News in Brief
Sonia Gandhi admitted to hospital
Our Correspondent, New Delhi
Congress party President Sonia Gandhi was admitted to a hospital yesterday for treatment of lower respiratory tract infection. "She has been admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here for further treatment of the infection," Congress general secretary Ajay Maken told PTI.
Ebola toll rises to more than 6,900: WHO
Afp, Geneva
More than 6,900 people have now died from the Ebola virus, almost all of them in west Africa, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday. As of December 14, there were 18,569 cases of infection of the deadly virus in the three worst affected countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Colombia's FARC calls 'unlimited ceasefire'
Reuters, Bogota
Colombia's Marxist FARC rebels have declared an indefinite unilateral ceasefire beginning on Dec 20 which they have promised to end if they come under attack by government forces, the group said on its website on Wednesday.
Indian SC extends Jayalalithaa's bail
Pti, New Delhi
The Indian Supreme Court yesterday extended by four months the bail of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa in a disproportionate assets case and asked the chief justice of Karnataka high court to constitute a special bench to decide her plea expeditiously within three months.
EU court clears stem cell patenting
Afp, Luxembourg
A human egg used to produce stem cells but unable to develop into a viable embryo can be patented, the European Court of Justice ruled yesterday. In a decision of huge interest for biotechnology companies investing in stem-cell research, the EU's top court decided such eggs did not meet the definition of what constituted a human embryo.
Heavy snow kills 5, disrupts travel in Japan
Afp, Tokyo
At least five people have died in heavy snow that has blanketed swathes of Japan, reports said yesterday. There was also widespread disruption to travel, with around 100 domestic flights cancelled, adding to the 450 that were grounded on Wednesday.
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