|
Lansana Conte (2002 photo) |
GUINEA POL-ARMY: A military group in Guinea has announced the constitution is suspended
and the government dissolved, just hours after the death of the west
African country's long-time ruler.
A military spokesman announced on a broadcast today (Tuesday) that all state institutions have been dissolved.
What the Associated Press describes an an apparent coup came several
hours after government officials announced the death of President
Lansana Conte. He died Monday after a long illness.
The exact date of birth is not known, but he was believed to have been in his 70s.
The speaker of parliament, Aboubacar Sompare, announced the death on television early today,and declared 40 days of mourning
IRAQ: The United Nations Security Council
|
Hoshyar Zebari gestures during press conference in Baghdad, 07 May 2008 |
has voted to extend U.N. protection
for Iraq's assets, a measure that shields Iraq from international
lawsuits.
Security Council members unanimously adopted a resolution Monday to
continue protecting Iraqi assets until December 31st, 2009. The measure
was due to expire at the end of this month.
Iraq's oil revenues and other financial assets are held in a U.N.-monitored account (known as the Development Fund for Iraq)
to ensure they are used for the country's reconstruction. The assets
cannot be seized by foreign governments or others seeking damages from
Baghdad.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hashyar Zebari welcomed the Security Council vote. |
An undated photo shows Mohammed Haneef |
AUSTRALIA-INDIA-TERROR: An Australian judicial inquiry has found that police had no evidence to
charge an Indian doctor over suspected ties to a terrorist plot in
Britain last year.
The results of the inquiry ordered by the Australian government found
that Mohamed Haneef should never have been charged, and that police and
immigration officials should reform the way they operate.
NEPAL MEDIA:
|
Nepalese journalists protest against Maoist government, demanding it to stop attack on press freedom, in Katmandu, 22 Dec 2008 |
Nepalese newspapers have published blank editorials to protest an
attack by Maoist activists on a local publishing house.
Nepal's Media Society and Editors' Alliance says in addition to today's
(Tuesday's) empty editorial pages, major television and radio stations
are carrying messages protesting the attack.
The alliance says the blank editorials are the first in a series of
protests media companies will conduct if Sunday's attack by groups
affiliated to the ruling party are not stopped immediately. |
Suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout escorted from hearing at police headquarters in Bangkok, 07 Mar 2008 |
THAILAND-ARMS DEALER: A Thai court has delayed the extradition hearing of an alleged Russian
arms dealer wanted in the United States for conspiring to sell weapons
to Colombia's FARC rebels.
The judge issued a postponement today (Tuesday) in the hearing for
Viktor Bout after two defense witnesses failed to appear. The hearing
will resume on March sixth.
Bout was arrested in March following a sting operation by undercover
U.S. agents in Thailand. During a court appearance Monday, the
41-year-old Russian said the case against him was fabricated.