High-ranking Syrian military figures have defected to Turkey, reports in Turkish media say. A general, two colonels, two majors and about 30 other soldiers are said to have crossed into Hatay province on Sunday night. They were part of a group of some 200 people who crossed the border overnight into Monday, Anatolia news agency… Continue reading Syrian general and other high-ranking military figures defect to Turkey
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Mohammed Mursi begins forming new Egyptian government
Mohammed Mursi, Egypt’s first democratically-elected president, has started forming a government, after promising to be a leader for all Egyptians. World leaders have congratulated the Muslim Brotherhood’s candidate, who defeated ex-PM Ahmed Shafiq. Mohammed Mursi could be sworn in on 30 June, although questions remain over the extent of his authority. The ruling military council… Continue reading Mohammed Mursi begins forming new Egyptian government
Abu Hamza, Mumbai attacks planner, arrested in Delhi
Abu Hamza, a key figure allegedly involved in the planning of the deadly Mumbai attacks of 2008, has been arrested in Delhi, Indian police say. Abu Hamza, also known as Syed Zabiuddin, has been remanded to police custody, said an Indian senior police official. He is being described as the “handler” of the 10 gunmen… Continue reading Abu Hamza, Mumbai attacks planner, arrested in Delhi
European debt crisis cuts aid to poor countries
A new report by the aid watchdog Data shows that European debt crisis has led to cuts in government development aid to poor countries. It is the first significant reduction in Europe-wide aid budgets for a decade. The biggest percentage cuts in the year 2010/11 were made by two of the states worst affected by… Continue reading European debt crisis cuts aid to poor countries
Turkey calls for NATO meeting on fighter jet downed by Syria
Turkey has called a NATO meeting to discuss its response to the shooting down of one of its warplanes by Syrian forces on Friday. Ankara has invoked Article 4 of NATO’s charter, under which consultations can be requested when an ally feels their security is threatened, officials say. Earlier, Turkey’s foreign minister said the F-4… Continue reading Turkey calls for NATO meeting on fighter jet downed by Syria
Mohammed Mursi wins Egyptian presidency
Higher Presidential Election Commission in Egypt has declared the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Mursi as the winner of presidential election run-off. Mohammed Mursiwon 51.73% of the vote, beating former PM Ahmed Shafiq, the Higher Presidential Election Commission said. The head of the panel of judges, Farouq Sultan, said it had upheld some of the 466 complaints… Continue reading Mohammed Mursi wins Egyptian presidency
Turkish fighter jet downed by Syria in international airspace
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said the fighter jet shot down by Syrian air defense forces on Friday was in international airspace when it was hit. Ahmet Davutoglu said the unarmed plane was not on a secret mission related to Syria, but had mistakenly entered Syrian airspace before the incident. Syria maintains that it… Continue reading Turkish fighter jet downed by Syria in international airspace
Egyptians await presidential election results
Egypt is awaiting the delayed results of the presidential run-off election held last weekend. The results are due in the coming hours, after the election commission heard appeals by the two candidates. Mohammed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood and former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq have both claimed victory and vowed to form unity governments. Thousands… Continue reading Egyptians await presidential election results
President Fernando Lugo removal draws strong reactions in Latin America
Governments in Latin America have reacted angrily to the impeachment of Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo in the wake of a land dispute scandal. Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay have condemned the move and recalled their ambassadors for consultations. But Federico Franco, who replaced Fernando Lugo as president, denied that Lugo’s removal from office was a coup.… Continue reading President Fernando Lugo removal draws strong reactions in Latin America
Shenzhou-9 spacraft makes first Chinese manual docking with Tiangong-1 lab
China has successfully completed its first ever manual docking of a spacecraft with another space module as astronauts on the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft docked with the Tiangong-1 lab module without relying on an automated system. State television broadcast images of Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang and China’s first female astronaut, Liu Yang, smiling after completing the exercise.… Continue reading Shenzhou-9 spacraft makes first Chinese manual docking with Tiangong-1 lab
Did codebreaker Alan Turing really suicide?
Alan Turing, the British mathematical genius and codebreaker born on June 23, 1912, may not have committed suicide, as is widely believed. At a conference in Oxford on Saturday, Alan Turing expert Prof. Jack Copeland will question the evidence that was presented at the 1954 inquest. Prof. Jack Copeland believes the evidence would not today… Continue reading Did codebreaker Alan Turing really suicide?
Mexican police wrongly arrest Felix Beltran Leon as son of drugs lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman
Mexican government has admitted that it mistakenly identified Felix Beltran Leon as the son of the country’s most-wanted drugs lord, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. On Thursday officials paraded before the media a man they said was Jesus Alfredo Guzman, whose father leads the powerful Sinaloa cartel. But the arrested man was in fact Felix Beltran Leon, a… Continue reading Mexican police wrongly arrest Felix Beltran Leon as son of drugs lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman
Syria confirms downing of Turkish F-4 Phantom warplane
The Syrian military has confirmed that it shot down Turkish warplane F-4 Phantom “flying in airspace over Syrian waters”. A spokesman said the plane was dealt with “according to the laws that govern such situations”, the state news agency Sana said. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country would “take the necessary steps”… Continue reading Syria confirms downing of Turkish F-4 Phantom warplane
Rio+20 Summit ends with corporate power warning
Rio+20, the UN sustainable development summit in Brazil, has ended with world leaders adopting a political declaration hammered out a few days previously. Environment and development charities say the Rio+20 agreement is too weak to tackle social and environmental crises. Gro Harlem Brundtland, author of a major UN sustainable development report 25 years ago, said… Continue reading Rio+20 Summit ends with corporate power warning
Turkish F-4 Phantom fighter jet vanishes near Syrian border
Turkish government has called an emergency security meeting amid reports that one of its fighter jets was shot down by Syrian security forces. The Turkish military earlier said it had lost contact with an F-4 Phantom over the Mediterranean Sea on Friday morning, south-west of Hatay province. It did not confirm reports that Syrian air… Continue reading Turkish F-4 Phantom fighter jet vanishes near Syrian border
Circumcision for Zimbabwe’s MP’s in bid to fight HIV
At least 10 Zimbabwean MP have been circumcised as part of a campaign to reduce HIV and AIDS cases. A small makeshift clinic for carrying out the procedures was erected in Parliament House in the capital Harare. Blessing Chebundo, chairman of Zimbabwe Parliamentarians Against AIDS, said his main objective was to inspire other citizens to… Continue reading Circumcision for Zimbabwe’s MP’s in bid to fight HIV
Moody’s downgrades 15 global banks and financial institutions
Credit ratings agency Moody’s has decided to downgrade 15 global banks and financial institutions. In the US, Bank of America and Citigroup were among those marked down. The UK banks downgraded were Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays and HSBC. Lloyds also had its rating cut by Moody’s in a separate announcement. The other institutions that… Continue reading Moody’s downgrades 15 global banks and financial institutions
Talibans attack Spozhmai Hotel in Lake Qargha near Kabul
Taliban militants have attacked Spozhmai Hotel outside Kabul in the Lake Qargha area, triggering a deadly gun battle with Afghan security forces and a hostage crisis. Three guards and one police officer were killed, as were three militants, but two are still fighting, according to the chief of Kabul police. An unknown number of people… Continue reading Talibans attack Spozhmai Hotel in Lake Qargha near Kabul
Boat with 200 on board sinks near Christmas Island, north-western Australia
Rescuers are searching for dozens of people believed to be missing after a boat sank near Christmas Island, off north-western Australia. Ships have so far picked 110 survivors from the sea, but officials believe about 200 people were on the boat. Three bodies have been recovered. The ship, believed to be carrying asylum-seekers, capsized on… Continue reading Boat with 200 on board sinks near Christmas Island, north-western Australia
H5N1 bird flu virus mutations could cause deadly human pandemic
Scientists warn the H5N1 bird flu virus could change into a form able to spread rapidly between humans. Researchers have identified five genetic changes that could allow the virus to start a deadly pandemic. Writing in the journal Science, they say it would be theoretically possible for these changes to occur in nature. A US… Continue reading H5N1 bird flu virus mutations could cause deadly human pandemic
Workers sick during annual leave entitled to get extra time off, rules European Court of Justice
Employees who fall sick during their annual leave are entitled to take corresponding paid leave at a later date, the EU’s top court has ruled. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling is legally binding throughout the EU. Thursday’s ruling was prompted by a Spanish trade union case against a group of department stores. “The… Continue reading Workers sick during annual leave entitled to get extra time off, rules European Court of Justice
Egypt’s presidential election results delayed
Egypt’s presidential poll results have been delayed by the election authorities, raising further tension across the country. The results had been due to be announced on Thursday, but the election commission said it needed more time to look into complaints presented by the candidates. The Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Mursi and former PM Ahmed Shafiq both… Continue reading Egypt’s presidential election results delayed
Adrian Nastase, Romania’s ex-PM, in suicide attempt
Former Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase has attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself in the head but he eventually shot his neck. The incident occurred when police arrived at Adrian Nastase’s house to take him to prison, local media reports say. Hours earlier Romania’s highest court had upheld a two-year prison sentence against Adrian… Continue reading Adrian Nastase, Romania’s ex-PM, in suicide attempt
Toulouse CIC bank hostage-taker arrested after 7 hours
Police have detained a gunman who held four people hostage at CIC bank in the southern city of Toulouse, France, for almost seven hours. The man initially demanded money but when he was refused, a shot was fired and the hostages taken. Claiming to be linked to al-Qaeda, he demanded to speak to the elite… Continue reading Toulouse CIC bank hostage-taker arrested after 7 hours
Spencer West, who lost his legs as a child, scales Kilimanjaro by crawling up on his hands
Spencer West from Toronto, Canada – who lost his legs when he was just five years old – reached the summit of the 19,341ft high Mt. Kilimanjaro on Monday after a slow, gruelling and awe-inspiring trek. Spencer West, 31, was born with sacral agenesis, a genetic disorder that left his lower spine poorly developed and… Continue reading Spencer West, who lost his legs as a child, scales Kilimanjaro by crawling up on his hands