Eyeing elections, drought-hit Sao Paulo resists water rationing
SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Afranio Sobrinho has one of the most unpopular jobs in Brazil.
Tuareg separatists seize several northern towns in Mali
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Tuareg separatists said on Thursday they had seized control of several towns in northern Mali after routing government forces in fighting that threatens to plunge the desert north back into war, but said they would respect calls for …
Balkans confronts risk of disease after devastating floods
BELGRADE/SARAJEVO (Reuters) – Serbia’s agriculture ministry appealed for chlorine bleach, quicklime and disinfectant on Thursday to stem the risk of disease after the worst floods to hit the Balkans in living memory.
Turkish aid group opposes dropping legal action over Israeli raid
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A Turkish relief agency said on Thursday it would oppose what it called an imminent Israeli offer to pay compensation for a deadly commando raid on its Gaza-bound aid flotilla in exchange for dropping lawsuits over the attack.
Brazil’s Rousseff recovers voter support, rivals make gains: poll
BRASILIA (Reuters) – President Dilma Rousseff has recovered support among Brazilian voters but her main opponents have also gained ground as more undecided voters make up their minds ahead of the October 5 election, according to a poll published on Thu…
Biden says possible to end Cyprus division
NICOSIA (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said on Thursday he was optimistic Cypriots could overcome their differences on the ethnically-split island, saying it was well placed to becoming a key player in the energy market.
No signs Syria is handing over remaining chemical weapons
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Syria has made no progress in relinquishing a last batch of chemical weapons it says is inaccessible due to fighting, making it increasingly likely it will miss a final deadline to destroy its toxic stockpile, Britain said on Thur…
Russia, China veto U.N. bid to refer Syria to international court
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Russia and China vetoed on Thursday a resolution to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court for possible prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the country’s three-year…
Saudi Arabia and Philippines investigating alleged scalding of maid
DUBAI (Reuters) – Saudi and Philippines authorities are investigating an incident in which a maid from the Philippines was allegedly scalded with water deliberately poured down her back, a Saudi newspaper reported on Thursday.
Polls show rise for far right as EU votes
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union’s marathon parliamentary election kicked off on Thursday when polls opened in Britain and the Netherlands, where far-right, anti-EU parties are forecast to top the ballot, spearheading a surge in protest votes ac…
