Iraq’s Maliki finally steps aside, paving way for new government
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Nuri al-Maliki finally bowed to pressure within Iraq and beyond on Thursday and stepped down as prime minister, paving the way for a new coalition that world and regional powers hope can quash a Sunni Islamist insurgency that threat…
Doctors tackle damaged minds amid Gaza’s post-war destruction
GAZA (Reuters) – In a ward at Shifa, Gaza’s largest hospital, child therapist Rabeea Hamouda is trying to elicit a response from two small brothers, Omar and Mohammed, aged three and 18 months, hoping for some words or perhaps a smile.
Renewed Gaza truce holds after rocky start
GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – A new, five-day truce between Israel and Hamas appeared to be holding on Thursday despite a shaky start, after both sides agreed to give Egyptian-brokered peace negotiations in Cairo more time to try to end the Gaza war.
India’s Modi vows to fix broken government, but no big bang reforms
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi voiced dismay on Friday at the government in-fighting he found on assuming office in May and vowed to fire up the bureaucracy to deliver results in a country desperately in need of growth and de…
With Islamic State on march, Lebanon’s Christians must agree on president
BEIRUT (Reuters) – With minorities facing death and persecution at the hands of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Lebanon’s Christians must lay aside their rivalries and agree on who should fill the vacant presidency, a leading Druze politician has …
Turkey’s Erdogan says expects to announce new prime minister next week
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish president-elect Tayyip Erdogan expects to announce his new prime minister as early as next Thursday following a meeting of his ruling AK Party’s senior leadership, he told reporters late on Thursday.
Hong Kong lawyers take stand for independence from Beijing
HONG KONG August 15 (Reuters) – Hong Kong’s Law Society has passed an historic vote of no-confidence in its president over pro-Beijing comments, revealing a determination by the traditionally conservative lawyers to confront perceived threats from Chin…
Japan PM sends offering to war dead shrine, angers China and South Korea
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday sent a ritual offering to a Tokyo shrine to war dead, triggering angry criticism from China and South Korea despite his decision not to visit the shrine in person as he seeks a Sino-Japanes…
North Korea: rocket firing not timed to coincide with papal visit to South
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea said on Friday its firing of three short-range rockets shortly before Pope Francis arrived in the South Korean capital the previous day had nothing to do with the papal visit.
South Korea suggests Northeast Asia nuclear safety group
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Friday urged the creation of a nuclear safety consultative group in Northeast Asia, given the high number of nuclear power plants in the region and public concerns over safety.
