Turkey’s Erdogan says ‘dark alliances’ behind graft inquiry
ANKARA (Reuters) – Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan denounced “international groups” and “dark alliances” on Saturday for entangling Turkey in a corruption scandal that has exposed deep rifts between him and a U.S.-based Muslim cleric who helped him rise …
Egypt sends Mursi to trial in third case
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s deposed Islamist president, Mohamed Mursi, and 129 others including members of Hamas and Hezbollah, were referred to trial on Saturday on murder and other charges related to a mass jail break during the 2011 uprising against H…
Somali parliament approves new prime minister
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Somalia’s lawmakers on Saturday approved the appointment of new Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, who vowed to appoint a larger and more effective cabinet.
U.N.’s Ban calls for more funds for typhoon-stricken Philippines
TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines (Reuters) – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stepped up an appeal for funds to help the Philippines recover from a devastating typhoon last month after visiting stricken areas on Saturday.
China voices ‘strong concerns’ over Japan’s military spending
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Defense Ministry called Japan’s plans to raise its military spending for the first time in 10 years deeply worrying for Asia and the world, saying on Saturday that it strongly opposes its neighbor’s policy.
Be professional, shun gossip, Pope tells Vatican administrators
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis on Saturday told Vatican administrators, who were dogged by infighting and allegations of corruption during the papacy of his predecessor, to be humble professionals and “conscientious objectors” to gossip.
Thai opposition party to boycott election
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s main opposition party announced on Saturday it would boycott an election in February, deepening uncertainty about the poll and fuelling a campaign to overthrow Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government.
India transfers diplomat to U.N. in bid to defuse row with U.S.
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India said on Saturday that it had transferred the diplomat at the center of a row with the United States to its U.N. delegation, a move that it hopes will give her protection from prosecution for visa fraud and underpaying a maid…
African mediators to meet South Sudan president’s rivals
JUBA (Reuters) – African mediators sought on Saturday to meet rivals to South Sudan’s president in a bid to end fighting that threatens to drag the world’s newest country into an ethnic civil war.
Madagascar presidential candidates neck and neck in early count
ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) – The two candidates in Madagascar’s presidential run-off election were neck and neck in early vote counting on Saturday, in a poll meant to end a deep-rooted political rift that has driven away investors and contributed to a shr…
