News Headlines - 18 May 2014
▽Pfizer raises bid for AstraZeneca to $119 billion
U.S. drug maker Pfizer has raised its offer for British rival AstraZeneca by 15% over its last bid, making the stock-and-cash offer worth $118.8 billion, or 70.73 billion pounds — one of the richest deals ever.
▽Stuart Hall found guilty of indecent assault but cleared of rape | The Guardian
Stuart Hall has been cleared of 19 rape and indecent assault charges but found guilty of one indecent assault.
The former BBC broadcaster, already a convicted paedophile, made no reaction as he was cleared of 15 rapes and four other indecent assaults by a jury of eight women and four men following seven hours and 15 minutes of deliberations.
In the face of widespread anger over Turkey’s worst mining disaster, prosecutors arrested three people, including a company manager, on charges of negligence Sunday.
The three were also accused of causing the death of more than one person, a charge that doesn’t imply intent, prosecutor Bekir Sahiner said at a news conference in the western town of Soma, where 301 coal miners were killed in Tuesday’s tragedy.
▽Solar wind triggers lightning on Earth
Activity on the Sun is sparking lightning strikes here on Earth, a study suggests. Scientists have found that when gusts of high-speed solar particles enter our atmosphere, the number of lightning bolts increases.
▽Paul McCartney: Gigs Cancelled Due To Illness
Sir Paul McCartney has been forced to cancel two gigs in Japan after doctors told him he was too ill to perform.
The star, 71, cancelled a performance on Saturday due to a virus, but said he hoped to be well enough to perform on Sunday and Monday.
