Merkel defends Ukraine arms stance in face of U.S. criticism
MUNICH (Reuters) – Germany’s Angela Merkel said on Saturday that sending arms to help Ukraine fight pro-Russian separatists would not solve the crisis there, drawing sharp rebukes from U.S. politicians who accused Berlin of turning its back on an ally …
Brazil’s Rousseff popularity plunges amid scandal, bad economy
SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s popularity has plunged by nearly half since her recent re-election as a severe government corruption scandal, an economic slowdown and surging prices for electricity, gasoline and bus fares lef…
African nations pledge 8,700 for anti-Boko Haram force
YAOUNDE (Reuters) – African nations pulling together a regional force to fight Nigeria’s Boko Haram militants on Saturday pledged 8,700 soldiers, policemen and civilians, an increase from earlier estimates for the mission.
Ex-Mauritius PM Ramgoolam arrested in conspiracy probe
PORT LOUIS (Reuters) – The former prime minister of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, was arrested over the weekend by police on suspicion of conspiracy and money laundering, and later released on bail.
Islamic State ‘sentenced’ U.S. hostage to death last year: activist
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The young American hostage who Islamic State says was killed in a Jordanian air strike was condemned to death by the militant group last year, according to an American Muslim activist.
Jordan army planes bomb IS targets for third day
AMMAN (Reuters) – Jordan carried out a third straight day of air strikes on Islamic State targets on Saturday, it said, in response to the group’s killing of a captive Jordanian pilot.
Colombia’s FARC rebels invite Miss Universe to attend peace talks
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia’s Marxist FARC rebels have invited the newly-crowned Miss Universe Paulina Vega, a native of the country’s Caribbean coast, to attend their peace negotiations with the government, a bid to end 50 years of fighting.
Gulf countries, opposition say Houthi takeover in Yemen a ‘coup’
SANAA (Reuters) – The Gulf Cooperation Council has accused Shi’ite Houthi rebels of staging a coup in Yemen after they announced they were dissolving parliament and forming a new government, Kuwait’s official news agency said on Saturday.
Protesters demand scrapping of Burkina Faso presidential guard
OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) – Hundreds of people protested on Saturday in Burkina Faso calling for the dissolution of the presidential guard, a powerful unit within the military that earlier this week called for the prime minister to resign.
IAEA chief urges Iran to keep its promises on nuclear program
MUNICH (Reuters) – Talks between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have reached a “crucial” juncture and Tehran needs to provide urgent clarification on key aspects of its nuclear program, the IAEA’s chief said on Saturday.
