North Korea warns the world: no change in policy under Kim Jong-un
Defence commission says 'foolish politicians including the puppet forces in South Korea' should expect no changes
Hopes for a new era of engagement with North Korea faded on Friday after the country's powerful defence commission warned the world not to expect a change in policy under its new leader, Kim Jong-un.
The announcement, broadcast by the state-run Korean Central News Agency [KCNA], effectively dashed hopes that Kim, whom it referred to for the first time as the "great leader", might be ready to engage withSouth Korea and the wider international community.
China cracks down – on a dissident in her sickbed
Campaigning lawyer says decade of torture has left her crippled – but state refuses to delay trial
A lawyer left wheelchair-bound after alleged mistreatment in police custody went on trial yesterday, testifying from a sickbed. Earlier in the week two other rights activists were jailed for up to 10 years as Beijing continued its crackdown on dissent.
Ni Yulan, 51, is charged with fraud and falsifying information to steal property. She is also charged, along with her husband, Dong Jiqin, with causing a disturbance at a guesthouse where the couple were detained by police.
Jamaica People's National Party secures big poll win
Jamaica's opposition People's National Party has secured a big election victory after a campaign dominated by the economy.
30 December 2011
The result means a return by veteran PNP politician Portia Simpson Miller to the post of prime minister.
Current PM Andrew Holness said it was a "humbling" defeat for his Jamaica Labour Party.
The snap election was called earlier this month by Mr Holness who succeeded Bruce Golding as JLP leader in October.
| Bahrain to try police officers over 'torture' |
Five officers to be tried over alleged torture of detainee who later died in custody, weeks after probe into crackdown.
Last Modified: 30 Dec 2011 06:41
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Five police officers are to be put on trial in connection with the alleged torture of a detainee who later died in custody, Bahrain's Information Affairs Authority has said.
Nawaf Hamza, the country's top prosecutor, said in a statement that two unnamed officers have been charged with torture and mistreatment, and three others with negligence for failing to report the incident.
No details were provided about the five officers or the detainee. There were also no information about when and where the alleged torture took place.
The prosecution of the officers follows promises by Bahrain to address shortcomings highlighted in a scathing report on rights abuses during weeks of anti-government protests in the Gulf nation earlier this year.
South African leopard duo to aid Malawi reserve re-population
In the back are the two special passengers, transported by plane from South Africa across 1 000 kilometers on a mission to repopulate the Majete.
The leopards – a male and a female – have behaved during the journey to their new home, where they will hopefully reproduce.
Proclaimed in 1955, the Majete reserve suffered extensive poaching which severely depleted its animals' numbers.
Taliban prisoner at Gitmo key to peace talks?
He could be among 5 detainees transferred to Afghan custody
By Mark Hosenball, Missy Ryan and Warren Strobel
The Obama administration is considering transferring to Afghan custody a senior Taliban official suspected of major human rights abuses as part of a long-shot bid to improve the prospects of a peace deal in Afghanistan, Reuters has learned.
The potential hand-over of Mohammed Fazl, a "high-risk detainee" held at the Guantanamo Bay military prison since early 2002, has set off alarms on Capitol Hill and among some U.S. intelligence officials.
As a senior commander of the Taliban army, Fazl is alleged to be responsible for the killing of thousands of Afghanistan's minority Shiite Muslims between 1998 and 2001.
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