News in Brief

Pak parliament turns to solar power
The Guardian Online

Amid a growing energy crisis, Pakistan is installing a 1.8 megawatt solar power plant at the Parliament House building in the capital city Islamabad.
Work on the project began in the first week of January. The initial cost - which is being funded by the Chinese government as a friendship gesture – is estimated at $60m (£36.5). The solar plant is projected to save almost $1m each year in utility bills for the parliament complex.

US offers security help at Sochi Olympics
Afp, Washington

The United States said Monday it was ready to deploy air and naval assets -- including two ships -- to help secure the upcoming Winter Olympics in Russia after terror threats. The offer came following US concern about possible attacks at the massive international sporting event that kicks off in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi on February 7.

Four killed in Beirut bomb blast
Afp, Beirut

Four people were killed in an apparent suicide car bombing in south Beirut yesterday, in the latest in a string of attacks targeting strongholds of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah. The blast is the sixth in a string targeting areas considered strongholds of Hezbollah since the group announced it was sending fighters to support President Bashar al-Assad's troops in Syria.

Israel plans 381 new settler homes
Afp, Jerusalem

Israel's government has approved plans to build 381 new settler homes in annexed east Jerusalem, Israeli settlement watchdog Peace Now told AFP yesterday. Israel on January 6 approved plans for 272 new homes in West Bank settlements, followed on January 10 by the unveiling of plans to build more than 1,800 new units in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

Doctors on strike in Nepal
Ap, Katmandu

Thousands of doctors across Nepal have stayed away from work to support a colleague who has been on a hunger strike for days demanding reforms in medical education. Tens of thousands of patients have been deprived of medical services because of the doctors' strike. Only emergency services are being provided. The doctors' strike started Sunday. They say it will continue until their demands are met.