North America
Employment figures leave mixed signals for United States
Employment figures can today boast that 171,000 new jobs were created in the United States last month. The figure however, which was more than expected, was compounded by the Labor Department’s announcement that the number of those looking for a job has risen. The news comes only four days before the race to the Whitehouse ends, with unemployment being a heavily contested issue. Mitt Romney attempted to make political ground saying, “Today’s increase in the unemployment rate is a sad reminder that the economy is at a virtual standstill.” He also added that the jobless rate is higher than when President Obama took office, before the global financial crisis. Approximately 23 million Americans are struggling for work.
Middle East
Syria rebels face war crime charges
Syrian rebels could face war crime charges following a video that appears to show their murdering of pro-government soldiers, the United Nations has said. The amateur video clearly shows the beating and shooting of prisoners as they cowered. Amnesty international, a human rights NGO, have said, “This shocking footage… demonstrates an utter disregard for international humanitarian law by the armed group in question.” The UK based Syrian Observatory for Human rights claim that 150 died yesterday in airstrikes across Syria. This included 43 civilians.
Europe
Hague rules Ivory Coast ex-President fit for trial
The Ivory Coast’s former head of state is fit to face trial after a ruling from The International Criminal Court in The Hague. Laurent Gbagbo faces charges of crimes against humanity during the aftermath of 2010 Presidential elections. The violence was instigated by Mr Gbagbo’s refusal to step down after loosing. Instead he maintains that the former colonial power, France, was trying to topple him due to the quantity of cocoa exports. The violence resulted in 3,000 fatalities. He denies all charges that have been put to him.
Asia
North Korea hotel to open next year
A Hotel, which began construction nearly three decades, is due to open next year 105-stories above the North Korean capital, Pyongyang. The unfinished hotel has been a cause for embarrassment for the oligarchic country; it was voted “the worst building in the history of mankind”, but esquire magazine in 2008. According to the BBC, the pyramid shaped “hotel of Doom” has the fifth greatest number of floors in the world, will have 150 rooms on the top floor as well as planed shops, restaurants and offices opening on the lower floors.
Nearly 20 die in Pakistan petrol attack
18 people have been confirmed dead after a petrol station was ignited intentionally by gun fire. The incident occurred in south-west Pakistan; killing seven women and four children, with fears more people may have been killed. An observer said gunmen attacked a passanger van, hitting the petrol pumps resulting in the fire which left bodies ‘beyond recognition’. He said the gunmen attacked a passenger van, and one of the bullets hit petrol pumps as the vehicle was refuelling.No-body or organisation has claimed responsibility for the attack, although the region is thought to be a Taliban and al-Qaeda strong hold.
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