Second round of Syria talks makes faltering start
GENEVA/BEIRUT (Reuters) – A second round of Syria peace talks got off to a shaky start on Monday, with the two sides complaining about violations of a local ceasefire and an Islamist offensive respectively in separate meetings with the international me…
Roadside bomb explodes near Iraqi parliament speaker’s convoy
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The speaker of Iraq’s parliament narrowly escaped death on Monday when a roadside bomb exploded near his convoy close to the northern city of Mosul, his office said.
Italian President Napolitano under fire over Monti appointment
ROME (Reuters) – Italian President Giorgio Napolitano faced fierce criticism on Monday over reports that he asked Mario Monti about replacing Silvio Berlusconi as prime minister months before his government fell at the height of the euro zone crisis in…
Towering gates at Cairo’s Tahrir Square draw criticism
CAIRO (Reuters) – Towering metal gates erected near Cairo’s Tahrir Square by the army-backed authorities have drawn criticism as a new form of police repression in an area where Egyptians launched a historic uprising for democracy in 2011.
South Sudan rebels say they will boycott latest peace talks
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – South Sudanese rebels threatened on Monday to boycott the next round of peace talks in Ethiopia unless the government freed political prisoners and sent home the Ugandan troops who have been supporting it.
Egypt denies upholding death sentences on militants
CAIRO (Reuters) – The Egyptian presidency on Monday denied a report that it had upheld the death penalties of 14 people convicted of attacking police in North Sinai in 2011.
EU tells Britain: Don’t pander to prejudice on immigration
LONDON (Reuters) – Politicians in Britain and other European Union states risk pandering to prejudice and xenophobia by considering restricting free movement of labor within the bloc, a top EU official said on Monday.
Red Cross says vehicle carrying five disappears in northern Mali
BAMAKO (Reuters) – The Red Cross said on Monday that one of its vehicles carrying five people went missing two days ago in northern Mali between the towns of Gao and Kidal.
Nigerian president sacks chief of staff: sources
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed his chief of staff, three senior government sources told Reuters on Monday, extending a wave of government changes a year before elections.
UK minister’s visit to contested Falklands angers Argentina
LONDON (Reuters) – The British government minister responsible for the Falkland Islands began his first visit to the contested territory on Monday and an angry Argentina accused him of high-handed colonialism.
