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Dave Grohl Broken Leg: Foo Fighters Cancel Pinkpop and Switzerland Gigs

The Foo Fighters have cancelled Netherlands and Switzerland concerts after Dave Grohl sustained “at least one fracture” when he fell off the stage during a concert in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The band will no longer play the Pinkpop Festival in Landgraaf, Netherlands, on June 14 and a show at the AFG Arena in St Gallen, Switzerland, on June 15.

A statement issued by the band said the full extent of Dave Grohl’s injuries were yet to be determined.

They are yet to say whether two Wembley shows in the UK will go ahead on June 19 and 20.Dave Grohl broken leg Gothenburg

The Foo Fighters were two songs into their set at the Ullevi stadium when Dave Grohl went to jump on a ramp but missed and fell into the security area.

The band were due to play their next concert on Sunday at the Pinkpop festival, followed by two dates at Wembley Stadium and then a headline set at the Glastonbury Festival on June 26.

A statement on the Wembley website said: “We are aware of the incident last night involving Dave Grohl and are in contact with the event organizers, who at this stage have no further information.

“As soon as we have news from the artiste this will be made public.”

White House 2016: Presidential Candidates

2016 White House – declared presidential candidates

Democrats:

  • Hillary Clinton, former First Lady and Secretary of State
  • Martin O’Malley, former governor of Maryland and mayor of Baltimore
  • Bernie Sanders, independent senator from Vermont, caucuses with the Democrats
  • Lincoln Chafee, former senator and governor of Rhode IslandPresidential candidates 2016

Republicans:

  • Ted Cruz, Texas senator and conservative firebrand
  • Rick Santorum, Christian conservative from Pennsylvania
  • Marco Rubio, Florida senator since 2011
  • George Pataki, former three-term governor of New York
  • Ben Carson, author and neurosurgeon
  • Carly Fiorina, former boss of Hewlett Packard
  • Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas
  • Rand Paul, libertarian conservative Kentucky senator
  • Lindsey Graham, South Carolina senator since 2003
  • Rick Perry, former Texas governor

White House 2016: Hillary Clinton Holds First Presidential Rally in New York

Hillary Clinton has vowed to help “everyday Americans” in the first major rally in her presidential campaign held in New York on June 13.

The Democratic front-runner outlined her key policies in a speech to thousands of supporters on New York City’s Roosevelt Island.

Hillary Clinton, 67, pledged to support working families, saying: “America can’t succeed unless you succeed”.

The former secretary of state and first lady’s campaign team hopes to boost approval ratings, which have flagged since her soft-launch in April.

President Bill Clinton and their daughter Chelsea appeared alongside her.Hillary Clinton campaing rally New York

Hillary Clinton promised to “make the economy work for everyday Americans, not just those at the top” if elected president in 2016.

She said during the rally: “Prosperity can’t be just for CEOs and hedge fund managers; democracy can’t be just for billionaires and corporations.

“It’s America’s basic bargain… if you do your part, you ought to be able to get ahead, and when everybody does their part, America gets ahead too.”

Until now, Hillary Clinton has held small events with selected audiences in early voting states such as Iowa. Saturday’s outdoor rally marked a change in gear for her campaign.

HillaryClinton hopes to make history as the first female US president. If successful she would also keep the White House within the same party for a third term.

She did not detail specific policy proposals on Saturday. Her aides say that will happen over the next few weeks on issues including the economy, jobs and college affordability.

Jennifer Palmieri, the Clinton campaign’s communications director, said Hillary Clinton plans to give a policy address almost every week in the coming months.

Prince Carl Philip of Sweden Marries Sofia Hellqvist at Stockholm Royal Palace

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Prince Carl Philip of Sweden has married former reality star Sofia Hellqvist in a lavish ceremony in the chapel at Stockholm’s Royal Palace.

Sofia Hellqvist, 30, worked as a model and a yoga instructor before helping to set up a charity.

Prince Carl Philip, 36, is third in line to the Swedish throne.

Thousands of well-wishers lined the streets for the event, despite polls suggesting the Swedish royal family’s popularity is waning.

They cheered as commoner Sofia Hellqvist became a princess.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

After their marriage, Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist took to a horse-drawn carriage to parade through the cobbled streets of Stockholm’s old town, waving to crowds in the hot summer sun, before returning to the palace for a 21-gun salute and wedding banquet.

About 550 guests attended the ceremony, many of them royals, including Princess Takamado of Japan and Britain’s Prince Edward.

Prince Carl Philip was initially reported to have had difficulties putting the ring on the bride’s finger while the royal couple said their vows.

A band played a version of the Coldplay song Fix You in the royal chapel, and the newly weds were then serenaded by a man singing a Swedish version of the song Umbrella by Rihanna.

Sofia Hellqvist and Prince Carl Philip reportedly first met at a restaurant in 2010, with news of their relationship being revealed soon after.

Prince Carl Philip is third in line to the Swedish throne behind his elder sister Crown Princess Victoria and her 3-year-old daughter, Princess Estelle.

Prince George Makes First Appearance on Royal Balcony for Queen’s Official Birthday

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Prince George has joined Queen Elizabeth II and members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for an RAF flypast to mark the Queen’s official birthday.

It was Prince George’s first balcony appearance, which traditionally follows the Trooping the Colour.

It is also the first time Queen Elizabeth has been seen at her birthday celebrations with her heir and heirs apparent.

More than 1,000 soldiers took part in the traditional display of army drill, music and horsemanship.Prince George royal balcony Trooping the Colour

Twenty three-month old Prince George waved as the Red Arrows took part in a flypast that was largely reduced because of poor weather.

Queen Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh earlier travelled by carriage from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade where the parade took place.

Kate Middleton, meanwhile, made her first public appearance since she left hospital following the birth of Princess Charlotte.

Prince George was earlier pictured in a palace window, from where he appeared to be enjoying the pageantry.

There was no sign of Princess Charlotte but other guests at the event included UK’s PM David Cameron and his wife Samantha.

It is the 63rd time Queen Elizabeth has attended a birthday parade, a record unmatched by any monarch.

Joined by other senior royals, the Queen inspected 1,100 soldiers of the Household Division at Horse Guards Parade.

Earlier, the Prince of Wales, who is Colonel of the Welsh Guards; the Princess Royal, Colonel of the Blues and Royals; and the Duke of Cambridge, Colonel of the Irish Guards, rode on horseback in the procession to Horse Guards.

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry, meanwhile, travelled together to the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage.

The Duke of York rode in a carriage with his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and the Duke of Kent and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were in the final coach.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex are away representing the Queen at the wedding of Prince Carl Philip of Sweden to former reality star Sofia Hellqvist.

The procession was accompanied by a Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry, made up of Life Guards and Blues and Royals, in their silver and gold breastplates and plumed helmets.

The Color paraded on Horse Guards this year was the flag of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards.

The Prince of Wales Company, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, trooped the Queen’s Color presented to them by the monarch at Windsor Castle in April.

The Household Division Bands and Corps of Drums also took part, as are the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery who, following the parade, will fire a 41-gun salute in Green Park to mark the Queen’s official birthday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgSHESFvSLc

Dallas PD Shooting: James Boulware Identified as Possible Suspect

Several shots have been fired from an armored vehicle at the police headquarters in Dallas on Saturday morning, police say.

The vehicle drove off, pursued by dozens of police cars, and is now involved in a stand-off in a car park, officials said.Dallas PD shooting James Boulware

Police said officers responded to a call for an active shooter at the police headquarters at 12:27 AM. Shots were fired at the building, police said.

There has been an exchange of gunfire in the car park, police added.

A bag left outside the police station was later confirmed to contain explosives including pipe bombs, police said on Twitter.

A possible suspect has been identified as James Boulware, police said.

The motive for the shooting is not yet clear.

Dallas police say no police officers have been injured.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4gZcUPyr4U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsyP-t3MOdk

Joyce Mitchell: New York Prison Worker Arrested for Helping Escapees David Sweat and Richard Matt

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New York State Police have arrested Clinton Correctional Facility worker Joyce Mitchell for helping convicted killers David Sweat and Richard Matt who escaped from the prison last weekend.

Joyce Mitchell, 51, was charged with providing tool parts used in the breakout.

Workshop instructor Joyce Mitchell appeared in court accused of befriending Richard Matt and David Sweat and giving them contraband. She pleaded not guilty to charges of helping them escape jail.

David Sweat and Richard Matt escaped a week ago using power tools to cut through their cell walls at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York state.

A massive manhunt is currently under way for the pair.Joyce Mitchell arrested New York jailbreak

Joyce Mitchell has been jailed for the weekend and will appear in court again on June 15. If convicted she faces up to eight years in prison.

According to prosecutors, Joyce Mitchell gave Richard Matt, 48, and David Sweat, 34, hacksaw blades and drill bits, but did not provide the more powerful tools they used.

She also planned to be the pair’s getaway driver but changed her mind at the last minute, said investigators who are also looking into whether she had improper ties to one of the men.

Joyce Mitchell’s family has said she would not have helped an escape.

Richard Matt and David Sweat cut through brick and steel to crawl through an underground pipe and emerge from a manhole outside the prison’s 40ft walls.

The manhunt – involving hundreds of police officers searching stretching in New York State, Vermont and Canada – is now into its seventh day.

Bad weather has hampered the search, police say, but the men are also at a disadvantage if they have not found shelter.

OPM Data Breach: US Intelligence and Military Personnel Data Accessed

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Chinese hackers appear to have accessed sensitive data on US intelligence and military personnel, American officials say.

Details of a major hack emerged last week, but officials have now given details of a potential second breach.

It is feared that the attack could leave US security personnel or their families open to blackmail.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), is yet to comment on the reports.

Officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press, believe the attackers have targeted the forms submitted by intelligence and military personnel for security clearances.

The document includes personal information – everything from eye color, to financial history, to past substance abuse, as well as contact details for the individual’s friends and relatives.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

A 127-page vetting document called Standard Form 86 may have been accessed. Among the questions potential employees are asked:

  • In the past seven years, have you defaulted on any loans?
  • Have you ever voluntarily sought counseling or treatment as a result of your use of alcohol?
  • In the last seven years, have you illegally used any drugs or controlled substance?

A White House statement said investigators had a “high degree of confidence” that background information on government employees had been accessed.

Joel Brenner, a former US counterintelligence official, called the data a “gold mine” for hackers.

It is also believed the breach of personal data of US government workers announced last week may be far larger than previously reported.

Initial estimates put the number of people potentially affected at four million, but officials close to the investigation told AP that as many as 14 million might be involved.

The US has said the hackers, thought to be behind both attacks, are believed to be based in China. Beijing called the claims “irresponsible”.

The Obama administration meanwhile announced further measures to beef up cybersecurity on June 12.

A White House statement said: “Recent events underscore the need to accelerate the administration’s cyber strategy and confront aggressive, persistent malicious actors that continue to target our nation’s cyber infrastructure.”

Dave Grohl Breaks His Leg After Falling off Stage During Gothenburg Concert

Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl apparently broke his leg after falling off the stage during a concert in Gothenburg, Sweden on June 12.

The Foo Fighters were two songs into their set at the Ullevi stadium when Dave Grohl went to jump on a ramp but missed and fell into the security run.Dave Grohl breaks leg onstage in Gothenburg

He told the crowd as he lay on the ground: “I think I just broke my leg.

“I’m going to go to hospital. I’m going to fix my leg. And then I’m going to come back.

“You have my promise right now that the Foo Fighters – we’re going to come back and finish the show.”

The band reportedly continued the concert, playing cover versions whilst Dave Grohl sought medical attention.

The singer later reappeared to continue the concert, sitting in a chair with his leg bandaged.

It is not yet known whether his leg is actually broken.

The Foo Fighters are due to play Wembley Stadium next weekend, followed by a headline set at the Glastonbury Festival on June 26.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLWfLeHSZ-8

Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Sofia Hellqvist Wedding in Stockholm

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Prince Carl Philip of Sweden is to marry former reality star Sofia Hellqvist in a lavish ceremony in Stockholm.

Sofia Hellqvist, 30, also worked as a model and a yoga instructor before helping to set up a charity.

Prince Carl Philip, 36, is third in line to the Swedish throne.

Thousands of well-wishers are expected to line the streets for the event, despite polls suggesting the Swedish royal family’s popularity is waning.

Sofia Hellqvist and Prince Carl Philip reportedly first met at a restaurant in 2010, with news of their relationship being revealed soon after.Prince Carl Philip of Sweden marries Soffia Hellqvist

The Swedish media made much of Sofia Hellqvist’s past, which included posing for a men’s magazine in 2004.

In 2005, she appeared on the Swedish reality TV show Paradise Hotel, in which singletons compete to stay in a luxury resort.

In response to the media interest, Sofia Hellqvist told Swedish television that she had long since moved on.

She said: “I don’t regret anything. All these experiences have made me the person I am.

“I wouldn’t have made those choices today.”

Amid rumors that her past had caused disquiet among the royal family, the palace has emphasized her charity work.

In 2010, Sofia Hellqvist co-founded the Project Playground charity which helps disadvantaged children in South Africa. She has also worked as a volunteer in several African countries.

Sofia Hellqvist, who is from the central Swedish town of Alvdalen, also studied accounting in New York in 2005 and worked there as a yoga teacher and a waitress.

On Friday evening, more than 200 wedding guests attended a dinner in honor of the couple on the island of Skeppsholmen.

The wedding will take place at the Royal Chapel, or Slottskyrkan, in Stockholm on June 13.

Prince Carl Philip is third in line to the throne behind his elder sister Crown Princess Victoria and her three-year-old daughter, Princess Estelle.

California Drought 2015: Farmers Ordered to Reduce Water Consumption

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Thousands of California farmers have been ordered by lawmakers to reduce their water consumption in the largest cuts in the state’s history.

State officials announced on June 12 they would be telling nearly 100 water rights holders to stop pumping from three separate waterways.

This is the first time in decades that officials have forced thousands of farmers to draw back water use.California drought 2015 record water cuts

These farmers’ rights to water were decided more than 100 years ago.

Water rights holders in the Sacramento, San Joaquin and delta watersheds will have to stop getting water from those streams.

California has ordered water use cuts for other farmers in other cities across the state.

The move has been expected for weeks, the Los Angeles Times reports. Its effects will be varied, with a lot of water harvesting work continuing on as usual.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMicItbSO4o

Princess Cristina of Spain Loses Duchess of Palma Title

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King Felipe VI of Spain has stripped sister Princess Cristina of her title as Duchess of Palma ahead of her tax fraud trial.

Infanta Cristina, who is to go on trial charged with tax evasion, was granted the Duchess of Palma de Mallorca title in 1997 when she married Inaki Urdangarin, a former Olympic handball player who is also accused of tax evasion.

Princess Cristina had asked King Felipe to remove her title, her lawyer said.

However, the royal palace said the king made the decision before seeing her request. Princess Cristina denies the tax fraud charges.Princess Cristina and Iñaki Urdangarin

In the year since King Felipe, 47, succeeded his father, King Juan Carlos, to the throne, he has excluded Princess Cristina de Borbon and her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, who faces a wider array of corruption charges in the case, from the royal family’s official functions.

Prosecutors in Palma de Mallorca have long been investigating the business dealings of Inaki Urdangarin.

Inaki Urdangarin stands accused with 15 others of embezzling 5.6 million euros ($6 million) of public money from the Noos Institute – a charitable sports foundation he ran with a business partner. Princess Cristina is accused of involvement in the alleged scam.

It is the first time in modern Spain’s history that a member of the royal family has faced court cross-examination in a major corruption scandal.

Princess Cristina, 50, is the youngest daughter of former King Juan Carlos, who abdicated last year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlbtL_oTA-w

Why Are so Many First-Time Buyers Finding Moving House Such an Arduous Task?

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A house move is a stressful time for everyone, especially a long-distance move out of state. A recent news article showed that in the UK one-third of first-time buyers move back in with their parents. And it’s likely to be a similar figure in the States. Such are the trials and tribulations of a new prospective homeowner. But why exactly is moving house so stressful and intense? There are several reasons for this, let’s look at a few.

Trying to Choose

With any move, one of the hardest things you’re going to need to take care of is choosing your new home. This means you’re going to need to pick the location as well as the type of place you want. This a massive decision for anyone to make, and it’s one you need to spend time and effort on. Sit down and talk to the family about it and be sure you make the right choice. You’re going to be in your new home for a while, so it’s got to be perfect.

Expense

One of the biggest problems all first-time buyers face is the cost. It’s just so expensive to buy somewhere these days. Particularly if you’re not already a homeowner. There are many expenses including fees, deposit, and mortgage payments. And that’s before you even get around to moving, insurance and legal costs, not to mention unanticipated costs like a leaky roof, siding, or foundation. When you think about it like this, it’s no wonder so many first-time buyers find it so difficult to make ends meet, but if you do have to make unanticipated structural repairs on your home it is essential that you have them performed by a reputable contractor like the team at Tredent Contracting Services.

Legal Aspects

Something else that can be a very cloudy area is the legal aspects of a move. Because first-time buyers are inexperienced, they don’t know what to expect from this. There are a lot of legalities that come into play when you want to buy a home. There’s a complex exchange process with regards to the mortgage. And you need to make sure all the appropriate checks have been carried out. Any prospective new buyers should consult legal advice before attempting to buy.

Fear of Independence

It might seem like independence should be a positive thing, but in reality this isn’t always the case. While it’s a good thing to have independence, many prospective buyers feel overwhelmed by this. They’re not quite ready to leave the nest and stand on their own two feet. They’ve always relied on their parents as a support network. But moving out on their own means they’re responsible for themselves now. And for many young people this is often a step too far.

Packing

The worst part of the moving process is likely to be the packing! And for many first-time buyers this is something they dread. You’re going to have to pack your entire life into the back of a van. This can be a long and laborious task. And it’s easy to let sentiment creep in when you’re trying to get rid of things. You need to come up with a system to make the packing less stressful. And you need to try to be disciplined when you’re attempting to get rid of stuff.

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Moving is always a stressful and time-consuming process. But long distance moves can often even worse. First-time buyers find it much preferable to move in with their parents prior to buying. This allows them the opportunity to save money and prepare emotionally for the move.

FIFA Corruption: Interpol Suspends Integrity in Sport Agreement

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Interpol has suspended its 10-year partnership with FIFA over allegations of corruption against the soccer’s governing body.

The international police agency had a €20 million anti-match-fixing program with the soccer’s governing body.

Interpol is now freezing the money donated by FIFA in 2011 for the program.

The “Integrity in Sport” agreement was intended to combat match-fixing and illegal gambling.Interpol suspends FIFA partnership

FIFA is under investigation by authorities in the US and Switzerland for alleged bribery and corruption.

Jurgen Stock, the head of Interpol, said in a statement: “In light of the current context surrounding FIFA, while Interpol is still committed to developing our Integrity in Sport program, I have decided to suspend the agreement.

“All external partners, whether public or private, must share the fundamental values and principles of the organization, as well as those of the wider law enforcement community.”

The agreement between Interpol and FIFA stated that the soccer body must be “compatible with the principles, aims and activities of Interpol”.

Last month, 14 current and former FIFA officials and sports marketing executives were charged over allegations of corruption and bribery following a years-long US-led investigation into the organization.

The scandal has raised questions over the legitimacy of the bidding processes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, which were awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively.

Edgar Degas’ Little Dancer Aged Fourteen to Be Auctioned in London

One of Edgar Degas’ most famous works, Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans (Little Dancer Aged Fourteen), is to be sold at Sotheby’s auction in London.

The iconic Degas ballet dancer sculpture has been estimated by experts at Sotheby’s to fetch £10 million – 15 million ($15 million – 23 million) on June 24.

The piece is one of few bronze casts in private hands with the majority housed in museums including Tate London and Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Helena Newman from Sotheby’s called it Edgar Degas’ “most important and iconic sculpture”.

She added: “The artist’s ambitious and highly innovative work marks the pinnacle of his achievements as a sculptor, and its forthcoming sale represents a rare opportunity to acquire an icon of Impressionist art.”

Photo Tumblr
Photo Tumblr

The original sculpture – modeled by a young Belgian ballet student named Marie van Goethem – is two-thirds life size and was originally sculpted in wax.

It is dressed in a real bodice, tutu and ballet slippers and has a wig of real hair.

Despite its reputation, the sculpture was not so well received when it first appeared.

The work was accused of representing the girl in a bestial manner; she was compared to a monkey who possessed a face “on which all the vices imprint their detestable promises, the mark of a particularly vicious character”.

However, critics had to acknowledge the work’s astonishing realism.

The 28 bronze repetitions that appear in museums and galleries around the world today were cast after Edgar Degas’ death in 1917.

Earlier this year, Alberto Giacometti’s Pointing Man also became the most valuable sculpture ever sold at auction, after going for $141.3 million.

Greece Crisis: Bank Stocks Fall on Debt Fears

Greece’s biggest banks stocks have plunged on the Athens Stock Exchange, following a fresh blow to the country’s debt negotiations.

Stocks in the National Bank of Greece fell almost 6%, while Piraeus and Alpha banks fell more than 5%.

IMF officials pulled out of talks with Greek politicians in Brussels on June 11, citing “major differences”.

Greece is seeking to avoid defaulting on a €1.5 billion debt repayment to the IMF.

The payment is due by the end of the month.Greece bank stocks 2015

Shares on the Athens Stock Exchange had soared on June 11 amid renewed optimism about Greece’s talks with its creditors.

The index climbed more than 14% – the best performance in several weeks.

But the IMF’s withdrawal has dampened investors’ moods.

On June 12, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, president of the Eurogroup of finance ministers, said a deal without the IMF was “unimaginable”.

However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged all parties to continue negotiations.

Speaking at a business conference in Berlin, Angela Merkel said: “Where there’s a will there’s a way, but the will has to come from all sides so it’s important that we keep speaking with each other”.

Ornette Coleman Dies in New York Aged 85

Jazzman Ornette Coleman has died at the age of 85 in New York.

A saxophonist born in Texas, Ornette Coleman was one of the most innovative musicians in modern jazz.

Ornette Coleman began his career in the 1950s and later pioneered an unconventional style described as “free jazz”.

His 1959 album The Shape of Jazz to Come is regarded by many as one of the most influential jazz records.

His publicist, Ken Weinstein, said Ornette Coleman died on June 11 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Ornette Coleman, along with fellow saxophonist John Coltrane, was credited with breaking down the traditional structures of jazz and creating a more free-flowing form of expression.Ornette Coleman dead at 85

Critics branded his idea of improvising without chord changes as chaotic but it eventually became mainstream in both jazz and rock.

Ornette Coleman’s influence was recognized later in his life and he received both a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2007.

He once said he grew up “so po” his family couldn’t afford the “o” or the “r”.

He bought a cheap alto saxophone at 14 and played in local rhythm and blues bands before moving to Los Angeles.

Contemporary Records bought some of his compositions in 1958 but found studio musicians unable to play them so hired Ornette Coleman instead and they were released as his first album.

He moved to New York and was signed by Atlantic Records, who released The Shape of Jazz to Come in 1959. Rolling Stone magazine ranked the album at number 248 on its list of the 500 greatest albums.

Ornette Coleman married poet Jayne Cortez in 1954 but they divorced 10 years later.

The musician is survived by their son, Denardo, a drummer and producer who began performing with his father at age 10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX-OeJXKuuw

Save the Children Ordered to Leave Pakistan

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US NGO Save the Children has been ordered to leave Pakistan, with an official accusing the charity of “anti-Pakistan” activities.

Police have sealed off the charity’s offices in Islamabad and foreign staff given 15 days to leave the country.

Save the Children said it “strongly objected” to the action.

Pakistan has previously linked Save the Children to the fake vaccination program used by the CIA to track down Osama bin Laden.

Save the Children has always denied being involved with the CIA or Pakistani doctor Shakil Afridi, who carried out the program.

The NGO has no foreign staff in Pakistan as they were forced to leave after the accusations emerged in 2012.

Save the Children now has 1,200 Pakistani staff working on projects in health, education and food, the charity said.Save the Children ordered to leave Pakistan

The charity, which has operations all over the world, has worked in Pakistan for more than 30 years.

The Pakistani government has not given a formal announcement explaining the decision.

However, one official told the AFP news agency: “Their activities were being monitored since a long time. They were doing something which was against Pakistan’s interest.”

A police official said that Save the Children’s phone calls and offices had been placed under surveillance. Speaking to the Reuters news agency, he added that the charity’s activities were “very suspicious”.

Condemning the move, Save the Children said it was “raising our serious concerns at the highest levels”, adding that its workers were all Pakistani nationals.

A Save the Children official told Reuters that the Pakistan government had been stopping aid shipments entering the country, “blocking aid to millions of children and their families”.

It comes after the Pakistani government announced it was tightening the rules for NGOs, revoking several of their licenses.

Meanwhile, the Norwegian Refugee Council has ceased all operations in Pakistan as its license has not yet been renewed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmgwY80-in4

MH148: Malaysia Airlines Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Melbourne

Malaysia Airlines flight MH148 has made an emergency landing in Melbourne, Australia, after reporting a possible engine fire.

The passenger plane had just taken off from Melbourne for the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.

Plane tracking sites showed the Airbus 330 circling Melbourne airport several times before turning back.Malaysia Airlines MH148 emergency landing Melbourne

Fire engines were on site but airport officials said it landed safely at 15:00 local time.

A spokeswoman for Airservices Australia, the government’s aviation safety body, said the plane had reported an “engine fire” alert in the cabin.

“The plane proceeded to dump the fuel and returned to land and it landed safely at the aviation rescue sites,” she told Reuters news agency.

Officials said this was standard procedure for an emergency landing.

Melbourne airport said it was operating normally.

Malaysia Airlines tweeted that the plane “made an air-turn back and landed uneventfully”.

The statement added: “The aircraft is being grounded for investigation.”

US Spends $9 Million a Day on War Against ISIS

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According to new reports, the US spends more than $9 million a day on the war against ISIS, and has poured $2.7 billion into the bombing campaign since the start.

An international coalition has been conducting air strikes in Iraq and Syria since last August.

The first breakdown of US costs, released by the Pentagon, show that two-thirds of the total bill has gone to the Air Force.

It came as Congress rejected legislation banning further spending.US spendings  against ISIS

The US House of Representative approved a $579 billion defense spending bill.

It rejected an amendment calling for a stop to cash going on the fight against ISIS unless Congress passed a new authorization for the use of force.

The cost of the US military operation has risen sharply since it began last August in Iraq.

This week, the White House announced another 450 advisers for Iraq, bringing the total military personnel to 3,500.

But officials emphasize there are no combat troops and the US mission is to train local forces to do the fighting.

On June 11, the top general in the US said the country’s intervention in Iraq could extend further.

General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the role of calling in air strikes, which would put troops nearer the front lines, remained a future option.

Martin Dempsey raised the possibility of establishing a network of US training hubs in northern Iraq.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rneHovciqKs

Dick Costolo Resigns as Twitter Chief Executive

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Dick Costolo has resigned as Twitter CEO, the social messaging company has announced.

Twitter’s co-founder Jack Dorsey will take over as interim chief on July 1 and stay until a replacement can be found.

Dick Costolo had been under pressure from investors unhappy with the company’s user growth.

In a statement, Dick Costolo said he was “tremendously proud of the Twitter team”.

Twitter said that its board had formed a committee to undertake the task of finding a successor.

Following the announcement, Twitter shares jumped by more than 7% in trading after US markets had closed.Dick Costolo resigns as Twitter CEO

Twitter debuted on the NYSE in 2013 but has not been adding users as fast as investors had hoped.

In April, Twitter missed Wall Street’s forecasts for revenue growth and posted a net loss of $162 million.

Its share price has declined nearly 30% since then, and is currently trading below the price it debuted at in 2013.

Analysts remain pessimistic about the company’s ability to grow.

The research consultancy eMarketer estimates that Twitter’s monthly user base will grow just 14.1% this year, slowing from more than 30% two years ago.

By 2019, eMarketer says Twitter’s user growth rate will be just 6% worldwide.

Announcing his resignation, Dick Costolo said in a statement: “I am tremendously proud of the Twitter team and all that the team has accomplished together during my six years with the company.”

On a conference call to discuss the move, Dick Costolo added that he had decided to go now because he felt the continued scrutiny if he remained would be a “distraction” and of “no help to the company”.

Questioned on what the board was looking for in its next chief executive, Jack Dorsey said the search team would take as long as necessary, the candidate could come from inside or outside the company but added the one criteria they knew for sure: he or she should be a Twitter user.

Jack Dorsey said the most important attribute was that they “really use and love the product in every single way”.

Dick Costolo will remain on the board of the company. He has been a director since September 2009 and became CEO in October 2010.

David Sweat and Richard Matt: Police Dogs Found Evidence of Escapees

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Police dogs have found where fugitives David Sweat and Richard Matt may have spent the night after they escaped from New York prison six days ago.

Food wrappers and other evidence were discovered in the woods nearby Clinton Correctional Facility.

Police have been receiving hundreds of tips from the public, and a sighting has been reported in Philadelphia.

The manhunt in northern New York and surrounding areas has now extended to campsites and boat slips in neighboring Vermont.

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo held a joint press conference outside the maximum security prison from where the men escaped.Richard Matt and David Sweat New York jailbreak

“New York was going to be hot. Vermont would be cooler, in terms of law enforcement,” Peter Shumlin said, referring to the unspecified information about the men’s whereabouts.

Rainstorms have complicated efforts by masking scents detectable by search dogs and forcing officers to wade through swamps.

Officials at the Saranac Central School District, less than a mile from the prison, closed schools on June 11 “in order to assist law enforcement personnel with their search efforts, and due to the closure of a number of roads”.

Police are also interviewing a cab driver in Philadelphia, who says he may have given a ride to the men early on Thursday morning.

Philadelphia is about 400 miles from the prison.

Police have received hundreds of tips from the public, but the Philadelphia police commissioner says there is no reason to believe David Sweat, 34, and Richard Matt, 48, are in the city.

Richard Matt was given a jail term of 25 years to life for beating a man to death in 1997.

David Sweat was serving a life sentence without parole for the murder of Broome County Sheriff’s Deputy, Kevin Tarsia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5EAHRODtHA

Rupert Murdoch to Step Down as 21st Century Fox CEO

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Rupert Murdoch will step down as 21st Century Fox CEO, sources close to the company say.

His son James will take over the role, while his other son Lachlan will become executive co-chairman.

Rupert Murdoch, 84, will remain as executive chairman at the company and still have the final say in matters.

The company said the matter of succession would be discussed at the next board meeting.

It would not comment further.Rupert Murdoch to step down

James Murdoch, 42, has been acting as co-chief operating officer at Fox after leaving his job running BSkyB. His new role will entail running the day-to-day business of Fox.

As executive co-chairman, Lachlan Murdoch will effectively be James’ boss.

COO Chase Carey will step down and take on a role as adviser to the company.

21st Century Fox was created two years ago after being split up from Rupert Murdoch’s less profitable media company, News Corp.

It owns the Fox Hollywood studios and television businesses.

In Q1 2015, 21st Century Fox reported net income of $975 million, while News Corp, which owns the Wall Street Journal, The Times and The Sun, made a profit of $23 million.

Greece Crisis: State Television ERT Is Back on Air After Two Years

Greece’s state television ERT is back on air after two years.

The Greek broadcaster was closed down in 2013 under austerity measures.

The left-wing Syriza party made the reinstatement of ERT a key pledge in January’s election, which it won.

Syriza said all of the more than 2,600 employees made redundant in 2013 have been offered jobs by the station.

Presenter Nikos Aggelidis said at the start of the first show on June 11: “It’s a special day for all Greeks, for those who love Greece and for those who love freedom of information.”

“We’re nervous. We’re very touched.”

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

His co-host Vasiliki Haina said: “It’s a special day for us, a difficult day.”

ERT’s television channel went off air in the middle of a program in 2013, and viewers saw only a black screen. There had been no warning of the channel coming to an end.

The decision to end ERT, which cost €300 million ($337 million) to run, led to protests on Greek streets.

Some said the network was plagued by cronyism and had appeared immune from cuts and reform.

While ERT continued to broadcast on the internet, a smaller-scale replacement, Nerit, was introduced in May 2014.

Nerit enjoyed moderate success despite a smaller staff, and secured Champions League football coverage and rights to broadcast the Eurovision song contest.

Nerit’s television operation merged with ERT on June 11.

The letters N and I were removed from the sign on Nerit’s building to spell ERT earlier this week.

ERT will be funded by a €3 surcharge added to electricity bills – less than the surcharge before it went off air.

Greece’s government, which is fighting to secure loans to help stabilize the country’s finances, called the reinstatement of ERT “a victory for democracy”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPMtOlGaSYs

Zhou Yongkang Gets Life Sentence for Accepting Bribes and Abuse of Power

China’s former Ministry of Public Security Zhou Yongkang has been jailed for life after being found guilty of bribery, abuse of power and “intentionally disclosing national secrets”, Xinhua news agency reports.

Zhou Yongkang – the most senior politician to face corruption charges under Communist rule.

Until his retirement in 2012, Zhou Yongkang was one of China’s most powerful men.

Zhou Yongkang was put under investigation one year later as part of President Xi Jinping’s major anti-corruption campaign.

State TV showed a clip of Zhou Yongkang, 72, pleading guilty at a closed-door trial in the northern city of Tianjin. When responding to the judge, he said he would not launch an appeal.

Zhou Yongkang said: “I’ve realized the harm I’ve caused to the party and the people. I plead guilty and I regret my crimes.”

He was tried behind closed doors on May 22 because the case involved state secrets, Xinhua agency reports. There was no public announcement until the conviction was reported on June 11.Zhou Yongkang sentenced to life in prison

In a breakdown of the ruling, Xinhua reports that Zhou Yongkang received a life sentence for accepting bribes worth 130 million yuan ($21.3 million), seven years for abuse of power and four years for “deliberately releasing state secrets”.

All political rights have been stripped and his property confiscated, the news agency added.

Zhou Yongkang was charged in April, nine months after a formal investigation was announced.

He has since been expelled from the Communist Party.

Zhou Yongkang was once head of the Ministry of Public Security, as well as a member of China’s top decision-making body, the Politburo Standing Committee.

It is the first time such a senior Chinese figure has been convicted of corruption since the Communist Party came to power in 1949.

President Xi Jinping vowed to end endemic corruption when he came to power in 2012.

Since then, a number of Zhou Yongkang’s former associates from his time working in the oil industry and as Communist Party chief in Sichuan province have been investigated or prosecuted as part of Xi Jinping’s corruption crackdown.

The Xinhua report did not refer to Bo Xilai, a former protégé of Zhou Yongkang’s and former Chongqing Communist Party chief, who is currently in prison on charges linked to his wife’s murder of a British businessman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpjMRwX8KYg