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- 'We've had enough': Kinshasa holds its breath amid talks to end violence
- Russian plane crash investigators recover first black box
- Twitter accounts of Abu Qatada and other key al-Qaida figures suspended
- Barack Obama: I'm 'confident' I could have won a third term as president
- Arrests after US tourist alleges she was drugged and gang raped in India
- Netanyahu snubs May over UN settlements vote, Israeli media says
- Sailor Thomas Coville sets new solo round the world record
- Israel threatens to give Trump 'evidence' that Obama orchestrated UN resolution
- Japanese PM Shinzo Abe lays wreaths in Hawaii before historic Pearl Harbor visit
- Vera Rubin, astronomer who helped find evidence of dark matter, dies at 88
- Chapecoense plane ran out of fuel before crash, say aviation authorities
- China to rein in outward investment as domestic growth stalls
- US increased weapons sales in 2015 despite slight drop in global arms trade
- US government collecting social media information from foreign travelers
- Typhoon Nock-ten kills at least six in the Philippines
- Cafeteria manager jailed for insulting Turkish president, lawyer says
- Monte dei Paschi bailout shouldn't be seen as a done deal, says ECB member
- Tupac Shakur's Hail Mary makes surprise appearance at carol service
- Russia plane crash: terrorism not thought to be cause, say authorities
- The funniest and most unusual animal photos of 2016
- South African startup blazes a trail in fire detection to protect townships | Tom Jackson
- A tour around North Korea with three defectors – in pictures
- Anti-extremism strategy reports rise in far-right supporters
- Thousands attend Mexican girl's 15th birthday party after invite goes viral
- South Australia braces for storms after severe weather hits Coober Pedy
- Indonesian court gives go-ahead to blasphemy trial of Jakarta governor Ahok
- Jet Airways plane carrying 161 passengers skids off runway in Goa during takeoff
- India's leading party ordered online abuse of opponents, claims book
- Horse, possum and donkey meat on menu under South Australian food safety changes
- Korean Air crew to 'readily' use stun guns on passengers after Richard Marx criticism
- Hong Kong, where history has become a battleground for Beijing
- Chinese warships enter South China Sea near Taiwan in show of force
- Vladimir Putin orders investigation into plane crash – video
- Christianity is for life, not just for Christmas | Letters
- Church must appoint more BAME leaders | Letters
- Eyewitness: London
- US and Japan reinforce 'alliance of hope' as leaders meet at Pearl Harbor
| 'We've had enough': Kinshasa holds its breath amid talks to end violence Posted: 26 Dec 2016 10:00 PM PST On the streets of the DRC's capital, people are losing patience with both President Kabila and the opposition, as poverty and corruption spark nostalgia for the authoritarian Mobuto era Dusk, and from the churchyard of Saint Alphonse came the plangent harmonies of one of the best known choral works of the Catholic church. Under the lime trees, 30 men and women practised the 17th-century setting of Psalm 51 by Gregorio Allegri, accompanied by a recorder, a battered violin and distant sounds of traffic. Continue reading... |
| Russian plane crash investigators recover first black box Posted: 27 Dec 2016 12:46 AM PST Discovery of flight recorder may offer clues to crash in which 92 people died, amid reports all TU-154 planes grounded Russia has found the first flight recorder from a military plane that crashed into the Black Sea killing all 92 on board, the defence ministry said, amid unconfirmed reports that authorities had grounded all aircraft of the same type. The recorder, one of several reported to be on board, contains information that could help investigators identify the cause of Sunday's crash, which killed dozens of Red Army Choir singers and dancers en route to Syria to entertain Russian troops in the run-up to the new year. Continue reading... |
| Twitter accounts of Abu Qatada and other key al-Qaida figures suspended Posted: 26 Dec 2016 10:55 AM PST Jihadi scholars' accounts focused mostly on war in Syria and frequently attacked Islamic State Twitter has suspended the account of Jordanian preacher and al-Qaida spiritual leader Abu Qatada, along with two other influential scholars aligned with the extremist group. The three accounts, which between them had tens of thousands of followers and were used several times a day, were at the heart of an online network of al-Qaida supporters, said Cole Bunzel, scholar of jihadism at Princeton University. Bunzel tweeted: Continue reading... |
| Barack Obama: I'm 'confident' I could have won a third term as president Posted: 26 Dec 2016 11:05 AM PST The president claimed in an interview that most Americans still have progressive politics Barack Obama has said he believes he would have won a third term in office were he eligible to run in the 2016 presidential election, while also casting a skeptical eye at the UK Labour party under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. In a wide-ranging interview with former aide David Axelrod, the outgoing president expressed his belief that he could have won re-election in 2016, based on his view that most Americans still subscribed to his progressive vision and ideals. Continue reading... |
| Arrests after US tourist alleges she was drugged and gang raped in India Posted: 26 Dec 2016 11:13 PM PST Alleged attack took place in hotel room over several days after woman claims her water was spiked by a local tour guide Indian police arrested four men on Monday on suspicion of drugging and raping an American tourist who visited Delhi earlier this year. The 25-year-old woman alleges that during the April trip she given spiked water in her hotel room and sexually assaulted by five men over two days. Continue reading... |
| Netanyahu snubs May over UN settlements vote, Israeli media says Posted: 26 Dec 2016 07:23 AM PST Israeli PM said to have told ministers two will not meet at Davos, but his office denies a meeting was ever scheduled Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has apparently snubbed Theresa May over the UK's support of a highly critical UN resolution condemning Israeli settlement building. The move is the latest in a series of diplomatic retaliations by Israel against the countries that supported a UN security council resolution describing Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories as a "flagrant violation" of international law and an obstacle to peace. Continue reading... |
| Sailor Thomas Coville sets new solo round the world record Posted: 26 Dec 2016 08:53 AM PST Tears and champagne flow as French skipper completes voyage in just 49 days and three hours Thomas Coville has smashed the record for sailing around the world solo, finishing his journey in just 49 days and three hours, more than a week faster than the previous titleholder. The French sailor celebrated his arrival at the Brittany port of Brest with tears and champagne, and said his first priority was catching up on rest after weeks of not sleeping for more than three hours at a stretch. Continue reading... |
| Israel threatens to give Trump 'evidence' that Obama orchestrated UN resolution Posted: 26 Dec 2016 03:59 PM PST Netanyahu allies claim 'iron-clad information' from Arab sources reveals Obama administration drafted document to end settlements, which US abstained from Israel has escalated its already furious war with the outgoing US administration, claiming that it has "rather hard" evidence that Barack Obama was behind a critical UN security council resolution criticising Israeli settlement building, and threatening to hand over the material to Donald Trump. The latest comments come a day after the US ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, was summoned by Netanyahu to explain why the US did not veto the vote and instead abstained. Continue reading... |
| Japanese PM Shinzo Abe lays wreaths in Hawaii before historic Pearl Harbor visit Posted: 26 Dec 2016 05:32 PM PST Abe's visit to the USS Arizona Memorial with Barack Obama comes six months after the US president travelled to Hiroshima Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has laid wreaths and visited memorials in Hawaii ahead of a visit to the site of the 1941 bombing that plunged the United States into the second world war. Related: US and Japan reinforce 'alliance of hope' as leaders meet at Pearl Harbor Continue reading... |
| Vera Rubin, astronomer who helped find evidence of dark matter, dies at 88 Posted: 26 Dec 2016 03:25 PM PST Scientist from Philadelphia helped find powerful evidence of dark matter by discovering galaxies don't quite rotate in the way they were predicted Vera Rubin, a pioneering astronomer who helped find powerful evidence of dark matter, has died aged 88, her son said on Monday. She died on Sunday night of natural causes, Allan Rubin told the Associated Press. The professor of geosciences at Princeton University said his mother, a Philadelphia native, had been living in the Princeton area. Continue reading... |
| Chapecoense plane ran out of fuel before crash, say aviation authorities Posted: 26 Dec 2016 10:54 AM PST Colombian aeronautics agency says evidence points to human error rather than technical problem or sabotage A plane that crashed while carrying a Brazilian football team had run out of fuel before it could land, according to Colombian aviation authorities. The Civil Aeronautics agency said the conclusion was based on the aircraft's black boxes and other evidence. It said the evidence pointed to human error rather than technical problems or sabotage. Continue reading... |
| China to rein in outward investment as domestic growth stalls Posted: 26 Dec 2016 01:30 PM PST Government to make it easier for firms abroad to invest in China and tougher for Chinese companies to buy assets overseas to contain capital outflow Beijing has signalled plans to curb Chinese firms' investment in foreign assets, after revealing that companies from China are on course to spend 1.12 trillion yuan (£130bn) on everything from British football clubs to a Hollywood film producer in 2016. Companies from China ramped up their spending on overseas assets during the year, as a weakening domestic economy saw investors turn their attention overseas. A diverse array of targets included the maker of Godzilla, Aston Villa Football Club and the pub in which former prime minister David Cameron and Chinese premier Xi Jinping once shared a pint. Continue reading... |
| US increased weapons sales in 2015 despite slight drop in global arms trade Posted: 26 Dec 2016 12:54 PM PST Developing nations were once again the largest buyers of weapons as total sales dropped to $80bn from $89bn in 2014 The sale of global arms dropped slightly last year to $80bn from 2014's $89bn, according to a new congressional study, with the US maintaining its position as the world's dominant supplier. But at $40bn the US market share of weapons sales amounted to about half of all arms agreements in 2015, and more than double the orders recorded by France, its nearest rival with $15bn in sales. The US and France both grew their market shares, by around $4bn and $9bn respectively. Continue reading... |
| US government collecting social media information from foreign travelers Posted: 26 Dec 2016 11:48 AM PST Visitors filing visa waiver application are prompted to enter account names for social platforms, but activists say there are few guidelines for use of information The US government has begun asking select foreign travelers to disclose their social media activities as part of an expanded effort to spot potential terrorist threats. The request functions as a prompt on the online Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or Esta, a visa waiver application that many visitors are required to submit before travelling to the US. The choices include platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, and additional space for applicants to input their account names on those sites. Continue reading... |
| Typhoon Nock-ten kills at least six in the Philippines Posted: 26 Dec 2016 10:06 AM PST Several provinces affected, with hundreds of thousands abandoning Christmas celebrations to reach emergency shelters A typhoon has lashed the northern Philippines, killing at least six people and forcing more than 380,000 in several provinces to abandon Christmas celebrations at home and move to safer ground. Typhoon Nock-ten cut power to five provinces due to toppled electric posts and trees, dimming the festivities in Asia's largest Catholic country. More than 300 flights were delayed or rescheduled and ferries were barred from sailing, stranding more than 12,000 holidaymakers. Continue reading... |
| Cafeteria manager jailed for insulting Turkish president, lawyer says Posted: 26 Dec 2016 08:30 AM PST Şenol Buran, who runs canteen at opposition Cumhuriyet newspaper in Istanbul, detained after police raid Turkish authorities have arrested the cafeteria manager of the opposition Cumhuriyet newspaper for insulting the president after he said he would not serve tea to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, one of the manager's lawyers said. Şenol Buran, who runs the canteen at the Istanbul office of Cumhuriyet, was taken into custody after police raided his home late on Saturday, Özgür Urfa said. The newspaper is among the few still critical of the government. Continue reading... |
| Monte dei Paschi bailout shouldn't be seen as a done deal, says ECB member Posted: 26 Dec 2016 09:32 AM PST President of Germany's Bundesbank questions wisdom behind rescuing Italy's third-largest bank if it is in a bad financial state A bailout of struggling Italian bank Monte dei Paschi should not be seen as a done deal, a key European Central Bank policymaker has said. Jens Weidmann, president of Germany's Bundesbank, said the Italian government ought to consider whether it should rescue the bank if it is in a bad financial state. Continue reading... |
| Tupac Shakur's Hail Mary makes surprise appearance at carol service Posted: 26 Dec 2016 02:16 AM PST Rapper's lyrics appear mistakenly on programme of one of Sri Lanka's largest services in place of Christmas prayer A Christmas carol service in Sri Lanka surprised churchgoers by mistakenly supplying the lyrics to the Tupac Shakur song, Hail Mary, instead of those of the traditional Christian prayer. Pictures of the programme from Joy to the World 2016, one of Sri Lanka's largest carol services, were shared widely across social media over the Christmas weekend. Continue reading... |
| Russia plane crash: terrorism not thought to be cause, say authorities Posted: 26 Dec 2016 02:31 AM PST Security services and minister say act of terror not being considered though cause of Syria-bound jet crash still unclear Russian authorities say they do not believe a terrorist attack was responsible for the crash of a Syria-bound military plane with 92 people on board. However, the cause of the crash is still unclear: the main possibilities under consideration are pilot error, technical malfunction, poor quality fuel or an unidentified object lodging in the engines. Early on Tuesday, the Russian defence ministry confirmed it had found a flight recorder from the Tu-154 jet. Continue reading... |
| The funniest and most unusual animal photos of 2016 Posted: 27 Dec 2016 01:00 AM PST A selection of images captured by photographers over the past 12 months, including a Donald Trump lookalike pheasant, kissing parakeets, and a lost sloth Continue reading... |
| South African startup blazes a trail in fire detection to protect townships | Tom Jackson Posted: 27 Dec 2016 01:00 AM PST A device that monitors temperature rises is among the innovative measures being used to keep crowded informal settlements safe in South Africa In South Africa's informal settlements, fire can be devastating, spreading rapidly among densely packed temporary housing. In the sprawling township of Khayelitsha in Cape Town, five people died and a further 4,000 were made homeless by a single blaze on New Year's Day 2013. Local government figures show that, in the capital city alone, the annual total of more than 1,500 fires claims about 100 lives. Related: Townships in South Africa: can design help solve the housing crisis? Continue reading... |
| A tour around North Korea with three defectors – in pictures Posted: 27 Dec 2016 12:00 AM PST Former residents talk NK News through the everyday photos the regime allows the world to see Continue reading... |
| Anti-extremism strategy reports rise in far-right supporters Posted: 26 Dec 2016 02:42 PM PST Prevent say one in ten of the people referred to them have links to far-right, and many want to 'destabilise communities' A UK anti-extremism strategy has reported a rise in the number of people being referred to it with far-right links. About one in 10 referrals to the scheme nationwide were linked to the far-right, according to the Prevent anti-extremism group. Continue reading... |
| Thousands attend Mexican girl's 15th birthday party after invite goes viral Posted: 26 Dec 2016 07:12 PM PST Rubi Ibarra celebrated her quinceneara on a ranch in Mexico with a crowd of thousands after a video invite for the party was seen around the world Looking overwhelmed by the attention, yet resplendent in an elaborate fuchsia dress and gleaming tiara, Rubi Ibarra celebrated her 15th birthday on Monday on a ranch in central Mexico after the invitation to the event by her father went viral and made her the toast of the country. Family members had to open a path for the girl through dozens of reporters and photographers snapping her picture so she could reach a Mass for her in a field in the state of San Luis Potosi. A large billboard saying "Welcome to my 15th birthday party" with Rubi's picture towered over the tents and tables filled with food. Continue reading... |
| South Australia braces for storms after severe weather hits Coober Pedy Posted: 27 Dec 2016 12:02 AM PST Weather being fed by the same system that caused flooding in Northern Territory and closure of Uluru national park South Australians were warned to batten down the hatches on Tuesday as heavy rain and destructive winds hit the state. More than 115mm of rain fell and wind gusts of up to 104km/h were felt around Coober Pedy on Tuesday. Continue reading... |
| Indonesian court gives go-ahead to blasphemy trial of Jakarta governor Ahok Posted: 26 Dec 2016 09:49 PM PST Basuki Tjahaja Purnama has denied he intended to insult the Qu'ran while campaigning An Indonesian court will proceed with a controversial blasphemy trial against Jakarta's Christian governor, who is accused of insulting the Qur'an, a judge said on Tuesday. The case is seen as a test of religious freedom in the Muslim-majority nation. |
| Jet Airways plane carrying 161 passengers skids off runway in Goa during takeoff Posted: 26 Dec 2016 08:28 PM PST At least 15 people suffer minor injuries after plane carrying 161 passengers leaves the runway in Indian tourist hotspot Continue reading... |
| India's leading party ordered online abuse of opponents, claims book Posted: 26 Dec 2016 07:59 PM PST Former volunteer for the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) says she was told to criticise journalists, actors and political figures online Social media trolling against Indian public figures including journalists and actors has been directly co-ordinated from inside the country's ruling party, a new book has claimed. An Indian former troll has alleged the 2014 prime ministerial campaign of Narendra Modi used social media volunteers to push critical messages about public figures perceived to be opposed to the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP). Continue reading... |
| Horse, possum and donkey meat on menu under South Australian food safety changes Posted: 26 Dec 2016 07:59 PM PST Proposal, which has been opposed by the Animal Justice party, would be implemented by September if adopted Horse, possum, camel and donkey will be available for sale from South Australian butchers from September next year if recommended changes to food safety regulations are adopted. The SA government, which has to update the regulations by 1 September 2017, has suggested the state should adopt the Australian and New Zealand Food Standards code definition of "game meat", which governs what wild animals may be sold commercially for human consumption. Continue reading... |
| Korean Air crew to 'readily' use stun guns on passengers after Richard Marx criticism Posted: 26 Dec 2016 07:08 PM PST Korean Air to take tougher stance on in-flight disturbances after US singer said staff were ill-trained in incident last week Korean Air Lines has said it will allow crew members to "readily use stun guns" to manage in-flight disturbances, after being criticised by US singer Richard Marx for its handling of an incident involving a violent passenger. The South Korean carrier also said on Tuesday it will beef up security training of crew members. Continue reading... |
| Hong Kong, where history has become a battleground for Beijing Posted: 26 Dec 2016 05:31 PM PST Residents of the city are being encouraged to engage with their past – warts and all – and not allow it to be airbrushed Stepping off the subway in his army uniform, Victor Yu prepared to face the onslaught ahead. Instead of charging into a crowd armed with rifles, he was met with smartphones, overwhelmed on a street in Hong Kong by pictures and selfies rather than enemy fire. Yu is a member of Watershed, a local historical group working to raise awareness of what they feel is Hong Kong's forgotten history. The performance comes at a time when instruction of the city's history is becoming increasingly politicised, with recent government attempts to bury details that may be embarrassing for China. Continue reading... |
| Chinese warships enter South China Sea near Taiwan in show of force Posted: 26 Dec 2016 05:03 PM PST Beijing's only aircraft carrier cruises past Taiwan's Pratas Islands in an exercise state media said showed the country's improving combat capabilities A group of Chinese warships led by the country's sole aircraft carrier entered the South China Sea on Monday after passing south of Taiwan, the self-ruled island's defence ministry said. The ministry said the carrier, accompanied by five vessels, passed south-east of the Pratas Islands, which are controlled by Taiwan, heading south-west. The carrier group earlier passed 90 nautical miles (167km) south of Taiwan's southernmost point via the Bashi channel, between Taiwan and the Philippines. Continue reading... |
| Vladimir Putin orders investigation into plane crash – video Posted: 26 Dec 2016 09:33 AM PST Vladimir Putin orders an investigation after a Russian military plane, carrying 92 people, crashed into the Black Sea on Sunday. A huge search operation was continuing in order to locate the fuselage – only debris had been recovered. There were no reported survivors from the flight which was was bound for Syria with members of the famous Alexandrov military choir onboard Continue reading... |
| Christianity is for life, not just for Christmas | Letters Posted: 26 Dec 2016 09:00 AM PST I was delighted to read Prebendary Neil Richardson's letter (24 December) about the exclusion of programmes that were genuinely about Christmas from your "festive 40" listing. I had been thinking along very similar lines myself. Perhaps I could go a little further. Here at All Saints church in Kingston-upon-Thames, a busy, seven-days-a-week town-centre church, we have just enjoyed huge congregations at our four main Christmas services. The same will have been true of thousands of other churches of all Christian denominations throughout the country. Of course, we know very well that most of the people who have come to church during the last couple of weeks, people of all ages and of various ethnicities, will not be with us Sunday by Sunday – although many will be. But the fact is that they were there willingly and apparently gladly too, not under compulsion. It is clear to me that we are meeting a need – arguably an instinct that is deeply embedded in the national DNA – to go church at special times. Christian Britain is emphatically not dead. It may be different from the way it was in previous eras, but there is life and vitality in abundance in our churches, which by their very existence are making an invaluable contribution to the country's precious reservoir of social and cultural capital. It would be good to see more of this acknowledged in the pages of the Guardian, rather than the weary but all too familiar journalistic tropes of "emptying pews". There's really so much more going on than that. • Re your report (Pope says Christmas has been 'taken hostage by materialism', 26 December), who exactly is the hostage-taker? Pope Francis conveniently forgets that it was Christians who took pagans' midwinter festival hostage. After centuries under Christmas's yoke, people are free once more to celebrate the lengthening days and the promise of spring in, yes, a material way. In return, Christmas has not been taken hostage: the church is still free to celebrate Jesus's birth, but it does nobody any favours in our increasingly divided world to set that spiritual celebration against the materialist instinct to bring light and laughter, food and drink, into the darkest days of our northern winter. |
| Church must appoint more BAME leaders | Letters Posted: 26 Dec 2016 08:59 AM PST We are pleased to receive the news Rev Dr Woyin Karowei Dorgu will be the next bishop of Woolwich (Report, 21 December). We congratulate Dr Dorgu and the diocese of Southwark on this decision. We have no doubt that Dr Dorgu, through his skills, experience and background, will enrich the leadership team of the diocese and add to its effectiveness in God's mission. The Anglican Minority Ethnic Network (Amen) has been a strong advocate for greater diversity in the senior leadership of the Church of England, primarily because we believe it makes the church more effective in its mission. A diverse senior leadership team pulls experience and skills from a more diverse background, which experience shows makes for better teams and stronger leadership. Diversity at the very top also shows people inside and outside the church that we are a church for everyone. Sadly, even with this appointment, the C of E is still well behind where it should be on this issue. So we hope that this would be one of many. Much more needs to be done to correct the church's weakness in the area of ethnic diversity in leadership and redress the 20-year gap before this appointment was made. |
| Posted: 26 Dec 2016 05:15 AM PST Photographs from the Eyewitness series Continue reading... |
| US and Japan reinforce 'alliance of hope' as leaders meet at Pearl Harbor Posted: 26 Dec 2016 02:30 AM PST After Barack Obama's visit to Hiroshima last year, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe is headed to Hawaii as questions loom over America's future role in Asia With $12.50 – half a month's salary – in his pocket, Harold Mainer was about to go ashore to celebrate his friend's birthday. Then, just before 8am, came the angry buzz of hundreds of Japanese warplanes, swarming the sky and raining destruction. The surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor had begun. "I couldn't believe it was happening but it did happen," recalls Mainer, 95, who had been standing on the deck of the USS Helena, a light cruiser, when the serenity was shattered. "The first three bombs I saw. One hit the waterway, the other one hit the runway, the other one hit the hangar deck. You didn't have time to think. You just did what you were trying to do." |
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