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Whole neighborhoods razed by Oklahoma tornado that killed 24

Wed, 22 May 2013 02:29:53 +0300

By Carey Gillam and Ian Simpson MOORE, Oklahoma (Reuters) - Rescuers went building to building in search of victims and thousands of survivors were homeless on Tuesday after a massive tornado tore through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, wiping out whole blocks of homes and killing at least 24 people. The death toll was lower than initially feared, but nine children were among the dead, including seven who died at Plaza Towers Elementary School, which took a direct hit on Monday in the deadliest tornado to strike the United States in two years. ...

Imran Khan leaves hospital after campaign fall

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:36:03 +0300

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani cricket-hero-turned-politician Imran Khan left hospital on Wednesday after treatment for back injuries suffered in a fall in Lahore, television stations said. Khan, who has been fitted with a spinal brace to aid recovery, fell from a fork-lift taking him to a poll campaign podium on May 7. A general election four days later handed a landslide victory to Nawaz Sharif and his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). But Khan's campaign electrified many, pushing his Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) from a marginal party to the country's third-largest. ...

Freeport can't say when Indonesia mine to reopen, confirms 28 dead

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:07:46 +0300

By Michael Taylor and Yayat Supriatna JAKARTA (Reuters) - Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc said it will not restart production at the world's second-largest copper mine in Indonesia after a tunnel collapse that killed 28 workers until it is convinced of the mine's safety. Arizona-based Freeport suspended operations at the remote Papua mine on Wednesday last week, at a cost estimated at about $15 million a day in lost production, a day after a training tunnel away from its main operations fell in on 38 workers. ...

Hollande, Merkel to mark 150yrs of German centre-left

Thu, 23 May 2013 07:28:20 +0300

Germany's opposition Social Democrats mark their 150th birthday Thursday, with French President Francois Hollande as the only foreign speaker and conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel in the audience.

Iran expanding nuclear activities says IAEA

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:56:44 +0300

Iran is making significant progress in expanding its nuclear programme, including in opening up a potential second route to developing the bomb, a new UN atomic agency report showed.

IRS unit head refuses to testify about targeting

Thu, 23 May 2013 05:08:13 +0300

The head of the IRS office that oversees non-profit groups refused to testify at a congressional panel probing abuse at the US tax agency, but defiantly declared she had done nothing wrong.

West may boost Syria rebels if Assad won't talk peace

Thu, 23 May 2013 02:45:37 +0300

* Kerry says thousands of Hezbollah fighters in Syria * Rebels call for reinforcements in Qusair * Russia says rebels not committed to peace talks * 'Friends of Syria' pledge more backing for rebels (Adds Kerry quote, final Friends of Syria communique) By Arshad Mohammed and Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN, May 22 (Reuters) - Washington threatened on Wednesdayto increase support for Syria's rebels if President Basharal-Assad refuses to discuss a political end to a civil war thatis spreading across borders. ...

Friends of Syria demands Hezbollah, Iran fighters withdraw

Thu, 23 May 2013 01:57:44 +0300

(Adds details) AMMAN, May 23 (Reuters) - The Friends of Syria alliancecalled on Iran and its Lebanese Hezbollah ally on Thursday towithdraw fighters immediately from Syrian territory anddescribed their armed presence in the country as a threat toregional stability. ...

Guatemala's Maya outraged at genocide ruling annulment

Thu, 23 May 2013 01:39:57 +0300

Native Mayas who survived massacres during Guatemala's 1960-1996 civil war voiced outrage Wednesday at the overturning of the genocide conviction of former dictator Efrain Rios Montt.

Friends of Syria demands withdrawal of Hezbollah, Iran fighters

Thu, 23 May 2013 01:01:35 +0300

AMMAN, May 23 (Reuters) - The Friends of Syrian alliancecalled on Iran and its Lebanese Hezbollah ally on Thursday towithdraw fighters immediately from Syrian territory anddescribed their armed presence in the country as a threat toregional stability. In a communique issued after a meeting in Amman, thealliance said any transitional government in Syria beingproposed as a core of a U.S. and Russian peace initiative musthave authority over the army and the executive, which are now inPresident Bashar Assad's hands. ...

Kerry warns Syria's Assad against rejecting political solution

Wed, 22 May 2013 23:57:03 +0300

* Military support to Assad exacerbates problem, Kerry says * Syria says will decide soon whether to attend peace talks (Adds Kerry quote at start of meeting) By Arshad Mohammed AMMAN, May 22 (Reuters) - Western governments are ready toincrease support to opponents of President Bashar al-Assad if herejects a political solution to Syria's civil war, U.S.Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday. ...

Syrian rebels seize military base, kill 40 soldiers - monitor

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:41:54 +0300

BEIRUT, May 22 (Reuters) - Syrian rebels killed at least 40soldiers and other fighters loyal to President Bashar al-Assadas they captured a military base in the northwestern province ofIdlib on Wednesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rightssaid. The anti-Assad monitoring group said the mainly Islamistrebels, including fighters from the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front,seized al-Shabiba military camp near the town of Nayrab on themain road leading west from Aleppo to the Mediterranean. ...

Turkey shuts Syria border crossing after deadly bombs

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:21:59 +0300

* Bomb-detecting equipment to be stationed at gate * Twelve people facing charges over bombings that killed 51 * Turkish PM to visit Reyhanli on May 30 * Police detain six on suspicion of planning attacks onSyrians (Adds Erdogan to visit Reyhanli, background) By Jonathon Burch ANKARA, May 22 (Reuters) - Turkey has shut its side of thelast border crossing with Syria still controlled by PresidentBashar al-Assad's government, stepping up security following twodeadly bombings this month. ...

'Soldier' killed in 'shocking' London street attack

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:46:56 +0300

British police shot and wounded two men after a man thought to be a serving soldier was killed outside a London barracks, in an attack Prime Minister David Cameron called "truly shocking".

France says Syria's Assad must give up power to end war

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:39:47 +0300

(Adds quotes, background) AMMAN, May 22 (Reuters) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assadmust turn over power to a transitional government in order for aU.S.- and Russian-backed peace conference to have any chance ofsuccess, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said onWednesday. "It is perfectly clear that the main aim of this possibleconference is to bring in a transitional government for Syriawhich will have the full executive power," Fabius said before ameeting of the Friends of Syria alliance in Jordan's capital. "The position of France is ... ...

Egypt court sentences four men to hang for killing priest

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:40:47 +0300

CAIRO, May 22 (Reuters) - An Egyptian court sentenced fourmen on Wednesday to death by hanging for the 2011 killing of aCoptic Christian priest in his apartment in the southern city ofAssiut, state news agency MENA reported. The four were found guilty of killing Reverend Dauoud PeterBoules during a robbery that was aided by his maid, MENA said.The men beat and stabbed the priest to death and stole his moneyand some belongings. There did not appear to be a political or religious motivebehind the crime, a security source told Reuters. One of thefour convicted is Christian, the source said. ...

Sectarian violence over Syria war rages in Lebanon's Tripoli

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:17:55 +0300

TRIPOLI, Lebanon, May 22 (Reuters) - Lebanese supporters ofrival factions in Syria's civil war battled overnight in thecity of Tripoli in the worst such bout of spillover violencesince the conflict started two years ago. One person was killed and many were wounded as Sunni andShi'ite Muslim gunmen fired mortar bombs and rocket-propelledgrenades at each other in a fifth day of clashes in the coastalcity, security sources said on Wednesday. ...

Iran, Hezbollah increasing support for Assad - Britain

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:59:15 +0300

* Hague urges date for international conference to be set * Says risk to regional stability growing each day (Adds quotes on arms embargo, Jordanian comment) By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN, May 22 (Reuters) - British Foreign Secretary WilliamHague said on Wednesday Iran and its militant Shi'ite Lebaneseally Hezbollah were "propping up" Syrian President Basharal-Assad and giving him increasing support. "It is very clear that Syrian regime is receiving a greatdeal of support, increasing support in recent months fromoutside Syria from Hezbollah and Iran. ...

Militants release seven Egyptians kidnapped in Sinai

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:57:47 +0300

* Mursi calls on armed groups in Sinai to hand in weapons * Men released unharmed after military build-up * Kidnappers were demanding release of jailed militants * Israeli official: Egypt must win fight against militants (Adds interior ministry comment) By Tom Perry and Yousri Mohamed CAIRO/ISMAILIA, May 22 (Reuters) - Seven Egyptian securitymen kidnapped by Islamist militants in Sinai last week werefreed on Wednesday and President Mohamed Mursi vowed to pursue acrackdown on lawlessness in the desert peninsula. ...

Germany backs call to put Hezbollah armed wing on EU terror list

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:21:57 +0300

* UK called for terrorism designation for Iran-backed group * Germany cites Bulgarian bomb, Cyprus plot * Fears growing over group's role in Syrian war By Adrian Croft BRUSSELS, May 22 (Reuters) - Germany will throw its weightbehind a British drive to put the armed wing of Hezbollah on theEuropean Union's list of terrorist organisations, Germandiplomats said on Wednesday. ...

France beefs up Africa, Middle East embassy security

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:53:54 +0300

PARIS, May 22 (Reuters) - France will invest about 20million euros ($25 million) to increase security for diplomatsand embassies in the Middle East and Africa after its mission inLibya was targeted by a car bomb in April, the Foreign Ministrysaid on Wednesday. Spokesman Philippe Lalliot confirmed an email sent byForeign Minister Laurent Fabius to staff on Tuesday saying themeasure had to be taken following the rising number of seriousinternational crises and threats emanating from them. "This plan takes into consideration the change in threats,"Lalliot told a daily news briefing. ...

Jailed Pussy Riot member announces hunger strike

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:50:58 +0300

A jailed member of the Pussy Riot radical rock group on Wednesday announced she was going on hunger strike in protest over the authorities' failure to allow her to attend a parole hearing in person.

Council of Europe head says Russia must protect LGBT rights

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:33:48 +0300

MOSCOW, May 22 (Reuters) - The head of the Council of Europedemanded on Wednesday that Russia allow gay rallies, weighing inon what has become an increasingly divisive issue since VladimirPutin returned to the presidency. As support for same-sex marriage increases in the West,Russia's gays say they face shrinking freedoms and risingviolence, and Russian lawmakers are considering a law that wouldban gay "propaganda" around minors. ...

When it comes to deadly viruses, what's in a name?

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:33:08 +0300

* Virus discovered last year has had at least five names * Proposed new name is Middle East Respiratory Syndrome * Could prove controversial given other naming rows By Kate Kelland, Health and Science Correspondent LONDON, May 22 (Reuters) - For a pathogen with such a shorthistory, the mysterious new virus killing people in the MiddleEast and Europe has already had an amazing array of names. ...

Turkey shuts Syria border crossing after deadly bombings

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:08:39 +0300

* Yayladagi gate is last crossing controlled by Damascus * Bomb-detecting equipment to be stationed at gate * 12 people facing charges over bombings that killed 51 By Jonathon Burch ANKARA, May 22 (Reuters) - Turkey has shut its side of thelast border crossing with Syria still controlled by PresidentBashar al-Assad's government, stepping up security following twodeadly bombings this month. ...

Syria opposition calls for reinforcements in embattled Qusair

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:02:35 +0300

BEIRUT, May 22 (Reuters) - Syria's leading opposition groupcalled on Wednesday for rebels across the country to sendreinforcements to the strategic border town Qusair, where heavyfighting has drawn in fighters from Lebanon's powerful Hezbollahmovement. Rebels fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad said airstrikes and shelling rocked the small town on theSyrian-Lebanese border that has become a fierce battlegroundthat could determine control of critical supply lines. ...

Iran, Hezbollah increasing support for Assad - Britain's Hague

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:24:21 +0300

AMMAN, May 22 (Reuters) - Iran and its militant Shi'iteLebanese ally Hezbollah are "propping up" President Basharal-Assad and giving him increasing support, British ForeignSecretary William Hague said on Wednesday. Speaking before a meeting of the Friends of Syria alliancein the Jordanian capital, Hague said Britain would urgeinternational powers to set a date in the next few days for aninternational conference to try to end the two-year-old conflictengulfing Syria and threatening regional stability. (Reporting by Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Amman newsroom; Editing byJanet Lawrence)

Zimbabwe's Mugabe signs new constitution into law

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:17:09 +0300

President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday signed Zimbabwe's new constitution into law, clearing the path to crucial elections later this year.

Top Syrian official due in Moscow for talks: report

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:09:19 +0300

Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Muqdad is due in Moscow Wednesday to hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on a planned peace conference on ending the conflict in Syria, the RIA Novosti state news agency said.

Pakistan's Imran Khan leaves hospital for home

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:41:35 +0300

Pakistani politician Imran Khan left hospital Wednesday, two weeks after breaking bones in his back in a fall at an election rally, a hospital spokesman said.

Seven kidnapped Egyptian security officers released -army spokesman

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:19:09 +0300

CAIRO, May 22 (Reuters) - Seven members of Egypt's securityforces who were kidnapped in Sinai last week have been releasedand are on their way to Cairo, army spokesman Ahmed Ali said onhis Facebook page on Wednesday. "The seven kidnapped Egyptian soldiers are on their way toCairo after their release thanks to the efforts of the Egyptianmilitary intelligence in coordination with the elders of thetribes and families of Sinai," he said. (Reporting by Ali Abdelatti; Editing by Pravin Char)

Canada warns of possible Iraq 'civil war'

Wed, 22 May 2013 06:46:41 +0300

A spate of deadly violence risks plunging Iraq into a sectarian civil war, Canada's top diplomat warned, adding that a Canadian was among the latest victims.

Japan parliament approves child abduction treaty

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:56:34 +0300

Japan's parliament on Wednesday approved an international treaty on child abductions after decades of pressure from the United States and other Western nations.

Top N. Korea military leader visits China

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:32:36 +0300

North Korea has sent a top military official to China as a special envoy of leader Kim Jong-Un, at a time of strained relations between Pyongyang and its allies in Beijing, state media reported.

US heads to end Myanmar sanctions after landmark visit

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:52:11 +0300

A key US senator backed an end to US sanctions on Myanmar after a landmark visit by the country's reformist leader, signaling a new normalization in relations despite rights concerns.

Guatemala ex-dictator to go back on trial

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:26:11 +0300

Former Guatemalan dictator Efrain Rios Montt will go back on trial after the nation's highest court threw out his genocide and war crimes conviction in the latest twist in complex proceedings.

US missile test delayed for a day

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:15:34 +0300

The US Air Force delayed for a day an intercontinental ballistic missile test because of a "range safety instrumentation issue."

Landmark US immigration bill passes key hurdle

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:13:01 +0300

The sweeping overhaul of the US immigration system took a major step towards viability when the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-5 to approve a landmark bill offering a path to citizenship for millions.

Afghan interpreters to get British visas

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:58:00 +0300

Around 600 Afghan interpreters who served with British forces fighting the Taliban in southern Afghanistan will be allowed to stay in Britain, the government revealed on Wednesday.

Attacks in Iraq kill over 40, sectarian tensions high

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:33:56 +0300

* More bloodshed across Iraq, sectarian tensions high * Death toll in week of violence nears 300 * Bomb near Sunni mosque in Baghdad kills 11 (Writes through with more attacks, dead, background) By Kareem Raheem BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 21 (Reuters) - A series of bomb and gunattacks across Iraq killed more than 40 people on Tuesday, a dayafter over 70 died in violence targeting majority Shi'ites thathas stoked fears of all-out sectarian war with minority Sunnis. ...