Assad seeks re-election as Syrian civil war rages
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad declared on Monday he would seek re-election in June, defying calls from his opponents to step aside and allow a political solution to the country’s devastating civil war.
Libyan PM attacks central bank governor as political turmoil rages
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni accused the central bank governor on Monday of obstructing the government and exceeding his powers, in comments that may damage one of the last respected state institutions in the North Afric…
With rare speech, Algeria’s ailing Bouteflika starts new term
ALGIERS (Reuters) – Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was sworn in for a fourth term on Monday after he easily won an election opponents dismissed as rigged to return the ailing leader to power for another five years.
Uganda says planning tougher law limiting gay sex, foreign NGOs
KAMPALA (Reuters) – Uganda has drafted a new law that would bar non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from promoting homosexuality, tightening rules further after anti-gay legislation in February was widely condemned as draconian.
Berlusconi says ‘surreal’ to suggest he is anti-German
ROME (Reuters) – Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi denied on Monday that he was anti-German, after he caused outrage at the weekend by suggesting Germany did not acknowledge the existence of Nazi concentration camps.
Putin critic Navalny gets reprieve as court finds fault with case
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A prominent foe of Vladimir Putin won an unexpected judicial respite on Monday when a Moscow court questioned a theft case he sees as the president’s revenge for his activism and sent it back to prosecutors for overhaul.
Ethiopia charges nine bloggers, journalists with inciting violence
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Ethiopia has charged six bloggers and three journalists with attempting to incite violence, their supporters said on Monday, prompting accusations from rights groups that the government is cracking down on its critics.
Jordan arrests suspects after unrest in tribal town
AMMAN (Reuters) – Jordanian police arrested about 16 youths suspected of involvement in armed attacks against government buildings in the poor southern town of Maan in protest against the killing of a man, security officials said on Monday.
Obama hails security pact with Philippines, says no threat to China
MANILA (Reuters) – President Barack Obama said a new military pact signed with the Philippines on Monday granting a larger presence for U.S. forces would bolster the Southeast Asian country’s maritime security, but was not aimed at countering China’s g…
Thai opposition leader meets military head as crisis deepens
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva met the head of the armed forces on Monday to discuss ways to avert a showdown between rival political factions next month that threatens more bloodshed and economic damage.
