EU competition chief postpones trip to China
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Europe’s antitrust chief has postponed a two-day official visit to Beijing to deal with pressing issues in Brussels, her spokesman said on Wednesday.
Germany open to including Turkey on EU list of ‘safe countries’: official
BERLIN (Reuters) – The German government is willing to support an EU proposal to put Turkey on a list of “safe countries” whose citizens have little chance of being granted asylum in Europe, a senior official in Berlin told Reuters on Wednesday.
Armed groups, parties boycott Central African Republic talks
BANGUI (Reuters) – Armed groups and politicians in Central African Republic boycotted the start of a political forum this week, dealing a blow to attempts to get an election process back on track.
Sudan accused of withholding rations for Darfur peacekeepers
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations and Britain on Wednesday accused the Sudanese government of refusing to release food rations and other essential supplies for international peacekeepers in the conflict-torn Darfur region.
EU leaders postpone talks on euro zone future until December
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union leaders have postponed a deeper discussion of the future of the euro zone until December because of divergent views in the biggest countries and because of the more pressing migration issue, diplomats said.
Ten members of Eritrea soccer team seek asylum in Botswana
GABORONE (Reuters) – Ten players from the Eritrean football team are seeking asylum in Botswana, the latest in a series of defections by athletes from a country under investigation by the United Nations for human-rights violations.
Mexico recording provides audio of drug lord Guzman’s jailbreak
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Loud hammering was audible in Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s prison cell when accomplices tunneled inside to spring him in July, but guards failed to act, according to recordings released by broadcaster Televisa o…
Pope asks forgiveness after sex scandals rock Vatican and Rome
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis asked for forgiveness on Wednesday for scandals at the Vatican and in Rome, an apparent reference to two cases of priests and gay sex revealed this month during a major meeting of bishops.
Johannesburg bridge scaffolding collapse kills two, injures 20
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Two people were killed and 20 injured when scaffolding for a bridge collapsed over Johannesburg’s main motorway on Wednesday, sending the share price of construction group Murray & Roberts, the contractor behind the project, tumbling.
Tanzania president warns against violence ahead of polls
DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) – Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete dismissed opposition accusations on Wednesday that his CCM party planned to rig a presidential vote next week and warned against violence ahead of the Oct. 25 elections.
