SWITZERLAND: WHO discusses radical change

The World Health Organisation discussed proposals to “radically transform” its operations today after accusations that a botched response to the Ebola outbreak had cost thousands of lives.

Director-general Dr Margaret Chan said the Ebola epidemic “points to the need for urgent change.”

Despite declaring Ebola to be a global emergency in August, it took the WHO until earlier this month to assign its lead Ebola official Bruce Aylward to work full-time on the outbreak, due to a “culture that resists embracing operations.”

JAPAN: Abe: Isis execution probably happened

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said today that an Islamic State video purporting to show that Haruna Yukawa, one of two hostages the terror group kidnapped, had been killed was probably authentic.

Mr Abe demanded that Isis release its other hostage, journalist Kenji Goto, unharmed.

Mr Yukawa was seized last summer and Mr Goto travelled to Syria in a bid to rescue him.

PHILIPPINES: Milf clash leaves 30 police dead

Over 30 police commandos were killed today in clashes with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf).

Mamasapano Mayor Tahirudin Benzar Ampatuan said the special forces had entered the village of Tukanalipao, which is under his jurisdiction, to capture a notorious bombing suspect but had a “misencounter” with Milf rebels.

AUSTRALIA: Labour official joins Kurds

Labour Party official and trade unionist Matthew Gardiner has left the country to join Kurdish fighters in the battle against Islamic State (Isis) in Syria.

Mr Gardiner was head of the Northern Territory Labour Party and secretary of hospitality, childcare and emergency services union United Voice.

Labour sources said today that his membership had been suspended.

A spokesman for Australia’s attorney general said: “We know there are some Australians who think they’ve made the right choice in becoming involved in overseas conflicts, but that choice only adds to the suffering in Syria and Iraq.”

GERMANY: Far-right rallies still dwindling

Far-right group Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West (Pegida) held a rally in Dresden today which saw around 17,300 people attend, according to police.

The turnout was smaller than the 25,000-strong rally Pegida held two weeks ago. A counter protest attracted around 5,000 anti-fascists.

On Saturday rival group Patriotic Europeans Against the Americanisation of the West (Pegada) held a rally of 1,000 people in Erfurt, clashing with around 600 counter-protesters.

EGYPT: At least 13 killed on anniversary

At least 13 people died today in clashes between police and protesters that marked the fourth anniversary of the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak.

Police said the killed protesters were Islamists, while one police conscript was also among the dead. Supporters of former president Mohammed Morsi have frequently clashed with the new authorities.

A female protester was also shot dead in Cairo on Saturday.

LIBYA: Deputy foreign minister kidnapped

Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan al-Sagheer was kidnapped today, according to security officials.

Mr Sagheer held the post for Libya’s internationally recognised government, which holds its cabinet meetings in the eastern city of Bayda and bases its parliament in Tobruk.