Yemen says arrests cell planning to kidnap UAE diplomat
SANAA (Reuters) – Yemen said on Wednesday it had arrested a militant cell that had been planning to kidnap the United Arab Emirates’ charge d’affaires, after a string of abductions that have targeted Westerners and diplomats in the country.
Afghan government says West holds prisoners illegally in south
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan has accused British and U.S. forces of secretly holding Afghans in jail, saying one man had been held for more than two years while others had “disappeared”, further souring ties between Kabul and its Western allies at a s…
Italian court gives Dolce and Gabbana suspended 18-month jail term in tax case
MILAN (Reuters) – Fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were each given a reduced, suspended sentence of 18 months in jail on Wednesday for a conviction on charges of hiding hundreds of millions of euros from Italian tax authorities.
Progress on TPP deal with U.S. but a gap remains: Japan official
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Japan and the United States have made progress on a two-way trade deal but a gap remains and effort is needed to come to a final compromise, a top official in Japan’s cabinet said on Wednesday.
Leader of Senegal’s southern separatist rebels declares ceasefire
DAKAR (Reuters) – The main leader of Senegal’s southern, separatist rebellion has declared a ceasefire, boosting hopes for peace talks that could end one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts.
Ex-IMF chief Strauss-Kahn to sue Belgian sex club over DSK name
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The former head of the International Monetary Fund Dominique Strauss-Kahn plans a legal challenge to a Belgian sex club set to bear his initials “DSK”.
Spain court rejects extradition of Franco-era policeman
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s High Court declined on Wednesday to extradite to Argentina a former policeman accused of torturing prisoners during the Franco dictatorship.
West Bank Hamas rally tests new Palestinian unity pact
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – Over a thousand supporters of the Islamist group Hamas marched through the streets of a West Bank stronghold of its rival Fatah party on Wednesday, testing a surprise Palestinian unity pact the two signed last week.
Bosnian capital honors Pope John Paul II for peace efforts
SARAJEVO (Reuters) – Sarajevo unveiled a statue of late Pope John Paul II on Wednesday to honor his efforts to promote peace and reconciliation during and after Bosnia’s 1990s war.
Thai PM, Election Commission agree new vote in July, opposition defiant
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s Election Commission and the prime minister agreed on Wednesday to hold a general election in July, but anti-government protesters who disrupted a vote in February said they still wanted to see electoral reforms before a n…
