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Swiss bank boss 'regrets' tax ploy February 26, 2014 8:07 PM The boss of Swiss bank Credit Suisse has said he "deeply regrets" that some of its bankers violated US tax laws. But Chief Executive Brady Dougan said in a statement to a US Senate committee that there was only "scattered evidence" of improper conduct. A US Senate report alleged the bank had helped US clients hide billions of dollars from the US taxman. Mr Dougan admitted some private bankers had helped Americans hide income and assets to illegally avoid US tax. Deep regret He said: "We deeply regret that - despite the industry-leading compliance measures we have put in place - before 2009, some Credit Suisse private bankers appear to have violated US law." "The evidence showed that some Swiss-based private bankers went to great lengths to disguise their bad conduct from Credit Suisse executive management." The report said that in 2006, Credit Suisse held 22,000 account...

'Ethnic cleansing' of CAR Muslims Updated 17 minutes ago Militias have been attacking Muslim civilians International peacekeepers have failed to prevent the ethnic cleansing of Muslims in the Central African Republic, a human rights group says. Militia attacks have led to a "Muslim exodus of historic proportions", according to a report by Amnesty International. Aid groups have warned of a food crisis, as many of the shops and wholesalers were run by Muslims. The UN's World Food Programme is due to start airlifting aid on Wednesday. The roads are too dangerous to transport food without a military escort, WFP spokesman Alexis Masciarelli told the BBC. This means it is being forced to take the more expensive option of flying food in from neighbouring Cameroon. He said 82 tonnes of rice would arrive on Wednesday, with a further 1,800 tonnes of cereal to follow over the next month. This is enough to feed 150,000 people but he said 1.25 million need food aid. ...

Tunisia assembly passes constitution http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25908340 Tunisia assembly passes constitution January 27, 2014 3:17 AM Assembly members waved the Tunisian flag in celebration after the constitution was passed Tunisia's parliament has adopted a new constitution - the first since the ousting of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali three years ago. The National Constituent Assembly passed the text by 200 votes from 216. Analysts say politicians hope it will send out a message of stability after months of deadlock between Islamist and secular forces. Meanwhile, Prime Minister-designate Mehdi Jomaa says he has formed a new caretaker government. The cabinet consists mainly of independents and technocrats, and is expected to run the country until new elections. No date has been set for the polls. 'Consensus' After the vote on Sunday, the Tunisian flag was unfurled and parliamentarians embraced each other inside the chamber. Mehdi Joma became pri...

Egypt anniversary clashes kill 29 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25888916 Egypt anniversary clashes kill 29 January 25, 2014 11:06 PM Military helicopters are hovering above Tahrir Square, as Sally Nabil reports At least 29 people have been killed in clashes in Egypt as the country marks the anniversary of the 2011 uprising which overthrew President Hosni Mubarak, the health ministry says. Rival demonstrations of supporters and opponents of the military-backed government took place in Cairo. But police broke up anti-government protests, and arrests were reported in Cairo and Alexandria. Hundreds have died since July when the army deposed President Mohammed Morsi. Extra security measures were in place for Saturday. Flags and banners Egyptian Interior Minister Muhammad Ibrahim had urged Egyptians not to be afraid to go to events marking the anniversary of the uprising. Thousands of supporters of the military and the government gathered in high-profile locations in...

New barricades as Kiev talks stall http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25876807

Deadly blasts hit Egypt's capital http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25874370

Since last Thursday, large-scale attacks by an alliance of rebel groups have been taking place across northern and north-eastern Syria on ISIS strongholds and strategic positions. Scores are said to have died, including civilians. yria rebels urge attacks on rivals http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25647057