Israeli ruling coalition wobbles as U.S. peace proposal looms
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – A pending U.S. framework proposal to propel stumbling Israeli-Palestinian peace talks forward chipped away on Wednesday at a troubled alliance between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and an ultranationalist ally in his governing…
Italy vote reform moves to parliament as parties agree changes
ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s main political parties agreed adjustments to center-left leader Matteo Renzi’s electoral reform proposals that should clear the way for the closely watched package to come before parliament on Thursday.
Hoping to deter Hezbollah, Israel threatens Lebanese civilians
HERZLIYA, Israel (Reuters) – Israel accused Lebanon’s Hezbollah guerrillas on Wednesday of putting “thousands” of bases in residential buildings and said it would destroy these in a future conflict, even at the cost of civilian lives.
Czech president appoints centre-left cabinet, ending power vacuum
PRAGUE (Reuters) – President Milos Zeman appointed a new center-left cabinet on Wednesday, ending a seven-month power vacuum that has hampered policy decisions that the Czech Republic needs to boost recovery from its longest recession.
Latin Americans pledge to respect Cuba’s form of government
HAVANA (Reuters) – Latin American leaders pledged on Wednesday to respect the right of all countries in the region to choose their own political systems, a proclamation notable largely for accepting Cuba as the only one-party state in the western hemis…
El Salvador vote pits ex-rebel vs gang-fighting rightist
SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) – A former guerrilla commander hopes to keep his left-wing party in power in El Salvador’s presidential election on Sunday, but he faces a strong challenge from a right-wing rival who wants to use the army to battle powerful stre…
Tunisia’s Islamists cede power to caretaker government
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisia’s new caretaker government formally took office on Wednesday, replacing the Islamist party which came to power after a 2011 uprising but stepped down in a deal intended to help the country embrace democracy.
Bahraini court shuts down Shi’ite clerical group
MANAMA (Reuters) – A Bahraini court ordered the dissolution of a group of Shi’ite Muslim clerics on Wednesday, declaring it illegal in a ruling that could harm reconciliation efforts aimed at ending political unrest in the U.S.-allied island kingdom.
Merkel tries to quell row over German role in Africa
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany is ready to send logistical support to Central African Republic but will not dispatch combat troops with a planned EU mission, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday, trying to end a domestic row about Berlin’s role.
South Africa’s AMCU union to take revised platinum offer to members
PRETORIA (Reuters) – The world’s top platinum producers have made a revised wage offer to South Africa’s AMCU union but it falls short of its demand for a minimum “living wage” of 12,500 rand ($1,100) a month, the union’s chief negotiator said on Wedne…
