IN BRIEF (Page 4)

France

Hollande vows to show 'no mercy'

French President Francois Hollande on Thursday vowed to "show no mercy" if peacekeeping troops in the Central African Republic accused of raping starving children in exchange for food were found guilty. The defense ministry denied attempting to cover up the potentially devastating scandal following revelations it was made aware of the allegations in July last year when it received a leaked report compiled by UN officials stationed in the African country.