South Sudan president declares state of emergency ahead of talks
JUBA/ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – South Sudanese President Salva Kiir declared a state of emergency in two states on Wednesday as his negotiators prepared for peace talks with rebels to end more than two weeks of violence that has pushed the country towards…
Ex-Israeli Prime Minister Sharon’s condition worsens: reports
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, comatose since a 2006 stroke, has deteriorated to a “life threatening” condition after suffering kidney malfunction, Israel Radio reported on Wednesday.
Chinese iron trade fuels port clash with Mexican drug cartel
LAZARO CARDENAS, Mexico (Reuters) – When the leaders of Mexico and China met last summer, there was much talk of the need to deepen trade between their nations. Down on Mexico’s Pacific coast, a drug gang was already making it a reality.
Croatia arrests ex-spy chief wanted in Germany
ZAGREB (Reuters) – Croatia arrested on Wednesday a former intelligence chief wanted in Germany, responding to an extradition row that overshadowed the Balkan state’s accession to the European Union last summer.
EU tries to calm fears of Bulgarian, Romanian exodus
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union sought to calm fears in countries like Britain, France and Germany that they face a mass influx of Romanians and Bulgarians following the lifting of restrictions on Wednesday, a change that risks fuelling anti-im…
Lebanese intelligence questioning Saudi militant, security source says
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanese intelligence agents are interrogating the Saudi leader of a militant group that claimed a double suicide attack on the Iranian embassy in Beirut last November, a Lebanese security source said on Wednesday.
Erdogan rallies Turks to thwart ‘plot’ against nation’s success
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan urged Turks to rally around him in fighting what he termed a dirty plot by foreign-backed elements targeting “the bread on your table, the money in your pocket, the sweat of your brow”.
Revelers usher in 2014 with fireworks and fruit mist
NEW YORK (Reuters) – From Sydney to London to San Francisco, revelers welcomed 2014 with extravagant fireworks displays, giant street parties and, in a new departure, fruit-flavored mist.
Egyptian police fire tear gas at protesters near Defense Ministry
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian police fired tear gas and water cannons at hundreds of pro-Islamist protesters demonstrating near the Defense Ministry in Cairo on Wednesday, state media said.
Stop the wars, pope says in New Year appeal
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis made an impassioned New Year’s peace address on Wednesday, saying the heart of humanity seemed to have gone astray and too many people were still indifferent to war, violence and injustice.
