China Slows Garbage Imports and Impact Is Felt Globally

By LAM YIK FEI, MIKE IVES, JEAN YVES CHAINON and GUGLIELMO MATTIOLI from NYT Business Day http://ift.tt/2zBg99Z

Saudi Crown Prince calls Iran leader 'new Hitler': NYT

Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince called the Supreme Leader of Iran "the new Hitler of the Middle East" in an interview with the New York Times published on Thursday, sharply escalating the war of words between the arch-rivals. Mohammed bin Salman, who is also Saudi defense minister in the U.S.-allied kingdom, suggested the Islamic Republic's alleged expansion under Ayatollah Ali Khamenei needed to be confronted.

Oscar Pistorius' Murder Sentence Has Been Extended to 13 Years

Oscar Pistorius’ prison sentence was increased to 13 years and five months by South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal on Friday, a decision that more than doubled the Olympic runner’s jail term for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Charles Manson 'left his entire estate and body to prison pen pal'

Charles Manson reportedly left his entire estate, including his remains, to a prison pen pal. The murderous cult leader, who died last week aged 83, struck up a friendship with a male correspondent who first wrote to him in the 1990s, TMZ reported. The man reportedly sent 50 unanswered letters to Manson at the California State Prison until he eventually received a reply. Manson then talked to him by telephone and the pen pal started visiting him in jail starting in 2002. According to a yellowing will obtained by TMZ, and dated Feb 14, 2002, Manson left all his belongings, including his clothes and money, to the pen pal. Manson also left to the man rights to use his name and image, and control of songs he had written. The pen pal, who TMZ did not name, also had the right to claim Manson's body within 10 days of his death, and told the news website that he intended to do so. If he does not claim it then the killer will be cremated by the California prison system. According to the will Manson chose specifically to disinherit his known and unknown children, former wives, all relatives, friends, and lawyers. The pen pal said he last spoke to Manson by phone on Oct 21 The will was typed but included some scrawled handwriting, which appeared to match Manson's known style. It included the message: "I'm not in the best spot to rest in peace." The will was said to have been witnessed by one of Manson's fellow inmates. Charles Manson Credit: AP Manson spent his last 45 years in jail after sending followers known as the "Manson Family" to commit gruesome murders,  In the summer of 1969 he directed his mostly young, female followers to murder seven people in what prosecutors said was part of a plan to incite a race war. Among the victims was actress Sharon Tate, the pregnant wife of filmmaker Roman Polanski. She was stabbed 16 times by cult members. A section of the will said Charles Manson, Prisoner B33920, wished to have his body released to the custody of the pen pal who was "my one and only executor of any services, viewings, funeral arrangements, or otherwise, in his judgment OF MY WISHES only". Manson also said that he was "of a sound mind".

First House Dem Calls On Rep. Conyers To Resign

Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.) became the first Democrat in Congress to call on Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) to resign from Congress in light of recent sexual harassment allegations.

Based On His Tweets, Here's What Donald Trump Was Thankful For This Year

It’s that time of year where families across America gather to eat an irrationally large dinner at an irrationally early hour and discuss what they’re most thankful for, like good health, new relationships, or― in the case of President Donald Trump― tax cuts and Sean Hannity’s ratings.

Canadian dog walker survives three days in remote bush - thanks to her three dogs

A Canadian dog walker has said she was able to survive for more than two days in the wilderness thanks to her pet border collie, boxer and beagle. Annette Poitras, 56, was out walking her dogs on Monday when she fell, injuring herself and losing her phone in remote British Columbia. She was not rescued until Wednesday afternoon, after an extensive search from a rescue team. Her husband Marcel said the three dogs, which did not leave her side during the ordeal, helped to keep her alive. Annette Poitras, could not have survived over two days in the wilderness without the help of her dogs Credit: Coquitlam Search and Rescue Mr Poitras said that his wife and the dogs - a border collie called Chloe, a boxer named Roxy, and Bubba, a pug-beagle mix - looked after each other over two days and two nights, with no supplies and periods of "torrential" rain. He said his wife used her coat to keep Roxy, the short-haired boxer, warm and took her lead from the dogs who dug a hole in the undergrowth to sleep in, following suit. "One of them was cuddling [her] and one of them was on guard and the other one was looking for food," he told Global News. Annette Poitras Credit: Coquitlam Search and Rescue None of the dogs left her side, he added. Over 100 rescuers combed the wilderness near Eagle Mountain to try and find Mrs Poitras after her husband reported her missing on Monday. Two helicopters were also used in the search. Eventually, one group of rescuers heard faint cries for help and the dogs' barks and were able to locate them in a remote area. The rescue team said she was "alive and in good condition" quite far into the Coquitlam Watershed and off trail, in dense bush and swamp. Mr Poitras said his wife was recovering and will be released from hospital this week. The couple are looking forward to "quiet, peace, walking dogs, visiting family" now the ordeal is over, he added.