World in brief

UN finds evidence of sexual violence

DR Congo: Fresh evidence was produced today by the UN human rights watchdog of rampant sexual violence in the mineral-rich country.

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights spokesman Rupert Colville reported that at least 121 women had been raped by government troops between June 11-13 in the village of Nyakiele in the eastern South Kivu province.

A team of investigators who visited the area "have confirmed that large-scale rape, pillaging and cruel and degrading treatment were committed in Nyakiele," he said.

Pope says food is a human right

Vatican: Pope Benedict XVI added his holy two-penn'orth today to the debate on the global food crisis.

The Catholic figurehead told delegates at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation that access to food was a basic human right which could not be overridden in pursuit of profit.

"How can we remain silent when even food has become the object of speculation or is linked to a market deprived of moral principles?" he asked.

Government plan to cut €47bn

Italy: The government revealed a €47 billion (£42bn) cuts package late on Thursday which will now be presented to MPs for approval.

Global bankers have used ratings agencies to pump out a steady stream of propaganda in recent months warning that the country's debts are too high and demanding spending cuts.

In response Rome has proposed measures including cuts to ministries' budgets, an extension of its public-sector hiring freeze, and lower taxes for "entrepreneurs."

UN reports deaths at refugee camp

Kenya: The United Nations said today that two people were killed and dozens injured in a refugee camp inundated with Somalian refugees.

UN refugee agency spokesman Adrian Edwards said that the population at the Dadaab camp rose above 370,000 last week because of a drought and continuing violence in eastern Somalia.

Two separate internationally funded and trained militia armies have been unleashed on the country in an effort to crush Islamist guerillas and piracy.

Firms forced to use less energy

Japan: Power shortages forced the government to slap energy restrictions on firms, shopping centres and other major electricity consumers today.

The unprecedented measure follows the continuing Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant crisis.

Users in the Tokyo area will have to use 15 per cent less electricity than a year ago, with fines of up to 1 million yen (£7,750) for those that break the rules.