Uzbeks vote in elections expected to reinforce Karimov’s grip on power
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Uzbeks went to the polls on Sunday to vote in parliamentary elections at which all four parties support President Islam Karimov, ensuring that the ballot will further reinforce his 23-year grip on power.
Iran nuclear diplomat gets key post as head of foreign oil deals
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran has appointed a backstage strategist in nuclear talks with world powers as chief of foreign petroleum contracts, the oil ministry said, a job that will hinge largely on any settlement of its atomic dispute with the West.
Iohannis promises corruption crackdown as new Romanian president
BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Center politician Klaus Iohannis was sworn in as Romania’s president on Sunday, promising to crack down on corruption and strengthen institutions 25 years after the fall of communism.
Lebanon says it needs French helicopters quickly to fight jihadis
PARIS (Reuters) – Lebanon hopes France will deliver helicopters to its army faster than planned so it can fight jihadis encroaching from neighboring Syria, Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam said in an interview on Sunday.
Egypt retires hardline intelligence chief
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s intelligence chief, who took office in mid-2013 after the overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Mursi, has been retired from the job, the presidency said on Sunday.
Afghan Taliban decry ‘biased’ U.N. report on civilian casualties
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan’s Taliban on Sunday accused the United Nations of “enmity and political motives” in reporting that three-quarters of a record-high number of civilians killed and wounded this year were victims of the insurgents.
South Korea prosecutors investigate data leak at nuclear power plants
SEOUL (Reuters) – Seoul prosecutors have launched an investigation into a leak of non-critical data at South Korea’s nuclear power operator, the prosecutors’ office said on Sunday, as worries mount about nuclear safety and potential cyberattacks from N…
Egypt allows in travelers from Gaza for first time since October
GAZA (Reuters) – Egypt opened the Rafah border crossing on Sunday for incoming passengers from the Gaza Strip for the first time in almost two months, Palestinian and Egyptian officials said.
New leadership seeks to rebuild EU self-confidence
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Short, snappy and focused on two priorities – reviving sagging investment in Europe and standing firm towards Russia, the first European Union summit under new leadership was a demonstrative break with the past.
Russia growls across the border as Lithuania readies for euro
KYBARTAI, Lithuania (Reuters) – Geopolitics plague Lithuanians at this frozen Russian border post, where a return trip by car can mean 48 hours of queuing. It is a reminder for some of why the former Soviet republic will cement its move to the West by …
