BBC news 2010-02-11 加文本

2010-02-11 BBC

BBC News with Jonathan Izard.

The United States says it's deeply disappointed by a court ruling that has forced the British government to disclose intelligence reports about the alleged torture of a British resident. The man Binyam Mohamed said he was subjected to continuous sleep deprivation and threats while in US custody in Pakistan. The court had rejected the British government's argument that its relationship with the Americans could be jeopardized. Kevin Connolly reports from Washington.

Under pressure of a court case brought by a civil liberties group, the Obama administration oversaw the publication of the details of harsh interrogation techniques applied to detainees in the so-called “War on Terror”. But the American government still saw an important principle at stake in Binyam Mohamed's case. It had passed details of his treatment to British officials under the intelligence sharing agreement which binds the two countries. It now says it's deeply disappointed with the court's decision while noting that the British government did try to uphold the principle of confidentiality.

The United States has extended its sanctions against Iran by taking further action to implement measures against a senior member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and four affiliated construction companies he runs. The US Treasury said the Guards’ growing presence in Iran's financial, commercial, defense, construction and oil sectors meant that profits from them were available to support illicit activities. Here is our state department correspondent Kim Ghattas.

The US Treasury is freezing the assets of Revolutionary Guard General Rostam Qasemi as well as those of four subsidiaries of Khatam al-Anbiya, a construction company that he runs which was already hit by sanctions in 2007. The action will target all assets under US jurisdiction. So the immediate impact will be limited, but it may have a long-term deterrent effect, discouraging companies around the world from doing business with the general and the company.

European stock markets have closed higher as speculation mounts that the European Union may be preparing to offer financial assistance to Greece. During the day, Greek public sector workers held a national strike against their government's plans to cut their pay as part of efforts to tackle a huge budget deficit. Malcolm Brabant reports from Athens.

As many as half a million civil servants obeyed the strike call but less than 10,000 took part in the main “set-piece” rally in Athens. Union leaders said they would continue to struggle against what they considered to be unfair austerity measures directed against the poorer members of the society. But the lack of demonstrators on the streets is being interpreted here as a sign of recognition by government employees that accepting cutback is essential, if Greece, as the prime minister keeps repeating, is not to plunge off a cliff.

Ethiopian Airlines says it has not ruled out sabotage as a possible cause of the crash of one of its airliners off the Lebanese coast last month. All 90 people on board were killed. The company said its investigations were continuing. A flight data recorder from the aircraft has been sent to France for analysis.

World News from the BBC.

Fighting between African Union peacekeepers and insurgents in the Somali capital Mogadishu has left at least ten civilians dead. The civilians were hit by shellfire when the peacekeepers responded to a mortar attack on the presidential palace. Elsewhere in the city, at least five people were killed in a gun battle between police and pro-government fighters in a dispute over pay. Reports say hundreds of Islamist militiamen with heavy weapons have poured to Mogadishu to resist an expected government offensive.

The Nigerian Vice President Goodluck Jonathan has reshuffled the cabinet on his first day as acting head of state in place of President Umaru Yar'Adua, who is receiving lengthy medical treatment overseas. Mr. Jonathan is seeking to revive government business after more than two months of stagnation. Our correspondent in Lagos is Caroline Duffield.

Goodluck Jonathan is taking up the reins as acting head of state. On his first day with executive powers, he has reshuffled the cabinet, moving the attorney general into a new job. Michael Aondoakaa now becomes minister for special duties. He’s been a controversial figure in cabinet. Lawyers here have been shocked by his many attempts to block corruption investigations against politicians.

The Haitian government says its top priority is to provide shelter for the million people made homeless by last month's earthquake. The Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive said it was unclear how the large numbers living under plastic sheeting and cardboard would be rehoused. He said it could take a decade to rebuild a quarter of a million houses that were destroyed.

The second major snowstorm in a week has brought chaos to the northeast of the United States, keeping government offices closed and leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights. National Guard troops have been clearing the streets of Washington where many workers and school students have been kept at home for days. The House of Representatives postponed all business. The blizzards later hit New York, paralyzing airports.

BBC News.