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International news in brief

Published:Monday | November 18, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdelaziz gestures during a news conference after the security meeting in Rabat, Morocco, on November 14. The conference, which included foreign ministers from Libya, France and a number of African countries is seeking to improve regional security cooperation and address porous borders, especially in Libya. - AP

 

$10-million worth sick days by US gov't workers

HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC):

Statistics in a new report on government efficiency have shown that sick days by government workers cost more than US$10 million a year. According to the Spending and Government Efficiency report, public servants take an average of eight days off sick every year, nearly 42,000 days in total.

Donate organs, say religious leaders

CHICAGO (AP):

A group of religious leaders is speaking out to assure the faithful that organ donation does not run counter to their religious beliefs. Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Sikh

leaders gathered in Chicago this week to show their support for organ donation. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White also attended and said in a statement that "people often cite religious beliefs as a reason for not signing up for the state's organ and tissue donor registry."

Discrimination against children with diabetes

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (AP):

A federal investigation is being sought into claims that diabetic children are being turned away from many Florida pre-kindergarten programmes. The American Diabetes Association and Southern Poverty Law Center want the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division to examine whether pre-k programmes routinely discriminate against children with diabetes.

Libyans strike

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP):

Residents of the Libyan capital launched a general strike on Sunday over a militia violence that killed nearly 50 people this weekend. The streets of Tripoli were deserted as the vast majority of the city's businesses and schools were closed. Bakeries, pharmacies, hospitals and gas stations remained open. Al-Sadat al-Badri, who is head of Tripoli's city council, said the strike is to last three days. Armed residents set up checkpoints throughout the city to protect their neighbourhoods, fearing renewed violence.