Witness-tampering charges could derail Bemba war crimes trial
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – A lawyer for former Congo vice-president and war crimes suspect Jean-Pierre Bemba went on trial himself on Wednesday on charges of colluding with his client and three others to mislead the court with forged documents and bribed wi…
Kenyan president vetoes ‘unconstitutional’ media law
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenya’s president vetoed a bill on Wednesday that would have imposed fines and restrictions on journalists, saying it was unconstitutional, the first time he has used his power to reject legislation.
Ukraine president tells EU to keep off Tymoshenko case
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich said the European Union should stop meddling in the fate of his rival, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, and that her imprisonment should not hinder Kiev’s integration with Europe.
Egypt orders arrest of two symbols of anti-Mubarak revolt
CAIRO (Reuters) – Two Egyptian pro-democracy campaigners renowned for their role in the popular uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak are to be arrested for inciting protests, a source in the prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday.
Merkel clinches “grand coalition” deal with SPD
BERLIN (Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel clinched a coalition deal with the Social Democrats (SPD) on Wednesday that rolls back decade-old reforms of the German welfare state but preserves Berlin’s strict approach towards struggling European partner…
Mali’s ex-junta chief remanded in custody after questioning: government
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Mali’s former military chief, General Amadou Sanogo, has been remanded in custody after he was questioned by a judge on Wednesday, Mali’s Defense Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga said.
EU executive to Britain: Freedom of movement rules ‘non-negotiable’
LONDON (Reuters) – The European Commission told Britain on Wednesday that European Union freedom of movement rules were non-negotiable and that London had to accept them if it wanted to remain in the bloc’s single market.
Execution-style sectarian killings on upswing in Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq (Reuters) – Police found the bodies of 13 people around Baghdad on Wednesday, the apparent victims of execution-style shootings that recalled the height of Iraq’s sectarian slaughter.
Britain’s Cameron dismisses Scotland’s independence plans
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday dismissed the Scottish government’s vision of how the country would look if it votes for independence next year, accusing nationalists of ducking the biggest policy questions.
Angola police block march to opposition funeral
LUANDA (Reuters) – Angolan authorities deployed anti-riot police, helicopters and water cannon on Wednesday to block hundreds of opposition members from marching to the funeral of an activist shot dead by security forces at the weekend.
