Social Issues
Palestinians invoke civil rights on Obama tour
Mar 22, 2013 04:49 EDT
Palestinians sour at Barack Obama's perceived failure to honour their historical struggle have invoked the US civil rights movement and South Africa's apartheid in a bid to win his sympathy.
Sri Lanka state media slams UN panel after rights vote
Mar 22, 2013 03:23 EDT
Sri Lankan state media called Friday for the dismantling of the UN human rights chief's office after Colombo was angered by a resolution calling for a probe into alleged war crimes in the island.
Divorce just as much a hurdle as marriage for US gays
Mar 22, 2013 02:47 EDT
It's hard enough for same-sex couples to marry in the United States, but divorce is a headache as well, and one that supporters of gay marriage hope the US Supreme Court can resolve.
Singapore denies being haven for Malaysian tax cheats
Mar 22, 2013 01:56 EDT
Singapore on Friday strongly rejected a whistleblower's allegation that its banks facilitate massive tax evasion by a powerful family in neighbouring Malaysia's Sarawak state.
Mobs roam streets of riot-hit Myanmar town
Mar 22, 2013 00:26 EDT
Angry mobs took to the streets of a riot-hit Myanmar town for a third day on Friday, as international pressure mounted for an end to communal unrest that has left 10 people reported dead.
After Boateng, Italy looks to long fight with racism
Mar 21, 2013 22:26 EDT
It took a defiant gesture to reignite the debate on one of Italian sport's biggest demons, but the fight to rid football of racism in Serie A could be just beginning.
DR Congo rebel transfer won't bring peace
Mar 21, 2013 17:12 EDT
The transfer to the International Criminal Court of warlord Bosco Ntaganda would be a blow against impunity but will not fundamentally change the situation in eastern DR Congo, analysts say.
At least 10 dead in Myanmar riots: MP
Mar 21, 2013 16:45 EDT
At least 10 people have been killed in riots in central Myanmar, an MP said Thursday, prompting international concern at the country's worst communal unrest since a wave of Buddhist-Muslim clashes last year.
Southeast Asia human rights 'stagnating': US officials
Mar 21, 2013 16:27 EDT
US officials voiced concern Thursday about human rights in fast-growing Southeast Asian nations, pointing to a lack of progress in many places and a worsening situation in some.
Key US senator: immigration deal 'very close'
Mar 21, 2013 16:15 EDT
Eight US senators crafting an overhaul of immigration policy are on the verge of finalizing a deal that could bring 11 million undocumented migrants out of the shadows, one of the lawmakers said Thursday.
Mali soldier killed in first Timbuktu suicide bombing
Mar 21, 2013 16:02 EDT
A Malian soldier died in Timbuktu's first suicide bombing as the city came under assault overnight, triggering clashes in which 10 Islamist fighters died, military officials said Thursday.
Six in 10 Americans support citizenship path for illegals
Mar 21, 2013 14:48 EDT
Nearly two-thirds of Americans favor a path to citizenship -- with conditions -- for undocumented immigrants, according to a new poll out Thursday, as lawmakers debate reform plans.
Pro-fracking filmmaker accuses IMF of censorship
Mar 21, 2013 14:36 EDT
The maker of a documentary in support of oil and gas fracking accused the International Monetary Fund Thursday of censorship after it declined to show a key clip from his film at a conference.
Time to 'drain the swamp of racism' - Boateng
Mar 21, 2013 14:34 EDT
AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng -- lauded for walking off the pitch to protest abuse by fans -- on Thursday called for an end to racism in the sport, likening it to a virulent disease that blighted the game.
French Jewish students take legal action against Twitter
Mar 21, 2013 14:27 EDT
A Jewish student group has announced it was taking further legal action against Twitter over the global networking site's failure to respond to a French court order to hand over data to help identify the authors of anti-Semitic tweets.
UN creates expert mission to boost Mali rights
Mar 21, 2013 14:22 EDT
The United Nations will appoint an independent expert to investigate and help improve the human rights situation in war-torn Mali, the UN Human Rights Council decided Thursday.
Sri Lanka must launch rights abuse probe: UN body
Mar 21, 2013 13:59 EDT
Sri Lanka must launch an in-depth probe into claims that government troops killed 40,000 civilians during a 2009 offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels that ended its three-decade civil war, the UN Human Rights Council said Thursday.
Pakistan refugee camp bomb kills 15
Mar 21, 2013 13:54 EDT
A car bomb tore through a Pakistani refugee camp Thursday, killing 15 people including women and children and heightening security fears before a May general election.
UN to launch probe into N.Korea rights abuses
Mar 21, 2013 13:41 EDT
The United Nations on Thursday said it will for the first time establish a commission of inquiry into grave human rights violations in North Korea that may amount to crimes against humanity.
Myanmar must launch probe into rights abuses: UN body
Mar 21, 2013 13:34 EDT
Myanmar must launch an independent investigation into reports of widespread human rights violations, the United Nations' top human rights body said Thursday.
