Iran ready to join Syria peace talks if invited: Zarif
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday that Tehran was prepared to take part in the Syria peace talks in Geneva, slated for January 22, if invited.
Independent Scotland would keep the pound and the queen, says Salmond
GLASGOW, Scotland (Reuters) – An independent Scotland would keep the British pound, the queen and remain in the European Union but have its own defense force and collect its own taxes, First Minister Alex Salmond said on Tuesday.
France to boost Central Africa force with U.N. backing
PARIS (Reuters) – France will increase its force in Central African Republic to at least one thousand soldiers after a U.N. resolution expected next week, French officials said on Tuesday, warning of the risk of regional instability.
Conservatives threaten to end Austrian coalition talks
VIENNA (Reuters) – Austria’s conservative leader has threatened to break off coalition talks with the Social Democrats in an increasingly heated debate over how to plug a looming hole in state finances.
Oil workers join strike in Libya’s Benghazi over security
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Oil company workers in Benghazi, eastern Libya, will join a strike of civil servants and private companies on Tuesday to protest against a deteriorating security situation in the port city, an oil official said.
Zimbabwe court drops charges against human rights lawyer
HARARE (Reuters) – A Zimbabwe court on Tuesday dropped charges against a leading human rights lawyer who had faced trial for obstructing police, after state prosecutors failed to present evidence to support their case.
Australia summons Chinese ambassador over airspace announcement
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia summoned China’s ambassador to express concern over its imposition of an “Air Defence Identification Zone” over the East China Sea, the foreign minister said on Tuesday, decrying the move as unhelpful in a region beset by t…
11 Pakistani teachers kidnapped during polio campaign released: officials
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) – Militants released on Tuesday 11 teachers who had been kidnapped in Pakistan’s lawless northwest during a polio vaccination campaign last week, local officials said.
Nepal’s Maoists demand election investigation, but soften rhetoric
KATHMANDU (Reuters) – Nepal’s Maoist former rebels, trailing in last week’s election, have called for an independent investigation into complaints of vote fraud, but they also signaled willingness to compromise to end political deadlock in the Himalaya…
China sends carrier to South China Sea for training amid maritime disputes
BEIJING (Reuters) – China sent its sole aircraft carrier on a training mission into the South China Sea on Tuesday amid maritime disputes with some neighbors and tension over its plan to set up an airspace defense zone in waters disputed with Japan.
