Monday, March 21, 2011

** Queensland man charged with attempted murder after ramming parked ambulance

** Libyan medics disappear during clashes after being beaten and tortured

AUSTRALIA NEWS

** A Queensland man is facing six counts of attempted murder after he drove his car into an ambulance following stabbing a man. The Daily Telegraph (AAP/March 17) said the unidentified 36-year-old Sarina resident rammed his vehicle into the EMS unit while medics were treating the stab victim in back. He then struggled with the providers who narrowly escaped the wreck. Several bystanders also avoided harm. The man made his first appearance in Mackay Magistrates Court Thursday.

LIBYA NEWS

** Ongoing fighting between government forces and pro democracy rebels near Benghazi has apparently resulted in the disappearance of several paramedics. That is the word from The Star (Graeme Hosken/March 18) which quoted South African Gift of the Givers head Dr. Musbach Abdullah as saying several EMS workers have been unlawfully detained, beaten and tortured;others have been killed. Abdullah said the same situation has arisen with doctors and  hospital staff. Of particular note is the disappearance of well known Al-Brega Hospital anesthetist Dr. Suhain al Atrash. Atrash went missing two weeks ago with four other doctors and paramedics following a hospital air raid. Calling the violence a violation of the Geneva Convention, Abdullah called on the international community to intervene.