Dictating American foreign policy

The First Amendment shows the founding fathers did not want America to play favorites on the basis of religion, chosen or not. The government of the United States is not to show favoritism toward any religion or allow any religion to have undue influence.

Turkey: Search launched for New Year’s nightclub attacker

Turkish police are hunting for an assailant who – reportedly dressed as Santa Claus – opened fire at a crowded Istanbul nightclub during New Year’s celebrations Sunday, killing at least 39 people and wounding close to 70 others in what authorities said was a terror attack. The attacker, armed with a long-barrelled weapon, killed a policeman and a civilian outside Istanbul’s popular Reina club at around 1:15 a.m. before entering and firing on people partying inside, Gov. Vasip Sahin said.

23 dead after ferry catches fire near Indonesia’s capital

The vessel was carrying about 100 people from Jakarta’a port of Muara Angke to Tidung, a resort island in the Kepulauan Seribu chain located off of Jakarta, when it caught fire Sunday. Seply Madreto, an official from the local Disaster Mitigation Agency, told MetroTV that more than 10 injured victims were rushed to hospitals.

MoFrancesco Quintetto: Kucheza

Jazz has certainly come a long way since its early beginnings, whose free spirit and richness of form means that one could easily spend a whole lifetime marvelling at its infinite variety. And none more so than on Kucheza, the MoFrancesco Quintetto’s sublime and engaging new album.

Humble Iraqi dish offers taste of home for Mosul’s displaced

Long before it became famous as a battlefield in the fight against the Islamic State group, the Iraqi city of Mosul was known for its ancient cuisine, enriched by Syrian, Turkish and Persian recipes. Mosul chefs make savory meat pies known as kubbeh and spicy flatbread smeared with ground beef, which can be found in Middle Eastern restaurants the world over.

South Korea’s Park rejects wrongdoing in scandal, says she was…

South Korean President Park Geun-hye speaks during a meeting with reporters at the Presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, in this handout picture provided by the Presidential Blue House and released by Yonhap on January 1, 2017. Blue House/Yonhap via South Korean President Park Geun-hye listens to a reporters’ question during a meeting with reporters at the Presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, in this handout picture provided by the Presidential Blue House and released by Yonhap on January 1, 2017.

Burundi minister shot dead in capital – police

A gunman killed Burundi’s environment minister early on Sunday, police said, the first murder of a senior government figure in nearly two years of political violence. Emmanuel Niyonkuru, 54, was attacked as he travelled home in the central African nation’s capital Bujumbura, police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye said in a tweet.

New UN chief urges New Yeara s resolution: a Put Peace Firsta

Antonio Guterres took the reins of the United Nations on New Year’s Day, promising to be a “bridge-builder” but facing an antagonistic incoming U.S. administration led by Donald Trump who thinks the world body’s 193 member states do nothing except talk and have a good time. The former Portuguese prime minister and U.N. refugee chief told reporters after being sworn-in as secretary-general on Dec. 12 that he will engage all governments – “and, of course, also with the next government of the United States” – and show his willingness to cooperate on “the enormous challenges that we’ll be facing together.”

Dragons wing Hewitt gets chance to make case for his defence against Ospreys

NO WAY THROUGH: Ashton Hewitt has his head on the wrong side but the Dragons winger downed Cardiff Blues’ Alex Cuthbert THE highly-anticipated showdown between Wales hopefuls Ashton Hewitt and Keelan Giles won’t take place at Rodney Parade today but the Newport Gwent Dragons winger will still get the chance to show that he is no soft touch in defence. The 22-year-old from Newport is hitting his straps after recovering from the shoulder injury that ended his fine 2015/16 season and hindered his start of the current campaign.

Turkey: search launched for New Yeara s nightclub attacker

Turkish police are hunting for an assailant who – reportedly dressed as Santa Claus – opened fire at a crowded Istanbul nightclub during New Year’s celebrations Sunday, killing at least 39 people and wounding close to 70 others in what authorities said was a terror attack. The attacker, armed with a long-barrelled weapon, killed a policeman and a civilian outside Istanbul’s popular Reina club at around 1:15 a.m. before entering and firing on people partying inside, Gov. Vasip Sahin said.

Minister says help your kids buy a safer car to reduce road toll

Parents helping their kids buy a first car should be spending that “little bit more” to ensure the vehicle has at least some up-to-date safety features, the federal transport minister has warned, speaking against the backdrop of a sharp spike in road deaths, particularly among the young. Describing the deaths of more than 1200 people on Australian roads in 2016 as a “tragedy of national proportions”, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester said road trauma was costing governments across the country about $30 billion a year, with an “immeasurable” social impact.

Canadian company wins international conservation contract

S.Georgia : Canadian company wins international conservation contract Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network 07.10.2016 A Nelson company has won a five year contract to carry out conservation work on South Georgia Island, providing opportunities for local staff to work on the island for three months every year. Local company wins international conservation contract SARA MEIJ October 7 2016 A Nelson company has won a five year contract to carry out conservation work on South Georgia Island, providing opportunities for local staff to work on the island for three months every year.

N. Korea: Developing long-range missiles ‘in final stages’

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is quoted as saying in a New Year’s message that his country’s development of banned long-range missiles is in “final stages.” Under Kim, who rose to power following his father’s death in 2011, North Korea has seen steady progress in its nuclear and missile programs, including two nuclear tests this year.

Istanbul nightclub ‘Santa attack’ kills 35

Istanbul governor Vasip Sahin said at least 35 people died and 40 were injured after at least one gunman reportedly dressed as Santa stormed an elite nightclub. Photo: AFP At least 35 people were killed in a “terror” attack in Istanbul Sunday when at least one gunman reportedly dressed as Santa stormed an elite nightclub where party-goers were celebrating New Year, the latest carnage to rock Turkey after a bloody 2016.

Istanbul attack revives terror jitters in New Year

In London, over 100,000 people lined the banks of the River Thames to watch a spectacular fireworks display set to a soundtrack featuring Bowie and Prince. Photo: AFP An attack that killed 35 revelers in an Istanbul nightclub cast a shadow on New Year celebrations attended by millions of people around the world to ring in 2017.

AP Photos: People around the world ring in 2017

Revelers around the world have been welcoming 2017 with crackling fireworks displays and loud cheering, saying goodbye to a year filled with political surprises, prolonged conflicts and the deaths of several beloved performers. The people of Sydney were treated to a glittering display over their famed harbor and bridge that honored the singer David Bowie and actor Gene Wilder, who both passed away in 2016.

‘Designer’ ecosystems could boost river clean-ups

A new project aims to reveal what delays recovery of degraded rivers and streams – why waterways themselves can prove resistant to attempts to replenish them. Photo / File A new project, led by a team of scientists at the University of Canterbury, aims to reveal what delays recovery of degraded rivers and streams – and why waterways themselves can prove resistant to attempts to replenish them.

Le Pen’ risk at centre stage in Europe

Investors in Europe wait anxiously for the results of a series of elections in leading countries as populist parties grow in popularity This is the question on the lips of many investment strategists and market commentators as election fever grips Europe’s vulnerable single currency area, with crucial presidential and parliamentary ballots in at least three of the five largest economies in the euro zone. The unexpected decision by Britain to vote to leave the European Union and the upset victory of Donald Trump in the United States presidential election have emboldened populist and nationalist parties across Europe, doing wonders for their transformation from extremist groups to mainstream parties.

New year has bleak start for Iraq’s displaced people

There were no big New Year’s celebrations for the Iraqi men, women and children who narrowly escaped the fighting in Mosul, only to wait for hours under armed guard while the fighting-age males among them were cleared of links to the Islamic State. The lucky ones would go with their families to one of the wind-swept camps for displaced Iraqis, where they will endure the remainder of northern Iraq’s bitterly cold winter in tents and learn to survive on insufficient supplies of food, heating oil and blankets.

The accolades keep coming for Andy Murray

Andy Murray is happy to have a Sir in front of his name – even if it will take some getting used to. The world number one was given a knighthood in the New Year Honours after a spectacular season that brought him a second Wimbledon title and Olympic gold medal.

China confirms another human bird flu case

BEIJING: Health authorities in the southern China province of Jiangxi have confirmed a new case of a person infected by the H7N9 strain of avian influenza, state news agency Xinhua said late on Saturday. The 53-year-old man is being treated in hospital in provincial capital Nanchang and is in a critical condition, Xinhua said in a brief report.

Shopper docket the sleeper issue behind the Woolworths sale to BP

Arguably it was the single most fraught issue in retailing over the past two decades – shopper docket fuel discounts, which helped underwrite the emergence of the two dominant retailers, Coles and Woolworths, to control close to half of the national retail sales of petrol. The NSW government’s Fuel Check website says it provides real-time information on fuel prices across the state’s service stations.

Team News: Exeter City vs Leyton Orient

Jay Simpson in action at Wycombe Wanderer, whichs looks to have been his final appearance for Leyton Orient . Leyton Orient look set to be without Jay Simpson at Exeter City today after the forward asked the club for a transfer at the end of 2016.

Ban Ki-moon buoyed by climate accord but laments conflicts

In this Aug. 12, 2015 photo provided by the United Nations, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks to the media at U.N. headquarters on allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse of civilians by U.N. forces, particularly in the Central African Republic. During Ban’s second term as Secretary General, the U.N.’s failure to deal effectively with sexual abuse by U.N. peacekeepers in the Central African Republic and elsewhere have been widely criticized.

Allan Williams, first manager of Beatles, dead at 86

Allan Williams, the club owner and promoter widely credited with the discovery of The Beatles, died Friday. The music impresario, who also supported the group through their earliest years and sent them to Hamburg, Germany, to hone their skills as a band, was 86. ” legacy has allowed us to remain at the heart of the Liverpool music scene for almost 60 years and his memory will live on through every band that plays our famous stage.

No big New Year’s celebrations for Iraq’s displaced

There were no big New Year’s celebrations for the Iraqi men, women and children who narrowly escaped the fighting in Mosul, only to wait for hours under armed guard while the fighting-age males among them were cleared of links to the Islamic State. The lucky ones would go with their families to one of the wind-swept camps for displaced Iraqis, where they will endure the remainder of northern Iraq’s bitterly cold winter in tents and learn to survive on insufficient supplies of food, heating oil and blankets.