The latest on the conflict in Syria, and the Russia and Turkey brokered cease-fire agreement between Syria’s government and opposition rebels. All times local.
Category: World News
China aims to cut coal capacity by 800 mil. tons
China has set a target of reducing its annual coal capacity by 800 million tons, according to a government plan reported Saturday by state media. Despite the target, Beijing expects total coal output to rise to around 3.9 billion tons by 2020, compared to 3.75 billion tons in 2015, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing a document issued by the country’s top economic planning body.
The Latest: Clarity sought for UN Syria cease-fire approval
The latest on the conflict in Syria, and the Russia and Turkey brokered cease-fire agreement between Syria’s government and opposition rebels. All times local.
5 countries that could destroy OPEC’s game plan
As an apparent wave of populism sweeps through the world, Theresa May prepares to trigger Article 50, and fears of a trade war between China and the U.S grow, financial markets are on edge. But alongside this uncertainty, there has been some good news for markets as well, with oil markets moving towards rebalancing.
Creative ways to ring in the new year
Counting down the hours until the new year can be exciting, as the world anxiously anticipates the adventures in store for the months ahead. Celebrating the new year dates back thousands of years to the ancient Babylonians, who celebrated a new year come the first full moon after the spring equinox.
Venezuela frees jailed activists, ex-presidential candidate
Venezuela’s government has freed a former presidential candidate and several student activists who were jailed during anti-government protests in 2014. Former opposition candidate Manuel Rosales was imprisoned in October 2015 on charges of illicit enrichment upon returning to Venezuela after six years of exile in Peru.
Bought during Cold War, Russian mansions accused of housing spies in the US
Without warning, American agents descend on a Russian-owned compound in rural Maryland. A similar surprise unfolds at an estate on New York’s Long Island.
Body in burned car in Rio raises fears for missing Greek ambassador
The discovery of a burned-out car in Rio state on Thursday with a body inside have sparked fears that it might be that of the Greek ambassador to Brazil, missing since Monday. Rio police were examining the corpse and scene but could not say whether it was that of the envoy, 59-year-old Kyriakos Amiridis.
Putin, Netanyahu discuss Syrian crisis
News selected on topics and regions – oil and gas, business, politics, IT, the South Caucasus, the Caspian Sea region, Central Asia Ranking of the Azerbaijani banking sector Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the Syrian settlement and Israeli-Palestinian conflict resolution over the phone on Saturday, the Kremlin’s press service said, Sputnik reported. “The phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was held on the initiative of the Israeli side.
Merkel On Refugee Terror Attacks: It’s ‘Bitter And Sickening’
Berlin mayor Michael Mueller, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and German interior minister Thomas de Maiziere stand in silence at the Christmas market in Berlin, Germany, December 20, 2016, one day after a truck ploughed into a crowded Christmas market in the German capital. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke.
UN Security Council to vote on Syria cease-fire agreement
UNITED NATIONS >> The U.N. Security Council will vote Saturday on a resolution that would endorse the cease-fire agreement in Syria brokered by Russia and Turkey, and reiterate support for a roadmap to peace that starts with a transitional government. The resolution also calls for “rapid, safe and unhindered” access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country.
Boulder residents pitch in to fund family’s ‘dream’ trip back to Mexico
On the other end of the line was Lynn Morgan, a longtime member of the Colorado Athletic Club in Boulder, where Arispe Mendoza, a 44-year-old Mexican immigrant, has worked as a custodian for 18 years – all but a few weeks of his time in the United States. “He makes this place run and hum.
Watch Paris Ring In The New Year
There might not be a better place in the world to spend New Year’s Eve than Paris. And even if you can’t truly be in the City of Light, you can follow along with the celebrations online.
Ram Gopal Yadav remains unaffected by expulsion revocation
Lucknow , Dec. 31 : Samajwadi Party’s re-inducted leader Ram Gopal Yadav on Saturday said that the revoking of his expulsion does not matter to him and he remains unaffected. [NK India] “It doesn’t matter as the expulsion took place yesterday and our decision happened before the eviction and we are conducting our conference which is along expected lines,” he told ANI here.
New Pak CJ forms larger bench to hear Panamagate case on Jan. 4
Islamabad [Pakistan], Dec. 31 : After taking oath as the new Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar on Saturday constituted a five-judge larger bench to hear the Panamagate case. [NK World] The five-judge bench which will hear the Panama case on January 4 will be headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, reports the Express Tribune.
Congress to launch nation-wide movement against demonetisation from Jan 1
New Delhi , Dec. 31 : The Congress Party has decided to launch a nation-wide movement to expose the iggest scam of independent India, said spokesperson leader Randeep Surjewala on Saturday. [NK India] Referring to the issue of demonetisation, Surjewala said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken away jobs from labourers and many people have lost their lives in the last 50 days.
Pakistan to present report on alleged Indian interference to UN
Islamabad [Pakistan], Dec. 31 : Pakistan on Monday is expected to submit a report on alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav and evidence of attempted violation of maritime boundary by an Indian submarine to the United Nations. [NK World] The dossier is expected to be handed over by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dr. Maleeha Lodhi to incoming UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on his first working day at the UN headquarters in New York, reports the Dawn.
Settlers reportedly attack IDF soldiers near Susiya
IDF soldiers were attacked by West Bank settlers Saturday who reported to the scene of clashes between Israelis and Palestinians near the village of Sussiya, south of Hebron, police said. Police received a report of graffiti of a Star of David and the word “revenge” spray painted in Hebrew near the Palestinian village in what authorities suspect may be a “Price tag” attack.
Hot Stuff: Pakistan’s Tea-Selling Hunk Brews Up A Movie Career
“My mother often used to tell me that one day you will become a famous man,” Arshad Khan told The National in late October. Had he read his tea leaves, Arshad Khan could not have foreseen the drastic turn his life would take in 2016.
British disabled ‘fit for work’ deaths covered up
Former Chancellor Norman Lamont walks into traffic to escape hearing about thousands of unnecessary deaths . THE Department for Work and Pensions “hid” the deaths of seven disability benefit claimants from an independent expert hired to review its “fitness for work” assessments , a freedom of information request has found.
Review of the Year: Didcot – From tragedy to a 80m transformation
Neil Wadley, 47, of Pound Lane, Upton, was the leader of a criminal gang and was jailed with nine accomplices at Oxford Crown Court for a total of 91 years and 11 months for their parts in a drug-dealing conspiracy. Wadley was given a 17-year jail term while his right-hand man Gary Hunt, 39, of Church Street, Didcot, was jailed for eight-and-a-half years.
Goldsmiths thieves still at large year after city centre raid
TODAY marks one year since 11 masked men smashed their way into an Oxford jewellers in one of the biggest ever heists in the city. And despite a major police investigation and CCTV showing the burglars sledge-hammering their way into the shopping centre from Cornmarket Street, no arrests have been made and detectives still have no idea where the men are 12 months on.
Manorlands-based Airedale healthcare worker ‘humbled’ to receive MBE
A HEALTHCARE worker with Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said she was “humbled” to be rewarded in the New Year Honours List. Dr Helen Livingstone, a specialist palliative care consultant currently working at Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice Manorlands, was awarded the MBE.
Washington’s minimum wage to break national record on Jan. 1
Millions of U.S. workers will get a raise on New Year’s Day, as more than a dozen states increase their minimum wage. That will include thousands of people across Washington.
Turning Iraq history to rubble, leaving the mess to looters
This Nov. 19, 2008 photo released by the U.S. Army shows the statues of the lamassu, the winged, human-headed bulls that stood at the gates of the palace and were believed to ward off evil in the ancient city of Nimrud, near Mosul, Iraq. The bulls were destroyed by Islamic State group militants in early 2015 as they razed the entire site, one of the most important archaeological ruins in the Middle East.
Top China coal province vows 20 percent cut in pollution by 2020 – Xinhua
One of China’s top coal-producing provinces has vowed to slash its level of fine particle pollution by one-fifth by 2020, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday, citing the provincial government. China has adopted various measures from policing barbeques to halting industrial production in efforts to ease the yearly winter haze that hit the country earlier this month leaving cities veiled in foul-smelling smog.
Taiwan leader urges China for ‘calm’ talks as pressure grows
In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, President Tsai Ing-wen, right, and Vice President Chen Chien-jen look through name cards of journalists attending an international press conference at the presidential office, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Taipei, Taiwan. President Tsai urged China to engage in “calm and rational” dialogue to maintain peace, vowing not to give in to Beijing’s recent moves to “threaten and intimidate” the self-ruled island.
Trump’s praise of Putin could signal a new day for US policy
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a sword while listening an explanations from the head of Russian First Channel Konstantin Ernst, during his meeting with the historical action film Viking’s crew, in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. Viking is a historical action film based on the historical document Primary Chronicle and Icelandic Kings’ sagas.
Australia kicks off global New Year party defying terror threat
SYDNEY: Global terror attacks have cast a pall over 2016 but Australia was Saturday set to defy the threats and ring in the New Year with bumper crowds gathering to watch a firework extravaganza on Sydney’s glittering harbour. 2016 has seen repeated bloodshed, most recently a deadly truck attack at a Berlin Christmas market, a similar incident on Bastille Day in France that killed 86, and atrocities in Turkey and the Middle East.
Sri Muda Umno members leave for Pribumi
SHAH ALAM: Some 200 former Umno members from Sri Muda are claimed to have left their party for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Pribumi supreme council member Abu Bakar Yahya said that he had received more than 200 applications to join the party from various Umno divisions in Taman Sri Muda.
Geometric Concrete Fortress in Korea was Designed to Look Like a Giant Glaring Owl
Located in the South Korean port city of Busan, this concrete fortress by architect Moon Hoon has four levels, and was designed to resemble a perched growling owl. Don’t let its cold looks fool you, as this is actually a cozy modern home on the inside.
Mumbere 670×305
Scores of people died and the Rwenzururu king, Charles Wesley Mumbere and over 160 of his subjects arrested in the incident. Joint prayers for the families of the people killed and arrested in the November bloody clashes in Kasese district were held in Kasese town.
Fake celeb encounter top fake news for Medicine Hat
Way back when, this column challenged readers to get Medicine Hat on the map in 2016, nudging eyeballs toward application and nomination forms for halls of fame, committees and other enterprises of renown. The most notable, but absolutely unconfirmed mention of the Hat comes via a series of Facebook posts that portend that actor Hugh Jackman got a flat outside town.
UNSC Resolution 2334 Takes Israel’s Shackles Off
At first, the resolution knocked the wind out of Israel and the Jewish nation, worldwide, as well as those who support the Jewish state and the Jewish nation. The gathering storm has not moved on and is not totally over; there are 22 more days for Obama’s disastrous reign during which, after he stabbed Israel in her back he may go for the jugular and declare a “Palestine” state, a member of the putrid United Nations Organization .
My top 10 personalities that moved Uganda in 2016
The history that had for a long time seemed unalterable was rewritten. Yet there are individuals whose feats were the final screw to the nut that brought about the merrymaking when the landmarks were achieved.
Pacific islands first to welcome in new year
Islands in Polynesia and the Central Pacific have ushered in the new year as the UK counts down to the start of 2017. Cities in the island nations of Samoa, Tonga and Kiribati were the first to welcome the new year as the clock hit 10am on New Year’s Eve in London.
Here are the best and worst investments from 2016
With the S&P/TSX composite index up roughly 18 per cent, the S&P/TSX venture up 44 per cent and the major U.S. indices all hitting record highs, you had to have a really good year in 2016 to stand out from the pack. And, from the Russian ruble to the mighty marijuana plant, there were plenty of assets that did just that.
Turning Iraq history to rubble, leaving the mess to looters
Iraq archaeologist Layla Salih, left, confers with UNESCO’s representative in Iraq Louse Haxthausen, right, at the ancient site of Nimrud, Iraq, in this Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016 photo. Days after Iraqi forces drove the Islamic State group from Nimrud in November, Salih arrived to survey the damage they wreaked on the nearly 3,000-year-old site.
Agatha Christie had little-known role in ancient Nimrud
This 1949 photo taken by British mystery author Agatha Christie shows a statue of a lamassu, a winged bull from Assyrian mythology who guarded the royal court from evil, at the ancient site of Nimrud, near modern day Mosul, Iraq. Christie had a little-known link to Nimrud: She accompanied her husband, archaeologist Max Mallowan, as he excavated the onetime capital of the Assyrian Empire, and she assisted by piecing together some artifacts and chronicling the dig in photos and film.
Senator McConnell, the Security Council Resolution, and the Default of the Guardians
President Obama has learned well from Majority Leader McConnell. A few days ago, U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power, acting under direction of Secretary of State Kerry, who was himself obeying diktat from President Obama, abstained from a Security Council resolution condemning Israel’s legal settlement of the territory known as, “The West Bank.”