News in brief

Hurricane Ingrid makes landfall on Mexico's coast

MIAMI (AP):

Ingrid has made landfall on Mexico's coast near La Pesca, weakening from a hurricane to a tropical storm. Ingrid's maximum sustained winds yesterday decreased to near 65 mph (100 kph) with additional weakening expected as the storm moves inland, where it's spreading heavy rain. The storm is centred over La Pesca and is moving west-northwest near 10 mph (17 kph).

Erupting volcano forces evacuation

MEDAN, Indonesia (AP):

More than 6,200 people were evacuated from their villages following the eruption of Mount Sinabung in western Indonesia, an official said yesterday. The 2,600-metre (8,530-feet) volcano in North Sumatra province erupted early Sunday after being dormant for three years, sending thick ash into the sky with small rocks pelting neighbouring villages.

Philippines files graft cases against lawmakers

MANILA, Philippines (AP):

The Philippine Justice Department filed the first major corruption complaints against three powerful senators, former lawmakers and a wealthy businesswoman yesterday following a public outcry over the alleged plunder of millions of dollars intended for anti-poverty projects. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the complaints against the lawmakers, including veteran Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, alleged that they conspired with dummy aid organisations to steal millions of dollars in government funds that should have been used for agriculture and livelihood projects that the lawmakers had designated as recipients for the funds.

Over 23k die yearly from drug-resistant bacteria

ATLANTA (AP):

For the first time, the United States government is estimating how many people die each year from drug-resistant bacteria. Officials say more than 23,000 deaths and two million illnesses stem from germs that are hard to treat because they've become resistant to drugs. Antibiotics became widely available in the 1940s, and today dozens are used to kill or suppress the bacteria behind everything from strep throat to the plague. But as decades passed, some antibiotics stopped working. Experts say their overuse and misuse have helped make them less effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the figures yesterday.

T&T welcomes US-Russian deal

PORT-OF-SPAIN (CMC):

Trinidad and Tobago yesterday welcomed the agreement reached between the United States and Russia regarding the use of chemical weapons in Syria and reiterated a Caribbean position of non-military intervention to deal with the situation. Foreign Minister Winston Dookeran, speaking during the debate on the 2013-14 National Debate, said that the Coalition People's Partnership government is encouraged by the fact that Russia had maintained its opposition to military action, while the Americans have said very firmly that once the Assad regime honours its obligation under the agreement, there would be no military action.

Prostitution increased

CASTRIES (CMC):

Authorities are warning of an increased number of people, including children, now engaged in prostitution. Head of the Human Services Department, Antoinette Joseph, said high unemployment, a lack of job opportunities and rising commodity prices have forced many women into the sex trade. She said that prostitution and child sexual abuse have become significant issues on the island, warning that the situation was getting worse.