Venezuela has announced the creation of a security unit to defend the country’s electrical system, a day after a blackout that affected 70% of the country. Some rural areas are still experiencing power outages, reports say. Energy minister Jesse Chacon apologized for the blackouts and congratulated Venezuelans for their calm despite the opposition’s “destabilizing efforts”.… Continue reading Venezuela to create security unit to defend country’s electrical system after blackout
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Joachim Gauck becomes first German senior dignitary to visit Oradour-sur-Glane
President Joachim Gauck has become the first German senior dignitary to visit Oradour-sur-Glane in France, where 642 people were killed by Nazi troops in June 1944. The ruins of the village are preserved just as they were after the massacre. Joachim Gauck said that he had accepted a French invitation to visit the site with… Continue reading Joachim Gauck becomes first German senior dignitary to visit Oradour-sur-Glane
Yu Qiyi drowned by Communist Party investigators
Chinese official Yu Qiyi, who died during interrogation, was allegedly drowned by Communist Party investigators, a state-run newspaper has reported. Yu Qiyi, who was the chief engineer of a state-owned company in Wenzhou, died on April 9. His head was held in a tub of icy water by six investigators attempting to extract a confession,… Continue reading Yu Qiyi drowned by Communist Party investigators
Australia economic growth beats forecast in Q2 2013
Australia has reported better-than-forecast growth numbers for Q2 2013, boosted by gains in consumer spending. Australia’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 2.6% during the quarter, from a year earlier. Compared with the previous quarter, growth was 0.6%. Most forecasts were for an annual growth closer to 2.5%. Analysts said the data was likely to see… Continue reading Australia economic growth beats forecast in Q2 2013
Power blackout hits 70% of Venezuela
A power blackout has left 70% of Venezuela without electricity, including parts of the capital Caracas. The power cut disabled traffic lights in the city, causing traffic chaos. It also partially disrupted the underground transport system. Thousands of workers were sent home. Power was slowly being restored in different areas after the cuts. President Nicolas… Continue reading Power blackout hits 70% of Venezuela
Vladimir Putin warns US over Syria military strike
Vladimir Putin has warned America and its allies against taking one-sided action in Syria. The Russian president said any military strikes without UN approval would be “an aggression”. President Barack Obama has called for punitive action in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack. Vladimir Putin said Russia did not rule out supporting a UN… Continue reading Vladimir Putin warns US over Syria military strike
Ariel Castro dead: Cleveland kidnapper found hanging in his cell
Cleveland kidnapper Ariel Castro has died after being found hanging in his cell. Prison officials said Ariel Castro, 53, died in hospital late on Tuesday, after prison medical staff failed to revive him. Ariel Castro held three women against their will for about a decade until May this year. He kept his victims chained up… Continue reading Ariel Castro dead: Cleveland kidnapper found hanging in his cell
Syria intervention: Barack Obama wins key backing for military strike
President Barack Obama’s plans for a military strike on Syria have won backing from key US political figures. Barack Obama said a “limited” strike was needed to degrade President Bashar al-Assad’s capabilities in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack. Key Republican leaders John Boehner and Eric Cantor both signaled their support for military action.… Continue reading Syria intervention: Barack Obama wins key backing for military strike
30 Auschwitz death camp guards face prosecution in Germany
Thirty former Auschwitz death camp guards should face prosecution in Germany, justice officials have said. The Baden-Wuerttemberg state justice ministry, heading the investigation, said 49 guards had been investigated, of whom 30 should be prosecuted. The 30 are spread across Germany, and another seven are living abroad. They are said to be aged up to… Continue reading 30 Auschwitz death camp guards face prosecution in Germany
Mohamed Morsi supporters sentenced to life in prison over Suez unrest
Eleven supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi have been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of attacking the Egyptian army. The men were accused of wounding soldiers, sabotaging armored vehicles and burning churches during riots in the port city of Suez last month. Forty-five others received five-year sentences, while five were acquitted. The… Continue reading Mohamed Morsi supporters sentenced to life in prison over Suez unrest
More than 2 million refugees have fled Syria
More than 2 million Syrians refugees have left the country until now, the UN says. At least 700,000 have fled to Lebanon, and more Syrians are now displaced than any other nationality, the UNHCR says. France and the US are continuing to push for military action over alleged chemical weapons use by Syrian forces. There… Continue reading More than 2 million refugees have fled Syria
Dennis Rodman heads back to North Korea to meet Kim Jong-un
Dennis Rodman is visiting North Korea for the second time this year to meet leader Kim Jong-un. The retired basketball player said meeting “my friend Kim”, who is a basketball fan, was part of his “basketball diplomacy tour”. Dennis Rodman told reporters he would not be discussing the case of jailed Korean-American Kenneth Bae with… Continue reading Dennis Rodman heads back to North Korea to meet Kim Jong-un
Microsoft buys Nokia mobile phone business for $7.2 billion
Microsoft has agreed a deal to buy Nokia’s mobile phone unit for 5.4 billion euros ($7.2 billion). Nokia will also license its patents and mapping services to Microsoft. Nokia shares jumped 45% on news of the deal. The purchase is set to be completed in early 2014, when about 32,000 Nokia employees will transfer to… Continue reading Microsoft buys Nokia mobile phone business for $7.2 billion
French PM Jean-Marc Ayrault presents evidence of Syria chemical weapons
French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault is presenting intelligence to MPs which he says shows Syria used chemical weapons. The dossier is said to show that Syria has large chemical stockpiles and was behind a chemical attack which the US says killed more than 1,400 people. France and the US are both pushing for punitive military… Continue reading French PM Jean-Marc Ayrault presents evidence of Syria chemical weapons
Vodafone sells its 45% stake in Verizon Wireless for $130 billion
Vodafone has sold its 45% stake in Verizon Wireless to Verizon Communications group in one of the biggest deals in corporate history. The $130 billion deal was announced by Vodafone after the close of trading on the London Stock Exchange. The company will return $84 billion to its shareholders, of which $34 billion will go… Continue reading Vodafone sells its 45% stake in Verizon Wireless for $130 billion
Edward Snowden documents: NSA spied on Brazil and Mexico
Brazil announces it will demand an explanation from the US after allegations that the National Security Agency (NSA) spied on Brazilian government communications. The allegations were made by Rio-based journalist Glenn Greenwald in a programme on TV Globo on Sunday. Glenn Greenwald obtained secret files from whistle-blower Edward Snowden. Communications from the Mexican president were… Continue reading Edward Snowden documents: NSA spied on Brazil and Mexico
Pervez Musharraf faces new murder charges
Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has been registered with new murder charges, officials say. Pervez Musharraf, who is currently under house arrest, already faces murder charges over the deaths of Benazir Bhutto and a Baloch tribal leader. He also faces charges over his attempt to sack Pakistan’s higher judiciary in 2007 and the government… Continue reading Pervez Musharraf faces new murder charges
Pope Francis announces World Prayer and Fasting Day for Syria on September 7
Pope Francis has called on all people of faith, regardless of religious sect or affiliations, to observe Saturday, September 7, as a global day of prayer and fasting for Syria. The pontiff condemned the use of chemical weapons as a means to settle any domestic or international conflict. On September 7, staring 7 PM until… Continue reading Pope Francis announces World Prayer and Fasting Day for Syria on September 7
Syria intervention: US has evidence of sarin use
Secretary of State John Kerry says the US has evidence that the chemical nerve agent sarin was used in a deadly attack in Damascus last month. John Kerry said samples from hair and blood gathered after the attack “tested positive for signatures of sarin”. The US blames the Syrian government for the August 21 attack.… Continue reading Syria intervention: US has evidence of sarin use
Nelson Mandela released from Pretoria hospital
Former South African President Nelson Mandela has left a Pretoria hospital and has gone to his Johannesburg home, where he is continuing to receive intensive care, the presidency says on its website. The announcement came a day after officials denied reports that Nelson Mandela, 95, had already been discharged. The presidency’s statement says Nelson Mandela’s… Continue reading Nelson Mandela released from Pretoria hospital
Jiang Jiemin under investigation over corruption in China
China has announced a corruption investigation into Jiang Jiemin, the head of the commission that oversees state-owned companies. The supervision ministry said Jiang Jiemin was suspected of a “serious violation of discipline”. The term is used to refer to corruption by managers of state companies. President Xi Jinping has vowed to eradicate corruption in China,… Continue reading Jiang Jiemin under investigation over corruption in China
Peru extends snow state of emergency to more regions
Peru’s government has decided to extend to nine more regions a state of emergency called to cope with unusually cold weather and heavy snowfall. Until now, at least two people have died and 33,000 others have been affected by the cold spell, local officials say. Tens of thousands of animals have frozen to death over… Continue reading Peru extends snow state of emergency to more regions
German election: Angela Merkel faces rival Peer Steinbrueck in TV debate
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her poll rival, centre-left Peer Steinbrueck, are due to take part in their only televised election debate. The event is seen as the Social Democrat (SPD) leader’s biggest chance to claw back Angela Merkel’s lead in the opinion polls before this month’s vote. Although Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc is expected… Continue reading German election: Angela Merkel faces rival Peer Steinbrueck in TV debate
Yemeni PM Mohammed Salem Basindwa survives assassination attempt
Yemen’s PM Mohammed Salem Basindwa has survived an assassination attempt unharmed, officials in the capital Sanaa say. Gunmen in a vehicle opened fire on the prime minister’s motorcade as he returned home from his office, one of his advisers said. It is the first time Mohammed Salem Basindwa has come under attack, the AFP news… Continue reading Yemeni PM Mohammed Salem Basindwa survives assassination attempt
Syria intervention: Barack Obama seeks Congress authorization for military action
President Barack Obama says he will seek congressional authorization for taking military action against Syria. The US says the Syrian government carried out chemical weapons attacks on August 21 in which 1,429 people died. Barack Obama said the operation would be limited in duration and strong to deter future chemical attacks. Congress is due to… Continue reading Syria intervention: Barack Obama seeks Congress authorization for military action