Eight die in city-centre Prague blaze

In Prague eight homeless people died when fire broke out at an abandoned building in the city centre near the main bus station.The alarm was raised shortly after midnight local time. By the time firefighters arrived just a few minutes later the blaze had already taken hold in the cavernous two-storey building that used to belong to Czech Railways. The company had left the premises some time ago and mains electricity had been cut off. Security guards say those taking shelter inside used candles for light in their makeshift home. Two people were rescued from the flames and were treated in hospital for smoke inhalation.

United Nations: US Ignore UN vote to lift Cuba embargo

Once again the UN has taken a symbolic vote urging the United States to lift its 48-year long economic embargo against communist-run Cuba.

But once again, on this, the 19th time the Security Council has considered the issue, the US and Israel voted against. Bruno Rodriguez, Cuban Foreign Minister made his feelings clear. “Two years ago, the US president proclaimed a new start with Cuba, but the facts confirm that nothing has changed. And he didn’t use the broad prerogatives he has in order to lighten the blockade. President Obama’s administration has taken some steps to lessen hostility with Havana, but sees the trade embargo as leverage to promote human rights in Cuba.

Ronald Godard, US representative at the UN said:
“The United States believes that it is high time for this body to focus its energies in supporting the Cuban people in their quest to freely decide their own future and move beyond the rhetorical posturing that this resolution represents.”

Washington has eased restrictions on family visits, but the European Union says the trade embargo is contributing to Cuba’s poverty. As US voters go to the polls, the Cuban question continues to be a thorn in the Obama administration’s side.

Natural disasters: Indonesia: Tsunami-volcano rescue continues

 

Rescuers are still trying to account for hundreds of people in Indonesia after the country was hit by multiple natural disasters. One hundred and fifty people were reported killed when a 7.7 magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami that smashed into the Mentawai archipelago near Sumatra.

In one village only 40 have been found out of a population of 200.

The three-metre tidal wave laid waste to buildings and boats in the popular surfing islands.

Daniel North, a crew-member on board the yacht MV Midas, described what happened to him. “This boat here, Freedom, was anchored outside of us. They were caught by the wave, came surfing into us on the wave, hit us directly in the side of the boat piercing a fuel tank,” he said. “Midas caught fire immediately.”

Parts of Indonesia sit on a faultline, where two tectonic plates are advancing on each other at up to six centimetres per year. Hours after the tsunami, Mount Merapi erupted.
It is one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes.

Although geologists report it now appears quite calm, they are advising authorities to continue evacuating more than 11,000 villagers living on its slopes. At least 25 people were killed when it threw up clouds of ash and jets of hot gas. Fourteen more were injured, most of them suffering burns.

Meadia: Egypt arrests 70 opposition members before vote

Dozens of people from a outlawed opposition group have been arrested in Egypt for displaying electoral posters. Some 70 members of the Muslim brotherhood were detained as they began campaigning for forth- coming elections being held at the end of November. The latest detentions follow a series of crackdowns against those seen to be opposed to President Hosni Mubarak’s ruling party, including many media outlets.

Last week, the country’s state TV shut down a dozen private channels and warned 20 others they faced a similar fate if they didn’t obey regulations.
Activists say the measures are aimed at stifling the opposition ahead of the crucial vote.

Euronews’ Cairo correspondent, Mohammed Elhamy said: ‘‘Freedom of expression and information is the latest conflict between opposition and human rights groups on the one hand and the government on the other. The battle grows as legislative elections approach. It also raises questions about the scale of democracy present in Egypt.’‘

Demonstration: Stuggart 21 protesters march in Berlin

Protesters opposed to Germany’s Stuttgart 21 rail project have taken their battle to Berlin.

Activists gathered outside the HQ of state rail operator Deutsche Bahn. A high-speed train line is planned to link Paris to Budapest through Stuttgart. If the project goes ahead, the city’s train station will be rebuilt.

Opponents say it will destroy the local landscape and will be too expensive.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s support for the scheme could cost her Christian Democrat party dear.

Next March, the CDU faces a regional election in Baden-Württemberg, which counts Stuttgart as its capital.

It’s been a centre-right stronghold since 1953 but polls show CDU support is ebbing away.

From: Euronews