Putin eases curbs on protests in Sochi for Olympics
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin has eased curbs on demonstrations in the Winter Olympics venue of Sochi in a gesture likely to burnish Russia’s image ahead of an event dogged by security and human rights worries.
Violence against Afghan women more frequent, brutal in 2013: official
KABUL (Reuters) – Violent crime against women in Afghanistan hit record levels and became increasingly brutal in 2013, the head of its human rights commission said on Saturday, a sign that hard won rights are being rolled back as foreign troops troops …
Thai PM’s party launches election campaign as protests loom
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s ruling Puea Thai kicked off its campaign on Saturday for a February election that anti-government protesters, who plan more mass rallies, are determined to sabotage as part of efforts to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shi…
French support for Central African intervention fast eroding: poll
PARIS (Reuters) – French public support for France’s military intervention in Central African Republic is rapidly waning a month since Paris deployed troops to quell sectarian violence in its former colony, a poll showed on Saturday.
Cambodia protesters call off rally after bloody crackdown
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) – Anti-government demonstrators said on Saturday they had called off a mass rally they had planned to stage in the Cambodian capital on Sunday after a bloody crackdown on garment workers allied with the protest movement.
Suspected Saudi militant dies in Lebanese custody: sources
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The suspected leader of an al Qaeda-linked militant group that claimed responsibility for bombing the Iranian embassy in Beirut two months ago died in custody on Saturday, security sources said.
Nine dead after attackers dressed as police enter Mexican prison
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Nine people were killed during a gunfight at a prison in Mexico’s violent Guerrero state, after a gang dressed as police officers gained entry on Friday, authorities said.
Earthquake of 5.9 magnitude hits off coast of Chile -USGS
(Reuters) – A shallow earthquake of 5.9 magnitude struck off the coast of Chile on Friday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. There were no immediate reports of damage.
Nine dead after attackers dressed as police enter Mexican prison
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Nine people were killed during a gunfight at a prison in Mexico’s violent Guerrero state, after a gang dressed as police officers gained entry on Friday, authorities said.
Spain seeks to mediate on Panama Canal expansion spat
MADRID/PANAMA CITY (Reuters) – Spain stepped in on Friday to try to resolve a cost dispute over the expansion of Panama’s canal, which has triggered a sell-off in the shares of Sacyr SA, the Spanish builder leading the project.
