Syria is on the brink of civil war, UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon says. Rebels have been accused of killing dozens of soldiers in revenge for the slaughter of civilians. Government militia are believed to have murder of dozens of women and children in Houla last month.
Papuan bloodshed
Indonesian officials have blamed separatists groups for a string of shootings in the country’s volatile province of Papua. At least a dozen people have been shot after a boy was run over by soldiers last week. Separatists deny responsibility and instead blame government forces.
Euro boycott
European ministers will boycott Euro 2012 football matches in Ukraine to protest the treatment of jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. In a diplomatic embarrassment, British, German, Dutch and Austrian officials have refused to attend.
Political blow
A heated political debate on Greek television has left a politician facing criminal charges after hitting a female political rival. Right-wing politician Ilias Kasidiaris slapped a left-wing candidate at next week’s poll, several times. Police issued a warrant for his arrest.
‘Strange’ dissident death
Chinese dissident Li Wangyang, jailed after the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, has been found dead. Opposition groups said the 62-year-old died in strange conditions and family had not been given the body. Last week marked 23 years since the bloody rally.
Unpleasant delivery
A porn actor arrested in Germany last week after an international man hunt will be extradited to Canada where he accused of murdering and dismembering his boyfriend. Luka Magnotta is believed to have last week posted a hand and foot to schools in Montreal.
Sanctions cancelled
Australia has become the first western country to lift all sanctions against the military junta in Burma. Democratic reforms over the last 12 months, and the election of former political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi, has seen many countries relax penalties against the state.
More crash pain
Families of those killed in a Nigerian plane crash last week may not have the bodies of their loved ones returned. Authorities say only about one-third of the 150 people believed to have perished, when the plane stuck a two-storey building in Lagos, can be identified.
Paternity shock
Former Roman Catholic protest and Paraguay’s president Fernando Lugo has confirmed the fathered a child out of wedlock. After four similar allegations it is the first admission. While it will not affect his political career, the opposition has requested the church excommunicate him.
Airport raid
Puerto Rican authorities have arrested 33 people after a raid at an airport to stop a drug smuggling operation taking drugs into north America. At least 12 are employees of American Airlines. Three more people were arrested at American ports as part of the crackdown.
Summit row
Sudanese officials have requested the African Union relocate its July summit after host, Malawian president Joyce Banda, withdrew an invitation to Sudan's leader. Omar al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court. Banda said she feared economic implications of his visit.
Hussein aid killed
The former personal bodyguard and secretary to deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has been executed. Abid Hamid Mahmud al-Tikriti had been found guilty of genocide dating back to the 1980s. Two other members of the regime sentenced to death at the same time remain in jail.
Post published in: World News