News: news
Syrian Refugees Hit 1.5 Million Mark
Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan - home to thousands of Syrians fleeing their war-torn country. With no end in sight, the UN announced on Sunday that the number of registered Syrian refugees has reached 1.5 million - and is set to double by the end of the year. Syria's population is 23 million. UNHCR's representative in Jordan, Andrew Harper, said entire towns were fleeing the country.
Reuters
05/19/2013
27 Views
Taiwan Protesters Blast Nuclear Power
Protesters in Taiwan rally against nuclear energy. Hundreds flooded the streets of Taipei on Sunday to demand that the government halt the construction of a controversial nuclear power plant. The facility, already 90 percent complete, has sparked outrage among many Taiwan nationals. The protest comes just ahead of the inauguration of President Ma Ying-jeou. This woman says she is upset that nuclear waste could end up near residential areas.
Reuters
05/19/2013
5 Views
Pope Tells Church to Adapt
Pope Francis warned the Catholic Church to not close in on itself at a mass to mark Pentecost Sunday (May 19) attended by more than 200,000 people, urging the faithful to be open and present in a new and changing world. "Newness always makes us a bit fearful, because we feel more secure if we have everything under control, if we are the ones who build, programme and plan our lives in accordance with our own ideas," Francis said during the mass in a packed St Peter's Square.
Reuters
05/19/2013
11 Views
Technologists See Apps as the Answer to Asia's Problems
Despite huge economic advances in recent years, Asia remains a continent mired in poverty. But app developers there believe they have the solution, in smartphone technology they say can improve quality of life for the millions affected. Fifteen of the top apps were showcased at the recent "Apps For Asia - Redesigning Development" exhibition in India. Among them was Blue Clover, a food management app for diabetics, co-designed by Donald Zhang.
Reuters
05/19/2013
20 Views
Pakistanis Head Back to Polls
Casting their ballots in Pakistan - finally. One week after the country's general election, residents of this Karachi neighbourhood vote for a new government. Some were prevented from voting on May 11, during what was at times a violent and chaotic ballot. The vote comes a day after a prominent local politician, Zarah Shahid Hussain, was fatally shot outside her home. She was a leading member of Pakistan Tehrik Insaf, a party headed by former cricket star Imran Khan.
Reuters
05/19/2013
20 Views
Assad Sees Little Chance Peace Talks Will Succeed
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad repeats a familiar refrain. In an interview with Argentine newspaper Clarin Saturday, Assad again blamed "terrorists" for the civil war in his country and expressed doubts that peace talks could halt the violence. Referring to rebel fighters seeking to force his government out, Assad said he would only meet with unarmed opposition groups. He also insisted he would not resign.
Reuters
05/19/2013
9 Views
Netanyahu Takes Aim at Weapons ‘Leaks’ in Syria
A shell explodes in the town of Yabroud, near the Syrian capital Damascus, purportedly on Friday. Reuters cannot independently verify the authenticity of this clip which was posted on a social media website. Another clip shows the aftermath of air strikes in Douma, just outside Damascus.
Reuters
05/19/2013
8 Views
