News in Brief

UK phone-hacking trial opens today
Afp, London

The first trial from the phone-hacking scandal that sank Rupert Murdoch's News of the World opens in Britain today with his key aide Rebekah Brooks and the prime minister's former media chief Andy Coulson among the defendants.
The charges range from illegally hacking the mobile phone voicemails of more than 600 victims.
In what media commentators have dubbed the "trial of the century", eight people will appear at the Old Bailey in London for the start of up to four months of hearings on a scandal that shook the British establishment and rocked Murdoch's media empire and the entire British newspaper industry.

UAE to give $3.9b to Egypt in aid
Afp, Dubai

The United Arab Emirates agreed Saturday to give Egypt's military-installed government another $3.9 billion in aid after transferring $1 billion in July, the official WAM news agency said.
The UAE and other Gulf monarchies were staunch supporters of the July 3 overthrow of Egypt's first Islamist president, Mohamed Morsi, and have vowed to help the interim government address the economic devastation wrought by two years of political turmoil.

Britain braces for powerful storm
Afp, London

Britain was braced for its worst storm in a decade yesterday, with heavy rain and winds of more than 80 miles an hour set to batter the south of the country.
The Met Office national weather centre warned of falling trees, damage to buildings and disruption to power supplies and transport when the storm hits overnight to Monday. It also predicted localized flooding due to heavy rain fall.

Prison riot kills 7 in Mexico
CNN Online

Seven inmates were killed during a prison riot Saturday in Mexico's Gulf Coast state of Tamaulipas, authorities said.
The riot began at 6:00pm when inmates wielding homemade knives went at each other during a fight. Saturday's incident took place in the same prison where 31 inmates died and another 13 were injured in January 2012. The situation reportedly was under control within an hour.

Thousands rally in Pak Kashmir
Afp, Muzaffarabad

Thousands of Kashmiri people observed a "black day" in Pakistani Kashmir yesterday, rallying at an event organised by Islamists against Indian "brutalities" and occupation of the Himalayan region.
The rally was set up by the United Jihad Council (UJC), which consists of 16 Islamist groups, militant outfits and political parties.