WEMU NewsRoom

(2009-11-23) BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's fractious parliament on Monday approved an amended version of a law needed to hold a general election next year, but deliberately sidestepped a veto by Sunni Arab Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi, lawmakers said.

Gunmen kill 21 in Philippine political war (2009-11-23) MANILA (Reuters) - Gunmen abducted and killed at least 21 people in the southern Philippines on Monday, apparently to prevent a woman filing her husband's nomination to run for provincial governor in elections next year, the military said.

Two Afghan ministers suspected of embezzlement (2009-11-23) KABUL (Reuters) - Two Afghan cabinet ministers are being investigated under suspicion of embezzlement, a deputy attorney general said on Monday, at a time when President Hamid Karzai faces tough Western pressure to clean up his government.

Pakistani forces attack Taliban, kill 22 (2009-11-23) HANGU, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistani security forces backed by tanks and artillery attacked Taliban positions in the northwest of the country, killing 22 militants, a senior police official on Monday.

Saudi Arabia seeks to curb flu and stop protest at haj

(2009-11-23) RIYADH (Reuters) - More than two million Muslims gather this week for the annual haj pilgrimage to Islam's holy city of Mecca, where Saudi authorities hope to minimize spread of the H1N1 virus and prevent any political demonstration.

Israel-Hamas prisoner swap deal near: officials

(2009-11-23) CAIRO (Reuters) - Israel has softened its terms for a prisoner swap with Hamas and the two enemies are nearing a deal to exchange hundreds of Palestinian inmates for an Israeli soldier held in the Gaza Strip, officials said on Monday.

Khmer Rouge torturer had broad autonomy, lawyer says

(2009-11-23) PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - The Khmer Rouge's chief torturer ran a camp "dedicated to death" with broad autonomy, a lawyer said on Monday in closing arguments at the U.N.-backed "Killing Fields" tribunal in Cambodia.

Remains of British hostage found in Lebanon (2009-11-23) BEIRUT (Reuters) - A forensics team has found the remains of a British journalist kidnapped by Palestinian militants in Lebanon 24 years ago, the British embassy said on Monday.

Russia says new blast at arms depot kills 8 (2009-11-23) MOSCOW (Reuters) - At least eight people were killed and two injured on Monday when munitions exploded at a Russian navy arms depot, the second such incident at the same arsenal in 10 days, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry said.

India tests nuclear-capable missile after sunset (2009-11-23) BHUBANESWAR, India (Reuters) - India's army tested a nuclear-capable Agni missile after sunset on Monday for the first time to demonstrate it could be fired whenever required, defense officials said.