Day: February 3, 2017

NATO Chief Urges Serbia, Kosovo To Ease Tensions After Failed Talks

The head of NATO urged Serbia and Kosovo to ease tensions and revive their efforts to normalize relations after talks aimed at mending ties collapsed amid mutual recriminations this week. “Not more rhetoric but we need dialogue, we need to reduce tensions to avoid incidents…and move forward normalizing the process between Pristina and Belgrade,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters after meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa in Pristina on February 3. Kosovo and Serbia, after an attempt at negotiations abruptly broke up without result late on February 1, have engaged in an escalating war of words, accusing each other of stoking ethnic tensions.

US-Japan alliance ‘cornerstone’ of stability: Mattis1 hour ago

US Defence Secretary James Mattis today told his Japanese counterpart that their alliance remained a “cornerstone” of regional stability as he wrapped up a visit aimed at reassuring key Asian allies about Washington’s commitment to their security. Japan and the US have a decades-long security alliance while US-South Korea military ties date back to the 1950-53 Korean War.

Punjab Polls: Voting begins across 22, 615 polling stations for 117 constituencies5 min ago

Patiala [India], Feb. 4 : Polling began in Punjab amid heavy security on Saturday morning, with 1,145 candidates contesting across 117 seats, and will conclude at 5 p.m. Key contests today feature a direct fight between chief ministerial aspirants Parkash Singh Badal, 89, and Captain Amarinder Singh, 75, of the Congress in Lambi and a mega battle in Jalalabad between Sukhbir Badal and Bhagwant Singh Mann, seen as AAP’s leading contender for chief minister if the party wins. It will be a three-cornered contest this time around.

Polling in Goa begins; Parrikar among early voters1 hour ago

Panaji, Feb 4 Polling for all 40 constituencies of the Goa Legislative Assembly that will decide the fate of 250 candidates began at 7 AM today with sparse queues outside booths. More than eleven lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the election being held across 1,642 polling booths in the state with para-military forces and state police guarding the venues.

Battle for Goa: Parrikar casts his vote, says BJP will win with two-third majority18 min ago

Panaji [India], Feb. 4 : With the Assembly Election polling for 40 seats underway in Goa, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar cast his vote early on Saturday morning here and expressed his confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party will sweep the polls with two-third majority. Speaking to the media here after casting his vote, Parrikar said that initial reports indicate a very good turnout by the electorate.

Key clash for Flat, Hawks

EAGLEHAWK and Kangaroo Flat will lock horns in a pivotal match for the finals aspirations of both sides in BBD midweek pennant on Monday. FIGHTING TO HOLD FOURTH SPOT: Eaglehawk’s Jan Robertson.

Hollande calls on EU leaders to refuse ‘pressure’ from US

Valletta, Feb 4 – French President Francois Hollande called on European Union leaders to refuse any pressure from the US administration and to reflect a complete independence on its future, particularly on defence, trade and its relations with Russia. Hollande did not rule out the possibility of a multi-speed Europe when addressing the press during the European Union informal summit here, Xinhua news agency reported.

Dakota Access and Keystone XL Pipelines Revived: Why Does It Matter?

On January 24, President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum expediting review of the application to build the Dakota Access Pipeline. Construction of the 1,172 mile, $3.7 billion pipeline that carries oil from North Dakota into Illinois is almost complete, except for a 1,100 foot section under North Dakota’s Lake Oahe , an important reservoir on the Missouri River.

Ex-Army chief first to cast vote in Patiala

Chandigarh, Feb 4 – Former Army Chief and ex-governor, General J.J. Singh, was among the first to cast his vote on Saturday morning at a polling station in Patiala city in Punjab, 60 km from here. Accompanied by his wife, Gen Singh, who is a candidate of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, said that he was confident of victory from the Patiala-urban assembly where he is challenging Punjab Congress President and former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

Beijing resident crashes car near Tiananmen Square

A car crashed and overturned near Tiananmen Square in the heart of Beijing on Friday which police blamed on the driver losing control on a slippery road, cautioning against the spreading of rumors. Police said on their official microblog on Friday that the 26-year-old driver had taken responsibility for the accident.

George Osborne defends six-figure sum roles on top of pay

My contribution to UK life, by five-jobs George: Osborne defends the roles that earn him six-figure sums on top of his MP’s salary These include pocketing A 620,000 from after-dinner speeches and taking up a controversial role with the US investment firm BlackRock George Osborne yesterday defended the jobs that earn him six-figure sums on top of his MP’s salary, claiming they are part of his ‘varied and interesting’ contribution to national life. The ex-Chancellor, who was sacked after the EU referendum , has been heavily criticised for accepting a string of well-paid roles while still serving on the Tory back benches.

Bondi Rescue star Anthony Glick, 22, is a photographer

Not just a pretty face: Meet the Bondi Rescue star, 22, whose stunning images of beaches and beyond are being snapped up worldwide Glick first started taking photos of the beach on his iPhone – but his passion grew so he bought a camera A talented self-taught photographer has revealed how his love for photography started at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach when he picked up his phone to take a snap of the breathtaking scenery. That was five years ago and lifeguard Anthony Glick, 22, who is one of the stars in hit TV show Bondi Rescue – has been obsessed with capturing the perfect picture ever since, combining his love for the sun and surf with his passion for photography.

Prime Minister promises green belt will be safe

Judge CANCELS Trump’s immigration ban leaving airports in limbo and chaos in the skies, as state attorney general who brought the case tells protesters: ‘The President is not above the law’ Pentagon releases terror training video it uncovered in fatal Yemen raid as proof of operation’s success… but it’s quickly revealed to be DECADE-OLD Al-Qaeda footage already online Virginia woman wins $1m payout after catching horrific bacterial infection that left her covered in boils from pedicure at nail salon EXCLUSIVE: NBC to CANCEL one hour of Today show for $12m Megyn Kelly’s new 10am show – leaving Al Roker upset about Tamron Hall being forced out Human remains found in a shallow grave may be of Texas student, 22, who went missing in October after going on a date with her boyfriend Tearful Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau vows solidarity with Muslims during funeral for three of the six … (more)

Peter Oborne: Truth is the Eu is more bigoted than the Us

This week has seen worldwide outrage against President Donald Trump and his temporary ban on people entering the United States from seven mostly Muslim countries. There have been demonstrations across the globe and a petition here trying to stop the President’s State visit to the UK has been signed more than 1.8 million times.

Leaked videos heat up Ecuador’s presidential race

Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, center, Alianza Pais party presidential candidate Lenin Moreno, left, and his running mate and Vice President Jorge Glas wave to supporters in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Jan. 15, 2017. Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, center, Alianza Pais party presidential candidate Lenin Moreno, left, and his running mate and Vice President Jorge Glas wave to supporters in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Jan. 15, 2017.

Food news: What to eat this Waitangi long weekend

From Allyson Gofton’s recipe for the perfect steak dish to Nicky Watson’s latest foodie revelation, here are our top picks in delicious food news and events to indulge in this Waitangi weekend. Despite our plans to keep fit and healthy in 2017, there are times when you’ll want a break from the clean eating and workouts.

The Metropolitan Museum of Arts Extends the Museum Workout

The acclaimed Museum Workout will be extended with new dates added in February and March. Part performance, part workout and tour, The Museum Workout has been called “reverential,” “unconventional,” and “thrilling” since its premiere on January 19. After the sold-out performances ending on February 12, there will be additional dates on Monday, Feb 27, through Sunday, March 5; and Tuesday, March 7, through Thursday, March 9. All performances begin at 8:30 a.m. at The Met Fifth Avenue.

On loan from Leverkusen, Papadopoulos scores for Hamburg win

Hamburg’s Mergim Mavraj, right, and Leverkusen’s goalkeeper Bernd Leno battle for the ball during the Bundesliga soccer match between Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany, Friday Feb. 3, 2017. Hamburg’s Filip Kostic, right, and Leverkusen’s Benjamin Henrichs battle for the ball during the Bundesliga soccer match between Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany, Friday Feb. 3, 2017.

Iraqi interpreter to be reunited with daughter

An Iraqi immigrant family that arrived in Maine just days before citizens of Muslim-majority nations were banned from entering the country has been reunited with a daughter. Labed Alalhanfy, his wife, Soso, and their 13- and 19-year-old daughters arrived in the United States from Baghdad on Tuesday.

Israel Can’t Avoid the Settlement Talk Anymore

In his inimitable fashion, U.S. President Donald Trump has succeeded in beginning a national conversation about immigration. It is not the nuanced, cerebral discussion about the value of migrants versus the danger of terrorists that Americans need to have, but despite — or perhaps because of — the horribly amateurish rollout of his immigration executive order, the U.S. is at least beginning to talk.

Louvre attack: Attacker believed to be Egyptian

French investigators believe the man who launched a machete attack outside the Louvre in Paris, before being shot and wounded by a soldier, is a 29-year-old Egyptian who entered the country on a tourist visa. The attacker had lunged at four patrolling French soldiers while shouting “Allahu Akbar”.

N.Y. Muslim store owners close to protest Trump order

Thousands rallied in Brooklyn on Thursday to denounce President Trump’s executive order on immigration, drawing perhaps the largest public U.S. protest by Muslims in recent history. They gathered for prayer as speakers condemned Trump’s order, which temporarily bans citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the country.

Iraqi interpreter says he’s ‘blessed’ to be in U.S. after ban

Hassan Alaskry, the son of Munther Alaskry, surveys the arrival area as his sister Dima, and mother Hiba Alaskry arrive at New York’s JFK International Airport. NEW YORK – Munther Alaskry and his family were just hours away from their dream as they boarded the final leg of a flight to the United States after waiting seven years for visas.