Italy’s Berlusconi demands Renzi’s Senate reform be negotiated
ROME (Reuters) – Italian center-right leader Silvio Berlusconi on Saturday demanded a renegotiation of a reform of the upper house of parliament to which Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has tied his political future.
Ukraine PM says will stick to austerity despite Moscow pressure
KIEV (Reuters) – The Kiev government will stick to unpopular austerity measures “as the price of independence” as Russia steps up pressure on Ukraine to destabilise it, including by raising the price of gas, Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk told Reuters…
Iran upbeat on nuclear talks, says all sticky issues addressed
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran said on Saturday it had useful expert-level nuclear talks with world powers in Vienna, addressing all major technical issues in the way of a final settlement.
Finland’s PM Katainen says he will resign in June
HELSINKI (Reuters) – Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen announced on Saturday that he was stepping down in June, saying he was interested in top EU posts.
Chinese ship hunting for missing Malaysia jet detects ‘ping’
KUALA LUMPUR/PERTH, Australia (Reuters) – A Chinese patrol ship hunting for a missing Malaysia Airlines jetliner detected a pulse signal in the south Indian Ocean on Saturday, the state news agency Xinhua reported, in a possible indicator of the underw…
U.N. chief says Central African Republic peacekeepers ‘overwhelmed’
BANGUI (Reuters) – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on Saturday that French and African soldiers in Central African Republic were “overwhelmed” by a “state of anarchy,” a day after Chadian troops began withdrawing from the peacekeeping mission…
U.N. chief says Central African Republic peacekeepers ‘overwhelmed’
BANGUI (Reuters) – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on Saturday that French and African soldiers in Central African Republic were “overwhelmed” by a “state of anarchy,” a day after Chadian troops began withdrawing from the peacekeeping mission…
Italian priests, Canadian nun kidnapped in Cameroon
YAOUNDE (Reuters) – Two Italian priests and a Canadian nun were kidnapped in northern Cameroon overnight, a bishop and a government source said on Saturday, months after a French priest was seized nearby.
Israel’s Livni says U.S. should change role in Mideast peace talks
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – The United States should change its role in the Middle East peace process allowing for more direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Israel’s chief negotiator Tzipi Livni said on Saturday.
Weighty issues remain for Japan, Australia in trade pact talks
TOKYO (Reuters) – Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb said substantive issues remained in trade negotiations with Japan as the two nations rushed to conclude a free trade agreement before their prime ministers meet on Monday.
