Reuters: World News

Iran talks failure sparks confrontation fears

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:01:39 -0500

VIENNA/TEHRAN (Reuters) - The U.N. nuclear watchdog's latest mission to Iran failed to budge a defiant Tehran over its disputed nuclear program, sending oil prices to a nine-month high over fears of an increasing risk of confrontation with the West.

Afghan protesters attack Norwegian base over Koran burning

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 05:13:27 -0500

KABUL (Reuters) - Around 400 protesters hurled rocks and set fire to cars at a Norwegian-led military base in northern Afghanistan Thursday, as part of nationwide demonstrations against the burning of copies of the Koran at a NATO air base.

Assad forces renew barrage on Syria's Homs

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 05:52:15 -0500

AMMAN/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces bombarded opposition Sunni Muslim districts in the city of Homs for the 20th day on Thursday, activists said, despite international outrage over the reported killing of more than 80 people on Wednesday.

Iraq attacks kill 60, raise sectarian fears

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 05:48:27 -0500

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Simultaneous early morning attacks on mostly Shi'ite targets across Iraq killed at least 60 people and wounded dozens on Thursday in the one of the bloodiest days of violence since U.S. troops pulled out in mid-December.

Thousands back Putin's presidential bid in Moscow

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:52:26 -0500

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Thousands of people marched in Moscow under Russian flags, balloons and banners on Thursday to back Vladimir Putin's bid to return to the presidency and counter opposition protests that have challenged his authority.

Bomb kills 13 at Pakistani bus station

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:13:00 -0500

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - A bomb exploded at a bus station in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar on Thursday killing at least 13 people and wounding dozens, police and emergency service officials said.

Australian PM Gillard calls for leadership vote

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:47:52 -0500

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has dared her political rival, former foreign minister Kevin Rudd, to challenge her in a leadership vote next week, hoping to end infighting that threatens to sink the minority government and its reform agenda.

Philippines' Arroyo pleads not guilty in poll fraud trial

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:53:46 -0500

MANILA (Reuters) - Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pleaded not guilty on Thursday to electoral fraud on the first day of a trial seen as a landmark test of the government's ability to tackle entrenched corruption in the Southeast Asian nation.

Crisis in paradise in Maldives' new democracy

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:22:10 -0500

MALE (Reuters) - It was an ordinary blue felt pen, and not a bullet, that killed Mohamed Nasheed's term as the first democratically elected president of the Maldives.

Tunisia, Egypt Islamists signal bigger religion role

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:12:57 -0500

PARIS (Reuters)- After months of reassuring secularist critics, Islamist politicians in Tunisia and Egypt have begun to lay down markers about how Muslim their states should be - and first signs show they want more religion than previously admitted.