Oscar Pistorius stands in the dock ahead of court proceedings at the Pretoria magistrates court February 22, 2013. "Blade Runner" Pistorius, a double amputee who became one of the biggest names in world athletics, was applying for bail after being charged in court with shooting dead his girlfriend, 30-year-old model Reeva Steenkamp, in his Pretoria house.SIPHIWE SIBEKO/Reuters
A summary of what you need to know today, compiled by The Globe's news desk on March 11, 2013.
Pistorius said to be on 'verge of suicide'
Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, who is charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, is said to be "on the verge of suicide," the BBC reports, citing a family friend. The network is airing a documentary on the case tonight in the U.K. Meanwhile, Mr. Pistorius's lawyers have filed an appeal against his bail restrictions.
North and South Korea stage duelling war games
The rhetoric between North and South Korea continues to intensify. South Korea and the United States began 11-day military drills today involving a total of 13,000 troops, The Associated Press reports. North Korea, which has vowed to launch a nuclear strike on the U.S., is also engaging in large-scale military drills. As well, the armistice between North and South Korea has been nullified, as previously announced, and Pyongyang shut down a Red Cross hotline used by the neighbouring countries.
Bus driver in Delhi rape case found dead in prison
One of five men accused in the gang rape and murder of a young Delhi woman has killed himself in jail, according to prison officials. Ram Singh, 33, hung himself early Monday. The suicide of the alleged ringleader in the attack is raising new questions about the competence of India's criminal justice system, The Globe's Stephanie Nolen reports.
Preliminary inquiry starts for alleged body parts killer
The preliminary inquiry for Luka Rocco Magnotta, who is charged with first-degree murder in the slaying and dismemberment of Chinese-born student Lin Jun, is set to begin today in Montreal. However, Mr. Magnotta's lawyers are seeking to ban the media and public from the hearing.
NDP Leader to sidestep pipeline in Washington talks
NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair is meeting with senior Obama administration officials in Washington this week, but will sidestep the Keystone XL pipeline, The Globe's Paul Koring reports. "My position is that the Americans are going to sort themselves out based on their own rules," he said.
Jill Mahoney