World Bank approves $12 billion, five-year loan for Pakistan: finance minister
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – The World Bank has approved a $12 billion loan for cash-strapped Pakistan that will be disbursed over five years, the country’s finance ministry and the global lender said on Friday.
Eleven Muslims killed in sectarian attacks in India’s Assam
GUWAHATI, India (Reuters) – Suspected tribal rebels in India shot dead 11 Muslims, including two women, in attacks in the northeastern tea-growing state of Assam where tension has run high during an election, officials said on Friday.
South Sudan’s president commits to steps to end fighting: Kerry
JUBA (Reuters) – South Sudan’s president is committed to taking measures to end more than four months of conflict in Africa’s newest country, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in Juba after meeting Salva Kiir.
Egypt warns against travel to Saudi Arabia due to MERS virus
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s Health Ministry issued a warning on Friday against children, elderly people and anyone suffering from chronic heart and chest diseases travelling to Saudi Arabia due to an outbreak there of a deadly new virus.
Car bombs in central Syria kill 18: state TV
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Two car bombs in Syria’s central province of Hama killed 18 people, including 11 children, and wounded 50 others on Friday, state television said.
Al Qaeda in Yemen denies government claim 70 percent of fighters are foreign
SANAA (Reuters) – Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has denied a claim by Yemen’s president that 70 percent of its fighters in Yemen are foreigners, according to SITE Intelligence Group which monitors radical websites.
Third minister will run to become next Finland PM
HELSINKI (Reuters) – The race to become the next Finnish prime minister heated up on Friday as Minister for Social Affairs and Health Paula Risikko said she would run to lead the ruling party when Jyrki Katainen steps down next month.
Turkey dismisses graft case against ex-minister’s son: media
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish prosecutors dismissed a case against 60 suspects, among them a former minister’s son and a construction tycoon, in the graft scandal swirling around Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s inner circle, media said on Friday.
Philippines to give U.S. forces access to up to five military bases
MANILA (Reuters) – Up to five Philippine military bases will be made available for U.S. forces to rotate aircraft, ships, equipment and troops, Manila’s chief negotiator of a new security pact said on Friday, as the Philippines looks to counter China’s…
Australian police minister resigns over corruption inquiry
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The police minister of Australia’s most populous state resigned on Friday after being linked to a plot to illegally funnel political donations from a property development group owned by embattled Australian tycoon Nathan Tinkler.
