World's second-largest diamond 'found in Botswana'

A Canadian mining company operating in Botswana says it has found the second largest "gem quality" diamond ever discovered.

The Lucara Diamond Corporation said in a statement this week that the stone measures 1,111 carats, making it the biggest find in more than a century.

The Royal Collection Trust, which oversees British royal treasures, says the largest diamond ever found was the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond, unearthed in South Africa in 1905. That diamond was cut into smaller pieces that are part of the crown jewels.

Lucara, which is based in Vancouver, says it also found two other large white diamonds in the same mine, Karowe, in Botswana. Those diamonds measure 813 carats and 374 carats.

Botswana is a major diamond producer.

‘Magical’ blue diamond sold for $48m

Blue diamond, a polished blue gem diamond discovered last year in South Africa's Cullinan mine, has been auctioned for $48.4m in Geneva Switzerland, according to Sotheby.
The precious mineral was cut from a 29.6-carat diamond which also yielded the Star of Africa blue diamond in the British crown jewels. The cushion-shaped diamond, planted on a ring, was bought by a private collector from Hong Kong.
The sale came after rival auction house Christie's sold a similarly rare 16.08-carat pink diamond for $28.5m.
Two years ago, a diamond, Pink Star; was sold for what is believed to be a record breaking $83m (£52m) - also at a Geneva auction by Sotheby.
Spokesman of Sotheby, David Bennett, described it as "magical", adding: "I've never seen a more beautiful stone.
"The shape, the colour, the purity, it's a magical stone and everybody, I think, who put it on their finger thought so."

German ex-Chancellor Helmut Schmidt dies at 96

Former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, who is credited with guiding West Germany through economic turbulence and Cold War tension in the 1970s and early 1980s, has died at the age 96.
Schmidt's doctor, Heiner Greten, told the state news media that he died Tuesday afternoon in Hamburg. The doctor declined to go into any further detail.
The center-left Social Democrat led West Germany from 1974 to 1982, when he lost power to conservative Helmut Kohl, reported CNN. He remained politically active even after leaving office, going on to become an iconic elder statesman, weighing in on Germany's political debates into his 90s.
In addition ,Mr Schmidt was an architect of the European Monetary System, which linked EU currencies and was a key step on the path to the euro.He was credited with helping to consolidate the country's post-war economic boom.
He will be remembered as one of the most popular German leaders since World War II.

Kenyan officials bought 'sex toys' with taxpayers' money

A senior government minister in Kenya has been summoned by MPs to explain what they describe as strange purchases - including sex toys and a condom dispenser - by officials in her ministry.

Devolution and Planning Minister Ann Waiguru is due to appear before a parliamentary committee later today to explain the alleged purchases at inflated prices.
MPs allege that the condom dispenser was bought for $250, a television screen for $19,000 and pens for nearly $100. It is still unclear how much was spent on sex toys.

In a twist development ,Ms Anne Waiguru has hit back at allegations that sex toys and a female condom dispenser were among items bought with taxpayers' money by her ministry. 

"Both by law and in practice, I do not procure. I do not purchase anything for the ministry. I don't sign or negotiate contracts," she said in a tweet.
"Where instances of possible malpractice has been brought to my attention I have called in investigative authorities," Ms Waiguru added.

Taiwan and China to hold historic summit in Singapore

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Singapore on Saturday - the first ever meeting between leaders of the two sides.

Both said the talks would focus on relations across the Taiwan Straits.

China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since 1949, when the Nationalist government fled to the island after defeat by the Communists.

However, ties have improved since President Ma took office in 2008.The Chinese government threatens to use military force against Taiwan if it attempts to gain outright independence.

Taiwanese spokesman Chen Yi-hsin said President Ma's aim was "to promote peace cross the Taiwan Strait and maintain status quo".

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the U.S. welcomed any steps to reduce tensions and improve relations, but added: "We'll have to see what actually comes out of the meeting."

Nigeria army reacts to Boko Haram 'rocket-making' photos

The Nigerian military has dismissed the photos released by militant Islamist group Boko Haram purporting to show its rocket-making factory in the country.
A statement from the military said the move was to aimed at creating apprehension and panic among innocent citizens.
"For avoidance of doubt, this and other tactics are nothing but empty threats which will not help them from being defeated," it added.
The photos obtained by the BBC Hausa service on Monday seemed to indicate that members of the group have the technical know-how to manufacture weapons.

South Sudan plane crash: 'Dozens killed' near Juba airport

A Russian-built cargo plane with passengers on board crashed on Wednesday after taking off from the airport in South Sudan's capital, killing at least 41 people on the flight and on the ground, an official and a Reuters witness said.

According to reports the cargo plane carrying 12 people on board, crashed  shortly after taking off from an airport in South Sudan.Just after the crash a report by Reuters stated that the tail fin of the plane and other parts were scattered along the banks of the White at Nile River near the airport in Juba.Reuters also stated that its eye witnesses had counted 40 bodies on the ground, which has been confirmed by local authorities.

The aircraft was a cargo plane with five Russian crew and seven passengers, South Sudan Tribune, a local media outlet, said on Twitter. It also said two people survived, one of them a child.
Meanwhile, according to eyewitnesses and the local authorities there were two survivors  including a child. Though the actual number of people on board is still unclear, the aircraft was carrying five Russian crew, local news agencies said.

Romania PM Ponta resigns over Bucharest nightclub fire

Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta has said he is resigning, a day after some 20,000 people took to the streets to protest against a nightclub fire that left 32 people dead.

Friday night's blaze in Bucharest started when a band performing at the club set off fireworks.
Demonstrators called for Mr Ponta to step down, complaining of government corruption and poor safety supervision.
Mr Ponta is already facing trial on corruption charges.
He became the first sitting Romanian prime minister to be formally accused of corruption during the summer on allegations of fraud, tax evasion and money laundering dating back several years.
He repeatedly denied the charges, accusing prosecutors of being "totally unprofessional".
Mr Ponta said on Wednesday he was "handing in my mandate, I'm resigning, and implicitly my government too".
"I hope the government's resignation will satisfy the people who came out in the streets," he said on Romanian TV.

Fugitive French 'cocaine pilots' arrested in Lyon

Two French pilots who fled the Dominican Republic last week have been arrested by French police in Lyon.

Pascal Fauret and Bruno Odos were convicted of drug smuggling by a Dominican court earlier this year and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
They had been placed under judicial supervision while they were appealing against the sentence.
They reportedly escaped by boat to the French Antilles and from there by plane to France.
Their lawyer said their arrest was "unnecessary" as the two men had placed themselves at the investigating judge's disposal.
Last week the lawyer said that the two pilots were intent on clearing their name.
They were arrested in the Dominican resort of Punta Cana in 2013 after police found 26 suitcases on their plane stuffed with 680kg (1,500lb) of cocaine.
They, and two other Frenchmen arrested with them, have always maintained their innocence.
The Dominican Republic has asked for their extradition, but legal experts said that was unlikely to happen.

New York Marathon: Kenyans Biwott and Keitany win titles

Kenya's Stanley Biwott and Mary Keitany swept the titles at the New York City Marathon on Sunday.
Keitany became the first woman to repeat since Britain's Paula Radcliffe in 2008.
Biwott won his first major marathon title after placing second in London last year. He finished in 2 hours, 10 minutes, 34 seconds, beating countryman Geoffrey Kamworor by 14 seconds. Reigning Boston Marathon winner Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia was third and defending champion Wilson Kipsang of Kenya was fourth.
Keitany finished in 2:24:25, beating Ethiopia's Aselefech Mergia by 67 seconds for the largest margin of victory since Radcliffe's 2008 title. She pulled away around the 21-mile mark to become the eighth woman to win more than once in New York. Ethiopia's Tigist Tufa took third.
Keitany, a two-time London Marathon champ, had twice finished third in New York before breaking through last year when she won by just 3 seconds. That was her first marathon since 2012 because of the birth of her second child.
Mergia is also coming back from a long break. Her daughter was born in July 2013 and she didn't run another marathon until winning in Dubai in January.
Laura Thweatt of the U.S. was seventh in her marathon debut. In the men's race, 40-year-old American Meb Keflezighi, the 2009 champ, was also seventh.
More than 50,000 runners took part in the 45th running of New York City Marathon, completing the 26.2 miles through the five boroughs.

Berlin Wall blunderer Guenter Schabowski dies at 86

Former East German Communist official who accidentally revealed that GDR citizens would be free to travel to west dies Günther Schabowski, the former senior East German Communist official who accidentally announced the opening of the Berlin Wall, has died aged 86, German media have reported. His widow, Irina Schabowski, told the German news agency dpa that he died in a Berlin nursing home. Politburo spokesman Mr. Schabowski’s halting words at the conclusion of a plodding evening news conference on Nov. 9, 1989, put an end to Berlin’s 28 years of division by the wall.

Border guards had received no orders to let anyone across, but gave up trying to hold back the crowds. East German leader Egon Krenz later insisted he told Mr. Schabowski to tell reporters to withhold news about the new travel regulation until 4 a.m. The next morning, so citizens could line up properly to get exit visas. Mr. Schabowski, a trained journalist, said he never heard Mr. Krenz say that and it would have been unrealistic anyway.

The German agency DPA said Schabowski's wife Irina had reported his death early on Sunday, reportedly after a series of strokes. The young Schabowski studied journalism after World War Two and rose to become editor of the "Neuen Deutschland," a newspaper closely aligned to Honecker's regime. Schabowski became Politiburo member in 1984 and had been tipped as potential successor to party chief Honecker alongside contemporary Egon Krenz.

After reunification, Schabowski and two other Politburo members were sentenced to jail terms for their role in the shootings of people who tried to escape over the Wall. In another turnaround for East Germany, he also voiced support for "approved and well-ordered" demonstrations. But amid mounting pressure from the emboldened pro-democracy movement, he resigned along with the rest of the Politburo weeks after the Berlin Wall fell.