Insight: War turns Syria into major amphetamines producer, consumer
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria has become a major amphetamines exporter and consumer as the trauma of the country’s brutal civil war fuels demand and the breakdown in order creates opportunity for producers.
Japan condemns China fishing curbs; vows to defend islands
NARASHINO, Japan (Reuters) – Japan on Sunday joined the United States in criticising China’s new fishing restrictions in the South China Sea, saying the curbs, coupled with the launch last year of an air defence zone, has left the international communi…
New Bangladesh government to be sworn in after disputed polls
DHAKA (Reuters) – Bangladesh’s new government is set to be sworn in on Sunday, a week after the ruling party won a violence-plagued election that the opposition boycotted and amid growing international calls for a fresh and inclusive polls.
Permit to hunt endangered rhino sells for $350,000 despite protests
(Reuters) – A permit to hunt a black rhino in Namibia sold for $350,000 at an auction in Dallas on Saturday with proceeds going to protect the endangered animals despite protests from animal rights groups that saw the sale as immoral conservation.
South Korea to contribute $867 million for U.S. military forces in 2014
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea said on Sunday it had agreed to pay 920 billion won ($866.86 million) in 2014 towards the cost of the U.S. military presence in the country, a rise of 5.8 percent from a year ago.
Two more Greek far-right party MPs jailed before trial
ATHENS (Reuters) – Two lawmakers from Greece’s far-right Golden Dawn party were remanded to custody on Saturday pending trial on charges of belonging to a criminal group, on what prosecutors say is evidence linking the party to a series of attacks, inc…
Punches fly as Turkish MPs debate judicial reform
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish parliamentarians threw punches and water bottles during a debate on Saturday about government control over the appointment of judges and prosecutors, as a feud over the ruling party’s handling of a corruption scandal intensif…
Central African Republic’s capital tense as ex-leader heads into exile
BANGUI (Reuters) – Central African Republic’s president flew into exile in Benin on Saturday and a new interim team started the process of identifying leaders who might restore order to a nation gripped by months of inter-religious violence.
Basque protesters rally in support of ETA prisoners
BILBAO, Spain (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Bilbao in Spain’s northern Basque Country on Saturday in support of jailed members of the Basque separatist group ETA, defying a court ban from Madrid.
In war or withdrawal, Sharon marched to his own drum
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – A maverick in war and politics, Israel’s Ariel Sharon reshaped the Middle East in a career marked by adventurism and disgrace, dramatic reversals and stunning rebounds.
