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Showing posts from September, 2013

U.N. Security Council could vote on Syria resolution Friday

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A man mourns over the bodies of those killed in a suspected chemical weapon attack in a suburb of Damascus, Syria, on Wednesday, August 21. Syrian rebels said that poisonous gas rained down from rockets overnight, but authorities have denied the allegations that they used chemical weapons and accused the opposition of staging the attacks. U.S. officials, however, said there were "strong indications" that there was a chemical weapons attack by the government. HIDE CAPTION Suspected chemical attack in Syria United Nations (CNN)  -- The U.N. Security Council could vote as early as Friday on a draft resolution regarding Syria's chemical weapons program. The resolution would impose "legally binding obligations" on the government to eliminate its program, said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power. "This resolution will require the destruction of a category of weapons that the Syrian government h...

Bus blast in Pakistan kills at least 17

Peshawar, Pakistan (CNN)  -- At least 17 people were killed and more than 30 others wounded in an explosion that ripped through a bus carrying government employees in northwest Pakistan on Friday, authorities said. The blast destroyed the bus, police said. It was carrying at least 70 employees of various departments of the secretariat of Peshawar, the capital of the volatile province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police think the explosion was caused by a remote-controlled device planted in a tin can containing about 6 to 8 kilograms (13 to 18 pounds) of explosives, said Nasir Durrani, inspector general of police in the province. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. Hakim Khan, an eyewitness, said the explosion hurled people sitting on the bus's roof out into fields by the side of the road. Authorities said 34 people who were wounded in the blast are being treated at nearby hospitals. Sikander Khan Sherpao, senior minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, suggeste...

Pakistan quake death toll rises to 356

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A girl walks past the remnants of a house in the earthquake-devastated district of Awaran on Thursday, September 26. The 7.7-magnitude quake struck on September 24 in a remote, sparsely populated area of southwestern Pakistan. HIDE CAPTION 7.7 quake rocks Pakistan Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN)  -- The death toll from the strong earthquake  that struck southwestern  Pakistan  this week has risen to 356 as rescue workers struggle to reach victims, authorities said Thursday. Further complicating relief efforts, two rockets were fired at -- and missed -- a military helicopter on its way to the quake zone. The number of people injured has climbed to 619, said Jan Muhammad Buledi, a spokesman for the government of Balochistan, the province where the quake hit. Authorities estimate that 21,000 houses have been destroyed. The 7.7-magnitude earthquake took place Tuesday in a remote, sparsely populated area of Balochis...

Religious fury alters Miss World in Indonesia

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The top 10 Miss World contestants pose during the modeling event at the convention center in Indonesia's resort island of Bali on September 24.The Miss World finals will take place on September 28, after weeks of protests from Muslim hardliners. HIDE CAPTION Miss World sparks controversy Protesters in Indonesia denounce the contest where women sashay in swimsuits and form-fitting evening wear, calling it insulting to Muslims and triggering threats of violence.Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN)  -- Demeaning, exploitative, degrading. Beauty pageants have been called lots of things. And it's also the line coming from Islamic hardliners, who are protesting this year's Miss World Contest, which is held in the most populous Muslim nation in the world. Islamic groups urged the government to shut the contest down. Hardliners burned signs featuring the image of last year's winner Wenxia Yu of China that read "Reject Miss World." They a...

Syria crisis: US and Russia agree chemical weapons deal

The   United States   and   Russia   have agreed that Syrian   chemical weapons   will be placed under international control and destroyed in a process that will begin with a week. International inspectors from the Organisation of the Prevention of Chemical weapons must be given "immediate and unfettered" access to Syrian chemical weapons, said the US secretary of state, John Kerry, while  Syria  must give a "comprehensive list" of its chemical weapons within one week. Speaking at a press conference in Geneva on Saturday after three days of talks, Kerry outlined the details of the deal as Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov looked on. The deal "would allow us to expedite the elimination of Syria's chemical weapons" which would protect the Syrian people, Syria's neighbours and the world. Kerry said the removal of chemical weapons would be "credible and verifiable" if fully implemented. "The world will now wait for the As...

Syria crisis: Obama warns Assad over chemical plan

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Continue reading the main story Syria conflict Back from brink, war grinds on UN report explained Surprise success? Daunting task US President Barack Obama has warned of "consequences" if the Syrian regime fails to comply with a framework deal to destroy its chemical weapons. A  framework document  agreed by the US and Russia on Saturday stipulates that Syria must provide full details of its stockpile within a week. The chemical arsenal must then be eliminated by mid-2014. If Syria fails to comply, the deal could be enforced by a UN resolution with the use of force as a last resort. But US officials say the president reserves the right to act without the agreement of the UN. Continue reading the main story Analysis Jeremy Bowen BBC Middle East editor, Damascus Russia has significant leverage over the regime in Damascus, as it supplies its weapons. Perhaps more importantly, Russia has been watching President Assad's back at the United Nations. ...

Syria Civil Conflict

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Response In  June, 2013 , AmeriCares  deployed an   emergency response team  to Jordan and Turkey to meet with partners working in the region and assess the urgent needs of Syrian refugees. A team was also deployed earlier in the crisis, in April, 2012. Our response to date includes: Five shipments of medical aid   to partners delivering health care services at refugee camps in Syria, Turkey and Jordan, filling a crucial gap in health care needs.  More than $2 million  in medical aid has been delivered, including enough antibiotics and other medicines to treat an estimated 37,000 people. Two grants  to help partners with local procurements of essential drugs and urgently needed medical equipment. $1.1+ million in medical aid  to volunteer health care teams providing lifesaving medical care to Syrians in need throughout the region through our  Medical Outreach Program . Recommended News... Syria Deadly Syria...