Anti-Assad allies rebuff Syrian presidential election plan
PARIS (Reuters) – International powers who support the Syrian opposition have firmly rebuffed any idea of a presidential election organized by the Syrian government in the midst of a civil war, describing the plans as a “parody of democracy” that would…
Ukraine accuses ex-president over sniper deaths
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine’s prime minister on Thursday blamed ousted President Viktor Yanukovich for the deaths of dozens of anti-government protesters shot by police snipers and urged Russia to hand him over to face charges.
Costa Rica leftist seen clinching presidency in one-horse race
SAN JOSE (Reuters) – Costa Rica’s center-left presidential candidate Luis Guillermo Solis is expected to cruise to victory in Sunday’s run-off election after his ruling party rival quit campaigning in a bizarre twist last month.
Algeria’s Bouteflika meets with Kerry, talks security
ALGIERS (Reuters) – Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday, discussing better security cooperation in the Maghreb region in one of his longest appearances since a stroke a year ago.
Weary Chileans head for hills as earthquake aftershocks continue
IQUIQUE, Chile (Reuters) – As the aftershocks from a massive 8.2 magnitude quake that rattled northern Chile entered a third day on Thursday, basic services were still out in the port city nearest the epicenter and residents fearful of tsunamis were fl…
Libya sees ‘good intentions’ in oil port talks; rebel split seen
BENGHAZI/TRIPOLI, Libya (Reuters) – Libya has seen evidence of “good intentions” at indirect talks with eastern rebels which could lead to the lifting of their blockage of major oil ports within days, a government minister said on Thursday.
U.S., Japan, South Korea to discuss North Korea nuclear weapons program
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States, Japan and South Korea will meet next week to seek ways to persuade North Korea to give up its atomic weapons program, the U.S. State Department said on Thursday, just days after Pyongyang warned of a “new form”…
Israel scraps Palestinian prisoner release, seeks review of talks
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel has called off a planned release of Palestinian prisoners meant to advance the U.S.-sponsored peace process and called for a review of how the troubled negotiations can make progress, an official briefed on the talks said o…
Senior members of Libyan port rebels quit leadership team: member
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Eight senior members of the Libyan rebel militia controlling key oil ports have quit in a conflict with top leader Ibrahim Jathran, one of those who left said on Thursday.
U.S. sending 175 Marines to Romania as part of Africa crisis team
(Pentagon says 800 Marines in Moron, Spain, not 500, paragraph 14.)
