Governments turn up the heat on atheists: report
GENEVA (Reuters) – Amid a global decline in religious belief, some governments are stepping up efforts to portray atheists and secularists as a danger to society and even as terrorists, according to a report issued on Wednesday.
French reform bill a major test for a weakened Hollande
PARIS (Reuters) – France’s Socialist government will propose on Wednesday a reform bill which is crucial for avoiding EU sanctions but risks being watered down by lawmakers angry with President Francois Hollande’s deregulation drive.
Iraq presses Hagel for more U.S. air strikes, weapons
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi pressed outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday for more air strikes and weaponry to accelerate what he called the “descent” of Islamic State.
Brazil Congress passes budget bill, opens way for new minister
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s Congress approved late on Tuesday a controversial budget target bill whose passage opens the way for President Dilma Rousseff’s new economic team to take office as soon as this week.
Last French hostage freed by Al Qaeda’s north African arm
PARIS/NIAMEY (Reuters) – Serge Lazarevic, a Frenchman who was kidnapped in northern Mali and was France’s last hostage abroad, has been freed after being held by al Qaeda’s North African wing for nearly three years.
Man charged with trying to take U.S. military documents to China
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A former Connecticut resident and Chinese citizen who allegedly worked on the F135 engine was charged with trying to take sensitive documents about military technology to China, according to a criminal complaint unsealed on Tuesd…
Kerry urges flexibility in U.S. war powers against Islamic State
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Any congressional authorization of U.S. military force against Islamic State should be flexible and not limit the fight to Iraq and Syria, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday.
Tension mounts in Haiti as clock ticks on electoral impasse
MIAMI/PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) – The Obama administration and the United Nations are pressuring Haiti’s government to resolve a long-festering dispute over postponed elections in the face of anti-government protests across the impoverished Caribbean co…
Putin calls Austrian leader to discuss Ukraine, South Stream
VIENNA (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin called Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann to discuss the situation in Ukraine and the South Stream natural gas pipeline, a spokesman for the Austrian leader said on Tuesday.
Qatar emir urges Gulf Arab solidarity amid regional turmoil
DOHA (Reuters) – Qatar’s emir urged Gulf Arab leaders on Tuesday to shake off a damaging rift over Islamist politics and work together to tackle common threats across the region.
