World Fwire News - Page 23

IMF approves $110 million credit for Kenya

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a $110.5 million loan facility for Kenya as the East African nation moves to tighten its monetary policy to bring inflation further down.

Disrespect to Kim Jong-il: Official killed by mortar shell

According to South Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper, Kim Chol was one of those who failed to resist the chance of having a drink.

US drone strike kills three in Pakistan

Officials said the CIA-operated spy planes fired two missiles, with one hitting a house in the Tappi area about 20 kilometres east of Miranshah.

Emir of Qatar makes historic visit to Gaza

The emir will deliver more than $250 million in aid to the territory

Biggest readers in the US are 30-somethings

The most likely book readers in the United States are high-school students, college-age adults and people in their 30s, with e-book use highest among 30-somethings.

Three British Muslims go on trial for alleged terror plot

Prosecutors say the men, fired up by the sermons of a US-born al-Qaida preacher, hoped to cause carnage on a mass scale.

Six die in Philippine army-communist rebel clashes

Army Captain Gene Orense said that troops securing soldiers in a civic project chanced upon New People's Army rebels in central Samar province

Bengali diaspora to celebrate Durga Puja in Seoul

Following in the footsteps of other world capitals, Seoul in South Korea too is organising its first Durga Puja this year.

Depleting groundwater in Spain caused deadly quake in 2011

The study's lead author, Pablo Gonzalez, said he and his colleagues reckoned that the quake was related to a drop in the level of groundwater.

Myanmar President creates history with first press conference

Myanmar's reformist president has held his first press conference for local press, a milestone after years of secrecy and censorship by the former military regime.

Rich nations to raise funding to save biodiversity

The UN's Environment Program says developed countries have agreed to double their funding to support efforts in developing countries to halt the rate of loss of the planet's biodiversity.

Celebrations as The Philippines gets its second saint

The Philippines is getting its second saint with the canonization of the 17th century teen martyr Pedro Calungsod.

UN demands Sudan probe into peacekeeper deaths

The UN human rights office demanded Friday that Sudan investigate the killing of five UN peacekeepers, including an attack with mortar fire

Brahimi to visit Damascus

UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is expected in Damascus on Friday to try to broker a brief ceasefire in the war between President Bashar al-Assad and rebels.

N Korea says will fire on South if anti-North propaganda continues

North Korea threatened to open fire on South Korean territory if anti-Pyongyang leaflets were sent over from South Korean territory.

Violence at anti-austerity demonstration in Athens

Youths pelted riot police with petrol bombs and rocks.

Belfast's first abortion clinic sparks protest on opening day

Around 200 protesters opposed to abortion under any circumstances gathered outside the central Belfast clinic hours ahead of its opening.

Stephen Fry supports Malala, asks fans to sign petition

Actor Stephan Fry has extended support to Pakistani activist Malala Yousufzai, who was shot by Taliban gunmen for lending her voice to education rights for the girl child.

Brazilian cellphone subscriptions exceed population

Brazil has over 130 cellphone subscriptions for every 100 inhabitants, said authorities.

Lawmakers in Uruguay vote to decriminalise abortion

Uruguay's Senate voted Wednesday in favour of a bill decriminalising abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, paving the way for the measure to become law.

Daddy, there is lots of firing: Syrian teen's last SMS to father

Pascal is one of the hundreds of civilians who have become victim to the fighting between the Assad government forces and those defying his rule in Aleppo

US violent crime rate rises for first time in 2 decades

The rate of violent crime in the US went up for the first time in nearly two decades, the justice department said on Wednesday.

Malala continues to make good progress, say doctors

Her condition on Tuesday afternoon was described as "stable" and her response to treatment so far indicated that she could make a good recovery from her injuries.

UN envoy calls on Assad to take lead in ceasefire

Lakhdar Brahimi said Wednesday in Beirut that if the government takes the first step, everyone he has talked to in the opposition will also observe the truce.

Six killed in clashes in southeast Turkey

Officials say Kurdish rebels have attacked a paramilitary post and a military installation in southeast Turkey, sparking clashes that left three soldiers and three Kurdish militants dead.

Myanmar to excavate World War II fighter planes

Myanmar has signed a deal with a British aviation enthusiast to allow the excavation of dozens of vintage Spitfire fighter planes that have been buried since World War II.

Egypt court says provisions of constitution disastrous

Supreme Constitutional Court member Tahani el-Gibaly says the panel ignored proposals to allow courts to choose the members and head.

Toxic gas cloud: 1,400 evacuated from German town

Residents living around the Kraft Foods Germany factory in Bad Fallingbostel were being kept away from the area for a second day.

Big art heist at Dutch museum

Several paintings have been stolen from a museum in the Dutch city of Rotterdam that was exhibiting works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Vincent van Gogh.