Video prompts Myanmar to investigate police brutality against Rohingya villagers

The Myanmar government has launched an investigation into police brutality against members of the Muslim Rohingya minority after video has emerged that appears to show police beating civilians in the west of the country. The selfie-style video was filmed on November 5, according to the office of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, and after it was posted to YouTube on Saturday, quickly went viral.

Did a coal fire sink the Titanic?

Did an intense fire on board R.M.S. Titanic lead to one of the worst disaster’s in maritime history? A new documentary by author and journalist Senan Molony suggests the emergence of pictures hidden in a forgotten album for a century prove that the supposedly unsinkable passenger ship was weakened by a smoldering coal fire even before it left on its catastrophic maiden voyage. Titanic, which at the time of its sinking in 1912 was the biggest ship afloat, hit an iceberg in the north Atlantic on the night of April 14 and went down with the loss of about 1,500 lives.

Cologne police accused of racial profiling on NYE

Cologne’s chief of police has rejected criticism over accusations that officers used racial profiling while conducting identification checks on New Year’s Eve. Authorities in the city had stepped up security measures for revelers after last year’s spate of sexual assaults which were blamed on refugees of North African descent.

Jordan Larsson follows dad’s footsteps with Dutch move

Striker Jordan Larsson is following in his father Henrik’s footsteps by moving to the Dutch Eredivisie, with Swedish club Helsingborg announcing on Monday that the 19-year-old has signed for NEC Nijmegen. Henrik Larsson resigned as Helsingborg coach in November after he and his son were involved in an angry confrontation with fans as the club lost a playoff match and were relegated from the Swedish top flight.

The Latest: Turkey monitoring social media accounts

Turkey’s deputy prime minister says authorities are monitoring hundreds of “provocative” social media accounts that allegedly support terrorism and foster divisiveness in society. Numan Kurtulmus said Monday that 347 social media accounts which were determined to “sow seeds of enmity among the public” were under investigation, with legal action taken against 92 individuals.

Israeli police question PM over corruption allegations

Israeli police are questioning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over corruption allegations, local media reported after police cars arrived at his residence Monday. The police team did not speak to journalists, but Israeli media said they are looking into suspicions that Netanyahu inappropriately accepted expensive gifts from two businessmen.

Airstrike in Syria kills 8 jihadi militants

An air raid has struck several cars in northwestern Syria, killing at least eight people, including al-Qaida-linked fighters and a senior commander with a Chinese Islamic militant faction, an activist group and a local jihadi commander said Monday. The attack occurred late Sunday on a road leading from the town of Sarmada to the Bab al-Hawa area on the border with Turkey, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and a local commander with the Fatah al-Sham Front, an al-Qaida-linked group.

Nigeria plans to close airport in capital for runway repairs

Nigeria’s government plans to close the airport in the capital, Abuja, for six weeks to repair a runway that some airlines have described as dangerous, an aviation ministry statement said Monday. The government plans to close Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the country’s second-busiest, for most of February and March.

IS suicide bomber kills 36 in Baghdad market

A suicide bomber driving a pickup loaded with explosives struck a bustling market in Baghdad on Monday, killing at least 36 people in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group hours after French President Francois Hollande arrived in the Iraqi capital. The bomb went off in a fruit and vegetable market that was packed with day laborers, a police officer said, adding that another 52 people were wounded.

Sport24.co.za | Djokovic survives scare in Doha season opener

Novak Djokovic battled back from 5-1 down against the world No 63 Jan-Lennard Struff to claim his first victory of the season at the Qatar Open in Doha on Monday. The world number two lost his opening two service games to the German before rallying in determined fashion to eventually take the first-round match 7-6 , 6-2.

Sport24.co.za | Faty blames witchcraft for heart issues

Former Bidvest Wits star Papy Faty partly blames witchcraft for the reported heart problem he was diagnosed with which led to the club’s decision to terminate his contract in September last year. The 26-year-old central midfielder collapsed twice in 2016 for the Clever Boys – once in a friendly match and the second time in a Premiership encounter.

Holden shines in Sparks’ win

Otago Sparks all-rounder Victoria Holden helped her side seal a six-wicket win against Northern Districts with an impressive performance in a twenty20 match at the University Oval yesterday. Otago coach Rob Walter will have one eye on the future when his team completes its twenty20 campaign with a match against Wellington at the Basin Reserve today.

Posters mocking Devendra Fadnavis evoke BJP ire

Ahead of the crucial BMC elections due next month, posters in Mumbai about Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ comments on city’s development have prompted BJP to react sharply. “On the other hand, a person from Mumbai will ensure that Maharashtra is kept united, along with Mumbai,” the poster added.

Iraq: Suicide Bombing Kills at Least 22 in Baghdad

A suicide bomber blew up his explosives-laden vehicle Monday in a bustling market area in Baghdad, killing at least 22 people, Iraqi officials said, hours after the arrival of French President Francois Hollande to the country and amid a fierce fight against the Islamic State group. The bomber driving a pickup truck attacked an outdoor fruit and vegetable market, day laborers and a police checkpoint in Baghdad’s eastern Sadr City district, a police officer said.

Bishan Singh Bedi hails SC decision to sack BCCI President, Secretary

New Delhi : Legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi on Monday hailed the Supreme Court order to sack BCCI President Anurag Thakur and Secretary Ajay Shirke, saying they had made cricket their fiefdom. “This is a very important decision for Indian cricket and for all sportspersons,” Bedi told the media after the apex court cracked the whip on the Board of Control for Cricket in India brass for not complying with its orders to implement the R.M. Lodha Committee reforms.

Suicide Bomber Kills 3 in Somalia

Somali police say at least three people were killed Monday when a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle packed with explosives near the international airport in Mogadishu. The explosion occurred as security forces inspected vehicles at a security checkpoint a few hundred meters from the headquarters of the African Union peacekeeping mission.

2016: A year in pictures – November and December

ROYAL Wootton Bassett woke one early November morning to discover High Street ‘yarn-bombed’ to raise awareness of that year’s Poppy Appeal run by the Royal British Legion. Linda Frost, town councillor and member of Royal Wootton Bassett Community Together, had set out with fellow community group members much earlier to adorn shop windows and other features.

Protest over rail fare rise to be staged

A PROTEST will be staged at Swindon Railway Station on Tuesday evening after it was announced that rail fares would increase by more than two per cent from the New Year. This, the Action for Rail campaign has said, will result in rail commuters spending up to six times as much of their salaries on rail fares as European passengers on publicly owned railways.

A video capture shows the gunman entering the Reina

The Islamic State took credit for the attack during the New Year’s celebration that left 39 dead and 69 injured, Turkish media reported. Islamic State takes credit for New Year’s attack at Istanbul nightclub The Islamic State took credit for the attack during the New Year’s celebration that left 39 dead and 69 injured, Turkish media reported.

Analyst: Global advertising revenue to hit $532bn

Big brand budgets and quadrennial events such as the Olympics, European Football Championship and US Presidential Election will drive 2016’s global advertising revenue growth to $532 billion according to findings from critical information, analytics and solutions source IHS Markit’s annual Global Advertising Trends report. “The advertising industry is about to turn the corner thanks to the global economy getting back on track,” said Eleni Marouli, principal analyst, IHS Technology, and report author.

The Latest: Reports: Turkey detains 8 over nightclub attack

This image taken from CCTV provided by Haberturk Newspaper Sunday Jan. 1, 2017 shows the attacker, armed with a long-barrelled weapon, shooting his way into the Reina nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey on Sunday morning. The assailant opened fire at the nightclub in Istanbul’s Ortakoy district during New Year’s celebrations, killing dozens of people and wounding dozens of others in what the province’s governor described as a terror attack.

Award for officer who tackled bottle-wielding man

THE officer who would not let her violent and dangerous attacker get away has been praised at the last Chief Constable’s Awards of the year. PC Michelle Harris was on patrol responding to a request to carry out a search in Basingstoke for a man who was suspected of burglary.

Special birthday for Joyce to see in New Year

ONE Swindon family had a double celebration as the last day of 2016 heralded the 100th birthday of Joyce Walters. Swindon-born Joyce, known more widely as Joyce Vizor, was surrounded by almost 100 friends and family members in a special birthday party at Wrag Barn Golf Club.

Work on flood defences continues a year on from storm Eva hitting town

Storm Eva hit Warrington on Boxing Day 2015, leaving parts of town including Latchford Locks, Longford, Sankey Valley Park, Woolston Park, Lymm, Croft and Burtonwood flooded. A 100m section of Cromwell Avenue between Europa Boulevard and Sankey Brook was hit with 150mm of flood water, with Environment Agency flood defences protecting 119 properties.

Market Rasen Racecourse’s festive finale draws spectators in from far and wide

Thecourse’s reputation as one of the most popular venues in the Midlands was confirmed after more than 9,000 people packed through the turnstiles. The traditional event, sponsored by Rand Farm Park, drew in the huge crowds on a bright but chilly afternoon – and punters are already looking forward to the next race day on January 18. The town’s pubs and restaurants also reported a highly-anticipated boost in trade on the day, as crowds flocked to the event at the county’s only – racecourse.

Derby County bid A 2.5m for Henri Lansbury as Nottingham Forest…

Middlesbrough v Leicester LIVE: Can champions make it back-to-back wins? Follow all the Riverside Stadium action as it happens United are rediscovering their groove and returning to the club’s winning traditions… but how has Mourinho returned belief to flagging stars? New Year’s resolutions for the Premier League: From Arsenal’s contract woe to the next step for United – how clubs will hope to make 2017 a great year Oscar’s Chinese adventure begins as he meets adoring fans at airport after A 52m move from Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG CHRIS SUTTON’S transfer window guide: Griezmann can be Ibrahimovic’s long-term, while Chelsea will make a statement if they get Rodriguez… The Harry and Dele show: Kane and Alli both strike twice as Tottenham run riot in four-goal Watford win to push Man City out of the top four Work of art: Wenger hails Giroud’s scorpion kick as the greatest goal he has … (more)

Amateur footballer convinced he’s found the king of all Prince…

The amateur footballer snapped a photo of a stranger’s knees after noticing the royal resemblance, adding that the uncanny likeness left him ‘crying with laughter’ The amateur footballer is convinced he’s found Prince George’s likeness in a photo of a woman’s knees. Chris Murphy scrambled to take a snap of the royal resemblance as he passed through Hindley, Greater Manchester, on his way to a match.

Armenia again breaks ceasefire with Azerbaijan

Over the past 24 hours, Armenia’s armed forces have 35 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry reported on January 2. The Azerbaijani army positions located in the Gaymagli, Jafarli, Gizilhajili villages and on nameless heights of Azerbaijan’s Gazakh district underwent fire from the Armenian army positions located in the Barekamavan village of the Noyemberyan district, Azamut, Berkaber villages and on nameless heights of the Ijevan district of Armenia. Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani army positions located in the Aghbulag village of the Tovuz district were shelled from the Armenian army positions located in the Chinari village of the Berd district of Armenia.

Yemen’s children starve as war drags on

In this December 12, 2016 photo, provided by UNICEF, five-year-old Mohannad Ali lies on a hospital bed in Abs, Yemen. As the first light of dawn trickles in through the hospital window, 19-year-old Mohammed Ali learns that his two-year-old cousin has died of hunger, but he has to remain strong for his little brother Mohannad, who could be next.