An 87-year-old former Khmer Rouge official standing trial for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Cambodia died earlier this week.

The 25th anniversary of the chemical weapons attack on the town of Halabja has been commemorated in Kurdistan, northern Iraq.

Kurds from across the region came together to remember those who died after Saddam Hussein’s air force dropped poison gas on the town.

Around 5,000 people, mostly women and children, were killed during the attack, while many more died in the aftermath due to diseases caused by the contamination.

A former military ruler of Argentina has received a third life sentence for crimes against humanity  involving detainees held the Campo de Mayo military base.

The 85-year-old was convicted of the illegal arrests, kidnapping, robbery, torture and murder of 23 detainees, seven of whom were pregnant and had to give birth inside the infamous clandestine prison. In 2012 and 2012 the former general has already received life sentences for crimes related to Campo de Mayo.

Li Keqiang has been named China's new premier by the country's leaders on Friday, whilst xi Jinping was announced as president. Li received 2940 of 3000 votes, and Jinping received 2950 out of 3000.

The US president Barack Obama called both to express his congratulations. In a statement the US White House said:

"Both leaders agreed on the value of regular high-level engagement to expand co-operation and co-ordination,"

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel announced Friday that the they will be bolstering its missile defences in response to "a series of irresponsible and reckless provocations" from North Korea.

Hagel also said that the additional defences would mean that the US "will be able to add protection against missiles from Iran sooner, while also providing additional protection against the North Korean threat."

The US State Department has suggested that it may support Britain and France providing arms to the Syrian Opposition.

In response to questions about Britain wanting to lift the EU arms embargo to Syria, spokesperson Victoria Nuland said:

A co-ordinated attack launched by bombers in central Baghdad has left at least 22 people killed.

The attack comes just days before the tenth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq led by the USA.

In recent weeks analysts have warned that al Qaeda may be regaining strength in Iraq.

See the Guardian for full report.

The Foreign Minister of Botswana apologised on Wednesday for stating that the new Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta would not be allowed to "set foot" in the country if he refused to cooperate with the ICC.

The Kenyan government had accused the minister, Phandu Skelemani of being "contemptuous" towards Kenyatta.

In a statement, Skelemani said: