Economic fears expose Laos’ unequal boom
VIENTIANE (Reuters) – For the Communists running Laos, the fruits of capitalism have never been so bountiful.
Israel frees Palestinian prisoner after hunger-strike deal
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – Israel freed a Palestinian prisoner from jail on Monday, completing a deal agreed earlier this year in exchange for him halting a lengthy hunger strike that almost killed him.
Amnestied Russian punk band pair criticize Putin after release
KRASNOYARSK/NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (Reuters) – Two members of Russian punk protest band Pussy Riot freed from prison on Monday derided President Vladimir Putin’s amnesty that led to their early release as a propaganda stunt and promised to fight for h…
Exclusive: Assad’s secret oil lifeline: Iraqi crude from Egypt
LONDON (Reuters) – The Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad has received substantial imports of Iraqi crude oil from an Egyptian port in the last nine months, shipping and payments documents show, part of an under-the-radar trade that has kep…
Freight wagon with nuclear waste derails at depot near Paris, no leak
PARIS (Reuters) – A rail freight wagon carrying nuclear waste derailed at a depot in Drancy, 3 km (2 miles) northeast of Paris on Monday, the mayor of the town said.
France to maintain a headscarf ban despite legal advice
PARIS (Reuters) – France decided on Monday to maintain a ban on Muslim headscarves for volunteer school monitors despite a warning that it overstepped the law requiring religious neutrality in the public service.
British Airways plane wing clips building in Johannesburg
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – A British Airways plane bound for London clipped its wing on a nearby building as it was preparing to take off from Johannesburg on Sunday, South Africa’s airports authority said.
Italy PM Letta pledges reform pact in January
ROME (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta promised on Monday to present a formal coalition pact in January with reforms ranging from an overhaul of the electoral law to cuts to bureaucracy and taxes.
Turkish PM, cleric in war of words over graft scandal
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A war of words escalated on Monday between Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and a cleric with powerful influence in the police and judiciary, worsening political turmoil unleashed by a corruption scandal.
At least 20 people killed in attacks across Iraq: police
TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) – At least 20 people were killed in a spate of attacks across Iraq on Monday that included the seizure by gunmen of a television station, the targeting of Shi’ite Muslim pilgrims and a desert offensive by the army.
