Thai opposition leader wants election delayed to allow reforms
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday urged that a general election planned for July be delayed by up to six months to allow time for reforms aimed at ending a protracted political crisis that threatens to explode.
Colombia court backs Santos in sea boundary dispute with Nicaragua
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia’s constitutional court ruled on Friday that applying a decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that granted Nicaragua a disputed area of Caribbean waters could not take effect without a treaty between the countr…
Obama, Merkel still struggle over spying but agree on trade
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel could not hide differences on Friday over U.S. surveillance practices despite Obama’s offer of “cyber dialogue” with Berlin and a pledge to bridge gaps that have tarnishe…
New EU force in Central African Republic sets stability as top priority
BANGUI (Reuters) – The top priority of a new European Union peacekeeping force in Central African Republic is to restore stability in the capital, the force commander, French Major-General Philippe Ponties, told a news conference on Friday.
Dozens die in Odessa, rebels down Ukraine helicopters
SLAVIANSK, Ukraine (Reuters) – Dozens of people were killed in a fire and others were shot dead when fighting between pro- and anti-Russian groups broke out on the streets of Odessa on Ukraine’s Black Sea coast on Friday, opening a new front in a confl…
South Sudan leader ready for talks but rival doesn’t commit
JUBA (Reuters) – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir said on Friday he was ready for face-to-face talks with rebel leader Riek Machar to try and end months of fighting in the world’s newest nation, but his rival held off from promising to take part.
Obama, Merkel still struggle over spying but agree on trade
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel could not hide differences on Friday over U.S. surveillance practices despite Obama’s offer of “cyber dialogue” with Berlin and a pledge to bridge gaps that have tarnishe…
Bombs, protests hit Egypt in run-up to presidential election
CAIRO (Reuters) – Two suicide bombings in Egypt’s South Sinai killed a soldier and wounded at least eight people and two other bombs killed two people in Cairo on Friday, less than four weeks before a presidential election is due to be held, official s…
Car bomb kills one in central Cairo: security sources
CAIRO (Reuters) – A car bomb killed one person near a metro station in downtown Cairo on Friday, three security sources said, in the second blast in Egypt’s capital after an earlier bomb attack killed a policeman in a different district.
Merkel: Give Iran talks a chance, but ready to act if needed
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program have to be given a chance, but sanctions could still be reinstated if needed.
