France says military option in Syria still valid
PARIS (Reuters) – France said on Wednesday it remained determined to punish Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over what it calls his use of chemical weapons if diplomacy fails, and a military strike was still possible.
Barroso rejects pressure on Ukraine over its ties to EU
STRASBOURG (Reuters) – European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso implicitly criticized Russian pressure on Ukraine to scrap plans for closer ties with Europe on Wednesday, saying the EU could not accept attempts to limit eastern European countr…
Four hurt in attack on military facility in Egypt’s Sinai: state TV
CAIRO (Reuters) – Four people were wounded on Wednesday when rocket-propelled grenades were fired at a military facility in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, state television reported.
Malaysia’s Najib to announce steps to help ethnic Malays
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak will announce measures this weekend to boost the economic role of majority ethnic Malays, signaling a reversal of earlier pledges to roll back race-based policies that have stunted the count…
Satisfied by government subsidy, Thai rubber farmers call off protest
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai rubber farmers have called off demonstrations planned for the weekend after the government doubled its subsidy for production and offered help for people arrested in protests last week, a farmers’ leader said on Wednesday.
Obama to explore diplomatic route on Syria chemical weapons
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama pledged on Tuesday to explore a diplomatic plan from Russia to take away Syria’s chemical weapons, but voiced skepticism about it and urged Americans to support his threat to use military force if needed.
Indian prosecutors seek death for four guilty in Delhi gang rape case
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – All four man convicted of the rape and murder of a 23-year old trainee physiotherapist on a New Delhi bus should face the death penalty, public prosecutor Dayan Krishna told a court on Wednesday.
Five police killed in attack in south of Thailand
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Suspected Muslim insurgents killed five policemen in Thailand’s deep south on Wednesday in one of the most serious attacks since talks between a major Muslim rebel group and the government to end nearly a decade of conflict stalled….
Taiwan’s Ma asks speaker of legislature to step down
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou on Wednesday urged Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng to step down over accusations of illegal lobbying, in a move that paves the way for a power struggle for the president and his ruling party.
Exclusive: French draft, disliked by Russia, would give Syria chemical arms ultimatum
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – An initial French draft U.N. Security Council resolution would demand that Syria make a complete declaration of its chemical weapons program within 15 days and immediately open all related sites to U.N. inspectors or face pos…
