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Issue: July 27th 2003

World News Choice

Monrovia awaits as US troops are sent to Liberian coast

President Bush has instructed the deployment of US troops to the coast of Liberia. In Liberia's capital Monrovia, there is scepticism and frustration at the length of time that this decision has taken. The latest mortar attacks have killed 26 people and injured over 200 civilians. Some shells crashed into a school where refugees were trying to shelter. These killed 7 people outright and crowds surrounded the dead wailing at the horror. A woman sobbed as she comforted a two week old baby whose mother, her sister, had just been killed in the attacks. As yet there is no further commitment from the US that they will intervene in the crisis until President Charles Taylor leaves Liberia.
Full Story - The Globe and Mail, Toronto newspaper, Canada


US close on the heels of Saddam

The US appear to be closing in on Saddam Hussein due to an increasing number of tip offs and leads by Iraqi people. They recently captured as many as 10 of Saddam's personal bodyguards near to his home town of Tikrit whom they hope to pry for further information on Saddam's exact whereabouts. The US $25 million reward for Hussein's capture has done nothing to dampen the numbers of informants coming forward to US authorities.
Full Story - Sydney Morning Herald, Australian newspaper

Tony Blair will not step down

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has vowed to continue his leadership of the Labour Party despite the increasing pressure being placed upon him to step down. Blair has faced much criticism not only over the Iraq war but the recent tragic death of British scientist Dr David Kelly following an investigation which highlighted he was the source that told the BBC that the government had "sexed up the Iraq dossier. Alistair Campbell, Blair's director of communications and strategy is thought to be in the process of offering his resignation and there is speculation that Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon will take the blame for leaking Dr Kelly's name as the BBC's source.
Full Story - The Scotsman, daily British newspaper

Iranian Foreign Minister says it is the US not Iran who are harbouring known terrorist organizations

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi denied the recent US accusations that Iran is harbouring terrorists. He said that Iran have both deported and locked up Al-Qaeda members. Turning things back on the US, he asserted that the US is the one harbouring terrorists by allowing armed Iranian rebels to operate in Iraq, despite the group being a "recognized terrorist organization."
Full Story - Islamic Republic News Agency

South Korea's working poor under increasing pressure

The 'working poor', those just above and up to 20% over the poverty line are under increasing pressure as the economy slows in South Korea. Such groups often face considerable hardship but do not receive any of the social assistance that the very poor do. The working poor is described as a four member family who earn $850 per month. There are around 3.2 million people who fit into this category in South Korea.
Full Story - Chosun Ilbo, daily of Seoul, South Korea

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