Ukraine frees tortured activist as president returns to work
KIEV (Reuters) – The Ukrainian government bowed to intense Western pressure on Sunday to let an opposition activist fly abroad for treatment after his abduction, torture and then attempted arrest by police outraged critics of President Viktor Yanukovic…
Demonstrators disregard Thai poll, vow march to oust PM
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai anti-government protesters planned to forge ahead on Monday with efforts to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, a day after a disrupted election that is unlikely to settle the country’s long-running political conflict.
Sri Lanka rejects ‘reckless’ U.S. criticism of its rights record
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Sri Lanka rejected U.S. criticism of its human rights record as “grossly disproportionate” on Sunday, a day after a senior U.S. official said Washington would table a U.N. resolution against Colombo.
France sees Iran opportunity if sanctions are lifted: Moscovici
PARIS (Reuters) – France will have “significant commercial opportunities” in Iran if sanctions are lifted, but Tehran first has to prove its good faith in abiding by nuclear undertakings, Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici said on Sunday.
Iraqi army bombards Falluja in preparation for ground assault
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The Iraqi army intensified its shelling of Falluja on Sunday in preparation for a ground assault to regain control of the city, which has been under the control of militants for a month.
Scandals, inequality loom large as Costa Rica votes for new leader
SAN JOSE (Reuters) – As voters streamed to the polls on Sunday, Costa Rica’s centrist ruling party front-runner hoped to fend off a leftist surge fueled by resentment over corruption scandals and rising inequality.
Syrian forces kill 83 in barrel bomb attacks in Aleppo: activists
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian military helicopters dropped more improvised “barrel bombs” on the northern city of Aleppo on Sunday, a monitoring group said, bringing the death toll to at least 83 people in the latest episode of a campaign that many conside…
South Sudan rebels say army razed town, using foreign fighters
JUBA (Reuters) – South Sudanese rebels accused government forces on Sunday of razing the hometown of their leader Riek Machar, violating a ceasefire, and said the army was drawing support from foreign fighters now in the country.
Iran says nuclear talks failure would be ‘disaster’
MUNICH (Reuters) – Iran’s foreign minister held rare private talks with his U.S. counterpart on Sunday and said it would be a “disaster” if Tehran did not turn a provisional agreement to defuse a decade-old dispute over its nuclear program into a perma…
Germany promises more engagement: but not on the battlefield
MUNICH (Reuters) – Germany’s U.S. and European allies welcome Berlin’s promise of a more robust foreign and security policy, but with no appetite at home for troops to fight, it may mean little more than extra logistical help and tougher rhetoric.
