Syria bans entry for Annan’s deputy
As UN special envoy Kofi Annan is to fly to Syria on Monday over the Houla massacre, Damascus has denied permission for his deputy Nasser al-Kidwa to enter the country. The decision against al-Kidwa, a former Palestinian Foreign Minister, is viewed as Damascus’ unwillingness to deal with the Arab League, a senior Arab League official told the Associated Press.
'No reason to back down on low-level enrichment' – Iran’s nuclear chief
Iran’s nuclear chief Fereidoun Abbasi says there is no need to halt production of uranium enriched to 20 per cent, as Iran produces “only as much 20 per cent material” as it needs, the ISNA news agency reported. The statement came in response to demands Western powers voiced at recent negotiations in Baghdad. The group of six wants Iran to suspend 20 per cent enrichment in exchange for a US-supported package that would include supplying Iran with radioactive material and spare civilian plane parts. But Tehran said they offered too little in return. Abbasi also touched upon a possible visit to the Parchin military site by IAEA observers, saying that it would not come any time soon. “We haven’t been convinced yet. No reasons and documents have been presented to enable us to arrange a visit to Parchin, which is a military site,” he was quoted by ISNA as saying.
Russia calls for UN Security Council meeting over Houla tragedy
Moscow has called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Sunday to hear the report of Norwegian General Robert Mood, who heads the UN observer mission in Syria. The meeting is scheduled for 3:00pm New York time (19:00 GMT), reports Itar-Tass. The UK has also urged for a meeting following the killing of over 90 civilians in the western town of Houla on Friday night. The French government, who pins the blame on the regime, has circulated a draft statement among the fifteen members of the UNSC demanding the Syrian government “stop using heavy armament in residential areas and pull out troops located in and around residential areas.” Russia reportedly opposes the document saying the situation should be profoundly studied first.
FARC to release French journalist
Colombian rebels are to set free journalist Romeo Langlois on Wednesday if their security demands are met. The statement was released by the 15th Brigade of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The rebels are now waiting to hear the proposed security plan. Langlois, working for broadcaster France 24 and the newspaper Le Figaro, was taken hostage in April during a gunfight between guerrillas and regular forces in central Colombia. He was accompanying a military patrol on a mission to destroy drug laboratories in Caqueta. Paris has been increasing pressure for Langlois' release. FARC's campaign for power, launched in 1964, stems on kidnappings and executions.
Taliban denies involvement into poison attack on Afghan girls’ school
The Taliban has denied carrying out an attack on a girls’ school where more than a hundred students and three teachers were poisoned. The movement condemned attack of this nature, vowing to punish anyone who carried them out "in line with Sharia [law]", their spokesman told BBC. The Taliban, which strongly opposes the education of girls and women, was initially suspected of being behind the attack.
Tens of thousands take part in anti-government demo in Morocco
Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Casablanca, Morocco, to demonstrate against the policies of the country’s Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane. Reports say people are tired of deteriorating living conditions. It is the largest anti-government demonstration since mass public protests forced early parliamentary elections this past November. Benkirane for his part came to power following the November poll. The Arab Spring-inspired protests also resulted in limits being put on the powers of Moroccan King Mohammed VI.
Khodorkovsky lawyer denies “blacklist” report
Jailed ex-tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky has not asked UK authorities to ban some Russians officials from stepping foot on British soil during the Olympic Games in London, his lawyer Yury Schmidt says. He said that the report of a “blacklist” created by Khodorkovsky is “either a mistake or a provocation.” British daily The Telegraph reported that in a letter to the newspaper, Khodorkovsky urged Prime Minister David Cameron to prevent 308 Russian officials from entering the UK. Khodorkovsky, the one-time owner of the largest oil company in Russia, is now serving his second consecutive prison sentence on charges of money laundering and embezzling oil profits.
Chinese authorities arrest suspected serial killer
Zhang Yongming, 56, was arrested by police in Yunnan province on murder charges, the Chinese Ministry of Public Security said in a statement Sunday. The man is accused of killing 11 people and dismembering, burning and burying their bodies to destroy the evidence. Zhang is suspected of attacking male victims who were walking alone on a quiet road near his home in Jinning County. Zhang’s case is believed to be related to the disappearance of at least eight young people who have gone missing across the country.
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