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| Nicaraguan ships arrive in waters disputed by Colombia: Ortega Monday, Nov 26, 2012 08:00 PM PST  MANAGUA (Reuters) - Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said on Monday his country's ships already were exercising sovereignty over resource-rich Caribbean waters claimed by Colombia but granted to the Central American nation by an international court last week. Ortega, however, added that he had been in touch with Colombia about implementing the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) ruling, which grants disputed islands to Colombia while offering rights to fishing and oil-rich waters to Nicaragua. ... Full Story | Top |
| Satellite photo shows increased activity at North Korean launch site Monday, Nov 26, 2012 07:35 PM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A new satellite image shows a marked increase in activity at a North Korean missile launch site, pointing to a possible long-range ballistic missile test by Pyongyang in the next three weeks, according to satellite operator DigitalGlobe Inc. The imagery was released days after a Japanese newspaper, the Asahi Shimbun, reported that U.S. intelligence analysts had detected moves that were seen as preparation by North Korea for a long-range missile launch as early as this month. DigitalGlobe, which provides commercial satellite imagery to the U.S. ... Full Story | Top |
| Syrian jets bomb rebel bases near Turkey border Monday, Nov 26, 2012 07:26 PM PST  BUKULMEZ, Turkey (Reuters) - Syrian warplanes bombed two rebel bases near the Turkish border on Monday sending hundreds of people fleeing across the frontier. The attacks on the Free Syrian Army positions (FSA) in Atima and nearby Bab al-Hawa came a day before NATO and Ankara were due to start assessing where to station surface-to-air missiles on the Turkish side of the 900-km (560-mile) boundary. Turkey, a big supporter of rebels fighting to oust Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, has repeatedly scrambled jets along the border. ... Full Story | Top |
| Euro zone, IMF reach deal to cut long-term Greek debt Monday, Nov 26, 2012 06:07 PM PST  BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund clinched agreement on reducing Greece's debt on Monday in a breakthrough to release urgently needed loans to keep the near-bankrupt economy afloat. After 12 hours of talks at their third meeting in as many weeks, Greece's international lenders agreed on a package of measures to reduce Greek debt by 40 billion euros, cutting it to 124 percent of gross domestic product by 2020. ... Full Story | Top |
| Factbox: Key elements of the Greek debt deal with the euro zone and IMF Monday, Nov 26, 2012 05:49 PM PST BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund agreed on steps late on Monday to reduce Greece's public debt and help the country regain market access next decade. Below are the main elements of the agreement. - Greece will reach a primary surplus target of 4.55 percent of gross domestic product only in 2016, rather than 2014, to give the economy a better chance to start growing again. - Greece will organize a debt buy-back of its bonds held by private investors. The buy-back will take place by Dec 12. ... Full Story | Top |
| Comments from euro zone finance ministers, officials Monday, Nov 26, 2012 05:40 PM PST BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund clinched agreement on reducing Greece's debt in a breakthrough to release urgently needed loans to keep the near-bankrupt economy afloat. After 12 hours of talks at their third meeting in as many weeks, Greece's international lenders agreed on a package of measures to reduce Greek debt by 40 billion euros, cutting it to 124 percent of gross domestic product by 2020. Following are comments after their talks: FRENCH FINANCE MINISTER PIERRE MOSCOVICI "We made progress with solutions that are realistic. ... Full Story | Top |
| Man arrested in Britain over killing of Northern Irish policeman Monday, Nov 26, 2012 05:36 PM PST LONDON (Reuters) - A man from Northern Ireland was arrested in Britain on Monday in connection with the death of Northern Ireland policeman Ronan Kerr, who was killed in April last year when a bomb exploded under his car, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said. The 22-year-old man, from Omagh in County Tyrone, was detained in Milton Keynes, England, as police widened their investigation to northwest England. Police said they were conducting searches in Northern Ireland and northwest England. Kerr, 25, was the first policeman killed in the British-controlled province for two years. ... Full Story | Top |
| Analysis: Despite 2011 disaster, pro-nuclear party could win power in Japan Monday, Nov 26, 2012 05:35 PM PST  TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese voters look likely to hand victory to a party that favors nuclear power in the first election since the March 2011 Fukushima radiation disaster - a result a baffled Greenpeace activist likens to one of the "wonders of the world". But even if the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) wins the December 16 election, it will not reflect any groundswell of popular support for nuclear power. ... Full Story | Top |
| Thousands march in Rio over oil dispute, pressuring Rousseff Monday, Nov 26, 2012 05:18 PM PST  RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - As many as 200,000 people demonstrated in Rio de Janeiro on Monday to urge Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to veto a bill that local officials say could cost Rio state billions of dollars in lost oil revenue and cripple plans to host the World Cup and Olympics. Late Monday, a person familiar with the president's plans said Rousseff is planning to veto at least part of the bill, particularly a portion that redefines royalty payments for existing oil production in Brazil. ... Full Story | Top |
| IMF's Lagarde welcomes Eurogroup agreement to support Greece Monday, Nov 26, 2012 05:01 PM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The head of the International Monetary Fund on Monday welcomed a European agreement to cut Greece's debt pile to 124 percent of gross domestic product by 2020, calling it a "substantial contribution to the sustainability of its debt." IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said in a statement she would recommend the IMF board approve the next loan tranche for Athens once Europe has delivered on its commitments, in particular promises to buy back Greek debts. ... Full Story | Top |
| Euro zone ministers want to try Greek debt buy-back at 35 cents a euro: source Monday, Nov 26, 2012 04:12 PM PST BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone finance ministers have agreed to launch a voluntary buyback of Greek debt and will offer private investors 35 cents for each euro of Greek bonds they hold, a source familiar with the discussions of the ministers said. The debt buyback is one of a series of measures euro zone finance ministers have agreed with the IMF to try to reduce Greek debt to around 124 percent of GDP by 2020, from a forecast 190 percent next year. ... Full Story | Top |
| Firms swapping euro zone for emerging markets: survey Monday, Nov 26, 2012 04:02 PM PST LONDON (Reuters) - Nearly one in two companies have already reduced their exposure to the euro zone because of the bloc's debt and banking problems, according to a study released on Tuesday by Accenture. But the consulting firm also found that half of euro zone businesses are looking to take advantage of the crisis by seeking acquisitions in the 17-currency area. For Chinese companies, that figure rises to 71 percent. Accenture surveyed 450 companies, 96 percent of which have annual revenues of at least $1 billion. ... Full Story | Top |
| Pro-settler Israeli hardliners sweep Netanyahu party vote Monday, Nov 26, 2012 03:53 PM PST  JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Pro-settler hardliners swept a vote on Monday held by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, effectively tossing four of his closest allies and backers of Middle East diplomacy off a list of candidates running with him in a January 22 election. Party members ranked candidates on a list for the national poll to determine which of dozens already nominated could actually be elected to parliament. ... Full Story | Top |
| Syrian Kurds seek to re-unite divided ranks Monday, Nov 26, 2012 03:41 PM PST ARBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Rival Syrian Kurdish parties have agreed to re-unify their ranks and push for federalism in Syria after a previous pact that was not implemented, but the new deal has already been undermined by the reluctance of one faction to fall into line. Syria's Kurds see the civil war ravaging their country as an opportunity to gain the rights they have long been denied under President Bashar al-Assad and his father before him, who deprived thousands of citizenship. ... Full Story | Top |
| Egypt opposition snubs Mursi plan to ease decree crisis Monday, Nov 26, 2012 03:39 PM PST CAIRO (Reuters) - Opponents of Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi will press ahead with a protest on Tuesday to demand the scrapping of a decree extending his powers, rejecting the Islamist's attempt to defuse a crisis that has brought violence back to Cairo's streets. Mursi was accused of giving himself the powers of a modern-day pharaoh when he issued the decree last week that prevents legal challenges to any decision he takes until a new parliament is elected. ... Full Story | Top |
| Experts to exhume Arafat, seek evidence of poison Monday, Nov 26, 2012 03:37 PM PST  RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - The body of the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat will be exhumed on Tuesday by a team of international experts trying to discover if he was poisoned, as many Palestinians believe. French magistrates opened a murder inquiry in August into Arafat's death in Paris after a Swiss institute said it had discovered high levels of radioactive polonium on his clothing, which was supplied by his widow, Suha. Arafat, who led the Palestinians' bid for a state through years of war and peace, died in Paris aged 75 in 2004 after a short, mysterious illness. ... Full Story | Top |
| EU-IMF agree on measures to cut Greek debt-to-GDP Monday, Nov 26, 2012 03:31 PM PST BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone finance ministers agreed on Monday to lower the interest rate charged on loans made to Greece and to return profits made on Greek bonds by the European Central Bank to Athens, allowing the country to cut its debt. After nearly 10 hours of talks, the ministers agreed that the interest rate on bilateral loans to Greece would be reduced by 100 basis points to 50 basis points above the cost of financing once Athens has reached a primary surplus of 4.5 percent of GDP, a source familiar with the discusssions said. ... Full Story | Top |
| U.N. chief says crises show need for interfaith amity Monday, Nov 26, 2012 03:20 PM PST  VIENNA (Reuters)- The violent crises in Syria, Gaza and Mali show how important it is for different religions to work together to promote understanding rather than sow hatred, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said on Monday. Addressing the opening of a new Saudi-backed interfaith centre in Vienna, he said the Syrian conflict was "taking on troubling sectarian dimensions" and "unrest (continues) between Israelis and Palestinians. ... Full Story | Top |
| Euro zone, IMF agree to cut Greek debt to 124 percent/GDP in 2020 Monday, Nov 26, 2012 02:33 PM PST BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund agreed on Monday that Greek public debt should fall to 124 percent of GDP in 2020 through a package of extra debt cutting measures totaling 20 percent of GDP, officials said. The agreement emerged during talks in Brussels among finance ministers from the 17 euro zone countries, the European Central Bank and the IMF on how to make Greek debt sustainable. "It's going very slow, but we have financing and a Debt Sustainability Analysis. We've filled the financing gap until the end of program in 2014. ... Full Story | Top |
| Egypt's Islamists seek to defuse crisis over decree Monday, Nov 26, 2012 02:06 PM PST  CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's ruling Islamists tried to defuse a political crisis on Monday, with President Mohamed Mursi backing a compromise over his seizure of extended powers and his Muslim Brotherhood calling off a planned demonstration. Mursi provoked outrage last week that led to violent protests when he issued a decree that put beyond judicial review any decision he takes until a new parliament is elected, drawing charges he had given himself the powers of a modern-day pharaoh. ... Full Story | Top |
| U.N. committee expresses concern for Myanmar's Muslims Monday, Nov 26, 2012 02:02 PM PST  UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A committee of the U.N. General Assembly expressed serious concern on Monday over violence in Myanmar between Rohingya Muslims and Buddhists and called upon the government to address reports of human rights abuses by some authorities. The 193-nation General Assembly's Third Committee, which focuses on rights issues, approved by consensus a non-binding resolution, which Myanmar said contained a "litany of sweeping allegations, accuracies of which have yet to be verified. ... Full Story | Top |
| Toronto's combative mayor ordered to leave office Monday, Nov 26, 2012 01:53 PM PST  TORONTO (Reuters) - Toronto's Rob Ford, a magnet for controversy during two years as mayor of Canada's largest city, was ordered out of office on Monday after a judge found him guilty of breaking conflict-of-interest laws. Ontario Superior Court Judge Charles Hackland ruled Ford acted wrongly when he voted at city council to scrap a fine imposed on him for accepting donations to his football foundation from lobbyists. Ford, who says he plans to appeal the ruling, is one of several Canadian municipal leaders to land in hot water in recent weeks. ... Full Story | Top |
| Thousands protest in Bangladesh, blaze draws U.S. scrutiny Monday, Nov 26, 2012 01:37 PM PST  DHAKA/CHICAGO (Reuters) - Thousands of angry textile workers demonstrated in the outskirts of Dhaka on Monday after a fire swept through a garment workshop at the weekend, killing more than 100 people in Bangladesh's worst-ever factory blaze. The fire has put a spotlight on global retailers that source clothes from Bangladesh, where the cost of labor is low - as little as $37 a month for some workers - and rights groups have called on big-brand firms to sign up to a fire safety program. ... Full Story | Top |
| Wal-Mart: supplier broke policy with work at Bangladesh factory Monday, Nov 26, 2012 01:29 PM PST (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on Monday that it has it ended its relationship with the unnamed supplier that allowed goods to be made for the world's largest retailer at the Bangladesh factory where a fire killed more than 100 people. "The Tazreen factory was no longer authorized to produce merchandise for Walmart," Wal-Mart said in a statement. "A supplier subcontracted work to this factory without authorization and in direct violation of our policies. ... Full Story | Top |
| Israel's Barak, architect of Iran policy, leaving politics Monday, Nov 26, 2012 01:21 PM PST  JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak, a leading strategist in confronting Iran over its nuclear program, said in a surprise announcement on Monday that he would leave political life after the January 22 national election. Some commentators speculated Barak was trying to duck an anticipated trouncing of his tiny centrist party in the ballot, after which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who heads the front-running, right-wing Likud, might return him to defence and military headquarters as a professional appointee. ... Full Story | Top |
| Backed by Hamas, Palestinians eye Thursday vote for U.N. upgrade Monday, Nov 26, 2012 01:19 PM PST UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The Palestinian Authority has circulated a revised draft resolution to U.N. member states calling for an upgrade of its U.N. status to an "observer state" ahead of a planned vote on the issue by the 193-member world body on Thursday. A senior Western diplomat said only minor changes were made to the text distributed on Monday, which seems certain to win U.N. approval as the General Assembly is mostly made up of post-colonial states historically sympathetic to the Palestinians. ... Full Story | Top |
| Death toll in Nigeria bombing rises to 15: army Monday, Nov 26, 2012 01:16 PM PST KADUNA, Nigeria (Reuters) - - The death toll from a double suicide bomb attack on a church inside a military barracks in northern Nigeria stood at 15 on Monday, the state governor said. Two bombers struck a church on Sunday in the Jaji barracks in Kaduna state, one of many in the north where the Islamist sect Boko Haram is waging an insurgency to try to impose Sharia law on Nigeria. The previous death toll was announced as 11. Kaduna State Governor Ibrahim Yakowa gave the new figure while on a visit to Jaji late on Monday, but did not say why the toll had gone up. ... Full Story | Top |
| Congo rebels dig in as leader heads for talks Monday, Nov 26, 2012 01:13 PM PST GOMA/MINOVA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) - Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo strengthened their positions around the eastern city of Goma, defying regional calls for them to leave by Monday even as their leader flew to Uganda for talks. Ugandan officials said they were hoping to persuade Colonel Sultani Makenga to withdraw and prevent a descent into all-out war in a region dogged by nearly two decades of conflict fuelled by competition over vast minerals resources. ... Full Story | Top |
| UK's Cameron: EU budget deal still within grasp Monday, Nov 26, 2012 01:05 PM PST LONDON (Reuters) - Britain believes European Union leaders can still reach a deal to secure a long-term budget after talks collapsed last week, but spending must be cut by billions of euros if London is to back the plans, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Monday. In comments that will appeal to rebellious anti-EU lawmakers threatening his authority and voters who see Brussels as a wasteful "gravy train", he demanded cuts to European officials' wages, pensions and perks. "We do believe a deal is still do-able. It is in our interests to get a deal. ... Full Story | Top |
| White House has concerns about Mursi declarations in Egypt Monday, Nov 26, 2012 12:55 PM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama is calling for calm in Egypt and for the country to resolve differences over its constitutional impasse peacefully, a White House spokesman said on Monday. Recent declarations by Egypt's President Mohamed Mursi that expanded his powers and put his decisions out of the reach of judicial review have raised questions internationally about the country's work on establishing a constitution and democratic system. ... Full Story | Top |
| Bahrain police break up march after Ashura memorial service Monday, Nov 26, 2012 12:42 PM PST  DUBAI (Reuters) - Bahraini security forces used tear gas and stun grenades to scatter hundreds of youths who tried to march towards the centre of the capital on Monday after annual Ashura services marking one of the holiest days in the Shi'ite Muslim calendar. Bahrain, an important U.S. ally and base for U.S. warships, last year used martial law and help from Gulf neighbors to crush an uprising mainly by its Shi'ite majority against alleged discrimination. But unrest has since resumed with frequent clashes between demonstrators and police. ... Full Story | Top |
| Syrian jets attack rebel base near Turkey border Monday, Nov 26, 2012 12:35 PM PST AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian war planes attacked a rebel headquarters near the Turkish border on Monday but appeared to miss their target, opposition activists in the region said. "The (Free Syrian Army) joint command is located in a school. It seems they have missed it. There were two jets - one of them looked like a reconnaissance aircraft. They had been flying over the area for an hour," activist Mohammad Abdallah said. They said a Turkish fighter was scrambled to the area. ... Full Story | Top |
| NATO missiles not for Syria no-fly zone: Turkish military Monday, Nov 26, 2012 12:35 PM PST ANKARA (Reuters) - NATO surface-to-air missiles due to be stationed near Turkey's border with Syria will only be used to protect Turkish territory and not to establish a no-fly zone within Syria, the Turkish military said on Monday. Turkey riled Syria, Russia and Iran by requesting the NATO surface-to-air Patriot system, designed to intercept aircraft or missiles, last Wednesday after weeks of talks on how to shore up security on its 900-km (560-mile) border as the conflict in Syria deepens. ... Full Story | Top |
| Egypt's Mursi tells judges decree limited in scope Monday, Nov 26, 2012 12:33 PM PST CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's president agreed on Monday that only his decisions related to "sovereign" matters would be protected from judicial review, his spokesman said, indicating he had accepted a judiciary-proposed compromise to try to defuse a crisis. President Mohamed Mursi had enraged opponents with a decree on Thursday that expanded his powers and put beyond legal oversight any decision he took until parliament was in place. Senior judges proposed he limit that to "sovereign matters. ... Full Story | Top |
| Nigeria Boko Haram member sends letter offering dialogue Monday, Nov 26, 2012 12:07 PM PST MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - A purported senior member of Islamist militant group Boko Haram has distributed a letter requesting talks with the government, a day after a double suicide bombing blamed on the sect killed at least 11 and wounded 30 in an army barracks. The letter was signed by Sheik Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulazeez, a man known by local security sources to be a sect member but considered to be a moderate. ... Full Story | Top |
| Clinton keeps up U.S. pressure over Egypt's political crisis Monday, Nov 26, 2012 12:03 PM PST WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr on Monday to underscore U.S. hopes that Egypt's political crisis can be resolved in a democratic manner, the State Department said. Clinton reiterated U.S. concerns about Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi's decision to assume sweeping powers and checked in on the progress of discussions between Mursi and senior judges on the way forward, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told a news briefing. ... Full Story | Top |
| Strauss-Kahn awaits word on French sex inquiry Monday, Nov 26, 2012 11:56 AM PST  PARIS (Reuters) - Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn finds out on Wednesday whether the last sex offence case against him in France will be dropped, 18 months after rape accusations ended his presidential ambitions. The 63-year-old has asked a court in northern France to halt a judicial inquiry to determine whether he should stand trial on pimping charges related to sex parties attended by him and by prostitutes. ... Full Story | Top |
| Egypt's Brotherhood delays Cairo protest Monday, Nov 26, 2012 11:44 AM PST CAIRO (Reuters) - The Muslim Brotherhood has decided to postpone a mass protest it had called for Tuesday in Cairo in the interest of preventing violence, an official from the Islamist group's Freedom and Justice Party said. Parties opposed to the Muslim Brotherhood and President Mohamed Mursi, who was propelled to power by the group, have called a protest in Tahrir Square on Tuesday to demonstrate against a decree issued by Mursi last week. ... Full Story | Top |
| Turkish PM backs lifting Kurdish MPs immunity from prosecution Monday, Nov 26, 2012 11:44 AM PST  ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday he was in favor of lifting the immunity from prosecution of Kurdish deputies accused of links to militants, a move which would likely fuel tensions in the mainly Kurdish southeast. The comments came just a week after hundreds of militants ended a hunger strike in jail in response to an appeal from their leader and the government signaled it was open to talks to end a conflict which has killed more than 40,000 people. ... Full Story | Top |
| Warring French right reaffirms Cope as leader Monday, Nov 26, 2012 11:38 AM PST  PARIS (Reuters) - France's conservative opposition party slid further into crisis on Monday as moderate and harder-right factions squabbled over a disputed November 18 vote to find a successor to former president Nicolas Sarkozy. The UMP party, which lost power in the May presidential election and has been in chaos since last week's vote, affirmed Jean-Francois Cope as its new leader, saying an adjusted ballot count carried out after claims of fraud confirmed his win. ... Full Story | Top |
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