Russia raises military clout with reforms after Georgian war
LONDON (Reuters) – Refitting Soviet-era warships, fielding new aircraft and tanks and seeking new overseas bases, the Russian military that now has troops on alert amidst a crisis in Ukraine is more potent than the force which briefly fought Georgia si…
Egypt appoints Hany Dimian finance minister: government official
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s prime minister appointed former finance ministry official Hany Dimian as finance minister in the new government on Thursday, a government official said.
Britain opens inquiry into letters to IRA suspects
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister David Cameron announced on Thursday an independent inquiry into letters sent to IRA suspects, after an angry response to the freeing of an Irishman accused of a 1982 bombing that killed four soldiers in London….
Romanian prosecutors say face rising political pressure
BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Romania’s chief anti-corruption prosecutor said on Thursday her team saw an sharp increase in political pressure to drop cases while they were investigating high-ranking officials last year, adding this could be a measure of her d…
Venezuela unrest shakes up opposition
CARACAS (Reuters) – One month ago, Henrique Capriles was Venezuela’s undisputed opposition leader, espousing a vision of dialogue and measured dissent towards the socialist government.
North Korea fires short-range missiles in apparent exercise
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea fired four short-range missiles over the sea off its eastern coast on Thursday, a media official at South Korea’s Defence Ministry said, but provided no information as to the purpose of the firing.
U.S. rights report highlights China, Myanmar reforms, abuses
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department noted some positive reforms in Myanmar and China and other parts of Asia in its annual human rights report released on Thursday but said that serious abuses and severe restrictions on basic freedoms pers…
Erdogan dares U.S.-based cleric: ‘Do your politics in Turkey’
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday accused a U.S.-based cleric of conspiring against him with the opposition by faking recordings, and dared him to “stand up in the squares” and do his politics in Turkey.
At least 31 killed in Baghdad motorbike market bombing
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – At least 31 people were killed and 51 wounded when a motorcycle rigged with explosives detonated in Baghdad’s Sadr City, Iraqi medical and police sources said.
India’s Modi signals shift in favor of big retail
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s opposition leader – who polls suggest may be elected prime minister this year – said on Thursday small retailers must learn to work with large modern stores and online companies, signaling a shift in policy on a key electo…
