Politkovskaya case close to public

The judge in the trial of three people accused of being involved in the murder of Anna Politkovskaya (photo), an investigative journalist and Kremlin critic, decided on Wednesday to close it to the public. Lawyers said that it could hinder justice being done.

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Egypt has to suspend gas exports to Israel

The Egyptian government has been ordered by a court to suspend gas exports to Israel, though it is unclear whether the ruling will be heeded. (photo,from aljazeera.net)

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Top Spanish judge pulls out of Franco probe

Baltasar Garzon (photo, from guardian.co.uk), a top Spanish judge, has pulled out of investigations into the fate of more than 100 000 people who vanished during the civil war and Franco dictatorship.

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NZ : child murder case shocks court

Two men have been convicted of murdering a three-year-old girl in New Zealand, after months of torturing her.

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Tibetans gathers to find new strategy

Hundreds of exiled Tibetans have begun a landmark meeting in Dharamsala, the seat of Tibet’s government in exile (photo, from cnn.com), in order to discuss their homeland’s future with China.

The Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, called the meeting, amid frustrations over repeated failed talks with the Chinese government, saying that new ideas were necessary.

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Obama vows to shut Guantanamo down

US president-elect (photo) has promised to shut down the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, although human rights lawyers warn such a move would face a number of legal difficulties.

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Iraqi cabinet approves US forces pact

The future presence of 150 000 US troops in Iraq has been approved by the Iraqi cabinet in a security pact with the US governing, said officials. (photo, from aljazeera.net)

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Gaza truce ‘shattered’ said Olmert

After 13 days of tit-for-tat attacks, the five-month truce with Hamas in the Gaza Strip has been “shattered”, said Israel’s prime minister (photo).

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The UN has no more food to distribute in Gaza

The head of relief efforts in the area has warned that the UN has no more food to distribute in the Gaza Strip. (photo, from bbc.co.uk)

Handouts for 750 000 Gazans would have to be suspended at least until Saturday, said John Ging, adding that Gaza’s economic situation was “a disaster”.

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IRA dissidents pose increasing threat

More attacks are being launched in Northern Ireland by Irish Republican Army, than at any time in recent years. Besides, they are increasingly trying to kill police officers, said international experts in a report published Monday.

In 2005, the IRA renounced violence and disarmed, after killing nearly 1,800 people in 27 years. Between 1970 and 1997, they tried to force Northern Ireland out of the United Kingdom (photo).

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