Category: World News

V-Day gift for civil servant couples

New Delhi, Feb. 14: The Narendra Modi government has unwrapped a Valentine’s Day gift for civil servants, tweaking rules that will now allow married IPS-IAS-IFS couples to work in the same state. Sources in the Union home ministry said the government has in the past considered requests from civil servant couples but decided to change the rules today after Nisha, an IPS officer, wrote to the Prime Minister’s Office requesting an inter-cadre transfer.

India’s dirty air deadliest

New Delhi, Feb. 14: India tops the world in the number of premature deaths from air pollution linked to ozone and has also outpaced China in the number of lives lost from tiny inhalable particles, a report released today said. The State of Global Air 2017 report has estimated that India’s ozone deaths rose at a rate of nearly 148 per cent over the past two decades – from 43,500 in 1990 to 1.07 lakh in 2015.

Chained-amma vows to rule from cage, Panneer closes ranks with Amma niece

Chennai, Feb. 14: A pulsating spectacle unfolded around a gaol and a grave south of the Vindhyas tonight after the conviction and the jail term of V.K. Sasikala was restored by the Supreme Court earlier in the day. A defiant Sasikala pulled a proxy out of her hat, nominating Edappadi K. Palaniswami, a loyalist and PWD minister whose community has a considerable presence in the Assembly, for chief minister.

Picture of Russian ambassador’s assassin wins World Press Photo award

The 60th World Press Photo award has been won by a Turkish photographer for an image of the direct aftermath of the assassination of the country’s Russian ambassador. Burhan Ozbilici, who works for Associated Press in Istanbul, beat 5,034 other photographers from 125 countries to the top prize in one of the world’s most prestigious professional photography contests.

Nigeria declares pollution in southern city an emergency, closes plant

Nigeria declared an air pollution emergency in a major southern city on Tuesday and closed an asphalt plant there after residents complained about the fumes from its furnaces, in a country plagued by corruption and poor governance. Residents staged a protest in Port Harcourt, a harbor city in the oil-producing Niger Delta region, waving their hands in the air to show the soot stains from touching cars.

See Photos of Muslim Life in New York City

A transit officer kneeling in prayer, a subway rolling past a mosque in Astoria, and a Halal food cart worker smiling into a camera nearly two decades ago – these are just some of the intimate moments of Muslim life in New York City captured on film. Muslim in New York , an exhibit opening at the Museum of the City of New York on Saturday, shows the works of four photographers who traveled the city to document members of communities working, worshipping, going to school, playing sports and posing for portraits.

ZaorA lek: Economic certainty not only national interest – so are pluralist democracy and freedom

Economic certainty is not the Czech Republic’s only national interest – so is maintaining a pluralist democracy and free society, the Czech minister of foreign affairs, Lubomir Zaoralek, said on Tuesday. Mr. Zaoralek told the Czech National Interest conference in Prague that a number of economically developed countries were currently going through crises of democracy and that Czech history confirmed that the nation thrived when society was free.

British defence ministry denies NATO spending target shortfall

Britain’s Defence Ministry has denied reports from a think tank that the country failed to meet its 2 per cent NATO defence spending target in 2016. Britain fell short of the target, spending 1.98 per cent of GDP on defence, according to calculations from the Military Balance report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies .

Efcc arraigns Futa VC, Bursar before Ondo High Court for fraudulent practices

THE Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC yesterday arraigned the embattled Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure FUTA, Ondo State, Prof Adebiyi Daramola before the State High court on a nine count charge of fraudulent practices. This is coming as students of the institution who were mobilized to the court and members of the unions in the university who a Zare against the Vice chancellor clashed.

Presidential panel requres N108b to feed IDPs in N’East

The Presidential Committee on North-East Initiatives has lamented that the N45billion budgeted by Federal Government to feed over 2.6 million Internally Displaced Persons in Boko Haram affected sub-region, was grossly inadequate, compared to what the international community has expended on humanitarian services. The Presidential panel, however requires N108billion to “effectively and efficiently intervene and feed” IDPs in camps and liberated communities of the affected states in Northeast sub-region of the country.

Coming soon to Dubai: A flying passenger-carrying drone

Commuters who’ve dreamed of hitching a ride to work on a flying drone may soon get their wish – if they’re in Dubai, anyway. In the latest move to ease traffic congestion, the United Arab Emirates city rolled out a passenger-carrying drone on Monday, announcing a plan to have regular operations of the drone by July.

Bethenny Frankel lists SoHo apartment for $5.25m

Justice for Etan Patz after 37 years: Killer Pedro Hernandez is found GUILTY of kidnapping and murdering six-year-old boy, more than three decades after he vanished on his walk to school in NYC Trump focuses on ‘illegal leaks’ in the wake of Flynn’s resignation – but doesn’t say if he’ll prosecute – as White House buzzes about ‘the enemy within’ What did the president know – and when did he know it? Mounting questions in Washington over EXACTLY when Trump knew Flynn lied about Russia Mike Flynn was paid to party with Putin and the acting attorney-general said he was ‘vulnerable to blackmail’: So what exactly does the Kremlin strongman have on one-time general? Kim Jong-Un’s half-brother ‘is assassinated on the orders of the North Korean dictator by two female killers who attacked the playboy from behind with poison at Kuala Lumpur airport’ Revealed: The truth about that liquid floating … (more)

Montenegro to Russia: a Keep your hands offa our NATO bid

In this Friday photo, Montenegro’s Prime Minister Dusko Markovic speaks during a press conference after talks with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic at the Serbia Palace in Belgrade, Serbia. Markovic said Tuesday that those who want to destabilize the country by meddling into its affairs “should keep their hands off Montenegro.” PODGORICA, Montenegro >> Montenegro’s prime minister told Russia and its allies in the tiny Balkan state on Monday to stop destabilizing the county while opposing its NATO bid.

Valentine’s Day banned in Pakistan

The High Court in Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad has banned the celebration of Valentine’s Day, according to CNN . According to the New York Daily News , the court said that there should be a blackout on all Valentine’s Day promotions.

Homeless rough sleepers in Cirencester targeted after fire set to a tent behind parish church

An unknown offender sneaked into the area behind Cirencester Parish Church, where four homeless rough sleepers stayed, shortly before 10.30pm on Tuesday, February 7 and set fire to one of the three tents at the site. One tent was burnt down and another was damaged, according to Christian missionary group Cirencester Signpost, who looked after the rough sleepers after the incident.

Cambodian king to open Jolie’s film on Khmer Rouge survivor

This Nov. 16, 2013 file photo shows Maddox Jolie-Pitt, with Angelina Jolie on the red carpet at the 2013 Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Governor Awards, in Los Angeles. Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni will preside over the premiere of Angelina Jolie’s film based on a memoir from a Khmer Rouge survivor.

North Korean ambassador summoned to Foreign Office

The British Foreign Office summoned the North Korean ambassador to the UK, Choe II, after the isolated country test-launched a ballistic missile. Over the weekend, North Korea carried out a test launch of a missile , which travelled around 500km and landed in the Sea of Japan.

Princess Diana documentary to mark 20th anniversary of her death

A four-hour documentary about Princess Diana will air in America on the 20th anniversary of the royal’s death. The film, a two-part TV event collaboration between network executives at ABC and People magazine bosses, will feature interviews with Diana experts, friends and footage of the Princess, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Spanish police arrest Moroccan ISIS suspect

Moroccan man, 33, is arrested in Gran Canaria on suspicion of planning a terror attack after ‘posing with his wife and young son with ISIS badge’ Police in the Canary Islands have arrested a 33-year-old Moroccan whose hatred for the west was so great that he was prepared to ‘execute a terrorist attack with great repercussions’. The man, said to be a ‘violent jihadist supporter’, had been under constant watch since 2012 because of his potentially dangerous profile.

Government insists on ‘full courtesy’ of state visit for Trump despite petition

The Government has insisted that US President Donald Trump should be extended the “full courtesy” of a state visit to Britain later this year in response to a 1.85-million strong petition against it. In a statement, the Foreign Office said the Government “recognises the strong views expressed by the many signatories of this petition, but does not support this petition”.

Newly discovered photo album shows Hitler’s rise to power

Michael Flynn QUITS as National Security Advisor after it’s revealed the Justice Department warned Trump weeks ago that he was vulnerable to blackmail over his ties with Russia Villages of the Dam: Homes and businesses beneath California’s Oroville Dam lie abandoned underwater – as it’s revealed officials were first warned about the crumbling structure TWELVE YEARS ago What your Valentine’s Day plans REALLY reveal about your relationship Suicidal surgeon ex-husband of ABC News health reporter Dr. Jennifer Ashton left a note with her phone number alongside the message ‘call my wife’ before he jumped to his death Greece considers ditching the Euro in favor of the US dollar in devastating move which would ‘freak out’ Germany and humiliate Brussels From perp walk to catwalk: America’s hottest felon swaps prison outfit for couture to make his New York Fashion Week debut in front of Kylie … (more)

Arrest after Frank Sidebottom creator’s son dies in crash

Motorist, 61, is arrested after Frank Sidebottom creator’s son dies in bike crash with Vauxhall Corsa and another cyclist Harry’s father, Chris Sievey, died in 2010 and a bronze statue of his famous Frank Sidebottom character now stands in Timperley village in his memory Harry Sievey, 24, died when his bicycle was involved in a collision with another cyclist and a blue Vaxuhall Corsa in Withington, Manchester on Sunday night. Paramedics were called to the crash at 10.15pm on February 12 and Mr Sievey was pronounced dead at the scene.

Annual event marks launch of Southwold Arts Festival 2017

Some members of the the team left Peter Adshead; Di Brown; Dominic Parravani; Lin Le Versha; Chris Ure asnd Tristan Bray at the Friends Evening. Photo from Chris Ure The well attended Friends of Southwold Arts Festival evening was held on Monday, February 13, at the Adnams’ Cellar and Kitchen in Southwold.

Marketing agency Media Managers Group relocates from Cambridge to Bury St Edmunds

The firm, which has been based in the City for the past 14 years, at the St John’s innovation Centre, says the move reflects a belief that the Suffolk town has potential to become a regional hub for marketing agencies. Alistair Wayne, managing director at MMG, said: “I believe the head office relocation to Bury St Edmunds will be extremely beneficial in working with some terrific brands based in the region and in providing shorter lines of communication for many of our clients.

Charity offers 4,000 reward to find two men wanted in…

A CHARITY is offering a A 4,000 reward for information about two men wanted in connection with up to 70 high-value burglaries across seven counties, including Hampshire. Independent charity Crimestoppers is today offering a reward of up to A 2,000 for information on the whereabouts of Matthew Bryan and a separate reward of up to A 2,000 for information on the whereabouts of Lee Heane.

North Korea claims missile launches were ‘self-defence,’ rejects UN criticism

North Korea said on Tuesday its missile launches were “self-defence measures”, rejecting U.N. Security Council criticism of its weekend test, but the United States demanded international action against Pyongyang’s weapons programs. North Korea’s ballistic missile firing on Sunday was its first direct challenge to the international community since U.S. President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20. The missile had a range of more than 2,000 kms , according to South Korea’s intelligence agency.

German-Israeli summit delayed ‘after settlements row’

Germany said Feb. 13 that a summit with Israel planned for later this year had been delayed, with Israeli media reporting it was due to the Jewish state’s controversial new settlements law. Israel passed a new law last week that legalizes dozens of Jewish outposts and thousands of settler homes built on private Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank.

UN denounces North Korea, but no sign of any action

The U.N. Security Council denounced North Korea’s weekend missile launch, urging members to “redouble efforts” to enforce sanctions against the reclusive state, but gave no indications of any action it might take. Pyongyang’s test of the intermediate-range ballistic missile on Feb. 12 was its first direct challenge to the international community since U.S. President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20. At a news conference on Feb. 13, Trump said: “Obviously North Korea is a big, big problem and we will deal with that very strongly.”

8 mln foreign tourists ‘expected to visit Antalya in 2017’

Around 7.5 to 8 million foreign tourists are expected to visit the Mediterranean province of Antalya over this year, following a daunting year for Turkey, a leading tourism player has said. The number of foreigners visiting Turkey, mainly Istanbul and Antalya, declined to 25.3 million in 2016, a 30 percent drop compared to 2015, after a series of bomb attacks, a diplomatic crisis with Russia, and the failed July 15, 2016 coup attempt.

UN prods Iraq on electoral reform

Supporters of Iraqi Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr shout slogans during a protest demanding an overhaul of the elections’ supervision commission ahead of provincial elections due in September, in Baghdad,Iraq February 11, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani