Islamist rebels in Syria claim kidnapping of 94 civilians – video
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Sunni Islamist rebels in Syria have claimed responsibility for kidnapping at least 94 women and children belonging to President Bashar al-Assad’s minority Alawite sect, according to a video published on Thursday.
Algerian prime minister resigns to run Bouteflika campaign
ALGIERS (Reuters) – Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal resigned on Thursday, state media said, to run the re-election campaign of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the ageing independence leader who is widely expected to win five more years in pow…
Former Berlusconi secretary arrested with 24 kg of cocaine
ROME (Reuters) – Italian police on Thursday arrested Federica Gagliardi, a woman who acted as Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s secretary at two international summits in Canada in 2010, on suspicion of smuggling 24 kg of cocaine on a flight from Venez…
Ukrainian gas oligarch Firtash arrested in Vienna on FBI warrant
VIENNA (Reuters) – Industrialist Dmytro Firtash, one of Ukraine’s most influential oligarchs with close links to Russia through his gas interests, has been arrested in Austria at the request of the United States.
Venezuela says death toll from protests rises to 28
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s state prosecutor said on Thursday the death toll from a month of violent protests had risen to 28, after the nation’s top court ordered opposition mayors to dismantle barricades set up by street protesters.
Magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes off Japan’s southern Kyushu island: USGS
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A Magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck off Japan’s southern island of Kyushu near the city of Oita, the U.S. Geological Survey said on Thursday.
Bolivian anti-corruption cop found guilty of extortion in Miami
MIAMI (Reuters) – A former anti-corruption official in Bolivia’s government has been found guilty in a U.S. federal court of trying to extort tens of thousands of dollars from the former owner of a Bolivian airline.
Sudan rebel leaders, 15 others, condemned to death: lawyer
CAIRO (Reuters) – Two Sudanese rebel leaders and former senior political figures were sentenced to death in absentia on Thursday with 15 other people, a defense lawyer said, a move that will raise the stakes in fighting in remote southern regions.
EU, U.S. to commit to remove all duties on bilateral trade: draft
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama and European Union leaders will promise to remove all tariffs on bilateral trade at their summit on March 26, an ambitious step towards the world’s largest free-trade deal, according to a draft statement…
Dutch politician referred to prosecutors for anti-Moroccan remarks
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Dutch anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders was referred to prosecutors on Thursday after making anti-Moroccan remarks at a campaign rally.