British prime minister David Cameron and Scotland’s first minister Alex Salmond have signed an agreement to hold a referendum on Scottish independence in 2014. Under the proposal Scotland will retain the UK currency and the British monarchy.
Peace accord
The Philippines government has signed a peace deal with the country’s largest Muslim rebel group. The arrangements between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will see an autonomous region established in the country’s south.
Black box review
Court hearings have begun in Italy to analyse the black box recordings of the sinking of the Costa Concordia cruise ship which killed 32 passengers. The hearings, expected to last a week, are to determine what led to the accident.
Labour camp awaits
Two members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot, jailed for performing a political song in a Moscow cathedral, will be sent to a labour camp for two years away from the capital. The two mothers had asked to be imprisoned near their children.
‘Good recovery’
Malala Yousafzai, the 14-year-old Pakistani girl shot in the head by the Taliban has been flown to England for further medical treatment and rehabilitation. Doctors said she has every chance to make a “good recover” after further surgery.
Season sidelined
Egypt’s football association has delayed the start of the domestic season indefinitely. The 2011/12 season was suspended in February after stadium riots killed 74 people. Security clearance has not been given for the matches to be held.
Driver jailed
Spanish man Angel Carromero has been jailed for four years in Cuba over a car accident in July that killed a prominent Cuban dissident. He denied that speed contributed to the crash. Carromero was in the country to meet opposition groups.
Tougher sanctions
The European Union has agreed to implement tougher sanctions on Iran. Foreign ministers said the revised sanctions would target Iranian banks, shipping and gas imports in a bid to force a breakthrough in negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
Church attackers arrested
Police in Tanzania have arrested 126 people in relation to attacks on five churches in Dar es Salaam. Islamists vandalised and torched the churches, in retaliation to reports a Christian boy urinated on the Koran. Police may make more arrests.
Jail break
About half of more than 100 prisoners who escaped from a jail in the Libyan capital have been recaptured. One of the largest prisons in the country, it was home to African migrants convicted of immigration offences. An investigation is underway.
Death probe
Police in Ghana are investigating the death of a Chinese boy during a crackdown on illegal gold mining operations. China raised concerns about the 16-year-old’s death last week during an operation which saw 100 Chinese nationals arrested.
Audacious assault
Brazilian police have launched an operation to regain control of two shantytowns in Rio de Janeiro ahead of the World Cup and Olympics. Police seized automatic weapons and grenades from suspected members of drug gangs who run the favelas.
Post published in: News