Egypt returns $2 billion to Qatar in sign of growing tensions
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt has returned $2 billion that Qatar had deposited with its central bank, after talks to convert the funds into three-year bonds broke down, central bank Governor Hisham Ramez said on Thursday.
High chance of cyclone over SW Gulf of Mexico: NHC
(Reuters) – An area of low pressure located over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico now has a high 60 percent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest advisory.
Guinea opposition leader seeks poll delay, threatens protests
CONAKRY (Reuters) – Guinea’s main opposition leader on Thursday threatened to call supporters onto the streets if authorities push ahead with a parliamentary election due on Tuesday without fully addressing complaints over preparations.
Security forces storm pro-Mursi town near Cairo to reassert control
KERDASA, Egypt (Reuters) – Egyptian security forces and militants exchanged fire as police stormed a town near Cairo dominated by Islamist supporters of ousted President Mohamed Mursi on Thursday, arresting dozens in an operation to reimpose state cont…
Pope says Church cannot be obsessed with gays, contraception, abortion
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis said the Catholic Church should not allow its bans on gay marriage, abortion and contraception to dominate its teachings, but must be a more welcoming Church where priests are understanding pastors and not cold, do…
Pope says Church cannot be obsessed with gays, contraception, abortion
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis said the Catholic Church should not allow its bans on gay marriage, abortion and contraception to dominate its teachings, but must be a more welcoming Church where priests are understanding pastors and not cold, do…
U.N. chief Ban praises Iran’s efforts on international dialogue
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday commended efforts by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s government to engage with the international community and praised Tehran for releasing several prominent prisoners.
NATO chief says some allies may help implement Syria accord
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Individual NATO nations may agree to help implement an agreement on eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons but NATO itself is unlikely to play a role, the head of the alliance said on Thursday.
Syria war, refugees to cost Lebanon $7.5 billion: World Bank
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria’s conflict will cost Lebanon $7.5 billion in cumulative economic losses by the end of next year, the World Bank has said in a report prepared for an aid meeting at the United Nations.
Russia’s Putin sees hope in Syria chemical arms deal
VALDAI, Russia (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he could not be 100 percent certain a plan for the destruction of Syrian chemical arms would be carried out successfully but he saw reason to hope it would.
