Rwanda complains to U.N. about new Congo brigade
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Rwanda is accusing the United Nations’ new intervention brigade in eastern Congo of discussing collaboration with Hutu rebels linked to the Rwandan genocide of 1994, thereby jeopardizing regional peace efforts.
Italy PM Letta calls for end to racist insults against minister
ROME (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta demanded the opposition Northern League party take action after “shameful” racist comments by its members about Italy’s first black minister.
Syria coalition plans council to hasten rebel restructuring
PARIS (Reuters) – Syria’s opposition coalition wants to create a 10-person executive council to reorganize disparate rebel factions into a structured army with adequate financing and weapons, one of its senior members said on Monday.
Myanmar President pledges prisoner release, peace
LONDON (Reuters) – The president of Myanmar promised to release all political prisoners by the end of this year on Monday and said he thought a nationwide ceasefire was possible in the coming weeks for the first time in six decades.
Indian relatives search for missing a month after ‘Himalayan tsunami’
DEHRADUN, India (Reuters) – The pilgrims came seeking salvation and a place in heaven, but now their faces stare from banners and tatty flyers tacked to gates and walls of Indian villages and hill-towns.
Egyptian families put lives on hold at vigil for ousted leader
CAIRO (Reuters) – Murad Mohamed Mahmoud, an Egyptian civil servant, was saving up to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Instead, he is using the money to allow his family to join a three week old vigil in Cairo for supporters of ousted President Mohamed Murs…
U.S. in daily contact with Syria opposition on its needs: White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. administration is in daily contact with the Syrian opposition on how the United States can support its needs, the White House said on Monday.
United States says will not take sides in Egypt crisis
CAIRO (Reuters) – The United States will not take sides in Egypt’s upheaval, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns said on Monday, in an attempt to address concerns on both sides of the political divide.
Israel begins sending Eritreans home despite rights concerns
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel has launched a forced repatriation of Eritrean migrants that amounts to a grave violation of their human rights because of the risk of persecution in their reclusive homeland, an advocacy group said on Monday.
China discriminates against disabled children: U.S. rights group
BEIJING (Reuters) – China has failed to provide equal access to education for children with disabilities, leaving nearly 40 percent of its disabled population illiterate, a U.S.-based human rights watchdog said on Tuesday.