South Korea rescues Samho Jewelry crew from pirates
South Korean navy commandos have stormed a cargo ship which had been seized by pirates in the Arabian Sea.
All 21 crew members of the South Korean-owned Samho Jewelry were rescued, said Lt Gen Lee Sung-ho of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The navy said eight of the pirates had been killed and five captured.
South Korea is part of a multinational anti-piracy patrol in the area - it had dispatched a warship after the vessel was seized on Saturday.
The unprecedented rescue mission took place about 1,300km (800 miles) off the coast of Somalia and was described by Lt Gen Lee as "a perfect military operation".
The 11,500-tonne Samho Jewelry had been carrying chemicals from the United Arab Emirates towards Sri Lanka when it was hijacked in the waters between Oman and India.
Earlier in the week, President Lee Myung-Bak told the navy to take "all possible measures" to free the eight South Koreans, two Indonesians and 11 Burmese on board.
The Choi Young destroyer had been pursuing the ship for nearly a week, and the navy said the pirates appeared to have been weakened by the chase.
Lt Gen Lee said there were also concerns that they were expecting a mother ship to arrive soon to give them support.
"Since we thought we could be in an extremely difficult situation if the pirates joined forces, we chose today to carry out the operation," he said.
Lt Gen Lee said the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff had taken advice from the Fifth Fleet - the US Navy division based in Bahrain - before the mission, and that the raid was carried out with support from a US destroyer.
'Never negotiate'
The Choi Young moved in when some of the pirates left the Samho Jewelry, apparently to attack a Mongolian ship nearby.
Commandos boarded the ship while a smaller boat and a helicopter were sent to rescue to Mongolian vessel.
"Three of our soldiers suffered light scratches on their bodies as they were fired upon by pirates on Tuesday," said Col Lee Bung-Woo, a spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
"Our Lynx helicopter immediately returned fire and several pirates fell into the waters. We believe they are dead."
Officials said eight of the 13 pirates on board were killed, although their bodies have not been found. Five were captured alive.
The captain of the ship suffered a bullet wound to the stomach but his condition was not thought to be life-threatening - he was praised for his actions in assisting the rescue.
"Pirates sought to take the vessel to the Somalian coast fast but the skipper helped us earn time by manoevering the vessel in a serpentine manner," said Lt Gen Lee.
"This operation demonstrated our government's strong will to never negotiate with pirates," he said.
In a televised statement after the mission, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said the military had "carried out the operation perfectly under difficult circumstances".
"I appreciate it and send a message of encouragement," he said.
"We will not tolerate any behaviour that threatens the lives and safety of our people in the future."
Family members of the crew said the news of the rescue was "breathtaking".
"I feel so relieved," said the son of crew member Kim Doo-Chan. "I'm ecstatic."
The Gulf of Aden, between Yemen and Somalia, is one of the world's busiest shipping routes and has become a hotspot for pirate attacks.
Last year, Somali pirates received a record ransom of $9.5m (£5.8m) after seizing another ship owned by Samho Shipping.
The Samho Dream supertanker had been hijacked in the Indian Ocean in April.
Iran nuclear talks under way in Istanbul
Major world powers have begun two days of talks with Iran over its controversial nuclear programme.
Diplomats meeting in Turkey are expected to revive a fuel-swap plan, where Iran gives up nuclear material in return for fuel for a research reactor.
US officials warned that a major breakthrough was unlikely.
Some Western nations suspect Iran aims to build nuclear weapons, and economic sanctions have been imposed. Tehran insists its programme is peaceful.
After the two-hour morning session in Istanbul, Iran's National Security Council said in a statement that the talks had made a "positive start".
One goal
EU foreign policy chief Baroness Ashton is heading a delegation from China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK and US, aiming to get Iran to be more open about its nuclear ambitions.
But Iran has repeatedly insisted that uranium enrichment will not be on the agenda, instead pushing such issues as global disarmament and Israel's suspected nuclear arsenal.
In an effort to achieve this, there are reports that the negotiators are preparing to once again propose a fuel-swap deal.
Under such a deal Iran would give up an agreed amount of its low-enriched uranium. In return the world powers would provide fuel for a research reactor in Tehran.
However, it would be the third time in recent years that the idea of a uranium-for-fuel swap has been proposed.
A first version of this deal was agreed in October 2009, but collapsed shortly afterwards.
In May 2010, Brazil and Turkey brokered another version on their own with Iran - but the deal was rejected by the West.
Meanwhile, the UK's Guardian newspaper has published a leaked US diplomatic cable from 2009 suggesting that American experts believed Tehran had the "technical ability" to make highly enriched uranium - which can be used in weapons.
The cable shows, however, that other international experts at the same meeting disagreed with the American view.
Southern Sudan referendum: 'Massive vote to split'
With most votes counted in Southern Sudan's referendum, 99% of people have opted for independence from the north, officials say.
Official results are due next month but correspondents say the result is not in doubt.
However, the former rebels now running Southern Sudan have urged people not to celebrate yet.
President Omar al-Bashir has said he will accept the result of the vote, which was held after years of war.
The mainly Arabic-speaking, Muslim north has fought the south, where most are Christian or follow traditional religions, for most of Sudan's post-independence history.
In order for the referendum to be valid, more than 50% of voters must back secession and at least 60% of registered voters must take part.
Election officials have previously said that the 60% threshold had been passed.
Tunisia starts three days of mourning
Tunisia is beginning three days of mourning to honour those who died in the unrest that led to the fall of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.
At least 78 people have been killed since a wave of protests began last in January.
A new, interim government has faced continuing protests against Mr Ben Ali's RCD party remaining in office.
It has confirmed it will recognise banned political groups and provide an amnesty for political prisoners.
The announcement came as the government held its first cabinet meeting.
Cabinet ministers said earlier this week that all political prisoners had already been freed.
Human rights group Amnesty International welcomed that move, but said it had received information that several political prisoners linked to the banned Islamist party Ennahda were still in detention.
Tunisia's new cabinet has promised to hold free and fair elections within six months but has given no dates. The constitution says they should be held within six months.
There were demonstrations in Tunis on Thursday near offices of Mr Ben Ali's RCD party, as well as reports of rallies in the towns of Gafsa and Kef.
Demonstrators are demanding that all members of the RCD party be excluded from any future administration.
Last week four opposition ministers quit the cabinet just one day after it was formed, demanding the exclusion of RCD ministers.
Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi, interim President Fouad Mebazaa - the speaker of the lower house of parliament - and several ministers have quit the RCD to try to distance themselves from Mr Ben Ali.
The RCD has also dissolved its central committee.
It has been a week since Mr Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia following a wave of demonstrations.
The UN says as many as 100 people died as the police cracked down on the protests, which started to spread after a man set himself on fire in central Tunisia on 17 December.
Correspondents say political debate in the media and the street has opened up remarkably quickly in a country where political dissent had previously been strictly suppressed.
St Kitts-Nevis PM says Duvalier's return will pose more problems in Haiti
St Kitts and Nevis prime minister, Denzil Douglas, said that the return of Jean Claude Duvalier to Haiti and reports that former president Jean Bertrand Aristide is also planning to return could spell further political instability in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
Douglas, a member of the CARICOM bureau of heads of government, said that supporters of both men were still very present in Haiti and for Aristide to return and with Duvalier on the ground and in the absence of credible successor plan for the last election, then of course Haiti can become embroiled in a blood bath.
"I want us to pray for Haiti and hope that the presence of Duvalier in Haiti at this time does not lead to continued conflict and unsettling situation there," he added.
On Tuesday, heavily armed police escorted Duvalier from his luxury hotel to a court, where he was questioned for hours, following which he was slapped with several charges, including corruption, theft and misappropriation of funds allegedly committed while he was in office.
Under Haitian law, the charges must be investigated by the judge, who will decide whether a judicial case should go ahead against the 59-year-old former leader.
Human rights group have also blamed Duvalier, also known as "Baby Doc", for carrying out various human rights abuses and that his administration had been involved in the disappearance of thousands of opponents.
Aristide was forced out of office in 2004 after accusing the United States and France of engineering his downfall.
Bandits grab millions from foreign diamond dealers
Five armed bandits escaped with millions in cash and valuables in a daring daylight robbery, committed on two Belgian directors of a diamond dealership, the VN Gualodice Inc, a Brazilian diamond dealer, and the security guard of the entity, located at Zinnia Avenue, Bel Air Park.
The robbery occurred around 11:30 hours yesterday and police have so far made no arrest.
The victims declined to comment on the robbery, even denying that it had occurred, when this newspaper made enquiries after arriving on the scene.
But according to the police, who issued a press release on the incident, the bandits arrived in a motor car and were taken into the building by the security guard Christopher Mc Adam of Cedar Court, Lamaha Gardens, Georgetown, after they claimed that they were there to transact business.
After entering the building, the men pulled out firearms and held up Mc Adam along with the two Company Directors, Alain Freidman and Vico Cohen, and Brazilian diamond dealer Samuel Lina, who was there transacting business.
The four victims were tied up by the perpetrators who then ransacked the premises and took away a total of $4M in cash, a quantity of diamonds, three laptop computers, a satellite phone and three cell phones, before making good their escape.
A security guard nearby told this newspaper that he saw a car parked outside the diamond dealership with a man inside who was talking on a cellular phone.
He said that the man was on the phone for about two minutes and then he drove away.
However, the guard said that he was unaware that a robbery was taking place until an employee of the entity drove up and stopped outside the location he was guarding.
He said that he was surprised when the man told him that a robbery was taking place.
According to the guard, the man remained in his car for 20 minutes and then went to the scene of the robbery. But the security guard said he did not see anyone leave the robbery scene.
Police arrived and took some information from the victims and then went in pursuit of the criminals.
'Dudus enquiry' in Jamaica adjourned to Monday following objection
The Commission of Enquiry in Jamaica into events surrounding the extradition of alleged drug kingpin Christopher "Dudus" Coke was adjourned to Monday following objections by George Henlin, attorney for Harold Brady, for him to testify before the commission.
Henley said that the reasons will be given on Monday when the hearing resumes.
Brady, as well as former Commissioner of Police Hardley Lewin and Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn appeared on Thursday on summonses.
Permanent Secretary the in Foreign Ministry, Evadne Coye, was cross-examined by attorney Oliver Smith, who is representing Solicitor General Douglas Leys. Coye will be further cross examined at a later date.
The Enquiry was told that Jeremy Taylor, who is in charge of the extradition department, will give his statement next Wednesday and will be testifying the following Monday.
President launches IYPAD in Guyana, says government cannot legalise marijuana
President Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday officially launched Guyana's year-long activities for the United Nations-designated International Year for the People of African Descent (IYPAD) and to work to ensure that kids have a brighter future.
Jagdeo told the gathering at the Guyana International Conference Centre, which included a large number of Rastafarians, "I can't promise you to legalise marijuana," refusing a call from the president of the Guyana Rastafari Council, Ras Leon Saul, for the government to do so, since he (Saul) said marijuana is the “Blessed Sacrament.”
Saul, who is also the chairman of the All African Guyanese Council, said, "When it comes to our sacrament, it is indeed a serious consideration to be made to free I and I up, free up the Rasta man."
He identified self-reliance, self determination and self governance as key ingredients in becoming genuine and better human beings.
Apparently referring to a call made by opposition leader, Robert Corbin, for African-Guyanese organisations to boycott the launching ceremony, Saul, a former journalist, appealed for unity rather than division.
"We have to stop divisiveness and stop the talk of boycotting ourselves,” he said.
The Rastafarian head spoke about the condition of the African-Guyanese, which prompted Jagdeo to pledge to assist in the best possible way.
Several activities have been planned for the year, including seminars, workshops, exhibitions, exchange visits, etc.
Jamaica and Cuba collaborate to fight drug trade and crime
Jamaica recently sent a delegation to Cuba on an exploratory/preparatory visit with that country’s Ministry of the Interior as part of the government’s effort to increase collaboration and cooperation in the fight against the illicit drug trade and other forms of transnational organized crime.
Minister with responsibility for Information, Daryl Vaz, who made the disclosure at Wednesday’s post cabinet press briefing, said that the visit was in keeping with the goal of the national security policy to reduce violent crime.
He said it was also part of government’s effort to dismantle organized criminal networks through strengthening bilateral and multilateral relationships.
Australian Open: Venus Williams & Justine Henin bow out
Venus Williams lasted just seven points of her third-round encounter in the Australian Open before retiring.
Andrea Petkovic won the first game before Williams, with seven grand slams behind her, felt the recurrence of a groin muscle injury and pulled out.
Justine Henin had earlier lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4 7-6 (10-8).
The Belgian 11th seed, champion in 2004, was outclassed in the first set and wasted a set point in the second as Kuznetsova prevailed in 124 minutes.
"I wanted to win so much and I'm really happy to win," said the 23rd seed.
Meanwhile, top seed Caroline Wozniacki saw off Dominika Cibulkova and 2008 champion Maria Sharapova beat Julia Goerges.
Friday's action on the Rod Laver Arena ended in anti-climactic fashion when Williams, 30, who had never previously retired in a grand slam, was forced to quit when 30-0 down in the second game against her German opponent.
After stretching to the right in an attempt to return service, Williams cried out and clutched her stomach. The injury had been picked up when the American defeated Sandra Zahlavova in her previous match.
The stand-out encounter of the day session saw Kuznetsova hand Henin her earliest exit at a Grand Slam event since Wimbledon 2005.
Former world number one Henin had seen her comeback season derailed when injuring her right elbow at Wimbledon. She did not play again in 2010 - and the problem seemed to affect her against Kuznetsova.
Henin hit 41 unforced errors but fought back gamely after losing the first set.
She twice came from a break down to level the second set and take an increasingly nervous Kuznetsova, who squandered two opportunities to serve out the match, into a tie-break.
The two-time Grand Slam winner could not take advantage of her first three match points, but eventually engineered a fourth bite at the cherry.
And when a Henin forehand landed wide she was able to celebrate only her third win in 19 head-to-head meetings with the Belgian.>
"I'm really pleased with way I played today, especially in the first set," said the 25-year-old. "After that it's tennis, you get nerves, I wanted to win so much and it was a great atmosphere."
Next up for Kuznetsova is French Open champion Francesca Schiavone after she beat Romania's Monica Niculescu 6-0 7-6 (7-2).
The sixth seed cruised through the opener but then had to fight back from 5-2 down in the second set to force a tie-break.
Wozniacki, in her first Grand Slam as world number one, overcame a spirited challenge from Cibulkova to reach the last 16 with a 6-4 6-3 win.
The Dane survived a scrappy opening set as both players struggled to hold on to their serve before breaking to lead 4-2 in the second.
She again lost her serve but hit straight back to edge out the dangerous yet increasingly-erratic Slovakian.
Cibulkova produced 31 winners with her powerful groundstrokes but stumbled to 41 unforced errors, while the more steady Wozniacki made just 11 winners but only 11 unforced errors throughout the 92-minute encounter.
The 20-year-old, who conducted a bizarre press conference after her match in which she answered her own questions , will next play the unseeded Latvian Anastasija Sevastova, who beat Vesna Manasieva 6-1 6-3.
Sharapova looked in trouble against Germany's Goerges but came back to take a three-set thriller 4-6 6-4 6-4.
Goerges outplayed the former world number one throughout the first set and pushed her to the limit in the second.
When Sharapova secured two early breaks to start the deciding set, Goerges refused to give in, fighting hard to get one break back and putting the 14th seed under serious pressure. But the Russian kept her composure to serve out the match.
Eighth seed Victoria Azarenka enjoyed a smooth passage to the fourth round with a 6-3 6-3 win against Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa.
China's in-formLi Na awaits the Belarusian next after she thrashed the unseeded Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-2 6-1.