Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksa wins 2015 budget vote despite defections
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is facing a split in his ruling coalition ahead of a snap presidential poll on Jan. 8, won the final vote on the 2015 budget Monday with a strong majority.
Death toll in southern Morocco floods rises to 32
RABAT (Reuters) – Floods triggered by heavy rain have killed at least 32 people, swept away buildings, vehicles and roads and forced the evacuation of more than 200 people in southern Morocco, authorities said on Monday.
War-weary Darfuris see grim future with or without U.N. peacekeepers
TABIT, Sudan (Reuters) – Caught in a forgotten war between rebels and government forces and beset by bandits who roam the lawless roads, villagers in Darfur say their lives can scarcely get any worse if Sudan insists on international peacekeepers leavi…
Russia to toughen rules on meat transit from Belarus
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Moscow will tighten restrictions on the transit of meat products across its territory from Belarus to Kazakhstan and other countries following attempts to sell banned imports in Russia, Russia’s veterinary and phytosanitary service (…
Seven Thai policemen charged as probe into senior officers widens
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Seven Thai policemen have been charged for offences ranging from accepting bribes to insulting the monarchy as a probe that has led to the arrest of two senior officers widens, a police spokesman said on Monday.
Iran nuclear talks set to resume next month after missing deadline
VIENNA (Reuters) – Iran and six world powers are expected to break off negotiations on Monday and meet again next month after missing a deadline to clinch a final deal to resolve their 12-year standoff over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, diplomatic source…
Two U.S. soldiers killed in bomb attack in Afghan capital: sources
KABUL (Reuters) – Two U.S. soldiers were killed when their vehicle was hit by a bomb in the Afghan capital Kabul on Monday, officials and sources said.
U.S. seeks to step up India trade talks after WTO breakthrough
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – The United States wants to step up its trade dialogue with India, Trade Representative Michael Froman said on Monday, after the resolution of a global trade dispute paved the way for President Barack Obama to visit India.
Heavy rain kills at least 17 in southern Morocco
RABAT (Reuters) – At least 17 people died and 18 others were missing after heavy rain and floods struck southern Morocco over the weekend, destroying houses, vehicles and roads, authorities said on Monday.
China seizes 31 trafficking suspects holding Myanmar women
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese authorities in the northern region of Inner Mongolia arrested 31 people on suspicion of trafficking women because they had held 14 people, 11 of them from Myanmar, state media said on Monday.
