Somali Islamists attack hotel in central region
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Somali Islamist militants drove a car bomb at a hotel in a town in central Somalia that was being used by African Union and Somali military forces, a resident and the militant group said.
In Ukraine, nationalists gain influence – and scrutiny
(This March 7 story was corrected in paragraph three to make clear that Dmytro Yarosh was proposed as a Ukraine security council member, but not appointed.)
Thai government lifts Bangkok emergency, crisis far from over
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand is lifting a state of emergency in Bangkok, taking a step to restore some confidence as anti-government protests subside, though the crisis has entered a new phase with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra besieged by legal c…
Analysis: Decade after debt relief, Africa’s rush to borrow stirs concern
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Nearly a decade after Nelson Mandela and anti-poverty activists Bono and Bob Geldof persuaded the rich world to forgive Africa’s crushing debts, many countries’ debt levels are creeping up again, which could undermine the regio…
Kenyan police arrest two men with bombs, suspected ties to militants
MOMBASA, Kenya (Reuters) – Kenyan police have arrested two men suspected of links to a Somali Islamist militant group after they were tracked and found to have two large bombs that may have been aimed for use in the area of the port city of Mombasa, a …
Italian judge rejects Indian bid to recover helicopter deal guarantees
MILAN (Reuters) – An Italian judge has rejected a request by India to recover more than 278 million euros ($387 million) in bank guarantees backing a scrapped helicopter deal with Finmeccanica, the Italian defense group said on Monday.
Venezuela unrest toll rises as soldier is shot in head
CARACAS (Reuters) – A Venezuela National Guard captain died on Monday after being shot in the head during a demonstration, the military said, the 29th fatality in six weeks of clashes between protesters and security forces.
Amnesty accuses Cyprus of holding refugees in prison conditions
NICOSIA (Reuters) – Cyprus routinely detains asylum seekers and refugees in prison-like conditions, sometimes breaking European Union law by holding them for more than an 18-month maximum, Amnesty International said on Monday.
Azerbaijan sentences opposition leaders as crackdown on critics eyed
BAKU (Reuters) – Azerbaijan sentenced the deputy head of the biggest opposition party and the leader of a human rights group to prison terms, a court spokesman said on Monday, in a case that critics say highlights a government-led crackdown in the oil-…
Iran, six powers seek nuclear progress in shadow of Ukraine crisis
VIENNA (Reuters) – Iran and six world powers will try to make headway toward resolving their nuclear dispute in talks starting in Vienna on Tuesday, with Western officials hoping the uphill challenge will not be made even more difficult by the Ukraine …