News In Brief

Two children die as migrant boat sinks off Greek island
AFP, Athens
Two children were among three people that died early Thursday when a migrant boat sank near the Greek island of Samos, the coastguard said.
At least 12 people including one more child are believed to have been in the boat. The two children died shortly after being rescued, while the body of a man was recovered shortly afterwards, the coastguard said.

Israel razes home of Palestinian in West Bank
AFP, Jerusalem
Israel on Thursday razed the home of a Palestinian accused of shooting dead two soldiers in the West Bank and aiding another attack that caused a baby’s death, the army said.
A military statement said that troops, border police and defence ministry officials “demolished the residence of Assam Barghouti in Kobar, north of Ramallah,” in the Israeli-occupied territory.

Bali shuts down for ‘Day of Silence’
AFP, Denpasar
Indonesia’s holiday island Bali fell quiet on Thursday for the annual “Day of Silence” festival, halting flights, internet and closing tourist attractions to allow time for meditation and introspection.
Known locally as Nyepi, Hindus on the island are expected to stay at home for 24 hours and self-reflect. Non-Hindus and tourists are also asked to participate by staying indoors for the island’s annual shutdown.

Nicaraguan govt, oppon agree on ‘roadmap’ for talks
AFP, Managua
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega’s leftist government and the opposition have agreed a “roadmap” for extended peace talks to resolve 10 months of crisis sparked by a deadly crackdown on dissent in which hundreds of people were killed.
The breakthrough was announced late Tuesday by Vatican ambassador to Nicaragua, Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag, after five days of talks in the capital Managua between the government and the opposition Civic Alliance.