Rebels evacuated from Homs, the cradle of Syrian uprising
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Hundreds of Syrian rebels on Wednesday abandoned their last stronghold in the heart of Homs city, an epicenter of the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad, handing him a symbolic victory weeks before his likely re-election.
Mexico ruling party official arrested on suspicion of gang links
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – A top ruling party politician in the troubled Mexican state of Michoacan was formally arrested on Wednesday for alleged links to organized crime, an official from the attorney general’s office said.
Yemen says kills militant behind attacks on Westerners
SANAA (Reuters) – Yemeni security forces on Wednesday killed a prominent Islamist militant suspected of masterminding attacks on Westerners, including a French security agent gunned down two days ago, the country’s supreme security committee said.
Cuba arrests four Miami-based exiles suspected of attack plot
HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba has arrested four Miami-based exiles suspected of planning attacks on military installations with the goal of promoting anti-government violence on the communist-run island, the Interior Ministry said.
South China Sea tensions rise as Vietnam says China rammed ships
HANOI/BEIJING (Reuters) – Vietnam said on Wednesday a Chinese vessel intentionally rammed two of its ships in a part of the disputed South China Sea where Beijing has deployed a giant oil rig, sending tensions spiraling in the region.
Yemen says kills militant behind attacks on Westerners
SANAA (Reuters) – Yemeni security forces on Wednesday killed a prominent Islamist militant suspected of masterminding attacks on Westerners, including a French security agent gunned down two days ago, the country’s supreme security committee said.
Libyan rebels reject talks with PM, keep oil ports shut
BENGHAZI/TRIPOLI, Libya (Reuters) – Rebels occupying major oil ports in eastern Libya said on Wednesday they would boycott Prime Minister Ahmed Maiteeq and keep two major export terminals shut for now, a blow to efforts to restore vital oil exports.
Cost of Somali piracy slumps as attacks fall: report
LONDON (Reuters) – The cost of Somali piracy to the global economy fell by almost half last year as attacks slumped, but piracy in West Africa was on the rise, an annual security report said on Wednesday.
Mexico ruling party official arrested on suspicion of gang links
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – A top ruling party politician in the troubled Mexican state of Michoacan was formally arrested on Wednesday for alleged links to organized crime, an official from the attorney general’s office said.
Putin to Ukraine rebels: postpone secession vote
DONETSK, Ukraine/MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin called on pro-Moscow separatists in Ukraine to postpone a vote on secession just five days before it was to be held, potentially pulling Ukraine back from the brink of violent dismemb…
