Berlusconi allies step up threats over Italian Senate ruling
ROME (Reuters) – Allies of Silvio Berlusconi stepped up warnings on Tuesday that they would bring down Italy’s unstable ruling coalition if center-left lawmakers refuse to delay a hearing over expelling the billionaire former prime minister from parlia…
Syria has ‘deep concern’ about nuclear reactor risk if attacked
VIENNA (Reuters) – A senior Syrian diplomat said on Tuesday he had voiced his nation’s “deep concern” to the U.N. nuclear chief about the possible risks involved if a research reactor near Damascus were hit during any military strikes against his gover…
EU must reform to woo skeptical Britons: parliament head
LONDON (Reuters) – The European Union must hand back some powers to nation states while strengthening its role in other areas if it is to regain public trust and reverse a tide of skepticism in countries like Britain, the president of the European Parl…
Amnesty decries ‘extreme political violence’ in Egypt
GENEVA (Reuters) – Amnesty International called on Tuesday for an independent investigation into killings by Egyptian security forces as well as torture and violations of the rights to free speech and assembly.
Anti-government protester dies in southern Turkey
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – A Turkish protester died at a demonstration in the southeastern city of Antakya on Tuesday against police handling of nationwide anti-government protests this summer, but the cause of his death was in dispute.
France seeks U.N. resolution on Syria chemical arms
PARIS (Reuters) – France sought to seize the diplomatic initiative on Syria on Tuesday, saying it would push for a U.N. resolution setting out terms for the destruction of its chemical weapons and warning of “serious consequences” if it resisted.
Japan disaster, economic crisis prompt IAEA to cut nuclear growth projection
VIENNA (Reuters) – The United Nations’ atomic agency has cut its long-term outlook for nuclear energy growth for a third year in a row, in part because of hesitancy following Japan’s Fukushima disaster.
Russia works on ‘concrete’ plan for control of Syrian chemical arms
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia is working on an “effective, clear, concrete” plan for putting Syria’s chemical weapons under international control and is discussing the details with Damascus, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday.
Kenya’s deputy president pleads not guilty before international court
THE HAGUE/NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto pleaded innocent to crimes against humanity charges at the International Criminal Court on Tuesday, at the start of a trial that will test the stability of a country seen as vital to E…
Australian prisoners salt away savings by working in desert mine
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Prisoners in central Australia are being offered an unusual way to defray the costs of their incarceration and to build their savings and self-esteem – by working in a salt mine.