The Coast Guard on Sunday rescued 22 Spanish fishermen from a sinking ship engulfed in flames off the coast of Newfoundland Province, officials said. A spokeswoman for the Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Halifax said the crew of the 30m Monte Galineiro abandoned ship into rafts after a fire broke out onboard about 400km east of St. John’s, Newfoundland.
■UNITED STATES
Royals treated to profanity
The king and queen of Spain got a dash of profanity from celebrity chef Mario Batali at a US$1,000-a-plate dinner during the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. At a Thursday dinner honoring Spain’s growing international culinary presence, Batali dropped some royally naughty words as he hosted the event in the presence of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. Growing impatient when the crowd did not quiet down quickly enough after he stepped to the microphone, he used the “f-word,” and asked the audience if he could have “10 seconds of your time.” Batali dropped the “f-word” again while introducing chef Jose Andres, whose Los Angeles restaurant, The Bazaar, has been heralded by critics. He finished by grabbing Andres’ bottom. Those seated near the royal couple said the queen blanched.
■JAMAICA
Sex, violence banned on air
Regulators said they were forbidding all explicit references to sex and violence over the airwaves. The new rules from the island’s broadcast commission ban any song or music video that depicts sexual acts or glorifies gun violence, murder, rape or arson. The Saturday announcement follows a Feb. 6 ban that specifically targeted dancehall tunes and videos depicting “daggering” — a dance style popular among youth that features pelvic grinding simulating sex. The beat-driven fusion of reggae and rap known as “dancehall” is hugely popular despite recurrent controversy over its lyrics and the dance style.
■UNITED STATES
First lady opens kitchen
First lady Michelle Obama opened the White House kitchen on Sunday to six culinary students so they could learn about preparations for a big official dinner. The first lady was joined by White House chef Cristeta Comerford, executive pastry chef Bill Yosses and social secretary Desiree Rogers. The group guided the students through the menu and planning for President Barack Obama’s dinner with the nation’s governors. Mrs. Obama told them about the value she places on fresh and regionally grown food. Comerford said she designed the menu for the governors dinner to reflect the season and represent the American spirit. Asked for her favorite dishes served from the White House kitchen, Mrs. Obama said the waffles and grits at breakfast were particular family favorites. She added that her husband, the president, is a big fan of scallops and pie.
■UNITED STATES
Goings lawyer charged
A 36-year-old attorney fatally shot the former girlfriend and infant daughter of New York Knicks player Eddy Curry during a domestic-related dispute, police and published reports said. Fredrick Goings of Chicago was charged on Sunday with two counts of first-degree murder, Cook County State’s Attorney spokeswoman Sally Daly said. Police said Goings was arrested on Friday evening as he was getting into his car outside a relative’s place in Chicago. Goings has not made any statements to authorities and is not cooperating in the investigation, Lieutenant Denis Walsh said.
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