President says Italy needs continuity, not continuous polls
ROME (Reuters) – Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said on Saturday the country needed a stable government, not more elections, after Prime Minister Enrico Letta said he felt compelled to call a confidence vote this week that could lead to yet anoth…
Egypt soldier killed in Sinai, video shows attacks
ISMAILIA, Egypt (Reuters) – An Egyptian soldier was shot dead in the Sinai Peninsula on Saturday, security officials said, and militants released a video showing attacks against the army in the region where the state is trying to stamp out al Qaeda-lin…
Tunisia’s ruling Islamists to step down, pave way for vote
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisia’s Islamist-led government agreed on Saturday to resign after talks with secular foes to form a caretaker administration and prepare for elections to safeguard the democratic transition in the country where the Arab Spring upri…
Merkel ally attacks left’s plan to poll members over tie-up
BERLIN (Reuters) – The head of Angela Merkel’s allies in Bavaria has attacked a plan by the opposition Social Democrats (SPD) to put any decision on forming a “grand coalition” with her to a vote of its members, warning against tactics that risk stabil…
Planned tax breaks for UK married couples rapped as 1950s throwback
LONDON (Reuters) – Plans by Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron to give tax breaks to some married couples drew criticism on Saturday that he was promoting a fantasy 1950s model of family life not corresponding to the realities of modern Britain….
U.N. Security Council demands elimination of Syria chemical arms
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution on Friday that demands the eradication of Syria’s chemical weapons but does not threaten automatic punitive action against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government if it doe…
French hostage of Nigerian Islamists pleads for help in video: SITE
PARIS/ABUJA (Reuters) – A French hostage kidnapped by Islamist militants in Nigeria has asked for French and Nigerian government help in securing his release in a video released by his captors, according to the SITE web monitoring service.
Three killed in gunfight in Lebanon’s Baalbek
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Three people were killed in clashes in the Lebanese town of Baalbek on Saturday after gunmen opened fire on a checkpoint manned by militant group Hezbollah, security sources said.
Chemical weapons watchdog to begin Syria inspections next week
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Experts from the world’s chemical weapons watchdog will begin inspecting Syria’s stockpile of toxic munitions by Tuesday, according to an agreement passed in The Hague on Friday.
Refugee boat sinks on way to Australia, 21 dead: Indonesian police
JAKARTA (Reuters) – A boat carrying migrants to Australia sank off the Indonesian coast on Friday, killing at least 21 people, Indonesian police said, a sign that Australia’s tough new immigration rules may not be enough to deter would-be asylum seeker…
