the way of an agreement.

Despite this, there is little sense of urgency in the capital – the corridors of Congress are silent.

George H.W. Bush in intensive care with fever

Diane A. Wade
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George H.W. Bush in intensive care with fever

George H. W. Bush has been in intensive care with a fever since Sunday, a family spokesman has revealed.

Jim McGrath said he had had a “series of setbacks” and remained in a “guarded condition”, but was alert and conversing with family and doctors.

Former US President George H.W. Bush, aged 88, has been in the Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, since he was taken there for bronchitis treatment on 23 November.

He is the oldest living former president and a World War II veteran.

George H. W. Bush has been in intensive care with a fever since Sunday
George H. W. Bush has been in intensive care with a fever since Sunday

George H.W. Bush was Ronald Reagan’s vice-president for two terms and became the 41st president in 1989, but was defeated by Democrat Bill Clinton when he stood for re-election in 1992.

The former president was now on a liquids-only diet, the spokesman said, describing his ailment as “a stubborn fever that won’t go away”.

He said George H.W. Bush had not been able to celebrate Christmas in the traditional sense but his family was with him.

“He’s conscious and he’s able to engage in humorous banter with his doctor,” Jim McGrath said.

He also said that doctors were cautiously optimistic about George H.W. Bush’s treatment.

When first admitted, the former president had only been expected to stay in hospital a few days, but a persistent fever kept him in hospital until and over Christmas.

On Christmas Day, George H.W. Bush was visited by his wife, Barbara, his son Neil and other family members.

The former president has also been visited twice by his son George W Bush, who served as 43rd president in 2001-2008.

East Coast winter storm kills six people and threatens disruption

Diane A. Wade
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East Coast winter storm kills six people and threatens disruption

A severe winter storm that whipped up tornadoes in the southern US has brought heavy snow to the Midwest and threatens disruption in the east.

At least six people have been killed and authorities have told people to stay at home rather than brave freezing temperatures and treacherous roads.

A state of emergency has been declared in Mississippi and Alabama after the storm downed power lines.

Hundreds of flights have been grounded by snow and blizzards.

More delays are expected as the storm moves towards New York state and Maine, where as much as 18 inches (46 cm) of snow is expected in the next 24 hours.

The National Weather Service has warned of near-zero visibility in Buffalo, New York, where heavy snowfall is predicted to combine with high winds.

Weather warnings are in place from Florida and the Gulf Coast all the way up to New England.

A severe winter storm that whipped up tornadoes in the southern US has brought heavy snow to the Midwest and threatens disruption in the east
A severe winter storm that whipped up tornadoes in the southern US has brought heavy snow to the Midwest and threatens disruption in the east

Little Rock, Arkansas, saw its first snow on Christmas Day in 83 years, while in neighboring Oklahoma seven inches of snow was blamed for a 21-vehicle pile-up on an interstate highway outside Oklahoma City.

Thirty-four tornadoes were reported in the southern states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama on Tuesday. A large section of a church roof in Mobile, Alabama, was ripped off by a twister.

Falling trees claimed the lives of two people in Texas and Louisiana. Deaths were also reported on the roads in Oklahoma and Arkansas.

More than 200,000 people are said to be without power.

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Mariah Carey shares Christmas photos of Dem Babies Monroe and Moroccan

Lisa.Felice
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Mariah Carey shares Christmas photos of Dem Babies Monroe and Moroccan

Mariah Carey seems to have a higher appreciation for the merry season now that she can share the cheer – and her lavish lifestyle – with husband Nick Cannon and their 20-month-old fraternal twins, Monroe and Moroccan.

Mariah Carey, 42, posted numerous candid snaps of Monroe and Moroccan, affectionately known as “Dem Babies”, enjoying their Aspen holiday Wednesday.

“MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Carey-Cannons!! Pictures from our most festive Christmas yet,” Mariah Carey tweeted to her 8.4 million followers.

The notorious diva and the America’s Got Talent host – dressed as Santa – looked ecstatically happy as they snuggled their toddlers before the Christmas tree littered with gifts at their tastefully rustic cabin in the wintry mountain town.

Nick Cannon, 32, clearly loves to lift his little girl in the air as he is seen doing so in two of the pictures, one of which reveals several opened presents under the Douglas Fir.

Among the numerous items visible on the floor were two luggage trollies, an Etch-A-Sketch, and a toy truck.

At their lavish black-tie birthday party earlier this year, the tots were gifted a toy Ferrari, rocking horse, and miniature white piano while celebrating at the Plaza Athenee in Paris.

Inside Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon's magical white Christmas with twins Monroe and Moroccan
Inside Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon’s magical white Christmas with twins Monroe and Moroccan

The two privileged tykes are often seen in designer duds playing on their parents’ grand piano, 1,000-thread count sheets, or taking a dip in their marble-tiled swimming pool.

Mariah Carey, whose net worth was estimated at more than $500 million last year, spares no expense when it comes to spoiling her brood.

However, most of the recent holiday pictures show the family indulging in mostly ordinary, wholesome holiday fun.

In several shots, the entire grinning clan is bundled up in fur-lined snowsuits enjoying a cuddle puddle on the snowy ground.

And while Mariah Carey accented her suit with a Louis Vuitton scarf and Nick Cannon wore a playful Scoobie Doo beanie – Roc and ‘Roe accessorized their suits with matching teddy bear scarves.

The twins could not hide their delight as they sat together in a red sled, and in one shot little Moroccan considerately pulled his sis along behind him.

The girly-girl made sure to matcher her soft pink snowsuit with her glasses frames.

Moroccan looked super-cute with a green star decoration stuck on his forehead and in another shot his famous parents propped him up behind the driver’s seat of a car.

Monroe also got glamorous in a classic red puffed-sleeve holiday dress with Peter Pan collar, matching pigtail bows, and white ruffled socks with black patent leather Mary Janes.

But in most of the shots the children are dressed for bed, with the boy comfortably splayed out on a bed in blue footie pajamas covered in woodland critters.

While Monroe was seen in green polka-dot PJs as she gave a stuffed reindeer decoration an affectionate hug.

Mariah Carey was last seen on Christmas Eve wearing a too-tight green leather jacket and high-heeled platform boots for one final shopping spree, while her husband and kids stayed at home playing Connect 4.

She will soon return to the set of the 12th season of American Idol, which premieres January 16, alongside judges Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban.

Mariah Carey is also working on her new album, due out in March.

Kate Winslet secretly marries Ned Rockenroll in New York

Lisa.Felice
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Kate Winslet secretly marries Ned Rockenroll in New York

Kate Winslet has married boyfriend Ned Rocknroll in a secret ceremony in New York.

Kate Winslet, 37, was given away by her Titanic co-star Leonardo DiCaprio at an intimate service in New York.

A spokesperson for the actress said: “I can confirm that Kate Winslet married Ned Rock’nRoll in NY earlier this month in a private ceremony attended by her two children and a very few friends and family. The couple had been engaged since the summer.”

The service is said to have been so private that even Kate Winslet’s parents weren’t aware she was walking down the aisle again, The Sun newspaper claims.

Neither Kate Winslet’s father Roger nor Ned Rockenroll’s father Robert had any idea about the nuptials.

Ned Rocknroll’s father told The Sun: “It’s not something I know of – but nothing would surprise me with those two.”

The pair were said to have gotten engaged in secret over the summer.

Kate Winslet has married boyfriend Ned Rocknroll in a secret ceremony in New York
Kate Winslet has married boyfriend Ned Rocknroll in a secret ceremony in New York

Kate Winslet met Ned Rockenroll shortly after calling it quits with her on-off boyfriend Louis Dowler.

This is not the first time that Kate Winslet has wed in secret in 2003 she married Sam Mendes, her second husband, on an island in the Caribbean with just her daughter Mia and three friends.

The actress split from the director, who is the father of her son Joe, in March last year and the pair are now divorced.

In 2001, Kate Winslet split from her first husband, and father of her daughter, Jim Threapleton, after three years together.

Her first love was fellow actor Stephen Tredre, whom she dated for five years.

Kate Winslet described him as “the most important person in my life, next to my family”, but he tragically died of bone cancer aged 34, soon after she finished filming Titanic.

Ned Rockenroll, who changed his name by deed poll from Abel Smith, has also been married before.

Richard Branson’s nephew met Kate Winslet after separating from his wife, 23-year-old Eliza Cowdray, whom he wed in 2009.

Ned Rockenroll works for the space-travel branch of the Virgin empire.

Janet Jackson secretly engaged to Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana

Lisa.Felice
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Janet Jackson secretly engaged to Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana

Janet Jackson has reportedly become engaged to Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana, whom she’s been dating since 2010.

Wissam Al Mana, 37, “gave her a huge, expensive ring” and Janet Jackson, 46, is so afraid it will get lost, “she keeps it locked up”, according to Us Weekly.

Wissam Al Mana is the managing director of Al Mana Retail, which represents A/X Armani Exchange, and he’s a shareholder in the Saks Fifth Avenue.

Janet Jackson’s wealthy beau plans on sparing no expense for their spring nuptials in Qatar, and “he is flying in all of Janet’s friends and family on private jets”.

One source said that the pair’s ceremony will undoubtedly be “a circus”, and Wissam Al Mana plans to hire a “top chef to create a custom menu”.

Janet jackson, who’s almost a decade older than her Middle Eastern man, wants to start a family as soon as possible.

“If she can’t have them, she will adopt,” said a Janet Jackson insider.

Janet Jackson has reportedly become engaged to Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana, whom she's been dating since 2010
Janet Jackson has reportedly become engaged to Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana, whom she’s been dating since 2010

Janet Jackson was last seen with the luxury-brand mogul shopping in West Hollywood earlier this month, and in July the loved-up couple were spotted laughing on a yacht in Sardinia.

The singer, who’s net worth is estimated at $150 million, has been married twice before.

In 1985, Janet Jackson had her marriage to childhood friend and singer James DeBarge annulled after eloping only months earlier.

And in 1991, Janet Jackson secretly married dancer, songwriter, and director René Elizondo, Jr., but the longtime couple divorced in 2000.

Two years later, Janet Jackson began her on/off seven-year relationship with record producer Jermaine Dupri.

In the past, Janet Jackson was linked to actor Rob Lowe, Hollywood screenwriter Gary DeVore, rapper Q-Tip, actor Matthew McConaughey, and Boyz II Men’s Wanya Morris.

France orders troops to its embassy in Central African Republic following protests

Diane A. Wade
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France orders troops to its embassy in Central African Republic following protests

France’s President Francois Hollande has ordered tighter security for his country’s embassy in the Central African Republic (CAR), after it was attacked by protesters.

Francois Hollande also told the defence minister to provide extra protection for French citizens there.

Demonstrators threw stones at the embassy in the capital Bangui and tore down the French flag.

They want France to help quash a rebellion in the north of the country.

France, the former colonial power in the CAR, has about 200 soldiers based there, and the government in Bangui has appealed for France to intervene against a rebel movement which has taken several northern towns.

The protesters said France had abandoned them. Protests were also staged outside the Air France office in the city.

The French ambassador has complained to the government over the incidents.

President Francois Hollande has ordered tighter security for French embassy in the Central African Republic, after it was attacked by protesters
President Francois Hollande has ordered tighter security for French embassy in the Central African Republic, after it was attacked by protesters

France Hollande said he had ordered Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to take “all necessary” protective measures to guarantee the security of the embassy.

The Defence ministry said the embassy perimeter had been secured with the deployment of French troops.

Analysts say Paris is increasingly reluctant to interfere in its former colonies and a spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry told Reuters news agency the crisis needed to be resolved through dialogue.

Rebels in northern CAR on Sunday captured the key city of Bambari, the third largest in the country, having earlier seized the rich diamond mining area around Bria.

The rebels – known as the Seleka coalition – accuse President Francois Bozize of failing to honor a 2007 peace deal, under which fighters who laid down their arms were meant to be paid.

Seleka, which is made up of breakaway factions from three of the former armed groups, has pledged to depose Francois Bozize unless he negotiates with them.

They began their campaign a month ago and have taken several towns in their push towards the capital.

It is unclear how far they have advanced towards Bangui, but an unconfirmed report by Reuters news agency on Sunday quoted sources saying they were only 75 km (47 miles) away.

President Francois Bozize, who seized power in a coup in 2003, has repeatedly relied on foreign intervention to fend off rebellions and the spill-over from conflicts in neighboring Chad and Sudan.

Chad has deployed 150 soldiers to try to stem the rebel advance.

The United Nations has ordered all its non-essential staff to be evacuated due to the worsening security situation.

Abulaziz al-Shalal, commander of Syria’s military police, defected to Turkey

Roy Siemens
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Abulaziz al-Shalal, commander of Syria’s military police, defected to Turkey

Abulaziz al-Shalal, commander of Syria’s military police, has defected from President Bashar al-Assad’s government and reportedly fled to Turkey.

Lt. Gen. Abulaziz al-Shalal is one of the highest-ranking officials to join the uprising against the Syrian regime.

The army had failed to protect Syrians and turned into “gangs of murder”, the general said in a video statement.

The announcement came amid reports of a deadly government strike in the northern province of Raqqa.

After reportedly crossing the border into Turkey, Gen. Abulaziz al-Shalal released a statement saying he had defected because the military had perpetrated massacres in towns and villages instead of protecting Syrians.

“I declare my defection from the army because of its deviation from its fundamental mission to protect the nation and transformation into gangs of murder and destruction,” he said in a video message posted online.

Opposition sources said the commander had been secretly co-operating with the rebels from the outset.

This is believed to be the case with many other senior defectors, our correspondent adds.

But Gen. Abulaziz al-Shalal said defecting was becoming more difficult because of the increased level of surveillance.

“Definitely, there are other high-ranking officers who want to defect but the situation is not suitable for them to declare defection,” he said.

An unnamed Syrian security source confirmed the army chief’s defection but played down its significance, Reuters news agency reports.

Abulaziz al-Shalal, commander of Syria's military police, has defected from President Bashar al-Assad's government and reportedly fled to Turkey
Abulaziz al-Shalal, commander of Syria’s military police, has defected from President Bashar al-Assad’s government and reportedly fled to Turkey

Gen. Abulaziz al-Shalal was due to retire soon and joined the uprising to “play hero”, the source is quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, reports of a deadly government strike near a village in the northern province of Raqqa have emerged.

Around 20 people, including eight children, were killed in the shelling, according to the UK-based activist group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The organization released video footage purportedly of the victims, showing blood-stained bodies laid out on blankets.

The SOHR is one of the most prominent organizations documenting and reporting incidents and casualties in the Syrian conflict. The group says its reports are impartial, though its information cannot be independently verified

Earlier this week, opposition activists said dozens of people had been killed in a government air strike in the rebel-held town of Halfaya in Hama province.

Although rebels have claimed some major territorial gains in recent months, the regime has hit back with massive firepower at the areas it has lost.

In a separate development, rebel fighters said they had seized the north-western town of Harem near the Turkish border.

On Tuesday the UN peace envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi held talks in Damascus with opposition figures who are tolerated by the regime but not supported by the mainstream opposition, our correspondent says.

Earlier, Lakhdar Brahimi had also met President Bashar al-Assad to discuss “the many steps to be taken in the future” to help end the conflict.

He did not, however, elaborate on what these steps were.

With the government dismissing the uprising as a foreign-backed extremist plot, and the rebels demanding that President Bashar al-Assad leave power immediately, the chances for a peaceful compromise seem slight.

Rebels have been fighting Bashar al-Assad’s government for 21 months. Opposition groups say more than 44,000 people have been killed.

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Gerry Anderson, Thunderbirds creator, dies aged 83

Sonia Pantiss
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Gerry Anderson, Thunderbirds creator, dies aged 83

Gerry Anderson, the creator of hit TV shows Thunderbirds, Stingray and Joe 90, has died aged 83.

Gerry Anderson also created Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons and his puppet superheroes fired the imaginations of millions of young viewers in the 1960s and ’70s.

Thunderbirds, a science-fiction fantasy about a daring space rescue squad, ran from 1965 and was his most famous show.

Gerry Anderson had suffered from Alzheimer’s since 2010 and the disease had worsened in recent months, his son Jamie said.

Jamie Anderson announced the news on his website, saying his father had died peacefully in his sleep at noon on Wednesday.

“Gerry was diagnosed with mixed dementia two years ago and his condition worsened quite dramatically over the past six months,” he wrote.

“Having already decided with his family on a care home for himself earlier this year, he moved in there in October.”

Gerry Anderson talked publicly about the onset of the disease in June 2012.

His other creations included UFO, Space: 1999, Supercar and Fireball XL5.

Gerry Anderson, the creator of hit TV show Thunderbirds, has died aged 83
Gerry Anderson, the creator of hit TV show Thunderbirds, has died aged 83

Celebrities paying tribute on Twitter included comedian Eddie Izzard, who wrote: “What great creation Thunderbirds was, as it fuelled the imagination of a generation.”

TV presenter Jonathan Ross wrote: “For men of my age, his work made childhood an incredible place to be.”

Gerry Anderson, who lived in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, began his career studying fibrous plastering, but had to give it up when it gave him dermatitis.

After a spell in photographic portrait work, a job in Gainsborough films and time spent in air traffic control, he set up AP Films with some friends.

Commissions were few, however, so he responded eagerly to the opportunity to make a puppet series called The Adventures of Twizzle in 1956. It was eight years before Thunderbirds came into being on ITV.

The action was filmed on Slough Trading Estate in Berkshire.

The story revolved around International Rescue, a futuristic emergency service manned by the Tracy family, often assisted by Lady Penelope and her butler, Parker.

It included the catchphrase “Thunderbirds are go!”.

The show marked the career apex for Gerry and his wife Sylvia, who had honed their “supermarionation” technique on Fireball XL5 and Stingray.

Nick Williams, chairman of Fanderson, the Gerry Anderson appreciation society, described him as “a quiet, unassuming but determined man”.

“His desire to make the best films he could drove him and his talented teams to innovate, take risks, and do everything necessary to produce quite inspirational works,” he said.

“Gerry’s legacy is that he inspired so many people and continues to bring so much joy to so many millions of people around the world.”

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Chelsea Clinton set to continue family political dynasty as Hillary Clinton prepares for run at White House

Diane A. Wade
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Chelsea Clinton set to continue family political dynasty as Hillary Clinton prepares for run at White House

Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former US President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is set to become the new face of the Clinton family political dynasty as her mother exits the stage after 31 years of public service.

Chelsea Clinton, now 32, is being tipped to follow in the footsteps of both her mother and former-president father and play an increasingly prominent role in public life.

Hillary Clinton will step down from the helm at the State Department early in the New Year to be replaced by Senator John Kerry – and will take a long break before her rumored run for the White House.

Now experts quoted in Politico.com are saying Chelsea Clinton is ready to take her place as the “young Clinton” to pave the way for Hillary’s Democratic presidential bid.

As a young girl growing up in the White House, Chelsea Clinton was the subject of massive public fascination, although her parents are credited with succeeding in protecting her from much of the media frenzy.

And it seems she has not been put off a political career – Chelsea Clinton joined the board of the Clinton Foundation a few years ago and in July, accompanied her father to Africa on a foundation mission.

In 2011, Chelsea Clinton made what was effectively her first step major in politics on her own, volunteering in campaign to pass New York’s gay marriage law.

It is rumored that she managed to convince her father to change his views on the issue.

Chelsea Clinton is set to become the new face of the Clinton family political dynasty
Chelsea Clinton is set to become the new face of the Clinton family political dynasty

Chelsea Clinton is now involved in both the Clinton Global Initiative and the Clinton Health Access Initiative and was also seen interviewing her mother at a Clinton Global Initiative event last year.

Former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, a staunch Hillary Clinton backer in her 2008 primary campaign, believes Chelsea could soon be securing the Clinton political legacy for many years to come.

Ted Strickland told Politico.com: “I think she could be a powerhouse.

“She has just, in my judgment, grown up into a person of considerable skill and competence.

“I don’t know if she has a personal goal in elected politics or not, or exactly what her life goals may be, but she certainly has a lot of rich personal experience as a result of [her upbringing].”

While a Chelsea Clinton candidacy still appears a long way off – she was still only a teenager when her mother first ran for the Senate in New York in 2000 – she has gradually become a confident public speaker.

Brian Ellner, an activist who organized the New York marriage campaign told Politico: “Chelsea Clinton speaks for her generation of young Americans who support marriage equality by wide margins, no matter what race or gender or even party.

“She has enormous credibility on the issue dating back to her work on the New York campaign.”

In a recent interview with Vogue Magazine, Chelsea Clinton gave a rare insight into what it was like growing up in the White House.

She revealed: “I was very aware of why we were there and that I was living among history.

“One of the things that my parents did a good job of was talking with me about their work.

“So at the end of the day, over dinner, I would tell them what I learned in biology class and my mother would tell me about advocating for women’s health around the world, and my dad would talk about the budget fight or what was happening in advance of a trip he was planning to Russia.

“I knew that we were having a different type of conversation than most of my friends, but there were normal rhythms that we started in Arkansas that very much carried through.”

Hillary Clinton will step down from the helm at the State Department early in the New Year. She will be replaced by Senator John Kerry.

It is rumored Hillary Clinton is planning for a second run at the presidency, although this is something she has continued to deny.

New generation iPad expected to be launched in March 2013

Nancy Clayson
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New generation iPad expected to be launched in March 2013

Although the iPad Mini is still fresh off the Apple’s table and yet reports of a new generation iPad are already circulating on Japanese tech blog Macotakara.

Rumor has it Apple plans to launch a fifth generation tablet in March 2013, in keeping with its yearly Spring releases of previous models.

But with the recent debut in November of the Mini, another model so soon is unexpected and will have technology fans wondering what new features it could possibly offer.

According to Macotakara‘s inside source the new iPad, will look like the iPad Mini in design and detail and the dimensions of a slightly smaller iPad 2.

Deciphering the claim that “the expectation [of the new iPad] comes to have a small 4mm in height, 17mm in width, depth 2mm”, would point to a reduction in size of the original iPad by these dimensions suggests 9to5mac.com.

The current iPad measures 9.50 in (241.2 mm) by 7.31in (185.7 mm) by 0.37 in (9.4 mm) and so according to the reports, the new one would be almost as thin as the iPad Mini at around 0.3 in (7 mm).

Although the iPad Mini is still fresh off the Apple's table and yet reports of a new generation iPad are already circulating on Japanese tech blog Macotakara
Although the iPad Mini is still fresh off the Apple’s table and yet reports of a new generation iPad are already circulating on Japanese tech blog Macotakara

There are currently three models of iPad and five generations.

The first iPad, the iPad 2 and the iPad Retina display all measure the same. Apple released a faster version of the iPad Retina (also known to many as the iPad 3) this past March and some people refer to this as the iPad 4.

Following hot on the heels of the iPad 4 launch was the introduction of the Mini measuring a sleek 7.87 in (200 mm) in height, 5.3 in (134.7 mm) in width and 0.28 in (7.2 mm) in depth.

And blogs are also whispering about plans for a new iPad Mini already in the works.

The new model, according to Macotakara, would feature the Retina display with the same resolution as the third and fourth generation iPads.

These theories have been backed up by Digitimes and come from a source known for its accuracy regarding insider information about Apple products.

If they do prove to be true, it would suggest that Apple is stepping up its game and keeping ahead of the curve within the world of tablets.

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