Lavish freebies from Saudi king to buoy economy, markets
DUBAI (Reuters) – A lavish payout to public employees ordered by Saudi Arabia’s new King Salman will help to sustain the kingdom’s consumer boom and reassure financial markets that the government is not slashing expenditure in the face of low oil price…
Two cases of child pornography possession in Vatican in 2014
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The Vatican, which is still struggling with the effects of a worldwide pedophilia scandal in the Catholic Church, discovered two cases of possession of child pornography within its own walls last year, its chief prosecutor said…
Bangladesh opposition says leader’s Internet, electricity cut amid protests
DHAKA (Reuters) – Opposition activists accused Bangladesh’s government of cutting their leader’s electricity, Internet and cable connections on Saturday after days of violent anti-government protests.
France, Morocco resume judicial cooperation after row
PARIS (Reuters) – France and Morocco will resume their judicial and legal cooperation, the French justice ministry said on Saturday, ending a row sparked by a French probe into alleged torture.
AirAsia captain left seat before jet lost control: sources
SINGAPORE/JAKARTA/PARIS (Reuters) – The captain of the AirAsia jet that crashed into the sea in December was out of his seat conducting an unusual procedure when his co-pilot apparently lost control, and by the time he returned it was too late to save …
Two die as Muslim protesters clash with police in Afghan capital: witnesses
Kabul (Reuters) – Two people were killed when violence broke out at an anti-Charlie Hebdo protest in the Afghan capital on Saturday, according to witnesses, but Kabul’s police chief said there were no deaths and only two injuries.
Western-backed rebels join Aleppo alliance: Syria monitor
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Western-backed rebel group in northern Syria that is under pressure from al Qaeda’s hardline Nusra Front has joined an alliance of mainly Islamist insurgent factions in Aleppo, a group monitoring the conflict said on Saturday.
Japan says hostage negotiations with militants ‘deadlocked’
TOKYO (Reuters) – Efforts by Japan and Jordan to secure the release of two of their nationals held captive by Islamic State militants remain “deadlocked” and the situation remains highly unpredictable, Japanese officials said.
Japan, Jordan seek news on fate of Islamic State captives
AMMAN/TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan and Jordan scrambled on Friday to find out what had happened to two of their nationals being held by Islamic State, after a deadline passed for the release of a would-be suicide bomber being held on death row in Amman.
Deadly clash in Philippines a setback to peace with Muslim rebels
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – A deadly clash between Philippines police and Muslim rebels in the south of the country has dealt a temporary setback to peace talks, Manila’s chief peace negotiator said on Saturday, appealing for renewed efforts to keep the p…
