A Cambridge professor who won one of the most prestigious prizes in mathematics, the Fields Medal, has had his award stolen in Brazil. Caucher Birkar was born in Iran but now works at the University of Cambridge -- Photo: UNI CAMBRIDGE Professor Caucher Birkar, a Kurd, came to the UK as a refugee from Iran. He was one of four people honoured for their contributions to mathematicsand had said that he "couldn't imagine that this would come true". But just minutes later, he discovered that the 14-carat gold medal had gone missing. According to Brazil's TV Globo, he left it along with his wallet and phone in a briefcase on a table at the convention centre where the event was taking place. He alerted security staff when he noticed the case was missing and they later found the case, but both his medal and his wallet were no longer there. Who is Professor Birkar? Caucher Birkar was born on a farm in Kurdistan Province, near the Iran-Iraq border, and was raised during the … [Read more...] about Fields medal: UK refugee’s major maths award stolen
1980s political events
Zimbabwe votes in first post-Mugabe election
Viet Nam News HARARE — Zimbabwe goes to the polls on Monday in its first election since authoritarian leader Robert Mugabe was ousted last year, with alleged ballot fraud and the likelihood of a disputed result clouding voting day. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s former ally in the ruling ZANU-PF party, faces opposition leader Nelson Chamisa of the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) in a historic vote for the southern African nation. Mugabe, 94, who was ousted by the military in November, made a surprise intervention on the eve of the elections, calling for voters to throw ZANU-PF out of office. Zimbabwe’s generals shocked the world last year when they seized control and ushered Mnangagwa to power after Mugabe allegedly tried to position his wife Grace to be his successor. Mnangagwa, 75, who promises a fresh start for the country despite being from the ZANU-PF elite, is the front-runner with the advantage of covert military support, a loyal state media … [Read more...] about Zimbabwe votes in first post-Mugabe election
Blast rocks Zimbabwe president’s rally
Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Saturday he narrowly survived an attempt on his life after a blast at a party rally that injured two of his vice-presidents and several party officials. Fifteen people were injured, three seriously and some lost limbs, in the explosion during an election campaign event in Zimbabwe's second city Bulawayo, according to Health Minister David Parirenyatwa. Footage circulating on social media showed an explosion and plumes of smoke around the president as he descended stairs from the podium at the city's White City stadium. Mnangagwa suggested he was the target of the attack, which he said also injured Vice-Presidents Kembo Mohadi and Constantino Chiwenga. "I am used to these attempts," Mnangagwa told state media, adding that an object "exploded a few inches away from me -- but it is not my time". ZANU-PF chairwoman and cabinet minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and Mary Chiwenga, the wife of vice president Chiwenga, were also among those injured, … [Read more...] about Blast rocks Zimbabwe president’s rally
Saudi Arabia unveils first new cinema with ’Black Panther’ screening
Viet Nam News RIYADH — Saudi Arabia on Wednesday unveiled its first cinema in over 35 years with a private screening of the blockbuster Black Panther, the first in a series of trial runs before movie theatres open to the wider public. The invitation-only gala event comes after the conservative kingdom lifted the ban on cinemas last year as part of a far-reaching liberalisation drive, with US giant AMC Entertainment granted the first licence to operate movie theatres. Anticipation had been building after the authorities announced earlier this month that Saudi Arabia’s first cinema in over three decades would open on Wednesday, but officials dubbed the event at Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District a "dry run". AMC chief executive Adam Aron said ticket sales will commence on Thursday for the first public shows on Friday. But local authorities indicated the test screenings could last for days before an online ticketing system is formally launched. Officials … [Read more...] about Saudi Arabia unveils first new cinema with ’Black Panther’ screening
New development in Vietnam – France strategic partnership
The statement was made by Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Thiep in an interview with Vietnamese reporters in France. Reporter: The upcoming official visit to France made by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has a great significance in celebration of the 45th anniversary of Vietnam – France diplomatic ties. Could you tell us about the main message that the two countries wish to convey through the visit? Ambassador Nguyen Thiep: The two countries first established the diplomatic ties on April 12, 1973. Over nearly half a century, their friendship and cooperation have developed well in a comprehensive and deep manner in many fields, especially in culture, education and decentralised cooperation. Based on that, in 2013, the two sides decided to establish a strategic partnership. France has become a leading important partner of Vietnam in Europe. Vietnam is also an indispensable strategic partner of France in Asia with its role and contributions to the peace, stability … [Read more...] about New development in Vietnam – France strategic partnership