Most Hostages Rescued from Mall in Kenya
Kenya's interior minister says most of the hostages have been rescued from the Nairobi shopping mall that Islamist militants stormed on Saturday.
Joseph Ole Lenku said Kenyan forces are now in "full control" of the Westgate Mall. He said two gunmen had been killed in the ongoing military operation.
He spoke about 90 minutes after witnesses heard several large explosions coming from the mall, followed by the sound of gunfire. A column of thick, black smoke continued to rise from the mall after the blasts.
The military began an assault on the mall Sunday night. Lenku said 62 people have been killed since gunmen attacked the buildings on Saturday, while the Kenyan Red Cross put the death toll at 69.
The Red Cross says another 175 people have been wounded and at least 65 others are registered as missing.
It was not clear how many hostages were rescued Monday, or how many might remain in the mall.
The Somali terrorist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was in retaliation for Kenya's military intervention in Somalia. An al-Shabab spokesman said in an audio message, "Either leave our country or live with constant attacks."
Kenyan forces entered Somalia two years ago to fight al-Shabab militants who often had crossed the border to stage attacks.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has vowed to stand firm against the threat of terrorism and punish those behind the attack "swiftly" and "very painfully."
The president said Sunday that his nephew and his nephew's fiancee were among those killed in the attack, and that he feels the pain of every life that was lost.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke with his Kenyan counterpart Sunday. Kerry called the attack "an enormous offense against everybody's sense of right and wrong.''
The U.N. Security Council and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also strongly condemned the attack. Mr. Ban called it a "premeditated" and "totally reprehensible" act targeting defenseless civilians.
Among those killed in the attack were three British nationals, as well as nationals from France, Canada, China, India and South Korea. The United States says no Americans were killed, but that some have been wounded.
President Barack Obama called President Kenyatta Sunday to express his condolences and reaffirm the U.S. commitment to Kenya on fighting terrorism.
Bangladesh Garment Workers Protest Low Pay, Shut Factories
More than 100 garment factories in Bangladesh have been forced to close as workers protest for a third day demanding a sharp raise in their minimum wage.
Police firing tear gas and rubber bullets clashed with rock-throwing protesters Monday in the Gazipur and Savar industrial areas outside the capital, Dhaka. Dozens of people were injured.
The workers are demanding they be paid $100 per month, up from the $38 a month they earn now.
Factory owners have offered to raise the minimum wage, but say they can only go as high as $45.
Working conditions in Bangladeshi garment factories have been in focus this year following a number of accidents, including a building collapse in April that killed more than 1,100 people.
Bangladesh is the world's second-largest apparel maker, earning $20 billion a year from the industry. But its economy is heavily dependent on the sector, which makes up 80 percent of the country's annual exports.
Germany's Angela Merkel faces tough coalition talks
Chancellor Angela Merkel's triumphant conservative party is considering who to team up with to form a new German coalition after their election victory.
Her conservative bloc got 41.5% - their best result since 1994, but just short of a clear majority.
The election was a shock for their liberal partners, the Free Democrats (FDP), who failed to get any seats.
A coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) is seen as most likely - but only after hard bargaining.
Mrs Merkel told a news conference on Monday that she had already contacted the SPD chairman, Sigmar Gabriel.
"We are, of course, open for talks", she said, adding that Mr Gabriel had told her the SPD must first hold a meeting of its leaders on Friday.
The SPD came second, with just under 25.7%. In 2005-2009 they were in a "grand" coalition with Chancellor Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian allies, the CSU - but correspondents say that the experience has made them wary about working with the CDU/CSU again.
The SPD suffered a big drop in its electoral support in 2009. That result was widely seen as punishment for having teamed up with Mrs Merkel and been made to look very much the junior partner.
At the news conference Mrs Merkel also said that "our European policy course will not change".
She said Germany's labour market reforms in the past decade were a model for other European countries.
Her convincing election victory is seen as proof that many Germans like her insistence on austerity and budget discipline for heavily indebted countries such as Greece.
She expressed regret that the FDP had failed to make it into parliament - the first time it has suffered such a blow in Germany's post-war history.
Michael Douglas Criticizes U.S. Prison System at Emmys Backstage
Michael Douglas criticized U.S. prison system after he won a trophy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a TV Miniseries or Movie at the 2013 Emmy Awards. The actor, who won the prize for his role in HBO movie "Behind the Candelabra", opened up about his son Cameron who is currently in jail after the win.
Speaking to media backstage, the 68-year-old actor explained, "My son is in federal prison. He's been a drug addict for a large part of his life - if you happen to have a slip, and this is for a prisoner who is nonviolent, as about a half-million of our drug-addicted prisoners are - he's spent almost two years in solitary confinement," he said, as quoted by Entertainment Weekly.
"Right now I've been told that I can't see him for two years. It's been over a year now. And I'm questioning the system," he added. "Obviously at first, I was certainly disappointed in my son. But I've reached a point now where I'm very disappointed with the system."
"And as you can see from what Attorney General Eric Holder has been doing regarding our prison system, I think things are going to be revived, regarding nonviolent drug addicts. My last comment on that is the United States represents 5 percent of the world's population and we have 25 percent of the world's prisoners," Douglas elaborated.
After receiving his trophy on the Sunday, September 22 show, Douglas delivered an acceptance speech, thanking his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones and fellow nominee Matt Damon. "I wanna thank my wife, Catherine, for her support," he said onstage, adding, "Shout out to my oldest son, Cameron, and hoping that I'll be able and they'll allow me to see him soon."
Source-Ace.Showbiz
Rihanna's Instagram Photo With Endangered Animal Leads to Two Arrests
Two local people have been arrested after authorities in Thailand noticed that Rihanna took a picture with a loris, a squirrel-like animal which is native of Southeast Asia and is a protected animal, during her trip to the island of Phuket. Rihanna, who was having a vacation in the country, uploaded the photo to her Instagram account on September 20.
The selfie shows her wearing sunglasses while a loris perched on her shoulder. "Look who was talkin dirty to me! #Thailand #nightlife," she wrote. Thanks to the selfie, two men aged 20 and 16 were arrested by local authorities. The pair could be charged with possession of protected animals, which carries penalties of up to four years behind bars and a $1,300 fine. Authorities confiscated two lorises from the individuals and the animals would be sent back to a national park.
"Phuket authorities were alerted to the picture (of Rihanna), and last night police arrested the two individuals who brought out the loris as a photo opportunity for tourists," a Phuket district chief Weera Kerdsirimongkon told the Associated Press on Sunday, September 22.
Awat Nithikul, leader of the patrol officers, told The Phuket News about the raid, "It is very difficult to do the raids because the touts have spies. If someone hears that the police are coming their way, there will be a person who calls the touts and tells them to move. But this is a big deal because it might affect Thailand's reputation."
Rihanna took many pictures from her vacation in Thailand. She shared some photos of her and a group of elephants on the same date. "They all hail Empress when She walk by," she captioned one photo.
Tosh Bio Released
British author John Masouri's biography on reggae great Peter Tosh has been released.
Titled Steppin Razor: The Life of Peter Tosh, the 486-page book is published by Britain's Omnibus Press and has been out since early this month.
According to an article posted on the website, www.midnightraverblog.com, Masouri spoke about the shortage of biographies for reggae artistes.
"It's not just Peter Tosh. We should be asking why there are no major biographies of other reggae artistes too. In my own experience, publishers are reluctant to venture beyond books on Bob Marley and historical overviews.
The majority still doesn’t believe in the power of this music to attract an international fan base, or feel the need to promote the few
books that do make it onto the shelves of major retailers," Masouri observed.
Masouri pointed to low points as he worked on the project.
"I actually did walk away from it for a year after it became clear that the Peter Tosh Estate weren't interested in being involved. I'd had my heart set on writing an authorised biography, and it took time for me to readjust and finish the book without them,"he said.
There are several comparisons to Bob Marley (Tosh's former colleague in the Wailers) throughout the book.
"The question I've been most asked since starting work on the book is 'Why isn't Peter Tosh remembered to the same extent as Bob Marley?' He and Bob's lives were so intertwined for the first 10 years of the Wailers but even after the group split, Peter was constantly having to field questions about Marley and fend off comparisons," Masouri stated.
Masouri is also the author of Wailing Blues: The Story of Bob Marley's Wailers and co-author of The Guinness Book of Reggae and The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae.
Tosh, whose legacy includes the landmark albums Legalize It and Equal Rights, was murdered at his St Andrew home in November, 1987.
He was 43 years old.
Source-Ja.Observer
Mighty Sparrow responding well to treatment - family
The family of Slinger 'Mighty Sparrow' Francisco, widely regarded as the 'Calypso King of the World' says he is responding very well to treatment.
His daughter, Nicole Robinson, says he is no longer in a coma and has been communicating by blinking and lifting his hands.
The 78-year-old Sparrow was admitted to a New York hospital two weeks ago for complications resulting from diabetes.
The 'Mighty Sparrow', 78, who has been performing for more than four decades and has been having health challenges for the past three years.
Emmy award winners to be revealed in Los Angeles
British stars including Damian Lewis and Dame Helen Mirren are in the race for top accolades at Sunday's prestigious Emmy awards in the US.
Dame Helen is nominated in the lead actress in a mini series or movie category for her role as a leading lawyer in HBO drama Phil Spector.
Homeland star Lewis takes on fellow Brit Hugh Bonneville in the best lead actor in a drama category.
American Horror Story: Asylum has the most nominations with 17 nods.
Oscar winner Jessica Lange is in the running for her role in the horror tale.
Lewis and Bonneville face stiff competition in their category from Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston, Kevin Spacey for House of Cards, Mad Men's Jon Hamm and Jeff Daniels for The Newsroom.
At a Bafta party ahead of the ceremony, Bonneville said he felt relaxed about his prospects.
"I don't think the pressure is on me, frankly. I feel slightly embarrassed to have been nominated alongside these amazing actors and much as I love the others, I hope it is Bryan Cranston's year because that show has been phenomenal and his performance has been extraordinary.
"He is a great actor, as are the others, but I think it's Breaking Bad's year."
Mad Men star Elisabeth Moss, who missed out on the best actress award to Homeland actress Claire Danes in 2012, received two nods.
Her performance as Peggy Olson in Mad Men was shortlisted in the leading actress in a drama category alongside Michelle Dockery for Downton Abbey, Nashville's Connie Britton, Kerry Washington in Scandal and Vera Farmiga in Bates Motel.
Moss was also recognised for her leading role in director Jane Campion's recent acclaimed drama Top Of The Lake, which scored eight nominations including outstanding mini series or movie.
House of Cards became the first programme only available online to receive a nomination for best drama series.
Game of Thrones was recognised in 16 categories, while Liberace biopic Behind the Candelabra received 15 mentions.
Michael Douglas, who plays the flamboyant pianist, will go head-to-head with his on-screen partner Matt Damon to be named best lead actor in a mini series or movie.
It is the first major nomination for the HBO production which will not qualify for the US film awards season because it was made for television, although it was released in cinemas outside the US.
Sir Elton John will perform live at this year's Emmy Awards for the first time in the ceremony's 64-year history.
Most nominations
American Horror Story: Asylum - 17
Game of Thrones - 16
Behind the Candelabra and Saturday Night Live - 15
Breaking Bad and 30 Rock - 13
Downton Abbey, Mad Men and Modern Family - 12
Homeland and Phil Spector - 11
Boardwalk Empire - 10
Portman and Parker Dazzle on Red Carpet
A slew of celebrities stepped out to attend the 2013 New York City Ballet Fall Gala at Lincoln Center's David H. Koch Theater. Natalie Portman and Sarah Jessica Parker were among the famous faces who stole attention when gracing the red carpet.
"Black Swan" star Portman looked gorgeous in a textured, tri-color aqua-yellow-and-black strapless dress from Christian Dior. Wearing a minimal makeup with her long hair down, she completed her look with a Richard Mille watch and a matching clutch.
The Jane Foster of "Thor" movie series came to support her dapper-looking husband Benjamin Millepied. The choreographer, who serves as a new Director of Dance at the Paris Opera Ballet, was set to present his original work at the event.
"Sex and the City" actress Parker also looked radiant in her soft-hued gown that was dubbed "Meeting of Two Minds" because it was a mix-and-match of Olivier Theyskins silk-organza silk bottom/skirt and Prabal Gurung satin bustier.
The "Glee" star, 48, styled her long locks in a neat ponytail and applied smoky eye makeup. The mother of three finished off her look with Manolo Blahnik shoes, an Acne bag, a Fenton-Fallon pave palm cuff, and Fred Leighton diamond drop earrings.
Drew Barrymore was also among the celebrity guests. The "50 First Dates" beauty opted for black, wearing head-to-toe Chanel, including "C" logo earrings. The 38-year-old star paired her lace-sleeved dress with matching black pumps and a clutch.
Hotel heiress Nicky Hilton wore a Grecian gown with beaded waist and neckline, celebrity wedding planner Martha Stewart went with a three-quarter gold pants and jacket combo, while model/actress Amber Valletta chose an electric pink number with a sexy slit.
Usain Bolt 'would run 200m only' at Glasgow Commonwealth Games
Usain Bolt says he would probably only run the 200m if he decides to compete at next year's Commonwealth Games.
The six-time Olympic champion hopes to participate in Glasgow, but will discuss it with his coach Glen Mills.
"It's on my to-do list," Bolt, 27, told BBC Radio 5 live. "I really want to do it but I never go against my coach."
He said the 100m and 200m double would "probably would be unlikely", adding: "I probably would run the 200m if I go because it's my favourite event."
The Jamaican has never won a Commonwealth medal but added: "We are going to discuss it, we are not fully sure if I will go but throughout the season we will decide if that will be a good thing to do."
Bolt came to prominence with victory in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and did the same in London four years later.
He now aims to complete the 'treble treble' by winning all three disciplines at the 2016 Games in Rio to cement his legend status.
"That would be outstanding for me," said Bolt. "I've done so much so far and to go and to defend my titles once more would just set me apart from a lot of athletes.
"I want my name in stone with many other athletes - [boxer] Mohammed Ali, [runner] Michael Johnson, [basketball player] Michael Jordan - all these greats in their different sports.
"I want to be among these guys when I retire, so that when people talk about sport I'm always in the mix."
Bolt is considering putting plans to end his career after the next Olympics on hold to run at the 2017 World Championships in London.
"I wanted to retire after Rio," he said. "But my fans are really saying: 'No, go one more year, do it one more time'. Then my sponsors came on board, so I might go one more year.
"I said it to my coach and he said it's possible, it can be done. We'll see."
Source-BBC