A round-up of today's other world news in brief...
Exile groups say Tibetans executed
BEIJING - Chinese authorities have carried out their first executions of Tibetans in connection with the deadly riots that swept Lhasa last year, say exile groups.
As the first reported judicial killings in the region for six years, the news has prompted overseas protests and concerns that proper legal procedures were not followed. The Chinese state media have yet to confirm the executions. - (Reuters)
Sarkozy's son will not seek top post
PARIS - The son of French president Nicolas Sarkozy (23) has given up his bid to take charge of the public agency that oversees Paris's wealthy business district, the website of Challenges magazine said yesterday.
It quoted unnamed members of Jean Sarkozy's entourage and said he would announce his decision on French television later in the day. Jean Sarkozy's move to become chairman of the EPAD agency was denounced as nepotism by opposition politicians and caused widespread disquiet. - (Reuters)
US details Sri Lanka war crimes
WASHINGTON - The US urged Sri Lanka yesterday to thoroughly investigate allegations of war crimes during the final months of its civil war, issuing a report detailing possible atrocities committed by both sides in the conflict.
The US state department report recounted allegations of government shelling of civilians during the early months of 2009 as well as charges that Tamil rebels recruited children to fight in the conflict. It said it did not attempt to verify the individual reports, but found them credible. - (Reuters)
Mortar bombs kill 30 in Somalia
MOGADISHU - Mortar bombs killed at least 30 people in Somalia's capital Mogadishu yesterday after rebels launched shells at the president's aircraft and African Union peacekeepers responded with heavy artillery fire.
President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, who was leaving for a summit in Uganda, was not hurt. But residents and medical workers said at least 30 people died and scores were wounded. - (Reuters)
Niger's ruling party claims win
NIAMEY - Niger's ruling party claimed victory yesterday in a parliamentary poll that has cost the West African nation membership in the regional bloc and deepened its president's pariah status.
President Mamadou Tandja's MNSD party said it had won more than half of 113 seats in parliament, an outcome widely expected by observers after opposition parties boycotted the poll. The majority win tightens Mr Tandja's grip on power after a prolonged stint in charge where he scrapped term limits. - (Reuters)