Franco-German energy plan to focus on renewables, not mergers
PARIS (Reuters) – French President Francois Hollande’s surprise announcement of a Franco-German energy joint venture did not target major utilities but renewable energy and electricity networks, his aides said on Wednesday.
U.N. chief Ban fears Nigeria anti-gay law will fuel violence
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed deep concern on Wednesday at a new Nigerian law that criminalizes same-sex relationships, which he fears could fuel prejudice and violence and risks obstructing an effective HIV/AI…
Car bomb blamed on al Qaeda kills 26 in north Syrian town
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A car bomb blamed on a radical group linked to al Qaeda killed at least 26 people in a rebel-held city of northern Syria on Wednesday, an opposition monitoring group said.
Bahrain crown prince meets opposition on ending political deadlock
MANAMA (Reuters) – Bahrain’s crown prince met the Shi’ite Muslim opposition leader on Wednesday in search of a way out of a three-year political deadlock, a week after reconciliation talks were suspended in a setback for efforts to stabilize the U.S.-a…
Violence kills 75 in Iraq, PM seeks world’s support
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Bomb attacks and shootings killed at least 75 people in Iraq on Wednesday, police and hospital sources said, making it one of the bloodiest days in months.
U.N. says surveillance drone in Congo slips off runway
KINSHASA (Reuters) – An unmanned aircraft used by U.N. peacekeepers in Democratic Republic of Congo slipped off the runway on Wednesday near the eastern town of Goma, the head of the U.N. mission said.
Global press group visits Britain over newspaper freedom fears
LONDON (Reuters) – A global media organization began its first press freedom mission to Britain on Wednesday over concerns about the government’s plans to regulate newspapers and its response to the Edward Snowden revelations.
Damascus says West reaches out on security
DUBAI (Reuters) – Some Western nations opposed to President Bashar al-Assad have discussed security cooperation with his government, Syria said on Wednesday, a move which if true would suggest a rise in Western concerns about foreign militants in rebel…
Yemen drone strikes kills farmer -witnesses
ADEN (Reuters) – A Yemeni farmer was killed in a U.S. drone strike on Wednesday in what witnesses said was an attack apparently intended for suspected Islamist militants in southeastern Yemen.
Insight: Maliki consolidates power, fails to reconcile Iraqis
BAGHDAD/DUBAI (Reuters) – Nuri al-Maliki’s political skills have kept him at the pinnacle of power in Iraq since 2006, but the Shi’ite Muslim leader has yet to heal the wounds of a country traumatized by tyranny, occupation and communal strife.
