Niger police fire tear gas as opposition defies ban on protest
NIAMEY (Reuters) – Police in Niger fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of opposition supporters who gathered in the capital Niamey on Sunday in defiance of a ban on a demonstration against what they see as poor governance, witnesses said.
Pope says Mass for huge Manila crowd, appeals for suffering children
MANILA (Reuters) – Pope Francis said a huge open-air Mass for a rain-drenched crowd of millions in the Philippine capital on Sunday, after appealing to the world to “learn how to cry” over the plight of poor, hungry, homeless and abused children.
North Korean defector, subject of escape bestseller, changes his story
SEOUL (Reuters) – A North Korean defector, whose dramatic escape from a brutal prison camp was the subject of a bestselling book, has changed key parts of his story and on Sunday apologised for misleading people.
Loosening Beijing embrace, Sri Lanka reviews China projects
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Sri Lanka’s new government will review Chinese infrastructure projects awarded under the previous administration, a junior minister said, a move bound to please Indian and Western powers concerned about Beijing’s access in the islan…
Catalonia takes election gamble to keep independence drive alive
MADRID (Reuters) – Catalonian leaders are hoping that a regional election in September will keep alive a fading independence drive and force the hand of Spain’s central government – but the move could also backfire.
Japan opposition Democrats turn to familiar face to try to fix flagging fortunes
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s opposition Democratic Party elected former foreign minister Katsuya Okada as its leader on Sunday, turning to a familiar face to try to persuade voters it can again become a viable alternative to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ru…
France’s Hollande defends freedom of speech after anti-Hebdo clashes abroad
PARIS (Reuters) – French President Francois Hollande said on Saturday that anti-Charlie Hebdo protesters in other countries do not understand France’s attachment to freedom of speech.
Afghan Cabinet nominee wanted by Interpol for tax evasion
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s nominee for agriculture minister in his new Cabinet is on an Interpol wanted list for tax evasion in Estonia, a fact Ghani’s spokesman said was unknown to his office at the time of his nomination.
Indian spy’s role alleged in Sri Lankan president’s election defeat
COLOMBO/NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Sri Lanka expelled the Colombo station chief of India’s spy agency in the run-up to this month’s presidential election, political and intelligence sources said, accusing him of helping the opposition oust President Mahinda…
Suspect in shooting of two Canadian police found dead
TORONTO (Reuters) – The suspect in the shootings of two Canadian police officers in an Alberta casino on Saturday was found dead after being tracked to an unoccupied home, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.
