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South Sudan: 400-500 people killed in clashes following coup claim

Roy Siemens
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South Sudan: 400-500 people killed in clashes following coup claim

Up to 500 people are believed to have died in clashes between rival South Sudan army factions, the UN says, quoting unconfirmed reports.

UN diplomats said they had been told by sources in the capital, Juba, that the death toll was between 400 and 500.

South Sudan has seen two days of clashes following a reported coup attempt against President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Fugitive opposition leader Riek Machar has denied government accusations that he tried to seize power.

“What took place in Juba was a misunderstanding between presidential guards within their division, it was not a coup attempt,” he told the Sudan Tribune, a Paris-based news website, in an interview published on Wednesday.

Riek Machar, a former South-Sudanese vice-president who fell out with President Salva Kiir in July, said he had no knowledge of or connection with any coup attempt.

President Salva Kiir has said a group of soldiers supporting Riek Machar had tried to take power by force on Sunday night, but were defeated.

Amid continuing clashes on Monday and Tuesday, the government said 10 senior political figures, including a former finance minister, had been arrested.

Details of the fighting have been sketchy, but a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on Tuesday was told that the clashes were “apparently largely along ethnic lines”.

Up to 500 people are believed to have died in clashes between rival South Sudan army factions
Up to 500 people are believed to have died in clashes between rival South Sudan army factions

French UN ambassador Gerard Araud, who holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council, said up to 20,000 people had taken refuge in the UN mission in Juba.

He said the council had received only “patchy information” in a briefing given by UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous.

The governor of Unity State, Simon Kun Pouch, was quoted on the government website as saying that the conflict had nothing to do with tribes.

“There are people out there saying what has happened is between the Dinka and the Nuer tribesmen. We the leaders of this country would want to state here that this is not true,” he said.

“If you see the people going with Dr. Riek [Machar], some are Dinkas, some are Chol, Nuer and other tribes,” he added.

The US has ordered all its non-emergency embassy staff to leave the country immediately.

President Salva Kiir said the clashes began when uniformed personnel opened fire at a meeting of the governing party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

Fighting then continued into Monday when the government said it was back in full control.

However, fresh gunfire erupted on Tuesday near the presidential palace and many other areas of Juba.

Government officials say they are hunting for Riek Machar, who is believed to be in hiding.

Riek Machar – who leads a dissident faction within the SPLM – was thought to have escaped with some troops.

On Tuesday, the government said former Finance Minister Kosti Manibe, former Justice Minister John Luk Jok and former Interior Minister Gier Chuang Aluong were among the 10 people arrested.

Many were members of the cabinet that was sacked in its entirety in July.

South Sudan has struggled to achieve a stable government since becoming independent from Sudan in 2011.

The independence referendum was intended to end a decade-long conflict, led by the SPLM, against the north.

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China confirms near-collision with US warship in South China Sea

Roy Siemens
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China confirms near-collision with US warship in South China Sea

China has confirmed that one of its warships “encountered” a US vessel.

The US reported a near-collision in the South China Sea earlier this month.

The US said its guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens was forced to take evasive action as the two ships neared each other on December 5.

It has been described as the most serious Sino-US confrontation in the South China Sea since 2009.

China has confirmed that one of its warships "encountered" a US vessel
China has confirmed that one of its warships “encountered” a US vessel

However, China said the incident was handled with “strict protocol”.

The US has said its ship was operating in international waters.

However, China claims parts of the South China Sea, and a state-run newspaper quoted an expert as saying that the US boat had been “harassing” China’s aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, as it carried out drills.

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Emma Heming pregnant with second child

Lisa.Felice
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Emma Heming pregnant with second child

Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming, is pregnant with their second child, according to Us Weekly.

Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming, is pregnant with their second child
Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming, is pregnant with their second child

Emma Heming debuted her eye-catching baby bump when she went to a local farmer’s market in Los Angeles with Bruce Willis and their 20-month-old daughter Mabel.

Bruce Willis, 58, and Emma Heming, 35, wed in 2009.

Mega Millions jackpot: Winning tickets sold in Georgia and California

Nancy Clayson
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Mega Millions jackpot: Winning tickets sold in Georgia and California

Mega Millions $636 million jackpot – the second-biggest lottery payout in US history – will be split among at least two winners after tickets in California and Georgia matched all six winning numbers Tuesday night, officials said.

The California ticket – with winning numbers 8, 14, 17, 20 and 39, with the Mega Ball 7 – was bought at a store called Jenny’s Gift Shop in San Jose, state lottery spokesman Alex Traverso said.

Mega Millions $636 million jackpot will be split among at least two winners after tickets in California and Georgia matched all six winning numbers
Mega Millions $636 million jackpot will be split among at least two winners after tickets in California and Georgia matched all six winning numbers

The Georgia ticket was purchased at Gateway Newsstand in Atlanta, Georgia Lottery spokeswoman Tandi Reddick told NBC News.

Had there been no winners Tuesday, the jackpot would have rolled over, likely approaching or even topping the once-unthinkable $1 billion barrier for Friday’s drawing, Mega Millions officials said.

Kim Basinger looks amazing at Grudge Match premiere in NYC

Lisa.Felice
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Kim Basinger looks amazing at Grudge Match premiere in NYC

Kim Basinger looked beautiful at the world premiere of Grudge Match at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City on Monday, December 16.

Kim Basinger looked beautiful at the world premiere of Grudge Match at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City
Kim Basinger looked beautiful at the world premiere of Grudge Match at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City

Going the menswear route at the film premiere, Kim Basinger, 60, dressed for the occasion in a tailored, navy, three-piece, pinstripe suit by Ralph Lauren Collection, complete with a tie and watch chain.

Kim Basinger, who costars in Grudge Match with Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro, swept her long locks back in a tight low ponytail, parted down the center.

Ukraine: Pro-EU protesters decry Russia gas deal

Diane A. Wade
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Ukraine: Pro-EU protesters decry Russia gas deal

Ukrainian opposition leaders have demanded to know what President Viktor Yanukovych has offered Russia in return for a major economic lifeline.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to buy billions of dollars worth of Ukrainian government bonds and slash the price Ukraine pays for Russian gas.

The announcement comes as Russia tries to stop Ukraine moving towards the EU.

Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko told pro-EU protesters in Kiev Viktor Yanukovych was betraying Ukraine’s independence.

“He has given up Ukraine’s national interests, given up independence,” Vitali Klitschko, a former boxing champion, told the crowd on Tuesday.

“[President] Yanukovych used our country as collateral. According to our sources, he has agreed to a bailout from Russia and put Ukrainian plants, strategic industries, heavy industries, aviation and energy manufacturers up as collateral against it. We want to know what exactly he did put up as collateral, and his reasons for doing it.”

He called on President Viktor Yanukovych to hold a snap election.

“Yanukovych said at our round-table talks that he is not afraid of an early election. If that’s the case, let him prove it in an honest fight,” he said.

Ukrainian opposition leaders have demanded to know what President Viktor Yanukovych has offered Russia in return for a major economic lifeline
Ukrainian opposition leaders have demanded to know what President Viktor Yanukovych has offered Russia in return for a major economic lifeline

Although details of the agreement are unclear, Oleh Tyahnybok, leader of an opposition far-right group, said Viktor Yanukovych had “pawned whole sectors” of the country’s economy to Russia.

Ukraine urgently needs to cover an external funding gap of up to $17 billion (12.3 billion euros) next year to avoid defaulting on its debts.

After talks between Vladimir Putin and Viktor Yanukovych in the Kremlin, it was announced Russia would buy $15 billion-worth of Ukrainian government bonds.

The cost of Russian gas supplied to Ukraine has been slashed from more than $400 (291 euros) per 1,000 cubic metres to $268.5.

Vladimir Putin said the assistance was not “tied to any conditions”.

He also said they had not discussed Ukraine joining a Moscow-led customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan.

The US has warned the Ukrainian government that the deal with Russia would not satisfy the protesters.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said ties with Russia should not prevent Kiev from looking West.

“At the moment it seems to be an either-or proposition. We need to put an end to this,” Angela Merkel told ARD TV.

“A bidding competition won’t solve the problem.”

The current agreement signed between Russia’s Gazprom and Ukraine’s Naftogaz amends a controversial 2009 deal signed by former Ukrainian PM Yulia Tymoshenko, for which she was jailed two years ago.

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Mega Millions jackpot rockets to $636 million

Nancy Clayson
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Mega Millions jackpot rockets to $636 million

Mega Millions jackpot rocketed to $636 million – the second-largest in US history.

Long queues were reported in stores selling tickets, which are available in 43 states.

The current American jackpot record is $656 million – that was split between three winners in 2012.

If no winner is picked in Tuesday evening’s Mega Millions draw, the total could hit $1 billion by Friday.

Mega Millions jackpot rocketed to $636 million, the second-largest in US history
Mega Millions jackpot rocketed to $636 million, the second-largest in US history

The jackpot was previously estimated at $586 million, but on Tuesday lottery officials increased their prediction due to strong ticket sales.

Undeterred by odds of one in 259 million, large queues of would-be winners formed at petrol stations and convenience stores.

If received in a lump cash sum as opposed to an annuity, the total would be $341 million, a lottery official reported.

Not every winner need necessarily face the standard news conference with the bottle of bubbly and chunky cardboard cheque.

Six US states allow lottery winners to remain anonymous: South Carolina, Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota and Ohio.

In several other states, it is reportedly possible for winners to keep their names secret by claiming their jackpot through a trust or a limited liability company.

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Phil Robertson snubs Barbara Walters’ Most Fascinating People of the Year special

Sonia Pantiss
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Phil Robertson snubs Barbara Walters’ Most Fascinating People of the Year special

Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson reportedly snubbed Barbara Walters in a recent interview, opting to go duck hunting instead.

Phil Robertson, 67, was supposed to accompany the rest of his family for a taped interview of Barbara Walters’ Most Fascinating People of the Year special.

The Robertsons made Barbara Walters’ annual list along with actress Jennifer Lawrence, singer Miley Cyrus, and reality star Kim Kardashian, among others.

In a sneak preview of the transcript from the interview, set to air Wednesday, Barbara Walters asks Phil Robertson’s wife, Miss Kay, if her husband would rather go hunting than sit down for the ABC network interview.

Phil Robertson snubbed Barbara Walters interview opting to go duck hunting instead
Phil Robertson snubbed Barbara Walters interview opting to go duck hunting instead

“He would rather shoot ducks than talk to us, yes?”

Miss Kay Robertson responded jokingly: “Oh yes. Between, uh, November and January, I told him I didn’t ever plan to die then, because, he may not be at my funeral.”

“Tell him I have never been superseded by a duck before,” Barbara Walters quipped.

The Robertson clan went on to tell Barbara Walters that this isn’t the first time Phil has skipped out on a big family event to go duck hunting.

Jessica Robertson, Jep’s wife, told Barbara Walters that Phil missed the birth of his son, Jase, because he was busy sitting in a duck blind.

“Well, he missed the birth of Jase because he was in the duck blind, and he wouldn’t leave,” Jessica Robertson explained.

Edward Snowden offers to help Brazil over US spying in return for asylum

Nancy Clayson
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Edward Snowden offers to help Brazil over US spying in return for asylum

Edward Snowden offered to collaborate with Brazil’s investigation into the mass surveillance programs Tuesday, writing an open letter that hinted at his asylum request to the country.

In a letter published in the Folha De S. Paulo newspaper, Edward Snowden praised the “inspiring” reaction around the world – and in Brazil – after he unveiled the NSA’s far-reaching spying program, which included the monitoring of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s personal cellphone.

“I have expressed my willingness to assist wherever appropriate and lawful, but unfortunately the United States government has worked very hard to limit my ability to do so,” Edward Snowden wrote in An Open Letter to the Brazilian People.

“Until a country grants permanent political asylum, the U.S. government will continue to interfere with my ability to speak,” he added.

Edward Snowden offered to collaborate with Brazil's investigation into the mass surveillance programs
Edward Snowden offered to collaborate with Brazil’s investigation into the mass surveillance programs

Brazilian lawmakers have been trying to interview Snowden as part of their investigation but he seemed to suggest in his letter that he would only do so if he were welcomed into the country.

Edward Snowden previously requested asylum in Brazil but he has not received any response. He is currently living under temporary asylum in Russia, after spending weeks in limbo at Moscow’s international airport.

Documents Edward Snowden leaked exposed Brazil as the top NSA target in Latin America, with surveillance that included hacking into the network of state-run oil company Petrobras and monitoring Dilma Rousseff’s and ordinary Brazilians’ phones.

The revelations soured relations between Brazil and the US with President Dilma Rousseff canceling a state visit to Washington.

“Only three weeks ago, Brazil led the United Nations Human Rights Committee to recognize for the first time in history that privacy does not stop where the digital network starts, and that the mass surveillance of innocents is a violation of human rights,” Edward Snowden wrote, adding that “American officials should never decide the freedoms of Brazilian citizens.”

Edward Snowden’s open letter was also published on the Facebook page of David Miranda, partner of journalist Glenn Greenwald, who first published Snowden’s leaks in June. David Miranda has started a petition calling for Brazil to offer Edward Snowden asylum.

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Girl With The Dragon Tattoo fourth novel to be written by David Lagercrantz

Sonia Pantiss
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Girl With The Dragon Tattoo fourth novel to be written by David Lagercrantz

Writer David Lagercrantz has been hired to pen the fourth installment of the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series by author Stieg Larsson, its Swedish publishers have said.

David Lagercrantz will write a new story about the characters of Lisbeth Slander and Mikael Blomqvist, which is due for publication in August 2015.

Stieg Larsson died in 2004 aged 50 and had started work on a fourth novel.

The original trilogy sold more than 75 million copies worldwide and has been turned into both Swedish and Hollywood movies.

Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara played the lead roles in the US film version of the story, which was directed by David Fincher.

David Lagercrantz has been hired to pen the fourth installment of the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series by author Stieg Larsson
David Lagercrantz has been hired to pen the fourth installment of the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series by author Stieg Larsson

Eva Gedin from publishing house Norstedts said: “We have now decided to let somebody take over and tell what happened next.”

David Lagercrantz, who co-authored a book about Swedish footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic, said he has “already started writing it”, adding: “It’s terribly fun. It’s a fantastic world to step into.”

The new book will follow on from the tale of murder, corruption and family secrets told in the original trilogy and feature its central players.

Some plot lines from the existing novels will be picked up, while David Lagercrantz is likely to add his own touches to the book.

Stieg Larsson’s partner Eva Gabrielsson has said that the publisher did not have access to Larsson’s partially-completed manuscript for a fourth novel, so would be starting afresh.

She told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet that she thinks it’s “distasteful to try to make more money” from the books.

Eva Gabrielsson has been engaged in a legal dispute with his family over his legacy.

Beatles ’63 rarities released on iTunes

Sonia Pantiss
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Beatles ’63 rarities released on iTunes

Beatles rarities from 1963 have been released on iTunes.

Fifty-nine tracks – unreleased outtakes, demos – have been released on iTunes to stop them falling out of copyright and into the public domain.

EU copyright law covers recordings for 70 years if they have had an official release or 50 years if they have not.

The 2-disc set was apparently released, then removed, early on Tuesday, causing speculation it was only being published briefly to extend the copyright period.

Fans posted screenshots of the collection on the New Zealand iTunes store, along with links which later became invalid.

Online reports suggested the same thing had happened in Australia, Russia and Saudi Arabia – although the EU’s copyright laws would not apply in any of these territories.

Beatles rarities from 1963 have been released on iTunes
Beatles rarities from 1963 have been released on iTunes

Gathering together live material and recording session offcuts, the compilation includes four alternate takes of She Loves You, two of From Me To You and several live versions of Roll Over Beethoven.

It also features three attempts at There’s A Place, as well as demos of two songs the group gave to other artists – Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s acoustic version of Bad to Me and Lennon’s piano demo of I’m in Love.

The tracks had been widely bootlegged, but never officially released until now.

After a recent change in the law, the master tape for The Beatles’ 1963 debut album Please Please Me is protected by copyright until 2033, but the unreleased session tapes for that album are not.

If the Beatles chose not to release the recordings before the end of the year, other record labels could theoretically put them out and profit from them next year.

The band’s 1962 debut single Love Me Do arguably slipped out of copyright last year before the EU’s copyright extension was signed into law.

At least one record company issued a “remastered” version of the song, although that has since been deleted.

The copyright law in question only covers the recordings – the composition of the songs remains the copyright of the songwriter for 70 years after his or her death.

Officially called The 50th Anniversary Collection, it carried a subtitle which explained its true purpose: The Copyright Extension Collection, Vol. 1.

Kelly LeBrock faces DUI allegations following arrest

Lisa.Felice
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Kelly LeBrock faces DUI allegations following arrest

Steven Seagal’s ex-wife, Kelly LeBrock, is facing allegations of DUI following an arrest in November.

Kelly LeBrock, 53, was pulled over by a California Highway Patrol officer on November 30 near Santa Barbara after she was reportedly spotted driving erratically, speeding and failing to brake at a stop sign.

Kelly LeBrock was reportedly spotted driving erratically, speeding and failing to brake at a stop sign
Kelly LeBrock was reportedly spotted driving erratically, speeding and failing to brake at a stop sign

Kelly LeBrock was taken into custody and booked after struggling to complete a field sobriety test, according to TMZ.com.

Russia cuts gas price for Ukraine

Clyde K. Valle
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Russia cuts gas price for Ukraine

Russia has decided to cut the price of the gas supplied to Ukraine from more than $400 (291 euros) per 1,000 cubic metres to $268.5.

Russia also agreed at talks in the Kremlin to buy $15 billion worth of Ukrainian government bonds.

President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovych did not talk about Ukraine joining a Russian-led customs union.

Protests continued in Kiev over the deepening ties with Russia.

Victor Yanukovych’s U-turn on an EU association agreement deal last month sparked mass demonstrations.

He admitted his decision had been influenced by heavy pressure from Russia.

The current protests, the largest since Ukraine’s 2004 Orange Revolution, are pushing for the resignation of Viktor Yanukovych and his government, and snap elections.

The gas agreement signed between Russia’s Gazprom and Ukraine’s Naftogaz amends a controversial 2009 deal signed by former Ukrainian PM Yulia Tymoshenko, for which she was jailed two years ago.

Ukraine relies on imports of Russian gas – and heavy energy-intensive industries in eastern Ukraine are especially anxious to keep the price of gas down. Some 75% of Ukraine’s engineering exports go to Russia.

The cost of Russian gas supplied to Ukraine has been slashed by 33 percent
The cost of Russian gas supplied to Ukraine has been slashed by 33 percent

“Russia and Ukraine are… united both by many centuries of our friendship and by having lived a long time together in the same country,” Vladimir Putin said.

Trade between the two countries, he said, had dropped over the past two years, by 11% in 2012 and 14.5% this year.

“It is of course time to take vigorous action not only to return to the level of previous years, but also create conditions for moving forward,” he added.

Viktor Yanukovych said Ukraine would work with Russia and other ex-Soviet states to implement the free trade deal they signed two years ago.

“In the near future, we will not only have to co-ordinate this work between our countries, between Russia and Ukraine, but with other CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States] countries as well, so that our free trade area could finally start operating at its full capacity,” he said.

With talks on resuming credit from the International Monetary Fund stalled, Ukraine requires urgent financial assistance in the coming months to keep the economy afloat.

Kiev also needs to find about $17 billion next year to pay its outstanding gas bill to Russia.

Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers on Monday used a high-level meeting to reassure Russia that the association agreement with Ukraine would not undermine Moscow’s interests.

Supporters say closer ties with the EU could make the economy more open, transparent and prosperous, with greater competition and protection for investors.

But the EU partnership requires far-reaching and expensive reforms, which the government says would put at risk many enterprises reliant on trade with Russia.

Moscow has already put economic pressure on Ukraine, with customs delays and a ban on Ukrainian chocolates, and could escalate such measures.

Russia fears that such a deal would damage the country’s economy by letting in a massive flow of EU products via Ukraine.

Moscow wants Kiev to join the Customs Union instead of signing the EU pact.

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Archbishop Desmond Tutu criticizes Nelson Mandela’s funeral services

Diane A. Wade
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Archbishop Desmond Tutu criticizes Nelson Mandela’s funeral services

Archbishop Desmond Tutu – a long-time friend of Nelson Mandela – has said that South Africa’s first black president would have been appalled that Afrikaners were excluded from memorial services marking his death.

Desmond Tutu highlighted the absence of the Dutch Reformed Church and the limited use of the Afrikaans language at the services.

A mainly Afrikaner party introduced white minority rule, which Nelson Mandela opposed, spending 27 years in jail.

But after becoming South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela preached reconciliation with his former enemies.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu highlighted the absence of the Dutch Reformed Church and the limited use of the Afrikaans language at Nelson Mandela’s funeral services
Archbishop Desmond Tutu highlighted the absence of the Dutch Reformed Church and the limited use of the Afrikaans language at Nelson Mandela’s funeral services

Archbishop Desmond Tutu also strongly criticized the prominence of the governing African National Congress (ANC) during the week of events following Nelson Mandela’s death on December 5.

“I also believe it may have sent out a more inclusive message had the programme directors at the Memorial and Funeral – both national and State events – not both been senior office-bearers of the ruling party,” he said.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu fought apartheid, along with Nelson Mandela and the ANC, but has become increasingly critical of the party, recently saying he would vote for the opposition.

He almost did not attend Sunday’s funeral for his close friend, saying he had not been invited.

In a statement, Desmond Tutu described Nelson Mandela as a “nation builder” who “went out of his way” to include Afrikaners after the end of apartheid.

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Beyonce’s surprise album breaks iTunes sales record

Sonia Pantiss
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Beyonce’s surprise album breaks iTunes sales record

Beyonce’s fifth album has broken iTunes sales records, with 828,773 copies sold in just three days.

The majority of those sales came in the US, where it has racked up 617,213 sales since its release on Friday.

The tally broke Beyonce’s own first-week sales record, set by her second album B’day in 2006, which sold 541,000 copies across a full seven days.

Beyonce stealth-released the record exclusively on iTunes last Friday, surprising fans by unveiling 14 new songs and 17 videos without the usual build-up of radio play, marketing and magazine interviews.

Its success has been fuelled by a number of factors: By keeping the project secret, the star avoided leaks; while the inability to purchase individual tracks online meant fans had no choice but to pay for the whole album.

Beyonce's fifth album has broken iTunes sales records, with 828,773 copies sold in just three days
Beyonce’s fifth album has broken iTunes sales records, with 828,773 copies sold in just three days

Beyonce, 31, said the “visual album” was inspired by her memories of watching Michael Jackson’s Thriller video premiere in 1983.

The album was codenamed “Lily” by staff at her record label, Columbia, to avoid rumors spreading, and even key creative staff were kept in the dark about the release plans.

Reviews for the album were largely positive, with Billboard magazine praising Beyonce’s “creative audacity”.

Apple, which runs the iTunes store, said the album had broken its previous first-week sales record, set by Justin Timberlake’s 20/20 Experience when it sold 580,000 in March.

The company has exclusive access to the album for a short period – thought to be a week. Physical copies of the record are expected in shops before Christmas.

Beyonce also went to number one in 104 countries, it reported.

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Angela Merkel confirmed as Germany’s chancellor for third term

Diane A. Wade
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Angela Merkel confirmed as Germany’s chancellor for third term

German parliament (Bundestag) has confirmed Angela Merkel as the country’s chancellor for a third term, at the head of a grand coalition.

The coalition between her centre-right CDU/CSU bloc and the Social Democrats (SPD) has a huge majority, with 504 of the 631 seats in the lower house.

Angela Merkel was confirmed by 462 votes, with nine abstentions.

Germany’s tough stance on fiscal discipline is unlikely to change under the new coalition.

The SPD’s membership voted on Sunday to back the coalition after painstaking negotiations.

The party hammered out a minimum national wage, an hourly rate of 8.50 euros ($11.55) that will come into force for the first time in 2015.

Bundestag has confirmed Angela Merkel as Germany’s chancellor for a third term
Bundestag has confirmed Angela Merkel as Germany’s chancellor for a third term

The new government will be slightly to the left of the previous one, in which the Christian Democrats/Christian Social Union were in coalition with the market-oriented Free Democrats (FDP).

But the SPD will form a minority part of the government and no-one doubts that Chancellor Angela Merkel will be in charge.

As the EU’s most industrialized and populous state, with its biggest economy, Germany dominates decision-making for the eurozone.

For Tuesday’s vote, 621 members of the Bundestag were present, of whom 150 voted against Angela Merkel.

Between them, the Left Party and the Greens have 127 seats, so at least 23 of those who rejected her nomination were from the parties making up the new coalition.

The coalition talks had been the longest for any German government since World War II.

The CDU/CSU and SPD finally signed the deal, a 185-page agreement entitled “Shaping Germany’s Future”, late last month.

Angela Merkel was obliged to turn to the SPD after the FDP failed to win any seats in the 22 September election, falling short of the 5% hurdle to enter the Bundestag.

Trusted Angela Merkel ally Wolfgang Schaeuble will remain finance minister in the new government, one of 10 CDU/CSU politicians in the 16-strong cabinet.

“His name stands for euro stability and I’m glad that he’s continuing,” Angela Merkel said after news of the new line-up emerged.

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Japan adopts new defense policy package amid China tensions

Roy Siemens
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Japan adopts new defense policy package amid China tensions

Japan’s government has approved a new national security strategy and increased defense spending in a move widely seen as aimed at China.

Over the next five years, Japan will buy hardware including drones, aircraft and amphibious vehicles.

The military will also build a new marine unit, an amphibious force capable of retaking islands.

The move comes with Tokyo embroiled in a bitter row with Beijing over East China Sea islands that both claim.

It reflects concern over China’s growing assertiveness over its territorial claims and Beijing’s mounting defence spending.

“China’s stance toward other countries and military moves, coupled with a lack of transparency regarding its military and national security policies, represent a concern to Japan and the wider international community and require close watch,” the national security draft said.

PM Shinzo Abe has called for Japan to broaden the scope of activities performed by its military
PM Shinzo Abe has called for Japan to broaden the scope of activities performed by its military

Japan first increased defense spending in January, after a decade of cuts.

PM Shinzo Abe, who was elected a year ago, has called for Japan to broaden the scope of activities performed by its military – something currently tightly controlled by the post-war constitution.

He has also established a National Security Council that can oversee key issues.

Approving the national security strategy made Japan’s foreign and security policy “clear and transparent – for both the Japanese people and all the world to see”, he said.

The announcement comes weeks after China established an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) over a swathe of the East China Sea, including islands controlled by Japan.

It says all aircraft transiting the zone must obey certain rules, such as filing flight plans, or face “measures”.

Japan, US and South Korea – which claims a rock that lies within China’s declared zone – have strongly criticised the move, with the US calling it a unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the region.

China, meanwhile, says it is “closely watching Japan’s security strategy and policy direction”.

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Italy: Mafia gangsters arrested over Christmas poinsettias extortion scam

Nancy Clayson
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Italy: Mafia gangsters arrested over Christmas poinsettias extortion scam

Four alleged mafia gangsters have been arrested in Italy over a Christmas extortion scam.

The men have been forcing shop owners to buy Christmas poinsettias – red-leaved plants known in Italy as Christmas Stars – for 100 times the wholesale price.

The gangsters in the southern city of Naples have been demanding as much as 100 euros ($137) for a plant for the past three festive seasons, police say.

The Mafia men have been forcing shop owners to buy Christmas poinsettias for 100 times the wholesale price
The Mafia men have been forcing shop owners to buy Christmas poinsettias for 100 times the wholesale price

Owners who refused the mob’s “Christmas offer” had their shops vandalized.

“It wasn’t someone dressed like Santa Claus tapping on the doors of shop owners and businesses… Instead there were four emissaries of the Mazzarella clan,” police said.

The men were trying to raise funds for the families and legal fees of jailed gang members, police said.

Sebastian Kurz becomes Europe’s youngest foreign minister at 27

Diane A. Wade
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Sebastian Kurz becomes Europe’s youngest foreign minister at 27

Sebastian Kurz has become Europe’s youngest foreign minister, after Austria swore in its new coalition government.

Sebastian Kurz, 27, was one of 12 ministers confirmed by Austrian President Heinz Fischer in the capital Vienna.

Before taking up his new role, Sebastian Kurz was state secretary for integration.

Austria’s ruling bloc, the Social Democrats and the conservative People’s Party, won the election in September.

The Social Democrats came top with 27.1%, while the People’s Party got 23.8%.

Seen as a rising star in the People’s Party, Sebastian Kurz had earned praise in his previous post for his work in schools and with Muslim immigrants.

Sebastian Kurz has become Europe's youngest foreign minister, after Austria swore in its new coalition government
Sebastian Kurz has become Europe’s youngest foreign minister, after Austria swore in its new coalition government

As secretary, he followed a policy of integrating immigrants into Austrian society by requiring their children to speak German before entering school.

Sebastian Kurz also established free language classes for Muslim religious leaders and launched a forum for dialogue with Islam.

Although the ruling parties have won another five-year term in a coalition, last month’s election was their worst result since World War II.

A series of scandals and perceived inertia have hit the parties’ popularity among the voters.

The anti-immigration and Eurosceptic Freedom Party appears to have benefited from this slump, reaping 21.4% of the vote.

The party has accused the coalition of bloating the public sector, corruption and permitting too much immigration.

Other people in positions of power around the world include Kim Jong-un, who became leader of North Korea at the age of 28 or 29 (his exact age is not known).

Roosevelt Skerrit was 32 years old when he became prime minister of Dominica in 2004.

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is one of the youngest monarchs in the world. He became king of Bhutan in 2008 at the age of 28.

Swaziland’s King Mswati III was 18 when he was crowned in 1986.

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NSA mass surveillance unconstitutional

Nancy Clayson
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NSA mass surveillance unconstitutional

The National Security Agency’s mass collection of telephone data unconstitutional, Federal District Judge Richard Leon has ruled.

Judge Richard Leon said the NSA’s practice was an “arbitrary invasion”.

The agency’s collection of “metadata” including telephone numbers and times and dates of calls was exposed by ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden.

The White House dismissed the suggestion Edward Snowden receive amnesty if he stopped leaking documents.

In his ruling in a Washington DC federal court on Monday, Richard Leon called the NSA’s surveillance programme “indiscriminate” and an “almost Orwellian technology that enables the government to store and analyze the phone metadata of every telephone user in the United States”.

The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by conservative activist Larry Klayman, a user of a Verizon mobile telephone who challenged the NSA’s collection of metadata on his behalf and that of a client.

The NSA had ordered Verizon – one of the largest phone companies in the US – to disclose to it metadata, including telephone numbers, calling card numbers and the serial numbers of phones, of millions of calls it processes in which at least one party is in the US.

Federal District Judge Richard Leon has ruled the NSA's mass collection of phone data unconstitutional
Federal District Judge Richard Leon has ruled the NSA’s mass collection of phone data unconstitutional

Judge Richard Leon ruled the plaintiffs had demonstrated “a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of their Fourth Amendment claim and that they will suffer irreparable harm absent… relief”, referring to the clause in the US constitution that bars unreasonable search and seizure by the government.

He issued a preliminary injunction against the NSA surveillance programme but suspended the order to allow for an appeal by the justice department, thus enabling the programme to continue for now.

Through Glenn Greenwald, the former Guardian journalist with whom he has close ties, Edward Snowden issued a statement hailing the ruling.

“I acted on my belief that the NSA’s mass surveillance programs would not withstand a constitutional challenge, and that the American public deserved a chance to see these issues determined by open courts,” Edward Snowden wrote, according to the New York Times.

“Today, a secret program authorized by a secret court was, when exposed to the light of day, found to violate Americans’ rights,” he added.

“It is the first of many.”

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Princess Diana’s death: No credible evidence that SAS was involved

Nancy Clayson
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Princess Diana’s death: No credible evidence that SAS was involved

London Metropolitan Police has announced that there is “no credible evidence” the SAS was involved in the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Dodi Al Fayed.

The Met had received material in August about Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed’s deaths in a 1997 Paris car crash, which reports suggested related to claims the military was involved.

However, police said that having conducted a “scoping exercise” there was no basis to open a criminal investigation.

A 2008 inquest found the couple had been unlawfully killed.

The car crash in a Paris tunnel occurred partly due to the “gross negligence” of the driver, the inquest ruled.

Reports in several British Sunday newspapers in August had suggested the new material had been passed to the police by an Army source.

A statement from the Met on Tuesday said its assessment included “taking statements from a number of individuals and reviewing records”.

Police found that there is "no credible evidence" the SAS was involved in the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed
Police found that there is “no credible evidence” the SAS was involved in the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed

It said the investigating officers were given “unprecedented access” to Special Forces Directorate records.

The statement continued: “Every reasonable line of enquiry was objectively pursued in order to fully evaluate any potential evidence.

“The final conclusion is that whilst there is a possibility the alleged comments in relation to the SAS’s involvement in the deaths may have been made, there is no credible evidence to support a theory that such claims had any basis in fact.

“Therefore the MPS are satisfied there is no evidential basis upon which to open any criminal investigation or to refer the matter back to HM Coroner.”

Dodi Al Fayed’s father, former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, was “disappointed but not discouraged” by the outcome, his solicitor Simon McKay said.

He called the scoping exercise “the latest whitewash in a 16-year cover up”.

Princess Diana, the former wife of the Prince of Wales and the mother of princes William and Harry, was 36 when she died alongside Dodi Al Fayed, 42.

Henri Paul was driving when their hired Mercedes crashed into a pillar in Paris’s Pont de l’Alma tunnel.

The crash happened after the couple had left the Ritz Hotel and were pursued by paparazzi on motorbikes. Dodi Al Fayed’s bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, was the only survivor.

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Kim Jong-il commemorated in North Korea

Diane A. Wade
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Kim Jong-il commemorated in North Korea

North Korea is commemorating its leader Kim Jong-il, two years after his death in 2011.

Images from Pyongyang showed ranks of thousands of officials at a ceremony to commemorate Kim Jong-il.

His son, Kim Jong-un, inherited the leadership after his death in 2011.

Last week he presided over the execution of Jang Sung-taek, his uncle and a powerful figure seen by outside observers as his mentor.

Jang Sung-taek was accused of multiple crimes, state media said, including forming a power base and attempting to overthrow the state.

On Monday, UN Secretary-General Ban Kim-moon described his execution as “very dramatic and surprising”.

North Korea is commemorating its leader Kim Jong-il, two years after his death in 2011
North Korea is commemorating its leader Kim Jong-il, two years after his death in 2011

He urged regional nations “while they must be vigilantly and carefully watching the development of situation, not to take any premature actions”.

Residents laid flowers at monuments to both Kim Jong-il and his father, Kim Il-sung, North Korea’s first leader.

Kim Jong-il, who ruled North Korea for almost two decades, died on December 17, 2011.

On Tuesday, his third son and chosen successor, Kim Jong-un, attended a ceremony to remember his father.

Kim Jong-un sat on the podium flanked by North Korea’s ceremonial head of state, Kim Yong-nam, and the head of the army.

“All our people and soldiers have struggled and achieved victory for the past two years by holding our great leader [Kim Jong-il] in high esteem,” Kim Yong-nam said in his speech.

On Monday thousands of North Korean soldiers lined up in front of the state mausoleum to pledge their allegiance to Kim Jong-un.

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Brian Griffin back from the dead for Family Guy Christmas special

Sonia Pantiss
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Brian Griffin back from the dead for Family Guy Christmas special

Brian Griffin is back from the dead for a very special Christmas episode of Family Guy.

“I mean, you didn’t really think we’d kill off Brian, did you?” Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane tweeted shortly after Sunday night’s Christmas-themed episode aired.

“Jesus, we’d have to be f**king high.”

Brian Griffin is back from the dead for a very special Christmas episode of Family Guy
Brian Griffin is back from the dead for a very special Christmas episode of Family Guy

Three weeks ago, Family Guy killed off fan-favorite Brian Griffin, the show’s martini-drinking anthropomorphic writer dog.

Brian Griffin, Stewie’s best friend, was hit by a car and almost immediately replaced by a new pet named Vinnie.

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Lamar Odom cheated on Khloe Kardashian because of his friends

Lisa.Felice
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Lamar Odom cheated on Khloe Kardashian because of his friends

Lamar Odom has reportedly blamed his cheating on wife Khloe Kardashian on his friends, because they brought girls around.

Khloe Kardashian filed from divorce from the NBA star on Friday, citing irreconcilable difference.

Lamar Odom blamed his cheating on wife Khloe Kardashian on his friends, because they brought girls around
Lamar Odom blamed his cheating on wife Khloe Kardashian on his friends, because they brought girls around

Lamar Odom bragged about cheating on Khloe Kardashian in a rap video he shot with a friend.

According to TMZ, Lamar Odom blamed his infidelity on his friends who are “supporting me the wrong way by bringing girls around,” the sources said.

“I can’t be with Khloe.  She brings out the bad side of me,” Lamar Odom reportedly told his friends.

Cody Walker to stand in for Paul Walker to finish Fast & Furious 7?

Lisa.Felice
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Cody Walker to stand in for Paul Walker to finish Fast & Furious 7?

Cody Walker, Paul Walker’s lookalike younger brother, could be under consideration to stand in for actor to finish Fast & Furious 7 movie.

Cody Walker, 25, may be under consideration for filming the deceased brother’s parts to finish up the final scenes for Fast & The Furious 7.

He works as a movie stuntman, and could take his brother’s place on the film after Paul Walker, 40, died November 30 in Santa Clarita, California, in a fatal car crash.

Cody Walker could be under consideration to stand in for Paul Walker to finish Fast & Furious 7 movie
Cody Walker could be under consideration to stand in for Paul Walker to finish Fast & Furious 7 movie

Paul Walker was on a break from filming the latest in movie franchise when he died, prompting Universal Pictures to immediately shut down production.

Universal Pictures had not commented on the possibility of using Cody Walker to stand in for his brother on the production.

“At this time we feel it is our responsibility to shut down production on <<Fast & Furious 7>> for a period of time so we can assess all options available to move forward with the franchise.  We are committed to keeping Fast & Furious fans informed, and we will provide further information to them when we have it.  Until then, we know they join us in mourning the passing of our dear friend Paul Walker,” Universal said.

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