Members of the Democratic Republic of Congo community gather around the coffin of late Congo’s opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi during a funeral wake in his honour, in Brussels. AFP Photo Tears flowed Sunday as thousands of members of the Congolese diaspora paid their emotional last respects to opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, known affectionately as “papa”, who died in Brussels last week.
Day: February 5, 2017
A to Z of Africa Cup of Nations
Once again touted as potential champions and once again flops, exiting after first round without a win. Big names like Riyad Mahrez and Yacine Brahimi failed to deliver five-star performances.
’60s Scoop survivor skeptical of gov’t move
Not everyone’s cheering last week’s announcement that the federal government plans to negotiate a countrywide settlement with those affected by the ’60s Scoop. While he remains open to the possibility that it might end up leading to positive things, Stewart Garnett remains skeptical.
The Kalala family.
Social media is abuzz over President Donald Trump’s tweet condemning the actions of a federal appeals court that rejected an appeal to restore the travel ban on refugees and visa holders. The Executive Order banned citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States for 90 days and all refugees for 120 days.
Patience in short supply for fans as same old problems trouble Rangers
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Australian dies in jet ski crash on Thai holiday
A 21-year-old Australian woman was killed in a jet ski crash after she collided with her boyfriend off the coast of Thailand’s Phuket island, police said Monday. The woman, identified as Emily Collie, was brought to the shore of Kata beach after the accident on Sunday but was pronounced dead soon after, said Patiwat Yodkwan, a senior police officer on the island.
Queen Elizabeth II marks sapphire jubilee
Queen Elizabeth II, the world’s longest reigning sovereign, on Monday set a new record as the first British monarch to reach her sapphire jubilee, with 65 years on the throne. The queen, now 90, rose to the throne in 1952 at the age of 25 upon the premature death of her father, King George VI.
Death threats against Prayut, Prawit made in Laos: NSC chief
National Security Council Secretary General Thawip Netniyom said Monday assassination plots targeting top two country leaders came from lese majeste suspects who are living in Laos. Last week, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered a manhunt for people posting death threats against him and his Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan.
Auckland Airport welcomes world’s longest flight
Auckland Airport has welcomed Qatar Airways this morning as the airline launches the world’s longest commercial passenger flight on the Auckland-Doha route. Scott Tasker, Auckland Airport’s acting general manager – aeronautical commercial, says, “We welcome Qatar Airways to Auckland and New Zealand.
Imam says speech re-tweeted by J.K. Rowling came from his heart
Police officers stand guard next to a building housing a mosque Tuesday, January 31, 2017 in Quebec City. Six people were killed and another 19 were injured when a gunman attacked the Centre Cultural Islamique de Quebec.
Britain to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s record 65-year reign
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Duke of Edinburgh, centre, arrive at St Peter and St Paul at West Newton, England, Sunday Feb. 5, 2017. The Queen is to make history on Monday Feb. 6, when she becomes the first British monarch to reach the Sapphire Jubilee, marking the 65th.
Registrations open for third Wanaka music summit
King Kapisi, Anika Moa and Warren Maxwell are among more than 11 music tutors coming to Wanaka in May to mentor budding musicians. The third annual Youth and Adults in the Music Industry summit provides workshops, seminars and showcases for budding music industry participants.
Meet Jack Outback, the – most interesting’ Australian
Lead researcher says even though persona was refined and the name dropped throughout the study, he would still like to meet him for a beer Krouwel is the pioneering data scientist behind Election Compass , an online political sentiment tool used in more than 40 countries worldwide. He is also the lead researcher on the Political Persona Project – one of the most comprehensive attempts ever made to profile different types of Australians based on their lifestyles, social values and politics.
Vietnam allows betting on international soccer competitions
Under the decree signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc that takes effect by the end of March, Vietnamese over 21 years of age will be allowed to place bets of up to $44 a day, with a minimum bet of 44 cents. The government will allow only one company to do this business during the five-year trial period and that company must have an investment capital of at least 1 trillion dong .
American experiences joys of New Year in Chinese fishing village
English teacher makes trip back to husband’s home village in Guangdong province for the Spring Festival holiday, news website reports An American woman has experienced the Lunar New Year holiday in a Chinese fishing village for the first time as the wife of a former villager, according to a news website report. The woman, identified only by her first name Jessica, has spent the last six years teaching English at a kindergarten in Beijing, Chinanews.com reported.
Australian woman dies in jet ski crash on Phuket holiday
A 20-year-old Australian woman was killed in a jet ski crash after she collided with her partner off the coast of Thailand’s Phuket island, police said Monday. The woman, identified as Emily Collie, was brought to the shore of Kata beach after the accident on Sunday but was pronounced dead soon after.
Sapporo snow festival opens, features Trump sculpture
The annual Sapporo snow festival began Monday in the Hokkaido capital, featuring 200 sculptures made from snow and ice, including one of new US President Donald Trump. Over 2 million people are expected to visit the weeklong 68th Sapporo Snow Festival, which is held at three sites in the city and runs through February 12. Among the larger attractions, which are illuminated at night, are sculptures of “Star Wars” characters to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the movie’s release as well as the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Nanking Massacre-denying Japanese hotel boss sparks Tokyo protest
Dozens of protesters marched through the streets of Tokyo’s Shinjuku district carrying banners to protest a hotel chain under fire for books its president wrote denying the Nanking Massacre in wartime China ever happened. Tokyo-based hotel and real estate developer APA Group is at the centre of a furore over books by its founder and president, Toshio Motoya, which contain his revisionist views on history and are placed in every room of the company’s 400-plus APA Hotels.
Nines injury setback for Apps
Bega rugby league star Kezie Apps helped the Australian Jillaroos to to a win against the Kiwi Ferns before a broken leg in the second round. Australia went on to complete a historic clean sweep.
Polly Gillespie talks about her future and her overnight Facebook post
We asked her about whether or not she’ll stay in her current job, whether she was concerned about repercussions after the posting, about the proposed social media restrictions from her employers, how her fans were reacting, whether she would say any more about the future of co-host Grant Kereama, and why she made the post while dyeing her hair. Here is Gillespie’s reply: Well I have no plans to go anywhere else but I’m fairly sure I won’t be re-signing with current employers.
Kimbra to headline Qatar Airways’ gala dinner for record Auckland flight
The Grammy-winning singer would follow in the tradition of local artists performing at functions to celebrate the launch of services by the airline which flies to about 150 destinations around the world. The exclusive dinner at Auckland Museum for the travel industry and others would be an “amazing party” one Qatar executive has said.
Play brings back harsh realities
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nation and world briefs
The CEO of Tiffany & Co. has stepped down amid concerns about the jewelry company’s financial performance.
Seen it all over five decades
MY book, Jejak Seni: Dari Pentas Bangsawan ke Media Prima Berhad, was launched two weeks ago by Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim. It is about my involvement in the world of culture and the arts in the last five decades.
Commuters band together to remove swastika graffiti from NY subway
Commuters in New York City, horrified by swastikas and racist messages scrawled across a subway carriage, have joined forces to scrub away the offensive graffiti. Gregory Locke was one of those commuters and described his disbelief at finding the anti-Semitic symbols scribbled in black ink.
Would-be dog owners take shine to new breeds
Since 2012, when a Tibetan mastiff pup sold for 20mil yuan in Shandong province, the country has become obsessed with brown toy poodles. Guo Jishi, who runs a pet dog centre in Beijing, said the brown toy poodle has been popular in recent years because it is cute, small and smart.
Pakistan thanks India after Kashmiri boy reunites with mother
MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan has sent a rare message of thanks to arch-rival India after a five-year-old boy who was taken to India by his father nearly a year ago was reuni ted with his Pakistani mother. Ifthikar Ahmed was handed over to Rohina Kiani by border officials in the town of Wagah in Punjab province on Saturday evening following a long legal battle seeking his return from his father, Gulzar Ahmad Tantray.
Indonesia takes aim at notorious Islamic group behind governor protests
Working the crowd: Purnama waving to the crowd as he attends a music concert ahead of this month’s elections in Jakarta. – Reuters Jakarta: Indonesia is moving to rein in a notorious Islamic hardline group which spearheaded protests against Jakarta’s Christian governor, but experts warn it will be tough to bring to heel a network with close ties to the establishment.
Duterte calls off peace talks with communists
Manila: Peace talks with communist rebels will no longer continue, unless there’s a compelling reason to do so, President Rodrigo Duterte told reporters during his visit to his parents’ graves in Davao City. “Peace talks will remain cancelled unless there is a compelling reason that will benefit the interest of the nation,” Duterte said yesterday, a day after he lifted the government’s unilateral ceasefire with the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Avalanches kill over 100 and destroy homes in Afghanistan
Kabul: More than a 100 people have been killed in a series of avalanches triggered by days of heavy snowfall around Afghanistan, including 50 in one village, officials said, warning the death toll could still rise further. The avalanches struck after three days of heavy snow, which has destroyed scores of homes and blocked roads mainly in central and northeastern provinces, making it difficult for rescue workers to reach the stricken villages.
Caricel to continue trading despite legal issues
Telecoms provider Symbiote Investments Ltd, which trades as Caricel, says it will continue offering competitive services as an LTE advanced telecoms provider in Jamaica despite recent court developments. According to Minett Lawrence, company secretary for Symbiote Investments, the company will continue to offer a range of services to consumers on excellent terms and at affordable prices.
Gearing up: Party workers preparing campaign posters at the Barisan operations centre in Lundu.
LUNDU: The battle for the Tanjong Datu seat is on but it has been a quiet affair on the first day of campaigning with no sign of poster wars and rallies. The town is humming along as usual.
Military phases out relief effort in New Brunswick as power returns to region
The military is phasing out its presence in New Brunswick as power steadily returns to the storm-ravaged Acadian peninsula. The Canadian Armed Forces said in a statement Sunday that conditions in parts of the province have improved to point where military support is no longer necessary.
Setting the beat for Thaipusam
Music for the soul: A group playing the ‘urumee’ and the thavil. The ensemble is usually in great demand during Thaipusam.
Trump will attend NATO meeting in May
President Trump spoke with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday evening and agreed to join a meeting of NATO leaders in May in Europe. Trump and Stoltenberg discussed “how to encourage all NATO allies to meet their defense spending commitments,” according to a readout of the call provided by the White House.
Devotees pack jetty to observe Heavenly God’s birthday
Snap happy: Devotees and tourists i capturing the daredevil display of the acrobatic lion dance performance at Chew Jetty during the Jade Emperor’s birthday celebration in Penang. – LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Devotees arrived in droves at the more than a century-old Chew Jetty in Weld Quay with offerings to celebrate the Jade Emperor’s birthday.
Goodbye and Good Luck: U.K. Gets Brexit Message From Old Friend
On a cool Mediterranean evening in Valletta, John Cauchi was in a café watching friends engage in the most English of pastimes, a game of snooker on a plush green table. It was the day before European Union leaders arrived in Malta’s capital for last week’s summit to discuss, among other things, the U.K.’s decision to quit the bloc.
Canada’s Marianne St-Gelais takes gold at short-track World Cup event
Canada’s Marianne St-Gelais skates to a win in the women’s 500-metre final at the World Cup championship in Dresden, Germany, on Feb. 5, 2017. Canada’s Marianne St-Gelais skates to a win in the women’s 500-metre final at the World Cup championship in Dresden, Germany, on Feb. 5, 2017.
Colourful art showcase by school children at Ilminster Arts Centre
“Schools Go Visual” is the sixth exhibition of its kind at the Arts Centre, and is a wonderful opportunity to see the high standard of art in five nearby schools. The exhibition opens on Monday, February 13 with artworks by pupils from Chard School, Greenfylde Church of England First School, Neroche Primary School, and Swanmead School.
Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Marco Asensio, Michael Carrick Rumours
Manchester United have reportedly been told they’ll need to fork out a 44 million if they’re to sign Real Madrid ‘s Marco Asensio this summer. Elsewhere, Arsenal are said to be chasing a deal to sign Michael Carrick .