U.N. Syria envoy says new Geneva peace talks unlikely for now: report
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The United Nations peace mediator for Syria has said it is unlikely talks in Switzerland between the Syrian government and opposition will resume soon, Lebanon’s state news agency reported on Monday.
South Africa deputy president to meet mining firms, unions as platinum strike drags on
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s deputy president will meet with the mining industry and unions on Thursday for a regularly scheduled forum aimed at bringing stability to the sector, as a crippling platinum strike approaches its ninth week.
Despite U.N. resolution, Syria’s war foes hinder aid access: Ban
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United Nations accused Syria’s government and rebels of hindering aid access, suggesting both sides could be violating U.N. Security Council demands that emergency relief reach civilians caught in the crossfire of the thr…
Alleged Balkan drugs boss denies cocaine charges in Belgrade court
BELGRADE (Reuters) – Alleged Balkan drugs boss Darko Saric, who surrendered to Serbian police last week after almost five years on the run, denied on Monday any involvement in trafficking cocaine from Latin America to Europe.
Former Norwegian prime minister tipped to take over as NATO leader
THE HAGUE (Reuters) – Former Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg has emerged as the favorite to take over the leadership of NATO later this year as the Western military alliance faces a challenge from a newly assertive Russia, diplomats said on M…
China jails man for seeking repeat of Tiananmen protest: Amnesty
BEIJING (Reuters) – China has jailed for 18 months a man who tried to stage a repeat of the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protest, rights group Amnesty International said on Monday, in another sign of the ruling Communist Party’s intolerance of d…
Asylum seekers in Europe reach two-decade high
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Nearly half a million people sought asylum in Europe last year, the most in two decades, with the largest number coming from Syrians fleeing civil war, the European Union said on Monday.
Militants kill 20 security men in Yemen checkpoint raid
ADEN, Yemen (Reuters) – Suspected militants killed 20 members of Yemen’s security forces in a dawn raid on a checkpoint on Monday, state news agency Saba said, in an attack officials said bore the hallmarks of the local branch of al Qaeda.
Boat accident death toll in western Uganda rises to 107
KAMPALA (Reuters) – One hundred and seven people have died after a boat capsized in a lake along the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ugandan police said on Monday after recovering more bodies.
Hollande to pursue reforms despite French local vote thump
PARIS (Reuters) – President Francois Hollande’s government will stick to planned economic reforms and spending cuts despite being punished in local elections where the anti-immigrant National Front (FN) made gains, the French finance minister said on M…
