Earthquake hits western Iran, at least four injured
LONDON (Reuters) – An earthquake struck Iran’s western Ilam province near the border with Iraq on Wednesday, injuring at least four people, officials said.
Gunmen kill Syrian MP in western province: agency
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Gunmen opened fire on a Syrian lawmaker in his car outside Hama city in the west of the country, killing him and another civilian, state news agency SANA said on Wednesday.
Can the world produce enough food for 2 billion more people?
ROME (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – With the world population rising, demographers are grappling with one of the most pressing issues of the century – will there be enough food for an extra two to four billion people?
Scottish nationalists pick Sturgeon to lead fight for independence
LONDON (Reuters) – Scottish nationalists cleared the way on Wednesday for Nicola Sturgeon, a prominent figure in the failed campaign for independence in last month’s referendum, to become the country’s next first minister.
Freak Nepal blizzards kill 12, including hikers, yak herders
KATHMANDU (Reuters) – At least 12 people, including eight foreign hikers and a group of yak herders, were killed in Nepal by unseasonal blizzards and avalanches triggered by the tail of cyclone Hudhud, officials said on Wednesday.
Bahrain activist detained for seven days: lawyer
MANAMA (Reuters) – Bahraini authorities have ordered pro-democracy activist Zainab al-Khawaja to be detained for questioning for seven days after a judge accused her of insulting King Hamad by tearing up his picture, her lawyer said on Wednesday.
Albanian VIP denies blame for soccer stunt that outraged Serbia
BELGRADE/TIRANA (Reuters) – The brother of Albania’s prime minister denied on Wednesday involvement in an incendiary flag-flying stunt at a soccer match in Serbia that triggered a brawl on the pitch and accusations of a political conspiracy to harm Bal…
Bavaria may house overflow of refugees in Oktoberfest beer tents
BERLIN (Reuters) – Bavaria may house refugees in Oktoberfest beer festival tents as an influx of people fleeing war in Syria has stretched facilities to the limit, a leading newspaper said on Wednesday, highlighting a growing problem for Germany’s cent…
Sri Lanka bans foreigners from old war zone amid UN probe
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Sri Lanka on Wednesday banned foreigners from a former battle zone, the government said, weeks after the United Nations began an investigation into alleged war crimes in the final phase of a 26-year conflict between the army and sep…
Economic crisis, political strife drive Venezuela brain-drain
CARACAS (Reuters) – After three weeks trapped inside their home, Natalie Pereira and her family made a final decision: they must leave Venezuela.
