Austrian finance minister quits in tax reform row
VIENNA (Reuters) – Austrian Finance Minister and Vice-Chancellor Michael Spindelegger unexpectedly quit all his political posts on Tuesday, citing lack of support from his conservative People’s Party (OVP) in a row over tax reform.
Pakistan’s prime minister meets army chief amid crisis
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met the country’s powerful army chief on Tuesday as a political deadlock over mass protests to demand the government’s resignation showed no signs of resolution.
Afghan candidate threatens to pull out of election process
KABUL (Reuters) – One of two candidates competing to succeed Afghan leader Hamid Karzai threatened on Tuesday to pull out of a U.N.-backed audit of a disputed presidential election, undermining a process meant to defuse a volatile standoff between the …
Two killed in border skirmish between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan
DUSHANBE/BISHKEK (Reuters) – Two Tajiks were killed in a border shootout between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, the bloodiest clash so far this year on the frontier between the former Soviet neighbors, officials said on Tuesday.
Turkey struggles as ‘lone gatekeeper’ against Islamic State recruitment
ISTANBUL/BEIRUT (Reuters) – As Islamic State insurgents threaten the Turkish border from Syria, Turkey is struggling to staunch the flow of foreign jihadists to the militant group, having not so long ago allowed free access to those who would join its …
Bangladesh floods leave thousands homeless, damage crops
DHAKA (Reuters) – Heavy flooding across Bangladesh has forced thousands of people from their homes and caused severe damage to crops, with officials on Tuesday warning the situation could worsen as floodwaters poured into the capital, Dhaka.
Taiwan says Chinese military planes breached its airspace
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan said on Tuesday it had scrambled jets to intercept two Chinese military aircrafts, which breached its airspace four times.
Somali ‘paradise flower’ chewers savor low-price bliss after UK ban
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – “The president has arrived, the president has arrived,” chant youths in Mogadishu’s Beerta Khaatka market, as armed men in trucks mounted with machine guns escort lorries with horns blaring through the throng.
Austria’s Faymann sees government coalition lasting
VIENNA (Reuters) – Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann expects the country’s governing coalition to last until the next national elections, he said after Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger resigned.
German anti-euro party set for gains in eastern votes
FREITAL Germany (Reuters) – The Alternative for Germany (AfD) looks set to win its first seats in a German state parliament as it evolves from a single-issue eurosceptic party into a law-and-order movement that could chip away at Chancellor Angela Merk…
