Russia’s Putin approves tougher anti-terrorism laws as Sochi games loom
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin has signed off on tougher anti-terrorism laws ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics that could oblige relatives to pay for any damage caused by militants fighting a separatist campaign in southern Russia.
Tropical Storm Sonia stronger as it nears Mexico’s Pacific coast
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Tropical Storm Sonia gained strength as it took aim at the Pacific coast of Mexico on Sunday, threatening intense rains over a large portion of western Mexico that has already experienced major flooding over the past couple of m…
Greek retail workers protest Sunday shopping rules
ATHENS (Reuters) – Retail workers protested in Athens against a relaxation of rules restricting the number of Sundays a year when shops can open, a reform demanded by Greece’s foreign lenders which aims to make its recession-hit economy more flexible.
Hackers deface dozens of websites in Australia, Philippines
MANILA/JAKARTA (Reuters) – Hackers claiming links to international activist group Anonymous defaced dozens of websites belonging to Australian businesses and Philippine government agencies on Sunday.
Kuwaiti woman arrested for driving in Saudi Arabia: report
KUWAIT (Reuters) – A Kuwaiti woman was arrested in Saudi Arabia for trying to drive her father to hospital, a Kuwaiti newspaper reported on Sunday, a week after Saudi women protested against a ban on female drivers.
French public want Hollande to change policies: poll
PARIS (Reuters) – The vast majority of French people want President Francois Hollande to change his polices or reshuffle his government, an opinion poll suggested on Sunday, a day after thousands protested against tax hikes and rising unemployment.
Khamenei tells Iran’s hardliners not to undermine nuclear talks
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran’s supreme leader gave strong backing on Sunday to his president’s push for nuclear negotiations, warning hardliners not to accuse Hassan Rouhani of compromising with the old enemy America.
Nigeria church stampede kills 24 people: Red Cross
ONITSHA, Nigeria (Reuters) – At least 24 people died during a stampede at an overcrowded church gathering in eastern Nigeria, the Red Cross said on Sunday.
France says its journalists ‘coldly assassinated’ in Mali
PARIS (Reuters) – Two French journalists killed in Mali on Saturday were “coldly assassinated” by the “terrorists” that France is fighting in the west African country, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Sunday.
World must help Lebanon handle Syrian refugee flood: UNICEF
KFAR ZABAD, Lebanon (Reuters) – International donors must do more to help Lebanon absorb a flood of refugees straining its schools and public services, the head of the United Nations children’s fund UNICEF said.
