Exclusive: Opposition plan for post-war Syria ignores Assad
GENEVA (Reuters) – The Syrian opposition called on Wednesday for a transitional governing body to oversee a U.N.-monitored ceasefire across Syria and expel foreign fighters, in a paper that avoided any mention of President Bashar al-Assad.
Lebanese army seizes top al Qaeda-linked militant
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanon’s army on Wednesday arrested a senior al Qaeda-linked militant described by officials as a “mastermind of car bombs” hitting Shi’ite areas in recent months, triggering a major security sweep in the country.
Euro parliament chief creates waves in Israel
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – The visiting president of the European parliament landed in hot water in Israel on Wednesday, drawing a public rebuke from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over an address to the Israeli legislature.
Exclusive: Libya oil rebel’s brother arrested in UAE
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – The brother of a former rebel who has blockaded Libyan oil ports was held in Dubai after Tripoli issued an Interpol notice for his arrest on charges of trying to smuggle oil, Libyan government officials said.
Guinea arrests, checks foreigners in drugs clampdown
CONAKRY (Reuters) – Guinea has arrested about 20 Nigerians and started checking Latin American workers here in a crackdown on a growing wave of drug trafficking through the West African state, Guinean officials said.
Kerry to take harder U.S. line on Asia maritime disputes to China
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States fired a shot across China’s bow a week ago by taking a tougher stance on maritime disputes in East Asia, a message Secretary of State John Kerry will amplify in Beijing this week.
Nigeria’s Boko Haram kill 51 in northeast attack: witnesses
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Gunmen from Islamist sect Boko Haram killed 51 people in an attack on a town in northeast Nigeria, witnesses said on Wednesday, in a region where President Goodluck Jonathan’s troops are struggling to contain its insurgen…
Britain to tell Scotland: Lose the pound if you exit UK
LONDON/KILMARNOCK (Reuters) – Britain’s main political parties will tell Scotland in coordinated statements in coming days it cannot keep the pound if it votes for independence, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
Swiss put immigration worries aside to fete Russian-born snowboarder
ZURICH (Reuters) – Days after Switzerland voted to impose new barriers to immigration, the surprise victory of a Russian-born snowboarder nicknamed “I-Pod” at the Olympic Games in Sochi has led to an ironic outpouring of national pride.
Britain’s Cameron under pressure over flood spending pledge
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister David Cameron came under pressure on Wednesday to spell out where he would find the money for his pledge to spend whatever was needed to help those affected by severe flooding in England.
