This Week in Pictures: September 12 – 16, 2016

Big news stories came thick and fast last week so lets take a moment to look back at some of the most important from around the world.

In Syria an airstrike carried out by the US-led coalition killed at least 62 Syrian troops according to the Russian Army operating in the area. The attack in Deir al-Zour was halted when the government troops’ presence became clear. The ceasefire in place to allow aid into Aleppo and other besieged cities did not prohibit continued strikes by the US on Jihadists or the so-called Islamic State. The US administration expressed “regret” for the “unintentional loss of life”, Russia called an emergency meeting of the UN security council.

In Europe the first EU meeting without the UK since the Brexit vote went ahead with several moments of drama including the Luxembourg foreign minister calling for Hungary to be expelled and Hungary, along with Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, saying it may well veto any deal on Brexit that would prevent its citizens exercising their right to work in the UK. Mr Fico, the Slovak PM, said the central European migrant population in the UK would not be permitted to become “second class citizens.”

In New York an explosion rocked the Chelsea district of Manhattan last week injuring some 29 people, all of whom were quickly released from hospital. Another device was recovered nearby with authorities confirming it consisted of a mobile phone wired to a pressure-cooker. No motive was immediately clear for the attack with Mayor Bill de Blasio stating “We have a lot more work to do to be able to say what kind of motivation was behind this. Was it a political motivation? A personal motivation? We do not know.”

In Sports Nico Rosberg moved ahead of his team mate and biggest rival in Formula One, Lewis Hamilton, after winning the Singapore Grand Prix ahead of Daniel Ricciardo, the other Mercedes relegated to just third place. The question is now can the Brit come back before the end of the season? You’ll have to read our daily news pages to see if he manages it but in the meantime here’s a look at some of the big stories from around the world we covered in over the course of the last seven days.

1.) We look at some of the biggest gamblers in movie history……….and how they lost.

(Photo: theverge.com)

2.) We look ahead to the the EHF Champions League Finals, and who might come out on top.

(Photo: Patryk Ptak/VTK)

3.) GamingZion looks ahead at the top 5 MLB teams most likely to win the 2016 World Series.

4.) GamingZion looks ahead at who might win the Sailing World Series in Qingdao.

(Photo: Antena Zadar)

5.) GamingZion discusses the news that online gambling could be worth $1 trillion by 2021.

6.) Part 1 takes a look at several top MMA prospects in the lower weight classes that could soon make their UFC debut.

(photo: mmafighting.com)

7.) We take a look at the upcoming handball match between Rhein-Neckar and Lowen-Flensburg

(Photo: sportschau.de)

Meanwhile, in what could be a herald of of the Zombie Apocalypse, Marion County Sheriffs’s Office responded to a call from residents in Ocala after a naked man broke into their home and bit one of them. By the time deputies arrived the three victims had pinned James Raines down, he was arrested, believed to be under the influence of drink or/and drugs and so taken to a local hospital where he then died. Neither the hospital nor the Sheriff’s office have released a cause of death for Mr. Raines.