Below follows a news precis
taken from a favourite news source -
Radio Netherlands -
it presents a different perspective to that normally found in the Anglo-Saxon press
it presents a different perspective to that normally found in the Anglo-Saxon press
World news briefs at Saturday 3rd January 2009
Hamas leader warns Israelis not to send in troops
In a speech aired on Arabic news channel Al-Jazeera, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal has warned Israel that it will face "a black destiny" and "the wrath of God" if it launches a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The Syrian-based leader said the Palestinian people would fight Israeli troops from street to street and were confident of victory.
On Friday, tens of thousands of Palestinians demonstrated against the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip. The protests followed a call by Hamas for a "day of wrath". Anti-Israeli demonstrations were also held elsewhere in the Arab world.
Hamas' political leaders also called for vengeance for the death of senior Hamas official Nizar Rayan, who was killed in an attack on his house on Thursday. Israel says the house was being used to store rockets and other weapons.
Israel permitted several hundred foreigners to leave the Gaza Strip on Friday, mostly Americans and East Europeans.
400 year low for Great Barrier Reef growth
The Australian Institute of Marine Science says the growth of coral on Australia's Great Barrier Reef has fallen to its lowest level in 400 years. The scientists say the world's biggest coral reef is suffering the effects of pollution and climate change and they warn that, unless protective measures are taken, growth will cease completely by 2050.
The Great Barrier Reef, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of Australia's biggest tourist attractions.
Somali pirates foiled by French and Danish warships
A French warship and a Danish warship have prevented pirate attacks on merchant ships off the coast of Yemen. The French vessel foiled an attempt by Somali pirates to storm a Greek tanker in the Gulf of Aden. The sailors succeeded in overpowering the pirates and arresting them.
The Danish warship went to the aid of a freighter registered under the flag of the Netherlands Antilles when Somali pirates tried to board. They sank the pirates' boat and fished the five men out of the water. It is not yet clear whether they will be handed over to the Somali authorities.
Eastern Europe feels effects of Russian gas row
Other European countries are beginning to feel the effects of Thursday's decision by Russia to halt its gas supplies to Ukraine. Poland and Hungary say pressure in their pipelines has dropped and supplies to the Balkans are also said to be down.
Gas intended for other countries is pumped through the same pipelines as supplies to Ukraine. Russia has accused Ukraine of illegally tapping gas intended for other European countries but the authorities in Kiev have categorically denied the allegation.
The European Union and the United States have expressed the hope that both countries will be able to resolve the conflict in a business-like manner. EU ambassadors will meet to discuss the matter on Monday. A Ukrainian delegation has begun a tour of European capitals to explain Ukraine's position.
Comings and goings at the UN Security Council
Belgium, Indonesia, Italy, Panama and South Africa have vacated their non-permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council. They will be replaced by Japan, Mexico, Austria, Turkey and Uganda.
Ten of the Council's 15 seats are not permanent but are held by member states for a period of two years. Unlike the permanent members of the Council - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States - the non-permanent members do not have the right to veto Security Council decisions.
Voting ends in Ghana's presidential race
Ghana's presidential election has come to an end today as polling stations closed in the last district to vote. The results from the rest of Ghana are already in and give opposition candidate John Atta-Mills a narrow lead over Nana Akufo Addo of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Normally the result from the rural district of Tain is of no great significance, but this time around the gap between the candidates is so small that the district's vote will be decisive.
After a delay on Sunday due to technical problems, voting went ahead without incident today, despite the NPP calling for a boycott by its supporters. It is not yet clear whether the party will accept the result once it is announced.
Suicide bombing kills 23 in Iraq
A suicide bomber has killed at least 23 people at a meeting of Sunni tribal leaders in the Iraqi town of Yusufiya, 20 kilometres south of Baghdad. Over 40 people were injured in the explosion. The bomber is thought to have been a member of the host's family.
Some Sunni tribes are fighting alongside Iraqi and US troops against al-Qaeda, which makes them a target for bomb attacks.
Indonesian prosecutors to appeal Munir verdict
Public prosecutors in Indonesia say they will appeal against the release of a former head of the intelligence services in connection with the poisoning of human rights activist Munir Thalib four years ago.
A judge ordered the release of Muchdi Purwoprandjono on Wednesday on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence that he had ordered the murder of Mr Munir, who was poisoned on a flight to the Netherlands in 2004.
The man who administered the poison, Pollycarpus Pryanto, is already serving a 20-year jail sentence. Mr Munir's family and friends have always laid the blame for his death upon high-ranking officials.
During the trial, several key witnesses refused to give evidence. This prompted Indonesian human rights activists to accuse the authorities of seeking to cover up the truth behind the murder.
Palestinians protest in their thousands
Following Friday prayers, tens of thousands of Palestinians took to the streets today to demonstrate against the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank city of Ramallah, 3,000 people turned out to demonstrate. The protests followed a call by Hamas for a "day of wrath". Anti-Israeli demonstrations were also held elsewhere in the Arab world.
Hamas' political leaders have also instructed its military wing to exact revenge for the death of Hamas leader Nisar Rayan, who was killed in an attack on his house on Thursday. Israel says the house was being used to store rockets and other weapons, and claims Mr Rayan was warned about the attack but refused to leave.
During a visit to Paris on Thursday, Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni did not bow to European pressure for a ceasefire. She argued that there was no need to stop the air offensive for humanitarian reasons since Israel was already allowing sufficient supplies into the Gaza Strip.
On Friday, Israel permitted several hundred foreigners to leave the Gaza Strip, mostly Americans and East Europeans. French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced that he intends to travel to the Middle East on Monday.
Sri Lankan president calls for Tamil surrender
Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse is calling on the Tamil Tiger rebels to lay down their weapons following the fall of their unofficial capital in the north of the island to government troops. President Rajapakse says two battalions of government troops have now taken the city of Kilinochchi after two days of heavy fighting. The Tamil Tigers have not confirmed this.
The city lies in a Tamil enclave and is of great symbolic importance to the rebels. Ten years ago, they succeeded in driving out government troops and making it their political capital.
However, the city's fall to government troops does not signify the rebels' permanent defeat. Shortly after the president's announcement, a suicide bombing at the headquarters of the Sri Lankan air force killed at least two people and injured 30 others.
Ethiopia begins withdrawal from Somalia
Ethiopia has begun its promised troop withdrawal from Somalia. Officials in Addis Ababa say it will be several days before all the troops have gone.
Ethiopia sent its forces into neighbouring Somalia two years ago to help put an end to an uprising by Islamist rebels. However, Islamist insurgents and allied clan militias have since used Ethiopia's continued presence in Somalia as the main argument for continuing their armed struggle. The rebels now control large parts of southern Somalia.
Some observers fear that the Ethiopian withdrawal will create a power vacuum. Others see the Ethiopian pull-out as an opportunity for decisive government action after a long period of anarchy in Somalia.
Dakar Rally shifted to South America
This year, the world-famous Dakar Rally off-road race is to take place in South America. It has been relocated from the North African desert because of threats made by Mauritanian terrorists in 2008. Competitors will start in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires and travel 5,600 kilometres in 13 stages on a two-week journey that will also take them into Chile before returning to Buenos Aires.
At the same time an alternative version of the rally will get under way in Africa, organised by a former director of the event, Hubert Auriol. However, the most prominent drivers are taking part in the official South American version of the race.
Suzman to be buried in private ceremony
The former South African MP and anti-apartheid icon Helen Suzman, who died earlier this week at the age of 91, is to be buried in a private ceremony at the Jewish cemetery in Johannesburg. Making the announcement, Ms Suzman's daughter said that a public tribute would follow at a later date. During the funeral, flags in South Africa will fly at half mast.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has said Ms Suzman deserves nothing less than a state funeral. He paid tribute to her as a heroine, one to whom South Africa owes an enormous debt of gratitude. Ms Suzman, who for 36 years was the only parliamentary representative of the Progressive Party, was the only white politician to speak out against apartheid for many years.
Dengue fever breakthrough
Australian researchers say they have made a breakthrough in the fight against dengue fever. They have infected the mosquito that spreads the disease with a bacterium that halves its lifespan. This is important because it is mainly older mosquitoes that transmit the disease.
Dengue fever occurs mainly in urban areas in tropical countries and infects approximately 100 million people a year. Also known as breakbone fever, the disease sometimes causes severe joint and muscle pain that feels like bones are breaking. Most people who develop the fever recover completely within two weeks. However it can, in severe cases, be fatal.
Three dead in Waziristan rocket attack
At least three people have been killed by a rocket attack in the north Pakistan province of Waziristan, on the border with Afghanistan. Local authorities say the rockets were fired from an unmanned US aircraft. The area is thought to be the stronghold of a local Taliban leader.
The US has been carrying out regular attacks on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan for several months now. Pakistani authorities say there were 30 such attacks in 2008, in which 220 people were killed.
The US uses the unmanned aircraft for reconnaissance missions and for attacks on possible Taliban and al-Qaeda positions.
Australia considers taking in Guantánamo prisoners
The Australian government is considering a request by the United States government to re-settle inmates from the Guantánamo Bay military prison. Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the government is unlikely to grant the request but will nevertheless give it serious consideration. Australia refused a similar call made in 2008.
The conservative opposition says it is "completely unacceptable" that former terrorist suspects should be granted accommodation and is calling on the government to reject the request immediately.
The US government has to decide the fate of 60 inmates who have been cleared for release, but who face torture or prosecution if they are returned to their home countries. Germany and Portugal have both expressed their willingness to take in the prisoners. Great Britain is still considering the matter.
This
report is summarised from Radio
Netherlands.
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