Human rights groups oppose U.S. trade benefits for Myanmar
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Human rights advocates on Tuesday urged President Barack Obama’s administration not to extend new U.S. trade benefits to Myanmar, also known as Burma, despite economic and political reforms the country has made over the past two …
Exiled economist turns down Putin’s offer to return
YEKATERINBURG, Russia (Reuters) – Exiled economist Sergei Guriev turned down President Vladimir Putin’s invitation on Tuesday to return to Russia, saying he preferred freedom to the prospect of further harassment at the hands of federal investigators.
Italian PM Letta turns to academics to reform constitution
ROME (Reuters) – Prime Minister Enrico Letta named a committee of 35 academics on Tuesday to propose changes to Italy’s constitution aimed at fixing an institutional apparatus that is blamed for years of unproductive and unstable government.
Italian PM Letta turns to academics to reform constitution
ROME (Reuters) – Prime Minister Enrico Letta named a committee of 35 academics on Tuesday to propose changes to Italy’s constitution aimed at fixing an institutional apparatus that is blamed for years of unproductive and unstable government.
Suicide bomber botches attack in Mali
BAMAKO (Reuters) – A suspected Islamist suicide bomber blew himself up but caused no other casualties in an attack in the northern Malian town of Kidal, the bastion of Tuareg separatist MNLA rebels, witnesses said on Tuesday.
French lawmakers thwart Hollande’s transparency drive
PARIS (Reuters) – French lawmakers diluted President Francois Hollande’s plans to force politicians to declare their wealth and are pushing instead to penalize reporters who publish such information.
British drive to blacklist Hezbollah hits EU opposition
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – A British request to blacklist the armed wing of Hezbollah ran into opposition in the European Union on Tuesday, with several governments expressing concern that such a move would increase instability in the Middle East.
Analysis: Putin gambles by taking down Dagestan strongman
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A commando raid to detain the man who ran Russia’s most violent big city is one of the boldest gambles in years by President Vladimir Putin to assert control over Dagestan, a region spiraling into organized crime and Islamist insurge…
Congo Republic suspends four independent newspapers
BRAZZAVILLE (Reuters) – Congo Republic has suspended several independent newspapers for offences including reprinting an article linking President Denis Sassou Nguesso to the assassination of military ruler Marien Ngouabi in 1977.
NATO to decide post-2014 force after Afghan fighting season
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – NATO is likely to wait until after this year’s fighting season in Afghanistan before deciding the size of the international military force that will remain behind after 2014 to train and assist Afghan troops, a U.S. general said on…