Cyprus police hold three in illegal Syrian vehicle export probe
NICOSIA (Reuters) – Police in Cyprus are questioning three Syrian men on suspicion of exporting cars illegally from the island to Syria, authorities said on Friday.
Two Japan ministers latest to deny illegal funding
TOKYO (Reuters) – Two Japanese ministers denied wrongdoing on Friday after media said they appeared to have received improper funding, the latest embarrassment for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, three of whose ministers have quit over scandals since Octobe…
Three Ukrainian servicemen killed in past 24 hours: Kiev military
KIEV (Reuters) – Three Ukrainian servicemen have been killed and seven wounded in fighting with pro-Russian separatists in east Ukraine in the past 24 hours, a military spokesman said on Friday.
China to blacklist officials who interfere in court cases
BEIJING (Reuters) – China will start blacklisting and punishing officials who interfere in judicial investigations and trials, state media said on Friday, as the country hastens efforts to boost the rule of law.
Bolstering technology Turkey’s priority in defense deal: official
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey’s top priority when procuring its first long-range missile defense system is to bolster its own technological ability, a defense official said on Friday.
Pakistanis on trial in massacre of 10 foreign climbers escape jail
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Two Pakistani militant suspects facing trial for the massacre of 10 foreign climbers two years ago escaped from jail on Friday, an official said.
Zimbabwe’s Mugabe says wife not the power behind his throne
HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwe’s 91-year-old President Robert Mugabe told state television that his wife Grace, a rising political star in the ruling party, is not the power behind his throne.
Islamic State must keep expanding to survive: financial report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – International investigators said on Friday that in order for the Islamic State to remain financially viable it would have to further expand territory it controls in Iraq and Syria and take over more resources.
Hong Kong woman jailed for six years for abusing Indonesian maid
HONG KONG (Reuters) – A Hong Kong mother of two who punched her maids, beat them with mops and threatened to kill their relatives was jailed for six years on Friday in a case that triggered outrage and exposed the plight of millions of domestic helpers…
China appoints new environment minister: Xinhua
BEIJING (Reuters) – China has appointed Chen Jining as its new environment minister, replacing Zhou Shengxian, who is retiring, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Friday.




