Bachelet takes power in Chile, vowing to narrow inequality gap
VALPARAISO/SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Michelle Bachelet took over the presidency of Chile in a ceremony loaded with symbolism on Tuesday, after promising to stick to her tax-and-spend campaign pledges despite a sharp economic slowdown.
From loyal aides and ‘inner voice’, Putin hears no Crimea dissent
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Surrounded by faithful aides, President Vladimir Putin hears no opposition to his plans in Crimea, allowing him to drive Russia’s bid to reclaim Ukraine’s southern region guided by little more than his “inner voice”.
Egypt’s Moussa: political future possible for Brotherhood
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian leaders should leave the door open for the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood to re-enter politics if the group accepts the constitution, former foreign minister and presidential candidate Amr Moussa said in a rare call for reconcil…
Syrian forces advance to edge of rebel border town
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian soldiers backed by Lebanese Hezbollah militants took full control on Tuesday of farmland on the northern edge of Yabroud, the last major rebel stronghold near the Lebanese border north of Damascus, military sources said.
Sudanese police fire tear gas at protest over Darfur violence
KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Sudanese police used tear gas and batons against students protesting in Khartoum against government policies in the restive region of Darfur on Tuesday, a Reuters witness said.
Italy partial tax amnesty put on back-burner in parliament
ROME (Reuters) – Italian lawmakers have put the brakes on a plan to fast-track a partial amnesty for tax dodgers with assets stashed abroad after they expressed concern the cost and bureaucracy could discourage people from owning up, a government offic…
South Africa raps Shell for not refueling Iran speaker’s jet
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – South Africa criticized Royal Dutch Shell’s local unit on Tuesday for not refueling a jet carrying the visiting speaker of Iran’s parliament, saying the action was an “embarrassment” to the government.
Israeli air strike kills three Gaza militants: Islamic Jihad
GAZA (Reuters) – An Israeli air strike on Tuesday killed three Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, the Islamic Jihad group said.
World Bank to provide Ukraine up to $3 billion this year
(This March 10 story was corrected in the second paragraph to show $2 billion will be submitted for board approval, not disbursed)
Romanian MPs block corruption investigation of ex-finance minister
BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Romania’s lower house of parliament on Tuesday overwhelmingly voted to block an investigation by state prosecutors of former Finance Minister Daniel Chitoiu who they suspect abused his power to further the interests of a private i…
