Venezuela's Chavez to head back to Cuba for more cancer treatment
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Monday he will return to Havana to undergo more cancer treatment.
The 57-year-old president has been back and forth several times this year between Venezuela and Cuba, where he is being treated for an unspecified type of cancer. He returned home from his latest trip Thursday.
"We're in the home stretch," the president said about his radiation treatment. He spoke during a ceremony to sign a new labor law, during which he also called for Venezuela to withdraw from the Organization of American States' Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
"Enough already!" he said of the Washington-based body, accusing the United States of using it as a way to harm Venezuela.
Chavez asked a newly created council to take up the matter.
The president pulled a cross from his breast pocket, kissed it and clasped it in his fist.
"I am confident Christ will repeat, or continue, the miracle," he said, his voice cracking with emotion as he wrapped up his address.
Chavez said he would return to Venezuela within "a few days." Since the beginning of the year, he has spent 50 days in Cuba.
The Venezuelan government has released few specifics on the president's illness, fueling widespread speculation about his health and political future. Chavez has led Venezuela since 1999 and has pledged to run for re-election in October.
--BBC
Bridesmaids and The Hunger Games lead MTV nominations
Comedy Bridesmaids and cult teen film The Hunger Games are leading this year's MTV movie awards nominations, with eight nods each.
Both are up for prizes including best cast, breakthrough performance and movie of the year.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, The Help and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 are also nominated for movie of the year.
The winners will be decided by public vote. The awards ceremony is on 3 June.
There are 12 categories this year, of which six are new including best on-screen dirtbag and best gut-wrenching performance.
Nominees were previously selected by the public but this year they were chosen by a panel of actors, producers, agents and industry insiders.
Bridesmaids stars Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy have two nominations each. Both are up for best comedic performance, while McCarthy is also nominated for breakthrough performance and Wiig is up for best female.
McCarthy was also nominated in the best supporting actress category at this year's Oscars.
The Hunger Games has been a global box office hit - worldwide takings have topped £335m and it spent four consecutive weeks at the top of the US and Canadian film chart.
It took $155m (£97m) at the US box office in its opening weekend.
The MTV Movie Awards ceremony takes place at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, Los Angeles, and will be broadcast live on MTV.
Rupert Murdoch 'not fit person' to lead News Corp, say MPs
Rupert Murdoch "is not a fit person to exercise the stewardship of a major international company", MPs have said.
The cross-party culture committee questioned journalists and bosses at the now closed paper, as well as police and lawyers for hacking victims.
Its report has concluded that Mr Murdoch exhibited "wilful blindness" to what was going on in his media empire.
And it said the News of the World and News International misled Parliament about the scale of phone hacking.
The committee of MPs began its inquiry in July 2011 in the wake of fresh newspaper revelations about the extent of hacking at the tabloid newspaper, with reported victims including the murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler and the families of victims of the 7/7 London bombings.
It heard evidence from Mr Murdoch and his son James, and has now concluded that the notion that a hands-on proprietor like Rupert Murdoch had "no inkling" that wrongdoing was widespread at the News of the World was "simply not credible".
It noted that the newspaper mogul had "excellent powers of recall and grasp of detail when it suited him".
The committee also criticised three former News International executives - one-time executive chairman Les Hinton, former News of the World editor Colin Myler and former legal manager Tom Crone.
And it concluded: "Corporately, the News of the World and News International misled the committee about the true nature and extent of the internal investigations they professed to have carried out in relation to phone hacking; by making statements they would have known were not fully truthful; and by failing to disclose documents which would have helped expose the truth."
Foam attack
James Murdoch told the committee last summer that he did not see an email which suggested that hacking was more widespread at the paper than previously acknowledged - a claim disputed by Mr Myler and Mr Crone in their evidence.
Mr Murdoch, who was among those recalled to give evidence, has said he did not know about any wrongdoing but took "his share" of responsibility for not uncovering it earlier.
He gave evidence alongside his father Rupert, who at one point during the hearing was attacked by a man who rushed forward from the public gallery and threw a paper plate of foam, which hit the elder Murdoch's skin and clothes.
That particular appearance was also the occasion which the News Corporation chairman and founder described as the most humble day of his life.
After initially claiming that malpractice was limited to one "rogue" reporter at the News of the World, News International has now settled dozens of civil cases admitting liability for hacking between 2001 and 2006.
More than 6,000 possible victims have been identified and the police have so far made a number of arrests in connection with an investigation reopened in January 2011 - although no charges have yet been brought.
'Shielded'
Media regulator Ofcom is currently looking into that issue.
The hacking revelations led to the closure of the News of the World and the government's decision to set up a judicial inquiry into press standards headed by Lord Leveson.
Appearing before the Leveson inquiry last week, Rupert Murdoch said there had been a "cover-up" which "shielded" senior figures at the paper and its parent company - including himself and his son James - from knowledge of wrongdoing taking place.
Among others cross-questioned by MPs during their inquiry included former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks, former NI chairman Les Hinton and former Met Police deputy commissioner John Yates - who decided against opening a new hacking inquiry in 2009.
The committee, which previously investigated hacking as part of a report into press standards in 2010, has said it was unable to publish its latest report before now due to the amount of evidence that emerged during its public hearings.
--BBC
France election: Le Pen vows to abstain in run-off
France's National Front leader Marine Le Pen has vowed to abstain in Sunday's presidential election run-off vote.
Ms Le Pen told a mass rally in Paris she could back neither President Nicolas Sarkozy nor the Socialist candidate Francois Hollande and told supporters to follow their conscience.
Ms Le Pen won 6.5 million votes - 17.9% - in the first round of the election.
The latest opinion polls suggest Mr Hollande has a six to 10 point lead over Mr Sarkozy.
23 Killed in Syria Violence
Syrian activists say violence across the country has killed at least 23 people.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said clashes Tuesday between government troops and rebel fighters in Deir Ezzor province killed 12 soldiers. One civilian also was killed in the fighting.
In the northwest, activists say a bombing in the province of Idlib killed 10 people, including nine members from the same family.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says at least two of those killed in Tuesday's mortar attack were children. The group blames Syrian forces for the attack on civilians.
The news comes a day after Syrian activists said a double bomb attack near security buildings in the northwestern town of Idlib killed at least 20 people.
The activists said the attack in Idlib targeted intelligence offices used by the Syrian army and air force. Syria's state news agency said suicide bombers triggered the blasts. The news agency gave a lower death toll of at least nine, with another 100 people wounded.
Casualties could not be independently confirmed.
A small team of unarmed U.N. soldiers began operating in Syria earlier this month to monitor a shaky truce agreement in the Syrian conflict, which has lasted more than a year.
The Syrian government and rebels accepted a U.N.-backed truce agreement that took effect on April 12. But forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have continued assaulting opposition hubs, while rebel fighters have repeatedly ambushed government security personnel. Each side accuses the other of provoking attacks.
The cease-fire agreement is part of a peace plan mediated by international envoy Kofi Annan.
The United Nations estimates that at least 9,000 people have been killed since Mr. Assad began cracking down on the uprising in March 2011.
May Day Rallies Held Around the World
Tens of thousands of workers are taking to the streets in cities around the world to mark international Labor Day with marches and calls for better workers' rights.
In Asia, thousands gathered in the capital cities of Thailand, Bangladesh and Indonesia to mark May Day with a rallies organized by trade unions. The French news agency says the rally in Jakarta was the biggest on the continent.
In Russia, president-elect Vladimir Putin joined tens of thousands in a march through Moscow. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also attended the rally as marchers held huge banners supporting their labor unions and factories.
Thousands of Greek workers are expected to protest austerity cuts as part of May Day rallies in Athens Tuesday.
In the U.S., Occupy protesters are planning demonstrations in New York to blockade a major bridge and shut down some of Wall Street's financial houses.
John Legend to Replace Lionel Richie on ABC’s ‘Duets’
John Legend is in and Lionel Richie is out of ABC’s upcoming musical competition series “Duets,” which pairs contestants with established singers.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Richie has dropped out of the program due to scheduling issues. It was announced in early March that the former Commodores front man would join Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Nettles and Robin Thicke as they search the country for undiscovered musical talent to be featured on the summer show. The mentors will ultimately choose two singers to be their partners, and in the end, one partner will receive a recording contract with Hollywood Records.
Legend said of his sudden gig, “I’m thrilled to be part of ‘Duets,’ and I’m looking forward to finding an undiscovered gem out there. This is going be a lot of fun.”
Former “Total Request Live” host Quddus will lead the series, set to debut at 8 p.m. May 24.
Legend has won nine Grammys since breaking out his 2004 debut Get Lifted. All three of his albums have made the top 5 of the Billboard 200 and topped the R&B chart. His most recent disc, 2008′s Evolver, peaked at No. 4 and went gold. He also has collaborated on songs by dozens of acts including Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and T.I.
As of late, Richie — whose country duets album Tuskegee has been No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for the past two weeks — has made appearances on NBC’s “The Voice” as a mentor and had a two-hour CBS concert special, “ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends — In Concert,” that aired April 13.
Duran Duran to play Olympics gig
Duran Duran are to play a concert in London's Hyde Park to mark the start of the Olympic Games.
The gig will feature headline acts from all four nations of the UK, with Duran Duran representing England and Snow Patrol appearing for Northern Ireland.
Stereophonics will represent Wales and Paolo Nutini will play for Scotland.
The concert on 27 July will coincide with the Olympics opening ceremony, which will be broadcast on big screens in the park between performances.
"Performing to so many people on the most exciting day in sport for Great Britain will be one of the highlights of the last decade for us," said Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon.
"We have been invited to represent England for this Team GB show, and we couldn't be more proud. Seeing the torch being lit on the big screens before hitting the stage in this iconic location will be a great experience… We simply can't wait."
Snow Patrol's Jonny Quinn said: "Living in London and everything, with all the excitement, it's certainly an honour to be part of it. I think it will be very special."
Tickets for the opening ceremony celebration concert show go on sale on 4 May at 09:00BST.
At the same time, Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets, east London will broadcast the opening ceremony free to the public on two giant screens.
During the games, highlights of the Olympics will also be shown at both parks.
Another concert marking the end of the Olympics will be held in Hyde Park on 12 August, headlined by Blur.
The "Best of British" lineup also features New Order and The Specials
--BBC
Diverse range of artistes for British Virgin Islands Music Festival
This year’s BVI Music Festival includes something for every music lover: Jamaica’s legendary reggae band Third World, Grammy award winning British songstress Estelle, rhythm and blues group Forever Motown, and Soca Monarch of St Vincent and the Grenadines Delroy ‘Fireman’ Hooper are all set to take centre stage on the weekend of 25-27 May for a full-fledged beach jam on Tortola’s Cane Garden Bay.
The BVI’s wide selection of artistes will also heat the stage to display the diverse talent and sound deriving from this Caribbean nation. Acts such as Ritical, Quito and The Edge, A Type of Toad, Mullah Gwop, Ouida, B'More and Lincoln Ward are all generating buzz for this entertaining event.
“We’re aiming for Music Fest 2012 to be the rebirth of music festival. In years past we tried different options to suit a variety of tastes. This year we’ve listened to the folks, we’re back on the beach, and we’re looking forward to great performances by our local up and coming artists who will showcase Virgin Islands talent, and our international artists who will bring multiple dimensions to this dynamic fete,” said Music Fest event coordinator, Rhodni Skelton.
BVI Music Fest coincides with the United States three-day Memorial Day holiday weekend on the sands of one of the most spectacular beaches in the British Virgin Islands. In addition to the musical performances, organisers have included a dance performance, fashion show and beach activities for festival-goers to attend.
This year marks the 12th anniversary of BVI Music Fest and it continues to be recognised as the largest beach concert in the Virgin Islands, drawing attendees from the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Great Britain and the Caribbean.
Think Like a Man woos US film fans
Dating comedy Think Like a Man remains the top film at the North American box office after taking $18m (£11m) between Friday and Sunday.
Chris Brown stars in the film, based on Steve Harvey's dating advice book.
But Think Like a Man is likely to be swept aside by The Avengers when it opens in the US on Friday.
The super-hero blockbuster has already been released in 39 countries and has made $178m (£110m) in international ticket sales so far.
Second place in this weekend's US and Canadian chart was taken by Aardman animation The Pirates! Band of Misfits which, according to studio estimates, plundered $11.4m (£7m) in its opening weekend.
Released in the UK as The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists, the nautical comedy sees Hugh Grant provide the voice for an inept buccaneer.
Zac Efron's romantic drama The Lucky One fell one place to three, having made £11.3m in its second weekend on release.
With The Hunger Games at four, it was left to romantic comedy The Five-Year Engagement to round out this week's top five.
According to Paul Dergarabedian of box office tracker Hollywood.com, "going to the movies... clearly was not the number one priority this weekend".
"There's so much anticipation for The Avengers that the newcomers kind of got lost in the shuffle."
Those newcomers included Jason Statham action thriller Safe and John Cusack's The Raven, a horror mystery inspired by the work of Edgar Allan Poe.
Safe was ranked sixth in the chart with $7.7m (£4.7m), while The Raven claimed seventh place with $7.3m (£4.4m).
The Avengers was released in the UK under the name Marvel Avengers Assemble.
It features an ensemble of Marvel comic book characters including Captain America, the Incredible Hulk and Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man.
TOP FIVE FILMS IN US AND CANADA
- 1. Think Like a Man - $18m (£11m)
- 2. The Pirates! Band of Misfits - $11.4m (£7m)
- 3. The Lucky One - $11.3m
- 4. The Hunger Games - $11.25m
- 5. The Five-Year Engagement - $11.2m