Aftershocks continue to rattle China’s Sichuan province which has been devastated by a magnitude 7 earthquake on Saturday. The death toll has soared past 200 with more than 11,000 hurt. Tent camps and hospitals have been erected in the region.
Plot foiled
Anti-terror police in Canada say they have foiled a planned terrorist attack on trains by Canadian-based Al Qaeda operatives. Police would not confirm their nationality but they did say the attack was plotted from within Iran.
‘Ethnic cleansing’ claims
Human Rights Watch says it has evidence of ethnic cleansing being committed against Muslims in Myanmar. Rohinga Muslims are maligned and not recognised as citizens. HRW says there are mass graves and systematic displacement in the county’s west.
Death toll confusion
A skirmish between Nigeria’s military and Islamist rebels has reportedly left dozens of people dead – but troops deny claims the death toll could be as high at 160. The fighting reportedly destroyed 40 per cent of one village near the Chad border.
‘Bomber’ charged
United States authorities have charged Chechen immigrant Dzhokhar Tsarnaev with using a weapon of mass destruction. The 19-year-old and his brother – who died during a large manhunt- are accused of last week’s Boston Marathon blasts.
New leader
Paraguay has elected wealthy businessman Horacio Cartes as the country’s next president. South American governments have vowed to work with the new leader after the impeachment of the last president in November caused diplomatic tension.
Massive manhunt
Russian police are searching for a known criminal accused of shooting five dead in a hunting store in a town south of Moscow. Among the dead are two teenage girls. Footage posted online shows the bodies and ammunition lying in the street.
Assault arrests
Police in India’s capital New Delhi have arrested a second man over the brutal torture and rape of a 5-year-old girl. A 22-year-old prime offender was arrested at the weekend. The attack reignited heated debates about the treatment of women.
Police officers jailed
Twenty-three Brazilian police officers have been sentenced to 156 years’ prison over a notorious jail massacre in 1992 which killed 111 inmates. They were charged with the murder of 13 inmates. More officers are expected to face trial.
Taliban claim
About nine foreigners have reportedly been captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan after the helicopter they were travelling in landed due to mechanical difficulties. The Taliban claims to have taken the Turkish and Russian citizens hostage.
Battery approval
US transport regulators have approved changes to the battery system of Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. The plane have been grounded and investigated since the battery fires earlier this year. Boeing is expected to soon give the craft the all-clear to fly.
Another term
Italy’s 87-year-old president Giorgio Napolitano has reluctantly been re-elected to the post because politicians could not agree on a successor. However, he is unlikely to serve another 7-year term and is expected to resign when a replacement is decided on.
Post published in: World News