Colombian president’s ratings inch higher as unrest cools
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos’ popularity rebounded slightly from a record low for his administration as people felt more upbeat about the economy after a violent farm protest in August hurt his approval ratings, a leading p…
Peru’s Humala swears in fourth prime minister, retains finance minister
LIMA (Reuters) – Peru’s President Ollanta Humala swore in a widely praised regional politician as his fourth prime minister in a Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, but retained his finance minister despite rumors he might quit.
Congo rebels retreat, but unclear if rebellion near end: U.S. envoy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Recent military advances by U.N.-backed Congolese troops in crushing a 20-month rebellion in the east are a major step, but it is too soon to say if the M23 rebels are on the brink of defeat, a senior U.S. official said on Thursd…
Colombia defense minister says troop cuts after peace ‘big mistake’
BOGOTA (Reuters) – It would be a “big mistake” for Colombia to reduce troop numbers or cut its security budget if a peace agreement is signed with Marxist FARC rebels to end a half century of war, the defense minister said on Thursday.
Strong earthquake strikes off Chilean coast, no damage reported
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Chile on Thursday, the United States Geological Survey reported.
Iraqi leader blames regional unrest for revival of al Qaeda in Iraq
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said on Thursday he was seeking U.S. help to counter a resurgent al Qaeda in his country and blamed the revival of the extremist group on power vacuums in the region rather than divisive Iraqi…
Syria military base blasts said to be Israeli strike
AMMAN/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Syrian rebels and a U.S. official cited by CNN said on Thursday Israel had mounted a new attack on a Syrian military base but the Israeli government declined to confirm any strike.
Mexican Congress passes diluted government tax reform
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s Congress on Thursday approved a government-backed bill to increase weak tax revenues but watered down the measure that is expected to have only a moderate effect on the tax take.
Israeli tank fire kills Gaza militant in clashes: Gaza sources
GAZA (Reuters) – A Hamas militant was killed and another critically wounded by Israeli tank fire in the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday, medical sources said.
Colombia defense minister says troop cuts after peace ‘big mistake’
BOGOTA (Reuters) – It would be a “big mistake” for Colombia to reduce troop numbers or cut its security budget if a peace agreement is signed with Marxist FARC rebels to end a half century of war, the defense minister said on Thursday.
