Wikinews Shorts: January 24, 2012

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Christine Lagarde: World economy 'faces a downward spiral'
In a speech yesterday in Berlin, International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director, warned that the world was facing "[a] 1930s moment... A moment, ultimately, leading to a downward spiral that could engulf the entire world." To avoid a repeat of the she urged leaders of the  to moderate austerity measures in order to maintain demand and to find further funds to bolster the 500 billion.

In order to mitigate the the IMF is also seeking to raise 500 billion  to support developing economies that would be caught up in the fallout of a Eurozone collapse.





International Criminal Court calls for four Kenyans to face trial for communal violence
The has presented formal charges against three senior Kenyan politicians and a radio executive accused of orchestrating the wave of communal violence that followed the  in that country. Of the six individuals initially investigated enough evidence to prosecute has been found in only four cases - including 2012/13 presidential hopefuls and his rival  a former education minister. Menyatta is deputy prime-minister and finance minister.

In the past the rich and powerful in Kenya have often escaped justice. Kenyatta is the nation's richest man.



Syria accuses Arab League of interference as GCC withdraws observers
The is to withdraw its observers from the  observer mission in Syria following Syrian dismissal of plans for  to hand power to his deputy and share power in a  as "flagrant interference".

The United Nations estimate that upwards of 5000 people have died in almost a year of anti-government protests and demonstrations.


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Salman Rushdie literature festival video-link cancelled over fears of violence
A planned address by  at the  has been cancelled admidst fears of violence. Sanjoy Roy, the festival's organiser, said "Earlier today, a number of organisations came to us and threatened violence."

Salman Rushdie, whose book  remains controversial 24 years after its publication, had earlier cancelled attending the festival citing assassination threats, and it is claimed several authors who read excerpts from The Satanic Verses in support can be prosecuted.



