Laureus World Sports Awards 2014

 ALL BLACKS, BAYERN MUNICH, MIAMI HEAT AND RED BULL RACING AMONG BIG-HITTERS FIGHTING FOR NOMINATION FOR 2014 LAUREUS WORLD TEAM OF THE YEAR AWARD

·         Bryan Twins in the running after historic tennis ‘Golden Slam’

·         British and Irish Lions head strong rugby challenge for Nomination

·         European Solheim Cup Team are contenders after first win in US

·         World’s media vote for SIX Nominees for Laureus Team Award

·         15^th Laureus World Sports Awards in Kuala Lumpur on March 26

·         Apply for media accreditation at http://accreditation.laureus.com/

LONDON, February 20, 2014 – A blue chip collection of some of the greatest teams in the world are in the running for Nomination for the 2014 Laureus World Sports Awards.

Champions League winners Bayern Munich, NBA champions Miami Heat, Formula 1 Constructors’ World Champions Red Bull Racing and New Zealand’s All Blacks are all strong contenders, while the Bryan Twins are also attracting support after completing a tennis doubles’ Golden Slam.

The Laureus World Sports Awards, now celebrating its 15^th year, is recognised as the premier honours event in the international sporting calendar. The names of the six Nominees for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award, as voted by the Laureus Media Selection Panel, will be announced later this month and the winner unveiled at the Awards Ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on March 26.

Bayern Munich look favourites to become one of the Nominees after they were the first club to complete the treble of UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup. In the Bundesliga, they lost only one match and created many records: most points in a season (91); highest winning points margin (25); most wins (29); fewest goals conceded (18). Six players were nominated for the FIFA Player of the Year Award: Philipp Lahm, Thomas Mueller, Manuel Neuer, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger, with Ribery making the final shortlist of three.

Miami Heat captured the NBA title for the second year running, after a dramatic game seven in the NBA Finals against San Antonio Spurs which the Heat won 95-88. Inevitably the hero was LeBron James who scored 37 points, equalling the record for an NBA Finals game seven. He was also named Finals MVP for the second straight season. Dwyane Wade scored 23 and Shane Battier had 18. In five seasons coach Erik Spoelstra has now lead the Heat to five play-offs and two Championship wins.

New Zealand’s All Blacks continued their superb run of form winning all 14 of their Test matches for a 100% record in 2013 – the first time a national team has achieved this since the game went professional. Lead by veteran Richie McCaw, the team includes Kieran Read at No 8, the International Player of the Year, and fly-half Dan Carter, the highest points scorer in Test match rugby.

Red Bull Racing won the Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship for the fourth straight year in 2013. Sebastian Vettel secured the drivers’ championship, winning 13 Grand Prix during the year, including a run of nine straight victories, while co-driver Mark Webber had eight podium finishes. The team’s Adrian Newey became the first car designer to win ten drivers' and ten constructors' titles.

On July 6, American twins Bob and Mike Bryan won their third Wimbledon - their 15th career Grand Slam title - which made them the first doubles pair to hold all four major titles and the Olympic gold medal at the same time, giving them a historic Golden Slam. The 35-year-olds have won more matches, more tournaments and more Grand Slams than any other pair. In April they secured their 800^th win.

In addition to Bayern Munich, several other football teams have strong credentials for Nomination. Under coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, Brazil won a record fourth Confederations Cup, beating Spain 3-0 in the final, ending the World Cup holders unbeaten run of 29 matches in competitive football. The Germany Women’s Football Team won their sixth straight European Championship with a 1-0 win over Norway in the final in Stockholm. And Nigeria beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in front of 85,000 in Johannesburg in February to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time.

In rugby, the British and Irish Lions won their first Test series since 1997, beating Australia 2-1. Coach Warren Gatland and captain Sam Warburton filled the same roles for the Lions as they do for the Wales Rugby Team, which won the European Six Nations Championship for the second straight year and provided the bulk of the players for the Lions.

Under coach Bernard Laporte, Rugby Club Toulonnais won their first ever Heineken Cup in 2013 - their only major trophy in 20 years - thanks to a wonderful defence and the brilliant kicking of Jonny Wilkinson, who was named European Player of the Year.

The European Solheim Cup Team won in the United States for the first time with a 18-10 victory in Colorado. It was also the first time that Europe have retained the trophy. Brilliantly lead by captain Liselotte Neumann, Europe had six rookies in their squad - Carlota Ciganda, Charley Hull, Caroline Masson, Beatriz Recari, Giulia Sergas and Jodi Ewart Shadoff.

In addition to Miami Heat, three other American teams have strong claims for Nomination. Baltimore Ravens beat San Francisco 49ers 34-31 to win their second Super Bowl, at the end of the 2012/13 season. The Ravens have had great success since moving from Cleveland, making the play-offs nine times since 2000, with two Super Bowl victories. Alabama Crimson Tide won their second straight college football title under coach Nick Saban and their third in four years, beating Notre Dame 42-14. Saban is the first coach to win back-to-back BCS titles. In ice hockey. Chicago Blackhawks beat Boston Bruins 4-2 to win the Stanley Cup for the second time in four seasons.

The Spain Handball Team won their second World Championship in style after they defeated favourites and European title holders Denmark 35-19 on home ground in Barcelona, while Team Sky won their second straight Tour de France through Chris Froome.

The Laureus World Sports Awards recognise sporting achievement during the calendar year 2013. The names of the six Nominees for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award, as voted by the Laureus Media Selection Panel, comprising leading sports editors, sports writers, broadcasters and online journalists from around the world, will be announced on Wednesday, February 26, along with the names of Nominees from six other categories.

The eventual winners will then be chosen in a secret ballot by the ultimate sports jury, the 46 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy - the living legends of sport honouring the greatest athletes of today – and unveiled at the Laureus World Sports Awards Ceremony, to be staged in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, March 26.

Proceeds from the Laureus World Sports Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports more than 140 sports-based community projects in 34 countries around the world that have helped to improve the lives of over one-and-a-half million young people.

Among those who have been honoured at previous Awards Ceremonies are Sebastian Coe, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Alex Ferguson, Lewis Hamilton, Rafael Nadal, Pelé, Michael Phelps, Steve Redgrave, Ronaldo, Michael Schumacher, Kelly Slater, Serena Williams and Zinedine Zidane. Guests attending the Awards Ceremony have included His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain, HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, David and Victoria Beckham, Sean Connery, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Morgan Freeman, Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey.

YB Dato' Seri Mohamed Nazri, Minister of Tourism & Culture of  Malaysia, said: “Kuala Lumpur is honoured to have been given the privilege of hosting the prestigious 2014 Laureus World Sports Awards and the city looks forward to staging this internationally-renowned event and welcoming a plethora of sporting legends to Malaysia. This is a sports-loving country and I can promise warm Malaysian hospitality awaits all our guests. Coupled with international events such as the Monsoon Cup and Formula One Grand Prix, we are supremely confident that Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is the perfect host for a sporting event with such global significance. I am positive this will be an event to remember for all involved.”

Members of the Laureus World Sports Academy volunteer their time to act as global ambassadors for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, whose mission is to use sport as the means to combat some of the world’s toughest social challenges facing young people today such as juvenile crime, gangs, HIV/AIDS, discrimination, social exclusion, landmines awareness, education and health problems such as obesity. Since its inception Laureus has raised over €60 million to support projects around the world.

For more information please contact:

Abhoy Chattopadhyay / Deependra Chetri on +91 98113 25251 / +91 9810418855.

Photo Archive: www.laureusarchive.com

Video Archive: http://www.digitalnewsagency.com/laureus

Website: www.laureus.com

Follow us on Twitter @LaureusSport

Ashok Chakradhar Launches ‘Banyan Tree Brothers’ at

 World Book Fair

New Delhi, 19 Feb 2014 : Eminent poet and scholar Ashok Chakradhar launched the ‘Banyan Tree Brothers’ by Pigeon Publication at World Book Fair, Pragati Maidan. Based on rebirth of soul ‘Banyan Tree Brother’ is authored by Dr. Nidhi Dhawan, a first time author.  Her love for books and fascination with interplay of emotions and cultures was the melting pot in which the ‘Banyan Tree Brother’ was created. At the young age of 18, her poetry was published in the American Anthology Of Poetry.

‘Banyan Tree Brother’ is a story of generation of acceptance, dispute and then again acceptance. Two Friends live together, grow up together and apart. As Banyan Tree looks on, life deals them enough to ride on, and then, crashed their waves in a swirling whirlpool of Karmic Cycle.

Famous for satire and comedy poetry, the great Hindi poet Ashok Chakradhar commended the author’s effort of beautifully presenting the tale of a soul rebirth. While launching the book he said “The book is a fabulous work of fiction that shows Hindu & Muslim communities as interweaved in real life and that human emotions & karma influence life far more than religion”.

The author, Dr. Nidhi Dhawan raised the issue of communal harmony and said “It’s been my firm belief that religion originated to get people together and create a sage space in the jungle of survival, definitely not for creating or abetting conflict- as happens in this day and age. It is time to remove religion from the public and political domain and bring it back to one of personal choice and in the personal space and choice. We are each able to find our own god realisation. What we do and how we do defines our Karma”.

Regards,

 

Sujoy Kumar Chowdhury

Manager Media

Impact Public Relations Pvt. Ltd.

Coaches stress on importance of confidence and freedom at the Airtel Rising Stars final trials

The names of 11 selected players will be announced on Feb 21

Mumbai, 20 February 2014: The final trials of Airtel Rising Stars 2013-14, India’s largest under-16 soccer talent hunt got off to an outstanding start on Day one with 23 selected participants being out through the paced by Manchester United coaches at Mapusa’s Duler Stadium today. The camp marks the culmination of an intensive six-month talent hunt conducted in seven cities with the support of state and district football associations.

On Day one of the two-day trials that were conducted at the stadium and in an indoor arena, coaches stressed on the importance of confidence and freedom in football. They also briefed participants on playing their individual game, and displaying their distinguishing strengths and expertise. The entire group was divided into four teams of five players each and 5 vs 5 conditioned games were held, where coaches tested players with different scenarios and conditions to test the techniques and skills of the players. There were also classroom sessions, before the players were shown a presentation on what it takes to be a Manchester United players, narrated by Ryan Giggs.

The afternoon session stressed on dribbling skills, shooting skills and included a workshop for goalkeepers, after which they played a 11-a-side 20 mins game to conclude

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The players will be judged on technical and tactical skill, physical and mental strength, social skills, on field behaviour, communication, discipline, enthusiasm and fair play.

The camp is being overseen by Manchester United coaches Lami Sonola, Kecvin O’Connell and Adam Hilton, who will choose 11 young footballers to train at a week-long camp at the Manchester United Soccer School in the United Kingdom.

The unique format of ‘Airtel Rising Stars’ ensured that each player at the camp gets equal opportunity and time to demonstrate his skills, overseen by officially certified  and renowned coaches.

Started by Bharti Airtel in association with Manchester United, one of the best soccer clubs in the world, ‘Airtel Rising Stars’ screens young footballers across India for sporting capabilities and skillsets based on their performance in tests, real time match simulations etc. The on-ground execution of ‘Airtel Rising Stars’ has been entrusted to Procam International - India’s largest Sports marketing and Leisure Management company.

Santosh Barodia Senior Consultant
M: +91.9820509642 | 

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Kiev clashes

Updated on : 19-02-2014 04:16 PM

As thick black smoke rose from the barricades encircling the protest camp in central Kiev on Wednesday, the Ukrainian president blamed opposition leaders for the deadly violence in which at least 25 people died and 241 were injured.

The violence yesterday was the worst in nearly three months of anti-government protests that have paralysed Ukraine's capital in a struggle over the identity of a nation divided in loyalties between Russia and the West, and the worst in the country's post-Soviet history.  Amid cries of "Glory to Ukraine!" and with flaming tires lighting up the night sky, thousands of riot police armed with stun grenades and water cannons attacked the sprawling protest camp in the centre of Kiev.  With the boom of exploding stun grenades and fireworks nearly drowning out his words at times, opposition leader Vitali Klitschko urged overnight the 20,000 protesters to defend the camp on Independence Square that has been the heart of the protests. "We will not go anywhere from here," Klitschko, a former heavyweight boxing champion, told the crowd, speaking from a stage in the square as tents and tires burned around him, releasing huge plumes of smoke.  "This is an island of freedom and we will defend it," he said. Early today, many were still heeding his call. "I am not going to sit and wait while they kill me," said 32-year-old Anton Rybkovich. "I'm going to attack. The more force the government uses, the more harsh our response will be."  About 10,000 people remained on the square as piles of rubber tires continued to burn.  A large building that the protesters had used as a headquarters caught fire and had been abandoned during the night, as police used loudspeakers to urge women and children to leave the square because an "anti-terrorist" operation was under way.  President Viktor Yanukovych said that opposition leaders "crossed a line when they called people to arms."  "I again call on the leaders of the opposition ... to draw a boundary between themselves and radical forces which are provoking bloodshed and clashes with the security services," the president said in a statement.  "If they don't want to leave (the square) they should acknowledge that they are supporting radicals. Then the conversation with them will already be of a different kind."  His defiant tone left few with hope of compromise after a night of violence, the worst in the country's post-Soviet history.

Intel news around

Posted on February 19, 2014 by sagarmedia

Bahrain protester convicted of killing policeman sentenced to death

A court in Bahrain on Wednesday sentenced a Shiite protester to death and jailed six others for life after they were convicted of killing a policeman a year ago, AFP reported. Two others were sentenced to five and six years in prison respectively on similar charges. Police officer, Mohammad Atef, died on February 14, 2013, after he was hit by a petrol bomb during clashes with protesters in a village near the capital.

11:36

7 people killed, 128 wounded in Beirut twin blasts

At least 7 people were killed and 128 wounded in the twin blasts in Beirut’s Bir Hasan neighborhood on Wednesday morning, the Daily Star newspaper reports, citing Lebanese security sources. Seven people are in “critical condition,” the country’s Red Cross said. Twin suicide car bombings targeted the Iranian Cultural Center in a busy Beirut suburb Wednesday. The Al-Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades claimed responsibility, saying the attacks were carried out in retaliation to Hezbollah’s and Iran’s roles in the Syrian war.

 

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UNSC resolution on aid in Syria to be agreed in coming days – Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said the UN resolution on aid access in Syria can be agreed in “coming days,” Itar-Tass reported. If the issue of humanitarian situation in Syria is not politicized, and one-sided approaches are not proposed in the UN Security Council, the document can be agreed, he said. Moscow earlier criticized the Western-Arab draft resolution on the issue.

Al-Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades claim Beirut bombings

The Al-Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades claimed responsibility on Wednesday for the twin suicide bombings that struck the Beirut neighborhood of Bir Hasan, the Daily Star newspaper reports. Two car bombs were behind the blasts that killed five and wounded 80 others, police said. The group, on its Twitter feed, also claimed responsibility for the November-19 twin suicide attack targeting the Iranian Embassy that killed dozens, including an Iranian official.

Iran’s Khamenei orders creation of ‘economy of resistance’

Iran’s supreme leader has ordered the government to create an “economy of resistance” to counter Western sanctions. In comments posted on his website on Wednesday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the sanctions “a full-fledged economic war,” adding that Iran is determined to force the West to retreat. The program requires the government to diversify Iran’s exports, reduce dependence on sales of raw materials and promote high-tech industries.

 

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At least 2 dead as blast hits neighborhood in South Beirut

At least two people were killed by a car bomb that hit the Beirut neighborhood of Bir Hasan during the morning rush hour on Wednesday, local media say. The explosion occurred in a predominantly Shiite area near the Iranian cultural center and the Kuwaiti Embassy, according to the Lebanon-based Al-Mayadeen TV. Six people were reportedly wounded.

Australian Christian missionary detained in Pyongyang

An Australian man has been arrested while doing missionary work in North Korea, his wife told Reuters on Wednesday. John Short, 75, was arrested in Pyongyang on Sunday and had been open about his religious work on his second trip to the state. Short was in possession of religious materials that had been translated into Korean. North Korea has held American missionary Kenneth Bae for more than a year and convicted him of trying to overthrow the state.

China can prevent 13 million tobacco-related deaths by 2050 

China can prevent nearly 13 million tobacco-related deaths by 2050 by fully implementing a set of neglected anti-smoking policies, researchers said Wednesday. The estimated number of lives saved would result from a 40-percent lower smoking rate than that projected on current trends, AFP reported, citing a paper in the British Medical Journal. Without any change, it said, China risked accumulating more than 50 million tobacco deaths between 2012 and 2050 – the largest burden of any nation.

Libyan rebels give MPs ultimatum in coup threat

The Libyan interim assembly said it was facing an impending coup on Tuesday after a group of ex-rebel militias issued a five-hour deadline to hand over power. Powerful militias from the western town of Zintan gave the General National Congress, Libya’s highest authority, the deadline, or said it would kidnap any lawmaker. Commanders from the Zintan militias appeared on television on Tuesday and blamed the Muslim Brotherhood and “ideological and extremist groups” for the country’s chronic instability since the 2011 uprising that toppled the four-decade rule of Muammar Gaddafi.

Syrian rockets hit Golan Heights just after Netanyahu visit

Two rockets fired from Syria hit the Israeli-occupied Golan heights on Tuesday, shortly after a visit to a field hospital treating injured Syrians by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon and army chief Lieutenant General Benny Gantz. Israel annexed the plateau during the 1967 Six Day War and since the civil war in Syria erupted in 2011, stray shells have frequently hit the Israeli side, which has occasionally responded.

 

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Turkish government in talks with opposition over controversial internet bill

The Turkish government has submitted proposals to amend a disputed internet bill, which was passed by parliament a week ago. There are also calls for President Abdullah Gul to veto it. The first amendment proposes that Turkey’s Directorate of Telecommunication (TIB) be unable to block access to web pages and instead must send its decision to a court, which must decide itself within 24 hours, or the initial TIB decision become void.The second amendment is aimed at making sure information on internet traffic would be collected using IP and subscriber numbers, instead of URL’s, which are seen as more insidious.

White House opposes supply of shoulder-fired missiles to Syria rebels 

The US is opposed to the supply of shoulder-fired missiles, capable of taking down warplanes, to rebel forces in Syria, Reuters quoted a senior Obama administration official as saying on Tuesday. The Wall Street Journal said on Friday that Saudi Arabia had offered to give Syrian rebels Chinese portable air defense systems, and anti-tank guided missiles from Russia. The administration “remains opposed” to any provision of such systems to the Syrian opposition, the official said.

9 killed, 14 troops seized in south Yemen clash

Nine people were reportedly killed and 14 soldiers kidnapped on Tuesday after a clash between gunmen and Yemeni troops in the southern city of Dalea. Gunmen attacked a truck carrying food supplies, Reuters reported, citing defense ministry officials. In the ensuing clash, four soldiers and one officer were killed and 14 others were abducted by the gunmen. Four civilians, including a child, were also killed in the incident, according to witnesses. Dalea is considered a stronghold for separatists demanding restoration of the former state of South Yemen, which merged with the North in 1990.

 

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Fourth person dies in Venezuela unrest

A student protester died in eastern Venezuela after being hit by a vehicle. This is the fourth fatality during political unrest over the past week, Reuters reported. Residents and opposition activists said on Tuesday that the 17-year-old student was struck by a vehicle during a demonstration late on Monday in the coastal town of Carupano in Sucre state.

Iran, world powers begin talks on final nuclear deal

Six world powers and Iran began talks on Tuesday in pursuit of a final settlement on Tehran’s disputed nuclear program in the coming months, Reuters said. Both sides warned that a breakthrough deal may prove impossible. It is the first round of high-level negotiations since a November-24 interim deal. It has seen Tehran curb some nuclear activities for six months in return for limited relief from sanctions.

Egypt prosecutor charges 2 ‘Israeli agents,’ 2 Egyptians with spying

Egypt’s public prosecutor on Tuesday charged two men it said were Israeli intelligence agents, Reuters reported. Two Egyptians were also charged with conspiring in Israel’s interests, according to the prosecutor’s office. Ramzy Mohamed, Sahar Ibrahim, Samuel Ben Zeev and David Wisemen – two officers in the Israeli Mossad – were to be sent to a Cairo criminal court for spying for the interests of the state of Israel, it said.

 

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Taliban kills senior Pakistan officer as talks suspended

A senior Pakistani army officer was killed on Tuesday in an exchange of fire with the Taliban, the military said. The exchange of fire continues, Reuters reported, citing the army’s press wing. The attack took place near the volatile city of Peshawar on the Afghan border. Peace negotiations between the government and the insurgents broke down a day earlier.

Magnitude 6.7 earthquake strikes off Barbados

A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off the Caribbean island of Barbados on Tuesday morning, the US Geological Survey said. The quake was 126 miles (202km) northeast of the capital Bridgetown at a depth of 20 miles (32km). The quake, which struck shortly before dawn, did not immediately appear to have had any notable impact in the capital Bridgetown, Reuters said.

At least 23 people killed in Baghdad, Hilla

Bomb attacks hit the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and the southern city of Hilla on Tuesday, killing at least 23 people, Reuters reported, citing police and hospital sources. The deadliest attack took place in the predominantly Shiite Muslim district of Bayaa in Baghdad, when a bomb inside a parked vehicle exploded near a bus station, killing five and wounding 24. Three car bombs went off in different places in the city of Hilla, while four more car bombs exploded in nearby towns.

 

Militant group warns tourists to leave Egypt before Feb 20

The Islamist militant group, Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, has warned tourists to leave Egypt “before it’s too late.” It also threatened, on an affiliated Twitter account, to attack anyone who stays in the country after the February-20 deadline, Reuters said. The Sinai-based group claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed two South Korean tourists and an Egyptian on Sunday.

Thailand’s anti-corruption body files charges against PM Shinawatra

Thailand’s anti-corruption body said on Tuesday it had filed charges against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Reuters reported. These relate to irregularities in the government’s rice-buying scheme. “Although she knew that many people had warned about corruption in the scheme, she still continued with it,” said Vicha Mahakhun, a member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The premier was summoned to face the charges on February 27. The government introduced the scheme in 2011, paying farmers way above the market price for their grain.

Police, protesters clash near Ukraine’s parliament

Several thousand protesters clashed with police near the Ukrainian parliament on Tuesday, Reuters reported. The demonstrators had been prevented from marching to the building as the parliament gathered for a key session. Protesters who were blocked by a line of trucks about 100 meters short of the building started to hurl stones at police. Police used stun and smoke grenades to break up the crowds. In the building, deputies from opposition factions blocked the presidium and rostrum.

 

Protester killed by gunfire in street clashes in Thai capital

A male protester, aged 52, was killed by gunfire in street clashes in the Thai capital on Tuesday, Reuters reported, citing Erawan Medical Center officials. The man was the second person killed in violence that erupted after security forces moved to clear anti-government demonstrators from streets in the center of Bangkok. Earlier reports suggested a police officer had been killed.

S. Sudan rebels launch attack on key oil town

Rebel forces in South Sudan launched a major assault early on Tuesday against the key town of Malakal, the government-controlled capital of the oil-rich Upper Nile state, AFP said, citing witnesses. “There is fighting on the outskirts of the town. It’s a very big, coordinated attack,” an independent source said. The fighting is the heaviest since the government of President Salva Kiir and rebels loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar signed a ceasefire agreement in neighboring Ethiopia on 23 January.

China won’t accept UN criticism on N. Korea abuses

China said on Tuesday that it cannot accept criticism from UN investigators who said Beijing might be “aiding and abetting crimes against humanity” by sending migrants and defectors back to North Korea, Reuters reported. UN investigators said on Monday that North Korean security chiefs and possibly even the leader, Kim Jong-un himself, should face international justice for human rights abuses.

Toll rises to 23 as second Japan snow storm leaves thousands stranded

Thousands were stranded on Tuesday as parts of Japan struggled after its second storm in a week. By Tuesday, at least 23 people had died, including some killed in traffic accidents or by being caught under snow that fell from roofs, Reuters reported. Several died in cars stuck in the snow. The storm dumped more than a meter of snow in parts of central Japan and blanketed the capital with record snow for the second weekend in a row. Thousands of households lost power and hundreds of flights were canceled. Train services were disrupted and highways closed.

Policeman killed, 44 injured as security forces raid Bangkok protest sites

A Thai policeman was shot dead as security forces clashed with protesters during a raid to reclaim besieged government buildings in Bangkok Tuesday. “One policeman was shot dead and four injured,” Police Lieutenant General Prawut Thavornsiri told AFP. One of the casualties was seriously injured by shrapnel from a blast. A total of 44 people were hurt, according to the city’s Erawan emergency medical center. Demonstrators rejected a police demand to leave the area around the prime minister’s offices within one hour.

Eurogroup says troika to return to Greece this week

A mission of international lenders will return to Greece later this week to review progress made in delivering on the country’s reforms, the chairman of eurozone finance ministers, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, has said. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Commission and the European Central Bank interrupted a visit to Athens last year because there was no progress in discussions with Greek authorities. This has held up disbursements of loans due since September 2013, Reuters said. The main sticking point is how Athens would plug a gap in this year’s budget, estimated at 1 billion euro.

Russia to buy second $2 billion tranche of Ukrainian eurobonds

Russia will purchase another tranche of Ukrainian eurobonds worth $2 billion, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told reporters on Monday. “This week, two billion,” Siluanov said while answering the question about when Russia is to get the next tranche. In mid-December 2013 Russia agreed to grant Ukraine a $15 billion loan and a 33 percent gas discount. At the end of last year Russia bought the first bonds worth $3 billion dollars at 5 percent interest. As part of the agreement Moscow will use $5 billion it holds in the form of a Special Drawing Rights (SDR), with another $10 billion coming from the National Welfare Fund. At the end of January Ukraine said it would issue another $2 billion worth of government bonds to Russia, with the same conditions as the previous $3 billion bond sale in December.

Riot at Australia’s detention camp in PNG

1 asylum seeker dead, over 75 injured during 

 One asylum seeker was killed and at least 77 others were injured during the second riot in a week at a detention centre in Papua New Guinea, Reuters quoted Australia’s Immigration Minister as saying on Tuesday. The centre is used for processing asylum seekers trying to come to Australia. Clashes began as asylum seekers broke out of the centre. One of the injured was in critical condition. The centre is part of Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s policy against asylum seekers and has faced criticism over human rights concerns. “Our sympathies are extended to the transferees – that person’s family and friends who would have been in the facility as well,” Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said in reference to the dead asylum seeker. “If people choose to remove themselves from that centre then they’re obviously putting themselves at much greater risk and in an environment where there is violent behaviour.”

10 killed in South Korea building collapse

Ten people were killed and 23 injured when a building collapsed in South Korea’s south-eastern city of Gyeongju, Reuters quoted emergency officials as saying. During the collapse the building was hosting a welcoming party for new university students, with a total of 560 students in attendance at the auditorium of the golf resort. Heavy snow on top of the roof is cited as the cause for the collapse, according to fire department officials. Nine of the dead were students. Dozens of others were trapped inside, but all of the victims were successfully rescued several hours later.

Military police raid offices of Venezuelan opposition party

Venezuelan military intelligence officers are reported to have raided the headquarters of the country’s opposition party, Popular Will. Several of the party’s officials alleged armed officers arrived at the office, threw tear gas, and attempted to remove several individuals from the premises. “The intelligence officers arrived and began to harass us,” said party activist Adriangela Ruiz. Security camera footage provided by Popular Will, which has not been independently verified, showed officers entering the party’s offices armed with guns. Venezuela’s government has issued an arrest warrant for Leopoldo Lopez, Popular Will’s founder, who has been accused by the Maduro administration of inciting violence and acts of terrorism.

media agencies