China hints at reform by dropping Mao’s legacy
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s ruling Communist Party has dropped its strongest hint yet that it will move in the direction of reform, removing a once standard reference to late leader Mao Zedong in statements ahead of a generational leadership transition…
Bomb wounds Israeli officer on Gaza border
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – An Israeli officer was severely wounded on Tuesday when a bomb went off beside an army patrol along the border with the Gaza Strip, a military spokeswoman said.
Time running out for Czech PM to save government
PRAGUE (Reuters) – Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas made a last-ditch effort on Tuesday to win support from party rebels who are threatening to bring down his cabinet over an unpopular bill to raise taxes.
Qatar emir makes history, visits Hamas-run Gaza Strip
RAFAH, Gaza Strip (Reuters) – The Emir of Qatar entered the Gaza Strip on Tuesday for a visit that broke the isolation of it Islamist rulers, Hamas, but disappointed Israel and mainstream Palestinian leaders in the West Bank.
Jordan sets January 23 for early parliamentary election
AMMAN (Reuters) – Jordan’s electoral commission set January 23 as the date for early parliamentary elections on Tuesday after King Abdullah dissolved parliament halfway through its term, responding to pressure for an acceleration of political reforms.
Recuperating Mauritanian president shot in back: sources
NOUAKCHOTT (Reuters) – Mauritania’s president was driving an unmarked car at high speed through a military checkpoint at the weekend when a gendarme shot and wounded him, security and other sources said on Tuesday.
Iraqi Shi’ite militants fight for Syria’s Assad
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Scores of Iraqi Shi’ite militants are fighting in Syria, often alongside President Bashar al-Assad’s troops, and pledging loyalty to Iran’s supreme Shi’ite religious leader, according to militia fighters and politicians in Iraq.
Palestinians reject U.S. criticism of U.N. status drive
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – The Palestinians fended off on Tuesday U.S. criticism of their bid for upgraded status at the United Nations, saying the move would improve prospects for a peace accord with Israel, not damage them.
Karadzic denies Bosnia war crimes as he starts defense
THE HAGUE (Reuters) – Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, accused of some of the worst atrocities in Europe since World War Two, told judges he should be praised for promoting peace, not charged with war crimes, an assertion hotly denied by vi…
"I take responsibility" for Benghazi: Clinton
LIMA (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton assumed responsibility on Monday for last month’s deadly attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, which has become an issue in the hard-fought U.S. presidential campaign.
