Refugees to be relocated within two years
European interior ministers on Tuesday agreed on a deal to relocate 120,000 migrants across the continent, in a vote passed by a significant majority. Under the plan, migrants will be moved from Italy, Greece and Hungary to other countries in the European Union. Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary voted against accepting mandatory quotas. But a large majority of EU member states backed the plan, which will take effect over the next two years.
Indonesia starts action against firms linked to forest fires
Indonesia has ordered four companies to suspend operations for allegedly causing forest fires that have recently sent smoke across a swathe of Southeast Asia, an Indonesian environment ministry official said on Tuesday. Indonesia launched investigations against more than 200 companies as it scrambles to bring the fires on Sumatra and Kalimantan islands under control, amid complaints from neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia.
Pharma firm defends 5,000% price hike of HIV drug
The head of an American pharmaceutical company has defended his company’s decision to raise the price of a 62-year-old medication used by AIDS patients by over 5,000%. Turing Pharmaceuticals acquired the rights to Daraprim in August. CEO Martin Shkreli, a former hedge fund manager, has said that the company will use the money it makes from sales to research new treatments. After Turing’s acquisition, a dose of Daraprim in the US increased from $13.50 to $750. The pill costs about $1 to produce.
Egypt razed over 3,000 homes for Sinai buffer zone
Egypt has demolished more than 3,255 homes and other buildings in the Sinai peninsula in violation of international law, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday. Troops began razing homes along the Gaza border in 2013 to create a “buffer zone” and eliminate smuggling tunnels, after a surge in attacks by militants. But those evicted are given little or no warning, no temporary housing and inadequate compensation, HRW alleges. The Egyptian government however, insisted that residents supported the demolitions.
Pakistan sentences nine terrorists to death
Pakistan army chief, General Raheel Sharif, on Tuesday confirmed the death sentences for nine militants who were convicted by special military courts for carrying out attacks across the country. Army spokesman Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said the men were involved in killing civilians and law enforcement officials.
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European interior ministers on Tuesday agreed on a deal to relocate 120,000 migrants across the continent, in a vote passed by a significant majority. Under the plan, migrants will be moved from Italy, Greece and Hungary to other countries in the European Union. Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary voted against accepting mandatory quotas. But a large majority of EU member states backed the plan, which will take effect over the next two years.
Indonesia starts action against firms linked to forest fires
Indonesia has ordered four companies to suspend operations for allegedly causing forest fires that have recently sent smoke across a swathe of Southeast Asia, an Indonesian environment ministry official said on Tuesday. Indonesia launched investigations against more than 200 companies as it scrambles to bring the fires on Sumatra and Kalimantan islands under control, amid complaints from neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia.
Pharma firm defends 5,000% price hike of HIV drug
The head of an American pharmaceutical company has defended his company’s decision to raise the price of a 62-year-old medication used by AIDS patients by over 5,000%. Turing Pharmaceuticals acquired the rights to Daraprim in August. CEO Martin Shkreli, a former hedge fund manager, has said that the company will use the money it makes from sales to research new treatments. After Turing’s acquisition, a dose of Daraprim in the US increased from $13.50 to $750. The pill costs about $1 to produce.
Egypt razed over 3,000 homes for Sinai buffer zone
Egypt has demolished more than 3,255 homes and other buildings in the Sinai peninsula in violation of international law, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday. Troops began razing homes along the Gaza border in 2013 to create a “buffer zone” and eliminate smuggling tunnels, after a surge in attacks by militants. But those evicted are given little or no warning, no temporary housing and inadequate compensation, HRW alleges. The Egyptian government however, insisted that residents supported the demolitions.
Pakistan sentences nine terrorists to death
Pakistan army chief, General Raheel Sharif, on Tuesday confirmed the death sentences for nine militants who were convicted by special military courts for carrying out attacks across the country. Army spokesman Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said the men were involved in killing civilians and law enforcement officials.