Iran’s Rouhani to address Western oil CEOs in Davos
DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) – Iranian President Hasan Rouhani will address a panel of top global oil executives on Thursday as the Islamic Republic steps up efforts to win back investments from oil companies as part of its rapprochement with the West….
EU, U.S. warn Romania over pressure on judges
BRUSSELS/BUCHAREST (Reuters) – The European Union and the United States told Romania on Wednesday to end political pressure on judges amid increased concerns about the rule of law in one of the EU’s most corrupt member states.
Japan’s former PM challenges Abe’s energy policy in Tokyo race
TOKYO (Reuters) – Former Japanese premier Morihiro Hosokawa pledged on Wednesday to push the nation to abandon nuclear power if elected governor of Tokyo next month in a race that could affect Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s energy policy and political clo…
Time to end al Qaeda presence in Falluja: Iraq’s Maliki
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Wednesday it was time to clear al Qaeda-linked militants out of the rebel-held city of Falluja, but set no deadline for any military assault.
Hong Kong mother accused of beating maids with mops, clothes hangers gets bail
HONG KONG (Reuters) – A Hong Kong mother of two who a court heard punched her maids, beat them with mops and threatened to kill their relatives was released on bail on Wednesday after she was formally charged in a case that has triggered outrage.
Texas to execute Mexican national in face of diplomatic protest
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – Texas is set to execute Mexican national Edgar Tamayo on Wednesday for killing a Houston police officer in 1994 despite objections from the Mexican government, which said implementing the death penalty would violate internatio…
Thai capital under emergency as pro-government leader shot and wounded in northeast
UDON THANI, Thailand (Reuters) – A leading pro-government activist was shot and wounded on Wednesday in Thailand’s northeast, a stronghold of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, as a state of emergency began in the capital where protesters are trying t…
Russian prosecutor seeks five-six years in jail for anti-Putin protesters
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A Russian prosecutor demanded prison terms of between five and six years for eight demonstrators charged with mass disorder at a protest in 2012 against President Vladimir Putin, which if brought down could provoke an outcry before t…
Slovenian Olympic Committee gets terrorist threat in Russian
LJUBLJANA (Reuters) – The Slovenian Olympic Committee said on Wednesday it had received a letter containing a terrorist threat ahead of the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.
Vatican bank asks Italy to normalize ties after reforms
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The Vatican bank asked Italy on Wednesday to resume financial relations effectively frozen since 2010, saying it had made great progress with new anti-money laundering measures Rome had demanded.
