‘Neutral’ ex-judge to rule Pakistan in run-up to tense election
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan on Monday appointed former chief justice Nasir-Ul-Mulk as caretaker prime minister until a general election on July 25 which is expected to usher in the second-ever democratic transition in the nuclear armed nation of 208…
Italian president calls in ex-IMF official as investors take fright
ROME (Reuters) – Italian President Sergio Mattarella is expected to ask a former International Monetary Fund official on Monday to head a stopgap government amidst political and constitutional turmoil, with early elections looking inevitable.
Only Syrian army should be on country’s southern border: Russia
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that only Syrian government troops should have a presence on Syria’s southern border, which is close to Jordan and Israel.
Kremlin: permanent U.S. military presence in Poland bad for security
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Kremlin said on Monday that gradual NATO military expansion towards its borders did not improve security or stability in Europe as it commented on media reports Poland is seeking to secure a permanent U.S. military presence on it…
Palestinian President Abbas leaves hospital after eight-day stay
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was released from hospital on Monday after an eight-day stay and treatment for what officials said was a lung infection.
Lebanon’s Berri expects cabinet within a month, newspaper reports
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri expects a new coalition government to be formed within a month because nobody has an interest in a delay, the newspaper al-Mustaqbal reported on Monday.
Scotland uneasy about Northern Ireland gaining Brexit advantage: Sturgeon
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – A Brexit deal that would give Northern Ireland a competitive advantage over the rest of Britain would raise real issues for Scotland, which also wants to keep access to the EU single market, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon …
Malaysia PM to drop high-speed rail project with Singapore: FT
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia plans to drop its plans for a high-speed rail link between its capital, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore, and will talk with its southern neighbor about the pact to build it, its prime minister said in an interview publishe…
Spanish Prime Minister Rajoy faces growing election calls
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s Ciudadanos party upped the pressure on Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Monday, intensifying calls for snap elections after a proposed no-confidence motion roiled markets last week.
Colombia heads for divisive runoff with peace deal at stake
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia headed for its most divisive presidential race in decades after right-winger Ivan Duque won Sunday’s first-round vote, triggering a runoff with leftist Gustavo Petro that could upset a historic peace deal or see a reversal i…
