Israel’s government publicly accused the Obama administration Sunday of helping create and push the recently passed United Nations resolution condemning settlement activity, with a top official telling Fox News they have “ironclad information” on the U.S. government’s involvement.
“We have rather ironclad information from sources in both the Arab world and internationally that this was a deliberate push by the United States and in fact they helped create the resolution in the first place,” David Keyes, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Fox News’ “America’s News HQ.”
The accusation marks a new escalation in the Netanyahu government’s response to the U.N. Security Council vote on Friday. The resolution passed thanks to a U.S. abstention, a decision Netanyahu has described as a “shameful ambush.”
The White House already has acknowledged President Obama made the decision for U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power to abstain. Unclear was how involved the Obama administration was in crafting and pushing the resolution itself – which initially was put forward by Egypt, and then pursued by New Zealand, Malaysia, Senegal and Venezuela.
White House spokesman Eric Schultz issued a statement Sunday defending Obama's support for Israel and stressed that the U.S. did not draft the resolution.
"The Egyptians, in partnership with the Palestinians, are the ones who began circulating an earlier draft of the resolution," Schultz said. "The Egyptians are the ones who moved it forward on Friday. And we took the position that we did when it was put to a vote."
Keyes' criticism followed similar rhetoric by Netanyahu himself, who said that while the U.S. and Israel for decades had disagreed on settlements, they had an understanding that such action before the U.N. Security Council would make peace negotiations harder.
“As I told [Secretary of State] John Kerry on Thursday, friends don’t take friends to the Security Council,” Netanyahu said.
He pointedly said he looks forward to working with the new Donald Trump administration when it takes office next month. He said he was encouraged by Israel’s “friends in the United States” who criticized the resolution, saying “they understand how reckless and destructive” it is.
Keyes also told Fox News on Sunday that Israel was “deeply disappointed” by the resolution and the Obama administration’s abstention.
“I think what we’re seeing is an abandonment of Israel, and an abandonment of a long-standing American policy,” he said.
Israel's Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, said it began summoning the ambassadors of countries who voted in favor of the resolution, including those from the permanent members of the Security Council -- Russia, China, the U.K. and France. In a highly unusual move, the U.S. ambassador was later summoned as well, Israeli media reported.
"We will do all it takes so Israel emerges unscathed from this shameful decision," Netanyahu said.
The resolution, which condemned Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, sparked outrage in Israel and led to a new low in relations between Netanyahu and Obama. Israel has accused Obama of colluding with the Palestinians against the Jewish state.
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Pop superstar George Michael dies of suspected heart failure aged 53
Pop superstar George Michael has died of suspected heart failure at the age of 53.
Michael, who shot to fame as the front man of Wham! in the 1980s, died peacefully at his home in Oxfordshire, his publicist said.
His manager Michael Lippman said the cause of his death was heart failure, according to the Associated Press.
Thames Valley Police said officers were called to a property in Goring-on-Thames shortly before 2pm on Christmas Day.
The force said: "Sadly, a 53-year-old man was confirmed deceased at the scene.
"At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.
"A post-mortem will be undertaken in due course."
Michael's publicist said: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period.
"The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time."
Michael - whose real name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou - had hits including Club Tropicana and Last Christmas as a part of Wham!
Michael, who shot to fame as the front man of Wham! in the 1980s, died peacefully at his home in Oxfordshire, his publicist said.
His manager Michael Lippman said the cause of his death was heart failure, according to the Associated Press.
Thames Valley Police said officers were called to a property in Goring-on-Thames shortly before 2pm on Christmas Day.
The force said: "Sadly, a 53-year-old man was confirmed deceased at the scene.
"At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.
"A post-mortem will be undertaken in due course."
Michael's publicist said: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period.
"The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time."
Michael - whose real name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou - had hits including Club Tropicana and Last Christmas as a part of Wham!
York Minster bells silent at Christmas for first time in 600 years
York Minster's bells fell silent on Christmas Day for the first time in more than 600 years after the bell-ringing team was disbanded following a row over the reinstatement of one of their group.
Visitors at the cathedral have been warned to expect a silent Christmas period after the Minster's 30-strong ringing group was sacked in October.
Ringers had refused to accept the decision not to reinstate a member who had been suspended following a police investigation into allegations of sex offences against children, which did not lead to a prosecution.
Another group of campanologists from Leeds were asked to fill the gap but reportedly refused to help out in solidarity with their sacked colleagues.
The member has not been named by the Minster's Chapter, but is understood to be David Potter - who was awarded an MBE for his services to bell-ringing and has never been convicted of any offence.
Mr Potter was the subject of a police investigation in 1999, which was reviewed again in 2014, but he was never charged.
The Chapter of York Minster ordered a detailed risk assessment of Mr Potter's activities and ruled he "presented an ongoing risk and that the potential severity of the risk meant they could not be reinstated".
It added that the bell ringers refused to accept the decision and so had to be disbanded.
Colin Byrne, a solicitor acting for Mr Potter, said in October: "Mr Potter has no cautions or convictions or any civil findings ever made against him.
"Issues surrounding the bell ringers and the Minster is a private and confidential matter between those two parties but the process that he has been subject to has shown a disregard for due process and equally the treatment of his fellow bell-ringers."
The Dean of York Minster, Vivienne Faull, and the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, who supported the decision, were both in attendance at the service on Christmas Day.
Visitors at the cathedral have been warned to expect a silent Christmas period after the Minster's 30-strong ringing group was sacked in October.
Ringers had refused to accept the decision not to reinstate a member who had been suspended following a police investigation into allegations of sex offences against children, which did not lead to a prosecution.
Another group of campanologists from Leeds were asked to fill the gap but reportedly refused to help out in solidarity with their sacked colleagues.
The member has not been named by the Minster's Chapter, but is understood to be David Potter - who was awarded an MBE for his services to bell-ringing and has never been convicted of any offence.
Mr Potter was the subject of a police investigation in 1999, which was reviewed again in 2014, but he was never charged.
The Chapter of York Minster ordered a detailed risk assessment of Mr Potter's activities and ruled he "presented an ongoing risk and that the potential severity of the risk meant they could not be reinstated".
It added that the bell ringers refused to accept the decision and so had to be disbanded.
Colin Byrne, a solicitor acting for Mr Potter, said in October: "Mr Potter has no cautions or convictions or any civil findings ever made against him.
"Issues surrounding the bell ringers and the Minster is a private and confidential matter between those two parties but the process that he has been subject to has shown a disregard for due process and equally the treatment of his fellow bell-ringers."
The Dean of York Minster, Vivienne Faull, and the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, who supported the decision, were both in attendance at the service on Christmas Day.
Chile hit by powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake
Thousands of people were evacuated from coastal areas in Chile after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami warning.
Around 4,000 people were ordered to leave towns on the south coast after the quake struck 25 miles south west of Puerto Quellon on the southern part of Chiloe island.
In the immediate aftermath of the quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, in Hawaii, warned "hazardous tsunamic waves are forecast for some coasts."
However, the warning was downgraded to a watch but people were still told to stay away from the beaches.
The powerful quake ripped up part of a major road near Lake Tarahuin, however Chile's National Emergency Office said there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries.
Chile's National Emergency Office chief Ricardo Toro had called on residents of Los Lagos to abandon beaches and go to safe zones.
Taxi driver Luis Ramirez, who lives in the town of Ancud, said he was washing his car when the quake struck. He said: "I'm 48 years old and I've never felt anything so strong."
He said cars equipped with loudspeakers were patrolling the beaches telling people to evacuate to higher areas.
The quake struck at a depth of 22 miles and was felt in the Argentine city of Bariloche.
Chile has a long history of deadly quakes, including one measuring 8.8 magnitude in 2010 off the south-central coast, which triggered a tsunami that devastated several coastal towns and left 525 people dead.
That quake was so powerful it led to tsunami warnings in 53 countries and a "state of catastrophe" was declared.
Last year an 8.3 tremor caused a tsunami in the north of the country which killed 15 people.
Around 4,000 people were ordered to leave towns on the south coast after the quake struck 25 miles south west of Puerto Quellon on the southern part of Chiloe island.
In the immediate aftermath of the quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, in Hawaii, warned "hazardous tsunamic waves are forecast for some coasts."
However, the warning was downgraded to a watch but people were still told to stay away from the beaches.
The powerful quake ripped up part of a major road near Lake Tarahuin, however Chile's National Emergency Office said there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries.
Chile's National Emergency Office chief Ricardo Toro had called on residents of Los Lagos to abandon beaches and go to safe zones.
Taxi driver Luis Ramirez, who lives in the town of Ancud, said he was washing his car when the quake struck. He said: "I'm 48 years old and I've never felt anything so strong."
He said cars equipped with loudspeakers were patrolling the beaches telling people to evacuate to higher areas.
The quake struck at a depth of 22 miles and was felt in the Argentine city of Bariloche.
Chile has a long history of deadly quakes, including one measuring 8.8 magnitude in 2010 off the south-central coast, which triggered a tsunami that devastated several coastal towns and left 525 people dead.
That quake was so powerful it led to tsunami warnings in 53 countries and a "state of catastrophe" was declared.
Last year an 8.3 tremor caused a tsunami in the north of the country which killed 15 people.
Apple's tax war with the EU
Technology giant Apple and the Republic of Ireland are gearing up for a major legal tussle with the European Union's Competition Commission in 2017.
In August, Ireland was ordered to collect $13.6bn in alleged unpaid tax from the iPhone maker. This week, Ireland blasted EU regulators. The government said they were interfering with national sovereignty and attempting to rewrite Irish tax law.
In August, Ireland was ordered to collect $13.6bn in alleged unpaid tax from the iPhone maker. This week, Ireland blasted EU regulators. The government said they were interfering with national sovereignty and attempting to rewrite Irish tax law.
Jim Clarken, CEO of Oxfam Ireland, offers his take on what could be the world's biggest tax dispute when it hits the courts in 2017 and the implications it could have for multi-national companies.
"We know that Apple and other multinationals that are operating in Ireland are providing quality jobs and paying taxation on those parts of the work that they do here. But, we also estimate there are $93bn of excess profits being booked in Ireland every year by various companies and being moved through Ireland. So ultimately, that part of the tax puzzle is one that affects other parts of the world. That's why getting this global tax system right is essential for citizens everywhere and this is an indication that there are problems in the global tax situation. They've been highlighted in this case and its being pursued for those reasons," says Clarken.
According to Clarken, Oxfam is calling for a global tax body, overseen by the UN, that will tackle a number of issues, because, "one of the biggest problems we have in the global tax system currently is a complete lack of transparency, so it's not clear where taxes are being paid, and where profits are being booked, and where real economic activity is taking place. And that is essential for all countries, so there's a sense of fairness in the tax system, that multinationals are taxed fairly and correctly, and the citizens in different places where that revenue should go to benefit from that."
Also on this episode of Counting the Cost:
Christine Lagarde's guilty sentence: Earlier this week, a French court found Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), guilty on of criminal charges linked to the misuse of public funds when she was France's finance minister nearly a decade ago. But the court did not impose a fine or a sentence. Natacha Butler reports from Paris.
India's growth prospects for 2017: India's economy has sped ahead of the UK's's for the first time in over a century, due to the slump in the value of British sterling versus the US dollar. While global rankings are looking up for India, its people are suffering on the ground, because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's controversial decision to demonitise the 500 and 1,000 rupee bank notes. Is this due to Brexit or is the Indian economy actually surpassing that of the UK's? And what does this mean for bilateral trade post-Brexit? Gregor Irwin, chief economist at Global Counsel, looks at the impact of these developments.
The future of the supercar: Why is Lamborghini making a sports utility vehicle? Lamborghini's new CEO, Stefano Domenicali, discusses the long-term future of the supercar after a year which saw major changes in the automotive space.
Overcoming perceptions of disability: A young Guatemalan fashion designer with Down syndrome is challenging perceptions of the condition. Isabella Springmuhl's line of clothing and bags using hand-woven local fabrics is bringing her international attention and encourages people to look at her disability in a new way. David Mercer reports from Guatemala City.
"We know that Apple and other multinationals that are operating in Ireland are providing quality jobs and paying taxation on those parts of the work that they do here. But, we also estimate there are $93bn of excess profits being booked in Ireland every year by various companies and being moved through Ireland. So ultimately, that part of the tax puzzle is one that affects other parts of the world. That's why getting this global tax system right is essential for citizens everywhere and this is an indication that there are problems in the global tax situation. They've been highlighted in this case and its being pursued for those reasons," says Clarken.
According to Clarken, Oxfam is calling for a global tax body, overseen by the UN, that will tackle a number of issues, because, "one of the biggest problems we have in the global tax system currently is a complete lack of transparency, so it's not clear where taxes are being paid, and where profits are being booked, and where real economic activity is taking place. And that is essential for all countries, so there's a sense of fairness in the tax system, that multinationals are taxed fairly and correctly, and the citizens in different places where that revenue should go to benefit from that."
Also on this episode of Counting the Cost:
Christine Lagarde's guilty sentence: Earlier this week, a French court found Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), guilty on of criminal charges linked to the misuse of public funds when she was France's finance minister nearly a decade ago. But the court did not impose a fine or a sentence. Natacha Butler reports from Paris.
India's growth prospects for 2017: India's economy has sped ahead of the UK's's for the first time in over a century, due to the slump in the value of British sterling versus the US dollar. While global rankings are looking up for India, its people are suffering on the ground, because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's controversial decision to demonitise the 500 and 1,000 rupee bank notes. Is this due to Brexit or is the Indian economy actually surpassing that of the UK's? And what does this mean for bilateral trade post-Brexit? Gregor Irwin, chief economist at Global Counsel, looks at the impact of these developments.
The future of the supercar: Why is Lamborghini making a sports utility vehicle? Lamborghini's new CEO, Stefano Domenicali, discusses the long-term future of the supercar after a year which saw major changes in the automotive space.
Overcoming perceptions of disability: A young Guatemalan fashion designer with Down syndrome is challenging perceptions of the condition. Isabella Springmuhl's line of clothing and bags using hand-woven local fabrics is bringing her international attention and encourages people to look at her disability in a new way. David Mercer reports from Guatemala City.
Adelaide swelters through hottest Christmas in decades
Adelaide is having its hottest Christmas Day in decades and has become the hottest capital city in Australia.
The Bureau of Meteorology says the temperature in the South Australian city reached 41.3C (106.3F) at 3.50pm.
"The last time when we had about 40C on Christmas Day was in 1945 and the temperature back then was 40.1C, so we've broken that record," forecaster Kenneth Cheung told AAP.
Beach goers - in Adelaide and other parts of the country - posted pictures of themselves sunbathing and trying to cool off in the water as a heatwave affected large parts of southern and eastern Australia.
:: UK could see warmest Christmas Day ever
Melbourne recorded a maximum temperature of 36.3C, which was the hottest Christmas since 1998, according to local news reports.
In Sydney, with a comparatively mild 27.4C, many crowded the popular Bondi Beach outside Australia's largest city.
Earlier this month, Sydney sweltered through its hottest December night in 148 years: 27.1C on 14 December.
The Bureau of Meteorology says the temperature in the South Australian city reached 41.3C (106.3F) at 3.50pm.
"The last time when we had about 40C on Christmas Day was in 1945 and the temperature back then was 40.1C, so we've broken that record," forecaster Kenneth Cheung told AAP.
Beach goers - in Adelaide and other parts of the country - posted pictures of themselves sunbathing and trying to cool off in the water as a heatwave affected large parts of southern and eastern Australia.
:: UK could see warmest Christmas Day ever
Melbourne recorded a maximum temperature of 36.3C, which was the hottest Christmas since 1998, according to local news reports.
In Sydney, with a comparatively mild 27.4C, many crowded the popular Bondi Beach outside Australia's largest city.
Earlier this month, Sydney sweltered through its hottest December night in 148 years: 27.1C on 14 December.
Queen misses Christmas church service for first time since 1988 due to cold
The Queen has not attended church at Sandringham because she is continuing to recover from a heavy cold, Buckingham Palace has said.
It is the first time since 1988 that she has missed the Christmas Day service.
"The Queen continues to recover from a heavy cold and will stay indoors to assist with her recovery," said a statement from the Palace.
"Her Majesty will participate in the Royal Family Christmas celebrations during the day."
:: Queen praises 'unsung heroes' in upbeat Christmas message
The Queen, who turned 90 in April, traditionally spends Christmas at Sandringham with her family.
On Wednesday, the Queen and Prince Philip delayed their train journey there because they both had heavy colds, but on Thursday the royal couple flew straight to Sandringham House by helicopter.
Hundreds of people have been gathering outside St Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham on Christmas morning to watch the Royal Family arrive for the morning service.
Prince Philip, 95, walked with Prince Charles from Sandringham House to the church for a private mass at 9am - the first of the services the Royal Family attend.
Prince Harry was also at Sandringham, while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children are spending Christmas with the Middleton family at their estate near Bucklebury in Berkshire.
William and Kate attended church service at Englefield Church with Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
It is only the second time the couple have stayed away from the tradition royal gathering since they married in 2011.
The other time was in 2012, shortly after Kate, then pregnant with George, was discharged from hospital having been treated for severe morning sickness.
The Queen, who is the world's longest-reigning living monarch, said on Tuesday she would reduce the number of her patronages.
It is the first time since 1988 that she has missed the Christmas Day service.
"The Queen continues to recover from a heavy cold and will stay indoors to assist with her recovery," said a statement from the Palace.
"Her Majesty will participate in the Royal Family Christmas celebrations during the day."
:: Queen praises 'unsung heroes' in upbeat Christmas message
The Queen, who turned 90 in April, traditionally spends Christmas at Sandringham with her family.
On Wednesday, the Queen and Prince Philip delayed their train journey there because they both had heavy colds, but on Thursday the royal couple flew straight to Sandringham House by helicopter.
Hundreds of people have been gathering outside St Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham on Christmas morning to watch the Royal Family arrive for the morning service.
Prince Philip, 95, walked with Prince Charles from Sandringham House to the church for a private mass at 9am - the first of the services the Royal Family attend.
Prince Harry was also at Sandringham, while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children are spending Christmas with the Middleton family at their estate near Bucklebury in Berkshire.
William and Kate attended church service at Englefield Church with Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
It is only the second time the couple have stayed away from the tradition royal gathering since they married in 2011.
The other time was in 2012, shortly after Kate, then pregnant with George, was discharged from hospital having been treated for severe morning sickness.
The Queen, who is the world's longest-reigning living monarch, said on Tuesday she would reduce the number of her patronages.
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