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.
Category: World News
Year’s top news filled with division – and no middle ground
In this Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 file photo, Trump supporters “boo” members of the media after a heckler was removed during a campaign stop by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Birmingham, Ala.
Year’s top news filled with division – and no middle ground
In this Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 file photo, Trump supporters “boo” members of the media after a heckler was removed during a campaign stop by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Birmingham, Ala.
Domestic buyers seen as key driver
In real estate across the country, domestic buyers are expected to dominate big or block investment deals worth 100 million yuan or more each in the New Year, an industry report said. That’s because buyer interest in office buildings, serviced apartments and commercial complexes is rising, said a research report by DTZ/Cushman & Wakefield, a realty services provider.
Banned Pakistani group’s student wing protests US terror tag
Dozens of activists from a student wing of the banned anti-India Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group have rallied in Islamabad to condemn a recent U.S. ban on their organization. The protest comes two days after the U.S. State Department designated the Al-Muhammadia Students wing a terrorist organization.
U.S., Iraqi sources say Islamic State leader Baghdadi alive despite death reports
Though posts on social media in recent weeks suggest Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has died, comments by a U.S. official and reports of his actions in Iraq suggest otherwise. CNN reported there have been few signs of Baghdadi in months and in recent weeks there have been unverified social media reports that he was killed or injured.
More oil possible from Nigeria
A minority player in OPEC-member Nigeria said it was able to stimulate crude oil production at one of its operating areas by about 15 percent. Africa-focused San Leon Energy, which lists its headquarters in London, holds a minority stake in oil mining lease No.
Councillor cash goes to worthwhile local projects
Hertsmere Borough Council ‘s Ward Improvement Initiative Scheme gives each of the 39 councillors A 500 to spend on projects throughout the year. Cllr Morris Bright , Leader of the Council, said: “Our Ward Improvement Initiative Scheme is all about funding small projects in local areas to benefit active communities.
China to ease curbs on foreign investment after complaints
The Chinese government said Friday it will ease restrictions on foreign investment in sectors ranging from banking and internet services to rail equipment and motorcycles, in response to mounting complaints from foreign business groups and governments. An official with China’s National Development and Reform Commission, the economic planning agency, said service sectors such as accounting and auditing, architectural design and ratings services will be open to foreign investment.
Putin says Russia won’t expel US diplomats in hacking flap
President Barack Obama has imposed sanctions on Russian officials and … . This image provided by the FBI shows the wanted poster for Evgeniy Bogachev.
Officers inspect one of the armoured vehicles from Singapore. Photo: Facebook
Ng Eng Hen also says without elaborating that the Singapore city state has changed its practices to protect its assets The Singapore military had learned a lesson from the seizure of its armoured vehicles by the Hong Kong authorities and had changed its practices to protect its assets, the country’s defence minister said on Friday in a Facebook post. In the post, titled 2016 – A Look Back , Ng Eng Hen described the episode as “a low point in 2016 from the defence perspective”.
Man gets death sentence for murder of female classmate
A 24-year-old man was sentenced to death by a Beijing court on Friday for the murder and attempted rape of a fellow student. Li Sida, who was studying audio engineering at the same university as the victim, Zhou Yunlu, had asked her to star in an amateur film in August last year, the Legal Evening News reported.
Pilot fired in Indonesia after alleged attempt to fly drunk
An Indonesian budget airline has fired a pilot who was suspected of trying to fly a plane while he was drunk. Citilink President Director Albert Burhan also announced Friday that he and the production director would resign over the impropriety.
How Trump Can Stop Erdogan from Playing the United States
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has big ambitions. He wants to become an Imam Ataturk, a leader who replaces Turkey’s national secularism with autocratic political Islam.But this week, by claiming the United States supports ISIS, Erdogan crossed a line.
All the fun of the Bear! Whittlesey to fight off winter blues with…
Thousands of people are expected to descend on the Fenland town from all over the world for the annual event, which this year runs from January 13-15. The colourful folk festival will see about hundreds of performers follow the Straw Bear around the town, on what promoters say will be a “fascinating weekend of music, colour, humour and dancing.”
Actor Mark Pellegrino Takes To Twitter To Defend Israel While Holidaying Here
As I’ve posted before , he’s a huge mensch and one of the most articulate celebrities I know on this issue. Case in point: check out is tweets from Israel: he’s here visiting and taking in the sites and sounds, yet also makes sure to defend Israel from unfair criticism.
India to start taxing capital gains to Singapore investors from April
India will start imposing capital gains tax on investments coming from Singapore from April and fully withdraw exemptions in two years as the two countries agreed to amend a decade-old treaty after New Delhi rolled back similar concessions to Mauritius and Cyprus earlier this year. India’s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley gestures as he addresses a gathering on July 10, 2016.
Berlin truck attacker may have got gun in Switzerland – report
The Tunisian man who killed 12 people last month by ploughing a truck into a Berlin Christmas market had made several trips to Switzerland and may have procured a gun there that he used to hijack a truck for the attack, German broadcaster ZDF reported. “A lot speaks for that in the investigations so far,” ZDF said of the possibility that Anis Amri, a failed asylum seeker from Tunisia, obtained the gun in Switzerland.
Cyber-warfare comes of age
In an intriguing and significant development in the deepening confusion around what’s permitted and forbidden to states in cyberspace, the White House yesterday issued sanctions against Russia via Executive Order 13694, ominously entitled “Taking Additional Steps to Address the National Emergency with respect to Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities.” The Order is being called the most severe imposition of US sanctions on Russia since the end of the Cold War.
China state broadcaster rebrands in international push
State broadcaster Central China Television has rebranded its international networks and digital presence under the name China Global Television Network as part of a push to consolidate its worldwide reach. CCTV on Friday unveiled several new mobile apps under the CGTN brand, and visitors to CCTV’s non-Chinese language websites are directed to a new http://www.cgtn.com site.
Jimmy Carter’s Lifelong Pursuit of a Palestinian State
Perhaps sensing that he would soon have to relinquish his position as America’s worst ex-president, Jimmy Carter reminded everyone last month how he earned the title with yet another call for the U.S. to recognize a Palestinian state. Carter’s call is a departure from American diplomacy, which insists, per UN Resolution 338, that an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement can only be reached through negotiations “between the parties.”
KONE’s share capital increases through the subscription of shares with 2013 option rights
A total of 806 new KONE class B shares have been subscribed for with 2013 option rights. The corresponding EUR 100.75 increase in KONE Corporation’s share capital has been entered into the Finnish Trade Register on December 30, 2016.
What Kerry Should Have Said
When Secretary of State John Kerry delivered his comprehensive statement on the Arab-Israel conflict in front of a safe audience at the State Department, he took over an hour to defend the decision of the United States to in essence allow passage of the recent UN anti-Israel resolution by abstaining from it, rather than adhering to the longstanding policy of the U.S. to veto such resolutions. The general thrust of his message was to chastise Israel for building “settlements” on land defined as “occupied Palestinian territory,” as the main obstacle preventing a two-state solution.
South Tama Band and Choir working toward New York City trip
Since 2005 South Tama County High School Band students have received what Director Mike Carnahan calls a once in a lifetime opportunity. That opportunity has been band trips.
Syria’s cease-fire holding despite minor violations
Osama Abu Zeid of the the main moderate Syrian opposition group Free Syrian Army, shows what he said is a copy of the five-point cease-fire agreement for Syria, during a news conference in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016. Abu Zeid said that his group, one of the 13 armed opposition factions, had agreed to abide by the nationwide cease-fire agreement that will go into effect at midnight Thursday.
How panda Pan Pan helped save his species
You may never have heard of him, but without this bear you might never have seen a panda in your local zoo. Pan Pan, the oldest male panda in the world, died early in the morning on Wednesday in China’s Sichuan province.
Blizzard causes road closure in Armenia
Black ice is formed on the roads in Vayk, Aparan, Aragats and Hrazdan as well as in Vardenyats mountain pass. A1plus A A1+A TV, Meltex LTD Buzandi 1/3, 5-th floor, Yerevan +374(10) 58-54-27, 56-16-18(fax)
Armenian Ombudsman’s Office, UN sign agreement
On 29 December 2016, The Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Arman Tatoyan, and UNHCR Representative in Armenia, Mr. Christoph Bierwirth, signed a project agreement for 2017 titled “Enhancing the capacity of Human Rights Defender’s Office to monitor the situation of refugee and asylum-seekers in Armenia”. The signing ceremony took place at the UNHCR office in UN House in Yerevan.
U. researcher awarded for decades of study and care
The second desk drawer on the right in John Opitz ‘s study isn’t lined with the typical pens, pencils and Post-it notes: It’s lined with eggs. Twenty-two eggs, to be exact, laid by his bird, Darwin, who is just one of myriad animals that roam Opitz ‘s home, his love of zoology and biology brought to life.
Turkish committee clears draft expanding Erdogan’s powers
A Turkish parliamentary commission has cleared a set of draft constitutional amendments that would greatly expand the powers of the president. The constitutional commission approved the reforms that would turn the largely ceremonial presidency into one where the president enjoys full executive powers early on Friday.
Letter: U.S. veto an insult to Israel
Letter: U.S. veto an insult to Israel President Obama did not just “rebuke” Israel, but metaphorically spit in the face of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Check out this story on northjersey.com: http://northjersy.news/2iKOS85 When the United States abstained on United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, President Barack Obama did not just “rebuke” Israel, but metaphorically spit in the face of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israelis and supporters of Israel everywhere.
Update on state project statuses
An update on the government’s progress over the past three months found delays have held back school capital works and crisis accommodation projects. Premier Will Hodgman provided the update on the state’s projects and their timeframes when he released the government’s Third Quarter update for October to December 2016.
Russian air strikes target IS around Syria’s al-Bab – Turkish military
ANKARA: Russian aircraft have carried out three air strikes on Islamic State around the Syrian town of al-Bab over the past 24 hours, the Turkish military said on Friday, in what appeared to be the first Russian support for Turkish army operations in the area. The strikes came as a nationwide ceasefire in Syria, brokered by Russia and Turkey which back opposing sides in the conflict, got off to a shaky start at midnight.
Five killed, many trapped in Indian coal mine collapse – police
BHUBANESWAR, India: At least five Indian miners were killed and nearly two dozen trapped when mine waste collapsed at a mine run by state-owned Coal India Limited, police said on Friday. Several vehicles working at the mine were also trapped in the accident in Jharkhand state on Thursday evening at the Lalmatia mines owned by Eastern Coalfields Limited , a subsidiary of the world’s largest miner.
Britain criticises focus on Israel settlements after Kerry speech
The British government on Thursday said peace between Israel and the Palestinians cannot be brokered by focusing solely on settlement construction, following a stern warning over the practice by US Secretary of State John Kerry. British Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokesperson said Britain supports a two-state solution and believes the construction of settlements on Palestinian lands is illegal.
Nine more drink drivers banned after appearing at Norwich Magistrates’ Court
This paper has vowed to name and shame as many motorists as possible convicted of drink-driving offences during the police’s festive crackdown. a Sonia Lord, 34, of Yaxley Road, Norwich, who admitted drink driving after she crashed into a pedestrian crossing on Marlpit Lane, Norwich on December 22. Lord had 98 mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath.
Cromarty Firth campaigners go to Holyrood
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US punishes Russia for hacking presidential campaign
President-elect Donald Trump speaks to reporters at Mar-a-Lago, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016, in Palm Beach, Fla. Barbara Tarbuck, a stage and screen actress who played Jane Jacks on “General Hospital” and Mother Superior Claudia on “American Horror Story: Asylum,” has died.
Putin will get more aggressive if oil prices stay low
Russia has had a hard time since the collapse of global oil prices which began in August 2014. This will continue in 2017.
Obama retaliates against Russia for election hacking
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