Submariners World News SitRep

Attacks sweep Iraq as Muslims celebrate Eid

Iraq has been struck by a wave of deadly attacks during the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, killing at least fifteen people, local officials reported. A roadside bomb in Taji, 20 kilometers north of Baghdad, left five dead, while a blast in the capital's northeatern Shiite neighborhood of al-Mamel killed another five. Police officers also reported that five more people were killed in a number of separate attacks in the northern city of Monsul. Most of those targeted in the attacks were from the minority Shabak sect.

Hurricane Sandy downgraded to tropical storm

The American National Hurricane Center has downgraded Hurricane Sandy to a tropical storm. Sandy killed 41 people when it swept through the Caribbean, and will soon make landfall in the US. Forecasters predicted it may combine with another weather system and morph into a super-storm, with the potential to cause millions of dollars of damage. The US media branded the super-storm as ‘Frankenstorm,’ coinciding with Halloween.

Tropical storm lashes Philippines, kills 24

Tropical storm Son-Tinh struck the Philippines, causing landslides and flooding that killed 24 and forced 15,000 people into evacuation shelters. Son-Tinh is now tracking towards Vietnam, and is predicted to gather speed and reach typhoon-strength. The Philippines is hit by around 15 to 20 typhoons and storms each year.

French government to cover terminations of pregnancy

­Contraception is to become free for minors, while Paris will reimburse women for terminated pregnancies, according to a new bill passed in France’s National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament. At the moment, the French national medical insurance fully covers only abortions for minors and the poor, while others can receive reimbursement up to 80 per cent. Terminating a pregnancy in France can cost some as much as 450 Euro.

Senate Majority Leader suffers rib injury in car accident

­US House Majority leader, Harry Reid (D-Nev) has suffered minor injury after being involved in a car accident in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Democrat was taken to the emergency room at University Medical Center in Las Vegas Friday after his caravan was involved in a six-car pile-up. According to authorities the crash involved two SWAT protection vehicles, two US Capitol Police automobiles and two civilian cars. Reid was on his way to an editorial board meeting with the Spanish language publication, El Tiempo.

Ivory Coast military accused of torturing over 200 ex-president’s supporters

­Police and soldiers in Ivory Coast have illegally detained and tortured more than 200 people according to a new Amnesty International Report. The arrests and tortures followed a series of armed attacks that began in August. “While acknowledging that … the government is facing a wave of attacks, we are very worried that the current arrests and repression stem from willingness for reprisals and revenge,” Amnesty West Africa said. Earlier this month, the UN probe has accused members of Gbagbo's former government exiled in neighboring Ghana of being behind the attacks targeting police and army installations. Gbagbo is to be tried in the Hague accused of crimes against humanity.

Switzerland slaps sanctions on Syria

­Bern has introduced new sanctions against Damascus, as Switzerland follows the lead of the European Union, according to the country’s economic ministry. The country banned visas and froze assets of 28 individuals supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It also took the same action against two suspected militants. In addition, two Syrian companies have also been hit with sanctions. The new measures will come into force on Saturday. The EU introduced its measures on October 15.