Pope says Islamist violence in Syria and Iraq is ‘grave sin against God’
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Pope Francis said Islamic militants were carrying out a “profoundly grave sin against God” in Syria and Iraq, calling on Sunday for inter-religious dialogue and action against poverty to help end the conflicts there.
China’s Xinjiang passes rules, plans fines to curb unrest: Xinhua
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Xinjiang region has banned the practice of religion in government buildings and will fine those who use the Internet to ‘undermine national unity’, in a package of regulations aimed at combating separatism in the north-weste…
Central African militia says to lay down arms, become political party
DAKAR (Reuters) – The ‘anti-balaka’ militia in Central African Republic, formed in response to abuses by mostly Muslim rebels who seized power last year, said it would lay down its weapons and become a political movement.
Swiss voters reject gold initiative
ZURICH (Reuters) – Swiss voters overwhelmingly rejected proposals on Sunday that would have forced the central bank to buy huge amounts of gold and imposed strict curbs on immigration, in what is seen as a result strengthening Swiss ties with the Europ…
Swiss voters reject gold initiative
ZURICH (Reuters) – Swiss voters overwhelmingly rejected proposals on Sunday that would have forced the central bank to buy huge amounts of gold and imposed strict curbs on immigration, in what is seen as a result strengthening Swiss ties with the Europ…
UK’s Osborne pledges pre-election healthcare funding boost
LONDON (Reuters) – British finance minister George Osborne announced a 2 billion-pound annual rise in healthcare spending on Sunday, seeking to counter attacks on his Conservative party’s handling of the health service six months before an election.
Large, unauthorized convoy enters east Ukraine from Russia: Ukrainian military
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine said on Sunday that a convoy of 106 vehicles had entered its eastern territory from Russia without Kiev’s permission and accused Moscow of once again using humanitarian aid shipments to send weapons and ammunition to separatist…
Suspected Boko Haram militants raid northern Christian town in Nigeria
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Suspected Boko Haram militants, who arrived on motorcycles throwing bombs, raided a mostly Christian town in Nigeria’s northeast after nightfall on Saturday, residents and a military source said.
Kurdish deal with Turkey within reach but legal guarantees key: Ocalan
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A settlement to end a three-decade insurgency by Kurdish militants in Turkey could be reached within months if the government puts in place legal guarantees for Kurdish rights, a jailed militant leader was quoted as saying on Sunda…
Vietnam detains blogger for ‘bad’ content
HANOI (Reuters) – Vietnamese police have detained a blogger for posting “bad content” about the state, the latest move in a crackdown on dissent that has been condemned by rights groups and Western governments.
