South Sudan government and rebels sign ceasefire deal
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – South Sudan’s government and rebels signed a ceasefire on Thursday to end more than five weeks of fighting that divided Africa’s newest nation and brought it to the brink of civil war.
Ukraine opposition meet protesters after talks with Yanukovich
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich called for an emergency session of parliament to end the country’s political crisis and violent unrest, in a sign he might be ready to soften his hardline stance and strike a compromise.
At least 16 killed as Central African Republic swears in new leader
BANGUI (Reuters) – At least 16 people died in clashes in Central African Republic on Thursday as new interim president Catherine Samba-Panza took office with a plea for militia to lay down their arms to halt the escalating inter-religious violence.
U.S. brings fraud charges against firm that vetted Snowden
(Reuters) – The U.S. Justice Department accused United States Investigations Services (USIS), the largest private provider of security checks for the government, of bilking millions of dollars through improper background verifications.
U.S. military sees risks in China-Japan tensions, seeks restraint
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The top U.S. military commander in the Asia-Pacific region acknowledged his concern on Thursday over entrenched tensions between Japan and China, a day after Japan’s prime minister evoked comparisons to Britain and Germany before…
Tunisia’s assembly finishes new constitution
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisia’s national assembly approved the final articles of the country’s new constitution on Thursday, three years after their uprising against autocrat Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali inspired a wave of Arab revolts.
Toronto Mayor Ford stuck in elevator as lunch audience waits
TORONTO (Reuters) – Toronto Mayor Rob Ford lived up his reputation for surprises on Thursday when he got stuck in a hotel elevator for nearly an hour while a room full of the city’s business elite waited impatiently for him to deliver a speech.
Mexican president says Texas execution sets ‘bad precedent’
DAVOS (Reuters) – The execution of Mexican citizen Edgar Tamayo by lethal injection in Texas sets a bad precedent for upholding international law, Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto said on Thursday.
Russia says EU tries to impose ‘alien view’ of homosexuality
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Russia, caught in a pre-Sochi Olympic uproar over gay rights, accuses the European Union in a new report of trying to enforce “an alien view” of homosexuality on other countries.
Syrian opposition looks to future without Assad
GENEVA (Reuters) – Syria’s opposition leader on Thursday laid out his demands for talks on ending the country’s civil war, calling for the creation of a transitional government that does not include President Bashar al-Assad.
