Budget pressure unlikely to deflect Iran from nuclear goals
DUBAI (Reuters) – A big oil price slide will hurt Iran’s attempts to rescue battered living standards, but economic pain is unlikely to soften its stance in nuclear talks or end aid to allies such as Syria, matters seen by its ruling clerics as strateg…
Protests in India over conversions set back reform agenda
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reform agenda suffered a setback on Monday as protests erupted in parliament and in the streets over a campaign by Hindu hardliners linked to his party to convert Muslims and Christians to Hin…
Greek parliament vote in balance after Samaras election offer
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’ surprise offer to lawmakers to go to the polls late next year in exchange for a vote for his presidential nominee has injected fresh momentum into his fight against the anti-austerity left.
China to ‘regulate’ foreign NGOs with new law
BEIJING (Reuters) – China aims to “regulate” foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) under a law being discussed this week, state media said on Monday, which aims to step up supervision of the fast-growing sector.
Senior Chinese leader to visit Vietnam amid sea tension
BEIJING (Reuters) – A senior Chinese leader will visit Vietnam this month, China’s state media said on Monday, amid tension between the neighbors over competing claims in the South China Sea.
Spain’s Princess Cristina to stand trial on tax fraud charges
MADRID (Reuters) – Cristina de Borbon, sister of Spain’s King Felipe VI, will stand trial on charges of tax fraud, the first Spanish royal to face prosecution in court.
Court orders partner of Sydney hostage-taker jailed
SYDNEY (Reuters) – An Australian court on Monday ordered bail revoked for the partner of a self-styled Sheikh who last week stormed a Sydney cafe at gunpoint, sparking a 16-hour hostage crisis that left three people dead, including the gunman.
Man stages new protest on ledge of St. Peter’s in Vatican
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – An Italian man evaded Vatican security for the fifth time to reach a high ledge on the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica to protest against laws he says caused him to lose his business.
China issues property registration rules to aid anti-graft drive
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China issued rules requiring real-estate owners to register their holdings with authorities, a major step in the fight against official corruption that should make it harder for property speculators to evade regulations.
Australian house where eight children killed to be demolished
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The house where an Australian mother allegedly killed eight children, most of them her own, will likely be demolished in keeping with indigenous culture to make way for a memorial, a government official said on Monday.
