Lanka maids

Colombo, Jan. 24 (Reuters): Sri Lanka will gradually stop allowing women going to Saudi Arabia to be housemaids after a Sri Lankan was executed in the country over the death of an infant in her care, the Colombo government said today.

Lanka recalled its envoy to Saudi Arabia in response to the beheading on January 9 of Rizana Nafeek, who was sentenced to death in 2007 accused of killing her employer’s daughter while she was bottle-feeding.

Merkel reform

Davos, Switzerland (Reuters): German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned on Thursday against easing off on painful reforms in Europe, saying the bloc must ensure it took full advantage of its debt crisis.

Mali rebels

Dakar (Reuters): A faction of one of the armed Islamist groups occupying the north of the Mali has split off from its al Qaida allies and says it is willing to hold talks.

Japan reactor

Tokyo (Reuters): Japan may face a total nuclear shutdown in the summer for the second time since the Fukushima disaster as its two operating reactors close for maintenance.