World Fwire News - Page 7

Bangkok boating lake park becomes focus of protests

A green park in downtown Bangkok was slowly beginning to resemble a tent city on Saturday, a day after anti-government protesters said they would clear camps blocking key intersections and congregate in the park instead.

Suspected Islamists kill 90 in Nigeria village raid - witnesses

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Suspected Islamist fighters killed at least 90 people in an early morning attack on a village in remote northeast Nigeria on Sunday, witnesses said. The Boko Haram gunmen surrounded the village of Izge, near the border with Cameroon, spraying it with bullets, setting off explosions and burning down dozens of houses, they said

General Motors CEO Barra to earn $14.4 million in 2014

General Motors Co's Mary Barra, the auto industry's first female chief executive officer, will be paid $14.4 million in cash and stock this year, 60 percent more than her predecessor, the automaker disclosed on Monday.

Bitcoin plunges after major platform indefinitely halts withdrawals

The price of the digital currency bitcoin slid to its lowest level in nearly two months on Monday after bitcoin digital marketplace Mt. Gox said a halt on withdrawals it announced on Friday would continue indefinitely after it detected "unusual activity."

Bernanke starts new job at Brookings after weekend off

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke began his new job at the Brookings Institution on Monday, wasting no time getting back to work just three days after ending his tenure as head of the world's most powerful central bank.

Navy admiral is Barack Obama's pick to take reins of NSA

A Navy admiral is US President Barack Obama's choice to be the next head of the National Security Agency, which is embroiled in controversy over its secret surveillance programs and massive collection of phone and Internet data.

Bitcoin start-up founder Charlie Shrem arrested for money laundering

Charlie Shrem, who had financial backing from the Winklevoss twins and is well known as one of the bitcoin's biggest global promoters, was arrested on Sunday at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York, the US Attorney's Office in Manhattan said on Monday.

Philippines: Police seize drugs worth $22 million in Manila

Philippine police have arrested four men and seized 1 billion pesos ($22 million) worth of methamphetamine in the second large drug bust in Manila in 10 days.

Singapore's workers most sullen in Asia, India's happiest

Workers in wealthy Singapore are the unhappiest in Asia and nearly two-thirds would like to quit their jobs in the next year, a regional survey by recruiting firm Randstad Group showed on Wednesday.

Drunk man killed walking along US highway, family sues cops

The family of 22-year-old Uriel Juarez-Popoca filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Delaware County Sheriff's Office in Ohio.

1 dead, 27 homes destroyed in Perth wild fire

Flames prevented paramedics from reaching the man who collapsed on the roof of his home in suburban Hovea on Perth's eastern fringe yesterday.

Activists chase Japan's whaling fleet in Antarctic ocean

Sea Shepherd says it caught up with all five of Japan's whaling vessels on Monday. The group released images of several dead whales lying on the deck of one ship.

Kerry says Iran could help with Syria during Geneva talks

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday that Iran could be helpful in finding a solution to the conflict in Syria on the sidelines of negotiations in Geneva later this month. Kerry said it would be difficult to see how Iran, which did not support last year's international accord on Syria, could be a "ministerial partner" in the Geneva 2 talks slated to begin on January 22

Sri Lankan Navy arrest 22 more Tamil Nadu fishermen

Amidst stepped up pressure to secure the release of over 220 Tamil Nadu fishermen detained in Sri Lanka, 22 more were arrested by the island navy early today while fishing in the Palk Strait.

Working zealously to strengthen ties with India: Sharif

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Friday said Pakistan is working zealously towards strengthening its relations with its neighbours, including India and Afghanistan.

PIA pilot goes on leave after facing blasphemy charges

A three-member committee, set up to probe the matter, recorded the statements of the pilot's colleagues and submitted its recommendations to the chairman.

Japan close to deal on controversial US base on Okinawa

The Futenma base has been a lightning rod for criticism because of its location in a densely populated area.

5.7 magnitude jolts Pakistan, no casualties reported

An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the richter scale hit parts of Pakistan's Sindh and Baluchistan provinces, but no casualties were reported from any place.

All-clear at 2 of 4 evacuated Harvard buildings

Three of the evacuated buildings — one a dorm, and two classroom buildings — border Harvard Yard, and the other is the science center at the Ivy League school in Cambridge.

Danish task force gets ready to remove Syria's chemical weapons

The deadliest chemicals in Syria's stockpile are due to be shipped out of the country by the end of the year under an agreement between Damascus and the OPCW, but the ongoing conflict is complicating efforts to meet that deadline.

Venezuela evacuates Air France flight after bomb threat

The information we have is that a terrorist group intended to place an explosive on a flight between France and Venezuela," said the minister, who is also the head of Sebin.

Execution of Kim Jong Un's uncle, worries South Korea

South Korea expressed deep concern about a series of occurrences in North Korea, including the execution of Jang Song-Thaek, who was married to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's biological aunt, Seoul's unification ministry said Friday.

Residents protest demolition of homes by drinking pesticide in Beijing

A dozen people protesting the demolition of their homes in central China drank pesticide in Beijing in a desperate bid for attention.

Why are Sikhs excluded from US Army, rights panel asks Hagel

A US commission has asked the Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel to explain exclusion of Sikhs, known for their valour and pride, from the American armed forces.

Iraq: Bombings kill 39 in and around Baghdad

At least 11 explosions tore through predominantly Shiite areas in and around the Iraqi capital today, killing at least 39 people at crowded market places, commercial districts and car repair shops, officials said.

Security threat forces Kayani to abandon retirement house

Brig (retd) Amjad Kayani, a brother of Kayani, when contacted said his brother needed a secure house to live in.

India refuses to budge on food subsidies at WTO

Chances of a breakthrough in global trade negotiations dimmed as India refused to budge on food subsidies that are an obstacle to an eleventh hour agreement at a WTO summit