Britain to tell Scotland: Lose the pound if you exit UK
LONDON/KILMARNOCK (Reuters) – Britain’s main political parties will tell Scotland in coordinated statements in coming days it cannot keep the pound if it votes for independence, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
Swiss put immigration worries aside to fete Russian-born snowboarder
ZURICH (Reuters) – Days after Switzerland voted to impose new barriers to immigration, the surprise victory of a Russian-born snowboarder nicknamed “I-Pod” at the Olympic Games in Sochi has led to an ironic outpouring of national pride.
Britain’s Cameron under pressure over flood spending pledge
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister David Cameron came under pressure on Wednesday to spell out where he would find the money for his pledge to spend whatever was needed to help those affected by severe flooding in England.
South Africa police clash with ANC supporters at opposition march
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African police fired rubber bullets on Wednesday at stone throwing supporters of the ruling ANC who tried to confront members of the opposition Democratic Alliance party as they marched in central Johannesburg.
Panama canal near deal on lock gates delivery, new money pending: source
PANAMA CITY (Reuters) – The Panama Canal is near a deal with a Spanish-led consortium on delivery dates for massive lock gates amid a multi-billion dollar expansion mired in a cost dispute, but key issues like fresh financing remain, a person with know…
Nigerian president sacks ministers in new shake-up
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday sacked four cabinet members including aviation minister Stella Oduah, a close ally, in the latest of a wave of government changes ahead of elections next year.
Italy PM Letta in showdown with party boss Renzi
ROME (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta failed to resolve differences with center-left leader Matteo Renzi on Wednesday after a showdown that could lead to a change of government within days.
Italy court strikes down drug law blamed for prison crowding
ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s constitutional court on Wednesday struck down a drug law that tripled sentences for selling, cultivating or possessing cannabis and which has been blamed for causing prison overcrowding.
Israel bars Gaza patients over ‘Palestine’ letterhead
GAZA (Reuters) – Israel has denied entry permits to some 50 Palestinian medical patients from the Gaza Strip because the words “State of Palestine” appears on the letterhead of their application, officials said on Wednesday.
NATO expresses concern over Italian marines’ case in India
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – NATO warned India on Wednesday that using anti-terrorism legislation to try two Italian marines accused of killing two fishermen would undermine international efforts to combat piracy.
