News in Brief
Scholz faces possible parliamentary tax fraud probe
AFP – German lawmakers said Tuesday that they would seek to open an investigation into Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s possible involvement as mayor of Hamburg in a tax fraud scam that cost the government millions of euros.
The probe would look at whether political figures helped the private bank M.M. Warburg to avoid paying back falsely claimed tax rebates in Hamburg, MPs from the conservative CDU and CSU parties said at a press conference.
Avalanche in Indian Himalayas kills seven
AP – An avalanche swept away a group of tourists in the Himalayas in northeastern India on Tuesday, killing at least seven and injuring 11, officials said.
Army spokesperson Lt. Col Mahendra Rawat said rescuers pulled out at least 23 tourists from the snow and took them to a hospital for treatment.
19 troops seized in Central African Republic released
AFP – Nineteen troops who were abducted by rebels in northern Central African Republic in February have been released, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Tuesday.
Out of 20 soldiers seized in the raid in Vakaga region on February 14, 19 have been released and will arrive shortly in Birao, “and will remain there until their return to Bangui can be organised,” deputy mission chief Yves Van Loo told AFP, referring to the CAR capital.