World news round-up
Haiti
George Bush has sent US marines in to Haiti, to take the lead in an international attempt to restore peace to a country wrecked by three weeks of fighting and rebellion. On Sunday morning the
Haitian president was jetted out of the country, and the head of Haiti's Supreme Court, Boniface Alexandre, has become caretaker president in his place. However, two US members of Congress have now called for an investigation into the events surrounding the president's departure, claiming that he was held at gunpoint by US soldiers.
Child suicide bombers caught
Police stopped three Palestinian boys - two teenagers and one aged just eleven years - earlier this week, who were believed to be on their way to carry out a suicide bombing. The three were amongst thousands to protest at the construction of the controversial West Bank separation barrier.
British spies?
Former Labour cabinet minister Clare Short has this week claimed that the British government were spying on the UN before Britain decided to go to war against Iraq. She claimed to have seen copies of Mr Annan's transcripts, and upheld her claims in the midst of much scrutiny. Whilst Tony Blair has dubbed these accusations "deeply irresponsible," he has yet to comment on their accuracy, and Home Secretary David Blunkett has promised an in-depth look into the claims before any action is taken.
Terrorist attack foiled in Spain
Spanish police claim to have prevented an ETA attack on the city of Madrid earlier this week, as a truck full of explosives was captured as it headed towards the capital. Had the half-tonne bomb exploded, it would have been the biggest attack by the Basque separatist group in more than 30 years of violence.
Arab Big Brother
The first ever series of the popular reality TV show has been pulled in the Middle East amidst fears that it was "indecent" and violated Islamic values. The show had been on air for just one week, but has been taken off the waves following widespread outcry, as single male and female housemates were sleeping under the same roof.
Constitution for Iraq
A provisional constitution has finally been agreed in Iraq after days of talks between the country's interim leaders. The draft charter will recognise Islam as one source of legislation rather than the only source, and gives autonomy to the Kurdish minority for the time being. The document includes a bill of rights, stipulating protections for free speech and religious toleration.
Honour Killing in Turkey
A young Turkish woman has been killed by her two brothers as she lay ill in hospital - after they were the ones who had put her there in the first place. The 22-year-old Turk had become pregnant by a cousin's husband, and recently given birth to the baby. Her brothers sought to restore the family name by means of this "honour killing," and had left their sister for dead once before.
And finally...
Six shivering protesters were arrested in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as their naked pillow fight outside Harvard University was broken up by police. The animal-rights protestors, however, argued that their chilly experience was a lot more pleasant than the fate of their fluffy friends.
3rd Apr 2004