AFP, Beirut
Barrel bomb attacks by Syrian regime helicopters killed at least 21 civilians late Thursday in a rebel-held town near Daraa city, a monitoring group said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said regime helicopters “dropped barrel bombs on neighbourhoods in Busra al-Sham in Daraa province,” killing at least 21 people, including two children and four women.
Sri Lanka vows to punish war criminals
AFP, Colombo
Sri Lanka promised Thursday to punish those found guilty of war crimes but stopped short of supporting an internationally backed probe, a day after a damning UN report on abuses committed during the island’s conflict.
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said the government would work with the international community to ensure accountability and reconciliation following the island’s separatist war, which ended in 2009.
US, Cuba to resume mail service this year
AP, Washington
The United States and Cuba should be able to transform their new diplomatic relationship into a deeper commercial partnership before the end of the year, with direct postal service to begin and an agreement on regularly scheduled commercial flights between the two countries, an American official said.
Washington also plans to publish new regulations soon making it easier for U.S. citizens to visit the island and do business with its growing ranks of independent entrepreneurs.
California wildfires death toll rises to 5
AFP, Los Angeles
The death toll from monster wildfires raging in northern California has risen to five with the discovery of two new victims, authorities said on Thursday.
Both were killed in the so-called Valley fire, one of two giant blazes that have destroyed hundreds of homes and displaced thousands in the drought-stricken state.
