Stumbling Thai economy lends urgency to junta’s revival efforts
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand is expected to publish data on Friday showing stagnant consumption and investment, more evidence of a stumbling economy that will lend urgency to the military junta’s efforts to get the country working again.
Legacy at risk, Obama struggles to redefine foreign policy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama’s second term was supposed to be a crowning opportunity to make his mark on the world stage, but instead he’s leading an intense effort to redefine his foreign policy record – and the odds look stacked against him.
Formal countdown begins for Scottish vote that could break up United Kingdom
EDINBURGH (Reuters) – The formal campaign for a Scottish independence vote that could result in the break-up of the United Kingdom began on Friday, though polls currently show Scots are unlikely to vote for the demise of the 307-year-old union with Eng…
Groups file U.S. data request on four ‘terrorists’ arrested in Cuba
MIAMI (Reuters) – Two U.S. groups critical of the government’s counter-terrorism policies have asked the Obama administration to release information about four Miami exiles arrested last month in Cuba and accused of planning armed attacks against the i…
Egypt’s Sisi wins election, faces economic challenges
CAIRO (Reuters) – Former Egyptian army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi won a landslide victory in a presidential election on Thursday but a low turnout threatened to deprive him of the strong mandate he needs to fix the economy and face down an Islamist ins…
Mali army chief offers to resign after Kidal defeat
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Mali’s army chief of staff, General Mahamane Toure, offered to step down on Thursday following the military’s failed attempt to seize the Tuareg separatist town of Kidal, three military sources said.
U.N. council mulls authorizing cross-border Syria aid access
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – U.N. Security Council members are considering a draft resolution to authorize cross-border aid deliveries into Syria at four points without government consent, diplomats said on Thursday, after an earlier council demand for g…
Israeli and Palestinian presidents to meet at Vatican on June 8
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet at the Vatican and pray for peace together at an unprecedented gathering on June 8, the Vatican said on Thursday.
Ukraine separatists down army helicopter, 14 killed
DONETSK Ukraine (Reuters) – Pro-Russian separatists shot down a Ukrainian army helicopter on Thursday, killing 14 soldiers including a general, as government forces pressed ahead with an offensive to crush rebellions in the east swiftly following the e…
Malawian president says will accept court ruling on disputed vote
LILONGWE (Reuters) – Malawian President Joyce Banda said on Thursday she is ready to step down if the High Court ratifies a disputed election last week and her opponent ends up as the winner, even though she still believes the vote was fraudulent.
