A roundup of today's other world news in brief
Group set up to examine libel laws in Britain
LONDON – Senior lawyers, newspaper executives and scientists have been appointed to a British government panel considering changes to the libel law, justice secretary Jack Straw has announced.
The group will look into concerns that the current law is having a “chilling effect” on freedom of expression, according to Mr Straw.
Critics say defamation laws in England and Wales can encourage “libel tourism” – foreigners using British courts to contest their claims. Some scientists have said their work is undermined by the fear of being sued.
The group will be chaired by a senior official at the Ministry of Justice. Its members include John Witherow, editor of the Sunday Times, Desmond Browne QC, former chairman of the Bar Council, and Andrew Stephenson, a partner at Carter Ruck solicitors. The group is expected to report in the middle of March. – (PA)
Honduran ex-leader goes into exile
TEGUCIGALPA – Toppled Honduran president Manuel Zelaya was to leave Honduras for exile yesterday as a new president took office in a victory for leaders of a coup last June.
Mr Zelaya timed his exit to coincide with the day opposition leader Porfirio Lobo was sworn in, ending a long crisis that foreign mediation and pressure from US and Latin American governments failed to resolve.
Mr Lobo, who won a November 29th election – denounced by many countries as illegitimate since it was organised by a de facto government – received the presidential sash in a ceremony in the national stadium attended by foreign leaders, the military and supporters. The Honduran congress granted Mr Zelaya political amnesty but the move does not affect criminal charges hanging over him. – (Reuters)
Fighting in Somalia kills 16, injures 34
MOGADISHU – Fighting in Somalia between a pro- government militia and Islamist rebels killed at least 16 people and injured 34 others in the central Galgadud region yesterday, a rights group said.
“More people were forced to flee . . . This is a violation of civilians’ rights,” Ali Yasin Gedi, vice chairman of Mogadishu’s Elman Peace and Human Rights Organisation said.
Residents claim the clashes took place in the central towns of Warhole and Owsweyne and pitted Ahlu Sunna Waljamaca militia against an alliance of Hizbul Islam and al Shabaab insurgents.
Washington says al Shabaab is al-Qaeda’s proxy in the Horn of Africa state, which has lacked a central government for the last 19 years. – (Reuters)
US and Russia discuss nuclear deal
WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev agreed in a telephone call yesterday that both countries were close to a new nuclear arms reduction treaty, the White House said.
“The presidents agreed that negotiations are nearly complete, and pledged to continue the constructive contacts that have advanced US-Russian relations over the last year,” the White House said in a statement. – (Reuters)
John Edwards and wife separate
WASHINGTON – Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, have separated following reports that he fathered a child with a former campaign aide.
A source familiar with the situation confirmed yesterday that the Edwards had split up. Edwards (56), unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008. – (Reuters)