World news round-up
Israel Barrier
A court case on the legality of the controversial West Bank barrier has opened at The Hague this week. More than 10,000 Palestinians have marched in towns across the West Bank in protest at the 700km dividing wall, which Israel says will protect civilians against suicide bombers. Israeli troops greeted the protesters with a tirade of tear gas, which was used to dispel the stone throwers.
Red Cross visit Hussein
The international aid agency has visited the former Iraqi leader for the first time since he was captured over two months ago. The pair of officials included a doctor, and they went to assess the physical and mental condition of the prisoner of war, in accordance with their duties as laid out in the Geneva Conventions.
Kenyan fires
Fire swept through slums in the Kenyan capital Nairobi earlier this week, destroying hundreds of houses in the South B neighbourhood of the city. At least 4500 families have been left homeless by the overnight blaze, although there have been no reports of casualties.
More trouble in Haiti
Violence in the country continues to escalate, as rebels seeking to overthrow President Jean-Bertrand Aristide move towards the capital. The rebels have already overrun the country's second city, Cap-Haitien, prompting the US to send 50 marines to Haiti to protect its embassy. The opposed President is currently believed to be in the barricaded palatial compound in Port-au-Prince.
Ugandan Massacre
Uganda has seen a resurgence of violence, as more than 190 people were killed in an attack by the Lord's Resistance Army at a refugee camp in the north of the country. The Ugandan army had believed it was near to defeating the rebel group LRA, who are known for kidnapping and brutalising young children, most of whom then go on to fight for them. Last week, the rebels overran the Lira camp, attacking their victims with machetes and shooting at those who attempted to flee. One survivor even saw her parents burned alive.
New migrant restrictions
New proposals from Home Secretary David Blunkett will, he hopes, provide a "platform for a national identity card scheme". Under the new plans, migrants from the Eastern European nations joining the EU on May 1st will be barred from receiving benefits for at least two years if they have not been working in Britain. The Prime Minister has also promised that so-called 'benefit tourists' who come to the UK from the new EU states will be deported if they have no means of supporting themselves.
Morocco earthquake
A strong earthquake shook Northern Morocco on Tuesday morning, with early indications suggesting that at least 40 people had died in the port city of Al Hoceima. Several villages to the south were also "completely destroyed," according to a civil defence spokesman, and aid and recovery efforts are now underway.
26th Feb 2004