Asia
India rape case: Defence claim police brutality
A potential defence lawyer in the India rape case has said his clients have been tortured into plea bargains. Three of the six men pleaded guilty to the charges of abduction, rape and murder of a 23 year old. The defence argues that one of the individuals was tortured for up to ten days, adding that evidence had been ‘manipulated’. A seventh man awaits tests to determine his age. The case has instigated protests over much more generic issues surrounding the role of women in modern day India. Last week, officials said they would respond to criticisms by enlisted more females in the police force. Some commentators claim there are nearly 100,000 rape cases pending prosecution in the judicial system.
Africa
Uganda: UK University adds pressure on Anti-Homosexual Bill
The University of Buckingham has said it will stop accrediting degrees from a Ugandan university in response to a bill which bans homosexuality. The university said it has been “increasingly concerned” that bill that will put “constrains on freedom of speech”. Current students at Victoria University will be accommodated, but future students will not be accredited in the UK. In November last year, the same bill was criticised for holding a subsequently dropped death penalty clause.
World
Two billion tonnes: Half the world’s food wasted
As much as half the world’s food is wasted, according to claims made by a report out today. The Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IME), based in the UK, said the waste was primarily down to poor storage and consumer practices; such as bulk buying and fussiness. The study raises questions about supply-chain practices in the UK, where nearly a third of all vegetables are not harvested because of their aesthetic ‘abnormality’. Head of the IME, Dr Fox said “The amount of food wasted and lost around the world is staggering. This is food that could be used to feed the world’s growing population – as well as those in hunger today. Adding to the BBC he said, “The reasons for this situation range from poor engineering and agricultural practices, inadequate transport and storage infrastructure through to supermarkets demanding cosmetically perfect foodstuffs and encouraging consumers to overbuy through buy-one-get-one-free offers.”
Middle East
Saudi Arabia execute 17 year old
Saudi Arabia has beheaded a 17-year-old Sri-Lankan national for killing a baby in her care in 2005. Rizana Nafeek was a maid who denied killing the four-month-old boy and whose official documents said she was older. Analysts say that there was no proper legal representation at any stage of the prosecution in a country where domestic workers are not given the equivilent rights held by nationals. The Sri Lankan Government and President plead for clemency and have publicly condemned the execution.
Europe
US warn UK on EU Referendum
The Obama administration has warned David Cameron over the consequences of a referendum on their relationship with the EU. The publicly expressed concern, said the weakening of the UK’s relationship with the EU would weaken the relationship with the US. In a statemenet, a senior official in the US State Department said the US wanted to see a “strong British voice in the EU” and that such “referendums have often turned countries inwards”. The Prime Minister has said that his party will offer “real change” and “choice” on the UK’s position in Europe at the next general election.
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