Rwanda – The Rwandan Government ended the trial against 17 people for genocide in the province of Gikongoro. Five were given the death sentence for genocide and crimes against humanity, seven were given life in prison and three were given a seven-year sentence. Two were acquitted.

The government is trying to push the issue of justice for the genocide suspects. They consider confessions for the crimes an important step in healing the harm caused by the genocides. There are more than 3,000 suspects who were tried, but there are still more than 100,000 who are awaiting trial. The government sentenced 500 of these suspects. One of the 17 suspects confessed, reducing his sentence from 12 to seven years. Another problem in finding justice added to the circumstance is death of the many of the country’s judges from genocide.

The Rwandan authorities will implement a new system for justice called “Gacaca courts.” This is where judges who have positions in the community level will be given summary training. The suspects will then face the people of the villages who will either condemn or acquit them.

Argentina – After more than three years of recession, President Fernando de la Rua faces a challenge at the polls for the congressional elections. Fernando, who led a leftist party, has seen many failures in the economy.

Pollsters predict Fernando will do badly at the polls. They think that 10 to 40 percent will cast blank ballot papers in objection to all political parties. The country has a $132 billion debt that has made international investors apprehensive. They are faced with the possibility of bankruptcy.

The opposing Peronist Party is unpopular as well since its last president, Carlos Menem, was voted out two years ago, but is predicted to win seats. Menem is presently under house arrest because of charges of corruption.

Indonesia – Concerns over civilian casualties has caused Vice President Hanzah Haz to call for a halt to the American-led air strikes in Afghanistan.

“I urge the United States to stop the attacks… If they don’t, there will be more civilian casualties,” Haz said, who was quoted by the state Antara news agency.

He claimed there wasn’t enough evidence indicative of Osama bin Laden’s involvement in the suicide attacks. President Megawati Sukarnoputri thinks otherwise and supports America’s military action. The president doesn’t disapprove of the attacks in Afghanistan.

“We will continue to co-operate with the international community in handling this problem,” she said.

Members of a radical Muslim community who said they would target Westerners recently attacked two German tourists who were mistaken for Americans. Another situation against foreigners occurred where protestors attacked a group of tourists in a van.

Radical Muslim group Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) stated they would try to rid Indonesia of all Americans and British people when the government failed to cut ties with the United States’ following the attacks on Afghanistan. They said they would target places where a lot of foreigners dwelled, such as hotels and residential areas. Correspondents said most Muslims are not involved in the protests.

Kuwait – Abu Ghaith, spokesman for Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network, has lost his citizenship in Kuwait. He was found to be a close aide to Bin Laden.

“In the national interest and according to Article 14 if the 1959 nationality law, the council (of ministers) has approved a proposed decree to withdraw Sulaiman Abu Ghaith’s nationality,” said Kuwait’s cabinet.

Authorities detained Ghaith’s brother, Mohammad Abu Ghaith, 34, because he had power of attorney to handle his brother’s finances in the past. Reuters news agency said that Ghaith became famous in Kuwait preaching sermons during the Iraqi occupation. His sermons, which were banned, spoke against the government, the constitution, and other Arab states. Ghaith, who was an Arab fighter in Afghanistan, was given citizenship by the Taliban. Kuwait supports military actions against Bin Laden and the Taliban who are hiding in Afghanistan.

Ghaith made a tape where he warned Muslims not to travel by plane or live in skyscrapers in the U.S. or U.K., which alluded to the Sept. 11 attacks. He also made threats against U.S. President Bush, U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. He told non-Muslims to leave the Arabian Peninsula.

“The storm will not calm, especially the aircraft storm,” Ghaith said.

Information from news.bbc.co.uk was used in this article.