Day: January 3, 2017

Tributes paid to ‘superb soldier’ killed in Iraq incident

Lance Corporal Scott Hetherington, 22, of 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, died following a “tragic incident” at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, on Monday. The circumstances of the death of the father-of-one, from Middleton, Greater Manchester, are being investigated, the Ministry of Defence said.

Congo opposition leader who fled country announces candidacy

A top Congo opposition leader who fled the country has announced his candidacy for president and is commending a new political agreement that might allow him to come home. In a statement Tuesday, Moise Katumbi praised the deal signed by political parties that calls for President Joseph Kabila to leave power after an election that will be held by the end of the year.

Israel PM Netanyahu probed over corruption links

Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, has been questioned in relation to a criminal investigation into corruption conducted by the country’s attorney general. The leader is suspected to have been involved in beneficial deals with businessmen in Israel, according to a report from Attorney General Avichai Mandelbit.

Iran activist ends 71-day prison hunger strike as wife freed

An imprisoned Iranian human rights activist ended a 71-day hunger strike Tuesday as his detained wife won a temporary release from prison, a day after his case sparked a rare unauthorized protest in Tehran. Arash Sadeghi was to be taken to a hospital, his lawyer Amir Raisian said, while Amnesty International said he would be fed intravenously.

UPDATE 1-Gambia electoral commissioner flees country after threats

Gambia’s electoral commission chairman has fled the country because he received threats after declaring President Yahya Jammeh the loser of a Dec. 1 election, a family member and a colleague said on Tuesday. It was not known where Alieu Momar Njai might have gone a little over two weeks before the planned inauguration of President-elect Adama Barrow.

Year in review: Bad water, bold plans and a ban on posers

SEPTEMBER IN REVIEW : Schoolboy rugby made headlines for all the wrong reasons when a match devolved into an all-out brawl between players and spectators. Police were called into investigate after reports up to 50 people were involved in the altercation, which was sparked by a tackle, at an under-15s match between Feilding High School and Levin’s Waiopehu College.

The Latest: Lebanon bids farewell to Istanbul victims

In this photo released by the Lebanese Government, Lebanese Red Cross volunteers unload the coffin of a Lebanese victim who was killed in the Istanbul nightclub attack, at Rafik Hariri international airport, in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday Jan. 2, 2017. A jet carrying the bodies of three Lebanese citizens killed in the shooting at an Istanbul nightclub has landed in Beirut, with three others who were wounded aboard.

Serena Williams’ 1st-round match at ASB Classic delayed by rain

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Serena Williams will have to wait a little longer for her first match of 2017 after rain curtailed play Monday on the opening day of the ASB Classic. Williams was due to play in the evening session against unseeded Pauline Parmentier of France , but steady rain made play impossible at the open-air stadium, and the first-round match was postponed to Tuesday.

Things to expect in Lincoln in 2017

For many, 2016 offered a glimpse into a New Year of possibilities and unexplored territories. From the promise of eventual divorce from the European Union, to the beginnings of major local infrastructure projects, there’s already lots to add to look out for in the months ahead.

Woman in court after stealing cat food

A woman who stole cleaning products and cat food from B and M in Colne, had mental health issues, a court heard. Martin, of Roundell Road, Barnoldswick, admitted theft. She was given a 12-month conditional discharge and must pay 85 costs and a 20 victim surcharge.

North Korea first ladiy Ri Sol Ju not as powerful as Kim Jong Un’s sister

North Korea ‘s first lady is known for her lavish lifestyle and her appearances alongside her husband Kim Jong Un . But according to Thae Yong Ho, the senior North Korean diplomat who fled Pyongyang’s embassy in London, Ri Sol Ju’s status as a “commoner” in North Korea’s classification system means she is not quite in a position to hold influence over Kim’s important decisions, South Korean news network MBN reported Tuesday.

.com | DRC set for talks on implementing crisis deal

Opposing sides in the crisis that has gripped DR Congo will this week hold their first talks on implementing a landmark deal on the country’s political future, mediators said on Monday. “An initial meeting for deciding on ways to implement the agreement is scheduled for Tuesday,” Father Donatien Nshole, the spokesman for National Episcopal Conference of Congo , which is overseeing the process, told AFP.

SKorean president refuses to testify in impeachment trial

A lawyer for South Korean President Park Geun-hye prays before the first hearing arguments for Park’s impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2017. less A lawyer for South Korean President Park Geun-hye prays before the first hearing arguments for Park’s impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2017.

Danish man Thor Pedersen is travelling the world by container ship

From a curious polar bear cub to an excitable puppy: Adorable footage of animals seeing snow for the first time is sure to make your heart melt From spectacular waterfalls to sensational samba dances: Discovering the enticing rhythm of Argentina and Brazil on a trip-of-a-lifetime tour These really are pop-up hotels! Tourists can stay in one-off glamping cabins installed in Wales’ secret beauty spots which disappear after they visit Meet the man who’s travelling on CONTAINER SHIPS in an attempt to see every country in the world… without flying Make 2017 a roaring triumph: From dinosaurs and rock gods to a Far Eastern tropical idyll, this year’s top destinations revealed Bring the bambino: Newsreader Emma Crosby proves a tour of Tuscany with a toddler CAN still be child’s play Planet Earth – the live show: Head to Namibia for the best seat in the house at this spectacular African safari … (more)

German jobless rate ticks up to 5.8 pct but trend positive

A lamp of a restaurant shines as trippers walk by in thick fog on top of the 880 m high Feldberg mountain near Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Jan. 2, 2017. A lamp of a restaurant shines as trippers walk by in thick fog on top of the 880 m high Feldberg mountain near Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Jan. 2, 2017.

Adorable footage of Polar Bears seeing snow for the first time will make your heart melt

From a curious polar bear cub to an excitable puppy: Adorable footage of animals seeing snow for the first time is sure to make your heart melt From spectacular waterfalls to sensational samba dances: Discovering the enticing rhythm of Argentina and Brazil on a trip-of-a-lifetime tour These really are pop-up hotels! Tourists can stay in one-off glamping cabins installed in Wales’ secret beauty spots which disappear after they visit Meet the man who’s travelling on CONTAINER SHIPS in an attempt to see every country in the world… without flying Make 2017 a roaring triumph: From dinosaurs and rock gods to a Far Eastern tropical idyll, this year’s top destinations revealed Bring the bambino: Newsreader Emma Crosby proves a tour of Tuscany with a toddler CAN still be child’s play Planet Earth – the live show: Head to Namibia for the best seat in the house at this spectacular African safari … (more)

Classic film director dies at the age of 85

Jeremy Summers, who was born in St Albans in 1931 to Dora, an actor, and Walter Summers, a film director and screenplay writer, died on December 14 at the age of 85. Summers began working as a runner at Elstree Studios, in Borehamwood, when he was 16 and became an assistant director on films such as The Dam Busters and Moby Dick . His son Julian Summers said: “Walter had come back from the second world war a physical and nervous wreck and had already acquired a reputation in the film industry for being difficult.

‘Buyers will find it tough to find something’ – Property expert on…

‘Buyers will find it tough to find something’ – Property expert on the 10pc house price jump forecast in next 18 months ‘Buyers will find it tough to find something’ – Property expert on the 10pc house price jump forecast in next 18 months ‘Buyers will find it tough to find something’ – Property expert on the 10pc house price jump forecast in next 18 months Economist at Trinity College, Ronan Lyons, predicts that house prices will continue to rise between 5pc and 10pc over the next 18 months.

‘Main office conversation today: Who slept the least last night and …

‘Main office conversation today: Who slept the least last night and who put on the most weight in two weeks’: Twitter explodes with #backtowork memes as workers return from their 17 DAY Christmas break It’s been a long Christmas holiday for many Britons who only needed to take eight days of annual leave to enjoy a 17-day break. But the realisation that they were returning to the office today was almost too much to bear for some who shared their back to work blues on social media.

Heavy smog blankets part of China as locals still dance the Viennese Waltz in Fuyang

Nothing can stop them! Heavy smog blankets part of China but it doesn’t stop the locals from donning face masks and dancing the Viennese Waltz Heavy smog blanketing northern and central China could not deter the spirits of a number of locals who took to the streets to dance. Dozens of flights and highways were closed on Monday but people in Fuyang, in the Anhui province, braved the shocking pollution, donning masks to perform their best Viennese Waltz.

Manchester schoolgirl was raped after being dragged off a street by a man in a balaclava

Schoolgirl, 12, was raped after being dragged off a street and into an alleyway by a man in a balaclava A 12-year-old girl has been raped after she was dragged off a street into an alleyway by a man in a balaclava. The victim was attacked as she walked in Levenshulme, Manchester but police said the girl only spoke out last week and told them the incident took place on Tuesday November 22 last year.

Not lovin’ it! Cardinal voices outrage after a McDonald’s store…

Mayhem at airports as immigration system inexplicably crashes – causing huge lines and hours of disruption on one of the busiest travel days of the year, but officials dismiss suggestion of hacking Four young siblings are killed and a further six relatives are hospitalized by poisonous gas from MOUSE PESTICIDE sprayed under their home Don’t drop your life for your partner, avoid talking about your ex and NEVER become clingy: The six things you shouldn’t do if you want your relationship to last the distance United Airlines employee is found trapped in a plane’s baggage hold after a flight from North Carolina to Virginia So what DID happen the night George Michael died? Tweets about suicide. Rumors of drug abuse.

Syria rebels suspend talks with government over violations

The cease-fire deal brokered by Russia and Turkey is to be followed by talks between mainstream rebel factions and government representatives in the Kazakh capital of Astana. But in a statement posted late Monday, 10 rebel factions said they are suspending any talks related to the Astana negotiations or any discussions related to the cease-fire “until it is fully implemented.”