U.N. authorizes sanctions regime for Yemen, leaves blacklist blank
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday authorized sanctions against anyone in Yemen who obstructs the country’s political transition or commits human rights violations but stopped short of blacklisting any specific individual…
Italy’s 5-Star expels four senators as internal dissent grows
ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s anti-establishment 5-Star Movement on Wednesday kicked out four senators for criticizing its leader Beppe Grillo, in the latest sign of growing internal strife in the party that took a quarter of votes at last year’s election.
Pro-Assad forces kill 175 rebels in ambush: Syrian state media
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Forces loyal to Syria’s president killed at least 175 Islamist rebel fighters, most of them foreigners, in an ambush in insurgent-held eastern outskirts of Damascus, state media said on Wednesday.
Romanian leaders reassure investors as government splits
BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Romania’s president and prime minister said they were still committed to reforms agreed with the International Monetary Fund on Wednesday, after a split in the ruling coalition threatened the IMF deal and worried investors.
Attack on Colombia candidate highlights risks to left
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Through the noise and dust churned up by her armored car, leftist presidential candidate Aida Avella assumed the popping noise was a rock hitting the wheel.
Muslim converts who hacked British soldier to death jailed for life
LONDON (Reuters) – Two British Muslim converts were sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday for hacking a soldier to death on a London street in broad daylight, a gruesome killing that horrified the nation and provoked an anti-Islamic backlash.
Uighur professor could face death sentence in China: lawyer
BEIJING (Reuters) – A prominent ethnic Uighur economist is unlikely to receive a fair trial and could face the death penalty after being charged with separatism in China’s far western Xinjiang region, his lawyer said on Wednesday.
Bulgarian sentenced for pistol attack on Turk party leader
SOFIA (Reuters) – A 26-year-old Bulgarian was sentenced to prison on Wednesday for pointing a pistol at the head of a senior ethnic Turkish party member on stage at a party congress a year ago.
Turkey’s president approves law tightening grip on judiciary
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Wednesday approved a law boosting government control over the appointment of judges and prosecutors, even though he deferred some elements in the legislation to the Constitutional Court.
Exclusive: Iranian oil exports rise in February, more to ally Syria
LONDON (Reuters) – Iran’s oil exports have risen further in February for a fourth consecutive month, according to sources who track tanker movements, adding to signs that the easing of sanctions pressure on Tehran is helping its oil exports to recover….
