Israel tests Arrow missile shield, eyes Syria, Iran
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel successfully tested its upgraded Arrow ballistic missile interceptor for the second time on Friday, pushing forward work on a U.S.-backed defense against threats seen from Iran, Syria and Lebanon’s Hezbollah guerrillas.
Thai economy at risk as political rivals vow mass rallies
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s finance minister expressed concern about a weak currency and damage to the economy on Friday as supporters and opponents of the government prepared for big rallies this month that risk pushing the divided country to the b…
Jailed Kurdish lawmakers seek freedom after Turkish court ruling
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) – Turkey’s top court has ruled that the lengthy detention of two Kurdish lawmakers while on trial for supporting militants violated their rights, raising the chances they could be freed in what would be a boost to the peace…
Italian navy rescues over 1000 migrants from boats in 24 hours
ROME (Reuters) – The Italian navy rescued more than 1,000 migrants in the 24 hours to Friday from boats trying to reach Europe, authorities said, as an immigration crisis that killed hundreds in the last year showed no signs of easing.
Israel’s ex-PM Sharon suffering multi-organ failure: hospital
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, comatose since a 2006 stroke, is close to death as his health continues to decline, the head of the hospital treating him said on Friday.
China says child deaths not linked to hepatitis vaccine
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese health authorities said they have found no link between a hepatitis B vaccine and the deaths of nine children who had received those shots, state media said on Friday.
Drugs seized in raids on southern Chinese village
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Police in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong have seized nearly three metric tons (3.3 tons) of the drug crystal methamphetamine and arrested 182 people in raids on a village notorious for producing narcotics.
China to centralize military command to improve operations
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s increasingly sophisticated military will establish a joint operational command structure for its forces to improve coordination between different parts of the country’s defense system, the official China Daily reported on Fr…
China tells police to be loyal to party amid graft crackdown
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s police chief wrote on Friday that his officers must uphold the leadership of the Communist Party and be loyal to it, as the government targets the domestic security apparatus in a crackdown on corruption.
Australia swelters after record hot 2013; farmers slaughter cattle, bushfire warning
SYDNEY (Reuters) – A searing heatwave is baking central and northern Australia, piling more misery on drought-hit cattle farmers who have been slaughtering livestock as Australia sweltered through the hottest year on record in 2013.
