UKRAINE: Pro-Russian demonstrators reinforced barricades and prepared petrol bombs yesterday at a security service building they have seized in Lugansk after the Kiev government gave them a 24-hour deadline to leave or face the use of force.

Government agencies had earlier claimed the demonstrators were holding hostages, but a police spokeswoman said the reports were incorrect.

Protesters in Donetsk remained in control of the main regional authority building, but were also given a government deadline.


SRI LANKA: Rights group Women’s Action Network said yesterday that the government is arresting innocent female relatives of males it suspects are trying to revive the Tamil Tiger rebel group.