WORLD BRIEFS

SYRIA: Both sides ignore UN's appeal

Troops shelled and raided opposition areas and clashed with rebel fighters Thursday despite UN efforts to stop the bloodshed so aid could reach suffering civilians. Activists cited the fresh violence in dismissing a UN Security Council statement calling for a cease-fire to allow for dialogue among all sides on a political solution. The government of President Bashar Assad also played down the statement, saying Damascus is under no threats or ultimatums. International condemnation of Assad's regime and high-level diplomacy have failed to ease the year-old conflict, which the UN says has killed more than 8,000 people. Activists reported dozens of people killed Thursday, including at least 12 government soldiers.

INDIA: Congress jeered over coal deals

Parliament erupted in hoots and jeers Thursday after a draft report by government auditors estimated that the national treasury lost $210 billion by selling coal fields to private excavation companies in sweetheart deals. According to the report, leaked to the newspaper Times of India, the primary beneficiaries were about 100 private and state companies that were handed contracts for 155 coal fields between 2004 and 2009 without going through a competitive bidding process. It was the latest scandal to hit the ruling Congress Party, following on others involving the telecommunications, real estate and sports industries. Opposition leaders called the latest revelation the "mother of all scams," accusing the government of looting the country.

SRI LANKA: Probe urged into war with rebels

The UN Human Rights Council called on Sri Lanka on Thursday to properly investigate alleged war crimes committed by both sides during the country's 26-year conflict with the Tamil Tiger rebels. The council approved a U.S.-backed resolution that urged a probe into allegations of summary executions, kidnappings and other abuses. Sri Lanka and its allies on the council fiercely resisted the resolution, saying it unduly interfered in domestic affairs.