WORLD’S OLDEST PERSON DIES IN US, AT 116
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The world’s oldest person, American Besse Cooper, died on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) at the age of 116, CNN reported. She passed away in Monroe, Georgia, east

of Atlanta, her son Sidney told the television network. Guinness World Records gave Cooper the distinction of being the oldest living human in January 2011. She was born August 26, 1896 in Tennessee. When asked for her secret to longevity, Cooper once said: “I mind my own business and I don’t eat junk food.” She married her husband Luther in 1924, and they had four children. As of her 114th birthday, Cooper has 12 grandchildren and more than a dozen great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

PREGNANT KATE ‘FEELING BETTER’
LONDON: Prince William’s pregnant wife Kate was feeling better on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) after a second day of hospital treatment for acute morning sickness, palace officials said. William spent most of the day at his wife’s bedside as congratulations poured in from around the world after Monday’s announcement that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both 30, are expecting their first child—a new royal heir. Kate would remain at the private King Edward VII Hospital in central London and continue with treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness that affects about one in 200 pregnant women. The baby will be third in line to the throne regardless of whether it is a girl or a boy, after a historic agreement among the 16 Commonwealth realms last year to end the centuries-old practice of male primogeniture.

THAI KING CALLS FOR UNITY IN BIRTHDAY SPEECH
BANGKOK: Thailand’s revered king called for unity and stability in the divided nation Wednesday as huge crowds of adoring, flag-waving citizens packed Bangkok for a rare speech to mark his 85th birthday. At least 200,000 people flooded the capital’s historic district, with aerial television images showing a sea of yellow as supporters of King Bhumibol Adulyadej dressed up in the color associated with his reign. The king, who is seen as almost a demi-god by many in the politically-turbulent nation, told the crowd that the “goodwill” Thais had shown by attending the ceremony together “gives me the confidence that your kindness is key to bringing unity to the people and the nation.”

AUSTRALIAN CHILD TAKES GRENADE TO SCHOOL
SYDNEY: An Australian school was evacuated on Wednesday after a child took a hand grenade into the classroom for a “show and tell” lesson, police said. The ordnance was taken to the Hunter Christian School in Newcastle, which caters for children aged four to 18. The grenade resembles a World War II “pineapple” model and was believed to be inert but police said it would not be moved from a teacher’s desk until specialists were satisfied it was safe to do so. Inspector Gerrard Lawson from Newcastle City Local Area Command said that it was not yet known where the student, whose age was not revealed, obtained the grenade.