Mariah Carey World Tour: In the Works?

Based on a new report, Mariah Carey will soon have plenty of time on her hands. She and her fellow American Idol judges are expected to be let go by Fox very soon after Season 12 concludes. And just what will the superstar do after her failed stint on the panel of this singing competition? Mariah Carey Concert Pic "Due to the smash success of '#Beautiful,' fans are clamoring as Mariah makes plans for a world tour," an insider tells Us Weekly of Carey and her new single. To date, "#Beautiful" has hit number-one in 25 countries and the top five in 45 others.

American Idol Winner: Crowned!

Of men disappearing early and women showing their strength. And, oh, did we mention judges fighting? But American Idol finally came to an end tonight and - unlike the bloated two hours and seven minutes that it took for Fox to announce the winner - we will not waste anymore of your time in announcing the champion is

Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj Confirm American Idol Departures

American Idol is minus another judge... With Randy Jackson having official resigned his post and Jennifer Hudson reportedly on the way, Mariah Carey made it official today: She has left the series after one season. American Idol Season 12 Promo Photo “W/ global success of ‘#Beautiful’ (#1 in 30+ countries so far) @MariahCarey confirms world tour & says goodbye 2 Idol,” read a message from Carey’s publicists PMK-BNC that the singer re-Tweeted shortly thereafter.

Angelina Jolie Loses Aunt to Breast Cancer

Two weeks after Angelina Jolie went public with her decision to undergo a double mastectomy, the actress has lost her aunt to breast cancer. The Oscar winner's uncle, Ron Martin, broke the sad news today to E! News, saying his wife (the younger sibling of Jolie's mother) passed away early this morning.

The Real Housewives of Orange County Recap: The Bachelorette

onight on The Real Housewives of Orange County, Gretchen plans a bachelorette party for Tamra. Even though Tamra and Eddie haven't set a date and have.. Whatever. It's a vacation and there's booze. That means there's bound to be some fun. We're recapping it all with our THG +/- review! The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 8 Cast After Tamra's tearful conversation with her mom last week, she's ready to turn over a new, less-angry leaf. Lydia comes over for lemonade and a snack. She also hopes to broker peace between Tamra and Alexis. Lydia calls herself the "friendship whisperer" and says that this is all part of her master plan. Master plan for what, Lydia?? Maybe you should hit up your mom's house and bring along a bit of her stash for this.

Must-Reads from Around the World

AU vs. ICC – The chairman of the African Union has accused the International Criminal Court (ICC) for prosecuting Africans based on their race, reports the Financial Times. “The ICC has to see to it that it shouldn’t chase Africans … Out of those people who [have] been indicted by ICC, 99 per cent are Africans so this shows that something is flawed within the system of ICC and we reject that,” said Hailemariam Desalegn, who is also Ethiopia’s prime minister. His comments come days after the AU backed Kenya’s request for charges against its president Uhuru Kenyatta to be heard under the laws of Kenya instead of The Hague. The ICC, however, has denied claims of racism, saying that referrals come from Africans themselves. China Hacking Claims – Chinese hackers have reportedly stolen the floorplans for an Australian spy agency’s new headquarters which is currently under construction, according to local news reports, writes Reuters. The attack supposedly saw confidential documents stolen from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which houses the overseas spy agency the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), said Australia’s ABC Television. The claims come at a time of increasing cyber attacks against the U.S. and its allies, which have frequently been blamed on China. The ABC report said Chinese hackers had been targeting Australian interests more aggressively than previously thought, with victims including a steel manufacturer and a firm that makes civilian communications equipment, writes Reuters. Japan-Burma Ties – Japan is turning into the dominant economic force in Burma, notes VOA News. Tokyo has already cancelled $1.74 billion in debt, and pledged to lend more than half a billion dollars for infrastructure and power projects in Burma. Forgiving Burmese debt serves Tokyo’s interests and the new development projects will provide opportunities for Japanese companies to win contracts, said experts. Japan is also trying to hedge against what it sees as China’s growing presence in Burma, they said. Pakistan’s Power Shortage – The New York Times reports that Pakistan is struggling with severe power shortages because of ruined power plants, failing transmission lines, policy mistakes, and unpaid bills. Pakistan’s power delivery system, according to the paper, “is paralyzed by $5 billion in ‘circular debt’ — basically, a long chain of unpaid bills that cuts across society, from government departments to wealthy politicians to slum dwellers.” Unpaid bills mean the power providers have no money to buy fuel, leading the plants to slow or shut down. Experts said systemic graft, political interference, and deep-rooted structural problems have resulted in the South Asian country’s power crisis. Prime Minister-elect Nawaz Sharif has pledged to “end the darkness” but he might lack the political backbone to change the system, given that some of his own supporters are among the bill defaulters.

Basil takes Rs. 1.5 billion after leasing an island in Kalpitiya

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has taken a bribe of Rs. 1.5 billion after leasing a 450 acre island in Kalpitiya on a 99 year lease, it is learnt. The island was leased out to the Sapphire Bay Resrort (Pvt) Limited for Rs. 1 billion. The remaining Rs. 1.5 billion has been surreptitiously taken by the Economic Development Minister.Although a perches of land around the island is estimated at Rs. 10,000-Rs.15,000, Basil Rajapaksa has estimated a perches at Rs. 3,470 in this transaction. The government however has received only Rs. 1,380 for a perches in this transaction. After finding out this development, other investors who have come forward to take on lease other islands in Kalpitiya have requested that the land values be estimated according to Basil Rajapaksa’s valuation. The government is facing a risk of losing out on billions of rupees from the lease of islands as a result. After hiding the true details about the transaction, Basil has now appointed a tender board to call for tenders to lease out the other islands.

Lokuge takes a step back on Lalkantha’s demand..

Labour Minister Gamini Lokuge took a step back when head of the National Trade Union Center (NTUC) K.D. Lalkantha demanded that the government stop utilizing public funds to pay the electricity bills of ministers’ houses. Lalkantha claimed during the Jana Handa political debate on TNL TV that Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s March electricity bill for his house was over Rs. 120,000 and that it was borne by the public along with the electricity bills of other ministers. Lokuge after debating the issue finally agreed that the government should discuss and re-consider the payment of ministerial electricity bills with public funds. The non utilization of public funds to pay the electricity bills of ministers’ houses was among the demands put forward by the Coordinating Committee for a Joint Trade Union Alliance that called for a token strike on the 21st. Lalkantha explained that given the current financial crisis faced by the CEB, the government needed to take steps to increase the efficiency of the institution and cut down on its wastage and corruption instead of burdening the people.

“The cult of Holy Death is blasphemous,” says Cardinal Ravasi

It is a “blasphemous” cult, “a degeneration of religion.” These were the words Cardinal Ravasi, the President of the Pontifical Council for Culture used to condemn the widespread worship of Santa Muerte, or Holy Death, which is particularly popular in areas of Mexico affected by criminal violence committed by drug cartels. Speaking at a series of events for believers and non-believers in Mexico City, Cardinal Ravasi spoke out against a cult which is a mix of indigenous Latin American beliefs and the Christian tradition of venerating saints introduced by Catholic missionaries after the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Santa Muerte is depicted as a fancily dressed female skeleton. People worship La Santa Muerte at home, placing a figure of the saint on an altar, surrounded by offerings in the form of candles, food, drinks (e.g. tequila) and even drugs (e.g. marijuana). They invoke her by reciting a prayer and asking for favours. In general these are favours other saints cannot grant and the gifts offered would be completely inappropriate if offered to other saints...

11 dead as Philippine troops clash with militants

11 dead as Philippine troops clash with militants.. MANILA, (AFP) - Eleven people were killed in the southern Philippines early Saturday as troops clashed with a militant group blamed for the country’s deadliest terror attacks, the military said. The fighting left seven Filipino marines dead and nine others wounded on the island of Jolo, said Colonel Jose Cenabre, a local military commander. Four members of the Abu Sayyaf group were also killed in the firefight, Cenabre, the commander of a marine brigade in the area, said in a report.A marine reconnaissance team ran into an Abu Sayyaf unit near the town of Patikul as government forces tracked members of the militant group who were suspected over a recent kidnapping in the area, he added. Founded using seed money from Al-Qaeda in the 1990s, the Abu Sayyaf is blamed for the worst terror attacks in the country, including the firebombing of a ferry in Manila Bay and kidnappings of foreign tourists. The group is on the US government’s list of so-called foreign terrorist organisations. About 600 US troops have been rotating through the southern Philippines for a decade to help train local troops in hunting the Abu Sayyaf, who enjoy local support at their bases in some of the poorest areas of the Philippines.

Stroke - Preventable as well as treatable

Beyond World Stroke Day October 29.. Today, disabilities and deaths due to strokes pose a major challenge to both developed and developing countries. Every year six million people die from stroke and the number increases daily, the majority (89 percent) being in low and middle income countries. In fact, stroke is responsible for more deaths every year than the deaths attributed to AIDS, TB and Malaria put together. In addition to being the second leading cause of deaths for people above 60 years, Stroke has now become the fifth leading cause of death of people in age group of 15 to 59... Globally stroke is the leading cause of disability. The World Stroke Organization (WSO) declaring Stroke Day as an annual event in 2006 described it as a public health emergency in 2010 calling for urgent action to address this silent global epidemic. What led to this sharp spike in strokes? Is stroke preventable, treatable, and manageable? What facilities do stroke victims have in Sri Lanka? Following are some answers given by the Consultant Neurologist and President National Stroke Association, Dr. Padma Guneratne when she fielded questions on the topic at a media discussion held at the Health Education Bureau... Q. How common is stroke worldwide? Worldwide stroke accounts for 5.7 million deaths annually, of which 80 percent occur in low and middle income countries. It ranks the second cause of death to heart disease. It is the commonest cause for adult disability sparing no age, sex, ethnicity or country. Q. What is the incidence of stroke in Sri Lanka? Stroke is the leading cause of hospital deaths in Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, each year there are about 25,000 people who develop stroke according to the official statistics and this trend is on the increase Q. How is stroke caused? Eighty five percent of patients succumb to stroke when their blood vessels get blocked interrupting blood supply to a certain part of the brain. Others get stroke due to a rupture of blood vessels that leads to bleeding into the brain tissue. The main reason for both these situations is thickening of blood vessels. The thickening is caused by a process called atherosclerosis. Q. How would you recognize a stroke? Sudden development of the symptoms such as numbness or weakness of the face, leg and arm; confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; dimness or loss of vision of one eye, loss of balance or unsteadiness can lead to a stroke. When symptoms of stroke improve within 24 hours, it is called mini strokes. It is a severe condition that needs urgent medical attention to mitigate the risk of occurring a major stroke. Of the patients who get Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIA) or silent mini strokes, four to eight percent may get stroke within one year, and 24 to 29 within five years. Q. What are the risk factors? There are several reasons for having atherosclerosis. Aging and genetic predisposition are important but they are non-modifiable reasons. High blood pressure and smoking are the most important modifiable reasons. Unhealthy diet and lack of exercise leading to development of most other modifiable risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol content, overweight are also important risk factors. Stress in day-to-day life is another. Q. How does one prevent stroke? Know your blood pressure and have it under control. Refrain from smoking, Reduce salty and oily food. Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables. Limit alcohol intake. If you have diabetes and cholesterol, get these two conditions treated and brought under control after consulting a medical professional. If you are under stress for any reason, take time to relax since stress can lead to a rise in your blood pressure. Further, if you experienced any stroke symptoms including sudden weakness of the face or limb, blurring or loss of vision and speech disturbances, seek immediate medical attention. Q. How does one treat or manage a stroke? Strokes are best managed in major hospitals with facilities for CT scanning of the brain. CT scanning clearly differentiates blockage of blood vessel due to a rupture. After the initial emergency management, the patients need long term rehabilitation for secondary prevention. Q. Where can this be done? Long-term rehabilitation is best done in wards meant for stroke patients (Stroke Units.) Stroke care involves availability of services or multidisciplinary teams for organized stroke care and rehabilitation Q. What do you suggest? We should build a healthcare system that responds to the need of the patients in stroke units providing them with individual attention. Q. What happens to patients who are discharged from hospitals? If they need long-term care, who takes care of them? Due to the high turnover of indoor patients in government hospitals, stroke victims are discharged as soon as possible. Although they are discharged from the hospital, they need prolonged rehabilitation services. There are also differently able stroke patients. It is an obligation of a caring physician to refer these differently able stroke patients to a social worker appointed to hospitals. As most of these patients are unable to afford rehabilitation services in the non-governmental sector, medical personnel can make a formal request to the relevant Division al Secretaries (AGA) of the residential area of the patient, to provide them with Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) services. Several districts are covered by this CBR program and volunteers have been trained to rehabilitate persons with disabilities within the community by the Ministry of Healthcare, Nutrition and Social Services and Social Welfare.

Father Stabs Daughter's Fiancè Nine Times

A suburban man was arrested and charged after he stabbed his daughter’s fiance with a knife nine times on the Far South Side in November, prosecutors said Sunday. Claude Jones, 50, of the 2000 block of Georgetown Lane in Waukegan, was charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon. Jones got into an argument with his future son-in-law in the 8900 block of South Aberdeen Street in Washington Heights on Nov. 8, 2012, according to court documents. Jones struck his future son-in-law in the head, and they started fighting, Assistant State’s Attorney Christina Brewer said. Prosecutors did not give details in court as to what the two were arguing about. The victim was stabbed nine times, Brewer said. He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where Brewer said he required 32 stitches for stab wounds to his chest, shoulders and back. His age was not available. Jones was arrested at his home and identified as the attacker by the victim on Friday, six months after the stabbing, according to court documents. Prosecutors did not say why he was not arrested until months after the incident. Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil ordered Jones held on $400,000 bail Sunday

Police shoot and kill naked student inside University

Police shoot and kill naked student inside University .. A naked student was shot and killed by police at Alabama college, according to reports. A campus police officer fatally shot the naked student after he was acting erratically and in a threatening manner at the University of South Alabama. The shooting occurred after officers heard knocking at a window at the campus police station after 1 am. An officer went to investigate and found Gilbert Thomas Collar, an 18-year-old freshman from Wetumpka, Alabama naked and acting erratically, according to information posted on the school website. The message described Collar as muscular. "The man ran several times and verbally challenged the officer in a fighting position," the message said. The officer drew his gun, ordered Collar to stop and moved back several times, but Collar continued to threaten him. At one point, Collar stopped, but then lunged at the officer again. When the freshman did not respond to orders to stop, the officer shot him in the chest. The student continued to struggle for a while, then collapsed and died. The officer, who was not identified, has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation. The university publicized the information as a crime alert on their home page. The district attorney's office and the county sheriff's department are investigating.

Mercy Aigbe Shows Off Her Bréast In See Through Top

Mercy Aigbe Shows Off Her Bréast In See Through Top Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe has been posting lovely fashionable pictures of herself lately, and it is fair to say that she has been impressing us so far. This current picture shows Mercy flaunting her bréast in a see-through black blouse paired with a colour block short skirt. What do you think guys, are you feeling her look?

Blake’s bunkum about US base in Maldives..

Blake’s bunkum about US base in Maldives.. Controversy surrounding the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the United States and the Maldives sent top US officials into damage control mode last week. In an interview with the Press Trust of India (PTI), US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Robert Blake, was quoted as saying his country had ‘no plans’ to have a permanent military presence in the Maldives. Blake was responding to concerns reportedly raised by both India and Sri Lanka regarding the contents of an unauthenticated draft of the agreement leaked to the media. Not surprisingly, the contents of the leaked draft have drawn concerns from both New Delhi and Colombo, and the US government has put forward its top diplomat for the region in an attempt to ease these fears. Blake, who has vast experience in the region in his capacity as a former US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives and also as the former Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in New Delhi, had noted in the interview that he does not foresee difficulties regarding negotiating the SOFA with the Maldives. “I want to reassure everybody that this SOFA does not imply some new uptick in military co-operation or certainly does not apply any new military presence. It would just be to support our ongoing activities,” he had reportedly said. Blake, however, had refrained from commenting on the authenticity of the draft agreement as he had ‘not seen it’. Still, he is quoted as saying he expects the SOFA to be signed very soon. According to him, the US has ‘consulted’ New Delhi on the SOFA with Maldives and has added no concerns have been expressed by the Indian side thus far. “There are no plans to establish a US naval base in the Maldives. So they (Sri Lanka) should not be worried about that,” the Assistant Secretary is also quoted as saying. ‘Normal practice’ US forces currently conduct a joint military exercise (titled ‘Coconut Grove’) with Maldivian Defense Forces. Blake had stated the SOFA to be signed would help to provide framework for such activities. “It’s simply more of a framework to provide for (ongoing) co-operation,” Blake had said. So, in essence, Blake has simply waved away any concerns that those in India and Sri Lanka have when he, by his own admission, hasn’t even seen the draft agreement. It is also pertinent to point out that neither Blake nor the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Michelle J. Sison, who has also commented on the issue, have dismissed the alleged leaked document of the draft agreement as a fake. Blake has simply said he hasn’t seen it, while Sison is quoted by Maldivian media as saying such an agreement is ‘normal practice’. The US has also pointed out it has more than 100 such agreements with nations around the world. And if India has not raised concerns, why does the US feel the need to ‘reassure’ them? In the absence of any denial regarding the authenticity of the leaked draft at government level, one can only assume that the document might well be genuine. What does it say? According to Section 3 of Article II (Scope) of the draft states United States Personnel ‘shall be authorized to wear uniforms while performing official duties and to carry arms while on duty if authorized to do so by their orders’. Section 5 of Article II states US personnel and US contractors ‘shall have freedom of movement and access to and use of agreed transportation, storage, training, and agreed facilities and areas in connection with activities under this Agreement’. Shifting strategic interests This is not about ‘supporting ongoing activities’. Article VIII (Movement of Aircraft, Vehicles, and Vessels) allows US vessels and vehicles (whether self-propelled or towed, read ‘Drones included) to enter, exit, and move freely within the territory and territorial seas of the Maldives, free from boarding and inspection. Article X (Use of Agreed Facilities and Areas) grants access to and use of aerial ports, seaports, and Agreed Facilities and Areas for transit, support, and related activities; bunkering of ships; refueling of aircraft; maintenance of vessels, aircraft, vehicles, and equipment, accommodation of personnel; communications, ship visits; training; exercises; and humanitarian activities. It is no secret that the US military strategic interests have shifted to Asia during the recent past. This ‘Asia Pivot’ sees strategic military assets being shifted to this part of the region, fuelled mainly by China’s rise and increased military and economic influence in this part of the world and beyond. How many US military personnel, contractors, are we talking about here? How many vessels and aircraft will be ‘moving freely’ within the territory and territorial seas of the Maldives? Whatever claims peddled by US officials of this being ‘normal practice’, it is clear from the leaked draft that this is not a case of a small group of US military trainers and some other assets being housed ‘temporarily’ with our neighbors to the south. These plans are for something much, much bigger. And it will be in place for 10 long years (at least)! India’s stand How can India be comfortable with this? Blake claims they’re in consultation with New Delhi on the issue and no concerns have been raised thus far. Will India, which has always enjoyed the status of playing ‘Big Brother’ to the rest of South Asia, simply stand by while the US virtually carves out a valuable piece of strategic real estate on its doorstep, or is it also trying to use the US to counter Chinese influence in South Asia? Is Sri Lanka ‘fine with this’ or more pertinently CAN Sri Lanka be happy about this

Pakistani women stopped from voting in Waziristan..

Pakistani women stopped from voting in Waziristan.. MIRANSHAH, Pakistan, (AFP) - Women were stopped from voting in Pakistan’s elections on Saturday in the northwestern tribal district of North Waziristan, a notorious Taliban stronghold, residents said.North Waziristan is one of seven semi-autonomous districts on the rugged border with Afghanistan which are a haven for Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants. Tribesmen were informed through mosque loudspeakers early Saturday that no woman would be allowed to leave home and cast a vote, according to a local resident in North Waziristan’s main town of Miranshah. In North Waziristan, many women live in purdah, confined to women-only quarters at home and prevented from leaving the premises without a male relative... On Wednesday pamphlets were handed out in Miranshah warning tribesmen not to let women vote in Saturday’s general election, threatening punishment for those who did.“Take our words, this kind of disgraceful act will not be tolerated and anyone influencing women to cast a vote will be punished,” said the pamphlet, signed by “Mujahedeen” and thrown from vehicles into shops. Women’s turnout was weak in the most conservative, rural parts of Pakistan at the last elections in 2008, particularly the tribal belt, the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southwestern Baluchistan provinces.Of the more than 86 million registered voters in Pakistan for Saturday’s election, 37 million are women and 48 million men.In 2008, not a single vote was cast at 564 of 28,800 women’s polling stations -- 55 percent of them in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials said. In the most conservative areas, officials estimated women’s turnout at just 10 to 15 percent of those registered... Pakistan votes in landmark polls as bomb kills 11 ISLAMABAD, (AFP) - Pakistanis queued up to vote in landmark elections on Saturday, defying Taliban attacks to cast their ballots in polls marking a historic democratic transition for the nuclear-armed state.Turnout appeared enthusiastic in the capital, in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar, but was thinner in the southwestern province of Baluchistan, gripped by separatist and sectarian violence, AFP reporters said. More than 86 million people are eligible to vote for the 342-member national assembly and four provincial assemblies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan. Polls close at 5:00 pm.In Karachi, Pakistan’s financial hub, a Taliban bomb killed 11 people and wounded 36 others, targeting a candidate for the provincial assembly for the Awami National Party, one of the secular parties in the outgoing government.

Turkey claims evidence of Syrian chemical weapons use..

Turkey claims evidence of Syrian chemical weapons use.. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told US media he has evidence that Syria employed chemical weapons against opposition forces. He cited the discovery of missile remains and Syrian patients showing signs of wounds from chemical weapons.Similarly, US Secretary of State John Kerry said he now believed there was “strong evidence” of Syria using gas. The White House previously said it had “varying degrees of confidence” that Syria had used chemical weapons.Last month, President Barack Obama warned that such a development was a “red line” for possible intervention, but said existent intelligence did not represent sufficient proof.Kerry’s latest remarks, made on Friday during a live video discussion with Google+ users , appeared to strike a more resolute note. “This fight is about the terrible choices that the Assad regime has made with its willingness to kill anywhere... to use gas, which we believe there is strong evidence of use of,” he said.Earlier on Friday, Mr Erdogan said he believed Syria had crossed the red line “a long time ago”.He said Turkish intelligence had determined that the Syrian government had used at least 200 chemical missiles. “We have the remainders of these missiles, there are pictures and then there are intelligence reports,” he said.“And there are patients who are brought to our hospitals who were wounded by these chemical weapons.”He did not give details on the type of chemical weapons he believed Syria had used. The Turkish leader, who is due to meet Mr Obama next week, called on the US to “assume more responsibilities and take further steps”. Erdogan rejected the idea that the weapons could have been used by rebels.“How are they going to obtain this? And who will give this to them?” he said.This contradicted an earlier claim by a UN expert who said there were “concrete suspicions” that rebels used nerve gas.Carla del Ponte, who serves on the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, said testimony from victims strongly suggested that opposition fighters had used sarin, an extremely potent chemical nerve agent - although there was “no incontrovertible proof”.

Philippines rejects Taiwan ‘murder’ claims..

Philippines rejects Taiwan ‘murder’ claims.. MANILA (AFP) - The Philippines Saturday rejected Taiwan’s allegations that its coastguards had intentionally murdered a Taiwanese fisherman whose death has triggered a major diplomatic spat.The 65-year-old fisherman was shot dead by Philippine coastguards who said his vessel intruded into Philippine waters. Chen Wen-chi, head of the Taiwan team investigating the May 9 incident, said most of the bullets had hit the fishing boat’s cockpit where its crew hid. “By combining the... evidence, it clearly shows that the Philippine law enforcers were intentionally shooting the Guang Ta Hsin 28 crew members, which indicates their intent of murder,” Chen told a news conference in Manila.The shooting, which Manila insists occurred inside Philippine territorial waters but which Taipei counters happened within its exclusive economic zone, has led to Taiwanese sanctions against its neighbour.President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman Ricky Carandang rejected the murder allegations.

Pakistan’s elections herald peace.

Pakistan’s elections herald peace.. Now that we know Navaz Sharif will succeed Raja Pervez Ashraf as the next prime minister of Pakistan, it’s worth noting that Pakistan has never seen a democratic transition as smooth as the one set to take place between the outgoing Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the newly elected Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, or PML(N)...In its 66-year history as an independent nation, Pakistan has witnessed three military coups and extended rule by army generals. Even today, the nation is plagued by political turmoil. But this year seems to be a new chapter in its turbulent history.The verdict from the 2013 elections gives the PML (N) 123 seats out of 254 declared results as of Tuesday evening, giving Sharif’s party an unassailable lead over its main rivals, PPP and Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which had secured 31 and 26 seats, respectively. The electoral results for the final 18 of Pakistan’s 272 National Assembly seats remain unannounced... The voter turnout this year was impressive, with 60 percent of all registered voters turning up to the polls, up from a 45 percent turnout in the last national elections in 2008. This impressive turnout came despite the threat of violence. More than 150 people lost their lives and scores were injured in attacks by insurgents across the country during the election campaigning period and on election day. This brave statement by the people of Pakistan sends a new message to the outside world and gives hope for peace on the Subcontinent... Hope for optimism In particular, India has a stake in the democratic success of its neighbor, with whom relations have been turbulent. There is widespread hope in India that Sharif, who formed a new Indo-Pakistani relationship in the 1990s, will revive the peace process and improve Islamabad’s ties with New Delhi.Indian Prime minister Manmohan Singh was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Sharif after his emphatic victory. In a letter, Singh talked about charting a new course for the relationship between the two countries and invited his Pakistan counterpart to visit India. Sharif reciprocated and emphasized the need for improved relations with India. He further stressed the importance of resolving issues, including Kashmir, through peaceful means. He even informally invited the Indian premier to his inauguration ceremony in Islamabad.According to veteran Pakistani author and political analyst Ahmed Rashid, circumstances may be more favorable this time for Sharif to improve ties with New Delhi. He writes, “During his two premierships in the 1990s, Sharif made genuine efforts at peace with India, but was thwarted by an aggressive and uncompromising army.” But, he continues, “The army - faced with a severe weakening of the state - now seems more amenable to improving relations with New Delhi.

“The cult of Holy Death is blasphemous,” says Cardinal Ravasi

“The cult of Holy Death is blasphemous,” says Cardinal Ravasi.. It is a “blasphemous” cult, “a degeneration of religion.” These were the words Cardinal Ravasi, the President of the Pontifical Council for Culture used to condemn the widespread worship of Santa Muerte, or Holy Death, which is particularly popular in areas of Mexico affected by criminal violence committed by drug cartels. Speaking at a series of events for believers and non-believers in Mexico City, Cardinal Ravasi spoke out against a cult which is a mix of indigenous Latin American beliefs and the Christian tradition of venerating saints introduced by Catholic missionaries after the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Santa Muerte is depicted as a fancily dressed female skeleton.. People worship La Santa Muerte at home, placing a figure of the saint on an altar, surrounded by offerings in the form of candles, food, drinks (e.g. tequila) and even drugs (e.g. marijuana). They invoke her by reciting a prayer and asking for favours. In general these are favours other saints cannot grant and the gifts offered would be completely inappropriate if offered to other saints.