News

Strike to paralyze Greece as anger at austerity builds - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
ATHENS (Reuters) - Angry public and private sector unions are expected to bring Greece to a standstill on Thursday in a second nationwide strike in as many weeks against tough government austerity plans.

Arab League chief says Mideast talks off - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
CAIRO (Reuters) - Arab League chief Amr Moussa said on Wednesday that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had told him he would not enter indirect talks with Israel, only days after the Palestinian side had agreed to the contacts.

Iraq PM said to be ahead on eve of vote results - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Initial results from Iraq's national election are likely to be released by Thursday, Iraqi and U.N. officials said on Wednesday, as further signs emerged of a strong showing for Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Myanmar lets Suu Kyi's party reopen regional offices - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar's military government has allowed the party of detained Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to reopen regional branch offices that have been closed since May 2003, a party spokesman said on Thursday.

Earthquake-rattled Chile to swear in new president - Thu, 11 Mar 2010
SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Conservative billionaire Sebastian Pinera takes office as Chile's new president on Thursday, tasked with rebuilding the country after one of the worst earthquakes ever recorded killed hundreds of people less than two weeks ago.

Drug abuse is problem among Afghan police recruits - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Drug abuse is a big problem in Afghanistan's police force, with four of every 10 recruits testing positive for illicit substances in some areas, said a report by the investigative arm of the U.S. Congress.

New Ukraine coalition to be announced, will name PM - Thu, 11 Mar 2010
KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian parliamentary deputies assembled on Thursday for a session which appeared set to announce a new ruling coalition to avoid snap elections and tackle a deep economic crisis.

Chilean fishermen brave tsunami fears, dream of sea - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
TUBUL, Chile (Reuters) - Undeterred by terrifying memories of a roaring tsunami that nearly killed him, Chilean fisherman Herne Pezo hammers away at his tiny boat, yearning to return to sea as soon as it's fixed.

Canada Parliament eats seal to defy "ignorant" EU - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian parliamentarians tucked into a meal of seal meat on Wednesday to defy both animal right activists and the European Union, which has banned imports of seal products.

Spanish hostage freed in Mali arrives home - Wed, 10 Mar 2010
MADRID (Reuters) - One of three Spanish aid workers kidnapped by a group believed to be al Qaeda's wing in North Africa arrived back in Spain Wednesday after she was released in Mali.