US says Mount Sinjar evacuation unlikely
The US says it is unlikely to launch a mission to evacuate Iraqis trapped by Islamist fighters on Mount Sinjar.
A Special Forces team flew to the mountain and found fewer people than expected, and those remaining were also in a better condition than feared, the Pentagon said.
The US has sent hundreds of military advisers to Iraq to help people fleeing militant group Islamic State (IS).
IS fighters have seized large swathes of northern Iraq in recent months.
The UN had estimated that tens of thousands of people, most from religious minorities, were besieged on the mountain after being forced to flee their homes.
Members of the Yazidi sect are among those stranded on Mount Sinjar.
However, in a statement, the Pentagon said there were now "far fewer Yazidis on Mount Sinjar than previously feared", partly because thousands had evacuated from the mountain each night over the past days.
"The Yazidis who remain are in better condition than previously believed and continue to have access to the food and water that we have dropped," the statement said.
"Based on this assessment... an evacuation mission is far less likely."
The statement added that the US would continue to provide humanitarian assistance.
Source-BBC
LIME Carib CEO Calls For Technology Innovation
The region’s leading telecoms provider that first connected the Caribbean to the rest of the world, LIME, called on regional government ministers and fellow telecoms providers to push for greater broadband penetration, allowing Caribbean nationals and businesses to participate in the consumption, creation and commercialisation of mobile applications and digital content, capitalising on the benefits of the thriving global technology industry.
LIME Caribbean CEO, Martin Roos was lauded for his statesman-like address at the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organisations (CANTO), thirtieth anniversary Ministerial Breakfast where he observed that, “The Caribbean is behind in relation to smart phone penetration and usage.” He noted that, “You must be able to consume in order to create and Caribbean consumers need more indigenous regional content. There is also a huge opportunity to export content as the world is interested in the Caribbean. Together we must enable entrepreneurs to tap into this global ecosystem.
The LIME executive called on regional government ministers to remove tax concessions on smart phone devices as a part of their market liberalisation programme to better facilitate content creation and entrepreneurship, especially among young people. Noting that LIME has been the Caribbean’s ‘green house’ for engineers, he said that the technology highway is the new playground that will unlock and unleash the potential to export Caribbean music, sports and produce, as well as allow those in the region’s ubiquitous hospitality industry to better position our region’s natural beauty in the global competition for tourism. Aided by research, he predicted that mobile data will increase by a factor of ten over the next five years, and appealed for urgency in regional action so that the Caribbean is not to be left behind.
LIME is making a major network investment to the tune of US$1.05b across the Caribbean to ensure that their network will continue to transcend not just the surrounding geographic borders but connect to the gateways of the world’s sophisticated telecoms ecosystem.
The CANTO Ministerial Breakfast is a flagship event on the calendar of the annual conference which is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary under the theme, “Strategic Alliances for Sustainable Broadband Development.” It was held on Monday August 11, 2014 at the Atlantis hotel in The Bahama.
GlaxoSmithKline faces bribery claims in Syria
The international pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is facing new claims it bribed Syrian distributors to increase sales in the country.
The claims come from the Reuters news agency, which has seen an anonymous email sent to top management setting out the charges.
It follows accusations of corruption in its non-prescription business in Syria, as well as bribery claims in China.
GSK said it would thoroughly investigate the claims.
The email, addressed to chief executive Andrew Witty and Judy Lewent, the chair of GSK's audit committee, says: "GSK has been engaging in multiple corrupt and illegal practices in conducting its pharmaceutical business in Syria."
The company has suspended relations with its distributors in the war-torn country while it investigates.
It is one of the few major pharmaceutical companies still supplying drugs there.
The new claims follows a rash of similar bribery claims against GSK in China, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Poland.
"All the claims in this email will be thoroughly investigated using internal and external resources as part of our ongoing investigation into operations in Syria," said a spokesman for the company, which is the UK's biggest drugmaker.
"We are committed to taking any disciplinary actions resulting from the findings. We have suspended our relationship with our distributors in the country pending the outcome of our investigation."
The alleged sums involved are small, according to Reuters, running into thousands of dollars rather than the hundreds of millions GSK is alleged to have funnelled to doctors and officials in China.
The email gives names and dates of alleged illicit payments, including those of one Syrian doctor who personally received between $200 and $300 a month in free samples in exchange for ordering GSK drugs for his hospital and rejecting rival ones.
It also accuses the company of bribing officials at Syria's Ministry of Health to obtain vaccines for illegal resale.
The US Department of Justice is already investigating GSK for possible breaches of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the UK's Serious Fraud Office has launched a formal criminal investigation into its overseas activities.
Source-BBC
US actor Robin Williams found dead at home
US actor Robin Williams has been found dead, aged 63, in an apparent suicide, California police say.
Marin County Police said he was pronounced dead at his home shortly after officials responded to an emergency call around noon local time.
Williams was famous for films such as Good Morning Vietnam and Dead Poets Society and won an Oscar for his role in Good Will Hunting.
His publicist said he had been "battling severe depression".
In the past he had talked, and even joked, about his struggles with alcohol and drugs.
Williams had recently returned to a rehabilitation centre to "fine-tune" his sobriety, the Los Angeles Times reported in July.
"At this time, the Sheriff's Office Coroner Division suspects the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia, but a comprehensive investigation must be completed before a final determination is made," police said in a statement.
In a statement, Williams' wife, Susan Schneider, said she was "utterly heartbroken".
"On behalf of Robin's family, we are asking for privacy during our time of profound grief. As he is remembered, it is our hope the focus will not be on Robin's death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions."
Williams had three children from previous marriages.
Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1951, Williams joined the drama club in high school and was accepted into Juilliard School in New York, the prestigious American academy for the arts.
There, he was encouraged by a teacher to pursue comedy.
The actor was first known for his zany portrayal of an alien in the 1970s TV show Mork and Mindy.
He was a regular stand-up comedian while continuing to act in such films as Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, Mrs Doubtfire and as the voice of the genie in Aladdin.
While many of his roles were in comedies, Williams won the Oscar in 1998 for best supporting actor as a therapist in Good Will Hunting.
President Barack Obama was one of many offering condolences to his family when he said: "Williams arrived in our lives as an alien - but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit.
"He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most - from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalised on our own streets."
Fellow comedian Steve Martin tweeted he "could not be more stunned by the loss of Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, genuine soul."
Martin and Williams appeared on stage together during an 1988 Broadway revival of Waiting for Godot.
Comedian and talk show host Ellen de Generes tweeted: "I can't believe the news about Robin Williams. He gave so much to so many people. I'm heartbroken.
Kings of Leon drummer injured in tour bus accident
Kings of Leon have postponed a concert after drummer Nathan Followill was injured in an accident on the band's tour bus.
The group were en route to their hotel after a show in Boston when a pedestrian jumped in front of the vehicle, the group said in a statement.
The bus had to "stop short" and Followill suffered broken ribs.
Refunds were offered for fans who had tickets to Sunday's show in Saratoga Springs, New York.
The band's statement said Followill was being treated for his injuries but "was doing well".
They are next due to perform on Tuesday on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on the NBC network, followed by another concert in Wentaugh, New York, at the Jones Beach Theatre on Wednesday.
The band's North American leg of their Mechanical Bull Tour is due to head south in October with dates in Mexico and Brazil.
The US rock band that formed in 1999 in Nashville, Tennessee, is made up of brothers, Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill and their cousin, Cameron Followill.
Their hits include Use Somebody and Sex On Fire.
In June, Kings Of Leon closed the Isle of Wight festival with a headline set spanning their six studio albums.
The band opened with Supersoaker and went on to play tracks including Taper Jean Girl, Fans and Closer.
Source-BBC
Female Driver who crashed into 'The Rocks' Mom Is Charged With DUI
A driver who crashed into a 2012 Cadillac Escalade carrying Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's mother and cousin on August 2 reportedly has been charged with DUI following the accident.
The Rock's mother Ata Naivia-Johnson and his cousin WWE NXT Diva Lina Fanene were on the way home from a fundraising event when the crash took place in Clermont, Florida. Fanene was hospitalized for three days.
A new report by TMZ suggests that the alleged drunk woman had tried to avoid police and run through a red light just before the head-on collision. According to the Lake County Sheriff's Department, an officer chased the car after it ran through the red light. The crash took place only minutes after.
Miley Cyrus spoofs Nicki Minaj's 'Anaconda' butt photo
Miley Cyrus joins a handful of people who spoof Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda" cover art. On Sunday, August 10, the former Disney star posted on Instagram a photo of her face photoshopped onto Minaj's body.
Later, she shared a picture of her "Hannah Montana" character's face superimposed onto the racy promo picture that shows off the raptress' famous butt. She even changed the song's title to "Hannah Conda".
The 21-year-old actress/singer also posted an image similar to the first one, but this time it's added with a message to urge fans to vote for her at the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards.
Source-AceShowBiz
Tracy Morgan's Attorney Says the Actor Is 'Still Struggling' After Car Crash
Tracy Morgan's attorney has shared some info regarding the actor's latest condition following a fatal car crash at the New Jersey Turnpike two months ago. Speaking to Matt Lauer on "Today" show on Monday, August 11, the attorney, Benedict P. Morelli, shared that the actor was still "struggling."
"He's still struggling, but he's a fighter and he's had issues before that he's fought through, and he's fighting hard," Morelli said. "The interesting thing is that at the beginning, the Internet was saying that [Morgan] was dead. And then they said they amputated his leg. Now it's coming out that he's doing great. None of those things are true or accurate."
"He's got the fighting spirit, but every day is different. Some days he's very down," Morelli additionally told NY Daily News. "It's not only physical, it's emotional."
Morgan suffered from a broken leg, a broken femur, a broken nose and several broken ribs after his car was hit by a Wal-Mart truck on June 7. Morgan's friend, comedian James McNair, passed away in the tragic accident. Two other passengers were also severely injured.
The former "30 Rock" star filed a lawsuit against the company last month, saying, "Wal-Mart was careless and negligent in the ownership and operation of its motor vehicle, which caused Mr. Morgan to suffer severe personal injuries." Morelli also talked about the lawsuit during his appearance. "I'm going to show if I have to in court that that's the culture (at Wal-Mart). That's what they set up. They know. ... They have to make sure that this doesn't happen," Morelli said.
The company has released a statement after the comedian filed the lawsuit. "We are deeply sorry that one of our trucks was involved. As we've said, we're cooperating fully in the ongoing investigation. We know it will take some time to resolve all of the remaining issues as a result of the accident, but we're committed to doing the right thing for all involved," it read.
Source-AceShowBiz
Lil Kim Sends More Shots At Nicki Minaj
If you thought Lil Kim jumping on the remix to Beyoncé’s “Flawless” was the end of her assault against rival Nicki Minaj, you’d be wrong. The Queen Bee is in full attack mode with her latest shots at Nicki coming via social media.
After calling Nicki “wack” and suggesting the Young Money artist was not the true “queen of rap” on her version of the “Flawless (Remix),” Kim went to Instagram and Twitter to continue her years-long claim that Minaj is nothing more than her “clone.”
The Brooklyn femcee posted a pic of what appears to be cover art. The photo features a New Jersey driver’s license photoshopped to include a picture of Nicki with Kim’s name and information. The heading for the pic reads “Lil Kim Identify Theft.”
The caption on Lil Kim’s IG post says:
Be careful what you wish for… #HardCoreMixtapeUpNext #TheQueenIsBack #QueenBee
The creator of 1996’s Hard Core album later added another pic on Twitter that shows several photographs of her and Nicki Minaj dressed in similar wigs and with similar poses. That photo has been circulating online since the feud between the two rappers began in 2010.
Source-AllhipHop
Drake Costs Toronto Raptors $25,000 Over “Public Recruiting”
What’s 25 grand to a team like the Toronto Raptors? Drake helped them find out. According to reports, the Raptors were fined by the NBA over its new global ambassador’s comments about Kevin Durant at his recent OVO Festival concert.
At the fifth annual OVO Fest in Toronto, Drake ended the show by mentioning that Oklahoma City Thunder superstar and reigning NBA MVP Kevin Durant was in attendance. Before inciting a “KD” chant from the crowd, Drake mentioned his interest in Durant playing for the Raptors:
You know, my brother Kevin Durant was kind enough to come to the show tonight and watch us. I just want him to see what would happen if he came to play in Toronto. Let him know what would happen.
According to ESPN’s sources, the NBA fined the Toronto Raptors for public recruiting since Drake is the team’s global ambassador. Kevin Durant becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2016.
Source-AllhipHop