Leading candidate withdraws from Israeli presidential race
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, one of two leading candidates to succeed Shimon Peres as Israel’s next head of state, withdrew from the race on Saturday, a day after police questioned him under caution over a loan he had received.
Colombian peace talks turn toward victims
HAVANA (Reuters) – Colombia’s government and leftist FARC guerrillas both agreed to take responsibility for war victims on Saturday, moving forward on peace talks with a week to go before presidential elections.
New head of European conservatives dismisses Cameron’s EU demands
BERLIN (Reuters) – The new head of the biggest group of conservatives in the European Parliament dismissed on Saturday demands by British Prime Minister David Cameron to put the brakes on European integration.
Egypt court cancels jail sentence against policeman linked to 39 deaths
CAIRO (Reuters) – A Cairo appeals court on Saturday canceled a prison sentence against a police officer convicted in connection with the deaths of 39 people last year during political violence, judicial sources said.
UK government removes Lego figures from Scotland independence campaign
LONDON (Reuters) – The British government has removed images of Lego figures enjoying the possible gains of Scots rejecting a vote for independence, after the Danish toy maker complained about the use of its characters in a online campaign.
South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma in hospital for tests
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African President Jacob Zuma was admitted to hospital for tests on Saturday, after previously being advised to take some rest, the presidency said in a statement.
China to crack down on policy implementation with inspection teams
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – The Chinese government said on Saturday it will deploy eight inspection teams across the country to investigate how regional governments are implementing 19 central policies and will hold accountable those found wanting.
UAE issues compulsory military service law for Emirati men
DUBAI (Reuters) – The president of the United Arab Emirates on Saturday issued a law implementing compulsory military service for Emirati men, a move highlighting the Gulf state’s concern over turmoil in the region.
‘Enough work done’ to resolve South Africa mines strike: minister
PRETORIA (Reuters) – South African mining minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi said on Saturday he had “done enough work” in mediating between the AMCU union and the world’s top three platinum firms and he believed the two sides would resolve a five-month strike…
UK police release Pakistani politician as investigations continue
LONDON (Reuters) – British police have released exiled Pakistani politician Altaf Hussain on bail following his arrest four days ago which sent Pakistan’s largest city Karachi into lockdown amid fears of violence.
