World Briefs

Netanyahu criticised over flotilla JERUSALEM – Israel’s state watchdog yesterday sharply criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his handling of a 2010 military raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla which left nine Turkish nationals dead.

“In the process of decision making, which was led by the prime minister and under his responsibility, regarding the handling of the [flotilla], there were significant shortcomings,” said a report published by State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss.
In the 153-page report, the comptroller slammed the decision-making process which led to the botched pre-dawn raid on a six-ship flotilla on 31 May 2010, which was headed by the Mavi Marmara, a Turkish ferry carrying more than 600 people.
The bloody raid triggered a diplomatic crisis between once-close allies Israel and Turkey, with Ankara demanding a formal Israeli apology and compensation for the families of the victims.

Brooks gets bail over phone hacking
LONDON – Rebekah Brooks, former chief executive of Rupert Murdoch’s News International, appeared in court yesterday on charges of attempting to cover up evidence of tabloid phone-hacking and was granted bail until a court appearance next week.
Brooks, who has denied the offences, spoke only to confirm her name and address during a brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London.
Brooks, aged 44, was charged last month, and faces allegations of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice – an offence that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Prosecutors say she removed boxes of material from the News International archive and tried to conceal documents, computers and other material from police.

Police on guard at Euro match
WARSAW – Poland’s Interior Minister said yesterday he hoped courts would severely punish the hooligans who fought in the streets of Warsaw ahead of Tuesday’s soccer match against Russia and rejected charges the police were too slow to act.
The violent clashes between Poles and Russians during a march by thousands of Russia supporters to the stadium was an embarrassment for the Polish organisers of Euro 2012 who had until then presided over a mostly peaceful tournament.

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