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James Foley’s last letter released by family

Diane A. Wade
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James Foley’s last letter released by family

The family of James Foley – the kidnapped American journalist killed by Islamic State militants last week – has posted a letter they say he sent while in captivity, via a fellow hostage.

James Foley was unable to write letters to his family because they were confiscated by his jailers.

Instead he asked another hostage who was about to be released to commit his letter to memory.

When that hostage was freed he dictated the letter to James Foley’s mother, Diane.

The family posted the letter on Sunday evening, on a Facebook page they had set up to campaign for James Foley’s release.

Earlier they had attended a memorial mass for James Foley in their home town of Rochester, New Hampshire.

James Foley was abducted in northern Syria in November 2012 while covering that country's civil war
James Foley was abducted in northern Syria in November 2012 while covering that country’s civil war

James Wright Foley, 41, a freelance journalist was abducted in northern Syria in November 2012, while covering that country’s civil war.

Last week, Islamic State militants released a video showing his killing by a masked man with a British accent.

On Sunday, the British ambassador to the US told CNN that British officials were close to identifying the killer.

James Foley’s last letter

Dear Family and Friends,

I remember going to the Mall with Dad, a very long bike ride with Mom. I remember so many great family times that take me away from this prison. Dreams of family and friends take me away and happiness fills my heart.

I know you are thinking of me and praying for me. And I am so thankful. I feel you all especially when I pray. I pray for you to stay strong and to believe. I really feel I can touch you even in this darkness when I pray.

Eighteen of us have been held together in one cell, which has helped me. We have had each other to have endless long conversations about movies, trivia, sports. We have played games made up of scraps found in our cell… we have found ways to play checkers, Chess, and Risk… and have had tournaments of competition, spending some days preparing strategies for the next day’s game or lecture. The games and teaching each other have helped the time pass. They have been a huge help. We repeat stories and laugh to break the tension.

I have had weak and strong days. We are so grateful when anyone is freed; but of course, yearn for our own freedom. We try to encourage each other and share strength. We are being fed better now and daily. We have tea, occasional coffee. I have regained most of my weight lost last year.

I think a lot about my brothers and sister. I remember playing Werewolf in the dark with Michael and so many other adventures. I think of chasing Mattie and T around the kitchen counter. It makes me happy to think of them. If there is any money left in my bank account, I want it to go to Michael and Matthew. I am so proud of you, Michael and thankful to you for happy childhood memories and to you and Kristie for happy adult ones.

And big John, how I enjoyed visiting you and Cress in Germany. Thank you for welcoming me. I think a lot about RoRo and try to imagine what Jack is like. I hope he has RoRo’s personality!

And Mark… so proud of you too Bro. I think of you on the West coast and hope you are doing some snowboarding and camping, I especially remember us going to the Comedy Club in Boston together and our big hug after. The special moments keep me hopeful.

Katie, so very proud of you. You are the strongest and best of us all!! I think of you working so hard, helping people as a nurse. I am so glad we texted just before I was captured. I pray I can come to your wedding…. now I am sounding like Grammy!!

Grammy, please take your medicine, take walks and keep dancing. I plan to take you out to Margarita’s when I get home. Stay strong because I am going to need your help to reclaim my life.

Jim

Robin Williams’ Pegoretti bike fetches $20,000 at Tiburon charity auction

Sonia Pantiss
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Robin Williams’ Pegoretti bike fetches $20,000 at Tiburon charity auction

Robin Williams’ custom bike has been auctioned off to benefit college scholarships for underprivileged students.

Robin Williams, a keen cyclist, donated his handmade Pegoretti bike and an autographed Night at the Museum hat to the Hotbed benefit for the 10,000 Degrees organization shortly before his death on August 11.

Several weeks before his death, Robin Williams donated his Pegoretti bicycle to the Drever Family Foundation’s annual Hotbed benefit
Several weeks before his death, Robin Williams donated his Pegoretti bicycle to the Drever Family Foundation’s annual Hotbed benefit

Several weeks before his death, Robin Williams donated his Pegoretti bicycle to the Drever Family Foundation’s annual Hotbed benefit in Tiburon, California, which took place on August 23. The comedian was a close friend of Jan and Maxwell Drever and their family and was planning to attend the gala before his suicide two weeks ago. He also helped organize the Moroccan themed event, according to the New York Daily News. Robin Williams’ bike fetched $20,000 at the auction, which will fund a year of higher education for two students.

Ukraine: President Petro Poroshenko dissolves parliament and calls for snap elections

Diane A. Wade
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Ukraine: President Petro Poroshenko dissolves parliament and calls for snap elections

Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko has dissolved parliament and called snap elections for October 26, as government forces continue to fight pro-Russian rebel forces in the east.

Petro Poroshenko said many current parliamentarians were backers of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych and that the majority of Ukrainians wanted a new parliament.

Elections would be held on October 26, he said in a TV address.

Separately, Ukraine’s military says it clashed with rebel armored vehicles that entered the country from Russia.

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has dissolved parliament and called snap elections for October 26
Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko has dissolved parliament and called snap elections for October 26

It said a column of 10 tanks and two armored personnel carriers was heading towards the south-eastern port of Mariupol but was stopped. Two tanks were reportedly destroyed.

More than 2,000 people have died in months of fighting between Ukrainian forces and separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The two regions declared independence from Kiev, following Russia’s annexation of the southern Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in March.

Ukraine accuses Russia of arming the rebels in the east and sending its troops into the country – a charge the Kremlin denies.

On Tuesday, Petro Poroshenko is expected to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at talks in Minsk Belarus.

Ebola outbreak: Liberian doctor Abraham Borbor dies despite taking ZMapp

Kathryn R. Bown
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Ebola outbreak: Liberian doctor Abraham Borbor dies despite taking ZMapp

Liberian doctor Abraham Borbor has died despite taking experimental anti-Ebola drug ZMapp, Liberia’s information minister says.

Abraham Borbor was one of three doctors in Liberia who had been given ZMapp and were showing signs of recovery.

ZMapp has been credited with helping several patients recover, including two US doctors.

More than 1,400 people have died from Ebola this year in four West African countries – Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

Dr. Abraham Borbor “was showing signs of improvement but yesterday (Sunday) he took a turn for the worse,” Liberian Information Minister Lewis Brown told the BBC.

“What this means for the drugs, I don’t know,” the minister added, without giving further details.

It is believed Dr. Abraham Borbor died in the capital Monrovia. He was the deputy chief medical doctor at the country’s largest hospital.

ZMapp has been credited with helping several Ebola patients recover
ZMapp has been credited with helping several Ebola patients recover

Liberia has recently imposed a quarantine in parts of Monrovia to try to stop the spread of the virus.

Last Thursday, police fired live rounds and tear gas during protests among residents of the city’s West Point slum.

Liberia has seen the most deaths – more than 570 – in what is now the worst Ebola outbreak in history.

Meanwhile, Japan said it was ready to allow shipments of an experimental anti-viral drug to help combat the Ebola outbreak.

It is not clear whether T-705 (or Avigan) will actually work against Ebola, and no monkey or human trials of the drug have been done.

T-705 was developed by Japan’s Toyama Chemicals company for use against new strains of influenza. It was approved by the Japanese government earlier this year.

A company spokesman says the firm believes the similarity between flu viruses and Ebola means Avigan could be effective.

Japan says it is ready to ship Avigan even without approval by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Ebola is spread between humans through direct contact with infected body fluids and several doctors and health workers have died.

It is one of the world’s deadliest diseases, with up to 90% of cases resulting in death, although in the current outbreak the rate is about 55%.

The speed and extent of the outbreak was “unprecedented”, the WHO said last week.

An estimated 2,615 people in West Africa have been infected with Ebola since March.

On Saturday, Sierra Leone’s parliament passed a new law making it a criminal offence to hide Ebola patients.

If the law is approved by the president, those caught face up to two years in prison.

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Michael Brown funeral held in Ferguson

Nancy Clayson
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Michael Brown funeral held in Ferguson

Hundreds of mourners gathered in Ferguson, Missouri to attend the funeral of Michael Brown, the black teenager who was shot by police.

Michael Brown, 18, who was unarmed, was killed on August 9 after being stopped by a white police officer for walking in the middle of the street.

His death sparked days of protests and violent clashes, but tensions appear to have eased in recent days.

Michael Brown’s father has called for calm ahead of his son’s funeral.

“Tomorrow all I want is peace,” Michael Brown Senior told hundreds of people at a rally in St Louis on Sunday.

On Monday, long lines of mourners entered the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Ferguson where the funeral service will be held at 10.00 local time.

The mood has been peaceful and sombre, but there is still anger in Ferguson, which has a majority black population, after the shooting by white police officer, Darren Wilson.

Michael Brown was killed on August 9 after being stopped by a white police officer for walking in the middle of the street
Michael Brown was killed on August 9 after being stopped by a white police officer for walking in the middle of the street

The National Guard, which was deployed to deal with violent clashes in Ferguson last week, started to withdraw from the area on Saturday as tensions showed signs of easing.

Michael Brown’s father made his plea for calm on Sunday to a crowd gathered at the Peace Fest 2014 festival, a rally against police violence in St Louis.

Rev. Al Sharpton also addressed the crowd, telling them the day of the funeral was not for “rage” but “about the legacy and memory of his [Michael Brown Sr.’s] son”.

“We don’t want anything tomorrow to happen that might defile the name of Michael Brown,” the reverend added.

Michael Brown’s mother, Lesley McSpadden took the microphone to thank the crowd.

She said she had seen her son’s body at the morgue for the first time on Sunday since the day of the shooting.

The family of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old who was shot and killed by a Florida neighborhood watch organizer who was later acquitted of murder charges, was present at the rally.

“We’re going to stand tall with you all,” Trayvon Martin’s father, Tracy Martin, said.

Three White House officials and Governor Jay Nixon are due to attend the funeral on Monday.

Ferguson was relatively calm on Sunday, with the main street open to traffic and fewer police officers around compared to previous days, Reuters reports.

The officer who killed Michael Brown, Darren Wilson, has been suspended with pay. Michael Brown’s family and supporters have called for him to be prosecuted.

A grand jury panel of residents has begun hearing evidence in the case, though officials have not said when it will reach a decision.

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Burger King in takeover talks with Tim Hortons

Clyde K. Valle
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Burger King in takeover talks with Tim Hortons

Burger King has confirmed it is in takeover talks with Canadian coffee and doughnut chain Tim Hortons.

A merger would create the world’s third-largest fast-food combine, one with a stock market value of about $18 billion.

Burger King and Tim Hortons confirmed the talks on August 24 and said the new group would be headquartered in Canada, where corporate taxes are lower.

Burger King’s majority shareholder, 3G Capital, would stay in overall control.

Burger King has confirmed it is in takeover talks with Canadian coffee and doughnut chain Tim Hortons
Burger King has confirmed it is in takeover talks with Canadian coffee and doughnut chain Tim Hortons (photo AFP)

New York and Rio de Janeiro-based investment company 3G Capital bought Burger King in 2010 for about $3.3 billion and floated the company in 2012, holding on to nearly 70% of the shares.

If a deal goes ahead, the remaining shares will be distributed between the current shareholders of Burger King and Tim Hortons.

According to reports, the companies will retain their separate brand identities but save costs by sharing corporate services.

Combined, Burger King and Tim Hortons would have an estimated revenue of $22 billion a year from around 18,000 restaurants in 100 countries.

Tim Hortons used to be owned by US fast-food chain Wendy’s, before being spun off as a separate company in 2006.

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Nicki Minaj suffers wardrobe malfunction at VMA’s 2014

Lisa.Felice
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Nicki Minaj suffers wardrobe malfunction at VMA’s 2014

Nicki Minaj suffered a weird wardrobe malfunction as she kicked off this year’s MTV VMA’s show, along with Ariana Grande and Jessie J, with a hot performance of their hit collaboration Bang Bang.

After her solo Anaconda moment, when she re-emerged to do her verse on Bang Bang, something was wrong. The singer spent the entire time awkwardly clinging to her dress.

Nicki Minaj suffered a weird wardrobe malfunction as she kicked off this year’s MTV VMA’s show, along with Ariana Grande and Jessie J
Nicki Minaj suffered a weird wardrobe malfunction as she kicked off this year’s MTV VMA’s show, along with Ariana Grande and Jessie J (photo MTV)

Nicki Minaj is no stranger to showing off some skin but instead of flaunting her famous figure during her VMAs “Bang Bang” performance with Ariana Grande and Jessie J, the rapper was desperately trying to cover up her body.

“We ran out of time getting the dressed zipped up,” Nicki Minaj said backstage later in the show.

Boko Haram proclaims Islamic caliphate in north-eastern Nigeria

Roy Siemens
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Boko Haram proclaims Islamic caliphate in north-eastern Nigeria

Terrorist group Boko Haram has said it has set up an Islamic state in the towns and villages it has seized in north-eastern Nigeria.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau was speaking in a video released to congratulate his fighters for seizing the town of Gwoza earlier this month.

It is not clear if Abubakar Shekau has pledged allegiance to Islamic State, which controls parts of Iraq and Syria.

Nigeria’s army has rejected the claim as “empty”.

Thousands of people have been killed, mostly in north-eastern Nigeria, since 2009 when Boko Haram began its insurgency.

Gwoza, which had 265,000 residents in the last census, is the biggest town under Boko Haram control.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau was speaking in a video released to congratulate his fighters for seizing the town of Gwoza earlier this month
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau was speaking in a video released to congratulate his fighters for seizing the town of Gwoza earlier this month

It has raised its flags over the palace of the Emir of Gwoza, the town’s traditional ruler, residents say.

“Thanks be to Allah who gave victory to our brethren in Gwoza and made it part of the Islamic state,” Abubakar Shekau said in the 52-minute video.

It controls several areas, mostly in Borno state where the group was launched, but also in neighboring Yobe state.

The video also shows about 20 men in civilian clothes apparently being shot dead.

Nigeria’s military spokesman Chris Olukolade responded with a statement dismissing the declaration.

“The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nigerian state is still intact,” he said.

In his previous video, released in July, Abubakar Shekau congratulated the Islamic State (IS) for its advances in Iraq and Syria but did not say whether they were allies – there is no evidence that the two groups have been working together.

IS has seized much of northern Iraq in recent months, leading the US to launch air strikes.

Last week, the militants sparked global outrage by killing American journalist James Foley.

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PlayStation network hit by cyber-attack

Nancy Clayson
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PlayStation network hit by cyber-attack

PlayStation network has been shut down after cyber-attackers overloaded it in what’s known as a distributed denial of service attack.

Sony said in a blog post that no personal information had been accessed.

On August 24, an American Airlines flight carrying a senior Sony executive was also diverted following a bomb scare.

The group claiming responsibility for closing down the network also tweeted suggesting there was a security threat to the flight.

Sony also said that “the PlayStation Network and Sony Entertainment Network have been impacted by an attempt to overwhelm our network with artificially high traffic”.

PlayStation network has been shut down after cyber-attackers overloaded it in what's known as a distributed denial of service attack
PlayStation network has been shut down after cyber-attackers overloaded it in what’s known as a distributed denial of service attack

“We will continue to work towards fixing this issue and hope to have our services up and running as soon as possible,” the blog said.

Sony has said the FBI is investigating the security scare over the flight carrying Sony Online Entertainment President John Smedley, which should have landed in San Diego but was diverted to Phoenix, Arizona.

John Smedley tweeted: “Yes. My plane was diverted. Not going to discuss more than that. Justice will find these guys.”

Sony’s 52 million strong PlayStation network has been hit by hacking attacks before, including a security breach in 2011.

Sony had already scheduled routine maintenance work to be done on its PlayStation network on August 25.

Some services including PlayStation Store, PSN account management and registration, entertainment services and online gameplay will be unavailable.

MTV VMA’s 2014: Full list of winners

Sonia Pantiss
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MTV VMA’s 2014: Full list of winners

Full list of winners of the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards presented on August 24 at the Forum in Inglewood, California:

Video of the year: Wrecking Ball, Miley Cyrus

Female video: Dark Horse, Katy Perry

Male video: Sing, Ed Sheeran

Pop video: Problem, Ariana Grande feat. Iggy Azalea

Hip-hop video: Hold On, We’re Going Home, Drake feat. Majid Jordan

Rock video: Royals, Lorde

Collaboration: Drunk in Love, Beyonce feat. Jay-Z

The 2014 MTV Video Music Awards were presented on August 24 at the Forum in Inglewood
The 2014 MTV Video Music Awards were presented on August 24 at the Forum in Inglewood

Artist to watch: Miss Movin On, Fifth Harmony

Video with a social message: Pretty Hurts, Beyonce

MTV Clubland award: Stay the Night, Zedd feat. Hayley Williams

Cinematography: Pretty Hurts, Beyonce

Choreography: Chandelier, Sia

Art direction: Reflektor, Arcade Fire

Editing: Rap God, Eminem

Visual effects: The Writing’s On the Wall, OK Go

Direction: Turn Down for What, DJ Snake & Lil Jon

Lyric video: Don’t Stop, 5 Seconds of Summer

Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award: Beyonce

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VMA’s 2014: Miley Cyrus wins Video of the Year award

Sonia Pantiss
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VMA’s 2014: Miley Cyrus wins Video of the Year award

This year’s MTV Video Music Awards show was closed by Beyonce with an epic nearly 20-minute performance.

Beyonce was joined onstage by her husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy which brought her to tears, amid numerous divorce rumors.

The singer accepted the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

Beyonce’s performance easily outdid her competition throughout the night, though she lost video of the year, which instead went to a teary Miley Cyrus who let a homeless man accept her award for video of the year.

It was in sharp contrast to the 2013 VMAs, when Miley Cyrus twerked and danced shockingly onstage.

“Thank y’all, my name is Jesse and I accepting this award on behalf of the 1.6 million runaways and homeless youth in the United States who are starving, lost and scared for their lives right now. I know this because I am one of these people,” the man said, as Miley Cyrus looked on.

“Though I may have been invisible to you in the streets, I have a lot of the same dreams that brought many of you here tonight.”

Miley Cyrus’ decision to let someone else accept her award to promote a cause was reminiscent of Marlon Brando’s 1973 Academy Awards best actor win, when he gave a Native American activist the stage rather than accept his Oscar trophy.

Miley Cyrus let a homeless man accept her award for video of the year at the MTV VMA’s 2014
Miley Cyrus let a homeless man accept her award for video of the year at the MTV VMA’s 2014 (photo Twitter)

The most shocking moment of the VMA show was Nicki Minaj’s rump-shaking during her performance of Anaconda. In the show’s first minutes Nicki Minaj suffered a wardrobe malfunction when she joined Ariana Grande and Jessie J for Bang, Bang.

Taylor Swift was a crowd favorite when she performed her new single Shake It Off in shimmery shorts and a crop top.

Ariana Grande, who held hands with rapper Big Sean backstage, kicked off the show with a performance of her EDM hit, Break Free in a Beyonce-inspired leotard. The 21-year-old won best pop video for her smash single Problem, but lost best female video to Katy Perry, who won for the hit Dark Horse.

Katy Perry sported a figure-hugging denim dress and was joined by Riff Raff in a coordinating outfit, mirroring Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears at the 2001 American Music Awards.

The night featured a serious social message along with the performances. Rapper-actor Common held a moment of silence for Michael Brown, the unarmed 18-year-old who was fatally shot by a police officer on August 9, before he presented the award for best hip-hop video.

“Hip-hop has always been about truth and has been a powerful instrument of social change, from Melle Mel to Public Enemy to Kendrick Lamar,” Common said.

“Hip-hop has always been presented a voice for the revolution.”

Later, a 15-second spot aired alluding to the shooting in Ferguson, Missouri, urging viewers to take action to eliminate bias.

“Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced,” a quote by author James Baldwin read on the screen.

Lorde won best rock video for Royals and Ed Sheeran won best male video, beating out Pharrell Williams, Eminem, John Legend and Sam Smith, who was a show highlight with his smoldering performance of his hit Stay With Me.

Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora appeared onstage as spider women when they performed their hit Black Widow, as Taylor Swift, Lorde and Charli XCX danced and sang along.

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Suge Knight shooting: Another two people injured at 1 OAK party

Lisa.Felice
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Suge Knight shooting: Another two people injured at 1 OAK party

Another two people have been shot along with Death Row Records founder Marion “Suge” Knight at Chris Brown’s pre-VMA party in Los Angeles.

Suge Knight is expected to survive, according to a Los Angeles County sheriff’s sergeant.

Another man, 32, and a woman, 19, were also shot at around 01:30 AM on Sunday morning at the 1 OAK nightclub in West Hollywood.

All three victims were treated at local hospitals.

Suge Knight is expected to survive after being shot at Chris Brown’s pre-VMA party in Los Angeles
Suge Knight is expected to survive after being shot at Chris Brown’s pre-VMA party in Los Angeles (photo Getty Images)

Suge Knight, 49, who helped launch the careers of Tupac, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre has been shot before.

In 2005, he was struck in the leg during an MTV awards pre-party in Miami Beach.

Sunday’s shooting happened hours before MTV’s Video Music Awards, which took place in Inglewood, California.

Chris Brown was in the building when the shooting took place but the singer was not hit by gunfire.

Hours later, Chris Brown tweeted: “It’s disappointing that we as a society can’t have fun or enjoy ourselves without any altercations sometimes.”

MTV has said it had no affiliation or connection to the event.

It’s unclear what instigated the shooting and Los Angeles Sherriff Department has said they currently have no suspects.

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Russia to send second aid convoy into eastern Ukraine

Roy Siemens
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Russia to send second aid convoy into eastern Ukraine

Russia is planning to send a second humanitarian convoy into eastern Ukraine “in the next few days”, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said.

Sergei Lavrov said the humanitarian situation there was “deteriorating”.

Ukraine did not authorize the first convoy, which returned to Russia at the weekend, fearing it carried military equipment for pro-Russia separatists.

According to the Ukrainian officials, a column of armored vehicles crossed from Russia on Monday, sparking heavy clashes.

The crossing was reported close to the south-eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol.

“The Ukrainian border has been breached by a convoy of several dozen tanks and armoured vehicles,” security spokesman Leonid Matyukhin told AFP.

“The convoy has been stopped by border guards… The battle is ongoing.”

More than 2,000 people have died in recent months in fighting between Ukrainian government forces and the separatists. Some 330,000 people have been displaced.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has announced a second humanitarian convoy for eastern Ukraine
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has announced a second humanitarian convoy for eastern Ukraine (photo RIA Novosti)

The Russian and Ukrainian presidents are scheduled to meet in Minsk, Belarus, on Tuesday for talks on the crisis.

Sergei Lavrov said he had sent a note to the Ukrainian foreign ministry on Sunday informing it of the new convoy.

He told a news conference on Monday: “The humanitarian situation is not improving but deteriorating.

“We want to reach an agreement on all conditions for delivering a second convoy by the same route… in the coming days.”

Russia said the first convoy had delivered generators, food and drink.

Ukrainian sources said a column of about 30 armored vehicles had entered from Russia close to the port city of Mariupol on Monday, bearing symbols of the self-styled Donetsk People’s Republic.

Mariupol is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces, who ousted rebels in May.

When asked about a possible Russian incursion, Sergei Lavrov said that “there is enough disinformation”.

Ukraine and Western powers have accused Russia of arming the rebels, charges Moscow has denied.

There have been several previous reports of armored vehicles crossing the Ukrainian border.

Asked about Tuesday’s presidential meeting, Sergei Lavrov said: “We are ready… for any format as long as there is a result.”

He added that Russia wanted “to help Ukrainians agree among themselves”.

Sergei Lavrov also commented on the parading of captured Ukrainian government soldiers by rebels through the centre of Donetsk on Sunday.

Crowds lined the streets chanting “fascists” as the disheveled-looking prisoners walked by.

Sergei Lavrov said this was “nowhere near mistreatment” and that Ukrainian fighters’ actions often amounted to “war crimes”.

“I saw images of that parade and I didn’t see anything close to what could be considered as humiliating,” he said.

The violence in east Ukraine erupted in April when pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions declared independence from Kiev. This followed Russia’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in March.

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France’s government resigns amid economy row

Diane A. Wade
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France’s government resigns amid economy row

France’s Prime Minister Manuel Valls has submitted the government’s resignation to President Francois Hollande and has been asked to form a new cabinet.

The French government was badly shaken on Sunday by criticism over its handling of the economy by economy minister Arnaud Montebourg.

Moments after Manuel Valls’s resignation President Francois Hollande issued a statement.

Francois Hollande asked Manuel Valls to set up a new cabinet “consistent with the direction [Francois Hollande] has set for the country”.

The prime minister had accused Arnaud Montebourg of “crossing a yellow line” after the economy minister had attacked austerity measures which he said were strangling France’s growth.

France’s Prime Minister Manuel Valls has submitted the government's resignation to President Francois Hollande and has been asked to form a new cabinet
France’s Prime Minister Manuel Valls has submitted the government’s resignation to President Francois Hollande and has been asked to form a new cabinet

Arnaud Montebourg told a meeting of Socialists in eastern France that the time had come to put up a “just and sane resistance” to the “excessive obsessions of Germany’s conservatives”.

On Saturday, Arnaud Montebourg told Le Monde newspaper that Germany was trapped in an austerity policy that it imposed across Europe”.

He was backed up by education minister Benoit Hamon and appeared to have the support of culture minister Aurelie Filippetti, too.

Benoit Hamon called on Sunday for a revival in demand and for an end to German Chancellor Angela Merkel setting Europe’s direction: “You can’t sell anything to the French if they don’t have enough income.”

Manuel Valls became prime minister in March after a poor performance by President Francois Hollande’s Socialist party in local elections.

Earlier this month, the French government admitted it would be impossible to reach a previous growth forecast of 1%. Germany saw its economy shrink by 0.2% between April and June.

Arnaud Montebourg told French radio shortly before Manuel Valls announced the government’s resignation that he had no regrets about his remarks, “first of all because there’s no anger”.

There was no debate about authority, Arnaud Montebourg told Europe 1 radio, but a “debate about economic direction”.

Brazil: Four prisoners killed in Cascavel jail riot

Nancy Clayson
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Brazil: Four prisoners killed in Cascavel jail riot

Rioters in a Brazilian jail in the southern city of Cascavel have killed four fellow inmates and injured several others, police say.

At least 700 prisoners are reported to be involved in the uprising, which began on Sunday morning.

The prisoners are said to be unhappy about how the prison is run, as well as about food and hygiene there.

The trouble broke out when warders delivering food to inmates were reportedly overpowered.

As many as 1,000 prisoners then took over parts of the jail, ransacking and setting fire to much of it.

Rioters in a Brazilian jail in the southern city of Cascavel have killed four fellow inmates and injured several others
Rioters in a Brazilian jail in the southern city of Cascavel have killed four fellow inmates and injured several others

The rioting prisoners have their faces covered with improvised balaclavas.

The leaders of the rebellion are holding at least two prison guards hostage.

Violence between prisoners most likely involves members of rival drug gangs.

Negotiations are under way to put an end to the uprising, which has led to the destruction of most of the penitentiary, according to O Globo newspaper.

The Security Secretary of Parana State, Maria Tereza Uille Gomes, has travelled to Cascavel to take over the negotiations.

Brazil has the world’s fourth largest prison population, with half a million inmates in facilities meant to hold 300,000.

Across the country, many poorly resourced jails are in effect run by powerful crime gangs.

Earlier this year the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, called for an investigation into the high number of violent deaths in Brazil’s prisons after previous riots at a jail in the north of the country left dozens of people dead.

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Beyonce joined onstage by Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy at MTV VMA’s 2014

Lisa.Felice
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Beyonce joined onstage by Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy at MTV VMA’s 2014

Beyonce closed Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards show with an epic nearly 20-minute performance.

She was joined onstage by husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy which brought her to tears, amid numerous divorce rumors.

Beyonce sang and danced in a metallic leotard while Blue Ivy and Jay-Z watched from their seats as the diva declared: “MTV, welcome to my world.”

As the accepted the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award at The Forum in Inglewood, California, she kissed her daughter and husband Jay-Z, who called her the “greatest living entertainer.”

Beyonce was joined onstage by husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue at the MTV VMA’s, amid numerous divorce rumors
Beyonce was joined onstage by husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue at the MTV VMA’s, amid numerous divorce rumors (photo Getty Images)

“I’m so full. I have nothing to say but I am filled with so much gratitude,” Beyonce told the cheering crowd as they chanted her name repeatedly.

Her performance easily outdid her competition throughout the night, though Beyonce lost video of the year, which instead went to a teary Miley Cyrus who let a homeless man accept her award for video of the year.

It was in sharp contrast to the 2013 VMAs, when Miley Cyrus twerked and danced shockingly onstage.

“Thank y’all, my name is Jesse and I accepting this award on behalf of the 1.6 million runaways and homeless youth in the United States who are starving, lost and scared for their lives right now. I know this because I am one of these people,” he said, as Miley Cyrus looked on.

“Though I may have been invisible to you in the streets, I have a lot of the same dreams that brought many of you here tonight.”

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Peru 7-magnitude earthquake strikes near Lima

Diane A. Wade
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Peru 7-magnitude earthquake strikes near Lima

A 7-magnitude earthquake has struck near Puquio, central Peru, on August 24, the US Geological Survey has said.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, said Mario Casareto, spokesman for Peru’s fire agency.

Mario Casareto said authorities were still surveying the region, including the Ayacucho area where the quake was centered.

Peru quake occurred about 13 hours after a 6-magnitude temblor shook Northern California
Peru quake occurred about 13 hours after a 6-magnitude temblor shook Northern California

The seismological service said in a preliminary report that the quake occurred at 23:21 GMT on August 24 and was centered about 26 miles east-northeast of an area called Tambo, and about 292 miles southeast of the capital of Lima. It had a depth of 36 miles.

Local media said that the quake was felt in parts of Lima and in many major cities of southeastern Peru, including Cuzco and Arequipa.

The quake occurred about 13 hours after a 6-magnitude temblor shook Northern California, near Napa.

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Iggy Azalea falls backward off stage during Fancy performance at Avalon Hollywood

Lisa.Felice
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Iggy Azalea falls backward off stage during Fancy performance at Avalon Hollywood

Iggy Azalea fell backward off the stage, while performing Fancy during a pre-MTV VMAs concert at the Avalon Hollywood.

Guards quickly lifted 24-year-old Iggy Azalea off the ground, after asking if she was fine.

The rapper returned onstage to thunderous applause. Iggy Azalea laughed, finishing the song in the center of the stage with singer Charli XCX.

Iggy Azalea fell backward off the stage, while performing Fancy with Charli XCX
Iggy Azalea fell backward off the stage, while performing Fancy with Charli XCX (photo E Online)

Iggy Azalea shared an Instagram video of the fall with her 4.1 million followers.

In the caption, she wrote: “Sorry but it would be a crime not to share this with you all, I know I laughed. #StillFinishedtheSongTho #KeptOnRapping #TheShowMustGoOn.”

After finishing Fancy, Iggy Azalea told the crowd that this was her first time falling off a stage.

Iggy Azalea is nominated in seven categories for Sunday’s Video Music Awards – four for her Clueless-themed Fancy and three for her featured role on Ariana Grande’s Problem.

Jennifer Lopez was in the audience to witness the fall.

Iggy Azalea is scheduled to perform Black Widow with Rita Ora at the VMAs.

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Suge Knight shot during Chris Brown’s pre-VMA party at 1OAK nightclub

Lisa.Felice
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Suge Knight shot during Chris Brown’s pre-VMA party at 1OAK nightclub

Suge Knight was shot during a pre-VMA party hosted by Chris Brown at 1OAK nightclub in West Hollywood, California, on early Sunday morning, August 24, Billboard reported.

The former Death Row Records CEO went into surgery following the incident and is now recovering in the ICU, according to TMZ.

Marion “Suge” Knight, 49, reportedly left the club himself before being spotted by police and sent to the hospital in an ambulance.

He was shot in the stomach, arm and other places, sources told TMZ.

The shooting took place at about 1:30 a.m on Sunday during a pre-VMA party hosted by Chris Brown at 1OAK.

The party is unaffiliated with MTV.

Others in attendance included Tyson Beckford, Robert Ri’chard and apl.de.ap.

Suge Knight was shot during a pre-VMA party hosted by Chris Brown at 1OAK nightclub in West Hollywood
Suge Knight was shot during a pre-VMA party hosted by Chris Brown at 1OAK nightclub in West Hollywood (photo Getty Images)

Two men and a woman were also shot.

“They were transported to local hospitals and they are expected to recover,” the L.A. Sheriff’s Department said in a statement to People magazine. The shooter is still unknown, but a gang rivalry could be a possible motive, according to TMZ.

About an hour-a-half before the shooting, a fight reportedly broke out between The Game’s entourage and the club’s security guards after the rapper was denied entry into the party. It’s unclear whether that incident was related to Suge Knight’s shooting, TMZ reported.

On Sunday morning, Chris Brown took to Twitter to speak out about what had happened.

“It’s disappointing that we as a society can’t enjoy ourselves without any altercations sometimes,” the singer tweeted.

“Miss me with the bullshit!” 

This is the second time Suge Knight has been shot during a pre-VMA party.

In 2005, Suge Knight was shot in the leg during an event hosted by Kanye West at Shore Club in Miami Beach, Florida.

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Hundreds of bubbling methane vents discovered on sea floor between North Carolina and Massachusetts

James J. Williams
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Hundreds of bubbling methane vents discovered on sea floor between North Carolina and Massachusetts

More than 500 bubbling methane vents have been found on the sea floor off the US east coast, researchers say.

The unexpected discovery indicates there are large volumes of the gas contained in a type of sludgy ice called methane hydrate.

There are concerns that these new seeps could be making a hitherto unnoticed contribution to global warming.

The scientists say there could be about 30,000 of these hidden methane vents worldwide.

Previous surveys along the Atlantic seaboard have shown only three seep areas beyond the edge of the US continental shelf.

The team behind the new findings studied what is termed the continental margin, the region of the ocean floor that stands between the coast and the deep ocean.

In an area between North Carolina and Massachusetts, they have now found at least 570 seeps at varying depths between 50m and 1,700m.

Their findings came as a bit of a surprise.

“It is the first time we have seen this level of seepage outside the Arctic that is not associated with features like oil or gas reservoirs or active tectonic margins,” said Prof. Adam Skarke from Mississippi State University, who led the study.

More than 500 bubbling methane vents have been found on the sea floor off the US east coast
More than 500 bubbling methane vents have been found on the sea floor off the US east coast

The scientists have observed streams of bubbles but they have not yet sampled the gas within them.

However, they believe there is an abundance of circumstantial evidence pointing to methane.

Most of the seeping vents were located around 500m down, which is just the right temperature and pressure to create a sludgy confection of ice and gas called methane hydrate, or clathrate.

The scientists say that the warming of ocean temperatures might be causing these hydrates to send bubbles of gas drifting through the water column.

They do not appear to be reaching the surface.

“The methane is dissolving into the ocean at depths of hundreds of meters and being oxidized to CO2,” said Prof. Adam Skarke.

“But it is important to say we simply don’t have any evidence in this paper to suggest that any carbon coming from these seeps is entering the atmosphere.”

This research, though, does highlight the scale of methane that is under the waters.

Estimates suggest that these undersea sediments are one of the largest reservoirs on Earth, and contains around 10 times more carbon than the atmosphere.

Prof. Adam Skarke and his colleagues estimate that worldwide, there may be around 30,000 of the type of seeps they have discovered.

They acknowledge that this is a rough calculation but they believe that it could be significant.

While the vents may not be posing an immediate global warming threat, the sheer number means that our calculations on the potential sources of greenhouse gases may need revising.

The scientists also found abundant life around many of these seeps, but not perhaps as we know it.

The creatures they describe are termed chemosynthetic, meaning they derive energy from chemical reactions and not from the Sun as do photosynthetic organisms.

Others who have collaborated on the search for seeps say these discoveries are important.

“These are significant geochemically, as they and our research teams found perhaps one of the largest seeps yet discovered with very active methane bubbling and large amounts of frozen hydrates,” said Prof. Steve Ross, from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.

“These seeps are also significant biologically, as we have found unique chemosynthetic communities, huge range extensions and increased biodiversity.”

As to the energy potential of these new seeping sources, Prof. Adam Skarke is fairly pessimistic.

The research has been published in the journal Nature Geoscience.

Richard Attenborough dies at 90

Sonia Pantiss
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Richard Attenborough dies at 90

British actor and director Richard Attenborough has died at the age of 90, his son has announced.

In a career that spanned six decades, Lord Richard Attenborough appeared in movies including Brighton Rock, World War Two prisoner of war thriller The Great Escape and later in dinosaur blockbuster Jurassic Park.

As a director Richard Attenborough was perhaps best known for Gandhi, which won him two Oscars.

Richard Attenborough had been in a nursing home with his wife for a number of years.

He had also been in a wheelchair since falling down stairs six years ago.

As a director Richard Attenborough was perhaps best known for Gandhi, which won him two Oscars
As a director Richard Attenborough was perhaps best known for Gandhi, which won him two Oscars (photo Getty Images)

Richard Attenborough died at lunchtime on August 24.

His family is expected to make a full statement on Monday.

Along with his naturalist brother David, Richard Attenborough was one of Britain’s best-known screen celebrities.

He started acting at the age of just 12, making his professional stage debut aged 18.

He married his wife Sheila in 1945. They had three children.

Richard Attenborough was appointed a CBE in 1967 and knighted nine years later in 1976, before being made a life peer in 1993.

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California earthquake: 87 people hospitalized in Napa

Nancy Clayson
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California earthquake: 87 people hospitalized in Napa

A 6-magnitude earthquake has struck northern California, causing injuries and damage to buildings.

The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at 03:20 local time four miles north-west of the town of American Canyon, at a depth of 6.7 miles.

At least 87 people have been taken to hospital in the Napa area, with three of them seriously injured.

California Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in order to deal with the effects of the quake.

Officials in Napa said in a statement that the quake had destroyed four mobile homes and made 16 buildings “uninhabitable”, as well as causing “approximately 50” gas main breaks and around 30 leaks from water mains.

A 6-magnitude has struck northern California, causing injuries and damage to buildings
A 6-magnitude earthquake has struck northern California, causing injuries and damage to buildings

Three historic buildings in the town had been hit and two commercial buildings “severely damaged”, the statement went on.

More than 10,000 households were without power in Napa, about six miles from the earthquake’s epicenter, and the surrounding area, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company said.

A Red Cross evacuation centre has been set up in a church in the city.

The California Highway Patrol in the San Francisco Bay area tweeted that it was “checking over crossings and bridges for obvious signs of structural integrity”, and asked residents to report any signs of problems.

The site of the earthquake was 51 miles from Sacramento and about 30 miles north-east of San Francisco, where many Twitter users say the earthquake woke them up.

Numerous small aftershocks were also reported on Sunday.

California lies on the San Andreas Fault, which forms the tectonic boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate, two of the large moving plates that form the Earth’s crust.

The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 and subsequent fires devastated the city.

In 1989, a powerful earthquake struck San Francisco, killing more than 60 people and injuring hundreds.

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Ebola outbreak: Democratic Republic of Congo confirms two deaths

Kathryn R. Bown
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Ebola outbreak: Democratic Republic of Congo confirms two deaths

Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed two Ebola deaths in the country’s north-west.

They are the first reported Ebola cases outside West Africa since the outbreak there began, although it is not clear if they are directly linked to that outbreak.

So far 1,427 people have died from the Ebola virus.

The speed and extent of the outbreak has been “unprecedented”, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.

An estimated 2,615 people in West Africa have been infected with Ebola since March.

There is no known cure but some affected people have recovered after being given an experimental drug, ZMapp. However, supplies are now exhausted.

Also on Sunday, a British health worker infected with Ebola in Sierra Leone was flown back to the UK on an RAF jet. It is the first confirmed case of a Briton contracting the virus during the current outbreak.

Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed two Ebola deaths in the country's north-west
Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed two Ebola deaths in the country’s north-west

Several people died in the past month after contracting an unidentified fever in the Equateur region of the DR Congo.

On Sunday, Health Minister Felix Kabange Numbi said two of eight fever victims had tested positive for Ebola.

A quarantine zone would be set up in a 62-mile radius in Boende where the cases had been registered.

He said this marked the seventh outbreak in DRC. The virus was first identified here in 1976 near the Ebola River.

Felix Kabange Numbi added that further tests were being carried out.

On Saturday, Sierra Leone parliament passed a new law making it a criminal offence to hide Ebola patients.

If approved by the president, those caught face up to two years in prison.

The move came after the Ivory Coast closed its land borders to prevent the spread of Ebola on to its territory.

The country has already imposed a ban on flights to and from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.

Gabon, Senegal, Cameroon and South Africa have taken similar measures.

The WHO says travel bans do not work, and that what is needed is more doctors and officials to help trace those infected with Ebola, as well as more mobile laboratories.

The Ebola virus is spread between humans through direct contact with infected bloodily fluids. It is one of the world’s deadliest diseases, with up to 90% of cases resulting in death.

Justin Bieber illegally drives Can-Am Spyder on sidewalk to avoid Beverly Hills traffic

Lisa.Felice
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0
Justin Bieber illegally drives Can-Am Spyder on sidewalk to avoid Beverly Hills traffic

Justin Bieber was caught riding his three-wheeled Can-Am Spyder down the sidewalk on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills on August 21.

The 20-year-old singer was also seen getting close to pedestrians.

Justin Bieber was caught riding his three-wheeled Can-Am Spyder down the sidewalk on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills
Justin Bieber was caught riding his three-wheeled Can-Am Spyder down the sidewalk on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills (photo Getty Images)

A spokesperson for the Beverly Hills Police Department says the incident could constitute a vehicle code violation, which is an infraction, adding to E! News: “We highly encourage Mr. Bieber to stay off the sidewalk and remain in traffic. This is incredibly unsafe. He’s safety in jeopardy.”

Justin Bieber, who is currently on probation for his vandalism conviction, was not pulled over, but the incident was recorded.

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Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon divorce: Singer enjoys having breakfast with twins Monroe and Moroccan

Lisa.Felice
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0
Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon divorce: Singer enjoys having breakfast with twins Monroe and Moroccan

Mariah Carey enjoyed having breakfast with her “dem babies”, 3-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan, at what appeared to be her NYC apartment on Friday.

The singer tries to spend time with her kids amid marriage trouble with husband Nick Cannon.

“Friends forever!!!! #breakfastmoments,” Mariah Carey, 44, captioned a picture via Instagram.

Moroccan embraced his sister Monroe as they both wore pink and green pajamas.

Moroccan Cannon embraced his sister Monroe
Moroccan Cannon embraced his sister Monroe (photo Mariah Carey Instagram)

It appears that Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon’s six-year marriage is on the rocks.

Nick Cannon, 33, confirmed the news himself during an interview with The Insider earlier this week.

“There is trouble in paradise,” Nick Cannon said on Thursday, August 21.

“We have been living in separate houses for a few months.”

An insider told Us Weekly that Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon have been apart since June.

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