General Ilker Basbug, Turkey’s former armed forces chief, has been jailed for life for plotting to overthrow the government, after five years of trials involving officers, lawyers, writers and journalists. Gen. Ilker Basbug was among dozens of people convicted of involvement in the so-called Ergenekon plot. Critics of PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan have accused him… Continue reading Ergenekon trial: General Ilker Basbug jailed for life for plotting to overthrow Turkish government
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Front Page news
Fonterra apologizes for contaminated dairy products scare
New Zealand dairy firm Fonterra has apologized for the distress caused to parents because of a scare over contaminated products. Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings was speaking in China after it emerged on Saturday that batches of whey protein contained bacteria that can cause botulism. Contaminated products, including infant formula, were exported to a number of… Continue reading Fonterra apologizes for contaminated dairy products scare
Louisiana derailed train leaks toxic chemicals
About 100 homes have been evacuated in Louisiana after a derailed train carriage leaked toxic chemicals. The railcar leaked sodium hydroxide, which can be lethal if inhaled, a Union Pacific railways spokeswoman said. More than 20 train carriages went off tracks near Lawtell, west of Baton Rouge, at 15:30 local time on Sunday. The engineer… Continue reading Louisiana derailed train leaks toxic chemicals
Tamerlan Tsarnaev was in possession of right-wing American literature
Boston bombings suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev was in possession of right-wing American literature in the run-up to the attack, it was emerged today. Tamerlan Tsarnaev subscribed to publications espousing white supremacy and government conspiracy theories. He also had reading material on mass killings. Until now Tamerlan Tsarnaev and his brother Dzhokhar were widely perceived as just… Continue reading Tamerlan Tsarnaev was in possession of right-wing American literature
US extends embassy closures for up to a week due to possible militant threat
The US has announced it will keep some of its embassies in north Africa and the Middle East closed for up to a week, due to a possible militant threat. Twenty-one US embassies and consulates closed on Sunday. The State Department in Washington said the extended closures were due to the exercise of caution, and… Continue reading US extends embassy closures for up to a week due to possible militant threat
Spain considers 50 euros Gibraltar border fee
Spain is considering a 50 euro fee to cross its border with Gibraltar, amid a row over an artificial reef. Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo told a Spanish newspaper the proceeds would “help fishermen affected by the destruction of fishing grounds”. The latest tensions come after the British territory began work on the concrete reef,… Continue reading Spain considers 50 euros Gibraltar border fee
China bans all imports of milk powder from New Zealand in botulism fears
China has banned all imports of milk powder from New Zealand, after its main dairy exporter, Fonterra, found in some of its products a strain of bacteria that can cause botulism. China relies on New Zealand for almost all its imports of milk powder. Imports are highly prized in China after a tainted milk formula… Continue reading China bans all imports of milk powder from New Zealand in botulism fears
Car speeds deliberately through pedestrians on Venice Beach Boardwalk
A car sped deliberately through a crowd of pedestrians, killing one, on the Venice Beach Boardwalk in Los Angeles. One of the 12 people hit by the crazed driver has died, one other is in critical condition and two others are seriously injured, according to officials. Eight others sustained at least minor injuries and a… Continue reading Car speeds deliberately through pedestrians on Venice Beach Boardwalk
US and UK concern over Zimbabwe vote
The US and UK have expressed concerns after Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe won a seventh term in office amid claims of electoral fraud. US Secretary of State John Kerry said the results did not “represent a credible expression of the people”. Robert Mugabe, 89, won 61% of the vote, against PM Morgan Tsvangirai’s 34%. But… Continue reading US and UK concern over Zimbabwe vote
Kirobo: Japan launches first talking robot into space
Japan has launched Kirobo, the world’s first talking robot, into space to serve as companion to astronaut Kochi Wakata who will begin his mission in November. The android took off from the island of Tanegashima in an unmanned rocket also carrying supplies for crew onboard the International Space Station (ISS). Measuring 13 inches, Kirobo is… Continue reading Kirobo: Japan launches first talking robot into space
Zimbabwe election result: Robert Mugabe re-elected amid fraud claims
Robert Mugabe has won a seventh term in office as Zimbabwe’s president, officials say, amid claims of electoral fraud. Robert Mugabe, 89, won 61% of the vote, against PM Morgan Tsvangirai’s 34%. Morgan Tsvangirai earlier said the elections for parliament and president were fraudulent and promised to take legal action. He said his Movement for… Continue reading Zimbabwe election result: Robert Mugabe re-elected amid fraud claims
Hassan Rouhani replaces Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president of Iran
Hassan Rouhani has officially replaced Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president of Iran. Cleric Hassan Rouhani’s election has been endorsed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at a ceremony in the capital, Tehran. He won the presidential poll in June, promising to reform and to put an end to Iran’s international isolation. The ceremony marks the handover… Continue reading Hassan Rouhani replaces Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president of Iran
Edward Snowden affair: Germany cancels spy pact with US and UK
Germany has decided to cancel a Cold War-era pact with the US and the UK in response to revelations about electronic surveillance operations. Details of snooping programmes involving the transatlantic allies have been leaked to the media by Edward Snowden. The revelations have sparked widespread outrage in Germany, where elections are due next month. The… Continue reading Edward Snowden affair: Germany cancels spy pact with US and UK
New Zealand: Fonterra recalls dairy products across seven countries over botulism fears
Fonterra, New Zealand’s main dairy exporter, has found a strain of bacteria causing botulism in some of its products, including infant formula and sports drinks. It has led to a global recall of up to 1,000 tons of dairy products across seven countries, including China. Fonterra has not named the eight companies affected. Botulism is… Continue reading New Zealand: Fonterra recalls dairy products across seven countries over botulism fears
Zimbabwe election result: Opposition calls for political boycott
Roy Bennett, a leading Zimbabwe opposition figure, has called for a campaign of “passive resistance” after election results showed President Robert Mugabe’s party had won a large majority in parliament. Roy Bennett, treasurer of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said people should force Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF to “rule by themselves”. The MDC has already… Continue reading Zimbabwe election result: Opposition calls for political boycott
US issues global travel alert over fears of al-Qaeda attack
A global travel alert has been issued by the US state department because of fears of an unspecified al-Qaeda attack. The department said the potential for an attack was particularly strong in the Middle East and North Africa. The US intercepted electronic communications between senior al-Qaeda figures, according to officials quoted by the New York… Continue reading US issues global travel alert over fears of al-Qaeda attack
Zimbabwe election result: Robert Mugabe wins parliamentary majority
Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe’s party has won a two-thirds majority in parliament in this week’s elections, officials say. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said that Zanu-PF had won 142 seats in the 210-seat chamber. Analysts say the result is enough for Zanu-PF to change the constitution. Results in the presidential race have yet to be announced.… Continue reading Zimbabwe election result: Robert Mugabe wins parliamentary majority
Toyota annual profit forecast increased
Japanese carmaker Toyota has raised its forecast for annual profit as a weak yen and a recovery in sales in the US continue to boost its growth. Toyota now expects to make a net profit of 1.48 trillion yen ($14.8bn) for the current financial year, up from its earlier projection of 1.37 trillion yen. The… Continue reading Toyota annual profit forecast increased
US economy added 162,000 new jobs in July
The US Labor Department has announced that the country’s economy added 162,000 new jobs in July. The figure – which measures the number of jobs outside the US farming sector – was below economists’ expectations of more than 180,000 and the government also cut its previous estimates for hiring in May and June. Nonetheless, the… Continue reading US economy added 162,000 new jobs in July
Johnson & Johnson accused of misconduct in China
Johnson & Johnson has become the latest foreign pharmaceutical company to be accused of misconduct in China. A ruling by a Shanghai court ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $85,000 to a local distributor for violating anti-monopoly laws. Two subsidiaries of the company were accused of setting a minimum price for the sale of surgical… Continue reading Johnson & Johnson accused of misconduct in China
Silvio Berlusconi angry video message after jail sentence
Silvio Berlusconi has broadcast an angry video message after his jail sentence for tax fraud was upheld by Rome’s Court of Cassation, the country’s highest court. Italy’s former PM Silvio Berlusconi said he was the innocent victim of “an incredible series of accusations and trials that had nothing to do with reality”. The court also… Continue reading Silvio Berlusconi angry video message after jail sentence
Zimbabwean election result: Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party takes early lead
Zimbabwean presidential and parliamentary elections were “free, honest and credible”, the African Union observer mission’s head has said. Olusegun Obasanjo said the incidents reported during Wednesday’s poll could not “change the outcome”. The largest observer group said earlier the poll was “seriously compromised”. President Robert Mugabe’s party is claiming victory in the election, which was… Continue reading Zimbabwean election result: Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party takes early lead
Edward Snowden thanks Russia for granting him temporary asylum
Edward Snowden has thanked Russia for granting him temporary asylum, allowing him to leave the Moscow airport where he has been holed up since June. In a statement, Edward Snowden also accused the US government of showing “no respect” for international law. The US has charged Edward Snowden with leaking details of its electronic surveillance… Continue reading Edward Snowden thanks Russia for granting him temporary asylum
Silvio Berlusconi jail term for tax fraud confirmed
Rome’s Court of Cassation has upheld a prison sentence given to former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for tax fraud. When he was convicted last October, Silvio Berlusconi was sentenced to four years in prison but this was automatically reduced to a year under a 2006 pardon law. Silvio Berlusconi faces house arrest or community… Continue reading Silvio Berlusconi jail term for tax fraud confirmed
Edward Snowden leaves Moscow airport
Edward Snowden has left the Moscow airport where he has been staying since June, his lawyer said. Anatoly Kucherena said Edward Snowden had received the necessary papers to enter Russian territory from the transit zone at Sheremetyevo Airport. Russia is currently considering his request for asylum. The US has charged Edward Snowden with leaking details… Continue reading Edward Snowden leaves Moscow airport