Kyrgyz polls ‘competitive’ but drawbacks remain: Western observers
BISHKEK (Reuters) – Kyrgyzstan’s parliamentary elections on Sunday were competitive and provided voters with a wide range of choice, Western observers said on Monday, while urging the ex-Soviet nation to improve procedures of holding elections and thei…
China typhoon kills six, knocks out power as tornado snaps trees
BEIJING (Reuters) – A typhoon bringing heavy rain churned inland through southern China on Monday, a day after making landfall, killing at least six people, injuring hundreds, knocking out power and overturning cars.
Flash floods in France kill at least 17 people
PARIS (Reuters) – Four people were still missing on Monday after flash floods on the French Riviera killed at least 17 people over the weekend, prompting the government to declare a natural disaster in the southeastern tourist region.
Thai junta picks panel to write constitution after draft rejected
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s military government, which took power in May last year, appointed a committee to draft the country’s 20th constitution on Monday after a previous draft was rejected, delaying promised elections until at least 2017.
Tiny Nauru throws gates open at Australian camp for asylum seekers
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Nauru unexpectedly said on Monday all 600 asylum seekers held at a controversial Australian detention centre will be allowed to move freely around the tiny South Pacific island and all their asylum applications will be processed t…
In India, meat and murder threaten Modi’s inclusive agenda
BISARA, India (Reuters) – The murder by a Hindu mob of a Muslim man rumored to have slaughtered a cow has thrown a spotlight on the hardline, polarizing agenda of some followers of Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi, undermining his promise of developm…
Rivals blast absent Scioli in Argentina’s first presidential vote debate
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentina’s presidential hopefuls sidestepped some of the most pressing economic issues facing the Latin American country in its first-ever presidential debate on Sunday, taking aim instead at the absence of ruling party candid…
Ruling Portugal coalition wins election, loses majority
LISBON (Reuters) – Portugal’s center-right government on Sunday won an election that was a test of its tough austerity stance, but its failure to win a majority in parliament raises the prospect of political uncertainty.
Militants loyal to Islamic State claim suicide bombings in Nigerian capital
CAIRO (Reuters) – Militants claiming loyalty to Islamic State said they were behind suicide bombings near the Nigerian capital Abuja which killed at least 15 people, a statement on Twitter said on Sunday.
Japan group says pacifist constitution still supreme, eyes Nobel
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s pacifist constitution is an example for the world despite changes that have cleared the way for its troops to fight overseas for the first time since World War Two, the head of a group tipped as a Nobel Peace Prize contender s…
