South Sudan rebels say seize oil hub Bentiu, tell foreign firms to go
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – South Sudanese rebels said on Tuesday they have seized the capital of oil-producing Unity state, Bentiu, and warned oil firms to pack up and leave within a week.
Saudi Arabia: reported poison gas use by Syria is challenge to world
RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal on Tuesday said the “grave news” that President Bashar al-Assad’s forces had carried out two poison gas attacks last week was a challenge to “international will”.
Homosexual prisoners in Turkey segregated for ‘protection’: minister
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish rights activists reacted angrily to a government measure that has led to the segregation of lesbian, gay and transsexual prisoners to protect them from harassment and attacks while in jail.
Greek coast guard shoot dead suspected migrant smuggler on speedboat
ATHENS (Reuters) – A man believed to be a migrant smuggler was shot dead by Greek coast guard officials on Tuesday as they tried to intercept him on his speedboat heading towards neighboring Turkey, the Greek coast guard said.
Dissident ANC veterans urge voters to spoil South African ballots
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Dissident veterans in South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) urged voters on Tuesday to spoil their ballots at a national election next month, in a protest against corruption intended as a wake-up call to the ruling par…
Britain picks diplomat to head spy agency at center of Snowden leaks
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain said on Tuesday it had picked a diplomat to head its GCHQ eavesdropping agency which has found itself under unprecedented public scrutiny because of documents leaked by former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden.
Massive China shoe factory strike rolls on as offer falls flat
DONGGUAN/HONG KONG (Reuters) – Thousands of workers at a giant Chinese shoe factory shrugged off an offer for improved social benefits on Tuesday, prolonging one of the largest strikes in China in recent years amid signs of increased labor activism as …
China stresses need for stability at first meeting of new security council
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping held the first meeting of a new national security commission on Tuesday, saying China needed a coordinated approach to domestic and foreign challenges, including social unrest, in “the most complex time …
China angered by U.S. environment chief’s visit to Taiwan
BEIJING (Reuters) – China said on Tuesday it had lodged a protest with the United States over a visit by Washington’s environmental protection chief to self-ruled Taiwan this week.
‘Here comes the mayor!’ – Greek far right fires up Athens campaign
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek far-right Golden Dawn lawmaker Ilias Kasidiaris strode into a packed hotel room in central Athens last month to the sound of a marching song and supporters’ cries of “Here comes the mayor!”
