South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Sunday rejected allegations of wrongdoing in the political scandal that threatens her presidency, saying she was “set up” and the allegations were “fabrication and falsehood,” said South Korean media. Park said Choi Soon-sil, her long-time friend, was “merely an acquaintance” and denied Choi was allowed to wield undue and wide-reaching influence over state affairs, Yonhap news agency and YTN television reported.
Day: January 1, 2017
Stores raise big total for good cause
Staff from across the 25 Frank’s the Flooring Store locations in the North East – including stores in Ashington, Cramlington and Blyth – have been getting in the Christmas spirit as part of the company’s final charity fund-raising push of the year. It has already hit the 25,000 mark, following donations from staff, customers and suppliers, and expects this to rise to in excess of 28,000, with money still being counted and collected.
Dictating American foreign policy
The First Amendment shows the founding fathers did not want America to play favorites on the basis of religion, chosen or not. The government of the United States is not to show favoritism toward any religion or allow any religion to have undue influence.
Turkey: Search launched for New Year’s nightclub attacker
Turkish police are hunting for an assailant who – reportedly dressed as Santa Claus – opened fire at a crowded Istanbul nightclub during New Year’s celebrations Sunday, killing at least 39 people and wounding close to 70 others in what authorities said was a terror attack. The attacker, armed with a long-barrelled weapon, killed a policeman and a civilian outside Istanbul’s popular Reina club at around 1:15 a.m. before entering and firing on people partying inside, Gov. Vasip Sahin said.
23 dead after ferry catches fire near Indonesia’s capital
The vessel was carrying about 100 people from Jakarta’a port of Muara Angke to Tidung, a resort island in the Kepulauan Seribu chain located off of Jakarta, when it caught fire Sunday. Seply Madreto, an official from the local Disaster Mitigation Agency, told MetroTV that more than 10 injured victims were rushed to hospitals.
Canadians prepare for New Year’s Day polar bear swims coast to coast
Thousands of Canadians will ring in the new year by dipping into the country’s frigid oceans and lakes today. The polar bear swims are held annually in a number of communities including Vancouver, Toronto, Halifax and Charlottetown, and proceeds from donations go to various charities.
MoFrancesco Quintetto: Kucheza
Jazz has certainly come a long way since its early beginnings, whose free spirit and richness of form means that one could easily spend a whole lifetime marvelling at its infinite variety. And none more so than on Kucheza, the MoFrancesco Quintetto’s sublime and engaging new album.
Impeached S. Korean leader rejects accusations against her
SEOUL, South Korea – Impeached South Korean President Park Geun-hye vehemently rejected accusations Sunday that she conspired with a longtime friend to extort money and favors from companies, accusing her opponents of framing her.
Humble Iraqi dish offers taste of home for Mosul’s displaced
Long before it became famous as a battlefield in the fight against the Islamic State group, the Iraqi city of Mosul was known for its ancient cuisine, enriched by Syrian, Turkish and Persian recipes. Mosul chefs make savory meat pies known as kubbeh and spicy flatbread smeared with ground beef, which can be found in Middle Eastern restaurants the world over.
South Korea’s Park rejects wrongdoing in scandal, says she was…
South Korean President Park Geun-hye speaks during a meeting with reporters at the Presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, in this handout picture provided by the Presidential Blue House and released by Yonhap on January 1, 2017. Blue House/Yonhap via South Korean President Park Geun-hye listens to a reporters’ question during a meeting with reporters at the Presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, in this handout picture provided by the Presidential Blue House and released by Yonhap on January 1, 2017.
Burundi minister shot dead in capital – police
A gunman killed Burundi’s environment minister early on Sunday, police said, the first murder of a senior government figure in nearly two years of political violence. Emmanuel Niyonkuru, 54, was attacked as he travelled home in the central African nation’s capital Bujumbura, police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye said in a tweet.
New UN chief urges New Yeara s resolution: a Put Peace Firsta
Antonio Guterres took the reins of the United Nations on New Year’s Day, promising to be a “bridge-builder” but facing an antagonistic incoming U.S. administration led by Donald Trump who thinks the world body’s 193 member states do nothing except talk and have a good time. The former Portuguese prime minister and U.N. refugee chief told reporters after being sworn-in as secretary-general on Dec. 12 that he will engage all governments – “and, of course, also with the next government of the United States” – and show his willingness to cooperate on “the enormous challenges that we’ll be facing together.”
Dragons wing Hewitt gets chance to make case for his defence against Ospreys
NO WAY THROUGH: Ashton Hewitt has his head on the wrong side but the Dragons winger downed Cardiff Blues’ Alex Cuthbert THE highly-anticipated showdown between Wales hopefuls Ashton Hewitt and Keelan Giles won’t take place at Rodney Parade today but the Newport Gwent Dragons winger will still get the chance to show that he is no soft touch in defence. The 22-year-old from Newport is hitting his straps after recovering from the shoulder injury that ended his fine 2015/16 season and hindered his start of the current campaign.
Turkey: search launched for New Yeara s nightclub attacker
Turkish police are hunting for an assailant who – reportedly dressed as Santa Claus – opened fire at a crowded Istanbul nightclub during New Year’s celebrations Sunday, killing at least 39 people and wounding close to 70 others in what authorities said was a terror attack. The attacker, armed with a long-barrelled weapon, killed a policeman and a civilian outside Istanbul’s popular Reina club at around 1:15 a.m. before entering and firing on people partying inside, Gov. Vasip Sahin said.
Rio Nightlife Guide for Sunday, January 1st, 2017
RogAa It’s time to dance as singer RogAa returns for his weekly show at Lapa’s Carioca de Gema. The lively performer will bring the best of samba through his own works and his versions of Jorge, Jorge Ben, Djavan, among others.
Get stuck in and fix this nation
Unemployed people wait for a casual job which could bring in a day's much-needed income. File picture: Independent Media ‘When the economy grows fast it delivers jobs.
Minister says help your kids buy a safer car to reduce road toll
Parents helping their kids buy a first car should be spending that “little bit more” to ensure the vehicle has at least some up-to-date safety features, the federal transport minister has warned, speaking against the backdrop of a sharp spike in road deaths, particularly among the young. Describing the deaths of more than 1200 people on Australian roads in 2016 as a “tragedy of national proportions”, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester said road trauma was costing governments across the country about $30 billion a year, with an “immeasurable” social impact.
Israeli minister: Thank God Obama is leaving office
“In Obama’s world view we have moved closer to peace, but during his term we have just gotten further from it,” she said. Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev has made public her pleasure that US President Barack Obama is soon leaving office.