GENEVA (Reuters) – Syrians in "leadership positions" who may be responsible for war crimes have been identified, along with units accused of perpetrating them, Un ited Nations investigators said on Monday. Both government forces and armed rebels are committing war crimes, including killings and torture, spreading terror among civilians in a nearly two-year-old conflict, they said. The investigators' latest report, covering the six months to mid-January, was based on 445 interviews conducted abroad with victims and witnesses, as they have not been allowed into Syria. … No let up in social strains as Nigeria keeps growing
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria's economy is expected to grow at a speedy 6.75 percent this year, driven by progress in agriculture, banking and oil, wh ile high inflation rates should ease slightly, data showed on Monday. Both will add to the reputation of Africa's top oil producer as a growing investment destination with a huge consumer market of 160 million people. Demand for its sovereign debt, for example, has soared since JP Morgan added it to its emerging bond index last year. … South Africa set for ranking windfall after Pakistan win
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa are set to pocket $450,000 after they guaranteed the number one position in the ICC Test Championship beyond the April 1 cut-off date for prize money to be awarded in 2013. The Proteas’ four-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second test at Newlands on Sunday means they now cannot be caught at the top of the rankings by nearest rivals England, who are in New Zealand, or Australia, who are touring India. …
Bulgaria sacks finance minister after protests
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgaria's rightist government on Monday sacked Finance Minister Simeon Djankov, who has kept a tight fiscal policy as the European Union's poorest member recovers from recession, a day after nationwide protests over electricity prices. Djankov's dismissal comes as the government tries to shore up its support with an election looming in July. Djankov, 42, brought the budget deficit down to 0.5 percent of gross domestic product last year from 2 percent in 2011, gaining him respect in the EU as many nations in the bloc battled to keep their public debt under control. … Israel PM: North Korea nuke test is lesson on Iran
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel's prime minister says North Korea's recent nuclear test shows that "sanctions alone will not stop" Iran's atomic program. Cricket-South Africa set for ranking windfall after Pakistan win
JOHANNESBURG, Feb 18 (Reuters) – South Africa are set to pocket $450,000 after they guaranteed the number one position in the ICC Test Championship beyond the April 1 cut-off date for prize money to be awarded in 2013. The Proteas’ four-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second test at Newlands on Sunday means they now cannot be caught at the top of the rankings by nearest rivals England, who are in New Zealand, or Australia, who are touring India. …
NATO kills insurgent behind US soldier's death
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- An Afghan soldier-turned-insurgent who was feted by the Taliban for killing an American soldier during an insider attack in eastern Afghanistan last year has been killed in a raid, the U.S.-led international coalition said on Monday. Al-Qaida in Iraq claims deadly Baghdad attack
BAGHDAD (AP) -- Al-Qaida's local franchise in Iraq has claimed responsibility for car bombings that killed at least 37 people in mostly Shiite areas of Baghdad. EU foreign ministers discuss ending war in Syria
BRUSSELS (AP) -- EU foreign ministers are discussing how to bring an end to the violence in Syria, a discussion that will likely include the difficult issue of whether to amend the arms embargo against the country so that military aid can be funneled to rebels fighting the regime of Bashar Assad.
Chavez returns home after more than 2 months of cancer treatment in Cuba
CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he has returned home to Venezuela after more than two months of medical treatment in Cuba following cancer surgery.
No change in law to curb tax avoidance: Britain's PM Cameron
MUMBAI (Reuters) – British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Monda y he did not want to change the law to outlaw "aggressive tax avoidance", but said the practice raised moral questions and that multinationals should pay the tax they owe. Speaking in Mumbai on the first day of a three-day visit to India, Cameron said his government was doing what it could to cut corporation taxes and expected companies to reciprocate by paying their fair share of tax. … Chavez makes surprise return home from Cuba
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez made a surprise return from Cuba on Monday more than two months after cancer surgery that threate ns to end his 14-year rule of the South American OPEC member, he and ministers said. The 58-year-old socialist leader underwent a six-hour operation in Cuba on December 11. He had not been seen or heard in public since then until photos were published of him on Friday. "We have arrived back in the Venezuelan fatherland. Thanks, my God! Thanks, my beloved people! Here we will continue the treatment," Chavez said via Twitter. … South Africa's Ramphele launches new political party
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Respected anti-apartheid activist Mamphela Ramphele launched a new political party on Monday to challenge the ruling African Nation al Congress (ANC), saying Africa's biggest economy was "at risk" from a leadership preoccupied by self-interest. Invoking the spirit of Nelson Mandela and the hope and optimism that prevailed at South Africa's first all-race elections in 1994, Ramphele said the dream of the "Rainbow Nation" was dying under the ANC. "Our society's greatness is being undermined by a massive failure of governance," she said. … President Chavez returns to Venezuela from Cuba
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he has returned home to Venezuela after more than two months of medical treatment in Cuba following cancer surgery. Bulgaria sacks finance minister after protests
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgaria's rightist government on Monday sacked Finance Minister Simeon Djankov, who has maintained tight fiscal policy as the Eur opean Union's poorest country recovers from a deep recession. Djanvov's sacking comes a day after nationwide protests against high electricity prices. He will be replaced by current EU Funds Minister Tomislav Donchev, who will keep both portfolios. (Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova; Editing by Jon Hemming) South Africa academic forms new party
JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- Academic and Black Conscious Movement co-founder Mamphela Ramphele has announced the creation of a new political party and is urging citizens to turn their backs on the 101-year-old African National Congress of Nelson Mandela and “join me in building the South Africa of our dreams.”
Cypriot candidates woo kingmaker for election run-off
NICOSIA (Reuters) – The Cypriot politician most in favour of an international bailout was in pole position to win next Sunday's run-off presidential vote as he and his communist-backed rival launched a week of bargaining to woo voters suspicious of a rescue package to stave off bankruptcy. Conservative leader Nicos Anastasiades, who backs a swift deal with the European Union and International Monetary Fund on a bailout to fight the worst recession in four decades, faces off with Stavros Malas in a second-round vote on February 24 after neither won a clear victory in the first round last … 
No comments:
Post a Comment