Russian rights activists say Putin amnesty far too narrow
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Human rights advisers to President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday criticized his proposal to free some prisoners on the 20th anniversary of Russia’s constitution, arguing it was far too limited to help ease social tensions.
Thai crisis deepens as PM’s supporters weigh in
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s red-shirted supporters said on Wednesday they were ready to defend her government in the streets from royalist-backed protesters seeking to install unelected leaders.
German court rejects compensation claim over Afghan air strike deaths
BONN (Reuters) – A German court on Wednesday threw out a compensation claim by relatives of the scores of civilians killed in a 2009 German-ordered NATO attack in Afghanistan, ruling that the commander who ordered the strike did not act negligently.
Al Qaeda tightens grip on western Iraq in bid for Islamic state
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – In Iraq’s western desert near the Syrian border, in a landscape of sand and rock, a signpost announces that you are entering al Qaeda’s Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Iraq’s ailing President Talabani on road to recovery: office
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who suffered a stroke a year ago, is on his way to a full recovery in Germany, his office said on Wednesday, publishing photos of him with his wife.
Iran commander criticizes government over influence from West
DUBAI (Reuters) – The commander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard force has criticized the government of President Hassan Rouhani as being under the influence of Western ideas, a sign of the growing tensions between the competing power centers.
Latvia’s lack of government should not affect joining euro: president
RIGA (Reuters) – Latvia is likely to enter the euro zone in January without a permanent government, but that should not affect the changeover to the euro, Latvia’s president said on Wednesday, after talks among political parties failed to produce a new…
Lawyer of Pakistani doctor who helped CIA flees after threats
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) – The lawyer for a Pakistani doctor who helped the United States track down Osama bin Laden has fled Pakistan after receiving threats from militants, relatives said on Wednesday.
EU offers wider security support for Kenya after mall attack
NAIROBI (Reuters) – The European Union has offered to increase counter-terrorism support to Kenya after the Westgate mall attack in which gunmen from a Somali Islamist group killed at least 67 people in Nairobi, a senior EU official said on Wednesday.
EU must stop paying Gaza officials who don’t work, auditors say
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union should stop funding Palestinian civil servants in the Gaza Strip because money is going to officials who do not work, European auditors said on Wednesday.
