Egypt’s Sisi to stay on as defense minister: source
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian army chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will keep his post as defense minister in the new government, an official source said on Wednesday, quashing speculation he was about to announce a widely expected bid for the pre…
Second Bahrain detainee dies in custody – ministry
RIYADH (Reuters) – A 23-year-old Bahraini man who was detained in December and accused of smuggling weapons died from an illness in custody on Wednesday, the Interior Ministry said, the second death of a person held on security-related charges this yea…
Nigerian Islamists kill 59 pupils in boarding school attack
DAMATURU, Nigeria (Reuters) – Gunmen from Islamist group Boko Haram shot or burned to death 59 pupils in a boarding school in northeast Nigeria overnight, a local reporter and security forces said on Tuesday.
Five illegal miners found dead in abandoned South African shaft
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Five illegal miners have been found dead in an abandoned shaft near Johannesburg, emergency services said on Wednesday, highlighting the dangers of scavenging for bullion beneath Africa’s financial center.
U.S. warns banks to watch for ousted Ukraine leader moving looted funds
(Reuters) – The U.S. Treasury warned banks on Tuesday to be on the look-out for potentially suspicious transfers of financial assets by Ukraine’s fugitive President Viktor Yanukovich or members of his inner circle.
Tunisian navy rescues nearly 100 migrants off Jerba
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisian naval forces rescued nearly 100 African migrants off the coast on Wednesday after their vessel got into trouble on route from Libya to Europe, Tunisia’s defense ministry said.
Reforms, presidential vote in focus after Romania coalition splits
BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Ministers from Romania’s Liberals resigned from the government on Wednesday, a day after the party quit the ruling coalition in a break-up that will trigger a confidence vote and has changed the dynamics of a presidential election…
Putin puts troops in western Russia on alert in drill
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin ordered an urgent drill to test the combat readiness of the armed forces across western Russia on Wednesday, news agencies reported, flexing Moscow’s military muscle amid tension with the West over Ukraine.
Romania president to approve IMF deal review after government split
BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Romania’s President Traian Basescu said on Wednesday he will ratify a review of the European Union state’s aid deal led by the International Monetary Fund, to send a signal of stability after the ruling alliance split the day befo…
Austria takes harder line on bank secrecy
VIENNA (Reuters) – Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann on Wednesday demanded movement in European Union tax talks with Switzerland and other non-EU countries and linked this to whether Vienna will agree to automatically exchange data on cross-border sav…
