Iran president Rouhani targets stagflation in first budget
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani presented his first budget to parliament on Sunday, vowing to bring down inflation and boost growth to lift an economy reeling from sanctions and what he says was mismanagement by predecessor Mahmoud A…
Al Qaeda thrives in Yemen amid weak security, stalled dialogue
MANAMA (Reuters) – Brazen al Qaeda attacks on top government targets in Yemen are unlikely to abate while security services remain divided, ill-equipped and infiltrated by militants, and efforts to repair the country’s fractured political life remain s…
Insight: Family, politicians battle over “Brand Mandela”
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – From political posters to bottles of wine and kitchen aprons, the face and name of Nelson Mandela are a potent commercial and political brand in South Africa. Little wonder it’s so sought after – and the source of occasional sq…
South Korea to make announcement on air zone; expansion is anticipated
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea was scheduled to make an announcement on Sunday amid anticipation that it will expand its air defense zone south into a zone newly declared by China that has spurred regional tensions.
U.N. decries ‘low, uneven’ use of law protecting Afghan women
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan is failing to use a law designed to protect women from violence in a country regularly voted one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman, the United Nations said on Sunday.
Venezuelans vote in local polls that test Chavez legacy
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelans vote in municipal elections on Sunday that are the biggest political test yet for President Nicolas Maduro as he tries to halt an economic slide and preserve the radical socialist legacy of his late mentor Hugo Chavez.
Bashir announces resignation of Sudan vice president: state media
KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir announced the resignation of First Vice President Ali Taha on Saturday, state media reported, the first move in a Cabinet reshuffle announced early on Sunday that brought in younger members of the …
Obama defends interim Iran deal, seeks to assure Israel
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Saturday defended an interim deal with Iran to curb its nuclear program and, seeking to reassure Israel, pledged to step up sanctions or prepare for a potential military strike if Tehran fails to abide b…
French, African troops try to halt C. African Republic killings
BANGUI (Reuters) – French soldiers were cheered by residents on Saturday as they began patrolling densely populated neighborhoods of Central African Republic’s capital, Bangui, which has been rocked by waves of killings between Muslim and Christian com…
Rising power India sees no U.S.-style Gulf security role
MANAMA (Reuters) – Rising naval power India has no intention of becoming a U.S.-style protector of Gulf Arab states, even if the region’s states asked it to take on that role, its foreign minister said on Saturday, citing his country’s avoidance of for…
