World in brief: Group says Cuba’s human rights worsening

Washington – Human Rights Watch says conditions in Cuba have not improved under Raul Castro and in some ways are worse than they had been when his brother Fidel was president.

In a report released Wednesday, the group accuses Raul Castro’s government of systematic repression and creating “a pervasive climate of fear among dissidents and, when it comes to expression of political views, in Cuban society as a whole.”

Fidel Castro ceded power to Raul Castro first on an interim basis in 2006, then permanently in February 2008. Human rights activists had hoped that the change would lead to greater liberty on the Caribbean island.

The report found little evidence of that.

Missiles kill three Pakistan militants

Mir Ali, Pakistan – Missiles possibly fired from a U.S. drone killed three militants today in Pakistan’s lawless tribal area along the Afghan border, intelligence officials said.

The missiles hit a house owned by a local tribesman just after midnight in Shana Khuwara village in North Waziristan, said the officials.

Shana Khuwara village is not far from the border with South Waziristan, where the army is engaged in a major anti-Taliban offensive.

Veto may derail elections in Iraq

Baghdad – Iraq’s pivotal national elections were thrown back into turmoil and potential delay Wednesday after Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi vetoed part of an election law and sent it back to parliament.

Successful national elections, which are supposed to take place in January, are a crucial milestone for the departure of U.S. troops from Iraq.

Al-Hashemi, a Sunni Muslim, charged that the measure doesn’t provide adequate representation for millions of displaced Iraqis, most of whom are thought to be Sunnis.

A senior official from Iraq’s independent elections commission said it was suspending preparations for the elections.

It wasn’t immediately clear how quickly the latest snag in Iraqi politicians’ tortuous effort to arrange the elections could be overcome. Parliament members are scheduled to meet today to debate the changes al-Hashemi has demanded.