Syria ‘failure’ looms, mediator seeks U.S., Russian help
GENEVA (Reuters) – Warning that “failure” was staring him in the face, the Syria peace talks mediator said on Thursday that the United States and Russia had promised renewed support to keep their rival Syrian allies talking.
Italian PM Letta to resign after party withdraws support
ROME (Reuters) – Italian centre-left leader Matteo Renzi forced party rival Enrico Letta to resign as prime minister on Thursday after criticizing his government’s failure to pass major reforms, opening the way for Italy’s third administration in a yea…
Three journalists and a union leader released in Niger
NIAMEY (Reuters) – Authorities in Niger released on Thursday three journalists from a private radio station one day after they were detained with a union leader who criticized President Mahamadou Issfouou on air, the station’s director-general told Reu…
Bahrain arrests 29 ahead of protests anniversary
KUWAIT (Reuters) – Bahrain said on Thursday it had arrested 29 people for rioting and vandalism in several villages, the day before the third anniversary of mass protests which could spark more street unrest.
Mali arrests ex-defense minister over paratroopers’ deaths
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Authorities in Mali arrested former defense minister General Yamoussa Camara on Thursday in a fresh sign of the government’s attempts to regain control of the army after a coup in 2012 that plunged the country into chaos.
Colombia, rebels say making progress in talks over drug trade
HAVANA (Reuters) – The Colombian government and FARC guerrilla negotiators said on Thursday that they had made progress toward an agreement on combating illegal drug trafficking, a sign that peace talks were making headway before elections.
Venezuela seeks protest leader’s arrest after unrest kills three
CARACAS (Reuters) – A Venezuelan court ordered the arrest on Thursday of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez on charges including murder and terrorism linked to street protests that resulted in the deaths of three people the day before.
Drug policy must change in U.S., Europe: Uruguay president
MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) – The United States and Europe need a new strategy in the war on drugs and should look at alternatives such as the regulated sale of marijuana, says Uruguayan President Jose Mujica, whose country recently legalized the production a…
Amid political turmoil, Thailand’s election body takes center stage
BANGKOK (Reuters) – As Thailand tries to resolve a debilitating political stalemate, five unelected officials have been armed with the power to over-rule its government in key areas and chart a route out of the mess left by this month’s disrupted elect…
Karzai rejects U.S. warnings over freed Afghan detainees
ANKARA/KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Thursday rejected criticism of his government’s release of 65 detainees viewed by Washington as dangerous militants, further fanning tensions with the United States as the international mission …
