Merkel, SPD welcome further talks on German government
BERLIN (Reuters) – Angela Merkel’s conservatives and the opposition Social Democrats (SPD) agreed to meet again in 10 days to explore forming a “grand coalition” government after an initial three-hour meeting on Friday was called constructive by both s…
Italian Senate panel recommends Berlusconi’s expulsion
ROME (Reuters) – An Italian Senate committee on Friday recommended that former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi be expelled from parliament after his conviction for tax fraud, paving the way for a final decision this month that could seal his political…
Netanyahu struggles to set the terms in Iranian dispute
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this week that Iran’s new president was a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”, but he himself looked increasingly like a lone wolf as his allies seek to bring Tehran into the fold.
Youths burn church, riot in Kenya’s Mombasa after imam killed
MOMBASA, Kenya (Reuters) – Young Muslims set fire to a church, burned tires and clashed with police in Kenya’s main port city of Mombasa on Friday, leaving at least four people dead after the killing of an Islamic cleric which his followers blamed on s…
Swiss to vote on 2,500 franc basic income for every adult
BERNE (Reuters) – Switzerland will hold a vote on whether to introduce a basic income for all adults, in a further sign of growing public activism over pay inequality since the financial crisis.
Right-wing coalition prospects fade in Austria
VIENNA (Reuters) – Prospects of a center-right government in Austria faded on Friday as both the conservative People’s Party and the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) moved away from a possible alliance with the new Euroskeptic party of industrialist Frank…
Envoys ask Ukraine leader to pardon jailed rival to save EU deal
KIEV (Reuters) – EU envoys asked Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich on Friday to pardon jailed opponent Yulia Tymoshenko, her lawyer said, bringing closer a possible deal to end an impasse threatening landmark agreements between Ukraine and the Euro…
Serbian PM threatens to pull out of EU-led Kosovo talks
BELGRADE (Reuters) – Serbia’s prime minister threatened on Friday to pull out of EU-mediated talks with Kosovo after the former Serbian province denied him permission to visit, underscoring the fragility of a landmark accord between the two.
Azerbaijan’s leader set to keep power but problems loom
BAKU (Reuters) – Luxury cars cruise down “Oilman Avenue” past five-star hotels and exclusive boutiques in the capital of Azerbaijan, where President Ilham Aliyev looks sure to be re-elected on Wednesday.
Norway cuts Afghan aid over violence against women, corruption
OSLO (Reuters) – Norway will slightly reduce its aid to Afghanistan from next year, signaling to Kabul that it has not done enough to combat corruption and violence against women, the foreign ministry said on Friday.
