Bomb in Thai south kills eight soldiers

Bomb in Thai south kills eight soldiers


Bomb in Thai south kills eight soldiers

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 11:12 PM PDT

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Suspected Muslim rebels in southern Thailand killed eight soldiers in a roadside bomb attack on Saturday, days after the government rejected demands for a ceasefire over the Islamic holiday of Ramadan starting next month.

Egypt violence builds, American among dead

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 10:45 PM PDT

Protesters gather as they chant anti-President Mohamed Mursi slogans during a protest in Tahrir square in CairoBy Abdelrahman Youssef and Tom Perry ALEXANDRIA/CAIRO (Reuters) - Two people, one an American student, were killed when protesters stormed an office of Egypt's ruling Muslim Brotherhood in Alexandria, adding to growing tension ahead of mass rallies aimed at unseating the Islamist president. A third man was killed and 10 injured in an explosion during a protest in Port Said, at the mouth of the Suez Canal. Police on Saturday said the cause was unclear but protesters, believing it was a bomb, attacked an Islamist party office in the city. ...


Cambodia bans foreign radio programs in run-up to election

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 09:48 PM PDT

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia has banned local radio stations from broadcasting content from foreign media in the run-up to a general election next month and also told them to stop carrying reports on foreigners playing any role in the campaign. Prime Minister Hun Sen, one of the world's longest-serving leaders, has total control of local television and most radio stations and his Cambodian People's Party (CPP) is expected to win the July 28 election. Radio Free Asia (RFA), one of two U.S. ...

Violence hits China's west ahead of anniversary

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 09:41 PM PDT

BEIJING (AP) — Violent attacks have spread this week in a tense minority region of western China, state media reported Saturday, just days before the anniversary of a bloody clash between minority Uighurs and the ethnic Han majority that left almost 200 dead and resulted in a major security clampdown.

China's troubled Xinjiang hit by more violence: state media

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 09:59 PM PDT

BEIJING (Reuters) - More than a hundred people, riding motorbikes and wielding knifes, attacked a police station in China's ethnically divided western region of Xinjiang, state media said on Saturday, in the latest unrest to hit the restive region in the past week.

VIDEO: Rising temperatures in western US

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 09:39 PM PDT

Western US states are baking under an extended heat wave, with temperatures threatening to break the all-time high recorded on Earth.

Cambodia bans foreign radio programs in run-up to election

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 09:48 PM PDT

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia has banned local radio stations from broadcasting content from foreign media in the run-up to a general election next month and also told them to stop carrying reports on foreigners playing any role in the campaign.

Kerry steps up shuttle talks with Abbas and Netanyahu

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 09:05 PM PDT

U.S. Secretary of State Kerry gestures as he meets Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in JerusalemBy Lesley Wroughton JERUSALEM (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry accelerated his Middle East shuttle diplomacy on Friday in the hope of persuading Israel and the Palestinians to resume direct peace negotiations. After seeing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Jordan, Kerry flew by helicopter to Jerusalem for evening talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. ...


Obama pledges to help Africa, pays tribute to Mandela

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 09:06 PM PDT

U.S. President Barack Obama (2nd L) arrives at Waterkloof Air Base in South AfricaBy Mark Felsenthal and Jeff Mason ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama paid tribute to anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela as he flew to South Africa on Friday but played down expectations of a meeting with the ailing black leader during an Africa tour promoting democracy and food security. White House officials hope Obama's three-nation tour of Africa - his first substantial visit to the continent since taking office in 2009 - will compensate for what some view as years of neglect by America's first black president. ...


The War on Coal Is Good For the Economy..And Bad for Coal Miners And The Towns That Depend On Them

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 09:10 PM PDT

I am a big fan of Paul Krugman.  I teach his book Geography and Trade, which I find insightful and delightful.  But his column this morning, which suggests that the "War on Coal" does not involve hard choices, is disappointing.

VIDEO: Rare sighting of snow leopards

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 09:13 PM PDT

Three snow leopards have been spotted in the Yushu hills in China.

Obama pledges to help Africa, pays tribute to Mandela

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 09:06 PM PDT

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama paid tribute to anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela as he flew to South Africa on Friday but played down expectations of a meeting with the ailing black leader during an Africa tour promoting democracy and food security.

Kerry steps up shuttle talks with Abbas and Netanyahu

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 09:05 PM PDT

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry accelerated his Middle East shuttle diplomacy on Friday in the hope of persuading Israel and the Palestinians to resume direct peace negotiations.

China media warns Philippines of 'counterstrike' in South China Sea

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 08:29 PM PDT

New recruits of the Chinese Navy march with guns during the parade marking the end of their first training session in QingdaoBEIJING (Reuters) - China's state media warned on Saturday that a "counterstrike" against the Philippines was inevitable if it continues to provoke Beijing in the South China Sea, potentially Asia's biggest military troublespot. The warning comes as ministers from both countries attend an Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in Brunei, starting Saturday, which hopes to reach a legally binding code of conduct to manage maritime conduct in disputed areas. At stake are potentially massive offshore oil reserves. The seas also lie on shipping lanes and fishing grounds. ...


Asia's Week: More Subcontinent Setbacks

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 08:28 PM PDT

South Asia's economic air pocket worsened this week with the U.S. imposing trade barriers on Bangladesh as punishment for unsafe working conditions at some garment factories. The fact that the measures did not actually apply to garment imports only underscored the perversity of matters generally in the region.

China media warns Philippines of 'counterstrike' in South China Sea

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 08:29 PM PDT

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's state media warned on Saturday that a "counterstrike" against the Philippines was inevitable if it continues to provoke Beijing in the South China Sea, potentially Asia's biggest military troublespot.

Canadian Takes Reins at Bank of England

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 08:58 PM PDT

Mark Carney's biggest challenge in starting the new job may be managing the extraordinary burden of expectations already placed on his shoulders.

Colombian Land Deals Scrutinized

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 06:09 PM PDT

Large corporations have ignited public anger in Colombia by buying out land distributed to farmers through programs to reduce poverty and spur rural development.

Oracle Announcements with Saleforce, NetSuite, and Microsoft: Back to Focus on Infrastructure

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 07:43 PM PDT

Oracle hasn't been getting a lot of respect lately. The company missed its Q2 numbers and of course analysts worry and wonder whether Oracle is missing the cloud computing opportunity.

US court jails former Mexico governor

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 07:51 PM PDT

Mario Villanueva jailed for 11 years by New York court for conspiring to launder millions of dollars in drug money.

Violence Erupts Anew in Volatile Western China Region

Violence Erupts Anew in Volatile Western China Region


Violence Erupts Anew in Volatile Western China Region

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 12:51 PM PDT

A clash between Muslim Uighurs and security forces follows another that left 35 people dead.
    


Heat wave bakes western US states

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 01:06 PM PDT

The western US states are baking under a sizzling extended heat wave, with temperatures threatening to break the all-time high recorded on Earth.

Violence Erupts Anew in Volatile Western China Region

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 12:51 PM PDT

A clash between Muslim Uighurs and security forces follows another that left 35 people dead.
    


For Russia, Fugitive Problem Snowballs

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 12:36 PM PDT

When Edward Snowden touched down here from Hong Kong, Russia appeared to be handed an easy opportunity to taunt the U.S. without causing a diplomatic rupture. Instead, Moscow may have a bigger problem on its hands.

Neighbor Describes Glimpse of Fight in Zimmerman Case

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 12:32 PM PDT

John Good's testimony bolsters the defense's contention that George Zimmerman was on the ground being beaten by Trayvon Martin.
    


Bits Blog: BlackBerry Posts Loss for Quarter

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 01:02 PM PDT

BlackBerry recorded a bigger-than-expected loss for its latest quarter, although revenue rose from a year ago.
    


Kerry steps up shuttle talks with Abbas and Netanyahu

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 12:38 PM PDT

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry accelerated his Middle East shuttle diplomacy on Friday in the hope of persuading Israel and the Palestinians to resume direct peace negotiations.

Ex-Tesco chief Leahy criticised

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 12:23 PM PDT

Tesco's former chairman Lord MacLaurin criticises the legacy left by ex-chief executive Sir Terry Leahy.

Life terms for painter's murder

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 12:27 PM PDT

A 15-year-old boy is among five people convicted of murdering a painter and decorator who got caught up in gang warfare in north London.

Exclusive: Fearing death, Congo's 'Terminator' fled with help of family

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 12:27 PM PDT

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Facing defeat by a rival rebel and fearing death at the hands of Rwandan troops, Congolese warlord Bosco Ntaganda quietly slipped into Rwanda on a small path with a single escort to turn himself in at the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, according to a U.N. report.

Murray masterclass sees off Robredo

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 12:00 PM PDT

Britain's Andy Murray secures his place in the second week of Wimbledon with a straight-sets win over Tommy Robredo.

Butt admits his part in spot-fixing

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 11:49 AM PDT

Banned ex-Pakistan captain Salman Butt admits his part in a spot-fixing scandal against England for the first time.

Peru peasant squads rally against U.S. firm's $5 billion gold mine

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 12:12 PM PDT

CAJAMARCA, Peru (Reuters) - Forty years ago, peasants in rural Peru banded together as "ronderos" - Spanish for "people who make the rounds" - to curb cattle rustling.

This map shows that Obama is really, really popular in Africa

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 11:54 AM PDT

President Obama is currently on a three-country tour of sub-Saharan Africa, a part of the world where he enjoys consistently sky-high favorability ratings higher even than in Europe, according to Gallup data tracking public opinion in more than 100 countries. That data is mapped out above to give you a sense of just how popular Obama is in Africa.

Read full article >>
    


A confounding and complex country

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 12:00 PM PDT

Nick Bryant on a confounding and complex country

U.S. citizen killed in Egyptian violence: officials

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 01:07 PM PDT

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (Reuters) - A U.S. citizen was stabbed to death in the Egyptian city of Alexandria on Friday during clashes between supporters and opponents of President Mohamed Mursi, a doctor and three security officials said.

Rival Protests Turn Violent in Egypt

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 12:32 PM PDT

Tens of thousands of backers and opponents of Egypt's president held competing rallies in several cities in a prelude to massive nationwide protests planned this weekend demanding Mohammed Morsi's removal.

£60m spent to support free schools

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 11:48 AM PDT

The government has spent almost £60m on helping free schools in England before they open and during their first year of operation, figures reveal.

Brazil truckers call for 72-hour strike starting Monday

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 11:27 AM PDT

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil's trucking union is calling for a 72-hour strike starting on Monday, potentially slowing the movement of record soy, corn and sugar crops to ports, although unlikely to stop exports.

Small plane crashes in Guatemala, killing all six on board

Posted: 28 Jun 2013 11:58 AM PDT

GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - A small airplane crashed in a wooded area in western Guatemala near the border with Mexico on Friday morning, killing all six men on board, rescue workers at the scene said.