Western missions in Yemen on alert as army advances against Qaeda
ADEN, Yemen (Reuters) – Western embassies in Yemen heightened security on Thursday after increasingly bold attacks on foreigners by al Qaeda, even as the militant Islamists lost ground to an army offensive in the south.
No decision on French carrier deal to Russia before Oct-source
PARIS (Reuters) – France will not review its 1.2 billion-euro ($1.66 billion) contract to sell helicopter carriers to Russia earlier than planned because of the Ukraine crisis, despite U.S. concerns, a French government source said on Thursday.
Opposition to new Libyan PM may scupper oil port deal
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – A Libyan government deal to reopen major oil ports controlled by rebels looks likely to unravel as the appointment of a new Islamist-backed prime minister fuels distrust that is eroding support for the accord.
Chilean students march to pressure Bachelet on promised reforms
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Thousands of students marched through the Chilean capital on Thursday for the first time since President Michelle Bachelet took power, ratcheting up the pressure on her to fulfill her campaign pledges to overhaul education in the c…
South Africa’s ANC rolls to victory, boosting Zuma reform clout
PRETORIA (Reuters) – The ruling African National Congress (ANC) swept toward victory in South Africa’s fifth post-apartheid election on Thursday, handing President Jacob Zuma the clout to push through pro-business reforms in the face of union and lefti…
Mozambique opposition chief registers to vote, says wants peace
VUNDUZI, Mozambique (Reuters) – The leader of Mozambique’s opposition party Renamo registered to vote on Thursday, raising hopes for a peaceful October presidential election in a country where his movement has been conducting a low-level insurgency.
Crimes against humanity by both sides in South Sudan conflict: UN
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations accused both government and rebel forces in South Sudan on Thursday of committing crimes against humanity, including murder, rape and other sexual violence, during almost five months of fighting that has le…
Panama construction strike ends, canal expansion work resumes
PANAMA CITY (Reuters) – Construction workers in Panama ended a nationwide strike on Thursday, allowing the expansion of its famous canal to resume after a delay of more than two weeks.
Gunmen assassinate eastern Libya security chief in Benghazi
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – Gunmen shot dead the intelligence chief for eastern Libya in Benghazi city on Thursday, a security spokesman said.
Quake hits Mexico, shakes capital but no damage reported
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – A 6.4 magnitude earthquake shook Mexico City on Thursday, rattling buildings and prompting office evacuations, but there were no immediate reports of damage.