Smuggling cartels, militants hinder revival of Somali port
KISMAYU, Somalia (Reuters) – Al Qaeda-linked militants, drug smugglers and shadowy criminal networks stand in the way of the Somali federal government’s hopes of hiring a foreign firm to manage the lucrative but run-down southern port of Kismayu.
Delhi’s rubble-strewn Connaught Place mirrors ruling party’s election struggle
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – The broken paving stones and exposed cables that mar the neo-Georgian grandeur of India’s prime shopping precinct give a glimpse into why the ruling Congress party might struggle to hold on to the capital Delhi in a local election…
Mexican Senate passes electoral bill, clearing way for energy debate
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved an electoral reform demanded by the opposition, helping pave the way for Congress to focus on an energy bill at the center of President Enrique Pena Nieto’s economic agenda.
Venezuelan president says he has proof blackout was sabotage
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Tuesday he had proof that a massive power outage was caused by saboteurs aiming to throw the country into chaos before municipal elections this weekend.
Vatican refuses to share sex abuse investigations with U.N. panel
ROME (Reuters) – The Vatican refused to provide a United Nations rights panel with information on the Church’s internal investigations into the sexual abuse of children by clergy, saying on Tuesday that its policy was to keep such cases confidential.
Britain to tackle ‘Islamist extremism’ after soldier’s murder
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Britain plans to classify “Islamist extremism” as a distinct ideology, British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Tuesday, as part the government’s response to the murder of a soldier on a busy London street.
Mexican left-wing leader Lopez Obrador has heart attack, surgery
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was rushed to hospital for surgery on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack, which could undermine his ability to lead protests against President Enrique Pena Nieto’s push to open up …
Hezbollah chief says he met Qatari envoy in recent days
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said on Tuesday he recently received an envoy from Qatar, the first contact between the two sides since divisions over the crisis in Syria severed their once strong relations.
North Korea’s Kim seen behind sacking of powerful uncle
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is believed to have dismissed a powerful uncle, a man key to his rise to power, from his posts, South Korean lawmakers said on Tuesday, a move that could help consolidate his power base with a younger g…
Health deteriorates for American pastor in Iran prison: law center
(Reuters) – An Iranian-American pastor imprisoned in Iran for more than a year because of his Christian faith is in declining health for lack of proper nutrition and necessary medication, a group seeking his release said on Tuesday.
