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Amnesty deplores Libya conditions for would-be migrants

Amnesty International on Thursday called on Libya to take immediate action to bring an end to the "deplorable conditions" endured by thousands of would-be migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, including many children. The human rights watchdog also appealed to the European Union, which it said was assisting Libya to curb EU-bound "illegal" migrants, to ensure its drive to halt them does not worsen the situation.

Sao Paulo, Rio revoke transport fare hikes as protests continue

By Asher Levine and Tatiana Ramil SAO PAULO/FORTALEZA, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazil's two biggest cities agreed on Wednesday to revoke an increase in public transportation fares that set off demonstrations that have grown into nationwide protests against poor public services, inflation and corruption. The decisions, made separately in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, followed another day of protests across Brazil, which also included a march by demonstrators around a major international soccer game in the northeastern city of Fortaleza.

Greek coalition talks drag on to end TV crisis; state broadcaster remains off air

ATHENS, Greece - Greece's governing coalition failed to end a political crisis triggered by the closure of state broadcaster ERT, but said talks would continue Thursday to try to avoid a snap election that could delay vital economic reforms and disrupt the country's bailout program. Conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras held his second meeting in three days Wednesday with his coalition partners — the Socialist Pasok and Democratic Left parties — who oppose his decision to switch off ERT's signal and fire its 2,700 employees.

Nova Scotia politician resigns after legislature recalled to consider removal

HALIFAX - Mere hours after the Nova Scotia legislature was recalled to deal with his possible expulsion, an Independent member who had pleaded guilty to fraud and breach of trust in the province's spending scandal changed his mind and abruptly resigned Wednesday. Trevor Zinck had said he would fight for his job shortly after hearing that the house had been reconvened by Speaker Gordie Gosse for noon on Thursday.

Swiss parliament rejects deal to expose US tax dodgers

Swiss lawmakers rejected Wednesday a deal proposed by Washington to halt ruinous US legal action provided that Swiss banks that helped stash cash expose American tax dodgers and pay hefty fines. The Alpine country's lower house shot down the controversial "Lex USA" accord, which would have temporarily lifted Switzerland's long-sacrosanct banking secrecy and allow banks to settle with US authorities and draw a line under past wrongdoing.

U.S. doctors target sugary drinks bought by government

By Madeline Will NEW YORK (Reuters) - The American Medical Association joined the effort to discourage consumption of sugary drinks on Wednesday with a pledge to work to get them off U.S. government food aid programs for the poor. The nation's largest physician group said removing the sugary beverages from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would help reduce weight-related health problems.

Men's Wearhouse fires chairman who told millions 'You're going to like the way you look'

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Men's Wearhouse doesn't like the way its founder looks anymore. The men's clothier said Wednesday that it has fired the face of the company and its executive chairman, George Zimmer, 64, who appeared in many of its TV commercials with the slogan "You're going to like the way you look. I guarantee it."

IRS draws new criticism over $70M in employee bonuses, says it's bound by union contract

WASHINGTON - Already reeling from a pair of scandals, the Internal Revenue Service is drawing new criticism over plans to hand out millions of dollars in employee bonuses. The Obama administration has ordered agencies to cancel discretionary bonuses because of automatic spending cuts, but the IRS says it's merely following legal obligations under a union contract. The agency is about to pay $70 million in employee bonuses, said Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, a senior Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over the IRS.

A list of some difficulties facing Stephen Harper's Conservatives this spring

OTTAWA - A chronology of some of the difficulties that have faced Stephen Harper's Conservative government this spring: Jan. 31 — Finance Minister Jim Flaherty goes public with details of his painful skin disorder in response to mounting speculation about his appearance and public performance. Feb. 1 — Harper punts the issue of Senate reform by sending a reference to the Supreme Court of Canada seeking the court's opinion on reform options, something the Liberal opposition first said he should do in 2007.

Abbas says Palestinians support US peace moves

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday reiterated his support for US Secretary of State John Kerry's efforts to revive peace talks with Israel. During a meeting with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton in Ramallah, Abbas talked of the Palestinians' "commitment to the success of Kerry's efforts to save the peace process in order to restart serious talks leading to the end of the occupation and the establishment of a an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital".
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