Issue 149

World News in Brief

20th November 2006

These are your "world news nuggets" from Issue 149. In this issue; protests at a one dog only policy, and French spies spend money on dancing girls.

French Spies spend money on dancing girls

French intelligence chiefs face embarrassment as it emerged that £18m from a secret emergency war chest had gone missing, and some of it is thought to have been spent on 'dancing girls.' The revelation has been made after the reading by judges of a note mentioning a "serious breakdown in the management of special funds allotted to the service." The money is thought to have been controlled by a handful of agents, with no records having been kept, and details passed only by word of mouth.

European Parliament in Caribbean 'decadence'

MEPs are set to meet for a fiveday conference in order to discuss water shortages, aid and EU trade policies. However, the proposed conference to debate development and deprivation will be taking place in Barbados and is set to cost taxpayers more than £200,000. The 'workshops' are thought to include one on the rum industry. The ACP-EU assembly first met in 2000 in order to bring together MEPs with their counterparts in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. With no executive authority, it focuses upon democracy, trade and human rights and is renowned for its decadent meetings.

'Justice' begins in Rwanda

Open-air court trials have begun to take evidence and hand down tough sentences to those convicted of involvement in the Rwandan genocide twelve years ago. The hearings have been taking place for twelve months and justice is finally being dispersed. 100,000 suspects in prison await trial. Those confessing will serve a reduced sentence of around eight years, including community service. Those who refuse, despite the presence of several witnesses, will receive 25-30 years. There is no legal representation.

Iran offers missiles to neighbouring states

The commander-in-chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards has offered sophisticated missiles for use in battle against Israel. Iran, which has showcased a range of rockets and missiles - notably the Shahab-3 which has a range of 1,200 miles and can carry a nuclear warhead - has tested anti-ship missiles and shoulder-borne antihelicopter missiles. Iran has described these tests as a "warning to the US." On Iranian TV, Maj Gensafari declared that they were "able to give our missile systems to friendly and neighbouring countries."

Hundreds protest at China's new "one dog policy"

Hundreds of angry pet owners have held protests against the regime's new "one-dog policy", eighteen protesters were arrested, as a wave of outrage has swept across China as police have moved through cities and districts killing unlicensed dogs and confiscating others. The aim of this purge is to remove strays from the streets and fight rabies, which has lead to 326 deaths in the last month.

India introduces domestic violence laws

As India introduces its first laws against domestic violence, men are seeing themselves as the victims. Courts, under the new Protection of Women Against Domestic Violence Act, have received sweeping powers to help abused wives. The Act has been a culture shock to India's male-dominated society. A counter - lobby group has been formed - the All India Harassed Husbands Association

Rescuers battle to save lives of whales

A pod of more than 70 pilot whales became stranded on Ruakaba Beach - a remote gently sloping sandy beach on New Zealand's North Island - prompting residents, oil refinery workers and governmental officials in a day long struggle to refloat them. By early afternoon, 40 whales had been pushed back into the ocean, with rescuers being unable to save a further 38, who died on the beach. Pilot whales become stranded for a number of reasons but usually end up on beaches if the pod's lead whale makes a navigational error.

Melissa Cathcart