Italy’s top court rules electoral law breaches constitution
ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s electoral law is unconstitutional, its top court ruled on Wednesday, piling pressure on political parties to reform a system blamed for creating parliamentary deadlock.
Banned satirist says Egypt’s leaders do not accept criticism
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s most popular television satirist, Bassem Youssef, who was pulled off the airwaves last month after mocking the army chief, said on Wednesday the move showed the military-backed rulers were intolerant of opposing views.
U.S. seeks to better understand Syria Islamists
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States sees value in getting to know Islamist militias in Syria, in order to better understand their intentions in the civil war there and their possible links with al Qaeda, the top U.S. military officer said on Wedne…
In Honduras slum, acid test for new leader’s drug gang battle
TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) – A sprawling, well-kept cemetery buttresses the entrance to Nueva Capital, a sketchy Honduran slum with panoramic views over Tegucigalpa, the capital city of this violent country with the world’s highest murder rate.
Hezbollah says commander killed in Beirut, blames Israel
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Hezbollah commander who fought in Syria’s civil war was shot dead outside his home in Lebanon on Wednesday in a killing which the militant Shi’ite Muslim group blamed on Israel.
First Israeli cabinet minister visits Turkey since 2010: officials
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – A member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and former defense chief flew to Istanbul on Wednesday, becoming the first Israeli cabinet minister to visit Turkey since ties ruptured in 2010 over a deadly raid on a Gaz…
Libyan assembly votes to follow Islamic law
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libya’s national assembly voted on Wednesday to make Islamic law, or sharia, the source of all legislation, in an apparent bid by moderate Islamists to outflank ultra-conservative militants who have been gaining influence.
Thaksin’s homecoming hopes dashed as Thai crisis reignites
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s political future is cloudier than ever, but one thing is for certain – self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra won’t be coming home soon.
Attack on intelligence HQ in northern Iraq kills six
KIRKUK, Iraq (Reuters) – Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked a police intelligence headquarters in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk on Wednesday, killing at least six people and wounding dozens more, a health official said.
Mexico searches for stolen truck carrying radioactive material
VIENNA (Reuters) – Police scoured central Mexico on Wednesday for a truck they suspect was stolen by common thieves but carried an uncommon cargo: dangerous radioactive medical material that could provide an ingredient for a “dirty bomb.”