Lebanese army surrounds border town, evacuates refugees
ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF ARSAL Lebanon (Reuters) – Lebanon’s army surrounded a border town occupied by Islamist militants on Wednesday as mediators reported progress in negotiations to end to the most serious spillover of Syria’s civil war yet onto Lebanese…
Dutch firm Fugro to lead search for MH370 off Australia
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Dutch engineering firm Fugro will lead the search of the Indian Ocean seafloor where missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 is believed to have crashed, hoping to unlock the greatest mystery in modern aviation.
African negotiators urge U.S. leadership for U.N. climate deal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – African climate negotiators attending the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington this week said leadership from the United States is critical to finalizing a global deal on measures to address climate change in 2015 after years…
Two Italian aid workers kidnapped in Syria: foreign ministry
ROME (Reuters) – Two Italian aid workers have been kidnapped in war-torn Syria, the Italian foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
Soldier who killed U.S. general spent three years in Afghan army
KABUL (Reuters) – The Afghan who opened fire on a high-ranking delegation visiting a military complex in Kabul, killing U.S. Major General Harold Greene, had served in the army for three years, an Afghan defense official said on Wednesday.
Canadian couple detained by China safe but closely watched, says son
DANDONG China (Reuters) – A Canadian couple detained in China on suspicion they stole state secrets are safe but under constant guard, according to messages they passed on via the Canadian embassy, their son said on Wednesday.
Turkey suspends activities at Tripoli embassy over insecurity
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey has suspended work at its embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Wednesday, two weeks after his ministry advised Turks to leave the North African country due to worsening lawlessness.
France passes sweeping gender equality law
NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – France has passed a sweeping gender equality law that eases current restrictions on abortion, encourages paternity leave and promotes gender parity at home and in the workplace.
Bulgaria’s interim PM promises to restore public trust
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgaria’s newly appointed Prime Minister Georgi Bliznashki promised on Wednesday to restore public trust in political institutions in the short time that his caretaker government is in office.
Yemeni troops kill nine suspected al Qaeda militants: agency
ADEN (Reuters) – Yemeni security forces killed at least nine suspected al Qaeda militants on Wednesday when they tried to ambush troops heading to eastern Yemen to bolster state authority there, state media reported.
