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Black Friday 2013: Best Buy deals and discounts

Nancy Clayson
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Black Friday 2013: Best Buy deals and discounts

For this year’s Black Friday all the retailers – Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Toys R Us, Kmart, Amazon and every other – are offering bigger and far bigger discounts.

This year there are several exciting development as far as Black Friday shopping is concerned. The most important development is the fact that the retailers are opening their doors a lot earlier than previous years. The first to announce early opening on Thanksgiving for Black Friday was none other than Wal-Mart. It was followed by almost every other top retailer in the country within no time.

Great offers are going to be available on every product including smartphone, tablet, laptop, camera, furniture, toys, clothes and almost every other product. You are going to get best deals during Black Friday and this include latest and top end smartphones like iPhone 5S from Cupertino based Apple and Korean based tech giant Samsung’s flagship handset Galaxy S4. And the best thing is the fact that the deals and offers are going to be really exciting.

Like every year in the past Best Buy has taken the lead in offering great deal for Black Friday
Like every year in the past Best Buy has taken the lead in offering great deal for Black Friday

When it comes to electronic items, you need to look no further than the top electronic products vendor, Best Buy. Like every year in the past Best Buy has taken the lead in offering great deals. This Black Friday electronic items are going to be in great demand and retailing companies are not going to disappoint the holiday shoppers. Not just the offers are going to become more enticing, they are becoming bigger and bigger. And the best thing about the Black Friday shopping is the fact that this time they are coming very early too.

Best Buy has brought every top product under Black Friday deal list. The retailing giant seems to have brought almost every great product to the table as far as Black Friday this year is concerned. If you want to go for gizmos including tablets, smartphones then there is no better place than Best Buy. It is offering 8GB Barnes & Noble Nook HD Snow tablet for $80, down from $129, an 8GB Nabi 7-inch kid’s tablet for $130, down from $180 and 16GB Apple iPad Air tablet with Wi-Fi and $100 gift card for $480. Samsung Galaxy S4 is available for as little as $40 and 16GB Apple iPhone 5s comes for $180 with contract. So as far as electronic items’ offers are concerned, there is no one offering deals like Best Buy.

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MAVEN mission launched to Mars

James J. Williams
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MAVEN mission launched to Mars

NASA’s MAVEN mission has set off for Mars.

The orbiter was launched on an Atlas V rocket from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 13:28 local time.

Assuming the $671million mission stays on track, the probe will have a 10-month cruise to the Red Planet.

MAVEN is going to study Mars’ high atmosphere, to try to understand the processes that have robbed the world of most of its air.

Evidence suggests the planet was once shrouded in a thick blanket of gases that supported the presence of liquid water at its surface. Today, the air pressure is so low that free water would instantly boil away.

MAVEN was released from the Atlas V’s upper-stage some 53 minutes after leaving the Cape Canaveral pad. The probe then had to open its solar panels and orientate itself into a cruise configuration.

“During cruise, we perform four planned trajectory correction manoeuvres where we fire thrusters to tweak the trajectory so that we arrive at the right place and time to go into orbit around Mars. At that point, we will fire a set of thrusters to slow down the spacecraft and get captured into orbit,” explained Guy Beutelschies, the spacecraft’s programme manager at manufacturer Lockheed Martin.

The present-day atmosphere of Mars, composed mostly of carbon dioxide, is extremely thin, with atmospheric pressure at the surface just 0.6% of the Earth’s surface pressure.

NASA’s MAVEN mission has set off for Mars
NASA’s MAVEN mission has set off for Mars

The Martian landscape, though, retains channels that were evidently cut by abundant, flowing water – proof that the planet had a much denser atmosphere in the past.

Some of the air would certainly have reacted with, and been incorporated into, minerals at the surface.

But the most likely explanation for its loss is that the solar wind – the great outflow of energetic particles from the Sun – has simply eroded it through time.

This has been possible because, unlike Earth, the Red Planet lacks a protective global magnetic field, which is capable of deflecting the abrasive assault from our star.

MAVEN (the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN spacecraft) is equipped with eight instruments – some to understand the Sun’s influence at Mars; others to investigate the composition and behavior of the atmosphere. The intention is to measure the rates at which different air molecules are being lost today, distinguishing between the various processes responsible.

Scientists will use this information to get some insights into the history of the Martian climate – from the time billions of years ago when it was warmer and wetter, and potentially habitable to life, to the present environment which is cold and desiccated.

“Most of the loss is thought to have occurred early in Mars’ history when the Sun and the solar wind were more intense,” said Bruce Jakosky, MAVEN’s principal investigator from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

“The loss rates today are low enough that we’re probably not going to see the loss of the entire atmosphere. The reason we are studying it today, even though the loss rates are so much lower, is that we can understand the specific processes that are going on and learn how to extrapolate them back in time.”

Arrival at Mars is timed for September 22, 2014.

“MAVEN will be in an elliptical orbit that ranges as far away as 6,220 km and as close as 150 km,” said Guy Beutelschies.

“We will also execute a set of operations to dip down into the tenuous upper reaches of the atmosphere to do some direct sampling for approximately a week at a time. These are called ‘deep dips’ and we do five of them during the primary mission.”

That primary mission lasts one Earth year (half a Mars year), after which the science team will need additional funding to continue their investigations.

NASA, though, fully intends to keep operating MAVEN long into the future as a data-relay platform for surface rovers like Curiosity.

“If things go nominally, we should have fuel left onboard to keep the vehicle flying for years beyond its design life,” according to NASA.

“As a reference, Mars Odyssey was launched in 2001 and is still operating.”

India launched its Mangalyaan mission to Mars on November 5 but is taking a less direct trajectory to the Red Planet than MAVEN, which means the US mission should get into orbit just a few days before the other orbiter.

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Vance McAllister thanks Duck Dynasty stars for endorsement

Sonia Pantiss
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Vance McAllister thanks Duck Dynasty stars for endorsement

Newly elected Louisiana Congressman Vance McAllister said the endorsement by the Duck Dynasty fame might have given him a leg up in winning Saturday’s runoff for an open congressional seat.

“When Willie and Jep and Jase did what they did for me, I’m sure it didn’t hurt at all,” Republican Vance McAllister told Fox & Friends Monday, referring to the endorsements he received from the folks on the popular TV reality show.

Vance McAllister beat fellow Republican state Senator Neil Riser in a runoff election for the seat in the state’s 5th Congressional District. Both self-described conservatives, Riser ran on the endorsement of the Tea Party of Louisiana.

Phil Robertson endorsed Vance McAllister, a businessman and political newcomer, because he had “the least political experience,” Raw Story reports.

Vance McAllister said Willie Robertson stopped by to congratulate him after the win, giving him a “big old bear hug.”

Jep Robertson endorsement helped Vance McAllister to win Louisiana Congress seat
Jep Robertson endorsement helped Vance McAllister to win Louisiana Congress seat

“We had just wrapped up with all my TV interviews and everything, and I was talking to some friends and family. And, next thing I hear is, <<Willie is here.>> And, I turned around and, oh, my goodness, it’s like Grizzly Adams walking up behind you,” Vance McAllister said.

“He told me he was proud of me. And, I told him, <<Well, boy, I appreciate it>>. Phil, Jase, and Willie and Jep, and even Si, they are amazing, true Christians,” Vance McAllister added.

“And, you know, what y’all see on TV, and I’ve known them before any of this all came about, they are some wonderful people.”

Vance McAllister also said the barrage of negative campaign ads against him also contributed to his win.

“It was 100 percent negative campaign against 100 percent positive campaign. And, I stayed true to my faith and maintained my integrity,” he said.

“We kind of shocked the world.”

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Paris manhunt after Liberation and Societe Generale gun attacks

Diane A. Wade
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Paris manhunt after Liberation and Societe Generale gun attacks

Paris authorities have launched a manhunt after a gunman attacked offices of the newspaper Liberation and fired outside the HQ of the bank Societe Generale.

A photographer, 27, was critically hurt at Liberation. The gunman later forced a motorist to drive him to the Champs Elysees before allowing him to go.

Police are looking for the same man who broke into the Paris offices of the 24-hour news channel BFMTV on Friday.

Police have now been stationed outside all the main media offices in Paris.

At a news conference, investigators held up two images, one of the suspect in a street and another picture, from BFMTV surveillance cameras, which was earlier shown on Le Parisien‘s website.

Paris prosecutor Francis Molins said that a lone gunman appeared to be behind the three attacks and the hijacking. He said the suspect had not yet been identified and the motive was still unclear.

The man is said to be between 40 and 45, and shaven-headed.

The gunman had walked into BFMTV on Friday morning and emptied the chamber of his gun in the reception area.

“Next time, I will not miss you,” the man had said to an editor he threatened.

A police helicopter hung over the Champs Elysees amid fears the gunman might be heading towards the Eiffel Tower, but it is speculated that he might have gone into the metro.

People have been encouraged to stay indoors.

Paris authorities have launched a manhunt after a gunman attacked offices of the newspaper Liberation and fired outside the HQ of the bank Societe Generale
Paris authorities have launched a manhunt after a gunman attacked offices of the newspaper Liberation and fired outside the HQ of the bank Societe Generale

Police say the suspect is calm and assured and each time has walked away from the scene of his attacks.

French media say the suspect told the motorist he hijacked that he was armed with grenades.

President Francois Hollande, who is in Israel, said the priority was “to stop an individual who had tried to kill and could try to kill again”.

At 10:15 local time on Monday, the gunman entered the Paris offices of Liberation, near the Place de la Republique in the east of the city, and opened fire.

He injured a photographer in the chest and stomach before escaping. Liberation said three spent cartridges had been found.

The gunman did not say anything during the attack, Liberation reported.

Some two hours later, the bank Societe Generale confirmed that a man opened fire outside its headquarters in the western business district of La Defense. No-one was injured, the bank said.

One witness of the bank shooting told Le Figaro that he heard a large bang and saw a man wearing a khaki coat and a cap and carrying a shotgun.

The gunman’s second shot caused panic and the man then disappeared down some stairs on to a street, the witness said.

Police say the gunman then hijacked a car in Nanterre, close to La Defense, and forced the driver to take him to the Champs Elysees, where he was dropped near the metro station George V.

Liberation‘s deputy editor Fabrice Tassel said the victim there was fighting for his life.

The victim – who has not been named – was said to be a freelance assistant photographer who had just arrived at the newspaper office to work on a fashion photoshoot.

Police have sealed off the area around Liberation‘s offices. Interior Minister Manuel Valls has visited the scene, along with Culture Minister Aurelie Filippetti and the Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoe.

Manuel Valls said: “As long as this person is still on the loose and we do not know the motives, this represents a threat. We must move fast.”

Liberation‘s publisher Nicolas Demorand said: “In a democracy, when someone enters a newspaper office with a gun, this is very, very serious, whatever the person’s mental state.”

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Dow Jones and Standard and Poor’s rise to new record high

Clyde K. Valle
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Dow Jones and Standard and Poor’s rise to new record high

Dow Jones index rose above 16,000 points for the first time and the broader Standard and Poor’s passed through the 1,800.

Traders are optimistic about the prospect of the Federal Reserve continuing its cheap money policy.

Lower interest rates mean investors are driven to find investments where they will gain higher returns.

Interest rates are close to nothing in the US and are expected to stay there.

Dow Jones index rose above 16,000 points for the first time and the broader Standard and Poor's passed through the 1,800
Dow Jones index rose above 16,000 points for the first time and the broader Standard and Poor’s passed through the 1,800

Although the current chairman of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, is leaving the post, Janet Yellen, who is all but certain to take over from him, is expected to keep the money flowing while the US economy remains fragile.

The economy is growing, but is not thought to be on solid enough ground to withstand the shock that could be caused by a change in policy.

Earlier this month, it was announced that the US economy grew at a better-than-expected annual pace of 2.8% in the third quarter.

However, the latest figures also showed that the unemployment rate edged up to 7.3% from 7.2% in September.

The gains that put stocks in record grounds were modest.

The Dow Jones was up 39.7 points at 16,001.4 points.

The Standard and Poor’s was up 2 points at 1,800.40 points.

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Thor: The Dark World tops US box office for a second week

Sonia Pantiss
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Thor: The Dark World tops US box office for a second week

Thor: The Dark World has topped the US box office for a second week but romantic comedy The Best Man Holiday opened strongly in second place.

Thor: The Dark World took $38.5 million over the weekend, while The Best Man Holiday took $30.6 million.

The Best Man Holiday, which reunites the characters from 1999’s The Best Man, is considered a surprise challenger to Thor‘s crown.

It features a largely African-American ensemble cast, including Taye Diggs and Morris Chestnut.

The romantic comedy follows a group of college friends who reunite over Christmas and reignite old rivalries and romances.

Movies that appeal particularly to black audiences – particularly those by prolific director Tyler Perry – have recently been surpassing expectations at the US box office.

Third place in this week’s chart was taken by Last Vegas – a “sexagenarian version of The Hangover” – starring Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline as four old friends on a stag weekend, with takings of $8.9 million.

Thor: The Dark World has topped the US box office for a second week
Thor: The Dark World has topped the US box office for a second week

Animation Free Birds was fourth with $8.3 million, followed by Jackass comedy Bad Grandpa in fifth spot with $7.7 million.

Oscar-tipped sci-fi Gravity, starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, held firm in sixth place, while Harrison Ford’s Ender’s Game slipped from third to seventh.

Twelve Years a Slave was in eighth position, with Captain Phillips, starring Tom Hanks, in ninth.

British romantic comedy About Time was at number 10.

The race for the lucrative Christmas box office starts this Friday, with the opening action movie Hunger Games: Catching Fire – which is expected to score one of the year’s biggest debuts.

North American box office: Top 5

1. Thor: The Dark World – $38.5 million

2. The Best Man Holiday – $30.6 million

3. Last Vegas – $8.9 million

4. Free Birds – $8.3 million

5. Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa – $7.7 million

Source: Hollywood.com

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Russia extends Greenpeace activist Colin Russell’s detention for three months

Diane A. Wade
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Russia extends Greenpeace activist Colin Russell’s detention for three months

Tasmanian Greenpeace activist Colin Russell, who is among other 30 arrested during a protest against Arctic drilling, will remain in jail for three more months pending trial, a Russian judge has ruled today.

Prosecutors have asked the courts in St Petersburg to keep all 28 activists and two journalists in jail beyond November 24, when their current detention period runs out.

Colin Russell was the first to have his case heard on Monday.

British journalist Kieron Bryon is due in court later on Monday.

The 30 have been charged with hooliganism over a protest at a Russian oil rig in the Arctic in September. The offence carries a maximum sentence of seven years.

Originally they had been charged with piracy, which carries a longer jail term.

Tasmanian Greenpeace activist Colin Russell will remain in the Russian jail for three more months
Tasmanian Greenpeace activist Colin Russell will remain in the Russian jail for three more months

Besides Colin Russell, six others have hearings on Monday. A request for bail or house arrest was denied.

Before being told he must remain in prison, Colin Russell told the judge: “I haven’t done anything wrong.

“I don’t understand the reasons why I’ve been detained. I’ve done two months’ hard time for nothing.”

Last week the 30 were moved to prisons in St Petersburg from Murmansk in the Arctic.

Greenpeace denies any wrongdoing and is urging Russia to release the detainees – who come from 18 countries – and their ship, Arctic Sunrise.

If Russia keeps all 30 in jail for another three months they will remain there during the February 2014 Winter Olympics hosted by Russia in Sochi.

The environmental group’s international executive director, Kumi Naidoo, condemned the judge’s ruling against Colin Russell, saying “this case is now a circus”.

“Our friends may now be in jail for months longer, all because they made a stand for all of us in the pristine Arctic. We will continue to pursue every legal avenue we can, and leave no stone unturned, until each and every one of them is home with their families,” he said.

“We hope the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea will order their release when they adjudicate on Friday.”

Russia is not attending the UN tribunal hearing in Hamburg, as it is not party to some UN Law of the Sea dispute procedures.

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Si Robertson packs Operation Christmas Child shoebox

Sonia Pantiss
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Si Robertson packs Operation Christmas Child shoebox

Duck Dynasty’s Si Robertson has teamed up with Operation Christmas Child to get the word out about sharing God’s love through the joy of a shoebox gift.

Watch as Uncle Si Robertson learns how to pack an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. This big kid at heart wanted to help children around the world have a Merry Christmas and learn about the love of Christ.

Si Robertson has teamed up with Operation Christmas Child to get the word out about sharing God’s love through the joy of a shoebox gift
Si Robertson has teamed up with Operation Christmas Child to get the word out about sharing God’s love through the joy of a shoebox gift

Operation Christmas Child wrote on their Samaritan’s Purse website: “Since 1990, more than 100 million boys and girls in over 130 countries have experienced God’s love through the power of simple shoe box gifts from Operation Christmas Child. Samaritan’s Purse works with local churches and ministry partners to deliver the gifts and share the life-changing Good News of Jesus Christ.

“We always give shoeboxes to children based on need, regardless of their background or religious beliefs. It’s an unconditional gift of love.

“Where appropriate, with each shoebox, our church partners will offer a little booklet of Bible stories. They may also invite children receiving shoeboxes to join a discipleship course called The Greatest Journey. This is a <<no strings attached>> programme and participation is with the consent of their parent or guardian.”

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Gunman opens fire at Liberation newspaper office in Paris

Diane A. Wade
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Gunman opens fire at Liberation newspaper office in Paris

One man has been seriously injured after a gunman has opened fire inside a Paris office building housing the left-wing newspaper, Liberation.

The victim was a photographer’s assistant, aged 27, Liberation said.

On Friday a man armed with what appeared to be a gun broke into the Paris offices of the rolling news channel BFMTV. He did not fire any shots and no-one was injured.

It is not clear whether there is any connection between the two incidents.

On its website, Liberation said the man entered the premises shortly before 10:15, armed with a hunting rifle. He fired two shots, wounding the photographer’s assistant before escaping.

The gunman did not say anything, Liberation reported. He is described as aged about 40 and wearing a cap.

A gunman has opened fire inside Liberation’s office in Paris
A gunman has opened fire inside Liberation’s office in Paris

Police have now been stationed outside the offices of all major media organizations in Paris.

Liberation’s deputy editor Fabrice Tassel said the victim – who was shot in the chest – was fighting for his life.

Police have sealed off the area around Liberation‘s offices. Interior Minister Manuel Valls has arrived at the scene.

Liberation said three spent cartridges of buckshot had been found, along with traces of buckshot in the ceiling.

“In a democracy, when someone enters a newspaper office with a gun, this is very, very serious, whatever the person’s mental state,” said Liberation‘s publisher Nicolas Demorand.

Nicolas Demorand said he would hold a news conference at 4 p.m.

In the next few hours, investigators will compare CCTV images from the two attacks to see if there are any similarities, BFMTV said.

A journalist from Liberation told BFMTV that the two security guards at the entrance immediately ducked down behind their desks when the man drew his weapon and did not see him clearly.

Duck Dynasty Christmas special to air on December 11th

Sonia Pantiss
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Duck Dynasty Christmas special to air on December 11th

This year’s Duck Dynasty Christmas special is set to air on December 11th.

The season just wrapped up for Duck Dynasty Season 4, but don’t worry, you are going to be able to get one more dose of the Robertson family before Christmas.

This year’s Duck Dynasty Christmas special set to air on December 11th
This year’s Duck Dynasty Christmas special set to air on December 11th

There is no telling what Si, Willie, Jase Robertson and the rest of the crew will be up to in the upcoming episode but judging from the video promoting the show, it should be hilarious.

The promoting video shows Uncle Si putting coal in everyone’s stocking while he laughs in his sinister laugh.

Duck Dynasty Christmas special is set to air on Wednesday, December 11th, 2013 at 10/9 C.

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Vance McAllister wins Louisiana Congress seat after Duck Dynasty endorsement

Sonia Pantiss
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Vance McAllister wins Louisiana Congress seat after Duck Dynasty endorsement

Political newcomer Republican Vance McAllister, who was endorsed by Duck Dynasty‘s Willie Robertson, won a Louisiana special election for Congress on Saturday.

Vance McAllister defeated Republican state Senator Neil Riser 60% to 40% to represent Louisiana’s fifth Congressional District.

In the October 15 open primary, Neil Riser got 32% of the vote while Vance McAllister got 18%.

Republican Vance McAllister, who was endorsed by Duck Dynasty's Willie Robertson, won a Louisiana special election for Congress
Republican Vance McAllister, who was endorsed by Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson, won a Louisiana special election for Congress

“I’m so humbled. So humbled. This is such a great monumental win – victory,” Vance  McAllister said Saturday night.

“[This race] was never about why not to vote for Neil Riser. It was about why to vote for Vance McAllister.”

The election was held after Republican Rodney Alexander (R-LA) vacated the seat when he abruptly retired from Congress to take a post in Republican Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal’s administration.

Willie Robertson, who some expected to run for the seat, endorsed Vance McAllister on Wednesday, calling him a “good buddy” who “can turn Washington around.”

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Abdul Qadir al-Saleh: Top Syrian rebel commander dies in Aleppo

Roy Siemens
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Abdul Qadir al-Saleh: Top Syrian rebel commander dies in Aleppo

Top Syrian rebel commander Abdul Qadir al-Saleh has died of wounds he sustained in a government air strike on a rebel-held air base near Aleppo on Thursday, reports say.

Abdul Qadir al-Saleh, the leader of Liwa al-Tawhid, died overnight, a spokesman told the Associated Press.

Abdul Aziz Salama, the brigade’s political leader, had assumed overall command, the spokesman added.

Abdul Qadir al-Saleh has died of wounds he sustained in a government air strike on a rebel-held air base near Aleppo
Abdul Qadir al-Saleh has died of wounds he sustained in a government air strike on a rebel-held air base near Aleppo

Opposition activists had said Abdul Qadir al-Saleh, also known as Hajji Marea, was in a good condition in hospital last week.

Liwa al-Tawhid (Battalion of Monotheism) was formed in July 2012 to unite the many separate fighting groups operating in the Aleppo countryside. Later that month, it led a rebel offensive on the city of Aleppo.

Liwa al-Tawhid is now one of the main forces operating in the province, and is estimated to have between 8,000 and 10,000 fighters.

In January, it joined the Syrian Islamic Liberation Front (SILF), an alliance of Islamist rebel groups that recognizes the Western-backed Supreme Military Council of the Free Syrian Army but not the National Coalition.

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Fukushima nuclear plant begins fuel rod removal at Unit 4 reactor

Diane A. Wade
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Fukushima nuclear plant begins fuel rod removal at Unit 4 reactor

Stricken Fukushima nuclear plant has begun removing fuel rods from a storage pond at the Unit 4 reactor building.

The delicate operation is seen as a necessary step in stabilizing the site.

It will take more over two days to remove the first 22 fuel rod assemblies, plant operator Tepco says.

Overall, more than 1,500 assemblies must be removed in what correspondents describe as a risky and dangerous operation set to take a year.

Experts say hydrogen explosions after the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 have made the current storage facility vulnerable to further tremors.

The fuel rod assemblies are 4-metre long tubes containing pellets of uranium fuel, and the fear is that some may have been damaged during the disaster.

When the tsunami struck, water knocked out cooling systems to three of Fukushima’s reactors, which went into a state of partial meltdown.

Unit 4 was undergoing maintenance, so all of its fuel rods were being stored. But a build-up of hydrogen triggered an explosion in Unit 4, damaging its structure.

Stricken Fukushima nuclear plant has begun removing fuel rods from a storage pond at the Unit 4 reactor building
Stricken Fukushima nuclear plant has begun removing fuel rods from a storage pond at the Unit 4 reactor building

The removal process, which has been preceded by months of repair work and planning, began on Monday afternoon.

“At 15:18, we started to pull up the first fuel assembly with a crane,” a spokesman for Tepco (Tokyo Electric Power Company) said.

A recently-installed crane is being lowered into the pool and hooked onto the assemblies to place them inside a cask.

The fuel rods will then be deposited into a more secure storage pool with a cooling system.

Experts say it it vital that the casks are watertight so the rods have no contact with air – which risks overheating and possible contamination.

Yoshihide Suga, Japan’s top government spokesman, said he hoped the operation would be done properly.

“We hope that this [process] will be conducted in a manner that will not disturb local residents, and that the removal will be done on schedule, properly and safely,” he said.

Tepco spokesman Masayuki Ono called the operation “a very important process in moving ahead with the plant’s decommissioning”.

Nuclear Regulation Authority Chairman Shunichi Tanaka has warned that rubble from the blast in the pool could pose a problem, Kyodo news agency reported.

“The fuel has to be handled very carefully. There is a need to make sure that a fuel assembly is not pulled out (from the fuel rack) by force when it gets stuck because of the rubble,” Kyodo news agency quoted him as saying.

The Fukushima nuclear power plant has suffered a series of setbacks in recent months, including a series of toxic water leaks and worker errors.

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Alex Calderwood: Ace Hotel chain co-founder dies at 47

Nancy Clayson
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Alex Calderwood: Ace Hotel chain co-founder dies at 47

Co-founder of the upscale Ace Hotel chain, Alex Calderwood, has died at age 47, the company said.

Ace Hotel chain started in 1999 with a single refurbished halfway house in Seattle’s arts district.

Alex Calderwood died Thursday in London, the site of the company’s newest hotel. No cause was reported.

The company confirmed Alex Calderwood’s death in a brief statement on its blog that said only that he “was our teacher, mentor, guru and most importantly our dear friend.”

Company employees said they’d been asked not to talk to reporters.

Co-founder of the upscale Ace Hotel chain, Alex Calderwood, has died at age 47
Co-founder of the upscale Ace Hotel chain, Alex Calderwood, has died at age 47

The first Ace Hotel was opened in 1999 in Seattle by Alex Calderwood, Wade Weigel and David Petersen, who’d become known in trendy circles for having founded the quirky, upscale Rudy’s Barbershop chain in Los Angeles seven years earlier.

The three took over the lease of an old Salvation Army halfway house in Seattle’s waterfront Belltown neighborhood, a densely populated center of the city’s restaurant and arts scene.

With intentionally cheap rates, room art by Shepard Fairey – the man behind the iconic Barack Obama “Hope” poster – antique steam radiators, artists’ lofts and cleverly concealed bathrooms (some behind revolving doors), the Ace quickly became a favorite of adventurous travelers.

The hotel chain now has locations in New York, London, Palm Springs, California, and Portland, Oregon, and is scheduled to open in Los Angeles in January.

Ace Hotels are often described as hipster headquarters, especially the Portland location, which has been parodied in the TV series Portlandia – where the snobbish staff provides record turntables and typewriters to the guests of the “Deuce Hotel.”

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Edward Snowden documents: Australia spied on Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

Diane A. Wade
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Edward Snowden documents: Australia spied on Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

Documents leaked by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden reportedly revealed that Australia’s intelligence agencies spied on phone calls of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and close confidantes.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the first lady and Vice-President Boediono were reportedly amongst those targeted.

The documents leaked by Edward Snowden were published by broadcaster Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Guardian newspaper.

Indonesia said Australia should “urgently” clarify the spying claims.

The report is the latest in a series of spying allegations that have strained relations between the two allies.

On November 1st,  Indonesia summoned Australia’s ambassador amid reports that Australia’s Jakarta embassy was used as part of a US-led spying network in Asia.

The latest leaked document showed that Australia spy agencies named Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the first lady, Vice-President Boediono and other senior ministers as targets for monitoring, the reports said.

The presentation from Australian spy agency the Defense Signals Directorate (now known as the Australian Signals Directorate) showed that agencies attempted to listen to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s calls at least once, and tracked calls made to and from his mobile phone, in August 2009, the ABC and the Guardian added.

Australia's intelligence agencies spied on phone calls of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and close confidantes
Australia’s intelligence agencies spied on phone calls of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and close confidantes

The news organizations published slides from the presentation, which appeared to show a list of Indonesian “leadership targets” and the handset models used by each target, as well as a diagram of “voice events” of the Indonesian president in August 2009.

One slide entitled “Indonesian President voice intercept (August ’09)” appeared to show an attempt to listen to the content of a phone call to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

On Monday, responding to questions in parliament, Australian PM Tony Abbott said: “The Australian government never comments on specific intelligence matters.”

He added: “I will never say or do anything that might damage the strong relationship and the close co-operation that we have with Indonesia, which is all in all, our most important relationship.”

Last week, commenting on the earlier claims, PM Tony Abbott had described the term spying as “kind of loaded language” and suggested that “researching” would be more appropriate.

On Monday Indonesian presidential spokesman Teuku Faizasyah, said: “[The] Australian government urgently needs to clarify on this news, to avoid further damage.”

“The damage has been done,” he added.

Indonesia has publicly voiced anger over previous allegations of Australian spying.

Vice-President Boediono, who like many Indonesians goes by only one name, said last week that the Indonesian public was “concerned” about the spying allegations.

“I think we must look forward to come to some arrangement which guarantees that intelligence information from each side is not used against the other,” Boediono said.

Australia and Indonesia are key allies and trading partners.

Australia requires Indonesia’s co-operation on the asylum issue, as many asylum seekers travel via Indonesia to Australia by boat, but there are tensions on the issue.

Earlier this month, Indonesia declined an Australian request to receive a boat of asylum seekers whose vessel, bound for Australia’s Christmas Island, had got into trouble after it departed from Indonesia.

The reports are amongst the series of documents leaked by Edward Snowden, who has been granted temporary asylum in Russia and is wanted in the US in connection with the unauthorized disclosures.

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Midwest tornadoes kill at least 6 people in Illinois

Nancy Clayson
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Midwest tornadoes kill at least 6 people in Illinois

Dozens of tornadoes killed at least six people, injured many others and left devastating damage in parts of Illinois.

The powerful tornadoes have swept through the  Midwest, destroying buildings and overturning vehicles in the states of Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.

Brookport, Illinois, in Massac County near the Kentucky line, was particularly hard hit. At least two people were confirmed to have died, and police with dogs were going door to door to search for trapped residents. With roads entering the city closed by debris and downed power lines, Brookport authorities imposed a 6 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew.

At least four other people were killed in Illinois, the state Emergency Management Agency told NBC News. An 80-year-old man and his 78-year-old sister were killed near New Minden, according to Washington County Coroner Mark Styninger, and unidentified victims were confirmed dead in Washington city and in Unionville.

Dozens of tornadoes killed at least six people, injured many others and left devastating damage in parts of Illinois
Dozens of tornadoes killed at least six people, injured many others and left devastating damage in parts of Illinois

Forecasters said people in 10 states had been at risk. Hailstones the size of tennis balls have been reported.

The storm was so fast-moving – with winds of up to 68 mph – that weather services issued warnings for people not to wait until they saw the weather change.

It is continuing its way east.

November is ordinarily one of the quietest months in the tornado calendar, meaning these storms are unusually destructive for this time of year.

About 80 reports of tornadoes had come in by late Sunday, said the National Weather Service – though a spokesman cautioned that multiple reporting meant the confirmed number might be about 30 or 40.

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Thanksgiving Recipe: Banana Bourbon Layer Cake

Kathryn R. Bown
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Thanksgiving Recipe: Banana Bourbon Layer Cake

Banana Bourbon Layer Cake from Martha Stewart

Prepare the sliced-banana topping just before serving.
Ingredients: (8 to 10 serves)

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pans
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, separated
  • 2 ripe bananas, enough to make 1 cup mashed
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

    Banana Bourbon Layer Cake
    Banana Bourbon Layer Cake
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 3 bananas, not too ripe
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons dark-brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup bourbon

Directions:

  1. Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans. In a bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2. Cream together butter and sugar. Add egg yolks one at a time. In another bowl, mash bananas, and combine with buttermilk and vanilla. Add alternately to butter mixture with flour mixture, beginning and ending with flour.
  3. Beat egg whites until stiff; fold into batter.
  4. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool in pans for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
  5. When cake layers are cool, whip cream with confectioners’ sugar until stiff. Fold in sour cream. Place a cake layer on a plate, and spread with filling to within 1 inch of edge. Place other layer on top, and press down lightly. Chill for 1 hour.
  6. Slice bananas 1/2 inch thick. Melt butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. When it sizzles, add slices in a single layer. Sprinkle with sugar. When golden brown, turn slices; cook until brown on other side.
  7. Carefully pour in bourbon (using a measuring cup, never the bottle) and ignite with a match. Cook until flames die down, shaking the pan to toss bananas in syrup. Remove from heat.
  8. Arrange banana slices on top of cake. Pour remaining syrup over cake, letting it drip down sides. Serve immediately.

Khloe Kardashian doesn’t regret letting cameras track her life

Lisa.Felice
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Khloe Kardashian doesn’t regret letting cameras track her life

In a recent interview, Khloe Kardashian says she doesn’t regret letting cameras track her life but admits it’s a double edged sword.

Khloe Kardashian, 29, told BBC she accepts having a film crew around her makes it difficult at times to have a private life.

Khloe Kardashian says she doesn't regret letting cameras track her life but admits it's a double edged sword
Khloe Kardashian says she doesn’t regret letting cameras track her life but admits it’s a double edged sword

The reality star also confirmed that a ninth series of Keeping Up With The Kardashians is being filmed.

Khloe Kardashian was in London as the Kardashian sisters launched a fashion range.

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Rome Film Festival 2013: Matthew McConaughey receives best actor award

Sonia Pantiss
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Rome Film Festival 2013: Matthew McConaughey receives best actor award

Matthew McConaughey and Scarlett Johansson have received best actor and actress awards respectively at this year’s Rome Film Festival.

Scarlett Johansson, 28, was recognized for her role in Spike Jonze’s film Her, in which she is heard but not seen as the voice of a computer operating system.

Matthew McConaughey was honored for his Oscar-tipped role as a 1980s AIDS activist in Dallas Buyers Club.

Matthew McConaughey has received the best actor award at this year’s Rome Film Festival for his role as a 1980s AIDS activist in Dallas Buyers Club
Matthew McConaughey has received the best actor award at this year’s Rome Film Festival for his role as a 1980s AIDS activist in Dallas Buyers Club

Tir, a documentary about a Bosnian truck driver, won the best film award.

It is the second documentary to win top honors at an Italian film festival this year, following the success of Sacro GRA at Venice in September,

Sacro GRA, directed by Alberto Fasulo, is also the first Italian title to win Rome’s top prize since the festival began in 2006.

Japan’s Kiyoshi Kurosawa – who is not related to his namesake Akira – won the best director award for his thriller Seventh Code.

Dallas Buyers Club also won an audience prize at Saturday’s ceremony, held on the penultimate day of the 8th Rome Film Festival.

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Charlie Sheen cancels Baja Film Festival appearance due to jet mechanical glitch

Lisa.Felice
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Charlie Sheen cancels Baja Film Festival appearance due to jet mechanical glitch

Charlie Sheen has canceled an appearance at Baja Film Festival in Mexico on Saturday after his private plane suffered a mechanical glitch.

Charlie Sheen, 48, was set to attend the film festival with ex-wife Denise Richards, and their two daughters, Sam, 9, and 8-year-old Lola.

But the actor has been forced to axe the trip due to problems with his jet which he branded “potentially life threatening.”

Charlie Sheen took to Twitter to post a photo of himself posing with Denise Richards and the young girls as they sat aboard the plane and issued an apology to festival organizers.

Charlie Sheen has canceled an appearance at Baja Film Festival in Mexico after his private plane suffered a mechanical glitch
Charlie Sheen has canceled an appearance at Baja Film Festival in Mexico after his private plane suffered a mechanical glitch

The actor wrote: “I’d like to apologize to Pablo Sanchez-Navarro Hotel El Gonzo, the good people of Cabo who organized the film festival, as well as all of my fans in attendance. I boarded my plane this a.m. with Denise, my daughters Sam and Lola, as well as my publicist Jeff Ballard and life long best friend Tony Todd. I allotted ample time to attend the event in a punctual and safe capacity. However, we encountered a mechanical diversion that rendered the trip potentially life threatening. The generous offer was made to have a replacement plane scoop us up, and deliver us to said event. The problem is for a myriad of reasons that are both practical and ethereal and completely rooted in a gut check ‘safety first’ code, I will NOT fly my family my friends or myself on any other aircraft. This is a non negotiable rule of mine as it lives in concert with zero wiggle room for maybes or friendly coercion. As I write this my plane is still not launch ready therefore leaving us all with zero options to attend the event on time. I am beyond apologetic and I ask all involved, to exercise grace and understanding in and around the headaches I’m certain this has created.”

Jessica Simpson shows off post-baby body

Lisa.Felice
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Jessica Simpson shows off post-baby body

Jessica Simpson has debuted her official post-baby beach body via Twitter.

Jessica Simpson, 33, retweeted a picture of herself wearing a one-piece white bathing suit while gearing up to shoot ads for her Jessica Simpson Collection on Friday, November 15.

“Guess which mama I get to play dress up with today?” Jessica Simpson’s stylist Nicole Chavez wrote. Shortly after, Simpson retweeted the photo and added: “;) @JSCollection.”

Jessica Simpson wearing a one-piece white bathing suit while gearing up to shoot ads for her Jessica Simpson Collection
Jessica Simpson wearing a one-piece white bathing suit while gearing up to shoot ads for her Jessica Simpson Collection

In the hazy photo, Jessica Simpson shows off her svelte physique while sitting outside poolside in a cleavage-baring suit. She’s also seen arching her back while placing her right hand on top of concrete surrounding the water, with her blonde locks down and swept to the right side concealing her face.

The mother of daughter Maxwell, 19 months and son Ace, 5 months, has been working out since giving birth to her baby boy in June.

One week earlier, Jessica Simpson shared a picture of herself while working with Weight Watchers.

Weight Watchers previously helped Jessica Simpson drop 70 pounds after giving birth to Maxwell in May 2012.

Tatarstan Airlines plane crashes at Kazan airport killing 50 people

Nancy Clayson
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Tatarstan Airlines plane crashes at Kazan airport killing 50 people

A Russian passenger plane has crashed at Kazan airport killing at least 50 people, officials say.

The Tatarstan Airlines Boeing 737 had taken off from Moscow, and was reportedly trying to land but exploded on impact.

Russian officials told local media there were no survivors.

Tatarstan Airlines Boeing 737 had taken off from Moscow, and was reportedly trying to land but exploded on impact
Tatarstan Airlines Boeing 737 had taken off from Moscow, and was reportedly trying to land but exploded on impact

The plane crashed about 7:20 p.m. local time on Sunday, reports said.

The Emergencies Ministry said there were 44 passengers and six crew members on the flight.

There were no immediate indications of what may have led to the crash, but reports said the pilot had already tried to land twice before – and crashed on the third attempt.

The airport in Kazan – the capital of the Russian Republic of Tatarstan – has been closed since the accident.

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Doris Lessing dies in London aged 94

Nancy Clayson
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Doris Lessing dies in London aged 94

Doris Lessing has died at her London home this morning at the age of 94.

The Nobel Prize-winning “passed away peacefully at her London home in the early hours of this morning”, a statement from her publisher, Harper Collins, announced.

Doris Lessing best-known works include The Golden Notebook, Memoirs of a Survivor and The Summer Before the Dark.

She became the oldest winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature when in 2007 she won the award for her life’s work aged 88.

Jonathan Clowes, her long-time friend and agent, said she was “a wonderful writer with a fascinating and original mind”.

“It was a privilege to work for her and we shall miss her immensely.”

“Doris Lessing was a one of the great writers of our age,” said Charlie Redmayne, CEO of Harper Collins UK.

“She was a compelling storyteller with a fierce intellect and a warm heart who was not afraid to fight for what she believed in.”

Nobel Prize-winning author Doris Lessing dies at 94
Nobel Prize-winning author Doris Lessing dies at 94

Doris Lessing is survived by her daughter Jean and granddaughters Anna and Susannah

Born in what is now Iran, she moved to Southern Rhodesia – now Zimbabwe – as a child before settling in England in 1949.

Doris Lessing’s debut novel The Grass is Singing was published in 1950 and she made her breakthrough with The Golden Notebook in 1962.

On winning the Nobel Prize, the Swedish Academy described Doris Lessing as an “epicist of the female experience, who with skepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilization to scrutiny”.

After learning she had won the award, Doris Lessing said she was “very glad” but recalled that in the 1960s she had been told the Nobel Prize committee did not like her and she would never win one.

“So now they’ve decided they’re going to give it to me. So why? I mean, why do they like me any better now than they did then?” Doris Lessing said.

The Swedish Academy said the Golden Notebook was seen as “a pioneering work” that “belongs to the handful of books that informed the 20th Century view of the male-female relationship”.

As an author, though, Doris Lessing distanced herself from the feminist movement.

The content of her other novels ranged from semi-autobiographical African experiences to social and political struggle, psychological thrillers and science fiction.

Doris Lessing had two children with her first husband, Frank Wisdom, whom she married in 1939. But she left the family home and the couple divorced in 1943.

She then married and had a son with the German communist Gottfried Lessing in 1945.

They divorced in 1949 and she moved to England with her son Peter.

Tributes have been paid to Doris Lessing by her fellow authors, with Professor Lisa Jardine remembering her as “one of our very greatest writers”.

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Pakistan government requests treason trial for Pervez Musharraf

Diane A. Wade
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Pakistan government requests treason trial for Pervez Musharraf

Pakistan’s Supreme Court has been asked by the government to try the former military leader Pervez Musharraf on treason charges.

Pervez Musharraf is accused of treason for declaring a state of emergency in 2007 and suspending the constitution, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said.

The government will send its request in a letter to the court on Monday.

It is the latest legal setback for Pervez Musharraf since he returned to Pakistan earlier this year.

If convicted of treason, he could face the death penalty or life in prison.

The government had announced in June that it wanted the former military ruler to be tried for treason, but had yet to submit a formal complaint.

Pervez Musharraf is accused of treason for declaring a state of emergency in 2007 and suspending Pakistani constitution
Pervez Musharraf is accused of treason for declaring a state of emergency in 2007 and suspending Pakistani constitution

Pervez Musharraf already faces charges over an army operation in 2007 to remove militants from the Red Mosque in Islamabad. The incident left more than 100 dead, including a cleric, and helped spark Islamist unrest.

He faces charges of murder in connection with the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and Baloch rebel tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti.

Pervez Musharraf has also been charged over his attempts to fire the senior judiciary five years ago.

The government’s request that he be tried for treason comes just over a week after he was released from house arrest following the granting of bail.

Pervez Musharraf, who would be the first former military leader to be tried for treason since the founding of Pakistan, denies all the charges against him and says they are politically motivated.

He came to power in 1999 after ousting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup. Five years after leaving power, he returned from self-imposed exile in March to contest a general election. Nawaz Sharif won that election, giving him a third term as prime minister.

Pervez Musharraf has suffered numerous setbacks since setting foot in his home country. In a very public insult only days after his return, a shoe was thrown at him in a court building in Karachi.

He was also put under house arrest in April and banned from taking part in the election.

Despite the granting of bail, Pervez Musharraf is prohibited from leaving Pakistan, though he has said he does not intend to leave.

Nelson Mandela still unable to talk

Nancy Clayson
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Nelson Mandela still unable to talk

Nelson Mandela is still unable to speak but uses facial expressions to communicate, the former South African president’s ex-wife has told a local newspaper.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela said Nelson Mandela, 95, remained “quite ill” but she dismissed speculation that he was on a life support machine.

In September, Nelson Mandela returned home after nearly three months in hospital with a recurring lung infection.

The government has said his condition is critical and sometimes unstable.

He is no longer talking “because of all the tubes that are in his mouth to clear [fluid from] the lungs”, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela told South Africa’s Sunday Independent newspaper.

Nelson Mandela is still unable to speak but uses facial expressions to communicate
Nelson Mandela is still unable to speak but uses facial expressions to communicate

“He can’t actually articulate anything… He communicates with the face, you see. But the doctors have told us they hope to recover his voice.”

“I have heard this nonsense that he is on life support – he is not,” Winnie Madikizela-Mandela added.

“It is difficult for him. He remains very sensitive to any germs, so he has to be kept literally sterile. The bedroom there is like an ICU [intensive care unit] ward.”

Nelson Mandela has been receiving intensive care at his home in a suburb of Johannesburg, which has been specially adapted for his care.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate is revered around the world for leading the fight against white minority rule and preaching reconciliation with the white community despite being imprisoned for 27 years.

Correspondents say the presidency has been keen to reassure not just the Mandela family but the nation that he is no more vulnerable at home than in hospital. It has called for Nelson Mandela’s privacy and dignity to be respected.

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