"We are trying to locate him… We want him dead or alive. We are looking for information to arrest him, we don't know how long he has been in the country."

United Nations human rights investigators revealed they have added names to a secret list of Syrians that they believe should face criminal prosecution one day due to gathered evidence that suggested they were responsible for war crimes.

The independent investigators, who were led by Paulo Pinheiro, said that their allegations were substantiated by “a formidable and extraordinary body of evidence” and urged the UN Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Presenting the teams latest report, Pinherio said that government forces and allied militia had committed war crimes including murder and torture of civilians in what appeared to be a state-directed policy.

More than 20,000 people have been killed in the 18 month conflict, with 1.2 million people uprooted within Syria.

Sudan and South Sudan have come close to striking a deal over disputed borders, allowing the possibility of oil production to resume in the region.

While talks are still underway, reuters reported of progress between the two nations at the African Union brokered talks in Ethiopia, according to diplomatic sources.

One diplomat told Reuters,

"We've come a long way. There are still issues that need to be solved but it's doable. The atmosphere at the talks is positive,"

"The talks are constructive. Both sides have made progress and (are) trying to reach a deal... They talk more focused this time and are very constructive."

Both sides have been criticised for the international community with reports that the UN Security Council would consider sanctioning both.

However, with progress being made at talks, it is hoped that a demilitarised buffer zone oculd be set up and oil production could once again resume.

See the report from Reuters here.

The editor of the Anncol website, allegedly linked to the Farc, has been sentenced to eight years in prison by a Colombian court for conspiracy.

Perez Becerra, who was arrested last year in Venezuela and handed over to Colombian authorities, denies any association withthe Farc.

According to the prosecution, Becerra was "setting up links with left-wing and terrorist organisations to raise organisation for the guerrilla group". The judge aquitted him of raising money for terrorism.

Nato has decided to curb joint patrols with Afghan security forces after a spate of attacks by Afghan soldiers and policemen.

51 ISAF soldiers have died so far this year in so called “green-on-blue” attacks, most of which the Taliban claimed to have committed.

The Secretary General of the alliance, Anders Fogh Rasmussen,said in Brussels that this was a “temporary measure”.

"We have said all along that we will take every step necessary to minimise the risk to our troops, and that's what we are doing," he said.

"Let me be clear, we remain committed to our strategy. And we remain committed to our goal of seeing the Afghans fully in charge of their own security by the end of 2014.

"So that is the bottom line. The goal is unchanged, the strategy remains the same and the timeline remains the same.

"Afghan security forces are able to operate on their own."

The EU commission, has outlined proposals that would see the opening up of European markets to Burmese goods.

The proposals look to remove tariffs and quotas instigated by the EU and reinstate Burma’s GSP status, which was revoked in 1997 due to concerns of forced labour.

The plans come as a response to perceived improvements in Burmese working conditions, however a ban on arms sales will remain.

The Burmese opposition leader Aung Sun Suu Kyi who met the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington, said:

"I do support the easing of sanctions, because I think that our people can start taking responsibility for their own destiny.”

Mrs Clinton urged for further reforms to prevent “backsliding” by the military-backed leadership, further adding:

“[The Burmese government and opposition] need to continue the work together to unite the country, heal the wounds of the past and carry the reforms forward.”

Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir met on Sunday with Egypt’s newly elected President, Mohammed Morsi, to discuss the boosting of trade and investment.

Prior to the trip, London-based Amnesty International urged Cairo to withdraw the Sudanese leader’s invitation or arrest him upon arrival.

Bashir, who has two International Criminal Court arrest warrants against him for an alleged role in war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, was welcomed in Egypt by a delegation led by Vice President, Mahmoud Mekki.

Defending Cairo’s decision by highlighting the fact that the UN Security Council were yet to lift President Bashir’s immunity, Morsi’s spokeperson told reporters that Cairo followed the African Unions stance on Bashir, which asserts that ICC warrants do not eradicate the immunity of head of state.

The issuing of Bashir’s arrest warrant in 2009 has had very little effect on the Sudanese president’s activities, with this being his third visit to Egypt since the issuing of the warrant.

Bashir’s visit to Egypt signals an attempt to bolster what were once sour relations between the two countries.

Myanmar has continued to implement reforms in the country, as opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was due in the United States to meet with US President Barack Obama.

A spokesperson for Myanmar's opposition National League for Democracy party told Reuters that with the release of 514 detainees on Monday, it was hoped that all remaining political prisoners in the country had now been freed.

The move comes as new Information Minister Aung Kyi appointed a new council to replace the much criticised press watchdog agency in the country. The new council will now have less control over foreign publications in the country and will have reduced power in initiating criminal complaints against journalists.

The reforms come as democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi visits Washington on Monday to collect the Congressional Gold Medal, as well as meet with US President Barack Obama and Burmese diaspora groups across the country.

Meanwhile, Burmese President Thein Sein is also set to undertake a historic visit to the US, addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 24th. Obama also waived visa restrictions on the President which allows him to travel freely during his visit, rather than be confined to a narrow area around the UN headquarters.

A former leader of the Khmer Rouge has been released from prosecution, after she was found to be mentally unfit to stand trial.

80-year-old Ieng Thirith who reportedly suffers from Alzheimer's disease, has been released with "provisional conditions" by Cambodia's war crimes tribunal, as the court considers an appeal from prosecutors.

Youk Chhang, a leading Khmer Rouge researcher and director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia said,

"It is difficult for victims and indeed, all Cambodians, to accept the especially vigorous enforcement of Ieng Thirith's rights taking place at the [tribunal],"

He stated the decision to release Thirith was "a wake-up call" to the court saying,

"It has been taking too long to deliver justice to millions of victims in Cambodia."

He then went on to note that while Thirith was receiving "world class health care" when part of the Khmer Rouge, she was "personally and directly involved in denying Cambodians even the most basic health care during the regime's years in power."

See our earlier post:

Former leader of Khmer Rouge set to be released  (13 September 2012)

A court in Gaza has jailed four men for the kidnapping and killing of Italian pro-Palestine activist Vittorio Arrigoni.

Arrigoni was killed in March last year by hard line Islamists, after they kidnapped him and demanded the release of prisoners, held by Hamas authorities.

28-year-old Mahmoud al-Salfiti and 27-year-old Tamer al-Hasasna were convicted of murder and kidnapping and jailed for 35 years with hard labour.

Another two men were given lesser sentences for the kidnapping and sheltering a fugitive.

The sentence was confirmed by the lawyers of the activist from the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, who said the sentence by the Hamas court was “fair”.

"PCHR, like the Arrigoni family, is satisfied by the sentences issued by the court, which can be described, under the circumstances surrounding the case, as fair and legitimate, and considers that the murderers of Arrigoni have been effectively tried," they said in a statement.

The rights group said the court refrained from imposing death sentences on the men as the victim’s family had requested Hamas authorities to spare their lives.

A NATO airstrike in eastern Afghanistan has killed at least eight women, according to local officials.

The attack, in a remote region of the Laghman,also injured at least seven women, with some of the injured reported to be as young as ten.

A NATO spokesperson conceded that civilians had died after an attack on insurgents.

Major Adam Wojack told the BBC that between five to eight civilians could have died and the attack was being investigated.

"Unfortunately, we have become aware of possible Isaf-caused civilian casualties as a result of this strike, numbering five-eight Afghans," he said.

"Isaf offers its sincerest condolences to the affected community and family members, as well as to the Afghan people, concerning this tragic loss of life."

A local official said that the women were collecting wood and nuts from a forest in the mountains when they were targeted.

More than 50 cities in China saw massive anti-Japan protests carry on for a second day, with the Japanese embassy and several Japanese businesses coming under attack.

Protestors in Beijing pelted the Japanese embassy with eggs and bottles as riot police held back crowds from storming the building. Protestors shouted slogans such as, "Return our islands! Japanese devils get out!" and held signs that read, "For the respect of the motherland, we must go to war with Japan."

The protests prompted US Defence Secretary to comment,

"I am concerned that when these countries engage in provocations of one kind or another over these various islands, that it raises the possibility that a misjudgement on one side or the other could result in violence, and could result in conflict."

Migrant worker Liu Gang, who attended the protests said, "We hate Japan. We've always hated Japan. Japan invaded China and killed a lot of Chinese. We will never forget."

Protestors allegedly stormed a dozen Japanese-run factories in eastern Qingdao, as well of reports of attacks on Japanese restaurants and cars.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has since stated,

"Regrettably, this is a problem concerning the safety of Japanese nationals and Japan-affiliated companies... I would like to urge the Chinese government to protect their safety."

The protests look set to continue for days and could worsen with China marks planning on officially marking September 18 memorial day for Japan's war-time occupation of parts of China.

"It's the first time that we are prosecuting someone for genocide… From that point of view it is a very unusual affair."