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DC5m United States events in english 100 articles, created at 2016-12-31 18:12 articles set mostly negative rate -3.1
1 1.2 Sydney families spend New Year's Eve in Dubai after Qantas cancel flight (6.99/7) Frustrated Qantas passengers stranded in Dubai following an aircraft malfunction reveal how the extreme delays have ruined their New Year's Eve plans with one man unable to attend a $600 event. 2016-12-31 09:27 4KB www.dailymail.co.uk
2 0.8 What next for Ronda Rousey after UFC 207 loss against Amanda Nunes? (5.29/7) Former Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey was beaten within the first minute of the bout, which has led to questions over whether she can continue to fight in the octagon in the future. 2016-12-31 09:13 4KB www.dailymail.co.uk
3 1.3 Revelers Bid Adieu to a Year of Conflicts, Celebrity Deaths (4.40/7) As 2016 draws to a close, revelers around the world are bidding a weary adieu to a year filled with political surprises, prolonged conflicts and deaths of legendary celebrities. How people are ushering in the new year: AUSTRALIA After a year that saw the deaths of a seemingly... 2016-12-31 09:07 12KB abcnews.go.com
4 2.7 Knighthoods for Murray and Farah in New Year's Honors List LONDON (AP) — Andy Murray received a knighthood in Queen Elizabeth II's New (3.40/7) Year's Honors list on Friday, recognition from the monarch for reaching the pinnacle of tennis by winning his second Wimbledon and Olympic titles on his way to…... 2016-12-31 07:55 793Bytes article.wn.com
5 12.1 Boko Haram leader urges fighters MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) -- Boko Haram's leader urges his fighters to "kill, slaughter
(3.14/7) and abduct... and detonate bombs everywhere," in a new video that de 2016-12-31 08:05 3KB mynorthwest.com
6 2.4 Egypt releases remains of Paris flight crew Egypt's Forensics Authority says it has released the remains of ten crew members of the fallen EgyptAir Paris flight to their families, seven months after the plane plummeted (3.12/7) into the Mediterranean Sea on its way to Cairo in May, killing all 66 passengers on board. 2016-12-31 09:16 1KB www.heraldonline.com
7 95.3 Baghdad blasts kill 25 as Mosul fighting intensifies Two bombs claimed by Islamic State killed 25 people in central Baghdad on Saturday. (2.44/7) 2016-12-31 07:23 3KB www.cnbc.com 8 18.3 In pictures: Remembering the stars who died in 2016 A huge number of celebrities and icons passed away this year. 2016-12-31 09:59 2KB
(2.33/7) www.dailymail.co.uk
9 3.3 Finland kicks off celebrations for 100 years of independence
(2.29/7) HELSINKI (AP) — A children's event at the National Opera has kicked off a year of festivities in Finland to celebrate 100 years of independence from its huge... 2016-12-31 10:07 1KB www.dailymail.co.uk
10 12.4 28 dead, 54 injured in bomb attacks in Baghdad Police concluded that the carnage was the work of a pair of suicide bombers.
(2.12/7) 2016-12-31 09:20 1KB www.dailymail.co.uk
11 0.0 China to ban ivory trade in '17 BEIJING -- China promised Friday to close down its domestic ivory trade completely by the end of 2017, a decision greeted by environmentalists as offering real hope to (2.12/7) curb a poaching crisis that is wiping out tens of thousands of elephants across Africa. In a statement... 2016-12-31 06:10 848Bytes article.wn.com
12 1.6 A day old, truce in Syria holding BEIRUT -- A nationwide Syrian cease-fire brokered by Russia and Turkey held Friday despite minor violations, marking a breakthrough in a conflict that has disregarded (2.10/7) high-level peace initiatives for more than five years. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported clashes early... 2016-12-31 06:28 813Bytes article.wn.com
13 3.7 Allan Williams, who set up Beatles' early gigs, dies at 86
(2.06/7) Allan Williams, a fixture on the Liverpool music scene who gave the Beatles a place to practice and helped them get early gigs, has died. He was 86. 2016-12-31 10:07 3KB www.heraldonline.com
14 2.3 3,000 years ago, it ruled the Mideast, now blown to pieces 3,000 years ago, it ruled the Mideast, now blown to pieces Associated Press - 31 (2.06/7) December 2016 07:10-05:00 News Topics: General news, Militant groups, Archaeology, War and unrest, Science People, Places and Companies: Middle East,... 2016-12-31 08:55 923Bytes article.wn.com
15 7.4 Sinai explosion kills officer and soldier CAIRO (AP) — A security official says that an explosion targeting a security vehicle in Egypt's Sinai peninsula has killed one junior officer and one soldier and injured another (2.06/7) soldier. ... 2016-12-31 08:28 694Bytes article.wn.com 16 0.0 Why I'm REFUSING to celebrate New Year's Eve: One mother reveals why she's boycotting the 'miserable' (1.41/7) milestone (despite being happy to party any other night of the year) Mother-of-one Kelly Rose Bradford 43, hates the night and the enforced celebration around it. She asks: 'Why would we want to embrace being another year older and another year having passed?' 2016-12-31 06:27 6KB www.dailymail.co.uk
17 1.8 Pregnant Rochelle Humes shows off her blossoming baby bump in a little black dress as she celebrates New (1.25/7) Year's Eve in the Maldives She's currently seven months pregnant with her second child. But Rochelle wasn't letting her burgeoning baby bump slow her down as she headed off to a beach party. 2016-12-31 11:41 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk
18 1.1 Australia kicks off global New Year party defying terror threat (1.21/7) Australia has rung in the new year with a spectacular fireworks display in Sydney, sending rainbow-coloured showers into the night sky and defying the global terror attacks that cast a pall over 2016. 2016-12-31 10:23 4KB www.news24.com
19 12.0 Mitchell: Our city, one year, 778 murders MITCHELL: To many, the faces staring out from the collage of victims murdered in 2016 have no connection to them. But take a closer look. 2016-12-31 11:39 7KB chicago.suntimes.com (1.15/7)
20 13.1 1 killed, 6 wounded in city shootings since Friday evening
(1.15/7) A man was killed and at least six others have been wounded in shootings across the city to start the New Year's holiday weekend, according to police. 2016-12-31 09:22 2KB chicago.suntimes.com
21 0.0 NC towns ring in the new year with flea drop, pickle drop (1.06/7) More than 100 years ago, on December 31, 1907, the New York Times threw a party in Times Square. Instead of the traditional fireworks --- the city had banned them --- it decided to try something a little different:... 2016-12-31 11:44 3KB myfox8.com
22 0.5 Jon Robson hits out at New Year's Honours list after he is overlooked in Twitter meltdown (1.04/7) Welsh author Jon Ronson sent out several tweets last night in a rant about not receiving any 'f****** MBE'. Dozens of stars from culture, sport and industry were honoured yesterday. 2016-12-31 09:11 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk 23 2.8 Andy Murray proves it is business as usual as knighted hero rounds off 2016 with a victory over Milos (1.03/7) Raonic World No 1 Andy Murray ended 2016 with a 6-3 7-6(6) win over big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic to take third place at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi. 2016-12-31 11:40 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk
24 0.7 Knife-wielding Afghan migrant 'stabs Christian woman, 50, because she was reading the Bible at the (1.02/7) Austrian refugee centre where he lives' The woman's alleged attacker was a 22-year-old man from Afghanistan who had taken offence to the fact that the woman had been invited by Christian residents at an asylum centre to discuss the Bible. 2016-12-31 11:48 1KB www.dailymail.co.uk
25 0.0 Worries Grow as Homicides Spike in Virginia's Capital City
(1.02/7) George Carrington III was excited to become a father. He loved cars and couldn't wait to buy his son a Big Wheel tricycle, his mother said. But they never met — the 17-year- old was gunned down in Virginia's capital city three days before... 2016-12-31 11:38 5KB abcnews.go.com
26 0.9 16 bodies recovered after mine collapse in India PATNA, India (AP) — Rescue workers have recovered the bodies of 16 miners buried after 23 miners were trapped by a mound of fallen earth in eastern India, po... (1.02/7) 2016-12-31 09:44 1KB www.dailymail.co.uk
27 2.7 Queen Elizabeth honors Mark Rylance, Victoria Beckham, Naomie Harris (1.02/7) Mark Rylance, Victoria Beckham and Naomie Harris are among those from the world of showbiz to be recognized in Queen Elizabeth’s New Year’s Honors list, which celebrates those who have made a signi… 2016-12-31 08:47 2KB variety.com
28 1.2 Christian Benteke could be taken off Crystal Palace penalty kick duties after Watford save says Sam Allardyce (1.02/7) His failure to score against Watford arguably cost Sam Allardyce a winning start to life as Eagles manager, and they head to Arsenal on New Year's Day with Allardyce weighing up his penalty options. 2016-12-31 08:19 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk
29 1.0 India to Continue to Regulate ATM, Bank Withdrawals
(1.02/7) India will continue to control how much money people can withdraw from ATMs and banks after the end of a deadline to exchange or deposit its devalued high-value currency bills. According to a statement from the central bank late Friday, the daily limit on ATM withdrawals will... 2016-12-31 06:39 3KB abcnews.go.com 30 2.1 Ashley James hits the beach while Zara Holland and Vogue Williams soak up the sun on New Year's Eve (0.22/7) They've all enjoyed career successes in 2016. So it was understandable that the trip wanted to treat themselves to some last-minute fun in the sun as they prepared to ring in the New Year. 2016-12-31 11:11 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk
31 1.9 'Ronda Rousey just got knocked out conclusively!' David Haye and Chris Eubank Jnr react to Amanda Nunes win (0.05/7) with Jamie Foxx and Jeremy Piven British boxers David Haye and Chris Eubank Jnr have given their reaction to Ronda Rousey's comprehensive defeat at the hands of Amanda Nunes in Las Vegas. 2016-12-31 08:49 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk
32 8.3 Celtic go 19 points clear after Scott Sinclair scores winner against Rangers
(0.03/7) Brendan Rodgers´ side came from behind to win. 2016-12-31 11:19 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk
33 1.0 Ronald Koeman hopes Ross Barkley will return to form after late goal at Hull (0.01/7) Barkley was central to Everton´s offensive threat throughout at the KCOM Stadium. 2016-12-31 10:29 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk
34 3.5 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino demands win at Watford on New Year´s Day
(0.01/7) He is adamant his side can still have a say in the title argument. 2016-12-31 10:11 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk
35 3.8 Actors seek posthumous protections to their characters and images after they are revived on the big (0.01/7) screen Filmmakers are tapping advances in digital technology to resurrect characters after a performer dies, most notably in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. 2016-12-31 10:07 6KB www.dailymail.co.uk
36 1.1 Chloe Goodman shows off he figure in plunging swimwear on Mexican winter break (0.01/7) Chloe Goodman certainly looks at home by the sea as she hit the beach yet again on Friday. 2016-12-31 09:13 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk 37 2.2 Brazilian police: Greek ambassador killed by wife's lover This May, 25, 2016 photo released by Brazil's presidential press office shows (0.01/7) Greece's ambassador to Brazil, Kyriakos Amiridis, after a government ceremony in Brasilia, Brazil. Authorities believe Amiridis was killed at the home his wife kept in the Rio de Janeiro area... 2016-12-31 09:10 992Bytes article.wn.com
38 8.0 Homicide victims' ages ranged from 4 to 85 in Kalamazoo County
There were 20 homicides in Kalamazoo County in 2016. 2016-12-31 08:30 2KB (0.01/7) www.mlive.com
39 2.2 Huddersfield 1-1 Blackburn: Nahki Wells nets a stunning free-kick at the death Huddersfield striker Nahki Wells curled home a brilliant free-kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time to rescue a point for David Wagner's side against struggling Blackburn. 2016-12-31 11:48 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk
40 1.1 Finns change coach after failing to reach quarterfinals HELSINKI (AP) — Finland has changed its coach at the world junior hockey championship after Jukka Rautakorpi failed to take the team into the quarterfinals i... 2016-12-31 11:43 1KB www.dailymail.co.uk
41 1.4 Lee Daniels, the second-ever black director nominated for an Academy Award, slams #OscarsSoWhite supporters as 'whiny' and entitled Film director Lee Daniels has criticized proponents of the OscarsSoWhite hashtag, calling them 'whiny' and entitled. The hashtag was used to call out the lack of diversity in Hollywood for two years. 2016-12-31 11:43 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk
42 0.6 Long gas lines, price hike mar holiday season in Mexico MEXICO CITY (AP) — The holiday season has been a little less merry for car owners in Mexico as gasoline shortages in many parts of the country have forced gr... 2016-12-31 11:42 6KB www.dailymail.co.uk
43 5.6 Crews battling building fire in downtown Monroe Crews continue to battle a fire at a commercial building in downtown Monroe. 2016-12-31 11:26 1KB www.wxyz.com
44 7.1 Western Michigan hockey wins GLI, beating Michigan Tech in overtime
Forward Colt Conrad made the game-winning shot. 2016-12-31 11:20 1KB www.mlive.com 45 4.2 Angler dies after falling onto rocks near Cape Point An elderly angler died on Friday afternoon after falling from rocks onto rocks below at Rooikrans‚ south of Buffels Bay near Cape Point in the Western Cape. 2016-12-31 11:08 1KB www.timeslive.co.za
46 2.6 Meijer fires employees who shared couple’s pregnancy announcement photo Jordan Areaux and her boyfriend Masyn Lehl had their photos developed at their local Meijer grocery store in Plainwell, Michigan. Areaux, 23, had gone to high school with two of the employees. 2016-12-31 11:02 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk
47 1.1 Walt Disney ‘Bambi’ artist dies at 106 Tyrus Wong, best known for his sketches for the Walt Disney animated feature "Bambi", died Friday, according to a statement released by The Walt Disney Family Museum. Wong was 106. "Legendary Disney artist Tyrus Wong had a gift for evoking incredible feeling... 2016-12-31 11:02 2KB myfox8.com
48 1.7 In Response To Hilarious Obama Tantrum, Putin Invites All U. S. Diplomats And Their Families To Lavish New Year’s Eve Party Vladimir #Putin: I am inviting all children of the #US diplomats in #Russia to the #NewYear's and #Christmas celebration in the #Kremlin pic.twitter.com/k49HE8h271 — ГК РФ в Женеве (@RusConsulGen) December 30, 2016 Excerpted From… 2016-12-31 17:52 2KB www.patdollard.com
49 7.4 Queensland mother's grief after accidentally reversing her car over her baby boy's pram Danielle Thompson has revealed her devastation and grief after she reversed over and killed her seven-month-old baby boy Darcy in Woodridge, Queensland. 2016-12-31 10:56 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk
50 0.3 Authorities look for driver after car chase in Winston-Salem ends in crash WINSTON-SALEM, N. C. – Authorities are looking for a man accused of leading authorities on a car chase in Winston-Salem and then crashing in the woods. The chase involved a Nissan Maxima and started as the driver was on US 421 at Peace Haven... 2016-12-31 10:47 1KB myfox8.com
51 3.1 4 injured, 1 seriously, when driver crashes into pedestrians Police in Finland say at least four people were injured, one of them seriously, when a driver lost control over his car and crashed into pedestrians on a Helsinki sidewalk. 2016-12-31 10:46 1KB www.heraldonline.com 52 0.4 Cub Scouts Latest Controversy Could Destroy Program’s Foundation The Cub Scouts are in another major battle over LGBT rights after reportedly kicking out an 8-year-old cub who was born a girl but identifies as a boy. The Cub Scouts are in another major battle over LGBT rights after reportedly kicking out an 8-year-old... 2016-12-31 10:42 2KB www.cbn.com
53 1.8 Cincinnati homeowners seek help as houses slide down hill Several Cincinnati homes are slowly sliding down a hillside and showing signs of damage. 2016-12-31 10:36 2KB www.washingtontimes.com
54 0.9 Donald Trump hits back at Democrats in triumphant tweet mocking Barack Obama's sanctions on Russia The president-elect on Saturday sent a message to his 'many enemies', saying they had lost 'so badly they just don't know what to do'. Trump ended his gloating tweet with an ironic: 'Love!' 2016-12-31 10:34 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk
55 1.0 Rangers 1-2 Celtic: Scott Sinclair seals comeback win for Brendan Rodgers' side at Ibrox as Kenny Miller misses from six yards to salvage late point Celtic hit back to beat bitter rivals Rangers 2-1 at Ibrox and extend their overwhelming lead at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership to 19 points at the expense of their opponents. 2016-12-31 10:34 5KB www.dailymail.co.uk
56 3.4 Muscle Shoals Sound Studio named top Alabama attraction MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A fabled music studio where acts including the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan recorded hits is already being named Alabama's No. 1 tour... 2016-12-31 10:33 1KB www.dailymail.co.uk
57 86.7 Woman dies in Nottingham house fire Authorities say a woman has died in a fire in Nottingham. 2016-12-31 10:32 998Bytes www.washingtontimes.com
58 0.0 Jenny Thompson shows off her incredible figure as she hits the beach in Dubai She'll be hitting our screens in 2017 with an explosive stint on Ex On The Beach. And Jenny gave fans a glimpse of what to expect as she hit the sandy shores of Dubai on Thursday. 2016-12-31 10:32 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk
59 4.0 Alcohol likely a factor in head-on crash on Cannonsburg Road
The crash happened about 8:10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30 2016-12-31 10:30 1KB www.mlive.com 60 3.6 Miranda Kerr's mother Therese shares beautiful snaps of son's same-sex wedding to longtime partner James Wright Kerr family matriarch Therese, posted a series of beautiful snaps from son Matthew's wedding to longtime partner James Wright, to Instagram on Saturday. 2016-12-31 10:27 4KB www.dailymail.co.uk
61 2.9 Yvonne Sampson heads to Fox Sports to launch new NRL channel Channel Nine tried to stop her from joining a new NRL channel on Fox Sports. But after weeks of negotiations, Yvonne Sampson finally bid farewell to the network on Saturday. 2016-12-31 10:19 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk
62 1.8 No injuries after fire reported at Greensboro apartment complex GREENSBORO, N. C. – A fire in Greensboro damaged the roof of an apartment early Saturday morning, but nobody was hurt. Firefighters were called to 1023 Barton St. at about 5:46 a.m. in reference to the incident, according to Greensboro... 2016-12-31 10:14 1KB myfox8.com
63 2.2 Man trying to help dog struck in road gets hit by pickup
Matthew Dykstra is in stable condition 2016-12-31 10:13 1KB www.mlive.com
64 4.1 Manhunt Underway For Man Accused Of Killing PA State Trooper The officer, Landon Weaver, was shot Friday night while responding to a report of a protection-from-abuse violation at a home in central Pennsylvania. A remote Huntingdon County area has been closed off in the search. 2016-12-31 09:41 2KB newyork.cbslocal.com
65 3.2 Flood watch area expanded to include New Orleans area Total rainfall accumulations should reach 4 to 6 inches, with locally higher amounts possible. 2016-12-31 09:38 1KB www.nola.com
66 4.3 Princess Leias turn out in force as New Orleans mourns Carrie Fisher ‘Public demonstration of love’ for actor who died this week sees fans dressed as Star Wars character stage ‘Chewbacchus’ parade in streets of the Big Easy 2016-12-31 09:29 3KB www.theguardian.com 67 3.1 Sir Alex Ferguson PICTURE SPECIAL: A selection of the legendary former Manchester United manager's best moments as he celebrates his 75th birthday Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates his 75th birthday on New Year's Eve so it's only apt that we look back at his best pictures. 2016-12-31 09:17 1KB www.dailymail.co.uk
68 0.6 Pakistan say to sue India over 2014 bilateral Test deal Pakistan cricket chiefs have said they will sue India for failing to honour a 2014 deal to play a bilateral Test series. The Pakistan Cricket Board and the B... 2016-12-31 09:14 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk
69 1.0 New hitches hold up DR Congo crisis deal Fresh problems held up efforts by the Catholic Church to unveil a deal on Saturday for ending the political crisis in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a m... 2016-12-31 09:14 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk
70 0.3 Threat of New Year attacks in US 'low... yet undeniable' - security agencies U. S. defense and security agencies said they believed the threat of militant attacks inside the United States was low during this New Year's holiday, yet some chance of an attack was &q 2016-12-31 09:11 3KB www.independent.ie
71 2.2 Throat singer, children's storyteller, among new Order of Canada recipients As Canada enters a year marked by national birthday celebrations and the beginnings of an inquiry into the country's past, sordid treatment of its indigenous peoples, Nunavut-based throat singer Tanya Tagaq Gillis hopes her music will open minds and lead to change. So far,... 2016-12-31 09:10 1KB article.wn.com
72 3.9 Atlanta police release sketch of rape suspect Atlanta police are searching for a rape suspect who, they say, attacked a woman on Ralph D. Abernathy Boulevard. 2016-12-31 09:07 1KB www.fox5atlanta.com
73 0.7 Pruning, flower seeds, oxalis and late December plantings: This week's gardening tips Prune off any freeze damage caused to gingers, philodendrons, cannas and other herbaceous tropicals. Place a 4- to 6-inch layer of mulch, such as pine straw, around the base of the plants to protect the roots and rhizomes. Flower seeds... 2016-12-31 09:00 2KB www.nola.com 74 0.3 Donald Trump's self-serving denial on Russia To the editor: The integrity of our elections was a vocal issue for Donald Trump when polls showed him losing. Now, he can’t be bothered and rejects intelligence evidence of Russian interference, though he will grace a briefing with his presence. At least he’s reliably... 2016-12-31 09:00 2KB www.latimes.com
75 3.6 Pelicans revive playoff hopes with 4-game winning streak during homestand The New Orleans Pelicans improved their record to 14-21 after Friday's 104-92 win over the New York Knicks, moving within 1.5 games of the eighth seed in the Western Conference. 2016-12-31 09:00 4KB www.nola.com
76 96.1 Deputies find 1 fatally shot in Prince George's Co. A man was shot and killed after a dispute in Capitol Heights, Md. 2016-12-31 08:58 1KB rssfeeds.wusa9.com
77 1.8 Duterte Delegates Philippines Into Economic Sweet Spot but Misgivings Rising After six months at the helm in the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte has been touting just two achievements of his presidency – a vicious war on drugs and a surprise alliance with his country's bitter rival, China. ... 2016-12-31 08:57 781Bytes article.wn.com
78 3.2 Grimsby Staffordshire bull terrier owner strangled his pet to death on Christmas Day John Green spent four days in hospital after the attack - but meanwhile two of his neighbours found Staffordshire bull terrier Rio dumped in a wheelie bin on his road in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. 2016-12-31 08:56 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk
79 0.0 Mom, 2 sons 'burnt beyond recognition' as lightning strikes their hut A woman together with her two sons were this week burnt beyond recognition after lightning struck the hut in which they were sheltering in south eastern Zimbabwe, a report says. 2016-12-31 08:55 1KB www.news24.com
80 1.4 Santa denial gets Italian conductor the sack Maybe, facing the combined power of Disney and Christmas, orchestra conductor Giacomo Loprieno should have just let it go. 2016-12-31 08:50 1KB www.digitaljournal.com
81 0.8 In the battle for Mosul, everybody's taking selfies — and some of them may be incriminating With the offensive to reclaim the Iraqi city of Mosul now in its third month, smartphones are everywhere on the battlefield, where the appetite for selfie photos is proving to be irresistible — and problematic. 2016-12-31 08:44 6KB www.latimes.com 82 0.7 David Whitley: Reflecting on a strange year of unpredictability You hear it every year. The year that's about to end was the worst ever. Or it was the best ever, the saddest ever or the weirdest ever. At the risk of making a prediction, we predict 2016 will be remembered as the best... 2016-12-31 08:44 1KB article.wn.com
83 0.5 Katie Price rumoured to be on Celebrity Big Brother after latest teaser clip She was crowned winner of the 2015 series even though she entered as a late housemate. And rumours have begun to circulate that Katie is heading back into the house for January. 2016-12-31 08:43 7KB www.dailymail.co.uk
84 4.0 More Americans are applying to college in Canada after Trump's win Applications from Americans hoping to head abroad for college are way up following the November election, the Associated Press reported on Friday. 2016-12-31 08:40 3KB www.aol.com
85 1.8 Despite Recent Production Boost, Wyoming Coal's Long-Term Outlook Is Dim : NPR In 2016, the collapse of the coal industry hit the epicenter of U. S. production: Wyoming. Miners reflect on hard times, and how they're hedging their bets in a shrinking industry. 2016-12-31 08:38 786Bytes www.npr.org
86 0.6 Two airline bosses quit after shocking video emerges showing a 'drunk' pilot stumbling through security on his way to fly a passenger jet carrying 154 A pilot, identified as Tekad Purna, for Indonesian low-cost airline Citilink repeatedly dropped his belongings as he went through security at Surabaya airport on Wednesday morning. 2016-12-31 08:28 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk
87 1.5 Star Wars is the perfect analogy for the decline of America Star Wars is a generational thing and older people think my cohort are mentally subnormal for enjoying it, but it’s… See the full story of Star Wars is the perfect analogy for the decline of America on Coffee House. ... 2016-12-31 08:27 818Bytes article.wn.com
88 1.6 Lebanese newspaper closes after 42 years, hit by financial woes BEIRUT: Lebanese daily newspaper As-Safir printed its final edition on Saturday, forced to close after 42 years because of financial problems as other news outlets in the country face similar difficulties. The front page led with an editorial entitled “The nation without As-Safir”. “The... 2016-12-31 08:26 942Bytes article.wn.com 89 3.0 Manchester wheelchair-bound woman has face broken by armed thugs The raid five months ago has left Barbara Dransfield, 63, of Manchester the physical scars of a grotesque attack and is also struggling emotionally to come to terms with her ordeal. 2016-12-31 08:12 6KB www.dailymail.co.uk
90 1.1 Are Ravens taking big risk by playing Joe Flacco in meaningless game? Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the Ravens are set to start Joe Flacco despite him being 11 months removed from a major knee injury. 2016-12-31 08:01 3KB www.espn.com
91 1.0 21 people rescued from 'Sky Cabin' ride at California theme park Twenty riders and a ride operator were rescued on Friday after being trapped for several hours about 100 feet above the ground in Southern California. 2016-12-31 08:01 2KB www.aol.com
92 2.0 Will my potted pepper plants make it through the winter? QUESTION: I have several pepper plants in large pots (about 5-gallon size). Will they make it through the winter if I protect them or will they just die off? Should I continue to fertilize them through the winter? Production is... 2016-12-31 08:00 1KB www.nola.com
93 3.2 Dead! 10 celebs Ntsiki Mazwai shaded... HARD! Ntsiki Mazwai has one of the most lethal Twitter fingers in Mzansi. So, when she hit the keyboard in 2016, not many of our favourite celebs were spared. 2016-12-31 08:00 3KB www.timeslive.co.za
94 2.7 Man who helped launch Kinder candy with surprise inside dies ROME (AP) — An Italian foundation for children says that William Salice, credited with launching Kinder Sorpresa, a hollow chocolate egg with a surprise tiny toy inside, has died. He was 83. ... 2016-12-31 07:55 706Bytes article.wn.com
95 1.9 Iceland's 'crazy' year ends without a government Iceland is ending an eventful year in a political quagmire, left without a government for two months after the Panama Papers scandal and a snap election reflecting deep divisions in the island nation. 2016-12-31 07:50 4KB www.digitaljournal.com 96 0.9 Venezuelans are fleeing to Brazil for medical care, overwhelming its hospitals and morgues BOA VISTA, Brazil — As throngs of Venezuelans trek to Brazil in search of food and medicine, hospitals along Brazil’s sparsely populated northern border are struggling to pick up the pieces of Venezuela’s failing health-care system. A spiraling economic crisis and hyperinflation have cleaned Venezuelan hospitals... 2016-12-31 07:49 1KB article.wn.com
97 2.1 London athlete aged 85 as fit as someone in their 20s continues to wow scientists London born Ed Whitlock ran a sub-four hour marathon breaking the record for his age group by 40 minutes. Tests have shown his lungs are as fit as someone who is active in their twenties. 2016-12-31 07:21 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk
98 2.2 F. Ross Johnson, Who Allowed RJR Nabisco Buyout, Dies at 85 F. Ross Johnson, the RJR Nabisco Inc. chief executive officer whose efforts to take the company private in the 1980s led to the then-largest takeover in Wall Street history chronicled in the best-selling book "Barbarians at the Gate," has died. He was 85. Johnson died of... 2016-12-31 07:19 4KB www.newsmax.com
99 2.3 Orlando man pulled from car before train hits vehicle A man whose car stalled on a railroad track in Orlando was pulled to safety before a commuter train crashed into it. 2016-12-31 07:11 1KB www.washingtontimes.com
100 2.5 Impalas leap in the air when a crocodile emerges from water at Kruger National Park The animals were in Kruger National Park, South Africa, when the predator emerged from a small, murky watering hole. 2016-12-31 07:04 1KB www.dailymail.co.uk Articles
DC5m United States events in english 100 articles, created at 2016-12-31 18:12
1 /100 1.2 Sydney families spend New Year's Eve in Dubai after Qantas cancel flight (6.99/7) Frustrated Qantas customers who were forced to cancel their New Year's Eve plans in Australia after becoming stranded in Dubai could face a second night in the country following further delays. A video obtained exclusively by Daily Mail Australia shows Qantas staff addressing frustrated passengers who say they were given two options – continue to wait or fly somewhere else for a connecting flight. Andrew McDonald – who had laid out $600 for a New Year's Eve party ticket – chose to fly to Doha, Qatar after waiting in Dubai for more than 24 hours. Scroll down for video 'The flight will take 20 hours, so won't get home until the 1st at 7pm,' Mr McDonald said. 'I hope they reimburse me for my event ticket,' he said. The young man, who made friends with fellow passenger Rebecca Chambers, sat posing in the airport with a champagne and said if they 'didn't smile they would cry.' Some passengers are staying at the airport hoping spots become available on upcoming flights, and revealed Qantas executive Alan Joyce managed to avoid the huge delay home to Sydney by boarding one of the first flights out. Di and David Waldron and their two children Alistar, 11, and Angus, 8, are facing a second night in the city – which was supposed to serve as a quick fuel stop on their way home from a holiday in the UK. 'I am a priority passenger because I am diabetic and only have enough insulin for another few days,' Di Waldron said. 'But we have heard Mr Joyce managed to make an early flight out - so he wasn't caught up - he is obviously higher priority than people with children or those who are sick.' The mother-of-two said the worst thing about the constant delay was not knowing how long they could be stuck for. 'We were told it would be a few hours, then a few more hours, then they gave us meal vouchers, then they told us to go to our hotels,' she said. 'If we had known we would be waiting so long we would have organised to do something with the kids or went to the airport hotel and rested.' While the family hadn't forked out money for their New Year's Eve plans they were still disappointed to have to cancel. 'We were supposed to arrive home to Brisbane at 9am on the 31st – we had planned to go to a friend's house and watch the fireworks from their veranda,' she said. 'I doubt we will even be able to relax with a glass of champagne now.' The delays have been caused by a technical fault on the company's A380 aircraft – which engineers continue to work on. The company have received negative social media attention over the incident. 'I've been delayed for eight hours in Dubai airport,' Mia Parkes-Talbot posted to the airline's Facebook page from Dubai on Friday night. 'You sent people that you delayed yesterday off on my plane and now I'm stranded.' 'I really want to go home and celebrate New Year's Eve with family, friends and dog. 'Please get me home now! Please get me home before I have to spend the first moments of 2017 in an airport hotel.' Meanwhile, others searched for answers. 'You've put us up in a lovely hotel but we have no idea what time we'll be leaving tomorrow. What time do we set our alarms for please? Help and communication would be great. Lots of uncertainty. Thanks,' Rob Voase wrote. 'Hi Qantas, what's happening with your flights from Dubai? A friend is stranded there for days and may even miss NYE in Sydney. What's the story?' said Steven Powell. The airline said it will safely fly passengers to Sydney as soon as possible. 'The engineering assessment is continuing and, once resolved, we'll be able to provide an updated arrival time,' a Qantas spokeswoman said on Saturday. 'We're keen to get passengers on their way, but only when it's absolutely safe to do so. We thank everyone for their patience.'
Victorian man dies in PHOTOS: New Year's Eve New Year's Eve around the Kirralee Morris poses in firework accident on New celebrations around the world - live! lingerie as she gushes about Year’s Eve world as revelers ring in theguardian.com upcoming New Year's Eve dailymail.co.uk 2016 party abc7news.com dailymail.co.uk
The quirky tips that will In pictures: How the world is Rebel Wilson celebrates Caroline Wozniacki, Emmy ensure you have the celebrating the new year New Year's Eve on Rossum, and Rachel Hunter ultimate New Year's Eve dailymail.co.uk Instagram first celebrities to ring in Party dailymail.co.uk 2017 dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk
2016-12-31 09:27 Belinda Cleary www.dailymail.co.uk
2 /100 0.8 What next for Ronda Rousey after UFC 207 loss against Amanda Nunes? (5.29/7) Ronda Rousey lost against Amanda Nunes on Friday night, seemingly curtailing her return to UFC before it had even begun in earnest. The former Bantamweight champion was beaten within the first minute of the bout, which has led to questions over whether she can continue to fight in the octagon in the future. While there is an expectation that Rousey will hang up her gloves, there are myriad options for her going forward, including a dream fight in UFC. Sportsmail has put together a guide to the various choices she could make. Almost certainly. Her loss against Amanda Nunes was her second on the spin, and much like any combat sport, careers tend to end after repeated defeats. UFC 207 was supposed to be the triumphant return of unarguably the greatest female competitor in the history of the company. It was not. Rousey and UFC president Dana White were already discussing her future prior to the fight in Las Vegas and there seemed to be an acceptance that the end was coming in the near future for the California- born fighter. That will only be hastened by her defeat to Nunes. But will she want to go out on what is a definite low? That is the only question surrounding her. Rousey might have too much pride to walk away at this point. Nothing has been confirmed, with Rousey not speaking to the media after her fight. An announcement cannot be too far away. 'She's going to stick around. If she loses, I don't know what she's going to do, but if she wins she's definitely going to stick around,' said White before the fight. Victory would have been the ideal for UFC. They would have had their most marketable champion, barring Conor McGregor, back. The world would have been their oyster. As it stands, Rousey cannot reasonably claim to be a contender for the bantamweight title. What she and UFC do have is the trump card of Cris 'Cyborg' Justino. Justino is probably the other most highly regarded female fighter in the world and any bout between the two would be incredibly popular. The problem is Justino currently has a USADA notification hanging over her. While Justino's camp claim it was simply medication to deal with a weight cut, it could damage the potential for her and Rousey to face off in the octagon any time soon. There's also a belief that were Rousey to return, she'd have to completely rejig her coaching team. There's a sense they tell her what she wants to hear rather than what she needs to be the best fighter on the planet. This is the biggest reason why Rousey may not return to UFC. Her earning potential outside of the company is almost limitless. She has already appeared in three films and has been cast in a remake of 1989 Patrick Swayze film Road House. Hollywood likes Ronda Rousey, and that means she can demand a lot from Hollywood. There's another big question hanging over her with regards to the WWE. Sportsmail spoke to the company's vice president of talent, live events and creative Triple H earlier this month and he admitted he thought they would be involved in any discussions over Rousey's future. He added: 'Ronda’s done things with us in the past. She’s a huge fan. She had a blast when she did it.' She is known as 'Rowdy' in tribute to 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper and is known to be a genuine fan of the company. She appeared at Wrestlemania before alongside The Rock when she was the bantamweight champion. It's a good place for someone who has made a name elsewhere to earn even more money, and should probably also appeal to her on a human level. She's helped to define what a woman can do in UFC. Her reign with the bantamweight title was superb, probably best demonstrated by the fact that it has changed hands so many times since she lost it to Holly Holm last year. Rousey made it possible for women to headline UFC pay-per-views, hugely increasing their earning potential with the company. She, along with McGregor, also helped bring UFC further into the mainstream. Miesha Tate commented on Friday night: 'What does she have left to prove? Ronda Rousey has been the most dominant female for the longest period of time in history. She has broken every barrier. She has been an inspiration to women all over the planet and men alike. It's amazing that women are headlining these cards, and a big part of that is Ronda Rousey.' Internet disses former Amanda Nunes quickly Amanda Nunes thinks Ronda Rousey is stopped champ’s UFC defeat — RT stops Ronda Rousey’s Ronda Rousey should retire: 48 seconds into comeback Viral comeback bid 'Can’t be a champion at UFC 207 rt.com fox13now.com forever' mlive.com rssfeeds.usatoday.com
Nunes stuns challenger Rousey TKO’d by Nunes in 'Unplug the modem folks, Rousey with first-round title stunning fashion at UFC 207 it's over!' UFC fans react to win — RT Sport Ronda Rousey's 48-second aol.com rt.com defeat by Amanda Nunes dailymail.co.uk
2016-12-31 09:13 Amitai Winehouse www.dailymail.co.uk
3 /100 1.3 Revelers Bid Adieu to a Year of Conflicts, Celebrity Deaths (4.40/7) As 2016 draws to a close, revelers around the world are bidding a weary adieu to a year filled with political surprises, prolonged conflicts and deaths of legendary celebrities.
How people are ushering in the new year:
AUSTRALIA
After a year that saw the deaths of a seemingly endless parade of entertainers, Sydney will honor some of the most beloved. The city's famed fireworks display over the harbor will pay homage to Prince and David Bowie , and will be set to a music medley inspired by the late singers.
"We are hoping to make it rain purple this year for the first time, not only off the barges, but also off the Sydney Harbour Bridge," fireworks director Fortunato Forti said, referencing Prince's hit "Purple Rain. "
The 7 tons of fireworks launched from barges on the harbor will also include a "Willy Wonka moment" in tribute to the late actor Gene Wilder's most famous role, fireworks co-producer Catherine Flanagan said. And there will be a nod to the Bowie classic "Space Oddity," with Saturn, moon and star-shaped fireworks. Bowie lived in Sydney for about 10 years during the 1980s and '90s.
"This year, sadly, we saw the loss of many music and entertainment legends around the world," Flanagan said. "So celebrating their music as part of Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks displays is an opportunity to reflect on the year that has been and what the future may hold. "
Around 1.5 million revelers are expected to ring the harbor to join in the festivities. An extra 2,000 police will be on duty and buses will be used to block off certain pedestrian areas following the deadly truck-driving attacks in Berlin and Nice, France.
Officials urged residents to carry on celebrating as normal, despite the threats of extremist attacks across the globe and in Australia. On Friday, a man was arrested after police say he posted threats on social media related to Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations. New South Wales police said he was acting in isolation and had no known links to extremist groups.
"Ultimately the best way that we can respond to the threats around the world is to fight for our freedoms, enjoy our freedoms, and part of that is ensuring that we go about and celebrate New Year's Eve," state Premier Mike Baird said.
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LAS VEGAS
More than 300,000 visitors are expected to descend on Las Vegas for an extravagant New Year's Eve celebration.
Nightclubs are pulling out all the stops with performances from DJ Calvin Harris, rappers T-Pain and Kendrick Lamar and artists Drake and Bruno Mars. The city's celebrity chefs have crafted elaborate prix fixe menus complete with caviar and champagne toasts.
An eight-minute fireworks show will kick off at the stroke of midnight, with rockets launching from the tops of half a dozen casinos.
Federal officials have ranked the celebration just below the Super Bowl and on par with the festivities in Times Square. FBI and Secret Service agents will work alongside local police departments that are putting all hands on deck for the big night.
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GERMANY
In Berlin the mood was more somber than celebratory.
"I don't like the way politics is going," said Daniel Brandt. "Fears are being fanned and people are so angry with each other. "
The tone of public debate in Germany has become shriller over the past two years with the influx of hundreds of thousands of migrants. Some Germans blame Chancellor Angela Merkel for attacks such as the recent rampage in Berlin, where a failed asylum-seeker from Tunisia rammed a truck into a crowded Christmas market, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more.
As the country heads for a general election in which the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party is expected to poll strongly, Brandt said he was hoping for "proper solutions to our problems. "
Two Israeli tourists, on a visit to the German capital, seemed at a loss when asked about their wishes for 2017. "Peace on Earth. Just happiness, really," said Nathan and Libat, declining to give their last names.
Berlin hosts Germany's biggest open-air New Year's Eve celebration near the city's iconic Brandenburg Gate. Security, as in previous years, was tight Saturday, with police checking the bags of those entering the party zone.
Authorities have also increased police presence at hotspots in other major cities, including Cologne, where a string of robberies and sexual assaults last year that were blamed largely on migrants from North Africa prompted nationwide outrage.
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TURKEY
Neslihan Dogruol, a restaurant owner in a chic Istanbul neighborhood, said she hopes for peace in 2017 following a year filled with "unrest and death. "
"2016 affected everyone badly," she said, referring to major attacks that hit Turkey in the past year.
The restaurant, adorned with snowflakes and tiny decorative lights for the evening, will have fewer people for dinner. "There is a serious gap between 2015 and 2016 in terms of business, people are going out less," Dogruol said, adding that she expects more people to come for drinks.
Security measures were heightened in major Turkish cities. Traffic leading up to key squares in Istanbul and the capital, Ankara, will be closed, police said. In Istanbul, 17,000 police officers have been put on duty, some camouflaged as Santa Claus and others as street vendors, Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Friday.
Ankara and Istanbul were targeted by bomb attacks in 2016, killing more than 180 people. Turkey has been in the throes of violence, combatting the Islamic State group, Kurdish militants and a coup attempt blamed on the U. S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen.
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JAPAN
Temple bells will echo at midnight as families gather around noodles and revelers flock to shrines for the biggest holiday in Japan.
"I feel this sense of duality," said Kami Miyamoto, 21, an economics student at Meiji University in Tokyo, who traveled home in Hakusan, Ishikawa prefecture, for the holiday.
"The world is heading toward conservative insular policies," she said of the U. S. election, Brexit and what she believes lies ahead for elections in Europe in 2017. "We learned about how valuable it is to get correct information. "
One of the most memorable experiences for Miyamoto in 2016 was a three-week study program in South Korea. She was surprised and moved by the friendship she formed with South Korean students, and she has decided to focus her studies on relations with South Korea.
"Studying about the U. S. and Europe seems to be about looking at the past, but East Asian studies are focusing on the future," she said.
Miyamoto's mother is preparing soba noodles, a standard New Year's Eve dish in Japan, except in their home it will be filled with green onions and shrimp. As the new year rolls in, the entire family, including her younger brother and sister, will drive to a nearby shrine, which, like temples all over Japan, will be filled with those praying for good fortune in the Year of the Rooster, according to the Chinese zodiac.
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CHINA
Residents in Beijing and Shanghai, China's two largest cities, will pass New Year's Eve in a relative state of security lockdown, according to Chinese media reports citing police.
The Bund waterfront in Shanghai will not have any celebrations, authorities announced this week, while the sale, use and transportation of fireworks in central Shanghai will be prohibited altogether. Large buildings that often display light shows will also stay dark. More than 30 people died two years ago in a deadly stampede on Shanghai's waterfront, where 300,000 people had gathered to watch a planned light show.
Beijing police also said countdowns, lightshows, lotteries and other organized activities will not be held in popular shopping districts such as Sanlitun and Guomao. Beijing police advised citizens to avoid crowded areas, closely watch elderly relatives and children, and be aware of exit routes in venues.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his annual New Year's Eve address that his government will continue to focus on poverty alleviation at home and resolutely defending China's territorial rights on the foreign front.
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SOUTH KOREA
Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans ushered in the new year with a massive protest demanding the resignation of disgraced President Park Geun-hye. It was the 10th straight weekend of protests that led to Park's impeachment on Dec. 9 over a corruption scandal.
The evening rally was to overlap with Seoul's traditional bell-tolling ceremony at the Bosinkgak pavilion at midnight, which was also expected to be a political statement against Park.
The city's mayor, Park Won-soon, invited as guests a man whose teenage son was among more than 300 people who died during a 2014 ferry sinking, and a woman who was forced into sexual slavery by Japan's World War II military.
Park came under heavy criticism over the way her government handled the ferry disaster.
"So many unbelievable things happened in 2016. It didn't feel real; if felt like a movie," protester Lee Huymi said about the bizarre scandal that brought Park down. "So I hope 2017 brings a movie-like ending to the mess. Everything getting solved, quickly and all at once, leaving us all happy. "
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INDIA
For most people in India, New Year's Eve is a time for family. In New Delhi and many other cities, newspapers are full of big advertisements for lavish parties at upscale hotels and restaurants. The big draws at the hotel parties are song and dance performances from Bollywood and television stars.
Police with breath analyzers check for drunk driving, and security is tightened in malls and restaurants.
The western city of Mumbai will host big street parties with thousands of people at the iconic Gateway of India, a colonial-era structure on the waterfront overlooking the Arabian Sea. There'll be music and dancing and occasional fireworks.
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
In Dubai, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to watch as fireworks shoot from the sides of the world's tallest building, the 828-meter (2,716-foot) Burj Khalifa. The show also will be streamed live online.
But authorities hope they won't see a repeat of last year's excitement, when police say faulty wiring sparked a fire several hours before midnight at The Address Downtown, a 63-story skyscraper nearby. The high-rise tower still remains under repair.
The United Arab Emirates, a staunch Western ally that hosts U. S. military personnel fighting against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, remains a peaceful corner in the otherwise turbulent Middle East.
However, the U. S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi issued a warning Thursday to Americans that "extremist sympathizers or self-radicalized extremists may conduct attacks worldwide during this period with little or no warning. "
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Associated Press writers Kristen Gelineau in Sydney, Michelle Rindles in Las Vegas, Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo, Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul, South Korea, Gerry Shih in Beijing, Muneeza Naqvi in New Delhi, Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Frank Jordans in Berlin and Zeynep Bilginsoy in Istanbul contributed to this report. In pictures: How the world is PHOTOS: New Year's Eve Revelers bid adieu to a year Revellers bid adieu to a year celebrating the new year celebrations around the of conflicts of conflicts, celebrity deaths dailymail.co.uk world as revelers ring in rssfeeds.detroitnews.com article.wn.com 2016 abc7news.com
Revelers bid adieu to a year of conflicts, celebrity deaths article.wn.com
2016-12-31 09:07 By abcnews.go.com
4 /100 2.7 Knighthoods for Murray and Farah in New Year's Honors List (3.40/7) LONDON (AP) — Andy Murray received a knighthood in Queen Elizabeth II's New Year's Honors list on Friday, recognition from the monarch for reaching the pinnacle of tennis by winning his second Wimbledon and Olympic titles on his way to…...
Victorian man dies in firework accident on New Year’s Eve dailymail.co.uk
In pictures: How the world is Revellers descend on the Andy Murray knighted in Labour condemns Tories for celebrating the new year Byron Bay Falls Festivalto New Year's Honors 'cronyism' in New Year dailymail.co.uk welcome in the New Year rss.cnn.com honours list dailymail.co.uk theguardian.com
2016-12-31 07:55 system article.wn.com
5 /100 (3.14/7) 12.1 Boko Haram leader urges fighters MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — Boko Haram’s leader urges his fighters to “kill, slaughter and abduct … and detonate bombs everywhere,” in a new video that denies Nigerian government claims that his Islamic extremist group has been crushed.
President Muhammadu Buhari declared last week that soldiers had driven Boko Haram from its last forest enclave in the northeast, boasting “the terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide.”
In a video posted on YouTube, Abubakar Shekau announces: “I am here, well and alive” and that “the battle is just beginning.”
Nigeria’s military has claimed to have killed Shekau at least three times and earlier this year declared he had been fatally wounded. This week, the army said it seized Shekau’s Quran in the Sambisa Forest assault — wanting to indicate he was on the run.
Each time such claims are made, the Boko Haram leader reappears in a video to mock them.
In the latest, posted on YouTube on Dec. 29, he reiterates that “our mission is to establish an Islamic caliphate” in Nigeria — whose 180 million people are divided almost equally between mainly Muslims in the north and a predominantly Christian south.
“Kill all the infidels and detonate bombs everywhere,” Shekau says in the video. “Yes! I want you to kill, slaughter and abduct.”
He makes no mention of some 200 schoolgirls kidnapped from a school in Chibok town who were believed to be held in the Sambisa Forest.
Nigeria is unlikely to see an end soon to the deadly suicide bombings, village attacks and assaults on remote military outposts in northeastern Nigeria. The Islamic State group, to which one faction of Boko Haram belongs, announced an attack on an army barracks “killed and wounded many” soldiers on Dec. 22 — the same day the army said it seized the forest hideout.
Already, there are reports that the insurgents have been regrouping south of their northeastern stronghold.
The seven-year-old Islamic uprising has killed more than 20,000 people, spread across Nigeria’s borders, driven 2.6 million from their homes and created a humanitarian disaster with some 5 million people facing starvation.
___ Faul reported from Lagos, Nigeria.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Boko Haram leader urges Kill, abduct and detonate Boko Haram Leader Urges fighters: kill, slaughter and bombs, defiant Boko Haram Fighters: Kill, Slaughter and abduct leader urges fighters Abduct article.wn.com independent.ie abcnews.go.com
2016-12-31 08:05 By Associated mynorthwest.com
6 /100 (3.12/7) 2.4 Egypt releases remains of Paris flight crew Egypt's Forensics Authority says it has released the remains of ten crew members of the fallen EgyptAir Paris flight to their families, seven months after the plane plummeted into the Mediterranean Sea on its way to Cairo in May, killing all 66 passengers on board.
Authority spokesman Hisham Abdel Hamid told the Associated Press Saturday that the rest of the remains will be released by the end of next week, a delay the French authorities have repeatedly protested.
Egypt's Prosecution had announced earlier this month that it would release the remains in coordination with foreign embassies, after investigations revealed traces of explosives. Flight 804 was carrying 30 Egyptian and 15 French passengers, as well as others from Iraq, the U. K., Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Chad, Portugal, Belgium, Algeria and Canada.
Egypt Releases Remains of Egypt Hands Over Remains Egypt hands over remains of Paris Flight Crew Of Air Crash Victims air crash victims abcnews.go.com article.wn.com dailymail.co.uk
2016-12-31 09:16 The Associated www.heraldonline.com
7 /100 95.3 Baghdad blasts kill 25 as Mosul fighting intensifies
(2.44/7) Two bombs claimed by Islamic State killed 25 people in central Baghdad on Saturday, as fighting intensified in the northern city of Mosul where government forces are trying to rout the jihadists from their last major stronghold in the country. The blasts, including one suicide attack, tore through a busy market in the Sinak neighborhood, police said. A pro-Islamic State news agency said the assailants had targeted Shi'ite Muslims, whom they regard as apostates.
Islamic State has continued to launch attacks in the heavily fortified capital, even after losing most of the northern and western territory it seized in 2014.
The recapture of Mosul would probably spell the end for Islamic State's self-styled caliphate, but the militants would still be capable of fighting a guerrilla-style insurgency in Iraq, and plotting or inspiring attacks on the West.
The second phase of a U. S.-backed offensive launched on Thursday following weeks of deadlock has encountered fierce resistance. Conventional U. S. forces deploying more extensively in this phase are now visible very close to the front lines.
The third day of the renewed push saw heavy clashes on the southeastern and northern fronts.
An elite Interior Ministry unit continued to push on Saturday through the Intisar district, where a U. S.-trained army unit had struggled to advance for after entering the southeast district last month.
Heavy gunfire was audible and attack helicopters fired overhead as hundreds of civilians fled their homes, a Reuters cameraman said.
In the north, a separate army unit pressed towards the border of Mosul proper after recapturing several outlying villages in the past two days.
"There is a battle in Argoob area, which is considered the gateway to Hadba," Lieutenant Colonel Abbas al-Azawi said by phone, referring to a strategic northern neighborhood.
Since the offensive began on Oct. 17, elite forces have retaken a quarter of Mosul in the biggest ground operation there since the 2003 U. S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said the group would be driven out of Iraq by April.
Although the militants are vastly outnumbered, they have embedded themselves among Mosul residents, hindering Iraqi forces who are trying to avoid civilian casualties. Despite food and water shortages, most civilians have stayed in their homes rather than fleeing as had been expected.
One resident reached by phone late on Friday said a rocket had landed on a house in the eastern Mithaq district, killing six members of one family.
"We have not seen Daesh since the Iraqi forces restarted their offensive," he told Reuters. "We hear the sounds of large car bombs. Today I heard no fewer than 10 huge explosions. " Baghdad blasts kill at least 28 killed in Baghdad double IS claims Baghdad blasts Baghdad blasts kill at least 28, wound dozens more suicide bombing that killed at least 28 28 article.wn.com upi.com article.wn.com article.wn.com
Baghdad Market Blasts Kill Baghdad bomb blasts kill at at Least 28 People least 28 article.wn.com article.wn.com
2016-12-31 07:23 CNBC www.cnbc.com
8 /100 18.3 In pictures: Remembering the stars who died in 2016
(2.33/7) The world of entertainment has lost icons from all genres of entertainment with the deaths of stars such as David Bowie, Sir Terry Wogan, Victoria Wood and singer Prince this year. Here is a list of celebrities we lost in 2016: Actor Alan Rickman died aged 69 on January 14. Broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan died on January 31 aged 77. Actor Frank Kelly, who played Father Jack in the comedy series Father Ted, died aged 77 on February 28. Nancy Reagan, actress and former first lady of the United States, died aged 94 on March 6. Magician Paul Daniels died aged 77 on March 17. This Morning agony aunt Denise Robertson died aged 83 on March 31. Drugs campaigner Howard Marks, known as Mr Nice, died aged 70 on April 10. British playwright Sir Arnold Wesker died aged 83 on April 12. Superstar singer Prince died aged 57 on April 21. Boxing champion Muhammad Ali died aged 74 on June 3. Anton Yelchin, actor in Star Trek, died aged 27 on June 19. Ken Barrie, the voice of Postman Pat, died aged 83 on July 29. Gene Wilder, who played Willy Wonka and other memorable roles, died aged 83 on August 28. Former Coronation Street actress Jean Alexander, who played Hilda Ogden, died aged 90 on October 14. London-born fashion designer Richard Nicoll died at the age of 39 on October 21. Singer, songwriter and television personality Pete Burns, who founded pop band Dead or Alive, died aged 57 on October 23. The death at 82 of Canadian singer, songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen, who penned the classic song Hallelujah, was announced on November 11. Musician Craig Gill, drummer of Madchester band Inspiral Carpets, died aged 44 on November 22. The death of comic actor Andrew Sachs, 86, best known for playing Spanish waiter Manuel in Fawlty Towers, was announced on December 1. Former King Crimson frontman Greg Lake died aged 69 on December 8. Hollywood actress and socialite Zsa Gabor died aged 99 on December 18. Liz Smith, who played Nana in The Royle Family, also died on Christmas Eve. She was 95. Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher died in hospital on December 27, days after suffering a heart attack on a transatlantic flight.
In pictures: How the world is New Year celebrations: Five of the best behind-the- 93 journalists killed in 2016; celebrating the new year Countdown to 2017 scenes pictures from the 29 more die in accidents dailymail.co.uk article.wn.com White House in 2016 article.wn.com independent.ie
2016-12-31 09:59 Press Association www.dailymail.co.uk
9 /100 3.3 Finland kicks off celebrations for 100 years of independence (2.29/7) HELSINKI (AP) — A children's event at the National Opera has kicked off a year of festivities in Finland to celebrate 100 years of independence from its huge eastern neighbor, Russia. Celebrations will culminate Dec. 6, the day Finnish Parliament declared independence in 1917. Saturday's events also include a concert paired with state-of-the-art New Year's Eve fireworks over Helsinki, the capital. Throughout 2017 there will be hundreds of events in this Nordic nation of 5.5 million — from films, dance parties and environment-related events to concerts and activities linked to Finland's renowned sauna tradition. President Vladimir Putin of Russia with which Finns share a 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) border, shared his good wishes Friday in a phone conversation with his Finnish counterpart, Sauli Niinisto.
In pictures: How the world is New Year celebrations: Finland Kicks off celebrating the new year Countdown to 2017 Celebrations for 100 Years dailymail.co.uk article.wn.com of Independence abcnews.go.com
2016-12-31 10:07 Associated Press www.dailymail.co.uk
10 /100 12.4 28 dead, 54 injured in bomb attacks in Baghdad
(2.12/7) At least 28 people were killed and 54 others injured when two bombs exploded in central Baghdad, Iraqi officials have said. The attacks happened early on Saturday morning in al-Sinak, a busy market selling car accessories, food and clothes as well as agricultural seeds and machinery. Details were sketchy in the immediate aftermath. Police initially said a pair of back-to-back roadside bombs exploded. But a police official later said that first a roadside bomb exploded and then a suicide bomber detonated his device amid the crowd that had gathered. Finally police concluded that the carnage was the work of a pair of suicide bombers. Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the blasts in a statement posted by its Aamaq news agency, confirming that the attacks were made by a pair of suicide bombers.
28 killed in Baghdad double Baghdad bomb blasts kill at suicide bombing least 28 upi.com article.wn.com
2016-12-31 09:20 Press Association www.dailymail.co.uk
11 /100 (2.12/7) 0.0 China to ban ivory trade in '17 BEIJING -- China promised Friday to close down its domestic ivory trade completely by the end of 2017, a decision greeted by environmentalists as offering real hope to curb a poaching crisis that is wiping out tens of thousands of elephants
China to ban ivory by 2017 China banning ivory trade in China says it will shut down digitaljournal.com 2017 in 'game changer' its ivory trade by end of move for Africa's elephant 2017 article.wn.com dailymail.co.uk
2016-12-31 06:10 system article.wn.com
12 /100 (2.10/7) 1.6 A day old, truce in Syria holding BEIRUT -- A nationwide Syrian cease-fire brokered by Russia and Turkey held Friday despite minor violations, marking a breakthrough in a conflict that has disregarded high-level peace initiatives for more than five years.
Sporadic fighting mars second day of Syria cease- fire charlotteobserver.com
Sporadic Fighting Mars Second Day of Syria Cease- Fire abcnews.go.com
2016-12-31 06:28 system article.wn.com
13 /100 3.7 Allan Williams, who set up Beatles' early gigs, dies at 86 (2.06/7) Allan Williams, a fixture on the Liverpool music scene who gave the Beatles a place to practice and helped them get early gigs, has died. He was 86.
Graham Stanley, manager of the Jacaranda club that Williams used to own, said Saturday that Williams died Friday night. He did not have further details.
Williams, who opened the Jacaranda in 1958 in the early days of rock 'n' roll, played an important role in finding club dates in Liverpool and in Hamburg, Germany, for the young Beatles. Stardom was still in the future for a band then known as the Silver Beatles.
Williams' club also provided a training ground for many other up-and-coming Liverpool bands at a time when young British musicians inspired by American hit-makers were developing the sounds that would eventually fuel the British Invasion led by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Williams believed in 1960 the Beatles had potential and let them practice at the Jacaranda — in exchange for putting them to work decorating the club's basement, Stanley said.
At the time, the band played mainly cover versions of American rock 'n' roll hits by masters like Chuck Berry. The songwriting skills of John Lennon and Paul McCartney had not yet surfaced.
Williams personally drove the band to Hamburg in a cramped van in 1960 for an extended series of nightclub shows that honed their stamina and live skills. He is sometimes described as their first manager.
The band eventually fell out with Williams and moved on to be managed by Brian Epstein, who helped clean up their scruffy image and get them a record deal after a series of rejections.
Martin King of The Beatles Story museum in Liverpool said Williams played a vital role shaping the youthful band.
"His legacy will continue to be told for years to come," said King.
He did not seem bitter about his relatively minor role, telling the Liverpool Echo in 2010 that he was "proud and happy to have been just a small cog in the wheel of the most famous group in the world. "
Williams' 1976 book about the band's early years is called "The Man Who Gave the Beatles Away. "
He was recently honored by Liverpool for his longtime role.
"His 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," the Jacaranda said on its website.
In the Beatles Anthology, McCartney described Williams as "a great guy, a really good motivator. "
Williams is survived by his wife, Beryl, and children Justin and Leah.
Allan Williams, who set up First Beatles manager Allan Beatles’ early gigs, dies at Williams dies 86 digitaljournal.com wtop.com
2016-12-31 10:07 By GREGORY www.heraldonline.com
14 /100 2.3 3,000 years ago, it ruled the Mideast, now blown to pieces (2.06/7) 3,000 years ago, it ruled the Mideast, now blown to pieces Associated Press - 31 December 2016 07:10-05:00 News Topics: General news, Militant groups, Archaeology, War and unrest, Science People, Places and Companies: Middle East, Baghdad, Iraq Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Syrian activists say no let- up in fighting outside capital article.wn.com
Boko Haram leader urges fighters: kill, slaughter and abduct article.wn.com
IS claims Baghdad blasts 3,000 Years Ago, It Ruled that killed at least 28 the Mideast, Now Blown to article.wn.com Pieces abcnews.go.com
2016-12-31 08:55 system article.wn.com
15 /100 (2.06/7) 7.4 Sinai explosion kills officer and soldier CAIRO (AP) — A security official says that an explosion targeting a security vehicle in Egypt's Sinai peninsula has killed one junior officer and one soldier and injured another soldier. ...
Sinai Explosion Kills Officer and Soldier abcnews.go.com Roadside bomb kills police officer, soldier in Egypt dailymail.co.uk
2016-12-31 08:28 system article.wn.com
16 /100 0.0 Why I'm REFUSING to celebrate New Year's Eve: One mother reveals why she's boycotting the 'miserable' milestone (despite being happy to party any other night of the year) (1.41/7) Mother-of-one Kelly Rose Bradford, 43, has admitted that she hates New Year's Eve and the enforced celebration around it. She's insisted that this year she'll be refusing all invites, steering clear of Prosecco and will be tucked up in bed by 10pm. Here, she explains to FEMAIL why she believes December 31 is the most miserable night of the year... It's fair to say I am not one for early nights, or abstemious behaviour. I can find the flimsiest of reasons to throw a party, and love nothing more than having my closest friends over for food, free-flowing drink and silly games. And several times a year, I do just that; my birthday, Halloween, my son's birthday. The fact it's a sunny weekend in August. Literally any excuse. Even our dog's big day is celebrated every year with a fizzy wine and cake extravaganza. So you might assume that come New Year's Eve, I'm brandishing the party poppers and pouring the Prosecco as though it were going out of fashion, whilst dancing the conga down my hallway. Wrong. I might love parties and partying, but for me, New Year's Eve is probably the worst night of the year, and the only one where I will be tucked up in bed way before the witching hour, having declined any invitations that may have come my way. Why? Quite simply because I do not see that another year passing and being another year older is anything to celebrate. And the expectation to do so completely baffles me. Not to mention the whole enforced 'fun' and fakeness of it all. On the very rare occasions I have ventured out on New Year's Eve, it has all been a total let down. Rammed bars, heaving restaurants, inflated prices. Thoroughly miserable evenings spent pretending to be able to hear what the person next to you is saying above the din. Fifteen minute queues to be served in a bar which has charged you £25 for the pleasure of entering. Women with smudged make up and no shoes crying in the loos. The faux chumminess of strangers wishing you Happy New Year and moving in for sloppy, unsolicited kisses. People you know by sight but who don't usually give you the time of day earnestly telling you how you 'must meet for coffee next year' and dispensing gushing (false) compliments about your party dress or hair. The relief when the chimes of Big Ben finally signal that it's over and you can go home – usually via a long walk after your pre- booked taxi got a more lucrative offer. I wouldn't consider any of that a fun night out at any other time of the year – so why would I want to endure it just because it is December 31? And it's not just me being some kind of Grinch who stole New Year's Eve either - I know for a fact I am not alone – so many of my friends and colleagues feel exactly the same way – that we have almost been conditioned into celebrating something we actually feel quite miserable about. 'I hate it and it's always a disappointment,' my pal Karen tells me. 'If you do go out, everywhere is busy and prices are extortionate. And whenever I have been to a party it's always ended in tears. 'Real fun is spontaneous and can't be pinned down to a particular date and time - just as romance can't be found on February 14.' I couldn't agree more – and it's not just because we're all middle aged, worn-out mums who are craving nothing more than an early night and a good book by the end of the year, either. I have always felt the same sense of doom and gloom and the crushing weight of other people's expectations on New Year's Eve – something my colleague Cathy totally understands. 'Even when I was a youngster I loathed it,' she says. 'No one would ever commit to anything in case they got a better offer, and whatever we did end up doing was always a disappointment. 'These days we don't usually even bother staying up. What's the point? It's all just enforced jollity and expectation.' My sentiments exactly. But of course, the trouble these days is that it is so hard not to get caught up in it all, thanks to everyone's need to show the world just how much (enforced) fun they are having. 'Nothing annoys me more than the smug idiots who post pictures on Facebook from their skiing holiday or wherever,' confides my friend Alison. 'Accompanied by a self-satisfied 'Happy New Year from Aspen!' or wherever.' Indeed – not to mention the ridiculous images that will fill your timeline come January 1 of people who you know hate each other the rest of the year all posing up a storm for the camera, and declaring themselves 'besties' or (hashtag) 'blessed'. And if the endless stream of fake fun time pics aren't enough to deal with on the first day of the new year, then comes the 'new year, new me' nonsense people feel compelled to share. Words like 'clean eating', 'detox' and 'gym bunny' alongside 'inspirational' quotes about life changes and new beginnings. Pass the sick bucket, please. So just like last year, and the year before that, this New Year's Eve, I will not be spending hundreds of pounds taxi-ing to a party I do not want to be at, or paying for the privilege of going to a pub where people will be vomiting in the beer garden by 8pm, and where a bottle of Prosecco will have tripled in price. There will be no smug social media updates and probably nothing stronger than a cup of tea will pass my lips. I will instead be tucked up in bed by 10pm, mourning the fact that tomorrow, I will be, in date of birth terms, another year older, and that another year will have passed without me really achieving much at all. And no one will ever convince me there is anything to celebrate about that.
PHOTOS: New Year's Eve Kirralee Morris poses in The quirky tips that will celebrations around the lingerie as she gushes about ensure you have the world as revelers ring in upcoming New Year's Eve ultimate New Year's Eve 2016 party Party abc7news.com dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk
2016-12-31 06:27 Kelly Rose www.dailymail.co.uk
17 /100 17 /100 1.8 Pregnant Rochelle Humes shows off her blossoming baby bump in a little black dress as she celebrates New Year's Eve in the Maldives (1.25/7) She's currently seven months pregnant with her second child. But Rochelle Humes wasn't letting her burgeoning baby bump slow her down as she headed off to celebrate New Year's Eve in the Maldives on Saturday. Clad in a little black dress that clung to her gorgeous new curves, the singer, 27, dazzled as she snapped a selfie. Scroll down for video Sweeping her chestnut coloured locks back into a bun, she showed off her pretty features which were radiating with a healthy pregnancy glow. Adding to the glamour, she wore a black choker adorned with a satin bow and layered up the look with a delicate diamond necklace. She captioned the snap: 'Me and bump are out #beachparty #NYE #29weeks.' The Saturday's singer has been soaking up the sunshine in the Maldives with husband Marvin and their daughter Alaia-Mai, three. Rochelle recently revealed that whilst they have not been told the sex of their unborn child, Marvin believes it will be a boy. She said on Loose Women: 'I'm carrying differently this time. It's more up here [pointing to her cleavage] They've changed. He likes it more than I do.' The star also said that she had been suffering with terrible morning sickness in her first trimester. She explained: 'I felt horrendous and no one offers you the chair because they don't know. Now you can see the bump but I feel fine.' The beauty, who also has a daughter, Alaia-Mai, three, said she was thrilled that she got to keep her second pregnancy a secret for six months. She said: 'We wanted to keep it quiet for as long as possible. We told some close friends and they kept their mouth shut so I was impressed.'
Rebel Wilson celebrates PHOTOS: New Year's Eve New Year's Eve on celebrations around the Instagram world as revelers ring in dailymail.co.uk 2016 abc7news.com
2016-12-31 11:41 Rebecca Lawrence www.dailymail.co.uk
18 /100 1.1 Australia kicks off global New Year party defying terror threat (1.21/7) Sydney - Australia rang in the new year on Sunday with a spectacular fireworks display in Sydney, sending rainbow-coloured showers into the night sky and defying the global terror attacks that cast a pall over 2016.
Around 1.5 million people packed Australia's biggest city to watch as the midnight fireworks erupted from Sydney Harbour Bridge, with the extravaganza beamed to television sets and phones across the world.
The visual feast paid tribute to some of the international musical legends who died this year, including David Bowie and Prince, with purple rain pouring off the bridge in an early display and firework "stars" soaring high above the harbour.
2016 has seen repeated bloodshed, most recently a deadly truck attack at a Berlin Christmas market, a similar incident on Bastille Day in France that killed 86, and atrocities in Turkey and the Middle East.
But the New South Wales state premier urged "business as usual", as a larger-than-usual crowd gathered due to the weekend timing and warm weather.
"My encouragement to everyone is to enjoy New Year's Eve... in the knowledge that police are doing everything they can to keep us safe," Premier Mike Baird said.
Around 2 000 extra officers have been deployed in Sydney after a man was arrested for allegedly making online threats against the celebrations.
Threats
There were a number of other reported threats this holiday period, in Asia-Pacific and elsewhere.
In Melbourne, police foiled a "significant" Islamic State-inspired Christmas Day terror plot.
Indonesia said it foiled plans by an ISIS-linked group for a Christmas-time suicide bombing, and 52 died in the Philippines in bomb attacks blamed on Islamist militants.
Israel on Friday issued a warning of imminent "terrorist attacks" to tourists and western targets in India.
Despite the terror fears, revellers in Hong Kong and Taipei were expected to throng city streets to watch firework performances.
In Japan, shoppers filled markets to buy tuna and crabs - seen as expensive items for special feasts - for New Year's Day family gatherings.
Truck blockades
Security concerns have hit many New Year events with truck blockades a new tactic to try to prevent vehicles ploughing into crowds, with Sydney using garbage trucks.
The German capital has beefed up security after the December 19 carnage, deploying more police, some armed with machine-guns.
"This year, what's new is that we will place concrete blocks and position heavy armoured vehicles at the entrances" to the zone around Brandenburg Gate, a police spokesperson said.
In Paris, there will be a firework display again, after muted 2015 celebrations following the massacre of 130 people.
Nearly 100 000 police, gendarmes and soldiers will be deployed across France against the jihadist threat.
With more than a million people expected to turn out to watch the ball drop in Times Square, New York is deploying 165 "blocker" trucks and some 7 000 police.
Rome has deployed armoured vehicles and greater numbers of security forces around the Coliseum and St Peter's Square, where Pope Francis will celebrate a "Te Deum" hymn of thanksgiving.
Moscow police will deploy more than 5 000 officers backed by thousands more from the new national guard and volunteer militia to maintain order.
Thousands traditionally gather in Red Square, but for the second year in a row, the area will be open solely to 6 000 invitees.
London will have 3 000 officers on patrol with crowds flocking to line the banks of the Thames to watch the fireworks.
Rio
Up to two million people are expected to party at Rio's Copacabana beach. But with Brazil mired in its worst recession in a century, the fireworks have been cut to just 12 minutes.
Normally boisterous Bangkok will see in the new year on a more sombre note as the nation grieves for King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in October.
And, at the stroke of midnight, the celebrations will last one second longer - a leap second - decreed by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service to allow astronomical time to catch up with atomic clocks that have called the hour since 1967.
Kirralee Morris poses in The quirky tips that will lingerie as she gushes about ensure you have the upcoming New Year's Eve ultimate New Year's Eve party Party dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk
2016-12-31 10:23 www.news24.com
19 /100 (1.15/7) 12.0 Mitchell: Our city, one year, 778 murders They were murdered on one of the most sacred days on the Christian calendar.
Two of the victims were brothers: James Gill, 18, and Roy Gill III, 21.
James Gill | Facebook
Roy Gill III | Facebook
Jerry Thomas, 22; Fabian Ortega, 18; and Niko L. Walker, 21, also were killed in various parts of the city on Christmas Day.
The Gills were gunned down on a porch in Chatham. The other victims were killed in West Humboldt Park, Gage Park and South Shore, in the shadows of hard-working people trying to raise families.
In the waning days of 2016, the fallen fit the profile of the city’s murdered. They were young, male, black and Hispanic.
To many, the faces staring out from the collage of victims murdered in 2016 have no connection to them.
Jerry Thomas | Facebook
Fabian Ortega | Facebook
But take a closer look.
Nykea Aldridge — a mother of four and Chicago Bulls star Dwyane Wade’s cousin — was pushing her toddler in a stroller when she was caught in gang crossfire near her Parkway Gardens home.
Niko L. Walker | Facebook
Ronald L. Allen, 73, was a successful insurance agent and west suburban businessman, shot to death while driving in North Austin, an area where he grew up.
In a sea of white and brown faces, 16-year-old Christian Bandemer’s stands out. The white teenager was killed in an accidental shooting blocks from U. S. Cellular Field in Bridgeport. And then there’s 25-year-old Aaren O’Connor, also white, struck by a stray bullet as she was sitting in her car talking on her phone in Pilsen.
Every homicide is abhorrent, but there were those deaths that left us speechless.
Edward Bryant | Facebook
Edwin Bryant | Facebook Twins Edward and Edwin Bryant, 17, came into the world together and left together, killed in a drive-by shooting early on a Sunday morning in the Old Town neighborhood.
And while the vast majority of the 778 homicides were gun-related, domestic violence, child abuse and stabbings also played a role in boosting Chicago’s murder rate to a jaw-dropping level.
A 50-year-old grandfather allegedly killed infant Katana Symone Greenlee using blunt force trauma. An enraged ex-fiancée allegedly stabbed Julia Martin, 28, to death in a murder-suicide.
Julia Martin | Facebook
Katana Symone Greenlee | Facebook
Politicians continue to rail about lax gun laws and the criminal justice system’s failure to keep repeat gun offenders off the street.
But something insidious has crept into our midst.
Nearly 20 years ago, acclaimed sociologist Elijah Anderson warned of its coming in his 1994 study titled “Code of the Street: Decency, Violence and the Moral Life of the Inner City.”
“The inclination to violence springs from the circumstances of life among the ghetto poor — the lack of jobs that pay a living wage, the stigma of race, the fallout from rampant drug use and drug trafficking, and the resulting alienation and lack of hope for the future,” wrote Anderson, a professor of sociology at Yale University.
The code of the street has not changed, but other components of daily life in distressed neighborhoods have.
“The gangs are more splintered today, but also gang members have social media at their disposal. This is one reason why you can have so many killings at one time, say over a weekend, over Christmas,” Anderson said.
“At one point, gangs were better organized, which limited the violence and the killing. Today, more young people are freelancing,” he said.
Anderson also noted the “declining respect” for the civil law and increased dependence on “street justice.”
“Street credibility becomes the coin, but this is high maintenance, and is something not established once and for all, but must be reinforced repeatedly in deeds,” he said.
Nykea Aldridge | Facebook
Ronald L. Allen | Facebook
A draft report on the city’s year-end homicide rate by the University of Chicago Crime Lab concluded that a “sudden, large and seemingly sustained increase in gun crime occurring in public, involving teens and men in their 20s and 30s in a small number of distressed neighborhoods on Chicago’s South and West Sides.”
Researchers could not determine the cause of the increase with available data, but they didn’t rule out the role the structure of gang activity and social media could have played.
Additionally, we can’t talk about reducing the violence without talking about putting a greater emphasis on creating more living-wage jobs.
Anderson argues the inner city has its own economic system based on “low-wage jobs, government assistance, and hustling, bartering and loaning money, although the drug trade is the lucrative element of the underground economy.
“Because of the economy, there are a host of transactions. These transactions, or exchanges, are engaged in without the benefit of civil law. People don’t sue others for their money. They are more likely to get in someone’s face to demand payback. When the money is not forthcoming, there is trouble or violence,” he said.
“It goes back to an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. People deal with each other without resulting to civil law,” Anderson added.
We were all appalled when U. S. Rep. Danny Davis’ grandson, 15-year-old Javon Wilson, was shot in the head and killed after an argument over basketball shoes. Two juveniles were charged with the murder.
Javon Wilson | Facebook
But the tragic incident fits Anderson’s theory.
Most of us would agree that we are a tale of two cities — one thriving where most white people live — one economically deprived where most black and brown folks live.
But too many of us don’t see how the alienation of low-income black and brown people has attributed to the chaos we are now witnessing.
That’s one reason why the Rev. Michael Pfleger planned a New Year’s Eve anti-violence and peace march along the Mag Mile rather than on the streets where most of the murders have occurred.
We are among the most segregated cities in America — and that’s become a big part of the problem.
“The discrimination contributes to the alienation that a lot of black people feel, and it encourages young people to join gangs and make it any way they can,” Anderson said.
There are no easy answers, but a lot more of us have to be willing to make Chicago a place of opportunity for everyone.
“Young people need jobs. They need opportunity and an incentive to go straight. Economic opportunity is really basic,” Anderson said.
Christian Bandemer | Facebook
Aaren O’Connor | Chicago Police
For instance, cranes are everywhere in Downtown Chicago, where white workers scurry in hard- hats and steel-toed work boots. But on the South and West sides, large tracts of land are blighted and commercial properties are boarded up.
Here, young black men huddle on corners — rain or shine — day and night.
Some of them will live to turn 30.
So many others will not.
You may not care what happens to them.
But look at faces of the murdered.
What has happened to them and their families is happening to us.
Israel warns citizens of New Year travel to India article.wn.com
2016-12-31 11:39 Mary Mitchell chicago.suntimes.com
20 /100 13.1 1 killed, 6 wounded in city shootings since Friday evening (1.15/7) A man was killed and at least six others have been wounded in shootings across the city to start the New Year’s holiday weekend, according to Chicago Police.
The homicide happened about 9:40 p.m. Friday in the South Side Gresham neighborhood, where officers responding to a call of shots fired in the 8100 block of South Bishop found a man, thought to be about 20, in an alley with gunshot wounds to the head. He was dead at the scene, police said. The Cook County medical examiner’s office did not have information on the death.
An Uber driver was an unintended victim of the latest nonfatal shooting, which happened about 3:15 a.m. Saturday in the Hanson Park neighborhood on the Northwest Side. Two gunmen walked up to a 24-year-old man who was walking in the 2200 block of North Latrobe and shot him in the back, and the gunfire also hit a 37-year-old man in the left thigh as he drove nearby. The younger man was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, the older to Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Their conditions were stabilized, police said.
Fifteen minutes earlier, a 35-year-old man was shot in the head while driving in the Gage Park neighborhood’s 5600 block of South Albany on the Southwest Side just after 3 a.m., police said. He was taken in critical condition to Mount Sinai.
About 7:30 p.m. Friday in Englewood, a gunman walked up to a 33-year-old man in the 700 block of West 73rd Street, and shot him in the leg and back, police said. He was taken in critical condition to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.
The first shooting of the holiday weekend happened at 4:30 p.m. in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. A 25-year-old man was driving in the 4700 block of South Throop when a group of people got out of a car and opened fire, hitting him in the back, police said. He was taken in serious condition to Stroger Hospital.
Track all of the weekend’s shootings here. Forty-two people were shot in Chicago over the New Year’s holiday last year , leaving four dead.
Israel warns citizens of New Year travel to India article.wn.com
2016-12-31 09:22 Sun-Times chicago.suntimes.com
21 /100 0.0 NC towns ring in the new year with flea drop, pickle drop (1.06/7) More than 100 years ago, on December 31, 1907, the New York Times threw a party in Times Square. Instead of the traditional fireworks --- the city had banned them --- it decided to try something a little different: lower a 700-lb ball, made of wood and iron and decorated with 100 light bulbs.
And so, the New Years Eve ball drop was born.
The dropping of things to ring in the new year is now a uniquely American tradition, with local varieties around the country. In Georgia and in Pennsylvania, in Idaho and in Maine, people ring in the new year by dropping things: a beach ball, a potato, a pickle and a peach drop. Here are 16 of the weirdest things dropped to ring in the new year around the country:
1. Giant Key Drop — Frederick, Maryland
The tradition is an homage to Francis Scott Key, who wrote the Star Spangled Banner, and is from this town.
2. Watermelon Drop — Vincennes, Indiana
Seventeen, to be precise.
3. The To Go Cup — Savannah, Georgia
In a twist, Savannah raises, instead of dropping, a giant to-go cup. The tradition is a nod to the city's laws that allow pedestrians to carry alcohol in the streets in to-go cups.
4. Crab drop — Easton, Maryland
Self-explanatory.
5. Bologna Drop - Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Twenty 10-lb blocks of meat.
6. Wrench Drop — Mechanicsville, Pennsyvlania
The tradition commemorates the town's founders and started as an Eagle Scout project more than a decade ago.
7. Possum Drop — Tallapoosa, Georgia
In this town in West Georgia, which was once called "Possum Snout," Spencer, a stuffed possum in a ball covered in holiday lights is lowered.
8. Pickle Drop — Mt. Olive, North Carolina
In this North Carolina town, at the corner of Cucumber and Vine streets, a three-foot glowing pickle is lowered.
9. Pickle drop — Dillsburg, Pennsylvania
Yes, there are two towns that drop pickles on New Years Eve.
10. Potato Drop — Boise, Idaho
It's a giant foam potato.
11. Shoe Drop — Akron, Pennsylvania
The shoe that rings in the new year in this town in Pennsylvania has a canvas cover and rope- light laces.
12. Flea Drop — Eastover, North Carolina According to the event website, as the clock strikes midnight, a 30-lb ceramic flea is dropped and a cannon is fired.
13. Peach Drop — Atlanta, Georgia
Since 1989, the peach state has rung in the new year with a peach drop. A giant 800-lb peach is the centerpiece of the celebration.
14. Cherry Drop — Traverse, Michigan
According to the event website, the region in Michigan grows 75% of the nation's annual tart cherry crop.
15. Beach Ball Drop — Bangor, Maine
16. The Pineapple Drop — Sarasota Florida
Tamara Ecclestone topless Shane Warne dresses up in in sultry shoot to ring in the a school uniform to ring in New Year the New Year dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk
2016-12-31 11:44 CNN Wire myfox8.com
22 /100 0.5 Jon Robson hits out at New Year's Honours list after he is overlooked in Twitter meltdown (1.04/7) A British writer attacked the honours system after he was overlooked from the New Year's list. Jon Ronson sent out several tweets last night in a rant about not receiving any 'f****** MBE'. The author of The Men Who Stare At Goats and The Psychopath Test said that 'time is running out' for him to be honoured because he is 'getting old and dying'. He went on to take aim at BBC broadcaster Jonathan Agnew who was awarded an MBE for his work as a cricket reporter. In a tweet that has since been deleted Ronson said: 'What the f*** has Jonathan Agnew got that I haven't? Call it a Twitter meltdown, I call it truth.' The author, who has also worked for the BBC and Channel 4, appeared to calm down by the end of the night. He tweeted: 'Tonight you have seen my soul at its barest and most raw. The New Years' Honors List I'm going to stay stoically silent.' His messages were sent out to his 157,000 followers as the New Year's Honours were being announced. Some of his followers tried to cheer him up with Michael Van Huffel, saying: 'Are you familiar with the book 'so you've been publicly shamed?' (A book Ronson wrote). 'It's about ppl who get drunk & tweet & next day are hated.' Another follower photo-shopped Ronson's face to that of someone posing with a medal. Team GB's running star Mo Farah and two-time Wimbledon and Olympic gold winner Andy Murray were knighted in the New Year's honours. Jessica Ennis-Hill was made a dame and gymnast Max Whitlock received an MBE. Team GB's record-breaking sweep of 91 gold medals in Rio this summer was Britain's best ever team performance at a foreign games. A remarkable 110 awards have been given to the country's Olympians and Paralympians, making up nearly 10 per cent of the list's total.
Labour condemns Tories for 'cronyism' in New Year honours list theguardian.com
2016-12-31 09:11 Matt Hunter www.dailymail.co.uk
23 /100 2.8 Andy Murray proves it is business as usual as knighted hero rounds off 2016 with a victory over Milos Raonic
(1.03/7) World No 1 Andy Murray ended 2016 with a 6-3 7-6(6) win over big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic to take third place at the year-ending Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The 29-year-old Scot succumbed to a surprise loss to Belgian David Goffin in the exhibition tournament on Friday, having ended the official season with a 24-game string of wins. Murray started the match quickly, breaking Raonic in his first two service games to take the first set. He survived a fight-back from Raonic in the second set, before wrapping up the match in the tie-break. 'It was good to finish the year with a win. It was a good match to work on returns as Milos has a strong serve,' said Murray, who has just been knighted in the New Year Honours list. 'I still feel like Andy Murray -- that feels more normal. But I am happy with the knighthood, and it is a nice way to start the new year.' Murray ended 2016 at the top of the men's rankings for the first time having won titles including Wimbledon, where he beat Raonic in the final, and the Rio Olympics and ATP World Tour Finals. He will be looking to defend his world number one ranking at the Australian Open starting in mid-January. Murray has been the runner-up in the men's singles competition in Australia five times but has yet to win it.
Nadal beats Goffin to win Murray ends year with win Murray ends landmark year Sportsmail photographers' fourth UAE title over Raonic in UAE with win over Raonic best pictures of the year: dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk From Leicester's unprecedented success to Andy Murray's Wimbledon win, our top images of 2016 dailymail.co.uk
2016-12-31 11:40 Shravanth Vijayakumar www.dailymail.co.uk
24 /100 0.7 Knife-wielding Afghan migrant 'stabs Christian woman, 50, because she was reading the Bible at the Austrian refugee centre where he lives' (1.02/7) An Afghan migrant attacked a Christian woman at an asylum centre because he could hear her reading the Bible. The 50- year-old was attacked in accommodation in Timelkam, Voecklamarkt in North Western Austria. Her alleged attacker was a 22-year-old man from Afghanistan who had taken offence to the fact that the woman had been invited by Christian residents of the property to discuss the Bible. When he found out what she was doing, he stormed into the kitchen where the woman was standing and tried to plunge the knife into her upper body. Luckily her thick winter coat protected her from serious injury, but she did injure her ear when she fell backwards from the force of the man's violent blows. When questioned by police, the man accepted he had overreacted but claimed he was suffering from 'personal problems'. He was ordered remanded in custody and taken to Wels Prison in Upper Austria. It is unclear if he has been charged yet.
Bible-reading woman stabbed by Afghan asylum seeker in Austria — RT News rt.com 2016-12-31 11:48 Gareth Davies www.dailymail.co.uk
25 /100 0.0 Worries Grow as Homicides Spike in Virginia's Capital City (1.02/7) George Carrington III was excited to become a father. He loved cars and couldn't wait to buy his son a Big Wheel tricycle, his mother said. But they never met — the 17-year-old was gunned down in Virginia's capital city three days before his girlfriend gave birth to George Carrington IV.
"There's no reason that George's life should have been taken," said his mother, Virnita Carrington. "He was waiting for his baby boy. "
Carrington was one of 61 people killed in Richmond's deadliest year in a decade, up about 50 percent from 2015. Homicides are at their highest level since 2006, when there were 81.
The killings remain well below the more than 100 per year that plagued the city throughout much of the 1990s. But the increasing toll has people worried, and weary of burying their children and parents.
"The community, they're tired," said Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham. "And I get tired of going to vigil after vigil, seeing the tears, seeing the mothers mourn and friends and family mourn the death of their loved ones, only to come back to do it again the following week. "
Nationally, violent crime remains much lower than its peak in the 1990s, and murder rates are still declining in some cities. Murders are projected to drop nearly 5 percent in New York City, and after Baltimore suffered a surge in violence in 2015, its murders are on track to drop 6 percent this year, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.
But homicides have climbed recently elsewhere, and the overall homicide rate for the nation's 30 largest cities in 2016 is expected to rise 14 percent from last year, according to a report the center released this month. A surge of violence in Chicago, however, has accounted for almost 44 percent of that increase. Experts don't agree on the cause.
Carrington's body was found in November near an overturned car in North Richmond. Police have named 17-year-old Ishmael D. Brown as a suspect, but haven't located him. Carrington's mother said she believes her son — the city's youngest homicide victim this year — may have been killed in a robbery attempt.
The city's killings don't appear to be linked to turf wars or drugs, like they were in the 1990s and 2000s, leaving law enforcement with no quick or obvious ways to address the violence, said Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney Michael Herring.
"That has me more concerned than anything else," Herring said. He fears the numbers aren't an aberration, but the beginning of another upward curve.
The violence is almost entirely gun-related. The killers are typically young men who appear to be pulling the trigger to settle arguments, Herring and Durham said. Social media may be fueling it: In many cases, disputes between suspects and victims play out first on Facebook, Herring said. Richmond's city council recently approved the spending of $1.6 million to hire 40 additional officers, who are expected to hit the street this summer. Durham said he hopes to put some officers back on walking beats after having them answer radio calls due to staffing shortages. He also wants to create a special unit focused on the city's six public housing communities, he said.
But everyone seems to agree that putting more officers on the street won't be enough.
"A lot of folks say the same thing, 'Chief are you going to do about it? What are police going to do about it?' Durham said. "I tell folks: 'This is bigger than the police. We all have a responsibility for public safety,'" he said.
The murders have made 2016 a busy year for Charles Willis, who helps organize vigils for victims when their families ask. On a frigid day in December, Willis was gathering Christmas gifts to give to the three young children of Tychelle Johnson, who was fatally shot in her apartment shortly after Carrington's death.
Richmonders are sick of the violence, Willis said.
"To get a call at 3:30 or 4'oclock in the morning or 2 o'clock in the morning and some cousin of a family remember is saying that my cousin just got shot or my son just got killed ... that has a tremendous impact on the community. Because the community pulse is saying, you know, we're tired. Enough is enough," he said.
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Follow Alanna Durkin Richer on Twitter at twitter.com/aedurkinricher. Her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/journalist/alanna-durkin-richer .
Worries grow as homicides spike in Virginia's capital city dailymail.co.uk
2016-12-31 11:38 By abcnews.go.com
26 /100 0.9 16 bodies recovered after mine collapse in India
(1.02/7) PATNA, India (AP) — Rescue workers have recovered the bodies of 16 miners buried after 23 miners were trapped by a mound of fallen earth in eastern India, police said Saturday. R. K. Malik, the police spokesman for the state of Jharkhand, where the mine was located, said that hopes of finding any survivors among the remaining seven miners still missing were slipping. The collapse happened late Thursday, but heavy smog prevented rescue workers from entering the open coal mine in Godda district until early Friday morning. Godda is around 1,570 kilometers (975 miles) southeast of New Delhi. The coal mine is owned by the state government, but is leased to a private contractor. Jharkhand is one of India's poorest states, but has some of the largest mineral deposits in the country. 16 Bodies Recovered After Mine Collapse in India abcnews.go.com
2016-12-31 09:44 Associated Press www.dailymail.co.uk
27 /100 2.7 Queen Elizabeth honors Mark Rylance, Victoria Beckham, Naomie Harris (1.02/7) Mark Rylance , Victoria Beckham and Naomie Harris are among those from the world of showbiz to be recognized in Queen Elizabeth ’s New Year’s Honors list, which celebrates those who have made a significant contribution to British society, business or culture. Rylance won the supporting actor Oscar in 2016 for Steven Spielberg’s “Bridge of Spies,” but receives his knighthood for services to theater. The actor, whose screen credits include “Wolf Hall” and Spielberg’s “BFG,” is the former artistic director of the Globe Theater, and is currently appearing in comic play “Nice Fish.” He has won three Tony awards: in 2008 for “Boeing-Boeing,” in 2011 for “Jerusalem,” and in 2014 for “Twelfth Night.” Upcoming screen appearances include Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk” and Spielberg’s “The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara.”
Beckham is best known as the former Spice Girls singer, but it is her work as a fashion designer that has elevated her to the rank of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Harris, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for “Moonlight” and whose credits include Eve Moneypenny in Bond movies “Skyfall” and “Spectre,” receives an OBE for services to drama.
Other figures in the world of theater, movies and TV to be recognized are director Richard Eyre, whose film credits include “Notes on a Scandal,” costume designer Jenny Beavan, who won an Oscar for “Mad Max: Fury Road,” Rupert Goold, artistic director of the Almeida Theater and director of the TV miniseries “The Hollow Crown,” and actress Helen McCrory, whose credits include the role of Narcissa Malfoy in several “Harry Potter” movies, “Peaky Blinders” and “Skyfall.”
Other notables to receive honors were the Kinks singer Ray Davies, and Anna Wintour, editor- in-chief of American Vogue. Mark Rylance, Victoria Beckham on Queen's list for honors article.wn.com
2016-12-31 08:47 Leo Barraclough variety.com
28 /100 1.2 Christian Benteke could be taken off Crystal Palace penalty kick duties after Watford save says Sam Allardyce
(1.02/7) Christian Benteke could pay the penalty for his spot-kick blunders this season. The Crystal Palace striker has missed twice in four attempts from 12 yards, the latest a weak effort in the 1-1 Boxing Day draw at Watford. That failure arguably cost Sam Allardyce a winning start to life as Eagles manager, and they head to Arsenal on New Year's Day with Allardyce weighing up his penalty options. 'We need to find someone to take penalties. I have no idea who at the moment,' Allardyce said. 'But first I've got to decide on the team, then when we've done that we'll talk about the penalty situation. It would be nice if we got one. 'I might just say, "Who fancies taking one? ". If they put their hand up then that's what you want to see. 'I've not spoken to Christian about them. Will he put his hand up? Yes, probably. I don't know him well enough yet but he'll probably say he wants to put it right. 'When we've made the decision and if Christian is the one to take them, then we'll see what he's thinking. 'But we're missing too many penalties and the next one we get we need to make sure we score it.' Allardyce, sacked as England manager in September, is back in his familiar 'Red Adair' fire-fighting role having answered Palace's call to replace Alan Pardew before Christmas and save them from a relegation battle. He rescued Sunderland from a far worse position last season, and the 62-year-old does not see his latest challenge as the toughest of his career. 'No, I hope it's not,' Allardyce said. 'I will tell you at the end of the season but I hope not. 'I consider the players to be more than capable of achieving results in the position at the moment, otherwise I don't think I would have taken the job. 'For me, the club has got some ambition. It is not just about survival this year, it is about the ambition the chairman talked about where the club wants to go. 'It wants to develop and invest in all areas and that is quite attractive to me. It wasn't just about survival.' Allardyce will be without suspended defender Damien Delaney at the Emirates Stadium but could welcome back a ready-made replacement in the shape of James Tomkins, who is available after a thigh injury. Christian Benteke could lose Crystal Palace penalty duty independent.ie
2016-12-31 08:19 Andy Sims www.dailymail.co.uk
29 /100 1.0 India to Continue to Regulate ATM, Bank Withdrawals
(1.02/7) India will continue to control how much money people can withdraw from ATMs and banks after the end of a deadline to exchange or deposit its devalued high-value currency bills.
According to a statement from the central bank late Friday, the daily limit on ATM withdrawals will go up to 4,500 rupees ($66) from 2,500 ($37) rupees, but the weekly cap on withdrawals from bank accounts will remain at 24,000 rupees Saturday onwards. It wasn't clear how long the limits would be in place.
In a surprise announcement Nov. 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India was withdrawing 500- and 100-rupee bills as legal tender in order to crack down on tax evasion and corruption.
He also said the move was intended to push India away from its massive dependence on paper money toward digital transactions.
The deadline for exchanging or depositing the old currency in bank accounts passed Friday.
The prime minister was slated to make a televised New Year's Eve address later Saturday, and there are expectations he will talk about measures that will follow the country's demonetization drive.
Fifty days after the withdrawal of more than 80 percent of India's currency, cash remains in short supply and everything from retail sales to wholesale markets have experienced turmoil in a country where the vast majority of people still earn and spend in cash.
While hundreds of millions of Indians use cash transactions to hide their wealth and avoid taxes, less than 3 percent of the population pays income taxes. The vast majority of Indians use cash simply out of habit or because of poverty and a lack of easy access to banks.
The devaluation of the old high-value bills has also caused hardships to millions of middle class Indians who do have bank accounts and debit cards because the government hasn't been able to print enough 2,000- and 500-rupee bills to meet the demand. Long lines continue to wind outside ATMs and banks often rush out of cash within a few hours of the start of the work day.
Experts say only about 40 percent of the country's ATMs have so far been reset to fit the changed size of the new notes. India to continue to regulate ATM, bank withdrawals article.wn.com
2016-12-31 06:39 By abcnews.go.com
30 /100 2.1 Ashley James hits the beach while Zara Holland and Vogue Williams soak up the sun on New Year's Eve
(0.22/7) They've all enjoyed career successes in 2016. So it was understandable that Ashley James, Zara Holland and Vogue Williams wanted to treat themselves to some last- minute fun in the sun as they prepared to ring in the New Year on Saturday. Choosing Gambia as the setting to kick start 2017, former Made In Chelsea star Ashley, 29, sizzled as she shared a shot from beside the pool. Scroll down for video Flaunting her ample cleavage, the blonde bombshell wore a tiny snake print bikini that also offered a look at her toned stomach. She teamed the garment with a pair of skimpy tie side briefs that clung to her peachy posterior. Love Island's Zara Holland, 21, dazzled in a leopard print bikini as she kicked off the celebrations in Bali. Thanking her followers for their support over the year, she wrote: 'Happy New Year's Eve... What a year hey. 'But here's to the future, exciting times, my amazing boyfriend (the love of my life), my fantastic friends and you truly find out who they are when time are hard! and family, especially my amazing mum. 'And thank you for all your amazing support.' Vogue Williams, 31, cheekily quipped that she'd be heading out on the town in her lingerie, as she posted a snap of herself clad in a lacy black bra and briefs. After layering up with a furry blue coat, heels and clutching a bottle of bubbly, she captioned the snap: 'New Years Eve outfit sorted! Thanks' Meanwhile, TOWIE's Courtney Green was seeing in the New Year from Mauritius and put on a busty display in a neon orange bikini. Adding to the glamour, she also donned a bejewelled black turban. Over in The Maldives, MIC's Louise Thompson was feeling reflective as she shared some bikini snaps. As she cosied up to boyfriend Ryan Libbey in one shot, she wrote: 'Can't believe 2016 is nearly over. I knew it was going to be an eventful one. 'Tonight I can't wait to get way too drunk with @ryan.libbey on a remote island and talk about what has happened over the past 365 days! Hopefully we will steer clear of politics and any row inducing topics. And focus on what 2017 may bring, including MANY resolutions I need to make! 'Let's not forget, No mention of ex's. lots more positivity!' Tallia Storm was working on topping up her tan in Barbados and slipped into a skimpy yellow bikini for the honour. '2017 we're coming for you!' she captioned the shot. Not all the stars were heading for sunshine to see in the New Year, however, as Pixie Lott jetted off to France to hit the slopes. Meanwhile, Daisy Lowe was happy chilling at home as she discussed her lingerie range. Clad in a black bra and denim hotpants, she wrote: Peace out 2016.... and here's to making 2017 our best year yet!! 'Thank you for all your loving support this year love you all to pieces @triumphuk.'
Rebel Wilson celebrates Victorian man dies in New Year's Eve on firework accident on New Instagram Year’s Eve dailymail.co.uk dailymail.co.uk
2016-12-31 11:11 Rebecca Lawrence www.dailymail.co.uk
31 /100 1.9 'Ronda Rousey just got knocked out conclusively!' David Haye and Chris Eubank Jnr react to Amanda Nunes win with Jamie Foxx and Jeremy Piven (0.05/7) British boxers David Haye and Chris Eubank Jnr have given their reaction to Ronda Rousey's comprehensive defeat at the hands of Amanda Nunes in Las Vegas. Haye shared a video on his Instagram which featured Eubank Jnr and actors Jamie Foxx and Jeremy Piven. They were watching the fight in a bar in Miami. 'Ronda Rousey just got knocked out pretty conclusively. What do you reckon?,' Haye says at the start of the video, before turning his camera to include Foxx, Piven and Eubank Jnr. 'A year-and-a-half off is a long time, you get rusty,' Piven said, with a voice in the background heard saying: 'She's supposed to be training the whole time!' Haye then added: 'It's a bad one, it's a bad, bad loss there. Nunes is a bad, bad girl.' Haye shared a picture of him alongside Piven and Foxx, writing: 'You know it's a great night, when your evening Is going perfect and all of a sudden #JamieFoxx just turns up to join the party!!! 'We had a great time watching the #ufc207 with Nunes whooping Rousey in a single minute!! @jeremypiven technical insight was spot on, huge fight fan and great guy.' A separate picture from Haye's account also included hip-hop artist Dizzee Rascal. Rousey was brutally defeated by Nunes after only 47 seconds. Rousey showed little defensive acumen as she staggered and stumbled backward with Nunes relentlessly pursuing her and landing multiple shots. Referee Herb Dean stopped the bout with Rousey still on her feet, and Rousey briefly protested the stoppage before leaving the cage. Rousey reportedly made £2.5m from the fight, while winner Nunes pocketed around £162,000. 'Unplug the modem folks, it's over!' UFC fans react to Ronda Rousey's 48-second defeat by Amanda Nunes dailymail.co.uk
2016-12-31 08:49 Jack Bezants www.dailymail.co.uk
32 /100 8.3 Celtic go 19 points clear after Scott Sinclair scores winner against Rangers (0.03/7) Scott Sinclair handed Celtic their first win at Ibrox in almost six years as Brendan Rodgers’ men claimed a 2-1 triumph over Rangers. Kenny Miller’s early opener gave the hosts hope but Celtic soon established their dominance after Moussa Dembele netted his 19th goal of the season - and his fifth against the Light Blues. A breathless affair was settled when Sinclair pounced with 20 minutes left, giving the visitors their first triumph in Govan since a Georgios Samaras-inspired victory in January 2011. The former Manchester City and Aston Villa winger caused the Ibrox defence no end of problems with his pace and trickery. The Rangers defence could not find a way to stop him and after striking the post he fired in a deserved winner. Barrie McKay had a fine game for Rangers and was at the centre of most of the Rangers attacks. The winger’s confidence was revealed early in the first half when he skilfully flicked the ball over the head of Celtic right-back Mikael Lustig before drawing a foul. Brendan Rodgers had predicted “an intense game, a great battle”, and his Celtic side got that as Rangers rose to the occasion. But when Rodgers needed that little extra to pep up his forward line in the second half, he had options on the bench that Mark Warburton in the home dugout could only dream of possessing. Rodgers could have summoned Leigh Griffiths but instead went with the youthful zest of Patrick Roberts, who soon played a key role in Celtic’s winner, skipping in off the right and freeing Stuart Armstrong in the penalty area to tee up Sinclair. Rangers v Motherwell, Scottish Cup (Saturday, January 21) Albion Rovers v Celtic, Scottish Cup (Sunday, January 22) Celtic 19 points clear of Rangers after Glasgow derby win dailymail.co.uk
2016-12-31 11:19 Press Association www.dailymail.co.uk
33 /100 1.0 Ronald Koeman hopes Ross Barkley will return to form after late goal at Hull (0.01/7) Everton boss Ronald Koeman hopes Ross Barkley’s late equaliser in Friday night’s 2-2 draw at Hull can kick-start the misfiring midfielder’s season. Barkley has come in for plenty of criticism following a series of below-par performances under Koeman, but in front of watching England coach Gareth Southgate his thumping 84th-minute header was a timely reminder of his talent and salvaged a point for his side. “I hope it really gives Ross a boost,” said Koeman, who has dropped the 23-year-old twice this season. “I think he was the player we expect him to be in his position. We spoke about being more dangerous in front of goal, to have better offensive movements. “He was really important in the final part of our attacking and he scored an important goal and he was dangerous. “He was that player that we need – to have better support for our strikers.” Barkley was central to Everton’s offensive threat throughout at the KCOM Stadium, where he denied Mike Phelan’s Tigers a priceless first win since November 6. He headed home Leighton Baines’ late cross to haul Everton level for a second time after Robert Snodgrass’s brilliant second-half free-kick appeared to have clinched Hull’s fourth league success of the season. Hull skipper Michael Dawson had given the hosts an early lead before goalkeeper David Marshall punched Kevin Mirallas’ corner into his own net in first-half stoppage time. In October Koeman left an out- of-sorts Barkley out of his squad for the game against Manchester City and did so again for the home draw against Manchester United earlier in December. “I try to start always with the best 11,” Koeman added. “Sometimes that can be a tactical question or reason for why somebody’s not starting. “But we need productivity and normally we don’t create a lot of opportunities, but here we created a lot and that is one of the positives that we take out of it.” Hull boss Phelan could not hide his frustration after seeing his team undone by another costly error while twice surrendering the lead. The point was enough to lift the Tigers off the bottom, but Phelan felt another display full of endeavour had not been properly rewarded. “New year round the corner, onwards and upwards,” he said. “We can be greedy, yes. It’s my job to be greedy. We had the opportunity to go 3-1 up just before the free-kick went in, but at 2-1 I thought we were reasonably solid. “But as usual at this level you get punished for those errors in judgement and concentration and we’ve suffered again in that respect.” Tigers goalkeeper Marshall was a picture of despair after punching Mirallas’ inswinging corner into his own net to send the two sides in level at the break. Phelan added: “Everybody makes mistakes. I think we’re all allowed one or two in a game of football. Without them we don’t have a game. “It just came at a moment you don’t want them to come – 10 seconds to go in the first half.”
Everton boss Ronald Koeman hopeful Ross Barkley will kick on after scoring late equaliser against Hull City dailymail.co.uk
2016-12-31 10:29 Press Association www.dailymail.co.uk
34 /100 3.5 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino demands win at Watford on New Year´s Day (0.01/7) Mauricio Pochettino has admitted losing any further ground to Chelsea could cost Tottenham any chance of a Premier League title fight. Spurs face Watford at Vicarage Road on New Year’s Day, with manager Pochettino challenging his squad not to slip further behind in the Premier League shake-up. Tottenham trailed leaders Chelsea by 10 points heading into the weekend fixtures, and Pochettino is adamant his side can still have a say in the title argument. “Chelsea are a long way ahead,” said Pochettino. “It will be tough for all the other contenders. “Chelsea have a very good gap now, a big gap, with second, and 10 points with us before these fixtures. But I think it’s not decisive. “We need to believe, we are fighting to reduce that. “We have a very good opportunity when we play them. “But first of all we need to win against Watford, and then we’ll see what happens. “There are a lot of games ahead, nearly half a season, it’s a long way.” Tottenham host Chelsea at White Hart Lane on Wednesday, January 4 in what could represent the ideal chance to claw back ground on the table-topping Blues. Pochettino has told his squad to forget about that clash entirely though, mindful of the importance of taking a win at Vicarage Road on New Year’s Day. Spurs will be without the suspended Jan Vertonghen and Kyle Walker for the Watford clash, though Toby Alderweireld should return after a virus. “We cannot even think about Chelsea, because we have to win against Watford,” said Pochettino. “If we don’t win against Watford then that would be a problem. “So the Watford game is the most important - firstly because it’s the first match, but then also because we have to make sure we either gain ground, or don’t lose any more ground, on everyone else. “We know it will be a tough game against Watford, a well-organised side who can cause a lot of problems and play well at home. “So we have to keep focused and concentrated and make sure we produce a good performance.”
Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino demands win at Watford on New Year's Day dailymail.co.uk
2016-12-31 10:11 Press Association www.dailymail.co.uk
35 /100 3.8 Actors seek posthumous protections to their characters and images after they are revived on the big screen (0.01/7) Tuesday's death of actor Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia in Star Wars, set off waves of remembrance among fans - but also speculation over her character's return in yet-to-be- filmed episodes. Filmmakers are tapping advances in digital technology to resurrect characters after a performer dies, most notably in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The film, in theaters now, features the return of Grand Moff Tarkin, originally played by a long-dead actor. The trend has sent Hollywood actors in the here-and-now scrambling to exert control over how their characters and images are portrayed in the hereafter. 'Celebrities are increasingly involved in making plans to protect their intellectual property rights,' said Mark Roesler, an attorney and chairman of CMG Worldwide, an agency representing celebrity estates. 'They understand that their legacy will continue beyond their lifetime.' Roesler said at least 25 of his clients are engaged in actively negotiating the use of their or their loved ones' computer-generated images in movies, television or commercials. Employment contracts govern how they can be used in a particular film or commercial, while a performer's will can address broader issues. Some actors or heirs worry that overexposure will tarnish a celebrity's image, Roesler said. Some explicitly rule out posthumous depictions involving sex or violence, while others focus on drugs or alcohol. 'We have seen people address marijuana,' he said. 'We've seen liquor addressed.' California law already gives heirs control over actors' posthumous profits by requiring their permission for any of use of their likeness. As technology has improved, many living actors there are more focused on steering their legacy with stipulations on how their images are used - or by forbidding their use. Robin Williams, who committed suicide in 2014, banned any use of his image for commercial means until 2039, according to court documents. He also blocked anyone from digitally inserting him into a movie or TV scene or using a hologram, as was done with rapper Tupac Shakur at Southern California's Coachella music festival in 2012 - 16 years after his murder. Virtual characters have been used when an actor dies in the middle of a film production, as when Universal Pictures combined CGI and previous footage for Paul Walker's role in 2015's Furious 7 after Walker's 2013 death in a car crash. But Rogue One broke new ground by giving a significant supporting role to a dead star. A digital embodiment of British actor Peter Cushing, who died in 1994, reprised his role from the original 1997 Star Wars film as Tarkin. Walt Disney Co recreated Tarkin with a mix of visual effects and a different actor. A Disney spokeswoman declined to comment on whether Princess Leia would appear in films beyond Episode VIII, set for release in 2017. Fisher had wrapped filming for the next Star Wars episode before she died. She suffered a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles. Fisher had been expected to play a key role in the ninth installment of the sci-fi saga, due for release in 2019. Fisher's attorney, Frederick Bimbler, did not return requests for information on any stipulations the actress may have made about use of her image. Disney bought Star Wars producer Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4billion. The two new films since released have sold some $2.7billion worth of tickets and boosted sales of toys and other related merchandise. Disney would need to negotiate 're- use fees' with Fisher's estate to resurrect her character for future films, said Mark Litwak, an entertainment attorney in Los Angeles. The rights of actors' heirs are rooted in a 1985 California law requiring filmmakers to obtain permission from a celebrity's estate to use his or her image after death. The law was enacted after a campaign by the son of Dracula actor Bela Lugosi, a lawyer who objected to widespread use of his late father's image. With today's movie technology opening up so many possible scenarios, actors' union SAG-AFTRA is lobbying for all states to enact protections on the use of celebrity images after they die. Minnesota began considering such legislation this year following the death of music legend Prince, who was from Minneapolis. 'The issue for us is straightforward and clear: The use of performers' work in this manner has obvious economic value and should be treated accordingly,' a SAG-AFTRA spokesperson said. Celebrity deaths often spur big increases in sales of music and movies. Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley regularly top Forbes list of dead celebrities with annual earnings of tens of millions of dollars. If Disney decides to resurrect Leia, the costs could go much higher than what it might have to pay her surviving family. The technology and time involved in CGI recreations for major roles can make the prospect more costly than hiring even a first-tier actor. 'It's very expensive,' Litwak said. What about other characters in the blockbuster franchise? James Earl Jones, who is 85, provided the menacing voice for Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, in an animated TV series and again in Rogue One. An assistant to Jones declined to comment on whether any provisions are in place regarding use of his voice after his death. A bigger question for film-makers and fans is whether the technology provides a realistic portrayal, Litwak said. 'Most people in the movie industry don't think it's quite there yet,' he said. 'It's amazing what they can do, but it's not as good as a real actor. It still seems a bit artificial.' Tarkin's resurrection in Rogue One sparked debate among fans over whether the portrayal was realistic, with some complaining it did not look human enough to be convincing. 'Does Disney want to have people scrutinizing how real that synthetic character is, rather than talking about the movie itself?' he asked about the prospect of Leia's return. 'It would be a distraction.' Actors seek posthumous protections after big-screen resurrections dailymail.co.uk
2016-12-31 10:07 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk
36 /100 1.1 Chloe Goodman shows off he figure in plunging swimwear on Mexican winter break (0.01/7) She made her name on reality show Ex On The Beach. And Chloe Goodman certainly looks at home by the sea as she hit the beach yet again on Friday. The 23-year-old showed off her ample curves in a pastel blue bikini while sunning herself in Mexico. Scroll down for video The star's long dark brown hair was worn loose around her shoulders, while she sported black eyeliner and subtle pink lip gloss as she larked about on her hotel balcony. Chloe's bikini is the latest in a series of skimpy outfits she's sported during her Mexican trip. On Thursday, she frolicked in the surf sporting a distinctive white mesh swimsuit, while she's also been spotted in bright orange and electric blue numbers. Chloe flew out to the holiday destination on December 22 when she tweeted: 'Holiday time' next to a plane emoji. It's a welcome break for the star, who recently had a terrifying health scare. Chloe has been focusing on her recovery following recent emergency surgery to have her appendix removed. In an interview with The Sun, the brunette said she woke up in agony and knew something was badly wrong. 'The pain was excruciating and I was vomiting, so I phoned my mum crying my eyes out,' she explained. 'While on the phone to her I passed out and she immediately called an ambulance. 'By the time I got to A&E the pain was still so bad I wanted to die. The doctors were 100 percent certain that my appendix was about to burst and that I needed to go to theatre because it was life threatening.'
Sara Sampaio shows off her svelte figure in bright bikini on Mexican holiday dailymail.co.uk 2016-12-31 09:13 Mail Online www.dailymail.co.uk
37 /100 2.2 Brazilian police: Greek ambassador killed by wife's lover (0.01/7) This May, 25, 2016 photo released by Brazil's presidential press office shows Greece's ambassador to Brazil, Kyriakos Amiridis, after a government ceremony in Brasilia, Brazil. Authorities believe Amiridis was killed at the home his wife kept in the Rio de Janeiro area after he went missing on Monday, a police investigator said Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. ...
Police believe Greece's ambassador to Brazil killed near Rio article.wn.com
2016-12-31 09:10 system article.wn.com
38 /100 8.0 Homicide victims' ages ranged from 4 to 85 in Kalamazoo County (0.01/7) KALAMAZOO, MI -- Homicide is defined as the deliberate and unlawful killing of one person by another, something that happened 20 times in Kalamazoo County in 2016 according to law enforcement records.
By the numbers, here's how the year shaped up:
Those are the numbers. But law enforcement officials in Kalamazoo County said homicide is always more complicated than the numbers.
Of the 20 homicides in 2016, Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Pali Matyas said:
"One homicide in this county is one more than what the good people who live here will tolerate. " Likewise, Jeff Hadley, chief of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, declined to compare 2016 to an average year. "I'd hate to say any number is average," Hadley said.
In the city of Kalamazoo, where seven deaths were classified as homicides in 2016, Hadley said that with the exception of the two victims of the mass shooting that were killed in the city, none of the cases was connected to another. There were no retaliatory killings or incidents of group violence in 2016, Hadley said.
Hadley said the department's clearance rate on homicides is 95 percent.
2016 homicide numbers spiked by mass shooting, bicycle crash
In the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's office, homicides are tracked by those charged with the crime.
Prosecutor Jeff Getting, who first started working in the prosecutor's office in 1990, said he could not recall a year with as many tragedies as 2016.
"Having two incidents where multiple people were killed is something that I don't think has ever happened in Kalamazoo before," Getting said.
"I'm really proud of the way Kalamazoo responded, the way my office has responded to the many difficulties we've had during the year.
"We've got a lot of work still ahead of us in 2017 but I know that the community and the police agencies are all very supportive of my office and my staff is prepared to deal with all of the tragedies that occurred during the last year," Getting added.
10 homicides in Muskegon County in 2016 and where they occurred mlive.com
2016-12-31 08:30 Rosemary Parker www.mlive.com
39 /100 2.2 Huddersfield 1-1 Blackburn: Nahki Wells nets a stunning free-kick at the death Huddersfield striker Nahki Wells curled home a brilliant free-kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time to rescue a point against struggling Blackburn. It had looked like Blackburn would claim all three points after absorbing plenty of pressure from the home side, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw. The visitors came to thwart and frustrate and when David Wagner's side failed to take their chances, Rovers struck through Danny Graham nine minutes from time. But Huddersfield, on the back of four successive victories, refused to give up and levelled deep into stoppage time through Wells. Huddersfield dominated the first half and, with Blackburn notorious slow starters, almost took the lead inside the first minute. Rovers goalkeeper Jason Steele pulled off a great double save, blocking Rajiv van La Parra's effort before turning away a well-executed overhead kick from Kasey Palmer. Centre- back Michael Hefele's header was well wide from Aaron Mooy's driven cross and van La Parra whipped a ball in for Wells but his flick header lacked power and was easy for Steele. A fast attacking move by the home side, which involved good work by Elias Kachunga, deserved a better finish than a snatched shot over the top from Wells. Wells turned provider with a lovely through ball for Kachunga but his shot was straight at Steele. The keeper was there again just past the half hour when Hefele slipped a pass inside the full-back and Kachunga delivered from the right for Wells but Steele spread himself to make the block. Rovers had just one chance in the first half when Sam Gallagher broke away and ran at the Town defence. The defenders backed off and Gallagher squared for Graham sliding in but the striker was inches away. Huddersfield did not dominate the second half as much, with Rovers making them battle all the way. The home side brought on Harry Bunn and Jack Payne for van La Parra and Palmer in a bid to break down Blackburn's stubborn resistance. There were fewer chances and too often the final pass was lacking for the home side. Chris Lowe's free-kick was straight at Steele and while Wells caused problems, beating two defenders, the move ended with Lowe's cross dropping just short of Bunn. Tommy Smith dragged a shot wide and Wells again could not put Bunn away when clear in front of goal. Against the run of play Rovers snatched a goal when Liam Feeney was sent clear on the right and crossed deep for Graham to head home at the far post in the 81st minute. Huddersfield refused to give up, however, and equalised after Elliott Bennett fouled Payne on the edge of the box. From a central position Wells bent the ball around the wall leaving Steele no chance.
2016-12-31 11:48 Press Association www.dailymail.co.uk
40 /100 1.1 Finns change coach after failing to reach quarterfinals HELSINKI (AP) — Finland has changed its coach at the world junior hockey championship after Jukka Rautakorpi failed to take the team into the quarterfinals in Canada. The Nordic country's under-20 team is bottom of Group A and will be relegated. The team will plays its final game Saturday against Switzerland in Toronto. The Finnish Ice Hockey Association said Jussi Ahokas, the national under-18 coach, has taken over with immediate effect. Rautakorpi had coached the team since the beginning of the season, with Finland losing its first three preliminary-round games. The International Ice Hockey Federation said it will be the first time that a defending world junior champion will have to play in the relegation round.
2016-12-31 11:43 Associated Press www.dailymail.co.uk
41 /100 1.4 Lee Daniels, the second-ever black director nominated for an Academy Award, slams #OscarsSoWhite supporters as 'whiny' and entitled Film director Lee Daniels has criticized proponents of the OscarsSoWhite hashtag, calling them 'whiny' and entitled. Daniels, who became the second-ever black director to be nominated for an Oscar with his 2009 film Precious, slammed those who were offended by the lack of diversity in an interview with the New York Times. He said: 'These whiny people that think we’re owed something are incomprehensible and reprehensible to me.' April Reign, a former lawyer who now works as an editor, started the OscarsSoWhite hashtag in 2015 in response to the lack of diversity among the Academy Award nominees. She tweeted, 'Oscars so white they ask to touch my hair' and the hashtag took on a life of its own, sparking new controversies in 2016 after the 20 acting nominations did not include any people of color. But Daniels was not sympathetic to the movement, telling the New York Times in an article published this week: 'Go out and do the work. Oscars so white! So what? Do your work. 'Let your legacy speak and stop complaining, man. Are we really in this for the awards?' Daniels, who has worked on films like Monster's Ball and The Butler, continued: 'If I had thought that way – that the world was against me – I wouldn’t be here now. 'These whiny people that think we’re owed something are incomprehensible and reprehensible to me. I don’t expect acknowledgment or acceptance from white America. I’m going to be me,' he said. Daniels, who most recently created the TV series Star, recently explained that he cast a white girl as the lead in a show of healing as the country is wracked by what he called a 'civil war' between the races. He appeared on the talk show The Real, saying: 'I wanted to show a white girl that had some swag' as 'part of the healing process'. He added: 'I wanted white people to feel cool. I wanted them to not be made fun of. We are one.' This year's Oscars nominations will be announced on January 24, and films like Moonlight, Fences and Hidden Figures, are expected to shake things up this year having already garnered critical acclaim.
2016-12-31 11:43 Dailymail.com www.dailymail.co.uk
42 /100 42 /100 0.6 Long gas lines, price hike mar holiday season in Mexico MEXICO CITY (AP) — The holiday season has been a little less merry for car owners in Mexico as gasoline shortages in many parts of the country have forced grumbling customers to contend with hours-long lines. In hard-hit parts like Leon, in Guanajuato state, filling up your tank often means driving around from one station to the next just to find one that has fuel. "It's chaos," said Guadalupe Lopez, a customer service worker in Leon who visited eight stations on a recent day before she finally found a pump that wasn't dry. "One worker told me they had gone a day and a half without supply. " Rumors are swirling of gas station owners purportedly hoarding fuel ahead of a price deregulation that takes effect Sunday, and will let them sell it for as much as 20 percent more. Stories abound of Mexicans stocking up as much as they can before the hike kicks in. Officials are largely downplaying the problems, citing factors such as pipeline theft, increased holiday demand and unforeseen shipping delays, and have sought to reassure consumers that they're working hard to get the fuel flowing. But even with conditions improved somewhat since Christmas, analysts say a neglected fuel infrastructure is finally catching up with the country, and there's no quick fix in sight. Jorge Pinon, an energy expert at the University of Texas, Austin, said Mexico is refining less than 1 million barrels of crude per day this year, down from 1.65 million per day last year. More and more the country is importing its gasoline — about half its current consumption — but state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, lacks adequate distribution and storage capacity. "We are up against a total collapse of the refining system of Pemex," Pinon said. As examples, he pointed to tankers backed up in the Gulf of Mexico because the port of Veracruz is a bottleneck for offloading, and said pipelines that carry gasoline to central parts of the country are in poor shape and vulnerable to illegal taps. Fuel theft is big business for organized crime groups such as the Zetas drug cartel, which has a strong presence in the oil-producing Gulf coast region, and officials estimate it accounts for $1.4 billion in losses per year. In mid-December the Mexican Gas Station Owners' Association warned that refineries were not operating at full capacity and imported gasoline was not being offloaded from ship because of delayed payments. "The entire system of refining and distribution is rotten," said Miriam Grunstein, an energy analyst at Rice University. Pemex has acknowledged supply deficiencies in four central and western states, though Mexican media reported problems in 13 of the country's 31 states. That includes San Luis Potosi, where Mexico City resident Ignacio Lanzagorta shot a widely seen video of dozens of vehicles and people with jerry cans on the side of a highway, waiting for their turn at a Pemex station in the town of Salinas de Hidalgo. Lanzagorta told the AP he made the video Monday while driving from the capital to the central state of Zacatecas. Pemex says tankers have been stranded in the Gulf by bad weather and unable to unload their shipments on time. It also cited the fuel thefts, which force pipelines offline, and said consumer stockpiling and panic-buying only exacerbated the shortages. The federal consumer protection agency announced on Wednesday that it was investigating whether some stations may be hoarding fuel until January, as is widely rumored. "The problem is that there has not been enough investment in infrastructure for the storage and transportation of fuels, which has increased the risk of shortages," the Mexican government said in a statement debunking "myths" about gasoline that was also retweeted by Pemex. "Going forward, the government will be obligated to increase minimum storage capacity to 15 days of total national consumption. " Pemex executive Carlos Murriet said in recent days that the country currently has six days' worth in storage. Grunstein called that "ridiculously low" and a sign of short-term thinking by the company. "With Pemex there is no planning... and simply fixing small holes ends up being more expensive," she said. The 2017 price deregulation — part of a broader energy reform passed two years ago under President Enrique Pena Nieto allowing some private investment and ending more than seven decades of state monopoly over the sector — establishes 90 different tariff zones where prices will be allowed to fluctuate. Officials say it's time for Mexicans to pay market prices for gasoline and longtime subsidies are not sustainable especially with the peso's dramatic fall against the U. S. dollar. Earlier this year, the first gas stations run by companies other than Pemex began operating as part of the reform, on the theory that injecting competition will level the field for consumers. They are still far outnumbered by Pemex stations, however. In a second phase in 2017, other companies will be also allowed to import and distribute gasoline instead of Pemex handling the entire supply chain. Pricing will no longer be a government decision but rather "a result of what happens in the market," Treasury Secretary Jose Antonio Meade told Radio Formula on Thursday. But many Mexicans are skeptical that a dose of capitalism is a good thing for the energy sector, which was nationalized in 1938 and has long been considered part of the national patrimony. Opposition politicians on the left have lent support to calls for protests against the deregulation. One message that circulated on social media called on people to fill their tanks before New Year's and boycott gas purchases the first three days of the year as a "peaceful revolution. " Pinon said as long as the country suffers from its logistical limitations, Mexicans will be paying "an internal overpricing" at the pumps. "I don't see a near-term solution," he said. He added that Pemex badly needs restructuring, and Grunstein said the company is weighed down by a powerful and corrupt union that obstructs attempts at reform. "Anyone saying gas is going to rise because of competition is crazy," Grunstein said. "It will go up because of the lack of competition and lousy management. "
2016-12-31 11:42 Associated Press www.dailymail.co.uk
43 /100 5.6 Crews battling building fire in downtown Monroe MONROE, Mich. (WXYZ) - Crews continue to battle a fire at a commercial building in downtown Monroe.
The commercial building which also has a residential section is located near Monroe and 1st.
Apartment residents, we've learned, have been evacuated.
The fire started right next door to the Book Nook.
Multiple fire departments are on the scene. STAY WITH WXYZ. COM FOR UPDATES ON THIS DEVELOPING STORY.
2016-12-31 11:26 www.wxyz.com
44 /100 7.1 Western Michigan hockey wins GLI, beating Michigan Tech in overtime Western Michigan beat Michigan Tech, 1-0, in overtime Friday to win the Great Lakes Invitational at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
Forward Colt Conrad made the game-winning shot, the Associated Press reported.
Conrad, a sophomore from Manitoba, made the shot with 8:05 remaining in the overtime period, according to MiHockeyNow.com .
"It means everything," Conrad said at the post-game press conference of hitting the game-winning shot. "We've worked so hard this season and I feel like we are finally getting what we deserve. "
With the win, the Bronco hockey team improves to 10-5-3 on the season. WMU beat Michigan State, 4-1, Thursday to advance to the GLI final.
The Broncos return to action Jan. 13-14 with a two-night homestand against Denver at Lawson Ice Arena in Kalamazoo.
2016-12-31 11:20 MLive.com www.mlive.com
45 /100 4.2 Angler dies after falling onto rocks near Cape Point “The angler was found to have fallen about 7 to 8 metres onto rocks and medical treatment commenced on the 70-year-old male‚ from Constantia‚ who was in a critical condition and who then went into cardiac arrest.
“CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) was commenced on the man and after all efforts to resuscitate him were exhausted he was declared deceased by paramedics‚ said Darren Zimmerman‚ station commander of the National Sea Rescue Institute at Simonstown.
“The body of the man was secured into a specialised floating stretcher and brought through the surf to our sea rescue craft and transported to our sea rescue base where the body was taken into the care of the police and the Forensic Pathology Services and police have opened an inquest docket‚” Zimmerman added.
2016-12-31 11:08 TMG Digital www.timeslive.co.za
46 /100 2.6 Meijer fires employees who shared couple’s pregnancy announcement photo One of Lehl's friends also texted him about the picture, writing: 'You didn't tell me you were going to be a dad.' 'I was really upset,' Areaux said. 'It was supposed to be a surprise and now half of Allegan knew.' Both Areaux and Lehl's families found out about the photos long before Christmas came. Meijer said it has since fired the employees who were involved in the incident. 'We followed our standard protocol and once we received the complaint we immediately started an investigation,' the store said in a statement. 'All photo department team members are required to adhere to a strict confidentiality policy.' 'When this came to our attention we took it very seriously.' The Allegan County Sheriff's department is also investigating to determine if the photo leak was a crime. Areaux filed a complaint with the department after she became unsatisfied with how Meijer handled the scandal. The expectant mother said it took a week and a number of phone calls before she heard back from the store's director, and that she has yet to receive a formal apology or a reimbursement for her photo order. Areaux said she has also heard rumors that the employees weren't actually fired, but had quit instead. 'I wanted Meijer to take this a little more seriously so it doesn't happen again,' she said. The Allegan County Prosecutor's Office will ultimately determine whether to press charges after the sheriff's investigation is complete. But Areaux said for now she will no longer be a customer at Meijer. 'It's probably going to be a while,' she said, 'Before I go back there.'
2016-12-31 11:02 Anneta Konstantinides www.dailymail.co.uk
47 /100 1.1 Walt Disney ‘Bambi’ artist dies at 106 Tyrus Wong, best known for his sketches for the Walt Disney animated feature “Bambi”, died Friday, according to a statement released by The Walt Disney Family Museum. Wong was 106.
“Legendary Disney artist Tyrus Wong had a gift for evoking incredible feeling in his art with simple, gestural composition,” the statement said. Wong got his foot in the door at Disney as an entry level animator in 1938 — drawing hundreds of Mickey Mouse sketches, the statement said.
But his first big break came with “Bambi”, the story of the white-tailed deer.
While “Bambi” was in pre- production, Wong made his mark.
At home, he painted several elaborate sketches of deer in the forest — these sketches quickly drew the attention of Walt Disney and became the basis for the visual style of the animated classic. Wong left Disney to join Warner Brothers in 1941, before the release of “Bambi” in 1942. From China to America
Wong was born in Canton (now Guangzhou), China in 1910. His talent for painting and drawing emerged at an early age.
He was nine years old when he and his father left China for California. He was separated from his mother and sister and would never see them again, the statement said.
“His father encouraged his talents by having him practice calligraphy by dipping his brushes in water and ‘painting’ on newspaper,” the statement said.
Wong went on to attend Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles on a full scholarship.
A ‘Disney Legend’
Despite being trained as a fine artist, Wong spent nearly three decades working as a motion picture illustrator. “His work has continued to inspire and influence the leading animators of today,” the statement said.
In 2001, the pioneer artist was inducted into the “Disney Legend” hall of fame.
As one of the most revered Chinese-American artist, Wong’s art, life and legacy was captured in the 2015, independent documentary film “TYRUS”.
At Warner Brothers, Wong worked as a concept and story artist for 26 years and retired in 1968.
After retirement he channeled his creative energy into designing and building hand-made kites.
“Tyrus’ lively spirit will be missed,” the statement said. “Our condolences are with his family and friends at this time.”
2016-12-31 11:02 CNN Wire myfox8.com
48 /100 48 /100 1.7 In Response To Hilarious Obama Tantrum, Putin Invites All U. S. Diplomats And Their Families To Lavish New Year’s Eve Party Excerpted From Australia News : US President-elect Donald Trump has praised Vladimir Putin after he ruled out a retaliation for Barack Obama’s expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats over alleged US election hacking claims.
Mr Putin said his government would instead wait to see how relations developed under the incoming president, Donald Trump.
Mr Trump tweeted: “Great move on delay (by V. Putin) – I always knew he was very smart!”
Mr Putin had earlier said Russia would not stoop to “irresponsible diplomacy”.
As part of the punishment levelled against Moscow, the U. S. kicked out 35 Russian diplomats, in response to Russia’s harassment of US diplomats. They also shut down Russian recreational compounds in New York and Maryland that US officials said were being used for intelligence.
In a statement on Friday on the Kremlin’s web site, Mr Putin referred to the sanctions as a “provocation aimed to further undermine Russian-American relations.”
But he also said that Moscow would not be ousting American diplomats.
“The Russian diplomats returning home will spend the New Year holidays with their relatives and dear ones,” Mr Putin said. “At home. We will not create problems for US diplomats. We will not expel anybody.”
In the web site remarks, Mr Putin said, Russia would not prevent the families and children (of diplomats) from using the customary rest and leisure facilities and sites during the New Year holidays.
“Moreover, I am inviting all children of US diplomats accredited in Russia to the New Year and Christmas parties in the Kremlin,” he said.
Mr Putin’s statement came hours after Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested a tit-for-tat expulsion in televised remarks. He said early on Friday that Russia’s foreign ministry and other agencies had suggested that Mr Putin order expulsion of 31 employees of the US Embassy in Moscow and four diplomats from the US Consulate in St. Petersburg. Another suggestion is to bar American diplomats from using their summer retreat on the outskirts of Moscow and a warehouse south of Moscow. Read the whole thing
2016-12-31 17:52 Donna Zuniga www.patdollard.com
49 /100 7.4 Queensland mother's grief after accidentally reversing her car over her baby boy's pram The mother who accidentally ran over and killed her baby boy following a funeral has revealed her devastation and grief over the accident. Darcy Thompson, seven months, was in a pram hit by a car driven by his mother Danielle as she was reversing on St Pauls Drive in Woodridge in Queensland's south-east on Friday. He was rushed to Brisbane's Lady Cilento Children's Hospital in a serious condition but died a short time later. 'We have lost our son, Darcy Alexander, our precious, beautiful, bubbly, intelligent, generous, loving baby far, far too soon and we will be forever the poorer whilst heaven will be more the richer for his presence,' Danielle says in the Sunday Mail. Darcy had recently celebrated his first Christmas with his mum, dad and two brothers, receiving toys to relieve his teething pains. That was sadly overshadowed by tragedy just days later. 'We miss him with every fibre of our beings, and whilst grief in its many forms, ebbs and flows, the memories of our beautiful boy will be etched in our hearts for our lifetimes until we meet him again in Paradise,' Ms Thompson said. 'Darcy, we love you infinitely, we miss you utterly, and our hearts ache for you.' Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia that they are not treating the incident as suspicious, but rather a 'tragic accident'. Danielle was not physically injured in the crash and is not expected to face charges. The fatal accident occurred outside St Paul's Catholic Primary School and church. Senior Sergeant Tony Jackson told the ABC that the Ms Thompson was leaving a funeral at the church when she backed over the pram. 'The woman is being cared for by police and is assisting them with their investigation,' he said following the accident. 'It's a timely reminder to parents if they have children that are in prams or walking around vehicles [to] ensure that they know exactly where they are.'
2016-12-31 10:56 Sinead Maclaughlin www.dailymail.co.uk
50 /100 0.3 Authorities look for driver after car chase in Winston- Salem ends in crash WINSTON-SALEM, N. C. – Authorities are looking for a man accused of leading authorities on a car chase in Winston-Salem and then crashing in the woods.
The chase involved a Nissan Maxima and started as the driver was on US 421 at Peace Haven Road.
The driver allegedly went up the ramp from US 421 to Peace Haven Road, crossed over Peace Haven, to the ramp on the other side and got back on US 421.
From there, the driver continued to Lewisville-Clemmons Road, exited, turned around on Lewisville Clemmons Road, got back on US 421, exited at Peace Haven Road, went off into a wooded area near the ramp and wrecked.
The driver was the only person in the car and no other vehicles involved, according to Sgt. NR Stell with Highway Patrol. His identity has not been released. He is still at large.
2016-12-31 10:47 Web Staff myfox8.com
51 /100 3.1 4 injured, 1 seriously, when driver crashes into pedestrians Police in Finland say at least four people were injured, one of them seriously, when a driver lost control over his car and crashed into pedestrians on a Helsinki sidewalk.
They say it seems the driver in his 30s was taken ill. He also hit two parked cars in Saturday's crash.
Police said they have not found evidence of "deliberate misconduct," drugs or alcohol, adding they are continuing the investigation.
Local newspapers said the car had Estonian number plates.
2016-12-31 10:46 The Associated www.heraldonline.com
52 /100 0.4 Cub Scouts Latest Controversy Could Destroy Program’s Foundation The Cub Scouts are embroiled in a transgender controversy after reportedly kicking out an 8- year-old cub who was born a girl but identifies as a boy.
The Maldonado family said that their son Joe, who was born Jody, was asked to leave Pack 87 in Secaucus, New Jersey, after about a month into the program.
"Because he wasn't born a boy, he was no longer able to go back into the Boy Scouts," his mother, Kristie Maldonado told the Guardian.
The Boy Scouts of America faced controversy for lifting bans on gay leaders and scouts, but this would be the first time a scout was rejected on their gender, Justin Wilson, the executive director of Scouts for Equality, told NorthJersey.com . "I find it reprehensible a grown woman would parade her child in front of the national media to advance some sort of cultural agenda," Townhall columnist, Todd Starnes wrote. "This parent is sacrificing her child's privacy and innocence for 15 minutes of fame.
Maldonado enrolled Joe in the program making it clear that he was transgender. She told the San Francisco Chronicle that Joe has been transgender for about a year. "I felt bad for my son he was having a good time," Maldonado said. "They had a barbecue, the last day they had a Halloween party, they did experiments…he really enjoyed it, and he was with all of his friends. "
Maldonado told the Guardian that she was unaware of any issues until she received a phone call from a scout official asking her if Joe was born a girl.
"At first, well, I didn't answer him. I just said, you guys didn't ask for a birth certificate. I said no one had ever seen my child naked," she said.
Communications director for the Boy Scouts of America, Effie Delimarkos said in a statement the organization considers transgender children as a separate issue.
"No youth may be removed from any of our programs on the basis of his or her sexual orientation," she said. "Gender identity isn't related to sexual orientation. "
"Sooner rather than later, I suspect the Boy Scouts may face a legal challenge over its transgender policy," Starnes wrote.
"Do not be surprised if the Boy Scouts of America capitulate. They've already done it once before – sacrificing their long-cherished values on the altar of tolerance and diversity," he continued.
Stay informed with the latest from CBN News delivered to your inbox.
2016-12-31 10:42 www.cbn.com
53 /100 1.8 Cincinnati homeowners seek help as houses slide down hill CINCINNATI (AP) - Several Cincinnati homes are slowly sliding down a hillside and showing signs of damage.
Nearly all of the 15 homes built as part of Riverfront Terrace have at least minor damage inside or major damage, including drywall cracks, doors out of alignment and shifted foundations, homeowner Ray Miklius told The Cincinnati Enquirer (http://cin.ci/2iIfg2b). “It’s kind of hopeless,” Miklius said. “When you see a new crack every other week and see the mess the neighborhood is in, it’s a depressing place to live.”
Miklius said he’s spent nearly $100,000 to fix his home.
Now, the homeowners are asking city taxpayers for help.
City Council plans to discuss next month whether to spend more than $50,000 to assess how much the ground is moving, the newspaper said. The East End Area Council has also created a committee to monitor hillside issues.
A city report produced earlier this year that responded to the East End Area Council’s concerns about the hillside doesn’t name the site’s developer or homebuilders involved.
City officials said they don’t know the developer’s identity.
In an October memo, City Manager Harry Black said the reported movement involves private property. The Department of Transportation and Engineering doesn’t directly oversee or have enforcement authority, he said.
Lewis Seiler, an attorney for the homeowners, said in a November letter to Black that the community is “at imminent risk.”
“Failure to address the problem of hillside movement will not only lead to the destruction of this community, with an inevitable loss of tax revenue, but will also create an environment which discourages development, and which will make families unwilling to invest their fortunes in a city which has no interest in supporting and protecting its neighborhoods,” Seiler said.
He said more monitoring is needed to determine the severity and origins of the issue.
___
Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, http://www.enquirer.com
2016-12-31 10:36 By www.washingtontimes.com
54 /100 0.9 Donald Trump hits back at Democrats in triumphant tweet mocking Barack Obama's sanctions on Russia Donald Trump openly mocked Democrats' sanctions against Russia in a triumphant tweet wishing his 'enemies' a happy new year. The president-elect on Saturday sent a message to his 'many enemies', saying they had lost 'so badly they just don't know what to do'. Trump ended his gloating tweet with an ironic: 'Love!' His message came two days after President Barack Obama retaliated against Russia for its efforts to influence the outcome of the presidential election, expelling 35 Russian intelligence agents and closing two Russian compounds in the United States. Vladimir Putin surprised many when he decided not to respond with mirror sanctions, betting instead on improved relations with the next president. Trump has been accused of being too close to Putin - and chose to publicly congratulate the Russian president not expelling any US diplomats, calling him 'very smart'. Trump's New Years' Eve tweet seemed in direct contradiction with the promise he made during his first interview as president-elect to be 'very restrained' on his Twitter account. 'Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!' he wrote. Trump openly made fun of Democrats, who have partly blamed Hillary Clinton's defeat on interference by Russia, under the form of hacking during the election year and disclosure of political secrets. Obama's executive order, which was issued on Thursday, sought to punish the Russian government’s for its 'aggressive harassment of US officials and cyber operations aimed at the US election', Obama said. The president ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian suspected spies, giving them and their families 72 hours to leave the country. These officials worked at the Russian Embassy in Washington and the Russian Consulate in San Francisco and, Obama said, were acting 'in a manner inconsistent with their diplomatic status'. Obama on Thursday also announced that Russians would be denied access to two Russian-owned compounds in Maryland and in New York. Two of Trump's previous tweets in the past 24 hours were also dedicated to Russia, with Trump making a point of siding with Putin against Obama and some American media outlets. 'Russians are playing @CNN and @NBCNews for such fools - funny to watch, they don't have a clue! @FoxNews totally gets it!' he tweeted Friday. Trump had previously written: 'Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!' Many expected Putin to retaliate against Obama by expelling US diplomats, which he chose not to do. Russia has denied interfering with the presidential election. Instead, he invited children of American diplomats to the Kremlin for a New Year's party. While Putin appeared to take the high road, Russian officials launched a verbal onslaught on Obama, with one calling him a 'political corpse' while the president and his administration were being referred to as 'losers'.
2016-12-31 10:34 Clemence Michallon www.dailymail.co.uk
55 /100 1.0 Rangers 1-2 Celtic: Scott Sinclair seals comeback win for Brendan Rodgers' side at Ibrox as Kenny Miller misses from six yards to salvage late point Scott Sinclair handed Celtic their first win at Ibrox in almost six years as Brendan Rodgers' men claimed a 2-1 triumph over Rangers. Kenny Miller's early opener gave the hosts hope but Celtic soon established their dominance after Moussa Dembele netted his 19th goal of the season - and his fifth against the Light Blues. A breathless affair was then settled when Sinclair pounced with 20 minutes left, giving the visitors their first triumph in Govan since a Georgios Samaras- inspired victory in January 2011. Miller blew the chance to claim a point for Mark Warburton's team - back in the top flight after their four-year exile - when he scuffed a close-range shot against the post late on. The rampant Hoops now move 19 points clear at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership after chalking up their 15th straight league win. Rangers' plans suffered a blow before the game had even started when it was confirmed a hamstring injury had ruled out skipper Lee Wallace, but Clint Hill was able to shake off a dead leg and take his place in a three-man back-line. Rodgers' only real selection dilemma was whether he went with this term's top-scorer Dembele or last season's 40-goal frontman Leigh Griffiths, with the Frenchman getting the nod. A minute's silence was held before kick-off in memory of the victims of the 1971 Ibrox Disaster, however it was spoiled by a handful who could not stay quiet. The noise levels were almost sent soaring within 25 seconds of the action starting as Rangers' Jason Holt saw his opening effort deflected wide. Craig Gordon saved another of his efforts soon after but the hosts were emboldened by their positive start. That early confidence was almost shattered when Rob Kiernan switched off as Mikael Lustig lined up a free-kick from deep but Sinclair dragged his shot. With that let-off, Rangers looked to take advantage 13 minutes in and found their opening as Josh Windass exchanged passes with James Tavernier, sending the wing-back to the byline. Miller had positioned himself in between Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko and Tavernier's ball across was timed just right for the veteran to slide home. Joe Garner injured his shoulder in the build-up and had to be replaced by Martyn Waghorn. The goal was a shock to the Parkhead ranks, given the almost unending superiority they have enjoyed over their domestic rivals this term. Rodgers' men had looked as ragged as they have done all season in the opening quarter hour, while the fight missing for Rangers' last two derby performances was there in abundance. Celtic's quality, however, soon shone through. There was a close shave for the hosts after 34 minutes when Sinclair danced his way past Kiernan before rifling the ball off the base of the post. Hill did just enough to beat the Hoops winger to the rebound as he cleared for a corner. But from the set-piece, Dembele pounced. Hill and Danny Wilson were both caught under Sinclair's deep delivery as Dembele steadied himself with a touch before firing a terrific drive into the roof of the net. The pace had been frantic during the first half but was just as quick as the action restarted after the break. Dembele wasted a great chance for his second five minutes in as he failed to connect with a Lustig cross after a swift Celtic counter, while Wes Foderingham blocked well to deny James Forrest. Dembele was denied by the crossbar when he did well to get a boot to Callum McGregor's cross, with Sinclair unable to turn home on the follow-up. The hosts thought they had the lead when Wilson wriggled clear at Tavernier's corner, but Gordon's wrist was strong enough to keep out the centre-back's header. And with the disappointed Rangers groans still circling the ground, Celtic grabbed the winner. Substitute Patrick Roberts picked out Stuart Armstrong inside the penalty area, and he calmly steered the ball across goal from the right to the back post for Sinclair to tap home. Foderingham had to keep out efforts from Stuart Armstrong and Dembele as Celtic hungrily went for more but Rangers continued to fight. Miller, though, somehow fluffed a shot onto the woodwork with 10 minutes remaining when it looked easier to score before nodding in wide in stoppage time as Rangers chased a dramatic leveller.
2016-12-31 10:34 Graham Croser www.dailymail.co.uk
56 /100 56 /100 3.4 Muscle Shoals Sound Studio named top Alabama attraction MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A fabled music studio where acts including the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan recorded hits is already being named Alabama's No. 1 tourist stop of 2017, even though it's still undergoing renovation. The Alabama Tourism Department has selected Muscle Shoals Sound Studio as the state's top attraction of the New Year. The studio is reopening for daytime tours and nighttime recording in January following an extensive renovation project. The small, masonry-and-stone building in the northwest Alabama town of Sheffield was once a sought-after recording location for some of the world's best-known musical acts but fell into disrepair years ago. Inspired by the 2013 documentary "Muscle Shoals," officials from Beats Electronics provided nearly $1 million to renovate the studio. The tourism agency expects it to become a major draw for visitors.
2016-12-31 10:33 Associated Press www.dailymail.co.uk
57 /100 86.7 Woman dies in Nottingham house fire NOTTINGHAM, N. H. (AP) - Authorities say a woman has died in a fire in Nottingham.
WMUR-TV reports (http://bit.ly/2hzDxqf ) that the home was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived Friday night. Crews were able to rescue one man but were unable to rescue the woman trapped inside.
The state Fire Marshal’s office says it appears the fire may have started in a first-floor bedroom. The cause remains under investigation, and the victim’s name has not been released.
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Information from: WMUR-TV, http://wmur.com
2016-12-31 10:32 By www.washingtontimes.com
58 /100 0.0 Jenny Thompson shows off her incredible figure as she hits the beach in Dubai She'll be hitting our screens in 2017 with an explosive stint on Ex On The Beach. And Jenny Thompson gave fans a glimpse of what to expect as she hit the sandy shores of Dubai on Thursday. Clad in a hot pink bikini, the former sex worker, 26, looked every inch the beach babe as she paraded her flawless figure in the sunshine. Scroll down for video Her bandeau style bikini top offered a glimpse at her perky bust and intricate inkings on her arms. She teamed the garment with scanty high rise briefs that clung to her enviably peachy posterior and showed off her lean legs and toned stomach. Adding to the glamour, she donned a thick gold choker that ensured all eyes would definitely be on her. Opting for a neutral make-up palette, the reality starlet accentuated her pretty features without going overboard. Her glossy chestnut tresses were styled in loose waves that cascaded down her shoulders and framed her gorgeous face. Frolicking on the sand and enjoying a dip in the sea, the brunette bombshell seemed in good spirits on the day. Jenny had a taste of the spotlight in 2010 when it was revealed she had slept with Wayne seven times over a period of months while his wife Coleen with pregnant with son Kai - who was born in November 2009. When the revelations were first published, Jenny told how she used to meet the English footballer for sex sessions in the five star Lowry Hotel in Manchester. She said she earned £1,200 each time for the two-hour appointments, and also enjoyed a threesome with fellow escort Helen Wood. Having earned notoriety for her shocking sex sessions, she is now reportedly set to make her love life more public as she heads into the Ex On The Beach house for its sixth series. According to The Sun , she's already made an explosive arrival on the show; having made a bee-line for Geordie Shore hunk, Aaron Chalmers. An insider told the paper: 'Jenny T had her eyes on Aaron from the start, he’s completely her type and she made a beeline for him right away. 'It wasn’t long before she’d got her wicked way with him and they were in bed with each other, things got pretty heated pretty fast.'
2016-12-31 10:32 Rebecca Lawrence www.dailymail.co.uk
59 /100 4.0 Alcohol likely a factor in head-on crash on Cannonsburg Road CANNON TOWNSHIP, MI -- Police suspect alcohol was a factor in a head-on crash between two pickups on Cannonsburg Road early Friday evening.
Aero Med helicopter was called to respond to the scene of the 8:08 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30 crash near Pettis Avenue.
Witnesses told Kent County sheriff's deputies that a Doge Ram was going west on Cannonsburg Road and crossed the center line several times before striking an oncoming 1996 GMC Sierra.
The Dodge Ram driver, a 39-year-old Gowen man, was taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.
Two 19-year-old Grand Rapids men were in the other vehicle. Noah Bosse was taken to the hospital by helicopter with serious injuries while Corbin Verdier had less severe injuries and was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Police suspect the Dodge Ram driver may have been drinking and continue to investigate the crash.
2016-12-31 10:30 John Tunison www.mlive.com
60 /100 3.6 Miranda Kerr's mother Therese shares beautiful snaps of son's same-sex wedding to longtime partner James Wright Miranda Kerr's brother Matthew, wed his longtime partner James Wright in a commitment ceremony on Friday. The outdoor nuptials took place in the Hunter Valley. Kerr family matriarch Therese posted a series of beautiful snaps from the special day on Saturday, captioning one particular image: 'They decided on forever.' The images shared with Therese's 19,900 Instagram followers saw the family posing for photos at the picturesque outdoor venue. Miranda looked beautiful in a detailed white frock, accessorised with a vibrant flower crown. The supermodel was accompanied by fiancé Evan Spiegel, 26, who happily posed for photos with Miranda's family. Another image saw John Kerr walk his son down the aisle, the pride evident on his face. Friends of the family also took to Instagram to share images from the special day. Matthew appeared a picture of content as he embraced his life partner after the vows were said. 'We decided on forever,' was the overall message of the day, displayed on a canopy. Therese Kerr spoke about the special day, telling the Daily Telegraph this week that same-sex marriage laws in Australia do not dictate the great love that Matt and James share. 'We don't need an Australian government or the law to tell us what love is,' she said adding that she's 'proud as punch.' Miranda was a part of the wedding party and Therese played an official role in the ceremony by acting as the celebrant. 'It's beautiful, I'm actually celebrant,' she said ahead of the nuptials. Miranda, 33, arrived in Australia on Thursday, ready to celebrate her 31-year-old brother's special day. The supermodel's fiancé Evan Spiegel, who is the founder of Snapchat, was also in attendance at the wedding. Miranda made a stunning arrival as she touched down at Sydney airport on Thursday, ready to take a helicopter ride to the Hunter Valley. The entrepreneur looked effortlessly chic in an all-black ensemble, sporting ripped jeans, a midriff- style top that flaunted her toned stomach, pointy-toed heels, and a jacket that draped over her shoulders. She accessorised with stylish sunglasses, and a black Saint Laurent bag, that was filled to the brim with items. The Swarovski ambassador swept her short locks into a low ponytail, while adding a pop of red lipstick over her plump pout, to finish off the look. Same-sex marriage is not legally recognised under Australian law and remains a hot button issue across the nation. There are growing calls from marriage equality activists around the world, including American TV star Ellen DeGeneres, for the government to finally legalise marriage equality Down Under. Last month, Australia's parliament rejected the government's proposal for a national vote on whether to legalise same-sex marriage. The upper house Senate voted 33-29 against the coalition government's bid to hold a plebiscite on the issue. Miranda's brother Matt was engaged to his life partner James for nearly two years. 'I want to get married and I think, "Why should two people that love each other not be able to have that, right? "' Matt previously told WHO magazine. Miranda also showed her support for same-sex marriage, telling the publication: 'Obviously I support gay marriage, I have a gay brother.' While the model didn't appear to return home for her little brother's engagement party in 2015, she did return home in June to celebrate his bucks party in Sydney at The Ivy Penthouse with friends and family.
2016-12-31 10:27 Kristy Johnson www.dailymail.co.uk
61 /100 2.9 Yvonne Sampson heads to Fox Sports to launch new NRL channel Channel Nine tried to stop her from joining a new NRL channel on Fox Sports. But after weeks of negotiations, Yvonne Sampson finally bid farewell to the network on Saturday. 'Signing off @channel9 for the last time,' the popular presenter wrote alongside a short clip she shared on Instagram. The high-profile TV personality recently signed a contract with Foxtel, after she was poached for the dedicated 24-hour NRL channel, which is set to be unveiled next year. The State of Origin series host's contract to Channel Nine was set to wrap up on December 31. But Nine previously claimed she had a six-month non-compete clause, The Sunday Telegraph reported. With the NRL season returning in March, the clause written in her contract meant she couldn't have a slot on the new channel until the six months was up. And tensions continued to boil over between the two networks as Fox Sports challenged the claims after its lawyers went through the contract. The bitter legal battle came as the pay-TV network had been eyeing several talents across the country to join their line-up in the new year. The new channel has sparked a fiery rivalry between the two networks after Yvonne jumped ship following weeks of negotiations. But Yvonne will join the new slot alongside presenters Jessica Yates, Lara Pitt, Megan Barnard and Tara Rushton. The 35-year-old personality is in a relationship with Channel Nine State Political Reporter, Chris O'Keefe. Fox Sports' NRL channel is set to launch early in the New Year.
2016-12-31 10:19 Max Margan www.dailymail.co.uk
62 /100 1.8 No injuries after fire reported at Greensboro apartment complex GREENSBORO, N. C. – A fire in Greensboro damaged the roof of an apartment early Saturday morning, but nobody was hurt.
Firefighters were called to 1023 Barton St. at about 5:46 a.m. in reference to the incident, according to Greensboro Fire Department Assistant Chief Dwight Church.
One unit of the apartment suffered roof damage, but no injuries were reported to the residents or 28 firefighters who responded.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
2016-12-31 10:14 Web Staff myfox8.com
63 /100 2.2 Man trying to help dog struck in road gets hit by pickup BLENDON TOWNSHIIP, MI -- A Hudsonville man is in stable condition after he was struck by a pickup with a plow -- all as he tried to help his dog which had been struck by a different vehicle,
Matthew Dykstra, 33, had moderate injuries from the 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30 crash on Bauer Road near 72nd Avenue.
Ottawa County sheriff's deputies said Dykstra was in the middle of Bauer Road near the center line, attending to his dog, when a 2004 Ford pickup with an attached plow approached him.
Deputies said the truck driver, 53-year-old Douglas Cox of Hudsonville, told police he did not see Dykstra in time to avoid hitting him. He said he tried to avoid the pedestrian, but ended up striking him with the plow.
Police said Dykstra was wearing dark clothing at the time.
Dykstra was taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth hospital with what police described as moderate injuries.
Deputies did not say what happened to the dog. 2016-12-31 10:13 John Tunison www.mlive.com
64 /100 4.1 Manhunt Underway For Man Accused Of Killing PA State Trooper JUNIATA TOWNSHIP, P. A. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Pennsylvania State Police continue their search for the suspect in the fatal shooting of a state trooper.
The officer, Landon Weaver, was shot Friday night while responding to a report of a protection-from- abuse violation at a home in central Pennsylvania. A remote Huntingdon County area has been closed off in the search.
State Police are searching for 32-year-old Jason Robison in connection to the fatal shooting. He is considered armed and dangerous.
PA State Police are searching for Jason Robison in connection to the fatal shooting of a state trooper Friday. (credit: Pennsylvania State Police)
Gov. Tom Wolf says in a statement Saturday that he is confident the suspect will be captured and “brought to justice.”
Weaver enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in December 2015 and was assigned to the Patrol Unit in Troop G in Huntingdon. He’s the 97th member of the Pennsylvania State Police to be killed in the line of duty.
The governor said he will be remembered for his bravery and willingness to serve.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
2016-12-31 09:41 newyork.cbslocal.com
65 /100 3.2 Flood watch area expanded to include New Orleans area The National Weather Service has expanded a flood watch to include New Orleans, the upper portions of Jefferson, St. Bernard, Plaquemine, Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes and all of St. Charles Parish. The watch is in effect through Monday evening (Jan. 2), a span during which forecasters expect 4 to 6 inches of rainfall.
An initial watch the National Weather Service issued Friday covered the North Shore and Baton Rouge areas. The New Orleans area was added overnight.
"Those living near rivers and drainage canals should monitor the weather this weekend for the potential for warnings. Other impacts will be some localized street flooding during and immediately following the heavier showers or thunderstorms," the NWS hazardous weather outlook said.
A series of upper level disturbances across the southern U. S. will draw on Gulf of Mexico moisture to bring at least two rounds of rainfall for much of Saturday and again Sunday night through most of Monday, according to the watch advisory. Total rainfall accumulations should reach 4 to 6 inches, with locally higher amounts possible.
The weather service expects the primary impacts will be water level rises on area rivers and streams. Several rivers across the North Shore and in coastal Mississippi are forecast to reach minor food stages.
2016-12-31 09:38 Greg LaRose www.nola.com
66 /100 4.3 Princess Leias turn out in force as New Orleans mourns Carrie Fisher In New Orleans on Friday, thousands turned out to honor Carrie Fisher , the actor famous for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies.
Fisher, whose tough-talking princess defied Empire generals while tossing off one-liners such as “into the garbage chute, flyboy”, died on Tuesday .
In New Orleans , where death is marked by both mourning and merriment, a Mardi Gras group called the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus organized a parade in honor of the woman they consider royalty.
“This is a public demonstration of our love for Princess Leia,” said Brooke Ethridge, one of the founders of the Leijorettes, a dancing group made up of fans who dress like Princess Leia. “Our first instinct was to hit the streets and parade and celebrate Princess Leia and Carrie Fisher.”
Chewbacchus is dedicated to all things sci-fi and fantasy related and has always drawn inspiration from the Star Wars movies. The group’s logo features the head of Chewbacca, the furry Wookiee who was Han Solo’s close friend and co-pilot.
Fisher had been hospitalized since 23 December after falling ill aboard a flight and being treated by paramedics at the Los Angeles airport. One day after Fisher’s death, her actor mother, 84-year-old Debbie Reynolds , died too. A joint funeral for the two women has been announced. In New Orleans, the parade was led by the Leijorettes, followed by a brass band playing the Star Wars theme as hundreds of people – many in costume or carrying lightsabers – walked behind them. Fans lined the road, taking photos.
“I didn’t know her. But as [she was] an iconic character and as a person, a writer and a smart, funny, fantastic woman and role model, I was heartbroken and devastated,” Dale Hrebrik said.
But even in a crowd where Fisher’s Princess Leia role was front and center, many pointed out the contributions Fisher had made even after her Star Wars acting wound down. One marcher in the crowd held a sign calling Fisher, who spoke openly about her struggles with bipolar disorder, a mental health advocate.
Jacquelyn Ryan came with her husband and two children. Her hair was wrapped in the two side buns Fisher wore in the first movie, but Ryan said she was more impressed with Fisher’s other contributions.
“Probably my first introduction to her was Star Wars, but she as a person was really important. Her activism, her mental health awareness, her activism for women, her unapologetic attitude about youth and beauty in Hollywood really spoke to me,” Ryan said.
2016-12-31 09:29 Associated Press www.theguardian.com
67 /100 3.1 Sir Alex Ferguson PICTURE SPECIAL: A selection of the legendary former Manchester United manager's best moments as he celebrates his 75th birthday Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates his 75th birthday on New Year's Eve so it's only apt that we look back at his best pictures. The Scotsman guided United to an impressive 28 major trophies - including 13 Premier League titles and the Champions League on two occasions - during his hugely successful 27-year spell at Old Trafford. Here are some of his best moments as Red Devils manager...
2016-12-31 09:17 Anthony Hay www.dailymail.co.uk
68 /100 0.6 Pakistan say to sue India over 2014 bilateral Test deal Pakistan cricket chiefs have said they will sue India for failing to honour a 2014 deal to play a bilateral Test series. The Pakistan Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India signed an agreement under which the South Asian rivals were due to play six series between 2015 and 2023, subject to clearance from the Indian government. There has been no Test cricket between the two nations since 2007. Bilateral cricket ties were severed in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which New Delhi blamed on militants based in Pakistan. Under the agreement India was to tour Pakistan in 2015, with Pakistan visiting its neighbour in 2017. But the BCCI backed out from playing Pakistan -- even in a neutral venue -- saying New Delhi would not allow it amid strained relations. "Two series have been defaulted," said PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan. "We will write to BCCI and if they don't respond then we will take the legal course as we demand compensation. " The PCB's executive committee chairman Najam Sethi said Pakistan was missing out financially, losing up to $200 million on four of the six series it was meant to host. The two countries have come close to war since September's assault on a military base in Indian-administered Kashmir, again blamed on militants from Pakistan. Last month the International Cricket Council docked India six women's championship match points after failing to play against Pakistan. "We were awarded full points after India failed to give any proof of government's objection (in writing) and that's why ICC took that action, so after that we are preparing that case," said Khan. Pakistan toured India for a short five-match limited over series, but it failed to restore full bilateral ties.
2016-12-31 09:14 Afp www.dailymail.co.uk
69 /100 1.0 New hitches hold up DR Congo crisis deal Fresh problems held up efforts by the Catholic Church to unveil a deal on Saturday for ending the political crisis in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a mediator said. "The agreement is ready, but this morning all the groups came with new demands for details to be included in the accord, which is delaying the signing ceremony," the source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. Talks between the government and opposition aim to resolve the future of President Joseph Kabila, who is holding onto power although his second and final five-year term ended on December 20. The negotiations, launched on December 8, are taking place under the aegis of the influential Catholic Church, which had initially set Christmas Day as a deadline for a deal. Representatives from both sides met on Saturday at the headquarters of Congo National Episcopal Conference (CENCO). On Saturday, CENCO president Marcel Utembi said the two sides "are on the verge of concluding an accord. " "The various delegates have reached agreement on the points where divergences lay," he said, adding that the pact "is set to be signed tomorrow morning". The working document for the deal, seen by AFP, envisages a "political transition" with fresh presidential elections to be held at the end of 2017. The vote was supposed to be organised in 2016. The government had previously said it was impossible for it to be held before April 2018. The draft deal also guarantees that Kabila will not seek a third mandate and lays the groundwork for a "national transition council" charged with carrying out the agreement. In return, the opposition headed by 84-year-old Etienne Tshisekedi would accept that Kabila can stay in power until he hands over to an elected successor. It had previously demanded his immediate departure from public life. Vast and resource-rich but poor and chronically unstable, DR Congo has never witnessed a democratic transfer of power following polls since independence from Belgium in 1960. Two decades ago, the country collapsed into the deadliest conflict in modern African history. Its two wars in the late 1990s and early 2000s dragged in at least six African armies and left more than three million dead. Its restive east remains a battleground for rival ethnic militias. Kabila, 45, has been in power since the 2001 assassination of his father Laurent at the height of the Second Congo War. He was confirmed as leader in 2006 during the first free elections since independence from Belgium in 1960, and re-elected for a second term in 2011 in a vote marred by allegations of massive fraud. He obtained a controversial court ruling in May 2016 stating that he could remain in power until a successor was chosen. The deadline for his departure from office unleashed clashes that have left between 56 and 104 people dead, according to divergent tolls.
2016-12-31 09:14 Afp www.dailymail.co.uk
70 /100 0.3 Threat of New Year attacks in US 'low... yet undeniable' - security agencies U. S. defense and security agencies said they believed the threat of militant attacks inside the United States was low during this New Year's holiday, yet some chance of an attack was "undeniable," according to security assessments reviewed on Friday.
"There are no indications of specific threats to the U. S. Homeland," said a "situational awareness" bulletin issued to U. S. Army personnel this week by the Army's Training and Doctrine Command. "However the threat from homegrown violent extremists (HVEs) in the United States is undeniable," the bulletin added.
A copy of the bulletin was seen by Reuters on Friday.
The statement comes as cities around the world up their security for New Year's Eve celebrations.
Security forces have been deployed in Cologne following a wave of sex attacks last year. 1,800 police will monitor the streets, compared to just 140 in 2015.
In Austria, police are handing out 6,000 free pocket alarms to help stop assaults.
Fireworks are returning to Paris after muted celebrations last year, following the Paris terror attacks in November.
In London, a total of 3,000 officers will be on patrol on the streets.
US security
A senior U. S. official familiar with government-wide analyses of New Year's holiday attack threats said the Army assessments were consistent with those of other U. S. security and intelligence agencies.
Some specific threats have come to the attention of government agencies, but were not considered credible, said the senior U. S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
A separate bulletin, issued by the U. S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and headlined, "New Year's Day Celebration Threat Assessment," rated the overall threat of attacks against U. S. Army installations and personnel as "moderate. "
The command's intelligence operations center received "no reporting of specific or credible threats targeting U. S. Army installations or its personnel for the upcoming 2017 New Year's celebration," said the bulletin, a copy of which also was made available to Reuters.
The assessment, however, noted that two recent issues of Rumiyah, an Islamic State propaganda publication, did "provide information on conducting knife attacks and using vehicles to cause mass casualties in populated areas. "
Such tactics were used in recent attacks on civilians in Nice, France, and in Columbus, Ohio, said the bulletin. It did not mention the Dec. 19 truck attack on a Christmas Market in the German capital, Berlin.
An update to the Army's Training and Doctrine Command bulletin said that 100 "blocker vehicles" and 7,000 police officers - 1,000 more than were deployed last year would be stationed at Times Square on Saturday night.
Pentagon officials did not immediately respond to requests for comments on the threat assessments.
The U. S. army said it did not discuss "internal threat warnings or security posture", according to a spokesman.
2016-12-31 09:11 Reuters www.independent.ie
71 /100 2.2 Throat singer, children's storyteller, among new Order of Canada recipients As Canada enters a year marked by national birthday celebrations and the beginnings of an inquiry into the country's past, sordid treatment of its indigenous peoples, Nunavut-based throat singer Tanya Tagaq Gillis hopes her music will open minds and lead to change. So far, though, she's been confronted by some closed ones - people who send her hate mail over how her art form breaks from tradition. ...
2016-12-31 09:10 system article.wn.com
72 /100 3.9 Atlanta police release sketch of rape suspect ATLANTA - Atlanta police are searching for a rape suspect who, they say, attacked a woman on Ralph D. Abernathy Boulevard.
The victim told police she was walking in the 400 block around 7:50 a.m. on December 27 th when an armed black man forced her into a secluded area. Once there, police say the victim was forced to perform oral sex on the suspect before he raped her. After the suspect fled the scene, a passerby saw the victim and called police. She was transported to Grady Hospital for treatment.
Police released a sketch of the suspect, who is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes. He is between 5’9” and 5’10” tall and weighs between 160 and 180 pounds.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact police at 404.546.2652.
NEXT ARTICLE: Search underway for missing Chamblee mother
2016-12-31 09:07 FOX www.fox5atlanta.com
73 /100 0.7 Pruning, flower seeds, oxalis and late December plantings: This week's gardening tips Prune off any freeze damage caused to gingers, philodendrons, cannas and other herbaceous tropicals. Place a 4- to 6-inch layer of mulch, such as pine straw, around the base of the plants to protect the roots and rhizomes.
Flower seeds that may be sown now (the sooner the better) include alyssum, candytuft, forget-me-not, poppies, snapdragon, pansy, viola, dianthus, calendula, sweet pea, larkspur, cornflower, lupine, delphinium, hollyhock and annual phlox. Transplants from area nurseries could also be planted now.
Oxalis, a clover look-alike, is one of the worst weeds at this time of the year. For physical control, you must remove the carrot-like root or bulbs attached to the leaves. Dig them out with a trowel. An alternative is to use a systemic herbicide, such as glyphosate (Eraser, Killzall, Roundup, Weed and Grass Killer and other brands). Only apply the herbicide to the foliage of the oxalis. Do not allow it to get on the leaves of any desirable plants nearby. More than one application will be needed. Be persistent.
Late December through early January is the time to plant those tulip and hyacinth bulbs that have been chilling in your refrigerator. (Won't it be good to get the room back?) It is easy to force some of the hyacinth bulbs for bloom indoors. Place the bulbs half deep in a bowl of pebbles. Add enough water to touch the bottom of the bulbs and maintain it at that level. Place in a sunny window in a cool room. The wonderfully fragrant flower spikes should appear in four to six weeks.
2016-12-31 09:00 Dan Gill www.nola.com
74 /100 0.3 Donald Trump's self-serving denial on Russia The world revolves around Trump, and if something personally benefits him, like campaign tampering, he’s for it.
Much credit goes to the grown-ups in the room, President Obama and even Republican members of Congress, who think our democracy is worth preserving. Once Obama leaves office though, Trump will be the Republican gift that keeps on giving — to himself, that is.
Anything else — our country, institutions or the environment — will be bargaining chips.
.. Although Russian President Vladimir Putin is not immediately responding in kind, he is reported to have said, “Nothing is over until we decide it is. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?”
..
USC’s football program was caught cheating; it had to give up its championships.
Russia was caught cheating, but Trump will still become president.
The end of 2016 will be a wet one in L. A. County; 2016 was a year of surprises and heartbreak ; some New Year's resolutions that can only be accomplished in L. A.; and hundreds of new laws will soon take effect in California.
In El Monte, a city in the San Gabriel Valley, a bonus pension approved by the city council in 2000 generates a big bill for taxpayers. Here's how it works.
Ben Santer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory east of San Francisco has become more vocal over the years in hopes of beating back claims that climate change isn’t real.
A woman is dead after the car she was driving rammed through a guardrail on a downtown overpass and plunged onto the 110 Freeway, prompting the closure of northbound lanes Thursday morning. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Military and state authorities failed to save a 2-year-old boy from abuse.
Military and state authorities failed to save a 2-year-old boy from abuse.
2016-12-31 09:00 Los Angeles www.latimes.com
75 /100 3.6 Pelicans revive playoff hopes with 4-game winning streak during homestand It's rare in the NBA for a coach to tell his team that their season is on the brink before the end of December, but Alvin Gentry knew that was the approach he needed to take with his team.
The Pelicans coach saw that his team was playing its final five games of 2016 at home and he knew this was its best opportunity to gain some momentum while a playoff berth was still in reach.
"Basically, what we talked about is that this has to be the start of a stepping stone to get us where we want to get to and," said Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry. "It's going to be important how we handle these games at home. " The Pelicans (14-21) took that challenge head on and won four out of the five games during the homestand, which included a 104-92 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night at the Smoothie King Center that extended the team's winning streak to four games.
Despite starting the season losing eight consecutive games, Friday's win moved the Pelicans 1.5 games out of the eighth playoff seed in the Western Conference and the team's intensity has risen in each game of the homestand with the chances for a postseason berth becoming more of a reality.
"That's always been our motivation. We have to do whatever we can to try to make the playoffs," Gentry said. "There's a lot of basketball left, but what we have to try to do is put ourselves in a position that if we play good basketball we'd be one of those teams (in the playoffs). "
The biggest change that's occurred during the 4-game winning streak has been the team shifting to more of a small-ball lineup with Anthony Davis playing the center position almost exclusively and removing traditional centers like Omer Asik and Alexis Ajinca from the rotation.
It has allowed the team to switch more on defense and play with a faster pace on the offensive end.
New Orleans is shooting 41 percent from the 3-point line since making the change in the starting lineup and has outscored its last two opponents 59-14 on fastbreak points.
"When we have five guys on the floor that can get the rebound and push it themselves and start the break," said Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, who finished Friday's game with 23 points and 18 rebounds.
"It's fun for us. Guys are making shots, guys are making the right passes, making the right plays coming down the court in transition. "
Defense has also been a major improvement for the Pelicans since the shift in the starting lineup, giving players like Dante Cunningham and Solomon Hill the opportunity to switch in pick-and-roll situations to prevent opposing offenses from causing confusion.
Hill and Cunningham's defensive flexibility, along with point guard Jrue Holiday, has made a major impact and New Orleans has held opponents to 95.3 points per game during the 4-game winning streak.
"I told Dante, it's like we can call it 48 minutes of hell," said Pelicans forward Solomon Hill. "When we're out there, it's a different dynamic. We can switch things and we love that. We never really played with each other up to this point, but we've had a chance to play and be successful. "
The recent change in the Pelicans' mentality was perfectly summed up in a play at the end of Friday's game that sealed the win.
Earlier this year, the Pelicans were a team that depended on Davis to create much of the offense and his usage rates was one of the highest for any non-point guard in the NBA.
But the Pelicans ran a pick and roll at the end of the game that resulted in all five players touching the ball and making seven different passes before it ended with a Davis dunk that pushed his team's lead to 14 points.
"That just goes to what coach wants us to do: passing the ball," Davis said. "We had a lot of guys with open looks and we pass it up for a great shot. That's how we want to play. When we move the ball like that it's tough for teams to defend us. "
2016-12-31 09:00 William Guillory www.nola.com
76 /100 96.1 Deputies find 1 fatally shot in Prince George's Co. CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MD (WUSA9) - A man was shot and killed after a dispute in Capitol Heights, Md.
A spokeswoman for the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Department said deputies were near White Pearl Place and Pepper Mill Drive to serve papers when they hear shots fired. As they were getting into their cruiser to investigate, a car hit the cruiser from behind before bailing.
As police are investigating the shots fired, they find a body in the street. The victim was pronounced dead later.
At some point, one deputy accidentally fired a round. Police say no one was hit by the deputy's round.
The person who fired the deadly shot is still at large and Prince George’s County Police are continuing to investigate.
No further information has been released at this time.
2016-12-31 08:58 WUSA rssfeeds.wusa9.com
77 /100 1.8 Duterte Delegates Philippines Into Economic Sweet Spot but Misgivings Rising After six months at the helm in the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte has been touting just two achievements of his presidency – a vicious war on drugs and a surprise alliance with his country's bitter rival, China. ...
2016-12-31 08:57 system article.wn.com
78 /100 3.2 Grimsby Staffordshire bull terrier owner strangled his pet to death on Christmas Day A dog owner was forced to choke his beloved pet of ten years to death with his bare hands on Christmas Day when it suddenly turned on him and 'ripped his arm to pieces.' John Green, who appeared on Channel 4 documentary Skint, spent four days in hospital after the attack - but meanwhile two of his neighbours found Staffordshire bull terrier Rio dumped in a wheelie bin on his road in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. People started speculating that the dog had been stabbed, but Mr Green has become frustrated and insists he does not know how the pet ended up in the bin as he had spent four days in the Hull Royal Infirmary. Mr Green, who appeared in two series of skint, said he was forced to choke the animal to death in an act of self-defence and would have lost his arm if he had not acted. He said that Rio had been a 'beautiful' pet for ten years but had to taken out when he suddenly attacked Mr Green. 'I really loved my dog Rio, he was such a beautiful dog and was a beloved family pet for the last 10 years, and it has really angered me to hear some of the garbage rumours that have been circulated, with people saying that me or my son had stabbed the dog to death. 'I did kill the dog, but I had choked it because there was nothing else that I could do. 'Rio had latched on to my arm and he was ripping it to pieces, and I defy anyone who says that they wouldn't do the same thing if they were in my position. 'It was self-defence.' When Mr Green returned from hospital, he claims he expected the dog's body to still be in the house, but found his front door open and the carcass gone. He added: 'When I was at hospital the police and the RSPCA came down to the scene to check things out, and they told me that I had done the right thing, and I really only had one choice. 'It was either I lose my arm or I lose my dog, which is not a choice that anybody wants to make, and I really miss Rio now he is gone. 'While I was in hospital I had asked family members to contact Blue Cross to see if they would be able to come around and collect Rio, but apparently the person who is tasked with these collections was on holiday so nobody was ever able to make it round. 'When I got home I found my front door open, and Rio was missing, so I have no idea who has taken him or how he ended up in a bin. I think its utterly insulting to my dog and my family that someone would think to dispose of him like that, as we had planned to give him a proper send off whenever I got home from hospital. There have been all sorts of people making accusations about what has gone on, and I want to let them know the truth, this was a horrible tragedy that has left my family and I heartbroken.' A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police said: 'We have conducted initial enquiries and believe that this is the same dog that attacked its owner on Christmas Day. 'We are satisfied that there are no further circumstances that would concern the police. The RSPCA have been informed.'
2016-12-31 08:56 Paddy Dinham www.dailymail.co.uk
79 /100 0.0 Mom, 2 sons 'burnt beyond recognition' as lightning strikes their hut Masvingo – A woman together with her two sons were this week burnt beyond recognition after lightning struck the hut in which they were sheltering in south eastern Zimbabwe, a report said on Saturday.
According to the Chronicle newspaper, the family of three had just returned from doing their respective chores when nature struck their home.
Mercy Masvaure together with her two sons, Anywhere, 10 and Tatenda Muneno, 6 from Mushandike Resettlement were in their bedroom when the lightning struck.
The hut caught fire and the three were burnt to death.
Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula has confirmed the incident, adding that the fatal incident occurred on December 29.
Reports indicated that at least six children and an adult were killed by lightning in a remote village in southern Zimbabwe early last year.
The six children were aged between 4 and 11.
The incident reportedly happened in Mugwinyi village in Bikita district.
The seven were sheltering in two thatched huts when the lightning struck.
2016-12-31 08:55 www.news24.com
80 /100 1.4 Santa denial gets Italian conductor the sack Maybe, facing the combined power of Disney and Christmas, orchestra conductor Giacomo Loprieno should have just let it go.
At the end of a musical adaptation of the children's movie "Frozen," Loprieno stood up after the last notes had died away, with an urge to convey to his young audience an unpalatable truth. "Santa Claus doesn't exist," he said.
Stunned parents who had taken their kids to the event in Rome on Thursday took to social media to express their fury, the press reported on Saturday.
"What happened that evening was outrageous... I hope this 'gentleman' will lose his job, and I am angry at myself for having applauded him," Oberto Bevilacqua posted on the Facebook page of the organisers, Dimensione Eventi Torino.
Loprieno has since been replaced by another conductor... whose Facebook page shows him cosily alongside Santa.
2016-12-31 08:50 www.digitaljournal.com
81 /100 0.8 In the battle for Mosul, everybody's taking selfies — and some of them may be incriminating Troops and commanders pose atop tanks, Humvees, checkpoints and even on the front lines with bullets flying. They snap pictures of themselves with a mix of generals, civilians, reporters, priests, doctors, babies and anything associated with the Islamic State , including flags, detainees and bodies.
Times reporter Molly Hennessy-Fiske speaks with Iraqi soldiers about the popularity of selfies.
Human Rights Watch has cited the amateur photos and videos in complaints about extrajudicial executions of prisoners and other abuses during the offensive.
“It never ceases to amaze me, nor stops disturbing me, that armed forces take pleasure in photographing themselves during or after committing an abuse. Over the last year, we were able to document the most serious abuses because of forces' own photos,” said Belkis Wille, senior Iraq researcher at Human Rights Watch.
“I don’t have a Facebook account, but because of the selfies they are posting, I became like a hero,” Saadi said as he stood among the uniformed crowd. Many held cellphones aloft. Saadi said the photos are good for morale, and help reassure families back home.
But they can be risky.
U. S. forces are allowed to take selfies in Iraq, as long as their commanders approve, but they may be restricted based on security classification, operational security, safety, or force protection, officials said.
Islamic State fighters monitor social media, and use it to identify and target commanders. Saadi showed video posted online by militants who recently shot at him in Mosul. The bullet lodged in a camera lens he keeps in his office.
He said Iraqi forces are advised not to take selfies in sensitive locations, including bases and areas where they’re fighting in Mosul, “so the enemy will not know our position.”
But judging from online posts, it’s a rule that’s rarely enforced. Soldiers post selfies daily from in and around Mosul, especially in recent weeks as the offensive slowed.
Many see the selfies as the digital continuation of a grand tradition.
Haval Mohamed is a Kurdish police special forces officer, grandson of a Peshmerga fighter whose photos he grew up admiring. They showed his grandfather armed, wearing a traditional red and white headdress and baggy pants, fighting then-President Saddam Hussein’s army to free the Kurdish north, now an autonomous region.
As Mohamed guarded a displaced persons camp this week, he scrolled through photos of himself in front of sandbags on the front lines southeast of Mosul. Five soldiers in the photo were later killed in combat, he said.
Now Mohamed, 26, snaps selfies for his daughter, 4-year-old Hasti. Her wide-eyed pictures, complete with superimposed animal faces, are mixed with his. Mohamed said his daughter has seen him in uniform, but doesn’t understand the significance.
“One day if I die, she will know her dad was fighting for his land and will be proud of those photos,” Mohamed said.
He wanted the photographs, he said, “To prove to people we had fierce and hard fighting” with Islamic State and “to show people how dirty and criminal they were.”
“The best selfie I took was with the bodies of Daesh,” Shamary said, using the Arabic acronym for Islamic State.
In the photo — a close, intimate shot in which the backdrop of a Mosul street is barely visible — the soldier looms large in the frame above the body of a bearded militant in baggy brown shirt and pants. The man had been shot several times.
“I’m posting them on Facebook and showing my friends and family,” said Shamary, 29.
A fellow special forces soldier, Safaa Sabah, joined him to compare shots.
Sabah showed off selfies taken with a tattered black and white Islamic State flag recovered in east Mosul. In another, Sabah, 29, of Baghdad, pointed his gun at the head of a shirtless detainee — an Islamic State captive, he said. “The reason I took a selfie with Daesh was to show my people we are making progress,” he said.
The Iraqi army’s reputation was tarnished here two years ago when Islamic State seized Mosul, and Sabah sees the photos he takes, especially the ones of soldiers helping civilians, as a way to rebuild credibility. They want to win back not just the city, but its mostly Sunni Muslim people.
He said restrictions on selfies mostly have to do with being careful about showing too much background.
“It might be a danger to us: Daesh could figure out our position,” he said.
He said selfies also pose the risk of becoming Islamic State propaganda.
Sabah’s Facebook account was recently hacked, his photos stolen and used by someone who misidentified the special forces as sectarian Shiite militias who had come to the mostly Sunni city “to kill our people.”
As they prepared to return to the front line, the soldiers said they planned to continue taking selfies. Shamary had his sights set on the ultimate shot: “With commanders, celebrating the last neighborhood we liberate.”
The end of 2016 will be a wet one in L. A. County; 2016 was a year of surprises and heartbreak ; some New Year's resolutions that can only be accomplished in L. A.; and hundreds of new laws will soon take effect in California.
In El Monte, a city in the San Gabriel Valley, a bonus pension approved by the city council in 2000 generates a big bill for taxpayers. Here's how it works.
Ben Santer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory east of San Francisco has become more vocal over the years in hopes of beating back claims that climate change isn’t real.
A woman is dead after the car she was driving rammed through a guardrail on a downtown overpass and plunged onto the 110 Freeway, prompting the closure of northbound lanes Thursday morning. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Military and state authorities failed to save a 2-year-old boy from abuse.
Military and state authorities failed to save a 2-year-old boy from abuse.
2016-12-31 08:44 Molly Hennessy www.latimes.com
82 /100 0.7 David Whitley: Reflecting on a strange year of unpredictability You hear it every year. The year that's about to end was the worst ever. Or it was the best ever, the saddest ever or the weirdest ever. At the risk of making a prediction, we predict 2016 will be remembered as the best, worst, saddest, happiest, weirdest and most unforgettable year ever. We will not predict that, however, because every other prediction made by the 'mainstream media' turned out wrong in 2016. Oh sure, somebody somewhere may have predicted the Cubs would win...
2016-12-31 08:44 system article.wn.com
83 /100 0.5 Katie Price rumoured to be on Celebrity Big Brother after latest teaser clip She was crowned winner of the 2015 series of Celebrity Big Brother even though she entered as a late housemate. And rumours have begun to circulate that Katie Price is heading back into the house for January's series after an official Twitter account for the show posted a suspicious teaser clip. The 19-second video shows a busty female housemate with long hair discussing their marriage woes - which many fans believed was a clear indication the 38-year-old TV personality is taking part. Scroll down for video With their voice distorted, the new housemate says: 'Who gives the trolls the right to comment on my marriage? What, is everyone’s husband perfect?' Fans immediately voiced their opinions, posting: 'that is so @MissKatiePrice we all know she's going into the house :)', '@bbuk big curly hair, boobs, marriage & trolls, Katie Price I think', '@bbuk @mysticmadeleine is this pricey!' Other fans believed it could be another rumoured housemate - Nicola McLean. MailOnline have contacted Katie's representatives for comment. Katie has spoken publicly about her recent troubles with third husband Kieran Hayler and has just returned from a month-long break from the limelight during which she focused on getting her three year marriage back on track. She announced her break from the spotlight in October after painful memories of her husband's infidelity surfaced during her book tour. Following divorce rumours, Katie was quick to announce they were 'very much in love', however drunken video footage which surfaced earlier this month saw the star describing former flame Dane Bowers as the 'love of her life'. Meanwhile, of the ten contestants rumoured for the long-running Channel 5 show’s nineteenth series, reality TV veterans Nicola McClean, Bianca Gascoigne and divisive married couple Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt are the pick of a potentially combustible roster of incoming housemates. The new series will be themed as All Star vs New Blood and see a host of fan favourites face off against brand new housemates. Former glamour model Nicola, 35, is already well versed with the demands of the Borehamwood compound having previously appeared on the popular show in 2012, finishing in seventh place. Scheming American couple Spencer, 33, and Heidi, 30, will also be treading familiar ground when they return to the United Kingdom for what is expected to be their second stint in the house after their first, in 2013, saw them finish as runners-up to winner Rylan Clark-Neal - despite generating universal contempt from their fellow contestants. A source told the Daily Star : 'Spencer and Heidi are very competitive and they got so close to winning last time that they’re hell bent on coming out on top this time around. 'They will be even sneakier and more manipulative than last time, and won’t hesitate to throw anyone under the bus.' The trio will be joined by Bianca, 30, one of three newcomers expected to enter the compound in January. Having previously won reality TV show Love Island in 2006, Bianca has since appeared on Gladiators, Celebrity Coach Trip and auditioned for the ninth series of The X Factor, albeit unsuccessfully. More pertinently the former step-daughter of retired footballer Paul Gascoigne has earned her stripes as a co-host on now defunct Big Brother spin- off Big Brother's Big Mouth. The X Factor connection continues with fellow newcomer Sam Callahan, 22, who was reportedly drafted in at the 11th hour after another prospective housemate pulled out. Unlike Bianca the singer sailed through his X Factor audition in 2013, making it all the way to the live shows, where he was mentored by Louis Walsh. Following his elimination in week six Sam's music career stalled, and he'll be hoping to win new fans with his likely appearance after the emergence of a leaked tape last year earned him unwanted attention. 'This was a couple of years ago,' he told The Sun at the time. 'I was only a teenage lad, I hold my hands up. 'I was young and foolish back then, unfortunately I wrongly trusted the person I was speaking to at the time and was completely betrayed and catfished.' Footballer Jamie O'Hara, 30, completes the trio of new faces, and fans will no doubt hope he has plenty to say about ex wife and Celebrity Big Brother alumni Danielle Lloyd. The couple ended their two year marriage in 2014 following his alleged fling with a woman he met in a Birmingham nightclub. And sources claim Jamie, a free agent after being released by Gillingham, is in need of the Big Brother due to the reported £15,00 per month he is required to give Danielle as part of their divorce settlement, 'Jamie is the big surprise signing for this year’s series,' an insider told The Sun. 'It’s not been an easy decision for him to make but with all his injuries he needs to be earning some money.' Elsewhere reality TV show veteran Calum Best is expected to return to Celebrity Big Brother after coming third in 2015. The 35-year old will provide some much needed eye-candy for female fans, as will Austin Armacost, who reportedly makes his second appearance on the show following his recent split from husband Jake. Austin, 28, who once dated fashion designer Marc Jacobs, is perhaps best remembered for his relentless flirting with James Hill during his first in 2015. James Jordan should bring some much needed spice to the house with his outspoken opinions after reportedly signing up for the new series. The former Strictly Come Dancing pro, 38, was originally teased in clips featuring incoming celebrities with their faces darkened and their voices muffled. 'I don’t expect everyone to agree with me although 99% of the time I’m right,' he says in the clip. 'I love it when people argue I find it funny. It’s show it's not real life.' Self confessed wind up merchant James famously divided the house during his original appearance in 2014. Other contestants poised to appear include Jasmine Waltz, 34, who has reportedly been signed up to star instead of her rival Jasmine Lennard, 31. She will have company in the form of Coleen Nolan, who appeared in the show in 2012. The Loose Women panelist, 51, made it to the final, where she narrowly lost out to the show's eventual winner, comedian Julian Clary. The Chase star Mark 'The Beast' Labbett, 51, is rumoured to be bringing his impressive intellect and sharp tongue to the house. As is Shameless star Jody Latham, 34, who will no doubt be looking to make headlines for all the right reasons after recently being cleared of harassing ex-Apprentice star Adam Hosker. Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson, 24, is rumoured to be temporarily swapping West London for Boreham Wood for a shot at CBB glory. Completing the list of rumoured housemates, divisive Irish duo Jedward will no doubt be up to their old tricks when they re-enter the house. The pair originally appeared on the show in 2011, where they formed an unlikely bond with American actress Tara Reid before going on to finish in third place. Celebrity Big Brother: All Stars Versus New Stars will launch on Channel 5, January 3. 2016-12-31 08:43 Rebecca Lawrence www.dailymail.co.uk
84 /100 4.0 More Americans are applying to college in Canada after Trump's win Applications from Americans hoping to head north for college are way up following the November election, the Associated Press reported on Friday. Part of the surge may be a result of increased recruiting in the U. S., representatives from some Canadian schools told the AP, but some say the impending inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump has fueled the jump in interest.
American applications to the University of Toronto are up 70% compared to the same time last year, the AP reported, and that wasn't the only Canadian school to report a noticeable increase.
"Several other Canadian schools" have seen their applications from Americans go up this year by at least 20%, the AP noted, including McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, where applications from the U. S. are up 34%.
Seventeen-year-old Laura Godoff of Napa, California, told the AP Trump's victory drove her decision to apply to at least four Canadian schools, citing fears that a Trump administration could roll back progress on fighting sexual assault, making campuses less safe for women.
"If we live in a country where so many people could elect Donald Trump, then that's not a country I want to live in," she told the AP .
But some say, while the election may be a factor, it's not the only thing driving young people in the U. S. to look northward for college.
"We can't ignore the election results, but I think there are other strengths that are attracting students to the university, as well," Jennifer Peterman, a senior manager of global undergraduate recruitment at Montreal's McGill University, told the AP, citing the cost-of-living in Canada and McGill's diversity.
McGill has "consistently" had the largest share of U. S. students who come to Canada for college, Time reported in January. But thousands of United States students attend schools across Canada, for lots of different reasons.
"I wanted to try living somewhere more politically and socially liberal after growing up in Tennessee," Catherine Payzant, 21, a Canadian citizen who grew up in Tennessee and chose to go to college in Canada told Time. "It came down to the opportunity to live somewhere far away from home, pay the same fees, and get to know some family I had grown up living far away from. " But it still remains to be seen whether or not the Trump years will see a massive increase in Americans heading across the northern border for school.
2016-12-31 08:40 AOL Staff www.aol.com
85 /100 1.8 Despite Recent Production Boost, Wyoming Coal's Long-Term Outlook Is Dim : NPR Leigh Paterson
In 2016, the collapse of the coal industry hit the epicenter of U. S. production: Wyoming. Miners reflect on hard times, and how they're hedging their bets in a shrinking industry.
2016-12-31 08:38 Leigh Paterson www.npr.org
86 /100 0.6 Two airline bosses quit after shocking video emerges showing a 'drunk' pilot stumbling through security on his way to fly a passenger jet carrying 154 Two airline executives have resigned after shocking footage emerged of a pilot allegedly showing up for work drunk before trying to fly a plane with 154 passengers on board. The clip purportedly shows captain Tekad Purna, a pilot for Indonesian low-cost airline Citilink, stumbling and repeatedly dropping his belongings as he went through security at Surabaya airport on Wednesday morning. As the pilot arrives at the checkpoint wearing dark sunglasses, he drops his hat on the floor, then dumps his bag on the conveyor belt before walking through the body scanner. As he goes to collect his bag, it tips upside down and his belongings fall on the floor, and in the aftermath president director of Citilink Albert Burhan and operational director Hadinoto Soedigno have quit. One of the three security workers at the checkpoint helps pick up his things and put them back in the pilot’s bag while he holds his sunglasses in his mouth. The pilot waves and goes to leave but then his glasses fall on the floor and appear to break. Another security worker collects the pieces and hands them back to the pilot before he is free to leave. The pilot is believed to have made it as far as the cockpit before he was replaced by another captain when many passengers staged a walk off, the Jakarta Post reports. The travellers were reportedly alerted to his alleged state of intoxication when he made an incoherent flight announcement while preparing for take off. A passenger has posted a video of the alleged incoherent announcement online which shows people onboard the plane looking confused. The 1 hour 20 minute flight was due to take off from Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, East Java, and was bound for Soekarno Hatta International Airport in Jakarta. Citilink’s president director Albert Burhan said, in a statement on Thursday evening: ‘Citilink is very serious about handling this matter. 'The pilot in question has been suspended until the ongoing investigation is completed.’ He, along with operational director Hadinoto Soedigno resigned two days after the incident, according to ABC. The airline confirmed he had appeared ‘physically unfit’ but the final results of a medical check will be issued in a week. MailOnline has contacted Citilink’s parent company, Garuda Indonesia, for comment. The incident has made such a stir it was brought up by Indonesia’s House of Representatives on Friday. "If that's true, a pilot's license revoked pending a medical examination," Chairman of Commission V of the House, Ferry Djemi Francis, told reporters on Friday.
2016-12-31 08:28 Sarah Dean www.dailymail.co.uk
87 /100 1.5 Star Wars is the perfect analogy for the decline of America Star Wars is a generational thing and older people think my cohort are mentally subnormal for enjoying it, but it’s… See the full story of Star Wars is the perfect analogy for the decline of America on Coffee House. ...
2016-12-31 08:27 system article.wn.com
88 /100 1.6 Lebanese newspaper closes after 42 years, hit by financial woes BEIRUT : Lebanese daily newspaper As-Safir printed its final edition on Saturday, forced to close after 42 years because of financial problems as other news outlets in the country face similar difficulties.
2016-12-31 08:26 system article.wn.com
89 /100 89 /100 3.0 Manchester wheelchair-bound woman has face broken by armed thugs A wheelchair-bound amputee grandmother is still living in fear after masked men posing as police officers broke almost every bone in her face when her house was robbed. The raid five months ago has left Barbara Dransfield, 63, with not only the physical scars of a grotesque attack but is struggling emotionally to come to terms with her ordeal. She was on a life support machine and in a coma for two weeks and underwent a gruelling six hours of surgery to insert plastic plates and screws to fuse her bones together but still has no sensation in her face. Leaving the house is now a struggle for the grandmother-of-three from Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester and she cannot get used to her new face after it was pummeled with metal bars and baseball bats by the thugs. She admits it has not felt like Christmas this year and has revealed she didn't even put a tree or decorations up in the house. But Mrs Dransfield, who had her left leg amputated in 2013 after complications and infections arising from a fall years earlier, says she's determined to bounce back and see justice done in 2017. 'Slowly, very slowly, I am getting there,' she said. 'It has been an awful year for me. I do not think I will ever forget it. 'I just cannot get it out of my head. 'I cannot get used to my face - it does not belong to me. It is still numb from the eyebrows down. 'The doctors have just said that it is going to take time. No further surgery is planned. 'It could take as long as 18 months to two years before the feeling starts to come back to my face, if it comes back. 'I am just staying at home really. I went to my son's for Christmas but we had no decorations or tree up at home because it does not feel like Christmas. 'But I am determined to recover and want to come to terms with it but it is going to be a long slow process.' Back on July 19 this year, she beaten by robbers who made off with just £5 worth of fishing equipment. Two men wearing balaclavas burst into her home in Manchester during the night shouting: 'Police, stay where you are.' Armed with metal bars, the pair hit her over the head and demanded cash before ransacking the property when she said there was no money in the house. They then beat Mrs Dransfield again when they returned to find her on the phone to her husband Len, 64, begging for help. Mr Dransfield, who was working on his regular night shift, was forced to listened to his wife of 45 years being pummeled with the bat before the robbers fled with fishing tackle worth £5. The raid occurred between 12.40am and 2.40am on Tuesday, July 19, after two men wearing balaclavas got into the house by breaking the glass in the back door with a cobblestone. Speaking from her hospital bed at the time she said: 'The pain I suffered was absolutely excruciating and my husband says I look like I've done ten rounds with Mike Tyson. 'I remember everything that happened. I remember every crack I got. 'I wasn't knocked unconscious though, I kept putting my arms up. 'The police came and thought I had been stabbed, blood was absolutely everywhere, I was covered in it and it was all over the floor and walls. 'I was so shocked more than anything I thought, "what are they doing in my house? " 'They kept asking for money, I kept saying "I haven't got any" and they started hitting me with this baseball bat. 'I thought I was going to die, but I had to be brave didn't I? 'If I would have just let myself go they probably would have knocked me out. 'It's very, very painful. All the bones in my face are fractured or broken. 'The roof of my mouth had all gone, my nose, the top of my jaw, the bottom of my jaw and my eye sockets. 'You just would not think somebody would do that to another person. They're evil.' Her husband said: 'She phoned me up at 2.41am. All I could hear was a baseball bat laying in to her. 'What I came back to was just carnage. I don't think Mike Tyson could have done a better job. 'She was still sat in her wheelchair in the hallway where it took place. We waited for the police to arrive, there was nothing else we could do. She was in a mess, in an absolute state.' The couple's son Darren, 28, a hospital support worker, said: 'Mum's scared of coming back home but she's stubborn and determined. 'My son keeps on asking about her but I won't let him see her in this state.' Mrs Dransfield thanked staff and surgeons at North Manchester General Hospital. She said they saved her life. She also paid tribute to friends, family and the wider community across Ashton for rallying round and raising money for her after the attack. She broke both eye sockets, her cheekbones, her nose and both sides of her jaw in the attack, but has now had a new set of teeth fitted. 'I think that it is only all the good wishes from people that I have received that have pulled me through all of this,' Barbara said. 'I just don't know how I have survived.' She said she 'died four times' when surgeons repaired her face, adding it was like a jigsaw puzzle. Mrs Dransfield feels she will never fully recover until her attackers are brought to justice. Three men have been charged in connection with the incident and are due to go on trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on March 20 next year. Nathan Lee Clark, 24, of no fixed abode, has been charged with burglary, assault and breach of licence. Stephen Mortin, 23, of Rutland Street, Hyde, has been charged with burglary and breach of licence. Liam O’Shaunessy, 29, of Moorfield Drive, Hyde, has also been charged with burglary, according to the Tameside Reporter.
2016-12-31 08:12 Gareth Davies www.dailymail.co.uk
90 /100 1.1 Are Ravens taking big risk by playing Joe Flacco in meaningless game? OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- After 137 games in the NFL, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco will play his first meaningless one.
Flacco and the Ravens (8- 7) finish their season at the Cincinnati Bengals (5-9-1) after being knocked out of playoff contention last Sunday. With nothing on the line, it has become a hot topic around Baltimore why a franchise quarterback sporting a knee brace is starting this game.
Is coach John Harbaugh worried about starters getting injured in this type of game?
"I'm always worried about injuries," Harbaugh said. "To me, you just can't be thinking that way. You're going to play a game, and you want to play really well. It's just not who we are, to run scared. It's just not. That's not what we're going to do. "
Harbaugh has maintained a strong stance that the Ravens are going to win this game and every healthy player will suit up. But the dangers of a team losing a starting quarterback at any time were reinforced last week, when Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota both broke their legs.
The Ravens understand the long recovery process that comes with a quarterback suffering a significant injury. Flacco tore two ligaments in his left knee 11 months ago, and Baltimore was without him until the first day of training camp.
On Sunday, Flacco will be playing behind a right side of the offensive line that includes guard Vladimir Ducasse , who wasn't on the team for the first five weeks, and tackle James Hurst , who was pushed back into Flacco's knee on Nov. 22, 2015 (which led to the season-ending injury).
Baltimore could play it safe and give pending free-agent quarterback Ryan Mallett the start. But Flacco fully supports Harbaugh's decision to let him suit up.
"I love football, and my job is to play. That's what I want to do," Flacco said. "There is no way in the world that I wouldn't want to play in this game. It shows a lot about who you are as a team and who you are as a person if you go out there and play well. "
This is an unusual finish for Flacco. He helped clinch playoff berths in the regular-season finales in 2008, 2009 and 2014. He was in contention for the AFC North title in the final games of 2010 and 2011. He was eliminated from the playoffs in 2013.
The only game that came close to a meaningless finale for Flacco was 2012, when the Ravens had already clinched their second straight AFC North title. There was a scenario in which Baltimore could've moved from the No. 4 seed to No. 3 with a win in the final game, but the Ravens were playing host to a playoff game anyway. In that game, Flacco was pulled after two series.
There's no indication that Flacco's playing time will be limited heading into a game that contains no hope of reaching the postseason.
"It’s probably a little bit of a different experience at this point," Flacco said. "Come Sunday, I don’t anticipate it being too much different, because it’s going to be a hard-hitting, physical, tough NFL game. We better come ready to play.”
2016-12-31 08:01 Jamison Hensley www.espn.com
91 /100 1.0 21 people rescued from 'Sky Cabin' ride at California theme park LOS ANGELES, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Twenty people and a ride operator were rescued on Friday after being trapped for several hours about 100 feet (30 m) above the ground in an enclosed cabin of an amusement park ride in Southern California.
Rescue workers helped the people, including several children, rappel down ropes from the Sky Cabin at the Knott's Berry Farm, footage from local media showed.
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The ride, described as a "fully enclosed revolving observational deck," stopped working at about 2 p.m. local time, the amusement park said in a statement.
The last of the riders were rescued at 9:54 p.m. local time, the park said.
No one was injured, according to the amusement park.
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TV news video earlier showed a fire department ladder reaching up along the tower where the platform was stuck but falling well short of the cabin where the people were trapped.
The park said the ride will be closed until the investigation is complete. (Reporting by Jon Herskovitz in Austin, Texas, Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Bureau; Editing by Mary Milliken and Michael Perry)
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2016-12-31 08:01 AOL Staff www.aol.com
92 /100 2.0 Will my potted pepper plants make it through the winter? QUESTION: I have several pepper plants in large pots (about 5-gallon size). Will they make it through the winter if I protect them or will they just die off? Should I continue to fertilize them through the winter? Production is down to almost nothing right now. -- Lyndon Pousson
ANSWER: Yes, if you keep them protected from freezes, they will last through the winter and produce again for you next year. Move them inside on nights it will freeze and back out again to a sunny location when the freeze is over. Peppers ( Capsicum annuum ) are perennial plants that would live for several years if winter cold does not kill them. Fertilization is not as critical in the winter. If the plants look reasonably good, and the color is a good dark green, there is no need for fertilizer.
If the plants start looking pale, it will not hurt to fertilize them with a soluble fertilizer following label directions.
Got a gardening question? Email Dan Gill at [email protected].
2016-12-31 08:00 Dan Gill www.nola.com
93 /100 3.2 Dead! 10 celebs Ntsiki Mazwai shaded... HARD! From questioning Minnie Dlamini's intelligence to poking fun at Cassper's pubic hairs, Ntsiki was never far from the conversation this year.
We look back at 10 celebs she shaded over the last 12 months.
When TV personality Lorna Maseko took to Twitter to defend a pastor accused of making racist comments at the Rivers Church in Johannesburg in June, the last thing she expected was to be accused by Ntsiki of only getting support from the church because she was "assimilating whiteness".
Caster made headlines in October when she shaded the Fees Must Fall student movement during an interview with Sowetan, claiming that students were "wasting their time". Her comments caused outrage online, including from Ntsiki who called the athlete's comments "selfish and reckless".
Round 1: When Cassper took to popular US radio show Sway in the Morning and told the world that he had always idolised America, Ntsiki hit back by saying that his comments made her embarrassed to be called a South African .
Round 2: When Cassper uploaded a bathroom selfie to flex his progress in the gym, Ntsiki poked fun at his pubic hair using a word play on his upcoming Fill Up Orlando Stadium concert.
Ntsiki may have THE BIGGEST crush on Minnie Dlamini. But there's just one little flaw.
2016 saw Anele Mdoda become the talk show queen of Mzansi, but Ntsiki wasn't impressed by the way Anele apparently always hogs the limelight.
When Pearl Thusi's highly-anticipated debut on US drama series Quantico fell on the same day as Ma Winnie Mandela's birthday, Ntsiki had to remind us all of priorities.
Talking to Gareth Cliff on his CliffCentral radio show, only days after news that he had been fired as a judge on Idols SA (only to later be reinstated by a court decision) for comments he made about the Penny Sparrow racism fiasco, Ntsiki told Gareth that she was glad he had got fired.
"I think you are a product of socialisation. And you're not the only one, you represent the white male face because you are in the forefront. I think you got a lot of backlash for something that should have been put to Penny Sparrow. This experience should sensitise you. And I'm happy that you got fired," she said.
In an interview with Anele Mdoda in October, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula opened up about his affair with model, Joyce Omphemetse Molamu.
"This thing was a one-night stand, and it happened just like that. It so happens that I regret that," he said.
US-based fashionista Buhle Mkhize has been causing all kinds of heat with her social media nude pictures and Ntsiki was not impressed. In a series of tweets she labelled Buhle "the gift which keeps giving" and said that she seemed lonely. She went on to slam role models who looked for attention by always taking their clothes off.
Following reports that Bonang's boyfriend AKA had been involved in altercations with event organisers and fans, Ntsiki took to Twitter to question Bonang's choice of men.
"I just saw the video of AKA in a brawl....wow Bonang.... I don't know how you date such guuurl....," Ntsiki tweeted, before adding: "Mara Bonang like trashy guys kodwa..... "
Ntsiki later took to Twitter to claim that Bonang had sent her a threatening email. But Bonang denied this claim.
2016-12-31 08:00 TshisaLIVE www.timeslive.co.za
94 /100 2.7 Man who helped launch Kinder candy with surprise inside dies ROME (AP) — An Italian foundation for children says that William Salice, credited with launching Kinder Sorpresa, a hollow chocolate egg with a surprise tiny toy inside, has died. He was 83. ...
2016-12-31 07:55 system article.wn.com
95 /100 1.9 Iceland's 'crazy' year ends without a government Iceland is ending an eventful year in a political quagmire, left without a government for two months after the Panama Papers scandal and a snap election reflecting deep divisions in the island nation.
"In recent years we thought we were seeing the craziest, but we were proven wrong every time -- Iceland found ways to be even crazier," a parliamentary assistant from the Icelandic opposition said on April 6, seeing a government in tatters hesitate on its next move.
Former Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson had resigned the day before over revelations of his holdings stashed away in a tax haven.
This prompted demonstrations for six consecutive days with protesters shouting "Elections right away! Elections right away! " while striking metal fences in front of Iceland's parliament.
The anti-establishment Pirate Party was pushing at the gates of power -- but they never opened.
The government said it would wait six months to hold a snap election, triggered by the latest scandal in a country that had seen its share already after the 2008 financial meltdown.
The outcome in October dashed the hopes of a clear-cut exit to the political crisis. Neither the left, the right, nor the centre had a majority.
Efforts to form a coalition were paralysed by everyone's refusal to deal with Gunnlaugsson's centrist Progressive Party, which won eight of the 63 seats.
- Back to square one -
Journalist Johannes Kristjansson, the only Icelander to have access to the Panama Papers, had been bewildered when he saw how many politicians were listed in the documents. Two months after the election he commented: "They were all re-elected. "
Icelandic Finance Minister Bjarni Benediktsson, who had set up an offshore company in the Seychelles, even saw his party, the Conservatives, win the most seats, with 21. Gunnlaugsson is still an MP.
The "Pirates" revolution did not take place. Instead, the 2017 budget, adopted days before Christmas, was a compromise between the outgoing government's bill and concessions to other parties.
To form a new cabinet, "several formal and informal talks have taken place without leading to anything, and no one knows yet what will emerge," the daily Frettabladid wrote Friday.
In November, the right first tried its luck with the centre, without any success. So did the left.
Even the sworn enemies, the Independence Party and the Left-Green Movement, made an attempt. The Pirate Party, given a mandate by the president in December, failed as well.
In the last days of 2016, it was back to square one with the right renegotiating with centrists.
- Hot spot -
But it was not a lost year for the Nordic nation, also known for its breathtaking landscapes.
Its economy is flourishing with growth expected to reach five percent, after 4.2 percent in 2015. Unemployment has virtually disappeared. Incomes are rising fast. Construction is booming.
Iceland has become a hot spot for tourists from Britain, the US, Asia or Germany, at almost any time of the year, fuelling the creation of thousands of jobs and generous spending.
Although no government has emerged yet, at least a new head of state did. When Olafur Ragnar Grimsson retired after a record of five mandates, Gudni Johannesson, a 48-year old academic, was elected in June.
This year also saw an unforgettable experience for the football team which played its first major international tournament in France in June.
In the Euros, Iceland not only saw a draw with Portugal (1-1), who went on to win the tournament, but beat Austria in the last minute (2-1) before shocking England (2-1) in what was described as a "humiliating" defeat by the British press.
Thousands of Icelanders took to the streets in the capital Reykjavik. This time, they were celebrating.
2016-12-31 07:50 www.digitaljournal.com
96 /100 0.9 Venezuelans are fleeing to Brazil for medical care, overwhelming its hospitals and morgues BOA VISTA, Brazil — As throngs of Venezuelans trek to Brazil in search of food and medicine, hospitals along Brazil’s sparsely populated northern border are struggling to pick up the pieces of Venezuela’s failing health-care system. A spiraling economic crisis and hyperinflation have cleaned Venezuelan hospitals of needles, bandages and medicine. Desperate for care and []>...
2016-12-31 07:49 system article.wn.com
97 /100 2.1 London athlete aged 85 as fit as someone in their 20s continues to wow scientists Scientists are desperate to learn how an 85-year-old man continues to surpass expectations with his superhuman running. Ed Whitlock ran a sub-four hour marathon in October breaking the record for his age group by 40 minutes. When he was 75 the London-born runner ran the marathon in under three hours in another record-breaking time which he still holds. Experts think the secret behind his enduring physical strength is an 'astonishing genetic inheritance'. Michael Joyner, a researcher at the Mayo Clinic, said Mr Whitlock's superior fitness came from an ageing process which was far slower than a normal 85-year-old's. Tests have shown his lungs are as fit as someone who is active in their twenties. And his organ's capacity to use oxygen is higher than any other person of his age on record. Despite his age his muscles continue to power him round races at a pace usually seen in men 60 years his junior. The world's most successful octogenarian runner, who now lives in Canada, only took up competitive running seriously in his 40s. He told the New York Times : 'I believe people can do far more than they think they can. You have to be idiot enough to try it.' Despite his endurance Mr Whitlock, from Milton, Ontario, believes he may not be running when he is 90. 'We'll see if I'm running when I'm 90,' he said. 'I think I do have longevity in my genes but you never know, you might get hit by a bus.' Mr Whitlock enjoyed running cross-country, track and road races in his youth. His sub-four hour marathon time of three hours, 56 minutes came in October in Toronto.
2016-12-31 07:21 Matt Hunter www.dailymail.co.uk
98 /100 2.2 F. Ross Johnson, Who Allowed RJR Nabisco Buyout, Dies at 85 F. Ross Johnson, the RJR Nabisco Inc. chief executive officer whose efforts to take the company private in the 1980s led to the then- largest takeover in Wall Street history chronicled in the best-selling book “Barbarians at the Gate,” has died. He was 85.
Johnson died of pneumonia on Thursday at his home in Jupita, Florida, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing his spokesman.
The Canadian-born businessman triggered the fiercest contest of the leveraged-buyout era in 1988 by attempting a management-led purchase of the maker of Ritz crackers, Oreo cookies and Winston cigarettes. He lost control of the process after making an initial bid of only $75 a share, giving private-equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. room to woo the company’s board and shareholders with a richer offer. KKR won the battle by paying $109 a share. The $30 billion total cost was the largest amount paid for a corporation at the time.
The six-week bidding war for the company pitted Johnson, backed by Shearson Lehman Hutton Inc., against KKR. As teams of lawyers and advisers entered the fray, Johnson couldn’t even count on the support of his own board, which weighed increasingly higher offers from bidders using junk bonds for their financing.
LBO Mania
“Every Wall Street chief was avid to land history’s biggest LBO,” John Helyar, the co-author of “Barbarians at the Gate,” wrote in a Bloomberg column in 2008.
A former accountant who was skilled at marketing, Johnson had more experience selling companies than buying them. He engineered the merger of Standard Brands Inc. with Nabisco Inc. in 1981 and then the $4.9 billion acquisition of Nabisco Brands Inc. by R. J. Reynolds Industries Inc. four years later. In both cases, he eventually ran the newly created company.
The man who famously ferried his pet dog around on corporate jets enjoyed the high life, yet he was seen as ill-equipped to deal with a private-equity war that rendered longstanding friendships irrelevant and greed the only motive.
“Johnson seemed so open, so trusting, so -- how to describe it? -- yes, naive,” Bryan Burrough and Helyar wrote in “Barbarians at the Gate” (1990). “Did he realize the forces he was on the verge of unleashing?”
Rich Payout
Kravis tapped Louis Gerstner, president of American Express Co., to become CEO after the deal was concluded and Johnson departed with a payout that some estimate at more than $50 million. Johnson was featured on a 1988 Time magazine cover headlined “A Game of Greed” and was portrayed by actor James Garner in a 1993 television-movie version of the book.
“Bored with the status quo, Johnson engineered a new and exciting no-lose game for himself,” Michael Lewis wrote in “The Money Culture” (1991). “If he won, he became rich. If he lost, he also became rich, thanks to the golden parachutes his board had approved.”
Frederick Ross Johnson was born on Dec. 13, 1931, in Winnipeg, the largest city in Canada’s Manitoba province, to parents Frederick Johnson and the former Caroline Green.
He earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Manitoba in 1952 and a master’s at the University of Toronto, where he later taught for a few years. Johnson then had jobs as marketing director at Canadian General Electric and as a merchandising manager at retailer T. Eaton Co. in the mid-1960s.
In 1971, he became president of Standard Brands in Toronto, before moving to New York where he took over as CEO of the parent company five years later. After the merger with Nabisco, Johnson became chief operating officer of the combined company, Nabisco Brands Inc., and later took over as CEO when Robert Schaeberle retired. He became CEO of RJR Nabisco in 1987.
After departing the company, he was chairman and CEO of his own investment company, RJM Group Inc., in Atlanta. An avid golf player, Johnson belonged to clubs including Castle Pines Club in Colorado, and the Jupiter Hills Club in Florida.
Johnson was married to Laurie Graumann and the couple had two sons, Bruce and Neil, prior to a divorce. He later married Susan Johnson.
2016-12-31 07:19 www.newsmax.com
99 /100 2.3 Orlando man pulled from car before train hits vehicle ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A man whose car stalled on a railroad track in Orlando was pulled to safety before a commuter train crashed into it.
Orlando television station WFTV (http://at.wftv.com/2iO4uf2 ) reports that 73-year-old Jean Merseille was pulled to safety on Thursday by 30-year- old Nelson Perez just moments before impact.
Merseille was unharmed.
Merseille’s car got stalled on the tracks after he tried to turn around.
He was given a $114 citation for stopping on the train tracks.
None of the 38 passengers on the SunRail train were injured.
___
Information from: WFTV-TV, http://www.wftv.com/index.html
2016-12-31 07:11 By www.washingtontimes.com
100 /100 2.5 Impalas leap in the air when a crocodile emerges from water at Kruger National Park This herd of impalas got a little more than they bargained for when they stopped off for a quick drink. The animals were in Kruger National Park, South Africa, when the predator emerged from a small, murky watering hole. Evidently, the animals have no idea that the reptile is in the water as they all gather around the small refreshment point without a care in the world. When its killer jaws emerge above the surface, the surprised impalas all make the most of their 8ft jumping ability to leap away from the edge before running to safety.
2016-12-31 07:04 Paddy Dinham www.dailymail.co.uk
Total 100 articles.
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