Arab League criticizes Syrian election plan
CAIRO (Reuters) – Holding an election in Syria while civil war rages will only obstruct international efforts to resolve the conflict, the head of the Arab League said on Tuesday.
Libel conviction adds to pressure on Putin foe Navalny
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was convicted of libel on Tuesday in a ruling his lawyer said could potentially lead to the jailing of the anti-corruption blogger who is one of President Vladimir Putin’s most prominent criti…
First sign of South Korea ferry disaster was call from a frightened boy
SEOUL (Reuters) – The first distress call from a sinking South Korean ferry was made by a boy with a shaking voice, three minutes after the vessel made its fateful last turn.
Russia PM says certain can minimize sanctions impact
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia, under threat of further sanctions over the Ukraine crisis, said on Tuesday it could minimize their impact and would support industries dependent on supplies from abroad.
Spread of MERS in Saudi Arabia accelerates with 17 new cases
RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia has discovered another 17 cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), as the total number of confirmed infections of the SARS-like disease has jumped by a third in the kingdom in the past week.
Turkey’s PM Erdogan warns against May Day protests in Taksim Square
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday he would not let unions stage a May Day rally in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, where huge protests took place last year, in an announcement that may set the scene for fresh clashes th…
Exclusive: Cuba may revive Paris Club debt negotiations
HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba and the Paris Club of wealthy creditor nations are working to resume talks over billions of dollars of official debt in a new sign the communist government is interested in rejoining the global economy.
China’s seizure of Japanese ship has pre-World War Two roots
BEIJING (Reuters) – It all began with a pre-World War Two contract between China’s then “ship king” and a Japanese company to lease two Chinese freighters.
Pacific accord on maritime code could help prevent conflicts
QINGDAO, China (Reuters) – Countries embroiled in territorial rows in the East and South China Seas agreed on Tuesday to abide by a maritime communications deal to try to ensure accidental naval altercations do not develop into a conflict.
India’s Modi condemns anti-Muslim remarks; colleagues remain defiant
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Indian opposition leader Narendra Modi on Tuesday distanced himself from colleagues on the Hindu far right, saying they must focus on development issues in the election campaign, rather than rail against minority Muslims and liber…
