Denmark approves controversial migrant assets bill

The Danish parliament has backed a controversial proposal to confiscate asylum seekers' valuables to pay for their upkeep.

Police will be able to seize valuables worth more than 10,000 kroner (1,340 euros; £1,000) from refugees to cover housing and food costs.MPs also approved plans to delay family reunions for asylum seekers.A spokesman for UN chief Ban Ki-moon criticised the decision, saying refugees deserved compassion."People who have suffered tremendously, who have escaped war and conflict, who've literally walked hundreds of kilometres if not more and put their lives at risk by crossing the Mediterranean should be treated with compassion and respect, and within their full rights as refugees," said Stephane Dujarric.The bill has been widely criticised by human rights groups.




The new measures also mean the period migrants will have to wait before applying for relatives to join them will be extended from one year to three - a move aimed at discouraging new arrivals.
Temporary residence permits will be shortened and the conditions for obtaining a permanent permit will be restricted.
Denmark received more than 21,000 asylum seekers in 2015.
MPs approved the measures by 81 votes to 27 following a lengthy, and at times angry, debate. One MP abstained and 70 others were absent. The centre-left opposition Social Democrats and the anti-immigration Danish People's Party both voted in favour.
Martin Henriksen, immigration spokesman for the Danish People's Party, described the numbers of migrants entering Europe as an "exodus".
"More needs to be done. We need more border controls, we need tighter immigration rules," he said.
But Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, of the opposition left Red-Green Alliance that opposed the bill, said it was "a symbolic move to scare people away".

Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen of the centre-right Venstre party had previously shrugged off criticism of the proposals calling them "the most misunderstood bill in Denmark's history".

US blizzard 2016: Clearing up after huge snowstorm

Millions of people across the eastern US face huge challenges with the working week set to begin, following a massive snowstorm that virtually paralysed many cities.

Public transport will be patchy, many roads are still treacherous and airports remain severely disrupted.

Government buildings in Washington and many schools will be closed on Monday.

Near record snowfall swept from the capital to New York, with at least 29 deaths reported since Friday.

The fatalities were as a result of car accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning and heart attacks suffered while shovelling snow.

2 Israelis indicted in arson that killed Palestinian toddler, parents

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An Israeli court indicted two Israelis on Sunday in connection with 

a deadly arson attack on a Palestinian family last year, the state

 attorney said, according to Israeli radio.

The two Israelis are charged with being part of a terror organization.

In July, attackers hurled Molotov cocktails into the Palestinian 

family's home in the West Bank and set it ablaze.

Ali Saad al-Dawabsheh, who was 18 months old, and his parents

 died in the attack. Ali's brother was severely wounded.

Both Israelis and Palestinians described the attack as act of

 terrorism.




A "price tag" attack is a term used by radical Israeli settlers to 

denote reprisal against Palestinians in response to moves by the 

Israeli government to evacuate illegal West Bank outposts, 

according to officials.

On Sunday, two other Israelis were indicted for other "price tag"

 attacks against Palestinians.

Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said dozens of people 

were arrested as part of the investigation into the arson attack.

He said the main suspect was connected to several other attacks,

 including the burning of a church in Jerusalem, two attacks in

 another village, the torching of a Palestinian taxi and the arson of 

a storage room in a Palestinian home.

The suspect's lawyer described the indictment as "opening a 

Pandora's box against the Israeli Security Agency."

"There was abuse. There were a lot of things that shouldn't have 

been done in a democratic country," defense lawyer Itamar Ben-

Gvir said. He said his client did not admit guilt to police, and "there

 are still many questions regarding this incident."

The slain toddler's uncle also expressed disappointment, for 

different reasons.

Naser al-Dawabsheh said he did not think justice was being served

 because he believes that many more people were involved in the

 arson attack.


"This is a very sad situation and (sad) day since justice is not being

 used rightfully and in a lawful manner," Dawabsheh said.