West to discuss aid with Syria rebel leader; insurgents kill Shi’ites
BEIRUT/PARIS (Reuters) – Western officials will meet the commander of the main force fighting President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday to discuss new aid, diplomats said, signaling a new bid to help mainstream rebels and counter the strength of sectarian …
Turkish protesters party in square despite ruling party call
ISTANBUL/ANKARA (Reuters) – Hundreds of anti-government demonstrators chanted and sang in Istanbul’s Taksim Square early on Thursday, defying an order to end almost two weeks of protests against Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan.
Mandela responding better to treatment: South Africa’s Zuma
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – Anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela was responding better to treatment in hospital on Wednesday morning after a “difficult last few days”, South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma said.
Government considers options to help Syrian opposition, Kerry says
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is debating what more it might do to help the Syrian opposition in its civil war against the government, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday without giving any details.
U.S. eases trade restrictions to Syria rebel-held areas
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Wednesday eased restrictions on exports to opposition-held areas in Syria to help rebuild shattered infrastructure in a move U.S. officials said will help facilitate oil sales from rebel-controlled areas.
U.N. says Syrian government and rebels recruit children to fight
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Syrian troops and rebels are recruiting children to fight in the country’s civil war and some have been tortured by government forces for having links to the opposition, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said in a report on Wednesday.
EU justice chief seeks answers on U.S. data spying
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union’s chief justice official has written to the U.S. attorney general demanding an explanation for the collection of foreign nationals’ data through its Prism spy program.
Greeks strike over state TV closure as backlash grows
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek workers will stage a nationwide strike on Thursday, forcing hospitals to work on emergency staff and disrupting transport, in protest against the “sudden death” of state broadcaster ERT, switched off in the middle of the night …
Brazil Finance Ministry to announce new economic measures
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega will announce new economic measures at a news briefing later on Wednesday, the ministry said in a statement.
Erdogan: from ‘rock star’ to mixed reviews from Arabs
CAIRO/ TUNIS (Reuters) – Two years ago, Tayyip Erdogan was mobbed by adoring crowds in Arab capitals and Turkey seemed set to expand its trade and influence across the region on the back of his support for the upstart democrats of the Arab Spring.
