Chadian President Deby re-elected in landslide first-round victory
N’DJAMENA (Reuters) – Chad’s incumbent president, Idriss Deby, an important ally of the West in the fight against Islamist militants, won a fifth term in office in a lopsided first-round victory, the Central African country’s elections commission annou…
Three years after Rana Plaza disaster, has anything changed?
MUMBAI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Three years after the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh that killed more than 1,100 factory workers, the rights and safety of workers are in greater focus, but progress in fixing problems in the supply chain is slo…
China blames Taiwan criminals for surge in telephone scams
BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) – China is battling an explosion of telecoms fraud that has cost billions of dollars in financial losses and driven some victims to suicide, according to authorities in Beijing who say criminal gangs based in rival Taiwan are b…
Kidnaps, airstrip attack hit aid operations in northern Mali, agencies say
DAKAR (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – The kidnapping of three Red Cross staff and damage to an airstrip by violent protesters in northern Mali have hindered humanitarian operations in a region which has been slowly stabilizing, aid agencies said on Thur…
In China’s shadow, SE Asia looks to replace aging fighter jets
SINGAPORE/KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – With an eye on China’s more muscular stance in the South China Sea, Southeast Asian governments are stepping up efforts to replace aging fighter aircraft fleets, paving the way for multi-billion dollar deals in a boon…
Lawmakers chain themselves to Venezuela election board in protest
CARACAS (Reuters) – Opposition legislators demanding paperwork needed to help activate a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro chained themselves on Thursday to a stairway of Venezuela’s election board.
Bolivian president sees kindred spirit in U.S. candidate Sanders
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Bolivian President Evo Morales said on Thursday that an unexpected meeting at the Vatican with U.S. presidential contender Bernie Sanders had demonstrated a “thirst for a different kind of democracy” in the United States.
Guantanamo shrinking but Obama goal of closing prison still elusive
GUANTANAMO BAY U.S. NAVAL BASE, Cuba (Reuters) – Observed from behind a one-way mirror and heavy chain-link fence, a handful of bearded detainees in baggy t-shirts mill around inside a communal cellblock at the Guantanamo Bay military prison, vastly ou…
White House concerned by Russia’s military moves in Syria
GENEVA/QAMISHLI, Syria (Reuters) – The United States said on Thursday it was concerned about reports that Russia is moving more military equipment into Syria to bolster President Bashar al-Assad, with a truce in tatters and peace talks in meltdown.
Kerry, Zarif to discuss U.S. sanctions relief for Iran on Friday: U.S.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. sanctions relief will be on the agenda when the Iranian and U.S. foreign ministers meet on Friday amid Tehran’s complaints it has been slow to benefit from last year’s Iran nuclear deal, the U.S. State Department said.
