Biden calls for U.S.-China trust, urges Chinese economic reforms
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Vice President Joe Biden said on Wednesday the United States and China must build greater trust and he argued that Chinese economic reforms such as freeing its exchange rate and moving to a consumption-led economy were in both na…
Sudan frees former spy chief, drops coup plot charges
KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Sudan freed a former spy chief on Wednesday after clearing him of charges that he was involved in an alleged coup attempt against veteran President Omar Hassan al-Bashir last year.
Kuwait promises Egypt $4 billion in aid-state news agency
KUWAIT (Reuters) – Kuwait will provide $4 billion in aid to Egypt, state news agency KUNA said on Wednesday, matching pledges by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that showed Gulf Arab approval of the Egyptian army’s ousting of Islamist Preside…
Berlusconi ruling shakes stability of Italy government
ROME (Reuters) – Silvio Berlusconi’s party boycotted a summit of Italy’s fragile coalition government and blocked parliamentary activity on Wednesday in protest against a supreme court decision to fast track a ruling that could ban him from public offi…
Kurdish rebels promote hawk as peace process falters
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Kurdish rebels have named a veteran senior militant as co-head of their political wing, replacing a relative moderate and clouding the future of a peace process with the Turkish state that has been disrupted by renewed violence.
South Sudan backs plans to boost press freedom, reporters wary
JUBA (Reuters) – South Sudan’s parliament has passed two bills to improve press freedom, an official said on Wednesday, a move reporters in the African country hope will strengthen their rights in the face of regular harassment by the authorities.
Syrian rebels disperse food protest with gunfire
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian rebels fired into the air to disperse a protest by civilians in a rebel-held district of Aleppo against a blockade preventing food and medicine reaching government-held areas of the northern city, residents said on Wednesday.
Risk of chemical catastrophe if Syria’s Assad goes: UK lawmakers
LONDON (Reuters) – Syria’s huge array of chemical weapons could fall into the hands of militants if President Bashar al-Assad was toppled, with “catastrophic” consequences, according to a report by senior British lawmakers published on Wednesday.
Egypt’s interim rulers name new prosecutor
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s interim authorities named a new prosecutor general on Wednesday, completing a contentious legal process that removed the man appointed by deposed President Mohamed Mursi.
Israel strengthens Syria border with an eye on Hezbollah
BOOSTER MILITARY OUTPOST, Golan Heights (Reuters) – Israel is bolstering its forces on the once-quiet frontier with Syria where it believes Lebanese Hezbollah militants are preparing for the day when they could fight Israel.
