Germany’s Merkel convenes allies to restore confidence after scandal
BERLIN (Reuters) – Chancellor Angela Merkel aimed to restore public confidence in her governing coalition at a meeting of party chiefs on Tuesday to clear the air after a scandal that poisoned the atmosphere.
Crisis in tiny Nauru puts spotlight on Australia’s asylum seeker policy
SYDNEY (Reuters) – It was mid-morning when the knock came at Rod Henshaw’s door. He had 30 minutes to pack, police told him, then straight to the plane that would deport him from the home he’d made on the tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru.
Italy’s man in a hurry faces questions as he starts coalition talks
ROME (Reuters) – Italian center-left leader Matteo Renzi began the delicate task of trying to form a new government on Tuesday, facing questions about how he will fill key ministerial posts and the details of his ambitious reform agenda.
Turkey’s Gul approves law tightening Internet controls
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish President Abdullah Gul approved a new law tightening control of the Internet on Tuesday in a move bolstering embattled Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan but raising concerns about free speech.
Uganda dismisses Obama pressure on anti-gay law
KAMPALA (Reuters) – Uganda on Tuesday dismissed U.S. president Barack Obama’s call to its leader Yoweri Museveni not to sign an anti-homosexuality law, saying the U.S. was trying to blackmail the east African country.
Journalist on assignment deaths total 134 last year: report
GENEVA (Reuters) – One hundred and thirty-four journalists and media support staff were killed while on reporting assignments last year, most of them targeted deliberately, the London-based International News Safety Institute (INSI) said on Tuesday.
At least two killed in Guinea protests over power cuts
CONAKRY (Reuters) – At least two people were killed and 30 others injured in Guinea’s capital Conakry on Tuesday when protests against frequent power cuts turned violent and the offices of a Brazilian construction firm were attacked.
Lebanon government deal brings hope to fragile state
BIKFAYA, Lebanon (Reuters) – A week ago, Lebanon was without a government and facing the prospect of an even deeper crisis come May, when President Michel Suleiman’s term was set to expire with no agreement on his replacement.
Chad says U.N. force needed to stabilize Central African Republic
N’DJAMENA (Reuters) – Chad’s President Idriss Deby has called for the creation of a U.N. peacekeeping mission to contain violence in Central African Republic, the first time the region’s military heavyweight has publicly sought U.N. intervention.
Colombia fires head of armed forces amid corruption scandal
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia has dismissed the head of its armed forces, Leonardo Barrero, days after media allegations surfaced of widespread corruption in military procurement contracts, President Juan Manuel Santos announced on Tuesday.
