France is preparing to celebrate its national day – known as Bastille Day – as investigations continue into the country’s worst rail disaster for 25 years. Six people were killed when a train derailed at Bretigny-sur-Orge, south of Paris, at 17:14 on Friday. The French train operator SNCF says the crash may have been caused by… Continue reading Bastille Day 2013: France’s National Day celebrations amid train crash investigation
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Trayvon Martin case: George Zimmerman found not guilty for killing black teenager
George Zimmerman, the Florida neighborhood watchman who shot dead unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin last year, has been found not guilty. Lawyers for George Zimmerman, 29, argued he acted in self-defense and with justifiable use of deadly force in the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The jury retired on Friday to consider its verdict on… Continue reading Trayvon Martin case: George Zimmerman found not guilty for killing black teenager
Typhoon Soulik: 300,000 people evacuated in eastern China
Hundreds of thousands of people in eastern China have fled their homes as Typhoon Soulik moves inland amid warnings of floods and landslides, state media report. Winds of 74 mph lashed the coastal Fujian Province, said China’s National Meteorological Centre. Emergency response plans were being implemented, said Xinhua state media, after recent torrential rain reportedly… Continue reading Typhoon Soulik: 300,000 people evacuated in eastern China
French train crash blamed on rail track fault
The French train crash which left six people dead may have been caused by a fault in the rail tracks, says SNCF, the state rail company. SNCF said a metal bar connecting two rails had become detached close to Bretigny-sur-Orge station. Transport Minister Frederic Cuvillier has praised the driver, saying his quick actions averted a… Continue reading French train crash blamed on rail track fault
Lac-Megantic train explosion death toll rises to 28
According to Canadian police, 28 bodies have now been found following the train disaster in the Quebec town of Lac-Megantic. Another 22 people are missing and presumed dead after the train carrying oil derailed and exploded in the town. Meanwhile, a candlelight vigil scheduled for Friday evening was cancelled due to police concerns over large… Continue reading Lac-Megantic train explosion death toll rises to 28
Chelyabinsk meteorite goes under microscope
Russian scientists have released microscopic images of fragments of the meteorite that hit the central city of Chelyabinsk in February. A team from the Ural Federal University was able to analyze some of the dozens of samples as soon as they were found. But the technique they used allowed them to assess the rock’s chemical… Continue reading Chelyabinsk meteorite goes under microscope
Typhoon Soulik hits Taiwan killing one person and leaving 21 injured
Typhoon Soulik has hit Taiwan, bringing strong winds and torrential rain to the island. So far one person is reported to have died while 21 have been injured in the extreme weather. More than 8,500 people have been evacuated from mountainous and other dangerous areas and thousands of soldiers have been deployed. Typhoon Soulik is… Continue reading Typhoon Soulik hits Taiwan killing one person and leaving 21 injured
Asiana flight 214 crash: Third Chinese girl dies from her injuries at San Francisco hospital
A third victim of Asiana Airlines plane crash landing, a Chinese girl, has died from her injuries, a San Francisco hospital has announced. She was among about a dozen injured still in hospital after Asiana flight 214 struck a sea wall as it approached the airport too low last week. Meanwhile officials confirm another victim was… Continue reading Asiana flight 214 crash: Third Chinese girl dies from her injuries at San Francisco hospital
France train crash: At least seven people killed at Bretigny-sur-Orge
At least seven people have been killed in a train crash at Bretigny-sur-Orge, south of the French capital Paris. The intercity train had just left Paris and was heading towards Limoges when it derailed, crashing into a station platform at about 17:00 local time. Passengers were said to be trapped inside the train and a… Continue reading France train crash: At least seven people killed at Bretigny-sur-Orge
Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet catches fire at Heathrow airport
London Heathrow airport’s runways have reopened after a fire on a parked Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet. Arrivals and departures were suspended after the incident at 16:30 BST, a spokesman for the airport said. No passengers were aboard at the time. Fifty Dreamliners worldwide were grounded in January after malfunctions with the plane’s lithium-ion… Continue reading Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet catches fire at Heathrow airport
Malala Yousafzai to speak at United Nations
Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl shot by Taliban gunmen, is to address the United Nations as part of her campaign to ensure free compulsory education for every child. Malala Yousafzai will mark her 16th birthday by delivering a speech later on Friday at the UN headquarters in New York. She was shot in the head… Continue reading Malala Yousafzai to speak at United Nations
Saudi Princess Meshael Alayban arrested in California for human trafficking
Saudi Princess Meshael Alayban has been arrested in California and accused of human trafficking. Meshael Alayban, 42, is accused of forcing a Kenyan woman to work 16 hours a day while paying her far less than what she was originally promised. Authorities say Meshael Alayban took the woman’s passport, precluding her escape. Her lawyer called… Continue reading Saudi Princess Meshael Alayban arrested in California for human trafficking
US rebukes China over Edward Snowden case
The US expresses its “disappointment” over China’s failure to hand over fugitive Edward Snowden. After talks with senior Chinese officials, US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns said Beijing’s actions undermined “trust” in bilateral ties. China said Hong Kong – which allowed to Edward Snowden to leave Russia – had acted in accordance with the… Continue reading US rebukes China over Edward Snowden case
Sergei Magnitsky found guilty of tax fraud in Russia
Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in 2009, has been found posthumously guilty of tax fraud by a Moscow court. Sergei Magnitsky was arrested in 2008 after accusing officials of tax fraud, but was later himself accused of the crime. His death in custody a year later led to a major diplomatic dispute between Russia… Continue reading Sergei Magnitsky found guilty of tax fraud in Russia
GSK senior executives face China bribery investigation
Chinese authorities have announced that some senior executives of the local division of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) are facing a criminal investigation. They are being investigated for bribery and tax-related violations, said the Chinese Ministry of Public Security. They are suspected of offering bribes to officials and doctors in an attempt to boost sales in the country.… Continue reading GSK senior executives face China bribery investigation
Pope Francis named Man of the Year by Vanity Fair
Pope Francis has been named “Man of the Year” by the latest Italian edition of Vanity Fair. The Argentinean pontiff, elected in March 2013, had earned the accolade for his words and deeds during his first 100 days in office. The front cover of Vanity Fair magazine shows Pope Francis, 76, wearing plain white robes… Continue reading Pope Francis named Man of the Year by Vanity Fair
PC sales in longest duration of decline in history
According to research firm Gartner, global PC sales have fallen for the fifth quarter in a row, making it the “longest duration of decline” in history. Worldwide personal computer shipments totaled 76 million units in the second quarter, a 10.9% drop from a year earlier, PC sales have been hurt in recent years by the… Continue reading PC sales in longest duration of decline in history
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev pleads not guilty as he makes first court appearance
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev made his first court appearance denying all 30 charges against him while he blew a kiss to his sisters. But to the disgust of the victims of the April Marathon bombing who had come to the South Boston courtroom to stare down the “face of evil”, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, failed to even glance… Continue reading Dzhokhar Tsarnaev pleads not guilty as he makes first court appearance
Nelson Mandela is responding to treatment but remains in a critical condition
South African President Jacob Zuma has announced Nelson Mandela is responding to treatment but remains in a critical condition. The former president and global statesman, 94, has been in hospital battling a recurring lung infection since June 8. President Jacob Zuma’s statement urged the public to continue “providing support and showering him with love”. People… Continue reading Nelson Mandela is responding to treatment but remains in a critical condition
Egypt issues arrest warrant for Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie
Egypt’s state prosecutor has issued an arrest warrant for Mohamed Badie, the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, and at least nine other senior figures. Mohamed Badie is accused of inciting the violence in Cairo on Monday in which more than 50 people were killed. Many Brotherhood members are already in detention and warrants are said… Continue reading Egypt issues arrest warrant for Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie
Lac-Megantic train explosion: Canada launches criminal inquiry into derailment
Canadian authorities have launched a criminal inquiry into the derailment of an oil train that killed at least 15 people in the small Quebec town of Lac Megantic on Saturday. Quebec police inspector Michel Forget said investigators had found evidence leading them toward a criminal probe. The runaway train derailed in the town of Lac-Megantic,… Continue reading Lac-Megantic train explosion: Canada launches criminal inquiry into derailment
Egypt: Newly appointed PM Hazem al-Beblawi begins forming new cabinet
Hazem al-Beblawi, Egypt’s newly appointed prime minister, is beginning work on forming a new cabinet, a week after the army ousted President Mohamed Morsi. Hazem al-Beblawi is expected to offer posts to Mohamed Morsi’s Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, although it has refused to co-operate with what it says it a coup. The main liberal coalition has… Continue reading Egypt: Newly appointed PM Hazem al-Beblawi begins forming new cabinet
Edward Snowden accepts political asylum offer from Venezuela
According to a Russian politician, Edward Snowden has accepted an offer of political asylum from Venezuela. Unofficial spokesman for the Kremlin Alexei Pushkov tweeted today that Edward Snowden, believed to be in Russia and wanted by the US authorities for leaking security secrets, is keen to take up the offer, AP reported. The tweet was… Continue reading Edward Snowden accepts political asylum offer from Venezuela
El Mundo: PM Mariano Rajoy and other top Spanish politicians received illicit payments in Barcenas affair
Spanish newspaper El Mundo has published what it alleges are documents showing PM Mariano Rajoy and other top politicians received illicit payments. El Mundo said it had original ledger entries handwritten by the former treasurer of the governing Popular Party (PP), Luis Barcenas. It said it had delivered the documents to the High Court. Mariano… Continue reading El Mundo: PM Mariano Rajoy and other top Spanish politicians received illicit payments in Barcenas affair
Beirut explosion: At least 37 people injured after a car bomb explodes in Beir el-Abed area
Dozens of people have been injured after a car bomb exploded in a stronghold of Lebanon’s Shia militant group Hezbollah in Beirut. A Red Cross official said 37 people had been hurt in the blast, in the Beir el-Abed area. TV pictures showed vehicles on fire and a cloud of black smoke. No group has… Continue reading Beirut explosion: At least 37 people injured after a car bomb explodes in Beir el-Abed area