Powers to give Lebanon military, economic boost against Syria spillover
PARIS (Reuters) – France is preparing to seal a multi-billion-dollar plan to help modernize Lebanon’s armed forces as part of international efforts to stabilize a country hard hit by spillover from Syria’s civil war next door.
Court bans activities of Islamist Hamas in Egypt
CAIRO (Reuters) – An Egyptian court on Tuesday banned all activities of Hamas in Egypt in a further sign that Cairo’s military-backed government aims to squeeze the Palestinian Islamist group that rules neighboring Gaza, regarding it as a security thre…
Where West failed, people power spurs change in Bosnia
MOSTAR/SARAJEVO (Reuters) – The front line in Mostar during the Bosnian war ran north-south, along a road parallel with the emerald waters of the Neretva River. Catholic Croats held the west and Muslim Bosniaks the east, much as they do today.
Turkey’s Gul orders auditors to assess capacity to fight corruption
ANKARA (Reuters) – President Abdullah Gul ordered state auditors on Tuesday to assess Turkey’s ability to combat corruption, including in the construction sector, amid a graft investigation that has implicated senior elected officials.
Delhi women’s hotline at risk from cash woes, political turmoil
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – A 24-hour hotline for women in India’s capital, launched shortly after a fatal gang rape sparked nationwide protests in December 2012, is at risk of closing due to a lack of funds and political upheaval, its head said on Tuesday.
Thailand may extend state of emergency despite scaled-back protest
BANGKOK (Reuters) – A state of emergency in Bangkok could be extended until anti-government protests end completely, Thailand’s foreign minister said on Tuesday, adding that he feared more violence even though calm has returned to the capital in the pa…
China paper in rare mention of former security chief, hints at graft case
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – A state-run Chinese newspaper has for the first time identified former domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang as the father of a businessman who is being investigated for graft and implied that Zhou himself is also under investigati…
Rebels ambush U.N vehicle in eastern Congo
KINSHASA (Reuters) – Five U.N. peacekeepers were injured when rebels ambushed their vehicle in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday, the U.N. mission in the country said.
Estonian PM submits resignation: president’s spokesman
TALLINN (Reuters) – Estonia’s three-term Prime Minister Andrus Ansip submitted his resignation on Tuesday in a long-planned move to pave the way for his successor to lead a new government into a general election next year.
Jailed opposition leader calls for more Venezuela protests
CARACAS (Reuters) – Jailed Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez urged sympathizers on Monday to maintain street protests against President Nicolas Maduro as the country’s foreign minister prepared to meet the United Nations Secretary General.
