West urges North Korea to close political prison camps, end caste system
GENEVA (Reuters) – Western powers called on North Korea on Thursday to dismantle its political prison camps and a caste system that ranks citizens based on family loyalty to the ruling dynasty.
Tunisian assembly approves new electoral law
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisia’s national assembly on Thursday approved a new electoral law, taking one of the last steps in its move to full democracy after the 2011 uprising that inspired the “Arab Spring” revolts across the region.
Panama election to test Martinelli’s hold on power
PANAMA CITY (Reuters) – Panamanians vote for a new president on Sunday in the closest contest in a generation with opponents of President Ricardo Martinelli seeking to thwart the business tycoon’s attempt to maintain an indirect grip on power.
Air strike kills 33 in Syria’s Aleppo: monitoring group
BEIRUT (Reuters) – At least 33 people were killed when Syrian government warplanes attacked a busy market in a rebel-controlled district of Aleppo on Thursday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Cuba calls terrorism designation by U.S. absurd, manipulative
HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba labeled as absurd and manipulative an annual U.S. State Department report that once again designated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, a setback for advocates hoping for a change in Washington’s Cuba policy this year.
Le Pen urges French to vote against EU’s ‘gravediggers’
PARIS (Reuters) – French far-right leader Marine Le Pen launched a scathing attack on the European Union on Thursday, urging voters later this month to punish Brussels “gravediggers” she held responsible for pushing France into decline.
Kerry raises detained Ethiopian bloggers with PM
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he had raised concerns about Ethiopia’s detention of six bloggers and three journalists during a meeting with the country’s prime minister on Thursday.
Ukraine detains Russian military attaché for spying
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine ordered the expulsion of Russia’s military attaché, saying it had caught him “red-handed” receiving classified information on the country’s cooperation with NATO during an armed uprising Kiev says is directed from Moscow.
Return of Lula as Brazil’s president unlikely, but possible
BRASILIA (Reuters) – It’s the catch phrase of the moment in Brazil’s capital, seen on posters and even a few bumper stickers: “Come back, Lula.”
India’s Congress would back tax reform if in opposition: minister
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – If India’s ruling Congress party is pushed into opposition after a general election, it would give its backing to a major tax reform it tried to bring in during 10 years in office, a government minister and party strategist said o…
