Bangladesh opposition calls for protest at ‘farcical’ election
DHAKA (Reuters) – Opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia on Tuesday urged Bangladeshis to march to the capital Dhaka at the weekend to protest against what she called “farcical” elections on January 5, and declared: “Democracy is dead.”
Russia to host talks on eliminating Syria chemical arsenal
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia will host international talks on Friday on the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
Catalan public TV to shun Spanish king’s Christmas address
MADRID (Reuters) – The Spanish king’s traditional Christmas Eve address will not be aired on Catalonia’s public television on Tuesday for the first time since monarchy was restored, highlighting growing separatist fervor in the wealthy north-eastern re…
Nigeria says 70 killed in battle with Islamist group
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria’s military said on Tuesday it had killed at least 50 Islamist rebels fleeing towards Cameroon in a battle in which 15 of its own soldiers and five civilians also died.
Analysis: How South Sudan leaders squandered nation-building effort
JUBA/NAIROBI (Reuters) – At a well-attended investor conference in South Sudan’s capital in early December, President Salva Kiir declared that the world’s newest country was “at last safe” and open for business.
Exclusive: China commits $6.5 billion for Pakistani nuclear project
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – China has committed $6.5 billion to finance the construction of a major nuclear power project in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi as it seeks to strengthen ties with its strategic partner, Pakistani officials said.
Any corruption in Turkey will not be covered up: President Gul
ANKARA (Reuters) – Any corruption in Turkey will not be covered up and will be subject to independent court adjudication, President Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday in his first comments about a week-long graft scandal that has shaken the government.
Three big Yemeni parties reject federation proposal
SANAA (Reuters) – Three leading Yemeni parties have rejected a proposal to turn the country into a federation of semi-autonomous regions, in the latest blow to a national dialogue designed to put Yemen on track to democratic elections.
Thai protesters vow to hound PM, cling to promise to thwart poll
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai anti-government protesters abandoned efforts to block candidates from signing up for a February election on Tuesday but vowed to hound Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and thwart a poll she is expected to win.
Exclusive: Iran official got job in Khamenei conglomerate after approving deal
(Reuters) – In the fall of 2009, two of Iran’s most powerful entities teamed up to participate in the largest deal in the history of the country’s stock exchange.
