BBC News
The Lower House of the Indian parliament has passed a bill containing harsher punishments for rapists including the death penalty. The bill was introduced after the fatal gang rape of a young woman on a bus in Delhi last December which caused international outrage and demands for tougher measures against offenders. The new laws also increase punishment for offenses including stalking and acid attacks.
The Saudi interior ministry says police have arrested 18 people on suspicion of spying including an Iranian and a Lebanese citizen, the others are all Saudis. A statement said they have been working for a foreign power but did not name any country.
Sepp Blatter, the head of international football federation FIFA has said that Brazil will be ready to host the World Cup next year despite a string of missed deadlines. Mr. Blatter said delays were normal in the run-up to a big tournament. Alex Capstick reports.
Sepp Blatter said the stop-start nature of Brazil’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup was normal for the buildup to such a big tournament. His message was don’t be afraid. Perhaps any fears he may have harbored had been quelled by Brazil’s Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo who was sitting alongside the head of world football. But Brazil has delivered only two of the six venues promised for this year’s Confederation’s Cup address rehearsal one year ahead of the World Cup. The deadline to complete Rio’s iconic Maracana Stadium has been repeatedly put back.