Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas in the Egyptian capital Cairo on November 8. Consistency was not Egypt’s strong point in deliberations on the UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity. But Cairo got through it with its relationship with the incoming Trump administration intact, and only short-term damage to its credibility.
Australia v Pakistan Test series: Here’s how Pakistan hope to curb Steve Smith
Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer View text version of this page Help using this website – Accessibility statement Join today and you can easily save your favourite articles, join in the conversation and comment, plus select which news your want direct to your inbox. Steve Smith played a crucial role in establishing Australia’s series-opening win in Brisbane but Pakistan believe they may have the necessary tactic to quell the run machine.
Sydney To Hobart shapes as fastest of all time
A favourable weather forecast has set up this year’s Sydney To Hobart to be the fastest of all time, although the smaller boats are likely to encounter harsher conditions on their final approach to Tasmania. The fleet of 89 yachts will be greeted by a north-easterly of about 15-20 knots when they turn out of Sydney, with gusts steadily increasing into the evening before a dry southerly change hits the south-east coast of Australia.
Thwarted terror plot draws Christmas crowds to St Paul’s Cathedral
The threat of terrorism at St Paul’s Cathedral was not enough to keep the community away from Christmas Day morning services. If anything, it had the opposite effect.
It was the year of living dangerously: 2016 CBD Wrap
It was a Tuesday morning, May 24, and your columnist was conferring with Angus Aitken – Bell Potter’s head of institutional trading – about an email he had sent out that morning concerning the recent appointment of Michelle Jablko as ANZ’s chief financial officer. “Former investment bankers tend to be crap at most things in the listed world,” Aitken opined to his clients of the appointment.
Letters from the Front on a frosty Christmas morning
The image of soldiers from both sides leaving their trenches for an impromptu kick about and carol concert belongs in the pages of a fairy tale, not on the bloodiest battlefield of the First World War. For most men, though, there was no fairy tale, no truce, just the hope of gifts from home and perhaps something special for lunch.
The Latest: Trump says UN vote on Israel complicates peace
President-elect Donald Trump takes a question from a member of the media at Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Fla., Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016. Trump on Thursday abruptly called for the United States to “greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability” until the rest of the world “comes to its senses” regarding nuclear weapons.
Explosion rocks east Aleppo in Syria as residents return
Syrian rebels outside Aleppo on Friday … . This photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA shows Syrian army soldiers marching through the streets in the Ansari neighborhood, east Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Dec 23, 2016.
Roxy Jacenko puts on a domestic display as she washes dishes on Christmas Day
‘Their courage allows us to enjoy the season’: The Obamas honor the military in their last holiday message from the White House Fans of Ivanka Trump flood the Amazon book page of Clinton supporter with one-star reviews after his husband ‘accosted’ the future first daughter on a JetBlue flight I MIGHT be home for Christmas? Wintry weather makes for stressful travel as 100million Americans hit the roads and airports for the holidays ‘There is one president at a time’: Obama Administration dismisses Trump’s criticism after U.S. abstains from UN Israel vote ‘Can you bring my daddy home?’: Military dad surprises his little girls just moments after one of them asks Santa for a Christmas miracle Carrie Fisher’s daughter rushes to mom’s intensive care bedside with her beloved dog, as pilot call reveals actress, 60, suffered a major heart attack on flight and ‘stopped breathing for 10 minutes’ ‘I … (more)
Top StoryThe top international stories of 2016
In this image made from video and posted online by Validated UGC on Thursday, April 28, 2016, a civil defense worker carries a child after airstrikes hit Aleppo, Syria. In 2016, repeated cease-fire negotiations failed to halt relentless warfare among multiple factions.
Germans must leave home Xmas morning as WWII bomb is defused
More than 54,000 people in the southern German city of Augsburg will have to leave their homes Christmas morning while authorities defuse a giant 1.8-ton aerial bomb from World War II. The city’s medieval cathedral and City Hall are in the area to be sealed off.
Pope says Christmas ‘hostage’ to materialism, God in shadows
Pope Francis holds the book of the gospels as he leads the Christmas night Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican December 24, 2016. Pope Francis kneels as he leads the Christmas night Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican December 24, 2016.
Super typhoon Nock-Ten to strike Philippines on Christmas Day
The U.S. military’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center said Nock-Ten was a super typhoon with winds of up to 240 kph late Christmas Eve local time, though it was expected to weaken before landfall. The Philippines’ own weather bureau said the province of Catanduanes was likely to see sustained winds of up to 170 kph by the afternoon as the storm reaches its shores.
The Weeknd’s 20 Best Songs: Critics’ Picks
The Weeknd performs at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show at Grand Palais in Paris, France on Nov 30, 2016. If you think about it, nothing about The Weeknd should make sense.
Thousands of faithful gather in biblical town of Bethlehem for Christmas Eve
BETHLEHEM, West Bank — Thousands of pilgrims and tourists from around the world together with local Christians gathered in the biblical town of Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas Eve in the traditional birthplace of Jesus, with spirits lifted by a slowdown in recent violence and cool, clear weather. Security was tight in Bethlehem after recent deadly attacks on Christian targets in neighboring Egypt and Jordan by Islamic extremists.
U.S. troops join displaced Iraqi Christians for Christmas Eve Mass
BARTELLA, Iraq — For the 300 Christians who braved rain and wind to attend Christmas’s Eve Mass in their hometown, the ceremony evoked both holiday cheer and grim reminders of the war raging around their northern Iraqi town, and the distant prospect of moving back home. Displaced when the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria seized their town, Bartella, in August 2014, the Christians were bused into town from Irbil, capital of the self-ruled Kurdish region where they have lived for more than two years, to attend the lunchtime service in the Assyrian Orthodox church of Mart Shmoni.
The Latest: Trump to dissolve foundation before inauguration
Donald Trump says the decision by the United Nations to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem “will make it much harder to negotiate peace.” The president-elect took to Twitter on Saturday, a day after the U.N. Security Council vote on the settlements.
Fears over most ‘rapid and fundamental’ taxi shake-up since ’67
People Before Profit MLA Eamonn McCann has said he fears ordinary tax-drivers feel voiceless during the most “rapid and fundamental change” in the sector since the 1960s. Mr McCann, who said he doesn’t drive and as such is a frequent taxi user, said it was important drivers don’t feel left out of the process.
Nigeria: Boko Haram is crushed, forced out of last enclave
The Boko Haram extremist group has finally been crushed – driven from its last forest enclave with fighters on the run and no place to hide, Nigeria’s president declared Saturday. His victorious statement came as the Islamic State group, with which one faction of Boko Haram is allied, claimed a successful attack on an army barracks in northeast Nigeria’s Yobe state “killed and wounded many.”
Gbese Mantse never goofed; NDC was victorious – Gbese youth
The Gbese Youth in Greater Accra have stated that there is no basis for calls on the Gbese Mantse to step down since the National Democratic Congress won in the jurisdiction of the chief. The Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayi Bonte II, had said at a public gathering before the December 7 polls that he would step down if the John Mahama-led National Democratic Congress party lost the general elections.
Israel’s Netanyahu lashes out at Obama over UN vote
In this Dec. 11, 2016, file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem. Netanyahu lashed out at President Barack Obama on Saturday, Dec. 24, accusing him of a “shameful ambush” at the United Nations over West Bank settlements and saying he is looking forward to working with his “friend” President-elect Donald Trump.
Arsenal target Draxler will join PSG, Wolfsburg confirm
Julian Draxler’s difficult 18 months at Wolfsburg have come to an end, with the club confirming he will join Paris Saint-Germain. The Germany international has signed a four-year deal after the Ligue 1 champions agreed a transfer fee reportedly worth a 35million, plus a further a 10m in add-ons.
Investigators seek supply network for slain Berlin attacker
In this Dec. 22, 2016, photo a police officer holds a submachine gun during an operation at the shopping centre “Centro” in Oberhausen, Germany. Two men have been arrested in Duisburg since they were suspected to plan a terror attack on the shopping center.
All bets are off after UN infamy Jack Engelhard
Jack Engelhard’s classic international bestselling novel Indecent Proposal, which later became a worldwide hit movie, has been republished to meet readers’ demands. His other major works include Compulsive: A Novel, his award-winning post-Holocaust Montreal memoir Escape from Mount Moriah, plus Slot Attendant: A Novel About A Novelist.
Outdoor programmes no longer the only option for kids
From left, Nico Bolli, 10, Nisha Hardman, 9, Jaden Collie, 11, and Ravi Jatania, 11, were up for a day of caving at the Kaniwhaniwha Reserve in Pirongia. Kids today have many more options than kids who grew up in the 1980s, says University of Waikato sport sociology associate professor Dr Holly Thorpe.
110 dogs saved from meat trade land in Canada
An animal protection organization says more than 100 dogs who were destined for a Chinese dog meat festival have landed in Canada to begin new lives. Humane Society International Canada says 110 dogs landed in Toronto on Thursday night after being rescued from an annual dog meat festival in Yulin, China earlier this year.
Finnish phone app finds reindeer, helps to avoid road kill
There’s good news for Rudolph and his friends _ an app is helping officials reduce the number of reindeer killed in traffic acciden… . In this photo taken June 10, 2012, a reindeer walks on the road, in Ranua, Finland.
Functional cupcakes: A double helping of research
These two studies are believed to be the first published academic studies of functional cupcakes. Ali Rashad Abdel-Moemin , the author of both papers, is based at Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.
Narendra Modi attacks Opposition: ‘People support note ban, voice of…
Pune, Dec 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the third public meeting on Saturday, during his visit to Maharashtra. Modi lashed out at the Opposition for opposing demonetisation.
President calls for public private partnership in healthcare
Hyderabad, Dec 24 : President Pranab Mukherjee Saturday called for public private partnership to overcome deficiencies in healthcare infrastructure in the country. [NK Andhra Pradesh] Expressing concern over the deficiencies in the healthcare infrastructure, he said the only long-lasting solution was to create cooperative structures comprising the government and private stake holders as well as civil society.
In pictures| Christmas eve celebrations from across the globe
People walk through a light installation titled “Universal Journey,” comprised of 824,961 light bulbs, at Universal Studios Singapore as part of the celebrations. Bubbles fill the air as Christmas is celebrated at the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park in London, England.
Rebels supported by Turkish troops have laid siege to the IS-held town for weeks.
A Syrian man gestures in the former rebel-held Salaheddin district in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on December 23, 2016 after Syrian government forces retook control of the whole embattled city. Photo – AFP A Syrian man gestures in the former rebel-held Salaheddin district in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on December 23, 2016 after Syrian government forces retook control of the whole embattled city.
Note ban is a firebomb on cash economy, poor: Rahul
Dharamsala : Escalating the attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused him of dividing the country between the rich and the poor and dubbed the move as “firebombing” on cash economy and farmers and labourers. Addressing a public rally here, the Congress vice president said the prime minister with his note ban decision has removed the “hat” of Himachal Pradesh as it has hit hard the state’s horticulture, agriculture and tourism sectors.
Iraqis celebrate first Christmas near Mosul after IS pushed out
India’s demonetisation plan was intended as a way to crack down on illegal activities. But its abrupt implementation has inflicted unnecessarily high costs on the Indian economy.
BJP will bring back development, good governance to Uttar Pradesh: Rajnath
India’s demonetisation plan was intended as a way to crack down on illegal activities. But its abrupt implementation has inflicted unnecessarily high costs on the Indian economy.
Annan Athletic 3-1 Berwick: Match Report
Abroath leave it late to sink Cowdenbeath Second-half goals from Josh Skelly and Steven Doris saw Arbroath narrow the gap on Scottish League Two leaders Forfar to four points with a 2-0 win at Cowdenbeath. The visitors needed 74 minutes to break the deadlock against their rock-bottom hosts, who are now two points adrift at the bottom and in danger of facing a relegation play-off.
Sweden’s German-born queen hospitalized for dizziness
In this file photo dated Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016, Queen Silvia of Sweden during a meeting with the Pope, at the Vatican. Sweden’s popular German-born Queen Silvia has been hospitalized for observations on her 73rd birthday because of dizziness, according to a statement Saturday Dec. 24, 2016, from the royal household.
Why Obama Broke with Israel at UN
Jordan Fabian, The Hill: The White House’s decision to break with decades of U.S. policy and allow the U.N. Security Council to condemn Israeli settlements is the culmination of years of bad blood between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. … Ben Rhodes, Obama’s deputy national security adviser, said the rapid expansion of settlement activity under Netanyahu had put the possibility of a future peace agreement at risk.
18:39 President Atambayev visits Man Auto-Uzbekistan
President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev today visited the Man Auto-Uzbekistan and Uz Autotrailer as part of President Atambayev’s visit to Samarkand.
Senior citizens enjoy traditional Christmas lunch
A total of 79 elderly people, from organisations such as the White Lodge Care Home, Stokenchurch Day Centre, Fingest Tea Club, and Marlow Age Concern, sat down to eat a festive three-course meal on December 15 and opened presents. The dull December day was also brightened by some festive entertainment from the Hambleden Village choir, led by Christine Wells, and the audience joined in with carol singing.