Briefs, March 14, 2013
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama entered the fray on cyber attacks from China, saying some intrusions were "state sponsored". His comments come after warnings from top US security officials to China. "What is absolutely true is that we have seen a steady ramping up of cyber security threats. Some are state sponsored. Some are just sponsored by criminals," Obama told ABC News."We've made it very clear to China and some other state actors that, you know, we expect them to abide by international rules." AFP
GENEVA - A Sars-like virus that struck in Britain and the Middle East has claimed a new victim in Saudi Arabia, bringing the global toll to nine. The World Health Organisation said a 39-year-old man, who developed symptoms on February 24, died on March 2. "Preliminary investigation indicated that the patient had no contact with previously reported cases," the WHO said. AFP
BRISBANE, Australia - An Indian-born surgeon at the centre of a malpractice saga was cleared in a retrial of the manslaughter of an elderly patient who died after he operated on him. Jayant Patel was jailed for seven years in July 2010, but the High Court quashed the convictions in August, saying there was a miscarriage of justice and ordered retrials. He was found not guilty in Brisbane's Supreme Court. AFP
LAGOS - Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has pardoned a former state governor convicted in 2007 of stealing public funds and money laundering. The ex-governor of Nigeria's oil producing Bayelsa state, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was sentenced to two years' jail in 2007, but freed days later as he had been in detention for that long. Reuters
WELLINGTON - New Zealand lawmakers yesterday voted overwhelmingly in favour of a bill allowing same-sex marriage, all but assuring that it will soon become law. Lawmakers backed the bill 77 to 44 in the second of three votes needed for it to be approved. The second vote is typically the most crucial one. AP
