Scandals, inequality loom large as Costa Rica votes for new leader
SAN JOSE (Reuters) – Costa Rica’s centrist ruling party front-runner hoped to fend off a leftist surge fueled by voter resentment over government corruption scandals and rising inequality as voters in Central America’s second-largest economy headed to …
Scotland’s pro-independence camp gets small poll boost before vote
LONDON (Reuters) – The number of people in Scotland who want their small country to become independent of the United Kingdom in a referendum later this year has risen slightly, a poll showed on Sunday, but those opposed to a breakaway still enjoy a com…
Turkey says open to alternatives to Chinese missile defense system
MUNICH (Reuters) – Turkey’s Foreign Minister said on Sunday Ankara had not yet decided which missile defense system it would buy and it was open to bids from other companies besides the current Chinese favorite if these guaranteed joint production.
Yemen tribesmen say seize German to push for relatives’ release
SANAA (Reuters) – Yemeni tribesmen said on Sunday they had kidnapped a German man to press their government to free jailed relatives, underscoring the breakdown in security in the Western-allied country.
Israeli minister attacks Kerry over boycott warnings
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is holding a gun to Israel’s head in peace talks with the Palestinians by warning it could face international isolation if negotiations failed, a senior Israeli cabinet minister said on Sunday.
Catalan leader says Spain cannot block independence vote: report
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain cannot block a non-binding vote on Catalan independence that could become the basis for negotiations on Catalonia’s future, the president of the northeastern region said in an interview published on Sunday.
U.S. and Iran meet to discuss final nuclear accord
MUNICH (Reuters) – The foreign ministers of the United States and Iran held rare private talks in Germany on Sunday to discuss the next stage in efforts to reach a definitive agreement to end a decade-old dispute over Iran’s nuclear program.
EU ‘seriously concerned’ about China crackdown on rights activists
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union is “seriously concerned” about China’s treatment of human rights campaigners after a spate of trials and detentions, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said.
South African mediators make proposal to end platinum strike
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African government mediators have put forward a proposal designed to end a strike that has hit around 40 percent of global platinum supply, they said at the weekend.
Afghan election campaign stirs both violence and hope
KABUL (Reuters) – Presidential candidates in Afghanistan begin two months of campaigning on Sunday for an election that Western allies hope will consolidate fragile stability as their forces prepare to leave after nearly 13 years of inconclusive war.
