U.N. rights investigator decries Iran clampdown, torture, floggings
GENEVA (Reuters) – Iran has arrested activists and political opponents in a clampdown on freedom of expression as use of torture continues despite promises of reform, a United Nations report said on Monday.
Ethiopia ruling coalition to nominate new prime minister
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Ethiopia’s ruling coalition is expected to meet this week to choose a new prime minister, most likely from the populous Oromo ethnic group to try and dampen the discontent behind recent anti-government demonstrations.
Italy’s League, 5-Star vie for power after inconclusive vote
ROME (Reuters) – Two anti-establishment leaders made early plays to govern Italy on Monday, triggering concern in the euro zone following an inconclusive election where voters shunted mainstream parties to the sidelines.
Syria lets aid reach Ghouta but blocks medical supplies, presses assault
BEIRUT/GENEVA (Reuters) – Aid trucks reached Syria’s eastern Ghouta region on Monday for the first time since the start of one of the war’s deadliest assaults, but the government stripped some medical supplies from the convoy and pressed on with its ai…
Merkel rejects plea to make national anthem gender-neutral
BERLIN (Reuters) – Angela Merkel does not want Germany’s national anthem to be changed, her spokesman said after a member of the chancellor’s Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partner said words such as “fatherland” and “brotherland” should be made gende…
Putin, before vote, says Russia has thwarted hundreds of foreign spies
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin boasted Russia had thwarted more than 400 foreign spies last year and on Monday called on the FSB, the domestic intelligence agency, to act to block further foreign attempts to obtain political, economic and …
Former Netanyahu spokesman signs state’s witness deal in graft probe: Justice Ministry
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – A former spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signed a state’s witness deal in one of the corruption cases revolving around the Israeli leader, the Justice Ministry said on Monday.
South Koreans meet North Korean leader Kim for talks about talks
SEOUL (Reuters) – A South Korean delegation met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Monday, a South Korean official said, after arriving in the North on a visit aimed at encouraging North Korea and the United States to talk.
Italy’s League claims right to govern after inconclusive vote
ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s euroskeptic League claimed the right to lead a new government on Monday, telling investors they should have no fear of it taking office after an inconclusive election gave its center-right alliance the largest bloc of votes.
Former Netanyahu spokesman signs state’s witness deal in corruption probe: Israeli media
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – A former spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed a state’s witness deal on Monday in one of the corruption cases revolving around the Israeli leader, Israeli media said.
