Colombia president’s election strategist quits over bribe claim
BOGOTA (Reuters) – An election campaign advisor to Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos resigned on Monday amid allegations that he took a $12 million bribe to prevent the extradition of a suspected drug trafficker to the United States.
China to step up crackdown on military corruption: Xinhua
BEIJING (Reuters) – China is stepping up a crackdown on perks for military officials, targeting extravagant wedding ceremonies and funerals as it widens a graft probe into the use of public funds for banquets, travel and gifts, state media reported.
U.S. delegation urges talks to free American jailed in Cuba
HAVANA (Reuters) – Four U.S. lawmakers visiting Cuba on Monday urged President Barack Obama to authorize negotiations with the Cuban government about freeing jailed U.S. contractor Alan Gross.
Egypt’s Sisi says Muslim Brotherhood is finished
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian presidential frontrunner Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday appeared to rule out reconciliation with the Muslim Brotherhood movement, raising the specter of a prolonged conflict with a group he said was finished.
Ukraine moves forces to Odessa, helicopter downed in east
ODESSA/SLAVIANSK, Ukraine (Reuters) – Pro-Russian rebels shot down a Ukrainian helicopter in fierce fighting near the eastern town of Slaviansk on Monday, and Kiev drafted police special forces to the southwestern port city of Odessa to halt a feared w…
Exclusive: U.S. to sanction both sides of South Sudan conflict in days – sources
UNITED NATIONS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Amid warnings that ethnic violence in South Sudan risks spiraling into genocide, the United States expects to impose sanctions on individuals on both sides of the conflict in the coming days, U.S. and other diploma…
U.S. recognizes Syria opposition offices as ‘foreign mission’
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States said on Monday it would recognize the main opposition Syrian National Coalition offices as a diplomatic foreign mission and announced plans for a $27 million increase in non-lethal assistance to rebels fighting …
Egypt’s Sisi says Muslim Brotherhood is finished
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian presidential frontrunner Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday appeared to rule out reconciliation with the Muslim Brotherhood movement, raising the specter of a prolonged conflict with a group he said was finished.
Venezuela violated rights of protesters: rights group
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela has violated the rights of opposition protesters through beatings, illegal detentions and failure to follow due process, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on Monday.
Pakistan’s Hindus, other minorities face surge of violence
RAHIM YAR KHAN, Pakistan (Reuters) – The mob arrived at around midnight, brandishing clubs. They smashed statues, looted gold artifacts and then set the Hindu temple in Pakistan ablaze.
