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Jakarta blast leaves 8 dead, scores injured

Thursday, 14 January 2016 10:03 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 14 January 2016 10:03 AM ]

Police (L) hide behind vehicles during an exchange of gunfire with suspects hiding near a Starbucks cafe when another blast happens in Jakarta on January 14, 2016. ©AFP

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

The Indonesian capital Jakarta has been rocked with several blasts in front of a shopping mall. At least seven people including the attackers have been killed and scores more injured. The blasts were followed by gunfire. The Indonesian president has described the attacks as acts of terror.
Israeli forces have shot and killed a young Palestinian north of the city of al-Khalil also known as Hebron, over an alleged stabbing attack against Israeli soldiers. Tensions have been simmering across the occupied territories for over two months now. 157 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since October 1.
The UN Children's Fund has warned that the Saudi aggression on Yemen is taking its toll on children. UNICEF says as many as ten million kids are affected by the ongoing violence in the impoverished country. The UN has confirmed that nearly 750 children have been killed since March last year.
Bahrainis have once again staged a rally to show their support for the leading opposition figure Sheikh Ali Salman. The protesters called for the release of all political detainees. The rally comes as the kingdom’s appeals court is set to meet to review an appeal filed by Salman who is the leader of al-Wefaq Islamic Society.
Austria says it has deported at least 3,000 refugees since the start of the year. Authorities say the refugees lie about their nationalities in order to get preferential treatment. Those who were turned away are mostly Algerians and Moroccans. Preferential treatment is normally given to those fleeing war in their country.
In Turkey, a car bomb explosion at a police station in the Kurdish province of Diyarbakir has left five people dead and over 30 others injured. The blast was followed by gunfire and rocket attacks. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party has claimed responsibility for the incident.
The Australian police evacuated Sydney’s iconic Opera House after receiving information about a threat on social media. People were cleared from the area near the building and metal barriers were erected before the building was declared safe. Similar precautions were taken across the harbor on the city’s northern beaches.
Colombia’s FARC rebels say chances are slim to reach a peace deal with the government by the March 23 deadline. The armed forces said there are objective reasons that make this impossible. This is while President Juan Manuel Santos has pledged to press for a deal.

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