World Briefs

UNITED NATIONS An estimated USD40 billion is needed annually to help the rapidly growing number of people that require humanitarian aid as a result of conflicts and natural disasters, a U.N.-appointed panel said.

NEPAL this month will begin the much-delayed reconstruction of about 1 million homes and buildings damaged by last year’s earthquake and will also begin to collect the billions of dollars pledged by foreign donors, the head of the reconstruction agency said Saturday.

CHINESE state media say a Hong Kong book publisher whose disappearance sparked international interest voluntarily surrendered months ago to mainland authorities. Gui Minhai said in detention that he surrendered in October, 10 years after he fled China after killing a woman while driving drunk, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

SAUDI ARABIA Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said he’s optimistic crude prices will rise and foresees that market forces and cooperation among producing nations will lead in time to renewed stability. “I am optimistic about the future, the return of stability to the global oil markets, the improvement of prices and the cooperation among the major producing countries,” al-Naimi said.

BURKINA FASO´s army – with help from French and American special forces -repelled the al-Qaeda attack on a hotel popular with UN officials and foreigners, but not until 26 people were dead.

USA President Barack Obama said that while the nuclear accord with Iran doesn’t resolve all conflicts between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic, it is a vindication of his emphasis on using tough diplomacy rather than military confrontation.

USA Severe  weather sparked a pair of tornadoes that ripped through central Florida before dawn yesterday, officials said. A couple was killed and their son and four grandchildren were injured when one of the twisters destroyed their mobile home.

CANADA Daniel Dion, the older brother of pop singer Celine Dion, died just two days after the death of the entertainer’s husband, Rene Angelil. Celine Dion’s representative Kim Jakwerth released a statement that Daniel Dion, 59, died Saturday surrounded by his family after battling cancer for several years.