BBC news 2010-02-20 加文本

2010-02-20 BBC

BBC News with David Austin

In his first statement since withdrawing from public life late last year, the world's most famous golfer Tiger Woods has publicly apologized for what he called his irresponsible and selfish behaviour after revelations that he'd repeatedly cheated on his wife. Andy Gallagher reports.
In his first public statement, Tiger Woods addressed a small group of close friends and colleagues, but the tightly controlled press conference was seen across the world as once again Woods profusely apologized for his behaviour. The world's number one golfer said I was unfaithful, I had affairs and I cheated. This is the first time that Tiger Woods has spoken since his still unexplained car crash almost three months ago. Woods gave no indication as to when he would return to golf but said that he was undergoing therapy.

The African Union has suspended Niger from the organization following Thursday's military coup. The organization said it had imposed sanctions on Niger and was demanding a return to constitutional rule. Earlier, leaders of the coup, which deposed President Mamadou Tandja, said they were lifting a curfew and reopening the country's borders. The BBC's Uduak Amimo reports from Addis Ababa.
The African Union Peace and Security Council has suspended Niger with immediate effect and demanded a return to the constitutional order in the country before the referendum in August 2009 that allowed Mamadou Tandja to extend his term in office. But despite widespread international condemnation of Mr Tandja's efforts to keep himself in power, dissolving the country's parliament and constitutional court, the African Union was silent until Friday morning, when the chairman of the AU issued a statement condemning the coup.

The International Criminal Court says its investigation into the killing of opposition supporters by Guinea's military rulers last year show that crimes against humanity were committed. The ICC's Deputy Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, who's visiting the capital Conakry described the killings as atrocious crimes. She said men uniform had attacked, killed and wounded civilians.

Hundreds of opposition supporters in Egypt have been singing and chanting to welcome home Mohammed ElBaradei, the former head of the United Nations nuclear agency. Mr ElBaradei could be the main opposition challenger in Egypt's presidential election due next year. As Christian Fraser reports from Cairo.
The opposition in Egypt is desperately seeking a figure to rally their forces. And judging by the scenes in the arrival hall as he returned on a flight from Vienna, a good many of them believe Mohammed ElBaradei is the man to spearhead their 2011 presidential campaign. Throughout the day there was tight security around the airport, not for his protection but to subdue the hero's welcome opposition was promising. In the end, a few hundred supporters made it through the roadblocks some were holding banners, others chanted his name. And as he was about to appear there were scuffles with police.

World News from the BBC

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says his country is not seeking to develop a nuclear weapon. On Thursday, the International Atomic Energy Agency said for the first time that Iran's current and past activities might be related to the development of nuclear weapons.

Senior US and Cuban officials are meeting in Havana to hold talks on immigration issues. It's the latest sign of improved relations between these two former Cold War adversaries. But as our correspondent in Havana Michael Voss reports hopes of any major breakthroughs are receding.

The two sides used to hold regular twice-yearly immigration talks aimed at avoiding the mass exodus of Cubans heading for Miami on small boats. But the Bush administration froze all contacts with Cuba. Relations have eased under President Obama with the resumption of direct negotiations on areas of mutual interest. But hopes of a major breakthrough in ending this leftover conflict from the Cold War are rapidly disappearing. The US still insists that Cuba show progress on human rights and democracy before lifting the 50-year-old trade embargo.

The head of an independent legal watchdog in Guatemala has warned that security and judicial institutions in the country have virtually collapsed and are incapable of protecting citizens. Carlos Castresana, who was appointed by the UN to head the commission against impunity, said that criminal gangs had replaced the state as the main violators of fundamental rights. He said a multinational response was necessary to combat drug gangs.

The Moroccan authorities say that at least 11 people were killed and many others injured when a minaret collapsed during Friday prayers at a mosque in the town of Meknes, east of the capital Rabat. Many people are said to be buried under the rubble of the collapsed tower. Unofficial sources say that the number of people killed could be much higher.

And those are the latest stories from BBC News.