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James Everett Dutschke pleads guilty in ricin letters case

Nancy Clayson
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James Everett Dutschke pleads guilty in ricin letters case

James Everett Dutschke has pleaded guilty to sending President Barack Obama ricin-tainted letters.

The 42-year-old Mississippi man admitted he also sent poisoned letters to Republican Senator Roger Wicker and a Mississippi judge.

James Everett Dutschke is expected to be sentenced to 25 years in prison as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Police initially arrested a local Elvis impersonator in the case but later determined James Everett Dutschke had framed him.

James Everett Dutschke has pleaded guilty to sending President Barack Obama ricin-tainted letters
James Everett Dutschke has pleaded guilty to sending President Barack Obama ricin-tainted letters

The two had known each other but had developed a rivalry and enmity.

Ricin is a naturally occurring protein found in the castor oil plant that is highly toxic. It is 6,000 times more poisonous than cyanide.

The letters to Barack Obama and Roger Wicker were intercepted. The Mississippi judge received the ricin-tainted letter, but she was not harmed.

In separate cases last year, letters containing ricin were sent to former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, to President Barack Obama and to the CIA.

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Italian nun unaware of being pregnant

Nancy Clayson
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Italian nun unaware of being pregnant

The Italian nun, who gave birth to a baby boy in the city of Rieti, said she had no idea she was pregnant, local media report.

The 31-year-old nun was rushed to hospital with abdominal pains, which she thought were stomach cramps.

The young mother, who is originally from El Salvador, reportedly named her newborn Francis after the current Pope.

The mayor of Rieti, Simone Petrangeli has appealed to the public and media to respect the woman’s privacy.

The news has drawn international attention to the small city of 47,700 inhabitants.

The nun called the ambulance on Wednesday morning. A few hours later she gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

“I did not know I was pregnant. I only felt a stomach pain,” the nun was quoted as saying by the Ansa news agency.

The nun has named the baby boy after Pope Francis
The nun has named the baby boy after Pope Francis

People at the hospital have begun collecting clothes and donations for the mother and her child, Italian media say.

The woman belongs to a convent near Rieti, which manages an old people’s home.

Fellow nuns at the convent said they were “surprised” by the news.

Local pastor Don Fabrizio Borrello told journalists that the nun planned to take care of the baby.

“I guess she’s telling the truth when she says she arrived at the hospital unaware of the pregnancy.”

Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer statue damaged by lightning strike

Nancy Clayson
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Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer statue damaged by lightning strike

Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) statue has been damaged by a lightning strike.

The thumb on the right hand of the 125ft-statue was hit during a storm on Thursday night, officials said.

Officials from the Archdiocese of Rio, which manages the statue, told Brazilian media that repairs will be made to the statue soon.

Christ the Redeemer statue is visited by nearly two million people ever year.

Rio de Janeiro's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue has been damaged by a lightning strike
Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue has been damaged by a lightning strike

In 2010, the statue underwent a $4 million restoration.

Thursday’s storm had one of the highest numbers of lightning strikes recorded in Brazil since the country began monitoring storms in 1999.

The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) told O Globo that the statue is struck by lightning on average between three and five times a year.

Christ the Redeemer was inaugurated on October 12, 1931, on top of Rio’s Mt Corcovado and is considered the largest Art Deco-style sculpture in the world.

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Madonna calls son Rocco the N-word on Instagram

Lisa.Felice
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Madonna calls son Rocco the N-word on Instagram

Madonna has caused a stir after using a racial slur on her Instagram page.

The singer uploaded a snap of her son Rocco fighting in the boxing ring on Instagram on Friday alongside the caption: “No one messes with Dirty Soap! Mama said knock you out! #disn—–.”

After she was bombarded with complaints about use of the N-word from fans, Madonna deleted the image, only to re-upload it with another comment: “Ok let me start this again. #get off of my d— haters!”

Madonna uploaded a snap of her son Rocco fighting in the boxing ring on Instagram
Madonna uploaded a snap of her son Rocco fighting in the boxing ring on Instagram

Madonna later apologized in a statement, saying: “I am sorry if I offended anyone with my use of the N-word on Instagram. It was not meant as a racial slur…I am not a racist.”

The singer added: “There’s no way to defend the use of the word. It was all about intention…It was used as a term of endearment toward my son who is white. I appreciate that it’s a provocative word and I apologize if it gave people the wrong impression. Forgive me.”

Rocco is Madonna’s only child with ex-husband Guy Ritchie. She is also mum to teenage daughter Lourdes, from a previous relationship, and adopted kids Mercy and David.

Dennis Rodman checks into rehab to treat alcoholism

Clyde K. Valle
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Dennis Rodman checks into rehab to treat alcoholism

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman has checked into a rehabilitation center to treat his long-time struggle with alcoholism, his agent Darren Prince announced.

Darren Prince declined on Saturday to say which facility will treat Dennis Rodman and how long he will be there.

Dennis Rodman, 52, recently returned to the US from his latest trip to North Korea.

He later apologized for comments he made in North Korea about detained American missionary Kenneth Bae, saying he had been drinking and was under pressure as he organized an exhibition game there.

Dennis Rodman sang Happy Birthday to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the start of the exhibition game.

Dennis Rodman has checked into a rehabilitation center to treat his long-time struggle with alcoholism
Dennis Rodman has checked into a rehabilitation center to treat his long-time struggle with alcoholism

“What was potentially a historic and monumental event turned into a nightmare for everyone concerned,” Darren Prince said.

“Dennis Rodman came back from North Korea in pretty rough shape emotionally. The pressure that was put on him to be a combination <<super human>> political figure and <<fixer>> got the better of him.

“He is embarrassed, saddened and remorseful for the anger and hurt his words have caused.”

Dennis Rodman won five NBA championships with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls and was one of the NBA’s fiercest rebounders and most colorful personalities.

Egypt referendum results: 98% of voters backed new constitution

Diane A. Wade
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Egypt referendum results: 98% of voters backed new constitution

The results of a two-day referendum showed that the proposed new Egyptian constitution has been backed by 98.1% of people, officials say.

Turnout was 38.6% of the 53 million eligible voters, the election committee said.

The draft constitution replaces one introduced by Islamist President Mohamed Morsi before he was ousted.

The referendum is being seen as a vote on the legitimacy of Mohamed Morsi’s removal and of the army, which toppled him in July last year.

The vote, which took place on Tuesday and Wednesday but was boycotted by members of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist movement from which Mohamed Morsi comes and which wants to see him returned to office.

Several people died in violence involving Mohamed Morsi’s supporters on the first day of voting.

Egypt’s draft constitution replaces one introduced by Islamist President Mohamed Morsi before he was ousted
Egypt’s draft constitution replaces one introduced by Islamist President Mohamed Morsi before he was ousted

There were further clashes with the security forces on Friday in which four people died, the Health Ministry said.

Election Commission head Nabil Salib called the vote an “unrivalled success” with “unprecedented turnout”, AP news agency reported.

A constitutional referendum held in 2012 while Mohamed Morsi was in power but boycotted by secularists saw a turnout of 33%, with 64% of voters approving the document.

The new proposed constitution was drafted by a 50-member committee that included only two representatives of Islamist parties.

Critics say the document favors the army at the expense of the people, and fails to deliver on the 2011 revolution that led to the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

Under the draft:

  • The president may serve two four-year terms and can be impeached by parliament
  • Islam remains the state religion – but freedom of belief is absolute, giving some protection to minorities
  • The state guarantees “equality between men and women”
  • Parties may not be formed based on “religion, race, gender or geography”
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Valerie Trierweiler leaves Pitie Salpetriere hospital

Nancy Clayson
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Valerie Trierweiler leaves Pitie Salpetriere hospital

Valerie Trierweiler has left the Paris hospital where she was admitted a week ago after reports emerged of an affair between President Francois Hollande and actress Julie Gayet.

France’s first lady left the Pitie Salpetriere hospital for a presidential residence at La Lanterne in Versailles, the magazine Paris Match said.

Valerie Trierweiler was admitted to hospital apparently in shock after learning of Closer magazine reports.

It said that the affair had begun during the 2012 presidential race.

Valerie Trierweiler left the Pitie Salpetriere hospital for a presidential residence at La Lanterne in Versailles
Valerie Trierweiler left the Pitie Salpetriere hospital for a presidential residence at La Lanterne in Versailles

Valerie Trierweiler, 48, works for Paris Match, which said she was planning to rest at the residence.

Francois Hollande has not commented on the latest news.

However, a source at the presidential office told AFP that Valerie Trierweiler would rest at La Lanterne “for a few days”.

Valerie Trierweiler was admitted to hospital on January 10.

Francois Hollande visited her for the first time on Thursday evening.

French media have claimed that Valerie Trierweiler suffered an anxiety attack last week, but her friends have played down her condition.

President Francois Hollande would clarify whether Valerie Trierweiler was still first lady before a trip to the US on February 9.

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Who is Sunanda Pushkar? Shashi Tharoor’s wife biography.

Nancy Clayson
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Who is Sunanda Pushkar? Shashi Tharoor’s wife biography.

Sunanda Pushkar – the wife of Indian Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shahsi Tharoor who was found dead yesterday in a Delhi hotel – was an Indo-Canadian entrepreneur and businesswoman.

She was a sales manager in the Dubai-based TECOM Investments and co-owner of the India-based Rendezvous Sports World.

Sunanda Pushkar was born on January 1st, 1962, in a Kashmiri family of landlords and Indian Army officers native to Bomai. She was the only daughter of Lt. Col. Poshkar Nath Dass and Jaya Dass. Her father PN Dass retired from the army in 1983.

A born rebel, Sunanda Pushkar broke the age-old tradition of Kashmiri Pandits when she attained the first name of her father as her surname albeit with some modification.  Poshkar became Pushkar and Sunanda Dass became Sunanda Pushkar.

Sunanda Pushkar was a sales manager in the Dubai-based TECOM Investments and co-owner of the India-based Rendezvous Sports World
Sunanda Pushkar was a sales manager in the Dubai-based TECOM Investments and co-owner of the India-based Rendezvous Sports World

Sunanda Pushkar graduated from the Government College for Women in Srinagar, where she studied between 1986 and 1988.

Before marrying Shashi Tharoor, Sunanda Pushkar had been married twice. Her first marriage to fellow Kashmir Pandit and hotel management graduate Sanjay Raina of Srinagar ended in a divorce in 1988. Sanjay Raina’s website describes him as “one of India’s leading stage performers and pop” and who spearheads an entertainment management company.
Later Sunanda Pushkar married a Kerala businessman, Sujith Menon, who was dealing with firefighting equipment. Sujith Menon later went to Dubai where he organized some events of south Indian film stars which however flopped. He returned and later died in an accident in Delhi. Their son Shiv was born in November 1992.

Sunanda Pushkar married Shashi Tharoor in 2010, after he was elected to the Indian Parliament. The couple had a Malayali wedding ceremony in Shashi Tharoor’s ancestral home at Elavanchery in Kerala. This was the third marriage for both of them.

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Sunanda Pushkar seriously ill before being found dead?

Nancy Clayson
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Sunanda Pushkar seriously ill before being found dead?

Sunanda Pushkar, who was found dead in a Delhi hotel on Friday, was seriously ill, according to a former diplomat and close friend of her husband, Indian Minister Shashi Tharoor.

TP Sreenivasan, who hails from New Delhi and has been a diplomat for more than three decades, told reporters that Shashi Tharoor had informed him of his wife’s illness.

“She had undergone treatment in France recently and after check-ups it was found that she had some serious health issues and he was a worried man. I pacified him after hearing it,” said TP Sreenivasan.

Reports said Sunanda Pushkar and Shashi Tharoor had visited a leading private hospital recently and certain tests were conducted on Pushkar.

Sunanda Pushkar had visited a leading private hospital recently and certain tests were conducted on her
Sunanda Pushkar had visited a leading private hospital recently and certain tests were conducted on her

It appears that Sunanda Pushkar was identified with suspected systemic lupus erythematosus (connective tissue disorder) and this is a disease which has no definite treatment.

Sunanda Pushkar had also undergone colonoscopy.

A doctor at the same hospital said he saw the couple quarrelling playfully.

Reports also said Sunanda Pushkar had an appointment at the hospital January 20.

Sunanda Pushkar and Shashi Tharoor were married at Tharoor’s 200-year-old ancestral home in Palakkad in August 2010.

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Miss Kay Robertson voted Class Beauty in high school

Sonia Pantiss
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Miss Kay Robertson voted Class Beauty in high school

Duck Dynasty star Miss Kay Robertson was voted Class Beauty in high school.

Miss Kay Robertson was voted Class Beauty in high school
Miss Kay Robertson was voted Class Beauty in high school

Kay Robertson, nee Carraway, was a sophomore at North Caddo High School in Vivian, Louisiana, when she stole the show in 1963’s yearbook.

#SittingWithSi: Si Robertson talks to a fox in new Clayton Homes commercial

Sonia Pantiss
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#SittingWithSi: Si Robertson talks to a fox in new Clayton Homes commercial

Duck Dynasty ’s Si Robertson can talk to animals in new Clayton Homes commercial.

Leave it to Si to finally get down to the bottom of what exactly the fox says, says Clayton Homes.

Si Robertson can talk to a fox in new Clayton Homes commercial
Si Robertson can talk to a fox in new Clayton Homes commercial

According to Si Robertson, the fox says that Clayton Homes will Max Your Tax Refund!

Clayton Homes offers up to $8000 back to use as you choose if you buy a new home before March 31, 2014.

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Christine Robertson mentioned for first time on Duck Dynasty

Sonia Pantiss
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Christine Robertson mentioned for first time on Duck Dynasty

Si Robertson’s wife, Christine, was finally mentioned by name on Duck Dynasty Season 5 premiere.

Few details were known about Si Robertson’s wife, but, on the season premiere, there was a scene where Miss Kay asked Uncle Si where Christine was. He responded that she was out of town with friends.

Although Christine Robertson had chosen not to participate in the filming of the reality series about the Robertsons, fans have made every attempt to find out what they can about her and the rest of Uncle Si’s family.

Christine and Si Robertson are married for 43 years and they have two children
Christine and Si Robertson are married for 43 years and they have two children

Christine and Si Robertson are married for 43 years and they have together a son, Scott, and a daughter, Trasa Cobern, who are not featured on Duck Dynasty.

It is not known whether this casual introduction of Christine Robertson to the audience is an indicator she may be featured in Duck Dynasty’s future episodes.

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Sugar Bear responsible for Honey Boo Boo clan’s car crash

Lisa.Felice
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Sugar Bear responsible for Honey Boo Boo clan’s car crash

Last week, Honey Boo Boo’s family suffered numerous injuries following a car crash that ended with three being hospitalized with illnesses.

The car accident happened just days after their returning from a turbulent trip to Disneyland.

Following the investigation, the cops are saying that Sugar Bear (Mike Thompson) was at fault in the crash.

Sugar Bear was at fault in the Honey Boo Boo clan’s car crash
Sugar Bear was at fault in the Honey Boo Boo clan’s car crash

According to Milledgeville Police, authorities have determined that Sugar Bear was the cause of the collision, as he made an unsafe left turn in the intersection, cutting off the truck that ultimately plowed into them. At first, there was word that the other vehicle didn’t have their lights on, but now Mike Thompson has admitted that the other car was visible, making him the responsible party for making a safe turn.

However, no charges will be filed against Sugar Bear, and the matter will be handled between insurance companies. In addition, though Pumpkin was back in the hospital earlier this week with a concussion and post-traumatic stress from the accident, she’s now been released and the family is recovering well.

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Here Comes Honey Boo Boo Season 3 premieres with two episodes

Lisa.Felice
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Here Comes Honey Boo Boo Season 3 premieres with two episodes

Here Comes Honey Boo Boo returned for its third season Thursday night with two episodes featuring somewhat less flatulence and more conflict.

The reality show ended last season with June Shannon and Sugar Bear’s lavish commitment ceremony.

The first episode kicks off with a flashback to the ceremony “one month ago,” and flashes forward to present day with a trailerful of noise involving everyone being out of pads at the same time.

Honey Boo Boo’s father, Sugar Bear, won’t be moved to get some, saying that, as he lives with six females: “I know more about feminine hygiene products than any man should.”

That’s when it occurs to him that even though he loves his family more than anything, he needs to get away from them sometimes and he sets up his “manper” in the front yard – a rickety camper decked out with a deer skull, hula-girl figurine, Nerf basketball hoop and cuckoo clock. Mamma June’s not happy about it, but Sugar Bear is a happy hibernator.

Here Comes Honey Boo Boo returned for its third season
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo returned for its third season

Pumpkin tries out her wanna-be beauty school tricks on her family in the living room, transformed into Poot-Poot’s Salon. Chubbs screams when her mustache gets waxed, and Mama June looks like the Cesar Romero vintage of the Joker when her face and neck are covered in avocado mask, which Honey Boo Boo says makes her look “like Beetlejuice”. Sugar Bear luxuriates in the manper, cutting up a watermelon while explaining that it’s “a freakin’ estrogen fest in there”.

Then the family takes off for the Redneck Games, an annual fest involving lots of mud, lots of rolling around in said mud and Cornbread, the redneck of the year in 2012 (it was left unclear whether he kept his title). Baby Kaitlyn wins cutest redneck and Honey Boo Boo sulks because she doesn’t take home any prizes.

The second episode opens with Honey Boo Boo, home for the summer, shunted aside by her sisters, who have boyfriends, or, in Pumpkin’s case: “I don’t need a boyfriend. I have way more important things to do. He’d just slow me down anyway.”

After Honey Boo Boo said she doesn’t want to turn out like Pumpkin, but not before a prolonged staring contest with the camera, June Shannon enrolls her in cheerleading camp for the summer.

Anna and Jessica belch with their boyfriends, and Mama June knows it’s time for the talk.

“Boys try to get in girls’ Froot Loops,” she tells them, before the discussion devolves into talk of biscuits, motorboats.

And Sugar Bear gives the boys the talk, covering all the bases. It’s important because “you guys are getting close to my girls like two roaches on a bacon bit,” and “these girls can be nuttier than a port-a-potty at a peanut festival.” Sugar Bear ends it up by urging them to “treat ‘em with respect – don’t make ‘em cry,” which is advice we could all use once in a while, especially the good folks at TLC.

The episode ends with Alana Thompson at her cheerleading performance, where she says she wants to make her family proud.

Kris Jenner’s show will not air in 2014

Lisa.Felice
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Kris Jenner’s show will not air in 2014

Kris Jenner’s talk show, Kris, will not air in 2014, after Fox took a pass on it for the year.

However, Fox is open to bringing the show back, or perhaps working on another project with Kris Jenner, in 2015.

Kris Jenner’s entry into the talk-show arena received a six-week trial run on select Fox-owned stations in summer 2013
Kris Jenner’s entry into the talk-show arena received a six-week trial run on select Fox-owned stations in summer 2013

The Kardashians matriarch’s entry into the talk-show arena received a six-week trial run on select Fox-owned stations in summer 2013.

The trial run for the show, which was produced by Twentieth Television, culminated with an interview with Kris Jenner’s son-in-law-to-be, Kanye West.

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Kabul bomb attack kills UN and IMF officials at Taverna du Liban

Roy Siemens
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Kabul bomb attack kills UN and IMF officials at Taverna du Liban

Four UN employees and a senior IMF official were among 21 people killed in a suicide bomb and gun attack on Taverna du Liban restaurant in Kabul, officials say.

Wabel Abdallah, the head of the IMF’s Afghanistan office, and the UN civilian staff died in what UN chief Ban Ki-moon said was a “horrific attack”.

Canadians, Lebanese, Britons and Americans were among the 13 foreign victims; the other eight were Afghans.

The Taliban said they carried out the attack late on Friday.

Five women were among the dead at the city’s popular Taverna du Liban, and at least five were injured, police say.

The restaurant in Kabul’s Wazir Akbar Khan area is popular with foreign nationals, diplomats and aid workers, and was busy with diners at the time of the attack.

A suicide attacker detonated his explosives outside the gate of the heavily fortified restaurant, Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Ayoub Salangi said.

Mohammad Ayoub Salangi said two gunmen then entered the restaurant and started “indiscriminately killing” people inside.

Four UN employees and a senior IMF official were among 21 people killed in a suicide bomb and gun attack on Taverna du Liban restaurant in Kabul
Four UN employees and a senior IMF official were among 21 people killed in a suicide bomb and gun attack on Taverna du Liban restaurant in Kabul

IMF chief Christine Lagarde later confirmed that Wabel Abdallah, 60, a Lebanese national, was among those who died.

“This is tragic news, and we at the fund are all devastated,” Christine Lagarde said in a statement.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned “in the strongest terms the horrific attack”, his spokesman said.

“Such targeted attacks against civilians are completely unacceptable and are in flagrant breach of international humanitarian law. They must stop immediately,” Ban ki-moon was quoted as saying.

At least two US citizens died in the attack, the US embassy in Kabul said.

Kamal Hamade, the well-known Lebanese owner of the restaurant, and five women were among the dead. A number of people were injured.

“I was sitting with my friends in the kitchen when an explosion happened and smoke filled the kitchen,” Abdul Majid, a chef at the restaurant, told AFP news agency.

“A man came inside shouting and he started shooting. One of my colleagues was shot and fell down. I ran to the roof and threw myself to the neighboring property.”

The attackers were eventually shot dead by the security forces when they arrived at the scene.

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California declares drought emergency

Nancy Clayson
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California declares drought emergency

California’s Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state-wide drought, urging residents to conserve water in what could be the state’s driest year on record.

The declaration also means farmers will receive aid and more firefighters will be employed.

Jerry Brown faced pressure to declare the drought as the state’s largest reservoirs are at record low levels.

The dry conditions have been blamed for a wildfire that destroyed five homes north-east of Los Angeles on Thursday.

California’s Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state-wide drought, urging residents to conserve water in what could be the state's driest year on record
California’s Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state-wide drought, urging residents to conserve water in what could be the state’s driest year on record

In a press conference on Friday, Jerry Brown called on residents to cut back “at least 20%” on their water usage but said the move was voluntary.

“We can’t make it rain, but we can be much better prepared for the terrible consequences that California’s drought now threatens,” Jerry Brown said in a statement.

He added the declaration was a way to focus Californians on how serious the drought conditions were.

“We are in an unprecedented, very serious situation that people should pause and reflect on how dependent we are on the rain, nature and one other,” he said on CNN.

Previous extremely dry years led to catastrophic wildfire seasons in California in 2003 and 2007.

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Cui Jian pulls out of China’s Spring Festival Gala over censorship

Sonia Pantiss
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Cui Jian pulls out of China’s Spring Festival Gala over censorship

China protest singer Cui Jian, one of whose songs became an anthem of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, has pulled out of a major show on state TV.

Cui Jian had been due to play at China’s Spring Festival Gala, which draws a TV audience of hundreds of millions.

His manager You You said that Cui Jian withdrew after organizers tried to censor his performance.

In 1989, Cui Jian had performed to protesting students in Tiananmen Square, who took up his song Nothing to My Name.

Cui Jian had wanted to sing the song during the gala, but the organizers said he would have to choose another, You You told AP.

“It is not only our regret, but also the gala’s,” she said.

One of Cui Jian’s songs became an anthem of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests
One of Cui Jian’s songs became an anthem of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests

The Chinese New Year TV gala show is one of the most watched programs anywhere on the planet and is best known for its patriotic songs, comedy sketches, and dance routines.

With the 25th anniversary of Tiananmen Square just a few months away, Cui Jian had appeared to be a risky, political choice for such a primetime performance, correspondents say.

During the protests, he performed in the square to thousands of students. But on 4 June 1989, China’s Communist party ordered the military to end the demonstrations – hundreds, if not, thousands were killed.

Following the protests, Cui Jian was barred from playing large venues. But in recent years the musician – who has sold millions of records – has once again been playing in front of big crowds.

He is still a household name in China.

Cui Jian’s manager says that he has been asked to perform on national TV before. But she adds these events sometimes fall through because Cui Jian refuses to lip sync.

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Sunanda Pushkar autopsy: Shashi Tharoor’s wife died a sudden and unnatural death

Nancy Clayson
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Sunanda Pushkar autopsy: Shashi Tharoor’s wife died a sudden and unnatural death

Shashi Tharoor’s wife, Sunanda Pushkar, who was found dead in a Delhi hotel room on Friday, died a “sudden and unnatural death”, an autopsy has found.

Shashi Tharoor, who was earlier admitted to hospital with chest pains, took his wife’s body away for cremation.

Sunanda Pushkar and Shashi Tharoor caused a media stir on Twitter on Wednesday with a series of messages appearing to reveal he was having an affair with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar.

Sunanda Pushkar and Shashi Tharoor caused a media stir on Twitter on Wednesday with a series of messages appearing to reveal he was having an affair
Sunanda Pushkar and Shashi Tharoor caused a media stir on Twitter on Wednesday with a series of messages appearing to reveal he was having an affair

They later insisted they were happily married, blaming “unauthorized tweets”.

The full results of the post-mortem examination are due to be released in the next two days.

Shashi Tharoor’s aide, Abhinav Kumar, had earlier told reporters that Sunanda Pushkar had appeared to be asleep.

“There were no signs of any foul play or any struggle. She had no sign of poisoning or anything,” he said.

Shashi Tharoor, a former UN diplomat, was forced to resign from his first ministerial position in 2010 amid controversy over his involvement in bidding for a cricket team.

Sunanda Pushkar had allegedly received a free stake in the Indian Premier League franchise he was bidding for.

Shashi Tharoor was appointed minister of state for human resource development in 2012.

Mumbai stampede: At least 18 people die at Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin’s funeral

Diane A. Wade
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Mumbai stampede: At least 18 people die at Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin’s funeral

At least 18 die and 50 are injured in a stampede at an Ismaili Shias leader’s funeral in Mumbai.

Local officials say the incident happened when thousands of mourners gathered at the home of Muslim spiritual leader Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin who died on Friday.

Reports suggest people were crushed after the gates of the house where the body of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin were kept were closed.

Thousands of mourners gathered at the home of Muslim spiritual leader Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin who died on Friday
Thousands of mourners gathered at the home of Muslim spiritual leader Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin who died on Friday

The leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community died aged 102.

The deceased leader’s funeral is expected later on Saturday.

Hundreds of people across India have died in similar tragedies in recent years.

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Pope Benedict XVI defrocked 400 priests in two years over child abuse claims

Diane A. Wade
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Pope Benedict XVI defrocked 400 priests in two years over child abuse claims

Former Pope Benedict XVI defrocked nearly 400 priests in only two years over claims of child abuse, the Vatican has confirmed.

The statistics for 2011 and 2012 show a dramatic increase compared with previous years, according to a document obtained by the AP.

The file was part of Vatican data collected for a UN hearing on Thursday.

It was the first time the Holy See was publicly confronted over the abuse of children by clergy.

Church officials at the hearing in Geneva faced a barrage of hard questions covering why they were withholding data and what they were doing to prevent future abuse.

Victims’ advocates complained there was still too little transparency.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi initially said the AP report had been based on a mistaken reading of data.

But he later retracted his statement.

Former Pope Benedict XVI defrocked nearly 400 priests in only two years over claims of child abuse
Former Pope Benedict XVI defrocked nearly 400 priests in only two years over claims of child abuse

The latest statistics reveal the number of priests defrocked in 2011 and 2012 was more than double the 171 priests removed in 2008 and 2009, when the Vatican first provided figures.

The Vatican also sent another 400 cases to either be tried by a Church tribunal or to be dealt with administratively, AP reports.

Pope Benedict XVI, who was elected in 2005, took the helm as the scandal of child abuse by priests was breaking.

The flood of allegations, lawsuits and official reports into clerical abuse reached a peak in 2009 and 2010, which observers say may explain the spike shown in the document.

The Holy See is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, a legally binding instrument which commits it to protecting and nurturing the most vulnerable in society.

It ratified the convention in 1990 but after an implementation report in 1994 it did not submit any progress reports until 2012, following revelations of child abuse in Europe and beyond.

Last month, the Vatican refused a request from the UN’s Committee on the Rights of the Child for data on abuse, on the grounds that it only released such information if requested to do so by another country as part of legal proceedings.

In a homily on Thursday, Pope Francis called abuse scandals “the shame of the Church”.

Pope Francis announced in December that a Vatican committee would be set up to fight abuse of children in the Church.

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Shashi Tharoor hospitalized after his wife’s death

Nancy Clayson
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Shashi Tharoor hospitalized after his wife’s death

Shashi Tharoor – the Indian minister of state for human resource development whose wife Sunnada Pushkar was found dead on Friday – has been taken to hospital with chest pain.

Shashi Tharoor, 57, had been admitted in the morning and was now stable, a Delhi hospital spokesman said.

The ministere is being treated at the same hospital where his wife Sunanda Pushkar’s post-mortem examination is to be carried out in a few hours.

Sunanda Pushkar was found dead in a Delhi hotel, following reports that Shashi Tharoor was having an affair.

Police have already questioned a number of hotel staff as they continue their investigation.

The couple became embroiled in controversy over a series of Twitter messages on Wednesday that appeared to reveal Shashi Tharoor was having an affair with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tahrar.

Shashi Tharoor is being treated at the same hospital where his wife Sunanda Pushkar's post-mortem examination is to be carried out in a few hours
Shashi Tharoor is being treated at the same hospital where his wife Sunanda Pushkar’s post-mortem examination is to be carried out in a few hours

They later insisted they were happily married, blaming “unauthorized tweets”.

Shashi Tharoor married Sunanda Pushkar, a former Dubai-based businesswoman, in 2010.

On Wednesday, messages began to appear on Shashi Tharoor’s Twitter account suggesting he was having an affair with journalist Mehr Tahrar.

Sunanda Pushkar admitted publishing the tweets, but later denied it.

She was found dead in the five-star hotel in Delhi, according to police sources.

Reports said that her husband had informed the police of her death. It was unclear how she died.

Mehr Tahrar, who denied having an affair with the minister, tweeted after she heard of Sunanda Pushkar’s death: “I’m absolutely shocked.

“This is too awful for words. So tragic I don’t know what to say. Rest in peace, Sunanda.”

Shashi Tharoor, a former UN diplomat, was forced to resign from his first ministerial position in 2010 amid controversy over his involvement in bidding for a cricket team.

Sunanda Pushkar had allegedly received a free stake in the Indian Premier League franchise he was bidding for.

Shashi Tharoor was appointed minister of state for human resource development in 2012.

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Francois Hollande’s partners

Nancy Clayson
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Francois Hollande’s partners

Closer magazine first published details of President Francois Hollande’s affair with actress Julie Gayet last Friday.

Francois Hollande’s partners:

  • 1988: Francois Hollande meets journalist Valerie Trierweiler. He was a Socialist Party MP with a steady partner, Segolene Royal
  • Family years: Valerie Trierweiler raises three children with second husband, while Francois Hollande raises four with his unmarried partner, Segolene Royal

    Francois Hollande's partners, Segolene Royal, Valerie Trierweiler and Julie Gayet
    Francois Hollande’s partners, Segolene Royal, Valerie Trierweiler and Julie Gayet
  • November 2007: Valerie Trierweiler announces she is Francois Hollande’s new partner, six months after he leaves Segolen Royal, who has just been defeated as the Socialist presidential candidate
  • Early 2012: Francois Hollande allegedly begins affair with actress Julie Gayet, who has two children from her first marriage to Santiago Amigorena
  • May 2012: Valerie Trierweiler, still officially Francois Hollande’s unmarried partner, becomes first lady of France after his victory in the presidential election
  • June 2013: Valerie Trierweiler wins damages of 10,000 euros ($13,675) from authors of The Troublemaker, a book that made allegations about her private life before Francois Hollande’s election
  • January 2014: Valerie Trierweiler is admitted to hospital after Closer publishes a report on Francois Hollande’s alleged affair with Julie Gayet, accompanied by photos.[youtube IM2ZslAue_Q 650]

Critics’ Choice Movie Awards 2014: Winners Full List

Sonia Pantiss
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Critics’ Choice Movie Awards 2014: Winners Full List

Critics’ Choice Movie Awards 2014. The complete list of winners:

Picture – 12 Years a Slave

Actor – Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

Actress – Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

Supporting actor – Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

Supporting actress – Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave

Young actor/actress – Adele Exarchopoulos, Blue Is The Warmest Colour

Acting Ensemble – American Hustle

Director – Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity

Original screenplay – Spike Jonze, Her

Leonardo DiCaprio followed up his Golden Globe win another best actor in a comedy prize for The Wolf of Wall Street
Leonardo DiCaprio followed up his Golden Globe win another best actor in a comedy prize for The Wolf of Wall Street

Adapted screenplay – John Ridley, 12 Years a Slave

Cinematography – Emmanuel Lubezki, Gravity

Art direction – Catherine Martin (production designer), Beverley Dunn (set decorator), The Great Gatsby

Editing – Alfonso Cuaron and Mark Sanger, Gravity

Costume design – Catherine Martin, The Great Gatsby

Hair and make-up – American Hustle

Visual effects – Gravity

Animated feature – Frozen

Action movie – Lone Survivor

Actor in an action movie – Mark Wahlberg, Lone Survivor

Actress in an action movie – Sandra Bullock, Gravity

Comedy – American Hustle

Actor in a comedy – Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street

Actress in a comedy – Amy Adams, American Hustle

Sci-fi/horror movie – Gravity

Foreign language film – Blue Is the Warmest Color

Documentary feature – 20 Feet From Stardom

Song – Let It Go, Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Frozen

Score – Steven Price, Gravity

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Critics’ Choice Movie Awards 2014: Gravity wins record seven prizes

Sonia Pantiss
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Critics’ Choice Movie Awards 2014: Gravity wins record seven prizes

Gravity won a record seven prizes at the 19th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The awards are a likely indicator of Oscar success and have predicted many of the winners in recent years.

Gravity was named best sci-fi film, while Alfonso Cuaron won best director and Sandra Bullock took best actress in an action movie.

However, 12 Years a Slave collected the coveted best picture prize.

Determined by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the best picture winner has gone on to win the best picture Oscar in six of the past seven years.

The ceremony saw Matthew McConaughey and Cate Blanchett win the top acting awards for their performances in Dallas Buyers Club and Blue Jasmine.

Matthew McConaughey and Cate Blanchett also both won Golden Globes for their roles at the weekend.

Jared Leto dedicated his award to all the people around the world who are living with HIV
Jared Leto dedicated his award to all the people around the world who are living with HIV

The actor thanked the late Ron Woodroof, whom he portrayed on screen, saying he had “a life that was damned well worth putting to the big screen”.

12 Years a Slave star Lupita Nyong’o was named best supporting actress, while Matthew McConaughey’s co-star Jared Leto picked up best supporting actor.

Jared Leto dedicated his award to “all the people around the world who are living with HIV [and] all the people who have lost their lives to this horrific disease”.

American Hustle – which received 10 Oscar nominations – collected four awards in total, including best comedy film, acting ensemble, hair and make-up and best actress in a comedy for Amy Adams.

Leonardo DiCaprio followed up his Golden Globe win another best actor in a comedy prize for The Wolf of Wall Street.

Mark Wahlberg picked up best actor in an action film for war film Lone Survivor, which also collected best action film.

French film Blue is the Warmest Colour, which was snubbed by the Oscars, won the best foreign language film award, with its star Adele Exarchopoulos named best young actress.

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