Madagascar’s new president takes over power from ex-coup leader
ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) – Madagascar’s new president Hery Rajaonarimampianina, who won the first elections since a coup in 2009, took office on Saturday, pledging to create an investment-friendly climate in the Indian Ocean island.
Yemeni official says diplomat’s body found, but Iranian report denies it
SANAA (Reuters) – An Iranian embassy official kidnapped in the Yemeni capital Sanaa in July was found beheaded in central Yemen on Saturday, a provincial official said.
Libya says Egyptian diplomats snatched after militia chief’s arrest
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Four Egyptian embassy staff were kidnapped in Tripoli on Saturday, a day after the abduction of another Egyptian diplomat, in what Libya’s government called a reaction to Egypt’s arrest of a Libyan militia commander.
Militants tell Russians to rebel against Kremlin or face attacks
MOSCOW (Reuters) – A militant group that claimed responsibility for last month’s suicide bombings in Volgograd which killed at least 34 people told Russians on Saturday to rebel against President Vladimir Putin or face further attacks.
UAE president suffered a stroke, in stable condition-state news agency
DUBAI (Reuters) – The president of the United Arab Emirates has undergone surgery after a stroke and is in a stable condition, state news agency WAM reported on Saturday.
Afghan president says U.S. should start talks with Taliban or leave
KABUL (Reuters) – President Hamid Karzai appeared to stiffen his resolve on Saturday not to sign a security pact with Washington, saying the United States should leave Afghanistan unless it could restart peace talks with the Taliban.
Philippines, Muslim rebels agree to peace in comprehensive pact
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – The Philippine government on Saturday agreed the final chapter of peace talks with the country’s largest Muslim separatist group, clearing the last hurdle to an historic pact to end four decades of conflict that has killed tens…
Italy poll shows backing for center-left leader Renzi reforms
ROME (Reuters) – More than 60 percent of Italian voters support electoral reforms proposed by center-left leader Matteo Renzi and 50 percent welcome his deal on the package with center-right rival Silvio Berlusconi, according to an opinion poll on Satu…
Bomb hits Cairo, Qaeda-linked group claims attacks
CAIRO (Reuters) – A bomb exploded near a police academy in Cairo on Saturday, security sources said, a day after a wave of deadly blasts raised fears that an Islamist insurgency was gaining momentum.
Serbian party seeks to cement power in early election
BELGRADE (Reuters) – Serbia’s dominant SNS party said on Saturday it would seek an early parliamentary election, betting that a surge in popularity would strengthen its grip on power and help it push through much-needed economic reforms.
