Troubled Bulgaria names law professor as interim premier
SOFIA (Reuters) – A Bulgarian law professor and former Socialist lawmaker was named caretaker prime minister on Tuesday until the next election, as the Balkan state grapples with the fallout of its worst banking crisis since the 1990s.
Iran seeking successor to Iraqi PM Maliki: official
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran is trying to work with Iraqi factions for a replacement for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to form a new government in Baghdad but there are few suitable candidates, a senior Iranian official said on Tuesday.
Japan’s security fears grow as neighbors build up arms
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan finds itself in a worsening security environment as North Korea pushes ahead with missile development and China and Russia step up military activity in the region, Japan’s Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.
From fruit basket to scorched earth, Gaza town changed by war
BEIT HANOUN Gaza (Reuters) – The stench of rotting animal carcasses was in the air as 10-year-old Ahmed al-Kafarna picked through the debris of his Gaza home after a ceasefire began on Tuesday, looking for his toys.
Taiwan, China to restart talks on goods free-trade agreement
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Representatives from China and Taiwan have reached an agreement to restart formal negotiations on a free-trade pact that would eliminate tax on the vast majority of goods flowing between the two, Taiwan officials said Tuesday.
Russia to hold war games in show of strength near Ukraine
MOSCOW/DONESTSK Ukraine (Reuters) – Russia announced military exercises near the border with Ukraine on Monday in a show of strength as the Ukrainian army recaptured more territory from pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country.
Obama to announce $14 billion in U.S. corporate investments in Africa
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama will announce on Tuesday that U.S. businesses have committed to investing $14 billion in construction, clean energy, banking, and information technology projects across Africa, a White House official said.
More Turkish police held as PM Erdogan says purge just beginning
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Dozens of Turkish police officers were detained on Tuesday in a widening probe of wiretapping allegedly targeting Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, and he said operations against his foes within the state apparatus were just beginning…
Bangladesh garment workers demanding wages clash with police
DHAKA (Reuters) – Bangladeshi garment workers staging a hunger strike for nine days to press for back-pay and a holiday bonus clashed with police in the capital, Dhaka, on Tuesday, police and witnesses said.
Cambodia moves on, but still yearns for ‘killing fields’ justice
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) – Kheang Khun was 21 and training to be doctor when he was forced into a Khmer Rouge labor camp, where he was routinely beaten and forced to watch executions of people accused of theft, or simply of falling in love.
