Category: World News

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The long, strange odyssey of bringing Oscar fave ‘Toni Erdmann’ to the screen

But the upstart German filmmaker Maren Ade employed an especially unconventional technique in greeting the stars of her new picture “Toni Erdmann” for the Romanian portion of production. Ade showed up at the down-on-its-heels Bucharest airport as an over-the-top character – tricked out as a goofball mogul, pouring Champagne wearing bathroom slippers in the back of a white stretch limo.

The long, strange odyssey of bringing Oscar fave ‘Toni Erdmann’ to the screen

But the upstart German filmmaker Maren Ade employed an especially unconventional technique in greeting the stars of her new picture “Toni Erdmann” for the Romanian portion of production. Ade showed up at the down-on-its-heels Bucharest airport as an over-the-top character – tricked out as a goofball mogul, pouring Champagne wearing bathroom slippers in the back of a white stretch limo.

Syria’s cease-fire holding despite minor violations

A nationwide Syrian cease-fire brokered by Russia and Turkey that went into effect at midnight held Friday despite minor violations, marking a potential breakthrough in a conflict that has disregarded high-level peace initiatives for over five years. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported clashes early Friday between troops and rebels in the central province of Hama and near the capital, Damascus.

Rail progress: Bangkok commuters set to benefit from more route options in 2017

Next year could turn out to be a breakthrough one for commuters travelling between Bangkok and surrounding areas by rail, as many more options look set to become available. At the very least, the one-kilometre so-called “missing tooth”, which will link the end of the recently opened MRT Purple Line at Tao Poon station with the far end of the underground MRT Blue Line at Bang Sue station, should be in service byAugust.

Rail progress: Bangkok commuters set to benefit from more route options in 2017

Next year could turn out to be a breakthrough one for commuters travelling between Bangkok and surrounding areas by rail, as many more options look set to become available. At the very least, the one-kilometre so-called “missing tooth”, which will link the end of the recently opened MRT Purple Line at Tao Poon station with the far end of the underground MRT Blue Line at Bang Sue station, should be in service byAugust.

European cities ramp up security for New Year after Berlin attack

European capitals tightened security on Friday ahead of New Year’s celebrations, erecting concrete barriers in city centres and boosting police numbers after the Islamic State attack in Berlin last week that killed 12 people. In the German capital, police closed the Pariser Platz square in front of the Brandenburg Gate and prepared to deploy 1,700 extra officers, many along a party strip where armoured cars will flank concrete barriers blocking off the area.

COMMODITIES-Oil, metals post stellar 2016 gains on output cuts, demand hopes

SINGAPORE, Dec 30 Crude oil, rubber and metals were set to end 2016 on Friday with strong gains, bouncing back from several years of losses on the back of output cuts and expectations of firmer demand. Crude oil output cuts announced by OPEC, stronger-than-expected demand in top commodities market China and expectations of higher infrastructure spending in the United States after the victory of Republican candidate Donald Trump all boosted prices.

Scientists find genes driving Bahama pupfish specialization

The saltwater lakes of the Bahama’s San Salvador Island are home to a rich diversity of fish species, including several species of Bahama pupfish. What makes such diversity possible? In a new study, scientists have offered a genetic explanation for how at least three pupfish species coexist in the same lake.

Scientists find genes driving Bahama pupfish specialization

The saltwater lakes of the Bahama’s San Salvador Island are home to a rich diversity of fish species, including several species of Bahama pupfish. What makes such diversity possible? In a new study, scientists have offered a genetic explanation for how at least three pupfish species coexist in the same lake.

CCP expels ex-deputy intelligence chief

China’s ruling Communist Party has expelled the former deputy chief of the country’s top intelligence agency, it said Friday, the latest high-ranking figure to face prosecution in a much-publicized corruption crackdown. Ma Jian, former deputy head of China’s ministry of state security, was suspected of taking bribes and abusing power, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection – the party’s internal watchdog – said in a statement on its website.