Bangladesh factory owner to plead innocent in deadly blaze case
DHAKA (Reuters) – The owner of a Bangladesh garment factory that was destroyed in a deadly fire last year said on Monday he was “saddened and astonished” that he had been charged with culpable homicide for the death of 112 workers and would plead innoc…
Half Pakistani lawmakers say they do not pay tax: report
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Nearly half Pakistan’s lawmakers reported they paid no taxes, according to a study released on Monday, findings that may endanger billions of dollars in IMF and other loans and aid that shore up a faltering economy.
EU urges Egypt to review sentences for 2011 uprising figures
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union urged Egypt to reconsider jail sentences handed down to three leading figures of the country’s 2011 uprising, saying they stemmed from flawed laws curbing freedom of expression.
Italy PM Letta pledges reform pact in January
ROME (Reuters) – Prime Minister Enrico Letta promised on Monday to include a swift reform of Italy’s widely criticized electoral law and cuts to bureaucracy and taxes in a new coalition pact to be worked out in January.
Tunisia’s Islamists, opponents set handover date
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisia’s ruling Islamists and opposition parties agreed on Monday to finish their handover to a caretaker government by January 14, the third anniversary of the fall of autocratic leader Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali.
Iran’s Rouhani eyes rebuilding relations with United States
BERLIN (Reuters) – Iran wants to improve bilateral relations with the United States and other Western powers, President Hassan Rouhani said in an editorial published in a German newspaper on Monday, broaching an issue he has so far avoided since he too…
Kuwait ministers submit resignations to PM: parliament speaker
KUWAIT (Reuters) – Kuwait’s cabinet ministers submitted their resignations on Monday to the prime minister, a move that could pave the way for a cabinet reshuffle.
Kuwait top court rules 2013 parliamentary vote was legal: state TV
KUWAIT (Reuters) – Kuwait’s top court ruled on Monday that this year’s parliamentary election was legal, state television reported, rejecting suits that could have led to the dissolution of parliament and a fresh election.
China says carrier tests in South China Sea going well
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s first and only aircraft carrier has successfully carried out a series of tests during a training mission in the disputed South China Sea, state media reported on Monday.
EU bans arms exports to Central African Republic
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union on Monday banned the export of arms and the sending of mercenaries to Central African Republic, which is racked by sectarian violence.
