Syrian warring sides to meet under world’s gaze
MONTREUX, Switzerland (Reuters) – Syria’s government and its enemies come face to face on Wednesday for the first time as world powers try to set aside their own differences and push for an end to three years of civil war that is unsettling the entire …
Israel kills Gaza militant blamed for rockets during Sharon funeral
GAZA (Reuters) – Israel killed two Gaza gunmen in an air strike on Wednesday, blaming one of them for firing rockets across the border during former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s funeral last week.
‘Perplexed’ India says U.S. probably still most important ally
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The case of the Indian consul arrested and strip-searched in New York last month was handled “appallingly” and needs to be resolved, but the United States remains probably India’s most important ally, the Indian ambassador to Was…
Toronto mayor, caught ranting on video, admits drinking a ‘little bit’
TORONTO (Reuters) – Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, who pledged last year to go clean after a crack-smoking scandal, admitted on Tuesday he had been drinking again after a video surfaced of him ranting about police surveillance in a mock Jamaican accent in a s…
Debt headache for Thai tycoon as protests bruise baht
SINGAPORE/BANGKOK (Reuters) – A local currency hit by months of political unrest, and skittish consumers spending less are keeping the pressure on Thai billionaire Dhanin Chearavanont, who heads Asia’s most indebted food retailer.
China puts prominent activist on trial
BEIJING (Reuters) – When dozens of activists unfurled banners across the country last March and April calling for officials to disclose their assets, they did so at the urging of one of China’s most prominent rights advocates, Xu Zhiyong.
Central African Republic’s new president says to listen to armed groups
BANGUI (Reuters) – Central African Republic’s new interim president said on Tuesday she would hold talks with armed groups in an effort to restore order to the former French colony, where at least seven more people were killed in sectarian violence in …
Turkey’s Erdogan, on Brussels visit, criticized over crackdown
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, making his first visit to Brussels in five years, faced sharp criticism from European Union leaders on Tuesday over a crackdown on the judiciary and police that has rattled investors.
Venezuela opposition leader wary of Maduro’s rapprochement
HIGUEROTE, Venezuela (Reuters) – Venezuela’s opposition leader has welcomed President Nicolas Maduro’s dialogue with once-vilified political foes but also suspects it may be a ploy to defuse anger over his failure to control crime and end economic scar…
Italy moves towards decriminalizing clandestine immigration
ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s Senate voted on Tuesday to scrap a law that makes entering the country without the proper paperwork a criminal offence and means migrants can be tried and fined up to 5,000 euros ($6,800) before being deported.
