This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/world-digest-feb-16-2014/2014/02/16/8cdd697c-971a-11e3-9616-d367fa6ea99b_story.html?wprss=rss_world

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
World Digest: Feb. 16, 2014 World Digest: Feb. 16, 2014
(7 months later)
South Africa
Illegal miners choose to stay underground
Emergency workers in South Africa cleared debris from the entrance to a gold mine shaft Sunday, allowing miners who had been trapped below the chance to escape. But because the miners were working illegally at the abandoned mine, some stayed underground because they feared arrest if they emerged, officials said.Emergency workers in South Africa cleared debris from the entrance to a gold mine shaft Sunday, allowing miners who had been trapped below the chance to escape. But because the miners were working illegally at the abandoned mine, some stayed underground because they feared arrest if they emerged, officials said.
At least 11 miners were escorted to safety at the mine in Benoni, on the outskirts of Johannesburg, but an undetermined number of their comrades were still in the mine. Police were preparing to question those who came out about anyone left underground, local media reported.At least 11 miners were escorted to safety at the mine in Benoni, on the outskirts of Johannesburg, but an undetermined number of their comrades were still in the mine. Police were preparing to question those who came out about anyone left underground, local media reported.
Emergency responder Kobus Du Plooy said he didn’t know how many people were still in the shaft. Earlier reports said that more than 200 miners had been trapped.Emergency responder Kobus Du Plooy said he didn’t know how many people were still in the shaft. Earlier reports said that more than 200 miners had been trapped.
— Associated Press— Associated Press
Middle East
No plan for ‘flood’ of refugees, Abbas says
Addressing a sticking point in U.S.-brokered peace talks, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday dismissed assertions by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he wanted to “flood” Israel with Palestinian refugees.Addressing a sticking point in U.S.-brokered peace talks, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday dismissed assertions by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he wanted to “flood” Israel with Palestinian refugees.
Abbas spoke to about 300 Israeli students in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Netanyahu is to meet with President Obama in Washington next month as an April deadline looms in negotiations for a two-state solution.Abbas spoke to about 300 Israeli students in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Netanyahu is to meet with President Obama in Washington next month as an April deadline looms in negotiations for a two-state solution.
Abbas said the Palestinians want to keep the refugee issue alive in the talks to ensure a resolution of the rights of Palestinians who fled or were driven away during 1948 hostilities when Israel was founded.Abbas said the Palestinians want to keep the refugee issue alive in the talks to ensure a resolution of the rights of Palestinians who fled or were driven away during 1948 hostilities when Israel was founded.
“But we do not seek either to flood Israel with millions [of refugees] or to change its social composition,” he said.“But we do not seek either to flood Israel with millions [of refugees] or to change its social composition,” he said.
Abbas’s comments were seen as the clearest suggestion yet that he might accept Israel’s demands that refugees be permitted to “return” only to a future Palestinian state.Abbas’s comments were seen as the clearest suggestion yet that he might accept Israel’s demands that refugees be permitted to “return” only to a future Palestinian state.
— Reuters— Reuters
At least 90 killed in attack on Nigerian village: Suspected Islamist fighters killed at least 90 people in an early morning attack on a village in remote northeast Nigeria on Sunday, witnesses said. Boko Haram gunmen surrounded the village of Izge, near the border with Cameroon, spraying it with bullets, setting off explosions and burning down dozens of houses, they said. Borno state police Commissioner Lawal Tanko confirmed the attack but said he had no details of casualties.At least 90 killed in attack on Nigerian village: Suspected Islamist fighters killed at least 90 people in an early morning attack on a village in remote northeast Nigeria on Sunday, witnesses said. Boko Haram gunmen surrounded the village of Izge, near the border with Cameroon, spraying it with bullets, setting off explosions and burning down dozens of houses, they said. Borno state police Commissioner Lawal Tanko confirmed the attack but said he had no details of casualties.
Iraqi government forces move on Islamists in Sulaiman Pek: At least 17 people were killed in attacks across Iraq on Sunday as troops fought to evict Islamist militants from the northern town of Sulaiman Pek, security sources and medics said. Armored vehicles and security forces with heavy machine guns arrived in the town to reinforce troops who have been battling for several days backed by helicopter gunships. On Thursday, militants raised the black flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria over parts of Sulaiman Pek, 100 miles north of Baghdad.Iraqi government forces move on Islamists in Sulaiman Pek: At least 17 people were killed in attacks across Iraq on Sunday as troops fought to evict Islamist militants from the northern town of Sulaiman Pek, security sources and medics said. Armored vehicles and security forces with heavy machine guns arrived in the town to reinforce troops who have been battling for several days backed by helicopter gunships. On Thursday, militants raised the black flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria over parts of Sulaiman Pek, 100 miles north of Baghdad.
Mayor of Florence expected to be next Italian premier: Matteo Renzi has been summoned to the presidential palace, where the 39-year-old mayor of Florence is expected to be asked Monday to form a new government and become Italy’s youngest-ever premier. President Giorgio Napolitano’s office announced Sunday that he will meet with Renzi. If tapped as expected, Renzi will have to try to forge a solid coalition government with center-right and centrist parties, because his Democrat Party members cannot command a reliable majority in both chambers.Mayor of Florence expected to be next Italian premier: Matteo Renzi has been summoned to the presidential palace, where the 39-year-old mayor of Florence is expected to be asked Monday to form a new government and become Italy’s youngest-ever premier. President Giorgio Napolitano’s office announced Sunday that he will meet with Renzi. If tapped as expected, Renzi will have to try to forge a solid coalition government with center-right and centrist parties, because his Democrat Party members cannot command a reliable majority in both chambers.
Lawyers for Morsi, others walk out of Egyptian court in protest: Egypt’s state TV says defense lawyers for ousted president Mohamed Morsi and other defendants have walked out of court to protest the soundproof glass cage in which defendants are placed. It said Judge Shaaban el-Shamy ordered a recess after the lawyers left Sunday’s hearing, the first in a case in which Morsi and 35 others are facing charges of conspiring with foreign groups and undermining national security.Lawyers for Morsi, others walk out of Egyptian court in protest: Egypt’s state TV says defense lawyers for ousted president Mohamed Morsi and other defendants have walked out of court to protest the soundproof glass cage in which defendants are placed. It said Judge Shaaban el-Shamy ordered a recess after the lawyers left Sunday’s hearing, the first in a case in which Morsi and 35 others are facing charges of conspiring with foreign groups and undermining national security.
— From news services— From news services