South Sudan minister says rebel leader can’t make ceasefire hold
JUBA (Reuters) – South Sudan’s defense minister said on Friday the leader of rebels battling government forces did not have enough control over his fighters to make any ceasefire hold, as peace talks dragged on with no sign of a deal.
Ukraine chides West for criticism of new anti-protest law
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine on Friday rebuked the West for what it called foreign interference in its internal affairs after an outcry over legislation rushed through parliament to curb anti-government unrest in the ex-Soviet republic.
IAEA asks member states to pay extra cost of Iran nuclear deal
VIENNA (Reuters) – The U.N. atomic watchdog said on Friday it needed extra money from member states to fund the 6 million euro ($8.2 million) cost of verifying a landmark nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers.
Court confirms Madagascar election result; loser rejects it
ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) – Madagascar’s electoral court declared former finance minister Hery Rajaonarimampianina president-elect on Friday, an outcome his defeated rival swiftly rejected.
After Paris checkup, Algeria’s Bouteflika signs April vote decree
ALGIERS (Reuters) – Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika signed a decree on Friday authorizing a formal start to campaigning for the April 17 presidential election in the major oil- and gas-producing OPEC country.
Police probe explosion at Kenya airport; no injuries
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Police are investigating an explosion at Nairobi international airport that panicked travelers but caused no injuries, a police spokesman said on Friday, a day after the incident.
Czech center-left leader becomes PM, seeking closer EU ties
PRAGUE (Reuters) – Czech President Milos Zeman appointed center-left leader Bohuslav Sobotka prime minister on Friday, opening the way for the former finance minister to pursue looser fiscal policies and closer links with the core of Europe.
Putin says Russia is not ‘going after’ gays
SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – Russia is not “going after” gays, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, defending a ban on “propaganda of homosexuality” that has brought criticism from the West ahead of the Winter Olympics.
Small parties threaten Italy government on electoral reform
ROME (Reuters) – The three small parties backing Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta’s coalition government threatened on Friday to bring down his administration unless they are part of an agreement on electoral reform.
U.S. rebukes Rwandan leader amid scrutiny over opponent’s murder
JOHANNESBURG/KIGALI (Reuters) – The United States says it is deeply worried about threats made by Rwandan President Paul Kagame against political opponents after one of his exiled critics was found murdered in a hotel room in South Africa.
