Romanian prosecutors launch criminal investigation into finance minister
BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Romanian prosecutors said on Friday they had launched a probe into Finance Minister Darius Valcov, accusing him of favouring a company for a public works contract in exchange for about 2 million euros while in his former post as a…
Russia rejects U.S. concerns over Vietnam base role in bomber flights
MOSCOW/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Russia on Friday rejected U.S. concerns about its use of a former American base in Vietnam for the refueling of Russian bomber flights around U.S. territory in the Pacific, dismissing recent U.S. statements as “puzzling” a…
Iran framework deal would only be step in talks: diplomat
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Even if Iran and six powers can reach a framework nuclear deal by the end of this month, further serious negotiations would be needed to achieve a full agreement by June 30, a senior European diplomat said on Friday.
Sudan rebels say they have begun armed campaign to derail elections
KHARTOUM (Reuters) – A Sudanese rebel group said on Friday it had launched a military campaign focused on derailing elections slated for next month, as rebels and the government reported fresh clashes.
Last polls give center-left opposition solid lead before Israel’s election
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel’s center-left opposition is poised for an upset victory in next week’s parliamentary election, with the last opinion polls before Tuesday’s vote giving it a solid lead over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party.
Canada PM’s anti-Islam talk is a Putin-like tactic: opposition
OTTAWA (Reuters) – A Canadian opposition leader on Friday compared Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s handling of Islam to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s crackdown on gays, ratcheting up political rhetoric over the religion as Harper’s ruling Conserva…
Floods in Angola kill at least 64, toll expected to rise
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – At least 64 people have died in flooding following heavy rain in western Angola, the state-run news agency reported on Friday.
Pakistan successfully test-fires own drone aircraft to target militants
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan’s military test-fired a Pakistani-built unmanned aircraft armed with a laser-guided missile on Friday, an army statement said, giving it a new weapon to target Taliban and other jihadist militants in its lawless border areas.
U.S. to send $70 million in non-lethal aid to Syrian opposition
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department said on Friday it was working with Congress to provide about $70 million in new non-lethal assistance to the Syrian opposition fighting President Bashar al-Assad.
Spain rejects Argentina extradition request for Franco-era officials
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain on Friday rejected a request by an Argentine judge to arrest and extradite 20 former Spanish officials, including two ex-government ministers, accused of human rights violations in the era of the dictator Francisco Franco.
