Slovak premier seeks release of paragliders in Tehran
PRAGUE (Reuters) – Slovak Prime Minster Robert Fico has flown to Iran to negotiate the release of two Slovak paragliders, the government in Bratislava said on Thursday.
Berlusconi says arresting him would incite revolution in Italy
PARIS (Reuters) – Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, who lost parliamentary immunity when he was expelled from the Senate last month, said on Thursday revolution would break out if he were arrested and thrown in prison.
Blast near U.S. embassy in Kabul was accident, Afghan official says
KABUL (Reuters) – An accidental detonation of explosives stored in an Afghan facility beside the U.S. embassy in Kabul sparked a brief panic early on Thursday, triggering concerns of an attack, but no immediate reports of casualties.
Finance watchdog approves Vatican reforms, urges bank oversight
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – The Vatican has made significant progress in financial reforms but still risks being used for money laundering unless it strengthens controls, a European watchdog said on Thursday.
Mexico’s landmark energy bill nears final approval
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s Congress was on Thursday poised to complete approval of the biggest overhaul of its oil industry since nationalization 75 years ago, opening the door to investment by oil majors in a bid to reverse falling output.
Honeymoon over for gay couples after Australia overturns same-sex marriage law
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The honeymoon was short-lived for Australia’s gay couples who married in the past five days after the High Court overturned new same-sex marriage laws on Thursday, invalidating wedding ceremonies performed since Saturday.
Russia seeks trade talks with Washington: Russian official
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Russia on Wednesday proposed a series of bilateral trade negotiations with the United States under the umbrella of a hoped-for new trade agenda between the two countries, a senior Russian official said.
Egyptian forces arrest Qataris at Al Jazeera office in Cairo: report
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian security forces raided an office of Qatar’s Al Jazeera television channel late Wednesday night and arrested 11 Qatari citizens, state newspaper Al-Ahram reported.
Ukraine protesters defy police, leaders reject talks with president
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian protesters stood their ground on Wednesday after an overnight sweep by riot police and their leaders dismissed an offer of talks from a president they say must quit for favoring ties with Russia over the European Union.
White House: deadline for Afghan security pact could slip into January
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House would like Afghan President Hamid Karzai to sign a bilateral security agreement by the end of the year, but the deadline could slip into early January, a spokesman said on Wednesday.
