A round-up of other world news in brief...
Aid workers released in Darfur
ROME – Four aid workers with French-based medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) who were kidnapped in Darfur have been released, MSF Italy said yesterday.
MSF identified them as a Canadian nurse, an Italian doctor, a French co-ordinator and a Sudanese national. The kidnappers called us ... [the hostages] were released an hour ago,” Kostas Moschochoritis, head of MSF Italy, told Reuters. – (Reuters)
Japan warns North Korea
SEOUL – Japan said yesterday it could shoot down any threatening object falling towards its territory, after North Korea said a planned rocket launch would send it across Japanese territory.
North Korea has given notice to global agencies that it plans to launch a satellite between April 4th and 8th, presenting a challenge to new US president Barack Obama and allies who see it as a disguised missile test. – (Reuters)
Police face war crimes inquiry
BELGRADE – Serbia launched an investigation into five policemen believed to have committed war crimes during the 1998-99 conflict in Kosovo, the office of the war crimes prosecutor said yesterday.
“The office of the war crimes prosecutor requested an investigation against five members of the special police unit who are
believed to have been committed war crimes against civilians and prisoners of war,” the statement said. – (Reuters)
Stansted group loses court fight
LONDON – Campaigners have lost their High Court battle to block the decision to expand Stansted airport.
The Stop Stansted Expansion group was opposing proposals for an additional 10 million passengers a year to use the single, existing runway at the Essex airport.
The group accused the British government of unlawfully “steamrollering these plans every step of the way”. But High Court judge Sir Thayne Forbes dismissed the challenge and said criticisms were “unjustified”.