New political star forces Czechs to rethink Communist-era legacy
PRAGUE (Reuters) – When Czechs threw off Communism in 1989, they adopted strict rules marginalizing anyone with ties to the repressive old regime. But now they are asking whether it’s time to move on.
Egypt government preparing law to protect investments
CAIRO (Reuters) – The Egyptian government is preparing a law to reinforce the legal standing of past contracts with the state, Mohamed Abazeid, an adviser to Egypt’s investment minister, told a gathering designed to lure investment from Gulf Arab state…
‘Dangerous’ radioactive material stolen in Mexico truck: IAEA
VIENNA (Reuters) – Thieves have made off with a truck in Mexico carrying a dangerous radioactive material used in medical treatments, the United Nations nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday.
France’s Hollande reveals “benign” prostate problem
PARIS (Reuters) – French President Francois Hollande acknowledged on Wednesday that he underwent treatment for a swollen prostate just before he ran for office, declaring after a radio station revealed the issue that the condition was “benign”.
A quiet party apparatchik rises in North Korea, but perhaps not for long
SEOUL (Reuters) – The man who has most to gain from the apparent decline of Jang Song Thaek, the second-most powerful figure in North Korea, is a party apparatchik who has been around the ruling Kim dynasty for decades but kept out of the limelight unt…
Mass grave containing soldiers found in Mali
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Malian authorities have found a mass grave containing the bodies of soldiers in the southern garrison town of Kati, military and judicial sources said on Wednesday.
Australia defends raids on E. Timor lawyer and whistleblower
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Attorney-General George Brandis said on Wednesday raids by Australia’s domestic spy agency on the Canberra offices of a lawyer representing East Timor over Australian bugging claims were justified on grounds of national security.
North Korean leader’s ousted uncle alive and safe: South Korean minister
SEOUL (Reuters) – The uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is alive and appears to be safe, South Korea’s unification minister said on Wednesday, a day after the South’s National Intelligence Service said he had been removed from two powerful posit…
Ukraine ministers beat street blockade, ready for cabinet meeting: spokesman
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian ministers reached the main government headquarters in Kiev on Wednesday despite attempts by protesters to block their way and were preparing to hold a regular cabinet meeting, the government press service said.
France seeks to shed policeman role at Africa meeting
PARIS (Reuters) – France will tell African leaders at a Paris summit on Friday it will no longer play policeman on the continent, even as it prepares to act in a new conflict in Central African Republic after its Mali intervention this year.
