Day: December 30, 2016

Greek ambassador to Brazil killed; widow and 2 men questioned

Brazilian police are questioning the widow of the Greek ambassador to that country, along with a military police officer described as her lover and another man in the death of the diplomat, authorities said Friday. Ambassador Kyriakos Amiridis, 59, had been missing since Monday, Evaristo Pontes Magalhaes, a police investigator in the Baixada Fluminense state, said Friday at a news conference.

US stocks notched big gains in 2016 despite an early stumble

In a year with no shortage of surprises and stomach-churning turns in the market, stock investors can feel pretty good about 2016. Wall Street repeatedly bounced back from steep slumps, including the worst start to any year for stocks, the second correction for the market in five months and investor fears of a global slowdown.

Man charged with wife’s death in Tonga wants his cash back

A U.S. citizen detained in Honolulu and facing extradition to Tonga where he’s accused of beating his wife to death has asked the U.S. government to return cash he had amassed from other countries including Canada and New Zealand. The various denominations of currency from Tonga, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the United States are the “only means that Mr. Fletcher has to hire an attorney and mount any meaningful defense to the charges in Tonga,” Assistant Federal Defender Melinda Yamaga said in the motion.

S. Koreans demand president’s removal on New Year’s Eve

Even on New Year’s Eve, large crowds of South Koreans were expected to join another rally demanding the ouster of impeached President Park Geun-hye, who’s determined to restore her powers through a court trial. Hundreds of thousands were expected to participate in the evening marches near Seoul’s presidential palace and the Constitutional Court.

2016 Mattapoisett Woman of the Year: Jo Pannell never stops giving to the town

The Council on Aging, the Historical Commission and Society and the public library - Jo Pannell has more than made her mark on all these town organizations in decades as a dedicated volunteer.  She worked with persistence to obtain the town’s first wheelchair accessible van, COA treasurer Liz Field said in her written recommendation of Pannell, and she is helping to create the Brick Memorial Park walkway at Ned’s Point and Shipyard Park.  As Field’s recommendation points out, Pannell has been a member of the Historical Commission since 1998 and is now chairman. She’s a member of the Friends of the Public Library and a regular volunteer there.

China says ‘Sky Net’ campaign recovers $331 million in corruption losses

China’s President Xi Jinping looks on before meeting with former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at the Great Halll of the People in Beijing, China December 2, 2016. China has recovered 2.3 billion yuan in losses from graft in the first 11 months of this year from across more than 70 different regions and countries, the country’s corruption watchdog said on its official website on Saturday.

Taiwan says will be calm when dealing with China, but 2017 will test national security

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Saturday that Taiwan will be “calm” when facing issues to do with China, but uncertainties next year will test the self-ruled island and its national security team, even as she recommitted to maintaining peace. FILE PHOTO: Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen waves her hand as she boards the nation’s first domestically built Tuo Jiang twin-hull stealth missile corvette at Suao Naval Base in Yilan, Taiwan June 4, 2016.

Throat singer, children’s storyteller among new Order of Canada recipients

As Canada enters a year marked by national birthday celebrations and the beginnings of an inquiry into the country’s past, sordid treatment of its indigenous peoples, Nunavut-based throat singer Tanya Tagaq Gillis hopes her music will open minds and lead to change. So far, though, she’s been confronted by some closed ones – people who send her hate mail over how her art form breaks from tradition.

US Scrambles to Clear Egg Exports to Bird Flu-hit South Korea

U.S. officials are urgently seeking an agreement with South Korea that would allow imports of American eggs so farmers can cash in on a shortage caused by the Asian country’s worst-ever outbreak of bird flu. South Korea banned imports of U.S. table eggs last year after the United States grappled with its own bout of bird flu.

Vancouver hotel manager guided newcomers into Canadian life

The families endured a frustrating period waiting to start their lives in a new land, but Mr. Ali and his staff tried their best to make the hotel feel like a home. The families endured a frustrating period waiting to start their lives in a new land, but Mr. Ali and his staff tried their best to make the hotel feel like a home.

Russian hackers penetrated Vermont electric utility -Wash Post

A code associated with the Russian hacking operation dubbed Grizzly Steppe by the Obama administration has been detected within the system of a Vermont electric utility, The Washington Post reported on Friday, citing unnamed U.S. officials. The Russians did not actively use the code to disrupt operations of the utility, the officials told the Post, but penetration of the nation’s electrical grid is significant because it represents a potentially serious vulnerability.

World News Schedule at 0200 GMT/0900 Et

PALM BEACH, Fla./ MOSCOW – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump praises Russian President Vladimir Putin for refraining from retaliation in dispute over spying and cyber attacks, in another sign that Republican plans to patch up badly frayed relations with Moscow. , moved, by Richard Cowan and Polina Devitt, 870 words) BEIRUT – Clashes, shelling and air raids in western Syria mar Russian- and Turkish-backed cease-fire that aims to end nearly six years of war and lead to peace talks between rebels and government emboldened by recent battlefield success.

Junior Josh storms home in boilover

HE is competing with the senior cyclists for the first time at a Tasmanian Carnivals series but Launceston teenager Josh Duffy showed the tactical nous of a seasoned veteran to cause a major boilover and claim the Devonport Wheel. The 16-year-old made the most of his 240m mark at the front of the field in last night’s final, to hold off some fast-finishing backmarkers to claim the $6500 prize in the biggest win of his infant career.

Five-star performance

This one’s mine: Andrea Lee beat Aifa Azman to win the girls’ Under-19 title at the Pontefract Open yesterday. Despite missing Ng Eain Yow, who withdrew from the boys’ Under-19 category on Wednesday after falling sick, the Malaysian youngsters proved unstoppable when the four-day meet ended yesterday.

Azmin resigns as FAS president in another twist to internal strife

Their president, who is also the Selangor Mentri Besar, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, has decided to step down from the post he has held since December 2014. In a joint Facebook statement with former Selangor manager Amirudin Shari, Azmin gave an assurance that the state government will continue to provide support in the development of the sport which will be announced soon.

More

The 29th London Art Fair , the UK’s premier Fair for Modern British and contemporary art, will be the most international edition to date when it returns to the Business Design Centre, Islington, from 18-22 January 2017. The Fair is renowned for providing a supportive environment for collectors of all levels, enhanced by an engaging programme of curated exhibitions, talks, tours, films and performances.

Magnificent masterpieces by Artemisia Gentileschi on view at the Museo di Roma

A journey through the art of the first half of the 17th century in the footsteps of a great and true woman. A first-class painter with a lively effervescent mind, who did not limit herself to sublime painting techniques, but who could modulate it according to the demands of her different patrons, transform it after having absorbed the best from her contemporaries, as she did from the ancient masters, sculptors and painters.

More Queensland women choose midwives to deliver babies

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of Queensland women choosing midwives to manage the birth of their babies, despite doctors’ concerns the practice puts patients at risk. The midwife model of care operates in five hospitals across the state, which have all reported a rise in demand.

New Year’s Honours for red rose greats

Thirteen people – including Preston Paralympic champion Stephanie Slater, academics, community heroes and business heavyweights – have appeared alongside celebrities such as Ken Dodd and Andy Murray. UCLan’s Professor of Stroke Care Caroline Watkins, the only stroke care professor in the UK, has been made a Dame for her services to stroke and nursing care.

Pic credit: Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Photographers, dance teachers, anti-slavery ambassadors, and charity and community workers are among those named in the New Year’s Honours list. The British Empire Medal is a medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown.

Mo Farah hails New Year Honours knighthood as a ‘dream come true’

Four-time Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah felt being awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours was a “dream come true” for a boy who arrived in London from Somalia unable to speak English. The 33-year-old successfully retained his 5,000 and 10,000 metres titles at the Rio Olympics, becoming the first British track and field athlete to win four Olympic gold medals.

Team GB lead the way in New Year Honours list

Britain’s first ever Tour de France cyclist, a cutler to the Queen with 76 years under his belt and the director of an agricultural show are among the Yorkshire recipients of New Year’s Honours Nationally, Olympic heroes Mo Farah, Andy Murray and Sheffield’ Jessica Ennis-Hill lead the way in a list dominated by Rio 2016’s Team GB. Others who will claim the title Sir in the new year include Kinks frontman Ray Davies, 72, and veteran comic Ken Dodd, 89, recognised for services to the arts, and entertainment and charity, respectively.

The dirty secret about your clothes

A woman hangs dyed yarn to dry at a textile mill on the outskirts of Agartala, capital of India’s northeastern state of Tripura. In the Colours of Nature dye house, Vijayakumar Varathan is busy prepping a vat of indigo.

2016 was laden with success stories

In a country where yearly reviews have featured more scandals than the word, 2016 – despite its misgivings in other spheres of life – will pass as one that registered more satisfaction than indignities. Let us run through moments that brought smiles to our faces throughout the course.

Damani win Nakuru Series

Aziz Damani have more than just one reason to pop the champagne as the world gears up for the New Year celebrations PARTNERSHIP. Damani top order batsman Arnold Otwani steers a delivery off the bowling of Zaid Abbas to the leg-side in his fifth-wicket stand of 83 runs with all-rounder Brian Masaba at Greensteds International School in Nakuru, Kenya on December 27. Otwani’s solidity throughout the tour helped Aziz Damani clinch the series against Rift Valley Sports Club.

Merkel says Islamist terrorism is biggest test for Germany

German Chancellor Angela Merkel poses for photographs after the television recording of her annual New Year’s speech at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, December 30, 2016. Islamist terrorism is the biggest test facing Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday in a New Year’s address to the nation, and she vowed to introduce laws that improve security after a deadly attack before Christmas in Berlin.

I lived in Times Square for a year – here’s what it’s like…

Registration will allow you to post comments on ctpost.com and create a ctpost.com Subscriber Portal account for you to manage subscriptions and email preferences. I lived in Times Square for a year – here’s what it’s like to live in the most hectic part of New York City NEW YORK – While most New Yorkers avoid the wandering crowds of tourists, costumed characters, and bombarding big screens of Times Square, I chose to live there.

Tayebwa: An agricultural economist who inspired students

Tayebwa was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in addition to diabetes mellitus and hypertension, ailments he struggled with for about 15 years until he developed kidney failure that prompted a transplant surgery Mr Tayebwa held a Master’s Degree in Agriculture Economics and a Post-graduate diploma. He taught at Makerere University between 1987 to 2007 as a lecturer of economics and agriculture economics.

600 places to catch fireworks tonight

New year fete : As the world welcomes the New Year, tradition has been that fireworks take centre stage at the stroke of midnight. And to usher in 2017 tonight, the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, has cleared 618 venues for the spectacular display of fireworks.

Stock markets cap off strong year on a soft note, as oil and gold prices retract

Major equity markets in Toronto and New York capped off a strong performing year Thursday with a whimper, much like how it began 2016, as most commodities softened. The S&P/TSX composite index, which had been flat at the start of the session, lost 134.53 points at 15,287.59 by day’s end – weighed down by a broad decline in nearly all sectors with the biggest losses coming from gold, materials and metals stocks.

Continued talk of mafia is worrying

On Wednesday, the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, warned the public of electronic fraudsters who are allegedly colluding with bank officials and security personnel to steal money from unsuspecting customers’ bank accounts Our view : We all need to understand where this comes from; we need to question the integrity of some bank officials and put sections of the security agencies under intense scrutiny On Wednesday, the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, warned the public of electronic fraudsters who are allegedly colluding with bank officials and security personnel to steal money from unsuspecting customers’ bank accounts.

Merkel tells Germans their country is stronger than terror

Chancellor Angela Merkel is telling Germans in her New Year message that their country is stronger than terrorism and the government will do everything to ensure “security in freedom.” Merkel said in her annual televised address being broadcast Saturday that 2016 had been “a year of severe tests,” the toughest of them Islamic extremist terror.