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Phil Mickelson and William Walters investigated by FBI for insider trading involving Carl Icahn

Clyde K. Valle
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Phil Mickelson and William Walters investigated by FBI for insider trading involving Carl Icahn

Golfer Phil Mickelson and Las Vegas gambler William Walters are being investigated by the FBI over a possible insider trading involving billionaire investor Carl Icahn.

The inquiry is reportedly examining whether Phil Mickelson and William Walters may have traded shares illegally, based on information provided by Carl Icahn.

Phil Mickelson’s lawyers say he is not the target of an investigation.

Carl Icahn, 78, denies giving insider information. William Walters has not yet commented.

Phil Mickelson, 43, has won five major championships and is one of the US’s highest-paid sportsmen.

Phil Mickelson has won five major championships and is one of the US's highest-paid sportsmen
Phil Mickelson has won five major championships and is one of the US’s highest-paid sportsmen

The FBI, along with the Securities and Exchange Commission and federal prosecutors in Manhattan, are said to be looking into trading in two different stocks.

The investigation, which began three years ago, is focusing on trades in cleaning products company Clorox.

Carl Icahn, a billionaire investor and prominent activist, was mounting a takeover bid for Clorox around the time that Phil Mickelson and William Walters placed their trades, the New York Times reports.

“We do not know of any investigation,” Carl Icahn told Reuters news agency, saying he was proud of his 50-year “unblemished record”.

Investigators are also reportedly looking into trades that Phil Mickelson, a three-time Masters champion, and William Walters made relating to Dean Foods, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The New York Times quotes sources saying federal authorities are looking into trades placed in August 2012 just before the company announced quarterly results.

Those trades appeared to have no connection to Carl Icahn, the newspaper added.

The FBI and other federal agencies have not commented publicly on the allegations.

None of the men have been directly accused of any wrongdoing.

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Malawi elections 2014: Peter Mutharika sworn in as president as Joyce Banda admits defeat

Diane A. Wade
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Malawi elections 2014: Peter Mutharika sworn in as president as Joyce Banda admits defeat

The leader of Malawi’s Democratic Progressive Party, Peter Mutharika, has been sworn in as the country’s president after the High Court rejected a request for a recount following allegations of vote-rigging.

He urged the 11 other presidential candidates to “join me in rebuilding the country”.

Outgoing President Joyce Banda had alleged ballot fraud but has now admitted defeat.

Malawi is one of the world’s poorest nations.

Peter Mutharika has been sworn in as Malawi's president after the High Court rejected a request for a recount following allegations of vote-rigging
Peter Mutharika has been sworn in as Malawi’s president after the High Court rejected a request for a recount following allegations of vote-rigging

It is heavily dependent on aid, which provides 40% of the government’s budget.

A protester died on Friday as police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse an angry crowd demanding a recount of last week’s ballot in the south-eastern town of Mangochi.

Peter Mutharika is the brother of the late President Bingu wa Mutharika, who died in office in 2012, and had served as his foreign minister.

He obtained 36.4% of the vote, according to the electoral commission, and said he felt “very humbled” to become Malawi’s fifth president.

“It’s obvious we are facing serious problems in this country. All of us together, let us build the country which is almost on the verge of collapse,” he said.

Former preacher Lazarus Chakwera came second in the election with 27.8% of the vote. He represented the Malawi Congress Party, which governed from independence in 1964 until the first multi-party poll in 1994.

Joyce Banda, who came to power after the death of Bingu wa Mutharika two years ago, was third with 20.2% of the vote. Her administration had been hit by a corruption scandal dubbed “cashgate”, which led donors to cut aid.

She had attempted to have the polls declared “null and void” on the grounds of “serious irregularities”.

However, Joyce Banda made no mention of this in a statement congratulating Peter Mutharika on his victory in a “closely contested election” and urging “all Malawians to support the newly elected president… and his government as they take on this foundation of progress and endeavor to develop Malawi even further”.

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) had asked for a 30-day extension to declare the results so that a recount could be carried out.

However, the High Court refused to delay the release of results and ordered the commission to make its announcement on Friday.

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Australia: Huge ash clouds force airlines to cancel all flights to and from Darwin

Nancy Clayson
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Australia: Huge ash clouds force airlines to cancel all flights to and from Darwin

Ash clouds thrown up by Indonesia’s Mount Sangeang Api volcano have forced airlines to cancel all flights to and from the northern Australian city of Darwin.

Mount Sangeang Api began erupting on Friday and plumes of ash have been sweeping south towards Australia.

Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia have all cancelled flights. Services between Australia and the province of Bali have also been hit.

The authorities say other airports could be affected in the coming days.

Hundreds of passengers have been caught up, with disruption expected to continue until at least Sunday.

Ash clouds thrown up by Indonesia’s Mount Sangeang Api volcano have forced airlines to cancel all flights to and from the northern Australian city of Darwin
Ash clouds thrown up by Indonesia’s Mount Sangeang Api volcano have forced airlines to cancel all flights to and from the northern Australian city of Darwin (photo AP)

“The volcano is undergoing a sustained, rather significant eruption at the moment,” Emile Jansons, manager of the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre told Reuters news agency.

“For the last 10 hours we’ve been observing large masses of volcanic ash being generated.

“Nobody has a very good handle on what this volcano is likely to do in the next 24 hours or beyond.”

Some flights between Perth and Bali were cancelled on Saturday.

Volcanic ash can be extremely dangerous to aircraft as the fine particles can damage engines.

The cloud is now sweeping south towards as Alice Springs, officials say.

Deputy PM Warren Truss said it could take days for Australian services to return to normal.

“Depending on wind and other weather conditions, the ash has the potential to affect flights to and from other airports, including Brisbane, during coming days,” he said.

The island of Sangeang Api has no permanent residents after they vacated following an eruption in 1988. Farmers nearby have reportedly been told to leave the area.

Indonesia lies across a series of geological fault-lines and is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

There are about 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia.

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Cirque Du Soleil’s Avatar show to begin global tour in 2015

Sonia Pantiss
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Cirque Du Soleil’s Avatar show to begin global tour in 2015

James Cameron and Cirque Du Soleil have announced a touring arena show based on the director’s 3D blockbuster Avatar.

Cirque Du Soleil’s Avatar show is expected to begin a global tour in late 2015, before the release of three Avatar sequels currently in pre-production.

2009’s Avatar is Hollywood’s highest grossing film ever.

James Cameron previously worked with Cirque Du Soleil in 2012, executive producing its 3D film Worlds Away.

Cirque Du Soleil’s Avatar show is expected to begin a global tour in late 2015, before the release of three Avatar sequels currently in pre-production
Cirque Du Soleil’s Avatar show is expected to begin a global tour in late 2015, before the release of three Avatar sequels currently in pre-production

“Over the years, I have discovered the extraordinary talents and imaginations of both the artists and the creative forces behind Cirque du Soleil,” he said.

“I know we share the common goal of bringing audiences to another level of entertainment experiences. I look forward to doing just that on this project.”

James Cameron and Cirque Du Soleil president and CEO Daniel Lamarre announced their plans at the C2MTL-Commerce and Creativity Conference in Montreal.

Daniel Lamarre said he was “thrilled” the circus company was getting to “explore the very inspirational Avatar realm for the live stage”.

The live show is going to be a co-production between James Cameron and Jon Landau’s company Lightstorm Entertainment, Cirque Du Soleil and Twentieth Century Fox which financed and distributed Avatar.

“Avatar remains a phenomenon that continues to inspire people around the globe, and combining it with the live event ingenuity of Cirque de Soleil is a perfect synthesis of imagination and talent,” said the film company’s chief Jim Gianopulos.

Avatar has made $2.7 billion worldwide and been awarded three Oscars, two BAFTAs and two Golden Globes.

The three sequels are expected to hit cinemas between December 2016 and December 2018 and will start filming later this year.

It is the first time Cirque Du Soleil has used a film for inspiration, although it has produced hit shows using the music of Michael Jackson and The Beatles.

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Amie Yancey of Flipping Vegas biography

Lisa.Felice
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Amie Yancey of Flipping Vegas biography

Flipping Vegas is a reality television series on A&E that premiered on June 18, 2011.

The reality show features Scott Yancey and his wife Amie Yancey as they buy, fix and flip houses in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Flipping Vegas airs on Saturdays on A&E.

Amie Yancey works at the Goliath Company as an agent, investor, and interior designer.

Flipping Vegas features Scott Yancey and his wife Amie Yancey as they buy, fix and flip houses in Las Vegas
Flipping Vegas features Scott Yancey and his wife Amie Yancey as they buy, fix and flip houses in Las Vegas

She was born in Canada, and is now based in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she works for the real estate brokerage and development company owned by her husband, Scott Yancey.

Amie Yancey has sold more than 600 new homes since moving to Las Vegas with her husband in 2004.

She is known for her ability to redecorate and redesign the properties Scott Yancey acquires quickly and cost-effectively, often coming in under-budget.

Amie Yancey grew up on a ranch and is something of a daredevil. She is an avid dirt biker, and also loves spelunking and other outdoor adventures sports. She has owned eight motorcycles and loves drag racing at stoplights in her Porsche, cave diving in the Caribbean, as well as sitting on a beach with her husband.

Flipping Vegas has had three seasons on A&E. The show has been highly controversial for the network, as it has been called fake by many other real estate firms.

Amie Yancey has a net worth of $5 million.

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Ten Year High In Car Sales

Clyde K. Valle
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Ten Year High In Car Sales

With the current political agenda centred on whether or not the UK is experiencing any growth, one statistic in particular is capturing the attention of the media is the fact that new car sales rose 17.7% in March 2014, meaning that the UK has the fastest growing registration of new cars in Europe. 464,824 vehicles were sold in March, which is typically the busiest time of year for new car sales; 688,122 new cars have been sold so far this year.

UK’s new car sales rose 17.7 percent in March 2014
UK’s new car sales rose 17.7 percent in March 2014 (photo PA)

There are plenty of reasons for this growth – some superficial, other less so. Consumer spending is rising and this is reflected in new car sales, but one point that seems far more pressing is the fact that the UK’s new car market is subject to all sorts of interesting new finance schemes. If you buy a new car these days, you’re often given the chance to pay a monthly rate for three years before trading in your car for a new model. To some degree you’re effectively leasing the car, but there’s always the option to buy.

Anyone who has bought a new car recently will probably be looking at it in terms of monthly payments, rather than the overall price on the ticket or the cars residual value – just like they would a mobile phone contract or a gym bill. It seems that personal contract purchases are now part of the fabric of everyday life, and the fact that the new car market in the UK is the first to jump on this wagon could either be seen as a good or a bad thing.

The UK car market is also surrounded by plenty of cheap credit which is encouraging people into the market and now they can feel the ‘green shoots of recovery’. Contract-type schemes are less prevalent in Europe where car sales have floundered over the last 6-10 years. Car sales in the EU region fell by 2.7% in 2013.

This is good news for used car sites such as CarShop, and the second hand car market as a whole. The stock of used cars will rise with the purchase of new ones, and there’s set to be some superb bargains. Cars like the Volkswagen Up, Skoda Citigo, Seat Mii, Ford Ka, Toyota Aygo and the Peugeot 107 reflect a new, more economical attitude to driving and many of these marks will now be flooding onto the second hand market as people upgrade or renew.

It’s also worth noting that sales of cars which run on alternative fuels rose by 63.8% to a significant 8,713. This figure might not be enough to show that the UK has turned the corner in terms of green energy, but it certainly illustrates that the hybrid car is a credible alternative.

Vitalii Sediuk gets restraining order after punching Brad Pitt in face

Lisa.Felice
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Vitalii Sediuk gets restraining order after punching Brad Pitt in face

Prankster Vitalii Sediuk, who allegedly hit Brad Pitt at Angelina Jolie’s movie Maleficent red carpet premiere in Los Angeles, has been handed a restraining order to keep him away from the star.

Vitalii Sediuk was arrested and held on $20,000 bail after Brad Pitt was struck at Maleficent premiere on Wednesday.

Brad Pitt’s legal team requested the emergency five-day restraining order, Los Angeles Police told Reuters.

Vitalii Sediuk was arrested and held on $20,000 bail after Brad Pitt was struck at Maleficent premiere
Vitalii Sediuk was arrested and held on $20,000 bail after Brad Pitt was struck at Maleficent premiere (photo Getty Images)

Vitalii Sediuk is known for pranking stars like America Ferrera and Will Smith.

He worked for Ukrainian TV station 1+1 until being fired several weeks ago.

Vitalii Sediuk, 25, was reportedly seen jumping over a barrier, hugging and then striking the star, knocking off his sunglasses.

He was wrestled to the floor by bodyguards before being led away in handcuffs. Brad Pitt was unhurt.

The restraining order could be extended for a month if Brad Pitt petitions a civil judge, Los Angeles Police Sgt. Albert Gonzalez told the Associated Press.

Vitalii Sediuk’s, attorney, Anthony Willoughby, told AP he had not yet spoken to his client.

“He’s not a violent individual,” Anthony Willoughby said.

“He’s an easygoing young man.”

Publicist Christa Scherck, who worked with Vitalii Sediuk for the past two years, told AP she was severing ties with him and was never aware of his prank plans.

“This goes beyond pranking,” she said.

“This is no longer entertaining.”

Vitalii Sediuk has a history of red carpet stunts. He recently hit headlines after he crawled under the skirt of Ugly Betty actress America Ferrera at the Cannes Film Festival.

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India: Five suspects arrested over hanged girls case

Diane A. Wade
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India: Five suspects arrested over hanged girls case

Five suspects are now arrested in India in connection with the gang rape and murder of two teenage cousins.

Three suspected attackers have been detained, along with two policemen accused of dereliction of duty and criminal conspiracy.

The girls, who belonged to a low caste, were found hanged from a tree in Uttar Pradesh state earlier in the week.

Alleged police inaction has sparked outrage.

The father of one victim said he was ridiculed by police when he sought help in finding his missing daughter.

The government has pledged to set up a fast-track court to deal with the case.

Five suspects are now arrested in India in connection with the gang rape and murder of two teenage cousins
Five suspects are now arrested in India in connection with the gang rape and murder of two teenage cousins (photo Reuters)

Meanwhile, reports have emerged that two more gang rapes of minors occurred in Uttar Pradesh, in northern India, this week.

The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh mocked female journalists when asked about the rising number of rape cases at a news briefing.

“You are safe, why are you bothered?” Akhilesh Yadav said.

“No other state has the kind of police control room we have here. If there is any incident, we will take action.”

Police say they are now calling off their search for suspects over the attack.

Among those arrested are two officers, who have also been sacked over claims they refused to help look for the girls.

Senior police official Atul Saxena earlier announced there would be a “thorough investigation” into the allegations of caste discrimination by police.

Divisions between India’s castes run deep, and violence is often used by upper castes to instill fear in lower castes, correspondents say.

Although both the victim and the accused in the latest case belonged to a group known as “Other Backward Classes”, the victims were lower in that hierarchy.

The girls, two cousins aged 14 and 16, went missing in Badaun district on Tuesday night. They had apparently gone out to relieve themselves as they had no toilet at home.

Their bodies were discovered the following day. A post-mortem examination confirmed multiple assaults and death due to hanging.

The victims’ families say it took police more than 12 hours to respond to reports they were missing.

Campaigners have highlighted the lack of sanitation in rural areas as being a risk to women’s security as well as their health, as they are often attacked when having to go out to use the toilet, particularly at night.

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US citizen carried out suicide bomb attack against Syrian troops in Idlib

Roy Siemens
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US citizen carried out suicide bomb attack against Syrian troops in Idlib

The US state department has confirmed that a US citizen carried out a suicide bombing against Syrian troops in Idlib on Sunday.

The rebel al-Nusra Front said the man conducted the bombing on their behalf. It was one of four attacks carried out in the northern city of Idlib that day.

The US state department has confirmed that a US citizen carried out a suicide bombing against Syrian troops in Idlib
The US state department has confirmed that a US citizen carried out a suicide bombing against Syrian troops in Idlib

It is thought to be the first suicide attack by a US citizen in the conflict.

More than 100,000 people have been killed in the battle between forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and those opposed to his rule.

“I can confirm that this individual was a US citizen involved in a suicide bombing in Syria,” state department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki said.

The man was believed to be Moner Mohammad Abu-Salha, she said.

The department was “concerned about the flow of foreign fighters in and out of Syria”, Jennifer Psaki added.

The al-Nusra Front, a militant Islamist group that has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda, said the man used a truck carrying explosives to conduct the attack.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said dozens of soldiers were killed by the series of bombings on Sunday, AFP news agency reported.

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Kim Jong-uk: South Korean missionary sentenced to hard labor for life in North Korea

Diane A. Wade
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Kim Jong-uk: South Korean missionary sentenced to hard labor for life in North Korea

A South Korean Baptist missionary has been sentenced to hard labor for life in North Korea after he was convicted of spying and setting up an underground church.

North Korea’s state news agency said the man, named as Kim Jong-uk, had confessed to all his crimes.

South Korean Baptist missionary Kim Jong-uk has been sentenced to hard labor for life in North Korea after he was convicted of spying and setting up an underground church
South Korean Baptist missionary Kim Jong-uk has been sentenced to hard labor for life in North Korea after he was convicted of spying and setting up an underground church (photo AP)

Pyongyang is still holding another missionary, US citizen Kenneth Bae, who received 15 years hard labor in 2013.

Religious activity is restricted in North Korea, with missionaries arrested on multiple occasions in the past.

“Mr. Kim tried to infiltrate into Pyongyang after illegally trespassing on the border for the purpose of setting up an underground church and gathering information about the internal affairs of the DPRK [North Korea] while luring its inhabitants into South Korea and spying on the DPRK,” the KCNA news agency said.

The prosecution had reportedly been seeking a death sentence for the 50-year-old missionary.

The ruling comes three months after Kim Jong-uk read aloud a public apology on North Korean TV for his “anti-state crimes”.

Kim Jong-uk was arrested after crossing into North Korea from China last October.

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Gezi Park protests first anniversary to be marked in Turkey

Diane A. Wade
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Gezi Park protests first anniversary to be marked in Turkey

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged young Turks to ignore calls to mark the first anniversary of Istanbul’s Taksim Square protests.

He was speaking ahead of nationwide demonstrations planned for Saturday.

Thousands of police officers and dozens of water cannon trucks are to be deployed to the square, reports say.

Protests against plans to redevelop Istanbul’s Gezi Park last year turned into mass anti-government rallies after a heavy-handed police crackdown.

A number of people were killed in the unrest, with thousands more injured.

Protests against plans to redevelop Istanbul's Gezi Park last year turned into mass anti-government rallies after a heavy-handed police crackdown
Protests against plans to redevelop Istanbul’s Gezi Park last year turned into mass anti-government rallies after a heavy-handed police crackdown (photo Hurriyet)

A 64-year-old woman, who fell into a coma after inhaling tear gas during another crackdown on protesters in the capital in December, died on Friday.

The main organizers behind the Gezi Park protests – Taksim Solidarity – have called for a demonstration on Saturday to mark the one-year anniversary, Hurriyet reports.

Demonstrations are also expected to take place in several other Turkish cities, including Ankara, Izmir and Antakya.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned young people not to take part, saying: “One year later, people, including so-called artists, are calling for demonstrations, but you, Turkey’s youth, you will not respond to the call.”

Addressing a crowd of young people in the capital on Friday, the prime minister described the movement as “terrorist organizations” that “manipulated our morally and financially weak youth to attack our unity and put our economy under threat”.

Intensive security measures are expected to be in place around Ankara, with a government ban on gatherings in force in Taksim Square.

However, Taksim Square will not be surrounded and isolated by police as it was during May Day protests, Zaman reports.

Protesters have clashed with police in recent months, with two men killed during angry demonstrations over a mining disaster that killed 301 people last week.

Anger also flared in March with the news of the death of a 15-year-old boy who had been in a coma since last June after being hit by a tear-gas canister during a protest.

In May 2013, protesters took the government by surprise by occupying Taksim Square and nearby Gezi Park.

Riot police evicted them two weeks later using heavy-handed tactics and galvanizing anti-government demonstrators in several other cities.

Since then, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has faced accusations of authoritarianism and corruption after a string of scandals.

He has also moved to block social media sites YouTube and Twitter, after accusing his opponents of using them to deliberately undermine him.

In the first vote since last year’s mass protests, Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party won local elections in March, which was widely seen as a barometer of his popularity.

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Nigeria: Emir of Gwoza Alhaji Idrissa Timta shot dead in Borno attack

Roy Siemens
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Nigeria: Emir of Gwoza Alhaji Idrissa Timta shot dead in Borno attack

Three of Nigeria’s high-ranking traditional leaders today came under heavy bombardment from Boko Haram militants while on their way to the burial of the late Emir of Gombe, Shehu Usman Abubakar.

While the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta was shot dead on the spot, that of Uba, Alhaji Ismaila Ibn Mamza and Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed Ibn Askirama II, Emir of Askira escaped into nearby bush with bullet wounds.

His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta was killed following an attack by some gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram
His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta was killed following an attack by some gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram

According a reliable source in Maiduguri, the three traditional rulers drove in the official vehicle of the Emir of Gwoza along with their convoy which also include police escort. They however came under attack by armed men who fired bullets sporadically on the convoy, targeting the three traditional rulers.

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan vowed to wage “total war” against the group, which has been held more than 200 girls captive since last month.

Borno state government confirmed the attack and said the gunmen were believed to be Boko Haram members, Reuters news agency reports.

Traditional rulers have been targeted for assassination by Boko Haram before, but attacks on them are rare.

Emirs, who command a lot of respect in the north, have taken a stand against the militants.

Elephant takes selfie at West Midlands Safari Park

Nancy Clayson
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Elephant takes selfie at West Midlands Safari Park

An elephant at UK’s West Midlands Safari Park took a selfie on a visitor’s phone when he dropped it, it has been claimed.

The 23-year-old visitor, named Scott Brierley, said he found a photo of African elephant Latabe on his phone after it was returned to him by keepers at West Midlands Safari Park, near Bewdley in Worcestershire.

Scott Brierley said he found a photo of African elephant Latabe on his phone after it was returned to him by keepers at West Midlands Safari Park
Scott Brierley said he found a photo of African elephant Latabe on his phone after it was returned to him by keepers at West Midlands Safari Park (photo Scott Brierley)

Head keeper Andy Plumb said the picture was a first for the park.

Scott Brierley said he believed it was the world’s first “elfie” – or elephant selfie.

He said he was ordered to stay inside his car after his phone fell to the ground while he was taking pictures of the park’s elephant enclosure.

Scott Brierley said he saw the 22-year-old elephant walk towards his phone but thought she had mistaken it for food.

“I really couldn’t believe when the phone came back, I pressed the centre button to check it was still working and there it was – me and my friend were in shock,” he said.

Andy Plumb said the staff at the park were “very proud” of Latabe’s apparent photography skills.

“Lots of people have dropped their phones at our park but I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said.

Princess Charlene pregnant: Monaco’s royal couple expecting their first child

Lisa.Felice
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Princess Charlene pregnant: Monaco’s royal couple expecting their first child

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco have announced they are expecting their first child.

In a short statement, Prince Albert II and his South African wife – who married in July 2011 – expressed their “immense joy” at the news.

The statement said the birth was expected before the end of the year, but gave no further details.

The new baby will replace Princess Caroline – Prince Albert’s older sister – as heir to the throne.

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco have announced they are expecting their first child
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco have announced they are expecting their first child

Prince Albert already has two children from previous relationships – 22-year-old daughter Jazmin and 10-year-old son Alexandre.

The tiny principality of Monaco, which covers less than one square mile, is the world’s smallest independent state after the Vatican City.

Prince Albert is the son of the late Prince Rainier III and actress Grace Kelly.

Princess Grace died after a car crash in 1982, and Prince Rainier died in 2005.

Prince Albert II has been Monaco’s ruler since the death of his father.

He met Charlene Wittstock when he was presiding over a swimming race in 2000. She then went on represent South Africa in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock officially made their debut as a couple at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy.

Since their marriage, Charlene’s official title is Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco.

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Thai coup 2014: Elections will not be held for more than a year

Diane A. Wade
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Thai coup 2014: Elections will not be held for more than a year

Thailand’s military coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha has said elections will not be held for more than a year, to allow time for political reconciliation and reform.

In a televised address, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha called on all sides to co-operate and stop protesting.

He repeated warnings against any resistance to the military.

Thailand's military coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha has said elections will not be held for more than a year, to allow time for political reconciliation and reform
Thailand’s military coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha has said elections will not be held for more than a year, to allow time for political reconciliation and reform (photo Reuters)

The Thai army seized power on May 22, and detained senior politicians for several days saying stability had to be restored after months of unrest.

In his first public address since the coup, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha said: “The ruling military regime have a timeframe of one year and three months to move towards elections.

“Enough time has been wasted on conflict.”

He said a first phase of about three months would focus on “reconciliation” with a cabinet and new draft constitution put in place.

Reforms would then be introduced over a second, year-long, period and only after this could elections be held.

“Give us time to solve the problems for you. Then the soldiers will step back to look at Thailand from afar,” he added.

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha has previously warned that if protests continued he would have no choice but to use force.

In his address he repeated the warnings, saying resistance would only slow the process of bringing “happiness” back to the Thai people.

Also on Friday, hundreds of troops sealed off a major Bangkok intersection during the evening rush hour to prevent a possible protest.

Thailand’s military stepped in after six months of political deadlock as protesters tried to oust the government of PM Yingluck Shinawatra.

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Sleeping in light bedrooms increases risk of obesity

Kathryn R. Bown
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Sleeping in light bedrooms increases risk of obesity

A new study has found that sleeping in a room with too much light has been linked to an increased risk of obesity.

A team at the Institute of Cancer Research in London found women had larger waistlines if their bedroom was “light enough to see across” at night.

However, they caution there is not enough evidence to advise people to buy thicker curtains or turn off lights.

The study of 113,000 women was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

The women were asked to rate the amount of light in their bedrooms at night as:

Sleeping in a room with too much light has been linked to an increased risk of obesity
Sleeping in a room with too much light has been linked to an increased risk of obesity (photo iStockphoto)
  • Light enough to read
  • Light enough to see across the room, but not read
  • Light enough to see your hand in front of you, but not across the room
  • Too dark to see your hand or you wear a mask

Their answers were compared to several measures of obesity. Body Mass Index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio and waist circumference were all higher in women with lighter rooms.

One possible explanation is that the light is disrupting the body clock, which stems from our evolutionary past when we were active when it was light in the day and resting when it was dark at night.

Light alters mood, physical strength and even the way we process food in a 24-hour cycle.

Artificial light is known to disrupt the body clock by delaying the production of the sleep hormone melatonin.

The study was funded by Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the findings emerged from a long-term study to understand the risk factors for breast cancer. Obesity is known to increase the odds of the disease.

VA Secretary Eric Shinseki resigns following hospitals scandal

Roy Siemens
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VA Secretary Eric Shinseki resigns following hospitals scandal

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki has resigned amid a scandal over delayed care and falsified records at the agency’s hospitals.

President Barack Obama said Eric Shinseki told him he did not want to be a distraction as the agency tried to fix Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals.

Barack Obama said he accepted the resignation “with considerable regret”.

A recent report found veterans at an Arizona hospital waited an average of 115 days for an initial appointment.

On Friday morning after an Oval Office meeting with Eric Shinseki, a retired four-star general wounded in Vietnam, Barack Obama told reporters Shinseki had “worked hard to investigate and identify the problems with access to care”.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki has resigned amid a scandal over delayed care and falsified records at the agency's hospitals
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki has resigned amid a scandal over delayed care and falsified records at the agency’s hospitals

“But as he told me this morning, the VA needs new leadership to address them,” Barack Obama said.

“We don’t have time for distractions. We need to fix the problem.”

Eric Shinseki’s decision to step down came as his support among Barack Obama’s own Democratic Party steadily eroded. Republicans in Congress and at least one major veterans group had called for him to step down earlier this month.

The president said he had named Deputy VA Secretary Sloan Gibson to be acting head of the agency.

Eric Shinseki’s resignation is the culmination of months of tumult at the agency over reports that administrators at a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, had falsified records to hide a lengthy backlog of veterans awaiting care.

On Wednesday, an internal VA inquiry revealed veterans in Phoenix waited an average of 115 days for a first appointment, but the hospital reported to the agency an average wait time of only 24 days.

The VA inspector general’s report also said at least 1,700 veterans were not even on official waiting lists because they had not been properly registered.

Barack Obama acknowledged the misconduct was not limited to Phoenix but had occurred in VA facilities across the country.

“It’s totally unacceptable,” he said on Friday.

“Our veterans deserve the best. They’ve earned it.”

Eric Shinseki had begun sacking senior officials at the Phoenix hospital, and has also cancelled bonuses for top VA executives and ordered the agency to contact any veteran in Phoenix waiting for care.

The US veterans health system serves about nine million former US military service members.

Its resources have been strained by the ageing population of Korean and Vietnam War veterans as well as the large influx of wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

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Indian police officers sacked over hanged girls

Diane A. Wade
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Indian police officers sacked over hanged girls

Two Indian police officers have been sacked for refusing to help search for two missing girls who were later found gang-raped and hanged, officials say.

They were also charged with criminal conspiracy, police said, adding that three people had been arrested so far.

The government has pledged to set up a fast-track court to prosecute the crime, which took place earlier this week in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Alleged police inaction sparked outrage in the teenagers’ village.

The father of one victim said he was ridiculed by police when he sought help in finding his missing daughter.

Two Indian police officers have been sacked for refusing to help search for two missing girls who were later found hanged
Two Indian police officers have been sacked for refusing to help search for two missing girls who were later found hanged

He said that when policemen found out he was from a lower caste, they “refused to look for my girl”.

Authorities said on Friday that they were still looking for two other suspects.

Senior police official Atul Saxena earlier announced there would be a “thorough investigation” into the allegations of caste discrimination by police.

Divisions between India’s castes run deep, and violence is often used by upper castes to instill fear in lower castes, correspondents say.

Although both the victim and the accused belonged to a caste grouping known as “Other Backward Classes”, the victims were lower in that hierarchy.

The girls, two cousins aged 14 and 16, went missing in Badaun district on Tuesday night. They had apparently gone out to relieve themselves as they had no toilet at home.

Their bodies were discovered the following day. A post-mortem examination confirmed multiple assaults and death due to hanging.

Campaigners have highlighted the lack of sanitation in rural areas as being a risk to women’s security as well as their health, as they are often attacked when having to go out to use the toilet, particularly at night.

Some women’s groups argue that the low conviction rate for rape should be challenged with more effective policing rather than stiffer sentences.

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Steve Ballmer to buy LA Clippers for $2 billion

Clyde K. Valle
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Steve Ballmer to buy LA Clippers for $2 billion

According to new reports, Microsoft ex-CEO Steve Ballmer has reached a deal to buy the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team for $2 billion, reports say.

Clippers owner Donald Sterling was banned from the sport for life after he was recorded making racist remarks.

Microsoft ex-CEO Steve Ballmer has reached a deal to buy the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team for $2 billion
Microsoft ex-CEO Steve Ballmer has reached a deal to buy the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team for $2 billion (photo Getty Images)

The NBA later agreed to begin the process of selling the team.

The bid was reportedly accepted by Donald Sterling’s wife, Shelly.

Steve Ballmer is believed to have outbid two rival groups for the team, one of which was led by media mogul David Geffen and included talk show host Oprah Winfrey.

He retired from Microsoft in February, but he still owns shares in the company.

A forced sale of the LA Clippers would require the approval of three-quarters of the 30 team owners in the NBA.

But Donald Sterling could still oppose the sale in the courts, according to sports lawyers.

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France: Thousands of students protest against National Front

Diane A. Wade
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France: Thousands of students protest against National Front

About 4,000 students have rallied in Paris against the far-right National Front (FN) party, following its success in the European elections.

Smaller marches took place in Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nantes and outside the European parliament in Strasbourg.

Marie Le Pen’s National Front came first in last week’s European parliament elections, winning 25% of the French vote and 24 seats.

About 4,000 students have rallied in Paris against the far-right National Front party, following its success in the European elections
About 4,000 students have rallied in Paris against the far-right National Front party, following its success in the European elections (photo AFP)

The party is opposed to mass immigration, free trade and the euro.

In Paris, students shouted anti-right wing slogans and waved banners reading “No to the National Front”.

However, correspondents say the turnout is small compared with previous protests against the FN.

Following her party’s victory, leader Marine Le Pen said voters had demanded “only one type of politics – a politics of the French, for the French and with the French”.

She added that her party would put pressure on French President Francois Hollande and fight “crazy measures like votes for immigrants”.

Marie Le Pen is credited with detoxifying the image of the FN, which was previously seen as the pariah of French politics.

Willis Tower’s Skydeck The Ledge cracks under tourists

Nancy Clayson
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Willis Tower’s Skydeck The Ledge cracks under tourists

All four boxes of The Ledge, the 103rd floor tourist attraction atop Chicago’s Willis Tower, were closed Thursday morning for a routine inspection hours after cracks appeared cracked while people were inside.

Alejandro Garibay, inside and 1,353ft above the ground at the time, told the local NBC it was a “crazy feeling and experience”.

A part of Chicago's Willis Tower's glass observation ledge cracked while people were inside
A part of Chicago’s Willis Tower’s glass observation ledge cracked while people were inside

A building spokesman said the damage was to the protective coating, possibly from a sharp item dropped on it, and there were no structural concerns.

“These are extremely sturdy and solid,” said spokesman Bill Utter.

The “Ledge” is a series of four glass boxes that jut out from the 103rd floor of the building, formerly the Sears Tower.

There are three layers of glass forming the floor of the box, which is designed to hold a weight of five tonnes.

The protective coating completely covers all glass surfaces to protect against scratches, said Bill Utter.

“This coating does not affect the structural integrity of the Ledge in any way. Occasionally, the coating will crack, as it is designed to in order to protect the surface of the glass.”

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Measles outbreak 2014: US cases reach 20-year high

Kathryn R. Bown
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Measles outbreak 2014: US cases reach 20-year high

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention is urging people to get vaccinated after a spike in measles cases in the US this year.

The CDC reported 288 cases of measles in the first five months of 2014 – the largest number for 20 years.

The outbreak is thought to be linked to US citizens travelling to the Philippines.

The CDC says timely vaccination is the best way to prevent measles.

Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of CDC’s National Centre for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases, said many US healthcare providers had never seen or treated a patient with measles because of the country’s robust vaccination efforts and rapid response to outbreaks.

The CDC reported 288 cases of measles in the first five months of 2014, the largest number for 20 years
The CDC reported 288 cases of measles in the first five months of 2014, the largest number for 20 years

Measles was eliminated from the US in 2000, meaning that for more than 12 months there was no longer any continuous measles transmission.

She said: “The current increase in measles cases is being driven by unvaccinated people, primarily US residents, who got measles in other countries, brought the virus back to the United States and spread to others in communities where many people are not vaccinated.”

“Many of the clusters in the US began following travel to the Philippines where a large outbreak has been occurring since October 2013.”

Of the 288 cases, 280 were thought to have been imported from at least 18 countries.

Ninety per cent of all measles cases in the US occurred in people who were not vaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.

More than one in seven cases has led to stays in hospital.

In the US, the CDC recommends two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine for everyone starting at age 12 months.

For those travelling abroad, the CDC recommends that babies older than six months receive the MMR vaccine.

Measles is a serious viral illness that is highly contagious.

The initial symptoms of measles develop around 10 days after infection. These can include cold-like symptoms, red eyes and sensitivity to light, a high temperature or fever and greyish white spots in the mouth and throat.

After a few days, a red-brown spotty rash will appear. This usually starts behind the ears and then spreads around the head and neck before spreading to the rest of the body.

Measles is still common in many parts of the world, including countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.

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Graham Elliot weight loss: MasterChef judge competes in 10K race after losing 150 pounds

Lisa.Felice
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Graham Elliot weight loss: MasterChef judge competes in 10K race after losing 150 pounds

MasterChef judge Graham Elliot run his first 10K this week.

Graham Elliot, 37, competed in the race following his recent 150-pound weight loss. He slipped on running shorts and a white tank top for the sprint, which took place in Chicago on May 26.

Graham Elliot competed in 10K race following his recent 150-pound weight loss
Graham Elliot competed in 10K race following his recent 150-pound weight loss

The restaurateur posted a photo of himself from the event to his Instagram account on Monday, captioning the shot: “Celebrating the premier of #MasterChef by running my first #10K.”

The new season of the FOX show kicked off on the same day.

Graham Elliot went on to recognize his MasterChef co-hosts, Gordon Ramsay and Joe Bastianich, writing: “Thx @gordanramsay @jbastianich for the support and encourage!”

The slimmed-down star, who completed his 10K in a reported time of 1 hour and 16 minutes, peaked at close to 400 pounds, before undergoing weight loss surgery.

In 2013, Graham Elliot chose to receive a sleeve gastrectomy, which aided in his weight loss.

YouTube access to be restored in Turkey

Nancy Clayson
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YouTube access to be restored in Turkey

Turkey will restore access to YouTube after a ruling by the country’s constitutional court.

A block was imposed in late March, soon after recordings alleging official corruption were aired on the site.

Now Turkey’s constitutional court has said the block violated laws governing freedom of expression.

The court is now informing telecom authorities of its decision and is telling them to lift the block.

Turkey will restore access to YouTube after a ruling by the country's constitutional court
Turkey will restore access to YouTube after a ruling by the country’s constitutional court

The decision is widely seen as a snub to the government of PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which has been a sharp critic of social media sites such as Twitter and YouTube.

Both sites were blocked earlier this year after recordings of official meetings were leaked and widely circulated. One recording involved senior army officers discussing intervention in Syria and others supposedly revealed corruption among people close to Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The block on Twitter was lifted last month but the limits on YouTube have stayed despite decisions from lower courts calling on the government for them to be lifted.

It is not clear whether the order to lift the ban will be effective since the authorities said those earlier calls were ignored because offending material was still available on the site.

The constitutional court was looking into the validity of the block after complaints from Turkish citizens about it.

Many people have used special software to get round the ban and ensure they can still see videos on the site.

The block was imposed as a “precautionary administrative measure”, Turkey’s telecommunications regulator said at the time.

Turkey passed a controversial law early this year that let the regulator cut off any site without needing to get a court order.

YouTube was blocked previously in Turkey in 2007 but that ban was lifted in 2010.

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Is Your Car Insurance Policy Valid?

Ricky Robinson
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Is Your Car Insurance Policy Valid?

Every year numerous minor changes are made to the rules of the road, and the legal obligations of car owners, which then mean the driving theory test and the practical test need to be updated. If you’re learning to drive, stay clued up on the rules by revising online – click here for a useful website.

This year the alterations include the SORN notification becoming valid until the car is sold, taxed or scrapped, and the tax disc being replaced by an electronic system, meaning you no longer need to display it on your windscreen.

The SORN notification is an interesting one – it used to be valid for only 12 months after which you would have to renew it, or the car would be considered in-use and you would need to have it insured. The reason why it’s important to register your vehicle as off-road when it’s not being used for a substantial length of time is that the government wants to clamp down on the problem of uninsured drivers, which are thought to cost the car industry around £500 million a year, and add £30 onto the cost of each standard insurance policy to boot.

In an effort to reduce this problem, the net is swung wide so that any car without insurance can be subject to a fine of up to £1,000, or potentially be destroyed. And even if you haven’t used your car in months, if it’s not registered as SORN, you could be caught up in that net.

Why you need insurance

The vast majority of cars in the UK are in use on a regular basis, usually daily for the commute or school-run. There are various legal obligations you need to comply with at all times, one of which is having at least 3rd party insurance to cover damage to any vehicle or property you may have a collision with. If you are caught driving without a valid insurance policy to drive that specific car then you can receive an automatic fine of up to £300 and 6 penalty points on your license, or even go to court over the matter.

That’s your first danger. Secondly of course, any damage to you or your vehicle is not covered either, and if you use your car for work, if you have a crash and you’re not covered, that could leave you in a very sticky situation.

Lies, lies and statistics

 

It’s thought that over 2 million British car insurance policies may actually be invalid because the holder has been less than truthful, or made a mistake, when applying. Apparently 60% of people do it because they want to save money on their premiums – an understandable motivation, especially if you’ve driven well for years, never made a big claim, but still see your premiums creeping ever higher, but it’s a false economy.

Because insurance companies are naturally going to check the details of a policy thoroughly in the event of a large claim, and if you said your car is parked off-road at night and it’s not, or you say you have an immobilizer fitted but you don’t, and it gets stolen or broken into, then you’re liable to get no pay out.

It’s common for people to invalidate their insurance completely unintentionally, and one of the easiest ways to make this slip is by not notifying your provider when you change address. Insurance policies are calculated using data from various sources, one of which is the area in which you live. So if you move from a quiet suburban area where car crime is minimal to somewhere much livelier, with busy roads, badly-lit parking areas and lots of incidents of theft, then of course the risks get much higher. Your policy and premiums must reflect this, and if the insurer is not aware of your move then it can consider any claim invalid and reject it.

Is your policy valid?

One of the easiest ways to check your car is insured is to enter your registration number into the Motor Insurance Database website at www.askMID.com, but you still need to check the details of your policy and ensure you’re compliant. Is your car taxed? Does it have a valid MOT? Are all the drivers on the policy and are all their personal details, including address and number of points on their licenses, correct? All of these things can play a role in whether your claim is accepted or rejected, so be sure to check your policy regularly.

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