Kalashnikov rifle designer felt ‘spiritual pain’ from mass deaths
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Mikhail Kalashnikov, the designer of the AK-47 rifle, wrote a letter to the Russian Orthodox Church before his death expressing concern that the weapon had killed so many people, Izvestia newspaper reported.
Myanmar still uses rape as weapon of war: women’s group
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A women’s group says the military in Myanmar is still using rape as a weapon of war, with more than 100 women and girls raped by the army since a 2010 election brought about a nominally civilian government that has pursued rappro…
Australia hardens refugee policy, to close mainland centers
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia will shut four mainland immigration detention centers, the government said on Tuesday, as it pushes ahead with controversial policies to turn back refugee boats and detain asylum seekers in remote centers offshore.
France’s Barnier says ready to run EU Commission
PARIS (Reuters) – France’s Michel Barnier, the European commissioner for financial regulation, has said he is ready to run for the presidency of the European Union executive succeeding Jose Manuel Barroso.
Australia seeks to prosecute ex-Hanlong executive after Hong Kong arrest
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia is seeking to prosecute a former executive of private Chinese firm Hanlong Mining Investment Pty Ltd on insider trading charges after he was arrested in Hong Kong, the country’s corporate watchdog said on Tuesday.
Exclusive: With Muslim Brotherhood crushed, Egypt sets sights on Hamas
CAIRO (Reuters) – After crushing the Muslim Brotherhood at home, Egypt’s military rulers plan to undermine the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which runs the neighboring Gaza Strip, senior Egyptian security officials told Reuters.
Blast heard outside Cairo court as referendum begins
CAIRO (Reuters) – An explosion was heard in Cairo just before Egyptians were due to begin voting in a constitutional referendum, the first ballot since the military ousted Islamist president Mohamed Mursi, security sources said on Tuesday.
U.S. was slow to lose patience as South Sudan unraveled
WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – It was a bad start for the U.S. president and the leader of the world’s newest country.
Biden assures Israel about core sanctions on Iran: U.S. official
SHANNON (Reuters) – Vice President Joe Biden assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday that the United States is committed to enforcing its “sanctions architecture” against Iran even as world powers provide it with some relief in purs…
Mexico urges vigilantes to stand down in drug gang conflict
NUEVA ITALIA, Mexico (Reuters) – Mexico’s government on Monday pledged to take control of a violent western state after days of fighting between masked vigilantes and members of one of the country’s most powerful drug cartels.
