Number of injured climbs to 34 in China quake
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake that rocked China’s far-western frontier has now left 34 people injured, according to the Associated Press. The quake that hit the Xinjiang region triggered landslides and shook residents early Saturday morning. No fatalities have been reported so far.
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi sworn into office
President-elect Mohamed Morsi was sworn into office before the High Constitutional Court on Saturday afternoon. After the ceremony, Morsi will address the Egyptian public. It was originally unclear where the ceremony was to be held after the lower house of the Egyptian parliament was dissolved, although a constitutional amendment provided for the ceremony to be held at the High Court.
Hong Kong reporter asks Hu Jintao about Tiananmen Square
A Hong Kong reporter surprised Chinese authorities at a carefully scripted press conference with Chinese Prime Minister Hu Jintao on Saturday. The reporter, Hon Yiu-ting, asked “President Hu, have you heard that Hong Kong people hope to reverse the verdict of June 4? Have you heard?" before being detained for 15 minutes by security officers, AP reports. Many in Hong Kong have called on Beijing to admit to its brutal suppression of the movement in which hundreds were killed on June 4th, 1989.
Teachers union prepared to join protests in Quebec
The teachers union in Quebec is ready to join the long running student protests. Students have been protesting a government decision to raise tuition, as well as a bill banning the protests. The teachers are threatening to join the students if new substitute teachers are not hired in time for the fall term to compensate for the additional workload resulting from the missed semester. "We're ready to do our part in all of this," Micheline Thibodeau, vice-president of the teachers’ federation said. "We’re just trying to provide the resources so that our students succeed."
Stolen Salvador Dali painting mailed back to gallery
A Salvador Dali painting that was stolen from a Madison Avenue art gallery has been returned via mail, arriving in a box at JFK airport, the New York Post reports. The painting was worth approximately 15,000 dollars and was in ‘pristine condition’ when it was found.
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Kofi Annan’s Syria plan excludes Assad – Arab League
The Arab League’s Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi was quoted on Saturday as saying that Kofi Annan’s Syria plan will exclude Assad. The Arab League has contributed in the process of drafting the plan, Arabi was also reported as saying. Opposition leaders may also be excluded, along with any presence that might serve to destabilize peace efforts.
British FM urges Russia, China to agree with west on Syria plan
British Foreign Minister William Hague has asked Russia and China to agree with Western powers on a political transition plan in Syria as world powers meet in Geneva on Saturday. Hague also admitted that the agreement remained difficult. Kofi Annan will likely propose a draft plan that will exclude those “whose continued presence and participation would undermine the credibility of the transition and jeopardize stability and reconciliation.”
2 dead, 1.5 million without power after storms in DC area
A series of dangerous storms after a record heat wave in the Washington DC area has left 2 dead and 1.5 million homes without power. Wind gusts of up to 82 miles per hour and intense lightning storms downed trees across the area, crashing into homes, power lines, vehicles, as well as blocking roads. Local utilities say it may be days before electricity can be restored to all residents.
UN report shows Iran ships weapons to Syria, violates sanctions
The UN has published a report revealing Iranian weapons shipments to Syria in violation of international sanctions. The report focuses on three large illegal Iranian arms shipments, two of which were bound for Syria. “Iran has continued to defy the international community through illegal arms shipments,” the report read. “Syria continues to be the central party to illicit Iranian arms transfers." Western diplomats hope that the report will add pressure on Iran to comply with UN sanctions aimed at curtailing its nuclear program, which Iran claims is peaceful, but the west fears may be used to develop weapons.
4 dead, 37 missing after Chinese mudslide
A mudslide caused by torrential rain in China’s Sichuan province has left 4 dead and 37 missing, Chinese State Television CCTV reports. The mudslide hit the construction site of the Baihetan Hydropower Station in Ningan County early Thursday morning. 557 people from 117 households near the mudslide site have been evacuated as the search continues for the missing construction workers.
Paraguay suspended from Mercosur trade bloc
Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay declared that Paraguay would be temporarily suspended from the South American trading bloc Mercosur at their summit in Argentina. The decision comes on the heels of what South American leaders are calling a political coup to replace former Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo. Lugo's replacement, former Vice President Federico Franco, was barred from attending the summit. Argentine President Cristina Fernandez said that the “democratic order was broken” in Paraguay, and Mercosur will reevaluate their member status in after new elections in April. Paraguay is a founding member of the trade bloc.
No law violation in Nazi lesson in kindergarten – Latvian Security Police
Latvia’s Security Police have found no laws were infringed in a patriotic education lesson conducted by men in Nazi uniform in a Riga kindergarten, Itar-Tass news agency reports, citing an official. Police said the men dressed in Waffen-SS uniforms did not violate the arms law by showing weapons to children aged between 3 and 4 years. The controversial lesson took place on March 16, the date which commemorates the Latvian Waffen SS legion. The incident came to light only in May sparking a public outcry in the former Soviet republic, which often finds itself in scandals involving its Nazi past.
UN releases report on North Korea sanctions violations
The United Nations has published a report on North Korea’s sanctions violations, which include reports of possible arms deals between Pyongyang and the Syrian regime, Reuters says. The report states that North Korea "continues actively to defy the measures in the (UN sanctions) resolutions." One of the violations – the suspected illicit arms trade with Syria - was reported to the council's sanctions committee earlier this year. The report also cited a 2007 shipment of propellant usable for Scud missiles and other items that could be used for ballistic missiles. "Although the [sanctions] have not caused the DPRK to halt its banned activities, they appear to have slowed them and made illicit transactions significantly more difficult and expensive," the panel's report added. The report was released on Friday after more than a month’s delay due to China’s objections.
Eight killed by motorcycle bombs in Iraq
At least eight people have been killed and dozens more wounded on Friday in a suicide attack in central Iraq. The mostly Shiite town of Balad is in an area known to shelter several Islamist fighter groups. Three bombs were planted on motorcycles and went off near a police station. The terrorist act follows a string of similar attacks in Baghdad on Thursday that claimed 14 lives and injured more than 45.
Militant leftist group claims Greece Microsoft attack
A little-known militant Greek leftist group has claimed responsibility for the Wednesday attack on Microsoft’s headquarters in Athens, Reuters reports. A van packed with gas canisters drove into the building’s main entrance and exploded, but caused no injuries. After smashing the front door, hooded attackers got out of the car and triggered a device set inside the van. Police say at least two people wielding pistols and a machine gun kept security guards away as they carried out the attack. In a statement published online, the International Revolutionary Front said it had targeted Microsoft to strike a blow at capitalism. "We chose this building because Microsoft is one of the most powerful companies of the computer sector, which is now carrying capitalism on its shoulders," it said.
Magnitude 6.3 quake hits north-western China
A powerful earthquake has struck Xinjiang autonomous district in China’s north-west at a depth of 9.8 kilometers, some 99 kilometers south of Dushanzi. No further details are available at this point. The earthquake hit on Saturday at 5:07 am local time, which is Friday 9:07 pm UTC.
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