The Obama administration has abandoned plans to try the alleged mastermind of the September 11 attacks in a civilian court. The government says Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his four co-accused will now be tried by a military commission at Guantanamo Bay instead. The Attorney General Eric Holder says while he believes a civilian court is still the best option, his hands have now been tied by Congress.

 

The UN's atomic watchdog says a business as usual approach to safety is no longer good enough for the nuclear industry. It's pushing instead for much more stringent safety standards in the wake of Japan's nuclear disaster. The organisation says nuclear energy remains an important energy source in dealing with climate change, and more needs to be done to reduce the risk of future accidents.

 

The United Nations is getting tough with the Ivory Coast's recalcitrant leader. Its helicopters have fired on Laurent Gbagbo's residence, presidential palace and also military bases in Abidjan. And his rival Alassane Ouattara has also begun what he hopes will be his final assault to oust the president from the position.