China defends Sri Lankan project in test of its push to invest abroad
COLOMBO/NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Sri Lanka’s suspension of a project to build a glittering skyline on land reclaimed from the Indian Ocean has prompted China to defend its investment, in a test of Beijing’s ambitions to fund loans and major infrastructure…
Aid groups say U.N. Security Council failed Syria, 2014 worst year yet
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Aid agencies said on Thursday that 2014 was the worst year of the Syrian conflict so far and that three United Nations Security Council resolutions aimed at alleviating the suffering had failed.
Mafia thrives on Italy’s legalized gambling addiction
ROME (Reuters) – Legalizing gambling in Italy was supposed to help curb the mafia. Unfortunately, prosecutors say, it has only created new opportunities for the mob.
Mind your manners, Venezuela tells U.S. official Jacobson
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s top diplomat called a senior U.S. official “petulant” and ill-mannered on Wednesday in response to her contention that sanctions were intended to change the government, not topple it.
U.N. peacekeepers barred seven Congolese officers over rights records
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo barred seven Congolese army and police officers from receiving support after ruling there was a “real risk” they could commit human rights abuses, ac…
IMF aims for ‘immediate’ stabilization with latest Ukraine bailout deal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The International Monetary Fund has agreed to pump $10 billion into Ukraine’s troubled economy over the next year, providing swift assistance for the country’s struggling finances as part of a larger four-year bailout.
France wins battle of Waterloo, as coin is tossed
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Two hundred years after Napoleon’s ambitions to rule Europe died at Waterloo, France won a small battle on Wednesday to prevent the minting of a euro coin commemorating an event that shaped today’s continent.
Cuban dissident leader survives challenge, says group stronger
HAVANA (Reuters) – The leader of Cuba’s Ladies in White declared the prominent dissident group stronger on Wednesday after she survived a leadership challenge from disgruntled followers who accused her of abusing her authority.
Erdogan underlines rates view to Turkish central bank chief
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Nervous Turkish markets hoped President Tayyip Erdogan might make peace with the central bank governor on Wednesday, but the two seem likely at best to have agreed to disagree on interest rate policy.
Rights group blames Syria government forces for majority of doctor deaths
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – U.S.-based Physicians for Human Rights on Wednesday blamed Syrian government forces for 88 percent of its recorded attacks on hospitals and almost all recorded killings of medical workers during the country’s four-year confli…
