Trump transition officials have asked for the names of State Department officials working on efforts to counter violent extremism, two State Department officials familiar with the questionnaire confirmed to CNN. The officials confirmed the request involves programs throughout the department aimed at preventing extremism in various ways, such as recruitment.
Day: December 25, 2016
Voyager of the Seas’ Wollongong visit: top cruise vantage points
Find out the best vantage points to watch cruise ship Voyager of the Seas when she visits Wollongong on Tuesday. A fact that may interest 4200 cruise ship visitors arriving on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas when they arrives on Tuesday.
It wasn’t all downhill for February
Doggone it: Vision-impaired woman Merryn Joske is refused entry to four Kiama cafe because of her Pets as Therapy dog Toby. Picture: Sylvia Liber Changes: After 25 years in TV, WIN newsreader Kerryn Johnston resigns so she can spend more time with the family.
Fighting back: How Indonesia’s elite police turned the tide on militants
Indonesian anti-terror police from Detachment 88 stand guard near explosive materials and other evidence confiscated in raids on suspected militants during a media briefing at police headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, November 30, 2016. Picture taken November 30, 2016.
Zamboanga hospitals placed on – Code White Alert’
ALL hospital in Zamboanga Peninsula had been placed on “Code White Alert” to be ready in responding to cases of emergency during the Yuletide seasons. The Code White Alert status took effect on December 21 and will remain until January 5, 2017, according to Dr. Agnes Mabolo, Department of Health regional coordinator for violence and injury protection.
Asian stocks lower in light trading after Christmas
KEEPING SCORE: The Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.1 percent to 3,075.11 and Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 lost 0.1 percent to 19,410.43. Seoul’s Kospi gained 0.1 percent to 2,037.
Reactions to the death of superstar George Michael
In this Sept. 9, 2012 file photo, British singer George Michael performs at a concert to raise money for the AIDS charity Sidaction, during the Symphonica tour at Palais Garnier Opera house in Paris, France.
India has capability to host big ticket IAAF events: Coe
International Athletics Federation President Sebastian Coe says that India has the capability to host big ticket track and field events and he would love to see the prestigious Diamond League Meeting being held in the country in near future. Coe, who was in India early this year for his first visit to a member federation after taking over as IAAF chief, said that the athletics events of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games was a huge success and it showed that the country can host big international meets.
Chelsea, Conte standing out as normality returns to EPL
Chelsea has three tough away games left at Spurs, Liverpool and United and is proving adept at eking out 1-0 wins. In one sense, normality has returned to the English Premier League after the craziness of Leicester’s improbable surge to the title last season.
Delimitation of election constituencies
Over the past few months, you likely would have read or heard news on the delimitation exercise being undertaken by the Elections Commission . Many quarters have criticised and objected the proposals for delimitation put forth by the EC.
Greens petition to change KiwiRail’s mind
The Government-owned rail operator has announced decided to change trains running between Hamilton and Palmerston North from electric to diesel. With more than 2000 signatures so far, the petition was rolling full steam ahead and has gained support from Rail and Maritime Transport Union.
Scottish minister calls for clarity over UK single market status
Scotland’s economy secretary has said the Conservative government should indicate whether it wants the UK to stay in the single market after Brexit. In response to Mr Brown’s call, a UK government spokeswoman said the United Kingdom would “continue to be a global leader of free trade”.
Latham shines as NZ makes record score
New Zealand set a record total of 341 for seven to start their one-day international series against Bangladesh in Christchurch. It was the highest score against their opponents in 26 ODI meetings, and equalled the format record at the ground – 341 for nine by Scotland against Canada in a World Cup qualifier.
Red Christmas in Mexico: decapitations and a mass slaying
To continue reading up to 10 premium articles, you must register , or sign up and take advantage of this exclusive offer: MEXICO CITY – Western Mexico’s plague of violence continued on Christmas Day with the discovery of six decapitated heads in one state and the slaying of seven people in another. The Michoacan state prosecutor’s office said the six heads were found in Jiquilpan, a municipality near the state of Jalisco in a region that has been a battleground between competing drug gangs in recent years.
Ismayl Sillakh Returns To Action in China, Gets Decision Win
Cruiserweight contender Ismayl Sillakh , 31 years old, is back in in the hunt with his second victory in a row. Sillkah returned to action at the Suzhou Sports Center in Suzhou, China and won a nine round technical decision over Andrei Kniazev .
Chinese ice workers carve Christmas-scape at National Harbor
Li Jiayan, an ice carver from Harbin, China, works on ice sculptures that are part of a show at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Li Jiayan was chiseling an ice angel in a massive refrigerated tent at National Harbor.
Putin’s Hit Teams Head for Syria
Chechen killers seasoned in the North Caucasus wars are on their way to Syria to take on ISIS – or anyone else deemed dangerous to Kremlin policy. MOSCOW-Dozens of special military units in red berets lined up in the sun, waiting for the transport to move them to what they gently referred to as “Shama,” which in their Chechen mother tongue means the Holy Land in Syria.
The Year in Shocking Celebrity Scandals
With every passing day, the year 2016 has felt more and more apocalyptic, and the entertainment world has spiraled accordingly. A summer of fun, flirty, phallic paparazzi shots gave way to some seriously dark shit-the Kim Kardashian Parisian jewel heist, Kanye’s temporary psychosis, and Brangelina’s heartrending divorce announcement.
Boko Haram Finished? a Nope.
The 21 rescued Chibok girls were able to celebrate Christmas at the site of their abduction. But hundreds more continue to live in slavery and despair.
US General: Two More Years to Beat ISIS
It wasn’t that long ago that the Pentagon was talking about taking down ISIS’s strongholds ASAP. Now, victory might not come until late 2018.
Iran says will only pay half price for new Boeing planes
Iran’s official IRNA news agency is reporting the deputy transport minister as saying that his county will only pay half of the announced price for 80 new Boeing planes, given the reductions in its purchasing options. According to the Sunday report, Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan says that despite an initial $16.8 billion deal with Boeing to purchase 80 passenger planes, “Regarding the style of our order and its options, the purchase contract for 80 Boeing aircraft is worth about 50 percent of the amount.”
Powerful earthquake shakes Chile, no deaths reported
A powerful earthquake shook southern Chile on Sunday, but there were no immediate reports of deaths and only minor known damage. The U.S. Geological Survey put the quake’s magnitude at 7.6 and said it struck at 11:22 a.m. local time near the southern tip of Chiloe Island, about 25 miles south-southwest of Puerto Quello and at a depth of 22 miles .
Israel well aware of UN resolution: Murray McCully
Foreign Minister Murray McCully says the United Nations resolution criticising Israeli settlements in occupied territories should not have been a surprise to Israel. He issued a statement after Israel withdrew its ambassador to Wellington after the Government co-sponsored a controversial UN resolution criticising settlements in the occupied territories.
Strong winds and snow ahead as Storm Conor ends ‘exceptionally mild’ Christmas
Storm Conor is set to bring strong winds and snowfall as it sweeps in, bringing an end to an “exceptionally mild” Christmas Day. The mercury rose to 15.1C in Dyce, Aberdeenshire, pushing the record of 15.6C registered in Devon in 1920.
The Latest: Russia: All causes for plane crash being eyed
The Latest on the crash of a Russian aircraft with 92 people on board en route to Russia’s air base in Syria : Russia’s transport minister says investigators are looking into all possible reasons why a Russian military plane crashed into the Black Sea with 92 people on board, including the option of a terror attack. Earlier, a Russian official had downplayed any suggestion of a terror attack.
Russian jet crashes in Black Sea, 92 aboard believed dead
Backed by ships, helicopters and drones, Russian rescue teams searched for victims in the Black Sea after a Russian plane carrying 92 people to Syria crashed Sunday shortly after takeoff from Sochi. Investigators said they are looking into every possible cause for the crash, including a terror attack.
Strome gets chance to shine for Canada after missing out on NHL opportunity
Team Canada’s captain at the world junior hockey championship imagined he’d be playing for the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes right now. But just over a month ago, after spot duty with the club that drafted him third overall in 2015, Strome was sent back to the Ontario Hockey League.
Magnitude 7.7 earthquake hits off Chilean coast
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake occurred off the coast of southern Chile Sunday, 40 km southwest of Puerto Quellon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami threat message for parts of the Pacific Ocean close to the earthquake.
Russian plane crash: Choir members on board, no sign of survivors
A Russian military plane carrying members of the army’s official choir traveling to perform in Syria has crashed in the Black Sea near Sochi. There are apparently no survivors, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
Her Majesty saw the work of the EAAA crew firsthand when she visited Cambridge earlier this year
Her Majesty used the speech to pay tribute to those who inspire the nation, highlighting the work of the EAAA’S Cambridge-based crew. Earlier this year she visited the charity’s base at Cambridge Airport, where she and her husband Prince Philip were shown round its new headquarters by their grandson, Prince William.
Gatehouse charity hosts Christmas lunch for the lonely and homeless in Bury St Edmunds
Mayor of St Edmundsbury and Gatehouse chairman Julia Wakelam with volunteers Katie Bexon and daughter Ella Nobbs and guest Susan Buckle In Bury St Edmunds, the annual Christmas meal was held by the Gatehouse charity at St Benedict’s Catholic School, in Beetons Way. Charity chief executive Amanda Bloomfield said: “It’s fantastic.
Picture Special: Queen misses Christmas Day Sandringham church service
The Queen has missedtoday’s Christmas Day church service at Sandringham because of illness, it has been confirmed this morning. Buckingham Palace said this morning that the 90-year-old monarch is still suffering from a heavy cold and was remaining indoors to aid her recovery.
Clacton Christmas Day Dip enjoyed by 80-year-old who has only missed the event twice since 1953
Organiser Fred Eastman, 80, has only missed two Clacton Christmas Day Dips since it began in 1953. Pic: Seanna Hughes.
Wind warning issued for all of P.E.I.
Winds forecasted to gust at 90 km/h across province, while blowing snow expected in central and western eastern P.E.I. It is a windy Christmas Day on Prince Edward Island with northwest gusts expected to reach 90 km/h this afternoon. Environment Canada has issued a warning for the entire province that there is a significant risk of strong winds that could cause damage as well as blowing snow.
Rescue underway after Russian military plane crash
A rescue operation is underway off the Sochi coast after a Russian military plane crashed en route to Syria. On board were 92 people, many of them members of the Red Army choir and orchestra.
Russians lay flowers to honor plane crash victims
NO REPORTER NARRATION STORY: Moscow residents started to bring flowers and candles to the headquarters of Alexandrov Ensemble, better known internationally as the Red Army Choir, as well as the charity fund ‘Fair Aid’ to honor plane crash victims. A Russian military plane carrying 92 people, including dozens of Red Army Choir singers, dancers and orchestra members, crashed into the Black Sea on its way to Syria on Sunday , killing everyone on board, Russian authorities said.
Iran Says Will Only Pay Half Price for New Boeing Planes
Iran’s official IRNA news agency is reporting the deputy transport minister as saying that his county will only pay half of the announced price for 80 new Boeing planes, given the reductions in its purchasing options. According to the Sunday report, Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan says that despite an initial $16.8 billion deal with Boeing to purchase 80 passenger planes, “Regarding the style of our order and its options, the purchase contract for 80 Boeing aircraft is worth about 50 percent of the amount.”
714 Voters Hold Key for Final Result in Macedonia Election
Residents of the northwestern Macedonian village of Tearce are voting in an election rerun that could tilt the national election result. The rerun Sunday involves a single polling station with 714 registered voters in the village, 50 kilometers from the capital of Skopje.
Mali’s Christians Return to Church under Police Protection
As the sun starts to fall, the call to prayer at the mosque echoes throughout Gao, a predominantly Muslim town in northern Mali. At that same moment, a small church bell nearby also rings.
Ashington man Nick Dunn spends another Christmas in Indian ‘hell hole’ as he awaits appeal
Nick Dunn was hoping to be reunited with his loved ones after four years in India but a decision on his appeal is not expected until New Year Six British ex-soldiers will spend Christmas Day in a “hell hole” Indian jail after their hopes of coming home were dashed again. The six, who a British lawyer says are victims of a miscarriage of justice, hoped their appeal in court last month would allow them to be reunited with their loved ones back home for the first time in four years.