S Sudan open to dialogue with rebels

The government of South Sudan says they are prepared to open dialogue "with any rebel group" as violence in the coutnry escalates.
In a statement released on twitter on Saturday, the government said "we are ready to dialogue with any rebel group including Dr. Riek Machar without any conditions".
The move comes a day after President of South Sudan implored his countrymen to turn away from ethnic hatred and said that "the long arm of the law" would find those who have killed during a week of violence.

Woman gives 19 students poisoned yogurt

Nineteen school children in central China were hospitalized this week after consuming yogurt laced with poison, China's state run news agency Xinhua reported.

Among the sick children, three were in serious condition, the agency reported. But none of the victims suffered life threatening injuries, the agency reported.

The incident occurred Wednesday at a school in Hunan province, the news agency reported. A 34-year old woman has been detained and accused of placing rat poison and herbicide in the yogurt, Xinhua reported.

Fresh gunfire reported in South Sudan capital

Fresh gunfire rang out in South Sudan's capital early on Tuesday, a day after the president announced he had put down a coup by a faction of the army supporting his former vice president, an AFP reporter said.

The gunfire - including the sporadic firing of heavy weapons - resumed in the early hours of Tuesday and was still audible at 9am (0600 GMT). It appeared to come from a military headquarters, a few kilometres from the centre of town.

The streets of the capital Juba in the world's newest nation were deserted, with only military vehicles to be seen and civilians barricaded in their homes.

North Korea's top brass commemorates Kim Jong Il's death

North Korean soldiers pay their respects at the base of statues of the late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang. 

 

On the second anniversary of the death of former North Korean leader, Kim Jong Il, the nation held a memorial in his honor, lauding his life and achievements.

During the ceremony, his son, Kim Jong Un sat front and center below the image of his father, which was festooned in gold-colored flowers. He assumed power after his father's death in 2011.