New UN chief wants consensus but faces antagonistic Trump

Antonio Guterres takes 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 says he will engage all governments and show his willingness to cooperate on “the enormous challenges that we’ll be facing together.”

Turning Iraq history to rubble, leaving the mess to looters

The giant winged bulls that once stood sentry at the nearly 3,000-year-old palace at Nimrud have been hacked to pieces. The fantastical human-headed creatures were believed to guard the king from evil, but now their stone remains are piled in the dirt, victims of the Islamic State group’s fervor to erase history.

Enjoyable but hazardous

A few thoughts about my visit: I know that people with disabilities are pleased with the ramps installed on Bangkok sidewalks. Unfortunately, they are now being used as motorcycle taxi ramps and the sidewalk has become a motorway.

Top 10 most well-read stories of 2016

According to analytics from www.peacearchnews.com, here’s a ‘top 10’ list of the most well-read stories of 2016. Geographical data reported that 85 per cent of readers accessed the website from Canada, 10 per cent from the U.S., and the other five per cent was from the rest of the world – including every continent and almost every country.

Pau halt Montpellier summit charge, Clermont lose

In-form Pau halted depleted Montpellier’s title momentum and dragged themselves away from the soft underbelly of France’s Top 14 on Saturday with a 32-27 win. Pau’s Fijian winger Watisonu Votu scores the first try during the French Top 14 rugby union match between Pau and Montpellier at the Hameau stadium on December 31, 2016 in Pau, southwestern France The hosts’ third straight win moved them above Brive — losers at Stade Francais — and denied Montpellier the chance to significantly cut the gap on leaders Clermont, who lost 26-20 at Toulouse.

Fewer downing beersies before jumping behind the wheel

The days of getting pissed at the pub and driving home seem to be receding into the rear-view mirror. The number of people convicted for driving under the influence has plummeted almost 40 percent in the past five years, Ministry of Justice figures released under the Official Information Act show.

One critical in Waikato crash

A two-vehicle crash has closed the road at the intersection of Tahuna-Morrinsville Highway and Cameron Road in the Waikato. Five people have been injured, including one who is in a critical condition and one in serious condition near Mangateparu.

2016 in Review: Courts

The Alamance County District Attorney’s Office put the four-year-old murder of Debra Dianne Sellars to rest in 2016 with the conviction Sept. 16 and life sentence of Rodney Lee Enoch.

United Nations backs Russian-Turkish Syria efforts as cease-fire wavers2 min ago

Beirut, Jan 1: The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end the nearly six-year conflict in Syria and jump-start peace negotiations, as a fragile country-wide cease-fire wavered.The resolution also calls for the “rapid, safe and unhindered” delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Syria. And it anticipates a meeting of the Syrian government and opposition representative in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana in late January.

Queensland police use hay bale barrier after crocodile wanders into town

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Reaction to Cecil the lion’s 2015 death reviewed

In this age of social media, where the policy is say-anything-you-want-even-if-untrue, we have almost completely lost sight of a legal principal that is central to our nation’s founding: innocent until proven guilty. Perhaps the most remarkable example of this occurred in coverage of the killing of a 13-year-old male lion named Cecil in July 2015 in Zimbabwe.

Tottenham are still being haunted by their title challenge collapse admits captain Hugo Lloris

But a 1-1 at home to West Brom, a draw from 2-0 up at halftime at Chelsea, a loss to visitors Southampton and then a 5-1 hammering on the final day against already-down Newcastle in the final four matches saw any hope of a first top-flight triumph for more than 50 years vanish. “The taste of the last few games of last season is still here,” said the 30-year-old France skipper.

Middlesbrough make transfer move for Everton’s Gerard Deulofeu as the winter window opens

The 22-year-old forward has moved down the Toffees ‘ pecking order since Ronald Koeman took charge, starting just four league matches so far this season, and Boro boss Aitor Karanka is a fan. The Spaniard has also inquired about his countryman Bojan Krkic at Stoke – like Deulofeu, a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy – as he looks to move on a few players from his ranks.

China aims to cut coal capacity by 800 mil. tons

China has set a target of reducing its annual coal capacity by 800 million tons, according to a government plan reported Saturday by state media. Despite the target, Beijing expects total coal output to rise to around 3.9 billion tons by 2020, compared to 3.75 billion tons in 2015, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing a document issued by the country’s top economic planning body.

The Year in Albany: Minimum wage, more scandal

It was a year that saw New York raise the minimum wage, legalize mixed martial arts and open its first state-regulated casino while state officials once again grappled with Albany’s long tradition of political corruption and insider dealing. State lawmakers also marked the year by regulating daily fantasy sports, repealing a sales tax on tampons and voting to extend paid family leave to workers caring for a loved one.

5 countries that could destroy OPEC’s game plan

As an apparent wave of populism sweeps through the world, Theresa May prepares to trigger Article 50, and fears of a trade war between China and the U.S grow, financial markets are on edge. But alongside this uncertainty, there has been some good news for markets as well, with oil markets moving towards rebalancing.

Creative ways to ring in the new year

Counting down the hours until the new year can be exciting, as the world anxiously anticipates the adventures in store for the months ahead. Celebrating the new year dates back thousands of years to the ancient Babylonians, who celebrated a new year come the first full moon after the spring equinox.

Venezuela frees jailed activists, ex-presidential candidate

Venezuela’s government has freed a former presidential candidate and several student activists who were jailed during anti-government protests in 2014. Former opposition candidate Manuel Rosales was imprisoned in October 2015 on charges of illicit enrichment upon returning to Venezuela after six years of exile in Peru.

Putin, Netanyahu discuss Syrian crisis

News selected on topics and regions – oil and gas, business, politics, IT, the South Caucasus, the Caspian Sea region, Central Asia Ranking of the Azerbaijani banking sector Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the Syrian settlement and Israeli-Palestinian conflict resolution over the phone on Saturday, the Kremlin’s press service said, Sputnik reported. “The phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was held on the initiative of the Israeli side.

As year comes to an end, Rutland’s sporting best are recognised

Now in their fifth year, the awards champion outstanding athletes, coaches, volunteers, sports clubs, participants and projects within Rutland – singling people out for their hard work, commitment and achievements over the past year. Following a rigorous judging process which looked at close to 100 nominees, the winners and runners up for this year’s awards were named at a special ceremony at Greetham Valley Hotel.

UN Security Council to vote on Syria cease-fire agreement

UNITED NATIONS >> The U.N. Security Council will vote Saturday on a resolution that would endorse the cease-fire agreement in Syria brokered by Russia and Turkey, and reiterate support for a roadmap to peace that starts with a transitional government. The resolution also calls for “rapid, safe and unhindered” access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country.

ABC New Year’s Eve coverage: Not terrible, just tedious

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Ram Gopal Yadav remains unaffected by expulsion revocation

Lucknow , Dec. 31 : Samajwadi Party’s re-inducted leader Ram Gopal Yadav on Saturday said that the revoking of his expulsion does not matter to him and he remains unaffected. [NK India] “It doesn’t matter as the expulsion took place yesterday and our decision happened before the eviction and we are conducting our conference which is along expected lines,” he told ANI here.

New Pak CJ forms larger bench to hear Panamagate case on Jan. 4

Islamabad [Pakistan], Dec. 31 : After taking oath as the new Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar on Saturday constituted a five-judge larger bench to hear the Panamagate case. [NK World] The five-judge bench which will hear the Panama case on January 4 will be headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, reports the Express Tribune.

Congress to launch nation-wide movement against demonetisation from Jan 1

New Delhi , Dec. 31 : The Congress Party has decided to launch a nation-wide movement to expose the iggest scam of independent India, said spokesperson leader Randeep Surjewala on Saturday. [NK India] Referring to the issue of demonetisation, Surjewala said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken away jobs from labourers and many people have lost their lives in the last 50 days.

Pakistan to present report on alleged Indian interference to UN

Islamabad [Pakistan], Dec. 31 : Pakistan on Monday is expected to submit a report on alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav and evidence of attempted violation of maritime boundary by an Indian submarine to the United Nations. [NK World] The dossier is expected to be handed over by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dr. Maleeha Lodhi to incoming UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on his first working day at the UN headquarters in New York, reports the Dawn.

Hamstring injury rules Guptill out of Bangladesh T20s

Wellington [New Zealand], Dec.31 : New Zealand opener Martin Guptill has been ruled out of the upcoming T20 series against Bangladesh due to a hamstring strain. [NK Cricket] The 30-year-old sustained the injury while running between the wickets during their crushing eight-wicket win over Bangladesh in the third ODI in Nelson on Saturday.