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Eric Cantor loses Virginia Republican Party primary election to David Brat

Eric Cantor has lost a Virginia Republican Party primary election to David Brat, a challenger from the hard-right Tea Party movement.

Little-known economics professor David Brat defeated the second-ranking House of Representatives member 56%-44%.

David Brat’s shock victory exposed conservative dissatisfaction with Eric Cantor, who was first elected in 2000.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor had been widely favored to win, having raising significantly more money than David Brat.

Eric Cantor has lost a Virginia Republican Party primary election to David Brat
Eric Cantor has lost a Virginia Republican Party primary election to David Brat (photo Reuters)

David Brat attacked Eric Cantor’s record, including his support for some immigration reforms, and rallied enthusiastic members of the anti-tax, conservative populist Tea Party movement in the low-turnout race.

In a forewarning of trouble, last month Eric Cantor was booed at a meeting of Republican activists after a local party chairman whom he supported was removed in favor of a Tea Party candidate.

A lawyer, Eric Cantor, 51, was first elected to Congress in 2000 after serving nine years in the Virginia House of Delegates.

After the Tea Party emerged in 2009, he forged ties with the loose-knit movement, drawing on its support to help the Republicans take control of the House of Representatives the following year.

Eric Cantor was seen as representing a more conservative counterweight to House Speaker John Boehner, seen by some in the Tea Party as too conciliatory to Democratic President Barack Obama.

He was even viewed by some as possible successor to John Boehner.

David Brat will now face Democratic nominee Jack Trammell – also a professor at Randolph-Macon College – in this fall’s general election.

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Here Comes Honey Boo Boo Season 4 premieres on June 19

Honey Boo Boo and her family return with all-new antics and big preparations in Here Comes Honey Boo Boo Season 4 on Thursday, June 19 at 9/8c.

As we left off with Anna’s pizza inscribed engagement to Michael, viewers get to see what’s next for these love birds as Anna prepares to move out of Mama June’s house and plans for a wedding despite her family’s skepticism.

Honey Boo Boo and her family return for Here Comes Honey Boo Boo Season 4 on June 19
Honey Boo Boo and her family return for Here Comes Honey Boo Boo Season 4 on June 19

Amidst all the big changes this season, Sugar Bear’s health becomes a focus as he’s forced to decrease his stress level, the family throws a big birthday celebration for June, and spring break shenanigans ensue for the entire clan.

Honey Boo Boo’s family also gets into makeover mode, as the girls attempt to revamp June Shannon’s look and wardrobe, while simultaneously redecorating the house. It all culminates in a one-hour finale celebration, featuring Anna and Michael’s redneck royal wedding.

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Five US troops die in friendly-fire incident in Afghanistan

US army officials are investigating the reported friendly-fire incident in southern Afghanistan that killed five American soldiers and two Afghans.

Rear Admiral John Kirby said the US had “reason to suspect that friendly fire is the cause here, specifically friendly fire from the air”.

He said the Pentagon “would let investigators do their work”.

Afghan officials say coalition forces had called for air support to fend off a Taliban attack in Zabul province.

An Afghan soldier and an interpreter were killed in the incident.

US army officials are investigating the reported friendly-fire incident in southern Afghanistan that killed five American soldiers and two Afghans
US army officials are investigating the reported friendly-fire incident in southern Afghanistan that killed five American soldiers and two Afghans

On Tuesday, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said President Barack Obama had been informed of the deaths and that his thoughts and prayers were with the families of those killed.

The incident is among the most serious cases of so-called “friendly fire” in Afghanistan, US military sources confirmed on Tuesday.

NATO-led troops have been battling Taliban and other insurgents in the country since 2001. Militants have stepped up attacks as foreign combat troops leave this year.

US defense officials told the Associated Press news agency the Americans killed were special operations forces.

Those elite troops are responsible for calling in air support. Under constraints imposed by President Hamid Karzai, they may only do so when they fear they are about to be killed, after concerns over civilian deaths.

The ISAF force currently has soldiers from 50 contributing nations in Afghanistan. Most troops stationed in the south are American.

The incident happened in Arghandab district, a place hotly contested between the Taliban and international forces for some years.

There have been more than 30 NATO forces killed this year in Afghanistan – the latest incident is the deadliest so far in 2014.

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Tracy Morgan crash: Truck driver was awake for more than 24 hours before incident

Kevin Roper, the driver of the truck involved in a fatal crash that injured comedian Tracy Morgan, was awake for more than 24 hours before the incident, according to court papers.

Wal-Mart driver Kevin Roper, 35, from Georgia, has been charged with death by auto, and is due in court on Wednesday.

Tracy Morgan is improving but still critical after the multi-vehicle crash on a New Jersey highway on Saturday.

The actor is expected to remain in hospital for several weeks but comedian James McNair, known as Jimmy Mack, died.

They were travelling in a limo bus when it was struck by the Wal-Mart truck.

Tracy Morgan, 45, suffered injuries including broken ribs, a broken nose, and a broken leg.

Tracy Morgan is improving but still critical after the multi-vehicle crash on a New Jersey highway on Saturday
Tracy Morgan is improving but still critical after the multi-vehicle crash on a New Jersey highway on Saturday (photo Fox News)

Authorities said Kevin Roper apparently failed to slow for traffic and swerved at the last minute to avoid a crash. Instead, his truck hit the back of the limo bus.

In all, six vehicles were involved in the accident, but no one from the other cars was injured.

In a statement released on Saturday, Wal-Mart president Bill Simon said the company would “take full responsibility” if authorities determined one of its trucks had caused the crash.

“We’re praying for the family and friends of the passenger who lost his life in the terrible accident,” the statement said.

The driver of Tracy Morgan’s vehicle, Tyrone Gale said he had been disorientated after his vehicle flipped over, and could hear the passengers in distress.

“I climbed around and heard Tracy screaming for help,” he told ABC News.

“I climbed up on the body of the limo bus … but I couldn’t reach them.”

Tracy Morgan’s assistant, Jeffrey Millea and comedian Ardie Fuqua Jr. were also critically injured in the crash and remain in hospital.

Tracy Morgan was a series regular on Saturday Night Live for seven years and earned an Emmy nomination for best supporting actor for his role in the sitcom 30 Rock.

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Paul McCartney postpones seven US shows on medical advice

Paul McCartney has decided to postpone a number of US tour dates while he continues to recover from a virus he contracted last month.

Sir Paul McCartney, 71, told fans he was “feeling great” but was skipping his first seven US shows on medical advice.

“I’m sorry but it’s going to be a few more weeks before we get rocking in America again,” Paul McCartney said.

Paul McCartney has decided to postpone a number of US tour dates while he continues to recover from a virus he contracted last month
Paul McCartney has decided to postpone a number of US tour dates while he continues to recover from a virus he contracted last month (photo AP)

The concerts, which were due to begin on June 14 in Lubbock, Texas, have been rescheduled to October.

Paul McCartney previously cancelled the Japan leg of his Out There tour and a show in South Korea after falling ill last month.

He spent six days in a Tokyo hospital while he was treated for the viral infection.

At the time his spokesman said he expected Paul McCartney – who turns 72 next week – would make “a complete recovery”.

“I’m feeling great but taking my doc’s advice to take it easy for just a few more days,” the singer said on his website.

Paul McCartney’s US tour will resume in Albany, New York, on July 5.

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Jennifer Lopez and Casper Smart split after cheating rumors

Jennifer Lopez and her boyfriend of two-and-a-half years, choreographer Casper Smart, have split.

Jennifer Lopez and Casper Smart had been together since 2011
Jennifer Lopez and Casper Smart had been together since 2011

Casper Smart, 26, is taking a stand against rumors that he cheated on J Lo with a transgender model named Xristina Marie.

According to The Sun, Xristina Marie claims she hooked up with Casper Smart weeks before news of his breakup with Jennifer Lopez, 44, went public.

Jennifer Lopez and Casper Smart had been together since 2011 when Casper was her backup dancer and soon after Lopez split with then-husband Marc Anthony, with whom she has six-year-old twins. Their last public appearance together was on May 18th at the Billboard Music Awards.

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Duck Dynasty Season 6 premiere: Governor’s Travels

When the Governor of Louisiana announces that he will be coming to Duck Commander to present Willie Robertson with a commerce award, John Luke volunteers to give the introduction speech.

Duck Dynasty Season 6 premieres Wednesday, June 11, 10/9 C on A&E TV
Duck Dynasty Season 6 premieres Wednesday, June 11, 10/9 C on A&E TV (photo A&E TV)

Willie Robertson can’t help but give John Luke some public speaking pointers, along with Uncle Si’s unwanted help. Meanwhile, Miss Kay Robertson enlists Korie and Sadie’s help to pick out a nice outfit for the visit, trying to convince a reluctant Phil to give his opinion on her outfit options.

Duck Dynasty Season 6 premieres Wednesday, June 11, 10/9 C on A&E TV.

Hillary Clinton releases new book Hard Choices

Hillary Clinton is seeking to refine remarks she made about her and former President Bill Clinton being broke when they left the White House while on a high-profile media tour for a new book.

In an interview on the day her book Hard Choices was being released, Hillary Clinton told ABC’s Good Morning America that she and her husband left the White House roughly $12 million in debt at the end of his second term in early 2001 and were “dead broke”. But she also said “we’ve continued to be blessed in the last 14 years.”

Hillary Clinton said that she wants “to use the talent and resources that I have to make sure” others have the same opportunities.

Hillary Clinton launched new book Hard Choices
Hillary Clinton launched new book Hard Choices

It was the second time in as many days that Hillary Clinton talked of her interest in possibly running for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in 2016.

In an interview with ABC News that aired Monday, she said that at the end of Bill Clinton’s presidency her family “came out of the White House not only dead broke, but in debt. We had no money when we got there, and we struggled to, you know, piece together the resources for mortgages, for houses, for Chelsea’s education. You know, it was not easy”.

Republicans quickly seized on the comment, two years after their presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, was dogged by accusations of being out of touch because of his wealth. Republican officials pointed out that Hillary Clinton received an $8 million book advance for her 2003 memoir and said it showed she would have trouble relating to average Americans.

Hillary Clinton said that Republican inquiries into her handling of the deadly 2012 attack on the US diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, gave her more of an incentive to run. While she said she’s still undecided about her political future, Hillary Clinton cited the Benghazi probe as an example of a dysfunctional Congress.

On Benghazi, Hillary Clinton said Tuesday she believed “there were some systemic problems within the State Department. And if we had known that earlier, perhaps we could have done some changes”.

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Rihanna and Chris Martin spotted having dinner together

Rihanna and Gwyneth Paltrow’s estranged husband Chris Martin have been spotted having dinner together on Sunday, June 8.

Rihanna joined the Coldplay frontman at Giorgio Baldi restaurant in Santa Monica, California.

Rihanna and Chris Martin previously worked together on the 2012 track Princess of China
Rihanna and Chris Martin previously worked together on the 2012 track Princess of China

According to X17online, Rihanna and Chris Martin arrived separately around 9 p.m. and enjoyed each other’s company for two hours sitting at a corner table at the Italian hotspot where the singer is a regular.

Chris Martin kept his look casual, donning a T-shirt and jeans.

Rihanna and Chris Martin are said to be just friends and previously worked together on the 2012 track Princess of China off Coldplay’s fifth studio album, Mylo Xyloto. They performed the single together at the 2012 Grammys.

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Iraq: ISIS militants take control of Mosul

Iraq’s PM Nouri Maliki has asked parliament to declare a state of emergency, after Islamist militants effectively took control of Mosul city.

Nouri Maliki acknowledged “vital areas” of the northern city had been seized.

Overnight, hundreds of men armed with rocket-propelled grenades and machine-guns seized the Nineveh provincial government’s offices in Mosul.

They also destroyed several police stations before overrunning the airport and army’s operations headquarters.

Elsewhere, a double bomb attack in the central town of Baqouba killed at least 20 people, police and medics said. The blasts, targeting a funeral procession in the capital of Diyala province, also wounded 28 people.

Iraq’s Islamist militants took control of Mosul city
Iraq’s Islamist militants took control of Mosul city

In the past week, the jihadist Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) and its allies have carried out major attacks on cities and towns in western and northern Iraq, killing scores of people.

Militants from ISIS have been informally controlling much of Nineveh province for months, imposing tolls of the movement of goods and demanding protection money from local officials.

After five days of fighting, they took control of key installations in Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city with an estimated population of 1.8 million.

PM Nouri Maliki, who is struggling to form a government in the wake of the April elections, has vowed to drive the ISIS “terrorists” out of mainly-Sunni Mosul in short order.

He is unlikely to succeed soon. He made similar vows when Sunni militants took over Falluja, west of Baghdad, in January, and they are still there.

It is not yet clear whether it is only ISIS involved in the Mosul takeover. In Falluja and its province, Anbar, Nouri Maliki has clearly alienated many Sunni tribesmen and others, creating fertile soil for the radicals.

Internet images of local youths and even children stoning Iraqi security vehicles as they fled Mosul suggest that the Shia PM is not popular there either.

ISIS is also actively fighting in neighboring eastern Syria to establish its control there, apparently aiming to straddle the border with an Islamic state.

If Nouri Maliki is to defeat the Sunni radicals, he may need the help of Kurdish forces from the north. That will come with a heavy price tag, and they have in any case so far refused.

On Monday, Nineveh Governor Atheel al-Nujaifi made a televised plea to the city’s residents, calling on them to “stand firm in their areas and to defend them against the strangers”.

He fled shortly before the provincial government’s headquarters fell to the onslaught late on Monday night.

On Tuesday, several residents told the Associated Press that black flags associated with jihadist groups were flying from buildings and that the militants had announced over loudspeaker that they had “come to liberate Mosul and would fight only those who attack them”.

Many police stations were reported to have been set on fire – local TV stations showed pictures of plumes of smoke rising over the city – and hundreds of detainees set free.

An interior ministry official admitted that police and soldiers had fled after removing their uniforms, telling the AFP news agency: “The city of Mosul is outside the control of the state and at the mercy of the militants.”

Osama al-Nujaifi, the speaker of parliament and brother of Nineveh’s governor, called on the Iraqi government and Kurdistan Regional Government to send reinforcements to Mosul to “fight the terrorists”, whom he said had seized military hardware, including helicopters.

Meanwhile, the Turkish consulate in Mosul confirmed reports that 28 Turkish lorry drivers had been abducted by militants in Nineveh.

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Harpsund summit: Angela Merkel backs Jean-Claude Juncker for European Commission presidency

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has restated her support for Jean-Claude Juncker to take over as president of the European Commission, at a mini-summit in Sweden.

Angela Merkel said that while she was “happy” to say she wanted Jean-Claude Juncker for the top job, it was not “the main topic” of the two-day talks.

British PM David Cameron, who wants a less federalist candidate, said reform of EC policies had been the priority.

The Swedish and Dutch prime ministers also took part in the talks.

The European Council – representing the EU’s 28 heads of state – is due to announce its Commission candidate later this month.

The leaders have traditionally named the Commission head on their own. However, new rules mean they now have to “take into account” the results of the European Parliament elections, which were won in May by Jean-Claude Juncker’s centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) bloc.

Britain is leading a campaign to block his candidacy. Sweden’s Fredrik Reinfeldt and Dutch PM Mark Rutte are thought to back David Cameron’s position but did not address the issue with reporters on Tuesday.

Angela Merkel and David Cameron met Sweden's Fredrik Reinfeldt and Dutch PM Mark Rutte at Harpsund mini-summit
Angela Merkel and David Cameron met Sweden’s Fredrik Reinfeldt and Dutch PM Mark Rutte at Harpsund mini-summit (photo Twitter)

“We have agreed that the future policy priorities of the EU must be decided before we can decide on appointments of different top jobs,” Fredrik Reinfeldt said.

Correspondents say the scene has been set for a lengthy power struggle between EU leaders and the European Parliament, with the UK worried about the prospect of a “stitch-up”.

The four centre-right politicians met in Harpsund, near Stockholm, to try to reach a consensus on European reform.

Job creation, economic growth and structural reforms to boost EU competitiveness were also discussed at the meeting, which finished on Tuesday morning.

Angela Merkel said the focus had been on “policy, which is what is really important for Europe and its citizens”.

“I have said it in Germany and so I will again here: Jean-Claude Juncker is my candidate for the position of Commission president and I want to have him as Commission president,” Angela Merkel told journalists at the end of the meeting.

“But that hasn’t been the main point. We didn’t talk about hypothetical situations and we don’t have to answer questions about them.”

David Cameron, who strongly opposes Jean-Claude Juncker’s belief in a closer political union between EU member states, said the right leaders were needed to reform Europe.

“If the European Union doesn’t go in that direction, that would be unhelpful,” he said.

David Cameron has promised British voters a referendum on EU citizenship in 2017, if he gets re-elected next year.

“Obviously the approach that the European Union takes between now and then will be very important,” he added.

The Commission president is the most powerful job in Brussels, shaping EU policy in key areas such as economic reform, immigration and ties with other global powers.

The EPP – the largest centre-right grouping in the parliament – won the most seats in May’s polls, and Jean-Claude Juncker has argued that gives him the mandate.

The decision will be made by the European Council by qualified majority vote. That means no single country can veto the choice.

The result is due to be announced at an EU summit on June 26-27, although an agreement by then is by no means guaranteed.

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Germany storms kill at least six people

Violent storms have hit western Germany killing at least six people overnight.

In the worst incident, three died when a tree fell on a garden shed in Duesseldorf where they had sought shelter, emergency services said.

Cyclists were also killed by falling trees in Cologne and Krefeld and a sixth person died while clearing a street in Essen.

The storms ended a heatwave that lasted throughout the Whitsun weekend holiday.

Violent storms have hit western Germany killing at least six people overnight
Violent storms have hit western Germany killing at least six people overnight (photo Reuters)

Public transport was badly hit in much of North Rhine-Westphalia on Tuesday morning, and authorities urged people to avoid Duesseldorf, where trains, roads and the airport were all affected.

During the night, emergency services removed the bodies of three people from a garden shed in the city. Three other people who had taken refuge in the shed were injured, two of them seriously. Several others were hurt elsewhere in the city.

Streets in Duesseldorf were blocked by fallen trees and there was damage to overhead power lines. The tram system was reportedly suspended.

There were traffic jams on 165 miles of the region’s roads during the morning rush hour, local broadcasters reported.

Winds of up to 93mph were recorded at Duesseldorf airport on Tuesday night and the storm was continuing to move north-east, towards areas north and west of Berlin, forecasters said.

“We must reckon that the total damage will run into double-digit millions,” North Rhine-Westphalia’s Interior Minister Ralf Jaeger told German media.

“That was one of the worst storms to hit (the region) in the past 20 years.”

Lower Saxony to the north has also suffered heavy damage.

Temperatures of up to 97F were recorded in Germany at the weekend, the highest ever recorded for the time of year.

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World Cup 2014: Jennifer Lopez pulls out of opening ceremony

Jennifer Lopez has decided to pull out of performing the official World Cup song at this year’s tournament’s opening ceremony in Brazil, FIFA has announced.

Officials said Jennifer Lopez could not attend Thursday’s show because of unspecified “production issues”.

Jennifer Lopez was due to perform alongside rapper Pitbull and Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte, with whom she has recorded the song We Are One (Ole Ola).

Pitbull and Claudia Leitte will go ahead and perform accompanied by drummers Olodum.

Jennifer Lopez was due to perform at the World Cup 2014 opening ceremony alongside Pitbull and Claudia Leitte
Jennifer Lopez was due to perform at the World Cup 2014 opening ceremony alongside Pitbull and Claudia Leitte

“For production issues, Jennifer Lopez, one of the artists of the official song We Are One, will not be able to perform at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony,” said a statement.

The 25-minute ceremony in Sao Paulo will feature 600 artists, including acrobatic gymnasts, trampolinists, martial arts-style performers and stilt walkers.

Last week, Jennifer Lopez said she was “thrilled” to be given the chance to perform at the opening ceremony.

“This is an amazing celebration of global unity, competition and sport,” she said.

Pitbull appeared not to be downhearted at Jennifer Lopez’s withdrawal from the show.

“To be performing We Are One to the world, especially in such a beautiful country like Brazil, is going to be a lot of fun,” Pitbull said in a statement released by FIFA.

“But more than this, it is going to show the world that music is the universal language.”

Jennifer Lopez also missed the January event where Pitbull and Claudia Leitte unveiled plans for the song alongside FIFA officials in Rio de Janeiro.

More than 60,000 people are expected to be in Sao Paulo’s Corinthians Arena to watch the ceremony and kick-off match between Brazil and Croatia.

Up to a billion people are expected to tune in on TV worldwide

Jennifer Lopez’s cancellation comes amid protests and strikes in Brazil, where some are unhappy about the amount of money being spent on the tournament.

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Joshua Corbett arrested after breaking into Sandra Bullock’s LA home

Suspect Joshua Corbett was arrested on Sunday after allegedly breaking into Sandra Bullock’s Los Angeles home while she was at the property.

According to county jail records, Joshua Corbett, 39, is being held on $50,000 bail.

Suspect Joshua Corbett was arrested on Sunday after allegedly breaking into Sandra Bullock’s Los Angeles home while she was at the property
Suspect Joshua Corbett was arrested on Sunday after allegedly breaking into Sandra Bullock’s Los Angeles home while she was at the property

Nuria Vanegas of the Los Angeles Police Department said Joshua Corbett was in the yard “checking out the house” when police arrived, the Daily Telegraph reported.

He was detained at approximately 06:30 (PST) on Sunday at Sandra Bullock’s home.

Police confirmed that Joshua Corbett did not enter the house.

He was arrested on suspicion of burglary, Los Angeles Police spokeswoman Wendy Reyes said.

Sandra Bullock’s publicist Cheryl Maisel told People magazine that the actress is “unharmed and fine.”

The break-in came just hours after Sandra Bullock celebrated winning the “decade of hotness” award at Saturday’s tongue-in-cheek Spike TV Guys’ Choice Awards.

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The Fault in Our Stars tops US box office with $48 million

The Fault in Our Stars has topped the US box office over the weekend easily beating Tom Cruise’s action movie Edge of Tomorrow.

Tom Cruise’s time-shifting movie opened in third place, taking $29.1 million, despite a budget of $175 million.

The Fault in Our Stars made $48.2 million, against a more modest budget of $12 million, topping the US box office.

Based on John Green’s book, the tragic romance stars Shailene Woodley as a teenager with cancer. The audience was 82% female, film studio figures showed.

The Fault in Our Stars made $48.2 million, against a more modest budget of $12 million, topping the US box office
The Fault in Our Stars made $48.2 million, against a more modest budget of $12 million, topping the US box office

Box office analysts Rentrak said the movie’s success, alongside the likes of Twilight and The Hunger Games, showed how big-budget, male-orientated movies now struggled against those with a large, predominantly female, teenage audience.

Film studio Twentieth Century Fox said 79% of the audience for The Fault In Our Stars was under the age of 25.

The book – about a young couple who meet at a cancer support group – generated a huge following on social media and the trailer has been watched more than 21 million times on YouTube.

Edge of Tomorrow, which co-stars Emily Blunt and Tom Cruise in a Groundhog Day-style time loop as they battle an alien invasion, appealed more to men, who made up 61% of the audience.

However, the movie did top the international box office, taking a total of $82 million around the world – much of that in China, Korea and Russia.

Elsewhere in the US chart, Maleficent dropped to second place.

The Disney fairytale, starring Angelina Jolie, took $33.5 million in its second week after debuting in the top spot.

X-Men: Days of Future Past was in fourth place with Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane’s comedy A Million Ways to Die in the West fifth.

US and Canada box Top 5:

  1. The Fault in Our Stars – $48.2 million
  2. Maleficent – $33.5 million
  3. Edge of Tomorrow – $29.1 million
  4. X-Men: Days of Future Past – $14.7 million
  5. A Million Ways to Die in the West – $7.2 million

Source: Rentrak

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Global private wealth surges more than 14% in 2013

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According to a Boston Consulting Group report, the amount of private wealth held by households globally surged more than 14% to $152 trillion last year, boosted mainly by rising stock markets.

Asia-Pacific, excluding Japan, led the surge with a 31% jump to $37 trillion, the report says.

The number of millionaire households also rose sharply.

The report takes into account cash, deposits, shares and other assets held by households. But businesses, real estate and luxury goods are excluded.

Boston Consulting Group report showed that the amount of private wealth held by households globally surged more than 14 percent to $152 trillion in 2013
Boston Consulting Group report showed that the amount of private wealth held by households globally surged more than 14 percent to $152 trillion in 2013

“In nearly all countries, the growth of private wealth was driven by the strong rebound in equity markets that began in the second half of 2012,” Boston Consulting Group (BCG) says.

“This performance was spurred by relative economic stability in Europe and the US and signs of recovery in some European countries, such as Ireland, Spain and Portugal.”

The amount of wealth held in equities globally grew by 28% during the year, BCG said.

Economies in Asia have been key drivers of global growth in the recent years. And households in the region have benefitted from this growth.

Within the region, China has been the biggest driver – with private wealth in the country surging more than 49% in 2013.

High saving rates in countries such as China and India has also been a key contributing factor to this surge.

The wealth held in the region is expected to rise further, to nearly $61 trillion by the end of 2018.

“At this pace, the region is expected to overtake Western Europe as the second-wealthiest region in 2014, and North America as the wealthiest in 2018,” BCG said.

The pace of wealth creation in China was also evident in the growth in the number of millionaire households – in US dollar terms – in the country, rising to 2.4 million in 2013, from 1.5 million a year ago.

Overall, the total number of millionaire households in the world rose to 16.3 million in 2013, from 13.7 million in 2012.

According to BCG report, private wealth in:

  • North America rose by 15.6% to $50.3 trillion
  • Western Europe, which includes UK, Germany and France, rose by 5.2% to $37.9 trillion
  • Eastern Europe, which includes Russia, Poland and Czech Republic, jumped by 17.2% to $2.7 trillion
  • Latin America rose by 11.1% to $3.9 trillion
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Sewol ferry crew go on trial in South Korea

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Fifteen sailors have gone on trial over the deaths of at least 292 people in South Korea’s Sewol ferry disaster.

Captain Lee Joon-seok, 69, and three crew members are being accused of “homicide through willful negligence”. The others face lesser charges.

The trial will focus on Lee Joon-seok’s escape from the sinking ferry while hundreds of passengers remained trapped inside.

Most of the victims of the April disaster were school students, and many of their relatives are at the court.

If convicted, Lee Joon-seok and three crew members could be handed the death penalty, but observers say it is extremely unlikely it would be carried out.

Fifteen sailors have gone on trial over the deaths of at least 292 people in South Korea’s Sewol ferry disaster
Fifteen sailors have gone on trial over the deaths of at least 292 people in South Korea’s Sewol ferry disaster (photo EPA)

Eleven other crew are being tried on lesser charges of criminal negligence and maritime law violations.

A nationwide manhunt is also under way for fugitive Korean businessman Yoo Byung-Eun, who is believed to own the Chonghaejin Marine company that ran the sunken ferry.

Yoo Byung-Eun’s daughter, Yoo Som-Na, 47, was detained in May at her home in Paris under an international arrest warrant.

Authorities are also searching for his eldest son, Yoo Dae-Kyun, offering a $100,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Yoo Byung-Eun is wanted for questioning on possible charges of embezzlement and criminal negligence.

Prosecutors have offered a $500,000 cash reward for information leading to Yoo Byung-Eun ‘s arrest.

Analysts say there are concerns that the crew will be unable to receive a fair trial in the district court in the south-western city of Gwangju.

The Sewol ferry disaster caused an outpouring of public anger, and there have been calls for severe punishment for the crew.

President Park Geun-hye condemned the conduct of some of the crew of the ferry, calling it “akin to murder”.

The confirmed death toll from the South Korea ferry disaster has reached 292, with 12 passengers still missing.

Prosecutors say the ferry owner ignored safety warnings and allowed the ship to be overloaded.

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Alexander Imich: World’s oldest man dies at 111

Alexander Imich, the world’s oldest man, has died in New York City at the age of 111.

His niece, Karen Bogen of Providence, Rhode Island, says Alexander Imich died Sunday at his home in Manhattan.

Karen Bogen says she had visited Alexander Imich a day earlier. She says his health declined about two weeks ago and he didn’t recognize her.

Alexander Imich, the world's oldest man, has died in New York City at the age of 111
Alexander Imich, the world’s oldest man, has died in New York City at the age of 111

Alexander Imich, a retired chemist and parapsychologist at the moment of his death, was born in 1903 in a town in Poland that was then part of Russia. He and his wife fled after the Nazis invaded in 1939. They eventually moved to the US in 1951. His wife died in 1986.

In news reports, Alexander Imich said his good genes and a general healthy lifestyle contributed to his longevity.

Guinness is investigating the claim that 111-year-old Sakari Momoi of Japan is now the world’s oldest man.

The world’s oldest person is a woman, 116-year-old Misao Okawa of Japan.

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Miss Universe 2014: Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez crowned Miss USA

Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez has been crowned Miss USA 2014.

Nia Sanchez, a fourth-degree black belt in the Korean martial art of taekwondo, has beat out 50 other contestants Sunday night in Louisiana.

First runner-up was Miss North Dakota Audra Mari.

Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez has been crowned Miss USA 2014
Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez has been crowned Miss USA 2014

Miss USA 2013 Erin Brady, of South Glastonbury, Connecticut, gave up her crown to Nia Sanchez after a three-hour telecast from the Baton Rouge Civic Center in Louisiana.

Other runner-ups were: home state beauty queen, Miss Louisiana Brittany Guidry; Miss Georgia Tiana Griggs, Miss Florida Brittany Oldehoff and Miss Iowa Carlyn Bradarich.

Carlyn Bradarich got a second chance when the viewing audience gave her the most votes on Twitter.

Nia Sanchez will go on from the 63rd Miss USA to represent the U.S. at the Miss Universe competition later this year.

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O.J. Simpson murder trial evidence unveiled after 20 years

O.J. Simpson murder trial evidence has been unveiled after 20 years.

AP court reporter Linda Deutsch got an up-close look at the infamous gloves and other evidence in the O.J. Simpson murder trial that riveted the US twenty years ago.

The leather gloves were the Rosetta stone of the Simpson murder trial. One was discovered at each of the two crime scenes. Of all the physical evidence that had been gathered and catalogued that day, the gloves were, perhaps, the most tangible.

O.J. Simpson murder trial evidence has been unveiled after 20 years
O.J. Simpson murder trial evidence has been unveiled after 20 years

They were unique articles of apparel and the prosecution had linked together an imposing evidence chain connecting them to the defendant.

The gloves were dark brown leather, cashmere lined, size extra large. Manufactured by Aris Gloves, a subsidiary of Consolidated Food Corporation, the Isotoner Lights brand, style number 70263, were part of a small batch of only 300 pairs that had been sold exclusively by Bloomingdale’s Department Store on 3rd Avenue in New York between 1989 and 1992. The store sold 240 pairs and returned the rest to the manufacturer. On December 20th, 1990, Nicole Brown Simpson had purchased two pairs of these gloves for $110. The gloves had a distinctive stitching and V pattern in the palm and were very identifiable. The prosecution assembled press photographs and videotapes of O.J. Simpson wearing this type of leather gloves during football game telecasts in 1993 and 1994.

On April 3 1995, the prosecution produced evidence that the glove found behind the bungalow on O.J. Simpson’s Rockingham estate had a mixture of blood from Nicole Brown Simpson, Ronald Lyle Goldman and Simpson.

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Kourtney Kardashian reveals pregnancy with 3rd child on KUWTK Season 10 premiere

On last night’s season 10th premiere of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kourtney Kardashian revealed that she is pregnant with her third child.

The episode starts out with Kim Kardashian and sisters Kourtney and Khloé jumping on a trampoline in the backyard, but things get serious when Khloé reveals that someone has already made an offer on the house that she and Lamar Odom used to live in together.

Scott Disick is planning to buy a sports car for Kourtney Kardashian and invites Khloé to help him pick it out.

Kourtney Kardashian revealed pregnancy with 3rd child on KUWTK Season 10 premiere
Kourtney Kardashian revealed pregnancy with 3rd child on KUWTK Season 10 premiere (photo E! Online)

While looking at cars together, Scott Disick told Khloé Krdashian that he is planning to go back to the retreat in Arizona that he went to with Kourtney because he is having a hard time dealing with some things in his life and he wants to get in touch with his emotions. He also wishes that Kourtney would open up to him a bit more because he really needs someone to be there for him.

Scott Disick decides on a white Ferrari as a gift for Kourtney Kardashian.

He surprises Kourtney with the Ferrari that he bought for her. But when he takes her into the garage, Scott is frustrated by Kourtney’s lack of excitement and inability to express her emotions, which makes it hard for him to figure out how she even feels.

Kourtney Kardashian sits down with Scott Disick and says that she would like to do more for him on an emotional level and promises to listen to him more. Scott Disick tells Kourtney Kardashian that he loves her and is thankful that she is trying to work on her issue for their relationship.

Then Kourtney Kardashian makes the announcement that will change their lives forever: She’s pregnant with their third child!

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Miss Universe 2014: Miss Thailand Weluree Ditsayabut steps down over Red Shirts comments

Miss Universe Thailand Weluree Ditsayabut renounced her title over remarks she made on social media including one that “red shirt” activists, supporters of ousted PM Yingluck Shinawatra, should all be executed.

Thailand’s military coup last month was the latest convulsion in a decade-long conflict between the Bangkok-based royalist establishment and the rural-based supporters of Yingluck Shinawatra and her brother, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

Miss Universe Thailand Weluree Ditsayabut renounced her title over remarks she made on social media
Miss Universe Thailand Weluree Ditsayabut renounced her title over remarks she made on social media

Weluree Ditsayabut, 22, was crowned Miss Universe Thailand last month but comments she made months earlier soon surfaced, including one on her Facebook account, referring to the red shirts, which said: “I am so angry at all these evil activists. They should all be executed.”

A tearful Weluree Ditsayabut told reporters that she could not handle the vitriol directed at her on Twitter and Facebook.

“I felt under pressure. I tried to improve myself but what I could not stand was to see my mother stressed,” Weluree Ditsayabut said.

“I have decided to sacrifice my status as Miss Universe Thailand.”

Weluree Ditsayabut also hit back at comments on her looks.

“Actually I’m fat, you animal!” read one post on her Twitter account, which has since been deleted.

Pimbongkod Chankaew has replace Weluree Ditsayabut as Thailand’s representative at the global competition, Miss Universe 2014.

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Hangover: Psy changes genres for new hit with Snoop Dogg

Psy decided switching genres would be his best bet for another hit with his latest single so he teamed with Snoop Dogg on the hip-hop track Hangover.

The Hangover video, which debuted Sunday on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Psy’s YouTube channel, serves as a lesson in Asian hangover remedies.

“This video is not about dance moves, but it’s about like culture exchanging,” Psy said.

The South Korean pop star said Snoop Dogg signed on immediately after only hearing the song’s title.

Psy teamed with Snoop Dogg on the hip-hop track Hangover
Psy teamed with Snoop Dogg on the hip-hop track Hangover

Psy signed with Justin Bieber’s manager, Scooter Braun, after Gangnam Style’s initial success. He said he appreciates Scooter Braun’s guidance and impressive drinking abilities.

“He is the most strongest tolerance with alcohol among Americans,” Psy said.

“Asians drink really hard and really mixing everything and really drinking hard every day. So literally I was kind of like unbeatable person with the alcohol before I meet Scooter.”

Psy will return to his EDM roots on a new EP, due later this year. But this time he plans to include more English lyrics.

“People always comparing my new thing with <<Gangnam Style>>, which is unbeatable,” Psy said in a recent interview at YouTube Space LA.

“That means I have a severe, heavy pressure on my shoulder. … In that way I don’t like the song.”

Gangnam Style recently surpassed 2 billion views, a record for YouTube. The South Korean pop star also holds the record for most views in a day with 38 million for his Gangnam Style follow up Gentleman.

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Pakistan: Jinnah airport resumes operations after Taliban attack

Jinnah international airport in Karachi has resumed operations after an assault by Pakistani Taliban which left 28 people, including all 10 attackers, dead.

The assault on Pakistan’s largest airport began late on Sunday, with security forces gaining control in the early hours of Monday.

The Taliban have said they carried out the raid as revenge for the killing of their leader last year.

The government said a full investigation was under way.

Asif Kirmani, a spokesman for PM Nawaz Sharif, also praised the security forces for their response.

Analysts say the latest violence has further undermined Nawaz Sharif’s attempt at initiating peace talks with the Taliban.

Jinnah international airport in Karachi has resumed operations after an assault by Pakistani Taliban which left 28 people, including all 10 attackers, dead
Jinnah international airport in Karachi has resumed operations after an assault by Pakistani Taliban which left 28 people, including all 10 attackers, dead

The negotiations have made little headway since February. Critics have argued that they could allow the militants to regroup and gain strength.

Pakistani officials said 10 heavily armed gunmen stormed the airport in two teams of five on Sunday at 23:00 local time.

The attackers, wearing explosives belts, are believed to have entered the area using fake ID cards, although some reports suggest they cut through a barbed wire fence.

They threw grenades and fired at security guards in the old terminal, used for cargo and VIP operations.

Jinnah airport was shut down, passengers were evacuated and flights diverted as security forces fought back.

Seven militants were shot dead in a gun battle with security forces which lasted until dawn. Another three attackers detonated their explosives.

The dead terminal staff were said to be mostly security guards from the Airport Security Force (ASF) but also airline workers. At least 14 people were wounded.

The Chief Minister of Sindh province, Qaim Ali Shah, said the attackers “were well trained” and their plan “very well thought out”.

Later on Monday, security forces displayed a large quantity of weapons and ammunition seized from the attackers, as well as food, indicating they had been prepared for a lengthy siege.

Army officials said there were indications that some of the gunmen may have been foreign nationals.

The Taliban later said they had carried out the attack, and that its aim had been to hijack aircraft, though they failed to do so.

It was “a message to the Pakistan government that we are still alive to react over the killings of innocent people in bomb attacks on their villages”, said spokesman Shahidullah Shahid.

Pakistan has been fighting an Islamist insurgency for more than a decade, with the Pakistani Taliban the main militant group.

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Anna Politkovskaya’s murderers given life sentences

A Moscow court has given life sentences for two men who killed Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya in 2006.

They were among five men convicted of the crime last month.

Anna Politkovskaya, an investigative reporter and vocal critic of Russia’s war in Chechnya, was shot in a lift in her block of flats.

Three of the men had earlier been acquitted but Russia’s Supreme Court ordered a retrial. Investigators have not determined who ordered the killing.

Anna Politkovskaya's reporting for Novaya Gazeta newspaper won international renown for her dogged investigation of Russian abuses in Chechnya
Anna Politkovskaya’s reporting for Novaya Gazeta newspaper won international renown for her dogged investigation of Russian abuses in Chechnya

Rustam Makhmudov was given a life sentence for pulling the trigger.

His uncle Lom-Ali Gaitukayev, one of those found guilty of organizing the murder, was also jailed for life.

The three others convicted of the killing – two of whom are Rustam Makhmudov’s brothers – were given between 12 and 20 years in prison.

The prosecution had pushed for tougher sentences.

Anna Politkovskaya’s reporting for Novaya Gazeta newspaper won international renown for her dogged investigation of Russian abuses in Chechnya.

But her pieces, which were highly critical of President Vladimir Putin, then serving his second term, and the Chechen leadership, angered many in authority.

Last year a former police officer, Dmitry Pavlyuchenkov, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for supplying the murder weapon.

Anna Politkovskaya’s family say they will continue to campaign until the person who ordered the killing is uncovered.

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