The head of the body tasked with destroying Syria’s chemical weapons says fighting is preventing access to sites through some rebel-held areas.
Tag: World news
Malaysia court rules non-Muslims cannot use ‘Allah’
A Malaysian court has ruled that non-Muslims cannot use the word Allah to refer to God, even in their own faiths, overturning a 2009 lower court ruling. The appeals court said the term Allah must be exclusive to Islam or…
India temple stampede in Madhya Pradesh ‘kills 60’
At least 60 pilgrims have been killed in a stampede near a Hindu temple in central India, police have said.
US borrowing crisis ‘days away’ from danger, says World Bank head
The president of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, has warned that the United States is just “days away from a very dangerous moment” because of the government’s borrowing crisis.
Mediterranean becoming a cemetery
Malta’s prime minister has said European waters close to Africa are turning into a cemetery, after another boat laden with migrants capsized.
Syria monitors win Nobel Peace Prize
The OPCW, the body overseeing destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons, has won the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee said it was in honour of the OPCW’s “extensive work to eliminate chemical weapons”. The Hague-based Organisation for the Prohibition of…
US Republicans and Obama in ‘useful’ debt crisis talks
Republicans in the US House of Representatives have met President Barack Obama amid renewed efforts to avert a looming debt crisis.
Egypt condemns US decision to suspend military aid
Egypt has criticised a decision by the US to suspend a large part of the $1.3bn (£810m) in aid it receives, following months of political turmoil.
Libyan PM Ali Zeidan freed from captivity
Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan has returned to his office after being held for several hours by militiamen loosely allied to the government.
Chinese court to allow Bo Xilai appeal
A Chinese court says it has agreed to consider an appeal by disgraced top politician Bo Xilai.
Obama accuses Republicans of using ‘extortion’ on debt limit
US President Barack Obama has said he is willing to hold budget talks with Republicans, but not until they agree to lift “threats” against the economy. Republicans “don’t get to demand ransom in exchange for doing their jobs”, Mr Obama…
Australia PM Tony Abbott in expenses row
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has become embroiled in a row over expenses claims, less than a month after taking office.
Libya summons US envoy over raid to capture al-Liby
Libya summoned the US ambassador to the country for questioning on Monday over the weekend capture of a suspected al-Qaeda leader on Libyan territory.
Typhoon Fitow hits eastern China after mass evacuation
Powerful Typhoon Fitow has rammed into eastern China after triggering the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people.
Vietnam’s General Vo Nguyen Giap dies
Vo Nguyen Giap, the Vietnamese general who masterminded victories against France and the US, has died aged 102.
US shutdown: Barack Obama cancels Asia trip
US President Barack Obama has cancelled his trip to Asia because of the US government shutdown.
Italy sinking: Search resumes for missing migrants
Divers off southern Italy have been searching the wreck of a boat which sank on Thursday drowning more than 300 African migrants.
30 dead in northeast Indian collision
A cargo truck crashed into two minivans packed with labourers heading to work early Thursday in northeast India’s Assam state, killing 30 people, including 13 children, police said.
Lalu Prasad gets 5 years in jail
A court sentenced Lalu Prasad Yadav, a powerful ally of the ruling Congress party, to five years in jail on Thursday for siphoning off state funds, underlining that a wave of public disgust with rampant corruption is finally catching up…
US shutdown: White House talks fail to end deadlock
US President Obama and Congressional leaders have failed to break a budget deadlock that has led to a partial government shutdown.
Fukushima leaks: radioactive water overflows tank
Japan’s crippled Fukushima nuclear plant has a new leak of radioactive water after workers overfilled a storage tank, its operator says.
Muslims hide amid Myanmar sectarian violence
Khin Maung Win Thandwe, Myanmar — Terrified Muslim families hid in forests in western Myanmar on Wednesday, one day after fleeing a new round of sectarian violence that erupted even as the president toured the divided region for the first…
Barack Obama shortens Asia trip due to US shutdown
President Barack Obama has postponed two stops on his four-nation Asian tour because of the government shutdown.
US Govt shutdown: What’s the cost?
Shutting down the government could cost the federal government well over $2 billion dollars if it resembles the last shutdowns in 1995-1996, though the economy would be harmed in additional ways that are nearly impossible to measure.
South Korea displays cruise missiles at military parade
South Korea is staging what officials describe as its largest military parade in a decade, as its president warns of a “very grave” threat from North Korea.
US shutdown looms amid political stalemate over budget
A US government shutdown looms as Democrat and Republican lawmakers remain unable to strike a deal on a new plan to continue funding its operation.
Date set for Popes John Paul II and John XXIII sainthood
Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII will be declared saints on 27 April 2014, Pope Francis has announced.
Shanghai free-trade zone launched
A free-trade zone in Shanghai, China’s economic hub, has been launched as the world’s second-biggest economy prepares to test long-awaited economic reforms.
Israel PM Netanyahu flies to US to counter Iran ‘sweet talk’
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is heading to the US for talks with President Barack Obama which will focus on Iran’s diplomatic charm offensive.
Nigeria attack: Students shot dead as they slept
Suspected Islamist gunmen have attacked a college in north-eastern Nigeria, killing up to 50 students.