U.N. says Israel-Syria ceasefire jeopardized by Golan violence
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – A spillover of violence from Syria’s civil war into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights is jeopardizing a decades old ceasefire between Israel and Syria, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a report to the U.N. Security…
Tunisia jails three Europeans for topless feminist protest
TUNIS (Reuters) – A Tunisian court sentenced three European feminist activists to four months in jail on Wednesday after they demonstrated topless in central Tunis last month against the Islamist-led government, one of their lawyers said.
Jordan removes last hurdle to cleric’s extradition from UK
AMMAN (Reuters) – Jordan has removed the last hurdle preventing Britain from sending radical cleric Abu Qatada back home for trial by approving an extradition treaty satisfying British concerns about evidence used against him, officials said on Wednesd…
Algeria president makes first TV appearance since stroke
ALGIERS (Reuters) – Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika appeared on state television on Wednesday for the first time since he was rushed to hospital in France on April 27 after a stroke.
Oil tycoon’s ex-wife wins landmark UK divorce ruling
LONDON (Reuters) – The ex-wife of a Nigerian oil tycoon won a landmark divorce settlement battle in the UK’s Supreme Court on Wednesday in a closely watched case that had raised concerns about the accessibility of corporate assets in wealthy divorces.
Greek PM refuses to back down on state TV closure
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Wednesday said he would press ahead with plans to reform state broadcaster ERT and launched a blistering attack against those opposing its closure.
Analysis: Turkey’s history of military coups hangs over protests
ISTANBUL/ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s “pashas”, the generals who once made politicians quake at the mere hint of disapproval, are staying silent as riots sweep the nation. Today the words “military coup” are nowhere to be heard, a tribute perhaps to the…
Brazil offers new credit line as Rousseff pushes positive agenda
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil will hand out 17 billion reais ($8 billion) in cheap loans for home appliance purchases, the government said on Wednesday, in a move to bolster Brazilians’ buying power as a lackluster economy and high inflation erode its ap…
Kenyan MPs take first pay cut, but allowances mount
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenyan members of parliament, among the best paid in Africa, have bowed to public anger by accepting their first pay cut – but only in exchange for a tax-free car grant, pensions and extra allowances, officials said on Wednesday.
Greek PM faces coalition revolt over state TV shutdown
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras faced a political revolt on Wednesday from his ruling coalition partners after the government abruptly switched the state broadcaster off the air in the middle of the night.
