South Africa questions its democracy after parliament brawl
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – “State of Chaos”, was how one South African newspaper described the images of police and politicians trading blows at the opening of parliament, a damning assessment of the country’s democracy twenty years after apartheid.
Germany condemns Greek cartoon depicting Schaeuble as Nazi
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany condemned on Friday a cartoon published in a Greek leftist newspaper close to the new ruling party in Athens that depicts Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble in a Nazi uniform making comments that invoke the Holocaust.
Greece, Troika start talks on common reform ground
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Greece and its international creditors started talks on Friday on reforms needed to keep the country financed, increasing the possibility of a interim compromise deal between the euro zone and Athens at a ministerial meeting on Mon…
U.S. says 15 more airstrikes launched against Islamic State
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and its coalition partners conducted eight air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria and seven in Iraq since early Thursday, according to the U.S. military.
Saudi Arabia, West evacuate embassy staff from Yemen on security fears
SANAA (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia has joined Western states in evacuating staff from Yemen after a power grab by Shi’ite Muslim Houthi militia there, a move reflecting the hostility of majority Sunni Muslim neighbors towards the Iranian-backed Houthis.
Italy closes embassy in Yemen as security deteriorates
ROME (Reuters) – Italy has closed its embassy in the Yemeni capital Sanaa due to a breakdown in security and is withdrawing its ambassador and staff, the foreign ministry in Rome said on Friday.
Turkish police use water cannon on protesters decrying religion in schools
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish police used water cannon in the western coastal city of Izmir on Friday to disperse scores of protesters boycotting schools over the growing influence of religion in the classroom, local media reported.
Uprooted South Sudanese fear the call to return home
JUBA (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – In South Sudan’s capital, Mary Nyapini Malual watches her children jostle over a plate of stew and pancakes, grateful they are safe from a government she believes wants to kill them.
Egyptian police captain dies in Cairo bomb blast
CAIRO (Reuters) – A roadside bomb in Cairo killed a police captain and wounded eight other people on Friday, the interior ministry said. Later, Egyptian warplanes killed eight suspected Islamist militants in Sinai, according to security sources.
Croatia charges Zagreb mayor with misusing funds
ZAGREB (Reuters) – The mayor of Croatia’s capital city was charged on Friday with misusing public funds, a blow to the career of one of the country’s most prominent politicians.
