The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement regarding today’s suicide bomb attacks in Mogadishu, Somalia: “On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends of those killed in today’s attack in Mogadishu, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. “Canada strongly condemns the attack. Violence toward civilians... 

Reporters Without Borders is stunned and saddened by today’s suicide bombing in a Mogadishu hotel that killed more than a dozen people including at least two journalists, three government ministers and nine students. The explosion occurred during a ceremony at which Banadir University students were being awarded graduation diplomas. At least seven other journalists were wounded. The figures for dead... 

After 92 days of slow and at times agonised debate over how to prosecute the war in Afghanistan, President Obama is suddenly a man in a hurry: he now wants 30,000 US troops to hit the ground within the next six months, an enormous logistical and financial challenge. In the defining speech of his young presidency, Mr Obama was preparing to tell the American people tonight that he has ordered tens of... 

The government was on Tuesday looking forward to its meetings with Chief Mediator Kofi Annan because it believes it has tangible reform progress to show. The draft constitution has been published and progress is being made in prosecuting election violence masterminds at The Hague. Mr Annan, who arrives on Wednesday for meetings with President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga, is expected to increase... 

 Governments worldwide should take urgent action to reform punitive drug laws, disproportionate penalties, and harsh and discriminatory law enforcement practices as part of their efforts to address HIV among people who use drugs, Human Rights Watch and the International Harm Reduction Association said today, World AIDS Day. Current policies also cause needless suffering among people living with HIV/AIDS,... 

At least 21 journalists were killed in a massacre of more than 52 people after being abducted by armed men in the Philippines this week, reports the Manila-based Centre for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR). This is the largest group of journalists killed in a single incident in the world. Many of the victims were beheaded and mutilated; some of the women were raped. The journalists were part... 

If there’s a hero in the Amanda Lindhout kidnapping affair, it’s the Somali journalist who risked his life trying to secure her freedom, colleague Chris Gelken says. “He played quite a heroic role,” said Gelken, who counts both as friends. Gelken, who worked with Lindhout in the Middle East but now lives in Beijing, stayed in almost daily contact with Ahmed Mohamed throughout... 

  A hundred pregnancy testing kits rushed out to Afghan frontline as pregnancy rate among soldiers doubles Ten servicewomen have been flown home from Afghanistan after falling pregnant. The women were evacuated under strict military rules which bar expectant mothers from frontline service. There is a strict “no-touching” rule which all 700 women and 8,500 men serving in the warzone are warned... 

After losing the race for the EU presidency, Premier Jan Peter Balkenende not only remains empty-handed but also faces opposition accusations that his credibility has been dented. Fellow-ministers frenetically tried to remove this picture Friday. The ministers one by one declared to journalists Friday ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting that they are pleased Balkenende is staying in the Netherlands.... 

THE RAF is to fly its first all-woman combat helicopter crew into action in southern Afghanistan. The four women are expected to fly a number of missions taking troops and supplies to the frontline against the Taliban in Helmand. They will also airlift casualties to the hospital at Camp Bastion. The Merlin crew includes Flight-Lieutenant Michelle Goodman, 32, from Bristol, the first woman to win the...