At least five people have been shot dead and eight others wounded in a shooting incident at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Florida.
Florida's Broward County Sheriff's office confirmed Friday's shooting at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. He also said that a suspect was in custody at the airport.
Authorities said they received a call about shots being fired at around 12:55 pm local time (1755 GMT).
Security officials corralled passengers into areas including underneath jetways and at least one open space on the runway apron, according to images on cable news networks.
Several people have been transported to a hospital for medical attention, local authorities said.
Ari Fleischer, a former press secretary for US President George W Bush, said on Twitter shots were fired and "everyone is running".
Fleischer later said: "All seems calm now but the police aren't letting anyone out of the airport - at least not the area where I am."
Earlier, the airport had confirmed on Twitter of "an ongoing incident in Terminal 2" near the baggage claim area.
Friday, January 6, 2017
BoE chief economist evokes Fish gaffe in Brexit speech
The Bank of England's chief economist has admitted the Bank's economic predictions for the UK post-Brexit were confounded by the behaviour of the British consumer.
The Bank had issued dire warnings against a vote to leave the European Union, with governor Mark Carney even saying the country could slip into recession.
Instead, the FTSE 100 closed on a record high for the sixth consecutive time on Thursday, the same day figures were released suggesting Britain was the fastest-growing of the advanced economies last year, with the services sector hitting a 17-month high.
BoE chief economist Andy Haldane said criticism of economists for failing to predict the financial crisis and the impact of the Brexit vote were a "fair cop", adding that the economics profession was "to some degree in crisis".
Speaking at an event for the Institute for Government in London, he was talking about the financial crisis when he said: "Let's go back to a different crisis, the crisis not in economic forecasting but weather forecasting.
"Michael Fish getting up: 'Someone's called me, there's no hurricane coming but it will be windy in Spain.'
"It is very similar to the sort of reports central banks issued pre-crisis, that there is no hurricane coming but it might be very windy in sub-prime."
Fish made the infamous weather forecast in October 1987, dismissing warnings that a hurricane was "on the way" but forecasting high winds for Spain.
Instead the UK experienced the Great Storm of 1987, with winds of 115mph and the deaths of 18 people.
It was put to Mr Haldane that the Bank had forecast a similar "hurricane" for the UK in the lead-up to the Brexit vote but that this had not come to pass.
He replied: "It has been very windy in Spain.
"It's true and, again, fair cop.
"We had foreseen a sharper slowdown in the economy than has happened, in common with almost every other mainstream macro forecaster."
He said the reason for this had been the behaviour of the British consumer and the housing market, adding: "If you look at how the consumer performed during the course of the last year, it's almost as though the referendum had not taken place".
Despite this, however, higher prices may yet hit consumers soon, as firms pass on the rise in costs since the June vote.
A Markit Purchasing Managers Index and a survey from the British Chambers of Commerce on Thursday showed that services firms are planning the most widespread price rises since 2011.
This will increase the chances of a rapid rise in inflation.
Mr Haldane said: "That will, in turn, produce something of a squeeze on the spending power of consumers and may lead them to throttle back somewhat in their spending plans."
The Bank had issued dire warnings against a vote to leave the European Union, with governor Mark Carney even saying the country could slip into recession.
Instead, the FTSE 100 closed on a record high for the sixth consecutive time on Thursday, the same day figures were released suggesting Britain was the fastest-growing of the advanced economies last year, with the services sector hitting a 17-month high.
BoE chief economist Andy Haldane said criticism of economists for failing to predict the financial crisis and the impact of the Brexit vote were a "fair cop", adding that the economics profession was "to some degree in crisis".
Speaking at an event for the Institute for Government in London, he was talking about the financial crisis when he said: "Let's go back to a different crisis, the crisis not in economic forecasting but weather forecasting.
"Michael Fish getting up: 'Someone's called me, there's no hurricane coming but it will be windy in Spain.'
"It is very similar to the sort of reports central banks issued pre-crisis, that there is no hurricane coming but it might be very windy in sub-prime."
Fish made the infamous weather forecast in October 1987, dismissing warnings that a hurricane was "on the way" but forecasting high winds for Spain.
Instead the UK experienced the Great Storm of 1987, with winds of 115mph and the deaths of 18 people.
It was put to Mr Haldane that the Bank had forecast a similar "hurricane" for the UK in the lead-up to the Brexit vote but that this had not come to pass.
He replied: "It has been very windy in Spain.
"It's true and, again, fair cop.
"We had foreseen a sharper slowdown in the economy than has happened, in common with almost every other mainstream macro forecaster."
He said the reason for this had been the behaviour of the British consumer and the housing market, adding: "If you look at how the consumer performed during the course of the last year, it's almost as though the referendum had not taken place".
Despite this, however, higher prices may yet hit consumers soon, as firms pass on the rise in costs since the June vote.
A Markit Purchasing Managers Index and a survey from the British Chambers of Commerce on Thursday showed that services firms are planning the most widespread price rises since 2011.
This will increase the chances of a rapid rise in inflation.
Mr Haldane said: "That will, in turn, produce something of a squeeze on the spending power of consumers and may lead them to throttle back somewhat in their spending plans."
Acclaimed Indian actor Om Puri dies aged 66
Acclaimed Indian actor Om Puri has died aged 66 at his home in Mumbai.
Puri, star of British hit comedy East is East, suffered a heart attack after returning from a film set on Thursday.
Born in Haryana state to a Punjabi family in 1950, Puri made his film debut in a Marathi-language movie when he was in his 20s and went on to become one of India's most famous crossover stars.
He appeared in Richard Attenborough's Gandhi as well as several Hollywood films, including City of Joy, Wolf, Charlie Wilson's War and, most recently, The Hundred-Foot Journey with Helen Mirren.
Frozen director confirms theory about Tarzan link
Frozen director Chris Buck has confirmed a fan theory linking the two hero sisters to Disney's 1999 movie Tarzan.
Fans of the studio's 2013 hit have long speculated on a possible link between the two stories, which both feature leading characters orphaned by a shipwreck.
In the 3D, computer-animated musical fantasy, sisters Elsa and Anna lose their parents during a storm at sea.
What fans have long suspected, and has now been confirmed, is that the sisters' parents may not have died at all - that they survived the disaster and gave birth to a third child on a desert island off the coast of Africa.
In an interview on MTV, Buck confessed he discussed the sisters' back story with his co-director Jen Lee.
"Jen and I were walking to a meeting, and I just started to tell her the entire story. I said: Of course Anna and Elsa's parents didn't die," he explained.
"Yes, there was a shipwreck, but they were at sea a little bit longer than we think they were because the mother was pregnant, and she gave birth on the boat, to a little boy."
The little boy, according to Buck, would eventually be orphaned himself - and raised by gorillas to become the "king of the jungle".
"They get shipwrecked, and somehow they really washed way far away from the Scandinavian waters, and they end up in the jungle. They end up building a tree house and a leopard kills them, so their baby boy is raised by gorillas," he said.
Although the bloodline isn't ever mentioned in the story - or present in the official script - Buck said that "in my little head, Anna and Elsa's brother is Tarzan".
"That's my fun little world," he added.
"That's the spirit of Disney."
A sequel to Frozen is in the works.
In the 3D, computer-animated musical fantasy, sisters Elsa and Anna lose their parents during a storm at sea.
What fans have long suspected, and has now been confirmed, is that the sisters' parents may not have died at all - that they survived the disaster and gave birth to a third child on a desert island off the coast of Africa.
In an interview on MTV, Buck confessed he discussed the sisters' back story with his co-director Jen Lee.
"Jen and I were walking to a meeting, and I just started to tell her the entire story. I said: Of course Anna and Elsa's parents didn't die," he explained.
"Yes, there was a shipwreck, but they were at sea a little bit longer than we think they were because the mother was pregnant, and she gave birth on the boat, to a little boy."
The little boy, according to Buck, would eventually be orphaned himself - and raised by gorillas to become the "king of the jungle".
"They get shipwrecked, and somehow they really washed way far away from the Scandinavian waters, and they end up in the jungle. They end up building a tree house and a leopard kills them, so their baby boy is raised by gorillas," he said.
Although the bloodline isn't ever mentioned in the story - or present in the official script - Buck said that "in my little head, Anna and Elsa's brother is Tarzan".
"That's my fun little world," he added.
"That's the spirit of Disney."
A sequel to Frozen is in the works.
Paul Gascoigne in rehab to stay alcohol free for 2017 after suffering fractured skull
Paul Gascoigne has returned to rehab to help him stay "alcohol free" in 2017, days after he fractured his skull in a row at a hotel.
His spokesman Terry Baker said the star wanted to "get free of his demons".
A statement on the Facebook page of A1 Sporting Speakers asked people to "say a prayer" for the ex-England international.
Mr Baker said: "Paul wants to let everyone know that he has gone into rehab.
"He is making a serious effort to get free of his demons and trying to become alcohol free for 2017.
"I'm not religious at all but if any of you are, say a prayer for him."
Mr Baker described 2016 as Gascoigne's "annus horribilis" after the death of 22-year-old nephew Jay Kerrigan-Gascoigne.
Mr Kerrigan-Gascoigne was found dead at his girlfriend's flat in Gateshead following a long-running battle with mental health issues.
Gascoigne's new stint in rehab comes just over a week after the 49-year-old suffered a fractured skull at a London hotel.
Posting on Twitter after the incident at the Ace Hotel in Shoreditch, he said: "Hi everyone I got jumped kicked down the stairs I've got 15 stitches in my head I've a fractured skull 2 broken fingers 8 teeth nicked."
The former Newcastle United and Tottenham player, who got 57 England caps, has suffered from alcoholism for more than 20 years.
His spokesman Terry Baker said the star wanted to "get free of his demons".
A statement on the Facebook page of A1 Sporting Speakers asked people to "say a prayer" for the ex-England international.
Mr Baker said: "Paul wants to let everyone know that he has gone into rehab.
"He is making a serious effort to get free of his demons and trying to become alcohol free for 2017.
"I'm not religious at all but if any of you are, say a prayer for him."
Mr Baker described 2016 as Gascoigne's "annus horribilis" after the death of 22-year-old nephew Jay Kerrigan-Gascoigne.
Mr Kerrigan-Gascoigne was found dead at his girlfriend's flat in Gateshead following a long-running battle with mental health issues.
Gascoigne's new stint in rehab comes just over a week after the 49-year-old suffered a fractured skull at a London hotel.
Posting on Twitter after the incident at the Ace Hotel in Shoreditch, he said: "Hi everyone I got jumped kicked down the stairs I've got 15 stitches in my head I've a fractured skull 2 broken fingers 8 teeth nicked."
The former Newcastle United and Tottenham player, who got 57 England caps, has suffered from alcoholism for more than 20 years.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Indonesia suspends military co-operation with Australia
Indonesia has suspended all military co-operation with Australia, saying "a lot of things needed to be improved".
Army spokesman Maj Gen Wuryanto said the halt came into force in December and a broad range of activities were affected, including joint training.
Australian Defence officials confirmed Indonesia had halted all defence co-operation over "teaching materials".
Bilateral relations have been tense at times in recent years, although there were recent signs of improvement.
"All forms of co-operation with the Australian military, including joint training, have been temporarily withheld. I hope it can be resolved as soon as possible," Maj Gen Wuryanto said.
Australia's Defence Minister Marise Payne said later in a statement: "Late last year concerns were raised by an Indonesian TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) officer about some teaching materials and remarks at an Army language training facility in Australia."
"The Australian Army has looked into the serious concerns that were raised and the investigation into the incident is being finalised."
'Offensive material'
Indonesian special forces group Kopassus trains with the Special Air Service in Perth, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC).
An Indonesian newspaper, Kompas, reported that a Kopassus instructor had found "laminated material" at the training facility which he considered to be offensive to the Indonesia's founding principle of Pancasila.
When asked about this, Maj Gen Wuryanto said there were many reasons for the suspension, without giving further details.
What is Pancasila?
The official philosophical foundation of the Indonesian state.
Consists of two Javanese words, originally from Sanskrit: "panca" meaning five and "sila" meaning principles.
The principles are: The one God system (monotheism), just and civilised humanity, the unity of Indonesia, democracy and social justice for all.
Ignoring these principles is illegal. For instance, Indonesians must hold a religion because of the first one - being an atheist is illegal in the country.
The countries' navies had been expected to take part in multinational training exercises next month.
"Whether or not we will continue with the joint exercise, I will have to get back to you on that," First Admiral Jonias Mozes Sipasulta, from the Indonesian navy, told the ABC.
Defence ties
Australia has stopped conducting joint training exercises with the Kopassus before, after accusations of abuses by the unit in East Timor in 1999 in the lead-up to the former Indonesian territory's independence.
The co-operation resumed in 2006 amid a renewed focus on counterterrorism after two Bali nightclubs were bombed in 2002, killing 202 people including 88 Australians.
In addition to the 2013 allegations of Australian spying, ties were also strained in 2015 following Indonesia's executions of Australian drug smugglers Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, and its criticism of Australia's border protection policy.
In December 2015, the nations signed a "memorandum of understanding" after Indonesia arrested nine people over an alleged terror threat following a tip-off that reportedly came from Australian Federal Police.
In September last year, the first joint training exercise on Australian soil since 1995 was staged in the northern city of Darwin.
In November, the nations flagged the prospect of joint military patrols in the South China Sea - something Australia already does with the US and India.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said at the time that maritime co-operation between the nations was strong and included training and personnel exchanges.
Army spokesman Maj Gen Wuryanto said the halt came into force in December and a broad range of activities were affected, including joint training.
Australian Defence officials confirmed Indonesia had halted all defence co-operation over "teaching materials".
Bilateral relations have been tense at times in recent years, although there were recent signs of improvement.
"All forms of co-operation with the Australian military, including joint training, have been temporarily withheld. I hope it can be resolved as soon as possible," Maj Gen Wuryanto said.
Australia's Defence Minister Marise Payne said later in a statement: "Late last year concerns were raised by an Indonesian TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) officer about some teaching materials and remarks at an Army language training facility in Australia."
"The Australian Army has looked into the serious concerns that were raised and the investigation into the incident is being finalised."
'Offensive material'
Indonesian special forces group Kopassus trains with the Special Air Service in Perth, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC).
An Indonesian newspaper, Kompas, reported that a Kopassus instructor had found "laminated material" at the training facility which he considered to be offensive to the Indonesia's founding principle of Pancasila.
When asked about this, Maj Gen Wuryanto said there were many reasons for the suspension, without giving further details.
What is Pancasila?
The official philosophical foundation of the Indonesian state.
Consists of two Javanese words, originally from Sanskrit: "panca" meaning five and "sila" meaning principles.
The principles are: The one God system (monotheism), just and civilised humanity, the unity of Indonesia, democracy and social justice for all.
Ignoring these principles is illegal. For instance, Indonesians must hold a religion because of the first one - being an atheist is illegal in the country.
The countries' navies had been expected to take part in multinational training exercises next month.
"Whether or not we will continue with the joint exercise, I will have to get back to you on that," First Admiral Jonias Mozes Sipasulta, from the Indonesian navy, told the ABC.
Defence ties
Australia has stopped conducting joint training exercises with the Kopassus before, after accusations of abuses by the unit in East Timor in 1999 in the lead-up to the former Indonesian territory's independence.
The co-operation resumed in 2006 amid a renewed focus on counterterrorism after two Bali nightclubs were bombed in 2002, killing 202 people including 88 Australians.
In addition to the 2013 allegations of Australian spying, ties were also strained in 2015 following Indonesia's executions of Australian drug smugglers Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, and its criticism of Australia's border protection policy.
In December 2015, the nations signed a "memorandum of understanding" after Indonesia arrested nine people over an alleged terror threat following a tip-off that reportedly came from Australian Federal Police.
In September last year, the first joint training exercise on Australian soil since 1995 was staged in the northern city of Darwin.
In November, the nations flagged the prospect of joint military patrols in the South China Sea - something Australia already does with the US and India.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said at the time that maritime co-operation between the nations was strong and included training and personnel exchanges.
US spy chiefs vow to reveal Russia 'hack' motive
America's top intelligence official has pledged to go public next week with the motives for Russia's alleged hacking of the US presidential election.
Director of national intelligence James Clapper said he had a very high level of confidence that Russia hacked Democratic Party and campaign staff emails and helped spread propaganda and fake news before Donald Trump's victory.
Mr Clapper and spy chiefs Marcel Lettre and Admiral Michael Rogers warned Russia is a "full-scope cyber actor" that poses a major threat to America's government and its critical infrastructure.
The trio claim Russian officials - acting on orders from Vladimir Putin - interfered in last year's election to help Republican Donald Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.
In their assessment, they said: "We assess that only Russia's senior-most officials could have authorised the recent election-focused data thefts and disclosures" and Moscow has a "highly-advanced offensive cyber programme".
Mr Clapper claimed Russia has a "long history" of interfering in elections going back to the 1960s but never as "aggressive" and "direct" as this time.
Asked by a congressman on the Senate Armed Services Committee if they "will ascribe a motivation to Putin", Mr Clapper said: "Yes, we will ascribe motivation."
Committee chairman Senator John McCain said "every American should be alarmed" by Russia's meddling.
But he said the committee's probe did not intend to question the result of November's election.
The alleged hacking led to new sanctions by President Barack Obama against Moscow and 35 Russian diplomats were expelled from the US.
Moscow has denied the hacking allegations and dismissed the sanctions as an attempt to "harm Russian-American ties."
A report on election meddling by Russia and other foreign countries has been delivered to Mr Obama, and his successor Mr Trump is reportedly due to be briefed later.
The intelligence agencies claim at least 30 nations are developing technology to launch cyber attacks against the US.
The White House race was unexpectedly won by billionaire businessman Mr Trump, amid claims Moscow helped to sway it by hacking into emails of the Democratic National Committee.
The President-elect has expressed scepticism that Russia was behind the hacking, and his spokesman has denied reports Mr Trump plans to restructure the spy agencies.
During the Washington hearing, Mr Clapper hit out at Julian Assange, founder of the WikiLeaks organisation which is being investigated for leaking classified information.
He said Mr Assange's work has put American lives at risk by publishing names.
He did not elaborate, while WikiLeaks accused him of lying to Congress.
Mr Clapper, Mr Lettre and Admiral Rogers also claim Beijing continues to run cyber-spying operations against the US, despite Chinese President Xi Jinping agreeing to halt them in 2015.
Meanwhile, former Indiana Senator Dan Coats is expected to be appointed as Mr Clapper's successor.
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