AFP, Guwahati
The number of tea plantation workers who have died after consuming toxic illicit liquor in Assam has gone up to 84. Nearly 200 have been hospitalised. The deaths come less than two weeks after more than 100 people died in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand from drinking illegally produced alcohol, known locally as hooch or country liquor.
The Assam government has ordered investigations into two separate incidents in Golaghat and Jorhat districts.
Haiti police fire rubber pellets at mourners
Reuters, Port-Au-Prince
Haitian police wary of renewed unrest after days of nationwide protests fired tear gas and rubber pellets on Friday to disperse about 200 protesters and mourners carrying the casket of a man killed last week in anti-government riots.
Police confronted the march near Haiti’s National Palace, scattering wailing relatives and chanting neighbors who left the casket on the ground next to a smoldering gas canister.
California couple plead guilty to torturing their 13 children
Reuters, California
A Southern California couple accused of beating, shackling and starving their 13 children held captive in the family’s home pleaded guilty on Friday to multiple charges including torture, child abuse and false imprisonment.
David Turpin, 57, and his wife Louise Turpin, 50, who were arraigned in Riverside County Superior Court, made the plea as part of a deal with prosecutors to serve sentences of 25 years to life in prison, Riverside County District Attorney Michael Hestrin said.
Vietnam arrests two ex-ministers
Reuters, Hanoi
Police in Vietnam arrested two former information ministers on Saturday on suspicion of mismanaging public investment, they said on their website.
Nguyen Bac Son and Truong Minh Tuan were arrested on suspicion of mismanagement and violations regarding the use of such investment, they said.
