News in Brief

Lalu denied bail on corruption charges
Our Correspondent, New Delhi
The High Court in eastern Indian state of Jharkhand yesterday rejected the bail plea of jailed politician Lalu Prasad Yadav who is serving a five-year sentence in connection with a corruption case.
The 66-year-old Rashtriya Janata Dal chief, and former chief minister of Bihar state, was convicted for corruption in September this year in a 17-year-old case involving embezzlement of Rs 970 crore spent in fictitious fodder and medicines for animals.

Abyei opts for South Sudan
Afp, Juba
Residents of contested region Abyei chose overwhelmingly to join South Sudan in an unofficial referendum, election officials said yesterday, amid warnings the poll could inflame tensions in the volatile region.
The fate of Abyei is one of the most important and sensitive issues left unresolved since South Sudan became an independent state in 2011, ending two decades of civil war in Sudan.

M23 rebels last stronghold falls
Afp, Kinshasa
DR Congo troops yesterday captured the last stronghold of M23 rebels in the troubled east of the country, raising hopes of a return to the negotiating table.
Bunagana, the rebels' main base located in the lush green hills near the border with Uganda, "is completely under our control", government spokesman Lambert Mende told AFP, adding that the final battle for the town had begun early in the morning.

Fidel Castro meets Indian vice president
Afp, Havana
Cuban revolutionary icon Fidel Castro met with Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari on Wednesday, India's ambassador to Cuba said.
The Indian diplomat said Ansari wanted to personally pay his respects to an icon of social justice while on an official visit to Havana. Ansari also is to meet with the Cuban president's designated successor, Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel.