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JK Rowling publishes new Harry Potter story on Pottermore

Sonia Pantiss
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JK Rowling publishes new Harry Potter story on Pottermore

JK Rowling has published a new short story about Harry Potter on her Pottermore fan website, set during the Quidditch world cup final.

The 1,500-word tale is written in the style of a newspaper column by Daily Prophet reporter, Rita Skeeter.

The article reports that Harry Potter took his sons James and Albus to visit the world cup compound “where he introduced them to Bulgarian seeker Victor Krum”.

Rita Skeeter then speculates on the absence of Harry Potter’s wife Ginny at the event.

“Are cracks beginning to show in a union that the Potters are determined to promote as happy?”

JK Rowling has published a new short story about Harry Potter on her Pottermore fan website, set during the Quidditch world cup final
JK Rowling has published a new short story about Harry Potter on her Pottermore fan website, set during the Quidditch world cup final

Quidditch is the fictional game played on broomsticks that features in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter novels.

Harry Potter is about to turn 34 in JK Rowling’s latest story, which can be accessed by registering on the Pottermore website.

The former boy wizard now “sports a nasty cut over his right cheekbone” along with his famous lightning scar. His hair is said to be slightly greying.

There is no mention of Harry and Ginny’s third child, Lily, who is referred to in the epilogue of Rowling’s final Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Hermione, who now has two children with her husband Ron, is now deputy head of the department of magical law enforcement.

Ron is now full-time at his brothers’ joke shop, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.

JK Rowling had said in previous interviews that Ron was an auror with Harry Potter at the ministry of magic but Rita Skeeter now claims he has had to leave for unknown reasons.

Now working for his brothers’ joke emporium Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, she claims Ron has had to step away from his job at the Ministry of Magic for reasons he has not revealed to the public.

The article also refers to other well-known characters from the Harry Potter series, including Luna Lovegood and Fleur Delacour.

JK Rowling, who is a supporter of the Hacked Off campaign which is putting pressure on newspapers to put into practice the Royal Charter on press self-regulation, has also penned a tongue-in-cheek reference to the media and privacy.

“One always hesitates to invade the privacy of young people, but the fact is that anyone closely connected with Harry Potter reaps the benefits and must pay the penalty of the public interest.”

More than 450 million copies of JK Rowling’s seven Harry Potter books, the first of which was published in 1997, have been sold worldwide.

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Vatican bank’s profit plunges to 2.9 million euros in 2013

Clyde K. Valle
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Vatican bank’s profit plunges to 2.9 million euros in 2013

The profit of the Vatican bank plunged in 2013 largely due to a clean-up process which has seen it end relationships with 3,000 customers.

Officially known as the Institute for Religious Works, the bank reported a 2.9 million euro (3.9 million) profit for 2013, down from 86.6 million euros ($117.8 million) in 2012.

Most of its losses came from the winding up of investments made before its reform program began.

Without these, it said profit would have been 70 million euros.

Pope Francis has sought to stamp out corruption and other abuses at the Vatican bank, which handles funds for the Catholic Church
Pope Francis has sought to stamp out corruption and other abuses at the Vatican bank, which handles funds for the Catholic Church (photo Bloomberg)

Pope Francis has sought to stamp out corruption and other abuses at the Vatican bank, which handles funds for the Catholic Church.

He pledged to clean up the bank following accusations of money laundering and a lack of due diligence which allowed non-religious, and even crony, businessmen to hold accounts.

Between May 2013 and June 2014, outside experts combed through all the bank’s accounts in what the Vatican said was a “systematic screening of all existing customer records”.

As a result, it said it had terminated 2,600 “dormant” accounts which had seen no activity for a long time, as well as 396 customers who didn’t meet the criteria for doing business with the bank.

It said a further 359 customer accounts which didn’t meet its criteria were in the process of being terminated.

“I repeatedly said that I would proceed with zero tolerance for any suspicious activity. We have carried out our reforms in this spirit,” said the bank’s President, Ernst von Freyberg.

Ernst von Freyberg’s statement came ahead of an announcement on Wednesday which is expected to detail further expected re-structuring at the bank.

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Stolen Matisse’s Odalisque in Red Pants handed back to Venezuela

Sonia Pantiss
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Stolen Matisse’s Odalisque in Red Pants handed back to Venezuela

Henri Matisse’s painting Odalisque in Red Pants, which was stolen more than a decade ago, has been handed back to the Venezuelan authorities by US officials.

Odalisque in Red Pants was recovered in Miami Beach in an undercover operation two years ago.

An American and a Mexican citizen were both arrested and convicted of theft.

The painting, which used to be on display in a museum in Caracas, was replaced by a fake but the switch took years to discover.

Odalisque in Red Pants was recovered in Miami Beach in an undercover operation two years ago
Odalisque in Red Pants was recovered in Miami Beach in an undercover operation two years ago (photo AP)

It was exchanged for a bad copy sometime between 1999 and 2002 but it was not until 2003 that officials at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Caracas realized what had happened.

The original was found by US undercover agents in a hotel room in Miami.

“The work is in extraordinary condition, with only slight imperfections on the edges, but it is fine,” said Joel Espinoza, an official with Venezuela’s attorney general’s office.

Odalisque in Red Pants was flown back and arrived in Venezuela on Monday where it will go on public display in two weeks time.

Painted in 1925, Odalisque in Red Pants has been valued at more than $3 million.

Odalisque in Red Pants was bought by the Venezuelan government from a gallery in New York in 1981.

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Samsung forecasts 25% drop in profit for Q2 2014 due to slowdown in smartphone market

Clyde K. Valle
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Samsung forecasts 25% drop in profit for Q2 2014 due to slowdown in smartphone market

Samsung Electronics is forecasting a 25% drop in profit for Q2 2014 due to a slowdown in the smartphone market and a strong Korean currency.

It expects to make an operating profit of 7.2 trillion won ($7.1 billion) in the April-to-June period, down from 9.5 trillion won a year ago.

Its operating profit has now fallen for three straight quarters.

Samsung is the world’s biggest maker of mobile phones and the handset division accounts for the bulk of its profits.

The South Korean firm said it “witnessed a slowdown in the overall smartphone market growth and saw increased competition in the Chinese and some European markets” during the period.

Meanwhile, a stronger Korean currency also hurt Samsung’s earnings during the period.

Samsung Electronics is forecasting a 25 percent drop in profit for Q2 2014 due to a slowdown in the smartphone market and a strong Korean currency
Samsung Electronics is forecasting a 25 percent drop in profit for Q2 2014 due to a slowdown in the smartphone market and a strong Korean currency

The Korean won rose more than 11% against the US dollar and nearly 7% against the euro between July 2013 and end of June this year.

A strengthening currency hurts profits of firms such as Samsung – which rely heavily on exports – when they repatriate their foreign earnings.

Samsung’s growth in recent years has been powered mainly by its mobile phone division.

The success of its Galaxy range of smartphones, coupled with a growing global demand for such gadgets, saw it displace Nokia as the world’s biggest mobile phone maker in 2012.

However, the pace of growth of the smartphone market has been slowing down and the competition in the sector has also increased, forcing manufacturers to cut costs of their devices in an attempt to attract consumers.

Analysts said that profit margins in the sector are likely to fall even further.

Various other smartphone makers including China’s Xiaomi, Huawei and ZTE have been increasing their market share steadily.

For its part, Samsung has said it “cautiously expects a more positive outlook in the third quarter”.

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Afghanistan elections 2014: Abdullah Abdullah claims victory in presidential run-off

Diane A. Wade
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Afghanistan elections 2014: Abdullah Abdullah claims victory in presidential run-off

Abdullah Abdullah has claimed victory in the second round of Afghanistan’s presidential race, despite results giving a lead to his rival, Ashraf Ghani.

Addressing supporters in Kabul, Abdullah Abdullah repeated claims that the election process was marred by fraud.

US Secretary of State John Kerry had earlier warned against a power grab, amid reports that Dr. Abdullah Abdullah was planning a “parallel government”.

Meanwhile, a bomb near Kabul has killed 16 people, including four NATO troops.

Ten civilians and two police officers were also reportedly killed in the attack on a clinic near Bagram, home to the largest US base in the country.

Abdullah Abdullah has claimed victory in the second round of Afghanistan’s presidential race, despite results giving a lead to his rival, Ashraf Ghani
Abdullah Abdullah has claimed victory in the second round of Afghanistan’s presidential race, despite results giving a lead to his rival, Ashraf Ghani (photo Reuters)

Abdullah Abdullah told the gathering in Kabul that he would never “accept a fraudulent government”.

“We are the winners of this round of elections, without any doubt,” he said, to cheers from the crowd.

However, Abdullah Abdullah stopped short of declaring a parallel government as his supporters had earlier suggested he might. Instead, he called for a unified country.

“We don’t want civil war, we don’t want a crisis,” he said.

“We want stability, national unity, not division.”

Preliminary results announced on Monday gave Ashraf Ghani 56.44% of votes in the June 14 run-off.

Abdullah Abdullah, who fell just short of an outright majority in the first round, had 43.56%.

Both of them have alleged fraud in the election. Votes are being re-checked at nearly a third of polling stations – more than 7,000.

Correspondents say recounts could significantly alter the final result, due on July 22.

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Sewol ferry sinking partly due to government negligence and corruption

Diane A. Wade
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Sewol ferry sinking partly due to government negligence and corruption

According to an interim report of South Korea’s government, the April 16 sinking of the Sewol ferry was partly due to government negligence and corruption.

The report cited lax regulation, poor safety inspections and a slow and badly-coordinated coast guard response as factors that led to the disaster.

Eleven officials have been referred to prosecutors on corruption charges and dozens more face possible legal action.

The Sewol ferry sinking killed 304 passengers, most of whom were students.

A total of 293 bodies have been recovered and 11 passengers remain unaccounted for. Search operations are still continuing.

The Sewol ferry sinking killed 304 passengers, most of whom were students
The Sewol ferry sinking killed 304 passengers, most of whom were students

The disaster sparked national mourning and intense public criticism of the government.

Two separate trials, one for the ferry’s captain and crew, and another for the head of the ferry operator and other company officials, began last month.

The South Korean government’s audit and inspection board said in its report on Tuesday that the regional port administration had licensed the ferry even though it had been illegally converted, according to state news agency Yonhap.

The ship was found to have been illegally modified so that it could carry more cargo.

The Korean Register of Shipping, which is a body appointed by the government to inspect ships, also did not carry out proper safety check-ups.

The report also said the coast guard missed a crucial period to rescue passengers and botched its rescue operations. The agency failed to maintain proper communication with the ferry and issued ill-matched rescue orders.

Meanwhile the trial of the ferry’s captain and 14 crew members continued on Tuesday in the city of Gwangju, with video evidence from inside the stricken ship shown in court.

Prosecutors have alleged that the more than 300 deaths were avoidable had the crew acted differently. They said they would show footage of a young passenger standing metres from an exit door as the ship sank.

The gallery was packed with parents of victims, who jeered and shouted at the defendants when a video of the captain and crew jumping into a rescue boat was shown, according to agencies.

Oscar Pistorius trial: Defense team ends its case

Clyde K. Valle
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Oscar Pistorius trial: Defense team ends its case

Oscar Pistorius’ lawyer Barry Roux has said that some witnesses refused to testify at the televised trial of the South African athlete because of the publicity.

They did not want “their voices all over the world”, Barry Roux told the court as his team ended its case.

The court has now adjourned until August 7 for closing arguments.

Oscar Pistorius, 27, denies intentionally killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year, saying he mistook her for an intruder.

Oscar Pistorius’ lawyer Barry Roux has said that some witnesses refused to testify at the televised trial of the South African athlete because of the publicity
Oscar Pistorius’ lawyer Barry Roux has said that some witnesses refused to testify at the televised trial of the South African athlete because of the publicity

The prosecution accuses Oscar Pistorius of deliberately shooting dead Reeva Steenkamp after the pair had an argument.

The trial, which began on March 3, is the first in South Africa to be broadcast live on TV and has attracted intense global attention.

Barry Roux said the defense, which began its presentation on March 28, had no more witnesses to call.

He said he had chosen not to ask Judge Thokozile Masipa to make them appear, the Associated Press news agency reports.

“There’s nothing that we can do about it,” he said.

He did not name the witnesses who had refused to testify.

Both the prosecution and defence teams must submit their written arguments Judge Thokozile Masipa before the trial resumes in August.

She warned that these documents should not be leaked before the arguments were put forward in court.

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Typhoon Neoguri: Hundreds of thousands of people urged to seek shelter in Okinawa

Diane A. Wade
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Typhoon Neoguri: Hundreds of thousands of people urged to seek shelter in Okinawa

Japanese authorities have urged hundreds of thousands of people to seek shelter as powerful Typhoon Neoguri passes over Okinawa island chain.

Typhoon Neoguri was due to pass over Okinawa’s main island later on Tuesday, with strong winds and torrential rain.

Forecasters said it generated winds of up to 151 mph and warned of high waves.

Flights have been cancelled and schools shut. Local television footage showed palm trees being tossed by strong wind.

Local authorities urged some 480,000 residents across Okinawa to stay at home or move to community centres for shelter.

Typhoon Neoguri was due to pass over Okinawa's main island later on Tuesday, with strong winds and torrential rain
Typhoon Neoguri was due to pass over Okinawa’s main island later on Tuesday, with strong winds and torrential rain

Four people, including an 83-year-old woman, were injured and a fisherman was reported missing, government officials said.

“There is a risk of unprecedentedly strong winds and torrential rains. Please refrain from non-essential outdoor activities,” Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) spokesman Satoshi Ebihara told a news conference on Monday night.

More than 50,000 households were reported to be without power, and one oil refinery has halted operations.

Residents have also been bracing themselves for rough weather.

Okinawa, Japan’s southern-most prefecture that comprises several islands, is home to major US bases. Around 26,000 US troops are stationed there under a long-standing security alliance.

Officers have evacuated some aircraft from Kadena Air Base in preparation for Typhoon Neoguri’s arrival.

Urging residents to remain on maximum alert, JMA warned of the possibility that Typhoon Neoguri could move north to Japan’s main island of Honshu.

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Alzheimer’s blood test can predict onset of disease with 87% accuracy

Kathryn R. Bown
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Alzheimer’s blood test can predict onset of disease with 87% accuracy

A blood test to predict the onset of Alzheimer’s disease is being under development.

Research in more than 1,000 people has identified a set of proteins in the blood which can predict the start of the dementia with 87% accuracy.

The findings, published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, will be used to improve trials for new dementia drugs.

A blood test to predict the onset of Alzheimer's disease is being under development
A blood test to predict the onset of Alzheimer’s disease is being under development (photo Getty Images)

Experts warned that the test was not yet ready for doctors’ surgeries.

Research into treatments for Alzheimer’s disease has been plagued by failure. Between 2002 and 2012, 99.6% of trials aimed at preventing or reversing the disease flopped.

Doctors believe the failure is down to treating patients when it is already too late, since symptoms appear around a decade after the start of the disease.

Identifying patients earlier is one of the priorities for dementia research.

The British research group, which combines university and industry scientists, looked for differences in the blood of 452 healthy people, 220 with mild cognitive impairment and 476 with Alzheimer’s disease.

They were able to tell with 87% accuracy which patients with mild cognitive impairment would go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease in the next year.

Barack Obama’s vacation vs. George W. Bush’s

Nancy Clayson
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Barack Obama’s vacation vs. George W. Bush’s

President Barack Obama spent his summer vacation in each of the first three years of his presidency at Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.

The president skipped his annual Vineyard vacation during 2012’s re-election campaign.

According to CBS News White House reporter Mark Knoller, who tracks presidential travel, a numerical look at vacation time taken by Barack Obama and his predecessor, George W. Bush, revealed:

Barack Obama has taken 92 days of vacation since he was sworn in, compared to 367 for George W. Bush at the same point in his presidency
Barack Obama has taken 92 days of vacation since he was sworn in, compared to 367 for George W. Bush at the same point in his presidency

14: Number of vacation trips taken by Obama since he took office in January 2009.

92: Number of days, all or in part, Obama has spent on vacation.

57: Number of vacation trips taken by Bush at this same point in his presidency.

50: Number of visits Bush made to his ranch in Crawford, Texas.

323: Number of days, all or in part, Bush spent at the ranch.

7: Number of trips Bush made to his family’s compound in Kennebunkport, Maine.

26: Number of days, all or in part, Bush spent in Maine.

The numbers do not include visits to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland.

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UberX price cut by 20% to match NYC’s yellow cab rate

Clyde K. Valle
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UberX price cut by 20% to match NYC’s yellow cab rate

Uber has temporarily cut the price of its cheapest service, UberX, by 20% to match the rate of New York City’s yellow taxis.

The move follows similar price decreases in San Francisco and Boston.

UberX price has been temporally cut to match the rate of New York City's yellow cabs
UberX price has been temporally cut to match the rate of New York City’s yellow cabs (photo Wikimedia)

Most analysts see the move as an effort to undercut competitors like Lyft and Hailo, as well as attracting newcomers.

Uber drivers – who are paid around 80% of the total fare – will be forced to accept lower payments as a result.

In a blog post announcing the fare changes, Uber countered: “What we’ve seen in cities across the country is that lower fares mean greater demand, lower pickup times and more trips per hour – increasing earning potential and creating better economics for drivers.”

In June, Uber raised $1.2 billion in capital, in a move which valued the car-sharing service at more than $18 billion.

However, Uber has faced competition from other companies, questions from regulators and angered traditional taxi drivers in cities across the globe, from Berlin to Paris to Madrid.

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GM Settlement Claims Back On Again? Consult With An Attorney First

Clyde K. Valle
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GM Settlement Claims Back On Again? Consult With An Attorney First

General Motors is regretting a bad settlement, again.

From the Associated Press:

“For more than a year, a lawsuit filed by Brooke Melton’s family has caused major migraines for General Motors. Litigation over the 29-year-old nurse’s death was settled by GM last October. But not before it laid bare how the company allowed millions of small cars to stay on the road more than a decade after GM discovered ignition-switch flaws linked to at least 13 fatalities.”

The legal team representing the late Ms. Melton and her family is trying to re-open the case due to negligence and a possible cover up by GM.

So upon getting into a serious car accident there are a lot of different concerns at play and most of these are medical and financial. Being unable to perform at work due to serious injury is something that the driver at fault should be liable for. Typically the other driver’s insurance coverage is going to be put forward to cover these costs, but in some situations the insurance company will put up a fight. Being able to receive compensation in a situation like this will help out a great deal in order to make sure life returns to normal. Costs such as physical therapy and other medical bills are all things that are typically covered by the insurance coverage of the other driver.

An attorney will be able to advise an accident victim about what sort of compensation they might be able to receive. Knowing when to settle and when to push forward is the job of an experienced civil litigation attorney, because they will have settled numerous, similar cases in the past. Of course no one knows what the outcome will be should a given case go to trial, and this is where the advice of an attorney can be especially invaluable. Most of the time civil litigation lawsuits involving a car accident are going to be settled out of court, because going to trial opens up the possibility of a larger settlement for the victim. This fact is not lost on the defense, who will find car accident statistics from TennandTenn.com very useful. As the site suggests, just in the state of New Hampshire where the firm operates, car accidents account for over $140 million in lost wages alone; every single year.

Asking several attorney’s to provide you with the most conservative course of action available will help to avoid the dangers of receiving no settlement at all. Of course, there will be certain instances where the other side is not willing to cooperate, and in these situations it could be necessary to go to trial. Going to trial can be very intimidating for some people out there, but if it is the only way to receive compensation, then it could be the last option available. Always make sure to be honest with your attorney prior to going to trial though, because they need to be prepared for any surprises that may occur. A qualified, experienced settlement attorney having an accurate picture of the situation is the best way to give yourself a solid chance at winning after deciding to go to trial.

Obamas’ travel cost sets new record in 2013

Nancy Clayson
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Obamas’ travel cost sets new record in 2013

President Barack Obama has set a new record for travel on the taxpayer dime in 2013, according to Judicial Watch.

The conservative watchdog group obtained travel records from the US Department of the Air Force that show the Obamas racked up $7.4 million during just three trips in 2013 – in flight expenses only.

The records include the Obama family’s Christmas vacation in Hawaii from December 21, 2012, to January 5, 2013. During that stay, Barack Obama took a short break and flew back to Washington to work on a budget deal, then returned for the rest of his vacation.

President Barack Obama has set a new record for travel on the taxpayer dime in 2013
President Barack Obama has set a new record for travel on the taxpayer dime in 2013 (photo Getty Images)

The second trip was in early August, 2013, when Barack Obama flew to California for a private fundraiser with DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, then appeared with Jay Leno on the Tonight Show. Later that month, the Obama family vacationed in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

In August 2013, Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit after repeated stonewalling by the White House. The watchdog group reported: “The outbound flight to Honolulu for the Obamas’ 2012-13 Christmas vacation cost taxpayers $2, 214, 393.60. The return flight to Washington cost $1,871,961.60. Flight expenditures alone came to $4,086,355.20.

“The outbound flight to California in August, 2013 for Obama to dine with Katzenberg and appear on the “The Tonight Show” cost taxpayers $1,209,926.40. The return flight to Washington cost $935,980.80. Flight expenditures alone came to $2,145,907.20.

“The outbound flight to Martha’s Vineyard for the Obama family’s August vacation cost taxpayers $890,323.20. The return flight to Washington cost $273,945.60. Flight expenditures alone came to $1,164,268.80.

“The grand total of $7,396,531.20, Judicial Watch pointed out, only accounted for flight expenses for the three trips.”

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Germany to charge foreign drivers for using its roads

Clyde K. Valle
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Germany to charge foreign drivers for using its roads

Germany is planning to tax the millions of foreign drivers who use its roads, including the famous autobahn highway, from 2016 onwards.

Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the levy should raise 2.5 billion euros over four years.

Vehicles will be issued with badges, costing between 10 euros for 10 days and about 100 euros for a year-long permit.

Germany is planning to tax the millions of foreign drivers who use its roads from 2016 onwards
Germany is planning to tax the millions of foreign drivers who use its roads from 2016 onwards (photo Wikipedia)

Critics of the planned toll say it violates EU anti-discrimination laws.

While vehicles registered in Germany will also have to pay the charge, their owners will be compensated by an equivalent reduction in a separate car tax.

Austria and the Netherlands have complained about the planned tax, the AFP news agency reports.

However, Alexander Dobrint has insisted that the law – due to be passed this year – does not violate EU rules against discrimination.

His Christian Social Union party campaigned for a toll in last year’s elections.

The party’s base is in the southern region of Bavaria, where residents have long complained of having to pay to use roads in neighboring Austria and Switzerland, while motorists from those countries pay nothing to drive in Germany.

Michael Schumacher’s medical file: Swiss helicopter company investigated

Clyde K. Valle
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Michael Schumacher’s medical file: Swiss helicopter company investigated

According to French prosecutors, a Swiss helicopter company is at the centre of an inquiry into attempts to sell Michael Schumacher’s medical file, reports say.

Michael Schumacher, 45, was moved on June 16 from a French hospital to a hospital in Lausanne in Switzerland.

Although the former F1 champion was transferred by road, initial contact was reportedly made with the helicopter company.

Michael Schumacher suffered a severe head injury in a skiing accident last December and has come out of a medically-induced coma.

Michael Schumacher suffered a severe head injury in a skiing accident last December and has come out of a medically-induced coma
Michael Schumacher suffered a severe head injury in a skiing accident last December and has come out of a medically-induced coma (photo AFP)

His manager, Sabine Kehm, said last month that his medical files had been “clearly stolen” and were being offered for sale. She warned that criminal charges would be pressed if such “confidential files” were bought or published.

The medical records, said to consist of a few pages written by his doctors in the French city of Grenoble, were apparently being offered for sale to media across Europe for 50,000 euros ($68,000).

Now French and Swiss media say the prosecutor in Grenoble is looking at a computer whose IP address has been traced to a Swiss helicopter company, which was sent the medical files while the ex-champion’s doctors were considering how to transport him to Lausanne.

The latest development emerged in French newspaper Le Dauphine Libere, and Swiss media said it had been confirmed by the prosecutor in Grenoble.

Suspicions had initially fallen on the hospital in Grenoble and the ambulance team which eventually drove him across the border.

According to the Grenoble prosecutor, the computer was traced back to a helicopter company in the Swiss canton of Zurich. The company’s name has not been made public.

The file had been sent to a doctor at the company, although there was nothing to link the doctor to the alleged offence.

The news emerged last month when German newspaper Bild said it had received an email offering the medical files for sale. Swiss, French and UK tabloid newspapers were also said to have been approached.

The Grenoble prosecutor said the handful of pages of the medical file sent appeared to date back to late May, and referred not to Michael Schumacher but a pseudonym, Jeremy Martin.

It is thought the latest findings of the French inquiry will now be handed to the authorities in Switzerland.

Michael Schumacher’s family has said very little about his medical progress, preferring to avoid the gaze of the international media.

However, the Swiss media reported on Monday that Michael Schumacher’s wife Corinna had posed smiling for photographs at the weekend while visiting a horse ranch given to her by her husband.

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Crocodile attack at Shoalhaven zoo in Australia

Nancy Clayson
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Crocodile attack at Shoalhaven zoo in Australia

Australian zookeeper Trent Burton has been attacked by a crocodile during a feeding show at Shoalhaven zoo in New South Wales.

Trent Burton, 31, managed to break free after the 12ft male reptile grabbed him by the teeth and dragged him into the water.

The zookeeper was being treated for minor puncture injuries to both hands.

Zookeeper Trent Burton has been attacked by John the crocodile during a feeding show at Shoalhaven zoo in New South Wales
Zookeeper Trent Burton has been attacked by John the crocodile during a feeding show at Shoalhaven zoo in New South Wales

The crocodile, called John, and his breeding partner, Dawn, have been at Shoalhaven zoo for more than 10 years.

Shoalhaven zoo is around 100 miles south of Sydney off the coast of New South Wales.

The zoo owner Nick Schilko said Trent Burton had been handling the saltwater crocodiles for more than a decade.

“Of course we are disappointed the attack happened, but thankfully it doesn’t appear to be too serious,” he said.

Shoalhaven zoo said it would look at what happened and review its safety procedures.

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Afghanistan elections 2014: Ashraf Ghani leads presidential race in early vote count

Diane A. Wade
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Afghanistan elections 2014: Ashraf Ghani leads presidential race in early vote count

Ashraf Ghani is leading the Afghan presidential race, according to preliminary results.

The former finance minister won 56.44% of votes cast in the June 14 second round, the Afghan election commission said.

Ashraf Ghani is leading the Afghan presidential race after preliminary results
Ashraf Ghani is leading the Afghan presidential race after preliminary results

Ashraf Ghani’s opponent Abdullah Abdullah had 43.56%, the commission said.

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah led after the first round and has alleged widespread fraud in the run-off. Votes are being re-checked at thousands of polling stations.

The vote comes during a critical year for Afghanistan. Most foreign troops are due to withdraw by the end of 2014.

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah pulled out of Afghanistan’s 2009 presidential election which was also marred by claims of mass fraud.

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Endless River: Pink Floyd to release new album of never-before-heard material

Sonia Pantiss
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Endless River: Pink Floyd to release new album of never-before-heard material

Pink Floyd will release The Endless River, an album of never-before-heard material in October, lyricist Polly Samson has revealed.

The Endless River will be based on sessions for Pink Floyd’s last studio album, The Division Bell, which was released 20 years ago.

The music will feature multi-instrumentalist Rick Wright, a founder member of Pink Floyd, who died in 2008.

Writing on Twitter, Polly Samson called the record “Rick Wright’s swansong” and described it as “very beautiful”.

The Endless River will be based on sessions for Pink Floyd's last studio album, The Division Bell
The Endless River will be based on sessions for Pink Floyd’s last studio album, The Division Bell

The writer, who is married to Pink Floyd guitarist Dave Gilmour, previously contributed lyrics to The Division Bell and Gilmour’s solo album On An Island.

Backing singer Durga McBroom-Hudson, who has toured with Dave Gilmour and Pink Floyd, subsequently confirmed the new album on Facebook.

“Yes, there is a new Pink Floyd album coming out and I’m on it!” she wrote, posting a photo of the recording sessions.

Prompted for more information by fans, Durga McBroom-Hudson revealed that The Endless River consisted of “all unreleased songs” that had originally been planned for a side project called “The Big Spliff”.

“It was originally to be a completely instrumental recording, but I came in last December and sang on a few tracks,” she said.

“David then expanded on my backing vocals and has done a lead on at least one of them.”

“I don’t know if there will be a tour or not yet,” she added.

“Stay tuned.”

Pink Floyd, who has sold 250 million albums, last performed at the Live 8 concert in London in 2005.

The new Pink Floyd album will be released separately from a 20th anniversary, six-disc box set of The Division Bell, which came out last week.

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Sonisphere 2014: Metallica closes rock festival at Knebworth Park

Sonia Pantiss
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Sonisphere 2014: Metallica closes rock festival at Knebworth Park

Metallica has closed this year’s Sonisphere rock festival at Knebworth Park, England, with a set chosen almost entirely by the band’s fans.

A week after they headlined Glastonbury, Metallica played for more than two hours.

Metallica have been touring their fan-chosen By Request sets across Europe during July
Metallica have been touring their fan-chosen By Request sets across Europe during July

They covered Thin Lizzy’s Whiskey in the Jar and ended their set with Seek and Destroy from their first album.

Lars Ulrich thanked the crowd after finishing before being driven off site in a convoy of people carriers.

“Between last weekend and this one, we always love being back on your shores and we will be back again very soon,” he said.

Metallica have been touring their fan-chosen By Request sets across Europe during July.

At Hertfordshire’s Knebworth House, Metallica played tracks from throughout their career including Master of Puppets, Nothing Else Matters, Enter Sandman with …And Justice For All winning a text vote which took place on the final day of the festival.

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David Siegel was a twice-divorced man before marrying Jackie Siegel

Lisa.Felice
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David Siegel was a twice-divorced man before marrying Jackie Siegel

Westgate Resorts founder David Siegel tied the knot for the first time in March 1961, with Geraldine Florence Sanstrom.

The union bore three children, but ended in 1968.

David Siegel met Jackie in 1998 and they have 8 children together
David Siegel met Jackie in 1998 and they have 8 children together (photo AP)

David Siegel married again in 1970, when he moved from Miami to Orlando with second wife Bettie.

Divorced for a second time in 1997, David Siegel met his current wife Jackie Siegel in 1998.

David Siegel, 79, and Jackie Siegel, 48, have 8 children together.

The entrepreneur’s businesses, family, and personal life were adversely affected by the 2008 financial crisis, as seen in the documentary The Queen of Versailles. The film shows Jackie Siegel, David Siegel and their family as they attempt to build the Versailles house, the largest and most expensive single-family house in the US, and the crisis they face as the US economy declines.

Jackie Siegel signed a development deal in March 2014 with NBCUniversal’s Wilshire Studios for a reality TV show.

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Transformers: Age of Extinction tops US box office with $36 million

Sonia Pantiss
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Transformers: Age of Extinction tops US box office with $36 million

Transformers: Age of Extinction has topped the North American box office on an unusually quiet 4th of July weekend.

The movie took $36.4 million, trouncing Melissa McCarthy’s latest comedy, Tammy, which took $21.2 million.

Takings were down 44% compared to last year.

Independence Day weekend is traditionally marked by the release of “tentpole” movies – from Back to the Future to Terminator 2 and Men In Black.

Transformers: Age of Extinction has topped the North American box office on an unusually quiet 4th of July weekend
Transformers: Age of Extinction has topped the North American box office on an unusually quiet 4th of July weekend

Last year’s major release was animation Despicable Me 2, which went on to take $368 million, making it the fourth-biggest movie of the year in the US. But this year, there was no major release to coincide with the holiday.

Michael Bay’s Transformers, the fourth in the series, has a cast led by Mark Wahlberg.

It has received generally poor reviews from critics, as has Tammy.

The only other major new release was the horror movie Deliver Us From Evil, starring Eric Bana. It opened in third place with $9.5 million.

The box office will be hoping for a boost next weekend with the release of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, starring Andy Serkis and Gary Oldman. It is expected to be one of the summer’s big hitters.

North American box office Top 5:

  1. Transformers: Age of Extinction – $36.4 million
  2. Tammy – $21.2 million
  3. Deliver Us From Evil – $9.5 million
  4. 22 Jump Street -$9.4 million
  5. How To Train Your Dragon 2 – $8.8 million

Source: Rentrak

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Eduard Shevardnadze dies aged 86 after long illness

Diane A. Wade
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Eduard Shevardnadze dies aged 86 after long illness

Georgia’s ex-President Eduard Shevardnadze has died aged 86.

Eduard Shevardnadze’s aide Marina Davitashvili said he had passed away on Monday after a long illness.

In 1992 he became the head of state of the newly independent republic of Georgia.

Eduard Shevardnadze led Georgia out of instability and civil war but in November 2003 was toppled in the “Rose Revolution” sparked by opposition allegations of irregularities in parliamentary polls.

Eduard Shevardnadze passed away at 86 after a long illness
Eduard Shevardnadze passed away at 86 after a long illness (photo Reuters)

Born in 1928 in the city of Lanchkhuti, Eduard Shevardnadze joined the Communist Party’s youth movement in 1946 and became the party’s head in Georgia in 1972.

In 1985, Eduard Shevardnadze was appointed foreign minister of the Soviet Union under reformist leader Mikhail Gorbachev and was credited with helping end the Cold War.

Mikhail Gorbachev told the Russian Ekho Moskvy radio station that Eduard Shevardnadze was a “very capable, talented man, very much predisposed to working with people, with all strata of society”.

Eduard Shevardnadze resigned from the post in 1990 before briefly taking it up again in 1991 as the country was disintegrating.

After returning to Georgia he managed to quell a civil war but was seen as having failed to tackle corruption in his time as president.

Eduard Shevardnadze spent his final years in a quiet retirement in the capital, Tbilisi.

Ukraine forces retake Artemivsk and Druzhkivka

Roy Siemens
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Ukraine forces retake Artemivsk and Druzhkivka

Ukraine’s government has announced its forces have retaken two more eastern cities from pro-Russian rebels.

According to President Petro Poroshenko’s website, the national flag was raised in Artemivsk and Druzhkivka.

It comes a day after government forces regained control of a key rebel stronghold at Sloviansk.

Meanwhile, a crowd of several thousand people attended a rally in the regional capital, Donetsk, in support of the rebels.

Ukraine’s forces have retaken eastern cities Artemivsk and Druzhkivka from pro-Russian rebels
Ukraine’s forces have retaken eastern cities Artemivsk and Druzhkivka from pro-Russian rebels (photo AP)

Rebel fighters have re-grouped in Donetsk and are reported to have attacked the state prison guard headquarters in an attempt to seize weapons.

However, Artemivsk and Druzhkivka are not considered as strategic as Sloviansk, but re-taking them indicates momentum is currently with government forces.

Despite their recent losses, the rebels still hold the regional capitals of Donetsk and Luhansk and other key areas.

However, senior Ukrainian security official Mykhaylo Koval said Luhansk and Donetsk would now be besieged until separatist forces there surrendered.

At the rally in central Donetsk, separatist fighters were cheered by thousands of supporters waving the flags of Russia and of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic.

Many called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to come to their aid.

Correspondents said armed fighters from Sloviansk could be seen walking through Donetsk on Sunday, many still wearing military camouflage.

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Australia admits returning 41 asylum seekers to Sri Lanka

Diane A. Wade
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Australia admits returning 41 asylum seekers to Sri Lanka

Australia has admitted it has returned 41 asylum seekers to the Sri Lankan authorities at sea, raising concerns that it violated international law.

The transfer took place on Sunday.

Rights groups had raised concerns that some 200 Sri Lankans may have been handed over, including Tamils who say they face persecution at home.

The government has not commented on other possible cases, but says everyone was subject to “enhanced screening” to ensure compliance with Australia’s international obligations.

This is the first time the Australian government has confirmed it has intercepted people at sea, screened them and returned them to their country of origin. Immigration Minister Scott Morrison acknowledge on Monday that a boat-load of 41 people had been handed back to Sri Lanka, while not commenting on the fate of a second boat reportedly carrying about 150 people.

Scott Morrison said they were transferred at sea just outside the Sri Lankan port of Batticaloa on Sunday.

Australia has admitted it has returned 41 asylum seekers to the Sri Lankan authorities at sea
Australia has admitted it has returned 41 asylum seekers to the Sri Lankan authorities at sea

“All persons intercepted and returned were subjected to an enhanced screening process,” he said.

The government says only four of those returned on Sunday were Tamils.

Scott Morrison added that only one person may have had a case for asylum but he opted to return voluntarily with the rest of the passengers.

Last week the UN refugee agency UNHCR had expressed “profound concern” about the reported situation.

“Requests for international protection should be considered within the territory of the intercepting state, consistent with fundamental refugee protection principles,” it said.

“International law prescribes that no individual can be returned involuntarily to a country in which he or she has a well-founded fear of persecution.”

Sri Lanka has been under heavy international pressure over alleged human rights violations during the final phase of the war against Tamil separatists which ended in 2009.

Rights groups say Tamils still face violence at the hands of the military.

The Australian government has been criticized for imposing what campaigners call a culture of secrecy around asylum, by refusing to comment on operations.

Under current policy, asylum seekers who arrive by boat are sent to detention camps in Papua New Guinea (PNG) or Nauru. If found to be refugees, they will be resettled there, not in Australia.

Australia says its asylum policy – which is also widely believed to involve towing boats back to Indonesian waters – is aimed at saving lives.

It is also facing tough questions over its offshore processing policy. The UN and rights groups have condemned conditions in its camps in PNG and Nauru.

Pip Andersen and Crystal Clarke cast in lead roles in Star Wars: Episode VII

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Pip Andersen and Crystal Clarke cast in lead roles in Star Wars: Episode VII

Two young actors, Pip Andersen and Crystal Clarke, have been cast in lead roles in Star Wars: Episode VII following open auditions.

British actor Pip Andersen and US-born Crystal Clarke, who is studying in Glasgow, were chosen from 37,000 hopefuls who attended casting calls held in 11 cities across the UK and US.

A further 30,000 others applied online for the parts, which are lead roles.

Little known actors have won parts in past Star Wars films through the traditional casting process.

Pip Andersen and Crystal Clarke, have been cast in lead roles in Star Wars: Episode VII following open auditions
Pip Andersen and Crystal Clarke, have been cast in lead roles in Star Wars: Episode VII following open auditions

It dates right back to the first Star Wars film in 1977 when the then unknown Mark Hamill secured the starring role as Luke Skywalker.

Mark Hamill went on to appear in the next two Star Wars films and will also feature in the forthcoming Episode VII.

Film producer Kathleen Kennedy said: “The Star Wars universe has always been about discovering and nurturing young talent and in casting Episode VII, we wanted to remain absolutely faithful to this tradition”.

Kathleen Kennedy, who is also president of Lucasfilm, the production company behind the science fiction series, added: “We are delighted that so many travelled to see us at the open casting calls and that we have been able to make Crystal and Pip a part of the film.”

Crystal Clarke is also due to appear in her first feature movie next year, while Pip Andersen is a professional free-runner and recently appeared in a Spider-Man ad for Sony.

Other movies have successfully cast secondary actors and actresses through such open auditions – most notably some of the later Harry Potter films.

The open auditions for a “major Hollywood Movie” were first published at the end of last year on the twitter account @UKopencall, which announced a “nationwide search for lead roles for a Disney movie”.

Meanwhile, principal photography is under way at Pinewood Studios after filming on location in Abu Dhabi was wrapped in May.

The team is to take a two-week break in August due to production delays after actor Harrison Ford, who starred as Han Solo in the original three Star Wars films, injured his leg during filming.

JJ Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode VII is scheduled for a Christmas release in 2015.

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