Thoughts and Ideas

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

The battle for Mosul: 'I have never seen such hard fighting like this'

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February 01, 2017 at 03:00AM

Iraqi forces have been trying to oust Isis since October but they must fight among, protect and win over the many thousands of civilians in the city, finds Ghaith Abdul-Ahad in a report made in collaboration with PBS’s Frontline

Rasoul, a 26-year-old radio operator, stood in a narrow street in east Mosul a mile from the frontline, peering into the early morning light as the armoured truck packed with explosives crawled towards him.

The other troops around him fired a volley of bullets that ricocheted harmlessly off its thick steel-plated armour before they ran away. But Rasoul, still wrapped in his night-time wool sleeping cloak, stood his ground shouting warnings to anyone who could hear. He darted and hid in a side street when it was just metres away.

The battle for Mosul: a dirty war in Isis' heartland – video

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February 01, 2017 at 03:00AM

As Iraqi forces attempt to retake Mosul from Isis, Ghaith Abdul-Ahad joins their elite Golden Division on the frontline, speaking with civilians, soldiers and Isis suspects. At constant risk from Isis snipers and suicide bombers, can commander Munthadar and his men ever bring peace to Mosul? And if they do, will the exhausted civilian population trust them?

WARNING: Contains strong language and footage some viewers might find distressing
Made in association with PBS Frontline

Chinese billionaire Xiao Jianhua abducted from Hong Kong hotel – reports

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February 01, 2017 at 02:45AM

The disappearance of the financier, who has ties to Xi Jinping’s family, will ring alarm bells in the former British colony

A billionaire with links to the family of Xi Jinping was reportedly taken from his apartment in the Four Seasons in Hong Kong by Chinese police and taken to the mainland.

Xiao Jianhua, one of China’s richest men, is currently in police custody on the mainland, the Financial Times and New York Times reported. He may be assisting with a graft investigation, part of the Chinese president’s sweeping campaign that critics say is more about consolidating power than tackling corruption.

Arsenal can't recall Jack Wilshere from Bournemouth to solve crisis? Transfer news and gossip from Wednesday's papers

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February 01, 2017 at 02:35AM

PLUS: Watford made a huge offer including Heurelho Gomes to get Asmir Begovic from Chelsea

Homeless people and supporters resist being moved on from Melbourne camp

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February 01, 2017 at 02:31AM

Group chants ‘poverty is not illegal’ and holds up placards as police assist with attempts to relocate them to social housing

About two dozen homeless people and their supporters were resisting being moved on from a makeshift camp established outside of Flinders Street station in Melbourne’s city on Wednesday.

The group chanted “homelessness is not a crime” and “poverty is not illegal” and held up placards as police arrived to assist with attempts to relocate them to social housing. Staff from the Salvation Army were also on standby.

Sheffield Wednesday agree £10m deal for Middlesbrough striker Jordan Rhodes - but did they beat the deadline?

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February 01, 2017 at 01:36AM

The former Blackburn hitman has signed a four-year deal at Hillsborough but the Football League will decide if the move was above board

Warning future success of defence and security sector is up to government

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February 01, 2017 at 01:24AM

Crystal Palace welcome Mamadou Sakho on loan from Liverpool until the end of the Premier League season

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February 01, 2017 at 01:20AM

The Frenchman hsealed his Anfield exit on deadline day before the club announced it after 1am on February 1

Johnny Depp's $2 million monthly spending - including $30,000 a month on wine - to blame for money woes, his former business managers claim

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February 01, 2017 at 01:05AM

Neil Gorsuch nominated by Donald Trump to fill supreme court vacancy

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February 01, 2017 at 01:04AM

Known for his firm conservative views, Gorsuch could tip the court’s balance on hot-button issues such as abortion, voting rights and religious equality

Trump picks Neil Gorsuch to be ninth justice – live updates

President Donald Trump has nominated circuit court judge Neil Gorsuch to fill the vacant seat on the US supreme court, setting up a showdown with congressional Democrats and activists over a pick that could shape the ideological bent of the court for a generation.

Gorsuch, 49, the youngest supreme court nominee in 25 years, was among a group of federal judges reported in recent weeks to be on Trump’s shortlist. A strict adherent of judicial restraint known for sharply-written opinions and bedrock conservative views, Gorsuch, a Colorado native, is popular among his peers and is seen as having strong backing among Republicans generally.

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

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