A referendum in Macedonia designed to block a law that gave its Albanian minority greater rights has failed due to a low turnout. The law, already passed by the Macedonian parliament, redraws local boundaries in the former Yugoslav Republic, and gives the 25% Albanian minority more say over schools, health care policy and jobs. Proponents [...]

The Taliban-related group holding 3 UN workers hostage in Afghanistan has agreed to forego other demands relating to their release in exchange for the release of 26 prisoners, some believed to be held at Guantanamo Bay. A list was given to Afghan officials Sunday and the group has given the government until Tuesday to comply. [...]

The UN Security Council late Saturday issued a statement condemning Ivory Coast air force raids again rebel cities in which eight French peacekeepers attached to the UNOCI (United Nations Operation in the Ivory Coast) were killed, leading to French retaliation in which five Ivory Coast war planes were destroyed, virtually obliterating the government air force. [...]

Authorities in Ghana have arrested 7 people believed to be plotting the overthrow of President John Kufuor (official biography). The suspects are former and current members of the military and the plan allegedly included sabotaging the upcoming presidential election. President Kufuor is expected to win a second term in the December 7 vote. BBC has [...]

Following up on a story first reported Saturday afternoon on JURIST, Iraq's interim government has declared a 60-day state of emergency covering the whole country except for the Kurdish north. Early reports coming out of Kuwait had suggested that the declaration would only apply to central provinces. An Iraqi spokesman said the declaration came in [...]

Sunday's New York Times highlights the way Chief Justice Rehnquist's illness has affected the state of the US Supreme Court. The Times also covers the first person to be sentenced for violating a new federal law designed to protect hospital patient's privacy, and a federal appeals court's decision concerning the Energy Department's plan to store [...]

Iraqi government sources Saturday unveiled a plan to proclaim emergency laws in troubled central areas of Iraq, including Falluja and Ramadi. A spokesperson for the Iraqi Interior Ministry stated that the emergency laws could be imposed without declaration and would restrict land and water transportation. In addition, a civilian curfew will be enforced and a [...]

Concluding its 82nd session in Geneva, the UN Human Rights Committee asked the United States on Friday to delineate the legal status of inmates in Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, and Iraq. The US, which has been sharply criticized by human rights groups for abuses, is six years overdue on its regular report to the Committee on [...]

More than 30,000 protestors filled Kiev's main square Saturday in support of presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko, demanding a recount and claiming fraud occurred in last Sunday's election. Results have not been announced in the tight race between Yushchenko and his opponent, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, but the result is seen as crucial to many who [...]

Former governor of East Timor, Abilio Jose Soares, was released late Friday from Jakarta's Cipinang prison. Soares' 2002 conviction in 2002 for failing to prevent violence that erupted after the East Timorese voted on a United Nations sponsored referendum for independence was overturned by the Supreme Court in Indonesia. The court concluded that he had [...]