Exclusive: In diplomatic shift, Europe seeks improved ties with Cuba
BRUSSELS/MADRID (Reuters) – The European Union will agree next month to deepen relations with Cuba in its most significant overture to the communist nation since diplomatic sanctions were lifted in 2008, people close to the matter told Reuters.
Amanda Knox convicted again of Briton’s murder
FLORENCE, Italy (Reuters) – American student Amanda Knox and her former Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were found guilty on Thursday for the second time of the 2007 murder of Briton Meredith Kercher, in a retrial that reversed an earlier appeal j…
Mexico leftists to propose raising marijuana allowance in capital
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – The opposition party governing Mexico City said on Thursday it would propose raising the amount of marijuana residents of the capital can possess to seven times the current limit to help speed up drug liberalization in Mexico.
Libya sets February 20 for constitution assembly vote
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libya will elect an assembly on February 20 to draft a constitution intended to advance transition to democracy and break political stalemate more than two years after a NATO-backed uprising toppled Muammar Gaddafi.
U.S. accuses Syria of stalling on chemical arms handover
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Thursday accused Syria of dragging its feet on giving up its chemical arms, putting at risk a deal to remove such weapons of mass destruction from the country as it splits apart in a chaotic civil war.
After stunning debut, India’s anti-graft party scrambles to dispel doubts
GHAZIABAD, India (Reuters) – Anti-corruption crusader Arvind Kejriwal has shaken up India’s political landscape with promises to change a rotten system: Now he is scrambling to dispel fears that his populism and rabble rousing could be a liability for …
Rwanda calls Congo ‘crybaby’ at U.N., Congo says Rwanda ‘arrogant’
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The U.N. Security Council stressed on Thursday that M23 rebels must be stopped from regrouping in Democratic Republic of Congo and expressed concern at Congolese soldiers aiding Rwandan Hutu militia, sparking a verbal clash b…
In Egypt, just speaking to Brotherhood is a risk for foreign reporters
CAIRO (Reuters) – When Hosni Mubarak was in power, a foreign journalist could spend unlimited time with members of the opposition Muslim Brotherhood, who roundly condemned the autocratic leader.
Ukraine’s Yanukovich goes on sick leave in midst of political crisis
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich went on sick leave on Thursday after a bruising session of parliament, leaving a political vacuum in a country threatened with bankruptcy and destabilized by anti-government protests.
Shared moment of silence but little headway at Syria talks
GENEVA (Reuters) – Opposing sides in Syria’s civil war stood together in silence to honor victims of the three year conflict on Thursday, but week-old peace talks were still stuck on the question of how to proceed with just one day left before they hea…
