World today precisely

16122013

 

UN warns Syrian refugees to nearly double by end of 2014

The number of Syrian refugees in the Middle East will nearly double over the next year to exceed four million, the UN said on Monday. Another 9.3 million people are expected to be in need of aid inside the nation by the end of next year, AFP reported, citing a statement of the UN’s humanitarian agency (OCHA). Some 4.1 million Syrians will be living as refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt by the end of 2014, up from an estimated 2.4 million today, according to the latest estimate. Some 660,000 Syrians will be living in refugee camps. OCHA and other international aid agencies will need a record $12.9 billion to help some 52 million people engulfed in 17 major crises around the world in 2014.

Guantanamo prisoners sent to Saudi Arabia

Two Guantanamo Bay prisoners have been transferred to Saudi Arabia as part of a renewed effort to close the prison, AP reported. Saad Muhammad Husayn Qahtani, 35, and Hamood Abdulla Hamood, 48, were transferred to the custody of their own government after a security review, US officials said. Both were suspected members of Al-Qaeda and were considered to be at high risk of rejoining the terror group if released, but neither man had been charged with a crime. Dozens of prisoners transferred to Saudi Arabia were later released, after going through a rehabilitation program.

Many arrested in raids in France, Spain over new horsemeat scandal

Police made 21 arrests in the south of France on Monday as part of an investigation into claims that meat from horses used for drugs testing found its way into the food chain. A tip-off had suggested that hundreds of horses, including some that had been owned by pharmaceutical giant, Sanofi, were sold to abattoirs after their veterinary papers were falsified, AFP reported. More than 100 officers were involved in raids at several Sanofi offices and at abattoirs, including one in Gerona in northern Spain. Sanofi is cooperating with the investigation into “possible fraud.”

Lebanese, Israeli military, UN officers to meet over cross-border killing

Israeli, Lebanese military officers and peacekeepers of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon will meet on Monday after a “rogue” Lebanese soldier shot dead an Israeli soldier the day before, Israel’s Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said. Israel regards “the Lebanese government and the Lebanese army as responsible for what happens on their side”. The Lebanese soldier went missing after the cross-border shooting, but has now been found, Reuters reported. Israeli troops who searched the frontier area later shot at two Lebanese soldiers who “made suspicious movements”, hitting one of them.

At least 29 people killed in attacks across Iraq

Suicide bombers attacked a police station north of Baghdad, killing eight policemen, the deadliest in a string of attacks across Iraq on Monday that killed at least 29 people, AP reported. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks. The bombings started with an attack in the town of Beiji, 250km north of Baghdad, where a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into the main gate of the town police station. Then three other suicide bombers, on foot, stormed inside and blew themselves up in the building. Five more policemen were wounded. Later in the morning, several bombings killed 21 people and wounded 58 in different parts of Baghdad.

Israel troops shoot  Lebanese soldiers after sniper killing

Israel’s army says its troops have shot two Lebanese soldiers, hours after a Lebanese army sniper killed an Israeli soldier, AP reported. The shooting took place just after midnight on Monday, according to Israeli Army spokeswoman, Lt. Libby Weiss. The Israeli forces identified “suspicious movement” along the border and shot two members of Lebanon’s armed forces, she said. The shooting occurred near where a Lebanese army sniper killed an Israeli soldier late on Sunday.

Swedish police detain 28 as neo-Nazis attack demonstration

Around 28 people have been detained after a group of neo-Nazis attacked an anti-Nazism demonstration in a Stockholm suburb, Swedish police said. The extremists hurled bottles, torches and firecrackers at demonstrators in Karrtorp on Sunday, AP reported. Two people were hospitalized after reported stabbings, and police said an officer was injured in the back after being hit by a heavy object. Some 200 people were participating in the peaceful demonstration when they were attacked by a group of about 40.

UN envoy in S. Sudan calls for end to fighting between soldiers

The UN envoy for South Sudan called on Monday for an end to fighting that erupted overnight between soldiers in Africa’s newest nation. “I urge all parties in the fighting to cease hostilities immediately and exercise restraint,” Reuters quoted UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Hilde Johnson, as saying. Sporadic gunfire rang out early Monday in the South Sudan capital, Juba, as clashes between sections of the country’s military continued, AP reported. There has been political tension since South Sudan President Salva Kir sacked Riek Machar as his deputy in July.

Workers at Amazon’s German operations to go on strike

Workers at Amazon.com’s German operations were preparing to strike on Monday in a dispute over pay, Reuters reported. Workers are set to strike in Amazon’s logistic centers in Bad Hersfeld and Leipzig and, for the first time, in Graben. Also a delegation of German workers will stage a protest at Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle, helped by US workers’ unions. On Tuesday, workers in Amazon’s center in the German town of Werne will protest. The union has organized short strikes this year to force Amazon to accept collective bargaining agreements in the mail order and retail industry. This time, the strike comes in the middle of the crucial Christmas holiday season.

Moderate rebels in Syria vow to protect journalists

The leaders of Syria’s main moderate rebel faction said they will protect journalists on assignment in the country, and work to secure the release of those who have already been abducted. The Supreme Military Council, the Western-backed military wing of the Syrian National Coalition, responded to an appeal from 13 major international news organizations calling for urgent action against rebel groups targeting journalists for kidnappings. “We will do everything in our power to bring an end to the abuses against journalists,” the council said in a letter, as cited by AP. Many of these perpetrators are “from groups who are strangers to the culture and good nature of the Syrian people,” it added.

22 dead as Philippine commuter bus crashes off highway onto van

At least 22 people were killed when a speeding commuter bus crashed off an elevated motorway onto a delivery van in the Philippine capital, Manila, early on Monday, Reuters reported. At least a dozen bodies were pulled from the twisted debris of the overturned bus, police said. One witness reported seeing the bus speeding in poor weather, but it was not immediately clear how the accident happened.

Syrian helicopter bombings kill at least 36 in Aleppo – monitor

Syrian army helicopters dropped improvised “barrel bombs” on the disputed northern city of Aleppo on Sunday, killing at least 36 people, nearly half of them children, Reuters reported, citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Local Coordination Committees, an opposition group, claimed that at least 83 people died in aerial bombardments conducted by government forces in Aleppo, the CNN reported. At least 50 more people sustained injuries, the group said.

16 killed in clashes in China’s Xinjiang

A clash in China’s Xinjiang region, home to the mostly Muslim Uighur ethnic minority, has reportedly left 16 dead, media reports say. Police attempting to detain criminal suspects in Shufu county near the city of Kashgar, in far western China on Sunday, were attacked by several “thugs” armed with explosive devices and knives, AFP reported, citing local media. Two police officers were killed and 14 of the “thugs” shot dead, while two criminal suspects were detained. More than 190 “terrorist” attacks were reported in Xinjiang last year.

 Oscar-winning actress Joan Fontaine dies at age 96

Legendary actress Joan Fontaine has died at the age of 96. The Hollywood star passed away in her sleep at her Carmel, California home on Sunday morning, according to a longtime friend of the actress. She won an Academy Award for her role in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Suspicion,” beating out her sister and bitter rival Olivia de Havilland. Fontaine also starred in Hitchcock’s “Rebecca,” as well as “Jane Eyre” and “Born to be Bad.”

US to resume non-lethal aid to Syrian rebels soon – Kerry

US Secretary of State John Kerry has said that the US will “very quickly” resume sending non-lethal aid to moderate Syrian rebels. Speaking to ABC on Sunday, Kerry also stressed that the US in fact already “had had some, um, proffers who have the warehouse protected and other kinds of things.” Washington and London stopped providing non-lethal aid to the Syrian rebels via Turkey on Wednesday after radical Islamists began to take control of the Free Syrian Army’s bases in northern Syria.

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India defeat Pakistan to lift Kabaddi World Cup

16122013

Updated on : 15-12-2013 06:01 AM

India beat Pakistan 48-39 to emerge champions of the fourth World Cup Kabaddi played at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana on Saturday.

Defending champion India retained the title fourth consecutive term defeating arch-rival Pakistan with a margin of nine points. Besides, the winner’s trophy, the hosts bagged a cash award of Rs two crore while Pakistan got the runners-up trophy and Rs one crore.The best raider and stopper of the game, both from the Indian team, were awarded tractors. In the first-half it was a tiff battle between the two sides. However, as the match progressed India slowly started dominating and finally outsmarted the Pakistani outfit. Braving cold weather, chief guest of the final Pakistan’s Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and other dignitaries were present till the match concluded close to midnight. Sharif, Badal and Sukhbir Singh distributed prizes to the teams.

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India win Women’s Kabaddi World Cup

16122013

Updated on : 13-12-2013 11:35 AM

India clinched the women’s Kabaddi World Cup championship for the third time in a row, defeating debutant New Zealand 49-21 in the summit clash played at Guru Gobind Singh sports complex in Jalandhar on Thursday.

The Indian eves led their New Zealand counterparts for most part of the match and held out a strong challenge by the visitors in the second half, on course to a resounding win.The Indian team took home a first-place prize of Rs one crore. Anu Rani was adjudged the best stopper while Ram Bateri was declared the best raider. Both received a Maruti Alto car each.

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President’s Rule imposed in Delhi

16122013

Vijay Goel ‏@VijayGoelBJP tweets on President rule in Delhi,BJP accepted people’s verdict with humility, whereas AAP is misusing the verdict for political mileage.

On tweets,Vijendra Said, AAP’s fault. Now indirectly Congress will rule Delhi again-Vijender Gupta,BJP on Governor recommending President’s rule
Political deadlock continues over the formation of a government in the national capital, as tomorrow being the last day of the tenure of the current assembly. President’s Rule is imposed.Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung, on Saturday, sent a detailed report to President Pranab Mukherjee about the current political situation after meeting BJP and Aam Aadmi party, AAP leaders.

BJP and Congress have dismissed the 18 pre-conditions laid down by AAP, for their support and co-operation in forming the government. AAP had put the onus on Congress and BJP for taking support to form a government by putting forth 18 conditions and wanting to know their views on them.

The Congress had, on Friday, submitted a letter to the Lt. Governor extending unconditional support to AAP to form the government.

The Delhi polls threw up a fractured mandate, with no party securing a majority in the 70-member assembly.