Vin Diesel's Fast Five is biggest 2011 US opener to date
Vin Diesel film Fast Five has taken $86.2m (£51.9m) in its first three days, the biggest North American box office opener of the year so far.
The fifth movie in the street racing franchise pulled in bigger takings than early estimates, which had stood at $83.6m (£50.3m).
It easily beat the previous best opening set two weeks ago by animation Rio, which took $39.2m (£23.6m).
The film, featuring the voice of Anne Hathaway was at two this week.
It has now taken $103.6m (£65.2m) in its thee weeks since release.
The latest comedy offering from Tyler Perry, the critically-panned Madea's Big Happy Family, fell one place to three, taking $9.9m (£6m) million in its second weekend.
Depression-era romance Water for Elephants, starring Robert Pattinson and Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon, also dropped one spot to four.
Other new releases failed to perform at the box office.
Disney's coming-of-age comedy drama Prom, starring a largely unknown group of actors as teenagers preparing for their high school prom, debuted at five.
Animated sequel Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil featuring the voices of Haydn Panettiere and Glenn Close opened at six with $4.1m.
Overall revenues stood at $155m (£93.5m), up 52% from the same weekend last year, when A Nightmare on Elm Street topped the chart, according to box office analyst Hollywood.com.
NORTH AMERICAN BOX OFFICE
- 1. Fast Five - $86.2m
- 2. Rio - $39.2m
- 3. Madea's Big Happy Family - $9.9m
- 4. Water For Elephants - $9.3m
- 5. Prom - $4.7m
Source: Hollywood.com
Twilight sequel leads MTV Movie Awards field
Fantasy sequel The Twilight Saga: Eclipse has received eight nominations ahead of this year's MTV Movie Awards.
The third film in the vampire franchise is up for best movie, while its stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart both receive acting nods.
Leonardo DiCaprio film Inception is up for seven prizes, among them best line in a movie - a new category this year.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 has six nominations, while The Social Network has five.
Both Pattinson and Stewart will be defending the acting titles they won last year when the second Twilight film, New Moon, walked away with four prizes.
This year Pattinson goes up against fellow Twilight star Taylor Lautner, Zac Efron for Charlie St Cloud, Potter star Daniel Radcliffe and The Social Network's Jesse Eisenberg.
Stewart's competition includes Oscar winner Natalie Portman for Black Swan, Radcliffe's Potter co-star Emma Watson and former Friends star Jennifer Aniston.
MTV's annual salute to Hollywood will see prizes awarded for best fight, best kiss and best jaw-dropping moment.
The awards, which are voted for by the public, will be handed out at a Los Angeles ceremony on 5 June hosted by Saturday Night Live star Jason Sudeikis.
Save Lives by acting FAST says Dr.Zaguirre
Doctor Elinore Zaguirre, who is based at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, explained: “FAST is an acronym that people of all ages should be very aware of. Simply remembering it can help save lives.
“It’s something we are continually promoting but National Stroke Awareness Month gives us the perfect opportunity to reiterate a message that should be as familier to people as their telephone number and ATM pin.”
In particular, they are placing emphasis on making the public aware of FAST.
FAST is an acronym for things to check in a suspected stroke victim and doctors are urging islanders to make note of the following:
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F – Face. Does the face droop on one side when the person smiles?
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A – Arm. After raising both arms, does one of the arms drift downwards?
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S – Speech. After repeating a simple phrase, does the persons speech sound slurred or strange?
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T – Time. If any or all of the above are observed call for 911 or 999 and ask for medical assistance.
Are you at risk of having a stroke? Would you know if someone else was having one and what to do if they were?
If you’re unsure of the answers to these questions then a campaign launched by InterHealth Canada is for you.
May is US National Stroke Awareness Month and so hospital staff are reminding islanders about risk factors, symptoms and preventative measures.
Dr Zaguirre said that reasearch by the US National Stroke Association reveals that up to 80 per cent of strokes in our region are avoidable.
“Although strokes can happen to anyone, certain risk factors can increase chances of a stroke”, she explained. “However, studies show that up to 80 per cent of strokes can be prevented by working with a healthcare professional to reduce personal risk.
“It is important to manage personal risk and know how to recognise and respond to stroke signs and symptoms.”
InterHealth has issued stroke prevention guidelines, which will help people lower their risk of a first stroke.
These include; knowing your blood pressure (hypertension), identify atrial fibrillation, stop smoking, control alcohol use, know your cholesterol levels, control diabetes, manage your exercise and diet, treat circulation problems and be aware of a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).
Dr Zaguirre added: “Knowing, controlling and managing the things detailed in the guidelines will certainly help reduce your risk of a stroke. It is also extremely important to take any medications as prescribed.
“If you are worried about your risk factors or require further information, make an appointment to see your doctor or seek advice from your pharmacist or any other medical professional.”
US to Push China on Economic Issues
U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says China should implement a number of economic reforms, including a move to a more flexible market-driven exchange rate.
During a speech Tuesday before the U.S.-China Business Council, Geithner laid out economic issues to be discussed during high-level talks with Chinese officials next week. He said a stronger yuan would reduce trade imbalances between the U.S. and China, and boost Beijing's efforts to ward off inflation.
Geithner acknowledged China has allowed the yuan to rise in value by about five percent against the U.S. dollar since June. But U.S. lawmakers and manufacturers say the currency is undervalued by as much as 40 percent, making Chinese-made goods cheaper on the global market.
Geithner also said Beijing must stop providing low-cost loans to large, state-owned enterprises, giving them an advantage over other firms.
Geithner also called on China to honor pledges made by President Hu Jintao during his state visit to Washington in January, including better protection for intellectual property rights held by American companies.
Geithner and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will host the annual U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Washington next week. The Chinese delegation will be led by Vice Premier Wang Quishan and State Councilor Dai Bingguo.
Japanese Sorties Against Russian, Chinese Aircraft Reach 15-Year High
Japan's defense ministry says it scrambled jets to intercept approaching foreign aircraft more frequently last year than at any time in the past 15 years.
The ministry said more than two-thirds of the sorties were flown against approaching Russian aircraft during the fiscal year that ended March 30. That was an increase of 30 percent over the year before.
It said 96 of the 386 incidents involved Chinese aircraft, more than twice as many as in the previous year. There were 12 incidents involving North Korean aircraft in fiscal 2009 but none last year.
National NHK television on Wednesday quoted the defense ministry saying the figures reflect increased intelligence gathering by Russian aircraft. The network said China is also believed to have strengthened its intelligence gathering, using upgraded jets.
Japan has also engaged in fierce diplomatic disputes with both Russia and China during the past 12 months over disputed island chains.
The 386 sorties in fiscal 2010 were the most since 1991, when Japanese fighters were scrambled 488 times to intercept foreign aircraft.
The ministry said no uninvited foreign aircraft actually entered Japanese airspace last year, although Chinese aircraft came within about 80 kilometers over the East China Sea on one occasion in March.
New Zealand Tornado Victim Identified as Philippine Immigrant
New Zealand officials Wednesday identified the only person killed in a freak tornado a day earlier as a 37-year-old construction worker, originally from the Philippines.
Earlier reports had said two people were killed by Tuesday's twister, which overturned cars, tore the roof off of a shopping mall and left 14 people injured.
Student nurse Sophie Bond told reporters she had tried to save the construction worker after seeing him picked up and thrown against a concrete wall by the wind, which was estimated at up to 200 kilometers per hour.
But she said the man had suffered a severe head wound with heavy loss of blood and could not be saved. The man's name was given as Benedict Dacayan.
Bush Declines Obama’s Invitation to Ground Zero
A spokesman for former U.S. president George W. Bush says he has declined an invitation to join President Barack Obama in New York City Thursday for an observance at the site of the destroyed World Trade Center.
The spokesman said Mr. Bush appreciates the invitation but chooses to remain out of the spotlight now that his presidency is over.
Mr. Obama is scheduled to meet with families of some of the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center on Thursday, days after a U.S. Navy SEALs assault killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
The September 11 attacks, carried out by al-Qaida, killed some 3,000 people in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.
Press freedom more relevant than ever in digital era, UN stresses
Freedom of expression remains as important as ever in the digital age, serving as a basis for democracy and human dignity everywhere, senior United Nations officials stressed on Tuesday as the Organization observed World Press Freedom Day with a series of events around the globe.
From a book fair in Egypt to a march in Timor-Leste, and from an exhibition of photographs and blog entries in Moldova to a conference in Ecuador and a training session for journalists in Nigeria, the UN is staging events to coincide with this year’s theme – “21st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers.”
In Washington, DC, Irina Bokova, the director-general of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), will award the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize in absentia to the Iranian journalist Ahmad Zeidabadi, who is currently imprisoned in his home country.
Bokova, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay issued a joint statement to mark the Day in which they noted that new media and technologies offer the public “unprecedented opportunities” for expression.
“More and more people are able to share information and exchange views, within and across national borders,” the trio said. “This is a blessing for creativity, for healthy societies, for including everyone in new forms of dialogue.”
But the message warned that new threats are arising alongside the technology, noting that “measures to block, filter and censor information emerge every day.”
The Internet must be a truly global resource to which everyone has access and where all voices can be heard, the officials stressed.
“This calls for action to defend the integrity and safety of online reporters. All principles of freedom of expression must be brought to the online world. And they must be protected. Over the last decade, more than 500 journalists lost their lives in the pursuit of their profession. Sixty killings were reported worldwide in 2010 alone. Every week brings more reports of journalists and bloggers suffering from intimidation and violence.”
In a separate statement, Frank La Rue, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, noted the vital role played by new media in the pro-democracy movements that have swept across North Africa and the Middle East this year.
“I commend and stand in solidarity with these courageous individuals, including journalists, bloggers and activists, who have risen above fear to express their legitimate grievances and to demand reforms, democracy and transparency, using at great risk their freedom of expression and new information communication technologies,” he said.
La Rue voiced sadness that so many journalists, as well as human rights activists and opposition figures, continue to be targeted in such countries as Libya, Syria and Yemen.
“I believe that we are currently in a historic moment. Never in the history of humankind have individuals been so interconnected across the globe. Social networking platforms have given individuals the means to share and disseminate information in ‘real time,’ and have played a key role in the recent demonstrations.
“As one activist tweeted during the protests in Egypt, ‘we use Facebook to schedule the protests, Twitter to coordinate, and YouTube to tell the world’.”
The General Assembly paid tribute to the reporters who have lost their lives in the course of their work and called for better protection of media professionals.
“We, the General Assembly, are constantly striving to promote the fundamental values of the United Nations Charter, and in doing so we hope we hope that our global village will continue to show unity and resolve in stating that no one, no journalist, no citizen, should be harassed, threatened or killed, as they attempt to do their work,” said the Assembly in a message delivered by its acting president, Ambassador Zahir Tanin of Afghanistan.
He said that there can be no international security and development unless human rights are respected and those who violate them punished.
Jamaican PM invites regional comments on special prosecutor's office
Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding has invited commentary from regional prosecutors meeting in Montego Bay, on Jamaica's planned move to establish a special prosecutor’s office, through a Bill now before Parliament.
The special prosecutor will be empowered under the provisions of the law to investigate and prosecute corrupt high-level public and private officials.
“We are introducing that office because we feel there is a need to create a special focus on corruption,” Golding explained in his address at the Commonwealth Caribbean Prosecutors conference dinner held on Saturday evening.
He said that, in drafting the bill, "we have had to tread carefully, and we have insisted and ensured, subject to and in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution that, that special prosecutor is subject to the direction of the Director of Public Prosecution, who can overrule, who can take over, who can discontinue, and (also) deal with corruption as an issue that has to be aggressively pursued.”
Some 14 Commonwealth Caribbean countries represented by their directors and deputy directors of public prosecution and senior crown counsel met in Montego Bay from April 29 to May 1 for discussions aimed at, among other things, the establishment of a Caribbean Association of Prosecutors, in line with the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP).
Golding urged that the regional association, once established, should seek to become an associate institution of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
He said that there is the provision within the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas for the recognition of an associate institution, which leaves that body with its independence from CARICOM institutional arrangements.
LIME CONGRATULATES CARIFTA ATHLETES & ORGANISERS
LIME, presenting sponsors of the 2011 CARIFTA Games, the Caribbean’s most prestigious Junior Track and Field Championships, is pleased with the execution of this year’s meet and thrilled with the standard of competition.
“The North America Central America and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) and Local Organizing Committee (LOC) put the Games on at very short notice, and produced a high-quality competition,” said Grace Silvera, LIME Regional Vice-President, Marketing and Corporate Communications. “Records were falling, and it was great to see that although there was heated rivalry between these young people, there was also genuine camaraderie and fine displays of sportsmanship.”
The 2011 LIME CARIFTA Games concluded successfully over the Easter weekend, April at the recently built Catherine Hall Stadium in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This marked the first time in 15 years that the Games were being held in Jamaica, which is the home of the World’s Fastest Man, current 100m World Record Holder, Usain Bolt. Over 600 junior athletes from 26 territories took part in the highly competitive meet.
Many track and field fans viewed the CARIFTA Games live on LIME Mobile TV in Jamaica on region-wide television broadcasts sponsored by LIME. There was also live streaming on lime.com, with over 100,000 unique views from North America, Europe and as far off as Taiwan and Australia. The Internet stream featured a live chat that generated hundreds of comments from passionate fans. Fans also visited the time4LIME Facebook page and @LIMECarifta on Twitter, with live event-by-event updates and photos from the Games.
Patrons at Catherine Hall got a chance to be part of the LIME Fun Zone, with music, giveaways, a mini-track, video games, and a host of other amenities. Government ministers from Jamaica, Bermuda and The Bahamas, as well as World Champions Asafa Powell and Nesta Carter joined in the fun and games.
Continuing a 27 year tradition, Jamaica was the overall winner of the Games. However there were record-breaking performances from athletes from The Bahamas, Barbados, St Kitts-Nevis and Trinidad & Tobago. Some of these athletes will go on to represent their countries and the wider Caribbean at the World Youth Championships, 6-10 July in Lille, France.
The 2012 LIME CARIFTA Games will be held in Bermuda.