Home Blog Page 465

Russian ruble crisis continues despite central bank’s decision to raise interest rates to 17%

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
Russian ruble crisis continues despite central bank’s decision to raise interest rates to 17%

The Russian ruble went into free-fall in December 16 trading, falling repeatedly to hit record lows, despite the central bank’s dramatic decision to raise interest rates from 10.5% to 17%.

The rate rise was meant to strengthen the currency.

It helped it to 58 to the dollar early on Tuesday, but the dollar at one stage bought as many as 79 rubles.

The ruble has lost more than half its value against the dollar this year, hit by cheaper oil and Western sanctions.

Both of these have weakened the Russian economy.

Russia’s central bank has now pledged fresh further measures to try to stabilize its currency, with First Deputy Governor Sergei Shvetsov describing the situation as “critical”.

However, the Russian stock market was higher, with the main Micex index up 2% in afternoon trading.

Last week, Russia raised rates to 10.5% from 9.5%, a move that had little impact. The ruble’s slide this week was prompted by fears that the US was considering a fresh set of sanctions against the country for its support for separatists in Ukraine.Russian ruble crisis 2014

Russian oil giant Rosneft’s decision to issue 625 billion rubles ($9.9 billion) worth of bonds late last week at lower rates than Russian bonds has been blamed by some for exacerbating the currency’s decline.

However, Rosneft denied it was trying to dump rubles, saying “not a single ruble” would be used to buy foreign currency.

The chairwoman of the Russian central bank, Elvira Nabiullina, said the latest rate rise should curb inflation and encourage Russians to put more rubles into interest rate-bearing accounts.

However, she said she did not expect the ruble’s value to be immediately influenced by the rate rise.

“The ruble is currently undervalued according to all fundamental parameters and the state of the economy… and the current account,” she said.

“But for the ruble to return to its fundamental exchange rate it would take time.”

Russia’s central bank has previously tried unsuccessfully to stabilize the currency, buying rubles in the markets.

It has spent more than $70 billion supporting the ruble since the start of the year.

“This decision is aimed at limiting substantially increased rouble depreciation risks and inflation risks,” the central bank said in a statement.

Last week, the World Bank warned that Russia’s economy would shrink by at least 0.7% in 2015 if oil prices did not recover. It says an oil price of $70 a barrel would leave it with a fall of 1.5%.

Raising interest rates has its own risks, as more expensive borrowing can itself slow growth. But it may also stem the tide of money leaving the country.

[youtube 0LkRTkUQqPU 650]

Brent crude oil price falls below $59 for first time since 2009

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
Brent crude oil price falls below $59 for first time since 2009

Brent crude oil price has fallen below $59 a barrel for the first time since May 2009.

After dropping below $60, the Brent price then fell to $58.50 a barrel, before recovering slightly to $58.94.

Oil prices have now nearly halved since June as a result of waning demand and increased supplies.

The latest fall was triggered by news of a fall in industrial activity in China, the world’s second largest consumer of oil.

The price of US crude fell by $1.73 to $54.18 a barrel.

At the weekend, the head of OPEC reiterated that the oil cartel would not try to shore up the oil price by reducing production.

The comments came a couple of days after the International Energy Agency cut its oil demand forecast for 2015.Brent crude oil price

While lower oil prices could provide a boost to many economies through cheaper fuel, the sharp drop in the cost of crude is affecting many oil producers.

On December 16, Russia dramatically increased its interest rate from 10.5% to 17% in an attempt to halt the slide in the country’s currency, the ruble.

The ruble has lost 50% against the US dollar this year as falling oil prices and Western sanctions continue to weigh on the country’s economy.

However, early signs were that the attempt to defend the currency had failed, with the ruble hitting fresh lows against the dollar.

With high levels of output from the US and no sign of a sustained economic recovery in Europe, most experts believe prices will remain low for the foreseeable future.

However, the low cost of crude may also make investment in some new wells uneconomical – which means prices could rise in the longer term.

Goldman Sachs has estimated that about $930 million of investment in new oil projects could be hit, given the recent plunge in oil prices.

Without this investment, new oil output could be cut by about 7.5 million barrels a day by 2025, or about 8% of current demand, the bank estimates.

[youtube FGsbuM77rOI 650]

Man Haron Monis: Sydney cafe hostage-taker not on Australia’s terror watch list

Roy Siemens
-
0
Man Haron Monis: Sydney cafe hostage-taker not on Australia’s terror watch list

Sydney cafe hostage-taker Man Haron Monis was not on Australia’s terror watch list.

Australia’s PM Tony Abbott said the government would examine why Man Haron Monis had been on bail.

The prime minister paid tribute to the two hostages who died in Monday’s siege, describing them as “good people”.

The two hostages and Man Haron Monis died as police commandos stormed the cafe in Martin Place early on Tuesday morning, ending the 16-hour siege.

An investigation has been launched into the police operation.

Police are also investigating the motives of Man Haron Monis – an Iranian refugee who was a known extremist and faced multiple criminal charges – and how he got a gun.

At a press conference, PM Tony Abbott said: “How can someone who has had such a long and chequered history not be on the appropriate watch lists and how can someone like that be entirely at large in the community.

“These are questions that we need to look at carefully and calmly and methodically.”

However, Tony Abbott added that it was “possible” that the siege would have taken place even if Man Haron Monis had been on a watch list.

“The level of control that would be necessary to prevent people from going about their daily life would be very, very high indeed,” he said.Man Haron Monis

The victims have been named as cafe manager Tori Johnson, 34 and Sydney lawyer Katrina Dawson, 38.

Tony Abbott described the victims as “decent, good people” who were “caught up in the sick fantasy of a deeply disturbed individual”.

In Martin Place, people have been arriving to sign condolence books and leave flowers in their memory.

Central Sydney was put in lockdown on Monday morning as the gunman entered the Lindt Chocolat Cafe and seized 17 hostages.

Five hostages managed to sprint to safety on Monday afternoon. Several more escaped in the early hours of Tuesday, as commandos stormed the cafe.

At a press conference on Tuesday, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn would not say whether Man Haron Monis shot the two hostages himself.

Nor would she confirm media reports that cafe manager Tori Johnson was shot when he grappled with Man Haron Monis. But she said that “every single one of those hostages acted courageously”.

Asked if police stormed the cafe because of something they saw or heard from within the cafe, Commissioner Catherine Burn would say only that “shots were heard and an emergency action plan was activated”.

She said it was “extremely important that I do not say a great deal about the events of the past 24 hours” while the investigation is under way.

The investigation – standard practice when police are involved in a fatal incident – is being led by New South Wales Homicide Squad detectives on behalf of the state’s coroner, and could take weeks or months.

A policeman who was hit in the face by shotgun pellets during the raid has since been discharged from hospital. Three others who suffered gunshot wounds are in a stable condition, NSW Police said in a statement.

Two of the hostages who were pregnant were uninjured but taken to hospital for “health and welfare purposes”, NSW police said.

An exclusion zone remains in place for several blocks around the crime scene, along with some road closures. Police have promised more police on the streets over the holiday period.

During the siege Man Haron Monis apparently forced hostages to hold up a flag showing the Islamic creed in the cafe window.

A church service was held at St Mary Cathedral, near the Lindt Cafe, on December 16 to mourn the victims.

Taliban attack leaves 23 dead at Peshawar school

Roy Siemens
-
0
Taliban attack leaves 23 dead at Peshawar school

A Taliban assault on an army-run school in the Pakistani city of Peshawar left at least 23 people dead and 40 others injured, officials say.

Five or six Talibans wearing security uniforms entered the school, officials said. Gunfire and explosions were heard as security forces surrounded the area.

The army says most of the school’s 500 students have been evacuated. It is not clear how many are being held hostage.

A Taliban spokesman says the assault is in response to army operations.

Hundreds of Taliban fighters are thought to have died in a recent military offensive in North Waziristan and the nearby Khyber area.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

A school worker and a student interviewed by the local Geo TV station said the attackers had entered the Army Public School’s auditorium, where a military team was conducting first-aid training for students.

Ambulances have been carrying the injured to a nearby hospital. A helicopter is also in the area.

Mudassir Awan, a worker at the school, said he saw six or seven attackers.

“As soon as the firing started, we ran to our classrooms,” he said.

“They were entering every class and they were beating the children.”

The dead are said to include teachers, as well as a paramilitary soldier.

[youtube G1ke518rQ3A 650]

2014 Ruble Crisis: Russia’s central bank raises key interest rate from 10.5% to 17%

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
2014 Ruble Crisis: Russia’s central bank raises key interest rate from 10.5% to 17%

Russia’s central bank has raised its key interest rate from 10.5% to 17% overnight.

The bank said the move was to try to ease the ruble’s recent fall in value.

The ruble had lost 50% against the US dollar this year as falling oil prices and Western sanctions continue to weigh on the country’s economy.

Before the move, the dollar bought 67 rubles. The rate rise moved it up to 58 against the dollar, although it has since slipped back to 62.

Since the start of the year, the ruble has lost more than 45% of its value against the dollar.

Most analysts thought the move would work to curb inflation, which is running into double figures.Ruble crisis 2014

Russia’s central bank has tried unsuccessfully to stabilize the currency, buying rubles in the markets.

It has spent more than $70 billion supporting the ruble since the start of the year.

“This decision is aimed at limiting substantially increased ruble depreciation risks and inflation risks,” the central bank said in a statement. The decision is effective from Tuesday, December 16.

The leap in rate follows an increase to the prior rate of 10.5% on December 11 and an increase of 1.5% to 9.5% in October.

Last week, the World Bank warned that Russia’s economy would shrink by at least 0.7% in 2015 if oil prices did not recover. Capital Economics’ latest prediction is for a contraction of 2%.

Raising interest rates has its own risks, as more expensive borrowing can itself slow growth. But it may also stem the tide of money leaving the country.

[youtube Og62Yfvc5bo 650]

Prince George visits Winter Wonderland holiday fair in London’s Hyde Park

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Prince George visits Winter Wonderland holiday fair in London’s Hyde Park

Kate Middleton and 16-month-old Prince George visited the Winter Wonderland holiday fair in London’s Hyde Park.Kate Middleton and Prince George visited the Winter Wonderland holiday fair

The Duchess of Cambridge and her son stopped by the holiday fair on December 12. During the visit, Kate Middleton and Prince George enjoyed a spin on a traditional twirling teacup ride.

Prince George donned an all-white outfit during the Winter Wonderland trip and Kate Middleton kept a low profile, E! Online reported.

[youtube f3-YcOD6DKI 650]

Rio Olympics 2016: Superbug found in sea water samples taken from Flamengo beach

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
Rio Olympics 2016: Superbug found in sea water samples taken from Flamengo beach

Brazilian researchers have discovered a drug-resistant bacterium in the sea waters where sailing and windsurfing events will be held during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The “super-bacteria” is usually found in hospital waste and produces an enzyme, KPC, resistant to antibiotics.

Researchers found the bacteria in samples taken from Flamengo beach.

Nearly 70% of sewage in Rio – a city of some 10 million people – is spilled raw into the waters of Guanabara Bay.

The bacterium was found in samples taken from several locations along the Carioca river.

One of them was at the point where the river flows into the bay on Flamengo beach.Superbug Flamengo beach

Residents have been told to take extra care. Flamengo beach is frequently declared unfit for swimming, but many people disregard the official warnings.

The superbug can cause urinary, gastrointestinal and pulmonary infections.

“The problem is that in case of infection it is possible that treatment involves hospitalization,” said Ana Paula D’Alincourt Carvalho Assef, the study coordinator at Rio’s renowned Oswaldo Cruz Institute.

“Since the super-bacteria is resistant to the most modern medications, doctors need to rely on drugs that are rarely used because they are toxic to the organism,” she told the AP news agency.

In its Olympic bid, Rio promised to reduce pollution in Guanabara Bay by 80%.

In June Rio Mayor Eduardo Silva admitted the target would not be met.

The authorities say they understand athletes’ concerns but insist that water pollution will not pose a major health risk during the Olympics, which will held in August 2016.

Kourtney Kardashian gives birth to third child with Scott Disick

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Kourtney Kardashian gives birth to third child with Scott Disick

Kourtney Kardashian and her long-term partner Scott Disick have welcomed their third child, a baby boy.

Kourtney Kardashian, 35, and Scott Disick, 31, are already parents to Mason, 5, and Penelope, 2.Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick third child

The family’s latest addition was born on Sunday, December 14, when happens to be Mason’s birthday.

[youtube YdTsGikIWKE 650]

Pennsylvania shootings: Six people killed in three locations in Montgomery County

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Pennsylvania shootings: Six people killed in three locations in Montgomery County

Six people have been killed and three wounded in three locations in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, officials say.

Montgomery County police are seeking the suspected gunman, who they named as 35-year-old Bradley William Stone.

They say he may be armed and dangerous, telling residents to remain indoors.

The victims are all said to have a familial relationship to Bradley William Stone, who has been described as having red hair and wearing military fatigues.

He also reportedly uses a cane or a walking stick.

The shootings in Harleysville, Lansdale and Souderton began at about 04:00 local time, according to local media reports.Pennsylvania shootings

One of the victims is believed to be a woman who was killed in her house.

Neighbors said they saw the suspect leave the house with two children, amid reports that the shooting may have been triggered by a custody dispute.

The children were reported to have been found safe a short distance away.

Police officers later surrounded a home in Pennsburg, where the suspect is a resident.

Shelter in place orders were issued for local schools.

[youtube _aMtyisSTbA 650]

Sandy Hook shooting: Families of Adam Lanza’s victims sue gun maker

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Sandy Hook shooting: Families of Adam Lanza’s victims sue gun maker

The families of nine of the 26 people killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 have filed a lawsuit against a rifle manufacturer.

The negligence and wrongful death suit was filed in Connecticut against Bushmaster Firearms International.

The families allege the Bushmaster AR-15 rifle used by Adam Lanza, 20, in the incident should not have been made publicly available because it was designed for military use.

Twenty children died in the attack.

“There is one tragically predictable civilian activity in which the AR-15 reigns supreme: mass shootings,” the court documents state.Adam Lanza Sandy Hook shooter

“Time and again, mentally unstable individuals and criminals have acquired the AR-15 with ease, and they have unleashed the rifle’s lethal power into our streets.”

On December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza killed his mother, Nancy Lanza, before driving to the school and killing 20 children and six adults. He later took his own life when authorities arrived on the scene.

Other defendants in the lawsuit include firearm distributor Camfour and gun store Riverview Gun Sales where Nancy Lanza purchased the AR-15 rifle.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include Bill Sherlach, whose wife was killed in the shooting, as well as the families of victims Vicki Soto, Dylan Hockley, Noah Pozner, Lauren Rousseau, Benjamin Wheeler, Jesse Lewis, Daniel Barden, Rachel D’Avino and Natalie Hammond, who was injured in the attack.

“These companies assume no responsibility for marketing and selling a product to the general population who are not trained to use it nor even understand the power of it,” Bill Sherlach told US media.

Man Haron Monis: Who is Sydney cafe siege gunman?

Roy Siemens
-
0
Man Haron Monis: Who is Sydney cafe siege gunman?

The man who seized hostages inside Lindt cafe in Sydney, Australia, has been identified by police as Man Haron Monis.

The self-styled Muslim cleric was born in Iran and sought political asylum in Australia in 1996.

Man Haron Monis is well known to the Australian police and is currently on bail for being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife.

He is also facing more than 40 s**ual and indecent assault charges.

These relate to time allegedly spent as a self-proclaimed “spiritual healer” who dealt with so-called black magic at a premises in western Sydney, Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Man Haron Monis has previously been convicted of sending offensive letters to the families of deceased Australian soldiers.

There are reports that one of his demands is that an Islamic State flag be delivered to the Lindt cafe in Martin Place.Man Haron Monis Sydney siege gunman

However, Man Haron Monis has no known links to jihadist groups, and commentators have suggested he is likely to be working alone.

Iranian-born Man Haron Monis, also known as Sheikh Haron and Mohammad Hassan Manteghi, wrote on his website that he used to be Shia but is no longer.

He said he “used to be a Rafidi, but not any more”, using a pejorative term that some hard-line Sunni Muslims use to refer to Shias.

Man Haron Monis denied the criminal charges against him, saying they were politically motivated. He compared the accusations of sexual assault against him to the case of Julian Assange, founder of the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks.

His website had been suspended by the time his identity was revealed in the media in connection with the siege.

Man Haron Monis’ former lawyer, Manny Conditsis, told ABC News that Monis was an isolated figure.

“His ideology is just so strong and so powerful that it clouds his vision for common sense and objectiveness,” he said.

Manny Conditsis, who represented Man Haron Monis in 2013 when he was charged with being accessory to the murder of ex-wife Noleen Hayson Pal, said he thought the suspect might feel “he’s got nothing to lose”.

“Hence participating in something as desperate and outrageous as this,” he said.

[youtube IPPD76VchEM 650]

Sydney Lindt cafe siege: Suspected gunman Man Haron Monis dead as police storm Martin Place cafe

Roy Siemens
-
0
Sydney Lindt cafe siege: Suspected gunman Man Haron Monis dead as police storm Martin Place cafe

Police have stormed Sydney’s Lindt cafe, ending a 16-hour siege by a gunman identified as an Iranian refugee who took dozens of hostages.

Paramedics carrying stretchers raced towards the cafe moments after the commandos entered the building. Several people were injured.

Unconfirmed local reports say two people, including the gunman, died.

The centre of the city has been in lockdown since the gunman seized the hostages early on Monday morning.

Early in the siege, hostages were forced to hold up a black Islamic banner at the window.

The cafe is located in Martin Place, a busy shopping area in Sydney’s financial district.

Australia’s PM Tony Abbott said it was “profoundly shocking” that people were being “held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation”.

Shortly after 2AM local time on December 16, several hostages fled from the building.Man Haron Monis Sydney siege

Minutes later, army commandos with assault rifles and wearing helmets and body armor could be seen piling into the cafe, tossing stun grenades ahead of them, and apparently opening fire.

Hostages ran to safety with their hands in the air. A man and a woman were seen being carried to safety by emergency services.

New South Wales police announced the end of the siege at 02:44AM local time in a tweet, promising details later.

The commandos who stormed the building were from the Royal Australian Regiment.

As many as 40 customers and staff were taken hostage. Five managed to escape through a fire exit on Monday afternoon.

Suspected gunman Man Haron Monis, 49, received political asylum in Australia in 1996 and was on bail facing a number of charges.

On a website, now suspended, Man Haron Monis describes himself as a Shia Muslim who converted to Sunni Islam.

The self-styled cleric was described by his former lawyer as an isolated figure.

One of Man Haron Monis’ demands was to have a flag of Islamic State, the Sunni militant group which recently seized territory in Syria and Iraq, to be delivered to the cafe.

Martin Place is home to the state premier’s office and the headquarters of major banks.

At the nearby Sydney Opera House, evening performances were cancelled as shops and offices in the area shut early due to the security situation.

[youtube yelMwzD9KiI 650]

Exodus: Gods and Kings tops US box office on its debut weekend

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Exodus: Gods and Kings tops US box office on its debut weekend

Ridley Scott’s Exodus: Gods and Kings has topped the US box office with takings of $24.5 million on its debut weekend.

Biblical epic Exodus: Gods and Kings cost a reported $140 million.

The movie, which stars Christian Bale as Moses, overtook the third installment of The Hunger Games, following three weeks at number one.

However, the film, also starring Joel Edgerton, Sigourney Weaver and Sir Ben Kingsley, has had mixed reviews.Exosus Gods and Kings

The film’s opening fell well short of other modern biblical epics, including Darren Aronofsky’s Noah which took $43.7 million on its opening weekend in March and 2004’s The Passion of the Christ, which took $83.3 million.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part One remains at No 2 in the box office charts, although ticket sales were down 40% on the previous week, at $13.2 million.

The latest chapter in the franchise, which stars Jennifer Lawrence, has so far has earned a total of $277.4 million over its four-week run in US cinemas.

Spin-off animation, The Penguins of Madagascar, is number three at the box office, with takings of $7.3 million – just ahead of the weekend’s other major new entry, Chris Rock comedy Top Five, which took an estimated $7.2 million.

Awards contenders Wild, starring Reece Witherspoon, and The Theory of Everything, about physicist Stephen Hawking, both took spots in the top 10.

[youtube t-8YsulfxVI 650]

Russian ruble reaches new low against US dollar

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
Russian ruble reaches new low against US dollar

The Russian ruble has fallen to a new low against the US dollar, as falling oil prices and Western sanctions continue to weigh on the country.

As of December 15, it takes more than 60 rubles to buy a single dollar.

The 60 mark is considered a “psychological barrier” for Russia’s national currency.

Since the beginning of 2014, the ruble has lost more than 45% of its value against the dollar.

Russia’s central bank has tried unsuccessfully to stabilize the currency, buying roubles in the markets and raising its main lending rate to 10.5%.

However, those efforts have been overwhelmed by the fall in the price of crude oil – one of the country’s main exports – and by concerns that international sanctions over Ukraine might be stepped up.

Russian authorities appear unable to bring down inflation either – prices are expected to be 10% higher by the end of the year.Russian ruble December 2014

In November, Russia’s central bank announced it was going ahead with a free float of the ruble by abolishing its unofficial link to the euro and the US dollar.

It also announced it was ending automatic interventions to support the currency, instead propping it up only when it was deemed necessary.

The bank had previously supported the ruble when the exchange rate against the euro and dollar exceeded certain limits.

However, last week, the bank admitted it intervened to support the ruble in foreign currency markets, spending a total of $4.53 billion.

The ruble has been heavily affected by the price of oil, which has been in steady decline in recent months.

On December 15, Brent crude fell to almost $60 per barrel – a five-year-low – before recovering to just above $61.

The dip came after the head of oil cartel OPEC reiterated at the weekend that the group would not reduce production to help shore up oil prices.

Russia’s central bank has warned that the country’s gross domestic product could contract by approximately 4.5% next year, if oil remains at $60 a barrel.

[youtube eH7dv8CqImU 650]

Sony Pictures hack attack: Studio contacts news outlets to limit damage

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Sony Pictures hack attack: Studio contacts news outlets to limit damage

In an attempt to limit the damage caused by the hacking of its internal computer system last month, Sony Pictures’ legal team has reportedly contacted some news outlets.

The studio, its letter informed them, “does not consent to your possession… dissemination, publication… or making any use of the stolen information”.

Script details, salary data and private email correspondence have been leaked in the wake of the huge cyber attack.

A group calling itself Guardians of Peace has claimed responsibility.

It is believed that the attack was triggered by Sony’s new film The Interview, a comedy that features a plot to assassinate North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un.Sony Pictures hack attack

North Korea has denied being involved in the attack, but has described it as a “righteous deed” that may have been carried out by its “supporters and sympathizers”.

Variety, the New York Times and the Hollywood Reporter are among the publications understood to have been contacted by Sony’s legal team.

A New York Times spokeswoman said its coverage would “take into account both the significance of the news and the questions of how the information emerged”.

Some of the emails released have contained embarrassing exchanges about some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, among them Angelina Jolie and Leonardo DiCaprio.

The producers of the new James Bond film Spectre have also confirmed that an early version of its script was stolen and “illegally made public by hackers”.

George Clooney is the latest movie star to have had his personal emails disseminated, revealing he was personally stung by the critical reaction to his recent film The Monuments Men.

The revelation that Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams were paid less than their male co-stars in American Hustle has also been widely reported.

Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin is among those to have criticized the media’s apparent complicity with the hackers, accusing it of being “morally treasonous”.

[youtube k6vtFLfPSMM 650]

Belgium: Four gunmen take hostage in Ghent apartment

Roy Siemens
-
0
Belgium: Four gunmen take hostage in Ghent apartment

Four gunmen have entered a flat in the Belgian city of Ghent and police have sealed off the surrounding area.

Unconfirmed reports suggested that the four had taken a man hostage and police urged residents to remain indoors for their own safety.

The gunmen burst into the flat in the Dampoort area of the city, in northern Belgium.

“They’re in the building but it’s not clear what’s going on inside,” a police spokesman said.

Photo AP
Photo AP

The head of Ghent police Filip Rasschaert told De Standaard website that they were carrying out the operation carefully because of the potential involvement of a hostage.

Federal authorities were now in control of the siege, he said.

“They have all they need to bring a successful end to a hostage-taking,” he said.

Belgian TV said that another siege had taken place in Ghent in October, involving a man implicated in an earlier hostage-taking. That incident involved an unpaid debt, it reported.

[youtube LpWpR5GNiSE 650]

Miss World 2014 winner: Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss wins London finale

Lisa.Felice
-
0
Miss World 2014 winner: Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss wins London finale

Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss has been crowned Miss World 2014 during London finale at the ExCel centre on Sunday, December 14.

Miss Hungary Edina Kulcsar was the runner-up and Miss USA Elizabeth Safrit took third place.

The winners were announced on December 14 after a lengthy competition involving contestants from more than 120 countries.Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss crowned Miss World 2014

Each had won the right to represent their country in a series of local and regional competitions.

The 2014 contest was marred by the murder last month of Miss Honduras and her sister in that country.

The first Miss World contest was held 63 years ago in Britain.

[youtube tSglyGCk864 650]

Steve Smith named Australia cricket captain for India Test series

Clyde K. Valle
-
0
Steve Smith named Australia cricket captain for India Test series

Steve Smith has become Australia’s new captain for the rest of the Test series against India, Cricket Australia has announced.

He replaces Michael Clarke, who suffered a serious hamstring injury during the first Test in Adelaide.

Steve Smith, 25, will become Australia’s 45th and third-youngest Test captain when the second Test starts in Brisbane on December 17.Steve Smith Australia cricket captain

“It’s something that I’ve always dreamt of doing,” he said.

“It’s an amazing thrill.”

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who was expected to get the captaincy, has been named as vice-captain.

Chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said Steve Smith was highly regarded not just for his batting but and also his “maturity and clear leadership potential”.

Steve Smith, who has played just 23 Tests and has previously captained New South Wales, scored 162 not out and 52 not out in the recent first-Test victory over India in Adelaide.

Sydney Lindt cafe siege: Gunman holding 40 hostages in Martin Place cafe

Roy Siemens
-
0
Sydney Lindt cafe siege: Gunman holding 40 hostages in Martin Place cafe

Staff and customers at a Lindt cafe in Sydney, Australia, are being held hostage by a gunman.

The Lindt cafe in the city centre is surrounded by armed police. Officers have made contact with the gunman.

Five people have been seen running from the building. It is not clear how many remain inside. A black Islamic flag has been displayed at the window.

Australia’s PM Tony Abbott said it was “profoundly shocking” that people were being “held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation”.

He was speaking after chairing a meeting of the national security committee in Canberra.

Earlier Tony Abbott said: “Australia is a peaceful, open and generous society – nothing should ever change that and that’s why I would urge all Australians today to go about their business as usual.”

Senior police officers say they are on a footing “consistent with a terrorist event”.

The incident began as people were arriving for work in Martin Place on December 15. Witnesses saw a man with a bag and gun walk into the Lindt chocolate shop and cafe.

Lindt said about 10 employees and 30 customers were thought to be inside at the time. Nearby offices were evacuated and police asked people to remain indoors and away from open windows.

An enormous police operation is in place, on a scale few Sydney residents will have seen.

About six hours into the siege, three people were seen running from the building housing the cafe. Two more people followed about an hour later. It is not clear whether they escaped or were released.

New South Wales Police deputy commissioner Catherine Burn said: “Those people are now being assessed to make sure their health is okay and then police will talk to them.”

“Our approach is to resolve this peacefully. It might take a bit of time but that is our priority,” she added.

Police negotiators were in contact with the gunman, Catherine Burn confirmed. The suspect also contacted local media and reportedly issued demands.

In a statement on Facebook, Lindt said it was “deeply concerned over this serious incident”.Sydney Lindt cafe siege

An armed man wearing a backpack and a bandana could be seeing walking around inside the cafe.

TV footage showed at least three people, thought to be employees and who were visibly distressed, holding up to the window a black flag bearing the declaration of Islamic faith, which reads: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.”

The flag is similar to those used by jihadist groups, but is different from the one used by Islamic State militants in the Middle East.

Martin Place is home to the state premier’s office and the headquarters of two of the nation’s largest banks. The state parliament house is also only a few streets away.

Australia – which has sent fighter jets to join the US-led coalition conducting air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq – raised its terror threat level in September.

[youtube Nc5VrRR5PZM 650]

[youtube HM5Dvr4OPCU 650]

Heather Cho visits flight attendants to apologizes in person over nut rage

Nancy Clayson
-
0
Heather Cho visits flight attendants to apologizes in person over nut rage

Former Korean Air VP Heather Cho has tried to apologize in person to two flight attendants for the way she treated them over how she was served nuts.

Heather Cho, also known as Cho Hyun-ah visited the homes of the pair – but both were out, so she left them a note instead.

She had ordered the head steward be removed from a flight after being served nuts in a bag, not on a plate.

The incident forced the flight to Seoul to be delayed. She resigned from her posts in the company afterwards.Korean Air VP Heather Cho apology

The head steward, Park Chang-jin, has alleged that Heather Cho forced him and a female attendant to kneel and beg forgiveness.

However, Heather Cho has denied this: “I’ve never heard such thing. I don’t know anything about it,” AFP quoted her as saying.

Heather Cho told a news conference on Friday that she was sorry for her behavior.

Her father, Korean Air chairman Cho Yang-Ho, also apologized for what he called his daughter’s “foolish act”.

Heather Cho said his daughter would step down from all her posts in companies under the Cho family-owned Hanjin Group, which also owns Korean Air. She had been head of in-flight service for the airline.

The Hanjin Group is one of South Korea’s top family conglomerates, called chaebol.

[youtube qFeQOldYQXA 650]

Japan elections 2014: Shinzo Abe re-elected in low turnout polls

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Japan elections 2014: Shinzo Abe re-elected in low turnout polls

PM Shinzo Abe’s ruling coalition has won a new two-thirds majority in Japan’s parliamentary elections seen as a referendum on his economic policy.

Japanese media reported that Shinzo Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) retained its House of Representatives majority.

The LDP will govern with the Buddhist-backed Komeito party after the parties won 325 seats out of 475.

Shinzo Abe called the snap vote to secure support for his “Abenomics” economic reforms.

The LDP had won 290 seats, with Komeito taking 35, public broadcaster NHK said.Shinzo Abe wins snap elections 2014

The main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan, won 73 seats, an increase of 11, NHK said.

Shinzo Abe was elected in 2012 and has tried to revive the economy by raising public spending and printing money.

After an initial burst of growth, Japan slipped back into recession in the second half of this year, which many economists have blamed, at least in part, on an increase in sales tax, from 5% to 8% in April.

The tax increase was legislated by the previous government in 2012 to curb Japan’s huge public debt, which is the highest among developed nations.

Shinzo Abe says he called the election to get a mandate to delay a second increase in the tax to 10%, scheduled for 2015.

“My <<Abenomics>> policies are still only half-way done,” he said on Decemebr 14, adding that his government would not become “complacent”.

“I am aware that there are still a lot of people who are still not feeling the benefits. But it’s my duty to bring [benefits] to those very people, and I believe this election made that clear.”

Japan is the third-largest economy in the world, according to the World Bank, but it has struggled in recent years.

Voters were choosing who sits in the 475-seat lower house of Japan’s parliament, the Diet.

Reports said turnout at polling stations was low due to voter apathy and heavy snowfall in parts of the country. The government said turnout was at just 35%, two hours before polls closed.

[youtube hSp9bVnEbTU 650]

Turkey: 24 people arrested in police raids on Zaman newspaper and Samanyolu TV station

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Turkey: 24 people arrested in police raids on Zaman newspaper and Samanyolu TV station

EU officials have sharply criticized a mass arrest of media representatives in Turkey.

Foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini and the commissioner heading EU enlargement talks said the arrests went “against European values”.

At least 24 people were arrested in police raids on leading newspaper Zaman and Samanyolu TV station said to have close links with opposition parties.

Those detained are accused of trying to seize control of the state.

The Zaman newspaper and Samanyolu TV channel both have ties to US-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, the spiritual leader of the Hizmet movement.

A former ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Fethullah Gulen – who lives in self-imposed exile – is accused of running a “parallel state” within Turkey.

In a statement, Federica Mogherini and EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said any move towards EU membership depended on “full respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights”.

The raids and arrests “are incompatible with the freedom of media, which is a core principle of democracy,” the pair said in a statement.

“We expect that the principle of presumption of innocence will prevail and recall the inalienable right for an independent and transparent investigation.”

The raids come days after Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged a fresh campaign against Fethullah Gulen’s supporters.Turkey media raids

Journalists, producers, scriptwriters and an eastern Turkey police chief were all arrested, among them the editor-in-chief of Zaman newspaper and the chairman of Samanyolu TV.

Staff at Zaman reported on the incident as police mounted a Sunday morning raid on their offices.

Staff and supporters held placards and chanted “free press cannot be silenced” as police raided the building.

Editor-in-chief Ekrem Dumanli smiled and studied police documents before being led through the newspaper’s headquarters to applause from staff crowded onto balconies.

“Let those who have committed a crime be scared. We are not scared,” Ekrem Dumanli said as he was led into a waiting police car, according to Reuters.

The chairman of Samanyolu TV, which also has links to Fethullah Gulen, was detained in a separate raid in Istanbul.

Hidayet Karaca told reporters the operation was “a disgrace for Turkey” before his arrest.

“Sadly in 21st Century Turkey this is the treatment they dish out to a media group with tens of television and radio stations, internet media and magazines,” the English edition of Zaman quoted him as saying.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Turkey’s main opposition party, called the raids “a coup”.

Staff at Zaman had been expecting the raid after details of the swoop were leaked by a Twitter user known as Fuat Avni, who has previously leaked advance details of police operations.

Spectre script stolen by hackers in Sony Pictures cyber attack

Sonia Pantiss
-
0
Spectre script stolen by hackers in Sony Pictures cyber attack

A version of the script for the new James Bond film, Spectre, has been stolen by hackers during last month’s attack on Sony Pictures.

The producers of Spectre have confirmed that the screenplay was taken as part of a cyber attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment in November.

In a statement on the film’s official website, Eon Productions said they were concerned the script may be published online.

Spectre is due to be released in November 2015.

The statement said: “Eon Productions, the producers of the James Bond films, learned this morning that an early version of the screenplay for the new Bond film SPECTRE is amongst the material stolen and illegally made public by hackers who infiltrated the Sony Pictures Entertainment computer system.

“Eon Productions is concerned that third parties who have received the stolen screenplay may seek to publish it or its contents.”Spectre script stolen

Filming for Spectre began this month after the title and cast were unveiled in London.

A new car was shown off, but few details were given about the plot for the film.

A Sony spokesman denied reports that the cyber attack had forced the studio to stop production.

“Productions are still moving forward,” Robert Lawson told the Reuters news agency.

The James Bond franchise is a valuable asset for Sony Pictures, with Skyfall making $1.1 billion worldwide.

On November 24 hackers disabled the computer network at California-based Sony Pictures.

They also released salary and Social Security numbers for thousands of Sony employees – including celebrities

North Korea has denied being behind the attack in retaliation for a film depicting the country’s leader but praised it as a “righteous deed”. The FBI has confirmed that it is investigating.

[youtube nTPlQEadfBg 650]

Haiti: PM Laurent Lamothe steps down amid violent protests

Diane A. Wade
-
0
Haiti: PM Laurent Lamothe steps down amid violent protests

Haiti’s PM Laurent Lamothe has resigned amid violent anti-government protests over delayed elections.

“I am leaving the post of prime minister this evening with a feeling of accomplishment,” Laurent Lamothe said in a televised address.

Protesters had called for President Michel Martelly and Laurent Lamothe to resign.

Michel Martelly was to have called polls in 2011, but they were postponed in a stalemate over electoral law.

Opposition politicians accuse Michel Martelly of wanting to rule by decree and that legislation that would authorize the vote unfairly favors the government.Haiti PM Laurent Lamothe resigns

The government argues that opposition politicians are dragging their feet in the hope of extending their time in office without elections.

Parliament’s mandate expires in January, and unless elections are held, Michel Martelly would rule by decree.

A commission set up to break the stalemate said on December 12 that PM Laurent Lamothe should resign, along with the head of the Supreme Court and the country’s election commission.

Michel Martelly said earlier that the accepted the commission’s findings, and would meet government officials on December 15 to discuss them.

Haiti is also still struggling to recover from a devastating 2010 earthquake.

[youtube p-9BYJYniZ8 650]

Lima climate change talks 2014: UN delegates reach agreement

James J. Williams
-
0
Lima climate change talks 2014: UN delegates reach agreement

UN delegates at Lima talks in Peru have reached an agreement on how countries should tackle climate change.

They have approved a framework for setting national pledges to be submitted to a summit next year.

Differences over the draft text caused the talks in Lima to overrun by two days.

Environmental groups have criticized the deal as a weak and ineffectual compromise, saying it weakens international climate rules.

The talks proved difficult because of divisions between rich and poor countries over the scale and scope of plans to tackle global warming.

None of the 194 countries attending the talks walked away with everything they wanted, but everybody got something.Lima climate change talks 2014

Peru’s environment minister, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, who chaired the summit, told reporters: “As a text it’s not perfect, but it includes the positions of the parties.”

The agreement was adopted hours after a previous draft was rejected by developing countries, who accused rich nations of shirking their responsibilities to fight global warming and pay for its impacts.

The final draft is said to have alleviated those concerns with by saying countries have “common but differentiated responsibilities”.

“We’ve got what we wanted,” Indian environment minister Prakash Javedekar told reporters, saying the document preserved the notion that richer nations had to lead the way in making cuts in emissions.

It also restored a promise to poorer countries that a “loss and damage” scheme would be established to help them cope with the financial implications of rising temperatures.

However, it weakened language on national pledges, saying countries “may” instead of “shall” include quantifiable information showing how they intend to meet their emissions targets.

Sam Smith, chief of climate policy for the environmental group WWF, said: “The text went from weak to weaker to weakest and it’s very weak indeed.”

The talks followed last month’s agreement on emissions targets between the US and China, but hopes soon faded after delegates began the talks in Lima on December 1 that it would encourage wider global agreement.

On December 14, US climate envoy Todd Stern had warned that the deadlock in the negotiations threatened the chances of a new global deal in 2015.

“Failing to produce the decision before us will be seen as a major breakdown, and will deal a serious blow to the confidence of the parties and others as we approach Paris. And indeed to the hope of a Paris agreement,” Todd Stern said.

[youtube WuxL3YYob3Y 650]

1...464465466...1,245Page 465 of 1,245