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Ravi Shankar dies in San Diego aged 92

Sonia Pantiss
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Ravi Shankar dies in San Diego aged 92

Ravi Shankar, Indian sitar maestro, has died in a hospital in San Diego, aged 92.

His family said he had been admitted to the Scripps Memorial Hospital in San Diego last week, but had failed to recover fully from surgery.

Ravi Shankar gained widespread international recognition through his association with The Beatles.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described him as a “national treasure and global ambassador of India’s cultural heritage”.

In a statement quoted by Reuters, Ravi Shankar’s wife Sukanya and daughter Anoushka said he had recently undergone surgery which would have “potentially given him a new lease of life”.

“Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the surgeons and doctors taking care of him, his body was not able to withstand the strain of the surgery,” they said.

“We were at his side when he passed away.

“Although it is a time for sorrow and sadness, it is also a time for all of us to give thanks and to be grateful that we were able to have him as a part of our lives. He will live forever in our hearts and in his music.”

Anoushka Shankar is herself a sitar player. Ravi Shankar’s other daughter is Grammy award winning singer Norah Jones.

Ravi Shankar, Indian sitar maestro, has died in a hospital in San Diego, aged 92
Ravi Shankar, Indian sitar maestro, has died in a hospital in San Diego, aged 92

George Harrison of the Beatles once called Ravi Shankar “the godfather of world music”.

He played at Woodstock and the 1967 Monterey Pop festival, and also collaborated with violinist Yehudi Menuhin and jazz saxophonist John Coltrane.

Ravi Shankar also composed a number of film scores – notably Satyajit Ray’s celebrated Apu trilogy (1951-55) and Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi (1982) – and collaborated with US composer Philip Glass in Passages in 1990.

Talking in later life about his experiences at the influential Monterey Pop festival, Ravi Shankar said he was “shocked to see people dressing so flamboyantly”.

He told Rolling Stone magazine that he was horrified when Jimi Hendrix set his guitar on fire on stage.

“That was too much for me. In our culture, we have such respect for musical instruments, they are like part of God,” he said.

In 1999, Ravi Shankar was awarded the highest civilian citation in India – the Bharat Ratna, or Jewel of India.

Born into a Bengali family in the ancient Indian city of Varanasi, Ravi Shankar was originally a dancer with his brother’s troupe.

He gave up dancing to study the sitar at the age of 18.

For seven years Ravi Shankar studied under Baba Allauddin Khan, founder of the Maihar Gharana style of Hindustani classical music, and became well-known in India for his virtuoso sitar playing.

For the last years of his life, Ravi Shankar lived in Encinitas, California, with his wife.

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North Korea rocket launch: long-range Unha-3 rocket successfully launched despite warnings

Diane A. Wade
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North Korea rocket launch: long-range Unha-3 rocket successfully launched despite warnings

North Korea has announced an apparently successful launch of a long-range rocket defying international warnings.

The rocket, launched at 09:49 local time, appears to have followed its planned trajectory, with stages falling in expected areas.

North Korea says a satellite has been placed in orbit; the US confirmed an object had been put into space.

South Korea, the US and Japan have condemned the launch as a disguised test of long-range missile technology.

A UN resolution passed in June 2009 after North Korea’s second nuclear test banned Pyongyang from ballistic missile tests.

The US called it a “highly provocative act that threatens regional security”, while UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said it was a “clear violation” of the UN resolution.

Japan has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Reports suggested this could take place later on Wednesday.

The launch comes a week ahead of the South Korean presidential election and roughly a year after the death of leader Kim Jong-il, on 17 December 2011.

The three-stage rocket was launched from a site on North Korea’s west coast.

“The launch of the second version of our Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite from the Sohae Space Centre… on December 12 was successful,” state news agency KCNA said.

“The satellite has entered the orbit as planned.”

The rocket had been scheduled to pass between the Korean peninsula and China, with a second stage coming down off the Philippines.

“The missile was tracked on a southerly azimuth [angle]. Initial indications are that the first stage fell into the Yellow Sea,” a North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) statement said.

“The second stage was assessed to fall into the Philippine Sea. Initial indications are that the missile deployed an object that appeared to achieve orbit.”

North Korea has announced an apparently successful launch of a long-range rocket defying international warnings
North Korea has announced an apparently successful launch of a long-range rocket defying international warnings

The Japanese government, which put its armed forces on alert ahead of the launch, said the rocket had passed over parts of Okinawa prefecture, south of the Japanese mainland.

“The missile that North Korea calls a satellite passed over Okinawa around 10:01. We launched no interception,” a government statement quoted by AFP news agency said.

Japan had threatened to shoot down any debris which infringed on its territory, deploying naval vessels and land-based missile interceptors.

Its top government spokesman called the launch “extremely regrettable” and something that Japan “cannot tolerate”.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, meanwhile, called an emergency meeting of his top advisers. His foreign minister said the government strongly condemned the launch.

The US called the launch another “example of North Korea’s pattern of irresponsible behavior”.

In China – which is North Korea’s closest ally – Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei expressed “regret” at the launch. A commentary from state-run Xinhua news agency called on all parties to remain “cool headed” and engage in “trust-building measures”.

North Korea had said two days ago that the launch could be delayed because of a technical problem, extending the window until December 29th.

South Korea, the US and other nations had urged North Korea not to go ahead, warning that it would constitute a test of long-range missile technology banned by the UN.

Washington and its allies say the rocket launches represent banned missile tests because the basic technology is the same.

North Korea is believed to be working on the development of a long-range missile capable of reaching the west coast of the US mainland.

It has not previously successfully launched a three-stage rocket. Its most recent test, in April 2012, ended in failure, when the rocket flew for only a few minutes before exploding and crashing into the sea west of the Korean peninsula.

The closed communist nation has also carried out two nuclear tests, in 2006 and 2009. International talks on ending its nuclear ambitions have been stalled for several years.

Officials fear it could be working towards a missile on which a nuclear warhead could be mounted – but it is not thought to have fully developed either the missile or the warheads yet.

North Korea’s rocket launches

  • Dec 2012: North Korea launches three-stage rocket, says it successfully put a satellite into orbit; US defence officials confirm object in orbit
  • Apr 2012: Three-stage rocket explodes just after take-off, falls into sea
  • Apr 2009: Three-stage rocket launched; North Korea says it was a success, US says it failed and fell into the sea
  • Jul 2006: North Korea test-fires a long-range Taepdong-2 missile; US said it failed shortly after take-off

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12-12-12 wedding: 7,500 brides across the US prepare to wed on lucky last triple digit date for 100 years

Lisa.Felice
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12-12-12 wedding: 7,500 brides across the US prepare to wed on lucky last triple digit date for 100 years

Today is 12-12-12, the last major numerical date using the Gregorian or Christian calendar for almost another century.

Thousands of brides hoping to add some auspicious significance to their walk down the aisle will tie the knot today, the last triple-digit date for one hundred years.

Lisa Brashear and Sean Kluesner will say “I do” at 12:12pm, just one of the approximate 7,500 couples that will wed today, compared to only 485 got married on 12/12/11.

Lisa Brashear, 29, told the Denver Post: “Our running joke is that we picked that date because we wanted to be married before the end of the world,” referring to the Mayan Long Count Calendar’s purported last day of humanity, December 21st.

The couple is also one of many who saw the date as convenient, with the hundreds of mass wedding packages on offer across America.

When they saw a wedding-package deal offered by Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, 12 couples to marry at 12:12 on 12/12/12 for $1,200, they said it was an obvious choice.

Lisa Brashear added: “We didn’t have to do any planning – just show up with a ring and a marriage license.”

Those tying the knot at the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel will have 40 different 12/12/12 wedding packages to choose from, some of which include an Elvis Presley impersonator, and also pirate, gangster and gothic themes.

Meanwhile for couples like Laura Drumm and Joshua Bonkowski from Chicago, they say that they “just like the number”.

Laura Drumm, who will tie the knot at 12.30 p.m. today, said: “I have a good feeling about it.”

Some women have even scheduled cesarean-section births to give their offspring a lucky head start.

Thousands of brides hoping to add some auspicious significance to their walk down the aisle tie the knot on December 12th 2012, the last triple-digit date for one hundred years
Thousands of brides hoping to add some auspicious significance to their walk down the aisle tie the knot on December 12th 2012, the last triple-digit date for one hundred years

Hospitals in India and Indonesia were among those to receive a much higher number of requests from expecting parents to deliver their babies on 12-12-12, numerologists and astrologers say that babies born on this day will inherit the qualities of planet Jupiter, a symbol of prosperity and wealth.

Smitha Leo John, a 34-year-old IT professional from India told the Deccan Chronicle: “I have some medical complications…The doctor, whom I am consulting, advised me to pick any date in a 10-day window, and I grabbed the opportunity to get the delivery done on December 12.”

Dr. Gayatri Karthik, Consultant Gynaecologist, Manipal Hospital, added: “There are other deliveries too that have been lined up for Wednesday.

“But we cannot compromise medical care for the fancy of number. We are doing the deliveries only for those expecting mothers who have completed 36 weeks of pregnancy.”

Scott Petullo, a Las Vegas-based numerologist explained to ABC News: “It’s been said that 12-12-12 is a special moment in time, a <<master shift, peak point in spiritual energy>>, and even a time of <<ascension>>, when spiritual initiates <<ascend>> to a wonderful new existence, one free of personal adversity and karma.”

However Underwood Dudley, a retired professor of mathematics at DePauw University and author of Numerology, disagreed: “It’s just a cute day.

“Other than that, it’s just a number. The delusion of numerologists is that numbers have a power over events, but they don’t.

“Just because it’s 12-12-12 doesn’t mean anything will happen. It would happen anyway.”

But as couples get ready to say “I do” across the country, for a lucky start to a new marriage or pure convenience, at least there will be no excuse for missed wedding anniversaries.

Lisa Brashear agreed: “It will be an easy day for Sean to remember!”

The next time three numbers will align will be on January 1st, 3001, or 1/1/1.

Even Pope Benedict has taken advantage of the cosmic day, sending out his very first tweet today, on 12/12/12.

Tim Johnson, co-owner of the Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore in Denver, said: “It’s some sort of phenomenon. Mostly, it’s the auspiciousness of the number. People are looking for that to tie in to whatever is happening in their lives.”

Christmas Eve Lemon Tart Recipe

Kathryn R. Bown
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Christmas Eve Lemon Tart Recipe

Christmas Eve Lemon Tart

For the pastry

225 g (8 oz) plain flour

150 g (5½ oz) cold butter, cubed

25 g (1oz) icing sugar

1 large egg, beaten

For the lemon filling

9 large eggs

300 ml (½ pt) double cream

350 g (12 oz) caster sugar

Finely grated zest and juice of

6 large lemons

A few redcurrants, to decorate

Christmas Eve Lemon Tart
Christmas Eve Lemon Tart

Method

Preheat oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/ gas 6. Whizz the flour, butter and icing sugar in a food processor until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the egg and 2tbsp water. Whizz again to form a ball. Roll the pastry very thinly on a floured surface until it’s a little bigger than a 28 cm (11 in) diameter loose-bottomed tart tin. Line the tin with the pastry, letting the extra hang over the sides. Place on a baking tray and chill for 30 minutes. Place baking parchment over the pastry, cover with baking beans and bake blind for 15 minutes until pale golden. Remove the beans and paper and trim the excess pastry. Return to the oven for 10-12 minutes; set aside to cool. Reduce oven to 160°C/ fan 140°C/gas 3. Whisk the filling ingredients in a bowl until smooth, then pour into the pastry. Bake for 40-45 minutes until just set. Cool completely. Remove from the tin, sprinkle with redcurrants and dust with icing sugar.

X-37B unmanned space plane launches for third flight

Diane A. Wade
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X-37B unmanned space plane launches for third flight

X-37B, a notoriously mysterious military space plane operated by the US Air Force, has launched from Florida, the third flight in a secretive test programme.

The reusable, unmanned craft is designed to operate in Earth orbit for extended periods. Its prior missions in 2010 and 2011 lasted 224 and 469 days.

The US government kept the timing of Tuesday’s launch secret and has not said how long the mission will last.

That has prompted fevered speculation as to the craft’s ultimate purpose.

Tuesday’s launch had been pushed back from October, delayed by two satellite launches. Patrick Air Force Base in Florida gave notice of a hazard from a launch in a window between 10:45 to 17:15 local time.

The X-37B craft, designed by aerospace giant Boeing, shares more than just a passing similarity to the now-retired space shuttle.

It is just a quarter the size of the shuttle, but is launched on a rocket – the Atlas V. It is coated in thermal tiles to withstand the heat of re-entry, after which it lands on its own gear autonomously.

X-37B, a notoriously mysterious military space plane operated by the US Air Force, has launched from Florida, the third flight in a secretive test programme
X-37B, a notoriously mysterious military space plane operated by the US Air Force, has launched from Florida, the third flight in a secretive test programme

The stated mission of the craft, according to the US Air Force, is an “experimental test program to demonstrate technologies for a reliable, reusable, unmanned space test platform”.

But the latest mission in particular sparked speculation that the craft was spying on the Chinese space lab Tiangong-1 – an idea that has since been largely discredited.

When it returned from its second mission in June, programme manager Lt. Col. Tom McIntyre said: “We knew from post-flight assessments from the first mission that OTV-1 could have stayed in orbit longer. So one of the goals of this mission was to see how much farther we could push the on-orbit duration.”

But any official mission objectives seems set once again to remain secret.

X-37B – military spaceplane

  • Mission: Described as a re-usable testbed for new sensors and other space technologies
  • Length: 9 m Wingspan: 4.5 m Height: 3 m Mass: 5,000 kg
  • Origins: Started as a NASA project in 1999 before being handed to the military in 2006
  • Operating altitude: 180 – 800 km
  • Cost: The budget line for the X-37B programme continues to be classified information

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Galina Vishnevskaya dies aged 86

Sonia Pantiss
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Galina Vishnevskaya dies aged 86

Russian opera singer Galina Vishnevskaya, who performed soprano roles in opera classics, has died aged 86.

In a career spanning 40 years, Galina Vishnevskaya joined Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre in 1953.

She made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Aida in 1961 and first sang Liu in Turandot in La Scala in 1964.

Moscow’s Opera Centre, which Galina Vishnevskaya created, said the singer died on Tuesday in the Russian capital.

Spokeswoman Yulia Ivanova said she had been treated in Germany and was surrounded by her loved ones at her country house when she died.

Known for her full-on style, Galina Vishnevskaya was not always to everyone’s taste, but her emotional involvement in the music left a big impact on audiences.

Her dramatic interpretations of soprano roles in the likes of Lady Macbeth by Soviet composer Dmitry Shostakovich and the War Requiem of British composer Benjamin Britten led some music critics to call her the Russian Maria Callas.

Russian opera singer Galina Vishnevskaya, who performed soprano roles in opera classics, has died aged 86
Russian opera singer Galina Vishnevskaya, who performed soprano roles in opera classics, has died aged 86

Soviet audiences also loved her for her great interpretations of the standard repertoire including the great heroines of Puccini and Verdi.

Galina Vishnevskaya was born in what was then Leningrad and survived the city’s blockade by Nazi Germany during World War II, serving in missile defense troops when she was a teenager.

She studied in Leningrad, after which she was accepted into Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre.

Galina Vishnevskaya married the cellist Mstislav Rostropovich in 1955 and the couple performed together frequently until his death in 2007.

The couple left the Soviet Union with their two daughters in 1974 and lived in Paris and then Washington, before returning to Russia after the Soviet collapse.

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Santa lulls baby Kiptyn Pasley at Boise Towne Square mall

Diane A. Wade
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Santa lulls baby Kiptyn Pasley at Boise Towne Square mall

A friendly shopping mall Santa helped Sarah Pasley to lull her baby boy back to sleep during a visit to the Boise Towne Square mall last year.

Now a picture of the moment is spreading online as thousands of moms with the holiday spirit obviously appreciate the help from Santa.

“My mother and I had braved the mall (on a Saturday in December of all days) in hopes of capturing a picture of my 8 month old son, Kiptyn <<meeting>> Santa,” Sarah Pasley wrote on the Facebook post.

“We stood in line for over 30 minutes waiting for our turn. Of course, 5 mins before our turn to meet Santa, Kiptyn fell asleep!! Part of me thought we should just get out of line & avoid wasting anyone else’s time that busy Saturday, but as we went to leave Santa gestured us over.

“I handed Kiptyn to my Mom & grabbed my camera. I was escorted outside of the fenced area in order to snap my own shots. What happened next will be one of my all time favorite memories of Christmas.

“Santa grabbed his book & slowly laid back into his oversized chair. He then silently motioned for my Mom to lay Kiptyn on his stomach. Kiptyn stirred for a moment and I thought he’d wake for sure.

“Santa hushed him & Kiptyn’s little arms fell into such a peaceful position. After we finished taking pictures we heard a round of applause from the crowd that had gathered around below & above in the rotunda.

“I can honestly say that I believe in Santa and the magic of the holiday season again.”

A friendly shopping mall Santa helped Sarah Pasley to lull her baby boy back to sleep during a visit to the Boise Towne Square mall last year
A friendly shopping mall Santa helped Sarah Pasley to lull her baby boy back to sleep during a visit to the Boise Towne Square mall last year

Luckily for the other mothers and fathers of Boise, the same Santa is back in the Towne Square Mall this season and new examples of his kindness.

“He is truly like that most of the time, he’s extremely caring and compassionate with the children and that is not uncommon for him to do. We’re very blessed to have him,” said the mall’s marketing manager Tina Kierce.

Network Rail CCTV: Embarrassing accidents in railway stations

Nancy Clayson
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Network Rail CCTV: Embarrassing accidents in railway stations

In a CCTV video from Network Rail, which is urging travelers to take care at railway stations over Christmas, one woman is seen at London Euston performing what has been dubbed “the reverse plank”.

More than 3,000 people were involved in slips, trips or falls in Britain’s railway stations in 12 months, with incidents involving luggage rising by 70% in seven years, Network Rail figures said.

Network Rail released the video as it urged people to take care when travelling by rail over Christmas – especially women wearing high heels and people running for trains with luggage.

In “the reverse plank”, the woman at Euston station is seen in April being carried up an escalator when her heel gets caught – as she falls backwards onto the escalator and is dragged all the way to the top.

Another clip in the video, filmed at Leeds station in West Yorkshire and named “the mad dash and crash”, sees and a woman fall head-first into the platform as she is running to catch her train.

The third video, also filmed at Leeds and called “the pole dance crunch”, features two women in party dresses twirl around a pole before falling face first and sprawling onto the platform.

In a CCTV video from Network Rail, one woman is seen at London Euston performing what has been dubbed the reverse plank
In a CCTV video from Network Rail, one woman is seen at London Euston performing what has been dubbed the reverse plank

STATION SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS

Recorded slips, trips and falls at Britain’s railway stations from April 2011 to March 2012 from Rail Safety and Standards Board

  • Total: 3,118
  • On escalators: 512
  • On stairs: 1,120
  • On the concourse: 1,488
  • On a platform: 899
  • Involved people running: 425
  • Person intoxicated: 437
  • Major/Minor: 19 major injuries (only 5 involving intoxication) and 1 fatality (person who fell on an escalator at London Bridge station)
  • Time: 1,158 incidents were recorded between 5:00 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. (37%)
  • Day: Incident peak on Fridays: 569 (18%)
  • Luggage: 614 reported injuries involved luggage. This is up from 362 in 2004/05

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Gucci Photoshop disaster: model’s leg appear half the size of the other

Diane A. Wade
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Gucci Photoshop disaster: model’s leg appear half the size of the other

The latest Gucci Photoshop disaster has appeared in its Explore the digital flagship campaign and has managed to make one of the model’s legs appear half the size of the other.

The hilarious snap, posted on PS Disasters, sees a striking model posing in a hot pink suit with matching pink shirt and a huge snakeskin handbag.

PS Disasters wrote of the fail: “If you’re going to slather your model in flamingo-pink, try to avoid giving her the legs of one too.

“Women keep a lot of things in their purses, but their hips aren’t one of them. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m no expert on women’s hips (having spent little to no time near them) but even I know that they tend to be somehow connected to an actual woman.

“One day, I hope to confirm this.”

The latest Gucci Photoshop disaster has appeared in its Explore the digital flagship campaign and has managed to make one of the model's legs appear half the size of the other
The latest Gucci Photoshop disaster has appeared in its Explore the digital flagship campaign and has managed to make one of the model’s legs appear half the size of the other

Caroline Wozniacki impersonates Serena Williams by stuffing her bra and shorts

Clyde K. Valle
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Caroline Wozniacki impersonates Serena Williams by stuffing her bra and shorts

Tennis player Caroline Wozniacki has been accused of doing a “racist” impersonation of Serena Williams after stuffing her bra and shorts.

At a recent exhibition against Maria Sharapova in Brazil, Caroline Wozniacki stuffed courtside towels down her kit to replicate the body of the curvaceous Grand Slam champion.

But now the 22-year-old Dane, whose boyfriend golfer Rory McIlroy was in the crowd, has now been accused of racism by some observers.

On Tumblr, one blogger wrote: “This isn’t <<harmless fun>> as one article described it. its racist. out and outright racism. mocking and making fun of the bodies of black women for a laugh? real funny, stupid white girl. real real funny.”

Another blogger pointed out: “It may have been done in <<jest>>, but I love how people can turn a black woman’s body and sexuality into a caricature. However, we should not have the autonomy to celebrate any successes of our own.”

While on feministing.com, an article read: “Given the history and current-day context of racialized standards of beauty, and the hypersexualization of people of color, when a white woman makes fun of a black women’s body, especially in a way that hypersexualizes her and draws on the stereotype of black women’s big butts, it’s racist.”

Caroline Wozniacki has been accused of doing a racist impersonation of Serena Williams after stuffing her bra and shorts
Caroline Wozniacki has been accused of doing a racist impersonation of Serena Williams after stuffing her bra and shorts

Serena Williams is well known for referring to her curvaceous figure – the day before the tennis star, also in Brazil to promote the 2016 Games, had tweeted: “Do they make Brazilian bikinis for, um, well, me?”

In July she tweeted a photo of her bottom, with the accompanying words: “Hummm I think this onzie makes me butt look TOO big. Ugh. #BigButtproblems.”

Caroline Wozniacki mentioned during a press conference after the game that she was performing an impression of her friend and fellow tennis player Serena Williams.

She said: “I really love the crowd here, they’re open and they have a lot of fun.”

This was not the first time Caroline Wozniacki imitated the American icon – she also copied her last year as well.

Tennis impersonations are usually the hallmark of Novak Djokovic – the Serb has imitated off rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, as well as women’s stars Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.

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Peter Jackson defends Hobbit fast frame rate

Sonia Pantiss
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Peter Jackson defends Hobbit fast frame rate

Director Peter Jackson has defended shooting The Hobbit trilogy in a new format at 48 frames per second after a mixed response from film critics.

Since 1927, the standard frame rate – the number of frames or images that are projected per second – has been 24 frames per second.

“24 frames is jarring to me now,” said Peter Jackson.

“It looks primitive. Change is good, it takes people some time to get used to it,” he added.

“Ultimately, it’s not critics who are going to decide if this (the new format) is going to be adopted or not, it’s the audience.”

“(There will always be) people who have a particular strong feeling that film should be unchanged and that we got it right in 1927, just like there are people who play vinyl records still, whereas most of the world has moved to CDs and we got used to that.”

However, viewers will only be able to watch the film being projected at the increased frame rate in a small proportion of cinemas. Most will be showing the film at the traditional rate of 24 frames per second.

The Independent said 48 frames per second was “kitsch and alienating”, while the Telegraph said it gives the film “a sickly sheen of fakeness”.

But others, including Wired magazine loved it, saying: “Middle-earth in 3D looks so crisp it’s like stepping into the foreground of an insanely gorgeous diorama.”

Director Peter Jackson has defended shooting The Hobbit trilogy in a new format at 48 frames per second after a mixed response from film critics
Director Peter Jackson has defended shooting The Hobbit trilogy in a new format at 48 frames per second after a mixed response from film critics

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first in Peter Jackson’s series of three films adapting JRR Tolkien’s classic book, opens in cinemas in the UK on Thursday and in the US on Friday.

Andy Serkis, who reprises the role of Gollum from the Lord of the Rings film, concurred with Jackson on the 48 frames per second.

“It’s so immersive, I find it really magical and really engaging,” he said. “It has a level of reality that it is unsurpassed… some people will find it challenging but… it’s a matter of time and there won’t be a discussion any more.”

Despite being happy with the end result, Peter Jackson said he did not expect The Hobbit to win any Oscars next year.

“I think they gave us our Oscars for Return of the King (the final instalment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy).

“I don’t think there’ll be any Oscars this time round which is fine, it actually takes the pressure off.

“It helped with Lord of the Rings that there was a weight and a gravitas to the whole story which The Hobbit doesn’t have… but some of the technical categories are superb so hopefully we’ll feature in those.”

Meanwhile, a parody of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, was stopped from going on sale when a US District Court in California granted a temporary restraining order on Monday.

Global Asylum, a film company that makes parodies of blockbuster films such as Transmorphers, based on Transformers, was set to release Age of the Hobbits on Tuesday on DVD.

The studios making The Hobbit – Warner Bros and New Line MGM, along with producer Saul Zaentz – had asked the court to prevent the release.

The court for the central district of California granted their request, as Judge Phillip S. Gutierrez said that they had satisfied the legal standard for a temporary restraining order.

The applicant has to demonstrate that there is a valid copyright infringement claim, that there would be danger to the plaintiff if the order is not granted, that the plaintiff would suffer more and that the order would advance the public interest.

Global Asylum had argued that its film was not trying to deceive viewers or use the debut of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to boost its own profits.

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2Day FM makes 500,000 AUD donation for Jacintha Saldanha’s family

Diane A. Wade
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2Day FM makes 500,000 AUD donation for Jacintha Saldanha’s family

 2Day FM, the Australian radio station whose DJs made a hoax call to nurse Jacintha Saldanha who was later found dead, is to give at least 500,000 AUD to a fund for her family.

Sydney broadcaster 2Day FM said it would donate the money from its advertising profits.

Jacintha Saldanha transferred the call to a colleague who gave information about Kate Middleton, who was a patient at the London hospital.

Her post-mortem examination is to take place later.

Jacintha Saldanha answered the Australian presenters’ call in the early hours of the morning on December 4th and, believing they were members of the Royal Family, put them through to another nurse, who gave an update on the duchess’s condition in detail.

Kate Middleton was being treated in the King Edward VII’s Hospital for hyperemesis gravidarum, an extreme form of morning sickness.

Jacintha Saldanha, 46, was pronounced dead on Friday morning at staff accommodation close to the hospital. An inquest into her apparent suicide is due to be opened in the next few days.

The company which owns the station, Southern Cross Austereo, said all profits from advertising on 2Day FM for the rest of the year would be donated to an appropriate memorial fund that would directly benefit the family, with at least 500,000 Australian dollars being donated.

Rhys Holleran, SCA’s chief executive, said: “We are very sorry for what has happened. It is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts continue to be with the family.

“We hope that by contributing to a memorial fund we can help to provide the Saldanha family with the support they need at this very difficult time.”

It also cancelled its Christmas party, saying it would be “inappropriate” to go ahead.

2Day FM, the Australian radio station whose DJs made a hoax call to nurse Jacintha Saldanha who was later found dead, is to give at least 500,000 AUD to a fund for her family
2Day FM, the Australian radio station whose DJs made a hoax call to nurse Jacintha Saldanha who was later found dead, is to give at least 500,000 AUD to a fund for her family

Lord Glenarthur, chairman of King Edward VII’s Hospital, welcomed the media company’s decision and said it could contribute to the hospital’s own memorial fund.

He added that it had received many donations from around the world.

Jacintha Saldanha’s family made a private visit to King Edward VII’s Hospital in London, where she worked, on Monday.

MP Keith Vaz, who met Jacintha Saldanha’s family in Parliament on Monday night, said they had been left “devastated” by the loss of “a loving mother and a loving wife”.

Flanked by Jacintha Saldanha’s husband Benedict Barboza and her two teenage children, Keith Vaz said: “They just want me to say that they are extremely grateful to the public here in the United Kingdom and throughout the world who have sent them messages of condolences and support following the death of Jacintha.

“This is a close family. They are devastated by what has happened. They miss her every moment of every day, but they are really grateful to the support of the British public and to the public overseas for the messages of support and kindness.”

Keith Vaz had earlier criticized the hospital for not giving the family more support.

He said: “The hospital has sent them a letter, which I have seen, but I’m surprised that nobody has made the journey to Bristol to sit with them and offer them the counselling that I think they need.”

In response, the hospital said its chief executive, John Lofthouse, had spoken to Benedict Barboza on Friday by phone and offered to meet him whenever he wanted.

The hospital has launched a memorial fund to support the nurse’s family and a private memorial service will be held later this week.

In the hoax call, the presenters, Michael Christian and Mel Greig, had pretended to be Prince Charles and the Queen asking about the duchess in hospital.

They said in a tearful interview with Australian television broadcast on Monday that they were “gutted and heartbroken” Jacintha Saldanha’s death.

Christian said: “It was something that was just fun and light-hearted and a tragic turn of events no-one could have predicted or expected.

“We are shattered, heartbroken and our deepest sympathy goes to the family, friends and all those people affected. Mel and myself are incredibly sorry for the situation and what’s happened.”

Meanwhile, Kate Middleton has cancelled an appearance at the premiere of the Hobbit on Wednesday. Her office says she will continue to “rest privately” at home. Prince William is due to attend.

Kate Middleton was being treated in the hospital for hyperemesis gravidarum, an extreme form of morning sickness.

Delta Air Lines buys Virgin Atlantic stake from Singapore Airlines

Clyde K. Valle
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Delta Air Lines buys Virgin Atlantic stake from Singapore Airlines

Delta Air Lines has agreed a deal to buy Singapore Airlines’ 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic for $360 million.

Virgin Group and Sir Richard Branson will retain a 51% shareholding, and the Virgin brand will remain in place, the new partners said in a joint statement.

The deal is subject to regulatory approval in the US and Europe.

It follows a spat between Sir Richard Branson and Willie Walsh, boss of BA-owner International Airlines Group over the future of Virgin Atlantic.

Earlier, Willie Walsh offered to wager a “knee in the groin” in a bet with Sir Richard Branson over whether the Virgin brand would still be around in five years.

He was responding to a £1 million ($1.5 million) bet offered by Sir Richard Branson on Monday.

Delta Air Lines has agreed a deal to buy Singapore Airlines' 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic for $360 million
Delta Air Lines has agreed a deal to buy Singapore Airlines’ 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic for $360 million

Virgin and Delta said the deal would allow them to “overcome slot constraints” and offer more flights from Heathrow.

The carriers will operate 31 peak-day round trips between the UK and North America.

“Our new partnership with Virgin Atlantic will strengthen both airlines and provide a more effective competitor between North America and the UK, particularly on the New York-London route,” said Delta boss Richard Anderson.

Sir Richard Branson said it was an “exciting day” in Virgin’s history.

“It signals the start of a new era of expansion, financial growth and many opportunities for our customers and our business.”

Singapore Airlines is selling its stake, which it has owned since 1999, because of increased competition in its local market.

Low-cost
airlines in particular have mushroomed, threatening more traditional carriers like Singapore Airlines.

Singapore Airlines has itself launched a low-cost carrier, called Scoot, and has been putting money into its regional service, SilkAir.

McKeeva Bush, Cayman Islands prime minister, arrested as part of corruption investigation

Diane A. Wade
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McKeeva Bush, Cayman Islands prime minister, arrested as part of corruption investigation

McKeeva Bush, Cayman Islands prime minister, has been arrested as part of a corruption investigation, local police say.

The charges against McKeeva Bush, 57, include misuse of a government credit card and importing explosive materials.

McKeeva Bush had been in power since his United Democratic Party (UDP) won general elections in 2009.

The British overseas territory is one of the world’s largest financial centres and a well-known tax haven.

McKeeva Bush, Cayman Islands prime minister, has been arrested as part of a corruption investigation
McKeeva Bush, Cayman Islands prime minister, has been arrested as part of a corruption investigation

On its website, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Force said: “The Premier of the Cayman Islands, McKeeva Bush (57), has been arrested and is currently detained in police custody in connection with a number of ongoing police investigations.”

McKeeva Bush previously held the post of leader of the islands’ government between November 2001 and May 2005.

A member of the legislative assembly representing West Bay, McKeeva Bush also holds the post of minister of finance, tourism and development.

Nelson Mandela suffers from lung infection

Diane A. Wade
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Nelson Mandela suffers from lung infection

Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, is being treated for a lung infection, the president’s office has said.

This is the first time officials have revealed why Nelson Mandela, 94, was rushed to a military hospital in the capital, Pretoria, on Saturday.

Tests showed a “recurrence of a previous lung infection”, presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said.

Nelson Mandela is responding to his treatment, Mac Maharaj added.

News of the hospital stay has prompted much concern in South Africa.

The former president is regarded by most South Africans as the father of the nation, having inspired them to fight for democracy.

He led the struggle against white-minority rule before being elected the first black president in democratic elections in 1994.

Despite being imprisoned for 27 years by the apartheid government, after his release he forgave his former enemies and urged South Africans of all races to work together and seek reconciliation.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

News that the frail Nelson Mandela has another lung infection is likely to generate considerable anxiety.

Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first black president, is being treated for a lung infection
Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, is being treated for a lung infection

The officials who have visited Nelson Mandela in hospital since Saturday have all said he is doing well.

He was flown to hospital on Saturday from his home in Qunu village in Eastern Cape province by the military, which is responsible for his healthcare.

Local media reported that the decision to move him was taken so quickly that some family members and his own foundation were initially unaware of it.

But Mac Maharaj has repeatedly said that Nelson Mandela is doing well in hospital and there is no cause for alarm.

Nelson Mandela was last admitted to hospital in February when he was treated for abdominal pain.

In January 2011, he was treated for a serious chest infection.

While in prison in the 1980s, Nelson Mandela was also diagnosed with tuberculosis.

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

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Beardski: bearded ski-mask is the new Xmas hit

Diane A. Wade
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Beardski: bearded ski-mask is the new Xmas hit

Beardski is the ultimate facial fashion accessory and… is a full on beard.

If you’ve always wanted to try out the Grizzly Adams look but don’t have the patience to grow out your designer stubble then the new Beardski should be topping your Christmas list.

Part insulating ski mask, part beard, Beardski is designed to keep your face snug while you are on the slopes … or even just coming home from the office Christmas party.

Available in vibrant red and orange, or mocha brown and Santa Claus white, for those who favor the au natural look, the yeti-style beards are made from thermal fleece to keep your chin feeling toasty.

The range is available on gift site firebox.com and prices start at £24.99 ($38.5).

Beardski is the ultimate facial fashion accessory
Beardski is the ultimate facial fashion accessory

Not brave enough for the full beard of Beardski… try the Beard Beanie

If you’re not a fan of the big bushy beard, you can get a more “designer stubble” effect with the Beard Beanie.

Designed by crotchet enthusiast Tara Duff, the cozy collection of hats have the fashionable facial hair already attached, in an array of browns, blacks and reds.

Not brave enough for a full beard, try the Beard Beanie
Not brave enough for a full beard, try the Beard Beanie

A handy hole for your mouth means that you can carry on eating and drinking while on the slopes.

Using a simple pattern taught to her by her next door neighbor, the beanies and beards are available online from £30 ($45) (www.beardbeanie.com).

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Christmas sweater for iPhone launched by InspireMyCase

Nancy Clayson
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Christmas sweater for iPhone launched by InspireMyCase

From jolly looking polar bears to Santa riding on his sleigh, InspireMyCase has launched a range of iPhone cases plastered with scenes inspired by tacky Christmas sweaters.

InspireMyCase is promoting four different designs this holiday season “to enable people to add a little bit of personality, fun or style to their cases”.

Until December 19 the company is running a Facebook competition, giving four people the chance to win an “ugliest ever” sweater along with the matching phone accessory.

Each of the four designs is priced at $34.95.

The Penguins case features a penguin and snowman wrapped up in hats and scarves, Funky Bears shows two polar bears playing in the snow, The Village depicts a snow-covered scene and Santa Is Coming shows Santa Claus waving an American flag.

Hideous holiday sweaters have become a major trend over the past several decades.

InspireMyCase has launched a range of iPhone cases plastered with scenes inspired by tacky Christmas sweaters
InspireMyCase has launched a range of iPhone cases plastered with scenes inspired by tacky Christmas sweaters

According to the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book: The Definitive Guide to Getting Your Ugly On, there was a surge in ugly sweater parties around 2001.

Bill Cosby as Cliff Huxtable on his eponymous ‘80s sitcom, and Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, are said to have inspired the trend.

While Colin Firth’s reindeer turtleneck in Bridget Jones’ Diary, helped put cringe-inducing knitwear back on the radar.

A new book titled Rock Your Ugly Christmas Sweater, documents the history of the seasonal knit.

Andrew Simpson, the co-founder of InspireMyCase, who is based in Sydney, Australia, says that now is the perfect time to “Get your ugly on!”.

December 11th is the most fertile day of the year

Diane A. Wade
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December 11th is the most fertile day of the year

More babies will be conceived today than any other day this year, according to new research.

National birth records show that September 16 is the most popular birthday in the UK.

And with the average gestation period for a baby being 40 weeks December 11, exactly 40 weeks prior to September 16, has been labeled as the most fertile day of the year.

December is also the most popular month for conceptions – 9% of babies are conceived then.

Scientists say that winter is a more fertile season than summer because sperm quality is higher in the cold.

People also have more sex in December than other winter months because of festive partying and end-of-year happiness.

Famous people born on September 16 include the actor Mickey Rourke and the singer Katie Melua.

The statistics were compiled by Lovehoney, Britain’s biggest online seller of sex toys, based on established scientific studies.

December 11th is the most fertile day of the year
December 11th is the most fertile day of the year

Lovehoney co-founder Neal Slateford said they were expecting a huge boom in sales prior to December 11.

He said: “December is always one of our busiest month as couples treat each other at Christmas.

“Everyone is increasingly doing their Christmas shopping online – who wants to go out to the shops when it is pouring down and there are queues at the check-outs?

“So we are expecting a big surge ahead of December 11, the most fertile and sexiest day of the year, when I guess a lot of broody couples will be staying in and having a good time!”

Bath-based Lovehoney compiled the statistics as it celebrated record sales in 2012, thanks to Fifty Shades of Grey for which it has developed the official range of pleasure products.

Turn-over shot up by a third, driven by a record demand for toys such as the silver balls featured in the E.L. James trilogy.

10 OTHER BEDROOM FACTS

One in four men switches the light off during sex

200 calories are burned during 30 minutes of sex

Outside the bedroom, the most common place to have sex is the car

75% of men always climax when having penetrative sex compared to just 29% of women

Men have an average of 11 erections a day

100 million acts of sexual intercourse happen in the world every day

We kiss on average for 20,160 minutes in our lives (that is, 336 hours, 14 days or two weeks)

Couples are 17 times more likely to have sex at midnight than at 10am

A peck on the cheek uses 2 facial muscles, a passionate snog uses all 34

The older you get the shorter your orgasm will be

Kim Kardashian Factice Magazine photo shoot

Diane A. Wade
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Kim Kardashian Factice Magazine photo shoot

Kim Kardashian’s latest photo shoot for French magazine Factice  could be one of her most daring yet.

Kim Kardashian, 32, displays her world-famous curves in several boudoir-inspired ensembles

First up Kim Kardashian raises temperatures in a racy lace bra and panty set complete with suspenders and cream silk stockings.

The reality star’s ensemble is topped off with a luxurious-looking fur coat and giant diamond and enamel floral ring and matching bracelet.

With her famous full lips heavily glossed, Kim Kardashian does her best pout and smoldering stare for the camera.

This time instead of wearing her glossy locks down, she has them tousled up in a messy bedhead style.

In another snap, Kim Kardashian wears her hair down in a somewhat Fifties voluminous style.

And the reality star is certainly every inch the pin-up girl in a beige satin lingerie set, this time paired with a darker fur coat and sky-high Christian Louboutin heels.

Kim Kardashian's latest photo shoot for French magazine Factice could be one of her most daring yet
Kim Kardashian’s latest photo shoot for French magazine Factice could be one of her most daring yet

Kim Kardashian’s shoot also switches to playful, as she changes into a cream sheer set with a sleeveless shirt worn over her top half and tied at the waist.

She pushes her already ample cleavage together creating even more lift.

The coquettish look is completed with a feather boa and a wide-brimmed hat.

Kim Kardashian is not only just standing and posing for her French fashion shoot.

She also reclines on a shell-shaped sofa, wearing a vintage white lace basque, matching silk stocking and white heels.

Kim Kardashian once again drapes her feather boa around her body and gives a smoldering stare into the camera.

And for her most sexiest shot of all, and one that is bound to get boyfriend Kanye West’s heart racing, is one of Kim Kardashian sprawled across a mirrored coffee table.

Jutting out her famous derriere, Kim Kardashian’s curves look sublime in a sheer cream lace and silk set paired with leopard print stilettos, pearls and yet another fur accoutrement.

Launched in February 2011, Factice Magazine is a French, fashion and online (every two months) magazine.

It is just one of the many projects which Kim Kardashian has been working on of late.

The always busy star has been jetting around the world in the last few months doing photo shoots and promoting her clothing line, as well as being in Miami to shoot her reality TV show Kourtney & Kim Take Miami.

How not to park a BMW

Nancy Clayson
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How not to park a BMW

A horrible, or horribly drunk, BMW driver banged the front and side of her car trying to park it between two other vehicles.

In the video posted below, car enthusiasts may cringe as they watch what could easily be called one of the worst parking attempts captured on camera.

The video, which was originally posted on LiveLeak.com and goes on for a full minute, shows the unseen driver bumping and banging the curb, a stone pillar and another vehicle to the right in an attempt to straighten out her car.

“This is oddly entertaining,” one of the guys behind the camera says before pointing out the crooked BMW’s “ugly ass wheels”.

A horrible, or horribly drunk, BMW driver banged the front and side of her car trying to park it between two other vehicles
A horrible, or horribly drunk, BMW driver banged the front and side of her car trying to park it between two other vehicles

The driver then hits another unseen car to the left before the video ends.

One of the dumfounded observers asks out loud: “Is that my car? Sh**!”

That is one way not to video someone unsuccessfully trying to park a luxury automobile.

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Cheick Modibo Diarra, Mali’s prime minister, resigns hours after being arrested

Diane A. Wade
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Cheick Modibo Diarra, Mali’s prime minister, resigns hours after being arrested

Cheick Modibo Diarra, Mali’s prime minister, has resigned on state television, hours after being arrested by soldiers who were behind a military coup in March.

Cheick Modibo Diarra was detained on Monday at his home in the capital Bamako, reportedly on the orders of the coup leader, Capt Amadou Sanogo.

He had been due to travel to France.

Cheick Modibo Diarra, 60, was made prime minister of an interim government in April after the military officially handed power back to civilians.

The astrophysicist has backed plans to send a West African intervention force into the northern half of Mali which was seized after the coup by Islamists and Tuareg separatists.

But tensions between the soldiers who led the coup and the civilian prime minister they were forced to appoint have been mounting in recent weeks.

Many within Mali’s military are opposed to foreign intervention, saying they need only financial and logistical support.

Military spokesman Bakary Mariko said that the prime minister was suspected of attempting to jeopardize the planned political dialogue over the transition to democracy.

“Eight months ago the prime minister was given the mission to help Mali recover its territorial integrity, but unfortunately he has been working to stay in power indefinitely,” he said.

Cheick Modibo Diarra would be held until a new prime minister was appointed by the interim president, the spokesman said.

Cheick Modibo Diarra, Mali’s prime minister, has resigned on state television, hours after being arrested by soldiers who were behind a military coup in March
Cheick Modibo Diarra, Mali’s prime minister, has resigned on state television, hours after being arrested by soldiers who were behind a military coup in March

In his address on national broadcaster ORTM, Cheick Modibo Diarra gave no clear explanation of his resignation.

“Men and women who are worried about the future of our nation, you are hoping for peace. It’s for this reason that I, Cheick Modibo Diarra, am resigning along with my entire government.”

A member of the president’s entourage earlier told AFP news agency that the prime minister had been arrested by about 20 soldiers from the sprawling Kati military base where the 21 March coup was launched.

The source said soldiers had: “smashed in the door of the prime minister’s residence and took him away a bit violently”.

“They said Captain Sanogo sent them to arrest him,” he added.

Security officials said Cheick Modibo Diarra was then driven to Kati.

The military spokesman told Reuters that Cheick Modibo Diarra “wanted to leave the country having incited trouble”.

The prime minister had been about to leave the country for France – the spokesman said. It is not known if he had been trying flee.

Cheick Modibo Diarra, the son-in-law of Moussa Traore, a former Malian coup leader and president, had been leading a government of national unity.

It was formed in August in an attempt to satisfy regional demands for a transition from military rule and to restore stability following the March coup, which led to the entire northern half of the country being occupied by hardline Islamists and Tuareg rebels.

The Islamists have since taken control of northern Mali’s main urban centres, imposing a strict version of Islamic law.

The United Nations warned on Monday that the north of the country is now “one of the potentially most explosive corners of the world”.

The West African regional group Ecowas has agreed to send 3.300 troops to reclaim rebel-held territory. The deployment has been backed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

On Monday, the European Union backed plans for a 250-member training mission for around four battalions of the Malian army to fight the militants.

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HSBC to pay $1.9 billion fine for money laundering

Diane A. Wade
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HSBC to pay $1.9 billion fine for money laundering

HSBC is to pay US authorities $1.9 billion in a settlement over money laundering, the largest paid in such a case, the bank has confirmed.

A US Senate investigation said the UK-based bank had been a conduit for “drug kingpins and rogue nations”.

Money laundering is the process of disguising the proceeds of crime so that the money cannot be linked to the wrongdoing.

HSBC admitted having poor money laundering controls and apologized.

“We accept responsibility for our past mistakes,” said HSBC group chief executive Stuart Gulliver in a statement.

“We have said we are profoundly sorry for them, and we do so again.”

The bank said it had spent $290 million on improving its systems to prevent money laundering and clawed back some bonuses paid to senior executives in the past.

It also said it expected to reach an agreement with the UK’s Financial Services Authority shortly.

Last month it announced it had set aside $1.5 billion to cover the costs of any settlement or fines.

HSBC is to pay US authorities $1.9 billion in a settlement over money laundering
HSBC is to pay US authorities $1.9 billion in a settlement over money laundering

The news followed the announcement of a similar but much smaller settlement with UK-based Standard Chartered bank, which will pay $300 million in fines for violating US sanctions.

The cases are seen as part of a crackdown on money laundering and sanctions violations being led by federal government agencies and New York state authorities.

The settlement had been widely expected following a report by the US Senate, published earlier this year, that was heavily critical of HSBC’s money laundering controls.

The report alleged that:

  • HSBC      in the US had not treated its Mexican affiliate as high risk, despite the      country’s money laundering and drug trafficking challenges
  • The      Mexican bank had transported $7 billion in US bank notes to HSBC in the      US, more than any other Mexican bank, but had not considered that to be      suspicious
  • It      had circumvented US safeguards designed to block transactions involving      terrorists drug lords and rogue states, including allowing 25,000      transactions over seven years without disclosing their links to Iran
  • Providing      US dollars and banking services to some banks in Saudi Arabia despite      their links to terrorist financing
  • In      less than four years it had cleared $290 million in “obviously      suspicious” US travellers’ cheques for a Japanese bank, benefiting      Russians who claimed to be in the used car business

The report suggested HSBC accounts in Mexico and the US were being used by drug barons to launder money.

“The banks became very overextended, not just in lending on property, which we all know about, but in this case, for example, buying businesses in Mexico about which, it turned out, they knew too little,” said Sir John Gieve, former deputy governor of the Bank of England.

The Senate report also said HSBC regularly circumvented restrictions on dealings with Iran, North Korea, and other states subject to US sanctions.

HSBC has announced it has appointed a former US official to work as its head of financial crime compliance, which is a new position.

Bob Werner was previously the head of the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) – the agency responsible for enforcing the US sanctions on countries including Iran.

He will be responsible for beefing up HSBC’s anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance systems.

It is unclear what impact the case will have on HSBC’s business. The bank is the biggest in Europe by market capitalization, and made pre-tax profits of $12.7 billion for the first six months of 2012.

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Christmas chocolate log recipe

Kathryn R. Bown
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Christmas chocolate log recipe

Christmas chocolate log

INGREDIENTS (Serves 10-12)

For the chocolate sponge

4 large eggs

100 g (4 oz) caster sugar

65 g (2½ oz) self-raising flour

40 g (1½ oz) cocoa powder

For the icing and topping

275 g (10 oz) Bournville chocolate, broken into small pieces

450 ml (¾pt) double cream

4 tbsp apricot jam

Icing sugar, for dusting

Christmas chocolate log
Christmas chocolate log

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6. Lightly grease and line a 33 cm x 23 cm (13in x 9in) Swiss roll tin. Whisk the eggs and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is pale, light and frothy. Sift in the flour and cocoa powder and carefully cut and fold together, using a metal spoon, until everything is incorporated, being careful not to beat out the air from the mixture.

Pour into the tin and spread evenly into the corners. Bake in the middle of the oven for 8-10 minutes until pale golden and the sides are shrinking away from the edge of the tin. Place a piece of baking parchment larger than the Swiss roll on the work surface, invert the cake onto it and remove the lining paper on top.

Trim the edges of the cake with a knife and make a score mark 2.5 cm (1in) in along the longer edge so it’s easier to roll. Roll up the cake from the scored edge using the parchment, rolling the parchment inside. Set aside to cool.

While the cake is cooling, make the icing. Melt the chocolate and 300 ml (½ pt) of the cream in a bowl over a pan of simmering water until completely melted (be careful not to overheat; the bowl must not touch the water). Refrigerate to cool and firm up (this icing needs to be very thick for piping). Whip the remaining cream.

Uncurl the cold Swiss roll and remove the paper. Spread a third of the icing over the surface, then spread the whipped cream on top, and re-roll tightly. Cut a quarter of the cake off from one end on the diagonal. Transfer the large piece of cake to a serving plate and angle the smaller cake to the side of the larger one to make a branch.

Cover the surface of the cake with the melted apricot jam. Place the remaining icing into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle and pipe long, thick lines along the cake, covering it completely so that it looks like tree bark. Cover each end with icing (optional).

Finally, dust the cake lightly with icing sugar and garnish with fresh holly, to serve.

DSK reaches legal settlement with Nafissatou Diallo

Diane A. Wade
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DSK reaches legal settlement with Nafissatou Diallo

Dominique Strauss-Kahn has signed a settlement with hotel maid Nafissatou Diallo, who accused him of sexual assault, a New York judge says.

Details of the 63-year-old former International Monetary Fund chief ‘s agreement with Nafissatou Diallo will remain confidential, the judge added.

DSK was held in New York in May 2011 after Nafissatou Diallo, 33, said he assaulted her in his hotel suite.

Prosecutors later dropped charges amid concerns about her credibility.

The incident was widely seen as having ruined DSK’s chance of becoming the Socialist presidential candidate in his native France.

New York State Supreme Court Justice Douglas McKeon announced on Monday that after lengthy negotiations, the parties “came together and put terms of a settlement on the record”.

The amount of the settlement was kept confidential.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn has signed a settlement with hotel maid Nafissatou Diallo
Dominique Strauss-Kahn has signed a settlement with hotel maid Nafissatou Diallo

DSK did not attend the hearing, but Nafissatou Diallo was in court.

After the settlement, the judge thanked all parties and said it was a “privilege to work with all of you”.

Outside the courtroom, Nafissatou Diallo made a short statement: “I thank everybody all over the world and everybody at the court, and God bless you all.”

Her lawyer, Kenneth Thompson, said afterwards that she was “ready to move on”.

In May 2011, Nafissatou Diallo, a Guinean immigrant with a teenage daughter, said Dominique Strauss-Kahn had forced her to perform oral sex when she went to clean his hotel room.

He was arrested, charged with attempted rape and forced to resign from his post at the International Monetary Fund.

DSK had previously admitted to a “moral failing”, but insisted their sexual encounter was consensual.

In the wake of Nafissatou Diallo’s accusations, other women came forward with sexual assault allegations against him.

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Valeria Lukyanova and Olga Oleynik hold lectures on spirituality

Diane A. Wade
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Valeria Lukyanova and Olga Oleynik hold lectures on spirituality

Real life Barbie Valeria Lukyanova caused an internet sensation – but also deep concern – when her cosmetically-enhanced looks turned her into a living doll.

Now she is joined by 24-year-old “Dominica” – real name Olga Oleynik – who also owes her shape and image to the surgeon’s knife.

“We met on the internet five years ago,” said Valeria Lukyanova, explaining that both come from the Ukrainian city of Odessa.

“We were curious about our similarities. We had the same hairstyle, make-up, and even dressed in a similar way. Our friends were sure that we were blood sisters.

“We are really sisters – but only in spiritual way. We have the same outlook and lifestyle.”

Valeria Lukyanova and Olga Oleynik
Valeria Lukyanova and Olga Oleynik

The pair have been holding lectures on spirituality at $75 a session. They use their looks to attract participants, it is claimed.

“We are planning to move to America soon. Dominica’s boyfriend is living in the US and my husband wants to start a business there too,” said Valeria Lukyanova.

“I am not going to be bored abroad, I’m often invited to photo-shoots and parties.”

When images of Valeria Lukyanova first started appearing, there were questions about whether she actually existed with her porcelain looks, minuscule waist and razor sharp features. Some claimed she must be a PhotoShop creation.

The model calls herself “the most famous Russian woman on the Russian-speaking internet”.

Her average day includes meditation, travel in her astral body, going to the gym while she admits her ideal dinner is to “make dinner for the man I love”.

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