International Headlines
Jan 27: Cover-Up
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is visiting Italy for talks with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. They visited Rome's Capitoline Museum where several nude statues were hidden to avoid offending the Iranian president. In addition, wine was not served at official meals in deference to Iranian culture. Contracts worth around €17bn ($18.4bn; £12bn) were signed between Iran and Italian companies.
Jan 26: Activist Released
Swedish activist Peter Dahlin, 35, who has been held in China since earlier this month on charges of damaging national security, has been released and deported. He appeared on Chinese state media, apparently confessing to breaking the law, although it is believed his confession was coerced. Mr Dahlin is the founder of Chinese Urgent Action Working Group (China Action), which gives legal aid to people who have experienced rights violations.
Jan 22: Russian Spy Murder
A British inquiry has found that the murder of ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in 2006 in the United Kingdom was "probably" approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr Litvinenko was poisoned with polonium-210. Home Secretary Theresa May said the murder was a "blatant and unacceptable" breach of international law while the Russian Foreign Ministry said the public inquiry had "politicised" a purely criminal case.
Jan 21: Stock Markets Crash
Stock markets worldwide have fallen due to the drop in oil prices and fears about its impact on global growth. In Europe the FTSE 100 sank 3.46%, or 203.2 points, to 5,673.58 while in America, the Dow Jones was close to 3% down. Many markets have sustained a fall of 20% or more from their most recent peak. Japan shares fell to their lowest level since October 2014.
Jan 20: Deported
Norway is sending migrants back to Russia; it is expected that about 5,500 people will be transported from Norway to Russia. Most came originally from Syria, many crossing the Arctic border by bicycle having discovered a loophole in the law enabling them to gain entry to Norway. However Norway has announced it will immediately deport people arriving from a country deemed safe.
Jan 19: Weakest Growth
China’s gross domestic product growth of 2015 showed 6.9%, the weakest annual rate in 25 years. China's performance as the world’s second largest economy is of crucial concern to global investors. 2015’s figure was the slowest since the 3.8% of 1990, a year after the Tiananmen Square massacre which rocked the country and prompted international isolation.
Jan 18: New President
Tsai Ing-wen, 59, has been elected Taiwan's first female president. Her Democratic Progressive Party is committed to independence from China who sees Taiwan as a breakaway province and has threatened to take it back by force if necessary. The pro-unification Kuomintang party has been in power for most of the last 70 years and Ms Tsai’s victory is seen as proof that the Taiwanese people want independence from China.
Jan 15: $31 Million Donation
Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg is donating $31 million (£22 million) in Facebook stock to charity through her Philanthrophy Fund. Recode.net reported that the majority of the money will go to women’s empowerment groups and Lean In, a nonprofit organisation founded by Sandberg to help support women in the workplace. She also plans to give money to education groups and anti-poverty efforts.
Jan 14: South China Sea
China’s growing military presence in the South China Sea has drawn warnings from the United States that Beijing is seeking to deploy control over one of the world’s most important sea lanes. China claims ownership of the South China Sea which is a gas-rich area. The once peaceful and friendly South China Sea islands have become a land of dispute, a resident is quoted as saying.
Jan 13: Acid Attack Survivor
Laxmi Saa, an acid attack survivor, becomes new face of an Indian fashion brand Viva N Diva who are leading an initiative to give more acid survivors a chance to be the face of different brands. Laxmi is a campaigner with Stop Acid Attacks and a TV host. The Acid Survivors Trust International reported that there could be approximately 1,000 acid attacks every year in India alone, of which many go unreported.
Jan 12: Explosion in Istanbul
A massive explosion has killed ten people and wounded around 15 in central Istanbul, according to a statement from Istanbul governor’s office. The statement also confirmed that tourists from Norway and Germany are among those wounded. The cause of the explosion is not yet known and investigations are underway, reported CNN Turk television.
Jan 11: David Bowie
Legendary singer David Bowie, 69, has died after suffering from cancer for the last 18 months. His death came just two days after celebrating his birthday and releasing his latest album Blackstar. Bowie was a friend of Tibet, writing the lyrics for the film Seven Years in Tibet and performing to raise awareness. He rose to fame during glam-rock era in the 1970s and 1980s and was known as an innovator.
Jan 10: Four-country Talk
Representatives from Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and United States will meet on Monday at Islamabad to plan peace talks to end the 14 years of bloodshed fighting Taliban insurgents. Peace process planned last year was cancelled after the Taliban announced that its founder, Mullah Omar had been dead for two years leaving the militant groups in disarray. Afghan witnessed one of its bloodiest years in 2015.
Jan 9: Nepal Reconstruction
Nearly after nine months since the disastrous earthquake left thousands homeless, Nepal will start reconstruction work from next week, reported Reuters. “We realise that the victims are very much in trouble. We’ll start the reconstruction work from January 16,” said Sushil Gyewali, Chief of the National Reconstruction Authority. According to UNICEF more than 200,000 families affected by the earthquake are still living in temporary shelters.
Jan 8: Australian Wildfires
Wildfires blazing out of control in the Western state of Australia have destroyed around 95 homes in a single township, and continue to threaten other communities, reported The Telegraph. Wayne Gregson, Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner, said that the fires were ignited by lightning strikes and have burnt 50,000 hectares of woods and farmland. So far three people are unaccounted for and fire fighters have sustained minor injuries.