Cyprus has reached a deal with European creditors and the International Monetary Fund for a $12.5 billion bailout, to save the country from bankruptcy. Under revised conditions, saving of under 100,000 euros will be frozen to help pay debts.
Millionaire murdered?
British police say a post mortem on the body of Russian oligarch and Kremlin critic Boris Berezovsky is consistent with him having been hanged. The 67-year-old was found in locked bathroom and detectives had tested for poison and radiation.
Duck mystery
Authorities in China have retrieved the remains of about 1,000 ducks from a waterway in Sichuan province. It is unclear how the ducks –stuffed in woven bags – came to be in the river. Last week 16,000 pigs were removed from a Shanghai river.
Control lost
Rebels have taken control of the capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui, and forced president Francois Bozize to flee. In seizing control – and breaking a fragile two-month peace deal –the soldiers killed 13 South African troops.
Leader injured
The leader of the main Syrian opposition group has been severely wounded in a car bomb attack. Former air force Colonel Riad al-Assad had to have part of his leg amputated after the blast in a rebel-held city. No one has claimed responsibility.
Hostage freed
Australian man Warren Rodwell says he is “overwhelmed” after being freed by Islamist militia in the Philippines, after being held hostage for 15 months. He said during his captivity he felt “helplessness”. A ransom of $95,000 was paid.
Stuck underground
A mine collapse in northern Chile has left a miner stuck 300 metres underground. Rescuers say they have detected noises which indicate the 42-year-old is still alive and trying to make contact. Injuries and deaths from rockfalls are common.
Facing arrest
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of five protesters blamed for clashes near the offices of Egypt’s ruling Muslim Brotherhood last week. The protesters are accused of fight police and party supporters, during which 100 people were injured.
Territorial anger
The long-running territorial tension between Vietnam and China over disputed waters in the South China Sea has flared. Vietnamese authorities say a Chinese vessel set one of its fishing boats alight. Beijing has declined to comment.
Firearm warfare
Controversial New York mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg has angered the National Rifle Association by pledging $12 million to an advertising campaign advocating gun control. The NRA said there was no support for tighter regulations.
Crippling blizzard
Unseasonably cold weather in Europe has brought traffic to a standstill and closed schools. Dozens of schools in Northern Island were closed due to the severe snowfall, which also left roads and airports on mainland Europe closed.
Sectarian clashes
Sectarian violence is spreading across Burma. Last week in the central town of Meiktila up to 30 people were killed between in fighting between Buddhist and Muslim communities. Violence has since flared to the south. Marshal law has been declared.
Post published in: World News