Bill Clinton branded Barack Obama “incompetent” and urged Hillary to run against him in 2012, claims Edward Klein’s book

According to Edward Klein’s new biography of Barack Obama called The Amateur, Bill Clinton tore into the president and branded him “incompetent” and that he “did not know how to be President”

Bill Clinton branded President Barack Obama as an “amateur” and urged his wife Hillary to run against him in 2012 U.S. presidential election, claims a new book, According to Edward Klein’s new biography of Barack Obama called The Amateur, Bill Clinton tore into the president and branded him “incompetent” and that he “did not know… Continue reading Bill Clinton branded Barack Obama “incompetent” and urged Hillary to run against him in 2012, claims Edward Klein’s book

Olympics 2012: ArcelorMittal Orbit officially unveiled today at the Olympic Park

The completed steel sculpture, known as ArcelorMittal Orbit, stands at the heart of the Olympic Park

Olympic Orbit, the looping red tower that looms over London’s Olympic Stadium, is being officially unveiled today. The completed steel sculpture – known as ArcelorMittal Orbit – stands at the heart of the Olympic Park. It was designed by Turner Prize-winning artist Anish Kapoor and structural designer Cecil Balmond. From the end of July, visitors… Continue reading Olympics 2012: ArcelorMittal Orbit officially unveiled today at the Olympic Park

North Korea has more access than ever to outside media, says US study

A new study has found that North Koreans have more access than ever to outside media, including radio, TV and DVDs

A new study has found that North Koreans have more access than ever to outside media, including radio, TV and DVDs. North Korean government was unable to maintain a ”total monopoly” over information and the people’s ”understanding of the world is changing”, said the report. Viewing of foreign DVDs in North Korea, especially, had risen… Continue reading North Korea has more access than ever to outside media, says US study

JP Morgan Chase reveals a surprise trading loss of $2 BN on investments

JPMorgan Chase has revealed a surprise trading loss of $2 billion on complex investments made by its traders

JPMorgan Chase, the biggest US bank, has revealed a surprise trading loss of $2 billion on complex investments made by its traders. Overall, after accounting for other gains, losses at its chief investment office (CIO) are estimated to come in at $800 million in the second quarter. The loss could be as big as $1… Continue reading JP Morgan Chase reveals a surprise trading loss of $2 BN on investments

Oldest Mayan calendar unearthed at Xultun archeological site

The oldest-known Mayan astronomical tables have been discovered at Xultun archeological site in Guatemala

The oldest-known Mayan astronomical tables have been discovered at Xultun archeological site in Guatemala, archaeologists announce. Xultun includes the first known instance of Mayan art painted on the walls of a dwelling. A report in Science says it dates from the early 9th Century, pre-dating other Mayan calendars by centuries. Such calendars rose to prominence recently… Continue reading Oldest Mayan calendar unearthed at Xultun archeological site

Brazil approves 2014 World Cup beer sales

Beer will be allowed to be sold in stadiums at the 2014 World Cup after Brazilian Senate has passed a controversial and much-delayed bill

Beer will be allowed to be sold in stadiums at the 2014 World Cup after Brazilian Senate has passed a controversial and much-delayed bill. When Brazil was chosen to host the event it promised to sell alcohol at matches despite a 2003 drinks ban introduced to stop violence. Football’s world governing body, FIFA, demanded the… Continue reading Brazil approves 2014 World Cup beer sales

EU cuts the cost of mobile phone calls within Europe

European Parliament has passed regulations to make using a mobile phone abroad significantly cheaper

European Parliament has passed regulations to make using a mobile phone abroad significantly cheaper. The plans, which were voted in by a huge majority, include imposing a price cap on operators. From July, using mobile data in Europe will not cost more than 70 eurocents per megabyte – far less than current rates. Consumers will… Continue reading EU cuts the cost of mobile phone calls within Europe

Mid-Infrared Instrument ready for James Webb Space Telescope

Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), one of Europe's main contributions to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is built and ready to ship to the US

Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), one of Europe’s main contributions to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is built and ready to ship to the US. MIRI will gather key data as the $9 billion observatory seeks to identify the first starlight in the Universe. The results of testing conducted at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the… Continue reading Mid-Infrared Instrument ready for James Webb Space Telescope

Olympics 2012: Olympic flame lit in Greece for London Games relay

Olympic flame which will be used for the London 2012 torch relay has been lit during a ceremony in Olympia, Greece

Olympic flame which will be used for the London 2012 torch relay has been lit during a ceremony in Olympia, Greece. The flame was kindled by a “high priestess” who captured the morning sun’s rays in a parabolic mirror. The ceremony came amid political and economic turmoil in Greece, the home of the Ancient Olympics,… Continue reading Olympics 2012: Olympic flame lit in Greece for London Games relay

Vladimir Putin will not attend G8 Camp David summit

President Vladimir Putin has told President Barack Obama that he will not attend the G8 summit in the US later this month

President Vladimir Putin has told President Barack Obama that he will not attend the G8 summit in the US later this month. Vladimir Putin, who was inaugurated as President this week after an absence of four years, told US officials he was busy finalizing his cabinet. Russian president will send the outgoing president, Dmitry Medvedev,… Continue reading Vladimir Putin will not attend G8 Camp David summit

Barack Obama has become the first sitting US president to back same-sex marriage

President Barack Obama has ended months of hedging on the issue of same-sex marriage by saying he thinks gay couples should be able to wed

President Barack Obama has ended months of hedging on the issue of same-sex marriage by saying he thinks gay couples should be able to wed. Barack Obama has become the first sitting US president to back gay marriage. Mitt Romney, the Republican who is set to challenge Barack Obama for the White House in November’s… Continue reading Barack Obama has become the first sitting US president to back same-sex marriage

Twitter objects at a New York court order to release Occupy protester messages

Malcolm Harris was arrested on 1 October along with hundreds of other campaigners during a march across Brooklyn Bridge

Twitter is objecting at a New York state court order to hand over the message history of Malcolm Harris, one of its users who is an Occupy protester. The court has called on Twitter to release tweets written by an activist who took part in the Occupy Wall Street protests last year. The micro-blogging service… Continue reading Twitter objects at a New York court order to release Occupy protester messages

Al-Qaeda underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was a CIA double agent

Underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab

Reports from the US say the al-Qaeda underwear bomber sent to blow up a U.S.-bound airliner was actually a double agent who infiltrated the group and volunteered for the suicide mission. US officials are quoted as saying that the person dispatched by Yemen-based al-Qaeda to attack a US-bound plane had infiltrated the group. In an… Continue reading Al-Qaeda underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was a CIA double agent

Ukraine postpones Central European summit after threatened boycott over Yulia Tymoshenko case

Ukraine has postponed the 18th summit of Central European states planned for 11-12 May in Yalta after several of European leaders said they would boycott it

Ukraine has decided to postpone the 18th summit of Central European states planned for 11-12 May in Yalta after several of European leaders said they would boycott it. Europe-wide concern about the treatment of jailed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko prompted the boycott. Yalta was the 11-12 May summit venue. Former PM Yulia Tymoshenko has… Continue reading Ukraine postpones Central European summit after threatened boycott over Yulia Tymoshenko case

First self-driven car license approved in Nevada for Google’s Toyota Prius

The first self-driven car to hit the highway will be a Toyota Prius modified by Google, which is leading the way in driverless car technology

The world’s first driverless cars will soon be a reality on the roads of Nevada after the state approved America’s first self-driven vehicle license. The first to hit the highway will be a Toyota Prius modified by Google, which is leading the way in driverless car technology. Its first drive included a spin down Las… Continue reading First self-driven car license approved in Nevada for Google’s Toyota Prius

PM Benjamin Netanyahu agrees on Israeli new coalition

PM Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed on a deal with Israeli opposition Kadima party, avoiding the early general election he had sought

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed on a deal with Israeli opposition Kadima party, avoiding the early general election he had sought. Kadima’s recently-elected leader, Shaul Mofaz, is set to be named deputy PM. PM Benjamin Netanyahu said their new coalition wanted a “responsible” peace process with the Palestinians and “serious” talks about Iran’s nuclear… Continue reading PM Benjamin Netanyahu agrees on Israeli new coalition

FBI foils al-Qaeda updated underwear bomb plot in Yemen

Fahd al-Quso, a senior al-Qaeda leader, was killed on Sunday by a drone strike, behind the updated underpants bomb plot

US officials say FBI has foiled a plot by al-Qaeda in Yemen to detonate an upgraded version of the failed 2009 “underwear bomb”. The device was seized in the Middle East following a CIA operation in Yemen and is now being studied by the FBI. Reports say no target had been chosen and no plane tickets… Continue reading FBI foils al-Qaeda updated underwear bomb plot in Yemen

Euro fell against USD and GBP following French and Greek election results

Euro fell against the dollar and the pound on Monday following French and Greek election results, which cast doubt on European austerity plans

Euro fell against the dollar and the pound on Monday following French and Greek election results, which cast doubt on European austerity plans. Pro-bailout parties in Greece performed poorly, while Francois Hollande won the French presidency, promising to focus more on growth. The euro fell as low as $1.295, its lowest since January, and dropped to… Continue reading Euro fell against USD and GBP following French and Greek election results

2012 US Peace Index reveals the most peaceful and most violent states in America

According to IEP, Maine has been crowned the most peaceful state in America, having the lowest levels of violent crime, incarceration and police officers

The non-profit Institute for Economics and Peace has released its U.S. peace index for the second-straight year. According to 24/7 Wall St., the rankings were compiled based on five categories, including violent crime, amount of law enforcement and the ability to obtain small arms. Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) founder Steve Killelea told 24/7… Continue reading 2012 US Peace Index reveals the most peaceful and most violent states in America

Francois Hollande celebrates victory in France’s presidential election

President-elect Francois Hollande and the new First Lady Valerie Trierweiler celebrating in Paris

Francois Hollande has been celebrating his victory in France’s presidential election. Socialist Francois Hollande – who polled just under 52% of votes in Sunday’s run-off election – said he was “proud to have been capable of giving people hope again”. Centre-right incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy is the first French president not to win a second term… Continue reading Francois Hollande celebrates victory in France’s presidential election

Francois Hollande wins French presidential election, say early estimates

French Socialist Francois Hollande has been elected as new president, according to early estimates

French Socialist Francois Hollande has been elected as new president, according to early estimates. Francois Hollande got about 52% of votes in today’s run-off, according to projections based on partial results, against 48% for centre-right incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy. He would be the first French socialist president since 1995. Analysts say the vote has wide implications… Continue reading Francois Hollande wins French presidential election, say early estimates

Russia: violent clashes at anti-Putin protests in Moscow

Protesters against Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin have clashed with police in the capital Moscow, ahead of his inauguration on Monday for a third term

Protesters against Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin have clashed with police in the capital Moscow, ahead of his inauguration on Monday for a third term. The protest was peaceful until a small group of demonstrators tried to break through the lines of riot police. Opposition activists Alexei Navalny, Sergei Udaltsov and Boris Nemtsov have all been… Continue reading Russia: violent clashes at anti-Putin protests in Moscow

President Barack Obama kicks off his re-election campaign in Columbus, Ohio

Barack Obama targeted swing states Ohio and Virginia that are critical for his bid to remain in the White House

It was an embarrassing start for President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign yesterday as he held his first political rally of the 2012 race in a half-empty arena. With First Lady dressed head to toe in campaign colors at his side, Barack Obama targeted swing states Ohio and Virginia that are critical for his bid to… Continue reading President Barack Obama kicks off his re-election campaign in Columbus, Ohio

France votes in second round of presidential election

Nicolas Sarkozy says he averted recession and will preserve a "strong France” while Francois Hollande contends the country is in "serious crisis" and needs change

France is prepared for the second round of presidential election that could see a socialist winner for the first time since 1988. In the first round socialist Francois Hollande won 28.6% of the vote, ahead of incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy on 26.2%. Rising unemployment and the euro crisis have dominated the campaign. Nicolas Sarkozy says he… Continue reading France votes in second round of presidential election

Olympics 2012: London Olympic Stadium oficially opened

Niamh Clarke-Willis joined LOCOG head Lord Sebastian Coe to hit a button which launched balloons into the sky above London Olympic Stadium for this summer's Games

2012 Olympics stadium has been officially opened by nine-year-old Niamh Clarke-Willis at a ceremony in east London. Niamh Clarke-Willis joined LOCOG head Lord Sebastian Coe to hit a button which launched balloons into the sky above the venue for this summer’s Games. Around 40,000 members of the public were at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford… Continue reading Olympics 2012: London Olympic Stadium oficially opened