Spain taps social security reserve fund to pay pensions
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain tapped its social security reserve fund for the second time in a month on Monday, the Labour Ministry said, to help with extra summer pension payments as unemployment and retirement costs deplete government funds.
U.S. backs EU for designating Hezbollah wing as terrorist
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House backed the European Union’s decision to designate the military wing of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization on Monday, saying it sends a strong message that the group cannot operate with impunity.
Uganda police arrest opposition figure to prevent rallies
KAMPALA (Reuters) – Police arrested Uganda’s leading opposition figure on Monday saying he was about to stage illegal rallies, in what will be seen as the latest crackdown on dissent in the oil-rich African country.
Cuba still allergic to private property as reforms creep forward
HAVANA (Reuters) – Every Monday in the bowels of Cuba’s Palace of the Revolution, a group of men and women charged with revamping the island’s moribund economy meets to review progress in building what they have dubbed “a prosperous and sustainable soc…
China quake death toll more than doubles to 54, hundreds hurt
BEIJING (Reuters) – The death toll from a 6.6 magnitude earthquake in China’s western Gansu province on Monday more than doubled to 54 people, the municipal government said, with hundreds injured as many homes in affected areas collapsed.
Afghan lawmakers vote to sack minister over security
KABUL (Reuters) – Lawmakers voted to sack Afghanistan’s interior minister on Monday, accusing him of failing to quell attacks from militants as international troops accelerate their exit from the country.
Family of Egypt’s Mursi alleges abduction, new clashes in Cairo
CAIRO (Reuters) – The family of Egypt’s ousted Islamist president said on Monday it would take legal action against the army as his supporters and opponents clashed in street battles in Cairo.
Egypt waives visa fees for Syrians after Mursi overthrow
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt said on Monday it would cancel visa fees for Syrians, the latest effort to ease diplomatic tensions between the two Arab states after the army ousted President Mohamed Mursi this month.
EU calls for Mursi’s release, democratic elections in Egypt
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union called on Monday for the release of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Mursi and demanded democratic elections as soon as possible.
Turkey set to overshoot budget targets as elections approach
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey is likely to overshoot its budget deficit targets this year as the government spends in the run-up to elections to help keep the economy growing, economists said on Monday.
