World in brief

Romney trips over himself in speeches

United States: Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney did so many U-turns at the weekend that he lost his way completely.

He told voters that he would keep several important parts of President Barack Obama's health-care Act, apparently forgetting that he has already vowed to repeal it.

Mr Romney also said that it was a "mistake" to go along with the White House on a budget agreement that set up automatic spending cuts, including huge reductions in defence spending.

Unfortunately, his running mate Paul Ryan had helped to steer that agreement through Congress.

Rebel leader has hopes for talks

Philippines: Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebel leader Mohagher Iqbal said yesterday that a peace accord with the government can be forged soon despite attempts by a breakaway guerilla faction to derail the talks.

He said they'd settled more than half of the issues in principle.

Philippine officials have expressed the same optimism.

Ex-PM on hunger strike over vote law

Hungary: Former prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsany is on a week-long hunger strike against planned electoral law changes.

Mr Gyurcsany, who resigned in 2009 and now leads the small Democratic Coalition, said yesterday that voter registration would help the government strengthen its grip on power.

He and three other party members will remain in tents outside Parliament for the strike's duration.

Sedition charge for cartoonist

India: Police have arrested political cartoonist Aseem Trivedi on sedition charges after his drawings criticising corruption irked politicians.

A Mumbai magistrate ordered Mr Trivedi held for questioning about a cartoon mocking the Indian constitution.

Students, opposition politicians and free speech advocates said it showed politicians' growing intolerance of criticism.

Peace Corps back after civil war

Nepal: US Peace Corps volunteers have returned to Nepal eight years after leaving during a civil war between the government and Maoist rebels.

The US embassy in Kathmandu said yesterday that 20 volunteers had arrived to work on food and health projects.

The Maoists joined the peace process in 2006 and their deputy leader now heads the ruling coalition.

Japanese to buy disputed islands

Japan: The government said yesterday that it will purchase the disputed Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea.

An official said it was to create a "stable and secure" environment, not to anger China.

But Beijing said it wouldn't "sit back and watch" its territorial sovereignty be violated and warned Japan of "serious consequences."

Riot team plays in empty arena

Egypt: The country's most popular football team Al-Ahly played ENPPI behind closed doors on Sunday amid protests by fans demanding justice for 74 people killed in a stadium riot in February.

Thousands of riot police and soldiers guarded the Alexandria stadium while hundreds of fans protested outside and in Cairo.

Al-Ahly star Mohamed Abou-Treika boycotted the match in solidarity.

Caretaker nicked for raising tigers on roof

Thailand: The caretake of a block of flats on Bangkok's outskirts has been arrested for illegally raising six tigers on the four-storey building's roof.

Environmental police found four adult and two young tigers.

Surasak Bunthienthong has been initially charged with illegal possessing protected wild animals.