Philippine Muslim rebels launch bold raid on southern port
MANILA (Reuters) – Rogue Muslim rebels launched an audacious assault in the southern Philippines on Monday, taking control of several villages and shutting down a major port in the biggest challenge to a peace deal signed by the government last year.
Yahoo welcomes release of Chinese writer jailed for email
BEIJING (Reuters) – Yahoo! welcomed on Monday the early release from prison of a prominent Chinese writer, jailed in 2005 for leaking state secrets abroad by email after Yahoo was accused of helping authorities identify him.
U.N. nuclear chief says ‘urgent’ for Iran to address concerns
VIENNA (Reuters) – The U.N. nuclear chief told Iran on Monday it was “essential and urgent” for it to address concerns about suspected atomic bomb research, signaling his hope that the new government in Tehran will stop stonewalling his inspectors.
Nigeria’s Boko Haram clash with vigilantes, 18 dead
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) – Clashes between Islamist sect Boko Haram and government-backed civilian vigilantes killed 18 people in Nigeria’s northeastern state of Borno, survivors said on Monday, as President Goodluck Jonathan struggles to contain r…
Saudi diplomat kidnapped in Yemen asks family to stage protests
ABU DHABI (Reuters) – A Saudi diplomat held hostage in Yemen for 18 months has urged his family to organize demonstrations asking the government to meet al Qaeda demands to free detained women and Muslim clerics as the best way to get him freed from ca…
Kosovo bans Macedonian goods in escalating trade dispute
PRISTINA/SKOPJE (Reuters) – Kosovo has banned the import of all products from neighboring Macedonia, officials said on Monday, in a tit-for-tat trade dispute that could cost Macedonian producers one of their most lucrative markets.
Mubarak’s last PM backs army’s Sisi for Egyptian president
CAIRO (Reuters) – Former Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq says he will back army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for president, adding to speculation that the man who led the overthrow of President Mohamed Mursi could become head of state.
Norway’s opposition set for sweeping election victory
OSLO (Reuters) – Norway’s center-right opposition, pledging privatization, tax cuts and smaller government, was set for a sweeping election win on Monday but faces difficult coalition talks since a populist anti-immigration party will hold the balance …
Kerry says Syria’s chemical weapons controlled by Assad, two others
LONDON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday that the control of chemical weapons in Syria was limited to President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher and an unnamed general.
South Korea nuclear issues, tower protests raise blackout risks
MIRYANG, South Korea (Reuters) – South Korea faces possible power blackouts this winter and next summer, as cable safety issues and protests that are holding up completion of an ultra-high-voltage power line threaten to keep more nuclear reactors offli…