Return to opening page
 .

Some World News as at 2006-02-26



Dozens killed in continuing Iraqi violence
Iraq has been hit by a wave of attacks following a day of relative calm. Sixteen people were killed when mortars were fired on a Shiite neighbourhood in the capital Baghdad. And in Hilla, south of the capital, a bomb killed five people at a bus station. Later this evening, 11 people were killed when unidentified gunmen attacked a joint Sunni-Shiite demonstration calling for an end to the sectarian violence. Almost 200 people have been killed in attacks and unrest involving Shiites and Sunnis since the bomb attack last Wednesday on a revered Shiite shrine in Samarra. On Saturday, Sunni and Shiite political leaders called on both sides to end the sectarian violence.


Iran and Russia announce nuclear deal
Iran and Russia say they have reached a preliminary agreement on a uranium enrichment plan aimed at easing international concern over Tehran's nuclear programme. The plan was announced at a joint news conference in the Iranian city of Busher, where Iran is building its first nuclear power station with Russian help. The two countries said negotiations will continue in Moscow in the coming days.

The plan involves creating a joint company which would enrich Iran's uranium on Russian soil. The agreement is seen as a compromise by Iran to avoid the issue being referred to the United Nations Security Council, which then could impose punitive measures.


Mass demonstrations against Thai PM
Tens of thousands of people in Thailand have staged a demonstration against embattled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The protest was led by several thousand Buddhist monks and nuns. It was the third mass rally in less than a month against the prime minister, who is facing intense pressure over corruption allegations and who last Friday called a snap poll three years before the end of his term.

Opposition parties failed to agree on calls for a boycott of the early election, which is due to be held on 2 April. They did agree, however, to demand the creation of a neutral body charged with recommending constitutional changes.


Philippines warns of more arrests after foiled coup
The military authorities in the Philippines are warning of more arrests aimed at flushing out those responsible for this week's foiled coup. The announcement comes two days after President Gloria Arroyo declared a state of emergency after the army pre-empted an alleged coup plot. Among those apparently affected by the purge is the head of the marines, Major General Renato Miranda, who was sacked earlier today, though a Navy spokesperson said he had resigned for private reasons.

On Saturday, the authorities arrested several army officers as well as opposition congressman Crispin Beltran.


Riots in Kabul jail continue
In Kabul in Afghanistan, around 1,300 inmates have seized control of a wing at the city's main high-security prison following riots. There are reports that the rioting has also spread to around 2,000 prisoners in a separate part of the complex. Several cellblocks were destroyed after being set alight. Around 30 people have been injured.

The unrest was ignited by attempts to implement a new rule requiring inmates to wear prison uniforms. The Afghan government says al-Qaeda and Taliban members are behind the unrest.


Somali parliament meets on home soil for first time
The Somali parliament has convened on home soil for the first time in several years. The session took place amid tight security in the city of Baidoa, around 250 kilometres from the capital Mogadishu. MPs have so far been meeting in Kenya because of growing insecurity in Somalia. Somalia's President Abdullahi Yusuf said it was a historic day. Nonetheless, a key group of Somalia warlords was not present. They disagree with the government on a number of issues, including the deployment of foreign mediators and peacekeepers.

The country is in a state of anarchy after a civil war lasting 14 years and has become one of the most dangerous areas in the world. Since 1991 at least 300,000 people have been killed in the civil war. The current government, which was formed two years ago in Kenya, is the fourteenth since the outbreak of the civil war.


Protests in France at racism and anti-Semitism
Large demonstrations have been held in several French cities today to protest at racism and anti-Semitism. There was a large turnout particularly in Paris, where tens of thousands of people took part. The demonstrations follow the brutal murder of a 23-year-old Jewish man, who was kidnapped and tortured by a gang of criminals. He eventually died from his injuries.

The man alleged to have led the gang was arrested last week in Ivory Coast. He has denied that the kidnapping was motivated by anti-Semitism. But France's Jewish community believes his death was an ethnic killing.


Réunion gets 76 million euros to combat pandemic
The French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has pledged the island of Réunion 76 million euros to tackle the Chikungunya virus. He made the pledge at the start of a two-day visit to the island. The mosquito-borne virus, for which there is no cure, has caused a pandemic on the island. One in five of Réunion's inhabitants have been infected during the past year. Chikungunya fever is marked by high temperatures and extremely painful swelling of joints.

There has been criticism of the French authorities, which have been accused of complacency in responding to the outbreak of the fever. Mr de Villepin now wants to intensify plans to clear the island of the mosquito, which was given a low priority after malaria was eradicated. Paris has sent troops to the island to help in the operation.


Russian Duma passes sweeping anti-terrorism law
The Russian lower house of parliament, the Duma, has endorsed a new anti-terrorism law significantly increasing the government's powers to intervene. Under the new bill, the army will be allowed to shoot down any hijacked passenger plane which threatens to crash into a city or critical facility, and strike at suspected terrorist targets outside its national borders. The authorities will also be able to legally intercept civilian communications, such as phone conversations, emails and letters. The legislation was approved with near unanimity. A controversial proposal enabling police to impose limitations on the media was rejected during a previous session. The bill will now be passed to the upper house of parliament for final approval, which is considered a formality.


EU launches radio for Belarus
A new radio station backed by the European Union has started broadcasting to Belarus in an effort to balance the country's state-controlled media. The European Radio for Belarus, located in the nearby Lithuanian capital Vilnius, is staffed by Belorussian and Polish journalists. It brings, in Russian and Belorussian, an hour of news, a review of the European Press and regional music.

The radio forms part of a European programme in support of Belorussian media and journalists. It is being launched three weeks before presidential elections in Belarus, in which President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been ruling the country since 1994, is seeking a new five-year term.


Switzerland reports first bird flu case
The Swiss authorities say its first case of bird flu has been confirmed in wild fowl near Geneva and Lake Constance. It is not clear, however, if the birds carried the potentially lethal H5N1 strain. The affected areas border regions in France and Germany where the virus has already been detected. The news comes just a day after the H5N1 strain was found on the German side of Lake Constance.


Spanish villages cut off by snow
A number of villages in northern and central Spain are cut off following heavy snowfalls. The worst affected areas are around Segovia and Guadalajara. Almost all of northern Spain is covered with thick snow. The weather is causing problems for motorists. Some motorways can only be accessed by cars fitted with snow chains. People have been urged not to use their vehicles unless necessary. Around 450 trucks are stranded between Madrid and the French border. The severe winter weather is expected to continue for several days.


Winter Olympics close in Turin
In Turin, the twentieth Winter Olympics have ended with a spectacular ceremony after two weeks of sporting events. The theme of the closing ceremony was carnival. The Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and the Canadian singer Avril Lavigne were among those performing.

The last of the 84 gold medals was awarded to the Swedish men's ice hockey team, who beat Finland 3-2 in the final. Germany topped the medals table, with a total of 29 medals, including 11 golds. The United States came second, followed by Austria. The next Winter Olympics will be held in Vancouver in Canada in 2010.
meditations
 top