Today's other world stories in brief.
Judges warn Turkish government against change in constitution
ANKARA - Turkey’s secular judges have warned the Islamist-rooted government against plans to amend the constitution, raising the spectre of fresh political instability in the country, which is seeking EU membership.
The EU wants Ankara to reform, as its constitution curbs freedom of expression and religious freedom.
Prime minister Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party is drafting legislation to amend the charter, including changing a law to make it more difficult to close a political party on ideological grounds and restructuring the Constitutional Court. In a speech last weekend Mustafa Birden, head of the Council of State – the country’s top administrative court – warned politicians that a parliamentary majority does not give them the legitimacy to change a constitution. “Any amendment that will harm our basic principle of secularism has no place in domestic law,” he said. - (Reuters)
UN body criticises Italian deportations
GENEVA - The United Nations refugee agency has voiced concern that Italy’s decision to immediately deport migrants intercepted at sea was undermining access to asylum in the European Union.
Italy sent back a boat carrying 227 migrants to Libya last week instead of allowing them to seek refugee status. The UNHCR said it had written to the Italian interior minister urging Italy to readmit the migrants sent back to Libya. They included people fleeing Somalia and Eritrea. – (Reuters)
Thousands flee Mogadishu
MOGADISHU – Thousands of residents fled the bomb-blasted Somalian capital Mogadishu yesterday, where the worst fighting in months between Islamist militants and the government has killed at least 113 civilians, according to a rights group.
The Elman Peace and Human Rights Organisation said 330 people had been wounded in clashes between Islamist group al Shabaab and pro-government forces since the end of last week. At least 27,000 civilians fled the city, it said. – (Reuters)
Belgian city goes vegetarian
BRUSSELS – The Belgian city of Ghent looks set to become the first in the world to go vegetarian – at least once a week.
A public fanfare tomorrow marks the start of a regular weekly “meatless day” in which the city’s civil servants and elected councillors will opt for vegetarian meals to highlight the impact livestock have on the environment. Livestock is responsible for 18 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, says the UN. – (PA)
Pupils injured while sitting exam
LONDON – Fourteen pupils at a school in Kent were injured yesterday when part of a heating duct fell from the ceiling while they were sitting an exam in their school sports hall, police said.
Emergency services said around 220 pupils aged 13 and 14 were taking the exam at Minster College on the Isle of Sheppey. Eleven were taken to Medway Hospital for treatment, but none is believed to have serious injuries. – (Reuters)