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G7 to impose additional sanctions on Russia over Ukraine

Roy Siemens
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G7 to impose additional sanctions on Russia over Ukraine

The G7 powers have agreed to impose fresh sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine.

A G7 statement gave no detail of the sanctions, but US officials said they could announce measures by Monday.

The West accuses Russia of leading a secession rebellion in Ukraine’s east, months after it annexed Crimea. Moscow denies the allegations.

Meanwhile, negotiators are trying to secure the release of international observers seized by pro-Russia gunmen.

Forces in the city of Sloviansk are still holding the eight European military observers and several Ukrainian army personnel who they seized on Friday and accuse of espionage.

The observers were taking part in a mission linked to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Forces in Sloviansk are holding eight European military observers and several Ukrainian army personnel
Forces in Sloviansk are holding eight European military observers and several Ukrainian army personnel (photo AFP)

Rebel militia continue to occupy official buildings in a dozen eastern cities, defying the government in Kiev.

Russia has tens of thousands of troops deployed along its side of the border with Ukraine and has said it would act if its interests were threatened.

The US accused Russian jets of violating Ukraine’s airspace on Friday in a further sign of escalation.

Pentagon spokesman Col. Steven Warren said Russian aircraft had entered Ukrainian airspace several times in the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the G7 praised Ukraine for acting with restraint in dealing with the “armed bands” that had occupied government buildings.

But the group, which includes the US, UK, Germany, Japan, France, Canada and Italy, condemned Russia’s “increasingly concerning rhetoric and ongoing threatening military maneuvers”.

“Given the urgency of securing the opportunity for a successful and peaceful democratic vote next month in Ukraine’s presidential elections, we have committed to act urgently to intensify targeted sanctions and measures to increase the costs of Russia’s actions,” said the statement.

The US and EU already has assets freezes and travel bans in place target a number of Russian individuals and firms accused of playing a part in the annexation of Crimea.

On Friday, Ukraine’s interior ministry said armed separatists had seized OSCE representatives, who were believed to be military observers from Germany, Denmark, Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic.

Pro-Russian leaders in Sloviansk confirmed the bus had been stopped near the town of Sloviansk and said they were checking the identities of those on board.

The self-proclaimed mayor of Sloviansk, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, said at least one passenger had been carrying maps showing separatist checkpoints in the area, which suggested “their involvement in espionage”.

Last weekend, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov broadcast an appeal to President Vladimir Putin asking for Russian troops to protect the city from “fascists” after three of his men died in a gunfight.

Russia’s OSCE envoy Andrei Kelin promised to take “all possible steps” to free the representatives, according to Russian media reports.

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Sewol ferry disaster: All 15 crew members in custody over criminal negligence

Diane A. Wade
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Sewol ferry disaster: All 15 crew members in custody over criminal negligence

South Korean authorities have arrested all 15 crew members involved in the navigation of the ill-fated Sewol passenger ferry.

They are all facing criminal negligence charges.

The prosecution requested arrest warrants for four additional crew members. Eleven others, including the captain, had been detained earlier.

Sewol ferry with 476 people on board sank off South Korea on April 16.

Divers have recovered 183 bodies, but scores are missing presumed drowned.

Many of the victims were students and teachers from Danwon high school, south of Seoul.

Sewol ferry with 476 people on board sank off South Korea on April 16.
Sewol ferry with 476 people on board sank off South Korea on April 16.

The ferry sank on a trip from the port of Incheon to the island of Jeju.

In the latest move on Saturday, the arrests warrants were issued for two helmsmen and two members of the steering crew.

Prosecutor Yang Jung-jin, of the joint investigation team, said the four crew members were taken into custody late on Friday, the Associated Press reported.

The 15 crew members are facing charges of criminal negligence and of failing to help passengers, the prosecution says.

On Friday, divers found 48 bodies of students wearing lifejackets in a single room on the vessel meant to accommodate just over 30 people.

The group was crammed into a dormitory and all were wearing lifejackets, a South Korean Navy officer said.

The presence of so many victims in the cabin suggested many had run into the room when the ship tilted, correspondents said.

The head of the operation to retrieve bodies said he had “no idea” how long the ship search would take.

The South Korean government has said it is “mobilizing all available resources” towards the rescue effort.

The prosecutors are also said to be investigating whether modifications made to the ferry made it more unstable.

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S&P cuts Russia’s credit rating to “BBB-“

Clyde K. Valle
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S&P cuts Russia’s credit rating to “BBB-“

Standard & Poor’s has downgraded Russia’s rating to “BBB-“from “BBB” – one notch above “junk” status.

The move comes as foreign investors continue to take money out of the country amid tensions over the situation in Ukraine.

Also on Friday, Russia’s central bank raised its key interest rate from 7% to 7.5% as it sought to defend the value of the rouble.

Announcing the downgrade, S&P said: “In our view, the tense geopolitical situation between Russia and Ukraine could see additional significant outflows of both foreign and domestic capital from the Russian economy.”

The credit ratings agency said this could “further undermine already weakening growth prospects”.

Standard & Poor's has cut Russia's rating to one notch above "junk" status
Standard & Poor’s has cut Russia’s rating to one notch above “junk” status (photo CBC)

S&P warned that further downgrades were possible if the West imposed tighter sanctions against Moscow.

Investors have been pulling money out of Russia since last year when the country’s economy ran into trouble, but this process has intensified in recent weeks amid concerns over Ukraine.

In the first quarter of this year, foreign investors have withdrawn $63.7 billion from Russia, and economic growth has slowed significantly – it is expected to grow at no more than 0.5% during 2014.

Russian shares, which have traded lower this week, fell further following the downgrade, with the MICEX stock index slipping over 1.6% at one stage.

Russia’s central bank said its rate rise was because of a higher inflation risk and the weakness of the rouble. The Russian currency has lost nearly 8% against the dollar this year.

The bank said its move would enable it to lower inflation to 6% by the end of 2014 and added it did not plan on cutting rates in coming months.

Russia’s Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev dismissed S&P’s move, saying that “partially, it is kind of a politically motivated decision”.

However, analysts said other credit rating agencies were likely to follow suit.

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Brazil: Colonel Paulo Malhaes found dead in Rio de Janeiro

Diane A. Wade
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Brazil: Colonel Paulo Malhaes found dead in Rio de Janeiro

Brazilian former army colonel Paulo Malhaes, who admitted torturing and killing political prisoners under military rule up to the 1980s, has been found dead.

Paulo Malhaes, 76, was killed by three men who entered his home outside Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, police say.

Last month, Paulo Malhaes said he never regretted killing “as many people as necessary” and tortured “many” prisoners.

Almost 500 people disappeared or were killed in Brazil when it was ruled by the army between 1964 and 1985.

Thousands more were detained and tortured, including current President Dilma Rousseff.

Last month Col. Paulo Malhaes appeared before Brazil's National Truth Commission, which is investigating past abuses
Last month Col. Paulo Malhaes appeared before Brazil’s National Truth Commission, which is investigating past abuses

According to his wife, Col. Paulo Malhaes was suffocated by three men who broke into their home. Police say the assailants stole computers and some guns.

Prominent Brazilian lawyer Wadih Damous said the intruders may have been after secret files he held.

Last month Col. Paulo Malhaes appeared before Brazil’s National Truth Commission, which is investigating past abuses.

He gave testimony on how he had tortured many political prisoners.

“I did my duty. I have no regrets,” he told the commission.

He defended his actions saying that the people he killed and tortured were “guerrillas who fought an armed struggle”.

Brazilian police say they are looking for CCTV images which might help identify Col. Paulo Malhaes’ killers.

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Missy Robertson celebrates 43rd birthday

Sonia Pantiss
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Missy Robertson celebrates 43rd birthday

Duck Dynasty’s Missy Robertson celebrated her 43rd birthday on Tuesday, April 22 – the same day as her brother-in-law and Duck Commander CEO, Willie Robertson.

Missy Robertson spent her birthday watching son Reed and nephew John Luke (Willie and Korie Robertson’s son) play in tennis regionals.

She wrote on her Facebook page: “Beautiful day for a birthday watching Reed and John Luke play in tennis regionals. Thank you, everybody, for so many sweet wishes! I am blessed beyond measure.”

Missy Robertson spent her birthday watching son Reed and nephew John Luke’s play in tennis regionals
Missy Robertson spent her birthday watching son Reed and nephew John Luke’s play in tennis regionals (photo Facebook)

After marrying Jase Robertson in 1991, and now busy raising another generation of Robertsons, Missy West learned early on that she needed to step up her game.

With help from her mother-in-law, Miss Kay, Missy Robertson transitioned into the lifestyle of a large family easily. She also learned that being a Robertson meant helping with the family business.

However, after working for Duck Commander for many years, Missy Robertson is now able to devote much of her time to her real passion of vocal music, both singing and volunteering as a music teacher at her children’s school.

Missy Robertson also handles her own family’s many activities and tries her best to keep 44-year-old Jase in line.

Jase and Missy Robertson have been married for more than 22 years and have three children: Reed, Cole, and Mia.

Willie Robertson celebrates 42nd birthday

Sonia Pantiss
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Willie Robertson celebrates 42nd birthday

Duck Commander CEO Willie Robertson celebrated his 42nd birthday on Tuesday, April 22.

Willie Robertson celebrated his 42nd birthday on April 22
Willie Robertson celebrated his 42nd birthday on April 22 (photo Facebook)

Duck Dynasty’s Willie Jess Robertson (born April 22, 1972) is the third son of Phil and Miss Kay Robertson.

He used his business degree from Harding University to take Duck Commander from a family business to a multi-million dollar empire.

Willie Robertson is married to Korie, and they have five children.

Willie Robertson does the majority of the narration on Duck Dynasty reality show and is often seen wearing an American flag bandana.

Phil Robertson celebrates 68th birthday

Sonia Pantiss
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Phil Robertson celebrates 68th birthday

Duck Dynasty’s patriarch Phil Robertson turned 68 on Thursday, April 24.

Phil Alexander Robertson was born on April 24, 1946.

Duck Dynasty’s patriarch Phil Robertson turned 68 on April 24
Duck Dynasty’s patriarch Phil Robertson turned 68 on April 24 (photo Facebook)

He attended Louisiana Tech University, where he played football, but turned down an opportunity to play professionally with the Washington Redskins.

Phil Robertson received a master’s degree in education and spent several years teaching.

He was the subject of controversy after a 2013 interview he did with GQ magazine, where he said that gay behavior is sinful.

Phil Robertson, a devout Christian, is married to Miss Kay and they have four children together – Alan, Jase, Willie and Jep.

Sewol ferry: 48 bodies found crammed in cabin of 38

Diane A. Wade
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Sewol ferry: 48 bodies found crammed in cabin of 38

South Korean rescue teams found 48 bodies in a single cabin on the Sewol ferry meant to accommodate 38 people, officials say.

The group was crammed into a dormitory and all were wearing lifejackets, a South Korean Navy officer said.

Some 183 bodies have been recovered from the Sewol, but scores of people are missing, presumed drowned.

The head of the operation to retrieve bodies said on Friday he had “no idea” how long the ship search would take.

South Korean rescue teams found 48 bodies in a single cabin on the Sewol ferry meant to accommodate 38 people
South Korean rescue teams found 48 bodies in a single cabin on the Sewol ferry meant to accommodate 38 people (photo Yonhap/AP)

There were 476 people on board, with many trapped inside as the ferry listed and sank within two hours of distress signals being sent. A total of 174 passengers were rescued.

Many of those who died or are presumed dead were students and teachers from Danwon high school, south of Seoul.

Furious relatives attacked the speed of the recovery operation on Friday in a confrontation with the fisheries minister and the coastguard chief.

In a briefing to reporters on the southern island of Jindo, Navy Captain Kim Jin-Hwang described the difficult conditions that the divers were facing.

He said one group had found the single dormitory room filled with the bodies of 48 students wearing lifejackets. The presence of so many victims in the cabin suggested many had run into the room when the ship tilted, correspondents said.

Retrieving the bodies was far harder than finding them, he said, with divers unable to spend much longer than 10 minutes inside the ship at a time.

Officials said rescuers are retrieving around 30 bodies a day but the bereaved families have demanded that all remaining bodies are removed from the ferry before the weekend.

Search officials said just 35 of the 111 rooms had been searched so far.

The South Korean government says it is “mobilizing all available resources” towards the rescue effort but bad weather and stronger currents due on Saturday and Sunday are expected to hamper their efforts.

Prosecutors are said to be investigating whether modifications made to the ferry made it more unstable.

Factors under consideration include a turn made around the time the ship began to list, as well as wind, ocean currents and the freight it was carrying.

Reports have emerged indicating that the ship’s sleeping cabins were refitted some time between 2012 and 2013, which experts say may have inadvertently affected the balance of the boat.

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Record Store Day 2014: Vinyl sales grow by 133%

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Record Store Day 2014: Vinyl sales grow by 133%

Record Store Day 2014 – celebrated on April 19 – saw a surge in vinyl sales, with an increase of 133% on the previous week, industry figures reveal.

Led by a reissue of The Stone Roses’ debut album, vinyl sales grew by more than 62% compared to 2013, with 12-inch single sales growing by 15.4% alone.

Record Store Day 2014 saw a surge in vinyl sales, with an increase of 133 percent on the previous week
Record Store Day 2014 saw a surge in vinyl sales, with an increase of 133 percent on the previous week

However, 7-inch vinyl sales fell by 28%, partly because fewer records were released in the format.

The figures are in keeping with the US, where week-on-week sales grew by 91%.

Nielsen Entertainment called it “the most successful Record Store Day ever for vinyl”, with LP sales up 58% over the same week last year.

Record Store Day was created in the US in 2007. Now in its seventh year, it champions independently-owned record stores in the UK and US, and celebrates vinyl recordings.

Miller Matthew Todd: North Korea detains American tourist over gross violation of legal order

Diane A. Wade
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Miller Matthew Todd: North Korea detains American tourist over gross violation of legal order

North Korea announced on Friday it had detained 24-year-old American tourist Miller Matthew Todd earlier in April for what it said was “a gross violation of its legal order”.

The announcement was made while President Barack Obama was visiting South Korea, one of Washington’s closest allies and still technically at war with Pyongyang.

North Korea announced it had detained 24-year-old American tourist Miller Matthew Todd earlier in April
North Korea announced it had detained 24-year-old American tourist Miller Matthew Todd earlier in April (photo AFP/Getty Images)

“A relevant organ of the DPRK put in custody American Miller Matthew Todd, 24, on April 10 for his rash behavior in the course of going through formalities for entry into the DPRK to tour it,” the country’s official KCNA news agency said, using the country’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Kenneth Bae, a Korean American missionary, has been held for more than a year in North Korea and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor on charges of trying to overthrow the state.

North Korea rejected an offer for Robert King, the US special envoy for North Korean human rights issues, to visit Pyongyang to discuss Kenneth Bae’s case last August and rescinded an invitation for him to visit in February.

KCNA said Miller Matthew Todd had a tourist visa for the DPRK, but tore it to pieces and shouted that he had come “to the DPRK after choosing it as a shelter”.

US Taco Co. and Urban Taproom: Taco Bell launches upscale taco chain

Clyde K. Valle
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0
US Taco Co. and Urban Taproom: Taco Bell launches upscale taco chain

Taco Bell is launching the US Taco Co. and Urban Taproom, its new upscale taco chain.

The US Taco Co. and Urban Taproom restaurant will feature a menu of 10 premium tacos, thick-cut fries, milkshakes, craft beer, and wine, according to Nation’s Restaurant News, an industry publication.

The first location is set to open in Huntington Beach, California, this summer.

The first US Taco Co. and Urban Taproom restaurant is set to open in Huntington Beach this summer
The first US Taco Co. and Urban Taproom restaurant is set to open in Huntington Beach this summer (photo US Taco Co)

Taco Bell declined to elaborate on expansion plans.

Nation’s Restaurant News revealed some of the menu items:

  • Winner Winner: Southern-style fried chicken breast with South of the Border gravy, roasted corn, pico de gallo, jalapenos, and cilantro in a flour tortilla.
  • One-Percenter: Lobster, garlic butter, red cabbage slaw, and pico de gallo on crispy fry bread.
  • Brotherly Love: Carne asada steak, grilled peppers and onions, roasted poblano queso, and cotija cheese in a flour tortilla.

The side of fries comes with dipping sauces including “ghost chile ketchup” and “roasted poblano crema.” One of the beer-spiked milkshakes on the menu, called the “Mexican Car Bomb”, has vanilla ice cream, tequila caramel sauce, chocolate flakes, and Guinness.

Tacos will be priced at about $4 each, and the average check size is expected to be roughly $12 with a drink.

Customers won’t be able to customize their tacos like at Chipotle, but they will be able to watch their food being made.

“Most dishes will be prepared in-house, in glass-enclosed kitchens that allow guests to see meat grilling or tacos in the works – though a few ingredients will come from outside suppliers, like the Texas smoked brisket or Southern pulled pork,” NRN reports.

The new concept is meant to attract a demographic of higher-income edgy foodies who would never step foot inside a Taco Bell.

Everest avalanche: Expedition teams descend amid uncertainty over climbing season

Nancy Clayson
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Everest avalanche: Expedition teams descend amid uncertainty over climbing season

About half of expedition teams at Everest base camp are descending amid uncertainty over this year’s climbing season, after 16 guides were killed in an avalanche.

A row over local guides’ share of revenue from foreign climbers erupted after last week’s deadly accident, prompting some to threaten a boycott.

Sherpas also want better rescue and treatment facilities for guides.

If others descend, some fear it could effectively end plans to climb the world’s highest mountain this year.

Madhusudan Burlakoti, a tourism ministry official, hoped that some teams might still climb. Sherpas have been in talks over these issues with the Nepalese government.

More than 300 foreigners were preparing to climb Everest this year, but the tense aftermath of the avalanche that killed 13 Sherpas and left 3 missing presumed dead dashed hopes and left many climbers disturbed and shocked.

About 50 expedition teams had been at the base camp, with 31 intended for Everest.

About half of expedition teams at Everest base camp are descending amid uncertainty over this year's climbing season
About half of expedition teams at Everest base camp are descending amid uncertainty over this year’s climbing season

Some of the teams have chosen to go on trekking expeditions instead, while others are still waiting and watching.

The Nepalese government has assured teams that their climbing permits will remain valid for the next five years.

Last Friday’s avalanche was the single deadliest accident in modern mountaineering on the world’s highest peak.

It struck an area just above Everest base camp at 5,800m (19,000ft).

Sherpas can earn up to $8,000 in the three-month Everest climbing season – more than 10 times the average wage in Nepal, which remains one of Asia’s poorest nations.

However, it does not look so good when the government is earning millions of dollars each year in fees for climbing permits. Some guiding companies charge up to $60,000 per person.

The guides who lost their lives had climbed up the slope early in the morning to fix ropes for climbers and prepare the route.

The avalanche struck a passage called the Khumbu Icefall, which is riddled with crevasses and ice boulders that can break free without warning.

Although relatively low on the mountain, it is one of its most dangerous points – but there are no safer paths along the famous South Col route first scaled by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953.

Sherpas often make 20-25 round trips to carry kit and supplies to advanced camps, exposing themselves to greater risk.

Everest has been scaled by more than 3,000 climbers since 1953.

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Afghanistan: Floods engulf northern villages

Diane A. Wade
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Afghanistan: Floods engulf northern villages

Fifty-eight people have been killed and hundreds of villagers left stranded in devastating flash floods in northern Afghanistan, officials say.

The governor of Jowzjan province warned that the number of victims was likely to rise.

Fifty-eight people have been killed and hundreds of villagers left stranded in devastating flash floods in northern Afghanistan
Fifty-eight people have been killed and hundreds of villagers left stranded in devastating flash floods in northern Afghanistan

People have been left trapped on the roofs of their homes and rescue helicopters have been deployed.

There are reports of flooding in other provinces in the north and west.

More than 80 people are missing and that 3,000 homes have been destroyed.

Heavy rain and storms on Thursday night created a perilous situation for villagers whose homes are largely built out of mud.

Cydney Bernard and Jodie Foster’s relationship

Lisa.Felice
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Cydney Bernard and Jodie Foster’s relationship

Jodie Foster publicly thanked her former partner and mother to her two sons Charlie and Kit, Cydney Bernard, while accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award at last year’s Golden Globe Awards.

Jodie Foster and Cydney Bernard met on the set of the 1993 film Sommersby, where Cydney – now a producer – was working as a production coordinator.

Jodie Foster and Cydney Bernard met on the set of the 1993 film Sommersby
Jodie Foster and Cydney Bernard met on the set of the 1993 film Sommersby

In 2008, it was reported that the couple broke things off, ending their 15-year-relationship.

Jodie Foster, now 51, is very protective of her privacy and has not spoken about the breakup.

However, it was reported that Jodie Foster broke up with Cydney Bernard in order to pursue a relationship with writer/producer Cindy Mort, whom she met while filming The Brave One in 2006.

Though Jodie Foster reportedly left her partner of 15 years for Cindy Mort, the two remain in close contact, as they share joint custody of their two sons.

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Java mouse-deer born at Bioparc Fuengirola in Spain

James J. Williams
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Java mouse-deer born at Bioparc Fuengirola in Spain

A baby Java mouse-deer has been born at Bioparc Fuengirola in southern Spain.

Java mouse-deer is one of the smallest hoofed animals in the world.

The newborn deer is “no bigger than a hamster” and weighs about 100 grams, staff at Bioparc Fuengirola told the El Pais newspaper.

The Java mouse-deer newborn deer is no bigger than a hamster and weighs about 100 grams
The Java mouse-deer newborn deer is no bigger than a hamster and weighs about 100 grams (photo Bioparc Fuengirola)

Adult Java mouse-deer are rarely bigger than rabbits or weigh more than 1kg (2.2lb). They are also known to be fiercely intelligent, and the species represents wisdom in many local legends in its native Java, says The Local website.

The baby mouse-deer is the eighth to be born in Fuengirola, which is running a program to breed the rare species. Its mother was born at the same zoo in 2007, and its father came from Zoo Lille in France last year, the Spanish zoo says.

The family lives the zoo’s Hidden Forest, which recreates the ruins of a temple lost in the Asian jungle.

Bioparc Fuengirola says there are currently 43 Java mouse-deer in Europe, but warns the future of the species is threatened by massive deforestation in South East Asia and the replacement of jungles with oil palm plantations.

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MH370: Bluefin-21 search for missing plane could expand from focused area

Diane A. Wade
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MH370: Bluefin-21 search for missing plane could expand from focused area

Australian officials have announced that the underwater search for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane could widen from its focused area in the Indian Ocean.

The Bluefin-21 submersible has completed 95% of its search in the area where possible signals from the plane’s flight recorder were heard on April 8.

If nothing is found, the Bluefin-21 will move to an adjacent area, the agency co-ordinating the search said.

Meanwhile, Malaysia said a report on the plane could be released next week.

Flight MH370 went missing on March 8 as it flew from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people – mostly Chinese nationals – on board.

The underwater search for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane could widen from its focused area in the Indian Ocean
The underwater search for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane could widen from its focused area in the Indian Ocean

Using satellite data, officials have concluded that MH370 ended its journey in waters north-west of the Australian city of Perth.

However, the ongoing multi-national search for the missing plane has yet to yield anything concrete. The daily operation is already shaping up to be the most expensive in aviation history.

The robotic submarine Bluefin-21, operated by the US Navy off the Australian vessel Ocean Shield, is an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) that can identify objects by creating a sonar map of the sea floor.

It is operating at a depth of more than 13,000 feet.

The AUV has been mapping the area of the sea bed within a 10km (6.25 mile) radius of where acoustic signals believed to have come from the aircraft’s flight recorder were detected.

On Friday Australia’s Joint Agency Co-ordination Centre (JACC) said in a statement that the AUV had “completed approximately 95% of the focused underwater search area”.

“If no contacts of interest are made, Bluefin-21 will continue to examine the areas adjacent to the 10km radius,” JACC said.

“We are currently consulting very closely with our international partners on the best way to continue the search into the future,” JACC added.

Authorities still do not know why the plane went off course and finding the flight recorders is seen as key to understanding what happened.

Meanwhile, Malaysian PM Najib Razak told CNN on Thursday that there was “a likelihood” the report on the investigation into the missing plane could be released next week.

Malaysian officials said on Wednesday that the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization already had a copy of the report.

In China, relatives of passengers on the missing flight held another protest outside the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing, after Malaysian officials failed to update them on the search.

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Sewol ferry disaster: Relatives confront officials on Jindo island

Diane A. Wade
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Sewol ferry disaster: Relatives confront officials on Jindo island

Relatives of South Korean passengers still missing from the Sewol ferry disaster have angrily confronted the fisheries minister and the coastguard chief.

The officials have been surrounded by angry family members in a tent on Jindo island where the rescue operation is being co-ordinated.

They spent all of Thursday night trying to explain the search effort.

At least 183 passengers have been confirmed dead, with 121 still missing in Sewol ferry disaster.

There were 476 people on board, with many trapped inside as the ferry listed and sank within two hours of distress signals being sent. A total of 174 passengers were rescued.

Many of those who died or are presumed dead were students and teachers from Danwon high school, south of Seoul.

Families of passengers still missing from the Sewol ferry disaster have confronted the fisheries minister and the coastguard chief
Families of passengers still missing from the Sewol ferry disaster have confronted the fisheries minister and the coastguard chief (photo AFP)

On a visit to Seoul on Friday, President Barack Obama expressed his condolences for South Korea’s “incredible loss” and offered America’s solidarity.

“I can only imagine what the parents are going through at the moment – the incredible heartache,” Barack Obama said.

Prosecutors are said to be investigating whether modifications made to the ferry made it more unstable.

Factors under consideration include a turn made around the time the ship began to list, as well as wind, ocean currents and the freight it was carrying.

Reports have emerged indicating that the ship’s sleeping cabins were refitted some time between 2012 and 2013, which experts say may have inadvertently affected the balance of the boat.

Investigators on Friday said that life rafts and escape chutes on a sister ship to a sunken ferry were not working properly.

With bad weather and stronger currents expected at the weekend the government says that it is “mobilizing all available resources” towards the rescue effort.

It says that about 88 expert divers are searching for survivors on cabins on the third and fourth decks,

The authorities say that hundreds of civilian divers who are also at the scene are slowing down the rescue operation and will no longer be allowed participate.

Local media reports say that divers who have succeeded in reaching the wreck are exhausted, with some needing treatment for decompression sickness after swimming in cold, dark waters for long hours.

As the chances of finding survivors recedes, relatives have become increasingly angry with what they see as the slow pace of the rescue operation.

In addition to their overnight confrontation of the fisheries minister and the coastguard chief, another top official was attacked on Thursday by relatives who accused him of lying about the rescue effort.

Deputy coastguard head Choi Sang-Hwan was surrounded by about 20 relatives who stormed his temporary office at Jindo port, correspondents say.

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Microsoft reports $5.66 billion net profit for 2014 Q1

Clyde K. Valle
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0
Microsoft reports $5.66 billion net profit for 2014 Q1

Microsoft reported net profit of $5.66 billion for 2014 Q1, a decline from the same period last year but better than market estimates.

Microsoft’s efforts to move further into cloud computing – a move championed by new chief executive Satya Nadella – seem to be paying off.

Azure, a cloud computing product, saw revenue grow 150%, Microsoft said.

Microsoft reported net profit of $5.66 billion for 2014 Q1, a decline from the same period last year but better than market estimates
Microsoft reported net profit of $5.66 billion for 2014 Q1, a decline from the same period last year but better than market estimates

The company also said it added 1 million users to its subscription-based Office program for personal users.

Microsoft sold in 2 million Xbox consoles, including 1.2 million Xbox Ones during the period.

“We are making good progress in our consumer services like Bing and Office 365 Home, and our commercial customers continue to embrace our cloud solutions,” said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who replaced Steve Ballmer in February.

However, Microsoft was hurt by declining personal computer sales, as users continue to shift to other technologies.

Overall, profits declined by 6.5% compared to the same period last year.

Microsoft shares rose close to 3% in after-hours trading.

Cydney Bernard: Jodie Foster’s ex-partner jealous of actress’ marriage to Alexandra Hedison

Lisa.Felice
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0
Cydney Bernard: Jodie Foster’s ex-partner jealous of actress’ marriage to Alexandra Hedison

Jodie Foster’s ex-partner, Cydney Bernard, is said to be jealous that the actress married girlfriend Alexandra Hedison.

Jodie Foster and Alexandra Hedison tied the knot over the weekend after dating for just a year.

Cydney Bernard, 61, and Jodie Foster, 51, broke up in 2008. They had been together since 1993, and raised their two sons: Charles “Charlie” Foster (born July 20, 1998) and Christopher “Kit” Foster (born September 29, 2001).

Cydney Bernard and Jodie Foster broke up in 2008
Cydney Bernard and Jodie Foster broke up in 2008

According to sources close to the actress, Jodie Foster and Alexandra Hedison got married because they’re keen to start a family.

“Jodie and Alexandra want to have a family together,” a source said.

“But Alexandra wanted security from Jodie, and would only have a child with her if they were married.

“They will likely use a surrogate for their baby – being married just makes the legalities easier.”

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Virgin Australia passenger arrested after hijack alert

Nancy Clayson
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Virgin Australia passenger arrested after hijack alert

A Virgin Australia passenger who caused a hijack scare on a flight from Australia to Indonesia has been arrested at Bali airport, officials say.

An airline official said a passenger had been handcuffed by the crew after acting aggressively.

A Virgin Australia passenger who caused a hijack scare on a flight from Australia to Indonesia has been arrested at Bali airport
A Virgin Australia passenger who caused a hijack scare on a flight from Australia to Indonesia has been arrested at Bali airport

Initial reports said the Boeing 737 had been hijacked and it was boarded by Indonesian troops after landing.

Virgin said the incident on the flight from Brisbane was a “misunderstanding” and the detained passenger was drunk.

Fears of a hijacking were caused after the pilot sent a distress signal to airport authorities.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton attend Anzac Day ceremonies in Australia

Diane A. Wade
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Prince William and Kate Middleton attend Anzac Day ceremonies in Australia

Prince William and Kate Middleton have paid their respects to Australia’s war dead on the final day of their tour.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined military personnel, veterans and the public in Canberra to mark Anzac Day.

The Australian War Memorial held a service at dawn, in keeping with tradition, as a reminder of the dawn landing of troops on Gallipoli in 1915.

Prince William and Kate Middleton joined military personnel, veterans and the public in Canberra to mark Anzac Day
Prince William and Kate Middleton joined military personnel, veterans and the public in Canberra to mark Anzac Day

Later in the morning Prince William and Kate Middleton, appearing without their son Prince George, laid a wreath at the memorial.

Prince William and Kate Middleton, who have also visited New Zealand during their tour, joined figures including Australia’s PM Tony Abbott and Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove in paying their respects.

The name Anzac Day comes from the acronym used to describe the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

More than 500,000 Allied soldiers were involved in the Gallipoli campaign, an attempt to open the Dardanelles Strait in modern-day Turkey to Allied navies during World War One.

Tens of thousands of Allied troops, including more than 8,000 Australians, died in the campaign, which failed to achieve its military objectives.

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Barack Obama arrives in Seoul amid North Korea nuclear test fears

Roy Siemens
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Barack Obama arrives in Seoul amid North Korea nuclear test fears

President Barack Obama arrived in Seoul for a visit that comes amid concern that North Korea may be planning a fourth nuclear test.

Barack Obama, who arrived from Japan on the second stop of his Asian tour, will hold talks with South Korean leader Park Geun-hye.

Their talks are set to focus on North Korea, following reports of activity at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site.

Barack Obama is also expected to express grief over last week’s ferry disaster.

More than 300 people were killed or remain missing after the Sewol passenger ferry sank off South Korea, in a tragedy that has shocked the nation.

Most of those who died were teenagers on a school trip.

Barack Obama arrived in Seoul for a visit that comes amid concern that North Korea may be planning a fourth nuclear test
Barack Obama arrived in Seoul for a visit that comes amid concern that North Korea may be planning a fourth nuclear test (photo Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images)

Barack Obama is expected to hold talks with Park Geun-hye, visit US troops and then fly to Malaysia on Saturday.

Speaking in Japan, the US president called the North Korean problem “the most destabilizing, dangerous situation in all of the Asia-Pacific region”, and described China’s role in influencing Pyongyang as “critically important”.

Earlier this week, South Korea’s military said it had detected “a lot of activity” at the North’s nuclear test site, suggesting it was either planning a test or would pretend to stage one.

North Korea has carried out three such tests in the past, most recently in February 2013 – an incident that triggered months of severe tension on the Korean peninsula.

It also carried out tests in 2006 and 2009. All resulted in the imposition of sanctions by the UN, which bars Pyongyang from nuclear tests under resolution 1718.

A report from 38 North, the website of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University, also confirmed increased activity at the site “probably related to preparations for a detonation”, based on satellite imagery.

The document highlighted “increased movement of vehicles and materials near what are believed to be the entrances to two completed test tunnels”.

While Pyongyang has tested devices, it is not yet believed to have mastered the process of making a nuclear warhead small enough to deliver via a missile.

China is regarded as the nation with the best chance of influencing North Korea’s behavior, because of their trade ties.

“We will not allow war and chaos on China’s doorstep,” foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Thursday.

“In the meantime, we have consistently and proactively advocated dialogue and negotiation.”

Also on Barack Obama’s agenda will be Seoul’s ties with Japan. The US wants its two main Asian allies to work together to tackle North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.

But rows over disputed islands and unresolved historical tensions have severely strained the Tokyo-Seoul relationship.

Last month, the US brokered a meeting between South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye and Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe in a bid to put things back on track.

In Japan, Barack Obama issued a firm statement of support over Tokyo’s dispute over a separate set of islands with China.

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US and Russia in war of words after Ukraine raids

Roy Siemens
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US and Russia in war of words after Ukraine raids

Russia and the US have accused each other of failing to ease tensions in Ukraine after Kiev launched raids on pro-Moscow separatists.

Russia said the US should make Kiev stop the attacks in the east, saying “nothing has been done to resolve this urgent crisis so far”.

The US said Moscow had “actively stoked tensions in eastern Ukraine”.

Russia ordered new military exercises on its border following the raids, drawing condemnation from Ukraine.

Pro-Russian separatists are occupying key buildings in a dozen eastern Ukrainian towns, defying the central government.

The Russian foreign ministry issued a statement urging the US to “use all its influence with the interim government in Kiev to bring it to reason and convince it to refrain from rash steps that will plunge Ukraine even deeper into the depths of crisis”.

It urged Washington to “understand the full measure of its responsibility for what is going on”.

Russia and the US have accused each other of failing to ease tensions in Ukraine after Kiev launched raids on pro-Moscow separatists
Russia and the US have accused each other of failing to ease tensions in Ukraine after Kiev launched raids on pro-Moscow separatists (photo AP)

Both the US and Russia cited the April 17 Geneva agreement under which illegal armed groups, including those who have seized public buildings, must return home.

The Russian foreign ministry said: “We hope the USA will at last take urgent measures in the interests of de-escalating the situation in accordance with the provisions of the Geneva statement.”

But US state department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki said Russia had “failed not only to provide public support for the de-escalation of tensions, but has actively stoked tensions in eastern Ukraine by engaging in inflammatory rhetoric”.

Jennifer Psaki said Secretary of State John Kerry had spoken to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov “six times since Geneva, and he has never once taken responsibility for the implementation of Russia’s Geneva commitments”.

She added: “There will be additional sanctions if Russia does not make good on this priority.”

Pentagon spokesman Steve Warren told reporters: “The Russian announcement of additional exercises on the Ukrainian border is exactly opposite of what we have been calling on the Russians to do, which is to de-escalate the situation.”

The morning raids by Ukrainian commandos on pro-Russian checkpoints around the town of Sloviansk had left at least two separatists dead.

The raids were brief, with Sloviansk itself reported calm and pro-Russian militants still manning barricades in many areas.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow had been “forced to react” to the raids by ordering new military exercises.

Sergei Shoigu was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying: “If this military machine is not stopped, it will lead to greater numbers of dead and wounded.”

Moscow has tens of thousands of troops along its side of the border.

Russian television quoted the ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, as saying that Moscow would have “international-legal grounds” to deploy “peacekeepers” to Ukraine, as it had during the Russia-Georgia conflict of 2008.

Ukraine’s acting President, Oleksandr Turchynov, called on Russia to pull back its troops from the border and end what he called its “blackmail”, adding that Kiev would not yield to “Russian-backed terrorists”.

Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytisa told the Associated Press that Ukrainian forces would fight the Russians if they had to.

“The Ukrainian people and Ukrainian army are ready to do this. Ukraine will confront Russia. We will defend our land.”

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon earlier said he was “seriously concerned that the situation could quickly spin out of control with consequences we cannot predict”.

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Tornado forecast from Texas to Nebraska this weekend

Nancy Clayson
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Tornado forecast from Texas to Nebraska this weekend

A multiple-day severe weather outbreak will begin this weekend over the South Central states and will include the potential for nighttime tornadoes in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska.

A storm will move slowly across the US over the next seven to 10 days. The storm will affect Southern California with locally drenching rain and mountain snow on Friday. Its next stop will be the Central states this weekend.

While the central and southern Plains are in need of rain, it will come with the price tag of violent storms.

Since the parent storm will not arrive on the scene until late in the day Saturday, most storms are not forecast to ignite until the late-day and nighttime hours.

A multiple-day severe weather outbreak will begin this weekend over the South Central states and will include the potential for nighttime tornadoes
A multiple-day severe weather outbreak will begin this weekend over the South Central states and will include the potential for nighttime tornadoes (photo AccuWeather)

Major cities at risk for severe weather this weekend include Dallas, Oklahoma City, Wichita, Kansas, Omaha, Nebraska, and Kansas City, Missouri.

Because the storms will be passing through large metropolitan areas, the storms have the potential to bring extensive damage, risk to a great number of lives and significant travel disruptions.

According to AccuWeather Enterprise Solutions Storm Warning Meteorologist Scott Breit, “Supercell thunderstorms will develop along the dry line from west-central Kansas to the Oklahoma Panhandle and northwestern Texas late Saturday afternoon with large hail and tornadoes a good bet.”

A dry line marks the boundary between desert air to the west and moist Gulf of Mexico air to the east. A supercell thunderstorm is a long-lived, intense storm that often develops rotation and has an elevated risk of producing tornadoes, damaging winds gusts, frequent lightning strikes and very large hail.

Aiding the development of severe thunderstorms will be a surge of warm, humid air on Saturday.

The threat for violent storms, including a few supercells, will continue to push eastward Saturday night across rural and populated areas of central Kansas, central Nebraska, central Oklahoma and central Texas.

The storms are likely to shift to the east of Oklahoma City in time for the Memorial Marathon Sunday morning. However, if the storms are slower to leave than expected, or damage occurred from the night before, a delayed start cannot be ruled-out.

Because many of the most violent storms will continue after dark, there is an elevated danger factor. People may not see that a tornado is approaching their location.

Anyone traveling through the area or spending time outdoors will want to keep an eye out for rapidly changing weather conditions.

Charlotte Bell: Girl hands Michelle Obama her unemployed father’s resume

Nancy Clayson
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Charlotte Bell: Girl hands Michelle Obama her unemployed father’s resume

A ten-year-old girl who was a guest at the White House’s annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day handed First Lady Michelle Obama her father’s resume.

When Michelle Obama called on a girl, identified by the Associated Press as 10-year-old Charlotte Bell, during a question-and-answer session, the girl stood up and walked toward the first lady, saying: “My dad’s been out of a job for three years and I wanted to give you his résumé.”

Michelle Obama invited Charlotte Bell on stage and gave her a hug
Michelle Obama invited Charlotte Bell on stage and gave her a hug

Michelle Obama seemed surprised, then invited the girl on stage and gave her a hug.

“Oh my goodness,” Michelle Obama said while hugging Charlotte Bell.

The two briefly spoke and Michelle Obama held up the résumé.

“Well it’s a little private, but she’s doing something for her dad. Alright?” Michelle Obama said.

The first lady held up the résumé in her hand and shook it.

“Got it.”

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