Merkel picks popular woman ally as defense minister
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel named Ursula von der Leyen as her new defense minister on Sunday, a surprising choice that could vault the ambitious ally into the lead as the front runner to one day succeed the chancellor.
Turnout low in second round of Mali’s legislative election
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Voters in Mali headed to the polls on Sunday but turnout was low for a second round of legislative elections meant to complete democratic transition after a coup last year led to an Islamist takeover of the north.
Romanians rally against bill shielding MPs from corruption probes
BUCHAREST (Reuters) – Hundreds of Romanians marched in Bucharest on Sunday to protest against parliament approving a bill that increases the immunity of deputies from corruption charges.
Yemeni parliament in non-binding vote against drone attacks
SANAA (Reuters) – Yemen’s parliament on Sunday called for a stop to drone attacks in a symbolic vote that reflected growing public anxiety about Washington’s use of the unmanned aircraft to combat al Qaeda in the impoverished country.
Syrian helicopter bomb raids kill 36 in Aleppo: monitor
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Thirty-six people, nearly half of them children, were killed on Sunday when Syrian army helicopters dropped improvised “barrel bombs” on the disputed northern city of Aleppo, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Approval of Peruvian president Humala drops to fresh low
LIMA (Reuters) – Only one in four Peruvians approved of President Ollanta Humala in December, an all-time low for the leader, a poll showed on Sunday.
Saudi activist sentenced to lashes and prison: rights group
RIYADH (Reuters) – A Saudi judge sentenced a political activist to 300 lashes and four years in prison for calling for a constitutional monarchy in Saudi Arabia, his rights group said on Sunday.
Israeli panel backs tax on donations to groups urging boycott
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – An Israeli government committee gave initial approval on Sunday to a proposed law that would impose a 45 percent tax on overseas donations made to non-profit groups critical of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.
U.N. starts first aid airlifts to Syria from Iraq as cold grips
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The United Nations sent its first delivery of humanitarian aid by air to Syria from Iraq on Sunday and said it plans to deliver more food and winter supplies to the mainly Kurdish northeast in the next 12 days.
Egypt prosecutor targets father of boy arrested over ‘pro-Mursi’ ruler: lawyer
CAIRO (Reuters) – A prosecutor has ordered the arrest of an Egyptian man whose 15-year-old son was detained last month for owning a ruler bearing a symbol associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, the family’s lawyer said on Sunday.
