France reaffirms limits on Muslim headscarves, veils
PARIS (Reuters) – A French appeals court, ruling in a hotly debated religious rights case, on Wednesday upheld the dismissal of a Muslim daycare worker for wearing a headscarf at a crèche that demanded strict neutrality from its employees.
Ukraine’s Yanukovich says EU should stop meddling over Tymoshenko
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich said the European Union should stop meddling in the fate of his rival former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, and said her imprisonment should not hinder Kiev’s integration with Europe.
South Yemen leader pulls out of reconciliation talks
SANAA (Reuters) – A south Yemeni separatist leader on Wednesday walked out of national reconciliation talks meant chart a new constitution for U.S.-allied Yemen, setting back efforts to keep the fragile country together.
Survivors of Bosnian war turn backs on U.N. court head
SARAJEVO (Reuters) – The head of the United Nations tribunal set up 20 years ago to try those behind the bloodshed of Yugoslavia’s breakup faced protests on Wednesday by survivors angry at what they say is only partial justice.
Syria tells Western foes to stop dreaming Assad will go
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Western countries which demand that President Bashar al-Assad step down should either stop dreaming or forget attending peace talks in January, Syria said on Wednesday.
EU says won’t suspend data sharing accords with U.S.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union backed down on Wednesday from threats to suspend agreements granting the United States access to European data, rejecting calls for a tougher stance over alleged U.S. spying.
Living in fear, Central African Republic awaits foreign intervention
BOSSANGOA, Central African Republic (Reuters) – Mathieu Marco hid in his shower as the Muslim militia commander who came to kill him screamed at his young son, demanding to know where he was. Frustrated at his failure to find the man he took for a Chri…
Analysis: Israel struggling to win friends, influence people
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Criticized for settling occupied land and stung by its failure to shape the new world power deal with Iran, Israel must rethink its strategy if it wants to avoid severe diplomatic setbacks in the coming months.
Tunisian factories close, jobs go as political crisis drags on
BIZERTE, Tunisia (Reuters) – Tunisia’s “Arab Spring” revolution, born out of economic despair, is failing to deliver the jobs and opportunities of a better life that its people long for, and had once expected.
Iran seizes two Saudi fishing vessels in Gulf: Fars
DUBAI (Reuters) – The Iranian coast guard has seized two Saudi fishing vessels after they entered Iran’s territorial waters, a local coast guard official was quoted as saying on Wednesday.
