Argentine presidential aspirant Massa says would cut back state controls
TIGRE, Argentina (Reuters) – Sergio Massa, a frontrunner in Argentina’s presidential election next year, said on Wednesday he would ensure the independence of the central bank and modify laws that have ramped up the role of the state in the country’s s…
Spanish health minister resigns in kickback scandal
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s Health Minister Ana Mato resigned on Wednesday after an investigating judge accused her of benefiting from a kickback scheme that has already damaged Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s People’s Party (PP).
Former Rwandan rebels transferred to Congo transit camp
KINSHASA (Reuters) – Authorities in Democratic Republic of Congo began to transfer former Rwandan rebels on Wednesday from disarmament camps in the east to a northern transit camp, the U.N. mission said, in an apparent first step to their relocation in…
Same firm, new house: Mexico leader’s conflict-of-interest storm grows
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto faced fresh questions on Wednesday about his dealings with a company at the center of a conflict-of-interest scandal, after it emerged that he enjoyed rent-free use of a house belonging to th…
Russian troops giving ‘backbone’ to Ukraine rebels: NATO commander
KIEV (Reuters) – Russian forces are still operating in eastern Ukraine, providing the backbone of separatist rebels fighting the Kiev government, NATO’s top military commander said on Wednesday after talks with Ukrainian leaders.
Egyptian inquiry into political violence seeks changes to protest law
CAIRO (Reuters) – An Egyptian committee investigating political violence made a rare break on Wednesday with judicial support for heavy-handed state tactics, recommending the government should amend a law restricting protest.
Colombia general, other FARC captives may be free Saturday: Santos
BOGOTA (Reuters) – A Colombian general and two others taken captive by Marxist FARC rebels could be free by Saturday, President Juan Manuel Santos said, in a move that may lead to the restart of suspended peace negotiations to end 50 years of war.
Spain’s health minister resigns in kickback scandal
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s Health Minister Ana Mato, whose former husband is linked to a wide-ranging corruption scandal involving Spain’s ruling People’s Party, said on Wednesday she had presented her resignation from the post.
Hong Kong riot police clear protest site, arrest student leaders
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong police on Wednesday cleared one of the largest protest sites that have choked the city for months, arresting scores of pro-democracy activists in a blow to those hoping to wrest greater political freedom from authorities…
U.S. drone strike in Pakistan kills five suspected militants
PARICHINAR, Pakistan (Reuters) – A U.S. drone killed five suspected militants in northwest Pakistan on Wednesday, a militant and a government official said, as the intensity of air strikes grew as part of an anti-Taliban offensive by the Pakistani mili…
