Brazil’s Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota has quit in the wake of a diplomatic scandal with Bolivia. Antonio Patriota resigned after a Bolivian opposition politician holed up in the Brazilian embassy in La Paz for more than a year fled the country in a diplomatic car. A Brazilian official has admitted using his diplomatic immunity to… Continue reading Brazil’s Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota resigns over Bolivia diplomatic scandal
Category: Front Page
Front Page news
India’s Food Security Bill passed by lower house
The controversial Indian Food Security Bill that aims to provide subsidized food to two-thirds of the population has been passed by the lower house. Under the plan, which still needs to be approved by the upper house, 800 million poor people would receive 11 lbs of cheap grain every month. Its backers argue it is… Continue reading India’s Food Security Bill passed by lower house
US to reach debt ceiling in October, warns Treasury Secretary Jack Lew
US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew has warned that the government will reach its debt limit by mid-October unless Congress acts quickly. The debt ceiling was last raised in January. The government can no longer borrow if it is reached. Jack Lew said that in such a case it will be unable to meet obligations such… Continue reading US to reach debt ceiling in October, warns Treasury Secretary Jack Lew
All Liberia students fail university admission exam
Liberia’s Education Minister Etmonia David-Tarpeh says she finds it hard to believe that not a single candidate passed this year’s university admission exam. Nearly 25,000 school-leavers failed the test for admission to the University of Liberia, one of two state-run universities. The students lacked enthusiasm and did not have a basic grasp of English, said… Continue reading All Liberia students fail university admission exam
John Kerry: Syrian chemical attack is undeniable
US Secretary of State John Kerry has condemned the fact that the Syrian government used chemical weapons against its own people. John Kerry said footage of the alleged chemical weapons attack near Damascus was “real and compelling” and “undeniable”. He said President Barack Obama was considering a response. It comes hours after UN chemical weapons… Continue reading John Kerry: Syrian chemical attack is undeniable
UN complains over Syria sniper fire
The UN is to complain to the Syrian government and rebels after a convoy of chemical weapons inspectors came under sniper fire. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said he would ask the inspection team in Damascus to register “a strong complaint” so it never happened again. The team is looking at five sites near… Continue reading UN complains over Syria sniper fire
Venice seeks safer navigation after gondola crash
Venice authorities have set out proposals to make navigation safer on the city’s main waterway after a German tourist died in a crash last week. They aim to regulate traffic flow on the heavily congested Grand Canal, and include plans to carry out checks for drug use by gondoliers, the mayor says. A 50-year-old German… Continue reading Venice seeks safer navigation after gondola crash
Bo Xilai trial ends in China
Chinese prosecutors said no leniency should be shown as the trial of former top politician Bo Xilai ended. Bo Xilai’s crimes were serious and he had not shown remorse, the prosecution said, so leniency was not called for. The disgraced politician, meanwhile, continued to deny charges against him and said his police chief tried to… Continue reading Bo Xilai trial ends in China
Greece may need a third bailout package
Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras has said the country may need a third bailout but would not accept new austerity measures. Yannis Stournaras said: “If there is need for further support to Greece, it will be in the order of about 10 billion euros [$13.4 billion], or much smaller than the previous programmes.” Greece has… Continue reading Greece may need a third bailout package
Syrian government allows UN inspectors to investigate Damascus chemical attack
The Syrian government has allowed UN inspectors to investigate allegations of a suspected chemical weapon attack near Damascus. The team is to begin work on Monday. Activists say Syrian forces killed more than 300 people in several suburbs east and west of the capital on Wednesday. State media reported that chemical agents were found in… Continue reading Syrian government allows UN inspectors to investigate Damascus chemical attack
Argentina loses appeal in $1.3 billion US debt case
Argentina has been ordered again to pay back more than $1.3 billion to a group of American investors – 11 years after its record debt default. A New York appeals court unanimously rejected every Argentine argument against the payout. The decision is the latest twist in the long-running legal saga. Argentina refuses to pay anything… Continue reading Argentina loses appeal in $1.3 billion US debt case
Tony Abbott launches campaign for Australia election
Tony Abbott, the favorite to win next month’s Australian general election, has launched his campaign. The conservative opposition leader has vowed to control government spending and build a stronger economy by putting “bulldozers on the ground and cranes into our skies”. Opinion polls show Tony Abbott is poised to end six years of Labor rule.… Continue reading Tony Abbott launches campaign for Australia election
Bo Xilai accuses Wang Lijun of lying over allegations of power abuse
Bo Xilai has accused his ex-police chief Wang Lijun of lying over allegations of abuse of power. Disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai launched a scathing attack on Wang Lijun, his former associate in the central city of Chongqing, saying his testimony was “full of lies and fraud”. The trial, in its fourth day in the… Continue reading Bo Xilai accuses Wang Lijun of lying over allegations of power abuse
North Korea angry at Swiss decision to block ski lifts deal
North Korea has reacted angrily to Swiss decision to block a deal to sell ski lifts to the secretive communist country. The equipment – which included chair lifts and cable cars – was for the Masik ski resort project which is currently under construction. But the Swiss government said last week the equipment constituted luxury… Continue reading North Korea angry at Swiss decision to block ski lifts deal
Medecins Sans Frontieres reports Syria chemical deaths
Medecins Sans Frontieres reports hospitals it supports in Syria treated about 3,600 patients with “neurotoxic symptoms”, of whom 355 have died. MSF said the patients had arrived in three hospitals in the Damascus governorate on August 21 – when opposition activists say chemical attacks were launched against rebels. But MSF says it cannot “scientifically confirm”… Continue reading Medecins Sans Frontieres reports Syria chemical deaths
Nelson Mandela still critical but stable in Pretoria hospital
Nelson Mandela is said to be showing great resilience in hospital though his condition becomes unstable at times. The 95-year-old South African former leader is “still critical but stable”, according to a statement from President Jacob Zuma’s office. Nelson Mandela remains in hospital in Pretoria two-and-a-half months after being admitted with a recurring lung infection.… Continue reading Nelson Mandela still critical but stable in Pretoria hospital
Bob Filner: San Diego mayor quits denying harassment
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, who has been battling harassment allegations by 18 women and a related lawsuit, has finally bowed to calls for him to quit. Democrat Bob Filner stood aside with an apology to the women concerned, but denied harassing anyone. Bob Filner’s departure follows a deal with the Californian city’s council over… Continue reading Bob Filner: San Diego mayor quits denying harassment
Pentagon moving forces closer to Syria
The Pentagon has decided to move its forces closer to Syria as the US weighs its options in the conflict there, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has suggested. Chuck Hagel gave no details, but media reports say the US Navy is strengthening its presence in the eastern Mediterranean. On Friday, President Barack Obama said fresh allegations… Continue reading Pentagon moving forces closer to Syria
Bo Xilai trial: Chinese politician admits some responsibility
Bo Xilai has admitted “some responsibility” for the government funds he is accused of embezzling. The disgraced Chinese politician told a Jinan court that his wife Gu Kailai had taken the money, and he knew nothing about it at the time. However, Bo Xilai admitted he did not do enough to stop it. “I feel… Continue reading Bo Xilai trial: Chinese politician admits some responsibility
Rim Fire: California emergency as Yosemite Park wildfire rages
A huge wildfire has burned into California’s Yosemite National Park, park officials say. The week-old Rim Fire grew to 164 sq miles by Friday morning, and had burned 17 sq miles at the edge of the park by the afternoon. The blaze has forced scores of tourists to flee during peak season and is threatening… Continue reading Rim Fire: California emergency as Yosemite Park wildfire rages
Nidal Hasan: Fort Hood gunman found guilty on all counts
Army psychiatrist Major Nidal Hasan, who shot dead 13 comrades at a Texas Army base in 2009, has been convicted of all charges. Nidal Hasan, 42, faces the death penalty after being found guilty of 13 counts of pre-meditated murder and 32 counts of attempted murder. He said he opened fire on the unarmed US… Continue reading Nidal Hasan: Fort Hood gunman found guilty on all counts
Russia backs UN probe of Syria chemical attacks
President Barack Obama has said the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria in an attack on Wednesday is a “big event of grave concern”. Barack Obama said the US was still seeking confirmation such weapons were used, but if proved true the situation would “require America’s attention”. Meanwhile, Syria’s main ally Russia has said… Continue reading Russia backs UN probe of Syria chemical attacks
Lebanon: Tripoli explosions kill at least 42 people
Two huge explosions killed at least 42 people and wounded more than 400 others in Lebanon’s northern city of Tripoli, health officials say. The explosions are thought to represent the deadliest attack in Lebanon since the end of the civil war in 1990. As Friday prayers ended, a blast hit the al-Taqwa mosque, which is… Continue reading Lebanon: Tripoli explosions kill at least 42 people
Princess Diana’s death: Prince Charles and Mohamed Al-Fayed contacted by police
Scotland Yard has contacted Prince Charles and Mohamed Al-Fayed as the police assess claims that the SAS murdered Princess Diana. Police said they are also getting in touch with Lord Justice Scott Baker, the judge who presided over the inquest into her death. Princess Diana, 36, Mohamed Al-Fayed’s son Dodi, 42, and driver Henri Paul,… Continue reading Princess Diana’s death: Prince Charles and Mohamed Al-Fayed contacted by police
Bo Xilai rejects Gu Kailai’s testimony at trial
Bo Xilai has dismissed testimony from his wife, Gu Kailai, at his trial, saying she was unstable and had been coerced. Video footage and written testimony from Gu Kailai, who was convicted last year of the murder of Neil Heywood, was posted on the court’s official microblog. In it she said she felt Neil Heywood… Continue reading Bo Xilai rejects Gu Kailai’s testimony at trial