18 October 2007 Edition

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International News in Brief

Israeli PM in corruption probe

ISRAEL’S attorney general has launched a third criminal inquiry into Ehud Olmert’s conduct before he became the country’s prime minister.
Olmert is already facing investigations into a bank privatisation deal and his purchase of a property in Jerusalem.
In the latest case, he is suspected of granting political favours when he was industry and trade minister. He is suspected of appointing political allies to positions throughout the industry and trade ministry which in Israel (unlike Ireland) is considered as political corruption. Olmert has denied any wrong-doing.

Sri Lanka human rights crisis

FOUR members of a 10-strong Sri Lankan ministerial advisory panel on human rights have resigned. They say the government has made little effort to stop killings and kidnappings carried out by the military, police and state-sponsored death squads.
The decision was announced days after the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights said “the weakness of the rule of law and prevalence of impunity is alarming”.
The Sri Lanka Government has rejected calls for UN human rights monitors to be sent to the island.

NZ cops raid Maoris

MORE than 300 New Zealand police officers, targeting Maori sovereignty and environmental activists, have arrested 17 people in the rugged, mountainous region of North Island and reportedly seized a number of weapons.
Among those held is the prominent Maori rights campaigner, Tame Iti.

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