Afghan Taliban say Pakistan still holds ex-No 2 in jail
KABUL (Reuters) – The Afghan Taliban said on Wednesday Pakistan has not freed their former second-in-command, Mullah Baradar, as promised and that his health is deteriorating in prison.
Maldives sets October 19 presidential poll after first vote annulled
MALE (Reuters) – The Maldives will hold a new presidential election on October 19, the election commission announced on Wednesday, after the Supreme Court annulled a September 7 poll citing voter fraud.
Azerbaijan leader Aliyev eyes third term in presidential poll
BAKU (Reuters) – Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev looks certain to extend his rule in the oil-producing former Soviet republic for a third straight term in an election on Wednesday that opponents say has already been skewed in his favor.
U.N. faces U.S. lawsuit over Haiti cholera epidemic
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Human rights lawyers representing Haitian victims of a cholera epidemic they blame on U.N. peacekeepers announced on Wednesday they were filing a lawsuit against the United Nations, with a New York court seeking compensation …
Latest leak at Japan’s Fukushima plant contaminates six workers
TOKYO (Reuters) – Six workers at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant were exposed to leaking radioactive water after one of them mistakenly removed a pipe to a water treatment system, the plant’s operator said on Wednesday.
Syria’s shipping trade struggles as war risks bite
LONDON (Reuters) – War and sanctions are taking an increasing toll on Syria’s vital sea-borne trade, with fewer vessels calling at its cargo ports as ship-owners shy away from the risks associated with a conflict now in its third year.
China arrests chairman of world’s largest tin producer over bribes
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese authorities have arrested and charged the chairman of the world’s largest producer of refined tin, Yunnan Tin Co, for accepting bribes, a provincial government said, in the latest example of the country’s crackdown on graft….
U.S. leans toward withholding most military aid from Egypt: source
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is leaning toward withholding most military aid to Egypt except to promote counterterrorism, security in the Sinai Peninsula that borders Israel, and other such priorities, a U.S. official said on Tuesday.
Pakistan quake toll reaches 515 as insurgents hamper aid efforts
AWARAN, Pakistan (Reuters) – The death toll from an earthquake in southwestern Pakistan has reached 515, a provincial official said Friday, as insurgents continue to hamper relief efforts.
Maduro seeks decree powers from Venezuela lawmakers
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro went to parliament on Tuesday to seek decree powers that he says are essential to tackle corruption and fix the economy but opponents view as proof he wants to rule as an autocrat.
