Congo’s Kabila pledges unity government, pressures rebels
KINSHASA (Reuters) – President Joseph Kabila said on Wednesday he would create a national unity government in an attempt to end years of crisis in Democratic Republic of Congo, a move cautiously welcomed by some rivals but which analysts warned could d…
Tunisia PM confirms ready to resign under deal with opponents
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisian Prime Minister Ali Larayedh confirmed on Wednesday his Islamist-led government was ready to step down once it has completed negotiations with the opposition to form a caretaker administration to take the country to new electi…
Greek police arrest second Roma couple suspected of child abduction
ATHENS (Reuters) – A second Roma couple have been arrested in Greece on suspicion of abducting a child, just a week after the discovery of a girl dubbed the “blonde angel” made headlines around the world.
Canadian prime minister under pressure over expenses scandal
OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada’s main opposition leader accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Wednesday of creating a “culture of corruption” as Harper faced an expenses scandal that looked to be spiraling into the biggest crisis of his seven years in of…
Ivory Coast youth leader asks government to reject ICC warrant
ABIDJAN (Reuters) – Charles Ble Goude, wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity and an ally of Ivory Coast’s ex-president Laurent Gbagbo, should be tried by an Ivorian court and not sent to The Hague, the ex-youth leader’s…
Somali piracy at seven-year low, new tactics by militants onshore: U.N.
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia are at the lowest level since 2006 because of tougher ship security and more Western naval patrols, while onshore al Shabaab militants have shifted tactics to guerrilla warfare, the Uni…
Exclusive: South Korea nearing decision to buy F-35 fighters
WASHINGTON/SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea is nearing a decision to buy some Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jets, but will likely keep its options open for a limited purchase of Boeing Co’s F-15, sources familiar with the country’s fighter competition…
Italian police bust ring of corrupt morticians
ROME (Reuters) – Italian police arrested five morticians on Wednesday on charges of making tens of thousands of euros a month in bribes from funeral homes and profiting from grieving families of the dead.
Security pact delay hampers NATO plans for post-2014 Afghanistan
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – NATO has agreed the outline of a military force it intends to keep in Afghanistan after its combat mission there ends next year, but troop numbers remain uncertain due to ongoing talks between Washington and Kabul.
Canadian billionaire Stronach to end foray into Austrian politics
VIENNA (Reuters) – Austro-Canadian billionaire Frank Stronach is to retire from Austrian politics after a year-long adventure that culminated in a poor poll showing and the near self-destruction of his party.