Two killed by mortar fire near Damascus opera house: state media
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Two people were killed when mortar fire hit the grounds of the Damascus Opera House in the Syrian capital, state media said on Sunday.
Fourth Iranian held in UAE over businessman’s kidnap: source
DUBAI (Reuters) – An Iranian suspected of helping kidnap a British-Iranian businessman in Dubai has been arrested in Thailand and deported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), an official source familiar with the matter said on Sunday.
Absentee Bouteflika dominates Algerian presidential poll
CHLEF, Algeria (Reuters) – At a packed sports hall in western Algeria, portraits of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika gaze down on supporters rallying for his re-election. But the leader himself, weakened by a stroke a year ago, is a no-show.
Israeli exporters weigh options as shekel strength persists
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Arie Levin envisions a time in the not too distant future where his micro electronics company, AVX Corp, may no longer have operations in Israel.
U.S., in nod to Tokyo, to send more ships to Japan, prods China
TOKYO (Reuters) – The United States moved on Sunday to reassure Tokyo over its mounting security concerns, saying it would send more missile defense ships to Japan following North Korean launches and use a high level trip to warn China against abusing …
Advisers to India’s Modi dream of a Thatcherite revolution
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – When Indian opposition leader Narendra Modi gave a speech on the virtues of smaller government and privatization on April 8 last year, supporters called him an ideological heir to former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, w…
Australian PM hopes for ‘swift, satisfactory’ end to Japan trade talks
TOKYO (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Sunday that he hoped for a quick conclusion to thorny free trade negotiations with Japan but suggested time might be needed to ensure conclusion of a “satisfactory” pact.
Mexican ruling party state official held on suspicion of gang links
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – One of the top ruling party officials in the troubled Mexican state of Michoacan has been held for 40 days while he is investigated for possible links to criminal organizations, the attorney general’s office said on Saturday.
Mali government resigns, new PM appointed: state TV
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Mali’s government has resigned and town planning minister Moussa Mara will become prime minister, a presidential spokesman said on state television late on Saturday.
Relief in Afghanistan after largely peaceful landmark election
KABUL/KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) – Afghanistan’s presidential election closed on Saturday amid relief that attacks by Taliban fighters were fewer than feared for a vote that will bring the first-ever democratic transfer of power in a country plagu…
