Bulgaria Builds Fence To Keep Out Immigrants

Bulgaria is building a razor wire fence on a 30-kilometre (19 miles) stretch of the country's border with Turkey, which it claims is to try to stop illegal immigration.

The three-metre-high fence is expected to be ready by February. It it will run mainly through forested, hilly areas where visibility for border patrols is limited.

During the Cold War, Bulgaria's barbed-wire borders prevented its citizens from fleeing to the West but after the country joined Nato in 2004 all fences were removed.

Turkey's border with Bulgarian is 170-miles long

"The number of incoming illegal immigrants in Bulgaria has now been reduced several times," said Defence Minister Angel Naydenov at a news conference in the border village of Golyam Dervent.

"We have enhanced the border patrols, had additional activities in border surveillance, backed by the presence of the troops right here (in the village of Golyam Dervent).                

"I'd like to add something else. No illegal immigrants have entered Bulgarian territory in that particular controlled area."

Border controls have been increased

The authorities have denied claims that the fence is intended to stop refugees from Syria and other war-ravaged countries from entering the country.

More than 11,100 refugees, most of them Syrians, have entered Bulgaria illegally this year, crossing the porous 170-mile border with Turkey and the country has faced an influx of migrants that far outnumbers its capacity.

Grozyo Milushev Georgiev, a villager from Golyam Dervent, said the flow of refugees has been "really big".

More than 11,000 refugees have crossed the border this year

"In early summer, it periodically started to rise, five to 10 people then to 20, 40, 50 and finally reached 100 people a day," Mr Georgiev said.

"Mothers with young children, pregnant women, elderly men and women, all kinds of people but, since the authorities took urgent measures, this flow has stopped."

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China Scrambles Fighter Jets In Islands Row

China Island Strategy 'Risky'

Updated: 2:13pm UK, Friday 29 November 2013

By Lisa Holland, Foreign Affairs Correspondent

Politically, nothing happens by accident in China.

It was no co-incidence that as China sent its fighter jets into the newly declared 'air defence identification zone', President Xi Jinping was visiting a site connected with the country's war-time struggle against Japan.

Mr Xi was quoted as saying "though life is becoming better, history can't be forgotten and those who made sacrifices for the new China's founding must be remembered".

Every few months the issue of islands in the East China Sea disputed by both China and Japan raises its head.

This is probably the first time since Mr Xi was made China's new leader that the country has flexed its muscles over the islands.

It is Mr Xi sending a message that China will not roll over when it comes to ownership of the islands.

The issue has become a hot topic in various (state-controlled) newspapers. 

The Global Times praised the government for its "calm response in the face of provocations". 

This kind of comment article doesn't appear by chance.

It means the Communist Party wants to send a message to the world and in particular to Japan and Japan's allies in the Pacific region, America.

Ties between China and Japan have become increasingly fraught over recent years. 

The deep-rooted mistrust and regional rivalry goes back to Japan's occupation of part of China and the perceived lack of contrition by Japan over war-time atrocities.

But by raising the stakes over the islands China may have put itself in an awkward position.

It has informed the world that foreign aircraft passing through the new air defence zone - including passenger planes - would have to identify themselves to Chinese authorities. 

Japan's two biggest airlines have defied the identification order. South Korea and the US have also flown through the zone.

China's Defence Ministry has said it would be "incorrect" to suggest China would shoot down aircraft which entered the zone without first identifying themselves. 

But quite how China will respond and police its unilaterally declared zone appears unclear.

China wants to annoy its neighbours and assert its power in the region - particularly with America looking on.

There is a lot at stake - both in an economic sense but crucially also in terms of prestige.

With the islands come seabed resources which need to be explored along with local fisheries stocks.

But it is a risky strategy. Things can easily spiral out of control in the fast-moving air zone - and mistakes happen.  If that is the case China will need to show it is no paper tiger. That could be dangerous.

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China Scrambles Fighter Jets In Islands Row

Chinese fighter jets have reportedly been sent to patrol disputed air space over the East China Sea after Japanese and South Korean planes flew into the region.

The move, described as a "defensive measure" by an air force spokesman quoted by a state news agency, raises the stakes in the long-running row over a string of tiny islands.

The military is on "high alert and will take measures to deal with diverse air threats to firmly protect the security of the country's airspace", Xinhua reported.

The warning comes days after China laid claim to the islands, which it calls the Diaoyu but are known as the Senkaku in Japan.

It previously threatened "emergency" action would be taken against aircraft which do not comply with new identification rules.

The islands cover an area of just seven square kilometres - roughly 2% of the size of the Isle of Wight.

However, they are thought to be surrounded by energy-rich waters.

Chinese and Japanese boats have been patrolling the coastline and there have been several reports of military aircraft flying too close to each other.

In October, Chinese military aircraft flew near Japan for three days in a row.

Japan scrambled fighter jets each time in response.

Earlier this week, the US sent two unarmed B-52 bombers to the disputed region without telling China first.

US Vice President Joe Biden is visiting China, Japan and South Korea next month, when he is expected to attempt to diffuse tensions over the islands.

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Falklands Oil Row: Argentina's Threat To Firms

Argentina has threatened oil firms seeking to operate off the Falkland Islands with 15-year jail terms, huge fines and confiscation of assets.

It is just the latest chapter in the dispute with Britain over sovereignty.

Its London embassy announced that new laws have been passed by the Argentine Congress to punish exploration it claims is in breach of a UN resolution.

But the Foreign Office insisted the activities were "wholly legitimate and legal" and entirely under the control of the Government of the island - a British overseas territory.

A spokesman said: "The UK Government unequivocally supports the right of the Falkland Islanders to develop their natural resources for their own economic benefit.

"This right is an integral part of their right of self-determination, which is expressly contained in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

"Argentine domestic law does not apply to the Falkland Islands or South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, which are UK overseas territories."

Buenos Aires has issued repeated written legal warnings to firms that they face administrative, civil and criminal action for operating off the islands - which Argentina calls Las Malvinas.

In a statement, the embassy said the new law "provides for prison sentences for the duration of up to 15 years; fines equivalent to the value of 1.5 million barrels of oil; the banning of individuals and companies from operating in Argentina; and the confiscation of equipment and any hydrocarbons that would have been illegally extracted".

It added: "The Argentine Government has protested against and rejected all of the United Kingdom's attempts to promote and authorise such hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities in the area of the Argentine continental shelf."

Islanders voted by 1,513 to three to remain a British overseas territory in a referendum in March but Argentina has since stepped up its claim over the territory at the UN.

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Berlusconi Expelled From Italian Parliament

Italy's former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has been expelled from parliament following his criminal conviction for tax fraud.

The Senate voted to strip him of his seat, hours after he gave a defiant speech to supporters outside his palazzo in Rome.

He had earlier denounced the vote as "a day of mourning for democracy", telling the crowd of hundreds: "We are not going to retire to some convent."

Supporters wore masks and waved flags as they gathered for a rally in Rome

The billionaire was convicted in August of manipulating tax bills for his television empire Mediaset.

A court heard he was behind a scheme to purchase the rights to broadcast US movies on his TV networks through a series of offshore companies and had falsely declared the payments to avoid taxes.

Hundreds of supporters gathered outside Mr Berlusconi's palazzo

He was sentenced to four years in jail, which was reduced to one year and will probably be served as community service, and banned from holding public office for two years.

He claimed he did not receive a fair trial and that judges were trying to "eliminate" him from public office.

The loss of his seat will deprive Berlusconi of his parliamentary immunity from further arrest.

Dancer Karima El Mahroug, known as Ruby the Heart Stealer

In June, the three-time prime minister was found guilty of paying for sex with underage prostitute Karima El Mahroug, also known as Ruby the Heart Stealer.

During his trial, the court in Milan heard dozens of young women, including Miss El Mahroug, who was 17 at the time, were paid with cash and cars to attend his so-called "bunga bunga" parties and dance semi-naked for him.

He could come under investigation over claims he paid off young women who attended the parties to give favourable testimony.

However, Berlusconi's lawyers said it was "completely unrealistic" that, now his parliamentary immunity has been lifted, he will be arrested over the case.

Although he will not hold a seat in parliament, he is expected to remain influential in Italian politics.

He pulled his party out of Mr Letta's ruling coalition earlier this year, accusing opponents of a "coup d'etat" to get rid of him.

He has relaunched his Forza Italia movement and some analysts suggest he still commands millions of supporters.

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World Cup Stadium Collapse: Two Killed

At least two people have been killed in a partial collapse at the stadium due to host the World Cup opener in Brazil next year.

Part of the grandstand was destroyed when a metal structure buckled at the top of the Arena Corinthians venue in Sao Paulo.

Local media reported that the accident was caused by a crane collapse. Construction work has been halted at the site.

The stadium is owned by Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, with building work on the venue carried out by the industrial conglomerate Odebrecht SA.

In a joint statement, Corinthians and Odebrecht said that at least two workers had died.

The venue was almost complete at the time of the accident

They have been named as Fabio Luiz Pereira, 42, and Ronaldo Oliveira Dos Santos, 44.

"Teams of firemen are in place. At the moment, all efforts are focused to provide full assistance to the families of the victims," the statement said.

Fire official Mauro Lopes had earlier said in a radio interview that at least three people died in the accident.

The accident happened at lunchtime, so not many workers were on site at the time. Of the 1,700 people who usually work at the stadium, only 30 were on site at the time of the accident.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter said he was 'deeply saddened' by the deaths

The collapse could delay the delivery of the stadium - which was almost complete - in time for Fifa's December deadline.

Brazil has struggled to deliver stadiums, public transportation improvements and other World Cup-related projects within the timelines specified by Fifa.

Some construction sites, such as a new terminal at Sao Paulo's international airport, are being built around the clock seven days a week to try to finish them before the Cup.

The venue is due to host the World Cup opener and five other matches.

Football's governing body said the "safety of workers is the top priority" to World Cup organisers.

Brazil has struggled to complete some World Cup-related projects

Fifa said: "Fifa and the LOC (Local Organising Committee) have learnt of the death of workers at the Corinthian's Arena site in Sao Paulo with great sadness.

"We know the safety of all workers has always been paramount for all the construction companies contracted to build the 12 Fifa World Cup stadiums.

"The local authorities will fully investigate the reasons behind such a tragic accident."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter said he was "deeply saddened by the tragic death of workers".

"Our heartfealt condolences are with the families," he said

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Indian Dentists Who Slit Daughter's Throat Jailed

A couple who slit the throats of their daughter and a servant have been sentenced to life in prison by a court in India.

A judge handed the sentence to wealthy dentists Rajesh and Nupur Talwar who were convicted the previous day of murdering Aarushi, 14, and Nepalese servant Hemraj Banjade.

The killings happened at their home in the affluent New Delhi suburb of Noida in 2008.

"It's life," independent lawyer Naresh Yadav told reporters outside the court in Ghaziabad, a satellite city just outside the capital.

Judge Shyam Lal spared the couple the death penalty, which had been sought by the prosecution after their conviction on Monday.

"Life imprisonment is the basic sentence. We are satisfied with the judgement. The case has come to an end," prosecutor R.K. Saini said.

The sentence was the latest dramatic twist in the long-running case that has been awash with sexual rumour and charges of police bungling and media bias.

Rajesh Talwar was attacked outside court in 2011

Investigators allege the Talwars killed Aarushi in a fit of rage after finding her with the 45-year-old domestic servant in an "objectionable position", suggesting the double-murder was a so-called honour killing.

The couple - successful, middle-class dentists - have vowed to appeal, insisting that they are victims of police incompetence and a media witchhunt.

Aarushi was found on her bed with her throat cut "with clinical precision" one morning in May 2008.

Police initially blamed the missing servant - only to find his decomposing body on the roof a day later with a similar cut and head wounds.

Rajesh Talwar recently told the AFP news agency: "We loved Aarushi, we have no lives without her. This has been a never-ending nightmare."

Early in the investigation, police alleged Rajesh Talwar had murdered Aarushi and Hemraj in a rage after finding them in a compromising situation.

The prosecution had conceded there was no forensic or material evidence against the couple, and based its case on the "last-seen theory" - claiming the victims were last seen with the accused.

Defence lawyer Satyaketu Singh said after sentencing that "there is no evidence against them" and expressed confidence that "this judgment will be overturned."

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Gibraltar Diplomatic Bag Row Heightens Tensions

Britain has made a formal protest after Spanish police opened a diplomatic bag on the border with Gibraltar.

An explanation is being demanded by the Foreign Office of the "serious infringement" of international protocols.

Assurances are also being sought that there will be no repeat of the incident, in which a diplomatic bag being carried by a courier into Spain, was opened and searched by Guardia Civil officers.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "Diplomatic bags are inviolable."

It comes amid continuing tensions between London and Madrid over the British overseas territory.

Tensions have been growing between London and Madrid over the territory

Diplomatic bags, which are used to carry documents and other items, between governments and their diplomatic missions abroad are protected by the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The spokesman said: "This was a serious infringement of the principles of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

"We take very seriously any reported abuse of the protocol surrounding official correspondence and the diplomatic bag.

"We have asked the Spanish authorities to investigate what occurred and take action to ensure it does not happen again.

"As far as we are concerned there is no justification for this infringement of the UK's rights under the Vienna Convention. Official correspondence and diplomatic bags are inviolable."

Frictions over the disputed territory have been rising since the construction of an artificial reef by the Gibraltar government earlier this year, which the Spanish said interfered with their fishermen.

Tighter border controls imposed by Spain led to long delays at frontier

Madrid responded by imposing tighter border controls, leading to long delays at the frontier.

Earlier this month, the Spanish ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Office over what was said to be an unauthorised incursion into Gibraltarian waters by a Spanish survey vessel.

It was the third time the Spanish ambassador had been publicly summoned over the Gibraltar issue since the current Spanish government took office in December 2011.

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Syria: Foreign Secretary Welcomes Peace Talks

The Foreign Secretary has said a commitment by the Syrian government and opposition groups to peace talks next year is a "welcome" step forward.

The two sides have agreed to meet in Geneva in January in an attempt to end the civil war that has ravaged the country for almost three years, killing more than 100,000 people.

Sky's Middle East Correspondent Sam Kiley said the starting point for the talks was not a ceasefire but the establishment of "rules and regulations for a political transition".

A Free Syrian Army fighter throws a homemade bomb towards Syrian forces

Britain and other countries have said President Bashar al Assad cannot be allowed to continue in power if a "roadmap" for Syria's political future, agreed at a summit in Geneva last year, is to be implemented.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said the UK would lend its "extended and sustained" support to the opposition National Coalition, which he described as "the heart and lead" of forces fighting the Assad regime.

"A negotiated political transition in Syria is the only way to end the conflict and alleviate Syria's humanitarian crisis," he said.

Many towns and cities, including Deir al-Zor, have been left in ruins

"The Syrian regime is now in the spotlight. They need to take immediate steps to alleviate humanitarian suffering across the country and stop their brutal tactics, which include besieging and attacking civilian areas.

"In the coming weeks they need to demonstrate that they will go to the Geneva II talks prepared to negotiate a political transition and end the violence."

The UN said the talks, which are due to take place on January 22, would seek to establish "a transitional governing body with full executive powers, including over military and security entities".

Mr Hague and foreign ministers at a recent Friends of Syria meeting

It called on both sides to go into the meeting with a "serious intention" to end fighting in Syria, which it said had "sent tremors through the region and forced unacceptable burdens" on the country's neighbours.

Kiley said the attitude among diplomats was one of "cautious optimism" after previous attempts at negotiations failed.

He said one of the stumbling blocks had been "pre-conditions set by groups of rebels, who said they wanted Mr Assad to agree to end his rule prior to the talks".

"It would appear now that elements, at least, of the rebels have agreed to unconditional talks," he said.

In a letter to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Syria's foreign ministry said that ending support for "armed terrorist groups" in Syria is "crucial for any political solution to the crisis to succeed".

Khaled Saleh, a spokesman for the Syrian National Coalition, added: "We want to have a successful conference and we are not interested in a conference that is going to waste time.

"We are not interested in a conference that is going to justify killing more Syrians."

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Sandy Hook Gunman Obsessed With Columbine

The gunman who carried out last year's Connecticut school shooting was obsessed with mass killings, investigators have said.

Twenty children and six adults were killed by Adam Lanza on December 14 but his motive may never be known conclusively.

State Attorney Stephen Sedensky III said there was no clear indication why the 20-year-old gunman chose Sandy Hook Elementary as his target other than the fact that it was close to his home.

Twenty children and six adults were killed in the shooting at Sandy Hook

The summary of the investigation said Lanza had an obsession with mass murders, in particular the April 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado.

Lanza had significant mental health issues that affected his ability to live a normal life and interact with others but did not affect his mental state for the crimes.

He "was undoubtedly afflicted with mental health problems", Mr Sedensky wrote.

Adam Lanza committed suicide after killing 26 people at the school

"Yet despite a fascination with mass shootings and firearms, he displayed no aggressive or threatening tendencies.

"Some recalled that the shooter had been bullied but others, including many teachers, saw nothing of the sort."

The mother of slain teacher Victoria Soto said in a statement that nothing could make sense of the shooting.

Donna Soto said: "Yes, we have read the report, (but) no, we cannot make sense of why it happened.

The shooting rampage sent shockwaves around the world

"We don't know if anyone ever will. We don't know if we will ever be whole again, we don't know if we will go a day without pain, we don't know if anything will ever make sense again."

Lanza killed his mother inside their Newtown home before driving to Sandy Hook Elementary and carrying out the killings.

He then committed suicide as police arrived.

A timeline released with the report indicated that nearly six minutes passed between the arrival of the first Newtown police officer and the time officers entered the school.

Demolition of the elementary school began in October

The report said law enforcement officers were operating under the belief there may have been more than one shooter.

Mr Sedensky released his report amid an ongoing court battle over the release of the 911 tapes associated with the shooting.

The withholding of the recordings, which are routinely released in other cases, has been the subject of a legal battle between The Associated Press and Mr Sedensky before the state's Freedom of Information Commission.

A Connecticut judge said on Monday he will listen to the tapes before ruling on whether they can be publicly released.

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