A United Nations spokesman confirmed the death of 11 people in Homs over the weekend, as hundreds more civilians were evacuated from the besieged city.

450 civilians were reported to have left Homs on Monday, as a truce between both parties was extended beyond the third day, a move welcomed by UN aid chief Valerie Amos.

The German news magazine Der Spiegel has claimed that German authorities have material suggesting that the Turkish secret service MIT was involved in the murder of three Kurdish activists in Paris last year.

A document discussing the “termination” of one of the 3 women, which reportedly surfaced last month, bears the MIT watermark.

The report by Der Spiegel adds that the German authorities are rumoured to have curtailed its cooperation with the MIT, since suspicions arose.

The European Union has agreed to hold talks with Cuba to discuss restoring full relations with the Communist country.

Catherine Ashton, head of EU foreign policy, said that human rights remained "at the core" of relations with Cuba.

"These negotiations will help consolidate our engagement with Cuba. I hope Cuba will take up this offer," she said.

A pre-trial hearing to decide if there is enough evidence to convict Bosco Ntaganda of crimes against humanity, commenced at the International Criminal Court earlier today.
Ntaganda, a former commander with the M23 rebel organisation, faces 18 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Fatou Bensouda, Chief Prosecutor at the ICC told the hearing,

Relief convoys carrying humanitarian aid into the rebel-held area of Homs, today experienced military fire for the second consecutive day, despite appeals from the United Nations urging the Syrian government and rebels to respect a ceasefire.

Congolese war crimes suspect Bosco Ntaganda is set to face the International Criminal Court on Monday, facing 18 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Nicknamed ‘The Terminator’, Ntaganda was a commander with the M23 rebel organisation, before crossing into Rwanda and surrendering to the US Embassy, stating he wanted to give himself up to the ICC.

Ida Sawyer of Human Rights Watch said that more than 900 victims may come forward to take part in the hearing, adding,

The International Criminal Court has opened a preliminary investigation into reports of war crimes in the Central African Republic, as sectarian violence continues to escalate in the country.

ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda stated earlier,