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Nicole Kidman plays Grace Kelly in a Princess of Monaco’s biopic

Lisa.Felice
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Nicole Kidman plays Grace Kelly in a Princess of Monaco’s biopic

Grace Kelly is one of the silver screen’s greatest icons.

But it seems Nicole Kidman will be able to pull off the difficult task of playing her in a new Grace Kelly biopic.

Nicole Kidman, 45, looks sensational in a portrait where she has the Princess of Monaco’s glamorous style down to perfection.

The Australian actress wears the Oscar-winning star’s swept back hairstyle, and a classically elegant gown in the image from Grace of Monaco.

And Nicole Kidman should have the acting chops to pull of such a difficult role too, as she won an Academy Award herself for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in 2002’s The Hours.

Nicole Kidman looks sensational in a portrait where she has the Princess of Monaco's glamorous style down to perfection
Nicole Kidman looks sensational in a portrait where she has the Princess of Monaco’s glamorous style down to perfection

The film is not quite a classic biopic however, as it follows Grace Kelly’s personal story during an intriguing time in the principality’s history in 1962.

It focuses on a six-month period in which the new Princess of Monaco maneuvered behind the scenes in an effort to save the city-state from a coup.

It has a heavyweight cast which includes Tim Roth, Parker Posey, and Milo Ventimiglia, and is directed by La Vie en Rose favorite Olivier Dahn.

Nicole Kidman’s classically elegant look is certainly a million miles away from her appearance in The Paperboy, which has just been released in cinemas.

She plays wild character Charlotte Bless, which follows a reporter [Matthew McConaughey] and his younger brother [Zac Efron] as they investigate a murder to exonerate a man on death row.

Nicole Kidman ends up urinating on Zac Efron after his character has an encounter with a jellyfish, and also participates in some sex scenes.

 

Diana Ross steps out make-up free while shopping at CVS Parmacy

Lisa.Felice
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Diana Ross almost always looks immaculate and glamorous and is one of the few recording artists to have two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

But, the soul singer looked a million miles away from the multi-award winning artist that wowed the public during a 40-year career.

Diana Ross, 68, was dressed down as she headed to her local pharmacy for some supplies on Saturday afternoon, in Beverly Hills, California.

She stepped out make-up free while shopping at CVS Pharmacy and had tried to keep a low profile during the trip.

There was no sign of her trademark long gowns as she sported a pair of baggy purple jogging bottoms and some trainers.

The diva also wore a sandy yellow hoody and hid her eyes behind a pair of sunglasses as she ventured out with an au-naturel style.

Diana Ross stepped out make-up free while shopping at CVS Pharmacy and had tried to keep a low profile during the trip
Diana Ross stepped out make-up free while shopping at CVS Pharmacy and had tried to keep a low profile during the trip

Although she had no make-up on, the grandmother-of-two still looked pretty as she smiled while checking her shopping receipt.

Diana Ross’s wild mane of hair was free flowing and untouched as she made her way back to her car no doubt hoping nobody recognized her.

She may have to get out her glad rags soon enough after it was announced a new musical based on her and Motown would be hitting Broadway.

Motown: the Musical will be based on a book written by Berry Gordy, the owner of the iconic record label.

It will cover his youth, inspiration and will detail his long effort to get the label off the ground.

 

Shakira shows off her baby bump for the first time

Lisa.Felice
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Shakira shows off her baby bump for the first time

Shakira recently announced she is expecting her first child together with Gerard Pique and now she has done another first.

Shakira, 35, who is around six-months pregnant, shared a picture of herself that shows off her baby bump for the very first time.

She looks positively radiant in the image that shows her in a lovely purple dress that cannot hide her growing bump.

The Colombian star posted the picture on Facebook on Saturday afternoon and added the caption: “Now I don’t have a six pack, only one pack!!”

Almost instantly after sharing the intimate photograph fans inundated her with well wishes and congratulations.

The picture received almost 50,000 comments and had near 400,000 people saying they liked it.

Shakira, who is around six-months pregnant, shared a picture of herself that shows off her baby bump for the very first time
Shakira, who is around six-months pregnant, shared a picture of herself that shows off her baby bump for the very first time

Shakira announced last month that she was five months pregnant with her first child.

She wrote on her Facebook page: “As some of you may know, Gerard and I are very happy awaiting the arrival of our first baby!

“At this time we have decided to give priority to this unique moment in our lives and postpone all the promotional activities planned over the next few days.”

Her baby joy comes nearly two years after she started dating Gerard Pique.

The handsome couple met in 2010 while shooting the video to her song Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).

The song was the official track of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, which was won by Spain.

Earlier this year, Shakira and Gerard Pique made the all-important decision to live together and recently purchased a large home in Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona.

Her romance with Gerard Pique comes after she was in an 11-year relationship with Argentine lawyer Antonio de la Rua.

Coincidentally, Antonio de la Rua has also revealed this month he is set to become a father for the first time.

His girlfriend, former Miss Colombia Daniela Ramos, 24, is four months pregnant with his child.

 

Meningitis outbreak: New England Compounding Center injectable steroids make seven victims

Kathryn R. Bown
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Meningitis outbreak: New England Compounding Center injectable steroids make seven victims

Fungal meningitis outbreak death toll has risen to seven in U.S.

The disease has been linked to spinal steroid injections, sparking fear as new cases have been reported in nine states.

The potential scope of the meningitis outbreak, that has sickened 64 people, widened dramatically as health officials warned that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of patients who received steroid back injections in 23 states could be at risk.

The outbreak of the disease, known as Aspergillus meningitis, is caused by a fungus found in a spinal steroid injections, a fairly common treatment used to relieve back pain, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The latest fatalities were reported in Michigan on Saturday, though the Michigan Department of Community Health said they would not provide more information on the two deaths until after the weekend.

The fifth victim, Diana Reed, died on Wednesday afternoon at St Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, surrounded by family members.

Diana Reed, 56, is one of thousands of patients recently treated in Tennessee hospitals for back pain with a steroid epidural – a fairly typical treatment. But since then a tainted batch of steroids released across the U.S. has been linked to dozens of cases of fungal meningitis.

The injectable steroids responsible for Diana Reed’s death were produced by New England Compounding Center, a specialized pharmacy in Framingham, Massachusetts. The company has shut down operations and said it is working with regulators to identify the source of the infection.

It is not clear how many patients received tainted injections, or even whether everyone who got one will get sick.

So far, 64 people in nine states – Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Florida, North Carolina, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio – have contracted fungal meningitis, and five have died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In an alarming indication that the outbreak could get a lot bigger, Massachusetts health officials said the pharmacy involved, the New England Compounding Center of Framingham, has recalled three lots consisting of a total of 17,676 single-dose vials of the steroid, preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate.

An unknown number of those vials reached 75 clinics and other facilities in 23 states between July and September, federal health officials said. Several hundred of the vials, maybe more, have been returned unused, one Massachusetts official said.

However, many other vials were used. At one clinic in Evansville, Indiana, more than 500 patients got shots from the suspect lots, officials said. At two clinics in Tennessee, more than 900 patients received them.

The incubation period before symptoms appear is 28 days, and is almost certain more cases will be reported say health officials, who are now calling this a national health crisis.

Unlike the more common viral and bacterial meningitis, fungal meningitis is not contagious. It is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

Symptoms include a severe headache, nausea, fever, and dizziness.

The first patients identified in Tennessee experienced slurred speech, and difficulty walking and urinating.

The pharmacy voluntarily recalled three lots of the steroid Methylprednisolone Acetate on September 26 according to the FDA. The drug is primarily used to relieve back pain.

The drug was administered to patients in their late 40s to early 80s.

Tennessee’s S. Thomas Hospital, ground zero for the outbreak with a suspected 15 cases as of Wednesday with two in critical condition, reported having 2,000 vials of the steroid in stock before the threat was discovered.

“Some are doing well and improving. Some are very ill – very, very seriously ill and may die,” Tennessee health official Dr. David Reagan said.

In Tennessee alone roughly 1,000 people were administered the steroid.

The link between the injections and the meningitis was discovered by Tennessee physician April Pettit, who found the initial cases were all people who’d recently received an epidural.

Officials are still investigating how the steroid resulted in fungal meningitis.

New England Compounding Center released a statement promising to work with heath authorities to discover what happened. But company president and licensed pharmacist Barry J. Cadden has otherwise dodged interview requests and the company web site is down.

An archived version of the site notes the company is licensed to distribute drugs in every U.S. state.

New England Compounding Center is among the approximately 3,000 U.S. compounding pharmacies specializing in blending, liquefying, or combining medicines customized for patients unable to swallow tablets, require specific dosages, or who have allergies.

Such companies are regulated by the state boards of pharmacy that license them rather than facing the broader regulations traditional drug companies deal with.

The pharmacy has produced questionable products before. In 2006, New England Compounding Center was one of four companies ordered by the Food and Drug Administration to cease producing a topical anesthetic cream that was found to cause “grave reactions including seizures and irregular heartbeats”.

The cream was the cause of two deaths, neither tied directly to New England Compounding Center.

That same year the company was also cited for multiple violations of federal laws and regulations based on a 2004 review of its offices. They were charged with misbranding drugs prescribed for eye treatment, misbranding an anesthetic drug and failing to provide adequate directions for its use, and promoting the use of a cancer drug for an unapproved purpose.

An FDA warning letter admonished the company that it was “distributing an unapproved drug in violation” of federal regulations.

In 2010 the company was sued by an Illinois firm that alleged New England Compounding Center illegally hacked its database violating the federal computer fraud and abuse act. The case was eventually settled.

STATE-BY-STATE BREAKDOWN

Tennessee: The initial outbreak site with a suspected 16 cases, two of whom are in critical condition. Three others have already died.

North Carolina: The second state to report infection with one case found at an unidentified clinic.

Florida: Only two cases have been reported but health officials fear more may come forward.

Virginia: One person has died from fungal meningitis and three more cases are still being treated.

Maryland: Seven medical clinics in Maryland pulled their stock of a questionable steroid after one person died and two more cases were reported.

Indiana: At least five people in Indiana are sick with fungal meningitis, with no fatalities yet reported.

Michigan: There are at least eight confirmed cases of meningitis in Michigan, including two deaths.

Minnesota: Fungal meningitis has been diagnosed in two women hospitalized in Minnesota.

Ohio: Health officials reported Saturday of a 65-year-old man being treated for the meningitis after receiving the steroid.

 

 

Oestrogen cream speeds up leg ulcers healing process

Kathryn R. Bown
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Oestrogen cream speeds up leg ulcers healing process

Doctors have discovered why wounds such as ulcers take longer to heal in older people – and they believe a cream containing the female hormone oestrogen could be the answer.

Diabetics, the elderly and people with nerve damage or circulatory problems are particularly at risk.

Not only are these wounds painful and debilitating – taking months to heal or, in some cases, never healing – they also leave people exposed to potentially life-threatening infections because there is no barrier preventing bacteria entering the body.

Furthermore, research shows that patients who develop a non-healing wound end up staying in hospital three times longer than they should.

Until now, it has been poorly understood why some wounds take a long time to heal.

It’s thought it is because cells are not co-ordinating properly to allow tissue to heal, although the precise mechanism is not known.

This means current treatments – including dressings and even the use of maggots to clean wounds – are largely ineffective.

For some, the only solution is amputation.

Now British researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered that the female hormone oestrogen – which is naturally present in both men and women – plays a key role in wound healing.

Oestrogen levels decline in both men and women as they get older as part of the natural ageing process: in women after the menopause while men experience a gradual fall from their 20s.

Falling oestrogen levels are known to age the skin, reducing elasticity and altering the body’s response to inflammation.

Laboratory tests have now shown that oestrogen has an effect on a range of different cells within a wound.

The research involved taking tissue samples from young and older men and looking for differences in the genes involved in the body’s healing process.

Scientists found the main variations were in genes affected by oestrogen.

The differences in the genes were “very strong” between the young and older men, explains Dr. Matthew Hardman, a senior research fellow from the University of Manchester’s Healing Foundation Centre who made the breakthrough.

In other words, the natural fall in oestrogen levels that occurs with age is the reason wounds don’t heal as well in older people. This led to the conclusion that if older people could be given oestrogen, their bodies would heal better.

Dr. Matthew Hardman says: “We knew that oestrogen was important in healing, but we didn’t realize it played such a pivotal role.

“Our discovery could lead to a new treatment for people with non-healing wounds.

“This could make a huge difference to their lives, as these wounds are not only painful but cause immobility and social isolation.”

However, it is not possible to simply give patients oestrogen because of its side-effects, including an increased risk of cancer, he adds.

“So we have been developing and testing treatment options using compounds similar to oestrogen but without the side-effects that come with it.”

Breast cancer drug Tamoxifen, which is similar in structure to oestrogen, has been identified as a possible treatment for non-healing wounds by the researchers.

After successfully turning the drug into a cream that can be applied to an open wound, they are about to test it on 30 volunteers over the age of 65.

They will receive two small skin cuts, one treated with the Tamoxifen cream and the other with a placebo.

If the trial is successful, the cream will then be tested on a larger group of patients with chronic wounds and could be widely available in five years’ time, says Dr. Matthew Hardman.

Meanwhile, researchers have been testing the benefits of algae for slowing down the effects of ageing.

A study published in the journal Actia Biochmica Polonica shows that an antioxidant harvested from sea algae may improve skin elasticity and moisture content.

In one trial, conducted in Japan, 30 women with dry skin were given a 6mg daily oral supplement and a rub-on solution.

After eight weeks there were significant improvements in moisture content of the outer skin layer.

In another trial with 36 men, moisture content and sebum oil level in the cheeks improved after six weeks.

It’s thought the benefits may be due to the antioxidant astaxanthin, also found in fish and seafood (it provides the red color of salmon).

This may help protect the outer layers of the skin against free radical cell damage.

 

Karrueche Tran disappointed by Chris Brown’s recent video claiming he still loves Rihanna

Lisa.Felice
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Karrueche Tran disappointed by Chris Brown’s recent video claiming he still loves Rihanna

Karrueche Tran, Chris Brown’s former lover, is said to be livid about his recent video in which he claims he loves “two women at the same time”.

A source close to Karrueche Tran has told TMZ that she is “pissed” at Chris Brown for dumping her in such a public way.

Karrueche Tran, 23, is said to be disappointed in Chris Brown’s decision to broadcast his feelings on the internet and feels he should have kept things private.

Meanwhile, sources close to Chris Brown say he made the video in an attempt to soften the blow for ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran.

Karrueche Tran, Chris Brown's former lover, is said to be livid about his recent video
Karrueche Tran, Chris Brown’s former lover, is said to be livid about his recent video

In the video, Chris Brown says: “I’m stressed out… when you share history with somebody, then you tend to fall in love with somebody else, it’s kinda difficult.

“Is there such thing as loving two people? I don’t know if that’s possible, but for me, I feel like that.”

But after Chris Brown made his video public, Karreuche Tran was less than impressed with his admission.

She tweeted: “Wtf is going on? All I’m saying is.. You don’t mess with people’s genuine feelings. You just don’t! Life moves on.. So let’s all.”

Meanwhile Rihanna made a veiled reference to Chris Brown as she wrote on her Twitter: “Ain’t nobody bidness….. But mine and my baby!”

And friends of the pair are said to be concerned about their potential reconciliation.

A source told RadarOnline.com: “Chris and Rihanna just love the drama. They know their fans don’t support them getting back together, and that it’s a terrible PR move since Chris was convicted of beating Rihanna.

“However, this is what Chris and Rihanna thrive on. There are still major trust issues that Rihanna has with Chris, with good reason, he was hooking up with her while he was still dating Karrueche. Chris and Rihanna back together in any capacity is just a disaster in the making.”

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Sudan: military plane crashes near Khartoum killing 13 people

Diane A. Wade
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Sudan: military plane crashes near Khartoum killing 13 people

A Sudanese military plane has crashed outside the capital, Khartoum, killing some 13 people, officials say.

The Russian-made Antonov was travelling from Khartoum to Fasher in the conflict-riven region of Darfur.

The plane made an emergency landing after trying to turn back to the air base in Khartoum because of mechanical problems, a military spokesman said.

Some nine people were rescued from the crash site west of the capital, he told state TV.

“Five minutes into the flight… the pilot radioed that one engine had stopped working,” said army spokesman Col al-Sawarmi Khalid.

“Shortly afterwards, he reported that a second engine on the same side (wing) had broken down, which made the plane unbalanced. He said he would make an emergency landing.”

There have been a number of deadly plane crashes in Sudan in recent years.

In August, a civilian plane crashed in a southern state, killing more than 30 people including a government minister.

The authorities say it is hard to get spare parts because of US sanctions against Khartoum.

Government forces are still involved in clashes with rebels in Darfur, where a civil war broke out in 2003, though violence in the western region has fallen from its peak.

 

Lady Gaga’s restaurant smacked with a C grade after health officials inspection

Kathryn R. Bown
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Lady Gaga’s restaurant smacked with a C grade after health officials inspection

The high-end Manhattan restaurant owned by Lady Gaga and her family has been slammed by health officials for its filthy ways.

Joanne Trattoria on the city’s West Side scored an embarrassing “C” grade during a Department of Health inspection, the lowest possible rating.

And it wasn’t even close to the boundary – any restaurant racking up 28 or more violation points gets stamped with a “C” and Lady Gaga’s was found to have a staggering 42, six of them “critical”.

Joanne Trattoria was visited by the clean team on October 2, the report since published by the Smoking Gun.

Joseph and Cynthia Germanotta, Lady Gaga’s restaurant-running parents ought really to have seen it coming, following a string of crushing reviews including that the food is “worse than herpes”.

But perhaps they spent too much time listening to their daughter, who in September blamed recent weight gain on eating too much of their good food.

“I’m dieting right now, because I gained, like, 25 pounds,” Lady Gaga told radio host Elvis Duran.

“My father opened a restaurant. It’s so amazing… it’s so freaking delicious, but I’m telling you I gain five pounds every time I go in there.”

The Gotham eatery, which has only been in business since February, began ruffling feathers in the sanitary department shortly after opening.

The West 68th Street spot first fell foul (literally) of health standards less than one month after launching, scoring a boarder-line “C” with 31 violations.

It sharpened up its act, being up-graded and just scraping an “A” with 12 out of a possible 14 counts.

While the “C” shame was swept under the carpet, the restaurant embraced its new found “A”, posting photographs of its qualifying certificate among beaming staff on Facebook.

Now though it seems to have let standards slip once more and is back on the black-list.

With salads charged at more than $20 and steaks in excess of $38, you’d think the family-run business might be able to afford hand-wash basins in staff toilets.

“Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room,” the scathing report reads.

“Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.”

That revelation was made more revolting still by the finding that staff was abandoning kitchen utensils in favor of their hands.

Other health crimes committed by Joanne Trattoria’s included staff wearing filthy clothing and no hair nets.

Surfaces were left unwashed, officials found, food not protected from contamination and kitchen workers abandoned utensils in favor of their hands.

Needless to say this one is unlikely to be advertised by the Lady Gaga-clan on social media.

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South Korea triples its ballistic missile system range

Roy Siemens
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South Korea triples its ballistic missile system range

South Korea has announced a deal with the US to almost triple the range of its ballistic missile system, saying this will counter the threat from North Korea.

The whole of the North, along with parts of China and Japan, will be within South Korea’s new 800 km range.

South Korea had been restricted to missiles with a range of 300 km under a previous security deal.

It was revised after North Korea tested a long-range rocket launch in April.

The US has more than 28,000 troops in South Korea and provides security guarantees for its ally.

A spokeswoman for President Lee Myung-bak said there was no imminent change of strategy, but the new agreement was a political symbol of the strong alliance with the US and a deterrent to Pyongyang.

“The biggest purpose of the revision is curbing military provocations by North Korea,” said another official, National Security Adviser Chun Yung-woo.

Under a 2001 accord, South Korea had been prevented from developing and deploying ballistic missiles with a range of more than 300 km (186 miles) because of concerns this could trigger a regional arms race.

The new deal puts North Korean military facilities which were previously out of range within reach, as well as parts of China and Japan.

It will also allow South Korea to triple the payload from 500 kg for missiles over shorter distances.

Correspondents say Seoul has for a long time argued for an extension of the range limit, but this took on greater urgency earlier this year.

In April, North Korea conducted a failed long-range rocket launch that it said was an attempt to put a satellite into orbit.

Critics said the launch was a disguised test of missile technology, banned under UN resolutions.

Three weeks ago, the US and Japan agreed to set up a second missile defence system on Japanese soil in response to the North Korean threat.

 

Turkey in new Syria retaliation

Roy Siemens
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Turkey in new Syria retaliation

Turkish military has returned fire across the border after a Syrian mortar round again landed on Turkey soil, television channels say.

The incident happened in southern Hatay province on Friday afternoon, Turkish media said. No injuries were reported.

On Wednesday Syrian mortar fire killed five Turkish civilians in the town of Akcakale.

That prompted Turkey to return fire and its parliament to authorize military action inside Syria.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had warned Syria earlier on Friday at a large rally in Istanbul that the countries were “not far” from war.

Although he has insisted the parliamentary vote was only a deterrent and that Turkey would not start a war, he said at the rally: “Those who attempt to test Turkey’s deterrence, its decisiveness, its capacity, I say here they are making a fatal mistake.”

On Friday, Turkey moved tanks and anti-aircraft missiles into Akcakale and a Turkish foreign ministry official told Associated Press that Syria had pulled tanks and other material away from the border.

Turkish NTV channel said Syria had ordered warplanes and helicopters not to enter within 10 km (six miles) of the Turkish border, but Damascus has made no comment on this.

Friday’s shelling incident reportedly took place near the Turkish town of Altinozu in Hatay province, much further west, at about 16:30 GMT.

The governor of Hatay province, Celalettin Lekesiz, was quoted by the Anadolu agency as saying that Turkish troops “responded with fire” after a mortar round landed in a rural area.

Although there were no reports of fresh cross-border clashes in Akcakale, the situation there remains tense.

One resident of Oncul, close to Akcakale, told AP: “Our store owners, our citizens and our children are all very concerned. We did not sleep until morning.”

On Thursday, the UN Security Council said the Akcakale shelling – which is believed to have been an accident – underscored the grave impact the Syrian crisis was having on “regional peace and stability”. Two women and three children were killed.

Turkey’s parliamentary vote authorized troops to launch cross-border operations against Syria and strike at Syrian targets for a period of one year.

Turkey’s retaliatory fire is its first since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad’s government began 18 months ago.

Clashes between government forces and rebels continued across Syria on Friday.

The city of Homs was subjected to its most severe bombardment in five months, activists said.

They also reported fierce clashes in the second city Aleppo, and government shelling in the capital Damascus, Hama and Idlib.

Activists also posted videos online which they said showed a military aircraft being shot down by rebel fighters as it bombarded towns in the eastern Ghouta area.

It was unclear whether it was a helicopter or fighter jet.

According to activists, more than 30,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began. The UN estimates that at least 20,000 have died.

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Drinking more than three cups of coffee a day may increase risk of glaucoma

Kathryn R. Bown
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Drinking more than three cups of coffee a day may increase risk of glaucoma

According to an American research, drinking more than three cups of coffee a day may increase the risk of vision loss and blindness.

Even moderate amounts of the drink make developing the devastating eye condition glaucoma more likely.

The study, published in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, suggests coffee lovers reduce their intake to reduce their chances of developing the condition.

Glaucoma occurs when the drainage tubes within the eye become slightly blocked.

This prevents eye fluid from draining properly, causing pressure to build up.

When the fluid cannot drain properly, pressure builds up.

This can damage the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, and the nerve fibres from the retina (the light-sensitive nerve tissue that lines the back of the eye).

The researchers, from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, suggest that compounds found in coffee may increase pressure within the eyeball, causing a vision-destroying condition known as exfoliation glaucoma.

This occurs when material is rubbed off both the eye’s iris and lens, which then clogs up the eyeball’s fluid-draining system, leading to increased pressure within the eye

However, no correlation was with other caffeine products such as tea, cola or chocolate.

Previous research has found that Scandinavian populations have the highest occurrence of exfoliation glaucoma.

They also have the highest consumption of caffeinated coffee in the world.

The new study assessed more than 120,000 people in the UK and U.S. who were over 40 and not suffering from glaucoma.

They completed questionnaires about how much coffee they drank and their medical records were checked for a history of glaucoma.

Those who drank more than three cups a day were had an increased risk of developing glaucoma compared with those who abstained.

Women with a family history of glaucoma also had an elevated risk.

Coffee may not be without its benefits, however. Research published earlier this year in the New England Journal of Medicine found drinking four to five cups a day possibly reduced the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, among other conditions.

GLAUCOMA: THE DISEASE THAT DESTROYS VISION

Glaucoma affects 1% of people over 40 and around 5% of people over 65.

Those at increased risk include diabetics, people of African or black Caribbean origin and those with a family history of glaucoma.

The condition develops very slowly and, as a result, usually has no noticeable symptoms.

Sight loss also goes unnoticed because the first part of the eye to be affected is the outer field of vision (peripheral vision).

The damage then slowly works inward, towards the centre of the eye.

 

Vladimir Putin’s birthday: the President turns 60 but one in five Russian women would like to marry him

Diane A. Wade
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Vladimir Putin’s birthday: the President turns 60 but one in five Russian women would like to marry him

As President Vladimir Putin turns 60 years old, it appears he is still a hit with the ladies as a new survey reveals one in five Russian women would like to marry him.

The active President, who is often pictured horse riding topless, hand-gliding and driving Formula One race cars, turns 60 tomorrow.

But that doesn’t seem to have had any impact on his charm – with 6% of Russian women saying they “definitely would” marry Vladimir Putin while a further 14% said they probably would.

Just 43% said they “definitely would not” want to walk down the aisle the President, who has ruled the country for 12 years, in the survey by the independent polling station Levada.

But while President Vladimir Putin may still appeal to a high percentage of the female population, it appears that he isn’t as popular with the remaining electorate.

Vladimir Putin has been facing growing pressure as protests continue against Russia’s rigid political system and repressive Kremlin laws that have provoked wide-spread discontent.

Utilities fees and other municipal payments rose during the summer and look set to continue to rise throughout the winter.

Analysts warn that the government would quickly run out of cash to pay wages and pensions if Russia’s energy revenues dry up. Even with the current relatively high oil prices, the Kremlin has been struggling to raise funds for a planned pension reform.

Vladimir Putin has pledged repeatedly to ease Russia’s dependence on energy exports, encourage high-tech industries, create incentives for small and medium business and improve the investment climate.

But oil and gas revenues still account for the bulk of the government budget, while red tape, rampant corruption and courts bowing to official orders have spooked investors and stymied economic development.

Stanislav Belkovsky, a political consultant with past ties to the Kremlin, said: “Putin hasn’t moved a finger to change the economic model established during his 12-year rule, and he can’t be realistically expected to make any changes now.”

During the latest election campaign in March, Vladimir Putin made generous pledges to raise wages and pensions, as well as boost social programs and the military budget.

But even Cabinet officials have acknowledged that his promises can’t be fulfilled without destabilizing the economy – meaning he could face trouble whichever way he turns.

After his inauguration, Vladimir Putin cracked down on his foes with a slew of draconian laws that hiked fines 150-fold for taking part in unauthorized protests, decriminalized slander and required non-government organizations that receive foreign funding to register as foreign agents.

Vladimir Putin has suffered a gradual decline in popularity but he still enjoys majority support largely thanks to the absence of a strong alternative after years of Kremlin efforts to sideline the opposition.

But for now he seems safe in his position and his adoring supporters will come out in their masses to celebrate his birthday tomorrow in cities from Siberia to Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia, where the ruling party’s loyal Young Guard will unfurl a banner on a bridge which they say symbolizes Vladimir Putin’s role by uniting Asia and Europe.

Opponents will make their feelings known much closer to home, protesting near Moscow’s Red Square under the banner: “We’re sending the old man into retirement.”

The organizers plan to send their own symbolic message by asking protesters to bring gifts suitable for a pensioner – anything, perhaps, from reading glasses to a pipe.

The man himself will be relaxing with his close family and plans no special celebrations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Just a few months into a third term as president, he may be reaching retirement age, but has no plans to retire.

After 12 years as Russia’s paramount leader, opinion polls show Vladimir Putin enjoys higher ratings than most Western politicians, but they are down from their peak during the oil-fuelled economic boom of his first presidency from 2000 until 2008.

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British shorthair cat tries to scratch an itch using a spiky hedgehog

Diane A. Wade
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British shorthair cat tries to scratch an itch using a spiky hedgehog

Animal lovers may want to look away now as a cat desperately tries to scratch an itch – using a spiky hedgehog.

But while you would think the hedgehog would prove a bit prickly, this blue British shorthair appears to think it makes the perfect scratching post.

The 56 second clip posted on YouTube earlier this week shows the domesticated cat tentatively approaching the curled up hedgehog before rolling its neck around the bristles.

And far from looking in pain, the cat’s delight at his new found scratcher is evident as he closes his eyes and rolls around on the hedgehog.

He then has a quick break from his strenuous scratching – going for a lick of milk from a nearby saucer.

But the British shorthair – voted the most popular breed of cat by the UK’s Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) since 2001 – soon returns to the hedgehog to continue his back scratch.

Throughout the video the cat’s owners’ can be heard giggling but the hedgehog remains perfectly still throughout until the briefest of movements right at the end of the video.

Many commentators debated whether the hedgehog was real or fake – with many claiming it was just instinctively hiding its head for protection.

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Venezuela presidential election: Hugo Chavez vs. Henrique Capriles

Diane A. Wade
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Venezuela presidential election: Hugo Chavez vs. Henrique Capriles

Venezuelan voters are set to go to the polls in what is predicted to be the country’s most tightly contested presidential election in a decade.

Left-wing incumbent Hugo Chavez, first elected in 1999, is being challenged by opposition leader Henrique Capriles.

Hugo Chavez wants to continue what he calls his socialist revolution while Henrique Capriles has promised to restore economic growth.

Almost 19 million Venezuelans are eligible to vote in the election.

Hugo Chavez – who is seeking a fourth term in office – was diagnosed with cancer last year but says he has now fully recovered.

A colorful and often controversial figure on the international stage, President Hugo Chavez, 58, has nationalized key sectors of the economy.

Venezuela is a major oil producer and high oil prices over the past decade have allowed his government to fund health-care, education programmes and social housing.

He says he needs another term to complete his “Bolivarian Revolution” towards socialism.

However, Henrique Capriles, 40, and the opposition say the president’s policies have led to bureaucracy, inefficiency, and shortages.

They also accuse Hugo Chavez of authoritarianism and of suppressing the judiciary and silencing critics in the media.

Henrique Capriles says a lack of investment in Venezuela’s crucial oil industry has led to a decline in production.

Both candidates held huge final rallies on Thursday – the last day of campaigning.

The two candidates have also used social media to encourage voters to cast their ballots.

“Good morning to all, one day left to open the door to the future!” Henrique Capriles wrote on his Twitter account on Saturday.

“Comrades across the world: Be assured that Bolivar’s people will continue to work to make another world possible, that is, a socialist one!” President Hugo Chavez tweeted.

Almost 140,000 soldiers will be deployed to guard more than 10,000 voting centres.

A week before the election, three opposition activists were killed during a campaign rally, and four people were injured in a shooting during a voting rehearsal in September.

From Saturday evening to Monday evening, the sale of alcohol is banned and only the security forces will be allowed to carry arms.

National Electoral Council official Socorro Hernandez said that everything would be “100% ready for polling day”.

She called on all parties and non-governmental groups to contribute to a peaceful election “and avoid any distortions”.

While polls are scheduled to close at 18:00 local time, National Electoral Council President Tibisay Lucena said that the hours could be extended if voters were still queuing to cast their ballots.

 

Mitt Romney takes two point lead in national poll and rakes in $12 million online after Denver debate

Diane A. Wade
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Mitt Romney takes two point lead in national poll and rakes in $12 million online after Denver debate

Mitt Romney has raised $12 million in online donations over the last couple of days, and has also received a two point boost in the respected Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll after Denver debate.

The news comes as Barack Obama’s lacklustre showing continues to be mocked by top comedians – even those who are strong supporters of the President.

The poll shows Mitt Romney attracting support from 49% of voters nationwide, while President Obama earns the vote from 47%.

In addition, Mitt Romney’s campaign took in a donation haul of $12 million via his website in just 48 hours after the conclusion of the debate in Denver, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The bump in fundraising was even bigger than those recorded after the announcement of Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney’s running mate and the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Barack Obama’s healthcare law.

In addition, 60% of those donating online had never given money to the campaign before.

The increase in small contributions from first-time donors is a significant change for Mitt Romney’s campaign.

The former governor of Massachusetts has previously relied more on large donations from wealthy supporters, in contrast to Barack Obama’s grassroots network of givers.

Other indicators of campaign strength have also been promising for Mitt Romney – aides have reported seeing an upturn in the number of volunteers at offices around the country.

It is still too early to tell whether the aftermath of the debate will shore up the candidate’s position in the polls over the long run, but early signs are encouraging for the Republican.

Rasmussen polls showed Mitt Romney gaining a lead in Florida and Virginia, both states which he must win in order to have a realistic shot at the White House.

Barack Obama has been the target of political satirists ever since his disappointing debate performance – and the jokes do not seem to be letting up.

Jay Leno made a reference to the huge audience for the televised event during his talk show on Friday.

“They’re saying close to 60 million people may have watched the debate,” he said.

“In fact, the only person who didn’t tune in, I think, was President Obama.”

Comedian Bill Maher, a passionate Obama supporter who gave $1 million to a Democratic super PAC, also had harsh words for the President.

“It looks like he took my million and spent it all on weed,” Bill Maher said.

However, Barack Obama also had good news as it was revealed that he and the Democratic party had together raised $181 million in September, the most lucrative month of his re-election campaign,

The President’s fundraising haul topped the $114 million raised during the month of August.

He said in a message on Twitter that more than 1.8 million people donated in September, including over 500,000 who had not donated before in 2008 or 2012.

The $181 million was slightly less than Barack Obama’s record of $190 million in September 2008.

 

How a multivitamin tablet a day may boost memory and slow mental decline

Kathryn R. Bown
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How a multivitamin tablet a day may boost memory and slow mental decline

According to new studies, a daily multivitamin tablet may boost the memory and slow mental decline.

Taking supplements has a beneficial effect on memory and may work by increasing efficiency of brain cells.

One study showed that after just four weeks there were measurable changes in electrical activity in the brain when carrying out memory tests, not seen in a comparison group taking a placebo pill.

The body needs 13 vitamins to function properly and maintain health.

Vitamins A, C, D, E and K and the eight B vitamins each have specific job in the body.

Vitamin C keeps cells healthy, D regulates calcium and E maintains cell structure, while the B vitamins, including folic acid, have a wide range of functions.

One study at Monash University in Australia looked at whether multivitamins can improve cognitive abilities, and involved 3,200 men and women.

The results showed that those who used a multivitamin had improved ability to recall events or information.

The second study at Australia’s Swinburne University looked at women aged over 64 who had complained about poor memory.

Results showed that those taking a multivitamin supplement had improved rates of electrical activity in the brain while carrying out a memory test.

Researchers say it may work by increasing nerve cells’ efficiency and improving memory.

Professor David Kennedy, of the Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre at Northumbria University, said: “The evidence is still limited but the studies hint at some possible beneficial effects.

“Optimal brain function depends on an adequate level of all of the vitamins. Multivitamins are likely to be more effective because people have different deficiencies.”

 

Recipe: Caramelized pear upside-down cake

Kathryn R. Bown
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Recipe: Caramelized pear upside-down cake

Caramelized pear upside-down cake

INGREDIENTS

• 75 g (2¾ oz) butter

• 125 g (4½ oz) brown sugar

• 4 pears, about 375 g (13 oz)

• 150 g (5½ oz) plain flour

• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

• ½ tsp salt l 175 g (6 oz) caster sugar

• 4 eggs

• 100 ml (3½ fl oz) sunflower oil

• 1 tsp finely grated orange zest

Caramelized pear upside-down cake
Caramelized pear upside-down cake

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas 4. Melt the butter in a 26 cm (10½ in) diameter ovenproof frying pan over a low heat, then sprinkle over the brown sugar.

Grate one pear, including the skin (avoiding the pips and core), and set aside. Peel and core the remaining three pears, slice into quarters and arrange in a spiral pattern in the bottom of the pan, cut side down. Sift the flour, cinnamon, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a bowl and mix in the caster sugar.

Whisk the eggs, sunflower oil, orange zest and grated pear, then add to the dry ingredients, whisking to combine. Pour the batter into the frying pan, then bake for 40 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes, then place a plate on top and carefully turn the cake upside down and out onto the plate. Serve warm.

 

Nicki Minaj was disrespectful to Mariah Carey two years before American Idol row

Lisa.Felice
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Nicki Minaj was disrespectful to Mariah Carey two years before American Idol row

Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj catfight reached boiling point when Nicki was caught on camera hurling a torrent of abuse at fellow American Idol judge Mariah.

And, with Mariah Carey said to be in fear of her safety on the show, it has emerged that Nicki Minaj was “supremely disrespectful” to Mariah two years before she exploded on the Idol set earlier this week.

According to TMZ, Nicki Minaj was allegedly “rude” to Mariah Carey on the set of the music video Up Out My Face back in 2010.

The video shows Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj happily performing the song together, dressed in identical nurses outfits and red dresses, giggling away and drinking champagne.

But it was a different story off set, according to TMZ, with B. Scott, who appeared alongside Mariah Carey in the video, alleging that: “Nicki was making faces at her [Mariah] laced with rude comments under her breath.

“Mariah went out of her way to be nice to Nicki and make her comfortable,” B. Scott added, with the website reporting that Mariah Carey felt like she was helping launch Nicki Minaj’s career by appearing in the video.”

TMZ claims B. Scott told Mariah Carey what was going on with the Super Bass singer, but says: “Mariah decided not to confront Nicki and acted as if nothing had happened.”

However, a source close to Nicki Minaj said: “Scott works as Mariah’s stunt double and of course he would say things like that. He’s worked for her for years.”

Meanwhile, B. Scott told the website that he stays in touch with Mariah Carey and spoke with her on Thursday night.

He said that Mariah Carey “wants to bury the hatchet with Nicki on American Idol and focus on the contestants”.

Meanwhile, former American Idol judge Steven Tyler seemed a little skeptical about the row when a TMZ cameraman caught him outside an LA restaurant last night and asked him if the Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj feud was “bs”.

“Of course, are you kidding?” he replied.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Mariah Carey was keen to hire extra security after Nicki Minaj apparently threatened to shoot her.

The singer arrived for American Idol auditions in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Friday with a police escort, several bodyguards and minders in tow.

The 42-year-old, who is a new judge on the panel alongside the rapper, country singer Keith Urban and veteran Randy Jackson, lived up to her diva reputation as she strutted in for her day on set in Baton Rouge.

One burly bodyguard helped her keep her balance by holding onto her arm while another had the rather important task of shielding her from the sun with an umbrella.

She appeared rather uptight over the recent feud, constantly looking over her shoulder with a worried expression on her face.

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Sugar Bear is seen walking again after leg surgery as Honey Boo Boo’s family enjoy a day out

Lisa.Felice
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Sugar Bear is seen walking again after leg surgery as Honey Boo Boo’s family enjoy a day out

The first season finale of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo aired at the end of last month with new episodes quickly ordered.

So Honey Boo Boo and her family are currently enjoying a hiatus from filming while they gear up for season two.

The clan took a family outing in their hometown of Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday.

And no doubt the beauty pageant favorite, her mother June Shannon and sisters were delighted that Sugar Bear could join them for the day out.

The patriarch of the family was seen walking for the first time following a leg operation.

Sugar Bear recently spent 12 days in hospital following emergency surgery to fix an infection on his leg.

Some media reports stated that Sugar Bear may lose the leg but his other half June denied the rumors saying: “He is not getting his leg amputated, what it was he had a four wheeler wreck a couple weeks ago and his leg was badly bruised.”

Honey Boo Boo looked a little bored as she waited on the porch of her family home for everyone to be ready for the outing.

The seven-year-old was dressed in a cute green T-shirt with hedgehogs on and the words “Don’t burst my bubble”.

She also wore jeans but the shoe fan showed her girly side in her favorite high-heeled sparkling silver sandals.

Also seen today was Honey Boo Boo’s new niece Kaitlyn, who viewers saw arrive into the family in the finale of the show’s first season.

Kaitlyn was carried in a convertible car seat by her mother Anna, 18, or Chickadee as she is affectionately known.

Anna was spotted chatting to sister Jessica “Chubbs” and a friend.

In other news on the loveable rogues, TMZ have reported that TLC boosted the family’s salary from approximately $5,000 per episode, to a sky-high $20,000 after seeing the success of the series.

It is believed they were even offered a larger home, but mother June Shannon declined.

 

Bosnia’s National Museum closed because of political splits and lack of funds

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Bosnia’s National Museum closed because of political splits and lack of funds

Bosnia’s National Museum, which survived two world wars and the 1990s siege of Sarajevo, has closed because of lack of funds and political splits.

The museum dates back to 1888, when Bosnia-Hercegovina was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Museum staff has not been paid for about a year. They and hundreds of students protested over the closure on Thursday.

Bosnia’s divided ethnic groups have failed to agree on cultural funding since the war ended in 1995.

The National Museum’s exhibits include the Sarajevo Haggadah, an illuminated manuscript brought to Bosnia by a Jewish family expelled from Spain during the Inquisition and saved from Hitler’s forces during World War II.

For years the museum and six other cultural institutions – guardians of Bosnia’s national heritage – have struggled to survive with ad hoc grants from different branches of government.

“Such a complex institution cannot function by improvisations. The authorities must provide the funds for employees’ salaries and functioning costs,” said National Museum manager Adnan Busuladzic.

Adnan Bursuladzic said the museum needed about 60,000 euros a month ($78,000) for its regular activities and events.

Bosnia-Hercegovina has no central culture ministry. The country is divided into the Bosniak-Croat Federation and the Bosnian Serb Republic (Republika Srpska).

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James Jordan breaks his nose at Strictly Come Dancing rehearsal

Lisa.Felice
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0
James Jordan breaks his nose at Strictly Come Dancing rehearsal

Strictly Come Dancing star James Jordan made his debut on Friday night’s show with a broken nose.

His wife, Ola Jordan – also a professional dancer – accidentally kicked him in the face as they practiced a group dance for the show.

James Jordan, who was seen by medics after the accident, is partnered with the actress and singer Denise Van Outen.

Ola Jordan later tweeted, saying: “I’m so so sorry @The_JamesJordan, I feel so bad!!!!”

James Jordan is the third professional dancer to receive an injury during rehearsals for this year’s show.

Dancer Artem Chigvintsev was also hurt on Friday when he was hit in the face by fellow professional Flavia Cacace’s elbow.

He is believed to have been bruised on the cheek.

Last week, 28-year-old professional dancer Aliona Vilani fractured her ankle while practicing a tango routine with veteran TV presenter Johnny Ball.

In the meantime, Johnny Ball was partnered by Iveta Lukosiute, a veteran of US show So You Think You Can Dance?

James Jordan said he was determined to carry on for the sake of Denise Van Outen, who missed her grandfather’s funeral to maintain the couple’s strict training schedule.

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Sacha Baron Cohen to develop new comedy based on Hong Kong billionaire Cecil Chao story

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Sacha Baron Cohen to develop new comedy based on Hong Kong billionaire Cecil Chao story

Sacha Baron Cohen plans to develop a film inspired by Hong Kong billionaire Cecil Chao who offered $65 million to any man who succeeded in marrying his lesbian daughter.

The comedy – based on the story of Cecil Chao – is set to star Sacha Baron Cohen, who will produce the Paramount Picture film through his company Four By Two.

Sacha Baron Cohen’s latest movie The Dictator made $177 million worldwide.

He is currently working on a 007 spoof.

According to Variety, the untitled film – also for Paramount – follows a James Bond-like spy who goes on the run with his football hooligan brother.

The Hong Kong comedy has yet to announce a writer.

In September, shipping magnate Cecil Chao publicly promised the huge sum of money after reports emerged that his businesswoman daughter, Gigi, had married her long-term girlfriend in France.

Cecil Chao rejected the rumors of a civil partnership, and said his daughter was still single and needed a “good husband”.

Same-sex unions are not recognized in Hong Kong, although homosexuality was decriminalized in 1991.

Sacha Baron Cohen will next be seen as innkeeper Thenardier alongside Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe in the all-star film adaptation of the long-running West End hit Les Miserables.

 

Israel downs small unmanned aircraft in Negev desert

Roy Siemens
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Israel downs small unmanned aircraft in Negev desert

Israel Air Force has shot down a small unmanned aircraft after it entered the south of the country, the military has said.

Troops are searching for remains of the aircraft in the north of the Negev desert. It is not clear where it came from.

Local media quoted officials as saying the aircraft flew in from the west, but not from the Gaza Strip.

It was intercepted at around 10:00 local time.

The Israeli Defence Force said it was examining the aircraft’s flight path and whether it was being used for reconnaissance or for a potential act of terrorism.

However, Israeli radio quoted a military spokesman as saying it was not carrying explosives.

Correspondents say several small drones have penetrated Israeli territory in the past, but from the north.

On at least three occasions unmanned aircraft operated by the Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah were detected.

An Israeli navy ship was damaged by an explosive drone in July 2006.

Two others flew over part of northern Israel in 2004 and 2005 without being intercepted.

 

US meningitis outbreak: 47 people infected in seven states

Kathryn R. Bown
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0
US meningitis outbreak: 47 people infected in seven states

An outbreak of rare fungal meningitis in the US has now affected 47 people in seven states, Center for Disease Control (DCD) officials say.

Doctors at about 75 medical clinics are being warned to alert patients who received suspect steroid injections.

Five people have died from the illness, which the CDC has linked to products from a Massachusetts-based pharmacy firm.

Officials say they found contamination in a sealed steroid vial at the New England Compounding Center.

The firm recalled the steroid doses and has since shut down operations, but the vials have already been shipped to 23 states.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include severe headache, nausea, and fever as well as slurred speech and difficulty walking.

The fungal meningitis causing concern in the US is not infectious, the CDC says.

Confirming that 47 people were now affected – an increase of 12 in the space of 24 hours, the CDC said new cases were reported for the first time in Michigan.

In Tennessee, which has the majority of the cases, a total of 29 people have now fallen ill. There were six cases in Virginia, three in Indiana Indiana, two each in Maryland and Florida and one in North Carolina, the CDC said.

It is not yet clear how many patients may have been exposed to any contamination, and fungal meningitis can have a lengthy incubation period.

A briefing by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday said a fungus linked to the steroid medication had been identified in tests of five patients.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we advise all health care practitioners not to use any product” from the company, said Ilisa Bernstein, director of compliance for the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

New England Compounding Center is a type of pharmacy that mixes ingredients for customized medicines. The steroid in question was three lots of methylprednisolone acetate from the firm.

On Friday, the CDC listed about 75 clinics and medical centres that received the suspected lots, and told doctors to immediately contact patients who have had an injection.

Tests are under way to confirm if the contamination is the same fungus blamed in the outbreak. The disease cannot be passed from person to person.

Three people have died in Tennessee, with one death in Virginia and one in Maryland, reports say.

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Paolo Gabriele sentenced to 18 months in jail for theft

Diane A. Wade
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0
Paolo Gabriele sentenced to 18 months in jail for theft

Paolo Gabriele, Pope Benedict’s ex-butler, has been found guilty of stealing confidential papers from him and sentenced to 18 months in jail.

Prosecutors had called for a three-year sentence but it was reduced because of “mitigating circumstances”.

Speaking before the verdict, Paolo Gabriele said he acted out of love for the Church and did not see himself as a thief.

Paolo Gabriele had denied the theft charge but admitted photocopying documents and “betraying the Holy Father’s trust”.

His lawyer had asked for the charge to be reduced, but described the sentence as “good” and “balanced”.

Christina Arru later said she did not intend to appeal against the verdict, Reuters reported.

The agency quoted her as saying Paolo Gabriele was “serene” about his fate and “ready to accept any consequences”.

Paolo Gabriele is “very likely” to be pardoned by Pope Benedict, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said, though it is not clear when this might happen.

The former butler was accused of stealing and copying the Pope’s documents and leaking them to an Italian journalist.

Official Vatican media have almost totally ignored the trial since it began and morning radio bulletins have omitted to mention the story.

The verdict was delivered after two hours of deliberation by the judges.

Presiding judge Guiseppe Dalla Torre handed down a sentence of three years, then cut it to 18 months on the grounds of Paolo Gabriele’s lack of a criminal record, his apology to the Pope and past services rendered to the Church.

The former butler will also have to pay court costs out of his own pocket.

Paolo Gabriele has now been returned to house arrest inside his Vatican apartment, where he has already been confined for several months.

The verdict brings to an end a week-long trial that has revealed an embarrassing breach of security at the highest levels of the Vatican.

On the last day of the trial, defence and prosecution lawyers gave their closing arguments, and Paolo Gabriele made a final appeal.

“The thing I feel most strongly is the conviction of having acted out of visceral love for the Church of Christ and of its leader on earth,” he said.

“I do not feel I am a thief.”

Christina Arru accused the Vatican police of irregularities and failures during their investigations.

She asked the court to reduce the charge to common theft or illegal possession, saying Paolo Gabriele had high moral motives although he had committed an illegal act.

Prosecutor Nicola Picardi had sought a three-year sentence, with an indefinite ban on Paolo Gabriele holding public office or positions of authority.

During testimony, the three judges presiding over the court heard how Paolo Gabriele used the photocopier in his shared office next to the Pope’s library to copy thousands of documents, taking advantage of his unrivalled access to the pontiff.

He would later pass some of them on to journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi.

In 2010 Gianluigi Nuzzi released a best-selling book, entitled His Holiness, largely based on the confidential papers and detailing corruption, scandals and infighting.

Its publication sparked the hunt for the source of the leaks inside the Vatican, leading to Paolo Gabriele’s arrest in May.

Police also told the court how they found thousands of documents at Paolo Gabriele’s home, including some original papers bearing the Pope’s handwriting. Some had the instruction “destroy” written by Pope Benedict in German on them.

Although Paolo Gabriele entered a not guilty plea, prosecutors say he confessed to taking documents during an interrogation in June, a confession he later stood by in court.

He told prosecutors he hoped to reveal alleged corruption at the Vatican, and believed that the Pope was being manipulated.

“I feel guilty of having betrayed the trust of the Holy Father, whom I love as a son would,” he told the court earlier this week.

The Holy See wants to see rapid closure of the scandal, as this weekend the Church is beginning what it calls a “year of faith”, a series of initiatives aimed at reviving Christian faith in formerly predominantly Catholic countries currently seeing creeping secularism.

 

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