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How US shutdown is affecting business

Clyde K. Valle
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How US shutdown is affecting business

Business is starting to suffer from the US shutdown, Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker has warned.

Penny Pritzker’s comments at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) came as leaders gathering for the summit voiced worries about the US situation.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino said that what happens in the US “affects us all”.

On Friday, the US defense contractor Lockheed Martin said it would put 3,000 workers on unpaid leave.

The US government closed non-essential operations on Tuesday after Congress failed to agree a new budget.

President Barack Obama cancelled a scheduled trip to Asia because of the shutdown.

“The shutdown is not good for business. It’s not good for the economy,” Penny Pritzker said.

The US government closed non-essential operations on Tuesday after Congress failed to agree a new budget
The US government closed non-essential operations on Tuesday after Congress failed to agree a new budget

One consequence of the shutdown had been her department’s inability to collate vital economic data.

“We’re a huge source of data for American business and that is a problem… It’s affecting businesses and it’s affecting their ability to get data,” she said.

From Monday, Lockheed Martin will put 3,000 staff on leave, but the defense giant said this number would rise if the shutdown continued.

“I’m disappointed that we must take these actions and we continue to encourage our lawmakers to come together to pass a funding bill that will end this shutdown,” Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed’s chief executive and president, said in a statement.

“We hope that Congress and the Administration are able to resolve this situation as soon as possible,” she added.

The announcement followed United Technologies’ decision to temporarily lay off 2,000 employees.

The company, which makes Blackhawk helicopters, said some manufacturing had been halted because there were no government inspectors working to sign off products.

The widening impact of the shutdown sparked concern at APEC meeting in Bali on Sunday.

Benigno Aquino said: “The US economy is the number one economy in the world, what happens there affects all of us.

“The world economy obviously is not in a position to withstand too much shock at this time when we are just recovering as a global economy.”

Meanwhile, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said the US had to confront its fiscal problems “in a better way than they are doing it now with shutting down the government”.

Barack Obama is refusing to negotiate with the Republicans over the budget issues until they pass a temporary bill to reopen the government.

The president also wants agreement to raise the $16.7 trillion US borrowing limit, to avoid the country defaulting on its debts.

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Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner diagnosed with subdural hematoma

Diane A. Wade
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Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner diagnosed with subdural hematoma

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has been ordered to take a month off work after bleeding was found on her brain.

The 60-year-old Argentine president was undergoing medical checks for another condition when the bleeding – a subdural hematoma – was discovered.

Vice-President Amado Boudou is flying back from France to take over her duties.

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has been campaigning ahead of congressional elections.

The break from campaigning is considered awkward for the president as some opinion polls have suggested the government could lose control of Congress in the poll on October 27.

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has been ordered to take a month off work after bleeding was found on her brain
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has been ordered to take a month off work after bleeding was found on her brain

Her spokesman, Alfredo Scoccimarro, issued a statement saying her doctors had carried out a brain scan in August after a previously undisclosed trauma – thought to be caused by a fall.

However, they found nothing untoward.

On Saturday, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner went to hospital for checks for an irregular heartbeat and also complained of headaches.

A further scan revealed the subdural hematoma – bleeding between the brain and the skull.

The condition is said to be “chronic” but not “acute” according to the presidential statement, and Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner will not be staying in hospital.

Her doctors are to monitor the bleeding using imaging technology.

President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, a centre-left Peronist, was first elected in 2007 and then returned to power by a comfortable majority in 2011.

There have been hints that she may seek a third term, though Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has never confirmed this.

This would also require a change to the constitution – only possible if her party keeps control of Congress.

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Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics: Torch relay launched by Vladimir Putin in Moscow ceremony

Clyde K. Valle
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Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics: Torch relay launched by Vladimir Putin in Moscow ceremony

Vladimir Putin has taken part in a ceremony in Moscow to launch the torch relay for 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

The torch will go on a 123-day journey covering some 40,000 miles before the Games start in the Black Sea resort on February 7.

The torch’s journey will include a trip into space.

The Russian president said the Games would show his country’s “respect for equality and diversity”.

The run-up to the Games has so far been marred by controversy over a new Russian law that restricts the spread of information about homosexuality, as well as allegations by rights groups that authorities have rounded up migrant workers who helped build the Games venues in Sochi.

Vladimir Putin has taken part in a ceremony in Moscow to launch the torch relay for 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi
Vladimir Putin has taken part in a ceremony in Moscow to launch the torch relay for 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi

The Olympic flame had been flown in from Greece after being lit last Sunday at the birthplace of the ancient Games.

Hoisting the flame in Moscow, Vladimir Putin declared in a ceremony shown live on television that “our shared dream is becoming reality”.

Vladimir Putin said the Games would show “respect for equality and diversity – ideals that are so intertwined with the ideals of the Olympic movement itself”.

He said the relay would show off Russia “the way that it is and the way we love it”.

“Today is a joyous and momentous day,” Vladimir Putin said.

“The Olympic flame – the symbol of the planet’s main sports event, the symbol of peace and friendship – has arrived in Russia, and in a few minutes it will be on its way around our huge country.”

On its journey the Olympic flame will:

  • Travel to the North Pole on an atomic-powered icebreaker
  • Ascend Europe’s highest peak, Mt Elbrus
  • Be taken to the depths of Lake Baikal in Siberia
  • Be taken on a spacewalk (unlit) at the International Space Station [youtube kOQibnX3_R4]

Syria’s chemical weapons destruction begins

Roy Siemens
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Syria’s chemical weapons destruction begins

The OPWC monitors have announced that the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons has begun.

The operation is being overseen by a team from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The mission was established under a United Nations resolution, which was passed after agreement between Russia and the US.

The resolution followed international outrage at a chemical weapons attack near Damascus in August.

In an interim report, UN chemical weapons inspectors confirmed that the nerve agent sarin had been used in the attack in Ghouta on the outskirts of the city on August 21.

It was estimated to have killed hundreds of people and was blamed by the United States and other Western powers on the regime of Bashar al-Assad. But he accuses Syrian rebels of being behind it.

Syria’s chemical arms destruction is being overseen by a team from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
Syria’s chemical arms destruction is being overseen by a team from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

“Today is the first day of destruction, in which heavy vehicles are going to run over and thus destroy missile warheads, aerial chemical bombs and mobile and static mixing and filling units,” a source with the inspection operation told the French AFP news agency.

It is not clear at which of the chemical weapons sites declared by the government, thought to number about 20, that Sunday’s operation is taking place.

The destruction of the stockpile, being carried out by the Syrians, is not expected to be straightforward, as some sites are in combat zones.

It is the first time the OPCW – based in The Hague – has been asked to oversee the destruction of a chemical weapons armory during a conflict.

The Syrian government gave details of its chemical weapons arsenal last month to the OPCW under the Russia-US agreement which also provided for Damascus to join the Chemical Weapons Convention.

That arsenal is thought to include more than 1,000 tonnes of sarin and the blister agent sulphur mustard among other banned chemicals.

Under the terms of the agreement between the US and Russia Syria’s chemical weapons capability should be removed by the middle of 2014.

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Halle Berry gives birth to baby boy

Lisa.Felice
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Halle Berry gives birth to baby boy

Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez welcomed a baby boy into the world on Saturday, October 5, a rep for the actress confirms to Us Weekly.

Halle Berry, 47, first announced her pregnancy on April 5, telling CNN that it was “the biggest surprise of [her] life.”

Halle Berry, 47, first announced her pregnancy on April 5
Halle Berry, 47, first announced her pregnancy on April 5

“Thought I was kind of past the point where this could be a reality for me,” Halle Berry confessed at the time.

“So it’s been a big surprise and the most wonderful.”

Halle Berry largely kept mum about her pregnancy in the following months, but did admit to Entertainment Tonight in May that she considered the pregnancy a “miracle.”

“I feel really happy. It’s one of the best things that happened in my life, for sure,” the actress told reporters at the 20th annual EIF Revlon Run/Walk For Women event at the time.

Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez, 47, tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Vallery, France this past summer, on July 13.

This is the first child for Olivier Martinez and second for Halle Berry, who gave birth to daughter Nahla in 2008, with then-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry.

Extremo Aero Show Chihuahua 2013: Monster truck crashes into grandstand killing 6 people in Mexico

Nancy Clayson
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Extremo Aero Show Chihuahua 2013: Monster truck crashes into grandstand killing 6 people in Mexico

At least six people have been killed and other 47 injured after a monster truck has crashed into a grandstand after its brakes failed during Extremo Aero Show in northern Mexico, officials say.

Two children were among the fatalities at the Extreme Airshow in the city of Chihuahua, capital of the eponymous state bordering the US state of Texas, said municipality spokesman Jose Luis Dominguez.

Two children were among the fatalities at the Extreme Airshow in the city of Chihuahua
Two children were among the fatalities at the Extreme Airshow in the city of Chihuahua

Some 3500 people attended the demolition show, in which pick-up trucks with giant tyres crush smaller cars, when the vehicle lost control and smashed into the stands at around 7 p.m. local time on Saturday, Jose Luis Dominguez said.

At least 35 of the 47 injured people were taken to hospitals. The park El Rejon, where the show took place, was immediately closed and helicopters and ambulances were dispatched.

It was the third annual airshow, which attracts 200,000 people on average and includes aeroplane stunts, skydiving and motorcycle acrobatics among other daredevil acts.

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Instagram to start placing ads in US users photo streams

Nancy Clayson
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Instagram to start placing ads in US users photo streams

Instagram announced it will start placing ads in US users photo streams in a posting on its website.

“We have big ideas for the future, and part of making them happen is building Instagram into a sustainable business,” the photo sharing service said.

Ads will appear in a few months and involve just a handful of firms.

Instagram was bought by Facebook for $1 billion, but has never made a profit.

Instagram announced it will start placing ads in US users photo streams
Instagram announced it will start placing ads in US users photo streams

The company, which now has 150 million users, has been a favorite among consumers but has long left analysts wondering how it could turn enthusiasm among photographers into a business model.

Early efforts by Instagram to generate revenue were met with user backlash, such as when the company changed the terms of service to seemingly indicate that it would own user images and could sell those images to advertisers.

The failure of this move was acknowledged in the company’s posting.

“As always, you own your own photos and videos. The introduction of advertising won’t change this,” it said.

Social media advertising is a booming business in the US.

According to research firm eMarketer, advertisers will spend $9.5 billion on social network ads worldwide this year.

Facebook has boosted its efforts to gain a larger share of this ad spending.

This year, the company’s share of global mobile ad revenues will rise to 15.8% from 5.35% last year.

Washington DC: Man dies after self-immolation on National Mall

Nancy Clayson
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Washington DC: Man dies after self-immolation on National Mall

A man died after self-immolation on Washington DC’s National Mall, police says.

The man poured a can of petrol on himself before setting himself on fire on Friday. Police are investigating the motive for the act.

A man died after self-immolation on Washington DC's National Mall
A man died after self-immolation on Washington DC’s National Mall

Passing joggers used their shirts to try to extinguish the flames.

The man was so badly burned that he will have to be identified using DNA and dental records, police spokesman Araz Alali said.

Officials said earlier that the man was still conscious when he was flown from the Mall to hospital on Friday.

The incident came a day after police shot dead a woman after chasing her car through the centre of Washington DC.

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Navy SEAL carries out two separate raids in Libya and Somalia targeting senior Islamist militants

Roy Siemens
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Navy SEAL carries out two separate raids in Libya and Somalia targeting senior Islamist militants

American officials say US Navy SEALs have carried out two separate raids in Libya and Somalia targeting senior Islamist militants.

In Libya, US commandos captured an al-Qaeda leader accused of the 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

Anas al-Liby was seized in the capital Tripoli.

A leader of the al-Shabab group was targeted in southern Somalia, but that raid appears to have failed.

The al-Shabab leader – who has not been identified – is suspected of involvement in last month’s attack in the Westgate shopping centre in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, which left at least 67 people dead.

Al-Shabab has said it carried out the attack on September 21.

Anas al-Liby’s relatives and US officials said he had been seized in the Libyan capital early on Saturday.

He was parking outside his house when three vehicles encircled him, his car’s window was smashed and his gun was seized before he was taken away, his brother Nabih was quoted as saying by AP.

He added that his brother’s wife also saw the attack, describing the abductors as foreign-looking “commandos”.

US Navy SEALs have carried out two separate raids in Libya and Somalia targeting senior Islamist militants
US Navy SEALs have carried out two separate raids in Libya and Somalia targeting senior Islamist militants

The raid was conducted with the knowledge of the Libyan government, a US official was quoted as saying by CNN.

Anas al-Liby “is currently lawfully detained by the US military in a secure location outside of Libya”, Pentagon spokesman George Little said.

The 49-year-old is believed to have been one of the masterminds behind the 1998 US embassy attacks, which killed more than 220 people in Kenya and Tanzania.

He has been indicted in a New York court in connection with the attacks.

Anas al-Liby – whose real name is Nazih Abdul-Hamed al-Ruqai – has been on the FBI’s most wanted list for more than a decade with a $5 million bounty on his head.

Al-Qaeda’s leadership has been consistently targeted since the killing of Osama Bin Laden by US special forces in 2011 in Pakistan.

The US defense department has also confirmed that special forces carried out a seaborne operation in Somalia’s coastal town of Barawe on Saturday.

George Little said the forces “were involved in a counter-terrorism operation against a known al-Shabab terrorist”. He declined to provide any further details.

Initial reports in the US media quoted unnamed US officials as saying that the suspect had been captured or killed by US Navy SEALs in the pre-dawn raid on a villa.

However, the officials later said that the SEALs failed to find the intended target, who was not identified.

The raid was carried out by members of Seal Team Six – the same unit that killed bin Laden, a US military official told AP.

The official added that in Barawe the commandos had decided to abort the mission after encountering fierce resistance from al-Shabab fighters.

“The Barawe raid was planned a week and a half ago,” a US security official told the New York Times.

“It was prompted by the Westgate attack,” added the official, who was speaking on the condition of anonymity.

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US shutdown: Most of 400,000 defense staff sent home to return to work next week

Diane A. Wade
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US shutdown: Most of 400,000 defense staff sent home to return to work next week

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has announced that most of the 400,000 US defense department staff sent home amid the US government shutdown have been told to return to work next week.

Chuck Hagel said the decision was based on an interpretation of the Pay Our Military Act.

A budget row between Republicans and Democrats has forced the closure of federal services for five days now.

But the sides have now voted to approve back-pay for the 800,000 federal workers sent home without salaries.

Chuck Hagel has announced that most of the 400,000 US defense department staff sent home amid the US government shutdown have been told to return to work next week
Chuck Hagel has announced that most of the 400,000 US defense department staff sent home amid the US government shutdown have been told to return to work next week

In a rare moment of bipartisan co-operation, the House of Representatives on Saturday approved by 407-0 a bill to pay the federal workers once the shutdown ends.

There remains no sign of any deal on the federal budget, however.

Republicans who control the House of Representatives have refused to approve the budget, saying they would only do so if President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform law was delayed or stripped of funding.

Barack Obama and the Democrats have refused, noting the law was passed in 2010, subsequently approved by the Supreme Court, and was a central issue in the 2012 election which Obama won.

The Pay Our Military Act was passed by Congress shortly before the shutdown.

Chuck Hagel said earlier in the week he wanted to find a way to get his civilian staff back to work.

He said lawyers had told him the Pay Our Military Act permitted employees “whose responsibilities contribute to the morale, well-being, capabilities and readiness of service members” to be exempted.

“I expect us to be able to significantly reduce – but not eliminate – civilian furloughs under this process,” Chuck Hagel said.

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Bashar al-Assad indicates Germany as possible mediator

Roy Siemens
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Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has raised the possibility of Germany acting as a mediator to try to end his country’s 30-month-long civil war.

Speaking to Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine, Bashar al-Assad said he “would be delighted if envoys came from Germany”.

But he stressed that Damascus would not negotiate with rebels unless they laid down their weapons.

Bashar al-Assad again denied claims that his troops had used chemical weapons, blaming the rebels instead.

In the interview to be published on Monday, Bashar al-Assad said that President Barack Obama had “not even a whisper of proof” that Damascus had used chemical weapons.

“He has nothing to offer other than lies.”

Bashar al-Assad contrasted Washington’s stance with that of Moscow, describing the Russians as “true friends”.

Bashar al-Assad has raised the possibility of Germany acting as a mediator to try to end Syria's 30-month-long civil war
Bashar al-Assad has raised the possibility of Germany acting as a mediator to try to end Syria’s 30-month-long civil war

The interview comes just days after a team given the job of eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons said it had made “encouraging initial progress” after talks with government officials.

UN-backed experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said Syrian documents handed over last Wednesday “looked promising”.

The team said analysis of technical diagrams would be necessary and “more questions remain to be answered”.

Onsite inspections and arms disabling are scheduled to start next week.

Concerted international action to disarm Syria of its chemical weapons was agreed by the UN Security Council last month.

Its resolution was based on an earlier deal reached by the United States and Russia in Geneva.

The US had threatened military action to punish the Syrian government over a nerve agent attack in Ghouta on the outskirts of Damascus on August 21.

The Americans said more than 1,400 people were killed. Russia and Syria believe rebel groups were responsible for the attack.

Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal is believed to include more than 1,000 tonnes of the nerve gas sarin, the blister agent sulphur mustard and other banned chemicals stored at dozens of sites.

Jude Law and Damon Albarn join London protest over Greenpeace piracy charges in Russia

Nancy Clayson
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Jude Law and Damon Albarn join London protest over Greenpeace piracy charges in Russia

Jude Law and Damon Albarn have joined hundreds demonstrating in London over piracy charges brought by Russia against 30 Greenpeace activists.

Six British activists were among those arrested last month as they protested against oil drilling in the Arctic at a rig owned by Russian firm, Gazprom.

Relatives of the activists protested outside Russia’s London embassy.

It was one of a number of events being held in more than 40 countries.

The entire crew of the ship, Arctic Sunrise, was arrested on September 18 after two activists tried to board the Russian state-controlled oil platform in the Pechora Sea.

They have all been charged and are being held in the port of Murmansk, in northwest Russia, facing prison terms of up to 15 years.

Jude Law and Damon Albarn have joined hundreds demonstrating in London over piracy charges brought by Russia against 30 Greenpeace activists
Jude Law and Damon Albarn have joined hundreds demonstrating in London over piracy charges brought by Russia against 30 Greenpeace activists

The Britons who have been charged include freelance video producer, Kieron Bryan, and logistics co-ordinator, Frank Hewetson – both from London.

UK activists Anthony Perrett from Newport in Wales; Alexandra Harris, originally from Devon; Philip Ball from Chipping Norton; and Iain Rogers, from Exeter, have also been charged.

In London, Saturday’s protesters stood behind banners declaring, “Free the Climate Defenders”, “Journalist and Not Pirate”, and “Free The Arctic 30”.

Jude Law, who knows Frank Hewetson, said he was “exercising my right to peacefully protest”.

He added: “I am just adding my face and body to the mass of support. What is ludicrous is that they have been charged with piracy.”

Actors Imelda Staunton and Jim Carter also turned up in front of the embassy in west London to show their support for the activists.

Jim Carter described the arrests as “a ludicrous situation” and urged PM David Cameron – along with the leaders of the other 18 countries which made up the nationalities of the 30 activists – to apply pressure on Russia.

Foreign Secretary William Hague has raised the case with his Russian counterpart and said British officials would continue to raise specific concerns Greenpeace had about the legal process with Moscow.

The Netherlands has also launched legal action to free the activists. Two of its citizens are among those charged, along with people from countries including Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, Russia, and the US.

Other Greenpeace protests took place in cities including Madrid, Moscow, Mexico City, Sao Paulo and Istanbul.

Venezuela travel scam to be tackled with fingerprint checks at its borders

Diane A. Wade
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Venezuela travel scam to be tackled with fingerprint checks at its borders

Venezuela has announced it will use fingerprint checks at its borders to prevent a popular travel scam.

Venezuelans travelling abroad are entitled to a foreign currency allowance at a cheaper rate.

But amidst the economic crisis, some are only buying travel tickets to sell dollars on the black market and making a profit of nearly 700%.

Credit cards will be activated abroad only after checking that the person has left the country, authorities say.

Venezuela has been going through an economic crisis, with rising inflation and shortages of basic products, such as milk and toilet paper.

Some Venezuelans are reportedly passing their credit cards to friends or family to use them abroad and then send the money back.

Officials say there are even gangs operating the scam, known as “el raspao” or “the scrape”, which is hurting the economy.

Venezuela has announced it will use fingerprint checks at its borders to prevent a popular travel scam
Venezuela has announced it will use fingerprint checks at its borders to prevent a popular travel scam

“These dollars acquired through illicit operations, scraping credit cards, come back to Venezuela and are sold at a high price, which causes an overvaluation of the dollar,” Juan Carlos Dugarte, director-general of Venezuela’s Administrative Identification, Migration and Immigration, told Globovision TV channel.

The travelers allowance of up to $3,000 can be sold at nearly seven times the official price in the black market.

Currently, Venezuelans have to present a ticket to a foreign country to get the approval for their foreign currency allowance.

But many never use the tickets to travel, according to reports in the local media.

Flights are getting fully booked with months in advance, which has reportedly led to an increase in fare prices.

But the number of “no-shows” is also said to be on the rise.

The government says it is already testing the new fingerprinting scheme.

Police controls at airports, ports and border checkpoints would then confirm the exit of the passenger, authorizing credit card use in foreign currency.

Critics say the scheme will make life unfairly harder for honest travelers.

The Venezuelan opposition blames President Nicolas Maduro’s policies for the economic crisis the country is facing.

The government says there is an orchestrated attempt, led by the opposition, to sabotage the economy.

Why Si Robertson dropped college before school year was through?

Sonia Pantiss
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Why Si Robertson dropped college before school year was through?

Duck Dynasty’s Si Robertson says college is “crap”!

“Some parents get all bent out of shape because their kids don’t want to go to college,” Si Robertson writes in his new book, Si-cology: Tales and Wisdom from Duck Dynasty’s Favorite Uncle.

“Look, college isn’t for everyone.”

“To me, college is an endurance test,” Si Robertson continues.

Si Robertson did attend college briefly, at Louisiana Tech, because his parents insisted
Si Robertson did attend college briefly, at Louisiana Tech, because his parents insisted

“You put up with four or five years of crap just for someone to hand you a piece of paper that says you have some sense. Hey, news flash for all you people: I got sense without the paper! And I didn’t have to endure four or five years of crap for someone to tell me I’m smart!”

Si Robertson, now 65, did attend college briefly, at Louisiana Tech, because his parents insisted.

“While my older brothers were at Louisiana Tech to actually get an education, I went there for three quarters and did nothing but party for two of them,” Si Robertson writes.

“I rarely went to class because I didn’t have much interest in getting a college education. My partner in crime was Miss Kay’s cousin Charles Hollier. We called him Tinker Bell, and he was flunking out of school, too. We pretty much had our own fraternity, Kappa Tappa Kegga … It didn’t take me long to figure out there was always a party somewhere at college if you looked for it, and I usually took the time to find one!”

Si Robertson dropped out before the school year was through.

Willie Robertson reveals Uncle Si never washes his beard

Sonia Pantiss
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Willie Robertson reveals Uncle Si never washes his beard

Duck Dynasty stars Willie and Korie Robertson opened up about their family’s fame, faith, and facial hair in a recent interview with Us Weekly.

With the exception of new addition Alan Robertson, the men of Duck Dynasty – Phil Robertson, his brother Si Robertson, and his sons Willie, Jase, and Jep Robertson – are as famous for their beards as for their duck-call business
“Phil has the classic, mature beard,” Willie Robertson said of his father.

Willie and Korie Robertson open up about their family's fame, faith, and facial hair in a recent interview with Us Weekly
Willie and Korie Robertson open up about their family’s fame, faith, and facial hair in a recent interview with Us Weekly

“Jase’s is kind of red – it’s weird, like him! Jep grooms his the most: He’s got all these special lotions and perfumes that he puts on.”

In fact, Jep Robertson has been known to shampoo, condition, and even blow-dry his impressive facial hair. In that way, he’s the opposite of his uncle.

“Si’s beard is really awkward,” Willie Robertson reveals.

“One side is longer than the other, and it’s about three different colors. I don’t think he washes it. It’s nasty.”

Willie Robertson says the best beard of the bunch is his own.

“Willie was clean-shaven and actually a bit preppy when we got married,” Korie Robertson told Us Weekly.

“Now I absolutely love his beard and don’t want him to go back!”

Si Robertson on his alcohol abuse and son Scott’s troubled childhood

Sonia Pantiss
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Si Robertson on his alcohol abuse and son Scott’s troubled childhood

Si Robertson has opened up about family struggles and his history with alcohol abuse in his new book, Si-cology: Tales and Wisdom from Duck Dynasty’s Favorite Uncle.

New details from the book reported by RadarOnline surfaced this week:

1. Si and Phil Robertson’s mother suffered from mental health problems.
When Si and Phil Robertson were both young boys, their mother “suffered a nervous breakdown and was diagnosed as manic-depressive,” the 65-year-old wrote.

“She spent a lot of time in hospitals and the state mental institution.”

Si Robertson also wrote that his own mind is “faulty.”

2. While serving in Vietnam, Si Robertson turned to alcohol.
“Although I was there for only one year, it was a really difficult time in my life,” Si Robertson wrote.

“Believe me, it was easy to find a drink in Can Tho if you wanted one… You could find a drink and a girl whenever you wanted for the right price.”

The stress of military life in Vietnam drove Si Robertson to drink, he said.

Si Robertson has opened up about family struggles and his history with alcohol abuse in his new book
Si Robertson has opened up about family struggles and his history with alcohol abuse in his new book

“It was the only time in my life when I drank heavily… I was largely drinking to forget where I was. When you’re in a place like Vietnam, you get to a point where you don’t care anymore. You’re in a place that’s foreign to you, and you know for a fact that many people there hate you and will kill you if they get the chance. It really does something to your mind to know that many of the people living around you don’t like you and want you to die.”

3. When he returned from service, Si Robertson stopped drinking.
“I drank so much beer and whiskey in Vietnam that I decided I would quit drinking alcohol altogether once I returned home,” Si Robertson wrote.

“I saw what alcohol was doing to me in Vietnam and realized I needed to stop for good.”

Uncle Si is known for drinking two gallons of tea per day, a habit that his doctor endorses: “He said I’ve probably got the cleanest kidneys in the world!”

4. Si Robertson’s son Scott had a troubled childhood.
Si Robertson and his wife Christine’s son, Scott, was born almost two months premature and “was trouble before he was even born,”

Uncle Si wrote: “Scott was suicidal from the time he was about five years old. His behavior was really erratic as a child. When Scott would get tired, he would throw his arms out and fall backward… When Scott was angry, he was out of control and did a lot of damage.”

Eventually, Scott Robertson was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and now leads a happy, healthy life.

“It took me a while to realize Scott needed help,” Si Robertson wrote.

Si Robertson talks about his wife Christine’s difficulty in conceiving

Sonia Pantiss
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Si Robertson talks about his wife Christine’s difficulty in conceiving

Duck Dynasty star Si Robertson recently spoke to Fox 411 in an interview about his faith.

Si Robertson, like all the other members of his Christian family, spoke openly about his faith.

“That’s what got me through 65 years of life. My belief in God and what He’s done for us and what He will do for us. That’s a lot of the problems now. Look a lot of people don’t believe there’s evil. If there’s good in this world, then you’re being intellectually dishonest, if you believe there’s a good power you’ve also got to believe there’s an evil power too. There are physical laws that are in place. We’ve got the physical world we see but there’s a microscopic world that you have to have special stuff to see, just because you don’t see it with your naked eye doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”

Si Robertson talked about his wife's difficulty in conceiving, saying that he believes his two children were miracles from God
Si Robertson talked about his wife’s difficulty in conceiving, saying that he believes his two children were miracles from God

In the interview, Uncle Si Robertson also talked about his wife’s difficulty in conceiving, saying that he believes his two children were miracles from God.

“She went to all the specialists and they all said, <<You’ll never have kids>>. I said, <<Don’t worry about it>>. She said, <<Yeah but I know you love ’em so I’m not going to marry you>>. I said, <<Hey, don’t worry about that. The doctors don’t have the final word. I believe in a higher power>>, and I’ve got what you call two miracle babies, my daughter and my son and they gave me four grandsons a piece.”

Si Robertson, 65, has been married to his wife Christine for 43 years. He also served in the military for 25 years before joining the Duck Commander business.

Si Robertson’s job in his family’s duck-call manufacturing business is to fashion the reeds that are inserted in every patented duck call.

Italy: Row over Lampedusa migrant boat deaths

Diane A. Wade
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Italy: Row over Lampedusa migrant boat deaths

Italian coast guard has denied that it was slow to respond to the sinking of a boat carrying African migrants off the island of Lampedusa this week.

The accusations were made by a fisherman who took part in the rescue and a local newspaper.

So far, 111 bodies have been recovered, and 155 people survived, but about 200 are still unaccounted for.

High winds have prevented divers from reaching the boat, restricting rescuers to an aerial search.

France has called for an urgent meeting of EU states following the tragedy.

“European political officials must talk, and soon,” said French PM Jean-Marc Ayrault.

“It is up to them to meet to find a proper solution; compassion is not enough.”

Tens of thousands of migrants attempt the perilous crossing from North Africa to Sicily and other Italian islands each year, and accidents are common – but this week’s shipwreck was among the deadliest on record.

Italian coast guard has denied that it was slow to respond to the sinking of a boat carrying African migrants off the island of Lampedusa
Italian coast guard has denied that it was slow to respond to the sinking of a boat carrying African migrants off the island of Lampedusa

The survivors are to be placed under investigation for “clandestine immigration”, as provided for by a controversial immigration law pushed through by right-wing parties in 2002.

Italy has said it will amend immigration laws and has called for European help.

Italian members of parliament have complained that some of its provisions discourage people from helping migrants in distress.

The fisherman who arrived first at the site of the accident, Vito Fiorino, has accused the coast guard of wasting time by filming footage of rescue efforts.

“They refused to take on board some people we’d already saved because they said protocol forbade it,” Vito Forino was quoted as saying by Ansa news agency.

A report in local newspaper La Sicilia said two boats belonging to Italy’s Financial Guard, which carries out a range of police and rescue duties, had remained in port.

The coast guard denied that there was any delay in its rescue effort.

“After we received the alarm by radio at 07:00 we immediately intervened without boats, arriving on at the site of the shipwreck at 07:20,” it said in a statement.

Judicial authorities said they had no evidence of delays.

The head of a fishermen’s association, Toto Martello, denied in turn reports that three fishermen drove straight past the scene of the accident.

“The fishermen save lives,” he told Ansa.

“We rebut the accusations that we didn’t help people who were dying at sea.”

Other fishermen said there were so many migrant boat wrecks near Lampedusa that they damaged their nets every time they went out.

“Only now they become aware of this situation?” said Salvatore D’Ancona.

“It’s been 20 years that this is happening.”

The fishermen laid a wreath of flowers at sea, with some 10 fishing vessels blowing their horns for the victims.

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Nairobi mall attack suspects named

Roy Siemens
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Nairobi mall attack suspects named

Kenya military named four men believed to have been involved in the deadly shopping centre attack in Nairobi last month.

Al-Shabab militants Abu Baara al-Sudani, Omar Nabhan, Khattab al-Kene and Umayr – shown in new CCTV footage – were killed during the standoff.

Kenya said previously 10-15 militants had been involved, but the police chief says the figure may now be four to six.

The al-Shabab group said it carried out the attack on the Westgate mall on September 21, leaving at least 67 dead.

The al-Qaeda-linked group said the attack was in retaliation for Kenya’s military involvement in Somalia.

The naming of the men came as CCTV footage was aired showing four attackers calmly walking through a room in the mall holding machine guns.

Kenya Defense Forces spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir told Reuters news agency: “I confirm these were the terrorists; they all died in the raid.”

The naming of the Nairobi mall attack suspects came as CCTV footage was aired showing four attackers calmly walking through a room in the mall holding machine guns
The naming of the Nairobi mall attack suspects came as CCTV footage was aired showing four attackers calmly walking through a room in the mall holding machine guns

Reuters quoted Maj. Emmanuel Chirchir as saying that al-Sudani was an “experienced fighter” from Sudan and was believed to be the leader of the group.

Maj. Emmanuel Chirchir said Omar Nabhan was a Kenyan of Arab origin and Khattab al-Kene a Somali linked to al-Shabab. Further details about Umayr had not yet been verified, he said.

Kenyan police chief David Kimaiyo told KTN television station it was now believed that four to six gunmen had carried out the attack, not 10 to 15.

“None of them managed to escape from the building after the attack,” he said.

David Kimaiyo also said that wanted British woman Samantha Lewthwaite had not been involved.

“We have also established that she was not part of the attackers in the building. There was no woman,” he said.

Samantha Lewthwaite, 29, is the widow of Jermaine Lindsay, one of the four suicide bombers who attacked London on July 7, 2005.

Kenya had earlier said five attackers were killed in the security operation and that nine people were in custody.

The latest CCTV footage is from a limited part of the complex and, with some eyewitnesses reporting a two-pronged attack, it is too early to say definitively how many gunmen were in the building.

In addition to the 67 people killed in the attack, a further 39 are still missing, according to the Kenyan Red Cross.

Al-Shabab is banned as a terrorist group by both the US and the UK and is believed to have between 7,000 and 9,000 fighters.

Its members are fighting to create an Islamic state in Somalia.

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Walking an hour a day could cut breast cancer risk

Kathryn R. Bown
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Walking an hour a day could cut breast cancer risk

A new study has suggested that post-menopausal women who walk for an hour a day can cut their chance of breast cancer significantly.

The report, which followed more than 73,000 women for 17 years, found walking for at least seven hours a week lowered the risk of the disease.

The American Cancer Society team said this was the first time reduced risk was specifically linked to walking.

This study, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention followed 73,615 women out of 97,785 aged 50-74 who had been recruited by the American Cancer Society between 1992 and 1993 so it could monitor the incidence of cancer in the group.

They were asked to complete questionnaires on their health and on how much time they were active and participating in activities such as walking, swimming and aerobics and how much time they spent sitting watching television or reading.

Post-menopausal women who walk for an hour a day can cut their chance of breast cancer significantly
Post-menopausal women who walk for an hour a day can cut their chance of breast cancer significantly

They completed the same questionnaires at two-year intervals between 1997 and 2009.

Of the women, 47% said walking was their only recreational activity.

Those who walked for at least seven hours per week had a 14% lower risk of breast cancer compared to those who walked three or fewer hours per week.

Dr. Alpa Patel, a senior epidemiologist at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta Georgia, who led the study, said: “Given that more than 60% of women report some daily walking, promoting walking as a healthy leisure-time activity could be an effective strategy for increasing physical activity amongst post-menopausal women.

“We were pleased to find that without any other recreational activity, just walking one hour a day was associated with a lower risk of breast cancer in these women.

“More strenuous and longer activities lowered the risk even more.”

Susan Bennett: Siri voice revealed

Nancy Clayson
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Susan Bennett: Siri voice revealed

According to CNN, actress Susan Bennett says her voice was used for Apple’s virtual assistant Siri.

“I wasn’t sure that I wanted the notoriety,” Susan Bennett told CNN, explaining her delay in coming forward, “and I also wasn’t sure where I stood legally.”

Susan Bennett says the Siri voice was recorded in 2005 at GM Voices on behalf of ScanSoft, a software company that was working on an undisclosed project.

Apple did not confirm Susan Bennett’s story, but an audio-forensics expert says he is “100 percent certain” she is the voice, and Bennett’s lawyer, who cannot confirm the details of confidential contracts, notes he’s had “substantial negotiations” with “parties along the economic food chain” regarding hiring Bennett as the voice of Siri.

Susan C. Bennett is one of the busiest and most versatile voice-over artists/vocalists working today.

Susan Bennett says her voice was used for Apple's virtual assistant Siri
Susan Bennett says her voice was used for Apple’s virtual assistant Siri

She is a graduate of Brown University; member of the band Laugh & Cry, affiliated with The Berklee School of music, and featuring renowned bassist, Abe Laboriel; backup vocalist on tour with Burt Bacharach and Roy Orbison.

Susan Bennett has an experience of more than 20 years doing voice-overs and singing both live and in studio for such clients as Ford, Coca-Cola, Fisher Price, McDonald’s, The Home Depot, Goodyear, VISA, Macy’s, Club Med, Delta Airlines, and The Cartoon Network.

She is a member of SAG-AFTRA, The American Federation of Musicians, and Women in Film.

Along with her husband, guitarist and composer Rick Hinkle, Susan Bennett is co-owner of Audiocam Music, a full service recording studio.

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Chris Brown speaks out about Rihanna incident

Lisa.Felice
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Chris Brown speaks out about Rihanna incident

Chris Brown spoke out about “the Rihanna incident” in a new interview with The Guardian.

The 24-year-old rapper told the newspaper: “[It was] probably the biggest wake-up call for me.

“I had to stop acting like a little teenager, a crazy, wild young guy.”

Chris Brown said despite his arrest for domestic violence he is not a violent man.

“You can talk with all my girls that I did mess with before, and it’s never been a violent history.”

Chris Brown has had a history of public incidents since the Rihanna incident in 2009 – including an on-air tantrum and violent brawls with other rappers Drake and Frank Ocean.

The singer said he has learnt from that tragic night in 2009 and its aftermath.

“I learned from it, and it was almost like… I wouldn’t say it happened for a reason, but it was something to trigger my mind to be more of a mature adult. To handle myself in situations, don’t throw tantrums, don’t be a baby about it.”

Chris Brown was not as accepting about having to continue to pay for the “incident”.

Last month, Chris Brown was given more community service hours after it was ruled he had failed to complete many he had claimed to had done.

Chris Brown also said he had no doubt he was being target because he is black, citing the difference between his treatment and the treatment of white celebrities who have also found themselves before the court.

“People think I just walk around as the aggressor, this mad black guy, this angry, young, troubled kid, but I’m not. I’m more and more laid-back. It’s just that people know if they push a button, it’ll make more news than their music. Attaching themselves to me, good or bad, will benefit them.”

John Kerry: Prolonged shutdown could affect US internationally

Diane A. Wade
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John Kerry: Prolonged shutdown could affect US internationally

John Kerry has warned that any prolonged shutdown of the government could affect the US internationally.

Speaking at the APEC forum in Indonesia, the US Secretary of State said any impact was “momentary” and Washington’s commitment to Asia was “undiminished”.

President Barack Obama cancelled his Asia visit because of the shutdown.

The US government closed non-essential operations on Tuesday after Congress failed to agree a new budget.

Thousands of federal employees have been sent home. Some are working but not paid.

US-EU trade negotiations have also been postponed because of the crisis.

As world leaders headed for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit in Bali, John Kerry sought to allay concerns that Washington was reducing its global engagement.

“None of what is happening in Washington diminishes one iota our commitment to our partners in Asia,” he said.

John Kerry has warned that any prolonged shutdown of the government could affect the US internationally
John Kerry has warned that any prolonged shutdown of the government could affect the US internationally

John Kerry said the dispute with the Republicans in the US Congress was “an example of the robustness of our democracy”.

But at the same time, he urged Congress to think about how the US was perceived internationally when “we can’t get our own act together”.

John Kerry said areas where the shutdown was affecting US foreign policy funding included:

  • delays in security assistance for Israel
  • nearly all staff suspended at the treasury department’s Office of Foreign Asset Control, which monitors sanctions on states like Iran

The Secretary of State warned of the consequences if the shutdown became longer term.

“This is a momentary impact. Obviously if it were prolonged or repeated people would begin, I think, to question the willingness of the United States to stay the course or its ability to, but that’s not the case and that will not be the case.”

Barack Obama had been due to begin a four-nation Asian trip on Saturday, heading to Bali and Brunei before travelling on to Malaysia and the Philippines.

The president used the APEC summit two years ago to announce a rebalancing of American naval power towards the Pacific.

The White House said Barack Obama’s decision to cancel his Asia trip was made due to the “difficulty in moving forward with foreign travel in the face of a shutdown”.

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M-Blocks: MIT unveils Terminator self-assembling cube robots

James J. Williams
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M-Blocks: MIT unveils Terminator self-assembling cube robots

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have unveiled M-Blocks, cube-shaped robots that can flip, jump and assemble themselves into different shapes.

The small robots M-Blocks have no external parts but can move using an internal flywheel mechanism.

They stick together using magnets.

The scientists envisage miniaturized “swarmbot” versions self-assembling like the “liquid steel” androids in the Terminator films.

M-Blocks, cube-shaped robots that can flip, jump and assemble themselves into different shapes
M-Blocks, cube-shaped robots that can flip, jump and assemble themselves into different shapes

More realistically, the researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), believe armies of such cubes could be used for making temporary repairs to bridges or buildings, or as self-assembly, re-configurable scaffolding.

Modular robots have the advantage of being able to adapt to whatever task or terrain is presented to them.

John Romanishin, one of the research scientists at CSAIL leading the project, said: “We want hundreds of cubes, scattered randomly across the floor, to be able to identify each other, coalesce, and autonomously transform into a chair, or a ladder, or a desk, on demand.”

The M-Blocks are currently controlled by computer instructions sent over wireless radio, but in future the researchers hope algorithms can be loaded on the blocks directly, making them entirely autonomous and capable of adapting to different environments.

Blocks equipped with sensors and cameras would be able to work out how to accomplish specific tasks in combat or emergency situations, the scientists hope.

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Who is Sandy Schultz? Lamar Odom’s third mistress comes forward

Lisa.Felice
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Who is Sandy Schultz? Lamar Odom’s third mistress comes forward

Sandy Schultz is the third woman coming forward and stating that she and Lamar Odom had a romantic encounter after the NBA star married Khloe Kardashian.

Lamar Odom, 33, in recent weeks has faced much scrutiny due to alleged affairs and drug use.

Sandy Schultz, a 29-year-old graduate student, told Star magazine that she slept with Lamar Odom last March, but their relationship began years ago. She states that they met at a nightclub in Hollywood in 2003 and then dated for two years before continuing an off-and-on relationship for seven years. Their relationship did not last, however, and Sandy Schultz moved on and eventually got engaged to another man. Sandy Schultz said she ended that relationship to get back with Lamar Odom in 2009. However, Lamar Odom chose Khloe Kardashian over her and married her that year.

Sandy Schultz and Lamar Odom attended a party for Ron Artest (now Metta World Peace) hosted by Khloe Kardashian while he was on the Los Angeles Lakers, and Schultz said Khloe went after Lamar.

Sandy Schultz is the third woman coming forward and stating that she and Lamar Odom had a romantic encounter after the NBA star married Khloe Kardashian
Sandy Schultz is the third woman coming forward and stating that she and Lamar Odom had a romantic encounter after the NBA star married Khloe Kardashian

“We were sitting at our table having drinks. I got up to go to the bathroom and when I returned, Khloe had taken my seat next to Lamar. She didn’t move, so I sat in his lap,” Sandy Schultz told Star. Sandy Schultz ended up going home early because she was tired, and Lamar Odom never came home.

“He was supposed to be home with me and he chose to go home with Khloe Kardashian instead,” Sandy Schultz said.

“She knew I was Lamar’s girlfriend and she obviously just didn’t care. And Lamar didn’t have the decency to call me that night to say he’d made that decision.”

Sandy Schultz said she ended up seeing Lamar Odom again in March 2012, in San Francisco. Lamar Odom was there to play the Golden State Warriors, and had married Khloe Kardashian by this point.

She said Lamar Odom contacted her.

“It was shocking that he called me since he was married to Khloe,” Sandy Schultz said.

“But at the same time, I wanted to see him and let him see what he missed out on.”

They met at a hotel, and she says “we just fell into each other’s’ arms, hugging and kissing”.

Sandy Schultz and Lamar Odom proceeded to spend two nights together before he returned home to his wife.

Polina Polonsky, a lawyer, and Jennifer Richardson have already come forward, claiming to have had affairs with Lamar Odom while he was married.

Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian married in 2009, after dating for one month.

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