Taiwan leader says protest-hit China trade pact vital for economy
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said on Sunday that the island needed to pass a contentious trade pact with China for the sake of its economy, and called on protesters who have occupied parliament in protest to respect democracy and le…
Philippine security forces arrest top communist leaders
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippines security forces arrested the country’s top communist leaders on Saturday, a week ahead of the 45th anniversary of the group’s armed struggle when it is expected to launch attacks on government targets, head of the armed f…
Venezuela death toll rises to 34 as troops and protesters clash
CARACAS (Reuters) – Three Venezuelans died from gunshot wounds during protests against socialist President Nicolas Maduro, witnesses and local media said on Saturday, pushing the death toll from almost two months of anti-government demonstrations to 34…
Rebels battle for Syria border post near Mediterranean
(Reuters) – Islamist fighters in Syria battled President Bashar al-Assad’s forces for control of a border crossing with Turkey close to the Mediterranean on Saturday, part of an offensive aimed at opening up a rebel link to the sea.
Protesters in Chile keep heat on Bachelet to make good on reforms
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Chile on Saturday to press center-left President Michelle Bachelet to follow through with ambitious reforms she pledged before assuming power less than two weeks ago.
Anti-austerity protest turns violent in Spanish capital
MADRID (Reuters) – Hundreds of thousands of Spaniards rallied in Madrid on Saturday against poverty and EU-imposed austerity in a largely peaceful protest later marred by violent clashes in which police fired rubber bullets.
Russian troops seize Crimea airbase as Moscow consolidates control
BELBEK AIRBASE, Crimea (Reuters) – Russian troops used armored vehicles, automatic gunfire and stun grenades on Saturday to seize a Ukrainian airbase in Crimea a day after President Vladimir Putin signed laws completing Russia’s annexation of the Black…
Hollande braces for pain in French local vote, far right set for gains
PARIS (Reuters) – France’s ruling Socialist party is bracing for potentially heavy losses in mid-term local election on Sunday, a vote that could jeopardize reforms and hand major gains to the far-right National Front.
Protesters in Chile keep heat on Bachelet to make good on reforms
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Chile on Saturday to press center-left President Michelle Bachelet to follow through with the ambitious reforms she pledged before assuming power less than two weeks ago.
Algeria’s Bouteflika says health won’t prevent election bid, vows reforms
ALGIERS (Reuters) – President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said in a letter addressed to Algerians on Saturday his poor health would not prevent him from running for a fourth term and promised constitutional reforms if he wins the April 17 election.
