A round-up of today's other world news stories in brief.
Iceland to hold early general election in May
REYKJAVIK – Iceland's government has become the first to fall due to the global economic crisis with prime minister Geir Haarde calling a general election.
Mr Haarde set the date for May 9th but said he would not seek re-election because doctors had found a malignant throat tumour during a routine medical examination last week. – (AP)
US Afghan decision welcomed
TASHKENT – Russia has welcomed US president Barack Obama’s decision to review policy in Afghanistan and is ready to co-operate, including on supply routes for Nato forces, according to Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev.
“We are ready for fully fledged and equal co- operation on security in Afghanistan, including with the United States,” Mr Medvedev told a news conference after talks with Uzbek president Islam Karimov. – (Reuters)
Fears for Burmese boat people grow
BANGKOK – Fears are growing for the fate of 126 Rohingya boat people, thought to have been in Thai military custody, after the government said it no longer had any of the migrants from Burma within its borders.
Amid reports of a shadowy arm of the military towing 992 Rohingya out to sea last month and leaving them to die, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees asked Bangkok on Tuesday to see the 126.
A military spokesman refused to answer repeated questions about the current whereabouts of the 126, or say where, when or how they left the country. – (Reuters)
Dati to stand down as justice minister
PARIS – France’s justice minister Rachida Dati is to leave the government this year to stand in European elections. Ms Dati was the first person from a north African background to reach a senior French cabinet position, taking office in 2007.
She raised eyebrows earlier this month when she rushed back to work just five days after giving birth, with the media reporting that she feared being sidelined during any prolonged absence. – (Reuters)
US drone missiles kill 14 in Pakistan
PESHAWAR – Suspected US drones fired missiles into Pakistan yesterday killing at least 14 people, in the first such strikes since Barack Obama became US president. – (Reuters)
Ahtisaari to work on Balkan dispute
BRUSSELS – The EU has turned to Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari to help solve a border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia that is blocking Croatia’s bid to join the EU.
Diplomats say that unless the dispute is resolved quickly, Croatia may fail to complete EU entry talks this year and join the union in 2011. – (Reuters)
Mugabe ally EU ban list extended
BRUSSELS – The EU will add 28 individuals and 36 companies to a list of banned allies of Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe on Monday because of their links to suspected human rights abuses, according to an EU official.
The move will add new government members and relatives of Mugabe allies to an existing list of about 170 individuals banned from EU travel. – (Reuters)
Spanish police arrest separatists
MADRID – Spanish police have arrested eight leading members of Basque separatist political groups on suspicion of their having links to Eta rebels and have searched 18 buildings, according to the interior ministry. – (Reuters)