Headlines for Monday, October 26, 2009

52 children rescued from human trafficking via prostitution around the US
During the past three days, fifty-two children were rescued in raids on domestic human trafficking operations around the United States – the youngest is just ten years old. Today, the FBI announced the arrests of nearly 700 people involved in the prostitution of children in 36 cities around the country.

Former Serb leader Karadzic boycotts opening day of his genocide trial at the Hague
Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic boycotted the opening day of his own trial at the United Nations tribunal in The Hague today but the proceedings went on without him. UN Radio’s Bissera Kostova reports.

Mr. Karadzic is charged with two counts of genocide and other crimes committed against Bosnian Muslims, Bosnian Croats and other non-Serb civilians during the 1992 to 1995 war. The indictment alleges that he committed genocide when forces under his command killed non-Serbs during the war. When Mr. Karadzic failed to appear in court, the Prosecutor noted that the accused has tried by all means to stop the beginning of the trial. Judge O-Gon Kwon said the Registrar will convey the transcript and audio recording of Monday's proceeding to the accused.

"By this method, the Chamber wishes to again encourage Mr. Karadzic to attend these proceedings and reiterates that there are measures that may be taken should he continue to obstruct the progress of the trial."

The court is expected to reconvene on Tuesday to restart the trial of Radovan Karadzic. Bissera Kostova, UN Radio.

Afghanistan: Political posturing ahead of run-off; protests continue
Afghanistan’s top election official said today he will not resign before the upcoming presidential run-offs. Lead opposition member Adbullah Abdullah called for Azizullah Ludin’s resignation as one of a number of preconditions he put forth before he will agree to participate in the run-off. Adbullah also wants an unspecified number of provincial police chiefs to quit and the 500 unmonitored so-called “ghost” polling stations to close. Meanwhile, in Kabul, protests sparked by last week’s alleged burning of the Quran by American soldiers continued today - thousands took to the streets around the country over the weekend. FSRN’S Mujahid Jawad has more from Kabul.

Hundreds of Kabul residents and university students protested today in reaction to reports that American soldiers desecrated the holy book during search of a house in central Maidan-Wardak province last week.  Coalition forces deny the allegation. The protesters demanded respect for afghan culture and religion and called on the Islamic world to cut political, economic and trade ties with the United States. Abdul Rahman, the police commander in Kabul, said today's protest turned violent when demonstrators threw stones injuring more than a dozen officers. Officials claim no demonstrators were injured, but reports from the area of the incident indicate that dozens were beaten by police. Some 30 were arrested.  The afghan parliament took action today and assigned the religious committee of the lower house to investigate the matter.  Mujahid Jawad, FSRN, Kabul.

14 deaths in 3 helicopter incidents in Afghanistan today
Eleven US soldiers died in two separate helicopter crashes in Afghanistan today. In the west, a chopper went down, seven soldiers and three civilian contractors died. And in the south, two helicopters collided mid-air – four service personnel died.

Hamas and Fatah: still no concialtion
The Israeli government today ruled out a civilian investigation of its military actions in Gaza. A recent report by the UN accused both Israel and Hamas of war crimes -- possibly even crimes against humanity -- and called on each to conduct independent investigations. And over the weekend, rival Palestinian parties Fatah and Hamas traded accusations over the blocking of a Cairo-mediated national unity deal. FSRN’s Rami al Meghari has more.