In an interview with The Times, Major-General Adnan Sillu. the head of the Assad regime's chemical weapons division who defected three months ago, has confirmed the regime had plans of using chemical weapons against its own citizens in Aleppo.

Speaking to The Times, in his first interview (see here) since he defected, he said:

“We were in a serious discussion about the use of chemical weapons, including how we would use them and in what areas. We discussed this as a last resort — such as if the regime lost control of an important area such as Aleppo.”

According to General Sillu, the Syrian regime were advised extensively by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, and also had plans of transferring supplies to Hezbollah.

Burmese authorities have embarked on a 'secret programme of ethnic cleansing', by bulldozing the Rohingya Muslims mosques and communities, reports The Times.

With tens of thousands of Rohingya muslims having fled from home fearing further persecution by Buddhist Rakhinis, authorities are demolishing muslim homes, shops and mosques, many of which have considerable historic significance.

The World Bank warned of a worsening of the fiscal crisis in the Palestinian economy on Wednesday, unless Israel eases restrictions on the West Bank, and foreign funding increases.

In a statement, Mariam Sherman, the World Bank's country director for the Palestinian terrorities said, "Donors do need to act urgently in the face of a serious fiscal crisis facing the PA (Palestinian Authority) in the short term."

"sustainable economic growth cannot be achieved without the removal of the barriers preventing private sector development, particularly in Area C".

Whilst the Palestinian Authorities had made "credible efforts" towards addressing the crisis she said, the Israeli restrictions "remain the major impediment", such as the difficulty foreign investors faced in obtaining Israeli entry permits into even the West Bank, and the ban on importing "dual use" items - ie. anything that Israel fears could be used in weaponry.

United Nations human rights investigators revealed they have added names to a secret list of Syrians that they believe should face criminal prosecution one day due to gathered evidence that suggested they were responsible for war crimes.

Sudan and South Sudan have come close to striking a deal over disputed borders, allowing the possibility of oil production to resume in the region.

While talks are still underway, reuters reported of progress between the two nations at the African Union brokered talks in Ethiopia, according to diplomatic sources.

One diplomat told Reuters,

"We've come a long way. There are still issues that need to be solved but it's doable. The atmosphere at the talks is positive,"

The editor of the Anncol website, allegedly linked to the Farc, has been sentenced to eight years in prison by a Colombian court for conspiracy.

Perez Becerra, who was arrested last year in Venezuela and handed over to Colombian authorities, denies any association withthe Farc.

Nato has decided to curb joint patrols with Afghan security forces after a spate of attacks by Afghan soldiers and policemen.

51 ISAF soldiers have died so far this year in so called “green-on-blue” attacks, most of which the Taliban claimed to have committed.

The Secretary General of the alliance, Anders Fogh Rasmussen,said in Brussels that this was a “temporary measure”.

The EU commission, has outlined proposals that would see the opening up of European markets to Burmese goods.

The proposals look to remove tariffs and quotas instigated by the EU and reinstate Burma’s GSP status, which was revoked in 1997 due to concerns of forced labour.

The plans come as a response to perceived improvements in Burmese working conditions, however a ban on arms sales will remain.

Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir met on Sunday with Egypt’s newly elected President, Mohammed Morsi, to discuss the boosting of trade and investment.

Prior to the trip, London-based Amnesty International urged Cairo to withdraw the Sudanese leader’s invitation or arrest him upon arrival.