Thirteen children and four teachers are among 19 left dead after a fire ripped through a shopping centre in the Qatar capital, Doha. Many of the children were from overseas and being cared for in a nursery. There was no fire exit.
Ticket scam
A Ukrainian Olympic official has resigned from his senior position amid accusations he tried to sell tickets to London Games events on the black market. The national board will investigate the accusations.
Bali drug bust
A 56-year-old British woman is among five people arrested, accused of trafficking cocaine into Indonesia’s holiday isle, Bali. The illicit drugs, weighing about five kilograms, is worth $2.5 million. If convicted, they may face the death penalty.
Off to Sweden
Sweden will host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest after 28-year-old singer Loreen won this year’s contest in Azerbaijan. The dance track Euphoria easily beat its 42 rivals to be win public votes. It is the fifth time Sweden has won the competition.
Syria massacre
Security in Syria is back on the international agenda after attacks killed 90, including dozens of women and children, in the town of Houla. Many were stabbed and shot at close range. Government forces denied responsibility.
Plot foiled
Two men have been arrested in Denmark, accused of planning terror attacks. The unnamed brothers, aged 18 and 23, have lived in the country for 16 years but had links to Somali terror organisations. Authorities said they prevented “a concrete act of terror”.
Nairobi blast
Kenyan police say a bomb may be responsible for an explosion in a Nairobi shopping centre which injured more than 30 people. It was initially believed to be an electrical fault. Somali terrorists had threatened revenge for military involvement in the country.
Cyber threat surfaces
A complex and potentially devastating computer virus known as Flame has been located in Iran. Thought to be an act of cyber-espionage, it can collect information and capture audio and video from infected machines.
Eating humble pie
The British government has backed down from a plan to impose a five per cent tax on hot pastries. It was designed to close a loophole which saw the baked goods untaxed. Chancellor George Osborne reversed the plan after protests from bakers.
Election unrest
Egypt’s elections last week have been marred by violence and protest after the campaign office of one of run-off candidates, Ahmed Sshafiq, was torched. The former PM will face Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Mursi next month.
‘State of emergency’
Anti-mining protests in Peru have prompted the government to declare a state of emergency in a southern province. The protests have continued for seven days after a copper mine was accused of improperly paying workers and environmental damage.
Post published in: News