German coalition hurt by scandal but won’t break
BERLIN (Reuters) – The fall of a conservative minister has poisoned the atmosphere in Germany’s new left-right coalition, but party leaders made clear on Monday they would not let this derail the government at a sensitive moment for its reform program….
After slow start, Albania and Kosovo look to potential as partners
TIRANA/PRISTINA (Reuters) – Shortly after Kosovo declared independence from Serbia six years ago, neighboring Albania said it would bequeath its Adriatic port of Shengjin to its landlocked ethnic kin.
Suspected Egyptian militants raise stakes in insurgency
CAIRO (Reuters) – The bombing of a tourist bus in Egypt by suspected Muslim militants marks a strategic shift to soft targets that could devastate an economy already reeling from political turmoil.
Gas blast shakes apartment buildings in central Istanbul
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – An explosion caused by a gas leak tore through a residential building near central Istanbul’s Taksim Square on Monday, injuring several people and sending debris spewing into a narrow side street, city officials said.
Iran’s Khamenei backs nuclear talks but not optimistic
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran’s supreme leader vowed to continue nuclear talks resuming with world powers on Tuesday despite some reservations, in his strongest sign of support for moderate President Hassan Rouhani’s push to resolve the conflict peacefully.
Rescued South Africa gold miners arrested, charged
BENONI, South Africa (Reuters) – Twenty two artisanal gold miners who came out of a disused and temporarily blocked shaft near Johannesburg over the last two days have been arrested and will be charged with illegal mining, South African police said on …
Georgian court sentences ex-premier to five years in prison
TBILISI (Reuters) – A Georgian court sentenced a former prime minister on Monday to five years in prison for corruption in a verdict that the opposition branded as part of a government witch-hunt against its foes.
Iran says may send forces to Pakistan to free border guards
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran said on Monday it would send forces into Pakistan to free five border guards said to have been kidnapped by militants if Islamabad did not take measures to secure their release.
Niger arrests 20 Boko Haram militants in suspected plot
NIAMEY (Reuters) – Niger has arrested about 20 Boko Haram Islamist militants from neighboring Nigeria who are suspected of planning attacks in Niger’s south east, Nigerien security officials said on Monday.
Scottish separatist leader scolds ‘arrogant’ UK
LONDON (Reuters) – Separatist leader Alex Salmond insisted on Monday that Scotland would keep the pound if it left the UK and accused British politicians of bluffing by ruling out a currency union in a campaign of fear that would provoke a backlash fro…
