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Randy Phillips: Michael Jackson was desperately broke before This Is It comeback tour

Sonia Pantiss
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Randy Phillips: Michael Jackson was desperately broke before This Is It comeback tour

AEG Live’s CEO Randy Phillips claimed in court on Wednesday that Michael Jackson was “desperately broke” before his ill-fated This Is It comeback tour.

Randy Phillips made the claims as he testified for a sixth day at Michael Jackson’s wrongful death trial in a Los Angeles on Wednesday.

He told of an emotional Halloween meeting with Michael Jackson at a hotel where the singer claimed “they were living like vagabonds”.

Randy Phillips added: “He actually broke down and I broke down. We both broke down.

“He got emotional. He teared up about his family and having a good life with them and a place to live and a residence they could call their own.

“I felt incredibly bad that this incredible star was at the point where he just couldn’t buy a house with all this money he made. It just didn’t make sense.”

Randy Phillips also told AEG attorney Marvin Putnam: “It was the first time Michael really told me why he wanted to go back to work.”

Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine and his three children are suing the concert promoter, alleging it negligently hired, retained or supervised Dr. Conrad Murray, who was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter over the singer’s 2009 death.

Meanwhile Randy Phillips also told jurors he knew Michael Jackson as a sophisticated, forceful businessman and not the drugged-up performer who’s been described throughout an ongoing civil trial filed over the singer’s untimely death.

Michael Jackson was a far more complex figure than has been portrayed during the trial of a case filed by Katherine Jackson against AEG Live over her son’s death, said Randy Philips, the company’s president and CEO.

Michael Jackson was desperately broke before This Is It Tour, promoter Randy Phillips claims in court
Michael Jackson was desperately broke before This Is It Tour, promoter Randy Phillips claims in court

Randy Phillips said based on meetings he had with Michael Jackson in 2008 and early 2009, he found the singer to be a “sophisticated man who had control of his life”.

The portrait of Michael Jackson that’s been presented to the jury during the seven-week trial has been inaccurate, Randy Phillips said.

Michael Jackson was described by both sides in opening statements as struggling with prescription drug addiction throughout his life.

Randy Phillips said he disagreed with the descriptions of Michael Jackson “because he’s been presented as drug-addled 5-year-old. That was not the man I dealt with. The man I dealt with was forceful. Kind, but determined. He was a force”.

Jurors have been presented with conflicting accounts of Michael Jackson, even from Randy Philips. They will have to weigh the different portrayals when they decide who is liable for the singer’s June 2009 death.

Katherine Jackson’s lawyers contend AEG failed to properly investigate the doctor convicted of causing her son’s death, pushing her son too hard to perform and missed warning signs of his health.

AEG, however, contends Michael Jackson hid his addiction to the powerful anesthetic propofol and that the company could not have foreseen that the singer’s doctor was giving him the drug as a sleep aid.

Millions and possibly billions of dollars are at stake in the negligent hiring trial.

Randy Phillips said he didn’t see signs that Michael Jackson was struggling with prescription drugs when he met with the entertainer to discuss options for his This Is It comeback concerts scheduled for London’s O2 Arena in 2009. He has also told jurors that Michael Jackson never told him he was having trouble sleeping.

The executive has described the superstar as difficult to work with, often changing managers and ideas about what he wanted creatively.

In testimony later on Wednesday, Randy Phillips described having to coax Michael Jackson to a London press conference in March 2009 to announce his concerts.

Michael Jackson was a couple of hours late, appeared hung over and was concerned no one would want to see him perform.

“He is an emotionally paralyzed mess riddled with self-loathing and doubt now that it is show time,” Randy Phillips wrote his boss that day.

He testified that he just wanted to get through the event and forget it ever happened.

The six-man, six-woman jury has been shown numerous emails throughout the trial in which high-level tour workers expressed concerns about Michael Jackson’s health, his weight, and whether he was ready for the shows.

Many of the concerns were voiced by tour director Kenny Ortega, who Randy Phillips at one point told not to attempt to serve as an amateur doctor or psychiatrist.

Randy Phillips acknowledged earlier this week that statements he wrote to Kenny Ortega about Michael Jackson’s physician, Conrad Murray, were untrue.

Among those statements were Randy Phillips’ assertions that AEG Live had checked out Conrad Murray, and that the deeply indebted physician didn’t need the job.

Conrad Murray was convicted in 2011 of involuntary manslaughter for giving Michael Jackson a lethal dose of propofol. He is not a defendant in the civil case, although AEG Live lawyers said early they intend to call the former cardiologist as a witness.

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Kim Kardashian laughs off claims Kanye West cheated on her with Leyla Ghobadi

Lisa.Felice
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Kim Kardashian laughs off claims Kanye West cheated on her with Leyla Ghobadi

Canadian model Leyla Ghobadi is claiming that rapper Kanye West cheated on pregnant girlfriend Kim Kardashian after they met at one of his shows.

And by the looks of things, Kim Kardashian is finding the mere suggestion that Kanye West strayed hilarious.

Dressed in an olive-colored maxi dress and cream blazer, Kim Kardashian, 32, was in fits of giggles when she was spotted being driven around Beverly Hills by best friend Jonathan Cheban on Wednesday.

Heavily pregnant Kim Kardashian held a hand up to her mouth as she struggled to contain her laughter while chatting to her pal, before they headed for lunch at Casa Vega in San Fernando Valley.

There’s a good chance the pair were discussing the stunning claims made by Leyla Ghobadi, 24, told Star magazine that their fling started in July 2012.

Leyla Ghobadi alleges the affair continued even after Kim Kardashian had announced her pregnancy after Kanye west dismissed his relationship with the reality star as just “for publicity and nothing serious”.

Explaining her decision to reveal the relationship, Leyla Ghobadi said: “This is going to destroy the Kardashian family. It’s bad. It’s really bad. It’s just embarrassing. But if I were Kim and about to have a baby, I would want to know.”

Leyla Ghobadi is claiming that rapper Kanye West cheated on pregnant girlfriend Kim Kardashian after they met at one of his shows
Leyla Ghobadi is claiming that rapper Kanye West cheated on pregnant girlfriend Kim Kardashian after they met at one of his shows

Kim Kardashian’s representatives have denied the reports, while Kanye West’s added: “This most recent attack on Kanye West and his family is totally without merit.

“It’s a blatant attempt by a misguided individual who is clearly seeking publicity, and another in a series of malicious stories drummed up by non-credible <<news>> sources. This is a sad attempt to hurt two people trying to live their lives.”

But Leyla Ghobadi has remained defiant and even set up a Twitter page on Wednesday to address her critics, or as she put it: “To show you guys what I’m really like. Not just doing this for <<The Fame>>.”

Leyla Ghobadi then began a Twitter rant.

“Maybe I went about this the wrong way but how else am I meant to get thru to her? I am NOT the bad guy in this situation. nothing more 2 say,” she wrote.

“The woman will always get the blame for everything huh.”

When asked by other users if she has proof of the affair, Leyla Ghobadi tweeted: “Proof? Yeah because I was going to take pictures of myself f***ing him. I could show u calls but I’m not about to put his number on twitter.”

Leyla Ghobadi later added: “Okay I’m out. Said what I had to say. To the haters- u don’t know s*** about the situation. Everyone else who’s being supportive: thank you.”

Kanye West is said to have first set his sights on curvy model Leyla Ghobadi when he saw her dancing in the crowd at his show in Atlantic City in July last year.

And despite Kim kardashian also being present at the gig in Revel’s Ovation Hall, Kanye West reportedly instructed a member of his entourage to seek out Leyla and invite her backstage.

The rapper is then reported to have invited Leyla Ghobadi for cocktails at AC’s HQ Nightclub, before asking her to come back to his hotel room.

However, Leyla Ghobadi declined, adding to the publication: “I refused, as I felt it was too rushed.”

Kris Jenner: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West will have a small and private wedding

Lisa.Felice
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Kris Jenner: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West will have a small and private wedding

With a new chat show to promote, Kris Jenner is happily dishing the dirt on her most famous daughter – Kim Kardashian.

Kris Jenner said that if Kim Kardashian and boyfriend Kanye West ever decide to get married it will be a small and “private” affair.

“This time it will be private and smaller, if she does get married again – not 500 people,” Kris jenner told The Hollywood Reporter.

Kris Jenner looked in her element as she graced the cover of The Hollywood Reporter magazine ahead of a six-week trial run of her new talk show, aptly named Kris
Kris Jenner looked in her element as she graced the cover of The Hollywood Reporter magazine ahead of a six-week trial run of her new talk show, aptly named Kris

The 57-year-old momager of the Kardashian clan looked in her element as she graced the cover of the magazine ahead of a six-week trial run of her new talk show – aptly named Kris.

Kris Jenner will focus on fashion, fitness and beauty on the show and, of course, celebrities.

She also hopes to inspire women her age with the show.

“So many women give up in life when they get a little bit older,” Kris Jenner said.

“I want to be a positive influence. I want to come from a really good place. Some people are just lost, and maybe I can be an inspiration.”

The talk show will mark Kris Jenner’s attempt to get a slice of the lucrative daytime TV market that has seen only Ellen DeGeneres thrive since the departure of daytime queen Oprah Winfrey.

The trial run will take place on selected Fox stations beginning on July 15 and an intensive media campaign will include appearances on Today and Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

The marketing campaign also will leverage social media and the combined 52 million Twitter followers among the Kardashian family and their 31 million Facebook friends.

Kris Jenner was born in San Diego, California in 1955 and worked as a flight attendant for American Airlines after high school. She married attorney Robert Kardashian, who was nearly 12 years older, in 1978 after meeting him when she was 17.

After giving birth to Kourtney, Kim, Khloe and Rob the couple split just one month before she married Olympic champion Bruce Jenner in 1991.

Kris Jenner has steadily built a family-focused empire that includes the hit reality show Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

She also supervises her children’s and her own clothing lines, negotiates contracts that pay the Kardashians a reported $25,000 a tweet and has been writing a cookbook, too.

The Hollywood Reporter confirmed Kris Jenner alone had annual revenues of more than $65 million in 2010 and it has increased since.

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Duck Dynasty stars: Jase and Missy Robertson

Sonia Pantiss
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Duck Dynasty stars: Jase and Missy Robertson

Duck Dynasty’s Jase Robertson is Willie’s brother and his polar opposite.

While Willie Robertson enjoys making deals behind the desk, Jase would much rather call the swamp his office.

But he knows he’s gotta earn his keep, so Jase Robertson’s job within the company is to fabricate the duck calls that have made Duck Commander famous. When pressed, Jase Robertson can churn out a thousand new calls in a flash, but he likes to take his time so that Willie doesn’t expect the same performance every day.

Duck Dynasty’s Missy and Jase Robertson
Duck Dynasty’s Missy and Jase Robertson

Jase Robertson has more important things than work on his mind, namely, duck hunting. His motto is: “Only three things matter: God, then family, then ducks.”

Jason Silas “Jase” Robertson was born on August 19, 1969 and is in charge of the manufacturing aspects of Duck Commander.

Along with other employees, Jase Robertson tunes the duck calls by hand. Many of Duck Dynasty episodes feature the laid-back, self-professed redneck Jase Robertson doing something to aggravate the gung-ho, business-savvy Willie (such as turning a warehouse cleaning into a ping-pong battle).

Missy Robertson is Jase’s wife. She is often seen helping Korie (Willie Robertson’s wife and her sister-in-law) and Miss Kay (her mother-in-law) with ideas to expand the Duck Commander women’s line.

Missy and Jase Robertson have three children: Reed, Cole, and Mia.

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Duck Dynasty stars: Korie Robertson

Sonia Pantiss
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Duck Dynasty stars: Korie Robertson

Though not originally from a hunting family, Korie Robertson fit in with the Duck Dynasty’s family right away.

Korie Robertson, née Howard, was born on October 24, 1973 and is Willie’s wife and business partner. She also graduated from Harding University. She is the office manager of Duck Commander.

Duck Dynasty’s Korie Robertson is Willie's wife and business partner
Duck Dynasty’s Korie Robertson is Willie’s wife and business partner

As Willie Robertson’s wife and business partner, she helped him grow the company into an ever-expanding enterprise. As the Duck Commander office manager Korie Robertson has to make her presence known in order to keep the workshop from turning into a funhouse. She met Willie Robertson in third grade and when he asked her to go on a moonlit hike at summer camp. He was 4th grade.

Korie and Willie Robertson got married on January 11, 1992, a year after high school, when she was 18 and he was 19.

Korie and Willie Robertson have five children: John Luke, Sadie, an adopted son named Will (called “Lil Will” on the show), Bella and Rebecca (formerly an exchange student from Taiwan now their adopted daughter).

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Edward Snowden South China Morning Post interview: U.S. government has been hacking Chinese networks for four years

Diane A. Wade
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Edward Snowden South China Morning Post interview: U.S. government has been hacking Chinese networks for four years

Whistleblower Edward Snowden has claimed that the U.S. government has been hacking Hong Kong and Chinese networks for at least four years.

In his first interview since he revealed himself on Sunday, the 29-year-old whistleblower told the South China Morning Post that the NSA has hacked the country’s universities, businesses and politicians.

Edward Snowden claimed the agency had hundreds of targets – including the Chinese University of Hong Kong – from as far back as 2009, but that these were just a fraction of the 61,000 NSA hacking operations carried out globally.

He added that none of the documents revealed any information about Chinese military systems.

“We hack network backbones – like huge internet routers, basically – that give us access to the communications of hundreds of thousands of computers without having to hack every single one,” he explained.

The hour-long interview, which took part in a secret location on Wednesday, came after Snowden fled to Hong Kong from his home in Hawaii on May 20 after leaking sensitive documents about the NSA.

His actions have been both praised and condemned globally, with some hailing him a hero while others, including House Speaker John Boehner, calling him a traitor.

But in the exclusive interview, Edward Snowden said: “I’m neither traitor nor hero. I’m an American.”

He said he will stay in Hong Kong to fight any extradition bid from the U.S, and he hit back against people who have called his choice to flee to Hong Kong a gamble.

“People who think I made a mistake in picking HK as a location misunderstand my intentions,” he said.

“I am not here to hide from justice; I am here to reveal criminality.

“My intention is to ask the courts and people of Hong Kong to decide my fate. I have been given no reason to doubt your system.”

It is believed the U.S. is pursuing a criminal investigation against Edward Snowden, and on Tuesday, sources said officials were preparing to bring charges against him. No extradition request has yet been filed.

In another clip of the interview Edward Snowden said he has heard from a reliable source that the government is “trying to bully the Hong Kong government into extraditing me”.

Edward Snowden has claimed that the U.S. government has been hacking Hong Kong and Chinese networks for at least four years
Edward Snowden has claimed that the U.S. government has been hacking Hong Kong and Chinese networks for at least four years

“I will never feel safe,” Edward Snowden said, adding that he has also not contacted his family because he fears their safety too.

“Things are very difficult for me in all terms, but speaking truth to power is never without risk,” he said.

“It has been difficult, but I have been glad to see the global public speak out against these sorts of systemic violations of privacy.”

His interview comes two days after Edward Snowden checked out of a Hong Kong hotel where he was interviewed by the UK’s Guardian newspaper, which first published the story.

Since then, he has been nowhere to be seen.

In the Guardian interview, Edward Snowden had said he wanted to avoid the media spotlight, noting he didn’t want ‘the story to be about me. I want it to be about what the U.S. government is doing’.

With little new information to report on Edward Snowden or his whereabouts, focus has instead fallen on his American girlfriend, Lindsay Mills, a dancer who posted partially nude photographs of herself online before she also apparently disappeared.

Reporter Ewen MacAskill of the Guardian newspaper, who interviewed Edward Snowden for exclusive stories about his revelations, wrote late Tuesday that ‘it is thought’ Snowden was now in a private home in Hong Kong, but offered no details.

Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald, who interviewed Edward Snowden in Hong Kong, has given a series of interviews about the case, but refused to reveal any information about his location or his plans.

The US has been divided in praising or condemning Edward Snowden after he leaked information about a global eavesdropping operation, PRISM, put in place by the government.

“He’s a traitor,” Boehner told ABC on Tuesday.

“The disclosure of this information puts Americans at risk. It shows our adversaries what our capabilities are. And it’s a giant violation of the law.”

Also on Tuesday, Edward Snowden’s employers, Booz Allen Hamilton, announced that it has terminated his contract ‘for violations of the firm’s code of ethics and firm policy’.

It said that the claims he had leaked information were “shocking” – and revealed that he was earning $122,000 rather than the $200,000 he told The Guardian he was paid.

As for his future prospects – although Hong Kong has an extradition treaty with the U.S., the document has some exceptions, including for crimes deemed political.

Any negotiations about his possible handover will involve Beijing, but some believe China is unlikely to want to jeopardize its relationship with the U.S. over someone of little political interest to them.

Edward Snowden also told The Guardian that he may seek asylum in Iceland, which has strong free-speech protections and a tradition of providing a haven for the outspoken and the outcast.

And even Russia has stepped up to say it would consider offering him political asylum if he sought it.

“We will take action based on what actually happens. If we receive such a request, it will be considered,” said the Russian president’s official spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

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North Korea blames South Korea for canceling high-level talks

Roy Siemens
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North Korea blames South Korea for canceling high-level talks

North Korea has blamed the South for “arrogant obstructions” that led high-level talks to be cancelled.

South Korea’s “deliberate disturbance” by changing the head of its delegation made “the talks between authorities abortive”, North Korea said.

The planned talks, which followed months of raised tensions, were aborted after the two sides failed to agree on the composition of the delegations.

Seoul said it was disappointed with North Korea’s response.

North Korea’s state-run news agency KCNA described the South’s nomination of Vice-Unification Minister Kim Nam-shik to lead the delegation as “the height of discourtesy and disrespect unprecedented in the history of the North-South dialogue”.

This, and the difficulty in agreeing an agenda for discussion, proved “that the South side had no intent to hold dialogue from the beginning and that it only sought to create an obstacle to the talks, [to] delay and torpedo them”, it said.

It added that this made the North question whether inter-Korean talks were possible.

The two Koreas have not held ministerial-level talks since 2007.

North Korea has accused South Korea of "arrogant obstructions" that led high-level talks to be cancelled
North Korea has accused South Korea of “arrogant obstructions” that led high-level talks to be cancelled

The agreement to hold the talks – seen by analysts as a major development in itself – came in the early hours of Monday after lengthy preliminary discussions in the truce village of Panmunjom.

It came after months of heightened tensions following North Korea’s third nuclear test in February.

After the UN tightened sanctions against the North as a result of the test, Pyongyang threatened to attack South Korea and US bases in the region, cut various hotlines used for intra-Korean communication, and withdrew its workers from a joint industrial park.

South Korean Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae was originally reported as the head of the South’s delegation for Wednesday’s planned talks.

However, when Seoul asked Pyongyang to send Kim Yang-gon, an adviser to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, North Korea refused. Seoul then named its vice-minister as its chief negotiator instead.

North Korea said the implication that Kim Yang-gon was not equal in rank to Ryoo Kihl-jae was “a revelation of its ignorance”, and “a manifestation of [South Korea’s] sinister intention” to abort the talks.

Speaking on Wednesday, South Korean PM Chung Hong-won said Seoul would no longer make “infinite concessions” to North Korea.

“In the past, we have made infinite concessions to the North, but the time has come to hold talks where both sides are represented by officials of the same level,” Chung Hong-won said.

Meanwhile, North Korea has not answered routine calls from South Korea via the Red Cross communications line linking the two countries, South Korea says.

North Korea cut the communications link in March amid rising regional tensions, but restored it last Friday.

South Korean media say the unanswered calls may suggest that Pyongyang has cut the hotline again.

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Gezi Park referendum: Turkey’s ruling AK party may hold vote on park

Diane A. Wade
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Gezi Park referendum: Turkey’s ruling AK party may hold vote on park

Huseyin Celik, deputy chairman of Turkey’s ruling AK party, says it is open to the idea of a referendum on controversial plans to redevelop Istanbul’s Gezi Park.

Huseyin Celik hoped the “gesture of goodwill” would clear the area.

But he warned: “Those… who seek to provoke and remain in the park will face the police.”

Police treatment of protesters campaigning against the redevelopment triggered broader demonstrations that have continued since May 31.

“We might put it to a referendum… In democracies only the will of the people counts,” Huseyin Celik said.

“We think that after this gesture of goodwill, people will decide to go home.”

Huseyin Celik’s comments represent the first time that the AK party has openly discussed letting voters decide what happens to the park. Demonstrators have remained there throughout the protests.

There has been a mixed reaction among protesters on Twitter, with some welcoming the proposal and others mistrustful of the authorities.

Turkish media reported on Wednesday that PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan had told the interior minister to end the protests in Gezi Park within 24 hours.

More than 20 opposition MPs have gone to the park to try to prevent any police intervention.

Senior European diplomats have expressed strong concern over Turkey’s response to the protests.

Hundreds of protesters have now gathered in Taksim Square, next to the park, although the square is about half as full as it was on Tuesday.

Police stood back along the edges of the square, which had been clear during the day after a series of violent clashes between police and protesters on Tuesday and overnight.

During the day, Recep Tayyip Erdogan met 11 activists, but protest leaders dismissed the meeting.

Turkey’s AK party is open to the idea of a referendum on controversial plans to redevelop Istanbul's Gezi Park
Turkey’s AK party is open to the idea of a referendum on controversial plans to redevelop Istanbul’s Gezi Park

In both Istanbul and the capital, Ankara, on Wednesday thousands of lawyers left court in their black robes to march through the streets, protesting against the treatment of their colleagues during demonstrations.

Dozens of lawyers were briefly held in Istanbul on Tuesday as they voiced their opposition to police action to clear the square.

“Our friends who had been detained in Istanbul were taken under custody just because they were reading a press release,” said one of the lawyers in Ankara, Mehmet Toker.

“We are here to defend freedom of speech.”

Demonstrators accuse Recep Tayyip Erdogan of becoming increasingly authoritarian and trying to impose conservative Islamic values on a secular state.

“Oppression has been going on for months,” said another lawyer, Ege Inal.

“The government is exactly like the ones that they have been criticizing. That is why we are here.”

Late in the afternoon, Recep Tayyip Erdogan met a group of 11 people – including artists, architects and a social media specialist – to discuss the situation in Gezi Park.

But those in the park and Taksim Solidarity, an umbrella group seen as most representative of the protesters, said the activists did not speak for them.

“As police violence continues mercilessly… these meetings will in no way lead to a solution,” a statement from Taksim Solidarity said.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan had earlier said protests would no longer be tolerated, dismissing protesters as “looters”.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul, who has taken a more conciliatory line than PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said authorities should listen to protesters’ grievances.

“If people have objections, then to engage in a dialogue with these people, to hear out what they say is no doubt our duty,” he told reporters.

European Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton said the unrest represented a “key moment” for Turkey, and a “chance for it to renew its commitment to European values”.

The Turkish Human Rights Foundation said more than 620 people had been injured in Tuesday’s police crackdown.

Since the protests began, four people have been killed, including one policeman and some 5,000 protesters as well as hundreds of police officers are estimated to have been injured.

Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino said the unrest was the “first serious test for the endurance of democracy in Turkey and its accession to Europe”, while German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle expressed his concern in a statement.

“We expect Prime Minister Erdogan to de-escalate the situation, in the spirit of European values, and to seek a constructive exchange and peaceful dialogue,” he said.

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Berlin begins reconstruction of King Frederick the Great’s palace

Sonia Pantiss
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Berlin begins reconstruction of King Frederick the Great’s palace

Berlin has begun the reconstruction of what was once one of the world’s grandest buildings, King Frederick the Great’s palace.

Some parts of the original building dated back to the 15th Century, but it was destroyed in 1950.

Germany’s President Joachim Gauck laid the foundation stone for the replica.

The project will cost around 600 million euros and is controversial at a time when Germany is urging European countries to rein in their debt.

Most of the bill is being paid by German tax payers.

The plan is to recreate the original ornate facade, but with a modern interior.

Berlin has begun the reconstruction of what was once one of the world's grandest buildings, King Frederick the Great's palace
Berlin has begun the reconstruction of what was once one of the world’s grandest buildings, King Frederick the Great’s palace

The new palace will house collections of non-European art, scientific pieces, libraries and cultural centres.

It is due to be finished in 2019.

The palace became the principle residence of the kings of Prussia in 1701.

The original palace survived the bombings of the World War II, albeit badly damaged.

But it was dynamited by the communist authorities of East Germany in 1950 and replaced with the Palace of the Republic, which housed the DDR’s parliament and a cultural and leisure centre.

In a reunified Berlin in 2006, that building was torn down to make way for the reconstruction of the original palace.

There has been controversy about the cost of the project at a time of austerity, as well as over the merits of trying to recreate buildings from the past.

Germany has already reproduced, quite faithfully, other destroyed landmarks, including the Adlon Hotel on its original site next to Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate.

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Vladimir Putin inaugurates new political movement Popular Front

Diane A. Wade
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Vladimir Putin inaugurates new political movement Popular Front

President Vladimir Putin has taken the helm of a new political movement called the Popular Front.

The Russian president was appointed by acclamation as head of the movement in front of a crowd of supporters.

The Front is seen by analysts as a way of strengthening Vladimir Putin’s position as the ruling United Russia party has lost support.

It came as thousands of anti-government protesters marched in Moscow to demand Vladimir Putin’s resignation.

Vladimir Putin told his supporters that he hoped the People’s Front would become a “broad public movement” and that it would help citizens with ideas for improvement see them implemented.

He also said he envisaged the movement as a watchdog that would hold those in power to account, “from the president down to the village mayor”.

The speech was interrupted several times by the crowd chanting “Russia!”, “Putin!” and “ONF!” (the Russian initials of the movement).

After the speech a vote was conducted by Vladimir Putin supporter and film director Stanislav Govorukhin.

“Looks like I am going to ask the stupidest question ever,” Stanislav Govorukhin said.

“Who will we nominate as the leader of our movement?”

President Vladimir Putin has taken the helm of a new political movement called the Popular Front
President Vladimir Putin has taken the helm of a new political movement called the Popular Front

The crowd replied by chanting Vladimir Putin’s name.

“Should we vote? Are there any other candidates?” Stanislav Govorukhin asked.

“Vladimir Vladimirovich, congratulations. I feel for you, it is a big burden,” he concluded.

Correspondents say President Vladimir Putin hopes the new movement will shore up his support after corruption allegations that have hit the pro-Putin United Russia party.

In February, United Russia MP Vladimir Pekhtin had to resign his seat in parliament after anti-corruption campaigners accused him of owning homes in the US. Vladimir Pekhtin had been head of the ethics committee in the Duma, parliament’s lower house.

Meanwhile, opposition activists have marched in Moscow to demand the release of prisoners detained over clashes at an anti-government protest last year.

Ten of 12 people being tried over the Bolotnaya case – named after the Moscow square where the clashes occurred in May last year – had their detention extended last week.

Police say protesters taking part in the demonstrations, which began the day before President Vladimir Putin’s swearing-in in May 2012, turned on them with metal bars and flagstones

Opposition leaders say the authorities provoked the clashes.

On Wednesday, several thousand protesters turned out to support the detainees, led by prominent opposition activist Alexei Navalny.

Alexei Navalny is facing trial on charges of embezzling money from a regional timber firm, which he has rejected as politically motivated.

“You can’t sit at home when the government begins repressions against ordinary, decent citizens of our country – people who don’t want to live in this swamp, people who want to see their country thrive,” activist Vitaly Zolomov told the Associated Press.

Gay rights activists also joined the march, denouncing a law passed on Tuesday by the Duma imposing heavy fines for providing information about homos***ality to people under 18.

French air traffic controllers strike hits Europe flight

Clyde K. Valle
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French air traffic controllers strike hits Europe flight

The ongoing French air traffic controllers strike is causing further disruption for European travelers.

More than a quarter of flights from France’s busiest airports had to be cancelled on Wednesday amid protests at plans for a single European airspace.

Controllers say the plans will affect public safety and working conditions.

Airlines based outside France have also suffered upheaval. Ryanair was forced to cancel more than 240 flights on Wednesday, while EasyJet scrapped 128.

Air traffic workers elsewhere in Europe were expected to join the French strikers by working to rule, picketing and distributing leaflets.

Major French airports, including Charles de Gaulle, Orly, Lyon, Nice, Marseille, Toulouse and Bordeaux were all said to have been affected by the three-day strike called by the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF).

The French Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) said the strike action had intensified on Wednesday, forcing the cancellation of about 1,800 flights for a second day in France. “Nearly 100%” of France’s air traffic controllers were participating in the strike, it added.

On Tuesday, the DGAC said it had asked airlines to cancel 50% of their services and advised travelers to contact them for further information.

The ongoing French air traffic controllers strike is causing further disruption for European travelers
The ongoing French air traffic controllers strike is causing further disruption for European travelers

Flights through French airspace were also expected to be axed on Wednesday, and passengers bound for other European destinations were told to prepare for delays of up to four hours.

The budget airline Ryanair said it had been forced to cancel 200 flights on Tuesday and would cancel another 250 on Wednesday as a result of the strike action.

A statement called on the European Commission to remove air traffic controllers’ right to strike.

“It is grossly unfair that thousands of passengers had and will have their plans disrupted as a result of Europe being held to ransom by tiny numbers of French air traffic controllers,” it added.

The rival airline, EasyJet, also said it had cancelled 256 flights since Tuesday.

The ETF has said the strikes aim to “stop a never ending process of liberalization, deregulation and cost-cutting in the Air Traffic Management (ATM) industry”.

It said the European Commission’s so-called SES2+ proposals to update the Single European Sky (SES) project and amend the rules governing the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) would “jeopardise safety and the number and quality of jobs”.

The European Commission estimates that inefficiencies in the way Europe’s air traffic is managed add 42 km (26 miles) to the average flight, forcing planes to burn more fuel and generate more emissions. The system causes delays and costs airlines and customers 5 billion euros ($7.3 billion) annually, it says.

It wants to centralize air traffic controls, rather than leave each member state to monitor its own skies. The commission says this could triple airspace capacity, cut costs and reduce delays.

On Tuesday, Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas told the European Parliament: “The time has come for more decisive action. If we leave things as they are, we will be confronted with heavy congestion and chaos in our airspace.”

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Miley Cyrus denies romance with Justin Bieber after flirty night in LA

Lisa.Felice
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0
Miley Cyrus denies romance with Justin Bieber after flirty night in LA

Miley Cyrus has denied rumors of a romance with Justin Bieber after they were pictured together at a club in Los Angeles.

Miley Cyrus, 20, and Justin Bieber, 19, who have known each other for years, were spotted at Beacher’s Madhouse at the Roosevelt Hotel over the weekend with onlookers telling TMZ they engaged in “flirting” before leaving together around 2 a.m.

But the she shot down the speculation and insisted her rocky engagement to Liam Hemsworth is still on.

When asked if she was dating Justin Bieber on Tuesday, Miley Cyrus said: “I’m engaged! I’m engaged. That is impossible.”

During a morning interview on Washington DC radio program The Kane Show, Miley Cyrus was also asked about Amanda Bynes, who this week branded the star “ugly” in yet another Twitter rant.

Miley Cyrus has denied rumors of a romance with Justin Bieber after they were pictured together at a club in LA
Miley Cyrus has denied rumors of a romance with Justin Bieber after they were pictured together at a club in LA

(Amanda Bynes also recently revealed she has eyes for Miley Cyrus’ fiancé, branding him “most gorgeous man on the face of the earth”.)

Miley Cyrus responded: “I won’t even entertain that thought.

“I think it’s all so sad, that I don’t want to add any fuel to that fire. Because it’s really so sad to me.”

“I was rooting for her comeback until she started attacking me, and I just thought it was hilarious that she mentioned my name the moment I was the worldwide trending topic on Twitter.”

She concluded: “It’s just funny the moment you’re a trending topic how many people want your name to come out of their mouth, so somehow they can associate and maybe they can become a trending topic.”

Miley Cyrus is currently promoting her new single, We Can’t Stop.

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Oprah Winfrey donates $12 million to National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Oprah Winfrey donates $12 million to National Museum of African American History and Culture

Talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey is donating $12 million towards a new museum in Washington DC dedicated to African American history.

After previously giving $1 million to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, her total contribution is its biggest so far.

The museum on Washington’s National Mall is due to be completed in 2015.

It will house a 35-seat theatre named after Oprah Winfrey, who is also a member of the museum’s advisory council.

Lonnie Bunch, director of the museum said the media mogul had been very much involved in its creation and talks were taking place to acquire memorabilia from her career.

He said he would love to have one of the microphone’s used during her television show – one of the most-watched programmes in US history, which ended after 25 years in 2011 – to add to the museum’s collection of more than 22,000 items.

The collection helps to tell the story of African American history from slavery to the post-Civil War period, the civil rights era, the Harlem Renaissance and the 21st Century.

Oprah Winfrey is donating $12 million to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC
Oprah Winfrey is donating $12 million to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC

In a statement released by the museum, Oprah Winfrey said: “I am deeply appreciative of those who paved the path for me and all who follow in their footsteps.”

“By investing in this museum, I want to help ensure that we both honor and preserve our culture and history, so that the stories of who we are will live on for generations to come,” she added.

Costing $500 million to build, the US government is providing half of the funding with the remainder being raised through private donations.

When in opens in 2015, it will be the 19th Smithsonian museum.

Some of the items which will be displayed include the glass-topped casket that held the body of 14-year-old Emmett Till, whose 1955 murder in Mississippi for whistling at a white woman helped spark the civil rights movement.

The museum’s most recent big acquisition was a South Carolina slave cabin dating from the 19th Century.

The cabin from Edisto Island was disassembled in May in preparation for its move to the museum.

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Lionel Messi accused of 4 million euros tax fraud in Spain

Clyde K. Valle
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Lionel Messi accused of 4 million euros tax fraud in Spain

Barcelona football player Lionel Messi and his father are being investigated in Spain for allegedly defrauding the state of more than 4 million euros.

The 25-year-old Argentina forward and his father, Jorge Horacio, are suspected of filing fraudulent tax returns for 2007-09, officials say.

The World Player of the Year expressed his surprise, denying the allegation.

Lionel Messi’s Barcelona net salary is said to be some 16 million euros a year, making him one of the world’s highest-paid athletes.

He has also signed a number of multimillion-dollar endorsements with major sponsors around the globe.

On Wednesday, a complaint signed by prosecutor Raquel Amado was filed at the courthouse in Gava – the affluent Barcelona district where Lionel Messi lives.

Judges at the courthouse must accept the complaint before the suspects can be charged, reports say.

Lionel Messi and his father are accused of three crimes of defrauding the state of taxes related to income from the use of his image.

They are suspected of using companies abroad – in Belize and Uruguay – to sell the rights to use the image.

Lionel Messi and his father are being investigated in Spain for allegedly defrauding the state of more than 4 million euros
Lionel Messi and his father are being investigated in Spain for allegedly defrauding the state of more than 4 million euros

The accusation is that with the help of firms based outside Spain, where he lives and plays club football, Lionel Messi and his father avoided paying more than 4 million euros in tax.

If convicted, Lionel Messi could face up to six years in prison and a large fine, according to Spain’s EFE news agency.

Responding to the allegations, the footballer expressed his surprise, saying he had only learned about the investigation against him through the media.

Lionel Messi wrote on his Facebook page: “We have never committed any infringement. We have always fulfilled all our tax obligations, following the advices of our tax consultants who will take care of clarifying this situation.”

Argentina’s media also appeared puzzled by Wednesday’s development, with the Clarin newspaper describing it as “unexpected news”.

Barcelona FC have not commented on the allegations.

The investigation comes as the Spanish authorities step up their efforts to clamp down on tax fraud, as the government tries to balance its budget during a continuing economic crisis.

Lionel Messi, who comes from a humble background and has overcome a serious health issue, joined Barcelona as a 13-year-old in 2000, and made his first-team debut three years later.

He soon became one of the most influential players at the Catalan team, winning Europe’s most prestigious club competition – the Champions League – three times.

Last year, Lionel Messi scored a record 91 goals for club and country in a calendar year.

Four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi is now considered by many experts to be one of football’s best ever players.

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Leyla Ghobadi claims she slept with Kanye West while Kim Kardashian was pregnant

Lisa.Felice
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0
Leyla Ghobadi claims she slept with Kanye West while Kim Kardashian was pregnant

Canadian model Leyla Ghobadi claims rapper Kanye West cheated on pregnant girlfriend Kim Kardashian after they met at one of his shows.

In stunning claims Leyla Ghobadi, 24, told Star magazine that their fling started in July 2012 and continued even after Kim Kardashian had announced her pregnancy after Kanye West dismissed his relationship with the reality star as just “for publicity and nothing serious”.

Explaining her decision to reveal the relationship, Leyla Ghobadi said: “This is going to destroy the Kardashian family. It’s bad. It’s really bad. It’s just embarrassing. But if I were Kim and about to have a baby, I would want to know.”

Kim Kardashian’s representatives have denied the reports.

Kanye West is said to have first set his sights on curvy model Leyla Ghobadi when he saw her dancing in the crowd at his show in Atlantic City in July last year.

And despite Kim Kardashian also being present at the gig in Revel’s Ovation Hall, Kanye West reportedly instructed a member of his entourage to seek out Leyla Ghobadi and invite her backstage.

The rapper is then reported to have invited Leyla Ghobadi for cocktails at AC’s HQ Nightclub, before asking her to come back to his hotel room.

However, Leyla Ghobadi declined, adding to the publication: “I refused, as I felt it was too rushed.”

Kanye West then reportedly asked Leyla Ghobadi and her friends, who had driven down from Montreal to watch his show, if they wanted to attend the concert the next evening, and gave them backstage passes.

And while Leyla Ghobadi admits she knew Kanye West was with Kim Kardashian at the time, she said the 36-year-old rapper told her the relationship was “for publicity and nothing serious”.

After agreeing to accompany Kanye West back to his hotel room after chatting to him backstage, Leyla Ghobadi said: “We began to make out for a while – and next thing I knew, we were both n**ed and having s**.”

The couple’s next reported meeting came in October in New York, as Kim Kardashian, who had not announced her pregnancy at that point, was in Miami.

Leyla Ghobadi claims rapper Kanye West cheated on pregnant girlfriend Kim Kardashian after they met at one of his shows
Leyla Ghobadi claims rapper Kanye West cheated on pregnant girlfriend Kim Kardashian after they met at one of his shows

Leyla Ghobadi even alleges that Kanye West contacted her just last weekend to see if she wanted to meet up, but said that at that point she was fully aware of Kim Kardashian’s pregnancy, adding: “I would never do that to someone.”

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announced her pregnancy in December 2012, with Kanye revealing the happy baby news to the crowd during a concert in Atlantic City.

The rapper said “stop the music”, then announced “make noise for my baby mama right here”, with a wide smile.

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian had been dating for eight months at that point, but have been friends for a number of years.

In a lengthy interview he gave to the New York Times to promote his forthcoming album Yeezus, Kanye West spoke about his reasons for not participating in Keeping In The Kardashians reality show, his love for Kim Kardashian and becoming a father.

Kanye West said: “I’m the type of rock star that likes to have a girlfriend, you know? I’m the type of soul that likes to be in love and likes to be able to focus. And that inspires me.

“You know, the amount of backlash I got from it is when I decided to not be on the show anymore. And it’s not that I have an issue with the show; I just have an issue with the amount of backlash that I get. Because I just see like, an amazing person that I’m in love with that I want to help.”

On becoming a father Kanye West said his first instinct is to be protective of his baby – and its privacy.

The rapper said: “I would do anything to protect my child or my child’s mother. As simple as that…I just don’t want to talk to America about my family. Like, this is my baby. This isn’t America’s baby.”

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian have looked very much in love in recent months as they prepare for the arrival of their first child together.

However, their lack of time together in recent weeks has hit headlines, with the couple’s last outing together coming in mid-May.

But Kanye West was seen making a brief appearance at Kim Kardashian’s baby shower, which was filmed for her reality show, at the beginning of the month.

RadarOnline have claimed Kim Kardashian is “unhappy” that Kanye West continued his plans for a birthday party in New York without her, even though he knew she would not be able to attend.

Kim Kardashian, 32, was reportedly upset that Kanye West celebrated his 36th birthday at a star-studded bash without her in New York City on Saturday.

A source told RadarOnline.com: “Kim is so close to giving birth and she’s big and uncomfortable and knowing Kanye partied with all of their friends really made her mad.”

Kanye West celebrated with his friends including Beyonce, Jay-Z, Nas, Kim Kardashian’s older sister Kourtney and her boyfriend, Scott Disick, as well as her best friend Jonathan Cheban at Jamaican restaurant Ms. Lily’s, because he was performing at the Governor’s Ball in the city on Sunday, but Kim wanted him to delay his party and have it in Los Angeles instead.

The source said: “She isn’t traveling this late in her pregnancy but everyone else there could have easily come to Los Angeles, they all can hop on a private plane any time they want!

“Kim totally respects Kanye and the work he has to do, but as her due date grows closer she is getting mad about how little time they’re spending together and wishes that he would try and accommodate her more.”

Renting an Apartment? 5 Questions to Ask Before You Do

Nancy Clayson
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Renting an Apartment? 5 Questions to Ask Before You Do

Most people cannot afford to buy an apartment. If you are one of these people, then another alternative is leasing. There are several attributes to consider before deciding to sign a lease on an apartment. Here are 5 questions to ask yourself before you rent an apartment.

Is it in Your Budget?

Piggy Bank

Image via Flickr

Of course renting an apartment can be exciting and the monthly rent fee may not initially seem like a lot, but there are several other things to take into account other than the monthly rent. Make sure you assess all costs upfront before signing any lease.

  • If utilities are not included you will need to estimate the monthly costs of those.
  • If you are required to pay your first and last months rent or a security deposit upfront it may provide an unexpected burden.
  • If the place does not come furnished you will have to purchase all the appliances and furnishings.

Another Tip: A general rule of thumb is that your monthly rent and utilities fee should not exceed one weeks worth of income. If you abide by this rule you are likely to find a reasonable apartment that compliments your current financial situation.

Is it Accommodating to Your Needs?

Crib 08

Image via Flickr

This is a tricky question because many people struggle with needs and wants. Yes, you may want a bay window or walk-in closet but what you need is a functional living arrangement. Make sure to assess measurements of rooms that you will need specific sized furniture in. This is most commonly the living room or bedroom. If the bedroom is 10 x 10 you are not going to want to try fitting your king size bed into it.

Take notes of light placements, ceiling fans, cable hookups, and outlets as these will help you get a better image for how each room will fit your lifestyle. The most important element of accommodation is that the apartment satisfies your general needs. Another Tip: Make a conscious effort to foresee future issues. For instance, if you are anticipating having kids, in the near future, look for a space that you can turn into a nursery.

What About the Location?

clear wimax Chicago map

Image via Flickr

Many people do not take the apartments location as serious as the other attributes, but it is one of the most important aspects. How close is the grocery store? Is it near your work? Is it a safe neighborhood? These are all very important questions that need to be answered when determining if you should choose one apartment over another. Convenience can greatly increase the value inof an apartment, so be sure to assess the location of your potential places. Another Tip: Print out a map and mark frequent places that you visit (gym, restaurants, work, etc.) and then mark your potential rent options so that you can visually assess the difference in distances.

Are There Any Stipulations?

Reading paper work

Image via Flickr

This is the nitty-gritty part of the renting process. It is vital that you read every aspect of your lease before you sign anything.

  • Be sure to understand the length of the agreement
  • Find out if there are any penalties (late rent, damages, contract breach, etc.)
  • Spell out whether you or your landlord is responsible for various repairs, lawn care, or other possible expenditures
  • If you are signing with multiple roommates, make sure that the lease is for each individual so if someone leaves the lease early it is not your responsibility to make up their portion of the rent

Another Tip: If you are a pet owner make sure to disclose this before signing the lease. Many contracts have a pet deposit requirement or will not allow them altogether.

 What About the Little Things?

Memories Apartments Pool Bar, Stalis, Crete, Greece

Image via Flickr

Do not overlook the little attributes of an apartment that you will be interacting with on a day to day basis if you decide to lease the place. Flush all the toilets and check all the faucets for water pressure and any leaks. This may seem small but if you are dealing with this every morning it could become frustrating.

Check cabinets and storage to see if it can hold your belongings. Ask about all the included amenities (laundry, pool, gym, club house, etc.). If you spend the time on the front in then you are likely to enjoy the living arrangement much more than if you neglect the small things.

Choosing an apartment to rent can be one of the more stressful decisions in your life. It is a commitment and can often be one of regret if the time is not invested in weighing out various options. Take heed of these 5 questions before you decide to rent your next place.

Edward Snowden vows to fight any attempt to extradite him from Hong Kong

Diane A. Wade
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Edward Snowden vows to fight any attempt to extradite him from Hong Kong

Whistleblower Edward Snowden, who leaked secret US surveillance details, has vowed to fight any attempt to extradite him from Hong Kong.

Edward Snowden told the South China Morning Post that he was “neither traitor nor hero. I’m an American”.

It is the first interview he has given since disappearing from his hotel room in Hong Kong on Monday.

His leaks led to revelations that the US is systematically seizing vast amounts of phone and web data.

Edward Snowden left Hawaii for Hong Kong shortly before the highly sensitive leaks surfaced.

Whistleblower Edward Snowden has vowed to fight any attempt to extradite him from Hong Kong
Whistleblower Edward Snowden has vowed to fight any attempt to extradite him from Hong Kong

“I am not here to hide from justice; I am here to reveal criminality,” Edward Snowden told the Post.

“My intention is to ask the courts and people of Hong Kong to decide my fate.”

US officials have confirmed the existence of a secret programme to draw data from the internet, codenamed Prism.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence gave details of the programme last week, after Edward Snowden’s leaks led to a series of articles in the Guardian and Washington Post newspapers.

According to the office’s statement, PRISM is simply an internal computer system, and not a data-mining programme.

However, such data seizures could break the laws of other countries, and could also break US law if they accidentally capture communications of American citizens.

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Pope Francis confirms gay lobby inside Vatican

Diane A. Wade
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Pope Francis confirms gay lobby inside Vatican

Pope Francis has acknowledged the existence of a “gay lobby” inside the Vatican.

The pontiff also said there was a “stream of corruption”, according to reports in Catholic media.

Pope Francis is said to have made the remarks during a private meeting with a group of Latin American Catholic clerics.

The clerics wrote up a report of the conversation that then appeared on the Chilean website Reflection and Liberation.

According to the report, Pope Francis was extremely open as he discussed problems at the Vatican.

He is said to have told the Latin American delegation that there were good, holy men in the administration, but that there was also corruption.

The Vatican would have to “see what we can do” about the “gay lobby” operating in the bureaucracy, he said.

Pope Francis has acknowledged the existence of a "gay lobby" inside the Vatican
Pope Francis has acknowledged the existence of a “gay lobby” inside the Vatican

“It is true, it is there,” the report quotes Pope Francis as saying.

In the days leading up to Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation in February, the Italian media carried many un-sourced reports that gay Vatican clergymen had been working together to advance their personal interests, leaving the Holy See vulnerable to blackmail.

There were even suggestions that the situation had influenced Benedict’s decision to resign.

At the time, the Vatican vigorously denied all the rumors.

It has so far declined to make any comment regarding the Pope’s reported remarks, other than that the audience with the Latin American clerics was private.

An organization representing the clerics, known by its Spanish acronym CLAR, has said it has apologized to the Pope for the publication of the report.

CLAR said in a statement that it “deeply regretted the publication of a text which refers to the conversation with the Holy Father”.

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Nelson Mandela responding to treatment

Diane A. Wade
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Nelson Mandela responding to treatment

South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela is “responding better” to treatment in hospital, President Jacob Zuma has said.

Jacob Zuma told parliament he was happy with the progress being made by Nelson Mandela after a “difficult few days”.

Nelson Mandela, 94, is spending his fifth day in a Pretoria hospital suffering from a recurrent lung infection.

His wife, Graca Machel, his daughter and two granddaughters visited Nelson Mandela on Wednesday.

His family released a statement saying they had “been deeply touched” by the concern shown for Nelson Mandela’s health.

“The family have been heartened by the overwhelming messages of support from the public,” the statement said.

Jacob Zuma noted that Wednesday was the 49th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s being sentenced to life in prison under the apartheid regime.

“Our country is a much better place to live in now than it was before 1994 [when Nelson Mandela was elected], even though we still have so much work to do,” he said.

“We fully understand and appreciate the global interest in this world icon. We are so proud to call him our own,” Jacob Zuma added.

Nelson Mandela is responding better to treatment in hospital
Nelson Mandela is responding better to treatment in hospital

“We urge South Africans and the international community to continue to keep President Mandela and the medical team in their thoughts and prayers,” he went on.

On Tuesday Jacob Zuma had described Nelson Mandela’s condition as “very serious but stabilized”.

Jacob Zuma said the doctors were doing a “very good job”, adding that the former president was a “good fighter”.

His ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and other relatives visited the ailing former leader on Tuesday.

Nelson Mandela has been in intensive care since he was taken to hospital on Saturday for the third time this year.

In December, he spent 18 days undergoing treatment for a lung infection and gallstones.

Before being admitted to hospital, Nelson Mandela had been ill for some days at his Johannesburg home, with a recurrence of his long-standing lung problems, said a statement from the president’s office on Tuesday.

He was taken to hospital when his condition worsened at 01:30 on Saturday.

Widely referred to by his clan name Madiba, Nelson Mandela served as president from 1994 to 1999.

He was previously imprisoned for 27 years, and is believed to have suffered damage to his lungs while working in a prison quarry.

He contracted tuberculosis in the 1980s while being held in jail on the windswept Robben Island.

Nelson Mandela retired from public life in 2004 and has been rarely seen at official events since.

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Xiang Li sentenced to 12 years in prison in US over $100 million software scam

Nancy Clayson
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Xiang Li sentenced to 12 years in prison in US over $100 million software scam

Chinese national Xiang Li has been sentenced to 12 years in prison in US for selling more than $100 million of pirated US software.

Xiang Li is accused of stealing software from 200 US manufacturers and selling it for a fraction of their prices.

He was arrested in the US Pacific territory of Saipan in June 2011 and pleaded guilty earlier this year.

US officials have said that this is the first time a Chinese national had been prosecuted in the US for such crimes.

The firms that were targeted by Xiang Li include Microsoft, Oracle, SAP and Rockwell Automation.

He operated by searching for hacked software on internet forums. He then put it up them for sale on his websites, which offered more than 2,000 pirated titles, US prosecutors had claimed.

The pirated software was said to be sold for as little as $20 to up to $1,200 – while the retail value of the products were much higher, ranging from several hundred dollars to more than one million dollars apiece, according to US officials.

Chinese national Xiang Li has been sentenced to 12 years in prison in US for selling more than $100 million of pirated US software
Chinese national Xiang Li has been sentenced to 12 years in prison in US for selling more than $100 million of pirated US software

The pirated programmes were transferred to customers via email, and Xiang Li and a second suspect collected payment through money transfer services.

The scam came to light after a US manufacturer discovered his company’s software was being sold on Xiang Li’s website and notified authorities.

US authorities have said that Xiang Li will be deported after he is released from prison.

Last month, a report released in the US called China the world’s largest source of intellectual property (IP) theft.

The study, which was led by Dennis Blair, President Barack Obama’s former director of national intelligence, and Jon Huntsman, former US ambassador to China and Republican presidential candidate, claimed that IP theft was costing the US an estimated $300 billion each year.

It added that China was thought to be behind 50-80% of the theft.

The study recommended US authorities introduce strict measures including import or investment curbs on companies failing to protect IP rights.

Facebook, Google and Microsoft urge US government to allow them to disclose security requests

Diane A. Wade
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0
Facebook, Google and Microsoft urge US government to allow them to disclose security requests

Facebook, Google and Microsoft have asked the US government to allow them to disclose the security requests they receive for handing over user data.

The move comes after recent reports claimed that US authorities had direct access to the servers of nine major US tech firms, including Google and Apple.

Google said the claims were “untrue” but added that nondisclosure rules of such requests “fuel that speculation”.

The US has confirmed the existence of the surveillance programme.

David Drummond, chief legal officer of Google has written to the US Attorney General seeking permission to publish “aggregate numbers of national security requests, including Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) disclosures”.

“Google’s numbers would clearly show that our compliance with these requests falls far short of the claims being made. Google has nothing to hide,” David Drummond said in the letter.

Microsoft said that greater transparency on the requests “would help the community understand and debate these important issues”.

Google, Facebook and Microsoft urge US government to allow them to disclose security requests
Google, Facebook and Microsoft urge US government to allow them to disclose security requests

Ted Ullyot, Facebook’s general counsel, said the social networking leader wants to provide “a complete picture of the government requests we receive, and how we respond”.

The surveillance programme, known as PRISM, came to light last week after a series of leaks by former CIA employee Edward Snowden.

Documents leaked to the Guardian and Washington Post newspapers claimed that the US had a vast surveillance network with much less oversight than previously thought.

Edward Snowden told the Guardian that operatives had the power to tap into anyone’s emails at any time.

“We can plant bugs in machines. Once you go on the network, I can identify your machine. You will never be safe whatever protections you put in place,” he was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

Major US technology firms have denied giving such unfettered access to US authorities.

However, US officials have defended the programme, saying it is authorized under FISA.

One of the Guardian journalists who wrote the PRISM stories, Glenn Greenwald, has promised “more significant revelations”.

Edward Snowden’s leaks have triggered concerns over rights of online users.

The EU has sought assurance that Europeans’ rights are not being infringed by the newly-revealed US surveillance programmes.

Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding tweeted: “This case shows why a clear legal framework for the protection of personal data is not a luxury but a necessity.”

Man of Steel receives largely favorable reviews

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Man of Steel receives largely favorable reviews

Reviews of the new film Man of Steel, the eagerly anticipated “reboot” of the Superman franchise, have been largely favorable, with some reservations.

The film is directed by 300’s Zack Snyder and starring British actor Henry Cavill as the superhero.

Total Film praised “an intelligent, earnest attempt to modernize and mature the original superhero”.

But The Guardian noted henry Cavill’s “frowning humourlessness”.

In his review, writer Andrew Pulver said the influence of producer Christopher Nolan – British director of Inception and the Dark Knight trilogy – was evident in early scenes where Superman struggles to accept his identity.

“Reminiscent, perhaps, of Batman Begins, this is superheroism as a burden, and a burden transformed into neurosis,” he wrote.

“It’s this early part of the film that is most successful,” Andrew Pulver continues.

Reviews of the new film Man of Steel have been largely favorable, with some reservations
Reviews of the new film Man of Steel have been largely favorable, with some reservations

“Nolan and Snyder, along with scriptwriter David S. Goyer, have created a plausible context for the introspection and self-doubt that dogs the adult version of their costumed warrior.”

Man of Steel sees Superman attempts to save the world while battling General Zod, a rebellious military leader from his home planet of Krypton – played by Boardwalk Empire’s Michael Shannon.

In its four-star review, Total Film said the film’s action set-pieces made up for the lack of action in a previous attempt at a “reboot”, 2006’s Superman Returns.

“There are some truly titanic clashes here between super-beings, going at it like flesh-and-blood Transformers,” wrote Matthew Leyland.

Henry Cavill, he said, “doesn’t make heavy work of one of the biggest, toughest roles in comic-book cinema” but is overall “more solid than spectacular.”

Jersey native Henry Cavill, 30, is the first non-American to play the role of Superman on screen – a “tough gig” according to Empire magazine.

“While there are some interesting touches,” writes Dan Jolin, “his Kal-El is a bit stiff and slow to thaw” – a reference to Superman’s Krypton birth name.

However, he concludes: “It feels the right Superman origin story for our era, and teases what would be a welcome new superfranchise.”

In the US, reviewers have also picked up on the film’s darker tone and lack of humor.

Variety said Man of Steel “is undeniably impressive, in the sense that little if any expense has been spared in bringing Snyder’s vision to the screen”.

According to Scott Foundas, though, “this is a case where less would almost surely have been more”.

“Zack Snyder’s huge, back story-heavy extravaganza is a rehab job that perhaps didn’t cry out to be done,” said The Hollywood Reporter’s Todd McCarthy.

But the film, he continues, “proves so overwhelmingly insistent in its size and strength that it’s hard not to give in”.

Man of Steel is out in the US and UK on Friday.

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Jiroemon Kimura: World’s oldest man in history dies in Japan aged 116

Nancy Clayson
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Jiroemon Kimura: World’s oldest man in history dies in Japan aged 116

Jiroemon Kimura from Japan, who was recognized as the world’s oldest living person, and the oldest man recorded in history, has died aged 116, local officials say.

Jiroemon Kimura died of natural causes on Wednesday in a hospital in Kyotango, Kyoto, a government statement said.

In December, Guinness World Records recorded Jiroemon Kimura as the oldest man ever verified to have lived.

He reportedly had seven children, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

Jiroemon Kimura was born on 19 April 1897, the same year as aviator Amelia Earhart.

He worked in his local post office until retiring and was said to have helped his son with his farming until he was around 90 years old.

Jiroemon Kimura became the world’s oldest living person in December, when the previous title-holder died.

In an interview in December, his nephew, Tamotsu Miyake, said Kimura had “an amazingly strong will to live”.

Jiroemon Kimura from Japan was recognized as the world's oldest living person, and the oldest man recorded in history at 116
Jiroemon Kimura from Japan was recognized as the world’s oldest living person, and the oldest man recorded in history at 116

“He is strongly confident that he lives right and well.”

In an interview on his 115th birthday, Jiroemon Kimura said he was not sure why he was able to live so long.

“Maybe it’s all thanks to the sun above me,” he said.

“I am always looking up towards the sky, that is how I am.”

Journalist Kanoko Matsuyama of Bloomberg News met Jiroemon Kimura at his home last year.

“He said his secret to his longevity was eating light to live long,” said Tamotsu Matsuyama.

“At the same time, his main carer and grand-daughter-in-law, Aiko, said his positivity helped him to live so long.”

Japanese woman Misao Okawa from Osaka, who is 115 years old, will most probably inherit the title of world’s oldest living person, reports say.

Misao Okawa is already considered the world’s oldest living woman.

World’s oldest people:

  • Oldest woman recorded in history: Jeanne Calment, France, died 4 August 1997 aged 122
  • Oldest man recorded in history: Jiroemon Kimura, Japan, died 12 June 2013 aged 116
  • Oldest living man: James McCoubrey, USA, 111
  • Oldest living woman: Misao Okawa, Japan, 115

Source: Gerontology Research Group

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Michael Jackson’s bedroom pictures from day of his death revealed during AEG trial

Sonia Pantiss
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Michael Jackson’s bedroom pictures from day of his death revealed during AEG trial

Shocking images which further detail Michael Jackson’s tragic spiral into prescription pill dependency have been revealed as his family pursue a lawsuit against his concert promoters, AEG Live.

The evidence pictures, released by the Los Angeles Police Department this week, show numerous pill bottles, oxygen tanks and medical supplies littered around the superstar’s bedroom at the time of his death on June 25, 2009.

One image, which was not among the dozens of pictures shown as part of the Conrad Murray manslaughter trial, reveals a metal stand with a hanging bag of intravenous fluids attached.

In the background are numerous portraits of unidentified babies along with a small picture of Charlie Chaplin. Several canisters of what appears to be oxygen stand next to a wooden dresser topped with gilded mirror.

Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine is suing AEG Live, claiming it failed to properly investigate her son’s personal doctor Conrad Murray and missed warning signs about his failing health.

Conrad Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011 after giving Jackson a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol.

In the new photo collection, prescription pill bottles are seen lined up on a nightstand alongside over-the-counter products and a bottle of water while empty containers roll around on the floor.

Along with propofol, the names of drugs Diazepam and Lidocaine are marked on some bottles’ labels.

In one telling image, which appears to have been taken in a car, there is a list of nearby 24-hour pharmacies and the phone numbers.

Conrad Murray’s medical bag is also indicated in one picture, according to RadarOnline, stashed high in a closet in Michael Jackson’s dressing room.

There are also similar images from Conrad Murray’s trial including shots of Michael Jackson’s iconic embroidered jackets hanging in a closet and stacks of movies on a nightstand.

Shocking images which further detail Michael Jackson's tragic spiral into prescription pill dependency have been revealed as his family pursue a lawsuit against his concert promoters
Shocking images which further detail Michael Jackson’s tragic spiral into prescription pill dependency have been revealed as his family pursue a lawsuit against his concert promoters

The shocking new set of images came as jurors in the Jackson case were shown an email on Monday in which the top executive at AEG Live LLC expressed grave concerns about treatments Jackson was receiving from his longtime dermatologist.

The email sent by AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips said the company was “scared to death” of drug injections given to Michael Jackson.

Randy Phillips told jurors that the email was a response to a $48,000 bill that Michael Jackson’s manager received for the treatments by Dr. Arnold Klein.

“He scares us to death because he is shooting him up with something,” Randy Phillips wrote.

The email was sent to Michael Jackson’s business manager Michael Kane after a meeting was held at the singer’s house to address his health and missed rehearsals.

The treatments included numerous shots of cosmetic drugs such as Restalyne and botox, as well as other unidentified intramuscular shots, Randy Phillips said, citing the bill.

Arnold Klein’s attorney has defended the doctor’s treatment of Michael Jackson.

AEG denies any wrongdoing, and Randy Phillips and other executives have testified during the trial that it would have been inappropriate to ask about or intervene in Michael Jackson’s medical care.

Randy Phillips was told by a judge to answer questions posed by a lawyer for Katherine Jackson without arguing and that his demeanor might be hurting his case.

Jurors were sent from the courtroom before Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos addressed Randy Phillips, who has sparred with attorney Brian Panish throughout his testimony. The lawyers have been repeatedly warned by the judge about the behavior.

“Arguing with the lawyers isn’t really going to help,” Yvette Palazuelos told Randy Phillips.

“It’s not going to help your case. It’s not going to help anybody.”

Randy Phillips said Briuan Panish was repeatedly asking him questions about the same subject.

“I’m just trying not to say the wrong thing,” Randy Phillips said.

The admonition by the judge came after Brian Panish asked Randy Phillips about characterizations of Dr. Conrad Murray that Phillips made in an email sent five days before the singer died.

Randy Phillips acknowledged that some of the statements – including that AEG Live had checked out Conrad Murray and that the former cardiologist didn’t need the job – turned out not to be true.

When Brian Panish asked if Randy Phillips had acknowledged that some of his statements to the director of Michael Jackson’s This Is It shows weren’t true, the executive said: “Honestly, only to stop you from badgering me, yes.”

Judge Yvette Palazuelos briefly stopped the testimony and issued the warning.

Jessica Stebbins Bina, a defense attorney for AEG Live, said some of Brian Panish’s questions had been argumentative. The judge disagreed.

Kris Humphries: Life after Kim Kardashian

Lisa.Felice
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Kris Humphries: Life after Kim Kardashian

Kris Humphries says he couldn’t be happier as he’s moved past his 72-day marriage and 536-day divorce from Kim Kardashian.

Kris Humphries, 28, told reporters on Monday night at the Man Of Steel premiere in New York City that he’s glad to have the divorce proceedings done.

“I’m happy. I’ve got a big smile on my face,” he said.

Kris Humphries married Kim Kardashian on August 20, 2011 and they announced their split 72 days later on Halloween.

The basketball player and Keeping Up With The Kardashians star fought an expensive and nasty court battle as he sought an annulment based on fraud.

Kris Humphries says he couldn't be happier as he's moved past his 72-day marriage and 536-day divorce from Kim Kardashian
Kris Humphries says he couldn’t be happier as he’s moved past his 72-day marriage and 536-day divorce from Kim Kardashian

The divorce case lasted more than five times as long as their marriage.

Kris Humphries ultimately relented and a divorce was granted in April during a court hearing that pregnant Kim attended alone in a black shirt dress.

He also told UsMagazine.com on Monday night that “it feels great” to finally be able to put his divorce drama behind him and revealed that he has learned a lot from the experience.

“I think you learn something all the time. I’m just focused on me and having a good time,” Kris Humphries said.

Despite being linked to several beauties since Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries insisted he’s single.

“I don’t have any [girlfriends] right now. You can’t force a love life. I’m just focused on training and basketball,” Kris Humphries said.

Kim Kardashian also has moved on and is set to give birth to her first child with her rapper boyfriend, Kanye West, early next month.

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