Sandra Bullock and George Clooney have previously been subject to speculation about whether their relationship has ever crossed the line into romance.
Last week the rumor mill went into overdrive as George Clooney and Sandra Bullock attended the 70th Venice Film Festival together to promote their new film Gravity.
Whilst male and female co-stars are usually fairly affectionate when posing together on the red carpet, a series of intimate shots led to speculation that romance was definitely bubbling between the co-stars.
Newly single George Clooney, who recently split from his wrestler turned model girlfriend Stacy Keibler, was snapped on more than one occasion staring at Sandra Bullock somewhat like a love sick puppy.
Sandra Bullock and George Clooney have previously been subject to speculation about whether their relationship has ever crossed the line into romance
George Clooney’s body language only served to inflame the rumors as he kept leaning into Sandra Bullock and tending to her every need, at one point even affectionately mopping her brow.
This led to claims that George Clooney, 52, was “making eyes” at his long time friend.
Sandra Bullock was quick to shoot down the rumors telling Associated Press, “He was not making eyes. Maybe cross eyes but that’s the extent of his goggle eyes.”
The actress explained that the pair had known each other long enough to have enough “dirt” on each other to command a deep level of “respect and understanding”.
Despite not having romantic feelings for George Clooney, Sandra Bullock professed her deep affection for him saying: “I adore George.”
Meanwhile incorrigible bachelor George Clooney released a statement through Warner Brothers confirming the platonic nature of his relationship with Sandra Bullock saying: “We are just friends. We have known each other before either of us had success in films so there is no pretense.”
The latest episode of Duck Dynasty reality show attracted 9.6 million viewers on Wednesday night.
Duck Dynasty Season 4 premiered to a record-breaking 11.8 million on August 14, drawing the largest audience ever for a non-fiction cable show and the biggest telecast in the network’s history.
The latest episode of Duck Dynasty reality show attracted 9.6 million viewers
The A&E’s hit show, which follows the Robertson family in Louisiana premiered in March 2012 to 1.81 million viewers.
Duck Dynasty’s ratings have steadily increased over the years; the series closed Season 3 with an audience reach of 9.6 million.
New reports claim that Clint Eastwood’s estimated $340 million fortune will remain intact if he divorces his estranged wife Dina Ruiz.
Dina Eastwood, 48, signed a pre-nuptial agreement that protects the wealth of the legendary Hollywood actor and director.
Without that, she would have been entitled to half of Clint Eastwood’s earnings during their 17-year marriage.
Clint Eastwood, who has appeared in dozens of films including Dirty Harry and A Fistful of Dollars, paid $23 million when he divorced first wife Maggie Johnson in 1984, and was twice sued by long-time lover, actress Sondra Locke, after they split in 1989.
Clint Eastwood’s estimated $340 million fortune will remain intact if he divorces his estranged wife Dina Ruiz
“Clint was determined not to lose a fortune to Dina, no matter how much he loved her,” an insider said last night.
“She’ll be looked after, but it won’t bring Clint to his knees.”
The news came after Clint Eastwood finally emerged for the first time since it was announced that he and his wife had split.
Looking tired and under strain, the 83-year-old director headed back on set to direct his new movie Jersey Boys on Thursday.
Meanwhile, The National Enquirer has reported that former TV news anchor Dina Ruiz has re-kindled a romance with Scott Fisher, 50, an old high school boyfriend of hers.
A source told the publication: “Dina is in love with Scott. It’s like high school all over again.”
Dina Eastwood confirmed the news of the split to Us Weekly on Thursday.
She told the publication that she and Clint Eastwood have been living apart for some time.
According to a new book, Carole Middleton was worried about the absence of a ring on Kate’s finger and she took Prince William aside to press him on his marriage plans.
The meeting took place when Prince William visited the Middleton family just before Christmas 2009.
In the book – Kate: The Future Queen by Katie Nicholl – a family friend tells how Carole Middleton expressed her fears to Prince William. But he assured her that not only would there be an engagement and subsequent marriage, the couple hoped to have children – and he promised Kate Middleton’s mother that she would be fully involved in their upbringing.
Prince William stayed true to his word. The couple were engaged the following November and since their son, Prince George, was born on July 22, Carole Middleton has become the most famous grandmother in Britain.
Carole Middleton and her husband, Michael, were the first family members to visit the new baby after his birth – ahead of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall – while Kate and William have even set aside a “granny flat” for the Middletons at their lavish Kensington Palace apartment.
Another of the Middletons’ friends, former neighbor George Brown, says: “It was a condition when Kate and William got married that Carole and Michael would be a part of the grandchildren’s lives.”
Kate Middleton paid tribute to “Granny” Carole last week during her first public appearance since the birth.
Carole Middleton looked after Prince George when Kate Middleton and Prince William attended the start of a marathon on Anglesey on Friday. Kate Middleton’s presence at the event was a surprise – it was only revealed that morning that she would attend.
It is thought it could be one of the couple’s last engagements on Anglesey before they leave their home on the Welsh island next month to settle into a new life in London.
Kate The Future Queen by Katie Nicholl reveals how Carole Middleton had a secret meeting with Prince William over marriage to Kate
The new book also untangles the tale of how Kate Middleton came to choose St Andrews for her university – starting at the same time as Prince William and on the same course.
It has previously been put down to mere coincidence, but it seems Kate Middleton deliberately plotted to be there at the same time as the prince.
Jasper Selwyn, a careers adviser at Kate Middleton’s former school, Marlborough College, and Joan Gall, her house tutor, confirm in the book that her first choice was not St Andrews at all, but Edinburgh.
Despite achieving the required grades for Edinburgh, one of the country’s top universities, Kate Middleton changed her mind after Prince William’s own choice of university was made public.
In a bold move, Kate Middleton turned down the place she had been offered at Edinburgh, decided to take a gap year, just as Prince William was doing, and reapply for St Andrews – a risky strategy as there was no guarantee that she would get a place. Since then, of course, their relationship has flourished.
In another fascinating insight into the Royal romance, the book reveals that although Kate Middleton has taken on a higher public profile since her marriage, she in fact began doing secret charity work six years ago.
In 2007 the Queen quietly suggested to Prince William that Kate Middleton get involved with a charity, and they both considered it an excellent idea.
The Middletons’ family firm, Party Pieces, already had a connection with Starlight, a children’s charity which grants terminally ill children an once-in-a-lifetime wish.
Kate Middleton arranged to meet the charity’s chief executive officer Neil Swan to see how she could help more.
Neil Swan said: “Kate was working with Party Pieces at the time and she came up with a clever idea for a party bag that doubled up as a coloring-in gift.
“She also designed some Starlight-themed crayons and other bits and pieces to go in the bags. To us, she was just Kate, and we would go and have meetings with her at Party Pieces, and sometimes she would come to us.
“She came up with lots of creative ideas for parties that we were arranging for sick children, and she did a lot of work below the radar.”
It is also revealed that Kate Middleton made numerous secret visits to the Naomi House children’s hospice in Hampshire.
Recent reports claim that Justin Bieber has been attacked in a nightclub in his native Canada.
Justin Bieber, 19, was mingling with patrons in a Toronto nightspot at 3 a.m. on Saturday when an angry man charged at him.
Justin Bieber has been attacked in a Toronto nightclub in his native Canada
His rival got a hold of his shirt but was prevented from tackling Justin Bieber by quick acting bouncers, who grabbed the assailant and dragged him to the floor.
In pictures shown on TMZ, Justin Bieber then appears to land some sneaky kicks while his opponent is on the ground.
According to eyewitnesses, Justin Bieber had left the safety of the club’s VIP section to mingle with ordinary clubgoers.
This is when the angry young man rushed at him, grabbed his shirt and attempted to take him to the floor.
While his assailant was escorted out of the club, Justin Bieber soon made his way home of his own accord.
According to reports, police were never called about the nightclub fracas.
China has announced a corruption investigation into Jiang Jiemin, the head of the commission that oversees state-owned companies.
The supervision ministry said Jiang Jiemin was suspected of a “serious violation of discipline”.
The term is used to refer to corruption by managers of state companies.
President Xi Jinping has vowed to eradicate corruption in China, warning that it threatens the Communist Party.
Jiang Jiemin was suspected of a serious violation of discipline
Recent months have seen several high-profile corruption cases against high-ranking officials, including disgraced senior party official Bo Xilai, who was put on trial for bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power in August.
The verdict in his case is expected “at a date to be decided”. Bo Xilai denies all charges.
Until March Jiang Jiemin was head of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), which has faced a number of corruption allegations.
Last week it was announced that another four CNPC executives were under investigation for corruption.
Earlier in August the general manager of state-owned phone company China Mobile Ltd was detained in the southern province of Guangdong. He too is being investigated for discipline violations.
Internet users are also increasingly pursuing those perceived as having done wrong through online exposes and campaigns.
In recent weeks there have been signs that this has worried the authorities, with a number of journalists arrested for “rumor-mongering” and a high-profile blogger arrested.
Peru’s government has decided to extend to nine more regions a state of emergency called to cope with unusually cold weather and heavy snowfall.
Until now, at least two people have died and 33,000 others have been affected by the cold spell, local officials say.
Tens of thousands of animals have frozen to death over the past week.
Tens of thousands of animals have frozen to death in Peru over the past week
President Ollanta Humala has travelled to Apurimac, one of the worst-hit areas, to oversee the distribution of emergency aid.
The state of emergency would be in place for 20 days, an official statement said.
The heaviest snow fall to hit Peru in a decade has killed tens of thousands of llamas, alpacas, cattle and sheep, and left farmers destitute.
A man died when the roof of his hut caved in under the weight of the snow in southern Carabaya province but the circumstances of the second death were unclear.
Three people were rescued on Saturday from the same region after their home was cut off by snow.
Rescue workers said the three, two girls and an elderly woman, were suffering from frostbite and snow blindness.
The cold front has also hit Peru’s south-eastern neighbor, Bolivia, and Paraguay, where a combined total of five people have died.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her poll rival, centre-left Peer Steinbrueck, are due to take part in their only televised election debate.
The event is seen as the Social Democrat (SPD) leader’s biggest chance to claw back Angela Merkel’s lead in the opinion polls before this month’s vote.
Although Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc is expected to win, her coalition partners are faring poorly.
The 90-minute debate starts at 18:30 GMT and will be aired on main channels.
With three weeks to go before the September 22 vote, the two candidates will be grilled by four journalists before an estimated TV audience of up to 20 million.
Peer Steinbrueck will face the first question and Angela Merkel will have the final answer, with each answer limited to 90 seconds.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her poll rival, centre-left Peer Steinbrueck, are due to take part in their only televised election debate
So far, there have been few campaign issues that have exposed major policy differences between the two figures and the parties have focused on their personalities.
Peer Steinbrueck is often witty but prone to gaffes, while Angela Merkel often seems less than comfortable in the cut and thrust of live debate.
The TV duel may shift enough opinion to alter the election result.
Peer Steinbrueck, 66, served as finance minister under Chancellor Angela Merkel when his SPD party was in a “grand” coalition with her Christian Democrat (CDU) after the 2005 election. But he has refused to enter a similar power-sharing deal.
The pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), currently part of the coalition, are widely expected to perform badly in the polls.
However, an opinion poll on Friday gave Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc 41% of the vote, which might enable her to stay in power with the FDP. Peer Steinbrueck’s Social Democrats were trailing on 26%.
If Peer Steinbrueck does narrow the gap, Angela Merkel, 59, is likely to remain chancellor but the two parties would be forced to consider rebuilding a coalition.
Yemen’s PM Mohammed Salem Basindwa has survived an assassination attempt unharmed, officials in the capital Sanaa say.
Gunmen in a vehicle opened fire on the prime minister’s motorcade as he returned home from his office, one of his advisers said.
Yemen’s PM Mohammed Salem Basindwa has survived the assassination attempt unharmed
It is the first time Mohammed Salem Basindwa has come under attack, the AFP news agency says, although other members of his cabinet have previously been targeted.
The government is battling militants of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
A senior intelligence officer was killed by suspected militants in southern Labous province late on Friday.
Mohammed Salem Basindwa was a senior opposition figure before being appointed in November 2011 to head the government set up after veteran leader President Ali Abdullah Saleh left power.
One of his aides, Ali al-Sarari, told Reuters news agency security forces were trying to track down the vehicle used in the attack.
Earlier this month, the US and several other Western countries temporarily shut their embassies in Sanaa after reports of an imminent al-Qaeda attack.
Place potatoes in a stockpot and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain. When cool enough to handle, peel and slice potatoes; cool completely.
For dressing, in the top of a double boiler or metal bowl over barely simmering water, heat water, butter and vinegar until butter is melted. In a small bowl, beat eggs; add sugar and cornstarch. Add to butter mixture; cook and stir for 5-7 minutes or until thickened. Transfer to a large bowl; cool completely.
In a small bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form. Stir Miracle Whip into cooled dressing mixture; fold in whipped cream. Stir in onion, green onions, salt and pepper. Add potatoes; toss lightly to combine. Refrigerate, covered, until chilled.
To serve, top with hard-cooked eggs; sprinkle with paprika. Yield: 24 servings (3/4 cup each).
New York City food phenomenon cronut is now taking over Asia.
South Koreans are the latest to catch the cronut-bug with incarnations of Dominique Ansel’s original rings of deep-fried croissant dough being sold at Dunkin’ Donuts franchises in Soeul.
Dunkin’ Donuts South Korea is calling their versions of the crispy layered pastries “New York Pie Donuts”.
The donuts are being sold at shops in Seoul, and have even inspired their own epically-long lines at the upscale Gangnam neighborhood branch.
According to Quartz, commenters on the store’s Facebook page have even said that customers are only allowed two – the same ration New Yorkers get when they stand in the early morning lines at Dominique Ansel’s Bakery in SoHo.
South Koreans are the latest to catch the cronut-bug with incarnations of Dominique Ansel’s original rings of deep-fried croissant dough being sold at Dunkin’ Donuts franchises in Soeul
Dunkin’ Donuts has over 3,000 stores in 30 countries outside the U.S. Their shops in the Philippines also started selling versions of the cronut. Their “Donut Croissant” come in flavors such as Apple Cinnamon and Choco Almond. The donut chain doesn’t have plans to launch a version of the cronut in the U.S. yet, according to Quartz.
Since Dominique Ansel copyrighted the named “cronut” in May, copycats in the U.S. have had to come up with their own names – like “doissants” and “croughnuts” – for their pastries or face cease and desist letters.
In June, Dominique Ansel’s Bakery posted a message on their Facebook page explaining their need to copyright the name, while at the same time taking no credit for inventing the pastry.
“Our desire to protect the name is not an attempt to claim or take credit for all cooking methods associated with the recipe or all croissant and doughnut products in general,” the statement said.
“Instead, it offers the bakery and Chef protection against un-granted affiliations with the bakery or confusion from customers.”
However, that hasn’t stopped bakeries all over Asia, trying their best to create their own flaky bite of heaven.
A list on Buzzfeed includes bakeries in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Japan peddling their versions of the donut.
The annual MDA Labor Day Telethon will air on ABC in prime-time, on Sunday, September 1.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association’s nationally broadcast telethon, one of America’s longest-standing and beloved fundraising and entertainment events, will return this Labor Day weekend with a new broadcast home: the ABC Television Network.
ABC has signed on to air the two-hour MDA Show of Strength Telethon on its stations across the country on Sunday, September 1, 9/8c. As in the past, the entertainment event will raise funds and awareness to support MDA’s mission to help children and adults affected by progressive and often fatal muscle diseases.
“This is a remarkably hopeful time for MDA and our mission to find new treatments and cures as we set our sights on pursuing muscle health,” said MDA President and CEO Steven M. Derks.
“We’re delighted to partner with ABC. Broadcasting our show nationwide and on prime-time TV provides a critically important way to tell our story of progress in fighting muscle disease, while recognizing and engaging new supporters.”
This is the first time in MDA’s 48-year history of doing annual telethons that it will broadcast on a single television network. Previously, MDA partnered with an ad-hoc lineup of network affiliates in markets across the U.S. In recent years the majority of the stations have been ABC affiliates, which makes the new exclusive agreement with ABC a natural fit.
MDA is in the process of securing artists for this year’s telethon and all performers generously donate their time and talent to help make the event a success. The MDA telethon also will feature compelling stories of survival and hope profiling children and adults affected by muscle disease.
The annual MDA Labor Day Telethon will air on ABC in prime-time, on Sunday, September 1
R.A. (RAC) Clark, longtime executive producer of the Academy of Country Music Awards, served as the MDA telethon’s executive producer in 2012 and will return this year. Clark has extensive producing credits on all major networks, including ABC.
In addition to funds contributed by the public, substantial support also comes from MDA’s family of national sponsors, whose work throughout the year on behalf of MDA will be recognized on the telethon. Among the sponsors: International Association of Fire Fighters, CITGO Petroleum Corp., Safeway, Lowe’s, Harley-Davidson, Jiffy Lube International, National Association of Letter Carriers, 7-Eleven, Dr Pepper Snapple Group/7UP, Acosta and Burger King.
At the community level, MDA is planning telethon viewing parties with hundreds of local groups to rally support for the more than 1 million Americans it helps with lifesaving support and services. MDA also is planning a comprehensive digital and social media campaign to drive online fundraising and engage supporters in new ways.
Over the decades, funds raised by MDA telethons also have contributed to the organization’s worldwide research program. Today, through current clinical trials, there is growing excitement that new lifesaving treatments and discoveries are on the horizon for many of the disorders MDA is dedicated to defeating, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
“Individuals with neuromuscular diseases are living longer, stronger lives thanks to the advances we’ve made over the years – particularly in the last decade – thanks in large part to past MDA supporters,” said MDA Chairman of the Board R. Rodney Howell, M.D.
“We’re redoubling our efforts to find and fund new discoveries that will save lives.”
MDA’s first Labor Day weekend telethon was broadcast in 1966 on a single New York station and has become the most successful fundraising event in the history of television. The show, with help from Jerry Lewis and a legion of top celebrities and entertainers, has raised millions each year to provide life-enhancing support and services for the families MDA serves.
The telethon has consistently enjoyed robust support from thousands of the biggest stars in show business. However, the real stars on the broadcast have always been the MDA families who have graciously agreed to open their homes and hearts to America and tell their stories of strength.
About MDA:
MDA is the world’s leading nonprofit health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and other neuromuscular diseases. It does so by funding breakthrough research, by providing lifesaving support, services and advocacy, and by rallying communities to fight back, all made possible by its generous supporters. For more information, visit mda.org and follow us on facebook.com/MDAnational and @MDAnews.
President Barack Obama says he will seek congressional authorization for taking military action against Syria.
The US says the Syrian government carried out chemical weapons attacks on August 21 in which 1,429 people died.
Barack Obama said the operation would be limited in duration and strong to deter future chemical attacks. Congress is due to re-open on September 9.
The Syrian government denies it was behind the attacks and blames rebels.
UN inspectors have now left Syria with samples from site visits, which will go to laboratories in Europe for testing.
President Barack Obama says the US should take military action against Syria
President Barack Obama said the military operation could happen tomorrow, next week or in the near future.
“We cannot and will not turn a blind eye to what happened in Damascus,” he said.
As commander-in-chief, Barack Obama has the constitutional authority to order military action without the backing of Congress.
However, he said it was important to have the debate.
Last week, British MPs defeated a government motion to take military action in Syria.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has challenged the US to present to the UN evidence that Syria attacked rebels with chemical weapons.
Vladimir Putin said it would be “utter nonsense” for Syria’s government to provoke opponents with such attacks.
Russia – a key ally of Syria – has previously warned that “any unilateral military action bypassing the UN Security Council” would be a “direct violation of international law”.
Moscow, along with China, has vetoed two previous draft resolutions on Syria.
Everybody wants to know who are the hot girls in the Geico Money Man Boat commercial.
Julie Docherty and Sarah Hester playing in Geico Money Man Boat commercial
The girl wearing light blue swimsuit is Julie Docherty.
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The girl in dark blue is Sarah Hester.
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Reports that Nelson Mandela has been discharged from hospital are incorrect, South Africa’s presidency says.
News outlets earlier quoted sources close to the former South African president as saying he had returned home.
The presidency said in a statement that Nelson Mandela was critical but stable, but at times his condition became unstable, prompting medical intervention.
Nelson Mandela, 95, was admitted with a recurring lung infection on June 8.
Reports that Nelson Mandela has been discharged from hospital are incorrect
The country’s first black president, Nelson Mandela is revered by many as the father of the nation.
His prolonged hospital stay – by far the longest since he was released from prison in 1990 – has caused concern both in South Africa and abroad.
The family has long hoped that he would improve sufficiently at least to enable him to make the journey home in the Johannesburg suburb of Houghton and be treated there.
But one of the sources quoted by international media has now spoken of being misinformed about Nelson Mandela’s release.
The confusion could have arisen out of a possible move soon to get Nelson Mandela home, which would clearly depend on his health at the time.
The infection Nelson Mandela is being treated for is said to date back to a period of nearly three decades he spent in prison for anti-apartheid activity.
People from South Africa and around the world have sent him their best wishes, and flowers and other tributes have collected outside Pretoria’s MediClinic Heart Hospital.
Throughout Nelson Mandela’s stay in hospital, President Jacob Zuma has urged the country to pray for him and keep him in their thoughts.
President Vladimir Putin has challenged the US to present to the UN evidence that Syria attacked rebels with chemical weapons near Damascus.
The Russian president said it would be “utter nonsense” for Syria’s government to provoke opponents with such attacks.
President Barack Obama says he is considering military action against Syria after intelligence reports that 1,429 people were killed on August 21.
UN weapons inspectors have left Syria after gathering evidence for four days.
They are taking their samples to the Organization for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons, in The Hague.
The samples are thought to include soil, swabs from munitions, blood and hair from the victims and, experts say, possibly even flesh from dead bodies.
The US says hundreds of children were among those killed in the suspected chemical weapons attacks, which the US says was carried out by the Syrian government.
Syria said the US claim was “full of lies”, blaming rebels for the attacks.
President Barack Obama said on Friday the US was planning a “limited, narrow” military response that would not involve “boots on the ground”.
The inspectors’ departure from Syria removes both a practical and a political obstacle to the launch of US-led military action, correspondents say.
Syrian people are worried and are making preparations.
Vladimir Putin urged Barack Obama, as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, to think about future victims in Syria before using force
They do not know what Barack Obama means by a limited attack and what consequences it will have for them.
Speaking to journalists in the Russian far-eastern city of Vladivostok, Vladimir Putin urged Barack Obama – as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate – to think about future victims in Syria before using force.
The Russian president said it was ridiculous to suggest the Syrian government was to blame for the attack.
“Syrian government troops are on the offensive and have surrounded the opposition in several regions,” Vladimir Putin said.
“In these conditions, to give a trump card to those who are calling for a military intervention is utter nonsense.”
“So I’m convinced that is nothing more than a provocation by those who want to drag other countries into the Syrian conflict.”
Vladimir Putin said that the US failure to present evidence to the international community was “simply disrespectful”.
“If there is evidence it should be shown. If it is not shown, then there isn’t any,” he said.
Russia – a key ally of Syria – has previously warned that “any unilateral military action bypassing the UN Security Council” would be a “direct violation of international law”.
Moscow, along with China, has vetoed two previous draft resolutions on Syria.
Vladimir Putin also expressed surprise at a vote in the British parliament on Thursday ruling out participation in military action.
“I will be honest: this was completely unexpected for me,” he said.
“This shows that in Great Britain, even if it is the USA’s main geopolitical ally in the world… there are people who are guided by national interests and common sense, and value their sovereignty.”
Meanwhile in France – seen as the main US ally since the UK vote – an opinion poll suggested that 64% opposed the use of force.
Neither France nor the US needs parliamentary approval for military action.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said his country will defend itself against any Western “aggression”.
Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Pietro Parolin as new secretary of state.
The move is seen as the Pope’s most significant appointment since he became leader of the Catholic Church in March.
Archbishop Pietro Parolin, a 58-year-old Vatican diplomat, replaced Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, 79, who is retiring.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, appointed by Francis’ predecessor Pope Benedict, had been widely criticized over last year’s so-called “Vatileaks” scandals.
Leaked documents revealed corruption and infighting at the Vatican.
The secretary of state heads the Roman Curia, the central administration of the Catholic Church, and is the Pope’s chief adviser.
Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Pietro Parolin as new secretary of state
Archbishop Parolin, an Italian, is currently the Vatican’s nuncio – or ambassador – in Venezuela.
In a statement, he said he would give the Pope his “completely availability to work with him and under his guidance for the greater glory of God, the good of the holy Church and the progress and peace”.
Pope Francis’ appointment marks the beginning of the replacement or dismissal of several former key members of Benedict’s administrative team.
The Pope has also promised to stamp out abuses at the Vatican bank – officially known as the Institute for Religious Works.
Shortly after his appointment, he set up a commission to investigate the bank and report back to him personally.
He later issued a decree to combat money-laundering.
The Vatileaks scandals erupted in 2012, when former Pope Benedict’s butler, Paolo Gabriele, published confidential documents from Vatican offices alleging widespread corruption and mismanagement.
Paolo Gabriele was convicted and sentenced to 18 months in jail for stealing the papers, but he was subsequently pardoned by Pope Benedict.
The files disclosed by leaker Edward Snowden to the Washington Post revealed the multi-billion dollar “black budget” used by US intelligence.
The CIA’s budget is the most expensive, $14.7 billion out of $52.6 billion in total for 16 intelligence agencies, according to the files.
Two of those agencies are also actively hacking into foreign computer networks, reports the Washington Post.
The US has not made public a breakdown of the total intelligence budget.
The newspaper published charts detailing the budget, but did not post all the documents, citing “sensitive details” after US officials expressed concerns about risks to methods and sources.
According to the Washington Post, the CIA’s budget has grown more than 50% since 2004.
The files also reportedly show the budget of the National Security Agency (NSA), America’s electronic spying organization – it apparently requested $10.8 billion for 2013, making it second only to the CIA.
Nearly $5 billion of the CIA’s budget is allocated to human intelligence operations, with almost $67 million of that total reserved for funding the false identities of its overseas spies, according to the files.
The files disclosed by leaker Edward Snowden to the Washington Post revealed the multi-billion dollar “black budget” used by US intelligence
The CIA and the NSA have also launched “offensive cyber operations” to hack into or sabotage enemy computer networks, according to the files.
The documents reportedly refer to China, Russia, Iran, Cuba and Israel as “priority” counterintelligence targets. Israel is an American ally, though it has previously conducted espionage against the US.
The NSA is denying one part of Friday’s report – that the agency planned to investigate up to 4,000 cases of possible internal security breaches before Edward Snowden made his disclosures to the media.
Vanee Vines, an agency spokesman, told the Associated Press the effort actually represented a broad reinvestigation of civil personnel to lessen the possibility of security risks.
“Periodic reinvestigations are conducted as one due-diligence component of our multifaceted insider threat programme,” he said.
The documents are the latest in a series of leaks by ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who has been charged with espionage in a federal court in the US.
Edward Snowden is currently in Russia, where the government of Vladimir Putin has granted him a year’s asylum.
Less than a week before, Lamar Odom was arrested on suspicion of DUI after he was involved in a three-car collision on the exact same freeway.
The crash was not reported to authorities, however a journalist for the Los Angeles Times has claimed that his car was rear-ended by another vehicle hit by Odom’s white Mercedes on Saturday.
The LA Times claims the incident took place around 6 p.m. and the journalist named Adolfo Flores alleges that Lamar Odom became reluctant to hand his insurance details over.
It is the latest twist in a worrying time for Khloe Kardashian’s husband, who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in the early hours of Friday morning.
To make matters worse, it has now been revealed that Lamar Odom was paid a visit by two drug counselors just hours before he was charged with a DUI.
TMZreports that the counselors – who work with the National Basketball Players Association – contacted Lamar Odom to offer help and he accepted.
Lamar Odom’s driving license was revoked after refusing to take drug test in DUI arrest
During the visit to Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian’s house, TMZ reported that he was very receptive with a source telling them “it was very positive”.
However, after the pair left, Lamar Odom then got into his vehicle and never came home.
The NBA star was later held at Van Nuys police station on $15,000 bail but was released from custody at 8.30 a.m.
Lamar Odom was pulled over just before 4 a.m. for driving too slow at 50 mph on the 101 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley.
He did not immediately respond to police, passing three exits and driving erratically, TMZ reports.
Lamar Odom failed numerous field sobriety checks but refused all chemical tests, according to police.
Leland Tang, the California Highway Patrol public information officer, told Radar Online: “Lamar Odom was driving 50 mph on the 101 freeway. He was driving in a serpentine manner which is pretty bad. That is like when the officer does a freeway break. Across all the lanes of the freeway. I’m surprised he wasn’t rear ended.”
After “failing” field sobriety tests, Lamar Odom was taken into custody and Leland Tang said: “He did what no one should ever do, he refused the chemical tests.
“That means that his license is revoked and Lamar could get the most powerful attorney in the world and he is still not going to have a license for a year.”
Women across the US have listed their positive pregnancy tests for sale on Craigslist.
One expectant mother in the Buffalo, New York area is selling her used sticks for $25 each, The Daily Dotreports.
Another New Jersey mom writes: “Wanna get your boyfriend to finally pop the question? Play a trick on mom, dad or one of your friends?”
Scrolling through the site, there appears to be no shortage of sellers- and many are aware that their customers could be using the tests for dubious reasons.
“I’m pregnant and will sell you my positive pregnancy test for $20,” one woman on Manhattan’s Lower East Side writes.
“I don’t care what you need them for.”
Women across the US have listed their positive pregnancy tests for sale on Craigslist
One Los Angeles woman offers to buy a pregnancy test for $20 “to make a video on teen pregnancy” for her local boys and girls club, which commenters point out seems suspect.
Another Dallas-based buyer is motivated by revenge, because after five years and two children with her ex-boyfriend, he came home and told her that he got his receptionist pregnant.
“We had been trying for another [baby]” she writes.
“He texted and said he isn’t sure who he wants to be with and I think I handled it well for what a cheating lying dog he is. I would like the last laugh out of this. I will give some girl $40.”
Still, is easy to see how expectant moms in need of extra cash could be tempted by the high markup.
While drugstore pregnancy tests are priced at between $10 and $20, cheaper versions can be bought online or at discount outlets for as little as $1 each.
Craigslist has also become an underground online bazaar for other fertility items. Women are selling frozen breast milk for $1 per ounce, baby items and even drugs at a deep discount.
Fertility drugs such as Ganrilex, Menopur and Gonal-f used for IVF and egg freezing are offered at around $100 for several doses rather than the market rate, which can be around $120 for one syringe.
But experts caution that there is no way to verify that the drugs inside the box are as advertised – or, since many medicines require refrigeration – that they have been stored properly.
As with everything else on Craigslist, it seems that the advice let the buyer beware definitely applies here.
Labor Day, which falls on Monday, September 2, is the best time to score bargains with the countless sales offered by retailers.
Labor Day weekend is an even better time to score sales than the most infamous discount holiday, Black Friday, in November.
“Labor Day is full of bargains, Black Friday is full of cheap things,” Ellwood said. “It’s not the same thing.”
It is recommended to start early when shopping the Labor Day weekend sales, but also get out there Monday, when stores will offer even more discounts.
Retailers have slashed their prices for a wide variety of items this year, ranging from electronics to apparel to home goods to outdoor items. During the three-day weekend, many stores will offer the same discounts both in stores and online.
However, if you choose to shop the Labor Day weekend sales online, remember to look for additional savings coupons or special offer codes; many large retailers offer additional savings like free shipping to entice shoppers off their couches.
Department Stores
Kmart: 40% off fall clothing for all, all TVs on sale, 50-60% off mattresses plus free box springs, 10% off furniture, 10% off bed & bad, 10% off items for the home, 10% off patio furniture, 5% off grills, 5% off outdoor play
Kohl’s: $10 Kohl’s cash for every $50 spent through September 2; 3-day sale on small appliances, 40-50% off dinnerware, 40-60% off bath towels and rugs, 20-40% off furniture
JCPenney: 4-day sale with 25-50% off items until Monday, including home, apparel, shoes and accessories, jewelry and more. Plus, online only, get an extra 20% off if you use your JCPenney credit card or 10% off using any other method of payment with code 30BUY until September 2. Free shipping on orders over $75.
Macy’s: 20% off and free shipping on orders of $99 or more using promo code DEALS; 15% off home and select home items; Additional 25% off clearance items; sales on clothing, home, shoes, accessories, kitchen, jewelry, kids and furniture
Sears: Free shipping on orders of $59 or more until September 7; 50-60% off mattresses plus free box spring and free delivery; 30% off Kenmore appliances; 15% off other major appliances; 30% off tool storage; 20% off lawn and garden; 50% off other items; 15% off purchases of $75 or more in apparel
Target: 20% off select furniture purchases of $150 or more; sale on backpacks and school uniforms; 30% off Emerson fridges and microwaves; 50% off patio furniture; 20% off kids’ Halloween costumes
Walmart: Labor Day sales and specials on electronics, home, outdoor and apparel
Labor Day is the best time to score bargains with the countless sales offered by retailers
Victoria’s Secret: $15 off $100, $30 off $150, $75 off $250, $150 off $500 using code FALL13
Electronics
Apple: Buy a Mac for college by Sept. 6 and get a $100 App Store Gift Card or buy an iPad or iPhone and get a $50 card
Best Buy: Friday through Monday, 30% off major appliances and free delivery on purchases of $429 or more; $200 off MacBook Pro with Retina Display, Insignia 65” LES HDTV for $999.99 with free delivery; LG 55” LED HDTV for $749.99 with free delivery; and more discounts on laptops, cameras, televisions, cell phones, GPS devices and home theaters
New Egg: 330+ deals for Labor Day, including an LG 42” LED HDTV for $399.00 and more
Home
Home Depot: $40 gift card with purchase of select 5-gallon paint buckets; $10 gift card on purchases of select 1-gallon paint cans; 10% off appliances of $397 or more with free delivery and haul away; free shipping on grills of $399 or more
Lowe’s: 10% off major appliances of $399 or more until Sept. 3; 20% off Char-Broil Commercial Series Gas Grills; $5 mail-in rebate on purchases of gallon-size Paint and Primer in One or Stain and Sealant in One
Overstock: 10% off furniture, area rugs, mattresses, memory foam, kitchen, dining, bedding, window treatments, lighting
Pottery Barn: 60% off items until Monday; 20% off throws and free shipping
Restaurants, stores, and companies will be celebrating Labor Day 2013 by offering freebies, or something at a heavily discounted price.
A.C. Moore: On Saturday, August 31 from 1 PM to 3 PM, all 140 A.C. Moore stores along the East Coast will hold a free “Make and Take” class on how you can make a rubber band bracelet.
Bass Pro Shops: On Saturday, August 31, and Sunday, September 1, from 12 noon until 5 PM, Bass Pro Shops locations nationwide are offering free activities for kids and classes for grownups, including instruction on the best ways to smoke meat. Sounds about right for a Labor Day barbecue.
Restaurants, stores, and companies will be celebrating Labor Day 2013 by offering freebies, or something at a heavily discounted price
BJ’s Wholesale Club: BJ’s has a free 60-day trial membership offer that begins on Friday, August 30. The risk-free trial includes full member benefits and no surcharge.
Blue Star Museums: Active duty military personnel and their families get free museum admission at participating cultural institutions through Monday, September 2, as part of the Blue Star Museums program.
Boston Market: On Monday, September 2, take 50% off Boston Market family meals. You’ll need to use this coupon to get the savings.
Firehouse Subs: Get a free medium sub sandwich at participating locations on Monday, September 2, when you purchase any sub combo. To redeem the offer, visit the Firehouse Subs’ Facebook page to print out a coupon or to show it via smartphone. Note: the coupon goes live over Labor Day Weekend.
IKEA: If you are in the store on Saturday, August 31, Sunday, September 1, or Monday, September 2, you may want to stop in for a meal as well. Shoppers who spend $150 or more in store those three days can deduct the cost of their meal when they check out. Visit the IKEA website to find out if your local IKEA store is participating.
Yankee Candle: From Thursday, August 29 to Monday, September 2, Yankee Candle has a dollar deal in its 550-plus nationwide retail locations and at yankeecandle.com. All Tarts wax melts, Samplers votive candles, and Car Jar air fresheners are only $1.00 – normally they’re $1.99 and $2.99.
US researchers have found that brain scans of people who say they have insomnia have shown differences in brain function compared with people who get a full night’s sleep.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, said the poor sleepers struggled to focus part of their brain in memory tests.
Brain scans of people with insomnia have shown differences in brain function compared with people who get a full night’s sleep
Other experts said that the brain’s wiring may actually be affecting perceptions of sleep quality.
The findings were published in the journal Sleep.
People with insomnia struggle to sleep at night, but it also has consequences during the day such as delayed reaction times and memory.
The study compared 25 people who said they had insomnia with 25 who described themselves as good sleepers. MRI brain scans were carried out while they performed increasingly challenging memory tests.
One of the researchers, Prof. Sean Drummond, said: “We found that insomnia subjects did not properly turn on brain regions critical to a working memory task and did not turn off <<mind-wandering>> brain regions irrelevant to the task.
“This data helps us understand that people with insomnia not only have trouble sleeping at night, but their brains are not functioning as efficiently during the day.”
Nelson Mandela has returned to his home in Johannesburg after a long stay in hospital in Pretoria.
The 95-year-old former South African president was admitted with a recurring lung infection on June.
Last week Nelson Mandela was said to be critical but stable and “showing great resilience”, and there has been no official update on him since then.
Nelson Mandela has returned to his home in Johannesburg after a long stay in hospital in Pretoria
South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela is revered by many as the father of the nation.
His prolonged hospital stay has caused concern both in South Africa and abroad.
The infection is said to date back to a period of nearly three decades Nelson Mandela spent in prison for anti-apartheid activity.
People from South Africa and around the world have sent him their best wishes, and flowers and other tributes have collected outside Pretoria’s MediClinic Heart Hospital.
Throughout Nelson Mandela’s stay in hospital, President Jacob Zuma urged the country to pray for him and keep him in their thoughts.
UN experts arrive in The Netherlands after finishing gathering evidence of alleged gas attack in Damascus suburbs.
They have left Syria having completed four days of site visits and evidence-gathering.
The experts arrived in the Netherlands on Saturday afternoon, after travelling from Damascus to Beirut earlier in the day.
The inspectors are seeking to determine what exactly happened in an alleged chemical weapons strike that killed hundreds in the Damascus suburbs on August 21.
The departure of the UN experts has heightened expectations of a possible international military strike against government forces.
UN officials say it may take weeks to analyze the samples gathered and to present conclusions, and UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky said that the inspectors would return to the country to investigate several other alleged chemical weapons attacks that have taken place during the country’s two-and-a-half year uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.
Saturday’s pullout comes as Washington suggested that the UN investigation would have no bearing on its decision about whether to attack Syria in retaliation for the alleged poison gas attack on civilians.
Russia, diplomats said, was hoping to use the time needed to complete the UN probe to slow down the push for air strikes.
UN experts arrive in The Netherlands after finishing gathering evidence of alleged gas attack in Damascus suburbs
“The samples that have been collected will be taken to be analyzed in designated laboratories, and the intention of course is to expedite the analysis of that sampling that’s been taken,” Martin Nesirky said.
He offered no timeline for when that analysis would be completed, but said all samples would need to be fully analyzed.
“This is not an electoral process, where you have exit polls and preliminary results,” he said.
“This is a scientific process. The only result that counts is the result of the analysis in laboratories and the analysis of the evidence that’s been collected through witness statements and so on.”
Martin Nesirky was addressing reporters while UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was meeting with delegates from the five permanent UN Security Council members – Britain, China, France, Russia and the US – to update them on the UN investigation in Syria.
Two diplomats told the Reuters news agency that Ban Ki-moon informed the five delegations that analysis of the samples could take up to two weeks.
Ban Ki-moon cut short a visit to Europe amid concerns that Western powers are preparing military strikes against Syria to punish the government of Bashar al-Assad for the alleged chemical attack.
Angela Kane, the UN disarmament envoy who had visited Syria with the UN experts, left Damascus on Friday and was expected to brief Ban Ki-moon in New York later on Saturday.
France said on Friday it still backed military action to punish Bashar al-Assad’s government, and Washington pushed ahead with plans for a response despite a British parliamentary vote against a military strike.
An unclassified report by US intelligence agencies released on Friday said the attack killed 1,429 Syrian civilians, including 426 children.
