Chinese media are lashing out against Donald Trump amid a diplomatic spat over a US underwater drone seized by Beijing, with one newspaper saying the President-elect has no idea "how to lead a superpower".
The seizure of the US Navy's unmanned underwater glider in the South China Sea is one of the most serious incidents between the world's two largest military powers in years.
China's foreign ministry said on Monday that the two militaries are having "unimpeded" talks about the return of the drone, but tensions remain high.
The Global Times, a newspaper with close ties to the ruling Communist Party, said in an editorial that "Trump is not behaving as a president who will become master of the White House in a month.
"He bears no sense of how to lead a superpower".
The state-owned China Daily newspaper said Mr Trump's behaviour "could easily drive China-US relations into what Obama portrays as 'full-conflict mode'."
A separate article quoted experts as calling Mr Trump's behaviour "diplomatically inept".
The drone, known as an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), was taken on Thursday in waters off the coast of the Philippines, the first seizure of its kind in recent memory.
The US said China's "unlawful seizure" came in international waters. It said the device was collecting scientific data such as temperatures.
China said the drone had been snatched since it might pose a safety hazard to other vessels and pointedly accused the US of sending ships "in China's presence" to conduct "military surveying."
China's ministry of defence on Saturday had slammed alleged American "hyping" of China's capture of the drone as "inappropriate and unhelpful".
Beijing said it would give it back, but Mr Trump said Beijing should be told "we don't want the drone they stole back" and "let them keep it!"
In one of those tweets, he had called China's move an "unpresidented (sic) act", with the misspelled word going viral, to much ridicule, before he deleted it and tweeted the same thing again without the error.
"What is truly amazing about this tweet, was the soon-to-be US president completely misrepresented what had actually happened - that is more dangerous than funny," China Daily said.
Mr Trump has already infuriated Beijing by questioning longstanding US "One China" policy on Taiwan, calling Beijing a currency manipulator and threatening punitive tariffs on Chinese imports.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Pardon Edward Snowden, a whistleblower who acted in the public interest
Edward Snowden blew the whistle on illegal government surveillance, but faces decades in jail for it
When Edward Snowden shared US intelligence documents with journalists in June 2013, he revealed the shocking extent of global mass surveillance. He showed how governments were secretly hoovering up huge chunks of our personal communications, including private emails, phone locations, web histories and so much more. All without our consent.
His courage changed the world. He sparked a global debate, changing laws and helping to protect our privacy. For the first time in 40 years, the USA passed laws to control government surveillance. Globally, technology companies including Apple and WhatsApp are now doing more to protect our personal information.
None of this would have happened without Edward. A former US Attorney General admitted that his revelations “performed a public service”. Even President Obama said that this debate about surveillance “will make us stronger”.
Edward is a human rights hero. Yet he faces decades in prison, accused of selling secrets to enemies of the USA. With no guarantee of a fair trial in his home country, he is living in limbo in Russia.
Sign the petition to President Obama:
I urge you to grant a Presidential Pardon to Edward Snowden as a whistleblower who spoke out to defend our human rights.
When he shared US intelligence documents with journalists, Edward revealed how governments were scooping up our personal data, including phone calls, emails and much more. His actions sparked a global debate which changed laws and protected our privacy. Yet he’s forced to live in exile and faces decades in prison.
President Obama, you yourself have said that the debate he triggered on surveillance “will make us stronger”. Edward Snowden is a human rights hero. Please treat him like one.
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Post Office staff join wave of strikes with five-day walkout
Post Office staff are the latest to join those taking part in a wave of strikes that will hit several industries in the run-up to Christmas.
The Communication Workers Union said around 3,500 workers would take part in its industrial action, hitting hundreds of Crown Post Offices.
They will join rail and air workers in disputes about issues such as jobs, pay, pensions and safety.
The five-day CWU strike is in protest at job losses, the closure of a final salary pension scheme and the franchising of Crown Post Offices.
The strike is due to get under way today with a demonstration outside the headquarters of the Government's Business Department.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union working for Southern Railway will strike on Monday and Tuesday in a long-running dispute over the role of conductors.
The firm's Aslef members are also working to rule in an ongoing dispute, the effects of which have caused chaos for Southern's 300,000 passengers.
Meanwhile, British Airways cabin crew who are members of the Unite union are due to strike on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
That action is due to a row over pay although talks aimed at resolving the dispute will be held at Acas today.
Other Unite members employed as baggage handlers and other ground staff by Swissport are set to walk out on Friday and Saturday over pay.
Acas is due to hold talks to resolve that dispute on Tuesday.
Union officials have denied the strikes have been co-ordinated in an attempt to bring down the Government.
The Sunday Times claimed that RMT president Sean Hoyle says unions are aiming to "bring down this bloody working-class hating Tory government".
Footage obtained by Sky News of Mr Hoyle addressing a Socialist Party rally shows him quoting former RMT general secretary Bob Crow in saying "if you spit on your own, just wipe it away, but if we all spit together, we can drown the ********".
RMT general secretary Mick Cash told the Press Association: "We are a serious trade union dealing with serious issues around safety on the railways. That is our absolute priority.
"RMT is not party to any Trotskyist conspiracy to bring down the Government. Our conductor members on Southern are on strike this week in defence of the safety of the travelling public and that remains the focus of the entire union."
CWU General secretary Dave Ward said his members were striking because a continuing closure programme which would mean that the Post Office will cease to exist on high streets.
Kevin Gilliland, Post Office, group network and sales director, said the action would affect fewer than 300 branches.
He said: "We are disappointed that, whilst we've been holding discussions with the union throughout this week and have made it clear we remain open to further, formal talks at the most senior level, they are continuing to cause concern to customers during the festive season."
The strikes do not involve Royal Mail staff, but the Daily Telegraph reported that some Royal Mail staff may refuse to cross picket lines.
Virgin Atlantic pilots will also work "strictly to contract" from 23 December and Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association and RMT on London Underground are continuing with an overtime ban.
The Communication Workers Union said around 3,500 workers would take part in its industrial action, hitting hundreds of Crown Post Offices.
They will join rail and air workers in disputes about issues such as jobs, pay, pensions and safety.
The five-day CWU strike is in protest at job losses, the closure of a final salary pension scheme and the franchising of Crown Post Offices.
The strike is due to get under way today with a demonstration outside the headquarters of the Government's Business Department.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union working for Southern Railway will strike on Monday and Tuesday in a long-running dispute over the role of conductors.
The firm's Aslef members are also working to rule in an ongoing dispute, the effects of which have caused chaos for Southern's 300,000 passengers.
Meanwhile, British Airways cabin crew who are members of the Unite union are due to strike on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
That action is due to a row over pay although talks aimed at resolving the dispute will be held at Acas today.
Other Unite members employed as baggage handlers and other ground staff by Swissport are set to walk out on Friday and Saturday over pay.
Acas is due to hold talks to resolve that dispute on Tuesday.
Union officials have denied the strikes have been co-ordinated in an attempt to bring down the Government.
The Sunday Times claimed that RMT president Sean Hoyle says unions are aiming to "bring down this bloody working-class hating Tory government".
Footage obtained by Sky News of Mr Hoyle addressing a Socialist Party rally shows him quoting former RMT general secretary Bob Crow in saying "if you spit on your own, just wipe it away, but if we all spit together, we can drown the ********".
RMT general secretary Mick Cash told the Press Association: "We are a serious trade union dealing with serious issues around safety on the railways. That is our absolute priority.
"RMT is not party to any Trotskyist conspiracy to bring down the Government. Our conductor members on Southern are on strike this week in defence of the safety of the travelling public and that remains the focus of the entire union."
CWU General secretary Dave Ward said his members were striking because a continuing closure programme which would mean that the Post Office will cease to exist on high streets.
Kevin Gilliland, Post Office, group network and sales director, said the action would affect fewer than 300 branches.
He said: "We are disappointed that, whilst we've been holding discussions with the union throughout this week and have made it clear we remain open to further, formal talks at the most senior level, they are continuing to cause concern to customers during the festive season."
The strikes do not involve Royal Mail staff, but the Daily Telegraph reported that some Royal Mail staff may refuse to cross picket lines.
Virgin Atlantic pilots will also work "strictly to contract" from 23 December and Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association and RMT on London Underground are continuing with an overtime ban.
Russian plane crashes in Siberia with 16 injured
An IL-18 aeroplane belonging to the Russian defence ministry has crashed in Yakutia in Siberia with 39 people on board.
The defence ministry said 16 people were seriously injured, correcting earlier reports that 27 had died.
The plane was carrying 32 passengers and seven crew when it came down near Tiksi in the Bulun district of Russia's far east.
Weather conditions were reportedly bad in the area when the crash happened.
The plane was carrying out a scheduled flight from Kansk when it came down about 30km (18 miles) short of Tiksi at 04:45 (19:45 GMT Sunday).
The plane broke into three pieces in what appears to have been an emergency landing.
Three Mi-8 helicopters were despatched to the crash site by Russia's Emergency Ministry.
As well as the 16 seriously injured, another seven people on board the plane required hospital treatment.
The defence ministry said 16 people were seriously injured, correcting earlier reports that 27 had died.
The plane was carrying 32 passengers and seven crew when it came down near Tiksi in the Bulun district of Russia's far east.
Weather conditions were reportedly bad in the area when the crash happened.
The plane was carrying out a scheduled flight from Kansk when it came down about 30km (18 miles) short of Tiksi at 04:45 (19:45 GMT Sunday).
The plane broke into three pieces in what appears to have been an emergency landing.
Three Mi-8 helicopters were despatched to the crash site by Russia's Emergency Ministry.
As well as the 16 seriously injured, another seven people on board the plane required hospital treatment.
Israeli settlers agree to leave illegal Amona outpost
Israeli Jewish settlers of a settlement in the occupied West Bank have agreed to a plan to relocate their hilltop outpost peacefully that could allow the government to avoid a potentially violent clash.
The 40 families living at Amona, northeast of Ramallah, face a high court order to leave the site by December 25 because it was found to have been built on private Palestinian land.
The approaching deadline led to efforts to resolve peacefully the situation, with the settlers refusing to leave and several hundred Jewish youths streaming into the outpost in recent days in support.
However, after hours of a debate on Sunday, outpost residents approved a revised government proposal to relocate by a vote of 45 for and 29 against, a spokesman wrote on the outpost's Twitter account.
"After 20 years of pioneering settlements against all odds, and after two long years, we have decided to suspend the struggle," Amona residents said in a statement.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister, had earlier pressured outpost residents to accept the deal, saying "we have done the maximum".
"Until dawn this morning we made very great efforts to reach an agreed solution on Amona," he said at the start of Sunday's cabinet meeting.
The 40 families living at Amona, northeast of Ramallah, face a high court order to leave the site by December 25 because it was found to have been built on private Palestinian land.
The approaching deadline led to efforts to resolve peacefully the situation, with the settlers refusing to leave and several hundred Jewish youths streaming into the outpost in recent days in support.
However, after hours of a debate on Sunday, outpost residents approved a revised government proposal to relocate by a vote of 45 for and 29 against, a spokesman wrote on the outpost's Twitter account.
"After 20 years of pioneering settlements against all odds, and after two long years, we have decided to suspend the struggle," Amona residents said in a statement.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister, had earlier pressured outpost residents to accept the deal, saying "we have done the maximum".
"Until dawn this morning we made very great efforts to reach an agreed solution on Amona," he said at the start of Sunday's cabinet meeting.
Several hundred allowed to escape east Aleppo as evacuations resume
Several hundred people have been allowed to leave besieged east Aleppo after evacuations were held up for several days.
Buses containing 500 people were able to leave a rebel-held pocket late on Sunday even though officially evacuations were postponed.
Dozens of buses had entered the city earlier in the day but an operation to take people to safety was called off after an attack in another part of Syria.
TV pictures showed people receiving food, water, blankets and clothes after being taken to the al Rashidin district.
The area is in rebel-held territory to the west of Aleppo and was earlier in the week used as a holding area for refugees from eastern Aleppo who were allowed to head to the Idlib region, according to the Russian news agency Interfax.
On Saturday, Reuters reported that the evacuations were being prevented by Shia militias who were insisting that people in two villages besieged by rebel forces in Idlib province also be evacuated.
Then on Sunday, an attack on buses due to take the evacuees from Al Foua and Kefraya, the two villages besieged by insurgents, further complicated matters.
Syrian state TV had said earlier on Sunday that about 1,200 civilians would initially be evacuated from east Aleppo and a similar number from the two villages.
Five buses and an ambulance were eventually able to get under way from east Aleppo after a convoy was cleared to drive to al Rashidin.
It was not clear whether the earlier burning of the buses heading to the two villages would have any impact on the departure of more convoys.
Thousands of civilians are feared to have been trapped in east Aleppo after Syrian government forces crushed rebels in the city.
An unknown number have been forced to spend several nights outdoors in freezing temperatures waiting to leave after a deal between rebel leaders and forces loyal to Bashar al Assad stalled.
The buses were accompanied by representatives from the Red Cross and Syrian Red Crescent.
International Red Cross Committee regional director Robert Mardini tweeted at around 10.30pm UK time: "Finally, 5 buses & 1 ambulance escorted by @SARC_Aleppo & @ICRC_sy just left dark & cold E #Aleppo. Hopeful operation will proceed smoothly."
It came as the United Nations Security Council reached an agreement on a compromise resolution to send independent officials to monitor the evacuation of civilians from Aleppo.
Buses containing 500 people were able to leave a rebel-held pocket late on Sunday even though officially evacuations were postponed.
Dozens of buses had entered the city earlier in the day but an operation to take people to safety was called off after an attack in another part of Syria.
TV pictures showed people receiving food, water, blankets and clothes after being taken to the al Rashidin district.
The area is in rebel-held territory to the west of Aleppo and was earlier in the week used as a holding area for refugees from eastern Aleppo who were allowed to head to the Idlib region, according to the Russian news agency Interfax.
On Saturday, Reuters reported that the evacuations were being prevented by Shia militias who were insisting that people in two villages besieged by rebel forces in Idlib province also be evacuated.
Then on Sunday, an attack on buses due to take the evacuees from Al Foua and Kefraya, the two villages besieged by insurgents, further complicated matters.
Syrian state TV had said earlier on Sunday that about 1,200 civilians would initially be evacuated from east Aleppo and a similar number from the two villages.
Five buses and an ambulance were eventually able to get under way from east Aleppo after a convoy was cleared to drive to al Rashidin.
It was not clear whether the earlier burning of the buses heading to the two villages would have any impact on the departure of more convoys.
Thousands of civilians are feared to have been trapped in east Aleppo after Syrian government forces crushed rebels in the city.
An unknown number have been forced to spend several nights outdoors in freezing temperatures waiting to leave after a deal between rebel leaders and forces loyal to Bashar al Assad stalled.
The buses were accompanied by representatives from the Red Cross and Syrian Red Crescent.
International Red Cross Committee regional director Robert Mardini tweeted at around 10.30pm UK time: "Finally, 5 buses & 1 ambulance escorted by @SARC_Aleppo & @ICRC_sy just left dark & cold E #Aleppo. Hopeful operation will proceed smoothly."
It came as the United Nations Security Council reached an agreement on a compromise resolution to send independent officials to monitor the evacuation of civilians from Aleppo.
Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor has died, aged 99
Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor has died at the age of 99.
The Hollywood legend suffered a heart attack, said her husband.
Frederic von Anhalt told the AFP news agency she passed away at home surrounded by friends and family.
"Everybody was there," he said. "She didn't die alone."
Born in Hungary, Gabor's acting career began on the stage in Vienna before she moved to America.
She starred in dozens of films and TV shows, but was perhaps better known for her love life, having married nine times.
Among the men she was married to was Conrad Hilton, the founder of the Hilton Hotels chain, George Sanders, the English actor who was the voice of Shere Khan in the original Jungle Book and the co-creator of the Barbie doll, Jack Ryan.
Her last marriage, to Frederic Prinz von Anhalt in 1986, was her longest, despite the 26 year age gap, and survived until her death.
Her ability to collect husbands was aided by a bubbly and larger than life personality.
On the silver screen, she appeared in a number of notable films including Orson Welles' Touch of Evil (1958), John Huston's Moulin Rouge (1952), Vincente Minnelli's The Story of Three Loves (1953) and Charles Walters' Lili (1953).
Her film career was revived in the 1980s with a documentary about her trial for assaulting a police officer called The People vs Zsa Zsa Gabor, and the Naked Gun 2.5: the Smell of Fear.
Many of her television appearances over the years featured the actress as herself, and she was well known to audiences in the 1980s and 1990s for her appearances on UK chat shows.
Her ability to shine in interviews and her penchant for calling everyone "dah-ling" in her thick Hungarian accent made her a popular guest.
Her well known quotes include the lines "I'm a marvellous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man, I keep his house" and "I call everyone 'darling' because I can't remember their names".
She suffered ill health on a number of occasions in later life, receiving the last rites after a medical emergency in 2010.
Burlesque star Dita von Teese tweeted: "Another Hollywood legend has left us, the glamorous Zsa Zsa Gabor, one of the wittiest beauties."
Piers Morgan said on Twitter: "RIP Zsa Zsa Gabor. 99 years old, 9 husbands, Miss Hungary & Hollywood star. What a life!"
The Hollywood legend suffered a heart attack, said her husband.
Frederic von Anhalt told the AFP news agency she passed away at home surrounded by friends and family.
"Everybody was there," he said. "She didn't die alone."
Born in Hungary, Gabor's acting career began on the stage in Vienna before she moved to America.
She starred in dozens of films and TV shows, but was perhaps better known for her love life, having married nine times.
Among the men she was married to was Conrad Hilton, the founder of the Hilton Hotels chain, George Sanders, the English actor who was the voice of Shere Khan in the original Jungle Book and the co-creator of the Barbie doll, Jack Ryan.
Her last marriage, to Frederic Prinz von Anhalt in 1986, was her longest, despite the 26 year age gap, and survived until her death.
Her ability to collect husbands was aided by a bubbly and larger than life personality.
On the silver screen, she appeared in a number of notable films including Orson Welles' Touch of Evil (1958), John Huston's Moulin Rouge (1952), Vincente Minnelli's The Story of Three Loves (1953) and Charles Walters' Lili (1953).
Her film career was revived in the 1980s with a documentary about her trial for assaulting a police officer called The People vs Zsa Zsa Gabor, and the Naked Gun 2.5: the Smell of Fear.
Many of her television appearances over the years featured the actress as herself, and she was well known to audiences in the 1980s and 1990s for her appearances on UK chat shows.
Her ability to shine in interviews and her penchant for calling everyone "dah-ling" in her thick Hungarian accent made her a popular guest.
Her well known quotes include the lines "I'm a marvellous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man, I keep his house" and "I call everyone 'darling' because I can't remember their names".
She suffered ill health on a number of occasions in later life, receiving the last rites after a medical emergency in 2010.
Burlesque star Dita von Teese tweeted: "Another Hollywood legend has left us, the glamorous Zsa Zsa Gabor, one of the wittiest beauties."
Piers Morgan said on Twitter: "RIP Zsa Zsa Gabor. 99 years old, 9 husbands, Miss Hungary & Hollywood star. What a life!"
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