Russia says now is not the time for U.N. resolution on aid to Syria
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – As Western and Arab nations prepared to push for a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for better access to aid in war-torn Syria, Russia said on Wednesday that now was not the right time for such a move.
Italy rescues more than 1,100 migrants in rafts south of Sicily
ROME (Reuters) – The Italian navy has rescued more than 1,100 migrants from nine large rafts in the waters south of Sicily, the latest arrivals from North Africa.
Ceasefire violations on Kashmir border down: India’s defense minister
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Ceasefire violations on India’s de-facto border with Pakistan have come down over the past two to three months, India’s defense minister A.K. Antony told reporters at a defense exhibition on Thursday.
Iraq illegally detains thousands of women, tortures many: HRW
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi authorities are detaining thousands of women illegally and subjecting many to torture and ill-treatment, including the threat of sexual abuse, Human Rights Watch said in a report published on Thursday.
U.N. chief opposes LGBT attacks as Sochi set to start
SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – In the first address by a United Nations secretary general to an International Olympic Committee (IOC) session, Ban Ki-moon condemned discrimination and attacks on people based on their sexual orientation.
Sri Lankan forces may have destroyed evidence of mass killings-new report
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Government forces were behind most of the alleged war crimes in the final bloody months of Sri Lanka’s 26-year civil war and may have systematically destroyed evidence of mass killings, according to a new Australian report.
El Salvador top court orders probe of civil war massacre
SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) – El Salvador’s Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the country’s top prosecutor to investigate the alleged massacre of dozens of civilians in 1981 by army troops during the nation’s bloody civil war.
China criticizes Japan over comments doubting Nanjing massacre
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Foreign Ministry has criticized remarks by a board member of Japan’s state broadcaster who said a massacre carried out by Japanese troops in China’s then-capital of Nanjing in 1937 did not happen.
China media slams Philippine leader comments on disputed waters
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Chinese state media has slammed Philippine President Benigno Aquino over remarks that compared Beijing’s claims in the disputed South China Sea to demands for land made by Nazi Germany to the former Czechoslovakia.
Russia mocks U.S. envoy for meeting Pussy Riot; Power retorts
NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power on Wednesday discussed “disturbing” trends in Russia with members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot, prompting Moscow’s U.N. envoy to ask if she was joining the group.