Panama prosecutor to charge ex-president with political espionage
PANAMA CITY (Reuters) – A special Panamanian prosecutor is planning to charge former President Ricardo Martinelli with running an illegal political espionage ring during his administration using public funds, according to an indictment seen by Reuters …
Niger imposes state of emergency on region hit by Boko Haram
NIAMEY (Reuters) – Niger imposed a state of emergency on the southeastern region of Diffa on Wednesday where at least 40 people have been killed in recent weeks in attacks blamed on the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
U.S. urges release of rights lawyer in growing crackdown
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Wednesday called on China to release human rights lawyer Zhang Kai and said it was concerned by reports that the son of another detained rights lawyer had been put under house arrest.
Outcry over the killing of three transgender women in Argentina
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – A well-known Argentine activist for the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people (LGBTI) was found dead in her Buenos Aires apartment on Tuesday, the third transgender woman to have died violently in the countr…
China’s latest building binge: the education factory
GUIYANG, China (Reuters) – Three decades ago, Chinese cities began turning rural land into industrial parks to attract foreign investors. Today, a new kind of project is blooming in China’s countryside: the vocational education park.
Western retail giants restrict travel to Bangladesh after attacks
DHAKA (Reuters) – Business executives from global clothing giants H&M Inditex and Gap have canceled trips to Dhaka this month after the killings of two foreigners, industry sources said, causing anxiety for Bangladesh’s $25 billion garment export sector.
Malaysia’s embattled PM facing stern test as parliament returns
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak faces the toughest test of his political career so far when parliament reconvenes next week, with the leader facing questions from a growing number of establishment figures about his allege…
Israel sets up East Jerusalem roadblocks in bid to stem attacks
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel set up roadblocks in Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem and deployed soldiers across the country on Wednesday in an effort to stop a wave of Palestinian knife attacks.
Costa Rican police bust cocaine ring linked to New York pizzeria
SAN JOSE (Reuters) – Police in Costa Rica arrested seven men suspected of smuggling several tons of cocaine to the United States and Europe, authorities said on Wednesday, part of a crime ring linked to the Italian mafia allegedly run out of a New York…
Argentina’s Macri backs farmers’ protest in hunt for presidential votes
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Mauricio Macri, Argentina’s main opposition challenger in the presidential race, on Wednesday threw his support behind an anti-government protest staged by farming groups, hunting for extra votes to ensure this month’s ballot g…
