Central Africa Republic’s ousted leader back in charge of Seleka
BANGUI (Reuters) – Central African Republic’s mainly Muslim Seleka rebel group has reinstated Michel Djotodia as its leader, a spokesman said, months after international pressure forced him to step aside for failing to halt violence that erupted after …
Costa Concordia wreck refloating given green light
GIGLIO ISLAND Italy (Reuters) – Italian authorities gave the green light to refloating the wrecked Costa Concordia cruise ship on Saturday, setting the stage for the next step in the largest maritime salvage in history to begin on Monday morning.
Serbian finance minister quits over reform disagreements with PM
BELGRADE (Reuters) – Serbian Finance Minister Lazar Krstic resigned on Saturday, saying more radical reforms to rein in public spending were needed which the prime minister said were too harsh to implement.
One killed, eight injured in Istanbul gas explosion
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – One person was killed and eight were injured, one critically, in a gas explosion at a packaging workshop in Istanbul on Saturday, local media reported.
Merkel blasts U.S. spying, hopes Washington will change tack
BERLIN (Reuters) – Angela Merkel said on Saturday that new allegations of U.S. spying showed Berlin and Washington were completely at odds over how they viewed the role of intelligence, and she hoped German action would persuade the United States not t…
Exclusive: Jordan reluctant to host U.S.-led Syria rebel training – officials
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Jordan, where the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency has been covertly training Syrian rebels for more than a year, is reluctant to host an expanded rebel instruction program, U.S. officials said.
Iraq forces executed 255 prisoners in revenge for Islamic State killings: HRW
LONDON (Reuters) – Iraqi security forces and government affiliated militias appear to have unlawfully executed at least 255 prisoners over the past month in apparent revenge for killings by Islamic State fighters, according to a rights group on Saturda…
Nigeria police say uncover plot to bomb Abuja transport network
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigerian police have uncovered a plot to bomb the Abuja transport network, they said on Saturday, using suicide bombers and devices concealed in luggage at major bus stations.
Libyan protesters shut down Brega oil port: state firm NOC
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Protesters have shut down the eastern Libyan oil port Brega, state firm National Oil Corp (NOC) said on Saturday, days after the government celebrated the reopening of major ports following almost a year of blockage.
U.N. Iraq envoy warns of ‘chaos’ without progress to form government
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The U.N. special envoy to Iraq said on Saturday the country could plunge into chaos if its divided parliament fails to move forward on forming a government in its next session set for Sunday.
