Central African Republic’s transitional government delays peace forum
BANGUI (Reuters) – Central African Republic’s transitional government has postponed a peace forum involving factions in a two-year-old conflict that has killed thousands, a statement from parliament said, as the country prepares for elections by the en…
Turkey’s Erdogan doesn’t expect Obama to call Armenian killings ‘genocide’
Ankara (Reuters) – Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday he did not expect U.S. President Barack Obama to use the word “genocide” in reference to the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War One.
Game of losers? Poisoned chalice awaits UK election victor
LONDON (Reuters) – Few politicians would be foolish enough to say publicly they’d prefer not to be elected because of the unpopular decisions that await, but next month’s election in Britain is one some may privately regard as a poisoned chalice.
Ukraine, in snub to Moscow, to adopt British war-time symbol, ditch Soviet war name
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine, in a break with tradition that is certain to rile Moscow, is ditching the Soviet name for World War Two and aims to adopt the poppy, a mainly British wartime symbol, to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory over Nazi German…
Pope met French Vatican envoy nominee at center of gay speculation
PARIS (Reuters) – Pope Francis has held a private meeting with France’s nominee as ambassador to the Holy See, the French government said on Wednesday in the latest twist in a months-long stand-off over the Vatican’s failure to confirm his posting.
Ethiopians mourn Libya killings at rally, scuffles erupt
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Demonstrators hurled stones and police fired teargas as emotions ran high at a mass rally in Ethiopia’s capital on Wednesday commemorating 30 compatriots shot and beheaded by Islamic State militants in Libya, witnesses said.
Russia arms Iraq, Syria to help combat Islamic State: Lavrov
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia is arming Iraq and Syria to help them fight Islamic State, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday, calling the radical militant group the main threat to his own country’s security.
Japan PM Abe meets China’s Xi, says to work for better ties
TOKYO/JAKARTA (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a summit in Indonesia on Wednesday, the latest sign of a thaw between the Asian rivals that came despite an awkward diplomatic…
Egypt’s top businessman Sawiris testifies at Al Jazeera retrial
CAIRO (Reuters) – One of Egypt’s wealthiest businessmen, Naguib Sawiris, testified for the defense on Wednesday at the retrial of two Al-Jazeera television journalists, possibly boosting their standing in a case criticized from abroad.
Mexico’s Congress passes anti-corruption law
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s Congress has approved an anti-corruption law that could help relieve pressure on President Enrique Pena Nieto’s scandal-plagued government.
