South Africa’s Zuma repays some state money in home improvement scandal
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has taken out a home loan to repay state money spent on non-security upgrades to his private residence, his office said on Monday, after a scandal over lavish improvements including a swimmin…
In Yemen’s remote mountains, war – and progress – remain distant
JAFARIYA, Yemen (Reuters) – In villages perched high on a mountain in western Yemen, residents are a safe distance from a conflict raging through most of the country, but they endure a hardscrabble existence little changed from hundreds of years ago.
Thai junta will stop prosecuting dissidents in military courts
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s military government said on Monday it will prosecute cases concerning national security and royal insult in civilian courts instead of military courts, a change a rights group said was window dressing before a U.N. review…
Italy to open hospital, deploy 300 soldiers and doctors to Libya: source
ROME (Reuters) – Italy will set up a military hospital and deploy 300 doctors, nurses and soldiers in Libya at the request of the United Nations-recognized government in Tripoli, a government source said on Monday.
Syria rebels guardedly agree on truce but battles persist
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Government troops and insurgents fought in several parts of Syria on Sunday, apparently seeking to strengthen their positions on the eve of a ceasefire that Free Syrian Army rebels said they would observe but with major reservations….
Taiwan tour operators demand help over business hit by worsening China ties
TAIPEI (Reuters) – About 10,000 Taiwan tourism operators and workers marched to a square in front of the presidential hall on Monday to demand that the government take steps to help their businesses, hard hit by worsening ties with mainland China.
Gulf states condemn law letting 9/11 families sue Saudi Arabia
DUBAI (Reuters) – The Saudi-dominated Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Monday condemned a law passed by the United States Congress last week that would allow the families of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks to sue the kingdom’s government for damages.
Syria rebels guardedly agree on truce but battles persist
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Government troops and insurgents fought in several parts of Syria on Sunday, apparently seeking to strengthen their positions on the eve of a ceasefire that Free Syrian Army rebels said they would observe but with major reservations….
Austria delays presidential election re-run after postal ballot snag
VIENNA (Reuters) – A re-run of Austria’s presidential election scheduled for next month has been delayed, Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka said on Monday, after some postal voters complained of faulty seals on ballot papers.
Turkey removes two dozen elected mayors in Kurdish militant crackdown
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) – Turkey appointed new administrators in two dozen Kurdish-run municipalities on Sunday after removing their elected mayors over suspected links to militants, triggering pockets of protest in its volatile southeastern regio…
