Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy has admitted to MPs that he made a “mistake” in trusting disgraced former colleague Luis Barcenas. Mariano Rajoy also told MPs that claims he was corrupt were “lies and manipulations”, and defied calls for his resignation. He is appearing in parliament to answer claims over illegal payments from a slush fund… Continue reading Mariano Rajoy admits making a mistake in Luis Barcenas case
Category: Front Page
Front Page news
Zimbabwean election result: Morgan Tsvangirai alleges vote-rigging by rival Robert Mugabe’s camp
Zimbabwean presidential election was a “huge farce”, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has said, alleging vote-rigging by rival President Robert Mugabe’s camp. At a news conference, Morgan Tsvangirai said that Wednesday’s poll was “null and void”. The largest observer group earlier said up to a million people were prevented from voting. Robert Mugabe’s party – which… Continue reading Zimbabwean election result: Morgan Tsvangirai alleges vote-rigging by rival Robert Mugabe’s camp
US economic growth beats forecasts in Q2 2013
The US economy grew at an annualized pace of 1.7% in the second quarter of 2013, the Commerce Department has said. That was a faster pace than expected by economists. It was also up from the growth rate for the first three months of 2013, which was revised lower to 1.1% from 1.8%. A slowdown… Continue reading US economic growth beats forecasts in Q2 2013
US declassifies documents on its phone-snooping
The Obama administration has released documents on its phone-snooping, as a Senate panel questions intelligence officials about the programme. The declassification was made in the “interest of increased transparency”, intelligence officials said. However, the three documents include significant redactions. Meanwhile the father of Edward Snowden, who leaked information about the surveillance, says the FBI has… Continue reading US declassifies documents on its phone-snooping
Edward Snowden’s father asked by FBI to visit his son in Russia
Lonnie Snowden, the father of CIA whistleblower Edward Snowden, has said the FBI asked him to travel to Moscow and see his son, but adds that he wants more details. Lonnie Snowden said he had been asked several weeks ago about Edward, who is sought by the US for leaking details of electronic surveillance programmes.… Continue reading Edward Snowden’s father asked by FBI to visit his son in Russia
China issues heat alert for Shanghai
Temperatures in China have hit record highs, prompting an emergency level-two nationwide heat alert for the first time. In Shanghai, at least 10 people have died from heatstroke, as the city experiences its hottest July in 140 years, reports say. Local journalists have demonstrated the heat by frying meat on the pavement. The national heat… Continue reading China issues heat alert for Shanghai
Daniel Chong: Student abandoned in jail gets $4.1 million in compensation
Daniel Chong, a university student in the city of San Diego, has received $4.1 million from the US government after he was abandoned for more than four days in a prison cell, his lawyer said. Daniel Chong, now 25, said he drank his urine to stay alive, tried to carve a message to his mother… Continue reading Daniel Chong: Student abandoned in jail gets $4.1 million in compensation
Zimbabwe election: Robert Mugabe vs. Morgan Tsvangirai
Zimbabwe is voting in fiercely contested presidential and parliamentary elections which have already been hit by fraud allegations. President Robert Mugabe, 89, has said he will step down after 33 years in power if he and his Zanu-PF party lose. PM Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have accused Zanu-PF of doctoring the electoral… Continue reading Zimbabwe election: Robert Mugabe vs. Morgan Tsvangirai
Pfizer pays $491 million to settle Rapamune illegal marketing case
Pharmaceutical company Pfizer has agreed to pay $491 million to settle a probe into illegal marketing of a drug by Wyeth, a firm it had acquired in 2009. The case revolved around Rapamune, a drug prescribed to prevent rejection of transplanted kidneys. It was alleged that sales staff of Wyeth encouraged doctors to prescribe Rapamune… Continue reading Pfizer pays $491 million to settle Rapamune illegal marketing case
S Sreesanth charged over cricket spot-fixing
Cricketer S Sreesanth has been charged with 38 other people over a spot-fixing scandal that has rocked the Indian Premier League (IPL). Indian prosecutors brought charges of criminal conspiracy and cheating against S Sreesanth, two of his Rajasthan Royals team-mates, and other non-cricketers. Spot-fixing involves players bowling wides and no-balls at certain times arranged beforehand… Continue reading S Sreesanth charged over cricket spot-fixing
Bradley Manning verdict: Private found guilty of espionage in WikiLeaks case
Private Bradley Manning, who leaked thousands of classified documents to WikiLeaks, has been convicted of espionage but not of aiding the enemy. Bradley Manning, 25, has been found guilty of 20 charges in total, including theft and computer fraud. He had admitted leaking the documents to anti-secrecy organization WikiLeaks but said he did so to… Continue reading Bradley Manning verdict: Private found guilty of espionage in WikiLeaks case
Spain train crash: Francisco Jose Garzon Amo on phone at time of deadly derailment
Francisco Jose Garzon Amo, the train driver in last week’s crash in Spain, was talking on the phone when it derailed, investigators say. The train was travelling at 153 km/h (95 mph) at the time, investigators at the Court of Justice of Galicia said. Francisco Jose Garzon Amo was speaking to members of staff at… Continue reading Spain train crash: Francisco Jose Garzon Amo on phone at time of deadly derailment
JP Morgan pays $410 million to settle FERC charges
JP Morgan’s energy unit has agreed to pay $410 million to settle charges from The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the top US energy regulator, that it manipulated energy markets. FERC agency alleged JPMorgan’s trading practices drove up prices for electricity, mainly in California and the Midwest. The fine is the second largest penalty in… Continue reading JP Morgan pays $410 million to settle FERC charges
Japan reports weaker-than-expected economic data
Japan has reported weaker-than-expected economic data, underlining the challenges the government faces as it tries to revive the country’s economy. Industrial output fell 3.3% in June, from the previous month. Compared with the same month a year ago it fell 4.8%. Meanwhile, household spending declined 0.4% from a year earlier. Analysts had expected growth of… Continue reading Japan reports weaker-than-expected economic data
Explosions at Blue Rhino propane plant in Florida
At least seven people were injured by a series of explosions at Blue Rhino propane plant in Florida, officials say. The blasts at the Blue Rhino propane plant, in the town of Tavares, began at about 23:00, blowing the roof off. The explosions continued for about an hour and caused a large fire. The cause… Continue reading Explosions at Blue Rhino propane plant in Florida
Switzerland: Two trains collision hurts at least 40 people in Granges-pres-Marnand
Two trains have collided in western Switzerland injuring at least 40 people have been injured, five of them seriously. The crash happened in Granges-pres-Marnand in Vaud canton, about 30 miles south-west of the capital, Bern. Reports say the regional trains collided head-on in the early evening. The driver of one of the trains was still… Continue reading Switzerland: Two trains collision hurts at least 40 people in Granges-pres-Marnand
Hugo Chavez’s birthday celebrated in Venezuela
Venezuela is holding a week-long festivities honoring late Hugo Chavez’s birthday, almost five months since his death on March 5. Hugo Chavez, who dominated Venezuela’s political scene from the moment he took office in 1999 to his death on March 5, would have turned 59 on Sunday. President Nicolas Maduro is marking the occasion with… Continue reading Hugo Chavez’s birthday celebrated in Venezuela
Boeing in worldwide aircraft inspection
Boeing has requested airlines from worldwide to carry out inspections of a transmitter used to locate aircraft after a crash. A UK regulator had recommended the inspection after a fire broke out on a 787 Dreamliner jet parked at Heathrow airport earlier this month. It was traced to the upper rear part of the plane… Continue reading Boeing in worldwide aircraft inspection
Italy: Avellino coach crash leaves at least 38 people dead
A coach has plunged off a flyover near the town of Avellino, southern Italy, leaving at least 38 people dead, rescue services say. The coach hit several vehicles before smashing through a parapet and toppling down a steep slope near the town of Avellino, in the Campania region. At least 10 people have been injured,… Continue reading Italy: Avellino coach crash leaves at least 38 people dead
South Korea proposes final talks on restarting operations at Kaesong Industrial Complex
South Korea has proposed “final talks” on reopening the joint Kaesong industrial zone, amid deadlock with North Korea. Kaesong Industrial Complex has been closed since April, when North Korea withdrew its workers. The two sides have held six rounds of talks on a restart, but are deadlocked on Seoul’s insistence that Pyongyang agree not to… Continue reading South Korea proposes final talks on restarting operations at Kaesong Industrial Complex
World Youth Day 2013: Pope Francis holds final Mass on Copacabana beach
Pope Francis has closed World Youth Day festival in Rio de Janeiro with a Mass on Copacabana beach. More than three million people are estimated to have gathered for the service in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Many of the pilgrims had slept on the beach after attending an all-night vigil, which Pope Francis… Continue reading World Youth Day 2013: Pope Francis holds final Mass on Copacabana beach
Cannes thief steals $53 million Leviev jewels from Carlton Hotel
An armed man has stolen jewels worth about 40 million euros ($53 million) in the French Riviera resort of Cannes, officials say. They say the hold-up took place on Sunday morning at a jewellery exhibition at the Carlton Hotel. The hotel is located on the Croisette promenade – one of the most prestigious locations in… Continue reading Cannes thief steals $53 million Leviev jewels from Carlton Hotel
Publicis and Omnicon merger creates world’s biggest advertising company worth $35.1 billion
French Publicis and American Omnicom have announced a merger to create the world’s biggest advertising company worth $35.1 billion. Omnicom chief executive John Wren and Publicis Groupe boss Maurice Levy are to become joint CEOs. Each firm’s shareholders will hold about 50% of the new Publicis Omnicom Group. Publicis Omnicom will be listed in Paris… Continue reading Publicis and Omnicon merger creates world’s biggest advertising company worth $35.1 billion
Mali votes in presidential election
Polls open across Mali for a presidential election aimed at reuniting the country after months of political turmoil. Security is tight, with many areas still recovering after a northern rebellion and coup that resulted in foreign military intervention. There are 27 candidates and if no outright winner emerges, the voting goes to a second round… Continue reading Mali votes in presidential election
Cambodia votes in general elections
Polls have opened in Cambodia’s parliamentary election, with PM Hun Sen’s governing party widely expected to win the most seats. Hun Sen’s Cambodia People’s Party (CPP) faces an opposition led by Sam Rainsy – back from self-imposed exile after a royal pardon in July. Sam Rainsy himself is not eligible to stand, but his recent… Continue reading Cambodia votes in general elections