Queen Elizabeth’s Party Planner Is Proud to Wear $35 Shoes

LONDON — Lady Elizabeth Anson, Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin and her party planner for more than 50 years, was raised in a Downton Abbey-like home where servants ironed the newspapers, and was married at Westminster Abbey.

But on a recent Friday, Lady Elizabeth — the orchestrator of some of Britain’s most aristocratic parties — was in her white-azalea-filled sitting room. She was wearing a gray Tomasz Starzewski jacket bought on sale more than 40 years ago, drinking tea from a purple-flowered tankard (an eBay find) and discussing her recovery from her weekly lottery ticket-buying addiction.

“I still do a lucky dip if it’s a huge amount of money,” said Lady Elizabeth, who has also organized events for Tom Cruise and other celebrities seeking discretion.

On her feet were what looked like Roger Vivier court shoes, but when a reporter suggested she might like to remove whatever was stuck to the bottom of them before having her photograph taken, Lady Elizabeth, 75, handed the footwear to her liveried butler. “Certainly, my lady,” he said, before getting rid of the price tags that revealed that the shoes cost £25 (about $35). READ MORE>> Queen Elizabeth’s Party Planner Is Proud to Wear $35 Shoes

Cassandra Clare Created a Fantasy Realm and Aims to Maintain Her Rule

The ‘Shadowhunters’ author travels in a rock-star bus, her events are mobbed, and she lives in steampunk splendor. But there are twists in her story. read more>>

Cassandra Clare Created a Fantasy Realm and Aims to Maintain Her Rule

Beyonce drops surprise new album Lemonade on Tidal

Beyonce has released her sixth studio album in a surprise move to her fans.

It's the second so called "visual album" that she has released and features 12 new songs and a corresponding short film.

She released it as part of one-hour special on the American TV network HBO.

Beyonce described it as "a conceptual project" but most people online are focussing on the fact that Lemonade talks a lot about infidelity.

The singer says it's based on "every woman's journey of self knowledge and healing".read more>> Beyonce drops surprise new album Lemonade on Tidal

Prince death: Singer cremated in private ceremony

Prince has been cremated with a small, private service for family, friends and musicians, his publicist has confirmed.

The cause of his death is still unknown and the results of Friday's autopsy could take at least four weeks.

Prince, 57, was found dead in a lift on his Paisley Park estate, near Minneapolis, on Thursday, where fans are still paying tributes.

Officials said there were no signs of injuries to his body and no indication that he had killed himself.

Publicist Anna Meacham said the singer's "final storage" would be kept private.

"A few hours ago, Prince was celebrated by a small group of his most beloved: family, friends and his musicians, in a private, beautiful ceremony to say a loving goodbye," she said.

Among the people who attended the ceremony were percussionist Sheila E, bassist Larry Graham and Prince's sister Tyka Nelson. read more>> Prince death: Singer cremated in private ceremony

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Migrant crisis: EU-Turkey deal is 'working'

Last month's EU-Turkey deal on tackling the migrant flow has begun to produce results, a top EU official has said.

"We have seen a sharp reduction of the illegal migration flows," European Council President Donald Tusk said.

In Turkey, he praised the government as "the best example in the world on how to treat refugees", despite criticism by rights groups of the agreement.

Turkish PM Ahmed Davutoglu reiterated the EU should now implement visa-free travel for Turks as part of the deal.

Mr Davutoglu said his country had fulfilled its part of the agreement and that the issue of the visa waiver for entering the EU's Schengen area was "vital" for Turkey.

The deal says Turkey must meet 72 conditions by 4 May to earn access. Diplomats say only half of those points have been met so far.

• What is the Schengen agreement?

Earlier on Saturday, Mr Tusk and German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited a migrant camp on the Turkish-Syrian border.

The goal of the deal was to deter migrants, mainly Syrians and Iraqis, from making illegal crossings - mainly by sea - between Turkey and Greece, an EU member.

The UN refugee agency and other rights organisations have voiced concerns about the agreement. see more>> http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36121083

At 100, Still Running for Her Life

On a cloudless Sunday afternoon in April, a 100-year-old woman named Ida Keeling laced up her mustard yellow sneakers and took to the track at the Fieldston School in the Bronx. Her arrival was met without fanfare. In fact, no one in the stands seemed to notice her at all.

It is possible the spectators were distracted by the girls’ soccer game taking place on the field. Or perhaps they were simply unaware that Ms. Keeling is a reigning national champion.

When she runs, Ms. Keeling occupies a lane all her own. She has held several track-and-field records since she began racing in her late 60s, and she still hasthe fastest time for American women ages 95 to 99 in the 60-meter dash: 29.86 seconds. In the week to come, she plans to compete in a 100-meter event at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, where she hopes to establish a new standard for women over 100 years old. see more>> At 100, Still Running for Her Life

Papa Wemba: Congo music star dies after collapsing on stage

The influential Congolese music star Papa Wemba has died after collapsing on stage in Abidjan in Ivory Coast, media reports say.

Video from the concert shows the artist, who was 66, slumped on the floor as dancers continue to perform, unaware of what is happening.

French broadcaster France 24 confirmed the death, quoting his manager.

On the African music scene since 1969, Papa Wemba won a world following with his soukous rock music.

The Congolese band leader, whose real name was Jules Shungu Webadio, also inspired a cult movement known as the Sapeurs whose members, young men, spend huge amounts of money on designer clothes.

In 2004, he was convicted of people-smuggling in France and spent three months in prison.

A Belgian court convicted him of the same crime in 2012, handing down a fine of 22,000 euros (£17,143; $24,690) and suspended prison sentence of 15 months. read more>> Papa Wemba: Congo music star dies after collapsing on stage

All In the Line of Duty for Big Sam

How did Sam Allardyce spend his Saturday? Keeping an eye on how relegation rivals Newcastle got on at Liverpool maybe?

“I have enough tension and stress watching our games without sitting in front of the telly wanting this team to do better against that team,” he said.

“I leave it, relax and watch BBC drama Line of Duty. If we can play as well as that script, we’ll be alright!”

Taking time out from the tension and stress of the relegation fight by watching one of the most tense programmes on TV at the moment...

It is very good though. Read more>> All In the Line of Duty for Big Sam

Can Leicester cope without Vardy?

Claudio Ranieri thinks so.

Leicester's top scorer is suspended for today's visit of Swansea, as the Foxes look to open up an eight-point gap at the top of the table.

"I think I have 24 stars. I have 24 Caesars - that is our strength. There isn't one Caesar but there are the other 23," said the Italian.

Vardy could be replaced by Leonardo Ulloa, while Nathan Dyer is ineligible to face his parent club.

Swansea midfielder Leon Britton returns after missing the last two matches with a back problem.

Jack Cork has recovered from a facial injury he suffered last weekend in the defeat by Newcastle. Read more>> Can Leicester cope without Vardy?

Thinking Beyond Money in Retirement

After a career of working, scrimping and saving, many retirees are well prepared financially to stop earning a living. But how do you find meaning, identity and purpose in the remaining years of your life?

John and Kathryn Gee, both 57, recently engaged in this existential query. They have worked hard at well-paying technology-related jobs, invested diligently and are planning to retire soon. Having relocated to San Antonio from Phoenix in 2010, they have already reached a sweet spot where they have a bountiful nest egg. Yet they worry that something is missing.

“We thought we’d be retired and would be fat, dumb and happy at 55,” Mr. Gee said. “We only talked about money. Then we started asking some simple questions.”Read more>> Thinking Beyond Money in Retirement

Hillary Clinton’s Campaign, Cautious but Confident, Begins Considering Running Mates

Hillary Clinton’s advisers and allies have begun extensive discussions about who should be her running mate, seeking to compile a list of 15 to 20 potential picks for her team to start vetting by late spring.

Mrs. Clinton’s team will grapple with complicated questions like whether the United States is ready for an all-female ticket, and whether her choice for vice president would be able to handle working in a White House in which former President Bill Clinton wielded significant influence on policy.

While the nomination fight is still fluid, Mrs. Clinton is confident enough of victory that she has described a vision of a running mate and objectives for the search, according to campaign advisers and more than a dozen Democrats close to the campaign or the Clintons... Read more>> Hillary Clinton’s Campaign, Cautious but Confident, Begins Considering Running Mates

An Amateur vs. ISIS: A Car Salesman Investigates and Ends Up in Prison

WYOMING, Del. — By his own account, Toby Lopez was a supremely ordinary guy. He sold Toyotas and lived with his mother in a tidy rancher here with a cherry tree out front. He was proud that he could connect with customers — anyone from a Superior Court judge to, as he put it, “Redneck Bill from down on the farm.” What passed for excitement was the time his young niece won a beauty contest and he chauffeured her in a red Corvette in a local parade.

Then a high school friend was killed in Afghanistan, and the Islamic State began beheading American journalists. Horrified, Mr. Lopez heard on CNN one day in the fall of 2014 that the Islamic State was active on Twitter, and he went online to see what he could find. “I was intrigued,” said Mr. Lopez, 42. “What could they possibly be saying on Twitter?” Read more>> An Amateur vs. ISIS: A Car Salesman Investigates and Ends Up in Prison

North Korea launches missile from submarine, South Korea says

(CNN)North Korea fired what is believed to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile off the east coast of the Korean peninsula, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said Saturday.

The missile was fired at 6:30 p.m. Saturday (5:30 a.m. ET), South Korean officials said, and appears to have flown about 30 km (about 19 miles) -- well short of the 300 km (roughly 186 miles) that would be considered a successful test.

North Korean state news agency KCNA claimed the launch was successful, and said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "guided on the spot the underwater test-fire of strategic submarine ballistic missile." Read more>> http://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/23/asia/north-korea-launches-missile-from-submarine/index.html

Syria conflict: Obama rules out ground troops for Syria

President Barack Obama has ruled out deploying US ground troops in Syria and says military efforts alone cannot solve the country's problems.

"It would be a mistake for the United States, or Great Britain... to send in ground troops and overthrow the [Bashar al-] Assad regime," he told the BBC.

He also said he did not think so-called Islamic State would be defeated in his last nine months of office.

But he said: "We can slowly shrink the environment in which they operate... Read more>> "http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36121135

Former Nigerian VP Atiku Abubakar attends son's wedding in Kumasi

Former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, his wife Titi, Governor of Adamawa State, Bindow and others, at the traditional wedding of Aminu Atiku Abubakar and Nana Akyiaa in Kumasi, Ghana.

An elated Atiku Abubakar shared photos from the ceremony on Twitter and said,  ”I’m now an in-law in Ghana! My son Aminu just completed his marriage rites.”

http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i/?img=/photo/2016/0418/r75107_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=904&h=509&scale=crop&site=espnfc

We will not decide Kenichi's case in the media – Odotei

Chairman of Hearts of Oak strategy committee Vincent Odotei Sowah is tight lipped about the current developments in the club which has seen head coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi take to social media to disclose the details of his contract.

The facebook post by Kenichi has generated much interest across the length and breadth of the country.
However, Odotei has refused to be drawn into the conversation stating clearly that the situation is well under control with the interest of Hearts their paramount priority.
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/We-will-not-decide-Kenichi-s-case-in-the-media-Odotei-431872

NDC Communicator furious over Akufo-Addo, Bawumia 'empty promises' to farmers

Communications Director of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Solomon Nkansah is angry over what he says are empty promises by flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to improve the living conditions of farmers if they get the nod in November 7 elections.  read more >>
http://myjoyonline.com/politics/2016/April-19th/ndc-communications-director-furious-over-akufo-addo-bawumia-empty-promises-to-farmers.php

Take the 'payola' but play the song - Dr Who

One of the most respectable radio presenters of our time,Ebenezer Anderson aka Dr.who has cautioned radio presenters and Djs not to take payola from musicians without playing their song.

Dr.Who,who happens to be the host of the popular entertainment talk show,Hot and classic Showbiz review and host of ‘Hot Rush Hour’,a drive time show on Hot 93.9fm, was reacting to claims by former Daasebre Gyamenah’s manager,Papa Loggy that he dares radio personalities like Andy Dosty,Dj Black,Kwame Adinkra ,MikiDarling,Dr.Pounds to deny ever taken payola.
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Take-the-payola-but-play-the-song-Dr-Who-431865

NDC plotting to assasinate Konadu Rawlings - NDP

The Director of Operations of the National Democratic Party (NDP) has alleged that the ruling National Democratic Congress has planned to assassinate the former First Lady and founder of the opposition party, Nana Kondau Agyemang Rawlings.

Joseph Bediako made the allegation when speaking with Kwame Tutu on Rainbow Radio on Monday morning.

He said, "The NDC wants to assassinate Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings. They have plotted to kill the former First Lady.''
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/NDC-plotting-to-assasinate-Konadu-Rawlings-NDP-431803

Leicester's Jamie Vardy charged by Football Association over dismissal

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy faces an extended ban during the Premier League title run-in after being charged with improper conduct by the Football Association.

Vardy, 29, remonstrated with referee Jon Moss after he was shown a red card in Sunday's 2-2 draw with West Ham.

The FA has also charged Leicester with failing to control their players after West Ham won an 83rd-minute penalty.

Vardy and Leicester have until 18:00 BST on Thursday to respond.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36075748