Category: World News

Germany’s Merkel, Bavarian allies seek pre-election unity

Chancellor Angela Merkel is meeting her Bavarian conservative allies in a show of unity following a long-running argument over migrant policy, setting the scene for a joint campaign for German elections in September. Bavaria’s Christian Social Union has dominated its southeastern state for decades and is traditionally an important source of national election votes for the conservative bloc led by Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union.

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Trump has been burning up White House telephone lines calling his world counterparts and, during those talks, has committed to several trans-Atlantic trips. He spoke Sunday with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and agreed to attend a NATO leaders’ meeting in Brussels in late May. Trump once dismissed the trans-Atlantic military alliance as “obsolete.”

Philippine army arrests communist rebel leader after peace bid collapses

Philippine soldiers arrested on Monday a communist rebel leader, days after President Rodrigo Duterte scrapped a ceasefire with the insurgents and as clashes between them and the army erupted in several places. Duterte announced on Friday the government was scrapping the ceasefire with the New People’s Army and he ordered soldiers to prepare to fight, saying the rebels were making “huge”, unacceptable demands despite government concessions.

Iranian exiles linked to Cabinet pick

An official in President Donald Trump’s Cabinet and at least one of his advisers gave paid speeches for organizations linked to an Iranian exile group that killed Americans before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Elaine Chao, confirmed last week as Trump’s transportation secretary, received $50,000 in 2015 for a five-minute speech to the political wing of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, previously called a “cult-like” terrorist group by the State Department.

Israel pushes measure to make outposts legal

Israel is moving toward a vote on a bill intended to legalize dozens of settlement outposts in the West Bank, despite claims by experts that the bill is illegal and a warning from the White House that settlement construction “may not be helpful.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under intense pressure from members of his coalition to bring the bill to a vote, which has been scheduled to take place today in parliament.

TN Governor accepts Panneerselvam’s resignation

Chennai, Feb 6 – Tamil Nadu Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao on Monday accepted Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam’s resignation. In a letter to Panneerselvam, copies of which were distributed to the media Rao said: I hereby accept your resignation and the resignation of your Council of Ministers tendered vide your letter dated 5.2.2017.

The President’s surprise return

News of his departure was not hidden that Thursday, January, 19. He had announced it to Nigerians through a letter delivered to Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, that same day. And before the end of that day, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, issued a press statement, disclosing that he was proceeding on vacation in London.

Congolese pay last respects to Tshisekedi

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.

’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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.