A UN report has confirmed “unequivocally and objectively” that chemical weapons have been used in Syria. The report says sarin gas was used in a rocket attack in the Syrian capital, Damascus, last month, although it has not attributed blame. “This is a war crime,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. US allegations that the government was… Continue reading UN confirms use of sarin gas in Damascus attacks
Category: Front Page
Front Page news
Shooting at Washington Navy Yard
Several people have been shot by a gunman at the Washington Navy Yard, a naval installation in the US capital, the US Navy has said. The US Navy confirmed police had entered an office building in search of a gunman, after shots were fired at 08:20 local time. Local news agencies said as many as… Continue reading Shooting at Washington Navy Yard
Cost Concordia raising under way
An attempt to pull the shipwrecked Costa Concordia upright – one of the largest and most daunting salvage operations ever undertaken – is under way. The operation was delayed for three hours because of an overnight storm, but began at 09:00 local time. Righting the ship is expected to take up to 12 hours. Engineers… Continue reading Cost Concordia raising under way
South Korean troops shoot dead man swimming to North Korea
South Korean soldiers have shot dead a man trying to swim across a border river into North Korea, officials say. Troops opened fire after the man jumped into the Imjin River and ignored repeated warnings to stop. North Korea and South Korea remain technically at war after the 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice and… Continue reading South Korean troops shoot dead man swimming to North Korea
Australia: Tony Abbott unveils new cabinet
Australia’s newly elected Prime Minister Tony Abbott has unveiled his new cabinet, calling it a highly experienced line-up. The appointments broadly followed the line up while in opposition, but included a major promotion for finance. As expected Julie Bishop became foreign minister – the only woman to be named to Tony Abbott’s frontbench. Tony Abbott… Continue reading Australia: Tony Abbott unveils new cabinet
Syria hails chemical weapons deal as a victory
A Syrian minister hails the US-Russia agreement on destroying the country’s chemical weapons as a “victory” that averts war. The framework document says Syria must provide full details of its stockpile within a week – with the chemical arsenal eliminated by mid-2014. If Syria fails to comply, the deal could be enforced by a UN… Continue reading Syria hails chemical weapons deal as a victory
Costa Concordia salvage due to begin on Monday
Costa Concordia salvage will go ahead on Monday, Italian officials have confirmed. The Civil Protection agency said the sea and weather conditions were right for the salvage attempt. Engineers have never tried to move such a huge ship so close to land. Thirty-two people died when the cruise ship hit rocks off the Tuscan island… Continue reading Costa Concordia salvage due to begin on Monday
Colorado floods: Death toll rises to five as more than 500 people are missing
More than 500 people are missing and at least 4 people have died, with another victim believed to be dead, after flash floods hit Colorado. Many residents are still stranded in their homes as rescue workers try to reach them. Boulder county officials fear rescue attempts will be hampered by the extra 4in of rain… Continue reading Colorado floods: Death toll rises to five as more than 500 people are missing
Afghanistan: At least 27 miners killed in Abkhorak coal mine collapse
At least 27 Afghan miners have been killed in a collapse after being trapped underground in the northern province of Samangan, officials have confirmed. Provincial governor’s spokesman Mohammad Seddiq Azizi said that the men had been working at the Abkhorak coal mine when part of it collapsed. Four members of the rescue teams were badly… Continue reading Afghanistan: At least 27 miners killed in Abkhorak coal mine collapse
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner criticizes Argentine elite
Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has criticized her country’s elite for trying to create a negative image of her government. “These small sectors have done well through history, they have kept the lion’s share,” Cristina Fernandez said in an interview with state television. The president added that most Argentines are better off now than… Continue reading Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner criticizes Argentine elite
Hurricane Ingrid: Mexico hit by severe dual storm
Hurricane Ingrid, the second major storm of the hurricane season, has been steadily gathering strength in the Gulf of Mexico. Most of people who have been evacuated are staying in official shelters while the remainder has sought refuge with friends and families. In particular, the southern state of Chiapas and the eastern state of Veracruz… Continue reading Hurricane Ingrid: Mexico hit by severe dual storm
Poland: Mass anti-government rally against labor law changes
Tens of thousands of protesters have marched through Warsaw in the last of four days of Polish protests against proposed labor law changes. The protesters demanded a higher minimum wage, greater job security and the repeal of a law rai sing the retirement age to 67. Many carried banners calling for Prime Minister Donald Tusk… Continue reading Poland: Mass anti-government rally against labor law changes
Russia and US agree Syria chemical weapons deal in Geneva
Russia and the US have agreed in Geneva that Syria’s chemical weapons must be destroyed or removed by mid-2014. US Secretary of State John Kerry outlined a six-point framework under which Syria must hand over a full list of its stockpile within a week. If Syria fails to comply, the deal could be enforced by… Continue reading Russia and US agree Syria chemical weapons deal in Geneva
United Airlines to honor free tickets issued in airfare glitch
United Airlines has decided to honor airline tickets sold for as little as $0 because of a computer error. United Airlines, one of the largest in the US, said it was unsure how many steeply discounted tickets it had issued. It temporarily shut down its website and ceased taking telephone orders after discovering the error.… Continue reading United Airlines to honor free tickets issued in airfare glitch
Mexico: Striking teachers clash with riot police in Zocalo Square
Riot police have clashed with striking teachers during an operation to clear an occupied Mexico City square. The police used tear gas and water cannons to remove the protesters from the city’s main square, the Zocalo. Striking teachers had been camped out there for weeks. Some responded with petrol bombs as police moved in after… Continue reading Mexico: Striking teachers clash with riot police in Zocalo Square
Epsilon: Japan launches first affordable space rocket
Japan has launched Epsilon, the first in a new generation of space rockets, hoping the design will make missions more affordable. The Epsilon rocket is about half the size of Japan’s previous generation of space vehicles, and uses artificial intelligence to perform safety checks. Japan’s space agency JAXA says the Epsilon cost $37 million to… Continue reading Epsilon: Japan launches first affordable space rocket
Ayman al-Zawahiri: Al-Qaeda seeks US economic damage
Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has issued a message marking the 12th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. In the audio message, Ayman al-Zawahiri talks of the need for small-scale attacks – and even a boycott – to damage the US economy. The message may be seen as a sign of diminishing ambitions and a… Continue reading Ayman al-Zawahiri: Al-Qaeda seeks US economic damage
Twitter plans to join stock market
Twitter plans to join the stock market in the most hotly anticipated flotation since Facebook’s last year. Referring to the official paperwork needed to join the market, the company tweeted: “We’ve confidentially submitted an S-1 to the SEC for a planned IPO [initial public offering].” Investors value Twitter, founded in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Biz… Continue reading Twitter plans to join stock market
Qatar rejects 2022 World Cup criticism
Head of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Hassan al-Thawadi has rejected calls for the tournament to be awarded to another country. FIFA is expected to move the tournament to winter to avoid Qatar’s high summer temperatures. And Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said the tournament might have to move location if a suitable time to… Continue reading Qatar rejects 2022 World Cup criticism
Afghanistan: Taliban insurgents attack US consulate in Herat
Afghan Taliban insurgents attacked the US consulate in the western city of Herat. Two Afghan police and one security guard were killed in the dawn assault, along with seven attackers. The US consulate said its staff was safe. The Taliban said they carried out the attack, which began with a huge blast at the compound… Continue reading Afghanistan: Taliban insurgents attack US consulate in Herat
Mount McKinley: Highest peak in North America shrinks with 83ft
Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America, has shrunk, according to new data released by US geographers. Mount McKinley, located in the US state of Alaska, measured 83ft shorter than previously understood. The mountain now stands at 20,237ft. It was last officially measured in 1952, researchers said. The US Geological Survey speculated that the… Continue reading Mount McKinley: Highest peak in North America shrinks with 83ft
Voyager-1 becomes first manmade object to leave Solar System
Voyager-1 has become the first manmade object to leave the Solar System. Scientists say the probe’s instruments indicate it has moved beyond the bubble of hot gas from our Sun and is now moving in the space between the stars. Launched in 1977, Voyager was sent initially to study the outer planets, but then just… Continue reading Voyager-1 becomes first manmade object to leave Solar System
Colorado flooding leaves three people dead
Colorado flooding left three people dead and prompted the evacuation of hundreds of homes. Many roads are closed because of high water and debris, preventing rescue crews from reaching the stranded. Up to 7in of rain fell in three hours in the Boulder area on Thursday morning, the third day of rain. Residents in two… Continue reading Colorado flooding leaves three people dead
Bashar al-Assad confirms Syria’s chemical weapons will be placed under international control
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has appeared on Russian TV to confirm that his country’s chemical weapons will be placed under international control. Bashar al-Assad’s comments, to Rossiya 24, came as US and Russian foreign ministers prepared to meet in Geneva to discuss the plan, proposed by Russia earlier this week. He insisted that the move… Continue reading Bashar al-Assad confirms Syria’s chemical weapons will be placed under international control
Alexei Navalny launches election fraud lawsuits against Sergei Sobyanin
Alexei Navalny has launched hundreds of lawsuits contesting Sergei Sobyanin’s victory in Moscow mayoral election. Alexei Navalny delivered boxes full of complaints of fraud to Moscow city court, and began filing 951 lawsuits with 36 district courts. The city court refused his request to stop Sergei Sobyanin’s inauguration on Thursday night. The courts could take… Continue reading Alexei Navalny launches election fraud lawsuits against Sergei Sobyanin