About 20 killed by blast at bus stop in NE Nigeria
About 20 people were killed after an explosion in the city of Gombe in northeastern Nigeria, TASS reported. The terrorist act was carried out when the bus stop was crowded by people, according to Red Cross representatives. Officials have blamed the Boko Haram sect for similar attacks in the past.
Sydney siege gunman Monis’ body released for burial
The body of siege gunman Man Haron Monis has been released for his next of kin to bury, after the coroner performed an autopsy, the Sydney Morning Herald reported Monday. A burial order was made on Monday afternoon, according to a Department of Justice. “If no one comes forward to claim his body, a destitute burial will be organized through NSW Health,” a department spokeswoman said. The coroner has not finalized any autopsy results and will not be releasing any more information before an inquest, the paper said. Monis’ partner Amirah Droudis will not be able to collect his body after she was taken into custody on Monday afternoon, her bail having been revoked on a charge of the murder of Monis’ ex-wife.
China to send 700 troops to S. Sudan, 1st infantry UN mission
China will send 700 troops to South Sudan as part of the country’s first infantry battalion to participate in a UN peacekeeping mission, AP said. Next month, 180 of the troops will fly to South Sudan followed by the rest of the battalion in March, according to a Xinhua report. The battalion has drones, armored infantry carriers, anti-tank missiles, mortars and other weapons for self-defense purposes. More than 2,000 Chinese peacekeepers are posted in conflict zones around the world.
Rossiya Segodnya unveils memorial plaque
In honor of journalist Stenin, killed in Ukraine
Rossiya Segodnya international information agency on Monday unveiled a memorial plaque in honor of Andrey Stenin, the photojournalist who was killed in eastern Ukraine in August. He disappeared while working on August 5. The agency confirmed his death on September 3.
Spanish court to try Princess Cristina on tax fraud charges
Princess Cristina de Borbon, sister of Spain’s King Felipe VI, has been ordered to stand trial on charges of tax fraud, Reuters reported, citing the High Court of the Balearic Islands. The charges were brought as part of an investigation into the business dealings of Cristina’s husband, Inaki Urdangarin. A former Olympic handball player, he is accused of embezzling millions in public funds through his non-profit Noos Foundation. The case marks the first time a member of the Spanish royal family will stand trial.
5 militants killed in clashes with Egypt police
Five members of Egypt’s militant group Ansar Beit al-Maqdis were killed on Sunday in clashes with police, AFP reported. The militants of the country’s deadliest group, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), opened fire after security forces stormed a farm where they were hiding and preparing bombs, the interior ministry said. An exchange of gunfire caused “the deaths of five members of the terrorist cell while a police officer was injured,” according to police.
Queensland govt agrees to demolish house
The house where an Australian mother allegedly killed eight children, most of them her own, will likely be demolished, Reuters quoted a government official as saying on Monday. The move is in keeping with indigenous culture to make way for a memorial. The Queensland government agreed to the demolition of because of the horrific nature of the killings, according to Queensland MP Gavin King. A judge denied a request to transfer the murder case against 37-year-old Raina Mersane Ina Thaiday to Queensland state’s Mental Health Court.
Tunisia’s Marzouki refuses to concede defeat as Essebsi declares win in election
Beji Caid Essebsi declared victory in Tunisia’s presidential run-off vote held on Sunday. His rival, the incumbent president, Moncef Marzouki, refused to concede defeat, Reuters said. Essebsi, 88, former parliament speaker under Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, announced that he had won by a clear margin. The election is seen as last step in Tunisia’s shift to full democracy four years after an uprising ousted Ben Ali.
China opposes cyber-attacks, stops short of condemning Sony hacking
Beijing has said it opposes all forms of cyber-attacks, but Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stopped short of directly condemning the hacking of Sony Pictures, Reuters said. In a conversation with US Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday, the minister reaffirmed China’s “relevant position, emphasizing China opposes all forms of cyber-attacks and cyber terrorism.” Beijing opposes any country or individual “using other countries’ domestic facilities to conduct cyber-attacks on third-party nations,” Wang Yi said.
3 injured in US Navy helicopter crash in Kuwait
Three people have been injured after a US Navy helicopter crashed Sunday while carrying out a training flight at an American army post in northwestern Kuwait, US officials said. “All six personnel aboard the helicopter survived the crash and were transported to nearby medical facilities for evaluation,” US Naval Forces Central Command said in a brief statement. The Navy ruled out hostile activity, but did not announce the cause of the crash.
Health minister to become Haiti’s new interim PM
Haiti’s Health Minister Florence Duperval Guillaume is to become the interim prime minister, replacing Laurent Lamothe who has resigned following several weeks of protest, Reuters reports. The announcement is part of a wider effort to stop the country from sliding into political crisis over long delayed election, as Haiti teeters on the brink of political chaos.
200 Gazans flood into Egypt as Rafah crossing temporarily reopened
Some 200 Palestinians crossed into the Egyptian Sinai through the Rafah crossing on Sunday. Egypt reopened the crossing for two days in order to allow sick Gaza residents to seek medical treatment and foreign nationals to leave. This is the first time the crossing has been open in nearly two months since Cairo shut it down in October after a suicide bomber killed thirty soldiers in northern Sinai. Rafah is Gaza’s only entry point to the outside world not bordering Israel.
200 Gazans flood into Egypt as Rafah crossing temporarily reopened
Some 200 Palestinians crossed into the Egyptian Sinai through the Rafah crossing on Sunday. Egypt reopened the crossing for two days in order to allow sick Gaza residents to seek medical treatment and foreign nationals to leave. This is the first time the crossing has been open in nearly two months since Cairo shut it down in October after a suicide bomber killed thirty soldiers in northern Sinai. Rafah is Gaza’s only entry point to the outside world not bordering Israel.
Media agenciesAustralian PM reshuffles cabinet amidst sliding public support
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott wants more focus on the economy and job creation after he introduced a Cabinet reshuffle after 14 months in charge of the country. He promoted Scott Morrison to the position of Social Services Minister, Reuters reports. Morrison, who was the former Immigration minister, had been behind the controversial program of turning back boats carrying thousands of asylum seekers looking to enter Australia. Meanwhile, Defense Minister David Johnston lost his job following a series of public gaffes. Abbott also appointed a second woman to his cabinet. Susan Ley was promoted to minister for health and minister for sport. The other woman in the Cabinet is Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
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