Rio’s 2016 bid boosted by IOC evaluation

Rio de Janeiro’s chances of becoming the first South American city to host the Olympics received a boost when the IOC published its evaluation of the four contenders for the 2016 Games on Wednesday. Rio is competing with Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo for the right to stage the 2016 Summer Olympics, with the final decision being made in Copenhagen on October 2.

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‘Deviant hazing’ alleged at U.S. embassy in Kabul

Some private security guards hired to protect the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan say their contractor has allowed widespread mistreatment, sexual activity and intimidation within their ranks, according to the watchdog group Project On Government Oversight (POGO).

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Tarantino and Pitt: The long-awaited love affair

With Quentin Tarantino’s recent disclosure that Brad Pitt "pulled out a brick of hash" for the pair to smoke during a meeting about Tarantino’s new film "Inglourious Basterds," the two movie icons could today be mistaken for old roomies. However, in an interview with CNN, the charismatic director of “Pulp Fiction” and “Reservoir Dogs” insists that the well-anticipated union was a long time in the making.

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‘District 9’ determined not to stick to formula

Science fiction flicks featuring aliens can be a little formulaic: Aliens invade American territory, mass destruction ensues, and nine times out of 10, Will Smith rides to the rescue But the alien-infested “District 9,” opening in theaters Friday, takes things in a different direction — if the producer may say so himself. “It’s utterly original,” producer Peter Jackson — yes, “Lord of the Rings” helmsman Peter Jackson — told Entertainment Weekly. “In an industry that’s looking to make movies out of every obscure TV show, or sequels, or video games, you look at ‘District 9’ and it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen,” he said.

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‘Sail-plane’ to attempt world speed record

Forty seven-year-old Australian "adrenaline junkie" Sean Langman will attempt to break the 50-knot sailing speed barrier with his half sailboat, half plane, after a serious crash last summer. Langman, a shipyard owner and yachtsman, is intent on beating the French-set record within the next few weeks, with the “Wot Rocket,” a canoe-style pod with a nine meter-long rigid sail. The Wot Rocket is waiting for confirmation from the World Sailing Speed Record Council to attempt, once again, an unprecedented technology known as “supercavitation” — sailing just above the water in a gas bubble created by the deflection of water.

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