China considers abolishing death penalty for nine crimes
BEIJING (Reuters) – China is considering trimming nine crimes from the list of offences punishable by death, state media said on Monday, as the ruling Communist Party considers broader reforms to the country’s legal system.
Leftist Rousseff narrowly wins second term in Brazil
SAO PAULO/BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s leftist President Dilma Rousseff narrowly won re-election on Sunday after convincing voters that her party’s strong record of reducing poverty over the last 12 years was more important than a recent economic slum…
Britain ends combat role in Afghanistan, last U.S. Marines hand over base
CAMP LEATHERNECK Afghanistan (Reuters) – British troops ended their combat operations in Afghanistan on Sunday as they and U.S. Marines handed over two huge adjacent bases to the Afghan military, 13 years after a U.S.-led invasion launched the long and…
In wake of Canada attacks, Toronto police drill for disaster
TORONTO (Reuters) – About 100 police, firefighters and other emergency workers held a disaster-response drill in downtown Toronto’s deserted financial district on Sunday following a week that saw two soldiers killed on Canadian soil.
Uruguay’s presidential election headed for runoff – exit polls
MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) – Exit polls showed Uruguay’s ruling leftist coalition candidate Tabare Vazquez with a strong lead in the country’s presidential election on Sunday but falling short of a 50 percent majority required to win outright in the first ro…
British government backs east-west England high-speed rail link
LONDON (Reuters) – The British government will back the development of an east-west high speed rail link between cities in northern England, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Sunday.
Pro-Europe parties secure big election win in Ukraine: exit poll
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko hailed a sweeping victory for pro-Europe parties in an election on Sunday, saying the vote showed people backed his plan to end a separatist conflict, his pro-Western course and democratic reforms.
Taiwan eyes homegrown submarines after 13-year wait on U.S. deal
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan is moving ahead with plans to build its own submarines, with an initial design to be completed by the year-end, after lengthy delays in getting eight vessels under a 2001 U.S. defense deal and as China’s navy expands rapidly.
Tunisians elect new parliament to consolidate young democracy
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisians elected a new parliament on Sunday bringing full democracy within their reach almost four years after an uprising cast out autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali and inspired the “Arab Spring” revolts.
No direct combat for Iraqi Kurds in Kobani, ISIS loses ground in Iraq
ARBIL/BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi Kurdish forces will not engage in ground fighting in the Syrian town of Kobani but provide artillery support for fellow Kurds fending off Islamic State militants there, a Kurdish spokesman said on Sunday.
