DRUG TRAFFICKINGLeave a comment

Batman-labelled cocaine haul seized at sea in New Zealand

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New Zealand’s navy has intercepted a floating haul of cocaine in the Pacific Ocean in what the country says is its largest drug bust ever. The stash – weighing total 3.2 tonnes (3,200kg) and worth NZ$500m ($316m) – was found drifting hundreds of kilometres northwest of New Zealand. Police believed it was destined for Australia, where it would have been enough to serve that market for a year. The packages were strung up with buoys and some labelled with a Batman symbol. Pictures released by New Zealand police and defence officials also showed cocaine packets labelled with a clover leaf … Continue reading Batman-labelled cocaine haul seized at sea in New Zealand

NATURAL DISASTERLeave a comment

Turkish football club goalkeeper Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan dies in earthquake

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Turkish goalkeeper Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan has died following Monday’s earthquake in his home country, his club Yeni Malatyaspor has confirmed. More than 5,000 people have lost their lives in Turkey and Syria following the earthquake. “Our goalkeeper, Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan, lost his life after being under the collapse of the earthquake. Rest in peace,” the club said on Twitter. “We will not forget you, beautiful person,” it added. Turkaslan, 28, played six times for Turkish second division club Yeni Malatyaspor after joining in 2021. Former Crystal Palace and Everton winger Yannick Bolasie, who currently plays for Turkish second tier side Caykur … Continue reading Turkish football club goalkeeper Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan dies in earthquake

MONARCHYLeave a comment

Harry and Meghan to be questioned in Samantha Markle defamation case

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be questioned as part of a US defamation case brought by Meghan’s half-sister. Samantha Markle is suing Meghan for “defamation and injurious falsehoods” following the couple’s interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. She alleges she was defamed when Meghan “falsely and maliciously” said she was “an only child”. A motion brought by Meghan to stop depositions in the civil case from taking place was dismissed by a judge. A deposition is a formal statement of evidence in the US, required to be taken of a witness or party to litigation by a court. … Continue reading Harry and Meghan to be questioned in Samantha Markle defamation case

BUSINESSLeave a comment

US-China trade hits record high despite rising tensions

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Trade between the US and China hit a record high last year even as their diplomatic relations deteriorated. Imports and exports between the two countries totalled $690.6bn in 2022, official figures show. Relations between the countries have hit new lows in recent days after a Chinese balloon travelled across the US. Beijing denies US claim it was used for spying. The world’s two biggest economies have also been in a trade war since 2018. The new figures show that US imports from China increased to $536.8bn last year as American shoppers spent more on Chinese-made goods, including toys and mobile phones. In … Continue reading US-China trade hits record high despite rising tensions

SPORTSLeave a comment

LeBron James breaks NBA all-time scoring record

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LeBron James has become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 39-year-old record. Los Angeles Lakers star James, 38, hit 38 points in a 133-130 defeat by the Oklahoma City Thunder to surpass Abdul-Jabbar’s mark of 38,387. Abdul-Jabbar initially broke the scoring record in April 1984, eight months before James was born. “To be able to be in the presence of a legend and great as Kareem, it means so much to me,” said James. James, who needed 36 points to break the record, did so with a fadeaway jumper at the end of the third quarter and he … Continue reading LeBron James breaks NBA all-time scoring record

TECHNOLOGYLeave a comment

Microsoft unveils new Bing with ChatGPT powers

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Microsoft has announced a new version of its search engine Bing, which incorporates the latest in artificial intelligence. The overhaul deploys OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology, which has taken the world by storm since its launch last year. The move is by far the biggest threat Google has seen to its dominance in web search – and marks the beginning of an AI arms race between the companies. “The race starts today,” Microsoft boss Satya Nadella said. Developed by Microsoft-backed OpenAI, ChatGPT uses deep learning techniques to generate human-like responses to search requests. Mr Nadella said he thought it was poised to … Continue reading Microsoft unveils new Bing with ChatGPT powers

SPORTSLeave a comment

WWE legend Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler in ‘very serious’ condition in hospital

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Legendary WWE commentator Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler is reportedly in a ‘very serious’ condition in hospital. Lawler, 73, joined WWE in 1992 as a wrestler and has had several spells in the commentary box over the course of his career. He is believed to have had lunch at home with friends on Monday near his home in Fort Myers, Florida when he suffered a stroke, reports Action News 5. Lawler is said to have undergone surgery, with WWE journalist Dave Meltzer reporting he is “awake, but his situation is very serious.” The WWE is yet to release a statement but a … Continue reading WWE legend Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler in ‘very serious’ condition in hospital

GOVERNMENTLeave a comment

Thousands attend funeral of ex-Pakistan military leader Pervez Musharraf

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Thousands have attended funeral prayers for Pakistan’s divisive former president General Pervez Musharraf. The ex-military ruler, who was president from 2001-2008, died in Dubai on Sunday after a long illness, and his body was repatriated to Pakistan. The prayers took place at a military compound in Karachi, but senior figures were notably absent, including the army chief and Pakistan’s current president. An estimated 10,000 people attended the prayers, mainly retired and serving military officers, AFP news agency reported. A junior army officer at the site who asked not to be named said a gun salute was given to the former … Continue reading Thousands attend funeral of ex-Pakistan military leader Pervez Musharraf

HUMAN INTERESTLeave a comment

Dramatic rescue saves Thai baby who fell down well

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A baby girl has been rescued by authorities after she fell down a deep well in northern Thailand. The 19-month-old child fell down the 13m (42ft) deep shaft while playing on Monday afternoon in Tak province, near the Myanmar border. Authorities launched an overnight rescue operation after the girl’s parents – who had been working in a nearby field – raised the alarm. She was taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries, officials said. “She has signs of fatigue but still has good vital signs,” local police chief Ratsaran Ketsoising told AFP. Panic was sparked after the baby girl … Continue reading Dramatic rescue saves Thai baby who fell down well

CRIMELeave a comment

South Korea stalker jailed 40 years for killing woman in subway

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A man in South Korea has been sentenced to 40 years in jail for killing a female colleague who had reported him for stalking and harassment. The case sparked an outcry and calls for legal reform in South Korea, after police failed to act adequately on the victim’s repeated complaints. Jeon Joo-hwan, 31, was convicted of stabbing the woman to death in a subway restroom in central Seoul last year. A Seoul court on Tuesday said it had been a “revenge killing”. Jeon, a subway worker, had become obsessed with his 28-year-old female co-worker, stalking and threatening her over two … Continue reading South Korea stalker jailed 40 years for killing woman in subway

ENTERTAINMENTLeave a comment

John Cleese to revive Fawlty Tower series with daughter

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Comedy series Fawlty Towers is set to be revived after more than 40 years. John Cleese, who played Basil Fawlty, will be returning to write and star alongside his daughter Camilla Cleese. The two-series show, which featured on BBC2 in 1975 and 1979, followed the lives of Torquay hotelier Basil and his wife Sybil as they tried to keep their business and marriage afloat. The new series will explore how the dramatic and cynical Basil navigates the modern world. Castle Rock Entertainment announced on Tuesday it had closed a deal with Cleese to bring back the television series. The revival … Continue reading John Cleese to revive Fawlty Tower series with daughter

ASIALeave a comment

New Zealand pilot taken hostage by separatists in Indonesia

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A New Zealand pilot has been taken hostage by separatist fighters in Indonesia’s Papua region who have threatened to kill him. The man was taken after his plane was set alight when it landed in the mountainous district of Nduga. Five passengers who were on board, including a young child, are thought to have been released. The separatists want Indonesia to recognise the independence of the province of West Papua. Police have said they are investigating the incident – but say this is logistically difficult as the area can only be reached by air. The pilot has been named as … Continue reading New Zealand pilot taken hostage by separatists in Indonesia