Ethnic German emerges as a top challenger for Romanian president
BUCHAREST (Reuters) – The ethnic German mayor of a Transylvanian city has emerged as leftist Prime Minister Victor Ponta’s strongest challenger in a forthcoming Romanian presidential election, an opinion poll showed on Monday.
Islamic State expels rivals from Syria’s Deir al-Zor: activists
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Al Qaeda offshoot the Islamic State expelled rival rebels from the eastern Syrian city of Deir al-Zor on Monday, tightening its grip on the oil-producing province abutting territory it also controls in Iraq, activists said.
Zambia releases photos of Sata chairing cabinet to quell illness talk
LUSAKA (Reuters) – Zambia released photographs of President Michael Sata chairing a cabinet meeting on Monday, allaying speculation that the 77-year-old leader was critically ill.
Breakaway bull gores three men in closing Pamplona run
PAMPLONA Spain (Reuters) – A bull gored three men after breaking away from the pack chasing crowds through the streets of Pamplona in the closing run of Spain’s San Fermin festival on Monday.
South African anti-apartheid author Nadine Gordimer dies, aged 90
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African Nobel Prize-winning author Nadine Gordimer, one of the literary world’s most powerful voices against apartheid, has died at the age of 90, her family said on Monday.
Shanghai most likely headquarters for BRICS development bank
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Shanghai looks set to become the headquarters of a development bank being launched by the BRICS emerging market nations, despite fears by some members of the group that China could hijack the bank to serve its interests.
Philippine leader’s approval down on doubt over corruption effort
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Benigno Aquino’s performance ratings have plunged to their lowest ever, two independent pollsters said on Monday, as a perception grew that he is not serious enough in efforts to fight corruption.
Sri Lanka court keeps five in Australia asylum case in detention
GALLE Sri Lanka (Reuters) – A Sri Lankan court on Monday ordered that five suspected ringleaders of a people-smuggling operation remain in custody for two more weeks, in a case that has fueled controversy over Australia’s tough line on immigration.
Ukraine forces end rebel airport blockade
KIEV/DONETSK Ukraine (Reuters) – Ukraine said on Monday its forces had ended a rebel blockade of a strategic airport in the east as it traded charges and threats with Russia over violations of their joint border during a weekend of fierce military comb…
Two car bombs in Baghdad kill six – police and medics
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Two car bombs struck Baghdad on Monday, killing six people and wounding a dozen others, police and medical sources said.
