New head of Italy’s left indicates won’t push for snap election
ROME (Reuters) – The new leader of Italy’s center-left Democratic Party (PD) indicated on Sunday he will support the ruling coalition government led by fellow PD member Enrico Letta into 2015 and does not plan to push for a snap election.
Central African Republic leader in talks with militias
BANGUI (Reuters) – Central African Republic’s interim leader Michel Djotodia is weighing a possible amnesty for militias involved in Christian-Muslim violence that has killed hundreds of people, most of them civilians, in exchange for their disarmament…
Thai military sees role in ensuring ‘fair’ election
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s military offered on Sunday to help the politically polarized country hold a “fair and clean” election next year, suggesting the armed forces may play a role in a vote aimed at ending protests seeking to topple the governm…
Kerry returns to Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, raises environmental concerns
TAN AN TAY VILLAGE, Vietnam (Reuters) – As John Kerry’s boat winds its way along the turbid waters of the Cai Nuoc river in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, the U.S. Secretary of State is taken back to the time he spent here as a commander of an American patrol…
Cambodia opposition rallies in capital, urges PM to step down
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) – Thousands of supporters of Cambodia’s opposition rallied on Sunday, vowing to keep protesting until long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen steps down or calls an election.
Syrian opposition vows to help prevent journalists being kidnapped
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Syrian rebel leaders said they would do all they could to protect journalists but were hampered by infighting, after international news organizations complained kidnappings were preventing full media coverage of the civil war.
Qatari-funded fuel enters Gaza to ease power crisis
GAZA (Reuters) – Israel allowed the entry of 450,000 liters of fuel, paid for by Qatar, into the Gaza Strip on Sunday to enable the Palestinian territory’s sole power plant to resume operations.
No whiff of dissent in Turkmenistan’s first multi-party vote
ASHGABAT (Reuters) – The Central Asian state of Turkmenistan, described by rights groups as one of the world’s most repressive, proclaimed its first multi-party elections on Sunday; but both parties vowed loyalty to its leader and opponents remained in…
Catalans want independence referendum in 2014: poll
MADRID (Reuters) – The majority of Catalans want the right to decide on independence in a referendum and believe Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy should authorize such a vote, a poll showed on Sunday.
Japanese diplomat stabbed in Yemen kidnap bid: source
SANAA (Reuters) – Armed men stabbed a Japanese diplomat in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Sunday when he resisted a kidnapping attempt near his house, a security source said.