U.S. says Israeli, Palestinian leaders want peace talks
KUWAIT (Reuters) – Israeli and Palestinian leaders are both committed to reviving peace talks, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday, but he acknowledged that progress on the long-stalled negotiations would be tough.
As Gaza heads for water crisis, desalination seen key
GAZA (Reuters) – A tiny wedge of land jammed between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean sea, the Gaza Strip is heading inexorably into a water crisis that the United Nations says could make the Palestinian enclave unliveable in just a few years.
Rotting corpses spark fears of epidemic amid India floods
NEW DELHI, June 26 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Rotting corpses contaminating water sources and poor sanitation amid devastating floods in northern India could lead to a serious outbreak of diseases such as cholera and dysentery, aid groups warned on…
Ecuador tells U.S. to send its position on Snowden in writing
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Ecuador said on Wednesday the United States must “submit its position” regarding Edward Snowden to the Ecuadorean government in writing as it considers the former U.S. spy agency contractor’s request for asylum.
Immolation in Riyadh exposes plight of Arab stateless in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH (Reuters) – When a watermelon seller set himself on fire in Riyadh last month, it may not have set off an Arab Spring, but it did call attention to a rarely discussed issue – the plight of stateless Arabs living in the world’s top oil exporter.
Obama embarks on trip to Africa, Mandela’s health a question
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama set out on an eight-day trip to Africa on Wednesday that is aimed at reviving U.S. engagement with the continent but that will be overshadowed by the uncertain health of South Africa hero Nelson Mandela.
Lebanese police torture drug users, prostitutes, gays: Rights Watch
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A Human Rights Watch (HRW) report on Wednesday accused Lebanese police of torturing and raping drugs users, prostitutes and gays in their custody.
Kuwait cabinet sets parliamentary vote for July 27: KUNA
KUWAIT (Reuters) – The Kuwaiti government on Wednesday set a fresh date of July 27 for a parliamentary election, delaying by two days the sixth assembly contest in seven years in the politically volatile Gulf country.
Qatar to appoint new foreign minister – al Jazeera TV website
DUBAI (Reuters) – Al Jazeera television website said on Wednesday that Qatar will appoint a new foreign minister to replace veteran diplomat Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani following the accession of a new emir in the U.S.-allied Gulf Arab state.
U.S. employer held captive in China factory keeps his hopes up
BEIJING (Reuters) – A U.S. businessman held captive by about 100 workers in a Beijing factory said on Wednesday he was hopeful of a resolution to a row about pay in the next day or two.
