Political tension flares in Thailand over amnesty bill
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the Thai capital on Friday after lawmakers approved a draft political amnesty bill that could allow the return of self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, one of Thailand’s most p…
Syrian forces capture town near chemical weapons site: group
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian government forces have captured a northern town located near a site linked to the country’s chemical weapons program after days of heavy fighting, a monitoring group said.
Indonesia summons Australian ambassador over U.S.-led spying report
JAKARTA/PERTH (Reuters) – Indonesia summoned Australia’s ambassador on Friday to explain media reports his embassy in Jakarta was used to snoop on Southeast Asia’s biggest country as part of a U.S.-led global spying network.
Russian PM plays down talk of gas wars, warns Ukraine on EU
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said he saw no reason for Moscow to cut gas supplies to Ukraine over an unpaid bill for now, playing down talk of an imminent “gas war” that might disrupt gas flows to Europe.
Russia’s PM says U.S. hurt by evidence of “cynical” spying
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The United States faces a tough task undoing the damage inflicted by allegations it has spied on leaders of allied countries, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.
NATO stages exercise as rearming Russia worries some allies
LONDON (Reuters) – When NATO forces start a major exercise in Latvia and Poland this weekend, they will be rehearsing how to oust an anonymous invading enemy from a fictional region.
Indonesia summons Australian ambassador over U.S.-led spying claims
JAKARTA/PERTH (Reuters) – Indonesia summonsed Australia’s ambassador on Friday to explain media reports his embassy in Jakarta was used to spy on Southeast Asia’s biggest country as part of a U.S.-led global spying network.
China jails former top provincial official for life over bribes
BEIJING (Reuters) – China on Friday jailed for life a former vice governor of the northeastern province of Jilin and former banker for taking more than $3 million in bribes, in the government’s latest move to crack down on deep-rooted corruption.
Mexican Congress passes watered-down tax reform
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s Congress on Thursday passed a package of measures aimed at bolstering the country’s weak tax revenues, but only after watering down a plan that is expected to have a moderate impact at best.
Zelaya’s wife to seek IMF deal if elected in Honduras: running mate
TEGUCICALPA (Reuters) – The wife of ousted Honduran president Manuel Zelaya will seek a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to resolve a mounting debt crisis if she wins next month’s presidential election, her running mate said on Thursday….
