Al Qaeda-linked militants in Lebanon apologize for civilian deaths
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Sunni Lebanese militant group linked to al Qaeda has apologized for the civilian casualties of a suicide bombing last month and said its fight was against Iran and its ally Hezbollah, not Shi’ites in general.
Israel brings arms ship to dock, hopes to shame Iran
EILAT, Israel (Reuters) – A ship seized by the Israeli navy on suspicion of smuggling arms from Iran to the Gaza Strip docked on Saturday in Israel, which planned to put the cargo on display in hope of denting Tehran’s rapprochement with the West.
EU’s Ashton visits Iran for first time; nuclear issue on agenda
ANKARA (Reuters) – European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton arrived in Tehran on Saturday to discuss issues including Iran’s disputed nuclear program, before another round of talks between Iran and world powers, Iranian media reported.
Italy’s Renzi plans 10 billion euro cut to income tax: report
ROME (Reuters) – The Italian government of Matteo Renzi will propose a 10 billion euro cut to income tax, daily newspaper La Repubblica reported on Saturday, without giving a source for the information.
China says no room for compromise with Japan on history, territory
BEIJING (Reuters) – China said on Saturday that there was no room for compromise with Japan on questions of history and disputed territory, “each inch” of which it would defend from its Asian neighbor.
Indian plane evacuated after rear wheel catches fire in Nepal
KATHMANDU (Reuters) – A rear wheel of an Airbus A320 operated by an Indian budget airline caught fire after landing at Nepal’s international airport in Kathmandu on Saturday, officials said.
Latin American foreign ministers to discuss Venezuela unrest
QUITO (Reuters) – Latin American foreign ministers will meet next week to discuss the unrest in Venezuela that has left at least 20 dead and convulsed the South American OPEC nation, diplomatic sources said on Friday.
China draws ‘red line’ on North Korea, says won’t allow war on peninsula
BEIJING (Reuters) – China declared a “red line” on North Korea on Saturday, saying that China will not permit chaos or war on the Korean peninsula, and that peace can only come through denuclearization.
Malaysia’s Anwar convicted of sodomy, political future in doubt
PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (Reuters) – A Malaysian court convicted opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy and sentenced him to five years in prison on Friday, shattering his plan to take control of the country’s richest state and stoking political tension …
Ukraine standoff intensifies, Russia says sanctions will ‘boomerang’
MOSCOW/SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine (Reuters) – Russia said any U.S. sanctions imposed on Moscow over the crisis in Ukraine will boomerang back on the United States and that Crimea has the right to self-determination as armed men tried to seize another Ukrainia…
