South Africa’s ruling party backs Zuma after calls for him to quit
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s ruling African National Congress said on Monday its executive committee stood by President Jacob Zuma after some top officials demanded his resignation, saying the calls for him to resign were meant to dislodge t…
UK PM May says no delaying June 19 start to Brexit talks
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Theresa May said there would be no way to delay a June 19 start to Brexit negotiations as she urged voters to give her a strong mandate in a national election due next week.
Trial of Egyptian rights lawyer with presidential ambitions starts
CAIRO (Reuters) – An Egyptian human rights lawyer and would-be presidential candidate went on trial on Monday in a case where a guilty verdict would deprive him of the right to stand for election.
Iranian hardliners accuse Rouhani of voter fraud, interference
(Reuters) – Defeated hardline candidate Ebrahim Raisi has complained of voter fraud in Iran’s presidential election and called on the judiciary and the election watchdog to investigate, the semi-official Fars news agency said on Monday.
Indonesia’s hijab-wearing Muslim metal group challenges stereotypes
GARUT, Indonesia (Reuters) – With their heads covered with Islamic headscarves, the three members of the Indonesian band VoB (“Voice of Baceprot” or “Noisy Voice”) do not look like your typical heavy metal group.
Macron’s party seen on top in French parliament election: polls
PARIS (Reuters – French President Emmanuel Macron’s party is expected to win the most votes in June’s parliamentary election, polls showed on Monday, with Macron also scoring well in terms of general popularity.
‘Atlanticist’ Merkel rams home frustration with Trump after summits
BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel underlined her doubts about the reliability of the United States as an ally on Monday but said she was a “convinced trans-Atlanticist”, fine-tuning her message after surprising Washington with her fran…
Thai parties concerned PM could push back 2018 vote, retain power
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s main political parties on Monday voiced concern that a general election expected next year could be delayed yet again following comments made by the junta chief that they say shows he intends to hold on to power.
MI5 to review its handling of intelligence on Manchester bomber
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s MI5 has begun an internal review of how it handled intelligence on Manchester suicide bomber Salman Abedi, who was known to the authorities but not under active investigation, a source told Reuters on Monday.
India cattle trade ban to halt beef exports, lead to job losses
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s ban on the trade of cattle for slaughter threatens $4 billion in annual beef exports and millions of jobs if the government does not revoke the stoppage decreed last week, according to two industry officials.
