Lithuania jails Soviet commando for Medininkai shooting

A Lithuanian court has jailed a former Soviet commando for life for his part in the killing of seven border guards just after independence in 1991.Konstantin Mikhailov, an ex-member of the Omon paramilitary police, was arrested in neighbouring Latvia, where he had obtained citizenship.He denied any part in the killings, known as the Medininkai massacre.Three other Omon members wanted by Lithuania over the killings are believed to be living in Russia.The...

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Advertisement A witness in Homs heard "severe and heavy" shooting for about three hours Continue reading the main story Syria Crisis * Ruling fa

Police in Athens have clashed with groups of demonstrators as thousands marched through the city in protest at government austerity measures.Dozens of hooded youths hurled stones and petrol bombs at police, who responded with rounds of tear gas.The march, called by Greek unions, is part of a 24-hour strike that has brought most public services to a halt and paralysed transport networks.Police said there were several arrests and two police officers...

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Syria tanks 'shell' protest city of Homs

AdvertisementA witness in Homs heard "severe and heavy" shooting for about three hoursContinue reading the main storySyria Crisis * Ruling family dynamics * Protests mapped * President's inner circle * Protest leadersSyrian army tanks have been shelling the third biggest city of Homs, as security forces continue their nationwide crackdown on weeks of anti-government protests.Several reports say the residential district of Bab Amro came under attack in the early hours of the morning.Towns around Deraa in the south have been raided and a...

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Uganda opposition leader Kizza Besigye 'allowed home'

Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye has told the BBC he has now been allowed to return home after saying hours earlier he had been barred.Initially he said he was prevented from boarding a flight from Nairobi to Uganda after receiving medical treatment in Kenya.The Ugandan government denied taking any action to block his return.President Yoweri Museveni, who defeated Dr Besigye in February's election, is to be sworn in on Thursday.Dr Besigye,...

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Libya rebels 'capture Misrata airport'

Libyan rebels have captured Misrata airport, driving back troops loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi, reports say.Hundreds of rebels were celebrating in the streets after pro-Gaddafi forces fled, leaving behind tanks that were set on fire, witnesses said.Government forces have been pounding the western city, which remains largely under rebel control, for weeks.Its port has become a lifeline for supplying civilians and for evacuating wounded people fleeing...

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"Economic adviser" to Obama charged with forgery in Cambodia

Ray Dam (C) and Suos Saroeun (R) (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post) Dec 23, 2010DPAPhnom Penh - Police in Cambodia arrested a man claiming to be an adviser to US President Barack Obama and head of an international finance organization that stores its assets in caves and sunken ships. Ray Dam and associate Soush Saroeun were charged with forgery Monday after being arrested at Dam's home in Phnom Penh. They were accused of forging documents alleging...

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The view from outside the city

Thursday, 23 December 2010Neang Sokchea & Kounila Keo The Phnom Penh PostEver since urban centres were formed in Cambodia, usually around centres of trade and industrythere has been an understanding gap between people living in the rural areas and people who became accustomed to life in the city.Ethnic groups tended to stay in the rural areas, and because they have been separated from places like Phnom Penh, they are seen, and often see themselves as foreigners in their own country when they come to the capital city.In order to facilitate...

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