20 September 2013 Last updated at 09:11 GMT
Korea
Southern inhospitality greets defectors
By Markus Bell and Sarah Chee
In every way, Yu Woo-seong was a model defector. In his early 30s, he was smart, friendly, ambitious, and well liked.
Trained as a doctor in North Korea, he eschewed the competitive South Korean medical school system and instead pursued a bachelor's degree in business and Chinese at a prominent Seoul university. Although he was still adapting to his new environment, Yu completed his university studies in 2011, having been in South Korea for less than six years.
While taking on organizing roles in Seoul-based clubs and organizations for North Korean defectors, Yu gained entry into a master's degree program in education and social welfare.
Syria rebels agree Azaz ceasefire
Two Syrian rebel groups in the town of Azaz have agreed a ceasefire.
The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (Isis), linked to al-Qaeda, seized the northern town on Wednesday from the larger Western-backed Free Syrian Army.
The fighting between the two groups has raised fears of a possible war within a war.
The BBC's Paul Wood, on the Syrian border with Turkey, says the two sides have agreed to exchange prisoners and hand back property.
It is unclear if the ceasefire will have an impact on clashes between the groups elsewhere in the country, he says.
Analysts say there is more chance that the US and other Western powers may arm the Free Syrian Army if it shows a distinct separation from the Islamists.
ENVIRONMENT
Greenpeace calls protests after Russian guards detain activists on ship
Environmental group Greenpeace has said it will hold demonstrations on Friday, a day after reporting that armed Russian officers had stormed one of its protest ships. At least 25 activists were detained on the vessel.
Greenpeace vowed to stage "solidarity actions" on Friday to protest the detention of at least 25 people by the Russian Coast Guard on board a ship in Arctic waters. The activists were protesting drilling by Russia's state-run oil giant Gazprom.
"The Coast Guard illegally boarded Greenpeace's ship, the Arctic Sunrise," late Thursday, the group posted online. "Activists are currently being held at gunpoint."
"Solidarity actions will be held at the offices of Gazprom and the Russian embassy buildings around the world," the group said in a Russian-language statement.Israeli destruction of Bedouin village puts strain on peace talks
September 20, 2013 - 5:32PMRuth Pollard in the Jordan Valley
Mangled tin lies as if tied in knots on the dusty ground as pigeons try to nest in shattered coups and residents gather near two solar panels – the only structures still standing after Israeli soldiers demolished the tiny Bedouin village of Khirbet Makhoul this week.
Twelve families – more than 100 people – are now homeless and unable to herd their animals, residents say.
Conducted in the shadow of renewed peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, and just a day after the most recent visit to Israel by US Secretary of State John Kerry, the demolitions placed further pressure on a process already weighed down by decades of distrust.
Kenya's displaced left in limbo
While Kenyan leaders go on trial for election violence, those affected lose hope of resettlement.
She sits across the room in the small shanty, gazing above our heads, perhaps at the ceiling, or at the glossy picture of Jesus hanging behind us, in a flowing white gown, the Lord's Prayer flowing across his frock. Or maybe she is looking at the president's red and white campaign flag fixed to the wall, next to Jesus.
Even when Martha Gathoni (19) looks straight at us, she seems to stare through us. It has been way too long for her, this hoping and waiting, with promise after promise from government officials, priests, nongovernmental organisation workers, and other Good Samaritans.
They arrive at the camp with smiles and assurances, and then disappear, never to be seen again.
Disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai anticipates prison in letter to family
Days before a court in eastern China announced the date for delivering the much anticipated verdict in the trial of Bo Xilai, the disgraced Communist Party leader reiterated his innocence but anticipated lengthy imprisonment in a letter to his family.
"I was dragged into this and really wronged, but the truth will come out one day," wrote Bo in a letter dated September 12, referring to the bribes allegedly taken by his wife and other scandals involving her and her friends.
"Meanwhile I will be waiting quietly in prison," Bo continued. "Dad was thrown into prison multiple times in his lifetime and I will look up to him as my role model."
Korea
Sep 20, '13
|
Southern inhospitality greets defectors
By Markus Bell and Sarah Chee
In every way, Yu Woo-seong was a model defector. In his early 30s, he was smart, friendly, ambitious, and well liked.
Trained as a doctor in North Korea, he eschewed the competitive South Korean medical school system and instead pursued a bachelor's degree in business and Chinese at a prominent Seoul university. Although he was still adapting to his new environment, Yu completed his university studies in 2011, having been in South Korea for less than six years.
While taking on organizing roles in Seoul-based clubs and organizations for North Korean defectors, Yu gained entry into a master's degree program in education and social welfare.
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