India’s rich temples may open gold vaults for PM Modi
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI (Reuters) – The two-century-old Shree Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai devoted to the Hindu elephant-headed god Ganesha bristles with close circuit cameras and is guarded by 65 security officers.
Iran’s Khamenei demands all sanctions end when nuclear deal signed
(Reuters) – Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday demanded that all sanctions on Iran be lifted at the same time as any final agreement with world powers on curbing Tehran’s nuclear program is concluded.
Thousands join protests, strikes against French cutbacks
PARIS (Reuters) – Tens of thousands took to the streets in towns and cities across France on Thursday in union-led protests against public spending cuts that closed down the Eiffel Tower to tourists and coincide with strikes by air traffic controllers …
Islamic State assault was catalyst for Iraqi unity, Biden says
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Islamic State’s assault on northern Iraq last summer galvanized the country’s rival factions to fight a common enemy and halt the militant group’s momentum, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said on Thursday.
Britain’s Labour takes as much as 6 percent point lead in pre-election poll
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s opposition Labour Party has taken the lead over Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservatives, according to four opinion polls less than a month before the May 7 election, with one survey showing a Labour lead of six percent…
Mali says rebels to initial peace deal, prompting Tuareg denial
BAMAKO/DAKAR (Reuters) – Mali announced on Thursday that northern rebels would give preliminary approval to a U.N.-brokered peace proposal next week but a northern Tuareg separatist group said it was not ready to back a deal.
France’s National Front’s Le Pen tells father to step down from politics
PARIS (Reuters) – France’s National Front leader Marine Le Pen urged her father Jean-Marie to withdraw from political life and said she would begin disciplinary proceedings against him over repeated comments that had harmed efforts to broaden her party…
China mounts detailed defense of South China Sea reclamation
BEIJING (Reuters) – China on Thursday sketched out plans for the islands it is creating in the disputed South China Sea, saying they would be used for military defense as well as to provide civilian services that would benefit other countries.
U.S., allies conduct 7 air strikes in Syria, 12 in Iraq: military
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S.-led forces targeted Islamic State militants in Syria with seven air strikes from Wednesday to Thursday morning, with Canada taking part in the strikes for the first time, the U.S. military said on Thursday.
U.N. chief urges Syria mediator to focus on political process
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday he had asked his Syria mediator to “focus much more to re-launch a political process” in a bid to end the four-year civil war that has killed some 220,000 people a…
