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Thailand: Protesters force Department of Special Investigations’ evacuation

Diane A. Wade
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Thailand: Protesters force Department of Special Investigations’ evacuation

Thai protesters have forced the evacuation of the government’s top crime-fighting agency, on the fourth day of street demonstrations in Bangkok.

The protesters, who want Yingluck Shinawatra’s government to step down, marched to a complex of government offices outside the city.

The anti-government protest leader said they wanted to shut down government ministries in a bid to cause disruption.

They accuse the government of being controlled by the prime minister’s brother, Thaksin Shinawatra.

The protests are being led by former opposition Democrat Party lawmaker Suthep Thaugsuban, for whom police have issued an arrest warrant.

They began on Sunday and so far have targeted the finance, foreign and interior ministries, among others.

Thai protesters have forced the evacuation of the government's top crime-fighting agency, on the fourth day of street demonstrations in Bangkok
Thai protesters have forced the evacuation of the government’s top crime-fighting agency, on the fourth day of street demonstrations in Bangkok

“Let the people go to every ministry that remains to make civil servants stop serving the Thaksin regime,” the Associated Press news agency quoted Suthep Thaugsuban as saying.

“Once you take over, civil servants can no longer serve the Thaksin regime. Brothers and sisters, go seize the city hall.”

Despite the arrest warrant, police made no attempt to detain him as he led protesters to government offices.

On Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of protesters surrounded the Department of Special Investigations (DSI), which is Thailand’s equivalent of the FBI.

The DSI is a particular target for the demonstrators – they accuse its chief of conducting partisan investigations against opponents of the government.

The DSI chief ordered his staff to leave as protesters surrounded the building, Reuters news agency said.

PM Yingluck Shinawatra – who on Monday invoked special powers allowing officials to impose curfews – said that the government would not use force against protesters.

“This is not the <<Thaksin regime>>, this is a democratically elected government,” Yingluck Shinawatra told media outside parliament.

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SmartWig: Sony files patent application

Sonia Pantiss
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SmartWig: Sony files patent application

Sony has filed a patent application for SmartWig, as tech companies jostle for the lead in the wearable technology sector.

The company says the SmartWig can be worn “in addition to natural hair”, and will be able to process data and communicate wirelessly with other external devices.

According to the filing, the SmartWig can help navigate roads and collect information such as blood pressure.

Google and Samsung are among the companies that have launched products in wearable technology – seen as a key growth area.

Sony said the wig could be made from horse hair, human hair, wool, feathers, yak hair, buffalo hair or any kind of synthetic material.

At the same time, the communication interface and sensors placed in the wig are at least partly covered by parts of the wig in order to be hidden from sight during use.

It said that as a result, the device has the potential to become “very popular” as it could be used as a “technically intelligent item and fashion item at the same time”.

Sony has filed a patent application for SmartWig
Sony has filed a patent application for SmartWig

“The usage of a wig has several advantages that, compared to known wearable computing devices, include a significantly increased user comfort and an improved handling of the wearable computing device.”

Sony listed various potential uses of the SmartWig in its filing, including helping blind people navigate roads.

It said that a small video camera or a sensor on the wig could help to provide the position and the location of the wearer.

A remote user can then use the images provided and send vibration commands through the network and navigate the wig user manually to a desired destination.

“Although navigation systems based on vibration motors have been widely introduced, a navigation system integrated into a wig… is so far not known,” Sony said.

A further potential improvement of the wig may use ultrasound waves to detect objects around a user.

Sony said the gaming industry or “any type of virtual reality appliance” could also be an “interesting field” of use for the device, though it did not provide any details.

It could also have uses in the healthcare sector, as a combination of sensors can help collect information such as temperature, pulse and blood pressure of the wearer.

“The system can detect these kinds of data naturally and transmit them to the server computer,” it said.

SmartWig can also be used during presentations where a wearer can “move to the next presentation slide or back to the preceding presentation slide by simply raising his/her eyebrows”.

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Germany: Angela Merkel’s CDU/CSU and SPD reach coalition deal

Diane A. Wade
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Germany: Angela Merkel’s CDU/CSU and SPD reach coalition deal

Angela Merkel’s CDU/CSU has agreed terms for a coalition with the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), German officials say.

The late-night deal follows talks by SPD leaders with Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) and allied CSU.

Chancellor Angela Merkel could be sworn in for a third term in office next month if SPD members ratify the deal.

The CDU/CSU fell short of a majority in September polls, and traditional coalition partner the FDP won no seats.

The breakthrough came after 17 hours of tense negotiations.

The final coalition deal will now go to a ballot of SPD members to be signed off, with the result expected in mid-December.

Chancellor Angela Merkel could be sworn in for a third term in office next month if SPD members ratify the deal
Chancellor Angela Merkel could be sworn in for a third term in office next month if SPD members ratify the deal

The German chancellor is expected to present the agreement alongside CSU leader Horst Seehofer and the SPD’s Sigmar Gabriel on Wednesday morning, though cabinet posts may not be announced until after the SPD vote.

Parties reached settlements on issues including a lower retirement age and changes to dual citizenship rules.

The SPD won a key demand for a nationwide minimum wage. An hourly minimum of 8.50 euros ($11.55) will come into force in the country for the first time in 2015.

The parties also agreed that there would be no tax increases, a key demand of the CDU/CSU.

“The work is done. It has been very intense and sometimes very hard work today but I think we have a result that is good for our country which is the main measure, but we can also say the result has a strong Conservative imprint,” said Hermann Groehe, CDU secretary general.

“No new taxes and no new debts.”

The SPD previously formed a grand coalition with the CDU/CSU in 2005-2009.

This time around, the partnership faces the twin tasks of rebalancing the eurozone’s biggest economy and winning the support of the German public to tackle the eurozone’s debt and banking problems.

At the election on 22 September, the CDU took about 41.5% of the vote, the SPD won 26%, the Greens 8.4%, and the former communist Left Party 8.6%.

Silvio Berlusconi faces expulsion from parliament

Diane A. Wade
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Silvio Berlusconi faces expulsion from parliament

Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi faces expulsion from parliament over his conviction for tax fraud.

The Senate will vote later on whether to expel the former prime minister.

Analysts say a large majority of senators is expected to back his expulsion.

The former PM has called for supporters to protest in Rome against what he says is a political vendetta.

The vote comes a day after Silvio Berlusconi withdrew his Forza Italia party from the coalition government.

Silvio Berlusconi, who has dominated politics for nearly two decades in Italy, had asked senators to delay the vote on his expulsion because he claims to have new evidence proving he did not commit tax fraud.

However, the vote is expected to go ahead on Wednesday evening.

Silvio Berlusconi faces expulsion from parliament over his conviction for tax fraud
Silvio Berlusconi faces expulsion from parliament over his conviction for tax fraud

Silvio Berlusconi, 77, threatened to topple the coalition government over the issue earlier this year but backed down during a confidence vote.

He old has dismissed the Senate, which is dominated by his political opponents, as biased against him.

Silvio Berlusconi was convicted of tax fraud in October 2012 over deals his firm Mediaset made to purchase TV rights to US films. The verdict was upheld in August.

Expulsion from parliament may lead to Silvio Berlusconi’s arrest over other criminal cases, as he would lose his immunity from prosecution.

He will have to serve a one-year sentence for his tax conviction, probably under house arrest or by doing community service because of his age.

Silvio Berlusconi has also been convicted of paying for s** with an underage prostitute and of a breach of confidentiality over a police wiretap. He is appealing against both convictions.

Both PM Enrico Letta’s centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and former comedian Beppe Grillo’s anti-establishment 5-Star Movement have said they will vote against Silvio Berlusconi.

Enrico Letta’s government survived a confidence vote on the 2014 budget on Tuesday with the help of a group of dissidents who broke away from Berlusconi’s party earlier this month.

Silvio Berlusconi had said earlier that his party would vote against the budget, and the Forza Italia leader in the lower house soon declared that the party was moving into opposition.

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O.J. Simpson’s bid for new trial has rejected

Nancy Clayson
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O.J. Simpson’s bid for new trial has rejected

O.J. Simpson’s bid for a new trial has been rejected by a Las Vegas judge.

The judge’s decision on Tuesday means O.J. Simpson must remain in a Nevada state prison where he is serving 9 to 33 years for armed robbery and kidnapping in a bungled attempt to retrieve personal items from two sports memorabilia dealers in 2007.

O.J. Simpson's bid for a new trial has been rejected
O.J. Simpson’s bid for a new trial has been rejected

The former football star was sentenced to prison in 2008. He’ll be 70 years old before he is eligible for parole.

O. J. Simpson’s current defense attorneys argued that his previous lawyers handled his case so badly that he should get a new trial.

Clark County District Court Judge Linda Marie Bell considered 22 claims of ineffective assistance of counsel and attorney conflict of interest, but decided in her 101-page order that the standard required for a new trial wasn’t met.

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Bay Psalm Book becomes world’s most expensive printed book

Sonia Pantiss
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Bay Psalm Book becomes world’s most expensive printed book

The tiny Bay Psalm Book has become the world’s most expensive printed book as it was auctioned at Sotheby’s in New York for $14.2 million.

The Bay Psalm Book was printed in 1640 and is the first known book to be printed in what is now the US.

The book was published in Cambridge, Massachusetts, by the Puritan leaders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

It was meant to be a faithful translation into English of the original Hebrew psalms.

But it is not the most expensive book ever – that title goes to a handwritten Leonardo da Vinci notebook which sold for $30.8 million in 1994.

Sotheby’s said it had been bought by financier and philanthropist David Rubenstein, who planned to loan it to libraries across the country.

The Bay Psalm Book was printed in 1640 and is the first known book to be printed in what is now the US
The Bay Psalm Book was printed in 1640 and is the first known book to be printed in what is now the US

The book was sold by Boston’s Old South Church, where Founding Father Benjamin Franklin was baptized and meetings that led to the Boston Tea Party were hosted.

It is one of 11 copies known to remain in existence out of about 1,700 copies originally printed.

The Old South Church has one other copy, which it says it has no plans to sell.

The other nine books are prized items in major collections or libraries.

The Reverend Nancy Taylor, senior minister of the church, said in April: “It’s a spectacular book, arguably one of the most important books in this nation’s history.”

A copy of the Bay Psalm Book set a record in 1947 when it sold for $151,000, dwarfing prices paid around the same time for a Gutenberg Bible and a Shakespeare First Folio.

The Bay Psalm Book has achieved its status despite criticism early on about its quality.

The inking of the type is uneven, and there are numerous printing mistakes.

The top of the left-hand page carries the word “psalm” and a number in Roman numerals, but on the right hand page it appears as “psalme”. Inverted commas are used in place of apostrophes.

Publisher and author Isaiah Thomas noted 200 years ago that it “abounds with typographical errors” and “does not exhibit the appearance of good workmanship. The compositor must have been wholly unacquainted with punctuation”.

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Thanksgiving travel 2013: Winter storm hits Pennsylvania, New York and Vermont

Nancy Clayson
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Thanksgiving travel 2013: Winter storm hits Pennsylvania, New York and Vermont

The winter storm blamed for up to a dozen deaths is threatening to bring travel misery to the East Coast on the eve of the Thanksgiving Day.

The system, which dumped heavy rain and snow over the region on Tuesday, has already caused some flight delays.

Forecasters say more than 1 ft of snow could fall in western Pennsylvania, western New York and Vermont before Thursday.

More than 43 million Americans are expected to travel during the holiday.

The storm is also threatening to ground the giant balloons at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.

City regulations bar the inflatables from being used when sustained winds exceed 23 mph or when gusts top 34 mph.

The balloons of beloved characters such as Mickey Mouse and the Pillsbury Doughboy are due to be made ready on Wednesday evening.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has issued a winter weather warning, urging motorists to use extreme caution.

Meteorologists also predict the storm could bring 2-4 in of rain up the Atlantic coast from Richmond, Virginia, to Portland, Maine.

The deadly winter storm is threatening to bring travel misery to the East Coast on the eve of the Thanksgiving Day
The deadly winter storm is threatening to bring travel misery to the East Coast on the eve of the Thanksgiving Day

“It couldn’t have come at a worse time,” said meteorologist Tim Morrin, of the National Weather Service.

“Visibility will be restricted not only by the rain and wash from other cars, but from the fog.”

Late on Tuesday, flight delays were reported in Charlotte, North Carolina; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Memphis, Tennessee; and Baltimore, Maryland.

Daniel Baker, of flight-tracking service FlightAware, said that most airlines expect to continue operating full schedules, although further delays were likely.

Some travelers were getting on earlier flights to avoid ending up stranded.

Lisa Jablon was originally due to fly on Wednesday morning from New York City to Syracuse, New York state, but she moved her flight to Tuesday night.

“I’m flying up to spend the holiday with my boyfriend’s family and I didn’t want to get stuck,” she told the Associated Press news agency.

The icy weather started in the western states and has caused at least 10 fatal road crashes.

Deaths from weather-related accidents were reported in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and California.

Thanksgiving Day celebrates the harvest and blessings of the past year.

It has been marked for hundreds of years, and is generally thought to commemorate a 1621 harvest feast the US Pilgrims shared with Indians after settling at Plymouth, in what is now Massachusetts.

The modern festival sees millions of people travel to be with family, eat turkey feasts, watch NFL football matches and – in recent years – plan or even begin their assault on the holiday sales.

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US B-52 bombers fly over disputed islands in defiance of China’s air defense zone

Roy Siemens
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US B-52 bombers fly over disputed islands in defiance of China’s air defense zone

Two US B-52 bombers flew over disputed islands in the East China Sea in defiance of new China’s air defense rules, officials say.

China set up its “air defense identification zone” on Saturday insisting that aircraft obey its rules or face “emergency defensive measures”.

A Pentagon spokesman said the planes had followed “normal procedures”.

The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are a source of rising tension between the two nations.

Japan has dismissed the Chinese defense zone as “not valid at all” and two of its biggest airlines announced on Tuesday they would heed a request from the government in Tokyo not to implement the new rules.

US Colonel Steve Warren at the Pentagon said Washington had “conducted operations in the area of the Senkakus”.

“We have continued to follow our normal procedures, which include not filing flight plans, not radioing ahead and not registering our frequencies,” he said.

Two US B-52 bombers flew over disputed islands in the East China Sea in defiance of new China’s air defense rules
Two US B-52 bombers flew over disputed islands in the East China Sea in defiance of new China’s air defense rules

There had been no response from China, he added.

The aircraft, which were unarmed, had taken off from Guam on Monday and the flight was part of a regular exercise in the area, US defense officials said. Both planes later returned to Guam.

The US – which has more than 70,000 troops in Japan and South Korea – had previously said it would not abide by the Chinese-imposed zone.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called it a “destabilizing attempt to alter the status quo in the region”. The White House said it was “unnecessarily inflammatory”.

Japan has already lodged a strong protest over what it said was an “escalation” by China.

Taiwan, which also claims the islands, expressed regret at the Chinese move and promised that its military would take measures to protect national security.

In its statement announcing the air defense zone on Saturday, the Chinese defense ministry said aircraft must report a flight plan, “maintain two-way radio communications”, and “respond in a timely and accurate manner” to identification inquiries.

“China’s armed forces will adopt defensive emergency measures to respond to aircraft that do not co-operate in the identification or refuse to follow the instructions,” the statement said.

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airlines said on Tuesday they would stop filing flight plans demanded by China on routes through the zone following a request from the Japanese government.

Singapore Airlines and Australia’s Qantas have both said they will abide by the new rules.

However, Australia summoned the Chinese ambassador on Tuesday to express opposition over the zone.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said “the timing and manner” of China’s announcement were “unhelpful in light of current regional tensions”.

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Mykola Azarov admits Russia urged Ukraine to delay EU deal

Diane A. Wade
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Mykola Azarov admits Russia urged Ukraine to delay EU deal

Russia had urged Ukraine to delay signing a trade deal with the EU, Ukrainian PM Mykola Azarov has admitted, as mass protest rallies continue across the country.

Mykola Azarov said Moscow had offered to hold trilateral talks on the issue, without giving “any ultimatums”.

Kiev last week put on hold the association and free trade deal with the EU, prompting Brussels to accuse Moscow of exerting pressure on Ukraine.

The move triggered huge pro-EU protests in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied putting any pressure on Kiev, accusing instead the EU of “blackmailing” Ukraine into signing the agreement.

Speaking to reporters in Kiev on Tuesday, Mykola Azarov acknowledged that Russia had suggested “to delay signing the treaty and to conduct negotiations” between Kiev, Moscow and the EU.

He said Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych would still attend this week’s EU summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, to discuss the possible consultations with Brussels and Moscow.

Russia had urged Ukraine to delay signing a trade deal with the EU
Russia had urged Ukraine to delay signing a trade deal with the EU

It had been originally planned that Ukraine would sign the treaty with the EU at the 28-29 November summit.

Mykola Azarov said such three-way talks would be in the best interests of Ukraine: “We absolutely do not want to be a battlefield between the EU and Russia. We want to have good relations with both the EU and Russia.”

He also added that separate “road-map” talks with Russia aimed at reviving economic ties would start next month and no agreement had been finalized on possible new financial support from the Kremlin.

Meanwhile, President Putin said it was solely up to Ukraine whether to sign or not the agreement with the EU.

During a visit to Italy, Vladimir Putin also urged EU leaders to refrain from “sharp words” on the issue.

Ukraine’s government said last Thursday it was halting preparations for signing the deal with the EU, amid concerns this would have a negative impact on Kiev’s trade relations with Russia and cause mass job losses as a result.

Moscow had earlier warned it would be forced to defend its market by raising custom duties on Ukrainian goods.

In a statement on Monday, Viktor Yanukovych said he had been forced to halt treaty preparations by economic necessity and the desire to protect those “most vulnerable”.

Tens of thousands of protesters have been taking to the streets of Ukraine’s major cities since last week.

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Willie Robertson receives resembling painting

Sonia Pantiss
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Willie Robertson receives resembling painting

Duck Dynasty‘s Willie Robertson has received an unusual gift from some friends – a painting found at a Scottish museum.

Korie Robertson can't deny the uncanny resemblance between her husband Willie and the work of art
Korie Robertson can’t deny the uncanny resemblance between her husband Willie and the work of art

“Some friends sent @williebosshog this painting, ha! They found it in a museum in Scotland! #longlostrobertson,” Korie Robertson tweeted.

Korie Robertson can’t deny the uncanny resemblance between her husband and the work of art.

FDA bans 23andMe personal genetic screening

Kathryn R. Bown
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FDA bans 23andMe personal genetic screening

The FDA has imposed a ban on 23andMe, a company offering personal genetic screening to the general public.

23andMe has been ordered to “immediately discontinue” selling its saliva-collection tests after failing to provide information to back its marketing claims.

The tests aim to show how personal genetic codes may affect future health.

The company said it would address concerns.

The start-up has been operating since 2006 and was co-founded by Anne Wojcicki, the wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin.

For $99, users receive a kit allowing them to take sample of saliva. This is sent to the company and in return users receive a readout of their genetic code.

The website promises reports on 254 health conditions and traits as well as offering to help people trace their genealogy.

23andMe has been ordered to "immediately discontinue" selling its saliva-collection tests after failing to provide information to back its marketing claims
23andMe has been ordered to “immediately discontinue” selling its saliva-collection tests after failing to provide information to back its marketing claims

Under FDA rules, the company must provide proof about how accurate its detection methods are as well as supplying the error rates from its personal genome service (PGS).

In a public letter, the FDA said that 23andMe had not supplied this information, despite increasing its marketing campaign and the scope of its tests.

“FDA is concerned about the public health consequences of inaccurate results from the PGS device – the main purpose of compliance with FDA’s regulatory requirements is to ensure that the tests work,” said Alberto Gutierrez, director of the FDA’s centre for devices and radiological health, in a letter to the company.

“Patients relying on such tests may begin to self-manage their treatment through dose changes or even abandon certain therapies depending on the outcome of the assessment,” he added.

Despite hundreds of emails and 14 face-to-face meetings with 23andme, little evidence had been provided, the agency added.

The company said: “We recognize that we have not met the FDA’s expectations regarding timeline and communication regarding our submission.

“Our relationship with the FDA is extremely important to us and we are committed to fully engaging with them to address their concerns.”

The Center for Genetics and Society said it welcomed the FDA’s stance.

“Our society regulates medical products to protect public health. Without strong public oversight, we’re back to the era of snake oil,” said executive director Marcy Darnovsky.

“The public agency charged with protecting public health has finally lost patience with a private company that seems to think it doesn’t have to play by the rules,” she added.

There are an increasing number of companies offering low-cost home genetic testing – but some medical experts have raised questions about the accuracy of the tests, and asked what benefit they offer to consumers.

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Jose Mourinho shows off cheap haircut

Clyde K. Valle
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Jose Mourinho shows off cheap haircut

Jose Mourinho joked about his new haircut saying that he did it himself because it was “cheap”.

The Chelsea manager was speaking before his side’s UEFA Champions League clash with Basel at St. Jakob-Park in Switzerland.

Jose Mourinho joked about his new haircut saying that he did it himself
Jose Mourinho joked about his new haircut saying that he did it himself

If Jose Mourinho’s men win they will qualify for the knock-out stages of the competition with one game to spare.

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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Fun Facts

Sonia Pantiss
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Fun Facts
  • The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was first held in 1924 when was called the Macy’s Christmas Day Parade although it took place on Thanksgiving Day.
  • Live animals including camels, goats, elephants, and donkeys, were a part of the parade that inaugural year.
  • The original parade route was from 145th Street and Convent Avenue to 34th Street and Herald Square.
  • The floats were pulled by horses. In the first parade a white steed that was to aid in the Ben-Hur float disappeared at the last minute before the start of the parade.
  • In 1925 and 1926, bears, lions, and tigers were added to the live animals used, but the use of these animals had to be discontinued because they scared children.
  • In 1927, Macy’s introduces the world famous giant helium balloons. The first balloons included Felix the Cat and Toy Soldier.
  • 1928 saw the first release of the giant balloons into the air at the end of the line of march. The balloons promptly exploded after reaching a certain altitude.

    Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was first held in 1924
    Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was first held in 1924
  • The balloons were redesigned and again released. Equipped with a return address label, Macy’s offered a prize for their return.
  • In 1932, Clarence Chamberlain, an aviator flying above New York City, catches the Pig Balloon in mid air in order to claim the prize money.
  • Santa Claus has ended the parade every year except 1933, the only year in which he led the parade.
  • The parade was cancelled in 1942, 1943, and 1944 due to World War II.
  • In 1955, the parade telecast returns to NBC after a two year tune on CBS.
  • Due to a helium shortage in 1958, the balloons are brought down Broadway on cranes.
  • In 1969 the Macy’s Parade Studio moves to its current home in Hoboken, New Jersey in a former Tootsie Roll factory.
  • Dino the Dinosaur balloon was inducted into the American Museum of Natural History in 1975 as an honorary member.
  • In 1977, the “Parade Lady” Jean McFaddin takes the helm of the parade, which she leads for the next 24 years.
  • In the 1980s, the smaller “novelty” balloons were introduced, including the Macy’s stars and the 30 foot triple-scoop ice cream cone. “Falloons” were also introduced at this time. A combination of float and cold air balloon, this is a highlight of the creativity of the Macy’s Parade Studio.
  • In 1989, the parade marches on through its very first snowstorm.
  • The 1990s saw the parade balloons adding new characters from the internet, video games, and contemporary cartoons. Sonic the Hedgehog, Ask Jeeves, and the Rugrats were just a few of these balloons.
  • The parade has attracted a sea of celebrities. The years have seen Harpo Marx, Jackie Gleason, Diana Ross, Sammy Davis, Jr., Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Barry Manilow, NSYNC, Shania Twain, and Christina Aguilera.
  • Macy’s is the world’s second largest consumer of helium. The US government is the first.
  • If you laid every parade balloon since 1927 end to end they would stretch from Battery Park City to the Cloisters.
  • More than 50,000 clowns have delighted millions of children along the parade route. [youtube SyTjDrW470w 650]

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been canceled thrice during WWII

Sonia Pantiss
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Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been canceled thrice during WWII

The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is held every Thanksgiving Day in New York City.

Originally called the Macy’s Christmas Parade, it was first held in 1924 and has been canceled only thrice (1942, 1943, 1944) due to rubber shortages during World War II.

The two and a half mile parade features large balloons of well-known characters alongside floats and marching bands, ending with a float of Santa Claus upon his sleigh, marking the start of the Christmas season.

Interestingly, all performers in the parade, including those appearing through Sesame Workshop and others, must become “employees” of Macy’s.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was first held in 1924 and has been canceled only thrice due to rubber shortages during World War II
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was first held in 1924 and has been canceled only thrice due to rubber shortages during World War II

Celebrating its 87th anniversary, the 2013 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the official kick-off of the holiday season. Every year, the Parade is seen by more than 3 million people who line the streets of New York and another 50 million people who tune into NBC to watch the giant balloons, one-of-a-kind floats, the nation’s best marching bands, hundreds of cheering clowns and a host of celebrities.

On Thursday, November 28, 2013 at 9 a.m., the dazzling spectacle begins. Stepping off with its signature giant helium character balloons, fantasy-filled floats, marching bands, performance groups and a gaggle of clowns, America’s Parade is a non-stop pomp and pageantry for spectators young and old.

Stepping off from 77th Street and Central Park West, the Macy’s Parade will march down to Columbus Circle, where it will turn onto Central Park South, before making its way straight down midtown Manhattan on 6th Avenue from 59th to 34th Streets. The Parade concludes with its final turn onto 34th Street in front of Macy’s Herald Square. The Macy’s Parade route offers over two miles of public viewing.

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Evangelii Gaudium: Pope Francis calls for Catholic Church power to be devolved away from Vatican

Diane A. Wade
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Evangelii Gaudium: Pope Francis calls for Catholic Church power to be devolved away from Vatican

The Vatican has unveiled Evangelii Gaudium, the first major work Pope Francis has written in the role.

Pope Francis has called for power in the Catholic Church to be devolved away from the Vatican.

In his Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis says he is open to suggestions to changes in the power of the papacy.

The pontiff also warns that rising global economic inequality is bound to explode in conflict.

Since becoming Pope in March, Francis has struck a markedly different tone to his predecessor on several issues.

In his “apostolic exhortation”, Pope Francis said he preferred a Church that was “bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security”.

However, the document reiterates the Church’s opposition to the ordination of female priests, saying this is “not a question open to discussion”.

The document also touches on inter-faith relations, urging Christians to “embrace with affection and respect Muslim immigrants to our countries in the same way that we hope and ask to be received and respected in countries of Islamic tradition”.

Pope Francis has called for power in the Catholic Church to be devolved away from the Vatican
Pope Francis has called for power in the Catholic Church to be devolved away from the Vatican

Last month Pope Francis held his first meeting with a special group of cardinals to consider ways to reform the Vatican bureaucracy after saying in a newspaper interview that the Vatican had become too self-interested and needed to be inclusive.

“Excessive centralization, rather than proving helpful, complicates the Church’s life and her missionary outreach,” he says in the latest document.

Pope Francis also says he does not believe that the papacy “should be expected to offer a definitive or complete word on every question which affects the Church and the world”.

This month the Vatican launched an unprecedented survey of the views of lay Catholics on modern family life.

The document does restate the Church’s opposition to abortion but concedes that “it is also true that we have done little to adequately accompany women in very difficult situations,… especially when the life developing within them is the result of rape or a situation of extreme poverty”.

“Who can remain unmoved before such painful situations?” he asks.

Pope Francis also expands on his concerns about economic inequality.

“Today we also have to say <<thou shalt not>> to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills,” the pontiff says, going on to castigate the “new idolatry of money”.

“I beg the Lord to grant us more politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people, the lives of the poor!” Pope Francis goes on.

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Monty Python adds four show dates

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Monty Python adds four show dates

Monty Python comedy group has announced their stage show has been extended from one date to five, running from July 1st to July 5th 2014 at London’s O2 Arena.

The first show sold out within 43.5 seconds, organizers announced.

The other four shows then sold out within 55 minutes. There were 14,500 tickets up for grabs for each show.

Monty Python has announced their stage show has been extended from one date to five
Monty Python has announced their stage show has been extended from one date to five

Eric Idle said: “It’s totally amazing. I don’t think we realised quite how much Python is loved round the world. We look forward to paying off Terry Jones’ mortgage soon.”

Last week it was announced that John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Idle were to reunite and perform together.

It will be the first time the anarchic comedians from Monty Python have performed together since 2009, at their 40th anniversary celebrations in New York.

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Jon Brookes to appear on The Charlatans new album

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Jon Brookes to appear on The Charlatans new album

Indie band The Charlatans will include late drummer Jon Brookes on their new album by using recordings he made before his death.

Jon Brookes died in August at the age of 44 as a result of a brain tumor.

The Charlatans will include late drummer Jon Brookes on their new album by using recordings he made before his death
The Charlatans will include late drummer Jon Brookes on their new album by using recordings he made before his death

He had battled the cancer since suffering a seizure on tour in 2010.

The Charlatans’ new album will be the band’s 12th studio release and will be the follow-up to 2010’s Who We Touch.

Formed in the West Midlands in 1989, The Charlatans have had more than 20 UK Top 40 hits, including The Only One I Know, Can’t Get Out Of Bed and One To Another.

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Brian Griffin’s death: Family Guy fans sign petition demanding return of character

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Brian Griffin’s death: Family Guy fans sign petition demanding return of character

Around 25,000 Family Guy fans have signed a petition demanding Fox and the show’s creator bring back Brian Griffin.

Viewers were left stunned when the talking dog died in the latest episode.

The character, voiced by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, was killed off in an episode called Life of Brian after he was hit by a car.

The fans have signed a petition on Change.org to resurrect Brian Griffin.

Brian Griffin, a family dog that talks, drinks, goes out with women and is an aspiring novelist, has been a major character since the pilot of Family Guy in 1999.

Around 25,000 Family Guy fans have signed a petition demanding Fox and the show's creator bring back Brian Griffin
Around 25,000 Family Guy fans have signed a petition demanding Fox and the show’s creator bring back Brian Griffin

The character has appeared in more than 200 episodes of the animated cartoon comedy.

Family Guy, which is set around bumbling father Peter Griffin, his wife Lois, teenage children Chris and Meg and baby Stewie, is known for its raunchy humor.

The show has been criticized by watchdog groups in the US and episodes often feature characters in compromising or inappropriate situations.

The Emmy-nominated series is in its 12th season and averages 6 million viewers an episode in the US.

In Sunday’s episode, the Griffin family is left distraught as Brian dies saying: “You’ve given me a wonderful life. I love you all.”

The family holds a funeral and shares memories of their friend, with Peter Griffin saying: “Brian wasn’t just my dog, he was my best friend in the whole world.”

Later in the sixth episode of Season 12, the family adopts a new dog, smart-talking Vinny voiced by Sopranos actor Tony Sirico, who quickly becomes part of the family even winning over Stewie by the end of the show.

Representatives for Fox have so far declined to comment on Brian Griffin’s death.

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Arnon Milchan admits he served as Israeli spy for years

Lisa.Felice
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Arnon Milchan admits he served as Israeli spy for years

Arnon Milchan behind Hollywood hits Pretty Woman, LA Confidential and Fight Club has admitted he served for years as an Israeli spy, buying arms on its behalf and boosting its alleged nuclear program.

In a far-reaching interview aired Monday with Israel’s Channel 2 TV’s flagship investigative program Uvda, Arnon Milchan detailed a series of clandestine affairs in which he was involved and particularly how he helped purchase technologies Israel allegedly needed to operate nuclear bombs.

“I did it for my country and I’m proud of it,” said Arnon Milchan, who ran a successful fertilizer company in Israel before making it big in Hollywood.

Even there, Arnon Milchan says he continued with his clandestine work while maintaining close ties with Israel’s leadership.

Arnon Milchan has admitted he served for years as an Israeli spy
Arnon Milchan has admitted he served for years as an Israeli spy

According to an unauthorized biography published two years ago, Arnon Milchan worked for Israel’s now-defunct Bureau of Scientific Relations, known as Lekem, which worked to obtain information for secret defense programs. The bureau was disbanded in 1987 after it was implicated in the spying affair for which Jonathan Pollard, a civilian intelligence analyst for the US Navy, was sentenced to life in prison.

Arnon Milchan, 68, also says other big Hollywood names were connected to his covert affairs.

“When I came to Hollywood I detached myself completely from my physical activities to dedicate myself to what I really wanted – filmmaking,” he said.

“(But) sometimes it gets mixed up.”

Arnon Milchan founded the New Regency film company and has produced more than 120 movies since the 1970s, working closely with directors such as Martin Scorsese, Sergio Leone, Roman Polanski and Oliver Stone. He forged an especially close relationship with Robert De Niro, who along with actors Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck, is featured in Uvda‘s broadcast.

“I had heard but I wasn’t sure,” Robert De Niro said, of Arnon Milchan’s activities.

“I did ask him once and he told me that he was an Israeli and of course he would do these things for his country.”

Scotland unveils independence document

Diane A. Wade
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Scotland unveils independence document

Scotland has unveiled its blueprint for independence, ahead of next September’s referendum.

The 670-page document promises to “build a more democratic, more prosperous, fairer society”.

On September 18, Scots voters will be asked the yes/no question: “Should Scotland be an independent country?”

The document, launched by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, pledged to tailor economic policy to Scottish businesses and industry.

Alex Salmond said independence would allow Scotland to harness its vast potential as a country.

The first minister went on: “Ultimately at the heart of this debate there’s only one question – do we, the people who live and work in Scotland, believe that we are the best people to take the big decisions about our future?”

The white paper also pledged to extend child care and scrap controversial UK government housing welfare changes, described by critics as the “bedroom tax”, should the Scottish National Party (SNP) be elected as the first government of an independent Scotland in the event of a “Yes” vote.

The document, Scotland’s future: Your guide to an independent Scotland, also said it would be in Scotland’s interest to keep the pound, but that would also benefit the rest of the UK, while the Bank of England would continue to be the “lender of last resort”.

Scotland has unveiled its blueprint for independence, ahead of next September's referendum
Scotland has unveiled its blueprint for independence, ahead of next September’s referendum

The SNP document pledges included:

  • 30 hours of childcare per week in term time for all 3 and 4-year-olds, as well as vulnerable 2-year-olds.
  • Trident nuclear weapons, currently based on the Clyde, removed within the first parliament.
  • Housing benefit reforms, described by critics as the “bedroom tax” to be abolished in first year of an independent Scottish parliament.
  • No rise in basic rate of tax.

The Scottish government described the white paper as a “landmark document”, with the case for economic growth and fairness at its heart.

The SNP has argued Scotland’s finances are healthier than those of the UK, providing a strong foundation to put the focus of the referendum campaign on Scotland’s future.

The Scottish government’s critics said the white paper would be judged on whether it tackled concerns over issues like financial challenges.

For the UK government, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said there were huge question marks over some of the policies already revealed by the SNP.

Alistair Carmichael said it was “highly unlikely” the Scottish government’s plan to keep the pound and retain the services of the Bank of England as part of a “currency union” with the rest of the UK would work, and said the SNP must set out a “Plan B”.

The Scottish government’s critics have also questioned its plan to get rid of Trident nuclear weapons – currently based on the Clyde – while being a member of NATO.

And they have said other SNP promises, on issues like pensions and welfare, are uncosted.

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NYC Sidewalk Santa Parade 2013 canceled due to rising costs

Nancy Clayson
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NYC Sidewalk Santa Parade 2013 canceled due to rising costs

The annual New York City Sidewalk Santa Parade has been canceled after more than a century due to rising costs involved in organizing the event.

The Sidewalk Santas, who for a century have marched up Fifth Avenue the morning after Thanksgiving to collect donations from Black Friday shoppers, are hanging up their suits.

NYC Sidewalk Santa Parade was an annual tradition organized by the Volunteers of America-Greater New York to raise money for its Hope & Hearth campaign, which last year gave over 1,200 families vouchers for groceries during the holiday season, communications director Rachel Weinstein said.

The annual New York City Sidewalk Santa Parade has been canceled after more than a century due to rising costs involved in organizing the event
The annual New York City Sidewalk Santa Parade has been canceled after more than a century due to rising costs involved in organizing the event

However, the one-day parade of about 50 bell-ringing volunteers never raised much money and the cost of storing, cleaning and transporting dozens of Santa suits was rising, Rachel Weinstein said.

“We wanted to expand the food voucher program and we needed to find ways to raise more money, and save money (where) we weren’t doing it before,” Rachel Weinstein said.

“In reality it wasn’t raising the money we need for this program.”

The tradition began in 1896 when Ballington Booth, the son of the Salvation Army founders, traveled by horse-drawn carriage across the city to deliver hot holiday meals to hungry New Yorkers.

With more hungry families in the city now than at any time since the Great Depression, Weinstein said cutting the parade costs was a practical decision. The group also takes private donations through its website, www.hopeandhearth.org.

Instead of the parade, the group has set up a collection bin at the Plaza Hotel to collect donations from the parents who bring their children to sit on the lap of the Plaza’s Santa.

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Pakistan anti-drone protests block NATO supply route

Roy Siemens
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Pakistan anti-drone protests block NATO supply route

Protesters in Pakistan have blocked the main supply route for provisions destined for NATO troops in Afghanistan to protest against US drone strikes.

Opposition politician Imran Khan called for the action and said it would continue until American drone attacks in north-west Pakistan came to an end.

He blames the drones for causing civilian deaths and for crushing any chance of peace with the Taliban.

But the timing of the campaign has led many to accuse him of appeasement.

Protesters in Pakistan have blocked the main supply route for provisions destined for NATO troops in Afghanistan to protest against US drone strikes
Protesters in Pakistan have blocked the main supply route for provisions destined for NATO troops in Afghanistan to protest against US drone strikes

It comes almost a month after Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in a drone strike at a compound in North Waziristan.

Hakimullah Mehsud had given some indications he might be prepared to talk but his death reportedly came just a day before a team of mediators was due to meet him.

His successor Mullah Fazlullah – a militant with a savage reputation – appears to have rejected any peace initiative.

This blockade is centered on a road in Pakistan’s north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which is used to ferry goods to and from Afghanistan and has been building since the weekend.

Protesters have taken the law into their own hands deciding who can pass and go on to Afghanistan, and who can’t.

They have been harassing truck drivers and turning back vehicles carrying NATO provisions.

Pakistan says it is committed to allowing supplies through, but as yet has done nothing to stop the vigilante action, which is causing such huge disruption.

There are two crossings in Pakistan used to take NATO troop supplies to and from Afghanistan – the other crossing in south-west Balochistan province has not been affected by a blockade.

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Sarah Teelow dies after fall at high-speed race on Sydney’s Hawkesbury River

Clyde K. Valle
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Sarah Teelow dies after fall at high-speed race on Sydney’s Hawkesbury River

World Waterski champion Sarah Teelow has died following a fall during a high-speed race on Australia’s Hawkesbury River.

Sarah Teelow, 20, came off her skis shortly after the start of the Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic near Sydney on Sunday.

She suffered serious spinal and head injuries and later died in hospital.

Sarah Teelow won the Formula 2 category at the World Waterski Racing Championships in Spain in September.

Sarah Teelow won the Formula 2 category at the World Waterski Racing Championships in Spain in September
Sarah Teelow won the Formula 2 category at the World Waterski Racing Championships in Spain in September

Ski Racing Australia described her as “one of the sport’s most accomplished young competitors”.

“The ski racing fraternity is deeply saddened by Sarah’s passing and extends its condolences to her family,” it said in a statement.

Sarah Teelow, from Wellington, was the daughter of two-time world water-ski champion Tania Teelow.

Local media say New South Wales police are investigating how Sarah Teelow came off her skis.

Skiers can reach speeds of more than 80 mph in the 70 miles Bridge to Bridge course.

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Thailand: PM Yingluck Shinawatra imposes curfews as protesters surround more ministries

Diane A. Wade
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Thailand: PM Yingluck Shinawatra imposes curfews as protesters surround more ministries

Thai protesters have surrounded several more ministries, as street demonstrations continue in Bangkok.

The protesters want Yingluck Shinawatra’s government to resign, saying it is controlled by her brother – ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

After a huge rally on Sunday, they marched to several Bangkok locations.

Late on Monday, Yingluck Shinawatra invoked special powers allowing officials to impose curfews and seal roads.

The protests have been triggered by a controversial political amnesty bill.

The demonstrators say the legislation – which failed in the Senate – would have allowed Thaksin Shinawatra to return to Thailand without serving a jail sentence for corruption.

Thailand has been bitterly divided since Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and the proposal re-ignited simmering political tensions.

Groups of protesters, who are being led by former opposition Democratic Party lawmaker Suthep Thaugsuban, camped out at the foreign and finance ministries overnight.

On Tuesday, they surrounded the interior, tourism, transport and agriculture ministries.

There were around 1,000 protesters gathered outside both the finance and interior ministries, blowing whistles and chanting “get out!”, reports said.

“We have to leave because they [the protesters] will cut the utilities,” Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak told AFP news agency.

Thai protesters have surrounded several more ministries, as street demonstrations continue in Bangkok
Thai protesters have surrounded several more ministries, as street demonstrations continue in Bangkok

Akanat Promphan, a protest spokesman, said: “We are occupying the finance ministry in a non-violent and peaceful way, so our supporters around the country can do the same and occupy all government offices.”

“Tomorrow there will be a nationwide movement,” he added.

However, Thida Thavornseth, a leader of the “red shirts”, who support Thaksin Shinawatra, told AFP news agency: “Suthep [Thaugsuban] is not trying to throw out the government… he wants to throw out democracy and replace it with an ultra-royalist administration.”

The opposition Democrat Party has also started a censure motion in parliament against the government, over its alleged misuse of the budget.

The motion highlights an expensive rice subsidy scheme launched by the government after it took office.

Under the scheme, the government bought rice directly from farmers, paying more than the market rate. India and Vietnam increased their share of global rice exports as a result, overtaking Thailand as the world’s largest rice exporter.

The government is expected to defeat the censure motion, since the ruling Pheu Thai party has a majority in parliament.

The protests are the biggest to hit Thailand since the violence of 2010, when “red-shirt” opponents of the then Democratic Party government occupied key parts of the capital.

More than 90 people, mostly civilian protesters, died over the course of the two-month sit-in.

A government led by Yingluck Shinawatra and the ruling Pheu Thai Party was subsequently elected and since then Thailand has remained relatively politically stable.

But the opposition accuses Thaksin Shinawatra of running the government from self-imposed exile overseas, and the now-shelved amnesty bill has served as a spark for renewed protests.

Yingluck Shinawatra invoked the Internal Security Act late on Monday. But she said on Tuesday the government would not use violence to end the protests.

“Everybody must obey the law and not use mob rule to upstage the rule of law,” she told reporters.

“If we can talk, I believe the country will return to normal,” she added.

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Argentina agrees to compensate Repsol for YPF nationalization

Diane A. Wade
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0
Argentina agrees to compensate Repsol for YPF nationalization

Argentina has agreed in principle to compensate Spain’s Repsol for the nationalization of energy firm YPF.

Argentina seized YPF last year without paying anything. The Spanish company had been demanding $10.5 billion in compensation.

In Buenos Aires, Repsol, YPF and Mexico’s Pemex, which holds a stake in Repsol, said they had reached a process for determining compensation.

No other details were released.

The agreement must be ratified by Repsol during a board meeting on Wednesday.

Argentina has agreed in principle to compensate Spain's Repsol for the nationalization of energy firm YPF
Argentina has agreed in principle to compensate Spain’s Repsol for the nationalization of energy firm YPF

YPF produces about a third of Argentina’s oil and a quarter of its gas.

Argentina has some of the world’s largest reserves of shale oil and gas.

The authorities in Argentina had accused YPF of not investing enough to increase output from its oil fields. Repsol replied that it had invested $20 billion in the country.

Repsol and the investment firm Texas Yale Capital Corp sued Argentina and demanded that it makes an offer for the YPF stake.

The EU also had filed a suit against Argentina’s import restrictions at the World Trade Organization.

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