Australia tightens secrecy over ‘success’ in blocking asylum seekers
Canberra (Reuters) – Australia’s government on Wednesday touted its success in deterring asylum seekers from arriving by boat, even as it moved to further restrict access to information about its secretive immigration policies.
Western spies contact Damascus to discuss security, Syria says
DUBAI (Reuters) – The intelligence services of some Western countries opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have visited Damascus to discuss security cooperation with his government, Syria’s deputy foreign minister said in remarks broadcast on We…
Communist Party expels former executive at China Mobile parent
HONG KONG (Reuters) – A former senior executive at China Mobile Ltd’s state-owned parent has been expelled from the Communist Party amid a company-wide probe into suspected corruption.
Argentine poet, political critic Gelman dies in Mexico
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Juan Gelman, the celebrated Argentine poet and fierce critic of the South American nation’s “dirty war” against leftists, died Tuesday in Mexico City, Mexico’s national art council said.
U.N. says South Sudan army, rebels stealing humanitarian aid
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday accused South Sudan’s army and rebels led by former Vice President Riek Machar of stealing food aid and vehicles used to deliver humanitarian relief as the country teeters on the …
Fire at Chinese shoe factory kills 16: Xinhua
BEIJING (Reuters) – A fire at a shoe factory in eastern China killed 16 people and injured five, state media reported, the latest disaster to highlight China’s poor workplace safety record.
Costa Rica ruling party leads in presidential poll
SAN JOSE (Reuters) – Costa Rica’s ruling party presidential candidate bolstered his lead over a left wing challenger in a poll ahead of a February 2 election, local media reported on Tuesday, but a tight run-off vote seemed likely.
Syrian government forces advance as rebel infighting rages
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian government has retaken territory around the northern city of Aleppo, the military said on Tuesday, after two weeks of rebel infighting that has weakened the insurgency against President Bashar al-Assad.
Army chief Sisi in focus as Egyptians vote on constitution
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptians voted on Tuesday for the first time since the military deposed president Mohamed Mursi on a draft constitution that may set the stage for a presidential bid by army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Briton jailed 27 years for Florida murders seeks to reopen case
MIAMI (Reuters) – Lawyers for a British man convicted in Florida for a 1986 double homicide sought to reopen the case on Tuesday, claiming that three Colombian drug traffickers were the real killers.
