Maldives tourism workers vow strike after court delays presidential vote
MALE (Reuters) – Tourism workers in the Maldives have threatened to go on strike if a run-off presidential poll in the up-market holiday destination is not held on Saturday as scheduled.
Philippine troops rescue last hostages, kill 15 rebels: army
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine forces said on Friday they had rescued the last civilians held by Muslim rebels on a southern island after nearly three weeks of fighting that has raised doubts about government efforts to end decades-old insurgencies.
NATO to hold summit in Britain next year
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – NATO will hold its next summit in Britain in 2014, as the alliance winds down combat operations in Afghanistan, it said on Friday.
Building collapse kills four in India’s Mumbai, scores trapped
MUMBAI (Reuters) – A five-storey apartment block collapsed on Friday in the Indian financial centre of Mumbai, killing at least four people and trapping scores in the latest accident to underscore shoddy building standards in Asia’s third-largest econo…
India’s Rahul Gandhi slams move to shield convicted politicians
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s Nehru-Gandhi dynasty scion Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed a cabinet move to protect politicians found guilty of crimes, embarrassing the government led by his own party just months from a general election.
U.S., Russia agree on Syria U.N. chemical arms measure
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Ending weeks of diplomatic deadlock, the United States and Russia agreed on Thursday on a U.N. Security Council draft resolution that would demand Syria give up its chemical arms, but does not threaten military force if it fa…
Paris DIY shops ordered to close Sundays, prompting anger from business
PARIS (Reuters) – A court has ordered home improvement shops near Paris to close on Sundays, prompting anger about the burden of business regulation at a time when France is barely out of recession and consumers aren’t spending.
Muslim converts plead not guilty to killing British soldier
LONDON (Reuters) – Two Muslim converts pleaded not guilty on Friday to murdering a British soldier whose killing in broad daylight on a busy London street in May horrified the nation.
Chemical weapons watchdog to begin Syria inspections next week
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Experts from the world’s chemical weapons watchdog will begin inspecting Syria’s stockpile of toxic munitions by Tuesday, according to a draft agreement obtained by Reuters.
Philippines South China Sea legal case against China gathers pace
HONG KONG (Reuters) – The Philippines’ legal challenge against China’s claims in the South China Sea is gathering pace, emerging as a “proxy battle” over Beijing’s territorial reach.
