China rights scenario deteriorating, says United States
BEIJING (Reuters) – The United States got few answers to questions about detained activists during its annual rights dialogue with China, and believes the situation in the country continues to deteriorate, a senior U.S. official said on Friday.
Tunisian forces dismantle explosive in third bomb scare of day
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisian security forces dismantled a bomb found near the home of a military colonel on Friday, witnesses said, the third bomb scare to be reported in the same day.
U.S. declares new push to defuse Egyptian crisis
CAIRO (Reuters) – The United States said on Friday it would work with other nations to resolve Egypt’s crisis peacefully, injecting new energy into a push to end a bloody standoff since the overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi.
Tunisian forces dismantle explosive in third bomb scare of day
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisian security forces dismantled a bomb found near the home of a military colonel on Friday, witnesses said, the third bomb scare to be reported in the same day.
Mexico rules out foul play in Pemex HQ blast, cites gas buildup
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – A massive explosion that killed nearly 40 people in late January at state oil company Pemex’s Mexico City headquarters was caused by a gas buildup, Mexico’s attorney general’s office said on Friday, ruling out foul play.
Britain’s Conservatives hire Obama campaign chief in election role
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s governing Conservative Party has hired U.S. President Barack Obama’s former campaign manager as part of its election team ahead of polls due in less than two years, the party said.
Tents, garages, shops: Syria refugees hide in Lebanon shadows
TRIPOLI, Lebanon (Reuters) – Atop a mountain lined with olive and cypress trees overlooking the Lebanese city of Tripoli, a disused shopping center houses nearly 1,000 refugees who have fled Syria’s civil war.
Cuban death toll from methanol sold as rum climbs to 11
HAVANA (Reuters) – Eleven Cubans have died this week and more than 60 are in hospital after consuming toxic industrial methanol sold as rum, state media reported on Friday.
Britain to close embassy in Yemen for two days due to security concerns
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain said on Friday that it will close its embassy in Yemen on August 4 and 5 due to “increased security concerns”, after the United States announced a number of its embassies would also shut on Sunday.
Berlusconi lays out price of preserving Italian government
ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s center right must push through justice reform or withdraw from the coalition government, Silvio Berlusconi told his People of Freedom (PDL) party on Friday after his conviction for tax fraud was upheld by the supreme court.
