Islamic State Boosts Attacks Under Pressure

Islamic State has increased its attacks in Iraq and Syria to the highest level since 2014, according to a report by IHS Janes.

The defence think tank says there were 891 attacks and 2,150 "non-militant" fatalities recorded in the first three months of this year.

Those figures represent an increase of 16.7% and 43.9% respectively on the last quarter of 2015.

Matthew Henman, Head of IHS Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, said: "Attack and fatality numbers have jumped.

"The group is resorting more and more to mass-casualty violence as it comes under heavy pressure from multiple angles."

There is further sobering news for Syria as the report concludes that Jabhat al-Nusra has successfully established itself within the militant Islamist opposition and is arguably "a more dangerous long-term threat in the country than the Islamic State".

The blunt analysis also finds Islamic State attacks in Libya are "intensifying" after "a several month slump".

Almost as many attacks were recorded in the first three months of 2016 as in the third and fourth quarters on 2015 combined.

Henman said: "After a seeming period of consolidation and preparation, Islamic State forces in the country launched a series of major attacks on critical energy infrastructure in addition to conducting the deadliest single attack since the overthrow of the government of Muammar Gaddafi in August 2011.

The report identifies the northwest town of Sabratha as a key training ground for Islamic State to stage attacks across the border in Tunisia.

Supreme Court Rejects $15 Wage Challenge

The US Supreme Court has dismissed a challenge to Seattle's $15 an hour minimum wage from franchise business owners.

The high court's decision not to hear the appeal left in place a lower court ruling in favour of the mandated wage hike.

The law, which went into effect in April 2015, requires businesses in Seattle with more than 500 employees nationwide to raise their minimum wage to $15 by 2018.

Local businesses employing fewer than 500 workers have seven years to implement the hike.

Five franchises and the International Franchise Association sued the city, saying they were being unfairly treated because they are part of multi-state networks.

Lawyers for the franchises argued that in reality they are small businesses and should have more time to phase in the new wage minimum.

Supreme Court justices did not comment on their decision to reject the challenge.

Seattle was the first major US city to enact a $15 wage amid pressure from unions and workers' rights groups.

The move has since been copied to some degree in cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, and at the state level in California and New York.

First US Cruise Ship Docks In Cuba Since 1978

Passengers from Miami have arrived in Havana on the first US cruise in decades to sail to the communist island nation of Cuba.

Carnival Corp's 704-passenger Adonia docked in Havana on Monday morning, less than a day after leaving port.

During its seven-day outing, the ship will also visit the ports of Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba.

Re-starting cruises was an important part of US President Obama's bid to increase tourism after the 17 December 2014 decision to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The last cruise to Cuba, which departed from a different US port, was in 1978.

Among those on board was Rick Schneider, 73, who told The Sun-Sentinel that he had waited for many years to make the trip, even buying a Cuban flag for the occasion.

He had even given up the chance of a sailing to Cuba in 1957, adding: "The time is now".

There had been a Cuban government rule banning Cuban-born people from arriving in the country by sea and when Carnival first announced the cruises, it said it would bar Cubans due to this rule.

But the Cuban-American community in Miami complained and filed a discrimination law suit, prompting the company to change its policy somewhat: it would only sail to Cuba if the government backed down.

On 22 April, Cuba did this and among those on board the first sailing were Cuban-born passengers.

The ship's captain David Box told passengers it would be a cruise to remember.

Speaking over the ship's public address system, he said: "We're going to sail directly from the United States to Havana, Cuba.

"How awesome is that? Tomorrow we will make history."

Carnival said the Adonia will sail every second week between Miami and Cuba with bookings starting at $1,800 (£1,230) per person and with cruises featuring cultural and education activities such as Spanish lessons.

Not everyone was happy, however, with a boat carrying protesters reportedly hovering near the cruise ship before it set sail.

Amy Schumer Says No More Fan Photos After Man Scares Her While Demanding a Picture

Amy Schumer is taking a firm new policy with fans: She won’t be taking any more photos with them – and it’s all thanks, she said, to one particular fan in South Carolina.

As Schumer, 34, explained in a Saturday Instagram post, a man (pictured in the post) had “just run up” to her on the street in Greenville and “scared the s—” out of her. The comedian performed in the city Saturday night.

“Put a camera in my face. I asked him to stop and he said ‘No it’s America and we paid for you,’ ” Schumer wrote in her caption, adding that the man was with his daughter

“I was saying stop and no. Great message to your kid. Yes legally you are allowed to take a picture of me. But I was asking you to stop and saying no,” Schumer wrote.

“I will not take [pictures] with people anymore and it’s because of this dude in Greenville,” she wrote.

Just a few hours before the souring incident Saturday, Schumer shared another Instagram video from her Greenville stop, capturing more positive feelings about the city:

“Greenville makes you feel like mmmmmmm,” she wrote.

Schumer elaborated on her Instagram post on Saturday, writing on Twitter that she still will take photos “with nice people when I choose to if it’s a good time for that.

“But I don’t owe you anything,” she continued. “So don’t take if I say no.”

Schumer also told PEOPLE in a statement that she was grateful for her fans:

“I am grateful to people who like my work and support me but not the ones who think that behavior is ok.”

Later, the comedian apparently unwound with a bit on equine therapy, writing hours later alongside a photo with a horse, “Day turned around with Harley.”

Man Shot Dead By Armed Police In Murder Hunt

A 36-year-old man has been shot dead during an operation by armed police in Kent.

Officers were called to an address at Smiths Lane in Goudhurst on Sunday night and a man was fatally injured at the scene.

The pre-planned operation was linked to the murder of 73-year-old Roy Blackman in Biddenden, Kent, on 21 March.

He was found dead at his home in Headcorn Road after burglars had stolen his safe.

Mr Blackman died from multiple blunt force injuries.

The dead man in Goudhurst has not been formally identified.

But police said the family of a man officers wanted to trace in connection with Mr Blackman's murder have been informed.

Police were investigating the murder of Roy Blackman. Pic: Kent Police

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating Sunday's incident.

It said tests are being carried out on "what appears to be a non-police firearm found at the scene".

In a statement the IPCC said: "After being notified by Kent Police, IPCC investigators deployed to the scene to oversee post incident procedures.

"Tests are being carried out on what appears to be a non-police firearm found at the scene, and forensic examination will continue throughout today.

"As with any fatal police shooting, an independent investigation was declared by the IPCC soon after being made aware of the incident."

UK Firm's Exec Slapped During Deaths Apology

A top executive from British consumer goods giant Reckitt Benckiser has been slapped and called a "murderer" as he made an apology over deadly lung injuries linked to one of its products.

Ata Safdar, the head of the company in South Korea and Japan, faced angry relatives of the victims at a highly-charged press conference in Seoul.

He bowed deeply several times as he admitted the firm's humidifier sterilisers had caused harm and accepted "fullest responsibility".

A 13-year-old boy who now breathes using an oxygen tank was one of the victims in the audience for the executive's apology.

Reckitt Benckiser is headquartered in Slough, Berkshire, and its brands include Dettol, Nurofen, Harpic and Durex.

Some 103 people are believed to have died from causes related to the liquid products - marketed by Reckitt Benckiser as well as about a dozen other companies.

But campaigners say the actual death toll could be much higher.

Many of the victims were women and children - who use humidifiers during South Korea's dry winter season.

The scandal emerged in 2011 when four pregnant women died of lung problems and the government found "significant association" with the sterilisers.

As the chaotic press conference unfolded, a man came up beside Mr Safdar and slapped him on the back of the neck.

Another man squared up to him and appeared to call him a "murderer", adding "it's too late!"

Mr Safdar told the families: "Today's apology, was about acceptance of responsibility for the harm that Oxy HS (humidifier sterilisers) has caused.

"This is the first time we are accepting the fullest responsibility, and we are offering a complete and full apology.

"We were late, five years have passed, we are also apologising far too late. This is what we are apologising about."

The executive struggled to complete his "heartbreaking" apology amid the heckles and shouting from the audience.

The humidifier sterilisers were sold from 2001 to 2011, and South Korea is believed to be the only country where they were available.

Last month, Reckitt Benckiser also apologised in a written statement for not communicating quickly enough with the families affected.

A multi-billion dollar "humanitarian fund" to compensate the victims has been set up - and a criminal investigation is also under way.

Teenage Girl Dies After Taking Ecstasy

A teenage girl has died after taking a form of ecstasy known as "MasterCard" during a night out in Manchester.

The girl was attending a club night at the Victoria Warehouse in Trafford, on Bank Holiday Monday when she allegedly took the drug.

Police were called after she suffered an adverse reaction. She was taken to hospital, but died a short time later.

Officers investigating her death are now concerned about any others who may have taken the pills.

They are urging them to quickly seek medical attention.

Detective Inspector Helen Bell from GMP's Trafford Division said: "This is a tragic situation, the death of a young person is always devastating, but in these circumstances, it is all the more heart breaking.

"My thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.

"Sadly we know it is very unlikely that the girl was the only person to have taken this drug last night.

"We are appealing to anyone who may have taken this form of ecstasy, known as "MasterCard" to get checked out urgently. Even if you took it some hours ago, this pill will still be in your system and could be seriously harming your health.

"Anyone with any information about what happened or where this drug may have come from  is asked to contact police as soon as possible."

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 8567662 , 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.