Former Iran president urges release of all political prisoners
DUBAI (Reuters) – Reformist former president Mohammad Khatami called for all political prisoners in Iran to be freed following a decision to pardon 80 people in an easing of the Islamic Republic’s strict security policies.
Held by Pakistan, ex-Afghan Taliban commander’s touted peace role in doubt
ISLAMABAD/KABUL (Reuters) – A former Afghan Taliban commander, who Pakistan said had been released at the weekend, is being held under virtual house arrest by his Pakistani handlers who watch his movements and listen to his phone calls, an arrangement …
Bahrain stung by Obama comment on sectarian tensions
DUBAI (Reuters) – Bahrain voiced disappointment with President Barack Obama’s description of the kingdom as beset by sectarian tension, arguing its problem was with “terrorists” who fomented division.
Exclusive: Greece does not need third bailout, seeks debt ‘reprofiling’ – deputy PM
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Greece does not require a third bailout and can cover its needs without further burdening its current backers, by improving the terms of its debt and possibly returning to the bond market next year, the country’s deputy prime minis…
Poor and desperate, Syrian refugees beg on Yemen’s streets
SANAA/ADEN, Yemen (Reuters) – Fleeing the bloodshed and destruction of civil war in Syria, Yosra Mustafa and 15 members of her extended family crossed into Turkey, but found life there too expensive. They tried their luck with Jordan, but were refused …
Poor and desperate, Syrian refugees beg on Yemen’s streets
SANAA/ADEN, Yemen (Reuters) – Fleeing the bloodshed and destruction of civil war in Syria, Yosra Mustafa and 15 members of her extended family crossed into Turkey, but found life there too expensive. They tried their luck with Jordan, but were refused …
Two Kenyan police killed in attack in northeast county
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Two Kenyan police officers were killed and another injured on Thursday in an attack on a local administrator’s office in a northeast county bordering with Somalia, the interior ministry said.
Bomb blasts in markets across Baghdad kill 23 people
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Bombs left inside busy markets in mainly Sunni Muslim districts of Baghdad killed at least 23 people on Thursday, police said.
Russia warns Japan over travel to disputed islands
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia threatened on Thursday to ban visa-free travel for Japanese officials to four disputed Pacific islands if they make statements demanding the territories be returned to Japan.
Italy president says must handle ‘disturbing’ political issue
ROME (Reuters) – Italian President Giorgio Napolitano on Thursday canceled his attendance at a conference because of what he called a “disturbing” political development that required his attention, a day after center-right leader Silvio Berlusconi urge…
