Tajik leader’s party ahead in election, Western monitors cry foul
DUSHANBE (Reuters) – Tajikistan’s veteran President Imomali Rakhmon looked set on Monday to dominate parliament for another five years after his party took a strong lead in an election Western observers said was stacked in his favor.
Four Syrian refugees killed in fire at camp in Jordan
AMMAN (Reuters) – Four Syrian refugees died on Monday when their mobile home caught fire in Jordan’s Zaatari camp near the Syrian border, the United Nations refugee agency and a witness said.
Hopes for peaceful Russian transition fade with Nemtsov: Kasparov
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The murder of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov has dampened any hope for a peaceful political transition in Russia away from President Vladimir Putin’s government, Garry Kasparov, a prominent opposition voice, said in an interview on…
Thai junta panel moves to allay fears over draft charter
BANGKOK (Reuters) – The panel appointed by Thailand’s military government to draft a new constitution after the previous one was torn up following a May coup sought to allay growing criticism on Monday amid calls for more public involvement.
Outgoing Namibian president wins $5 million Africa leadership prize
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Namibia’s outgoing president, Hifikepunye Pohamba, has won the Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s $5 million African leadership prize, an award meant to recognize good governance that has been presented only three times in eight years.
China says Sri Lanka loans made ‘based on consensus’
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s loans to Sri Lanka were made based on consensus through talks between the two countries and at Sri Lanka’s request, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday, after Sri Lanka’s foreign minister expressed concern about the …
Hong Kong arrests 38 as anti-China protesters scuffle with police
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong police arrested 38 people after a group of about 400 demonstrators clashed with police, in the latest sign of tension caused by China’s influence in the city.
China says probing son of former top military officer
BEIJING (Reuters) – China is investigating 14 of its senior military officers, including the son of one of its former top generals, for suspected corruption, state media said on Monday, the latest wave of Beijing’s intensifying anti-graft campaign in t…
North Korea, angered by drills, fires short-range missiles
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea fired two short-range missiles off its east coast on Monday, South Korean officials said, a defiant response to annual military exercises between South Korea and the United States but one which drew a swift protest from Ja…
Philippine army seizes Muslim rebel bomb factory as peace plan flounders
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine soldiers have seized a Muslim rebel base and bomb factory in the south, a spokesman said on Monday, as a shaky peace process with the largest Muslim rebel group presents President Benigno Aquino’s with his toughest politic…
