Al-Nusra fighters in Syria to merge with Islamic State
The Syrian wing of al-Qaeda, the al-Nusra Front, is reported to be forming an alliance with the Islamic State over US-led airstrikes in Syria. The former rival jihadist groups are now holding meetings to plan retaliatory attacks against US forces. Al-Nusra, one of the most powerful rebel groups fighting the Syrian regime, released a video online denouncing the air campaign in Syria as a "threat to Islam" and threatened to attack the coalition of Western and Arab nations. The US has not officially declared the al-Qaeda-linked group as one of their targets but its planes have attacked a new group it terms Khorasan, which some suspect is part of al-Nusra Front.
Hong Kong protests turn violent
The Hong Kong police on Monday fired rounds of tear gas on pro-democracy protestors, who had gathered around the government complex. The police launched a baton-charge on crowds who set up barricades to block security forces as the financial hub was about to open for business. Defying repeating warnings to call off protests, the demonstrators blocked major roads in the city. The Occupy Central movement pledged to begin a mass civil disobedience movement on Wednesday.
New Afghan president to be sworn in
Afghan president-elect Ashraf Ghani will be inaugurated on Monday as the country's new leader. Ghani succeeds Hamid Karzai, marking the country's first democratic transfer or power. The swearing-in ceremony comes after a three-month-long political deadlock with both Ghani and his poll opponent Abdullah Adullah accusing each other of election fraud. Under a unity deal struck between both sides, Abdullah will be sworn in as the country's chief executive.
Liberia's chief Ebola doctor under quarantine
Liberia's chief medical officer is on a 21-day Ebola quarantine after her assistant died after contracting the virus. The assistant's death on Thursday led to the Ministry of Health headquarters building being closed for a day for decontamination.The World Health Organisation, in its latest report, highlighted the risk of infection for health workers who are particularly vulnerable to the virus. Around 211 health workers have died from the virus in West Africa.
31 people found dead in Japanese volcano eruption
Rescue workers recovered the bodies of 31 hikers over Sunday and Monday after a deadly volcano eruption in Japan's Mount Ontake, 210 kilometres west of Tokyo. Hundred of people were stranded on the mountain on Saturday after the volcano erupted without warning, out of which several got down safely. Around 45 people have been listed as missing, many feared to be buried under the ash.
We welcome your comments at
letters@scroll.in.
The Syrian wing of al-Qaeda, the al-Nusra Front, is reported to be forming an alliance with the Islamic State over US-led airstrikes in Syria. The former rival jihadist groups are now holding meetings to plan retaliatory attacks against US forces. Al-Nusra, one of the most powerful rebel groups fighting the Syrian regime, released a video online denouncing the air campaign in Syria as a "threat to Islam" and threatened to attack the coalition of Western and Arab nations. The US has not officially declared the al-Qaeda-linked group as one of their targets but its planes have attacked a new group it terms Khorasan, which some suspect is part of al-Nusra Front.
Hong Kong protests turn violent
The Hong Kong police on Monday fired rounds of tear gas on pro-democracy protestors, who had gathered around the government complex. The police launched a baton-charge on crowds who set up barricades to block security forces as the financial hub was about to open for business. Defying repeating warnings to call off protests, the demonstrators blocked major roads in the city. The Occupy Central movement pledged to begin a mass civil disobedience movement on Wednesday.
New Afghan president to be sworn in
Afghan president-elect Ashraf Ghani will be inaugurated on Monday as the country's new leader. Ghani succeeds Hamid Karzai, marking the country's first democratic transfer or power. The swearing-in ceremony comes after a three-month-long political deadlock with both Ghani and his poll opponent Abdullah Adullah accusing each other of election fraud. Under a unity deal struck between both sides, Abdullah will be sworn in as the country's chief executive.
Liberia's chief Ebola doctor under quarantine
Liberia's chief medical officer is on a 21-day Ebola quarantine after her assistant died after contracting the virus. The assistant's death on Thursday led to the Ministry of Health headquarters building being closed for a day for decontamination.The World Health Organisation, in its latest report, highlighted the risk of infection for health workers who are particularly vulnerable to the virus. Around 211 health workers have died from the virus in West Africa.
31 people found dead in Japanese volcano eruption
Rescue workers recovered the bodies of 31 hikers over Sunday and Monday after a deadly volcano eruption in Japan's Mount Ontake, 210 kilometres west of Tokyo. Hundred of people were stranded on the mountain on Saturday after the volcano erupted without warning, out of which several got down safely. Around 45 people have been listed as missing, many feared to be buried under the ash.
