Thursday, 1 January 2015
Syria conflict: 76,000 die in deadliest year
The year 2014 was the deadliest year yet in Syria's four-year conflict, with over 76,000 killed, activists say.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 17,790 of the dead were civilians, including 3,501 children.Meanwhile more than 15,000 died in conflicts in Iraq in 2014, making it that country's worst year since 2007.
Much of the violence comes as a result of advances by Islamic State and other militants groups in the two countries.
US-led air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants, fighting between government troops and rebels in Syria, and sectarian violence in Iraq have also accounted for large numbers of deaths.
The air strikes continued on Thursday, with 17 against IS targets near the Syrian cities of Raqqa, Kobane and Deir al-Zour and 12 near the Iraqi cities of Falluja, Mosul and Sinjar.
Meanwhile Syrian President Bashar al-Assad marked the new year with a visit to front-line troops in the Damascus suburb of Jobar.
Mr Assad's Twitter and Facebook accounts showed pictures of him talking to two soldiers by a tank and shaking hands with a third.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was seen visiting troops in a Damascus suburb
It said a total of 76,021 had died, slightly up on 2013's toll of 73,447 and bringing the total number of deaths since the conflict began in 2011 to more than 200,000.
Of the 2014 deaths, the Observatory said:
- At least 22,627 were government soldiers or members of pro-government militias
- Almost 17,000 were militants from groups including IS and al-Nusra Front
- More than 15,000 were from moderate rebel groups and Islamist factions
- Civilians made up 17,790 of the dead
It said 15,538 people had died and more than 22,000 were injured during the course of the year.
The UK-based NGO Iraq Body Count gave an even higher figure of 17,073 civilian deaths.
The NGO said there was a "new brutality on the ground and renewed attack from the air", with IS and the Iraqi army causing thousands of casualties, and US-led air strikes also responsible for civilian deaths.
The year began with the government losing control of Falluja and parts of Ramadi in western Iraq.
In June, a huge offensive by IS left large parts of northern Iraq in militant hands, including the second city Mosul.
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry has announced his
retirement from football after a trophy-laden 20-year career.
The 1998 World Cup winner, and Arsenal's all-time
leading goalscorer, left New York Red Bulls this month but there was
speculation he might choose to play on at another club.
"It has been an incredible journey," said the 37-year-old.
Henry is joining Sky Sports after being a World Cup pundit for the BBC.
The Frenchman, who also played for Monaco, Juventus, and Barcelona, scored 175 Premier League goals and is fourth on the list of all-time scorers.
Henry won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups with the Gunners, where he played between 1999 and 2007.
He added the Champions League trophy with Barcelona in 2009 and returned to Arsenal for four matches on loan from the Red Bulls in 2012, coming on as a substitute to score the winner against Leeds in the third round of the FA Cup.
When asked if he had considered another stint at the Emirates, he told Sky Sports: "You kind of never leave Arsenal."
But he added that another comeback might prove costly, referencing the 'Rocky' films starring Sylvester Stallone.
"At one point, it will turn out to be a bad move," he said. "We all love the first Rocky, but I'm not too sure about the last one."
Henry, France's record goalscorer, made his Monaco debut in 1994 and helped the club to the French Ligue 1 title in 1997.
In 1998, he was an unused substitute in the World Cup final victory over Brazil, though he went on to score three goals as France won Euro 2000.
"I would like to thank all the fans, team-mates and individuals involved with AS Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona, the New York Red Bulls and, of course, the French national team that have made my time in the game so special," said Henry in a statement.
"I have had some amazing memories (mostly good!) and a wonderful experience. I hope you have enjoyed watching as much as I have enjoyed taking part. See you on the other side."
A number of current and former players have tweeted their reactions to Henry's retirement:
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey: "Congratulations on an outstanding career @ThierryHenry. Top player. Top guy. #Legend"
MOTD presenter Gary Lineker: "Congratulations to @ThierryHenry on a truly wonderful career. One of the great footballers of our time and a top bloke. Bonne chance."
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge: "Happy retirement to my hero and idol @ThierryHenry. Wish you all the best in the next chapter."
Arsenal striker Kelly Smith: "Congrats to @ThierryHenry on a fantastic career. Loved watching him play. What a player."
Arsenal winger Theo Walcott: "A true inspiration to me in my career."
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil: "Once you enchanted all of us - now I can only say: Thanks for everything! @ThierryHenry #ArsenalLegend"
Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel: "@ThierryHenry congratulations on an amazing career... one of the best I've faced over the last 23 years!"
Monday, 8 December 2014
Syria Conflict: UN in record humanitarian aid appeal
Syria conflict: UN in record humanitarian aid appeal
The UN says it will need a record $16bn (£10.5bn; 13.3bn euros) to fund its humanitarian operations next year, with almost half the total going to help victims of the Syrian conflict.
It says the money will provide aid for more than 57 million of the most vulnerable people around the world
The UN humanitarian chief said the level of need was "unprecedented".
The request comes as aid agencies warn they are running out of cash to fund this year's operations in Syria.
Last week the World Food Programme announced it would have to cut food rations to Syrian refugees.
The UN is requesting $2.8bn to help those displaced by the conflict inside Syria.
It is seeking another $4.4bn to help more than 3,250,000 Syrian refugeesregistered in neighbouring countries.
"The rising scale of need is outpacing our capacity to respond," said UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos. "The crises in Central African Republic, Iraq, South Sudan and Syria will remain top humanitarian priorities next year."
Thursday, 27 November 2014
Japan reporters pleads innocent in S.Korea trial
Japan's reporter pleads innocent in S. Korea trial
Tatsuya
Kato, center, former Seoul bureau chief of Japan's Sankei Shimbun,
arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea,
Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014. A trial has begun for the Japanese journalist
charged with defaming South Korea's president by reporting rumors that
she was absent for seven hours during a ferry disaster in April because
she was with a man. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
The indictment of Tatsuya Kato of Japan's Sankei Shimbun newspaper has raised questions about South Korea's press freedoms. Critics accuse South Korean President Park Geun-hye's conservative government of clamping down on journalists in an attempt to control her image. It also comes at a low point for Japanese-Korean relations due to a territorial dispute over a small island and conflicts over wartime history.
Kato was indicted over his Aug. 3 article about Park's whereabouts on the day the Sewol ferry sank and killed more than 300 passengers, mostly teenagers on a school trip. The article repeated rumors in South Korean media and the financial industry about a relationship between Park and a former aide who was said to be married at the time.
Park and her government have been criticized for the botched rescue operation on the ferry, and South Korean media had questioned whether she was unaccounted for on the day of the disaster.
Park's office has denied that she was with the former aide.
The lawyers representing Kato, who has been banned from leaving the country but is not under arrest, said in court that the article was in the public interest, according to court spokesman Kim Dae-hyun.
"The article (I wrote) was to let the Japanese people know about South Koreans' view on President Park," Japan's Kyodo News agency quoted Kato as saying.
The case has opened a debate on freedom of expression in South Korea, where the charge of defaming the president has been rarely used. If convicted, Kato could face a maximum prison sentence of seven years or a fine of 50 million won ($45,500).
Japan's Foreign Ministry last month summoned a South Korean diplomat in Tokyo to protest the indictment. The Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club in October issued an open letter to prosecutor general Kim Jin-tae, expressing concern that Kato's indictment could have an "adverse impact" for the country's media. Moon Jae-in, an opposition lawmaker and Park's main rival in the 2012 presidential elections, told reporters on Tuesday that the prosecution's decision to indict Kato was an "embarrassment."
Until the late 1980s, South Korea was ruled by a succession of military dictators, including Park's father, Park Chung-hee, who suppressed journalists and dissenters.
$3M wizard of Oz lion constume
Wizard of Oz' Cowardly Lion costume fetches $3M
AP
This
Nov. 21, 2014 photo shows Bert Lahr's Cowardly Lion costume and a
three-sheet poster from "The Wizard of Oz," part of the "There's No
Place Like Hollywood" movie memorabilia auction at Bonhams auction house
in New York. Lahr’s costume will be auctioned with other Hollywood
items Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
NEW YORK (AP) — The Cowardly Lion
costume from the classic film "The Wizard of Oz" and the piano from the
movie "Casablanca" each sold for over $3 million at a New York City
auction.
They were among Hollywood memorabilia offered at Bonhams on Monday.
The big cat outfit, which went for just over $3 million, had been authenticated as the one Bert Lahr wore in the 1939 film. Its face is a sculpted likeness of the late actor.
A spokesman for costume owner James Comisar says a secondary costume used in the film sold at auction in recent years for close to $1 million.
Comisar has a trove of TV memorabilia from shows including "I Love Lucy" and "Lost." He has said he plans to use money from the Cowardly Lion costume sale to exhibit his collection.
The upright "Casablanca" piano fetched $3.4 million.
They were among Hollywood memorabilia offered at Bonhams on Monday.
The big cat outfit, which went for just over $3 million, had been authenticated as the one Bert Lahr wore in the 1939 film. Its face is a sculpted likeness of the late actor.
A spokesman for costume owner James Comisar says a secondary costume used in the film sold at auction in recent years for close to $1 million.
Comisar has a trove of TV memorabilia from shows including "I Love Lucy" and "Lost." He has said he plans to use money from the Cowardly Lion costume sale to exhibit his collection.
The upright "Casablanca" piano fetched $3.4 million.
Arsenal join Atletico Madrid and Bayer leverkusen in champions league
Arsenal join Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen in Champions League Last 16
November 27, 2014 -- Updated 0026 GMT (0826 HKT)
Sanchez's strike ensured Arsene Wenger's Arsenal reached the Champions League knockout stages for the 15th straight year.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen all qualify for Last 16 on Wednesday
- Real Madrid maintain 100% record and equal club record winning run
- Ronaldo's 71st Champions League goal moves him joint second on all-time scoring list
- Five-time champions Liverpool held by Bulgarians Ludogorets
He achieved his latest
qualification after goals from Yaya Sanogo, his first for the club at
the 19th attempt, and Alexis Sanchez secured a 2-0 home win over
Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund's compatriots Bayer Leverkusen and Spaniards Atletico Madrid also made it through to the Last 16 on Wednesday.
"It's not easy to be consistent so I am very proud of that," Wenger said after the game.
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