A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Beijing to track mobile phone users
Human rights campaigners have expressed concerns over plans to track every mobile phone user in Beijing through global positioning technology.
Chinese media reported this week that pilot schemes were being introduced for an “information platform of real-time citizen movement” to help with traffic management.
Some experts have suggested the project is bound to be used for security purposes too. - (Guardian service)
Mugabe linked to Ivory Coast arms
The United Nations is investigating evidence that Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe secretly sent weapons to Ivory Coast for possible use against civilians.
A confidential report by the UN mission in Ivory Coast said it had been gathering more information on “the arrival of light weapons cargoes from Zimbabwe”, which is in breach of an arms embargo against the west African country.
The revelation came after seven women were shot dead by security forces loyal to the incumbent president, Laurent Gbagbo, in what his opponents describe as “a new level of horror and barbarism”. - (Reuters)
New charges brought against Tucson-shooting accused
Federal prosecutors yesterday unsealed a new indictment against Tucson shooting rampage suspect Jared Lee Loughner, setting in motion the formal process of deciding whether to seek the death penalty.
The latest 49-count indictment charges Loughner (22) with murder in the deaths of a federal judge and an aid to US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords who was gravely wounded in the attack at a meet-and-greet event for constituents.
It also charges Loughner with causing the deaths of four other people who were gunned down at the event. - (Reuters)