• WHO Director: States Including Saudi Arabia and South Korea Could be Sanctioned For Public Health Failings

  A U.N. panel is considering ways to hold governments to account for failing to stick to global health rules, World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan said on Tuesday.

  

• European Countries Becoming Harder to Govern, Economic Reforms More Difficult to Implement Amid Prolonged Financial Crisis

  From Portugal to Sweden, European countries are becoming harder to govern, and economic reforms more difficult to implement, as a prolonged financial crisis bequeaths a fragmented political landscape with weaker and more divided governments.

  

• Hundreds of Families Flee Southern Afghan City Amid Taliban Threats

  Taliban forces advanced on the capital of the volatile southern Afghan province of Helmand on Tuesday amid fierce fighting with government forces that threatened to cut off a major highway and prompted many families to flee.

  

• Four Dead in Congo Protest Over Plan to Extend President's Rule

  At least four people were killed on Tuesday when police in Congo Republic clashed with protesters who say plans for constitutional change are aimed at keeping President Denis Sassou Nguesso in power.

• Watchdog to Probe Alleged Use Of Illegal Mustard Gas By Islamic State Against Kurdish Forces

  Islamic State militants "most probably" used the banned chemical weapon mustard gas against Kurdish forces in Iraq and international inspectors have been asked to investigate, diplomatic sources told Reuters.