News In Brief

US Congress passes defence bill
Afp, Washington

A sweeping defense bill that authorizes Pentagon spending passed Congress late Thursday, assuring funding through 2014 while easing detainee transfers from Guantanamo and cracking down on sexual assault in the military.
The compromise legislation, which passed 84-15 with broad bipartisan support in the Senate, allocates some $552.1 billion for military spending, and allows for a one percent raise in military salaries.

‘Not enough evidence for Kenyatta trial’
Afp, The Hague
International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda admitted Thursday she no longer had enough evidence to try Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta for crimes against humanity, calling for a delay after witnesses pulled out. Kenyatta’s is charged with masterminding violence after a 2007 election that left over 1,000 people dead.

Singapore deports South Asian workers
Afp, Singapore
Singapore yesterday said it had deported 53 South Asian workers allegedly involved in the city-state’s first riot in four decades, while four others awaited repatriation later in the day. Officials on Tuesday had said they were deporting the 53 men — 52 Indians and one Bangladeshi — and pursuing criminal charges against 28 others for their role in the December 8 rampage which left 39 persons injured.