5.6 quake hits Costa Rica
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Costa Rica on Saturday, the US Geological Survey reports. The epicenter of the quake was located at a depth of 35.6 km, 64 km southeast of the city of Liberia in Guanacaste province. There have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The tremor comes three days after a powerful 7.6-magnitude quake hit the Central American nation.
Russian military helicopter crashes in republic of Dagestan
At least four crew members have died after a MI-35 Russian military helicopter crashed into a mountain in the republic of Dagestan. Their bodies have been found. According to preliminary versions the chopper went down due to weather conditions and poor visibility. Russia’s Defense Ministry has grounded all such helicopters until the reason for the crash has been discovered.
All four victims of French alps massacre shot twice in head
French prosecutors have confirmed that all four victims killed in the French village of Chevaline on Wednesday were shot twice in the head. Saad al-Hilli, an Iarqi-born British citizen, his wife and mother-in-law were all shot down in a hail of 25 bullets while in their car in the French Alps, along with a British cyclist who stumbled upon the horrific crime. A team of four French investigators have traveled to the UK to work with British detective who are currently scouring the victims Surrey home for clues. British police are questioning al-Hilli’s uncle over an alleged inheritance feud between the two men.
Ex-prosecutor claims O. J. Simpson’s defense team tampered with crucial evidence
Former Los Angeles district attorney Christopher Darden has accused OJ Simpson’s defense lawyer, Johnnie Cochran, of manipulating one of the gloves that was supposed to link OJ to the double murder of his former wife and her friend. Darden said that when OJ tried the glove on its structure appeared to be changed and that he assumed the defense team, who had the glove during the lunch hour, had torn the lining so that OJ’s fingers couldn’t go all the way up inside. Cochran is now dead, but a former member of Simpson’s defense team, said on Friday that the claim was “a total fabrication.”
Palestinians to seek UN recognition despite US pressure
The Palestinian Authority has decided to apply for United Nations recognition as a non-member state, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced Saturday. US opposition to the move is one of the main obstacles facing the PA. Palestine initially filed an application to the UN Security Council in September 2011, but the US vetoed the bid. With this path blocked, Palestine can apply to the UN general assembly, which has the power to recognize Palestine as a non-member state.
Pakistani Christian girl arrested for blasphemy released on bail
Rimsha Masih, 14, was released from a jail the northeastern Pakistani city of Rawalpindi after a court accepted her application for bail on Friday. Masih was jailed after a young man near her village outside Islamabad claimed to have seen her carrying burnt pages of the Koran in a trash bag. If convicted, Masih could face life in prison. The case has sparked debate within Pakistan about the country’s controversial blasphemy law and the treatment of Christians and other religious minorities in the Muslim-majority state.
Lufthansa cabin crew may strike again if mediation talks end with no agreement
Lufthansa's cabin crew union UFO threatened with a new strike if mediation talks scheduled for September 12 failed to bring a solution. The decision to negotiate was taken yesterday after Lufthansa’s management agreed to offer permanent contracts to some temporary cabin crew. If no agreement is reached, cabin staff will go on strike "every four days, or fortnight or every three weeks," union head Nicoley Baublies told German Focus weekly magazine. The current strike caused the cancelation of over 1,000 flights and cost the German airline over 10 million euro.
‘Iran ready to talk about its nuclear program in win-win situation’ - FM
Iran has reiterated its readiness to hold negotiations on the country’s nuclear energy program, but only if “it is a win-win scenario”, local ISNA agency reports quoting Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi. The statement was response to the earlier statements of US Department of State regarding Iran. "Iran has never said that it steps away from diplomacy, we have always welcomed it," said Salehi.
6.0 magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia
A 6.0 magnitude earthquake has struck off eastern Indonesia some 56 kilometers away from the closest city of Nabire. There have been no reports of damage or injuries. The epicenter was recorded at a depth of 20 kilometers. Indonesia is no stranger to earthquakes due to its location in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an area where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
Egypt’s revenge: Army reports 32 militants dead in Sinai
"Operation Sinai" against militants that killed 16 Egyptian soldiers in August resulted in elimination of 32 “criminals while 38 have been arrested. The army spokesperson Colonel Ahmed Mohammed Ali announced the killed militants were “non-Egyptians”. Earlier, neighbor Israel expressed concern at Egypt deploying troops on the Sinai Peninsula in violation of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. Cairo rejects such accusations, saying Egypt’s military presence in Sinai is “in the frame of coordination" with Tel-Aviv, the spokesperson said.
Syrian rebels defeated in base attack in Hanano
The Syrian regular army has repelled an attack of militants on the Hanano military base in the city of Aleppo. The fighting continued for about 20 hours as the rebels, short of arms, showed unusual persistance in attacking the base that has vast weapons stockpiles. The army brought in assault helicopters and tanks. Six armored vehicles the rebels captured earlier and intended to use for arms transportation have been destroyed. Reportedly, there are a large number of casualties on both sides.
Russia and Japan sign gas plant agreement
The head of Russian gas giant Gazprom and the director general of Japan’s Agency for Natural Resources and Energy have signed an agreement for the construction of a gas plant in Vladivostok. Japan will give joint financial support with Russia for the construction of the plant and help find potential clients for the liquefied gas. The new facility will be able to produce up to 10 million tonnes of liquefied gas a year, satisfying up to 14 per cent of Japan’s annual demand.
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