Bolivian police fire tear gas in protest against low salaries
In Bolivia, rank-and-file police are continuing their nationwide strike against low pay. The officers rejected an accord reached overnight that could see their monthly salaries raised by US $30. Protesting police fired tear gas and clashed with supporters of the president, who called the riot “an attempted coup.” In 2003, a revolt over low pay led to a gunfight with soldiers, which killed 19 people.
Nepal PM refuses to step down amid protests
Nepalese Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai refused on Monday to leave his post, saying he will not bow to pressure from political parties. Dozens of anti-government protesters have been detained in the capital after clashes with riot police near Kathmandu's airport. Demonstrators demanded the Prime Minister resign and tried to block his motorcade as he returned home from a conference in Brazil. Police tried to quell the crowd by beating them with bamboo batons and shields. At least one protester was badly injured.
FBI rescues 79 teen prostitutes in US
Seventy-nine teenagers, aged from 13 to 17 years old, have been rescued across the United States between Thursday and Saturday in a sweep of sex-trafficking rings by the FBI and local authorities, Reuters reports. The teenagers – 77 girls and two boys – were all US citizens and were rescued at hotels, truck stops and storefronts. Authorities were holding them in custody until they could be placed with child welfare organizations. The FBI also said 104 alleged pimps have been arrested during operations in 57 US cities.
900 killed in South Sudan tribal clashes Dec. '11 - Feb. '12 – UN
About 900 people have been killed in clashes between cattle-herding tribes in South Sudan from last December to February of this year, the United Nations said in a report on Monday. Some 7,000 heavily armed youths from the Lou Nuer tribe attacked villages belonging to the rival Murle in eastern Jonglei state at the end of last year, stealing tens of thousands of cattle and abducting women and children. Tens of thousands have been forced to flee their homes. The UN criticized the authorities of the world’s youngest country for failing to protect civilians. South Sudan became independent from Sudan a year ago, a move that did not help to end the violence in the region.
Another Turkish plane fired at by Syria - reports
The Turkish government has claimed another one of its planes was shot at by Syrian forces during the initial search and rescue operation for the first plane, downed on Friday. The downed military jet fell into Syrian territorial waters. The incident caused international scandal, but a government spokesman in Ankara said his country “has no intention of going to war with anyone.”
Three policemen shot dead in Mexico City airport
Three federal policemen have been killed in a shootout at the Mexico City airport. Two of the men died at the scene, and the third was taken to a nearby hospital, but later succumbed to his injuries. The slain agents had gone to the airport "to detain suspects linked to drug trafficking,'' the federal Public Safety Department said in a statement.
New Greek finance minister resigns reportedly due to health problems
New Greek Finance Minister Vassilis Rapanos is to resign, the prime minister's office says. Mr. Rapanos had fallen ill and was taking to hospital two days ago. Rapanos collapsed on his first day in the role.
Scores die in landslides in eastern Uganda
Scores of people have been killed and at least three villages have been destroyed in landslides caused by torrential rains in eastern Uganda, officials say. Disaster Preparedness Minister Stephen Mallinga said Monday it was too early to say precisely how many had been killed in the landslides. It is said that at least 300 people lived in the affected villages and that most people were at home when the floods of mud covered their houses.
Israel expelling 150 South Sudanese
Israel is expelling an additional 150 South Sudanese who have slipped illegally into the Jewish state. Interior Ministry spokeswoman Sabine Haddad said the latest flight with the expelled migrants was to leave after midnight Monday, AP reports. The migrants are offered cash to leave voluntarily. Some 60,000 Africans have slipped into Israel from Egypt since 2005. Israel cannot expel many of them as they have fled repressive regimes.
Oman activists charged for ‘illegal gatherings’
Fourteen Omani rights activists arrested in early June for demanding political reforms have been charged with defamation and illegal gatherings. The activists were charged with participating in “illegal gatherings and blocking roads,” AFP quoted their lawyer Yacoub al-Harithi as saying. Three of the activists were also charged with “defaming sultan” Qaboos, the country's ruler. A total of 36 Omanis have been arrested for anti-government actions since the beginning of June.
Organization of Islamic Cooperation recommends Syria suspension
The executive committee of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has recommended suspending Syria's membership. The council of foreign ministers will consider the issue “in light of the bloody events taking place in the country,” the statement that followed a meeting in Saudi Arabia late Sunday. Saudi Arabia supported the recommendation, AFP said. The OIC committee also urged the UN Security Council “to assume its full responsibilities to put an end to the violence” in Syria.
Top UN human rights investigator holds first talks in Syria
A top UN human rights investigator has been holding talks in Damascus with senior Syrian officials, UN and diplomatic sources said on Monday. The negotiations are intended to pave the way for a UN probe into widespread violations in the country, including recent massacres, Reuters reports. Brazilian expert Paulo Pinheiro has been granted permission to enter Syria for the first time since his team was set up last September by the UN Human Rights Council.
Suspects linked to Lulz Security hacking ‘plead guilty’ – court
Two British suspects linked to the Lulz Security hacking collective have pleaded guilty to computer crimes, London's Southwark Crown Court said on Monday. Ryan Cleary and Jake Davis pleaded guilty to several computer crime charges but not guilty to others, AP reports. Lulz Security has claimed responsibility for a string of cyberattacks on targets including the CIA, PBS and Sony Pictures.
Hundreds of Syrian civilians trapped in Homs – Red Cross
Hundreds of civilians are trapped in the Syrian city of Homs and aid workers cannot evacuate civilians and the wounded because of the continued fighting, the Red Cross president has said. Jakob Kellenberger said on Monday the workers from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent had been unable to enter certain neighborhoods in Homs even after both sides agreed to a temporary humanitarian ceasefire last week. The Red Cross remains the only international organization able to operate on the ground in Syria.
19 killed as bus crashes off bridge in South Africa
A bus plunged off a bridge in South Africa on Monday, killing at least 19 people and injuring 55, paramedics say. Twenty one people had been hospitalized with three in critical condition, AP cites Netcare Limited spokesman Jeffrey Wicks as saying .The bus fell several meters into a ravine after the driver apparently lost control.
Central Africa gunmen attack French uranium plant
Gunmen have attacked a uranium plant operated by French nuclear giant Areva in the Central African Republic, local troops and French diplomats said on Monday. Central African troops clashed with “an unidentified group of armed men attempting to launch an assault on the premises of the mining company Areva,” the military said, as cited by AFP. The attack did some material damage, though no causalities were reported.
New EU sanctions target Syrian ministers
The European Union imposed new sanctions on President Bashar al-Assad's regime on Monday. The 16th round of restrictive EU measures target six government ministries, firms and one individual, AFP reports. The measures were approved by the foreign ministers of 27 nations at a meeting in Luxembourg. Diplomats say that assets held in Europe by Syria's defense and home affairs ministries were targeted. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said banks and telecommunications firms were also on the list. The sanctions also included a specific ban on insuring items embargoed for delivery to Syria.
Fitch downgrades Cyprus credit rating
Fitch ratings agency has downgraded Cyprus' sovereign credit grade to junk status. The agency cited a rise in the amount of rescue money needed by its banks, which are heavily exposed to Greece. The rating was lowered by one notch to BB+ from BBB- and a negative outlook was kept, AP said. The move means more downgrades are possible in coming months. Cyprus is expected to ask for financial aid from eurozone nations or from Russia. Cypriot banks were big holders of Greek sovereign bonds whose value was written down sharply this year.
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