Putin dissolves state news agency, tightens grip on Russia media
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin tightened his control over Russia’s media on Monday by dissolving the main state news agency and replacing it with an organization that is to promote Moscow’s image abroad.
Protesters fell Lenin statue, tell Ukraine’s president ‘you’re next’
KIEV (Reuters) – Anti-government protesters toppled a statue of Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin in Ukraine’s capital and attacked it with hammers on Sunday in a symbolic challenge to President Viktor Yanukovich and his plans for closer ties with Ru…
Man killed British soldier in war for Allah, court hears
LONDON (Reuters) – A man accused of murdering a British soldier in broad daylight on a London street told a court on Monday that he was a soldier at war and loved the Islamic militant group al Qaeda.
Egypt tunnel blockade takes toll on Gaza business
GAZA (Reuters) – Mohammed Al-Telbani, owner of one of Gaza’s biggest food factories, is the sort of businessman plucky enough to thrive despite an Israeli blockade of the Palestinian coastal enclave, but even he says he is finally running out of answer…
Mexico Senate committees near vote on bold energy reform
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican Senate committees on Monday resume debate of an energy bill that would open up the world’s No. 10 oil producer to private investment by allowing lucrative contracts in the sector’s most dramatic revamp in 75 years.
Venezuela’s socialists win majority in local polls
CARACAS (Reuters) – President Nicolas Maduro’s government won a majority of votes in Venezuela’s local elections on Sunday, disappointing the opposition and helping his quest to preserve the late Hugo Chavez’s socialist legacy.
Venezuela’s Maduro to raise pressure on business after local vote
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pledged to deepen his “economic offensive” to force businesses to cut prices after his ruling Socialist Party won the most votes in weekend municipal elections.
Thai PM calls snap election, protesters want power now
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra dissolved parliament on Monday and called a snap election, but anti-government protest leaders pressed ahead with mass demonstrations in Bangkok seeking to install an unelected body to run the…
Kuwaiti court acquits 70 accused over 2011 storming of parliament
KUWAIT (Reuters) – A Kuwait court on Monday acquitted 70 people, including nine former lawmakers, of storming the parliament in 2011 in an unprecedented protest against the then prime minister, a senior member of the ruling family.
French troops trade fire with ex-rebels in Central African Republic
BANGUI (Reuters) – French troops traded fire with former rebels in Central African Republic’s capital Bangui on Monday as they sought to disarm fighters after violence in which hundreds have been killed, a peacekeeping force official said.
