U.N. news outlet at center of bribery case defends its integrity
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A United Nations-focused news outlet whose U.N. accreditation has come under review after U.S. prosecutors linked it to a scheme to bribe a former General Assembly president is striking back at its critics.
Norway violated mass killer Breivik’s human rights, court rules
OSLO (Reuters) – Norway violated mass killer Anders Behring Breivik’s human rights by keeping him in a “completely locked world” after being sentenced for killing 77 people in twin attacks in 2011, a court ruled on Wednesday.
Tunisia sees tourism figures steady despite attacks
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisia expects to attract 5.5 million foreign tourists this year, about the same as last year, after increasing security at hotels and focusing on new markets to counter the fallout from militant attacks, the tourism minister said.
German airport’s secret emergency plan was on internet for months: ZDF
BERLIN (Reuters) – A confidential emergency plan for Cologne-Bonn airport was posted on its website for several months, German broadcaster ZDF said on Wednesday, heightening concerns about security after attacks at Brussels airport.
Aftershocks bring misery for Japan quake survivors as toll reaches 48
TOKYO (Reuters) – Aftershocks rattled survivors of deadly Japanese earthquakes on Wednesday, nearly a week after the first one struck, as the area braced for heavy rain and the possibility of more landslides.
Islamic State forces on retreat around east Libyan city: military
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – Military forces in eastern Libya said Islamic State fighters had retreated from long-held positions around the city of Derna on Wednesday, and were engaged in clashes with troops to the south.
Yemeni government gives Houthis ultimatum to turn up to peace talks
KUWAIT (Reuters) – Yemen’s government said it would be forced to leave Kuwait if delayed peace talks did not start on Thursday and said its patience with its Houthi rebel enemies is running out, a statement published by Yemen’s Sabanew agency said.
Egypt postpones high profile NGO funding case during Kerry visit
CAIRO (Reuters) – An Egyptian court postponed on Wednesday the hearing of a high profile human rights group to May, on a day when U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who has raised the issue before, met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo….
Euro zone ready to finalize Greek deal next week, if talks succeed
BRUSSELS/ATHENS (Reuters) – Euro zone finance ministers are ready to hold an extraordinary meeting next week if negotiations on the review of the Greek reform program are concluded, a senior EU official said on Wednesday, commenting that talks remained…
Panama, Japan aim to exchange tax-related information
TOKYO (Reuters) – Panama and Japan agreed on an early start of talks aimed at creating a bilateral framework for exchanging taxation-related information, Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday.
