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- Aleppo evacuations resume after buses attacked and burned
- Congo on a knife-edge as opposition leader calls for Kabila to step down
- Trump has no idea how to run a superpower, say Chinese media
- Marais: the chic Paris district where rats outnumber residents
- Israeli occupants of illegal West Bank outpost agree to relocate
- Zsa Zsa Gabor dies aged 99
- Jordan security forces storm castle to free captured tourists
- Nigerian man charged in hacking of Los Angeles county emails
- Robert Gates criticises 'laid back' US response to Russia election hack
- Poland is 'on road to autocracy', says constitutional court president
- African leaders back Adama Barrow as new president of the Gambia
- Five Star Movement strips Rome mayor of 'important decisions'
- White House faces exodus of foreign policy experts ahead of Trump's arrival
- Myanmar's Rohingya campaign 'may be crime against humanity'
- 'A city with edge': why Copenhagen gives its blessing to illegal skateparks
- Flights resume as fog clears over England
- Monte dei Paschi bank launches cash call to boost finances
- Chaos in Venezuela as Nicolas Maduro flip-flops on currency withdrawal
- One Nation promises greater scrutiny as Rod Culleton’s 2014 arrest catches it by surprise
- Danish woman who fought against Isis faces jail sentence
- How North Korean magazines accidentally subverted the USSR
- Foreigner in diving suit found with throat cut and tied to post in sea, Thai police say
- British embassy questioned whether Malaysian PM cleared of corruption
- Row over Turkish international school 'banning' Christmas
- Indonesia military transport plane crashes in Papua, killing 13
- The perils of mixing faith and healing | Letters
- Saudi Arabia set to execute 150 people for second year in row
- Saudi official denies reports US has decided to restrict military support
- Gunmen attack police in Karak, Jordan – video report
- Canon Ian Tomlinson obituary
- Buses on fire while allegedly en route to evacuate Syrians – video
- US says it will address Philippines leader's concerns after pact threatened
- Why are Polish people protesting against their government? – video report
- German courts should tackle fake news now, says justice minister
- British aristocrat 'filled with joy' that cocaine smuggling case may be dropped
- Eyewitness: Venice
- Sudan's farmers work to save good soils as climate change brings desert closer | Hannah McNeish
- The electoral college: why it exists, how it works and can it stop Trump?
| Aleppo evacuations resume after buses attacked and burned Posted: 18 Dec 2016 11:30 PM PST Hundreds leave rebel-held areas after vehicles set on fire on their way to collect villagers from Kefraya and Fua The evacuation of east Aleppo has resumed, with about 350 people able to leave a rebel-held pocket of the city on Sunday, according to medical officials. The move came despite the official postponement of evacuations of civilians and fighters from the devastated Syrian city and as the UN security council prepared to vote on a resolution to deploy observers to the city, with Syria-allied Russia giving cautious backing to the measure. Continue reading... |
| Congo on a knife-edge as opposition leader calls for Kabila to step down Posted: 18 Dec 2016 11:37 PM PST Moise Katumbi says strongman president will become an 'illegitimate' ruler if he does not give up power on Monday Moise Katumbi, the most popular politician in the Democratic Republic of the Congo according to recent polls, has made a dramatic intervention in the ongoing crisis in the vast central African state, calling on the president, Joseph Kabila, to stand down within 24 hours to avoid chaos and bloodshed. The DRC is bracing for violent protests and riots when the mandate of Kabila, whom critics accuse of seeking to hold on to power indefinitely, expires on Monday night. Continue reading... |
| Trump has no idea how to run a superpower, say Chinese media Posted: 18 Dec 2016 11:26 PM PST Communist party-controlled Global Times says Trump 'is not behaving as a president who will become master of the White House' Donald Trump appears to have not a clue how to lead a superpower. That was the conclusion of China's Global Times newspaper on Monday morning as the country's media weighed in on the president-elect's latest social media assaults on Beijing. Continue reading... |
| Marais: the chic Paris district where rats outnumber residents Posted: 18 Dec 2016 11:00 PM PST Rodents are nothing new in big cities, but in French capital they number four million, forcing politicians to take 'de-ratting' action It is nightfall in Paris's chic Marais district – one of the city's oldest quarters – and there is a rustling in the autumn leaves of the local park. With a slither of tails, the rats emerge from the shadows to scurry across the pavement, hugging the walls of buildings for a collective raid on the nearest rubbish bins. There are few people about at this hour, but those who spot the rodents suppress a shocked squeal. |
| Israeli occupants of illegal West Bank outpost agree to relocate Posted: 18 Dec 2016 12:02 PM PST The 40 families living in Amona have agreed to be relocated, avoiding a clash with government forces A group of hardline Jewish settlers, who have been living in an unauthorised West Bank outpost, say they have accepted an Israeli government proposal to evacuate the site, apparently ending the potential for a violent confrontation. The 40 or so families who live in the rough-and-ready hilltop outpost of Amona, built illegally on private Palestinian land, have been at the centre of a years-long court battle. Continue reading... |
| Posted: 18 Dec 2016 11:13 PM PST Nine-times married Hollywood star who attained cult figure status starring in 1950s B-movies has passed away at her home The actor and celebrity Zsa Zsa Gabor has died aged 99. The Hollywood star, arguably more famous for her larger than life personality and string of marriages than for her films, passed away at her home in Los Angeles on Sunday. Continue reading... |
| Jordan security forces storm castle to free captured tourists Posted: 18 Dec 2016 04:47 PM PST Tourists trapped by armed men in medieval building in the city of Karak after shootouts with police killed at least nine people Jordanian security forces killed at least four gunmen after an operation to free tourists trapped inside a medieval castle in the city of Karak, where armed men had taken shelter following a series of shootouts with police that killed at least nine people. A Canadian woman, three other civilians and five police officers were killed during running battles between the assailants and security forces as the gunmen retreated to the city's famous crusader-era castle. Continue reading... |
| Nigerian man charged in hacking of Los Angeles county emails Posted: 18 Dec 2016 01:09 PM PST Kelvin Onaghinor faces nine counts, including identity theft, in case that might have exposed personal data of more than 750,000 people A Nigerian national has been charged in connection with a hack of Los Angeles County emails that might have exposed personal data from more than 750,000 people who had business with county departments, officials said. Kelvin Onaghinor, 37, faces nine counts, including unauthorized computer access and identity theft, according to the office of the Los Angeles County chief executive. He has not been arrested and officials are not sure if he is on US soil. Continue reading... |
| Robert Gates criticises 'laid back' US response to Russia election hack Posted: 18 Dec 2016 12:12 PM PST
The former CIA director and defense secretary Robert Gates has criticised the Obama administration and congressional leaders of both parties for a "somewhat laid back" response to the discovery of Russian interference in the US presidential election. Related: Leak reveals Rex Tillerson is director of Bahamas-based US-Russian oil company Continue reading... |
| Poland is 'on road to autocracy', says constitutional court president Posted: 18 Dec 2016 11:24 AM PST Law and Justice party is trying to destroy system of checks on government power, says head of highest constitutional court The outgoing president of Poland's highest constitutional court has accused the ruling rightwing Law and Justice party (PiS) of a systematic attempt to destroy oversight of government activity, describing the country as "on the road to autocracy". The departure of Prof Andrzej Rzepliński, whose term expires on Monday, is expected to pave the way for PiS appointees to assume control of Poland's most important institutional check on executive power. |
| African leaders back Adama Barrow as new president of the Gambia Posted: 18 Dec 2016 11:08 AM PST Local presidents 'to take all necessary actions' in support of election result that incumbent Yahya Jammeh refuses to accept West African leaders have announced they will travel to the Gambia in January for the inauguration of Adama Barrow despite the incumbent president Yahya Jammeh trying to cling to power. The regional west African bloc also agreed to take "all necessary actions" to uphold Barrow's victory, leaving the door open for military intervention, as it met to discuss Jammeh's refusal to accept the election result Continue reading... |
| Five Star Movement strips Rome mayor of 'important decisions' Posted: 18 Dec 2016 09:30 AM PST Beppe Grillo's populist party acts swiftly after one of Virginia Raggi's close advisers was arrested for suspected corruption The mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, has been stripped by her populist Five Star Movement (M5S) party of the power to make "important decisions" after a close adviser was arrested for suspected corruption. M5S prides itself on being scrupulously ethical and having no links to what it sees as the sleazy ways of Italian politics, so the scandal has prompted a swift response. Continue reading... |
| White House faces exodus of foreign policy experts ahead of Trump's arrival Posted: 18 Dec 2016 03:00 AM PST An unusual number of the National Security Council's more junior officials are looking to depart, due to concerns about incoming advisor Michael Flynn The White House is struggling to prevent a crippling exodus of foreign policy staffers eager to leave before the arrival of the Trump administration, according to current and former officials. Related: Leak reveals Rex Tillerson is director of Bahamas-based US-Russian oil company Continue reading... |
| Myanmar's Rohingya campaign 'may be crime against humanity' Posted: 19 Dec 2016 12:36 AM PST Amnesty accuses military of burning homes and mowing down civilians from Muslim minority using helicopter gunships The treatment of Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims by the country's military, including allegations of rape and helicopter gunships firing randomly on villages, may constitute crimes against humanity, Amnesty International has said. South-east Asian foreign ministers met in Yangon on Monday for emergency talks about the two-month campaign against a nascent insurgency, during which time Myanmar's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has failed to respond to international criticism. Continue reading... |
| 'A city with edge': why Copenhagen gives its blessing to illegal skateparks Posted: 18 Dec 2016 11:30 PM PST Illicit DIY skateparks are found in many cities, but nowhere is as open to them as Copenhagen. What's behind the Danish capital's tolerant approach? "Burnt-out cars, drug dealers and bums – there was nothing else here." Balder Lehmann, a 25-year-old professional skatepark builder, is standing beneath a bridge in northern Copenhagen. "It wasn't the nicest part of town," he says, explaining why locals used to avoid the area. For Lehmann, though, the location was perfect. Last Christmas, using surplus concrete, wood and reinforced steel bars, he began building a skatepark. Over the course of a few months, he and his friends constructed three adjoining sets of ramps. Continue reading... |
| Flights resume as fog clears over England Posted: 19 Dec 2016 01:20 AM PST Gatwick and Heathrow report little disruption as fog eases overnight but Met Office warns drivers on M4 of poor visibility Passengers travelling from England's main airports have escaped delays and cancellations after a blanket of fog over southern and central parts of the country began to lift. There were fears that flights might be badly hit after the Met Office issued a severe weather warning for fog for a large swath of land stretching from the south coast to the Vale of York and East Anglia. Continue reading... |
| Monte dei Paschi bank launches cash call to boost finances Posted: 19 Dec 2016 01:53 AM PST World's oldest bank looks for €5bn from shareholders amid efforts to avoid Italian taxpayer bailout The world's oldest bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, has launched a cash call on shareholders as part of its efforts to raise €5bn (£4.2bn) and avoid a taxpayer rescue. Its shares fell 8.5% in early trading as the bank began its attempt to entice institutional and retail investors to snap up fresh shares. The offering is only one part of its strategy to bolster capital. It is also asking bondholders to swap their investment for shares, a process that must be completed by the end of the year. Continue reading... |
| Chaos in Venezuela as Nicolas Maduro flip-flops on currency withdrawal Posted: 18 Dec 2016 06:41 PM PST The president's plan has tested the patience of many Venezuelans, sparking looting and unrest The 100 bolivar bill was nearly worthless already when Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro attempted to make it completely useless. The bill fetched just 2 cents on the black market, 14 cents at the official rate. But it was the highest denomination bank note in circulation in the country, where one bill was just enough to buy a pack of five pieces of gum. |
| One Nation promises greater scrutiny as Rod Culleton’s 2014 arrest catches it by surprise Posted: 19 Dec 2016 12:53 AM PST Exclusive: WA senator was charged with obstructing police and contravening a direction after alleged dispute over vehicle ownership One Nation has said party officials did not know of Rodney Culleton's arrest over an alleged run-in with Queensland police in 2014 before he successfully ran on its federal Senate ticket. One Nation has tightened its vetting process for candidates in next year's Queensland election, insisting they now provide national police checks. Continue reading... |
| Danish woman who fought against Isis faces jail sentence Posted: 18 Dec 2016 11:00 PM PST Joanna Palani fought with Kurdish peshmerga and YPG in Syria but is now in custody in Copenhagen A Danish woman who fought for the Kurds in Iraq and Syria against Islamic State has been taken into custody in Copenhagen, prompting accusations of hypocrisy over her treatment compared with returning Isis fighters. Joanna Palani, 23, who fought with both the Kurdish peshmerga in Iraq and the YPG militia in Syria, faces a potential jail sentence. Continue reading... |
| How North Korean magazines accidentally subverted the USSR Posted: 18 Dec 2016 11:00 PM PST Former readers recall how blatant propaganda in publications available across the Soviet Union contributed to the backlash against communism, NK News reports In the dying decade of the USSR, people became increasingly frustrated with the inefficiency of the Soviet system and their inability to get their hands on much-coveted western goods. But however bad things got they were left with one comforting thought: they were still better off than those living under communist rule in North Korea. |
| Foreigner in diving suit found with throat cut and tied to post in sea, Thai police say Posted: 18 Dec 2016 09:56 PM PST Authorities suspect foul play in the death of a 'westerner' found wearing a wetsuit and flippers Police in Thailand are investigating the death of a diver off the coast of the resort city of Pattaya whose body was found tied to a concrete post with his throat slit. The Bangkok Post newspaper reported that authorities suspected an unnatural death. The man was wearing a wetsuit and flippers, and had 1500 baht (around £34) on him. Continue reading... |
| British embassy questioned whether Malaysian PM cleared of corruption Posted: 18 Dec 2016 08:49 PM PST Exclusive: diplomatic cable said an investigation into mysterious $700m found in Najib Razak's bank account had not absolved him of corruption The British embassy in Kuala Lumpur has questioned a claim by the Malaysian prime minister, Najib Razak, that his country's anti-graft agency had cleared him of corruption, according to a diplomatic cable seen by the Guardian. Malaysia's anti-corruption commission (MACC) said in August last year that its investigation had found that nearly US$700m had been deposited into Najib's personal bank account from unnamed "donors". Continue reading...This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Row over Turkish international school 'banning' Christmas Posted: 18 Dec 2016 05:58 PM PST German politicians react with fury over reports that a school in Istanbul has cancelled Christmas festivities, despite the school denying the allegations Berlin has voiced outrage over an alleged decision by a German-backed international school in Istanbul to scrap Christmas festivities, although the claim was swiftly denied in Turkey. "We don't understand the surprising decision by the management of the Istanbul Lisesi," said the German foreign ministry. Continue reading... |
| Indonesia military transport plane crashes in Papua, killing 13 Posted: 18 Dec 2016 03:13 PM PST Hercules C-130 given to country by Australia came down minutes before its scheduled landing in bad weather An Indonesian military transport plane that was given to the country by Australia this year crashed in bad weather on Sunday killing all 13 people on board, officials said. The Hercules C-130 plane was carrying 12 tonnes of food supplies and cement from Timika to Wamena in Papua, a distance of about 200km, when it crashed just minutes before its scheduled landing, according to the air force chief of staff, Agus Supriatna. Continue reading... |
| The perils of mixing faith and healing | Letters Posted: 18 Dec 2016 10:42 AM PST Chibundu Onuzo seems to think that it was appropriate for a nurse to ask patients, on their way to surgery, if she could pray with them (I'm invisible – I am a Christian, 13 December). I put the question to my elderly friends. The majority said that it would terrify them at a particularly vulnerable time as they would assume that the nurse expected them to die. Some said they would be angry at such an inappropriate question in a hospital. One commented that he had previously been approached by a hospital chaplain and, far from being comforted, was shocked that the NHS was paying the chaplain's wages when it had had cut nursing staff. Related: Why is it wrong for a nurse to offer prayers? | Chibundu Onuzo Continue reading... |
| Saudi Arabia set to execute 150 people for second year in row Posted: 18 Dec 2016 10:37 AM PST Kingdom uses secret courts to impose death penalties on drug offenders, juveniles and political prisoners, says human rights group Reprieve Saudi Arabia is on course to execute 150 people or more, for a second consecutive year, becoming one of the most frequent users of state executions to carry out judicial sentences, figures compiled by the human rights group Reprieve show. The group also claims its figures show the kingdom is increasingly using secret courts to impose the death penalty on drug offenders, juveniles and political prisoners. Continue reading... |
| Saudi official denies reports US has decided to restrict military support Posted: 18 Dec 2016 09:49 AM PST At press conference with John Kerry, Saudi foreign minister says leaked news 'contradicts reality' as Kerry downplays reported delay in US weapons supplies The Saudi foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, on Sunday denied media reports that the US has decided to limit military support, including a planned arms sale, to the kingdom. Related: US to halt planned arms sales to Saudi Arabia over Yemen airstrikes Continue reading... |
| Gunmen attack police in Karak, Jordan – video report Posted: 18 Dec 2016 09:14 AM PST Video posted to social media records gunfire exchanges between Jordanian security forces and a group of unidentified gunmen in the southern Jordanian city of Karak. At least seven people have been killed, including a Canadian tourist, in the violence which began on Sunday afternoon when an armed group attacked police patrols in the city. The men have since retreated to Karak castle and, according to local media, may have as many as 14 hostages Continue reading... |
| Posted: 18 Dec 2016 08:09 AM PST My friend Canon Ian Tomlinson achieved the distinction of serving as the rector of a rural benefice in Hampshire for 37 years, from 1979 until his death, at the age of 66, from cancer. He never lost his sense of engagement with the community, his ability to be imaginative and his disconcerting sense of humour, which, like the court jester of old, lay in quietly uncovering something profound in the ordinary. His soul would not be fettered by church programmes or policies. One bishop claimed that he "did good by stealth". Continue reading... |
| Buses on fire while allegedly en route to evacuate Syrians – video Posted: 18 Dec 2016 07:40 AM PST Video shared on social media shows buses, said to be enroute to carry out evacuations in Idlib province, on fire. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syrian state TV both said several buses traveling to evacuate people from the Syrian villages of Fua and Kefraya had been subjected to attacks on Sunday. The buses in this video do not appear to be carrying any passengers. It is not yet known who is responsible for the attack |
| US says it will address Philippines leader's concerns after pact threatened Posted: 18 Dec 2016 06:57 AM PST President Rodrigo Duterte targeted deal allowing US troops to visit Philippines amid anger over US aid agency's delayed vote on assistance package The US has said it will work with the Philippine president to address any concerns after he threatened to terminate a pact that allows US troops to visit the Philippines. Related: Philippine senators call for Duterte to be impeached over killing confession Continue reading... |
| Why are Polish people protesting against their government? – video report Posted: 18 Dec 2016 05:54 AM PST Polish protesters are continuing to stage demonstrations outside the Polish parliament building on Sunday after a weekend of police clashes and unrest. Poland crisis: Donald Tusk calls for respect of people and constitution Continue reading... |
| German courts should tackle fake news now, says justice minister Posted: 18 Dec 2016 04:55 AM PST Heiko Maas says people who spread hate speech and fake news on social media sites should be prosecuted German judges and state prosecutors need to crack down on fake news disseminated through social media platforms immediately, Germany's justice minister has said. Heiko Maas, a Social Democrat in the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) coalition of the chancellor, Angela Merkel, has repeatedly warned US technology companies such as Facebook to respect laws against defamation in Germany that are more rigid than in the US. Continue reading... |
| British aristocrat 'filled with joy' that cocaine smuggling case may be dropped Posted: 18 Dec 2016 03:39 AM PST Jack Marrian, grandson of sixth Earl Cawdor, was accused of trafficking 100kg of cocaine into Kenya The British aristocrat accused of trafficking £4.7m worth of cocaine into Kenya has said he is "filled with joy" following reports that the charges against him may be dropped. Jack Marrian, the grandson of the sixth Earl Cawdor, was arrested in July after Kenyan police seized a 100kg shipment of cocaine inside a container of Brazilian sugar at Mombasa port. Continue reading... |
| Posted: 18 Dec 2016 03:04 AM PST Rowers dressed as Santa take part in the annual Father Christmas regatta Continue reading... |
| Sudan's farmers work to save good soils as climate change brings desert closer | Hannah McNeish Posted: 18 Dec 2016 11:00 PM PST Haphazard rains and increasing desertification in the eastern state of Gedaref are destroying previously fertile soil and leaving villagers unable to farm In Sudan's eastern state of Gedaref, nicknamed "the granary" for its vast rows of sesame, sorghum and millet, banks of sediment and gravel are popping up as high as hills around the farms – the result of deforestation and erratic rains causing watering holes to overflow. Locals call them karab, meaning "something useless", says environmental scientist Tarig El Gamri, standing atop one such mound. He points out the water mark swirls etched around one of many deep gullies near the village of Wad Hassan, a 45-minute drive east of Gedaref city. |
| The electoral college: why it exists, how it works and can it stop Trump? Posted: 18 Dec 2016 03:00 AM PST America's unique system of electing a president was born of a constitutional crisis and means that the result of the 2016 is still – theoretically – in the balance As the electoral college prepares to meet on Monday to formally elect the next US president, an attempt by activists to overturn Donald Trump's victory has brought renewed attention to the unique, albeit convoluted, method by which the United States elects its president. The process, which was so complicated that it had to be reformed by constitutional amendment less than 20 years after the constitution was signed, can still be hard to follow and is governed as much by precedent and history as by the constitutional text. Continue reading... |
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