Pope celebrates Mass in east Cuba on anniversary of his calling
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba (Reuters) – On a special personal anniversary, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in east Cuba on Monday on the last full day of a trip where he has been praised for aiding rapprochement between the communist government and the United …
Russia starts Syria drone surveillance missions: U.S. officials
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Russia has started flying drone aircraft on surveillance missions in Syria, U.S. officials said on Monday, in what appeared to be Moscow’s first military air operations there since staging a rapid buildup at a Syrian air base.
Rio rattled by gang crime across beaches, neighborhoods
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Residents and public officials in Rio de Janeiro scrambled on Monday to come to terms with a weekend of mass robberies along the city’s popular beachfront and upscale neighborhoods nearby.
China military hints at strong opposition to large-scale troop cuts
BEIJING (Reuters) – Bitterness is growing within China’s armed forces to President Xi Jinping’s decision to cut troop numbers by 300,000 and considerable effort will be needed to overcome opposition to the order, according to a source and commentaries …
Exclusive: ‘Putin’s banker’ Pugachev files $10 billion claim against Russia
LONDON (Reuters) – Sergei Pugachev, a tycoon once dubbed “Putin’s banker” because of his influence in the Kremlin, has filed a claim against Russia for more than $10 billion after his business empire was carved up when he fell out of favor with Preside…
Nobel Peace Prize committee says ex-insider violated trust
OSLO (Reuters) – The committee that awards the Nobel Peace Prize accused its former secretary on Monday of a breach of trust for publishing a book that gives behind-the-scenes details of recent awards, including the one given to U.S. President Barack O…
Syrians see impostors, interlopers among migrants around them
TOVARNIK, Croatia (Reuters) – Love brought Nizar Shoukry from his native Syria to Croatia and eventually a dental practice in the border town of Tovarnik. Thirty years later, war is bringing his countrymen, in a chaotic, desperate tide flowing past Shoukry’s door en route to Germany and a promise of asylum.
France softens stance on Assad departure: Figaro
PARIS (Reuters) – France will not demand Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s departure as a precondition for peace talks, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told Le Figaro in an interview.
Macau police probe suspected fraud at junket as investors protest
MACAU (Reuters) – Macau police are investigating alleged fraud involving one of the gambling hub’s biggest junket operators after the company said an ex-employee had stolen money from investors, the latest incident to hit an industry reeling from a slu…
Hungary beefs up border with army, warns migrants to stay away
BUDAPEST (Reuters) – Hungary’s parliament authorized the government on Monday to deploy the army to help handle a wave of migrants, granting the military the right to use non-lethal force.
