Ukraine president signs amnesty but anger remains, currency slumps
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukraine’s embattled President Viktor Yanukovich on Friday signed into law an amnesty for demonstrators detained during mass unrest and repealed anti-protest legislation, in a fresh bid to take the heat out of the political crisis.
Exclusive: South Sudan rebel leader says government derailing peace talks
JONGLEI STATE, South Sudan (Reuters) – South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar accused the government on Friday of ethnic cleansing and trying to sabotage peace talks, in his first face-to-face interview since fighting erupted late last year in Africa’s y…
Suspected militants kill at least 15 soldiers in Yemen
ADEN (Reuters) – At least 15 soldiers were killed and four wounded by suspected al Qaeda militants in an attack on an army checkpoint in southeastern Yemen on Friday, an army official said.
Six powers, Iran to begin new nuclear talks on February 18
MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) – Six world powers and Iran will begin talks in Vienna on February 18 on a long-term deal for Tehran to curb parts of its nuclear program in exchange for a gradual end to sanctions, European Union foreign policy chief Catherin…
Tsvangirai urged to quit as Zimbabwe opposition leader
HARARE (Reuters) – Pressure on Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai to quit rose on Friday as senior members of his party debated whether to call an early congress to decide on his future after losing three presidential elections.
Argentina policies adrift as inflation spiral looms
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – In the midst of Argentina’s biggest currency devaluation in a decade, with the peso’s plunge rattling financial markets worldwide, President Cristina Fernandez’s first public address in weeks was silent on the matter.
Turkish ruling party MP slams government in resignation, police purged
ANKARA (Reuters) – A deputy of Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party accused the government on Friday of “protecting thieves” and resigned from the party over purges of police and judiciary involved in a corruption investigation.
Israel wages ‘war between wars’ as Mideast threats simmer
TEL AVIV (Reuters) – Watching old Arab enemies reel with sectarian insurgencies and international diplomacy capping the Iranian nuclear drive, Israel’s military is confounded by a new challenge: quiet.
U.S. hopes for ‘framework’ Mideast peace deal within weeks
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Obama administration hopes to complete a “framework” accord in coming weeks between Israel and the Palestinians and will then seek to negotiate a final peace deal by the end of 2014, the U.S. mediator told American Jewish lea…
Dennis Rodman says he’d trade places with American held in North Korea
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Former basketball star Dennis Rodman said on Friday he was willing to trade places with Kenneth Bae, an American missionary imprisoned in North Korea, the next time he visits his friend, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.
