Day: December 29, 2016

Chuck Schumer tears into John Kerry over Israel speech that ’emboldened extremists on both sides’

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s admonishment of Israeli settlements on Wednesday did not sit well with a key member of his own party: incoming Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer. The Obama administration’s decision to harangue Israel for allegedly complicating the Middle East peace process angered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the 70-minute speech also irked the powerful senator from New York.

Russia: Syria ceasefire deal reached

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a ceasefire between the Syrian government and the opposition, Russian state media TASS reports. “Reports have just arrived that several hours ago there was a development that we all have looked and worked for for so long,” Putin said.

Balgobin Ramdeen has diedDec. 29, 2016, 8:53 Am Ast

Balgobin Ramdeen, a former member of parliament for Caroni East who helped form the Opposition when Trinidad and Tobago gained independence, has died. He was part of the Democratic Labour Party headed by Dr Rudranath Capildeo which formed the Opposition against the Peoples National Movement led by Dr Eric Williams.

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Boxing legend Don King stood beside President-elect Donald Trump Wednesday to discuss the relationship between Israel and the United States. “You all know Don King? Who doesn’t know Don King,” the President-elect asked reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

Germany: Tunisian picked up in Berlin attack probe freed

FILE -The photo issued by German federal police on Dec. 21, 2016 shows 24-year-old Tunisian Anis Amri on a photo that was used on the documents found in the truck that plowed into a Christmas market in Berlin Dec. 19. Prosecuto… . FILE – In this Dec. 20, 2016 file photo a police officer lights a candle in Berlin, Germany the day after a truck ran into a crowded Christmas market nearby.

UK lawyers contest handling of children’s asylum bids

The Latest on Europe’s response to the influx of asylum-seekers and migrants : Lawyers representing 36 children from the now dismantled migrant camp in the French town of Calais have launched a legal challenge to Britain’s handling of their asylum applications. Toufique Hossain, who represents the children, says 28 of them want written reasons for why their cases were rejected.

Money pours in for young dad who has lost leg and hand

NEARLY A 20,000 has been raised for a Swindon dad left with life-changing injuries after he suffered an electrical shock while working on scaffolding last week. Jamie Mines was five meters up on the scaffolding in Galton Way last Monday when the accident happened, seeing crews from Swindon, Stratton and Chippenham attend.

Calf of rare giraffe species born in UK zoo

A British zoo was celebrating after the birth of a rare Rothschild’s giraffe calf, whose number has dwindled to fewer than 1,600 in its native Kenya and Uganda. “First-time mum, Tula, delivered the most precious Christmas gift on Boxing Day,” said Chester Zoo in a message posted on its Facebook page, along with a picture of the mother and her six-foot calf standing between her legs.

Iraqi forces launch second phase of Mosul offensive against ISIL

Iraqi security forces on Dec. 29 began the second phase of their offensive against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militants in Mosul, pushing from three directions into eastern districts where the battle has been deadlocked for nearly a month. Since the offensive to capture Mosul began 10 weeks ago, counter-terrorism forces have retaken a quarter of the city, the jihadists’ last major stronghold in Iraq, but their advance has been slow and troops on other fronts have made little progress.

Turkey to raise minimum wage by 8 percent to 1,400 liras

Turkey will raise the monthly minimum wage by 8 percent to 1,404 Turkish liras , Labor Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu said at a press conference on Dec. 29 in Ankara, a level that trade unions did not welcome. “The minimum wage in Turkey is increasing from 1,300 Turkish liras per month to 1,404 liras per month, as of 2017, after we reached an agreement with stakeholders,” he said.

Mosul fight resumes after two-week lull

Iraqi security forces on Thursday resumed an offensive to rid eastern Mosul from the Islamic State after a two-week pause, an Iraqi army official said. Iraqi officials brought in reinforcements to aid the Iraqi army, police and elite counter-terrorism forces during the pause in the offensive.

Chinese oil metric paints mixed demand picture

A metric used to gauge Chinese oil demand was slightly higher than last year, though there are signs economic performance is slowing, an industry report said. According to economists with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Chinese gross domestic product will average 6.7 percent growth for 2016 and 6.2 percent in 2017.

Berlin market attack suspect ‘was investigated over fraud’

Prosecutors in western Germany have revealed they opened a fraud investigation earlier this year against Anis Amri, the main suspect in the Berlin Christmas market truck attack. Prosecutors in western Germany have revealed they opened a fraud investigation earlier this year against Anis Amri, the main suspect in the Berlin Christmas market truck attack.

North Korea issues guidelines to prevent spread of H5N6 bird flu

The North Korean government is increasingly concerned over the growing avian influenza epidemic in East Asia, state-run media indicatedon Thursday. But preventive methods issuedby media remain primitive, suggesting that an outbreakof H7N9 avian flu – which has a 40 percent fatality rate – in the country could have a disastrous effect.

Most-watched Clean Cuts, UTubers of 2016

An adorable 3-year-old Latter-day Saint who shared her testimony of Jesus Christ through song, a haka that reduced a New Zealand bride to tears and several local contestants who auditioned for the final season of “American Idol” were at the top of this year’s most popular Clean Cuts and UTubers. In 2016, Deseret News readers were introduced to 3-year-old Claire Crosby.

Why I Call BS On US Claims “Gang-Up On Israel” Meeting Never Took Place

The White House vehemently denied a report Wednesday morning claiming Secretary of State John Kerry and National Security Adviser Susan Rice discussed the controversial U.N. resolution condemning Israeli settlements with a top Palestinian official days before Friday’s Security Council vote. An Egyptian news site first published what it claimed to be details of the meeting with Palestinian official Saeb Erekat and others.

Breaking Live: Newport-Cardiff trains disrupted as engineering works overrun

A Network Rail spokeswoman said: “Due to overrunning engineering works in the Cardiff area, there will be disruption to services on the South Wales Mainline and Valley line services at the start of service this morning. Up until just after 8am this morning, trains travelling to/from the east and north continued to start and terminate at Newport, as well as running between Swansea and Bridgend.

Sabah will be rich and developed after 53 years in Malaysia if there…

Sabah will be rich and developed after 53 years in Malaysia if there is no corruption and the wealth of Sabah had been used for Sabahans and not hijacked by corrupt leaders and their cronies Malaysia is now regarded worldwide as a “global kleptocracy” which I had defined in Parliament as a country ruled by PPP – Pencuri, Perompak and Penyamun. Donald Trump wants the white house painted! Chinese guy quoted 3 million European guy quoted 7 million Malaysian guy quoted 10 million.

Economy in doubt, Brits save

Britons are holding on to their cash in a sign that they may be hunkering down in the face of economic uncertainties, according to the British Bankers Association. Personal deposits grew an annual 4.8 percent in November, data compiled by the association show.

Economy in doubt, Brits save

Britons are holding on to their cash in a sign that they may be hunkering down in the face of economic uncertainties, according to the British Bankers Association. Personal deposits grew an annual 4.8 percent in November, data compiled by the association show.

Madras HC raises doubt over Jayalalithaa’s death

Chennai , Dec. 29 : The Madras High Court on Thursday raised doubts over late Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa’ demise and said that the truth must come out. [NK Tamil Nadu] “Media has raised a lot of doubts, personally I also have doubts in Jayalalithaa’s death,” said Justice Vaidyalingam, who was hearing a petition demanding an inquiry into the ormer AIADMK chief’s death.

Iraqi forces in Mosul reinforced, new push against IS soon

Iraqi forces stalled for weeks on the edges of Mosul have been bolstered by reinforcements and are now ready, along with elite special forces, to launch a stepped up, three-pronged assault against Islamic State group militants in the city’s eastern sector, ending a two-week lull in fighting, a top Iraqi general told The Associated Press. The planned assault aims in part to overcome stiff resistance by the militants that has slowed advances in the more than 2-month-old offensive to recapture the northern city, the last main bastion of the Islamic State group in Iraq.