U.N. rights boss seeks international probe into Sri Lanka war crimes
GENEVA (Reuters) – The U.N. human rights chief called for an international inquiry into war crimes committed by both sides during Sri Lanka’s civil war, saying the government had failed to do its own credible investigation.
Kenya needs better security coordination after Westgate: report
MOMBASA, Kenya (Reuters) – A Kenyan parliamentary inquiry has called for a new body to coordinate between intelligence and security agencies after blaming poor communication and inadequate preparations for failures in handling the Westgate shopping mal…
Iran a threat not just to Israel, says Germany’s Merkel
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Germany views Iran as a potential threat not just to Israel, but also to European countries, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday at a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
France’s Hollande steps in to calm row with Morocco
PARIS (Reuters) – President Francois Hollande telephoned Morocco’s King Mohammed VI to try to calm a diplomatic row over two human rights incidents that caused outrage in the former French colony.
Uganda told anti-gay bill poses financial risk
KAMPALA (Reuters) – Sweden’s Finance Minister Anders Borg warned Uganda on Tuesday that a new bill imposing harsh penalties for homosexuality could represent a financial risk for the east African economy.
Croatia unions strike against labor law changes
ZAGREB (Reuters) – Croatia’s trade unions, representing both public and private sector employees, staged a nationwide two-hour strike on Tuesday, firing a warning shot against the government’s plan to make labor rules more flexible.
Pistorius murder trial can be televised, South Africa judge rules
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – A South African judge ruled on Tuesday that the murder trial of Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius can be televised, giving millions around the world direct access to one of the most sensational celebrity trials …
Thai trade slumps alongside tourism as protest violence takes toll
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand announced a slump in trade figures on Tuesday with the biggest drop in imports in more than four years in January, as months of anti-government protests extended their economic toll beyond falling tourism numbers.
In Ukraine turbulence, a lad from Lviv becomes the toast of Kiev
KIEV (Reuters) – When the history of the bloody turbulence in Ukraine is written, a 26-year-old who learned combat skills in the army cadets may be recorded as the man who made up Viktor Yanukovich’s mind to cut and run.
Egypt’s bread ‘smart cards’: financial miracle for age-old problem?
PORT SAID, Egypt (Reuters) – A device resembling a credit card swiper is revolutionizing some of Egypt’s politically explosive bread lines and may help achieve the impossible — cutting crippling food import bills.
