The long, strange odyssey of bringing Oscar fave ‘Toni Erdmann’ to the screen

But the upstart German filmmaker Maren Ade employed an especially unconventional technique in greeting the stars of her new picture “Toni Erdmann” for the Romanian portion of production. Ade showed up at the down-on-its-heels Bucharest airport as an over-the-top character – tricked out as a goofball mogul, pouring Champagne wearing bathroom slippers in the back of a white stretch limo.

The long, strange odyssey of bringing Oscar fave ‘Toni Erdmann’ to the screen

But the upstart German filmmaker Maren Ade employed an especially unconventional technique in greeting the stars of her new picture “Toni Erdmann” for the Romanian portion of production. Ade showed up at the down-on-its-heels Bucharest airport as an over-the-top character – tricked out as a goofball mogul, pouring Champagne wearing bathroom slippers in the back of a white stretch limo.

S. African township crew set for yacht race to Rio

Young, determined and from parts of Cape Town known for gangs rather than yacht clubs, seven sailors will leave their hometown Sunday on an epic ocean race to Brazil. The crew of the 43-foot Gryphon boat are competing in the Cape2Rio race – a 5,600-km adventure across the South Atlantic to Rio de Janeiro.

Australia beat Pakistan to clinch series

A brilliant all-round performance by Mitchell Starc propelled Australia to series-clinching victory over Pakistan by an innings and 18 runs in the second test as the visitors crumbled under pressure on the fifth day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. The rain-interrupted test had long seemed destined for a draw, with only 18 wickets falling in total up until lunch on the last day, but Australia took Pakistan’s final nine wickets in a hurry, clinching the win with an hour to spare.

Colin White helps United States top Russia 3-2 in world junior hockey

Colin White and Troy Terry scored second-period goals and Tyler Parsons made 25 saves to help the United States beat Russia 3-2 on Thursday in the world junior hockey championship. The United States and Canada, a 10-2 winner over Latvia on Thursday night, are 3-0-0 in Group B play and have wrapped up quarterfinal spots before their showdown Saturday in the pool finale.

Colin White helps United States top Russia 3-2 in world junior hockey

Colin White and Troy Terry scored second-period goals and Tyler Parsons made 25 saves to help the United States beat Russia 3-2 on Thursday in the world junior hockey championship. The United States and Canada, a 10-2 winner over Latvia on Thursday night, are 3-0-0 in Group B play and have wrapped up quarterfinal spots before their showdown Saturday in the pool finale.

Syria’s cease-fire holding despite minor violations

A nationwide Syrian cease-fire brokered by Russia and Turkey that went into effect at midnight held Friday despite minor violations, marking a potential breakthrough in a conflict that has disregarded high-level peace initiatives for over five years. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported clashes early Friday between troops and rebels in the central province of Hama and near the capital, Damascus.

Brazil police suspect wife in murder of Greek ambassador: TV report

A burned car in which a body was found during searches for the Greek Ambassador for Brazil Kyriakos Amiridis, is pictured at a police station in Belford Roxo, Brazil December 30, 2016. Rio de Janeiro investigators suspect that Greece’s ambassador to Brazil was murdered at the behest of his wife and a police officer with whom she was romantically involved, Globo TV reported on Friday, citing police sources.

Brazil police suspect wife in murder of Greek ambassador: TV report

A burned car in which a body was found during searches for the Greek Ambassador for Brazil Kyriakos Amiridis, is pictured at a police station in Belford Roxo, Brazil December 30, 2016. Rio de Janeiro investigators suspect that Greece’s ambassador to Brazil was murdered at the behest of his wife and a police officer with whom she was romantically involved, Globo TV reported on Friday, citing police sources.

Rail progress: Bangkok commuters set to benefit from more route options in 2017

Next year could turn out to be a breakthrough one for commuters travelling between Bangkok and surrounding areas by rail, as many more options look set to become available. At the very least, the one-kilometre so-called “missing tooth”, which will link the end of the recently opened MRT Purple Line at Tao Poon station with the far end of the underground MRT Blue Line at Bang Sue station, should be in service byAugust.

Rail progress: Bangkok commuters set to benefit from more route options in 2017

Next year could turn out to be a breakthrough one for commuters travelling between Bangkok and surrounding areas by rail, as many more options look set to become available. At the very least, the one-kilometre so-called “missing tooth”, which will link the end of the recently opened MRT Purple Line at Tao Poon station with the far end of the underground MRT Blue Line at Bang Sue station, should be in service byAugust.

European cities ramp up security for New Year after Berlin attack

European capitals tightened security on Friday ahead of New Year’s celebrations, erecting concrete barriers in city centres and boosting police numbers after the Islamic State attack in Berlin last week that killed 12 people. In the German capital, police closed the Pariser Platz square in front of the Brandenburg Gate and prepared to deploy 1,700 extra officers, many along a party strip where armoured cars will flank concrete barriers blocking off the area.

COMMODITIES-Oil, metals post stellar 2016 gains on output cuts, demand hopes

SINGAPORE, Dec 30 Crude oil, rubber and metals were set to end 2016 on Friday with strong gains, bouncing back from several years of losses on the back of output cuts and expectations of firmer demand. Crude oil output cuts announced by OPEC, stronger-than-expected demand in top commodities market China and expectations of higher infrastructure spending in the United States after the victory of Republican candidate Donald Trump all boosted prices.

Scientists find genes driving Bahama pupfish specialization

The saltwater lakes of the Bahama’s San Salvador Island are home to a rich diversity of fish species, including several species of Bahama pupfish. What makes such diversity possible? In a new study, scientists have offered a genetic explanation for how at least three pupfish species coexist in the same lake.

Scientists find genes driving Bahama pupfish specialization

The saltwater lakes of the Bahama’s San Salvador Island are home to a rich diversity of fish species, including several species of Bahama pupfish. What makes such diversity possible? In a new study, scientists have offered a genetic explanation for how at least three pupfish species coexist in the same lake.

Trump, Putin and the threat to liberal democracy

Face masks depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump hang for sale at a souvenir street shop in St.Petersburg, Russia, this month. Face masks depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump hang for sale at a souvenir street shop in St.Petersburg, Russia, this month.

Trump, Putin and the threat to liberal democracy

Face masks depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump hang for sale at a souvenir street shop in St.Petersburg, Russia, this month. Face masks depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump hang for sale at a souvenir street shop in St.Petersburg, Russia, this month.

CCP expels ex-deputy intelligence chief

China’s ruling Communist Party has expelled the former deputy chief of the country’s top intelligence agency, it said Friday, the latest high-ranking figure to face prosecution in a much-publicized corruption crackdown. Ma Jian, former deputy head of China’s ministry of state security, was suspected of taking bribes and abusing power, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection – the party’s internal watchdog – said in a statement on its website.

CCP expels ex-deputy intelligence chief

China’s ruling Communist Party has expelled the former deputy chief of the country’s top intelligence agency, it said Friday, the latest high-ranking figure to face prosecution in a much-publicized corruption crackdown. Ma Jian, former deputy head of China’s ministry of state security, was suspected of taking bribes and abusing power, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection – the party’s internal watchdog – said in a statement on its website.

Domestic buyers seen as key driver

In real estate across the country, domestic buyers are expected to dominate big or block investment deals worth 100 million yuan or more each in the New Year, an industry report said. That’s because buyer interest in office buildings, serviced apartments and commercial complexes is rising, said a research report by DTZ/Cushman & Wakefield, a realty services provider.

More oil possible from Nigeria

A minority player in OPEC-member Nigeria said it was able to stimulate crude oil production at one of its operating areas by about 15 percent. Africa-focused San Leon Energy, which lists its headquarters in London, holds a minority stake in oil mining lease No.

Councillor cash goes to worthwhile local projects

Hertsmere Borough Council ‘s Ward Improvement Initiative Scheme gives each of the 39 councillors A 500 to spend on projects throughout the year. Cllr Morris Bright , Leader of the Council, said: “Our Ward Improvement Initiative Scheme is all about funding small projects in local areas to benefit active communities.

China to ease curbs on foreign investment after complaints

The Chinese government said Friday it will ease restrictions on foreign investment in sectors ranging from banking and internet services to rail equipment and motorcycles, in response to mounting complaints from foreign business groups and governments. An official with China’s National Development and Reform Commission, the economic planning agency, said service sectors such as accounting and auditing, architectural design and ratings services will be open to foreign investment.

Putin says will not expel anyone in response to U.S. sanctions

Russia will not expel anyone in response to U.S. sanctions against Moscow and the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats from the United States, the Kremlin quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying in the statement on Friday. Earlier, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he had proposed to Putin that Russia expel 35 U.S. diplomats and ban U.S. diplomatic staff from using two facilities in Moscow in retaliation for expulsions and sanctions imposed by Washington.