QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I am very, very sorry, and I apologize to the Syrian people.”
Lakhdar Brahimi, the United Nations mediator for Syria who has spent decades negotiating conflicts, after wrapping up a second round of peace talks in Geneva that ended in disagreement Article, this page
London winds kill 2, hurt cruise travelers
LONDON - Strong winds that pummeled Britain killed a taxi driver, whose car was crushed by falling chunks of masonry, and an elderly man who died after a “freak wave” struck a cruise ship in the English Channel, officials said Saturday. Another 15 cruise passengers were injured.
The taxi driver was killed late Friday in central London near Holborn subway station when part of a building collapsed during a windstorm, police said. She was identified as Julie Sillitoe, 49, the mother of three sons.
Her passengers, a man and woman, were hospitalized with injuries not thought to be life-threatening, police said.
A fourth person, thought to be a male pedestrian, also was injured and taken to a hospital, ambulance officials said. About 10 people were evacuated from nearby buildings as a precaution.
The cruise passenger died after 80 mph wind gusts kicked up waves Friday afternoon in the English Channel. Cruise and Maritime Voyages said a “freak wave” broke five windows on its Marco Polo cruise ship.
Spokesman Paul Foster said the man, 85, died before he could be airlifted for emergency treatment. The cause of death hasn’t been determined, he said.
U.S., China make climate-change pledge
BEIJING - The United States and China promised Saturday to cooperate more closely in combating climate change after a visit to Beijing by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
In a joint statement, the two governments said they have agreed on steps to carry out commitments to curb output of greenhouse gases that trap solar heat in the atmosphere. Those include reducing vehicle emissions, improving energy efficiency of buildings and other measures.
China and the United States are the biggest sources of emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases that cause the atmosphere to trap solar heat and alter the climate. Scientists warn such changes will lead to drought and other extreme weather conditions.
It cited the “overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change and its worsening impacts, and the related issue of air pollution from burning fossil fuels,” and said the two countries recognize the urgent need for action.
Turkey judicial body faces tighter limits
ANKARA, Turkey - Turkey’s parliament has approved a bill that would tighten the government’s grip on a judicial body after a tense, all-night session that saw two legislators injured in a brawl.
The legislation, which would give the Justice Ministry increased control over a council that appoints and oversees judges and prosecutors, was endorsed Saturday.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government proposed the bill as it fights a corruption scandal that implicated people close to him.
Erdogan claims the corruption charges are a conspiracy orchestrated by followers of an Islamic movement that he insists has infiltrated the police and judiciary. The opposition says the bill, which still needs the president’s approval, limits the judiciary’s independence.
Media reports said one legislator was hospitalized with a broken nose. Another’s finger was broken.
Montenegro police battle protesters
PODGORICA, Montenegro - Police in Montenegro fired tear gas and stun grenades Saturday to disperse hundreds of stone-throwing protesters who were blaming the government for high unemployment, economic mismanagement and corruption. They demanded officials’ resignation.
The protests were called by an informal Facebook group that asked Montenegrins to voice solidarity with Bosnian anti-government demonstrators who earlier this month stormed into the country’s presidency and other government buildings in Sarajevo and torched them over similar demands.
In Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, at least nine riot policemen were injured in the clashes with demonstrators, many of them wearing masks. At least 20 demonstrators were detained during the violence, which occurred when some 300 protesters tried to march toward the downtown government headquarters.
“Bosnia has taken to the streets. What are we waiting for?” the organizers said on their Facebook page. “Tens of thousands of unemployed, hungry and robbed people should take justice into their own hands !”
Front Section, Pages 6 on 02/16/2014