A recently sentenced Colombian police general, serving 13 years in a U.S prison, could face a further 30 years following the unveiling of new evidence, reported local Columbian media, Colombia Reports . The Colombian police general, Mauricio Santoya, was convicted of disclosing secret information to paramilitary groups. However, representatives of victims of the general’s actions, claim that they have new evidence that links Santoyo to crimes against humanity that he has not been held accountable for. These alleged crimes include illegal detention, unjust enrichment and forced disappearances...
The former minister of Argentina, Felisa Miceli, has been sentenced to four years in prison on charges of corruption and has been barred from public office for eight years. The court deemed that she have covered up an illegal financial dealing, and was obstructing justice. Speaking after the court ruling, Miceli said , "It was clear throughout the trial that there's no convincing evidence," "I made a mistake but now it seems like it's a crime."
The Iranian government has stated that they have fended off a number of cyber attacks on a power plant and other industries located in the south of the country. Speaking to the Iranian Isna news agency, head of the military unit responsible for defending against cyber attacks, the Passive Defense Organization, Ali Akbar Akhavan said , "The Bandar Abbas electricity supply company has come under cyber attack… But we were able to prevent its expansion owing to our timely measures and the co-operation of skilled hackers." The latest incident, labelled "enemy cyber attacks", comes in the wake of...
The Israeli government has approved the development of a further 1,242 homes in and around the city of Jerusalem, in a massive new wave of expansion. The homes are set to be built controversially over the dividing green line in Gilo that split Arab and Israeli territory before the Six Day War in 1967. Activist group peace Now claimed that the latest announcement brings the total number of new homes approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to 6,600 in the past week alone. The move comes amid increasing pressure within Netanyahu’s Likud party, urging the Prime Minister to drop his...
The head of Syria’s military police, Lt Gen Abulaziz al-Shalal has defected from Bashar al-Assad’s government and is reported to have fled to Turkey. In a video released on YouTube, Lt Gen al-Shalal said that the army has turned into "gangs of murderers” and had failed to protect Syrian citizens. "I declare my defection from the army because of its deviation from its fundamental mission to protect the nation and transformation into gangs of murder and destruction," "Definitely, there are other high-ranking officers who want to defect but the situation is not suitable for them to declare...
A rebel offensive against the government of the Central African Republic has led to the United Nations ordering over 200 non-essential staff and worker families to leave the country. In a major political mission, the UN is attempting to help the Central African Republic's government to overcome more than a decade of conflict. A UN spokesperson said that the decision to pull out the staff "will not detract from the ability of the United Nations to continue its support to the peace consolidation and development efforts in the Central African Republic." See here for full report on AFP.
Pope Benedict XVI delivering his 2012 Christmas Day message has urged for an end to bloodshed in conflicts around the world. Extracts reproduced below “...may peace spring up for the people of Syria, deeply wounded and divided by a conflict which does not spare even the defenceless and reaps innocent victims. Once again I appeal for an end to the bloodshed, easier access for the relief of refugees and the displaced, and dialogue in the pursuit of a political solution to the conflict.” “...grant Israelis and Palestinians courage to end to long years of conflict and division, and to embark resolutely on the path of negotiation.” “In the countries of North Africa, which are experiencing a major transition in pursuit of a new future - and especially the beloved land of Egypt...- may citizens work together to build societies founded on justice and respect for the freedom and dignity of every person.”
Results through on Tuesday showed that voters in Egypt voted overwhelmingly in favour of the constitution drafted by President Mohamed Mursi and his allies. According to the final elections commissions figures, 63.8% of votes were cast in support of it. Speaking to Reuters, Murad Ali of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, said : "I hope all national powers will now start working together now to build a new Egypt." "I see this as the best constitution in Egypt's history." Soon after the announcement, protesters who have rallied against the constitution took the streets once...
Russian president Vladimir Putin has unveiled the final part of its pipeline to the Pacific Ocean. The new pipeline will help Russia expand sales to Asia and is also expected to increase sales to the US. "The American market will receive 35 per cent of Kozmino oil," Nikolai Tokarev, the head of Transneft state oil pipeline operator, said at the opening. "Around 30 per cent will go to Japan and 28 per cent to China." Tokarev did not calm European fears about continued supplies from Russia, as he dismissed offering Europe any assurances about receiving oil. "We do not owe a single EU country a...
Six people were killed in a shooting at a church in the northeast of Nigeria early on Tuesday reports Reuters . For the third consecutive year, a deadly attack has been carried out on Christmas services in Nigeria. Although security forces pledged to protect churches this year, unknown gunmen attempting to attack the town of Potiskum were repelled by troops and instead attacked a church in a village called Jiri as they fled. The Islamist militant group Boko Haram is believed to be responsible for the attacks, as a continuation of their campaign to impose sharia law in northern Nigeria.