Thai Muslims debate their future as peace talks raise hope
PATTANI, Thailand (Reuters) – Huddled in a room on the periphery of a university campus in the southern Thai province of Pattani, Muslim students debate ideas that have long been considered inflammatory or even treasonous.
Preview: Iran election offers choice, but little change
DUBAI (Reuters) – Friday’s presidential election in Iran is unlikely to bring significant change to the Islamic republic, whose supreme leader has ensured hardline candidates dominate the field. But the sole moderate could yet upset the race.
Venezuela vote council says audit confirms Maduro victory
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s election council said on Tuesday an audit of the results of presidential elections in April confirmed President Nicolas Maduro did win by 1.5 percentage points, despite opposition claims that the vote was stolen.
Algeria president gets therapy after stroke: state media
ALGIERS (Reuters) – Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is recovering with the help of physical rehabilitation in France more than a month after he was rushed to hospital there suffering from a stroke, the presidency said on Tuesday.
United States sanctions 4 Lebanese men, accuses them of aiding Hezbollah
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States imposed sanctions on four Lebanese citizens on Tuesday, accusing them of fundraising and recruiting for Hezbollah in West Africa, as Washington seeks to cut off sources of cash for the Lebanese militant group.
Iranians mixed on religious figures in politics: poll
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – As Iran heads into presidential elections this week, Iranians have mixed views on political roles for religious figures but a large majority backs sharia law, according to a poll published on Tuesday.
Russia’s Putin says U.S. supports opposition protesters
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday accused U.S. diplomats of interfering in Russian politics by supporting opposition demonstrators, a day before a planned protest march in Moscow.
Analysis: Hezbollah tips Syria power balance, polarizes Lebanon
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanese have long viewed the Hezbollah guerrilla army as a state-within-a-state. But having watched it launch a military adventure in Syria and brutality on the streets of Beirut, they feel ever more hostage to the Islamist group’s …
Bomb found under Italian diplomatic car in Tripoli
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – A bomb planted under an Italian diplomatic car in the Libyan capital Tripoli was discovered and exploded as police had cordoned off the area, diplomatic and security sources said.
Khatami, reformists back Rohani in Iran presidential vote
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iranian reformists led by former President Mohammad Khatami have endorsed Hassan Rohani, the lone moderate contesting Friday’s election for the presidency, held by hardline Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the past eight years.
