News In Brief

Bo Xilai appeal decision on Friday
Reuters, Beijing

A court in eastern China said it would announce a decision on Friday on whether to accept an appeal by ousted former senior politician Bo Xilai over his guilty verdict and life sentence on charges of bribery, corruption and abuse of power.
Bo's guilty verdict is unlikely to be overturned as the courts are controlled by the Communist Party, which long ago pronounced him guilty.

Australia crews battle to tame wildfires
Afp, Mount Victoria

Firefighters were battling an enormous blaze in southeastern Australia yesterday, with officials warning it could merge with another to create a "mega-fire" if weather conditions worsen.
The main concern was near the town of Lithgow west of Sydney, where a huge fire -- with a perimeter of 300 kilometres -- has already burned more than 42,000 hectares and was threatening the communities of Bilpin, Bell, Clarence and Dargan.

India probes toxic alcohol deaths
Bbc Online

Officials in India have begun an inquiry after at least 42 people died from drinking toxic alcohol in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
Dozens of people are recovering in hospitals and officials say they expect the number of dead to rise further. Police say they have raided several places and arrested 12 people. They say the liquor was spiked with excessive chemicals which made it poisonous.

Put pressure on Myanmar  for reform: Suu Kyi
Afp, Luxembourg

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday urged European Union and world leaders to pile pressure on her country's government to complete its reform process which includes rewriting the country's constitution.
She was meeting EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg before heading to Strasbourg on Tuesday to pick up the EU's prestigious Sakharov human rights prize, which she won 23 years ago at the height of the Myanmar military crackdown.

Ban calls for speedy Maldives vote
Afp, United Nations

UN leader Ban Ki-moon yesterday joined international opposition to the cancellation of a presidential election in the Maldives that has heightened tensions in the Indian Ocean nation.
Maldives police on Saturday halted an election runoff that opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed was expected to win. The European Union and India have also expressed deep concern.