Bulgarian PM’s chief of staff charged in embezzlement case
SOFIA (Reuters) – The Bulgarian prime minister’s chief of staff was charged on Thursday with aiding in the embezzlement of European Union funds, two weeks after two senior magistrates were charged with the scheme.
Chinese premier pledges ‘no strings’ support for pan-African rail network
ABUJA (Reuters) – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged “no strings” support for an African plan to develop a continent-wide high speed rail network, and said China has set aside $2 billion for an African Development Fund.
Putin oversees test rocket launches ahead of holiday, says pre-planned
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin oversaw test launches of Russia’s most powerful rockets on Thursday during military training exercises held across Russia ahead of celebrations of the anniversary of its World War Two victory.
Gunmen kill Pakistan lawyer defending blasphemy case
MULTAN, Pakistan (Reuters) – Gunmen posing as clients shot dead a prominent human rights lawyer defending a professor accused of blasphemy, officials said Thursday, underscoring the danger facing those trying to put an end to religious intolerance in m…
Iran, six powers hold ‘useful’ nuclear talks; agreement elusive
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Iran and six world powers held more “useful” talks on Tehran’s nuclear program, both sides said, although a Western diplomat said they were still struggling to overcome deep disagreements on the future of Iranian atomic capabilitie…
Former Berlusconi cabinet minister arrested by antimafia police
ROME (Reuters) – Italian police have arrested Claudio Scajola, industry minister in the last government of ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, on suspicion of helping a former party colleague convicted of mafia association to flee justice, authorities…
Two weeks before EU elections, 62 percent ‘not interested’
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Six out of 10 Europeans are “not that interested” in the European Parliament elections later this month, according to a poll released on Thursday, despite huge efforts by campaign managers to make the ballot more relevant.
Homes set on fire, militants flee to Bhutan after Assam massacre: police
GUWAHATI, India (Reuters) – Several homes and stores in India’s tea-growing state of Assam were set on fire by unidentified persons, police said, the latest attack in an area where Muslim villagers were killed in a massacre last week.
Grieving South Korea seeks arrest of ferry operator owners
INCHEON, South Korea (Reuters) – South Korean prosecutors are seeking the arrest of members of the family that owns the operator of a ferry that sank last month killing hundreds of school children, an avoidable tragedy that rocked the country to the co…
Africa must work harder to reduce inequality: Annan
ABUJA (Reuters) – African governments should work harder to reduce inequality that has prevented the benefits of a decade of economic growth from being spread equitably, according to a report by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan released on Thur…
