One killed in failed murder bid

against Islamist Libyan leader

BENGHAZI, Jan 7: Libyan Islamist leader Ahmed Abu Khattala said on Monday that a man was killed and another injured when planting a car bomb in a bid to assassinate him. "One person was killed and another was wounded as they were planting a bomb in my brother's car with the aim of assassinating me," he said of the Sunday night incident. — AFP

Restaurant bill sparks deadly religious riot in India

MUMBAI, Jan 7: A row over an unpaid restaurant bill in a western Indian city escalated into clashes between Hindus and Muslims that injured 175 people and left four dead, police said Monday. The unrest broke out in Dhule in Maharashtra state on Sunday, with 113 policemen among the injured, while four people were killed in police firing to control the violence, Special Inspector General Deven Bharti told AFP.

Stormy weather, record rain for Israel, Palestinians

JERUSALEM, Jan 7: Stormy weather, including high winds and heavy rainfall, lashed Israel and the Palestinian territories on Monday, downing powerlines and trees and causing several injuries. "The storms injured six people, most of whom were lightly hurt when trees were knocked over," Israeli police spokeswoman Luba Samri told AFP.

Egypt army foils bid to attack Coptic church in Rafah: MENA
CAIRO, Jan 7 : The Egyptian army foiled a bid early Monday to attack a Coptic church in the Rafah border town with Gaza as the minority Christian community began celebrating its Christmas, MENA news agency reported. "Army units foiled an attack against the Rafah church at 1:00 am (2300 GMT Sunday) and seized a car packed with explosives and weapons near the church," the official news agency said.  — AFP
Ghana's NPP boycotts swearing in
Ghana's main opposition party has boycotted the swearing-in ceremony of President John Mahama following last month's disputed elections. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) said Mr Mahama won the election fraudulently. Official results gave Mr Mahama 50.7pc of the vote, enough to avoid a run-off against the NPP's Nana Akufo-Addo, who won 47.7pc. — AFP
Four die in shooting in Aurora, Colorado
Police survey the outside of a townhouse complex following a shooting incident in Aurora, Colorado. Police entered the townhouse after a five-hour stand-off with the gunmanFour people have been found dead following a shooting incident that triggered a stand-off with police in Aurora, in the US state of Colorado. Police say they went to a townhouse after shots were heard there overnight. — BBC
South Africa boosts presence in Central African Republic
South Africa says it is sending more soldiers to support government forces in the Central African Republic, where rebels are threatening the capital. An estimated 200 South African troops are already in the CAR to train army personnel, under a defence agreement. South African Jacob Zuma's office said 400 troops would be deployed in total.  — BBC
Epilepsy and migraine 'could
have shared genetic link'
A strong family history of seizures could increase the chances of having severe migraines, says a study in Epilepsia journal. Scientists from Columbia University, New York, analysed 500 families containing two or more close relatives with epilepsy. Their findings could mean that genes exist that cause both epilepsy and migraine. Epilepsy Action said it could lead to targeted treatments. — BBC

INDIA : Indian Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone attends the Zee Cine Awards 2013 ceremony in Mumbai  —  AFP